Have you ever...

...wanted to create a themed scrapbook but couldn't find appropriate PPs?

Frustrating isn't it.

Have you ever thought of looking at the large square wall calendars that are available...

...at just under 12x12 they could be just what you want.

If you visit places like The Works, 99p Stores or Poundland at this time of the year there are usually lots of different topics/themes to be found.

Beach huts (sorry about the poor photo above - the thumbnail didn't expand very clearly) could be the perfect solution for backgrounds to your snaps from a UK beach holiday.

Today I picked up a couple of calendars from The Works (one was £2 the other £3). One contains 12 images of ancient maps and the other contains 12 seasonal images. That is 24 pages for £5 which works out to less than 21p per sheet.

The maps will be perfect backgrounds for some travel and holiday photos, whilst the seasonal ones will be great for a number of photos that I have.

Some of the pages from these calendars would also make great prints for the wall so those may well find their way into some clear record protectors for hanging on the wall.

There are so many different types of themed calendars to be found that you are bound to find something that you like and if scrapbooking isn't your thing...why not use the images in your art journals.

Calendars can be useful for other things too - I often cut the images from the long calendars and use them in my card making. A calendar does not have to be just for ticking off the days or recording events not to be missed - it can make a wonderful base for your crafting...........................................

Wishing Everyone...

...a very Happy St. Patrick's Day.

If you are doing something fun to celebrate...

 ...don't forget to take photos and scrap it.
At the moment, the weather is pretty awful - it hasn't stopped raining...

...but perhaps that is so we can find a rainbow to follow to that pot of gold.
Whatever you are doing today...

...have FUN!!!.......................................................................

Scrapping...

...all day long.

A few weeks ago my friend Suzie (Weaselwise on UKS) asked if I would be interested in attending an all-day crop...10am to 7pm and the cost of the day included a carvery lunch. No brainer...I said yes.

Now it is quite some time since I've attended an all-day crop - in fact, I had to unload my wheeled crate as I had been using it for storage (amazing what treasures I unearthed LOL). I packed up a selection of PPs, CS and trims and off I went.

I did spend a bit of time pushing papers around and rummaging through my totes before I came across these...

 ...a new pack of C5 (A5) size envelopes, so I decided to make this...

 ...an A5 size minibook/journal - I haven't quite made up my mind what I will actually use it for.

Many moons ago, I purchased a storage bag containing 300 sheets of double-sided PP from Costco and although I have used quite a lot (or so I thought) the contents of the bag seem to go on forever. I picked a couple of designs to cover the chipboard covers that I had cut...

...and also used them to cover the facing pages at the front and back of the book.

Now whilst I was unloading my wheeled crate to get ready for the crop, I found a brand new pack of Basic Grey PPs & stickers. The range was Perhaps.

This pack of Basic Grey was from a time when all their ranges contained PPs...

...and distressed plain papers...

 ...that all toned...

 ...and co-ordinated beautifully...

 ...and the pack contained plenty to do all the pages of my book.

I cut the papers for each double page spread from a single 12x12 sheet so that the pages match across the 'view'. I have enough pieces left for matting and layering quite a few cards.

All the PPs have been inked around the edge quite roughly...

...using a Ranger Distressed Ink pad in Walnut.

All the PPs have been cut but I still have a few to ink and stick into the book.

I'm pretty pleased with the amount I managed to get done as I constructed the book from scratch using the envelopes to form the basis of the pages and white CS to hinge the pages together. The envelopes have had the flaps stuck inside so that each of the pages is also a pocket that can be used to hold bits-n-pieces.

The chipboard (greyboard) used for the covers was the backs of some A4 notepads. I cut four pieces and covered two for the outer covers and two for the inner ones - sandwiching a spine cover and the ribbon closure between them when I put everything together.

I could turn this into a Birthday book as I have enough pages for the months of the year or I could use it like a Smash book - haven't made up my mind yet.

I really enjoyed the day - the venue was spacious and the roast dinner...well...that was super yummy.

Shame they are not holding another one of these until August.................................................... 

A bit of Citrus Squeeze...

...from Webster's pages - here.

Webster's seem to be on a roll at the moment as far as their 'Giveaways' are concerned. This is a pic of the latest collection that they have up for grabs.

When I saw the name of this collection I must admit that I expected to see more Limes and Yellows but actually, the mix will appeal to a much wider group because as you can see in the trim snippet above...the collection will be ideal for those of you who like their Red/White/Blue schemes.

Hop on over to their blog and see the collection in more detail.

Oh and by the way, there are more of those cute little bags and folders in this range too..............................................................

Webster's pages...

...Plumseed giveaway.

Webster's are giving folk a chance to win the complete new Plumseed collection over on their blog here.

The colours of this collection are certainly very current with the limes and blues (rather fond of those colours as you may all know LOL) and there is a good variety of prints - floral, woodgrain, dots, stripes and plains. However, I think the parts of the collection that really caught my eye were the mini bags and folders - way cute!

So why not hop over there to be in with the chance to win...........................................................

WRYWF...

...the first one of May.

 

Yep, I'm still trying to work that one out...MAY!!!...who pinched April (although with the weather we had in April, whoever pinched it can keep it LOL).

 

Over at the lovely Virginia's blog there is a weekly gathering of folk who share the good & positive things that have been going on in their week - I've been MIA for a while but Virginia is a very forgiving hostess and is happy to let us come & go as life dictates.

If you'd like to find out more, hop on over and pay Virginia a visit or better still, join in the fun.

So what has been 'rocking' my world this week...

Last weekend I attended a PanPastel demo at one of my local craft shops - a super day watching someone showing you tips & ideas for getting the most out of what isn't a particularly cheap product. Really enjoyed the day and as usual got to meet up with some friends for a chat and a spot of lunch.

Work has been a rather mixed bag this week. I've been asked to consider a course of action that I don't really want to take and it has been worrying me all week (not a positive I hear you all shout - keep reading) but it did feel good that my boss obviously feels I have the skills to undertake this task...still thinking about it.

Blue skies and sunshine. Doesn't the world seem a better place when there is a bit of cheer to the weather. It might still be a bit chillier than we would like (although even this has improved as the week has progressed) but just seeing lovely blue skies and some sunshine makes things seem so much better.

Seeing trees covered in blossom - such a lovely sight and probably one of the things I miss most from the last house I lived in. We had the most glorious double-flowered cherry blossom tree at the front of the house (which was promptly cut down by the new owners) and every year the front lawn was covered in what looked like pink snow...happy memories. Now I just enjoy all the lovely trees that I pass walking to & from the station.

 Looking forward to nabbing some craft bargains. To help celebrate National Scrapbooking day one of my local craft shops is having a massive paper sale...

...it would be rude not to take advantage of it; wouldn't it.

I'm off to see what other folk have been sharing, why not come and take a look too...........................................................................

A Night to Remember...

...captured in a Cluedo themed memory book.

Lots of photos but I'll try and keep the waffle to a minimum LOL

You have already seen what the outside of the book looks like as I posted this pic in the previous post.

However, I thought I'd post it again and just let you know a bit about what you are seeing. I decided to go with 1.5inch book-rings rather than using my Bind-it-All (largest o-wires are only 1.25inches and it would also restrict the recipient from adding any other keepsakes)and used my crop-a-dile to set an eyelet at the leading edge on both the front & back to attach ribbon closures.
The first few pages just introduce the main characters - Mrs White (Patsy)...

...Col. Mustard (Simon)...

...and Miss Scarlett (Paula).
The playing cards from the game provided great themed embellies...

...and the "Detective Notes" sheets will be perfect for Simon to add some journalling before the book is handed over.
There is at least a double spread for each of the 'rooms' that appear on the playing board...

...this one, as you can see, is the 'Study' - well she is sat at her desk; what more do you want **giggle** - and throughout the book the RH page has backing paper created by photocopying the appropriate part of the playing board.
The LH pages are much plainer. Some have photos...

...with embellies and some just have the playing card embellies.
Some of the photos were 'staged' by Simon...

...it was the only way we could ensure that there were suitable pics for every room.
Some photos didn't need staging...

...food? - kitchen; of course!.
There were numerous group photos...

...and as you can see...

...the Detective Notes will be useful for Simon to record the names of the folk in the pictures.
A bit of a knees-up...

...in the 'Ballroom'.
Definitely a staged pic...

...I think she would have had more luck potting the balls with a cue rather than a pint LOL
At the back of the book I made a pocket page...

...which will be ideal for containing small keepsakes.
On the very back page I've used the 'Murder cards' envelope...

...I tucked a couple of tags in the envelope so that Paula and Simon can write their own wishes.
I didn't have a full set of playing pieces but the ones that I did have are joined together to create a 'danglie' from the book-rings...

...and all the book-rings were decorated with a mix of ribbons/fibres/string.
The title on the front cover was created on a panel of black CS edged with gold pen and the lettering was from the Papermania 'Deco' range.

I hope she likes the book and it really does bring back memories of a night to remember....................................................................

Has your Mojo gone missing...

...or is you creativity comatose?

If so, get yourself over to UKScrappers (link in my sidebar) and sign up for the coming Cybrecrop.

It will be taking place October 26th through to November 4th...with a number of challenges beforehand to get the creative juices flowing.

This event is being run in a far more relaxed way this time so that no-one feels pressured to make stuff they are not happy with just to meet a deadline or to add to the team points total. You can dip in and do as much or as little as you fancy or time permits.

I'm in and I am part of the Detectives team - do hop over to UKScrappers to find out more. Come along and join in the fun..................................

Too cold...

...to craft!!!

I can hear it...the sharp intake of breath of Blogland...SHOCK - HORROR - surely not!...how could it be too cold.

Let me tell you...

When the outside temperature indicator on the car dashboard is reading -2C and the snowflake indicator is glowing a very bright red, you know it is cold. Add to this the fact that the Thursday night crop is held in an 'un-heated' shop with concrete floors; I think you start to get the idea.

It didn't seem too bad when we arrived but as we sat there the cold started to really bite and poor Sue, who was covering for Helen whilst she is off at Spring Fayre, couldn't find the heater.

Here is the LO I made a start on...
...the background PP is from the 'Jovial' Christmas range that is forming our kit for the current 4 sessions. It is quite a busy PP so I matted the photo on a piece of Bazzill kraft card and used Old Paper distress ink to shade the edges. The lower panel is from a piece of decorated ledger 12x12 (not sure of make).
The photo was one that I took Christmas before last on a visit to Harrods. I have used this pic in my Christmas planner but I wanted to do a LO with it in a larger size (6x8 inches).
I started to add embellies but by this time I couldn't feel my fingers - which made it quite difficult to use scissors and very dangerous brandishing 'pokey' tools...so I called it a day.

I need to sort out more embellies and actually come up with a title, so I'll let you see it when it is finally done.

I don't envy Annette (Voodoo Vixen) or anyone else who is combating temps of -20C or worse...minus 2 or 4 has me heading for the hot water bottles, fleeces and the duvet. Oh how I hope we don't have too much more of this to come....................

What do you do...

...when you can't think of any ideas for cards?

Make a minibook of course...

I've been struggling for a few days to think of some ideas for making cards and returning to work Monday doesn't seem to have helped the motivation...so I thought I'd just have a play and this is what I came up with...
...a little BIA bound 6x6 inch minibook. I've only made the basic book but it was fun using up bits and pieces from my stash.
A little bit of decorative border punching - this one is from EK success (not sure what it is called) - and a fair bit of distress inking.
Some torn paper pockets to tuck stuff into.
Some PP matts with rounded corners.
A bit more border punching...
...and a bit of fancy frame work.

All fairly simple and straight forward with the punching, matts and pockets being repeated again to create a suitable number of pages. I will add more trims and embellies once I have decided what photos I'm going to use but for the time being it was just nice to get something made.

Think I'll get the knitting needles out and make a couple more scarves - that might help to spark the old imagination a bit...............................

Why can't...

...things be straight forward?

All I wanted was to print off a couple of photos from my camera - not hard really - or so you would think. There was a queue at the machine in my local Boots on Friday, the machine in Morrison's wasn't working and today it took attempts at two machines in the Boots in Basildon before I managed to get the pics I wanted.

After doing so well at the crop on Thursday it seemed like I wasn't going to get the LO finished because of a lack of the most important ingredient...the photo.
I finally got the pic I wanted to finish the LO. Unfortunately, because of the poor light levels I've managed to get some flash glare in the pic but I wanted to show you the finished item.

Back to work tomorrow, not something I'm looking forward to. I dread to think what is waiting in my email and in my work tray after two & a bit weeks off. I was really looking forward to this break and on the whole it has been the 'chill-time' that I think I was in need of but as they say "all good things come to an end" and tomorrow it is back to the grindstone...

Oh how lovely it would be to go in tomorrow and find out we won the lottery...Oh well, I can dream, can't I?..........................................

First Crop of 2012...

...and we got Christmas goodies.

Here are the lovely PPs and stuff that we got as our kit to start the new session...
A mix of PPs from a number of different ranges, some pretty ribbons, fancy brads, ribbon sliders, buttons and blooms - and a mini bare chipboard album.
I made a start on covering the pages of the album...
...and got two pages covered when I suddenl;y had an idea for a scrap page.
Using white CS as the base I inked around the edge with Festive berries (from the Winter stack of Distress Ink pads). I then cut some panels from a couple of the PPs and arranged them on the CS - the bauble panel has been edged with holly satin ribbon.
The little cluster includes gold rose buds, a stocking brad, some white fir fronds (Martha Stewart punch) and some red gems.

Although I know what photo I want to use on this LO I haven't had it printed yet so that's something for tomorrow and then I think I'll add a bit of stickles to give a bit of glitz.

Despite it being a chatty evening as it was our first back since before Christmas, I feel I actually got a fair bit done in the two hours that we were there and managed to amaze myself by almost completing a LO - the first for 2012. I'll show you what it looks like once I have sorted the photo..............................

Do you sew...

...on your cards and scrapbook LOs ?

I have done when I've been at crops/workshops where a machine has been available but I've never done so at home - why? - because I can't get out of my head what my needlecraft teacher drummed into us...

You don't cut paper with your dressmaking scissors and you don't stitch through paper with your good machine. As I only have one sewing machine, paper & card have never passed under the foot (and my shears are as sharp as they were when Mum bought them for me in my 3rd year at senior school - for the very same reason).

I have to say I have been tempted - especially when you see some of those fab creations on the 'net but always that little voice has been there nagging away.

Last week when I took Mum shopping we went into HobbyCraft and they had a cute little machine that I almost brought home with me - I didn't as there was other stuff that I wanted...
...the will wasn't so strong this week. I've had a whole week to think about it and with Mum saying what a great little machine it was and her 'encouraging' continued today. So this little box came home with me.
This wasn't very expensive as the store has all their sewing machines on offer at the moment but this seems to do everything that I need it to do so I will be having a play.

You never know, you might actually get to see some real stitching on my work instead of just faux stuff..........................

Back to School...

...is a very popular theme at the moment.

The folk over at "TOMIC" have set this theme for their challenge #13 and the folk at "Totally Tilda" have gone for the same theme for their challenge #30.

I decided to make a mini book rather than a card as this would be easier to incorporate all the elements set by the folk at 'TOMIC' - school related Magnolia images (I had to improvise here...I used my ornament Tilda and coloured the ornament to look like an apple), ruler, booknotes, school words (study, classroom, locker) and some metal (plenty of paperclips LOL).
This is quite a photo heavy post.
An apple for the teacher...
Paperclips...
Plenty of pages for school photos...
Books...
Book notes...
More paperclips...
A staple...
Paperclip & stickers.

I've been using up stash again. In January last year Artbase had a big clear-out sale and I picked up a lot of kits from classes/crops that I had attended previously. This was a BoBunny class kit (I had attended the class approx 18 months before and had enjoyed the inking and style of the project) - at sale price I thought it would be great to do another one...and it has sat in my stash ever since **hohum - rollseyes**. However, it has been perfect for these challenges so I've made a minibook using the materials from the kit and added a Tilda. Hope you like it................