Top 10 Blog Hop 2014

Hello and welcome to my post in the Top Ten blog hop!

As the year draws to a close I want to share with you my favourite 10 projects that were published in Scrapbooking Memories Magazine, as part of the sponsor projects we were commissioned to do as Masters. I still can't believe it has all come to an end, but the memories will last a lifetime.

Details of the hop are listed at the bottom of my post. There is an awesome prize to be won, so be sure to visit all the girls to maximise your chance of winning!

One of my first projects was this layout, using Flourish with a Bling stickers.

Flourish with a Bling project Volume 16 No. 8

The next two projects were for my first 'Mastering the Art' article. I chose to write about using the Silhouette Cameo machine, giving hints and tips to hopefully dispel some fears that it is a complicated piece of equipment.

Volume 16 No.10

 This fun mini about a summer holiday was created for the same article

A Carina Gardner cut file. Vol 16 No.10

This next layout must be one of my all-time favourites, ever. I'm not sure if it's the colour combo or that gorgeous bubba of mine, but I just love the way it turned out! I've used a WOW stencil three ways: with texture paste, with mist and as a stitching template.

Words or Whatever project. Volume 16 No.10

'Lovely Girl' was created for another article I wrote in the Silhouette series, this time focusing on the welding technique.

Volume 16 No.11

This layout, 'Family: Our story' is another one that I really love. Being an interactive page (which I really enjoy doing) it was difficult to see all the details in the magazine.

Volume 16 No.12

The booklet opens to reveal the story of how my DH and I went from being two dorky teenagers to having a beautiful family.

Living in tropical paradise, I really miss a true season change, but these rich colours were totally inspiring.

Bo Bunny project Volume 17 No. 3

This layout wasn't actually one of my commissioned projects for Masters, but it hasn't been on my blog yet so I thought I would include it now. Lots of Basic Grey goodies. I really like the concentrated amount of elements on the page.

'My Baby Boy' Volume 17 No.3

I so enjoyed working these fun dies and embossing folders from Couture Creations. The WRMK 'Inked Rose' collection I used is absolutely delish too!

Couture Creations project Volume 17 No.5

Now you'll have to excuse this last picture, as it was hastily snapped before I submitted it and now it's out of my hands for a class that I will be teaching locally next month!

Another interactive page, my journalling sits under the 'Joy' flap. The shaker box (top left) can also be opened to reveal the snow flake.

BLOG HOP INFO

Prize: $75 Gift Certificate to Paper Issues!

How to Enter: You can get one entry for commenting on each blog in the hop. 

ie a maximum of 24 entries (no more than one comment per blog will be counted).  Entries will close on January 4th. The winner will be drawn from all the comments on the 5th, so be sure to check back here then.

If you're following the hop, you will be moving on to Christine's blog next!

If you're starting now, this is the full blog roll:

Juliana Michaels
Michele Kovack
Chantalle McDaniel   << you're here!
Christine Meyer
Mendi Yoshikawa
Kelly Holbrook
Laurel Seabrook
Katrina Hunt
Wendy Morris-Saponaro
Becki Adams
Suzanna Lee
Melissa Elsner
Monika Wright
Wendy Antenucci
Jen Matott
Marcia Dehn-Nix
Ashley N Newell
Kathy Skou
Linda Auclair
Kelly Jean
Monique Liedtke
Rhonda Van Ginkel
Jennifer Haggerty
Cathy Harper

Thanks for joining in the fun and good luck!

Done like a dinner!

Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy roundup to a fabulous year!

My album is looking swell over on the Sassy Scrappers blog today. Cover to cover, you will find everything you need to get yours done and dusted.

Till next time!

December Days album

Lots of pics up on the Sassy blog today of my December Days album, which is coming along quite nicely. Looking a bit chubby though... might need to go easy on that foam tape ;)

December Days foundation pages: part 2

I'm going through more of my December Days album foundation pages on the  Sassy Scrappers blog today.

Some more snippets... lots more on the blog!

Moments - Jenni Bowlin Studio digital

I have this hybrid layout on the JBS Inspiration blog today. Wishing I had more Autumnal pics to scrap - the downside of living in paradise ;)

The Autumn Crisp digital paper collection is on sale right now, along with the matching cardstock, which is only a dollar!

Never give up what you love - 17 Turtles

My DS has had a few worries this year - perhaps it's the age or hormones or something we can't quite put our finger on... One of these was the idea that he wasn't tough enough or good enough to continue to play rugby. As a parent, it was difficult to see my child all of a sudden shy away from something he normally loved (and is good at!) With lots of support, we are working through these fears and this layout serves as a note to him, to not give up on his dreams.

If you love your Silhouette, then you are going to love the very talented Juliana Michaels' blog and store, 17 Turtles! She has kindly allowed me to work with some awesome cut files that she has created, like the set I worked with on this page -  Houndstooth Hello.

I found this set very versatile in that it could be used for a patterned background, for title work, for frames, circular embellies... the list goes on!

Working with the individual shapes, I have created lots of movement across the page using coordinating prints (We R Memory Keepers - Indian Summer) Tossed in there is some raw chipboard which I have cut on my Silhouette and heat embossed with a gold peacock feather stamp. Machine stitching adds just a touch of texture.

The title has been given a spritz of Gold Lamé Color Shine.

I also have another layout up on Juliana's blog today that I would love you to see. Lots of info on how I created it along with close ups. Pop over if you would like to have a look. Here is a peek:

Have a great day and thanks so much for visiting!

December Days foundation pages

If you are thinking about doing a December album this year, now is the time to get everything ready for the busy days ahead!

It just so happens that Sassy Scrappers has an absolutely stunning album kit available in store now and I am sharing my page prep work on the blog.

Here is an idea of how it's coming along... lots more on the blog.

Have a great weekend!

We believe in Daydreams - JBS Digital

Another rendezvous with some digital delights... Jenni Bowlin Studio 'Haven' Collection specifically with a few tidbits thrown in for good measure.

This photo was taken of my DS years ago when we still lived in England. He hardly ever got to see the sea and he absolutely loved crawling around in the sand that day. Looking out to the water, I wonder what he was daydreaming about.

Jenni Bowlin Studio Digital Materials:
JBS Haven Collection

 

JBS Transferware Flowers

 JBS Butterfly Rub-on kit

Other digital credits: The Lilypad Just Jaime ‘Scary Stuff’ ink splatters; CD Muckosky ‘We believe in Daydreams’; Alison Pennington wooden token; Stampin' Up sequins. Fonts: Rough Typewriter, Mr Lackboughs

Eat Cake - November moodboard Sassy Scrappers

The new Sassy moodboard is up and I'm sure you will agree, it's jam-packed full of inspiration! I have taken cues from the wedding cakes and created this page about my own cake (which caused me a bit of grief! hehe)

Literally drawing inspiration from the beautiful blooms in the board, I have used my Silhouette to draw these flowers directly on to my page with the silver metallic sketch pen. I went over parts of the flowers with a bronze pen by hand. The flower can be bought in the Silhouette store (Design ID #9217)

I have stitched a Heidi Swapp Project Life photo overlay onto my photo.

This is the board. Head over to the blog to check out the DT girl's beautiful pages!

 

Blog hop inspiration

At times it feels like my kiddos are in a love/hate relationship! This layout captures one of those 'aww' moments when they were getting along and sharing a joke, upside down!

The Lilypad is having an awesome blog hop to celebrate International Digital Scrapbooking Day. It's packed with amazing giveaways from the designers. So inspiring, that I created this layout straight away. If you are creating with digital elements, you need to hop along!

Digital materials: From the 'Currently' part one collab

Sara Gleason 'moments' tab; Valorie Wibbens/The Lilypad mini kit; Allison Pennington 'right now' stamp; Pink Reptile Designs Gold alphas; Sabrina Dupre Designs journaling card. Amy Martin Designs blanc stitches vol 2. Fonts: Rough Typewriter; Jellyka Saint-Andrews

Handmade Christmas gifts

Eek! November is here and that means Christmas is drawing ever-nearer!

Are you looking for some gift ideas that you can make ahead of time? If so, I have a couple of goodies that I created during October on the Sassy Scrappers blog using Simple Stories 'Cozy Christmas' which is available in store.

Click here to learn how to make this festive countdown calendar

 Click here to learn how to make these custom wine gifts

 Click here to learn how to make these festive coasters

 Click here to learn how to make this festive banner with photo frame

Have a great week!

Adventure awaits

Omgosh, my bloggy is feeling a bit unloved at the moment!

You know when you just see a paper and have to create with it right then! Well, I came across this divine My Mind's Eye paper from the Jubilee line last week and created this layout the same afternoon. Perfect for documenting a moment from our recent school holiday travels... the car (and roof) absolutely jam-packed with camping gear. My DH had just told me matter of factly, that it was now time for trailer!

The wood cut is from Heidi Swapp 'September Skies' which you can find in the Sassy Scrappers store. I have inked it in rainbow shades and then given it a clear heat emboss to make the colour really pop.

The pattern is perfect for my theme but I wanted to bring in a bit of subtle colour to tie in with the photo and the wood cut. I've taken some fine tipped coloured pens and traced loosely around a few areas.

Finally tucking into my Heidi Swapp Project Life kit, I've used one of the clear 3x4 cards and with a brad, secured it over my journalling which has been printed on a card from Crate's 'Notes 'n Things'. I can slide the acetate open to read the print clearly.

Wishing you all well!