A layout for under $10

Julia challenged us this month to do a layout for under $10. I must say I found it hard as I like to use alot of little things on my layouts. A few brads here, some chipboard alphabets, ribbon and flowers and so forth. When I added up what I paid for some of my layouts I got a little fright! But in saying that a pack of brads may cost $8 but 100 brads will grace many layouts. So when I broke down the cost is wasn't actually that bad.

The costings for my Bike Buddies layout was
2 x Bazzill cardstock $1.98
2 x Fancy Pants papers $3.60
1 sheet Maya Road chipboard $1.50
Ric Rac $1
American Crafts Thickers under $1 (for 4 letters)
So total was around $9.00

I cut the flowers and word 'buddies' out of patterned paper scraps which is a great way to keep the cost down a bit. There is a thread on the forum for money saving ideas for your layouts so make sure you check it out and let us know your ideas aswell.

Just over a week left to get your layouts uploaded for the monthly sketch. Some great layouts there so make sure you're in to win!

Ok, here it is...

The last monthly kit is for September. One for the Boys. My apologies that it is a little late, but here it is..

Absolutely great value at just $47-90 including shipping, But be quick, as there is limited supply.

You will need to keep an eye out for the card/BTP kits that are being launched in October.

Change...a fact of life

yep, that's right, and Scrap Box NZ is no exception. We have decided to implement a few small changes to the site and forum. September will see the last of the Scrap Box Monthly Kits, and guest designer. Instead we will launch the first card/BTP kits, that will have samples and instructions included. These kits will be designed by my team members, with Brenda (hopefully) kicking off the first one in October. The blog is also going through a couple of changes, Brenda and Dallas will be making regular contributions to the blog as well as show- casing their creative flair with product from Scrap Box. Rest assured that the monthly sketch challenge is staying!!! So to be in to win a voucher to the shop, check out the forum for details.

Plodding Along...

I haven't blogged in a few days, I apologise for that. Work seems to get in the way of precious scrapping time. Which leads me to the unanswered question of whether we live to work or work to live. The balancing act of running two business's and two dependant children is a challenging one. But I do appreciate the time I have to scrap. I find it far more enjoyable when I know I can set a little time aside for me to induldge in what has become my addiction. So I share with you the layout that I have completed based on Dallas's great sketch.

I really enjoyed doing this layout and I can credit Brenda for letting me have a play with her Cricut cartridges. Plus I downloaded the CK Becky Font from Creating Keepsakes. I did originally have a little trouble trying to find the right papers to do this layout, but these papers from Crate Paper just made the photo of my DD pop. I think that I have finally settled down to a style I can call my own. It has only taken 3 and a half years.

I am currently working on a star mini album for a friend who went back to Scotland to live. So the girls from play-group and I have started to put this together to send her for Christmas. I will share this with you all once I have put the finiishing touches to it.

Well Monday again tomorrow, the start of another week, so have a good one. And for all of you attending SENZ, not long now, and I can't wait to meet some of you.

Time to Unwind...

Now that the sale is over, I have a little bit of time to slow down a little. I have put in quite a number of hours during the last couple of weeks. Even to the point where I have had my DH picking and packing orders into the night. So now I can catch up on a little creative work for me!!.


This first one is a layout I have completed using KaiserCRAFT Rough & Tough range of papers, along with a few 'extras'. It is about life long friendship.



A couple of cards, which I have really been into lately. Again inspiraed by Melissa Philips. I just love her work. Lots of layers, and glitter!!. Oh how I love glitter. The first card I have made I have gived my Cricut a workout and cut some flowers out of transparency. Also used it to cut the swirls and flower. I have used Inque Boutique Stamp from the 'Birthday' set.

You can find their lovely stamp sets here http://retailer.inqueboutique.com/product/?id=454

The second one I have used the KaiserCRAFT clear stamp (Circles) to make this card, along with just some scraps, calico, and the bird is hand cut and glittered.

This last one is of just a simple exploding box and matching card, for my Grandmother who has a birthday this weekend. I have used the Two Scoops paper for this as well as Bazzill Blossom (4.5" and 2.75") plus my own stash again. The butterfly is again handcut and layered on top of some Green Tara flowers.

It will nearly be time to get some tea so will leave you with this quote.

Cherish your family. For they are your treasure. A storehouse of riches. Wealth beyond measure.

August Sketch.

Don't forget the August sketch which Dallas has set for us on the forum. But for those of you who have missed it, here it is.

You have until the end of August to post your creations in the August Sketch folder on the gallery. Who knows, your creative work might just win you a $40-00 to the 'store'. Which Liddy has just won herself!!

The first round of the Card Swap is underway too, check out the details here:

http://scrapboxnz.com/messageboard/viewforum.php?f=29

A short and sweet post today

Cheers

Julia

Creative Mood

This first one is a tribute to our dear old dog Milo. These photos were taken just the day before we had him put down. Infuse has to be one of my all time favorites. I have used lots of foam tape to give this lots of dimension. I have created this layout on a 12x12 canvas and used thinline MDF to mat the photos on.

Iv'e been in a particularly creative mood lately, and so use every spare moment I can go to my craft room and just be creative. So I thought that (yet again) I would share some examples of my work.

This card has been inspired by Melissa Phillips, she make the most fantastic cards, you can check out her work here http://lilybeanpaperie.typepad.com/

The colours in this photo finally got me round to using some of the Boxer range of papers. I think that they are just the right colour combo for this layout.