Summer Love

I wonder if I'll ever stop using kraft cardstock... for a while I wouldn't have dreamed of using it; too plain, looks like a cardboard box, boring. Look at me now...

Supplies include; kraft cardstock, Bella Blvd Sunshine and Happiness, American Crafts badge and Thickers, washi tape and the new Amy Tangerine stencil set.

Dizzy Lizzie

Digging out an old collection (an oldie but a goodie - what's not to love about Imaginisce's Enchanted - even the name is magical) I've made baby steps toward scrapbooking again. Four moths have passed since I last stuck paper to cardstock and it's about time I get back in the scrappy saddle.

I did start with a sheet of pink Bazzill but I couldn't neglect my old friend - kraft. The papers and most of the embellies are Imaginsce's Enchanted. The little teacups are from Reminisce's Fairy Tales collection and the alpha's are Thickers. The photos are of my Goddaughter Elizabeth on the Teacup ride. I entered the page into Scrapping the Magic's March Challenge - huge thanks to Jo for the insiration that got me scrapping again!

In with the Old and the New {kinda} and a Giveaway

~Welcome to my 100th post and a celebratory giveaway!!!~

I've been 'saving' the Little Boy sticker from Echo Park's Little Boy collection for as long as I can remember. Why do us scrappers do that? Where better to keep our coveted supplies than in our scrapbook albums? So I challenged myself to use it.

Moving out of my comfort zone a little more I looked past the kraft cardstock for once and reached for an old sheet of blue WRMK sewn cardstock. I really like the stitched detail and I think this is definitely something I will try to recreate using my WRMK Sew Easy tool. I added a few embellies from some of my favourite ranges; the little owl is from the DCVW The Green Stack, the sun, cloud and tree are by Bella Blvd. (part of my recent birthday haul - I can't recommend these enough - the are lovely) and the pin badge is American Crafts.

I'm really pleased to have transferred some much loved bits from stash to paper and to have scrapped this photo of my little man from early 2010 - he looks so grown up to me in that photo even now two years on.

To celebrate my 100th blog I'd like to giveaway a £20 gift voucher for you to spend at Craft Island. All you have to do is become a follower of my blog and post a comment on this blog post either linking to a project where you have used a coveted item of your supplies or simply tell me about something you have been hoarding for that 'special' project. The closing date is Saturday 30th June. And I'll announce the winner on Sunday 1st July.

Thanks for stopping by x

Digging out an Old Collection

How many must have collections lie in your scrappy supplies unloved, unused, forgotten about? Please tell me I am not the only one who has to have a collection like yesterday and then promptly forgets all about it? In light of my recent attempts at a stash diet I decided to dig out one of my unloved but much loved 'must haves' - Farm Fresh from October Afternoon. 

I love the whimsy colours and the little peas in a pod are so cute. Supplies include: Bazzill, October Afternoon, Thickers, Bella Blvd. chipboard jounralling spots, Sizzix Sunshine die, decorative pins, ribbon and KI Memories Puffies. Thanks for stopping by x

Where's your smiles for Mummy

Where's your smiles for Mummy is a phrase that Jack has heard a lot. Much to my enjoyment he is currently going through a happy to be photographed stage. I can't lie; never looking at the camera and the inability to stay still for one nano second was not my bag. I'm so pleased we've moved on to this new poser stage. I'm fully prepared that it won't last and I am making the most of it armed and dangerous with my point and shoot. But there was the captive audience stage where he couldn't move (much), didn't comment on his outfits and happily posed all the time (although it's safe to say he didn't have many other options).

Ages ago I made use of a special offer at Truprint for a collage print. I had no idea what I was going to do with my print but I think it was always my intention to chop it up. As a scrapper who relies on online photo printing I am always looking for ways to print in a size other than 4x6 (although I love my 4x6 dont' get me wrong) and this seemed like a great idea. It's really simple to create, just pick your photos and Truprint (or I'm sure any online photo printer) does the rest. 

In the spirit of using existing supplies, and I include my pre-printed photos in this, I thought it was about time I put this collage to good use. Three years sitting in my craft room was not part of my grand master scrapping plan (I just checked my Truprint order history which goes back to early 2010 - this order isn't even there). Time to get scrapping!

Keeping the layout Truprint had already given me all I had to do was cut the photos and stick them down in the same order (losing a column and a little from one of the photos on the left hand side to make this it fit onto a 12x12 sheet but I am sure you can order collages in A4 to get around this. 

I added a couple of strips of papers, a title, embellies and some journalling - a super quick layout with lots and lots of photos to look back on.

Supplies include; kraft cardstock, Bella Blvd. Baby Boy paper, stickers and chipboard, Simple Stories Baby Steps alphas, gems, brads and Thickers.

Rollin Rollin Rollin

When Jack first started to roll, he rolled only to the left. When he reached the sofa he would indicate that he wanted to be taken back to his starting position at the opposite side of the rug. Such a precious memory, I wish I had blogged/scrapped this at the time as we had to do a little detective work (looking back at old photos and video) to remember the details. This makes me sad but makes me even more determind to blog/jot down (scrap!!) the little details and the big milestones as they happen. This is even more important to me with Jack's little brother on his way! How do you scrap with two??? Practically? Will there be time? How do you decide who to scrap?! I'd love to hear your strategies?

This page was inspired by Shimelle's second challenge to mix three or more paper collections on one layout. I have to be honest I NEVER do this. I am a lazy scrapper. I don't want to spend too much time on one page. I don't have (or at least I didn't think I had) time to search through collections upon collections to find papers that match. I simply scrap by collection, adding the odd embellishment from another collection/manufacturer but generally sticking to one range. I was ready to mix it up, to give this challenge a go and I am so pleased that I did.

I think I cheated a little however, as I picked collections that have really quite obvious and similar themes - baby boy and animals.

Supplies include; Bazzill (kraft cardstock), MME Lime Twist Fly a Kit (blue star and grey/brown polka dot papers, red stars transparency), LYB Babysaurus (yellow stripe paper and stickers), Bella Blvd. Baby Boy (yellow cloud paper, star and bodysuit borders stickers and chipboard), LYB Baby Boy Safari (chipboard and journalling spot), Ki Memories Puffies (red flowers) and American Crafts (Thickers). Plus some lace, tulle and decorative pins.

I love the introduction of the red from MME - I would never have thought to add red to the other collections. I am so pleased with the results that I am going to keep these supplies together all mixed up. Here's to mixing it up and blogging/jotting things down more!

A Hollywood that never was - and always will be

One of the things I love about being a scrapbooker is noticing things I wouldn't have ordinarily noticed. Like this statue and sign in Disney's Hollywood Studios (or Disney MGM Studios as it was known then). If I hadn't taken this photo I'd have long forgotten about the statue never mind the plague. And for this I'm forever grateful to this fantastic hobby.

Supplies include; Creative Imaginations, Jolees, Reminisce, October Afternoon, American Crafts Thickers, Bo Bunny and .

Thanks for stopping by. Kx

When life gives you...

oranges...

have {fanta}stic fun.

What? don't give up my day job? :p


J having a carry on with oranges

Who knew they could be so much fun

Some of the J's favourite toys aren't toys at all

Boxes become racetracks, roads, garages

Spot a theme? J likes cars

Here comes the science

Supplies are: Echo Park Little Boy, Bazzill, Thickers, Papermania and October Afternoon.

4 photos to try to capture 'the action'

Polka dots because well they are round like oranges, right?

Layered up a whole load of journalling spots to create a mat for the title

Added some sparkles simply because I am addicted to bling :p

I'd just like to say...

Thank you so much to everyone who has taken time to reply to my last post 10 things. I really appreciate each and every one :)

Thank You for the... Scrapping

Look at that face! OK, so I'm possibly a teeny tiny bit biased but look at it {heart melt}. This photo was taken at Edinburgh Zoo in September 2009 when my little man was only 11 months old. I can't believe that he will be 3 this year! Time goes so fast, too fast, much faster than before. I remember when a week seemed like an eternity and summers lasted, well, forever. When did it all start to speed up?

I'm watching as those baby legs turn into sturdy little toddler legs - and I wonder where all the baby podge went. Although, I didn't need too look far - oh hey look, it's on me! :p Could we just stop time for a minute while I catch my breath and take in every single second; smell that baby smell, hold those squidgy little baby fingers in my hand one last time... Thank goodness for blogging, diaries, to do lists on scrappy bits of paper and scrapping to remember it all. I'd be lost without this hobby.

Supplies include: Bo Bunny Double Dot, 3 Bugs in a Rug Animal Stackers, Thickers, AdornIt, Making Memories, Aunty Sarah's Bloomers, Sandylion, American Crafts Flair, and October Afternoon. Ribbon from stash. Thanks for stopping by. Kx

Mummy's Little Poser

I wish I had a little button on the leg of my glasses that allowed me to capture what I could see right at that very moment. Or photographic eyes that upload straight to Photobox with a blink of an eye.

Everyday my little man does so many things that I wish I could capture there and then. By the time I have found the camera (why is it never where I left it?), wrestled it from its case, switched it on, while trying to muffle the 'switching on' sound trying not to alert my toddler to the upcoming photo session (I must learn how to switch that off), switched off the flash (I must learn how to have this switched off automatically - I must read that manual!!) he's off and the moment is gone.

My little man never poses for the camera but he is aware of it. I know because he says 'cheese' when you take the camera out he just doesn't look at it.

I couldn't believe it when he happily posed for the photos below albeit at the back of the cupboard under the stairs with all the clutter; Summer toys and Daddy's golf clubs included, while I was clearing it out for the hundredth time last November.

Supplies include: Echo Park Little Boy, Bazzill Dotted Swiss cardstock, Alphas; Thickers Marine and Leaf, Adorn It, Mini Alpha Stickers Apple, Rusty Pickle Pop Star Rub-ons, October Afternoon Night Light journaling cards, blooms, DCWV Grade School rub-on and Papermania buttons.

I'm so happy I managed to catch this moment with my camera (it must've been where I left it, not in the case and I figure I needed the flash for the dark cupboard!). I guess the photographic eyes and camera specs can wait.

Daddy & Me

Lately, I have been stuck in a bit of a patterned paper rut. In fact I can't remember the last page I created that wasn't completely COVERED in patterned paper. For this page I wanted to return to my orginal scrappy love of more graphic pages and 'white space'.


I used Bo Bunny Double Dot, Animal Stackers by 3 Bugs in a Rug, the small circle journalling spot is October Afternoon, Papermania buttons, Thickers and the felt stars are Making Memories.

The photo was taken at Edinburgh Zoo in September 2009. My brother and sister in law and my in laws were all there. It was an absolutely brillant day. We lucked out with the weather with a rare sunny day. It was so warm we took the little man's socks and shoes off to let his little tootsies breathe. Check out his chubby little legs. Oh how I am going to miss those little baby legs. Thanks for stopping by. Kxx

A Cake Monster and a Happy Dance

I think I might have mentioned that I love, love, love the Little Boy collection by Echo Park :p I can't stop scrapping with it and as I was running out of photos of the Little Man plus any kind of transport I thought I'd try a wee page with no planes, trains or automobiles.... here goes...

I added some buttons, October Afternoon die cuts and stickers with some Making Memories felt stars and some American Crafts Thickers. I haven't added any journalling yet as I've not decided what it is that I want to say. Yes, me lost for words?! Who knew?! :p

The colours in this collection just make me smile along with the October Afternoon 'monsters'. In other news, a very, very, very exciting parcel arrived this week. Cue The Happy Dance. I won not one but two collections!! over on the Best Creations Blog a couple of weeks ago. Check the blog out if you haven't already! Here they are...

Cute huh? The Baby Boy Safari collection is my absolute favourite and I can't wait to use it all up. Thanks for stopping by. Kxx

Until Next Year...

OK so it's a little on the late side but better late than never right. I have finally finished my JYC 2010 album! Can I get a whoop whoop? ;o) I have to confess (eek, should I?!) I have a strange love/hate relationship with mini books. I love the idea, I love that you can dig out some co-ordinating stash, make a huge dent in it and not waste time digging through moutains of scrapbooking supplies. But... I find myself getting really bored before I've finished :o( I lose interest and cannot wait to start my next project so rush to put an end to my mini adventure (OMG, did I just admit that?!) Anyway here is my take on JYC 2010...


I used a packet of 4x6 AC page protectors (inspired by Laura's Paris Mini Book), Sharon Ann's Christmas Magic collection by LYB, some very old Making Memories metal charms, the flowers are Glittered Dahlia's - Jolly Christmas by Petaloo, and a some bits and pieces from Jolly and Bright by Heidi Grace.

The photo is of our Yankee Candle Snowman Family tart burner. We bought him on honeymoon in the Yankee Candle Shop in the Florida Mall {heart}. I love that this depicts our little family as we are now, Mummy, Daddy and wee man :)

And here is the wee man opening his first 'door' on his advent calendar. This was a hugh deal this year as it was the first year Jack was able to eat chocolate at Christmas and it's the first time he's been able to understand the concept of an advent calendar although I don't think he really 'got it' but he knew there would be something waiting for him in the little pocket of his Santa everyday.

I know I wasn't the only one to see some white stuff this year. This is our backgarden in all its snowy glory.

What can I say. I love my Christmas tree. It's not an expensive tree, it's plastic and at the grand old age of 7 it is starting to look at little worse for wear but almost every decoration has a story to tell. All the non-discript red and gold baubles were bought in 2003 when we bought the tree and could only afford the basics. All our honeymoon ornaments bought at Walt Disney World in 2007 are there. All the ornaments we bought on our first trip to Orlando in 2005 are there too. There are ornaments from our friends. Baubles we were given at a friends wedding that were used a place settings with our names on from 2005. The Spaceform ornament that we were given on our first wedding anniversary, ornaments with Jack's name on, baby's first Christmas ornaments from 2008. I love putting the tree up and reliving each and every one of those memories.

This is Jack's Christmas wish list, I made it up as he's too little to make a list but if he could this is what I think he would have asked for. Funnily enough Santa brought everything on the list.

We have a lot of Disney Christmas decorations. We're huge Disney fans and spent our honeymoon there in December 2007. For me Disney and Christmas go hand in hand = magic. All our Disney decorations remind me that Disney is truely a wonderful place to be especially at Christmas.

This was Jack's first time meeting Santa and he wasn't too sure about him. I think his face in this photo says it all. He happily shouted 'bye Santa' all the way out of the grotto though!

No actual gifts under the tree for fear of little 2 year old hands helping themselves to them :o)

He's been! Our livingroom after Santa had been.

I'm not sure what I'll do next year. I'm sure I'll want to join in again but maybe not a mini book... until next year... thanks for stopping by Kxx

My Manifesto for the JYC Project

As I started to put ink to paper a manifesto for this project (not the theme of this project) started to form in my mind.

I am not going to be bogged down deciding which supplies to use. I will not wait until I have just the right shade of ink before starting my project. I am using Sharon Ann's Christmas Magic collection by LYB and that's an end to the matter. And I'll use the ink I have to hand and to be honest the one and only shade of green that I have isn't a bad match.

I'll pick a format and stick to it. I'm not waiting until I have all my photos. I am using a packet of 4x6 AC page protectors (inspired by Laura's Paris Mini Book) and that's that. I'm going to have one page for journalling and one page for photos, therefore the photos can be added at the end or whenever.

This project is going to be doable. This is a project that I am going to finish.

And to that end, I have a plan, I have my mojo and I have a front cover! Thanks to Shimelle for an inspiring, kick in the bottom first prompt yesterday. For anyone who is swithering whether to take this class or not I say GO FOR IT!! I cannot wait to get started on page two and all of a sudden a project that I have wanted to do for so long but feared at the same time seems doable but much more importantly, enjoyable too.

Happy {Belated} Halloween

Happy {belated} Halloween. I hope you had a spooky time. We tricked and treated our way through the whole weekend and now have a cupboard full of jelly sweeties to prove it. I'll share some photos of Jack the Spider soon although I'm not sure if I got a 'good' one - two year olds are so hard to 'catch'. If you have any tips on getting two year olds to look at the camera I'd love to hear them.

Today I want to share two spooky pages with you. The photos were taken two years ago on Jack's first Halloween - I can't believe how tiny he wass and so easy to photograph too. Don't you just love it when you can put them down and they are still in the same place that you left them in? ;)



The papers are Bo Bunny Whooligans and the embellies are K&Co Spooktacular (all the way from the USA from my lovely friend Zoe) and the orange alphas are Little Yellow Bicycle Frightful and green alphas are American Crafts Thickers.

Thanks for stopping by. Kx

I'm Coming to get You...

I'd been looking for papers and embellies for some photos I snapped of my wee man last Halloween for yonks. I wanted something cute that would match his vampire costume and just when I thought I was never going to find anything I saw these cute little chipboard vampires that were prefect. They are called Boo to You and are by Bo Bunny. Aren't they cute?

I used a May 2010 PageMaps, paper and embellies from the Boo to You range and some Thickers for You're so Cute it's Scary.

I feel like playing some cheesey 70s music whenever I look at this page ;p I have seen lots of pages with alphas mounted onto paper/cardstock but have never tried it as my hand cutting leaves a lot to be desired! but I didn't think this page through (do I ever?! ;p) and by the time I got to adding my title I was putting black alphas on a mainly black background and I needed to do something to help them standout. I'm pretty pleased with the results - just don't look too closely ;) I used the same supplies for Fangtastic but added a stitched spiders web to the top right of the page. Thanks for dropping by. Kx

I've been working on this page for a challenge set as part of Shimelle's Something from Nothing Class. Click here for more information on the class. The challenge is to create a page with lots and lots of colours.

Supplies include DCWV Nana's Kids Boy, Bazzill, Basic Grey rub-ons, Provo Craft wooden cloud and tree embellies, Abbey Road Whirlybird, Thickers, Making Memories alphas, gems and the little rainbow is from Tesco!