July Challenges

Sorry for the belated challenges but I usually have a hectic start to July lol.

Ok i have a guest sketch designer lined up and all will be revealed in the next few days. I know you are going to love what she has done for us.

My challenge this month is two pronged.

1. Use a big photo.
2. Use a vertical title.

here is an example layout i have done (i did the jounalling a couple of days ago when i was freezing my tootsies off!)

Sandra - photo in 3rds

Hi Amanda




I created this layout AGES ago but I couldn't share back then because it was also for the Twiddleybitz DT postition ....so I couldn't share back then.


THANK YOU for the inspiration to cut this photo into thirds...so happy with the effect!!






Can't wait to see the challenges for July!!


Sandra

 
 
WOW Sandra. This  has some amazing elements in it! Love the shells and tiny details!! The collection of 'sea' goodies combined with the net is just totally WOW! (am lost for wow words it is so good lol!)
 
I also think your photo cut into thirds looks fabulous! I think it really adds dramatic effect and visual impact to an already incredible photo!
 
It is a great example of that challenge Sandra. Thanks being brave and cutting a photo up!
 

Amanda - Sue's sketch

Marika - Sue's sketch + Fabric challenge

Fantastico Marika! Love how you have incorperated the zig zag stitch, that cute date tag and all those delicious OA papers.

OMG at how big Bella looks in those photos!! Where has your baby gone Marika?? Very cute expression of joy on her face.

Brilliant use of fabric too!

Fabric challenge - Sue

Well, one last post & LO for me.... I have used the American Crafts fabric paper with this one and the last of that piece of orange cardstock (from the colour challenge)....works well with Mace's birthday cake, i thought.

Now to pack all the scrapping gear away....hoping not to have the scrap daughter invade & 'borrow' my goodies while away LOL!!

Catchya xx

Scrapathon Mini / Maxi Retreat

Kaiser's new design team

I just followed the link to Kerryn's blog on the side bar and discovered this ...

http://www.kaisercraft.net/blog/please-make-welcome-kaisercrafts-new-design-team-for-2010-2011/

Kerryn has attended the last 2 Escape2Create retreats and I was thrilled to read that she has been chosen on the new Design Team!!

Congratulations!!

The work of the other new Design Team members is beautiful too so go and check it all out!

Amanda - fabric challenge

what's happening?

you may well be asking?

LOTS.

HEAPS.

EVERYTHING.

is my reply.

One of our lucky ladies is busy as a bee packing her bags to go OS. Another of our ladies is SSD (scrap sucked dry) and the other one is the ever positive, gentle encourager.


At the same time, we are all madly planning the most awesome-est time for everyone in October. Details will be out very, very soon... keep your eyes peeled, your nose clean and your ear close to the ground. You will see it HERE first.

If you know of anyone interested in coming along, please spread the word for us. We would hate to think someone missed out on such a great time at our retreats simply because they didn't know about it.

Again I will stress that the 'mini' retreat / scrapathon is a no fuss retreat. There are NO bells and whistles like the main retreat. This is not to say that we wont have a great time.... as last year proved it was so relaxing for everyone to kick back and do your own thing with no classes, no pressure, no goodie bags, no frills, no husband, no meals to worry about and no kids. Brilliant!

In other news : another nifty way we can stay in touch with you (and you to e2c events) is facebook. YES - e2c is now on facebook. It is really exciting to see many, many new faces joining from around the country every day! (i dont' think there have been any international girls yet??!) Needless to say we also love seeing our familiar, local girls too 'cause we love you all so much!!

click here if you would like to join our 'group'.

Never fear - this will NOT take the place of the blog. I see it as another vehicle to get our info about the retreat around. This blog is the main train on the railway of e2c info and the facebook page is one of those kalamazoo hand carts... if you follow my analogy.

Anyway there is lots happening behind the scenes so please don't think that just because the blog is quiet that we are all resting on our bottoms. Far from it!!

Also don't forget to say hello if you stop by. We get encouraged to continue the blog and retreats by you... yes YOU!

Tiff - colour challenge

This was perfect colour combo for the stuff I collected from the show a couple of years ago, and it being next in my album of LOs to do. The ticket in the top left corner came out a bit orange but irl its more yellow than orange.

I've also smudged the contact details on the show book.
I kept it pretty plain and very simple except for the corner.

cheers tiff

wow gorgeous detail in the corner Tiff. Quilling is very intricate! Very 'Lou' styled butterflies too.

fabbo.

Fabric challenge - Tiff

Tiff said ...

"My LO in answer to the fabric challenge. I used 4 different types. Can you spot them all??


Journaling says: You had the best day ever at the Cummins Show. You had the biggest smile all day. And you even had a go at whip cracking. Somehow I don't think being in a dress helped with that much."

Great collage of the day to record the memories. Love have you have incorporated the E2C felt flower!! And that looks a bit like some Dear Lizzy flower ribbon undernearth - is that right? I can't wait to get some of that soon - delish!
 
I think I have worked out all the fabrics but I'll leave the guessing to the commenters!!

Trish - colour challenge

Hi Amanda,

thank you so much for you comments on my fabric challenge, talk

about makin a girl blush! So here is my colour challenge, its actually matted on grey not that it looks like it but it is. Like some other girls I don't have orange anything but this photo just fitted perfectly I thought. This sunrise was taken last year at Edillilie, coming home from a nightshift at Coffins. Keep up the great work!!

Cheers Trish


Trish sometimes i think that is the best bit about working night duty - the sunrise AND crawling into bed!

Beautiful colours - the orange sunrise is gorgeous! Putting it on that dark grey card makes it absolutely eyecatching. Love how the trees are sillhoutted in the background or the photo and your rubons seem to mimic that tree line horizon.

Stunning.

Fabric challenge - Trish

Trish said ...

"here is my fabric challenge, I have also challenged myself by

using a photo of me... You all know what I mean I'm sure LOL.

Anyway here it is. I am really enjoying the Blog and sorry I don't post

comments as I should. You girls are doing a great job."

Thank you Trish and what a beautiful photo!

The fabric looks lovely, lots of great stitching and the colours really soft .

I hope we see some more of your layouts soon!! Thank you for joining in on this one!

Fabric challenge - Meredith

I used a pre-ruffled remnant of fabric that I bought a while ago!

Colour challenge - Meredith

Amanda's Colour challenge / Meredith's fabric challenge - Sandra!!

Sandra said ...
"Here is a layout I have just finished which covers both the colour challenge AND the fabric challenge.

The flowers are fabric which came from an old tablecloth...(*thanks Maryanne's Mum!!!*)

I thought they matched the era of the photo perfectly! (late 60's)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

now onto the housework :-( "


WOW is what I am saying to that Sandra!!! Oh my goodness that is fantastic!! Totally adore those fabric flowers!! Really love the colours too!! The blue and yellow look delicious together!

Absolutely brilliant!!

Amanda's long weekend challenge ...

Okay I have had some correspondence about another challenge for the weekend ...

the challenge is ...

photo in thirds ...

and here is the inspiration ...

Photo taken at a very hip and happening hotel on O'Connell Street, North Adelaide I hear from my sources!!

Looking forward to seeing how this inspires everyone!!

Thank you to our loyal and regular supporters ..  new comers welcomed with open arms!!

Tiff - sketch challenge

And i also had Tiff's sketch for this month waiting for me...great to see everyone has been getting some scrapping done!

Heya Sue.
I've done your sketch challenge today. I've tipped it upside down and matted the journal block before using foam tape to place it above the PP. And have a close look at the button. Its 3D. I used some HS ghost butterflies on top of the butterflies that were already on the button.

cheers chicky

tiff

Love the colours Tiff, and the worn edges with the stitching...looks great!! Great fun photos...the kids look like they are having a great time! The 3D clear button with the butterfly looks really effective! Great take on the sketch!

Thanks for sharing it with us Tiff. xx

Michelle's - sketch challenges

Firstly i want to apologise for been absent this week....just haven't had a spare moment to check my emails or do any posting.

But in my in-box i found Michelle has sent me a couple gorgeous LO's, the sketches from last month and this month!

Hi Sue
Sorry I’m late with this one.
Here is my take on last month’s challenge.
Cheers
Michelle

This Month's:
I just love the colours of this Michelle, so soft, and the hint of inking around the edges blends the colours all in gorgeously!! Love that flower!! And what a cute little face knitting away!!

Last months sketch:
I am glad you decided to send this and show us all....just love it...that chip butterfly swirl is beautiful with another yummy flower there too! Great take on the sketch Michelle.

Thanks for sharing these Michelle. xx

Long weekend challenge ...

Okay ... back already!!

My inspiration comes from

... here

and

... here

Create a layout or even an off the page item with  fabric somehow incorporated on it!

Can't wait to see what you come up with ... email to me!!

I will wait until Monday to have a go at this as I have visitors until then ... my youngest sister and her family will be arriving soon!! Can't wait to see them!

And they are sleeping in the scrap room!!

Little 1 and 3 year old boys don't go well with scissors, paper and glue so it is all packed up on the cupboard and elsewhere!!

But the best bit is that at least I'll have some great photos to scrap after their visit!!

Long weekend challenge ...

Hi all!

I will be back at some stage soonish with a long weekend layout idea / challenge!!

Stay tuned ... need to get my thinking cap on!

For those of you going away ... have a wonderful break!!

Sue's sketch - Meredith

Scavenger hunt - Maryanne

"here's my scavenger hunt layout....bloody hard work too!!!

OA label sticker

font, sweetie pie, from dafont

vintage image is the digital images in the bottom right hand corner

2 green circles are the brad and I'm counting the little green paint splatter digital brush as a circle.

1 photo

red ribbon [with white too]

folded corner

date title."

Photo by Tiff Firth Photography.

Fantastic Maryanne ... I did look for a little while for the 2 green circles and then felt silly ... very creative!!

I really like that font too so off for a look and download I reckon!!

Sue- colour challenge

This colour challenge was really a challenge for me, these are not colours that i would normally grab for, let alone have in my stash. Once i bought some orange cardstock, i found some of my favourite OA papers, and slowly i worked it out!

Marika - scavenger hunt

Would you believe it but this is Marika's first EVER vintage page??!!!

So not only has this chickadee done the tricky scavenger hunt challenge BUT done it vintage style. LOVE IT.

I was almost tricked with the green circles until i noticed the buttons! Beautiful photo and you really did it justice Marika. Well done.

Amanda - scavenger hunt

new font : Doctor Soos

scavenger hunt - Meredith

My bits:
2 green circles ... the flower
vintage image ... a doily rub on
sticker ... at the top left of the photo
folded corner ... at the top left of the photo too
new font ... American Typewriter LH Lt Cd
Oh and my new favourite tool ... a Tim Holtz tiny attacher ... cute little staples!! Beautiful to use!! As per the folded corner and how I attached the twine!

A funny thing with this layout ... I saw Sue at football yesterday and she said she had uploaded her "scavenger layout" so I set myself a challenge ... not to look at Sue's until I had posted mine!!

I am so keen to see hers now and I think it made me get mine done!! So now I am off to check it out!

Sue- scavenge hunt

At first this challenge of Amanda's had me stumped, but then i found these photos of Ethan and i found this old cosmo cricket paper...then the rest just fell into place. When i went to place the white tag with the stapled twine i noticed on the pp there was a vintage image of someone dancing...can you spy it??..i didn't notice it at first. My new font is Prissy Frat Boy. Hope all the ingredients are there..

Good challenge Amanda! Can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with.

Sue x

Maryanne - WOS

hi amanda



I have attached a LO which Ive done.I was inspired by this Layout which I absolutely loved, by Armance on 2peas, where she had printed song lyrics on her background.

 Mine is using the song "Nothing Else Matters", by Metallica, which actually holds a lot of meaning for me at the moment.


My white cardstock is covered in text, but as I have scanned my LO, and have some dimension on it, it hasnt scanned very well.[sorry].


cheers maryanne

 
 

I keep thinking to myself 'wow wow wow' when i look at this Maryanne. I totally LOVE the lyrics idea and the song you have used by Metallica is perfect.....i have had that singing in my brain since i first peeked at this layout this afternoon!

Love how you have taken the colour scheme and lyric idea but totally made it yours.  I am in absolute awe of what you do. It is always stunning.

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

June Sketch Challenge

Great challenges there Amanda...hmmm....they will have me thinking, especially the scavenge one!

Well, here is my sketch challenge for this month. For those of you who have popped into my blog you may have seen my 'summer days' page that i have based this sketch on. It is a good one to use up those multiple photos from just one occasion, placement is totally up to you, along with some pp's and pop some journalling in amongst it too.

Here is my example:

Have fun with it and i look forward to seeing what you all come up with!!

Suexx

June Challenges

the scavenger hunt.


Idea from scrapboxx and Sue

To incorperate all these elements onto one page.

• an odd number of photos
• red ribbon
• a vintage image
• a folded corner
• two green circles
• a date used as the title
• loops of string/twine fastened with staples
• use a new font for journalling
• a sticker

Can't wait to see what you come up with!


colour challenge

cream, light grey and mustard yellow and orange sunset. Inspired from the grey and orange delight in  Meredith's Good Friday layout!

Dont forget - the more the merrier. Please join in! If you do not want to join in the scrapping side of things,but enjoy looking at our blog please leave a little comment. This encourages us to continue with the e2c blog and lets us know that we are not just prattling on to ourselves here!!

Stamp cleaning ...

Me again ...

Just found this post over at Studio Calico and thought it was very interesting ...

http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/topic/23034

The link to the original Tim Holtz topic ...

http://timholtz.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/05/how-do-you-distress-day-4.html

You can also see Tim's other posts on distressing at his blog ...

http://timholtz.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Happy stamping!!

Clever idea ...

Hello ... I have been MIA lately but thought I'd stop by to post this great link ...

http://mayaroad.typepad.com/dt/2010/05/a-useful-post-color-swatches.html

There is also an example for fabric!

Obviously we may not have easy access to Maya Road mist but Tattered Angels Glimmermist is available locally!! :-)

WOS - Tiff

inspo from Sandra with her picket fence with the roses poking thru it.




inspo from Color Room Palette 6 for the colour scheme and the bones of a sketch.


inspo from Twiddleybitz for the May nude chip challenge.

and of course inspo from e2c blog for getting me off my butt and getting this one done.

;p

cheers Tiff

(sorry Tiff but the bigger sized option is pixelating for me)

Love those 'nude' chip people. I much prefer chip to be left naked so this is a great challenge idea.

The look on Paige's face is pure love. This is beautiful... and the journalling spot on. Honest without bullshit and fluff. Brilliant.

Great job!

Sue's sketch- Janice

Hi Sue,

I have had this page done for awhile now and just never got around to photographing etc to put on the blog (Im not very good at the photographing and cropping bit).
After a phone call today from my good friend, I was asked if I would share it so decided it was time to send this email to you.
Thanks for another great sketch, look forward to the next one.

Janice

Wow Janice...thanks for sending this one in....i just love the colours and papers!! I love how you have mounted the journalling...i am seeing alot of this lately and just love it! Great photos and you have scrapped them beautifully!

Sue - WOS

When i saw this LO of Sande Krieger over at 2peas...i knew i had to lift her page...totally!!

With our bags all out ready to pack, travel brochures laying around everywhere and the excitement of actually going...her page was just the perfect idea for me scrap us getting ready for our first trip OS. So out came all my old 'mail art' stamps and new label stamps and away i went. I even had the OA Road trip range in amongst my stash...surprise surprise!

Here is my page:

Here is Sande's:

Like i said....an exact lift! But why change something if it is just perfect? I love her LO!

Tatum - WOS

Hi Amanda,

Here is my 3rd challenge Layout.

I've taken some of the common elements and style that the very beautiful Mardi Winen uses on her layouts. Mardi is an inspiration to me for so many reasons and I was lucky enough to do a couple of classes with her last year which gave me some great insight into the way she creates.

I have used some scrap strips from my recent projects, machine stitching, 8.5 x 11 and a story about everyday life...all things that I associate with Mardi's style.

As far as techniques go I have used my new favourite...a bit of heat embossing on the flower :)

Tatum xx

wow wow wow Tatum.

This is stunning. Amazing. Just awesome. LOVE your colours - i really am in heaven looking at all your beautiful elements.

Stunning use of colour.

and so glad to see some more Mardi inspiration :)

Marika - WOS

Hi Amanda,



A lift from fran tynans blog a layout called easter. It is great to get some pages done have used this green patterned paper that i think has been sitting in my pile for several years.


Thankyou Marika

and here is Fran's original:

Great work Marika. Fran is so inspiring!! Those red accents on yours really pop against the kraft and green. Beautiful job.

Karen - etsy and WOS

Hi Amanda,

Did a bit of scrapping yesterday while we were getting that lovely rain. First is my scrap lifted LO which I have lifted off of your "She" challenge LO from last year, I have also used some 7G gaffer tape (which I have been wanting to use for ages) also some OA rubons (which I seem to collect but never use) Second is the "Goodie Bag" challenge, while I didn't use the goodies from inside the bag I did use that gorgeous big flower that was on the outside of the bag! Thanks for looking.

Karen D

The original:

Love how you have changed the whole feel of this page Karen. In fact i did not recognize it at all! Yours is so bright and funky - i like it a lot more than the original!!

And here is her etsy creation:

I am just drooling over this. DELISH!! Love the simplicity - it makes a HUGE impact!

As usual you have totally wowed me Karen! Awesome.

WOS - Sandra

OMFreakingGoodness.

This has blown me off my little computer chair. T.O.T.A.L.L.Y.  I.N.  A.W.E.


This is amazing Sandra. Bloody incredible infact.

She said:

Hi Amanda

Isn't this rain WONDERFUL?

Here is my Scraplift. It a photo of me and my childhood companion Pointer.

I lifted a layout by Wendela :

Love her work.


I found the process of using just a piece of cardboard as the 'background' instead of the traditional cardstock or pp VERY liberating!!

I think I will be trying it more often!!

Cheers

Sandra

Again i will say that you have blown my socks off Sandra. This is amazing.
 
 

WOS - Amanda

The next scrap item in my stash that i chose to work with and lift a layout which is based upon such item is....

Heidi Swapp mini clock overlays!

I had bought these some time ago and felt stumped how to use them. After a fair bit of googling i found this layout by Talia Audenart

Admittedly it isn't the same sort of clock - the one Talia used is the big 12x12 sized ones but i thought i could use it as a base or jumping off point.

Here is my layout:

I really liked the title on the original and how it worked in with the clocks so i tried to copy that. 

It's a bit of a nothing page - no meaning or substance to the words - which irritates me but i am glad to have finally used some of my HS stash!