Soul Stories

Busy Busy Busy

2011-12-16T21:42:00.000+10:30

Dont ya just get fed up with just being so damn busy this time of the year? and we are all suffering the same no time syndrome ! lol Well I have been busy making some extra special Christmas presents, but shhhhh cant tell you too much incase the receivers are tuning in! hehehe

So here I am finished wrapping the twins birthday presents! (how inconvenient just before chrissy!) almost all the christmas presents and almost finished off my handmade goodies! Listening to Michael Buble Christmas Album - just luuurrrrvvvveee it, all the christmas lights are on and up, and I have to say its beginning to feel a lot like christmas and I am so excited ! what a big kid !
Bring on Santa ! hehehehe
Anyway I digress I thought I would just show you a quick handmade share - Canvas gifts for the family...

What's so special about these I hear you say? well to me everything, the men on the horse's just happen to be one man and that's my Daddy ! - I am sure he wont even realise what I have done when he opens it, but I am pretty sure he will love it once it hits home ! So proud of him I know it will stir a tear or 2 now he's getting older - lol

You cant see from the picture, but each image has been antiqued with Tim Holtz distress stain, and then the whole canvas modge podged - once dry it was then antiqued again over the edges - then crackled with tim holtz distress crackle rock candy. I have made 2 more of these slightly different for each recipient but they all have my dad in them.
Anyway off to deck some more halls ! and Jingle my own bells ! hehehehehe

TFL - Simone XXX

Togetherness at Challenge Heaven

2011-12-02T12:22:00.000+10:30

This month (dec) at Challenge Heaven, as the Design Team member I have the theme challenge....
The Theme is create a layout in the theme of 'Togetherness' with this criteria, use a stamped heat embossed element in the background of your page , and a handmade embellishment.
Here is my take on the challenge :

I have stamped in the bottom left hand corner and up the left hand side of the page and heat embossed using Clear with a gold sparkel added it gives just the right amount of bling but subtle all the same :)

My hand made embellishment is the Net flower - created with a strip of netting hand sewing a length of vintage lace to it and pulling the cotton to gather it into a rosette type thing adding in a vintage button and then stitching the sides together. - If there is a call for more info on how to do this, email me / leave a comment and I will consider adding in a tutorial :)

A little closer on the heat embossing - which is also behind the photo on the top left hand side.

The circles in the back ground were cut from the flipside of a piece of websters pages, these were then screwed up into a ball, inked with Tim Holtz distress Ink, and then spritzed with water, once unfolded and dry the inks blend in together to give a much worn / distressed look. Just adds that extra bit of shazam to what otherwise were quite dull circles :) lol

Thanks for looking girls, remember to pop on over to Challenge Heaven and take a good look at all the inspiration, why not pop in and do one of the challenges why you are at it :) Gotta be in it to win it. \
\TTFN
Simone XXX

Its all Merry & Bright !

2011-11-07T18:05:00.000+10:30

I did warn you all that I was now on a Christmas role, so this arvo I had the chance to complete a page from a sketch I was inspired by, from the fabulous Heather Waldron, via Challenge Heaven.
So here is what I did ....

And some close ups for you .

Thanks to Helen Clifton for her amazing face painting skills :) I hope my layout does them justice ;0
Watch out for more christmassey ! the padgeant is on next week ! lol
TFL

Simone XX

Blind Scrap

2011-11-05T20:44:00.000+10:30

Last night over at Challenge Heaven I hosted the Blind Scrap, for those of you that dont know what one of those is, you get given instructions one step at a time, and an ingredients list. Then you do your page and we all reveal what our pages turned out like :0) its great fun, Here is what I did.

The quotations I have had written in my special quotes book for some time and I cannot remember who they were by, so unfortunately I cannot give credit :( , I used a little cheese cloth behind that had been spritzed with red & green glimmer mist / chalk just to soften lift and texturise the qoutes and that corner a little

The tree is a Tim Holtz die, cut in chipboard, painted in Adirondack snow cap paint dabber, and then diamond glazed and sprinkled with Mica Flakes, I just lurve these, I think it gives this an illusion of snow / ice, even though it isant cold here in Oz, its all about how Christmas feels in your heart and to me it will always snowing ! (in my head of course ! lol )

I used Tim Holtz distress stains in Fired Brick and Forest Moss - Some TH Christmas tissue tape

Add a little Websters Pages ribbon and away we go ! I am really in the chrissy spirit now, watch the pages over the coming days / weeks ! ! lol
TFN !
Simone XX

October @ Challenge Heaven

2011-11-01T15:45:00.000+10:30

Challenge Heaven DT entry this month is Ebony or Ivory + Blue and Lime Green - so I went with the Ivory (white) option - Not my usual colours and I have to say for all the stash I have - I didn't have much Blue and Lime Green so I improvised - lol out came the bottle of Adirondack acrylic paint dabber in snow white , and hey presto some clouds in the back ground and some Texture paste to texturise the background.
Here is my take on the challenge.

T. P Fluff and Stuff is just a little nickname I have for Tom his initials and I have always called him fluff and stuff because he has always had fluffy hair :) and he is full of so much lovely stuff :) lol

I stole it from H.R Puff and Stuff and I guess it just stuck from there.

TFL - Simone XX

Cyber Crop November 2011 Over at Challenge Heaven

2011-10-30T18:57:00.000+10:30

Come and join in the fun - I will be sending out the instructions for the blind scrap :)

Definatly a kodak moment !

2011-09-30T21:55:00.000+09:30

So glad I was given this camera that belonged to my Grandad - imagine my excitement when I discovered I could actually get the negatives developed still. - & it fit right in as one of my Favourite things for the challenge over at Challenge Heaven this month ! :)

I was lucky enough to find the brad in the centre of the Rosette which just happens to be the same camera, in a set I had My Minds Eye, what stroke of luck ! the photographic apparatus card was out of a 7 gypsies ephermena pack.
Just proves there is a reason why I like collecting scrapbooking goodies you never know when you are going to use them! lol

The black and white pictures were developed form the negatives I found in the instructions manual.

Back ground paper is from Tim Holtz stash - chipboard clocks are Graphic 45, clips are 7 gypsies, transparent negative strip is also ...... u guessed it ! Tim Holtz ! get the common theme now ? :) lol

TFL - Simone

Father's Day Wallet

2011-09-02T21:20:00.000+09:30

I have been busy beavering away today on a Father's Day gift for my Daddy ! :) - Over time I have seen many versions of wallett cards and little album's, and an amazing one last year by the very talented Marie Scanlon (missing you xox) .
For whatever reason I have never made one though, so I thought this year, Dad's getting a heartfelt gift with lots of love from his baby girl ! lol
Voila!

So here is what I did - The wallet is made from Grungepaper and not Grungeboard, as its a little softer and easier to work with, besides I didn't want it to be too bulk.
I sprayed / painted this with Adirondack ink stain in Espresso ( one of my most used colour's I reckon!) once dry I ran it through a Cuttlebug (big shot / vagabond can also be used) using a bubbles embossing folder which as you can see give's it an animal skin type look. For those of you that have not used Grungeboard before although it works very differently it really does give the effect of leather - I just love it its so pliable and hard to tear.

I also cut 3 strips of grungepaper to create the pockets on the inside and sprayed them and embossed them the same as the main structure of the wallet.
I stitched these on top of each other - starting at the bottom and maneuvering all the way round in one stitch adding the sections as I went. The following pictures might help show this.

I then continued back round again to form a running stitch .

It is important to notice that I also added a flap of Grungepaper, and it is a good idea to hide this under one of your pocket strips whilst you are stitching.

I also placed a piece of patterned paper towards the top just to give it a little different look.
Once the main structure was complete with stitching etc, I added a plate - This was cut from a Tim Holtz Tag's and book plates die once again in Grungepaper, I then added some Gold foil to give it that metal look, and then embossed it using some alphabet embossing tips, which also work great on leather and other materials, although an investment I feel for me they are worth having a set I use these on my journals all the time.

I added little credit card size inserts decorated with verses and quotation's guaranteed to bring a tear to Dad's eye ! lol I actually cheated a bit and just cut them out from a Tim Holtz ATC die that I have, but if you don't have that luxury aim to make them aroun 3.5 x 4.5 inches and you cant go wrong.

Incidentally I think I forgot to add that the actual wallet when open measures around 9" x 5".

So there you have it, I hope this helps enough for you to give one a go, they really are great fun, and I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the outcome! I am sure your Dad's, Pop's, Grandad's, Pa's, father in law's etc will push you up the inheritance ladder if they are given one of these ! hahahah only joking !

With lot's of love to my Father, my resting in peace Grandfather's and Father in law, and all you Dad's out there, I wish you all a wonderful Father's Day.

Now off to petition to get the date changed I am fed up with it always hijacking my birthday ! lol

TFL & have a great weekend XXX

Couture

2011-09-01T13:25:00.000+09:30

There's a sketch challenge for me this month (September 2011) as Design Team Member for
Challenge Heaven. I just love it right up my street :)
Take a look designed by Heather Waldron its just fab!

So here is my take on that wonderful sketch.

Because I dont already have enough patterned paper I thought I would add to my stash and picked up this wonderful Corsets Paper from the Couture Collection designed by local SA Gal Denise Boddey.

Just perfect for my layout, and I have to say I quite like the whole softness that Denise seems to capture in her papers, subtlety that you love and not so prominent that you are scared to cut the paper :)

The pattern on the top and bottom of the paper has been created by stamping onto cardstock with embossing ink, then adding enamelware emboss powder and a heat gun.

So here are a few close ups for you.

The Chipboard is all Dusty Attic, Aussie based my favourite chipboard people by far, that includes the title, the dress form, and the amazing decorative strip along the bottom. You can buy Dusty Attic online at Abundantias Gold.
I have broken out those twinkling h20's again (luminarte) and painted the border strip in Poppy, and the title 'Couture' in heavenly. how appropriate ! lol

Most of the created areas have been cut from the paper, with the addition of some Prima Velvet Leaves, and some Mini Abundantias Gold roses.

and finished off with a little Glimmermisted and shredded ,to within an inch of its life, muslin cotton. :)

Thanks for Looking - Dont forget to leave me some love so that I know you were here :)

Simone

Some Artyness to share !

2011-08-30T15:14:00.001+09:30

Its been a bit quiet on here of late i guess life just gets in the way! , apart from working on a few projects, you know me always dabbling in one thing or another, I have been busy creating some rather unique cards...... more will be revealed about these further down the track, but it has meant that I have once again got stuck into that paintbrush that keeps reawakening the arty monster in me ! lol

Here are a few shares..... more to be revealed about why I have done them a bit further down the line... :)
TFL ! Simone oxo

Introducing Atlantia

Meet Hielin

& Obsidian

Teddy Edward

2011-08-19T20:30:00.000+09:30

Its Cyber Crop over at Challenge Heaven again this month, and my Challenge for the Design Team is
Challenge 1:
Scrap 2 or more photos of an animal or make reference to an animal in your title, using Transparency, Stamping and a border punch.
So here is my DT example:

So I cut out a rectangle of transparency / acetate and randomly stamped over it with Archival Ink (staz on can also be used, these permanant inks stop it from smudging and coming off)

TRANSPARENCY & STAMPING Check.

Then I used an EK Success border punch on the edge of the page to mimick notepad paper.

BORDER PUNCH CHECK

I gave the edges a distress and then added Charcoal Black Distress ink, the blue splodges are China Blue Distress Ink, with a light squirt of Denim Blue Glimmer mist followed by Peacock Blue Glimmer Chalk. Then a light spray with Graphite Black Glimmermist.

The Key and Lock are cut from Tim Holtz Alterations Hardware die set (for use in cuttlebug/ big shot/ vagabond)

More ingredients: Twiddleybitz chippie wings, RW Laser Cuts mini Ebony Swirl. Tim Holtz tissue tape, Kraft Resist paper, Jenny Bowlin Studio Chipboard buttons, Tickets unknown, Alphabet chipboard letters Memory Maze.

TFL hope there is some inspiration here for you :)

Simone XX

CYBER CROP ! come on over and join in the fun :)

2011-08-10T15:10:00.000+09:30

Challenge Heaven

2011-08-01T09:24:00.001+09:30

I have 2 layout's as design team member in this months Challenge Heaven : so here are my shares :)

Theme Challenge: Scrap a sports picture - use a border punch
Colour Challenge: White Turqouise & Silver use pearls.

I just had to break out my favourite Twinkling H2o's again I just love love love them :)

TFL S x

It's not long till Christmas!

2011-07-26T12:49:00.000+09:30

It's certainly cold enough for me to remember childhood memories of Christmas in England, don't get me wrong I absolutely love our warm Christmases but I still have this romantic notion it should Snow for christmas day, I guess thats all the Coke adverts we have been brainwashed with ! hehehe

Anyway this year i have been organising myself early and creating albums as gifts. I have uploaded a detailed walk thru on the Abundantias Gold for the little baby below, created from 2 sheets of paper, my stash and some imagination!

Why not head on over the blog and check it out CLICK HERE

Or if you decide you want some of the papers CLICK HERE

TTFN!

Your'e Amazing !

2011-06-30T21:41:00.000+09:30

This month over at Challenge Heaven one of the challenges is 'Your'e Amazing" in the title, and to use chipboard on the layout.
As DT for July here is my sample:

I used the fantabulous Pink Paisley - Botanical Gardens Range and spruced it up with some Vintage Lace, flowers and a little imagination.

One of the papers had this gorgeous fairy right in the centre of the paper, so I cut the middle of the paper out (around 8.5 x 8.5 " square), rotated the left over frame and then stuck it back down more over to the left, this left a gap in the top and left hand side, so I improvised with a strip from another sheet and filled the gaps. :)
No cardstock used here:) sometimes the patterned paper is just to gorg to not utilise!

I arranged the flowers with some cheesecloth and vintage lace tied together with cheesecloth scraps. They were inked with my favourite Victorian Velvet distress Ink, The chippis is a scrapware piece and this was spruced up with some Smooch ! :) (gotta love that stuff!)

The fairy images are from the Pink Paisley papers range, the transparent bird is Tattered Angels Glimmer Glass and the Journaling spot is also Tattered Angels.

I just love the Bruno Mars song your Amazing, and this was so appropriate for my baby girl, I sing it to her and her brothers all day long, usually the same bit over and over again!
"When I see you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while, because your amazing, just the way you are" and I have a wonderful singing voice ! hehehehehe not !
I have promised the boys a page with them on it and the same journaling, but as I am the only one of the DT at Challenge Heaven with a girl I kinda feel obliged to do girl pages ! :0)

I added a hand made netting circle with a vintage button in the centre to the top right corner, and placed some cheesecloth behind it to soften it a little (and also to hide a destraction in the photo!:))
The embossed corner is another Tattered Angels goodie with a swipe of Vintage Pink DI :) There are also one in each corner of the layout. I kinda like how they give it that victorian look.

At the bottom of the page there is a Victorian Lace Border punched edge and some vintage lace underneath to give it a bit of a lift. In the above image I have also rolled back the paper a little and snuck some vintage lace behind to give a bit of extra look .
So thats me done! TFL XXXX

No Waste Here

2011-06-17T20:36:00.000+09:30

Well anyone who has attended any of my classes will know that I am someone who hates waste! you know like cutting up a whole sheet of paper for 1 sq inch.... I will find something else instead and just make do.

This Layout has been produced as a DT take on the Challenge Heaven's Cyber Crop this weekend 17- 19th June and the theme is Scrap a Sleepy Photo using Black Cardstock as a base.
Well here is my sleepy photo, my 3 monkeys taking full advantage of a thunderstorm, they wont sleep in there own beds if its thundering, move over mum and dad we are moving in! grrrr

So I used My Minds Eye Paper and embellies, with and RW Laser Cuts Title ( I cut the moon off that was on it and added and S as it is 'we' not 'I' !) , I used every piece of the patterned paper, I cut a border with a Fiskers Border Punch and even used the left over bits and pieces in the bottom right (the spotty bit) and also the Top right above the banners.

The Black material circles, had there edges singed to melt them a little (be careful when doing this) and then they were dusted with Diamond Dust to give that sugary look ! :)

The background was created with Glimmer Glam in B Positive, and blown around with a straw to make it look like it had been spilt, then a little Iridescent gold Glimmer Mist blown around in the same way to to finish it all off. Oh and almost forgot I painted the chippy title with Golden Goddess Glimmer Glam

Oh and I mustn't forget the stitching round the edge, thanks again Sewing Genie ! :)

TFL S XXXXXXXXXXXX

Cyber Crop at challenge heaven and the first one up is ...........

2011-06-17T20:11:00.000+09:30

Challenge # 1 is Turquoise, Yellow & White plus paint

& here is my share
So I guess you are wanting to know how I did this ??
Well these are colour's I can say hand on heart I don't use very often, but always up for a challenge and like to do out of the norm from time to time its good to push out of your comfort zone, so here is what I did, I started with Turquoise Bazzill Bling as a background / Base and stamped in white acrylic paint with a Tattered Angels glimmer screen (smothered paint over it and then stamped onto the surface)
Then I gave it a generous squirt with Banana Glimmer Chalk and then with the screen in place as well .

I then added layers, as you can see in the image, I have some vintage yellow lace and netting also in Blue I was given this from a very dear friend who found it from her mother in laws wedding dress and she is 90 :) OMG it is gorgeous in real life, had she not already chopped me some I maybe would have said no it belongs in a museum ! hahahah
so here are some more close up's

The Chippy alpha's were covered in texture paste & then painted in Pearlescent white Acrylic Paint, then inked slightly with distress ink ! :)

So anyway hope you enjoyed the tour of the layout, looking forward to seeing them all on Challenge Heaven. Good Luck girls !

CYBER CROP

2011-06-08T01:15:00.000+09:30

Guess who is on the design team for this over at Challenge Heaven! come on over and join in :)

Christmas is coming!

2011-05-27T12:05:00.000+09:30

Sorry its been nearly a week since I posted, but I seem to just be getting busier! how the hell I ever managed to run a shop before I will never know, anyway I have been working on a few different things, you know what its like when you have your fingers in a few different pies! ;-) but nothing to share that has been completely finished or should I say nothing that I can share with you without getting my hands slapped :)
So I though you might like a quick squidge at something that's coming up ! :) I am in the process of writing a full tutorial of this so you can do your own step by step. :) So here is a sneak peak .......

Anyway this brings me back to the post title Christmas is Coming! WHAT?? I hear you all scream!
Well it is every day is getting one step closer to Chrissy and every year I rush and struggle to get through all the stuff I need to do, having 2 birthday's at end of Nov (hubby and no1 son) and then 2 in Dec right on xmas how selfish of them to want to be born 2 days before chrissy! tsk tsk! (no2 son & only daughter) I always find come xmas I am ripping my hair out !
Anyway I digress! so this year I am getting organised before hand, so Christmas in June / July hear I come! and because I am so nice I will also add a full tutorial, and if you would like the papers I have used they will be available for purchase thru Abundantias Gold, but not yet so don't get too excited ! :)
I think I have waffled enough now, time to rotate the laundry decore in the house, I am getting fed up with looking at the pink skivvy it doesn't match the decor, time to swap it with a navy blue one.
Ahhh I love winter !!!!!! not

Simone XXXX

Test

2011-05-24T22:40:00.001+09:30

testing testing 1 , 2 !!!! does it work ! ?! :)

He's Got the Look

2011-05-22T01:21:00.000+09:30

One of the challenges over at Challenge Heaven this month is using the title "He's got the look" or She if you dont have a he to scrap :)
So I decided to scrap this random shot I took back in 2009 whilst holiday in hot QLD! it was so humid we were melting. eek.
Anyway I have really gone grunge on this one, I am sure Tim Holtz may well have had a large chunk of his products used on this page ! :)

So I used some of the Kaisercraft new Timeless range, and added my own adjustments to it, there's quite a lot of detail so I will do my best to describe it as I go along.

In this bottom Left corner I stamped with a Stampers Anonymous flourish and then embossed it with Ranger Embossing Puffs in Vintage Photo, note how it raises up slightly and gives an almost flocked appearance - Love the texture this exhibits.!

I edged the Patterened Paper in metal foil tape by Inkessentials, then created 4 photo cormers by embossing black cardstock with UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) and stamping into it whilst still warm. I used the samp flourish stamp I used in the background.

The Flourish is from Flourish With a Bling FWAB Luke Black and can be purchased thru Abundantias Gold
these are great sticky backed and so easy to apply. I gave it a little sand to grunge it up a little.

The Background Patterened Paper was painted withj Tim Holtz distress crackle Paint, in Copper and Pewter, I deliberatly made it thicker is some areas to create a more textured look. & another close up of the photo corners.

You need to allow the crakcle paint to dry naturally and not heat it up with a heat gun, if you do it will bubble. In this case I wanted it to bubble as I felt this kind of added to the grunge / industrial look.
Hope this gave you a few pointers and ideas,
Thanks for looking :)
Simone XX

Guess what ! ?

2011-05-21T21:10:00.002+09:30

I am gonna be a guest designer for Challenge Heaven Cyber Crop for June along with these other 2 fantabulous ladies. Becci & Jess Woop Woop!

Cyber Crop starts on the 17th June - U gotta be in it ! such fun :)

BIG SMILES! :) :) :) :)

I was away at Port Elliott today, teaching a class at Album Memories, what a wonderful arvo full of fun ang laughter, with a perfect sunset over the hilss on our return back to life :) and how fab was it to come home to this news! YIPPEE so excited !
XXXX

I love you Mum - Happy Mothers Day

2011-05-08T21:36:00.001+09:30

Well it's Mother's Day, so I thought it would be quite appropriate to have a Mothers Day share ! :)
Check out this little keepsake I made for my Mummy, just becasue XX

The front cover, check out the Dusty Attic Miniature LOVE Title and Miniature Keyhole available on line at Abundantias Gold www.scrapbookingsa.com.au

I have used some Chipboard corners on the back, and this hides the ribbon that I feed thru the pp, to form part of the tie. These were 'smooched' :)

Incidently if you like the patterned papers, they are by Denise Boddey - an SA girl go check out her blog.

I made a 6 x6 card shape and on the inside is 2 pockets , with some Inspirational saying's on cards, slotted in.

A close up of one of the pockets

I hope you all had a fab day, I know I did with some beautiful hand made creations from my babies.
Thanks for looking:)

Simone XXX

There are no Words, when your Journaling says it all....

2011-04-23T01:52:00.000+09:30

This month over at Once Upon A Sketch, the challenge is to journal the reason why you scrapped this photo.

I came across a picture of when my eldest son was born, and fondly remembered how precious that moment was and I have not quite been able to scrap that picture for some time, a miriad of reasons, but in a nutshell just too many emotions..... I am sure that there are many of you out there who have had a sick child at birth who required intensive care...and well if you are one of them you will totally understand where I am coming from.

I took a step forward in my healing .... I found the picture, followed by the perfect piece of paper, frame, flowers swirls.... they all just fell into place.... it was time, I sat down to write a few feelings to include in the journaling and as I was writing I felt a calm peace....that I have finally come to terms with the grief, and pain of it all, and just look back with absolute blessings that my precious little man is still with us.

When I got up to print the journaling on the computer, there was a feather on the floor behind me, and in my belief just another confirmation that no matter what happens we always have an angel on our shoulder.

So this brings me back to the post title, when the journaling needs to say it all. As the type is a little small in the picture, here is how I captured the way I felt on the day this picture was taken.

There are no words.....

to describe how I felt on this day, you were finally out of the Neonatal unit & exclusively with me, I found the separation unbearable, it was hard to see you connected with tubes and wires, when all I craved was to hold you, hold you close & feel your warmth, your scent, your heart beat, your innocence, & remember how very special it was to carry you inside my body & have you with me all day for 36 cherished weeks.

Our prayers were answered when the angel was gifted from heaven. Our precious baby boy, we will love, adore & cherish you always xx

You may notice from the picture a ribbon pull right at the top, in here I have created a little pocket with a journal led tag explaining to my son, what I want him to know.... & detailed how it took me so long to scrap the photo.

Time really does heal :)

None of us are alone in grief. XX

Circa 1930's

2011-04-23T01:36:00.000+09:30

Well what a week it has been here in Sunny South Australia (or not I should say!), winter is definatly on its way, it was only 10deg last night, and 18deg today brrr, time to put the heating on.

School Holidays, Easter & Anzac Day, my 13th Wedding Anniversary ! where does the time go, anyhow its about to get really really mad for me in the next 5 days, so I though I would give you a quick share of a page almost complete (title still to be added and some titivation). But if I dont blog it now, it just might never get blogged ! it will get put into that gotta do pile, that never seems to get done, just like my ironing ! which I am pleased to say I cracked last night, but now have another 4 loads on the line awaiting my attention grrrr ! lol

I have had a damn good play with the Kaisercraft Timeless range here, added some Distress Ink and technique wonder, created an embellishment for the corner that just seemed appropriate for the time period, throw in a bit of Tim Holtz Tissue Tape & VOILA Pam & Pat Circa 1930's!

I only acquired these pictures of my Great Aunt's a few days ago and excited was an understatement, they were Black and White's but I though for a change I would redo in Sepia, I was quite pleased with the way they developed. Here's a few close ups to get a better view. Cant say they are the best shots as it is now almost 2 am and the lighting isn't exactly what you would call 'Natural' :)

Thanks for looking !

Simone who also become's a little bit nutty at this time of night ! hehehe

All those Odd Photos

2011-04-19T12:26:00.000+09:30

Do you ever find that you have an assortment of odd photos lying around, and you just not sure what to do with them? they don't really warrant a whole page all to themselves, or perhaps you have already scrapped a version of them in one way or another.

I have gathered up all those oddments and placed them into this multiple photo layout.

I just love this collage press cloud background paper, I have used it on a number of occasions on my layout's, it just seems so dreamy and a touch heavenly !
Consequently I am having a play at recreating it , changing it slightly so that all my pages are different, with this one, I crackled the edges with Tim Holtz distress crackle paint in picket fence. I stitched a circle in the center and then tore the paper to reveal a different backround, aka vintage book paper and material scraps. If you haven't guessed by now, you may notice that I actually like using up all the oddments!
Waste not want not :)

The circle embellishment and the buttons are made up of some scraps of Calico I had hanging around, stamped and inked, gives them a new life !
I will be teaching a version of this at Album Memories Port Elliott, in June / July.

Off to tame the 3 monsters as it is school holiday's and boy today they are Troll's ! hehehe

Simone XX

Kraft it Up! KIA

2011-04-13T23:13:00.002+09:30

Finally after it sitting staring at me to the side of my desk for 5 days, did I manage to finish this months challenge for Kraft It Up. I have been busy 'creating' for an upcoming tutorial to appear on Abundantias Gold Blog, and a page for an upcoming class at Album Memories in Port Elliott

I actually had a bit of fun with this one as the criteria was:

1 sheet of cardstock
2 photos smaller than 6x4
3 different Alpha's
4 different patterned papers
5 different embellishments

I was having a ball gathering all the bits I might use and made a right old messy pile of goodies, to which one of my cheeky monkeys who's bedroom you can barely walk into for stuff everywhere had the cheek to say "you are really messy mummy!" lol.... if only he knew !!!!

Anyway before I waffle more here is the page.

I had a good old play with Tim Holtz new release lines, the new Distress Ink dabbers, I actaully have some similar that were made by walnut ink that i bought years ago, but I am liking the fact that they co-ordinate with my favourite Distress Inks, as I am kinda used to the colour range ! :)
I couldnt resist adding some of his new 'Sketchbook" tissue tape, I have to say this is my most favourite yet.

I spritzed the distress ink with water to soften the colour, and deliberately over wet the pp's and tore hole's in them to reveal another PP underneath.
The bodice and photo corner (used both the positive and the negative of this , waste not want not) , was painted with Luminarte Twinkling H20's - I just luuurve these.

The chipboard cotton reels took a small smudge of Vintage Photo Ink, and were wound with natural cotton, and an old needle added for authenticity.
Zoe was inked with the new Distress Ink Dabber, Vintage Photo. Of course my Sewing Machine made an appearance again! :)

Here is my ingredients list:

Kraft Cardstock
Collections - 6x6 papers
Dusty Attic - Bodice cotton reels and artist title
Tim Holtz - Typewriter charms, sketch book tissue tape.
Graphic 45- staples chipboard buttons
German Scraps

Thanks for looking everyone, I have another share to add in a day or 2 !

Lest We Forget

2011-04-04T17:52:00.001+09:30

White with Olive Green and Twine it is this month over at White with 1.
I had a ball, rummaging through all of my stash looking for Olive Green anything, as it's not a colour I use frequently, I did recall that I had a sheet of Making Memories flocked Olive green paper somewhere (that appears in the background) so went on a hunt to track it down, 5 boxes of papers later and Voila! there it was, and somehow I had had the foresight (or most likely purely by accident! I like to pretend I planned it! hehe) to add another Olive Green paper with it, and that was the script paper in the background 7 Gypsies.

The pictures are from a precious few of WW2 that my late Grandad took whilst fighting in France and such, all bundled together in a forbidden diary he kept amongst the passages of an army issue french phrase book, forbidden incase he became captured by Jerry, but for his taking a chance an invaluable piece of family history.
I studied a fair bit about the First & Second World War, and was lucky enough to visit Flanders Fields in France, a fair amount of War graves for all nationalitie's, field hospitals, Trench Museum's and such, as a result I have some treasured memories of chatting to my Grandad about it all, whom had never 'opened up' about what he had seen / experienced, and marveling at the strength of spirit these brave men had. Such warriors of there time, and I thank them everyday for there sacrifice. With my deepest respect, that I hope will pass down many generations to follow, May they all rest peacefully.

Thanks White With 1 for inspiring me to begin to Scrap those precious pictures. So here is my take on this month's challenge.

I will add a few extra close up's over the coming day's but I had to rush off for school pick up ran out of time!

Here is my Ingredients list:

PP: Making memories Flocked Floral

PP: 7 Gypsies Avignon : Ecriture

Cardstock Bazzill Green

Heidi Swapp Clock Face Stamp

Kaisercraft Blank Naked Tags & Stamps

Twine

Prima Marketing Flowers :- Wild Wood collection - Rosemary

Vintage Lace & Buttons

Tim Holtz Ribbon & Reinforcers Stickers

Sewing Machine & White Cotton

Distress Ink , Forest Moss & Bundled Sage

Websters Pages green baubles trim

Paris Clock - Abundantias Gold embellishment

Thanks for looking. & thanks for all the beautiful comments you have all been leaving. :)

Simone XXX

Once Upon a Sketch

2011-03-28T21:45:00.000+10:30

An avid journaller and recorder of history I am , imagine my excitement when I stumbled across this fabulous brand new challenge site, ONCE UPON A SKETCH Australian based but open worldwide it houses some of Aus's best on the design team, and even some very well known local one's as well. Name drop Heather Jacob, and Steph Caskin-Devlin

The first giveaway is up, supplied by there sponsor Scrapbook Nook, and take a look at this stunning kit!

Ohh Cant wait for the challenges to begin ! :) wink wink :) :) :) :) :0)

A weekend of crafting!

2011-03-22T20:19:00.000+10:30

This weekend I headed down to Port Elliott to spend a few days with friends in the country scrapping to my hearts content, completly relaxed and with no pressure. 'Just what the doctor ordered!'
On the saturday am I taught a class at Album Memories in Port Elliott, using / demoing Glimmermist and a few of its possibilites, now for those of you interstate / overseas Port Elliott is a country town in SA, and therefore often doesnt get to have a 'hands on' experience like this. Anyhow, here is what we did. :)

& just a few more shares of some of the pages I completed.

This picture was taken in 1998, and was my Grandad who is no longer with us, and my Dad in England. A special picture for me as it was one of the last times I saw my Grandad. I had another play with my much loved twinkling H20's to colour the Heidi Swapp Invisible circle border, and also the Tattered Angels Tag.

Another share, a trip to the Crystal Castle in QLD, such a beautiful place, had it not have been so hot I would have loved to spend more time there 'absorbing nature'.

I have used Kaisercraft range here, and cut the border away from the Die cut paper using one half on the left of the page, using the other half to use as a template and glimmermisted the artisan shape on the right behind the die cut. Then flipped this over and used underneath the pictures on the left hand side of the page.

The Glimmermist used was Orientla Poppy, and asian back ground stamp was used with Faded Jeans Distress Ink.

Thanks for looking I hope you enjoyed :)

Kraft it Up!

2011-03-22T19:48:00.001+10:30

Over at Kraft it Up , March's challenge is to add the qoute 'There is no greater gift than today" and have Kraft cardstock in it.... the rest is up to you! well here is my take on my daughter doing 'the crab dance' at the beach.

I have used:

K & Co Que Sera Sera Paper
Scrap FX Chippie Mermaid, that I had a complete ball shimmering with Twinkling H20's and Glimmer Glam! love love love the h20's!
Tim Holtz tissue tape / stamp
Kaisercraft bling swirls
Blue Thread
G C Studios
Walnut Stain Distress Ink
K & Co Studio 112 Trinket Tags

Here's a few close up's so you can see a little more of those H20's! you just have to have a go with them. :)

Thanks for looking ! dont forget to leave me a comment :)

Simone X

Let the challenges begin

2011-03-10T12:20:00.002+10:30

Well this month over at White With 1, it's all pink, and the challenge was to use bright pink, with an artisan shape, and the only other ingredients - white!
Anyhoo, even though I have a darling daughter, I dont tend to use a lot of pink, I have added a lot of detail to this page, but unfortunatly the picture does not do it justice, the flourish is actually a strong metallic pink, but does look a little brassy in the photo, I have also white enamel embossed around the edges a swirly design, and then dry dusted with some White acrylic paint (use a dry brush and a small amount of paint).
I have had the picture sitting around for a while, my daughter was sat on these beautiful Rose Quartz chunks at the Crystal Castle in QLD, we had such a beautiful day wondering around the garden's soaking in all the energies of the crystal's, if it had not have been so hot I would have liked to have spent quite sometime there just absorbing mother nature and all of her beauty. Fond memory's of such a beautiful place.

Here are a few close up's hopefully you can get a better look at it.

Here are more of my ingredients:

Artisan shape created using Heidi Swapp Mask template, with Pink Sherbert Glimmermist and Strawberry Glimmer Chalk, applying the brayer technique to even the tone.

Journalling spot from Hambly Screen Prints rub on's applied to transparency and then written on with a white gel pen.

Fairy title - 5 kids and a dog, crackled using Tattered Rose distress crackle. then inked with Versa Mark Opera Pink.

All edges distressed using Donna Salzar's new Distrezz It Tool, this is just fab love it love it love it, check out my other post on the blog to see a demo.
Heidi Swapp Mirror - butterlfy in pink of course !
Large floursih swirl cut from K&Co Studio 102 paper.
Hambly Screen Prints - ATC Patchwork sheet

Thanks for looking hope you have enjoyed :)

Zutter - Distrezz It All

2011-03-10T12:06:00.001+10:30

Donna Salzar's new Distrezz It Tool, this is just fab love it love it love it, be mindful if you get one though, as I have noticed these are being sold on Ebay from Australia with a US plug on it, but not one of them have mentioned that you will also need a converter, to convert our 240 volt down to 110 . You can pick these up from Jaycar for $50. Here is a demo on it : Definatly gotta add this to your list ! :)

Scraptastic!

2011-03-05T01:09:00.002+10:30

SCRAP ROOM as i often hear it called !
Well as most of you will know I have been shuffling, sorting, moving door's redecorating ! and goodness everything else that goes with it! but finally finished and moved in, is my new 'Creation Station'! hehehe The worst thing is I am quite embarrassed about how much stuff I actually have ! But I know hand on heart that I actually have used it all at one time or another, and I dont just scrapbook, there are a lot of other crafts thrown in there as well ! Even though ATC's are only small they certainly take up a lot of space ! hehehe, anyway here are some piccies, to get you mojo going, and who know's perhaps you might find yourself 'creating a new space' as well!

So here is the main crux of my area, to the left of me is a space just for my upcoming creation queen aka mini me ! ( and she takes up more room than me with all her stuff! uhumm cough cough )

As you can see the purple section on the left is mini me's and boy doesnt she have a lot of kit! ;0)

The important stuff behind me ! I can just spin around and it's all to hand, I promise you that most of those drawer's are empty !

All nicely and neatly labelled

Beautiful love hearts from my baby, saying ' I love mummy so much' awww I love u 2 baby XX

Boy those shelves are fantastic, they hold so much.

Don't worry be Happy, that;s what this little dudette plays when u press her hand, it was given to Mini me and me as a gift from my sister her auntie, and my niece her cousin, whom is featured regularly in my pages :) .
We love it , we go take ourselves into our happy space, and press the hand, the world seems a better place for it.

Oh & I may have forgotten to mention, the pups love it as well, they have moved in under the table, so much so Woof here pinched my cushion from my chair and puffed it up ready for a long snooze! ahh well in winter he makes a good foot warmer :)

Hope it has given you a few idea's.
Thanks for dropping by, dont forget to leave me a comment I just love to read them all.
Simone XXX

Vintage Brown for White With One

2011-02-23T20:25:00.000+10:30

Amidst all the chaos of what is happening with my craft room, and not being able to access much of my supplies, the frustration level is hitting! but I just felt the need to create, and in a space as big as your hand I managed to come up with my entry for this months challenge!

White with One (WW1) challenge for February is white with brown.

I have used distress Inks, antique linen & vintage photo, then applied the spritz and flcik technique, to this I added a fine mist of Old Lace Glimmermist. some Prima build a frame stamps, prima flowers, altered vintage lace, some Dusty Attic Chippy with a generous coating of Picket Fence Crackle Paint, and hey presto!
Voila
Thanks for looking!

Some Shares

2010-11-19T19:41:00.000+10:30

Had fab weekend away at the extremely secluded Point Sutar on the York Penninsula, and not only did I get to play in the sand, but I got to play at Scrapbooking as well, the view from my table was just stunning. !

Not bad eah? it was so peaceful and renergising, the Dolphins were playing mummy and baby just off the shore, and the rest of the pod were fishing off the rocks, just gorgeous !

So inspiring and so nice to be part of Nature's gifts :)

Anyway here are my shares .

Finally a finished UFO!

2010-11-01T12:18:00.000+10:30

It's only been 3 years but finally I finished this beautiful prima music tin, that plays " have yourself a merry little christmas" using cosmo cricket papers with the same title! And of course the gorgeous da chip holly !

A couple of shares

2010-10-17T23:04:00.000+10:30

Well its been a busy time here for me and a few fabulous helper's! the new website is almost live just ironing out a few bugs, and we are set to go, the shopping cart is full featured and fantastic, the only thing it doesnt do is cook dinner and bath the kids! :( what a shame ! hahahaha..... anyway enough about that here are some shares to keep you all going. :0)

Time after Time

2010-10-04T22:41:00.000+10:30

It's been a while, so much has happened in the last 6 months, I have barely had time to breath let alone think!. one thing I have learnt though..... life is too short, embrace everyday as if its your last, and make your Soul happy! So watch this space I promise to start adding more of and more of the stuff that makes me happy! :)

In Every Girl there is a GODDESS

2010-05-02T15:29:00.000+09:30

For my upcoming trip to the Sydney SIA I have been busily preparing a page and an off the page project for one of the Magazines. The theme is DIVA and here is my submission. I really enjoyed this challenge, and a little sad it has come to the end ! but I guess that gives me more time to concentrate on other stuff as well! hahahah

SIA

2010-04-29T12:34:00.000+09:30

I am off to Sydney to attend the SIA (Scrapbooking Industry Association) where I get to do some classes/ make and takes and network, to bring back even more ideas, projects, products just for you! Cant wait....watch this space for my updates!

Tim's box of Curiosities!

2010-03-17T21:02:00.000+10:30

I never thought I would ever be so excited about a book that wasn't Twilight related ! hahaha but Tim Holtz has delivered the goodies once again.... I have to say all 77 pages of it are packed with ideas and inspiration, and he explains to you how to use all of his products and more.... which as a Scrapbooking shop owner is something I find myself doing everyday, but even I the 'brain of Product knowledge' as some kindly descirbe me, dont know everything, or even pretend to know everything...after all I am only human and even I have to download the brain to fit more in! hahahaha
This new CHA release Bible ( of the art world variety ) is called ' A Compendium of Curiosities ' by Tim Holtz ......... & I tell ya it does answer all those curious questions! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!

The Brain is already whirring with heaps of new ideas!!!!! :) I dont think the smile is wide enough! X

Share and Share alike!

2010-03-12T01:28:00.000+10:30

Well there's always an excuse but hey you knew that right? As always there is something I have to do other than update my blog, but I have been working on a few more pages / projects for classes etc, as well as the newsletter, new DT members, and some more help to take the pressure off of all the back end stuff I have to do to keep it all moving........ and out of 7 weeks back at school, I have managed 2.5 weeks where all 3 of them have been there together without one or another being sick! does it ever end ? hahaha
Anyway here is a share to keep you all going.
The 2 beautiful girls of the family, my baby girl , and my beautiful niece.

What a year... it's february already and where has the time gone!

2010-02-03T10:20:00.000+10:30

Dared to take some time off to get the kids all organised for school, that's all 3 of my babies at school now, and for the first 3 days it was great , a taste of real freedom! hahaha, so started back to work this week, and the first day no 1 son is off sick! couldnt beleive it... anyway he has been very sick and is currently being tested for Glandular Fever so I guess my freedom is over temporarily! of course I really feel for the little guy, he also has ulcers in his mouth and cold sores round his face, he has just sat for 6 days solid and slept / watched tv, he is drinking ok, but does not want to eat anything. When your kids are sick, don't you just wish you could take it all away for them. Here's hoping you get better soon little guy! and here's a few first day of school piccies for no 2 and 3 and back to school for # 1 . !

I am working on some stuff now, so I will get round to adding some more shares! until the next time .... Happy New Year ! (if you celebrate Chines New Year that is!)

Where the heack have I been ? Busy Busy Busy

2009-11-16T00:40:00.000+10:30

Sorry it;s been so long since I posted on the blog, I have just been so busy busy busy, arent we all though, amongst other things, I have been preoccupied planning and creating for all the upcoming classes before christmas.
We had a fab melbourne Cup day of craft food and fun, and as such have been asked for a christmas party so, never one to say no to a challenge, the planning is underway.

In addition as a response to my Twilight pages, I have been begged by all yuo addicts to do a class, knowing that the pages were quite expensive in the materials department.....not that I have access to lots of spoils! there was no cost spared there, it would prove to expensive to hold a class on the pages, as they were really only for showcasing products and of course Edward Cullen! ............... so I have come up with a
'My book of Twilight' instead.... I really enjoyed doing it as it is not something I do on an everyday basis, and I am sure that all of you booked in will be suitably impressed with the result. This has all been made from scratch cover and all....I had to scratch up on my book binding skills that was for sure! he he
So without further adieu fellow Bloggers ! I present the ..........

'My book of Twilight'

It all happened at TWILIGHT..Then the NEW MOON set in!

2009-10-13T21:37:00.001+10:30

Well its official I have gone totally mad! nah only joking! This months challenge for the FACEBOOK group is 'All things spooky' as its the month for all Hallow's. and well I have been badgered for quite a while now by lots of you mad Twilight addicts to do a 'TWILIGHT' page, so I succummed, on the understanding that it would only be Edward I scrapped and not any of the other Characters..... whilst doing it I think I worked out the attraction, he does have an uncanny resemblance to James Dean! only as Edward Culen though and not as Robert Pattinson! hahaha so anyway there they are..... the results of a Girls night Scrap! we had loads of fun.

Once I had finished that one I could not resist moving onto New Moon, hey who knows I might just go ahead and do Eclipse & Breaking Dawn... why the heck not! hahahaha

I took full advantage of our well stocked workshop and went to town on Red Velvet Glimmermist, & Silver Bells. Heidi Swapp Mask, Prima Flowers (just oh so appropriate for these pages) Creative Imaginations Papers, Embossed the stamped flourishes, Basic Grey Bling Heart, Scrapbooking Bitz E C Bling Initials, and 2 crafty chipboard accent, as well as Kraft carstock, and Core'dinations new Gemstones range, Jasper ( how appropriate!hahah) and Black Tie.

Hope you liked viewing ! until the next time Simone X

PS: why not head on over to Facebook & join in on this months challenge you could win a goodie pack!

Another year older, another year wiser? or just more ideas?

2009-09-12T13:20:00.000+09:30

Well I celebrated yet another birthday yesterday the 11th, and I had a fab day, my lovely hubby and kids treated me to a day at the spa, back massage, facial, I came away feeling very relaxed.... then an evening meal at my favourite restaurant in Port Noarlunga....so all in all I was very blessed.... but back to it all today!

I have quite a bit of background in computer originated designs & imagery, and as a result I have been having a play with a few digital elements which until now I have tried to limit in my scrapbboking mainly as I know I would be addicted in a blink of any eye. So what's happended , the addiction has started, here is a share of an embellishment I have created for an upcoming page kit.
Whilst I am happy for any of you to print out and use on a non commercial basis, please note that the quotation is my own Quotation and therefore any republication is Copyright to me. :)

Until the next time
Simone X

A Day of Scrappin!

2009-08-31T23:05:00.007+09:30

2 out of 3 of my babies have ear infections, after years of surgery with tonsils adenoids and countless fittings of grommets... and one had his grommet fall out on saturday because of the pressure of the infection, (i thought it was a piece of bone at first! haha they are a lot bigger than I thought), so I have had a few blissful days of only going out if necessary, and staying home.

It has been a great family bonding time, for 2 solid days, my little crafters have been 'creating' again.
As they grow older each day it really is apparent that I have a family of scrappers, even my husband sits down with us and 'creates' usually painting models of something, but we are still crafting together.

I can tell you though when there are 5 of us fighting for an inch of space this is the look you get in your lounge room! Good Job the camera doesnt show you the floor!

My baby girl created a page with me helping her, of our trip to The Gold Coast at the beginning of the year. she loved helping me cut some shapes with the Making Memories 'Slice', I think we did a good job together.. & the new Kaisercraft Pina Colada range just seems to fit perfectly with the colours.

She then went solo and just got on with it, using the stuff from her own 'stash'. Considering she is only 4, I think she is already a budding Scrapper, and good things are still to come. I am so proud of all my babies for there creations.

On Saturday night, for the first time in a very long time I caught up with some friends and we all scrapped and chatted all night till silly o'clock the next morning, we had a great time, and well I had a play with some Websters Pages, RW Laser Cuts Chipboard, Core'dinations Chocolate Box, and Prima Build a Swirl stamps. Here is the result of a night of giggles, strange happenings and a good time from all. LOL

There is lots more to share as well as some ATC's for an upcoming swap, but thats for another time..... sleep well..... fello night owls!
Until the next time
Simone X

Getting caught out

2009-08-22T17:06:00.003+09:30

Last night (fri) it suddenly occured to me that I had forgotten to make a keepsake for my Godsons birthday! and its this sunday, so I raided the shop stash and pulled together a quickie using Basic Grey's Lime Rickey, it really is great colours for a young and funky little man... only 1 almost and already he has style! Love Ya little man XX

For this I used 3 sheets of Bazzill Bling, cut into 4 ( each one measuring 6x6").
Added covers to the front and back with 6x6 pieces of Lime Rickey, ( I used 4 different colours in the range) Isaac's name is and embossed Scrapware wooden I, and saac has been cut on the cricut shadowed, and then embossed with 3 different embossing powders.
Once all pages have been decorated and embellished I bound it all together with the BIND IT ALL. I love this baby, it makes those last minute whip ups quick and easy with basic tools.

Busy..Busy...Busy

2009-08-17T23:49:00.002+09:30

Wow what another totally amazing week, Sunday was the Scrapbooking & Stamping Fair at Wayville Showgrounds, we had an absolutely exhausting, but euphoric time, I taught classes & so did Belinda, the feedback we received was awesome.

Not only that I have received some lovely emails from customers to tell me how great a time they had at our stall, how they loved that we had such different things to the others, and how friendly polite and helpful we are. That really does make me want to beam from ear to ear, and makes all the hard work worthwhile. I want to thank my fantastic helpers though, who out of love, support me and the shop into succeding, without them I could not do all that I have so far. So thanks girls.

So to make my week even more spectacular I found out of Friday that we have made it into the finals for the Southern Times Messenger Small Business Awards! YIPPEE.... not only that we were mystery shopped, and as a result we have been put forward for the Gold & Silver awards in outstanding customer service...... OMG its just fantastic!

I have a few pics to post soon.... and I promise I will start blogging a little more....:)

Until the next time !

SimoneX

So Excited !

2009-08-01T23:03:00.002+09:30

After a pretty hard week, I received a phone call from the Southern Times Messenger, and thanks to all the lovely people out there who support us we have been shortlisted into the top 6! for the small business awards..... hooray..... I am keeping everything crossed now, to make it into the final 4 and then who knows!
YIPPEE...... Thanks Tammy for voting for us in the first place and giving me the nudge to register us. :)
I really appreicate you all and thanks for your support, I am feeling humble....grinning from ear to ear and if we win, you know where the money will go! back into our obsession, for even more goodies! tee hee.

There are no Words...... when the journalling needs to say it all.

2009-07-13T22:43:00.003+09:30

An interesting weekend I have had, what with the finalising of BAS returns, writing the new Aug Newsletter etc, preparing for classes, and being inspired by the new Kaisercraft storage options to finally sort out my scrap space/ stash. Ultimatly finding stuff that I had forgotten I had! :)

Well I took a step forward in my healing .... I found the picture, followed by the perfect piece of paper, frame, flowers swirls.... they all just fell into place.... it was time, I sat down to write a few feelings to include in the journalling and as I was writing I felt a calm peace....that I have finally come to terms with the grief, and pain of it all, and just look back with absolute blessings that my precious little man is still with us.

When I got up to print the journalling on the computer, there was a feather on the floor behind me, in my eyes just another confirmation that no matter what happens we always have an angel on our shoulder.

So this brings me back to the post title, when the journalling needs to say it all. As the type is a little small in the picture, here is how I captured the way I felt on the day this picture was taken.

There are no words.....

Our prayers were answered when the angel was gifted from heaven. Our precious baby boy, we will love, adore & cherish you always xx

You may notice from the picture a ribbon pull, in here I have journalled a tag explaining to Ain what I want him to know.... & detailed how it took me 5 1/2 yrs to scrap the photo.

Time really does heal :)

Simone XX

Caught out for all of eternity

2009-07-04T18:12:00.007+09:30

Well its been a while sorry about my slackness, we have bee n really busy at the shop this week which is what it is all about, but as you know end of financial year, and 24 hrs seem to have to become 36! hahaha

Anyhoo, there has been lots and lots of planning for some great upcoming classes and of course there is the new newletter in progress and that takes time. But inbetween all of that I had a play with the new release Home accents Cricut cartridge, and borrowed an idea from one of Kerry's page's, great work chick! and this is the result.

On another note
Isan't it funny the things that kids take pics off when they are let loose with the camera? well i have finally finished my affair with Edward and the twilight saga, and that 'stupid book' as my kids have called it, and I downloaded the camers pics today and look what my little darlings framed for all of eternity !

I guess I gotta go scrap that now! .............. until the next time S XXXX

Just Perfect... Pearl!

2009-06-22T22:49:00.006+09:30

Well in between reading book 2 and book 3 of Twilight ( will be starting book 4 tomorrow!) I managed to come up with some extra babies.... ATC babies that is! hahaha

I recently held a class painting with Perfect Pearls.. and well somehow the monster was unleashed within! that's the supressed Michelangelo monster within.... It had not been let out since my drawing and painting days some time ago, when I ditched the finer arts to pursue the Graphic stuff.... which in turn has landed me here somewhere.... funny how things work out! anyway enough of the rambling.

It looks like there is more painting to come... now that the monster is out...and so to get you started here are some of my 'experiments'....

Some left over Prima Paper, a K & Co stamp from the Madeline range, a paper flower from my stash (lulu's I think) some scrap Maya Road Sheer Ribbon ( Bra strap ribbon as I call it!) hahaha and a little imagination, not forgetting the new Tim Holtz Tiny attacher stapler...love it... and Voila... Just Perfect...Pearl

More left over Prima Papers... and a sprinkling of Perfeft Pearls, and Tim's Tiny attacher again..

& just a simple Hambly Screen Prints stamp... or not so simple it's one of my fav's. Extremely versatile.

Until the next time..... I'm off to read more of Edward...... S X

BIG Slack Arse!

2009-06-16T22:00:00.004+09:30

I have not posted for a while and for that I appologise, I have been creating on the shop BLOG and pulling together some extra design Team members, as well as nursing a sick baby, who had his tonsils and adenoids out and grommets fitted, along with a sore throat myself..... and it goes on and on and on! hahahahaha so I have plenty of excuses, but none I am sure you are interested in! But my main one, at least until I have finished the last book is this...................

Bloody Tammy & Leeann! thanks for getting me hooked! to the extent that I have eyed a perfect paper to scrap a 'Twilight' page! how sad is that! hahaha Luv YA! ;)

Some things look best in Black & White

2009-05-23T14:13:00.004+09:30

Somehow, I managed to create an ATC trilogy yesterday whilst the kids were 'creating' supposedly with me.... we crafted together for 4 hours, and I really love that special time we have together, but despite all the punches and shapes I let them play with, they still want me to draw them things for them to cut out... yesterday was a horse! and a snake tongue to go into there cardboard tubes that they had used to make a snake with..... its amazing..... they even built a house .. forest... car park, bed you name it all for there cardboard snake, that doesnt bite.. apparently...hes a nice snake... (are any of them nice....yeeuugghhh, I try not to show my fear in front of the kids!).
In addition this lucky snake's penthouse mansion has been spread all over the lounge room floor, he even has a hopscotch playground! wow what a lucky snake... they have been so creative.... but to the untrained eye..it looks like the recycle bin has been emptied all over the place! Clever babies... love emX

Time -- Gesso

2009-05-19T22:52:00.005+09:30

U know I have all these ideas buzzing around my head, and when do I ever get time to do anything with them? hahahaha............. no wonder there is this thing called INSOMNIA.... or is that just something the doctors invented to give a name to 'not enough hours in the day?' Someone turn back the clock where does the time go??

I was teaching a 'not so shabby' class today, and in the blink of an eye it was over.. I spent the rest of the day playing with Gesso or Texture Paste as some of you may know it... its great stuff, but another messy one... and I hate getting my hands dirty. not LOL.....
I had to leave the shop early to pick up the kids, so it was still drying.. once its dry and I get the chance to take a pic.. I will load some so you can see what I managed to create with it.
SLEEP WELL........... I'll be thinking of all you lucky people while I am wide awake planning .... LOL
TC S XXXXXXXX

Facebook ATC SWAP GROUP

2009-05-13T22:15:00.003+09:30

Well I have gone ahead and done it, our first ATC group took place on tuesday and what a Buzz it was.... I have set us up on FACEBOOK, so come on why not join our ATC Swap group? here is the link

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=95063666704#/group.php?gid=95063666704&ref=mf

Open to anyone and everyone from anywhere (all over the world also encouraged!)

You may want to sign up as a friend of me.... as there are more challenges and groups coming! watch this space....

Tatty Old Muse

2009-05-09T11:16:00.003+09:30

Isan't it funny that often the best pieces of ART come from the mess you make on your scrap paper? On a recent play with Glimmer mist for an upcoming class look at the ATC I managed to get from the sheet of Scrap paper? dont you just love it....its all around us we just need to open our eyes.......

Hi Ho Hi Ho its lots of work I need to get done....

2009-05-06T23:13:00.003+09:30

Somehow I felt the need to kick back a little this weekend, and just 'do' something that has been lingering.... funny how it didn't take much persuading to follow 'the craft' those little people were in my head saying housework...scrapping..housework...scrapping... and well this time I let the Scrapper win the fight! and I managed to finish off my middle sisters album I promised her for her 40th! well she is almost 41 so I didn't do too badly..........& what did she say, ahh thats beautiful than k you so much, OMG you can really see that tooth in the front that needed filling! hahahaha
Life is great.........art is great.........there are no mistakes if it makes you happy! and boy...doesnt it make it all happy... my little piece of inner peace and SANCTITY....

2009-04-30T13:37:00.005+09:30

A dog lover I am of 2 beautiful and very naughty Dalmation's I just could not resist posting this email that was sent to me, it kind of reminds me of when the children were younger....I know the boys looked everywhere for peace and quiet! although not necessarily Scrapbooking related, My dogs Biggles & Woof are often the subject of my pages and inspiration. & are always with me.... mostly the hair on my clothes! u just gotta love there smiley faces !....

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard; I could tell
from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was
well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head;
he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the
hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.
An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: 'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?'

ATC (Artist Trading Card) Bella! Challenge

2009-04-13T14:05:00.003+09:30

Bella! have bought out a cute range of ATC cards, just waiting to be dressed, so this weekend, Yvonne and myself split 2 packs between us and set a challenge to see how many ATC's we could get out of the packs. & well here are mine. Already to be swapped in our new group DO YOU ATC?

My Minds Eye Bella Bella & Prima Marketing Artistry Flowers

2009-04-13T13:58:00.004+09:30

Well as promised here is the Page I managed to Scrap, I just couldn' wait to play with the new Prima range, My Minds Eye Bella Bella, and a touch of Gllimmermist, Oh and for good measure there's my favourite Heidi Swapp transparency and Christina Rei border punch! Perfect Pearls and my cuttlebug.........what fun U had with this one, oh and the cute picture helped!

2009-04-06T01:40:00.007+09:30

Some of my favourite pics of my Babies..... well not so baby's anymore, but they will always be... in my heart.......... :-)
.

2009-04-05T14:02:00.001+09:30

Blimey I even managed to change to time zone to reflect AUS time and not US! and all for free ! tee hee

Getting there

2009-04-05T13:55:00.000+09:30

Well I have managed to customise the Blog a little, its slowly getting there !

I also managed to Scrap a page this weekend ! wonders will never cease, I will take a picture of it, and add it in...............

2009-03-22T15:58:00.001+10:30

I thought it was time I had my own as well as the shops one!