AT MY BEST...

July Total

9:02 PM

Where has the year gone??? I think I am left wondering, scratching my head, thinking of all of the things that I was "going to get to when I get a chance", and it seems that that chance is getting further from reach as we run head first downhill into the silly season!!!

So, my challenge total for July is...

TWENTY SIX

I am a little disappointed in that total as I was on track for a page a day. Unfortunately life got in the way and that just didn't happen!!!

Here are the last few pages for the month

With You Here

Opening Week 2011

Water World

Being the first of the month, bring on the new challenges and lets see if I can aim for the page a day target again!!

If stopping by, don't forget to leave some love!!!

TFL xx

Savvy Cybercrop

6:39 PM

Last weekend saw this months Cybercrop over at Scrapbook Savvy. To tie in with the Camp Mojo retreat, the girls thought simple challenges to get the mojo flowing were in order. Little did I think that it would have the opposite effect on me.... My mojo went missing in action!!!!

Anyway, again these layouts will not go down in history as my favourites, but there are 3 more pages done for the holiday album at least.

Sara's Challenge was to use 4 colours from the inspiration picture. I think I have used more than 4!!!

Giant Jugs of Vegas

Kerryn's Challenge was to use 5 puzzle pieces. These were a butterfly, a frame, a flag, an arrow and a flower.

The Crown

And Anthea's Sketch Challenge using a Pagemaps sketch. This was a last minute rush job last night, but I think I turned out ok. I'm sure there is a McDonalds photo in every one of our holiday albums!!!

1st Meal

I didn't get a chance to complete Renee's Challenge, which was to sew on the layout, within the time frame. I will get this one done this weekend as any inspiration will help at the moment!!! Any entries are to be uploaded by midnight tonight to be in the draw.

TFL xx

Stuck?! Sketches - July 15th

11:22 PM

I religiously do the Stuck?! Sketch every month and find that some of the sketches push me out of my comfort zone... Others I seem to just jump out of it!!

That is the case with this sketch. It is a simple sketch that can be interpreted in so many ways. You can keep it simple, or try a new style without any issues.

I must admit, I am trying to find my style again at the moment, so many of my layouts are one extreme to the other, which I will admit I am loving. My latest thing is playing with paint. It seems to give that extra pop without using another pattern paper, or it can dull down the papers you are using, which is how I have used it in this layout.

So here is my take on the sketch (the colours in the photo are dull due to no sunlight at the moment)

and here is the sketch

If you don't already do these sketches and you have the time, or are just looking for a starting point, give Stuck?! a go... You won't be disappointed!!

TFL xx

Purple Pumpkin Sketch - July

9:56 AM

While all of the hype at the moment is about Purple Pumpkin, I though now was a good time to showcase my take on this months sketch. It took me a bit to pull this one together and it is nothing like what I had imagined, but I am really happy with it.

Here is my take on the sketch (the photo isnt the best, but we have had a lack of good sunlight at the moment)!!!

The Real MacLarens

and here is the sketch

This weekend looks to be both cold and wet, so I am looking forward to playing with a few more challenges and boosting that total count for this month!!

TFL xx

Purple Pumpkin - Guest DT Call

5:32 PM

The buzz on all of the blogs I read at the moment is about the Purple Pumpkin Guest Design Team call. It seems everyone wants a go, which is fantastic news for Sam and proves how beautiful her products are.... There is a lot of love in the Australian Scrapping world for Purple Pumpkin products. I for one love them and think its true testament to the products that they seem to sneak their way onto so many of my pages!!!

The post is calling for our favourite layout to be upload, but I can't choose!!! There are just so many!! It also doesn't have to show any Purple Pumpkin on the page, but I don't think I really have many that don't as the products are just so versatile!!!

So, below is a very simple layout that I completed a couple of weeks ago, that I am yet to show, but it seems like now is the right time as it has a beautiful Purple Pumpkin flower as my embellishment centre piece.

Gino's East

I can still taste that deep dish pizza and the local beers that we had that night in Chicago!!

If you are also interested in giving the Guest DT call a go, check out the Purple Pumpkin blog here but it needs to be done before midnight tonight!!!

TFL xx

Savvy Guest DT photo heavy post

10:16 PM

Well, Friday night saw the announcement over at Scrapbook Savvy of their Guest Designer for July. Yep, you guessed it.... Its me!!!

I was excited to get my hands on the Exclusive but Sold Out You're Savvy kit. It was a good combination of papers and a lot of gorgeous embellishments. This kit didn't swing towards either gender and was really easy to work with. I must admit, I pulled everything out of the pack had a good look at it, then put it all away again. That way I had a clear head to pick my photos and from there all of the pages just fell together. I have added only an extra piece of card stock and a couple of little extras, such as string, brads, flower, a sticker and some extra alphas.

From this kit I have managed to produce 6 pages and still have enough materials to put together another page or maybe 2 with a few additions from the stash!!! You can't ask for better value from a $35 kit!!!

So here are my layouts from this kit. I will identify the extras on each page, just so you can see how versatile the kits at Scrapbook Savvy really are!!!

Firstly, I thought I would do my own take on Sar's Random Kit Challenge for July. The page must contain heavy distressing or tearing, thick doodled border, journal strips and at least 1 bird.

Our New BBQ

Additions - Brads, Mist

I have also completed Renee's Song Challenge over at Savvy.

Give my Smile to You

Note, this page is missing a pink notion flower... I lost it and looked all day for it and still can't find it. I think the dog may have eaten it!!!

Additions - Ribbon, String, Small Black Alpha, Glimmer Mist

Our Bird Chaser

Addition - String, Mist

This one is untitled as it is a page for our engagement party album.

Additions - Mist, String

Note the extra yellow and blue pattern butterflies. These were punched from the backing card out of the bird rub on packet... I just needed a coordinating colour but didn't want to add extras that didn't belong in the kit, so found this and it worked perfectly.

Old Friend

Additions - Flower, String, Sticker, Chipboard, Alphas, Mist

I was Here

Additions - Alpha, String, Paint

If this doesn't make you want to sub to the Savvy kits on sheer value alone, I don't know what will!!!

TFL xx

Savvy Sketch Challenge - July

9:45 PM

I have been mad at it this weekend punching out the pages, but that will have to wait for another post!!!

Every month I complete the sketch challenge over at Scrapbook Savvy and this month was no exception. I will admit that this page was started a week ago, and I really lost my way with it. My original ideas flew out the window and then I couldn't remember where I was going with it. The end result is that I am not happy with it, but it is another page finished for the album, and I am sure once they are all in their respective places and in many years to come, I wont even notice that I didn't like it!!!

Here is my take on the sketch

Hollywoodland

and the sketch

You have until the end of the month to get your entries upload to the relevant gallery over at the Savvy site, if you are interested in giving it a go.

TFL xx

Savvy Manufacturer Challenge - July

9:30 AM

Kerryns manufacturers challenge for July over at Scrapbook Savvy is to use ECHO PARK papers and don't I have a stash full of them!!! But in my usual manner, I chose not to use what was already in the stash, I waited to get my hands on the new Splash line. I had the perfect photo ready for it too!!

It wouldn't be a challenge without a catch either... The technique that had to be used was sanding. With the way that I have edited the photo I couldn't sand the edges of that so went for sanding the papers, which was a bit new to me. I really love how the papers blended together to make the photo the stand out of the layout. I will be using this technique again!!

Malibu Picture Perfect

It is supposed to rain most of this weekend here on the coast, so I think a scrappy weekend is in order and there are still so many challenges left to complete for this month.

Oh, and thanks to all for the lovely comments left both on my blog and facebook (as we all know blogger is having major issues at the moment). I love feeling the love!!!!

TFL xx

Savvy Word Challenge - July

9:24 PM

Friday night at Scrapbooking Delights was the perfect place to sit and play with this months word challenge over at Scrapbook Savvy.

These challenges are a wonderful place to get the mojo flowing (which with the cold weather I have been really struggling at the moment).

Here is my take using this months Were Savvy kit.

Happy Bubble Blower

I have added a few extras to this one like this beautiful brown lace, the WOW chipboard heart and those gorgeous flowers all from Scrapbooking Delights. I wasn't sure about using both a colour photo and a sepia photo on the same page, but I love how this page turned out!!

TFL xx

Delightful Nights

2:24 PM

Another fun filled Friday night was spent at Scrapbooking Delights last night. That is 2 Fridays in a row where I have been able to sit, chat, laugh and produce a few quality pages with good company.

Here is a show and tell from Friday a week ago, using an old She's Savvy kit.

SHE

I will be back with a few of the Scrapbook Savvy challenges soon.

TFL xx

Stuck?! Sketches - July 1st

10:18 PM

Well another month, another Stuck?! sketch!!!

This one is a hand drawn sketch and really could be interpreted so many ways... The list is endless!!!

Here is my take on the sketch using some old BasicGrey Max & Whiskers papers that I have had stashed for a while!!

Lazy Days

The sketch

Pop over to the Stuck blog to check out what the DT have done with it for some inspiration!!

TFL xx

Happy 4th of July

9:55 PM

To my blog readers from the USA, I wish you all a very happy 4th of July. I hope the weather is good and you are relaxing!!

This layout is possibly more appropriate for Memorial Day, but I sat and finished it last Friday and I think I kept the picture as the stand out that I hoped for.

A Place of Reflection

This photo was also my first real play with Photoshop, and I am more than happy with the result.

The photo was taken at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC on our recent holiday, and the setting really appealed to the photographer in me. Always looking for a moving and dramatic shot that tells a story. On this occasion I think I found it!!!

TFL xx

Purple Pumpkin Giveaway

9:33 AM

Happy 1st Birthday Purple Pumpkin....

To celebrate Sam is having an awesome giveaway over at the Purple Pumpkin blog.

Head over and check out to goodness that is Purple Pumpkin and enter the draw too!!!!

June Total

10:25 PM

June seemed to be a more productive month that previous ones... The total for last month is

I completed most of the challenges that I set out to finish and have a few more layouts done for the holiday album.

And a quick share from the June collection

Phi Phi Perfection

This is from our trip to Thailand in 2009. I couldn't resist this photo and paper combination!!!

I will be back soon with the start of the July challenges.

TFL xx

Stuck Sketch

5:23 PM

The second Stuck sketch for June has been up for a little while now and as the month is coming to an end, you better be quick if you want to get your layout in.

As always I love that a sketch is a jumping off point for the mojo, especially in winter!!!

Here is my take on the sketch using beautiful Echo Park

Manhattan Icon

And the sketch

TFL xx

Count down...

8:52 PM

... to the end of the month (and end of financial year). Eeekkk where has that time gone??

I don't find it easy to scrap during the winter months. Lack of taking photos, inspiration and just the cold weather make it difficult. These are the months where I seem to read a few good books, and have one on the go at the moment. I spent a good bit of today sitting in the sun reading as the house was too cold!!!

Here are a couple of just because layouts that I have don't this month for the holiday album.

Dylans

(Using beautiful Echo Park)

Empire Landmark

(Using an old Hes Savvy Kit)

I will be back in the next couple of days with the latest Stuck sketch.

TFL xx

Savvy Cybercrop

11:05 PM

The deadline to enter was last night, yet I am just so happy with 2 of my challenge layouts that I just have to show...

Sara's challenge was to use masking on your layout. This one really pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I am more than thrilled at the result. With a piece of chipboard used as the mask and a bit of Glimmermist, and a good flick of white paint, I was able to pull this one together. When it came to the title, I just couldn't get this REM song out of my head. I'm not exactly sure why it was in there to start with, but I thought it worked ok!!!

Shining Happy People

These photos are from the photo booth inside Forever 21 in Time Square, NYC... Now that was a good cheap bit of fun and we were able to bring the memories home!!!

Next was Renee's bunting/banner challenge. You had to use a home made banner/bunting on your layout. I finally got a chance to play with my Echo Park Summer Days kit. I just love these really happy colours. The photos don't stand out as much as I would have liked, but on the plus side, I am actually enjoying playing with a bit of purple here and there (someone check my temp and make sure I'm not sick)!!

Pink Shoes

To check out all of the fantastic layouts, pop over to the Savvy gallery!! There is some very inspirational work in there.

I will be back soon with a couple more "just because" layouts that I can't wait to share!!

TFL xx

XOXO - Lipstick Chicks

10:05 PM

I love nothing more that taking inspiration for other scrappers and their layouts... One thing I really try hard not to do is scraplift. I love knowing that everything I produce is in someway my design.

Except when it comes to the Lipstick Chicks. Scraplifting is the name to their game!!!

They have been away for a little while, but I was so glad to see that they are back. This is the second time that I have played along with these girls, and I seem to have drawn my inspiraton again from Ana White.

There is something with Anas style that I seem to relate to.

Here is my take on her layout for June.

All Smiles for Fridays

To check out Anas original layout, jump over the the Lipstick Chicks blog.

I hope to find a little bit more time to have a go at a few more layouts this month. Otherwise there is always next month with these lovely ladies!!

TFL XX

Purple Pumpkin - June

5:53 PM

Where has the last week gone?? I had all intentions of uploading this one last week, but better late than never I guess!!

I couldn't wait to get my latest purple pumpkin order. I missed the sale night, but was lucky enough to have a few of the items I wanted still available the next day... Its amazing how fast those beautiful fun animal kits go!!!

I was able to nab one of the apple kits. I just loved a couple of the flowers in it, and knew that I would use it somewhere. Well I wasn't wrong. Once I saw the sketch, this one just came together.

Here is my take on the sketch

I love the Big Apple

Here is the sketch

Don't forget to upload your take on this to the Purple Pumkin site, before the end of the month!!

TFL xx

Stuck Sketch 1st June

10:18 PM

The Stuck sketch for the 1st June scared me a little. It left everything open to your imagination.

I put forward a challenge to myself to complete a layout with NO patterned papers, so this sketch was perfect. The photos I picked really needed a page where they could speak for themselves as they are very powerful. I decided to have a play with paint as it is a medium that I don't use very often, and to be honest scares me as much as this sketch.

Red, Navy and White are to represent America and the stars were an added bonus that happened to tie in with the theme.

Here is my layout

9/11 Reminder

Here is the original sketch

Why don't you challenge yourself to something outside your comfort zone? It is scary but it also gives you imagination a chance to run free. You may like it, you may not, but you loose nothing from trying!!!

TFL xx

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AT MY BEST...

July Total

Savvy Cybercrop

Stuck?! Sketches - July 15th

Purple Pumpkin Sketch - July

Purple Pumpkin - Guest DT Call

Savvy Guest DT photo heavy post

Savvy Sketch Challenge - July

Savvy Manufacturer Challenge - July

Savvy Word Challenge - July

Delightful Nights

Stuck?! Sketches - July 1st

Happy 4th of July

Purple Pumpkin Giveaway

June Total

Stuck Sketch

Count down...

Savvy Cybercrop

XOXO - Lipstick Chicks

Purple Pumpkin - June

Stuck Sketch 1st June

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