Brown Paper Crafts, handmade with love

'Explore'

2012-02-22T13:14:00.000Z

Yay! A little more crafting today and I have managed to complete the impromptu challenge from Let's Get Sketchy in time :0)

So with DGD safely tucked away in nursery today and with Mummy collecting her I whizzed through my jobs and had a little play with the MME papers that were sitting on my desk - I am in the middle of a mini and this layout is made with the scraps - thrifty!!!

Here is the LGS sketch:

and here is my DD#1 and DGD on a dog walk last Autumn. I have used so many photos from this particular day - but there are too many lovely ones to leave unprinted :0)

Misted with Cosmic Shimmer Chalk Mists and Tattered Angels Chalkboard . The papers are MME Lost and Found. The bird doily is cut with Cricut 'Cindy Loo'

Tim Holtz Journalling tag and compass sticker. Spellbinders dies, MS butterfly punch.

Pink Paislee misted wooden word from 'Nantucket' line. Yellow staples (come in a pack with blue, purple and pink - 4000 for 99p!!!!)

I really had fun with this sketch and all the odds and ends on my desk :0) Thanks for popping in!

Ali x

Frosted Designs #35 'Fun'

2012-02-21T06:00:00.002Z

Good morning!!

Today I have a fun layout to share using the lovely sketch from Roberta at Frosted Designs! I love the simplicity of this sketch and chose to keep my layout clean and simple.

The photo is an 'unofficial' one of DD#2 and her chap at their engagement party :0)

Here is the sketch:

and here is my take:

Again I used embossing paste - glossy white this time. I then dabbed on some Cough Candy Jenny Bowlin paint. The butterflies are teh Tim Holtz die and then some are stitched and the other one I attached some wire to. The flower flourish has been cut on the Cricut and little pearls added to the centres. Super simple and super quick!!

Thanks so much for popping in, have a great day :0)

Ali x

CSI Case File #7 'True'

2012-02-19T20:50:00.002Z

Well, hello!

I wasn't sure I was going to get to post this today as we have been super busy but I am pleased to say that I now have five minutes to quietly type and share the layout I did yesterday for the latest CSI challenge :0)

Really pretty colours this week, yes I know, bloody lavender again (!!!) but with the red and the grey I was able to cope with it!

I am also submitting this to the new challenge site Let's Get Sketchy! as they have got a mini sketch challenge to keep everyone going until their big launch in March :0) Looks like it's going to be a winner, and I for one can not wait!! There is also an Impromptu Challenge to look out for (I shall be finding time for that later in the week!)

Here is their sketch:

I have titled my layout true because, and here is the geeky bit, the definition is:

true (tr)

adj. tru·er, tru·est

1.a. Consistent with fact or reality; not false or erroneous. b. Truthful.

2. Real; genuine.

3. Reliable; accurate: y.

4. Faithful, as to a friend, vow, or cause; loyal.

5. Sincerely felt or expressed; unfeigned:

6. Fundamental; essential:

7. Rightful; legitimate:

and so it goes on!! The photo is of DD#2 and her fiance at their engagement party and as everyone was watching the fireworks I just happened to turn the camera onto them and caught this moment. True love would have been too corny and somehow would not have seemed sincere, so, I stuck with just true.

Evidence: colours - sorted. Papers are literal scraps of Anna Griffin Cecile that have been distressed with the WRMK tool. White card has been matted onto dark grey pearl cardstock.

I am still loving the embossing paste! Evidence was stripes (can I get away with a grid???) I have scattered mica powder over the wet paste and then spritzed with water and hairspray to set it - cool eh? I think it looks really metallic. The grey pearl is from Prima.

I stuck a bit of homemade washi tape and then a really pretty button which looks nothing in the photo but is faceted and sparkly in real life! The metallic letters are Anna Griffin and so is the butterfly.

A little bit of lavender stitching - grrrrrr! And a peep at the 'cluster' of flowers. Green pearls in the centre. Journalling is based on 3,2,1.

Thanks for looking and have a great week!!

Ali x

Scrapbookers Anonymous 'Gentle Man' and 'Sending Love Your Way'

2012-02-17T16:38:00.000Z

Hello everyone,

I know I shouldn't be looking for more challenges because I am spending too much of my free time in my craft room, but when I stumbled across this site I couldn't resist!!

I love the idea of using up all my old stuff and with this in mind I pulled out some old Websters Pages paper and got cracking with their challenges. Why did I buy this stuff??? It's very pretty but not at all my style!!! I think I get caught up with what I see other people create and I fall in love with what they have done but can never do it myself! Anyway I did my best with it and here are the results:

A - Z Challenge: G is for.......Gentle Man :0)

My DH at the Winter Wonderland show in Hyde Park

Tim Holtz clock face and stickers are Websters Pages

Heart die is Spellbinders

Die is Spellbinders and the flower is an old Prima one

I don;t know where the little fabric ticket came from, but it's super sweet :0)

Letters are Pink Paislee and man is stamped with Sassafrass Lass alphabet. The die is Nellie Snellen.

The sketch was from Page Maps

super eh?

The next challenge is to use 3 hearts (hmmm I didn't notice the 3 when I did the layout!!!!), well it is February :0)

My layout is of DD#1 and her chap on his birthday. for some reason they was a big gap between them so I chopped it in two to get them closer together!

Mist is Tattered Angels Hot Pink Chalkboard

Heart die is Spellbinders, stamp is Hero Arts, flowers and leaves are Prima, rolled flower is made by me!

Hearts were stenciled through negative of die cuts with Jenny Bowlin Dabbers - Malted Milk, Cough Syrup and Chewing Gum. The little hearts were punched with a Tonic Studio punch

I may get away with the challenge as I did put 3 hearts at the top of the layout, lol!! Anyway, it feels great to have used papers that have been collecting dust for sooo long! The rest is going to DD#2 so that she can create something pretty :0)

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Frosted Designs Card Sketch #12

2012-02-14T09:51:00.000Z

Morning,

thought I would play along with this sketch as it was such a cutie :0)

Papers are MME Fine and Dandy. Stamps are Hero Arts and the doily is Spellbinders

Thanks for looking and have a happy Valentines Day....for the first time in about 10 years I actually sent my DH a card! Didn't get one in return but did have a lovely note stuck to the fridge - and that was before he found the card!!!

Ali x

Bird is the Word 'Journey'

2012-02-14T09:36:00.000Z

Hello all,

I am loving that I am able to fit more challenges in this week :0)

My layout, inspired by the word journey, is of DGD and DD#1 taking Basil for a walk. Just as I took this photo DGD started reciting the poem 'We're going on a bear hunt'

I'm not sure whether it is familiar to all of you, if you are interested you can see it being performed here: Michael Rosen on YouTube

Anyway the crux of the poem is that they go through various things on their journey to find the bear. All of these are represented in the layout.

Long grass - cut on Cricut
River - blue Chalk Mist
Mud - ink splats with Perfect Pearls dropped into it and then blasted with hairspray!
Forest - stamped American Crafts 'Dear Lizzy' trees
Snowstorm - stamped Inkadinkado snowflakes
and of course a bear!!

Papers are old American Crafts that I found in a random box!

I really like how the hairspray has smudged the mica powder - you can see it even better in the photo below :0)

I really enjoyed playing with this one. The new word is out so go and have a play with 'HEART'. Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

CSI Case File #6 'Through Thick and Thin'

2012-02-13T06:00:00.001Z

Morning and a happy Monday :0)

This week's case file took me to places I have never been to!!! If you said scrap this photo I would never in a million years choose these colours (in fact I was surprised I had anything to choose from!) The result is I kind of don't like it but love it at the same time - does that even make sense?? I really like the composition and the details that I wouldn't have immediately thought of doing if they hadn't pushed me there but still not sure about the use of orange. I know what your'e thinking 'last month she hated purple, now she has a problem with orange!' Still, this is the philosophy of CSI to take you where you wouldn't normally go and to use up your stash (proud to say the backing paper is some of the oldest in my craft room!!!)

See what I mean? A challenge huh??? So, here is where it took me. with a photo of my Mum and Dad at my birthday barbecue last summer.

Background paper is Cosmo Cricket, October Afternoon and WRMK are the 2 spotty papers. A Tim Holtz metal disc thing. The fabric that I have matted teh photo onto is the lining from an old cushion - I had been using the fill. Who would have thought an old cushion could be so useful!

I made an acetate pocket to hold my journalling and title tag.

I stamped with a Pink Paislee border stamp and then used Gilding Flakes - it's a long stamp and I don;t have a block long enough! I usually lay it on my desk and take the paper to it but with all the layers of paper I wasn't sure it would stamp properly so I used my clear ruler as a block :0) It caught the edge but I don't mind that on this occasion!!

Pretty hat pins tied together with Bakers Twine and the good old MS butterfly punch

7 gypsies stamp gilded - I am loving this look!

So my evidence is: woodgrain effect; metal; 2 papers with same design in different colours; journalling housed in a clear container; fabric.

My journalling reads: 'God knows we have had some rough times over the years. Throughout my teens and through to my late 30's I had real issues with your parenting skills. Over the last few years you have become my friends as well as my parents. I love you'

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

My Creative Sketches - January 'Shop'

2012-02-12T11:18:00.000Z

Good morning, hope you are all having a happy weekend,

I am squeezing a post in before I get called to help with the decorating or at the very least the clearing up!

Today's layout was inspired by a sketch from MCS. I haven't played here before but I really liked the sketch and all the DT's inspiration work so bearing in mind it closes on Tuesday, time was of the essence!

Do you think I was drawn to it because it's a circle??? ha ha!!! The photo is of DD#2 and DGD. Went to the Discovery Centre, a place near us that is fabulous for dog walks and also great for children as there are play parks dotted around acres of beautiful countryside. This particular park had a load of little wooden houses and DGD immediately became a shop keeper 'Yes Madam, what would you like?'

All papers are October Afternoon from various lines. The letters are American Crafts Thickers

The hydrangea flowers were cut on the Silhouette and then i laid the the largest petal down and painted with Malted Milk. The rest of the petals were painted with Cough Candy and then had a button attached. The journalling stamp is Ali Edwards.

This is a MME stamp but instead of leaving the inked banner I added paper pieces and gave it a little stitch.

The pinking circle was also cut on the Silhouette.

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the rest of your day!!

Ali x

Sketches in Thyme #69 'Birthday Boy'

2012-02-11T10:55:00.000Z

Hello,

SiT have got a super sketch this week, really simple so you can keep it 'clean' or embellish away!

My take is of my SIL on his 29th birthday. He doesn't normally make a big deal of his birthday but now that he is part of our family he will have to get used to a fuss being made WE LOVE BIRTHDAYS!!!

White cardstock has been misted with blue and green chalk mist. I cut the number 2 and 9 borders on the cricut to use as a stencil and then cut another 2 border in Teresa Collins acetate. The white card was punched with a Martha Stewart Cane Edge Punch and matted onto black card.

Chipboard numbers painted with Jenny Bowlin Cough Candy, Basic Grey rub on, Tim Holtz holder , October Afternoon sticker, metal letter from stash, chipboard star Teresa Collins

a closer look of the misted borders

Stars cut using the Cricut and Coredinations Black Magic. Some embossed with Sizzix star folder and some sanded.

Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day :0)

Ali x

'Prima Ballerina' Mini Album

2012-02-10T06:00:00.002Z

Hello,

thought I would share this little album with you :0)

It is made from half a Prima canvas/acrylic album - I didn't use half intentionally it just kind of worked that way!!
I used 1 white canvas page, 1 pink canvas page, I acrylic page, 1 page protector and 3 12 x 12 MME Fine and Dandy papers and 2 12 x 12 cardstock and 1 empty cereal box to complete this album ....pretty thrifty eh?

My DGD has started ballet, these photos were taken just after she put her leotard and shoes on for the first time :0) We are in the process of decorating our tv room so the mirror was on the floor (prefect placement for an impromptu dance recital!)

The pink canvas page was used as the cover. I used a stencil with pear embossing paste, stitched a fabric heart cut using the Sizzix heart die. A bare chipboard frame was misted with Cosmic Shimmer sprays and laced with ribbon. The butterfly is cut using a Tim Holtz die.

A tag made with DP. Seam binding and a Basic Grey chipboard heart. Maya Road bird stamp and Candy Cane Bakers Twine

A mini acetate pocket made from a cut down page protector stitched on one side and then a scallop circle dabbed with Cough Candy Dabber and a GCD chipboard butterfly painted with Malted Milk and Couch Candy Dabber

6 x 11" DP punched along one edge with MS scallop punch, scored at 6" and folded. Paper clip is from Cloud 9 Design

Inside of folded page. Spellbinders frame. Stamps are Teresa Collins

Backside of folded page - TH die cut butterfly dabbed with Malted Milk. Acrylic page - DP, Nellie Snellen die, chipboard button painted with Malted Milk and Cough Candy, 'R' from Basic Grey

Back side of acrylic page: doily and another fabric heart cut from Sizzix die

White canvas page: Glitz design balloon 'glitzer' sticker American Crafts 'Dear Lizzie' balloon stamp, banner cut from DP and stitched

Tattered Angels Mistable jersey ribbon misted with Cosmic Shimmer spray

DP page: Teresa Collins stamps, Spellbinders frame, Maya Road ribbon slider

Spellbinders die, flowers from iamroses.com

I didn't photograph the back cover but it started life as a cereal box that I cut to size and rounded the corners then covered with pink cardstock and DP.

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Sketches in Thyme #68

2012-02-08T13:04:00.000Z

Hello

today's post is a layout that was inspired by the great sketch over at SiT :0)

I love circles so always happy when I see a challenge that requires the use of lots of them!!!

Here is my layout using the dregs of the photos taken on a family day last Summer. I have used so many from this day as it was such a lovely one and everyone was in such high spirits - the photos are a great reflection of how much fun we had :0)

Kraft background misted with Cosmic Shimmer and Chalk sprays. October Afternoon paper and stickers.

WRMK gromlet

Loo roll soaked, embossed, die cut and inked! Wooden flower inked and misted. words cut from Cosmo Cricket 'Odds and Ends' paper

This has received the same treatment as the one above :0)

Thanks so much for stopping by, have a lovely rest of the day :0)

Ali x

'Love' Cards

2012-02-08T12:02:00.002Z

Good morning!!

I have been a happy lady over the last couple of days as DD#1 has been getting home earlier than expected from Uni so that precious hour has been devoted to time in my craft room!!

I would normally do one post per challenge but as all these cards are much of a muchness, i.e. love theme, red and pink, it made sense to group them together!

I am loving the word paper from Cosmo Cricket 'Odds and Ends' collection :0) I bought it a while ago and had forgotten all bout this little beauty!! Now that I have got it on my desk I can't stop playing with it!

#1 Cupcake Craft click here for challenge details and also Little Scrap Pieces click here for their challenge

I cut an aperture with a Spellbinders Die and attached the 'waste' to the inside of the card. I then layered October Afternoon Circles and cut a circle in the centre. Papermania LOVE stamp with red heart done in Stickles

A chipboard heart coloured with red ink and Stickles in a heart shape :0)

#2 The Kraft Journal click here for details of their challenge

Cosmo Cricket 'Odds and Ends' paper, scribble heart from Papermania

#3 CR84FN Color Challenge click here for their challenge

Felt heart border is old as hills Queen & Co!! Punched hearts from Cosmo Cricket 'Odds and Ends' and another of those gorgeous little words! The felt heart in the bottom corner was cut from the border.

Thanks so much for stopping by, have a lovely day!!!

Ali x

Frosted Designs #34 'Joking You'

2012-02-07T06:00:00.001Z

Hello lovely bloggers,

today's sketch is from the lovely Jenny. I can not tell you how much she inspires me with her beautiful work and amazing ideas :0) This sketch blew me away and I absolutely loved working on this layout!!

Here is the sketch:

Lots of playing and trying out techniques on this one: misting, splatting ink, heat and water embossing, stamping with paint....hmmm, I think that's it!

So, without further ado here it is:

Misted with Cosmic Shimmer Sprays, heat embossed with Versamark and Cosmic Shimmer True White using a Tattered Angels script stamp and also blobbed a Versamark pen in various places, stamped with Jenny Bowlin acrylic paints using Anna Griffin border stamps, splatted Espresso Ink by loading up a paint brush and tapping it. The letters are American Crafts Thickers and the border sticker is October Afternoon 5 & Dime.

The reason for my title is, of course, my DGD. She is a real comedian, always trying to make everyone laugh. If she says something that brings forth a chuckle she will say 'I'm joking you!' This photo was taken the morning after my DH's birthday - we had a dinner the night before and some of the guests stayed. Even though it was October we had a mini heatwave, so everyone enjoyed a breakfast of pancakes in the garden, including these two little darlings :0)

These little banners have been made by soaking 8 layers of toilet roll and then running it through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots Embossing folder. I am thrilled with how they came out :0)

Oooh I could just eat her! The little flag is a stick courtesy of Starbucks and some 5 & Dime wrapped round it.

Why not give the sketch a go? Hop along to Frosted Designs and post your layout and who knows you may win a lovely prize from Artful Delight :0)

Thanks so much for stopping by, have a lovely day!

Ali x

CSI Case #5 'Peaches and Cream'

2012-02-05T09:45:00.000Z

Hello from a very snowy East of England!!!

The poor dog is crossing his legs and is refusing to venture out into the foot of snow we got overnight :0)

I loved this week's challenge from CSI as the colours were not ones I would normally use - I have come to the conclusion that 'my' colours are quite limited!! So after seeing the challenge and intially thinking no way can I do this, I pondered it for the day and then rooted around in my craft room for the appropriate bits and bobs.

I did have patterened paper that would have fit but I knew if I used them I would hate the layout (there is a reason why they haven't been used yet!), so decided to play with inks, embossing paste, paints and the Cricut to create this one.

So here is the layout I created from this inspiration:

The photo looks more washed out than it is in real life, but with no light today.....it's getting repetative!! Got my new embossing paste to play with - this one is white pearl and I have inked it with Peeled Paint and Shabby Shutters Distress Ink. I also used Jenny Bowlin Malted Milk Paint Dabber. The journalling round the edge is part of the evidence.

The photo is of DD#1 and GDG. Another one from our impromptu family gardening afternoon :0) Journalling reads: You were bored one Sunday afternoon in November 2011 and phoned for a chat 'What are you doing Mamma?' 'Clearing the leaves and cutting down the tree' I said, 'Can we help?' So you came round, but what you didn't realise is that because you were having so much fun we did so much more than we had planned to!

Acetate butterfly from K and Co. The sticker and circle are October Afternoon.

Flash card and button are October Afternoon

A selection of fancy photo corners that just happen to be flowers and leaves cut from the Cricut. I also think the mask looked quite 'leafy'

Thanks for stopping by and to those in the UK, wrap up warm :0)

Ali x

Cupcake Craft #177 - Recycle

2012-02-01T09:10:00.000Z

Hello....again!

Last one for today :0) This time we are staying in the UK for the Cupcake Craft challenge (oddly enough I found out about this on one of my American friends blogs!)

Anyway the challenge was to use something on your card that you have recycled. I have used some raffia stuff that was on a birthday bouquet and the kraft cover from a pack of embellishments that have long since been used. Why do I hoard this stuff?? For occasions like these!

The kraft card was run through a Swiss Dots embossing folder, the chipboard flower is from Basic Grey and the stamp is Hero Arts.

Thanks for looking,

Ali x

Kraft Journal - Make it Monday 'I Heart U'

2012-02-01T08:57:00.000Z

Hello again,

post number 2 (of 3) today, got lots to share :0)

This card was for the challenge over at Kraft Journal - a new one to me - and as I love, and I mean love, kraft I couldn't resist!

The heart was cut using a Spellbinders die from Papermania Kraft 12 x 12. Now, for those of you who know me, I usually insist that the only paper and card to use MUST come from the US, so I was really pleased to see that a British manufacturer was delivering the goods! The banner and heart were cut from MME Fine and Dandy paper. I love this stamp but have no idea where it came from! I couldn't find my red Bakers Twine so went with this velvety cord instead :0)

For the first time in years DH may be getting a Valentines Card!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Happy Birthday Bra Friend :0)

2012-02-01T06:40:00.003Z

Morning,

this is the very last of BF's album and so I thought is appropriate to post it on her 50th (yikes!) birthday :0)

This layout was the only one she was insistent on 'I want a two page spread with a heart going across the 2 pages, one side to have us four and the other side to have you four' so that is what I did!!

We have been friends for over 2 decades, our children have grown up together and still have a great relationship, we have laughed and cried together many times. She truly is my bra (read the journalling!)

Papers are MME Dawn and Cosmo Cricket Circa. The hearts were cut on the Cricut and big heart was cut on the Silhouette :0)

Thanks so much for stopping by, looking forward to celebrating with my bud tonight!!

Ali x

CSI Case File #4 'Explore Always'

2012-01-30T13:06:00.000Z

Hello,

second post for today :0)

Again, I need to apologise for the quality of the photos but having waited for 3 days to photograph this layout I really couldn't wait any longer as the rest of the week is going to be busy, busy, busy!! So, just got to go with the rubbish English weather :0(

I loved this colour palette - hooray, no more purple!!! This challenge was right up my street as I have developed a real penchant for paint, ink and sprays.

So here is my layout:

The papers are from MME 'Stella and Rose' 6 x 6 pad. The Aqua acrylic paint has been combed to give the striped effect and then I added a darker green to make the teal colour. I misted with a yellow chalk mist and Twilight Blue Cosmic Shimmer spray. Glittered letters are from MME 'Lost and Found'

The leaf stamp is from WRMK - silhouette and detail stamps. Stamped with acrylic paint and then Archival. I don't know where the crocodile came from, but I love him!

The frame has been cut with Spellbinders dies

The bird is another of those WRMK stamps and the little bit of fabric brad you can see is from American Crafts

The butterfly is yet another WRMK stamp set!!! The letters are Tattered Angels and have been swiped with an Aqua Paint Dabber. The circles are cut with Spellbinders dies.

I wish you could see this in real life as it looks so much nicer!!! Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Creative Scrappers #192 'Barbecue King'

2012-01-30T12:44:00.000Z

Good 'craft'ernoon!!

I am feeling really pious today as I have been up since 6 cleaning the house and shampooing carpets!! Still need to walk the dog and clean the car interior and then everything I planned to do is done!! Yay...guilt free crafting afternoon coming up!

So, very late in the month, but I did do the CS sketch but have been waiting for some sunshine (or at the very least some light) to take photos. Still no joy so just had to go with it :0)

Decided to stick with the sketch, which I don;t seem to be doing these days, but it was fun and perfect for the photos of my Dad last summer. My brother and I have birthdays within 4 days of each other so we always meet up en famille at my Mum and Dad's in Suffolk for the day. This year, Dad did us kebabs, Cypriot style.....delicious! I grew up in Cyprus so love, love, love this kind of food :0)

Everything is Pink Paislee 'Hometown Summer' - still ploughing through this kit!

some stitching with my new machine...still learning :0)

Oh, not quite everything...a Tim Holtz journal tag has also made it onto the page!

Thanks so much for stopping by, have a lovely day!

Ali x

and the winner is.....

2012-01-27T21:46:00.001Z

Hello everyone,

sorry I am a bit late with this post but couldn't find the right random number generator!!! Finally discovered it should be random.org after searching through other blogs :0)

So random.org has chosen....Laura Mooney :0)

Laura please email me at aliparris@btinternet as soon as you can with your address so that I can post your prize out to you. Whilst I am on the subject of RAKs would someone please tell me what RAK stands for!!!! lol, I have no idea what this acronym is that I happily type in my posts...ha,ha,ha.

***edited post: Thanks Carri for letting me know it stands for Random Acts of Kindness....makes sense when you know!!***

Anyway, congratulations Laura and thank you to you and everyone else who has joined me recently - you truly have no idea how happy you have made me,

Ali x

a few cards to keep my hands busy :0)

2012-01-26T06:40:00.001Z

Morning,

DD#2 loves to craft so I often give her 'collections' as well as all the things I no longer want/need. DD#1 used to craft but with all the other commitments eating into her time she has given it up for the time being - plus she doesn't have the same passion as DD#2 and I, otherwise she would find the time, right??? :0)

Anyway, because DD#2 gets all the treats I said that I would make all the cards she needs for the year. I forgot to photograph last month's selection so here are the ones she needs for February:

Valentines, DD#2 Birthday Card and one for a friend's son.

Cuttlebug Folder 'SwissDots' ; Bakers Twine; Tonic Heart Punch; Card from Craftwork Cards

October Afternoon bits and bobs, Fabric Heart cut with Sizzix Jewellery Heart Die

Super Easy! Five cut on Cricut; Stamp Hero Arts Birthday; Star Teresa Collins 'Celebration'

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Frosted Designs Sketch #33 'Tea at the Ritz'

2012-01-24T06:40:00.004Z

Hello,

love this sketch from Ashley at Frosted Designs, just gorgeous :0)

another lo for my BF's album. This photo was taken when she took her Mum to tea at the Ritz for her 60th birthday.....lucky things!

Papers are MME Fine and Dandy, the teapot is Pink Paislee and the cake has been cut on the Cricut and studded with Stickles and Liquid Pearls.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day,

Ali x

Another Blog Hop at Frosted Designs :0)

2012-01-23T14:58:00.000Z

'We Love Cake' CSI Case #3

2012-01-22T22:00:00.001Z

Hello

another lovely challenge this week from CSI. Colour palette is still not one I would choose but that's the idea to move me away from the same old same old!!

The photo is of my DGD and my youngest cousin as DD#2's engagement party. These two cheeky little monkeys always steal the show and this event was no exception :0) Whilst no-one was watching them they helped themselves to goodness knows how many croque-en-bouche!! Makes for the prefect scrapbook page!

The light is shocking here today so it is not making photography easy. The papers are Melissa Frances and Websters Pages. If you are familiar with them you will know they are not this washed out!!!

American Crafts brads. Junkitz metal rings (when did I get these???) sheer white ribbon and a doily (ish) heart re evidence

Journalling written as instructions as evidence

Thanks for stopping by and sorry for the rubbish photos of what is really a pretty page,

Ali x

'Life's Little Moments' SIT #66

2012-01-22T06:40:00.001Z

Hi all and a special hello to my new followers :0) I am so excited that you have chosen to join me!!!

My layout for today is inspired by the sketch over at Sketches in Thyme and is for my BF's album. It's of her DH and sons - then and now :0) I do struggle with 'boy' pages, I guess because I don't really need to do them very often!! I also don't have that many male friendly papers, lol.

Papers are MME So Sophie. The title has been cut on the Cricut.

Here is the sketch that started the process:

SIT always have 3 sketches that run for the whole month so give them a go :0)

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

'Me and You' Pencil Lines #265

2012-01-21T16:56:00.000Z

Hello all,

a real quick one as I forgot to post this earlier in the week and the Pencil Lines challenge finishes today!!

Yet another lo for BF's scrapbook - nearly there now :0) This one is of her and her DH in Rome.

Papers are Websters Pages 'Trendsetter' and really old K & Co. Stamps are 7 Gypsies 'Venice' and the title was cut from the Cricut. The circle and the dib dab bits by the title are a Lake Mist Paint Dabber.

And here is their sketch:

Hop on over to their website to see what the sketch will be on Sunday..... they rarely fail to please ;0)

Thanks for popping in, have a lovely rest of the weekend!

Ali x

Frosted Designs Blog Hop

2012-01-20T06:00:00.008Z

Hello and welcome to the last port of call on the Frosted Designs blog hop :0)

If you have been following the hop you should have come from the very talented Eli's blog click here. If you want to start from the beginning and see what you have been missing click here

The challenge was to use acrylic, vellum and transparencies in a winter design and when I think of those things I always think of white (don't ask me why, I honestly don't know!) So, in homage to Frosted Designs I decided to make an album for all my white winter photos, entitled 'Frosty' :0) Although I would happily do the whole thing in white it wouldn't photograph very well so decided to add in black and grey. As I write this there isn't a sniff of snow in the air - in fact, the way things have been in the south east of the UK in the last few years we could well be getting it in June!!!

So without further ado, here are the photos of my project (yes, I am going to make you look at the photos before revealing the magic word!!!) it's ok it's not all of the photos, there are quite a few pages in this album and although I photographed them all I have picked out just a few for the blog!

I'm not sure that you can see it all that well but the snowflakes have been cut in pearl card and acetate on the Cricut.

This is the back side of an acrylic tab page.

Lovely sparkly dots on this vellum from Create and Craft and a big Petaloo flower. The chipboard heart and button are from Woodware and the journal stamp is from my stash.

I saw the idea for a doily pocket on Pinterest. The pullout tag has been stamped with MME stamps (they have just arrived from sale shopping and were sitting on my desk!) and swiped with Adirondack Lake Mist paint dabber.

I made this vellum pocket by unsticking an envelope and using it as a template. I really like the white swirls on this stuff - would you believe I bought this pack of vellum about 3 years ago and have never really used it!

This vellum page has simply been stitched and then had die cut hearts stuck to it with an Ali Edwards stamped banner.

This is one of my favourite pages :0) I had tidied up and was going to bed thinking about what else I could do on my pages and then remembered I had some black ink - so got out of bed to do some splattering! I have used Archival Ink to stamp onto the vellum.

I really like how this page came out too! More of the MME stamps and paint dabbers. A wooden heart that I painted with Lake Mist paint, a velum circle and a rose from iamroses.com. I ran the Bazzil through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots folder.

I think that will do to give you an idea of how it looks! So now onto the main bit of business...........drum roll.... ..........the word you are looking for is......TIME. All you have to do now is email Diana at danica4us@yahoo.com with your completed sentence and the very best of luck!!

I will be sending one lucky winner some bits to make their own mini:

A chipboard album

6 x 6 pad

lace, ribbon, yarn

buttons

die cuts

stamped journalling spots

and of course an envelope and some vellum to make their own vellum envelope :0)

All you need to do is become a follower and leave a comment on this post and I will choose someone at random on Friday 27th Jan 9pm UK time. Open to everyone no matter where you live :0)

Thanks so much for popping in and I really do hope that you come back soon. Have a great day,

Ali x

Frosted Design Team Call

2012-01-18T22:00:00.000Z

Hello,

for anyone looking to be part of an amazing team, please see the details below:

We are looking for papercrafters of all kinds! If you can make scrapbook layouts, cards, altered art items, home decor items or like mixed media.... we want you!! One of the best things about Frosted Designs (in my opinion) is that we celebrate all kinds of crafters! We are not just a scrapbooking blog or a card blog. We want to let everyone share their skills and with 3 challenges going on all the time, there is something for everyone! We would like to fill some positions on all three of our teams. Let me tell you more about each one....

Fabulous Friday Teams: We have two teams of ladies that make up our Fabulous Friday teams. The focus of this team is to use up supplies you already have laying around the house that may have been neglected and forgotten about. For this team, you should be willing to do any of the following: scrapbook layouts, cards, altered art, home decor and mixed media items!

Sketch Along Tuesday Layout Team: This team makes scrapbook layouts that are inspired by the sketches we give them.

Sketch Along Tuesday Card Team: This team makes cards that are inspired by the sketches we give them.

No matter which team you prefer, the requirements for all of our designers remain the same....

1. Be willing to commit to a six month term. Your term would start the beginning of March and go until the end of August.

2. Create a project every other week for your assigned team.

3. Share a step by step tutorial 2 times during your 6 month term. (This can be with photos or video)

4. You will be required to comment on some of the projects that are entered into our challenge each week.

5. Keep an active blog that is updated frequently.

6. Post our challenge and your project on your blog on reveal day and link back to the Frosted Designs blog.

So if this floats your boat - give it a go!! More details at Frosted Designs

Good luck!

Ali x

Sue's Album 'Australia'

2012-01-17T06:40:00.001Z

Getting to the last few for BF's album now - her and her family are coming round for lunch and a photo session next Saturday for the final two pages :0)

Misting, ink splatters and stickles ......there appears to be a theme developing in my layouts! Papers are Cosmo Cricket 'Garden Variety' (another bit of old stash used - yay!)

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

CSI Case File #2 'Dream Big'

2012-01-15T12:15:00.000Z

Hello all,

I am sooo excited about the new CSI challenge site and as soon as I saw that Case #2 was up I went straight to it! Loved the colour palette, except for the dreaded purple (well ok, lavender!)

I fiddled around for ages with lavender papers but no matter how I try I just can not bring myself to love it. Bearing in mind there were 5 colours that had to be used, I am not sure why I honed in on the colour I least like - maybe, subconsciously, I was forcing myself to go out of my comfort zone. Anyway, the long and the short of it is that I ditched the papers and took out my Cosmic Shimmer as I had the perfect reddy pink.

If you haven't visited yet, have a look at the new challenge here

So, here is my layout (with the tiniest bit of lavender!) along with my 'evidence'

Colour palette - check!
Photo is of DH and DGD in the garden. DGD had phoned for a chat and when I told her we were sweeping all the leaves up and cutting down the tree she wanted to 'help'. So DD#1 brought her round for an afternoon of Autumn family fun :0)

Here is the dreaded lavender, not sure you can see from the photo but it has been embossed with a brick folder. The crochet flower is from iamroses.com and the die cut circle is Marianne Designs. The circle is October Afternoon '5 and Dime' and the Damask paper is Glitz Designs 'Hoopla'

The journaling had to be about dreams. I have used Ali Edwards stamps within my handwriting. The sticker is Gliz Designs. Flourishes were another requirement so I used part of a border stamp from Pink Paislee 'Daily Junque' The paper is from Glitz Designs 'Hoopla'

Another element of the challenge was to use sheers (I am assuming that is what we call acetate????) so I die cut a Pink Paislee acetate sheet 'Sweetness' using the Tim Holtz butterfly die and then punched a Martha Stewart butterfly to go on top. The Glitzer sticker is also sheer with diamante already attached to it from Glitz Designs. The brad, which is yellow in real life. is from My Minds Eye 'Lost and Found'

I used a grid mask from That Special Touch to represent an architectural element and misted through it with Cosmic Shimmer 'Lava Red'

Flowers were another element to be included these ones are soooo old! The sheer one is from Heidi Swapp and the dotty one is Petaloo (I think) The butterfly stamp is Ali Edwards and the glittered photo holder is from an old box of Crate Paper 'Mia' die cuts.

I can not believe how much my scrapbooking is evolving since finding this site, and the best bit?? I am using up my stash!!! Still a long way to go before I can buy any new stuff, still I am sticking to my word of 2012 and UTILISING :0)

Thanks for stopping by, have a lovely day!

Ali x

Sketchy Thursday 1.12 'Godmother'

2012-01-14T10:47:00.000Z

For the last time ...sniff... here is my layout for the ST challenge :0(

Another lo for BF's album of us with our godchildren (me with her youngest son and her with my DGD) at GDG's christening back in 2009 - where does the time go???

Papers and bits are from Cosmo Cricket's 'Odds and Ends' - love this collection! The grey dp is Anna Griffin 'Willow'

I am really, really trying to steer away from white! I have to say the photos do not do this justice it looks so much warmer in real life. Maybe grey is the new white, lol.

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

CSI Case File #1 'Time Flies'

2012-01-14T09:26:00.000Z

You must check this cool new challenge site out! CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration I can't remember how I found it but I am so glad that I did :0)

If you had asked me whether I would like to do a lo where theme, colour, embellishments and journalling were all pre determined I would have adamantly refused! Yet here I am shouting about this new venture from the roof tops! I loved that it took me completely away from my comfort zone.

Don't get me wrong, this was not a layout that I managed to whip up in an hour, but I loved spending time on it and I even used up some of my stash that has been sitting around for ages :0) As I look at it now on the blog it doesn't look a s involved as it felt! However, this is so different for me (no white space), but still not as detailed as so many of you talented ladies...give me time :0)

The photos are of DD#1 and GDG, when I was looking through the photos to scrap it occurred to me that it really doesn't seem five minutes since DD#1 was a little girl and here she is a mother herself - hence 'Time Flies'

I used a sketch from Creative Scrappers #15, you can download them from here - really cool :0)

What a twit I am! Put the riddle in the wrong order!! Still that probably sums me up - takes great care until the last couple of minutes and then rushes to finish!

Papers are old American Crafts, the clocks are stamped (who knew I had so many clock stamps!) one has been adhered to a TH Facet and there is a TH clock face too (I have finally been able to open the packet after 2 years!) Behind the heart I have stamped using a Tattered Angels texture stamp and Lettuce Paint Dabber. The riddle has been stuck onto tissue tape (white tissue paper stuck to double sided tape), but the thing I am most pleased with is .....the little tag on the heart! I opened up my new MME brads and the ones with the tags weren't quite right (actually that is untrue, one of them was great but I had to save it......yeah, yeah I know UTILISE) so I dug around and found a little piece of WP Trendsetter that had 2011 printed it on it (lucky find!) and die cut it - super, eh??

As I write this case file number 2 has been launched, so do yourself a favour and have a go!

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Frosted Designs Blog Hop ...a sneaky peek!

2012-01-13T06:40:00.001Z

Hello all,

the Frosted Design Blog Hop will be happening on the 20th January and as a virgin hopper I am super excited to be taking part!

Here is a little peep at what I have been working on

hope to see you on the 20th (if not before!)

Ali x

'Being 46' Mini Album

2012-01-11T12:06:00.000Z

Okay, I am going to write (or at least type) this statement in black and white and then I have to adhere to it or be held accountable....I AM NOT GOING TO BUY ANY MORE PRODUCTS (until I have used up at least 50% of my hoard)

So in the spirit of other bloggers who have a word for 2012, my word is going to be

utilise

u·ti·lize

[yoot-l-ahyz] Show IPA

verb (used with object), -lized, -liz·ing.

to put to use; turn to profitable account:

I have found so many chipboard albums in a box under my bed that I had forgotten about plus I have got things in the spare room as well as all the stuff in my craft room (as I know we all have!) but I really have got to rein it in. So, once all my sale items arrive that will be it!!

With this in mind I have made a mini of my last birthday using Teresa Collins Gratitude papers - don't know why I bought them, I am not that keen on orange and we don't celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK!!! Still it came out ok. The album is a back to back binding (love this style) and as it was all done in an evening there isn't a lot of embellishing.

There are some other pages but to be honest the photos are a bit hit and miss today as the light here is not fab.

Looking forward to showing you more with my long forgotten treasure :0)

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week,

Ali x

Sketches in Thyme #65 'G'day'

2012-01-11T11:21:00.000Z

Hello,

I am sharing another layout from BF's birthday album today using the sketch from Sketches in Thyme. This photo was taken on their last trip to Perth - hence G'day rather than Good Day!!! :0)

The papers and embellishments are from Crate Paper 'Neighbourhood' - very sweet :0)

and here is the sketch that started the process off:

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Frosted Designs Sketch #32 'Peace'

2012-01-10T06:40:00.001Z

Good morning lovely bloggers,

the sketch for this week over at Frosted Designs comes from the very talented Roberta and is, I believe, her very first - so well done to her :0)

Here it is:

this sketch was perfect for another of BF's birthday album pages. It is of them in fancy dress for my 40th birthday party.......totally, far out!!!

Papers are MME that I bought for this lo as BF loves all things purple and I hate it! Can you tell?? The yellow pieces are the reverse of the purple which I much preferred! Acetate butterflies were cut from a Pink Paislee transparency and TH die. Letters are American Crafts and resin flower is Prima

It was a really fun night and these two did me proud. BF's husband looks so incredibly different in real life that I didn't recognise him at first!!
Thanks so much for stopping by, have a great day!
Ali x

Sketchy Thursday 1.5 Challenge 'Snail Love' and 'Discover'

2012-01-06T20:35:00.001Z

Hello,

I loved the new sketch from the ST girls so much that I did two los with it!! One for BF's album (I have got to pick up the pace as I only have 3 weeks left before the BIG day), and one of my DGD.

Here is the sketch:

gorgeous eh? Here are my takes:

The first one, Snail Love, is of my GD observing the smallest snail I have ever encountered! She was fascinated with the little creature, my fear was that after watching it cross the path for so long (yes, we really did stand there for what seemed like hours!) the poor old snail would end up squished! So, much care was taken to avoid that part of the path :0)

Papers are Cosmo Cricket 'Odds and Ends', the banner is punched and stamped with a Maya Road set I continually return to but is as old as the hills, then stitched with brown yarn, the wooden snails have been painted with Dabbers. The LOVE title is from the Odds and Ends papers and has been fussy cut.

The next one is of my BF's sons and Mum on a boat - Sue look away now!

Papers and stickers are October Afternoon, the chipboard pieces are Crate Paper, rosette is American Crafts and the stamp is Fiskars. The journal tag on the left hand side was a right result...die cut with Spellbinders and then edged with a Promarker pen, really pleased with how it came out :0)

Thanks so much for stopping by, have a lovely day!

**** The Snail Love layout was a Sketchy Thursday fave :0) ****

Ali x

Sue's Album 'Happy' and 'Boys'

2012-01-06T06:40:00.002Z

Hello all,

another couple of layouts to share with you :0)

These two make a double page for BF's album. Is it me or are some MME papers so beautiful and complete that you could pretty much stick a photo on and call them done! I really feel like I cheated with one of them (as you will see not much to add!) Still, they look lovely and BF will be delighted, and probably think I am very clever :0D

This is the 'cheat' only added string and a few hearts! Call that scrapbooking - pish!

Although not a lot better I did at least make a banner, cut the word on the Cricut and stick some additional paper to cover a lot of the glitter (just a little bit too much in my opinion!)

Thanks for stopping by to see my 'not so involved' layouts!

Ali x

Sue's Album '2 Little Boys'

2012-01-03T18:11:00.000Z

Hello and a very, very happy and healthy New Year to you all!!!

Goodness, is it me or is time flying? All of my best intentions seem to be going out of the window, but.....drum roll please....I EXERCISED THIS MORNING!!! Finally, after finding an excuse for the last few months I bit the bullet and am going to do the Jillian Michaels shred programme - yay!

I have been really busy with stuff for Frosted Designs - which I will be sharing later in the month :0) plus we have most of our family birthdays at the beginning of the year, my Mum and brother's tomorrow! So busy, busy times :0)

This layout is for my BF's birthday album and is of her sons way back 19 years ago, when the youngest one (my godson) arrived on the scene :0)

I paper pricked the edges and then misted with a Cosmic Shimmer spray or 2 (I can't quite remember!) Everything is from my stash including the Webster's Pages vellum that I didn't know I had! I have fussy cut around the rocking horse and the leaves at the top and tucked the photo under. How is this for craftiness?? The 'punched' circle border is the left overs from making a circle banner!!

Pink Paislee Daily Junque paper made into a rosette.

Sweet little chaps eh? Still sweet but not so little :0)

Thanks for popping in, hope you have a lovely week,

Ali x

Frosted Designs Sketch 31 - 'Beautiful'

2011-12-27T07:01:00.002Z

Morning,

hope you all had an amazing Christmas - it's hard to believe it's all over for another year :0(

Just a quickie today as it's a Bank Holiday here in the UK and I am spending the day with DH and dog!

Here is Ashley's super sketch:

and here is my take on it using an old photo of my Mum as a child (do not ask me why she has a head scarf on!!!)

Pretty much everything here is from Glitz Designs - treated myself to a kit as it was on special at Craft Obsessions :0)...love the acetate overlays!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Ali x

Journal Day 24

2011-12-24T06:40:00.000Z

Woo hoo it's Christmas Eve my favourite day of the whole year! I love the smells from the cooking, the visitors who drop in for a mince pie, the carols from Kings College on the radio, last minute wrapping, the early start at the supermarket for all the veg, cream and milk and the anticipation of a wonderful day tomorrow with those I love most in the world :0)

Here is the page to record all those feelings :0)

Happy Christmas everyone!!!! Have a wonderful time,

Ali x

Journal Day 23

2011-12-23T06:40:00.000Z

Here is today's page, there really is no way I will fit everything I am planning to do today on this label! I may have to add something or develop teeny weeny writing!!

Thanks for stopping by,
Ali x

Journal Day 22

2011-12-22T06:40:00.000Z

Today's page looks really vivid in the photo but in real life it's a lot more gentle.

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Journal Day 21

2011-12-21T06:40:00.000Z

So onto the last of the coloured sheets...only 4 more sleeps :0)

I love this number border cut on the Cricut,

Thanks for popping in,
Ali x

Journal Day 20

2011-12-20T06:40:00.000Z

Last of the white pages today and a darling Christmas tree :0)

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Journal Day 19

2011-12-19T06:40:00.000Z

The pages seem to be getting more traditional as it gets closer to Christmas :0)

Still has a little pop of yellow though!

Thanks for popping in,

Ali x

A page for Sue's album

2011-12-18T09:34:00.000Z

Hello again,

got another layout to share ready for BF's birthday album. I must also tell you a funny story from yesterday: GD goes into my craft room and says she wants to do some stamping. I get a wood mounted cute little ballerina for her...'No Mamma, I don't want that one, I want a normal one'. DD#1 looks at me all confused but I know exactly what she means and go over to get her a clear stamp and acrylic block. Then I get her an old ink pad, but that's not good enough she insists on using one of my new stacking chalk ink pads, because she 'wants to stamp in different colours'. Amazing, 2 years old and already a crafting prima donna!!!

so back to the layout, I went a bit mad with my shimmer spray and totally warped the paper, but I love the look of the mica against the blue and I am hoping once it is in it's protective sheet it won't notice!

All sorts of bits and bobs from various companies too numerous to mention! Mainly Cosmo and Crate Paper :0)

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day, I am off to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park with DH, DD#2 and her fiance today.....can't wait!

Ali x

Getting Ahead!

2011-12-18T09:21:00.000Z

Morning all,

the holidays are officially started for me - YAY! DD#1 has finished Uni for Christmas so I dropped GD off on Friday and after tidying the house so that it looked more like mine and less like a playground I went straight into my craft room and stayed there for the whole day and evening :0) We even got takeaway as I couldn't drag myself away from my desk to cook!

I finished up some Christmas decorations, which I forgot to photograph - doh! - so will try and get around to doing that later in the week. Then having had my fill of Christmas for a bit I decided to make the birthday cards for my Mum and my brother, who share their birthday on the 4th. Here they are, hope you like them.

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Journal Day 18

2011-12-18T06:40:00.000Z

Here is today's page

I think I may go and put a black border around the label as it looks a bit sparse in the photo, having said that I didn't think that in real life, so will see how I feel when I get to journalling it :0)

Thanks for popping in,

Ali x

Journal Day 17

2011-12-17T06:40:00.001Z

New colour today, my favourite........white!!

Sorry about the wonky photo but at least I am getting the photos the right way up these days!!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Journal Day 16

2011-12-16T06:40:00.000Z

Lovely bright page today - I must have been feeling super happy when I made this lo :0) One thing I have realised when writing in my journal is that I need more space - so next year I really am going to make it about the 'diary' rather than the 'decorating'

Thanks for popping in,

Ali x

Journal Day 15

2011-12-15T06:40:00.000Z

Is it me or this month flying??? I have been really good with completing my journalling every night (well ok, I have had to complete 2 or 3 at a time, but it is up to date!)

Love this ruffled ribbon :0)

Thanks for popping in,
Ali x

Journal Day 14

2011-12-14T06:40:00.000Z

I love today's page as it's so light and bright!

I'm not sure if you can tell in the photo but the holly leaf is made from fabric...beautiful :0)

Thanks for stopping by, only 10 days to go!!

Ali x

Frosted Designs Sketch #30 Grin

2011-12-13T15:07:00.000Z

What a lemon I am! This month is whizzing by and I have only just realised that I haven't uploaded my lo for the FD challenge!

So without further ado, here is the lovely Karin's sketch:

and here is my layout of DD#2 and her fiance,

Paper are October Afternoon (all scraps) as is the Rubber Charm and the bird stickers and the journalling card, the letters are American Crafts thickers. I randomly stamped a couple of stitch line stamps in white onto black Bazzil card, a bit wonky but I quite like imperfection :0)

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day (what's left of it!)

Ali x

Journal Day 13

2011-12-13T06:40:00.000Z

Did you guess?? It's mellow yellow!! Love it :0)

Oh good grief 13 is definitely lucky for some...the photo is the right way up! I gave myself lots of room to journal on this page, it's a DGD day and there is always lots to write :0)

Thanks for stopping by, Ali x

Journal Day 12

2011-12-12T06:40:00.001Z

Last of the pink pages today, you will never guess what non traditional Christmas colour we go with next!

Here's a hint...its on this page :0)

Ali x

Journal Day 11

2011-12-11T06:40:00.001Z

And on to number 11 :0)

I redid this page as I wanted to use these stickers but the original background paper was far too busy, so decided to use more white to balance it all.

Thanks for stopping by, Ali x

Journal Day 10

2011-12-10T06:40:00.001Z

Gracious can you believe how quickly this month is going???? Scary!

Here is today's page:

Thanks for calling in, Ali x

Sue and Raj's wedding a long, long time ago!

2011-12-09T13:14:00.000Z

Hello,

before I head off to my brother's for pizza and movie night I thought I would share a lo I did of my BF's wedding day (ready for her 50th bday album)....you just go to to love the 80's!! Hand on heart I truly believed I would never look back at this time and see a fashion faux pas as I thought it was so wonderful at the time!!! Sadly, well actually not sad at all cos I can't stop laughing, you only have to look at the bride to see that she may be beautiful but that dress........ ;0)

The sketch I used was from pencillines.com

You can see I went totally off piste but the photo was too big to follow the sketch exactly and as it is one of their originals I didn't want to chop it up!

Papers are Websters Pages as are some of the embellishments, including the velum banner fussy cut from a 6 x 6 pack, the rest are glitz design and random things from my stash.

Thanks for looking,

Ali x

Journal Day 9

2011-12-09T06:40:00.001Z

On to the next colour in the journal....pink!

I love these 3D embellishments from the kit...the photos do not do them justice, and it doesn't help that you can't see them the right way up!!!

Thanks for dropping in, Ali x

Journal Day 8

2011-12-08T06:40:00.000Z

Hello all,

here is the last of the green pages:

I teamed it up with red this time as I found this very sparkly number 8...how could I not use it?!

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Journal Day 7

2011-12-07T06:40:00.000Z

Morning,

here we are again :0)

Yay it's the right way up!!! Love this Christmas tree :0)

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!

Ali x

Journal Day 6

2011-12-06T06:40:00.000Z

Here is today's post :0)

Oh brilliant...we are back to photos randomly turning!!! I give up :0)

Ali x

Embellishment Crazy

2011-12-05T11:57:00.000Z

Hello all,

I feel like it's been ages since I had the time to enter any lo challenges, so last night I checked out the new sketch on sketchythursdays.blogspot.com (my favourite) and went for it!

More photos from our Turkish holiday I'm afraid, but I must get this done as it won't be long before our next one! I think because it's been so long I got a little carried away with the embellishments, or maybe it's because I am in the Christmas spirit, or most probably because the background paper looked too somber left as is!! I wish now I hadn't decided to only use Hometown Summer in this album as I am struggling to get it to work with my photos, but having shipped it over from the States in my haste to have it I feel like I must use it. Ironic that I have left it sitting around for so long I could have bought it here in the UK for a fraction of the price!!!

Anyway here is how it turned out:

WRMK large gromlet, Prima resin flower, Ali Edwards stamps

Cosmo Chipboard inked in turquoise, Prima pebble

Heidi Swapp butterfly, Cosmo chipboard button, OA rubber charm, Pink Paislee Scorecard from Hometown Summer embellishemnt pack, brad from stash

Chipboard number and letters from stash, mini heart brads from stash, numbers stamped with Pink Paislee Daily Junque stamps, journalling stamp from GCD Studios (I think!)

Hopefully I will be back soon with more :0), thanks for dropping in :0)

Ali x

Journal Day 5

2011-12-05T06:40:00.001Z

A very lovely but busy weekend! Still on the bright side I had lots to write in my journal :0)

Here is today's page:

as you can see I have moved on to the next piece of cardstock, I know it looks like a weird Christmas colour but it looks perfect with all the papers and embellishments. This paper collection is very much about retro colours and I love the bright pops of colour :0)

Thanks for stopping by, Ali x

Journal Day 4

2011-12-04T06:40:00.001Z

I am cooking for 11 today as we do our big Christmas draw today (who buys presents for whom), we (my M & D, brothers, DD#1 and boyf, GDG, DD#2 and fiance) decided a long time ago that our Christmas day should be about being together as an extended family not all about gifts, so we each pick a name out of the hat and buy one person something lovely that they long for :0) it also means that DH and my Dad have to so their own shopping!! Somehow I still am the one to shop for friends, the kids, his family, neighbours etc whilst his name goes on the gift tag!!

Every year around about now I cook a slow roast (pork today) and we celebrate pre Christmas as a family. We won't all get together again until the big day so it's kind of nice :0) We are also celebrating Dan's birthday, although this a new reason to get together as this is the first year he has been around - he won't know what's hit him!! He already claims to have had more photos taken this past year than the rest of his life put together!!

Anyway on to today's page:

Thanks for stopping by, hope you are having a happy Sunday too,

Ali x

Journal Day 3

2011-12-03T06:40:00.001Z

Here we go with Day 3, have a happy weekend :0) I am off to London to the new Westfield Shopping Mall - wish me luck I think it's going to be heaving!!!

Still having problems with the images, so far so good for tomorrow :0)

Ali x

Journal Day 2

2011-12-02T06:40:00.003Z

Here is today's page:

Grrrr blast that pesky gremlin!! I honestly have tried everything I know (and it's not much!) to turn this picture...so sorry. Please take care not to get a crick in your neck! Good job it's a simple one :0)

Thanks for looking, Ali x

December Daily Journal 2011

2011-12-01T06:40:00.001Z

Hello all,

this is my first year of doing a December Journal and having completed it I wish now I had kept it simpler so that it was more about the journaling than the embellishing! Still, live and learn :0) I had these Anna Griffin papers and stickers kicking around my craft room for what must be years and every time I got them out they were never quite right for a layout or even a card - even though her samples were beautiful they always looked too fussy when I did it! I have to say some of the pages in this journal are a little bit over embellished for my taste but hey it's Christmas and if you can't be ott at this time of year, when can you???!

So I thought I would post the pages daily to correspond with the date and then after Christmas when it's all written (I'm hoping!) and bound I can show the completed journal.

The idea came from Teresa Collins who suggested that you simply fold six 12 x 12 cardstock sheets in half and trim it to 10" and punch holes for rings - easy peasy :0)
So without further ado, here is day 1....Happy December!!!

Thanks for stopping by and see you tomorrow, Ali x

Frosted Designs Sketch #29

2011-11-29T08:40:00.000Z

Morning,

another gorgeous sketch from the lovely Karin :0) I really enjoyed playing with this one. I also forced myself to try out a coloured background and, for once, I am quite happy with the result!

Here is the sketch:

and here is my take using more of our holiday photos:

The background is Basic Grey and the rest of the papers are October Afternoon

I cut the hearts using the Cricut George and Basic Shapes and then embossed them in the Cuttlebug. The buttons are Basic Grey - I do think they make the nicest buttons!

Do give this sketch a go and upload it to Frosted Designs, we love to see what you do :0) Check out what the rest of the design team did - the samples are amazing!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

A busy little bee :0)

2011-11-26T12:56:00.000Z

Hello all,

it's been a while since I posted anything but that's not to say I haven't been crafting!

I have had three commissioned albums (one of which I shall share today), I have finished the gold sample of the Christmas Album. I would have said that I was a sliver girl but now I am not so sure!

I have also been making loads of cards - it's been a busy time here! Engagement, congratulations, loads of birthdays and of course Christmas!! Plus my Mum has been ordering cards left, right and centre! I wish I had the time to get them all photographed, if only so I could remember what I had done!

Anyway, here are a few of the things I have been up to:

9" x 7" pocket book for storing all those wedding ideas.

Thanks for stopping by, hoping to get some lo's done soon, I can't remember the last time I did a scrapbook page!!

Ali x

Frosted Designs Sketch #28

2011-11-15T06:17:00.000Z

Morning,

another lovely sketch from Frosted designs, the talented Karin this time :0) Hop over to their blog and join in the challenge for a chance to win goodies from Vintage Market Street - I think I may be doing some shopping!

Here is the sketch:

and here is my take of me and GD doing a bit of Turkish dancing and GD's feet after she had finished dancing barefoot - well, one dirty one, the other had been washed before DH grabbed the camera!:

Papers and embellishments are Anna Griffin (quel surprise!!) the doily thing was cut on the Silhouette and the little flowers are from iamroses.com

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Silver Christmas Album

2011-11-14T13:48:00.000Z

Morning,

I am determined to get Brown Paper Crafts moving before the year is up! Yesterday I designed my Christmas Album and then thought 'why don't I see if anyone is interested in buying one?' so this is now going into the shop and I will be taking orders rather than making a bunch and using them for the next 20 Christmases!!

So, here goes, hope you like it :0)

This is a brown paper bag pocket album with a chipboard cover that fastens with velcro. Papers are Anna Griffin 'Cecile'. The stamps and bits on the tags are from my stash.

If I get any orders I shall make a tutorial of the next album so that you can see how easy it is. Hmm as I type this I am thinking I shall make one in Gold so will try my best to photograph it for you :0)

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Page for Sue's Album - Get Picky Inspiration Challenge #13

2011-11-12T18:00:00.000Z

Hello again!

Yes I am now dressed and DH has picked up most of the jobs so I was able to go back to my haven and complete another lo for BF's album.

I came across another lovely site getpicky.blogspot.com who are currently holding a colour inspiration challenge:

Stunning colour combo and thought it would make a nice change to have a bright page in BF's album as most of the lo's are quite vintage.

I used the current sketch from sketchsavvy.blogspot.com

and here is my layout of BF as a very young girl and her Dad!

Due to the fact this is not my normal colour palette I managed to find an old K & Co 6x6 pad that fit the bill nicely! Most of the embellishments are old K & co bits and bobs with flowers and buttons from my stash. The rub on behind the photo of the two of them together is a really old Basic Grey one. Don't you just love it when you finally get around to using something? I masked the circle and gave the paper a quick spritz of Cosmic Shimmer, the chipboard butterfly has also had a douse of glimmer - a theme appears to be developing in my lo's, lol!

Thanks for stopping by, really pleased to have found another creative place to go :0)

Ali x

Total Scrap Lift!!

2011-11-12T11:57:00.000Z

I was trawling through the Scrap Paper Scissors blog having recently discovered them and came across loads of inspiration :0)
I don't normally copy directly (or at least not for a long time!) but the layout from Wendy is simply stunning and I couldn't resist!! I would put a link up but I have had a quick look for it and can't find it at the minute! In all honesty just go and have a look at any of it - it's all gorgeous :0)

Thanks to Wendy and to you for stopping by to view my theft, lol!!

Ali x

Pencil Lines Sketch #258

2011-11-12T11:42:00.000Z

I am typing at the speed of light so that I can go and get dressed and start what should be a very busy Saturday......keep getting the third degree as to how long I will be!!!!

This week's sketch from PL is really unusual - wasn't sure about it at first but gave it a bash and am really happy with how it turned out :0)

Here is my take with GD valiantly trying to create a sandcastle out of tiny shells on the beach in Turkey - really tricky with no sand and very hard on the feet too!!

Papers are MME Fine and Dandy (didn't even know I had these!) with various bits and pieces I found in a drawer :0)

Love the texture on this paper.

Just one more post and then I am done.....for the moment!! Thanks for looking.

Ali x

Sketchy Thursdays 11.10

2011-11-12T11:31:00.001Z

Super quick post today as it's 11.23 on Saturday morning and I am still in my pj's!!!!

I was so keen to do some scrapbooking that I got up at 7 and finished off this layout and then did another one that I shall post in a minute. There is so much going on at the moment that my Turkey scrapbook has been on the back burner for far too long so I am on a mission to get it completed before the engagement party photos take over!

This week's sketch from ST is another corker :0)

and here is my take:

Papers are October Afternoon - primarily Sidewalks. The chipboard bird is GCD Studios and has been glittered with MS glitter.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day,

Ali x

October Afternoon Fest :0)

2011-11-09T07:18:00.000Z

Helloooo again,

thought I would share some of the things I have been doing with my scraps - my mission continues to use up collections I have started and never seem to finish!

It was tricky to get a good photo of the shadow bow because of the acetate - it looks much nicer in real life, lol.

For some reason all these candles had got wierd dents in them - think they must have been too warm ! Still they look prettier now :0)

Saw this idea on Pinterest and whizzed up into the loft for an old frame. Rubbed it down added some dabbers on the frame and the back board and cut the birds using the Silhouette - easy peasy :0)

Thanks for stopping by, off to Ikea this morning for some new candles :0)

Ali x

Sketchy Thursday 11.3 Challenge

2011-11-09T07:01:00.001Z

Hello,

before I start
*****SUE DO NOT GO ANY FURTHER*****!!!!!!

My BF has asked that I make sure she knows not to look at any posts that show photos of the layouts for her birthday album - I think that's clear enough!!

This week's sketch and the GDT challenge sketch are both delightful :0) I have used the GDT sketch but I am not entering it as although I am more than grateful for my BF and her friendship throughout the last 22 years I haven't made a reference to it on the layout itself .

This layout is of BF's sons about 17 years ago. They are playing in the park that we have all spent many happy hours in. I am loving this trip down memory lane using photos that I haven't necessarily seen before. I did smile when going through the photos BF had chosen. This album is supposed to be about her and yet 75% of the photos she has chosen are of the boys - I guess we are all the same, it's so much easier to choose photos of the ones we love rather than ourselves :0)

Papers are Anna Griffin Darcy collection - thought the mustard was a perfect match to my godson's coat :0)

Anna Griffin again! This time it's from the collection with the flocked butterfly paper (don't know the name as it came from QVC and doesn't have a cover) I used one of the Spellbinders dies to cut out the frame. The letters are from the Cecile wedding collection and the butterfly and flowers are from iamroses.com. The stars and rubon are from my stash. Our hair may be lighter, the wrinkles have moved in and the pounds have crept on but we are still BF's forever!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day,

Ali x

Creative Scrappers #180

2011-11-02T14:07:00.000Z

Hello all,

I had to have a break from making banners.......still got 20 yards to go :0( but it will be worth it as the rooms will be bedecked in loveliness for the engagement party :0)

I was trawling through the blogs that I follow and I found Creative Scrappers on someone's blog (not sure who, but I owe them!) Beautiful sketches and inspiration layouts.

Here is this week's sketch

My take is using photos of my BF and her parents. She is going to be 50 in February and wants a scrapbook of her life, fine with me, I love vintage photos!!

All the papers are Anna Griffin's 'Francesca' as is the rosette and banner, which has been stamped by curling the acrylic stamp round to match the curve of the stamp. The butterflies have been cut with a Tim Holtz die or punched with a Martha Stewart punch. The butterflies have also had Perfect Pearls in Opal White added to the middles.

They say 'delight in the detail' and I love the formal photo, but no-one thought to move the milk bottles!! Lovely :0)

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Ali x

Whit woo I am an official DT member of Frosted Designs!!

2011-11-01T05:35:00.000Z

Morning,

I was thrilled to get the email from Debbie asking if I would like to join the team, she said to think about it, so I did for all of 1 second and promptly emailed back to say I would love to!

The sketch for today is another of Debbie's lovely creations and here it is:

I have used photos from our recent holiday to Turkey for my take. Now, I know we look as though we should be auditioning for Wicked but we were under a green canopy and the flash didn't want to play ball!! It was such an amazing day on the River Dim, eating fish that had been caught that morning, so rather than not include them in our holiday scrapbook I decided to just go with the flow and use dodgy photos :0)

The papers are Pink Paislee 'Hometown Summer' as are the embellies, save for the Prima yellow resin flower and 'got flowers?' the fish was cut on the Cricut (I am trying to use it more)

Thanks so much for stopping by. Really looking forward to my time with the lovely FD girlies :0)

Ali x

Getting ready for the party :0)

2011-10-28T10:59:00.000+01:00

Morning,

I have started getting the decorations together for DD#2's engagement party and while most of them will be tricky to photograph, because they are banners and hanging hearts, this little jug of flowers is so sweet I thought I would take a quick picture!

Super easy, lollipop flowers on kebab sticks stuck into an oasis - couldn't be simpler! They may be easy but they took me all night to cut and assemble!! I was going to make rosettes but changed my mind, sooo glad I did, I would still be making them now.

This is the reverse of the flowers (yes I did do the backs, because they will be seen!)

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day,

Ali x

My baby is engaged to be married!

2011-10-27T15:42:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I am super excited to announce that DD#2 has accepted her chap's proposal so we are full steam ahead for a party on the 19th :0)

First port of crafting call: a planner! Got to have somewhere for all my lists.....I am a list junky!!!!

DD#1 and I went shopping today for party dresses, what a lovely day. I normally hate shopping but we had a great girlie day in town and then a relaxing lunch a deux - smashing :0)

The planner is a back to back bound book with a gatefold type cover. It's held closed with a rubber band - I have zillions of these thing as the postman binds my mail with them every day! Papers are Echo Park 'Life is Good' - thought it was appropriate :0)

The pages have all been scored at 7" so that there is a variation in length (banners have been attached to the short ones ) The pages flip up and lie flat when lifted as I have double scored at the top to allow for bulkiness (does this make sense?)

Looks like we will have around 50 people coming which is a nice number for a house party

My initial list - there will be plenty!

This is the invitation, I am loving the embossing made with the letterpress thing from Sizzix :0) I am feeling quite chuffed with myself as all invitations have been made and envelopes addressed within 24 hours of announcement!! Just need to buy the stamps and get them in the post!

Thanks so much for stopping by, have a great day!

Ali x

Sketches in Thyme Open Challenge for October

2011-10-23T10:21:00.000+01:00

Happy Sunday everyone!

I am posting this really quickly as I am off to a wedding fair with DD#2 and her chap today (we tried to persuade DH to join us but he declined!)

My layout today has been inspired by a sketch over at http://sketchsavvy.blogspot.com/

This sketch shouted seaside to me so I thought it would be appropriate for another of the photos from our recent Turkish holiday :0). Here is GDG and me on the beach soon after we arrived. You can see it's the evening from the long shadows (including DH taking the photo!)

I used a grid stencil (not that you can tell!) and the Aqua Paint Dabber , but then decided to smudge a lot of it as it looked too uniform! The 'sandy' smudges are gold Perfect Pearls mixed with glue. The papers are My Mind's Eye 'Stella and Rose' (just found a 6 x 6 pad when I was looking for something else, and love them!) All of the stamps are from the Pink Paislee 'Nantucket' line. The floral stamp was stamped onto patterned paper and then fussy cut.

This journaling was inspired by the recent video posted by Heidi Swapp on My Craft Channel :0)

More Nantucket bits...love 'em! The heart has been die cut from acetate, alcohol inked and then whilst the ink was wet I sprinkled gold Perfect Pearls onto it - seems like a lot of effort for such a tiny piece but I really like it :0)

I have also got a few cards to share with you, all using Spellbinders, following on from a show on the craft channel we have here in the UK - my love has been rekindled :0)

My Mind's Eye papers and another of the acetate hearts.

The card was embossed with a circle mask and then punched with a MS Deep Edge punch.

Another MS punch matted onto silver card. The crown stamps are Tim Holtz and the sentiment stamp is Anna Griffin.

Unfortunately I can't tell you the names of the dies I used as they all come out of their packaging and get 'stuck' onto a large magnetic sheet on the wall!! If there is something you want to know specifically leave me a comment and I will get back to you :0)

Thanks for stopping by, have a smashing day!

Ali x

Crate Paper 'Emma's Shoppe' Mannequin

2011-10-21T14:46:00.000+01:00

Hello all,

I am being very quiet as DGD is fast asleep so I thought I would grab the opportunity to upload a recent project....sssh.

My DD#1 bought me the Maya Road Mannequin over a year ago and to be honest I had forgotten I had it!!! Once I 'found' it I knew what I would use it for. DH and I had a weekend in London, we went to see The Million Dollar Quartet on the Saturday, stayed over and then spent the Sunday in Camden Town (on old haunt from our youth)

Camden is THE place to go to if you love vintage clothing, furniture and ephemera :0) It is also brilliant for books, food and is the absolute best place in the land for a couple of old punks!!! So bearing in mind that DH and I have bought many an old coat and shoes from this market (albeit 30 years ago!) the mannequin was the perfect mini album.

Sorry this post is photo heavy but I wanted you to see every bit!! I have also got a couple of dodgy on the side ones but I know what I am doing wrong now (unfortunately I had deleted the files from the camera before I discovered how to correct it!)

front and back covers

Thanks for stopping by, have a lovely weekend :0)

Ali x

Oh the purity of white!

2011-10-20T11:12:00.000+01:00

Morning,

this is getting to be a regular thing! DD#1 is on placement, I am a very proud Mum - she taught her first class yesterday and got brilliant feedback :0), so it means that I have more time for me this week - I am getting as much crafty time in as possible!

Anyone who knows me will tell you I have a passion for white! My clothes (in the summer, I will be in black for the next new months!), the flowers in my garden and house, even my craft room is painted white :0)

I love it because it is sophisticated on it's own or with black and if you put it with colour it makes any colour pop. So with this in mind I made a card using only white card, a soupson of silver embossing powder, white ribbon and a couple of hat pins.

The background card was embossed with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots folder. The border was punched with a MS Deep Edge Punch and the mats were cut using Spellbinders dies.

I keep saying that I am going to get the shop website up and running and get some of this stuff sold! Maybe today is the today to make a start!

Thanks for looking and have a great day,

Ali x

Sketchy Thursdays 10.13

2011-10-19T10:07:00.000+01:00

I was looking through the drawers (and yes that is plural) of all the chipboard letters I have when I made Marley's height chart and I can honestly say I can't remember the last time I used them! When I saw this week's sketch from ST I knew what I was going to do :0)

Here is the sketch:

and here is my take:

My darling furry baby (sad, I know!!) The embellishments are a nod to all that he loves (except for us!) button - ball, bone - obvious!, the bakers twine- going for walks, rabbit - chasing them! and the cupcake represents treats (both doggie and human, lol) and finally a tree for weeing against, hahaha!

The background paper is Basic Grey and the tree stamp is Kanban, I have no idea where the rest came from!!

I also have some good news...Debbie emailed this morning to ask if I would guest design for another month with http://frosteddesigns.blogspot.com/ Sketch Along Tuesdays :0D YAY!

Thanks for looking,

Ali x

Marley's Height Chart

2011-10-18T17:47:00.000+01:00

Hi all,

just a quickie to let you see the height chart/mini album I made for a friend's daughter who is expecting a little boy :0)

They have already decorated the nursery in the colours I have used for the album and as soon as I saw the photos of the room on Facebook, I knew that my Crate Paper 'Little Sprout' papers would work perfectly! The animals are from Cricut 'Zoo Balloo'.

The design for this album is by Laura Dennison who does an awesome tutorial on UStream, I love her work and have made many of her designs :0)

Excuse the photos....that's all I seem to be saying recently!!! lol

This circle has been attached to a peg so that the current height can be set and then marked :0)

Yes I know this photo is terrible but I wanted you to see how it hangs. lol!

Thanks for stopping by,

Ali x

Sketch Along Tuesdays #26

2011-10-18T05:40:00.000+01:00

Hiya,

and so my time comes to an end as the guest designer for Frosted designs :0(, it's been a blast! I have loved seeing all the fabulous layouts that everyone created and your comments have been so kind :0) Thank you, thank you, thank you, especially to Debbie for considering me in the first place!

Here is the beautiful sketch that Debbie created:

and here is my take with nearly the last of our lovely family day in June (I say nearly the last as there is still one of DD#2 and her chap that I want to scrap, and then I must call it a day!!)

I misted a stencil using the Cosmic Shimmer Mists 'Sunlight Mist' and 'Midnight Blue', then using my beloved Anna Griffin papers, 'Willow' this time, I matted the photo, pleated the paper ribbon and stuck some buttons to it. I used one of the rosettes from the line and the Grandfather sticker. I used a Pink Paislee's 'Daily Junque' border stamp at the top of the page, then 'hung' a birdcage stamp from their 'Butterfly Garden' set. The butterfly from the same set has been stamped onto patterned paper and glued along the body so it has movement. The hot air balloon from 'Daily Junque' was also stamped onto patterned paper and pop dotted. I am really pleased with how it's come out and now understand why these mica sprays are so popular, lol!

Thanks so much for stopping by, don't be a stranger :0)

Ali x

Sketches in Thyme #58

2011-10-17T09:22:00.001+01:00

And so to the second post for today!

This layout is the first one from our recent holiday to Turkey, as I plan to do a whole album you will see a lot of us in a gorgeous part of the world :0)

Here is the stunning SiT sketch:

and here is DH and DGD playing in the pool. This is probably day 3, if you had seen her at the beginning she was fully bedecked in arm bands, rubber ring and talk about limpet...she would cling round your neck for all she was worth! The secret to being fearless in the water is to make it fun! By the end of the fortnight she was swimming under water and jumping in off the side. In fact she became so confident that DH and I were the nervous ones!!!

I have no idea why this is on it's side - I have tried everything to sort it but to no avail!!!

The papers are Pink Paislee 'Hometown Summer' as are the stamped images (coloured in with ProMarkers), and ephemera. The letters have been done with Inkadinkadoo stamps and the 'swimmer' stamps are from Pink Paislee's Nantucket line.

Thanks for looking, sorry for the wonky post! If anyone can tell me how to rectify it I would be grateful :0)

Ali x

Sketches in Thyme #57

2011-10-17T08:59:00.000+01:00

Morning,
I got a chance to do some scrapbooking last night :0) Life has been really full on recently and whilst it is lovely to be so busy........theatre trip to see Backbeat (excellent, go if you can!) my cousin's wedding (a fabulous day) general family stuff (always a pleasure) it was great to be able to retreat for a few hours.

Sketches in Thyme have come up with some awesome sketches this month using multiple photos. I used to shy away from using more than one photo on a layout but now I love it - in fact, I will deliberately take a series of photos with a scrapbook page in mind!

The photos on this layout were all of the same day and are of me (very unusual for me to scrap myself) it was such a lovely day and DH has captured my mood perfectly!

Here is the sketch:

and here is my layout:

The background paper is Basic Grey. I have stitched round the edge using the Sew and Stitch gizmo from WRMK with some of their floss. The patterned papers are old Basic Grey from a pad I found in my stash with just a few sheets left in it (I am on a mission to use up my odds and sods!) The stars are something I picked up in Hobbycraft that I was going to use on my christmas cake last year but changed my mind when I realised they had glue dots on the back! The chipboard letters are old K and Co ones and the rosette is from American Crafts.

Thanks for stopping by, I shall be back in a bit with SiT #58!

Ali x

Sketches in Thyme Design Team Call - Take II

2011-10-12T13:01:00.000+01:00

Morning all,

I keep looking at the last layout I posted for this challenge and I really don't think it's entirely me, so I have decided to post another one.

The colours and style of this one are more in keeping with my 'look' plus I got to make a whole load of washi tape - I love it!!!

If you are interested there is still plenty of time to apply for the DT, here are the rules:

1-Create a new layout based on our sketch below.

2-Post about our DT call on your blog, along with your take on our sketch.

3-Leave a comment here telling us that you would like to be considered for the DT, along with a link to your blog post!

and here is the sketch!

and here is my layout of DD's and their happy chaps :0)

Thanks so much for looking, sorry about yet more rubbish photography! I am off to look for some hints and tips :0)

Ali x

Echo Park 'For the Record' Projects

2011-10-11T19:00:00.000+01:00

I have finished Grandmotherly duties early for today and I feel a bit giddy at having extra time to myself! So guess where I am??? That's right, tucked away in my little bit of heaven!!
I have now pretty much used up all the collection and I am feeling pretty pleased with myself - so much so that I think it would be justified to do a little crafty shopping this evening!

So before I start showing you what I did I think it is only fair to warn you that this is going to be a photo heavy post!

So here is what I have left of the collection:

Not bad eh? I am not at all worried about the letters...you always need letters, right? Not sure why I haven't used them!!! The scraps will now get thrown, I just wanted to keep them to show you!!

So first thing, I made another notelet holder only this time using envelopes as I didn't have any more small paper bags.

I gave the other one to my Mum today, who immediately said, as she always does, why don't you make some of these to sell? They would go down a storm...lol!!!

The next project is a little journal. I keep meaning to take a week of my life and record it for posterity so that is what this book will prompt me to do....I hope!

I was running out of paper by the time I came to do the cover so it has been paper pieced . The cigar band is a piece of the solid paper with a border over the top.

The hearts were cut on the Cricut and stuck back to back.

The first page is there to set the scene and from then on there is a page for each day.

I put in a final page after Sunday's so that there would be space to add any additional journalling.

So finally, I managed to squeeze a few cards out of the rest:

Super simple. a flower border stamped with Thyme brilliance ink and then 2 of the stickers.

Black stitching, bird sticker and a rolled flower The stamp is a Fiskars one , stamped onto one of the solid papers.

Solid colour paper punched with an EK Success border punch and then a black 'stitch' line. Bakers Twine is attached to the plane sticker and then tied to one of the phrase strips.

The balloon sticker is attached to a Nellie Snellen die and then a Teresa Collins stamp has been put onto another sticker.

So that's it for now :0), sorry for the rubbish photos, the weather is very grey today. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Ali x