Pretty birds

Scrapping hasn't been on my priority list this summer. I have spent the season wisely, though, both done som travelling and also spending hours and hours doing garden work. I just love it so much! But now, as we're facing fall first, then a long winter, I might find time to scrap again :-)

Our garden has been through some major changes this summer: we put up a greenhouse, made a pond, dug up boring old shrubs and planted more perennials. For some reason I also got this sudden urge for pink flamingos! The weren't easy to find, but finally I did. I can't think of anything more kitchy than pink flamingoes! Here they are, with me.

Papers: Echo Park Cut outs: Fancy Pants Designs. Dotted overlay: Bella Boulevard. Sequins: Studio Calico. Cut file: Silhoutte Design Studio

 Close ups/details

The design is taken from the September sketch at Stuck?! Sketches.

Please com back next week as I have more layouts to show!

How to embarass your kids at Burger King (Scraplift part I)

I think this photo says it all :-)

All materials except brads: Bella Blvd Color Chaos. Brads: unknown. Alpha; negative space useing a cut file from Silhouette Studios

My mojo has been long gone, but it returned when I saw the awesome challenges at the Paper Issues Spring Crop, as seen on my previous blog posts. I got so inspired that I decided to dig into the Paper Issues (PI) March challenges as well. Every Sunday PI is hosting a lift challenge, so I did even two more, just to keep the mojo rolling. These next two I will showcase in the next to upcoming blog posts.

Close ups:

Doodling - as usual

The alpha is a negativ cut on the background papers, backed with black cardstock

Here is the first layout I lifted - you can see how I was attracted to the large title and the general design.

Do you ever scrap lift?

Baby cards (part 1)

I don't make baby cards often, so I find cut files very handy when I need to.
For these cards I have used cut files from the Silhouette shop:

Teddy bear cards:

Papers: Papirdesign. Ribbon & "gratulerer" sticker: Unknown

3D foam adds dimension/depth

Papers: Papirdesign. Enamel star: Freckled Fawn. "Gratulerer" sticker: Unknown

3D foam adds dimension/depth

 Pram cards:

Cardstock: Bazill. Papers: Papirdesign. Button, "gratulerer" sticker & ribbon: unknown

I just love the pink/brown color combo

Cardstock: Bazill. Papers: Papirdesign., "Gratulerer" sticker & ribbon: unknown

I have had this ribbon for years. I knew it come to use one day :-)

 Pink and blue are, in my opinion, very traditional baby colors. Please come back next week where I hvae som baby cards in less traditional color for you :-)

You rock (Card week day 4)

I spent the weekend making cards :-) I need some for myself, and my mum wants some, too, so I decided to just dive in and use up remains from kits and old stuff! I browsed my favourite challenge sites to kick start my mojo, and am going to share these inspirational places - and my creations - with you every day for an entire week! Today is day 4!

Here is a CAS card for you:

Patterned paper: Pebbles. Cardstock: ClubScrap. Ribbon: unknown. Cut files: Silhouette

The inspiration for this card was found at the CAS-ual Fridays challenge blog:

CFC137: Using spring colors, create a music themed project and keep it Clean And simple.

I simply cut a note in patterned paper and the words in black cardstock, added black cardstock behind the patterned paper and the words on top, and then I put a bow on - super easy!

3D foam is a great friend of mine - here is a close up of how this card is layered:

Thank you for stopping by, and please come back tomorrow for another card :-)

Dudes (CSI GD layout)

Hi!

It feels great to be "Special Investigator" at CSI in March!

Here is my first layout for CSI this month .....

Alpha & journaling spots: AC. Snowflake brad: Freckled Fawn. Camera brad: Eyelet Outlet. Washi: Teresa Collins. Polaroid Frame: Pebbles. Snowflake cut file: Silhouette. Patterned papers & buttons: unknown

....and here is the case to be solved...

Details:

Journalings says:
*Winter break 2015 was spent at the Veidekke cabin at Beitostølen"
"This year was super fun at Beitostølen as several of the kids' friends were there too"
"Name of the kids in the photo"

How I solved the case:
*all colors used
*Evidence: circles, camera, polaroid frame, metal, button
*Testimony: journal on circular labels

Come on over to CSI to see more fabolous ideas and to play along - there are som fantastic prizes up!

The Handyman - TSC March 1th challenge

Hi!

This blog has been quiet fro two weeks - but for reasons:
1) I took a one week break from every day life and spent them with my family in the snowy mountains here in Norway. So needed - so lovely!
2) Back home I got the cold from h*** - fever, running nose etc etc - all my energy was focused on staying in bed and getting better. I still have the largest cold sore ever to remind me - it looks like somebody hit me with a stick unde the nose - nice :-)

In between beeing away and sick, I created this example for The Studio Challenges latest challenge:

Use as many of these Items in your layout as you can....
                  Mist
                  Stamping
                  Sequins
                  Chipboard
                  Brads or Eyelets
                  Thread
                  vellum
                  yellow

Patterned papers: Lemon Owl. Cut File: Silhouette Studio. Alpha: American Crafts. Stamps, vellum & green brads: ClubScrapp. Sequins, fiber, screw eyelets: unknown. Ink: Archival. Mist: Ranger

 I have used all the items except yellow - just because yellow was added after my layout was done.

Details:

Journaling says: "It's great to be a DIY when the house needs some improvements. But Cliff, why don't you wear pants while painting?"

Do you want to play with us at The Studio Challenges? Head over to the blog to see how it rolls!

New The Studio Challenge sketch challenge - and DT call!

This week's challenge at The Studio Challenges is a fun, super versatile sketch:

Here is my take on it - I chose to go all white space this time:

All papers & tags: Pebbles. Cut files (kitchen supplies & alpha): Silhouette. Buttons: unknown

Journaling says: "Cliff (my hubby) certainly rock yeast dought and bake bread at least twice a week. He doesn't mind surpising us either - like with this Nutella wreath."

Close ups:

All materials except buttons from My Creative Scrapbook January kit.

Do you feel like playing with us? Head over to The Studio Challenges blog to see more inspiration from the DT! And btw, we have a DT-call:

The Studio Design Team Call 2015

Hello and welcome to The Studio Challenges design team call for 2015!
We are looking for some lovely, friendly and super talented scrapbookers to be part of an amazing team, to create layouts to inspire others. We are a scrapbook challenge blog where we create fun and different challenges and sketches to inspire. We are looking for at least 3 new members.

If you are one of the lucky chosen few you would be responsible for:

• At least a six month term starting from March
• You would need to make a layout every two weeks, which is usually 2 a month. 
• Commenting on participants blogs and help with picking our favourite entries.
• To take good photos of your layouts to show them off!
• To blog about the challenge and promote our blog and any sponsors on your personal blog and on social media.
• To be a friendly and active part of the team which works well together to create ideas and to help to keep The Studio Challenges running well.
• It would also be helpful if you were on Facebook but not essential.

This is an international call, anyone can enter, doesn't matter where you live as long as you can speak/ write English.

All you have to do is email me, your favourite layout that best demonstrates your style, a link to your blog and a bit about yourself, the current design team's your on and why you think you would be a good edition to the team to me Anna at: thestudiochallenges@gmail.com by midnight GMT Saturday 14th February 2015 

Sound good to you? We would love to hear from you, all styles are welcome as we are looking for a rounded team, with something for everyone!

I can't wait to see your amazing entries! Good Luck!

The Studio Challenges January 18th challenge: Clear up!

Today's challenge at The Studio Challenges is a simple challenge:

 As its the new year we want you to do a bit of clearing up! Whats sat on your desk? Are there photos, papers or bits and pieces that have been sat there for ages waiting to be scrapped but you never seem to get around to using them? Now is your chance to use them and clear your desk!

Here is my take on the challenge:

Background paper: AC/Amy Tangerine. Others: October Afternoon (blue), Echo Park (grey), MME (brown). Cardstock: Bazill, ClubScrap. Clear frame: Freckled Fawn. Cut files (bricks & alpha): Silhouette Studio. Long Brads: AC

I have had this photo of my oldest son (15) on my desk since July (!). It's taken on a boat trip/mini cruise, when he and his brother fought & were bored almost all the time (the is a story about WHY, but I'll leave that for another time). They finally desiced they could buy themselves a set of lego each to kill time and keep peace - luckily you're never too old for lego :-)

Details:

The "lego bricks"are my own designs, cut with the Silhouette Cameo, but you could easily make them by using an ordinary paper trimmer and a hole punch.

Are you ready for some clearing up? 
Grab your papers and photos and head over to The Studio Challenges blog for more inspiration and to play along!

Life is a balance....

Do you have photos laying around you want to scrap, or stories you want to tell, and you have no ideas to start? I have had this photo from FIL's funural in August on my desk forever, and I knew what I wanted to say, but I never knew how to scrap it. Then this mood board from Scrap Around The World (SATW) gave me the inspiration I needed:

My FIL was very sick the last months before he died, and it was hard to see him just fade away. For the last weeks we debated almost every day: how long to hold on, and to what, and when to let go?

My FIL was very important to us and the images in the mood board pefect for my theme: he hold the keys to our hearts, the clock was ticking, and there was lots and lots of flowers in the funural. I let the saying in the board be the title of my layout, and as it was the essense of what I tried to express, I framed it and let it be th focal point.

Papers: Websters Pages. Frame:Memory Maze. Flowers: Prima. Cut files: Silhouette studio. Trim, key & pearls: unknown 

Details:

Thank you SATW for the inspiration to scrap this photo and memory!

The entire 2014 in one single page :-)

Here is today's challenge at The Studio Challenges:

Today's challenge is all about reflections.  We want you to create a project that focuses on 2014. Instead of looking forward we want you to look back at the year that has gone: what was the best thing that happened, what did you learn in the year or maybe you would like to review it month by month. It's up to you!

2014 has been a very challenging year for my family: there has been injuries, sickness, death, financial insecurity blah blah blah, but it ended very good. When we were in the middle of it, it was rough, but now we have peace and are looking forward for a fabolous 2015!

Grey cardstock: Bazill. Patterned papers: Bo Bunny (background), Lemon Owl (numbers), unknown (tabs). Cut files: Silhouette

My hubby gave me a cutting machine, a Cameo, for Christmas - it has been on my wish list for two years ++, and I ccouldn't resist playing with it for this challenge. Details:

I used 3D foam for the numbers, just to give the design more depth. The calendar tabs are not glued all way round, so most edges are free to rise a bit.

Please head over to The Studio Challenges blog to see the rest of the DT's work, and to play along!

Wishing grandad a Merry Christmas

Happy New Year, to all of you! Are you as excited as I am about what 2015 will bring?


My FIL, who lived with us, died late July 2014. His ashes is spread at the sea, and as we live at the sea side, we can "see" him every day. Christmas eve we went down to the beach to wish him a Merry Christmas, and to share a toast for him -we even tossed out a small glass of aquavit to him :-)

Patterned papers: Bo Bunny. Snowflakes & painted wood accents: Rayher. Cut files: Silhouette

Details:

I used this sketch from The Nifty Pixell for my layout:

It's a Wow!'ser, right? Have you seen the rest of the Nifty Gals Extravagansa sketches and examples?
If not, I strongly recommend you do it - they are all lovely - I think I might try all the sketches :-)

Family memories - a Christmas two pager

Hi folks!

Have you enjoyed the holidays so far?
I have - I'm lucky to be two weeks off (doesn't happen every year) and this Christmas we have had lot of family visiting - busy, but fun.

Christmas Eve is one of the most important days in Norway - that's when the family dress up, have a lrge meal, and open presents. This Christmas both my parents were with us, that hasn't happened since they got divorced in 1988 (!), along with my dad's wife, and one of my cousins.

Cardstock: Bazill. patterned papers & cut outs: American Craft. Cut files: Silhouette

Of course we missed my FIL, who lived with us until he passed away in July, but had a toast for him and wished him Merry Christmas in other ways (I'll scrap about that later).

Individual pages:

Sweet hubby gave me a Silhoutte Cameo for Christmas - it has been on my wish list for two years +, and I have been practicing ever after since. This lace heart, along with the words in the title, are some of the first attempts.

I rarely use holiday season lines for my creations, but this "be Merry" collection, from AC was just up my alley - they came in the December Creative kit from My Creative Scrapbook kit club

Details:

I founde the design for this two pager at Let's Scrap - sketch 12-24-14:

As you see I followed the sketch pretty close,


Have you scrapped your holiday photos yet?