Top 10 0f 2011

While it is so hard to get down to just 10 layouts, I realize that my choices are really a reflection of where I am at in a scrappy state in time at the end of this year.  Like many, my current favourite often ends up being the most recently created piece. Yet will that be the case further in time? Then there are pieces that will forever hold a special place for the story behind its' creation.  Thus, this whole process in itself is neat to document and reflect upon at a later time.

This year's edition is in no particular order as that task proved to be even more confounding then picking just 10. LOL!

Without further ado, here is my Top Ten of 2012:

 

Once I whittled this year's collection of layouts down to this ten, I reflected upon my choices as a whole.  What I discovered about my work is it really illustrates the variety of styles, textures, colours, and manufacturers that I enjoy creating with.  Being analytical of mind, I also noticed some interesting things:

•  four were takes on sketches,
•  five were made with the fabulous kits of My Scrapbook Nook,
•  four were inspired by Get Picky challenges,
•  four have sepia or black and white photos
•  six have butterflies
•  seven were multi photo

I am really pleased with how I have grown this past year as an artist.  It is in sharing my passion for scrapping with others that has helped keep my productivity at a consistent level.  I also have been extremely blessed with some great friendships and wonderful opportunities to showcase my work this year.

Thanks for following along in my creative journey this past year.

Wishing you all the best in 2012.

TTFN,

Scrap Happy Holidays! (Something New, a Toot and a Sneak Peek)

I hope that you all had a fun family filled Christmas! If you celebrate some other seasonal celebration, I hope it was fun and family filled too!

Now that Christmas celebrations are completed, I am totally into holiday mode. A little R & R means time to catch up on my project postings and scrapping time.  This is a good thing too as I have a fun and exciting scrappy secret that was finalized this week. I will share more once it is officially announced.

I had a chance to finally get this layout finished.




Supplies: patterned papers (Provo Craft), glitter chipboard letters (K and Company), play chipboard (Heidi Swapp), acrylic journal spot (Maya Road), ribbon (Michaels), acrylic mirror snowflakes( Dollarama), paint (Deco Art), wht pen (Signo), blk pen (Sharpie)

I have a habit of starting layouts (gathering the need supplies and photos, and sketching the design) but then running out of time to finish it as I move on to the next need-to or now inspired-to-do project.  Thus I essentially have a whole selection of ready to go scrappy kits/projects.  For me, it is the case of not enough time to scrap everything that I have ideas for.  The good thing is that I eventually do come back to the projects and get them completed.

Did you notice my blog's new look?  I really did like the green leaf background that I had for the last year.  It wasn't lack of know how in changing it.  In my way of thinking, there is nothing more beautiful than nature and its' wonderful creations, textures and colours.  However, it really did not have a "scrappy artist look" so I thought to give this new look a try. Thanks to the wonderful artistry at Shabby blogs.com for the items.  What do you think of it?

Now for the little toot share.  Yesterday,  I had the thrill of heading over to Two Peas and seeing my two Get Picky postings both in the Top 3. 



Even better is that I am joined by my super talented and sweet friend Danni.  Her creative talent consistently amazes me! Check out her wonderful creations and I think you will agree. She is up on the October Afternoon blog today too!

Lastly, here is a little sneak peek of my next Get Picky layout:

I am delighted with how this one turned out. It will be posted in a day or two and then I can share it.


TTFN,

Get Picky GDT Sketch #15

I was totally inspired by this Get Picky sketch #15.  In fact I could have scrapped two very different layouts with completely different sets of photos.  Now that is what I call inspiration!

Supplies: patterned papers, cardstock stickers, cardstock letter stickers (Echo Park), cardstock (Bazzill), ink (CTMH), butterfly punches (Fiskars and Martha Stewart), wht pen (Signo), blk pen (Creative Memories), sketch (Get Picky), jewels and staples (miscellaneous)

In the end I decided to use the Echo Park Times and Seasons collection that came in the November kit from the Nook.  The rich colours enhanced these precious  photos of my daughter and a family friend.  I love how it all came together... the photos, the product and the sketch! 

As you can see, my take sticks pretty closely to the original sketch.

The prize for this challenge is a store voucher for the online store Scrap Friends.  You have until December 28th (Australian eastern daylight savings time) to enter.  Be sure to see some more gorgeous takes and spectacular scrappy eye candy from the DT on the Get Picky Challenge blog.

I am liking this layout so much, that I am thinking, that it is top ten worthy for 2011.  It is hard to believe it is almost that time of year to pick my top favs. LOL!

TTFN,

Magenta Card Sketch #28

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas..."

Well at least my daughter is given that it is well into December and we have only received a dusting or two with none of the fluffy white stuff staying on the ground.  Thus she was the inspiration for my DT take on the Magenta #28 Card sketch Challenge.




Supplies: patterned paper and chipboard (Magenta), cardstock (Bazzill), sentiment die (Sizzix), paint (Plaid), glimmer mist (Tattered Angels), Tim Holtz Stickles (Ranger)

Here I used the beautiful chipboard snowflakes and the positive diamond shapes from the larger snowflakes spaces to make the third flake.

This is the sketch and the details can be found here.



You have until January 16, 2012 to link up your take for a chance to win some Magenta goodies.

Just a reminder also that you have until December 31st to save on shipping if you order from the Magenta store.

"May your days be merry and bright,
 and may all your Christmases be white!"


TTFN,

Get Picky December Guest Designer

I have been waiting since near the beginning of 2011 for December to come and not just for Christmas.  I am so excited to have the honour of being the guest designer for Get Picky this month.

 Today I am sharing one of the two layouts that are posted in the GDT announcement.

Supplies: MME Quite Contrary Collection & sketch (MME), chipboard letters (Basic Grey & MM), lace (Prima), pen (Staedtler)

This is a never been seen before layout that I have been holding on to for quite some time.  I love these photos of my daughter and they work so wonderfully that multiple of them can appear on the page as that is a key component to the Get Picky challenges.

I have been a fan of the site and its' challenges since its' launch just over a year ago.  Tanya and Nikki have created an awesome multi-photo blog challenge site that attracts talented people from all over the globe.

While many of you know that I really enjoy working with sketches, one thing I have discovered over the past year through Get Picky, is that I love inspiration prompts too!

Be sure to head over to Get Picky to see my other fun layout and check out the gorgeous eye-candy that permeates the site.

TTFN,

Family Tree Twist

When this Magenta Chipboard Tree arrived in my DT package, I was excited because I had an idea on how to use it other than for a family layout.

Photos by: Phil Steingard Photography

Supplies: patterned papers and chipboard (Magenta), cardstock (Bazzill), paint (Plaid), cardstock letter stickers (Lily Bee), punch (Fiskars), ink (CTMH), marker (Sharpie), pen (Signo)

Here I used it to document my daughter's primary school portraits from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 for the Magenta blog.  I started by shrunking the wallet sized photos down so that they would fit into the cute little oval picture frames.  Next, I painted the tree trunk and picture frames.  Then I glued up the front of the tree and adhered it to the back of my desired paper.  After carefully cutting it out with an exacto knife, I inked the edges to make it pop.  I prepared my background page and then positioned my tree and title.  Add the grades and years et voila!  A fun way to use up those school pictures.

If you would like to pick up some awesome Magenta chipboard, be sure to take advantage of their current seasonal promotion.  Shop their online store and save with free handling fees until December 31st.

TTFN,