Kids Scrapbooking Classes and Free Supplies

Sunday's Weekly Round -Up - 21st February 2010

I have made quite a few cards this week, and I maaged to make an 8x8 scrapbook page last Monday, have photographed them, but just haven't got around to posting them to the blog... will do soon though.

However I have managed to stumble across a blog of a lady who makes exquisite cards... very ornate and possibly time consuming, but nevertheless I will attempt to "card-lift" them (like scraplifting!).

The cards I have been making are for selling in the Tearooms and I haven't made them too complicated, although on seeing the ones on this blog I think I may make some "more expensive" ones. After all buying cards in the shops is a really expensive business and I think people would part with the money for that very special occasion, or special someone.

These are the articles from SundayLDesigns.com though...

Free Scrapbooking Supplies from Your Friends!

How do you get your friends to gladly GIVE you Scrapbooking Supplies? (and they can also be used for cardmaking.) What Scrapbooking items am I talking about? ...

Kids Scrapbooking Classes - Envelope Albums for Ages 4-7

During the Autumn School Term at Honey’s school I held a few 6 week scrapbooking classes/courses for the Juniors (and the seniors, but that’s in another post)… We made Envelope Scrapbook Albums and here are the pictures...

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!

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"!

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!

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!

Some lovely cards and card organiser on a friend's New Blog

I have a pal who is actually a fellow teammie on UK Scrappers. She is called Dawn and I would like to introduce you to her blog.

Here are some lovely card holders that Dawn has made... How organised is that!

And they look so lovely too!


And here is an example of one of her lovely cards!



And there are quite a few other card examples already on the blog, so go check out Dawn's site, it's a brand new one (started last month) and keep up the good work Dawn!

Oh and I will be posting up a freebie download tomorrow, just in time for Valentines' Day!

SimplyScrapbookingNow.com Blinkie !

Well I actually managed to make my first ever blinkie !! Woohoo... only took one and a half hours, when I really should have been doing something else! LOL (see also earlier post)



Still I have already sorted all Honey's stuff ready for her first day back at School after the half term break, and sorted the packed lunches ('s' refers to the fact that I have to make one for myself too as I work in an ordinary office a couple of days a week!) so I started fiddling and you know what's it's like... "I'll just do this quickly" ha ha!

Well I'm impressed that I managed it in only 90 minutes! Here is a tutorial I found on the web about making a blinkie using PhotoShop Elements (which I use).

So what do you think then? Oh and I've added some other graphics to the side too... scroll down to see... mmmm... lovely sunsets!

October Newsletter now Published!

Well I am pleased to say that the SimplyScrapbookingNow.com October Newsletter has been published and I have just this minute sent out the email to all subscribers... phew!

I have been very busy this month... there are no less than 4... yes 'four' Videos this issue AND, there is a Freebie download.

As the September Newsletter is now a "past issue" the links to the various articles and Sketches etc are available for non-subscribers, so here are a couple of links!

September's Sketch and Challenge if you would like to have a go at either>> The scrapbooking layout above is and 8x8 example of the Sept Sketch.

7 ways to find Free or Discount Scrapbooking Supplies - this is a good one, from buying from non-scrapbooking shops, to rummaging in charity shops, it will save you money!

Funky French Colours - Mini Albums

Blog surfing again!

I'm away again! yes, so not done much of my own work recently!

So... stumbled across this blog which was highlighted by Scrapbook Inspirations Magazine, which was waiting for me when I got home on Monday afternoon.

I haven't had much of a chance to read it, but I will!!

Anyway the picture here is of a project which includes some really bright colours! There are lots of pictures to take a look at, so great for inspiration for vibrant, "freestyle" albums.

The blog is in French, but the pictures do speak for themselves.

Photo fun! You on the BIG Screen

I have subscribed to FotoJojo.com... a fun website I have mentioned before. They have some great, sometimes weird ideas for your photos!


Well today's newsletter was all about a website where you choose a scene and then upload a photo (of yourself or anything else) and voila...!


You on a 50ft bill board!!! Fantastic fun... here are a couple I did really quickly!!! Great fun... go on have a go!



My first Vogue cover!!!!!!







Even Posh endorses this blog!!! Allegedly!

This should prove the phrase...

"Never believe all that you see!"

Tag Your It!

There's a blog called "Tag Your It" and itis just for challenges for making tags!

The tag you see here is by Anne and you can see her blog here. I can't seem to find any more information about her on her blog, maybe I can't see for looking.

This is what they say on the "Tag Your It" blog...

"Hello everyone and welcome to the wonderful world of Tag Art! This is a challenge blog dedicated to tags and the people that create them. Each Friday a brand new challenge will be set ... simply create something wonderful, upload it to your blog and leave a comment! If you don't have a blog, please leave us a comment and we'll upload the photos to Photobucket for you :)"

Anyway, I post this information because sometimes, tags, cards and other one-off small items are a good way to free any "mojo blocks" you may have... you know, when you just can't get motivated or...

on those occasions when you're really missing being able to do some decent scrapping because life is getting in the way...

it's good to "do a quickie"! ooh er!

Right now where did I put my tags!