SCRAPBOOK LAYOUT - "Cuddles"

I snapped this photo of my kids using my iPhone one morning while they were lying in my bed with me, getting cuddles.  I love that they are cuddling in the photo.  They really do love each other, which makes my hear warm :D

I masked the craft paper using Mister Huey's hexagon mask and Adirondack Colour Wash in Butterscotch. I layered over some scraps of paper, punch outs and various other embellishments found in my stash.  I also added a little Washi Tape.  This is my go to item at the moment.  I don't know how I lived without it!!!

This is one of my favorite layouts I have done in a while.  My heart felt happy when I finished this layout, which to me is the ultimate when scrapping :D

HAPPY SCRAPPING!!

Jo

SCRAPBOOK LAYOUT - "Cousins"

A family wedding earlier this year has supplied me with many awesome pictures to scrap.  I really love this one of the cousins together.  Since moving to Dubai, we don't see them much any more.  When the four of them get together, it is like they haven't spent a day apart, even when sometimes there is over a year between visits!!!

I kept this layout fairly simple, sticking to similar colors, except for the title which I really wanted to stand out.

I used DCWV paper from the Mariposa Paper pack, a couple strips of Washi Tape, cutout of some printed paper and a sentiment from the Kaiser Kraft Hummingbird 6x6 paper pack.  For the title, I punched tags using paper from the same Kaiser Kraft pack, I added some ribbon trim and Amy Tangerine Goodness Thickers for the lettering.  To add accent to the photo which I had printed with white boarders, I used a photo marker to free draw the frame lines.

HAPPY SCRAPPING!!

Jo

SCRAPBOOK LAYOUT - Fearless

Up until about 2 months ago, my husband has been REALLY busy with work, and had not spent much time at home.  

Last October, he was on charter around the Middle East, and he had a night stop in Abu Dhabi, which is about an hour forty-five drive from where we live in Dubai.  We grabbed this opportunity, not only to get some time in with him, but also to have a little surprise mid-week break.

We got to the hotel on Yas Island (The home of the Grand Prix race track and of course the Ferrari World Theme Park), a few hours before he did, so we hung out at the pool.  I was doing my usual and being mama-razzi to the kids while they were having fun.

Shortly after that getaway, I started working and I didn't get an opportunity to scrap this photo of my son.  This was one of the first pages I scrapped when summer holidays started.

I kept it simple, and fairly color neutral because I really wanted the picture to stand out.  I used elements from printed paper from Paper Inklings (love their tween boy paper) and some bits and pieces from a Simple Stories 6x6" paper pad.

Happy Scrapping!!

Jo

Handmade Journal

Welcome!!!

Today I have a little something different to share with you.  I am not a huge "mini-maker" but sure love them.  I like the way they look and the amazing things people do with their mini books.

I was browsing Big Picture Classes and saw an older class by Amy Tangerine called Get Those Creative Juices Flowing.  I was intrigued....

The first handout was for a journal made from scraps.  I just loved it!!!!

Here is how mine turned out....

It is largely made from scraps....The only thing I used which wasn't scraps was the 4" strip of printed acetate on the front cover.  This album is 6 x 6".

Look at all the different layers and sizes...drool!!

Yup, literally scraps of paper I had left over from a travel album I did last year!!!!

Now all I need is a journey to go on so I can take this with me and capture the moments!!!  HINT HINT.

Happy Scraping!!

Jo

SCRAPBOOK LAYOUT - Swim Gala Twenty12

Hello fellow scrappers!!!

I am very excited to share one of my recent layouts with you.  I have shared before that I am not a fan of sporting, school or Christmas layouts....For some reason I just don't get the results I am looking for when I scrap, so I either do the pages under extreme duress OR I just avoid them altogether.

After tackling the Gymnastics page of Amy, I thought I should give the photos from the Swimming Gala from 2011-2012 a bash.....

I kept it fairly simple, using paper from Paper Inklings, pieces of some chevron journaling cards, printed free with thanks to Findingnana (click for link), and other scraps found in my stash.  My dear little friend the owl is also in this layout....It's been WAY too long since including a wee owl in my layouts!!!

Thanks for stopping by...

Happy Scrapping!!!

Jo

SCRAPBOOK LAYOUT - Proud

Welcome back!!!

Today I would like to share a page I did recently of my daughters Gymnastics Competition.  She competed last year and suffered a little stage fright and didn't complete her floor routine.  We were very nervous that we would have a repeat of last year, but she did us so proud, not only completing the floor routine, but also winning herself a SECOND PLACE!!

There are 3 types of layouts I really, really, really do not look forward to doing.  They are, SCHOOL, SPORTS and CHRISTMAS.... They just never turn out the way I imagine and just end up looking....well......UGH!!

Knowing full well I have to document this momentous occasion, I set about doing some research and reached for the trusty GOOGLE search....and my fears were just enforced as I struggled to find a nice layout for gymnastics.  So I did what I do best, grab a cup of coffee and sit with my thoughts...I then hopped on to the Silhouette site and searched for "gymnast".  I found a couple of things but was truly taken by this silhouette of the gymnast presenting....I had a EUREKA moment!!!

The page pretty much came together quite quickly with a bits of punched out paper, tags, folded silk flowers and a flair button from Findingnana....Shew!!!  I was saved some heartache and headaches!!!

Thanks for stopping by.  Come back on Tuesday where I will be sharing Week 6 of my Project Life Album.

Be Crafty (the creative kind, not the mean kind)!!

Jo

SCRAPBOOK LAYOUT - Adore

Hello!!!

This is a page I did a while ago and wanted to share....

I took this photo one morning before school.  It was Antarctica Day at school and the children were required to wear blue and white. 

Having fun with Prima paper and flowers :D

I really love the fabric flowers from Prima.  They just seem to make every page a happy page :D  I added some flowers punched using a Martha Stewart punch, some leaves using a EK Success punch and a crochet doily, also Prima,

The page was already printed with the wording "simple & sweet MEMORIES".  I cut bunting from some double sided scrap paper and attached lace as the bunting "rope".  I inked the edges using a Brilliance ink pad in Coffee Bean.

Please remember to stop by again on Tuesday for Week 5 of my Project Life Album.

Happy Scrapping!!

Jo

SCRAPBOOK LAYOUT - Four

It is not often that I get photographs of my husband, myself and our two children.  My husband travels a lot and if he or I are not behind the lens, he is most likely just not around for the photo.  This photo was taken by my sister-in-law at a recent family wedding and I was itching to scrap it....Until recently I just hadn't found the time :(....

BUT, now I am done with work and the kids are on their uber-long summer holidays and I am stealing a couple of hours here and there to scrap....

I used a sheet of printed paper from the Mariposa Paper Stack.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this pack and utilized almost ever sheet in it.  I added a doily, some tissue paper, paper scraps and stamped onto which I stamped an embellished corner and a journal spot.  (Found some FAN-DABI-DOZI acrylic stamps at Daiso recently - WHO KNEW.  Good quality and just Dhs 7 a set....I procured all 3 sets!!)

Roughed up the tissue paper on the corner for some added texture...

Just used the title "FOUR".  As I said earlier, my husband travels quite a lot and spends weeks away from home, with just a few home days in-between.  It is not often that we are FOUR and I wanted to document that, subtly ;).

Keep crafting!!!!

SMASH* Book - Happy Mail

Hello!!!!!

I am sure you are tired of hearing this statement, but for the benefit of first time visitors (Hey!! BTW :D)....My scrapping took a major hiatus over the last few months due to me starting work....I have recently stopped working and am slowly managing to get back into all the bits and pieces I have wanted to do for ages!!!

I fell in LOVE with the SMASH books when I stumbled on a the K&Co video on them....who wouldn't fall in love with the idea after watching that!!!!

I hopped straight onto their website with full intention to order ONE book and a few accessories.....I THINK NOT!!  I couldn't decide on which book to buy, so I got the Pink one (Pretty Style), the Black one (Mod Style) AND the Mini Book....

I got them in May and have dabbled a bit with a page here and there, but haven't really SMASH*-ed the way I was hoping.  I have been hoarding the "things to smash" in a plastic folder, and it was BURSTING at the seams.  I decided it was high time to get SMASH*-ing.

I didn't dive into decorating the cover, I wanted to see where the book was going before doing it...I got a few Pandora Charms for my birthday and kept the ribbons that the boxes come tied up with, as well as the ribbons that secure the charms in their little boxes.  These proved to be perfect to tie on to the front cover.......**HAPPY PLACE**.  I added a stamp from SwissGirl Designs - Dream Real Big set with the quote "Follow Your Heart".  Appropriate for my idea of this SMASH* book :D

I recently went on an Etsy Shopping spree and kept the envelopes the goodies came in.  I cut out the customs label and stamps and added them to the book under the title of "Happy Mail"  There is space for a couple more of these, thank goodness because I have yet ANOTHER shipment of washi tape on it's way from Hong Kong.....*happy dance!!*

As I add to the book, I will post some of my favorite pages :D

Happy SMASH*-ing!!!

Jo

HIPSTA Love

Hello, hello!!!

A few weeks ago, I started using Instagram a bit more, and just LOVE the photos.  I was browsing through Becky Higgins blog and saw her post on her recommendation for iPhone Apps.  Amongst them was Hipstamatic.  I decided to take the leap and download the App onto my phone.  OH MY GOSH!!!  I ran my battery flat in about 2 hours just happy snappy-ing anything and everything in site, using all the different films and lenses and flash options.  I am totally in love with this App.

The next day I had a look at the add ons for the "camera" and bought the America HipstaPak.  This included a new lens, 2 new films and a turquoise camera case...(yes, it's all virtual BUT is still fun to do :D).  I had to do a layout on my new "camera"......

I literally threw this page together in about 20 minutes and it is one of my favorite pages at the moment.  

I used paper from a 6" x 6" paper pack by Basic Grey called what's up and some scraps from a Kaiser Craft 6,5" x 6,5" called Humming Bird.  (what I cut off when sizing the pages to fit my PL album).  I added a scallop butterfly tag and the clouds from the Paper Inklings Bright Day die cut sheet and finally some strips of washi tape.  For the title I used Amy Tangerine Thickers called Goodness and added a little punched out heart.

I would like to share with you my personal choice Apps which can be used as a great tool for scrapbooking....

Instagram is a free app and offers many different preset options for pictures.  It is also a mini social network where you can share photos with others on Instagram.  Photos can be shared to severals social networks

Next up is Hipstamatic.  Well, this is a beauty where you can choose your option of lens/film/flash combos to create your very own custom looks.  The App costs $1.99 and comes with several different lenses and film options.  You are also able to buy add on lens/film/camera/flash packs from $0.99.  Photos can be shared to several social networks

BeFunky is a free or Pro App. You can add effects and frames of all kinds to your existing photos.  Photos can be shared to several social networks

iQuickDoF is available in free or Pro is a Tiltshift lens and is great for playing around with your photos to create depth of filed images on your existing photos.

InstaCollage is available in free or PRO and is a great app to create photo collages of your photos and print or share to other social network.

Collage is a free App and allows you to create fun collages.

At this point in time my iPhone is my most useful scrapbooking tool around.  I am amused at the fact that I have been striving for the most pixel per inch, highest definition cameras which offer the most crisp clear photos for years, and now I am, striving for the most vintage looking, grainy photos I can, using my "state of the art" technology....Oh, forever wanting what we don't have :p

Keep Crafting!!!

Jo

Scrapbook Layout - You Sparkle

I really enjoyed scrapping this page of my daughter.  The photo was take at a family wedding in March of this year.  Amy was a flower girl.  As you know, I have been entrenched in Project Life recently and it was a nice change to scrap on a page more than 4" x 6" big :D (Don't get me wrong, I am LOVING crating mini scrap pages for my project life) - It was just different to embellish with larger bits and pieces :D

I had tons of fun with this page, using supplies from but not limited to - Prima, SwissGirl Designs, Paper Inklings, Kaiser Craft, Tim Holtz.

It was so much fun making this banner out of paper scraps, tags and washi tape.  I stamped on the two bigger Kaiser Craft tags using the "Dream Real Big" stamp set from SwissGirl Designs.  I really love all her stamps and one of my best things about them is that they are one of the few acrylic stamps that work well with Tim Holtz Distress Inks....

Added some acrylic elements.  The flowers are REALLY OLD Maya Road stash that I recently rediscovered during one of the many crop room clean outs I have done recently.  The heart is cut from a 2L milk bottle which i washed out, let dry and then up-cycled :D:D.  The lovely chipboard clouds are from Paper Inklings.

I recently made a huge paper purchase from Paper Inklings in Australia.  They have the most awesome rub-ons and chipboard embellishments (not to mention the totally yummy paper too).  I used the "You Sparkle" wording from the Fairy Princess rub on set.

I layered some white tissue paper under the photograph.  I have recently seen Rahel from SwissGirl Designs do this on a couple of her layouts and I love the soft feel it gave to the page...Thanks Rahel for ALWAYS inspiring me :D:D

Thanks as always for stopping by :D:D

Happy Scrappping!!!

Jo

A Page About Me on Mother's Day

Hello scraplings!!!

Something none of us do often enough is scrap ourselves....We are always behind the scenes, the "mammarazzi" if you will, ensuring we capture every moment for us to preserve for our children, grandchildren, and so on....

I cut my hair recently.  It was about halfway down my back, and I got it chopped off at the shoulders....saving on shampoo and conditioner now :D

I took this photo with my iPhone, to send a picture to my husband who had been away for a while, and was a few weeks away from returning home.....

I don't like myself in pictures, so when I do find one that is semi-decent...I scrap it :D

I loved the paper as it is a very "me" paper, the colors are just up my street, it is a travel paper, which is something I love, but I do not do enough of....and the camera...well... what can I say...I'm a scraper.....

Once again, I dug into the depths of my stash and found a J bookmark which my kids bought for me for Mother's Day, YEARS ago!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of you out there....we are doing one of the most important jobs around!!!  We deserve a day of tea and toast in bed :D:D

Keep creating!!!

Jo

This and That

Hello!!!

Last night I got a bee in my bonnet and instead of going to bed at a respectful hour, I came to my craft room, intending to tidy things up a little...BUT, I ended up throwing out a couple of pages instead!!!

I would like to share them with you:)

I picked up this fun Halloween die cut set from Creative Hands.....it was such fun working with it :)

I used some of the items from the Lil Bees Exclusive kit for November in this layout, as well as a couple of Prima goodies from my stash.  The stamps from the November kit are totally awesome....

Keep Creating!!!

Jo

November DT Challenge for Scrap Inspire Create

Hello!!!

The November DT has been published on Scrap Inspire Create.  I LOVED doing this challenge.  It has been years since I have incorporated an accordion album into my layout!!

This is my DT submission:

Be sure to check out the site here for the other DT's submissions!!!  What a bunch of talented ladies!!!

Happy Scrapping!!

Jo

New Layouts

Hi

I have a few new layouts to show you....

I created this layout using elements from a Karen Foster Halloween pack.  I used old school paper piecing to make the two jack-o-lanterns on the page.

This is a layout I did earlier in the year.  It is of the sunset from Barasti's on Christmas Day

I have been given my second assignment from Scrap Inspire Create and it will be posted on their blog next week some time....I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge this month and had to think outside the box, as we were requested to add an element to the page which I would normally not do!!!  I will let you know as soon as the challenge is posted on the blog :)

Happy Scrapping

Jo

The DT Challenge has been released on Scrap Inspire Create

Hello ladies!!!

Scrap Inspire Create has just released the DT Layouts created!!  All the new team members have created awesome pages!!!  Well done to Ytet and Yuko, your pages are awesome....

We were given this sketch to work from....

Here is the layout I made for the challenge....

Visit http://scrapinspirecreate.blospot.com to see the awesome layouts.  Don't forget to submit your layout for the competition!!!  Good luck scrappers :)

Happy Scrapping

Jo

Fun with Prima

Hello!!

I recently did a page using a lot of prima products, and now can kick myself for not doing a tutorial on the page.  I have had to resolve to show you the page and elements, without the step by step tutorial.....

Happy Scrapping!

Jo

xoxo

Making Cards

Hello!!!

I was a card maker before I was introduced to the wonderful world of Scrapbooking... I now only make cards for private use, as in to give to my friends and family on special occasions.

I would like to share two cards with you.  One is a birthday card for a friend and the other is an anniversary card I made for my husband.

Happy Scrapping!!

Jo

Ten Minute Page - SwissgirlDesigns Stamps

Hi Scrappers

I am a little pressed for time lately to scrap, but I got those lovely stamps in the post and just had to play with them!!!  So, I stole a couple of minutes to to do this layout.  It took all of 10 minutes, using the awesome "Splatters" stamps from SwissgirlDesigns.

As usual, please submit your layouts for our followers gallery.  We all love seeing your work!!!

Happy Scrapping!!!

Jo

Page Sketches & Embellishment Template for Lil Bees

Hello!!!

I have posted the page sketchs as well as the additional embellishments templates under the "Page Sketches" tab.

Print out the Embellishments template on to card, cut it out and have a template to re-use.

Happy Scrapping!!

Jo