Happy Days @ Sassy Scrappers ...

Such a pretty mood board on Sassy Scrappers this month ...

I loved the pink and teal colour combination and have used this prominently on my layout Happy Days also adding in grey and touches of mint green to my page..

Scrap & Play - Pitter Patter ...

Another fun challenge on Scrap & Play, this time featuring our furry (and not so furry) friends.

Since we have had such disgusting cold and wet conditions this past week or so here in wintery Australia I couldn't resist doing a page featuring our cat taking shelter under an umbrella a few years back  - it certainly would have made more sense had he been outside in the wet at the time but well - you know what cats are like!!  

Three or more ....

Playing along again with Three or More where this month this month we are creating a layout using
3 or more photos and Pockets or Envelopes ...

I've used a tiny envelope I have had in my stash for many, many year as I was never really sure what to do with it, then I realised it would work well not  only for this challenge but to also highlight the number (age) my daughter was celebrating.

Please excuse the terrible lighting in the photograph - it has been raining here for two weeks and it is near impossible to get a decent photo.

A Creative Blog Tour ...

Good Morning and Happy Monday to you.

I’ve been invited by Adele to be part of the Creative Blog Tour where we are asking and answering a series of questions about each other to find out a little more about the creative process.

1. What am I working on?

I run two challenge blogs  ...

ARTastic Challenge Blog

Pixels and Paper Challenge Blog

and am currently serving on the teams of

Child's Play Challenges

Lasting Memories

Mystical Scrapbooks

and 

UnstampaBelles

so I am always working on something scrap related, either producing layouts or setting up posts.  

I also like to do a few challenges myself  for other blogs  -  I figure I can't expect people to support mine if I don't also support some of them so really my craft time is well and truly taken up.

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I think we all have our own personal styles - sometimes we break out of these and try something different but we probably are all guilty of staying close to what makes us comfortable and happy as crafters.  My own personal style is clean and simple.  While I admire those that cover their pages with product and produce wonderful mixed media creations, this style just isn't for me.  I like a non cluttered, minimal look, heavy on white space and light on product.

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

I like to be creative and I think we all need some form of outlet that makes us feel good. Some people may play sport, others might persue another form of craft but for me it's scrapbooking.  It's my go to place to let the stresses of daily life wash over me and to feel content in myself.  And of course it is always about preserving those special memories for myself and my family.

4. How does your writing/creating process work?

I think this differs depending on what I am undertaking at the time.  My design team commitments mean I have to follow a certain criteria in the layouts I produce so that is first and foremost in my mind when I set down to create - finding an idea that will work with set criteria or a sketch design.  Working with a particular colour palette or a technique can be challenging at times but makes the whole process all the more  interesting.

I've tagged  Wendy O'Keefe and Tracey Campbell and  for next Monday's post so please make sure to check out these VERY talented ladies to see their posts on creative process.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful creative day.

Lasting Memories #205 ...

For this final week in August on Lasting Memories we are showcasing vacation memories  I am sure we all have many of those in our scrappy repertoire we can share.

Mine is of a vacation my family took to Coffs Harbour on the far north coast of New South Wales in Australia back in 2011.  One of the places we visited was the Smoky Cape Lighthouse in the Hat Head National Park and these are the stunning coastal views from that point.

I have also submitted my layout at Life Paper Scrapbook using the colours from their August mood board for my page.

Sunshine Power ...

Stunning colours in the mood board for Scrap & Play this month.

Love happy colours especially since it is dull and wet and cold here in our Australian winter.  I yearn for some colour in my life!

I have scrapped a warm and colourful scene from another summer.  Blue sky and golden sand do it for me every time and spending time with family make it even more worthwhile.

Also entering this page at Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge  where we have been asked to Scrap or art journal about a favourite summer memory - from your long ago past, or recent past or right now!!!

It's Child's Play ...

It's the second  challenge of the month over on Child's Play Challenges and we have another classic ready to inspire you.  

Hands up if you remember these guys?

Remember the opening song?

Flintstones. Meet the Flintstones. 
They're the modern stone age family. 
From the town of Bedrock, 
They're a page right out of history. 

Let's ride with the family down the street. 
Through the courtesy of Fred's two feet. 

When you're with the Flintstones 
Have a yabba dabba doo time. 
A dabba doo time. 
We'll have a gay old time. 
source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/

When I think of The Flintstones I automatically think of all things prehistoric and there is nothing more prehistoric then watching a bunch of school kids digging feverishly in the dirt looking for fossils.

Hope you can play along with us this month.  Entries for both challenges are open until last day of the month.

Lasting Memories #204 ...

This week #204  Lasting Memories has a theme inspired by Back to School  for those in the northern hemisphere, with a challenge to feature lots of letters or numbers on your layout.   The layout does NOT need to be related to school which is good for me because "Back to School" relates to late January for those of us in Australia as our school year runs annually.

I used this fantastic piece of patterned paper I have had in my stash for ages to document an award my son won for his swimming club.

Hope you can play along with us.  Entries for all our challenges close at the end of the month.

ARTastic in August ...

My goodness where has this year gone?  Mid August already? now how did that happen?

This month we are being inspired by this wonderful piece of fabric art "Gypsy Caravan" byKristen Doran.

Criteria is to use fabric in some way on your layout.

And remember,  adding fabric can be as simple as using ribbon, lace, fabric covered buttons or fabric flowers.

I've used two strips of ribbon and felt flowers on my page.

Now we'd love to see your interpretations of our inspiration this month. 

 Remember we happily accept all forms of paper crafting for your entry including digital and encourage international submissions.  All we ask is that you create a new entry for our challenge although you are most welcome to combine with a sketch and/or colour challenge if you wish.  You have until 11.55pm on the last day of the month to submit your entry.

  

Lasting Memories for August

Another month and the first of more wonderful challenges from Lasting Memories.

#203  - "WATER FUN"
Show WATER somewhere on your layout.   Lakes, Rivers, Ocean, Beverage, Rain, even Melting snow. You get the idea.

I have a lot of photographs of my son swimming - it's what he does ... some 30+ kilometres a week going up and down the local pool or participation in swimming carnivals.  He thinks it's fun and who am I to argue with that!

#202 -  "It's a Heat Wave" and all I can say since we are in the third month of winter here downunder, I wish it was - cold weather and I don't mix well at all!

Please use Sunshine Colours on your page.

I must be dreaming of summer with these happy, bright colours and some cute little beach huts (or bathing boxes to give their proper title).  

Lasting Memories blog hop winner ...

Thank you to those who played along with my 200th "button" challenge Blog Hop on Lasting Memories.

The winner of my little button giveway ...

is CARMEN.

Congratulations on your win.  I will be in contact with you soon.