a distressed scrapper

Photos for Swindon 48hr Crop

2012-02-19T13:19:00.004Z

Here are the 3 photos I am using for my Lo's at the 48 hr crop. The first is for the pink LO, the 2nd for the red LO. They are girly Lo's , but they would suit a photo of you & your DH !!!! Go on scrap one of you two just for a change......if you can find one - that is...but you've got a week to take one, and its lovely and sunny today - well it is in Wales...

These ones are for the red & brown LO. You could just use 2 6x4" instead if you wanted, but I like the higgledy piggledy placement of them. Its up to you - its your LO !!!

Sneak Peeks for Febs Class

2012-02-09T21:27:00.003Z

This months class at Paperarts, its a LO with a small mini book attached, I've used quite a few photos, but you don't have to if you don't want. The theme was based on travel and I've documented a trip to France last year to play pinball.....I didn't go, so the photos aren't brilliant, but as those that went are just about to embark on this years trip, thought I'd best get it out of the way.
I used 2 3x4" photos on the LO, but you could use a 6x4" portrait instead. For the mini book I used 32 1.5x2" photos, you could just use 7 photos instead or 14 small ones.....its up to you...I had a lot to squeeze in !!! The colours are red & black with a travel theme.

More Classes for Swindon 48hr Crop

2012-01-29T20:47:00.004Z

The top two sneak peeks are of the Red LO, the pink LO is exactly the same, just different papers.
The bottom two sneak peeks are of the Red & Brown class that I'm doing on Saturday, sign ups are on the blog for this one now!

Swindon 48Hr crop

2012-01-22T19:57:00.007Z

Sneak peeks for my friday night class, its also due to be published in Scrapbook Mag, but I think you all get to see it first.
I'm doing it in 2 very similar patterns, one with pink cardstock and slightly more pink in, and one with red cardstock and slightly more red in - please if you have a preference can you state your colour when booking - many thanks.
The other LO will be a combination of brown & red, I haven't done the LO yet, but thought I'd let you see the papers I'll be using, again there will be a slight difference in kits of patterns, but the colours are the same....
I'd like you to be a little more adventurous, and have a wider choice so everybodies doesn't look exactly the same !!!

Sneak Peeks

2012-01-18T20:50:00.003Z

A couple of sneak peeks for my class at PaperArts this Saturday. I decided to do photos of Xmas morning. Normally I don't get around to scrapping them till nearly Xmas at the end of the year.
I used 6 3x2" and 1 4x3" in Christmas colours
If you'd like to book I think you can find the link here Paperarts

Scrap365 Layout

2012-01-17T20:10:00.003Z

I think this is the LO that has just been published in Scrap365, I haven't seen a copy of the mag yet, but am hoping to get it from Paperarts on Friday when I go for the 12hr crop.....best book my place, as it looks like it will be busy....
I've also got a class on the 21st, so will put up a sneak peek asap. Its a Xmas LO, thought it best to do after the event, so that I actually get our Xmas scrapped before the next one !!!

Snow Cute

2011-12-28T14:22:00.000Z

I'm not sure how many of you read the UK's Scrapbook Magazine, but this is one of the LO's I designed for the scraplift feature in the Decembers Issue. I got sent the Bo Bunny papers to work with, and found this photo that our eldest DD had taken of her and little DD many years ago. It was a nice surprise as it was on a CD that she was going to throw away - purely because she couldn't be bothered to sort out her pile of stuff/junk she'd left here before going off to Uni 3 years ago......

So this is made with: Bo Bunny papers, Scrap FX title, Inkadinkadoo stamp, Prima flowers, Marianne designs chrismas tree branch die, Martha Stewart loop corner punch and Snow tex, which I love adding to snowy pages!

My Last Class at Paperarts before Xmas

2011-12-19T13:53:00.004Z

This was the class that I taught just before Xmas, not a lot of cutting out again,(I didn't want people to have blisters for Xmas, might interfere with basting the turkey or something). But I think people are missing it, so they'll probably be lots of cutting out on my next LO, which I believe is the 21st Jan at PaperArts. I'll put up a sneak peek when I've actually done the lO.

I'm thinking I need to have a good old tidy up of my 'craft room', especially all my patterned papers. I end up with lots of baggies full of scraps that I've used for each page and try (usually unsucessfully) to sort them out and file them back in colours...I've lots and lots that need doing at the moment, so as all the children are occupied I might have a sort out.... Or I might just do some more blogging as I'm so far behind !!!

A whole Lot of LO's

2011-12-18T12:10:00.007Z

Todays Class

2011-11-26T19:50:00.003Z

This was todays class at PaperArts, I think everybody had fun, not too much cutting out, but obviously inking everything !!! Its interesting to find out that several DH's are liking the LO's I do too....

We used some Authentique & Cosmo Cricket papers, marianne dies & MME stamps. I also brought in my old, old typewriter to encourage more journaling.....I've now got orders for old typewriters if I can find them !!

Next weekend at PaperArts

2011-11-20T20:54:00.003Z

A little sneak peek of next weeks class at PaperArts, lovely yellow and orange, autumn colours, 2 7x5" photos, a little cutting out, stamping and inking....and cake of course...

Here is what we did on Saturday.

2011-11-07T16:59:00.003Z

This is what we did at PaperArts for this weeks class, it was inking and water distressing. I was pleased to see that people are relaxing a little, and getting happier to spritz water over the gorgeous papers and then crunch them up......I love the linen texture it produces.....I did add some journalling with my ancient typewriter, but haven't been able to photo it, as I left it in the shop. I think the LO was up on the wall before I even left !!!!

Next class I believe is Nov 26th, but I will be at Paperarts for their open weekend, doing some demos, so please come along and join in the fun and laughs and eat cake !!!

Some new Sneak Peeks for the class at Paperarts

2011-10-31T17:43:00.003Z

For my next class - this is the really distressed look - water and screwing up paper, I know you like it really, I love the way it creates a look like material. Again there is no fussy cutting, just punching and water mainly and inking of course !! They've still got the class down as Rachels but I'm afraid its really going to be me....book here !!

A little Sneak Peek for Scrap365 Magazine

2011-10-28T21:02:00.003+01:00

I can only show you a couple of sneak peeks for a LO I was asked to do on behalf of PaperArts for the new Scrap365 Magazine, thats out soon.....this Lo won't be in for a couple of months, but I thought I'd let you have a sneak peek...I used the new Authentique 'Gathering' papers - these papers are so thick and lush...and they love the Tim Holtz distress inks !!! They are instore now at Paperarts, best get in the shop quickly......

Ooops forgot to post these !!

2011-10-26T17:47:00.007+01:00

These are the pages I did at the Swindon 48hr crop....I did teach 2 classes too, but even then my efforts are pretty useless for 48hrs of scrapping.....I'll have to go again and try harder next time !!!

I was practicing trying to get the 'blur' with my new, 2nd hand lens, a Sigma 24-60mm F2.8. Ds4 was a very willing subject luckily...its nice to have loads of photos of them at the moment ! I used an EK sucess punch, some assorted stamps and a scrapfx chipboard key.

This was paracticing with my other new 2nd hand lens a Sigma 70-200mm F2.8, again trying to get the 'blur'. Dd3 was only willing if she could keep hold of her phone and wear her flip flops. I used a Marianne die for the leaves, Petaloo for the flowers and a Martha Stewart punch.

Another page of practicing, I've taken several hundred photos lately of the children - well those that don't mind having their picture taken - this is dd3 playing in the woods and stream near our house. I used a Martha Stewart corner punch on the inside of the circle on this LO, a Tim Holtz mask, Marianne leaf die and some Prima flowers.

This was the PaperArts class

2011-10-23T16:15:00.002+01:00

I'm still lovin' those authentique papers, this time we went with the autumn theme, with photos taken in the park with two of the girls playing around.... I loved the Marianne dies too, it was a bit of a pain to do 4 sets, 15 times, but I did want some for myself. Sue sold out, so maybe next time she has some in !!!

Sneak Peeks for my next PaperArts class.

2011-10-11T19:21:00.003+01:00

Here are some peeks of the next class I'm doing at PaperArts. I've used Authentique Papers, Marianne dyes, some lovely coloured cardstock and ribbon.
Its a real Autumn theme, but then again it doesn't have to be, the dominant colour is mustard yellow, with brown, red and orange.
I think you'll enjoy it, and honestly there is no fussy cutting at all on this one !!! Really I'm not lying....

The LO's I taught for the Swindon 48hr Crop

2011-10-10T19:48:00.002+01:00

These are the finished Lo's from the 48hr crop Near Swindon....I had such fun, it was a brilliant weekend and very well organised...Sue from PaperArts brought her mobile shop along, and it was hard to resist...another event has been organised for the 24th - 26th Feb 2012, so I'll definately be there.....

I'm the replacement teacher !!!

2011-09-29T17:09:00.002+01:00

I've been called into Paperarts as the replacement teacher this weekend as Sandie has a trapped nerve in her shoulder - hope it gets better, by next weekend Sandie !!! So this is the page I've come up with at short notice....its not girly colours, more masculine and features shoes.....So come along and join us at Paperarts...

Scrapbook Magazine Art Deco Article

2011-09-17T15:43:00.003+01:00

These are the 2 Lo's I did for an article in Scrapbook magazine....I found them very challenging, I don't do straight or symmetrical pages, so It was soooo hard....I do like them, they just don't look like I did them...but I suppose its good to be challenged occasionally, it just confirms I like the distressed, shabby look better !!!
I was really fortunate that Dusty Attics design team had just released some LO's using the new chippies, I spotted the 'Art Deco' frame, and wrote to Jen@dustyattic in Australia asking if anybody in the UK had them, she replied and said she'd sent me some straight away - what service !!! They really made the page......

Authentique Sept Sketch Challenge

2011-09-13T13:57:00.003+01:00

I thought I'd enter the Authentique sketch challenge, this make of papers has only just come to my attention, but I already love them....they are a thick paper, so ideal for distressing, they soak up the distress inks beautifully, and the colours & design are just gorgeous....I'm looking forward to using the 'Glowing' collection with DS5 and his shining orange hair !!!

This Lo was made with the 'Blissful' collection, which went perfectly with DD3 and some yellow Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' in our garden. It was a blustery day, so she was having trouble keeping her hair out of her face...

Latest PaperArts class

2011-09-11T12:33:00.003+01:00

This was the class I taught at PaperArts this weekend. There was quite a bit of cutting out to do, but I really liked this page, the Authentique papers were lovely to work with and absorbed the distressing inks beautifully. The american crafts rose ribbon added the finishing touch... I hope everybody enjoyed the class and the lovely cake..

A Country Girl

2011-09-07T12:54:00.003+01:00

I loved this lost and found range from PaperArts and had some ideal photos to use with it. We often go for walks in the evening when its still light, so its ususally a good time to take my camera. The flowers are some Petaloo and Prima basics, I used a sizzix die for the leaves, and a new bird stamp that I got from PaperArts, and a Tim Holtz flock of birds stamp. I also made the little triangle banners. Of course I inked everything first !!!

More Sneak Peeks for Swindon

2011-09-04T21:27:00.004+01:00

Another Sneak Peek for Swindon, this is going to be on the Sunday morning I believe...This will be a little bit easier and less intricate cutting out, as I'm sure lots of you will be feeling tender then.....I have more boys than girls, but seem to do more feminine LO's than the masculine ones, so I thought I'd best do one of each this weekend - keep it even.....this is my DH the morning after his 50th Party....not one of his best looks (& I don't think he was too happy I was taking photos)....Colour scheme is bright but fun from Basic Grey and Crate paper...

From this to this:

Sneak Peeks for Paperarts 10th Sept Class

2011-08-30T16:34:00.010+01:00

Here is my latest sneak peek for my class on 10th Sept at Paperarts I think there is plenty of room at the moment, but I'd be quick, my last class sold out by the time I taught it....I really enjoyed doing this one - its a 'girly' one !!! Its actually become one of my favourite LO's of all the ones that I've done...I think its the new authentique papers, I think they were made just for me!!!

Sneak Peek Swindon 48hr Crop

2011-08-29T19:51:00.005+01:00

This is the sneak peek for the Saturday Afternoon Crop, I was going to do it on the Sunday morning, but decided your cutting out fingers may be affected by the Saturday night hotel Party!!! Price for the class is £8.50 and if you'd like a kit please let Rachel know via FB...

I have also added this photo to show you which papers I chose and which Picture, perhaps it will help you choose a suitable photo ?

The Pits

2011-08-24T17:27:00.002+01:00

This weeks http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/ challenge has some very interesting colours in.
The added challenge was to show some weaving or mesh..
My take on the colours and challenge is here. The winding gears up at the Pits were the perfect colour, and luckily Miss A, had a blue top on (not quite the right blue, but reasonable). I had fun making the cogs with my Tim Holtz die and used a spellbinder leaf die too. The chicken wire stamp is from Studio Calico, and its getting better to use.
The tickets are another Tim Holtz die and stamps from creative expressions. Hope you have a go at the challenge too...it gets you out of your comfort zone !!!

In France

2011-08-15T19:41:00.003+01:00

This one is for this weeks http://thecolorroom.ning.com/. The colours were a bit shocking, but I found this photo of Abs in France with some pink and blue in...I followed the sketch roughly and enjoyed inking, misting, stamping, tearing and distressing. Not my usual style, but I think you can still tell I did it? I like having these sketch/colour challenges, it brings a fresh perspective, and I love a challenge...
I used one of the Prima masks and 'candy pink' from Cosmic Shimmer for the background. I tore up some K & Co for the lines...stamped with a horizontal text stamp. The flags I made by just tearing the paper into shape and sticking on sticks....(very technical, I know). I stamped some seagulls direct and some onto cardstock and cut out. The flowers are from Petaloo, and the journalling I did on my old, old typewriter. The jute was just artistically stuck with the title over the top.

Amazing Memories

2011-08-09T15:17:00.003+01:00

Another colour challenge at http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/. I love this site, its very friendly and the challenges are always fun. This weeks is beach themed with translucent glass, go and check it out - its fun!!

I used lots of stamps, misting, inking, torn paper, torn corrugated card, ribbon and then some provocraft dies for the starfish, shells and sea horses. flowers are Prima and Petaloo

Me' Arties

2011-08-08T15:43:00.007+01:00

A little LO of University life in the UK.....I think it mainly consists of parties, parties and more parties and occasionally a little work, although admittedly the 3rd Year does consist of a lot of work and few parties.... This particular party was a fancy dress themed occasion - pirates to be exact - so we went with the treasure map look and some skull and crossbones...

A little wave from some free pp's and a rolled up treasure map add to the scene and of course some 'arts - hope you enjoyed this fun page?

Love 2 Travel

2011-08-03T22:40:00.006+01:00

This is a page I started yonks ago, I cut out the die-cut shape, the circle and had the square doily inked and that was about all. Sue at http://www.paperarts.co.uk/ kindly made the dark purple doily for me with one of her Spellbinders (I think) dies...I love it, and hope that she will be stocking it again soon. I recently made the flowers from a tutorial from Lisa at Swirlydoos so decided to use them on this page, a bit of border punching and I used the spare bits from the template too. I used the McGill pine leaf punch for the leaves, picking up the blue from dd's headscarf here and there.

I used some old Basic Grey letters for the title, raising it up on foam dots.

Keeping Warm

2011-07-26T13:02:00.004+01:00

This weeks colour challenge at http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/, the theme is still ice-cream, but my inspiration went with the ice - found this great picture to scrap, we had to use polka dot pp, leaves, 3 circles, metal and fabric....

Learning to take photos properly !!

2011-07-17T21:54:00.003+01:00

Had an amazing day with Kirsty Wiseman http://www.kirstywiseman.com/ we had a couple of hours of theory and note taking. Then off out into the big wide world to take photos with our new found knowledge.....no more AUTO....gulp....AV here we come !!!!

Our base was http://www.paperarts.co.uk/ and Sue came along on the course to add to the laughs......mostly about her photography experience to date.....but I think we all learnt a lot, thanks to Kirsty's easy going instructions and hopefully we'll be putting all this into practice !!!!

Mr Meerkat

2011-07-14T12:58:00.001+01:00

This weeks Colour Combo Galores colour palette, with inspiration based on ice-cream...that made me think of the beach and then these photos I took recently in Portsmouth. I loved making the little pinwheels and the bunting, a real day out feel !!

My New Car

2011-07-10T12:53:00.000+01:00

This was my entry for this weeks colour combo challenge over at http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/, I was going to try for their DT but didn't get this entry in on time, but I love the colour challenges I want to do them all anyway.......

All Washed Up

2011-07-08T12:40:00.000+01:00

This is the LO I've done for the http://dustyattic.ning.com/forum/topics/july-2011-sketch-challenge I love to do sketches when I'm stuck on what to do, I don't want all my LO's to look the same, and sketches make me think differently....go on try some, they're fun !!

Been a bit busy lately !!!

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

A couple more that I did at the last 12 hour crop at http://www.paperarts.co.uk/ I used to be able to get 9 - 10 LO's done in that time, now I'm lucky to get 3 or 4 done!!!! Think all the talking and laughing are a little too distracting...

This months PaperArts Class

2011-06-28T19:21:00.005+01:00

The box I made with Tim Holtz back in Feb, I had lots of requests to teach this box, so went ahead at http://www.paperarts.co.uk/ this weekend.
I think I can safely say everybody had a FAB time...people bought along some of their own things to put in the box, some bought so much they had to do 2 boxes !!! It kept everybody busy all day, and they all had gorgeous boxes to take home. It was nice that every bodies was so different and had individual memories attached to each of them....might be nice to do another class later in the year if anybody is interested ?
This is the lovely bag and tag that Sue and Irené put together for the kit, it was like Christmas, and made the day extra special.
A sample of some of the lovely boxes that were made in the class, all so very different !!!

Sneak Peek for PaperArts

2011-06-20T14:00:00.007+01:00

Here's a sneak peak for the class I'm teaching on Saturday at http://www.paperarts.co.uk/index.php?sect=June

I was taught by the man himself "Tim Holtz" on his recent UK Tour.....I can't promise to be as funny as him, but hopefully it'll still be a fun day. Most of the bits and bobs will be supplied, but it would be really nice for you to bring some of your own memorabilia, from your childhood etc to make all the boxes more personal.

There are still some places left so please come along for a most enjoyable day, with fun, laughter and most importantly cake, provided by the very kind Sue and Irené at PaperArts. Create something unique and memorable.....
P.S Don't wear your best clothes or white !!! You have been warned.....

The Colour Room #62

2011-06-12T19:17:00.004+01:00

A while ago I joined the http://thecolorroom.ning.com/ I did a few LO's then got lazy...as its been absolutely pouring with rain all day today, I decided to have a go at this weeks palette - orange, orange, and more orange, oh and a bit of white....Obvioulsy ds5 goes perfectly with orange, so had fun making this page, I even inked the hessian orange !!!

Colour Combo Galore #196

2011-06-10T19:24:00.001+01:00

I just joined http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/ I've visited the site before through other peoples blogs, but had been too lazy to get going....but this week the colours inspired me, so I joined.... I quite like the fact there is no sketch to work with, just the colours, so hopefully this will get me scrapping more.
This is ds4 on the beach in Wales, suddenly 15, nearly 6' tall and broad - another one taller than me, only 2 to go, but I think they will be taller too !!!

Finish off Friday....

2011-06-03T19:36:00.000+01:00

Just another couple that I have been trying to finish off for ages....Friday is now 'finish off Friday'...I'm not allowed to do anything but finish off pages/books that have been lying around for ages...its working too!!!!

Bo Bunny LO Challenge Friday

2011-05-30T20:28:00.000+01:00

I thought I'd have a go at a blog challenge. I've never done one before so here goes......This is for the Bo Bunny LO Challenge Friday - I had to draw inspiration from some fabric, I was actually inspired by the dress in the photo, the orange pleats in the dress are mirrored in the paper pleats around the clock face.
I used Bo Bunny Gabrielle promenade, with the Bo Bunny timepiece clockwork die cut - I just thought they went together perfectly. I made the flowers and used a spellbinder die for the cogs.
Hope you like it !!!
Luckily www.paperarts.co.uk has got the new collections from BO Bunny in stock....

This Months Class at PaperArts

2011-05-29T18:35:00.001+01:00

This was the class I did this month at www.paperarts.co.uk it was well attended and I think judging by the quiet that descended enjoyed by all. It was nice to do a page that wasn't girly, I'd been looking around at all the Lo's the teachers at PaperArts had done in recent months, and most were girly....as I have 5 boys I thought I should be able to come up with something that didn't have flowers on !!!!

Sue and Irene at www.paperarts.co.uk are getting some kits together to sell very soon, I was asked if I could do some LO's with the kits, so that people had a starting point or could just scraplift.....I think there will be 2 single page kits, 1 two page kit and one mini book....So I look forward to seeing them up on the website ladies....soon.....

Kirsty Wiseman at PaperArts.

2011-05-15T22:29:00.000+01:00

Had a fantastic time at www.paperarts.co.uk again today....The fabulous Kirsty Wiseman was teaching this canvas...(slightly different colours but these went better with my photo).....You know me !!!!

We all had such a laugh, and Kirsty didn't even cry, so we must have been well behaved for a change...So all of you that were busy, you really missed out on a brilliant class, but I do believe there will be another whole day of Kirsty in September, with 3 classes..think they'll put the info up on their website with a payment scheme....

Irene, Kirsty and Sue

Day Dreamer

2011-05-15T12:30:00.003+01:00

I seem to scrap in no particular order, just which ever photo or sometimes a set of papers takes my fancy...so when I'm asked to do a page for a class or a magazine it's a challenge. Sometimes I don't like the papers or the theme, but actually that makes it more interesting, to create something that I like out of things I don't...

My PaperArts class

2011-05-01T21:56:00.001+01:00

Here is that LO that I showed you a sneak peek of a couple of weeks back....I think everybody enjoyed the class, they were all very quiet, but I think they are now used to all the cutting out I make them do!!!! There were 23 in the class, but I reckon we'll be scrapping in the car park if any more are added....but I feel very privileged to have this many people want to scrap at my class!!!
Next months class will be a 'boy LO'. I decided its about time I did one for the boys - girls seem to dominate the Lo's because of all those lovely flowers.
The class after will be one using corner punches, so if you've got some and want some ideas on how to use them keep an eye open at www.paperarts.co.uk for my end of June class.

A couple More

2011-04-27T22:27:00.001+01:00

Here are a couple I did whilst on the craftyness retreat down in West Wales for a weekend. Had a great time and played with my Cricut with the MTC software, which unfortunately has just been stopped by Provocraft, if I don't upgrade I think I'm ok....its a real shame as the software is soooo awesome, it even works with the craftrobo....!!!

Unfortunately just after doing this page, DS2 and GF split up.....its still a memory and we liked her a lot !! The style is slightly different from normal, but they were fun photos !

Kaisercraft designs page

2011-04-26T22:18:00.001+01:00

I'll let you know later why I'm doing all these pages....if you haven't guessed already !!

A Day at The Beach

2011-04-25T16:53:00.000+01:00

We had a great day at the beach, never expecting to go in April.....its been one of the driest, sunniest Aprils for 60 years in the UK apparently..... Can't wait to scrap some of the 647 photos I took, so glad the days of 36 pictures are over !!!

PaperArts Class 30th April 2011

2011-04-07T20:02:00.000+01:00

Here are some sneak peeks for the next class I'm teaching at PaperArts, I haven't got too many places left so if you want to book hurry up !!!

http://www.paperarts.co.uk/index.php?sect=April

mycreativescrapbook.com

2011-04-05T20:04:00.000+01:00

Guess what? I've been chosen as one of the 12 Guest designers for http://www.mycreativescrapbook.com/ I'm sooooo pleased, it is one of my favourite sites, the kits are awesome and the designers some of the best in the world of scrapbooking - so it is a complete honour to have been chosen......I'm not sure what month I'm doing so I'll keep you informed !!!!

2 Gorgeous Girls

2011-03-23T19:06:00.000Z

Just sitting around, the photo was taken by ds2 playing around with my camera on Xmas day, he managed to catch this photo, I don't think I would have been allowed to !!! Some old K & Co pp I believe....also some of the prima crochet flowers, which I love.... New Style, dd3 got a new shirt - and it wasn't black !!!! She also styled her hair differently from usual, so I managed to persuade her to have some photos taken !!! I used my new marianne designs punch and a Martha Stewart 'vine' punch.

Catching up....

2011-03-21T19:05:00.001Z

Some more of those not so brilliant photos, but the only ones you have type......before the age of digital cameras that were within a sensible price range, photos are limited but still need to be scrapped. Scrubs ds4 as the doctor and ds2 the 'willing' patient !! Cute shoes, was a scraplift challenge at my LSS, http://www.paperarts.co.uk/ so not my usual style which was actually quite fun.

Vampire Newborn, dd3, I took these photos in the woods near our house, it was quite dark so the flash automatically came on - giving the red eye look - I did go to 'fix' it, but decided that I liked the look and she loves Vampires....this was a sketch challenge at the same LSS http://www.paperarts.co.uk/

Stunning Yellow...

2011-03-03T20:06:00.000Z

This months mycreativescrapbook.com Limited edition kit had lots and lots of flowers in it.....the pp's were Pink Paislee mainly and very very pretty. Garden Visits start Young, this is dd3 when very little out visiting a garden near here, it was lovely to run about on the large lawned area...she did sooo want to jump in their swimming pool too..... Statues, last year these 2 disappeared and when we found them again they were trying to blend in with the statues...lots of people took photos of them as they thought they looked so funny.... Young and Free,I just loved these papers that Pam has picked this month....I decided to edge the brown pp with my loops corner punch, lots of cutting out with the flowers and foam dots, they cover a large part of the photo, and a couple of stamps to finish off....

Hospital Visits

2011-02-07T20:50:00.002Z

Someone asked if they should scrap hospital stays - I say YES.....it might not be such good memories, but its still part of life I suppose....My kids ask me to take photos of them when visiting A&E, they love me to scrap their misadventures !!!

This was DH after his accident on his bike, he came off his mountain bike at 40mph on a hump back bridge, straight into the hedge. He broke his shoulder into 5 pieces and suffered huge gravel burns....not a happy chap !!!

This was DS5 during his stay for appendicitis - at least I'll remember when this was now !!!

You're so Lovely

2010-11-29T20:07:00.000Z

Another LO with BG Curio from the mycreativescrapbook.com Nov LE Kit. A lot of cutting out on this page, I loved the rose in its original pp, but decided it looked better cut out for this page. This photo of dd3 was taken at a garden nearby in front of a lily pond, the yellows and greens were just perfect for the photo, and the rose was similar to her skin colour !!

Farmer Joe

2010-11-18T20:08:00.000Z

This is our eldest DS, he's living away from home now, he's got his own house with his Fiancee quite a long way away. He has after a lot of years of very hard work and university managed to get his dream job, managing a large farm, we're very very proud of him achieving this goal and he soooo deserves it. He had posted this photo up on FBook and I just thought it was ideal for the browns in this BG Curio, the tree was one I'd nearly cut out with my hated Craftrobo......I loved the tiny leaves that came with the BG and that day a stamp sheet was delivered that I hadn't even seen the tiny leaves on, so it was perfect.

Clowning Around

2010-11-17T20:09:00.000Z

This is from the BG Curio range too, looks very different from the other layouts I've done. Lots of distressing, poking, inking, stamping on this page...all my favourite techniques...This is DS4 & 5 enjoying a couple of minutes in the garden last autumn...the colours go sooo well with DS5's hair !!!!

How many LO's can I get out of my kit ?

2010-11-16T20:10:00.000Z

I found this photo of dd1 on Facebook, I love it...I traced the die-cut shape onto the pp and then cut it out, outlined it in white gel pen, then doodled dots all around. All the pp's and embellies came from the mycreativescrapbook.com Nov LE Kit...I'm trying to see how many layouts I can make out of this kit

Really

2010-11-16T20:09:00.000Z

These photo's of dd3 are so funny....she loved (loves) to talk, even though often it didn't make sense, we used to just say a serious 'really' back to her...another Basic Grey Curio LO from the mycreativescrapbook.com Nov LE Kit.

Here are a couple of LO's I've completed recently

2010-11-12T20:11:00.000Z

Ds5 had his hair cut recently and I felt it made him looks sooooo old...he's only 13 and a big softie so this was a bit harsh !

A photo shoot with sweets used as a bribe...perhaps too much sugar for these two !!

An old photo of DD1 & DD2, this was a challenge for a 'bright' LO...I think I achieved this ??

One Day

2010-11-07T20:12:00.000Z

The challenge at a local crop was 'Autumn', I found this photo of ds5 I took a couple of years ago...I just love the colours and his silly face...So One day I will get a serious photo of him !!!

Had a go at embossing using the Big Shot and some 'Tim' inks..also used the corner punch on the circle again...I'm really loving the effect of those punches now - and I use them far more !!

Lost

2010-11-04T19:13:00.000Z

These Websters papers are definately out of my comfort zone...I'm really enjoying doing them though.

With this LO I thought that they felt gates added to the look of the branches in the woods...this is such a sweet photo of ds5 & dd3 and I've wanted to scrap it forever but hadn't found the right papers..I have now!!!!

The leaves are from Rayher and they actually feel like real dry leaves, I made the circle using a corner punch, a technique I got from Lisa at Swirlydoos.com...

Pretty Flower

2010-11-04T19:12:00.000Z

Another Limited Edition LO from mycreativescrapbook.com. Again Websters pp, I inked, misted, poked, doodled,cut out for this page. I used Lisa's technique again for the small circles, I then used up the buttons that came in the kit. The Gorgeous rusty orange flowers are Prima (of course) Roosevelt Col Missus, I managed to take them apart to make 2 flowers !!

Why Those Tears

2010-10-28T20:14:00.000+01:00

This is the 3rd LO I've managed to do out of my first ever kit...I got the mycreativescrapbook.com kit to try...loads of paper and goodies...not sure I like doing so many LO's from the same paper...although my challenge is to make them all look like they didn't come out of the same kit...make sense ???

I did a bit of stamping, inking (of course) using Tim Holtz distress inks (of course), rolling, punching and those distress lollipop flowers...
And did I tell you I'm going on the UK's Tim Holtz workshop in February...

My Wonderful Grannie

2010-10-28T20:13:00.000+01:00

This is a photo of my Grannie. My Auntie who lived in Rome, had amassed a large collection of photos of my family from several generations ago. When I visited my Uncle I got the chance to look through them and this was one that caught my eye..

This again is MCS Limited Edition Kit...I went for a change of colour this time..playing with the blues and browns.....I loved the beaded bobble flowers, my scanner didn't though, so this is a photo.....

Key to Adventure

2010-10-27T20:14:00.000+01:00

This is Jenny and Tana on their 2 month break in Thailand...they had a wonderful time, although luckily for me I think they spent most of the time taking photos of each other or themselves...

This again is a LO from mycreativescrapbook.com love these Webster papers...love all the cutting out, the flowers are gorgeous...not so sure on some of the little images that webster add...but definately like the flowers and of course Prima flowers...

History Is Fun

2010-10-26T20:15:00.000+01:00

This is the first LO I have made using the mycreativescrapbook.com kit....some of the papers are from books held in the natural science museum in London, so I thought it very fitting to use some photos of the children at the musuem a couple of years ago...

Lots of cutting out, inking, poking and stamping - but I had fun and thats what matters...some LO's are more functional than others, and this is one of them !!