After All These Years

{Winner & Links}

Ok, so the third trimester is wearing me out! I simply cannot keep my eyes open at night! This long weekend has been very productive for us - lots of 'nesting' going on although not the baby's room yet! Still waiting on the painting to be finished!

So I'm a couple of days late announcing the winner of my giveaway - thanks to all those who left a comment! I've been visiting and commenting on your blogs also - I love discovering new blogs! So . . . . the winner of my giveaway is:

Susanne!

And because I'm grateful that so many stick with my blog and its sporadic posting lately, I decided to randomly pick a follower to receive a prize as well! Congratulations:

nicutopia!

If you both could kindly email me at gaillindner(at)hotmail(dot)com I'll organise the postage as soon as possible!

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I've also got a few fun links to share today, in case you have time to do a little surfing!

:: Take a look at this storage caddy for your stickles etc! How cool!

:: I've seen these 'books' in Spotlight and I'm tempted to try this - very efficient storage if you don't have drawers or a lot of room.

:: And on the topic of organisation, I love how Christine Middlecamp has used this stand to keep all her brads sorted by colour! I love how you can see them through the clear glasses.

:: I love this idea for punches - using up scraps and making basic shapes more interesting!

:: A lot of great storage ideas in this scraproom. I especially love the little tins to hold large spools of twine!

:: I really want . . . probably several of these . . .  to keep my stick pins etc in order! So cute!

:: Here's a free printable quote that would look cute in a frame - great gift idea!

Thanks for visiting me today!

 

 

 

{Photoshop Actions}

I promised I would give you more details about the photoshop actions I've been using. They are from Pioneer Woman here and here is an easy tutorial to install them with whatever version of Photoshop Elements you have (I have V.8).

Here are some examples of photos I've applied some of my favourite actions to, starting firstly with the photo straight out of the camera:

 
This one is using the colorized action and is the photo I used on the layout in the previous post:

 
I think the 70's action is a bit of fun:

 
Or you can turn it into a photo reminiscent of my grandparents' era with the vintage action:

 
You can also keep it simple and use the color boost action (which I do on nearly every single photo) and also give it an edge burn:

 
I have to say that if I can install them myself, I think anyone can as I'm HOPELESS at these sorts of things and usually just get my husband to do it for me. But I did it and they work! So I urge you to give them a go too!

But a word of warning - they're addictive!

 

{Lots Of Links}

Feel like a bit of internet browsing? Here are a few links that I've been wanting to share:

• Head over to Lisa Johnson's blog and check out this mini book idea - construction and all! I'll definitely be flagging this idea for a future mini!
• Scroll down after the recipe to see a fabulous idea for colouring tulle with your Glimmer Mist - another use for it!
• Just had to share this layout - look at that doily love!
• Here's a cute little owl box download. I love bookmarking ideas like this. I never know when I'm gonna *need* it LOL!
• Super simple card idea here. And I love that it would be perfect for using scraps!
• I love these button ideas - especially that first card. She had made her own buttons but I would try to make a dent in my stash of 'real' buttons!
• And finally, here's a great idea for keeping track of the colours of mists you own. I'll be doing this very soon - as soon as my new ones arrive! Hehe!

Hope you like the links. I'll be back Monday with the Zva Creative blog hop and more scrappy things to share next week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

{A Blog Award}

I was happy to receive a fun blog award from Archiving Angel, one of my followers who has a great blog! Thank you!

 

With this blog award, I am to share it with 8 other fabulous crafters & share 8 things about me. I apologise if I'm repeating some facts about myself, it's hard to remember what I've shared before!

8 Things About Me (pretty random!)

1. I'm very un-Australian and don't eat any fish or seafood unless it's salt & pepper squid from the local Chinese restaurant!

2. Both my blog name and Etsy store name are song titles from my very favourite band Silverchair.

3. My favourite book is To Kill A Mockingbird and would love to name the baby if it's a boy Atticus and if it's a girl Harper - my husband doesn't agree!

4. My wedding song was The Wonder of You by Elvis. I play it (and other Elvis songs) to Amelia all the time and she loves him! 

5. When my babies are a little older, I would love to become a learn to swim teacher.

6. I own the entire series of Beverly Hills 90210 on DVD and still love the early years!

7. I've never been a bridesmaid and am dying to be one . . .

8. My middle name is Louise after my grandfather whose name was Louis.

8 Blogs To Pass on The Award

Yvette @ That's Fanci

Kim @ Glass Half Full

Chloe @ Chloe's Creative Corner

Annette @ Blossie's New Adventures

Rebecca @ My Cluttered Corner

Brooke @ Smaller Than A River

Julianne @ Jules The Bling Princess

Melinda @ Min's Moments

I look forward to finding out a bit more about each person I've linked to as well as maybe discovering a few new blogs to read as they in turn link to 8 blogs!

Thanks for visiting me today!

 

 

{Etsy Shop Update & Links}

I've added a few new items to my Etsy shop and I have lots more to come over the next couple of weeks! First up, I have a few new VIBRANT colours of bakers twine: lime green, yellow and orange:

  

Goodness I love this twine, It's such good quality, nice and thick and so much colour! Can you tell I'm addicted? I wanted to link you to Kim's blog to check out her last couple of layouts with the gorgeous looped twine accents - something I will definitely by trying soon!

I've also added a few new colours of felt rosettes:

 
 

I also want to link you to a couple of blogs featuring layouts using some items from Greatest View.

:: Kylie has used the resin flowers on layouts here and doilies and resin flowers here.

:: Chloe has used the vintage dictionary banner here and here and some tiny paper doilies here and here. The doilies will be back in stock soon!

:: And back to Kim's blog where she's also used the vintage dictionary banner here, here and here.

It's so exciting for me to see some of my goodies pop up on layouts and projects! Be sure to leave me a link or email me a pic if you've used something and want to show it off!

I'll be back tomorrow with another scrappy share!

 
 

 

 

{Random Things Monday}

On this Monday-that-feels-like-Sunday I have a few random things to share:

• In my quest to be more organised than what I was at the end of last year, I've printed off this calendar and put in all my scrapbooking deadlines so I will stay on track! With magazine articles, blog posts and gallery items all due at different times of the month, this will be a HUGE help!

 

• I've been meaning to share a purchase that I made before Christmas from My Little Bit Of Whimsy. I've been spying these little embellishments on other people's layouts for a while and once I saw one in real life on a page of Kim's I finally placed an order! They are sooo cute and I can't wait to use them!

 

• And finally, I spent some time today updating my Etsy shop so all stock is current. I've also re-listed the small paper doilies AND have added an even smaller paper doily! I've also given options for the quantity of doilies such as 5, 10 or 15. The price is the same though. 

 
***  This is the doily that I used on my framed collage here.

Thanks for visiting me today!

 

 

 

      

{Lots Of Links}

A bit of a random link post today! I like to do these near the end of the week in case you have spare internet time on the weekends! So let's get into it!

:: You must read this article on dealing with unfinished projects! It was a really good read with lots of tips!

:: Have you seen this new range from Echo Park? I don't even have a little boy but I love it!

 

:: Cuuute felt Christmas trees here. I wonder if I'll have time to make some before Christmas?

:: Yet another version here of a framed punch collage. I love how some of the hearts are folded.

:: This frame might be more acheivable before Christmas. I love its simplicity - especially if you use papers from the same range.

:: Here's a tutorial for some cute boxes that might come in handy for Christmas also.

:: Are these not the cutest little mini albums ever? And such clear instructions to make them!

:: And finally, it's not really a link but I just have to share my new favourite adhesive. Thanks to Kim for recommending it!

 
Helmar Scrap Dots is a super sticky, thick glue that's perfect for adhering anything other than your paper and card such as flowers, buttons, metal accents, chipboard etc. It is so awesome!

Basically, anything I would normally use a glue dot for, I'm now using this glue instead. I was so sick of my glue dots not working properly! Even if I used a couple on a flower or button, I was finding that they were not holding . . . now the suckers are not moving anywhere!

If you haven't tried it, give it a go - it's available at Spotlight!

 
 

 

{Fun Links}

Yay! After weeks of yucky, rainy, dreary weather we've woken up to beautiful sunshine here in Brisbane today! Makes me actually want to get out and do stuff!

I've got some fun links to share today . . . if you're in the mood for a little blog surfing!

:: First up, a couple of techniques. Here is a link to a fun idea using baker's twine. I am a big fan of baker's twine, I happen to have it in lots of colours so I'll have to try this one for sure!

:: Another link here to the Crate Paper blog, this time to a Christmas tree idea. Looks a little time consuming but of so cuuute! I just love the fun colours too!

:: I do love the gorgeous rose ribbon from Webster's Pages and American Crafts. Here is a link to a fun idea to mist them before using them on your projects.

 
:: This is a different take on the butterfly collage frame idea. Scroll down a bit on this post to see the gorgeous frame with lots of layered elements. Absolutely stunning! Another project for my to do list.

:: For a bit of organising inspiration, here's a link to another blog with LOTS of links to creative spaces. Did that make sense? Lots of eye candy anyway.

:: Also on the subject of organising, here's a great way to store your dies and embossing folders. I need to start a system like this I think as my collection is . . . um . . . growing!

:: And finally, it's not really a link, but if you live close to a Border's bookstore, they now have a great range of coloured and printed masking tape! A friend told me about it and I finally checked it out myself the other day and was surprised at how many tapes were available!

Ok, I'm off to take advantage of quiet time with the little miss asleep - I've got lots of exciting projects to get started on for Scrapbooking Memories magazine! Heee!

 

 

{Lots Of Links}

Unfortunately I've got no new scrapping to share today -I'm busy getting ready for classes this weekend. Instead, I've got lots of inspiring links to share!

:: This is a great idea for storage in Ikea Expedit shelves. And cheap too - using boxes and  pretty fabric!

:: Here's a link for printable thread bobbins - so cute!

:: There were recently a couple of very helpful posts on the Studio Calico blog all about handling memorabilia (I'm still perfecting my system). Read them here and here. I will definitely be incorporating these ideas especially the tags tied around the items with journaling on them and adding some items straight to my binder albums.

:: And while on the topic of memorabilia, I love this idea for a mini album containing letters and greeting cards. Oh my goodness I have so many cards that I've kept my whole life!

:: Finally, I love this layout using lots of punched squares! Would make great card backgrounds too.

I'll leave you today with a photo of a big event that happened this past week . . . finally after putting it off for way too long, Amelia is in a big girl bed!

 
See that gorgeous bed linen? That's a whole 'nother blog post as it's so cute and incorporated lots of details that would be great for scrapbooking! Ha ha!

 

{Random Post Monday}

I've been working on a few projects which hasn't left too much time for blogging!

• We chose a rainy day to visit Australia Zoo last week. The good thing was that it wasn't as busy AND we got our 'Adventure Pass' so we can go back as often as we like before the end of the year!

 
  

What a difference six months can make! Amelia was much more into it this time and even fed the elephants, patted the koalas and sat and watched the croc show!

• I wanted to share a couple of links:

There are so many things I love about this layout - the butterflies, tone on tone title, shaped paper spread over the two pages. I also love this one with all the butterflies. If you don't regularly stop in at Keisha Campbell's blog you really should!

This was such a great post about creating your own doilies by combining stamps. Now, if only I had all those stamps . . .

I love this butterfly made from twine. I happen to have quite a bit of twine at my disposal - it's fast becoming a staple supply! I have a few more colours of twine coming to the store soon!

Ok, now I'm off to create!