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.