A 'Blokey' Christmas Present

I know I know, Christmas is over and here is a post about a Christmas present. So my heartfelt apologies that I am talking Christmas in February but I seriously feel as though its only December!

Its become a recent tradition in our family that the adults participate in a Kris Kringle when it comes to gift giving. It has become a really special tradition where we all really love and appreciate the year long thought that has been put into the present. When it comes to the gifts I like to give, it is usually something handmade by me.

For Christmas 2013 I drew my cousin's partner - they currently live in WA so I've only meet Russell a handful of times. Thankfully the wonders of a little Facebook stalking has given me a little insight into his hobbies and interests. Namely, cycling and triathlon, so I knew I had to do something for him along those lines - but I was super stumped as I am not great when it comes to doing 'Bloke' in my scrapping style. In fact I was a little stressed that I wasn't going to come up with the handmade goods, I thought he would simply have to suffice with a gift from the cycling shop. In the end persistence paid off and I made him his own one off album.

I was going to use the title 'tri-man' and show off photos from both his cycling and triathlon pursuits but Darling Husband vetoed that and I ended up limiting my photo selection to just cycling photos.

I used an Ali Edwards stamp to create the 'awesome' arrow and adhered it using a bit of mounting tape.

I think that Chevron's are particularly blokey! I love how with the acetate albums you can see your elements through the pages. I think it adds a bit of interest and its exciting to turn to the next page and see what's there. Its also pretty cool that you only have to stamp once and you can see it on the next page.

Geotags - another cool blokey element! I also really am in love with the word bubbles from WOW chipboard.

Here I've used another Ali Edwards stamp and cut it out them adhered it with mounting tape. I'm using a lot of stamps in my scrapping of late. It is just so using to create cool little embellishments using them. I've used the Pink Paislee Sentiment stamp in the picture below.

Stars and arrows were definitely the go in this album. On this last page I've used the the Luxe Chipboard Stars by Pink Paislee. Oh and the Papers are from Simple Stories 24/Seven range.

I'm really happy with how this turned out - in fact I'm totally stoked.... and despite the fact that Darling Husband said that the gift would only make an appearance to family on Christmas Day (thanks dear) it turns out Russell has shown it to his mates as well!

Happy Scrapping

Fleur x

De-constructing Project Life Part 2

Wow - was it really all the way back in August that I last posted about Project Life? In fact my only post so far about Project Life... all about my excitement of cracking into a Project life core kit box. You can read that post here.

Well its been a bit of an evolutionary journey for me and Project Life since then. I will be the first to admit that at first I found it all a little overwhelming as I felt a bit of pressure to adhere to the old KISS (keep it simple stupid) philosophy. I am a lumpy bumpy scrapbooker, my style is typical 12"x12" layouts usually with just one photo. I felt a tad constrained sticking to just the one core kit. However now I feel like I have finally found my peace or perhaps my style with Project Life. I am elated that while watching the Australian Open that I was able to pull it all together and feel content with the Project Life journey I'm taking. 

I've got quite a few pages to share over the coming weeks - yes I watched a lot of tennis - yes I am disappointed Nadal lost - so stay tuned and watch the evolution unfold! I think I'm almost achieving straight sets!!!

Turns out I like to mix in some 12"x 12"layouts with my fave photos

Not loving the layout above. Its a bit to flat for me - but I guess every journey starts somewhere. I do however like the wood veneer Studio Calico Arrow that I inked using my StazOn black ink. These packs have oodles of arrows and hearts in them which have really gone a long way in my Project Life album.

I felt with these two pages above that I was starting to get my 'needs to be lumpy bumpy' but KISS issues sorted....somewhat still not 100% but I like certain elements like doubling strips of Washi Tape with a small element and the 2013 flair in the centre of my PL card. Plus I started incorporating cards that weren't in my core kit. In the bottom layout I have used one of the Simple Stories Journal Card Cutouts from the 24/Seven range. 

I'm struggling with the use of my own handwriting - not my forte! I have made it one of my new years resolutions to consciously make an effort with my handwriting but I feel a little bit conflicted as I am meant to be whizzing through the construction of this album. 

Evolving ...game.... but not quite set!

Happy Scrapping

Fleur x

Kit Highlight: Happy Girl

Today we are showing off this adorable kit, Happy Girl. The photo is one of me taken when I was 3, creating art at my little easel, and I couldn't be happier. I think I always was a bit creative!

I really loved these Crate Paper 'Neighbourhood' papers and the matching chipboard embellies. You get so many embellies there are plenty left over for other layouts and cards! Most of my layouts involve fussy cutting and some sewing as well, so you will find these techniques here, too!

There are only 3 kits left, you can find them here in the webstore.

Happy Scrapping!

Tracey* xox

Kit Highlight: Sweet Memories

Today we are putting the spotlight on this lovely kit that Louise designed for the May 2013 Retreat. We had a few extra's for the webstore just for you!

Louise always uses colour as one of her design elements and this kit, with it's pops of candy sweet colours, is no exception.

You can find this kit here in our webstore.

Happy Scrapping!

Tracey xox

Morsels of Yum!

Ok so I know a few of you who attend our Crafternoons have asked me for my salad recipes and from the Saturday just past my mum's slice recipe. Well its no big secret that these morsels of yum come from our horde of Women's Weekly cookbooks. They really are the best for quick and easy recipes!

Minted Parsley Salad - Women's Weekly Vegetarian Cookbook page 72 (this is from the 1994 edition)

1/2 cup cracked wheat
2 cups chopped fresh parsley
4 green shallots
250g punnet tomato's (halved - but I actually quarter mine)
1 stick celery
1/3 cup chopped fresh mint
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon oil

Place wheat in small bowl, cover with boiling water, stand for 15 mins. Drain in fine strainer, rinse well under cold water. Turn wheat onto tray and cover with absorbent paper towel, dry as much as possible. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mix well.


Snow Pea, Apple and Nut Salad - Women's Weekly Vegetarian Cookbook page 72 

500g snow peas (sugar snap peas work well too)
1 medium apple sliced (only a granny smith will do!)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup pecans or walnuts (make sure you chop them up a bit)
Chive dressing
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup plain yoghurt
2 tablespoons fresh chives

Blanche the peas. Toss apple in lemon juice. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, toss gently.

Chive dressing - combine all ingredients and mix well.

Coconut Caramel Slice - Women's Weekly Quick-Mix Biscuits and Slices Cookbook page 64

125g butter chopped
1/2 cup brown sugar firmly packed
3/4 cup coconut

1 cup plain flower
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup (60g) chopped pecans

Filling
400g can sweetened condensed milk
60g butter
2 tablespoons golden syrup

Topping
60g butter melted
1 tablespoon golden syrup
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup shredded weet-bix

Process butter, sugar, coconut and flour until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add yolk and nuts, process until mixture forms a ball; press over the base of greased 20cm x 30cm lamington pan. Bake in moderate oven about 20minutes or until lightly browned. Spread hot filling over hot base, sprinkle with topping. Bake in moderate oven 15 minutes or until browned.

Filling: Combine all ingredients in medium heavy based pan, stir over heat until until mixture boils, simmer, stirring, about 8 minutes or until mixture is golden brown.

Topping: Combine all ingredients in medium bowl; mix well.



Fleur x

Kit Release - Noteworthy

New in the store this week is a great kit by Fleur called 'Noteworthy'.

Keeping up with our new goal of 2-3 pages per kit, you can make 3 very different layouts with this kit and still have some leftovers for your stash!

I love the way Fleur has used Dylusions on this background!

You can find the 'Noteworthy' Kit here in our webstore.

Happy Scrapping!

Tracey xox

New Year! New Kits!

Welcome to 2014!

A new year of scrapping, Retreats & Crafternoons!

Each week this year, we will be releasing new kits in our webstore, and posting a little something about them on the blog. This year our kits will have a new focus. Previously our kits have shown you one sample design, with enough left overs to do other projects (or incorporate into your scrapping stash).

In 2014 all of our kits will show you either 2 or 3 versatile sample layouts, or a sample and another project such as cards or a beyond the page item. Kits will still vary in price from $5-$30, but now with more page samples you should get more layouts done and more scrapping completed! It's win-win! And there will still be leftovers to add to your stash!

To start the year off, here is a page kit that features a quick layout and 2 quick cards. You can find this kit here in our online store.  I'm still really loving playing with layers, and transforming die cuts with ink. The cards came about because one of my New Years Resolutions was to be more thankful and to send more cards to show appreciation to the people in my life who I lean on. So I'm building up a card stash!

'Live. Enjoy.' by Tracey Kinny

Close up of some layers

 

Happy Scrapping!

Tracey xox