Craftin' Around the World Challenges March Design Team reveal

 Hello, crafty friends! It's time for another fun month with Craftin' Around the World Facebook challenge group, and trust me—there's plenty to get excited about. Instead of just one sketch, there are two—one for cards and one for scrapbook layouts. Plus, there's a fun new twist: you’ll also have the option to choose between a Tic Tac Toe board or a colour palette moodboard to include in your project. But no pressure. If it’s not your thing, feel free to skip it and just go with the flow of the sketch. The theme is still wide open, so you’re free to create whatever inspires you—how awesome is that?

Whether you’re into card making, scrapbooking, or both, this challenge has something for everyone. It's a great way to stretch your creativity, try out new techniques, and be part of a super supportive crafting community. I can't wait to see how you’ll interpret the March challenge and get crafting with us!

For my design team layout, I couldn’t resist using the scrapbooking—though, I decided to take a little trip back to Christmas, even though it is now March. Sometimes it’s just too hard to let go of the magic of the season, right?

I chose this sketch because it had such a great balance of photo placement and fun embellishments, and I knew it would be perfect for capturing a special Christmas moment with Paige. You see, Paige had the biggest Grinchy moment when she spotted Grinch-themed Krispy Kreme doughnuts at the shop. She was so excited that she begged to buy them, and as soon as we got home, she made sure we paused everything for a few fun photos. You know how it goes—those spontaneous moments that just scream to be scrapbooked.

To make the layout truly capture that Grinchy vibe, I went with a bright green colour scheme, perfectly matched with some Christmas-themed patterned papers to echo the green doughnuts. I didn’t want to waste the adorable Grinch imagery on the doughnut box, so I carefully cut out the images of the Grinch, the decorations, and even the cute little girl, and added them as fun embellishments to my page. Waste not, want not, right? It added such a playful, personal touch to the layout.

The end result is a fun-filled layout that perfectly encapsulates the pure joy Paige had that day—and honestly, it was such a joy to create it. Sometimes, going back to those little holiday moments is just what you need to kick off a new month of scrapbooking.

A Cut Above March Design Team Reveal

  I’m excited to share my design team creation for A Cut Above Challenge Blog for March. If you’re a scrapbooker like me, you probably have a ton of die cuts stashed away from past projects. Let’s be honest—sometimes it’s hard to know where to start when you have so many to choose from. That’s where A Cut Above comes to the rescue. This challenge blog is the perfect place to get your creativity flowing and finally put all those die cuts you’ve accumulated to good use. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned scrapbooker, A Cut Above offers fresh, fun inspiration with each new challenge, encouraging you to think outside the box and incorporate your die cuts in exciting new ways. It’s like a scrapbooking playground for your creative soul.

Let's talk about the magic of metal die cuts and how they can truly take your scrapbook pages to the next level. These little beauties are more than just embellishments—they add an artistic flair and texture that can transform your layout from “meh” to “wow!” For this month, I decided to use a few heart theme-inspired metal dies, here is the collection I dug out of my stash.

Metal die cuts come in endless designs—florals, geometric shapes, icons, you name it. They cater to any theme you’re working with, whether it’s a birthday celebration, a family vacation, or a sweet journaling page. They’re like little pieces of scrapbooking magic that instantly elevate your design.

What I love most about metal die cuts is their versatility. You can layer them to create depth, use them as focal points, a title, or even ink them up to match your colour scheme. They can be subtle or bold, and they’re so easy to incorporate into any page. Simply add a few to frame a photo, create a stunning background, or layer them for a more dynamic look. And trust me, once you start using them, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.

For my layout, I backed the die cuts with coordinating patterned papers, which created vibrant pops of colour that complemented the overall theme of the page. It gave the hearts a playful, dimensional look and helped them stand out without overwhelming the design. It’s an easy way to use up those patterned paper scraps you’ve been saving (you know you’ve got a stash of them).

So, whether you're new to scrapbooking or a pro looking for fresh ideas, A Cut Above is a fantastic place to get inspired, challenge yourself, and use those die cuts in fun, creative ways. I can't wait to see how you’ll bring your die cuts to life and share your designs with the community.

My March Counterfeit Kit - Tropical Tide

 Ah, March. The season of change, the promise of cooler days (or warmer ones, depending on where you are) and most importantly—a brand-new inspiration kit for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge.  This month, they dived into the dreamy Beach Tale Collection by Kristin Cronin-Barrow from Sweet Shoppe Designs. And let me tell you, this one is an absolute stunner. If you haven’t checked out the inspiration kit yet, be sure to head over to the blog: Counterfeit Kit Challenge.

Here is a sneak peek.

The Beach Tale Collection comes in two gorgeous variations—one in soft pastels and the other bolder and brighter. And while both are stunning, I knew immediately that the bolder version was the one I would draw inspiration from. I don’t scrapbook digitally—never have, probably never will. For me, it’s all about the paper, glue, and good old-fashioned hands-on creativity, and I am so technically challenged that the idea of using the computer more freaks me out. So, as always, I headed straight to my craft stash and pulled together my own version of this kit. Let’s just say my supplies could probably stock a small scrapbooking shop, but hey, that just means I had plenty to choose from.

Here is my kit that I pulled, and I’ve actually given my kit a name—Tropical Tide.  With its mix of bold beachy colours, woodgrain textures, and tropical florals, it just felt right.

Given the water and beach theme of the Beach Tale Collection, I knew straight away that this would be the perfect excuse to finally start scrapping my Hawaii holiday photos. With that in mind, I went all out on the tropical vibes. Here’s what made it into my kit:

• Bright and bold papers

• Hawaiian-themed papers (because, let’s be honest, when else am I going to use them?)

• Florals—because flowers and beachy layouts just go hand in hand.

• A tonne of woodgrain papers—in all sorts of browns. The original kit has plenty of woodgrain elements, so I pulled out every piece I could find from my stash (hoping to finally use some up)

• Metal die cuts—I am obsessed with my metal die cutter at the moment, so of course, I had to include some fish and floral dies to add extra detail and embellishment.

• Bright embellishments like stickers, chipboard, sequins, washi tape, tiny puffy stickers—because more is more.

• And, the best part—brownish shiny frangipani paper that I’ve had since I made my wedding invitations back in 2004. I couldn’t believe my luck when I found it, and since the digital kit features frangipani flowers, it was meant to be. 

I am excited to start scraping with this kit. There’s something so satisfying about pulling from my stash and making it work for a new theme. Plus, I can already see my Hawaii holiday layouts coming together with all these fun and vibrant elements.

Scrapping Clearly February Sketch, just for fun

 There’s something about a good sketch that makes scrapbooking feel effortless and fun. Sketches provide inspiration, take the guesswork out of design, and help layouts come together much more quickly. This month, I turned to the Scrapbooking Clearly February Sketch as a starting point for my latest page, and of course, I had to put my own spin on it!

This layout is extra special because it captures the moment Paige received her very first school award. Anyone who knows Paige knows she’s an absolute chatterbox, so it’s no surprise that she was recognised for "best improvement in language development." That huge cheeky smile says it all—she was beyond proud of herself, and I just had to document this moment.

Lately, I’ve been a bit obsessed with using tags in my scrapbooking, so I thought I’d challenge myself to incorporate that into the sketch. One of the patterned paper pieces in the design seemed like the perfect candidate to turn into a giant tag. But once I had it on the page, it looked a bit lonely sitting there on its own. So I decided to tweak the sketch a little and turn the element at the top into tags as well. I love how it turned out—sometimes a little creative detour makes all the difference.

Scrapbooking special moments like this is exactly why I do what I do. As I get older, my memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be, and I love knowing that these little milestones are being preserved. More importantly, I hope that one day, when the girls are older, they’ll look back at these pages and appreciate the stories I’ve captured for them.

Using my February Counterfeit Kit

As February comes to an end, I felt the need to use up my February Counterfeit Kit, which I pulled from my stash at the start of the month, do you remember what it looked like? Well, here is a photo so that you can see what I started with. 

By keeping my Counterfeit Kit close by on my desk throughout the month, I’m constantly reminded to use it, helping me build the habit of reaching for my older supplies instead of always grabbing something new. Being in Australia, the time difference works in our favour—we can finish off our February kits while also joining in on the new challenges being posted for March. With that in mind, I used the Scrapping Clearly March sketch challenge for this layout.

While my layout initially followed the sketch closely, it naturally evolved into its own unique design, and I’m thrilled with how it turned out. The layout captures a special moment: Paige’s Year Four school performance, where she enthusiastically learned the dance to The Git Up. The original kit’s colours provided a solid foundation, but to reflect the performance’s vibrant energy, I introduced some coloured circles that weren’t in my original Counterfeit Kit. I think they really bring the page to life.

In addition to this, I’ve created another layout using my Counterfeit Kit. While I can’t share it in full just yet—as it’s for an upcoming Design Team feature—here’s a little sneak peek to pique your interest. Stay tuned to my blog for the full reveal soon.

Participating in both the Counterfeit Kit Challenge and the Scrapping Clearly sketch challenge has reignited my creativity and encouraged me to explore my existing supplies. It’s a great reminder of the treasures we often overlook in our own collections—and a fun way to bust our stash.

Craftin' Around the World Design Team share

I’m so excited to share my second February Design Team layout for Febrauary. As always, our challenges are open themes, or you can choose between the sketches or the colour combination this month. I can't wait to see which one or combination of them that you pick. 

I decided to focus on the Colour Moodboard, and I can’t wait to show you how I used it to create a beautiful layout celebrating my daughter Bronte's Formal (Prom). But before I reveal my project, let’s talk about how colour can truly elevate your designs, and why using a colour moodboard can make scrapbooking so much easier and more fun!

Colour is a Powerful Tool in Scrapbooking

Colour is one of the most important elements in scrapbooking. It has the power to set the tone, evoke emotions, and bring your memories to life. The right colour combination can transform your scrapbook page into a captivating visual story that resonates with the viewer. But, as you can imagine, with so many colours to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming when it comes to picking the perfect scheme for your project. In the past, I’ll admit that I picked colors for my scrapbook pages based on what simply appealed to me in the moment. There was no rhyme or reason to it—just colours that I thought looked pretty together. But after a while, I realised that a lot of my pages started to feel a little bland. They all looked the same, and nothing really stood out. Can you relate? I had a bunch of pages with no wow factor.

That’s when I decided to turn to colour moodboards for inspiration. A colour moodboard is a fantastic way to take the guesswork out of selecting your colour scheme. Instead of picking them randomly, a moodboard already provides you with a beautifully curated combination of colours that are proven to work well together and create a visually appealing result. The great thing about using a colour moodboard is that it simplifies the creative process. No more second-guessing whether your colours are matching or complementing each other. With a moodboard, the hard work is already done for you! It reduces the time spent in the colour selection process, which means you can focus on adding your own personal touch to the layout and let the colours take care of the rest.

My Layout Inspired by the Color Moodboard

For my February layout, I was drawn to the colour moodboard that was provided, and I decided to create a layout about Bronte’s Formal (Prom). I loved the colours in the moodboard, and they were perfect for capturing the elegant, celebratory feel of the occasion.

One of the first decisions I made was to convert my colour photos to black and white. Why? The moodboard had a very specific colour palette—bold bright green, teal, pink and purple—and I wanted my photos to complement the colours rather than compete with them. By making the photos black and white, I ensured that they blended seamlessly with the layout’s colour scheme and let the focus remain on the overall design.

Next, I found inspiration in the butterfly featured in the moodboard. I loved the delicate, graceful feel of the butterfly, so I decided to incorporate it into my layout as a prominent element. I used die cuts to create butterfly embellishments and placed it near Bronte’s photos to bring a touch of whimsy and elegance to the page. The butterflies not only added visual interest, but it also tied back to the colour moodboard, reinforcing the theme and colour choices.

How to Join the Challenge

Joining in on our Craft'n Around the World Facebook Challenge is simple! There are no strict rules about what you can or can’t do. The only requirement is that you join in the fun and incorporate the elements of the challenge into your project, which is open themed so.... anything goes!! So, whether you’re drawn to the sketch, the moodboard, or the Tic-Tac-Toe grid, there’s something for everyone to get involved in! I can’t wait to see how you all interpret the colour moodboard and what amazing projects you come up with this month. Please share your creations with us in the group, and feel free to ask any questions if you need guidance or inspiration!

Happy crafting and good luck to everyone.

Craftin' Around the World February Design Team Share

Hello Craft'n Around the World friends!

I’m so excited to reveal my February Design Team layout for this month’s challenge at Craftin' Aroung the World Facebook group. As always, we’ve got an open theme, with a card or scrapbooking sketch and a bonus of a Colour Moodboard to get you really thinking. I’ve chosen to focus on the monthly sketch for inspiration for this layout. If you haven’t checked out the sketches yet, I encourage you to do so at the Facebook Group. 

Monthly Challenge Details

Don’t forget, the Craft'n Around the World challenges are open to everyone, and you have a few ways to play along each month: Use the Sketch: Create either a card or layout based on the provided sketches, or now choose from the rotating monthly Mood Board or the Tic-Tac-Toe. The possibilities are endless, and we can’t wait to see what you come up with this month!

This month, I created a layout celebrating my daughter Bronte, who just completed Year 12 and graduated from college! It’s a huge milestone, and I wanted to capture that special moment. I used the scrapbooking sketch to guide the placement of my photos, title, and embellishments-making the layout come together so fast. The final result is a beautiful tribute to her accomplishment, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

Using Sketches for Inspiration: A Blueprint for Your Creativity

One of the things I love most about sketches is that they provide a clear framework for your project, but still leave room for personal creativity. Think of a sketch like a blueprint—it’s a guide that gives you a general idea of where to place your photos, title, and other elements on the page. It’s a fantastic way to get started, especially if you’re feeling a little stuck or need a spark of inspiration.

Here’s why I love using sketches for both scrapbooking and card making:

• Quick & Easy Design: When you use a sketch, you’re essentially working from a plan. This allows you to create a well-designed project quickly and easily. The sketch gives you a clear structure to follow, which makes the process smoother. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel—just follow the outline and let your creativity fill in the details!

• Flexibility to Personalise: While the sketch provides a starting point, it’s not a strict rulebook. There’s no law that says you can’t move the elements around or change them up a bit! Feel free to swap out embellishments, adjust photo sizes, or add more layers to suit your style. A sketch is simply a guide, not a set of rigid instructions, which means you have the freedom to make it your own.

• Build a Professional-Looking Layout: Sketches can help you create a layout that looks polished and well-balanced. If you’re a beginner, they provide a great way to ensure your photos and elements are arranged in a visually appealing way. If you’re a more experienced scrapper, a sketch is a way to streamline your design process while still achieving that “wow” factor.

 I hope this layout and the tips I’ve shared inspire you to give the challenge a try if you haven’t already. Remember, sketches are a fantastic tool for streamlining the design process while still allowing room for your own creativity. Whether you’re creating a layout for a special milestone like Bronte’s graduation or a card for a friend, a sketch can help make the process both fun and efficient.

I can’t wait to see what you all create for this month’s challenge! Don’t forget to share your projects with us in the group—we love seeing all your amazing work.

Happy crafting.

A Cut Above - February Design Team reveal

Hello everyone! I'm so excited to reveal my showpiece layout for the A Cut Above Design Team this month. February's challenge is already shaping up to be a fantastic one, and I can't wait to share my creation with all of you!

But before I dive into the details of my layout, I want to take a moment to thank all of you who participated in the January Challenge. We received so many beautiful submissions, and it was truly a joy to see everyone's creativity shine. I hope that you'll continue to share your stunning projects with us, and for those of you who haven’t joined yet, we’d love to see even more of your work this month. Remember, the challenge is open to everyone, so don’t hesitate to get involved!

Now, let’s talk about my February layout. This one is particularly special to me because it celebrates a fun and memorable moment from Halloween when my daughter, Paige, was totally Harry Potter-obsessed. For this occasion, she dressed up as Hermione Granger, and let me tell you, she looked both cute and menacing at the same time—talk about the perfect Hermione vibe!

To create this layout, I used metal dies to bring the Harry Potter magic to life. I love how metal dies can add extra dimension and interest to a project. They give such a clean, detailed cut, and the possibilities for embellishments are endless. Using them as the focal point really makes the layout stand out, and the die cuts truly bring the theme to life.

Tips for Using Metal Dies:

1. Colouring your Die Cuts: One of the best things about metal die cuts is how versatile they are when it comes to colouring. On my layout, I used coloured pencils on the owl die cut to give it a soft, detailed look. You can also use felt pens on other elements like the Sorting Hat and Dobby to add bold and vibrant colour. The beauty of this is that you can customise each die cut to your exact preferences, creating something that’s unique and personal.

2. Adding Metallic Touches: I also backed one of the die cuts with metallic paper to give them a classic, magical touch. The shimmering effect adds just the right amount of contrast against the background of my layout and highlights key elements, like the gold title. This technique is a simple way to elevate your layout and make it look polished.

Now that I’ve shared some of my creative process, I want to remind you of the A Cut Above Challenge rules so that you can participate and join the fun! Challenges are posted on the first Monday of every month at 12:00 AM (Eastern Time), and they end on the 28th of the month at 8:00 PM (Eastern Time). Winners are posted on the 30th of each month. The theme is always "Anything Goes", but there is a crucial rule: you must include at least one die cut in your project. This can be a die cut created with a manual or electronic die-cutting machine—just make sure it's not a pre-fabricated, purchased die cut.

I hope my layout for February gives you some fun ideas for your own projects. I had a blast creating this Harry Potter-themed page, and I can’t wait to see all the amazing submissions you all come up with. Don’t forget to share your beautiful work with us at A Cut Above Blog Challenge—we'd love to see how you incorporate dies into your creations!

Until next time.