Blog hop with a difference

I feel very humbled to have been asked by Paula to join in this blog hop with a difference.  I love Paula's work and feel honoured to be included in her list of blogs to share with you all.  I am fortunate to be working with Paula on the Show Us Your Stuff design team :)  Be sure to check out Paula's gorgeous work and get to know her some more HERE.

 

Getting To Know Me:

 

1. What am I working on right now?

 

I've been working on a few DT projects lately, which I'll share this week.  Other than that, I have been making cards for customers and crocheting beanies for my children.

 

Here are a couple of sneak peeks from my DT projects for you ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. How long does it take to complete a project?

Ooh, people ask me this a lot, and I always have to say, it really does depend... with 4 cherubs in the house, not much gets done in one hit hehehe.  But I guess all up, on the days when the kids aren't home, I can get a page done in a couple of hours.  I tend to put things on the page without sticking down, then reshuffle a hundred times til I'm happy, then look at it and think "how am I going to stick all these layers exactly where they are now that I'm happy with what I see?!".  Anyone else feel like that??

 

When I create a canvas, it usually takes me a lot longer, as I generally work on them in between other projects and commitments.

3. What are my favourite things to create with at the moment?

 

Anyone who knows my scrapping knows how much I LOVE gelatos!  There wouldn't be many projects these days that I don't use them on.  They are so very versatile and fun to use! 

My other fave at the moment is Faber Castell's whipped spackle.  I love how light and fluffy it is, especially when it's dry, and I'm loving teaming it with all kinds of stencils, masks and colours from various brands of mists and sprays.  Other than that, stamps ALWAYS, ALWAYS make an appearance at least twice on my projects... you could say I'm a little addicted to them....

 

This is only some of them....

 

4. How does my creative process work?

Hmm, that really depends on what I'm working on at the time.  For my DT work, I start with inspiration for the challenge... colour, textures, particular elements... and build from there.

Generally, I love to work on the backgrounds of the layouts, layering up with loads of texture with different texture paste and stencils, masking or colouring with mists (loving the vibrancy of Dylusions sprays right now), lots of stamping to add depth... sometimes I start with the photo and create a page around that, if it's a specific event, such as a birthday or Christmas.  Most often though, I find that I don't follow a strict process as such... I just kind of go with what I feel at the time...  I rarely have a set outcome in mind when I begin.  Basically, I try not to overthink it; I just enjoy doing whatever happens next, and playing around til I like what I see in front of me.

 

"The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt" - Sylvia Plath -

 

5. How do I become inspired and stay inspired?

 

Oh gosh, this is always an interesting question... there are so many things to be inspired by!  I have always loved photography, and am usually the go to person for everyone looking for photos... It's not often I don't have a camera within reach.  I've always loved inspiring quotes as well, and used to write a different one in my school diary everyday... Scrapbooking just makes sense to me.

I love recording my children growing, and they love to see what I create for them, and look through their albums.  There are so very many life events and happenings worthy of remembering and recording, ready for them to fill in the pieces of their lives when they are old enough.

I love to look through Pinterest for inspiration if I'm feeling stuck, as well as magazines, blogs, challenge sites, process videos, even just some of the clothes my girls have, gardens... everywhere!

As a single mum of four, I don't often get to do something 'just for me' and scrapping is the perfect way for me to combat that, as I don't have to leave the house to do it.  Most of my scrapping is done at night, once the kids are in bed.  It's therapeutic for me to create, and there are not many days that go by without me doing something creative.  It's food for my soul.

 

6. What is my signature style?

 

Ummmm..... well..... errrrrr..... hmmmm..... Do many of us ever really know how to answer this question??? LOL

I am always in awe when I look at a page and I can pick who's created it, simply because it is created in their style.... I don't know that I have a particular style that is easily recognisable as mine.

 

I do know that I most often create a lot of texture in my backgrounds, and there is always a cluster or three of embellishments on my pages.  I love vibrant colour.  I'm really enjoying the mixed media side of scrapping, so I guess that's my style, though as I said, not necessarily recognisable as 'mine'.

 

Ok, enough about me... time to link you up to some gorgeous ladies joining in on this hop. These ladies are all fabulous scrappers in their own right, and I'm so pleased they've agreed to join in :)

 

 

Tarrah McLean

 

Tarrah's style is very clean and bold, lots of bright colours and 'clean lines'.  I really love the composition of her pages, and all the cute elements she embellishes her pages with.  Be sure to head over and check out her work by clicking on this link:

http://livetoscrapscraptolive.blogspot.com.au/
 

 

Donna White

 

Donna is so super friendly and encouraging, and though I haven't had the opportunity to meet her in 'real life' yet, we already share some laughs and fun via FB.  Donna's work is so bright and colourful and cheery.  I love her gelato/watercolour backgrounds and she always layers such great photos on beautiful papers clustered together.  Head over to her blog by clicking this link:

http://donna-white.blogspot.com.au
 

 

Linda Eggleton

 

I have loved Linda's work for a long time now.  Linda is so warm and encouraging, and I admire her style so much.  Linda's ability to layer on her layouts is truly inspiring, and her pages are so elegant and beautifully composed.  I love the way she uses earthy tones - she has such a talent for it.  Be inspired by Linda's work by clicking on this link:

http://loopylouslens.blogspot.com.au/

 



These girls will be posting next Monday so you can learn a little more about them and what they're inspired by.  Be sure to check back in and see their posts then, 7th July.

 

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you've enjoyed your visit. Warmest wishes, Catie xo

Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge Sketch challenge

Hi everyone,

 

Welcome back :)  Today, I am sharing my latest layout done for Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge.  The current challenge is our latest sketch challenge.  Be sure to check out the blog for plenty of inspiration in interpreting this sketch - the DT girls have had some fabulous ideas :)

 

 

 

 

Here is my take on the sketch, and of course, some close ups :)

 

 

I had a great time playing with the gauze and getting it to sit where I wanted it for the circle in the background.  I also played with some gold leafing, but I think I need to practice more with that!

 

Have fun with the sketch ladies.  Can't wait to see how you interpret it!

 

Thanks for looking. Warmest wishes, Catie xo

Guest DT page for Rainbow Splendour

Ok, last one for today :)

 

As you may know, I was guest designing for Rainbow Splendour this month and last month.

 

Chloe invited me to join in on their scrap-lifting fun, and I chose to scrap-lift this gorgeous layout by Chloe:

 

 

I just love the composition of this layout.

 

Here is my 'lift':

 

 

This super cute bow is from Rainbow Splendour,,,

 

 

...as are these gorgeous feathers...

 

...these beautiful little butterflies (I added a rhinestone to one)...

 

 

and an RS favourite, the pinwheel.

 

 

I just loved this little paper clip with the felt 'sun' shape and gem stone.

 

 

 

 

 

So many cute and unique embellishments.  Be sure to pop in to the RS blog and see what other goodies Chloe has available :)

 

And I'd like to give a huge THANK YOU to Chloe for having me design for RS for the last couple of months.  It's been great to have a play with your fab products Chloe, and I've really enjoyed creating for you :) :)

 

 

Thanks for looking. Warmest wishes, Catie xo

Scrap The Boys June Challenge

Hi there,

 

Popping in again to share my entry for the Scrap The Boys June challenge.  The challenge was to scrap a 5x7in pic or larger.  I chose 5x7in for my page.

 

I had fun creating this layout.  I've done a fair few of the girls lately, so it was nice to get a bit 'grungy' and 'messy' with this one.  Here's my page and close ups:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Balloons from Catie's Craft Corner)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking. Warmest wishes, Catie xo

D-Lish Scraps June Challenge

Hi again!

 

I'm excited to share that I am on the Winter CT for D-Lish Scraps.  I'm thrilled to be on the team.  Be sure to check out all the talented team members!

 

So, today, I'm sharing with you all the June challenge over at D-Lish Scraps.  We have a great mood board for the first month of Winter, and the new Winter CT have created some awesome pages to inspire you.

 

 

This board is absolutely chock-a-block with different elements to inspire your creativity.

 

Here is my sample and close ups:

 

 

I used some whipped spackle with a chevron stencil to create an awesome texture.  (I am just LOVING whipped spackle!!)

 

 

The wire, which I've twisted into a frame (you can see in the pic above) and the bow below are from the D-Lish Scraps shop...

 

 

 

 

... as are the gorgeous yellow spotted paper bag behind the photo and the cute little flowers and flower stamens you can see in the corner of the photo, near the bow, in the pic below.

 

 

The balloon is from Catie's Craft Corner, and the yellow died muslin is from D-Lish Scraps also.

 

 

I hope to see you all enter this challenge.  It's always great to see how everyone draws different inspiration from the board.

 

 

Thanks for looking. Warmest wishes, Catie xo

Off The Rails Fabric Challenge

Welcome back :)

My next challenge to share with you is the latest challenge over at Off The Rails Scrapbooking. 

The challenge is to incorporate fabric in your layout.

Here is my sample and some close ups:

I used some fabric to make the black rosette below, and stitched a button in the centre.

I've also used gauze under the photo.  I am loving gauze so much right now!

Looking forward to seeing how you incorporate fabric into your layouts :)

Thanks for looking. Warmest wishes, Catie xo