A Moment of Scrapbooking

I was recently asked by a friend if I still scrapbooked...and the answer was YES! However, I will admit to not as much as I use to. I just don't seem to have the amount of photos to play with any more!!! My daughters are now both young women with busy lives of their own and as such I don't get to line them up in front of my camera lens for those "just because happy snaps" - I only manage the special occasion pics! I tend to scrap a little bit of everywhere too, my travel adventures in digital format and my family photos in paper ( you can't take the cut & paste from this girl! ). This past weekend I decided it was time to make myself the subject of an album project and I embarked on Janet Carr's class - called "This is me EXPOsed" you will find it here.

I plan to make this a hybrid project - the digital pages I will print and place alongside a mixture of traditional and project life type pages and I have already seen the ideal album to place them in....on the 1st of February Close To My Heart release a 12 x 12 D-Ring Album in Cocoa Damask - it is perfect!! Week 1 of Janet's class is all about introducing yourself - she has templates, kits and handouts to get you started - all available to you for FREE!! These are the first 2 pages of my project....minus the journaling which I will add just before final print.

....and just to prove that I still do scrapbook in the traditional way LOL!! I whipped up this quick layout of a friend's grand-daughter playing in the sunshine at my niece's Birthday Party. It truly was the quickest project I have completed in a long time. I simply gathered all my left over bits & pieces from the Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit  and some off-cuts of co-ordinating cardstock I then cut a multitude of shapes from the Artbook Cricut Collection . I arranged these across the page along with the 2 gorgeous photos of "Little Miss Sunshine" and finished off by embellishing with Washi Tape, Aqua Dots , Triangle Studs ( note: stubs available from 1st Feb ). The title also uses Keyboard Kraft Alphabet Z1825 one of my "go to" favourites when Scrapbooking! I have a feeling, this will end up framed on the wall at Grandma's house! If you haven't placed an order yet for the Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit contact me soon. This kit is only available in January and contains a few of the new release products...be the envy of your paper craft friends and receive them before the release date! :)

I have a huge box containing many of the gorgeous new goodies being released by Close To My Heart in Feb... on it's way to my house now!! Contact me for a catalogue, a peek in the box or even a show & tell date with your friends...I'd love to show you my favourites and I know you will find a favourite or 3 for your paper craft projects too!

 

Easter Digi Treats

Happy Easter !! I hope you have enjoyed the weekend break with family and friends! It has been such a long time since I have updated my blog and I feel I am always apologising for how busy my life is. I have decided that I am one of those people who needs 48 hours in a day and then it still may not be enough....I'm sure many of you can relate to that too!? Apart from family commitments, I have been "busy" spending time in my "happy room" creating all sorts of cards, scrapbook layouts and other paper craft goodies, but unfortunately, many don't make it here because they are "secret" items for Idea Extravaganza events, Design Team projects etc....and I would hate spoiling the surprises for you. However, in light of the fact that it is Easter and this is my 100th post I thought I would celebrate by sharing some "freebie" digital templates and show you a little of what I have been doing.

These are part of the next installment of sketches that I will be presenting this year at the big Idea Extravaganza workshops - so a little preview for you to play with before I come visit your Town, City or State.

 





If you like to play with paper and stickers - these sketches are easy to follow and if you prefer digital you can find the download links here and here. ( and they will be available up until the 7th April ) I have noted that the digi templates have already been downloaded over 50 times each in such a very short space of time...which means you must like them - huh?? If you do use the sketches, I would appreciate you leaving me some "love" or share your page creations on my facebook page - an event has been created and there are some amazing versions of these sketches already being uploaded & shared - I would love to see yours too!

These are my examples, they both use the new baby digital kits released by Creative Memories "today" - enjoy!

 



Let's hope I can keep those promises of more regular blog posts and I am back before this month ends.

Sketch Sharing

I have been a little distracted over the past few weeks preparing a presentation for the Creative Memories Leadership Summit, an Ideas Extravaganza and the Aus/NZ Virtual Crop event - busy, busy, busy but I wouldn't have it any other way! I love what I do! Some of the ideas I can't share with you because the products used to create them have not yet been released....so in the meantime I thought I would share some of the sketches used in the Virtual Crop. If you use them to created scrapbook layouts I would love it if you would share your creations on my Facebook Page - while I appreciate all the lovely emails of thanks you send me  for sharing, I would so appreciate seeing what you do with the sketches.

These are the sketches I shared this weekend during the Virtual Crop - there are 4 sketches in this series and the fourth one is based on a combination of the design elements from the first 3. There is also a Multi-Photo and Single- Photo version of Sketch#4

 

 

 

 

This digital heritage layout was created using Sketch#3 and a new digital kit to be released on the 1st March - make sure you ask your Creative Memories Consultant about this one - it is gorgeous!!

 

 

 

and this layout was based on Sketch #4 and also uses that gorgeous new digital kit coming your way soon!!

 

Enjoy the sketches and don't forget t show me what you create with them!



 

Back with a Freebie

I don't think it is too late to wish you a Happy New Year and I do hope 2013 has started off well for you. I have been enjoying the holiday season with my family and planning my crafty activities for the next 12 months...with all I have planned I know it is going to be an exciting year ahead. We are suffering a bit of a heat wave in our area with temperatures around 42oC ( 108oF ) so I have been spending my time under the AC on my computer doing a little digi scrapping.....the perfect place to be! I have been reworking some of my original sketches and coming up with some new multi-photo sketches to share with you. This is the latest in my Formula Sketch Series.

 

and this is the layout I created using the sketch/template - ah yes! - I hear you say, it is pink again!! I really am very predicitable aren't I??

 



 

I have been receiving a number of requests to create digital templates from my sketches and with the help and encouragement of my digi scrapping friends I have created my very first template....and to thank you for all your support during my Idea Extravaganza events and for the lovely followers I have here and on Facebook I am offering it as a little GIFT for you. My plan is to create a series of templates for both my Scrapbooking and Card Making friends so stay tuned for more info coming soon! If you do download and use the template I would appreciate you crediting it to me with a link back to my Blog or Facebook Page click here for the download link - have fun with it....and I will look forward to seeing your creative interpretation of it!

 

....and for those of you who may be interested in my card making exploits??....I have  been colouring up a bit of a storm with my Copics too!! - I have coloured up a lot of images but with my recent Digi Mojo making it's appearance, I haven't had time to make them up into cards.... as yet. but I promise I will soon.

 

Enjoy the template!

Sharing Sketches

.....it seems I am continually apologising, for not updating this blog on a regular basis. I assure you, I do try, but as we all know, life gets busy and those good intentions don't always happen. I have been continuing my travels around Australia presenting my sketches and papercraft projects and this past weekend helped co-ordinate my second Virtual Crop for Creative Memories Australia/NZ. I designed another 6 Formula Sketches for this event and once again, I was overwhelmed with the response and also amazed with the beautiful layouts and cards created with them. I have decided to share the sketches here for my lovely blog followers and if you want to see more of my work I have also created a page on Facebook for you to "peek" at - you can find it at ChristinesCreativeCapers

You will notice that the Sketches are numbered from 7 - 12 that is because they follow on in sequence, from the 6 sketches used in the last Virtual Crop.

I love converting sketches into cards - it is like getting double value - this card uses the new Nordic Christmas range of products from Creative Memories. The white decorative trims were created using the decorative cartridges of the Creative Memories BorderMaker System - my favourite tool ever!!

My example of this sketch is a digital layout using the Birdy Birthday Digital Kt from Creative Memories - the colours are perfect for photos and yes, I am an instagram addict!!

I chose to do a traditional version as my sample for this sketch - it was created with the new Be Merry range of Christmas Products from Creative Memories and some cute photos of my friends daughters taken a few years back - they look so cute in their angel costumes. Did you notice that lovely zig zag border? It was created with a new cartridge to the BorderMaker system called Diamond Zig Zag - lots of fun things to create with this one....mine has only been in my collection for over a week and it has been getting lots of use.

I chose the Creative Memories digital kit Timeless Holiday to create this layout and more photos of the very cute Amy - her Mum takes the best photos at Christmas to make their family Christmas Cards and I am so lucky to have he share them with me for my design projects - Thanks Tracy :)

I hope you enjoy having a "play" with these sketches and I will try harder to update my blog more often.

Gorgeous Girls in Green!

....Yes! I know this is my first post for April, but please don't think I have been resting LOL!! I have just been a little behind in some design deadlines - (sadly, for confidentiality reasons I cannot share with you here)....but last week this is the list of everything I completed... 12 Scrapbook Layouts, 4 Cards, 2 Tags, 2 Off the Page Projects and 2 Paper Page Embellishments and this week, the count so far.. is 2  Gorgeous Girl in  Green Cards LOL!!

Both cards use one of my favourite colours - Green - but I seldom use it for anything other than, grass and leaves (when colouring my images). However, one of my "Scrappy Friends" suggested I try using it to colour clothing - I was  very inspired by one of her card creations... so I took her up on the challenge and here are the results.

The stamp is called "Waiting" and is from the Simply Gorjuss range - she was stamped ontoX-Press IT Blending Card  (available from Mad for Markers ) and coloured with the following:
Copics Used:
Skin: - E000, E01, E11 - Cheeks: - RV10
Hair: - E21, E25, E27, E49
Clothing: - Dress: BG93, BG96, BG99 - Jacket:YG93, YG95, YG97 - Tie: Y21, Y23,Y26
Boots: - E25, E27, E29

This card was made using a Saturated Canary Digi Image by Krista Smith - called "Blanche". I used the same colour combination to colour the image and create the card as my previous one of the Gorjuss "Waiting" girl - isn't it amazing how the same design sketch, same colours, same paper can look so different?

Copics Used:
Skin: - E000, E01, E11 - Cheeks/Lips: - RV10 - Eyeshadow: - YG93
Hair: - E13, E15, E17
Eyes: E33, E35
Clothing: - Dress:YG93, YG95, YG97 - Tie: Y21, Y23,Y26
Boots: - E25, E27, E29

I also wanted to share with you, a special little gift that arrived in my mail box this week. My BFF Judy and I, had been discussing the best way to remember all the Digital Images we had been purchasing - when she came up with the idea of creating a little book to catalogue them in.... and that could also be used  as a Copic journal.

This is the little book she made just for me! and of course it is Pink! - if you want to have a little peek at her book  and other journals she has created - check out her newly revamped blog - you will find it here....the books were made using a Bind-It-All and if you want to find out more about them, our friend Karen at scrap2relax will be happy to oblige! ;-) - I am now adding one to my collection of toys! Here is little look inside the pages of my journal....I love the black pages.

I hope you have enjoyed the little catch-up... on my "Creative Capers" and I will try not to leave it too long between posts, from now on :-)

Hugs to All


Birthday Celebrations

Today's post is a "shout out" to the wonderful Sammi at Mad for Markers who is celebrating the 2nd Anniversary of her online store...it was about this same time, that I "rediscovered" my passion for colouring and started adding to my collection of Copic Markers. I met Sammi at a Papercraft show in Melbourne and her enthusiasm for Copic colouring was contagious and I was thrilled to learn that she could supply all my Copic needs by mail - a huge bonus for someone living in the country! - and her customer service is simply WONDERFUL!  Since then, I am the proud owner of many new Copic colours. I joined her online, at Facebook and the Mad for Markers Blog... and have learnt so many fantastic techniques and made great new friends...and now, I am honoured to be a member of her Design Team.

To celebrate the 2nd Birthday of Mad for Markers, Sammi will be hosting a month of celebrations - commencing today with lots of giveaways on the Mad for Markers Facebook Page and Blog - It will end in the release of the 3rd Volume of  - Copicendium - a mini ideas book of inspiration....and a huge DT Blog Hop - you are very welcome to join in the FUN - and we would love to have you at the PARTY :)

...and.. as a tribute to the occasion, I thought a card creation would be very appropriate.

This Sweet Miss is called Copica and was designed by the very talented Krista Smith of Saturated Canary, this is a digi image printed up on X-Press IT Blending Card - and with her pocket full of Copic Makers...she looks very much like Sammi, the first time I met her :)

Copics Used:

Skin - E00, E01, E11 - Cheeks R20

Lips - RV42 - Eyes - B12

Hair - E27, E25, E21

Dress - R81, R83, R85

Apron - V12, V15, V17

Striped Top - Y38, YR23, YR21

Stockings - W1, W3, W5

Copic Markers - W1, W3, W5 - and a combination of my favourite colours

Looking forward to "seeing" you at the "party"

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.

Hope for a Brighter Future

I've got exciting news for you....the wonderful Graphic Designers at http://www.fortheluvofart.com/ have joined forces and created a kit as a fundraiser for the New Zealand & Japan Earthquake.... Red Cross Appeals....called "Hope for a Brighter Future" - profits from the sale of this kit will be evenly distributed between the two countries.


It is now available in store, for you to purchase and it is a kit you will mostly certainly want in your collection....it has fantastic papers and embellishments suitable for all forms of scrapbooking - traditional, digital and hybrid - and of course card makers.

Here is a little preview of the embellishments - the papers are equally as beautiful.

and here is a little layout I created with it ....using pics of my gorgeous eldest daughter - this layout was based on the current Digi Challenge over at the forum at For the Luv of Art - these challenges are such fun.... you should check them out...http://fortheluvofart.forumg.biz/t3151-for-the-luv-of-art-digi-challenge-2

Think Spring

While it may not be Spring here in the land downunder - the days here are starting to get dark and dreary. Therefore I thought it would be the perfect time to  introduce some sunshine and happiness to our days.
This is a new Digital Kit Collaboration - by the "Sugar Girls" over at http://www.sugarhillco.com/  called "Think Spring"

No surprises that I LOVE the colour scheme of this kit!! LOL!....here is a digi layout of my two favourite girls that I created with this scrumptious kit!!

....and a card I created for my friend Jacinta's birthday - combining the kit with my beloved Copic Markers.

Copics Used:

Skin - E00, E21, E51
Cheeks - R20 and White Pen
Dress - R22, R32, R35
Hair - Shoes - E31, E33, E35
Balloon - Y21, Y23, Y26

...for more info on this Digi Kit visit - http://angelhartline.com/blog/ or http://www.sugarhillco.com/ and for all your Copic Marker supplies - http://www.madformarkers.com.au/

I'll be back tomorrow - with some of the goodies I made over the weekend!!

A Touch of Pretty

My blog post today includes some of my latest Digi and Card projects -  that all have a touch of "Pretty"

Firstly, I wanted to share with you my "first-time" play with my new Copic Air-Brushing System....I am going to require a little more practise with it and my masking technique....but already I can tell you I LOVE this new addition to the "toys" in my craft room.

I have a few cards to make in the next couple of weeks in time for Easter but this is one, I can cross off my list! I used my new Magnolia images - from the 2011 Butterfly Dreams Collection (Tilda with her Bunny and the Tulip Wheelbarrow) stamped onto X-Press IT Blending Card...along with an assortment of other goodies from the Mad for Markers store.

Air Brush System Set 1

it is a complete set ready to use. It comes with the Airgrip, Aircan 180 (approx.40mins of air ), the Air Adapter, Airhose and Can Holder.

Mask it Sheets
also available in the M4M store - 8 sheets 15" x 10"

Copics:
Sky - B91, W1
Grass - YG93, YG95, YG97
Wheelbarrow - E33, E35, E37
Leaves and Tulips - YG93, YG95, YG97, Y21, Y23, Y26, R81, R83, R85, V12, V15, V17
Skin - E000, E00, E11, R20 (cheeks)
Hair and Boots - E31, E33, E35
Hat - Y21, Y23, Y25
Ribbon and Top - V12, V15, V17
Pants - B93, B95, B97
Bunny - W1, W3, W5

These are Two  Digital Layouts I created using an assortment of Digi Kits over at http://www.fortheluvofart.com/ The little girls in the photos are the daughters of a girlfriend and were taken a couple of weekends ago - a little impromtu photo session just for fun.

List of Digi Kits Used:
Spring Fling - Amy Teets

Snuggle & Happy Sunshine - Dana Miron

Dear Sweet Friend - Janet Carr

Victorian Veranada - Theresa Hernandez
Click - Angel Hartline

...and this layout is based on the sketch from Digi Challenge #1 and made for the 3/24 Thursday Spring Challenge over at http://www.fortheluvofart.com/  too! - the challenges are always a lot of fun and I love seeing everyone else interpretations!!

Digital Kits Used:

Dear Sweet Friend and Olivia's Friend by Janet Carr

Family Affair by Amy Teets

......I haven't entered any of my cards in any online challenges for awhile so I thought I might enter my Easter card into the Magnolia-licious Highlites Challenge - Category One - http://magnolia-licioushighlites.blogspot.com/2011/03/easter-spring-extravaganza-contest.html
but I would also love to have you leave comments with your best Copic Airbrush tips - this beginner can use all the help she can get LOL!!

A Hybrid Layout

My Happy Room ( alias my craft room ) is NOT a pretty sight at the moment - I am buried in projects and paper and despite the mess I am loving  it!! - some of the projects I am working on have come together more easily than others - but this layout took on a life of it's own - I'm sure you have all had that moment when you have an idea in your mind but when you put it into action....it doesn't quite turn out the way you imagined. Well this is what happen here LOL!! All the same I still managed the tropical look I wanted!

 

This is very much a "hybrid" layout - my palm tree and hibiscus flowers are from a "A Road to Bali" a Digital Scrapbook Kit created by Janet Carr of Little Feet Digital Designs - and if you want this kit for you own collection - then you need to visit http://www.fortheluvofart.com/ and participate in the digi challenge..

....because if you do - you can have this kit for FREE!! I printed the embellishments in Black and White on some X-Press IT Blending card and then used my Copics to color the images.

Copics Used:
Trunk of Palm Tree - E33, E35, E37
Leaves of Palm Tree - G02, G05, G07
Hibiscus Flower - Y23, RV23, RV25, RV29

and my Colourless Blender to "push" out the background and define the edges of the leaves....I also wanted a "translucent" appearance to my hibiscus flowers just to give them a more realistic look - not sure I succeed there LOL!! - but the effect was a little different than the usual blending techniques.

X-Press IT Blending Card and the full range of Copic Markers can be purchased online from http://www.madformarkers.com.au/

I used a Black Multiliner 1.0mm  (also available at Mad for Markers ) for my border, the scallop edge and journalling are from the "La Mode" Stamp Set exclusive to http://www.fortheluvofart.com/ stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento ink. The printed paper is called "Ledger" from Kaisercraft, I added some striped paper ribbon from Creative Memories and some fabric ribbon from my "stash"  then added a few small pearl beads to the stamens of the hibiscus.

I LOVE it when I can combine my love of Copics with my love of Scrapbook ....fun, fun, fun!!

...and don't forget to visit the Mad for Markers stand at Paperific (Melbourne ) next week - 1st-3rd of April - the full range of Copic Ciao and Sketch markers will be available.... Sammi and the team will have lots to inspire you including, both the La La Land Craft & The Greeting Farm stamps - Looking forward to seeing you there!