Friday, December 16, 2011

Good morning!
My darling baby boy woke me up at 6am this morning. My eyeballs are hurting because i had the house to myself last night and stayed up late scrapping!
I had a go at the Dec sketch over at Handmade By Suzanne. I often browse through the store, wishing i had a million dollars to spend on scrap supplies! After Chrissy i might have to raid the store's bargain bin, lots of good specials!
Anyways, here's my layout:


Sophia my little model as always... pics were taken last year.
I've had these Sassafras 'life is beautiful' papers in my stash for a while. I was finally inspired to use them! I made the little flags myself, just used a skewer i had in the pantry! AND i used one of my all time favourite Prima flower lines, the pretty orange and cream velvet flower. I've been so reluctant to use them i love them so much, now there's only one left in the pack :(... they're so hard to get now!

Time for me to get out of my PJs me thinks...
Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Here is my other entry for BITW, 'time':


Sorry about all the shadows on the layout, took the pic in a different room!

I scrapped this photo not long ago, but it is my absolute fave, so i'll probably do many layouts using this pic...

The paper is Prima Watercolour Rainbow. The paper is just so pretty as it is, i just added some flowers, chipboard and a bit of paint!

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.
Cheers.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

At first i struggled to come up with a layout idea for this month's Bird is the Word challenge, using the word 'TRUST'. I havn't printed photos for a while, so i didnt have a lot to work with. I looked at the photo i ended up choosing, remembering what happened before the shot. Sophia was so cute, she was chasing the waves but running and crying to daddy whenever the waves would come too close to her!
The photos were taken a year ago, and she looks so little... she has grown up so much this year! I wish i could keep them babies forever, as much as i love watching them grow into little people... If we could afford it i would go on having babies as long as my body would let me!

Anywho, here is the layout:


In the end it came together easily!!
Used Basic Grey 'Euphoria' papers, Prima flowers, Dusty Attic/Kaiser chipboard.

BTW, i forgot to post that i was featured on the Prima blog for last month's BAP (see below)! I was so so so excited, Prima is my absolute fave manufacturer and it was my first time entering. I couldn't believe it, i was in such talented company!

Coolio, off to attack the other BITW word, 'TIME'.
Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

I've been stalking so many challenge sites lately that i'm finding it hard to keep up with due dates!!

Realised that the current Once Upon A sketch challenge is due today... So i whipped this layout up (I'm a fairly fast scrapper as it is, i don't like spending days on layouts, i'm far from a perfectionist and love the instant gratification of a finished layout...).


This is Sophia Christmas last year 'helping' me put up the Tree!

Used Crate Paper Snow Day papers & chip stickers, Prima flowers.

The criteria for this challenge is what you look forward to most in December. I journalled about our tradition of putting up the Christmas Tree, and seeing my babies' faces light up with all the decorations (I'm a Christmas Crazy, My Tree is choc filled with colourful baubles and i have a growing 'santa' collection...).

Off to stalk more challenges, thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Three layouts to share today...
The first is a layout i did for Kaisercraft's 'Saturday Sketches' for November, which i didn't end up entering because the computer decided to play up for the last week of Nov.


It's a shame, i really love these papers, they're so pretty and girly!

Next is my enrty for December BAP over at Prima.


Used Botanical collection, and lots of prima flowers my lovely sister bought me for my birthday!

Last is my entry for December sketch over at Anna's Craft Cupboard



Used some old Cosmo paper, zva and prima flowers, AC thickers, my 'homemade' spray mist, and a vintage swap card~ i have a pile of these that i've been meaning to use on my layouts for ages!

Can't believe how quickly christmas is approaching!
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Yay! I've entered my first layout for Prima's 'Build a Sketch' monthly competition! I've always been too intimidated by all the fabulous artists to have a go, but this month inspired me. So here it is:


Love those pastiche papers! Everything's Prima!
Just a quick one today, have to attend to the never ending pile of housework to do...
Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Decided to enter into Kaisercraft's Saturday Sketches competition, since i have such a huge pile of their stuff! But of course, i always have room for more, fingers crossed i win!


Used the Kaisercraft 'Made With Love' collection (papers, diecuts) and Kaisercraft crochet flower and alphas, and some Prima flowers.
Here is the sketch i followed:


Just love Kaisercraft goodies! And as i've posted before, i have the factory outlet down the road from me so i'm always there trawling for bargains!

Speaking of bargains, my LSS Chandon Craft had AC thickers on sale for $3.50! Agh i could only buy 3 packs out of my 'scrap' allowance (hehe drives hubby crazy all the stuff i buy...). Might have a secret visit to see if they have any left!
Also my goodies from Scrap Therapy arrived today, so excited to get crafting! I got heaps of cheapie Prima, so i might do a layout for their sketch this month.

Okay then, bye for now, and thanks for stopping by!!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

I've entered 2 more layouts in the Scrap Therapy November challenges. I enjoy making layouts inspired by a letter/word or colours more than sketches. I'm always less satisfied with my finished product following a sketch. So i'm lovin' the Scrap Therapy challenges, they're perfect!

This is for Mandy's room challenge. This month we're inspired by beautiful Christmas doors. This is my second entry this month!



Used Kaisercraft papers, Prima flowers. (ugh. i'm running low, cant wait for my Scrap Therapy order to arrive!!) This was last year's christmas card photo shoot. Sophia gave me lots of beautiful phots to scrap...
This is what inspired me:


Next Is for the Alphabet Challenge, which is 'D':


My word is 'dude'. Used Basic Grey Granola papers and stickers, prima flowers and a vintage dictionary page.
Adrian and i love Hudson's little face here! He's so unimpressed.

Might be back later with another layout post, H is wanting mama's attention, so have to scoot!

Thanks for stopping by.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

I thought i'd have a go at Once Upon a Sketch challenge blog last night. The criteria along with the sketch was to journal about when you started scrapping and why...
My gorgeous friend Kirsten first introduced me to scrapping when i lived in Perth in 2003. I was always interested in crafty things and art, but i was never any good at it! Finally, with scrapping, i discovered you could never really get it wrong. Kirsten gave me a big stack of scrapping magazines, and i was instantly hooked! Since then i've scrapped on and off, but i constantly collected products, and i have a huuuge stash of stuff. Since the birth of my daughter in 2008, i have seriously become addicted and it consumes my life!

Here is the sketch:


And here is my layout:


Sorry for the crappy pic! Used Basic Grrey Lemonade papers, Prima flowers, maya rd. envelope.
Kirsten is the blondie in the pic!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers xx

Friday, November 11, 2011

Made a simple but yummo dinner tonight! We're on a tight budget in our house. I'm on maternity leave, and Adrian's income is irregular being a musician. So i'm always on the lookout for budget recipes, and tonight's creation was Savoury Mince Curry. I know, it doesn't sound very appetizing, but it was a hit, especially with my live in food critic (A)! Mince is always stocked in our freezer, so i like finding new ways to cook with it! Anyways, here is the recipe, minus the food pics because i'm not very good at them...

Savoury Mince Curry:
500g beef mince
1 onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tblsp curry powder
1 tin condensed tomato soup
1 cup beef stock
1/4 cup water
1 cup frozen peas
1 carrot, grated

1. Chop onion and garlic, heat in pan with some olive oil until lightly brown. Add mince and brown.
2. Add curry powder. Then soup, stock and water and bring to boil.
3. Add peas and carrot, and simmer 20 mins.
Serve with rice and chapati bread. Easy as! Mild flavour great for the kiddies.

Anyways, back to scrapping! First is my entry for this months room challenge at Scrap Therapy, November is Christmas themed rooms:


Here is the room i was inspired by:


I'm not entirely happy with my layout, but i know if i fiddle with it too much i'll ruin it!
I used Pink Paislee 'tinsel town' papers, and the beautiful poinsietta is prima.

This layout is my entry for this month's challenge at Scrap the Girls:

Here is the criteria:

SO NOVEMBER'S CHALLENGE IS.....
PINK AS THE DOMINANT COLOUR
MULTIPLE PICS
POLKA DOTS

This is Sophia, just hours after she was born. I scrapped these photos ages ago, but i wasn't happy with the layouts, so i've done them again. Here i've used papers from my stash i got years ago, 2003 i think! I have no idea who the manufacturer is... No idea why i bought baby papers all those years ago, glad i can put them to use now!

That's all for now. 
Thanks for stopping by my little ol' blog!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Wow! I've won my first challenge! I'm so excited. I won the room challenge over at Scrap therapy! I get a $25 voucher~ time to stock up on some prima me thinks....

Anyways, here is my entry for Bird is the word challenge, "together".

Sorry for the crappy pic, i'm not a great photographer/editor... This pic is on the Hamilton Island trip March 2010. We went on a tour around the islands, and this is Whitehaven Beach. It was so beautiful, the whitest, softest sand! Can't wait to go back...
Used Basic Grey papers, Maya rd envelope, prima flowers and the butterfly charm was from an old earring i took apart.
Anyways, got plenty of November challenges to keep me busy. Only thing is, i only have 4 prima leaves left, sniff. I have to put them on every page! I'm a bit poor this week, so i'll have to wait for payday to buy some more. Seems i'll be busy scrapping for challenges at the end of the month...
Thanks so much for stopping by...
Erin.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Here is another comp entry! I've had a go at Bird is the Word challenge for this month. The word is 'wish', and here's my layout:

Used Sassafras 'Life at the Pole' papers, Kaisercraft and prima flowers. It says: 'My christmas wish was for you to grow up happy & healthy. Which you have! 1st Christmas"
I just love this pic of Sophia, her first xmas shoot and she was so so cute!
Thanks for stopping by!
Erin.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

I've entered another comp over at Scrap Therapy.
This one is a 'Room' challenge, and i just love the colours in this room:
Here is my layout:
I just love this pic of my babies. It's so reflective of their personalities! Hudson is such a happy smiley baby, and Sophia is being cheeky and making him laugh.
I used Jenni Bowlin papers, prima flowers.
Thanks for stopping by!
Erin

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Ew, it's a hot, sticky, overcast day today. Perfect for scrapping!
I decided to have a go at this months Stuck?! sketches.
This is the first sketch i had a go at, and here's my take on it....
Used Basic Grey Granola papers and stickers, prima flowers.

The second sketch:
My take:
Used October Afternoon papers & diecuts, prima flowers, vintage key & button, and made my own spray mist using blue acrylic paint mixed with water.
Fingers crossed i can win some of the comps i've entered this month!
Thanks for stopping by!
Erin.

Monday, October 24, 2011

I went shopping today... My local scrapbook store has heaps of last year's christmas lines on sale. I bought Bo Bunny's Noel papers and stickers, and i found some old making memories papers, as well as some Basic Grey Granola. I love a bargain!

Here are my weekend layouts:

I have been stalking Creative Scrappers blog for a while now, and i finally decided to have a go at one of the sketches. This is for sketch #178, used Crate Paper 'snow day', prima flowers.


This layout is for a comp over at Scrap Therapy. Used Creative Imaginations papers, vintage music sheet and prima flowers.

Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers, Erin.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Layouts...

Here are some layouts i have done over the past week...
Used making memories 'flower patch' here. The pic is Sophia at Easter time, being my little model as always! She's an amazing little poser, she knows how to ham it up for the camera!
Used Kaisercraft 'velvet ensemble' here. Sophia is dressed in a fairy outfit in this pic. She loves playing dress ups, she has a very active imagination. Adrian and i often think she'll make a good actress.
Used Kaisercraft 'Love Notes'. This is a fave pic of the babes. I just had to scrap it!
Basic Grey Ambrosia here. Love the oranges and charcoals in this collection. Kaisercraft roses and pearl flourish.


I'm off to get stuck into some sketch challenges. 
Thanks for stopping by!
Erin.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

More Layouts...

Here are the rest of the layouts i was posting yesterday...
Using one of my all time favourite lines, 'flights of fancy' by prima. i used ppapers, pebbles, and stickers from that line. Also used lots of prima flowers and bling. The pic of Sophia in one of her winter outfits. She's my little dolly, i just love dressing her up in clothes, then taking pics of her to scrap!
Ahhh, my gorgeous little boy. He makes the cutest faces! Used October Afternoon Ducks in a Row, with lots of prima goodness.
More Dear Lizzy here. Papers, rose ribbon (love this!), and chip stickers. Again Prima flowers.

Ugh, had our first hot night, and summer hasn't even hit yet! Hudson was restless, so my eyeballs are hanging out of my head today!
Thanks for looking, Erin.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

More Layouts to Share...

Here a few more layouts i have done over the last month...
I had a photo shoot for Sophia's 3rd Birthday. I decided last year that each birthday i would attempt to take 'professional' looking photos of the kids, because i didn't want to fork out $500 plus each year to get them done! I think this little session turned out nicely...
I used pink paislee pop fashion papers, the gate is dusty attic (love their stuff!), the spotty rose, leaves and bling are prima, the pink gardenia i picked up at a scrapbook show last year, the alphas are American Crafts and pink paislee, and the vintage music sheet i picked up from an opp shop ages ago.
A cool thing about living in Geelong is i have the Kaisercraft outlet down the road from me! So many bargains to be had... i bought these papers for 50 cents! The Wood title, roses and pearl flourish are Kaisercraft, the cream flower is Prima.
I just love this line 'Seasons' from Crate Paper, and i got it for a steal! Also used prima flowers, the other flowers are from my stash. Love this pic of Hudson, he's over my snapping photos in this shot!

I really loved how this layout turned out. I fiddled around with my scraps and it all came together. Pink Paislee Bayberry Cottage papers, diecuts, ribbon, cork (love these embellies!), brad. Prima flowers and AC thickers.
More pics from Sophia's photoshoot (of course i had scrapping in mind when i took these shots...). Used Kaisercraft again here, lots of prima flowers and maya road chipboard~which i painted and added the little lace skirt, and pearls for a necklace.

I have more layouts to post, but the old laptop is getting a bit grumpy with me and is running slow. 
Thanks for looking!
Cheers, Erin.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Anna's Craft Cupboard Sketch Comp.

Here is a layout i did last night for Anna's Craft Cupboard Oct. sketch competition. The pic is Adrian on the beach, on our holiday at Hamilton Island in May last year. Seems so long ago now, i guess we're due for another holiday!
Used Basic Grey Origins papers, stickers and journal tag. Prima flowers and leaves.
Love this line from BG- so versatile!
TFL!
Cheers, Erin.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

I'm Back!

After a rather long hiatus from the blogging world, i've decided to come back and start again. I think the main reason i left was because i hadn't found my 'scrapping style', and was so intimidated by all the amazing artists out there! Now i feel much more confident about my layouts, and i'm ready for the world (hopefully?) to look and judge...
I just love this craft, and sometimes find myself obsessing over it from the moment i wake, and until i crash into bed at night (hence the title of my blog...).
So here are some of the layouts i have done in the past month...

Pictures of Adrian and Sophia at Torquay beach last year. Used Kaisercraft papers and wooden vine, prima flowers and leaves, carolee's and pink paislee alphas.

I just love how this layout turned out! Used Bella! papers, prima flowers bling and alphas, dusty attic chip.


My baby boy. Papers and chip stickers from Cosmo Cricket, prima flowers and leaves, jenni bowlin butterfly, carolee's and american crafts alphas.

Adrian and Sophia at our local carol's by candlelight Christmas Eve last year. Used some old Basic Grey papers and letters, and misc. flowers.

Adrian and i BEFORE babies! Used Basic Grey papers and letters, prima flowers.

Hudson only a few weeks old. Used some old papers i've had in my stash since 2004!! 

Inspired by a layout i saw in the scrapbook.com gallery. Made my own spray mist by mixing blue acrylic paint with a touch of metallic white in a spray bottle! Used it for the bird/branch mask, and also on the blue flowers. I just love the magnolia do-hickey dies, but have not invested in one yet! I 'replicated' a swirl flourish die and hand cut it... not quite as good but it will do!

I just love the Dear Lizzy line of papers from American Crafts. Has to be one of my all time faves! Here is a layout using papers, ribbon and stickers from the line.


Not entirely happy with this layout... Used an old line of papers from Daisy D's.

I do love this layout! The pic is so sweet, and i love these Kaisercraft papers. Used lots of prima flowers here too.

Again used some old papers here. Prima flowers.

In case you hadn't noticed, I set a goal for myself this month, to use up as much of my old stash of papers as possible. I've made a tiny dent in the huge pile! Some of this stuff has been around since 2003... Here i've used some K&Co. papers.

Sophia unwrapping her Christmas pressies last year. Pink Paislee papers, another favourite line.

Again using some old Daisy D's paper. This layout is a scrap lift off one of Camilla Ekman's layouts. I just love love her work! Her beautiful layouts are so inspiring!

I have a few more layouts to post, I'll put them up in the next few days...
Cheers,
Erin