Cards using the Lamp Post from Cheery Lynn Designs

Lamp Post die cuts are so much fun to use.  These simple dies are available from our Better Scrapbooking online shop or in-store.  The Cheery Lynn Designs Dies work with the Cuttlebug and Big Shot die cutting machines.
I really like this die as it cuts two lamp posts, one tall and one shorter.  Here are two cards that I made over the past week using the die.

For this card I used the smaller lamp post and attached it to a small piece of Jac paper then cut around the outside edge, leaving the areas inside the lamp and post sticky for adding glitter.  It was also then easy to attach the lamp post to my card as I just needed to peel the last side of the Jac paper to attach it in place.

For this second card I used the larger of the two lamp posts.  For this card I created a flower but cutting five flat flowers using my Cricut, then scrunched each flower, then layered and glued each flower in place.  I also used one of the lacy Martha Stewart punches for the lace bottom border and added some bling.  I was really pleased with the result.

This Cheery Lynn Designs Lamp Post die is a lot of fun to use and amazingly versatile.
To order yours just click here

Happy Scrappin'

February Challenges

Great prizes up for grabs!! We are really trying to get more people involved so tell your scrappy friends and neighbours!! Come on over and get busy at the Better Scrapbooking Community!!

Layout Challenge: Copy this months Layout Guide
Use this layout guide to create your layout.  Either copy it exactly or let it inspire you.

Photo Challenge:  Favourite Holiday photo
Share with us your favourite holiday photo from this summer.  The way the weather has been it might even be a photo in the snow.


Colour Challenge:  Create a layout, card or other project using this months colour combination.

Have fun and I look forward to seeing all your creations in the Gallery soon!!

Getting Creative

Yes it's true, I have been taking some time to get creative and to scrap.
It is so nice just to sit down and create, not worry about anything else other than my photos, papers and embellishments.  It is a great way to add joy in my life.
I have finally managed to get some photos printed that I needed, especially for my 2012 layout.  I think I mentioned in a previous post that I wanted this year to be a year that I FOCUSED.  So my layout is about Focus.  I want to stay on task and not get distracted, to finish projects, job related tasks, cleaning tasks as well as my layouts (which means including journaling).

I have started the year well by focusing on finishing these layouts.

Grace helping to lead out in Zumba

It is great reminding myself why I love this craft so much.  In the above Zumba layout I used some rub-ons across the layout to help tie to two pages together.  Have the smaller photos all in a row reminded me a bit of a film strip.  I even added some journaling and names of people in the group photo.

In this birthday layout I do have some hidden journaling, can you tell where I have put it.  I might add another photo showing where it is in a day or two, lets see if you can guess.
I had fun using Glitz Designs stamps to create my banner.  While we were at the restaurant I took a photo of the front of their menu, then cropped the photo to use this as my title.

2012 is here

Happy New Year everyone.  Wow so here we are in 2012.  I wonder what is has in-store for each of us.  No doubt many highs, lows and challenges.  It will be what we make it.  I found last year was very challenging in many ways but there were also wonderful things that I will treasure forever.  This year I would like to be able to spend more time on my blog and document my crafting as well as the wonderful things I get to do with my family.

So lets start with my first layout of this year.  Kinda funny that it happens to be of Christmas, but there you go.  This happens to be one of my highlights this Christmas.  Celebrating at our Christmas workshop.  I had fun playing with some Pavlova papers, bling and cotton ribbon.

I have not had much time lately to do any crafting let alone scrapbook so being able to sit down today and complete a layout felt fantastic.
Also today when my darling hubby came home from a trip out (to order our new garden shed) and he had a lovely bouquet of lavender roses.  So pretty that I just had to take a photo so I could share them.  They even have a faint scent - mmmmmm.  Thank you Brad, they are truly lovely.

So what are the things you want to aspire to for 2012?
This year I would like to be more focused.  That is when I start a project, to get it finished.  To not get so distracted when working.  To spend less time sitting on my butt doing nothing. Hmm I can feel another layout formulating, I wonder if I can let it be created.  I hope so then I can show you.

Once again Happy New Year, I hope to be able to inspire you to focus on your scrapbooking this year.

Happy Scrappin'

Sizzling Summer Workshop 20th-22nd January

This is going to be such an awesome workshop.
Come set up your scrapbooking supplies and scrap the weekend away.
This is NOT a camp but a full on, fun workshop.

The cost is only $100 for the whole weekend.  We do have a couple of day spots if you cannot do a the whole weekend.

What will you get on this Sizzling Summer Workshop?

With your registration you will receive a Scrapbooking Workshop survival kit with some great things to help you enjoy and inspire your scrapbooking over the weekend
Dinner and Breakfast will be supplied - please bring something for a shared lunch and baking for breaks.
Games to keep you motivate
Inspiration board - with fun prizes.
Decorate your scrap space in the theme of Summer and you could win a prize.

How do I register?

Simply click here for the registration form, print, fill in and send away.  It is as simple as that.

I look forward to seeing you at our Sizzling Summer Workshop

Better Scrapbooking Garage Sale

Oh this is so much fun.  We have had a number of people coming in and finding great bargains.  Melissa has also been selling her baking, while Grace has been working on the sausage sizzle.  There are still plenty of great bargains to be had so feel free to drop by/buy or visit the online shop http://www.betterscrapbooking.co.nz/shop/index.php

Scrapbooking Garage Sale

All Grown Up

Yesterday was such a big day.  The day you truly realise your baby has grown up.  I mean I have known for sometime that Grace was growing up, but yesterday was such a big new step in that growing up process.  I am so very proud of her and all that she has accomplished and no doubt will keep doing so.

Yesterday Grace started her first (real) job.  She is working at her Dad's office in town sorting mail and inputting address changes and things.  She gets to work at the office permanently during school holidays.  This is a fantastic opportunity for her.  Not only will she be earning money to support her spending but she will be able to carry on her studies at school and not have to try and juggle work and school.  Also this gives her a jump start into working in the future - whatever field she tries for.

Brad has been very supportive in helping Grace to get this position and taking her to work each day (ok this only day 2 LOL)

Good on you Grace.  Here are couple of photos of Grace just before she sets off for day 1 of her working career.

Welcome to the family ... Bumblebee

Well, it is official, we are going to get rid of my lovely car.  This means we needed a new mode of transport.  After much deliberation we decided the best thing to do was to get Brad a scooter and I would use the 4x4 Nissan Mistral.  So today we all went into town so Brad could pay for and pick up his new scooter.  He chose the yellow one and it has been named "Bumble Bee".  Yes Brad is a transformers fan too LOL.  So I just had to share some photos of him picking up and riding his scooter home.

 As well as the scooter we also made sure he was safe with a new helmet, proper jacket and gloves.  It bought back memories seeing Brad on two wheels.  You see back when we were dating he had a motorbike.  Great fun!

 Doesn't he look the part?

Now if you look at the handle bars of the scooter, don't they look like a bumble bee's face?

On the way home something really funny happened.  Most of the way home Brad either rode behind or beside another scooter ...

Then we noticed the two license plates.  Brad's is A4KBL and the other scooter was A5KBL.  Tell me, what are the chances of that happening.  It was really hard to get a photo of the plates as I only had my mobile phone and seeing as I was driving I had to get Grace to take the photo.  But really have you ever seen two vehicles with numerically in order number plates?

Christmas Workshop

Thanks ladies for a fun night of scrapbooking, laughter and lots of very yummy treats (both edible and in the gift department)  I can't really say we got a lot of scrapbooking done, but we did all have fun and some layouts were created in the process LOL.  Here are a couple I managed to do during the night.

 With Melissa being at a new school this year she was able to get a school photo, so I just had to create a layout with it.  I was very pleased with how it all came together.

 This layout caused me much distress in that I just could not think what to do.  All I knew was that I wanted to use the photo with the background paper.  Amazing how one comment can inspire you.  The letters for this layout came from Jamey as a part of her Christmas Swap gift.  Love this font, just another reason to consider getting a Cuttlebug (another tool - sigh)

Lastly I had fun creating this layout on Sunday after the workshop, funny how a workshop can inspire you to scrap even more, later.  It has been a fun year of workshops and classes, I am so looking forward to what 2012 has in store for our workshops, classes and more.

Thank you ladies for your lovely gifts, it really felt like Christmas at the workshop, what with carols playing, festive attire and gift giving.  I loved the thoughts that went into each gift.