Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Simple Birdie

The simple bird shape is quite popular these days. It appears in home decor, on manchester and also kids outfits so it is no surprise that it is also very popular with scrappers and card makers. First it was the owl haunting scrapper's pages and now the simple birdie. Cricut has one on their Wild Card cart which is pretty cute and I have used it myself on a couple of layouts. Someone requested a simple bird on a SCAL forum I am on and for a bit of relaxation I played around with some ding fonts to come up with these examples. Today was the first day back at work so I thought some Inkscape therapy was called for.



The fonts I used are 2Peas Urban Birdies and 2 Peas DW Girlie Girl

If you'd like the SVG file click HERE

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Happy Australia Day

January 26th is Australia Day and in celebration I have some free Aussie svg images for you. For all the Aussie users of SCAL and for anyone who has ever been to Australia, fed a koala or patted a kangaroo here are some images for you. I haven't had a chance to make anything with them yet as I getting ready to go back to work. Yes, the new school year begins right after the Australia Day holiday and it spells the end of my maternity leave.

If you would like the Australian svg files you will find them HERE

I have been having fun this week, well except for the last 72hrs when my baby has been sick. DH was away and I seem to get a lot more Scrapbooking done then. That and I realised I start back at school next week after having a year off on maternity leave so if I don’t get things done now who knows when they’ll get done. Anyway, I stray . . .
I have been playing a little more with my KI Memories Lace Cardstock. I have found it to be really versatile. I have been using techniques long forgotten like chalking! I also tried to use it as a mask but that was a rather messy disaster. This layout is very simple and it only uses a strip of the lace cardstock but I am really quite happy with it. I made the photos all small because they were rather average photos but important to scrapbook as it was Lucy’s first Christmas and this was her opening her first present.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Free Book plate SVG

Today I have some free bookplate SVG files for you. I had some cards to make and I thought I may as well make some new svg files at the same time. If you have SCAL you can cut these with your Cricut.





If you would like the files go here

Hope they are useful, leave a comment to let me know.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

KI Memories Lace cardstock

I have been working on my technique notes for the March Scrapaholix kits. I have been having fun with the lace cardstock by KI Memories If only there was enough time in the day to try everything that is running through my mind - and yikes I have to go back to my regular job next week after being on maternity leave for nearly a year!

I am pleased to announce that I have eventually managed a layout of Lucy! 14 more to go by the end of February if I am to meet my goal.

This layout uses KI Memories lace cardstock and chalk to create a subtle pattern on the background paper. I hand painted the photo mat as I didn't have the right shade of lavender Bazzill. I used a dry brush to paint the border and while it is straight I wasn't aiming for a perfect line so it is freehand. The chalk gives a very subtle colour and pattern to the background and is therefore hard to see in the photo, it is a little more obvious irl.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Ballerina SVG

I have been doing some layouts of my daughter's first ballet concert and playing around making some svg files. I haven't yet used any on the layout; I make, cut and then change my mind! Here is one of ballerinas in a row. I initially made it to replicate a line of ribbon on a sketch I had made, then I thought it would make a good page topper and it would, the only problem is these papers aren't really traditional ballet style and so the ballerinas looked out of place. If you would like the file you can find it here. ANd below is a screen shot of what it would look like on your Cricut mat.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Cricut Storybook Cartridge

Been a busy weekend and so I haven't had much of a play with my new cartridge but I did create this layout and I thought the "Once Upon a Time" title on the cartridge really suited it. Unfortunately the photo isn't that good.


I have been planning some layouts using the KI Memories Lace cardstock that we will be using in an up and coming Scrapaholics kit. Before I work on them though I have to finish a card order that I have. I made 8 cards tonight and so I should be able to finish the order tomorrow. I have so many ideas in my head that I want to try with the lace paper. I am planning to do most of the layouts of Lucy as one of my resolutions was to do 15 layouts of Lucy before the end of February - I haven't done one yet!!!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Surf board svg

A while ago someone on a Yahoo group I am on posted a surf board svg. I saved thinking it may come in handy one day. Well it has. My BIL is into surfing and it is his birthday tomorrow. I am really happy with how it turned out.



The wording is a bit corny but it is all I could come up with! I will try and find out who the file belongs to so I can direct you there to get it.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Scrapbooking with Stampendous Fun Flock


I have been playing with flock recently on my scrapbooking layouts as we are using Stampendous Fun Flock in the February Scrapaholics kit. After much trial and error I found a mixture of acrylic paint and zig glue pen to be the perfect mediums for adhering Fun flock. I used acrylic paint when the base colour was different to the flock colour and I used a glue pen when the fun flock matched the cardstock colour. I also decided on two layers to get the flock density correct. Here are the layouts I have completed so far.

New Plans

It is with great excitement that we let you know of our plans for 2009: Scrapping Away will be heading into rural Australia and running workshops and day crops. We will of course continue with our very successful retreats but we are expanding to serve those of you who cannot get away from home for the weekend but love to scrap.

At this stage plans are a foot to hold workshops in Rutherglen, Wangaratta and Yackandandah and we are also planning 12 hour crops for Wagga Wagga, Holbrook and Griffith.

These locations are all within easy reach of home but we'd love to make it further afield too: If you would like us to come to your town please contact us. We would love to bring great Scrapbooking products and workshops to your community.

Our workshops in Albury and Balldale continue to expand with many people joining in the fun of learning about scrapbooking, creatiing stunning layouts, and meeting new friends.

Workshops are generally Scrapbooking techniques through Scrapaholics but other options are available such as: Card making, Making the most of your Cricut and Using Sure Cuts A Lot and Inkscape with your Cricut.

Email us if you'd like us to come to your town

Saturday, January 10, 2009

How exciting!

In the mail yesterday I received my new Storybook cartridge. Now I am a SCAL owner I really do advocate designing your own images, using true type fonts and converting jpgs to svgs and not needing to buy cartridges but every now and then Provo Craft comes out with something I just can't resist. This was the case with Wild Card and now with Storybook. True I could make many of these images but the time it would take me would outweigh the ease of buying the cart. I was so excited to see the cart but also felt a little thwarted as I have a retreat on at Scrapping Away this weekend and so I immediately took the cart over there for them to use. My play time will come after the retreat finishes. keep a look out for the latest projects using the new cart!


I am still deciding whether to buy Graphically Speaking too as it looks very cool and again something that would take me a fair bit of time to create using Inkscape and SCAL.

I have also been playing with flock this week and have a fun layout to upload. The lighting isn't that great for taking pics atm though so I'll have to work on that tomorrow.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Back again


A simple scallop using Basic Grey Scarlet's Letter and black Bazzill

I feel as though I have been gone forever but in reality it was only a few days. Unfortunately my computer got a virus and so I was sans internet for a couple of days. I am happy to say I now have the green light and am bug free! What this meant was I couldn't upload my latest projects and my Wild Card projects. By without any further ado here they are.


I love this little present card and as someone at my crop said, "how cute would a layout look with these presents in varying sizes across the bottom?"


This monster is a cutie, I am not altogether thrilled with him though as I had to emboss him with my Sizzix and he was too big too fit. So I call him Examplar 1!


A great little birthday card and there are so many ways you could alter this card to make it special each time.