Murder most Foul - DT layout for CSI case file 141

Hello and welcome to my blog again.  It's lovely to see you here.

I have a fun layout to share with you if you love purple and even if you don't,

 you may find this is just the challenge to get you thinking outside the box.

CLICK HERE

To see further details and some inspirational examples from the DT

I'd love to see you join in and be in with a chance to win a prize.

Sorry, the photos are blurry, I'm limping along with out my usual computer

and photo editing programmes.

Here's how I solved the case

I started with some gorgeous background paper from Blue Fern

The Ombre range, "Charlottes Dream"
The chipboard circle frames are from Blue Fern as well.

The textured background was made with a Tim Holtz stencil

and some mists and gelatos.

A bit of Kaisercraft stamping here and there.

Some yummy Prima crystals and lace tucked in 

and the something unexpected; a wishbone

to remind me not to wish my life away, just BE in the moment.

EVIDENCE

Clouds - on the background paper

Musical elements

Bird

Leaves

Lots of layers

Add something unexpected - the title and the wishbone  The wishbone is to remind me not to wish my life away, just BE in the moment.

Use glossy accents - that was a whoopsie, I was trying to apply some to the crackle on the chippie when half a bottle full spewed out of the page.  Luckily just on the top background.  Phewww!

TESTIMONY

I chose to document something strange.   The journalling is on the back of the page and it reads:-

We were invited to a dinner party for eight. The theme was “How to host a Murder.” Each of us were assigned a character to play throughout the night.  It was such fun designing and making a flapper style costume for myself, in my role as a reporter and finding a suit for the other half of the firm in his role of gangster.

The best part was pretending to be someone else entirely and just for an evening to live vicariously in New York during the Al Capone era.

The home was set up in grand style with lace cloths, crystal and silver to serve the beautiful Italian style food.  1920’s dance music played and we got into character as we entered the door.

We performed a play with a script to read from and clues to share, some of which which false and the idea was us to discover who the murderer was before the end of the night. Everyone stayed in character for the entire time and only one of us guessed who the murderer was.  (Not me!) A hilarious night with the most outrageous lies being told, fabulous food and wine and a chance to be really silly.  

The road less travelled - DT for CSI challenge 140

Hello and welcome back to my blog.

This is a late post, due to major computer issues, 

but fingers crossed the erase and re-install will iron out the persistent bugs
and allow me to work more efficiently.

Feel like joining in?
Hop over to CSI and get the clues and see what the DT have created.

I love the 13@rts paper which I used for the back ground,

the swirly, earthy tones really float my boat!

I've had the Scrap FX chippy for ages and it seemed just right for this photo.

This image instantly transports me back to Africa and reminds me of a life changing holiday.

EVIDENCE
Wood
Heart
Flag - in the title
Wet Medium
Animal accent - the photo
String

TESTIMONY
Document an adventure:-

These Wildebeest trekking across the veldt at sunset, remind me of an epiphany I experienced in Amboseli National Park. My heart was weary and sad when I arrived in Africa, ripped by ugly circumstances beyond my control. The glory of sunrise, the animals in their natural habitat and the generosity of the people, all contributed to the holiday of a lifetime. Little by little, the space, light and natural beauty of this ancient land, picked at the knot in my gut and poured healing balm into the cracks of my psyche. It’s years since this sublime event and the benefits remain with me to this day. A life changing holiday. Journalling 12th September 2014

Scrap Africa - Challenge 35, Vintage theme

Hello and welcome back to my blog. 

Today I'm sharing vintage themed card.

If you'd like to join in, you have until the end of the month.

You can make a layout, a card, or OTP project

and be in with a chance to win a prize at

SCRAP AFRICA

I combined Pion and Maja papers with some

ancient beach themed charms and  Spellbinder dies.

I fell in love with the Pion paper and bought the sheet, just for this image.

Sshhh....naughty, isn't it? 

A little self justification helps ease the conscience, 

as I used Maja scraps and old, old trinkets. 

Hope you feel inspired to play along.

Explore - DT page for CSI, 139

Hello, hello, welcome to my blog today.

I have the latest CSI challenge to share with you.

The colours are very fresh and spring like, 

so grab your forensic kits and let's get sleuthing.
Just use all five colours, at least two of the evidence prompts,
at least one of the testimony prompts and
the fun sketch  by Em Stafrace.

I've chosen to rotate the sketch 180 degrees.
 CLICK HERE
to see what the CSI team and guest designers have created
I hope you will find time to play along this week,
there is a gorgeous prize to be won from
Flying Unicorn

The triangles were made with a Prima stencil

The blue paper is from 13@rts

The yellow paper is possibly one of the first I ever bought!

Luckily  I didn't discard it. 

I embossed an old chippie from A-Z scraplets

The clouds were fussy cut from an American Crafts paper,

"Scatter Sunshine."

The flair is from Studio fourteen 40. 

I love that as well as the kiss and hug symbol it represents,

it's also the initials of their first names.

The kraft coloured flowers are from a $2.00 shop

EVIDENCE

Clouds
Flowers
Chalk - through the middle of the stitching
Mini brads
Two of something - Children, flowers, bikes
Triangles

TESTIMONY
Write your journalling as a series of couplets. Use two as an inspiration word.
The journalling reads:-

You two little boys love to be outside,
So we decided to take you for a ride

Along the path beside the river.
At times your speed made us shiver

With fear, that you might crash,
Resulting in a frantic dash

To the hospital for repairs.
But you two had not a care

In the world. Riding wild and free,
Until it was time for tea.

Not Happy Days - DT page for CSI 138

The colours this week were quite challenging for me, but I guess that’s why it’s a called a challenge, huh!    Some weeks much more than others.   Because my topic is a bit bleak, I wanted a pared down, austere look for the page.
What do you think?
Ready for this week's challenge?
Grab your forensics kits, CSI members,
and get ready for some serious sleuthing as we open 
CSI CHALLENGE 138

I used the current sketch at  

Sketchabilites as a base for my design. 

Why not check them out, they have inspirational scrappers on their team.

 I started with a Maja patterned paper background.

The little pink heart paper is by Prima - All about me collection, 

“Celebrating Me”

The brown woodgrain paper is by Simple Stories - “Wood/tablecloth”
The small blue piece is from 13@rts; a remnant of a background page
which I botched and abandoned in disgust.

My journalling is tucked inside the Kraft envelope from Maja
Chipboard title and peacock feathers are from Imaginarium designs
The tiny stars are by Studio Calico
Tim Holtz provided the pen nib

EVIDENCE
Wood - Stars
Woodgrain - brown card stock
Globe
Tape
Envelope
Numbers
Buttons
Stars
Paint

TESTIMONY

I chose to document something about school, in the form of a letter from my adult self to the little girl in the photo.  I was about five years old, still safe at home with my Mother, unaware of the terror awaiting me.  The letter says:-

Know in your heart, that despite what the Nuns tell you, your brain works perfectly well. 
When they stand you in front of the class and belt your legs with a ruler; understand that it is more about their own inadequacies than yours.
Try not to be humiliated by their snide remarks about your home made uniform and when they send you home in disgrace for not wearing a petticoat.
Be aware that your school experience will equip you with the gifts of perseverance and tenacity.
Rejoice in the thirst for self directed knowledge and the love of books and reading; one of the escape routes you will use to block out the trauma of toxic schooling.
Delight in the gift of empathy for the marginalized; perhaps a result of the oppression you endure. 
Use the experience of being force fed facts and figures learned by rote, to question the veracity of the curriculum, especially Australian history.
Know that there will come a time when ink splats are not summarily dealt with, by a crack across the knuckles. That objects placed randomly on the page will become an art form and that you will become the keeper of the stories for your family.
Believe in yourself and reach for the stars, you will achieve all your goals.

Magical Moments - Scrap Africa DT sketch 34

Welcome to my blog today, I hope you will take your time, 

look around and perhaps be inspired to join in the 

SCRAP AFRICA 

sketch challenge by 

Denise Van der Venter.

It's a versatile sketch, could be used for a vintage or feminine page,
but I chose to scrap a favourite photo of my twin Grandsons.

The papers are from Simple Stories, the "Say Cheese" collection.
They mix and match perfectly for this clean and simple page.

These two little kidlets brighten my day, they are such a joy to have around.
I just had to journal an incident which had me struggling to keep a straight face.

THE JOURNALLING READS:-

Most of the time you two are great friends, playing and sharing quite happily. One day recently, I happened to glance into the play room when you were having a bit of a tussle over a toy.  One of you gave the other a big smack, causing your brother to cry bitterly.  When I said “Did you smack your brother?” you denied it of course.  I said, “But I saw you”.  With a disgusted look on your face you replied, “Well why were you looking this way Granny?”   Why indeed?   Can’t trust an old Granny to keep her nose out of a little boy’s business!    8th April 2014