Cardabilities Sketch #18

I thought I'd be quick and get in a post or two before the New Year...hehehe...

Whatever activities you have planned...I hope your celebrations are lovely ones and wish everyone the most wonderful start to 2011, filled with much health and happiness.

On to my latest Cardabilities sketch and card creation...

and also here's something fun to look forward to....

Cardabilities First Birthday BASH!

January 15th – January 17th

It has been one year since Cardabilities began providing you with sketches!!
So be sure to come and join me and the other gorgeous Design Team girls

in our first

CARDABILITIES BIRTHDAY BASH BLOG HOP!

Our Hop will be filled with giveaways from our Designers along
with our main Sponsor Giveaway.

Come and Join in the fun…be sure to comment on the
blogs and watch for the secret catch phrase!

SEE YOU THERE!

JANUARY 15TH - 17TH

Better late than never.....

Well, that is the entire tone of my existence atm...... 
although I seem to be erring more on the never side....

I love Christmas!  I love the celebration, the sense of family, the joy and excitement of my children, all of that, but at this time of the year I loathe the crazy/busy/hysteria that surrounds and takes over in the lead up.
With school finished, I've taken a couple of days to try and get our life back on track.  Sort my home, washing, cleaning....all Mum stuff that doesn't get done by itself!

That said, I have lots of scrapping things to share.  I was going to do individual posts, but have opted for the long winded version instead :)  GO grab a cuppa and come back if you're interested...
Here goes!

Cardabilities Sketch

Here is my take on Sketch #17.  This was a really easy one to work with and despite the papers being oldies, I decided to use some Kaiser Chrissie papers.  Be sure to check out the blog to see what the other dt girls have created.  The cards are just stunning!

Get Picky  sketch challenge #3.

This layout is one of my favourites for a long time. It is inspired by a conversation Joshua and I have often!
It came about some time ago, where after being scolded for being naughty, I had said to him, "even when you are naughty, I still love you the whole world".....I wanted him to try and understand that even though I didn't appreciate the behaviour, I still absolutely loved him.  Since then, it's a regularly used phrase, and Josh will often say to me....usually after I've ticked him off about something...."I still love you Mum, even when you're naughty".  Funny how him getting in trouble equates to me being naughty.  Either way, it was one of those conversations I want to remember always!

Here is a little close up of some of the misting, some hand stitching and layering.....

The next two layouts I've created using the gorgeous monthly pack from

SCRAPVILLE
Janet owns the most scrumptious little store filled with the most delectable scrapping goodies.  She has invited me to come and play once a month  and create some layouts using the monthly kits. This month was a collection of Cosmo Cricket papers and assorted embelli's.
Here's what I've created....

Well, if you're still here, thanks for your perseverance!

I'll be back a little later on with my final posting of creations for Philippa over at Lime Tart.

See you soon!

Cardabilities Sketch # 16

Welcome to Cardabilities Sketch # 16 reveal.
Here is Karan's gorgeous sketch.

 and my little card creation.

The dt girls have created the most stunning cards.  Be sure to pop over to the Cardabilities Blog
and check out their blogs and also to add your card using the sketch above and be in the running for a great giveaway from Technique Junkie.



It's been such a long time since I last posted....just soooo very caught up with day to day stuff :)

Little people, work - reports, end of term, home life...just stuff - all good, but crazy too!

Inspite of that I have been scrapping a little...here's what I've been up to....

Here is our gorgeous inspiration prompt #2 for Get Picky...this Audrey Hepburn quote is sooo very beautiful.  I love the entire quote but especially the last four lines....

It prompted me to write my journalling about the things I believe in.  At this point in my life, I believe I am at my absolute happiest :)  Life is really wonderful atm and I feel very fortunate and blessed each and every day...in so many ways :)

 I made this pretty flower using my Tim Holtz Tattered flowers die....hmmm..pretty isn't it :)  I'm such a sucker for flowers, but this die is sooooo easy to use and it worked a treat in my little cuttlebug too!

Tanya also used hers to make a beautiful flower on her layout, great minds think alike :)

 These next two layout I've created for Tessa using some of her beautiful Precocious Paper flowers.

I would have to say my absolute all time favourites are the

Cupcake Poppies.

These are the cutest flowers.....I've used some orange ones on the layout below and some pink ones on an older layout.  Cute huh!

Tessa has heaps of stunning new flowers in her

 Etsy Shop - Precocious Paper.

Check back in the next day or so for my new Cardabilities sketch and some exciting news I have to share :)

Thanks for leaving your lovely comment too.  I appreciate the time it takes to write them and I really love reading them too :) x

Stamp Tote Competition....

How do you store your stamps??? 

That is the question being asked on Lime Tart's Zest Blog at the moment and you have the chance

to  win a mini fabric tote made by gorgeous dt member Rach.

Here is a pic....

"It holds 25 stamps and is made from Cosmo Cricket Early Bird fabric – totally cute. I’m sure that there will be a couple of stamps included to start (or add to) your collection."

To be in the draw, blog about your own stamp storage system and post a link back to Lime Tart on your blog, and be sure to add it to the bottom of the post....and Yes this is open to International entries. Rach will  announce the winner on the 26th November.

Good Luck :)

Cardabilities sketch # 15

Welcome to my cardabilities reveal..

Here is my little card creation.  These cute little papers came as a freebie with a new scrapbooking publication called "Australian Scrapbook Ideas".  I loved Karan's gorgeous sketch...as always... and decided to substitute the vase for some handmade lollipops to match the patterned paper.

Be sure to stop by the Cardabilities Bog and check out the dt's beautiful creations.  The girls have made some spectacular cards :)

Get Picky Sketch # 2

Welcome to another Get Picky sketech reveal. 
Here is my take on sketch #2...

I decided to have a bit of a play with this layout and use some paint and fabric in place of the paper behind the photos.  It's been ages since I've sat and had a really messy fun play and not only did I love it, but I am thrilled with the end result :)  You'll have to excuse my photography  though.....

as my layout was a bit bumpy from the paint and misting :)

Here are some close ups......

I sooooo loved this gorgeous photos of my Missy Belle in our garden.  This is her to an absolute tee....her smiley face, her cheeky giggle....these pics just make my heart smile.

Be sure to pop over to Get Picky and check out the girls stunning layouts and of course our beautiful guest Iris Baboa Uy's layout....I know you won't be able to resist the temptation to play along and be in the running for an awesome Dusty Attic prize pack.
Can't wait to see your beautiful creations.

Lime Tart Gallery Reveal

Yesterday saw the gallery release over at Lime Tart

Here is my latest little reveal of my November Half Tart creations....

I don't usually scrap in 11x81/2 but wanted to make sure I made the most of this kit....it's a great way to use up all of your paper pieces :)  I love how it came together and this gorgeous photo of Master Josh and his beautiful cheeky grin....

This layout with it's patchwork background used up my little off cut pieces.  Great way to create an interesting matt for your photos I thought.

This layout which has appeared on the LT blog ...

and my card that I created my step-by-step with.



Be sure to pop on over to the blog and check out all of the stunning creations from the other dt girls.  Their work is simply amazing!!!!!

November Sneaky Peak

Yesterday saw the release of Lime Tart's gorgeous November kits...

Here is a pics of the Half Tart kits that I'm lucky enough to be playing with atm...

Hmmmm...pretty I know :)

I've been a busy girl and have already been creating.  In my post on the Zest blog today I gave some little sneak peaks of my first layout.  Here they are...

.....gorgeous "Echo Park papers"

 .....alphabet stickers, mini alphabets, cream buttons & button/flowers embellishments

and organza trim and cotton twill make up some of the goodies in this month's kit.

You will have to wait until the gallery release for the full reveal of this layout and my other little creations.  Speaking of which...tomorrow on the Zest blog I have a little post showing my Cuttlebug Canvas Creation!

If you love the new Cuttlebug Quilling plates, be sure to pop over and have a look!

Finally....here is my gratitude for Day 2...

Today I am grateful for a new and exciting scrappy opportunity that has just been offered to me today :)  I can't share the details yet, but it's a really lovley chance to do some extra creating and I am so very thrilled to have been asked!  Hope your day has been a wonderful one too!

Attitude of Gratitude

Welcome to my very first Attitude of Gratitude post!

Tessa has invited her dt and her blog readers to participate in a month long celebration of gratitude.

As today is the first of November I thought I'd pop on and share the first of many things that I am grateful for in my life!  I love the idea of stopping in a busy chaotic day to take a moment of reflection and gain a little perspective.  Sometimes it's hard to see the forest for the trees, but in actual fact, maybe we should just take a moment to sit and enjoy the shade :)

So....today, I am grateful for Stef!  This morning Belle had a pupil free school day, Josh is at home and I woke to find Noah unwell.  As today is one of my work days, this could have posed a problem, but he very calmly said he would take care of the small people so I could go to work!  As I left home I had a real sense of ease knowing that they would be okay!  I am grateful for the fact that I can depend on him and he is there for me when I need him, but also the fact that he knows me well enough to know when I just need some reassurance. 

Day 1 - I am grateful for my gorgeous husband's thoughtfulness!

What are you grateful for today?

Cardabilities Reveal....

Here is our next sketch over at Cardabilities

 and here is the card I've created...

I loved this sketch created by Karan :) I used some older 3 Bugs in a rug papers and I love how it came together.  There were lots of gorgeous flowers to cut and and play with and I love this little birdie in the cage too.  Just perfect for this sketch.

Be sure to pop over to the Cardabilities blog and check out the other dt girls gorgeous card creations!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Get Picky's Inspiration Challenge #1

Today was the reveal of our first Inspiration challenge over at

Get Picky

 How absolutely delicious is this image :)  It takes me back to many happy childhood memories....... when I was a little girl, I would often get home from school and find a treat on my bed from Darrell Lea ...usually a little bottle of Bo Peep Lollies, but occasionally a lollipop :)  I smile still at the thought and even as an adult today, still have a weakness for sweet treats. hehehe

Here is my layout...

 I utilised lots of elements from the photo on my layout and while the stripey background and the bunting are obvious, I also used the overall colour scheme to guide my paper selection. I especially love those bright swirly lollipops, so I made my own by twirling a length of white muslin, which I then stuck in a spiral on a piece of circle card (I got this idea from a layout of Tan's). I also added the cloud and little picket fence to combine the outdoor theme of my photos and title.

Just on a little personal note...I wanted to say an enormous thanks to everyone for their wonderful support of our little blog!  When Tanya and I started working on this idea, we thought there was a need fro a multi-photo blog site, and hoped that people might feel the same, but did not ever dream that it would be so well received.  We really do appreciate the interest and support:)  It also helps that we have the most amazing, spectacularly talented design team too, our girls are just awesome!

Also want to extend a huge congrats to the very lovely Ebony van der Starre on winning our sketch layout and also our honourable mention layouts Isay and Colleen B....thanks for sharing your beautiful creations girls.  So if you didn't get a chance to play along in our sketch challenge, you've got  until the 13th of November to play along and create a layout based on the pic above!