Meg's Garden- La Belle Jardin

This month for my Meg's Garden reveal, I was inspired to create a Summery LO and card using papers from La Belle Jardin Collection, which have beautiful red, pink and green tones.  It's been quite chilly here in Brisbane, but the days are now starting to warm up.. bring on Summer!!

BLISS

I started by punching some strips of the French Bird Cage paper with a border punch to frame my background paper.  I then fussy cut and used some metal dies to cut out a butterfly, some leaf flourishes and a beautiful doily die from the paper and layered them around my photo.  In amongst the layering I have used some of the Dusty Attic flowers and flowers cut from the lace.

I love the Tim Holtz metal embellishments and used the clock face which I painted with gesso and highlighted with Viva precious metal colour to tone in with my LO and attached some pretty heart and key charms to my twine.

The background was created with a Crafter's Workshop stencil and gesso.  While the gesso was still wet, I sprinkled it with some glitter glass to create some lovely texture.

ADORE

The smaller 6x6 papers and ATC papers are perfect for carmaking.  Here I used the Le Belle Jardin and Pink Passion ranges which went beautifully with the French Vintage Couples ATC's to make a romantic vintage card.  I created some softness with muslin and the pretty paper doilies which I layered with some fussy cut flowers, then topped it off with a couple of the Dusty Attic paper flowers.

Meg's Garden product:
Le Belle Jardin Collection - French Bird Cage - P6297
Le Belle Jardin 6x6 paper pk S112
Pink Passion 407A
Vintage French Couples ATC's - ATC035
Forget Me Not tag - TR107
Dusty Attic flowers - grassy knoll
Tim Holtz clock faces
Heart and Key charms
Paper doily - 10cm
Lace 3cm

Other product:  Fabscraps and Crate Paper pp's, White cardstock, KandCo chipboard word, Cheery Lyn  and Dienamics metal dies, Martha Stewart border punch, glitter glass, glass beads, Prima bling, gesso, Viva precious metal colour, twine, Carolee Creations tiny alphas, muslin

Thanks for stopping by.

Cathy :))

Challenge Updates

Hi girls,

OMG so busy at the moment and have a lot going on, so I apologise for not being around very much and hope to find some time within the next week to catch up as I am missing seeing all your gorgeous and inspirational creations.

Thought I would post a reminder about some challenges as there is only 1 week before the end of the month.. the months seem to fly by faster and faster, or is it just me!!

Berry71Blue August Challenge
The challenge this month at Berry71 Bleu is very simple and is hosted by me this month.  The only requirement is to add some wings somewhere on your creation, which can be a LO, Card or OTP and you could be the winner of a fabulous prize pack from Scrapmatts who are our sponsor for the month.  Check HERE for the details and rules.

We also have a prize for our random winner too.
Sponsored by Zeus and Zoe - Marivic's Kit Store.

OUAS August Challenge

 Theme: Season (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring)
We would like you to create a layout and interpret the theme "Season" however you like based on the following sketch. You can journal as little or as much as you like, but your layout must incorporate this theme and the sketch below. Please make sure that we see some sort of journalling on your layouts and please tell us where your journalling is . Hidden journalling is perfectly fine.  Check HERE for the rules

Ideas for journalling: current season in your part of the world, favourite season, seasonal traditions on your part of the word, a childhood memory, a summer romance, what summer/autumn/winter/spring brings for you, baby it's cold outside, summer loving, spring is in the air, autumn breeze, summer holidays, seasonal changes, etc etc. Anything goes ..

Click HERE to see the Design Team's gorgeous creations for some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing and while you're there check out all the fabulous prizes you could win for this month's challenge.

Sketch designed by Nadia Cannizzo

Lastly I want to share a link to a new site.. Papercraft Calls and Crops that advertises crops, challenges, design team calls, retreats and events in relation to papercrafts.  Pop on over and check it out HERE.

Thanks for stopping by.

Qld Scrapbooking Retreat - Noosa

I have been invited by the lovely Ann Mealin from Qld Scrapbooking Retreats to teach a class at her weekend Retreat in Noosa on Saturday 13 October. 


Here is a sneak peek of the class.

NOOSAVILLE: 12-14 OCTOBER 2012

IVORY PALMS RESORT - $285.00
Only 27 spaces available - Book now to secure your place.

This Retreat we are heading to the beautiful Noosaville and the Ivory Palms Resort, staying in their three bedroom townhouses, self contained and stylish. Why not spoil yourself at this gorgeous location and scrap the weekend away until your heart's content? 

The cost of the weekend includes shared townhouse accommodation, all meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch (except breakfast), class & full kit, very generous goodie bag including 2 challenge packs, demos, workshops and lots of time to scrap, not to mention heaps of fun and lots of friendships to be made. Prizes and giveaways top the weekend off!

A deposit of $50 is required to hold your booking; if you wish to pay in full, please use the deposit and balance payment modules below. The part payment module is available to pay your balance off in instalments at your leisure making it easy on the budget. If you don't have a Paypal account, please contact us via email address info@qldscrapbookingretreats.com.au for bank details or to make other arrangements, we are very flexible.

Check the links below if you would like more information on payment and the terms and conditions.
http://www.qldscrapbookingretreats.com.au/
http://qldscrapretreats.blogspot.com.au/


Thanks for stopping by.

Cathy :)

Scrapmatts - More Vintage Chippies

Hi Girls,
This month at Scrapmatts I was given some of the gorgeous vintage inspired chippies to play with.  They are so beautifully detailed and are to die for. Sofie and Andrew have also designed some new Printers Trays and a stunning 3D Memory Keeper.   To check them out click on the link HERE.

Tres Jolie
On this LO I have used the Layered Bridge and Birdbaths in mist white, which highlighted in blue ink to add some depth.  My title was jazzed up with Butterflies 03 which I chopped in half and Microchips 15.  These were inked in galaxy gold Brilliance ink.  Lastly I used one of my favs..  the Leaf Spray 01 which are perfect for accenting your flower clusters.

List of Materials:  Scrapmatts Layered Bridge, Birdbaths, Butterflies, Microchips and  Leaf Spray chipboard, Prima KandCo TPC Studio, MME and Graphic 45 pp's, Prima flowers, Glimmermist, Gesso, Brilliance inks

Absolutely Beautful To Me
On my 2nd LO I have used the gorgeous Wicker Chair 03 in mist white and accented with some fussy cut flowers.  The Signboards 02 go beautifully with the vintage chippies.  The sign was backed with a Basic Grey sticker and accented with some fussy cut flowers.  I also swiped some gesso over the sign to add some texture.

List of Materials:  Scrapmatts Wicker Chair and Signboards, Websters and MME pp's, Basis Grey sticker, Craft Queen lace, twine and button, Meg's Garden ribbon, Cheery Lynn doily die, Glitz Design bird stamp, Martha Stewart doily, KandCo rubon,Paper doily, Gesso

Hold Fast To Your Dreams
This month at Berry71Bleu, it is my turn to host the challenge.  Sofie and Andrew were kind enough to sponsor a fab Scrapmatts prize pack for the winner!! The challenge is very simple... all you have to do is add wings of some sort to your project.  I decided to use the new Layered Frame 03 to create a wings inspired project.  I added a thick coat of gesso to the frame, and while it was still wet I sprinkled with some gold micro beads.  The Dress Form 01 was altered with Wings 01 which I backed inked in gold, backed in paper and accented with microbeads.  I then dressed the dress form with ribbon, lace, pp, flower charm and ink.  I cut one of the Butterflies 18 in half, inked in gold and pushed some micro beads into the gaps and used them to frame the Clocks 03.  Lastly I inked with Butterflies 17 chippie in gold and copper Brilliance inks and accented with a vintage button and some Prima bling.

List of Materials:  Scrapmatts chipboard Layered Frame, Dress Form, Clock, Butterflies, Wings, Berry71Bleu vintage tag, Basic Grey Curio and Prima Printery pp's, Kaisercraft die cuts, rubons and pearls, Tim Holtz tickets, MM pagemark, Prima crystal and pearl flourish, Prima flower, mini rose, KandCo typewriter key, metal flower and bee charms, vintage button, crochet doily, lace, ribbon, braid, Viva Ferro paste, Brilliance and Memento inks, gesso, paint.

A Ladies Diary Vintage Cards
Lastly I created 2 vintage cards using some Graphic 45, A Ladies Diary pp's which went perfectly with the Parasols 02 and Benches 03.  I highlighted the chippies with some Gelly Roll Stardust pens.  I used the Assorted Words 10 for my greetings... they are the perfect size for cards.

List of Materials:  Scrapmatts Parasols 02 and Benches 03, Cardstock, Graphic 45 A Ladies Diary pp's, Prima Notecards, Gelly Roll Stardust Pens, Brilliance ink

Thanks for stopping by.

Cathy :))

OUAS August Challenge- Seasons

Hi Girls,

Sorry about not being around much lately, but have had major computer issues and have only been able to access a computer at my sister's home in the last few weeks.  Hubby wasn't at home to fix the problems, which was a real pain!!   He's home now and has done a massive overhaul, but it took quite a bit of work setting it up.  Everything seems to be working OK now, and I can get back to normal and hopefully get around to leaving a bit of love.

Well, it's the beginning of the month and the new challenge is up at Once Upon A Sketch.  Thank you to all our wonderful supporters... last month we had 117 amazing entries.. a winner should be announced in the next few days.  Here are the details for the challenge.  

Theme: Season (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring)
We would like you to create a layout and interpret the theme "Season" however you like based on the following sketch. You can journal as little or as much as you like, but your layout must incorporate this theme and the sketch below. Please make sure that we see some sort of journalling on your layouts and please tell us where your journalling is.  Hidden journalling is perfectly fine.


Ideas for journalling: current season in your part of the world, favourite season, seasonal traditions on your part of the word, a childhood memory, a summer romance, what summer/autumn/winter/spring brings for you, baby it's cold outside, summer loving, spring is in the air, autumn breeze, summer holidays, seasonal changes, etc etc. Anything goes ..

**********

Pop on over to the OUAS blog to see all the gorgeous creations from our super talented Design Team and prepare to be inspired.  While you are there check out all the amazing prizes up for grabs, donated by our fabulous sponsors.  This month we have a wonderful BRAND NEW featured sponsor, who have donated 3 fabulous prizes - The Flying Unicorn online store and kit club!!  So it's well worth having a go and putting in an entry.  I can't wait to see them all, but I have to say you guys make it so difficult to choose our winners!!  Don't forget there will be a further DT reveal on the 15th with more gorgeous LO's to inspire you.

Here is my take on this month's challenge.

Perfect Spring Day

Sketch Designed by Nadia Cannizzo

Couldn't go past creating a Spring LO as this is my favourite time of the year, with so many beautiful flowers blooming, it's like a little piece of heaven.   I don't know why but I always think of the fresh shades of purple green and white when I think of Spring, so of course I used this colour palette on my page and it matched perfectly with my photo of Brittany in our garden, surrounded by a beautiful Geisha bush.

I can't resist mixing different paper ranges together and have used some Basic Grey, Lily Bee, Prima and Kaisercraft here with some yummy flowers from Prima and Manor House Creations.  Part of being on such a fabulous DT is getting to work with yummy products from our generous sponsors.  I have used a lovely kerri flourish and lower case alpha chippies from Imaginarium Designs and some pretty mauve ribbon from Scrapbook Fantasies, which I threaded through my fence diecut and tied onto my tag which has some hidden journaling.

List of Materials:  Imaginarium chipboard flourish and alphas, Scrapbook Fantasies ribbon, Basic Grey, Prima, Lily Bee and Kaisercraft papers, Prima notecard, flowers and cabochon, KandCo layered  embellishment, Crafters Workshop script stencil, Cheery Lynn doily die, Dienamics fence die, Martha Stewart butterfly and border punches, Carolees tiny type alphas, lilac glimmermist, paint, gesso

**This is an international blog, so anyone can enter.
**To be considered for a prize winning spot on our Top 5, our featured layouts or the random prize, you need to stay as close to the journalling criteria as possible. The reason we cannot be lenient on this, is because we set specific requirements to challenge and inspire you from just interpreting the sketch that will be given to you. We need to make it fair on everyone, so we would really hate for you to create an amazing project, but not be a winner because the journalling requirements were not met.
**You must use the sketch, but you are allowed to flip, rotate or alter it to suit your needs, but please make sure its still recognisable.

**You are free to combine Once Upon A..Sketch challenges with other challenges. We don't mind at all!!!
**You are allowed to enter only layouts for our challenges.
**Post your creation on your blog or an online gallery and link it on the right hand side of this blog using the Link tool. Please provide a direct link to your post, not your entire blog.If the link tool is down, please leave a comment on the comments section and link your layout there.
** The deadline for this challenge is midnight August 31st, Australian Eastern Standard Time . The Design Team will vote and the Top 5 layouts PLUS Top 5 featured layouts will be announced soon after the challenge has finished.
**You may enter as many times as you like
**Also, please consider turning off word verification for comments on your blog.



Thanks so much for stopping by :))

Berry71Blue August Challenge Reveal and DT LO

Hi Girls,
Well this month is my turn to host the Berry71Bleu challenge.  I was inspired by Marivic's gorgeous vintage tag and decided to make it nice and simple and have a theme of WINGS.

For this challenge there is only one criteria - I would like to see any form of wings on your LO, Card or OTP project.  Can be one or many forms, whatever you like as long as I see some wings.  Here are some examples to get you started - fairies, angels, birds, winged insects, dragons unicorns and bats.

HOLD FAST TO YOUR DREAMS
Here is my project for the challenge.  I adore anything with wings, so I went a bit crazy...  I have birds, butterflies, a cherub, angel wings and a bee on my LO.

I am lucky enough to be on the DT for Scrapmatts who are our sponsors this month, and was given the new Layered Frame to play which I thought would be a perfect way to show off Marivic's gorgeous vintage tag and all my winged embellishments.  My quote reads:  "Hold fast to your dreams for without them life is a broken-winged bird which cannot fly."   I have used a variety of Scrapmatts chipboard pieces on my creation and altered them in various ways with paint, gesso metallic inks, microbeads and also an altered dress form with a tutorial below.

List of Materials:  Scrapmatts chipboard Layered Frame, Dress Form, Clock, Butterflies, Wings, Berry71Bleu vintage tag, Basic Grey Curio and Prima Printery pp's, Kaisercraft die cuts, rubons and pearls, Tim Holtz tickets, MM pagemark, Prima crystal and pearl flourish, Prima flower, mini rose, KandCo typewriter key, metal flower and bee charms, vintage button, crochet doily, lace, ribbon, braid,  Viva Ferro  paste, Brilliance and Memento inks, gesso, paint.

This month our sponsor is:

Scrapmatts

and they have donated a fabulous chipboard pack as the prize for our challenge winner.  Click on the link above and check out all the beautiful chipboard designs available in store.  Scrapmatts also have a fabulous gallery with so many gorgeous creations which are sure to inspire you.

 

The prize above is for our merit winner. We also have a prize for our random

winner too. That prize is sponsored by Zeus and Zoe - Marivic's Kit Store.

RULES
1. You are allowed to make a an altered/off the page project as long as you follow the challenge specifications.
2. Projects must be linked up to our linky tool in the sidebar, using the URL of the ACTUAL POST not your entire blog.
3. You may submit as many entries as you want and combine your entry with up to 2 other challenges.
4. It is required that you mention in your blog post that you are playing along at Berry71Bleu TOGETHER with a link back to our blog.
5. All entries must be received by MIDNIGHT EST on the 31st day of the month the challenge was posted.
6. Entries to be submitted via the linky tool at the top of the sidebar ONLY, not by e mail and not by linking up in the comments section please.

Dress Form Tutorial

Start with a chipboard dress form (you could also use a die cut dress form).
1.  Paint the dress form to suit your colour scheme.  I then inked over the top of the paint with copper metallic ink.
2.  Make a skirt from 2 layers of scalloped lace gathered together on the sewing machine, but you can hand stitch if you don't have a machine.  (You could also used pattern papers for your skirt and punch the bottom of the skirt with a border punch or experiment with other fabrics like tulle, muslin or pretty printed fabrics.)

3.  Trace the bodice section onto some pattern paper and adhere with glue, then trim the top with a bit of braid or trim.
4.  Attach the gathered skirt with a bit of tape around the waistline, making sure it is secured about 1/2 cm around the back for a nice finish.
5.  Tie some satin seam binding around the waist in a bow to cover the raw edges of the skirt and adhere a little flower in the centre of the bow or you could use a bead, brad or pearl to accent the bow.
6.  I decided to add wings to my dress form to tie in with the Challenge Theme and my vintage LO.  I inked the wings with metallic ink, then backed them with pattern paper.  I then dabbed some clear glue randomly on the paper and pressed in some gold micro beads.  Once they are dry attach the wings behind the dress form and you are all finished.

Here are a few other ideas on how to dress a dress form.

Thanks so much for stopping by.. can't wait to see what you all come up with for this month's challenge!!

Cathy :))