3rd Mini Album Video, Cup Cake Card Tutorial & Inspiration

Sunday's Weekly Scrapbooking Round-Up 4th October 2009

I've spent best part of yesterday and today away from my laptop. Why? Because I thin k I'm suffering a little with "burn-out"! I need to ease off! I tried to scrapbook yesterday, for myself, but ended up making 2 scrapbooking videos instead... I just can't help myself apparently!

However I did spend the whole morning with Inde preparing and practising at a Public Agility Display. His first outing in public and I wasn't sure what he's do (he's a bit nervous!) but he was excellently behaved!

Anyway enough waffle... here's the round up...


3 Easy 4×4 mini albums - Video Tour 3
Here is the last in the series of short videos showing you the three mini scrapbook albums I made using just one piece of 8×8 cardstock and patterned paper each. This album is quite “girly” using more K&Co Papers “Sparkly Sweet”. All the albums are 4×4 and quite cute really! ...

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“Man Card” Video - funny!
Only us crafters would find this funny! The description of the video - “How to make a hand made card with tools already in your garage! “...

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Scrapbook Sketchbook Winners announced - Video Draw!
I posted a video of me drawing the names out of a hat (literally) for the sketchbook giveaway, all three winners have now contacted me, but you mayt still like to see the video...

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Some inspiration from across the web now...

Christmas is early this year by Jeja

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A Cupcake tutorial from Ingvild
Yes they DO look good enough to eat I reckon!

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A New Star...

Scrapworld... suffice to say there is loads of scrapbook inspiration on this lady's blog, she's on a number of design teams, which should tell you she's good!

Scrapbooking Video Tutorial, Freebie & Giveaway, Journaling Idea and Inspiration

Sunday's Weekly Scrapbooking Round-Up 27th September 2009

Hi Everyone! The major thing happening this week is you need to get on over to the SundayLDesigns.com blog to leave a comment to be in with a chance to win a giveaway AND pick up a freebie template - the blog post explains all, as does the video with it, details below...

Video: Make a Scrapbooking Sketchbook with free download
You know how when it’s your birthday, and you go into the office (assuming you work in an office by day, or have done so at one time) strangely it’s You who is expected to “get the cakes in”?! Well in the spirit of that tradition… although it is the birthday of the SimplyScrapbookingNow Newsletter… it’s the Newsletter giving the FREEBIE to All along with a video tutorial (which gives more information too)!
Every month I send the Newsletter subscribers some sort of freebie download, but this month the freebie is available to Everyone and it is available right here! Go to the post>>>

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Photo Journaling Block
I have posted a link to an article (below) showing how to use a faded picture as a journaling block instead of a plain coloured background. An example is pictured here. (on the blog post)
This article refers to using Photoshop to make the block, but the same principle could apply to traditional scrapbooking. How..? read more>>>

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"Wait For Me" by Lean (Doggy Scrapbook Layout)

OK, so I am a bit biased anyway because Lean's dog looks very similar to my Inde, but nonetheless this latest creation of Lean's is a stunning example of layering and roundness! I am currently making a mini album (as part of Shimelle's September class) which is circular, and have always been keen on curves rather than angles (well that's the excuse for my waistline anyway!!) LOL

There are some close-ups of the detail over on Lean's blog

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Fantastic Cards by Susan
These little darlings are by Susan and her blog is at One4Joy Daily. I think the undies on the washing line is super cute, and an unusual card to receive for most, I would think!

I particularly like the multi coloured card. I am a bit of a sucker for all things rainbow coloured! But I like the lacework pattern and the flower embellishments, really pretty.

Mini Album Video, and Inspirational Scrapbook Pages

Sunday's Weekly Scrapbooking Round-Up 20th September 2009

I actually managed to fight may way around the video editing problems with my computer recently and upload the second video about the three easy mini books! Where there's a will there's a way, as they say!

I have also been clearing and tidying my craft room/office in order to fit in a third rolling tote (yes I do need three when I am taking everything to my own crop ScrapBuddies.co.uk!!)and set up an area for making video scrapbook tutorials! I am in the throws of creating the online scrapbooking course I mentioned a while ago and I'm actually really looking forward to it's launch, but I am enjoying the process of creating the tutorials too. The tutorials are all based on my three and a half years' experience of giving workshops and demonstrations covering all sorts of things from beginner scrapbooking through to more advanced techniques.

As always I will let you know as soon as it is available. In the meantime... here is the round up this week.

3 Easy 4×4 mini albums - Video Tour 2
Here is the second of three short videos (this one is 2 and a half minutes), taking a look at three mini albums I made using only one piece of 8×8″ cardstock each and some patterned paper. I didn’t have anything else to hand when I made these mini albums apart from scissors and some double sided tape, oh and I borrowed a pencil too!
This little book was designed with little boys in mind! A nice boyish theme the papers being from ”Hopscotch”, a 6×6″ pad of papers by K&Co...

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Using the Masking Technique
My friend Siobhan has a flair for Scrapbooking! So much so, in fact that she is on a design team! I will be sharing her layouts with you from time to time (and I thank Siobhan for allowing me to do so - you can find here blog HERE), as I think they serve as ...

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Basic Grey “Indian Summer” Papers Scrapbook Pages
Here is a lovely page by Stephanie over at the Scrap Paper Scissors Blog (pictured right). I particularly like the layering of the leaves, butterflies and fence. And this is a great example of the use of white space (literally in this case!). (also features a page by Courtney Baker, pictured below)...

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Scrapbook Reminder from the Media
I took this photograph (see photo on main story on SLD.com) when I was last visiting my sister and brother-in-law recently. I do not have any newspapers in my house (apart from the free ones which are thrust through our door whether we like it or not!). This magazine came with The Times newspaper, which came with their delivery of grocery shopping.
The reason ...

Oh and plesae excuse the dodgy layout of this post - Blogger is currently taking out all my spaces (hard returns!) Bless it!

Easy Mini Album Video Tour, Freebie peek and Scrapbook Page Inspiration

Sunday's Weekly Scrapbooking Round-Up 6th September 2009

So it's the last week of the school holidays...normally I would be feeling a sigh of relief (I think I've got Honey's school stuff ready now!), but alas I am "up against it" again.

Why? Because I am supposed to be taking an after school club (2 actually) this term at my daughter's school! Yes I've changed my mind about the content of the courses... so I'm frantically trying to finish the example scrapbook mini albums the children will be making... wish me luck.

I also signed up for Shimelle's September Class (daily scrapping... yeah right!!) my daily entries will be done once a week I think!


Well, on to the update then.


3 Easy 4×4 mini albums - Video Tour No.1
Whilst I was visiting my folks in Surrey and Sussex recently I visited a (fairly local) scrapbooking shop Crafts U Love (they do mail order). While I was there I bought a number of items such as new papers, but I also bought some sale paper packs along with my usual replenishment of tape runners and foam pads, etc.

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Newsletter subscriber Freebie - a Quickpage by SundayL
I mentioned a while ago (I think) that I am working on a fairly dark set of printable papers (hybrid crafting). I decided to give away a downloadable quick page to all my Newsletter Subscribers in August, and this is it.

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Tutorial - How to make Felt Embellishments

Over on Ali Edwards Blog there is a tutorial with a download.

"This week Tuesday Tutorials welcomes Tania Willis with a fabulous, inspiring tutorial on creating felt embellishments.
You can download the PDF of Tania's tutorial ..." >>>

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Some recent Scrapbook Page Layouts from others...



I Am Who I Am
Ingvild Bolme creates another stunning page, this time with a sentiment we should all be taking on board. In fact I actively encourage everyone to make a scrapbook page on a similar note and place the layout somewhere where you will see it Every Day!

There are lots of close up photos of this layout.

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A Round Page Layout
Scrapperlicious shows us how she made a recent circular scrapbook page. I like the muted colours of this one.

Lots of close up picture provided of this layout.

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New Find... a sumptuous page
I found this lady (Zarah) via Scrapperlicious. I love this layout, the simplicity of the colour scheme, and it's good to see it as an example of how you "don't" have to use themed papers for a subject. Zarah's grandmother (in the photograph) is not surrounded by vintage lace and all things grandmother-ish, she is surrounded with papers and embellishments which could easily suit any age of person - a refreshing change.

Poolside Scrapbooking, decorated letter blocks, cow mini albums, and interior design

Sunday's Weekly Scrapbooking Round-Up 2nd August 2009

Well I have been visiting my folks in Surrey (here in the UK) for a few days, and we actually ended up with my mum, my sister, her eldest daughter, myself and my daughter all making a mini scrapbook album each! very unusual for all to do something together like that, and it was nice! Three generations scrapbooking!

I have also spent yet more money on scrapbooking bits and pieces whilst I was out and about down there and when I returned with some lovely lace to share with my mum, she got out a shoe box stuffed with ribbon and lace... forgot she had them and now I had given her an idea of what to do with them! So I ended up with a whole bagful of lengths cut from those too... bonus! I will have to make up some "lacey" scrapbook pages now!

So onto the blog posts over at SundayLDesigns.com

Scrapbooking By The Pool
Ok, So it’s not a pretty sight, but it isproof of me “Scrapbooking by the Pool”! Actually this shot was rather dark in the foreground because of the contrast caused by me sitting in the shade and the brightness of the hotel swimming pool in the background. However, my trusy PSE (PhotoShop Elements) allowed me to fiddle with it. Shame I can’t “fiddle” a couple of stone off my body at the same time eh?! LOL

Read More>>

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Mini Album - Scrapbook By The Pool
In the last article I showed you what limited supplies I had when on holiday abroad (Majorca) and managed to make a mini album. Well here is the album! This is a Hybrid Scrapbook Album as the papers I have used are from the Colourful Beauty Kit of downloadable papers

Read More>>

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As for blog hopping...

Over on the WonderfullyWhimsy Blog there is a lovely post about decorated letter blocks with lots of pictures.

And over on a blog called Scrapsells from Lean there is a lovely mini album with lots of frills and ribbons and girlie stuff, although I note the photos in the album are of "cows"!!! I did notice however that Lean's Dog Misty looks remarkably like my boy Inde... go have a look at her latest layout and see for yourself! Pictures below...

Yeah alright... thay are both border collies! LOL I think it's Misty's expression actually, which looks just like Inde, but I don't have a picture of Inde looking ... "sheepish"... (groaning at bad joke!!)

And Thanks to the blog "Inspirational" for bringing Lean to my attention.

Finally here is a blog I found via Twitter... http://www.verdigrisvie.blogspot.com/ and I will tell you now that it is NOT a scrapbooking site, infact it has nothing to do with craft at all. It is a collection of beautiful houses and their interiors and worth soaking up the sunny pictures and sense of space, and may be even get a bit of inspiration too!

Die-Cut style Butterflies, Scrapbook Page Video, Mini Album Tutorial

Sunday's Weekly Scrapbooking Round-Up 26th July 2009

Poor old Honey has Chicken Pox! Strangely she didn't like the idea of taking photos of her spots for posterity (we all know I want to scrapbook the event!!)! Maybe when she's feeling better, but still shows the evidence? Well we have to scrapbook the not so good events of life too, don't you agree? I feel some of them are just as important, bearing in mind the difficulties in life shape us as people.

Anyway... This week's roundup of the Scrapbooking items over on the SundayLDesigns blog...


Freebie “Die-cut Style” Butterflies
I have just uploaded the July Freebie for All Newsletter Subscribers! Yep… they are free if you are a Subscriber to the SimplyScrapbookingNow.com Newsletter. You can sign up for free and you will gain instant access to all the previous freebies too (there is a link in every newsletter). So hello to all my subscribers - I hope you like the downloable gift this month. More>>>

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Page Tour Video - Interactive, and Cost Saving Elements
This is a Scrapbooking Page I made a while ago, but I wanted to show you some elements from that page because they are useful ones.In the Page Tour Video below I show you how to the interactive element of this page (flip up picture with hidden journaling), what the background is made from and if ... More>>>

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Accordion Spine Mini Scrapbook Album Tutorial
At the July ScrapBuddies Crop (last weekend) I demonstrated how to make an Accordion Spine Mini Album. In fact it was a bit of a workshop as we all did it together step-by-step. Here are some of the finished albums, which have 4×4″ pages (the covers are slightly larger). More>>>

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And so to a bit of Blog Hopping.

Monica's Cards

I like this lady's cards! Lots of layering and done in a "scrapbook style". I'm very much into the distressed edges and a bit of stitching, so I have picked out this example of Monica's cards to show you.

http://monicamyrnes.blogspot.com/












Oh... and the Scrapbook I made on holiday... I promise I will post it in the coming week for the next Round-Up!

A Scraplift, A Baby Card and The Wow Factor!

Sunday's Weekly Round-Up 21st June 2009

I had the pleasure of attending a crop yesterday 10.30-4 and I managed to create a page from scratch, or should I say "sketch" or maybe even "scraplift"... confused? Well all is revealed in the blogpost listed first below.

This week I have managed to get a lot of those niggly little business bits and pieces done, and I filmed a couple of page tours (with some TIPS) which I will edit and show sometime soon!

So here is the round up of recent articles over on the SundayLDesigns.com blog...

Scraplifting - using Someone Else’s Page as Inspiration
A couple of weeks ago I posted a link on the weekly update on the SSN Blog to Chelsea Cook’s blog to show you her scrapbooking layouts which are lovely. I also said that I would “Scraplift” one of them.
Well actually I decided to make Sketch using a couple of Chelsea’s layouts (from her gallery) for the June SimplyScrapbookingNow Newsletter. And I made my own 12×12 scrapbook page yesterday from the sketch and it looks like this…

Read More>>

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Ripped Paper Technique - Baby Girl Card
Here is a card I made recently for a couple who had a baby girl a week or so ago. I have used the Ripped Paper Technique to create the flower (link to more Tutorial and Video below), and drawn on stitches to give it a hand stitched look.

Read More>>

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The Wow Factor - Heritage Scrapbook Page
I saw a layout today over on Ingvild Bolme’s blog which is so fantastic I just HAD to write about it straight away on here!

Look at this… Read More>>

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Patchwork Style Scrapbooking, Video and Multiphoto Layouts

Sunday's Weekly Round-Up 14th June 2009

I have been busy this week, I published the June issue of the SimplyScrapbookingNow Newsletter (you can sign up for free, link top left of this blog).

I have made some more pages too, which I will show you shortly, and we had another successful Crop at ScrapBuddies yesterday... despite a strong bout of Hayfever on my part! We were playing with Shrinkles this month, great fun!

So here is the round up of recent articles over on the SundayLDesigns.com blog...

Don’t get Hung Up with Themes
I have come across many an ‘over-themed’ scrapbooking page in my time. I mean those pages which, say, are about a most loved pet dog, and which are just overflowing with images of dog bones, kennels, collars, food bowls… and on and on.
I’m sorry, but some people can just go over the top! And I’m not just talking about the creators of the pages, but also the manufacturers.
READ MORE>>


Patchwork Style Scrapbooking
There are a number of ways that you can achieve a “patchwork” feel to your scrapbooking pages, and indeed this style can be used to great effect on cards too.
I call this a “style” as opposed to a technique because, as I am about to show, you can achieve the look in a number of ways.
READ MORE>>


Scrapbooking Page Tour Video by SundayL “Laugh Together”
Here is another “Scrapbooking Page Tour” Video! The first Video Page Tour about a page entitled ”Curls” is HERE.
This is about the page I made to show a “Patchwork style” scrapbooking layout, called “Laugh Together”.
VIEW VIDEO>>

Lovely Clean, Simple Multi-Photo Layouts

Here are some examples of scrapbook layouts by Crystal Brothers. I like her clean and simple style, and the fact that a lot of her layouts are multi-photo, and as you see below I'm talking 2, 5 and 6 photos.

Take a look at Crystal's pages and see that there are not many elements to the layouts, and yet the positioning and choice of the few papers and embellishments on them work really well.

Do check out her blog, I have certainly started to "follow" it and I may well have to make one of Crystal's layout the subject of another "ScrapLift"!

Scrapbooking Video, Podcast and 300 year old letters!

Sunday's Weekly Round-up 7th June 09

I have definitely been going all "multi media" this past week! On Tuesday I uploaded my very first podcast to the SundayLDesigns blog. It's about the Scrapbooking Page below and there are some tips about scrapbooking without photographs and making economical use of double sided paper. Read More>>

I have also uploaded a short video showing you some very old (300 years old) letters which I have scanned in for use in my latest collection of Hybrid Scrapbooking Papers pictured below.

Read more>>

Here is a preview of a set of 12 8x8 background papers for Hybrid Scrapbooking. The collection is called "Colourful Beauty by SundayL" and will be available soon on ICanCraftNow.com.

As for other things...

Here is a fantastic layout by Irene Tan aka Scrapperlicious. It's simply titled "U". I love the way Irene gives so much attention to detail in her layouts. She has a distinctive style which creates interest on many levels. You can see this in the close up pictures she includes on her blog with details of how she achieved the look too. Check out her blog post>>

Sunday's Weekly Scrapbooking Round-Up 31 May 09

Hello, I hope you have had a good week. I have had a very "Scrapbooky" week I am pleased to say! I had some scrapbooking time with my Mum on a recent visit to her house (once we managed to get my daughter in bed for the evening!) and I made a couple of pages, bought some stash (actually quite a bit...sshhhh!) and then spent yesterday at an all day (10.30-4) local crop where I managed the best part of 2 pages, but have to finish them off here.

Right now (after writing this post) I have to continue setting up a new website for my husband! Phew!

So... on to scrappy links for you this week.

I posted an article about two ways to get scrapping if you have frozen yourself into inaction because you believe that you have a mountain of photos that you SHOULD scrapbook. One of them includes making pages without photos (as in the picture above)! It also includes a snazzy photo viewer which I have just installed on the SundayLDesigns.com blog too. Click here to read more>>

I can't post the other finished layout as it has been submitted to a magazine, which reminds me that now that my last layout was published and the issue is on sale now, I must ask the Editor if I can share my page on my blog now!

Below is just one of many beautiful layouts by Chelsea Cook, I do like her style. I am very much "into" the edge curling and "softly shabby" look and seem to be creating similar style pages myself at the moment. And actually, looking at Chelsea's layouts has reminded me of an idea I had a while ago, which was to regularly scraplift a page from a blog and show you my version along with the original (with links of course). So I think I will start with one of Chelsea's scrapbooking pages seeing as they are so beautiful... let's see if I can do justice... the only problem is... which one to pick!

Visit Chelsea's blog to see more (one word of caution is that there is music that plays automatically, but no way of turning it off that I can see, so beware if your speakers are up loud, autoplay music can cause me a problem sometimes as I often blog-hop late at night, within feet of a sleeping hubby and daughter!) An alternative is to visit Chelsea's Gallery on createmykeepsake.com.

A while ago I wrote some articles about Why we should Scrapbook Ourselves. This was in response to conversations I had had with ladies about creating self-portrait pages. I think it is a lot more "normal" now to make pages about yourself including photos of yourself, but many still believe it is a bit self-indulgent. Frankly, the hobby itself (as with any hobby - it being something you do for your own amusement) is self-indulgent so let's brush that aside and get scrapping ourselves. We can learn a lot about ourselves by doing so, not to mention learning about (and connecting with) others who shares their thoughts and pictures.

Anyway, as I am writing an ebook about to "How to Photograph Yourself the Easy Way with Great Results", I thought I would post the article on the new blog. Here is the link to "Why we should Scrapbook Ourselves>>

Origami box with wrap lid

THIS is a very clear and colourful instructional post on how to make an origami box with a wrap lid... such a lovely idea. You may well have seen them before, as have I, but this tutorial on the Inspirational Techniques and Tutorials Blog is particularly clear!



Right, is an example of a box... check out the blog to see the inside.

I will be making one of these soon for a mini album to go inside - a nice gift!

Scrapbooking Inspiration from alternative sources

I bought my first ever issue of Vogue magazine recently. I was thumbing through a Christmas issue in the local library and thoroughly enjoyed all it's sumptuous colours and bling... as you would imagine in a festive issue of such a mag!



But whilst flicking through the pages, I starting to be inspired by it's content for use on my scrapbooking pages and other art and fabric projects... BUT, probably not in the way you might think.



My inspiration came from the fact that ANYTHING GOES! That's right, it's a point of fact that any celebrity can be photographed in a paper bag and all his/her followers rush out to buy said paper bag, or an off-the-shelf copy!!!!



If I sound cynical, then yes I am... or should I say I WAS! BUT I no longer tut and say "good grief" under my breath when I see stick insect models with "designed" hair that just looks like they have come through a hedge backwards with pale, drawn, sunken eyes (intentionally painted that way) and pouting, moody lips in a pose that looks akin to needing the toilet!

My Photograph... an Ode to the Handbag "shot" mag page!!! And yes, it's a new handbag and a COMPLETE departure from my normal Black, or Brown utilitarian... will go with anything... usual choice! LOL Do I look moody enough do you reckon?

No, no, no... I rejoice nowadays in the thought that if it's ok to put a blurred picture of a product, such as a tiny clutch bag, on an ill looking model in some Carribean backdrop in the pages of Vogue, then frankly whatever I want to create by way of scrapbooking, art or any other creation is just dandy!

"Stop punishing yourself, Sunday!... stop crtisicing yourself so much that you stop before you even start for fear of it Not Being Good Enough"

Good enough for who anyway?

So I have ripped some pages from this magazine and discarded the rest... and I will go and buy another, because it does inspire me! If they can do it... I can do it and so can you. Why not put whatever the latest fashion is in your next layout? A scrapbooking page with floral print in it, that seems to be the rage now... oh and animal print I understand is BIG news for this season don't you know!

My challenge to you this week... make a self portrait page... put on it whatever the hell you like (within reason) and go mad... then post me a link or send me an email and I'll put it up here. Make a "THIS IS ME" page. I will be making mine (the first of many) this week and will show you all.

Have fun!

A Blog Award for me! Thank you!

Hello crafters!

I have been given a blog award by the lovely Dawn! Thank You ever so much Dawn... what a lovely thing. It's such a nice feeling to know someone thinks enough of what you do to nominate you for an award.

The rules of this particular award is that you need to link back to the person who gave you the award - so that's Dawn (check!).

And then nominate 7 blogs you find inspirational and link to them. I thought I would site down right now and do this properly, so here is my list of blogs that give me inspiration and why:

Inspirational - this may seem a pretty obvious one for inspiration, but I would like to give this blog this award for all the hard work in finding beautiful things from all over the vast web highway and bringing them daily to my "blogstep"... thanks girls!

Vicki's A Work in Progress - Now here's a woman who works hard! And she is soooo generous too! Giving away free digital scrapbooking... which, I will say for those not into digi-scrapping, I have used for hybrid scrapping and in fact I will post up an example of something I have made using one of Vicki's kits shortly. Thank You Vicki, for all your hard work and creative energy.

Francine's Blog - Most excellent layouts, full of flow and feeling... you just have to go take a look! Thank you Fran for your lovely craft work!

Dolly's Dreamings - Now this lady... who is known as "ScrapDolly" is amazing! She is soooo prolific with her layouts and she blogs about them every day... just a real contributor to the scrapbooking scene, so Thank you ScrapDolly for your unending energetic mojo!

Ingvild Bolme's blog - Stunning layouts! Really "touchy feely", lots of beautiful embellishments and a joy to behold some of Ingvild's layouts... you have to check out these creations.

Balzer Designs - Julie's Blog is a wealth of information and tutorials and she also makes tutorial videos too! Definitely pick up hints and tips from here. Thank you Julie for your time and care in creating the tutorials... I know how much time they take!

Scrapperlicious - Again, some fantastic layouts... I love Irene's design style, and I admire her hard work in writing detailed instructions to her techniques... Thank You Irene for your unique style.

So that's my 7 faves (check!). Now I have to go over to these lovely sites to let them know I have given them this award for all their remarkable work... so I'm off to do that right now!

Thank You Layout

Well here is the finished page... if you can call it that! I specifically made it as the first of a number of "Artwork Layouts" I plan to make. This one is hanging on the pinboard I have in front of me in my office/craft room.


It's made using the Two Scoops collection from Basic Grey. I deliberately made the words fro a similar colour as the background and just darkened the edges for a bit of extra definition because I wanted it to be subtle... almost mixed up with the background.

Why?... because for a better life I am supposed to be thankful for everything around me. Gratitude attracts more thing to be grateful for and therefore a better life. But although I am much better than I have ever been at saying and thinking "Thank You", old habits die hard as they say and I feel it's mixed up with all the "old baggage" I am carrying (soon to be discarded I hope!) But I wanted to keep this uplifting, with an achievable feel, hence the colour scheme.

The words are cut using my Craft Robo, but the "decoupage" swirls I hand cut and coloured.

I realised initially that the words were lost when directly on the background, so I decided to lift them... bit of a bind that was! cutting up tiny bits of pad off a roll, only to find that the roll is thinner than my usual pads and so I had to double up on every tiny bit... hey ho we live and learn! lol

This is the background before the words were added.

My plan is to make many more (sying Thank You and other words such as Love, Believe, Inspire, etc) and hang them all over the house. I also plan to make some with journaling, ie, an affirmation, so that the words are aesthetically pleasing too!

Wed 14th January 09 - Update

I stumbled over this blog this evening and they happen to have had a similar idea!

Colours - inspiration from everywhere

Look at these photos... aren't they lovely. I think they are beautiful !

They evoke an emotion.. at least they do in me.

I realise that the photographer has "fiddled" with these shots, but still... the one of the boardwalk is fairly true to nature.

Twilight is my very favourite time of day. My hubby reckons Dawn is best, but I'll take his word for it, I am a night person, not a morning person!

Sometimes, on my way home from work (this was before my daughter came along) I would park my car a short way from my house (at the time we lived amongst fields) on a high spot where I could soak up the soft rays of the autumn or spring evening sun. It was a lovely feeling. Sigh.

The pictures here are from the "sunset of the Day" widget on the left hand side of this blog, courtesy of Blogger (scroll down a bit if necessary), so you can all enjoy these lovely photos.

Oh and by the way... it's official, Santa has finally finished wrapping my daughter's presents... wink wink!

Scrapbooking Inspiration - keeping notes

Here's a little one of my tips!

When I am surfing for Scrapbooking Layout Inspiration I make notes to remind of things I have seen, for later use... nothing new there!

However, when I am in my internet browser, I have my word processor package (Microsoft Word, in my case) running in the background.

When I see a layout I like, I copy the picture and paste it into my open page in Word. I then copy the address bar (the address of the exact page, not just the domain name) and paste that into my document too.

In Word, the links are "clickable" and I can get straight back to the right page directly from the open document.

I make notes, copy and paste text, etc... and I then save the document and can refer back to it later.

This is great for keeping sketches, layouts for scraplifting, etc because you have the information linked so that you can refer to the internet pages to make sure you give the correct credits... especially in my case with publishing on my blog here.

I often place these documents directly onto my "desktop" for easy access. When I have used the information, I simply delete the file! Of course you can print out these pages, but I mainly use this system for the ease of clickable links with which I can write some of my own notes.

Scrapbooking Sketch used this week on UK Scrappers

Here is a 12x12 scrapbooking layout I created recently as an example to go with my sketch (below).

I created the sketch for my UK Scrappers Team - the Rockin' Ribbon Raiders - as part of our challenge for the rest of the members to take part.

There is a weekly challenge and it was our Team's turn to set one again this week.

So the challenge is:
Use my sketch
a 3 word title
3 of whatever you use i:e papers, ribbons or pictures etc other than the title
and someone or something inspirational

So far there have been many lovely page layouts made and some of them quite touching in their journaling.

Below is the sketch and underneath that the close up of the journaling on my page.

Tomorrow I shall post some of my fellow Teammies' scrapbooking layouts, so you can see some of the different layouts.

Envelope Albums

I have been thinking about doing an envelope album for a while now.


I thought I might create one as a demo for my ScrapBuddies Group here in the UK, (Ditchingham, Suffolk Scrapbooking Club).



I have had a link in my favourites with an example of one for some time too. This picture is from the "Two Peas" site.
Holiday Project: Christmas Letters Mini Album by Traci Turchin.


There are more pictures on a slide show when you get to the site.

In this instance the bound envelope book is actually sold as a blank album to decorate, but as it is American, I would have to go a-hunting for an equivalent here.


So in the true spirt of "make-it-yourself" I have got out some envelopes this evening and have just tested them with my trusty pH tester pen. So far so good, but I like to leave the test over night as although an immediate change in colour of the pH ink can tell you if something is REALLY acid, it can take longer to show if something is only slightly acid. Either way it won't do your photos, etc any good.


So I will see how we get on with that first, but I was then thinking about the binding of the envelopes.

The picture here shows the binding of what looks like a "Bind It All". Now as I don't have one of those I thought that I may use either book rings, or possibly even stitch the envelopes together.

If I do the latter I will have to work out a way to attach the "board front and back covers! ANy suggestions anyone?