Birthday girl

So with the number 2 birthday coming around in the next few months I thought it might be good if I finally got around to documenting the first one! I've had this photo and papers packed in my {work in progress} folder since the April Bella Paperie retreat last year! Using such 'harsh' colours on a little girl page and also worried I wouldn't do the photo justice are probably the main reasons I've been putting it off for so long. In the end I decided to pull out the pinks in the paper too to soften the overall look and make it a little more girly girl.

I used Echo Park - Yours Truly papers and layered it all up with polka dot paper doilies from D-lish.

Lots of hand stitching too, both in the scallops and on the die cut doilies.

The chipboard words are Memory Maze ones that I got from Bella Paperie, at just 90 cents each they are a bargain! I simply misted them with black Dylusions Ink and added a rhinestone to the dots of the i's.

Just a few flowers on this page, I didn't feel it needed too much more. Some viola's and small white roses finished it off perfectly.

Thanks for stopping by
Star xx

Exciting news

Can you see my name??? That's me, second from the top! Pretty exciting hey?! 

As a self confessed sketch junkie, I am so excited to be given the opportunity to join this awesome team of scrappers! When I woke this morning I found that our first sketch assignment had been posted. I can't wait get started ... work first though ;)

The first reveal will be the 1st February, and then a new sketch will be posted every Friday! Until then be sure to follow the blog, Inspired Blueprints, the Design Team are being introduced from this week. I'll also give you a link to their ning site where you will find the layout gallery. 

Thanks for stopping by

Star xx

White with 1

It's been AGES since I participated in a challenge blog, but since I kick started the New Year with some scrappy time, I went looking for things to do.

I loved the colour palette for the WW1 challenge and even though it took me a while to find the right papers in my stash, I really enjoyed the creative process behind this page. I tried pulling papers in the right colours from random ranges but just couldn't get the right look. I was almost ready to give up when I noticed the B sides of an unopened pack of My Minds Eye Alphabet Soup papers. They were perfect!

I began by cutting up the sheet of woodgrain to emulate waves for the background. Other papers were used to make the pennants and circles. I also added a few random pieces of bubble wrap stamping to add to the overall feel.

I tore up some muslin to use as well. And I found this little octopus resin in my stash ... must have been a freebie from one of my suppliers ;)

I used some awesome Scrapmatts chippy ... love that it is white! and coiled around it with some red cotton twine from D-lish.

A close up of my title and the scattered sequins, also from D-lish.

I wanted more of a wavy look and went searching my stash for some flourishes. I found this Jasmine puffy flourish from Flourish with a Bling which was the perfect shape for what I wanted. It was too dark for my colours so I painted it with gesso than brushed on some ink, before cutting it into several pieces to fit my design.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope to have more to share soon!
Star xx

Just for fun ...

I was so spoilt for Christmas. Hubby got my an amazing box of scrappy goodies beautifully coordinated and packaged by the lovely Debra at Bella Paperie. It included the pink Couture Creations trimmer too which I love!

Spending some time over the break just scrapping was blissful, and I am a little sad that all that free time has come to an end, but a girl has to earn a living, right?!

I created this layout using papers and embellies from my Christmas box with a few other bits and pieces thrown in.

I started by laying down the background, gesso with the damask stencil, pink paint for the birdcage and finally some stamping with a script background stamp.

Here's a few closeups to show the details ... lots of clustered embellies.

Flowers, resin, twine and mini doilies from D-lish Scraps.

Green Tara jewelled vine and Pink Paislee chipboard. More D-lish Scraps flowers.

A gorgeous pink acetate butterfly from D-lish too!

More D-lish flowers mixed with some Kaiser ones and a Manor House Idyllic white single bloom also available from D-lish.

I think this would have to be my favourite-layout-ever!! It came together so easily and I had so much fun creating it.

Thanks for stopping by
Star xx