Match box Advent Calendar

So I'm a HUGE procrastinator ... always have been, probably always will be LOL!

Quite a few weeks ago, the very clever Karen from Scrap Therapy showed us how to make an Advent calendar using match boxes.  It was so gorgeous that I decided instantly to add it to my Christmas to-do list. Fast forward those weeks & it took me until the very last minute to finally sit down & get it done.  But I'm so happy that I did ... my kids LOVE it.  They're going to have a ball counting down the days now.

November's Kraft It Up ...

is all about creating a minimalist layout on kraft with lots of white space.  Should be easy huh LOL?!!  Nope, not so much :).  I think I missed out on that gene.  Thankfully, the Kraft It Up DT have some awesome examples to inspire & this is what I came up with.

This is my absolute favourite photo of Matty!  He was having a ball riding on the seesaw at the park.  The colours in the September kit from A Piece of Cake Designs were perfect for it.

If you're a kit freak like me, pop on over to Raquel's site to check them out 'cause they're gorgeous!

Thank you cards ... and Julie Dudley

Not too much crafting happening so far this month ... although I did go to my very first Stampin' Up party which I really enjoyed.

I've been procrastinating for much of the last month trying to work out how to thank the many amazing people who supported us in so many different ways when we lost Mum recently.  I knew I wanted to make a card but every idea I came up with just wouldn't come together ... gosh, I was getting frustrated!

Anyway, this is what I ended up with

and the inside ...

I must give a huge shout out to Julie Dudley ... Julie creates the most amazing cards & I found so much inspiration looking around her blog.  So THANK YOU Julie ... your creativity saved me xx

Scrapjacking Julie Winks

Another month & a new layout to scrapjack over at The Australian Scrapjacked Studio.  This month it's all about this stunning layout created by Julie Winks.

She's put so much detail into her layout!  The closer you look, the more there is to be discovered.  I really love the neutral background with the pops of colour, the circle elements & the butterflies ... beautiful.  So with all that in mind, here's my jack

What are you waiting for?  There's still a week left so why not pop over to The Australian Scrapjacked Studio & play along too.

Scrapjacking Natalie May ...

There's been a few changes over at ScrapJacked this month ... a new owner, new look & new format.  It's now called The Australian Scrapjacked Studio & this month we've got the task of jacking this layout by Natalie May.

It's stunning isn't it!!!  Lots of bright colours, flowers & bling ... what's not to love :)!  Here's my take on it ...

There's still a few hours of September left so why not head over to The Australian Scrapjacked Studio & get all inspired by the Design Team too.

I found some mojo!

I know ... I can't believe it either!!  I've had lots of time to blog hop recently & it ignited a little creative spark.

I love, love, love Mandy's sketch for this month's Scrap Therapy September sketch challenge.

A quick shop for some yummy new papers, a dash of texture paste & my very cool Sizzix tag die & here's what I came up with ...

Also inspiring is the Scrap the Boys September challenge.  The challenge is to create a layout using this image as a start-off point.

I got a bit over-excited with ink & water so it turned into a mess ... but that's what boys are LOL!

I never quite got the hang of boy layouts so my plan is to try & do this challenge every month ... how can I not improve with so much talent on their Design Team!

There's a few days left in September ... hmmm I wonder if I can get some more pages done.  Gotta make the most of this mojo whilst it's here.

Some sad news to share ...

So I haven't been around much lately ... again :(.

These months have been incredibly difficult for my family.  Our beautiful Mum became critically ill & we sadly lost her two weeks ago.  I really don't know where to begin or what to say.  For my entire life my Mum has been just a short drive away ... now she's not :(.

I take comfort in knowing that we were there every day that she was in hospital, a ninety minute drive each way.  We were able to spend hours & hours just hanging out.  Days seem to fill quickly with lots of
busy-ness ... so it was really special to be able to just stop & spend time together.  Sucks though that it takes that to make us slow down.  Lesson learnt :(!

These past weeks have been such a rollercoaster of emotions.  But we are so very thankful for that time.
Time that left no doubt how much we as a family mean to each other.  So today we mourn someone who is
worth every ounce of our sadness. A woman who was exactly what a wife, mum, friend & especially what a grandma should be.  We consider ourselves the lucky ones.  Mum, we love you with all of our hearts & you will be forever missed.

A quick post ...

Happy Easter!  My little hooligans were up bright & early looking for any goodies that the Easter Bunny had left behind.

Only one card to share today ... I had a fun scrappy day with my gorgeous friends yesterday but, as usual, more time was spent chatting than scrapping LOL.  Even though I only finished the one card, I do have a few more stamps coloured up ready to go.

and the inside includes a sentiment from a Cloud 9 Design called Simple Thoughts - Girl.

This card was made for the current Cardabilities challenge using a sweet digi stamp from Pink Cat Studio.

The sketch was so much fun to play along with & I hope you like what I created :).

Six months??? Oops!

I'm guessing that if there's awards handed out for bad bloggers than I'm definitely in the running LOL!  That missing mojo of mine went on such a looooonnng holiday that I thought it would never return.  It's only been in the last week or so that I've actually felt like playing with pretty papers.

So here they are ... my first cards in a ridiculous amount of months made for Julie's card challenge at Scrap Therapy.

The stamps are digis from CC Designs - Balloon Lucy & Birthday Lucy.  Digis have so much going for them!  No storage issues, no waiting for the postie & they can be resized or flipped or layered ... I {heart} them.

Here's a card I made for the latest High Hopes challenge using the super-cute Cuddle Cloud Baby.  The criteria, apart from using a High Hopes stamp, is (1) ribbon, (2) patterned papers & (3) flowers.  You may need to squint to see the patterned papers but I promise they're there LOL ... one for the leaves & the other inside.

So whilst I'm feeling all inspired, I'm off to find some more challenges to play along with :).  Thanks for looking!

September Scrap Jacked & DT Call

There's only a few days left to get your Scrap Jacked entry in!  As always, the girls have created a variety of layouts for you to take inspiration from.  It's so easy to play along for a chance to win a great prize from one of our wonderful sponsors.  Check it all out here.

While you're there, why not apply to join the Design Team :)!  This is the best Design Team to be a part of ... the girls are gorgeous, friendly & oh so creative.

I have absolutely loved my time on the team but all good things must come to an end & this is my last month.  Time & work constraints have killed my mojo so I've decided to step down.  Thank you so much for asking me to be on your team Bec ... you are a beautiful friend who never once put any pressure on me & I appreciate it like you wouldn't believe.  Good luck with the continued success of Scrap Jacked xx!

Don't Blink!

The first Saturday of the month means it's time for a new Scrap that Tune challenge.  Don't Blink is one of my favourite songs ... it doesn't hurt that Kenny Chesney is just ahhhhhhh!!!  I thought it was about time that Kenny made an appearance for September's Scrap that Tune challenge at Global Scrappers.

As always it's so easy to play along ... simply find inspiration in the song, create a layout & upload it to Global Scrappers :).

Here's my example

I look forward to seeing your creations!

Scrap that Tune!

It's time to reveal the August Week One challenges at Global Scrappers ... there's four challenges to get that mojo moving!  Week One is all about the Sketch, Card/Stamping, Manufacturer & Scrap that Tune challenges.

This month, I chose Rascal Flatts' "My Wish".  Maaaannnnn I love this song ... guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye every time I hear it!  Actually, anything Rascall Flatts sings I love :).

I scrapped this song years ago when my daughter was born but I love it so much I couldn't wait to do another version for my little boy's album too.

To play along, all you need to do is find inspiration in the title, lyrics or message from the song & start scrapping.  Check it out here :).

I can't wait to see what you create!

August Scrap Jack

OMGoodness, once again you all gave us such a hard time trying to choose a winner LOL!!!  Well, July's Winner & Grinners have been announced so now it's time for the August reveal :).

Here's mine ...

My little boy was so proud of the Valentine he'd made for me at Daycare ... he's such a poser LOL!

It's so easy to play along with us at Scrap Jacked.  Pop on over & see just how easy it is to win one of the three prizes up for grabs.

Some Global Scrappers' challenges ...

sheesh, another month has been & gone!  Midnight tonight is the deadline to get your Global Scrappers' challenge entries in ... so you still have a bit of time LOL.

I had the best day last Saturday, scrapping the day away with great friends at Andrea's house.  I didn't get home until after 2am but, as always, chatted waayyyyyy more than I scrapped & only managed to get two layouts done.

My first layout is a Sketch/Journalling combo in that it started out for the sketch challenge but I got sidetracked & the sketch ended up a bit lost.  Added some journalling strips & wa-la, all good for Milie's Journalling challenge LOL!

And it would have been just plain WRONG not to do Bec's Manufacturer challenge LOL!  After all, MME is my favourite manufacturer for sure.

My girl "borrowed" my camera one day & this is one of the photos I found on it when I uploaded the photos :).

So that's July done & dusted ... the Global Scrappers' Week One challenges go up on Saturday so fingers crossed that August will be the month I get them all done.

Purple Pumpkin sale & giveaway ...

I'm loving all these handmade embellies that are appearing on everyone's layouts!  If you're like me you have an endless supply of beautiful papers but never the right embellishments.  Well, that is SO going to change tonight LOL!

 
Everywhere I look there seems to be a Purple Pumpkin touch ... such gorgeous little creations!

Purple Pumpkin are celebrating their first birthday with a HUGE giveaway before their sale tonight at 7.30pm.  Pop on over here to check out all the details :)!  Me thinks you won't regret it LOL.

Eye Candy Magic!

The fabulous Samiam & her gorgeous Eye Candy Magic creations are on sale this Sunday, 17th July ... this girl has the BEST scrappy style.  I {heart} her stuff!

We're so lucky that she is sponsoring us this month at Global Scrappers & as an added bonus she has a surprise for the first four Global Scrappers' that purchase a kit this Sunday!  To find out more you'll have to pop on over to Global Scrappers *wink*.

July Scrap Jacked!

Is it just me or is the year flying by?  A new month means a new Scrap Jacked layout ...

The lack of mojo has lead me to trying 8 1/2 x 11 layouts ... and I think I like the smaller size better.

If you haven't had a chance to play along with us at Scrap Jacked ... what's going on LOL?!!  It's soooooo easy to win great prizes.  I can't wait to see what you all create!

Scrap that Tune!

Well, July 1st has been & gone & that means that the Week One challenges have gone up at Global Scrappers.  The Week One challenges are a Sketch, Manufacturer, Card/Stamping & Scrap that Tune.  Check it all out here!

I chose Lonestar's "Let Them Be Little" ...

lots of scrappy inspiration to be found in their amazing lyrics.  It's so easy to play along ... simply find inspiration in the title, lyrics or the feel of the song & scrap a layout.  Upload it to Global Scrappers to be in the running for some gorgeous prizes.

I hope you get a chance to join us :).

Global Scrappers

Have you checked out my friend Andrea's brand new forum?

Global Scrappers was created after the sad closure of Ch{all}enge Masters as a way to keep everyone inspired & using that stash.

Andrea was also silly enough to ask me to be the Scrap that Tune designer LOL!  My challenge will be in Week One of every month & I can't wait to hopefully inspire you with a new song every month.  There's guaranteed to be plenty to keep you scrapping ... 12 challenges a month!  A place where scrappers & cardies from around the globe can chat & make great friends.

It all officially kicks off on 1st July but there are already some warm-up challenges & lots of chatting.  Why not come on over, say hi & get set for lots of fun!

Oops, so long between posts!

Mr Mojo has been missing for so long now ... not even a scrappy day out with the fabulous Mandy & my wonderful friends in Scrap Therapy's crop room helped.  We had a fantastic day ... it's just that I chatted whilst everyone else scrapped.  It seems the harder I look the more my mojo hides.  So frustrating!

Anyway, this month's challenge at Scrap the Girls is a colour challenge ... black, white, light pink & dark pink.

When I first saw Echo Park's Be Mine range I thought it was waaayyyyyy too pink but it's just perfect for this challenge & my girly-girl daughter!

There's still a few days left to get your Scrap Jacked layouts in.  The DT all have such different styles so there's sure to be one that inspires you.  Here's mine ...

I can't wait to see what you create!

Only one more day of school then it's school holidays ... yippee for the lack of routine :).