Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Im running out of DST!!

Im going through double sided tape like its no ones business!! I dont even think ive scrapped this much since i first started - i just cant get enough and would rather substitute sleep with playing right now! lol

Here is a layout i created based on the So Sketchy July layout sketch. Its a little about the journey i have been on to get to where i am now, (lets just say i owe my friends a lot!) :)It was lovely to use these papers as ive never had the right photographs before (the boys just dont suit damask and fleur d lys patterns) LOL

I cant seem to do a layout without it having the fluted edges either - it adds the depth im looking for right now so maybe i will stick with it a while, maybe not - we will see :)

Thanks again for all the support and lovely comments about Gallery idol. All of the girls have done a fantastic job and im just pleased to have been placed amongst them :)

Monday, 6 July 2009

Pick me Pick me Please vote!

Ok im going to go out on a limb here and ask you to vote in the Gallery idol comp, of course vote for whos card you like best and i will only hope i can make it through to the top 15 of these talented ladies! :D

click here to vote
Point your friends in the direction of the card marked Debbie (durham). There are 19 very talented ladies there and i need all the help i can get!! :D
*all the above is said very tongue in cheek - we are all very supportive of each other so just taking the time to vote for any one of us is really appreciated* :)

A creative start to the week...


This is the first time i have actually managed to do Dawns colour challenge and finish in time!! LOLI used mainly all Papertrey stamps even down to the little heart leaves, buttons, cardstock and inks :) I am so in love with Vintage Cream ink its getting used on everything! (i cheated as i couldnt find my heat embossing gun so the silver grey looks a little off - it is off now as it just brushed away! lol)

The Basic Grey newsletter had a great sketch in for July so i quickly got onto it and made this layout of the biggest strawberry we have seen this season! Im loving all the layers right now and the ragged edges - its playing havoc with my nails though! lol (strawberry stamps are Papertrey and the papers are Basic Grey)

I made another layout for the Hero Arts photo challenge too - (i know! im scrapping like a madwoman right now!) Yes, before you ask, Jake is always eating! lol Theres no filling this kid up so most pics of him include food of some kind ;)

Sunday, 5 July 2009

Its a zoo!!

Im thinking of making a sign, hanging it outside our home and charging an admission fee! lol So far we have .........

1 hamster (will be 2 when we replace Jessica), 6 chickens, 2 cats and 2 rabbits as well as 4 little people, me and DH! The rabbits will be old enough to leave their mum at the end of this month so the boys are super excited! They will be called Bugsy and Tallulah (Jakes idea!)

These are our 2 new boys, both age 3, Crunchie and Twix (they were living as brothers and were already named) Crunchie is so long haired it was all matted when we picked him up, i mean badly matted! The lady said they had been looked after but they are so shy and timid, hiding under the beds or behind the washing machine that i really think they didnt have such a good life :( Things have changed now and they will certainly be happy here - ive managed to brush out most of his knotted fur on his body and chopped away lots of the hair from behind so hes looking a lot more handsome. Twix is a tabby who is a little more self assured but still quite frightened. He will come and sit in the living room once the boys are asleep but most of the time he is under the side table in the corner of the room.

I have loads of projects to photograph and upload, my mojo has gone into overdrive and im loving it!
Here is a peek at one of the layouts i have just sent in for Scrapbookmate :)Tomorrow is the opening of round 2 of Gallery Idol. I will post a link to the gallery when it goes live :)

Friday, 3 July 2009

Happy 4th of July weekend :)

Posting this now incase i dont get a chance to come on over the weekend, so many deadlines and challenges i really need to switch off the laptop and crack on with making things!!

Happy 4th of July to all my American friends - have a lovely safe weekend :)I made this card for you all and combined it with the Cuttlebug Challenge. (click to make it bigger for more detail)

Ingredients... Mix of DCWV, Park Lane and misc papers. Cuttlebug Dots embossing folder Papertrey ink Cupcake stamp Papertrey ink Vintage Basket sentiment Papertrey ink Vintage cream ink, Hibiscus and vintage chai inks Hero arts diamonds Misc buttons

Thursday, 2 July 2009

Tutorial Thursday No 4 - On the case....

Hehe get it?? On the case - i think the kids humour is rubbing off on me! ;)

Ok ladies here you go! This week i have designed a fab little suitcase, picnic hamper, gift box that would work for both men and women (imagine a brown leather look briefcase and slip a little something in there for your nearest and dearest - or even a list of jobs to keep him busy while you craft! lol) You can attach handles to the top, ribbon to keep it closed, brads and a little wrap around cord etc - the possibilities are endless and im sure you will have fun making lots of different variations :)

You need to start with a 8.5x11 piece of cardstock (either patterned or plain depending on if you want to decorate when youre finished). Fold in half and score.
If you are using the Ultimate score board (always butting the edge against the handle section) you need to line your old up with the 5' square fold mark and score at both lines either side. **If you are working with a scoring tool and ruler you need to measure and score at 1' either side of your initial score line.
Move your initial fold up to the half fold A4 line and then score down the Gatefold A5 line. **From the last scoreline you made (not the initial one), using a ruler measure and score at 3' and 4' marks - ignore bit below which is doing the last line on the ultimate which you have just scored. Just turn and do the same for the other side making both sides of your initial scoreline identical*
Move this score line to the gatefold A4 mark and score again down the gatefold A5 line. Turn and do the same for the other side making both sides identical.
Turn your paper portrait and score down the gatefold A5 line at both sides. **Score 2 1/4 inches in from either side.
Score now at 1' from that line and 1' again leaving a 1/4' margin to be trimmed off. **From the 2 1/4 inch line make two more score lines at 1' each - leaving 1/4' gap margin to be trimmed off.

Fold and score all of these lines to give them a sharp finish. Trim off the pieces as shown below (if you have followed my other tutorials etc this will be a breeze) :)
Place double sided tape on all of the bits to be folded in and over.
Do one half of the box at a time. Fold the side reinforcements in on the sides and bring the outer side pieces up and over. Same for the front and the first section should look like below.
Do the same for the top section and you should have what resembles a little open suitcase :)
To make the barrier for inside cut a strip of sturdy card 10'. Score at 3' from both edges. Place inside box and trim if necessary.
Once youre happy with the fit you can scallop the edge (i did mine with scissors as the card i used was too thick for the punch!) Fasten into the box with double sided tape.
Make sure your box closes securely - you can add your handles etc if you are wanting it to be more secure. The lid however does stay shut with just the insert keeping it in place.
Decorate as you wish and enjoy :)
Hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and please link back if you want to when you use it so i can see your creations :)
Im off to the garden to see if the hens have laid more eggs - half a dozen a day is getting impossible to use so im going to go deliver some to the neighbours :) Enjoy the sun xxx

Wednesday, 1 July 2009

Hero Arts photo challenge...

This weeks challenge over at the Hero Arts blog is to incorporate a photograph into your project (card or layout etc). Ive wanted to scrap this picture of me and dh for a long time and this Prima paper was just perfect!The heart stamps are Papertrey, the Work, Love, Dance stamp is Stampabilities and the scallop border around the photograph is from one of the Hero Arts clear sets called Scallop borders.The papers and red flowers are Prima and the Love brad is Basic Grey :)Im teaching tomorrow night but will update before i leave with a new box tutorial :)

Enjoy the sunshine - its beautiful out there :)