My Creative Affaire...

Dare to Dream

What is life without dreams?  We all need to dream to achieve.  Little did I know as a walked around CHA a number of years ago and came across a booth by a new company "Graphic 45" that one-day it would become my dream to be a designer for them.  I remember being in awe of the beauty of the projects on display - did I dare to dream that one day I could be part of such an amazing company?

Well today my dream came true!  I was so humbled to see my name on the list of the Graphic 45 2011 Design Team members.  I cannot wait for the next 12 months and the opportunity to work with such an inspiring company.

The above photo is a little glimpse of one of my projects I submitted for the final round of the Design Team call. (Hope that it's okay to give you a peek!).

I have been crafting day and night for the past couple of weeks working on new classes I will be offering over the coming months.  I have the opportunity to teach in here in Australia before heading back to Boston at the end of May.  More information on the classes in my next post.

One more tiny glimpse into a project I have been working on before I leave you.  I have just completed a this small mini Shabby Album using a Doodlebug Plain and Simple Album and one of the newest collections from Prima - Botanicals.  Totally love the beautiful floral designs of this collection.  

I can only show a tiny glimpse of this project as I have just submitted it.  When I can I will post photos of the entire project.  I am working on a website at the moment where you will be able to purchase some of my projects as kits - this will be one of them.  I will post the announcement and a link to the website here on my blog when it is all up and running.

 

If you don't have a dream, how are you going to make a dream come true?                 Oscar Hammerstein

 

Taking the Challenge

The Graphic 45 Design Team Challenge!  

I am enjoying the beautiful summer weather here on the Gold Coast Australia, it is so fun to be missing all the Boston winter weather this year!  I have decided to try out for the 2011 Graphic 45 Design Team Challenge.  I have been missing having creative deadlines for the past few months. 

I remember the first time I saw a Graphic 45 booth at CHA.  I was in love.  Imagine all those beautiful projects were created with sheets of paper, a pair of fine-tip scissors and perhaps and xacto knife.  I love that their collections consist only of paper.  All the embellishments used on those beautiful projects were hand cut and designed with love by their creator - I love that.

I have added a photo album to the side of my blog with all the projects I submitted for the first round of the Design Team Challenge.  

The above project is one from my Graphic 45 Album.  It is a mini "cake" I made with the Once Upon a Springtime Collection and a set of mini oval boxes from Melissa Frances. This would be a sweet treat for a birthday party favour or a centerpiece for a party table.

It has been a while between blog posts, for some reason when things get busy, my poor little blog suffers.  I have written many many posts in my mind but somehow they just don't always make it to my laptop keypad!

I will be back soon with peek at some other projects I have been working on.

Goodnight, Lynette

Christmas Countdown

Well the countdown to Christmas has begun.  I absolutely love decorating for the holidays and this year decided I needed to take time out and create something for my house for the holidays.  As I love to make wall art I decided to create a Christmas Sampler.  I had been building an evergrowing "stash" of Christmas that would be perfect for the project.  Because I will be home in Australia for Christmas I knew whatever I came up with I needed to make two of - one for Boston and one for Australia!  The sampler for Boston fit perfectly into a frame I had been holding onto for about 6 years just waiting for that special project.  In this frame I was able to display 10 Christmas panels. 

Each panel is made with the spellbinders scallop rectangle set of dies and layers of patterned papers from Bo Bunny, Pink Paislee and K & Company.  I added foam mounting tape between each layer to give the project lots of dimension.  Next came my favourite part, each panel was decorated with either a panel cut from the Pink Paislee paper, K & Company die-cuts and Anna Griffin stickers.  Then the fun began, I added lots of little details to each panel, diamond stickles, red, gold and ivory pearls, pom poms with stickles for the hats, holly stickers with stickles painted onto it, little birds pulled from K & Company stickers and dimensional snow.

 
 

I removed the existing picture from the frame and adhered in a piece of ivory paper which I then adhered the panels to.  To complete this frame I painted a chipboard flourish with gold paint and adhered it to the matting. 

For the Christmas sampler for Australia, I bought a large oval mirror.  I removed the backing and the mirror (and all that horrible adhesive) from the frame and cut a piece of mat board to fit.  I covered the mat board with quilting batting and the I covered that with a piece of linen fabric and stapled it on the reverse.  The sampler for Australia has 22 panels which are all packed up and ready to be sent.  I will adhere the panels in place once it reaches it's final destination!

 
Packed and ready for shipping!

 

I can't wait to arrive in Australia and complete the second sampler, I have the perfect place to hang it.  I will be sure to post photos when it is on the wall!  Because this was such a fun project to create I am leaning towards making a limited number of these as kits which will be available for purchase next year.  The project is not dated so you would be able to complete the kit and have it ready for the holidays.  If this is something you may be interested in, let me know and I will advise you when they are going to be available and what the final cost will be.

Im off to the Post Office - I hope you are enjoying your own "Countdown to Christmas"

Lynette 
 

Postcards from Italy

Each year my husband and I are fortunate enough to travel to a different country in September to celebrate our wedding anniversary.  Our one rule is that we go to a different country each year as there are so many we want to visit, we take turns deciding which country to visit next.  This year was my turn and I convinced my husband to return to Italy (for the third time)!  I LOVE Italy, I LOVE everything about it, the people, the food, the shopping and of course everywhere you turn there is a photo opportunity.  This trip we went to Rome, Capri and to the Almafi Coast - places I have always wanted to visit.  I took nearly 2000 photos and were were only gone for 13 days!

One of my favourite things to do while I am away is to collect as many souvenirs, maps, ticket stubs, fridge magnets, receipts, business cards and postcards that I can so that one day when time allows I can use them all to create albums and pieces of artwork for our home.  The first thing I pack when preparing for a trip (whether it be just away for the weekend or a longer vacation) is a 12 x 12 plastic container, it starts off the trip filled with small items of clothing and then as I begin to buy postcards and things I place them in the container so they make it home without "dog ears" and in one piece.

When we came home last week I was so excited with all the things I bought in Italy I immediately wanted to start creating with them.  However, last years souvenirs from our trip to Austria were still in a box so I wouldn't allow myself to start Italy until I had finished Austria.  Below is the 7 Gypsies Printer's Tray I just finished and I am so happy with the end result.  All of those fridge magnets, postcards, charms, badges etc were all put to good use!

 

I used mainly 7 Gypsies papers for the wall project.  Each layer is built up with thick chipboard and foam mounting tape to a different height to add some dimension to the project.  I used postcards for several of the background panels.  One postcard of Mozart I loved so much so I just used that in one section with no decorating, other postcards became the background for either memorabilia or photos.  I finished off the project with random rub-ons and metal embellishments both Idea-Ology, 7 Gypsies and the bead section in my local craft store.

 
I printed out the word "Austria" and the month and year of our trip onto ivory cardstock,  aged it slightly with Distressing Ink and then adhered it to the metal Idea-ology frame.  I then added the brads and then glued it to the Printer's Tray for my title.

 

For the above panel, I used a postcard as the background then adhered this wood violin which I totally love - the violin was originally a fridge magnet and cost me three Euros!

 

This second violin I used was originally a pair of gold (not real gold) earings!  I couldn't find a charm that was small enough so I bought these earings from a tourist shop and it was the perfect size to finish off the above panel.  Remember, when you are traveling and are buying souvenirs - fridge magnets and other small pieces that you wouldn't normally buy make the best embellishments for wall art.

I am going to leave you with two photos of some of the things I picked up in Italy, tomorrow I can finally begin my project. 

 

 

Notice the miniature jar of "Grilled Peppers", Spagetti packet and Olive Oil tin - those are all fridge magnets.  The Venetian mask is from a set of earings and the Vesper is from the children's toy section in a tourist shop?

I can't wait to get started - I will be back to show you the end result of all these goodies!

Arrivederci, Lynette

"Blogging for Bliss"

Well friends it's been a while I have to admit.  Even I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted on this blog.  Life definitely takes over sometimes and I have to admit the past few months have seen me at "crafting crossroads" as I will call it.  I love to craft so much so that I could not imagine my life without it, but sometimes when we HAVE to do things they are not so fun anymore.  I found myself trying to decide if I was going to continue on this creating journey.  Perhaps I was burnt out - I needed some inspiration.  So, I took a break, finished up my time in Australia and came back to Boston, then went back to Australia with a friend and taught at the Brisbane Papercraft Expo (pictures are now in an album on the side) did some re-decorating in my house (including designing a brand new pink shabby craft-room), went to Chicago to CHA then to New York with two friends who were visiting from Australia, planted a garden and just generally focused on the other parts of my life!

When I was in the bookstore recently I picked up a copy of Tara Frey's book - "Blogging for Bliss".  I totally love this book, it has beautiful illustrations, tons of great blogging information and is just so generally inspiring.  I was reading a paragraph that really caught my attention that said "Once it becomes a "chore", most bloggers will tell you that is when it's time to take a blog break.  Blogging should always feel like an option and never an obligation".  That exactly how I was feeling with my entire "crafting life".

So, I have taken a break and now my fingers are itching to touch those beautiful new papers and embellishments I have been collecting!  While "taking a break" I did teach two card classes at Absolutely Everything and am planning on teaching a seasonal card class and a Holiday Inspired card class there in September.

I will leave you (but not for too long this time) with a photo of the Family Wall Art I taught in Australia at Creative Block using the beautiful Susan Wingert Collection of products by K & Company and also one of the cards from the card workshop I did in July.

Susan Wingert Family Wall Art

 

I love the combination of glitter, pearls, thread, flowers and beautiful papers!

 

 
This card is made with 6 x 6 papers from the Capella Collection by Basic Grey

 

Thanks for taking the time to stop by, I look forward to sharing more with you as I "Blog and Create for Bliss"!

Lynette

  
 

Relaxed Summer Days

in the middle of February - a dream perhaps - well lucky for me I am home in Australia and my dream is reality for six months!  Moving part-time to the other side of the world has been a fun but busy time - hence the reason for no blog posts!

A fresh start means the opportunity to change the style of our home we live in.  During my many travels I had begun to fall in love with french country inspired furniture and accessories, so after arriving in Australia I set about finding stylish accents with rustic touches.  Living in Queensland means casual living so I wanted a soft, relaxed setting.  White is the symbol of simplicity and makes a room bright and airy so I have used a lot of white in the furniture as a backdrop and then arranged vintage french and country pieces to bring it all together.  Below are a few photos of some of the bits and pieces I've collected.

A wrought iron chair with some linen pillows, lavender my Mum gave me and a beautiful antique ivory scarf I found

 I love this candle "snuffer" decorated with beautiful pearls

It seems like such a long time since I have sat at my craft desk and created, I am definitely going through withdrawals!  My focus has been on everything but crafting lately, but I am now feeling settled and look forward to spending time in in my new craft room.  I am working at the moment (another huge adjustment) but am totally loving my job - fortunately it is in the scrapbook industry and I am looking forward to sharing more news on that venture with you soon!

 Vintage Photographs and a beautiful ceramic scroll frame look pretty on my hall table.  I found some beautiful lace doilies at the Laura Ashley store in Tasmania.

Well my friends, I hope that has caught you up on a little of what's been happening in my life since November 2009.  I am now looking forward to sharing my new Australian journey with you and of course continuing my crafting journey with you.

I am on a work road trip around Australia for the next week and a bit so no time for crafting but I look forward to sharing some new creations with you soon.

Lynette!

 

 

My Busy Life

Gosh, it's been so long since I posted but sometimes life gets in the way and we only concentrate on what we have to do instead of what we would like to do. Since my last post I have been traveling, preparing new classes and teaching.

CREATIVE ESCAPE was held in at the end of August and was one of the most amazing experiences I have had as an instructor.  I don't even know how I would begin to describe the weekend.  Everyone was so generous, amazing, friendly and it was such a rewarding experience.  I was so nervous heading to the event but once the Trunk Show was over I knew that I would survive and the weekend would be wonderful!

 

My Creative Escape Trunk Show Display

 

After being home for only a couple of days after Creative Escape, my husband and I went on a two-week vacation to Austria, Germany and London to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.  Without a doubt, Austria has to be one of the most scenic countries I have ever visited.  I took well over 1500 photos, now if only I could find the time to print them out and mange to put them all into an album!

 

Apart from having scones, jam and cream for afternoon tea, one of my favorite things to do in London is to visit the Fortnum and Mason store.  Each month the windows in the store are stunningly decorated, all with a common theme and colors.  This month the windows were adorned with candy and cookie themed products, all in beautiful pastel colors.  Are these sugar mice not the cutest things you have seen.  I have to admit a couple of packets of them found their way into my luggage.

 

Are these little sugar mice not the cutest things you have ever seen - I have to admit a couple of packets found their way into my luggage!

Since returning from our trip, I have been so busy designing classes for October and November.  I am so excited to be going home to Australia again at the beginning of November and I will be teaching two days of classes in my home state of Tasmania.

Before I leave for Australia, I am so excited to be teaching at one of my favorite stores and it's right here in Boston - Absolutely Everything.  I feel so inspired each time I visit the store and I always know I am going to find something new.  I will be teaching three classes over two days.  Two of the classes will be Holiday themed and I will also feature a Fall Wall Art Piece.  If you live in Massachusetts, I would love to see you in one of the classes.

This is a sneak peek at the Christmas sampler Wall Art class I will be teaching.  I fell in love with this collection of beautiful papers and embellishments at Summer CHA.

Now that you are all up caught up on what I have been up to, I will be back more often. Thanks for stopping by, Lynette

In Love Again

with my Heather Bailey collection of products.  When these products were first released onto the scrapbook market, I fell in love with them, after "finding" them again in my cupboard a couple of weeks ago I fell in love with them all over again.

I made this sweet card with Heather Bailey papers and a combination of my favorite embellishments from Prima, K & Company and Melissa Frances.  I love how with a little pre-planning, products from five companies can be combined to create a special project.

These beautiful flowers are from Prima.  You can't really tell from the photo but I lightly sprayed them with Glimmer Mist to add a little shimmer to their petals.

Recently I have been loving the results of using Melissa Frances resin pieces on my cards. I think they add so much detail and really dress up a project.  These resin pieces can also be painted with craft paint to change their color to match any project you may wish to use them on.

More projects to come soon!

Lynette

Summer is slipping away

and that makes me sad as it is my favorite season.  My days have been filled with time in my little garden, day trips to some of my favorite places including the lakes region in New Hampshire, Boston city, Orlando Florida for CHA, and then to Disneyworld for some fun.

The end of summer means Creative Escape - just two short weeks away and I have been busy creating projects for my Trunk Show Display.  Because I love making cards so much, I have been busy creating a "clothes line" that will be filled with them as part of my display.

This card uses a combination of "old and new" products.  I have combined some Classic K and Life's Journey by K & Company with some of my new favorites from Graphic 45 and Prima.  I was cleaning out my craft room recently and sorting through all my papers, my initial reaction was to donate some of the older ones when it dawned on me that just because they are a year or two old doesn't mean they are still not beautiful and that I still can't love them.

I absolutely love the little metal scissors, they were part of the original Life's Journey collection, I have been saving them for just the right project.  

I have another card that I am almost finished with using a Heather Bailey collection that came out over a year ago.  I am excited to be creating with some of these beautiful products I have had in my "stash" for a couple of years.

I will be back tomorrow with some photos of the Heather Bailey card.

Lynette

Thank You

so much to all of you wonderful students who came to my recent Trade and Expo classes in Brisbane.  It is always such a thrill for me to come "home" and teach, educate, share and re-connect with all my Australian friends.  One of those friends emailed me to say "thank you" because she always felt inspired after she had attended one of my classes, well the feeling certainly goes both ways.  When I leave an event, although "exhausted", I am always inspired at the thought of being surrounded by all the things I love in my craft room creating again.

There are quite a few changes going on in my life right now, but more on that in a future post, I am also working on setting up an Etsy storefront to seel my class kits through.  When the storefront is up and ready, I will post it on my blog.  In the meantime, I am busy planning some upcoming classes to be taught in Arizona and also for later in the year when I return home to Australia, and for those of you asking, yes there maybe even one or two I am planning to teach in Massachusetts - stay tuned!

For those of you who attended my Wild Raspberry Accordion File Folder class in Australia, the album is now posted on the left side of my blog.

Thanks again to all those wonderful students, as I sit in my craft room in Boston, Australia already feels a million miles away.

Lynette