Life is Beautiful with You in it – Mini Album - Guest Designing for Meg's Garden

Hi everyone,

Long time no 'see' ..... I will still be quiet for now, till my creative side bounces back into gear.  Life has had a few hurdles..(too many obviously), but the road is smoothing out again 'now'. Just know I have thought of everyone and miss you all very much .....and in time, I will be back...

Love to all
Sandie

It was a pleasure to do some guest design work for Meg’s Garden back in Sept.  I worked with the beautiful paper collection called ‘Dreaming in the Meadows’, and due to the size of my project, included some card papers from previous collections of when I was a DT member.  The papers all matched perfectly.  

Did you know that Meg's Garden is an Australian business, located in Adelaide with an online store?  The papers are designed by Denise Ann, an Australian designer. 

I have been pondering over Christmas gifts for my family, (this was written back in Sept) and know my Mother just loves my Mini Albums.  I was inspired with this album, by two clever individuals – Kathy Orta, and Ginger from My Sisters Scrapper on YouTube.  Both make the most stunning of albums, and I have been itching to make one for some time.  Kathy Orta has created the hidden hinge system which I applied to this particular album, and I used Kathy’s tutorial for the album.

You can find Ginger’s YouTube Chanel 'HERE'...

and Kathy Orta’s Chanel 'HERE'...

These albums do make perfect gifts, and Meg’s Garden stocks the perfect paper sets, and embellishments for such creations.

The album itself has many hidden pockets, including side opening panels, which are held in place via magnets – ample room for photographs, and journaling and even mementos.  The photographs do not do the album justice, and do not show enough of the details, but certainly gives a good indication of what can be made. 

I also used the Leafy Foliage die throughout the album for all my foliage requirements, it was perfect and a leaf shape to match each flower size.  I so love that die, and it is available at Meg’s Garden!!!

 

 

Materials:

Dreaming in the Meadows – Meg’s Garden paper collection

Leafy Foliage Die

Chipboard

Cardstock

Dusty Attic Chipboard

Prima Flowers

Vintage Blooms from my own personal collection

Manor House Flowers

Stamens

Seam Binding

Butterfly Printables

Diamond Stickles

Tim Holtz Knobs- Idea-Ology

Metal Corners and Flourishes

White Paint

Bling Pieces

Silk Ribbon

Kaisercraft Mini Alphas

Hat Pins

Metal Frame

German Scrap

Eyelets & Crop-O-Dile

Silhouette Cameo and SVG Files

Lace Paper Doily

Imaginarium Designs Chipboard ‘You’

Guipure Lace

Score Board

Adhesives

October Sketch - The Beauty Of Yesteryear LO - The Scrapbook Store

October is here, and I have no idea where September went (flashed by so quickly)!!  Another new sketch is up on The Scrapbook Store Gallery, with a fabulous random prize to be won - entry is via the Gallery and all you have to do is create.  

A gorgeous sketch, by Melina Spinks - really adore those branches and had the perfect 'twigs' to use which are The Scrapbook Store's own brand of chipboard.  I opted to segregate the photograph into 3, as per the sketch - it is rather different, and I have seen this done by a few (especially lately) in my blog visits -  I actually really like it. 

The Silhouette Cameo was used to create my own splatter stencil - using a SVG file, and acetate.

At the moment I am going through my 'old stash' and seeing what I can use within my layouts and creations.  It is dwindling slowly, and it is a nice feeling seeing my 'old stash' pile go down.

Hope you'll consider coming and joining in the fun of this months sketch challenge!
Sandie

Materials:
American Craft - Black Textured Cardstock 
Prima - Tea Thyme Collection - Charmante and Cypress Rose
FabScraps - Beauty Chipboard Title
The Scrapbook Store - Roses, and Leaves
The Scrapbook Store - Twigs - Chipboard
Lindy's Stamp Gang Mists - Wake Me Up Before You Go Gold
Ranger - Distress Ink - Vintage Photo
Kaisercraft - Cream - Alpha Stickers
Kaisercraft - Crackle Clear Stamp
Kaisercraft - Rhinestones
Acetate Sheet
Printable Butterflies
Green Tara - Flowers
Prima - Flowers 
Cheery Lynn Designs - Dies
Sihouette Cameo - SVG Files to create Splatter Stencil
Prima Marketing - Distress Tool
Stampendous - Aged Silver Embossing Powder
Papermania - Heat Tool

Stamp-It, MiniWhite 2mm Squares

Helmar 450 Adhesive

ATG Gun and Tape



Truly Lucky Layout - The Scrapbook Store and Once Upon A Sketch

 ..and now a pink version of Shabbylicious, by FabScraps for The Scrapbook Store this month.  A background full of texture, including the Chicken Wire die from CLD's... each little joining section has a tiny pearl bead.  I used a piece of cardboard from the packaging of a dinner set.  The cardboard is gorgeous and soft and easy to rip and manipulate.

Lindy's Stamp Gang Mists were used to colour the background. 

The vintage lace leaves, have been edged in Victorian Velvet Distress Ink - so pretty. 

This month, I have joined in the Once Upon a Sketch, Challenge.  The topic is 'Lucky', with a lovely sketch by Nadia, seen below.  You can find all the challenge details 'HERE'.  

 

The photograph is of my daughter Amanda - another 'selfie' (I love me) taken on her mobile phone... gotta love her!!!  It is a good way for me to get photographs of her, I just pinch them off Facebook! LOL Amanda is a beautiful, young woman, both inside and out... and she is the Mother of my first Grandson.  We speak 'daily' and when I say daily .... its more like several times a day. She has the warmest heart, and would reach out to help anyone, whether she knows them or not.  I'm very proud to call her not only my daughter, but also my best friend.  I am truly lucky to have such a precious, loving daughter...and I miss her terribly.

Have a wonderful day and thanks for calling by for a visit.

Sandie

Materials:

FabScraps - Shabbylicious - Die Cut Set and Chipboard Window and Tag
Cardboard
Green Tara - Flowers, Pleated Organza, and Ribbon
Seam Binding - Baby Pink
Guipure Lace, Vintage Lace Leaves, and String
Tiny Pearls, Pearl Strand and Vintage Buttons
Cheery Lynn Designs - Chicken Wire, and Chasing Rainbows
Ranger - Tim Holtz - Distress Glitter - Victorian Velvet
Imaginarium Designs - Alpha - Chipboard
Prima Mareting - Lattice - Stencil 
Dylusions - White Linen - Ink Spray
Lindy's Stamp Gang - Bit O Bubbly, Alpine Ice Rose, and Mystic Malachite
 Snow Cap - Adiriondack Acrylic Paint Dabber

Delta - Texture Magic

Gesso

Prima Marketing - Distress Tool

Stamp-It, MiniWhite 2mm Squares

Helmar 450 Adhesive

ATG Gun and Tape

American Crafts - Super Sticky Red Tape

Remember This Moment LO and Card - Take Note Paper Collection - and Tea Party Collection Creations - Kaisercraft

 Another fabulous paper collection by Kaisercraft called 'Take Note'.  I have used this collection to create a layout and card - I love the beautiful green hues of this collection, teamed with various shades of browns, totally delicious.  Lace, Wood Icons, fake stitching (my sewing machine isn't being cooperative withe me at the moment - boo hoo), layers, distressed edges, flowers created from die-cuts, peals, rubons, and more.....

What I like most about the Take Note paper collection, is the paper is suitable for feminine and masculine, modern and vintage - whatever takes your fancy really.  I also really enjoy the wording which is included on many of the paper pieces - wonderful for creating journaling, titles, or even card sentiments as seen below. 

The photograph in the layout is of my Grandmother, brother and me, on one of our many trips to the Warby Ranges, in Victoria - we used to picnic there often, when we were young -  and it was a truly magical place with the Aussie plants, and animals.  I've often wanted to return, to see if it still feels and looks the same as when I was young - one day!  I remember that basket (in the photograph) and how it always had a stash of delicious sandwiches, cakes, and hot cocoa. On this particular day we ate cream buns, and somewhere in my photo box is a photo of us with cream all around our mouths! LOL

Further inspiration for this Kaisercraft paper collection, and others, can be found 'HERE'.  A full material's list can be found 'HERE' for the layout, and card.  All Kaisercraft paper collections, can be found at The Scrapbook Store.....

Happy Creating

Sandie

and a card, invitation and small mini album, using Kaisercraft, Tea Party paper collection.

Card Front

Inside Card

Perfect Day LO - Card and Tag - The Scrapbook Store

I'm back with a new layout for The Scrapbook Store, using the Melissa Frances - Classic Elegance Paper Collection, - Bits of Paper, and Strictly Business to create a masculine layout.   

The photograph was taken recently when Jesse got to spend sometime with his big sister, her husband and the two boys - he was eagerly awaiting them to arrive by relaxing on the foreshore wall.   I couldn't resist in taking a pile of snaps of him... and love his serious expression.

Many of the elements within the layout have been misted using Perfect Pearls, and Starburst Mists.  Papers were aged  via scrunching and distressing edges, adding lots of paper layers using the 6X6 Paper Pad. A little extra interest was added to the background paper using the Tile Texture stencil, and Texture Paste.  

 I always struggle doing masculine layouts, but am happy with this one...

Materials:

Bazzill Basics - 12 X 12 Chipboard Sheet

Melissa Frances - Classic Elegance Paper Collection, - Bits of Paper, and Strictly Business

Melissa Frances - Classic Elegance - Die Cut Accents

Melissa Frances - 6X6 - Paper Pad

 Prima Marketing - Lifetime Daisies

Prima Marketing, Flowers Misc

Ranger, Perfect Pearls, Forever Blue

Lindy's Stamp Gang, Afternoon Delight Denim Mist

Studio Calico, Wood Veneer Birds

Maya Road, Wood - You've Been Framed

Kaisercraft, Rhinestone's - Aqua

The Crafters Workshop Stencil - Tile Texture

Cheery Lynn Designs - Olive Branches, Die

Delta Creative, Texture Paste

Stamp-It, MiniWhite 2mm Squares

Helmar 450 Adhesive

ATG Gun and Tape

Green Tara - Petals

The Scrapbook Store - Scrap Words, Burnt Cream 

...and with left over papers, elements from my DT kit this month ..I created a card and a tag..

Happy Creating...and don't forget to come join in the fun of the August Sketch - details can be found 'HERE'...
Sandie

Adore - Vintage Layout - Curiosity Paper Collection - Kaisercraft

 Today, I have a layout created using the Curiosity Paper Collection, by Kaisercraft.  I so love this beautiful collection, with the most glorious colour pallet, and paper designs.  

Behind the photograph is a hidden journaling pocket, which is pulled upwards using the Ornamental Border.  Lots of distressing to achieve the aged look, including layers, doilies, and both Kaisercraft Blooms, and hand-made flowers.

Kaisercraft have released some amazing paper collections this month, do call on over to the blog to view the inspirational pieces, from other design team members, 'HERE'...and the full materials list for this layout, can be found 'HERE'...

Have a great day

Sandie

Together LO - The Scrapbook Store - Scrap Around the World Challenge

 ...loving my DT pack from The Scrapbook Store, with the Melissa Frances, Classic Elegance papers and elements. Lots of texture in this layout, using the Kaisercraft 'Bubbles' Template, along with texture paste - coloured using a mixture of Perfect Pearls, and Mists from Lindy's Stamp Gang.

Also this month, I have joined in the new challenge site, Scrap Around the World - I have been itching to join in with the fun of this new challenge sit,e and finally 'completed' a layout using the Inspirational Mood board and Sketch below. You can find the current challenge 'HERE'.  I adore the sketch, by Julianne!!

I was inspired by the top two images in Eila's Mood board, the softness of the gold/white/pink colour hue's. I love charms of all types, so added in a key which is available in TSS 'HERE' ...

These photographs are just precious!  Three best friends, having the time of their life (no doubt) on the beach - where I have no idea, who they are .... no idea sadly, but are in my photo collection.  Hopefully one day I will find out the story behind these photographs.

Cheery Lynn Design dies were used behind each of the photographs and also mini dies beneath the other flowers. A complete list of dies with links can be found below in the materials list. I grouped together flowers in an arrangement - some flowers were from my stash basket and others from TSS.

Of course, I embossed the title 'Together'...... using Stampendous embossing powder - Aged Silver - which really looks like a light golden colour, beautiful actually.

Well, that is it for me today ... thanks for visiting!!
Sandie

Materials:

Bazzill Basics - 12 X 12 Chipboard Sheet
American Crafts - Smooth Cardstock - White

Melissa Frances - Classic Elegance Paper Collection, -Adopted Ancestors

Melissa Frances - Classic Elegance - Die Cut Accents

Melissa Frances - 6X6 - Paper Pad
 Scrap FX - Wordlet - Midi Together
Kaisercraft - Template - Bubbles
Cheery Lynn Designs - English Tea Party, French Pastry, French Pastry Tiny Dies
The Scrapbook Store - Flowers
Prima Marketing - The Roosevelt Col Carow - Flowers
Perfect Pearls - Mist - Interference Red
Lindy's Stamp Gang - Moonshadow Mist
Ranger - Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Vintage Photo
Stampendous - Embossing Powder - Aged Silver
 The Scrapbook Store - Key - Ornate
Martha Stewart - Punch - Doily Lace
 Papermania - Heat Tool

Delta Creative, Texture Paste

Stamp-It, MiniWhite 2mm Squares

Helmar 450 Adhesive

ATG Gun and Tape

This was the best day ever LO...... The Scrapbook Store

My August DT pack from The Scrapbook Store included the glorious paper collection 'Classic Elegance' by Melissa Frances.  Ohhhh so pretty!!! I have created a vintage inspired layout, using Aged Gold embossing powder to achieve a shabby, distressed appearance, around the edges. 

  Also, I have joined the Once Upon a Sketch, August challenge using the sweet sketch by Nadia.  The journaling theme this month is along the lines of 'I'll never forget'...

The photographs are of my brother Paul, best friend Catherine and myself as young children.  We were always playing dress ups, and always had such a wonderful time.  I will enclose my journaling below which can be found on the reverse side of the layout  - these memories are some I treasure very much, and hold close to my heart.

Memories stopped for' us' in April 1990, when you were sadly taken from this world.  It was a time where nothing seemed to comfort the grief I was feeling at the loss of my brother.  We cannot create future memories, but I do remember so many wonderful childhood memories as we were growing up....

I remember....

Picnic's with Mum, Grandma and us at the Warby Ranges...

Riding in the back of Grandma's 'Herby' car, going to visit Great Grandma in Yarrawonga - we used to take it in turns in sitting in the very back and used to argue on who would go first...

I remember Autumn fires, burning all the leaves and us dancing in the smoke thinking we were creatures of some imaginary world...

..and the ant houses we used to create from dirt and water.  We would sit for hours on end in just 'dirt', building a world that only 'we' could ever understand....

... and how we used to hide our horrible vegetables in the pantry as soon as Mum's back was turned.  I also remember the trouble we got into when the pantry was cleaned, and Mum found our stash...

The dead-arm you used to gave me when we fought - and how good you were at pulling my pig-tails!

I remember defending you at school and hitting a young fellow over the head with a tennis racket, you were most impressed.

Meeting all the kids that lived in the street, we'd all sit on the back of the truck talking for hours. I cherish the photograph of us all, but sad it is not a good photo.  I remember the time you also fell off the truck, and how frightened we were when you went to hospital. 

Swimming in the river on hot Summer afternoons...

Staying up Christmas night to meet Santa....never wanting to burst each others bubbles, that he wasn't real...

I remember the first fish you caught, I was so jealous and wanted to catch fish too, but ohhh no, I was a girl and girls didn't catch fish .... pffffttt!

How mad you used to get if I snooped in your room, and found some ammunition to use as bribery material....this worked both ways.

Your love of cricket, and how good you were at playing....

Walking to school together and you insisted on dawdling all the time....

Loved the times we dressed up and played imaginary figures from cartoons we'd seen on television...

Playing hide and seek, and me finding the perfect spot (on top of the roof of an outside toilet) and you not being able to find me.  I later shared this spot with you, and we used to sit up there and admire the 'world' as it was.....

I remember, our last phone call ... and still to this day, brings tears to my eyes .... it was as if 'we' knew ...

..and I will always remember, and never forget our 'special' memories together as children....

 As most of you have probably no doubt worked out, I am totally addicted to embossing at the moment - and had to enclose a close up photograph to show the amazing detail.  The Stampendous, embossing powder set has the most amazing colours in it!!  The title was embossed in Aged Gold, and the below chipboard lattice in Shabby Pink which has flecks of white, pink glitter, and gold - yummy!!  The lace paper doilies beneath the lattice, and the mini roses were coloured using the Interference Red, Perfect Pearls Mist - matched perfectly. 

 That is it for me for 'now'..... have a great and productive day....and thanks for visiting...

Sandie

Materials:

Bazzill Basics - 12 X 12 Chipboard Sheet

Melissa Frances - Classic Elegance, 'A Night at the Theatre'

Melissa Frances - Classic Elegance - Die Cut Accents

Melissa Frances - 6X6 - Paper Pad
The Crafters Workshop - Stencil - Damask

Scrap FX - Wordlet - Midi Remember

Prima Marketing - Lifetime Daisies

Green Tara - White Mini Roses

Ranger Ink - Perfect Pearls, Interference Red

Ranger, Walnut Stain - Tim Holtz Distress Ink

 Stampendous, Frantage Embossing Powder Kit - Aged Gold and Shabby Pink

Pamermania, Heat Gun

Cheery Lynn Designs - Olive Branch

Paper Doilies

Stamp-It, MiniWhite 2mm Squares

Helmar 450 Adhesive

ATG Gun and Tape