there's a new sketch over at scrapbook challenges and the girls did a really awesome job of this one. over scrapbook challenges Brynn (the owner) gives us the opportunity to design some sketches for the site that becomes branded with the awesome new look to match the site. well this week's sketch was designed by me - a plain and simple one but so versatile when you look at the samples the girls made. so why not hop on over and show us what you will do with the sketch. here's what i did with my layout using some old and pretty ordinary photos...
the new paper lines from Prima were absolutely perfect for these photos and i love how it turned out. a couple of simple embellishments and tada - one more layout done.

a used the barcode strips at the bottom of the paper and punched a few dots from it. these where scattered randomly around the layout for some extra texture.

in the top and bottom corners i added some more texture using silver acrylic paint dabber. i added a piece of sticky magic mesh and inking right through it using the paint dabber. it makes for a simple yet effective texture and pattern.

hope you have a wonderful week ahead. i have a busy week ahead filled with scrapping, card making, furniture painting and so much more. so much to be thankful for.

Scrapbook studio in J-Bay announced their Design team for 2012 and i made the team. i have had a long and interesting relationship with this little jewel in the cape. they are a wonderful fun group of ladies and have an amazing array of just-my-kind-of-goodies in their shop. so i look forward to working with them and all the other wonderful design team members.

what i value most is that they include my motto of scrapbooking - don't sweat the small stuff. i love scrapbooking too much to be worried about 'stuff' - i scrapbook because i have a story to tell, i love the ordinary things in life and i value real life. so often scrapbooking involves 'fake' and 'pretend' and i try in all my ways to simplify it so that i can enjoy the process and the realness of the creativity. so watch this space for some upcoming projects and tutorials.
and while you are here why not hop over to their shop (www.scrapbookstudio.co.za) and get some of the goodies we will be playing with over the next few months. stay tuned....real is on its way!
and my thought for the day...

hope you have an amazing weekend filled with paint, ink and paper!

just a reminder not to miss out as we head for the beautiful Cape and a little bit of heaven while spending a few days getting rid of all those creative clutter and letting go of fears and comfort zones. Memories and More Retreats is a wonderful initiative putting together the ultimate in break-away for friends and family. Not only for the creative but for everyone who wants to get in touch with their creative self and those wanting a bit of fun while being creative.

this is a sneak peak of the double page layout you will do. we are planning several projects including some surprises to really spoil you on this weekend.
so don't delay and Contact Christel. visit the memories and more website to get the perfect package deal for your and a friend. hope you have a wonderful week ahead.

It's time for a new sketch over at scrap Africa! Wow - i can hardly believe how time has flown and ho the site has grown with followers from all over the world. so happy that this little place can show case local talent to the rest of the world. i love working with this sketch (and the new ones are even better) so hang around why don't ya. here's what i did with the sketch. i create a funky border using my olba heart punch. it took quite a few hearts punched from patterned paper to create this border.
i first drew a circle using a large plate in pencil. i then adhered the first lot of hearts by easily picking them up with an ordinary wax crayon - it works really well.
i then flipped the second lot of hearts over and fitted them into the space formed by the first lot of hearts. it really is a stunning effect and so easy to recreate.

and some close ups of my journaling. i printed my journaling in a circle shape and punched it out using a circle punch, inked the edges and then added it to the center of a clock sticker. a single cross stitch adds some detail.

and a close-up showing the finishing touches on the heart border using purple diamante.

and some technique strips used throughout. i love using scraps of things i love. pieces of technique sheets are perfect for punching shapes and adding strips randomly on layouts - fabulous for adding texture and colour.

hop on over to the scrap Africa blog to see more fabulous designs as well as see what guest designer and scrapping icon Iris has done using the same sketch!
supplies used:
Patterned paper: MME, Kaisercraft, Cutmates. Lettering: Basic Grey. Distress stains Ranger. Chipboard strip Basic Grey. Rub-on Bo Bunny. Heart Punch Olba. Other Buttons, thread, diamante, star punch.

it's amazing how a couple of days at home can be good for the soul. this means i can reflect on what is really important - and no it really isn't the superficial stuff that everyone thinks make the world go round. it really isn't all the hang ups people have over other people...it really isn't even about you! so i did some cleaning and purging and chucking and dusting and i feel amazing! i am always amazed at how quickly we tend to gather and hold onto stuff that really mean nothing - like the thousands of sheets of paper, or hundreds of stamps and other stuff that clutter your soul. my desk is sorta clean and a can actually go from one end to the other without tripping over a pile of crap -pardon my french if you will! i also did some catching up on projects for some design teams and got a head start on some other projects that are seriously over their deadline! yikes. but in all things and especially creativity there comes a time when a project just doesn't fall into place. so i played around with something really pretty, yes loads of pink flowers and things. but you will have to wait for a week or so for it to be revealed.

until then...i hope you are feeling inspired with whatever you are doing. and remember to wipe the dust from your soul this week!