Mad About Scrappin - February challenge .....

Each month you can find a fab new challenge on the Mad About Scrappin facebook page with a super prize on offer.

This month the challenge is this:

-patterned paper background

- strips of paper

- one word title

One lucky entrant (drawn at random) will receive this super Glitz Designs kit!

Here's my sample for the challenge:

I've used some Jillibean Soup printed kraft for the background and papers from the Bella Boulevard Mr Boy collection.

A close up of the embellie cluster showing off the Charms Creations Cute Cloud, Lovelybug Bits n Bobs button and the Felt Pop Star from Rainbow Splendour which I tied some D-lish Scraps twine around.

My Rainbow Splendour order turned up in the post right as I was trying to choose out embellishments! Perfect timing don't you think ;)

I also added this cute fabric bottle cap from A Lil' Somethin' that I've been hoarding for a while. 

The challenge is open till the 25th of the month at midnight, so why not pop it on your scrappy to do list for the weekend!

TFL Star xx

Full reveal .....

So I shared some sneaks with you a couple of posts back, now it's time for the full reveal. 

I was given this awesome pack of Lily Bee papers and embellishments to play with and these are the 3 layouts I came up with:

It's a fantastic value kit, just $14 for all this:

If you'd like to purchase one head over to the Mad About Scrappin Facebook page ... but be quick cause stocks are limited!

TFL Star xx

She brightens my everyday ....

So I know it's the last day of the month, so am cutting it just a wee fine but I really wanted to complete at least one challenge this month. I loved the criteria for the first challenge at Daring You to Scrap this month which was to make your background from scraps. Lets face it, no one has a shortage of those!

I was originally inspired by a pin on Pinterest but after choosing my photo decided to replicate the rainbow colours off her t-shirt. 

That little face brightens my every day so I thought a rainbow coloured page was very fitting. 

I raided the scrap drawers to get the right range of colours for the base and then cut a 1" square from each ... no two squares are the same. I then punched circles from some old Bella paper and folded each circle around a square.

I mounted the photo on thick chipboard and wrapped the twine bow around it. It was something I stashed away that was the wrapping on some handmade stuff I bought ... see everything comes in handy one day! ;)

Then anywhere 3 or more squares met I handstitched a coordinating button at the junction.

I really love how this page turned out and think it's my fave yet, even if it is very different to what I would normally do :)

TFL Star xx

A little slow off the mark ....

So it took me a while to get going but I finally finished my first layouts for 2012. Shop life over at D-lish has been so busy and taking up much of my time. {not that I'm complaining by any means} That and spending the last few days with my little man before he starts prep next week. I'm going to miss having him around the house, he's grown up so much in the last 6 months into such a little gentleman. He adores his baby sister and I'm just plain going to miss how he manages to brighten my every day :) 

I can't actually show you the pages as they are for an up and coming kit release at Mad About Scrappin, but I do have a few peeks to share. I'm lucky that my lovely boss lady Leanne handed me the gorgeous Lilly Bee Memorandum range and let me coordinate my own embellishments from the D-lish Scraps store.

Here are the papers:

And here are sneeks of the 3 pages I created:

{buttons, gardenias and resin flowers} 

{mini metal flowers, doilies and rosette ribbon} 

{mmm ... washi tape .... love washi tape :)}

To see the full reveal you'll have to keep an eye out for the kit release at the Mad About Scrappin facebook page.

TFL Star xx

Reflecting on 2011 ....

I think I’ve written and rewritten this post in my head about 1000 times and many more on the screen as today drew closer. I’ve been taking time to reflect on 2011 in the last few weeks and have realised that I have learnt so much this past year. There have been many events that have changed my life for the better, even if they were some of the toughest lessons to learn.

So I bring to you my list …. Lessons of 2011 … (in no particular order)

-          I have learnt that my family may not be perfect, but they are perfect for me in every little way and that’s all that matters.

-          I have learnt that there is no greater gift than a beautiful healthy baby.

-          I have learnt that my children complete me and I find nothing more fulfilling than being a mother and the unconditional love I get in return.

-          I have learned that all the money in the world will not buy you time with your loved ones.

-          I have learnt that I will never be someone’s friend out of pity ever again, it only makes you miserable.

-          I have learned that I should ALWAYS be true to myself no matter what others opinions are.

-          I have learnt that some people are just plain nasty and manipulative, call it what you like but it’s true.

-          I have learnt that I don’t need a lot of friends, just a couple of really special ones that don’t drain the happiness out of me.

-          I have learnt that the truth will always come out in the end even if it takes a bit of time.

-          I have learnt that in the company of true friends I never have to edit myself, I can be free to speak my mind and that’s okay.

-          I have learnt that some people will just listen to the first thing they hear, even if it’s not true. This is their loss not mine.

-          I have learnt that I am good enough and I should never let anyone make me feel otherwise.

-          I have learnt that the only person who can motivate me is myself.

-          I have learnt that I am only one person so I should stop anticipating that I can do the work of 3.

-          I have learnt that nothing will change if you don’t start changing.

-          I have learnt that sometimes life is cruel to the kindest of people while others who I can only describe as assholes seem to sail through unscathed.

-          I have learnt that if it’s not on facebook it can’t possibly be true. *wink* just jokes … threw that one in to see if you were still reading … lol

-     I have learnt that no matter how bad today seems, a new day will always come .... you've just got to get there.

-     I have learnt that one should smile a lot, laugh often and love with all your heart.

-     I have learnt that the life you desire just won't land in your lap .... you have to get out there and fight for it!

All in all I would have to say that 2011 has been a positive year for me. I was blessed with the arrival of my beautiful baby girl, made it onto the design team for a chipboard manufacturer, was published for the first time with many more acceptances for the future and above all life has finally fallen into the groove I'm happy with.

I made a final piece for the year and my final piece as a DT member for WOW chipboard. I have used the 12x12 interconnecting squares to make a page summarising 2011 for our family. It includes a few pictures of our most memorable times during the year.

I've turned the square in the bottom left hand corner into a pocket and added a card for each member of the family. On it I will record our achievements and special moments from the year.

A close up of the banner I made.

As we embark on the journey that will be 2012, I leave you with this ...

TFL Star xx

It's nearly time to say goodbye :'( ....

Well my time is nearly up on the DT for WOW chipboard. I have had a wonderful time over the past 6 months using their wonderful products. I have just posted my final scheduled post over on the blog. Here are a few sneaks of the pages I created ....

Make sure you stop by and check out the full reveal.

TFL Star xx

Just a little bit WOW .....

So November was a bad month for me scrappy wise :( Somewhere along I lost my way and just couldn't seem to get back on the right path. Certainly not for a lack of trying though. I think I 'dedicated' over 5 solid days perfecting my art of paper shuffling but still nothing. It was really starting to get me down especially knowing that I was letting down those I have made commitments to. I even had to admit defeat on one kit and hand it over to someone else! (thanks Emma for saving my bacon ;))

Today I was more determined than ever .... I had to break this drought and scrap a page.

I FINISHED ONE!!!

Using some more of my wonderful WOW Christmas chipboard I created this:

Every year I take a photo of Cody with the Christmas tree. Last year was his last solo shot .... this year he'll have to share the limelight with his sister! lol

I decorated the WOW Bubble Christmas Tree by adding a button to the centre of each. Took quite a while digging through all my buttons finding the right size for each hole but well worth the effort! I was beaten by two of the tiny gaps where I had to use brads instead.

The tree was painted with h2o's and the stars coloured with gold gel pen. I also hand stitched each button on. Got this thing about 'naked' buttons.

I also used one of the banner borders when I discovered that they had the exact right number of pennants for the word 'Christmas' ... happy days!

The '2010' is using their new self adhesive alphas. OMG I loooove these so much! I have 6 sheets already and I can just see they are going to be a staple in my stash for a long time!

TFL Star xx