Memory Keeping

The past couple of weeks have proven to be a time of reflection and refocus for me. I began my crafting journey a few years ago with the intention to create scrapbook albums for my two boys. What has ended up happening is I have become somewhat of a cardmaker - which i have discovered i thoroughly enjoy. But I have become side-tracked and lost sight of my original intention - creating memory books for my babies (who really aren't babies anymore). 

I realised what is important to me is being able to put together a collection of photos and journalling for my boys. Something they can look back on when they are grown up and remember those little moments of ordinary life that will one day become the extraordinary. Things like being taught how to swim by their dad, or wrestling with eachother whilst watching cartoons, or riding their bikes up and down our street.

I have big plans. And big plans = big time investments. But that's okay, I have already made a start, and sometimes starting is the biggest hurdle! 

In my pursuit to find the perfect way for memory keeping, I have spent hours (and I mean HOURS!) surfing the net for THE ANSWER. I have found lots of inspiration. But with more information comes more options, which means decisions must be made! Digital, traditional or Project Life style? 

I am still undecided. For now, I am going traditional.  Here's some of my recent layouts. Let me know your thoughts on memory keeping, would love to hear from you! 

Supplies: Cardstock, Paper, Stamps, Ribbon from Stampin' Up.
Thickers (title) and Date stamp from Amy Tangerine.

These two ultrasound layouts are meant to go side by side - I am really glad I had the originals scanned in. I resized them all in photoshop so they could all be printed at the same size.

I used the Amy Tangerine Thickers (Goodness) for the titles - makes it so quick and easy! I just can't seem to get enough of Thickers at the moment - absolutely love them!

In this next layout, I was experimenting with the layering. I'm quite happy with how it turned out. My biggest challenge was trying to fit the ankle bracelet into the layout without it looking out of place. In the end, I made a small envelope out of patterned paper and it worked into the layout well. 

The next layout uses multiple photos from the one "photoshoot". By using a semi-grid format, I was able to display all your my favourite shots on the one layout and highlight one image by enlarging and placing in the centre.

Thanks for visiting! I have more layouts to share in the next couple of days. Be sure to subscribe (via Follow by Email) to receive new posts straight into your inbox to keep updated :-)

Be Mine, Valentine.

February 14th. Valentine's Day. The cynic in me says, "Total waste of time, just another ploy to make us spend more money." But then, the girly romantic in me says, "Oh, I hope i get showered with gorgeous flowers and pretty card where my man tells me I light up his life with my presence everyday". Ha! A girl can dream, eh? 

I have been making some Valentine's Day cards. Lots of fun with lots of red cardstock, red ink and Paris themed red washi tape! (thanks Dee, love love love the washi tape from NYC).

The first card uses the Stampin' Up! Core'dinations card stock in real red, which was embossed with the Lacy Brocade embossing folder. I then sanded the paper to reveal the inside layer of card stock. 

Card Stock: Core-dinations in Real Red, Whisper White, Real Red. Stamp Set: You are Loved.Inks: Real Red.
Accessories: Rhinestones, sponge dauber. 

The next card uses the You are Loved stamp set, where the heart image has been heat embossed using white emboss powder.  I really like how the stamped image turns out crisp and clean!   I used the same heart stamp randomly on the crumb cake card stock with crumb cake ink to create a subtle background. The polka dot paper was created by inking up the emboss folder with real red ink, inserting a piece of whisper white paper inside the folder, and then running the whole thing through the bigshot. Really love using this technique.  And lastly, my new love... I added some washi tape.

Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Whisper White. Stamp Set: You are Loved, So Many Sayings (retired).
Inks: Read Red, Crumb Cake, VersaMark. Accessories: White Emboss Powder, Polka Dot emboss folder, Washi Tape. 

This next card was inspired by a little paper envelope I made for one of my scrapbook layouts (will post in next few days!). I cut out the envelope in real red card stock and then stamped only the front panel with the "Valentine's Day" stamp from the You are Loved stamp set. 

The little pink and red hearts were punched out with the Owl Builder Punch, and the larger heart that's tucked partially into the envelope is the from the alphabet dies (retired). I wanted to create something to symbolise being overflowing with love.

Card Stock: Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla.  Stamp Set: You are Loved, So Many Sayings (retired).
Inks: Read Red.  Accessories: Owl Builder punch.

The last card i made also uses the real red card stock which has been stamped with the Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel stamp in real red ink. I like the subtle effect that comes with using the same colour ink as the card stock. The word VALENTINE uses Amy Tangerine's Thickers with a Stampin' Up! pearl to dot the letter "I". 

Card Stock: Real Red, Crumb Cake, Whisper White.  Stamp Set: Very Vintage Wheel stamp,
So Many Sayings (retired).  Inks: Read Red.  Accessories: Amy Tangerine Thickers, Pearl. 

I had a lot of fun making these cards, and I hope they inspire you to make something too.

Who says you need to wait until Valentine's Day to give someone a card, why not make one today and tell someone how special they are to you!?

Birthday Mini Album/CD Case

Fancy that, 2013 already!?! It's funny how a new year has the ability to give us a boost and help us refocus our attention on what we want to achieve professionally, personally, and creatively. Although I'm not one to make new year's resolutions, I do know I want to make time to get stuck into some more layouts for my boys' memory books. 

In December last year, I was crafting my little butt off! One of the big projects I was determined to finish was our wedding album. I am proud to say it was completed before Christmas, just in time for our 10 year wedding anniversary in March this year. I am almost embarrassed to admit it took me this long to get around to doing it!

And then just before Christmas, I went to a super cute Very Hungry Caterpillar 1st birthday party for gorgeous little Isla! 

Here's the card I made for Isla. I am in love with embossing and glitter at the moment. Not to mention Patio Party DSP and the Summer Starfruit stitched satin ribbon! I'm really happy with the colour combination too, it reminds me of all things summery and fun!

All supplies from Stampin' Up!

I took my camera to Isla's party - just incase there was a photo opportunity. As it turned out, I ended up with quite a few photos and decided to have a go at making a photo movie with my favourite images as a gift for Isla's mum and dad. It is amazing how adding music to imagery lifts the photos to another emotional dimension.

Of course, I couldn't just give Janette (Isla's mum) the photo movie CD in just any old cd case, this called for...you guessed it... a CD CASE MINI ALBUM!!

I wanted to make something special for Janette and Daniel (Isla's dad) they could look at in 20 years time and remember Isla's very first birthday.  Something to treasure forever. Look at her, isn't she just beautiful!?!

All supplies from Stampin' Up except date stamp (Amy Tangerine)

The white polka dots on red was created by inking up the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder with Real Red ink, placing a piece of Whisper White card stock inside the embossing folder, and then running it through the Big Shot. A really fun technique to experiment with! Try it with different inks and other embossing folders :-)

I also want to mention Isla's very talented cousins painted the caterpillars onto each of the party bags which were given to each of the kiddies. I cut the image straight from one of the bags we received. 

And lastly, I am still eating grain free. Fresh rocket this time of year is awesome as it is quick and easy, and a good alternative to lettuce! You can change it up by adding either pumpkin, pear, roasted beets. The possibilities are endless. I recently made a "cheese" with macadamia nuts and it is so yum with the rocket salad. To be honest, I put it on everything because it is so delicious. Heaps of macadamia nut cheese recipes on the web, look for one that suits you!

Pan-fried coriander chicken patties, with fresh rocket in a lemon and
olive oil dressing,topped with pan-fried pumpkin
and  roasted macadamia nuts.

That's it from me today! Thanks for stopping by, and I look forward to sharing more of my crafting projects this year!