Sketchbook

I've signed up for Kelly Purkey's
Sketchbook class which begins to day. I love working with sketches and find them the perfect starting point when my creativity is zapped.

Even better Kelly is working with the Studio Calico design team in this venture. I can see a lot of productivity in the next few days.

A fun quilt.

Quilting is "big news" in the crafting world right now. So many cheerful colours and patterns.













I love this design, so fresh and perfect for spring!

Sunshine on a rainy day

Isn't this lovely.... Its from here














I love these paper pom poms ....perfect for brightening up a room

Projects from around the web

I thought I'd start sharing a few projects that are inspiring me as I travel about the web. Also by "keeping" things in one spot I may be able to find them again more easily.

I love this banner from Debbie at Banana Frog

Scrapbook Inspirations is back!!

The end of Scrapbook Inspirations’ monthly issues last December, was sad news for all involved. So I'm excited to report Scrapbook Inspirations is officially back on the scene.

Instead of thirteen magazines a year, there will be quarterly books.

Each volume will include a variety of themed galleries sharing beautiful pages in a range of styles as well as articles on techniques, composition, photography and colour.

Volume One hits stores on the 31st of March.

In the UK, you’ll find it at WHSmiths, Sainsbury’s and newsagents. It is on its way to the States as well, so keep an eye in the magazine section at your local Barnes and Noble and some other stores too. But even easier, you can order it online and have it delivered right to your door

Click here to pre order your copy

Check back later for some blog fun as we approach the release date.

Time to share

I've been going through some files and realised I hadn't shared these projects here. All were published in Scrapbook Inspirations magazine in 2009.

A coffee ring stamp coloured with distress inks creates the bubble effect.


















This layout was for a "book" theme feature.


















Getting creating with borders...



















This is a page packed with twinkle or at least it is in real life!!....the snowflakes, the stamped title embellished with glitter and then glossy accents.


















Have a great weekend!

Time is flying

Its hard to believe we are already over half way through the half term holiday week.

I've managed more scrapping than I thought I would ( mainly as the littlies have been swimming twice alread). I've been stamping, misting, stitching and sticking, but it is all for assignments so I'm not able to show any until May.

I'm also trying to wait patiently for my February Studio Calico Kit to arrive. Still its probably better the assignments are completed so when it does get here I can jump straight in and enjoy it.

As I've no scrappy pictures to share here are some images from our half term so far. I'm so ready for Spring!

Papercraft Inspirations

Clearly I "survived" my run which turned into a trip to the gym, so not only running, but cross training and cycling too!! Tomorrow morning may be another story.

Here is my layout that is in issue 71 ( March) of Paper Craft Inspirations. The feature was of Mothers Day layouts and how motherhood inspires crafting......I've used mists with masks, lots of Cosmo Cricket Earth Love from SKRAPZ ,machine stitching and stamping for the title.

Catch up!

I can't believe it is almost half way through february. Its been a busy fortnight between working, cropping and poorly littlies.

I've got a layout published in the March Issue 71 of Papercraft Inspirations. I haven't seen it in print myself, though I had a call from my Mum in a state of excitement the moment she received her subscription copy on Wednesday.


Here are some recent pages.

This is my take on this weeks Pencil Lines Sketch 173. Lots of misting painting and stamping. I love how it has come together.



















This is for the Studio Calico Sunday sketch challenge 7th Feb.




















And finally this was for the Studio Calico sketch the week before, the 31st January.



















I did actually make two cards too, but I was so last minute they needed to be in the post before I had chance to get an image of them.

Half term starts this afternoon, so the peace and quiet will be over all too soon. I'm off for a run shortly... yes a run!

Studio Calico challenges

There have been a lot of challenges over at Studio Calico this week to keep us busy whilst the team were away at CHA. I've enjoyed taking part, and thought I'd share my layouts here too.


This one was to use something "old" - mine is some older papers and an even older photo.



















This one was to scraplift an SC member - this is my take on a page by gluestickgirl. I loved the dark colours against the snowy photos.



















The next was to doodle on your layout - I drew a small border and a little doodle about the tiny flower.



















This one uses some ephemera - the polaroid was taken when my youngest got his first shoes, with the receipt tucked in behind.



















I used the packaging from some buttons as my journaling card on this layout.


















This is my take on Sundays sketch, by Davinie.



















Finally this page has a "white washed" background, behind the photo,then sprayed with Maya mist.

"Write 365"

In the scrapbooking world there have been challenges to take a photo a day for a year. I "tried" in December but failed miserably, so do not think I could undertake this for a year. Some of my scrapbooking friends have and I hold my hat off to them.

I am trying something a little different... to write something each day for a year...AND if I get a photo to go with it all well and good.

It may be little things, big things, something someone has said or a quote I have read.

I'm not sure of the best format..."e" or pen and paper. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

What IS impoortant is to make a start!

One little word for 2010

Happy New Year! I know I'm a day late.

Have you chosen your " "One Little Word" for 2010 yet?

My word for 2010 is "Time"





















I want to spend more TIME with my husband as a couple

I need to give more TIME to my children, together as three, but also doing one on one things with them.

I want more TIME for myself, to do what I want to do.


I see the way to achieve this is by

Having an organised home

Preparing one, more simple yet tasty meal a day ( I received this for Christmas! )

Identifying where I currently spend my TIME and so identify where I "waste" TIME

Cutting back on some of my jobs in the house

Encouraging the littlies to do some of the jobs and help to free up my TIME,

AND

I need people to give me their TIME too...

When one door closes.....

... another opens!

I have some exciting "scrappy" news...but can't share just yet!!

Inspiration...

How is this for inspiration?

It is an advert from a UK magazine ( I can't remember what for or where from)...

.....imagine what you could recreate with a punch, some patterned paper and a contrasting colour....

Remember....

...how I shared a link to the blog of one of my favourite scrappers, Lisa Truesdell, a couple of weeks back whilst waiting for Scrapbook Inspirations to arrive??

Well if you looked before check out her blog again ( and if you didn't check it out now )....you can see Lisa working yet more magic with the latest Studio Calico kit, and showcasing Studio Calico's own product line...Home front....and did I forget to mention she's running a little giveaway too.

Check out Lisa's blog....
here

Enjoy! Have a happy weekend.

There is a saying

that all good things come to an end...but I didn't expect it to come to an end this quickly.

After the thrill and excitement of being asked to join the Scrapbook Inspirations design team this summer, we learned this week that the magazine is to cease publication. Yet another victim of the current economic times.

This is a great loss to scrapbooking in the UK. The new look is fresh and vibrant, showcasing inspirational work from team members and readers alike.

I have loved working with the team even if only for a short time. Knowing that my work may have been selected for publication helped me rediscover the artistic side to scrapbooking and I have found myself reaching once more for paint, mists and inks.

Issue 60 will be the final issue. Let's hope it goes out with a bang!

Something I want to remember...

My eldest and I had the very same conversation and action plan this week and I was pleased to find this on another scrappers blog....

here

Inspiration...

It looks like we may be waiting a little longer this month for the new issue of Scrapbook Inspirations Magazine as the action by postal workers seems to be making deliveries somewhat sporadic.

So I thought I'd share a little inspiration of my own.Gluestickgirl, aka Lisa Truesdell is currently one of my favourite scrapbookers.She designs for Fiskars and has just been selected for the Studio Calico design team. She is renowned for stitching on her work, she stamps, she mists and I love her attention to detail. Do check out her blog and her gallery at Studio Calico.

Also last night was "sneak" night over at Studio Calico where you can get a peek at the upcoming kit. Take a look here I can see lots of useable stamps once more. I love how their own products complement the kits perfectly. The on-line "community" and the kit club is the best I've ever known. I've been "hooked" for over 2 years now.

Decisions... Decisions...

When I started my blog originally it was as a simple means of sharing photographs with friends and family. I've transferred these to a new blog so I can continue to do this.

And I'm changing the content of this blog to focus on scrapbooking, and random items of interest, so do keep checking back.

Studio Calico

Here is a page made with the latest Studio Calico goodies.I'm really enjoying this kit and have much more I want to create with it when time allows. I've even broken out my sewing machine once more!!