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!

"Strong" - My Word for 2018 (SpeigelMom Scraps GD)

Hello!  I nearly forgot to share my final project for my Guest Design spot over at SpeigelMom Scraps.  For this layout I decided I'd better finally create my word for the year which is "Strong".  Last year was a tough year, but through all of it I came out a much stronger person, and I wanted to carry that theme into this year.

I used my July 2017 Hip Kit (I'm slowly making my way through it) which features Maggie Homes' "Carousel" collection for Crate Paper.

I did the packaging technique and splatters with my watercolours and some Heidi Swapp Colourshine.

I used the sequins more subtly for this layout, as the finishing touch to my embellishment clusters.

I love banners, but often struggle to use them.  This chipboard banner was perfect for the grounding of my title.

I didn't make a process video for this one because I was short of time.  

Thanks for looking!

Resurecting my Blog!!

Hello Hello!! Yes I'm actually here sharing something!!

Now that it's a New Year, and my 4th and final baby is 1 year old I thought it was time I paid my poor neglected blog some attention.  It seems that Instagram and YouTube have taken over the social media world, and with things in my world being so busy juggling kids and my business, my blog really didn't get much attention last year.  In retrospect, I did try, but all my promises to be back were never kept.  In all honesty, last year was incredibly difficult, 4 children is a lot, and I went through some very difficult circumstances.  I'm so happy to be back now, and I feel stronger than ever for having gone through what I endured.

I recently killed my July 2017 (yes I'm that far behind) Hip Kit, and so here are the layouts that I made:

I actually thought I'd find this kit difficult to use, so I was happily surprised when I ended up loving it!

I'll be back again really, soon, promise xxx

A Frozen Christmas (Christy's Beautiful Life - 30 Days of Sketches)

Hello!! Yes I know, I've been missing again, but things have been active on my YouTube Channel and my Instagram!  I've decided that instead of trying to catch up with posting layouts ever since Ava was born, I need to face the facts that I can't (she's now 10 months old), and instead I'm going to post current layouts on here. 

Earlier this month I was honoured to be asked by Christy from Christy's Beautiful Life to be a guest during her 30 days of sketches during September.  Firstly I want to say that I think Christy is amazing to even contemplate making a process video a day for a whole month with a pre-schooler and a baby!!  She is amazing!

Christy gave me a Page Maps sketch that was Christmas themed.  It was perfect as we'd chatted about needing to catch up with our past Christmas photos.  I decided to use my November Hip Kit from last year, which I'd barely used due to Ava being born.  I created the Christmas Tree with doilies.

I love the dimension that the Christmas tree created!

Another look at the tree, it was definitley my favourite element on the page!

And here is the sketch.

And my process video.

I had so much fun with this sketch!!  Thank you so much to Christy for inviting me to join in!

Celebrate 8 (Stuck Sketches)

Hello!  I've been saving sketches from Stuck Sketches for months now, but haven't had much time to play along.  I finally decided to commit to the 1 August sketch, because I love all of Laura's sketches, and I needed to make a dent in my April Hip Kit.  I decided to scrap photos from Azaria's 8th birthday.  I loved the sketch and stayed very true to it.  I did decide to scrap a smaller photo!

I love adding twine to my tags and stitching on my buttons!

I loved making this cluster with paper strips and puffy stickers!

And here is the awesome sketch.

September 2016 Hip Kit Layout Share

Hello!  Today I'm doing a throw back to last year, because I've realised that I've never shared any of the layouts I made for myself since I started back as a subscriber to the Hip Kit Club.  After I finished my Design Team term with Clique Kits, I decided to subscribe again to Hip Kits, and aside from the layouts that I made for The Cut Shoppe with the kits, I've never shared these here on my blog.  I do have layout share videos on my YouTube channel, but the end of Ava's pregnancy was very busy, as was after I had her, so without further ado, I'm starting with September 2016.  At the end of this post will be my layout share video.

This layout used an exclusive cut file by Ashley Horton, and works so perfectly with the pink in my photos.

Another exclusive cut file, this time by Kim Watson, and featuring gorgeous birds.

A boy layout made with an exclusive cut file title and using mixed media.

My favourite paper in the kit features on this layout!

I had fun with a long title on this one, and I watercoloured some circles and machine stitched them.

This layout is an 8x8 page for my grateful album, featuring the same cut file as the first layout, but cut in vellum.

And another 8x8 page about Shaun, with a stitched title.

And here is my video.

Thanks for looking!

The Cut Shoppe - My Final Project

Hello!  It's with sadness today that I share with my last post for The Cut Shoppe.  If you're not aware, Ashley decided to finish The Cut Shoppe at the end of the current Design Team term being June.  The Etsy Shop will continue to stay open, and there is an amazing selection of cut files to choose from.

For my final layout I choose to work with the Follow Your Heart Background cut file.  It reminded me of super heroes, and especially when Sam used to dress up in costume!!  These older photos of him as Superman were perfect!!  I used my April Hip Kit, and decided to go bold with my background paper!

I find working with primary colours a challenge, but the best thing for me is to incorporate some of the same colours into the page design.  I partially backed the heart with yellow.

I made several clusters of embellishment on the heart.

And here is the cut file:

Finally I want to thank Ashley Horton for the amazing opportunity she gave me on her Design Team. She is one talented and inspiring lady, and I loved my year designing with her beautiful cut files.  I loved making new friends in the DT too!

Thanks for looking!

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!

Together (The Cut Shoppe)

Hello!  I'm back today with a layout I made for The Cut Shoppe to be shared on my blog.  I used the Be Mine cut file set, and choose to use one of the cut files and cut it several times.  I used my February Hip Kit (which I just killed in the weekend), and I painted the "love" cut files ombre with my water colours.

The photo is of Brielle and our cat Charlie.  Brielle loves Charlie (and our other cat Lola), but can be very rough with him.  I just love this sweet photo of them!

Here is the cut file set:

Thanks for looking!

Scrapbooking, my neglected blog and life

Hello!!  Yes its been ages and life has been rolling on.  Firstly I'm so sorry about my absence, and I'm going to be honest, 4 kids is very full on and leaves little time for keeping up with my blog and YouTube Channel.  However, I have still been creating, mostly in small increments of time.

Today is Brielle's 3rd birthday, all she wanted was a pink cake, it was the easiest cake request I've ever had from one of my kids.  Last week I turned 40, and exactly the week before Sam turned 10! Its been birthday central around here, and I still can't believe the ages Sam and I are!

Little darling and her cake!

Azaria helped me bake the cake.

Sam had a Nerf War party at the park, and then we came back to our place for cake.  At his request I made an X-Box and the Controller.  So happy with how it turned out!!

GF chocolate brownie on the bottom, and chocolate cake on the top - all decorated with buttercream.

10 candles!!!

And here is a current photo of Ava, who is nearly 5 months!  She looks so much like Sam as a baby, and like Brielle she loves soft blankets too.

Scrapbooking

I'm currently designing for The Scrappery (with my projects being shared on their YouTube Channel) and The Cut Shoppe.  I also subscribe to The Hip Kit Club for my own scrapping pleasure!  I'm really behind with sharing on here, so prepare yourself for lots of layouts!!  I'm starting today with layouts for The Cut Shoppe.

I've shared these layouts on The Cut Shoppe Blog.  The first one uses the Wreathed in Love cut file set, and I used the Love Always collection by Cocoa Vanilla Studio.

This next layout has SnapChat photos with the bunny filter of all our kids and uses the Bless Your Heart cut file set.  I used all four heart designs, and did some mixed media with acrylic paint in the background.  I used my February Hip Kit.

My final layout uses The Half of It background cut file, which I turned upside down.  I did the packaging technique with my watercolours and applied gold acrylic paint with a baby wipe on white cardstock, and then layered the cut file over the top.  Once again I used my February Hip Kit.

I hope you enjoyed this long post.  I'll be back tomorrow with my recent projects for The Scrappery.