Noteworthy (Stuck?! Sketches)

Hello!  I'm back again today, this time to share a layout I made for the latest sketch over at Stuck?! Sketches.  I've been super busy with work this week, so I've been a bit slow to get this layout made!  I decided it was time to use my homemade kit that I made for Sam's 8 year old birthday photos, and this sketch was perfect!

I started with this October Afternoon Sasparilla woodgrain paper for my background. I thought it worked nicely with the wooden furniture in the background of my photos of Sam opening his presents.  It is truly one of the most amazing woodgrain papers, it is so realistic!  Even Sam was commenting on it, he though it was a photo!

I built my layers very true to the sketch, and was able to use up some really old papers and stickers!  The products are a mix of October Afternoon, Studio Calico, Basic Grey, Elles Studio and Eco Park.

A close up of my left cluster, with a mix of paper and stickers!

I fishtailed two scraps of paper, and popped up the title sticker with dimensional adhesive.

I used the blue letter stickers to spell out his name, and to cover up part of a word on the underlying paper.

And here is Laura's amazing sketch:

I had so much fun with this sketch.  Thanks so much for looking!

Love My 3 (Clique Kits)

Good morning!  Today was the last day of school for Term 3! Yay!  The oldest two have two weeks off school, and I love having them home.  Brielle loves it too because she gets to play with them.

Yesterday I posted my second process video for Clique Kits with the October 2015 "Funfetti" kit!  I just love this kit so much, its so pretty!  I decided to make a clean and simple design to feature the lovely Pink Fresh Studio acetate cards, which are an add on that you can purchase in the shop.  I wanted this layout to feature all three of my kids, so I selected photos that were similar to ones I'd already scrapped for their individual albums. 

I cut my photos into the same size as the cards, stitched around every piece, and then embellished.  Of course I had to finish with some Heidi Swapp gold Colourshine; I just couldn't leave my background completely bare!

The bow was made with the Pink Fresh Studio Die thats an add-on to the main kit.  The letter stickers are also from the Happy Things collection, and once again are an add on.

A close up of one of the beautiful exclusive flair!

This tag is also an exclusive, and you can find it on the cut-apart sheet.

Below is my process video.

You can use my code MELISSA10 to get 10 percent off any thing in the Clique Kits Store here.

Thanks for looking!

"Making Lemonade" #2 - Embellishment Inspiration

Hello!  I'm back with the second instalment in my "Making Lemonade" YouTube video series where I'm making layouts to assist in getting the creative flow happening, when its not!  For this layout I was totally inspired by the Crate Paper Wonder collection ephemera which came in my August Hip Kit.

I had these three photos of Brielle that I'd taken when she was eating her lunch in her highchair, and was keen to scrap them together.  The ephemera pieces led me to go with a banner design, incorporating the photos as part of the two banners.  I totally love how this one turned out, and it might just be my favourite at the moment!  The title pieces are gold foam thickers, but in this shot you can't tell!

Of course I had to use the B for Brielle, and the cat was perfect for her love of cats!

This "wild at heart" piece was one of my favourites in the pack of ephemera!

My darling girl, kinda eating upside down!

Here is my video, where you can watch my process for threading all the bits and pieces onto the twine.

Thanks for looking!

Delight! (Lets Get Sketchy)

Hello again!  I'm back with the layout I created for the third week of September reveal over at Lets Get Sketchy, and this week we had a stunning sketch by Laetitia which really challenged me to get my mixed media on!  This is a very different layout from my typical style!

I used my August Hip Kit, and decided to be really bold and use the pink Amy Tangerine paper as a background.  I started my toning it down with gesso, and then did the packaging technique with water colour paint (which wasn't strong enough), so I then used Distress Ink in Picked Raspberry.  Then I used gold poster paint that I got from our local dollar store a couple of years ago.

The photo is of Azaria being towed behind the 4-wheeler motor bike in the snow at my inlaws property.  I just love the look on her face!

I built up lots of lovely layers, and fussy cut out the "sweet ride" from one of the papers.  I added a doily from my stash.

The gold foam thickers are by Dear Lizzy.  I love them so much and could easily have another 10 packets!

And here is the amazing sketch!

I made a process video for this one.

I can't wait to see how you are inspired by this sketch, make sure you link up and play along!

Thanks for looking!

Dream Big (Clique Kits DT)

Hello!  I recently shared my first Design Team layout and process video with the gorgeous October 2015 Clique Kit "Funfetti"!  I'm loving this kit so much, and have so many ideas on what to create with it. 

For this layout I wanted to focus on using the Ranger Paint Dabber in Pink Gumball (which is an add on you can purchase in the store).  And I knew I wanted to scrap these super cute photos of Brielle on her bike for the first time (with a little help from Shaun holding her on and pushing her around).  I kept this one pretty simple, started with the paint, and then added my paper strips.  The balloons were fussy cut out of one of the papers.

I typically go for a centre-right photo placement, and it was fun to challenge myself with this positioning. The Happy Things collection by Pink Fresh Studio is so beautiful, and the rubber charms super fun!

I made my title with the puffy sticker title, and after adding my embellishments I dropped on some gold Colour Shine for a final touch!

Here is my process video.

The best way to ensure that you get a kit is to subscribe.  Clique Kits are amazing, and you'll never be disappointed.  If you do head on over there, make sure you mention that I sent you, and if you purchase any goodies in the store use my code MELISSA10 to get 10% off.

Hello Snow (The Crafty Maven Getaway)

Hello!  I nearly forgot to post on here that I was up on the The Crafty Maven Getaway for Twerk it Thursday (where we work with a sketch).  The sketch that Dannielle Wright (Banning Lane) and I choose to work with was an older one by Ashley Horton.

I decided to scrap these super cute photos of Shaun and Brielle that I took one snow storm.  Sam and Azaria had gone outside to play and of course Brielle had to go out too!

I used my August Hip Kit, and hand cut my hearts because I wanted imperfection to go with my messy stitching.  I stayed true to the sketch, but added extra embellishments on the heart, and added corner triangles which I punched with my scallop punch.

Isn't this sketch so beautiful!  The hearts were definitely what drew me to it!

You can watch the video below.

Thanks for looking!

October Clique Kit - Funfetti!

Hello!  I'm so excited because today is reveal day at Clique Kits for the October 2015 Kit Funfetti!  And I'm extra super excited because its officially the first day of my Design Team term yay!!!  

Here's a look at the gorgeous kit.  It contains goodies from Pink Fresh Studio's Happy Things collection, Crate Paper and of course gorgeous Clique Kits exclusives.  I know you'll love it as much as me!  

And here is a look at the beautiful mood board for this kit.  I'm already planning a layout inspired by the stunning photos on here!

I made an unboxing video of the kit, which you can watch on my YouTube channel here or below.

Thanks for looking!  I'll be back tomorrow with a layout and process video :)

My New Series - "Making Lemonade"

Hello again!  Today I have some exciting news to share, I've just started a new series on my YouTube Channel called "Making Lemonade".  It's all about how to continue creating when you loose your creative flow, or when life gives you lemons.  Having recently lost my creative flow (and suffering with an ongoing back injury) I decided to use my circumstances to bring my creativity back.  One option was to stop scrapping and take a break, but because I love this hobby so much (and because I like to keep on top of my supplies), I didn't want to.  You can learn more about it in my into video.

I posted my first video today, and its all about using sketches and staying true to them to be able to kick start creativity.  I used an amazing sketch by Laura Whitaker from Stuck?! Sketches.  I used my August Hip Kit, and in my video I chat at length about what inspired me to make this series. This layout is all about Brielle and how she looks during her day sleep.

I love the Crate Paper, Pink Fresh Studio and exclusive flair in this kit.

I loved the circular embellishment areas in the sketch, and used wood veneer, chipboard and enamel dots.

And here is the fabulous sketch.

You can learn more and watch my process in this video.

Thanks for looking!

Joy - Kaisercraft's Home for Christmas Collection (Artfull Crafts)

Hello!  I was up on the Artfull Crafts blog today sharing a layout I made with Kaisercraft's new Home for Christmas collection.  This collection was a challenge for me, and it took a while to get my creative flow happening!

I decided to use the gorgeous Christmas tree paper, and the photo of Sam and Azaria under our tree last Christmas Eve was perfect.  The craft paper with white words printed on was my favourite paper of the whole collection, and I used it to provide a second matt under my photo.

I cut apart the back of the branding strip, which had the perfect quote of it for my photo.  This almost could have served as journalling, but I still added a sentence along the left side of the photo.

I added a Studio Calico wood veneer star, and some gems on top of the printed stars.

The wooded tag and black thickers aren't from the collection, but they work really well for extra embellishment.  Mixing and matching older product from my stash is always a good idea!

And in case you're wondering why our tree was up on our coffee table, it was to stop Brielle from getting at it, as she was 8 months old at the time and into everything!

Thanks for looking!  

Bible Journaling - 1 Corinthians 13 (Child Free Friday #10)

Hello, I have something a little different to share today for my 10th Child Free Friday Video.  I stated Bible journalling a couple of months ago, and I was totally inspired by Shana Noel and Illustrated Faith.  I ordered a Journaling Bible (English Standard Version), and after patiently waiting it arrived after about 6 weeks after I ordered.

This Bible is especially for journaling, I have another Study Bible that I use for everyday and church use, and I also read different versions on my iPhone.  For this entry I was inspired to create from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, which is all about love.  I stated by using white gesso, then stamped with Stazon ink, punched hearts from a Dear Lizzy washi tape book, more stamping with Distress Ink, and finally water colour paints.  

I also journaled and outlined the washi hearts.

I highlighted the subject verse with water colour paint.

Here is my video:

Thanks for looking!

Scrapbooking School Photos (Part 2) - School Photo Hop 2015 (Stuck?! Sketches)

Hello!  I'm finally  back again with Part 2 of my Scrapbooking School Photos series on my blog (you can find Part 1 here).  Today I'm also contributing to a School Photo Hop organised by the fabulous Megan Blethen (Crafty Meggy on YouTube).  Its time to go back to school in the States, but here in New Zealand it's nearly the end of term 3 of 4.  But I always have school photos waiting to be scrapped so I was super keen to join in!  The Facebook page for the hop is here and you can join any time and share your school photo pages.

I used my August Hip Kit, and decided to scrap Sam's official 2015 photo.  Because I've been struggling with my creative flow I used the latest sketch over at Stuck Sketches.  This layout is made of Pink Fresh Studio's Happy Things collection (papers, cut parts, and puffy stickers), and Crate Paper's Wonder collection (specifically the ephemera).  The Thickers and chipboard balloon are from Dear Lizzy.

I especially love my title on this page!  The sketch showed three photos, but as I only had the one photo I used the two cut aparts which were perfect for Sam's personality. 

Our dear sweet boy at age 8, in year 4 of school!

I built this cluster totally around the Crate Paper camera.

Here is the fantastic sketch:

Here is my video, you can also watch it on YouTube here.  

Make sure you check out the layouts made by the other talented and lovely ladies that are playing along:

Megan Blethen

Blog: www.craftymeggy.com

YouTube: (craftymeggy) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt3wJx4jIOfIuqITbht7jPQ

Hannah Lemieux

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsFOS-ppvPeFoExVzo-mO8Q

Katty Miranda

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVTHwKrwq8LO9_FTaAXsVg

Christy Harriman

YouTube (Christy's Beautiful Life) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4zHSberz5_f79YhdVIIUWQ

Alyssa Hurzeler

Blog: http://justmeandmyasdf.com

YouTube: (Alyssa H) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Qx8CDiMDJZFvtiw0-7ZdQ

Jennifer Cambridge 

YouTube: https://youtu.be/oNBaAw2Fr1k

Kelly Wells Barron 

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCiMbKy8p0ib5wug27fd9v1Q

Thanks for watching!  Happy school photo scrapping :)

Happy Birthday @8 (Lets Get Sketchy)

Hello!  Its time for our first September reveal over at Lets Get Sketchy!  This week I finally cut into my stash kit for Sam's birthday photos!  I've had multiple kits and lots of projects going on at the moment, and feel like I'm all over the place!! Thank goodness for an awesome sketch to ground my creativity and focus. 

I've decided to use this page as essentially my cover page for the next layouts that will follow.  This photo is perfect because it focuses on the start of Sam's birthday, which is him opening his presents in the morning.  I just love this sweet photo of him!  I stayed quite true to the sketch because it was full of layers (which you know I love!).

Stash kits are a great way to reinvent old product.  I've had those Jenni Bowlin 8's for a long time now!  I sprayed and splattered with blue Dylusions mist.

So great to mix the old with the new.  That blue star paper is super old, and those little Amy Tangerine word stickers are from a recent Hip Kit.

I had kept that "happy birthday" wood veneer from a past Hip Kit especially for this layout!

And here is the fabulous sketch by our wonderful boss Brenshevia:

Thanks for looking!  Play along because we love to see what you create from our sketches!

7 Months (Sketchabilities)

Hello lovely friends!  If you can sense that I'm happy its because it's the third day of Spring!  My favourite time of the year :)

Today I'm playing along with the latest sketch over at Sketchabilities.  I know I've said it before, but I love their sketches!  This week the sketch was for 3 photos, but I adapted it to be 2 photos and 1 cut apart.  I decided to finally scrap another page for Brielle's monthly album, and I skipped ahead to November when she was 7 months.  The photo was taken at a wedding of our friends.  

I'm making the entire album with Webster's Pages Sweet Routine collection, and you can find more information in this blog post.

Yes, you are seeing correctly, I went a little shabby chic and used flowers!!!  Yes, I'm in shock too, and I love how my cluster turned out, and I even used leaves!

The glittery "7" was perfect to tie in the gold that is running through all my pages for Brielle's album. I also inked around the edge of my label, and inked my feather (both cut with my Cuttlebug).

The cut apart card was perfect for these wedding photos, and the little onsie paper clip so sweet!

Here is the amazing sketch:

Thanks for looking!