4 x 6 Photo love

I am pleased to say that I am the guest for Shimelle's latest class over at twopeas this month.

Shimelle is running a free monthly class all year about scrapping 4x6 photos.

I really really do not do scrapping multi photos well - when I do, I tend to picasa them into a collage, print and go...

I can't remember the last time I used two 4x6 photos - so when Shim asked me to do this, I was all "oooh cool, something to get me out the comfort zone!"

There is a sketch to follow - which I gotta say, I was grateful for, as I know for a fact that I would have just set one against the other at a jaunty angle otherwise.

Following the design principle took the worry out of using two photos - and, I love how the photos work together in harmony rather than trying to fight for attention.

My first LO was a hybrid Layout. I broke the rules a little, and squeezed the sketch to fit 8.5x11, as I am doing a lot more scrapping in this format and wanted to see how the sketch would work when slimmed down.

I printed hybrid elements onto matte photo papers and layered them up. I like how the butterfly looks almost real :)

And my second layout kept to the 12x12 ratio. It is about how we told Finlay once that the sparkly rock he found at the beach was a "moon rock" - and now when we go, his eyes light up... I feel both gleeful at his beautiful face when he finds one, but also guilty that it is a giant lie!

I promise here and now - that when he is old enough for it not to break his heart (or embarrass himself at school) I will tell him the truth :)

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Shimelle has made this video tutorial about how to make the LO's she designed for her class - so... sit back and enjoy :)

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And if you haven't already, visit TWOPEASINABUCKET to see her latest class.

Friday Freebie - Miso & Noodles

Today I am offering you a stamp set that used to be part of my buy it now range, for a brief time only though :)

Miso and Noodles Panda set.

Coloured and outline images.

Download for free here:

getting mah'scrap on....

I have discovered a love of scrapping on my bed...

I have disliked the little wobbly ikea stool at my desk for a long time, and after falling off of the unstable thing the other day when reaching for tape (in true chuckle brothers fashion) I decided I would sprawl out on my bed instead. I don't know why I feel the need to tell you this.... aside from the fact that it has kick started my love to scrap again.

SO - today, this post won't feature anything other than scrapping :-)

The one common thing that all the layouts share, is the use of the Feb Hybrids I designed for UKS this month - still available in the digi section of UKSCRAPPERS forum if you are interested (and you don't have to be a UK resident to join for free)

I made this first 8.5x11 page on Monday - now, I am not a fan of showing off deep journaling, so have often strayed away from doing it at all - but the gorgeous KI pockets have changed that - and behind the journal card is some hidden writing.

Gotta LOVE turquoise and lime green paint combinations.

This one features the 2" circle punched doilies from UKS.

The next features quite simply - the same doilies, but in white, punched, and cut in half sewn to some kraft (and some Mr Huey mist in warm calico)

The next is my first split page for Document 2011....

I used the journal cards for this, (printed onto A4 sticker paper)

The reverse of the page...

And lastly - and least favourite, my "main" January page"

Before I go on - I need to say, I dislike this page so much that I am already re-scrapping it....

I just dislike everything about it lol! Funny how that happens sometimes isn't it!

I have been working on some other bits - but will show you those another day :)

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pinterest

~As if I needed a new way to waste time~

~As if I needed something else to make me wish I had a large white house with a large garden and wooden shutters with hearts cut out~

~As if I needed another way to dream about how cute the said home could be if I were rich and threw parties and had interesting storage and areas for changeable decor~

Oh well... I guess I will always adore the chance to dream :)

And Pinterest is that new place for me to spend five minutes (or and hour) re-pinning beauty.

Here are my today's favourites....

Friday Musing - "basket of chicks"

BASKET OF CHICKS

Fed up with valentines now? lol.. (ok, I am not quite yet over the pretty stuff, but moving on!) This week I am offering you something sweet for Easter, that will look at home on cards, sweet toppers, tags and more.

A kit full of whimsical baskets, bunnies and chickens.

You can log onto the SHOP to see all the other products, or you can buy it now here by clicking this button below

And see what we did with the digi stamps here:

I printed out a simple tag, which I plan to pop on Finlay's Easter egg this year, added some doodled stitching and paper ribbon.

Lisa Hines created these two very pretty cards (doilies yay!)

which feature the little line of coloured chicks.

How adorable are these :)

And Caroline Sears made this beauty of a card using the sleeping bunny image along side some perfect papers and a very apt quote, that yellow satin bow is so perfect.

Gorgeous - so.. what will you do?

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Paper craft Inspirations.

Do you read Papercraft Inspirations (uk) ?

If you do, you may have noticed that I have an article in there this month (pages 68-69)

I loved doing magazine work again, I have missed it since doing various commissions for SI.

So when this came about I was very happy indeed.

I created a mini book kit, which is a free download from their website, with a mothers day theme, although, I designed the kit to be universally usable for any mini book you have in mind (if you like pink and green that is!)

I made the book very simply out of blank cards, adding text and photos to the frames etc as I went along. But of course, if you want the full article.. you will have to buy the magazine (Which FYI came with free mini scallop scissors - win!!)

NEW STAMPS and valentines

I have never decorated for valentines day before - never really seen the point if I am truly honest - BUT - I've felt particularly in love recently, and after seeing a million DIVINE projects on pinterest and blogs, I felt inspired to create a heart hanging garland for my fireplace (fast becoming a seasonal tradition, as this will be the 3rd garland it

has seen since moving back here)

And I repeated the design on my favourite empty jar with a larger doily and some bakers string.

Talking of jar love... and I really do love jars... all jars!

It's that time of year again... time for UK trade shows, and the new line of Little Musings stamps has been produced...

And I am really REALLY excited to show you this set ........

*(If you look at the above photo... you will see the design on my card to Ben this year)*

Which is based on the painting and print I did well over a YEAR ago! (original blog post here)

This set, along with the others will be available for purchase through me as well as craft shops near you (I hope!)

AND Here are the other six designs..

I particularly love the wedding cake in the wedding set..

The cake stand in the owl set...

and of course the jar set which had me from hello :-)

I hope you like!

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Happy Valentines day

Make & Create shop and vintage find......

It is a gloomy wet and grey day in my home town - we tried to go out, but the rain was the kind of rain that stings your cheeks and makes you feel sad.

So - we came home, put on comfy clothes and vegged out.

I made valentines cards, for both my hubbie and two of Finlay's favourite girls,

I decorated some jars in cute valentine attire and generally tuned out the sounds of Cbeebies children's TV as best I could. (photos of said valentines day projects coming 2morrow)

And then now I am blogging :)

I have two projects for you today made with the rest of my MAKE AND CREATE Feb kit.

A romantic card and another Layout.

The card below was made entirely from the Feb kit contents, with just a spritz of white Mr Huey mist - which is my favourite mist of all time.

Ok - so... I realise that I have used the white mist on the next LO too, but, I am truly addicted and hopefully you can see why it is my "go to" product recently!

I spritzed over a heart doily, which acted as a mask -eeep!

I used multi photos - but printed them out as one, to help with my "what do I do with all these photos!????!" stumbling block.

I am sad that I have used all the kit now - aside from a couple of bits - I am saving those <3

I really loved designing for Anna, and will deffo buy her kits again!

AMAZING value for money compared to the detailed content,

I don't know how she has the patience, but I am now an avid fan :)

Thanks Anna!

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Talking of value...

Me and Ben had a "date day" the other day - we went for brunch in Lewes as a little treat, Finlay was looked after by his Nanna and Grandad, and off we went with a whistle and skip.

We LOVE Lewes, for its antique thrift store potential.

And after looking around a million stalls with no real intention to purchase, we both fell in love with this perfect old quilt.

It had two plus points for me:

1: It was beautiful

2: It doesn't smell like someone has died on it

(always a winner when purchasing second hand fabrics of any kind.. any hint of stale or must and I am off!)

It is larger than king size, as we have a king size bed and it grazes the floor both sides and tucks under the mattress at the base, and right under the pillows at the top!!!

It filled my lounge room floor!

And = it has been made and quilted by hand! (Are you kidding me!!?)

So needless to say - Ben haggled and I hid embarrassed and then we took it home, and cooed over it for a while.

Hopefully, it will become a family heirloom.

That is, if I don't cover it in Mr Huey spray and double tape off cuts *urk*

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Friday Musing - Tree carving digi stamp set

Hi guys - welcome to another Friday Musing.

This week for you, I have something I adore, tree carvings :)

I have wanted to create a set like this for ages, but never gotten around to it... Valentines however inspired me. (Not that it is limited to valentines - as you will see by the samples)

In the kit, you get, 1 outline JPG, 1 outline PNG, 2 colour and 2 alphabets to

create your own monogram for the tree trunk.

If you would like to purchase the set - you can either go to the new website

www.littlemusings.net

and check out all the stamps available :)

(yay!! my friend set it up - awesome right!?)

OR you can click here:

I think they would make the cutest wedding invite fronts - or even save the date cards (with the date in the heart) *eeep, makes me want to re-marry Ben again*

But till then, I shall create pretty cards to leave love letters in for him...

I used Inktense pencils to create this water colour effect tree card.

I pop-dotted the heart up on the frame.

I also added Finlay's name digitally and printed out the colour version (in the kit) and popped in a 7x5 picture mount to frame up for my "in the stages of planning" art wall for my lounge :)

I love how different they are...... even though they are the same stamp.

And - because I am slightly addicted to creating and watching people craft sped up to pretty music, I created a video using INKTENSE water colour pencils with the tree carve stamp set.

It essentially, is just me, colouring in and cutting out to the delightful songs of Mindy Gledhill...

but enjoy all the same.

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Ukscrappers Hybrid Download

It's my week on UKScrappers for printables.

I created a three page set again, with useful journal blocks, word strips and punchable doilies.

If you are already a member of the UKS forum, you can log onto the digital section and download these for free. I really hope you like them.

They were inspired by the beautiful projects I have been seeing using doilies, those gorgeous Maya road tags, lace and other vintage finds.

The doilies are stackable - and look really cute when layered up on projects.

So... are you still here? Run, go get them for yourself!

xx

SJ

make and create layout

I LOVE watching how people scrap - especially when sped up and put to sweet music.

So - after I saw a couple recently, I decided I really wanted to do my first Layout for

The Make and Create shop this way.

So with thanks to Allie Moss and her beautiful melody, I did!

I was nervous, and the music runs out, and at one point so did my double tape, but all in all, I found it to be a fun experience.

I used my Iphone masking taped to a ruler over my head on a tripod...

I really encourage you to have a go! I used a free editing program called Movie Maker to finish the video - which couldn't be simpler. Have a go!

And here is the Layout finished.

And if you like the embellishments on the right hand side of this LO - then log on here and grab yourself a £6 bargain before it's too late!

Friday Freebie! Cefer&Domino digital stamp set

Cefer and Domino are sock cats. Made from abandoned socks, they sit on a shelf occasionally admired or cuddled before placing back.

They need re-homing, and that's where the Friday Freebie comes into play :)

Free for you this week - an outline and colour version.

DOWNLOAD THEM HERE

Make and Create Guest Designer.

I am really pleased to be able to say that I have been asked to guest design for

The Make and Create shop this month!

Such a cool embellishment kit club.

What I adore about this kit, is that a lot of the embellishments are hand made. I LOVE the look of hand made embellishments but don't often have the time or patience to make them myself, ever! Each month Anna sits and creates beautiful kits, full of the original quirk that only comes with handmade items. Which means, your layouts get that individual feel to them, and yet you haven't had to make them! I think that wins.

Her kits are so reasonable too. £5-£6!!!

Check out the heart bunting, and fabric yoyo's... also - those journal cards have hand punched and stitched hearts on. *gorgeous*

I can't wait to show you what I make *lucky me!*

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