Shetland

Here is another Papermaze DT layout using The Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Sand and Sea collection. I have had great fun using the gentler colours from this collection, but I'll be back with layouts using the stronger colours next time!

This layout shows photos from my recent adventures in Shetland. While we were there, filming was taking place for the BBC TV Series 'Shetland', and here are photos of the home of Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez, known as The Lodberrie. 

I selected the sheet of Journal Elements paper, with the sand and sea side up (This sheet was gutted, to give me a 1" deep frame). Then I trimmed Smooth White Bazzill to 11" x 11", and inked the edges with Tea Dye Distress Ink. Then I splattered watered-down Distress Oxide Ink (Tea Dye and Uncharted Mariner), vertically through the centre of the cardstock. Once dry the card was mounted over the frame.

I trimmed the photos and placed them to the right of a 11" x 4" piece of Tides and Treasures paper. Before sticking this to the page, I trimmed the long sides with strips torn from the Enjoy the View paper.

I cut a tag from the Tag Elements paper, and punched a hole in the top. With a length of white seam binding ribbon, and some more watered down inks (colours as above), I dip dyed the ribbon and set it aside to dry. Then the ribbon was looped through the tag and tied in a bow. I added a date using the Tim Holtz Sizzix Alphanumeric die set - Label and scraps of papers already used. I tucked the tag into the top right of the photo band.

Next, I made the title - I used sand paper with a heavy grit, and a Sizzix Bigz xl alphabet die. Once the letters were glued to the layout, I perched a seagull on the letters from the 49 and Market Summer Porch Laser Cut Elements pack. 

From the pack of Journal Bits - I selected a journalling spot, which I placed to the left of the photos, and added my details. I then fussy cut the camera from the and rowing boat from the Summer Porch collection.

From the sheet of Combo Elements paper, I cut the phrases 'high tides + good vibes' and  'sand + sea', placing one above the tag and the other below the row boat. 

That's all for today, I'll be back with more from this collection soon.
Thanks for looking
Lynn x

Dunwich

I am over on the Scrap, Paper, Scissors Blog this morning with something a little different for August. because Papermaze is taking a break from the usual monthly kit.  I have chosen to create my design team layouts with products from The Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Sand and Sea collection. 

On Wednesday 29^th July 2026, we spent a leisurely morning on the beach at Dunwich on the east coast. Little did we know that the surrounding heathland would catch fire later the same day.

A statement by the National Trust:
“On 29 July, a wildfire started, which later spread onto Dunwich Heath and the entire landscape was engulfed in flames. A place loved for its sweeping purple heather and rare wildlife has been left scarred almost beyond recognition.

The devastation is heart breaking.

Precious habitat is damaged and vulnerable; an area estimated to be the size of 210 football pitches has been affected. As one of the UK's most important coastal heathland landscapes, it is home to nightjars, Dartford warblers, adders, common lizards and rare heathland insects.”

I started by cutting the barcode strip from the Beach Life paper. Then I laid a 2" band of burlap across the middle of the layout.

From the Tag Elements paper, I selected four tags and cut them out. I chose tags in natural colours to complement the background paper. The tags were inked with Faded Jeans Distress Ink. I punched a hole in the top of each tag, applied an eyelet and arranged them across the layout, with the plain sides up. I attached the tags with 3D Foam pads. I threaded some thick Jute twine through the tags, catching it down with some wet glue in placed between the tags.

I trimmed three small photos and placed them evenly and ventrally across the tags, leaving a gap at each end. The gap on the right was filled with journalling. On the right I added an element from the Cardstock Sticker - Icons sheet.

I trimmed the phrase 'Salty Kisses + sandy Toes' from another tag on the Tag Elements sheet. These were inked and attached with more 3D pads to the bottom right of the layout. I attached a seahorse charm under the last word. 

I cut a title and a shadow using the Cricut, I used Seaside Smiles paper for the top layer, and Great Escape paper for the shadow layer.

The 'Enjoy the moment' sentiment across the top of the photos is from the Journal Bits pack.

That's all for today, I'll be back with more from this collection soon, 
Thanks for looking
Lynn x

Under The Sea

Here is my entry for the Peartree Cutfile July Colour Challenge - This month the colour is turquoise.
I have chosen these photos of Florence at the Sensory Group when the theme was 'Under the Sea'. 

To make this layout I used:
Vitamin SEA peartree Cutfile 
Stormy Seas Peartree Cutfile
Metallic Cardstock - Turquoise
Bazzill Cardstock - Lagoon, Jade and Julep
Sizzix Diecut Set - Sea Animals
Distress Ink - Peacock Feathers
Doodlebug Designs - Alphabet Soup - Swimming Pool & Mint
Sequins
Scraps of Simple Stories patterned paper
Pinkfresh Studio Jewels - Sapphire & Ocean Breeze

Thanks for looking,
Lynn x

All Dressed Up

The July Number challenge over on Peartree Cutfile is to use seven of the same shape. I chose tags and anchors. 

The photo is Alan and me in Kassiopi on Corfu, we needed to create a costume for a fancy dress party held at the final group meal of the two week sailing holiday.

I used:
Simple Stories - Simply Vintage Sand & Sea collection - Stay Salty, Tides & Treasures, Tag Elements & Cardstock Stickers
Distress Inks
Peartree Acrylic Anchors
Peartree Cutfiles Flairs
Peartree Cutfiles All Dressed Up Cutfile
Twine

Thanks for looking.
Lynn x

St. Valentine

I created this layout while at the Papermaze crop today - however, just for a change, this was not a challenge or a D.T. piece. I loved this photo of my daughter at a recent LARP event. She was playing St. Valentine and was handing out flowers at a festival. 

When I saw the Simple Stories, Simple Vintage Sand and Sea collection - Rest & Relax paper, I  knew it was ideal for the colours and the flowers in the photo.




I used:
Smooth White & Dark Blue Bazzill Cardstock
Simple Stories, Simple Vintage Sand and Sea collection - Rest & Relax & Cardstock Stickers 
Stamperia - Alice Kit
Doodlebug Designs Cardstock Stickers - Ladybug
Layering Stencil THS 077
Distress Oxide Inks
Nuvo Crystal Drops - Berry Blue
Paper blossoms

Thanks for looking.
Lynn x

Wild Life - Wild Flower Centre

Yesterday I shared my second post on the Papermaze Blog with the May Papermaze kit. A kit full of bright and bold coloured papers and cardstock. I have used the kit to make layouts of my children's activities back in the 1990's. This is the last layout using this kit,  A visit to the Wildflower Centre near Holt in Norfolk for a very good day out - the first of many visits we made there over the years.

For details on making the layout, please see the Papermaze Blog.

From the kit, I used:
Simple Stories - Take Note - My Favourite Things
Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Raven & Intense Kiwi

From my own supplies, I used:
Glittery Thickers 
American Crafts Paige Evans Adventurous - Mini Alphabet Thickers
49 and Market Artful Moments Laser Cut Outs
Watercolour paints
Leaf punch

That's all for the May kit, I'll be back with the June kit soon.
Thanks for looking.
Lynn x

First Term

Today I shared my second post on the Papermaze Blog with the very colourful May Papermaze kit. I have used the kit to make layouts of my children's activities back in the 1990's. This is the first of the two, here the children during their first term at primary school. 

For details on making the layout, please see the Papermaze Blog.

From the kit, I used:
Simple Stories - Colour Me Happy - Okie Dokie & The Details
Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Raven, African Daisy, Ocean Oasis, Berry Sensation & Intense Kiwi 

From my own craft room, I used:
Bazzill - Smooth White
Vicki Boutin Bold & Bright, Full Circle stamps
Distress Oxide Inks in Mustard Seed, Broken China, Picked Raspberry and Bundled Sage
Peartree Cutfile 
Lined paper 
Notebook edge border punch
Doodlebug Designs - Alphabet Soup (Bubblegum, Bumblebee, Swimming Pool & Limeade)  Doodlebug Designs Alphabet stickers
49 and Market Artful Moments Laser Cut Outs

That's all for Today, I'll be back with the last layout tomorrow.
Thanks for looking.
Lynn x

Artists at Work

Yesterday, I was on the Papermaze Blog with the May kit (a little later than usual due to holidays). This kit is bursting with brightly coloured patterned papers and other elemets. Perfect fror amny fun loving activities and especially children's layouts - which is what I have done! Here is my second design team layout, showing the children at work with their paints in the garden. 

Please visit Papermaze's Scrap Paper Scissors Blog for full details on making the layout. 

From the Kit, I have used - 
49 and Market - Vicki Boutin - Artful Moments - Starters Paper #9
Simple Stories - Colour Me Happy - The Details
Bazzill Basics - Raven, Ocean Oasis and Bazzill White 

Studio Light Essentials washi tape

Adding from my own stash:
Clear Stamps by Eileen Hull Swatch Cards 
Tonic Studio Alphabet - upper and lower & Numbers dies - Windsor

 

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