only a week late with editing and actually getting this post up - wow a new record for sure. i recently hit another speed bump in life which slowed things down a bit...but not entirely a bad thing as bad things go. so this was last week's sketch over at scrapbook challenges. i again turned it into a double page to suit my style better - but i simply love the single page version too. so head over to scrapbook challenges to see the sketch and some awesome samples by the rest of the design team. these were really bad cellphone by my mom...but scrap-able and still a wonderful memory of Jonathan's 4th birthday.

the gold dots are made using an ancient making memories foam stamp set and some gold paint dabber from ranger - love the imperfectness of stamping with paint

more stamping with the awesome pink paislee stamp set

stars punched from coloured paper and adhered...these are really tiny - what was i thinking?

and more banners stamped with the same pink paislee stamp set in black ink and decorated with patterned paper. the ticket is by house of 3 and printed on archival matt (epson) and adhered to white card stock to firm it up.

well tomorrow is the start of a brand new week and another scrapbook challenges sketch so watch this space i will be back! we are just heading into summer here in South Africa and the stormy weather season is upon us. we have had some much needed rain and some nasty thunder and lightning which means half the dogs on the property are nestled real cozy on pillows in my lounge because apparently they are just as weary of thunder as i am. however i am thankful for the rain - less dust and a green lawn yeah! hope you had an awesome weekend. lots of love...

so sorry for being missing for a while...it's been downhill all the way. is it just me or does time just fly by as soon as we hit September - everything seems to happen all at once. in between being busy with other stuff, i have been scrapping too. my days have been filled with making cards, prepping and kitting for our annual card making retreat in October, painting furniture for clients, more photo shoots, designing classes, spring cleaning my home and scrapping stuff, helping out in the community to name a few! but alas it is time for another sketch and this time it is my sketch! this sketch is now up over at scrapbook challenges! so go and see what the rest of the team came up with - some awesome samples!

my layout features one of my new found loves lately...vintage goodies!

some vintage buttons...bliss

and a couple of techniques featuring paint and perfect pearl mists...

my apologies for not even letting you know that i would be MIA for a while. you see i have found a new love...for painting that is...furniture! it all started with a friend's dining room table and chairs that needed a serious make-over from black to french. well, it was quite the challenge since we here in the dark African continent of south Africa can only dream of the beautiful Annie Sloan Chalk Paints and wax. aah you see this is why i could live happily ever after in another country that has stuff - stuff that i want to use - stuff that can fulfill my life even more. since the new found love i have done a smaller table, working on an old bench and cupboard and many more lined up it seems. it's hard work let me tell you - which i love - i love getting down and dirty! and then i have discovered the beautiful blogs of girls professional and non-professional who paint and restore and repair and i am sick with envy - and elated at the same time as i spend hours drooling and following links and getting new ideas! ah the wonderful world that is creativity! the world of paint! now to choose a new colour for the front door...
hope you are having a good week - i promise to be back soon with some more crafty stuff and maybe some painted french furniture pics. thanks for hanging around, understanding, for being human and just being supportive. i appreciate you all!