Journal your Christmas

In a rash moment I have signed up for Shimelle's online 'Journal Your Christmas' class. It looks really fab - loads of ideas to get me buzzing...though I am now having odd moments wondering if it was wise to add anything more to my 'to do' list.

The idea is that I get sent daily journaling prompts throughout December with the aim of completing a (mini) album. Even if I don't get loads done in December (realistic if nothing else)then I hope to get some journaling done each day which I can then use later. I also love the idea of trying to take at least one photo each day whatever is going on. Watch this space...

Magazines...

Eeek! I've just received a letter from the Scrapbook Inspirations subscription people saying that the magazine is stopping. This is a real shame - especially as they'd just given it a new look. I have loved reading SI and used to look forward to it arriving for my next 'scrapbooking fix.'

I got my last issue of Scrapbook Inspirations through the door yesterday - and Cathy Knight (Scrap Happy regular) has got another fab page in the reader's gallery - check it out on page 64.

A totally different style from Scrapbook Inspirations, but if you 're not already hooked, do go and get yourself a copy of Scrapbook Trends (available at WHSmith) - it is bursting with gorgeous layouts. Now I just need to persuade Andy to buy me a subscription for Christmas!

I don't sew!

I don't sew! Whilst I admire those who cross stitch I haven't the patience for it myself...and I've always been pleased to hand curtains etc to my Mum to make! A couple of years ago I asked for a sewing machine for Christmas and my whole family mocked me and questioned whether I would use it.

My sewing machine is perfect - it's only little but as I only wanted to sew paper that's fine (and thankfully its not quite sturdy enough to sew curtains so they still go to my Mum).

Fast forward to the present...last week 'stitching' was the class focus at Scrap Happy and I've had a fab time getting stuck in with my needle and threads (though Scrap Happy was unusually quiet as we were concentrating so much!). We used both the machine and the bazill & papermania stiching templates and I think the stitching adds a lovely bit of texture to the layouts without being too heavy.

'Hannah'

Supplies: Paper - Basic Grey, Junkitz; Journaling stamps - Banana Frog, Heidi Swapp; Alphabet Stamps - Making Memories, Hero Arts

'Pudsey'

Supplies: Paper - October Afternoon, American Crafts, Doodlebug; Stamp - Stamps Away; Die cuts - Sizzix; Dymo labeller

'Relax'

Supplies: Paper & Cardstock - Creative Memories; Letter stickers - Thickers (American Crafts); Stamp - Stamps Away

'Beach fun'

Supplies: Paper: American Crafts, Fancy pants, Doodlebug, DCWV, K and Co; Letter stickers - Thickers (American Crafts); Paper flowers - petaloo;

As I had my machine out I then also added some stitching to a batch of cards I was making:

'Boys Rock' card

Supplies: Paper & Cardstock - Crate Paper, Papermania, Creative Memories; Die cut - Sizzix

...and of course, now I want to use stitching on everything - the layout I worked on at the next Scrap Happy felt a bit bare - I think it might need some sewing! Watch this space...

Scrapping without photos

These are some of the hardest layouts I've ever made - not because they are anything fancy but because they are about one of my best friends, Stephen, who died in a car accident last week.

A scrapbookers dilemma - I have so many memories of Stephen that I want to record and yet I've found I only have a handful of photos from university - nothing more recent. I guess in our twenties we felt no need to record the day to day stuff - everything seemed permanent (and there were no digital cameras!)

This first layout is simply an 'in loving memory' page, using a photo I found on facebook.

'Friends'

Supplies: Paper - Fancy Panys, Paper Pizazz, Scrap within reach, Core'dinations; Stamp - Stamps away; dymo labeller

This next one however was more of a challenge. We used to spend hours listening to music and browsing in HMV and Virgin...but our musical tastes were really different. He loved shiny, trashy pop and I was a bit of an indie girl. There were just a few things we agreed on and I wanted to remember some of the gems. I have listed (with my trusty dymo labeller!) some of our favourite tracks. The 'friends' tag can be lifted to open up the circle, revealing far more journaling about favourite songs, concerts, memories etc.

'Playlist'

Supplies: Paper - Fancy Pants, Scrap within reach, Core'dinations; Alphas - thickers, MAMBI; border punch - Martha Stewart; Stamp - Stamps away; dymo labeller

Some of you know how much I try to get everyone journaling - but I hadn't expected to lose the photos all together! However I am sure I will be making more 'photo-less' pages about Stephen - a very special person to remember :)

Christmas Recipe Book

I've been taking photos! These pictures are of my Christmas Recipe Book which I made using the Creative Memories 'Merry & Bright' paper album kit. The kit includes backing paper, photo mats, stickers etc and it was really easy to put this recipe book together. I took photos of my favourite Christmas bakes and typed up the recipes. I've kept mine but I reckon it'd make a brilliantly personal Christmas present.


If you want to have a go, there will be an optional 'recipe book' class at the Christmas Craft & Crop on November 28th @ Keene Hall. The class will run 11am - 1pm and the price includes the paper album kit, recipes and photos (though you are welcome to bring your own recipes if you prefer).

More dymo tape

Yay! Jaynie bought me some more dymo tape -these ones are red, lilac and pale blue - looking forward to playing some more!!!!

Monster cards...

In a bid to save money and tidy up, I've recently set myself a challenge. I thought it was time to start using up some of my stash....so the challenge is to grab a pack of stickers or embellishments from my cupboard and use them to design a batch of cards.

...and these were yesterday's attempt! I had a lovely time (with my dymo labeller of course!) using these monster stickers. I can't remember where I got them from but it was somewhere like Tesco or Poundland...and I'm rather pleased with the results - makes a change from all the girly stuff!

I love ... my dymo labeller

Is there a prize for the most journaling using a dymo labeller?? If so....

I made these layouts months ago (just after the 'big snow' in fact) - but never got round to adding any dates or journaling ... until today!

Although not a double LO they do sit opposite each other in my album so it was nice to give them a similar treatment. And yes...I love my dymo labeller!!!

'Cool'

Supplies: paper & cardstock - Creative Memories, Daisy Bucket

'Sledge fun'

Supplies: Paper - Creative Memories; Stickers - Creative Memories, Creative Imaginations, Scrapbook Inspirations freebie

A few more reasons why I love my dymo:

• It's great for journaling strips (and everyone knows how much I like journaling strips)
• It's quick and easy - great for lazy people like me who look for ways to avoid anything too fiddly
• Its kind of grungy
• There are funky colours (I now have black, blue, red, yellow, orange & green - but need to make a trip to Basildon Staples to get the cool clicks colours)
• You get white text without any fiddling on the computer or using less than brilliant white pens

Need I say more?????

Think Pink coffee morning...and wordle

I've been drumming up support for my Think Pink coffee morning - and thought you'd like the 'wordle' image that I've used for my advertising. You can make your own at http://www.wordle.net/ - do go and have a play -it's fab - and I think there are loads of scrapbooking applications. These word clouds would make brilliant titles printed out on acetate for example.

..oh, and please do come to my coffee morning - Thurs October 22nd 10am - 12 noon at mine. Raising money for Cancer Research UK - there'll be lots of cakes, a raffle, some cards for sale and a scrapbook stall. xxx

Just had a lovely relaxed day at Scrap Happy. I got three pages done except for journaling - there's a job for Monday morning!
...and here's one I did earlier!!! I made this layout as preparation for 'Lost for Words' (4 week journaling course). It'll be the last session on Monday and I think it's gone well - but you'll have to ask those on the receiving end to be sure! This layout was for a session on 'writing frames' - this one being a recipe style.

...oh and by the way, I'm loving using my new dymo labeller. Andy did ask if I was going to use it on all my layouts from now on as it seems to have been in constant use over the past few weeks!

Inspiration

I've seen a few really great layouts with a 3 x 3 grid design (see last months Scrapbook Trends for starters!) - and I love this t-shirt of Tom's.

Anyone fancy the challenge of using his t-shirt as inspiration for a layout? Either the grid pattern or the colours or use of text.....I now want to go and start straight away, but have to collect Tom from preschool!

I've got Scrap Happy all day on Saturday (10 - 4) so I'll hopefully make a start then and post some layouts next week :)

Welcome to my blog!!!!

Finally...I've taken the plunge and started a blog. My plan is to upload my layouts and bits and bobs that inspire me. I'll also add in some details of Scrap Happy events.

To get started I thought I'd post some of my latest layouts from our summer holiday in France. I've been enjoying getting some scrapping done whilst Tom has been at pre-school - though haven't yet made a start on the housework!

Anyway, I love the photos on these layouts (they did make 'sad' faces with their melon too but I haven't used those!)....and I used my Bazzill in stitchz for the first time on the 'Watermelon' page and now can't wait to try it again.

'Watermelon'

Supplies: paper- Creative Memories, coredinations, my little shoebox, american crafts; stickers - doodlebug; dymo; bazzill in stitchz

'Smile'

Supplies: paper - Bo Bunny, Basic Grey; flowers - petaloo; chipboard alpha - prima; stickers - Tesco; stamps - studio g, anitas