me @ 37

Going back to an old favourite with this LO - Renaissance Faire range - normally I am behind the camera but took the chance when at Camp mojo back in July to get my photo taken by the very talented Lyn from My Lens and Me Photography Everyone deserves a good photo of themselves!

Aunty Tup

was a very special lady.

I saw this photo of her at her funeral not long ago and had to do something special with it to remember her by. I have so many special memories of her - she made my wedding cake I remember helping in her kitchen - she made sure I did my bit and the dishes! The smell of her house - the back room, Uncle Don's back yard and strawberries - the little things like the toilet roll cover!!

Using Tiwddleybitz and some Tim Holtz Lost and Found papers I wanted to focus on the beautiful photo. I have added since an old gold nameplate as well just to finish it off properly but forgot to get another photo!

Every once in a while you get a comment from someone who loves what you have done because of the meaning behind it - that is why we scrapbook - to help preserve those memories and to leave a lasting legacy for future generations to know about us and our ancestors - so glad that this LO is loved by those it is special to - it is a beautiful reminder of why I scrap :) xxxx

More recycling with ABC Primer :)

OK it is after lunchtime here and I have been trying to get this done since first thing this morning... forgotten school books and bowls for twitterbugs (don't ask = I have no idea - science project) and lost orders all = a bit of a chaotic morning :)

The last couple of months we have all been battling a flu/cough thing - when one person was getting better the next one came down with it which does help much in the creative department!! So using the new ABC Primer range of papers which I utterly love I decided to continue with my theme of storage etc for my desk!! Also continuing the recycle theme by using an empty tissue box and and old Prima wooden box I created some yummy storage for me :)

FOr the tutorial on how this is done - please head over to G45's blog (you can also check out a stunning printer tray by Robin too!) but here are just a few photo's to show you :) Enjoy

also just a wee bit excited - I am off to next years Escape 2 Create retreat :) Can't wait to sit back and chill and scrap and be with some good friends :) Phew was lucky - my registration for 2013 has been typed ready to go for next years registration!!

Twiddleybitz RAKAMANIA winner :)

Good morning everyone!!!!!!!!!!

Just a quick one this morning to announce the winner of my RAK for the TBZ blog hop last weekend :) I am a few days late sorry - but been dealing with 2 grumpy daughters and cat!! And on top of that the house cleaning was calling so now all of that is done I can create in peace!!!!!

Thankyou so much for all your wonderful messages and posts on my ANGEL :) She is so quick and easy to make and once I had seen Lyn's knew it was perfect to start off RAKAMANIA :)

So without further ado the winner is

Judie Willoughby :)

with her comment

"So I guess i had better TAKE that empty bottle out of the recycling and give this a whirl.. it really looks fab, thanks Mel"

Hope you did take it out of the recycling and have made something stunning!! Send me a message via the NING site and I will pop your RAK in the post :)




My mini Art cupboard is on todays Graphic 45 blog post - love altering things!! The little cupboard I picked up from a garage sale for $2.00 and was a pine colour - so out comes the black gesso and one of my favourite ranges of G45 papers - Communique!!!!!! Match that with some modpodge and voila :) Enjoy :)

For more images pop over to Graphic 45's blog :) and see those yummy bits and pieces on top - Scraptivate carry them :)

Hippity Hop Graphic 45 blog hop #2 for me tonight!!

lol busy busy girl here!! So much hopping is a happening :) Earlier tonight I started off the weekend with the Twiddleybitz RAKAMANIA blog hop which everyone is invited to join along so see my post below for something interesting made out of a dishwashing liqud bottle!!

But just stick around to check out some more of this weeks G45 & Core'dinations blog hop :) When I received my G45 DT kit a few weeks back I instantly fell in love with the extra goodies included from Core'dinations - there are ink pads, cardstock, embossed card, card sets everything I needed to go with G45 papers and embellishments :)

The card stock matches absolutely perfectly with G45 papers as does the inks - I even love the sanding block (so easy to hold!) and the dust buddy which if you distress a lot like me is perfect for collecting up all that "snow" that gets over all your work and clothes!!!

I will be honest and say I felt like I was cheating - Core'dinations teamed up with G45 made it all so easy to create!! I went with some simple cards - Ask anyone and I will tell you I am not a cardmaker - you just have to look around at the simply stunning cards there is!! But I do like making my own which I give to those I know who appreciate the effort that goes into them so with the aim of being organised this year I have created some thankyou cards for my daughters teachers :) Being in Australia we are coming up to the end of our school year and the wonderful summer holidays :) These are something anyone can create :) Teamed up with some May Arts twine and voila they are done - this set honestly took me about 30 minutes to create and as the cards etc were all ready boned with envelopes and the cardstock embossed - all I had to do was sand and stick!! :) I hope you enjoy :)

Material List
ABC Primer – Tags 1 & 2
Core’dinations Core Impressions – Clocks & Houndstooth
Core’dinations Colorcore Cardstock G45 Signature Series Heritage Kraft
Core’dinations G45 Core Cards Darks Red Rose & Nightfall
Core’dinations – Sander block
Core’dinations Colorbox G45 Decades Ink – Photogenic
Core’dinations Dust Buddy (LOVE THIS!!!!!!!)
May Arts Ribbon


Happy scrapping everyone :)

Hippity Twiddleybitz Hop # 1 for the night :)

A huge big welcome to all of you joining in on our Twiddleybitz RAKamania Blog hop!!!!!!!!!


And what a hop we have - I have seen some absolutely mind blowing sneak peaks of the projects the wonderful Twiddley Angels have come up with and you are in for some fun and loads of inspiration :)

Now we have a HUGE hop planned and my blog is only the very start!!!!!! From here you will hop over to TRUDI HARRISON (9pm AEST, 11pm NZ, 8:30pm SA, 6pm WA) where she will have the link to the next Angels blog :)

Remember along the way you MUST collect the secret words - these will be highlighted in each angels post and when you put them together (they will be given in order!) it will create a sentence :) Then you must send a personal message with this sentence to Sandra Wallace on the Twiddleybitz ning to be in the running for a cool prize!!!! Every Twiddley Angels has a RAK along the way as well and keep checking back to both our Facebook page and the Ning site for more RAKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Told you we have a lot of fun in store for you all :)

Right - now I have done the business side of things lets have some fun and start off the Inspiration - first up



TAKE



( ^ ;) hint hint!!!!)



an empty Palmolive dishwashing liquid bottle......and cut off the very top bit you open and shut to pour out the liquid.

and grab a paintbrush and some modpodge :) Tear up your chosen paper (here I have used Graphic 45's New Christmas Emporium A Christmas Carol) and ink your edges :)

You then simply modpodge your bottle stick on the paper and modpodge over the top :) Easy - Cover the whole bottle - your fingers will get very messy here!!!

Then it is simply a matter of popping an old zip up the front and embellishing your Angel :)

I have simply embossed the Twiddley wings large with copper before gluing to the back of my Angel. Some lace down the bottom and either side of the zip with a vintage button or two and I was done!!!!!!!! (Helmar 450 glue is the best for applying ribbons and lace!)

and a close up :)

Now I do have to say this wasn't my idea but a dear friend of mine!!!!!!!!!!! Hers are beautiful and I am hoping she will email through some pic's for me to pop up as well for you soon! It is very quick and easy to make and Lyn's have been mounted on a long screw through a block of wood and into the bottom of the bottle (I am still trying to organise this on my end!)


Here is our schedule for the weekend

RAKamania Bloghop Schedule
(Blog links are on the Right of my blog under Twiddley Angels :) )
Friday 4th November
MEL FORBES
7pm AEST
9pm NZ
6:30pm SA
4pm WA

TRUDI HARRISON
9pm AEST
11pm NZ
8:30pm SA
6pm WA

Saturday 5th November

SANDRA WALLACE
9am AEST
11am NZ
8:30am SA
6am WA

TIFF SAWYER
11am AEST
1pm NZ
10:30am SA
8am WA

JO KINDER
1pm AEST
3pm NZ
12:30pm SA
10am WA

TRACEY HENLY
3pm AEST
5pm NZ
2:30pm SA
12 noon WA

CAROL THOMPSON
5pm AEST
7pm NZ
4:30pm SA
2pm WA

RACHEL WALSH
7pm AEST
9pm NZ
6:30pm SA
4pm WA

GERALDINE PASINATI
9pm AEST
11pm NZ
8:30pm SA
6pm WA

Sunday 6th November

TRACY LAMOON
9am AEST
11am NZ
8:30am SA
6am WA

KAREN MCLAUCHLAN
11am AEST
1pm NZ
10:30am SA
8am WA

ANN-MARIE COX
1pm AEST
3pm NZ
12:30pm SA
10am WA

LISA KAMPHUIS
3pm AEST
5pm NZ
2:30pm SA
12 noon WA

LOUISE WILLIAMS
5pm AEST
7pm NZ
4:30pm SA
2pm WA

JENNIFER HODGES
7pm AEST
9pm NZ
6:30pm SA
4pm WA

FINAL WORD OF THE SECRET QUOTE WILL BE
GIVEN AT 8PM AEST on SUNDAY ON THE NING

Now for the first RAK of our hop - simply make a comment on here using my secret word...... and I will draw out a winner on Monday morning (7th November) .... remember to collect your words for the secret sentence and enjoy :)

Last but not least if you are planning on visiting the Sydney Papercraft Festival on Sunday well we have another special for you...

Be the first of 20 to go to the Twiddleybitz Booth and say these Secret words..

**TWIDDLEYBITZ ROCKS SYDNEY!!**

and we will give you a piece of Twiddleybitz! Too Easy!
BUT
(of course there is a but, lol)
you must be a member of the Twiddleybitz Ning and it is only on the Sunday. ;-)


Enjoy your hop :)