JUST BAKE IT OFF LAYOUT

TUESDAY, 17 MARCH, 2015

Well, it seems like once I got going with creating traditional layouts that the creativity just kept coming. 

So I went with it!

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Sometimes if I want to get completely lost in the process of something I will do a bit of baking. I find it a bit therapeutic. I seem to be able to switch off and get completely absorbed by whatever I'm doing. Like I'm sort of on auto pilot, which is nice. 

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I have to say that the inspiration for the title for this layout came from Taylor Swift and Jamie Oliver somewhat. They did an advert in the UK for Stand Up to Cancer sung to the tune of her song 'Shake it Off'.

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It's really quite cute.  You can find it here. Hence the title "Just Bake It Off". 

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The full page

Thanks for taking the time to drop by my blog. 

LOOKING RUFF LAYOUT

SUNDAY, 15 MARCH, 2015

Hello Fellow Crafters!

I have been in a bit of a crafting funk lately, seem to have lost my crafting mojo earlier this week. 

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Wanted to sit down and finish my PL for February but it just wasn't happening.  I do hate when that happens. You find the time to scrap and then nothing comes. 

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I played around with a lot of stuff, seemed to get out all of my supplies on my desk, as if this would help but I just couldn't create anything. Nothing felt right. I fiddled around with pictures, changing things - the background card, trying different colours, the position of the pic on the card, adding every embellishment known to man and nothing. 

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So I put it all away and went back to basics, just creating a standard layout, which I blogged about here. 

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Then after I created that layout I found myself playing around with another photo that I wanted to scrap. I said to myself that I would do something quite different from my usual page, a bit more abstract, lots of tiny details and also use a bit of paint. 

This is what I ended up with and I like it!

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A close up of the cute pic that inspired the layout!

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As always, thanks for taking the time to drop by my blog!

Happy Scrapping!

JANUARY PL PART 3 

MONDAY, 09 FEBRUARY, 2015

Today I am sharing my final Project Life layout for January and I'm very happy to be able to say that as I do so want to start on February!

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The first completed page

I had most of this page completed from my previous post except for the two lower pockets down the right hand side. 

Close up of the pockets completed

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I have finished The Husband's Secret and started reading Thirteen Reason's Why. I have also now finished this book as well. 

The next completed page

I included a snapshot of an almond croissant that I bought from the bakery. Not something I would usually photograph but they were having a special offer at the bakery and as well it not something that I usually eat, pastry that is. But I just couldn't resist as almond croissants are my favorite! I included a picture of Rupert on one of our walks at Cookham.

It got so cold this week that the bird bath actually froze. Poor birdies. Met with Sarah for our monthly catch up at Stubbing's Cafe for tea and cake. Sarah has now completed her Yoga coursework and has become a licensed Yoga instructor. I have been supporting her in new endeavor by going to her beginning classes. 

Rupert genuinely looking sad when I took the Christmas decorations down. 

Close ups of individual pockets

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I wanted to try some of the double 6 x 6 inserts as thought this would be a fun size to work with. 

Close up of the 6 x 6 pockets insert

Front 

I had most of this page completed from my previous post except for the two lower pockets down the right hand side.

Back of the insert

Close up of the bottom pocket

I joined a Facebook group for Planner Addicts in the hope that they would help inspire me to become more organized this year. I have come to learn that they are genuine addicts and will probably more than likely get me addicted to loads of stationery rather than help me to actually get organized!

I also purchased a monthly/weekly planner from Paperchase to help me be more structured in my organization. Here's hoping it wasn't all in vain. 

Thanks for taking the time to drop by.

Hope your documenting 2015 is progressing along nicely!

JANUARY PL PART 2

TUESDAY, 27 JANUARY, 2015

Hello Fellow Crafters!

Looking at my post date above I cannot believe that January is nearly over. Where did the month go?

Today I am sharing a few pages from my January Project Life. 

I have to say that I am liking the bigger size album this year. A change was definitely needed and I am glad that I chose to go with the 9 x 12 size. Although with the bigger size I do feel that I haven't done that much yet this year whereas with the smaller 6 x 8 size it definitely fills up quicker. 

The first page

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Just before the Christmas break I was having difficulty with my right shoulder. It got to the point where just after the new year the pain became unbearable so had to visit the GP. She referred me to a physiotherapist. 

I cut up the flier from the physio clinic and inserted this into (4) 3 x 4 pockets.  I also created a mock patient assessment file card (don't worry, that's not my real NHS number). Found a little file folder tab from The Daily Grind kit by Simple Stories and enjoyed using my new sewing machine to attach it to the top of the card. 

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I'm not necessarily a Marvel fan, one way or the other but one afternoon I found myself sitting in front of the telly watching Captain America - The Winter Soldier.  And I have to say it was quite a good film - a fast paced action packed adventure! Enjoyed it! 
(This insert is design I) 

The top (2) pockets

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The bottom pocket

A pic of Rupert, full from his dinner, sitting in the kitchen, dozing with contentment as we eat our dinner. He brings me such joy! 

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I also got a chance to do another full size 9 x 12 layout. I am really enjoying being able to work with this size. 

I know I already used this photo on my title page but I really liked it and we so rarely take pictures together (something I aim to do more this year) so I thought I would use it for a full size layout as well. 

I wanted to do a lot of layering with this layout as well as use a pink colour scheme. I am trying to make an effort to use up more of my stash this year as I have quite a lot to use so this was my first attempt at that. 

A close up of some of the smaller details.

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My next page including a new year pic, what book I'm currently reading and some pics of all of us.  

Inserted a 2015 card at the top of the page. A very cute photo that Jason posted on my FB page just after the New Year which is totally my sense of humour! 

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Last year I saw a lot of crafters regularly include in their albums what they were reading. This year I thought I would do the same. I am currently reading The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty. 

I found this great printable on the Happy Go Lucky blog by the lovely Kara, which you can find here. The printable was much larger but I scaled it down to fit into a 3 x 4 pocket.

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More pictures of Rupert as he is the child that I document! This is a daily ritual with Rupert. When Simon comes home for the evening this is what Rupert does.  It makes us both laugh so much!

As you can see this page is not complete. I have a few spaces yet to fill but I wanted to get it up and posted on the blog.

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I have been coveting shoes like these for ages and finally found a pair in the UK, which is not an easy task.  There are many companies that carry shoes like this but mostly in the US or even some in Australia. But I always hesitate to purchase them from outside the UK as the postage would cost a small fortune and as well, if they don't fit and I have to return them I will then lose again with the return postage.

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So this was a great find for me and I ordered them straight away. Took more than a couple weeks to arrive and when they did I was so excited, like a small child on Christmas morning! I was absolutely gutted to find as I was unpacking them from the box that there was a gouge on the outer heel of the right shoe. It doesn't come through completely in the small photo above but in real life you could clearly see it. So sadly I had to return them, after all that. 

I had my yoga mat out as I make an effort to exercise at home at least three times a week. Rupert always likes to roll around and rub his face all over my yoga mat once I'm done exercising. Don't know why he does it but I find it so adorable!

After looking back on my pages I have noticed that they do seem quite busy with all the polka dots, stripes and bold colours. 

Wondering if maybe I should tone it down it bit...?

Thanks for taking the time to drop by my blog!

INSPIRATION FOUND

THURSDAY, 15 JANUARY, 2015

Hello All!

This is a just a quick one today!

As if I already don't have enough crafting projects on the go, this morning I was inspired to create something else. 

I was surfing the members gallery over at Studio Calico last night and came across some Christmas tags by Mandy G. which you can find here.

I was so inspired by her beautiful creations that I instantly pinned them into my inspiration book to covet and pine over later. 

When I got up this morning her lovely creations were still floating around in my head so I decided to sit down at my craft table and see if I could do her work justice by creating something similar. 

I definitely had fun just getting lost in making these with a couple of kits by My Minds Eye that I recently found on the cheap at TK Maxx (the UK equivalent of TJ Maxx). 

I do love when inspiration hits you in that way! You see something that you really like so much so that you want to have a go at creating something similar and then get completely lost in the momentum that follows. 

If you would like to check out Mandy's gallery at Studio Calico you can find it here or see more of her work, you can follow her on her blog or on Instagram @papersandstamps.

Can't wait to use these now on a layout!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by. 

4th of July (Simple Stories)

Today I am sharing a recent layout I created about the 4th of July. Living in the UK the 4th of July is something I really miss celebrating.  Friends here say "you can still celebrate, if you want to."  Yes, this is true but it is just not the same when 1) everyone else isn't celebrating as well and 2) you don't get the big fireworks display somewhere or can go to an open air 4th of July concert.

 This year I was planning on getting back to the states to celebrate properly but unfortunately it just didn't come about for a couple of reasons, so I was quite disappointed about that.  

 

So here is my layout dedicated to the 4th of July.

 At least the day turned out to be sunny, which is always a good thing here in the UK so Rupert and I spent the afternoon at the park, on a long walk.

 

Then in the evening I joined Simon for a round of golf, in the buggy, at the golf club with a nice dinner afterwards.  Going out with him in the buggy is always good for a laugh or two.  So although I didn't get to celebrate "American style", it was all in all a great day.

 Left Page

SUPPLIES | Background paper is Simple Stories I {Heart Summer}. I cut a 6x8 piece and then mounted it on a bit of white cardstock, running Studio Calico washi tape (from Sugar Rush) around the edges.  Wanted to bring out some of the stripes in the bunting banner on the paper. The little gold stars are Studio Calico. The yellow sun face in the I heart Summer banner is soo old I wouldn't even know the brand, from my super early days of scrapbooking.  The "Sunny Day" tag on top of the Keep Calm photo is by Bella Blvd from their Playdate sticker sheet.  The gold glittery arrow is by Freckled Fawn. The blue "completely awesome" round sticker is from the Simple Stories D.I.Y. line and the red star from the Daily Grind pack. The blue star is Studio Calico and the white enamel dot is also Simple Stories D.I.Y. as is the "look" sticker. The green "park" sticker is from Bella Blvd. Playdate.

 

 Right Page

SUPPLIES | Background paper is Simple Stories I {Heart} Summer. Again I cut a 6x8 piece and mounted it on the reverse of Fancy Pants Be.Loved. Sentiments paper.  The "celebrate" banner at the top is from Studio Calico as is the blue star.  The red glittery #4 is an American Crafts Thicker called Pantry as is the J in July.  The other lettering is from Bella Blvd. off the Playdate sticker sheet.  The t&h are Simple Stories Typecast.  The red & white striped journaling card is by Teresa Collins Stationery Noted. The "freedom" sticker is a super old Making Memories Defined sticker that I painted with blue watercolours. The blue circular star sticker is Studio Calico and the blue Friday tag is Simple Stories Daily Grind. The red "smile" tag and the blue "real life" tag I cut out from Simple Stories paper.  The corner of the lined card with the red star on it is a snippet of a 7 Gypsies card and the dark grey geotag is by Studio Calico.

 

Not sure why my pictures look so washed out today, don't know if its the light I used or if my camera is playing up.  Tried retaking them but they seemed to come out the same.  

 

Thanks for stopping by to take a look!

 

Christine  : )

Family Album (super belated Christmas present)

This album is something I created and started working on in the days leading up to Christmas.  For this year I wanted to give my sister-in-law something that was a bit more heartfelt than a store bought present, as she is somewhat difficult to buy for sometimes.  Kinda like Rachel off of Friends, if you've ever watched the programme.  Basically you have to give her the gift with the receipt attached as more than likely she will want to return it for something she likes more. All kidding aside and more importantly, the main reason I wanted to create this album was because in clearing out her family belongings from her shed last winter, where we had stacked boxes and boxes of stuff from her father's flat when he passed away a few years back, we came across loads of family photos that were just thrown in cardboard boxes.  Being a scrapbooker and an avid photographer I simply thought these pictures could be put to better use, scrapped in a nice album, looked over and remembered fondly, so the idea for this album was born.

 As I am trying to work my way through my stash this year (I figure I have all this product, I should really use it rather than hoard it and still buy new stuff) so I don't have names and/or brands for a lot of what I used.  Like with the bits of scrap paper I used for layering, as I kept these in a cropper hopper in no particular order I'm not certain who they are by. However, I did keep track of what papers I used for the background pages and have listed those below.  Be forewarned, this is a photo heavy post.

 

Supplies | Background papers: Chatterbox Scrapbook Walls-Dark Chocolate Gallery Dot (brown & white polka dot), Cloud 9 Design-Romance, BoBunny Flamingo Double Dot, Kissing Booth - We Belong (brown houndstooth), 7 Gypsies Lille Paper: Crazy Love, 7 Gypsies Lille Paper: Abundance, 7 Gypsies Camden Paper: Borough, Two Busy Moms Chronicles - Perfume Collage, K & Company Life's Journey Train Tickets Flat Paper, Scenic Route Paper Co.-Chestnut White Script designed by Sarah Milne.  The cover is chipboard by Teresa Collins and the internal pages are a mix of basic chipboard (for the bigger square pages) and heavy cardstock for the smaller inner pages.

I really did try to use up as much of my stash as I could and thought I would get through a fair bit of it but am still surprised at how much stuff I still have left over.  The letter tags above (J & H) I do believe are old American Craft embellishments.

 

 

The "Memories" tag on this page (above) I do believe is Paislee Press.
 

 

 I wanted the album to mostly be about her and her mother, sort of a mother daughter album.  Therefore most of the pictures used are either of her or her mother or both with a few family pictures & wedding pictures peppered in.

 

 The "Family" card is by October Afternoon as are the typed words "Childhood Memories" and "Remember".
 

The "Beautiful" tag on the left hand side of this layout (above) is actually the top of a journaling card by 7 Gypsies.
 

The "Captured" tab on the right hand side of this photo (above) is by Paislee Press.  The other two stickers are Dymo labels.

On the last two pages of the album I used some various childhood pictures of her mother.

 

 

Supplies | The lettering and the brackets for the word "Memories" are Thickers.  The "Life is Good" chipboard embellishment is by Simple Stories.  The fabric brad is by Making Memories (I think, again something from my stash). 

A shot of the album standing.

I really enjoyed making this album as it is probably more reflective of my scrapbooking style. I always liked making vintage themed pages when scrapbooking whereas I don't get to use that style much when documenting my Project Life.

Thanks for stopping by to have a look!
Christine x