Egg Mayhem! - Confessions of a Paper Addict Cut Files DT

Hello again!! I hope you're all keeping well and sane in this new normal. Yesterday we resumed distance learning for our older three kids, which has its challenges - but it is good for them to have some routine, and to see their teachers and friends virtually. Today I have a layout on my YouTube Channel that I created for Confessions of a Paper Addict. I used one of the newly released Easter Cut Files called "Egg Mayhem". Its a background cut file and was so perfect to scrap this photo of myself panic shopping Easter eggs at the Warehouse on day one of the 48 hours before we went into COVID-19 Alert Level 4 Lockdown. I was shopping for three families, and looked like a crazy chocoholic!!!

I used my February Hip Kit Club kit, and selected patterned papers with repeating patterns to back the cut file. I also used some American Crafts POW glitter paper in gold from my stash.

I used my water colour paints to colour match around each egg, and I love how it turned out!

This cut file didn't need much embellishment as it was busy enough. I used foam thinkers from my stash for my title.

You can watch my video here to see how I made this layout. Thanks for being here as I start posting more regularly, I appreciate it!

Oh Ava (The Cut Shoppe)

Hello!  Yesterday I was up on The Cut Shoppe Blog with a new layout featuring Ava and my March Hip Kit.  I decided to go for a big title, and I used the All Caps Alpha backed with patterned paper from Paige Evans' "Oh My Heart" collection, the paper with all the squares.

I outlined each of the letters with watercolours in the corresponding colours.  Head on over to the blog for more details and some close up shots.

Thanks for looking!

Sushi! (The Scrappery CT)

Hello!  I'm back again, this time with my layout and video that I made for The Scrappery on Tuesday.  I decided to make one last video for The Scrappery You Tube Channel with my Nigella Kit, mostly because I wanted to scrap a photo which matched the colours in the kit perfectly!  Its a photo of Sam and Azaria on holiday in Christchurch a couple of years ago.

Lots of lovely layers and dimension.  The letter stickers are from my stash.

Can you believe I used a clothes peg (pin)!! I know, I can't either!

The flowers and butterflies were begging to be fussy cut, and that floral may just be one of the most beautiful papers ever!!

To hear why my layout is called Sushi (when there clearly is no sushi on the page), you'll need to watch my video.

Thanks for looking/watching!

His Selfie Game is Strong (The Cut Shoppe)

Hello!  You may be wondering where I've been!!  Its been a long 7 weeks of school holidays and 

I've been so busy that most things social media have been neglected....  School went back last week and I realised I hadn't share this layout here yet.

This one is for The Cut Shoppe and features a selfie taken by Sam.  The star ampersand from The And Then and the word "Selfie" from the Friends Forever cut file set were perfect for my funny photo!  I used my December Hip Kit.

And here are the cut files.

You can see close up photos and more info on the blog post .

Thanks for looking!

Restore (The Cut Shoppe)

Hi again!  Today I have a layout that was up on The Cut Shoppe Blog last Tuesday, I'm a little behind because its school holidays and Shaun's been working days and some nights.  This layout is my word for the year, which is Restore.  I used a background paper from Cocoa Vanilla Studio, and the rest of the products are from Take me Away by Paige Evans for Pink Paislee.  I used the new Flower Delivery and the Brush Up Alpha cut files.

Originally I hand stitched on the Restore, but I didn't like the look so I cut a second one and layered it over the top.  I love the dimension it adds!  

I cut the flowers on several different papers and then layered them with the leaves using dimensional adhesive.

My word is all about restoring everything in my life after spending last year so sick with hyperemesis, and then being unwell after the C section.  Its all explained in the journalling, and on my Instagram post here.

Here are the two cut files.

Thanks for looking!

Fun (Pink Paislee "Take Me Away")

Hello!  Now that I'm not designing for a kit club I've had a little extra time to play and create layouts for myself.  I've also started going to a fortnightly craft night with three of my lovely creative friends, and its been awesome just to play without filming a video or scrapping for an assignment.

I made this layout over two crafting sessions, and I used the I'll Fly Away cut file from The Cut Shoppe with the gorgeous Pink Paislee "Take Me Away" collection my Paige Evans.  This collection may have just taken over from Dear Lizzy's "Lucky Charm" as my favourite collection of all time - I just adore the colour palette and gorgeous patterns!

I chose to scrap a photo of Brielle playing with her beloved play dough, and to be honest I created background cut file before I even knew which photo I was going to scrap.

This page didn't need much embellishment, because the butterflies are really the main feature (aside from my photo).

I struggled with where to place my journalling with this one, but the addition of the bottom triangle really helped the placement.  I was also indecisive about whether I should outline the page in pen, but I'm so happy I did because it helps to ground the entire page!

Thanks for looking!

Fantastic Food (The Cut Shoppe DT)

Hello!  I'm up on The Cut Shoppe Blog today with my second layout for the month.  And yes its another girly page!!  I have bits and pieces from three new collections and they are all very girly, so hence I'm scrapping my girls.

I used the Foodgram cut file and made my own background with two of the words, which I replicated and arranged.  I used Paige Evans' "Take Me Away" collection by Pink Paislee.  The background paper with three blocks of colour was the perfect background.  

A close up of my journaling!  Brielle calls breakfast "breaksie", which is really the memory and story I wanted to document on this layout.  I took these photos especially because the things our kids say are just as important.

For my title I used the "fantastic" from the chipboard elements, and "food is made from one of the positive cuts.  I trimmed off the "#" and coloured the word with my water colours.

Here is the cut file, which you can purchase in the Etsy Store here.

Thanks for looking!

Wild (Sizzix)

Hello!  Yay its Friday in my part of the world!  Today I have a layout to share with you that I made for Sizzix UK.  I used the Tim Holtz Bigz Die called Garden Greens, and I used a sketch by Laura Rumble of Beads Buttons & Birds.  Laura posted this sketch on Instagram and as soon as I saw it I knew it was perfect for the Garden Greens die!  I used the Take me Away Collection by Paige Evans and Pink Paislee.

I love the Thicker words that come with this collection, so perfect for this photo of our three kids at the Lake.

I kept the embellishment on the leaves with buttons from Take me Away, heats and sequins from my stash. 

And here is the gorgeous sketch!

You can purchase the Garden Green Die here.

Have an awesome weekend!

Love You (The Cut Shoppe)

Hello!  So excited because I'm up on The Cut Shoppe blog today with another layout I created with Ashley's amazing cut files!  For this one I used the Oodles of Doodles cut file set, and used the heart and "Love" designs.  I scrapped a photo of my girls and used papers from Amy Tangerine's "Better Together" collection and embellishments from Paige Evans' "Fancy Free" collection.

I love how the hand stitching adds so much detail!  I just can't stop stitching at the moment!  You can see close ups on the blog here.

This is the cut file set I used, and you can purchase it in the Etsy store here.

I also made a process video!  Yay!

Thanks so much for looking!  Its Friday here so I'm pretty happy for the weekend!!

Show Day (Lets Get Sketchy)

Hello again! Yesterday was the first sketch reveal for August over at Lets Get Sketchy!  This week we had a starburst sketch from Brenshevia, and it was so much fun to create with!  I decided to use a cut file from The Cut Shoppe called Starburst, which you can purchase in the Etsy Shop here.  I scrapped a selfie of my adult dance class members and I in the dressing room before our end of year show last year.  I miss ballet so much, and can't wait until I can return to class next year. 

I used Amy Tangerine's "Better Together" collection with embellishments from Pink Paislee's "Fancy Free" collection.  The hearts were created with the die by Sizzix, a Bigz Die called Heartfelt.

And here is the sketch.

I hope you play along, this is such a fun challenge and sketches help with creativity!

Bible Journaling - Mathew 6:33 (Clique Kits)

Hello again!  I'm back again to share a Bible journal page I created with left overs from my Crafty Maven layout (posted here yesterday).  Bible journalling is a lovely time to spend time with God whilst using the creative gift that he's given you.

A scripture that I've been meditating on a lot lately is Matthew 6:33 where we are told to seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness.  I used a large fussy cut butterfly, gorgeous stamps from Honey Bee Stamps, pastels from Stampin' Up, and a tag, ephemera and stickers from my November Clique Kit (more details on this kit in my previous post).  

I hope you enjoyed seeing this, I'm intending on sharing more of my Bible journalling this year, and really want to push myself both in the Word, and creatively.

Bless you!

Change of Season (The Crafty Maven Getaway)

Hello friends!  I was up on the The Crafty Maven Getaway YouTube Channel today for Sketch it up Thursday.  We had a gorgeous inspiration piece this week, and I choose an amazing sketch by the lovely and talented Laura Whitaker.  Make sure you head on over to her blog and check out her sketches.

The mood board immediately reminded me of my November Clique Kit "Tapestry", featuring We R Memory Keepers "Wildflowers" collection and Pink Paislee's "Cedar Lane".  I choose an Instagram photo of Azaria looking at a tree in early Autumn 2014.  I stitched around all of my squares and then lifted up the edges for dimension and interest.

This cluster would have to be one of my favourites ever!  I just love how it came together :)

I was so happy to use one of the cream pleather bows from We R Memory Keepers.

And after hoarding that beautiful butterfly paper I finally fussy cut some of them and added them to this page as embellishments.  I love it when paper becomes an embellishment!

Here is the sketch:

And here is the beautiful Mood Board for this week:

This was my last video for The Crafty Maven, I've decided to step down from the team.  They had a DT call recently, and I'm looking forward to seeing inspiration from the new team.  I wish them all the best.

I'll be posting the video I made on my channel too, so head over here to check it out.  At the end of my video is a look at all the pages I created whilst on the team.

Thanks so much for looking!

Your New Teacher (Using Older Product)

Hello!  Popping in to share a quick layout that I made in an effort to use up older stash, and also in an attempt to scrap more photos of Shaun and Sam.

I went through my stash and found the Pink Paislee Switchboard collection pieces that I won a couple of years ago.  The collection was perfect for an older photo of Shaun and Sam on the first day of school in 2014.

I kept my design to my favourite layers under the photo, and then had a large focus on the title alphas.

I fussy cut the "hi" speech bubble from one of the patterned papers.

You can see all the details of this layout coming together in my process video.

Thanks for looking!

Two "Girl Cave" Layouts (Clique Kits)

Good evening!  Its Christmas Eve Eve here in New Zealand, or as Sam (8) put it "Adam's Eve"!!  He's a funny guy!  Today I have two more layouts to share that I made with my December Clique Kit "Girl Cave" ~ how perfect is that name!!  The kit features Pink Paislee's Memorandum collection.

The first layout is in my typical style of featuring my favourite patterned paper, which is this gorgeous floral.  The photo is of my oldest two at my friend's wedding in 2014.  Shaun and I were singing as Kelly walked up the aisle and we made them sit on a blanket near us.  They were awesome!  Everything is from the kit except for the doily which is from my stash.  The exclusive card that says "You are exactly where you need to be" was perfect too, because they stayed where they were for the whole service!

My second layout features Sam having a shotput lesson at school athletics day, and I wanted to feature the folders that came as an add on to the kit.  I kept this one quite minimal, because the embellishments that I choose are features in themselves.  Sam loved the large metallic letter, and wanted me to use them on a page about him.  I thought spelling his name out was the best way to use them, because the pack only has one of each letter (and I wouldn't use up too many vowels)!  I was unsure about the glasses, but in the end I decided to use them because Sam wears glasses, and they suit the unconventional "lesson" theme of the layout!

Thanks so much for looking!

Clique Kits December Blog Share

Hello and welcome from from Sandy's amazing blog!  I'm so happy to be joining in on the blog share this month!  I just love hopping from blog to blog to see what everyone created with their kits! 

This month we created with the gorgeous and fun "Girl Cave" kit.

Here is another look at the kit, which featured Pink Paislee's Memorandum collection.

Of course I had to create one layout about being creative, and when I saw the "Create" gold glitter word, I decided to use it to document being on the CK Design Team.  I made a pocket and tucked the acceptance email and my journalling into it.  I printed off the photo of the DT and my own photo to use on my page.

For this next page I decided to focus on the gorgeous red pieces in the kit, and then I selected a photo to match.  This photo is of my friend and I on her wedding day.  I was blessed and honoured to sing as she walked up the aisle and signed the register.  I knew I wanted to create in a grid style, so just added pieces until I was happy!  The gold sequin trim is from my stash, and the die cut flower is from the Clique Kits store, and is by Kesi Art.  

 Here is the list of awesome ladies participating in the blog share:

Clique Kits https://cliquekits.wordpress.com/
Maryam* http://maryamperez.blogspot.com/
Carolina* www.carolinaschultz.com
LeeAnn* http://thepaintbrushgoesspottie.blogspot.com/
Kim* http://krodesigns.blogspot.com/
Justyna* http://made-by-justt.blogspot.com/
Donna* http://scrappydonna.blogspot.com/
Evie http://lifewithevi.blogspot.com/
Sandy Gonzalez http://craftythought.com
Melissa Vining http:yesterday2day4ever.blogspot.co.nz  >>> That's Me >>>
Candace http://findingeverydayperfection.com/
Kat Benjamin http://kraftykat9.blogspot.com
Kim Allen http://kimsscrappyblog.blogspot.com/
Hannah Lemieux http://scrapbookpagesandcupcakes.com

Thanks so much for looking!  Your next stop is Candace's lovely blog!

Happy creating!

Today in the Garden (Clique Kits)

Hello!  I've been busy scrapping up a creative storm!  December is just so busy!!  Yesterday our December Challenge went live over at the Clique Kits Blog, and its "anything goes" which means create to your heart's content!  

I made my first layout using the CK December Kit "Girl Cave" featuring Pink Paislee's "Memorandum" collection.  This collection is just amazing, and contains lots of stationary inspired features!

I decided to scrap two photos of Brielle in the garden long after I'd finished.  I was totally inspired by the packaging on the Prima paper clips that are an add-on to the kit!  I started my letting yellow water colour to drip down my paper, then I toned it down with white acrylic paint.  Then I made two pockets from patterned paper to tuck the photos and doily into.  The photos are backed by one of the Memorandum Mini Files, and I cut the backing off to just use the tabbed piece.  I fussy cut out the "today" and used it for my title - it was gold foil and couldn't be hidden!

Here is a photo of the packaging that inspired my design.

And here is a look at the Girl Cave kit.

Make sure you link up your creations, because you could win products from Evalicious!!!

Have a lovely week, I'll be back really soon!