Lucky Me!

I was so excited yesterday when I bought the retreat tickets that I started thinking back to last year. I still hadn't scrapped the photos, so I pulled them out and started to scrap! I used a sketch from Scrap Our Stash (I rotated the sketch quarter of a turn anti-clockwise):

Along with Bo Bunny's 'Alora' collection. Here is my layout:

Part of the sketch challenge over on Scrap our Stash, was to use a mixed alpha title. I used the blue alphas from the collection, along with red alphas from Jillibean Soup. The frame was hand cut from one of the 12x12 sheets in the collection.

I hand stitched over the top of the flourish that was already on the paper, and also extended it a little to 'copy' the sketch. I added 2 of the chipboard flowers for a little dimension. 

There was a matching flourish at the bottom of the page which I didn't want to see - so I adapted the sketch and covered it with small scraps of paper. The 2 chipboard flowers were added to balance with the 2 flowers in the opposite corner of the layout. My journal card was from a 12x12 sheet.

I am also entering this into the challenge on the Bo Bunny blog - use the word 'lucky' on your layout.

Thanks for looking!

Happy scrapping :-)

Scrapbook Steals Retreat!!

Woohoo! Just wanted to say - I have got my ticket for the Scrapbook Steals retreat again!!! This will be their 3rd year - I have been each time with my friend Deb!

Such great fun - lots of classes, crop time and meeting new friends. It's so nice to finally meet the people you have been talking to on facebook for so long!

Here are a couple of photos from last year:

The countdown begins! :-D

If you want to join us, you better be quick - it normally sells out fast! Here is the link.

Love you!

This is my last creation for Scrapbook.Steals.com! I have had a blast! Here is this week's Mid Week Mojo sketch:

I just love the bright colors and patterns in this collection - not to mention all the embellishments! I used my Silhouette to cut out the red and white frame, and then I actually ue=sed the reverse side of the inside of the frame for the rectangular layer (the woodgrain). My photos were mounted on to a card that was big enough to cover the hole!

There are lots of dimensional stickers in this collection and I particularly like the banners. There are a number of different words and sentiments you could use, for your title (like I have done here) or for sentiments/journalling. I also switched out the buttons on the flowers to match my color scheme - something quick and easy to do, to tie it all together.

There are 'faux' washi tape stickers too! These are so much fun - they just add a little extra detail. Some of them are plain/patterned and some have sentiments too! I used the sentiment wash for a little extra 'something' with my flower, and added other small pieces of 'washi' for a little more interest.

There are also a number of tags in this collection. I cut off the tops of a couple of the tags and made them into a banner, with some of the other stickers from the embellishment collection. A bit of faux stitching and voila!

I would love to see you joining in with my last challenge on Scrapbook Steals this week. From next week on, it will be me waiting for the sketches to be released! 

*Note - the layout and sketch were created by me for scrapbook.steals.com. The photography was done by scrapbook.steals.com.

Happy scrapping :-)

Tea for Two!

This is my last Monday Craft Madness challenge post over on Scrapbook.Steals.com 

- quite sad really! :-(

But I loved this collection by Fancy Pants - 'Time for Spring' - and believe me, I'm sick of the snow now! I desperately need Spring, shortly followed by Summer! The teapots patterns and color scheme just reminded me of a tea party - so that is the theme I went with.

I picked up this cupcake box in Michael's for 80 cents - bargain! It was plain white - I just inked around the edges with brown ink so that the edges would blend in more once I added the papers.

I just measured each side and covered with paper. The word, hearts and swirl were all die cuts that come in the collection.

  

I needed an invitation! As you know - I have finally started exploring the workings of my Cameo! I found this cute teapot cutting file and decided to use it for the front of my card. I cheated with the back - it is just a plain rectangle card stuck on for the writing - I was going to mirror the teapot, but it was a little to fragile with the handle and spout.

The flower and word were again die cuts from the collection, and I added a small button and twine for more interest! 

And lastly - what's a tea party without a good cup of English Breakfast Tea??!!!! This is a cute teabag gift bag that I found in the Silhouette store too! 

Super simple, and easy to make - just looks better than taking along a box of teabags!

I hope you join in with the challenge this week - it's the last one of the month too - so a $20 prize is up for grabs too! For more details, head on over to the blog post, here.

*Note - all projects were made by me for scrapbook.steals.com. All photography was taken by Scrapbook.steals.com

Happy Scrapping :-)

One of a kind!

I had time to scrap for fun today - the boys were out snowboarding! Yay! It felt SO good. The only down side - it takes me FOREVER to choose which papers I am going to use. I have become so used to being given the product - this was tough for me today!

Anyway - I used the March sketch from Artful Delight:

And here is my layout, using My Mind's Eye The Sweetest Thing 'Honey' Collection:

I love all the embellishments that come with this collection. I decided to use 2 of the decorative brads and switch them up a little. I swapped one of the brads for an enamel dot, and then switched the colors of brads on the other (to match my color scheme). I hand cut the banner myself and added stitching for a little more texture and detail.

I used one of the title cards for my title, but cut it down and layered it to fit on my page. The enamel dots just added a little more interest!

I hope you like it!

I will be entering this layout into the March sketch challenge over on Artful Delight.

Have a great weekend! Happy Birthday to my Big Bro' - wish I was back in the UK to help him celebrate!

Happy scrapping :-)

Easter crafts

This week on the Scrapbook Steals blog, my challenge to you was to use washi tape! Easy huh??!!

I was given My Mind's Eye decorative tape to work with - SO much fun! Washi is becoming my new obsession! Here is what I made:

I'm loving the subway art at the moment, and so I decided to make a piece of Easter subway art. I downloaded the cut file from Silhouette and then backed it with different colors/patterns of washi! I had an old frame that I painted white and then added strips of washi down the sides. Here's a more detailed picture:

I always like to make a card for Monday Craft Madness posts - and I love this image from Bugaboo stamps. It was a free download last year! I used my prismacolor pencils to color it in, and used the washi tape as a background and frame on the card:

And lastly, Britanny from Scrapbook Steals suggested making an Easter wreath! That proved to be a bit more difficult than I thought! I ended up buying a green polystyrene floral wreath and painting it white!! This was because the color shows through the tape and I wanted the true colors to show. I then wrapped strips of tape around the wreath, being careful not to crease it. I used a hot glue gun to attach the eggs to the wreath - but I thought they looked a bit plain - so, I added some washi to them too! I had to fold the washi in half and glue it onto the eggs, as every time I just added it normally, it creased! Eggs are not the easiest things to decorate with washi! Anyway - enough rambling! Here is a close up:

It would be great to see you over on the Scrapbook Steals blog, joining in the challenge. 

Have fun & happy scrapping!

* Note: All crafts were made by me for scrapbook.steals.com! All photos are courtesy of the steals.com photography department.

Simple birthday card

OK - so now I am tying up the loose ends at work before my final day tomorrow - I had a bit of time to play today!!! Hopefully my blog posts will start to become more regular again!

Here is a simple card I made using Studio Calico's Classic Calico 6x6 paper pad and a few bargain stamps! I used the March card sketch from Artful Delight:

 Here is my card:

I bought the flower stamp from Michael's the other day for $1 - and I love it! I decided to use a Versamark watermark stamp pad (which means it stamps with translucent ink) and then put white embossing powder over the top. I like this watermark ink pad as it stays wet for longer, allowing you to put the embossing powder on top. I then heat embossed the flower which gives it a nice bright, white shine to it. Here is a close up of it:

I did the same thing with the sentiment stamp - heat embossing it to make it stand out a little more. A couple of flowers and stitching around the card - and voila! A quick and easy card - it must have taken me about 45 minutes to make.

Have you noticed? I finally managed to work out how to put my signature on my work!!! Woohoo! How long have I been scrapping for??!!!

I am entering this card into:

Artful Delight's - March card sketch challenge

Paper Rosette Tutorial!

As promised - here is a quick and easy tutorial on how to make paper rosettes.

1. Cut your strips of paper using a variety of different border punches - this gives the flowers different edges and shapes. The strip needs to be 12″ in length and no more than 2′ wide. Only have 6×6 paper? Stick 2 pieces together. Want bigger rosettes? Stick two 12″ strips together!

2. Score your strips every 1/2″.

3. Concertina fold your paper strip.

4.  Use your glue gun to add hot glue to one end of the strip. Stick to the other end (making a kind of loop.)

5. Fold the strip towards the center – it should automatically fold inwards and make the rosette shape.

6. Some people just add hot glue to the back side of the rosette and hold into place. I like to use a scrap circle and stick it to the bottom for more support.

7. Hold the circle in place and flatten until set.

8. The finished rosette! Decorate your rosette with more paper, buttons...anything your creative heart desires! Easy peasy! 

Paper Secrets March 15th Challenge

This is the second challenge for March over on the Paper Secrets blog. 

Remember - there is a twist to the challenges! 

Here is the sketch:

And the twist to this challenge is to use chipboard! 

For my layout, I used My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline 'Dilly Dally' collection (still one of my favorites!) with a chipboard heart and dots.

These papers and title work just perfectly for the photos!

I'd love to see you joining in the challenge for your chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the Paper Secrets shop. 

See you over on the Paper Secrets blog!

I am also entering this layout into the following challenges: 

My Mind's Eye blog March challenge - to use their die cuts (titles/journal cards)

About a Boy March 1 challenge - use products you have been hoarding

Happy scrapping :-)

Update of scrappiness!

Hi! I have been so rubbish at posting my projects lately I thought I best do a catch up. The projects and layouts that I create for Scrapbook.Steals.com are now taken by the photography department - another reason I haven't gotten round to posting them lately - so they all have the scrapbook steals logo on them - but I can assure you - they WERE all made by me! (Oh - and I made the sketches too!) :-D

Here are some of the Monday Craft Madness projects:

Using embossing folders

Using a glue gun

I also created a simple tutorial on making rosette flowers - I post at a later date on my blog too :-)

Using MME Unforgettable 6x6 paper pad and stamps

Using the Silhouette CAMEO to create projects

And here are my Mid Week Mojo layouts:

Jade #9 - using Simple Stories Summer Fresh Collection

Amber #1 - using My Mind's Eye Collectable Notable Collection

Amber #2 - using Basic Grey PB & J Collection

Amber #3 - Using Lifestyle Crafts Border dies 

Amber #4 - Using Fancy Pants Blissful Blizzard Collection and a sketch from the talented Bev Code

Phew! I didn't realise just how far behind I was with the posting!

Sorry for such a long post!

Just wanted you all to see that I have been busy!

I will make sure I update this more regularly now! 

Thanks for taking the time to look and get to the bottom of this post! :-)

Happy Scrapping :-)