Wish Happy Smile - CSI Design team challenge 137

Hi there and welcome to my blog
Today I’m sharing a layout of my DGD
who at two and three quarters, is a busy little pocket rocket.

I love these gelati colours, just right for the gorgeous warm weather 

we have enjoyed over the past few days.

CLICK HERE 

to see what the rest of the team have created.

I hope you will be inspired and join in the challenge.

Just use all the colours,

At least two of the evidence clues

and at least one of the Testimony clues.

Whilst that might sound demanding, it does help us to use colours

and products you might not be naturally drawn to.

It also really does encourage you to get your stories told.

I used this Prima sketch as the basis for my page.

I used 13@rts paper "Fly away" for the background

The Kaisercraft black rub ons have been in my stash for years

The washi tape is from Craft Queen

The cute little cloud words are from Scrapmatts

Some Prima sparkly crystals were a kind gift from

Eila Sandberg  on her Birthday blog challenge - thank you Eila

Do yourself a favour and check out her blog, she is a super talented artist.

The flourish frame is by Manor House.

EVIDENCE
Polka dots and triangles - on the washi tape
Washi tape
Metal
Flourishes - the frame and the rub ons

TESTIMONY
I chose to journal about my attitude to parenting.  The journalling is on the back of the page and it reads:-

When I see your radiant smile and your wholehearted enjoyment of life, I think how lucky you are to have been born at this time and into the family you chose.  Compared with the ultra strict parenting I had, you are allowed to make choices about what you eat, what you wear and how you play. There are firm consequences when you “buck the system”, but they are always delivered with loving consistency in order to keep you safe.

I see the confidence and resilience that those choices and consequences provide and I wish I had known some of these skills when I was parenting your Daddy. However, when we know better, we do better and now I have a second chance with you and your cousins. I’ve learned that children thrive with clear boundaries, but feel the need to rebel if checked to firmly. I’ve learned that one can never love a child too deeply; that much can be achieved with a joke rather than confrontation. I’ve learned to let you “have a go” and make a mess, because the mess doesn’t matter in the slightest. What matters, is that you know you are capable and lovable.   Rock on little girl.  Love Granny 12 May 2014

Once upon a time - DT layout for CSI 136

Hello, hello, I have enjoyed the sunshine today and the first daffodils blooming.

Signs that the bleak winter might be drawing to a close.

I have a CSI Design Team page to share with you

with these gorgeous spring like colours.

CSI TEAM

 have created some bright and beautiful pages to inspire you.
I used the current sketch from
Scrap 365 
It's not necessary to use the sketch, just follow the Case file above.
i.e. Use all five colours, at least two of the evidence prompts and
at least one of the testimony prompts.

The lace piece is from Prima
The leaves are a die cut from Memory Box
they were just perfect for our little Garden Girl

I wet embossed the lacy Scrapmatts chipboard circles

The sparkly crystals are from Prima

 The chippy and title are from Scrapmatts

EVIDENCE

Text print - on the background paper

Floral pattern

Butterflies

Lace

Leaves

Wet medium - wet embossing and ink splashes

Wings

TESTIMONY
I went to Paper wishes and used a prompt "Describe something you want your family to know".

On this day, I asked your Mummy to bring your favourite dress, so I could take some pictures. In between shots, you flitted around our garden like a little butterfly.  Pausing here to pick a flower, stopping there to pat the doggie statue, all the while, singing softly to yourself and pretending to be a Princess.  You love to play outside, using your imagination;   perhaps that is why you are so creative and resilient. 
Love Granny 10/8/14 

A perfect Day - DT Challenge 33 Scrap Africa

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

I have a Scrap Africa Design Team layout to share with you.

Challenge: Tell us about your travel adventures...perhaps your favourite location, 
 or the most memorable trip...anything related to travel. 
Please include journalling, 
even if hidden and tell us where it is.

This photo is one of my favourites taken in Kakadu National Park
Northern Australia

 CLICK HERE

to see what the rest of the team have created

I hope you will join in the fun and be in the running to win a prize

The background was inspired by a class I did with the talented

Louise Nelson

If you ever have the opportunity to learn from her, 

grab it with both hands, she is one of a kind.

I wanted to created the look of the tributaries of the waterways 

which flow after the wet season in the North of Australia

The bark I collected from the side of road

The title is by SCRAPMATTS

The journalling reads:-

Gather in inky silence
Board the small pontoon
Glide through sibilant water
See a glow brush the horizon
Watch the sun emblazon the sky
Crocodiles slither away
Birds take rapid flight
Water lilies unfurl to greet the light
Darter’s wings spread wide
Jabirus proudly strut
Observe in awe as day breaks
It was ever thus

August 2010

Favourite Photos - CSI 134

Hi there, I hope you are enjoying the weekend.

I have a CSI Design Team page to share with you today.

As well at the quirky image, the bright colours and the prompts

we have a sketch by Em Stafrace to kick start your Mojo.

So let's get sleuthing.

You need to use all the colours,

At least two of the evidence prompts and

at least one of the Testimony prompts.

I chose a Basic Grey background, Serenade collection, "Dowager"

The orange paper is also BG, the Picadilly collection "Eat at Jo's"

The aqua green is Core'dinations cardstock

The Rosette is a left over from Echo Park, "All about a boy"

I just covered the ribbons with yellow to make them fit the scheme.

 Love the circle chippie from Blue Fern which I  wet embossed

with Stampendous "Aged Marine' embossing powder.

The orange Gemstones are from Leeza Gibbons Wishes and dreams' Collection

 The metal sprocket is from Prima, junkyard findings

The title chippies, I left raw are, they are from Imaginarium 

The little bird is by Studio Calico

The small clouds are made with very old Kaisercraft pp

and the banners are Basic Grey "picadilly" stickers.

EVIDENCE

Bird

Ribbons - on rosette

Metal

Clouds

Stitching

Circles

TESTIMONY

I chose to write a thank you note to my oldest Grandson.  It reads:-

When I think of all the things in my life I have to be thankful for, YOU are right up there at the TOP of the list.  Before you arrived, I had no idea that my life would be transformed by your presence.  You’ve REFRESHED my spirit, so that I see the world through your enquiring mind.  You soak up information like a sponge and are thirsty for more.  Your witty sense of humour makes me LAUGH out loud and when you beg to spend time with us, my heart overflows with love.   THANK YOU for being you. Don’t ever try to change your personality to fit in with the rest of the world; all the other spots are taken & you are PERFECT, just the way you are.   Love Granny 17th April 2014

Scrap Africa Sketch 32 - Bali

Hello, hello and welcome to my blog.

Today, I'm sharing a DT layout for Scrap Africa.

The sketch was set by the talented Marta Lapkoska, one of our DT.
I rotated the sketch 90 degrees to the right.

CLICK HERE

to see what the DT have created for your inspiration.
I was inspired by the bright flowers and chose photos I took in Bali.

I'm still on my quest to use my old stash so
the background paper is a very old Basic Grey, " Stella Ruby".
I kept the page very simple to allow the vibrant, tropical flowers to shine.

  The alphas are Basic Grey too.
The black dots are made with Glimmer Glaze, one of my favourite products.

 The green paper is a scrap of Sassafras Lass, "Luscious"
and the orange is possibly Echo Park.

The metal flowers are by Prima
Love these travel tags by SCRAPMATTS

The journalling is on the back of the page:-

Our family had gathered from around the world to celebrate the wedding of our middle son to his beautiful fiancee. Our gorgeous villa was at Seminyak and came with a shared living area as well as individual mini Villas for each couple.  What absolute luxury to have meals provided by the chef whenever we were hungry. We had a blissful ten days in Indonesia, where the heat and humidity promotes lush growth and brilliant flowers; so different from the harsh, brown landscape I live in.

The wedding was held at the Villa, with local people providing the magnificent food.   Oct 2008

Love this girl - CSI 133

Before joining the team at CSI, I would have had great difficulty 

combining these bright pink and orange colours.

But, having been dragged, kicking and screaming from 

my go to, Blues and Greens, I'm delighted with the result.

CSI certainly encourages me to step outside my comfort zone.

Would you like to try to write more journalling?

Have a look at the testimony prompts,

there is always something which sparks my imagination.

CLICK HERE

To see what the DT and the Guest Designers have created.

I thought the Kaisercraft collection Happy Snaps

 was just right for the required colours.

The grey spotted paper is My mind's Eye, Lost & Found, "Ruby", medallion

The beautiful star (her name means Star), is from Scrapmatts

Love the stitched circle stamp by Prima, sent all the way from

South Africa by my friend Val Thorpe

Do yourself a favour and have a look at her work, 

she is a very talented scrapper.

The little orange star is from Freckled Fawn.

The flair is from Studio fourteen40

and the little metal camera from Scrapmatts

 

The "Love this" arrow is from Scrapmatts

Washi tape is from Craft Queen

EVIDENCE

Polka dots

Ribbon

Flowers

Flair pin

Paint/watercolour

Tie something - the camera

TESTIMONY

I chose to write a how to list.  The journalling is on the back of the page.

Darling Grand daughter,

It's easy for me to write a list about how to be happy, because I've lived a long time and made plenty of mistakes along the way.   Also, I'm sure you'll want to be allowed the luxury of making your own mistakes and that's just as it should be.   But I wouldn't be doing my Granny's job properly, if I neglected to share a few things I've learned.  So what would my tips for a happy life be?

Be grateful - for a loving family, a warm bed, good food and a life of freedom.

Make friends - it's wonderful to have good mates to play with and talk to.

Be kind - when you are kind, it encourages others to be kind too.

Try your best - not matter what you're doing, do it with all your heart, so that you can be proud of your efforts.  And know that your best is good enough.

Play outside every day - feel the sun on your face and watch the trees blowing in the breeze.

Say sorry - when you've hurt or upset someone - it really does make them and you feel better.

Always believe that you are lovable, even if you make mistakes - especially if you make mistakes.

Know in the deepest heart of you, that you can tell your parents anything - they are unshockable.

When you grow up - Work at what makes you happy, there's no point earning a lot of money doing something that makes you feel miserable.

Keep smiling that million megawatt smile - it will brighten the day of those around you.

Love Granny - 12th May 2014

Imagine - DT for Scrap365/7

My favourite colours of blues and greens this week,
for the combined Scrap365/7 and CSI challenge.

So easy to play with when there are little boys in my life.

 

 I was inspired by the hot air balloons on the case file photo.

If you'd like to take part you have about 10 days to get your entry in.

CLICK HERE

To see what the team and guest designers have created.
I really hope you will feel inspired and play along.

The background is by My Mind's Eye - Fiddlesticks, "Love"

The patterned paper is a scrap left from another project, ?Bella.
Studio Calico made the little wooden birds

The chipboard hot air balloon is from Scrapmatts.
I love the touch of whimsy it adds to the page.

The little pocket is by Simple Stories,
just perfect for holding the journalling.

 

The wooden scallops are from Prima 

The Camera is fussy cut from Kaisercraft, Happy Snaps collection "Say cheese"

The mask is by Prima, Elemental - Half tone
This frame and the one at the top are by Crate Paper, "Pier collection"

EVIDENCE
Clouds
Hot air balloon
Birds
Scallops
String - on the envelope

TESTIMONY
I chose to write about things that make me happy about the photo, but couldn’t contain it to just three things.   The journalling is in the envelope.

When you rush to your front door, with a beaming smile and outstretched arms, squealing, “Granny and Pa are here”,  I feel happy enough to burst with joy.   

When you dash in the door at our home, searching for familiar things to play with, or ask to go to the library; I feel blessed that another generation of the family will be nourished and inspired by books.  

It warms my heart to see you reach for the “Spot” books in our bookcase, knowing that Pa will happily read them, until the cows come home.   You love to lift each flap and “read” what’s underneath.  You know the stories by heart, as you’ve heard them a hundred times before, yet are still thrilled to find that the story is the same as last week. 

I’m so happy you have a chance to be nurtured by your Grandfather, who, like your Daddy, is a gentle, kind and patient man.  19 November 2013  Love Granny