Mini-book Class

Brrr - the days have definately turned to autumn.  Bright one minute, rain the next.  We've been to the woods today - plenty of green leaves still.  I can't wait for the leaves to turn - my favourite time of year.

I thought I'd share a little acrylic mini-book album.  I'm teaching this class next Thursday.  There are still a couple of places left if you would like to join us.

The 4x4 album is stamped with Staz-on before being loaded with sweet papers and embellishments.

I'm sure I'll think of a few other ways to add a little more detail when we come to do the class.  An album is never finished until it's finished.

I thought that the album should have it's own little envelope to live in - makes it ideal for a gift.

Thanks for popping in.  I'm back tomorrow with something for Pencil Lines.

Simon Says Stamp & Show

I love this new challenge site from Simon Say Stamp - there is always such wonderful inspiration.  This week's challenge is Fall/Autumn.  I think I have just the thing.

I have made this cute little pumpkin for a class next month.  It sits on top of a weeny bucket and in my case, a little vintage cake stand.

I have created the pumpkin from a polystyrene ball.  I made a similar one last year for an article in Scrapbook Inspirations.  They are just soo cute.

Simon Says Stamp and Show also has an amazing blog hop this week so best go check it out!

If you would like to find out more about joining me for a class visit What Housework.

Thanks for stopping by.

Pencil Lines Sketch 204

Before I go onto my layout this week for Pencil Lines, I'll just mention that my galleries have gone up the spout.  I had added new ones yesterday when they suddenly gave up the ghost and stopped working.  Grrr

Great sketch from Leah this week.

I have used my lovely stash from The Craft Garden DT to create this week's layout. The bright colours really pop with my photos from this summer's holiday.

The Paislee Road flowers are really bright and cheerful - they didn't require much else to add wow.

Thanks for stopping by.

More Class Layouts

TGIF.  First full week back to school and we're almost back into the old routine.  I think I saw the bottom of my laundry pile today too!

Just a quick share of layouts from the Bromsgrove crop before I finish making the beds...

This fun layout was a blast to do and we got to try out a few different techniques.

I love this colour combo - just so happy!

You can't beat circles in my book.  I love these papers from MME (who else?!)  This is the other boy bunny we had, who unfortunately, didn't get along with our other rabbit.

Blogger is being a pain and being temperamental with uploading photos.  May be it's trying to tell me something!

Thanks for popping in.  I have a fabulous project to share this weekend - one of my favourites.

Bromsgrove Crop

I thought I'd share those classes I did at the Bromsgrove crop last weekend.  I think I was being rather ambitious teaching almost 30 people 3 lengthy layouts.  But hey, the girls all did so well.

We started off with this one, with a few distressing techniques and ways to add a little interest to a background.

I particularly like the owl - he is adorable.  

I included one of my favourite techniques where the paper is 'peeled' back to reveal a small boquet of flowers.  The flowers have been sugared using my favourite technique too.

I'll post the next class tomorrow, so please pop back if you get chance.

School Days Part 2

Firstly, before I overload you with more pictures of my School Days album, I'd like to say a big Thank you to Liberty Chance for organising a fabulous crop/workshop over in Bromsgrove.  I taught 3 classes there to almost 30 people and amazingly, everyone finished more or less.  WTG you girls - you were all so lovely and I'm really impressed that you got so much done!

I'll share some pictures from the classes later this week, just in case anyone still has some things to finish up.

Anyway, back to that School Album. 

One of the fun things with an album such as this is putting items together from different manufacturers.

It's also a great way of using up those odd rub-ons or stickers

This page has two pockets to hold those bits of artwork or other little notes.  I kind of went overboard with the stamping on the file folders.

Seems I have space here for some more photos (note to self: go back and print some).

Ahh, a very proud Mom moment - Jacob came 3rd in the area high-jump.  Only started practising a few weeks before.

Thanks for popping in.  I have a whole bunch of things I can share this week so I hope you find time to pop back.

School Days

Kids went back to school this week. Phew!  Thankfully, our summer holiday whizzed past, but I think that they needed the structure of school to keep them occupied (well that's my excuse).

I made an album at the end of term using a Fancy Pants chipboard album I had stashed away.  I thought it might be an appropriate time to show it off.

The album comes in its own box and had loads of chipboard pieces included.  I used a limited number of papers (October Afternoon, Sassafrass & Scenic Route).

The title was painted before being covered with Rock Candy Crackle Glaze - it is just so lush.

I guess there are bits from other mfr here too - I just felt like a little collage here and there.

I really love the chipboard scissors

I can't believe how much they changed from the start of the year.  I always take a first day photo.

There are lots more pages and photos to share - I'll be back with those asap.

Thanks for stopping by.

The Craft Garden

I have really splendid news. I have joined the lovely design team over at The Craft Garden.  Kerry specialises in lovely flower goodies from Prima in nice usable quantities.

Kerry has sent me the lovely new mini collections from CHA.   I played with Road Trip first of all.

I have created a mini-book all ready for the photos from our holiday to Menorca recently.

I'm a real sucker for travel goodies and when they're cute like these they are such a joy to play with.

I wanted to do something a little fun as well as quirky.  I cut out the characters from one of the papers and used the pattern as inspiration for decorating the page.

I like different types of page, so I used a Basic Grey Mini-book as a template to create this double-tag page.

The green page is actually a pocket which can hold tickets and other ephemera - I'm sure you're like me and keep all those silly ticket stubs of your trips.

I have put my stamps to good use adding more detail to pages, but essentially the entire book was made from a mini kit plus some extra card stock, ribbon and dew drops.

I won't bore you with all the photos of the pages but here is a sample of them all.  The paper set can be found here for just £2.40.  Add a little of your own cardstock and voila!  A fab holiday album.

Congratulations to the other fab ladies joining the team:

Melanie Jess

Katie Brett

Amanda Jones

Rebekah Montegue

Alicia McNamara

Pop along to The Craft Garden Blog for the full announcement and details of the monthly challenge.

Thanks for popping in.