AT MY BEST...: XOXO

No Photo Challenge - June 2013

6:30 AM

I have been going back through my blog draft posts and came across this layout that was intended for our XOXO Scapbooking DT challenge back in 2013. I have left most of the post the same as back then.

I absolutely loved this challenge and everything it involved.

The criteria is pretty simple.... There is to be NO PHOTOS on your page. Make the page all about journaling, a childs drawing, a home made card or a postcard. It can be anything and the aim is to get you thinking outside the box on this one.

Here is my take on the challenge:

Feb 2013

It has been inspired by Project Life and is a glimpse of where my life was at in February 2013. It took a fair bit of time to cut all of the tags and think about all of the journaling topics, but all in all I was pretty happy with the end result.

I have gone through an added embellishments to suit. There are buttons, brads, flowers, string, ribbon and a good dose of Words or Whatever Chipboard.

The WOW items include the Belle Flourish (WOW1223) coloured with a black sharpie marker and cut into pieces, Mini Leaf Branches (WOW1721) coloured with a green sharpie marker and hearts from the Mini Hearts Pack (WOW1595) coloured in with a pink sharpie marker. Such a simple way to embellish chipboard yet every effective.

Add in the gorgeous prima flowers and a flair button and the project was complete.

I loved that this challenge took me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to create something that I will sure do again at some stage.

Mwah and thanks for calling past xx

12x12

'One of his' - XOXO Scrapbooking

7:00 AM

Its always a great feeling when you finally get a much loved photo scrapped and off your desk. This one has been floating around for a while now, and I love that its finally done, and that I am happy with the result!

This is a scraplift for the XOXO Scrapbooking August challenge and you all still have time to take part.

This gorgeous photo was taken by Tanya from TMK Photography.

'One of his'

I have also used a few Words or Whatever items and love how they have pulled the layout together.

I have used a liquid platinum embossing powder on the chipboard bike. Isnt it pretty?!!

And the dark wood veneer left all natural was the perfect tones for the page.

There are still a few days left to have a go at the XOXO August scraplift. Head over to the blog to see the original and the inspiration from the other girls.

12x12

'Beautiful Chicago' - XOXO Scrapbooking

6:30 AM

I have managed this month (finally) to pull together our scraplift over at XOXO Scrapbooking and finally posted it for all to see. I had a bit of fun this this one getting messy with gesso, and then it not looking anything like the idea in my head.... A second layer of gesso then just sticking stuff down to get it finished! Adding a bit of stamping, some flicks of mist and a bit of torn washi covered a few bits that I wasn't sure of!

I have used a few July new release Words or Whatever pieces on this page and think it made it look even better!! The wood veneers have been left raw and the flower has been coloured with Gelatos and a white gel pen.

Beautiful Chicago

Chicago is such a beautiful city and even nicer when it isn't freezing cold. This was the second time we had visited and, in shorts and t-shirts, much enjoyed our visit. We just wish we had spent more time here! We will be back one day (but only in summer).

Here is the page that it has been lifted off.

You still have a couple of days to get your entries linked up to the XOXO blog to have a chance to be out next guest DT member! Why not have a go?

12x12

'This Happened' - XOXO Scrapbooking

7:30 PM

This month of at the XOXO Scrapbooking blog, Joanne has set our challenge and I love it as it can be easily interpreted for any style. I wanted to give myself a bit more of a challenge and make it incorporate more than one photo without loosing the original scraplift style.

I chose to scrap a few photos from our day at the Colour Run from when it was in Wollongong. It was my friend Stephs birthday and we had a ball! I wanted to tie the background in with the event theme so I have used it as my diagonal detail.

'This happened'

Here is Jo's page that I have scraplifted.

Why not give it a go and scraplift Jo's page too. Be sure to add it to the linky tool on the blog and you could be our next guest DT member.

12x12

XOXO May Challenge - 'Wigwam'

7:00 AM

I love the scraplift challenges that get put before us as a design team at XOXO Scrapbooking and this month is no different. I love that they push us out of our comfort zones and we have a chance to do this to the other members too.

Michelles layout this month was a double layout using photobooth photos so was a bit of a challenge as I have no photobooth photos to scrap. So, I had to use a bit of imagination to come up with an alternative. This is where printing photos in smaller sizes is a good idea.

Wigwam

This layout design documents this stay on our holiday in America last year perfectly.

Here is Michelles inspiration layout.

If you want to take part in this challenge, they need to be uploaded tonight! Head over to XOXO and check out the inspiration the other girls have put up. They are great.

12x12

'XOXO DT Sista'

7:00 PM

I have been waiting for the perfect embellishments to scrap this photo of meeting Kimmy for the first time. As we are both design team members on the XOXO Scrapbooking blog, the new Words or Whatever wood veneer XOXO was perfect for my title.

XOXO DT Sista

Using light wood veneer XOXO and light wood veneer Hello circle cut

I have left the wood veneer raw on this layout. I love that the wood veneers are so effortless to use on anything.

I had a great time meeting Kimmy and am so glad I have this photo to remember it by. A life long friend made on the other side of the world!

12x12

XOXO April Challenge - 'Another Selfie'

7:00 AM

Shhhhhh, because we are in Australia and just that little bit ahead of the rest of the world, this one is coming to you a little bit early!! Welcome to the April challenge for XOXO. It was my turn this month to add a bit of my style to the blog and hope to inspire a few people to scraplift this one and enter.

We all know I scrap 'girly' well. I find if I can add a bit of pink, yellow and teal with a doily, some flair buttons, enamel dots and some Words or Whatever products, my pages seem to fall together ever so easily.

This one is your inspiration to scraplift for April. That is all you need to do. Use it like a sketch and play away, but make sure you enter on the XOXO blog to have a chance at being a guest DT with these lovely ladies.

Another Selfie

Using chipboard flourish and chipboard 'Selfie' title

And a couple of close ups of the gorgeous WOW products, which, if I haven't already told you, I LOVE! Along with these beautiful {A Flair for Buttons} flair (which are my favorite).

The 'Selfie' chipboard title has been misted with gold Heidi Swapp mist with the added enamel dots.

And another piece of new release chipboard - this flourish is so delicate and beautiful. This has been painted with a teal silk paint, with more enamel dots and another {A Flair for Buttons} flair.

Thanks for calling past and I hope you have time to play along with our scraplift challenge for the month.

12x12

'Endless Summer'

6:31 PM

As we draw to the end of summer, I am still living my 'Endless Summer' from my time in Hawaii last year. I loved it there and can't wait to go back.

Endless Summer 2 is one of my all time favourite movies and always makes me think Hawaii, the home to Duke, one of the fathers to the recreation/sport. So, fitting this theme I have used the new chipboard Endless Summer title with a photo of the monument to Duke on Waikiki Beach.

Endless Summer

Using chipboard 'Endless Summer' title, chipboard surfboard and light wood veneer shell.

A couple of close ups. The chipboard title has been coloured with a teal silk paint and yellow prismacolour pencils. And the chipboard surfboard has been covered in washi tape.

The wood veneer shell has been left raw.

Keep an eye on the Words to Whatever blog for the March new releases.

12x12

XOXO January

9:17 PM

The XOXO girls are back in full swing for January and we are revisiting our roots of scraplifting. Renee has put up a wonderful layout to base your challenges on and I love how my layout came out.

'That it stood'

I have shrunk down the initial design to create a good amount of white space and I love how it turned out.

Why not give this challenge a go and have the chance to become a Lipstick Chick for the month of February. We would love to have you.

12x12

Messy Metal - XOXO Scrapbooking

8:00 PM

XOXO Scrapbooking is finding its legs again after a brief hiatus and we are back in force. We have moved to a new blog address and currently have a design team call going. I love these girls and these challenges that are thrown at us twice a month!

The challenge for the second half of August is all about Metal. I was a little stumped on this one to start with, but soon fell into a groove and came up with this baby.

On the Other Side

Using Tim Holtz Metal Cogs and {A Flair for Buttons} Flair

I really wanted to keep the grunge graffiti feel of the old factory on my page, so have used a combination of mists, distress inks, H2Os and stamping.

It was an interesting page for me as I don't normally just chuck stuff on a page, and say that will do. I loved playing with all of the different mediums to make the background and this is the first time I have had the patients to do so. I will admit that I am not entirely sold on how this page turned out, but loved that I took a leap outside my comfort zone and pieces this together.

Head over to the XOXO Scrapbooking blog to check out the other works on display, and apply for the DT while you are there!

Hawaii

Hawaii Mini Album - Punky Sprouts

8:37 AM

While on our recent holiday and in Arizona, USA, I had the chance to catch up with fellow XOXO Scrapbooking DT member Kimmy. It was fantastic to meet in real life, catch up over dinner and discuss so much more than just the scrap world.

Kimmy is on the design team for Punky Sprouts and I was very lucky to have been given one of their albums to bring home - Teenie Beanie Sprout album. I have spent some time playing with it and am happy with how it has turned out.

Here are a few pics of the inside. I felt for a while that a few pages needed a bit extra, but we can always rely on a little bit of Tim Holtz film strip to fix that problem.

This mini album is for my instax photos from Hawaii, where I have combined them with the "I {heart} Summer" range from Simple Stories. It was perfect for this project.

These are super sweet albums having chipboard, thick card and canvas pages to work with, and there are no holes in it for the rings, so it gives you the freedom to decide if you what one, two or three and where you want them to be.

I have used a few embellishments in here, including Words or Whatever wood veneer and items from Michaels Recollection range. Oh, and who can forget the good old washi tape!!

I have also thrown in a MAMBI card or two for good measure.

Do you do mini albums or do they scare you half to death at the thought?

Leave me some love if you are calling past. I would love to know who is dropping by so that I can return the love!!

Thanks for calling past xx

WOW

XOXO Scrapbooking - Words or Whatever #2

11:27 AM

May has been a pretty fun month with the cross over of my XOXO Scrapbooking and Words or Whatever Design Teams. Everyone knows how much I love my WOW products, and with the cross over, I have been able to introduce my American friends to this fantastic product.

Lost In Those Eyes

I have pieced together this layout using the Symbol Pack (WOW1834). My style at the moment calls for a very simple use of chipboard. All I have done is colour in the chippy with my white gel journal pen. So simple.

The XOXO Scrapbooking chipboard challenge is still open until 10th June if you were thinking of entering!

Mwah and thanks for stopping by xx

WOW

XOXO Scrapbooking - Words or Whatever Month #1

7:30 AM

I want to start by saying that it is pretty awesome when two of my scrappy worlds collide. This month over at XOXO Scrapbooking, Words or Whatever have be kind enough to sponsor our challenge #46. Suzanne has sent some gorgeous chippy items to the American girls to play with and the results are stunning. The best thing for me, is that I can use some of my ever growing stash for this challenge and be doing my Design Teams positions justice.

Can I just make a note that the XOXO Scrapbooking girls are absolutely loving the WOW products! They can't get enough of them!!

Here is my first layout for the challenge:

When I Grow Up

I have used the Arrow Corner Pack (WOW1626), Mini People Pack (WOW1895), Life Elements Pack #2 (WOW1853) and the 6x6 Chevron Wide AltaMATZ (ALTA024).

The chipboard has been coloured with a white journal pen or misted with Mister Hueys White mist. The AltaMATZ has been misted with Mister Hueys. It has kept this layout nice and light and fun.

We are sharing all of the XOXO Scrapbooking layouts for May every Wednesday on the Words or Whatever blog. The XOXO Scrapbooking blog is being updated daily. Head over and give the girls your support by leaving them some love from AUSTRALIA on either the XOXO blog or their personal blogs. I can tell you, you will not be disappointed with what they are achieving with this gorgeous product!! You may just find a new blog to stalk :-)

Mwah xx

WOW

XOXO Scrapbooking - POP, pop, pop, pop it up! - 1st April 2013

7:58 AM

The challenge for April over at XOXO Scrapbooking is POPPING up our layouts. Your definition of pop is totally up to you. The girls have put together a really good selection of ideas for pop, so don't forget to head over to the blog and check out everyones inspiration.

As usual, your job is to take a look at the creative ideas, then start creating. You can scraplift any of us or just work to the challenge criteria. Honestly this month is perfect to get the mojo flowing if you are looking for a bit of fun.

To The End!

I have used the black cardstock with the bright colours to make it all pop.

And because I can I have used some Words or Whatever chipboard on here too.

Corner Arrows from the pack (WOW1626) covered in matching paper and on black cardstock to make them pop.

To break the colour I have added a WOW flourish (Decorative Piece Set #2 WOW1297) coloured in with a black sharpie marker.

Head over to XOXO Scrapbooking and check out the girls gorgeous work.

Mwah xx

XOXO

XOXO Scrapbooking - "Don't Say Cheese" March 2013

7:30 PM

Over at XOXO Scrapbooking we have a great challenge for you, that should be easy for most of us.

Challenge: NO cameras

When we say no cameras, we mean no camera equipment. Most of us use devices these days to take our pics anyway. Things like smart phones, iPods and tablets. And the amount of applications available to alter these pics are fantastic.

We want you to use these pics you have taken with a device, start playing with apps and scrap your masterpiece.

While trying to catch up on my 52 week album (from 2012... smack my wrist for being so far behind), I have used a photo taken with a standard iPhone 4S. It has been put through both the Camera+ and Instagram apps to come up with this result.

Make-Up Trial

I use both of these apps all the time and usually always love the result. This case is no different.

And whats not to love about getting another page done??!!

All you need to do is scrap a page with the a device photo that has been altered through apps, and upload it the linky on the XOXO Scrapbooking page. Its not difficult, and like me, you too can catch up on a few of those pages!

TFL xx

WOW

True XOXO "Leftover Valentine" Mid Month Challenge - February

10:30 AM

How can we not have a LOVE inspired theme for our Mid Month challenge over at True XOXO in the month of February. As it is late, we have gone with a Leftover Valentine idea.

The criteria was simple for this one. Red, Pink, Heats, Fluff, All things mushy really.

It didn't take me long to piece this one together using just about everything on the inspiration list.

Happily Every After

And I have added some WOW chipboard in there, just because I can. I have coloured both the title and circle flourish with pencils then used dimensional magic to give it the glossy look and top it off.

Head over and check out the rest of the love on the blog. Be inspired by any of the layouts from the DT, upload them to the blog and be in the running to join our awesome group as a guest designer. Its worth it. I XOXO these girls!!

TFL xx

XOXO

True XOXO "The Superbet" Challenge

9:41 AM

Scenario: A week prior to the big game, The Super Bowl. One DT member is mad Giants, another mad Ravens. The trash talk begins. A scrap bet is made based on the outcome of the game. We choose sides.... Its a 50 50 chance of winning. Based on their record I choose Giants.

The Bet: Each DT member was asked to submit an item or technique. These would be compiled into a list and the losers were to complete a page with all of these elements on it.

As you can imagine the list was going to be a bit of a mess and it was always going to be a challenge, but one I was happy to tackle as part of the losing team.... A bet is a bet after all.

The list:
Stencil
Lace
Purple
Red & Gold
Purple Washi Tape
Lobster/Embossed Stamping (The lobster was a joke but extra point were awarded if you could make it work)
Mist
Distressing
Stitching
Index Cards

The layout: And in true XOXO style, there was a good mix of style. Here is mine (less the embossed stamping as I didn't have anything to do it with, and the lobster? No where to be found, although I did look for a little sticker to put on there somewhere).

IF ONLY

Take on a challenge this weekend and see what you can produce with the loser list. If this list doesn't inspire you, head over and check out the girls work. You never know, a scraplift might just be in order.

TFL xx

WOW

True XOXO Audrey Hepburn Quote Challenge - February

10:30 AM

All things Audrey Hepburn are happening over at the True XOXO blog this month with a wonderful quote challenge. Even if you have no mojo at the moment, this one is sure to get it firing on all cylinders!

The quote from gorgeous Audrey Hepburn:

Or simple be inspired by Audrey Hepburn herself.

I BELIEVE

I fell in love with this quote the moment I saw it. Each line has a meaning for me so it was hard to choose just one line to use. This one has the strongest meaning out of them all. It has been a moto in my life for many years now and I don't see that ending any time soon. I couldnt help but use one of the photos taken by gorgeous Tanya from TMK Photography at the Savvy Delights Retreat last year too. I don't often scrap pages about me, but with this one so close to my heart, I had to. Oh and there is nothing like a bit of pink when we talk Ms Hepburn.
I had so many ideas for this page, and could draw inspiration from this challenge for another 10 if I had to.

I have used a WOW flourish to top this one off, by colouring it in with a white gel pen.

And the same with the WOW camera, but left the remainder of it raw.

Head over and check out the beautiful layout from the DT at the True XOXO blog, and have a go at this one yourself. You have all month, and I would love to see some of my amazing Aussie scrap friends having a go!!

TFL xx

XOXO

True XOXO "Baby, You're a Firework" Challange - January 2013

2:51 PM

With all of the Words or Whatever work and blog posting going on, I have had to find a space to fit this one in!!

The challenge over at True XOXO Scrapbooking this month is to be inspired by Fireworks. I love fireworks. The colour, the sounds, the smells and the smiles they bring to so many faces.

There are so many avenues that this challenge could take, and it seems that I took the easy way out this time around!! I finally scrapped that photo from last New Years Eve, where we saw in 2012 of the local fireworks display.

The start of 2012

To keep with the theme, I have added sequins and a few little glitter flowers for the sparkle.

Head over and check out the inspiration on the blog.... Even better, have a go yourself. Play along and be challenged by fireworks too. You might just get another page done that you didn't expect. You have until the end of the month to upload your take on the challenge.

There is also a mid-month challenge going for Houndstooth layouts if you have any or wish to be inspired!!

TFL xx

XOXO

If Its Groovy Birthday Blog Hop - True XOXO

10:30 AM

I would guess that if you are here, you are playing a long with the If It's Groovy birthday blog hop. I am one of the True XOXO girls who has played along and what a ball we are having.

I have the month of July. I know 95% of you are from the Northern Hemisphere, but down under in Australia July is all about snow trips for us. As we live on the east coast it is a 5 hour drive to get to the snow fields, so we usually go for 5 days once a year. We have a massive amount of fun when we get there, but the drive home is long and boring!!

Snow Fun

Older
Stories

AT MY BEST...

No Photo Challenge - June 2013

'One of his' - XOXO Scrapbooking

'Beautiful Chicago' - XOXO Scrapbooking

'This Happened' - XOXO Scrapbooking

XOXO May Challenge - 'Wigwam'

'XOXO DT Sista'

XOXO April Challenge - 'Another Selfie'

'Endless Summer'

XOXO January

Messy Metal - XOXO Scrapbooking

Hawaii Mini Album - Punky Sprouts

XOXO Scrapbooking - Words or Whatever #2

XOXO Scrapbooking - Words or Whatever Month #1

XOXO Scrapbooking - POP, pop, pop, pop it up! - 1st April 2013

XOXO Scrapbooking - "Don't Say Cheese" March 2013

True XOXO "Leftover Valentine" Mid Month Challenge - February

True XOXO "The Superbet" Challenge

True XOXO Audrey Hepburn Quote Challenge - February

True XOXO "Baby, You're a Firework" Challange - January 2013

If Its Groovy Birthday Blog Hop - True XOXO

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