it's time for another challenge over at Scrap Africa. the challenge is to use the catch phrase "keep calm"...then add your own end. the challenge also contains some 'rules' so be sure to check on the guidelines when you play along. i chose not to create a layout this time around. i have been threatening to paint a union jack flag for ages now and this challenge was perfect for it. i used a piece of wood to work on. it originally started off as a black board project but it quickly evolved into something new. a couple of layers of paint later and a flag was created.

i used a Cricut to cut my lettering and adhered it using Tombow glue, then covered it in a layer of gel medium. once the gel medium was dry i added a layer of antiquing liquid to add an aged look and feel.

the antiquing liquid adds an old world look to the bright white and totally changes the look in a few easy steps. the lettering is by no means perfect and that's the why i wanted it. the top was finished off with a crown also die-cut and finished off with a single diamond. the edges was scuffed up with a piece of sanding paper to reveal some of the original wood below all the layers.

so head on over to Scrap Africa to play along - you can win some awesome prizes just for playing along. hope you have a creative week.

and with that being said...there's a new sketch up today and it's again a beauty. i loved this sketch so much i even managed to make a matching card using the scraps from my layout. i will have to post that later when i finally take a photo.

here's what i did with the sketch...

i used my usual white background card stock with some bright patterned papers. this is a great way to compliment the mush-mash of photos used for this layout of my niece. instead of working against the mixture of colours i embraced them and made them work for me. my title is cut using the Cricut machine with a grey shadow.

below my photos i used a strip of vellum as an added detail. instead of adhering the vellum i used my decorative sewing to attach the vellum to my background. let's face it - a bunch of glue showing through vellum is really unsightly - almost - no really just as bad as a 'thong' peeking out from under a pair of jeans! it's a BIG no-no ladies. i love how the vellum adds a beautiful and delicate touch to your layouts. a real feminine touch!
for my title i used die-cut letters as said before - i grouped them together with a stamped Kaisercraft image, some rub-ons, buttons, graphic 45 words, diamante and paint splats. o love grouped elements like this - and remember the closer they are grouped together the better it looks!

thanks for stopping by - and also to those new followers! thanks for taking the time to stop by. i wish you a creative week ahead. and remember to do what you love and make something beautiful!

the secret is out...we are heading to

Bloemfontein 

26-28 July 2012 

for more information and to book your seat head over here 

http://www.scrapbookstudio.co.za/bloem-booking-form.html 

so things are looking up after a bad week!

i have some very exciting things i am working on, and proudly south African so.

then this morning i had a very exciting e-mail - something i have been hoping and believing will happen. and now the time may finally be here that it might happen.
i pray that God will have favor on me in this matter.

i am also in a painting mood. for starters that weak moment i had and painted a wall grey in my living room - i claim temporary insanity on that and i am sticking with that story. but it has gotta go! so that means for now at least 2 coats of white primer. darn it!
insert{me banging my head against grey wall here.

it's another week and time for a new sketch over at scrapbook challenges. i loved working with this one since it has a lot of the elements that i love in scrapbooking - like repetition and shapes. i kinda just grab a quick glance at the sketch and then did my own thing as far as the placement goes. i liked how it turned out since i was able to use loads of different patterned papers together. so why not hop on over to scrapbook challenges to see some more wonderful inspiration from the design team. but for now here's the sketch - and remember there's a single page version too...

and my layout. the photos were taken one Christmas of my niece opening some presents. we don't do the whole commercial Xmas thing but when Etlone' came along we got a new tree and put it up for her. the decorations were simple - only cream little teddy bears and some lights - elegant and child proof -  a winning combination.

i added some tied knots using embroidery thread along some of the edges of the shapes. love the texture and simple detail it ads to a layout.

and some distressed embossing added onto chipboard honeycomb. the red was just perfect to embrace the red found in the photos on the Persian carpet. my advice - embrace the not so perfect rather than trying to make it go away!

here's wishing everyone a wonderful and creative week ahead. i am working on some exiting projects this week - details to be revealed later this week. thanks for stopping by - and if you don't know it yet - your visits are appreciated!

it's time for another sketch over ta scrap Africa! i simply loved working with this sketch - it's one of those kinda sketches that can turn into anything - it's clearly evident in great variety the design team members has put together for you all. i hope you find plenty of inspiration - so head on over to scrap Africa and check out all the beautiful works of art.

here's what i did with the sketch... scrapping some really old and ordinary photos.

and here's the original sketch

i recycled some flags i made for a bunting that i use at the Rooi Rose valentines' day presentation i did in February. i love book paper and being able to recycle stuff that i have made before is such a bonus in my line of work! for my background used a beautiful stencil and lightly misted it using espresso color wash. i simply love the versatility of inks and mists.

Various chipboard elements from Crate paper sits alongside a Kaisercraft angel element.

and some more crate paper chipboard pieces, flowers dressed up with some liquid pearls, old making memories stickers and buttons. i also used some rub-ons cut in half and used them in two separate positions on my layout.

please head on over to scrap Africa and play along with us. there are some awesome goodies up for grabs and we would love to see what you can do with the sketch. hope you have an inspired week filled with creativity! and thank you for taking the time to stop by and say hi!