Sunday 30 March 2014

Left brain - Right brain, CSI DT challenge 116

Thanks for this brilliant case file Debbi - I absolutely loved it. 
All colours were used, plus complimentary colours less than 10%.
For a peek at what the other DT artists have created
EVIDENCE
Musical elements
Monogramme
Circles
Silhouette
Solid black background
Something that runs on electricity (computer)

TESTIMONY
Journal on several different journalling spots.
Inspiration words, think, process, idea.

The journalling is on the back and it reads:-
I found the image on the mood board inspiring and it lead me to use a silhouette of myself as a young woman.  It was cut by S. John Ross, a renowned silhouette artist who grew up in America and migrated to Australia after the second world war.  At that time he practiced his craft at Luna Park in Sydney.  For a small amount of money and about five minutes of my time he created this very good likeness. 

First he folded a thin piece of black card in half and with small scissors cut a double silhouette in just a few minutes.   So, the silhouettes combined with the mood board got me thinking about the functions of different areas of the brain. 

I had the idea that I would be primarily Right brained.  However when I did some research I found that the Left/Right brain hypothesis no longer has much credibility in the scientific world.  Despite that, I am much more at home with most of the qualities listed as being Right brained.  By contrast, during my working life, I relied on Left brain skills almost exclusively.  I was surprised to find reading and writing listed on the left, because these are two of my favourite things.

What does that all mean, you may well ask?  Perhaps that I was in the wrong career all my life?  Maybe that I’m a good all rounder?  Possibly, I'm just a crazy, mixed up kid!   I’m not really sure, but it was a fun way to crack the case. 
A photo of the legendary S. John Smith
MATERIALS
This is the first digital page I’ve created.  I photographed my silhouettes and then inverted them.  I searched on line for free clip art to drag and drop on to the silhouettes.  The border is a brush found in Adobe PS CS3
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Saturday 22 March 2014

Peek a Boo - CSI challenge 115

Today I'm sharing a CSI DT boy's layout using non-traditional colours.
Initially I had difficulty finding a photo to go with these 
soft colours and the girl in the mood board image. 
However, when I came across these photos of DGSon 
with the dark brown background they seemed just right.  
I used the peachy end of the pink tones and just little touches of the other colours.  
Just right for a boy - why should girls have all the pretty colours?
The DT have a large variety of styles to show you using these colours. 
If you'd like to join in, use at least two prompts for the evidence
 and at least one prompt from the testimony.
Because I didn't have papers in the peachy tones, 
I mixed a few gelatos to create the pale and mid toned peach.  
A grey gelato coloured the leaves and the black ink splashes are Glimmerglaze.
The distressed doilies are fussy cut from
 Cor'dinations White Wash card stock, Hazelnut 
The die is from Memory Box and the red pearls are Kaisercraft
Not sure of the make of the wooden heart, 
but I used Glimmerglaze "Chianti" to colour it the dark crimson required.
Gesso was used to prime the card stock
then texture paste applied through
the stencil which is by Urban Artist "Diamonds Forever."
Prima alphabets
The cute wooden bird is from Freckled Fawn
I use a Martha Gardner punch to make the little heart strip
Love the camera Flair  from Studio 14
EVIDENCE
Hearts
Lace (on the doiley edges)
Bird
Leaves
Flowers
Pen work
Mixed media background

TESTIMONY
I went to the Friday 5 prompts and chose to write about “In what good ways are you like your Mother”  The journalling is on the back of the page and it reads:-

I’m not as patient, tolerant and serene as my Mother was, but I’ve learned to embrace a softer side of myself as I’ve grown older. The way Mum lived her life, demonstrated all those qualities; she was probably the most generous person I’ve ever known.

When I see the Grand children fighting over who’s turn it is to come to Granny and Pa’s, I remember how welcome our Boys were at my Mother’s home.

The minute they arrived, she got out the baking ingredients and would have a dozen family sized apple pies whipped up in no time.  They’d eat three or four of them there; Mum would keep one and the rest would come home with us to pop in the freezer.  Many years later, one of our Sons still asks if I will bake an Apple Pie like Nanna used to make.

The Grand children love to cook with me too. When I happily tolerate the mess during the baking, I recall Mum saying “They are only little for such a short time, just enjoy them.  The work will still be there tomorrow.”  

When we play the age old game of Peek a Boo with the little ones, I remember her allowing our Boys to climb all over her. She’d hide them under her apron, so they could play that game with her.  She delighted in their antics, their tantrums and their little triumphs.  I’m so grateful she was my Mother and I attribute my Grand parenting skills to following her fine example. Journalling March 2014

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Wednesday 19 March 2014

Laugh out loud - Scrap Africa challenge 27

Today I’m sharing a DT layout for the Scrap Africa challenge, No 27, 
hosted by Rene, which is to use Stars and stitching.
You can find details of the challenge here
I'd love you to pop over and see the variety of examples created by the DT
and maybe enter the challenge.   You have a couple of weeks to play along.
The back ground paper is so old, I don't know the brand. 
 I cleverly cut the label off years ago, 
before I had any idea that I would one day have a blog,
 and be entering challenges, let alone be on design teams!
First I used a variety of stencils and texture paste, 
before misting them in green and brown. 
 A close up to show you, the stars
 The stitching forms a line for my journalling, 
similar to the example page by Kinsey Wilson.
I used lots of Kaisercraft collectables “Hello sunshine”
The heart washi tape is from a $2.00 shop
The journalling reads:-
One hot summer day, you two little boys were cranky.  With a few toys in the paddling pool, it was just amazing how quickly your moods changed.
Jan 2013.  Love Granny

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Monday 17 March 2014

Numbers

Such a fun mood board and bright colours from the amazing Debbi Tehrani at CSI this week and an fabulous sketch by Em Stafrace. 
I hope you will hop over and play at the 
I’m still on an economy drive to use older stash and all of these papers fall into that category.  The green is so old, I have no idea of it’s provenance.  The green spotty, the yellow spotty and the red papers are older Kaisercraft.
 The cute phone button is from October Afternoon
The circle die is by Memory Box
A Tim Holtz die made the rosette
A Tim Holtz embossing folder created the numbers on the banner
The alphas are from Doodlebug - Just my type
Basic Grey provided the rub ons and they still work beautifully
EVIDENCE
Numbers
Technology accent (telephone flair)
Loopy border (red trim)
Rub ons (stars and bar code)
Circles
Symbols (in the tree)

TESTIMONY
What is your favourite number Granny?
Eight.
Why?
Because it has two circles joined together.
Why do you like two circles joined?
It reminds me of infinity.
What’s infinity?
Never ending, or beginning.
But things have to end don’t they, like playing has to finish to go to bed?
Hmmm...some things have to end.
Well I wish playing was infinity.
What’s your favourite number Lachie?
10
Why do you like number 10?
Because it’s two numbers, but it actually = only one number.
Of course, how logical.
What’s logical mean?
etc, etc, etc and so forth and so on..love Granny February 2014

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Wednesday 12 March 2014

Happy today

I'm sharing a page for the CSI Design Team today.  
Take a look at these delicious gelati colours.
I used a sketch from S365
It was such fun to work with.
I'd love to see you at CSI
Papers used
Prima All about me collection “All about me” Chevron and thumb prints
Making memories Noteworthy “Delaney” floral (teal spot)
Making memories Noteworthy “Delaney” Stipe (pink)
Fancy Pants Family tree “My family” (ledger print)
Studio Calico - Wooden title, typewriter and stars
Never thought I'd use vellum again!  Melissa Frances - Vellum envelope
Amy Tangerine - Remarks “Cute overload” provided the cute puffy camera
Love the quote from Kaisercraft Collectables - “Hello sunshine”
EVIDENCE
Camera
Hearts
Birds
Owl
Scallops (edge of envelope)
Banner

TESTIMONY
I chose to put my journalling in the envelope and use the inspiration words, love, memory and family.  The journalling reads:-

I love this family photo which was taken on your third birthdays.  You each had your own cake, which tested your parents ingenuity because one of you chose a swimming pool cake and one a construction site cake; indicative of what you’d observed being built in your own back garden. Your big cousin had given you water pistols, so you had a wonderful time squirting everyone and everything in sight.  Happy memories. Love Granny 25 Jan 2014

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Sunday 2 March 2014

Archiscraps

Today, I'm sharing a page which is a special project designed by Debbi Tehrani at CSI in collaboration with Archiscraps. It inspired me to scrap a photo from our visit to France.
If you'd like to join in, you have the whole month of March to do so.
The DT have created a wide range of pages to wet your appetite.
Why not hop over and have a look?
I used an Authentic paper "foundations" as the background 
The bright yellow underneath is Crate Paper, Happy Day
The stripey pieces are very old Basic Grey, Aged and confused, "Phinicky"
I use a Memory Box to die to create the tree
The Crafter's workshop and gesso to create a stained glass window effect
Architectural element is something I've had for ages.  E.K Success
Another architectural element.  Tim Holtz, Pediment 
EVIDENCE
Stipes (patterned paper)
Decorative border
Tree
Paint
Architectural accents (Pediment, Eiffel tower, gold accent)

TESTIMONY
Document something about architecture - Journalling is on the back and it reads:-

It was a happy accident when we stumbled across this exquisite Chapel, tucked away in the heart of the Palais de la Cité on the Ile de la Cité in Paris.

The Sainte Chapelle, is a masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic architecture built by King Louis IX, (later Saint Louis.)  Unlike a lot of dark and gloomy Gothic buildings, its unique stained glass windows and brightly painted ceiling, render the air iridescent with light and colour.  

We marveled at the intricate details and the craftsmanship from the 13th century.  How could such splendid results be achieved without computer drawings, modern tools and machinery?   After a busy day sight seeing, this unexpected find was a welcome respite from the heat and noise of the city. 22 June 2004

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Saturday 1 March 2014

Bliss

When I saw the colours for CSI this week, I immediately remembered a very special holiday in Bali.
The idea of the challenge is to use all five colours,
at least two items from the evidence prompts,
and at least one item from the testimony prompts.
Some designers like to try and use them all.
Here is how I cracked the case.
If you'd like to join in the fun, here is the CSI LINK
The papers are from older Kaisercraft ranges Peachy Keen, "Neat"
75 cents, "Guinea" and Golden arabesque.
The hibiscus were fussy cut from an old My Mind's Eye paper
A few die cut leaves and a button from my stash
EVIDENCE
Patterned paper
Something sheer - curtains in the photo
Wood
Flowers
Buttons
Crystals
Floral pattern (punched border)

TESTIMONY
I used the inspiration words, tranquil, sleep, light and the dream vacation prompts 
The journalling reads:-

We were in Bali for our Son’s wedding and decided to extend our stay in Indonesia to explore the mountains around Ubud.  The area is famous for it’s artists and writers as well as traditional dance and theatre.   We stayed in a small Villa with a gorgeous tropical garden, an open air bathroom and a plunge pool.  After exploring the area on foot during the day, we returned to this beautiful room and enjoyed a one hour massage.   The Balinese women used aromatic oils and their magic fingers induced a light sleep.  When we woke there was a cup of herbal tea to enjoy.   Fresh flowers, coolness, peace, tranquility.  Absolute bliss. October 2008
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