My Stuck RAK Winner...

Thanks to everyone who visited my blog for the Stuck Birthday Blog Hop, it was great to get so many comments from scrapper friends, old and new!

Today we are announcing all of the winners, and my winner is...

Congratulations Shauna, you have won my pretty pink RAK which you may remember from my Blog Hop Post here.

Keep your eyes on your mailman, cause he'll be bring your prize to your letterbox soon.  Enjoy!

What a Month!

Where do I start?!

I know the year is flying, but August...holy crap, what happened to August?

I've just resurfaced from a week 'off the radar' with my baby girl in the hospital for 3 nights with a UTI.  Scary time but she is ok, still on antibiotics for a few more days but seems back to her normal bouncy self.

And now I have two more sleeps to get organised for my big boy's 8th birthday!  Talk about time flying....

Before the end of August comes around, I best be showing you the rest of the Stuck sketches for our birthday month...so far I've only shown you the first sketch, there are three more!

Bonus Sketch 1, this one I haven't had a chance to do but I'm sure you can find time before the weekend, right?

 

August 15th Sketch...

 

My take features Cooper & Kirsty playing in the water at Belmore Basin.  I have used a great kit from SFS for this layout.  I've used an awesome Crafters Template on the background with mist, there are so many varieties of the templates these days, the possibilities are endless.

 

And a closeup of a flower that I completely stuffed up with mist, it turned out super bright so I toned it down with some distress ink and I ended up liking it in the end.



 

 And the last one, Bonus Sketch 2...

 

My layout is my baby girl Bronte on her 3rd B'day, using one of the She's Savvy Kits from 2011, I can't remember which one but I had little bits & pieces left over so just ran with it.

And a closeup, I basically cut squares from my scraps and distressed the edges.  I've also punched some super cute Monarch Butterflies with a Martha Stewart punch.

 

To be in the running for some super awesome prizes, load your takes on any of these sketches over on the Stuck blog before the end of the month.





 

Thanks for visiting :)

My First Savvy Class!

Now that I have one less scrappy commitment I need to keep up, it is time for me to focus on my own business.  Something I probably should've been doing already, but now I'm forced to turn my attention to what really counts in my own world and do the best I can for myself and my little business.

Last Friday night I held my first Savvy Class.  The girls have been telling me for ages I should teach but I really didn't know if I could.  But I bit the bullet and put together a class kit, creating three layouts from it and then writing step by step instructions.

The girls all seemed to really enjoy the class, learning a few new things along the way and 'remembering' some things they hadn't done in a while!  Everyone managed to get the three layouts done in just a few hours, and really...isn't that what its all about?

Getting out of the house, hanging with the girls AND getting three layouts done on a Friday night...a successful night in my books for my lovely customers & friends that joined me and supported me on my very first attempt at teaching!  I really appreciate the support of my local girls and hope I can continue to inspire you in the future.

There are three class kits left and these are now available in the Savvy store here.

Here's a look at the layouts you can create with this class kit.

Her Day - a pretty girly layout with spashes of colour and new techniques including making pendants and inking with punchinella.

A close up of the cluster you will create including inking, rhinestones, fussy cutting, string and more!

Kiss The Boy - a more neutral layout which includes washi tape and two different flowers to handmake.

A close up of the 'concertina flower' and 'spiral flower' made with step by step instructions.

Xmas Fairy - this one doesn't HAVE to be a xmas layout and would suit any photo with the right colourings.  Includes scruching your paper which was VERY funny to see the girls do in the class...they so weren't keen!  Also more spiral flowers on a fussy cut vine and some hand cut leaves.

A close up of the spiral flowers with rhinestone centres, and the washi tape folded 'ribbon style'.

Can't wait to plan my next class for next month!  Don't forget to head over and grab a kit if you'd like to create these layouts yourself. 

Thanks for visiting!

Goodbye Purple Pumpkin

Today marks a sad day for me as I have decided to leave the Purple Pumpkin Design Team after an awesome 17 months on the team, and over six months before that being a very proud Purple Pumpkin customer from the time that the Purple Pumpkin business was started.
Due to the new addition of the washi tape to the Purple Pumpkin store, I have unfortunately been forced to make the decision to step down from the team that I am coordinator for.

As most of you know, I run my own scrapbooking business Scrapbook Savvy and have done so now for over three years, and I stock all kinds of scrapbooking product from paper to alpha to embellishments, which at times includes washi tape. My local scrapbook store Scrapbooking Delights also sells washi tape, who I am just about in partnership with as we have an awesome working relationship. For me to point people in the direction of Purple Pumpkin instead of myself or my LSS now that they sell the same product as we do, would be a crazy move on my behalf as a business owner, as I am sure you can understand.

I am so sad this has had to happen, as you all know how much I love Purple Pumpkin's handmade products, the proof being that I use and promote PP on everything I do, even stocking the buttons in my Savvy kits in the past and selling Purple Pumpkin at retreat. There is no way around this though as this is a complete conflict of interest, and I have had to step down immediately.

Unfortunately the crossing over of handmade product into standard scrapbooking goods just isn't something that I can support and be a part of as a Design Team member, without sacrificing my own well being, and that of my store. 

It is so very important to support our online and local scrapbooking stores in their attempts to keep their businesses running.  Its not easy in this day and age of people being able to sell anything they like on Facebook and personal blogs...especially when businesses like me are trying to keep going with business loans, advertising, insurances, web maintenance & hosting, the list goes on.

And local stores, lets face it...if we lose them, where do we go for retreats, crops & classes and how do we actually SEE and TOUCH all of the new products that we love so dearly?

Anyway, not here for a rant, just here to explain to my followers and customers why I have had to make this decision and ask for your continued support of myself, my business and my blog.

Thanks for reading!

Stuck?! Sketches Birthday Blog Hop

If you have arrived here because you are hopping along with the Stuck?! Sketches blog hop, welcome! If you've just discovered the hop, you can get started here.

Stuck Sketches is celebrating its 5^th birthday this month. And to celebrate, we are having a giveaway on each of the CT members blogs! That’s an amazing 13 prizes on offer! Here on my blog, I am giving away this RAK.

My RAK is very PINK and if you know me, you'll know that I'm a pink girl at heart!  This RAK includes a handmade flower by San, a handmade flower by my mum Joan and some Purple Pumpkin goodies as well! 

For your chance to win, leave a comment here and on each blog on the hop. Once you have been to visit all of the blogs, email your name and address to stucksketches@optusnet.com.au. Emails are to be received by midnight Sunday August 26^th.

And, here is the full list just in case you get lost...

Stuck Sketches Blog

Celeste

Debbie

Gillian

Jess

Kim

Kylie

Linda

Lindy

Sarah G

Sarah W - YOU ARE HERE!

Tarrah

Tess

Tomomi

So, you're next stop on the hop is Tarrah, say hi to her for me!

Thanks for stopping by.

My head hurts...

My head hurts today.  I don't know if its stress, or that I'm run down, or my ever over thinking mind...
...or have I gone out in sympathy with my baby girl?

Last night as I was packing class kits and planning future classes at Savvy, I heard a massive crash and then a scream from the girls' bedroom as the children were getting ready to go to bed.  I ran so fast from the dining room I nearly tripped over myself going up the steps and as I turned to go into the girls' room out ran Georgia, we just about collided.  She was crying.  Hard.  Holding her head and her back all at once and jumping up and down.  She didn't know where to put herself and couldn't get anything of sense out of her mouth.

I sat on the floor and cuddled her, until she'd calmed enough to tell me what had happened.  The only explanation I could really get was that she'd fallen off the top bunk, as she was crawling into bed.  Backwards.  Oh my lord.

She landed straight on her head it seemed as a massive blue lump started growing on her forehead.  Above her temple but still close enough to worry me.  Cooper ran to get me ice (on his own accord mind you, clever boy).

As I sat very calmly telling her it'd be ok, icing her forehead, she kind of got tired all of a sudden.  Not limp, but very tired.  I knew straight away I had to get her checked out.  Cooper got shoes and dressing gowns for everyone, and I carried Georgia to the car.

I told Cooper to talk to her, to keep her awake.  He chatted to her all the way, asking her every question he could think of.  Whats your favourite colour?  What did you do at school today?  Whats your favourite dinner?  What country do you like in the Olympics?  And he'd tell her not to go to sleep in between.  Such a good boy, keeping a very close eye on her so I could focus on driving.

The medical centre was GREAT and got us in straight away, no wait at all. 

And guess what, she's fine.  A bump & a bruise and probably mild concussion, but she's ok.  A dose of panadol when we got home, and she slept peacefully through the night. 

I was in trouble for brushing her hair too hard this morning, and it hurt when she put her hat on, but she seemed ok so off she went to school.

An hour after school starts, I get THAT phonecall at work to say that Georgia isn't feeling well, her poor little head hurts.

I'm in the office on my own today, nothing I can do, so Grandma & Granded to the rescue!  They picked her up from school and she is now spending the day at Grandma's house...and Grandma seems to think she is her normal bouncy self, which I suppose is a good sign.  I guess falling off a top bunk onto your head is a good enough reason to pull a sickie from school as anything, right?!

No wonder my head hurts today.  I am feeling the struggles today of being the 'working mum' who just wants to be at home with my babies when they need me.  Its a tough gig some days. 

Do you struggle with this too?  Feel like you're being pulled from pillar to post, always having to wonder which option is best today and never being able to do everything you want to do?  I know this is 'life' but some days it all just seems so hard!

Anywhooo.....

Here is Miss Georgia on a happier day a couple of years ago, getting her nails done with Mummy on my birthday!  I have used the Crate Paper Pretty Party range for this one, adding in some Purple Pumpkin twine and a super cute love heart button.

A close up of my journalling, layered with a massive cabachon that Peta gave me at retreat!

Hope your day is going a bit better than mine...someone, hand me the Panadol!

Head over to Purple Pumpkin...

...and check out today's post by me!

Thanks for visiting!!!

June She's Savvy Kit Layouts

I've just realised there is only ONE lonely She's Savvy Kit left in the store...the poor thing, it needs a home!! 

Here's what YOU could do with this bargain kit full of new product over the value of $35, yours for only $30 in the Scrapbook Savvy store.

I've done four pages so far, and still more product to play with...definitely value for money if you calculate it per layout!

1 Night In Berry...

A closeup of my cluster including some Prima flowers I've added, as well as the WOW chipboard flourish (which I cut so I could use on more than one page) and the WOW chipboard alpha (both of which are in the kit) which I've coloured in red with texta plus some May Arts string which is a must have in your stash.

Caramel...my old dog that stayed with Mum & Dad when I moved out.  She has since passed away :'(

A closeup of my flowers, tiny wooden birds and journalling which reads...

'When I was 13yo my high school boyfriend Trevor gave me a tiny chihuahua puppy that his dog Tess had...she had gotten out onto the train tracks and it was dangerous so she needed a safe home.  Now she's an old girl living with Mum & Dad.'

Friends Will Catch You...using the rest of of my WOW chipboard flourish together with WOW chipboard alpha I've misted with white Hueys, a prima flower and another tiny wooden bird. My journalling reads...

'My bestie Leesh and me together at retreat, love this girl & her smile...I will always be there for her.'

And my personal fave from this kit so far, Stolen Kisses which is a scraplift from a recent Scrapbook Trends magazine.

A closeup of my Purple Pumpkin twine and tickets, layered with the journal and love heart stickers from the kit and the mistable Prima flower also from the kit.  My journalling reads...

'Georgie looking very unimpressed with Mummy's kisses!'  And doesn't she look cranky, little bugger...  ;)

Get the last kit here, before its gone!

B'day Month @ Stuck!

Stuck?! Sketches is celebrating it's 5th birthday this month and we are so proud that Sara's little sketch blog idea that she had shortly after the birth of her first son has been running so successfully since.

We have so many exciting things happening for you, the readers.  In addition to Stuck's two regular sketches, there will be two bonus sketches. These will be revealed on the 5th and 20th when there is normally our second half of the CT inspiration. And with so many sketches, there is not 1 but 2 guest designers as well!

Sadly it's time to say goodbye to some of the current creative team with these sketches. But later this month, Sara will be revealing who the new Creative Team members are and getting to know them better.

There is also a fun blog hop with a prize at every stop!

So make sure you pop over to the Stuck blog often this month, as there will be plenty of layouts and sketches to inspire, prizes to win and exciting new Creative Team members to get to know!

To start the fun, here is the first sketch for this month, the August 1st sketch...

And my take, a layout of my boy Cooper and his little friend Clay at a St George Illawarra Dragons game.

 

And a closeup of the WOW chipboard which I've heavily misted with white Hueys and twisted the twine through, as well as a spotty red Purple Pumpkin button.

 

Link your layout over at the Stuck blog by the end of August for your chance to win!  And stay tuned for lots more from Stuck this month!

August Recipe Challenge @ Purple Pumpkin

To celebrate Purple Pumpkin's 2nd Birthday, we are mixing things up a little!

Instead of our usual sketch challenge, this month we have a Recipe Challenge to inspire you with. You must include all of the following 'ingredients' in your layout...the rest is up to you but we would love to see some Purple Pumpkin products included in your layout!

We want to see the following ingredients somewhere on your page...

1. Paint
2. Use a Button
3. Add some twine
4. Include some fussy cutting
5. Spray ink
6. A flower
7. A doiley
8. Use two different alphas for your title

Here's my take, a layout of Donna & I 'all frocked up' for Melbourne Cup Day in 2010, using the new You're Savvy Kit available now in the Scrapbook Savvy store.

A closeup of my title and cluster, including some Purple Pumpkin twine and chipboard from WOW which is exclusive to this month's kit at Savvy, I have sprayed my chip with glimmer mist for some shine.  You can also see some paint and a flower, which are in the ingredients list.

 

My journaling, along with a super cute Studio Calico butterfly and one of the gorgeous flags from Basic Grey included in the kit.

A small piece of ribbon from the Greatest View embellishment kit included in the Savvy kit, with another butterfly and the doiley needed for the recipe...oh and more paint!

Another flower, topped with a wood veneer heart from Studio Calico included in the kit.

You have until the end of the month to complete this Recipe Challenge and link it up in the sidebar over at the Purple Pumpkin blog by midnight 31 August 2012. There will be two fabulous Purple Pumpkin prize packs to give away - one winner will be chosen by the design team, and the second will be a random prize draw.

Good luck and happy scrapping!