Wednesday 31 October 2012

Video Tutorial for My Creative Scrapbook Mixed Media Kits - How to Create a Mixed Media Canvas






Hi everyone!  Thanks for all the get well wishes on Facebook.
Happy to report that I am feeling much better now.  Antibiotics
sure work a charm don't they?  And so quick!!  Anyway I'm 
about to go and test Cami who has her first 2 exams tomorrow - 
her first exams EVER - so she really needs her mum's support!

My video tutorial is up at My Creative Scrapbook  aswell today
  HERE.  I had in mind to make a much shorter video but I
ended up giving a thorough lesson on how to make a mixed
media canvas, from start to finish, and that takes time :)

 I could actually make a hilarious compilation of the out-takes - 
it was honestly a very funny experience and took me a week!  
To make a 20 minute video!!  Yup I am a video CLOWN!!! 
 I sincerely hope I improve my editing and uploading skills as 
I go along :)



Anyway, seeing as it's my first video in 4 years online hopefully 
you can all take a peek!  I would love it if you could SUBSCRIBE
 to my channel by clicking into You Tube once you have
 finished  watching.  Then you will be the first to know when I 
upload a new video. I'm hoping to do another one this year with
 my November MY CREATIVE SCRAPBOOK kit. 

It's gotta get easier right?! :-D




Tuesday 30 October 2012

Mixed Media Canvas for My Creative Scrapbook





So the time has come at last to share my work done for 
My Creative Scrapbook Kit Club this month.


In future I will be able to share earlier, actually I didn't realise
that I was meant to be sharing all along as I am actually working
with the current kit for October & not the newer November kit.


I will be putting up the photo tutorial for this soon and
 then....tadadadada!! The video tutorial!!  Which I must tell
 you is NOT 2 minutes long LOL!  It's a wopping 20 minutes
so I'll forgive you for not watching :)  {in fact I may even pay
you not to watch LOL}.  That's just me being shy :))))


If you are wondering who the gorgeous boys are they are NOT MINE!
They are the handsome sons of my Australian friend Leonie Neal-Dawson
who is a highly talented mixed media artist and produces very
inspirational work!  She sent me the most AMAZING canvas in return.


The Mixed Media Design Team is a new addition to
 My Creative Scrapbook & it's focus is to be on education, 
which suits me to a T because I love tutorials!


Even if you don't subscribe to their kits {which everybody knows
are the bees knees of kits in the shabby chic genre} following their
blog will provide you with a steady stream of daily inspiration.


Apart from some of the mists, the gauze, the paint & the actual 12"
canvas all the rest you see here comes from the My Creative Scrapbook
Mixed Media October kit available for sale HERE.



I used all the keys and all the dangles on this piece! 

Supplies List for 'Go Confidently' Canvas

12inch Canvas - locally purchased
Embossing Glue Pad & refill - Tsukineko
UTEE {Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel} Ranger
White Acrylic Paint - Dala
Modeling Paste - Reeves
Texture medium - Deco Art
Multi Medium Matte- Claudine Helmuth Studio
Green paint - Dala
Grid stencil - 6' Crafter's Workshop
Butterfly Stencil - Maya Road
Black Mist - Maya Road - Charcoal
Blue Mist - Tattered Angels - Patina
Green Mist - Gable Green - Studio Calico
Navy mist - Smooch Spritz - Navy Twinkle
Pink Mist - Studio Calico 'Calico Cream' mixed with
Ranger Liquid Pearls Petal Pink
Blue dots - Ranger Liquid Pearls Baby Blue
Ranger Liquid Pearls Peacock {Green}
Alphas - Webster's Pages Storytellers - Park Drive
Misted gauze - bought from pharmacy then misted
Keys - Maya Road Antique Room Keys
Beads - 7 Gypsies Dangles
{Black mist, stencils, dangles and keys all from
My Creative Scrapbook Mixed Media Kit October 2012}

****On another MORE BORING note my internet troubles are 
still with me - for 17 days now we have had an unstable line &
I am able to get online for a couple of hours a day after spending
a couple of hours trying to log on & resetting the router a gazillion
 times - today I reported our internet provider to 2 consumer 
watchdogs in the hopes that someone may actually arrive 
to attempt to get to the source of the problem!****

That means I've been a lousy commenter this month & I apologise :)




Monday 29 October 2012

This is Where my Soul Soars Layout {The Scrapbook Store/Webster's Pages Park Drive}





Hi!  This weekend I managed to get the 'The Scrapbook Store'
sketch challenge done!!  They choose a winner by random
draw but the prize is a $40 voucher, plus free postage anywhere
in the world, so it is too good a prize not to throw my hat in!


I used my Webster's Pages Park Drive Papers that were the 
nearest accessible papers as I still had them on my counter
since I'd been using them last week to create all my Mixed Media
projects for my new DT gig at My Creative Scrapbook.


I used the Crafter's Workshop 6" grid stencil that came with the
Limited Edition kit, together with modeling paste misted with
blue ink {Tattered Angels Patina}, to create my background.


The alphas are part of the same collection from Webster's Pages
& are also available with the kit.  I used Liquid Pearls 'Buttercup'
to create the tiny dots around the edge of my hot air balloon circle.


That delicious blinged-up lace is from Prima & the chipboard
grass tufts are from Dusty Attic.  This is the 2nd time I've used
them because they are so simply beautiful.  I decorated them 
with Shimmerz Blingz & Perfect Pearls.


I inked up the edges with Burnt Sienna by Color Box
& used some lovely Prima flowers for my cluster.


The photo is of a valley in the Drakensberg, here in 
Kwa-Zulu Natal & it is a beautiful place to visit - 
so serene & the landscape is breathtaking.

Supplies List for 'This is Where my Soul Soars' Layout


All papers - Webster's Pages - Park Drive - Snacks,
Through the Lens, In the Paper, Box Lunch
Alphas - Webster's Pages Storytellers - Park Drive
Stickers - Webster's Pages - Park Drive
Lace - Prima
Flowers - Prima {Tuscany & Coventry Tranquil}
Prima flower packaging
Liquid Pearls - Ranger - Buttercup
Modeling paste - Reeves
Grid Stencil - Crafter's Workshop 6"
Chipboard - Dusty Attic
Shimmerz Blingz - Grinchy Green
Perfect Pearls - Ranger - Green Patina
Ink - Color Box - Burnt Sienna


Sunday 28 October 2012

You Shine a Light Layout {Webster's Pages} Creative Scrappers Sketch 232





Hi everyone!  Happy Sunday to you!!  I do hope you are 
having a glorious day with an opportunity to do all the things
 you haven't had a chance to do this week thus far.  


It's a sad day for me today!  This is my LAST layout for 
Creative Scrappers!  I've served 2 terms and it's time for
me to move on.  I've LOVED my time with Kristine &
wholeheartedly recommend Creative Scrappers to you all.


See the reveal HERE - it is really particularly AWESOME today :)
I guess everyone went all out for their last showing...

I went ALL Webster's Pages with this one!
Eight collections!!  I've been buying Webster's
Pages for many years!!!


I love to fussy cut so me & Webster's are 'best friends'!


The brown branches peeking out from under 
the pink fussy cut papers are Webster's vellum.  


I lifted the fussy-cut papers up with pop-dots.
Those little things are so handy & I love the effect.


The tulle flower {Perfect Petal} just arrived on my doorstep
this week.  I inked it's edges with pink.  Pink & orange = YUM.


I also got some yummy new 'Perfect Accents' & the 
whole 'Park Drive' collection.  The colours are lovely!


I journaled directly onto the packaging that the 'Perfect Petal'
came attached to {just cut around the printed frame}.  


If you're going for a layered effect inking goes
really well with the dimensional look.


I just love that photo of my daughter's absolutely tiny tush!!
She definitely didn't get that from my genes...


Yes, that IS a Story Marker!!  I need moooooore!!!
I actually cut that one in half as they are long - 
so I'm going to 'stretch' them out like that :)


Supplies List for 'Live in the Moment - Sing' Layout

Papers - Webster's Pages - Sunday Picnic - On our Way
Text Print - Webster's Pages Early Collection
Pink Fussy-cut paper - Webster's Pages First Collection
Floral Patterned Paper - Sunday Picnic - Blanket of Poppies
Striped Paper - Webster's Pages - Spring Market - Fresh Harvest
Vellum - Webster's Pages - Garden Gala
Fussy-cut Paper - Webster's Pages - Yacht Club - You Shine
Resin Butterfly - Webster's Pages - Everyday Poetry
Floral Cameo & embossed buttons - Webster's Pages - Perfect Accents
Bling - Webster's Pages - Everyday Poetry Collection
Tulle Flower - Webster's Pages - Perfect Petal
Pink flower - Mini Perfect Petal - Webster's Pages Girl Land Collection
Word sticker - Webster's Pages - Park Drive Collection
Fabric Ticket - Webster's Pages Park Drive Collection
Story Marker - Webster's Pages - Park Drive Collection
Inks - Blush Rose & Burnt Sienna {Color Box}
Pink ink - Old Rose - Prima
Journal Pens - Creative Memories




Saturday 27 October 2012

Everyday Portraits- A beautiful new ' Winter' Collection from Les Papiers de Pandore






Hi there everyone!  I hope you're having a great weekend!!
It is raining here & our local rugby team has just lost the
 final so there are 3 grumpy men in my home :(  I'm not a huge
sports fan so didn't go due to the rain - the wet weather here
is a bit gloomy so I've been in my studio backing up my files
& getting another layout done.  


Here is the next new collection from Les Papiers de Pandore.

Isn't it beautiful?!  I just love the colours and the photography
theme!  Such a versatile collection!!  Again YOU CAN WIN IT!
You need to do the same as yesterday - copy and paste the image
from my blog to yours then go to Pandore HERE & leave a comment
with a link to your post.  Subscribe by e mail so you don't miss
the winners' announcement in mid November.

When you subscribe to Overblog {the French blog server} you
get an e mail with a link to the post as opposed to being able
to read the whole post by e mail.  When you click in to read
make sure you are using Google Chrome as your browser if you
want an automatic language translation as you can set this to
the language of your choice at the top of the blog & it will
remember your selection for future.

Good Luck & have a great Sunday!
I will have my Creative Scrappers layout up tomorrow.
At LAST something I've done that I can actually share!!




Friday 26 October 2012

Little Winter Circus - A brand new collection from Les Papiers de Pandore - and you can win it!






I know it's been a quiet, quiet week on this bloggy - with no real
'meaty' content & I wish I could change that but not just yet!!

I am now working on a magazine commission - my first!!  So that
is very exciting for me & you will only get to see that in 4 months
- yup that part is a drag...Anyway, if I keep on this way at least
there's hope of my blog being exciting next year  :)

My internet problems continue!  I am NOT COMPLAINING!!
Just letting you know why I am slow to respond to your comments :)

I am hoping we will finally see a technician arrive from our
parastatal internet provider over the weekend.


So what do you think of the new collection from Pandore?

Ever so French is the first thing I thought!!
Truly, truly lovely!  Mine is on it's way to me already!!
I have been on the design team for 6 months now - 
time flies - and it is really such a blessing.

It has been such a great opportunity for me & fortunately
it is not yet time to leave!  Yay me!!  

Now WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN THIS?????
Okay, what you need to do is click HERE
Leave a comment then right click & save this image
{copy & paste does NOT work from Overblog but it does
from Blogger so copy & paste from MY image}.

Then you need to make a post on your blog - showing 
everyone the new collection - Little Winter Circus -
from Les Papiers de Pandore & linking back to the
post on their blog (the link is above).

The winner will be announced mid-November.
You can subscribe to Pandore by email so you don't
miss the announcement!  It could be you...

Good Luck!!  Have a great weekend :)



Thursday 25 October 2012

Sneak Peeks & Challenges with Great Prizes!






Hi Everyone!  Hope you are having a great week!!

I've spent a LONG TIME trying to sort out our internet
line fault & we have now had our 'fast internet' line slowed 
down...yes that may sound like we are going backwards
(this is Africa after all!!) but it seems to have stabilised the
line, which is GREAT - so let's hope it drops less now or not
at all...and the slower speed doesn't do my head in!!

Well I've had a busy week!  I made a video!!  Shock, horror,
 I know!!!  It was a hilarious, frustrating, soul-destroying & 
elating experience but at the end of the day it is all progress!
It will debut soon at My Creative Scrapbook & I will link you
up when it does!  Cringe, cringe, cringe...oh well - too late now :)


I made a canvas!


And I made a layout too!!
SOON they'll be making an appearance here on my blog.

In the meantime here are some sketches I hope to work on -
in case you are looking for some inspiration!


The prize for this one means it's ALWAYS WORTH A TRY 
even though it is a random draw.  See the details HERE.


The Prima BAP here.
The prize here is kudos.  Prima Kudos :)


The Scrap Friends Sketch HERE.
Great prize and guest designer opportunity!
Go for it!!




Wednesday 24 October 2012

Ain't Nobody Got Time for That!





Well I know how the poor woman feels...I ain't got no time either!!

So 'Happy Hump Day' to you all & I have to head back to the counter
where it all happens...Tons and tons of work due in & the month is marching on - the 24th already - eek, eeek, eeeeeeekkkkkkk!!  

Watch the video!  It's only 2 minutes long and so funny & catchy :)



My son heard about it and showed it to me {teenagers come in handy like that!} - it's a parody made from a real life interview of a woman (by a news channel) whose apartment building really did catch fire!  



Monday 22 October 2012

13 Arts Giveaway! {Frosted Life} Brand new Polish Manufacturer






Hi ladies!  Gosh I am sooooo frustrated...We have had an 
ADSL  line fault here for the last 12 days & it is STILL not
resolved despite many, many phone calls!  Aaaaanyway,
right now there is internet so I'm rushing in!!  Long may 
it last!!!  I have GREAT NEWS though!  Another giveaway!!

Look HERE and sign up to follow 13 Arts.


How cool are these papers?  I love the colours!!

You can win an entire pack of the new 'Frosted Life' collection.
It's a great mix of textured papers as well as muted designs.
I can't wait for mine to arrive :)

1.  Go to the 13 Arts blog HERE & add your name to the linky
list!

2.  Create a post showing an image of the new 'Frosted Life' 
collection & create a post about it like I have done here.

3.  Sign up to become a follower of the 13 Arts blog.

4.  LIKE 13 Arts on Facebook!

You have until midnight EST on the 3rd November to enter.

For every 40 entries there will be ONE winner.

***  Head on over to 13 Arts now & congratulate Aida on her
new venture!  Have a great week everyone!  ***



Sunday 21 October 2012

Awesome Weekend Layout {Colorful Creations Guest Designer} Les Papiers de Pandore/Purple Pumpkin





Lucky me, I was asked a while back if I would like to be 
Guest Designer at Colourful Creations Challenge blog.  
Well yes of course I would!  I was sent this sketch to work 
with and to be honest, I thought....geez.... how am I 
going to fill that much space with photos? 

 Well that IS really the original idea behind scrapbooking 
isn't it?  So I rose to the challenge & created a collage
 in Picasa {AWESOME free editing program}.


I rotated the sketch one turn to the left {anti-clockwise}
 & from then on it was ALL FUN!  Turns out this was a 
GREAT sketch  & I LOVE how my page turned out!


I used the fabulous new trendy 2012 collection from
 Les Papiers de Pandore {Urbanessence} where there
is a Guest Designer call on at the moment HERE {have
you applied?} entries need to be in by the 30th Oct!


I made this collage of the closies for the Colorful Creations
 blog but I'm including them individually as well below :)


The selection of prints in this collection are very
funky - for variety I tore some edges as well as 
using my pinking shears {zigzag scissors}. 


I used embellishments from Purple Pumpkin -  I have a box full of
them and more on the way now that I made their DT  (Woooo!! ) -  
I just love adding their stuff, perfect for those finishing touches.


The twine, tickets, felt heart, wooden button & doily are all from 
Purple Pumpkin and available from their online store HERE.


I've used 2 Pandore stamps on this layout (both from the 
Urbanessence collection)  the splat above & the number/
barcode stamp you can see above the photo in the main
 layout picture.  Pandore stamps are really good quality
& very reasonably priced (See them HERE).  

Les Papiers de Pandore is going WORLDWIDE!  Encourage
YOUR local scrapbook store to distribute their products
by signing up HERE for wholesale prices. 


Supplies List for 'Awesome Weekend' Layout

Patterned Papers - Les Papiers de Pandore - Urbanessence - 
Legends, Tags, Skyline, Style & Star System 
Stamps - Les Papiers de Pandore - Urbanessence
Cloud stamp - Studio Calico
Stamping ink - Color Box - Nightfall set
Badge - Les Papiers de Pandore  - Urbanessence 
Doily, twine, wooden button, felt heart & tickets -
Purple Pumpkin
Alphas - Yellow - American Crafts - Remarks - Beckett
Alphas - Red - Jenni Bowlin - Chalkboard
Brads - Dear Lizzy - Neopolitan
Chipboard Butterflies - Wycinanka
Staples - Making Memories

Why not play along with this sketch at Colorful Creations HERE
as well as signing up for their Ning Community HERE?  The
site is absolutely buzzing with challenges and goings on!!

Thanks so much to the Colorful Creations ladies for inviting me :)




Saturday 20 October 2012

Purple Pumpkin New Releases!






Check out the site HERE for all the new goodies!!

You know you can sign up to "Read by E Mail"?
Personally I find that more practical than a 
Google Reader - once it's in your inbox a quick
skim & you're up to date then press delete!

A lot better than being a gazillion posts behind
in your reader...well that's my thinking anyway :)


And no more waiting for Friday sales anymore,
now you can just click SHOP at the top of the blog
and buy whatever you need any time of the day
or night.  Pretty cool.  Pretty Purple :)





Friday 19 October 2012

October 2012 Giveaway






Hi there!  Happy Friday!!  LOVE the weekend :-D
So I've been cleaning out my studio - LESS CLUTTER - MORE CLARITY!
No way will I ever use what I own - let's be realistic.
I've bought too much in the past & it's one of my 2013 resolutions to
change that.  Other times I win stuff or have stuff left over sent to
me by my design teams.  Either way I'm happy to share it with you,
simply because  I like you!  You support my artistic journey and 
having this blog is FUN :)  It adds to the colour in my life...

What to do to win

My giveaways take place approximately once a month and are
always (and always will be) open internationally.

1.  Be or become a follower.

2.  Share this image in your sidebar AND in a separate post on your
blog entitled 'Scrap Addict Giveaway'.

3.  Add this text to your post.

"There's a lot of stuff up for grabs here.  Tons of chipboard, from
Scrap FX and various other manufacturers.  Pink Paislee & 
Maya Road mistables & stickers, Studio Calico rub-ons, printed
glitter die-cuts & beautiful Prima butterfly embellishments.  
Head on over to Helen Tilbury's blog HERE for more details!"

4.  Leave me a comment once you've done the above - together 
with a link to your post.

5.  Look out for the random winner announcement soon after the
end of the month!

Each person entering will be counted only once :)

Have a great weekend!





The Scrapbook Store {formerly Handmade By Suzanne} Blinkie Competition







All you need to do is add this blinkie to your sidebar
{by copying and pasting from me or saving it to your
computer & uploading it} for a chance to win.  Make
sure to add the link to the store in, so that when you click
it it takes you straight to the store.  HERE is the link!

For a 2nd chance to win create a post about the competition
and share it on your blog.  You can win one of 3 fabulous
Kiasercraft Collections, including stamps, stickers, 
speciality papers, rub-ons and more!  Each pack is worth
 $40 AUD and all postage is FREE!!

Once you've done one or both these things send Suzanne
an e mail at suzanne@thescrapbookstore.com.au 
If you don't have a blog you can post on Facebook and let
Suzanne know!  Entries close midnight 31st October 2012
Australian time so you have a while!





Thursday 18 October 2012

Video Tutorials - Feedback Please...! :)






So you know I've been thinking/talking about this for a long time
now.  I had a contract with Miss Arts Papercrafts to teach a 101 
class but sadly they closed online shop just before I started 
preparing for mine, which was coming up in a couple of months. 

 Now that I am working for My Creative Scrapbook Mixed Media team 
video tutorials may ultimately be easier for me to prepare than photo
ones, and certainly a lot more fun for others to watch too.

What do you think?  Do you watch them??  Which do you prefer???
Photo step-by-step tutorials or video tutorials?  Do you watch them?
Often??  I don't watch them regularly to be honest.  I don't have 
time!  And I can't go over 10 minutes or I just get antsy!! 
 So I'm aiming  for short and sweet but I have a lot to say,
 so those 2 don't go hand in hand!

And of course there are endless technical difficulties. 
 Nothing come easily for me... Drat!  Anyway, I persevere!! 
 So hopefully I'll manage to get something out some time soon!  
Meanwhile here is a VERY CUTE tutorial that I LOVE, 
taken from the most awesome ILS blog HERE.  

What do you think?  Would you watch videos under
5 minutes on this blog or not?  

Any feedback or advice you can offer would be much appreciated!



Thanks girls!  Friday tomorrow!!
Woooo Hooo!!!  I could sleep for a week,
but I have lots to do so I'll drink Red Bull instead LOL
{just kidding, never drunk a Red Bull in my life...}




Funky Camera Straps & Camera Bags for Photography Divas!






Hi there ladies!  I'm off the airwaves for a couple of reasons.

1.  We have a line fault on our phone/ADSL line that means
that the internet is coming and going and incredibly slow 
when it is running.  Hence this week has been a tad frustrating
as it's taking forever to get simple things achieved.

2.  I'm trying to learn a new skill - how to make, edit & upload
video tutorials successfully on my own.  I'm sure it will be easy
once I've mastered it but for now I am getting nowhere fast &
it is causing me to get behind on the actual job of creating, of
which there is a lot :)  So bear with me - I'll be back!!

In the meantime I have something worth sharing.  
Information you may know nothing about - I didn't until
I took an online photography course & these beauties
 came up in the forum.  


I bought THIS Black Rapid Camera strap a while ago.  LOVE it...
Read all about it in more detail HERE.  This really is a fancy
gadget and makes life SO MUCH more comfortable if you're
a woman {especially one with assets bigger than a B cup}.
  You can see instructional videos of how to fit and
use it HERE.  Serious comfort!!  A GREAT investment.
Next up - camera bags!  Yes there are a few sites around &
quite a few 'pretties' out there online but this one is CLASSY.
I bought mine HERE.  It was a birthday gift from hubs to
me a while back.  It is seriously OOOOOH LA LA!!! See all
the deets and the video HERE


I see they have it in a print now too....ooooooh....
And a smaller one too that is really rather nice as well.
See it HERE.

Christmas is just around the corner...
If you are in need of snazzing up your camera gear
you know where to go now!  Have a good day!!