Saturday, July 31, 2010

First of the Month!!!

Where has this year gone - seriously, it's gone sooo fast, it's just disappeared!!! so the rest of the year is to be enjoyed, photographed and scrapped ;) I'm going to get back into my photo a day challenge that has lapsed with moving etc... so back on the horse so to say ;)

The first of the month also bring with it a whole range of new challenges and store goodies :) I'm going to post all the challenge links I'm considering in the challenge tab (so I can keep myself accountable) As well as crops etc that I hear about.. I wont go to many of these, probably just the SBT50 one (as the girls there all love me sooo much ROFL) I really want the rest of the year to be organised so I know where I am, what I'm doing and to keep me motivated and learning all that I can - the rest of the year for me I'm going to be a sponge, learn learn learn and practise!!!

Oh and I want to make my own Christmas cards this year too - I've just decided this LOL. It's our first year away from family and friends/acquaintances so I want them to have something a little spesh this year from us ;) yeps- I've gone totally nuts after inhaling the fire fumes when wrestling with it this morning hahaha

Today though is dedicated to getting all my back posts completed, and working out the monthly challenges etc I want to consider as well as getting some linkey love organised in the linkey love tab ;) There will be the crafty blogs, forums and stores I drool at LOL

Friday, July 30, 2010

Ready to go!!!

I've got things here reasonably set up and ready to go.. I'm hoping to get a final challenge done for SBT50 this afternoon but and pretty much against it with the kids, so might sort this blog out instead... I'll see what happens once they've finished munching away on their lunches!!

I've got some posts ready to go - these are of the last few months scrapbooking challenges I've done for SBT50. They'll appear in chronological order if I've done the set up correctly here, so from here on in everything should be ordered and submitted as they're completed **touch wood**

HOPEFULLY I will have the competition and crop pages managed so new ones are being added as they are found and old ones are deleted as they finish - that is if I stay on top if it all - what are the odds ROFL. Anyhoos... off to toss another log on the fire and see if the brats will allow me to get some scrapping done!!!

Sketch

More sketches to share :)

Triple Treat

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Sweetness



Remember if you use them to credit your creation back to me and share to love with a little sharing :)


SBT50 Monthly Challenge July 2010

Challenge 1: Anthea's Colour Challenge

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements:

* Black, white and Red
* Flourish - sewn into the back card to make the 'wind'
* Bling - on the border and the wind flourish
* Long Title - Be Careful Should the Wind Change Direction - long enough??? LOL
* Broken Border - check





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Challenge 2: Vicki's Scraplift Challenge

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements:

'Scraplift' the layout provided here (http://scrapbookingtop50.forumotion.net/july-2010-f118/ch-2-vicki-s-scraplift-ch-t2354.htm) for my "scraplift" I used the layout as a sketch...

* A random button in negative space,
* Both a title and subtitle
and
* Use a handmade diecut




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Challenge 3: Sue's Style Challenge

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements:

* Girl pic - yeps, it's a girl, it's my Kahli (note the red hair, dead giveaway there ROFL)
* Girly Grunge - lots of fun that I didn't expect!!! if it's not distressed, torn, sewn over then it's not on this layout!!! (well except for the alpha's!!! Even the flowers have been glitzed and painted!!! LOL
* Non Scrap Item... Well besides the knitting wool and machine sewing (which are pretty run of the mill nowadays) I've got plasterers tape as part of the framing for the photo.
and
*Song title somewhere on the LO - the title of the page is a song my Teen Idols (yes I had to google it!!!) I've not heard of them, nor this song, but it's the title I wanted hahaha


SBT50 Cyber Crop July 2010



"Celebrating Independence" Mini Challenge

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements:

This is from Domeniks first birthday party. Done in a 8x8 size.

- ONE piece cardstock (Blue)
- ONE patterned paper (stars and stripes in background and foreground - it did need cutting because I stuffed up - oops hehe)
- ONE word title (check!!)
- ONE length ribbon (Black printed ribbon towards botom of page)
- ONE button (under photo)
- ONE pin (Bottom of journalling)


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"Celebrating Independence" Challenge 1

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements:

* Include Stars (brads) and Stripes (Patterned Paper)
* Photo or Journal about an achievement (us packing up and leaving the state and starting a whole new adventure in SA within 3 weeks - oh and getting this girl out of the state to live!!!)
* Paint Somewhere (chipboard letters are painted) and
* Include a Tab






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"Celebrating Independence" Challenge 2

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements:

* Scrap a photo or journal about someone who demonstrated independence to you - Domenik is my example of someone who represents independence to me. He's growing up so quickly and just entering the stage of toddler-hood where he is discovering he is an independent soul, he isn't a part of his mummy and can do things for himself.
* Include a quote form this peron that they say often, well I've included 2 - at the moment it's "me" or "mine" this has just started this week
* Use a photo that is is larger than 4 x 6 and
* Include at least 1 heart, mine is in the lolly-pop flower






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"Celebrating Independence" Challenge 3

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements

* Neutral background - mine is white cardstock, I did glimmermist it a little (new addiction I think!!)
* Colour theme of red, white and blue
* Have a raw chipboard and
* use string, thread, twine or cord





the blue foreground has had the Australian national anthem lyrics written on it


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"Celebrating Independence" Challenge 4

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements:

* Base on or Journal about a career choice
* Distressing (Paint, tearing and sanding)
* Stitching
* Mixed Alpha Title and
* Strip Journalling



SBT50 Swaps June 2010

Swaps, I've discovered are a great way to share our scrappy talents :) Recently I completed some swaps for the Scrapbooking top 50 Australia girls.

So for the swaps, We had a ribbon and matching button swap. I made the buttons to match some beautiful ribbons... Yes I MADE the buttons. It's simply a case of punching the desired shape out of the feature (top) cardstock, and then punching 4-5 more of the same shape in a cardstock to match, gluing the said layers (leaving the feature one for the top of course) and once all joined and sandwiched together using my eyelet cutting tool to create the holes in the centre of the buttons :) It's as simple as that!!! I've used some matte mod podge to seal some of the buttons, and others have been left 'naked' so the recipient can stamp over the top if they so desire :)









And I've made some little frog princes styled from Domeniks little toy frog for the green and blue swap....


it's the little green one in the bottom left hand corner...

and for the second group in this swap they received some little beaded butterflies I created (and used)...

Photobucket


Scraphappy Kat's Challenge Pack June 2010

Criteria - no limit but must use something of each element in the challenge pack

oh and see all the sewing (borders etc) it's all hand sewn!!!










Sketch

I've been having fun drawing up sketches for myself in my scrapping journey. I've found making sketches for what I can see in my head is helping me organise my LO's and get them done somewhat to what I envisaged.

Feel free to use the sketches if you think they'll work for you - but please credit the sketch back top me, and I'd LOVE to see any work you've done based on on of my sketches :)


Story Time

Sketch used for "Being Aleks"





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"Happy"

Sketch used for "Buzzzy Happy Bee"

SBT50 Cyber Crop June 2010

"Wings" Opening Night Mini Challenge

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements:

Include something to represent the initials for "WINGS"

W - Window and Wire butterflies
I - Indigo Card
N - Negative Space
G - Glitter Gel Pen
S - Sewing (beads with butterflies all hand sewn on)




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"Wings" Challenge 1

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements::
*Quote
*Flowers
*Meaningful journalling


I was inspired to do this one from an essay/poem was recently sent to me in an email, it's my boy to a 'T'. He has aspergers syndrome which is a high functioning autism. He is so unique and special - but he doesn't see that. I hope in time Aleks can look back on this page and just see how special he is :)

I made a fold out card to put the majority of the essay in. On the front are the first and last stanza's - they are so important. It says:

I have autism.
I hold only a few similarities to the character in “Rain Man.”
When I am out on the playground,
never say to my mother,
“I would have never guessed that;
he looks so normal”
The face of autism is not a defined one.
I often hear people say to my mum,
“It must be so hard for you”
– no one ever says that to me.
In fact, no one expects me to understand or respond
because of the face society has painted autism to be.
I do not know all that autism is, but I know who I am.
I am special, and cherished.
Almost like a superhero
I was set aside to have these unique abilities.
They are not a disability.
They are not something to fear.
In a way they are magical.
I have unlocked parts of my brain that others cannot.

When you look at me, don’t look at me
with sadness or feel sorry for me.
Look at me with wonderment and
I will amaze you every time.


I'll post what is in the middle below with the journalling pic...






*This essay “In Their Own Words” is written by Tonya Procor, a loving mother of a son with autism.*

I have autism.
I hold only a few similarities to the character in “Rain Man.”
When I am out on the playground,
never say to my mother,
“I would have never guessed that;
he looks so normal”
The face of autism is not a defined one.

I have autism.
This does not mean I am deaf,
nor does it mean I can’t
understand your words.
When cruel things are said,
it hurts just like it would anyone else.
Sometimes even more,
as I am very sensitive.

I have autism.
I am not blind. When you stare at me, point, and whisper
– I don’t like it.
I sometimes cannot control my emotions; however,
I still can see you.

I have autism.
I am not spoiled, undisciplined,
or disrespectful intentionally.
Don’t tell my parents I just need to be smacked, as that
would never work and I smack back!
All I know is if I am being hurt I must defend myself.

I have autism.
This does not mean I am mentally delayed.
I am very smart.
I may focus on only a few things,
but I have become an expert on them.

I have autism.
Don’t think I am not capable of love or am emotionally
detached from the world around me.
I am very close to my family
and sometimes need to be hugged.
I do have the capacity to care.
Especially if I see someone else being hurt or teased.

I have autism.
I will line things up on the floor in my room in perfect
order. This may be strange, but to me it is contentment.
I can only relax if things are in sync.

I have autism.
Which means I am supersensitive to sounds;
I hear all of them. Even the smallest of sounds.
When I get overloaded with too many
sounds at once, It is hard to cope and
I must step away and be alone.
This does not mean I can’t handle the world,
I just have to have more time to tune out
as I hear more than everyone.

I have autism.
I live by schedules. This is one of the ways I have
found to cope with the chaos around me.
Knowing what is going to happen
at a certain time each day
helps me prepare for transitions.
That is why it is difficult for me to deal
with a schedule change.
I have to have order to obtain peace.

I have autism.
It is very important for people to
mean what they say.
That is why joking with me is never understood.
Things are black and white to me,
like a set schedule. If you say you are
going to turn blue in five minutes,
I expect you to do so.

So remember, having autism does not mean I am blind,
retarded, unresponsive, incapable of love,
or unable to function in the real world.
I am unique and gifted
because I have found a way to coexist
within two very separate worlds.
Take a moment to think about how many of us
have difficulty within just the one world we live,
now imagine juggling two.
This is something I have learned to do.
So forgive me if at times I have trouble
separating the two,
again I am only human.

I often hear people say to my mum,
“It must be so hard for you”
– no one ever says that to me.
In fact, no one expects me to understand or respond
because of the face society has painted autism to be.
I do not know all that autism is, but I know who I am.
I am special, and cherished.
Almost like a superhero
I was set aside to have these unique abilities.
They are not a disability.
They are not something to fear.
In a way they are magical.
I have unlocked parts of my brain that others cannot.

When you look at me, don’t look at me
with sadness or feel sorry for me.
Look at me with wonderment and
I will amaze you every time.


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"Wings" Challenge 2

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements:

* use the quote - it's in the top right hand corner.
* Include hand cutting - the butterflies are hand cut out of a printed vellum
* distressing - There is tearing and sanding in different areas. Also the backing of the poem has been rolled and had the edges distressed. the whole background has strips of masking that has been sanded and painted over to try and give an aged feel.
and
* some (more than 1) butterflies and/or birds, there's two of each.



the poem reads:

Mummy, I am in heaven, so please don't shed your tears
I can see you and I love you and I will through all the years
I know you are my mother and none other would I have chose
For even up here in Heaven true love continues to grow.

Daddy, I see that sometimes when you are all alone
Your eyes get kind of misty and your thoughts they kind of roam
You are thinking of how things would be if I was there with you
All the things you would have taught me and watched me as I grow.

But I still love you my dear parents as if I was there on earth
I remember how you longed for me and looked forward to my birth
There was nothing you did wrong so please put your minds at rest
God just wanted to keep me and you know He picks the best.

And one day we will all be together in our castle in the sky
True peace and love and happiness, things money cannot buy
And you can hold your angel and sing me a lullaby
For a parent's love for their children is a love that will never die.








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"Wings" Challenge 3

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements:

* Use Quote - Bottom right hand corner
* At least 2 photo's used
* Cut out one photo (bottom 4x6 has been cut out around Dom and plants) and
* 4 word title

SBT50 Monthly Challenge June 2010

Challenge 1: Sue's Challenge

It may not look like it but I've spent hours on this LO!!! I started by drawing up a sketch of what I wanted to try and fit everything in LOL.

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements:

* Have more than 2 bows (on the flower buttons),
* Something green (brads, title, green grass and green algae stuff on the bark - yes it's real bark too)
* Use the word Happy and
* Use a Transparancy



For the main challenge of the transparency I used some clear plastic packaging. The poem is on transparency (BTW it's to be read/sung to the tune of I'm a little teapot) It's all hand written (a bit obvious haha) and has a sticker on it. Also the bee wings are transparent plastic as well. They are the textured plastic trays that you get your veggies on from the supermarket. I've cut them to shape and inked the texture and edges with gold stamp ink.

For what it's worth, the beads that go with the bees are all hand sewn on and I made the beaded bees myself !




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Challenge 2: Bec's Challenge

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements:

* Use the provided sketch
* use bright autumnal colours - reds and greens mostly.
* Use foam dots and
* have a 1 word title


the Autumn poem reads -
The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter. ~Carol Bishop Hipps

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Challenge 3: Vicki's Challenge

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements:

* Use telstra add for inspiration - I used it as a sketch outline for the photo's and pinwheels to follow...
* lots of journalling - there's a poem, a little journalling spot of details for the pics and explanation on why I put the poem in there - I remember it from back when I was 9 years old!! Wow!!! scary hehehe
* rub-ons - there's quite a few there, as well as little rose type flourishes and individual daisy rub-on's scattered around and
* a pinwheel - My pinwheels are meant to be daffodils - they kinda failed but at least they resemble something floral-ish LOL





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We Dare You Monthly Challenge

Scrapbooking top 50 Australia Challenge requirements:

* Multi Photo (I've got 3)
* an Envelope (I've pulled one apart, cut the front out of one, put in some transparency plastic and made mine a window envelope for the lock of hair)
* a foreign object (Scissors in the top right hand corner) and
* flowers and leaves (in the background print and the red PP in the envelope and under the title)