Sian speaks ... I listen

Do you remember Sian's Rosette tutorial way back in March ... I know, March! Where on earth did time go?
Anyway, I've been really looking forward to giving them a go - and using papers from May's kit, Lily Bee, This & That,  I dived straight in.  Well Sian, thank you - they were so much fun to make, trust me, they'll be appearing on more layouts in future.

The picture was actually taken on Easter Sunday, when we took a trip up into London to see the flags - I couldn't believe my luck, a mini, a black cab and a bus, all in a line ... how lucky was I.  Ok, I did have to stand in the middle of Regent Street to take it, but then us scrapbookers suffer for our art LOL.

Please leave links to your creations using either Sian's rosette's or how you used the May Kit.

Your May Cheat Sheet

How's it going with that May kit?

It's so windy here today that any ideas I had for layouts about the lovely weather at the beginning of the month have all disappeared. Instead I think I'll be doing a "Cast Ne'er a Clout til May be Out" page!

I'm also thinking about:

• National Scrapbooking Day. Did you play along with any challenges anywhere? Or go to a crop? I think I'll have to simply scrap my intentions for this one! That lovely black patterned paper would make photos of any layouts you did really pop.
• The first thing I thought of when I saw that black crystal swirl was "black tie" - any May Balls or Leavers Proms round your way? I nearly used it for a page about an antique black jet evening bag.
• Of course, if the bad weather keeps up, I'll be huddling indoors " Ah! There's nothing like staying home for real comfort!" said Jane Austen and this month's kit would certainly suit a Jane page.
• Across the Atlantic it's "National Get Caught Reading Month" - I wish that would catch on here. But I'm going to make a page about books anyway.
• If it picks up, I'll be out practising a few closeup photos of the garden - the flowers in the kit have inspired me to make some more from patterned paper and I'll be adding those to a page with a seed packet I've saved.
• Bunting! May is definitely a month for bunting. my method right now is to use a small circular punch, fold the circles in half and hook them over some twine.

That's it for May. Maybe you have some ideas for June? Let me know and I'll add them to the list!

Girls Paperie

Girls Paperie have brought out some lovely ranges of papers and embellishments recently which you can find in the shop here. The ranges have a pretty vintage feel to them and they mix and match really well.

I've been busy with some of the papers, die-cut embellishments and stickers and came up with this layout.

I really like using kraft Bazzill as a background as it provides a neutral backdrop to patterned papers, and on this layout I also punched some strips from it to add to my page. I inked the edges of my papers with Distress ink  to add definition.

The flowers were made using some of the die-cut shapes from the Crafting Kit along with some other flowers cut from pages of an old book. I used the die-cuts as a template, inked the edges, scrunched them up and then layered them up before finishing off with a button from the kit and an adhesive pearl.

If you get hold of some (or all!) of the ranges on offer we would love to see what you have created with them.

Thanks for stopping by, Clare x

ProMarker Storage Idea

I think I probably enjoy the sorting of craft products, almost as much as crafting it self and I'm always on the look out for new storage ideas.   I’ll happily lose myself in re-organizing my papers and embellishments and always think …yup, that’s much better, and then only to do it again, in a few months time. 

Well my storage of ProMarkers had me stumped for a while – I’d first put them in little A5 boxes of each colour, but that was a bit of a faff to carry around – and what I really was looking for, was a way I could just pick up my pens and either take them away for the weekend with me, or just carry them downstairs, and colour to my hearts content, while watching tv.

So a big thank you, goes to Petra who while attending the Thursday crop, bought along her idea … and oh I so copied it.  She was very lucky in finding her bag at a charity shop.  Now, I love looking through charity shops, but I’m not the most patient person, so waiting to find this bag, really wasn’t going to happen.  But I did go to the local garden centre and found the same thing (ok, a little more expensive than I would have at the charity store but its such a pretty colour), and hey, beggars can’t be choosers.

                                             

I picked up a set of “dot labels” from Rymans and set about putting my ProMarkers in their place, and colouring the dots with each colour, and sticking on top.  I also, downloaded a colour chart sheet from LetraSet, and filled in which colours I have, so I know which I need to add to my collection.  I’ve put a copy of the sheet for you on the site, under Articles, should you wish to do the same.

All I need to do now, is stamp up a lot of images, and let the playing begin.

I’ve just had a re-stock of ProMarkers, so you’ll find them HERE … and don’t forget, ProMarkers are with free P&P, so you can always add the odd one to your collection, to build up.     

Please do share with us any storage ideas by leaving a link to yours and I'm hoping to build on this by giving you all the storage ideas I've found work (and maybe some that don't ... to save you the pain too LOL)

Twine Pompoms

String's the thing at Gotta Craft today. The new MME twine is just as gorgeous as it looks in the pictures! I have been playing around with yellow - but I gotta get some more. Soon.

I've been making tiny pompoms because I love to add a bit of texture to my pages. I thought about how I was going to do this, and then I realised that I had a tiny bowmaker from my dollshouse days. It worked perfectly. Here's how:

Bowmaker, twine and a length of embroidery thread. A bowmaker is easy to make with two nails in a block of wood or maybe a big fork might do?

Wrap the twine round the prongs of the bowmaker about eight times

Thread a needle with embroidery thread and pass it underneath the twine, then tie a tight, secure knot. I used green here so that you could see it. A toning colour would be better.

Slip the twine off the prongs and trim and fluff up your pompom

I turned mine into a sunflower and added it to one of the journaling cards from April's kit to make a quick tag.

This and That: May's Kit

At last! Today I get to show you the the layouts I made with the beautiful May kit. I was delighted when Sandra said she was ordering some Lilybee for the shop. Isn't it lovely?  Have you seen the matching stamps? and the plain colours? Gotta love those.

My first layout uses photos from a trip to an old fashioned haberdashery shop:

I pleated the paper for the outside and sewed it on with my sewing machine. And I have one big tip for doing this - think seriously about stitching a line first and then faking it by hot glue gunning the pleats on the back. That's what I'm going to do next time! I also used the glue gun to make my paper rose (and I have a tip for that too - make sure all the stray strands of glue have been removed before you try to take photos..)

My second page tells the story of a little pie funnel which used to belong to my Grandma. The felt embellishment is one I made a while back and have never used. It just seemed to fit. I kept the rest simple so that there was one obvious focal point.

And finally, my favourite this month, about a half finished sampler. I worked some cross stitch from the sampler chart straight onto the blue paper. Still loving rosettes too, as you can see.

So, now you've seen mine - what are you going to do with yours? I'd love to know.

Who doesn't love Twine?

Happiness is colourful twines .... so I couldn't be happier at the moment, just look what I've just uploaded, and in all 12 colours, find them HERE

aaawwwww ... bliss.

Sneaky Peek time

I always love seeing Sian's take on the sneaky peek and I have to say, this time she's really excelled herself.  Now, I know what the kit is ... and those of you that like to know what papers are coming up in kits, know to check the site for hints, but even with all this ... well, see for yourself, she'll keep you guessing.

I will say that you'll be blown away by the layouts Sian has created, they're stunning.

May's kit goes on sale on, Monday 9th at a slightly earlier time of 5pm.

Your April Cheat Sheet

How's that April kit coming, then? Have you broken into it? Finished it? Or are you still admiring it?

I've got a new feature for you today. I'm calling it a "cheat sheet" and I hope it will give you a few ideas for scrapping the month away. .

So, April: what have we got?

• April Fool's Day - Did anyone catch you out? Did you fool the family? What is the best April Fool you have ever come across? If you need a title,  how about : "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.." That's from Nineteen Eighty Four .
• Mother's Day - Did you snap a picture of your gifts, given or received? Did you have a secret wish for a certain something? What was your first Mother's Day like? I haven't scrapped mine yet and I know I should. Or what about when you were little, what did you do for your Mum? Have expectations changed?

• April is the month when we start to see more light during the day - brilliant for getting outside and taking more photos. "Always take time to stop and smell the flowers."  Do a photo walk, record the garden now and at the end of the month again. Or think about the weather - how many times have you needed an umbrella? Are those April showers around? Do the Easter school holidays remind you of being stuck indoors making things? Last year I wrote a blog post called "Bringing The Boredom Back" and I think I might scrap that!
• Easter, of course; but what about photos of any new Spring things you have bought for the house? Any Spring cleaning projects? If you need a title for that one, how about: "Where there is a woman, there is magic". Any new outfits? I might do a page about shivering in my new Easter clothes - who used to do that too?
• It's National Kite Month in April in the U.S. - that sounds more like a March subject to me here; but it's worth having a look at those Toybox papers for that one
• Or what about National Teach Children To Save Day? How about a layout on your first moneybox, or on what you are saving up for right now..
• And finally, if you are looking for creative ideas for those lovely journaling cuts, check out the Crate Paper Blog for their Card Menu

If you have any other plans, do share them here.  And I'll start thinking about next month.

If you aren't in a layout making mood, this kit is perfect for Spring cards and tags (felt flowers and rub on from my stash)

It's Just Scraps: Pleated Flowers

I'm seeing patterned paper flowers blooming all over the place at the minute. They are turning into a trend! I have a quick one to show you today. It's a good one to start with and an easy way to use up scraps from your kit.

Start by punching a circle from a scrap of cardstock. Cut two 12 inch long strips from coordinating papers and trim along one edge with scalloped scissors or a border punch

Pierce a hole in the centre of your circle - this is easier to see than a pencil mark AND you can use it to push a brad through at the end. Begin pleating your paper strip around your centre point, flattening and moulding with your fingers

Add a second layer of pleats and trim any excess, neatening edges at the same time

Add a brad, button or small punched circle to the centre. I tied narrow ribbon through the button in mine to give it a bit of movement. Now it's ready for your page - use it to draw attention to a title or photo.

Rainy Day Scrapping

Sometimes I get an email from Sandra and it says "I've been thinking.." and then I know there's going to be some thinking in there for me too..

We all love a new kit every month. Fresh supplies, the latest papers, right for the time of year. But where does that leave all the other paper? The stuff that was right for Christmas or Valentines Day or last Halloween? If you had got round to using it. I've come up with a different way of looking at the paper you already have:

"When she's sick she says I love it when I stay home and we eat popcorn. It feels like breaking the rules"

1. DO NOT look at your photographs. Don't go anywhere near them. Look only at your papers. Choose a selection based only on colour, not on what you bought them for or what pictures you think they go with. I have used some from Cosmo Cricket DeLovely, a summery collection.

2. Take two sheets of white cardstock. Punch border strips from one and arrange on the other to make a textured background.

3. Create a patchwork from your patterned papers. Just choose what you like; and, remember, no looking at your photos.

4. Cut one piece to be a photo mat - mine is sized for any of my 4x6 photos - and stick it down. Now, pick out some matching embellishments.

5. NOW - look at your photos and I bet you will find something to fit on your layout. I took this picture ages ago, but the colours are a bit of a mixture and I'd never found a way of using it until now. This way of scrapping throws up all kinds of new combinations!

6. Finally, add in any extra embellishments you want to support your theme or pull your colours together. I added a American Crafts chip button in red and a flower made from patterned paper (quick tutorial coming soon).  Add your title and journaling - done.

Any time you feel like a bit of scrapping, but you can't pick a photo and you haven't found a story, turn to your stash and do a couple of these. Then save them for a rainy day or until the perfect picture appears!


As a little side note ..... the papers that Sian has used are now discounted as a blog special ... so now you can play along.  You'll find them HERE

And one from me

Each month I always think that, that months kit is the best ... and this month again is no different.  I really like the mix of crate papers that you'll find HERE -

I really enjoyed using them with the photo that I took recently - when the moon was at it's largest.  

Don't forget to send in your creations with the kit ... we'd love to see what you've created.  I'll be sharing more of Clare's beautiful layouts on the site soon - and on here, she's really gone to town with the kit, that's for sure.

April Kit Ideas

Well, I could hardly just leave you hanging on with that little sneaky peek, could I ... so here is the full and gorgeous layout from Clare, using the April's kit



Sneaky Peek

This month's sneaky peek has been done by Clare, and oh she's been cheeky and not giving much away LOL.

The kit will be on sale on Monday 11th April around 7pm ... and I think you're going really like it :)  its a mixture of papers from Crate, but please don't think it will be too "girly" ... I think you'll be happily surprised.

Such a talented bunch

You really are!  Here is another stunning, stunning layout to show you, that Mel, kindly sent to me ... ok, a little begging may have occured on my part!

This layout is the story of when Mel, met up with Sian ... and am I a little green with envy ..oohhhh yes LOL.  Mel, just uses the most beautiful layering on her layouts ... you'll agree, it's stunning.

Please keep sending in your creations ... I've another to share with you soon :) as well as a very naughty sneaky peek at the kit from Clare.

Keep them coming

As you know, we're always asking for you to share with us your creations from the monthly kits or other goodies you've been tempted into .. well, a thank you to Jo, for these lovely layouts created with March's For the Record kit.

Thank you Jo very much ... but we'll want to see what you achieve with next months kit too :)

I'll be back later on in the week with more customer layouts to share with you.  These, however will be next on the shop site.

It's Just Scraps

So, it's nearly the end of the month. Have you finished up your kit yet? I have a few bits left:

 

and I've been thinking of ways to use up the scraps.

First, I pulled out a fresh sheet of white cardstock (next time I think I might need to order more matching colour - a great way to stretch your kit). Choose one photo only and cut narrow strips from what is left of your patterned paper, to the width of your picture.

Layer them up.

Add texture and interest to a simple design like this with stitching, punched shapes or what is left from that beautiful sticker sheet.

Finally, check for charm. It's the finishing touch. Look at your layout and see what there is about it to charm your viewer. Is there something to make them smile? Something to make them say "Ooh! Look!"? Add a special piece. Here I used a Bumpy Road punch to make the top of my page look like a frothy head of Guinness. Finished.

Made with the add-on

Ok, so the title on the layout says made with love ...but it was actually made with the add-on papers from March's kit

The story behind it; is that I really need to get a move on, if the goal I set myself for this year was to start and finish a quilt this year.

But I must say, that the kit really was one of my all time favs ... although saying that, I'm pretty much in love with April's kit :)

For the Record Layout

Well someone was quick of the mark, that's for sure.  Thank you Denise for sending this lovely layout over to me, for the blog and the site - it was created using March's For the Record kit .... of which only a very small number are left :) Its such a lovely layout - although I have my eye on those yummy cakes LOL.

Do pop over and say hello to Denise, trust me, once you see her blog, you'll be visiting again and again.

Don't forget to send over any projects you make with the kits or products - we'd love to showcase them here or link to your blog in the comments, and we'll visit.

I've got some wonderful Prima flowers which I'm about to upload onto the shop, so keep checking.

More Prima.....

Following on from my last post here are a couple more layouts made with papers from the lovely Botanical, Madeline and Reflections ranges from Prima.

A lot of the Prima papers are crying out to be cut to make frames and that's exactly what I did with this layout using the Beloved paper from the Botanical range. I backed the whole thing with some Bazzill kraft card and then matted and layered in the centre with various papers and some pink Bazzill.

For my flower embellishments I punched some retro flowers from offcuts of the papers in 2 sizes, sprayed them with some water and then 'scrunched' them up a bit. When they were dry I chalked the edges of the petals. Sandra has a lovely selection of Prima bling in the shop, I used them for both the centres of the flowers and also for the swirl on the right hand side.

The second layout uses the Sweetheart paper from the Botanical range, I cut the centre out of it and backed it with the centre of the Beloved paper from the other layout. I distressed the edges of the 'aperture' by folding them over, letting them tear a little and then using some distress ink to finish off.

I then die-cut some swirls and punched some butterflies and added them to the page along with some rolled paper roses inked with distress ink and finished in the centres with Prima pearls.

I hope this gives you some inspiration for using the Prima Papers, they mix and match so well and if you grab yourself a little collection from the shop you won't be disappointed!