Return to school.

We survived the school holidays and the kids have returned to school. 

We covered all their school books with brown paper and it was the left up to the kids as to how they were going to decorate them this year. 

Mr 6 chose to glue magazine pictures to his covers.

Miss 8 did drawings on each of her 31 books. (Yes 31 books) crazy huh?

Miss 12 decided on a few simple typo stamps on her covers for the first year of highschool.

The day before school started we baked a large batch of basic muffin mixture and agreed on 4 different flavours to add on top to keep everyone happy. After they cooled down I put them into a container in the freezer. We take them out each morning to add to lunch boxes. I think we'll continue to do this on a Sunday. More economical and a healthier option to store bought prepacked snacks.

Camping on school holidays.

We entered the school holidays with sick kids either sore throats, ears or eyes of some sort. All 3 kids managed to share their germs and it seemd like it was never going to end. 

Towards the end of the 6 weeks holidays we went camping for a week.

We enjoyed kayaking, swimming, bike riding, campfires, fishing, catching red-claw, campfire and camp oven cooking (including roasts and pizza) relaxing and lots of sleep ins. It was great to unwind and get some well earned fresh air. 

Mr 6 made a little friend with this little cutie.

Mr frog was even lucky enough to enjoy a few laps on Mr 6's arm as he rode his bike. I think he was happy when he was safely returned to his tree. 

The creek was filled with amazing things to see, among them this beautiful water lily.

We also got to see about 6 black swans and their brood of babies. Lots of other water birds too.

I'm glad our children get to see and experience all these things that we sometimes take for granted.

Baking.

I celebrated my birthday inearly January. 

Miss 8 asked what my favourite colour was 

and made me this lovely butter cake with blue icing and cute bunting.

We enjoyed it with a scoop of ice cream for dessert, the night before my actual birthday.

We have been enjoying lovely mangoes, 

either on their own or frozen and blended into delicious smoothies by adding ice and a little milk.

Miss 8 loves that fact that it's almost like eating 'healthy' ice cream for breakfast.

Happy new year and welcome back.

Here is a little look at what I've been up to lately.

I had a go at making some simple crochet granny squares.

I used Paton 8ply 50% cotton 50% acrylic.

They are lovely and soft.

Still not sure whether to use them as wash cloths or join them together at some stage.

I also had a go at some crochet owls. I made up my own pattern as I went along. 

Still not quite finished in this photo, but you get the idea.

New Kaiser Ranges for July.

I really loved working with this range of soft, feminine colours and patterned papers.
Available from Scrapbook Fantasies.

Kaiser Enchanted Garden Range.

Layout.

Enchanted Garden.

Card.

Enchanted Garden.

Bookmark.

Kaisercraft-Needle and Thread Collection

I created the following three layouts using the new Kaisercraft- Needle and Thread Collection for Scrapbook Fantasies as a part of the design team.

Scrapbook Fantasies Weekly Challenge #19

This is my take on the Scrapbook Fantasies Weekly Challenge.

Close up of the same layout.

If you would like to have a go here is the link.Scrapbook Fantasies Weekly Challenge

Scrapbook Fantasies May Page Competition.

I've had these photos lying around for a while. They've been stuck to the fridge with magnets dropped on the floor, lost in a pile of papers on the bench and then returned to the big pile of photos. Naturally distressed photos from all the love they have endured. A friend took them for me so I don't have any copies in better condition so I decided to use them on my layout as is. I think these black and white photos go great with this paper range. At least now these photos will be looked after better than before. I've also added a few close ups of details as well.

The May Competition Pack can be purchased from Scrapbook Fantasies.

Scrapbook Fantasies Weekly Challenge #14

Here is my layout for the Scrapbook Fantasies Weekly Challenge #14.

I'm trying to use up my old flat flowers by layering them up a little. I've also been using small scraps of patterned to make leaves to place around my flowers to bulk them up as well. I have used half a chipboard butterfly to make wings, a chipboard flower in the centre of the flower at the top right of my layout and also a tiny chip board bird and butterfly as flower centres.

I taught my first Scrapbook Class.

A few weeks ago Alicia from Scrapbook Fantasies gave me the opportunity to teach my very first Scrapbook Class at her store. I'd just like to say thank you to Alicia and also to the lovely ladies that came along. (If you happen to be reading this) I hope you all enjoyed the class as much as I did. The class kits were made up of Kaisercraft Technologic Collection patterned papers, twine, mist and crystal gems. Everyone was kept busy with distressing edges, inking, misting and fussy cutting.

A sneak peek of the Kaiser Technologic Class I taught.

Fairy Canvas

I think this is the quickest canvas that I've ever made. We found the birthday invitation in my daughters school bag on the Friday afternoon and the party was for that weekend. 

There is a little story behind why we chose to do this particular fairy. Most mornings before school I'd draw pictures to colour in with my daughter in her classroom. Her little friends would see us and also ask if I'd draw pictures for them. This was one of  the most popular requests apart from "can I please have a mermaid?" So I thought that it would have a little meaning to her seeing as it was something she did most mornings with my daughter and I. 

Apart from drawing and painting the fairy I did some paper piecing and also used texture paste for her hair. We cut the letters and flowers from my Cricut Machine to personalise it even more. 

Dinosaur Card

This is a card I made for my son's friend for his recent Dinosaur themed birthday on the weekend.

Owl Canvas

Just popping by to share an Owl canvas that We put together for my daughter's little friend for her birthday. Her party was owl themed and when we arrived at the party her Mum said she has a thing for them at the moment. I love making these as gifts and adding an activity book of some sort as well. I now keep some small canvases on hand for those unexpected parties that pop up.

Birdy Card.

I created this card for  "Alicia's February Card Sketch Challenge".

Only a few months late posting it here, but just thought I'd share it anyway.

Birthday Card

I made this card with assorted leftover scraps of paper for my daughter's friend for her 7th Birthday which was in February.

Products used
Assorted patterned papers
Cardstock
Ribbon
Washi tape
Kaiser rhinestones
Tim Holtz flower die
Stamp
Black ink
Alphabet die cuts
Mist-pink
Spell binders-die cut frame

Kaiser-In The Attic Collection.

These are layouts that I created as a part of the Scrapbook Fantasies Design Team using the "Kaiser-In The Attic Collection".

Kaiser-Lavender Haze Collection

The following are layouts and cards that I created as a part of the Scrapbook Fantasies Design Team using the "Kaiser- Lavender Haze Collection".

Candy's Card Colour Challenge.

I created this card for "Candy's February Card Colour Challenge" 

For this challenge you are required to create a card using the colours red, blue, green and white.

 

6" x 6" Card

 I had a go at colouring the stamped image (not my strong point, lol) using dove craft brush markers that I found out are not the best for colouring. I think I might need to look into getting some copics.

Making Ribbon Embellishments.

On a recent camping trip instead of taking books to read (on the odd chance that I'd get a spare minute to myself.) I took an "Assorted Pack of Ribbons and Trims" and a needle, thread and scissors to make some flowers to use on future scrapbooking and cardmaking projects.



Handmade Ribbon and Trim Embellishments.

Using an "Assorted Ribbon and Trim Pack" from Scrapbook Fantasies

I simply cut the 1/2 metre lengths of ribbon into thirds (I prefer to use odd numbers of flowers on projects) and using a needle and thread handstitch along one edge of a length of ribbon and gather until it looks like a flower of sorts. Sew the ends together so they stay put and there you go.

Multiple flowers can be layered and either stitched or glued.

Buttons, beads and sequins added to the centres would also look great.

I you have or know of someone with little girls

these would look great on hairbands or hairclips as well.

I also have a Birthday Card to share that I made for my Dad recently.

Happy Birthday 2 U Card

Products Used:
Cardstock-Bazzill-Black
Patterned Papers-(unknown)(old)
Stamp-Heidi Swapp(old)
Ribbon (Assorted)
American Thickers
Ink-Staz On Black
Cuttlebug-die cuts

Thank you for stopping by.

Kaisercraft Base Coat Collection.

The next collection that I've had the privilege of working with as part of

Scrapbook Fantasies Design Team is the Kaisercraft Base Coat Collection

which is available instore now.

This collection of patterned paper is made up of brick, stone, wood and corrugated iron images. Natural colours that are great on their own or perfect with a pop of added colour. 

I managed to complete 3 layouts and 2 cards. 

close up



another close up

Products Used

-Background-Bazzil Bling

-Patterned Paper-Kaisercraft Base Coat Collection

Paper Doily-(unknown)

-Frame-Kaisercraft Flourishes

-Title-Basic Grey-mini mono stickers

-Flowers-Kaisercraft Paper Blooms (honey and Coconut)

-Ribbons and Trim-Assorted Pack

Mist-SEI Brown

Mist-Lindystampgang/starburst/bachelor button blue

Mask-Kaisercraft Doily

Texture Paste

Ink-versa color-pine cone

Pen-Zig Chocolate

Stamp-Kaisercraft clear cling stamp-Bubblewrap
 

 



Close up

 

close up

close up

Products Used:

-Cardstock-Bazzil-

-Patterned Paper-Kaisercraft Base Coat Collection.

-Title-American Thickers

-Flowers-Kaisercraft Paper Blooms (honey and coconut)

-Ribbons and Trim Assorted Pack.

-Washi Tape-october Afternoon Witch HAzel

-Buttons-Assorted (unknown)

-Ink-Versa Color-Pinecone

Pen-Zig-Chocolate
Stamp-Kaisercraft Numbers-clear cling stamp

 

 



close up

close up

close up

 Products Used:

-Patterned Paper-Kaisercraft Base Coat Collection.

-Frame-Kaisercraft Flourishes (cut in half on diagonal corners to enlarge it)

-Flowers-Kaisercraft paper blooms (honey and coconut)

-Texture Paste

-Glass Bead Gel-Golden Artist

Title-Basic Grey

-Buttons

-Ribbons and Trim-Assorted Pack

-Ink-Versa Color-Pine cone

Journalling-brown Pen-

 

Card 1



"Pinwheel Card"



 Products Used:

Kaisercraft-Base Coat Collection patterned papers-paper blooms and doily mask-Mist-SEI brown-assorted ribbon and trim Pack.

 

Card 2.



"Happy Birthday Card"
 

Products Used:

Kaisercraft-Base Coat Collection patterned papers-Bazzil Cardstock-Cuttlebug diecut-assorted ribbon and trim pack-Versa Color pine cone ink-Black Staz On ink-Stamp-Heidi Swapp

 

Thank you for stopping by.