Sketch and Scrap February

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

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



Supplies:

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

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

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

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

Journalling spot - unknown

Rub-ons - perhaps Basic Grey?

K & Company handmade Alphabet embossed stickers

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

Sketch and Scrap November

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".

Ace of Spades

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



Grace at Caruso's

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!