Pieces of my life

Catching up

It's amazing how long it can take to get back into the swing of things once the old routines are disrupted, Ever since Brisbane I've struggled to get things back on an even keel again but I think that's because the first few months of this year have been so busy that I'm in shock! Still it's time to get myself moving because there's a lot to do.

I've managed to get around to downloading some photos from the Brisbane Scrapbook Expo at long last. You'll have to excuse the quality of the photos though as they were taken with my little point and shoot camera under flourescent lights so there is a lot of glare - sorry :(

So this was my tutor display stand (all the frames were straight but something happened with the angle I was holding the camera!)

This was Angella's amazing display - check out that fabulous phone box she had made!!!!!

I had a play with some of the new Scrapmatts owls and decided to go a bit steampunk (again sorry for the quality of the photos - these were directly under a light on the wall and caught a lot of glare).

At least these are a bit better as I took them at home before I left for Brisbane (although still not the best seeing as they were taken at 8 in the morning!)

Of course we had to have some fun and give some away in the classroom too:

I'd better go and clean up the desk as I've had to elbow my way to the computer. How do I manage to create so much mess in such a short time?!!!!

Sonia x

Posted at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

What a weekend!

Well what a time we had at the Brisbane Scrapbook Expo this weekend! My feet may still take a while to recover but it was worth every sore toe. Thank you to all of the fabulous ladies that came and spent time with us in Classroom 2 - you made my weekend :)

Delight in the Moment was the layout that we made using the amazing new windows - these made me a very happy girl when they appeared in my letterbox - thanks Andrew!

Using Scrapmatts Window CB5102, Rose Flourish CB2023, Bird Cage MC1028, Leaf CB5086, Leaves CB1151, Leaf Spray CB1146, Leaf Spray CB5082, Grass CB5099, Christmas Ornament CB1059, Scrapwords CB1189, Scrapwords CB1199, Birds CB1188, Words CB6088

Now while I was away having a ball in Brisbane, it was also my turn to post on the Scrapmatts Ning site. I had a play with the 'oh so much fun' Hot Air Balloons (just adore these!)

Using Scrapmatts Hot Air Balloon CB5035, Words CB1049 and Scrap Words CB1200

I also was lucky enough to get one of the brand new Federation Arch Trays - totally in love with this :)

Using the new Scrapmatts Federation Arch Tray, Lamp Post CB4031, Ornate Frame CB4056, Scrap Words CB1189 and CB1197

Now life has been so hectic since I've been back that I haven't even finished all of my unpacking (tomorrow I promise!) Once that's done I have some photos that I need to download of the tutor's displays from the Expo. Must get organised and stop getting distracted...

Sonia x

Posted at 09:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Time to say goodbye...

It has been a year that has flown past but my time on the Flourish with a Bling Design Team is at an end and a brand new team will be announced early next week. It has been a joy working with such lovely people and the new team are in for a treat :)

For our last project, Maggie asked us to create a layout with 'me' as the feature (every scrappers favourite topic!). So here is me - along with some pink, flowers and bling of course!

Using FWAB Chloe Flourish in Antique Gold and FWAB Jasmine Laser Flourish in pink.

I still can't believe it's been a whole year - time is just flying. Does anyone else feel that it is just going by at a quicker pace? Either that or it's age catching up with me :(

Sonia x

Posted at 09:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

My feet may never be the same again...

Last week was a huge week for Scrapmatts at the Craft and Quilt Fair at the Perth Convention Centre. Tracey and I worked on the Paper Play pop up stand and had a ball with experienced paper crafters along with people totally new to playing with chipboard, inks and papers! However my feet have yet to recover from 5 straight days of walking backwards and forwards on a rather hard floor - still it was worth every blister!

Thank you to all of the fabulous people that came along and played. It was wonderful to see so many revisiting us after having such a good time last year :) Here are two of the five projects that we had as classes (the Sewing Tags were a 30 minute class and the Tag album a 1 hour class on the stand):

As always we made a huge mess but everyone walked away with a smile on their face :)

I did take some pictures of the gallery we had up but I haven't even had time to upload the photos yet! I also think I took a photo of a cute couple that I need to introduce you to that will be making an appearance in Brisbane at the Scrapbook Expo ;) If I can find my way through the pile of laundry I need to tackle tomorrow I may get a chance to pop them up here. Thank you again to all the fabulous WA people that came and spent their time with us and we can't wait for the next one!

Sonia x

Posted at 09:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Boxing fun...

I keep looking at the date and wondering how we managed to get so far into the year so fast! Each day just seems to blur into the other and the roller coaster ride just doesn't seem to slow down at all. Still at least it makes life interesting LOL!!!

My May post at Scrapmatts was made up of a DT colour challenge and an OTP project where we had to think outside the box. For the colour challenge I chose the Lemon (well I went yellow!), red and white and came up with this. The yellow just picks up the happiness that is Miss Isabella!

Using Scrapmatts chipboard Ornate Frames CB4060, Bird Cage MC1028 and Butterflies CB1158 and CB1028. The butterflies have been heat embossed in a combination of 2 shades of yellow and a red embossing powder.

Then I had some fun with the Scrapmatts House Mosaic Album from which I took two of the pages and built then into a book binder. Then working with strips of chipboard I made a display box within the book. Very fiddly and frustrating to do but totally worth it when it worked!!!!

Using Scrapmatts chipboard Mosaic House Book CB7003, Ornate Frame CB6002, Scrap Words CB1197 and Dove CB1112

This is the inside using Scrapmatts chipboard Scrap Words CB1197, Silhouettes CB1195, Keys CB1017, Crown MC1017 and Ornate Frame CB4056:

Just a little update on the classes for Scrapbook Expo Brisbane, my Saturday class has sold put (thank you ladies!) and Sunday has just about gone so book in quick if you are only there for the weekend and can't make Monday. Angella also has a couple of classes already sold out and a few that are almost there. I have been lucky enough to have a peek at her projects and they are absolutely WOW!!!!!! Talk about inspiring and that's all I can say ;)

Sonia x

Posted at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Deciding if I have missed the rain or not...

Perth has had a very dry Summer and it feels like forever since it rained. However the past couple of days sure has made up for it. After a few soakings while making a dash for the car I'm not sure if I have actually missed it or not! Mind you, there's nothing better than been in bed and listening to the rain outside - so relaxing (and good scrapping weather too)

Now Scrapbook Expo Brisbane is only 4 weeks away so don't forget to organise your class bookings. I'm in Classroom 2 for Scrapmatts along with Angella and I'll be teaching this class at noon everyday:

I've just had an update on the classes and Saturday only has a couple of seats left and Sunday is just about full as well. We have already extended all of the Scrapmatts classes to the maximum allowed so once they are gone that is it I'm afraid :(

Over at Flourish with a Bling the May challenge is underway and it's to use Buttons and Bling with the details here. I used the gorgeous FWAB Elise Set in Silver

Don't forget that FWAB has a DT call out at the moment with applications due in by the 24th May.

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother's Day on Sunday to all the Mum's out there :)

Sonia x

Posted at 02:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Colour palettes, boxes and a DT call...

I managed to have a play - yay!!!!! Now that the girls have headed back to school I have had a little creative time. Just in time for my May post at Scrapmatts thank goodness :). This month the DT have had a colour challenge and an off the page (and think outside the box) challenge. Both of them had the brain working overtime let me tell you. None of the colour palettes were in my comfort zone (thanks Angella!) and trying to choose one was not easy. My blog post can be found at Scrapmatts here and this is a little sneaky:

Don't forget that the seats for Brisbane Scrapbook Expo are filling fast. To book one of the classes for Angella and I in classroom 2 for Scrapmatts, head over here. This year Sunday seems to be the most popular day for classes so if you wanted to book a seat for Sunday then do it quickly as there are only a few seats left.

Unfortunately my term on the Flourish with a Bling DT is almost over but the good news is that they are looking for a whole new DT! If you are interested in working with gorgeous products and with some of the nicest people around then head over to FWAB for all the details. You will have a ball!!

Okay clean up time for me. I made the biggest mess in my scrap area playing with my Scrapmatts. Time to clean up and see what I can find under all that stuff ;)

Sonia x

Posted at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Ahhhh school holidays...

No getting up early and running around madly making lunches and organising children for school, but plenty of play dates and entertaining has been the order of the day for us during the school holidays! Unfortunately not much scrapping has been happening but the cuddles and grins from my girls are worth every second of the to do list that keeps getting longer by the day (scrappy to do list as well as other stuff as well!)

The new issue of Scrapbook Creations magazine is out so I can show you the layouts I was lucky enough to have published in Issue 98. Fortunately I had two layouts published - one of each of the girls so I didn't have any complaints about why one was in the magazine and not the other ;)

Using Flourish with a Bling Jasmine Laser Flourish and FWAB Grace Pearl Flourish along with Scrapmatts chipboard Butterflies and Bird from the Bird Bath set. Paper is from Melissa Frances and the Birdcage, Vine, Zip and Flowers from Prima Marketing

Miss Isabella's layout:

The gorgeous flourish is Flourish with a Bling Jasmine Flourish in Teal and the Cherish word is from Scrapmatts. The paper is Glitz Designs with the vine from Prima and flowers from The Scrapbook Store

Don't forget if you are in WA that the Perth Craft Fair is coming to town at the Perth Convention Centre from the 22nd to the 26th May. I'll be working on the Scrapmatts Paper Play stand along with Tracey Fowler from the Scrapmatts DT. There are some fabulous classes to take ranging from half an hour to 1 hour. We are going to be kept on our toes for the five days let me tell you - and we love it!!!! Hope to see you there :)

Sonia x

Posted at 10:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Getting ready for Mother's Day and a little bit of ANZAC pride...

Before I know it Mother's Day will be here once again (it doesn't feel that long since last years!!) so I thought I'd start getting ready early. I have a few bits of cut up Flourish With A Bling flourishes in my stash as I often cut the flourishes up to fit around my flower clusters etc. They are way too pretty not to use so I took some of the left over pieces from A FWAB Chloe Pearl Flourish and used it to embellish the top of my tulle ribbon. I also took a single pearl to highlight the top of the frame.

Using FWAB Chloe Pearl Flourish and the gorgeous new Scrapmatts Scrapwords

I had a little update today on how the classes were going for the Brisbane Scrapbook Expo and it looks like we are in for a big weekend! Don't forget to pre-book your class online to secure your place. We have already had the seat numbers increased to the maximum allowed in the Scrapmatts classroom so once they are gone we can't fit anymore in :(

I'd better head up to bed as we have an early start in the morning. We are all heading down to the Dawn service for ANZAC Day. It'll be nice to wake the girls up in the morning instead of the other way around! Each year the numbers of people attending the dawn services seems to increase so it's a very special time of remembrance and to show respect to those that have served and those who are currently serving on our behalf.

Sonia x

Posted at 11:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

A prize, an Expo and a deep breath in...

Drum roll please...

The winner of my little prize draw for the Flourish with a Bling blog hop is DANA TATAR! Dana I'll be sending you an email if you can get back to me with your details I'll send that out to you. Don't forget that the big prize will be drawn over at FWAB and everyone that left a comment over there is eligible to win 'the big one' :)

The class bookings are live over at Scrapbook Expo for Brisbane in June. There are only a few places left in some of the classes so if you are coming along don't forget to book soon! This is a little peek at my class 'Delight in the Moment' which is on at noon every day and has some seriously yummy new Scrapmatts chipboard in the kit:

I'm sharing the classroom with the amazing Angella and she is running two fabulous classes 'A Day to Remember' at 9.30am and 'In my Travels' at 2.30pm. How gorgeous do these look?!!!!

A Day to Remember:

In my Travels:

All the classes will be using the fabulous Scrapmatts chipboard and if you haven't used Scrapmatts before you will be in for a treat! Here are my creations using some of the chipboard from my April post over at Scrapmatts Ning:

A keepsake canvas for Mother's Day with lots of heat embossing on the chipboard for a metallic finish (so fun!!!):

Using Scrapmatts chipboard Words CB6071, CB1134, CB1197 and CB1189; Flowers CB5092; Hearts CB1068; Crowns MC1017; Wings CB1120; Ruler CB1193 (absolutely in love with this ruler!!!); Keys CB1017; Butterflies CB1027; Frames CB5095; Clock CB6048 and CB1107; ATC 10-008, 10-007 and 10-010 and Tag CB3004

Some tags that took me right out of my comfort zone - steampunk (well my version of steampunk anyway!!!!)

Using Scrapmatts chipboard Tags CB3009; Dress Forms CB6053 and CB6037; Wings CB1120; Gears CB5039; Words CB1189 and Key CB1017. The chipboard has been heat embossed using a Silver embossing powder and then lightly inked in black. The background was made by covering the Tag in Gesso, spraying with blue and green Glimmer Mists and then spraying lightly with water for them to mix. A bit of ink around the edges added a vintage touch.