He Has A Sweet Smile

Not long ago I made a layout using an idea from Jen Schow's 6x6 paper pad series on You Tube. I used Crate Paper's Craft Market line and wanted to replicate this on a layout for my son. The line is really versatile for both girl and boy layouts and I think they both worked out well.

I made such a mess with my ink splatters. My goodness. I find the technique of ink splatters a bit hit and miss. How do you do yours?  Also I had run out of e's from the thickers I wanted to use to spell out the word sweet so used the c's. I think it works? I don't mind.

I pretty much stuck to the same design as my previous layout. I'm happy with it. I love this line. It's so pretty and really useable.

Sherrie

Moor Life

I'm happily getting into the swing of regular layouts and even happier that Spring has finally arrived! Winter was long. Along with Spring arrived my very first Like For Ever kit.  I'm in love. My kit arrived lovingly packaged by Nicola wrapped in white tissue paper. The March Garden Party kit is a box load of loveliness. Can you tell how happy I am?

Quite frankly, a UK based monthly scrapbooking kit company that produces such up-to-date quality kits, has been a long time coming in my view. You can imagine my squeals of delight when opening my box. The March kit was brimming with the Maggie Holmes Confetti line. The papers are really lovely and very versatile. I loved the black foam thickers and the Confetti pack of ephemera. There was also some lovely lace trim, buttons and sequins and an added bonus for being a subscriber. I am in heaven. Then add to that a stunning wooden heart frame and I am about to combust.

For my first layout I used the Confetti Cloud Nine paper for my background as I had this lovely photo taken on Dartmoor which was very natural and earthy and this paper suited it perfectly. I was lucky that I already had a piece of this paper so I could use the other side which has a lovely black and white leaf design. As there's quite a lot to look at in the photo, I wanted to keep everything else fairly neutral and natural. The lace trim was perfect and I used the chipboard frames from an older Crate Paper line. It seems no layout of mine is complete lately until I've added some Heidi Swapp Colour Shine gold splatters.

I just loved working with the kit. I think it's so nice to have a kit and just be able let loose with it. The thing I love most is that you can go a bit crazy with a kit and have fun because you know another one is coming in a month's time and these kits from Like For Ever are win win for me as they are such fantastic value for money and there aren't any long waiting times or extortionate prices for delivery.

Okay excited dribbling over. Seriously though if you can stretch to a monthly kit I really would recommend Like For Ever and, let's face it, we could do with keeping a company like this around. They are few and far between these days. Support where you can.

Over and out,
Sherrie

Hello Again Blog

Two years. That seems such a long time but when you put life's happenings into the equation, really it's not that long. Especially life with a teenage son and a hormonal daughter, a big move almost 300 miles away and a whole new career into the mix. Alas I am sorry to have abandoned you my blog but something had to go for a little while.

I have been scrapbooking over this time but nowhere near as much as I used to. However, there is something that has inspired me recently to get going properly and regularly once again. There is a new kit club here in the UK that started up recently by a fantastic lady called Nicola. The company is called Like For Ever and the kits are just beautiful. They are also fantastic value for money, especially as you only pay £2.90 for shipping. It's also great to not have to wait two weeks for it to arrive from America while worrying about being charged a fortune at customs. Visit http://www.likeforever.co.uk to grab a subscription or even buy a one off kit. They also have a blog where Nicola gives some great kit inspiration.

Whilst waiting for my kit to arrive I got busy with some supplies from Crate Paper's new Craft Market line that I bought from Hey Little Magpie. This is such a beautiful and versatile line. I think I am going to get a lot of layouts done with this. This layout was inspired by Jen Schow who has a channel on You Tube. She has a series on how to use your 6x6 paper pads and it's brilliant. She is one talented lady so go take a look.

I am so happy with how this turned out. It didn't even take that long, probably about an hour and the process really flowed. I think because the product is so beautiful and useable that really it was a joy to do. I did wish I had used a lighter and plainer paper on the bottom triangle so that my Journalling stood out better but you live and learn. I used my sewing machine to stitch the four triangles down and to stitch the title down. I really like doing this. Not only does it add texture but also you know that those letters aren't going to fall off. Also I still need to date stamp that pink label on the right side but I can't find the date! That's another tip! Always write the date of the photo onto the back of it. It helps later on when you're finally scrapping it 8 years down the line.

I'm also doing this same design for my son using the Craft Market line and really the product is quite useable for boy pages too.  I'll get that page up as soon as possible.

Thanks for listening!

Sherrie

Bank Holiday Mondays

I love Bank Holiday weekends! I love them even more when they're sunny and warm. And that's exactly what it was like here in Devon on Saturday and Sunday. We managed to get out and enjoy the good weather without worrying that it was going to rain. It was pure delight.

We paid for our good weather on Monday though with rain pretty much all day which is fine as we had it good there for two whole days! I can thank the rain too for bringing pure without guilt scrapping time. This is what rainy days are for.

These are a couple of pages I did recently for a design team call.



It was great to use Crate Paper's Fourteen on these. It's such a pretty line that is so versatile and doesn't need to be used just for valentine's.

Sherrie x

Pretty As A Picture

Well I for one am certainly glad to see some sunshine but wish the freezing cold would disappear! We had the most amazing hale storm too yesterday which was bizarre. It just came out of nowhere and was mega loud as large balls of ice hit the glass.

I'm still eagerly anticipating my first Studio Calico Project Life kit to arrive. I've been trying to catch up with my weeks before it arrives as its the March kit. It would be great to use it to cover my March weeks as it seems the kits adapt with the seasons. One thing I am struggling with at the moment with PL is trying to make sure I take lots of photos!

I've had some really great scrapping time this weekend and its been nice to sit quietly at my desk and potter away at some Project Life spreads and a layout. It's been a few weeks since I've done a layout and I definitely need to rectify that. I tend to go with the flow most of the time but I'd like to start forming a structure to my crafty life.

Thanks for stopping by,
Sherrie x

Project Life Week 3

The weeks are marching on and the only thing I'm struggling with in Project Life is making sure I take enough photos each week.  I find it really hard to remember to get the camera out when some particular happens.  For instance, we've just come back from the dentist and I forgot to take a snap with my phone.  Having an iPhone does make it easier but I'm still struggling. 

I've decided that I'm going to take photos of everything that happens.  The kids watching their favourite programme or eating their favourite meal.  I sounds a bit odd but a few years down the line and I think (hope) they will be interested in the little things or the little ways about them when they were this age. 

I'm still working out the style I like and I think Week 4 is getting there with it although I wish I had used my typewriter more to even out the journalling.  I think there is a bit too much of my handwriting.  I've been watching Marcy Penner's video this week on Two Peas and a Bucket.  A project life series video is posted every week and they are really great to watch and get some tips from.  I love love love Marcy's style.  She is so relaxed and uncomplicated.  Her layouts are really beautiful and simple. 

I've also had confirmation that my first Project Life kit from Studio Calico has been processed too so I'm really looking forward to using those products and seeing if my style adapts/changes in any way.  I really love using washi tape with this project and the March kit has two rolls of it!  Fabulous!  There isn't a huge amount of washi product in the UK so this is really a great source. 

Here's Week 3 and 4:

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Sherrie x

Project Life

I am loving this new project that I have started this year.  Not only am I finding that it's easier to scrap the everyday moments in life but also it doesn't seem to be compromising my ordinary scrapping.  In fact, I'm finding that I enjoy doing layouts even more. 

I am a couple of weeks behind but I'm trying not to get bothered about it and just roll along with it.  I think if you try to keep up then you could drive yourself mad. 

I'm really happy with my title page.  I really wanted to do a stitched pocket with confetti inside and I love the way it turned out.  I got a lot of inspiration from the Studio Calico blog and galleries as I had not done a title page before. 

Before I started on this project I scoured so many blogs/galleries to get ideas.  I love doing this before I start something new as it can provide a lot of inspiration.  Here's Week 1.

Although I don't mind my own handwriting too much I think the type written text looks great and really breaks up too much handwriting. 

I'd really love to see other people's project life layouts.  Thanks for stopping by.

Sherrie x