And Breathe

This time of year is always so hectic for everyone that I think we forget to take some time out and just breathe!  Luckily for me we had our crop at the weekend and it was Nicki's turn to run the class.  This meant that I could just do some scrapping just for me - no one else.  How lovely.

I have been practising different things with my camera and took the opportunity to catch these photos of the kids at Coughton Court.  They of course obliged by being silly.

It's so nice just to be able to scrap with whatever takes my fancy.  Although I do find this freedom somewhat daunting sometimes!  Still, I used some of the lovely Studio Calico goodies that came my way (as if by magic).

Been after those Making Memories letters for ages.  I wanted a different title, but was only prepared to use 5 letters, hence the strange title - Space (to run) - much better than Freedom - I would have had to use up 2 E's for that one!

Thanks for popping in.  I took photos of loads of projects today so hopefully will be able to catch up with them all on my blog asap.

Pencil Lines Sketch 212

Gosh the weeks are flying by. I'm frantically trying to make some Christmas cards - I'm always an even slower card maker than I am a scrapbooker - who thought that it was possible? I did quite well until I had a big accident with a mug of tea. :( Boo hoo. I not only had tea all over a lovely paper pad, but also some images that I had coloured in which had taken hours. That will teach me.

Anyway, this week's sketch - I broke away from my norm and did a clean, uncluttered layout. Made a great change for me.

Those lovely papers are Echo Park Summertime (aren't they gorgeous?)

I also downloaded and used those fabulous die-cuts from Studio Aloha Designs. Aren't they fab?  I filled in my journal circle with a little seascape collage.

Thanks for popping in. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

BOO!

I had never been a real fan of halloween until recently,  That may have something to do with the kids dressing up in spooky costumes or the fabulous craft supplies that go with the event.  Mmmm.  I love the fab Haunted papers from My Mind's Eye - they sure know how to make a girl happy!

I think that the kraft and black papers are a great backdrop to add your own colour from photos and accents.

As this paper had a lot of white space, I stamped a huge spider's web (Hero Arts) and added some sparkly chandeliers (Inkadinkadoo) before adding some splodges of ink and masks.

I have teamed up my supplies with some left over bits and peices from my Graphic 45 suitcase project.  Still love those papers. 

Of course I couldn't resist using my favourite stamps from Pink Paislee (above) and Inkadinkadoo (below).

I've mixed in some digital elements too from House of 3 with more stamps from Inkadinkadoo.

Thankfully, I have more papers and photos to scrap so I'm sure they'll be appearing soon. 

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm back this weekend with a layout for Pencil Lines.

Another 40th Birthday

It seems to be my week for birthday cards this week as another friend celebrates her 40th birthday.

I used the LOTV stamp I picked up at the NEC last week - she is just such a cutie and great for colouring in.

The papers are Kaisercraft and MME. Coloured with copics.

Thanks for popping in - I'll be back with a spooky layout this weekend!

Lili of the Valley

Had a lot of fun at the Hobbycraft show at the NEC last week.  It's always lovely to see stash and stamps in the flesh before buying.  One stand which was particularly inspiring was Lili of the Valley.  The cards made by their design team meant I just wanted all of the stamps!  Alas, my budget does not stretch that far.

I got this little cutie though - she is just so adorable.  My card is for my friend, Sally who celebrated her birthday on Monday.  She also makes lovely cards, so she is now the proud owner of a LOTV too!

I haven't coloured any images in for absolutely ages - mainly because I'd run out of skin colour.  But hoorah for Hobbycraft show.  Mine images are coloured with Copics.

The inside of the card reveals the milestone birthday.

The images are a dream to colour. Unfortunately, my hurried snapshots don't do much to put the card in its best light.  Ho hum.

Well thanks for popping in.

Pencil Lines Sketch 212

Hope you've had a lovely bonfire night - dry for a change! We joined a local firework show which was great fun.

Onto the sketch

I have been suffering from scrapper's block recently - not know what to scrap - happens to us all at some time or other.  Using a sketch meant that at least I got something scrapped.

I love this photo of DD - it shows all her gappy teeth - she lost 3 in very quick succession and they seem to be taking ages to grow back.

The papers are Bo-Bunny (Love Bandit) which have been in my cupboard for ages.  I had a few little bits and pieces left over (this is why I never throw anything out).

I cut out all the little pieces from the journal card and some of the paper. 

Who isn't a sucker for cute woodland animals?  The papers were designed by Mindy Teresawa of Designer Digitals - most certainly my favourite digital artist - she is just so darn clever!

Well thanks for popping in.  I'll have some cards to share as the birthdays have arrived in 3's.

Gourd Times

We paid a trip Charlecote Park recently - another NT home which is local to us. It is always such a pleasure to visit as we never tire of the interesting things going on.

We had spent the day around the park and were leaving through the garden centre when we came across the most amazing display of autumn produce I've ever seen. The tables were filled to bursting with pumpkins, gourds and apples.

Whilst shoppers were busy buying, I managed to grab some snaps of them. I've never seen such weird and wonderful produce!

The layout is based on sketch 80 from Got Sketch?

For the title I inked up some chipboard letters before covering them with Crackle Paint (Rock Candy) then sprayed with Glimmer Mist. I love the scaly effect.

Thanks for popping in.