Barbie Girl

Here is my second layout using the April Papermaze Kit, full of pretty pastel papers, cardstock and embellishments for spring and Easter themed layouts.

Emily was not a Barbie fan so I was amused to find these photos of her, with the trainers and doll she received for her 5th birthday. For this layout I used an April 2022 Page Map Sketch.

From the kit I used:
Echo Park - My Favorite Easter - Happy Day
Photo Play - Hop To It - Spring Has Sprung
Bazzill Basics Cardstock: Coral Cream, African Daisy & White
3D bows

From my stash I used:
Distress Inks - Mustard Seed, Picked Raspberry, Worn Lipstick and Salty Ocean.
Cricut
Cardstock
Tim Holtz Sizzix Thinlits Tag Collection and Label alpha dies
Jute twine

That's all for today, back with more from this kit soon.
Thanks for looking.
Lynn x

Wedding Guests

This is my answer to a DAF challenge - #12 is Sara's Scraps Recipe challenge. The ingredients are:
A Sketch of your choice (May '21 - see below).
A Bit of Stamping
A bit of Paint
A smattering of sequins
Pink
DAF flair

I used a photo of Andrew and myself at Heather and Nicholas' wedding back in 2007.

I used:
JOFY stamps
Distress Paints
Sequins
Papers from Basic Grey's Green at Heart, Eva and Fresh Cut collections
Basic Grey alphabet and element stickers
Nuvo glitter and crystal drops
DAF flair

This is the sketch I used:

Thanks for looking
Lynn x

Happy Birthday

Today I'm sharing may second DT layout using the pretty spring colours in the May Papermaze Kit. The kit includes papers and embellishments in a selection of geometric patterns, hearts, rainbows and shells.

These photos are from Scarlett's 2nd birthday she was fascinated with this wooden birthday cake and it keeps her entertained for hours! 

This layout was based on a sketch from Pagemaps.
 

From the kit I used:

Pink Paislee - Paige Evans - Bloom Street collection - #10
Dear Lizzy Enamel Stickers 
Avalanche Bazzill

From my stash I used:
Gesso 
Tando Creative Balloons
Chipboard Bird Branch
Distress Paint
fine marker pen
Sizzix Bigz Die - Handmade
Stickles
Glossy Accents 

I'll be back with more from this kit soon.
Thanks for looking.
Lynn x 
 

Girl Guides

Challenge 7 for the Bramford Monthly Scrapbook Crop, virtual National Scrapbooking Weekend Challenge. This time we were asked to use a sketch.

For some reason I had three copies of this print, which was ideal for the sketch. The photo is my sister and me in 1973, in our front garden, just about to set out on a guide day out. We would have been 11 and 13 years old. This one is for my sister's album.

This is the sketch:

I found some old papers from October Afternoon, Farm Girl collection, which had the perfect colours for the photos. I also used a sheet of Natural Bazzill and some Doodlebug Designs letter stickers.

The tags were cut with a sizzix Thinlits die set and I used a selection of ribbon and twine to finish these off. They were attached to the page with some Stampin' Up brads.

Thanks for looking.
Lynn x

Tiny Tots

Challenge 7 for the Bramford Monthly Scrapbook Crop, virtual National Scrapbooking Weekend Challenge. This time the idea was to use old papers and embellishments.

I used a photo I have already scrapped twice, so this third one means there will be one each fro Andrew, Catherine and Emily's scrapbooks.

I used a Page Maps Sketch and papers some ol;d papers I has stashed away from Bella BLVD, the collection was called 'Tiny Tots' hence the title of the layout. The letter stickers were all from old sheets of Doodlebug Designs - Simply Sweet and Teensy Type. 

I used a sheet of red Bazzill cardstock to trim all the patterned papers, I used some white scraps for the tag, photo mount and title block. I added a little red and white Bakers Twine to my tag.

This is the sketch I chose to use for this page:

Thanks for looking.
Lynn x

The Weather Today

I have had these papers saved for this photo for some time. As we couldn't go on our annual scrapbooking crop to Easthampstead Park this weekend, we are all busy crafting in our own homes but staying in contact through facebook. Anita set us a challenge to make a layout using a Page Map. So with the kit I had prepared I created this layout using a photo of my daughter Catherine acting the lead role in a play she co-wrote at University.

I used some very old Basic Grey papers here - Acid Washed - New Wheat, some grey papers from another collection and a sheet called 'Odds' from the Out of Print collection. I found this grey heart doily in my stash. The letters are all Basic Grey from the Black Tie collection.

I embellished the page with a selection of rub-on's from Basic Grey and Kaisercraft. Finally I added some resin flowers. 

This is the page map selected by Anita:

Thanks for looking.
Lynn x

Relax - Papermaze August Kit

My second layout using the kit from Papermaze for the month of August is called 'Relax'. I selected the blues and greens from the bright, summery colours of this kit for this layout.  The layout features two photographs of my son, some years ago enjoying the hammock we set up in the garden between the trees.

The August Kit

... And here is the Pagemap sketch I chose to work from.

I chose waterfall Bazzill as the base for this layout. I cut a strip of Tidepool which I then cut in half diagonally. These pieces were randomly stamped with the Woodware circle stamps and placed either side of the layout and trimmed with pale blue ric-rac from my stash. 

Using the Tidepool paper again, but with the wording side uppermost, I cut a pieceto place placed in the centre of the page. Then I trimmed a piece from the stripe side of Life is Good paper, selecting the blue and green area, I shaped this into a banner at the bottom. 

With one of the Amy Tangerine Resist Watercolour Tags supplied, I created an ombre effect by blending several shades of distress ink across the length of the tag. Then I tied a scrap of jute twine to the tag.

Finally I used two leaf dies from a Sizzix Thinlits set called Intricate Native Florals and with some white scrap card I made three clusters of three leaves.

Back with more early next month. with two more layouts from this kit.

Thanks for looking

Lynn x

Run Or Dye - Papermaze August Kit

Here is my layout using the the latest kit from Papermaze. This one has bright, summery colours for the month of August. The layout is called 'Run or Dye' using two photos of my nephew's family when they took part in the 5K charity run.

What's in the kit this time? Please see the kit on the shop website and my post on the Papermaze Blog.

The August Kit

For this layout I started off with a sketch for inspiration from Page Maps

I used: Blush Red Medium Bazzill to make a border and a photo mat. 

Using my Cricut, I cut my title onto the Avalanche Bazzill and then trimmed and mounted it onto the red.
I added some flicks of Distress Stain to the card using a to selection of colours to match the papers. The edges were inked with Evergreen Bough Distress Ink.

I trimmed the manufacturer's strip .from the Tidepool paper, then used it to trim the left side of the Avalanche cardstock

To give a rainbow effect to the letters, I used the colourful stripe side of the Life is Good paper, this was stuck behind the cutout letters, then I added back in the letter centres to the R, D, and O's.

I made a journalling panel by cutting out and gutting one of the 4x6 Elements and backing it with the cloud patterned paper from the reverse side of this sheet. I added two words from the soup labels sticker sheet from the kit. Finally I added a little more colour to the background with Nuvo Crystal Drops in a selection of colours. 

Back with my next layout soon

Thanks for looking

Lynn x

Simple Stories & Sketches Part 2

Here is my second layout from my July post on the  Papermaze blog - using Simple Stories - Bloom & Grow collection again. The post also looks at the use of sketches. Please see the blog for more details.

For this layout I used a sketch from SBC (471)

Below you will see the sketch, I used one photo instead of the three. I used white Bazzill cardstock, trimmed down and mounted onto Navy Dot / Red Dot. I stitched the paper strip cut from Puddle Jumper paper before attaching the bubbly sticker strip from the Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers sheet. The title is created with the Expressions Cardstock Sticker sheet and some American Craft Chipboard Thickers.

I hope you found these interesting and enjoyed the sketches and layouts. I will be back later in the month with more sketches for inspiration. In the mean time take a look at some of the sketches available by following the links at the top of the post on the Papermaze blog and have a go!

Thanks for looking
Lynn x

Simple Stories & Sketches Part 1

Friday was the first of my July posts on the Papermaze blog - I have been using the delightful Simple Stories - Bloom & Grow collection.  My post also considers the use of sketches as a source of inspiration. Please see the blog for more details.

Here is my first layout using a sketch from Page Maps (March 2016)

As you can see from the sketch below, I have remained fairly true to the plan this time, with only a few of my own little twists. I used the stitching but added flowers where hearts were indicated. I used the patterned papers to create blocks of colour in a similar pattern to the sketch. Instead of two small photos, I used one much larger one and I changed the position of my title.

I used the following from the Bloom & Grow Collection - The base is Bee Happy, for the blocks I used both sides of Green Dot / Yellow Dot, both sides of Let it Grow, Puddle Jumper and various bits from 4x4 and 6x4 Vertical Elements Sheet. I also added some elements from the Bits & Pieces pack, the Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers sheet and some Enamel Dots. Finally I added some American Craft Foam Thickers for part of the title.

Back soon with my second layout using a sketch from SBC (Scrapbook challenges).
Take a look at the Papermaze blog too.
Thanks for looking
Lynn x

Who Needs Toys?

Catherine had the whole saucepan cupboard out to play one afternoon, and Andrew came along to join in. Looks like they are telling me they want poached eggs for tea! Photo taken in May 1993.

This was another Page Maps University sketch from Oct 2013

Papers & element stickers - Cup cake - Basic Grey

Punch - Martha Stewart

Stickles, Liquid Pearls, Distress Ink

Machine stitching with red thread

Twine and buttons

Dew drops, gems and pearls
Letter stickers - American Crafts Thickers

Thanks for looking

Lynn x

Me and My Girl

I have been sorting out and scanning some old photos and found this one of Catherine and me back in 1993. A quick simple layout using 2013 Page Map University sketch.

I used:

Page Map
Cricut - Storybook Cartridge & Tags, Bags, Boxes & More
Letter stickers - American Craft foam Thickers
Cardstock - Bazzill
Punches - Woodware
Element Stickers and papers - Basic Grey - Picadilly Collection
Buttons, gems and Twine
Sizzlets - Rosette die
Distress inks


Thanks for looking
Lynn x

Dublin 2014

We had a 12 hour crop at Cardinal Colours last weekend with a great set of crafty girls. I made up some kits to work on during the day and I used a Page Map as a source of inspiration for this one.

The photos were taken by Alan of Catherine and me, when we first arrived in Dublin last summer. We were exploring the city along by the River Liffey - such a lovely day.

I used:
Patterned papers, alphabet & element stickers - Basic Grey - What's Up collection,
Die - sizzix for the photo wheel
Letter stickers - American Craft - Thickers
Punches - Stampin' Up
Other - wooden heart element, metal word bars, glittery plastic glasses from an old key-ring, button, twine
Sewing machine and thread
Ink - Dristess ink

Thanks for looking
Lynn x

Our Girl

I was looking through my Kaisercraft papers and collectables from the recent Merly Impressions  Retreat and decided to use them for this Page Maps Challenge. It is the Bo Bunny 'Anthem' challenge which closes tonight. (My photograph will need taking again tomorrow in better light.) Been out cycling today and took in an unexpected visit to a beautiful open garden at Rookery Farm, Eyke and so only just finished the layout - more photos to scrap!

The photo shows our daughter, Catherine - it is one of a beautiful collection of images from a photo shoot she had done in London back in February this year.

I used Papers from Kasercrafts Miss Empire and Timeless collections. The Collectables are from the Miss Empire collection. I have used lace, ribbon, blossoms, and roses. American Craft Thickers alphabet stickers and Making Memories tiny alphas were chosen for the title. In addition I used Gathered Twigs Distress Ink together with Vintage Photo and Spiced Marmalade Distress Stain.

This is the sketch for this challenge:

Thanks for looking.
Lynn x

Garden Gnome

For the September Scrapology Scraplift challenge this month I used paint and paper with Hexagon to make this page. Our technique this month 'H is for Hexagons'

Here is Andrew on the front doorstep at 'Toadhall' (home) age 2 in 1994. My friend Margaret had made all three children these beautiful Aran jackets - they were so useful. He looks a bit like a little gnome here!

We are scraplifting this layout by Sutty (Katherine Sutton)

Which she in turn created using this sketch by Valerie Mangan

I used a sheet of Kraft Bazzill as my base and stuck it to my cutting mat with making tape to make a 1/2" border all the way around the page. It is a good idea to de-stick the tape a little before you start to avoid damaging the card. Then with Vanilla Bean (Docraft) and Cornflower (Making Memories) Acrylic Paint I did some dry brushing and printing with bubble wrap. After the paint was dry and the tape carefully removed, I highlighted the border with brown zig-zag machine stitching.

The Hexagons were cut from more Kraft Bazzill on the Cricut using the Accent Essentials cartridge. Then they were dry embossed with a variety of different patterned embossing folders and the Cuttlebug.

These were dry brushed and inked to emphasise the patterns and the edges.

I added the hexagons to the page with 3D foam pad for extra dimension.

Using a 6" x 6" designer pad of My Mind's Eye Be Amazing papers and a sheet of 12" x 12" from the same line called 'Honey Blue' I cut my title using the Cricut and Freshly Picked cartridge for 'Garden' and George and Basic Shapes cartridge for 'Gnome'.

The bunting and flags were cut from the same papers free hand and inked. The bunting is attached to the layout hanging from Baker's twine, attached at either end with a brad. A little 3D foam pad under each flag helps keep it in place on the page. The three little flags in the bottom right were each attached to a match stick. There were also attached with 3D foam pads and used for journalling.

The photo was then added with more 3D foam pads.

Thank you for looking, please pop over to Scrapology to see the details for the competition, which runs until 5th October.

Our Glorious Queen

As 2012 is a big year for Britain, with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee I wanted to feature this in my June Design Team layout for Scrapology.

I love these Portebello Road papers from Papermania and they were prefect for the theme. I googled images of the Queen and picked these two as they were just right being red white and blue. I think they were photographed by veteran royal photographer Arthur Edwards

In addition I used straw, red and indigo Bazzill, Best of British and Vintage union jack ribbons from Crafty Ribbons. The red, white and blue Divine twine is from Papermaze, the heart doily is also from Papermania.

We are scraplifting this layout by Rô Phillipson, and the technique is to use 'white space'.

This is the Page Maps Sketch Rô created her layout from, so we used it too.

Here is what I did to make my layout:
Take the Union Jack paper and gut this to make a 1 ½” frame to save some of the paper for future use.
Cut the Straw Bazzill to measure 11” x 11”, ink the edges and stick down centrally over the border paper.

All the following were prepared and then stuck into place when they were all ready and positioning worked out. Trim the two photos to measure about 3 ½” x 3 ½”, stick to the cream paper. Trim around close to the edges of the photo with stamp effect scissors. Mount these onto the blue polka dot paper measuring about 4” x 8”.

Stamp and punch the Stampin’ Up decorative label onto a piece of Straw Bazzill cut from where you know your photos will cover the gap! Ink the edges and write your details in the centre.
Lightly ink the heart doily with blue and red chalk inks.
Cut letters from blue card and their shadows from the red, glue blue to red, using the Storybook Cartridge and the Cricut.
Prepare four ribbon flags – for each one cut ribbon so you have two whole flags and a small amount of the next flag on both sides. Glue together with DST tucking the ends in so they don’t fray, giving you a double sided ribbon flag.
Now work out where everything will be placed, mark lightly with pencil and remove. Stamp with the Prima brick wall stamp so some of the image will show from behind your items when they are stuck in place.
Run a length of DST across the bottom of the layout about 3” up from the bottom. Lay the ‘Best of British’ ribbon across pleating it randomly as you go, making sure it’s flat where the photo will be. Tuck the ribbon ends under the cardstock at the edges.

For the flag poles - Cut 3 lengths of twine as long as you want them, stick all three firmly to the page under where the label will be. Thread a flag or two onto each length of twine. Bring each length up towards the top and spread them out and thread each one through to the back of the layout with a large needle. Add a button or brad to the top. Stick the ribbon flags into place on the layout.
Now add all your prepared items. Stick the heart doily down then the photos. Add the label with 3D foam pads. Finally arrange and stick down the title.

Thanks for looking and I hope you will take part in the challenge. Pop over to Scrapology and find out more on the 1st June ' W is for White Space' post.

Lynn x

Fiaries at the Bottom of the Garden

This layout shows the girls dressed for a Dance Fiction show, when they danced to Secret Garden in their ballet piece, way back in 2001.  I made this on Saturday at the Paper Maze crop.

I made this layout using this Page Maps sketch in response to the Imaginesce challenge on the Page Maps blog.

I used:

Basic Grey - Indie Bloom Collection - Flamenco, panache and cilantro papers, element and alphabet stickers. Also Alphabet stickers from the Out of Print collection.

Punches - Martha Stewart corner and border punches.

Cardstock - Black Bazzill

Buttos - Crafty Ribbons

Craftwork Cards - Card Candi

Stamini' Up - Punch and stamps (decorative label)

Other - decorative pins, flat backed pearls, DMC thread. Memento Ink, Colorbox chalk inks.

Thanks for looking

Lynn x

Tide Mill

These photos were taken at Woodbridge Tide Mill Marina in 2002 when we were on holiday on yacht Oryx. We were all on our way out for dinner when Alan took these photos of us all in front of the Tide Mill.

I have made this layout following a Page Map I have been carrying around for a few weeks intending to take part in the Page Map Websters Pages Challenge. I finally made this yesterday at our monthly crop at Cardinal Colours.

Papers, alphabet and element stickers - Basic Grey Sugar Rush Collection

Cricut for shapes - Ashlyn's Alphabet

Bakers twine, Chalk ink, Cosmic Shimmer Mist, Papermania felt die cut butterfly, Prima mask and flat backed gems.

Thanks for looking.

Story Time with the Triplets

I used Basic Grey 'Green at Heart' papers. The title is cut with Linda's Cricut Cartridge - Ashlyn's Alphabet and BG letter stickers. The flower buttons are some  have had in my stash for a long time. I used another Page Map for inspiration. I took the photo last month when visiting Heather and the triplets. It was lovely watching them enjoy the book together.