Sunshine Girl

I completed this layout for the Mod Scraps September sketch challenge. I also gave myself a secondary challenge - to use papers from my stash that I've been avoiding! I got these Cosmo Cricket papers in one of the fabulous grab boxes from Sarah's Cards, but I've been reluctant to use them as they're a lot brighter and busier than I would usually go for. I've got an almost never ending pile of photos of Mojo, so it wasn't too hard to find one to fit the papers, but that meant I had no excuse!
Here's the sketch:

And here's my take on it:

I can't decide whether I'm happy with it or not, it's so much brighter and bolder than my usual style. I used papers and a journaling card from the 'Hello Sunshine' range by Cosmo Cricket, chipboard alphas from Scenic Route and Sassafras Lass, chipboard flowers from Cherry Arte, a Woodware chipboard border and an American Crafts jewelled brad. 

Christmas Blog Candy

The girls over at Scrapology are offering some fantastic Christmas Blog Candy - head on over there to be in with a chance to win this fantastic haul!
Check out their monthly challenge while you're there.

Jungle Fever

The lovely Alix over at 'It's a Good Life' has been running a sketch challenge on her blog. The original deadline was last Tuesday, but somehow last weekend got away from me and I didn't have chance to join in. Fortunately (for me anyway!) Alix decided to extend the deadline, so I've had great fun this afternoon producing my interpretation of the sketch.
This is the sketch:

And this is my layout:

I've used three photos from the expedition to Borneo that I led in July 2009. I've used a lot of these photos; the colours are just so vivid and lend themselves really well to bright layouts. I've used patterned paper from the Pebbles Inc 'May Bouquet' range, Fancy Pants transparent die cuts, an Imaginisce clear journaling stamp and alphas from American Crafts and Sassafras Lass. 

 

Autumn Leaves

This week's Sunday Challenge over on The Studio Challenges blog is to scrap a non-holiday photo using holiday themed papers. I picked up these BoBunny papers from the clearance section in my local craft shop a while ago because I loved the colours, but was never really sure what to do with them. We don't really celebrate Halloween so I would never have holiday photos to use them for, so this challenge gave me the push I needed to get them out and get scrapping! Luckily I found this photo of Mojo, which was taken in the woods last Autumn and goes really well with the colours.

So, the patterned papers are all BoBunny 'Boo Crew', with Coredinations cardstock, Woodware chippie alphas and paper flowers, Basic Grey rub ons, some more of that lovely MME felt border, Dovecraft sparkly alphas and brads, and Papermania vinyl stickers. 

I've left the alpha chippies bare for a change, I don't know what came over me! I may have to go for a lie down now...

Precious

Another layout done for the Studio Challenge blog, I think the challenge bug has well and truly bitten! This one is based on a sketch by Sara Noendeng and is my first layout using my Tim Holtz tattered florals die, which is just fabulous :oD

I've used mainly Prima stash, with some Coredinations cardstock for some of the flower layers, a WRMK rub on flower on the tag, an American Crafts jewel brad, the felt border strip is My Minds' Eye and the stamp is Inkadinkado. The alphas are Basic Grey undressed chipboard covered in Prima paper. I did a lot of cutting for this layout, as I cut flowers out of the Prima paper to use as embellishments. Very time consuming, but very worthwhile I think! 

I absolutely love the tattered florals die, and will definitely be using it a lot in the future. I tried to get the petals to curl but the card that I was using didn't seem to want to hold the shape. I think I need to invest in some grungepaper to get the look that I'm after. Still, for a first attempt I'm pretty pleased!

I've also been having a go with stamps and Promarkers this weekend, and I don't think this tree is too bad for another first attempt. I used Ranger Archival Ink, but the card that I was using wasn't great quality and the ink bled a little when I first stamped the image which was a bit annoying, but it held really well as I was colouring which is the main thing! I've realised that I don't have anywhere near enough Promarkers so I'm planning to rectify that as soon as I can (sorry bank balance!). 

Scrap that! Scrapagogo give away

Just a quick post to let you all know about the fantastic giveaway on the Scrap that! blog - get on over there to be in with a chance of winning a scrumptious Scrapagogo kit!

Actually, on second thought, don't - I want it!! :oD

'Made With Love' Chipboard Album

I recently got married and will soon have loads of wedding photos to scrap - I'm still waiting for the digital versions of the official pictures, but will be putting in a massive print order online as soon as they arrive! In the meantime I've been doing some preparation work as you can see. One of my sisters lives in Australia, and when she came over for the wedding she brought me a load of Kaisercraft goodies from the 'Made With Love' range, star that she is :oD She loved a mini book that I made for her last birthday, so what better way to show my appreciation than to send her a wedding mini book made with my new stash?

I've used a bare chipboard album from Papermania and have covered each page with different papers from the 'Made With Love' 6x6 paper stack. I've recently discovered spray adhesive, and it's so handy for covering chipboard. I give the back of each paper a thorough coating and then put the chipboard shape face down on the paper. I then use a craft knife to trim the excess paper, and my precision file set to sand the edges. Using the spray adhesive means that the very edges of the paper are all sticky which gives a really neat finish. I've inked all of the edges with Tattered Rose Distress Ink just to finish it off.

All I need now are the embellishments and photos! I'd love to see other mini books that all you lovely creative people have done while I'm waiting for my photos, so if you have any examples to share leave a comment with a link below :oD