29th August 2015

Skrapki Wyzwaniowo - Typeset

 

I loved this challenge sooooo much!!!! I love fonts, letters, words...

 

Here is the challenge and the link...

http://scrapki-wyzwaniowo.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/august-challenge-typesetting.html

 

And I had just received my 7 Dots order for Scrap Matrix.... so this happened! And I love it!

 

Who Am I?

 

This photo was taken while I was the Day Activity Coordinator on Kangaroo Island, (South Australia). 

We often played this game  (also called Celebrity Heads), and the ladies had so much fun and had lots of giggles while they were trying to work out who they were!

And here are some close ups....

 

 

Some stencilling, stamping and splattering on the background, and lots of yummy layers...

 

 

 

Thanks for a cool challenge Skrapki Wyzwaniowo!

Cheers, Vicki

 

August 14

CSI Case File #173

The link:
http://csicolorstoriesinspiration.ning.com/group/design-team-forum/forum/topics/case-file-no-173-please-add-your-layouts-by-4-00-p-m-est-on-augus

 

 

This case closes on 27th August... best get onto it!

 

I loved this one and couldn't wait to get started... I actually had a plan as soon as I read the clues and decided on the photo.  That doesn't always happen that quickly!

 

 And here is Desi... I mean my layout!!

 

She is so much bigger now, and I can't believe I have not scrapped her at all yet.  Such a little cutie, and these colours looked pretty good with the cushion she is curled up on - now her head fits on that same cushion!!!

 

 

Scheme: All colours accounted for

Evidence: Check pattern - (besides the cushion! I have texture pasted through a stencil, grid pattern - layout design is a grid and the washi has a grid design also, flowers and leaves - pretty obvious, wet medium - tecture paste, animals - does the photo count? label - date label, slant something - the whole layout is slanted (this was soooo difficult for this straight scrapper!) Distress something - minor ink distressing around the edges of all the paper.

Testimony:  I have journaled about relaxing on the couch with Desi - this of course only happens when she is exhausted!!!

 

Here are some close ups...

 

 

I used white cardstock on top of some 7 Dots Destination Unknown (which I also matted the photo with.)  The stencil is an older Prima (which I have had for ages - and love to bits!). Once I had divided my page into a grid, I outlined the quadrants with bling, paper, lace, flowers, crystals and some micro beads. There is also a Prima resin heart locket (saying My Heart Is Taken!).

All the elements I used are from Scrap Matrix...

http://scrapmatrix.com/

 

I loved doing this, and I am now inspired to print some more photos off of my baby - who is now so such a baby at 7 months old.

Thanks CSI!

 

Thanks for popping by...

cheers, Vicki

 

7th August

 

CSI Case File #172

The major case file for the month!!!

You have the rest of the month to solve this one... here is the link...

http://csicolorstoriesinspiration.ning.com/forum/topics/major-case-file-no-172-case-closes-on-august-31-2015 

 

Here is the file...  which I just loved, by the way!
The 'rules' are simple...

• Use the colour palette
• Choose at least 3 elements from the Evidence list
• Use one Testimony prompt
• And there is always a sketch to go with the main case - use it loosely if you like - does not have to be exact!!!
• Make a cool page!
• Upload it to the site, using the link tool (explained well on site)

 

 

 I had just printed off some images of my dad's shed, and the colours seemed pretty perfect... even if they didn't relate to the little 'travel' image.

And here is my layout

Tools of His Trades

 

Scheme: All colours accounted for.

Evidence: Wet medium (texture paste through a TCW tile stencil), string (tag and in cluster), mesh (as a base for all the elements and images), metal (cogs and other 'shed' props), watch parts (chipboard clock).

Testimony: Weeelll.... While it is not exactly Direction in the travel sense.... these tools and his shed, became a 'new direction' for dad once he retired.  He tried the whole resting, bowling and watching lots of Foxtel... but became bored (much to his confusion!!!).  He started becoming involved with the crafts that mum and I were doing. He made all of our MDF items (trays, bins etc for folk art painting)... then started learning how to make frames and matting, and did all of our framing, making the hobby so much cheaper for us all... his rates were vastly different from a 'framer'!!!!  He was kept very busy!

Here are some close ups....

 

I used some Tim Holtz letter stickers - they were perfect!

And I made some resin molds for the little tools, and coloured them gray with Distress paint.

I kept some of the cogs natural to blend with the colour scheme. Others I distressed with Aged Mahogany and added glossy Accents.

 

 

I found the Authentique Durable range suited the colour scheme, and my theme really well, as well as adding a 7 Dots Cold Country piece at the bottom (following the sketch), and adding in the gray.

 

 

I used Scrap Matrix chipboard words and coloured them with a bit of a mix of Primary Elements to match the colour. And coated with Glossy Accents again. 

 

 

I really loved this case, and loved doing a grungy masculine layout.

Thanks for popping by and thanks to CSI for another cool case to solve!

 

Some of the items used I grabbed from my stash...

others I 'grabbed' from Scrap Matrix!!! lol

http://scrapmatrix.com/

 

Cheers, Vicki

Love. Laugh. Scrap. Shop.

 

 

11th August

 

Kraft + August Challenge

Zentangle

 

Here is the link for this very cool challenge....

http://kraftpluschallenges.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/august-challenge-zentangledoodling.html

 

Well, cool for some!  I have never zentangled before, but was definitely starting to think about it, so I jumped in... tentatively! lol

 

 

Mine is pretty basic, but I am still proud of it, and I am no longer a zentangle virgin!

 

Bali Time.

 

I was very tentative with my tangles, and to be honest, my creativity did not kick in... I should have googled some images and got some very cool doodles. My friend was here today, and she got so many ideas on the net from some very cool zentanglers... wish I had thought of that! lol 

I purposely crosshatched each half of each leave, hoping it would look darker, as a shadow would. 

I was so tempted to add colour to my leaves, but resisted, and added chipboard and bling instead!

A couple of close ups...

 

To me, the beautiful frangipani is such a symbol of Bali.. and one of my favourite flowers... they signify my time in Bali...

 

 

I had fun with this challenge, and may even be tempted to try it again... but will research a little and practice a lot! 

 

Great challenge again Sandra and Kraft +.

Thank you for the inspiration.

 

Cheers, Vicki

 

25th July

 

CSI Case File # 171

 

Here is the link to follow for this very pretty case to solve

http://csicolorstoriesinspiration.ning.com/forum/topics/case-file-no-171-case-closes-on-august-6-2015 

 

 

Here is my take on it...

 

 

Scheme: All colours accounted for

Evidence: Chevrons (texture paste), dots (stamped), artisan shape (cut with Big Shot - after I looked up what it was! something transparent (butterflies), texture paste (chevrons).

Testimony: I chose Topic - a celebration of a beautiful family connection and loving bond.

 

 

I have used 7 Dots paper as my background and some Heidi Swapp to help bring in some other colours for the palette. I texture pasted some chevrons and added colour with Liny's Stamp Gang sprays and splats. The Maya Road transparent butterflies, I coloured with Ranger alcohol inks, and used Prima flowers and Blue Fern Studios chipboard for the title words.

Here are some close ups...

 

These Prima flowers are quite high... but I just LOVE them!

 

 

I have journaled onto the page, but in lead pencil, to keep it soft and blend with the palette - not using black ink was very different for me!

 

 

When I was collecting the 'evidence' for this page, I was also in the process of collating other monthly challenges that I liked, and realized that one of them (Scrap Around The World) was very similar to the palette in this one... just needed to add mint!  So... I created a double layout and accomplished 2 challenges (kind of) in one. Unfortunately, I didn't get around to entering the SATW one!

 

But here is how my double turned out...

 

 

PS I love doubles!!!

 

These photos were taken on Christmas day about 8 years ago at Robbie and Jennie's house at West Lakes.  Such happy memories - especially watching these 3 girls together.  They are THE 3 Christensen grand daughters, ( daughters of Judith, David and Wendy).  There is almost 10 years difference in the age gaps... and the relationship that Bree and Molly have, is so very similar to that which Bree enjoyed with her older cousin Amy. Nice little 'circle of life'.

 

Another beautiful case CSI!!! Thank you.

Cheers, Vicki

 

 

23rd July

White With One.... Marsala!

July Challenge - with the link...

http://whitewith1.blogspot.com.au/

Now, apparently this challenge has been quite 'challenging'... with only a few entries so far this month....

so I grabbed that challenge and I just love my page!

For me it was more challenging on a personal level, (because of the photo) rather than fear of the colour...

Some of my Marsala may be a little light - the ice must have melted! And I may have over lightened a little when I edited the images. The bricks on the Durable paper are a bit darker than is shown.

Here is my layout...

My Dad's Shed. 

 

I have used a lot of Aged Mahogany Distess Ink, (the closest to Marsala that I cold find), an old ink pad I found with a marsala type colour and some Aged Mahogany Distress Crackle through the tile stencil as well... (but it was pretty old and didn't really crackle much!).

I used the Authentique Durable range - which is so perfect for masculine layouts. I am including the link to that range here from my little shop (Scrap Matrix), in case you are interested! http://scrapmatrix.com/paper-and-ranges/authentique-en/durable/

I also used some Kaiser and Tim Holtz stamps, Prima cogs, some washi tape two TCW stencils and some Tim Holtz letters...

And here are some close ups...

 

It has taken me almost a year to print and use these photos. I am still a bit raw about losing him...

This was his favourite place! (well maybe after the Rex and the bowling club! lol) And when I went to visit, this is where I always hoped he would be. I loved the feel of this place - even though it was always messy and covered in MDF dust... This was his haven, and he was the first to admit that he didn't know what he would have done without it after his retirement.

He started making MDF items (bins, trays, plaques etc) for our folk art painting and decoupage days... and then when I started doing paper tole, he turned his hand to framing.  He often joked that he wishes he had kept count from day one of making those frames... once mum's girls got into it - there was always a huge number for him to do. He complained about being busy - but he loved it.

I love my dad's shed. And I miss my dad.

 

Thanks for popping by and thanks to White With 1 for prompting me to use these precious photos...

Cheers, Vicki

 

23rd July

 "Mustard Explosion"

July Challenge - Kraft + 

here is the link - this was fun!

http://kraftpluschallenges.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/july-challenge-mustard-explosion.html

 

Such a cool Inspiration Board!!!

 

And my interpretation...

The photo is not great, but.... best I could do today!

 

 

This colour selection just screamed out for these photos! And I love the way it has turned out - and yes!!! Of course it had to be a double!

 

Here are some close ups - and are much better photos!

 

I have had such fun with colour and texture with this one.  I used Finn's Prima Art Basics (the black cement texture paste) with a TCW tile stencil, several Kaiser stamps, some 7 Dots papers from the Dreamer collection - and stickers from Sunrise Sunset collection, a couple of Tim H's vintage tags, Thickers, some cotton tape for added texture and then swiped it all over with some yellow paint!!! Then I just added some Lindy's Stamp Gang drips to add a bit of depth to the colour.

 

No surprise that the next time I went shopping, some yummy corn made it into my trolley!  Not quite the same at home... lol

 

Thank Kraft +, I loved it!

Cheers, Vicki

 

 

27th June

 

CSI Case # 168 - Just Hanging

I missed publishing this on time....  eeeek!

Okay, so I may have struggled with this one a bit - must be the red again!

But, once I found this old photo of Zac and chose some bits... it kind of just happened and I am a little happy with it!

 

Here is the case file- click on the link to take you to the CSI site.

 

 

 

 

Here is my take on it...

Just Hanging

Scheme:  All colours accounted for
Evidence:  Stripes (of texture paste), Grid Pattern (the background paper), 'othet animal' (the elephant in the photo), Brush Font (title), Transparency (tucked behind the photo for the journaling), a Pair of Something (a pair of Jacks for part of my journaling, and a pair of hearts, floating).
Testimony:  I have scattered my journaling - in 2 spots, some visible, some on the hidden tag. And I guess I have the Jouirnal About Something That makes You Happy part too!  It is my son, looking very cute!

A few close ups....

 

 This one shows a close up of the journaling tags,

hidden behind the photo.

 

A better shot of the stripes of texture paste,

which I sprayed with Mr Hueys, yellow spray.

 

These are the materials I used:

Modeling Paste, 3 sprays (Mr Hueys, Adirondack and Chalkboard, some sprayed and some dripped), Silks Glaze paint - Spiced Pumpkin) , Higgins black ink for the drips, Black Pitt Pen for the border and the colour on the larger chippie frame, and a syringe to apply the texture paste in stripes.

 

Cool CSI case to solve.

Who will play along?

And what evidence will you discover?

 

Thanks for stopping by...

I would love if you left me a little comment!

 

Cheers, Vicki

Love. Laugh. Scrap. Shop

 

 

 

5th June

 

CSI Case File 166

Another cool case from CSI!

here is the case link, click to follow.

 

http://csicolorstoriesinspiration.ning.com/forum/topics/major-case-file-no-166-case-closes-on-june-30-2015

 

And here is my page..

You Are My Sunshine

I really had my heart set on using this photo, it was taken at the same time as the one I used for a case last month.... I tried to make it more similar than this (so it would 'look nice') as a spread in my album... yeah, that is the trouble with being a 'double page scrapper'... we are funny like that!

 

 

Scheme:  All colours accounted for.

Evidence:  Stripes, numbers, cloud, paint, and a pocket for  the journaling.

Testimony:  I have journaled on a tag in the pocket, and it is all about using your imagination while playing and especially painting.... and about how Zac always managed to get more paint on himself!

 

Just one close up... it is a pretty simple layout!

 

 

I love how the sun has created a halo around Zac's head, with his 'fly away' hair looking so cute!

 

This is just a quick post, I am getting this in by the skin of my teeth!

 

Cheers, Vicki

June

 

CSI Case File 167

 

How pretty is this case file???

Straight away I thought... light, airy... fairy... (I am glad the girls' dresses coordinated! lol)

 

Here is the file...

http://csicolorstoriesinspiration.ning.com/forum/topics/case-file-no-167-case-closes-on-june-25-2015

 

 

And here is my take...

Imagine.

 

 

Scheme: All colours accounted for

Evidence:

Testimony:

And a few close ups...

I stamped the Imagine, cut out the letters and coloured them in with H20s - so pretty.

I love the little bit of bling on the Petaloo florals, and the German Scrap 'castle' (think it is actually a church...) just fitted beautifully - coloured again with H20s.

I cut the Blue Fern Splattered Circle, because I didn't want them confined to the frame....  I added some Prima Art Sugar after I coloured the chipboard and the castle. Fairy dust!

 

 

My journaling is under the photo, you just lift the flap.... it talks about the special friendship between Bree and Eliza.... and Ange and I. Perfect for the mothers and the girls!

 

 

 I got to use two of the new trinkets from Scrap Matrix... the fairy (of course!) and the little heart.

 

 

 

 

This was such a magical time in their lives - so many beautiful memories. And... many of them seemed to involve dressing up! Such cute little fairies, and they had the fairy castles to imagine living in!

 

Beautiful case - solved.

6th June 

Kraft + - June Challenge

Animal Print & Circles

 

Here is the link:

http://kraftpluschallenges.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/june-challenge-in-jungle.html

 

For someone who is not such a huge fan of animal print, and had second thoughts about even doing this - I actually really enjoyed it... once I remembered an old Prima paper I had in my stash! 

Not so scary after all!

To be honest, I even did 2!!!

 

 

Here is my layout

Apprentice Wild Thing

 

When I first got Cleo, it didn't take her long to figure out a nice warm spot in the afternoon sun. The window ledge became her  favourite spot in the old house in Burra.

I used to wonder what she would be thinking... gazing out into the great blue - or green - yonder...

When she got bigger and I let her venture outside, she still didn't really become too adventurous, preferring to stay close to home.  The photos I took of her first step into 'outside' are so cute and show how tentative and curious she was.

And a close up...

 

I did a bit of stenciling with distress sink, added some texture paste with some random circles from various stencils, then started layering my papers. I used an old IOD range from Prima, 7 Dots Thoughts Keeper and of course Kraft as my base!  The title is made up of Thoughts Keeper letters, (cut into circles) and some Kraft coloured Thickers.

Embellishments were mainly Prima flowers, Scrap Matrix lace, bling and some wide jute ribbon.

 

I am really happy with how this sweet little layout turned out!

 

Cheers, Vicki

Love. Laugh. Scrap. Shop.