Family - Guest Design spot at Kraft+

Thanks Sandra, for the chance to Guest Design with Kraft+.
What an honour to play with this talented group of Artists.



Click on Kraft+ to see how to enter and see what the DT have created to inspire you.

It's really simple, you must use Kraft as the base of your layout and for the challenge, use jigsaw puzzle pieces in whatever way you fancy.

As soon as I saw the topic for this month, I knew what I wanted to journal about, then it was a matter of trying to design a page to go with my memories. It was a difficult, but cathartic topic to record, so if you are struggling with grief and loss, feel free to stop reading now.

I turned the photo into a jigsaw puzzle in Photoshop, then pulled one piece out and let it fall.



The heart shaped puzzle was made with a Silhouette on

Maja paper and backed with Kraft.
The flair from Studio Fourteen 40 says,
"if I had one more minute with you"



A few pieces of Scrapmatts chipboard trimmed the edges.



The arrow title is also from Scrapmatts. Prima and Green Tara flowers are from my stash.



I added a bit of stamping and splashed paint. The lace flower and the Crystals are from Prima.
The photo was taken at the wedding of our youngest Son.

The journalling is on the back and it reads:-

A time of great celebration, a time of joy and laughter, of togetherness and belonging. A time to reminisce about childhood, to strengthen the bonds of family, to welcome new beginnings and threaded through it all, for me, a time tinged with sadness. I can’t help but wonder what might have been, if our daughter had lived. Would she have been like any of her Brothers; what career would she have chosen, would she be married too, with children of her own? What would it be like to have an adult daughter to share women's issues, to discuss feelings and transpersonal themes.

Years since her death, the slash of severance has healed over, but the scar remains, vulnerable to the slightest knock.

It was not meant to be; I try not to dwell on the poignancy of loss, on the missing part of my heart and I’m truly grateful for the caring, thoughtful men in my life. But at these special times,

I wish Kirsty was still here to make our family whole.

Thanks for calling in to say hello.
I truly appreciate any comments you may care to leave.

Celebrate

Thanks for calling in to say ‘Gday.

I hope you will find something to persuade you to take a chance with some vibrant colours and a join in with the Kraft+ challenge this month.



I was inspired by the vivid colours, the stitched circle and the "live out loud", exuberant feel of the image.



The paper is all from a 6x6 pad by Studio Calico, "Lemon Lush"
Some texture paste through stencils.



The yellow flowers were made with a new Scrapmatts stencil - ST5030



The title is by Heidi Swapp .
Some flairs by Basic Grey, circle stamps from Prima.



The journalling is on the back of the page and it reads:-

These three family members all took up the challenge to have a
“Girls night out” for another Son’s special birthday.
None of them ever seek the limelight, nor do they like standing out from the crowd, so to have evidence of them getting in touch with their feminine side is quite a coup.
 

What a fun weekend, good food, music, dancing, stories from childhood, previously not revealed and a chance to play the fool. Should be more of it.

Thanks for calling in to say hello.
I truly appreciate any comments you may care to leave.

You & Me makes me Happy. Scrapmatt DT

Welcome to my May Scrapmatts projects.

They are both created with soft, feminine colours 

which I enjoy working with. 

I thought the ornate frames were perfect for the shabby chic style of the page. They were not quite the right size for my photos, 

so I trimmed off the sides and just used the tops.  

The paper is from Prima, as is the sweet flair and the lace.

The Metal Filligree corners tied in with the soft gold of the heart sprays

and I used black texture paste through the Stencil Bubbles to enhance the title. 

The heart sprays are perfect for tucking into clusters to soften the edges.

JOURNALLING - on the back of the page.

These three photos show how quickly your expressions change and how happy you are to have your photo taken - as long as I’m quick about it!   After all there is lots of crafting, bike riding, gardening and mud play to grab your attention.  Like a little honey eater, you flit from one activity to another, eager to slurp the essence out of every experience.  We love your company, your sunny nature and your quirky sense of humour.  

Photo taken 17 August 2015.  Journalling 7 May 2016. Love Granny  

CB 6103 Scrap Words 21 - left untreated

CB4056 Ornate Frames 13 - treated with 

Stampendous embossing powder - Aged Ivory

CB5054 Heart Spray 02 - painted with gesso and Gold silks glaze

CH017 Filigree Corners #2

ST 1004 Stencil Bubbles

The Birthday card was made with Maja papers.

I love the CB 6090 Ornate Frames 18 

which formed the centre of this easel card,

Frame treated with Stampendous embossing powder - Aged Ivory

I treated the CB 1202 Roses 02 with twinkling H2O's and added the 

Happy Birthday with CB 1244 Scrap Words 30

The words were left untreated.

Thanks for calling in today and for any comments you may care to leave. 

All the products used here are available direct from 

SCRAPMATTS 

Thanks for calling in to say hello.
I truly appreciate any comments you may care to leave.

Capture Life's Moments - Kraft+ April challenge

Hello, hello, thanks for calling in to say G’Day

I was inspired by the Kraft+ April challenge, 

which is to use black and white.

This  old photo was taken in 1937 and shows a style of
farming that no longer exists.

The journalling reads:-

The journalling memories are gathered from many conversations around the dinner table in later years; the work was very much the same as it had been in the 1930's.  I remember seeing the uneaten, dried up sandwiches in the bottom of the kitbag when Dad walked in the door; his face and arms absolutely black with dust and sweat.  He was a tough and resilient man, but when he trudged in the door at night, he was exhausted.

Thanks for calling in to say hello.
I truly appreciate any comments you may care to leave.

Simples Pleasures in life - More than Words April Challenge

Hello Scrappy Friends - today I’m sharing a layout created for the More than Words April Challenge.



I was inspired by the vibrant colours and the flowers of the mood board and used the word “Escape” in my journalling, which is on the back of the layout.

The journalling reads:-

When you come to spend the day with us each week, you always have a jam packed agenda of fun things to do. One of these includes dressing up for a photography session. You bring your favourite dresses, pick some flowers and we both escape into our fantasy worlds. You, as a model and me as a photographer. You assume all sorts of poses and facial expressions without any direction from me. Together we capture the innocence of childhood and the joy you find in everyday moments. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing". George Bernard Shaw



Products used

BoBunny - Secret Garden collection “Secret Garden Trellis”
KaiserCraft - Secret Garden Collection “Bloom”
Ranger distress ink - Spun Sugar and Shaded Lilac
Scrapmatts Scrap Words CB 6103 Words 21

Thanks for calling in to say hello.
I truly appreciate any comments you may care to leave.

Scrapmatts DT projects April 2016

Hello there Scrappy Friends, I have three projects to share with you, each showing the versatility of Scrapmatts products.

The team was asked to use a photo of ourselves on a canvas. Gulp!
I have very few photos of myself and I had never used canvas before.

But nothing like a good challenge to get the creative juices flowing. I loved the way the canvas responded to all the mixed media, staying firm and straight.

First, I applied a coat of gesso, before using texture paste through Scrapmatts stencils, I used ST 1003 Stencil Sticks

ST 1004 Stencil Bubbles, then I used various mists, sprays and inks to achieve colour. The chipboard used is listed below.

CB 1021 Flowers 01
CB 6103 Scrap Words 21
CB 1146 Leaf Spray 01
CB Butterflies 02
CB 1188 Birds 06



The Flowers were heat embossed with Stampendous
"Aged Scarlet" embossing powder. The bird was heat embossed too.

The leaves and butterflies were painted with Twinkling H2O's.
The title needed no treatment at all.



I scattered some thread and a few beads around, as well as some Prima "Say it with crystals" for a bit of bling.
 

For the "Imagination" layout I used the alphabet flags as the title and thought they combined beautifully with the kite. The quote is from Lauren Bacall.

CB 6085 Alphabet Flags 04
CB 5036 Kites 01



A few embellishments from my stash.



I tried to achieve a weathered look on the kite with acrylic paints.



The flair is from Studio Fourteen 40



My journalling is on the back of the layout and it reads:-

You three little Grandchildren wanted to play outside. “Can we dig some dirt Granny?” “Sure, where do you want to dig?” “Somewhere with lots of room, so we can make a river and a lake” With a spot chosen under the orange tree, you formed a team. Without any discussion a foreman nominated himself, a second in charge assumed that role, which left a very willing girl to do the water carrying. You spent hours slopping around in the mud, discussing the merits of digging through to the other side of the world before dinner and other important matters. The session ended with a mud pie bake off and a taste testing for Granny.

What a delight to see you using your vivid imaginations in the great outdoors having good, dirty, fun.

Finally, a Birthday card for someone special, using Maja papers and an embossing folder to showcase the chipboard, the CB 1244 Scrap Words 30, I left raw CB 5035 Hot Air Balloons 01, was heat embossed and the CB 1109 Heart Spray 01 painted with silver.



CLICK HERE

for the full range of Scrapmatts chipboard, (Acid Free,) stencils and other products. You can order direct from the manufacturer.
 

Thanks for calling in to say hello.
I truly appreciate any comments you may care to leave.

Scrapmatts Design Team Post March 2016

Hello Scrappy friends, it’s lovely to have your company today.

Welcome to my first post as part of the 2016 Scrapmatts Design Team.

It’s exciting to be part of this talented group and I hope you find something to inspire you here.
It's a long post, so you may want to get a cuppa before you start.

My first project is, “Love the way you smile”
A page about my twin Grandsons.



I used Blue Fern paper, Sanctuary, "Meadows of time"

These two little boys are like chalk and cheese, as you may detect from the photo. One is outgoing and bubbly and the other more reserved and measured. One loves sport, the other loves practising his numbers and letters. One goes to sleep in an instant and the other one is still awake at 9 p.m. What they have in common however, is a love of board games, making a racket, swimming and general mischief. They are great fun to have around.

On the second layout,
“Happy Times”



The paper is from 7 Dot's Studio, Celestial Range, "Destination unknown"

I used one of my favourite Scrapmatts pieces, String circles to frame my three gorgeous DIL's.

They were having fun at a party.
Do you like the black wig? All the better for dancing to "Grease" music!

There may have been leg warmers on show too. We were at a party for one of our Son's important birthdays. The "Girl's night out" theme applied to the men as well.


For the final project,
“Happy Birthday”



I made a Birthday tag for someone special.

Using heavy weight card stock, I covered it with crumpled tissue before adding mists.

The cluster is formed around a vine,

CLICK HERE 

for the full range of Scrapmatts chipboard, (Acid Free,) stencils and other products.

Thanks for calling in to say hello.
I truly appreciate any comments you may care to leave.