Project Real Life

Hello my friends and fellow crafters!!

Well, life has caught me up and I haven't posted nearly as many Project Life weeks or layouts as I had planned to.  Eid holidays are just around the corner which means half term break,  and with some luck, I will get back on track with Project Lift Posts.  At least I am not behind with Project Life.  In fact, I have started Project Real Life with Becky Higgins over at Big Picture Classes.  Becky is offering a nice little freebee for project life on her blog.  Click HERE for the freebee and while you are there, read over some articles in her blog.

We are currently in week 3 of 12 of Project Real Life.  I am totally blown away by the content of the workshops so far!! This is what Big Picture Classes have to  say about the workshop:

Project Real Life

"Cultivate a good life and record it." Becky Higgins

This idea is at the heart of everything Becky Higgins does with her blog, her products and in her real life. Come and join her for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend some time with her during the last quarter of 2012. As Becky goes about preparing for the holidays, organizing around her home and documenting her family's story along the way, she'll be sharing ideas to inspire you, tips to motivate you, and real-life suggestions on how to cultivate the life you want.

Whether you're a long-time Project Lifer or you're just now hearing about Project Life, you will love learning about the guilt-free philosophy behind this system of memory-keeping. While Becky will give you plenty to think about and do during the 12 weeks of this workshop, she has no intentions of overwhelming you. This is based on her belief that that there isn't a person that exists who really "does it all" — and this should be the last thing that we expect from ourselves.

If registrations are still being accepted and you are looking for something to knock your life socks off during the last 12 weeks of 2012, do yourself a favor and sign up :D:D


Thanks so much for stopping by.  Please come back soon.  I will be doing a sneak peek on a layout tutorial video I have done for Pretty Paper Studio, and online scrapbook store.

Happy Scrapping!!

Jo

My (Crafty) Space

Hello friends!!!

We have been in our home for 2 years now, and my craft room has been ever evolving, and never quite right for the new space...With our "home makeover" in June, I decided to do some sorting in my craft room, and replace some things which were just not right for this space.  I am in a small room at the back of the house, which is inter to be a room for a live-in maid.  It is the perfect scrapping space for me....well....it is now :D

Once again, I used my FABULOUS new app, Hipstamatic.

I picked up these shelves for FREE just after we moved into the area.  Someone down the road had them lying outside at the bin.  I knocked on the door and found out they were throwing them out...WHAT A WIN!!!  I brought them home and the fitted EXACTLY on this wall, with just a teeny space on either side!!  I have many things on these shelves, from baskets with embellishments, inspiration books, flowers as well as some albums.  The small black files on the 3rd shelf down house my acrylic stamps, sorted into type...

Next is my desk.  I used to have trestle legs for the desk, and although nice, they were a little unstable.  I bought these drawers from IKEA and they are a blessing!!!  I have managed to ferret away so many things in the ample drawers.  Unfortunately the lighting is really inadequate in this room, so it is necessary to have an additional lamp on my desk.

My pinboard which homes a favorite layout at the time and anything else I need in sight.  The extra desks to the left are also a find from IKEA.  I have two desks as they are really tiny.  They have a shelf at the back which I presume is for cabling.  It is the perfect spot to house some projects which I am working on, and some display items like my SMASH* Books and an old Junque Journal I made about 2 years ago.

Below these desks is more shelving from IKEA.  It holds my Project Life caddy, a storage box with some stuff for SMASH-ing, and some boxes filled with brads.  My Cinch and Texture Boutique live in harmony on the bottom shelf.

This cupboard used to be inside my craft room and it took up a lot of space.  When I sorted out the craft room, I got rid of 2 sets of plastic drawers which stood in this place.  This is WAY neater, especially as this area is visible when you come into the house.  There is a door behind here which leads into the garage....We have never really used it so it's not a hassle that we no longer have access to it.  The entrance into my craft room is just to the left of the picture.

Yeah, I have a lot of scrapping stuff.  It is finally all nicely organized and neat.  This space REALLY makes me happy!!

One thing I have learnt from this process is that it is really necessary to get space specific storage.  The craft space I had in our old house was totally amazing, but the furniture just didn't work properly in our new house.  

On a side note, just as I completed sorting out my craft space, my wonderful loving husband asked me if I wanted to move my craft space upstairs, on to the landing.  His reasoning for this, the lighting is FANTASTIC!!! ,  I will have about twice the space AND I will be near him as his office is in this space.  Although this idea is intriguing, for now I am very happy in my little craft room...It is MINE, I can leave it messy if I want, just walk out and close the door.  But watch this space...The wanderlust in me ensures that I do not keep still for long and I am sure I will be feeling the itch to move before long....SIGH...

Wether your space to scrap is just a small section in the corner somewhere, or a FAN-DABI-DOZI craft room which is purpose built, it is a little piece of peace :D

Happy Scrapping!!

Jo

Happy Days!!!

Oh My Gosh!!!

What an awesome day!!  Not only have I been lucky enough to be featured on the Scrapbook Challenges "Featured Photos" page, which you can see here BUT I have also been selected to be on the Punky Scraps DT!!!   How totally awesome!!!  Punky Scraps is a new blog on the block (say that 5 times in a row :D) and I can feel it in my bones that it will be VERY successful!!!

Visit Punky Scraps on http://punkyscraps.blogspot.com/ and watch it grow :)

Happy Scrapping!!!

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

SwissgirlDesigns Feature/Think Smart About Your Stash

Hello fellow addicts :D

As you all know, I am crazy about the stamp sets from SwissgirlDesigns.  Rahel has kindly put up a feature  of my work in which I have mostly used her stamps. Thanks Rahel, it is an honor!!!

I am totally inspired by Rahel's layouts.  She really goes back to the core of scrapbooking, by using bits and pieces of "free" treasure in her layouts, or making her own embellishments using her amazing creative talent!!

She recently did a layout called "Cookie TV" and she made the cutest little monsters using dollar store wiggly eyes and creatively cutting out paper into little shapes.  Check it out here.

Over the last few months I have done a serious sort out of my scrap stash, and have found that I have embellishments that I bought on a whim, and years later, are still sitting unused in my stash.  Our TT (Tuesday Therapy) girls have recently decided to thin out our personal supplies.  We have marked the complete and partially used goodies we are no  longer using with a small dirham price (between Dhs2 and Dhs5).  The goodies are then taken along to all of our copping sessions and our fellow scrappers can rummage through, see if there is anything we like, and then buy the item.  We work on an "honesty box" system, where each of us has a little jar with our names on, and it is up to the "purchaser" to ensure they pay for the items taken.

As far as I am concerned, this is such an awesome idea, as we have all found something in the other persons stash box that we love, have managed to get it for a steal, and then the recipient ends up with a little bit extra cash to spend on more scrapping supplies...

In today's economy, there are VERY few people who can afford to spend piles and piles of cash on unnecessary items, and why should our scrapping suffer the consequences.  This brings me back to Rahel, her layouts are totally stunning, always different, and if you watch her video about her scrap space here, Rahel uses a small amount of choice items and creates her own embellishments, by thinking creatively and using what she has (punches, stamps, paint, paper) along with some main stream store treasures to create awesome, inspiring layouts!!!

I have found myself recently buying scrapping stash that has multi use, for example, if I cannot resist a book of tags, I make sure that they are either conducive to being altered, or are neutral enough to be used over and over.  And don't forget to look at the packaging your goodies come in, most of the stuff now comes with beautiful packaging, that can be cut, punched or torn to be used in your layouts.

Even from up on my soap box, I must admit that I am addicted to acrylic stamps, and very rarely can resist a purchase....but I now do it with slightly less guilt, as I know that they can be used over and over, in so many ways and I am not taking home things I do not necessarily need.

At the end of the day, I am not saying that you must stop buying your special goodies, just think smart and make sure you are adding creatively to your stash, rather than just adding "white elephants" to your stash :D

Please share your ideas on saving money while still creating stunning layouts by posting on this comment.  All ideas are welcome!!!

Happy Scrapping!!!
Jo

Upcoming Events on JoSoCrafty

Hello Scrappers!!!

Just to let you know a few things that are on the cards for JoSoCrafty.

I will announce the DT soon.  My judge extraordinaire  has been out of town, so I will get him to have a look today.

I will be getting the awesome giveaway sponsored by Creative Hands today....watch this space.  I will post it once I have completed the tutorial that goes with it.

I have been selected for another DT....I have not received any gen yet, but will let you know as soon as I do.  The site is new, but holds TONS of promise, I think it will be fun!!!

I have become a member of Scrapbook Challenges....What fun, you can find lots of inspiration from the site, and they have a lovely bunch of scrappers who are eager to give you positive feedback regarding your uploaded pages....check them out at this address http://scrapbookchallenges.ning.com/

I have sorted out the problem I was having with pictures to upload, so layouts coming soon.....

Happy Scrapping

Jo

DT Call & Giveaway teaser

Hello scrappers!!!

I am pouring over all your fabulous layout submissions.  Thanks to all of you who have sent in your WONDERFUL pages, there are some super talented people out there.  I can tell you, I will be hard pressed to choose :)  I am taking my personal favorite layout from all the submissions, and getting a third party to choose their favorites....it is the only subjective way I can choose DT members.  (I cannot choose, as all of them are fantastic, so I am giving the job to someone else!!!)

I have just received great news!!!  My next giveaway has been kindly donated by Annais of Creative Hands.  I like it sooooo much, I may just have to keep it!!!  (Nah, that would be way too rude).  Watch this space for a video tutorial and the giveaway reveal.

I have had a little snag with uploading pictures, so I will be slowly adding new layout ideas over the next few days....your patience is appreciated :)

Keep 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

DT Call

Hello!!!

I am looking for 4 members to be on JoSoCrafty's design team, who will offer fun and inspirational layouts for the blog.

If you are interested in getting your work published on a blog, would like a new challenge monthly, please submit the following on e-mail to jobrown0@gmail.com :

DETAILS


Full Name:

E-Mail Address:

Location - City/Country:

A short biography about you and your scrapping style:

3 Layouts in low res:

DT's past and present (previous DT not essential):

Link to your blog/gallery:

COMMITMENT REQUIREMENTS:


Monthly challenge which will be posted on JoSoCrafty blog.
Promote JoSoCrafty to your blog.
New layouts to be created for the challenge.
This is for a permanent position on the JoSoCrafty Design Team, but we understand should you no longer be able to submit layouts.  We require a minimum of 3 months commitment.

Experience level is not a prerequisite, we will consider everyone from beginner to advanced.


Submissions close on 25 October 2010.  


I look forward to seeing your amazing work.


Keep creating!!


Jo

How My Craft Space Works

Greetings!!

I am toying with the idea to do a "how my craft space works" post, with pictures and ideas how I store my stash and have arranged my work station.

I will follow it up with your ideas if you would like to share them....

Please comment on this post if you would like to see some craft space ideas.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Happy Scrapping!

Jo

Trying out my new craft space

Hello!!

Even though I have had a bustling household, with all my extra, very special guests, I managed to steal a little of scrapping time over the last few days.  I had a DT Challenge for Scrap Inspire Create which is due today.

I love my new craft space!!!  The lighting is poor, but with a little help from a desk lamp, I am able to craft happily!!!

I am looking forward to many happy hours in my happy place!!!

Happy Scrapping

Jo

I am so freaking excited!!!!

Hello Ladies

Still busy, busy....my house is now at capacity.  Six additional family members in our house!!!  I am one happy girl....

Still no scrapping time though but that is going to have to change!!!  I have been accepted to be on the design team for Scrap Inspire Create!!!  I am so very excited!!!!

Visit their site at :
http://scrapinspirecreate.blogspot.com/

I have been given my first design challenge and am so looking forward to creating the page.  I have selected my pictures and have a layout all ready in my head!!!  I am heading off now to go and work on the details....

The layouts will be revealed on 3 October on the Scrap Inspire Create site!!!

Happy Scrapping

Jo

Scrapbooking Classifieds on Lil Bees Boutique

Hi!!

Lil Bees Boutique has come up with a fantastic idea!!  A classifieds section on the blog.  Here you can display scrapping stash and tools that you would like to sell or swap!!

I for one have a pile of stash and a few tools that I no longer use, and will be posting my classified on the site for sure.

What a good idea to clean out some scrapping clutter and have a little extra cash to invest in some new fantastic scrapping goodies!!

Well done Lil Bees - very inspirational!

Happy scrapping (is there any other way???)

Jo

Your Pages

Hello!!

Thank you so much to all the contributors to the "Followers Gallery"  Your pages are awesome and an inspiration!!!

Keep them coming!!

Keep your eye out for our upcoming competition with a tidy little prize up for grabs!!!

Happy Scrapping

Jo

SwissGirlDesigns Stamps

Hello fellow crafters

A little bridie told me that the stamps from SwissgirlDesigns will be ready for me to place an order in about a week.

As soon as I get the thumbs up that they are in stock, I will be ordering, as I know they are going fast.  Please let me know via e-mail which stamps you would like.  I have all the orders placed previously, so if you have already sent your mail, you need not send it again.

Thanks again for supporting Rahel and SwissGirlDesigns, she is an awesome lady with awesome ideas!!  Be sure to visit her blog for fantastic ideas!

Happy Scrapping

Jo

Lil Bees Boutique September Main Kit

Hello!!

Apologies to any of you who find yourself here because of the post on Facebook.  I will be repeating myself.

I met with Hana to day of Lil Bees Designs.  I got my grubby little paws on next month's Main Kit.  Oh My Golly Gosh!!!  If you haven't thought of subscribing before, NOW is the time.  This is the  most jam packed kit yet in my opinion.  As Hana has "leaked" before, next month's kit contains and album....AND SO MUCH MORE!!!

I am working on a layout or two, which will be posted on her site as or along with "SNEAK PEAKS".  I am working on Video Tutorials on the pages, so if you are stuck for ideas, the layouts will be available for your viewing!!  Please bear with me if the videos are a few days behind the kits...I will try  my best to get them out in time!!!

I have also been privileged to to get a look a the Stamp Kit for next month too...LOVE IT!!

Keep on looking at Lil Bees site for sneak peaks and I can promise that the kit is WELL worth it!!

Happy Scrapping

Jo

Crop-Along

Hello!!

I have added a new tab to my blog called Crop-Along, this will give you information about the crop group I host.  I will be starting the group again in October, so please book your space!!!

Here is a sneak peek page of a digital wedding album I was requested to create.

Happy Scrapping

Jolene

New Things!!

Hi!!

I have been fiddling with the blog, and have added some tabs to the blog.  I will have all my youtube video tutorials posted together under one tab for easy reference.

I have included a new tab, which will be dedicated to page sketches, for you to print should you wish to recreate one of the pages on this site.

I will be adding some more tabs as time goes on.......

Thanks to all of you for your ongoing support!!!

Happy Scrapping

Jo

SwissGirlDesigns Does It Again!!!!

Hi

You all know how much I love the inspiration that flows from Rahel's site, swissgirldesigns.com.  Well, logging on to her site this morning, I was so happy to see that she has launched her new acrylic stamp range.

I have my personal favorite, which is the Paint Splatters, but there seems to be something for everyone in the range.  I have already put my personal favorites on back order with her, as the stamps for re-sale will only arrive with her some time next week.

In the interest of saving on shipping fees, I have decided to see if anyone else would like the stamps and I will place a bulk order with her.  I am ordering directly from her and am not putting a mark up or such on the items....

I am estimating that the stamps will be in the region of AED60 per set, excluding P&P.

If you are interested in placing your order, please mail or post a comment on which your preferences are and as soon as I have all the final details as to cost etc. I will pass that information on.  I will bring the goodies in via Aramex, and will split the shipping fee accordingly :)

To wet your taste buds, here are the stamps:

For Rahel's video on the stamps, please go to her site at www.swisgirldesigns.com where you can see the stamps as well as some layout ideas for using the stamps.

Looking forward to hearing from you :)

Jolene

Lil Bees Boutique August Kits

Hi Ladies!!!

I collected my August Kits from Lil Bees Boutique today and I would like to share them with you.

This is my little treasure...I am TOTALLY into butterflies at the moment, in case you haven't noticed from my recent pages published :)

The acrylic stamps are called "Wings" and are by much loved Prima.

I love that is has the awesome decorative oval frame and a some birds which are always fun to put on your page.

I was so pleased to find TWO bottles Stickles glitter glue included, in yellow and Platinum.

Stickles boasts a non clog formula and is my first choice glitter glue.

The Exclusive Kit pictured below is not mine, I collected it for a friend so I won't be showcasing any pages with the products.  I just had to show you what was included.

The butterfly is absolutely awesome and the felt ferns are so detailed, they look like actual ferns!!!

I should be getting a Main Kit shortly, and I will post the pictures of the goodies when I get them.

Happy Scrapping

Jo