New Product Release Product Profile #1

The 1st of May saw the release of a brand new Seasonal Expressions Catalogue/Idea Book from Close To My Heart. It is jammed packed with so many exciting new products I thought it would be fun to share here, on my blog, a series of product profile feature articles!

Where to start is the tricky part! as there is so much crafty goodness to share! However, this past weekend I shared a Creative Session at the CTMH Team Builders Leaders Conference, that showcased alternative uses for Thin Cut dies and while some of this presentation was streamed live on Periscope the art work was a little difficult to see.

While Thin Cuts were primarily designed to co-ordinate with our lovely stamp sets, their uses are only limited by your imagination. I use them a lot as stand-alone die cuts ( that is without any stamping added at all ) - they make great decorative borders and embellishments for your scrapbook pages.

These are some of the new Ornate Blossom Thin Cuts...

... and these are some layouts that use partial elements of the shapes to create decorative borders. The first layout showcases all the exotic rose gold foil and kraft cardstock embellishments in the new Florence Complement Pack along with the Florence Papers. The Thin Cut shape can be seen peeking out under the Thailand Culture subtitle... in the form of an irregular shaped scallop edge.

This second layout uses the same Ornate Blossom Thin Cut set and features some of the other papers in the Florence Paper range and stickers from the Florence Complements Pack, combined with some Fundamental Stickers - and again some of the partial die-cut shape have been used to form a scallop border.

Another fun Thin Cut set is the Carnival Fun set and this is where the ice-cream shapes can reinvent themselves as something else! In these layouts the triangle shape of the ice-cream cone was used to create a banner embellishment and the actual circular shape of the ice-cream top became another scallop border pattern.

 This layout features both these ideas and papers from the new Florence range and the Magical Paper Pack - they compliment each other beautifully.

This layout features the new Calypso Papers and Calypso Complements combined with the very pretty Kaleidoscope Papers.  
However, this time the Carnival Fun Stamp Set and Thin Cuts were combined to created a banner, stamped in Cotton Candy Ink.

 I hope you enjoyed this little insight into what can be created with Thin Cuts? You can find the Thin Cut die sets in my Online store and if you would like to attend a workshop to discover more creative inspiration with these sets you are welcome to join me my registering through this this link - simply click here.



Stay tuned for new Product Profile #2 coming soon!

Album Bundle & Workshop Project

November brings a FABULOUS special and a workshop project focused on scrapbooking just for You!!

During the month of November purchase an exclusive Scrapbook Bundle for just $100.

This Bundle Includes: 

  

A My Legacy™ album  (style and design of your choice)

 

Paper Fundamentals Enchantment pack

Fundamental stickers Enchantment pack

Peacock Fundamental assortment

Three sheets of White Daisy cardstock

 

 

FREE - Value Pack of Memory Protectors (25 protectors)

  

 

This bundle also includes a full colour workshop project that features 5 layouts you

 

can make from the product supplies in your bundle.

 

 

Click here to order your bundle/s

 

All orders placed in my online shop will receive some personal "gifts" from me that includes 2 pre-cut kits - a title page and an additional double page layout... all you need to do is assemble them!!... along with a Black Journalling Pen to add your stories to the layouts. Orders can be placed in my online shop or email me at lotfam@iinet.net.au for more information. Please note - these gifts "from me to you" will be mailed out to your address once your order has been processed.

 

...and that's not all!! - if you and a friend (or friends) would like to take advantage of the Bundle Special you may be eligible for an extra $30 or more in FREE product - email me at lotfam@iinet.net.au to find out more!

...and there is more!! - remember this order also makes you eligible to purchase the November month's Stamp of the Month - "Cheers" for only $7.50 - click here to view this stamp set.
 

 

 

Happy Scrapbooking my Crafty Friends!!

Convention 2015 - Make It From Your Heart Part 3

In my last post I promised to share a few more of the layouts that featured in my presentation at the Australasian Close To My Heart Convention.

I certainly don't scrapbook as much as I use to when my children were younger. I also don't to take my SLR camera with me everywhere (as I once did), I now tend capture those little moments of my life on my smart phone. The majority of the layouts I create today represent this... they comprise of a single photo and cluster decorating.

This layout is a quick snap shot of my daughter and niece. The page design was inspired by the colours in my niece's dress.

I used papers from the Whimsy Paper Fundamental range and Kaleidoscope Paper Pack. The floral cluster was created using the images from the Blossoming Expressions stamp set...stamped in the following colour inks Canary, Sorbet, Glacier and Lagoon. The white cardstock leaves were cut from the "new" Cricut® Artistry Collection and the cute little sentiment sticker verse & "best buds" chipboard embellishment can be found in the Kaleidoscope Complements Pack. A few Enamel & Glitter Duos Blue Dots and white enamel dots from the Grey Enamel Gems Pack were used to finish off the cluster arrangement.

This 2nd layout is one of my favourite photos taken when I was attending meetings in Utah serving on the Close To My Heart Product Strategy Committee. I loved sharing time with these like minded ladies, they are not only great work colleagues but they are an awesome group of life long friends.

This layout also uses a combination of different products from the Close To My Heart product range including Zoe, Kaleidoscope and Urban paper packs. The floral cluster arrangement for this layout uses stickers and chipboard from both the Kaleidoscope and Zoe Complement Packs. The "selfie" title was created using the white mini alphabet stickers from the Fundamental Stickers Basics Pack. The scallop border trim was cut from Pixie Cardstock using the Scallop Border Maker and trimmed with some of the Silver Foil Trim.

I can't "sing the praises" of the Close To My Heart product range enough, everything is so complimentary and it makes mixing and matching different papers, stickers and embellishments all in one layout so very easy indeed!!

All the products listed and highlighted here, can be found in my online shop - click here to create your order and have it sent directly to your doorstep!

Thank you for stopping by my blog. I would love to hear your comments on these single page layouts and I hope you are yourself enjoying a fun-filled crafty weekend.

Stamp of the Month - Life is Wonderful

The weather over the past week has been bitterly cold which has kept me indoors catching up on scrapbooking my 2014 memories... and I am not complaining! I have really enjoyed reliving all the travels my hubby and I ventured on last year - looking back at these times, makes you truly appreciate how wonderful life is!!... and how appropriate is this month's Stamp of the Month called Life is Wonderful ?? -  just perfect for this scrapbooking project.

 

 

 

... for those of you who follow my Facebook page and/or are regular visitors to my Online Shop you will be aware that Close To My Heart have a list of retiring products -  in readiness for a new range of products to be released on the 1st September. I love this time of year, it is sort of like "spring cleaning". I go through all my crafting goodies and use up any leftover papers, stickers, etc to make way for a new batch of awesomeness to take their place! - and that is exactly how this layout came together... just lots of co-ordinating bits and pieces!!

I mixed and matched papers from the Whimsy Paper Fundamentals, Chalk It Up Paper Pack along with loose pages from the Modville My Crush™ Book to build up the layout design. The page was then embellished with an assortment of products, Wanderful Complements, My Crush™ Besties Assortment, and Gold Sequins. I also cut embellishments from cards in the Picture My Life™  Chalk It Up range ( "know this" subtitle ) and pages in the Modville My Crush™  Book ( flag/banner in upper right corner ).

I used Outdoor Denim ink to stamp the "Life is Wonderful" title/sentiment found in the July Stamp of the Month set and Outdoor Denim cardstock as the base for my layout. The journaling box is also from the My Crush™ Besties Assortment and I intend to add my journaling when I complete all the pages in this project... easy to do when you keep a travel diary!!


During the month of July, when you purchase $32.50 in current retail priced stamps, you qualify to receive either the July Stamp of the Month, My Acrylix^® Life Is Wonderful, FREE or any one of the Hostess Rewards stamp sets featured in Annual Inspirations 2014–2015 or Seasonal Expressions 2 for only $6.50 That is a savings of up to $27!! The July Stamp of the Month is a lovely, versatile stamp set that is a great match for your cards and layouts that celebrate all the wonderful things—big and small—that life has to offer.
Additionally, the Hostess Rewards stamp sets have previously only been available as part of the Hostess Rewards program, which means now is the perfect opportunity to get those special stamp sets you’ve had your eye on! To get your FREE stamp set or your $6.50 Hostess Rewards stamp set, simply place an order for $32.50 of any current, retail priced stamps. This offer is available only during the month of July and applies only to the July Stamp of the Month and current Hostess rewards stamp sets, so spring into action place your order here and jump on this deal before it’s gone!

 

Sketches, Kits and More!

Today I have a fun sketch and some exciting news to share with you... for some time I have been receiving requests for pre-made Scrapbook and Card Kits. You have all been very kind and patient and will be pleased to know... that I have listened closely to you requests and "finally"  I can now introduce my "Create Your Style with Chris" sketch based kits.

At the present time the kits will only be available to Australian residents with the hope that I can offer the same service to my international crafty friends soon!!

All Scrapbook Kits include a full colour handout that contains a sketch, cutting instructions and layout guide for a double page. The kit also includes pre-cut paper, stamped images, die-cuts and embellishments for $10 - there is also a free postage  option... email me at lotfam@iinet.net.au to find out more!

Card Kits include a full colour handout, pre-cut paper, stamped images, die-cuts and embellishments for $5 + $2 postage & handling. If 3 or more kits are purchased postage is free! This is a little preview of the current kits using the sweet stamp set A Bunch of Thanks.

 

You can also pre-order a combined $15 Scrapbook & Card Kit using Close To My Heart's Blossom papers and complement stickers to be released on the 1st April - here is a sneak peek!

 

If you would like more details about any of the kits mentioned please email me at lotfam@iinet.net.au or you can order from the paypal options listed on the sidebar.

 

 ... and for a chance to win one of the new kits head on over to my Facebook Page and enter the "giveaway competition". While you are there take a peek at the lovely cards my team member Alicia has created using this sketch. All the products Alicia has used to create her cards can be found here in my Online Shop

 

 



 

Looking forward to sharing more kits and sketches with you in the coming weeks.

 

Seasonal Expressions #1 - Blog Hop

Welcome to our Seasonal Expressions #1 Blog Hop! 

 

This blog hop is featuring  products in Close To My Heart's "inaugural & brand spanking new"  Seasonal Expressions Idea Book/Catalogue - whatever season you are experiencing in your life - birthdays, weddings, anniversaries...you are in the right place to find the perfect artistic tool for preserving and celebrating your memories. The Seasonal Expressions products debuted on the 1st Dec and are available right through until the 31st March 2015.

If you have come here from Lauren Moore's Blog  you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here...with me and work your way all around. If you get lost along the way, you'll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog – simply click here.

 

This month we have almost 40 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations featuring these new products combined with other wonderful Close To My Heart products on their blogs. Be sure to check out all the fabulous art work they have to share - just click on the link at the end of this post to begin the journey!

 

The Seasonal Expressions is jammed pack with so many adorable goodies that I found it difficult to decide which one to feature today. However, being a huge fan of the Picture My Life™ collections I decided to show you just how great and versatile these collections are. The new Picture My Life™ Heartstrings Program is a condensed version of the previous collections containing 20 – 4" × 6" Cards (2 each of 10 designs) and 36 – 3" × 4" Cards (2 each of 18 designs). While the cards are designed for pocket style scrapbooking the condensed collection does not include Memory Protectors which of course reduces the cost. The cards are an ideal accompaniment for traditional scrapbook layouts, card making and papercraft creations....and packaged this way provides ease of use for these type of projects.

 

 I used 3 of the 3" x 4" inch cards in this layout (commemorating our 32nd Wedding Anniversary) that was subsequently framed within the Designed Decor Black Shadow Box. One was used as the title, I cut a heart shaped embellishment from another, then resized the third, cutting it into a narrower shape and rounding the corners with the Corner Rounder tool. This layout was created using a variety of new papers and embellishments along with die cut shapes and an additional title from the Cricut® Artbooking Collection. The diamond look sparkle seen in this layout is White Shimmer Trim , one of 2 new additions to the Shimmer Trim range.

I created the card below with one of the 3" x 4" cards and a resized 4" x 6" from the Picture My Life Heartstring Scrapbooking Program combined with papers from the Heartstrings Paper Pack. I love how the new Seasonal Expressions products co-ordinate with existing products from the Annual Inspirations Idea Book/Catalogue. The cute Stuck on You Puffies, Brushed Flower Assortment and Aqua Dots worked a treat all mixed together. This card was finished off with some faux stitching done with the Marvy® Uchida® LePen™ Journalling Pen.

Thanks for visiting my blog and if you haven't already been there?? -  now is the time to "Hop" on over to the lovely Lela Norris's Blog  to see what she has created...and don't forget to visit all the Consultants at their blogs to check out some great crafting inspiration and other fun ideas! 

 

 

Studio J - Digital Scrapbooking

This weekend I took a break from my inks and entered the world of Studio J Online Digital Scrapbooking. Studio J helps you easily create two-page layouts using Close To My Heart's foundational scrapbook patterns, exclusive colour palette, and themed designs all delivered in 12" × 12" custom prints ready for your albums. Now is the perfect time to trial the benefits of this form of scrapbooking... and here is why?

 Happy Anniversary, Studio J^®!

November marks the five-year anniversary of Studio J^®, and that means it’s your lucky month, with five amazing ways to win through Studio J^® and Close To My Heart social media!

First, throughout the month of November, all layouts purchased in Studio J are $5! That is a savings of over 50% off of retail! - making it $2.50 per page - AMAZING!
 
Your second chance to win big is by LUCK alone: every fifth order placed in Studio J during November receives a FREE surprise Close To My Heart accessory in its shipping box! The accessory has a retail value of $5 or more.

If luck doesn’t smile on you in that way, you might stumble upon it by finding a little extra something in your Studio J^® box. Five “golden tickets” will be sent out during the month of November with randomly selected Studio J^® print orders! This “golden ticket” is redeemable for one of Close To My Heart’s new D-ring Albums loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors™.

For a fourth way to win, simply create new, gorgeous layouts in Studio J, select your favourites, and then post pictures of them on Close To My Heart’s Facebook Page  using the hashtag #ctmhlucky5. After the 30th November, five lucky winners will be selected from the entries based on their artistry and creativity and each of these winners will receive their own D-ring Album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors!

And there is one last way to win: take your new Studio J artwork and post a picture of it on Instagram using the hashtag #ctmhlucky5. Just as it is with Facebook, after the 30th November, five lucky winners will be selected from the entries to receive their own  D-ring Album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors!

How "easy & fabulous" is all that??..I created 5 layouts in next to no time at all over the weekend using some of the Express Collection layouts - this collection of layouts have all the art work done for you - you simply add your photos! I also loved the fact that even though I chose this option I was still able to personalise the layouts by editing the page titles, adding extra photos and embellishments. I could even change out colours if I wanted...it was very cool! Here is a little preview of what I have created.

 

It is important to remember that Studio J layouts are processed and not printed - using a silver-halide process considered the highest standard in the photo developing industry... the silver-halide process yields “100-year+ quality” that has long been tested and used by the top photo labs in the world.



What are you waiting for? Enter the studio now to discover the fun of creating beautiful memories in Studio J!

Become a "Crafty Chick"

Would you like to get paid for your Crafting Passion? There are many benefits to you when you become a Close To My Heart Consultant - getting paid to do what you love, discounts on your own crafting goodies, the opportunity to learn new skills and so much more. The 2014 New Consultant Kit is ready to go.... jammed packed with exciting "never been seen before" crafting products and I would love to share them with you. It contains over $300 worth of product for the amazing price of $130.... plus an additional welcome gift from me! The girls in my team are spread throughout Australia and have become great friends, we enjoy lots of fun together at events and interacting in our Facebook group....many creative ideas are shared, we have card swaps, team workshop kits & handouts along with gifts and rewards for business performance and personal achievements....to find out "what we do" click here  - we are a very warm and welcoming team!

I will also be in Albury/Wodonga on the 31st January and Canberra on the 1st February - if you or your family and friends live in that area and are interested in finding out more about the Close To My Heart business opportunity please contact me. I will be more than happy to meet with you and chat about what we have to offer.

Joining my team in January means you will also be amongst the very first crafters to see and play with the new 2014 Close To My Heart product collection (due for release on the 1st February). I have had a little play today with some of this new product and created my version of one of the gorgeous layouts featured in the Idea Book & Catalogue ......also due for release on the 1st February. I have some of these idea books in stock now.... if you would like to receive one for FREE ..... simply place an order in my Online Shop for the January Stamp of the Month and/or the exclusive Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit and I will send it out to you...... these items are only available until the end of January - don't miss out!!

 

Remember many of the products used to create this layout are not available to purchase until the 1st of February but I thought you would enjoy a "sneak peek" and the opportunity to see what can be done with the goodies available in the New Consultant Kit.
 

A Moment of Scrapbooking

I was recently asked by a friend if I still scrapbooked...and the answer was YES! However, I will admit to not as much as I use to. I just don't seem to have the amount of photos to play with any more!!! My daughters are now both young women with busy lives of their own and as such I don't get to line them up in front of my camera lens for those "just because happy snaps" - I only manage the special occasion pics! I tend to scrap a little bit of everywhere too, my travel adventures in digital format and my family photos in paper ( you can't take the cut & paste from this girl! ). This past weekend I decided it was time to make myself the subject of an album project and I embarked on Janet Carr's class - called "This is me EXPOsed" you will find it here.

I plan to make this a hybrid project - the digital pages I will print and place alongside a mixture of traditional and project life type pages and I have already seen the ideal album to place them in....on the 1st of February Close To My Heart release a 12 x 12 D-Ring Album in Cocoa Damask - it is perfect!! Week 1 of Janet's class is all about introducing yourself - she has templates, kits and handouts to get you started - all available to you for FREE!! These are the first 2 pages of my project....minus the journaling which I will add just before final print.

....and just to prove that I still do scrapbook in the traditional way LOL!! I whipped up this quick layout of a friend's grand-daughter playing in the sunshine at my niece's Birthday Party. It truly was the quickest project I have completed in a long time. I simply gathered all my left over bits & pieces from the Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit  and some off-cuts of co-ordinating cardstock I then cut a multitude of shapes from the Artbook Cricut Collection . I arranged these across the page along with the 2 gorgeous photos of "Little Miss Sunshine" and finished off by embellishing with Washi Tape, Aqua Dots , Triangle Studs ( note: stubs available from 1st Feb ). The title also uses Keyboard Kraft Alphabet Z1825 one of my "go to" favourites when Scrapbooking! I have a feeling, this will end up framed on the wall at Grandma's house! If you haven't placed an order yet for the Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit contact me soon. This kit is only available in January and contains a few of the new release products...be the envy of your paper craft friends and receive them before the release date! :)

I have a huge box containing many of the gorgeous new goodies being released by Close To My Heart in Feb... on it's way to my house now!! Contact me for a catalogue, a peek in the box or even a show & tell date with your friends...I'd love to show you my favourites and I know you will find a favourite or 3 for your paper craft projects too!

 

Sketch Challenges

It goes without saying I love creating and using sketch ideas for both my scrapbooking and cardmaking. They are an ideal foundation to begin building your project from....you can use the sketch as your base and from there, just add your own creative flair.

I've spent most of this weekend colouring up lots of different images with my Copics and by lots I mean about a dozen LOL! - my colouring skills have become a little rusty so I need lots of practise!! My Dad called in for a quick visit - he wanted a Thank You card for a friend - "it's for a lady he said and I am sure she would love one of those sweet girlie cards you make" - well I did have the images coloured up, all I really needed to do was turn them into cards...and of course I went to my favourite challenge blogs for inspiration and what did I find?? card sketches - yay me! I used the sketches to create two cards for Dad to choose from and then another for my nieces birthday.

The current challenge at the Saturated Canary Challenge Blog is a sketch designed by Lou and I used the cute little image Thank You to create my card.

Copics Used:
Skin: E11, E01, E000 - Cheeks R20
Hair: E27, E25, E21
Clothing: R81, R83, R85, B93, B95, B97, V12, V15, V17

This sketch was so quick and easy that I reproduced it a second time for a Birthday Card for my niece - the image is another one by Krista Smith/Saturated Canary - it is the original Harley and Haley - it always colours up at treat

Copics Used:
Skin: E11, E01, E00 E000 - Cheeks R21
Hair: E35, E33, Y21, Y23
Dress: R81, R83, R85, BG11, BG13, BG15

I used my Spica Pens (Blossom & Clear) to add some glitter along with a little bit of crystalina kindy glintz - my niece is a girly girly, she loves any thing that glitters and shines!

The other card I made up for my Dad to choose from was one using an image from my collection of Magnolia stamps - this is Tilda with Tulip and the card is based on the current Sketch Challenge at Magnolia Downunder - I love how you can follow a sketch exactly, rotate it or even add your own elaborate design elements and still end up with a perfect project.

Copics Used:
Skin: E11, E01, E00 E000 - Cheeks R22
Hair: E27, E25, E21
Clothing: R81, R83, R85, BG93, BG96, BG99
Socks/Tag: E53, E51, E50

The little tag sentiment uses the font Hooteroll - I have only just discovered it and it is already becoming a favourite - and while on the subject of favourites I have to thank Sammi from Mad for Markers for her prompt online service I now have my Pink Ink refills - not sure I could survive without my R81, R83, R85 - you are a life saver Sammi!!

....and while I am sharing Sketches and passing out a Thank you or two :) I have now completed all my Creative Memories Idea Extravaganza events for 2012 - it was great fun travelling around the country and meeting and sharing ideas with so many wonderful and enthusiastic consultants and as promised here are the last three formula sketches I created for you to share with your friends - enjoy!

I will be adding to my collection of Sketch Formulas in 2013 and as of next weekend you will once again see me sharing ideas on the Mad for Markers store blog....I look forward to "seeing" you there.

Where Are You??

... I have been receiving some lovely messages from my papercraft friends, enquiring about my whereabouts and since it has been a couple of months since I last posted on this blog, I thought it about time I answer that question.

I have still been crafting but busy touring the country sharing my ideas and designs with Creative Memories Consultants and in a 6 week time frame I was in 3 different states visiting Darwin, Adelaide and Perth - WOW!!  what a journey... I got to meet 100's of ladies preserving their special photos in gorgeous memory books....and this past weekend I helped host a Virtual Crop - it was an event planned in less than 2 weeks and we had over 2000 scrapbookers play along with us....it was heaps of fun and the beautiful layouts shared were absolutely amazing. I designed 6 of my formula sketches for some of the online challenges and I was overwhelmed by the response to them - our participants adapted them in more ways than even I, thought possible....simply stunning work. I have had requests to continue to share them so I thought the easiest way to do that was via my blog - so here they are for you to enjoy!



All things Australian

I am having an extra long weekend thanks to the public holiday, for Australia Day. Our national day of celebration, has left me feeling a little patriotic. I have spent the last couple of days, colouring up all the Aussie images I have in my collection, with my beloved Copic Markers! :)...and finishing off Week 3 and 4 of my photo-a-day Family Album. The photos that feature in my layouts for these weeks, are very typical of  Australian Summer activities and icons - backyard BBQ's, cricket, swimming, thongs (flips flops to my overseas friends!) and lots of time outdoors - who could ask for more?!

 As you can see, my youngest daughter has left today for Fiji as part of a Volunteer Eco Students Abroad

program - where she will be in a little village working with the children teaching English and basic sanitation, installing new play equipment, repainting the school and constructing bathrooms. I am sure her adventures will be well documented in Week 5 and 6 of our Family Album.

These are a couple of the Aussie themed cards I have worked on this weekend. The first is Digger Marci she is a relatively new release from  La La Land Crafts Stamps - designed especially for us Aussies and available to purchase now in the Mad for Markers online store.

Copics Used:

Skin -E11, E01, E000/Cheeks RV42
Hair - Y21, Y23, Y25, YR23
Boots - E31, E33, E35
Shorts -YG97, YG95, YG93
Top - YG95, YG91
Dog Tags/Socks - W1, W3, W5
Flag - B18, B16, B12, R27, R24, R22

I used a white gel pen for the stars and the outline of the Union Jack and to cover up some of my colouring mistakes LOL! - I need a bit more practise colouring in finer detail! The papers used were from My Mind's Eye - Stella & Rose collections - Gertie & Hazel 6 x 6 Paper Pads. I also made a discovery while colouring this image and if you are curious as to what that discovery was... pop on over to the Mad for Markers Blog to find out LOL!

The wonderful "Boss Lady"- Sammi at Mad for Markers created some fantastic Australia Day Freebies to share with you -

....and I was very eager to colour the Aussie Gal and Mr Cool Ray. I saved the images emailed to me, in a word document - resized them to fit on my card, then printed them (on my home printer ) onto some X-Press IT A4 Blending Card.

Copics Used:

Skin -E11, E01, E00, E000/Cheeks RV42
Eyes - B12, B16
Hair - Y21, Y23, Y25, YR23
Dress/Shoes - B12, B16, B18, R27, R22
Sun - YR23, Y23, Y21, B16, B12

again, I used a white gel pen to add detail,the sentiment was printed on my computer and the patterned paper is also from the Gertie paper pad.

The Mad for Markers DT would love to see your creations using these Aussie images - feel free to share them on our Facebook Group Page and while you are there, remember to send Sammi some love.

Happy Colouring,

Love, Sunshine and lots of Photos

We are two weeks into the New Year and I am sure it is still ok to say "Happy New Year"?!?. As readers to my blog, you know that I love taking photos and I'm very addicited to my Copic Markers and 2012 will be no exception!! That is why I thought, I might dedicate my first post of the year to a bit of both!!

Over the past few years I have participated in a Photo a Day type project. In 2009 I joined a group of friends online and we encouraged and challenged each other to commitment to the project. In 2010, I played along with my online friends again and continued to take my scheduled "photo-a-day". It was  fabulous and a whole heap of fun! At the end of the year I completed a two volume  Digital Scrapbook....below is look at the pages pertaining to my Week 5 of this project.

In 2011 I continued to take my scheduled "photo-a-day", but sadly the photos I took are still sitting on my computer. Sometime during the year I got a little lost...life was throwing me a few curve balls and my project came to a bit of standstill. I was still taking photos -  but not daily! - and when the year ended I was very disappointed with myself....I stressed over it for awhile then decided not to worry...I could always go back and present my 2011 photos in a monthly format and slowly this is what I am doing. Now in 2012, I am going to make the effort of continuing the tradition of recording my daily activities and family life in photos.

These 2012 layouts are all in Digital format and were created in Creative Memories Storybook Creator Plus using the Digital Kit "Garden Tranquility".

I really love the concept of a Photo-a-Day...it makes me look at ordinary things in extraordinary ways, it improves my photography skills, and leaves me with a snapshot of "the year that was" for our family. I encourage everyone to give it a try - you won't be disappointed!

My feature photo for Week 1 of 2012 was the inspiration for my latest card creations. It portrays Summer Fun.... as does Beach Marci, a sweet stamp from the La La Land Crafts Stamps range, available in the Mad for Markers store. The bright pink inflatable ring, blonde hair of my daughter and the blue/green of the water all inspired my chose of Copic colours for these cards.

For my first card I reached for my favourite pink and purple colour combinations -

Copics Used:

Skin -E11, E01, E000/Cheeks R20
Hair - Y21, Y23, Y25
Sun-Hat - BG11, BG13, BG15, R81, R83, R85
Swim Suit - V12, V15, V17, BG11, BG13, BG15,
Inflatable Ring - R81, R83, R85, BG11, BG13, BG15

I also used a little bling in the centre of the floral design of the inflatable ring and the sun hat...and some more of that great adhesive paper lace I mentioned in my last post!

I was a little more adventurous for my second card, challenging myself to use a more vivid pink combination of Copics and a little air-brushing.

Copics Used:

Skin -E11, E01, E000/Cheeks R20
Hair - Y21, Y23, Y25
Sun-Hat/Inflatable Ring - RV02, RV04, RV06, RV09, V12, V15, V17
Swim Suit - V12, V15, V17, BG11, BG13, BG15
Sky -B12
Grass - BG10

The sentiment "We all grow better in Sunshine and Love" is something my Mum says - I generated it on my computer using the font CKJournalling...which is the same font I used on my 2012 Photo-a-Day layouts.

I love how you can take one image and get so many different looks for your cards just by varying your colour choices. If you would like experiment with some new colour combinations yourself... be sure to pop over to the Mad for Markers Challenge Blog where the DT team have been sharing their wonderful creations and some fabulous Copic combinations....and remember, now is a perfect time to add some new colours to your collection - every marker purchased from the Mad for Markers store.. earns you some free goodies in the Copics Rewards Program.