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Welcome !!!!!
We welcome entries that are not traditional scrapbooking - such as art journalling, painting, cards, mixed media, off-the-page work. However you like to create - we welcome your work!



Monday, March 26, 2012

monday's mentions 26 march 2012

Wow - lots to mention this Monday!!

Over at Bird is the Word both Sandi Taloumis and Georgia Heald have won for their "Heart" challenge.

Meanwhile, Scrapbook Magazine has published Sarah Groen's work on page 40, and Monique Liedtke's work on page 64 in their Issue 62.


Thursday, March 22, 2012

technique twenty-second - March 2011


This month's tutorial is given to us by design team member Mitra Pratt.  Thanks so much Mitra for your time and for this clever technique!!! I've just bought a bottle of this medium on sale and am dying to try out your technique!!!


Lately I’ve been thinking about cracks. Noooo, not the kind where you spot some dude bent over and he forgot to wear a belt…the kind where you appreciate them for the item’s age. So, lovely cracks!

I also have been trying to find a good use for these German stickers I have in my stash. So, decided to pair them up with some metal pieces I had and apply a crackle finish.  You may have spotted my hand made embellishment on my last page here.

These are pretty simple, just the drying time takes a bit so be prepared to wait overnight.

Assemble your ingredients.


As you can see here, I have a clear shaped back that I punched (you can easily hand cut as well) to sit behind the sticker. I using a bit of some Tim Holtz packaging but really any clear heavier plastic will do. 

Next, stick the sticker to the top of the clear piece and assemble for glue.

I like to tape my back in. After making about 10 of these, I have determined that packing tape is better. Some glue will creep under the metal, but the tape does a good job of keeping most of where it is supposed to be.


Now, the Crackle Accents glue I am using from Ranger makes larger sized cracks. I do have some new glue I am trying that is more like a paint that makes smaller crackles. 

Basically fill the entire metal bracket with a mound of glue. Like LOTS. It won't look pretty as it will be sitting all lumpy in the middle. Here comes my secret which I completely discovered by accident. 

Now, the secret ingredient here for BIG crackles is adding a bit of rubbing alcohol to urge the glue to flow better. I like to add enough where it looks nice and smooth. You can add it via a dropper or an empty glue bottle. See, I was adding a bit more glue at one point and accidentally added alcohol which was in a similar bottle. Those turned out the best! ;-)

Also, you can add a bit of color with glimmer mist and add sparkles at this point. I threw in a couple of pearls while I was at it. 

After it dried, I inked it up a bit with ink. 

This same concept will also work for clear heavier chip board using the same concept. 


If you give this a try, let me know! 

Of course, you could play along with the two challenges that are running and use it there! ;-)







Saturday, March 17, 2012

guess who is coming to design with us in April?????

I am so excited about this - the lovely  Georgia Heald is coming to guest design with us for the month of April.  Some of you have seen her work at Once Upon a Sketch (Nadia Cannizzo's wonderful challenge blog), and at her own blog.



Here is a little bit about Georgia in her own words:

Hi, I'm Georgia. I Iive in beautiful Tasmania, Australia. I run a small business as well as being a wife to Daron, mum to Mitchell (14) and a step mum to Jessica (19) and Tyler (22). I discovered scrapbooking in March 2011 after searching for ideas for my wedding album and become instantly addicted! I love absolutely everything about this fabulous hobbie. From the creative side of playing with gorgeous papers and embellishments, the fabulous community of supportive and inspiring women and of course the continual reminder of the things that are most important to me!!

My style of scrapbooking greatly varies , my pages can go from urban grunge to very girlie romantic layouts. I am currently designing for challenge blog Once Upon A Sketch and online store www.sassyscrapper.com.au and have had my work published in Australian Scrapbooking Memories and Scrapbook Creations.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

15th sketch 15 march 2012

Here is a little blog candy that a random winner from this month's scrapbooking challenges will receive:


Colorbok Paper Crush Scrap Pack

Here is the sketch to use for this scrapbook challenge:

Here is the challenge:


Scrap an Easter memory (preferably when you were young)  using spring colours in your layout.

Always remember that you can  play along with the spirit of the challenge if you cannot play along exactly as the challenge encourages you.  We'd love to see your work!!

Here is what our DT came up with:




Karen Wray


Can't wait to see what you all do!!!



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Monday, March 12, 2012

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Lots of wonderful things for Mieke, but we'll miss her!!

Hello - Mieke asked me to pass on her regards to you all.  She has decided to step down from the design team because her life is quite full of wonderful opportunities at the moment!  I personally will miss her, as I looked forward to working with her again on a design team, but am so glad of the wonderful things that are filling her life at the moment.  Please stop by and play with us Mieke whenever you can!!!


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Don't forget to play with our 1 march scrapbook challenge!!!!

Don't forget you have until the end of the month to play along with our 1 March scrapbooking challenge.  The new scrapbook sketch challenge comes out on the 15th, but you always have until the end of the month to play along with both of any month's challenges.

Don't forget also that we always have a quick link to the month's challenges on the right hand side of the blog.

Here is a little blog candy that a random winner from this month's scrapbooking challenges will receive:



Colorbok Paper Crush Scrap Pack

Here is the challenge:

March is the month where school children have a spring break in Canada.  Scrap some memories of a spring break (or another school break) that you experienced. We never travelled in our family for school breaks, but I did always enjoy the time outside or reading and just relaxing.

Now - that was the challenge, and we like to encourage you to scrap about yourself for your family to treasure - BUT - just play along with the spirit of the challenge if you cannot play along exactly as the challenge encourages you.  We'd love to see your work!!

You can see the DT's takes on this challenge here!!!That's the spot you can link up your take on the challenge too!!

Monday, March 5, 2012

monday's mentions 5 march 2012

Wow - just took a peek over at Stuck Sketches and our own Sarah Groen and Lindy Gillespie are on their new design team!! Congratulations ladies.  I have to say - the owners over at Stuck Sketches must have IMPECCABLE taste!!!

Another of our faves at AFSC has scored a new DT position.  Georgia Heald is now on the DT over at Sassy Scrappers.  There are some giveaways on her blog and on theirs.  Look for Georgia here as our guest DT next month! Yay!!

Friday, March 2, 2012

fave fridays 2 march 2012

Georgia Heald let me know that Sassy Scrapper, the online store she is designing for has a giveaway.  You can find out more about it here on there blog!! Giveaways sure are a fave with me!!!

Georgia also has a giveaway on her blog here.

BTW - you'll see a little more of Georgia's work here soon, as she will be our guest DT here next month!!


the winner of february's prize and some freaking faves!!

The winner of the prize offered to challenge and/or blog hop players is Vicki Wilson!!! Vicki - e-mail me at anne.pennington@xplornet.com  to send me your mailing address.

The faves for February 1st challenge are:

Georgia Heald 

Lizzy Hill

The faves for February 15th challenge are:

Monique Liedtke

Sandra Scott

Karen Williams

Congratulations ladies - we hope to see more of your work posted here!!!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

1 march 2012 challenge

I cannot believe that it is the start of another month.  That means we have another challenge for you!!! Here is a little blog candy that a random winner from this month's challenges will receive:


Colorbok Paper Crush Scrap Pack

Here is the challenge:

March is the month where school children have a spring break in Canada.  Scrap some memories of a spring break (or another school break) that you experienced. We never travelled in our family for school breaks, but I did always enjoy the time outside or reading and just relaxing.

Now - that was the challenge, and we like to encourage you to scrap about yourself for your family to treasure - BUT - just play along with the spirit of the challenge if you cannot play along exactly as the challenge encourages you.  We'd love to see your work!!

Here is what our DT came up with:









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