Last Few Layouts

Here are the last few layouts from last weekend get-together.

This first one is of the day we took the stabilisers off of her bicycle. I used Patterned Papers from Scenic Route, cardstock from Bazzill, Brads and the title lettering and swirls were cut on the Cricut. (Oops just realised I've lost the letter 'i' from the layout. Hmmm I wonder where that is?)



The flower embelishments were hand made lollipop flowers - just three graduating sized circles of cardstoock which was crumpled up, layered and then fixed with a brad through the centre. A simple way of making a handmade embelishment to co-ordinate with your layout and only needs tiny scraps of paper.



This next layout is of an afternoon last summer spent at Hitchin Lavender. I used patterned papers from BasicGrey and Prima, cardstock from Bazzill, various flowers, self adhesive pearls and the title was cut on the Cricut and then coated in Doodlebug glitter. The photo collage was created in Picasa.



The final layout is of Lara in her High School Musical cheer leaders outfit. On July 4th 2009, Lara's Rainbow unit joined with other Rainbows from the area for their summer celebrations. As the event was held on Independence Day the theme was 'America' and they all had to dress up based on that theme. There was no way that Lara was going to wear anything other than the HSM costume.

For the layout I used patterned paper from Adornit Carolees Creations and Teressa Collins, cardstock from Bazzill, a few buttons, a bling swirl from Prima, some velvet paper and American Crafts Thickers for the title



The flowers were another handmade embelishment. Yo-Yo flowers made using netting. I've never made them from net before but wanted to try and create a pom pom effect. They didn't turn out too bad.

I have one more layout to post but I still need to do some work on that one so

Creative Blogger Award

Today Lynn kindly gave me a Creative Blogger Award. Thank you Lynn. In return I have to list 7 crafty things I have done. So here's my list:

1. Top of the list is obviously Scrapbooking. I've been scrapbooking since 2003 - Wow 7 years. That is most certainly the longest that any craft has kept me hooked.

2. I have and still do some card making. They aren't the prettiest cards but hopefully the recipients like them.

3. I did cross stitch for a number of years and have one or two half finished projects still lurking in a cupboard waiting to be completed. When I was pregnant with Christopher 16 years ago I started a Cross Stitch Kit called 'Calendar Bears' that I bought from QVC and I know for sure that that one is still unfinished.

4. When I was at school I studies O level needlework and achieved a grade A. I bought a sewing machine from the electricity board showroom and paid for it monthly from my pocket money. In my late teens and early twenties I made quite a few skirts, blouses, etc but regrettably all my sewing machine gets used for now is for sewing on scrapbook pages.

5. I had a go at glass painting a few years back and decorated glasses candle holders which were sold at one of the Church's Christmas Fairs.

6. I can knit and crochet although I haven't done either for such a long time that it would be quite interesting to see just how well I could now do either.

7. I like to think that I try to use my creativity in my photography. I certainly think more about composing the shot, background, colours etc when taking photographs than I ever used to.

I would like to pass the award onto two people who I consider to be very creative and inspiring. So Deb and Jakey if you happen to read this - the awards yours.

A few more layouts

I actually managed to complete the journalling on a few more layouts started at Debden. Don't tell anyone but in my craft cupboard I still have layouts from lats years Debden weekend that I still haven't finished so to actually get these layouts finished so soon is amazing.

The first layout is of Lara when she and her classmates went to the Victorian School at Hitchin for the day. I was lucky enough to go along too as a parent helper and took a few photos whilst we were there but the photos on this layout were taken beforehand.

I used Patterned papers by Scenic Route (RIP!) and October Afternoon. The journalling card is also from October Afternoon. To finish off the layout I added some velvet ribbon, lace, antique effect brads, title lettering cut on the Cricut and the flower embelishments were handmade.



The flowers were made by stamping flower and leaf images onto pages of an old book. The stamped images were then stuck onto cardstock to strengthen them before being cut out. I then curled the edges of the flowers slightly before layering them up and adding a self adhesive pearl to the centre of each. (Thanks Joan for the idea ).



This next layout is of Steven. The photo was taken on one of the many Snow Days we had earlier this year (seems ages ago now!). I used Fancy Pants and BasicGrey patterned paper, gorgeous layered snowflake accents from K&Co (the photograph doesn't do them justice because IRL they are so glittery), ric rac, ribbon and American Crafts Thickers for the title. The journalling was added on a transparency.



The last layout today was inspired by a layout by Wendy McKee. I LOVE her work - so inspiring. I used Patterned papers from the Fancy Pants 'About a Girl' collection, ribbon, brads,
buttons and the title was once again cut on the Cricut.



The pin wheel emeblishments were hand made. Really easy. If you don't know how to make them instructions can be found here. Instead of attaching the pinwheels to sticks, I flattened them and used them as embelishments.



I plan to finish the rest of my layouts later today so will be back tomorrow with those.

A weekend of Scrapbooking

Last weekend I spent my time in the company of a group of wonderful friends who all share a love of crafting. We stayed at Debden House in Essex and scrapbooked and made cards all weekend long and had a really lovely time.

I managed to put together quite a few layouts which I will hopefully post over the next week or so.

For this first layout of Christopher I used a photo I took last year as part of the 365 'A photo a Day' project. I altered the photo in PSE to black and white and spot coloured one of his eyes. I used papers from October Afternoon and Sandy Lion Rouge De Garance, a few buttons and quote was partly printed on a transparency and then completed with lettering cut on the Cricut.

This next layout is of Lara. The photo was taken last summer at my Aunt and Uncles 60th wedding anniversary celebrations. I used papers from Rouge De Garance and Websters Pages, Flutter Vine and Chipboard accent from Prima, Rub Ons from MME, Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, lace, trim, ribbon and self adhesive pearls.

Here's a closeup of the chipboard accent with the rub on title.

The next layout is of Tux. I used the same Rouge De Garance patterned paper that I used on the layout of Christopher, Bazzill cardstock, a mixture of BasicGrey stickers and Cricut lettering (flocked with Doodlebug crushed velvet flocking) for the title, dymo tape journalling, brads and some metal paw print embelishments that I have had in my stash for yonks. The cat embelishment was cut using the 'Animal Kingdom' Cricut cartridge and was coloured with promarkers.

Here's a closeup of that cat embelishment.

The last layout I have to show you today is of Steven. The photo was taken last October at Wells-next-the-Sea. The patterned papers are from BasicGrey and JennyBowlin. The title lettering was from American Crafts and the journalling was created using DIY dry rub off decal paper from Crafty Computer Paper.

Be back soon with some more of my layouts - just as soon as I finish the journalling on them. LOL

Happy Birthday Steven

Yesterday my little boy turned 12. Happy Birthday Steven.

Cat 'n' Cards

Yet again I've been a bad blogger and not posted for a while but I've not had anything really worth blogging about!

Tux has settled into the house well although he is always up to mischief!



I do have some handmade cards to show you. Anyone that has ever received one of my handmade cards will know that cardmaking is not my forte but having seen some of Bev Rochester's cards on The Hobby House stand at the Stamperama show last month and also having seen other peoples beautiful cards online (Anita and Lynn's in particular) I thought I would have ago. I actually enjoyed making them and hope that the recipients liked them too.

The first one used a Sarah Kay stamped image whilst the others were Magnolia stamps. I used Promarkers to colour the images. My shading isn't brilliant but hopefully with some practice I might get better.

Introducing Tuxedo

Last night we collected our new kitten and brought him home. We've called him Tuxedo - 'Tux' for short and he is a really cutie.



(don't worry his eyes aren't really that colour but I can't figure out how to adjust the photo to make them the right colour)

He's doing really well. Cries a little when he's left on his own but apart from that he's really friendly and playful.



He spent the best part of this morning asleep on my lap while I tried to get on with my paperwork and at the moment as I type this he is curled up in Lara's dolls pram asleep again no doubt getting lots of energy ready for when the children get home from school and want to play with him.

On Saturday I went to my monthly crop. I managed to complete just two layouts (and a couple of cards but I can't show you those yet).

For this first layout of Lara I used BasicGrey Wisteria papers, BasicGrey letter stickers, Grunge board swirl, MME journalling card, lace and a yo yo flower that I made from a scrap of coordinating fabric.



The second layout of Steven uses Fancy Pants papers, Making Memories glitter letter stickers, Making Memories brads, ribbon and 'music' transparency printed from the Internet.

Prima have a Secret

Prima have a secret and are giving away some goodies! Here's how to be in with a chance of winning -

"That's Right! Prima is giving away two more AMAZING prize packages in conjunction with our BIG SECRET!



We want EVERYONE to have a chance to win so we are changing the rules a bit.

•Please copy this write-up and link us on your blog, Facebook, or any other site that you frequent (please follow their TOU).
•Then post here with a link to your blog, Facebook or site post for your chance to win BIG with Prima!
•One US and one International winner will be chosen on Thursday, March 4th, 2010.

And we are getting closer and closer to revealing our secret-it won't be long now!

Just a couple more days of suspense! "

She's so crafty!

Whilst tidying up today I came across all the little things Lara has made this week. Most of them were made from craft kits which she received for Christmas or her birthday and which she rediscovered this week. It makes me happy that she enjoys playing with paper and beads and other craft materials but it also makes me feel guilty that I don't spend more time with her helping her explore her creative side. Not that she probably needs much help. Apart from the beaded necklace she made all the other things this week on her own.

1. Beaded necklace. 2, Fuzzi Dog made with Klutz Fuzzimal Puppies kit. 3. Paper Bead Bracelets made with Klutz Paper Beads kit. 4. Cross Stitch. 5. Fish made from Bendaroos. 6. Painted Dog from Paint Your Own Dog kit.

Cupcakes and Kittens

Nothing very crafty to show unless you count these valentine cupcakes that Lara and I made. Last year we made and iced heart shaped cookies, so this year we made cupcakes instead.



On Friday we went to visit these ............



......... and hopefully in a few more weeks this little chap will be coming to live with us.




We were not intending getting another cat so soon after we lost Henry but a friend is fostering these kittens (and the parents) for Feline Rescue and once the idea of having one of the kittens was put in my head - that was it! We are all really excited and can't wait to welcome our new ball of fluff into our family.

I am such a bad, bad blogger! I've been regularly posting photos to my photo blog but have neglected this blog. But for the first time this year I have something crafty to show you. I went to the monthly crop today at Stamp Addicts. It was the first time I had been able to go since November and was the first time I had scrapbooked since then too. I managed to complete three layouts despite accidentally leaving a lot of the necessary stash at home.

The first layout used photos of some rather cute little marmosets taken a couple of years ago at Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park at Chard in Somerset. I used BasicGrey papers. The title lettering (cut on the Craft Robo) has a soft feel to it as I've coated with Doodlebug Crushed Velvet Flock.

The photos on the next layout were taken at Abbotsbury Children's Farm, Dorset. I used Scenic Route and BasicGrey papers. The word 'Pony' in the title is very glossy IRL. I used chipboard letters which were inked, stamped with a slightly different colour and then coated in Diamond Glaze.

The last layout I put together is of Lara's fascination with a clam which we found on the beach at Westward Ho!, Devon last summer. I used Fancy Pants papers. The swirls are Doodlebug Designs 'Stick With It' stickers which I've coated with their sugar coating glitter. The title lettering (cut on the Craft Robo) is also coated in the same glitter so the layout is quite sparkly IRL.

Before I go, a quick reminder to UK fans that Lost Season 6 starts next Friday, 5th February on Sky One and Sky HD at 9pm. Its going to be the last season - OMG what will we do when it finishes!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sorry to followers of my blog for not posting recently. I have had so little time for crafting recently and sadly very little desire to scrapbook that I've not really had anything to post.

Sadly the Mojo Holder blog appears to have folded. I was honoured to be a member of the design team since July 2007 and I throughly enjoyed creating all the layouts during those two years. I will miss the girls on the team and think that the reason I've not scrapped lately is because I no longer have that 'push' or 'reason' to create. The last layout I created for Mojo Holder was one I was particularly proud of but unfortunately it never got to be uploaded to the Mojo Holder blog. The planned guest designer was to have been Christiane Muller. Here is Christiane's layout, followed by mine.

I used a mixture of papers from BasicGrey as well as a small piece of printed transparency. The butterflies were clipart downloaded from the Internet and printed onto acetate.

Before I sign off I just wanted to mention the TV programme 'Flash Forward'. Anyone who knows me will know what an obsessive follower I am of ABCs 'Lost'. I was imtriged therefore when I read about the new science-fiction television series - Flash Forward which doesn't just share a time-traveling concept with Lost, it is being billed as ABC's replacement for Lost which is set to end in May 2010. Well, I watched the first episode of Flash Forward last Monday and think I may just get hooked. So, If you haven't yet seen Flash Forward give it a go but be warned unless you watch the first few episodes I think (just like Lost) you may not have a clue what is happening in future episodes.

I've scrapped!

Its been ages since I've managed to do any scrapping. Its always difficult to scrap during the school holidays. But today I went to my crop at Stamp Addicts and managed put together two layouts and start a third.

Both layouts were created using mainly papers from My Little Shoebox.

The first is an almost complete scraplift of a layout by Alicia Geiss. I have only ever scrapped photos from my childhood once before and felt it was about time I used some more. When I was a child my Dad was a VERY keen amateur photographer and so we have literally hundreds of transparency slides of days spent on the beach, Christmas, birthdays, days out and just everyday activities. The photos I used were scanned from some of those slides and whilst the originals were coloured images I converted them to black and white for this layout which tells of or annual trips to Skeggy.



As well as My Little Shoebox papers I also used a sheet of BasicGrey for the background.

The second layout was based on another layout that I think I saw on 2 peas in a bucket. Unfortunately I can't remember who it was by and can't find it again. (When I find it I'll add the details here). I used some photos of Lara on the beach at Westward Ho!, Devon taken last month.



The background paper on this layout (the one with the clouds) was from K & Company.

Sorry I've not posted for a few weeks. We've just got back from a fortnights holiday in Devon. If you're interested there are daily photos on my 365 blog.

While I was away, two new challenges went live on Mojo Holder. Due to holidays there were technical problems with posting of last Fridays challenge but hopefully they will be resolved soon and that challenge will then go live.

On 7th August Challenge #121 was to scraplift a layout by Micayla Metcalf. Here's Micayla's layout followed by mine.





I used a mixture of papers. Some BasicGrey, some Scenic Route and some Bazzill Cardstock. I'm still trying to use up some of the mountain of older papers.

14th August Challenge #122 used a layout by my all time favourite scrapper - Kelly Goree. Kelly is best known as a fabulous designer for Basic Grey. The layout was a bit of a challenge but I was pleased with how my layout came out. Here's Kelly's Layout followed by mine.





I used BasicGrey Eva papers and chip sticker shapes.

Mojo Challenge #120

This week the Mojo Holder design team were fortunate enough to take its inspiration from renowned scrapbooker Jennifer McGuire. Jennifer is a Garden Girl at Two Peas in a Bucket and is also a member of the Hero Arts design team.

Here's Jennifer's layout, the sketch that Sarah produced, followed as usual by my layout.

Although its mid summer, I decided to create a snowy layout. LOL. I used a mixture of papers from Heidi Grace, Love Elsie and there was even a tiny bit of BasicGrey (well, there would have to be!!!). The snowflakes were from a packet of 'Swell Noel Layered Glittered Accents' by K & Co. I have used these on a couple of layouts before and they seem to go on, and on, and on - like the Magic Porridge Pot, the packet is never empty!