Sanity is Overrated!

Its Layout Challenge Friday over at the Bo Bunny Blog and the challenge today is to scrap some kind of "Before & After".

I chose to scrap about my crazy life with three kiddos! Love these little ones so much!

I used the beautiful Crush line from Bo Bunny and paired with heaps of flowers and self adhesive pearls from ZVA Creative!


I also used some beautiful petals from Bo Bunny and placed under the flowers and bling to and some softness as well as dimension.

Well, that's it for today - I'm off to CHA in a few hours (SO NERVOUS - HATE FLYING!!) and will try to post some pics when I arrive! Enjoy your wonderful weekend!!

January Zva Blog Hop Winners Announced

We'd like to congratulate the FIVE January ZVA Blog Hop winners! Their names will be found on the following blogs:

Tara Orr
Guiseppa Gubler
Nancy Doren
Tomoko Takahashi
Kim Hughes

One winner from each of the 5 blogs will receive a ZVA prize package worth $30.00.

Wait a sec.... MY name is up there!

Okay.... so the WINNER from MY blog is......

** SHONA **

Shona said...
"wow the Navy Blue Pearls are gorgeous and go perfectly with that amazing layout :) Gorgeous"
January 24, 2011 9:05 AM

Shona, please fire me off an email - torrjorr[at]shaw[dot]ca - so we can send out your wonderful ZVA Prize pack !

Thank you to everyone who played along this month and thank you to everyone for such wonderful comments and feedback on my project!! I love to create and am happy to inspire - you guys are awesome!

Scrap That! February Kit Reveal

The February Kit, "Love Notes", from Scrap That! is nothing short of amazing! Once again, they have seamlessly paired the most gorgeous patterned papers from Glitz Designs' Love Nest Collection with beautiful Prima flowers and embellishments to create a kit that is simply beautiful!

My first layout features my sweet peanut after she was discovered in my bathroom. One of those days when she was being just a 'little too quiet' for her own good (I swear this was not more than a few minutes as well...). When I went looking for her I discovered her in my bathtub, with my concealer. She was 'painting'. FYI - if you're ever looking for a really good waterproof concealer - Vichy ROCKS! This stuff doesn't come out of ANYTHING! Ugh.... all over the bathtub, towels, her clothes, her face.... It was simply too adorable not to remember - had to snap a few pics before I 'calmly' told her that mommy's makeup is NOT for 'painting'.....

Um, gorgeous right?!

I created a hidden journaling tag so that I could remember this moment. Funny when I think about it now and look at photos.... at the time, a bit of a different story.

Beautiful blooms and beautiful bling - what more could a girl ask for!?

Don't you adore this birdcage?? Its a clear stamp by Glitz and yes, included in the kit! (PS - I added and painted my own paper doily to this layout. They are inexpensive and can readily be purchased at local dollar stores as well as Michaels Craft Stores.

Layout number two. YES - I DO have a husband! LOL! I admit that 95% of my projects feature my adorable daughter - so easy to use flowers and bling on girly layouts right?! He actually complained that I hadn't scrapped him enough so this is a page JUST for him.... such a sensitive soul - (and totally hawt! but I'm slightly biast....)

My newest addiction - Martha Stewart Butterfly punch!! You'll see these on MANY of my upcoming layouts....

Some beautiful blooms and gorgeous vintage tags - thanks to the beautiful Love Notes collection from Glitz. AND don't you love the mini heart shaped doily!? This is included in the kit as well!

I added cardboard to this kit (came from the box that the kit was shipped in - does this count then? lol) as well as the paper doily, which I inked with some distress ink from Tim Holtz (vintage photo). The packaging for the Prima flowers was too beautiful to discard so I used it for part of my layout - the "Dream, Hope" acrylic lettering...

Layout number three. My baby boys. I just adored these photos of the two of them so much and have been waiting forever to scrap them with the right papers. They are so different from one another. Quinn (my youngest boy) is so energetic, busy, full of life, silly, hyper, athletic, affectionate, empathetic, sensitive and a fantastic snuggler. Owen could have been my girl. He can sit for hours playing lego, very analytical, typical first born over-achiever, perfectionist, sensitive, creative, artistally expressive. They are both so beautiful to me. Love them both to bits!!
When creating a 'boy' layout and you feel the need to fill some white space, tags and banners are both fantastic choices. I created the tags and banner from scraps of paper left over from the kit.


Kit Contents:
6 Glitz “Love Nest” Papers
3 Fancy Pants “Lilac House” Papers
3 Coordinating Cardstock
American Crafts Thickers - Root Beer Float
1 Stickles Forest Moss
1 Watermark Resist Ink
3 Genuine Parrot Feathers (blue, yellow, green)
1 Maya Road Brown Satin Posie
1 Piece of Sheet Music
1 Prima Say it in Swirls Grey Fimo Flourish
3 Prima Watercolor Flowers
1 Package of Glitz What-Nots
1 Package of Glitz Paper Layers
3 Prima Athena Powder Puff Flowers
6 Prima Flights of Fancy Flowers
2 Maya Road Kraft Tags
1 Maya Road Kraft Envelope
1 Length of May Arts Twine
1 Length of Prima Brown Lace
1 Length of Maya Road Pink Crushed Velvet Ribbon

Thank you so much for stopping by today! See you again one more time before I head off to CHA!!

Zva Creative January DT Blog Hop!

Zva Creative and the Design Team welcomes you to join us this month for a blog hop that we feel is always extra special!

There is now an added twist to our blog hops, YAY! As you know, Zva offers so many beautiful color groupings for pearls, flowers and crystals. We want to make sure that they shine bright for you, so each designer was asked to share a creation using a specific color or color combination on their blog hop project.

The Blog Hop begins at Kim Hughes' blog. She will have the complete list of all blogs that are participating in case there is a glitch along the way. If you would like to play along, just follow along the blog path. I am linking to one of the Zva designers and that designer is linking to the next and so on. Be prepared to be inspired along the way. Hidden on FIVE of the blogs is a Zva Creative prize package ...YAY! Winners will be randomly chosen after the hop is over, so it's important to leave a comment on as many blogs as you can along the way.

The Blog Hop starts today, January 24th and runs through midnight US Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, January 25th and the 5 winners will be announced on Wednesday, January 26th on each of the five winning blogs. The full list will be found on Kim Hughes‘s blog as well (linked above). We will do our best to notify each winner, but it's best if you can pop in to all of the blogs once again on Wednesday...plus, you never know what kind of inspirational creation that you may find there. All you need to do is leave a comment on this Zva Blog Hop post...you do not need to leave a comment on each and every designer's blog post to qualify. The more times you leave a comment along the blog hop path though, the more chances you will have to be one of the lucky winners.

I created this page using the beautiful Navy Blue Pearl flourishes from ZVA. The bulk paper roses are also by ZVA and I chose the cream, green and white ones (which I misted a slight gold/beige tone) to coordinate with my papers. These little beauties are so versatile and come in a variety of different sizes. So elegant!




The blog hop begins at the blog of Kim Hughes

Your next stop is at the blog of Susan Lui

Thank you SO MUCH for joining us!!

HUGE January Blog GIVEAWAY!!

Wanna win some yummy scrappy goodies??? Look at all that awesome stuff -just for you!

I spy some gorgeous Petaloo blooms, beautiful butterflies, flowers, 12 sheets of patterned paper, cardstock stickers & alphas, Bo Bunny chipboard mini album and petals, crochet doily, ribbons, rubons and MORE.

If you want to get your hands on this juicy little prize pack, just leave me a comment on this post, become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already) and I'll draw the winner when I return from CHA on February 2nd!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!

Introducing Vicky B. and Blast Off!

Bo Bunny has a few more collections to show you!!! Thought I'd share some of my favourite pieces from each of the new lines...


Chipboard Elements
12x12 Paper Pad
Amazing Die Cut
Gorgeous Petals
Beautiful Wraps

12x12 Paper Pad
Awesome Puzzle pieces - love these!!

Look at this die cut!?! CRAZY awesome.

Scrap That! February Kit Sneak

Full reveal on January 26th - stay tuned!!

Scrapidees Guest

A few months ago I was contacted by one of the sweet ladies, Paloma, from the Scrapidées blog team - a French blog that provides weekly sketches for inspiration, and was asked if I'd like to contribute a sketch and layout to their site.

Of course I said yes!! Here is the sketch and layout I provided.

My approach to this sketch was to try to create a 'simple' layout that did not 'look' simple (does that make sense??) I have a really hard time with a clean and crisp style and wanted to challenge myself to do a layout that was simple in design yet complex enough that it didn't look too boring.

Solution: Layers! I added 5 layers of paper in a very basic square design. All the papers coordinate in colour and pattern so everything looks fluent and cohesive. Because the 'base' of the layout is such a simple square design, when any other 'shape' (or photo) is added, it simply pops right off the page and becomes the focus of your project.

I used the gorgeous Crush Line from Bo Bunny as well as some beautiful Petaloo flowers to complete this layout.

If you'd like to have a peek at the other designers' takes or just have a peek at their blog for inspiration and further sketch ideas visit them HERE!

Thanks for popping by!

Scrap That! Guest DT Call

Have you heard? Scrap That!, Canada's Best Kit Club, is looking for 3 Guest Designers to join their team!

Scrap That! kits are unlike any others in Canada. Every month, they create an innovative kit full of carefully selected, high-end, double sided papers, specialty papers, premium embellishments and specialty items. They also include a collectible signature product, a scrapbook layout sketch and one technique product including instructions and tips on how it can be used.

Each candidate will design for a two month term between April and September 2011. At the end of the term we will have a contest and let our members and subscribers vote on which of the three Guest Designers will remain for the rest of 2011!

Each Guest Designer Receives:
1. FREE PRODUCT - Two kits plus the embellishment add-on kit, valued at well over $50 per month
2. FAME & GLORY - Your photo and bio on our blog and our online social community!

What we ask of you:
- You must have a blog and update it regularly each week including posts about projects you’ve used from the kit, design tips etc. We ask that you also have links to our site on your blog and other sites where allowable.
- 4 projects created with the kit and 90% of each project must contain kit contents. 3 of these projects must be layouts and the third a project of choice (lo, card, altered item).
- Post your 4 kit designs in our gallery as well as to one other large gallery site, either Scrapbook.com or TwoPeasinaBucket.com. Postings on these sites must include *Scrap That! Kit* in the title line.
- Projects must be well photographed, cropped and ready to be uploaded on our site (and your blog) the 26th of each month.
- Weekly message board and gallery participation during the two month term is required. This is quite possibly the most important thing! We have started a great online community and our members are of the utmost importance to us.

This competition is open to US and Canadian residents only. Please e-mail 3-4 of your best layout creations along with the links to your blog and online galleries to Scrap That! by February 11, 2011.

Good Luck!

Introducing Ad Lib by Bo Bunny

Okay, loving this line as well!! Bo Bunny sure knows how to please a wide audience wouldn't you say!? This is a totally playful collection with bold, bright colours that will surely appeal to a host of scrappers. Check out my faves below.

12x12 paper pad
Amazing die cut (once again!)

Beautiful blooms!
Funky Puzzle pieces

Fantastic Metal Trinkets

Check the Bo Bunny Blog for the full Collection!

Timepiece Collection from Bo Bunny

It's day two of CHA Peeks and Bo Bunny has released another amazing collection - right up my vintage alley! I've chosen a few of my favourite pieces from the collection but you'll need to visit the Bo Bunny Blog to see the entire line for yourselves!! Introducing...

12x12 paper pack
AMAZING Die Cut!!
Chipboard Elements
Metal Trinkets

So, what do you think???

NEW CHA Releases from Bo Bunny!

Bo Bunny has JUST started releasing some of their new collections today (yes, there is more than one!)

The first up today is called Gabrielle and it is simply to DIE FOR. Shabby Chic to the extreme! Here are some of my favourite picks from this line...

Yep, I'm a paper gal so I am pretty much smitten with the entire collection!!

Mini Albums - yes please!! How cool is this shape!? I adore the pages already and they aren't even decorated yet!

Oh man could I ever do some cool stuff with this!

Um, hello! Metal trinkets!? LOVELOVELOVE!!

You'd better just head on over to the Bo Bunny Blog to see it all - its amazing. Check back each day this week for a new line!!! You will NOT be disappointed - there's a little somethin' somethin' for every style !