~ My day in photos ~

See more days here!

~ Comic Strip ~

Good morning! It's turning out to be a lovely Easter weekend full of time with family and friends. We have lots organised for the next couple of days, just hope the weather holds out.

Well here we go the final class I took part in at Gogogetaway. Its was a shorter class so I didn't get it finished at the weekend.

Class no.7 GogoGetaway March 2011

This wouldn't normally be my kind of style but it really suits the photos that I used. The phots show my boyfriend starting to break up a lobster on holiday in Wales. He's great at pulling daft looking poses.

The 'Meanwhile' title is done using a hybrid alphabet which we coloured with watercolour pencils.

I hope everyone else has a great weekend! Might get some crafting done this afternoon.

Happy Crafting!

~ A new beginning ~

Good Morning ... it's another beautiful day! Over the next few weeks there will be a few changes taking place here on my blog. I'm working my way through Shimelle Laine's Blogging for scrapbookers class.

When I was at GogoGetaway the grounds were full of the most gorgeous daffodils and I returned home to find the ones in my garden had also blossomed nicely. I love spring flowers they always fill me with hope for the year to come and often spur me on to make a change or start something new.

So on that note I pose a question to you, as my reader:

If I could change anything about my blog what would you like me to do?

I would be very grateful if you would please leave me a comment.

I have a few layouts waiting in the wings to be blogged so I will show them over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Happy Crafting and enjoy the long weekend!

~ My Core’dinations Creative Frenzy ~

Good morning! Well over the last few days my creativity has been flowing nicely. I'm really pleased with how the following few projects have turned out.

'Communing with Nature'

Supplies: Core'dinations colour core cardstock, Basic Grey 'Wander' collection patterned papers, Jillibean Soup journalling sprouts and corrugated alphabet, Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type Alphabet, bakers twine, Tim Holtz embossing folders, Distress ink (mustard seed, peeled paint).  

This layout portrays me working hard, gardening at an old people's home in India when I visited in 2009.

I used core'dinations Colorcore cardstock to create a frame, which I then distressed the edges using a distressing tool. I also embossed and sanded Colorcore cardstock to create and unusual matt for my photo and a striking green element to the layout. I tried something new with this layout as I used Colorcore cardstock in my dymo machine to create the word 'communing' for the title. Once I had embossed the letters with the machine I gently sanded them to show through the lighter colour core.  

Supplies: Deckle edged A6 pre-scored card, Sugar Nellie stamp, promarkers, My Mind's Eye patterned paper (Orange background), Serif patterned paper (Gingham), Core'dinations colour core cardstock, flower and leaf punch, Craftwork cards sentiment, ribbon, Distress ink (Mustard seed), green flat back gems.

This is a lovely brightly coloured card which I made when the sun was shining and all the flowers int he garden were at full bloom.

I stamped and coloured the Sugar Nellie stamp before cutting her out and backing her on to a piece of Core'dinations Colorcore cardstock which I had gently sanded to reduce the brightness of colour slightly and give it a little distressed look. I then punched out 6 flowers and 5 leaves and sanded them to add texture. I used Tim Holtz distress ink to add colour to the edge of the card.

Supplies: DL size card, Core'dinations colour core cardstock, Stamps - Tim holtz, Hero Arts and My Mind's Eye, Distress ink (Victorian Velvet, Worn Lipstick, Tattered Rose), Sizzix and Tim Holtz embossing folders, bakers twine.

This is one of my favourite cards that I have made recently. I've never really been a fan of inchies but after reading about them in a magazine I decided to give them a go.

I cut out some squares of Core'dinations Colorcore cardstock and then either stamped on or embossed them. I love how bold the embossing has turned out on the bright pink cardstock once I sanded the raised pattern. I cut a rectangle out of the right-hand side of the card and then mounted the inchies over the top. To finish the card off I tied baker's twine round the inside of the card and tied it in a bow and then stamped the vines and sentiment using distress inks.

I have absolutely loved playing with my Core'dination cardstock and will have to stock up with some more!

Hop back tomorrow for my final class from GogoGetaway.

Happy Crafting!

~ Scrapagogo March kit ~

Good evening everyone! Well this weeks been abit of a nightmare so far! I went on brownie pack holiday on Monday but had to come home yesterday as it appears I have got a vomitting virus.

After spending most of yesterday asleep in bed I'm feeling a little better today. So much so that I have managed to do a little crafting. I'll show it later in the week.

Here is a layout I managed to do while away at the March 2011 GogoGetaway. I used the March Gogo create kit.

The photos are from a weekend away in London with mum. These were taken at a Restaurant called 'Mango' on Brick Lane. I remember it took quite a lot of getting to as there were loads of tube closures!

Happy Crafting!

~ Saturday Night Madness Challenge ~

A little late blogging tonight as I've had a busy day then I have been catching up on soem tv programmes.

Another layout from the getaway is the one I produced at the Saturday night madness PJ party!

During saturday we had our photos taken in the shop using a web cam. Therefore the photos are not brill! Then at 11pm (yes, 11pm!) we were given a co-ordinating kit of rather random papers and embellishments which we ahd to use. We were provided with a sketch aswell.

The photo of this layout is not the worlds best as it was taken the night it was finished. I really enjoyed this challenge and it was great to see all the different interpretations!

There will be no blogging from me tomorrow as I;m working a 14.5 hour shift. Fingers crossed it goes quickly!

Happy Crafting!

~ New House with Craft Room! ~

Well here we go as promised, an update on how the house move and settling in has gone. When I look back at the photos from before we moved I can't believe how much more 'lived in' it looks.

We have mainly added colourful accessories to brighten the cream rooms up.

Living Room

We have added lots of lime green to counteract the dark brown furniture.

Kitchen

I love my kitchen! Can't wait to get the range cooker from my boyfriend's dad's when he moves. There have already been lots of lovely meals cooked for friends, with many more planned!

Dining Room

I really like how its a kitchen diner it gives a good social atmosphere when having friends over.

Conservatory

The games room. This is home to our playstation 3 and wii. Its a lovely room off the dinign room which thankfully doesn't get too much sun!

Spare Bedroom

This is the only room we have completely painted as when the previous owners sold the house they removed a pink boreder from the top of the walls wwhich pulled some of the paint off. I'm really pleased with the final effect.

Master Bedroom

Now this is our bedroom which is at the front of the house. It does get quite warm but the blinds are a godsend. I'm really surprised my boyfriend agreed when I said I wanted to go purple! But I love it!

Craft Room

I absolutely love this room and it has given me lots more storage for my crafty stash. Am just waiting for some storage inserts for the expedit unit then it will almost be complete!

Garden

There is a fantastic sized garden with a huge patio to the side which will be great for summer BBQs. Doesn't really need much work at the moment, just a few bushes trimming back.

All in all we have really fell on our feet with this house and it definately looks like we've been here longer than 4 weeks!

Happy viewing!

~ In and Out ~

Good evening! Well hasn't it been a lovely day. Unfortunately as I'm on nights I have spent the whole day in bed! Which would have been fine if I had managed to sleep well.

This is the last class which is finished from the getaway, I have another class to show once I have had the correct size photos printed off.

Class no.6 GogoGetaway March 2011

The main technique in this class was using free hand embossing tools to create your own tag embellishment. We were given templates or we could make up our own. I chose to use the sun from the template and then draw a tent to represent the camping aspect of the photos. Once embossed we then lightly rubbed chalks over the top to highlight.

I have to give my mum full credit for the title as I was really struggling and it was her idea.

Happy Crafting!

~ Heart Felt ~

Good Afternoon! Well not much is happening around here today, I've been relaxing in front of the TV catching up on some of my favourite programmes. I try not to tire myself out when I'm on nights.

So here we go again, another beautiful layout from the getaway:

Class no. 5 GogoGetaway March 2011

Prior to doing this class I really wasn't sure it was my kind of thing. However, I absolutely love the final piece. I wasn't so keen on having to sew at 10pm at night but think I managed pretty well.

The small red heart and the pink one was cut out of felt, sewn together and then stuffed with wadding.

The class said to use colour photos but I didn't have any so was really pleased with the result using black and white ones. The photos are all old ones taken of my nan before she got married. She used to work in a children's home in Wisbech.

Well I'm off for a nap before the other half gets in and I have to go out to work!

Happy Crafting!

~ Photo Lab ~

Well it was back to work for me today after a lovely week off. That was abit of a shock to the system!

Here we go again with another class:

Class no. 4 GogoGetaway March 2011

I absolutely loved this class and was pleased because it really suited the photo I had taken. The pink effect over the photo was done on to acetate using alcohol inks, as were the splashes of colour on the background.

Well I'm currently organising a Ranger weekend away so am again very busy! Argh, soemtimes I wonder where I find the time! Anyway I hope you all had a good mother's day. We went to our local indian restaurant and had a lovely meal.

Happy Crafting!

~ Mercantile Memories ~

Happy Mother's Day!

Well I had a very busy day yesterday so couldn't blog the next class, hopefully this one will make up for it as it's a minibook so theres loads of photos.

Class no.3 GogoGetaway March 2011

The class is based on Jenni Bowlin's style and uses many of her ranges. I would not have normally chosen these papers/journal spots but I really like the final product.

I had taken photos from my trip to India in November 2009. I really wasn't sure that they would go with the papers but was very pleased with how they look.

I love the fact that there is so much room for photos and journalling in this book especially when you have so many memories to write down.

 I really like the Jenni Bowlin Studio Alphabet stickers we were given they are so versatile. 

 I really like the butcher's twine used as embellishment. So much so that I had to buy every colour they had in the shop. Oops!

I hope you enjoy looking at this book as much as I enjoyed making it. My craft room is looking much better, everything is almost sorted. I'll show you it later.

Happy Crafting!



~ A Touch of Glass ~

Good Afternoon!

Well so much for all the lovely weather that the woman on the tv promised this morning. It's stayed dry but is blowing a howling gale and as for the sun shine??? Who knows?

The boyfriend and I were up until late last night putting the last bookcases up in my craft room, which I must say is looking pretty good! Following on from yesterday today has also been very productive. Mum and her friend have been round to do some crafting and I'm currently cooking an Indian feast for my friends who are coming tonight.

Well back to the GogoGetaway scrapping, without further ado:

Class no. 2 GogoGetaway March 2011

This is a gorgeous class where 3 small photos are encased in between 2 panes of glass and sealed using copper tape. This class was quite intricate, the photo doesn't show it well but, there are threads with beads on them at both ends of the photos around the bottom corners. I absolutely love these Lost and Found papers, so elegant.

The photos are ones taken of me and my friends at our graduation ball in August 2009. I made them sepia and then shrunk them down to less than 2x2 inch (can't remember the exact measurements, sorry!).

Well I'd better make sure the dinner isn't burning, until tomorrow.

Happy Crafting!