Bricabracadocio

Sketch and Scrap February

2012-03-06T13:26:00.001Z

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!

2012-03-04T21:02:00.006Z

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!

UKS Weekly Challenge - February Week 3

2012-02-20T13:00:00.001Z

I am part of the Twilight Addicts social group on UK Scrappers, and it is our turn to set the challenge this week.

As usual, the challenge consists of three parts - the first is to use the sketch below for 10 points.

The second part of the challenge is to use a group of photos for the second lot of 10 points. Finally, for the last 10 points, we would like you to draw inspiration from a book for your title or colour scheme and make sure your reference this in your post.

I created this layout below of Lewis at six months.

You can see that I have swapped out two photos to use a hand and footprint of Lewis.

I used the First Edition range of papers once again called "Up, up and Away" - I am so pleased that they are really versatile and go with most things to do with baby boys. I used some lime green Bazzill "Just the Edge" strips to coordinate with the papers and then did some handcutting for the embellishment arrangement on the left hand side. I took some time out one day to take hand and foot prints of both Henry and Lewis for their milestones, and used a pre-gessoed canvas sketch pad from the Poundshop which I have had for donkey's years - I knew it would come in handy some day!

I had to think long and hard about a quote from a favourite book, but Winnie the Pooh has always been one of my lifelong favourites, and I hope it too will be one of my boys' favourites in the future. I love the philosophy and the life messages contained in the stories - and how central the importance of meaningful relationships are to all the characters. I like the handcrafted element to pages, and decided to use my PSX "Playful" alphabet stamps for the quote and the title. Good to blow the dust off your tools occasionally!

I am very conscious that we are older parents, and through scrapbooking I want to leave my boys messages about how I would like to see them live their lives, and the kind of men they will be when they grow up, should we not be here to see that happen. That is why the quote I have used is especially poigant to me:

"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever".

I hope you join in with the challenge and have fun with it!

Sketch and Scrap February

2012-02-08T09:00:00.008Z

Here is the sketch we used this month - - -

and here below is the layout I created in response.

It was the first time I used my "Pooh and Friends" Cricut cartridge. Very fiddly and extremely time consuming, but worth the effort, I think! I created the inner border with an inch circle punch and the side detail is supposed to emulate the stripes on Henry's shirt. The colours are pulled directly from the boys' Tigger dungarees and shirts. The alpha dome stickers are "Mod Designs" by Autumn Leaves and part of my stash busting challenge - they are at least five years old. No matter how many circle punches I have, I find I never have enough ... I created the white circles underneath the stickers using a Quickutz bubble die. The stickers really needed the white behind them for some added impact.

The die-shaped lime green layout base was created by cutting 1/2 inch off each side, and then using an inch circle punch, measuring out evenly spaced semi-circles around the border.

My journalling reads "Grandma Jones wrapped you both up in her fake fur and you were snuggled in Grandpa Jones' armchair. At one stage, we could barely see you!" Pics taken 30th August 2011.

Seven Months Old

2012-02-06T21:59:00.002Z

Henry and Lewis, you are seven months old today (6th Feb).

Henry, your first tooth broke through on Sunday, 29th January, with the second coming through today!

Your hand to eye coordination has developed even more from last month, and you are reaching out for food like pieces of dried apple, rusks and such like. You eat everything that is given to you with enthusiasm and gusto. You are still trying to bite and chew everything in sight - that includes items of furniture and articles of clothing - particularly relating to your feet!

Your motor skills are increasing every day - you can particularly control your hands and fingers with deliberate actions and in the last week or so we have started to see your pincer movement with your fingers and thumb.

This means that you are increasingly taking the opportunity to stick fingers into your brother's face and ears, and delight in pulling our cheeks, lips or ears when we pick you up. You are able to hold on tight when you are carried anywhere and you are trying to use bits of furniture to pull yourself up! I often see you with your legs wrapped around the jungle gym and it seems as though you are trying to climb up the overhead supports - even more like a monkey!

You love to spend time on your back and look up at the ceiling, and kick your legs very energetically when you get excited - which is usually when you see Mummy or Daddy approaching, or you know it is mealtime.

I often see you staring intently at people and surroundings, especially if it involves food. Henry, you will reach out and move towards toys you want to play with, and often squeal with excitement or anticipation when you are happy.

Both of you seemed to enjoy spending time with me in the kitchen last Friday when I was making chicken casserole for the whole family. It meant that I could multi-task and feed you at the same time! Definitely a more productive way to get things done for everyone and also give you a change of scenery.

We are very thankful that you both enjoy going out in the buggy, or for a drive in your car seats. We rarely hear you cry when out and about unless you are hungry. Lewis, you will more often than not go to sleep, and we often hear Henry happily babbling to yourself throughout an entire car journey!

Lewis - we are having a struggle with you eating your savoury foods, but it is lovely to know that you are generally regarded as the smiley one when we go out.

Your personality is emerging more every day, and Mummy can usually ensure a giggle when I sing "little brown jug" - at the "ha ha ha, hee hee hee..."

You love to sleep with your hands behind your head, looking for all the world like you are enjoying sunbathing on your lounger. Roberta tells me that is the sign of a happy baby - and that is very positive reinforcement for me to hear. The other morning, I found you at the top of the cot, minus your sleeping bag! Goodness only knows how you managed to wriggle out of it, especially with the two press studs undone at the top.

Lewis, you spend a long time on your tummy, looking up towards people in the room, or around you. Daddy tells me that he is convinced that you respond when your name is called. You particularly seem to get bored and frustrated just lying on the ground, and seem much happier when you are put into your bouncy chair or high chair for a break in routine, especially in the late afternoon.

When we put you both into the bouncer on the doorframe for the first time on Saturday, you both loved it. Henry, you seem to be stronger in the legs, but we were surprised that Lewis, you looked very graceful, like a ballet dancer, pointing your toes when bouncing.

It was no surprise to use when I had you weighed last Friday that Lewis, you have now outstripped Henry - though not by much! Lewis, you now weigh 8.89kg, or 19lb 6 oz - and Henry, you are now 8.74kg, or 19lb 3 oz! No wonder Mummy gets tired when lifting you up and down several times a day.

Lewis, you are increasingly "finding your voice" - though your shrieks and cries can often be ear splitting and uncomfortably loud! Maybe you will be a rock star when you grow up - the journey to discover who and what you are both meant to be will be eternally fascinating to Daddy and I.

February Scrapology Layout

2012-02-04T12:50:00.000Z

Over at Scrapology, we are scraplifting SJ this month with this patchwork layout below. SJ used a lot of inking, and some stitching to add texture.

I am really appreciating simple, clean layouts for the baby album, so decided not to add these techniques to this page.

I did intend to duplicate the size of the squares as per SJ's version, but then I made a mistake in cutting my squares, and decided to keep it that way, as I liked the texture of the Bazzill cardstock showing on the background.

Papers are all First Editions "Up Up and Away" with the exception of the khaki green lightly checked patterned paper - it is Kaisercraft. The only downside of this patterned paper collection is that the green is too vibrant - normally, I would love that, but for the baby photos, I want to let them shine, and take precedence, rather than a really bright colour overwhelm some of the detail. I also used an off-white grey sheet of Bazzill cardstock, with some white Basic Grey chocolate chip alphas for the title.

My journalling reads "Daddy and I are very aware that your future is in our hands. We will strive to be the best parents we can be - in order that you both grow up to be happy, healthy men who live fulfilled lives, with happy families of your own. Until then though, it's all up to us - it's in our hands."
Photo 21.07.11
Journalling 24.01.12

Henry and Lewis at Six Months

2012-01-18T22:28:00.004Z

You turned six months on 6th January. You are are now 70cms long - 20cm more than when you were born! and CONSIDERABLY heavier, of course. You are much larger than other babies much older than you. Destined to be rugby players amongst other things, perhaps!

Since then, we have really noticed that you recognise each other. One of our highlights of the day is when you look at each other and giggle. Sometimes that can last for a couple of minutes at a time, and it is just adorable to see.

Henry - you are rolling over and over - one minute, we can see you in the middle of the jungle, and the next - you are under the edge of the coffee table, or on top of the gas pipe, or trying to fit under the sofa! Your hand to eye co-ordination is really exact now, and you are reaching out to touch our faces or objects that attract you. It is usually a toy of your brother's that takes your fancy! At the moment, Lewis is not protesting when you snatch a rattle or the elephant away, but we don't imagine that this situation will stay like this for very long! It took you a little while to get the hang of solids, but now you are eating everything that is given to you with great enthusiasm. Today I caught you trying to bite Lewis and even gnaw on his leg!

You are becoming ever more vocal, and are making a greater variety of noises and sounds than ever. The most recognisable thing you say is "da da da da" and become especially talkative after the evening feed.

Lewis - you are smiling and giggling more and more, but your cry for food or when you are unhappy has gotten much louder and is positively a screech at times! You really open your mouth when you have decided that you like the concoction that is offered to you, but are refusing to open your mouth or spit things out when you have made up your mind that you really don't like something! I am really taking advantage when you cry because that is when I shove a great spoonful of food into your mouth - not always with successful consequences, I must say. You are also really vocal after the evening feed, but are particularly interested in blowing raspberries at the moment, and sucking or biting on your sleeve.

There are no concrete signs of teeth at the moment, but we are expecting them for you both at any day now.

Henry, when placed in a sitting position, you are definitely more stable, but Lewis, you are still more wobbly, so we predict that Henry will be able to sit up first. Henry, when I am changing you on the floor, you move backwards like an upside down frog, and can use your legs to propel yourself away from me really quickly! It can make nappy changing really challenging, and you rollover like a giant worm when I am trying to get you dressed.

Lewis, you almost look like you are getting ready to crawl, by trying to get up on your knees. Your eyes have changed colour - at birth, they were a really dark slate, and then they turned to grey. Now, they're looking set to be hazel. You are gradually getting more hair, and it looks to be a medium brown in colour.

You are both really starting to interact with your toys now, and we often find you cuddled up with your bears in your cots in the mornings.

So far, you have tried baby rice and porridge in the mornings, and this has been mixed with banana, pear puree or apple and pear mix. In the afternoons, you have now had carrot, broccoli ( not so popular, thus far!), sweet potato, avocado, and butternut squash, which you both enjoyed. The cottage pie was a smash with Henry, and squash and chicken was also very popular! However, you want to grab the spoon or bowl and have a go at feeding yourself - with potentially disastrous consequences for bright orange or green food on cream carpets ...

January Card for Scrapology

2012-01-15T19:54:00.000Z

Ali from Crafty Ribbons generously donated the prize this month - and with Valentine's Day coming up soon, the theme this month is all about love.

As fate would have it, a friend has very recently become engaged - I really need to get my act together and post her the card!

We were challenged to use ribbons on the card and there are some very lovely examples of cards on the Scrapology blog.

Here is my example below.

I wanted to make the focus on the ladybird ribbon - hence the message.

I received the Stampin' Up! scallop punch from my friend Tara as one of my Christmas presents - I know it will be a much loved tool in my edge punch library.

Supplies used:

Cricut red card

K & Co red scrap from my scraps bag

Lined patterned paper from my scraps bag

Bazzill Black card

Bazzill White card

Martha Stewart loopy punch

Stampin Up! scallop punch

E K Success Binding Edge punch

Quickutz heart

PSX Alpha - "Playful"

Colourful peel-offs

I bought some really bright colourful vinyl peel-offs from Create and Craft probably about two years ago. I am not normally a fan, but peel-offs do have their place - it all depends on the design and type of peel-off. These ones really attracted me as they were such lovely bright colours and the design was of butterflies and leaves - universally popular.

Why not join in with the challenge? These lovely ribbons would make a great prize ...

Photographing Cards/layouts

2012-01-09T17:32:00.000Z

Fantastic tutorial here .....

Saved for my own purposes, really!

Name Picture

2012-01-08T12:42:00.003Z

We were invited to go to a christening yesterday, and I was scratching my head about what to give as a gift.

I thought the traditional items (you know - a silver item, or a china dining set, for example) were, well - too traditional - and not really useful in this day and age.

We were only invited one week before the event, and I didn't have a great deal of time to think about it. When a friend suggested a name picture, that was the very thing and off I went!

The images I found on the internet didn't really inspire me and I wasn't tempted to buy anything I saw. So I decided that as I happened to have a *few* materials around, I would make a picture myself!

Making more than a few amendments along the way, here is the final version.

I happened to have a frame around the house (from an intended project some years ago!) and decided to use it here. I used my Cricut alphabet (Opposites Attract) with the shadows for the letters. The shadows were coloured using Promarkers, as were most of the animals.

I originally kept the letters white, but it was too minimalist and not bright enough for a 6 month old boy, so I used scraps of patterned paper for each letter. The grass was cut with a Sizzlits decorative strip die. Handily enough, I had recently purchased the Cuttlebug baby animals set of dies when they were half price in the Papermaze fire sale - they proved more than their money's worth in this project!

I started off by colouring in the animals with the Promarkers - but if I were to do another similar project, then I would cut everything out using the individual coloured card. It would make the project much more laborious, but I think worth it in terms of the quality of finish. The Promarkers are great, but when the item is quite small, you are reliant on the quality of your colouring in - and it is very easy for my hand to slip when colouring in detail. The eyes pop using Ranger black enamel accents - it is great stuff, but very hard to control the amount of enamel that comes from the bottle! I had to redo several of the animals when they ended up with black all over their heads, rather than just the eyes. I had to sit up late several nights in order to get it finished, but I hope the recipient's family like the picture and appreciate that it was handmade especially for their son. In my mind, not bad for a first attempt I think!

January Scrapology Layout

2012-01-01T20:41:00.001Z

Welcome to the New Year, and the start of the 2012 Scrapology challenges. It was a push for me this month - (well, every month is now, to be honest!) but I managed to do a Christmas layout for this scraplift challenge, using seven photos on a double layout.

I have used eight - and could have used eight more, frankly! but it gives me a good excuse to pull the Christmas stash out again, when I can find some time.

This month, we scraplifted this layout by Stacey Hansen that appeared in Creating Keepsakes September 2011.

The challenge was to also incorporate texture, in order to make the layout more dimensional. This is my take on this layout.

I am much more of a linear scrapper, and prefer straight lines. I also prefer less pattern on a page, so decided to only use one piece of patterned paper - which in this case, of course, is Basic Grey "Jingle Bells" from the Blitzen collection. I only had about half a piece left, but it was perfect for this double layout. Shame I don't have more for other Christmas pages, but that's the way it goes.

I have gazillions of Bazzill "Just the Edge" strips left in many colours, and that was just the contrast I needed at the bottom to prevent the harsh appearance of too many straight lines. I also had some Christmas tree chipboard in drab colours that didn't match, so used them as a template for the shapes of the Christmas trees here. Several years ago, Two Peas in a Bucket was selling off some 12 x 12 glitter cardstock by Creative Expressions, I think .. I used this card for the red background to the title, and the Christmas trees. I then used mint Icicles (the thicker version of Stickles) around the red rainbow for some extra texture and bling. I struggled with this sketch for a long time, but am really happy with the result - especially as it commemorates such a special event!

This month, Jill from Cardinal Colours is offering a really special prize - every colour from the Bazzill Two Scoops collection. You have to be in it to win it! Thanks also to my friend Carin McDonough who was the guest designer for this month. She always produces the most brilliant layouts! See more of her beautiful work here.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-30T14:50:00.000Z

Best wishes to everyone for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012. We've had a pretty good 2011, as it stands and are blessed to have two happy, healthy and growing sons who are gorgeous!

Thanks to Paul's Mum for a splendid Christmas and Boxing Day. She goes to so much effort to produce a delicious meal and a beautifully decorated table.

The boys were very spoiled for presents and received so many. I have made a concerted effort to write everything down - otherwise it is so easy to forget!

Here is Henry in one of their presents - a lovely snuggly bear hat from Aunty Katrina and Grace. Lewis decided not to like his indoors - I think he was too hot!

Still, Lewis was in fine form and was smiling and laughing a lot of the time. I think this is the first time I've managed to get a photo of either of the boys smiling - once my face disappears behind the camera, that's the end of the smile!

Their present from Paul and I was, amongst other things, these booster chairs/high seats, which attach to normal chairs. It means that the boys were able to grace us at the Christmas table with their presence - what a lovely addition this year.

I finally got out from behind the camera to be included in a family photo. It's turned out quite well, but is a precious memento, whatever the quality.

And finally - the boys with their paternal grandparents. Hopefully next year - we might be with their maternal grandparents and keep the trips evenly spaced from one year to another!

Just after this, Lewis grabbed Grandma's earring and was giving it a really good bash. I think Grandma was very lucky to escape with her ear!

May you all be happy and have good fortune throughout 2012.

December Scrapology card challenge

2011-12-30T14:40:00.000Z

This month, the card challenge was set by Chrissy from Merly Impressions.

My husband and my FIL have birthdays very close together. The timing of this challenge was perfect with a theme of autumn and leaves. I often resort to using leaves on masculine cards as I feel they are a very versatile embellishment.

The above was the card for my husband - my Sizzix dies turned out very useful. I have bought both the Tim Holtz labels and mini labels die and I also used some ancient alphabet stickers from Chatterbox. I like the positive and negative images here - a great way of making the stickers stretch further on a budget. All the leaf images are also from a Tim Holtz Decorative Strips die - Autumn Gatherings. I used the Basic Grey Granola range of papers for all the leaf shapes. The background patterned paper was an ancient piece of Jenni Bowlin - great to cut into some of these papers and get them used up! I used lashings of Tim Holtz distress ink around the edge to add some depth.

My father-in-law's card was a variation on the theme -

A few more bits and pieces gone from the mountain of stash - now, where can I buy some more time? If you get some time, why not join with us and having a go at the challenge?

December Scrapology Layout

2011-12-01T09:00:00.005Z

I didn't think I would make it this month, but managed to carve out a bit of time close to the deadline to make the December Scrapology challenge. This month, we scraplifted Pamela Young's layout below.

This is how I interpreted the scraplift.

I went with the three photos (albeit of different shapes) and the scalloped circle, so stuck to the main elements on Pamela's layout.

The background is a very light green Bazzill cardstock, so it doesn't show up too well. I haven't indulged in too many new scrapbooking products lately, but one thing I couldn't resist was a couple of collections by First Edition, bought to scrapbook the boys as babies. The papers are so cute, and perfect for baby boys. The alphabet, journalling block and patterned paper are all from the same range, called "Up Up and Away!"

You can see looking between Pamela's layout and mine that I also interpreted using the mist differently. Rather than use tissue paper, I misted a border around the edge of the patterned paper. I used a piece of Crate Paper as a template for the patterned paper, and then drew a border freehand using some white scrap paper to form the border. The mist is Cosmic Shimmer "Teal Wash" and this mist really does shimmer in real life.

The journalling spot and motif does glitter too - shame the effect does not show up on the screen. My journalling reads:

"6 days old - 12th July. When you were first home from hospital, we were still trying to breastfeed. However, we were also worried that you weren't getting enough, so we were also feeding you with syringes so you weren't getting confused between breast and bottle. Looking back almost 5 months, it is hard to believe you were both so small and we were worried about your weights!

Grandma Brierley and Lewis, Grandma Jones and Henry. Scrapbooked November 2011."

Even though it is a very busy time of year, why not grab some time for yourself and take part in this challenge! Thanks for stopping by. :)

A recent photo ...

2011-11-29T22:05:00.000Z

of my darling boys, taken on 18th November, when they were 19 weeks old. How they've grown! Lewis on the left, and Henry on the right, dressed in their bargain jammies, at 50p each. We were staying at Grandma's, so I took advantage of a little holiday and did a bit of a photo shoot with the boys. :)

It shall be scrapped in due course, naturally ....

Quidco

2011-11-24T09:00:00.002Z

All about ways to save money at Christmas and all throughout the year? I am, especially with only one wage coming in, and two more mouths to feed ...

If you do happen upon this post, and are interested in saving money, then Quidco is a special website which offers deals, and then gives you cashback at the end, depending on how much you've spent with them. For instance, I recently bought a pair of Clark's shoes on line, which were not only 50% off, but I also earned a cashback reward, simply for clicking through the Quidco site!

If you are so inclined, follow this link, and then start referring other people too, for more cashback rewards ....

http://www.quidco.com/user/1057273/

Happy shopping!

Scrapology November card

2011-11-23T13:53:00.000Z

This month, the card designer who set our monthly challenge is Joanna Sheen. She challenged the Design Team to use a mouse image on their cards. Bearing in mind the time of the year, I decided to try and incorporate the mouse with Christmas in the cheesiest way possible - get it! (Hee hee hee .... )

Thanks to Linda for sending me some images as this is not really my normal style of card.

I dug out an ancient piece of patterned paper for the background and made sure that I coloured in the image to match accordingly.

I made it more "Christmassy" by sticking some felt snowflakes over the top and then stickled them to make them glitter. I also glittered on the patterned paper on top of the stars to pull the card together.

I then stamped out my Christmouse message using my PSX Playful alphabet stamps - I have several sets of small alphabet stamps. I still consider them to be an essential part of my scrapbooking/ cardmaking tools, even though I don't use them nearly as often as I used to. Great to get out these things from time to time and dust them off!

I then "enamelled" the outline of the flower using the Ranger white enamel accents. It was my first time using these - they add a considerable dimension to the card, and hopefully look like snow! The liquid flowed out of the nozzle faster than I thought it would, so I would recommend caution if using them for the first time. Hope you join us in the challenge, and have lots of fun playing along!

Supplies:
Patterned paper: Colorbok Starry Sky
Ranger white enamel accents
Diamond Stickles
Make It Yourself Furry white snowflakes
PSX Alphabet stamps - Playful
Promarkers

Sketch and Scrap November

2011-11-07T00:53:00.001Z

For my group's challenge on UK Scrappers this October, we were challenged to create a layout using this sketch:

I decided to use a picture of my boys, and make a companion layout to the one I produced for Scrapology for November.

Supplies List:

Bazzill cardstock
Journalling pen: A fine black permanent marker
Patterned papers: Urban Lily "Polka Dot", Chatterbox Scrapbook Walls "Stitched Ivy", 7 gypsies "Life Blanc", Sassafras Lass Indian Summer "Pumpkin Patch"
K & Company Metal Art
Doodlebug rubons Sew Easy Lilywhite & Black
Maya Road Office Sheers Journalling Spot
Wooden Buttons: Hobbycraft
Buttons
Ribbon, Lace, Felt, Fabric, Gem, Pearls

It's very satisfying to create what I think is a beautiful result from old supplies and great to get some of this hoard of stash used up!

The photo is of my Mum with the boys when they were just over two weeks old. We did a photoshoot with a local photographer, and were so pleased we did it. I loved the photo - it's a very precious memory and is just what it says a "special moment".

Scrapology November Challenge

2011-11-04T15:24:00.004Z

This month, over at Scrapology, we are scraplifting Hannah Young's layout below:

The challenge this month is to make fabric flowers.

This is my interpretation. I decided to interpret the flowers rather differently, so had a shufty through my materials to see what I could choose from. I had black tulle, bits of left over felt, and various bits of material. The larger red flower is made from wide wired ribbon.

The photo is one taken at a photoshoot when my boys were 3 weeks old and is of my mother and I. All the patterned papers have come from my scraps bag and are all ancient - how satisfying is it to use them up?

Supplies:

Bazzill cardstock

Patterned paper: Urban Lily "Polka Dot", Chatterbox Scrapbook Walls "Stitched Ivy", Scenic Route Laurel "Sailmaker Lane", 7 gypsies "Life Blanc"

Tim Holtz: Mini Labels movers and shapers die

Alphas: K & Company "Handmade mini alpha", Making Memories "Tiny Alphas white on black"

Stickers: Scenic Route Laurel Monogram ABCD

Wooden Heart: Hobbycraft

Buttons

Ribbon, Lace, Bonbon

Felt

Fabric

Because my target photo was a completely different shape to Hannah's, I had to reinterpret the sketch somewhat, and also decided to simplify the colour scheme.

I am really pleased with how this layout turned out. I shall be making a companion page for the boys' albums using another sketch challenge! Why don't you join us - Jill from Cardinal Colours has once again donated a fabulous prize - check out the Scrapology blog to find out what it is!

Scrapology October Card Challenge

2011-10-20T22:46:00.000+01:00

This month, the challenge set by Sue (Doogle 007) over at Scrapology is to use eyelets! Goodness knows, if you've been a crafter sometime, then you probably have quite a stash of these in your craft drawers.

I decided to make a card for my niece Erin who has a birthday coming up later this month.

I used Autumn Leaves Freestyle Alpha by Tia Bennett. I stamped each letter onto a different piece of green patterned paper scrap - I find my scraps do come in very handy for all sorts of things!

This photo was taken outdoors in that amazing bout of late summer weather we had at the beginning of October. The boys and I really enjoyed being out in the garden those afternoons - hard to believe we had that mini heatwave, after the wintery weather we've had just lately.

I really like how this card came together and have decided to really use those eyelets more often. Why don't you go check out the other girls' work and join in with the challenge?

Ace of Spades

2011-10-05T10:05:00.000+01:00

As part of the Sketch and Scrap challenge on UK Scrappers for September, we were asked to follow this sketch:

It was fairly similar to a sketch that came up earlier in the year - so I had previously prepared the photos and already decided on the background colour for the layout. I failed to complete it, however, due to being pregnant and intensely tired and not really interested in being creative! So when I saw this sketch, I was very happy that I had already started the process of pulling things together.

The photos are from Chelsea Flower Show 2009 - and the garden is called the "Ace of Spades", designed by David Dumoney.

My journalling reads: "Designed by David Dumoney, the 'Ace of Spades' garden fell in the Urban Garden category and gained a silver gilt medal. He was inspired by listening to the Motorhead track, whilst working on his bike at home. A giant Ace of Spades was set on the back wall, created out of garden spade heads. The 'Alien' furtniture was constructed from old motor parts by artist Susannah Trigg."

I particularly love drawing inspiration for a look and feel of a layout from the photos, so I wanted to achieve an industrial, grungy theme - tying in with the heavy metal song and the extensive use of metal in the garden! I outlined the border and my photos with paint, and also had great fun flicking paint onto the cardstock with a paintbrush. I used lots of silver metallic card to mat the photos and other elements. I found the "Ace of Spades" logo in Google images and printed that out and stamped some additional swirls around the edge.

Supplies:

Bazzill cardstock

Heidi Swapp mask "Floral Bouquet"
K & Company Handmade embossed stickers
Stamps: Technique Tuesday "Irony", Autumn Leaves Stampology "Round & Round"
Dawn Bibby Silver mist
Black Distress ink
Jo Sonja black acrylic paint

Scrapology October Layout

2011-10-02T22:22:00.000+01:00

Welcome to October! This month we are scraplifting one of Georgia K Keay's layouts, with the theme being "B for Borders".

I was quite intimidated when I saw Georgia's layout because I knew I wanted to scrapbook my boys, but didn't want to splatter paint or ink or make it quite as eclectic as she did, even though I greatly admire the finished product. In the end, I went with these photos as I knew I wanted to scrapbook them, even though they weren't marvellous, and thought that I could eventually make them work on a layout.

Here is my layout:

Technique:

The layout is all about the bibs my mum bought the boys from Brisbane Airport when she flew over to be with us for the first month after the boys were born. One bib had a picture of a pirate kangaroo and was emblazoned with "The Wild Ride" whilst the other was called the "Happy Turtle", depicted in the aboriginal art style. The bibs are so cute and I wanted to remember their provenance so I decided to incorporate their design into the layout. So I picked up the aboriginal art theme and thought that the Basic Grey Archaic papers were very suitably earthy. I traced the kangaroo and turtle outlines onto acetate with a permanent marker and filled in the detail with Promarkers. Then once the various patterned papers were stuck on, I decided to use the dot imagery for a border around the page to fit in with the Scrapology theme this month and also use the same principle to surround the journalling shape. I liked the naive lettering on the bibs so just scribbled out my title and coloured in the letters using the same colour scheme. After all, I can't cut up every item of clothing the boys have ever worn (as I did with their first baby grows)! The splotches from Georgia's page are emulated with the dots in the border to look like air bubbles from the turtle and also the same with the fish.

I outlined the patterned paper with my black Promarker to save on black cardstock, but did matt the photos on black Bazzill to give them more stability.

My journalling reads " Grandma Brierley bought these bibs for you from Brisbane Airport because she said she couldn't resist them. If you were crying a lot I would say to you "come on, my wild koalas, I want you to be happy turtles". I don't know why you were called wild koalas where the picture was clearly a pirate kangaroo... @ 9 days old. 15-07-11".

Supplies:

Bazzill Basics cardstock

Patterned Papers: Basic Grey - Archaic collection "Passe", "Fossil"

Crate Paper - Crate Avenue collection "Style"

Scenic Route - "Background Blue Grid Worn"

1/2" circle punch

Promarkers

As usual, Jill from Cardinal Colours is putting up a prize for the challenge. Come on and join in!

12 week milestones

2011-09-30T22:39:00.001+01:00

So much is happening, that it is hard to keep up with all your changes. Lewis, it is amazing to watch you raise both legs into the air at the same time and then let them fall to the bottom of your moses basket or onto the ground - you're not called "little thumper" for nothing! Since about 10 weeks, you have been smiling a lot more and it is so lovely to see. Last Saturday, you had your first proper laugh at Daddy and he was really thrilled.

At 11 weeks, you boys seemed to "see" each other and were checking each other out.

Henry, you are happy and laughing a lot of the time, and it is naughty but it makes me laugh a lot when I see Daddy and you sticking your tongues out at each other. I hope this is not a habit that will continue!

You are both becoming more animated and a lot more alert. Henry, you seem to focus a lot more on people's faces and respond directly to facial expressions. Lewis, you seem to respond more to items around you and enjoyed being on the bear mat and playing with the mobile.

Henry, you are cooing a lot more and spend a lot of time making cute little sounds. With the really hot and very summery weather this week, you got a chance to spend a lot of time in your bouncers in the garden in your summer outfits. These Pooh suits are one of my favourites and I am so pleased you got some wear out of them this beautiful week.

Grandma Jones came with me today to the baby clinic to get you both weighed. Henry, you weighed 13lb and 15oz - 1 oz off one stone! And Lewis, you have nearly caught up with Henry at 13lb 12oz.

You have both crept up to the 50th percentile on the growth charts, and the health visitors are very happy with your progress. Mummy and Daddy both look forward to seeing what happens next!

Scrapology September card challenge

2011-09-19T08:10:00.000+01:00

In the middle of each month, Scrapology set a card challenge. This month, Craftwork Cards requested us to use bunting.

Having a scrambled baby brain, I made a girly one for my niece in a panic - but ended up giving it to her four days early, without having time to take a photograph of it! So then I decided to make something quite different.

I had only scraps left of my Basic Grey Hang 10 collection, so I cut up the appropriate number of banner shapes. The lettering is the Sizzix "Slobbery Kisses" alphabet - I love that the extended dies cut a whole upper and lower case alphabet with only one pass through the Sizzix Big Shot machine. I outlined everything with a fine tip black pen, and went around the edges with a brown Promarker for more dimension. I thought this would make a card suitable for a male, so something a bit different.

Why not check out the Scrapology blog and join in with the challenge this month? A prize from Jill at Cardinal Colours is up for grabs ...

Week 9-10 milestones

2011-09-11T14:23:00.000+01:00

Well, with Daddy off on paternity leave this week, it has been hectic, to say the least.

On Sunday evening, we celebrated your cousin Grace's 11th birthday at a Chinese restaurant in Beaconsfield - and Daddy was very impressed with your best behaviour on your first outing in the evening.

I was supposed to have a day off from babysitting and minding duty on Monday but sadly that didn't happen. Lewis was particularly restless during the night and not only kept his Daddy awake, but also his Mummy as well.

So we all went to the gym instead - Daddy went for a workout, whilst I sat with you - and then I finally had a chance to have a swim! It was very nice to be able to paddle about in the pool and manage at least a little bit of exercise.

On Tuesday, you boys had your first innoculations. Henry you screamed, poor love and was obviously in some distress, but Lewis - you were the champion today! You whimpered for about a minute, and then seemed perfectly ok! Daddy and I changed our strategies with you today - we put you to bed quite early, and finally set up the baby monitor for good. Daddy got a fright at some point - then he let out a huge laugh - he thought you both had scarpered, and was scared for a moment as he thought he lost you! He then remembered that you were both tucked up tightly in your moses baskets upstairs in your room.

Henry, you were out of sorts for the rest of the week, so I had to keep checking on you during the nights to make sure you were ok and I would listen to you both breathing and feel reassured that you were well. Henry, you slept through the night on Wednesday - Daddy was so impressed again! Lewis, you finally smiled and laughed at me a bit, though I do look forward to seeing you happy more regularly.

Both of you are sleeping much more at night and managing to go for longer in between feeds. We went for coffee to an NCT friend's house in the afternoon - and both of you were bigger than some of the other babies born after you! We didn't have you weighed this week but you must both be well over 12 pounds now. So much so, that this next photo of you, Lewis seems particularly appropriate.

Actually, I really wanted to capture you in this t-shirt whilst it still fit you. You thrash around in your basket so much at night - it is a relief that your basket is no longer on the rocking base, as sometimes the basket would be bashing against the furniture so loudly, it woke up Mummy and Daddy! I was lucky to capture this next picture - you are almost smiling!

Mummy finally got your 3-6 month clothing organised and hung up in the closet. We went and visited Grandma and Grandpa Jones on Thursday afternoon and we learnt the lesson to take more than we think we need as things run out very quickly with both of you growing so fast! Because we got home quite late, both of you were more difficult to settle, so Daddy talked to you through the baby monitor as if it was a walkie talkie - "This is Daddy calling Baby number 1, and Baby number 2 - go to sleep now. Go to sleep!" It was adorable and really funny to witness, and so sweet too. You did listen to him, and settled down a bit more after that.

We have now run out of Size 2 nappies this morning, Sunday 11th September - that means that we have used 62x2 packs, plus 34 nappies in 12 days - that's just over 13 nappies per day between both of you, which really isn't too bad!

Henry, here you are looking very serious as Daddy fed you - no doubt pondering on political matters like Teddy Roosevelt.

Oh well - at least you can multi-task!

Week 8-9 milestones

2011-09-02T22:45:00.000+01:00

It's been an eventful week! On Saturday, you smiled directly at me Henry and it just made my heart melt. I am not ashamed to say it made me shed a tear. On Sunday, you smiled at me a lot more, and even started laughing and giggling too! Grandma Jones saw that on Monday and it made her very happy as well.

Lewis, you smiled at me whilst I was feeding you in the early hours of Monday morning. Your smiles at me have been a lot more fleeting. Daddy loved it when you smiled and giggled at him on Tuesday evening - he was tickled pink to see you so happy. Daddy seems to spot your smiles so much more than I do - I do hope to see a lot more of them soon!

We all went to the gym on Bank Holiday Monday and I was most disappointed when the pool was closed because of a pump failure. However, you enjoyed looking at the different scenery and waited patiently in the bistro area whilst first Mummy and then Daddy went about their business. In the afternoon, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Jones's house for a visit and a proper meal and you enjoyed spending time with them. As I had likened Henry to Teddy Roosevelt and Lewis, Grandma and Grandpa called you Winston, we could have future politicians in the making! Grandma put you both together on Grandpa's chair, and wrapped you in her fake ermine coat. You both looked so snuggly and funny with your heads peeping out from the fur! I couldn't resist taking a photo.

Lewis, I have taken quite a few of you on your own looking like quite the little boy - and here you are!

On Tuesday, our stock of newborn number "1" nappies ran out - which is just as well, as it's been a struggle fitting you both in them for the past week or so. Lewis, there is a bit more room to breathe with you, but Henry - you're definitely past the 11lb/5 kilo mark now, which is the upper limit for the nappies. Onto number 2's - no pun intended! - more signs that you're growing too fast for Mummy's liking.

We also moved you both to feeds of 150ml on Wednesday as we had been feeding you every two hours or less. Talk about drinking us out of house and home! Daddy also put up a cot bed for you both today and put the mobiles above the bed - bedtime will be so psychelic from now on!

Overnight, you both went to 5:30 in the morning for your next feed. I was so impressed and got a decent night's sleep for a change, apart from Daddy's snoring.

Today is Friday, so we both took you to the baby clinic, where we got you weighed. Henry, you now weigh 5.34kg/11lbs 12 oz - you put on nearly a pound again last week! Lewis, your growth was a bit slower this week - you put on 14 oz, so you now weigh 5.12kg/11lb 4 oz. Wow!

Little Stars

2011-09-01T11:26:00.000+01:00

This is my first layout of the babies. Part of the Sketch and Scrap challenge on UK Scrappers for August, and here is the sketch:

I turned the sketch on its side to account for my landscape photo. I just had to scrapbook a photo of the boys - my first layout of them. Thank goodness my friend Tara had cardstock that matched the suits! My stock of Bazzill just wasn't bright or vivid enough.

Journalling reads:
These were the first outfits Daddy bought for you whilst still in hospital. You were scratching your faces and these baby grows from Mothercare had in built mits.

I cut up one of the suits and saved the rocket logo and used some of the poppers as a type of brad. I glued the fabric onto cardstock, and then made sure that after I cut out some of the aliens, I glued around the edge to stop the material from fraying. The stars were made with a combination of punches and a Quickutz star die. I still love my Quickutz - so handy to cut out small shapes when you just need one or two.

I embossed some stars onto the background, and thought that the "little star" journalling block in the Fancy Pants Summer Soiree stamp set was perfect. I just had to mask off the "s" to make the title suitably plural.

I didn't have any embroidery thread in the appropriate colour, so I used some fibres. I am determined to use up my ample stash of fibres some day - even if it takes me years and years!

Supplies:
Stampin Up! Cardstock Brights
Bazzill Basics
Basic Grey Lauderdale "Grass Stain/Lau"
Fancy Pants Stamps
White Embossing Powder- "Summer Soiree", and "Fresh Mod"
Uniball Signo White pen

It is my first completed layout for months and months - I had lost confidence and spent ages and ages completing it. Still, I am happy with the result and the subject has given me a renewed interest in getting pages completed fast!

Scrapology September challenge - E is for Embossing

2011-09-01T10:32:00.002+01:00

Well, I have returned from "maternity leave" :lol: and resumed joining in with the monthly challenges over at the Scrapology blog, where this month we have scraplifted a layout by Kelly Goree at Basic Grey.

This is Kelly's layout below:

The technique this month was to use embossing, whether wet or dry. I have interpreted the layout very simply below:

The image looks wonky, but it is not IRL! I cut out the kraft hearts with my Quickutz die, and then used a Cuttlebug embossing border with my Quickutz squeeze to create the embossing. I wanted the layout to be quite simple so that the stunning Bounty photo of my boys was the centrepiece, but I did add detail by stitching around the embellishments. Quite a combination of old papers used, which I don't think matters a jot!

I used scalloped scissors to cut the blue dotty trim around the photo. Then I cut out one side of the border pattern from the Prima "Happy Go Lucky" patterned paper. Using a Bazzill "Just the Edge" strip as a template, I scalloped one edge of the My Mind's Eye patterned paper.

Supplies:
* Bazzill Kraft cardstock
* Bella Blvd Plastino "Label Additions" (family, heart sticker)
* Chatterbox Scrapbook Walls collection "Spruce and Sky Paisley" patterned paper
* Cuttlebug Embossing Borders "Just my Type"
* Kaisercraft Squadron collection "Sergeant" patterned paper
* My Mind's Eye Abbey Road Lucky Me Collection "How Fortunate" Title; Kaleidoscope Collection Celebrate "Family" Journaling Card; Wild Asparagus cardstock collection patterned paper
* Prima Marketing So Cute! Collection "Growing" (Apple of my Eye); Iron Orchid Designs Morning Song Collection "Happy Go Lucky" patterned paper
* Quickutz heart die A-SS-0001
* Sassafras Lass Dreamy Collection "Tingle" patterned paper

Why don't you have a go and join in with us this month? A lovely prize from Jill at Cardinal Colours is up for offer. :)

Christmas Cards

2011-08-28T22:39:00.001+01:00

Isn't it amazing, the amount of stash you build up over the years without really trying? I keep Christmas bits and bobs in a box file and decided that whilst I was downstairs looking after the boys, I would do a bit of crafting in between. Cards are easy to pick up and put down, so they seemed a good choice of project. I have no idea what these papers are called, but they were a freebie with a craft magazine some time ago - so I thought I would challenge myself to use them all up! All variations on a theme, but they certainly got my Christmas cards started off with a bang.

Warning - image heavy post!

Using the Tim Holtz Elegant Flourish die and some blue glitter paper - very simple!

Scalloped scissors for the border. Craftwork Cards "Oh my words Christmas" for the sentiment - makes card making so quick and easy.

Using up some of my extensive Bazzill "Just the Edge" strips and a bit of left over card embossed with the Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder.

A co-ordinating frame, again with free magazine paper from a different collection.

White peel-offs and the end of the blue swirly ribbon as a tag. I made up my own sheet of Christmas messages and printed them off on robust card.

I've had the dimensional snowflake stickers for years and years - you only need one! The blue scalloped border is cut from glitter paper.

I cut a bunch of white snowflake die cuts last year with my friend Tara's Sizzix snowflake dies. Easily customisable with Promarkers and Stickles.

Using my Tim Holtz keyholes die and bits of leftover free magazine paper.

Lots of scalloped circle punches and a way of using up just a left over strip of patterned paper.

Even though the paper above is really busy, I really like this card - I think the double scallop is really effective, especially when paired with that snowflake dimensional sticker embellishment.

And some left over handmade purple paper - again, with just a strip of patterned paper. I used up one piece of that collection last year, but from the remainder, I have made 25 cards - a great staple if you're on a budget. All quite easily achieved using some crafting basics - circle punches, ribbon, shaped scissors and some die cuts. Voila!

Week 7 - 8 milestones

2011-08-25T22:36:00.002+01:00

You are both more alert and interested in your surroundings this week. You have both been creeping off the mat on the floor when on your tummies. Henry, you in particular have been swiping the mobile above the bouncer and have been hitting the toys with your feet. Henry, you are getting noticeably stronger in your back, and are sitting steadily a bit more each day.

The Dr was happy with both of you this week and Mummy got told by both the Community Nurse and the Dr that she was doing a good job, so that made me happy.

Henry, this week, you weighed 10lb 13oz/4.90 kg - an increase of 11oz. Lewis, you now weigh 10lb 6oz /4.72kg - an increase of 12oz! The Community Nurse also said you have jumped from the 9th percentile to the 25th percentile - very good news indeed. She also said that it was quite common for the smaller twin at birth to outgrow the larger one - so look out Henry - Lewis is catching up to you!

Both Grandma Jones and Daddy thought you were smiling earlier this week and now I am convinced of that too.

We went to the town on Monday and ran some errands, and on Wednesday, we met some of the other NCT mums at Starbucks in Pinner. Tomorrow we have plans to go out for lunch, so we are getting out and about quite a lot this week.

Tonight whilst doing your weekly update, Lewis you were on your tummy, and Henry, you were on your back. Lewis crept forward towards Henry, and started sucking Henry's toe! Daddy thought it was hilarious.

You wore your Pooh suits out to town on Monday. You both look so adorable in them - people were stopping to admire you. I had to make sure I took photos of you in them before you grew too big! They were given to you by Amanda and Stuart Parry.

I hope we will have more hot weather before the official end of summer, so that you can wear these suits again! Thank goodness we only have one more pack of newborn nappies, because you are both almost too big for them too. Before too long, we also will have to put you into 3 - 6 month clothes. Lewis, the Community Nurse told me you had moved from the 9th percentile, to the 25th percentile - that is how much you've grown.

Henry, you were able to sit up for this photo, but Lewis, you kept slipping down - so these photos were the pick of the bunch.

We can't wait until Daddy starts his paternity leave on Monday, so that we can all spend some more time together and let Mummy get more rest!

Week 6-7 Milestones

2011-08-19T09:00:00.001+01:00

This week, both of you managed to go longer than 3 hours during the day before the next feed - though sometimes you would wake up after an hour, screaming like you've been starved!

On Sunday Henry, you turned over by yourself for the first time! It was so exciting to see. You were kicking strongly on your tummy (and kicking your brother too, I might add!) and turned up and onto your side. The impetus of the movement took you onto your back! I am not sure you liked it though as you immediately started crying. You haven't managed to repeat this to date, but when on your tummy, you put your head way up into the air, and also your legs are bent up behind you, showing how strong you are.

Lewis - you are more able to cope with the bottle on your own and one day I left you with it whilst I went into the kitchen to prepare a bottle for Henry. You were still hanging on to it when I got back, so that is a real achievement also, I think!

Whilst Lewis is much more expressive, Henry you are also becoming much more aware of your surroundings and are looking about you a lot more. Lewis, you will quite often stare in my direction, and have both hands on the side of your face with your hands clenched, looking like the end of the world is nigh!

On Thursday, Grandma Jones noticed that whilst you were both lying side by side on your mat, Lewis - you were sucking Henry's thumb! Unfortunately I couldn't get to my camera quickly enough, but that made both of us laugh a lot.

You were weighed earlier this week - on a Thursday instead of a usual Friday. Today, Henry you weighed 4.6kg/10 lb 2oz - that represents an increase of 10 oz! Lewis, you now weigh 4.36kg/9 lb 10oz - that is a 9 oz increase on last week. Lewis, you are catching up to Henry slowly but surely - only 8oz behind now! We shall have to see what happens in the future.

The Community Nursery Nurse told me that Henry, you are in the 25th percentile - that means that of 100 babies of the same age, 75 would weigh more than you would - but that you are growing appropriately in accordance with that percentile. Lewis, you are on the 9th percentile, and also developing appropriately. That is interesting to know - as most other babies of your age would be heavier than both of you! Both Mummy and Daddy think that you are already heavy and growing every day.

Since late last week, you have grown out of your New Baby clothes, and things that fit you a couple of days ago are too small for you now. I find it astonishing how quickly this all happens!

A lullaby ....

2011-08-18T15:51:00.001+01:00

This is one of my favourite things to sing to you, when you are both crying and struggling to settle ...

Sleep my child and peace attend thee,
All through the night
Guardian angels God will send thee,
All through the night

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping
Hill and vale in slumber sleeping,
I my loving vigil keeping
All through the night.

While the moon her watch is keeping
All through the night
While the weary world is sleeping
All through the night

O'er thy spirit gently stealing
Visions of delight revealing
Breathes a pure and holy feeling
All through the night.

Love, to thee my thoughts are turning
All through the night
All for thee my heart is yearning,
All through the night.

Though sad fate our lives may sever
Parting will not last forever,
There's a hope that leaves me never,
All through the night.

Apparently, this is an ancient Welsh folk song. I remember it (not all the verses, though!) because I sang it when in a choir as a teenager. I have always loved it, and find it very soothing. I also think the words are very beautiful, and hope you have a lasting memory of me singing to you - though you may find it more psychologically disturbing rather than soothing! We shall have to see what you remember.

Week 5 - 6 milestones

2011-08-12T21:42:00.004+01:00

Lucy the Health Visitor was seriously impressed with both of you boys today. Henry - you weighed 9lb 8oz/4.26kg, so in one week you have put on 14oz. Lewis, you are rapidly catching up to Henry - you now weigh 9lb 1oz/4.12kg - so this past week you have put on 15 oz!

She also asked me whether either of you have smiled yet - the answer is no - but we can detect that they're on their way, because both of you give windy expressions that look like the beginnings of a smile.

You both like tummy time on the colourful mat we bought from Mothercare with some gift vouchers we were given at the baby shower. Henry, yesterday I put you next to Lewis, and then after about a minute, I saw that you were perpendicular to him! Henry, you push yourself up by your arms, and raise your head up. Both of you can also lift your legs into the air whilst on your tummy. Daddy and I think that you are both pretty strong!

You both march your arms and legs into the air when you're not happy and throw your heads and upper bodies back when you're feeling active and nearly headbutt us.

You both are pretty good at grasping our fingers or the bottle when feeding, and we've all noticed that you've started to put your hands to your mouths and begin sucking your fingers when you're hungry. Another trick you've both managed this week is to pull my hair when it is not in a ponytail - so that is something for me to remember.

Grandma Brierley and I cut your fingernails this week with the nail clippers for the first time - that was very scary, but necessary! They were so sharp before hand - you would both scratch your faces and our necks when cuddling up with us.

I took the following photo on Sunday, 14th August and I think it is pretty darn cute. The suits are the first item of clothing that Daddy bought for you when I was in the hospital. I asked him to go to Mothercare and buy some babygrows that covered your hands, as both of you would scratch your faces. These are two of the three designs and are so bright and colourful! Sadly, you have nearly grown out of them now, but we will make sure that they get passed onto a good home.

Both of you focus on our faces when we're feeding you and we feel that you can definitely see us now. It also looks as if you are starting to be aware of each other especially when we put you so closely together on your mat. It is all so exciting and interesting!

A Mother's Love ....

2011-08-11T14:56:00.001+01:00

I said goodbye to my mother yesterday. We stood outside, and cried in each others' arms, not sure when we would see each other again, especially wishing we lived within closer proximity. Mum wrote in her card to us "it has been a privilege to share in the first month of your babies' lives". Mum, it was a privilege for us to have you here - you have provided not only a great amount of practical back-up in terms of feeding the twins through restless and sleep deprived nights but an impetus to get things organised. Perhaps most importantly, an enormous amount of emotional support through a huge period of adjustment for a new family!

I did an internet search for something which approximated my feelings and found the following quote:

Life began with waking up and loving my mother's face

- George Eliot, English novelist

Well, that is the way that I hope my sons feel about me in the future, secure and confident in their parents' love. Hopefully they will never have to question the way their parents feel about them - that unconditional, constant and unwavering support.

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before.

The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.

~Rajneesh

Despite just a couple of week's experience, Mum you have made me more confident in my ability to love my sons and to look after them by giving me a strong and positive role model. You were indefatigable and tireless in your efforts for us and we so appreciate it.
I am hoping that we can see you again very soon and that distance will not always be such an obstacle.

With lots of love and gratitude,
Alison xxxx

A Weighty matter ...

2011-08-05T16:19:00.001+01:00

Firstly, yesterday we braved the inclement British summer weather! and met friends at Watford Costco - mostly to do some price comparisons in all things baby, like formula and nappies. No major bargains or cost savings to be had, but nonetheless it was good to know that it is not worth the cost of membership - instead I need to keep an eagle eye on special offers from supermarkets. Costco - please sort out some parent and child parking!

Whilst sitting down to lunch, my friends and I saw a mother of tiny girl twins organising them to have passport photos taken. I made a joke about match-making the pairs of twins. When the mother came over and she said that her girls were seven weeks old, I then said that it couldn't possibly work with my two because they would be toy-boys! The girls still seemed so tiny and Henry and Lewis both seemed so much bigger than the girls. When the health visitor came today and weighed them, this theory was supported as Henry has put on a whole pound in one week, and Lewis gained 14oz, so pretty much neck-a-neck! This means that Henry now weighs 8lbs 10oz, whilst Lewis is 8lbs even. No wonder they are starting to feel quite heavy.

I think it is also interesting to document my weight for posterity and as a potential way of managing it in the future. Coming up to the IVF treatment, I lost a stone and a couple of pounds, and then gained the stone back in the first trimester. I maintained the same weight up to 36 weeks, and then put on a stone of fluid in the last four weeks, when I was pretty much bedridden before delivery. Since having the boys, I have lost three and a half stone - what that means is that I am now a stone and a half lighter than when I got pregnant. I also don't think I have lost ALL the fluid either - so hopefully that is a positive sign for more weight loss, albeit it won't be significant. Now - the question, especially with NOT breastfeeding, is - how do I maintain it? :)

At Four Weeks old ...

2011-08-03T23:37:00.001+01:00

today, we have already seen some massive changes in our boys, Henry and Lewis. Whereas suits were too big, now they are becoming very quickly too small. Unbelievable that tiny human beings can grow and change so rapidly.

Weight - Henry
At birth on 06.07.11, Henry weighed 3010g/6lb 13 oz. It is normal for babies to lose weight after birth, but when Henry dropped to 2720g/6lb on 11.07, the midwife expressed her concern. From that day on, I had to really change strategies and then just tried to stuff the boys full with as much formula as possible. Weight gain was then rapid - by 13.07, Henry was 2800g/6lb 3oz; 19.07 - 2940g/6lb 7oz, and then on 26.07, he weighed 3260g/7lb 2oz. This last weight gain was the most astonishing - in three days - ie by 29th July, Henry had gained 220g/8oz to weigh in at 3480g/7lb 10oz! He really does feel different to how he weighed at birth - and that is why I am so anxious to record details without going into minutiae - I find it difficult to remember from day to day what has happened.

Weight - Lewis

At birth on 06.07.11, Lewis weighed 2520g/5lb 9 oz. He then dropped to 2340g/5lbs 2 1/2 oz by 11.07. When weighed two days later, he had gained 60g/1 1/2oz - or weighed 2400g/5lb 4oz. In 6 days, Lewis seemed to make a major leap and go to 2620g/5lb 12 1/2oz - so he was the fastest to gain weight past the birth level. Then on 26th July, Lewis was 2940g/6lb 7 1/2 oz. The last day he was weighed, ie 29th July, he was up to 3230g/7lb 2oz. So big, healthy boys, both of them.

So thus far, it seems to be that demand feeding is the routine that we are following - though I do try to feed them at the same time if possible. I haven't yet mastered the art of tandem feeding, but I will have to rely increasingly on this technique once Mum goes home. It's not so easy, but I did have beginner's luck the first time I tried after being shown how by the health visitor on the 23rd July.

Photos were taken by Mum, who doesn't tend to worry about backgrounds, lighting etc - but I will still scrapbook them, I think!

I don't think it has been so easy since! The positioning is definitely the worst part - especially when dealing with such wrigglepots. I suppose it can only get better from here!

And whilst I realise it is still too early, it really does seem as though Henry and Lewis DO look at me when I am feeding/cuddling or generally interacting with them. I am currently trying to grab some space to read the baby development books to work out when they do what - but we will take it one step at a time!

Happy birthday, Mum!

2011-07-31T12:30:00.001+01:00

It was Mum's birthday yesterday - and it is the first time she has celebrated her special day overseas. A very kind friend shouted us to a Thai lunch - whilst Paul was left at home (at his own suggestion) to mind the babies.

So with the best intentions, I made Mum a chocolate cake from a mix and a special birthday card, too. I am very pleased to say that the card turned out better than the cake - I tried to take a few short cuts which backfired! So whilst the cake is not up to presentation, it still washes down well with a cup of tea - but here is the card, which I am happy to show.

Mum likes receiving my cards as a present, as she has lots of people to send them to and they are a relatively compact thing to post to Australia. As she had already sorted through the cards I had here and chosen what she wanted, I decided to make her something new and a bit special.

I started by using the freebie stamp from the cover of this month's (August 2011) "Craft Stamper" magazine by Polka Doodles - I usually do like the stamps, but admit that this is probably the first one that I have actually used! I used a lot of the masking technique, to repeat the pattern to emulate a garden. In a recent "Papercraft Essentials" magazine, there was a free stack of 6 x 6 paper called "Sweet Wishes" so I matched my Promarker colours to the background patterned paper. I mitred the corners of the patterned paper, and tried to match up the stripes, so the patterns would meld smoothly.

I had just finished stamping the banner (American Crafts "Birthday" stamp collection, bought in a bundle from QVC) when I smudged the black ink. Major bummer! So I then covered this and created daisy embellishments using my "Jane's Script" stamps by Woodware. These clear stamps mostly consist of card messages, but they had these cute daisies to flesh out the mix of stamps.

So lots of colouring in - but I really like the end result (even though it took me three days to do, grabbing spare snippets of time whenever I could). It seems like that will be my way of crafting for the years to come! All worth it though, it has to be said. I think the finished card is fresh and pretty. Mum said it was a lot of work, but I know she likes it, too. Only thing that matters in the end, isn't it?

At three weeks and one day ....

2011-07-29T23:44:00.002+01:00

I am sitting here feeding both of you in the very early morning, my sons. When I feed you individually Lewis, you inevitably come first. Why? Because you are crying to be fed, and it seems like you can't wait one minute or even thirty seconds longer. You are getting better at putting your tongue down, and letting the milk flow from the bottle into the back of your mouth - and I think it's true that Grandma, Daddy and I are also getting better at knowing when you've taken the bottle properly. We look for the air bubbles in the bottle, accompanied by cute sucking noises - and then we know the level of milk will go down quite quickly after that. You are currently nestling into my shoulder and throwing your head around, making it difficult to type. I began to write this post, but then you became restless and started crying, after I had finished feeding and changing you. You then looked like you were drifting off to sleep, but now your eyes are wide open and roaming around the room, settling on me every now and again.

You give the three of us a challenge when trying to feed you - you put your hands in front of your face and often block the view of your mouth or the way of the bottle. Your hands are often at the sides of your face - touching your eyes, one hand on the bottle - the other tiny hand is often gesticulating like an actor's in the middle of a dramatic soliloquy - arm dropped down by your hip, hand stretched out and splayed widely. Your movements are rapid and you squirm quite a lot - I have taken to calling you "wrigglepot" as one of your nicknames, and Grandma has starting using that as well.

I am sitting here, looking at you, and swearing you are looking back at me. I often admire your translucent skin, your wide almond shaped dark blue eyes and your tiny shell shaped ears. Now you have both hands nestled under your head, and appear to be falling asleep against my chest, taking soft snuffling rapid breaths and making cute little huffing noises.

You may be the spendthrift of the family - when we go to change your nappy, you always seem to get the timing just right for maximum impact - often adding in a little sprinkle, or extra bottom action, for good measure. It is quite common for you to have gone through three nappies in one change - and two of those usually never got anywhere near you!

Will life always go at such a rush for you, my son? Are you going to be anxious to come first, to finish first? It will be so interesting to see how your personality grows and develops through the years.

Henry - thank goodness you are so different. I can hear you awake, making little chicken peeping noises, and see you lying patiently, waiting for people to come to you - waiting your turn with patience. Occasionally you turn the volume up - LOUD! and announce your presence, but not nearly as often as your little brother. When feeding you this morning, you lay looking around the room, seemingly happy and content until someone was able to give you attention.

You lay quite still in my arms whilst being fed - your arms relaxed by your side. You take your time and are happy to come up for air regularly, but once you've had enough milk, you purse your mouth up and frown at your feeder. It is very obvious when you are full and won't take another drop!

Your expressions seem quite sombre and sometimes you look so sad. Daddy says to you "who stole all your shares, Henry?"and laughs at you when your eyes turn downward at the corners. I can't wait for you to smile at me and reveal a sunny personality - but for now - I am in love with your rosy cheeks, and your little chicken chirps and peeping noises - not to also forget the fact that sometimes you remind me so strongly of your Daddy. I wonder if you will grow up to be blonde haired and blue-eyed, my son, but no matter how you look, I am curious to confirm my impression that you will be patient, brave and confident in yourself to give your brother the space and room he needs.

Today, Friday 29th July - Daddy registered your births at the Uxbridge Registry office - so you both are now officially Henry Ian and Lewis James Drummond Jones - not "it" and "bit" as Daddy sometimes called you! Much more dignified and appropriate for my beautiful boys - both now as babies, and as fine men in the far distant future. No matter what - I am sure we will love you then as much, if not more, as we do now.

With all my heart,
Mummy. xxxx

Models in the making ...

2011-07-25T11:56:00.002+01:00

Paul and I received the package of Bounty photos on Friday. They were taken on Saturday 9th July - our third and last day in hospital.

We had tried getting photos on the second day, but Lewis was really awake and showing off his big beautiful peepers, whereas Henry was very sleepy and didn't want to cooperate!

On the last day, both boys had just been fed, and were evenly matched in terms of alertness - both ready to go to sleep again - which sounds bizarre for photos, but worked much better on this occasion.

The following photo is our main one in the package, and for me, definitely has the "awwww" factor - just gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

Henry is on the left, and Lewis on the right. It is not so obvious here that Henry was much bigger than his brother and I think this photo just emphasises their closeness.

This next photo contains some personalisation (part of the package) and makes me smile!

We call Henry our "Winston Churchill" - because he always has such a serious look on his face - like he is contemplating the dire consequences of world matters. It is quite ironic though - because here Lewis looks like he is deep in thought - especially with that hand up to his chin. Lewis always has his hands around his face, which is especially challenging at feeding time - you have to get through his hands to get to his mouth - not always easy! Those Australians of a certain age will identify with my nickname for him - "Mr Squiggle" - which was a puppet who could never stay still, used to get quite agitated and jump up and down.

Still trying to get the boys to four hourly feeds - but as they are struggling to go for two hours, it is quite challenging! Fine whilst Mum is still here and always helping out, but may be much more problematic when I need to cope on my own .... but that is a couple of weeks away, and not to be thought of for now. Trying to grab some snippets of time to post here is proving difficult, but I will do the best I can ...

Feeding Times...

2011-07-20T23:24:00.000+01:00

have been amended since yesterday. The midwife suggested we move from three hour to four hour feeds, which makes it much easier with two of them to manage!

Henry gets ravenous though, and can't wait the four hours. It was very interesting today when I was home alone with them all day - both boys decided to have screaming fits at various times, so I had to walk away for a bit and let them scream. My friend who phoned later in the day suggested I had locked them in a cupboard! Not quite, but that is not to say I wasn't tempted, :lol: ....

Leaving longer time between feeds seemed to have made the difference for Lewis. Since yesterday, he has opened his mouth wider to let in the bottle and has fed better too - or indeed, it could be the occasional dose of Infacol I have remembered to give him! Lewis is due to have 75 ml every 4 hours, whereas Henry should be having 90ml.

We received the Bounty photos today, and they are just adorable. I will try to get one scanned in, but there are a few things on over the next couple of days, so I will see how I get on ....

Breastfeeding

2011-07-18T19:16:00.001+01:00

is not happening in this house - unfortunately for the boys' sake in terms of getting the nutrients and ingredients in breastmilk, but very fortunately for a routine and pattern we hope to set.

Apparently - after a caesarean - milk takes longer to come through. I developed anaemia in pregnancy because I became averse to meat and vegetables and really only ate salad! I will also talk about my very significant weight loss another day.

They give you an antibiotic shot in the delivery room, but what they don't warn against is if you are taking iron at the same time. On the second night home I developed a hideous gastric complaint at night when trying to sleep, which kept me constantly in the bathroom for three nights solid! Iron is apparently anaethma to the system, and the Dr said your system tries to cleanse itself out. Combined with menopausal symptoms like hot sweats on top of no sleep, I really thought Paul would have to commit me to an asylum, I felt so sick. The Dr prescribed an gastric supressant, which he said would not combine with breastfeeding - and I would have to express milk without giving it to the boys for two weeks. My midwife was really supportive, and said "is it really worth all that work and hassle?" and made me look at the really sensible decision to move the boys purely to formula through a bottle, on their 5th day, which was July 12th. Until then, I had tried to breastfeed, but as my milk hadn't come through, I had to supplement it by feeding the boys formula through syringes. You can see both grandmas feeding the boys in this manner below. Miriam, my mother-in-law, in the foreground feeding Henry, and my mum in the background, feeding Lewis.

Despite me intellectually realising that bottle feeding was the more logical decision for all of us (and that way, we could actually tell how much food the boys were taking in) it still made me feel guilty and inadequate that I wasn't able to do the best thing for them. The midwife did make me feel better when she said that of all the twins she had dealt with, only one woman was able to feed them both successfully. I still had quite a weep about that decision - why do our hormones beat us up so thoroughly after childbirth, after all the other rigours we go through?

And then through being so run down, I caught a sinusy cold, which I am gradually getting over. It makes it tough to catch up on any sleep and feel rested. As I am on the nightshift tonight, we shall have to see what happens and how I cope!

Certainly, our big trip out today to Tesco at Watford went well - though I never knew walking around a supermarket could be so exhausting! I suppose until then I forget I have not long had a major operation as I generally feel physically more able than I did in late pregnancy when I was bedridden. But it certainly was a major task for mum, who had to cope with driving in a foreign country, the double buggy for the first time, and two different types of baby seats! All on top of minimal sleep. She certainly deserves her day off this Wednesday, when she is having her hair done, and going out for an early birthday celebration lunch with Miriam and some of her friends. I shall probably feel desperate for her return after a couple of hours on my own. Still - it's a good test of my ability to cope. Arghhhhhhhhh!

Thank you all so much

2011-07-17T22:50:00.000+01:00

Dear Friends -

Just a short post today, to thank everyone who has sent cards or gifts for the boys. We are quite overwhelmed by the volume of post which has been arriving - most especially from friends from NCT and the scrapbooking community, with all the fantastic handmade cards. Naturally - mention of family should not be omitted - like these beautiful roses from my mother-in-law. They have lasted and lasted which is just amazing.

I have been barely able to keep up with it - indeed, it took me about four days to open the cards and only just now catch up with the gifts! How lovely and generous of everyone. I promise to personally acknowledge gifts - when I can catch a breath!

Henry is feeding like a champion, but Lewis is more fractious - indeed, both are struggling to take the daily amount formula that they are supposed to take. Lewis is furthest from the mark at this point, so we are trying everything we can for the boys to put on weight.

We are aiming to get out of the house tomorrow to do some chores and go shopping - Mum will be dealing with the double buggy and driving - so it might be an adventure! Wish us luck.

Welcome to the world, Henry and Lewis

2011-07-16T15:39:00.015+01:00

And ........... breathe. It's been an awfully long time between posts, folks. Something called a twin pregnancy just came up which needed dealing with - and our lovely result has arrived safely into the world.

The night before, I thought I would be really anxious, but I was actually fairly calm and chilled out - even managing to get some sleep before getting up very early to go to the hospital. I even managed a little snooze in the hospital "bedroom" we were assigned before going into the delivery room.

On Wednesday, 6th July 2011, Henry Ian Drummond Jones was brought into the world at 11.21am weighing 6lb 13 oz, following very shortly by Lewis James Drummond Jones at 11.23 am at 5lb 9 oz.

Henry came into the world with a struggle as he was nestling safely under my ribs, and needed some persuasion with forceps to be removed from his snuggly warm home. On departure, Paul reported that he grabbed the forceps from the consultant and proceeded to do battle! She had to wrestle them off him saying as she went "hey I need them - give them back!" - way to go, Henry.

Here's Daddy with Henry.

Paul was adamant that he wouldn't be looking at the "business end" but did keep putting his head above the screen to report progress. Having a caesarean with a local anaesthetic is the weirdest feeling - it is like everything is happening in a parallel universe - you know it is going on, but you don't feel a thing. I was aware of the tugging and pulling going on in my middle, but didn't feel any sensation whatsoever.

Lewis was safely despatched at 11:23am and upon being put into the incubator to keep warm, announced his presence going forward by peeing on the male nurse looking after him!

I recall saying to both of the boys "hello - I am your Mummy and this is your Daddy!" I remember vaguely the sounds of a lot of counting - I thought it was surgical instruments, but my friend said it was the sound of the midwives counting the number of fingers and toes. That is so endearing, it just makes me cry - all over again!

In the incubators - Henry on the bottom, Lewis on the top ...

Being that Henry was Twin 1 and because of his weight, I could establish from the 36 week scan that he was who I carried on my left side, and Lewis, Twin 2, was being carried through pregnancy on my right. It amazes me that I can establish who was who "in utero" and it just feels right - Henry has had a bit of a struggle to get thus far into the world, whilst Lewis kicks, poos, wees and wriggles his way through situations with a cock-a-hoop attitude, thumbing his nose at the world, and amazing every one with his hypnotic eyes - so there. Sir Henry, my brave son - leader of the breastfeeding struggle and defender of the forceps - and Sir Lewis - my courageous and confident son - dealing with the world in a braggacodio manner - you are my sun, my moon, my day, my night - my stars - my reason for existence. I fell in love with you before I even met you, and that will never cease. I know Daddy feels just the same. Our lives will never be the same again and nor would I want them to. I can't imagine life without you.

February Scrapology layout!

2011-02-01T09:00:00.001Z

And ............... time to guess the old patterned paper competition! This month, the design team from Scrapology scraplifted a Laura Buckingham layout that she taught at the inaugural Cardinal Colours retreat last September.

Hers was a lovely sunny bright and busy design, full of summer colours.

I am gradually ploughing my way through my pictures of the Chelsea Flower Show of 2009 and am probably about half-way through scrapping my pictures. I chose to do this layout on one of the show gardens, called "Future Nature".

Here is my layout below:

I know a lot of people love to scrap on Kraft, but most of the time I prefer to use brighter coloured cardstock. But in this instance, I felt the Kraft really complemented the tone and theme of the photo. I broke out my really old scraps from my various scraps bag for this one - can you identify any of the patterned papers?

I used my extended grass Sizzix die, and that patterned paper is by Debbie Mumm for Creative Imaginations from 2004. The brown type paper bag paper is Karen Foster from about 2006. There is also K & Co paper from about 2005, and a relatively! recent scrap of Scenic Route paper from about 2008. How time flies! There is also Scrapperdashery bits and bobs, and also some scraps from a stack I first got when I started scrapbooking. Who cares, anyway! But I am pleased that they are finally out of my scraps bag and on a layout, used up. I added a layer of mist as a border of the layout by using Maya Road Garnet metallic mist spray and using low tack masking tape to make sure the mist stayed put. I don't mind the odd blotchiness here and there - adds to the effect of nature, I think.

I printed journalling onto some scrap card stock, and traced around the edge using a Tim Holtz die, but making it a bit bigger than the original die cut.

I also used my Sizzie extended Fall Leaves and Acorns die to make a feature at the top of the page. This was a bit fiddly, as I had to do several diecuts from different pieces of scrap cardstock, but the effort was worth the final affect, I think. I then coloured in some of the dies with Promarkers, added some inks, and sprayed over the top with Golden Mist and Bronze Cosmic Shimmers to add some glimmer and distress the finish somewhat.

The alphabet is Thickers "Shoebox" and I customised this to the right colour by mixing up some Jo Sonja paint and then glossy accenting over the top.

My journaling reads" A show garden by Ark Design Management, This garden is representative of an urban drought-resistant garden especially suited to underutilised city spaces. The key features of the garden include a green roof to help reduce surface water runoff, a living tower holding drought resistant plants, butterfly moulds and insect towers, stocked with colourful but suitable planting that provide wildlife habitats in a brownfield environment. The garden was relocated to Yorkshire after the show and will be used to promote the inventive use of small urban space and water management".

Sketch and Scrap December

2011-01-09T22:00:00.000Z

I am posting things all higgledy piggledy, but here is the sketch challenge I did in December.

I made this layout below. It is my friend Tara's daughter, Leah. Instead of giving her Christmas and birthday presents each year, I make her a layout, and that way, Tara gets some of her photos scrapped!

The photo is of Leah dressed up as a Second World War evacuee, with a very pensive look on her face. It looked as though she was leaving everyone she knew and everything she knew! In response to the photo, I wanted to do a vintage "Tim Holtzy" type layout.

Supplies:

K & Co "Classic" collection patterned papers,

Jenny Bowlin Bingo Card,

Stationery Tag - stamped and distress inked

Jenny Bowlin chipboard buttons

Fancy Pants lace

Labelling done with Dymo labeller onto Bazzill cardstock

Making Memories vintage brads

Upholstery trimming

Tim Holtz grungeboard

Hero Arts flowers

Prima leaves

Teresa Collins fabric ruler

Pebbles alphabet stickers

So that is one of the four layouts done, and another challenge completed.

Happy New Year, everyone!

2011-01-01T13:32:00.002Z

Well, let's kick off the New Year with a scrapbooking layout - this month's challenge with Scrapology. We took a sketch from Jana Eubank this month and created a double layout.

The rest of the design team worked with a Christmas theme, but I haven't taken that many photos of Christmas in the past - hopefully this year, that will all change.

I attended the wedding reception of a friend in October this year, and was really startled by her colour theme - so different and original. Her main colours were black and orange - the bridesmaids were in orange with grey accents - but her flowers were beautiful, being in tones of orange, red and yellow - real harvest colours and so rich.

I toned my layout accordingly. One of the things Fran did which I loved was have a photo booth at the back of the room, so everyone could go in and get photos done in groups, individually or however they liked. We were each given a copy of the photos, and one copy was given to Fran and Lee as a memento of their special day, with all their friends and family. I had never seen that idea before and thought it was perfect for scrapbookers and people in general who cherish their photos and their memories.

Supplies:

Bazzill cardstock (black and red)

Patterned papers: Daisy D's "Atelier Toile" (yellow), K & Co "Wild Saffron" (red swirl)

Alphabet stickers: American Crafts Sixth Avenue "Kennedy Black"

Prima Marketing: "Urban Cosmos" transparent scrapbooking tape

Martha Stewart decorative punch and butterfly punch

Stickles

You will see I varied my interpretation of the sketch in order to fit the photos I had chosen. The group of 4 booth photos were originally landscape in dimension, being two wide - but I placed them on top of one another so I could fit all the photos across the page. I also varied my layout by getting my photos to fit within each separate page. I am not a real fan of cutting into photos so they stretch across both pages - but I don't mind doing that with titles or embellishments, as you can see above.

So the placement of my photos was different, which meant also that I had to adapt the circle embellishment, as it didn't fit my layout. So I had a scramble through my stash, and substituted with the lovely swirly paper instead, which I felt coordinated perfectly.

I wanted to take the theme colours from the wedding and went mainly from the colours of the flowers. So I dug around in my stash and pulled bits and pieces out. The Daisy D's paper, despite being years old, I picked up fairly recently in a sale for about 10p a sheet! I originally bought two sheets, but had cut into one for cards, so I only had one sheet of the paper left. I started by cutting it into four, and stretching it across both layouts as I knew I could cover up the gap with something else. That is why the orange strip is a bit wider than I would like, but that width is minimised when I used the scrapbooking tape across it. The tape is VERY sticky - just like sticky tape - and you have to lay it down precisely. I got into a bit of a mess with it, but finally got it sorted.

Cutting out the swirl from the Wild Saffron paper took a solid couple of hours - I haven't done so much handcutting in ages - but I think it was worth the effort.

I covered the alpha stickers and the butterflies with stickles, not only to add some sparkle, but also to cover up a dirty little secret - both "e's" in "Lee" were cut from Bazzill, as I used up all my "e" stickers! I took the negative outline of the sticker, and cut around it with my craft knife. I hate wasting anything, and this way, you can't tell the difference. One way of making alpha stickers go further, if you don't want to use a mixed or altered alphabet.

Here's another tip - I printed out the journalling on white cardstock, making the alpha "white" with the background fill in orange. You can't read the journalling clearly from the picture, but it looks okay on the layout. In order to make my journalling box fit the dimensions exactly, I use a table in word, and make sure the outer dimensions of the cell fit with the space I have.

So here's to kicking off a new year with scrapbooking! I hope you join in with our double layout challenge.

Scrapology December Challenge

2010-12-07T08:30:00.001Z

Each month we scraplift one layout and I am continually surprised by how differently our layouts turn out! December's layouts are no exception. Here is a link to Scrapology, with all the layouts.

This month, we have scraplifted a fantastic layout by Wendy McKee. I love all her elements - the different colours she has used which all coordinate beautifully and the linear but complex design, and this layout showcases what a character her son is.

My photos tend to be more of holidays and events, so doing this type of layout I usually find a struggle. However, after an obscene amount of procrastination and undue faffing about, I eventually pulled together this layout of my lovely niece, Asha.

Once I'd gotten over the fact that one photo was a different orientation and I was still going to use it, I think it made it easier to break away from the strict grid idea and get a bit more free form movement into the layout. All the papers and chipboard embellishments are Crate Paper, Brook - which is my favourite range to come out in the last year. So much so - I believe I bought every matching doo dad and frippery in the range, which is very unlike me.

It is also very unlike me to use so much product on a layout, as they are usually more technique based. But now that I've bought all the furbelows and doo dads, I had better use them, and I really like how this layout turned out. Why don't you go check out Scrapology and join in? Once again, Jill has a fabulous prize on offer - a little something for you this Christmas, instead of the rest of the family? Join us. :)

Some Personal News...

2010-12-02T22:07:00.001Z

It is rather early days to be sharing, but there is a time to make a leap of faith and just go for it!

I don't normally share such personal news on my blog, but it is appropriate as this is a vessel for me to record my memories as well as share my crafty projects.

My husband and I were never blessed with children, so for about the past two years, we have been going through procedures and IVF in a last ditch effort.

So about three weeks ago, I was delighted when I found out I was pregnant! I had my first early pregnancy scan today at 7 weeks and 1 day and my due date is 19th July.

I was so emotional when I saw not one, but two! heartbeats on the scanner. How amazing, and it was exactly our dream to have twins, should we have dared to dream it.

Apparently our babies are at a perfect stage of their development, one being 10 mm, and the other being 9mm.

Hence why I have been coming home from work, and faceplanting the pillow in a coma! I am also struggling with other lovely pregnancy-related conditions like intense heartburn, massive indigestion, and other things too undignified to name!

So please friends and everyone, forgive unloaded layouts and uncompleted challenges - I just don't have the energy!

Desktop Calendars

2010-11-28T12:05:00.002Z

Each year, I try to devise a project that is both crafty yet practical - something that I can use up my hoarde of patterned paper, but something that will also make a pretty but practical gift.

For me, I value things that have a purpose, and this is what I have eventually devised this year - after an awful lot of time procrastinating and trying to come up with a workable design!

This first calendar is for my mum. She is really not a fussy person, and I know she will appreciate anything I send. To this end, I took the opportunity to use up more scraps in my scraps bag, (the patterned paper is NME, and I remember exactly when I bought this - how sad is that?) and some of these really old stickers to make the year placque. The calendar colour theme is blue, yellow, green and orange, so the colours don't really coordinate here, but they do with the whole theme of the calendar.

The base is designed on a triangle to give the calendar stability and to allow it to stand on a desk. The whole size is quite dinky at 3 1/4 inches wide by just over 4 inches long - space is usually a premium on desks, so I thought this was a really useful size.

Here's another page - this time, using scraps of the Rouge de Garance I've used on some of my more recent layouts.

The calendar page was stamped using a Kelly Panacci set of calendar stamps - the grid outline is common to all, and then there are separate month stamps. I stamped each date individually (checking VERY carefully for next year's dates!) with my set of PSX individual number stamps, and they fit really well into the grid. The stamping was the painful and a painstaking process, so I thought there must be a simpler way. So I got some thicker card, and photocopied each month several times, reducing the overall size by 25% - the original calendar page was about 4 1/2 wide by 5 1/2 long, which started to get too big, in my opinion. This size is much dinkier and cuter, and of course, uses less supplies!

Whilst I greatly appreciate using individual scraps, in truth I really do prefer the look of coordinated projects. The very masculine calendar above was made for my brother-in-law using mostly Basic Grey Granola, but I have also used a couple of 6 x 6 Life's journey pages which do coordinate. I am not fond of this range from Basic Grey - most of it is really dark and drear, and I love bright zingy colours - but it is perfect for projects like this. I bought two Basic Grey paper packs from a UKS sponsor for the princely sum of £7.99 I think, so how can you go wrong? I gave half the pack to a friend, and the other half will happily make several calendars for Christmas for presents for male family and friends.

I stamped next year using white embossing powder and Banana Frog's "teen" set - so versatile, and such a useful size.

This last calendar is my favourite - and is for my sister. I made the vast majority of it from scraps I had from the Fancy Pants Delight range - so happy and quirky. I also coordinated it with scraps of WRMK White Out range - those little birdies are so adorable!

I happened to have some Thickers in the perfect colour which coordinated really well. I pieced together scraps and also dry embossed a design using a brass stencil. I really like how this page turned out!

I had a 12 x 12 page left of Journalling cards, which I would never really use, and turned out to be perfect sizes for the calendar pages. I actually embellished this calendar, which I didn't do to the others - and just used some cut out leaves and little flowers!

I started to use my Cinch as the binding tool for the project, and whilst I don't really regret selling my BIA for the Cinch as I think I will mostly want to do larger projects, the BIA is perfect for this type of project - the holes are neater, and it is better able to fasten smaller wires. Thankfully, friends come in very useful to borrow tools where necessary! I think this project might be something I repeat every year, and once you have the process down, they only take a few hours to make. Still time-consuming, but worth it in the end!

Thanks for visiting. :)

More cards...

2010-11-21T15:40:00.001Z

Here's another selection of cards I made to give away as Christmas presents. My middle sister has three kids - two boys - the eldest is a teenager, the other two not so far away - so I made some cards suitable for the kids, and some just for her.

Well - it looks all wonky in this picture, but I think it is straight! Hopefully suitable for a teenage boy to give to a friend. The chipboard water drop was left over from a recent layout - everything else is obviously leftovers.

This next card is left over Anna Griffin paper, also using the negative diecut from my recent purchase of the Tim Holtz alterations die. I borrowed the Tattered Florals die from a person at a crop recently, and used it to use up some left over fabric . I attached it to the card using silicone glue. The middle of the flower is a Martha Stewart croscomia flower, with a red cosmic shimmers spray dot in the middle.

Much the same principle with this next one below - this time I used the keyholes also. The patterned paper this time is K & Co's Life's Journey 6 x 6. The variegated flower is Hero Arts.

For this next card, I used the left over piece of paper from the Taj Mahal DCWV's stack. Very simple additions of plain cardstock, ribbon and a gem.

I wanted to use some of these small patterned die-cuts - slowly, slowly the numbers are dwindling. It was lacking something until I added the small red circles around the edge to add some pop. They were just done with a hole punch. The background colour is actually a light blue.

This next card was made using - again! the left over die cut from a layout. I struggled for ages to use it on a card, but this is the result. A bit weird, but hopefully someone will like it!

This next card is a mix of Fancy Pants Delight scraps, Rouge de Garance blue and We R Memory Keepers "White Out". Hopefully suitable for a teenage boy!

Very similar principle for this next card - I think the die cut paper was Junkitz, again from yonks and yonks ago. I am just determined to use up this odds and ends of stuff that I have sitting around.

The spotted paper was Basic Grey - either Colour me Silly, or Skateshoppe - really can't remember which. Couldn't get much more simple, though cutting out the pattern did take a little time.

This piece of paper in this next card has stared at me for years - and last night I decided I couldn't stand to look at it for one more moment longer. It has made four perfectly decent cards - and this is one. Again, I grabbed these big flowers which I attached with silicone glue and added the round message and Stickles - that was it. I must use all my extra large flowers in this way and get rid of them!

This penultimate card was made using some vellum stickers. I heavily inked around the edge with distress ink. Added a couple of paper flowers for dimension, and some stickles on top. Very simple, and I was very pleased to get rid of one more lot of packaging!

This last card is a bit nuts! I had a precious scrap left of Basic Grey Phoebe, which is one of my favourite collections ever. (A friend did give me a collection pack, so actually I do have a full set which I am hoarding ..... ) I put the American Crafts rub-ons onto this mint green circle, butit didn't look right, so then I had to cast about to put something together. Tara loved it when she saw it - it is certainly one of more eclectic cards, but I think my sister Nerida will like it, hopefully.

Well, so that's it! A small selection of cards I've sent away to Australia. I will probably share more Christmas cards next, then followed by a couple of layouts as the end of the month draws near. Thanks for visiting! :)

DH's Birthday

2010-11-11T23:38:00.000Z

Was on 7th November .... he usually prefers a funny shop bought card (sacrilege!) but I decided I was definitely making him one this year.

I used K & Co Mira patterned paper - the thermographic one. Such beautiful colours and a lustrous sheen! The bird and branch are Stampin' Up! and very versatile. I covered a tag with distress inks, and used my Martha Stewart iron gate punch down the left hand side. Some cosmic shimmer mists onto the tag and some small heart punch outs to break up the line on the tag. The folk heart charm I've had forever and it is fine when you give a card to a person - not so easy to post! I painted the bird and the branch directly from the bottle of my Meadow Green Glimmer Mist - shame the sparkle and sheen is not more obvious. He seemed to like it, and it was certainly admired by the guests who came to visit.

Christmas Fayre

2010-11-07T14:10:00.000Z

Someone commented that I seemed to be in production at the moment! That is perfectly true, as it happens. I have been asked to do a Christmas fayre at work, but never having done one before, I have no idea what will sell and what won't.

To that end, I am making stuff that will otherwise be useful as presents from us! I have decided to put together packs of cards to sell as I give these as a gift and they do seem to be well received. People always use up cards they have and I don't think that will ever change.

So I got to yesterday and put together this pack of 10 cards using left overs from Basic Grey Scarlet's Letter range. I have always adored this range and really think you don't need to do much to produce a lovely card/paper gift.

Here I just added a DCVW self-adhesive ribbon, Doodlebug paper frill, a flower, and an MME embroidered brad. I restocked my Craftwork Cards messages on QVC's craft day by buying 40 sheets of the messages! Some are really naff, but I suppose that is bound to happen when you buy in quantity. I also prefer the black and white messages rather than the coloured ones so you are less restricted.

What I also particularly love about this range is that it is very sophisticated, graphic and also unisex. You could give almost any of these cards to either a man or woman and I am sure that they would be happy to receive them because of the beautiful paper design.

To the card above I just added more Doodlebug paper frill, a Mrs Grossman's sticker border strip (I am determined to finish these up very soon!) and a felt flower from Making Memories, with a black card candy on top.

Not sure about the one above - maybe a bit too severe but it's done now. I had some white strips of Bazzill cardstock on my desk which I cut down with my Fiskar's scalloped scissors and then altered the colour with a Promarker. I also bought a job lot of lace from Ebay about a year ago and it came with a thick edging on top. I nipped that off and covered it with the red border strip.

The special friend card above is probably my least favourite from the set. It's a great way to use scraps, but doesn't work so well for me. Still, it is perfectly acceptable in a pack, I think. I am not so keen on the message either, but then I am very particular!

This next card is particularly suitable for a man, I think - it reminds me of being in a jungle/ or a rainforest!

I am so pleased to have bought that Stampin' Up bird and branch punch - it is really versatile, and an elegant profile, I think. I added a border strip and a sticker border edge for some extra interest - but I think the whole effect is very subtle, unlike some of the other cards! I love these curvy messages too - there are some really nice sentiments in the pack which could be suitable for loads of occasions.

You can't get more simple than the one above! I really don't think it needs anything else.

I just added a scrap piece of pink to add some softness and contrast to the card below, making it more feminine! Here is where my circle and scalloped circle punches really come into their own.

This next card is much more light hearted and flippant - I think it is the shape of the message and the colour in the card that does it!

Second to last one - you get the picture now! I still think it is amazing how each card can change in flavour, mood and feel - even though you use much the same sorts of embellishments with the same range of paper.

And finally! A much lighter card in tone - and I really like it!

Thanks for tuning in. :)

Thrifty Christmas Crafting

2010-11-06T10:21:00.001Z

I don't even know where I bought these stickers from, but when I saw that they were reduced to 49p, I bought two sets ....

And I thought it would be fun to show you what I created .... I still have a few miscellaneous little bits and bobs left from the sticker sheet, but you can stretch that one set of stickers a llooooongggg way ....

All of the accompanying background and matting papers are yeeeears old. Good to get it used. The above paisley paper got put into my Christmas stash because of the colours.

When you know what to do, why do we then try to take a shortcut? I was trying to deviate away from the white background for the vellum stickers, but what a mistake! I knew that already. In future, just stick to it! Tsk.

It's like a mantra - I will, I will get through that peel-off stash that I first bought when I started crafting! I think the key is to keep the elements uniform - ie use gold peel-offs when you incorporate gold elsewhere.

The red background was a really glossy dull red to which I added various shades of alcohol inks. Being matted on a gold card just makes the red pop! I broke out my Krylon pens again, which I haven't used for a long time but smudging some gold around the edge of the stickers helps to tie them in with the background.

A kind friend gave me some Christmas stash about a year or so ago, and there were a lot of Christmas metal messages from Making Memories in the package. Here I altered them with my gold Krylon pen so that they tie in with the gold theme.

I found a white oval in the christmas stash and stuck the Santa on. I then misted over the top with a glimmer mist - but where there were patches in the masking, I filled in some of the background by painting with a paintbrush. I love the misting painty effect here.

Here I added some red sparkly tinsel fibre to get it used up!

And now for something completely different. This is the leftover piece of Sassafras Lass paper when I used the journalling spot inside. I think it really portrays the ease of making a cute Christmas card using completely non-Christmas stash.

And here's my favourite card from the pack. I used my old trick of alcohol inking over used photo paper, and then embossing over the top with gold using a text Prima stamp.

So - I think that stickers are a great embellishment to use, if you follow a couple of basic rules. Happy thrifty Christmas crafting!

Grace at Caruso's

2010-11-04T08:00:00.005Z

In response to our latest Sketch and Scrap challenge, we used this sketch below.

I created this layout to fit two challenge criteria - one the sketch above, and the other set by Karen - to use papers from at least three different manufacturers, black and white, and some edging.

Here is my layout - and it is of my niece, Grace. The photo was by one of those photographers who stroll amongst the tables whilst our family was dining in this stunning restaurant in Sorrento called "Caruso's", which is a tribute to Enrico Caruso, the famous tenor from Naples.

I considered this photo well worth buying, at 5 euros from the photographer, and thought he captured my niece very well - goodness me, so grown up here!

This meal was a highlight of our holiday and was just stunning!

I was very proud that I used all scraps, apart from cutting into one paper. I cut into the Crate Paper for the journalling block, but I used some ancient Scenic Route, Chatterbox, DCWV (Taj Mahal stack), Urban Lily and two lots of Basic Grey from my various scraps bags. I even rescued that left hand bracket from my scraps bag which was left over from a previous layout.

Two lots of edging down the left side and underneath the journalling at the bottom right. Black and white in the Urban Lily paper.

I really like how this layout turned out, considering I grabbed random scraps - I think the really funky colours of the Prima flowers help to bring it together. We were also challenged to use eyelets - so I used all the large red eyelets I had left on this page. I covered my wonky bashing of them with the Cropadile by using them as an extra layer for the flowers, and then sticking blue pearls on top! I used American Crafts Sixth Avenue stickers for the title, once again coordinating the colour by using my Promarkers, and then Glossy Accenting over the top to seal in the colour.

Must really be time for Christmas cards next, I think. Thanks for stopping by!

Scrapology November Challenge

2010-11-01T08:00:00.005Z

This month our challenge was set by digi-designer Cindy Schneider from Canada. Oh my, we are getting intercontinental!

That is the marvellous thing about digi - so many beautiful layers and extra delicate accents. Cindy's layout is so beautiful and delicate, but I tried my best with paper. My layout weighs a tonne! I did a right hand layout to a left hand side page here.

The photos are of our family mucking about in the resort pool last January at Caloundra, Queensland (Aust). We had such a lovely time, just all being together.

Supplies list: Making Memories Turquoise Cardstock

Bazzill Dotted Swiss White cardstock, pink and
emerald green

Fancy Pants Summer Soiree stamps

Fancy Pants 12 x 12 chipboard

WRMK Sew Easy Scallop stitcher

Colorbox pigment inks

Stickles

                        Patterned Papers: Rouge de Garance "fleur di tiare no5" ,
                        Sassafras Lass Pocket full of Rosies "Li'l Brudders",
                        unknown

American Crafts Thickers

The American Crafts Thickers title colour altered with pigment ink, embossing powder and Glossy Accents. Some of those big splashes cover some other people and different distractions in the photos and is a trick I use quite often. Every splash is handcut and outlined with Stickles, so it glitters a lot IRL.

This layout took quite some time to come together and I am still not quite sure of it - I just loved the delicate colours of the original.

Why don't you go check out what everyone else on the Scrapology team has come up with from this sketch?

Banana Frog Blog Hop

2010-10-30T09:07:00.006+01:00

Good morning good morning good morning! I have no idea why I am feeling so chirpy, but it is an exciting day for me - today is the Banana Frog Blog Hop, and I am also featured this month as I was the guest designer for October.

Today's theme is autumn and I have added my own twist to the interpretation. I used the beautiful colours of autumn to make a layout instead about elephants (hmmm - random at all? Naaaaa..... :lol:) Earlier this year, I was involved in the ardent hunt to capture the most number of elephants I could which were displayed around London as part of the Elephant Parade. Most of them were sold off afterwards by auction which raised double the target - £4 million! to save the endangered Asian elephants.

I found the beautiful decoration and design of the elephants very inspiring and will have great fun making arty scrapbook pages around these beautiful creatures, so with the theme of autumn colour in my mind I chose this particular elephant, Cha-Chang! to be the first model.

Supplies: Banana Frog Perfect Paisley

(available now for a staggering £3.30!)

Banana Frog teen lower (also on special!)

Banana Frog Christmas elegance

American Crafts Tropical cardstock 8 1/2 x 11"

Tim Holtz Ideology - Paperie Journaling Ticket

Tim Holtz Sizzix Sizzlets Decorative Strip die - Ticket Strip

Twinkling H20's

Paisley ribbon

Versamark

Gold embossing powder

Ocean Sunlight Cosmic Shimmer mist

Turquoise Stickles

Jo Sonja Lagoon acrylic paint

A date stamp and smaller alphabet stamps

Scraps of cardstock

Lots of chalk inks!

I started off using this particular stamp from the Perfect Paisley set and embossed it onto the cardstock with gold embossing powder, which is perfect for Asian themes. Paisley was also a very dominant theme in the Arts and Crafts movement, and to me it represents home comforts.

I stamped this all over the top right hand side of the page, and just used the leaf top as a stamping margin on the bottom of the page.

Did you know you could turn part of a stamp into something akin to a border punch? I took the journalling stamp from the Christmas Elegance set and used the bottom half to embellish underneath the photo. This stamp also made a lovely background number embellishment as a plaque.

This Chatterbox sticker alphabet is something that has been kicking around in my stash - probably for almost five years - and I kept looking at it, wondering how on earth I would use it. I think it looks great here - sometimes it is worth banging stuff onto a page without too much unnecessary worry about how it will turn out! Same with choosing the scraps, too. Whilst I am not a huge fan of too many clashing patterns and colours, sometimes a bit of extra interest really adds some dynamism.

I really like how this layout turned out - a mix of painty, a bit grungy, a bit blingy - not too clean! But it still feels a bit folksy and "handmade" to me. I think Autumn is a bit like that too - so an autumnal representation on a page, using a different subject.

Thanks for stopping by on this first leg of the Banana Frog blog hop. Make a comment here to be in with a chance of winning some lovely Banana Frog goodies!

Why don't you hop on over to Julie's blog, to see how she has interpreted Autumn? Happy leaf gathering! :)

More Orange and Black Christmas Cards

2010-10-27T17:00:00.001+01:00

Just two more from the series to share today ... once I'm on a roll, it is great to be able to continue until I have used up that piece of paper!

Here is a very simple card I made using left over Basic Grey paper and the outside of the star Sizzix die cut shape. I used the inside on another card.

Perfect for a masculine card, or people who like very simple things. I just topped the orange card with glitter glue, added a Craftwork Cards message, and that was it!

The focal point for this Joyous Celebration card was provided by one fluffy snowflake embellishment, layered onto a circle of black card. I added one black card candy on top, and then glittered it! Perfect cards to make for people who claim that they can't make cards. Also very simple and striking, in my humble opinion! Modern, too.

Back soon with a different colourway!

Christmas cards Orange and Black

2010-10-24T22:58:00.000+01:00

I had a fab day yesterday crafting with my friend Tara. We both got into the Christmas card mood, and were quite productive!

She got out various bits and bobs of Christmas stash to use, and she is always very generous to share. Something that was in my Christmas box to use was orange handmade paper which I've had forever. It's fun using non-traditional Christmas colours to make cards and this was a snazzy black/orange combo that I came up with.

I recycled the silver square from another topper and cut out a snowflake from Tara's sizzix die, and then covered with black stickles. I also recycled the black and white ribbon from a box of chocolates that I gave to my husband on Valentine's Day. I also raided her black scraps bag and that stripey HOTP paper was perfect for a number of cards.

Addition of black stickles around the border, graphic Christmas picture, and black card candy. The orange hand made paper is a really intensive colour which shimmers - great texture, too!

I added a scrap of coordinating paper, the end of a Doodlebug paper frill which I altered to black from white, and cut out the Sizzix star and adhered onto the card with silicone glue - my new "must have" adhesive when adding dimension! I've got a cheap bottle of glitter glue to use up which I bought when first crafting, and whilst it is much more gloopy than Stickles, it is more economical to use over a large surface. Added another "card candy" over the top to act like a brad.

For this last card, I used the lovely Christmas elegance Banana Frog stamps to emboss the snow flake onto orange card with black embossing powder. I used the Sizzix die with a Craftwork cards message over the top for a very simple and graphic card.

I made a few more of a very similar nature in the same colour way and I think this colour combination is very dramatic and effective!

I have a commission for a pink Christmas card, so that will be my next challenge. I shall have to see what raw materials I have in my stash and how inspiration strikes!

Banana Frog Guest Spot Part 2

2010-10-21T17:32:00.001+01:00

I am very conscious that Christmas is now under two months away! I am one of these strange creatures who likes making Christmas cards actually OVER the Christmas period, so I probably had at least half of them done by the middle of January. Since then, though, there has been almost non-existent progress, so once Bev from Banana Frog had sent me her lovely selection of stamps to create with this month, I knew it was overtime to redress the balance.

I decided to showcase just a small selection of the myriad techniques that stamping utilises, and highlight this gorgeous set of stamps called Christmas Elegance.

I have a particular thing about misting at the moment, so used a combination of misting, embossing and sewing on this first card.

The baubles were coloured in with Distress inks and then embossed with black to make them glossy. I used red handmade textured paper which adds more dimension, but the shimmery texture is unfortunately lost in the photo.

I see purple is quite a strong Christmas colour this year, and this next offering is like a blustery winter scene, using three different shades of Cosmic shimmers.

I think certain peel-offs have their place (used judiciously!) and I have added some textured snow to this scene with buttons and white Stampendous snowflake peel-offs. I used white dotty rub-ons around the border of the misted area to add contrast to the overall card. I added Stickles to the tops of the buttons, which unfortunately doesn't translate here.

There will always be a place for the traditional colours of red and green at Christmas.

The small set of Budmo Jiggler stamps are perfect for adding a greeting with a bit of bling - by adding tiny daubs of Stickles, I think this card has achieved that retro, glamorous Hollywood look of days gone by! The tiny red gems adhered to the stamped tree baubles were stuck on using Glossy Accents. I broke out my Marvy Le Plume pine green marker to add a border, which helps draw your eye into the card.

And last but not least - I broke out my alcohol inks for this last card, which is another vision of purpleness. This one is my favourite, especially being mounted onto a gold card, which I think adds extra sophistication!

I hate throwing things away, and love to recycle as much as possible. I use leftover photographic printer paper (which has had images previously printed on it) and overcolour this with alcohol inks. Using lighter shades of ink aren't successful here, as too much of the previous image shows through. Being that my main aim is limiting wastage, I think I gain a lot of interest because the image also has an interesting gradient of colour showing through and it adds depth to the background. I then overstamped with white brilliance ink for the branches and the snowflakes in dark purple. There are an additional three layers on this card, with the mica shard, the greeting and the ribbon. Lots of shiny shimmeriness on this Christmas offering, especially with the additional Stickles on the stamped snowflakes on the mica!

By having this one set of Christmas stamps, you can create a huge variety of different, elegant seasonal cards which will surely stand out from the crowd. By also mixing techniques and using different materials, this can really give your creative process a boost when making a large amount of cards at a very busy time of year.

Those were the Christmas cards that I showcased at the Banana Frog blog on 20th Oct. I hope you enjoyed what I created!

Splishy Splashy!

2010-10-14T00:05:00.001+01:00

In response to this sketch below,

I produced this layout below.

The photos are of our family mucking about in the resort pool last January at Caloundra, Queensland (Aust). Various patterned papers, Fancy Pants chipboard and Summer Soiree stamps, blinged with up Stickles. Detail like place name and date are still to be added eventually! American Crafts Thickers title colour altered with pigment ink, embossing powder and Glossy Accents.

I find it is a real challenge to work with these sized photos and not something I do as a norm. I was relatively pleased with the way this layout turned out, and at least it is another layout completed for the album!

I have another layout due the end of the month for the Sketch and Scrap challenge, another layout for Scrapology .... something due for Banana Frog, and another commitment also. Phew! Struggling with a lack of mojo as well.... still, pushing through that obstacle is important to meet deadlines, so it's gotta be done! Might have to set up a mantra like the little red wagon .....

October Scrapology Challenge

2010-10-04T22:49:00.001+01:00

Our new challenge went live today at Scrapology! Lynn Biermann's layout was our challenge for this month - I was stumped as to what my interpretation would be like, and eventually decided to simplify my version down a lot from the original.

My husband and I have so few decent photos of the two of us together, that when I saw the one below taken by a photographer from a restaurant in Sorrento, I knew I wanted to do something a bit special with it.

I took my inspiration from Lynn's major shape of the scallop and also used the flowers as my one accent. As a bit of extra detail, I outlined the scallop with stitching holes that I made using a Bazzill template.

To make the scallop, I punched out eight three inch circles from scrap card, and then marked the four midway points on the back a tan piece of 12 x 12. On the same side, I then drew a circle as large as possible, and placed these eight circles evenly to form the scallop shape. I then drew around the outline and cut out.

I got out my collection of various flower stamps, and stamped out a heap of images using "London Fog" memento ink, which is a soft grey instead of the harsher black I normally stamp in.

I then took out my set of Twinkling H20's and coloured in each of the flowers with the shimmery mica paint. I took the colour inspiration from my outfit in the natural tones of chocolate brown, tan, teal and lime green.

This layout was very time-consuming, because each flower was hand-tinted with Twinkling H20 paints and then "blinged up" with Stickles and gems. Here's some close-ups:

That five point flower shape above is by Pink Paislee and is one of my favourites.

I used my Quickutz alphabet "CK Newsprint" which I have rarely used, to my shame. I cut the letters from the leftovers from the scallop and then Stickles all over the top, which gave a lovely sheen.

The stamp above is the Glitz Distressed Couture Flower stamp. It is quite large and flamboyant.

Here's more of the detail above - I love the glitz and glimmer. There's a freebie stamp from Craft Stamper, and representatives from Hero Arts, Fancy Pants and Crate Paper. This is one of my favourite layouts lately and loses so much in the photography!

Why don't you come over to the Scrapology blog and have a go at our monthly challenge? There's a fab prize to be won, and what's more - hopefully another layout you love for your album!

Banana Frog Guest Designer

2010-10-01T18:52:00.001+01:00

Oooh - get me! Well, I am the Guest Designer at Banana Frog this month. I was a bit sneaky and uploaded my layout at the beginning of this week - so now I will share my other project with you.

I have a friend's wedding tomorrow, so obviously I needed to make a card - the timing was quite perfect, as was this stamp set Bev sent me!

Butterflies and swirls are perfect for romantic occasions and I think wedding cards need to be soft and romantic. I cut a piece of robust cardstock just shy of the card blank and stamped the butterflies and swirls mostly around the edge. Here's a close up of the stamping.

The swirls look great stamped off the edge, and it looks as though I have created a border because I have joined up the images. I then individually embossed each image with Stamp N Stuff White Pearls embossing powder, which gives a lovely sheen. Once that was completed, I used my Tim Holtz foam ink blending tool and various colours of pigment ink from the Tsukinenko Twilight Brilliance ink pad and then heat set to dry. Using pigment inks also gives the card a real shimmer.

With such a detailed background, I decided to just add a simple message with minimal embellishments to complete the card. I decided which message I wanted to use, and then printed it out onto cardstock. I then stamped the journalling spot around the message and cut it out. A few gems to add sparkle, and a flower on some 3d foam, and the card was finished! Here it is below - I hope you like it!

The smallest butterfly placed on the flower was just the delicate finishing touch required. I need to produce more projects for the 20th October, so I will have to get creating before then. Happy crafting!

The Bay of Naples

2010-09-27T06:30:00.003+01:00

This is the start of a big week for me - I am setting the UK Scrappers challenge this week, I am a guest designer at Banana Frog for October, and a new challenge goes live at Scrapology this week! Oh - plus, I have a sketch challenge layout due on 1st October also. Phew! No wonder it's been quiet in here lately - not so quiet behind the scenes.

First things first - the UKS challenge - September Week 4. With all that activity, I decided it was essential to multi-task. One of the lovely sets of stamps Bev sent me was Swirls and Butterflies. What's not to love about this set?

I used it perhaps differently to the way a lot of people would - a girly layout springs to mind immediately, but instead I used the set to embellish a panoramic view. Here's my layout!

I really wanted to use some kind of glimmer mist or shimmery wash, but I only own two mists, neither in the colours I wanted. So I mixed up some pastel Jo Sonja acrylic paint to a watery wash, and used the Ranger mini-mister to squirt onto the background.

A very difficult layout to photograph, being a double, and full of painty effects. However, I have done some close-ups:

I used the largest swirl in the set to emulate the water. I embossed the swirl with pink translucent embossing powder and painted over the top with a pinky yellowy wash, some Jo Sonja Opal Dust (which are the glittering holographic particles) and a shimmery orangy/pinky wash which glimmers. It looks a bit of a mess in the close-up, but the effect is beautiful (in my opinion!) from normal viewing distance.

I used a Rebekka Erickson "Fancy" Box Board alphabet, which I then painted with a wash of Jo Sonja pink and peach acrylic paints, to which I added a dollop of violet iridescent. I then embossed over the top with pink translucent embossing powder, which gives a lovely lustre. Straight on, the letters are a pearly pale yellowy/pinky cream, and at an angle, they are quite reddish! Perfect for a sun setting.

I couldn't complete the layout without using some of those beautiful butterflies! I embossed the butterfly straight onto the cardstock for no reason apart from working out my placement, and then I washed over the immediate area with some of those glimmer paints. I then stamped out the butterflies in a pigment blue ink, heat dried and set, and then washed over the surface with some washed out glimmer pastel colours. I stamped and embossed the butterfly "trails" onto recycled packaging, and attached everything onto the layout with acid free silicone glue. I love the dimensionality of that stuff!

To sum up, this week's challenge on UK Scrappers is to use panoramic photos (no people or pets allowed!) of nature/landscapes etc. Use stamping, and also to alter an alphabet using techniques, a mix of colours/fonts, etc. I shall be checking to see what people come up with!

Back later in the week to share another Banana Frog project.

Miscellaneous ...

2010-09-25T08:30:00.000+01:00

Firstly - it's a gorgeous Saturday morning here, and I have jumped out of bed, with a long list in my head! That rhymed, but it wasn't necessarily meant to ...

I am going to be clearing LOADS of stuff today and putting bits on Ebay. Free listing and all that! So before I get on with it, a link to Scrapology, where you can win a fabulous haul of Christmas treasure! You've got to see it to believe it!

I am a big fan of Jennifer McGuire - today, she put a link to a stunning canvas on Sherri Carroll's blog. See it here! That makes me want to go out and do a similar project immediately.

I've been very busy in the background, beavering away on lots of upcoming projects. Something will be going live Monday morning, so thank goodness Blogger can schedule that post!

Happy weekend, cyberworld. :)

Scrapology September Challenge

2010-09-15T09:14:00.002+01:00

Have you taken a look at the September challenge over at the Scrapology blog yet? There's a lovely prize of an American Crafts D ring album to be won, courtesy of Cardinal Colours.

It's all about stitching! Well, not only - lots of other very interesting elements going on too. Here's my original layout, which I lifted from the very talented Crafty Stash on UK Scrappers.

Here's a few tips on the layout - Promarkers/Copic Markers are very useful for changing colours of chipboard letters if you want to customise them. The colour changes very easily over a glossy surface. Applying a layer of Glossy Accents over the top gives them a lovely lush, and professional finish.

The original layout had a pleated circle. I made it a bit easier by cutting the circle up into smaller segments and then inking around each piece.

I freehanded the curve on both stitched edges and inked each part to add definition before compiling the layout. What made the stitching uniform in distance was the use of a Bazzill stitching template - very useful! Shaped scissors are indispensible for little fine details like the serrated edges on the circles on top of the stitching.

The papers I used were bits of leftovers from the Fancy Pants "Delight" range, and We R Memory Keepers "White Out". Why don't you have a go and potentially win a prize?

The Start of Sorrento

2010-09-07T10:35:00.001+01:00

We have just been fortunate enough to return from a week's holiday to Sorrento in Italy. The main driver for the trip was a family wedding, but it was a great time to further lean on my husband to try and persuade him to attend.

The persuasion worked - along with the fact that the rest of his small family were going too - so it seemed to cover a lot of bases.

I left my car at my parents-in-law, and we proceeded to Gatwick on Friday, 27th August on a bank holiday weekend. Fortunately, that didn't cause us any problem - what did make the journey very unpleasant was a gastric-vomiting bug that made me suddenly violently ill. Very luckily, it had passed by the time I stepped off the plane, and we were able to navigate those steep and winding roads in a coach from Naples to Sorrento without further incident.

Despite the flight only being two hours, travelling had taken all day, and we didn't arrive at the hotel until nearly 9pm. The vast majority of the wedding party was also staying at the Grand Hotel Flora, so we were greeted by quite a few people when we arrived.

We were quickly ushered into the dining room to choose our meal for the evening. I was very pleased to enjoy my meal, after not keeping anything down all day! It did seem strange to eat roast chicken, asparagus and roast potatoes in Italy, but I was ravenous.

After unpacking and settling in a little, we met Paul's extended family in the bar by the pool, and chatted for quite a while. After the autumnal, rainy weather we left, it was glorious to sit out in the evening in balmy conditions by the pool! The Flora was not luxurious by any stretch of the imagination, but the food was okay most nights, being half board, and the main benefit was a terrific sized swimming pool, in which I enjoyed swimming laps when I could.

This was the view from the dining room balcony - the lovely blue pool, with the Bay of Naples above. My parents-in-law were lucky to have an even better view than this - their room balcony was directly above. They enjoyed sitting out most evenings with a glass of wine.

SATURDAY 28TH AUGUST

Being a package holiday, I decided to go to the welcome meeting the next morning, which was followed by a walking tour of Sorrento. An internal debate ensued - do you want to be one of the sheep, and follow the crowd, or go off and do your own thing? Better to do something than not, so Paul and I, with a group of about 30 others, set off for Sorrento towards the late morning. It was, in fact, very useful to find out where the train station and other amenities were. Sorrento all runs off one main narrow street, Corso Italia, which is always noisy and busy with the hustle and bustle of coaches, scooters and cars all competing with each other to get to their destinations first. A horse and cart also comes into the equation!

Apart from the benefits of finding out where things were located, the tour was very much a marketing tool, and we were taken in and out of various shops to experience the local craft work and specialities of the area. The liminchello and limon creme would both be delicious in the right context, but liminchello (the lemon liquer) is very strong and too much at before midday! Sorrento is famous for its wooden inlaid work (which I didn't actually see) and jewellery made from coral, which is both watermelon red and a bright turquoise in colour. I found the jewellery very gaudy and it didn't appeal at all. Neither did the cameos, though the workmanship, all being tooled from shell, is very delicate, precise and fascinating.

I loved how the main street grew fruit trees along its length - this was so typical of the area. Every spare bit of space was devoted to the growing of lemon trees and other fruit, and the tomatoes were divine! The soil of the area is very rich in minerals, being a volcanic area, and the local produce really benefits. I imagine this scene, portrayed with tiles, to really typify the historical context of the region.

Our Little Duckling

2010-09-06T11:29:00.000+01:00

One of the last things I did before going on holiday was to choose the photos and ingredients for this sketch challenge.

Some of the other girls' interpretations are just terrific and they used great imagination to jump from the above to the final result. Here is my effort:

I would usually prefer to go with harmonious colour schemes that really tie in with the photos, but I found this paper from Kaisercraft and figured that I could make it work. I am so keen to use up some of my older lettering, so the title was a combination of MAMBI pink glitters cut and reworked together, the Scrapworks yellow rub-ons, and the K & Co letter tiles from a kit from years ago. The three words were punched from an ancient bit of Doodlebug paper, and the duckling is October Afternoon, which I remembered I had left over from my niece's baby album. I used the fancy edge strip from a piece of Sassafras paper, which tied in the blue to the rest of the colour scheme.

Here's the supply list:

Patterned paper: Kaisercraft, Doodlebug, Sassafras

Sticker: October Afternoon

Chipboard journal tag: Autumn Leaves/Rhonna Farrer French Twist

Lettering: MAMBI Pink Glitter stickers, Scrapworks yellow rub-ons, K & Co, Making Memories tiny alphas (on the chipboard)

Bazzill: Just the Edge strip (yellow)

Photos are of my sister, Roslyn, and my niece, Asha, swimming in the public pool at Everton Park, last New Year's Eve, in Brisbane, Australia. It has loads of extra for the kids and is almost like a theme park! So much fun. :)

Card Commission

2010-08-24T18:30:00.000+01:00

A colleague gave me a difficult commission for a birthday card for her husband - loads of white space, romantic, and an inspirational quote.

Here's what I came up with .....

I am afraid I took a really rushed photo and was a bit crooked! I started off by inking the border in green of the card and then drew over the top with a Promarker. The leaf motif was stamped in a mixture of distress inks and came through in a variety of browns. I gave the image some contrast by outlining it with a light tan coloured Promarker. The rub-on is from a tin of Rhonna Farrer rub-ons that I have had for some time. The inking went a bit awry and I was worried about the final result, but fortunately, both my colleague and her husband really like the card. Phew!

Merry Christmas!

2010-08-23T20:43:00.001+01:00

Following on from my last layout in response to the first Scrapology challenge, here is the companion layout. I still really enjoy the unit and cohesiveness you can achieve from a double layout.

Not much to this one, really - a LOT of photos on the page, but the challenge on UKS was to incorporate multi-photos, a celebratory event and some sewing. This time, the sewing was of a handstitching nature - around the large sticker and some detailing on the stamped christmas ornaments.

To unite the pages, I used the same colour combination, even though the reds of the background cardstock are different. All REALLY old supplies - but very pleased to have used them up.

Cardstock - a combination of Bazzill basics and Creative Imaginations "Pizzazzil"

Stickers - Rusty Pickle "Grinchmas"

Christmas Ivy stickers - Doodlebug

Prima raja centres

Miscellaneous christmas ribbon

Stamps - Inkadinkadoo

I stamped the christmas baubles in Adirondack pigment ink in Clover and added some detail with red scrapper's floss and a small red gem in the middle. I raised the baubles with foam and clear pads for a bit of dimension. Not much to it, really! But at least the event is scrapped and constricted to a double page, with the bit of journalling on the other side.

Blog Candy!

2010-08-23T18:23:00.000+01:00

Win some fantastic blog candy here! Just go over to the Scrapology blog and comment on the Halloween Blog Candy post, and become a follower of the blog - simples!

It contains papers from Basic Grey's Eerie collection, Making Memories, Karen Foster and Reminisce. Cardstock form Coredinations and Bazzill. Stickers from Jolee's Boutique, Doodlebug Design, EK Success, Sandylion and Bo Bunny. Various ribbons, some themed, some plain, black lace and fibres. Buttons, themed and plain. Charms, brads, and eyelets. In addition Halloween die cuts from QuicKutz and Cricut, with words numbers and images. Wow!

A is for Apertures ....

2010-08-09T07:46:00.000+01:00

... namely, Starbursts! That is the first monthly scraplift challenge over at Scrapology, with a layout by Anita.

I don't tend to do as many people focused layouts so this WAS a real challenge! I have also done very few Christmas layouts, but I came across these photos of my mum and my niece celebrating her first Christmas.

All my Christmas stash is very old and this is the most ancient! I was working my way through it for Christmas cards, but here it is, used on a page. Someone kindly sent me a RAK of Christmas papers and bits many years ago, so it turns up here!

I decided to keep the background simple as the photos are busy enough - I really should have made the circles bigger. My niece grabbed the Santa hat off my mum's head, so my journalling reads " It has been Santa Grandma for many years now. Seems like there has been a turf war, and the leadership has changed!"

Papers, letters and stickers - Doodlebug, 2003. I matted everything in that Kelly Green to give it some definition. The "Baby" is using my Autumn Leaves freestyle alphabet, which was stamped, then embossed - some of it is coloured in white pen, and I stamped again onto scraps of patterned paper and used the inserts on the letters to give them a bit of impact. Stitching done in the form of scrapper's floss round the edge of the baubles. I even used the Christmas ribbon that was in the pack, too!

I do like the layout - it doesn't compare to some of the other stunning creations - but I strongly believe in using everything you have - even if it is out of fashion! (Other personal references really not necessary, :lol!)

Till next month from Scrapology.

Announcing ....

2010-08-08T21:01:00.000+01:00

Scrapology - Adventures in Scrapbooking! How exciting to have been invited by Lynn to join - a site for monthly scrapbooking inspiration. I am very honoured to have been asked, pleased to be in such great company, and quite frankly, scared too!

We go live from tomorrow, and are hoping to have you play along too. Ready - let's go!

Creating Cards

2010-08-07T09:30:00.000+01:00

This first card used up some Poundland stickers my friend Tara donated to me. I struggled to know what to do with them for a long time, because of their asymmetrical outline shape. Then I decided that they needed to be used in a collage type fashion, with loads of texture and other elements.

Shame I won't allow myself to shop at Poundland anymore - cannot condone an organisation who supports child labour. Bad company ethics, bad. Tsk. Not that I was a prolific shopper there, but they've still lost my business!

Stickles can only be a good addition! I imagine this next card could be suitable for a man. I used another one of my Asian images, and an alcohol ink background. I also used some scrap lining from the paper lace, and coloured it in. Along with some black butterfly trim, which I regretted buying at the time, until I started using it - then I loved it!

Much the same sort of technique for this next card, but I cut some of the butterflies individually, and added some gemstones. Most of the time I like bright happy colours, but I think the subdued tones work well here.

A bit of a change of pace - these card blanks were made because I had some spare tall envelopes. This scrap of purple and mustard paper fitted perfectly - it looks like a twilight night scene, I think. Colours are very pretty, in any case.

This next card is my least favourite - it is a bit "clunky". Never mind! I used an image that Linda sent me years ago. Good to have used them up!

Finally, I call these next two rustic farmyard vintage. Fanciful, or what? More subdued colours, a bit faded, washed out some inking, buttons. Seem evocative of times gone by. This next card is the female version.

The final version is male - fewer embellishments, more graphic in style. A great use of scraps, but they do evoke that "make and mend" philosophy, I think! Who knows what I will post about next time?

Bog Garden

2010-08-05T07:08:00.002+01:00

It's not a romantic title, but it is what it is. I wasn't going to call the layout "The Colonial and Foreign Investments Garden"! Are you getting bored of Chelsea Flower Show layouts yet? I'm not! I love doing layouts of flowers and gardens - so satisfying to be able to use different colours and create different themes, according to the subject.

Guess it is becoming an album now, they're so many piccies. I took part in a sketch challenge, and hence this layout placement.

I thought these papers were perfect for the really acidic colours in these photos. I actually had perfect ribbons and trims to match - serendipitous!

Papers are Collage Press "Fresh" - my motto is that of course you need to stockpile patterned paper - you never know when you need it! They were all double sided, so it was brilliant - this gave me so many permutations of colours and patterns. I scanned in the catalogue and then printed out the journalling onto the patterned paper. The layout called for 3 times 3 x 3 photos - but I couldn't crop these down anymore, so I adapted the sketch.

I had these old gel dried violet stickers from when I first started crafting - in fact, they were in the first QVC kit I bought - so though they look a bit naff, at least I've used them up. I used my promarkers to colour in the circle of punched paper behind them, as I originally tried white, but it was too stark. I was very pleased to have used these papers - I wondered what I was going to use them for!

An Award!

2010-08-02T23:14:00.003+01:00

Lynn, Gemma and Lisa all gave me the Versatile Blogger Award - thank you, ladies! A very nice thought and appreciate you thinking of me. I think it has been doing the rounds lately, so I won't pass it on further.

But so as not to be a total party pooper, I will answer the questions - 7 things about you. These will all be jaw-droppingly boring, but that's the way it goes!

1. I just read the Barack Obama book "Dreams from my Fathers". Wow - so well written and poignant. All that cultural mix in his background - if he can't make the US Presidency work for all communities, I can't visualise that anyone can.

2. I am a Capricorn, which means that I do tend to be serious. But I love people who make me laugh - and I have a very silly sense of humour. I think QI is fabulous, and him indoors and I can see an episode many times over and still laugh in the same places!

3. From a person who loves rich and bright colours, all the walls in my house (actually, except for the kitchen and bathroom) are Natural Calico 3. Cream, really. Ok - let's get real - magnolia! I have become a woman of magnolia!

4. My favourite scrappers are some names that go back-aways - like I do! Maxine Hazebroek and Loretta Grayson from Aus (who probably don't scrap anymore) - Carole Janson is pretty fabulous, too - but her stuff is more cutesy. I love the combination of artsyness and love of detail. From the US - Elizabeth Karchner, CD Muckowsky and above all, and beyond anyone - Danielle Thompson. I was so sad when she decided to give up scrapping! Jennifer McGuire is such a fantastic crafter, too - so detailed, but clean and graphic. Amazing - not like my style at all!

5. Growing up in Australia, one of my favourite things to do was to drive around town at night in summer with all the windows down, and the music pumping - so reminiscent of my youth! (Lisa gave me the inspiration for that one!)

6. I would love to go back and live there at the drop of a hat - I dream of space, roomy cupboards and a more relaxed lifestyle! And above all - no adjourning neighbours. My idea of bliss.

7. Umm - I have had many jobs over the years. Some have been absolute nightmares. I am actually rather lucky where I am now - I am fairly happy and feel that I am making a difference. Not something that I feel free to talk about over the public airwaves, though!

Hopefully, that will be of interest to someone, somewhere. All for now, viewers. Till next time.

Sculptor

2010-08-01T17:21:00.002+01:00

Monthly challenge from one of my social groups on UKS - at least it gets me scrapping!

Another in my Chelsea 2009 series - I love sculptures and wire work, and I had to take some photos of these amazing copper and blue glass flower "sculptures". This is exactly the type of thing I would have in my garden, given the opportunity - and means to finance it, of course!

So - onto the challenge criteria - Something old - those Chatterbox Scrapbook Address letters - at least 7 years old, I'd say.

Something new - my DCVW Taj Mahal stack - bought to go with ellies, but I loved the yellow patterned paper, and this layout needed a touch of exotic brightness, I thought.

Something borrowed - the background blue paper is rouge de Garance - that I took from a minibook project I still haven't finished. Must do that at some point! Also, I used foiling, which is not USUALLY associated with scrapbooking - I used a faulty Zig pen to "leak" the ink, and painted my chipboard flower that way. Then added Zig glue pen over the top, and some Magic Scraps copper foil, and some other foil left over from a project. Laborious, but it was good this morning when I couldn't make any noise for about an hour when him indoors was falling asleep after night shift!

Something blue - lots of blue in this layout - the gem, the other patterned paper ....

Here's a close-up of that Fancy Pants chipboard flower. The blue really shows through well. The foiling was laborious, as it was small flakes, and I used two different types of foil ... one was just leftover flakes in a bag, but you can't let anything go to waste!

I love how the foil glistens. So does the paper, because it has so much texture - some glitter, and some raised detail.

Here's my supplies list:

Magic Scraps Copper Foil Flakes

Fancy Pants Chipboard, "Delight" Journalling book

Chatterbox Scrapbook Address scarlet alphas, Prima 3D Alphabet stickers

My mind's Eye "Bloom and Grow" Felt Border

Patterned papers : rouge de Garance urbaine no5, K & Co Mira, DCWV "Taj Mahal" stack, "Green Polka Dot" by Karen Russell Narratives, for Creative Imaginations.

A bit of a weird colour scheme for me - yellow and lime green, with the dark blue, maroon and copper! Still, I like it and think it works. The goldy yellow adds an exotic touch, and complements the sheen in the copper.

That alphabet is weird - it has holographic properties. One way looks as though there are vines, the next way, straight horizontal lines through the letters. Looking from a different angle - they come up completely white - weird! Thanks for your visit. :)

Texturising Cards

2010-07-31T13:30:00.001+01:00

I love colour and texture in cards, and have a great fondness for sequins.

I only had a small scrap of that Chatterbox paper left, but thought the colours were so attractive, I couldn't let it go to waste.

I actually gave this card to my friend for her birthday some time ago. I think the paper was Creative Imaginations, from memory. Loads of added texture with flowers and I love using buttons! The colours are so pretty - pastels, but not wishy washy.

In the pack of cards I gave her, I made some suitable for men. They're a bit more difficult, aren't they? I just used various layers of paper to add some interest. Plus a button and ribbon. Very graphic, I think.

Here's a card which I think looks a bit Japanese. Not sure why - maybe it is the black, yellow and red? I used up some handmade paper with a velvet texture and added more sequins and some stamping. Very cheery and dramatic, I think. Pleased with how this one turned out.

I think that using different colour card blanks sometimes adds interest to what you're doing. Here is a card blank that was donated to me by my friend, amongst a load of other odds and ends.

I am using up the random flowers I have left, together with some of these collaged Asian images that I acquired very early on in my crafting days. I like this card - it is quite serene in feel.

For this pink pastel birthday card, I used up lots of scraps - that green frame, the pink paper lace, and the birthday strip at the bottom of the card. I just don't get it when people say they throw away their scraps!

I always find pink and green a soothing and restful colour combination. Nothing soothing about this next card - black and pink in your face combo. Someone bought me some packets of shredded paper some years ago - aargh! I shall be here until kingdom come using them up. The only way I've used them at all successfully is by embedding all the tiny shreds in glossy accents. Who wants a card that sheds. No, thought not.

That pink shredded paper does add a lot of texture, though - as does the peel off butterfly in the corner. Lots of bright colour and contrast - hope my friend liked the variety and techniques. And now - on with CJ entries!

Egypt - Teddy CJ

2010-07-24T18:55:00.001+01:00

I have finally gotten around to doing an entry for a teddy bear journal CJ that I am in. I know it is safe to post, as my friend doesn't read my blog.

I thought I would take photos and post straight away, otherwise I get a bit disorganised.

We are supposed to have taken photos with the bear at the place we've chosen to go, but my entry today is a bit of a cheat. I did intend to go, but didn't get there thus far, and really needed to send the bear on its way.

I love the drama and mystery of Egypt, so I decided to have this bear, Bliss, go to the British Museum. She is a very ladylike bear, in her crochet dress and pearls, so I thought a trip to Ancient Egypt was a nice break from afternoon tea parties and visiting with friends!

I just used scraps for the background, also printing on to patterned paper. I've had some Jolie's Egypt stickers for ages and they came in very handy here. I used my Graphicus stamps that I've had for years and years - the etching is extremely fine, and I was never happy with the way they stamped. Until I tried stamping onto Whisper White cardstock from Stampin' Up - it made a world's worth of difference. I coloured in the images with my Promarkers and Copics, using mainly the skin tones.

I think my favourite part of my entry is the tag - I think my CJ entry is a bit messy as I didn't plan it very well, but I was able to have more control with the tag.

Tag front. Scraps of K and Co, and a PaperArtsy stamp, coloured in with Ranger Distress Inks.

Finished off with one of those Jolie's images. Here's the back of the tag -

The tag was green, which I altered with Adirondack ink, and dried off with my heat gun. Before I did, I added some gold embossing powder in a few judicious places, before stamping over the top with a Clarity stamp and another Paperartsy journalling stamp. Finally, some chalk ink around the borders for a bit more definition. A gold ribbon finishes off, with some Glossy Accents to stop the ribbon fraying. That's all for now, folks! :)

Technique Tuesday ....

2010-07-20T10:00:00.000+01:00

They're the name of a stamp company but not what I've used here. I was asked to make a card for a colleague who is shortly moving to start a new life in Australia. I wanted to do something quite different to what I've been doing lately. I picked up these Fancy Pants Summer Soiree stamps half price from Capture the Magic (great value for money) and went to town!

For the sea, I've used all the lovely swirly stamps and two different coloured Stazon, with lots of masking. I've coloured in the sea with various inks being spritzed onto a craft sheet, and then painted onto the canvas with a paint brush. I then cut out some images of a different cloud stamp, and used them as masks. I've misted over the top with turquoise cosmic shimmers for the sky. All the base elements were stamped with various colours of Stazon and then coloured in the same fashion. The fish and the bubbles were a spare image using a friend's stamp and then coloured in with Promarkers. I've now reorganised my supplies, and I use an index folder to store odd things like the stamped images using friends' stamps, until they're ready for me to use.

I think everything looks better with a good dose of Stickles, so that was my finishing touch. Bright, happy colourful with lots of detail - I am really pleased with the result!

The Footpush

2010-07-18T21:43:00.001+01:00

I was lucky enough to have a holiday in Mexico September, 2008. Paul only came out for the second week, so my friends and I did a couple of days chilling and a couple of excursions. One of these excursions was called Garrafon Discovery.

The bus took us to Cancun and then we took a speed boat out to Isla de Mujeras. As much as it seems a very cliched experience, I thought it was a must that I chose to go swimming with the Dolphins when I had the chance. And it was fabulous! I swum out to do the footpush, and had given my camera to my friend. I didn't realise it, but he had taken this series of photos! I regret the way I look, but I don't regret him taking the photos or the experience.

It was the monthly house challenge at UK Scrappers - use 7 photos or more, and then using a new technique. I used the Impressions plate and the embossing pad on my Big Shot for the first time.

It will be the first and last time I sew on glossy cardstock - what a nightmare! The shiny texture on the cardstock caused the machine to slip and slide - a total pain.

Supplies: DCWV Taj Mahal , scrap of Rouge de Garance which I embossed with dots, scrap of Fancy Pants Delight on title. Rhonna Farrer rub-on, which reads "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together - van gogh." The title was cut out on my Cricut using "Opposites Attract" cartridge.

My journalling reads:

1. How did they say to stand? 2. Oh wait! I’m not ready! 3. I don’t know if I want to do this! 4. I’m not sure if this is right …. 5. Oh, I don’t like this! 6. This feels really weird! 7. They said to put your arms up and lock your knees … 8. Oh no, here I go …. 9. It feels like I am flying through the water! 10. What a rush! 11. Who would have ever thought I would have done this? 12. I’m going quite fast … 13. Hey! Look at me! 14. Coming in to land. That was fantastic!

And so it was. An unbelievable experience.

Heuchera Display

2010-07-18T11:08:00.000+01:00

Gosh, from the planning, to the finishing, this layout has taken me about 3 days .... I don't know why that is!

Never mind, done now. In response to a challenge set by Jimjams on UKS - use some of your oldest stash! Well, that's not new for me, as I don't really stash discriminate .... :lol: My friend gave me that piece of cream, gold and maroon patterned paper at the last crop, but in actuality, it is probably six or seven years old! I refused to put it in my paper collection, as there it would sit, so I was determined to use it before it left my desk. I've made about 4 cards from half of it, and there is still a 6 x 6 bit of it left ....

All other paper from my scraps bag, and is K and Co, and Basic Grey. I am also on a mission to use up some of my extensive fibres collection - so I laid some chocolate brown eyelash fibre underneath the loopy punch border of the circle so that the colour pops a bit. Lots of sewing on this layout, and I also used some bronze cosmic shimmers. Part of my Chelsea Flower Show 2009 series - I love all the colours and textures of the heuchera and my journalling is about them. I thought that the photo needed a matt, but used more scraps of paper underneath which gives some contrast to the photo. Hmmm - need to do something with those leave and spray branches that I cut out ... maybe some more colouring around the edge, perhaps? Thanks for stopping by. :)

Saturday snippets

2010-07-17T09:15:00.002+01:00

I enjoy making cards, but sometimes I feel the need to shake things up a bit! That's where techniques really come in handy.

This first card was using my alcohol ink technique, but I love to layer up and add movement. I really like how this card turned out. I sent it to a friend who is currently going through a hard time and is stuck flat on her back in bed. I hope it cheered her up a bit.

The colours are subdued, but they all complement each other into a general richness, I think. Loads of different bits and bobs on this forest green creation.

Here's some Indian spice! I really like how this card turned out and it is one of my latest favourites.

I've managed to use up some fibres (of which I have SO many). I stamped on this flower in black Stazon, which was a plain boring dark brown. I then added some yellow ink, and gave it a spritz with some bronze Perfect pearls mixed with some water. It has a lovely sheen, which doesn't show up here. I also cut into the petals and cut away some of the fullness of the flower, which totally changed it's appearance from a daisy into a crocosmia - much more satisfying! The message was inked in gold, again which doesn't show up well here. I love the hot spicy tones - delicious and with an exotic flavour!

This last card is less unusual, but does use up some handmade paper, and again, some fibres. I must start using them instead of ribbons - they can add some very interesting texture.

The addition of the bird instead of a flower means that hopefully it would be suitable for a man, but it is still probably fairly feminine, with all the gem and scallop detail going on, I suppose. The bird and branch punch is from Stampin' Up - I couldn't resist it, and it has already come in very handy for card making. I will use in on a page eventually! I punched the figures using white scrap cardstock, and then coloured in the various elements with my Promarkers. Both the last two cards used K and Co patterned paper which was scrap from the Birthday Book in Thursday's post. It goes a long way! I guess this next one is a bit more masculine, being less detailed ....

What do you think? You can't see it clearly, but there is a dark brown fibre on top of the loopy detail. It is cute and fluffy IRL ... still suitable for a man? Yep. I reckon. Hmmm, now how else can I use up my stack of fibres in a non-naff way ....

Rustic Birthday book

2010-07-15T09:14:00.000+01:00

When I found out a colleague at work was raising money for three charities and is planning on trekking in the Himalayas later in the year, I went to her and offered to help. I donated some handmade cards for her to sell, and I decided to make something for her to raffle off as a prize.

I made this birthday book all from a K & Co collection which my lovely friend Moira gave me for my last birthday.

The colours are very subtle on the cover, and unfortunately don't show up too clearly. There is a lot of stamping on the cover, which I then covered with Eucalyptus stickles, so it does shine and sparkle quite a lot. The title is "All Mixed Up" cut using the Cricut. The letters were cut from Kraft card, which were then glossy accented and outlined with a dark brown pen so you could actually read the title.

Apart from organising the papers so that the colour flows through nicely from one page to another, it's taken me many many tries to get the binding punching right. With this book, it all finally came together, but then I quashed the wire badly in a few places, so it is a bit wonky! Oh well - the quirks and charm of a hand made article, I suppose.

I didn't change the light settings, so unfortunately all the photos are overexposed. Still, hopefully you will get the picture - ha ha! I have popped six coordinating cards, made from the scraps, in the first lot of monthly pockets.

Here's just one of them to look at. No doubting that these books are fiddly to make and time consuming, but they make very pretty and practical gifts and help to use up some of the patterned paper stash! Using mount board for the covers has been the best material I've found thus far - both light weight but sturdy.

Send me your details if you fancy a go at making one, and I will send you the full instructions. Let me know how you've gotten on. :)