Monday, May 4, 2009

Lots to share

It's going to be a lengthy post today, so grab yourself a cup of coffee and if you make it all the way down, you'll see a little RAK that just might be coming your way ...


Song Bird Scraps May Challenge
Friends Forever

First things first, the new lyrics for the first May Challenge over at Song Bird Scraps are up, and I'm sure you'll find they provide plenty of inspiration. Do try and join us in the fun this month, there's some pp to be won that I'm sure will be a much needed (LOL) addition to your stash...

These are the lyrics:
Joshua Radin - Friend Like You
When I had no one to call
All the world had shut me down
I showed up at your door so blue
I thank God I had a friend like you
Many times I’ve gone without
A home, a meal, a pair of shoes
If you had 3 you’d give me 2
Their ain’t no other friend like you

Angus & Julia Stone - Bella
There goes the gal in the pretty skirt
With the Golden smile that made you feel new
Like when the marching band strolls the street
You know another years come too soon
So you took her hand and she gave a look that sent you to the moon
And there you spoke the words of a gentleman
Can I have this dance with you?
Can I share this dance with you?

I used the first set of lyrics for my DT example.

This is me on the right (having an extremely bad hairday) and my best friend. We only met about one and a half year ago. I had never thought to find my very best friend at the age of 35...

Not only was I inspired by the lyrics, I also added some extra stuff for the NSD challenges over at Studio Calico. One challenge was to use fabric as a background, which I had never done before, but I love the look of it so much I'm definitely going to be trying that again! (Didn't win btw). The other challenge was to use cute little animals from a pp in the LO. I used the little birds at the bottom of the page (Basic Grey/Offbeat/Carefree paper) and the little bird flying near the sun (Sassafras paper). Now I so love challenges like that, because I have to admit, I never would have thought of adding these to a page by myself, I definitely need something like that to get my creative juices flowing, I just don't have the fantasy/creativity to come up with ideas like that myself. The results of that challenge haven't been posted yet, but I doubt wether my little birds will have done the trick ... still, I love this addition to the page, so I've won already LOL.


Fun

The next LO I want to show you is a bit different. Actually, I didn't like it at all at first, but I didn't hate it enough to start all over again. However, after I kept it in sight for a few days, I grew used to it and now I'm starting to kinda like it.

There's something not right with the colours, I know, I tried to fix it but couldn't.
Anyway, I based this LO on the April sketch over at Prima's Build A Page. I submitted it for the challenge too, but it never even made it to the gallery LOL. I did ask up front if it was okay to submit a LO which didn't have Prima Products included, and it was, but I guess they figured this to be a bit too ... can't find the right word here, ugly maybe LOL.

I had never worked with a sketch before, and I found it quite difficult, don't know if I'll ever be trying that again. I like to do my own thing, and I find it harder when I have a preset image in my mind, because it never ends up the way I had envisioned it, which can be quite disappointing.

The sketch however was perfect for these pics I made in a theme park on my son's birthday, so it had to be a boy's page, because this is going in my son's album. I do love the stitching I did, I think the design was perfect here. So I don't hate all of it LOL.

The journaling reads:
When we told Yannis he could either give a party or visit Bobbejaanland for his 9th birthday, the choice was easily made. The Typhoon was the absolute favorite attraction of both Yannis and Chloë. Christina didn't want to go in at first, but by the end of the day she decided to give it a try. This to my regret, because it meant I had to go too to accompany her ... their idea of fun, not mine!


Dreamgirls Challenge / Artastic Challenge
There is no me without you

On the next LO. This is the LO I made in the middle of the night (remember my previous post ...).


The pic is crooked, the LO itself is not!
I was inspired by quite a few challenges for this one. I made this for the NSD All Day Challenge over at scrapbook.com. The assignment was to make a LO about ME, not my favorite topic! I cheated a bit though, because though it's about me, it's about my love for my kids, so it's still about them too LOL. I got the idea for this LO when I saw the challenge over at Dreamgirls, which was to create a LO about a mother/child relationship. Over at the Artastic Challenge Blog, there is a challenge going on this month wich is inspired by a beautiful painting by Salvador Dali (Landscape with butterflies). As it happens, the colours of that painting matched my pic beautifully, so I used those colours for my LO and that's how I got the idea for the butterflies.

Just a little note: this was the first time I used ink (Tim Holtz distress inks) on my chipboard alphas, and I just have to say, the result of that IRL is stunning!!!! Probably not a new thing to any of you, but to me it was a revelation LOL! The butterflies are Tim Holtz grungeboard (Nature) which I inked with distress inks as well.

The journaling reads:
What I feel for my kids is so much more than mere love, it's a kind of love that's hard to describe. It's a kind of everlasting being in love, a constant feeling of butterflies in my stomach. I would be lost without my children, they are the reason of my existence.

RAK

Well, only just the little matter of my RAK left.
My sweet friend Jane Smith started this little RAK-game, which has but one rule: if you win this RAK, you are to go through your stash and put together a little RAK of your own. This might be items which have been used already, they don't have to be new or complete! The idea is not to spend money here, it's to share stuff you'll probably won't use yourself anymore.

If you win, on receiving your RAK you will need to post a photo of your give-away, and link back to the previous RAK-giver. Here's the link to Jane's post.

My RAK:

I encluded some chipboard alphas, foam stickers, ribbon, felt dragonflies, tags (file folder style) and some playing cards. Like I said, it's not much, but it just might make someone happy.
Depending on the shipping costs, I might also include this stamping set:


This set is still in the packaging, as I have it double. If you want to see what the stamps look like, I used these alphas for my title in my "there is no me without you" LO.

What I would like you to do in order to receive this RAK is of course leave me a comment concerning this blog post, and to give me some advice, either about my scrapping or about my blog. For example, what do you like/dislike about my work, do you have a favorite LO/technique you'd like to see more of, do you have any suggestions to improve my blog, etc... Don't be shy, I love compliments but now and again I feel it's necessary to receive some constructive criticism as well!! I'm curious for your comments ... You have until Sunday 10th, I'll be posting the winner on Monday.

Like I said, I do love comments, so spread the word of my little RAK. I do hope you'll join this fun game! Oh, forgot to say, this is open for all countries!

Wow, I made it, and hopefully, so did you! Thanks for reading all the way through till the end!
Love xxx Peggy

30 comments:

  1. YAY...what a great Stash!! Can't wait to see what comments come your way (I am just coming over to lend some support so I don't need to be in the running for the RAK)....I love 'Their idea of fun' ..the paint work..the stitching..your handwriting is amazing!!
    As for your blog..don't mess with perfection!! I love it just the way it is..sorry not much help am I?

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  2. What FABULOUS LO's you ultra talented lady!!! Wow....I am sending all my pics to youuuuuuuuu!!! The pain the stitching and the journaling just knocked my socks across the room!!! I just adore you and wow what a great little giveaway!!!! Happy Monday!

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  3. Hi Peggy! No criticism here...constructive or otherwise...only the highest praise! These layouts are incredible! I love the artistic vibe you always bring to your layouts. And I, for one, love the 2nd one! You are always an inspiration in creativity and spirit! Good luck with your awesome giveaway. I will be certain to mention it on my next post! XOXO Lisa

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  4. wow your work with colour is devine ....
    love so much that possiblity layout down the bottom of the page....anywork with paint ,and you have won me ...
    gorgeous ...simply devine...
    hey i have friends in gen bloux < do you know it ??????

    gorgeous work ..tfs

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  5. i absolutely love your layouts. great colors and technique! :)

    that RAK game sounds like a lot of fun. i might have to do something like that!

    hugs,
    sarah

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  6. GURL!!!!!!!!! You never cease to amaze me - I just love your layouts. One my favorite techniques is the one where you use paint on the base page - just stunning!

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  7. Ok, you can now include me in your long list of admirers! You are amazing!! My jaw dropped with your "FUN" layout. Seriously amazing stuff! You just made a beautiful stunning page with only your creativity as your tool!

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  8. I love your DT LO. the red bloom thing is terffic on there.

    What a great idea with the blog candy and keeping it going. Dont include me though, I am in the process of thinning out my stash to help my MIL get started in scrapping.

    You could always design a blog header to change up your look a bit. Or add a simple post divider or a small bit beside your titles.

    With scrapping, I love your distressing and ink. I love those pages, as I can never make it work. I just dont get it.

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  9. Beautiful pages, Peggy!! What I love about your work is how you are unafraid to experiment with color and non-traditional products!! The textures and layering on 'friend' are fabulous!! And the paint and inking on the other!! Love it!!

    This RAK game sounds like fun! :)

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  10. Amai Peggy, je hebt er echt wel je werk van gemaakt. Je lay-outs zijn gewoonweg prachtig gedaan.

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  11. Your l/o's are absolutely GORGEOUS Peggy!!....loving the one for the lyric challenge and the hand painted one! WOW!!....always an inspiration to stop by your blog!

    ~Gabi xx

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  12. What gorgeous pages! I love them!

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  13. OMG... you're a scrappin' machine and everything is just so awesome. how did you do that?

    ps : pls count me out of the RAK okay.. I just wanna say hi to you :) *hugs*

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  14. Peggy saw your post on The Next Step Challenge. Glad I came to visit, your work is amazing.

    As far as stamps for the challenge, you can draw on your challenge page,use coloring books or childrens books for inspiration. Hope you participate in our challenge. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

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  15. I love the "without you there is no me" layout. You sure got a lot done! I'm really interested in the lyrics challenge. I think I'm going to make a page about my bff.

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  16. I use to be the same way with my blog, then I realized its mine, and I can write and post about whatever I want. If people are not interested than so be it. My MIL reads mine occasionally, but my sister does not, and my parents are not the Computer type. I can count on 1 hand how many times they both have been on the net in their lives, and they have been divorced for 10 years now.

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  17. You should post your kids stories. I love kid sense of humor and I think they should remake that old bill cosby show Kid say the darnest things. I loved watching those old reruns.

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  18. OMG Peggy - I've been away for a short time and look what you've been up too! You are showing so many different styles in your scrapping - WOW girl - dripping talent!

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  19. love your work! your LOs are fantastic, i love all the details!

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  20. Peggy, I just love your work and your style! You have such artistic flair, and your layouts are always full of eye candy! What a fun RAK game... love that idea!

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  21. Awesome work Peggy ! I love your friend lo!! My sister became my best friend as we have gotten older so I can relate! Your work is a joy tolook at & I always love visiting your blog!! thanks so much for sharing :D

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  22. love your layouts peggy - the fabric and cardboard on the first and the PAINT on the second - is that paint-its beautiful!

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  23. Hi Peggy,
    I love the layout you submitted to the ARTastic blog. Its stunning! Love your work your very inspiring and what a great idea for a RAK, I might start something like that in Australia. :)
    Cheers
    for now
    Shazza (on the DT for ARTastic!)

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  24. Peggy you are so funny!! I'm laughing over how you think your layout of the park is ugly, it's so not ugly, it's totally creative and funky!! You have a wonderful style and the Dream Girls layout is gorgeous!! Love the title and colors. Don't change a thing girl, that's my advice! Just keep on making awesome stuff!!

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  25. peggy, that friend's layout rawks my socks off!!! it's GORGEOUS!!! i need you to send me your address. you can pm me at sb.com. enjoy your weekend and mother's day!!!

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  26. I just hopped on over from Glenda's blog, hope that is okay! Girl, if I could scrap half as good as you, Wow!!! You are truly talented, I think we are hardest on ourselves but in your case, you have nothing to worry about!! Beautiful, you and your art!!

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  27. Just wanted to say hi again! Not looking for another entry in your give away...just missed getting the chance to say have a Happy Weekend! And Happy Mother's Day! Do you guys celebrate Mother's Day there or is that an American holiday???? Either way, have a very special day Sunday...holiday or not! XOXO

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  28. hi peggy, just came across your blog and wowsas your layouts are super stunning, colours are great just love how you've done your layouts. i agree with glenda the park lo is so not ugly at all. Will be back for sure xo

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  29. peggy, you've been busy... great layouts. I really like that one for the prima sketch. very cool..

    hope you are having a great weekend.

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  30. Peggy, these are really fantastic layouts!!!

    I really love the first one of you with your friend. The colors are wonderful and every little detail adds something special to the overall effect...

    On the second one, the stitching is truly AMAZING!! You did a great job of making it look like a roller coaster...

    Then the third one...well, I can't say enough about that one. It's PERFECT. The colors, the design, the picture, the journaling. You really put your heart and soul into that layout and it shows through for sure. :)

    - April

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