Bee Krafty

After a visit to Jeffreys Bay and my first and favourite Scrapbook shop, Scrapbook Studio  , I am stocked up on Kraft paper  and ready to take part in some Krafty challenges . 

Surprisingly I made a list of requirements  and didn't give into my wants- a first for me i am sure ( just a few chipboard titles , but they dont count )

So I have scrapped a beautiful photo of my friend Nettie taken in an old phone booth on the railway platform at the Thomas river historical village . 

I love the setting of the photo with the old scale and the worn paint and  have tried to capture that with my wood type paper and the tattered washi tape .
I also love the expression on Netties face which reflects her happy and loving nature . 

The challenge at Kraft+ was to be inspired by the graphic and or by bees. I was inspired by the honeycomb shapes in the graphic as well as the little postage stamp and the stitching effect . I also included a really sweet little bee off to the right of my layout.

Loved doing this layout and hope that you like it too.

Kraft+

Black and white and blue

Good to join in with the challenge at ARTastic  challenge blog again,  with the criteria this month  being to use  black and white plus one other colour on your layout.

 I was also inspired by the artwork of Joshua Miels showcased on the blog ,to use blue as my third colour and to give the layout a splattered effect .

I admire those who are able to get an organised ink  splatter on their layouts, as despite masking off areas and using various sophisticated splatter tools ( eg old toothbrush and paintbrush ) I still did not achieve the desired effect. 

Fortunately I worked outside as my feet also received a coating. ( actually the ink splatter on my feet wasnt half bad)

Nevertheless I do like the way this layout of my gorgeous daughter Ashleigh turned out . 

ARTastic Challenge

Miles , miles away in Miles lane

I was inspired by the challenge at the ARTastic challenge blog to use pen on your layout . I used a bubbles stencil to create the circles in pen and then coloured them with my Copics.

 The abstract  artwork featured,  also had the feel of lines and multicolours  hence my use of  bright colours and the use of lines , stripes and  arrows .

The photo was taken in 1996 on a visit to England , when I discovered Miles lane was around the corner from where I was spending a few days. ( Miles being my married surname) 

Artastic artwork 

Fathers and brothers and Uncles

I have wanted to do a steampunk layout for ages, as I had already printed a picture which I felt really suited the Steampunk style. The challenge at More Than Words then surely fit the bill . The requirement is to be inspired by the word Father and for your layout to be in the steampunk style.

More then words

My layout is not of my Dad, but rather of my Uncle Ray and brother David . Uncle Ray is married to my late Dads sister Pat, and is a very fatherly figure and a very dear Uncle, who always makes family feel so welcome in his home and treats us like royalty.

This visit to England by my brother,  was in December 2016 and shows the beautiful Tyne bridge in the background which to me adds to the mechanical rusty look of the layout .

I did rather like the King and Jack of spades touch in the background.

PS I only noticed now that a button has slipped over the "L" of Geordie Lads- Oops!

Dream

After a visit from Dawn, and her bringing loads of new Dutch scrapping  goodies , I felt motivated to get scrapping .

 I chose this lovely selfie of Ashleigh to join in the black and white plus one challenge at More Than Words.  As the photo had an almost bluey/turquoisey feel to it, I chose that as my extra color. The challenge also asked for the word dream to be included on the layout. 

All the gems as well as the fox , most of the washi tape and the black and blue lace flowers were from my new range of gifts . I also made use of my new label maker to make the little "believe" label.

As  I had recently had a big craft room rearrange I  allowed sister Dawn  to make pretty labels to mark my containers .🙂😇
( just my little way of saying thanks Sis)

More than words

Kraft plus sea

My second post for the month and all because of a bit of rearranging.

 I have always enjoyed the challenges at Kraft +, but haven't joined in for a while as I thought my Kraft paper had run out . However, after doing a bit of .. not quite reorganising more like rearranging I discovered a few sheets tucked away so made a last minute dash to get my layout posted.

The challenge is to use the sketch as well as the colours provided and although 'the beach " was not a requirement it just all seemed to have  sea sidey theme.

We have so many beautiful beaches in our area  and it is such a wonderful way to relax and get exercise. I have included a close up of the actual photo used as I think it shows the sea and the sand and my family off to perfection.

Kraft +

& Together

Wow it has been ages since I posted on my blog and this is my first post for 2017. 

I was lucky enough to attend my first National Scrapbook day . Various scrappers throughout South Africa got together at different  venues and scrapped for the day . It was fabulous to see other techniques and ideas and to chat with fellow scrappers. I hope it becomes an annual event. I started this challenge at the event  and after seeing this months challenge at More than Words  decided it would be perfect as an entry.

The challenge was to use an ampersand on the layout and to be inspired by the word together.

 After a 16 year engagement Dave and I decided to get married in 2012,  in a small ceremony at home. I dont use the word small lightly as we only had 3 guests plus the minister! 
The ceremony cemented many years of togetherness and I hope we can look forward to many more happy years  together.
This photo is one of my favourites of the day.


I actually love the way the layout has turned out and hope that you do too.

More than words

Novah

With October being Breast cancer awareness month , the theme at the Artastic challenge blog is to use pink in your entry.

I have been wanting to use this photo of Novah for some time now as I think it captures her natural beauty. As well as using lots of pink in my layout , I also love her pink cheeks and the pink hairband.

I love the way this layout  turned out and I hope Rose (Granny) and Tyler (Mommy ) love it too.

Still time to join in the pink challenge at ARTastic!

The G

I love this picture of my Mom ( Grandma, or the G as she is called by my daughter and her friends.)

I think the slogan says it all Grandma getting loose. 

The photo has been edited by Ashleigh and I think it has a lovely funky sort of retro look which is what i tried to create in my layout with the bright colours and fun patterns . I also thought the little bill/tab  sticking out at the bottom was a cute touch and I  loved adding all the other bits and bobs.
 I am also sure that every one who knows her will agree that she is a 100% Grandma!

So raise a glass to the G as she dines with the youngsters and I join in with the challenge at another-freaking-scrappy-challenge which is to add some red to your layout .

 Loads of red going on here .

Have a great weekend !

Darling Dahne

So good to be back blogging again . I was inspired by the lovely mood board challenge at Scrap Africa as well as the lovely photo of Dahne. 

The photo was taken with her wearing her Mom Claudette's wedding dress.

I picked up on the hues of the Mood board with the pinks and purples , the butterflies and flowers . 
I also tried to blend in with the flowers on Dahnes head and in her hand.

I watched another     you tube tutorial this time from http://gabriellepollacco.blogspot.co.za/  and although it gave me lots of inspiration my skills are still rather mediocre as far as backgrounds go.

 On the plus side I had lots of fun doing it and made a whole lot of mess.

Scrap Africa CHALLENGE 77 Mood Board

Believe

I have not posted on my blog for a very, very long time , no particular reason, I seem to have these breaks from time to time.

All of the challenges this month were very inspiring but I only managed to squeeze in one before the cut off.

I am joining in with sketch  challenge number 76 at Scrap Africa.

I watched some great tutorials by a lady called Bec Genet and they inspired me to bring out the gesso, embossing powder and stencils.

The model is my daughter Ashleigh  the Queen of selfies - thank goodness as she provides lots of pics .

So I  hope you like my layout !

Scrap Africa

Say yes

Don't you just love it when you see a mood board, know what you would like to do, have great fun doing it and are pleased with the outcome!!!?? 

I am terribly cautious when using my craft goodies and paper .... even though I have plenty - I find myself saying this is too pretty or I might not find this flair or chippie again . 

I have now devised a plan to outdo the stingy side of me . Obviously I know who I am scrapping and I say imagine if Dawn, or Mom or Ashleigh were to find out that you didn't think they were worth this paper or button........ Guilt creeps in and I have been using supplies more freely.

As was the case this time . When I saw the Scrap Africa mood board I knew which paper I wanted to use  as it  was so in tune with the torn and peeling and vintagey  feel of the mood board. BUT I love this paper and its double sided with both sides equally lovely ..but what would Jacqui and Midge think if they knew I was hesitating . 
So there goes the paper , my favourite clock flair , my heart key and some of my bestest blooms and diamantes. 

Well worth it, as I really love this photo and think I managed to capture the  magic of the  moment.

So I am entering into Scrap Africa Mood board 69 using the peeled paper, the colours  and the vintage feel of the board for inspiration  and also tick ,tock,tick tock at Archi-scraps  which asks for a clock or time piece on your layout.

I am posting lots of pics .... like I said I do like the layout!

Scrap Africa

Archi-scraps

                               
                                

Postage Post

It was great to take part in a challenge again at the Kraft Plus challenge blog. 

This month the challenge is to use postage stamps on your kraft card layout. 
I have been saving this lovely photo of Dawn (my sister) for a suitable challenge and this seemed appropriate as her last parcel included travel and post themed items.

I have shown close ups of the layout as I was unable to photograph it so that the messages on the postage stamps were legible . I had a lot of fun making this and especially trying to give the actual layout the appearance of a postage stamp!

Kraft Plus

  

Sparkle and shine

My first post of 2016, hopefully the first of many! Best wishes to all for 2016.


I am pleased to be posting my first layout of the year to the brand new challenge blog More than words . The members are all experienced and talented scrappers (ps I am not sucking up here)and I wish them well with their new (ad)venture.

 The main challenge for January is "selfie" and "personality". I have yet to master the art of taking selfies but fortunately have a daughter who has it down pat. I think this is a lovely selfie of Ashleigh and decided to make a sparkle  theme and of course as she is crazy over stars I decided to use shine as well ... I do think that her personality sparkles and shines.

I also used the mood board from Berry71bleu which asks you to get your sparkle on .

More than words

Berry71bleu

Both of these challenges have a lot of blue in the inspirational photo and I have tried to incorporate that as well.

Travel 1997

 So great to be connected to the world again. 

We have moved to a new house in a new area and we had to wait a while for our line to be installed. 

Well not as long as I have been missing from blogging but with packing and the move etc. etc. crafty things just got neglected.

My crafty goodies have been unpacked, admired, arranged and rearranged - so there was no excuse not to join in the challenge at Kraft + this month,  especially as I recently received a parcel from Dawn filled with travel themed embellishments!

This will probably be the last challenge I join in for 2015, as we have family arriving, and my craft room is also the guest room, but I am looking forward to all those exciting challenges which 2016 will bring.

So I hope you like this photo of my visit to England, my first since leaving in 1970. My daughter Ashleigh took the photo. It was the first part of our journey. From London we visited Grandad in York and then family in Newcastle. It was wonderful to see them again and they made us feel so welcome.  A trip to Edinburgh then back to London….. and the highlight of the trip for my daughter was a trip to Disneyland Paris. 

That’s what I love about scrapping is remembering all the good times.

Have a wonderful Christmas !

Smiles on the beach

 This photo is from our 2014 visit to Jeffrey's Bay and is a rather good picture of me , but Dave has a bit of a strange look on his face. In general the only "nice " pictures of me are taken when I am unaware of the camera  as I don't seem to be a natural poser . 
I almost have the feeling that a joke was made at Dave's expense ,hence the hurt/puzzled look on his face, and I  found it very very funny , hence the good old laugh. Otherwise that was not my first cider and I was feeling rather mellow!

Whatever the reason I loved making this layout . I started it last week but put it on hold when I heard a parcel was en route from my sister in the Netherlands as I wanted to use some of my new goodies ! And I used plenty of them .

I have followed the bumper challenge guidelines  for the Scraptober Fest challenge and entered into 4 challenges at once! 

 This is  the first time I have used my new gelatos with gel medium but after seeing so many inspirational layouts I had to give it a bash. I must say it does mute the tones a bit but I do enjoy the overall effect.

 Have a good weekend and for the rugby followers I hope that you enjoy the games this weekend.

I have used 3 washi tapes for the Scrap our Stash challenge, the chevrons , cameras and the bright one in the top right corner.

I have used a photo of ME for the Challenge Yourself blog.

I used the colours required for the My Scraps and More challenge although I struggled to find the exact shades !

I used the sketch provided by the Memory Nest.

So four challenges entered and there is still plenty of time to join in one or all of these challenges!

My Scraps and More

The Memory Nest

A toast to Dawn

I have been wanting to do a layout of my sister Dawn for some time now and jumped at the opportunity when I saw this lovely photo of her taken at a restaurant in Cape town. 

I love the blouse she is wearing , and wanted to base the  colour and design  of my page  around it. I was thrilled , therefore to see that  the mood board at Scrap Africa  was so in tune with my idea, right down to a gorgeous floral blouse!
I loved doing this page and even better I loved the way it turned out with no "buts" at all. Must be the sisterly love adding to my creativity!

I have used lots of different techniques , some new to me, and had a whole lot of fun with gesso, heat embossing and my new gelatos.

Hope you like it Sis , thanks for all the goodies you are always sending me to keep my crafty room well stocked. xxx

Scrap Africa mood board

The inspiring photo

A close up of the chandelier