Finding Inspiration To Create

This term at school has been full on!  So much to do in so little time. Creating has gone by the wayside so the necessary things could be done.  This term is done and I gave myself the weekend to make stuff, to reset so I can get on with school stuff in my non-contact time next week.  A weekend off is bliss. 

It took a bit of work to ge going, it’s been a while and I made use of a layout in the CTMH SE2 Idea Book as my foundation for this page:

And, I even set up the tripod to be able to share a process video with you:

As well as Scraplifting from sources like the Idea Books, creating alongside friends is another source of inspiration.  Melissa is one of those friends and we scraplifted each other.

I created this page with the idea of ‘near the edge’ in mind.  Melissa later lifted this, making it her own.

This page was on I lifted from Melissa.  It was a great way to make use of lots of bits from different kits and complements packs.


After scraplifting I was ready to ‘go it alone’ and enjoyed using more of the ‘Central Park’ range with its bright colours.  Using the current SOTM seemed to tie in nicely with this page.


Another source of inspiration is Pinterest.  I scrolled through my ‘Layout Love’ pins and commented on how many used simple elements.  I decided to try one of these and created this page as a result.  Coloured cardstock as a base is a rarity for me too!


You can find the original here: https://pin.it/jn3ylujzhbxwe2

Thanks for reading.  What do you do do get back into a creative mode?

Happy 16th Birthday

It felt good to be creating again...and I managed to find my missing tripod to make it possible.  It's fun creating process videos but challenging too - the technology is the most challenging bit for me, especially when uploading (which takes ages) as our internet isn't totally reliable.

This page was preparation for a demonstration layout at an upcoming scrapcamp where I have offered to use the Stamp Of The Month on a page to help others make good use of it.  These stamps are only $7.50 for the month when people spend $75 on orders (NZ prices) so are great value if you are tying them in with an order for other things...like the kit used here - Gimme Some Sugar, which is $51 and includes papers, cardstock, ribbon, complements (stickers etc.) and some cork shapes.  You also get a set of instructions to make some pages and cards for easy scrapbooking - they are called 'Workshops Your Way' and when teamed with the instructions, it's kind of like a takeaway workshop.

I'm not sure if anyone reads blogs these days...let me know if you are, I'd love to read your comments.

Purging

The stuff can take over.  My stuff was covering my work surface and much of the bedroom floor.  I had to do a big sort out. I was brutal.  

Stuff...ready to go.

I packaged it in some storage totes I had that needed a new home (I’m waiting for my new CTMH travel system to arrive) and listed it on s local trading site.  It’s gone now.

It doesn’t look pretty but I have a desk space and things are organised.

The rest of my supplies now fit in this cupboard.

Since the ‘purge’ I have had the space to create.  It feels good and it’s great to be able to get to my desk.

A few pages made since the tidy up...and a box of 20 cards!

Spots and Stripes

A fun page using ‘Beary Christmas’ and a few other items.  Products used are listed under the YouTube process video.

Beary Christmas

Simple Christmas cards you can whip up quickly when you have a pack of complements!

Materials: Beary Christmas papers, compliments and dots, White cardstock, value pack cards, A Grateful Heart Sentiments Stamp, Merry Christmas Holiday Stamp (from last year as don’t have current one yet - Merry Christmas M1184 would work similarly and Shin Han markers in sap green, vivid green and leaf green. Silver trim.

Cut down the paper to measure 5 and a 1/4 by 4 inches x6. Stamp grateful heart x6 and fussy cut around as shown.  Stamp sentiment on cut papers.  Colour the leaves.  Stick wreath down.  Add die cut or sticker figures as shown.  Add trim or die cuts to the bottom of the cut Paper.  Stick card fronts onto the cards from the value pack and add dots to suit it as shown.

Happy Making!

Camping with Jack

Welcome to our Jack Blog Hop!

We are going to share with you, items from our Jack Paper Pack with various projects created by talented Close To My Heart Consultants.  If you are visiting from Brenda's blog then you are on the right track, if not please head back to visit Carol's blog where this blog hop begins.

Jack papers were a bit of a challenge for me, especially after my enjoyment of working with Prickly Pear last month.  Luckily I enjoy a challenge and have one layout, and a process video, to share with you here (there are some other pages and projects shared previously on my blog - after the blog hop you can pop back and check them out).

The challenge here was using 3 photos.  I have become adept at choosing just one photo that tells a story and adding journaling so I don't always need lots of photos on a page or two. But as this was about an event, there were more photos to place.  I made use of the Camping Life stamps for embellishing and adding a title to the page.  You can see this process in the YouTube video below.

Distressed edges, grey enamel dots and stitching add different levels and textures to the page.

Stamping one of the mountains in 'Juniper' and fussy cutting them, sticking down with foam tape adds interest to the top of the layout.

Next, check out Kathleen's blog.

Process Video making this layout:

Happy Jack

Kia Ora and welcome aboard our Jack Australasian Close To My Heart Blog Hop.

If you have arrived here from Vandra's Virtual CTMH Craftroom blog then you are in the right place.

If you have landed here by accident, just join in by following the link at the end of this post.

The 'Jack' papers have a manly feel to them so I selected a photo of a long term project my husband worked on - a Toyota Landcruiser.  The journaling is about the happiness he experienced finishing it and taking it for a drive.  Can you spot the title?

The title is cut using a 'happy' thincut out of vellum for a subtle feel.

I used layers of the Jack papers to add interest to my page and journaled on one of the zip strips.  The edges of the papers were 'roughed' up as I stuck them down.

If you don't already have a Close To My Heart Consultant to support you in purchasing some of these projects, visit my shop.

Don't forget to leave a comment :-)

To check out more 'Jack' inspiration please visit Colleen Geldenhuys blog.

Products Used:

• Jack Paper Packet
• Vellum Paper
• Happy Thincut
• Tombow Tape Runner
• Glue Pen
• Slate Cardstock

100 Day Project

Scrap Gals Community on Facebook have started a 100 Days Project.   Doing something creative everyday.  I've elected to work in an Everyday Life Album over the 100 days and here is Day 1:

We have a guest with us this week so one of my daughters is sleeping in our room...took a bit of shuffling to get s space to video in, but I succeeded and here is a process video for the page:

You can purchase products I used at my CTMH shop.

CTMH shop.

Mixing old with new...a sneak peak

Last weekend our consultants group had a bit of a challenge set...to use some of the new products on a project.  

I created this page using a 'My Crush' water colour page as the base and made use of inks and stamps we were given at the Annual Inspirations Launch in Auckland last month. Prickly Pear also makes an appearance.

The new Inspirationsbook kicks off in August...only a few days away now!