Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Australian Scrapbook Ideas #25 Frame it Up ~ You Make Me Smile

The Final Layout in the Frame it UP article in Australian Scrapbook Ideas.

Loved doing this one, I have used the Manor house frames and some resin frames to create this layout.  This one is a real mix of styles with a bit of everything thrown in!



I am so proud of my girl, she has been through some real challenging times in recent months, you just want to protect your kids forever. It is so hard to watch them have to go through some necessary life challenges that makes them better people.



I absolutely adore this Bo Bunny range of papers too! I love all the bits and pieces for clustering!


The Manor House lace frames are just stunning, love how this one turned out too!







Friday, February 7, 2014

Australian Scrapbook Ideas #25 ~ Frame it Up ~ Life

Another one from my Australian Scrapbook Ideas #25 Article.
I created a shadow canvas for this one. You don't get to see the depth of this project in the magazine.



The photos are framed with paper frames that were raised off the canvas with 3D foam tape and then I used texture paste to fill in the edges on the inside of the frame.


I added the photos to a piece of cardstock that was stuck on the back of the canvas frame to give it more depth so the photos looked like they were floating behind the frames.




This was fun to do, I don't think I have seen anything done like this before, well not to my knowledge when I created this one anyway! But there are always many like minded people out there, who may have already thought of this technique too! I would love to see them if there is!



I can imagine sooooo many possibilities with this technique!!!

Why don't you have a go of creating a shadow canvas this weekend?? Come on I dare you!



Make sure you share them here or add a link to yours here!!
I would love to see and be inspired by yours too!

Happy Friday People xxxxx




Thursday, February 6, 2014

Australian Scrapbook Ideas #25 Frame it up ~ Family

Back with another layout in the article, This one showcases framing using tags and bits and pieces.

All the instructions for these layouts are included in this magazine.

This layout used tags and embellishments to frame the photo.
I have also used decorative foils on this layout that I will have available in my online shop coming very very soon!! fingers crossed within the next couple of weeks xxx


I will try and get a couple of foil tutorials up soon too! These are so much fun xx


I love the effects of the decorative foils on  chipboard!!!





Cheers xx



Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Australian Scrapbook Ideas #25 ~ Get It Framed ~ COVER ~ Follow Your Heart

I am pretty excited to share that I have made the cover of the latest Australian Scrapbook Ideas.
This Magazine includes my article on "Get it Framed"
I will share the others in the next couple of days! :)



I had been getting published for 8 years before I made my first cover. It was never high on my wish list all those years, even though secretly I would have loved one.

The feeling I had when I first saw my first cover on a magazine was unforgettable. It was so funny I remember standing in the shops when I first saw it and was thinking to myself someone has copied my layout, that even looks like my nephew in the pic! HOLY CRAP that is my layout! Was so funny that it took a bit to sink in!

So this now brings me to my 3rd cover (my second for ASI)
I still get just as excited to see them on the cover!


This is one of my dear friends daughter in this layout, I took these photos for her semi formal formal. Tori was so much fun to photograph she is just gorgeous inside and out!


I had to create all these layouts for this article while I was away from home without all my supplies and stuff to play with! That was a challenge. But then again I have never been one to pass up a challenge!



If you dream of getting published never give up, and never take a rejection personally, treat it like a raffle ticket submit them then forget about them. Persistence is the key! Never Give up!!!
The first rejection is always the hardest, but after that it gets easier. Even for someone like me who has now been published for 9 years I can still get maybe one picked up out of every 20 or more submitted.
It is not about you it is more about what they are looking for that magazine and it is only one persons opinion and what that one person is looking for!



Never Give UP if it is what you really want and dream of!!!
(That goes for everything in life and business!!)

I received this message from Amber after I did an interview call with her recently.... This makes me sooo happy!!'

"When Michelle rang I wasn't really sure what to expect. I'd never been interviewed about my scrapbooking before. The questions really got me thinking about what I wanted to achieve through my scrapbooking. I think in the end Michelle ended up helping me more than I helped her. She gave me the courage to submit my work into a magazine again and the next day I received an email saying they want to publish a couple of things. Michelle made me realise that I shouldn't give up on my dreams. If it's what I really want then keep going until it happens."

Amber has since gone on to have another 2 or 3 publications picked up in recent weeks too!
I love seeing others dreams come true too!!

I would love to hear some of your publication stories/ struggles too, make sure you share them here too!

Have a fantastic day everyone!!!














Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Trust In Yourself ~ Canvas

This was one of those nice little unexpected projects that emerged amongst a busy schedule!
It was an old canvas that had something crappy on it and I walked past it one night and thought I might throw a layer of texture paste on that......



I stamped some things into the texture paste and added some egg shells.
Then a couple of days later.......



I added some Lindy's Stamp Gang spray inks!


Then before I went for lunch another day I thought it was feeling too wishy washy,
So I rubbed some yellow oxide paint into all the grooves and wiped off the excess with a baby wipe



Then I rubbed a bit of burnt umber paint into the circle patterns.
The hanging charm frames have brads and pebbles in them then filled with ice resin.
The sticks and twigs come from our beach! :)
 


So for something that was not planned and just happened inbetween everything I am pretty damn happy with it!!!

Thanks for Looking!
Have a Great Day! xxx


Monday, February 3, 2014

Studio Tour

I have been very brave in getting in front of the video camera and have done a video tour of my little studio/office space, I have changed rooms since my last studio photos and have just changed this room around again since I have moved in last year. My darling son offered to swap rooms last year, he didn't have to ask me twice. LOL So I have gone from a 3x3 room to a 3x4 and man that extra meter makes all the difference. I have to say a huge thank you to my gorgeous daughter Leonii for helping me make this video. My first attempt I did myself with walking around with the camera in my hand, but It made me that sick with all the motion I couldn't even watch it to edit it! :).
It was a lot better done with the tripod! Anyway I hope you enjoy the tour ...


Have a great day!!!









Monday, January 6, 2014

So Impressed with these Budding Artists! :)


I have had so much fun these past few months teaching nieces, and cousins daughter to draw these faces. I love the look on their faces when they have finished it, that they can't believe they did that!
Chloe (my niece 13), Sarah (Chloe's cousin on her dad's side 13) & Scarlet (my cousins eldest daughter 13) These girls have so much natural talent! I really hope they continue with expressing themselves through art and exploring their creative abilities! It can be such a great way for self expression and to really learn about themselves! I really saddens me that so many of us as kids are told that being artistic will never amount to anything, when in reality it can lead you to everything!!

Learning about yourself and getting in touch with who you are and your soul is what we spend our whole lives doing. Imagine how much quicker we could all get there if we kept pursuing our artistic abilities.  It really doesn't take much to shut down someones creative dreams, especially a kids. They don't need to be told more than once that they can't do something before they believe it! Then you spend the rest of your life avoiding those things that you were told that you couldn't do, and you believe it yourself!

Just Imagine if you could do anything you wanted to, what would you like to do now??? Getting in touch with your creative side or any side that was suppressed from early childhood is such a freeing exercise.
Creative pursuits doesn't just mean painting or drawing, it can be interior decorating, fashion, cooking, woodwork, needlework, singing, acting, writing and so so many more things that might be your creative calling!

Why not make it a goal for this year to get back in touch with your creative side this year, give yourself permission to enjoy something just for you. Find something that lights you up and grounds you and just gives you pure joy!!!

This was my girl in progress that I did while teaching Chloe and Sarah  over the Christmas Break!
I have been having so much fun learning to draw these this past 12 months! I am still trying to find my style with these girls!



This is Chloe's Girl she drew! I think she even surprised herself! These girls even gave up beach time to do these! I think they are hooked now! :)
Although they were back down the beach when I went to get a photo of them both with them when they were finished! :)

 This is Sarah's girl, she did hers in Greens and Pink to go in her Room!
They have both done amazing jobs on their first go!
Sarah is another natural little artist! :)


This is Scarlet my cousins daughter, another natural artist! I got to teach Scarlet to draw in the September School holidays down the beach. She is a natural artist, but then so is her mum too!
Scarlet did the top two corner girls down the beach, and she got a box of gelatos for Christmas and has sent through all the other pics of the other girls she has done since! I love them all!!!

I am so proud of all the girls and what they have achieved in such a short time!! What has taken me 12 months to learn to do they have picked up in no time at all! :)
This was my finished girl I did while teaching Scarlet! :)
I did quite a few more over the holidays that I still have to share yet too! :)

I wonder how much more natural ability we would all have if we were given permission to express ourselves through art without judgement!
We would definitely worry less about what others think about us!
I am blown away by the talent of these girls and love the innocent expression they portray in their artwork, before we are conditioned as to what is right and wrong and that everything needs to be perfect!

Perfectionism is a soul destroyer! Kick it to the kerb people!!!!!
I KNOW!! I KNOW!!!!!
That is soooooooooo much easier said than done, I am so guilty of it still too!
But I am learning to let it go!
You can too!!!

Wishing you all a wondrous creative journey for 2014! What ever your pursuits may be!!
Find something that makes your heart sing and just go for it!!!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Fear has a lot to answer too!

I know I said I would be back with an update of the past few months adventures, but it has just been one big roller coaster lately. My doubts and fears have been working on holding me back, as soon as I feel like I am making some progress it feels like this hand reaches back up and tries to bring me back down! I just don't get it how we can let our heads have this much control of us! 



I have had enough and just want to smack this bitch down, I am sick of being on this roller coaster and sick of feeling sick, that I am not good enough or not smart enough or not funny enough or what ever else the voice in my head likes to inflict on me! I am tired of letting little things or comments derail me so easily.

I have been working sooooo hard on staying positive and looking to the future and working on me, but this consistent, persistent voice always comes back to bring me crashing back down!

I AM ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!! I have to believe that or else what is the point of anything!! Why am I doing what I am doing?? Questions and arguments that go on in my head constantly. I have so much going on and so much I want to do and so much I want to share and give to others but fear of rejection is making me selfish, I am holding back soo  much that could be benefiting others all for the fear that it is not going to be good enough or I might be laughed at or ridiculed or even be wrong. Another big thing I fear is letting people down and disappointing people! I know they are just my insecurities, but how the hell do I get control over them and tell them to fuck off once and for all!!!

I know I will never get off this roller coaster called life, but to just be able to feel like I am doing the right thing and that I am on the right path will make things seem so much easier without this persistent pest in my head!!! 

If anyone has any tips on how to let go of not feeling good enough I would love to hear them!
Sorry about the rant, this is just where my head is at today!

I will be back very soon with my first video blog post, if I can get past the insecurities of how I will look and sound on camera.. But I will do it, I am just working up the courage at the moment!


Monday, November 25, 2013

Sooooo Much News To Tell You............

I have had a crazy few months, and have lots to tell you. It literally has been a whirlwind.
Stay tuned for a mammoth post on my last few months, Well Maybe I will break it up into a few smaller posts this coming week! :)

All I can say Now is that it is all happening!!!!!!!!!!  LOL

I feel like I have grown into a whole new person this year, I am definitely getting a lot more comfortable in my own skin and have had a massive growth journey this year!!

Its All Good!!

I will be back with lots of pics to share and stories of my travels and soul journey as soon as I get a spare min over the coming weeks!

Have a great week everyone!!!!

Much Love
Me xxx

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

ScrapMedia Workshop - 16th & 17th of November 2013 BOOKINGS OPEN NOW!!!

The next ScrapMedia Workshop is on the
16th & 17th of November 2013

BOOKINGS OPEN NOW!!!
Get in quick so you don't miss out!!!!



Venue: Mackay Art Societies, Snow Wright Court, Beaconsfield 4740


View Larger Map


 Included in this Weekend Workshop will be:
  • 2x ScrapMedia Workshop Classes with all kits supplied
    Saturdays Class - Perpetual Birthday Calendar - Tutor Michelle Grant
    Sunday's Class - Creative Backgrounds with stencils and more - Tutor Michelle Grant
  • 1x Challenge Pack Competition with the opportunity to win a great prize
  • All meals Included - Morning, Afternoon Tea and Lunch for both Saturday and Sunday
    as well as Dinner and Supper for Saturday Night
  • Demonstration Saturday Night & Crop till Late
    (Bring your laptop and camera if you would like to learn how to take photos of your projects, edit and upload to your computer and facebook)
  • Prizes to be Won!!
  • Both shops will be open to the public from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday
and more!


This is going to be a fun filled weekend full of creative inspiration. 
  _______________________________________________

 If you require accommodation for the workshop a couple of options that are reasonable
and around the same suburb are:


Andergrove Van Park - 1800 424 922
2 bedroom cabins (external bathroom) and Villas (internal Bathroom)
$95 per night for 2 people, $8 per extra adult

(This is the closest to the venue)

Motel Northview - 07 4942 1077
$118 per night, or $98 for 2 nights for 2 people
_______________________________________________

BOOKINGS OPEN NOW

Places are limited and will be first in bases.
Book your spot today so you don 't miss out!

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Option A (Early Bird Special)
 
Full Weekend Workshop ~ Early Bird Special

$264.00 only $240.00 if paid by the 25th of October 2013

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Option B (Full Payment)
 
Full Weekend Workshop ~ Full Payment

$264.00 if paid AFTER the 25th of October 2013
Full Payment Due by the 11th of November 2013


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Option C (Payment Plan)
Full Weekend Workshop ~ Payment Plan
2 x Installments of $132.00
Due by the 11th of November 2013


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Option D (Saturday Only)
Weekend Workshop ~ Saturday Only
$164.00 - Saturday 9am to Late
D
ue by the
11th of November 2013

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  Option E (Sunday Only)
Weekend Workshop ~ Sunday Only
$100.00
- Sunday 10am to 5pm

D
ue by the
11th of November 2013

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Email your registration details to confirm your booking:

Please email the following information to:michelle@studiomdesigns.com.au

Name:
Address:
Contact Phone #:
Email:
DOB:
Payment Method:
Payment Date:
Special Dietary Requirements:


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 ***Also available at the Weekend Workshop***

for your shopping pleasure!!!

***Barbie's Scrapbooking Magic***

 

Barbie will have her shop set up at the weekend workshop too.
I am sure you will be able to find something you are looking for between us.
It will be a great opportunity to stock up on adhesives and browse all the new yummy goodies we will have available for you.
Both shops will be open to the public from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday
If you can't make the weekend workshop, we would love for you to drop in and say Hi!

***Pre Orders & Special Requests***

If you are chasing anything in particular just let Barbie or myself know and we can try and have it at the workshop for you. Get in early if you need something tracked down as delivery still takes time to get here.



I will be taking pre-orders for Dusty Attic! If there is anything you would like ordered pop on over to the Dusty Attic Website to see what is available and I can order them in for you to bring to the workshop. Pre-orders for Dusty will close 1st of November.

Email your requests to either
myself at michelle@studiomdesigns.com.au
or Barbie at barbiesscrapmagic@bigpond.com

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To keep up with all the latest news and announcements make sure you sign up for the newsletter below to be the first to hear all the latest news!



If you have any questions about this fabulous weekend
Phone:
Michelle on 0428857022  or
Email: michelle@michellegrantdesigns.com
Looking Forward to seeing you there xx
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