Snow Wonder

We've just enjoyed our first white Christmas (or at least as far as I can remember).  I hope that you have had a peaceful one too.

I thought I'd share a layout I did for Allyscraps using Debbie Gaydos' sketch this month.  Sketches are such a blessing when you a scrapper's block (or otherwise). You can see the Sketch Challenge here.

I have used the fabulous papers from Echo Park Wintertime Collection - I love the colour range and the red accent colour.

I'm finishing up some projects so I'll share those asap.

Ho Ho Home!

My Christmas has come early this year as I received a fabulous kit from AllyScraps.  There have been amazing designers on the blog this year so it's a little scary!

Onto my project.  I've used Very Merry from October Afternoon to create a mini-album (thankfully, Cathy has restocked this fabulous collection).  I know many people are journalling their Christmas and this album would be a great way to do that. More pages can be easily added when needed.

I am going to add photos of our christmas spent at home. I love these Silver Foil Thickers - they are super shiny and perfect for holiday projects.

I used a Maya Road Velvet Blossom as an accent (I have been after these for a long time).
As I would love to keep a note of our wish lists this year, I've created a tag for each of us.  I really ought to have a very BIG tag to fit all my 'wishes' on! The simple tag pocket is created by folding paper around the bottom of the page.

I've left spaces for my photos.  I have used one of the journalling tags as a photo mat. On the right hand side, you can see a lovely Maya Road Kraft Purse Envelope. This will be great to store those little keepsakes. The cute candy Cane and house are from the element sticker sheet.

The reverse of the envelope features a journal card and one of those cute little gingerbread men from the sticker sheet.

As I'm adding my photos later, I've left plenty of space to add them in.  I imagine that I'll be able to print some off over the holiday period and have a happy time pasting them in.

It's a great idea to include some shaped pages in the album - keeps things interesting.

To make the Album:
Cut out 2 chipboard covers 6x6.  Cover with Story Hour paper.  Layer those fabulous stickers from the element sheet. Don't forget to put those gingerbread people on foam tape!
Page 1: Create a concertina rosette from Fill the Stockings.  Add sticker sentiment and ribbon.
Page 3: Cover background page with Bake the Cookies.  Trim 3" of Fill the Stockings folding over the bottom of the page.  Adhere to reverse to form a pocket.  Cover die-cut tags with various papers and stickers.  Make an extra long one for Mum's wish list!
Page 5:  Decorate a Maya Road Kraft Purse envelope with candy cane and die-cut snowflake.

Decorate remaining pages with various papers and stickers.  Leave plenty of space for photos if you are adding them later this month.  Punch 2 holes throughout the book and bind with book rings or ribbons.

Thanks for popping in.

Our family has a couple of new editions - thankfully they weren't the two-legged variety, but the type that come with floppy ears and twitchy noses!

My DD bunny is the cutest - he is just so laid back and adorable.  This photo was taken on the first day he came home.  I thought I would make a wall hanging for Lauren's room so she could see  him when she wakes up. As I'm the guest designer over at Ally Scraps this month, the lovely goodies were just perfect for the job!

Bo Bunny's Sophie collection has such pretty colours which compliments so many colour schemes.  I hand cut flowers from Sophie's Boquet paper and teamed them with a stamped flourish and these fabulous silk flowers. 

To add a little oomph, I sugared the centres (snow writer and glitter) before adding the gorgeous pearl brad (Kaiser Craft) and tiny rhinestones.

The hanger is the string of pearls also found in Kaiser Craft's Devonshire embellishment pack. The sentiment is hand written and cut out in the shape of a banner.

Hopefully there will be a new Pencil Lines sketch up tomorrow even though Anna and her family are currently stranded in Florida.  My thoughts go out to you guys!

I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Spring has Sprung!

I am a guest designer for Ally Scraps this month.  Cathy always has tons of lovely goodies to choose from so I chose October Afternoon which is one of my favourite manufacturers - I love their pretty colour combinations and clean lines.

I came across this fabulous display box (Paper Artsy) in the shape of a house and just had to have it!  The fresh Ducks in a Row papers and accessories will bring Spring into any home.  I wanted to display a favourite photograph as well as add some cute embellishments which could be changed at a future date.  The HOME letters were mounted onto card and secured to a 'card stand'.

I top the house off with a little tag which has been embellished using the rub-ons from the collection including those tiny little stitches!  A neat polka dot ribbon from Maya Road finishes it all off nicely.

Every home needs a pair of love birds - mine are made from Fimo which have been sparkled with glitter.  I will be adding more trinkets when I find them.

Bird cages are all the rage and Maya Road's bird cage is fastened to the side of the house dangling from a pretty length of pearls (Kaiser Crafts).  More polka dot ribbon adorns the dividers.

I always love bunting - especially the tiny sort.  I cut out tiny triangles from the various papers (which are all double-sided) and glued them to some baker's twine.  This is then draped along the house and secured with glue-dots.

I couldn't resist cutting out these birdies and flowers from Imaginisce Lucy Bird paper.  I stole the clouds from My Little Shoebox.

We have 2 new editions to our family today and just so perfect for Spring.

We were going to get some rabbits after we moved house, but after picking up Charlie (Lauren's rabbit) in the pet shop today, we couldn't let him go. They were supposed to be girls, but someone had put them in the wrong section at the pet shop. Ho hum.

This was just after they arrived home - I think they were still a little stunned.  They sat on the kids laps for about half an hour. Jacob's rabbit is called Luca (for now at least).

Charlie is just so adorable - he just sat there like a teddy bear.  I'm sure they'll be appearing a layout very soon!

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

More Romance

I have done another couple of little projects for AllyScraps blog this month. I couldn't resist the Vintage Valentine range from Fancy Pants.

Fancy Pants vintage papers are just gorgeous!  The pretty patterns and colours will suit all your valentine projects.

I covered my heart shaped box with papers before layering up with vairous images and stamps from Pink Paislee.  The tiny frame by Melissa Frances is one of four in the pack.

The fabulous chipboard birdcage and birdie by Maya Road needed nothing more than a little ink.  Check out Maya Road's new line of inks here.

I wanted to share a blog with you because you'll be amazed by the buttons!  Tessa Ann is going to be the guest designer at Treasured Scrapbooking next month.  She makes the most beautiful and intricate hand made buttons.  Check out her blog and her etsy shop.

Thanks for popping in.

I'm Cuckoo about Valentine's

I'm a guest designer over at Ally Scraps this month (lucky me).

I have been wanting to make a faux cuckoo clock for ages so when my little pile of papers arrived from Ally Scraps I jumped for joy.  For there were the perfect papers and embellishments that I needed.  It's so easy to go cuckoo over the new Valentine range from Fancy Pants which feature pretty patterns, soft colours (including my favourite duck egg blue).

The house is made of sturdy card using a template.  I then covered the walls with paper and inks. I have mounted the house onto a dowel which is then pushed into an oasis in a tiny pot (hot glue is a must for this project).

I had the chipboard clock face for years so I'm glad to put it to good use.  You could stamp out a suitable clock and hands if you don't have one.  I like to 'sugar' my flowers and add a tiny stamped sentiment (Pink Paislee).  A clay bird cuckoos from his perch having popped out of the shuttered doors.

The beauty about shopping at Ally Scraps is that you can mix and match lots of different papers and embellishments.  The die-cut heart is Pink Paislee and the images on the pole are from Bo Bunny's Love Bandit. The  roof are layers of Fancy Pants paper which have been scalloped (curl the edges slightly for more dimension).

At the back of the house I have used another fabulous die-cut which is layered onto a conertina circle. That wonderful key hole is Melissa Francis

Finally a little love note on the last wall with more Pink Paislee stamping a tiny heart and birdie.

I hope that I have inspired you to make something special for Valentine's day. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Love is all around

I'm so lucky this month to be a guest designer over at Ally Scraps  when there are so many lovely new products to play with.

Bo Bunny Love Bandit is simply divine!  These sweet characters and gorgeous colours are irresistable. I have used Love Bandit background paper - how cute is that?!! (Just click on the photo for a larger picture).

I have teamed up the paper with the matching Cut Outs. Pink Paislee punch outs and stamps co-ordinate beautifully. 

The Love postage stamp has been inked and crumpled for a little dimension. The tiny Melissa Frances frame displays a stamped sentiment.

Lastly, I added a tiny bird house to hang from the tree.

I will be teaching 3 classes at a Cropaganza over in Bromsgrove on 6th February. 

There is a fabulous mini-album with lots of die-cuts and pretty things.

A layout using Prima's Retro papers.

And a very practical home decor item.  Phew! We will be busy - how fun!

I'm going to leave you with a sneaky peak of a project for Treasured Scrapbooking.

Thanks for stopping by.

Morag x