"Beautiful" (Green Tara)

I have created my very first blocking style lo. It was inspired by all the beautiful 7 Gypsies trays that people have altered in the past few years (Steph Devlin's in particular because of the color palette) and I thought this blocked design might look nice as a layout. I went a little chipboard crazy on this one, LOL. The papers are from an old Basic Grey "porcelain" collection and chipboard is all kinds (Dusty Attic, K and Co., KaiserCraft and Tattered Angels) - 11 pieces of chipboard in total! All the beautiful batik aster flowers (vintage and sunset) and cherry blossoms (pink and peach) are from Green Tara. A very simple design but it takes quite some planning. Probably one of the layouts I have spent the most time on. It's fun to try new things and get out of your scrappy comfort zone.

Here is a close-up of some of the details. 

Well, I am working like crazy to get ahead on DT projects before my chaotic month of Easter and 3 kiddo birthdays which all begins this weekend. Plus... my Dusty Attic shipment is due to arrive soon (in the mail on its way to me :) for my Etsy shop and there is STILL... income taxes to be done (of course I have procrastinated in order to scrap instead, LOL). Wish me luck! BTW Blogger won't let me remove the excess spacing from here to the comments for this post - weird!

World Autism Awareness (Giveaway)

My friend Cathy has an awesome giveaway on her blog in support of creating awareness for Autism (since April is Autism awareness month :) Autism is a complex neurological developmental disability that is lifelong. Recent news shows that the rate of autism has increased yet again. It is currently at 1 in 88, nearly doubled the rate in 2007. Please go to her blog to find out more and leave her some love. You will be entered to win some fantastic scrappy prizes from May Arts Ribbon and Scrap n' Art Magazine.

http://scrappycath.blogspot.ca/2012/04/world-autism-awareness-day-and-scrap-n.html

Fantastic Swirlydoos Event

Oh how do I ever wish I lived near California for this...

Check out more details at over at Swirlydoos http://www.swirlydoos.com/page.php?97

Swirlydoos March Kit - Take 2

I've made 2 more DT projects using the glorious French Quarter kit from Swirlydoos for March. Here is my matching gift box and card set (I'm saving it to give to my hubby - we are planning on going on a 10-year anniversary trip).

CARD JOURNALING READS: "Thank you for the wonderful family you have given me... but I miss waking up on weekend mornings just with you (in a quiet house). 10 years down, only about 20 more to go - until we have that to ourselves again, Happy Anniversary!"

I used the OUAS challenge as my inspiration and used the sketch in 2 ways different ways for each project. Here is the challenge criteria and sketch image.

Here is a close-up of the gift box - all of the product was in the March main kit including that watch (no add-ons used).

Here is a close-up of the matching card. I used Prima flower packaging and Petaloo flowers from the add-on kit.

All those little half circles to create the borders were left overs from my reveal day layout below (cut to make the postage stamp border). I keep all my scraps, LOL.

Here is the template I used for the gift box. My "unit" measurement was 1.75 inches.

And finally this is an image of the Swirlydoos March kit.

Here are all the glorious add-ons that Krissy (Swirlydoos Owner) puts together EVERY month to coordinate with the main kit. I personally can't live without the flower add-on (top right image).

I've made 3 layouts, a gift box and a card with this main kit (plus the flower add-on) and I STILL have enough materials left over to create one more project... if only I had the time, LOL. I just got notice that my April kit is almost here so gotta get creating for that reveal soon!

Easter Treat Boxes (Pion Design/Green Tara)

Can you believe that Easter is just in 2 weeks? OMG I can't start to tell you how April will be so busy for me.  I have 3 kids, ALL with birthdays in April - PLUS Easter too!  If that is not enough, there are also 2 weeks of no school - since I do before and after school care for 3 children other than my own = I get nothing done for the first 2 weeks of April!  THEN, my Dusty Attic shipment is due to arrive soon and there is STILL... income taxes due for my childcare and retail businesses (of course I have procrastinated in order to scrap instead :)  Oh yeah - scrap work for 4 DT's now too!  AHHH!!! It makes Christmas seem like a breeze, LOL.  So please forgive me if I am not around much to visit blogs and galleries next month.  Anyways...

I have made 3 cute little kirigami boxes from my tutorial using beautiful Pion Design papers (a mix of "Studio of Memories" and " Fairytale of Spring" collections) and gorgeous Green Tara Aster flowers and many of their trims. The two paper collections work so very nicely together!

I used the pretty TCR palette #103 that is based on Pion's Fairytale of Spring collection since Pion Design is a sponsor for TCR for March.

Also, Pion's Fairytale of Spring collection is now available in 6x6 (shown below) - recently released after the overwhelming success of the 12x12 size.

Green Tara Products used:

6.5cm Aster Batik Vintage
CODE: FDS029BatV
6.5cm Aster Batik Sunset
CODE: FDS029BatSS
Lace, 1cm Off White
CODE: L3077OW
Bud n Bow 16mm, Pink
CODE: RB6761P
Loop n Tassel 10mm Pink Champagne
CODE: RB9694PC

Guest Designer for TCR!

As a Pion Design DT member, this week it's my turn to be a featured artist at The Color Room (for the sponsorship month). TCR palette #102 I used is based on Pion Design's "For Father" collection so it was fitting to use these beautiful masculine papers for my design.

The picture if of my husband, taken 8 years ago when he was 30 years old. He doesn't look too much different now (other than a little thinner hair). I used some Dusty Attic chipboard pieces from my Etsy Shop (chicken wire and wrought iron trim) to enhance the rustic feel. I still can't do a manly layout without flowers (and even put butterflies on this one too, LOL). BTW - NEW Dusty Attic Chipboard arriving in APRIL to my shop - the brand new releases and also a re-stock of most popular items in demand!

Here is a close-up the Prima flowers and Dusty Attic chipboard (I simply distress inked it).

This is the gorgeous inspiration palette:

 This the the complete For Father collection:

I actually used a sketch by Heather Landry (my Ideas For Scrapbookers team mate) but the sketch isn't due to reveal until next week over on the IFS blog with more interpretations of her fantastic sketch to be seen.

BTW - A big "SQUEEEL"!!! My new Pion Design papers arrived today - see next post :)

New Pion Design Collection!!!

They've done it AGAIN! Pion Design just released a "For Mother" collection. Just me style, soft pastels for Spring - and they are already in the mail on their way to me (whooo-hooooo!!!). Here is what Pion has to say about this new collection...

There are many special moments and occasions that are significant to us; our family, a new home, a birthday party or just those everyday events that makes our lives unique. For the arrival of Spring and to honor all the precious mothers around the world, Pion Design proudly presents our new collection - For Mother. A collection suitable for sharing those special memories and creating treasured family keepsakes. For Mother contains 15 double sided patterned papers in 12x12 size. It is a soft and warm color palette with a feminine touch. We also have 24 designs in 6x6 size. The coordinated patterns consisting of delicate flowers, dresses, cakes and doilies, will appeal to mothers, daughters and all of those we wish to show our appreciation for. For Mother is a timeless design that will offer you the possibility to create countless pages and projects in order to capture moments and preserve memories for future generations.Our new collection is now in stock and is ready for immediate shipping. Hopefully For Mother will give you much joyful and creative inspiration!

Swirlydoos March Kit Reveal Blog Hop

Welcome to the Swirlydoos March Kit Reveal Blog Hop Block Party! This kit, named "French Quarter", features the gorgeous Glitz Design "French Kiss"collection combined with a wealth of incredible flowers, embellishments and specialty papers.

If you came here from Angelica's blog, then you are on the right track. If not, go back to Swirlydoos' blog and start from there. We have some amazing projects for you to see today and as a bonus we have 2 manufacturer blogs that are joining in the fun and a 3rd manufacturer offering a prize! There are 4 prize packs up for grabs so make sure to follow along and have fun!

My first layout, "No. 1" is of my first born. I used the gorgeous March kit sketch and tried something different - no doilies or distressing! The black mat is actually a piece of black velvet from the kit. I added some Dusty Attic clock chipboard from my stash. The large Prima flower is in the main kit, the smaller ones are in the add-on.

Here is a close-up of the gorgeous flowers and the finish on my chipboard (black ink and dry brushed copper acrylic paint on top).

Here is the AMAZING kit sketch - my favorite one from all that I've seen from Swirlydoos to date!

For my second layout, "C'est tres Magnifique", this is my daughter wearing daddy's hat. I used the Swirlyhues challenge as my inspiration. Again, added a Dusty Attic piece from my stash and the greenery vine was left over from my February kit (cut it in half to use on here).

Here is a close up of the beautiful Petaloo flowers from the add-on kit.

Here is the Swirlyhues sketch and color palette.

For my last layout, "tender", this is me 7 months pregnant with my daughter and the boys are "waiting for something good to happen" (as in the text printed on this paper). I used the Dusty Attic sketch and a DA piece from my stash (brown ink and dry brushed with bronze acrylic paint on top) and finished it all off by cutting up the Prima vine to surround it. Kinda reminds me of a momma bird in a nest with her babies, LOL.

I fussy cut one of the Glitz cardstock pieces in the main kit.

Here is the beautiful Dusty Attic sketch I used as inspiration.

BLOG HOP DETAILS:

You have until midnight, eastern time, on March 15th to complete the hop. Winners will be announced on the Swirlydoos Blog on March 16th. In order to qualify to win here is what you need to do:

1: Visit ALL of the blogs and leave a comment on each. This way we know you were there. Become a FOLLOWER if you're not already. Take your time. There are beautiful things to see along the way.

2: Before you leave each blog, look for the “special” WORD and write it down. 

Once you have visited all the blogs and collected all the special words, they will create a sentence. 

3: Finally, go back to the Swirlydoos blog and leave a comment letting us know how much fun you had and tell us the SENTENCE that was created with all of the special words you collected.

My special word is : THOSE

The party continues over at Tiffany's blog. Have fun! I will be back before the end of the month with a few more projects  - so many more goodies still to use from this awesome kit!

New Meg's Garden Collection

Happy Sunday! Ohhhh... just look at what is coming soon to my mailbox from Meg's Garden! To see the entire "Forget Me Not" collection, click HERE to go to their website. This is just a little sample...

New from Green Tara (and DT announcement)

Soooo much exciting Green Tara news!  First off, they have asked me to stay on their design team for another term! Of course I was going to say yes anyways and then they asked me to check out the new product they JUST launched. FABRIC flowers and butterflies!!! OMG - steal my heart! How could anyone NOT want to design with these? They come in all sorts of colors - these are just a few samples below (I can't wait to get my next DT package :) Oh... and if you aren't already following their blog yet... you really should (the ladies on that DT are so creative!). Well TGIF... and now I leave you with this to drool over...

Pion Design and TCR!

Pion Design is sponsoring The Color Room for March and palette #100 is based on Pion's "From my Heart 2 collection". This is picture of my daughter last summer at the lake by my house.

The chipboard butterfly is from an old K and Co. collection and the brown bling is ZVA.

I used a variety of flowers from my stash and pink ZVA bling to frame the picture. I punched the picture with a MS punch and sanded the lace edge to make it white.

Here is the gorgeous TCR palette #100. I love it!

I am often asked where the inspiration for my layouts come from - the answer is EVERYWHERE! This one was from a piece of MME paper I've used on a previous project.

Thanks for stopping my and I hope you can join in the fun at TCR this month!

Giveaway WINNER - Carol

Let me just say that I am overwhelmed at the thoughtful words everyone always leaves for me on this blog and thanks again for all the sweet comments for my giveaway post. The winner of this prize is... lucky #10 - Carol!

CONGRATS!!!

Please e-mail me your mailing address (and full name :) to vickya@shaw.ca

Meg's Garden DT!

I came across an Australian company, Meg's Garden, through a friend of mine Eila Sandberg (and they were recently the sponsor for The Color Room too). I was pleasantly surprised last night to hear that I had made their Design Team... now for the kicker - check out the rest of the new DT members that were announced today (joining an already awesome team). I am beyond excited to be designing with them - congrats to these talented ladies!

Eila Sandberg from Sweden

http://dollopsofscrap.blogspot.com.au

Heather Jacob from Australia

http://heatherartandlife.blogspot.com.au

Yuka Hino from Japan

http://nsnlso.blogspot.com

Gabrielle Pollacco from Canada

http://gabriellepollacco.blogspot.com

Cathy Cafun from Australia

http://cathycafun.blogspot.com

Here is just a little sample of a few of their paper collections:

Returning DT members:

Adriana Bolton (Australia)

Denise Ann Boddey (Australia)

Gayle Price (Australia)

Sandie Edwards (Australia)

Be sure to check out Meg's Garden Blog to follow the upcoming DT work!