Saturday 24 May 2014

Treasure - CSI challenge 124

Thanks for visiting my blog today.
I have a DT layout to share, which is a challenge at
CSI
You have until the 1st June, if you'd like to join in.

The idea is to use all the colours,
at least two of the evidence clues
and at least one of the testimony clues. 
Easy peasy.
I hope you will pop over and join in the fun.
I used a water colour paper for the background and a 
Kaiser craft stencil to make the butterflies with texture paste and beads
 The flowers and yellow sparkly dots are from Prima
as is the stitched border stamp
Title is by 2 Crafty
I used Kaisercraft dictionary and Botanical stamps

EVIDENCE
Butterfly
Glitter - the sparkly dots
Flowers
Stamps
Ombre
Stars
Check pattern - on the yellow flower
Watercolour
Tiny Brads

TESTIMONY
I used the inspiration words, Magic, Wish and Sparkle as part of my journalling.

Your extroverted nature and adventurous spirit adds light and laughter to our lives.   If we had a magic wand, we would wish that nothing could ever dull your sparkle, but life’s not like that and you are fearless enough to take the risks and suffer the consequences.  You love to sing and dance and have an expression for every occasion.  This look was just before you said, “That’s enough photos for you now, I’m going to hop down!”   So, rock on little girl, live loud & enjoy the journey.     Love Granny  22.3.2014

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Saturday 17 May 2014

Happy Days - CSI challenge 123

Welcome to my blog.
Are you ready for an unusual colour combo for this week's CSI challenge? 
I was inspired by the stole in the case file picture.
I didn't have papers in these colours
so decided to play with mists and pastes to create the background.
Imaginarium Designs Chipboard
Embossed with Stampendous Aged marine embossing powder
The Spellbinder dies added to the taffeta and tiara theme of the night
The pale blue and navy colours are there on the frames, 
just a bit difficult to see on the screen.
I used some fibre paste through a Kaiser craft stencil 
to enhance the feel of the formal photo.
Then misted over the top with blue and green.
EVIDENCE
Flower
Mixed media background

TESTIMONY
I went to the “Angel Fire” prompts and chose to write about a favourite memory

Happy memories of a group of women I used to work with for years .  Because we all had such stressful roles, we  gathered once a month for dinner & a laugh.  On this night we met at Helen’s beautiful old home in North Adelaide & pretended we didn’t have to work for a living! Such fun. 24/4/1998

I love people who make me laugh.
I honestly think it’s the thing
I love the most.   To laugh.
It cures a multitude of ills.
It’s probably the most
important thing
in a person.

Audrey Hepburn

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Thursday 15 May 2014

Card Challenge for Scrap Africa challenge - 29

Hello and welcome to my blog where today I'm hosting
Scrap Africa challenge 29
The challenge it to create two cards, one for a male and one for a female.
It can be for any occasion you like and you have until 
the end of the month to join in at 
I'd love you to pop across and see the beautiful cards
created by the DT and the Guest Designers
I chose scraps of blue and cream cardstock to create the feminine card
A great opportunity to test drive a new spellbinder die 
The stamp is by Hero Arts
embossed with Wow white pearl embossing powder
A few Prima flowers and "Say it with crystals"
The easel card could be for any occasion
Father's Day, Birthday or Anniversary 
I love this paper collection from Prima - Cartographer
Spellbinders "Sprightly sprockets" cut the dies
I finished off with a name plate by Kaisercraft
A bit of stitching, punching and misting

Memories chipboard is by Scrapmatts
It holds the easel card open for display

I had fun making the cards, and it's always lovely to have a couple on hand. 

Thanks for calling in to say hello
and for any comments you may care to leave
They bring a smile to my face 



Saturday 10 May 2014

I smile becasue of you - CSI DT 122

 Thanks for calling in to my blog today.  
I hope you will feel inspired and maybe join in the challenge.
Autumn brights are the colours chosen by Debbi Tehrani, 
our inspirational leader.
along with a sketch from the talented Em Stafrace.
If you'd like to see what the rest of the DT created
I'd love to see your layout in the gallery this week.
I don't usually work with small photos, so found this sketch a challenge, 
but I'm happy with the way it turned out.
Our twin Grandsons are a delight to have around.
Every time they come we get stoked up on endorphins;
they are great fun.
The orange paper is from an older collection by Echo Park, 
For the record, "Borders"
I used the reverse side.
Chipboard title is by Imaginarium designs
The metal is from Prima - junkyard findings
Spellbinder die created the sprockets
EVIDENCE
Flowers
Leaves
Metal
Cursive font - Title
Circles
Sprig - leaves

JOURNAL
I used the inspiration word "Place" in the journalling and talked about their feelings at our place.
The journalling reads:-

Your Mummy and Daddy like to give you time apart from each other, so that you have individual attention from them and from us.  Sometimes this means you feel territorial about the toys at our place.

It’s amusing watching you both trying to play with two things at once, whilst hiding a third thing behind your back and warding off any take over tactics with a glare.  If a fierce look doesn’t repel the interloper, sometimes rough justice is dispensed and retaliation is needed.

Fortunately after a short time, when the ground rules have been re-established, harmony reigns and you quite happily sit still when I get the camera out.  Here we have signs of a rapprochement.  8 April 2014   Love Granny 

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Saturday 3 May 2014

Home - DT challenge 121 CSI

Welcome to my blog, take your time, have a browse, 
leave a comment if you like and maybe even become a follower.
My heart sank when I saw these colours, because I mostly scrap children,
using brighter colours, but I was drawn to journal something about my home.
 I’m always inspired by the way my friend
Heather Jacob uses monochromatic palettes, 
so this page is in honour of her artistry. 


to see what the DT and Special Guests have created. 
With these chilly days, I hope you will tuck yourself up 
somewhere warm and crack the Case File.
I love this patterned paper, just perfect for antique furniture
Kaisercraft - Art of Life collection, “Film strip” 
Lots of beautiful Prima flowers
Chipboard - unknown (I've had it since I wore button up boots!)
Tim Holtz die cut - Pediment
Prima- Say it with Crystals

EVIDENCE
Architectural accent - the pediment
Flowers
Book pages - top left
Metal - clock
Twine

TESTIMONY
I chose to write something about my home.  The journalling is on the back of the page.

Let me tell you the story of my treasured Cedar Chiffonier, an antique piece which belonged to my Great Aunt Agnes.  She was the youngest of fourteen children and my maternal Grandmother’s sister.   As a young woman at the turn of last century, her role was to look after her Father until he died aged 90.  His home and contents were then sold, so Aunty had no where to live.

Looking for work, she moved from the country to the city and was engaged as a housekeeper, by a genteel old couple.   In return she was given free board and meals. Aunt Agnes was a thrifty shopper, an good cook and an exceptional gardener. She was also patient and kind; traits she developed when caring for her curmudgeonly Father.

After many years her employers died and having no children or relatives, they left their house and contents to my Aunt.  It was an unexpected and liberating bequest. The house was a tiny bungalow in an inner suburb and Aunt Agnes lived their until her mid nineties.  When she died, her home and belongings were auctioned with the proceeds willed to her nieces, including my Mother.

I used to visit her, when our oldest son was a toddler.  She always baked scones for afternoon tea, which we ate in the dining room, seated on silk covered, balloon backed chairs.   The best china and embroidered napkins were used.  Imagine my nervousness about little sticky fingers and lace tablecloths!   Once, when worried about her bone china, I suggested we have afternoon tea in the garden.  “No my dear, little boys must learn their manners at an early age.”

I always admired her cedar chiffonier, but was away when her estate auction was held.  Imagine my surprise when I returned from holiday, to find the chiffonier in my lounge room.   My Mother had bought it for me as a surprise Birthday Gift.

It holds precious bits of antique china from my family, little keepsakes and photos of the children. Like our home, the furniture has marks and dents but also a wonderful patina that only comes with age.  It has a special place in my home because it links five generations, their lives and their memories.

Despite her lack of opportunity, Agnes made the best of things.  She had a wide circle of friends and appreciated the simple things in life.  It reminds me to be grateful for the life chances I have had; to attend university, to travel, to make my own decisions, to marry and have a family.  Vale Aunt Agnes.

MATERIALS USED
Kaisercraft - Art of Life collection, “Film strip” (Background)
Bazzil cardstock
Prima Hello Pastel collection, “Butter cream” (Grey)
Little Yellow Bicycle - Winterings (Grey stripe)
Simple Stories - Generations (Burgundy floral)
Prima - Say it with crystals
Prima flowers
Kaisercraft pearl
Chipboard - unknown
Stampendous embossing enamel - Aged black
Tim Holtz die cut - Pediment
Cottage Cutz die - Leafy foliage
Spellbinders die cut - Labels 36
Spellbinders die cut - Herloom legacy (sic)
E. K. corner punches
Vintage Brad
Lace
Twine

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Thursday 1 May 2014

Fabulous Fun - DT sketch 29 Scrap Africa

Today I’m sharing a layout as DT member at Scrap Africa.
Denise van Deventer has created this fun sketch.  
I hope you will come across and see what the DT have created.
You have two weeks to join in the challenge.
I’m still trying to make inroads into my stash 
and had fun combining these papers.
Carta Bella - Tossed letters (reverse) is the blue background
Carta Bella - Rough and tumble collection, “Floating boats” is the large circle
Carta Bella - Rough and tumble collection, “Border Strips” (reverse)
is the checked paper
Echo Park - All about a boy, “Rough and Tuff” (reverse) pale teal
I love these Heidi Swapp titles because they are not meant to be straight!
The wooden stars are from Cosmo Cricket
I painted them with Silks Acrylic - pale gold
The wooden arrows are from Freckled Fawn

The Journalling says:-
I think the look on your face says it all!  You were so excited to be in your big cousin’s pool with your Daddy. You jumped, squealed and splashed around like a little dolphin.  Happy days.   Love Granny   2nd Feb 2013

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