*~Life is Sweet with You~* Card

Hi there!

I created this card today from this weeks very funky Card Sketch Challenge #127 at
Feeling Sketchy:

 

I enjoyed playing along and hope to see you again soon!!

Have a great day!

{{{Hugs}}}

*~Erica~*

*~Angus Babe & Let's Scrap Sketch #8-15-15~*

Good Morning My Dear Scrappy Arty Friends!

I surely hope you are doing well!

Spring is in the air here in South Africa and I even started doing some gardening... 

I am actually still waiting for the cold to return, as August is just a teeny bit early for Spring here...

It usually only starts mid September... but no one is complaining!

We had a lovely drive out to one of my favourite places:
Hartbeespoort in the North West Province on Sunday

(yes, another layout on it's way - the pics have already been printed)

and I bought this beauty at the Jasmyn Farm Stall... 

An absolute beauty of a Geranium... I grew up calling it a Malva, and still love that name...
It is not just beautiful for the eyes to see, but I rather like the distinct smell.

Lucky me to have found her! ;-)

 Well, this week I would like to share with you this very versatile sketch from Let's Scrap.

 I have been wanting to scrap my 3 dear pups of 9 months old...
So this one is the first of a few you are going to see of them. ;-)

We were filled with terrible sadness after our dear bullterrier Tiger died of bladder cancer in the age of 10 in October 2014.

This is Tiger.. Such a handsome & soft hearted boy...

We loved him dearly & he will always live in my heart. ♥

Tiger as a sweet & naughty pup ;-)

In his younger years...

10 years old ♥

 

So for about 2 months our house and garden were so quiet...

We woke up on 20 December 2014, decided we would like to give "a" rescue pup a home forever and drove to Wollies Animal Project in Pretoria North.  As we walked in, this little cutie just arrived at the shelter.  Off cause, we fell in love right away!!!
My DD#1 immediately called him Angus... and it suits him to a T!

...and the lady said... there are some more pups at the back if you would like to see them...
the rest is history!!!

Well, back to Angus for now: he has an absolute heart of gold with the most beautiful chocolate brown eyes

This is him... our Dear Angus...

And a BABE he is, believe me if I tell you that!! ♥

Let's Scrap Sketch # 8-15-15

My Layout all about *Angus Babe*

 

He was sleeping & playing on the couch & used my crocheted granny square cushion as a pillow, off cause this is the most comfy cushion in the lounge & there seem to be no others like it!?!

Here is some close ups...

As I am on a bit of a "rampage" to finish WIP's and use up what I have, I went right there into the archives again for these papers... I remembered that I had some "old" doggy papers from a layout I did in a class about 10 years ago... These papers are very thin and tears easily, so I had to be quite careful.  The paw brads were also in my stash for many years and the same with the 7 Gypsies stickers...

This is just a wooden cut out I found in a shop a while ago and loved it, all I did was chalk it with a little bit of  Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink and a Blending Tool as I wanted it to look natural and blend in with Angus' lovely brown skin. :-)

I do not think that Angus is as much the Lucky Dog as we are the Lucky Humans to have him as part of our family. ♥

I find animals, especially my dogs, to be an absolute pleasure to be around and AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL therapy.  No prejudice, no hate, no unkindness, no sarcasm...
Only love & acceptance & gratitude & kindness.

I do love all animals, but am a bit more of a dog person.
I have had 2 cats in my life and loved them dearly.
The one was a lovely black cat, I received as a gift from one of my favourite teachers in high school.  His name was: Kaitsicubib (not at all sure of the spelling, but that is what I called him, after a character in an Afrikaans television series that was shot in Namibia...
I wish I can remember what that series' name was, but it is a long time ago!? Anyone???)

This is Kaitsicubib & I in the 80's  :-)

 

My dogs, well, they are companions, friends, children, psychologists, circus pets, soulmates...
all in one!? ♥♥♥ 

I surely hope you enjoyed looking as much as I loved creating this very special layout for our Pet Album!

Have a Wonderful Tuesday!

{{{Hugs}}}

*~Erica~*

*~KewTie~*

Good Morning My Dear Arty Scrappy Friends

We are having some lovely sunny weather here in South Africa today... it almost feels like Spring is here, but I do know by trial & error that Winter has not passed yet and Spring will only be here in about 4-6 weeks, which is in September/October.  I cannot wait for the rain to come, for green green grass and flowers to bloom... such beauty Spring brings!!

I have been busy busy scrapbooking inbetween all the other things in life,
never a dull moment and always something to do! :-)

Today I would like to share with you my entry into this week's fabulous Let's Scrap sketch...

This is another beautiful sketch by Michelle van Wyk:
8-1-15

And this is my entry, called: "Kewtie"...

I played around with some white textured paint and a leaf stencil.
When dry, I used a little bit of blue mist.

Here are some close ups:

 I attended the LOVELY Helderfontein Scrapbook Event hosted by Scrapbook Studio from Jeffrey's Bay.  I will be doing a blog post on this event soon, so watch this space... 

I used some leftovers from our one class by Jowilna Nolte for this layout.  We used some fabulous distress ink techniques on these, with a hint of silver, as well as the embossing folder from Craft Concepts called "Stained Glass" {using the Cuttlebug to emboss}, so the embossed hexigons started out as plain white paper and this is the great effect it ended up with, something I am definitely using in my layouts & cards again!

The hexagon 3rd from the top in the middle has been done with only distress ink and some water, creating a "spongy" effect.

***

Here I used some old patterns to krinkle up in the left bottom part of the layout.
You will see the upside down "E" which is especially for my DD's name. :-)

 I was getting terribly creative with the name "Kewtie" and came up with a mixture of "Kewpie" and "Cutie"... instead of calling it Cutie Kewpie or something which makes it less interesting.
The cream sticker letters I used was in my stash from a previous scrapbook convention a few years ago and I dabbed some blue ink on it to make it stand out a bit more.

 

 I went on a hunt right at the back of my corner cupboard in my studio for these old albums to scrap these pics of my DD when she was 2 years old and enjoying every moment of washing this little Kewpie doll at the Moms & Tots Workshop where we used to go every Friday morning.  We had lots of fun there & lots of friends, some super special times I will never forget and which I would like to savour for her to look back on. On this photo is her friend Christo looking very interested in her do-abouts.  I think everytime we left there, that little dolly was all squeeky clean and bright! :-)

"Hey Diddle Diddle" was one of my DD's favourite rhimes so I had to use this!

Wow, and it gives me a splendid idea for another layout with this rhime as theme... Ahhhhh.....

I used a few cute flowers that was in my stash...
And did some fussy cutting... {Aijaijai, can't believe I did that to myself again!?}

 This layout is going straight into my DD's album, along with the other pics from back when she was 2 years old.  I have decided not to change that specific album, as it is already a "Project Life" like album... so maybe I already had the idea of doing Project Life but it had no name yet 17 years ago!  Anyway, I am "only" going to scrap some pics here and there and position them inbetween the pocket folders to make it more pretty for her to enjoy one day looking back on her life.

This is the "old" pocket pages... not at all bad! 

Thank you so much for visiting my blog!  I surely hope you enjoyed looking and I hope to see you back here again soon!

AND REMEMBER TO FOLLOW so you don't miss out on anything... just click on the right under FOLLOW ME!

Have a Fantastic Wednesday!

Hugs

Erica

*~Condensed Milk, Lemon & Custard Tart~*

We made this lovely Condensed Milk, Lemon & Custard Tart for Father's Day to treat the men in our lives... I am happy to say that they thoroughly enjoyed it!!! ♥

Here is the recipe... but I made it double, as the single recipe just did not do it for 6 people! ;-P

INGREDIENTS

1 {or more} packets of Tennis Biscuits

1 litre {or more} medium to thick Custard

1 {or 2} tins of Condensed Milk

+- 125ml {or to taste} Lemon Juice

{I prefer using freshly squeezed lemons}

METHOD

Mix Condensed Milk & Lemon Juice in a food processor on high for a few minutes until creamy.

**Pack a layer of biscuits in a square dish,

then a layer of condensed milk,

another layer of biscuits,

a layer of custard...

And repeat from **.

Best left in the fridge for a few hours... or not...

All depends on how long you can wait to take a bite...

And... ENJOY!! ;-)

  

 

YUM YUM YUM 

ENJOY!!!!!

*~Hugs~*

Erica

*~Our 1st February 14th~*

Hi There to All my Arty Scrappy Friends
and very welcome to my blog,
how nice to see you here again!

This week I would like to share this layout I created using Let's Scrap's beautiful sketch #7-1-15 designed by the ever so talented Michelle van Wyk.  I would like to take this opportunity to once again say how talented this sweet scrapbooking friend of mine is...

Michelle, you are the best, always friendly and always doing amazing work,
whether it is designing lovely scrapbook layouts or sketches,
it is always a pleasure working with you! ♥

If you would like to see more, Michelle's blog can be found here:

Homespun Scrap

Well, back to this week's layout and a little more info on the theme:

As quoting one of my favourite comedy shows, The Goldbergs:
"Before there were parenting blogs, trophies for showing up, and peanut allergies,
there was a simpler time called the '80s." 

Well, back in the 80's I met my husband Sean...
This year we celebrated 21 years of being married! ♥♥

When I first saw these beautiful papers, my imagination ran away with me {as usual!} and I saw photos of Sean & I celebrating Valentine's Day together every year since we met in 1988.

And so...
on this photo we have a cute little heart cake I baked for him on our very first Valentine's Day.  February 14th and later on February 12th {to be precise 1994}, became some of the most important days in our lives, as the 12th became our Wedding Anniversary.  These days have always been very important to us and we always try to do something special, even if it is only having a picnic together or eating pizza. ♥

This is the sketch:
Let's Scrap Sketch #7-1-15

And this is the layout:

 *~Our 1st February 14th~*

This beautiful range of papers I found hiding in my stash
{as I bought it a few months ago}
called Lovebugs by
Doodlebug Designs

As there's some grey present on the papers, like on the "FEBRUARY 14th" word,
I decided on using Tim Holtz' Distress Ink:  Frayed Burlap, for inking.

And as I just love glitter, off cause I had to use Crystal Stickles to round things off.


Here are some close ups...

For adhering the buttons, I used some of my white cotton thread/yarn called Vinnis Nikkim.
I enjoy crocheting with Vinnis and always have some handy.
Well, okay, I always have a rather large stash of yarn handy... to feed my other love of crocheting...
What can I say?!? ;-P

This photo is so lovely to me... the hot winter sun was shining so brightly,
I just HAD TO take a pic with the sun shining right on the layout...
how beautiful the shadows and the rays of light! :-)

 

The 1989 was originally done with {rather old} rub on's and these guys did not want to stick so well, so I made a plan and used some white paint to go over the numbers,
to me it gave a rather "vintage" feel.
And I know... it is not at all perfect, but I do not do perfect in Scrapbooking!
In my Scrapbooking I do joy & freedom & art & love!! ;-)

Don't you just love this quote?
It surely is one of my all time favourite love quotes!
I saw a room the other day where this quote has been painted on... such a great idea.
It is definitely on my list to make my home even more pretty.
I am actually thinking of writing some of my own poems in my own handwriting
on a wall or 2 in my home.
I will show you when it's done...

Well, thank you for visiting and reading my blog, I surely hope to see you here again soon...
and don't forget to follow so you do not miss out on any future posts!

I loved creating this very special layout and it is going right there into our album so that we can look at it regularly and also that one day our grandchildren and great-grandchildren etc.etc.etc.
will have the opportunity to know us a little better.
And even remember the 1980's with us & through our memories!

Enjoy every moment of Making Memories with Your Family!
♥

*~Hugs~*
x0x

Erica

*~Pure Love~*

Good Morning to all my Arty Scrappy Friends!

Herewith my entry into Let's Scrap's beautiful sketch this week #6-15-15:

*~Pure Love~*

These photographs are SUPER SUPER SPECIAL to me...

My girls were playing dress up with my wedding dress and their christening dress...

Such BEAUTIFUL memories from their childhood,

so LOVELY!! ♥♥

And some close ups...

I used the beautiful Kaisercraft collection Kaleidoskope, one of my all time favourite collections from Kaisercraft!! ♥   I did some fussy cutting with the large doilie and turned it around from where it was originally on the paper design.  I stapled around the words with the tiny Tim Holtz stapler.

The small white doilie will be used to write some more personal details on there. :-)

While we are talking about fussy cutting... it is definitely not one of my favourite things to do, so I am always wondering why it looks so beautiful and how I have grown to do it with such patience...  maybe it comes with time and wisdom and growing older...

but still a total MYSTERY to me!! ;-P

 

  I painted some white paint lightly over the top and bottom as well as over the title to give it a more dreamy feel.

Thank You for looking!!

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!!

Hugs

*~Erica~*

"Happy Birthday ~ Sweet 16"

Hi there All my Arty Scrappy Friends,

how lovely to see you again!! ♥

I have been scrapping up a storm the last couple of days and off cause, yet again, enjoying myself tremendously!!!  My girls now have Winter School Holidays and this gives me an opportunity to also take it "easy" a bit... we went to the movies  to watch Inside Out and what a beautiful film, definitely one of my favourite animated movies by far.  My favourite part were all Riley's beautiful memories as a young child and the saddest part where her imaginary friend Bing Bong disappeared. :-(

How sad, but at the same time amazing, to think that this is basically what happens to all of us.  We are born, become small children, go to school, become teenagers and then grow into adults.  All in a few short years really.  Losing some of our beautiful childhood memories along the way... but how wonderful to think that the best ones stay... and nobody can take that away from us! :-)

Well, for this layout ~ yet another Sweet 16 page of my Eldest Dear Daughter 2 years ago ~  I used "leftovers" of Jayme Shepherd from Hazel & Ruby's lovely class at the SA Scrapbook Convention last year {2014}.  There were actually so much left to use, I could literally go mad, and there are still some cut off's, stickers and chipboards left to use.  Yayyyy!!

Anyway, some of the product in this kit are from Hazel & Ruby and some from My Mind's Eye.  Both awesome and very versatile!!

I used this great sketch from Let's Scrap #4-1-15:

You can find Let's Scrap's blog here:

letsscrapsketches.blogspot.com

And created this layout with MUCH LOVE for Elaine's Birthday Album: ♥

Here are some close ups:

 

 

My Youngest Dear Daughter is such an Angel and always helps me make cute bows and flowers with her clever little hands... she did all the ribbon, knots & bow on this layout. ♥

Well, I surely hope you enjoy looking as much as I enjoyed creating this very special layout!!

Have a Fantastic Week!!

Hugs

*~ Erica ~*