Mischievous

Come on, look at this sketch!!
It screamed at me, it had me hooked from the first moment I saw it!!

After I cleaned out my craft room the other week I still had a couple packets of "to do" page layouts that I had put together to take to crops with me but never actually had.. So at the moment they are sitting on one of the trolley drawers after I found them hidden away. This packet was on top and was perfect for this sketch challenge over at Sketches in Thyme..... What do you think? 

359 - Sketches in Thyme 

Using a white cardstock, I added some mist sprays to make up the simple base. 

Before I stuck it all down, of course I spent quite some time laying it all out making sure I had it all just right first.. AND of course like every scrapper, it somehow still ended up slightly different than the draft copy.. lol ..

I flipped the sketch on to it's side as it fit the pattern paper better and I also chose not to add a second photo, instead I used an old rub on sheet as the second feature for the page.. 

I hope this has caught your eye and have enjoyed my slightly different take on this sketch.. Yes, it is a bit more simple than usual but I really enjoyed the easy nature of this design and how it all flowed so well together.. 

Thanks to Sketches in Thyme for hosting this challenge, it has been a great way to get back into my scrapbooking after such a long break.
Toni.. xoxo

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Lasting Memories - Inspired By

Inspired By - Even though it is untitled at the moment, I do intend on journaling and adding it to the back of the layout at a later date. I have a lot to say, so it will probably be typed and printed out. 

Inspired By - Was a photo taken in the pine forest woods by the outskirts of Mt Gambier, South Australia in December. It was a fun, cheeky moment that involved great new friends that have now become beloved family. 

Inspired By - Makes me smile every time I look at this photo and now this layout. :) 

Inspired By - Was the perfect moment captured to fit this newest challenge from Lasting Memories.. 

435 - Black & White with Lilac. 

A stunningly gorgeous shimmer Lilac cardstock started off this layout. I used some Modelling Paste & a Black spray mist for the base. (I used the Modelling Paste cause I the lid to my Gesso is stuck from not using it in over 2 yrs.. But I actually fell in love with this result as it adds some texture!) 

Layers and Clusters were running wild last night when I created this layout and boy did I have some fun!!! Just check out all those little details and elements you may not have noticed at first glance..

The papers are from an older Kaiser Craft range "My Year, My Story"..  The Frames, Lace, Flowers and etc were all from my stash, re-found while clearing it out a couple weeks ago..

It might be a little more on the comfy and simple side for me, but comfort is exactly what I need to ease myself back into crafting and not overwhelm myself too much.. Sticking to things that a closer to my comfy style like this makes it more enjoyable to scrap too! 

Thanks again to Lasting Memories for hosting this challenge and as it has gave me the opportunity to create something that I love with this photo that I love!

There is only a few days left of the February challenges, but I highly recommend you get on over there and get scrapping yourself too! 

Toni.. xoxo

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Lasting Memories - 434 - Bloom

Every now and again, you need feel like you need to return "home"... Lasting Memories was home to me for quite a while a few years ago when I began my Design Team journey. Karen & Michelle took a leap of faith with me and I loved every minute of it. 

As most of you know I have had a couple of years off. I had a big surge in Sept/Oct last year, but it faded far too quickly again. Recently though the spark was ignited again when I spent two weeks clearing out my craft room. I removed over 3 wheelie bins full and more in donations from my craft room. I may have "KonMarie" quite a chunk of my supplies, but you wouldn't know it cause it's still a full room. lol.. 

Anyway, I attended a crop at Scrapbook Fantasies and got back into what I know I need........... 

Back at home I decided to do a challenge but wasn't sure what to do or where to start. I opened the scrapbook folder on the computer and the top one of course was Lasting Memories.. I know immediately that is where I needed to start and that feeling of home swept over me as I saw the open open up before my eyes... This challenge was perfect for a beautiful photo taken of me in December at the Mt Gambier Sink Hole in South Australia.. It is honestly my favourite place on the planet now and can't wait to visit this place again everytime I'm there... It's a real life Fairy Garden.. I was totally in love.. 

434 - Black & White with Pink

I started off grabbing a "just add paper kit" from D-Lish Scraps and off I went with my washi tape & tissue paper on top of a Black cardstock. On to that I used white & black paint and some beautiful white spray mist also.  

I knew I wanted to layer and use as many of these elements as possible. Thankfully during my recent craft room cull and tidy up I was able to remember just where all the things were that I had forgot I had. These tags, Butterfly velum, Mirror & Owl are all things I had forgotten all about. So glad I found them again, as they flow with this page so perfectly... What do you think? 

Usually people say that when you leave the house, you need to take one thing off... Well while making this page all I kept thinking was "add one more thing, it's not enough yet"... 

Thanks again to Lasting Memories for hosting this challenge, it was a great way to step back into the challenge world again. Check back soon as I have another layout for the next challenge too! 

Toni.. xoxo

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Cowboy Up

This is officially my 200th post on this blog. Yay!
Thanks for letting me share my crafting with you all and thank you for hanging in there while I was on the 2yr break.. 

The Scrap Room blog have this sketch challenge this month that completely drew me in straight away! How cool is this sketch! It can be used for any photos, pattern paper, theme or style that you can imagine. But there was only one option that popped into my head. Hunter in his Rodeo costume!

Cowboy Up

I have journaled in the tag under the right photo, it explains the meaning of the photos -

2018 was another tough year for our Aussie Farmers. Unfortunately most of the county is in drought and they needed the countries help. So of course our Aussie mateship kicked in and schools all over the country fundraised with a "Dress Like A Farmer" day. Hunter chose to go as a Cowboy.

It was adorable seeing the kids all dressed up. Some went as Woody & Jessie from Toy Story. 

Some went as Milk Maids and some were even Truck Drivers. 

Hunter was the only Rodeo Cowboy that we noticed, so that was pretty cool. 

He had his lead rope, gloves, chaps, Akuba hat, boots, gear bag, belt and buckle.  

He really enjoys going to the Rodeo's with me. His favourite's are actually the Pick Up horses & men for the Bronc events. lol. 

We started off with a base paper that matches his BadBoy shirt colour and then added the black from a stencil and green Lindys misting spray. 

I knew exactly what I wanted for the top, but it's easier to come up with the design than to actually put it on the page. lol. I was going to put some green on the black, but the only correct green to match was glittered paper. I cut it out and put it on, but decided it wasn't right and took it off. 

Instead, I added the Horseshoe and the twine which I think turned out so much better! 

The bottom embellishment is to represent a Belt Buckle and I put some matts under the photos to make them pop more too. So I hope that is ok. The journal tag is there also. 

Again, I wasn't able to find the correct green for the title, but I honestly I like this more. It gave me the opportunity to go over the top of the letters with the correct green colour and it makes the title look SO MUCH BETTER! Plus I believe it has a nicer country feel with that style of letters too. 

Well that's done for today. I hope you can get the chance to drop on over to The ScrapRoom blog and check out their DT's projects. There are so many different themed pages, you're sure to get some inspiration to create your own page too!

Happy Scrapping, Toni.. xoxo

Never Under Estimate Yourself

This month over at Scrap The Girls they are supporting Breast Cancer and lifting woman in general. 

Their challenge is to Fight Like A Girl using a very cool mood board. 

This challenge and the board spoke to me.  I knew I wanted to make something, but not the normal design that most might go with. Yes, the pink is there but I took most of my inspiration from the bottom right picture. 

Never Under Estimate Yourself

So I started off with a Black base and sprayed it with a true White misting spray. 

I used the pink flowers (that are on the dress) and the bling featured on the top of the chipboard are both inspired by the top left picture. 

The title of the layout is inspired by a quote that I actually use and tell myself regularly in real life. I have been through far too much and am still struggling. But I am trying! I am trying and I believe that is the main thing. I don't share as much with the world as maybe I should, but my personal battles whether it be with health or mental, I tend to not share the big stuff.. 

I wanted to put "badass" but didn't think it would fit with the classical look of the frame and portrait style photo.. lol.

But slowly I am making my way back to finding me again. I have found that learning to take photos of myself is a big step in this process. I have actually enjoyed taking a few selfies lately, so don't be surprised if a few more layouts feature them soon. This photo was taken just last month for my 32nd birthday. The photo itself is not fussy, it is a big beautiful coat that I have on that gives the fussy look at my jaw line. 

The Chipboard frame is a classic piece from Memory Maze, simply stunning! 

I made this layout while at a crop night. I packed a bag of products beforehand so I had it all on hand and knew what I creating. Although, as you can see I only used a small portion of it all. 

I would like to thank Kaye from A Crafter's Passion for the past many years of mentorship and mateship that she has extended to me. I am very sadden that she will be closing her bricks & mortar shop this week and I will miss her horribly. Unfortunately I have missed out on so much for the past 2 years as I have only seen her a handful of times because I simply have not been creating. It was an honour though that I got to spend the first crop at that shops location and the last crop there with her and many other scrapping friends. During the process of making this layout Kaye noticed I was struggling with a specific piece of chipboard and confused on where to put it. I got the best piece of advice in that moment and I've used the advice on the boys layout that I shared yesterday. 

---  Don't Put It On There! ---

Oh my gosh, once she said that. It was a sense of relief. I was driving myself crazy on where and how to fit a piece that really did not belong. I was very grateful for that correct piece of advice. 

Thank you Kaye!!

Righto, that's it for me today. Scrap yourself and head on over to the Scrap The Girls blog and link up your own project before the month is over!! You won't regret the chance to feature yourself for once.. :) 

Happy Scrapping, Toni.. xoxo 

Got it from their Momma

My boys.. They got it all from their Mumma..
Some good things, some a bit dodgy like my clumsiness, but when I look at them and their inner souls I know they are mine! :) 

When I decided that I wanted to start scrapping again after the 2 yrs break, this is one of the first challenge blogs I went back to for inspiration. And imagine my excitement when I saw this photo board for their challenge! Let's face it, ya'll know it was perfect to get me started in my scrapping again.. woot woot.. 

Thank you Scrap The Boys for giving me something so fun and enticing to work with.

Got It From Their Momma

I understand that some Aussie's might be questioning my spelling choice for the title. But for anyone who knows my family, Hunter my young boy calls me "Momma" and has done since he was very little.. 

He actually helped me with this layout too. 

I was not allowed to do anything without his permission as he watched from over my shoulder while playing with his cars. Of course every now and again, he would pop over and insist that he needs to do the next part. lol. It was quite special creating this with him.

We started out with a fun Tim Holtz stencil and some clear gel paste. 

The next steps were messy and fun. 

Clear gel paste - Hunter drew on the hashtags - white gesso - pink mist - blue mist - white gesso

The gesso is suppose to look like the clouds on the mood board and the stars like the mountain peaks. 

Hunter 

Look, we even managed to get in the head phones. 

Honestly, I actually struggled with ideas for the embellishments. Hunter of course was helpful in his own way, but I had to get up and walk away. It was while making dinner that I decided that we simply weren't going to have too many added embellishment ellements as I want to photos and colours to be the focus. I don't want to eye to catch on the embellishments as much as I want them to catch on the cool hashtags that Hunter drew on. 

Lane 

WHAT DID THEY GET FROM THEIR MUMMA SPECIFIC FOR THIS LAYOUT?

There were two things I had in mind while making this layout that I am so extremely proud and happy that they both got of "mine".. 

Sense of Adventure!

They are both very fun and always up for some wild adventure that I take them on, usually by accident. Lane has far too many stories of us getting lost in the big city even while using a GPS. lol

Hunter enjoys that I play in rain, climb things and make a fool of myself most of the time. 

Eyes!

My favourite feature about myself are my eyes. I am very lucky to be able to look at my boys and see my eyes looking back. Big, Beautiful Brown eyes full of entertainment seeking impatience and lashes so darn big that we have to be careful when picking Sunglasses and Swimming Goggles. lol. 

Thank you for joining me today. Don't forget to check back tomorrow to see my next creation. In the mean time, jump on over to the Scrap The Boys blog for more details and inspiration to link up your own layout. 

Happy Scrapping, Toni.. xoxo

Sparkle

It's been 2 years since I scrapped for myself. It has been an interesting experience being back in my craft room. I have decided to take it easy and focus on "my style" of scrapping and not go too far out of my comfort zone just yet. I have found the last few days so satisfying and such joy as I look at each finished project and just love it!! 

The first one that I would like to share with you is based on a challenge for the  Sketches In Thyme #343 layout. 

Sparkle

I loved this sketch as soon as I saw it. I knew immediately I wanted to use a big photo with fun colours, it was taken only last month on my 32nd birthday at a local Rodeo. 

First I started with that half clock. I switched it to the left side instead of the right as it is in the sketch. As per their rules, you can do that as long as it is recognisable. 

The 8x10" pink matt in the middle and actually some scrap pieces of torn cream for the top and bottom. I struck lucky with those! :) 

The bling and flowers fill the spots for the embellishments. 

The base was created with a true White mist spray and a copper brown mist also. This then lead me to use a Copper ink for the inking of the distressed edges. 

Finally, I used the off cut of the paper that I cut the clock from and slide it under the photo to help it pop a bit more.. 

Thank you for joining me today. I look forward to sharing more projects with you soon. 

Don't forget to check out the awesome challenges over at the Sketches in Thyme blog. 

Happy Scrapping, Toni.. xoxo