Thank You...

To all the beautiful Miss Arts' Students, who took my class and left me some absolutely amazing comments... thank you so much.  :)

I've made these little lovelies to give away today during my Ustream Chat.  It doesn't feel like much, but I enjoyed making them so much.  I'm not normally much of a card maker, so I'm a little surprised by how much fun I had making these.  Little mini canvasses really.  I think the tags are my favourites though!  I spent hours just playing, experimenting and having an absolute ball... not to mention the mess!  I'm just sorry I didn't have the time to make more of them.

I've used the 'Marion's Song Kit' leftovers, lots of mist, a few buttons, eyelets, twine and a couple of Prima Calcutta petals that I misted also.  Oh... and I played with some Glimmer Glam too, for the first time, believe it or not!   lol

I've left them completely blank and without sentiment... the winner can personalise them to their liking.  :)

{Giveaway Set 1}

{Giveaway Set 2}

I've really enjoyed my Miss Arts' journey and where it has taken me. 

Be back with more shares later in the week.  Thanks for popping in.  :)

Jules
x

It's Chat Time!! ....

Yes.... It's my turn to chat with my Miss Art's students and I can't wait!  :)

If you would like to pop online and chat live with me regarding my Layered Layouts Class... or anything else that takes your fancy  :)) ... then jump online:

on Monday 29th August,

11:30am Brisbane time or

11:00am Adelaide time

here:   http://www.ustream.tv/channel/julie-winks

or visit Miss Arts for further details.

For further time conversion information, go here:

I am so appreciative of all the beautiful comments from those lovely ladies who took my class, that I have also decided to create a couple of little giveaways, using leftovers from the gorgeous 'Marion's Song Kit' that accompanied the class.  These little treasures will be given away during my chat!  Here's a little sneak....

Hope to see you there... well, you'll see me, but I won't see you ...

I'll be the one with the webcam in my face.   :))

Have a fantastic weekend!

Jules

x

Free Class!!!

Yep, Miss Art's is holding a FREE class this weekend.... so, if you were curious as to what goes on over there, now is the perfect opportunity to check it out!!

The kids are heading back to school and you should to!


The headmistress at Miss Art's knows that new backpacks, school supplies and first day apparel can reduce a crafters budget to milk money, so for this weekend only she is offering you a tuition free class. Beginning on Friday, August 26th, you will have 3 days to check out one of our most popular classes for free, no subscription needed. In "The Secret Garden," the talented Stacy Cohen teaches you how to create a shadowbox efffect on your layouts by adding dimension through layering and creating beautiful floral clusters. Stacey even earns a little Extra Credit by providing you a step-by-step demonstration on how she creates her trademark crocheted page accents.

We hope to see you in the class room and if you enjoy our class that you'll be kind enough to leave an apple or a comment for the teacher.  :))

Love

Jules

x

Blog Whisper Hoppy Thing....

Hello Blog Whisper Hoppers!!

OMGosh... this was started soooo long ago {was it last year?} ... that I'm sure this page doesn't even look like 'me' anymore!! lol 

If you are hopping, you will have come from Jackie, but if not, and if you would like to start from the beginning.... pop over to Bridge's place, where it all began!  :))

OK, here is my simple little layout.  Yes, I did shrink it and shove it in the corner.... because that's just what I do!! :))    I won't go so far as to say I don't like it, but if I was to redo it now, I would certainly add more depth to it... but hey, it's all part of the evolutionary process of my creative journey, only this one is not in chronological order!!  :)

Ok, a couple of little pre-requisites for this one:

1. We could not use any more than 3 flowers - okay, I didn't use any!
2. We had to use something that you found around the house (something that can not be bought in a scrapshop) .... umm, I forgot about this one.  Does sewing thread or twine count? :)
3. We also had to draw inspiration from the layout before us... sorry guys, this is so long ago, that I forget!!  Was it the banner??

{strike}

Your next hop stop is Kirsty.  Remember, if you get stuck, or a link in the chain is missing, just pop back to Bridgey's for the next one on the list.

Thanks for popping in ladies... happy hopping!  :)

Jules
x

One Last Time...

The last sketch for this bonus birthday month is up over at Stuck?! Sketches... and sadly it is my last sketch as CT member also  :(    I made the decision not to continue on with a further six months with the team, as I really needed to free up a little time for myself and try to restore some balance into family life.  I really have struggled to meet all commitments in recent months.... creative and otherwise and, unfortunately, something had to give!  Who knows... I might even find time to participate in some challenges myself!  Something I haven't done since last year I'm sure!  :))

Welcome to all the new girls on the team.... I know you will have a fantastic time; and goodbye hugs to the girls that are returning.  I really have enjoyed your company over there.  Finally, thanks Sara for providing us with such a fun place to play.  :)

Here is my last one:

I just love this pic of my little man 'in-the-zone', watching tv on the end of my bed.  Makes me smile every time... :)

... and here is Sarah's sketch:

Pop over and check out the CT inspo to get you started!  :)

That's it from me for today.  DH has taken DS#1 off to an archery competition this weekend, so, unfortunately for my littlest man, the girls and I are having a very girly weekend, with lots of movies, ice-cream ... and a little bit of scrappin'.  :))

Thanks for popping in and I hope you all have a lovely one!

jules
x

Mid Month Sketch.....

Yes, I'm back again.... sorry, but I did tell you that this was a big month!!  :)

It's mid month sketch time for all of you Stuck?! followers... and if you're not a follower, then it's high time you were!! lol  This one was provided by the lovely Karen Wilson.  Thanks Karen!

I turned the sketch once clockwise and pushed it right down to the bottom edge of the page... almost right off the page in fact!  :)    I really love this totally imperfect photo of Claire.  It's completely out of focus and she has the biggest sook face on.  And I Love It!  It's whispy, whimsical, moody.... and so Claire.

{Melancholy}

...and a close up of that very imperfect pic:

... and the sketch (yeah, alright... just use your imagination! hehee) :

I'm still in love with fussy cutting.  I think it is going to be a long-time love in fact... and do you notice something odd??  No stitching!! At all.  For some reason it just didn't seem right to add it.  What a milestone for me.  :)

So, go and check out the Stuck?! blog and have a look at the rest of the CT inpiration.... I'm sure you'll be inspired, these girls are amazing!  I'll be back in a few days with the next Bonus Sketch.

Thanks for visiting guys and I hope you're not getting sick of the sight of me... :)

Hugs

jules

x



Peek-A-Boo....

It's my turn to set the fortnightly challenge over at the Boxx, so, you guessed it, I want to see some Peek-A-Boo styles happening!  No other requirement... just rip, tear and crumple back that lovely paper to reveal what's lurking underneath! hehee.  Easy right?  Be as inventive as you like.  It can appear on the corners, along the edge of your page, or in the middle... like the one in my last post. 

I've had tonnes of fun with peek-a-boo's lately.  Once I started, I couldn't stop.... I think I did three in a row! lol. 

Anyway... to kick start the challenge, here's mine:

{i wish for you}

I have to admit, I really do love this one... I think it's my new favourite.  :)  I love that it looks like my little man is peering out from behind an old, decrepid, vine and lichen covered ruin... like something you've stumbled across, deep in the Peruvian jungle.  Okay, maybe I'm letting my imagination run away with me. lol

A little bit of Prima goodness here with the iron on vine and the pearl flourish.  The Crafter's Workshop brick wall template (surprise surprise), stained muslin (surprise surprise), a Prima and Kaiser flower, the b side of some Basic Grey Nook and Pantry pp, and lots of walnut gold glimmermist.

So head on over to the Boxx and upload to the fortnightly challenge thread in the forum to be in the running for a $10 voucher to spend in the Boxx Shop!

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a little love... it is so much appreciated.  :))

jules
x

My Boy... again!

Yep... he's the subject of my latest page again!  Why is it the youngest little fella features so much?  Probably because he and I spend the most amount of time together right now and I therefore have more opportunities to snap away ... and he never shies away from the camera either!  lol   Seriously, I don't know when I last took a photo of Maddi... might have to chase her with the camera at our club soccer carnival on the weekend.  :)

Anyway, this layout has been rattling around in my head for a while now, just screaming for some attention.. so i finally had to give it wings.. and what better medium than The Colour Room's next palette, number 71!  I think just about every DT member gave this palette a go this week, so you really are in for a treat if you head over for a look.

{all boy}

My first attempt at something steampunk-ish too.  What do you think?  :))

I really wanted this layout reflect the fact that, no matter how much femininity I try to smother this little guy with, he just smashes through and pushes it aside!!  He really is All Boy!  Guns, noise, mess, smashing into things... like a bull in a china shop  lol.  I really enjoyed doing this page, especially the cogs and button and metals bits and pieces.  I used tonnes of glimmer mist and gesso.... layer after layer in fact.  The chippy cogs are Scrapfx and there is even some Dusty Attic chippy chickenwire under there too.

And here is the palette that got almost the entire TCR DT all inspired:

Hopefully it will get you all inspired too!  :)  Look forward to seeing you over there.

Thanks for popping in and I'll see you soon with my next ScrapBoxx Challenge.  Have a fabulous weekend!

jules
x

Who doesn't love a bonus??

... and Stuck?! Sketches have two bonus sketches this month, in celebration of reaching the ripe old age of 4!! The first of the bonus sketches was one of mine!!  yeehah!  :))  In all honesty, I modelled this sketch on a layout I did ages ago.... waaaaay back when i was just a scrappin baby!!  lol.  Funny how some things go full circle.   Here is my new one:

{big bubble cheeks}

The original layout was done at the beginning of last year and we had to use nothing but scraps... something I always have plenty of.  I loved doing this layout the first time around, so decided to use the 'nothing-but-scraps' criteria again for my new one. The paper strips really lend themselves to using scraps and i just love the effect.  Because I'm just loving a kraft/gold/blue/aqua kind of colour scheme at the moment, I had plenty of scraps of these colours laying around.

And I thought it would be fun to see the old one:

{grateful}

... and the sketch:



Would love for you to head on over to Stuck?! and give it a go! 

Oh, and my first ever class over at Miss Art's Papercrafting School is going absolutely fantastically well.  So many lovely ladies have left some wonderful comments... so if you are one of them... Thank You So Much!!  I'm enjoying it so much and can't wait for my live UStream chat on the 29th August at 11:00am.  Hmmm... better go and aquaint myself with Skype.. lol

On the family front, we have just been coping with the barrage of cold and flus that the season has thrown at us this year!!  Unbelieveable... we just shake one and another one knocks on the door and lets itself in.  Normally a winter lover, I must say that I'll be happy to see the end of it this year.  :(

Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to pop in and say 'hi'.  I'll be back later in the week with more shares.  Hope you are having a fantastic week.

jules

x

The Boxx 'Book of You' Kit

Okay, so the 'Book of You' kit over at the Boxx is my baby for the next 6 months, and this is my first one!  Please tell me what you think!  :))  The kit itself is a real mish mash of goodies including LYB, Lilybee, 7Gypsies Conservatory and Pink Paislee pp's, tissue tape, LYB Bliss lacecut frame, Kaisercraft Blooms, Scrapware chippy alphas and a couple of sheets of cardstock too.


This month is all about 'Things I Remember'. Things from your childhood that might be tucked away in all the nooks and crannies of our memories. Things that we may not think of on a regular basis. Things that we risk loosing forever if we don't get them down on paper!

{things i remember}

A little bit different for me but for my first layout I have employed what I call a 'blind typing' kind of technique. Just type all the things that come to mind. Don't look at the monitor, don't correct grammar or spelling... just type. Let your mind wander through the years, starting with your earliest memories and slowly moving forward. They can be events, things, people or feelings. I've gone up to the age of 10 or 11. You could even do one layout for every decade if you like. You'll be surprised what you come up with. Leave the corrections and formatting until last. For my first layout, I've formed my journaling into 'thought bubbles'. I have simply done this in Word, using the space bar and overlaying a circle shape with no fill ie. transparent. It takes a little fiddling, especially where your circles overlap, but it is worth persevering.

{home away from home}

A return to my 'normal' style, for my second layout, I decided to extract one of those memories and highlight it in a page of it's own. I was really surprised by how much I remember from the three years I spent in England as a child, so I found a photo of the town we lived in {Warminster, Wiltshire} and dedicated a page to it ... I even found our old house on Google Earth! lol.

I really enjoyed the whole process and, if you decide to play along, I hope it helps you retrieve some long forgotten, treasured memories.

Thanks for stopping by again.  Promise to be back real soon...  :)

Cheers
jules
x

Big Month...

Yep, it's a big month of shares this month... so, in the interests of not boring the pants of you all, I might post them gradually!! lol

Today, I'll dedicate to Stuck?! and Kraft it Up.

First of all 'Happy Birthday Stuck?!'. Congratulations Sara and all past and present Creative Team members. I've had so much fun playing with you all :)) Now, instead of just 2 sketches this month... and 2 Creative Team inspiration posts, Sara is celebrating with 4 sketches and 4 CT inspo's! woohoo! what a treat!

The first sketch this month was provided by the lovely Lou Nelson, who we all know and love. This is what I did:

{5:30}

with this:

It's true! Late afternoon's on the beach are one of my favourite things... :)  We'd love for you all the play along and help celebrate our birthday!

Now, it's Kraft It Up's turn. This month Mel has also set a sketch.... and it is also fabulous. I loved it as soon as I saw it.

Here is it:

And this is my interpretation! I had so much fun with inking and layering and distressing in this layout...

{on the road again}

 eeeeww... wonky photo alert! sorry about that! :)

In honour of the many hours dedicated to traveling, due, in no small part, to our remote-ish location... and the fact that we still endeavour to give the kids the exposure to 'normal' stuff and experiences that all other kids their age have - good dental and medical being one of them!! Oh... and that was DD taking a photo of her own feet. I don't normally sit like that when I'm driving... :) I think we were on our way to Mackay for 'The Deathly Hallows Part 1', a week or so before heading down south for Christmas holidays last year.

You can tell I did these layouts concurrently... there are similar elements in them both, althought it was quite coincidental that they both called for 4 small photos! :)

Oh, and just one final little share. My Miss Art's class is now LIVE! 'Layered Layouts' class will be available to all subscribers for a full 90 day period. Please let me know if you are following along. I'd love to know what you think of it! :))

That's it for today. Be back real soon for more though...

Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate you all visiting.

cheers,
jules
x