Having fun with leftovers

 I can't throw out scraps! Normally I try and keep only pieces that are at least as big as a photo but if we're talking about my favourites (ATM that's October Afternoon and Simple Stories), I can't part with even the small bits. I'm trying to use them up and made some leftovers pages and cards. One of them I can't show because Scrapbook Creations is going to publish it. Yeah!!!

But wait, there's more: 

This will be our class layout next week:

And you'll get to make this cute little felt thingy:

Did you see the glass capochon in the flower center? Follow the link to see how to make them!

And now a couple of cards with some My2Angels beauties:

Remember the ribbon rosettes?  I had one left from the tutorial a while back. Here's one with some high heels charms, resin flower, skeleton leaves and stamens:

Find my tutorial here!

And how easy is it to make a simple paper flower look great with just a large rhinestone and some leaf charms:

None of these project were made with more than 1/4 of a piece of paper at the most. So now there really isn't much of an excuse to have so many scraps anymore. Hmmm, does anyone have a few hours to donate to my day?

3 little monkeys sitting in a tree

On my birthday the kids and I went to the park for a picnic and some tree climbing. It was very, very hot, but we still had fun.    

This is the project we'll be doing in class next week.

Good-buy old jeans, hello groovy embellishments:

Come along if you want to have a chat and do some scrapping.

My Masters entries

Scrapbooking Memories has a masters competition every year and this year I submitted for the first time. My scrapping buddies talked me into it and I'm glad they did. I didn't get masters, but I got picked for the creative team, which is awesome too. Anyway, the special masters edition is out, so now I can share my entries that didn't make it in, but I still love them: 

This one is my layout with a 5x7" photo:

This one is the colour challenge (aqua, orange, charcoal) double layout:

It opens like this:

And my sketch challenge:

Based on this sketch:

The hidden journalling layout got published, so you'll have to see it for yourself in the mag, but here is just a little glimpse of the wishing well with the pull-up bucket that has the journalling in it:

How to make rolled paper roses

Here is a quick and easy way to make very pretty rolled paper roses. You only need a small strip of paper for each rose and that makes it a perfect way to use up little cut-offs from your project that match perfectly.

First, cut a strip that is 1x6" long and a circle. Don't waste time cutting out a perfect circle, wonky will be just fine.

Wet the paper strip and fold it in half, but don't crease it too hard.

Start rolling with the folded edge on top.

Keep rolling and twist and pinch the paper a little as you go. 

Totally random.

Here is the entire strip rolled up. Hmmm, not very rose-like yet...

Put some quick drying glue on the paper circle. I like Helmar glue the best, but PVA glue will be fine too. 

Press the rolled flower on the glue...

...and tuck the end under.

Trim off any circle bits sticking out (I told you it didn't need to be a perfect circle).

Once the paper is dry, add some pearls or rhinestones or whatever takes your fancy. Done!

You can experiment with different sizes of paper. The longer the paper, the bigger the rose, of course.

And here is one I have prepared earlier! I used lots of My2Angels goodies.

I used the Authentique Uncommon Collection, some velvet ric-rac, white star flowers, orchids, mini leaves...

...a cream felt heart on top of a pink one, a hat pin and a birthday pin.  

The large white flower is embossed and inked with a Cuttlebug folder :

Thanks for looking!

quick and simple pages

I have been missing in action on my blog. Well, what can I say - it's summer holidays and we have been swimming a lot in the Queensland heat! Mojo was in short supply, the kids are at home with me and so all I did have time for were a few quick and simple pages, which we are or have been doing in class this January.

This one is based on a sketch by Julie Winks from the Scrapboxx:

Here is the original sketch:

I do love working with sketches and Julie's are always so unusual. 

A few days ago I was browsing through some blogs and came upon the scrapbooking trends of 2011. I was curious to see if we had covered them all in class and there was only 1 we hadn't done: chevrons. Really?! Apparently it took the scrapbooking world by storm last year... Anyway, storm or not, I had a bit of fun with chevrons, so I could tick it off the top 10 list:

I wasted about 3 papers trying to get the sizes just right, but once you get it they are really quite easy. I added some simple embellies:

...and had a play with my new flower-making punch:

And then here is my last quick and easy page:

I found a how-to in Creating Keepsakes for these cool little yo-yos. What a great way to use up heaps of scraps.

Anyway, now that school is almost back on I will be checking the mailbox for my returning mojo. It's gotta be coming back now any day...

Sisters

Even though there is a 3 year gap between my girls, most days they play together really well. I have 2 sisters myself and I'm so happy my girls get to experience the joy of having a sister around.

I saw this gorgeous frame in a mag's layout and wanted to try something similar. Sorry if I'm not giving the glory, I simply don't know where I saw it. 

Got lots of photos? Cut them into hearts:

 Punched layered flowers are so quick and easy:

And the good old cotton doily. Thanks, op shop!

Cork boards as Christmas pressies

Wendy from WOW had put up some awesome cork boards she made for her kids' teachers here and I wanted to do something like it for my teachers too. It'd be a good last minute Christmas present too, if you're looking for ideas.

I couldn't find the right sized cork board, so I made my own. At a cheap shop I bought 3 document frames, about A4 ($2.50 each) and 6 sheets of cork ($2.50 for 2). I took off the glass, glued 2 cork sheets on the backing cardstock and glued on all papers and decorations with Helmar glue. I used the vintage school paper from Graphics45, available at My2Angels. The vintage look goes so great with the cork.

 

The papers I used are:

Games and Playtime

One Two Buckle my Shoe

Jumping Joan

Calico Kids and 

School Days

Here are some details:

book charm and ruler charm with green baker's twine 

(I love this stuff!!!):

a handmade flower with a skeleton leaf:

some orchids:

another handmade flower:

sweet little apple charm:

and yet another handmade flower (I was on a roll) 

with leaves and a felt heart:

So, if you are still looking for some Christmas pressies to make, try some cork boards!