After Christmas Scrapbooking and Frames

I know, I know... we haven't made it TO Christmas yet, but I am getting a bit frustrated now that I have made some items as presents, but because they ARE presents can't post them on here!

What a nuisance! So after Christmas I will be posting LOADS of photos of Layouts, mini albums, cards and the like!

At the moment I have a number of gift 12x12 layouts to achieve before next weekend, trouble is I haven't a clue where to start! Wish me luck!

The layouts will be in hand made frames, which a friend of my mum makes. I have one (8x8) (pictured) which he made for me to my specification which has swivel clasps on the back instead of the usual pins or staples. This means that I can change the layout inside whenever I wish - and it works really well. So the current favourite goes in for a while and then it's an easy change. And this particular layout in the frame pictured shows that even quite deep embellishments can be accommodated. There were 2 card inserts included to pad out the back in case the layout did not have deep embellishments.

Anyone who would be interested in obtaining these for their own layouts... send me a comment and I can pass on the mail order details.

Christmas Concertina Album Card

Here is the latest creation. It is a Christmas version of the birthday album/card I posted recently (but couldn't post a whole picture because the recipient isn't going to get it till January!

So I promised a similar item in a different form and so here it is!

I have made it using a piece of A4 green card (so rather than a 4 inch album, it is 9.9cm - which is just under 4 inches)

The papers were a freebie from Scrapbook Inspirations - however, rather disappointingly I notice that they no longer have freebie papers, and more recently, no free gift at all!

Anyway, the papers are from Doodlebug Design Inc (last years) and I the idea of this card/album is that it is initially a christmas card, but I will also include instructions for placing small photos of the recipient's choice onto each of the pages, after the festive season.

This is why it seems a little "bare" at the moment. I have deliberately not covered areas of each page so that photos can be added later.

So the card becomes a mini hanging scrapbook album! Good eh?!

Scrapbooking Limits

Below is an excerpt from the "musings" section of the Home page at UKScrappers this week.

I thought I would put my two penneth in here too.!

.... I've been musing on what might be considered "off limits" for your scrapbooks. Are there any topics that you consider taboo? And a natural follow on from that is are there topics that you consider off limits for sharing in online galleries? Every online forum has a wide variety of layouts posted, and rarely on UKS do we get complaint about Gallery posts for the topic or the photo, but it does occasionally happen. There are a handful of topics that push buttons, the most common, the one that strikes a nerve quickly, being layouts made to help cope with grief, especially over the loss of a child. But we have had reports of some of the Breast Cancer Awareness layouts (outrage that children use the site and boobs NOT appropriate), and the recent discussion on the appropriateness of layouts that are "political."

In general, it seems people approach their scrapbooks in a number of different ways - some are more like journals, with layouts on every imaginable topic, expressing the deepest feeling of the creator - no topic is off limits there! Others aim to preserve only the fondest memories, of childhood, of family, a trip, a well-loved pet, a garden. Still others are a mix - realistic portrayals, to the creators, of the ups and downs of life, including both the good and the bad, but not dwelling on either or delving too deep emotionally. We've seen gift albums that are, in a word, "racy" and ones that touch on topics some (but by no means ALL) find inappropriate..."

The main crux here is more about the uploading and sharing of your scrapbooking layouts... because if your pages are for your eyes only (or only a select few) then there is no problem.

Scrapbooking to me is... "Anything goes", but beware of sharing! I have made a (what the UKS author calls) "racy" mini album. It was as an anniversary album last year for my husband. It is for his eyes only as it is what I would class as "X" rated. Now I have no intention of sharing this album with anyone online, however, I would like to encourage other women to do something like it for either their partners... or even for themselves. Take the pictures yourself in the mirror, and/or use the timer facility (on most cameras now) and, if you have one, use a tripod.

Get into the habit of taking your own photos of yourself in private. They don't have to be explicit! just practise that smile that your other half doesn't see much these days! Print it, stick it on a layout and give it to him...

.... just watch his face!

Scrapbooking Embellishments

This was actually a picture I tried to post a few posts back when I was giving a sneeky peek of the 4x4" concertina (accordion) album, but unfortunately Blogger wouldn't take this second photo so I ran with just the one.


This picture shows a close up of some dragonfly brads on one of the pages. They are from a box which was fairly cheap and was in a sale. Classic case of "they will be useful for something".

Then, of course, they sit around unused because they are not suitable for the theme of the current layouts being created.


That's where these little albums come into their own really... the pages can be just a collection of papers and embellishments (and in this case there is a quote rub on included on the page) and your done.


If you are stuck in a rut, can't find your "mojo" as they call it, your creative juices just aren't flowing... then make up a little album 4x4" is ideal but 3x3" is good too. It is then a process to limit what's on each page (not even a photograph on some). In that process you see things such as brads, and eyelets, and other embellishments as features in their own right instead of just an accompaniment to a much larger page/photo.


Use the embellishments not as embellishments, but as the "main attraction" to the page itself! It's quite refreshing!

Scrapbooking the Beauty within

This is a layout by one of my Teammies on UKScrappers. The layout itself is lovely, I'm a bit of a sucker for all things swirly, but the reason I felt moved to post it here to share with you all, was because of the journaling.

As you know I have been reading about and attempting to live "The Secret" - which is actually about the Law of Attraction and this layout fits perfectly into that.

My Teammie's words reflect how we should all feel about our bodies no matter what shape or weight we are. But even more than that her words also are a brilliant example of how we can appreciate anything in our lives.

And the importance of that?

By the Law of Attraction we attract more of what we focus on... focus on how much we appreciate ourselves, our friends, families or even complete strangers (epsecially if they have given us something like good service, or even just a smile) and we will receive the same.

I know this because just thinking about what I appreciate in my life, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, starts to bring a feeling of warmth into my heart, and as they say... "from little acorns..."

Anway, I leave you with the content of the post as it is on UKScrappers and I want to say a big thank you to ceruleanblue (her UKS name) for allowing me to share her thoughts and her layout with you.

"I've done this LO in response to a challenge on the All About Eve blog - Love Your Body.

The journalling inside the tag reads "I love my body in a practical rather than aesthetic way. I love it for what it can do for me. It carried my child; I can express my love for my husband; it takes me to places and shows me new experiences. I am lucky to be able to use my whole body to move and feel, to smell and taste, to listen and hear, to see and imagine. I love my body because it can bring those visions, feelings and experiences to life: it adds texture and dimension to my emotional and spiritual life. I love my body because it enables me to feed my soul."

The photo was taken when I was a few months pregnant with my son.

I used BG Periphery and DCWV All dressed Up papers, Bazzill bling cardstock, DCWV glittery rubons ; glitter letters are Making Memories cheeky shimmer alphas; I also used Autumn Leaves swirls stamps with blue chalk ink and clear embossing powder but they don't really show up in the photo."

Photograph taken by my Three Year Old

Ok, she's nearly 4, but all the same, she wandered off when we were holidaying in the New Forest (Southern England) back at the beginning of October, with my camera in hand!

Luckily I always insist she has the strap around her neck just incase it should slip from her hands, but still, I was rather nervous of her tripping over a tree root or five actually!

Anyway, off she wandered with my Fuji S602Zoom (my pride and joy!) "I'm just going to take a picture of your cars mummy!"

So she did and this is the result! The Sports car (Celica) is mine, and the Frontera beside it is my mum's - we were holidaying together.

Now the camera did most of the work I realise (as it was set on Auto anyway), and ok, the picture is a little "off vertical", but I was rather impressed with the photograph.

So on the strength of this and other photos she has managed to take recently, I have decided to buy her a digital "point and shoot" camera for Christmas. I was going to get one of those kiddy ones, but the reports are that the picture quality is rubbish, so I will buy a "proper" camera for the less money (the kiddy ones are around £50-60!!) and see what else she comes up with!

Making your own Scrapbooking background paper

I don't know if you remember, but I posted a blog entry about some really colourful stamps I had bought? Link to the post here.

Well I decided to use them as a background for one of the pages in my "hanging concertina (Accordian) Album" that I mentioned in the last post.

After soaking them all off their backings and drying them, I arranged them all on a piece of paper and then placed a sheet of acetate over the top and flipping it all over carefully, scanned it in.

The result is a reusable and very colourful background paper about 6x6" in actual size. Of course you can do this with anything, such as labels, tickets, menus, timetables, etc. Just make a pleasing collage and then scan it in (or just colour photocopy it).

And then you will have a background that is unqie to you. It's helpful to do this if something you want to include in a layout is actually bound into a book that you don't wish to destroy. Just use the same method. Scan it in, or just photocopy it and then make a collage by positioning your other items over the scanned image, then rescan with all your other items in place.

Of course, unless you have a large format printer, these backgrounds will be for A4 (up to 8x8") maximum, but you can always have a border on a 12x12!

Oh and by the way... the little bow embellishment... one of a pair of earrings. I cut off the stem at the back and it makes a lovely "quality" embellishment!!

Sneeky Peek - Hanging Concertina Album (accordian)

Thought I would give you all a sneeky peek of the album I will demonstrate tomorrow at the ScrapBuddies crop! Just for fun!

There is no kit involved, everyone will be using their own stuff - which is the idea of the group - to actually use what we keep going out and buying, instead of buying a kit (yet more stash)!

So my example hanging album - which is 4x4" - is for a birthday and is purples and blues and a little pink and green.

And I think the recipient will like it when I eventually give it to them.

Unfortunately I won't be able to post the whole thing until after I have given to the person in question! But I may have made another by then and can post that instead!

Another chance to say "Ahhhhh"!

Yes... this is definitely a bit of self indulgence!

My daughter, Honey, with my new pup, Inde (who is now 13 weeks old!) That's the pup of course LOL!

Took the picture today, as I thought I should as he has grown so much since I brought him home on 11th October!

See the post back then.

What can I say, they are both cute... however, both will be handfuls if I don't stick to my principles and keep a disciplined household! That's always assuming that Inde is as intelligent as his breed is supposed to be. I am looking forward to having an obedient dog - but I realise I have to put in the hard work now in order to achieve a happy, mentally healthy and loyal border collie... I'm not so sure about the daughter!! LOL!

Autumn Scrapping

I took this picture while it was still dry in my region of the world! Weather cold and wet now!

I took the new puppy and my Jack Russell for a walk this afternoon and got drenched in a cloud burst which lasted just until I stepped foot inside the house again! Typical! Mmmmm the smell of wet dog!!!!

Anyway back to the picture - I am a bit of a sucker for all the lovely russets and ochres of autumn.
"You like dark red don't you mummy?" as my soon-to-be-4 daughter says. I just love the colour of this tree's leaves again the blue sky - fantastic.

I have sunglasses which are a lovely shade of pink and they just make the autumn colours zing with beauty, frankly I wear them whenever I can - nothing like looking at the world through rose coloured glasses!

What's wrong with that is what I say!

I haven't scrapbooked an autumn page yet. Currently I am working on the demo for my next crop at the weekend!

It's a hanging concertina card... will post a picture after the crop on Saturday.

Hybrid Scrapbooking - What's that?

Well Hybrid Scrapbooking is the new term for those of us who combine traditional scrapbooking with digital scrapbooking.

Sometimes it can be mixed in the form of printing out "digi" background papers, or elements and cutting them out. Or, as in the previous post, making up a digital page to "compliment" a paper layout (a hard copy layout?).

Anyway, this isn't a hybrid page layout (just to be obtuse!) but it is another attempt at digi scrapping.

The whole page is made using paper and elements by Cinzia Loosemore, from a freebie “Add On” kit for the “Beauty” Collection.
The Beauty kit is available from digitalfreebies.com

16 Photographs on One Scrapbook Layout - is it a Record?

Well it's a record for me anyway! I have had this page half done for about a year! Yes, you read correctly... a whole year!

I used the initial photograph on top of the patterned paper as part of a demo I gave to my Crop about using patterned paper.

I had the idea then that I wanted the main photo on the front, but wanted to include a selection of smaller photographs taken of our visit to a friend up in Yorkshire in a pocket behind. But that was as far as I got.

Since I have been fiddling with digital Scrapbooking lately, I thought, "Hey! Why don't I do a mini scrapbook page as the tag for the pocket?" So that is what I have done.

Mind you the resulting layout is actually 8x7", so not really a mini page! But there are 15 photos on that and including the main photo, that's 16 !

You might like to know about a little trick I did with the ribbon...

The green and maroon ribbon is one piece of wide ribbon, but it had a thin line of yellow down the middle, which spoilt the page. I decided to cover it with a thin cream coloured ribbon, using double sided tape and voila... the ribbon matched the papers beautifully!

The title "Ilkley" which is the name of the town where we were, I hand cut... no Craft Robo in my house yet!!!!

More Digital scrapbooking - fiddling with Photos

Well I had a fiddle with a photo recently using Photoshop Elements. This photo seemed a prime candidate for making the picture black and white but hightlighting the colourful lego - the subject of the photo! What do you reckon?

Honey and Daddy often spend time making "towers" out of lego and Honay specifically wanted a photograph of this particular creation!

As for scrapbooking... well I may do a layout, but I may just use the picture as the background and embellish slightly. I think using more coloured papers will be too much.

Check out my Slide Show!

I decided to use this program to show a slide show of some of my work... Am currently trying to work out how to get it into the side margin of this blog instead of here as a single entry, I suppose you will soon see if I have been successful!!

Free Digital Scrapbooking supplies

I have been collecting information and freebie downloads for a few months now to enable me to do some digital scrapbooking. And this is not my first attempt, but my second. I have listed below the supplies used on this layout.

It is actually an entry in a book I started for my daughter when we had her naming day on her first birthday. Everyone who attended wrote something on a page in the book and every year since then my husband and I and any other significant person (family member) around on, or near her birthday, writes an entry in the book.

This year I decided to do a digital scrapbooking layout for her 3rd birthday (which I wrote back then, but didn't get around to sticking in the book!). It is 19 x 13.5cm (7.5 x 5.25in) So as her 4th birthday is coming up soon, I will be doing another layout. In fact I may attempt a double page layout! More to say!!!

Anyway, there is an overwhelming amount of digital supplies out there on the web, and I have only fiddled with freebies so far, and am trying to "self-teach" myself how to use Photoshop Elements. I find the program a little frustrating sometimes because I used to work with a professional publishers layout program years ago (£900 worth!) and so find Photoshop Elements (PSE) a bit "clunky". However, if you'd like to dabble in digi scrapping, then PSE is a good one to use (£50). And of course, like me you can have a go for free, by downloading freebie digi papers, elements and alphas just to see how it is for you, as you can use them in programs like Word.

I warn you though, the file sizes for the graphics are huge, and that's before you put any pictures on a layout, so you need a fair amount of RAM. I recently added to mine and now have 750Mb of RAM, which works ok.

So the list of ingredients for the above layout...

Brown crumpled writing paper by Eva Kipler available from Digitalfreebies.com

Swirl frame from the freebie “Festival” by Shabby Princess

Background papers and flower by Tracy Collins (known as Retrodiva) available from Digitalfreebies.com

Another multi photo Layout

I am in a "get as many photos as you can on a page" streak at the moment!

The last post included a double page spread including 14 photos. This one "First Christmas Party" has only 4 but that are all quite big.


I am doing these layouts to show my ladies at the Scrapbuddies Crop that it is very possible to make up pages which can actually hold quite a few pictures, and that you don't have to "hide" them either, in pockets or behind other photos.


Although I do actually like what they call "interactive pages". That is where you have to lift a flap or slide out a tag or whatever it may be.


I very nearly finished this page without my "signature" item... some ribbon!


So I decided to pin some ruched ribbon to the page using brads!

Multiple photo Scrapbooking Layouts

This is the double page layout (DLO) that I finished this week which includes no less than 14 photos, or parts or photos!

Top photograph is the left hand page.

Background paper is from Top Line Creations and the brown stripey paper is from the Basic Grey "Blush" Collection called "Angelic".

The "2" I covered in the basic grey paper, but it is in fact a wooden number (as opposed to cardboard) from a pack I bought in cheapish stationers/craft shop. In the "Items for kids crafts" section.

So technically it is a chipboard letter! Or in this case number!

Anyway, the layout was inspired by a sketch from kiwiscraps.com which included 13 pictures. I thought it time to scrap some pages which were a little more utilitarian in that they stored lots of pictures, and birthdays are one of those occasions where there are lots of photos! I have mentioned this in a previous post.

So I now have to get on an do my daughter's 3rd birthday pictures before she is 4, so I have a month to do it!