Moments Recorded

As I'm nearing the end of this pregnancy (just over two weeks to go!) I've been doing a little bit of scrapbooking just for myself, and this layout is one of them.  I used one of my Paper Bakery Kits, and really wanted to focus on the "Moments" scripted word that I fussy cut out of the Studio Calico Print Shop papers.  I chose to scrap a selfie for my pregnancy album, me at 27 weeks!

I just placed the photo in the middle, and then layered papers and embellishments around it.  The background paper has numbers on it, which is appropriate as my journaling talks about nearing the 30 week countdown.  I finished my layout off with different sized drops of India ink.

I had to take this layout photo with my iPhone, as my belly is so big now that I struggle to line everything up with my Cannon!  Has anyone else had this problem?!

Thanks for looking

Melissa x

Inspired by Paige Evans

Hello! I just love the work of Garden Girl Paige Evans who makes awesome layouts and process videos over at  Two Peas in a Bucket.  Paige is amazing at mixing patterns and colours, and she makes layering of embellishments appear effortless.  This week I decided to make a layout where my background was inspired by her style.

I used a Paper Bakery Kit and deconstructed a piece of patterned paper from Websters Pages by cutting apart the triangles.  I put it back together into banners that I stitched on with my sewing machine.  My layout is about my daughter sorting out my sequin collection into a new box.  I just love that she gets involved in my scrapbooking too!

I made by layout at A4 size, which I occasionally do to provide some visual change in my albums.

And a couple of close ups"

Of course I had to add some real sequins as a final touch!

I just got a new camera, my first Canon DSLR, and these are the first photos I've taken of my layouts with it.  I've been having a great time practicing with it this week, getting out and about in the lovely Autumn sunshine with Azaria and taking photos.

Have a great weekend

Melissa x

Kaisercraft Limelight Cards (Artfull Crafts)

Hello!  I'm up on the Artfull Crafts Blog today with two cards that I made with Kaisercraft's new Limelight collection.  I'm not a big card maker, so I always feel a sense of accomplishment when I make some!

For this first card I stapled ruffles into the ribbon (as my sewing machine was playing up) and then layered up some paper and a die cut tag. The background paper is a sheet of border strips which I left uncut.  Some drops of mist and it was done!

For the second card I kept it really simple, and fussy cut the floral piece out of a larger sticker, and layered a second sticker with the sentiment on the some pop dots for dimension.  The scallop piece is a border sticker.  Once again some drops of mist to finish it off!

Thanks for looking!

Melissa x

Sometimes You Slept (Lets Get Sketchy)

Hello!  Well March is flying by, and its time for our week 3 reveal over at Lets Get Sketchy.  This week we had a lovely sketch by Lanette Erickson.

I used it to scrap some more old photos of Sam when he was a baby (he's turning 7 in less than a week!).  My layout is all about how difficult it was to get him to sleep during the first 6 weeks.  This photo is him sleeping, of course during the day.  We always sleep our babies in the lounge during their first few weeks and carry on like normal around them to get them used to sleeping in the day and with noise like the vacuum cleaner and music.  No "Shhh the baby's sleeping" in this house!

I used a Paper Bakery kit, and my new roller stamp from Glitz Design.

I love the exclusives in the kit like the flair and paper feathers.

And here is the sketch:

Thanks for looking, I hope you play along with us this month!

Be blessed
Melissa x

First Day (Scrapstuffz)

Hello!  It's my turn to reveal my March layout this month over at Scrapstuffz 'Inspired by' Challenges Blog. Stacia and Devra choose such awesome inspiration photos, and this month was no exception.  

As soon as I saw the pencils my first thought was school, which was helpful as I hadn't scrapped any of my son's first day ever photos!  Here is my layout made with a Paper Bakery kit:

I just love all the goodies that were included in this kit, especially the Amy Tangerine Cut & Paste chipboard, the wood grain bag (with a perfect quote for starting school), the lovely gold heart rubons, and the exclusive feathers.  I fussy cut the S for Sam and the 5 for his age.  My journaling is written on an exclusive printable card.

And here is the fun inspiration photo:

Come and play along with us for a chance to win a prize!

Thanks for looking

Melissa x

Project Life 2014!

Yes that's right, you read the title correctly!  I've re-joined the Project Life trend after a year and a half break.  Just by way of background, I started doing PL in 2012, and managed to keep up weekly pocket layouts for 6 months, from January to June.  I started doing PL to take the apparent "stress" out of my scrapbooking, as I felt I was never going to be caught up. However, doing weekly layouts was too stressful, and I got behind way too often, and to be honest just wanted to be scraping 12 x 12 pages.

So after a years break I decided to start again, but on a monthly basis. This year has several milestones in it: Shaun went back to primary teaching, we're welcoming a new baby in April, and Azaria is starting school in June, so what better year than to try again!

Here is my cover page:

I'm using the Dear Lizzy Polka Dot Party Edition kit by Becky Higgins, and Captured Moments Happy Days 3 x 4 Journal Cards by Kaisercraft as my base filler cards.  

My objective with this album is to get it done quickly. This means minimal embellishment, printing photos out at 4 x 6, using up older scraps of paper, and including memorabilia and my kid's art where possible. I want it to be a snapshot of our life at this time, so everyday-type photos.

My biggest issue at the moment is photographing these spreads, as the pockets make it difficult with glare etc, so any tips are much appreciated!  I'll be back soon with my January and February spreads.

Be blessed

Melissa x

Inspired by Ashli Oliver

Hello!  After I had finished my layout for the LGS birthday blog hop I still had my Dear Lizzy Neapolitan hoarded goodies out on my craft table, so I decided to make another layout in an attempt to use up some of my stash.  I've been reading Ashli Oliver's blog for some time now, you may know her as SoapHOUSEmama.  She is so inspirational as she is all about mixed media, layering, scrapping her beautiful family, and I love that she is always true to her own style.

So I decided to make this layout, which is inspired by her use of white acrylic paint, layering, and using up your stash.  Its about my daughter and her little obsession with doing our hair.  In this photo Shaun was treated to a hairstyle!

I toned down the busy background with white paint, prepared my layering around my photo, and then decided to use as many stickers from the Neapolitan Sticker book as I could.  I toned them down by painting white acrylic paint.  Although this layout is influenced by Ashli's style, its still definitely still reflective of my own style too.

Thanks for looking!

Bless you 

Melissa x

Learn (Artfull Crafts)

Good afternoon, I'm on the Artfull Crafts Blog today with a layout I made with Kaisercraft's new Limelight Collection.  I'll be honest, this collection was a challenge for me as it isn't my normal style, but I believe its always good to challenge my creativity. 

I was actually really happy with how this layout turned out.  It's about Sam and a bike ride we took on an old historic bridge not far from where we live.  I love that he was interested in looking at the interpretation panels, so of course I had to snap a photo!

The large leafy flourish on the right side is actually part of a large sticker that I cut apart.  By layering and adding drops of mist I made this collection work for me.  I would have used my sewing machine, but it wasn't cooperating for me the day I made this layout!

Thanks for looking.  I haven't been sharing many blog posts lately due to morning sickness and tiredness (yes I still get morning sickness, including vomiting at 33 weeks, it is a true test of endurance and only through pressing into God and thinking of my beautiful baby am I able to get through it).  Hooray for only a few more weeks to go before we get to meet our third baby!

Enjoy this lovely Autumn afternoon, or Spring day wherever you are in the world.

Melissa x

Gingerbread Cutie (Lets Get Sketchy)

Hello!  Wow can you believe it's March already. For most of you that means Spring, but for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere it means Autumn!  As its the first week of March its time for our first reveal of the month over at Lets Get Sketchy.

This week we had an awesome sketch by Brenshevia, featuring two photos, however I decided to switch out the smaller photo for a framed embellishment.  I made my layout with a Paper Bakery kit, and its all about my son several years ago and a gingerbread man that Grannie gave him.  I just adore that woodgrain paper by Amy Tangerine!  I made my stars by piercing around the Studio Calico stars as a stencil, and then hand stitching with white thread.

And here is the sketch:

Thanks for looking, make sure you play along this week, and play along with our birthday blog hop challenge too!

Be blessed

Melissa x

Lets Get Sketchy Sketch-a-thon Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Lets Get Sketchy Sketch-a-thon Blog Hop!  Lets Get Sketchy is turning TWO, and to celebrate we are having Two Sketch-a-thon Blog Hops.

You should have come from Stacey's awesome blog, if not, please go back to the Lets Get Sketchy blog to start the hop from the beginning.  For this hop we would like you to create a layout using the sketch you see below, and for my twist to the challenge I would like you to use an older collection you love so much you've been hoarding.

For my layout I used an awesome sketch designed by Laura Whitaker, which I was drawn to for the layered banners.  With my twist on the challenge of using an older loved and hoarded collection, I decided to use Dear Lizzy Neapolitan, which really was one of the first collections I had to have when I discovered the online world of scrapbooking!

I also allowed myself to use Studio Calico mists, enamel dots, twine, a doily, some washi tape and some newer Dear Lizzy Thickers, but the majority of this layout is made with Neapolitan papers and stickers.

My layout is all about my daughter and how she and my son sat so well at our friend's wedding in January, while Shaun and I sung as Kelly walked up the aisle and again while her and Alan signed the register.  It was the first wedding my kids had ever been to, and there were even goodie bags for all the kids!

And here is the sketch:

Once you have completed your layout, please head back to the LGS website to upload your entry.  Please tag your entry BH1MELISSA.   The more you play, the better your chances of winning this great prize courtesy of Creative Embellishments!  

ANY PROJECT NOT PROPERLY TAGGED WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THE DRAWING.

Now head on over to Brenshevia's Blog and see the great challenge she has in store for you!

Remember to have your projects linked up no later than midnight, CST, March 5th!

Here is the lineup in case you get lost:

Michelle

Wendi

Chelsea

Melinda

Carol

Jacqui

Stacey

Melissa - That's me :)

Brenshevia

Lets Get Sketchy (to link up)

I can't wait to see what you make, so do play along!
Melissa x