Raindrops ...

I like the rain and umbrella inspired challenge on Sugar and Spice Crafty Challenge blog especially since we have been getting a lot of the wet stuff ourselves and umbrellas have been getting a fair workout in my household.

In fact today is really dull and I would not be at all surprised if we have yet more rain at some point today - hence my less than magnificent photograph of my layout - let's blame that weather !!

Lasting Memories for April ...

Joining in with the challenges on Lasting Memories again this month.  I hope to complete them all - an added bonus is the way they have their blog set up means I can highlight them all here in the one post and upload individually over on their site.

The first challenge is ...


"it's all in the colours!"  Use your colouring skills to create that embellishment - can be a doodle, a digital image ..
I used an ink pad to colour two chipboard pieces on my page - they look very different from that original plain boring old chippie.

Second challenge ...

"it's the little things in life that matter the most!" scrap about the small moments in time or the little things that you want to remember in years to come ..
I've captured my hubby happily reading this newspaper of choice on a Saturday morning.  He gets very little free time during the week and this is a quiet piece of the day he very much enjoys.

Third challenge ... "Easter hunts are on!" scrap about Easter ..
Well Easter goes hand in hand with chocolate bunnies, children and also Christmas pyjamas according to my son :) so I couldn't resist doing an Easter page in Christmas colours !!

Fourth challenge ...

"Arbor Day/Earth day!" lets celebrate nature
I figure climbing trees is discovering nature ...

I have also combined this last challenge with one from Frosted Designs where we have been asked  to incorporate at least three of the following words in some way shape or form into your project.  I used clouds (patterned paper at top of page), green (a predominantly green background and flowers (as embellishments).

 

It's all in the numbers ...

Always enjoy The Studio Challenges and try to fit in at least one of their challenges each month.

The first one for April is all about numbers in whatever format you want I guess.

I've used a numbered design piece of patterned paper as well as a number border strip.  Simple but effective I say and a terrific way to use up a few sheets of 6x6 !!  I have a draw full of paper pads :)

Hope you can pop over to their blog and play along this month.

123 and XOXO ...

I'm playing along with 123 Get Scrappy this month with their tic tac toe type challenge.  I've used roses, a yellow background and chalks on my page.

I've also drawn inspiration from XOXO Scrapbooking where we have been asked to scraplift this layout  by Tess Pretty or draw inspiration from a couple of main elements.  In my case I've been inspired by the coffee ring stamps Tess has used on her page as well as the smaller format photograph.

Both great challenges - hope you can play along.

Creating and Rochelle ...

Enjoyed playing along with the word challenge on Creating with Paper this month and also combining this with the Tic Tac Toe challenge from Rochelle Spears.

I have used the word SWEET and used the criteria on the diagonal - 3 patterned papers, a butterfly and journal card.

Hope you might be inspired to play along too.

Beyond Grey ...

Beyond Grey Challenges this month are asking for cards made in the colour format of black and gold.


This isn't a colour combination I usually would use but was happy to give it a whirl.  Perhaps you might like to too!

also entered in 4 Crafty Chicks challenge #190 - Sentiment only no pictures please.

Feeling both Sketchy and Southern ...

Feeling Sketchy Card Challenge  #87

combined with Southern Girls #89 - Use your stripes

and hey presto ...

The Crafty Scrapper ...

I am playing along with The Crafty Scrapper this month where they have asked entrants to use BLACK on their pages/layouts (black ink doesn't count!)


I have used black cardstock as my base and also a black border strip, my patterned paper also features black as part of it's design. 

Show us your stuff ...

A very pretty inspiration picture on Show us your stuff this month.  You could say it's yummy !

I just had to use these colours be it in a slightly different brighter version and also put my own large purple flower (handmade of course) onto my page.

Guesting on The Color Throwdown ...

I'm really pleased to be guesting on The Color Throwdown this week.  I always enjoy the colour combinations they use and this one is no different - very pretty.

Here is my card based on their swatch.

Hope you can come and join in.  The design team do some amazing work, some very talented crafters here for sure and it is refreshing to see so many different styles and designs of projects.

Thank you Tammy and Lori for inviting me.

About places ...

While Shimelle is having some well deserved maternity leave she has a few guests dropping by to inspire us.  Relly has posted a challenge based around a post Shimelle did some time ago with a list of suggestions on how to journal about places.  The essence of her post was to use these ideas to create your page ...

Take something simple and repeat it three times

List what you observed

Depend on pronouns

Redefine your audience

Admit a change in perspective

Her full article can be found here ...


So I have taken up the challenge and created a page about a few hours I spent at a local beach side suburb.  I have used the list approach from Shimelle's suggestions to enhance my page.

So sassy ...

A really lovely mood board on Sassy Scrappers this month.

I love these colour combinations so much.  For my own layout I have pulled as many of those colours from the mood board as I could and combined them on my page - pink, teal, gold, yellow, grey as well as replicating the lettering in my title  "friends".