Paper. Scissors. Chocolate. Louise Williams

You can't go wrong...

with Prima and Twiddleybitz...

I used the same technique with the paperclay on the mushrooms and fairy for this whimsical layout about Joshua and combined it with some gorgeous Prima papers, felt and flowers and Twiddleybitz chipboard.

L x

Mother's Day

Well... 3am this morning wee Lucas woke me up, deciding for the first time in quite a while that he wanted a bottle and I couldn't get back to sleep. The curse of a busy mind is that once I'm awake it starts processing my to do list and that's it, I'm up.

So what am I to do at that time of the morning except make a Mother's Day card for my lovely mum and video it for Shimmerz? :D

So this is the card:

And the video of how I made the mushrooms. They're based on the gorgeous chippie mushrooms from Twiddleybitz and used paperclay and Shimmerz to create them. Also note the bling pearls on the card - they're from Flourishes with a Bling from Australia, stay tuned for some projects featuring their lovely products soon (as well as some Darkroom Door guest DT spot projects too).

This project uses Shimmerz Vibez Rolling in the Hay, Coloringz My Bleeding Heart and Tropical Tanline and Shimmeringz Goldie Lox - if you can't buy them locally ask your LSS to get them in or shop online at http://www.shimmerzpaints.com

 

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

L :)

30 days...

until the Christmas tree goes up!! I can't believe it. November. I'll be 30-ahem very shortly, the decorations are up in the stores, Halloween is over and we're steamrolling at rapid pace towards the silly season. Bring. It. On. I'm so ready for it. I love this time of year. The sun's out (but not sticky hot yet), the sky is blue, the kids are able to play outside until the sun goes down and it's salad season - my slow cooker is going into retirement for the summer :) I just can't eat a casserole for dinner in 20+ degree heat...

We kicked off this gorgeous weather with a long-awaited long weekend away over Labour Weekend. We headed to Mt Maunganui on the Friday morning and didn't come back until Tuesday afternoon... and even though the kids were with us it was still bliss... lol xD

We stayed at The Reef apartments right at the Mount, we've stayed there before and it's awesome...

Top floor, with this as the view

The boys made themselves right at home

and Lukey in particular seemed rather happy about being there

He wasn't very well while we were away, he's had a tummy bug for over a week now but is almost back to his normal, happy self.

I didn't take any scrapbooking away with me, but instead created some more jewellery for my etsy shop. I had a bit of a run on it all before we went away and pretty much sold out! yay! not complaining :) soooo I'm busily creating lots of things to put in there really soon so keep an eye out.

This layout recently went up on the Twiddleybitz blog, it's my last post for them. I miss them but it was time to move on, and I'll still wallow in that Twiddley goodness when I can - they just get better and better.

I'll be posting some sneak peeks shortly of some of the amazing things we'll be doing in the ArtLab - this is going to be one seriously fun day! The class is going to be small, I want to keep it very limited in numbers as it's such an intensive day of workshops I want to make sure everyone gets my full attention. We're going to be playing with some very cool techniques that will be released exclusively on the day, as well as some products you're most likely yet to discover. Did I say fun? seriously fun. Messy, glorious fun. Join me why don't you?

Aaaah and the retreat... the amazing, chocolatey, goodie-laden weekend of creative escape... we're filling up nicely for this weekend that promises to be. just. awesome. I can't wait! You've got a month before you need to register to get the extra goodies in your freebie bag so make sure you've signed up before 1st December so you don't miss out. Also remember the 5% off each for a group of 4 if you register and pay your deposits together.

Next year is only 2 months away and these are both events you won't want to miss!!

Stay tuned for my first Shimmerz video too... :D

L x

A quick share and an update...

I'm crazy busy (or just plain crazy) with birthdays, deadlines, retreat organising and ideas that are just screaming to be realised so it's a quick update from me... just thought I'd share a layout and card that's recently come out in Scrapbook Creations Magazine. These were created for the SIA show (which seems sooooo long ago now) but went towards winning me a spot as a Diva {insert rude comments about my attitude here if you've got any to make} ;P

Anyhoooo...

And yes, a CARD! I know, I know!! I'm totally not a cardmaker but here it is anyway, full of that Twiddley goodness I love so much...

And on that note I've promised a sneak of some cards that I've been making for Aussie Scrap Source, just wee peek though as I can't share until they hit the blog in a month or two... I really struggled with my first attempts at these (as the ladies watching me with amusement at the last retreat can attest to) but after walking away from them for a day or so and trying something completely different, I'm actually really pretty happy with them. I KNOW! scary stuff, might even SEND them this year... :D

The Paper. Scissors. Chocolate. Indulgence weekend retreat is really coming together and the first registrations are already in! It's a year away I know, but you should seriously SEE my list of stuff I have planned for everyone... I'm a list girl and my list is loooooong and growing and I'm so excited by it all. This isn't going to be just another retreat, it's shaping up as an EVENT not to be missed. Check out the blog here for all the details as they happen.

I've set up a Facebook group as well as an event you can tentatively RSVP to, but if you are looking to come (and I sincerely think you'd be crazy to miss it) then I'd encourage you to register and pay your deposits as soon as you can, I can totally see this one selling out.

I'm already working on some ideas for a really special class chocka full of some new techniques that I'm hoping will stretch your scrapbooking muscles just a li'l bit. For the cardmakers amongst us (well you), then the card buffet will be totally your thing - learn a few techniques and then let loose at the buffet table of cardmaking goodness... bliss... So don't forget to come and indulge your creativity, get inspired and escape with us for the weekend next year, it's seriously going to rock.

L x

Time for a catchup...

Phew!! what a week. Had a FABULOUS time at the retreat - huge thanks to Megan for organising it so well, it was awesome. Word is that Megan is going to have a break from organising them for a year or so and because I can't wait that long I've decided to pick up the reins and organise one myself. It'll be most likely at the same camp so I can keep the pricing about the same and it has everything there we need. I'm thinking early September is a good time and will give everyone time to get over the Autumn Retreat in April... soooo if you're keen then hop over to facebook and make sure you've added me as a friend so you can keep up to date with plans as they happen. I'll start up a page once I get some details sorted.

Righto... the retreat. I taught a Twiddleybitz class (thanks so much for sponsoring it guys, it went down really well!) - and here's the layout I taught...

Everyone in the class did amazingly and the Twiddleybitz were a definite hit! On that note I've resigned from my position on the Twiddleybitz team, and while I LOVE the people and products it was just the right time to move on to other things. Thank you to everyone who made my time on the team such a pleasure, I'll miss you (but will still stalk the ning on occasion)... :D

I managed to do 7 layouts at the retreat which is about the most I ever manage. I go with every intention of scrapping all night, every night but usually end up in bed at midnight. This one was no different. I get to the point of tossing up do I want to scrap or get some UNDISTURBED BY BABY type sleep. Sleep wins out every time lol... and it's a good job as the little man is teething big time at the moment and had me up 6 times in the night. Poor little guy missed me I think. Joshie definitely missed me, he was asking where I was on day 2 and kept running to the door every time he heard a noise. He's been a little demon since we got him back home (he always takes a day or so to settle down again) but in between he's been attached like velcro... :D

One of the layouts I did and can share is for the Prima BAP, thought I'd give it a go again this month so here it is:

I need to win... I took 2 giant bags of Prima with me to the retreat and by yesterday morning was sure I'd misplaced one, turns out I'd actually just used it! can't resist that stuff... *sigh*... one day I REALLY need to get on that DT just to keep my bank balance in check... :D

Anyhoo I can't share anything else just yet and need to go sort out my hell hole of a scraproom (bit of panic packing for the retreat and I can't see the floor). How I managed to take so much AND forget my scalpel blades is beyond me. Spent the weekend using a very blunt knife...

Later

L x

Bounce, bounce, bounce... you've arrived!

Welcome to the next post of the Twiddleybitz blog hop... and it's my turn! I know you must all be salivating by now over the AMAZING projects and giveaways from the other members of the design team, so without further ado here we go!

I've been busy creating this very cool Boys Truck album, this comes with it's own little stand so is easy to display and store! I created this one for my two wee boys (with Mr 5's help) and they love looking through it.

See the little helicopter up there? the little boys? that's all Twiddleybitz and adds that real pop of dimension that I just love. The cute square lettering is also from Twiddleybitz, love it!

And a wee closeup for you... plus some shots of the inside pages.

I hope you like it! And before you bounce on over to the very talented Teresa's blog (which will go live with her hop at 4pm EST (6pm NZ time), check this out!

Just leave me a comment and I'll put you in the draw for this fabulous RAK full of Twiddleybitz goodness. It's seriously hard for me to part with this stuff so be in!! (and it doesn't matter where in the world you are, I'll send it your way).

L x

Twiddley hop this weekend!!

Shouting out a big hello to all our valued Twiddleybitz members, you are all invited to join us this weekend for our first ever Twiddleybitz blog hop. There will be a weekend of inspiration from our talented designers, chatting and some fabulous RAK'S and prizes to be won.

So if your stash is low, join us for a chance to win some Twiddleybitz. And don't worry, if you have never done a blog hop before, all you need to do is check out the Ning forum at 6.30pm AEST (8.30pm NZ time) this Friday, Aug 6th for all the details.

If you are not already registered just sign up on the ning site here... and please come play along...  we would love to have you.

Hope to see you there for some fun and happy hopping :):):)

Halfway there...

we're officially over the middle of winter and rolling towards spring, and after getting a $460 electricity bill I'll be glad to no longer need the heaters! Still, we've had gorgeous weather lately and I'm not complaining about beautiful sunny winter days. :)

I've been busy busy preparing layouts and classes for Aussie Scrap Source and Twiddleybitz, and make sure you keep an eye out early August for a Twiddley blog hop! It'll be full of gorgeous projects, tips and giveaways so check in and join us over at the twiddleybitz ning site for all the info!

I can't share any layouts just yet as I have a bit of a queue awaiting publication, but as soon as I can I'll share :)

Megan's Retreat registrations close very soon so if you've been umming and aahing about coming then you'll need to be in quick! It promises to be an awesome retreat and the perfect spring escape for a weekend too. I'll be teaching this super yummy layout class:

It's crammed full of gorgeous little details and will keep you out of trouble for an hour or two :). Leanne also has a fabbo class planned and with the Scrapbook Outlet there selling their amazing array of goodies it's going to be an awesome weekend and I absolutely can't wait!

I used to teach classes when we had a scrapbooking store years ago, but gave up the teaching when I had my first little man. Lately though the bug has hit again and I'm really enjoying sharing techniques and encouraging people to take their scrapbooking further. I'm looking to secure some more teaching opportunities after this retreat so if anyone reading this knows of anywhere drop me a line!! :D

It's the last day of the school holidays and I have two very overtired and grumpy boys, and they don't even go to school yet. Last night I put Joshie's tent up in his bedroom (it's a big fire engine pop up one) and made his bed up in there. He was so excited to go to bed and we had no bedtime drama's so I'm letting him sleep in there again tonight, in fact if it gets him into bed without issue I might make it a permanent fixture ;D.

Today we took both the boys out to Manukau to the trains in the park in Robertson Road. I had no idea they were even there but for $2 a ride it was great value and everyone had a ball. The tracks are really long so you definitely get your money's worth (as opposed to $3 for going twice around a tiny track up at Matakana!), so I'd recommend it to anyone down that way. :)

Ok off to create while one wee fella has a sleep and the other is absorbed in Postman Pat...

L x

A couple of things...

Firstly the name change. What are three things I can't scrap without? you got it... so there you go.

Secondly I forgot to share these, this first one is a wee christmas house made of all that Twiddleybitz goodness...

SORRY, REMOVED FOR PUBLICATION!!

And this layout I did for the Prima BAP for June... (going to nag them into submission for next year)... lol

 

Thanks for joining me here at my new blog! don't forget to update your bloglines etc to make it easy to stay up to date!

L x

Koala love...

I went to a crop last night (yes I know, don't fall off your chairs)... it's the first time I've cropped with other people in about 18 months and I really enjoyed it. Mum came along as well as my cousin Mary-Elizabeth and I managed to get two pages done (well three if you include the one I helped with)... lol. Anyway I'm totally in love with Basic Grey again, it's a recurring affair and they're soooooo back in trend. Here's the first of the layouts I did of Lukey with the basics and Cappella lines from BG, with some Twiddleybitz thrown in for good measure.

Other one coming shortly... L x