Ready to be Spooked?

It's almost time! Break out the candy (or as we say here in Australia - lollies) and put in your best vampire teeth!

Halloween has never been a very big celebration here in Australia but it is getting larger every year. I'm excited by that - there's no better excuse to dress up, take photos and scrap a page about it! lol.

Using the new UDD "Home Sweet Home" paper line, I have created this page called "Dress Ups". My boys went "Safari" this year for their costumes. I painted scars on their faces and they are taking along their fave soft toy animals as their "prey". Soooo cute!

Another little project I have been busy doing for you this month is a little "How To" on making your own Halloween themed flowers.

For these flowers, you need to go to a fabric store and buy yourself some fringed trim - a yard would make at least 10 flowers.

Step One:

Assemble all of your supplies - you need some scraps of card, double sided tape, scissors and your trim.

Step Two:

Place a "cross" of double sided tape on your scrap card and stick down one end of your trim with the fringed part facing OUT.

Step Three:
Place your trim in a circle measuring approximately one inch on the inside. You need to do two circles - one inside the other. Just keep winding your trim around until you have almost closed in the circle.



Step Four:
Make a few flowers - you don't need to use them all on one project - put some aside for later.

Adhere them to your LO or project using some UDD brads - the corduroy covered ones look fantastic.

And here is the finished page.....





I hope you all like these little flowers - they remind me of little spiders. In fact, you could trim off some of the trim, leaving only little spiders legs! How about you give it a try?

Have a great week, everyone and take care.
Happy Halloween!
Sares x

Ready to Blossom

Hello everyone!
Here in Australia we are slowing heading into our Winter, but that doesn't mean we are not having some gorgeous weather (and photo opportunities!).
Rather than feel a bit gloomy about it getting cold, we end up heading outside to the parks and beaches to feel the wind in our hair and the sun on our faces.
"Blossom" is THE perfect range of papers to help create pages for these photos - all those lovely soft pinks and sage greens are so gorgeous against skin tones and make even an average photo seems so pretty.
Of course, I couldn't resist using my darling daughter for these two pages. As well as Kim's wonderful sketch !
For the first layout "1,2,3 Cheese", I subsituted a piece of paper in the background with a hand cut tree shape. I simply drew the shape on the back of my Upsy Daisy "Spring Breeze" (BLO015) paper and trimmed it with a sharp stencil knife. I sprayed the back of the tree and adhered it to the base paper, "Awakening" (BLO011).

The last thing to do was to spritz a bit of mist across the background and punch out and curl quite a few flowers using "Orchard" (BLO013) and "Spring is in the Air" (BLO016). The last thing was to trim out some of the journaling spots and strips from "Precious" (BLO014) to lay across the base of the design.
The next Lo I created using the gorgeous Blossom papers was "Look How Much You've Grown".
Once again, using Kim's great sketch, I was able to capture the spirit of my little girl as well as keep the page light and feminine.

On your next layout, why not try to use some gorgeous ribbon or pretty fabric trim? There are so many out there to choose from! To create the double bow that I have on the bottom right of my page, simply tie one bow using an organza ribbon and then, using the loops from the first bow, create another bow on top of it. Attach this bow to the centre of a flower using on of Upsy Daisy's Metal Flower Brads and you have a pretty embellishment that also gives your page depth!
Well, I am going to head back into the studio and start some more projects. I hope everyone is having a great month and I'll see you in the Gallery very soon!
Sarah xx

A Bit of Enchanted Bling

I have a confefssion to make - I am a total "girly girl". If it's floral, I like it. If it's shabby chic, I like it. If it's pink or purple, I LOVE it.

I've been having a play with the "Enchanted" range for this month's projects - and taking them a bit further than just a page. I scrapped a small chest of drawers for my daughter - here are the pictures:

I added some bling around the handles and used Upsy Daisy's own white alphabet rub ons to create the titles on each drawer. The corner flower arrangement was added with a hot glue gun and there's an idea for you to try on your next project - why not curl the ribbon across your page? Stick it down every few inches with some glue dots and you end up with a wonderful 3D effect.
I also put together a page for this month using the Enchanted range - I think it is the perfect range of papers and embellishments for a Vintage inspired page:

There are some handmade flowers in there that you could also try - just cut out some individual petals and shape them around a pencil for some curl. Centre them with a brad and you have a perfectly co-ordinating flower for your page.
Have a lovely week, everyone!
Sares x

New Bebe on the Block

I have several friends who have delivered gorgeous new babies in the past few weeks - so what better way to celebrate their arrival than scrapping a few projects?

The "older siblings" of these new babes should not be left out either - say hello to Olly who turned two the same week his little sister arrived...

Isn't he adorable? I just want to pinch his cheeks and squueze him all day long :)
For Olly's page I used the Boy side of the Bebe range of Upsy Daisy papers - cool baby blues and greens with some soft brown inking to give it depth.

My next Lo was loooooong overdue - my little Hannah's third birthday came and went in a flash and I have only just got the chance to scrap it. Doesn't life just flash by in the blink of an eye, sometimes?

Hannah is the original "girly girl" - you can't have enough pink, enough bling, enough sparkle, enough fairies and - in the case of her birthday - enough cupcakes, LOL.

The Upsy Daisy "Cupcake" paper range was perfect for the job:
Such gorgeous colours call for a happy, summery layout.
There are a couple of Tips you could take from either of these LO's to use with your Upsy Daisy papers:

* Crop your photo tightly around the face of your subject so that you make a real feature of their gorgeous eyes (and dimples!).

* Use Die Cut Lace cardstock upside down - that is, with the white showing rather than the right side. It makes for a delicate break-up of the background without being too "lacey" or "girly".

* Break up your page with a couple of journaling spots layered one over the other - it gives the impression of the page being more "full" without overloading it.

* Use your scallop punch to create strips of cardstock, then mount these on top of each other to create a "Cake" embellishment.

* Use the little cupcakes that are printed on the strip at the bottom of the Upsy Daisy papers - they are super cute embellishments!

* Use a template to mark a circle around your LO, then adhere double sided tape all around it. Place one end of a length of ribbon at the beginning of the circle and gently "pleat" it at one inch intervals. It takes a bit of time to perfect, but it's worth it - trust me!

Well, that's all from me for now - I hope there is something in there that helps you want to dive into the scrapping supplies. For me, it's going to be a busy few days and we are having enormous dust storms over here in Australia, so we are all trapped inside until they pass. Oh well, more time for scrapping!
Take care all,
Sares x

Wearable Art Upsy Daisy Style

Over here in Australia we are fast approaching what we call, "Racing Season". It's that time of year when everyone runs out looking for the ultimate party frock and matching hat so that they can dress up for the Spring Racing Carnival.

Sadly, there is not much need for this old house wife to be going out racing but I am happy to make beautiful things for other race goers to wear :) I am also happy to teach you how to make your own piece of wearable art using my favourite new collection from Upsy Daisy - the ENCHANTED range.

Here we go - Step One:

Gather your supplies - you need: some small squares of Upsy Daisy papers, some sheet music, some netting or lace and some white or cream artificial flowers.

Step Two:

Draw or trace some simple flower shapes on your paper scraps and tear them out with your fingers.

Step Three:

Use a hot glue gun to adhere the flowers in the centre, layering them one on top of the other. There is no right or wrong in this placement - just put together what looks good. Or just layer them biggest to smallest if you like.

Use the palm of your hand to scrunch the flower so that it is textured and a bit ruffled looking.

Dress up your flower with some gorgeous artificial leaves and some bling and VOILA! You have your own wearable art.

This gorgeous flower could be worn as a brooch on your sweater or cardigan, in your hair on a headband, on a hat or even as a corsage in your wrist - the possibilities are endless :)

While you are playing with the gorgeous ENCHANTED range of papers, why don't you have a go at making your own custom-made stationery? I have created these Wedding Invitations, Gift Box and Place Card for a friend's winter wedding - very simple and quick but the Enchanted papers make them look divine!

Have fun creating everyone and I'll see you next time on UDD - until then, take care,

Sares x

Masculine Layouts and Cards

As the date for Father's Day approaches, why not try to create something for that special father in your life?

I have created a series of cards for my DH who has Father's Day, his birthday and our anniversary all rolled into one fortnight - lucky thing!

Well, with the new release of MAN ABOUT TOWN II I have used the first series of MAN ABOUT TOWN to create cards that have a masculine design as well as colour scheme.

However, these colours don't need to be used as exclusively masculine themed projects - in the LO below I have used the Man About Town papers in a LO that I hope looks more heritage than masculine. This LO is for my brother who is celebrating his first Father's day - a picture of his daughter without all the tizzy bling and flowers Here are some Tips and ideas to use when you are creating with the Man About Town range:

Tip Number One:

Use a flourishy stamp and some Timber Brown StazOn Ink to create a lovely freehand border.

Tip Number Two:

Using your co-ordinated Man About Town brads, create some journaling strips and use your brads as "dot points" at the start of each strip - and why not add a little Stickles to the inside to make them pop?

Tip Number Three:

Use your Man About Town rub ons to create a custom title - rub on a large design from the Man About Town sheet onto a white sheet of card. Cut out around the design and mount off the surface of your LO with some mounting tape for some added dimension.

So there you go - plenty to think about for Father's Day and some juicy ideas for you to try.

Have fun and happy scrapping!

Sares x

Mothers Need to be Celebrated

I found this poem while hunting around for a decent poem to put on the front of my Mother's Day card for this year and I think it's perfect!

Mom you are a shining star though the world doesn't know your name.
You have no fancy title like Baroness or Dame.
Mom you really are a star, my mother mentor and friend.
A Nobel Prize for motherhood is what I'd recommend.
And if I won the lottery I'd share my win with you
I'd take you Mom on a spending spree each day the whole year through!
You may not be famous, as your face is known to few.
But Mom I think you are wonderful and I'm so proud of you!

How cute is that?

In honour of Mother's day fast approaching next month, I have put together a few card ideas for you using the wonderful "UNWRITTEN" paper range.

"Unwritten" is the sort of paper range that seems to go with every theme. So versatile it can be used for any LO or OTP project and then put your scraps together and make a few cards at the end of each project - that way you will stockpile cards for different occasions throughout the year.

I hope you enjoy your Mother's Day - wherever you are in the world. Mum's need to be given a good Cuppa, a sleep in and a group cuddle from all the kids to make them feel special for all the other days of the year that they work for their families, don't you think?

Have a great week everyone and happy scrapping!

Sares x

Boys to Men

It has been a pleasure to work with the "Man About Town" range of papers this week.

As a mother of three boys I often struggle to find appropriate papers and embellishments for their layouts - well, problem solved!

These papers are soft, masculine and subdued. They seem to suit any type of layout theme with any kind of photo.

One of the types of photos I have tried with the Man About Town range this week has been Black and White portraits.

Take a look at this and tell me whether you think they just fit perfectly for black and white photos (or even sepia):

This Layout "fell into place" with ease due to those papers being so wonderfully co-ordinated.

The Argyle pattern I have used is a very simple one to create - simply cut out several diamonds from your patterned papers and adhere them in a straight line.

When you have finished sticking them down, draw a line through the centre of each diamond - first one way, then the opposite way making a cross in the centre of each diamond.

The argyle pattern reflects the wonderful pattern on the "Grafton" paper in the background. Combined with those gorgeous blues and soft greens it makes a fabulous boy page.

Have fun and happy scrapping girls!

Sares x

The Big Guy is nearly here!

Only two more sleeps until Santa makes his way from the North Pole to spread a little cheer :)

I don't know about your families, but my kids are so excited that every time they hear a siren outside they shout, "It's Santa!" LOL. Getting a tad ahead of themselves, I think.

So here at Upsy Daisy we hope that everyone of our lovely supporters has a wonderful Christmas and a safe and very happy New Year!

In order to celebrate the occasion, I have put together a little tutorial for you to have a play with in case you get some time to scrap over the holidays.

Here it is:

How to make a Flower Garden using Upsy Daisy Papers and your Punches:

Step One:

Cut a 1.5inch x 10inch strip of paper. Use your scissors to cut small snips into the piece of paper NOT all the way to the bottom.

Step Two:

Once you have snipped all the way along the paper, come back to the start and start snipping at odd angles in order to chop the little bits of paper into odd/uneven shapes.

Step Three:

At the end of this process, your "grass" should look like this:

Step Four:
Using a large circle punch (I have used the Whale of a Punch 2 inch), punch out two large circles from your other UD paper.

Now punch out some smaller circles, as well as some scalloped shapes using a Marvy scallop oval

punch. You'll need a few from two or three different colours.

Step Five:
Gently ink the outsides of the scalloped ovals and then cut them in half with a pair of scissors.

Step Six:

Now put your large circles facing down on your desk and cover the back with some tape or glue. Using the scalloped ovals that have been cut in half, place them in even spaces around the outside of the circle with the right sides also facing down.

Step Seven:

Your finished flower should look like this:

Now all you have to do is bend the petals of the flowers in a bit and raise the flower off the surface of your page in order to give it depth and dimension.

Here is my example of the finished product:

Here is another way to use your punches to great effect - this time I used the Whale of a Punch Butterfly on my Upsy Daisy papers so that I could show off both sides of the papers!

So that's it from me and the rest of the Upsy Daisy crew until after Christmas - have a wonderful day and many blessings to you and your families!

Sares xx