Scrapology - May Card Challenge

This months card challenge on Scrapology has been sponsored by Visible Image - a clear stamps designer and manufacturer.

The design team all used a cute stamped image of 'Bradley and Emma' to make their cards.

I decided to make a 3D card with a curved the back.

I used some scraps of BasicGrey Black Tie patterned paper which has been in my scrap box for ages. Embelishments were kept simple with white flowers and punched leaves. A touch of sparkle was added with stickles and some flat back gems. The image was coloured with ProMarkers.

For full details of the challenge and prize pop over to Scrapology.

Scrapology - May Layout Challenge

This month on Scrapology the team has taken inspiration from a layout by Tracy Christine Funk from Ontario, Canada. Tracy included corrugated cardboard on her layout so as an extra challenge the team also included some on their layouts.

For my layout I chose an old photograph of my Great Grandfather Charles William Hills, Great Grandmother Alice Maud Hills (nee Burnage) and their daughter Annie Hills taken in about 1915 shortly after my Great Grandfather enlisted. Sadly Charles Hills died in 1919 after the first world war ended when his son (my grandfather) was only 17.

I dug deep into my stash and used lots of old papers, etc. for my layout. The papers were from Hot off the Press and K & Company. To distress the corrugated cardboard I used this tutorial by Gabrielle Pollacco. 

The large paper flowers were handmade using another tutorial from Gabrielle. I used some re-purposed metal buttons as centres.

I also used some antique lace, a gorgeous floral spray cut on the Craft Robo using a cutting file from the Silhouette Studio, some punched paper leaves, some resin flowers and a pearl button.

My journalling was printed onto some co-ordinating paper.

Here is Lynn's sketch ....

.... and Tracy's original layout.

Hop on over to Scrapology to see all the teams layouts and for full details of the challenge and super prize that is up for grabs. The challenge closes at midnight on 5th June 2014.

Scrapology - April Card Challenge

This month on Scrapology we're challenging you to make a card using freebies - those papers, stamps and embelishments that come free with so many craft magazines. I have often bought a magazine because I like the look of the free products which come with it only for them to then just sit there gathering dust and never get used. Now's the time to dig out those freebies and use them!

For the challenge I decided to use some papers and die cuts from Nitwits Spring Whimsy Collection which were free with a copy of Simply Cards and Papercrafts a couple of years ago. I could have also used the stamp set too but decided on this occasion not to.

I made a Stepper Card and apart from the papers and die cuts all I added were a paper doilie, a ribbon bow and a few brads from my stash.

Full details of the card challenge and all the design team's cards can be found on Scrapology.

Scrapology - April Layout Challenge

This month on Scrapology we have taken inspiration from a lovely layout by Steph Devlin. We challenge you to also use Steph's layout for inspiration and create a layout of your own and we would like to give you an added challenge of including a verse, poem or saying on your layout. 

For my layout I used a photo taken of my daughter when she was bridesmaid a couple of years ago. I used patterned papers from Dream Street and Creative Imaginations and cardstock from Bazzill. The hexagonal background and lavender stalks were cut on the Craft Robo with cutting files from the Silhouette Studio. Would you believe the beautiful flowers all came in one packet from Poundland? I added die cuts from Melissa Frances, KaiserCraft and MME and the layout was finished off with some paper leaves, a fancy brad, resin flower and pins. My quote was found on the Internet and printed on white cardstock.

Here's Lynn's sketch..........

..... and Steph's orginal layout.

Scrapology - February Card Challenge

In February the card challenge on Scrapology was to create a card in celebration of Mothers Day – a card for Mother’s Day or a special female, a wedding card or female birthday card.

I made a Mother's Day card for my children to give my Mum but not wanting to spoil the surprise I wasn't able to post a photo of the card on my blog until today.

I used a  Lili of the Valley Teddy Bouquet stamp which I coloured with Promarkers to match the patterned papers from a 6"x6" paper pad from the 'Summer Breeze' collection by First Edition Paper. I also used a couple of paper doilies, some flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, ribbon and a sentiment printed on the computer. 

Scrapology - March Card Challenge

This month, design team member Karen Leonard has set the card challenge on the Scrapology blog. Karen has challenged blog readers to create a card incorporating polka dots and/or circles.

I made a 6" x 6" square card and decided to create an origami dress made from black and white polka dot paper. Video instructions for making the dress can be found here. 

I glued a mini wire coat hanger embelishment to the back of the finished dress to give the impression of it being hung up and also added a row of black self adhesive gems at the waist. The dress was then mounted onto another square of polka dot paper which had already been matted on a piece of black card. Silver coloured metal corners, more black gems, a handbag charm and a peel off sentiment finished off the card.

Tip: I had no black peel offs so I used a black permanent marker pen to recolour a silver one.

Pop on over to the Scrapology blog to see all this months design team cards and the wonderful prize you can win if you take part in the challenge.

Scrapology - March Layout Challenge

The March Layout Challenge has been posted on the Scrapology Blog today. The challenge is to take inspiration from a layout by design team member Sandra Dry and to 'Use Your Stash' when creating your layout.

For my layout I used a photo of DH and daughter taken a few years ago on a snowy December day.

I delved into my stash and choose some Basic Grey Figgy Pudding papers for my layout which I've had since they were released in Autumn 2007! Whilst I've used a lot of the papers I still have several sheets and thought they were perfect for this wintry layout.

I used die cut snow flakes to frame the photo which were glittered with Stickles.

I also used Bazzill White Cardstock, some silver twine, frilled organza ribbon, organza ribbon and a metal snow flake charm.

He's Sandra' s original layout ........

..... and Lynn's sketch.

Hop on over to Scrapology to see the rest of the design team layouts and details of the challenge and the prize up for garbs.

Scrapology - February Layout Challenge

X is for (e)Xplosion! This month at Scrapology we are taking inspiration from a stunning layout by Corrie Jones and you are invited to join in by creating your own (e)Xplosion.

For my (e)Xploding layout I used school photos from 2011. I used red acrylic paint to paint an (e)Xplosion on white cardstock before matting and layering my photos on top and them embelishing with brads, sequins, puffy stickers, enamel dots and some felt stars. The title was created with some Thickers and the date added with more stickers.

Here is Corrie's amazing layout which we used as inspiration ....

.... and Lynn's sketch.

Hop on over to Scrapology to find out full details of the challenge and to see all the teams layouts.

Scrapology - January card challenge

On Scrapology this month, design team member Scrapdolly has set the card challenge. Scrapdolly choose a colour palette from the Design Seeds website called  'thistled blues' as inspiration for the challenge and you are challenged to create a card using those colours.

I made a Z-fold card (the front of the card is folded back on its self) but the photo unfortunately doesn't show this well. 

I used a pre-coloured image from a Lili of the Valley 'Fairies' Art Pad which I matted onto some navy card stock before mounting it on the card which I had decorated with some scraps of blue patterned paper.

The image was zhuzhed up with some Stickles and some star sequins. I finished off the card with a tulle bow and a metal butterfly charm.

Please pop over to Scrapology to have a peek at the rest of the teams cards and to join in the challenge.

Scrapology - January Layout Challenge

Happy New Year! The Scrapology Design Team have started the New Year by scraplifting a layout by Michelle Unruh (also known as Momma-paparazzi). I love Michelle's style of scrapbooking and really enjoyed using her layout as inspiration.

As an added challenge this month the team all used badges (button badges) on their layouts.

For my layout I used a photograph of Lara taken a few year ago on a very snowy New Year shortly after she had lost her two front teeth.

I used mainly patterned papers from Fancy Pants Designs Frosted Collection and other scraps from my scrap bag. I embelished the page with some very old Heidi Swapp clear acrylic snowflakes, a piece of lace, a scattering of crystals, decorative pins, chipboard shapes, journalling sticker, a journalling tag downloaded from the Silhouette Studio, fabric flower, elastic thread, adhesive lettering and some badges and wood veneer shapes.

Here is Michelle's original layout (go have a look at her blog for more gorgeous layouts) ......

..... and here;s Lynn's sketch.

There's a great prize up for grabs at Scrapology this month so hop on over and find out how you can win.

Scrapology - December Card Challenge

This month we at Scrapology you are challenged to create a Christmas card using  what ever method or materials you wish. 

For my card I downloaded a vintage postcard from the Internet as the focal point of my card. The image was printed onto photo paper and then matted onto card and patterned paper before fixing to a white card blank. I embelished the card with gold peel off stickers, a fir cone metal charm, some ribbon and a Christmas spray which were decorating a chocolate box last Christmas.

Pop over to Scrapology to see all the team's cards and to find full details of the challenge.

Scrapology - December Layout Challenge

This month on Scrapology we are scraplifiting a layout by Miki Krueger.  For my layout I used a very recent photo taken just last month at Sea Palling on the North Norfolk coast. It was a lovely sunny day and I snapped this photo of my daughter walking along the shore.

The papers I used this month were from the Simple Stories Vintage Bliss and Sn@p! collections. To make my photos 'pop' I mounted it on black cardstock and also added black in the embelishments. A handful of buttons were added and some stickers from Simple Stories.

Here is Miki's orginal layout ......

 .... and Lynn's sketch.

Don't forget to hop over to the Scrapology blog to see all the team's layouts and to join in the challenge.

Scrapology - November Card Challenge

This month on Scrapology Paula Pascual has provided a lovely card as inspiration for the card challenge.

For my card I used papers from Simple Stories Vintage Bliss paper collection.

I layered two pieces of patterned paper onto a 5"x7" white landscape card blank and added a punched strip and butterflies hung from bakers twine. The sentiment was a sticker from the same collection and I finished off the card with a little bit of machine stitching.

Here's Paula's original card.........

..... and Lynn's sketch.

Pop on over to Scrapology to join in the fun.

Scrapology - November Layout Challenge

This month on Scrapology the team has been inspired by a lovely layout by Australian Scrapbooker Michelle Logan and as an added challenge have all incorporated chipboard in their layouts

For my layout I used a photo of my daughter riding the carousel at the Needles Park on the Isle of Wight. 

I used a mix of patterned papers on my layout from Crate Paper (cream base), Websters (brown spot), Bo Bunny (brown swirl) and Dream Street Papers (memo). I also added a page from an old book behind the photo. The chipboard swirl was from Fancy Pants. 

I embellished the layout with a crochet doilie, a tag, a brad, a button, a mini postcard downloaded and printed from the Internet, a paper flower and some heart pins. 

My title was cut on the Craft Robo using a cutting file from the Silhouette Online Store and I used some Simple Stories alphabet stickers for my journalling.

For the circle on Michelle's layout she used paint and inks. I decided to create a circle of plat backed pearls using a Crafters Workshop 'Dots all Around' stencil to make sure the pearls were placed evenly. 

Here is Michelle's gorgeous layout ....

... and as usual the sketch.

Hop on over to the the Scrapology blog for full details of the challenge and to see everyone's layouts.

Scrapology - October Card Challenge

This month's card challenge on Scrapology is seasonal. The team challenges you to make a card using Autumnal Colours. 

I made my card using a 4x6 journalling card from Simple Stories Harvest Lane collection.

The journalling card was matted on cardstock and a piece of paper from Scenic Route and then onto a card blank. I embelished the journallign card with a few brads and a wood veneer bird from Studio Calico and then added some glossy accents to the leaves and some faux stitching with a black pen.

Scrapology - October Layout Challenge

The end of October is fast approaching and I haven't yet posted my October Scrapology layout and details of the challenge. Lets put that right.

For the month of October the design team chose a layout by Laura Vegas as inspiration and challenge blog readers to use Laura's layout, buttons and our sketch to create a layout. 

For my layout I used a photo of my daughter taken a few years ago among the autumn leaves at Wrest Park.

I used patterned paper from various companies including BasicGrey and October Afternoon. The leaves and title were cut on the Craft Robo and the scalloped border strip was created using a corner punch. I raided my stash for lots of buttons including some pretty wooden buttons and they were all stitched or threaded with twine.

Here's Laura's original layout ...

.... and the sketch.

Hop on over to the Scrapology blog for full details of the challenge and to see all the other gorgeous layouts created by the design team.

Scrapology - September Card Challenge

This month's card challenge on Scrapology has been set by design team member Sheena. Sheena set the theme NEW BEGINNING. 

I decided to make a New Home card for my niece and her husband.

I cut a house shaped card (using a cutting file for the Craft Robo found in the Silhouette Studio) from Bazzill cardstock and paper from October Afternoon's 'Fly a Kite' collection and added flat backed gems and letter stickers to embellish it .

The rest of the design teams cards and full details of the challenge can be found at Scrapology.

2013 Summer Photography Scavenger Hunt

This summer (particularly whilst on holiday last month in the Isle of Wight) I've been taking part in a Summer Photography Scavenger Hunt devised by Rinda on her blog Gallo Organico. 

The 21 items on Rinda's blog were to be photographed by 21 September so as we are nearly there I thought now would be a good time to post my photos (no apologies for a photo heavy blog post!). Without further ado, heres my photos so far:

1.   Open air market - Part of the Cowes Food Show showcasing lsle of Wight local food and drink producers

2.   Theatre for performing arts (not a movie theatre) A sundial (substitute) - Sundial at Victoria Fort, Isle of Wight

3.   City Hall, Capitol or other similar civic building - Cowes Harbour Commission building (I hope this counts as a civic building)

4.   Airplane - The Red Arrows at the close of Cowes Week

5.   A sunset - Cowes

6.   Someone or something taking a nap - A very snoozy owl having a nap at The Owl & Monkey Haven, Newport, Isle of Wight

7.   A sign that is intentionally or unintentionally funny - outside a pub in Cowes

8.   A tower - Appley Tower, Ryde, Isle of Wight

9.   A photo with someone or something that is clearly out of place or doesn't belong - a lost/found mushroom (lip gloss) on the beach at Bembridge. 

10.  A bench that is outside - The bench at Osborne House in memory of John Brown the Scottish personal servant and favourite of Queen Victoria for many years.

11.  An animal in a zoo, aquarium, nature preserve, etc. - Hungry little marmoset having his lunch. at The Owl & Monkey Haven, Newport, Isle of Wight

13.  A fence - Fence at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary.

14.  A stained glass object or a mosaic - Part of a mosaic detailing the history of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, from its foundation in 1135 to the more-or-less present day, situated along the alleyway leading to the castle.

15.  A fire truck or police car - Ride on Trumpton Fire Brigade Engine on Sandown Pier.

16.  A windmill - Bembridge Windmill, Isle of Wight. The only surviving windmill on the Isle of Wight

18.  Your local pub/bar, coffee house or tea shop - Our local pub, The Crown.

19.  A fisherman - Fisherman at Victoria Fort, Isle of Wight.

20. A dinosaur - Wooden model made by my daughter.

I still have a few more photos to find, but hopefully I'll get these photo taken this week:

12.  A cloud in the shape of something (please specify what you see)

17.  Candle(s)

21.  A photograph of you with an artistic tool or craft supply

NB Unfortunately I didn't manage to photograph the remaining items.