UK Scrappers Challenge - A First

When I saw the sketch below for the UK Scrappers weekly challenge (April, week 5) set by the Inky Minxes, I knew I wanted to do a layout, as the sketch was so pretty. 

Sketch is by Pagemaps.  The challenge was to scrap about a first, use paper, and use either stamping/bunting. 

At first, I discounted joining in, because no firsts immediately sprang to mind.  I also wondered about the size of the photos, as they are rather small.  Nevertheless, I browsed through the photos on my computer and ran through the possibilities. 

When I saw the photos my husband had taken of my boys and I on Mother's Day, I knew that these were the ones I wanted to use.  None of the photos are brilliant - Lewis was playing up when the photos were taken, and the one of Henry is out of focus.  I therefore thought they were perfect to scrap on a small scale.  Without this particular challenge, I doubt I would have ever scrapped these photos - so I am grateful for that. 

When I particularly love a sketch, I run through my potential supplies, and see what I have.  I do try and stay as faithful as possible to the sketch, because I love it's design in the first place!  Nevertheless, I had to change it around a bit, when I came up with the supplies I wanted to use.  I am also very grateful for the theme, as finally I have cut into this "Red Roses" patterned paper which I have always loved - but am so pleased to have eventually found a use for - after all these years!  It was manufactured in 2006, and though I don't think I've had it that long, it has been in my stash for several years, as have most things, really.  I was also especially happy to use those roses stickers which were on the rather large size - I am so pleased that they look quite fitting here.  And by a happy stroke of fate, they also fit perfectly into Jen's challenge for (Inter)national Scrapbooking Day on the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog. 

Supplies:

Bazzill cardstock - red, white and black
Patterned papers - "Red Roses", Flair Designs, 2006
                               Chatterbox Inc Scrapbook Walls "Stitched Ivy"
                               Imaginisce black and white scraps
Die Cut - Black and White Damask by Teresa Collins
Punch - Martha Stewart Butterflies
Die and embossing folder - Cuttlebug Butterfly
Stickers - DCWV Spring Stack - Roses
                Heidi Grace Designs Clear Phrase Stickers 2008 "A Little Bird's Tale"
Alphabets - Quickutz "Skinny Mini Phoebe" (red)
                    Basic Grey White Chocolate Chip "Beckham" micro-chip
Cotton crochet thread

I am pretty pleased with this layout - considering I had to change the orientation of the photos, and some of the elements - and it just goes to show that you shouldn't initially discount scrapping to a particular theme, as you will probably get there with some imagination! 

Thanks for stopping by.  :)