The Curly Wirly Twirly Girlies

Bad Blogger !

2008-07-18T06:27:00.002+10:00

Sorry guys, I have a few freebies to share this weekend. I meant to get back Sunday night but week has been beyond mad. Meetings, specialist appointments (Emma has to have an endoscopy), first week back at school, selling a business interest. Life is mad, I am crazy. Will get the freebies zipped and uploaded for you ASAP.

Best wishes

Erika

Quick Update

2008-07-13T09:05:00.002+10:00

For those that stop only for freebies - I will be back tonight with one so check back later.

For those that visit and read the ramblings . . . We are a hive of activity, doing some small jobs around the house that we have been putting off. The work situation is emerging and we will be able to make some decisions over the next fortnight about what we are doing and where we are going. It is both exciting and un-nerving. Anyway the paint is calling me, then we are going shopping to get hubby a new suit for an interview he has this week. I had two interviews last week, got an offer out of one straight away, and the other won't know for a fortnight as they have three other people to interview. The interviews are two hours long including the presentation I had to give and the two VPs that are doing them have only got Fridays available to do it. I hate waiting, especially if it is bad news at the end. So keep your fingers crossed we get our first choice. Whichever way the cards fall is good, and I am trusting the universe to look after us.

Back tonight with some stuff,

Erika

Greyscale Velvet Ribbon Items

2008-07-07T21:27:00.003+10:00

Thanks for the lovely comments guys. Things are busy. I had a houseful of kids today and the rest of the week will be crazy with work stuff. Some other opportunities have been offered to me today and I have a feeling I am either going to end up with a feast or a famine and I hate having to make these sorts of decisions. So if I disappear for a day or two rest assured I am okay, just snowed under.
Another greyscale freebie for you and some test drives in Pam’s ABC Kit colours. Sorry there is no preview for the colours, but there are 4 Jump colours, 2 Run and 2 Skip. They are separate to the greyscale because there are different terms of use for each.
You can grab the greyscale Here and the colours here. There was supposed to be a forth element, but I used Hummie’s bevel technique to check for strays and accidentally saved it bevelled. If anyone knows how to un-bevel (I think I just invented a new word LOL), please let me know. And I think I am once again the clear leader in the ugly preview competition !
Best wishes to all,
Erika

A new overlay

2008-07-06T21:47:00.004+10:00

I am a shocking and bad blogger ! I have been MIA due to a run of things that have conspired to keep me from anything scrap related other than my daily Digitreat’s fix ! Thanks for all the wonderful supportive comments, you will be pleased to know my gorgeous boy has bounced back and had already figured out who his real friends are. It is funny though how it is a universal thing with us mums that if you hurt our babies that even the normally most mild mannered of us can fire up big time. We had a wonderful weekend with family visiting for the school fete. The fete was exhausting as always (I burnt my hand whilst working on the curry stall).

So the work thing is still evolving. I am in negotiations with a consulting firm who approache me to come on board and also with a large multi-national about a position with them. Both are senior roles and will be big time in the office, a bit different after working from home for years. Hubby will be working from home so the kids won’t have to do after school care or anything, but I think it will be a bit strange for me. By the end of this week we should have a better idea of what is happening. There are still some other options we are considering, and we have been looking at some others that we have now dismissed to go overseas. I don’t know if anyone has lived/worked in Dubai, but there were a couple of good options there, Geneva and New York. After spending a lot of online time investigating those (rather than scrapping) we look like we will be staying closer to home for now. The other thing that has been keeping me away is that it is the mid of winter down here in Australia and at night the temps have been dropping below 15C which for us thin blooded Queenslanders is too much to bare. So we have rented a few videos and snuggled up with the electric blanket on. There is this fantastic Australian series called Underbelly which is based on real events in Melbourne during 1995 – 2005 with the drug wars. The series was really well made, and totally addictive. It showed on TV whilst I was on my last project and I was working up to 20 hour days so I had missed it – so we rented the DVDs and watched it over a few nights. And of course – Wimbledon, say no more. It is also school holidays here, and I have no routine, which is not good. What little time I did spend online or scrapping, was spent stalking Pam as always, checking out all Vicki’s stuff at AWP, and finally finding out what happened to Kristin Aargard, who had disappeared from the Orchard’s contest. I couldn’t find her blog for weeks but finally found it and she has been picked up by a store and she has some amazing bubbles that I am heading over to get when I get some time this week.

So I couldn’t come back without a freebie. I have another linen overlay, and of course I took it for a test drive in my favourite vehicle. The overlay is here, the test drive in Digitreat’s Run is here and in Jump is here. There is actually a fourth Jump colour included in the download, I just forgot to put it on the preview.
Best wishes,
Erika

Freebie Build a Spotty Ribbon

2008-06-19T16:27:00.003+10:00

Thanks for letting me vent guys and thanks for all the supporting words. As soon as I found out on Tuesday I clarified that it wasn’t an oversight, because I was sure it must have been, this woman had been very vocal last year about her son not being invited to a party (only 2 boys out of 20 were invited so not quite the same). I got a very uncomfortable comment that it wasn’t so much a party as a BBQ. Yep, it was still a BBQ with all the team except my son. That is why I was so astounded, that it wasn’t just a mistake. I didn’t go into it any further with her. I am now just another person at the school who will have no time for her and not bother to offer her assistance in the future. A couple of the other Mums had asked me once or twice why I bothered with her, and I had defended her, and believed her to be a kind and thoughtful person. Well anyone who can see my son hurt that way is not kind or thoughtful and maybe the other Mum’s were right in their assessment of her. I’m with Patty – if anyone hurts my kids the lioness in me comes out. Karma will catch up with these sort of people and if not Karma the bunch of vigilante scrappers that Melissa mentioned LOL.
We took my daughter to her immunologist this morning, she has multiple allergy syndrome, and is anaphylactic to a few things. Over the last couple of weeks she had developed what appeared like a rash on her torso. No itching, it was just there. Good news is it is not a big issue it is another form of eczema, I should have written down the name, our GP will have it when we see her. Seems the cooler, drier air does not agree with her. She had ordinary eczema when she was a baby but it cleared up when we moved back to Queensland from Canberra. We are gearing up for the family arriving tomorrow, the kids are so excited, we have a weekend of fun planned. Tomorrow afternoon I am going to see a Picasso exhibit with my Aunt which should be a nice start to the weekend too.
The freebie today, aside from ensuring I win the “worst preview” award from Vicki A, is a freebie friendly greyscale to make a spotted ribbon. I have put it in as a PSD file, with three layers, for the background, a lighter coloured dot and a darker coloured dot. It makes it easier to colour in. As usual I took it for a test drive in my favourite little sports model – Miss Pamela’s Digitreats ABC Kit colours. It worked a treat. The PSD file and the test drives are all bundled up together (cause I’m lazy LOL) and you can grab them here.
Best wishes,
Erika

I'm Back

2008-06-18T18:55:00.003+10:00

I am a bad blogger! Skipped out in the middle of the state of origin, and not back for a week. In some ways I feel like I have blinked and lost 7 days, and in other ways I feel like it was ages ago I was watching the second half of that game. Thank you for the lovely emails and messages !

Queensland won – 30 to 0, yes that is right 0, NIL, nothing ! Yeah Qld !!

So what a crazy week. Thursday I was emailed a task proposal, I spent a few days looking at it, and turned it down. It would have been insane trying to achieve it in the deadline the client wanted and more importantly it would not have been to a quality I would be happy to put my name to. I emailed a company that had approached me a couple of times in the last 8 months to come and work for them. And have been in for a discussion. The company is a very good one, market leaders, the role is interesting, in addition to pure consulting work I will be mentoring junior consultants, and encouraged to publish and present. The only down side is that it is office based. Hubby will be working from home to do the school runs, but I know this is going to be very hard for me. I love my time with the kids, I love the walk home from pre-school or school, holding hands and hearing about their day. So I have been a bit miserable about that and Mr Mojo flew out the window. Last night when I was just starting to feel a bit more like scrapping, I found out my precious, gorgeous son, a kid who does not have a mean bone in his body and is truly one of the kindest people you could meet, has been excluded from a party. From his school mates there is a group of them that play soccer together, ALL the other kids on the team from school were invited, he wasn’t. How do you explain that to him? I couldn’t give him a good explanation. It’s not like one of those you can only invite two friends to the movie scenarios, where you can put it down to a numbers thing. I find this really hard to take because last year I invited all 24 kids in his class to his birthday so no one was left out, even kids I’d rather not have had in my home. I am hoping it pours with rain on Saturday so soccer is cancelled and he doesn’t have to hear the others talking about the party they are going to that afternoon. What upsets me about it more is that earlier this week I had offered to the mother to babysit the kids on two separate occasions and cover for her with some stuff she had to do because she was snowed under – yeah but not too snowed under to hold a party. I just find it really insulting that I have done and offered quite a bit of late to help her kids wellbeing, but she can show no regard for my child’s wellbeing. It kills me to see my kids hurting and I know that in the long term this is something that will build his resilience, all those good platitudes, but I’m sorry if you told your child they could only invite 5 friends and that left 1 kid off the team out – wouldn’t you just invite 6 ? My son was really hurt, it just crushed me to see the confusion and pain on his face. And on Saturday we will have to see it again when they all head off from the soccer match to the party, and on Monday when they go to school and talk about the party we will see it again. About the only silver lining in this is that my B-I-L, S-I-L and nieces are up for the weekend, and that will provide a lovely distraction. We have planned to fill the weekend with his favourite things to do.
Anyway, I have vented enough. Something scrapping to share. I have called this Denim and Rose, but the fabric overlay is actually a heavy cotton. You can grab it here.
And a VERY happy birthday to Carole N. (I saw it on Pam’s blog). Carole I saw that you had a lovely day and I hope your friend continues to get better.
Best wishes,
Erika

Rugby update

2008-06-11T21:04:00.003+10:00

Okay half time score - after 40 minutes of play:

Queensland 16
New South Wales 0

Our state pride may yet be redeemed. Unfortunately my ds has been sent to bed as it is very late, and I will have to check to find out the final score.

A bit of fun

2008-06-11T21:00:00.002+10:00

A few people have sent me this and I thought I should give it a go. Sometimes things fun and frivolous are a joy. I hope I haven't scared people off with how big a nerd I am (see to the right - got the link off Britt-ish Designs blog). Now my result for what scrapbooking element am I is quite ironic. Paper is the thing I struggle to choose or make the most. Anyway result and link is below. Would love to know what result others get.

What scrapbooking item are you
132 other people got this result! That's 30%
Your Result
You are PAPER!You are an all natural basic person who likes to act as a foundation to others. You are willing to take a backseat in most of your relationships and let others take the spotlight, while you show your support and help them shine! Underneath it all, you are the one who makes it all happen. You are the focus and stability in any group, even if you are not the leader. Others look to you to set the pace and provide ideas for ways to get things done. But Paper Beware - sometimes you get a little edgy with the people who look to you for support and can give them some papercut remarks that can hurt their feelings. Remember to watch what you say, because you are best when leading by example.
If you want to take the quiz you can find it here.

Another overlay - coloured for the blog in honour of the footy

2008-06-11T19:25:00.003+10:00

I need to say very quickly - QUEENSLANDER !! (sorry to all the non-Aussies, but this is a very parochial, tribal, football series between Queensland and New South Wales and the second of three games is on tonight). As I am grossly outnumbered by the New South Wales bloggers (Mandy aka Witchypoo, Vicki aka Digi Lover, and Maria aka Digifree), I have to do something to fly the banner. Now I am not a rugby league person, I am strictly union, and soccer for my son BUT - this is a matter of state pride LOL and we are one game down.
Thanks to all for the helpful comments on engraving. You guys are amazing. I have now learnt how to adjust my levels for DS and bevels in PSE6 LOL. That’s what the fx button is for ! Thanks also to those that clued me in about Without A Trace. I think I watched about 3 or 4 episodes when it first started in the first season. So trying to come along and pick up the storyline now is not good, but thanks to all the lovely people who let me know, I think I get what is happening. I might have to try and watch it again this week. The only TV I get to watch is gladiators on Sunday night with the kids, and the late night news before I go to sleep.
Anyway things are crazy here at the moment, I have just had a six month parcel of work fall through the week before I was due to commence due to “budget cuts” which leaves me in the lurch work wise. I am desperately trying to line up something else so very busy with that. Here is an overlay I did the other day, another floral and you can grab it here. I have coloured the preview for the blog in honour of tonight’s footy match. The real preview is greyscale as is the overlay !
Best wishes to all,
Erika

Question for the clever types !

2008-06-09T19:35:00.001+10:00

I hit publish post before I remembered the other thing I wanted to ask. I want to put writing on the iceblock sticks so it looks "burnt in", if that makes sense, slightly indented. Now I only have PSE6, and I have tried the bevelling tools but they leave too big a dent.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to do this ?

Best wishes,
Erika

Creekbed stuff in Digitreats Run as requested

2008-06-09T19:30:00.003+10:00

I had a few emails asking if I could do the creekbed stuff I used in the DSO challenge in Pam’s Digitreats Run colours. I actually had started doing the items in those colours for a layout about some wonderful creeks we had fun catching tadpoles in, building dams in them, and catching guppies as kids. Since I had saved them, and since those that asked are people who consistently take the time to leave some love, I was more than happy to bundle them, upload them and share them. They are here for you to grab. I did a different version of the ice-block stick frame that I am happier with, there are internal DS on the layers, and I rapped rope around them to bind them together.
Can I ask a favour – does anyone watch Without a Trace? What is the story with the blonde girl getting pregnant? I saw the end of an episode where Anthony LaPaglia’s character is in intensive care and she is meeting some guy with 6 weeks before the baby is due and talking about his involvement with it, but they are virtually strangers. What gives?
Best wishes,
Erika

New Overlay

2008-06-09T16:53:00.003+10:00

I have had a bit of fun this weekend playing with the super new acrylic action from Atomic Cupcake and her new clip tool. Very cute. I now need to remember who did the tutorial about drop shadows for acrylic (it was either Hummie or Misty Cato). I have also spent a fair amount of time cleaning (YUCK), and the kiddos and I made chocolate chip pikelets for morning tea (sinful but delicious). It was wintery here today because it was bleak and overcast, but I can’t say it was cold as we are still getting around in short sleeves. My ds is getting sever cabin fever not being allowed to do sport or even go on the trampoline. We got the kids one of those enclosed trampolines from Spring free (link in case you are in Australia), and honestly it is the best money we ever spent on them. Hubby rigged up a shade cover and they love it. They bounce away for ages making up all sorts of games, and when they get tired the will sit there and chat and giggle, it almost doubles as a cubby house. Anyway, three more days and he will be allowed back on. Cannot come soon enough for me.
Enough waffling. Here is another overlay for you. Would love some feedback on these, whether they have been useful, did they work well, what you might have made. If they aren’t of much use / value then there is not much point in doing them.
I actually did a bit of blog surfing today. Glad to see Vicki is back from Portugal, can’t wait to see what she does next. I was so pleased to see Denise’s layout that she turned into template 5 won the So Sunny competition. Very well deserved. And I was blown away by Jeanie’s latest instalment on For the Love of Lemons. She made furniture ! From scratch ! Not extracted ! I saw Misty Cato’s latest kits with the rooms, and was really impressed by the whole concept of perspective, not to mention her wicked extraction layout. I really should have done art, I have been having a peek at my son’s learn to draw books. He takes after his Dad, hubby is great at drawing. I have been reading about the magic dot !
On a sad note I was disappointed to read about two bad instances of piracy, with Lisa and Candee. I can only hope that karma will catch up with these people.
Okay, better get back to work work ! And its nearly time to start dinner. Hope everyone had a great weekend,
Erika

A quick "word art" for you.

2008-06-08T21:22:00.001+10:00

I hate ironing. I know we all do. So to procrastinate from doing it I have done a “word art” for you. It’s my little mantra that I chant when the ironing basket is overflowing. It is a plain PNG file, just put it on black so you can see it better here. And you can grab it here if you want to use it if you are doing a "Book of Me" type album and hate ironing too.

Best wishes,
Erika

My frou frou layout

2008-06-08T20:12:00.001+10:00

I don’t do many 1 photo layouts. I am very much a multiple photos and usually double page layout kind of girl. But I had the picture of my daughter from last December (VERY recent by my scrapping standards LOL), that would be a one picture photo. And I actually didn’t want the photo to be too big, because she had a doozy of a bruise on her forehead that had faded to that nice yellow that looks more like a dirty mark. But this was a special moment, we had finally found a tutu for her beloved doll and they were both dressed up together to dance. I have embraced the glitter, and used Atomic Cupcake’s new glitter edge action on the circle, the papers are from Vicki’s Sophie kit (one of her very early ones), with the buckle and tag from Fizzy Pop, one of her more recent ones. The template is Denise (NeeCeeBee Designs) Template 1, tipped on its side.
We had a gardening day today (we are redoing our front yard after having a very big drain put in), and I have also refreshed the plants on our front porch. I also had the gruelling task of directing hubby about how he needs to dig out the area for the new front path LOL. Have some more textures to share tomorrow. Didn’t get time to bundle and upload tonight and I have some ironing that needs doing.
Hope you are having a great weekend,
Erika

The expanded layout.

2008-06-08T07:47:00.001+10:00

I flipped Denise’s super template and did the other pictures I tried to get that day LOL to make a 2 page LO. You have to know when you are beaten, the best picture is on its own. Denise has another fabby template up in response to a request from Alyson P, for a monthly summary page. Boy is she fast, and good ! Her own layout with it is just gorgeous, makes me want to play with the So Sunny kit, but first we have to sweep out under the house and garage. I am motivated to work fast this morning LOL.
Best wishes, Erika

The "Painting" Thing

2008-06-07T17:09:00.002+10:00

This is for the others new to PSE and here for the "learning adventure" rather than just grab and go freebie types. A couple of people asked what I meant by "painting" that floral overlay. I have copied how I explained it to someone today. Hope it helps others:

Okay how I recoloured the florals by "painting". This was from Shauna's tutorial (http://pineappleplantations.blogspot.com ) about using the colour replacement brush from your brush tools. I have PSE, not full PS like you, so it might be different. But I copied the greyscale to a new file, then opened the skip palette and selected a colour for the foreground. Then if I right click on my brush tool button on the tool palette I have a choice of colour replacement brush. Then I just chose an appropriate brush size and "paint" the fabric like a colour by numbers canvass. LOL. I found I zoomed in to paint but kept zooming out to check if I was getting a "colour balance". It did take a little bit of time, that's why I shared it, I would hate to think all that effort was just for my one layout LOL.

Hope this makes sense. I'd love to see if anyone else has a go,

Erika

Linen Texture Overlay

2008-06-07T13:57:00.002+10:00

I have another texture for you, and something of a tutorial about how I used it LOL talk about the blind leading the blind. I have got some lovely scrapping time in today. I have been listening to Gabriella Cilmi’s CD that I treated myself to the other day, all that was missing was a nice glass of wine. What a voice this girl has. She is sort of similar in style to Amy Winehouse but without all the drugs and destruction and waste of talent. I had heard her song Sweet About Me on the radio and it took me two weeks to find out the name of the singer. Turns out she is an Australian but moved to UK to record etc.
Anyway, on to matters scrapping LOL, this is the linen texture I use. I have had a few emails today asking about this. I simply scanned an old piece of plain linen (I told you I’m not a designer lol). To add a pattern to it, I just use a brush on a separate layer to the linen, either set to darken or lighten, then reduce its opacity until I get the right effect. Something I found out that the very artistic types already know LOL is that you get a better effect if you work with diamonds not squares. I have always tried creating my patterns in a square then it gets tiled and can look boxy. For ornate style designs, you are better working a design or pattern that is a diamond style shape (roughly speaking, not exact), so for a shape that is wider in the middle and narrower on the top and bottom. Now I don’t have a great eye for these things, so I cheated LOL. I have Kim Sheen’s fabby CU Templates from Scrap Orchard, and what I did with the leaf one I shared the other day was to grab one of the layers of her diamond templates, and put that on top of the linen, rotate it or expand if you want. Then worked my design (or position your brush) within the diamonds. When you have it how you want it just delete the diamond shape guide layer. Voila, it looks much better, not so boxy. I have included an example of a simple dragonfly on linen, I am short on time so didn’t do anything ornate, and missed every other diamond. I was originally going to put a frog in but it looked wrong and I ran out of patience. But it is enough to give you the idea. It is in a Digitreats Run colour so you can actually use it. By adding different layers of the brush either lightening or darkening you can get quite a fabulous design on your linen. By keeping the layers separate you can make it a multicoloured pattern too on the linen.
I hope that actually makes sense – I am not very good at describing things, I can’t explain anything without a whiteboard LOL. Anyway grab the linen texture here and have a play, would love to see what people come up with.
Best wishes,
Erika

A great template, and my layout !

2008-06-07T11:28:00.003+10:00

On Ikea Goddess this morning I spotted this amazing template by NeeCeeBee Designs, that I snagged immediately. I had some photos I had tried to take of my kids and two of their cousins from when they were visiting us last year. We have this gorgeous park down the road from us on the river bank with a boat theme and a little boat that the kids can play in. Perfect for a photo right ? Yeah try getting two (then) three year olds, a 6 month old, and a righteous 6 year old (telling the cheeky three year olds to behave please), to all even just look at the camera normally, never mind smiles. LOL. It didn’t work, but I still wanted to capture the moment because it was such a good laugh. So this is the layout, using the NeeCeeBee Designs template, and Ellie Lash’s gorgeous Scatter Sunshine Kit. I L-O-V-E this kit (learnt from Brooke at Ahhh Scraps to spell it out for emphasis LOL). Check out Brooke's blog for a great CU freebie also. I am going to flip the template to the other side of the page where I tried to get them all sitting under one of the big fig trees (some people just don’t learn LOL).
Oh and the noisy woisy boy-sy actually took the news of no soccer better than expected, but I still made them chocolate pancakes for breaky – I am such a bad mummy. Now we just have to explain to hubby why we didn’t save any for when he gets back from diving – I am such a bad wife LOL.
Off to do some washing (it seems to multiply overnight !)
Erika

Layout for the Sunshine Studios Challenge

2008-06-06T22:21:00.002+10:00

Like everyone else I was having fun on the hunt for clues in Scrap Orchard and the Sunshine Studio Scraps today and picking up that gorgeous kit. In addition to the amazing freebee (how generous are those ladies) I grabbed two of Ellie Lash’s kits, and one of Lliellas. I had seen these two kits on Ellie’s blog, whilst admiring a gorgeous layout of her boys.
I’ve had a set of photos I took of my daughter at 3 months old (yes that is well over 3.5 years ago LOL), that I have been waiting to scrap. You know that photo that is so “perfect” that you are almost intimidated to scrap it, or you get a form of paralysis because it becomes too important. Well this photo was like that. What made it worse was there is a strong yellow in the background of the photo that needed the right papers and elements to go with it. As soon as I saw Ellie’s Star Gazing kit, the light bulb went on and I thought of this photo. I also grabbed her Scatter Sunshine kit, which is just fantastic, to scrap some other piccies I have been stumped by. I decided to make the layout with the word art for their challenge this week because it just fitted the photo perfectly. Aaahh serendipity LOL, sometimes you just have to be patient LOL (3.5 years patient !). Anyway, here is the layout I came up with (I know very boring to lots, but I am a conservative scrapper). Now I just have to figure out how to upload it to the gallery ROTFL.
Best wishes,
Erika

Hummies Fabbie Tip

2008-06-06T18:02:00.004+10:00

Something I forgot to mention on an earlier post. When I scanned in the iceblock stick, and went to extract it, I used Hummie's bevel technique for checking for stray pixels. It worked a treat, there were some I couldn't see (even with my glasses on LOL) that showed up. If you aren't familiar with this, head over to Hummie's World - link to your right - and have a read, she is a clever lady.

Oh and you know how when your kids are learning to walk and run and they are always falling over, banging their little heads ? I used to fantasise about putting my kids in stack hats (bike helmets) whenever they weren't sleeping. Well little mister concussion spent the day quietly at home (I am a bad bad mummy there were 2 videos watched but it kept him quiet and still) - and late this afternoon he got out his toy cars to play with in the toy room, guess who managed to bang his concussed little head on the corner of the shelf ? Where's that stack hat . . . . . .

TGIF !

Erika

Test drive in Digitreat's Skip

2008-06-06T14:10:00.002+10:00

I took it for a little “test drive” with some of Pam’s Skip colours,. I really love those colours, they suit old vintage style stuff and more modern designs. I tried using the pattern just as an overlay on a solid colour, and then “painting” it with the colours”. I was really pleased with the result. Again everything is shared “clean” rather than “grunged”, you can add your own, either through the wonderful brushes of people like Stephanie (Obsidian Dawn) or marvellous grunge overlays that are available at just about all the scrapping digi stores. So have some fun, let me know if you have some results to share with this, and the test drive in some of Pam’s Skip colours are here.

I am like a kid on Christmas morning this afternoon, just finished the hunt at the Orchard and Sunshine Girls, plus I treated myself to two of Ellie Lash's gorgeous new kits (did you see that cute LO with her two boys on her blog) - link is to the right if you haven't, and Pam's realeased more patterned papers. I don't know what to play with first . Oh that's right, I have housework, work work, and some voluntary work I am doing (perfomance management system). AAAGGGHHH. Make that a kid on Christmas morning who is given all their pressies then has to leave them to go and visit the rellies LOL.

Okay, back to cleaning that front porch. UUUGGHHHH.
Best wishes,
Erika

Floal Linen Overlay

2008-06-06T14:00:00.002+10:00

I found a really lovely and really old piece of fabric that I wanted to experiment with. I have created an overlay for you with it. It is actually quite versatile and you can either just recolour it in one shade to get one effect, or if you are patient (or crazy LOL), you can paint it in different colours. It is shared under the freebie friendly TOU, so please respect them. The overlay is here , for you to grab. Don’t forget to leave some love, and if you do create something with it I would love to see it, it gives me a real buzz.
I have both the kids home today, my son was still getting some dizzy spells. He was not happy that he couldn’t play tennis before school today (or go to school), but I have been too chicken to tell him he’s not going to be allowed to play soccer tomorrow either. YIKES. Might let my husband be the bearer of that bad news, hubby is out all day tomorrow diving so my son can be angry with him LOL.
Best wishes,
Erika

Two more textures

2008-06-05T17:46:00.003+10:00

I love my podiatrist ! For the first time in years I think someone might have figured out what causes a lot of the problems I have with my feet. He really took the time to ask questions, listen to my answers and conduct a proper examination of my feet – and they are not pretty either my feet LOL. He has a plan for addressing my shin splints so I can get back to walking, and a plan for how despite my knee injuries I may even be able to get back to running. My daughter is also a lot brighter and less “chesty” today. The only worry is that it appears my son copped a harder knock in that accident than we thought and probably has a mild concussion.
I have two more textures for you today. I have left them clean for the sharing, but the leaf brush linen looks really nice grunged up. These are shared under the freebie friendly terms of use. Can I just clarify these, I had an email from someone today pointing me to a blog that was using them and not complying with the TOU. These are shared for personal use or for using (if altered) as a freebie, as long as acknowledgement is given. They are to provide a resource for people that want to have a go at designing to try it out with some stuff. They are not to be sold even if altered. They can also be used in charity kits with prior permission. I don’t think these are restrictive TOU. All I am asking for is acknowledgement and that you don’t make money out of something I have given for free. Anyway that being said they are here for you to grab. Oh and I stuck the iceblock stick in there, that someone asked about, but it isn't shown on the preview.
Well I had better go and get the dinner finished, nearly Friday and it’s a long weekend down under .
Best wishes,
Erika

File size

2008-06-05T09:56:00.002+10:00

I got a lovely email from Maureen about the file size of the mulberries. As well as some wonderful feedback and kind words she mentioned:

"Noticed that the Jump Mulberry files were quite large. When I opened them, saw that they were sized at 7200 x 7200 pixels and 600 resolution. Curious as to why you make them that large. I resized them down to 3600 x 3600 pixels and 300 resolution and they did not look any different. It reduced the mb to 1/3 of the size of your files and saves room on my harddrive. Will not do this if there is a good reason; however, like most of us scrappers, we are usually on overload."

So here's the technical and complicated reason for the large file size - I don't know how to shrink it LOL. I created them at 600ppi to make sure I got a good quality and then couldn't figure out how to save it at 300ppi LOL. Sorry guys, I know hard drive space is precious. I have asked Maureen for a tutorial on how to do this. I had a similar problem trying to save previews for theDSO challenge, and it kept telling me my file size was wrong, LOL.

I did warn you all this blog was my learning adventure LOL. Will make sure I have been educated on this before I share the other textures I have been working on.

Oh and thanks for the comments about our bad day. My daughter's temperature broke and she is still coughing, but on the mend. I was worried because there is a bit of pneumonia going around here. My son is sore but functioning. The attitude of the principal at the school was disturbing but that is another story. Our school is different, it is small and community focussed, so I was a bit taken aback by this other school's attitude. And I am off to see the podiatrist at lunch time.

Anyone going to have a go at a decorated mulberry ????? Come on lvmommy you know you want to do those rose petals LOL.

And sending hugs and kisses to my nephew and niece in Melbourne and for my sister in law - nearly there - think of Fiji !

Best wishes,

Erika

Mulberry Six Pack of Digitreat's Jump

2008-06-04T22:22:00.003+10:00

Crikey 4 shared is VERY slow tonight. And when your husband accidentally closes off IE and your upload, then it does take just that much longer ! So as promised these are the “test drives” for the texture, in a six pack of Pam’s jump colours. The file size is big, so I have split it into two parts. The first part is here, and the second part is here. Had a small play with adding some rose petals per lvmommy’s comment – it looks nice in the skip colours using the rose petal brushes from Obsidian Dawn. Don’t know if anyone wants to have a go at that – I have a couple of other things on my to-do list so I would love to see someone else’s take on that.
Best wishes,
Erika

Free Texture

2008-06-04T18:50:00.004+10:00

What a day at our house. I am having trouble with both my feet, my daughter has a really nasty chest infection and my son got run over by a kid on a bike on the walk home today. The poor possum has a very bruised nose (it bled for two hours), a cut on one wrist, and bruising all over his leg. I have spoken to the school a couple of times about the kids and the way they ride their bikes and scooters on the footpath, and so needless to say I phoned the principal as soon as I had applied ice packs and cleaned up my little guy. Hey – nobody hurts my babies !

I have a texture to share, it is for mulberry paper. It works really well with Atomic Cupcake’s torn edge action. And you can grab it here. It is shared under my Freebie Friendly TOU, so it is good for personal use, or for those who design and share free to all kits. I have taken it for a little test drive with Pam’s Jump Colours to create a six pack, which is taking a while to upload, so come back later for that.
Thank you also to those that left comments about my go at the colour challenge. I am having a go at a couple of other challenges to help scrap some pictures and push my boundaries !
Best wishes,
Erika

DSO Colour Challenge Elements

2008-06-03T17:24:00.000+10:00

And here are the elements for the challenge. I had some fun with these. A couple of tried and true favourites with the tooled leather action from Atomic Cupcake, it really is a favourite and very versatile. I think it has paid for itself many times over. The torn card frame is another Atomic Cupcake action, and the reed is made from one of Stephanie’s grass brushes, and I added the reed, I made the reed head out of Atomic Cupcake’s felt action. The other frame I made the screw myself using Atomic Cupcake’s cast pewter action, and I scanned in an iceblock stick to use for a few things. The buttons are from my button tin freebies which are still available, and the ribbons are from that set too, I just added some dots to the texture. They are available to download here. Let me know what you think. The chain in the preview is not included, I forgot LOL, but it is in the Boot Camp Alpha download, so you can grab it there.
Best wishes,
Erika

My Attempt at the DSO Colour Challenge - Papers

2008-06-03T17:20:00.004+10:00

I thought I would try a couple of different things. I have been a long time reader of KimB’s blog and thought I would have a go at one of the monthly colour challenges that she hosts at DSO. I also thought I would try something a bit grungier. So here is my go at the colour challenge. There is a bit of a theme of boys and creeks and fishing sort of thing to it. I really enjoyed the papers. The first one using brushes, which is not something I have done a lot of. The brushes are from the very talented Stephanie (Obsidian Dawn). I was really almost scared of using brushes when I first got in February. But like all things the more you play with it the more fun you have and the more you learn. I am so grateful that these beautiful brushes are available. They are so inspiring. I did a striped paper and used a grunge overlay from one of Shauna’s CU packs at Scrap Orchard. I did a bit of experimenting with them on the argyle which used one of Kim Sheen’s CU templates from Scrap Orchard, and also on the fishing rod paper and the check paper. I think the check paper is inspired by my laundry floor at the moment LOL. Mud glorious mud at our house after the rain. The denim paper has a stitched edge using Atomic Cupcakes’ action. It is not shown in the paper preview but is in that download, I just didn’t see the point in putting it on there when I had used it as a background for the elements preview. The papers can be grabbed here. Let me know what you think, it is a bit of a jump out of my rut LOL.

More freebie friendly greyscale stuff

2008-06-02T16:11:00.001+10:00

Winter has officially started here, and it is bucketing down with rain and I won’t complain because we are in a drought. Normally we get the rain on the coast which is good because it fills are tanks and waters the yard and the parks, but our dams are about 70km inland and they don’t seem to get the rain. BUT the rain is actually falling near the dams as well, so we are really happy. That won’t stop me of course from being cheeky to Miss Vicki as she enjoys her holiday in Portugal.
These are some more greyscale elements for those who are wanting things they can recolour to match some other kit, or who design and share freebie kits. The terms of use are quite clear that these can only be used in kits that are shared with anyone. The file size got a bit big so I divided into two parts. The first part is here and the second part is here. I know the new format at 4shared is a pain and you can’t write a comment whilst waiting for the download once you have hit the button. But I really miss the comments, it is what motivates people to share, truly. I would love to see a hello from the other Aussies that are visiting the blog especially, some are visiting from my home town and nearby.
Hope you are having a great day,
Erika

Some Journal Mats for You

2008-06-01T18:10:00.002+10:00

Atomic Cupcake has a super duper new glitter edge action that I grabbed today. I have decided to give this whole glitter thing a go. I grabbed it primarily to make a glitter edge for a journaling mat for my snow lay out which is in Pam’s Jump palette and also a ballet layout I am doing in the Skip palette for my daughter. So the three mats I made are here for those that would like to use them. The lovely snow effect is from one of Obsidian Dawn’s amazing collection.
So much for a weekend of scrapping. Despite the horrid weather here in Brisbane, I still spent most of yesterday chasing around, then we had a soccer team Mum’s girl’s night out, and a kids concert today. Mmm weekend gone, LOL.
Hope you are having a great weekend wherever you are,
Erika

More berries.

2008-05-30T19:57:00.001+10:00

Well the weather here in so called sunny Brisbane is hideous, cold and wet. I shouldn’t complain though because we so desperately need the rain to break the drought. I just want it to rain overnight only so I don’t get drenched taking kids to school and ballet. Of course if I was off to sunny Portugal like someone else, then I wouldn’t care LOL. So I kept playing with the berries, I think it is a hankering for spring. I played with some of the new actions I got on the weekend from Atomic Cupcake and also Shauna’s new Commercial Use overlay pack. If this horrid weather keeps up then I will probably veg out in front of the computer a bit this weekend, so I will hopefully get some more bits and bobs done for this, but in the meantime here is the second instalment. Beyond the strawberries, you see raspberries are my favourite, and I have very fond memories of mulberries as a kid. We had a mulberry tree in the backyard of a house we lived in for a year whilst one of ours was being built. I loved that tree. Not just for the mulberries but also because the leaves were in high demand for silk worms. Do kids in other places keep silk worms? Anyway, junior entrepreneur that I was at 8 or 9, I would sell a bunch of leaves for 20c and with a baby silk worm for 50c. High finance.
Well better head off, last two chapters of the Secret Seven are waiting to be read.
Best wishes,
Erika

Some strawberries for you

2008-05-29T15:05:00.002+10:00

Well I seem to have misplaced the last four days. After a lovely sunny and productive weekend of gardening, this week has been cold (by our standards) and bleak weather and both kids and myself have been under the weather. So apart from work I have not been near the computer. But I started making a couple of things the other day after being inspired by LJ’s gorgeous piccies from their visit to the strawberry patch. I have a few more things I want to make for this, some of it to play with some of the new actions I treated myself to from Atomic Cupcake whilst everything was on sale. The first bits I made are here for those who would like them.
I was very excited on the weekend because I found the ginger mint I wanted, a lemon mint, and a native peppermint. Along with the others I have found I am only missing spearmint. They have all taken to their spot along the retaining wall very well and best of all the wonder dog has not dug them out. There is even a light bit of rain today watering them in nicely.
Best wishes,
Erika

Textues

2008-05-27T09:53:00.002+10:00

Sorry I can't share the textures. I had hoped to but in their raw form I am at risk of upsetting a very large craft company. I wondered if I could share them but checked with a g/f who is a lawyer and she said no - when she finished laughing. So I thought I would at least post the tip for those that have them already. It is really quick to scan them, and then just trim the scan down to the texture bit, and remove the colour. I scanned at 600dpi so that I could stretch the texture to a 12 x 12 page if I wanted to without losing quality when I print at 300dpi.

I had a sick little girl yesterday and a saga with my husband taking the car keys to work with him, so didn't get to do any scrapping. But there is something I want to play with today when I have the washing on and the floors vacuumed.

Back later,
Erika

Harnessing those Traditional Supplies

2008-05-25T11:58:00.004+10:00

Now apologies if I am telling you something you already know. I've only been digi since January of this year, so I am still "discovering" these things. I have been trying to make sure I can somehow replicate or capture my traditional supplies. If you have an emobssing system and you have the texture plates, well you can use them for digi. I scanned in the plates, removed the colour and saved them as JPGs at a high DPI, and I can use them as texture overlays for digi. It is also a lot easier than the traditional way of embossing paper LOL. Not sure that this image does it justice, but have a play !

Back to the work - he has finished playing with the electric hedger (Vicki you are right about men and power tools) and now we need to do a trip to the tip with the offcuts. And stop at a nursery on the way back for my plants.

Best wishes,

Erika

A Quick Freebie

2008-05-25T08:30:00.007+10:00

I went to do a layout of my daughter’s first trip to Cold Rock with all of Pam’s lovely ice cream goodies, and realised I needed a second frame that wouldn't draw attention away from the lovely focal frame she did. So here is one I made using Atomic Cupcake’s fantastic cut out action, and the Jump yellow. It does not include the writing (or the photo LOL). And you can grab it here. Hubby and the kids have been sleeping in this morning so I thought I would get in some scrapping (its more quiet than starting up the washing LOL). Now they are waking up I am off to the markets and to do some gardening.

Best wishes,

Erika

The Revised Snow Layout

2008-05-24T22:51:00.002+10:00

I've just realised that the left hand side of this has been trimmed so bare that in mind. So I got asked to share and this is the revised (but still awp) version of the first snow layout. I reduced the clear frosted snowflakes and made a cluster (as suggested) to "draw the eye across the page" LOL - that's just something I've read in a scrapping mag. I reduced the red felt in the bottom left so it doesn't go to the border (as suggested) and added the white stiching. I made and added my foil stars using Atomic Cupcake's new foil action (www.atomiccupcake.com). Because I can get too "boxy" at times, I did uneven journalling strips and attached them with a little red felt brad I made from that red felt mat.

I still sort of want to put something in the bottom left hand corner of that piccie of my son on the left hand side. I tried putting the snow flakes down there but it didn't work. I am going to finish the journalling and then not look at it for a week, and if I am happy then it stays. Something I am coming to realise is that the layout will never be perfect, you could always change something and it would not necessarily be better, just different. So I am not obsessing about these, but focussing on getting as caught up as I can whilst I have some time.
For lvmommy - what do I do for a living that I work with a computer, fly on planes and think maths is cool LOL. I work as a consultant. I am blessed to work from home it means I can drop my kids off to the class room and pick them up from the classroom. My postgrad degrees are in HR and Demography. I do statistical modelling and design system simulations and decision support systems, this is what my PhD is in. Are your eyes rolling yet LOL. It is so boring to anyone else. The flying on planes is because a lot of the work I do is for clients who are all over the country so I will fly in fly out for a meeting or a couple of days for briefs, presentations and the like.
Its funny when I was a child my father would be away every other week with work, and I thought it was just so glamorous and exciting to travel on planes and stay in hotels. And then you do it as a grown up and you realise it is tiring and boring and staying in hotels is awful. Even if you catch up with friends for dinner, you still go back to an empty hotel room at some stage and that is just not fun compared to home. Its one of the reasons I loved making the switch to digi scrapping, now when I go away overnight I take my little external drive with me and sit in my hotel scrapping on my laptop. I don't miss home quite so much.
Bet you're sorry you asked LOL. And on that note its getting late so I am off to bed.
Best wishes,
Erika

Let it snow !

2008-05-24T15:12:00.004+10:00

Serendipity indeed. That foil action that atomic cupcake has just released, it is the answer to my prayers for that snow layout. Thank you so much everyone who left me or emailed me their ideas. I knew I wanted some colour near the photo of my son on the left, but a boy, wrap or flower wasn’t right. I have to be honest, I am not a glitter girl – I know I can hear the sharp intake of breath – everyone else loves it, but it just isn’t my thing. I’m not saying I won’t ever use it, I am just not drawn to it. Must be all those years in uniform LOL, it squished my inner girliness – don’t worry my daughter has it in spades and makes up for both of us. So anyway, as soon as I saw Atomic Cupcake’s new actions I just knew – foil snowflakes – they sparkle, they add colour, they did the trick (plus a few ideas from the lovely people that visit this blog and care enough to read my ramblings). So here are the snowflakes I made, still in Pam’s Jump Red and Blues.
By the way check out Jeannie’s tag response – Jeannie has been added to my I want them at my next party list. This lady has really lived life – and you have to see that mad 80’s big hair. Does that bring back memories , the teen mags with pictures of Jon Bon Jovi and all the rock “hair” bands, or all the “new romantics” like Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, and the like with the big fringes - or my dreadful poodle perm, cockatoo fringe, or mod (think The Cure) phase LOL.
Going back to supervise hubby in the garden, I can hear hammering and I only left him to plant 4 plants. Mmmmmmm
Best wishes,
Erika

A quick note

2008-05-24T09:04:00.004+10:00

So cool - Atomic Cupcake, has 20% of her actions up to 26 May, and another two new actions to play with.

www.atomiccupcake.com

Definition of frustration - two new actions freshly downloaded and son's soccer on this morning. Especially since I think the new foil action could be perfect for that snow layout. I think I may try bubble's tactic to bring back the mojo and pump up the music this afternoon. What is good snow song to inspire - I keep getting visions of Wham's Last Christmas video LOL. I don't know what is worse, the kids were watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang yesterday afternoon and now I have that song the Baron and his wife sing stuck in my head - You're my little chutchie face and you're my teddy bear AAAGGGHHH.

A quick note. A few people have emailed me and asked if I would make some of the things I have shared in a generic version for them so they can adapt it. I don't feel comfortable with this and please take the time to read why. The actions or products I have purchased, are purchased from someone who has invested an enormous amount of time and effort in developing them. The cost of them is very small. For example, the pewter action from Atomic Cupcake is less than $5. When I look at how many elements and alphas I have been able to create with it, it has more than paid for itself, especially when I compare that to the cost of purchasing those elements for traditional scrapping. By producing a generic version of a tag or label, I am taking away potential sales from the person who developed and sells that action. I am just not comfortable with that from an ethical perspective and I believe it contravenes the terms of use under which they are purchased. If I can use these actions, then anyone can. They are easy to install and even easier to use. And such good value, less than a cup of coffee. If this upsets anyone, then I am sorry, but my conscious needs to be clear. I have no idea how many days or weeks it takes to get these products (either actions or other CU products) made. I am sure it is a lot, a lot of tweaking and experimenting to get it just right. I sit and watch the action run amazed at how someone could put that together. I sit and play at colouring a template grateful someone has done the hard work already. To do something that could deny them a sale of a product is not something I can do, I have too much respect and appreciation for them. This is one of the reasons why I try to include links as often as possible and tell you where the action, brush, or template has come from. So if you like it or want a variation, you can go and download it or purchase it.

I will continue to share things I make. I am not a designer, I make things for my own use, and if I think they are okay, and it is within the TOU then I will share them. But I will not do something if I believe it is to the detriment of those that are trying to make a living out of this. They deserve some recompense for all their time and effort.

Have a great weekend,
Erika

Something amazing

2008-05-24T08:23:00.001+10:00

Okay so I am one of the world's biggest sooks, I cry at movies, I get teary at things my kids do, I am just a total sap, and I love animals. This is one of the most amazing and touching things I have seen in a very long time. Apologies if you have already seen it, but for those that haven't check this out . . . .

Several years ago this woman found a sick,malnourished lion cub in the jungle. She took thecub home and fed him and brought him up until he was too big to keep anymore. Then she made arrangementswith a zoo in Colombia to take the lion. Here's a video of what happened when she went to visit him inthe zoo for the first time.The reaction of the lion when he sees her is INCREDIBLE! http://www.telestereo.com/Archivos/video.html

Tagged

2008-05-23T20:33:00.001+10:00

Okay so I’ve been tagged. Vicki tagged me a while ago, but it was for ten reasons I loved blogging, and I got stuck at around 6 or 7, put it to one side to think, and . . . . . . . When I was checking through the comments tonight whilst 4shared uploaded s-l-o-w-l-y, I saw that not only had Cindyrelly tagged me, but so had Kimberly, and I had missed it. So sorry Kimberly, I saw 1 comment on that post and stupidly assumed it was digifree notification from Maria, then realised tonight, that it didn’t have a freebie in it. And I am so humbled that you guys know I’m here.
So here goes,
Rules:
1.) Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2.) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3.) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4.) Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Okay so the easy part is seven random facts:

1. When I was an undergraduate I had a holiday job as Barbie – hard to believe now LOL.
2. I was so sure my daughter would be another boy they had to tell me twice and show me when she was born (I should add lack of sleep and great pain killing drugs were involved LOL).
3. I found my long-lost god mother when I started dating my husband and she worked at the same unit.
4. I prefer savoury food over sweet food any day. Give me a nice leg of ham over a cake.
5. When my son is asked what I do for a living he tells people “she works with a computer, flies on planes a lot and thinks maths is really fun and cool”, - hey isn’t it ?
6. I love waterfalls, and we do a lot of bushwalking so we can see them, photograph them and swim under them.
7. I am obsessed with over sized fibre glass tourist attractions like The Big Pineapple, The Big Trout, The Big Wine Barrel – we have a special scrapbook for photos in front of them, and eve plan travel routes and holiday destinations to see them.
Now the hard part – seven people to tag:

The very lovely Vicki at AWP
The person I want to party with Texan Vicki at Bubbles Babbles
The talented and wonderful Jeannie at Scrapdoctor
The who first sent me a layout using something I had made in it which meant so much – LJ at Bella Memorie
To a lady who also loves to add to Pam’s wonderful kits, and has two cute doggies that look like little versions of mine – April the Scrapaholic
Someone who always leaves a thank you, and I didn’t realise until recently has a blog – Jaye And the truly amazing lady who has so generously shared her work and allows amateurs like me to participate in the amazing ABC kits – Pamela at Digitreats (who is forgiven if she does not play along because she is buried in special orders)

A Freebie and Plea for Your Ideas

2008-05-23T20:01:00.004+10:00

I think this missing mojo thing might be catching. Inspired by the colder mornings here, and memories of VERY cold winters when we lived in Canberra, I decided to scrap some photos from that time when the snow was on the hills surrounding the city. I love these pics of my gorgeous boy and spunky hubby. For Brenda – spunk is a term normally reserved for teenagers (not Mums in their mid-thirties LOL) meaning a good sort ! The bright red hat, turquoise blue boots, dark green trackies on my son and burgundy jacket on hubby, sent me in the direction of Pam’s Jump ABC kit. I made a couple of papers, one was too much for a multi photo layout, so saved it and tried another, I made some red felt to draw out the hat, and some frosted elements and title for the snow. The snowflakes show up better when you look at the image at print size, but seem a bit lost on preview. BUT the layout lacks something – (as well as journaling). I don’t know what though. If anyone has any ideas I would LOVE to hear them. It’s driving me crazy. We headed out early this morning, tennis lessons before school, ballet lesson for my daughter then up the mountain to help my aunt out with some other stuff, before a “lovely” dinner of KFC (my son got to choose after 3 awards at school this week). I thought a day away from the computer might help – but no. I have bundled up the bits I have made for you here, not everything in the bundle is on the preview (hey I'm lazy LOL). Your thoughts on what this page needs to finish it would be gratefully appreciated.
Best wishes,
Erika

And the boy version

2008-05-22T20:42:00.003+10:00

As promised here is the boy version. It was funny when creating it I found a silhouette of a boy, added the quote, but in place of the butterfly on the girl version what should I put ? Girls are easy, butterflies, flowers, fairies, you name it, but boys ? I was thinking of a ball or a frog or something, but went with the bike.
Best wishes,
Erika

Another frame

2008-05-22T17:55:00.004+10:00

I got to share one of those special moments with my daughter today. We live less than 1klm from the school and walk to and from. Thursdays are a home day for her, no pre-school. We had spent the day trying to find some herbs at a couple of nurseries. When we got home she decided to put her snow white dress on. So when it was time to go and get my son, that is what she wore for the walk over. As we went past an elderly couple the lady commented that she was a beautiful princess and my daughter’s face lit up. As she smiled up at me it took my breath away. Children give the best genuine smiles, their eyes sparkle. Some days when I feel jaded from work and dealing with the politics and falseness of it all, I really appreciate the very honest and genuine responses I get from the kids. I wanted to celebrate that in their scrapbooks, so I remembered I had found this quote the other day on Quote Garden whilst I was looking for something else, and made this frame with it. The silhouette is from Obsidian Dawn’s brushes. The frame is in one of Pam’s Skip colours because it is for my daughter's album. I did a pewter version in case anyone wanted a neutral version. I think it is versatile enough to apply to grandchildren, nieces, god children, you name it. Anyway enough waffling, you can grab them here, and rest assured as soon as I can find a boy silhouette, a version with an amended quote in a run colour is not far off.
Best wishes,
Erika

Just for a laugh

2008-05-22T12:57:00.003+10:00

This was created for lvmommy and Elizabeth as a bit of a joke after their fun comments that the button paper looked like cookies. Just for fun I scanned in and extracted a cookie (choc chip no less LOL), and made a couple of papers with it, two coordinating plain papers, an alpha and a brush (plus the png file). The reason being I am actually going to use it for a layout with some photos of the kids making cookies. I hope someone else can use it also. You can grab it here, and I would love to see any layouts.
Thank you K for the really lovely comments you left with the leather frames. And thank you to all that do leave comments. I do read them all, and I love to hear what people think of stuff, or have a laugh at a shared experience. I don’t think it matters where we live we all have shared experiences or hopes. The comments people leave really do mean a lot and encourage me to keep sharing anything I make. So thank you back to those that take the time to leave a message. I have even learned something – Ann Onimous (love that name) let me know that the bracket mat shape is actually a “quatrefoil”, I was very impressed. There you go – now you can all go and use the word in a sentence today.
Best wishes,
Erika

Redo of Two NSD words for Dutch (female)

2008-05-21T12:03:00.000+10:00

When I decided to try and contribute something for NSD, I knew it was risky to do something in other languages. Despite doing 14 languages (some with male and female versions), and in 12 different styles, so a total of more than 170 word arts, I only made two mistakes (that I have been told about LOL). It also turns out I was right about their being a female version of friends in French.
So for Masja, thank you for letting me know about the mistakes. Sorry it has taken me a couple of weeks to re-do these. For some reason the cut out kept repeating the problem with chopping the end of the word out. I had to trick it in the end – long story. So for the Dutch scrappers the pewter heart is here. And the purple cut out is here.
Best wishes,
Erika

Shock - some more leather frames !

2008-05-21T11:44:00.002+10:00

Well you knew they were coming LOL. One of the things I love exploring is the idea of the effect of the absence of something rather than the presence of something, if that makes sense. As I have said before I am not artistic (hey just look at badly my layout did on Vicki’s challenge LOL), I work with numbers, so this is tapping into the side of my brain that is full of rust, dust and cobwebs. To change a couple of these for leather I inverted what would be foreground and background. It is quite incredible the difference it makes. So that they can be used by many I have used Pam’s Digitreats ABC colours. The butterfly in one of the Skip pinks, the checkerboard in the Run grey, and the others in Jump colours. The circle one got done twice because when I initially did it in purple for my daughter then looking at it thought it would be good in the turquoise for a water fight photo. They can be found here, let me know what you think. I still adore the checkerboard effect from Susan Woolcott . Truly, grab yourself a brew and go and have a look at the website. The butterflies are from Obsidian Dawn’s brushes and the diamonds and circles from the CU templates at Scrap Orchard Whilst my wish list for purchases is getting a bit long, my priorities have been to buy tools that I can use as broadly as possible and to support the sites and designers that give to the community. So I treated myself to some of those amazing new add ons Pam did for the ABC kits, because she and Vicki give every day so much that I use so much. And the other shop I am making some purchases from is the Orchard; the galleries, the forums, and they have upgraded their system a few times and I know from our businesses that IT and web stuff is not cheap. I know there are heaps of others, trust me I have a list LOL. I just need to explain to hubby that I am not “shopping” I am “supporting” LOL – I think that will work about as well as saying look how much I saved when shopping at a sale.
Best wishes,
Erika

Some Pewter Frames

2008-05-21T11:12:00.005+10:00

Well the weather the last few days has been gorgeous. Whilst the mornings are very chilly for us thin-blooded Queenslanders, getting down to 14C brrr, the days are just lovely, still t-shirt weather, but around 23C so good gardening weather. I have been repotting pot plants, planting some yummy chocolate mint along our retaining wall and about to put some rosemary in at the front to form a hedge along the driveway. So I have not been spending too much time at the computer. But I did get back to it last night. One of my favourite items in traditional scrapping was the pewter range that Making Memories put out. I loved the little square frames (although I cursed the weight and getting them to stick well on the page – yeah for digi !). So I wanted to create some and played a bit to see how things would show up, what things are better as the foreground or background, that sort of stuff. So the results of my adventures are here for those who would like them. I have to say I love how the checkerboard effect came out. The brush I used for that is from Susan Woolcott who is a most amazing artist, and I blown away to find free brushes she shares. Take the time to look at her website, I adore her stuff. I was thrilled when I saw the Sunshine Girls using her graphics in their signatures. We are about to have my daughter's room decorated and I want to include one of her prints but am having trouble choosing which one LOL. The butterfly frame was made using the amazing brushes of Obsidian Dawn The circles and diamonds are from Scrap Orchard commercial use templates, they are actually for making patterned papers, but these are so flexible that I used them for this also. I tried to get the direct link for this but the

Best wishes,
Erika

The tracks have been posted at Scrapdoctor !

2008-05-18T18:06:00.003+10:00

Head over to Jeannie (http://scrapdoctor.blogspot.com/) to see what she did with the tracks brushes I posted below (after the pirate stuff) and grab it. Make sure you leave her some love because she has done this inbetween sewing dance recital outfits and 3am feeds. Whenever I get clucky hubby reminds me of the old 3am feeds LOL.

Gotta fly - its Gladiators night on telly - it is a SAD fact that this is the only TV I get to watch all week - my 7yr old LOVES it.

Best wishes,

Erika

Pirate freebies in Digitreat's RUN colours

2008-05-18T08:38:00.004+10:00

Well I knew someone clever could do something fabulous with those tracks. Jeannie the Scrap Doctor made a fabulous paper she emailed me a preview of, by embossing it on dirt. I have asked her if she can share it as a freebie because it is gorgeous. She does have a busy weekend so we will have to wait and see. I was really excited to have my layout chosen as a finalist for Vicki’s challenge, I won’t vote for myself and I had a really tough decision choosing which to vote for, I love the simplicity and the wonderful picture and sentiment of the dandelion dreams finalist, but I also love the vibrant colour and composition of the citrus berry finalist.
Anyway I am scrapping the noisy woisy boy-zy’s birthday from last year. He had a pirate party and we invited all 24 kids in his class. It was mad, crazy and fun and I am still in therapy over the cake LOL. I can’t share the layout because there are too many kid’s faces to blur out. But I made a paper and a couple of elements for it that I thought I would share here I made the brass stuff but it seemed to “old” for a 6yr old, so I did some things in the leather (I know – not the leather again LOL). The paper uses Shauna’s wonderful commercial use overlay’s. I didn’t include the brass cannon because it didn’t look nice, I won’t tell you the description used LOL, but I am sure you can guess. The treasure map was drawn by my very talented hubby, who smeared it with coffee we had a pin the treasure on the map game and I extracted this from a photo I took of it. The burnt edges didn’t do well in the extraction so I have chalked it using Atomic Cupcake’s fabby chalking action. This is another example of why I love digi – chalking edges is faster and tidier LOL. And because it is going in my son’s album I used Pam’s Digitreats RUN colours, so I can use her other papers and elements. Oh, I also included the clipping mask I made to do the waves for a full 12 inch page. Hope some of this can be of use to someone.
We are off up the mountain to spend some time with my aunt today. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
Erika

A laugh at my expense and some free boy stuff

2008-05-17T20:53:00.003+10:00

LMAO – if that is not the worst preview EVER. I did tell you I wasn’t artistic LOL. Anyway – you can laugh some more at me for this one. When I saw Pam’s last set of Run Elements I was **SO** excited. I adore the pewter dozer, it is one of my favourites (I give up trying to have a single favourite from the ABC kits, I love all of it). The reason I was so excited was I remembered I had some piccies of my son from a few years ago playing in the sand with his tractors. I had a rough idea of the sort of layout I wanted to do and without checking the photos first I decided to make an overlay / brush of tyre tracks. So the kids thought it was great this afternoon that we could pick through the toy car bucket and pull out some with interesting tyre textures, roll them in ink and roll them on the paper. Then we scanned them and extracted them, and created brushes and .png files for those that can’t use PSE brushes. So I was all set, I opened up the photos files and ducked and dived into each month, I knew it was winter 05. Mmmmmm he wasn’t playing with his tractors in those photos, he was playing with his castle moulds. SIGH. Remember it is all about the photos LOL. I normally open them first, but no I was so sure on this one. Anyway, the fruits of *our* labour (it was a group effort) are in the three .png files or abr file you can download here. Thanks to the curly wirly twirly girly and the noisy woisy boy-zy for their assistance. I really hope someone can use them so it was not all in vain – maybe a clever designer type could create a good paper with them (hint hint anyone ? they are shared under my freebie friendly TOU). At least my sister in law should be able to use them, my nephew is a car-a-holic. To add insult to injury my son did this great page with lots of tracks all over it that I was carefully cleaning up for an overlay. I went to check something leaving child unattended next to computer with unsaved file. Mmmm you can do the maths on that one LOL. Will redo it and post when I have stopped kicking myself.
BTW I am so glad Pam’s ice cream talk had other’s salivating. I will have to force my husband and children to have choc chip cookies in the house and I will give the cookie paper a go. I have no shame LOL. I was trying to scan in curtain hooks the other day because I thought they would make interesting hook / danglers for scrap book pages - that's another story LOL. I think I need a holiday LOL.
Best wishes,
Erika

Some Skip Flavoured Papers

2008-05-17T14:36:00.004+10:00

Yesterday I had a go at creating brushes out of some of the more ornate scanned/extracted buttons I did. Then today I treated myself to Shauna’s wonderful CU overlays. I was really happy with the result so I thought I would share them with you here. I used Pam’s Skip Palette . It is funny that ever since my daughter did the self inflicted hair cut how many other people have a similar story to share. At school, kindy, soccer, work – you name it – someone would laugh and say either their daughter had done it, or they had done it. One little girl at my son’s school who has the most beautiful auburn curls also tried to cut her hair straight. That nearly made me cry. But I think wanting our hair to be different to what it is, is just part of being a girl. I have gone from horrid poodle perm in my teens to torturing it straight as an adult.
So I hope you can use the papers. The one with the writing I had a go at a few weeks ago after I saw Pam’s beautiful layout of her kids from Easter. I used it to make a tag, can’t remember if I shared it then, so thought I would put it in now. I have grunged it up a bit more anyway.
For those with boys like the lovely Sharon Shutterbug – don’t worry the noisy woisy boy-zy is helping me do something today to finish a page using Pam’s fantastic grader stuff the other day.

Thank you LV Mommy for all your lovely comments, I do read everything people write and it means a lot to me when people take the time to stop and leave a message. Our poor dog never looks at the monitor, he sleeps under the desk on my feet, so he didn't see those pictures, but I am sure the cats, who sleep on the desk next to me, saw them and had a quiet chuckle LOL.
Best wishes,
Erika

A Layout, A Story and Some Freebie Add Ons for Skip and Jump

2008-05-15T23:10:00.005+10:00

Well I put my time to better use and scrapped the pictures of my daughter’s self inflicted hair cut. This happened last winter. My M-I-L was up to look after the kids because hubby was away on exercise and I was going somewhere to see a client. Anyway on this day my daughter had said she would like to get her fringe cut, and I said I would make an appointment. She headed off to play in the play room and my M-I-L and I grabbed a coffee. I heard my daughter go through to our bedroom, and figured she was just playing with my shoes (she had a shoe fetish since she started walking). A short while later she came out and I noticed her fringe (it was GONE), so I called her over and as I stroked her head great clumps of hair came falling out. Not only had she cut the fringe but great chunks around her ears. Thank goodness for whatever angel was watching over her that day because she could easily have done damage with the scissors. It turned out my husband had left a pair of scissors in with his clippers that she had found. She had totally tidied up after herself though, all that beautiful hair, all those gorgeous curls were neatly in the bin in our ensuite. I phoned my hair dresser who said to bring her straight in and they “salvaged” a cute pixie cut from the horrid mullet she had given herself. We emailed a picture of the scissors to my husband first, and the story of what had happened. The funniest part of this is that when we picked up my son from school and asked if there was anything different about his sister, he looked then stated “she is wearing gloves”. As I said at the time, hair will grow back, but male blindness is forever. SIGH. Anyway I had to scrap these pictures, and thought I would jump out of my comfort zone with Vicki’s Citrus Berry, and the alpha is from her dandelion dreams kit. I have put together some of the items I have been making over the last few days for layouts here, there are a couple of extra things in there I forgot to put on the preview.
Have a great day,
Erika

Experiments with Actions

2008-05-15T21:07:00.003+10:00

Let me just prefix this with the fact that I am sitting here waiting for 4 shared to upload some freebies - I do have other things to be doing but I over did it on my ankle today and it is swollen, so I am resting and waiting. So anyway, I mentioned before about really seeing what an action's limits are, how sensitive it is to size and intricacy of a picture etc. So I took a favourite photo of our beloved pooch - turned it to black and white then ran it through (from top left going clockwise) cast pewter, burnt wood, leather and cast bronze. I got a good laugh out of this. The burnt wood one he looks between a cross between Harry from Harry and the Hendersons and Chewbacca. I am sure this is totally NOT what Atomic Cupcake had in mind for her amazing actions, but a hope you at least get a smile. I got a good laugh with the plastic wrap filter - it looked like he had been shrink wrapped.

Still 38 mins to upload, might go and make a cup of tea !

Erika

Pam's Super Duper New Stuff Layout

2008-05-15T19:05:00.002+10:00

How exciting and amazing are Pam's new parts to the ABC kits. I was like a kid on Christmas morning today when I saw all the lovely stuff she had been toiling away on. Faster than you can say American Express I was in the Digitreats shop and making some purchases. The felt flowers are PERFECT for some photos from when my daughter was a baby. I was able to compliment the flower on her headband. So the layout above is with Pam's new felt flowers and alpha, the patterned paper is from the original Skip release, the ribbon is from the new kit she released today, and the velvet paper and embroidery I did myself with Atomic Cupcakes super actions.

I had to share, I love this so much. Will be back to share some freebies after I have read with the kids - we are getting towards the end of Roald Dahl's BFG - the bit where Sophie and the BFG are about to have breaky with the Queen.

Best wishes,
Erika

My Entry to Vicki's Challenge

2008-05-15T13:03:00.002+10:00

This is my entry for Vicki’s challenge,. I ended up not using many of the elements, I wanted it to be clean and keep the focus on the photos. I have decided that I am going to try and do more challenges to help me get those memories captured, to stretch me from my comfort zone by trying new things, and not to mention all the lovely bonuses you can get ! These pictures were taken of my darling daughter as a baby. It is quite funny because I despaired that she would EVER grow hair, peach fuzz until she was nearly two. Now at four she has the most beautiful auburn ringlets, and that is despite a self inflicted hair cut last July that took it nearly ALL off. Actually I must scrap those pics, if only to remind her if she is ever tempted again LOL.
Best wishes,Erika

Layout

2008-05-14T23:09:00.002+10:00

I am right into that white space thing. Have just done this layout tonight from our move home to Brisbane back in Dec 04. I love the piccie of the kids precision sleeping team LOL. I kept the stamped word home and also a clear inked yellow sun I did but decided I preferred Stephanie's sun brush (Obsidian Dawn), so if anyone wants them let me know. It is getting late, hubby is nearly ready to turn in, so I think I am done scrapping for tonight.

Best wishes,

Erika

Layout and a comment on those very clever designers

2008-05-14T21:13:00.004+10:00

I am delving into the backlog again to do some photos from New Year's Day 05. The pics are from a visit to The Big Pineapple (I am obsessed with oversized fibreglass tourist attractions but that is another story LOL). I have been putting these photos to one side over the last couple of years because I could never get the right paper, match the right colours. I just don't have an "eye" for colour the way people like Vicki (A Work in Progress) or Pam (Digitreats) or countless other wonderful designers do. Each morning I check to see what Vicki has posted and ooh and aah at what she has created, but also at her ability to put colours together. And the more I look at the schemes Pam chose for the ABC kits the more I see those choices as being truly inspired. They are so versatile. One of the things I love about digi scrapping is the ability to make that ideal paper or element when you need it. I decided to do a striped paper that I took from the stripes on the awning of the train, but when I sampled the green from the train it didn't go with the stripes. So I tried the colours from Pam's Jump kit, and they worked because they go so well together. This is why I have so much admiration and respect for the designers, it is not just about the things they make, it is about the vision of the colours.

Let me know if anyone would like the striped paper (it is jump colours), or the word art saying "The Big Pineapple" LOL, more than happy to share, I just wasn't sure if any would use it ROTFL - how many oversized pineapples are there ?. I had fun making that title using Atomic Cupcake's action that I used on the clear elements for the Piggies layout. I love taking one of these actions and pushing to see how far I can test it, and what it can do.

Best wishes,
Erika

Layout and Freebies

2008-05-14T14:34:00.006+10:00

I was very good today and rested my ankle lots. I also managed to do some scrapping and that is always a good thing. I re-did a layout of my daughter from January. With the backlog I have you would wonder why redo one, but I really didn’t like the original and it is the first pages in her new album. I was using the Jump palette, but the pink on the fabric strip is a bit light, I didn’t adjust it properly to be a true Jump pink, but the flower is a Jump blue. I loved the alpha that Vicki (http://vicki20.blogspot.com/) did the other week for Dandelion Dreams (not to mention the soccer one LOL), and I so I did some elements in a similar style and with a “girlier” font. I am right into this white space (or in this case green space) at the moment. I have always been an uncluttered not fussy type of scrapbooker, and was really happy with this page. Since it was all stuff I had made myself (button from the button tin give aways) I thought I would turn it into a quickpage also. Hope you like it and you can download the elements and the QP here. I have to say I love the names of some of the cities people are from. Some really intrigue me and others give me itchy feet to come and see it, especially when the names suggest beautiful natural scenery.
Rug rats will be home soon, homework to supervise, dinner to cook, so I am off. I have some more greyscale fabric stuff I will post tonight or tomorrow.
Erika

Boys RUN Pony Stuff

2008-05-14T09:39:00.002+10:00

I know most of you are heading into spring, but it is autumn here, and winter will soon be upon us. Except where I live the only change between the seasons is the speed the grass grows at. It really doesn’t get cold, no gorgeous autumn colours. Where I travel to a lot for work it does ! In winter I absolutely adore argyle, argyle jumpers, argyle vests, argyle diamonds (subtle hint in case hubby has a peek), and I have had a few goes whilst laid up with this ankle at creating an argyle pattern but not been happy with it. I am finally a little happier with this one. I have spent way too much time staring at jumpers and vests LOL at all the different variations, and this is one of them. These pages I did last night were for my son’s first pony ride at a friend’s birthday party last year. Her oldest sister is a keen rider and so they brought some ponies in to the yard to give the kids some pony rides. The boys weren’t as excited as the girls BUT the noisy woisy boy-zy still had a go. Unfortunately on that winter day it was overcast and the light was a pain so a lot of my photos didn’t turn out well. It was a lovely party and my friend even had some extra fertiliser for her roses at the end of it ! A couple of add ons I created are available for you here. There is the argyle paper in a cord texture, a half page of it with an embroidered edge, the edge on its own, a letter A monogram, an @ rub on, some photo corners, and the horse tag. I also threw in a paper and frame I was playing with using Rachel Stutts commercial use patterns. More colouring in for grown ups. Ankle is still painful today but there is so much I need to do around the house, very frustrating.
Have a great day,
Erika

Skip -ping with Ponies ? LOL

2008-05-13T14:15:00.004+10:00

Yesterday our gorgeous but not so clever spoodle ran out the gate onto the road in front of our house, and yours truly did what came instinctively and tried to run after him to keep him safe. Not a good idea one week on from spraining my ankle, and judging by the very sharp pain I felt then and since, it was not my most clever moment. So I am back to sitting down resting today. Always a silver lining, got to do some scrapping. Our school fete is coming up and we were talking about the pony rides last year and how much my daughter enjoyed them. I decided to get the photos out to scrap. As always I was a bit indecisive, played with a couple of things until it was how I liked it. I am hoping that the lovely, wonderful, kind and generous Pam (enough grovelling ?) will do some Skip pockets (HINT HINT HINT), like the amazing ones she did for Run (you know the “undies” ones LOL). So I made a temporary one whilst I wait for the next skip elements instalment. Anything I made (with the exception of the temporary pocket) is included in the download. I did pink corduroy paper, a stitched daisy, some felt cut out border strips, leather (yes groan leather again LOL) pony tags , felt flowers and a monogram P. The leather horse tag is in two versions and a pewter because the pewter and the first tag didn’t feel right (but I didn’t delete them), and the buttons and stitches/knots are all from previous freebies I have given out. Grab them Here whilst I add the journaling to my layout. For those with boys, I will be doing a horsey one next for my son’s first pony ride so stand by for some in the run colours. I can’t get over how much she has changed in a year. Sob, whimper, my baby’s growing up too fast.
Best wishes,
Erika with one fat colourful ankle !

Update - I changed the layout. I put my daughter's monogram because the P for Pony Rides was not working for a title and I added the felt title at the top.

JUMP ing Bits and Some "wordart"

2008-05-13T08:49:00.008+10:00

Last night I made a layout with photos from when we brought home one of our “fur babies”. Monty is our lilac point Burmese, and we got him before my daughter was born and I am only just scrapping those photos LOL. The big fluffy cat in the photo is Jasper our Ragdoll. We had him before we had children, and when my daughter was about 9months old we realised she was allergic to him. We were incredibly blessed that one of my mother in law’s friends who adored him, could offer him a home. He has his own double bed and is spoilt rotten. At the time we got Monty we weren’t sure how Jasper would react to him, but he was great, they settled very well together and were always cuddling somewhere. The photos were taken when we were living in Canberra and I feel cold just looking at them LOL.
I was not sure what I wanted to do with this layout. I was going to use pewter stuff, so made the quote and photo corners in pewter, then I abandoned that idea and stuck with the simple clean, white space look. It must be all those templates I saw at the Scrap Orchard challenge last week LOL. (I have to add the journalling yet !) But the photos were so clear and suited that more than a fussy layout. So I re-made the quote in tooled leather (I can hear you groaning – not leather AGAIN). I also made some photo corners in the leather, and a chipboard monogram letter M. The leather frame I used was from Pam (these are the ones that got me started on this leather thing) and that is one of her eyelets on the M. I also threw in to the download two “word art” pewter tags I have made in the last week. I love the one about being 4 it is for a layout about my daughter . The other one is actually a song title by an amazing Australian song writer Paul Kelly, the song is fantastic – From Little Things Big Things Grow. It is a great song (in true story telling fashion) about the Gurindji Strike, but has become a bit of an anthem about positive change that slowly grows a voice. I added tags to thread it on a ribbon and without the ribbon I think it looks like a tray. LOL. They are here for you to download. I think the wordart for from little things also applies nicely to family type layouts. I did the cat quote in brass for anyone who has a tortoiseshell cat !
Have a great day,
Erika

Some More Greyscale Freebies

2008-05-12T15:02:00.001+10:00

These are just some more bits and pieces for the freebie friendly stuff. I did a couple more knots / bows to tie things down. Where I am not sure how well something recolours, I have included the original. There are a few ribbons, the wide one can be used as a texture overlay too on patterned paper. I used it for the dinosaur ribbon yesterday (then didn’t end up using that ribbon myself ). I scanned in the tape measure because I want to use it on a layout about my Grandmother. A girlfriend came round yesterday to borrow my sewing machine, and as I was getting something out of the sewing box I picked up the measure and I realised it would be the perfect element for pages about my Grandma who was just amazing at anything crafty. Anyway you can grab them here. Please remember the TOU. They are intended to help people who wish to be generous.
Hope you are all having a good day.
Erika

RUN -ning with the Dinosaurs !

2008-05-11T09:11:00.004+10:00

Happy Mother’s Day to any Mum’s . I am having a very quiet one, hubby is off interstate visiting with his Mum and as my sister in law has realised the benefit of sending them home to Mum is uninterrupted scrap time ! I had a lovely brunch with the kids, a girlfriend and her daughter, and my two have been told they must have some rest time if they want to watch Gladiators tonight. Last night I got some scrapping done and did a page for a piccie of the noisy woisy boy-zy from Book Week a couple of years ago. Thankfully his favourite books at the time were Harry and his bucket full of dinosaurs and that was a relief to this Mum. I got off easy, ordinary clothes, and a plastic bucket with his favourite dinosaur figurines in it. This is the layout I did for it. I have used Pam’s gorgeous folded ribbon , buttons from my button tin freebies, the chain is from the boot camp alpha I did, and some other pieces I made for this layout.
The noisy woisy boy-zy has been distracted in helping with this so only provided “supervision and approval” of the dinosaurs I made for him. But any of the things I made are included in this download. Hope you have a great weekend.
Best wishes,
Erika

Help a Fellow Scrapper

2008-05-10T12:08:00.002+10:00

I received this email this morning, head on over and check out LJ's challenge, and keep her and her family in your prayers at this difficult time.

Best wishes,
Erika

I need a favor please. My grandmother turned 90 years old on April 8th. We call her Grammy. Unfortunately her health has taken aturn for the worse, and I didn't have an opportunity to make a book for her yet with all of her photos. We didn't think she wouldmake it through last weekend but she did and I feel like I have another opportunity to get this done for her to see and enjoy. Ihave created a challenge to help me scrap the photos from her party. While some photos are the better of the bunch, the goal is toget all photos (even the boring ones) in the book so all of the people are represented.
Here is a link to the challenge and the requirements:http://www.scrapbookflair.com/groups/Grammys_90th_Birthday
Pictures are posted to:http://www.flickr.com/photos/14364023@N03
If you would be so kind as to mention my challenge in your blog (and even encourage folks to participate!) I'd truly appreciate it.I was thinking of creating a freebie to drive people to my blog and hopefully read about the challenge, but I am at the hospital 4-6hours per day and just haven't had any time. So I am hoping that with the help of your loyal blog readers I will get some trafficto the challenge. Thank you so much for your support on this.
Best Wishes,LJ Marinello
http://bellamemorie.blogspot.com

The Scanner is ALL mine LOL

2008-05-10T09:02:00.002+10:00

Call it a coincidence, but I just got back from dropping hubby off at the airport (have sent him to spend Mother's Day with his Mum), and "miraculously" the scanner will now behave and do what my computer tells it too. Mmmmmm, coincidence or not LOL. Anyway, am making myself some things to hold things down and dangle things by, so will be back by tonight my time to share. Soccer this morning first.

Best wishes,
Erika

More Freebie Friendly Elements

2008-05-09T22:57:00.004+10:00

Well I sifted through the button tin, including all those spare buttons in the tiny zip lock bags that came with clothes, and now you can’t remember which clothes they came with LOL. Anyway, I found some fabulous old grungy type buttons, some Grandad’s cardie type buttons, and a few more shiny metal ones. Plus, a chenille flower. Don’t ask me where that came from, just be glad it made it because our silly spoodle nearly got it and that would have been the end. Hubby’s computer is still maintaining control of the scanner, but being the total spunk that he is,he even did some of the scanning (what a sweetheart, no wonder I married him). So I think I have reached the bottom of the tin for now. Some of the buttons had a wonderful character in their original form so I have included that and a grescale. There is a metal button that can have gems or other stuff added to it. Have some fun. I am going to do some more stitches and “holdy-down” type things but not tonight. My eyes are tired from extracting, I am seeing marching ants everywhere, and I need some sleep. I was pleased to see people had headed over to Shauna’s blog to check out her tutorials. I didn’t direct link to the exact tutorial because I think it is better manners to go in “through the front door” so to speak. The tutorials are easy to find and Shauna’s blog is always good for a laugh – she knows lots about wildlife, she’s sort of the David Attenborough of the digi scrapping world don’t you think ? So grab the buttons and bits here. I have promised the noisy woisy boy-zy that he can make dinosaurs on photoshop this weekend – he got a school award for good behaviour today so this is part of the reward. Please remember the TOU for these buttons, they can only be used for something offered for free to all, and please no pirating, full TOU are included.
Best wishes,
Erika

Back to the leather LOL

2008-05-09T09:02:00.002+10:00

One of my favourite parts of Pam’s ABC Kits was the square leather frames she did for Jump (I know picking a favourite of these kits is like choosing a favourite child / pet). I loved the look of them, the simplicity, the elegance and yet the versatility. I have totally scraplifted / copied / been inspired by (call it what you like) them for a couple of things including a frame for a piccie of my son. I love that the leather frames can have a metal eyelet in them, or ribbons and flowers on them (Pam’s piccie of her cute nephew the other day) and still look good. So whilst I was at it, I changed the colour a couple of times and made two in each of the kit colours. They are all bundled together because frankly I am lazy and can’t be bothered separating them out, making different previews etc etc. I am trying to wrestle control of the scanner back off my hubby’s computer which has taken over and won’t release it despite me closing all the programs GGGGGRRRRRR – this is the definition of frustration because I have found another button stash. Anyway grab the frames here, whilst I try the last resort of “simulated power failure” as I try and get my scanner back. Oh and if you are unsure how to cut the photo to sit in the frame because you are new to all this like me – I used the tutorial on Shauna’s blog, and it worked a treat (the one with the piccie of her and her friends). Funny story about the tutorials – whenever someone mentions the “marching ants” I get the Dora the Explorer song from the games / video stuck in my head “we’re the marching ants, we’re the marching ants . . . . . march march march march”. Bugger, now its back again.
Best wishes,
Erika
The Atomic Cupcake Action-a-holic

And the jump ones !

2008-05-08T18:41:00.002+10:00

And the Jump ones here. Don’t let this stop you have some fun colouring them in your own choices !
Best wishes,
Erika

In the Run Colours for fellow Digitreats fans

2008-05-08T14:41:00.001+10:00

I love Elizabeth’s comment about us all learning to colour in again LOL. Very true. I still stick my tongue out as I colour in LOL – it helps you keep in the lines !. Some things never change. Anyway, for those who don’t feel like colouring in, here is my recolour of the items in the run colours.
Best wishes,
Erika

Design Challenge at the Orchard

2008-05-08T13:14:00.002+10:00

Oh I love the design challenges. You see I am not a TV watcher, but I really got a kick out of the challenges at PPF and LD and now the orchard are having one. Have just "invested" a bit of time cruising the entries and leaving some comments and encouragement. Can't wait to see who wins. Fancy having to choose. Too hard.

Best wishes,
Erika

In the Skip Palette

2008-05-08T11:12:00.003+10:00

Here they are with most of them recoloured in the Skip palette for you other Digitreat fans like myself. I really love the skip colours, the more I use them the more I love them. Grab them here if you like.
Best wishes,
Erika

Freebie Friendly Elements

2008-05-08T10:15:00.005+10:00

I have stated up front that the whole reason I started a blog and decided to share things I made was to give back a little to the wonderful community of digi scrappers and designers who have shared so much with me, products, information, knowledge, experience or encouragement. I know that there are other people like myself who want to share, either freebie kits, or quick pages, but cannot share some things due to the terms of use of some commercial use products.
So I thought I would share some items that are Freebie Friendly. These have a different set of TOU to things I have made using commercial actions, brushes or products. They can be shared if altered by you as long as YOU ARE OFFERING THEM FOR FREE TO ALL, not just to a small group and NEVER for profit. Charity kits is different, drop me an email. They do require acknowledgement, and the usual requirements of no hotlinking, renaming, or distributing. Send people to this blog. It isn’t that hard. And if you do produce something I would love to see it.
All the pieces are old scraps from the button tin or the like that I have scanned and extracted. There are some stitches and knots to hold down those buttons so they are anchored to your pages. It has taken a bit of time to extract, but it is a means of practice for me. The braid was right up there with the chain from the other day. But practice makes perfect LOL and as I overdid it on my sprained ankle yesterday I am back on a sit down and rest order from my hubby. So grab them, colour them, decorate them, and share them through RAK. One step at a time we can create change. As time permits I will probably offer more. Please note they are all greyscale, so if you are new to digi go and grab a tutorial from Misty, Shauna or Hummie (links are to your right), and have a go at recolouring.
Have a great day,
Erika

Freebie Alpha for the Caterpillar

2008-05-07T10:52:00.001+10:00

The alphas for the caterpillar are here. A rough / grungy style one, and a prettier (?) torn cardboard one.
Best wishes,
Erika

That poor neglected starving caterpillar LOL

2008-05-07T10:46:00.003+10:00

I did finally get back and finish the VHC elements. I have added some different stuff, some felt elements, an epoxy frame, some word elements, braid and brads, and some astro turf photo corners LOL – just for fun. The elements are here. There is also some ric rac, which I didn't include on the preview. Our copy of the book had gone MIA for a while, but was discovered during Monday’s big clean up. We have just finished reading Enid Blyton’s Far Away Tree trilogy and last night started Roald Dahl’s BFG. Always a challenge with his invented words.
Best wishes,Erika

Vicki's Soccer Alpha and Layout !

2008-05-07T09:24:00.003+10:00

Well this morning’s email call really put a big smile on my face. Aside from the Irish Lottery I have now won and the person who is concerned I have lost my credit card and will fix it if I send them all the details, I got a lovely email from the totally gorgeous and generous Vicki who has done this fabby soccer alpha for us soccer Mum’s and soccer widows.
If you haven’t already grabbed it you can get it from Vicki’s blog. Vicki’s Sports Mini Kit is what actually got my son set on the topic of doing a special scrapbook just about his soccer. He is going to be so excited to see this when he gets home today. I think Miranda might even be altering her layout (see below) to the new letters.
I also got an email from LJ at Bella Memorie with a layout using the sand background I did for Bargara. Her kids are so photogenic, I think she is going to be one busy scrapper.
I love that shot of the crocs on the sand. They are the details I sometimes miss but really capture a moment. I am layed up with a sprained ankle – I think I have “caught” Vicki’s accident prone tendencies. I did it outside my son’s school at pick up time with the dog and my daughter in tow, needless to say dignity went out the window. Will pack, upload and post the extra bits for that poor neglected caterpillar today. Yesterday afternoon was spent horizontal with a lot of ice around my left ankle and right knee.
Best wishes,
Erika

Free Alpha and Chain

2008-05-06T15:42:00.003+10:00

I am really happy with this alpha. I have some piccies of my son and his friends over at the Barracks with DH checking out the trucks and stuff from school holidays last year. I wanted to have an alpha tag (I love using monograms) and so I used the cast pewter action from Atomic Cupcake to make them, I had to add a layer to get the indented letter a bit darker, but still see the detail. But I am really happy with the result. So I called it Boot Camp and made the tag for that, because lets face it there is a boot camp for everything these days, so that might be useful to others. I also added the Love Mum/Mom tags because I do like to “sign” a lot of the pages in my kids books, and it is a reminder that those serving have Mum’s who love them very much. The thing that took the longest was scanning in and extracting the *&^% chain. I think I owe the swear jar a bit of money LOL. I eventually got them the way I liked them, one open ended to go around wider things, and one crossed over to come through narrow gaps. The frame is not included in the download (trust it is BIG enough – sorry dial uppers I didn’t check the file size until I realised how long it was taking to upload), but I will upload the frame with some other RUN stuff I am making with my son over the next few days. You can download here, and let me know what you think.
Best wishes,
Erika (the action-a-holic)

Lovely Layouts that made me smile !

2008-05-06T10:56:00.002+10:00

How exciting is this. I am really honoured that two people have used the stuff I have made to do layouts and shared them with me. I remember the total thrill I got when Bella Memories emailed me the gorgeous layout of her little boy with some papers I had made, and I have to say I am just as excited this time. The first layout is from Mysty and she is going to make some QPs out of this and other layouts, because I didn’t use any actions in Bargara. I love the pictures in her layouts (I have only posted one because I am having probs uploading piccies this morning). So you can grab her QP here. The second on is from Miranda, using the soccer stuff, along with (if I am not mistaken) Vicki’s alpha from Dandelion Dreams and Pam’s G page overlay ?)
I think I am happy with some elements for that poor neglected, starving caterpillar. Will give them another check later today and post. Also I need to correct my spelling in one of the Dutch friends words. Thank you so much to Masja for letting me know. Spelling is important and I was pretty sure I must have got at least one mistake in all those words. I will fix it and post it later today.
We have finally located free and useable templates to make some dinosaur stuff so stay tuned for that over the next few days. Also I have another couple of metal alphas to share this week.
And THANK YOU again to all those fantastic ladies who left Thomas a message. He is doing it for his show and tell tomorrow and is going to show his class the blog entry and all the lovely messages people left him. He is so proud of his fruity buttons. And I am so thankful for people like Atomic Cupcake for making these actions so user friendly that my son can make things and get that sense of achievement.
Off to stop the dog from chasing the cats around the house – it sounds like stampeding elephants on our timber floors LOL.
Best wishes,
Erika

Free Brass Alpha

2008-05-06T00:14:00.001+10:00

Thanks to all who took the time to leave Thomas a comment. He was so thrilled and it has made his day. Needless to say that will be his topic for show and tell this week. He loves watching on the feed-it map where everyone visits from and is really enjoying photoshop. He is already planning his next items !! The buttons and things are so easy to do if you once you have the fabulous actions from Atomic Cupcake. Her actions are easy to use, fun to play with and have made the transition to digi so much easier. I love that I will never be one letter short for something again.
I am slowly trying to ensure that I can either buy or create anything that I loved from my traditional stash before I get rid of it. I loved the metal stuff but used to go crazy at getting it to stick to the page and it added so much weight. So I really LOVE the actions at Atomic Cupcake to do this stuff. I have just made a little round brass alpha which was a favourite and you can download it here. I think it will go really well with Vicki’s latest kit (About a Boy) or Pam’s Run ABC Kit Please take the time to say hello if you are downloading and let me know what you think. It really is encouraging.
Best wishes,
Erika

Seven Fruity Jump Buttons

2008-05-04T19:41:00.004+10:00

This freebie is from my beautiful seven year old son. He LOVES having a play with photo shop. Today he wanted to have a go at making buttons, and chose the fruit shapes. He did all the rest himself, with quite limited guidance from me - just a couple of reminders to stop because he was about to miss out a step. He did the two colour stuff and everything. They are in the JUMP colours. I know lots of people grab and run – only around one in ten take the time to leave a comment, but if you would take the time for this one because it really would make the day of my gorgeous boy. He even did the preview page himself. So you can download seven fruity buttons from Thomas if you like !

Some Soccer Freebies

2008-05-04T13:17:00.002+10:00

I hope everyone can get some use out of the Friends words (14 languages, 12 styles, 1 meaning) below for NSD. Thanks to those that took the time to leave a comment.

Well today we have been making some things to make my son’s soccer scrapbook. I am calling this part 1 because my son really wants to make a dedicated scrapbook for his soccer. I am finding that this is actually a good process for him, not only artistically but in terms of your basic maths skills of pattern making. I downloaded the fantastic pattern template from Rachael Scutt’s shop today and also purchased some of her other CU pattern templates. The paper’s we made were by trying patterns. Am I doing well here – you can now tell your husband that you are not spending all that time scrapping – you are educating your children LOL.
So this initial instalment – I am making no promises on when the next instalment will be we are relying on the whim of a 7 year old boy . We made some lovely green grass background – more astro turf than natural LOL -, some patterned papers in our team colours, ribbon, buttons, a brad, the yellow and red card and a quote. The red leather frame is totally scrap-lifted from the square ones Pam did for Jump a while back. It would be fair to say that I totally love the leather tool from Atomic Cupcake or maybe it is reading all about Vicki’s BBQ success of late in Texas that has me thinking leather. Anyway the file sizes were a bit big on this so I split them into the papers and the elements. If you are downloading please take the time to say hello, I read all the comments and there are some names who are becoming very familiar and whose cheery greeting or thank you always puts a smile on my face.
Best wishes for the rest of the (Inter)National Scrapbooking Day Weekend LOL,
Erika

The bits and bobs for NSD to go with the 14 languages, 12 styles, 1 meaning words !

2008-05-03T15:36:00.003+10:00

The bits and bobs as promised. A bling heart overlay to show the love you have for your friends. The pewter frames as plain versions for you to decorate as you see fit. Some experimental words I was doing LOL. I loved the look of the the word – using two peas font goofball, but it couldn’t cope with anything other than basic English alphabet. To try and cut out the others was more than I could do so they were abandoned. The brass one is the latest action from atomic cupcake and I have been having a little play with it whilst I was uploading today. We are having a pyjama day in our house, the kids have the autumn snuffles, hubby is off diving for the weekend, and I don’t feel like doing much LOL. Anyway the results of today will be shared later this week so drop back if you want.
These freebies have been shared on the understanding that they are not to be re-distributed in any means (including QPs). You may not share the files through any means, anyone interested in downloading them is to be directed to this blog. These freebies have been made using the actions available for purchase or downloading from Atomic Cupcake and brushes from Obsidian Dawn. Comments and feedback are encouraged and appreciated and you can download them here. Please remember your manners. Anyway the washing is calling me (uuuggghhhh).
Best wishes,
Erika

Happy NSD in 14 languages, 12 styles, but one meaning

2008-05-03T15:01:00.003+10:00

Finally the last lot. Well actually pop back soon, I did some bits and bobs for all. I decided to do something for NSD, and reach out to all the scrappers in a way that was personal and meaningful to them. I strongly believe in anything that builds bridges and breaks down barriers between different cultures and countries. I hope one day for a world where there is peace and safety for all. So in any way I can I will strengthen the connections and find the shared experiences and desires we all have. Scrapbooking achieves that in many ways, we are all celebrating our lives, our families and our achievements. We are not so different no matter how we say friends. So in fourteen languages, and twelve different styles, there is one meaning – friends.
These freebies have been shared on the understanding that they are not to be re-distributed in any means (including QPs). You may not share the files through any means, anyone interested in downloading them is to be directed to this blog. These freebies have been made using the actions available for purchase or downloading from Atomic Cupcake and brushes from Obsidian Dawn. Comments and feedback are encouraged and appreciated and you can download them here. Please remember your manners.

Best wishes,

Erika

14 Languages, 12 Styles, 1 Meaning Russian

2008-05-03T13:31:00.002+10:00

Nearly there . . . . .

These freebies have been shared on the understanding that they are not to be re-distributed in any means (including QPs). You may not share the files through any means, anyone interested in downloading them is to be directed to this blog. These freebies have been made using the actions available for purchase or downloading from Atomic Cupcake and brushes from Obsidian Dawn. Comments and feedback are encouraged.

http://www.4shared.com/file/46237106/c97e95d5/CWTG_-_Jump_-_NSD_-_Russian.html

14 Languages, 12 Styles, 1 Meaning Korean

2008-05-03T12:44:00.004+10:00

2008-04-30T23:33:00.003+10:00

I was playing with the button action whilst I was waiting for the previous post's file to upload - 4 shared was VERY slow tonight. I wanted to see how the positioning of the holes would go with different shapes, and these are the results.

http://www.4shared.com/file/45905994/4e27460d/CWTG_-_Jump_-_12_Silly_Buttons.html

Hubby has finished studying for the night, so it is time to catch some Zs.

Best wishes,

Erika

Redo of Skip QP

2008-04-30T23:17:00.004+10:00

Okay, this is the QP from before with the buttons removed. The button on the top with the tag is one I made (see previous post). Download includes plain denim paper (skip blue), stitched flower stems, leather photo frame, and the new button and tag, plus the QP above.

You can download it here:

http://www.4shared.com/file/45904280/e4b83bd1/CWTG_-_Skip_-_QP_Rev__Elements.html

Best wishes,

Erika

The Curly Wirly Twirly Girlies

Bad Blogger !

Quick Update

Greyscale Velvet Ribbon Items

A new overlay

Freebie Build a Spotty Ribbon

I'm Back

Rugby update

A bit of fun

Another overlay - coloured for the blog in honour of the footy

Question for the clever types !

Creekbed stuff in Digitreats Run as requested

New Overlay

A quick "word art" for you.

My frou frou layout

The expanded layout.

The "Painting" Thing

Linen Texture Overlay

A great template, and my layout !

Layout for the Sunshine Studios Challenge

Hummies Fabbie Tip

Test drive in Digitreat's Skip

Floal Linen Overlay

Two more textures

File size

Mulberry Six Pack of Digitreat's Jump

Free Texture

DSO Colour Challenge Elements

My Attempt at the DSO Colour Challenge - Papers

More freebie friendly greyscale stuff

Some Journal Mats for You

More berries.

Some strawberries for you

Textues

Harnessing those Traditional Supplies

A Quick Freebie

The Revised Snow Layout

Let it snow !

A quick note

Something amazing

Tagged

A Freebie and Plea for Your Ideas

And the boy version

Another frame

Just for a laugh

Redo of Two NSD words for Dutch (female)

Shock - some more leather frames !

Some Pewter Frames

The tracks have been posted at Scrapdoctor !

Pirate freebies in Digitreat's RUN colours

A laugh at my expense and some free boy stuff

Some Skip Flavoured Papers

A Layout, A Story and Some Freebie Add Ons for Skip and Jump

Experiments with Actions

Pam's Super Duper New Stuff Layout

My Entry to Vicki's Challenge

Layout

Layout and a comment on those very clever designers

Layout and Freebies

Boys RUN Pony Stuff

Skip -ping with Ponies ? LOL

JUMP ing Bits and Some "wordart"

Some More Greyscale Freebies

RUN -ning with the Dinosaurs !

Help a Fellow Scrapper

The Scanner is *ALL* mine LOL

More Freebie Friendly Elements

Back to the leather LOL

And the jump ones !

In the Run Colours for fellow Digitreats fans

Design Challenge at the Orchard

In the Skip Palette

Freebie Friendly Elements

Freebie Alpha for the Caterpillar

That poor neglected starving caterpillar LOL

Vicki's Soccer Alpha and Layout !

Free Alpha and Chain

Lovely Layouts that made me smile !

Free Brass Alpha

Seven Fruity Jump Buttons

The Scanner is ALL mine LOL