Embrace Imperfections

At last, I've found a teacher who tells me to "Embrace Imperfection". I am doing a *FREE* class at Big Picture Scrapbooking called "Embrace Imperfection" by Karen Grunberg - a lady after my own heart. I highly recommend it to any one who, like me, can't glue things down straight, occasionally end up with ink/pen marks where there shouldn't be any or spends hours 'flaffing' with the smallest details of a layout (I need the right embellishment of the right colour and the right placement of said embellishment). You've heard me say it before and I'll say it again - glue it down and call it 'done', then move on to the next project.

Better Photo

I managed to take a better photo of the close-up of the faux crackle on the layout for the Aussie Scrap Source competition in November - remember the one you all voted for :)

5-6 layers of Clear embossing powder ( I don't have UTEE but it would've made the process faster) then pop it in the freezer for 10-15 mins then bend it to crack it. Not my own technique - I saw it on a Stampin' Up! demonstrator's blog who got it from Split Coast Stampers. Tried it out straight away and love it. I think it will be popping up again in future layouts.

Less Talk, More Scrapping

Someone recently told me that I talk - a lot. (It's true) . Then I noticed that my blog is very wordy so here's going against convention and a short post. This layout is about one of my BFF's daughters and links to a much earlier post with the story of "U my fren ay? It is a very different style for me but I like the result. I wanted the photo, title and story (written around the edge) to be the focus (The blocks of orange cardstock just cover up personal details - not actually part of the design).

Just finished a double-sided layout with an acetate/OHT panel (hence the need to be double-sided). I love it but I'm not quite ready to show it to you yet.

It's the new year already?

Where did 2010 go? Considering it's been two months since the last blog post I probably should make 'blogging more regularly' a new year's resolution. Lots has been happening since the last post including a week enjoying the sun in Oz. It was unusual for me to go on a holiday overseas where I wasn't doing any sight seeing or visiting. All I did was relax and maybe a little shopping; it was just perfect. I've also just got back from New Years at the beach which was another nice break from the everyday (and work).

I finally got my layout back that was published in Up2Scrap and I can share it with you here. I saw the issue in the supermarket and opened it to have a look at my layout. i got a bit of a shock to see it was used for the opening page of that section. It was a half page photo which gave me a bit of a shock! I was disappointed to note that they had put the hanging medallion up in their picture. I guess they did that to make it easier for people to read the journalling. but to me it just left a gapping [but delicately shaded] hole in the layout. I was hoping to get some creating done over the Christmas break but it has been too hot. Besides, after the month I had in December I was hanging out for some time off to just relax! I will also load a picture of the acrylic layouts I did at SENZ in July (and finished much later). I've also loaded a close up of the dog's layout so you can see just how gorgeous my wee man is - and the embellishments that hang of the edge too :)

Back to relaxing for me and maybe I'll start on all the projects and ideas that are piling up in my head and on my workdesk.

I've been creating and it feels good. This is a layout I completed based on a Becky Fleck Pagemap Sketch that I saw online on the Aussie Scrap Source Blog. It is the first time I have done a layout based on a sketch. I knew I wanted to use the butterfly and the layout came together slowly from there. (I don't know why I can't get the photo of the layout to upload in the right direction!!!).

Winning is by voting so please vote for me: http://aussiescrapsource.typepad.com/

I have put in the photo of the detail as the photo on their website doesn't show the detail: sparkly spritz on the butterfly (took me a few hours to unclog the head on the spritz bottle though before I could use it), the glittery cardstock (pale blue), the stamping and glass finish on the lettering or the faux cracked glass effect I created on the green cardstock matts (under butterfly and square stickers). The lettering was actually pale blue to start with but I spritzed them with the mist (managing to get some on my favourite designer jeans in the process!), then I added some script stamping as I wasn't happy with the overall effect and lastly added a coat of glass finish. I added the glass finish in a hurry before work (challenge deadline was looming) and it managed to overflow and spread on the background. Solution: found dog's tiny syringe and used it to mop up as much as I could then I had to use cotton buds to wipe away the excess. Even though I used Stazon ink it still bled with the movement of the glass finish.

I am really happy with the final product - been a while since you've heard me say that right? So, VOTE FOR ME!

http://aussiescrapsource.typepad.com/

The options are on the left-hand side of the web page. Mine is under the second section - single page layouts. Click the one that matches the layout here (It's the first one I think and the right way around!) and then click - Cast Your Vote on the button under my section - thanks!

Southern Girls Challenge: Challenge #5 - TRANSPORT

Southern Girls Challenge: Challenge #5 - TRANSPORT: "Up to our 5th challenge already. The weeks are really flying! Our challenge this week is to use something related to travel on your project...."

Southern Girl's Challenge - New Photos Added

This is a paperbag book I made of a road trip in NZ with good friends. It is filled with random items from our trip (funny roadsigns, things we did, photos, ticket stubs). I am putting it here for the Southern Girl's Challenge website for their weekly challenge: Use a travel item on a creation.

Here' the link to the Challenge website - give it a go yourself! http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/

I hope I have done it right - still trying to get my head around online challenges and all the technical skills that go with it.

Inside pages now added. I made the tags and took them with me and got the girls to fill them in with memories during our trip. None of them were scrapbookers and the one who did the tags under sufferance did a brilliant job and really got into adding stamps and bling. There are lift up flaps on each page with extra quotes and pictures. Enjoy!