Let the Countdown Begin!

This is what my daughter Raphaella is saying" I wish it was the first of December!" Why?  Even though  she is 20 years old ,she still LOVES Advent Calenders and has  had one, every year, ever since she was 2!When Irini from Get Creative asked me to do an advent challenge for November, I knew that I had to make something for Raphaella, so I made her a Matchbox House, here it is. She is dying to tear the first opening to reveal what the matchbox has inside......

I don't have many Christmas paper, but I did have a pack of 15x15 Websters Holiday Collection Combo pack, and I thought it would be perfect to decorate the house...so I started cutting away...bliss I had so much fun! Here are some details........

I used my Nestabilities ClassicScalloped rectangles to cut the window and the door details. I added a Basic Grey brad for a doorknob.I added Transparency to all the windows to give the glazed effect and I also stamped the chandelier and added ribbon and lace to the windows to create a real effect. If I had a smallish dress form I would have used it for the attic window, but I don't so I settled with a stained glass effect,with some left over Graphic 45 paper ,a flower brad and some Sepia Glossy Accents

was looking for a fence in fact I asked a couple of friends, for a die,but to no avail, so when I saw the fence dies at the opening of Sfragidomania I thought there is a God...and then when  I saw the little key dies I was ecstatic!! This is what I  did with them.

For the detail on the other side I cut out the tree and birdhouse, coloured the birds and covered them with Glossy Accents,  for some definition, I also used Stikles on the Christmas Tree and on the Holy and some of the roses. 

                                       

I have left the back for last, even thought I finished the back of first...this is what I did....I first added ribbon tags on each box so as to pull open easier, then I added the little something into each box.....#25 has the main part of her christmas presant in it.I stacked and glued boxes together leaving 6 for the roof.I then drew there shape onto the back of the Jillibean  paper and serrated 3 of each side of each box and punched a hole at each box too,  I wanted a way to seal the boxes so as no cheating could happen. Once all this was done I stuck the paper onto the sides of the boxes and  also to the sides and top of the house.

Once that was done I covere the side of the remaining 6 boxes and the stuck them together to form the roof and then I stuck the roof structure onto the main body of the house with masking tape.I then cut out rectangles of Prima Annalee,Parlour and trimmed them with my Fiskars border punch to make the roof  look "tiled"

I then added the little bird and some icicle dies as well as some wool to give a snowy effect.

I also decorated the house with some ribbon to make it more dimensional and I also did some finger stamping to give the walls some texture, Lastly I added some roses.......

Make one its fun!

I will stream tonight at 9pm at  Zeffy Scraps USTREAM so as to answer any questions, this show will be in English so as to accomodate my English speaking readers as well.

Keep well.

Love Zeffy

Gate- Fold Mini

Hi there ladies,
I have not been aroung much as I have had a lot on my plate recently. Anyway things are on track now, still have a lot to do but I will get there.
The videos of my first gate- fold mini, are just before this post so scroll back to see them or click here for PART 1. and PART 2 It is rather big and chunky,maybe I should have used a different binding! I used a lot of Pink Paislee papers as well as some Basic Grey,7 Gypsies and Bo Bunny.
I have not even had a chance to photograph it so the video will have to do for now. The video has two parts...enjoy.
I have also just finished a very exciting project for Irinis' blog Get Creative so keep a look out for the next post!!
I am going to PACS in Paris on the 25th of November ,so a lot of things need to get prepared, I have also started a new mini album so join me on Zeffy Scraps on USTREAM on Sunday the 14th  at 9pm so that you can have a chat and take a loook at what I am up too...
Be happy, love
Zeffy.

S.A. Surprise Part 2

S.A. Surprise- part 1

Its almost Christmas.

Hi there  Friends.
I wish you all a very good month...
I was very honoured when Irini from Get Creative asked me to be the Guest Designer  for November. And the challenge for this half of the month was to make a Christmas Card.
I have always said that for commercial purposes to make Christmas more attractive to all Christ has been taken out of the picture so we have the word Xmas....and X can be all sorts of other things.
So when Irini asked me to make a card I started looking for a picture of the birth of Christ....thats whats its all about!!
I decided to draw onto our rich Orthodox heritage  and make a card depicting the Nativety  of Christ.
I had a sketch that the Nuns at the Monestry of the Dormition of theTheotokos in Panorama, Thessaloniki gave me, they use these big sketches 20x30 for  their iconography classes. So I scanned and shrunk it down to 10x15 and then printed it on matt photo paper.

Once I printed my image I coloured the halos with gold paint. For the patterned paper I used Graphic45 Renaissance Faire Collection, Awakening and for the solids I used Core Color Core'dinations. The little title is stamped and heat embossed with gold.
I wish you all a very creative November...its going to be a busy month!!!
I will be streaming on USTREAM on Wednesday evening at 21H00.I will be making Christmas tags.Join me.
Talk again later..
love Zeffy.

A Quick Post!

My L.O. for   Get Creative.   The challenge was to make a blue and white page  and we had to add the word "NO"....as we have a national holiday,in Greece, on the 28th of October.
This is my quick take on the challenge...I must rush off now, and no it is not to tea!
Chat later.

So was I sewing or scrapping?

Hi there Ladies.
I have just come home from the opening of our friends store Sfragidomania.It was lovely to see all my Greek scrapbooking friends, I had not seen them since before summer.

Today I want to share with you a L.O. that I made for Elins's challenge. we were to use only one paper and one title. I thought of this challenge whilst putting up hems of about 8 pair of trousers.......I much rather could have been scrapping,you understand?
I used the pieces of denim that I cut off of the trousers to make  flowers you can watch the video here Zeffyk on USTREAM

I used a Hambly die cut and some Hambly transparency ( I won them at the Lotto at our last crop!)

I sewed around the 2 sides of my paper with my sewing machine.

I was doing this L.O. on USTREAM and I had pulled out some Basic Grey alphas that would have worked perfectly, But then I realised they were paper,and we were not to use any other paper! So I decided to write my title,and then just highlight it with some Glossy Accents.I also had an embossed matal strip that I used,as well as a little scissors charm. Once I did my journaling I decided to stamp around the page, I wanted the stamping to look like embroidery.

Good-Night

Birthday wishes in a Tin!

Hi there .
Today is my darling Panos' Birthday!
When he unwrapped his gift he got excited,almost like we do when we see scrapping stuff, anyway he thought I had bought him a new tin of  Macanudo Cigars.
I used a thin metal for the cover,and for some of the tags. I inked up all the metal with alcohol inks.

The back page was A purple  cardstock, that I had embossed at one of the crops with a friends Cuttlebug embossing folder. Anyway  I ditressed inked it,  and then I glittered and modged it all up, to give it a metalic feel.

Before I link up the video I also want to tell you that I will be streming  Here on
 Monday the 18th of October at 17H00  Don't forget that I will be drawing the winner and runner up of my Celebration Blog Candy on the show.
And lastly her is the video of Wishes in a Tin
Ok Folks thats all for today,off to ice the Birthday Cake!
Love Zeffy.

Sunday Afternoon..U and I on USTREAM

Hi ladies,
A quick post to say, live streaming this afternoon at 17H00.....Here.
I will be showing you how far I am with my South African  Gate Fold Mini. I will also continue with another page or two,this is how my first page looks so far.

I will make a page or two with you this afternoon and then I will start another project, something for MDH s' birthday next week.
My address on Ustream is as follows:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/i-am-zeffy-and-i-love-2-scra
I don't know what I was thinking when I signed up.....no there is no P after -scra!!!
Just before I sign off.....have to go and cook as I  have some friends coming over for lunch, I want to say THANK-YOU!
A big thank-you at the amazing response that I have had to my "celebration candy" and a big welcome to all my new followers. I will be drawing the winner on the 18th, I will be doing that streaming session in English if some of my non -greek followers join us on that day....
That's all for now folks, chat later, bye.
Zeffy

Cyber crop time at Life on the {Scrap}Beach

Hi here are my 3 challenges for the crop on Life on the {Scrap}Beach
#1 Zoombie Attack....we were to use something from deep down in our stash...I hauled out my very first paper pack...just love it!! ...BG Romani collection and someK and Co Glitter Die cuts ,also my very first ....  JUST LOVE MY NIECE ATHINA xxx

Now #2 is Fangs for Noticing...we had to pierce our paper and decorate ...I pierced holes and sewed the top and bottom of my pattern paper with a bit of hessian type rope... This L.O.will also be entered in another challenge Crafty Croppers gr that needed to have autumn leaves on it...I made the leaves...using dabbers and cracle medium.

Then lastly the third challenge was #3Howl at the Moon....here we had to use something unusual...I used a butterfly that I embroided instead of a stamp inside a frame that I painted and perfect pearled.This will have to be a card for a special person!.....stamping is a lot faster!

Ok...thats it for today...enjoy the rest of your Sunday and don't forget I have Celebration Candy for 2 lucky gals!!!See previous post.

Celebration Candy

Yes, yes, yes, I finally have my act together and I have my blog candy all lined up!
Reasons to celebrate......
                                 My blog is just over a year old.
                                 My birthday went by last month            
                                 We will be married for 28 years on the 4th of October.
                                 My DH Panos has a birthday on the 16th of October !
I have decided to draw the winner live on  USTREAM Zeffy Scrapson the 18th of October.
Please join me on Saturday morning at 10H00 USTREAM Zeffy Scraps and I will explain and tell you all about the blog candy and the 2 prizes that I have. I will be starting a Gate-Fold Mini to house my S.African memories.I am planning to use papers from one of my new kits....come and join me at my desk and you will see.....
Ok Gals off to cut up some chipboard!
Have Fun....oh dear! Forgot to tell you the blog candy rules.....you all know them......leave a comment, please and post a link on your blogs. GOOD_LUCK
Filakia xx

Blog candy from Lena

Lenas birthday give-away....visit Lenas blog to win a chance to win, some lovely paper.
Lena you have reminded me that I have a pile of things to give away too....better get going and get my act together...talk later.
xx Zeffy

Wedding Guest Book for Val.

Happy Monday to all my Friends.
 I hope that you are all settling down to your Autumn chores and that you are all getting ready for a creative winter.
As promised here are some photos and a video of the guest book that I made for my sister Vals' wedding.
I had to use papers from my stash as the wedding was planned in 8 weeks ,so I used mainly Prima papers and a couple from Jillibean and EK success. the rub-ons were mainly from Jilly Bee.
Enjoy.
                                                                      The Hall

                                                                  The Guest Book

Some of the tags

                                                                      The spine

                                                                The Video
                                                 Guest Book for Manolis and Val

A tiny peep of South Africa.

Hi Ladies.
As you all know I have been in South Africa for my sisters' wedding. We had a great time, the wedding was very emotional because this was the second time around for both bride and groom,
and so as I like to say 5 people got married that Saturday! The bride and groom plus their 3 children, a brand new family unit!!

Before I show you the guest book that I made for them, this is a short video to give you a taste of the Drakensberg Mountains. This is where the wedding was held. The Drakensberg mountains has a couple of  World Heritage sites because Bushman Rock Art has been discovered here.
Enjoy.
Zeffy.
P.S. the day after the wedding was my birthday, it was a real blessing to spend it with all my siblings ! Unfortunately I had no laptop with me so I was cyber starved! So I would like to say a belated thank-you for all the birthday wishes that I received, you girls are all so kind.
Something extra!Petals...beautiful

Sleepy Summer and some USTREAM sessions

Hi there Ladies.
I hope that you are all having a super summer and not getting too hot! As you know I am spending some time on the island of Lesvos with my Hubby and Father-in-Law. We have had a couple of hot and lazy weeks,with a lot of eating and drinking and very little scrapping!
My sister is getting married next month and I am making a guest book for her......well lets just say I am trying, it is not easy to create in a make shift area, without all of my toys around me!! You guys should understand!

This is a pile of things that I packed in Athens to bring with me....
This is where I am working...........

This is what I have so far......USTREAM and Here

 I will be streaming again tomorrow morning at 12h00, that is Wednesday 18th August,,,so if you have a few minutes pop in for a quick hello and to check out how this book is progressing.Zeffy Scraps
Keep well, keep cool and enjoy the swimming!!
Love Zeffy

A receipe in a box!!

HI there ladies.
I hope that you are all having a great summer,mine has been hectic!! In amongst the heat and the going and comings I managed to finish Eleftherias receipe box. Lena organizes a mini swap on Scrapbookers in Greece and the swap for June was all about receipes. I asked Eleftheria to give me carte blanche for this project,and I used one of the 2 boxes that I have been saving for this reason.

The box is black and fuschia,so that pretty much dominated my colour scheme. I used whatever papers I had at home ,using mainly the Tiffany Collection for the outsides of the box.

I printed on the cards and then I mounted them onto black card-stock,which I then decorated.I also painted 6 pieces of chipboard and used them to make section dividers,,,on the back of each divider I added a pocket for notes.

I decided that the cards needed to be protected  so I cut plastic A4  sleeves to size and used 2 of the original sealed edges and I sewed the 3rd edge closed on my machine.

Here is an example of a completed card. Please try the receipe its quick and delicious and really

Yummy on the second day!!!Enjoy

See video on previous post.

Lots of love ...stay cool

love

Zeffy

Receipe Box

My Challenge for the Cyber Crop.

Hi there busy Ladies.

As you know from my previous post, we are having a Cyber Crop today at Scrapbookers in Greece

I was asked by Irini to do one of the Challenges for the day.

 I decided that seeing that I was born In S.Africa and that the World Cup Soccer is being held there,that I would challenge the girls to do something Ethnic, and current as well as to make their own embellishment. I have done one or two do it yourself goodies on my USTREAM show.So this is my challenge for the girls... some details

I would also like to give Dimitra Tsanos some credit here, she is Costas' sister and she designed the place -mats and the shops' calling cards.See info about Kozis it has delicious streaks!!

enjoy the crop girls!!!

Filakia Zeffy

Challenges

Hi there ladies.

As most of you know we have been very busy here in Greece this passed week. My friend Irini is organising a crop that is being hosted on Scrapbookers in Greece The Cyber Crop will be on Saturday and this week has been full of pre-crop challenges.

We had to make tags using stamps and inks for the first challenge . The second pre-crop challenge,which was the best for me, was to only use, one photo, one sheet of paper, and one pen. I loved what the girls did take a look...amazing what one can do with limited resources!!!

I would like to share my two entries.

Have fun scrapping.....talk again later...

Love Zeffy

Tags and more Tags

Hi there ladies, I have been so busy thay I am turning into a night owl!!

I have done a couple of streamings on USTREAM...I am having fun and I think that I am entertaining my fellow Greek Scrappers with my bad Greek! Either that or else they are teasing me big time! Whatever....at my age all that matters is that I am doing what I love doing and I am enjoying the journey.(( maybe too many I..s in that sentance! ))

Anyway yesterday I made a couple of tags, I had promised my sister that I would send her some to have for her gifts.My son left for South Africa this evening on a long-awaited trip that his dad had promised him. My Hubby believes in bribing the children and he had promised Michael that he could go and visit his buddies once he completed his degree....well thats done and the good news is that he passed all his subjects and the degree is now his!!! And so he enters into another phase of his life....my baby.
O.K. back to scrapping..I thought I would share with you one of the tags I made on Monday on the show, you will notice that the flower still needs a little bling....too late now its on its way to Africa...lots of diamonds there!

I will be streaming again this afternoon ie. Wednesday 16th june at 18h30 I will be making a LO. Not sure what, just yet, I suspect that  we will all make it together on the show .So please join us Here

Keep well, keep cool amd always be happy.

Lots O Love, your crazy scrappy friend Zeffy

A Quick Post

Hi there my friends.
I hope that you are having a very good and restful Sunday. I had a lot of fun doing the live show on Wednesday...I must admit that I had a chuckle at my Greek when I saw the replay.  The 2 Mini Photo Albums are now completed and I am now working on the mini for my sister Val. When she was here last month I promised that I would send her a bunch of tags. On Monday 14th June 18h30 I will be streaming here so please come and join me  and we can have some fun. I will be making tags for  my sister Val.

U-Stream

Hi there ladies,

I have been thinking of this idea for a while now...we do not have anybody streaming scrapbook shows in Greek,so I thought that I would give it my best shot. Even though my Greek is not perfect I can share a few of the things that I have learnt about scrapbooking over the past 2 years. Click here to join my friends  (on Chat) and I, having some fun time together...I will be on U-Stream live tomorrow at 19h30 and I will be making a photo album for my sister Val. This is a very basic album, an excellant item for beginners to attempt.

Before I close I would like to mention that my Greek may not be perfect but I can read Greek so any questions in Greek will be answered to the best of my ability...as for my English speaking friends please join us too  the more the merrier!

Lots o love till tomorrow evening

kisses Zeffy

A card and hand-made paper flowers

you can see the LO. that I made with these flowers in my previous post...enjoy.