it's been a while since i have hung out here - and there a few good reasons and some not so good reasons. you know how it goes.

well first i have had a busy couple of weeks and months. all good.

i have done so much and managed to get even more done around the house. in the last attempts i shuffling things around my 'studio' part of the lounge. yip - there i said it.

i have no fancy studio. well technically i have - it's built but have no roof and no doors.

in the meantime i am painting the entire house to calm things down for myself. 

light. cream. fresh. french.

i am painting a lot of furniture. doing a shop renovation for a client and friend.

painting more furniture. making wish lists. cleaning. organizing. purging. creating.

i have also realised a few things.
that there are still a few good people on earth. generous people. loving people. real friends.
i have come to accept my creative life and what it is. good and bad.
i am comfortable with my creativity and won't change it for anything. and shouldn't.
that the little things in life really are the big things.
that i need to write down all the little things my better half says - they crack me up.
they make me smile and he makes me happy. extremely happy.
to love abundantly while we have it. to seize the day. to learn from each other.
and above all not to judge because until you have been in my shoes - you just don't know.
so having said that...
have you been to www.scrapbookstudio.co.za to shop
- they have amazing goodies for cheap.
also see the beautiful design team work by Mariaan on the blog at www.scrapbookstudio.blogspot.com
have you checked out the challenge over at
www.scrapafrica.blogspot.com
and have you become a member at
 www.scrapbookchallenges.com yet?
so what are you waiting for. since it is so cold out and you need some creative input this weekend why not hand around the web for a while. we would love for you to visit us.
and lastly visit to see the amazing things you can do with the beautiful products brougth to the South African market by this dedicated and faithful supplier of scrapbooking goodies
check back later tomorrow for some scrapping goodness. have a wonderful weekend and thanks for sticking around. you are loved!

so it's time for another sketch over at scrapbook challenges. can you believe it's sketch #300. yip 300....every now and again my heart skips a beat when i see how many layouts i have done in my short life time. how about you? the amount of papers and glue used, not to mention the hours of fun i have had documenting and essentially reliving some good and some bad times in my life. we sure do have an amazing hobby (and job)! and without further wasting your time here it is...so you know i love working with double pages, but if you are looking for the single page version head on over to scrapbook challenges where you can also see what the rest of the girls have done to inspire you.

and a close up of 1 of the techniques used on this layout - the beautiful thread spool stamp set is by Prima and you can get yours by asking your retail shop to order it from from the wholesaler so you can play along and make your own amazing and fun embellishments.the patterned papers are just so beautiful together with some stamped images.

 i hope you have an amazing week - mine is chock and block full - and i can only wish for more time to get evberything done. but officially my wanna do list is still way longer than may have to do list. how is that even possible at this stage of life!

also remember that we have some more spots left for our card making convention in July. so hurry and book a spot so you don't miss out! for more information you can now visit www.cardconvention.blogspot.com

  and check back regularly for updates and some sneak peaks!

time for another sketch reveal over at scrapbook challenges - can you believe how time flies! this was a wonderful sketch to work with and right up my alley. yes- you guessed it, circles! i also got to play with some amazing products like the new Crate Paper Bingo chips and the wonderful new range of Kaisercraft clear stamps - all distributed by The Wholesaler here in South Africa.

i love using these types of stamps in projects. they are easy to stamp with - even if the image is not perfectly stamped it still looks amazing. it's imperfection is it's perfection!

Have you been around to The Wholesaler's blog lately.... well if not then head on over 'cause you are missing out... see how i did the step x step technique using their fabulous new range of Glitzin' Glamour Glitter Glues. The layout features the beautiful new range from Kaisercraft, Basic Grey and Crate! Together they form a wonderful combination of bright and funky with a touch of 'dirt' and down to earth goodness. To create the fun feel of this layout i used the three paper ranges together in small amounts so that each design can have its part in the spotlight.

it's time for another stunning sketch over at scrapbook challenges this week. i am thrilled with this layout and how it turned out - and it was such a fun sketch to use and interpret. it you want more inspiration head on over to scrapbook challenges to see what the rest of the girls did.and here's what i did with my layout. my photos are really old and ordinary but have special moments captured in time. i think this was taken in the days before i even had a digital (wow)

some pretty elements - those new prima wooden buttons are totally awesome. combined with some old rub-ons and buttons.

gold leafing and distress stains are perfect next to each other! love the colours.

and some sewing - tiny knots using embroidery thread and cut shorter then scuffed up using my fingers. and a fair amount of diamonds used to create that beautiful frame.

products used:

patterned papers by Teresa Collins

Toile paper by Prima

AC Card stock Coffee

Butterfly by Graphic 45

Lettering by Basic Grey

Die by Tim Holtz/ Sizzix

Distress stains by Ranger

Tile by Prima

Wooden buttons by Prima

Rub-ons by Kaisercraft

Other: embroidery thread, buttons, diamante, gold leafing potpourri, old postage stamp

hope you have a wonderful week - mine is hectic. 

then there's also this mountain i have to climb!

i can finally share this wonderful news with everyone. I am so honoured to be a part of this wonderful family called "the Wholesaler". i am their new designer and i get to play with all the wonderful and amazing product they import and distribute so passionately in South Africa. And best of all i hope i inspire you to go out and get some of the loveliness. So to see some of the projects i have made this past month please visit  

http://www.thewholesaler.biz/blog/ 

and leave some love. Each month they will share layouts and some off the page projects to inspire you. needless to say you will want to get your hands on some of the awesome new products. and just to get you in the mood here's a little peak, some sweetness to get you into the weekend mood.

and while you are there - hop on over to their facebook page and like them. here's wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with creativity!