Lulu & Roy

Things are returning back to normal after a manic few weeks (or is it months?!)
They say if you want anything doing, always ask a busy person. I think that would be me!

Anyway, I will share a layout that I did for Merly Impressions last month using Lulu and Roy.

The collection features quite an eclectic mix of patterned papers and matching stickers and embellishments. I have to say that as the papers were quite different to my normal palette, I wasn't sure how I would manage with them, but in fact they were really easy to use!

For the main area, I layered up the collectables, stickers and mixed them in with strips of patterned paper, gauze and leaves. It looks so effective over the black cardstock.

I adore the border stickers  that are on the sticker sheet. It is a fabulous way to add more interest and a good excuse for more banners and embellishments without overloading the layout.

I think leaves are overlooked by many people but they really do set off any flowers that you have. It's a good idea to scrunch them to give them texture and really enhance a grouping.

You can find all the supplies that I've used over at Merly Impressions here. Be sure to pop on over to the  Merly blog for lots of inspiration from the team too.

Thanks for stopping by.

Boy oh Boy!

After the longest of time making lots of girl pages, I think I'm going through a more boy and grunge phase. No wonder, as the utterly fabulous Attitude! collection from Kaisercraft had inspired me to go boy mad last month.

For this layout, I let the papers and die-cuts do all the work.  

It's a good idea to ink the edges of the die-cuts well for definition or to add a black liner if needed to help it stand out against the background.

The Attitude! Graffiti stamp is gorgeous.  I stamped along the edge on the background paper to create a border.

The collectable die-cuts are jam-packed with loads of shapes and titles.  They're perfect for sanding and inking.

Pop over to Merly's  blog to see more details about this layout.  You can also see some other boy stuff there first before I post here.

Thanks for popping in.  Don't forget there is still time to enter Sketchbook365 challenge this month where there are gorgeous Kaisercraft goodies to be won!

Merly April Challenge

I thought I'd join in with the challenge this month over on the Merly Blog.

The challenge this month was to scrap yourself.  Yikes!  That's always a tough one.  Well I bit the bullet and scrapped some random things about me (or the things I love/hate).

You may recognise the photo as the one that was taken during a photoshoot last year (long story).  Being as the photographer had done such a good job, it's the only one I'm scrapping from now on! LOL.

The title was a very good excuse to use some odd letters from the very many old packs of Thickers I possess.

I used paper scraps left over from the Fine and Sunny collection as well as the uber-cute die-cuts.

I think this is a fun layout to do and one worth repeating in a few years time as tastes change.

There is a fabulous £20 voucher up for grabs and only a couple of weeks left to enter.  Full details can be found here.

Thanks for popping in.  Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the Manorhouse Creations Blog Hop!

News to Share

Ooh, I've had a lovely surprise last month.  I discovered Kaisercraft goodies over at Merly Impressions.  My goodies arrived in super-fast time which I've used for Manorhouse Creations (you'll see them this month).  But blow-me.  Chrissy asked me to join her fab design team. 

So without further ado. I'll share my first project with you:

I don't think that there are enough boy papers out there so I was really thrilled to get this Technologic set in the post.  I love the punchy colour combo and the fabulous patterns.

My DS is so gadget orientated now that he goes to senior school.  He loves the XBox most of all though (ughh).

There are fantastic stickers and check out these collectables.  There are LOADS of cute die-cuts in the pack. 

Well thanks for popping in.  I'll be back later in the month with another Technologic layout and I'll also get busy making some tags or cards with my leftovers.  Oh joy!

Pretty things

I recently discovered the Bonjour collection from Kaisercraft. My oh my.  This has to be the prettiest collection I've laid eyes on. 

Anyway, I got to play with a few goodies and in no time at all. Voila!

The photo is from our photoshoot with Julie and Jackie.  It was the end of the day so the kids were pretty weary by this point.

It's been a while since I had papers that needed intricate cutting, but it is so worthwhile.  I cut around the tiny climbing flowers and leaves so that the frame could be tucked behind.  I added my favourite tiny envelope which has the cutest die-cut stamp inside.  These die-cuts are from the Sweet Nothings collection.  There are SO MANY die-cuts in there - such great value for money!

A little more cutting and a few more die-cuts for my title.

Well thanks for popping in.  You'll have to wait to see the rest of the projects as I've used them for Manor House Creations.  If you want to nab some for yourself, check out Merly Impressions. Especially look up the Sweet Nothings die-cuts - it is rammed full of gorgeous images.