Life is Busy - but FUN!

Wow! - 2 weeks of March have almost passed and this is the first chance I have had, to update my blog...my apologies if you have been waiting on the next installment. Life has just been busy... every day this month has just been a whirlwind - and I wouldn't have it any other way! It started with a wonderful opportunity to be a wedding photographer's assistant - not taking any photos, only observing and carrying equipment ;-).... it was a wonderful experience. The day was pouring with rain and even from the venue we could see the river rising - our whole region had been put on flood watch. However, the photographer was very calm - he handled the conditions very well and had a wonderful rapport with the couple, this all made the day go very smoothly and I know the photos will be beautiful! I took a photography class with Ben back in January - I love his work, it is very natural and spontaneous and it has certainly changed the way I use my camera. Here are a few photos I took of my youngest daughter, on the weekend trying to put some of those new skills to use.



Next on my busy schedule was a focus on "Creative Memories" - firstly, a worskhop event sharing my latest design work, then preparing for a presentation of my new ideas... to present next month (in Queensland ) followed up, by putting the finishing touches to a Design Team assignment - can't wait to share that one with you!.. a mixture of traditional and digital layouts showcasing some gorgeous new products - yes, watch this space!! Yesterday, I attended a photographic exhibition by a local photographer that I also admire - she has been working on a project that gives a voice to women suffering from abuse - if you are in my local area please check it out - it is truly amazing, all photographed in Black & White and such powerful images...you can find more information here. I thought today, I should take some time-out and do something a little more relaxing - that of course meant reaching for those beloved Copics and doing a little bit of colouring. This year my nephew and my daughter both turn 21, as do many of their friends and birthday cards are high on my list of requests. Therefore, I thought I should simplify the card making process and it started, by limiting myself to the colours used...Copic Markers, Printed Papers and Embellishments. I waste a lot of time on decision making, but I have to admit, I found having a smaller selection of items to choose from, was just as tough.

This is Nevaeh a digital image from Krista at Saturated Canary - she is simply gorgeous!

Copics Used:

Skin- E000, E01, E11 - Cheeks/Lips R20/R42
Hair - E27, E25, E21
Dress/Shoes - R21, R22, R24
Stockings - W1, W3, W5
Sash/Petticoat - B91, B93, B95

I added some clear kindy glitz to the dress, but for some reason it photographed a bit like a gold speckle - see my photography skills have much to improve on LOL! I kept the embellishments to a minimum too, a few flowers & rhinestones, a lace doily and a computer generated sentiment. I thought I would enter it in the current challenge at Saturated Canary - there are some beautiful cards being shared over there.. using doilies as embellishments...very inspiring work.

The other card I completed today was using one of the new Mad for Markers Digital Images - this one is simply called Birthday Girl #1 - aren't her striped stockings adorable? I used the same colour combination and decorative product to make this card and despite my initial hesitation with limited choices - I am happy with the outcome - head on over to the Mad for Markers Blog for more information on this creation and the 2nd Birthday celebrations of the online store. You might also want to check out the Mad for Markers Challenge Blog - this month's challenge is all about colour limitation too...with lots of Monochromatic Fun.



If you have managed to read right to the end of this blog post I applaud you LOL!! ...and what comes next on my busy life agenda you may ask? - well stay tuned, I am off to Melbourne on Sunday to participate in the Copic Intermediate Certification. I am looking forward to learning some new techniques to share with you soon.

Love, Sunshine and lots of Photos

We are two weeks into the New Year and I am sure it is still ok to say "Happy New Year"?!?. As readers to my blog, you know that I love taking photos and I'm very addicited to my Copic Markers and 2012 will be no exception!! That is why I thought, I might dedicate my first post of the year to a bit of both!!

Over the past few years I have participated in a Photo a Day type project. In 2009 I joined a group of friends online and we encouraged and challenged each other to commitment to the project. In 2010, I played along with my online friends again and continued to take my scheduled "photo-a-day". It was  fabulous and a whole heap of fun! At the end of the year I completed a two volume  Digital Scrapbook....below is look at the pages pertaining to my Week 5 of this project.

In 2011 I continued to take my scheduled "photo-a-day", but sadly the photos I took are still sitting on my computer. Sometime during the year I got a little lost...life was throwing me a few curve balls and my project came to a bit of standstill. I was still taking photos -  but not daily! - and when the year ended I was very disappointed with myself....I stressed over it for awhile then decided not to worry...I could always go back and present my 2011 photos in a monthly format and slowly this is what I am doing. Now in 2012, I am going to make the effort of continuing the tradition of recording my daily activities and family life in photos.

These 2012 layouts are all in Digital format and were created in Creative Memories Storybook Creator Plus using the Digital Kit "Garden Tranquility".

I really love the concept of a Photo-a-Day...it makes me look at ordinary things in extraordinary ways, it improves my photography skills, and leaves me with a snapshot of "the year that was" for our family. I encourage everyone to give it a try - you won't be disappointed!

My feature photo for Week 1 of 2012 was the inspiration for my latest card creations. It portrays Summer Fun.... as does Beach Marci, a sweet stamp from the La La Land Crafts Stamps range, available in the Mad for Markers store. The bright pink inflatable ring, blonde hair of my daughter and the blue/green of the water all inspired my chose of Copic colours for these cards.

For my first card I reached for my favourite pink and purple colour combinations -

Copics Used:

Skin -E11, E01, E000/Cheeks R20
Hair - Y21, Y23, Y25
Sun-Hat - BG11, BG13, BG15, R81, R83, R85
Swim Suit - V12, V15, V17, BG11, BG13, BG15,
Inflatable Ring - R81, R83, R85, BG11, BG13, BG15

I also used a little bling in the centre of the floral design of the inflatable ring and the sun hat...and some more of that great adhesive paper lace I mentioned in my last post!

I was a little more adventurous for my second card, challenging myself to use a more vivid pink combination of Copics and a little air-brushing.

Copics Used:

Skin -E11, E01, E000/Cheeks R20
Hair - Y21, Y23, Y25
Sun-Hat/Inflatable Ring - RV02, RV04, RV06, RV09, V12, V15, V17
Swim Suit - V12, V15, V17, BG11, BG13, BG15
Sky -B12
Grass - BG10

The sentiment "We all grow better in Sunshine and Love" is something my Mum says - I generated it on my computer using the font CKJournalling...which is the same font I used on my 2012 Photo-a-Day layouts.

I love how you can take one image and get so many different looks for your cards just by varying your colour choices. If you would like experiment with some new colour combinations yourself... be sure to pop over to the Mad for Markers Challenge Blog where the DT team have been sharing their wonderful creations and some fabulous Copic combinations....and remember, now is a perfect time to add some new colours to your collection - every marker purchased from the Mad for Markers store.. earns you some free goodies in the Copics Rewards Program.

Busy, Busy, Busy.....

...and not with Christmas preparation!! - as you can see, it has been a whole month since I last blogged and shared some creations with you. I did have good intentions -  but life, in my little part of the world as been crazy ( to say the least! )....sadly my parents have had numerous trips to hospital and my hubby is next, with minor surgery scheduled for Monday. However, there has been some special happenings in my family too. In September my nephew and his lovely lady got engaged and I was privileged to capture the moment on camera.

....aren't they just the cutest couple? Anyway, they were to be married next December, but her father has been diagnosed with a horrible illness and it was decided to bring the wedding forward 12 months. Now!... whoever said a wedding can't be planned in just 3 weeks has never met this amazing couple and their parents!! Last Friday, I again, got to witness (through the lens of my camera) - the strength and love of these two gorgeous individuals....and we had a wonderful day of celebration.

and this is the photo that just warms my heart - my sister congratulating her "baby" boy!...with a huge proud Mum smile :)

....so as you can see, Christmas card making ( and shopping ) has not appeared on my agenda as yet! However, I have managed to make this card for a dear friend, who has helped hold me together through this time. It was created with a digital image by Mo Manning called "Sophie" and it portrays exactly the sentiment I wanted.

Copics Used:


Skin: E11, E00, E00, R11
Clothes/Socks: R21, R22, R24, Y21, Y23, Y26
Hair: E33, E35, E37
Doll: B21, B23, B24, Y21, Y23, C1, C3

Hopefully, after this week, things will settle down....so I can get our Christmas celebrations organised, some gift shopping done... and I am really looking forward to a few days off work to just sit and "chill" in my craft room.

For the Luv of Art

Have you ever visited the wonderful world of  http://www.fortheluvofart.com/ ?? It is a wonderful online store for all your creative pursuits including a fun and inspiring forum community. For The Luv of Art nutures your creative needs through many artistic mediums - fabric, paper, ink, paints, stamps, digital software and the list goes on....and on!!!....The gallery is a gorgeous collection of art work from many talented ladies throughout the world....who love to share their work and special techniques. I LOVE "playing" there and if you are a Digital/Hybrid artist we would love to have you onboard too....and I encourage you to apply for the Creative Team call listed below. I can promise you a very warm welcome and plenty of inspiration.

Thankful Memories

Oh My Goodness!!...hasn't Mother Nature delivered us the most extraordinary week here in Australia? The highest summer rainfall in over 100 years, some snow in the high country, heartbreaking and tragic floods in Queensland. In my little part of Victoria, we have had rain all week, our river systems are on flood alert and the humidity levels presently rival those in Darwin - all unheard of, at this time of the year!! This might all sound dark and dreary but there is still beauty to be found in the great outdoors - the huge raindrops on my roses were testimony to this. In between the showers of rain, I managed to take some lovely photos. Then yesterday I created a layout using my rose photos accompanied by this poem I found online.

What a Rose can say?

A rose can say I love you and want you to be mine,
A rose can say I thank you for being so very kind,
A rose can say congratulations, whatever the occasion may be,
A rose can say I miss you and wish you were here with me,
A rose can say I'm sorry if I've hurt you in any way,
A rose can say get well soon, May God bless you today,
A rose can say I wish you happiness, and the best for you each day.
A rose can say farewell when someone goes away,
A rose can say hello, I'm thinking of you today,
There's just so many wonderful things that a rose can say,
A rose can say goodbye when a love one is laid to rest,
No matter what there is to say, a rose can say it best.

                                                      -Margie Driver

I complimented the layout with some rose embellishments I created using X-Press IT Blending Card, some stamps from my "Stampin Up" stash ( Natural Beauty and Roses in Winter ) and my Copic Markers. After colouring my images, I added a textured look to them by "dotting" randomly over them with my Colourless Blender ( available from http://www.madformarkers.com.au ). I decided to tear the images from the card rather than cut around the image outlines with my scissors...this added some extra texture. I then ran my marker around the torn outline, this disguised the white edge of the card and added more depth to the colour. I rather like the effect! The papers I used were, Cactus and White Cardstock from Creative Memories, the Tea at Elsie's collection from Kaisercraft, along with a strip of paper ribbon from the Creative Memories Hummingbird Collection.

Copics Used:
Pink Rose - RV25, RV32
Orange Rose - YR00, YR02
Leaves - YG45, YG63, YG67

and here is a close-up of my roses and leaves

I have also taken a photo for you of the pink rose image before I tore it from the X-Press IT Blending Card and coloured it. To stamp this image I coloured the rubber with the broad ( chisel ) tip of my Copic Marker then stamped directly onto my card. You have to work quickly when applying this technique as the ink drys very fast. I have my stamp cleaning pad beside me and as soon as I stamp the image I clean my rubber and this has prevented any staining.

as I sign off from this post... my wish for this week.... is for the rain to stop, the waters to recede and for the donations to keep pouring in to assist those affected by the floods.

Layouts Done!!

OK - I have to confess I am totally addicted to Digital - don't you just love the fact that you can take photos one day - scrap them the next!!??!! Not that I don't plan to finish the canvas art I've been "chatting" about for the past couple of weeks BUT with digital you don't have to wait for the paint to dry!!
So without further ado - here are some of the photos I shared here yesterday all scrapped ready to print for my albums.

...and YES!!- pink is the feature colour yet again!! - if I can manipulate my page designs to use it I will ;)







and this is how the two pages will appear in my 2010 Family Album - well almost....I didn't "stitch" these two layouts together so well!!

Playing with my Camera

Today I finally extradicted myself away from the computer and my scrapping room and spent a lovely day out and about with friends. Our friends were camping at the foothills of the Strathbogie Ranges at a locality called Barjarg - if you google it, you will find it is almost in the middle of nowhere.... but in reality it is only about an hour and half drive from our house. It was "perfect" winter weather (if there is any such thing LOL!!) so we went on a walk along the bush tracks surrounding the camp. I never leave home without my camera and today was no exception - the scenery was just lovely and I got some beautiful photos including this one of my hubby and I with our eldest daughter. She isn't very fond of having her photo taken so this gorgeous photo is one I will treasure.



The walk we took was...according to our friend John - only going to be a short stroll, at most 2km...however, we ended up walking 6.2km's!! My legs didn't hold up too well but I'm not going to complain - I now have a lovely batch of photos ready to scrap and we had such a fun day. Here is a preview of some of the photos I snapped - the rest I'm sure you will see in my upcoming layouts ;)

More Digi Play

Firstly, remember yesterday when I said Macy had added 2 more alphas to her range - well I was wrong!! she has added 3 - don't you just love having variety???







I've got all these alpha's loaded on my computer now - next stop lots of digi play!!

Today I've had fun making up some layouts for friends to print and frame...one is for my friend's photography blog...the other, is for little Elyce to hang on her bedroom wall, her only request for allowing me to follow her around with my camera.



....layout created with Creative Memories Blush Blooms Digital Kit and the font used for the quote is Euphorigenic S - simple & classy.




and this layout was created using the Flutterby Digital Kit designed by Litabell Designs - just perfect for this photo.