Stash Busting with Cards

I have had a spate of crafty friends' birthdays recently.  When I say crafty - some of them scrapbook, some of them don't.  Some of them make cards, some of them don't.  Being financially challenged, for the non-cardmakers, I decided to send them a present of a stack of cards for various occasions. 

Amongst other things, this is a selection of cards that I recently sent to my friend, Val. 

A good few years ago, Tara had given me miscellaneous size envelopes.  I think this was nearly the last lot I had left.  So I got to and made card blanks out of some of the card weight of the A4 bundle I bought from the Papermill when I originally started papercrafting.  The colour of the blank was determined by the colour of the envelope, naturally!

For the above card, I used a piece of 6 x 6 paper that came with a free stack from a card-making magazine, and a message spot from the free paper that came with the Scrapbooking Magazine once upon a time.  I haven't seen that magazine for a couple of years, so I am not sure if they are still doing that - but my card making has benefitted from those free papers over the years.  I stamped the message with the American Crafts "birthday" set of stamps, and added a hot pink felt flower I've had in my flower stash for many years. 

Here I added a birthday message from Craftwork Cards onto a blue circle to ground it.  I even had that orange star in my orange scraps bag!  I felt the pattern also worked well in this instance. 

These cards couldn't be simpler!  The following really proves it - a scalloped circle spot, a round birthday message, and a sticky border with some yellow ric rac and done! 

Spot a trend - they are really similar to each other in design - I just change around the elements a bit. 

So - by making a small batch of cards, it has used up some ribbon, some A4 card, some Craftwork Cards sentiments, and a bit more freebie mag paper.  And I am pretty sure that this present was made in the course of one evening - very productive use of my time, I would say! 

You will read more and more stash busting efforts mentioned here in the coming months - all gearing towards the big expected move next year. 

Sketch and Scrap February

Here was the sketch I chose for the UK Scrappers social group, Sketch and Scrap. 

I like multi-photo layouts, but don't often adhere to the exact size of the picture according to the sketch.  I have copied the dimensions almost exactly, to do a layout of Lewis and Henry at seven months old.  The photos were obviously taken after eating something very orange! The photos were taken on 6th Feb, and were scrapped on 5th March - I am pretty impressed with that, I must say.  Wish I was as well organised as all that!  Because the photos matched the dimensions of the layout, I copied it pretty exactly.  I nearly took a short cut and used rub-on stitching instead of the real thing, but I wanted some extra punch with colour and dimension, so am pleased I went with the black thread in the end.  So happy to use up more old patterned paper and am happy with how the layout turned out - it is very unusual for me to only use patterned paper, and cardstock only as an accent under journalling. 



Supplies:

Striped paper - unknown - perhaps Chatterbox? (It is the same texture ...., tells you how old it probably is)

My Mind's Eye Bloom and Grow Collection "Bloom" 2009

Prima Iron Orchid Designs line, Mary Jane collection "Steel Toe" 2007

Prima Just Corina Designs, Dude Collection, "Roundabout" 2008

Journalling spot - unknown

Rub-ons - perhaps Basic Grey?

K & Company handmade Alphabet embossed stickers

I outlined everything with a fine black journalling pen, to add some impact.  I think it makes a subtle but important difference in terms of delineation.  You can see the uncertainly of Lewis by the expression on his face - he was going through a very wobbly period in terms of eating savoury - thank goodness he seems to be largely over that now!

G is for glitter!

This month at Scrapology, we are scraplifting a layout from the very talented Anita MacDonald.

Her layout is below. 

I decided to use the main central square as a starting point, and incorporated a square grid on a layout about Henry. 

The patterned papers are once again all from the "Up Up and Away" range by First Edition.  The background cardstock has a pearlescent sheen which I bought in bulk for a class from Two Peas some few years ago - I love cornflour blue.  The picture of Henry was taken when he was obviously teething really badly, poor baby.  I panic somewhat that I miss the boys' milestones when you get too busy doing day to day things, so one day I deliberately took out time to take ink prints of both boys' hand and foot prints. 

I emulated the die cut Bo Bunny paper in Anita's layout with some cut out patterned paper circles and I added a whimsical element by dusting off some of my brads, eyelets and snaps, along with the Cropodile!  

Winnie the Pooh is one of my favourite books and I just adore this quote - I think it is so poignant.  I was really pleased to break out my PSX "Playful" alphabet stamps once again and stamp out the quote.  I like the handmade, folksy quality of imperfection and think that elements like this give a layout heart and character. 

Supplies:
First Edition Up Up and Away
Blue Pearlescent Cardstock
MM brads, snaps, eyelets

I am always surprised when I hear that people have given up scrapbooking - I find ways of incorporating my babies' milestones together with images of things like their hands and feet so sentimental and touching and think that every family would treasure these kind of keepsakes of their family members. I hope that the boys will treasure the stories of their earliest years and look forward to seeing their albums in the future. 

Jill from Cardinal Colours is once again offering a fabulous prize this month - just follow the glitter trail to enter this challenge!