Pencils are my best friend.........and a few changes around here!

Good morning, another beautiful day.


It's put me in the mood for 'Spring cleaning'!  A little late I know, but what do you think of the new look?


I thought it was time for a change as things were looking a little tired around here, and I'm not sure if this is 'it'........you know 'it', as in do I love 'it', or I just can't be bothered to change the whole blog design again type of 'it'?  We'll see how things go, but for now, I like 'it'!


Well today's post is a card, and as the title suggests, the Prisma pencils have made their comfy little way into my clumsy paws.  Oh how I love them!  Every time I use them these days, it's like I've forgotten how awesome they are to work with, but today they are especially my friend.  The reason why.........black hair!


Need I say more?  Don't get me wrong, I love my Copic's too, but when I tackle the slightly trickier tasks of let's say BLACK HAIR (which I do quite enjoy with Copic's as it's a challenge that get's the juices flowing!), Prisma's are just so........easy!  They do the job for you, and all with just one colour no less........BLACK!


Anyhow, enough waffling, I guess I should post the card.

Wow look at that.....it even co-ordinates with the new blog look perfectly.....happy coincidence!


This card has a combination of 3 of my favourites:


#1. You may have guessed already from the previous hints....Prisma Pencils, and I guess I should mention the other half of the dynamic duo....Odourless Colourless Mineral Spirits.
#2. Another awesome digital image from Saturated Canary.  Every one of Krista's images inspires me to create pretty things.
#3. Authentique paper.  The quality of this stuff is second to none and I'm officially now a hoarder.  I can't wait for the next collection to be released, even though I have the previous 5 sitting untouched.  Can't help it ....it's just so pretty, I want it all!


Here's a little close up of the colouring deets for ya............

Lot's of little extra bits and pieces on here, some vintage, some modern.  Distress inks, torn edges, border punch, lace, ribbon, pearls, and those rolled fowers are made using a Dienamics die and a couple of different shades of canvas I had lying around.

Well that's about it from me for today.


I'm going out to enjoy the sushine and my last day of freedom...........it's the last day of school ya know........need I say more?!!


Have a good one and I'll see you soon,
Jayne.x.
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Challenges entered:
ATC's & Cards With Attitude - Anything Goes
Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge - Girly Challenge
Chocolate Coffee and Cards Challenges - #16 Anything Goes
Fat Pages and Cards With Attitude - #17 Anything Goes
Totally Papercrafts Friday Challenges - Use a Digi
Crafty Creations Challenges - #176 Use at least 3 embellishments
My Mums Craft Shop Challenges - #63 Use a favourite stamp
The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog - #70 Punches and/or Dies
Bearly Mine Challenges - #41 Anything Goes
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - #25 Girls, Girls, Girls
Crafty Cardmakers - #71 Make your own Flowers
Incy Wincy Designs - Anything Goes
Love To Create Challenge Blog - #21 Anything Goes
Pile It On - #26 Make your own Embellishments

Time for a sketch.

Well hello.

It's Wednesday and sketch challenge time over on the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum.........my turn again I'm afraid!  As I have family visiting at the moment, things are a little busy, so I thought I'd look through some of my old scrapbooks, and see if there was anything in there worth using for a sketch.

I did eventually find something - a scrapbook page which is certainly from my earlier days (6th page in my first scrapbook to be exact!) so I'm hoping my style has evolved a little since then, but I do like the layout and could see myself using it again at some point.  Maybe there's the challenge for me........create a new page using an old layout for inspiration!

Anyhow, I digress.......here's the newly drawn sketch.........

And here's the 'old' layout........

I was trying to remember why I decided upon that cuved element in the center there and even shaped the photograph to fit!  Then I remembered.........in my early days of scrapbooking, this was pretty soon after I'd purchased one of my first tools.......a BoBunny bendable ruler........hence the curved lines!

I hope you'll give this one a try as I'd love to see how the sketch translates to today's styles.
Don't forget to upload your projects to the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum and Gallery in order to collect buttons toward your next gift certificate.

Have a great day,
Jayne.x.

Mom

Hello there.

It's Friday and I'm back here as promised, with my final DT project using the Authentique 'Delightful' line for Two Scrapbook Friends.

For this last project, a layout entitled 'Mom', I wanted to switch things up a little.  I wanted to keep the graceful elegance of this line, but lose a little of the girlie girl pastels in favour of a little colour.  I found the perfect orange background on the reverse of one of the papers, which really allows the purple in my photographs to 'pop'!

Authentique quite often include in their collections ('Delightful' being no exception) one or two sheets of 'word' stickers which are perfect as an aide to journalling.  For this reason my page centers around just that......the journalling, so I set myself the task of using as many of these stickers as possible.

Not bad........20 in total!

Now this page covers the fact that my Mom, bless her, hates to have her photograph taken as she's never too fond of the results.  Usually when I post 'stuff' on here, she is stalking my blog from 3000 miles away, and I'm well out of arms reach.  At present though, I'm lucky enough to have my parents visiting from across the pond, so although it's less likely she will see this, it does mean if she catches sight of it, I'm more likely to get a flip around the ear hole, for posting it on here for the World to see!

Back to the deets!
There's a nice little tulle trim layered under the photographs, for that 'girlie' element......

 

as well as a framed collection of embellishments.....a couple more of the stickers (from the co-ordinating sticker sheet) included in this of course.

Well that's it for today, but I'll be back next week with a couple of cute cards.......I've been playing with the Prisma pencils again!
Have a good one,
Jayne.x.

ABC's and 123's!

Good morning to ya!

I just realised that I hadn't finished showing my final two projects from my last DT kit, from Two Scrapbook Friends. 
So, on that note, I'm here today with the  pen-ultimate, my favourite of course (not!), the altered item!

If you can remember as far back to my first post here, you'll know I was using the Authentique 'Delightful' line, which incorporates a fair amount of 'baby' themed embellishments and sentiments.  My final project here continues the baby theme, and is a set of altered wooden blocks.

The blocks are covered using only patterned paper and a selection of stickers or die cuts............

..........and each face displays a different theme..............

A sweet little addition to any baby's room.

That's all for today, so I'll see you on Friday, I think.
Have a good day.....stay cool!
Jayne.x.

Happy Father's Day!

Hello there.

I don't usually visit here on a Sunday, but I'd thought I'd hop on with a Father's Day card that was made for my Husband at 11.30pm last night (nothing like being prepared!).

Short and sweet today also, as I'm off to work.......what better day to give my dearest the opportunity to carry out his Fatherly duties.........if he's lucky, he may even get to cook dinner too!

Here's the card...........

'I love you more than ice-cream'........that's saying something!

Colouring is with Prisma pencils and mineral spirits today, and papers are from a bargain My Minds Eye "Six By Six" (Blink Of An Eye) pad.  The digi is from Pollycraft and I was really sad to find Paula is closing her store......I've always loved her images so it's a good job I've got plenty to keep me going.  Be warned, you'll be seeing lots more around here!

You can actually see the Glossy Accents on there too - makes a change.

There's plenty of layered zig-zags and distressing ink on here, and I tried, but couldn't resist a button.

Forgot to mention that the sentiment is also included with this digi set.....makes me like it even more!

Have a great day and I'll see you next week,
Jayne.x.
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Challenges entered:
Creative Inspirations Paint - Inspired by Father's Day
Dream Valley Challenges - #34 For that Special Guy
Great Impressions - #4 Die Cuts or Punches
Sentimental Sundays - #107 Summer Fun
The Crafty Pad - #175 Food
2 Sisters Challenge Blog - #96 Plaid and/or Stripes
My Sheri Crafts - #87 Father's Day
Card Makin'Mamas - #47 Father's Day
Raise The Bar - #107 Summer
Art Impressions - #67 Husband/Father
Paper Crafting Journey - Colour It Up

An apple (or maybe a bookmark) for teacher!

Good morning!
Sorry I've been a little absent this week........it's true what they say about the best laid plans!

Anyhow, it's time for Friendzy Friday over on the Two Scrapbook Friends Blog and Forum so here I am again.

The end of the school year is drawing to a close here in Canada, so my thoughts are turning to cards and gifts for teacher.

I'd thought I'd share a simple little idea I'll be running with this year......a bookmark card.

They are really easy to make and who doesn't like a card with a little added bonus - I know we're probably hoping for cash here, but you can't have everything!

All you really need to make one of these are papers and embellishments of your choice, plus a perforating blade on your trimmer.  If you don't have one of these you could still achieve the same results by using a ruler, a piercing tool and a little patience!

So, a bookmark card in three basic steps:

Step1

Take a 5"x7" card.  You can use any size, but I find this works well as it gives you plenty of room to fit everything on there.  Cut a 'bookmark' sized section from the front cover only......I've cut 1 3/4'' from the right edge on the front panel.

Step 2

Using this same measurement (1 3/4") score along the back panel only using a perforating blade.  I scored 1 3/4" from the right edge on the back panel.

Step 3

Decorate as you wish.  There are no restrictions as to how you decorate the 'card' portion, however my only word of advice is that you keep embellishments fairly flat on the 'bookmark' section of the card, as it will eventually be lying between the pages of a book.  I usually add some ribbon, twine, beads or charm etc. to the top or bottom of the bookmark, to ensure there is something to protrude from the book.

Finally, one last point which I'm sure is common sense, remember to decorate the two sections (card and bookmark) as two separate entities, to ensure the recipient is able to detach the bookmark easily!

There we have it, one down.........a few more to go!

Your deadline for completion is two weeks from today :-) so have fun , and I'll see you next time,
Jayne.x.

Sugar and Spice.

 Hi there.  If you are looking for the Two Scrapbook Friends Father's Day Blog Hop please click here or scroll down.

I'm back today, finally, with my third DT project for Two Scrapbook Friends using the gorgeous 'Delightful' collection from Authentique.

A scrapbook page today, entitled 'Sugar and Spice'.......heavier on the sugar for this one I think!  I combined the dainty pastels in this line with a white background, to highlight the purity and sweetness of my photograph.

White backgrounds with nothing added don't have to be boring.......there's still plenty layered here to keep things interesting.
Starting with a couple of hand stitched banners using more of the stickers and a few pearls..........

and progressing with a collection of pennants, circles and buttons here.........

A variety of sweet little alpha stickers are perfect for recording dates, and certainly take all the hard work out of creating a title.........

Lastly, yet another sticker provides the only journalling required.

So there you have it......I did warn you.....an overload on the 'sweetness'!

Have a great day and I'll be back before you know it!

Till then,

Jayne.x.

Two Scrapbook Friends Father's Day Blog Hop

Welcome to the Two Scrapbook Friends Father's Day Blog Hop! You should have started the hop at the Two Scrapbook Friends Blog and arrived here from Avril's blog. If you comment on each blog, you will qualify to be in a draw for a special prize from Two Scrapbook Friends! Also, you will find a RED HIGHLIGHTED word on each blog which will make a phrase at the end of the Blog Hop! Once you have completed the hop to all our designers blogs, please leave a comment on the Two Scrapbook Friends blog. Then be sure to email the completed phrase to them for a second chance to win! So remember, in order to be entered to win: 1. Leave a comment on all the blogs as you go and then come back to the Two Scrapbook Friends blog and leave a final comment there. 2. To have a second chance to win, keep track of the HIGHLIGHTED WORDS from each blog and email the phrase to 2friends@execulink.com. Put "Blog Contest" in your subject line. 3. Check back at the Two Scrapbook Friends blog on June 12th to see if you are the winner. (Winners will not be contacted personally.) Here is the list of blogs you will visit on this inspiring journey:

Two Scrapbook Friends

Carolyn

Avril

Jayne  - You're here!

Christa

Shelby

Jan

Sharlene

Ann

Judy

Joanne

So that's all the important stuff over with.....now onto some fun!

For my project, I've created another scrapbook page of my darling hubby......that's two in one week.......I think he's definitely used up his quota of layouts for this year, so be warned, this blog will be 100% girlie from here on out!

I love how this one turned out though, so I dedicate this to all the 'Daddy's' out there.

I've been storing this quote in the back of my mind for quite some time, just waiting for the perfect photo to come along.  When I snapped this simple shot whilst on vacation last year, I knew I'd found a winner.

So what do we have going on here...........well first off, there's some of that awesome 'washi' tape that TSF carries, this particular style is from We R Memory Keepers.

Papers are from the My Minds Eye 'On The Bright Side' collection pack which I picked up from the store a little while ago.  What I love about these, is that not only are they really reasonably priced, they include a great sheet of die cuts which co-ordinate beautifully.  I used one of the cute little tags and a couple of 'word' elements to provide journalling for the page.  There's also 3  white hearts which I dug from my stash, and spritzed with a little mist from Maya Road and Mister Huey's (TSF carries this too!).  I like em.........kinda symbolizes the three folks in the photo there.

For the title......well there's quite a lot going on.  Let's just say it took a while to put together, and depleted my stash of alpha's a little!  There's a combination of stickers, wooden letters from Pink Paislee, chipboard from Maya Road, mini alpha's from Authentique, LilyBee........the list goes on!

A particular favourite of mine are those 'Scrabble' letters, so cool.

Well I think I've covered everything, so I hope you remembered to make a note of that 'red' highlighted word, cause you'll need it when you hop over to my fellow teammate 'Christa's' blog.  I'm sure she has an appropriately awesome creation waiting for you!

Have fun on the rest of the hop, always a pleasure and I'll see you next time,

Jayne.x.

Precious!

Hello again and a Happy Monday morning to ya!

I'm back with project #2 from my recent DT kit from Two Scrapbook Friends.
No projects are complete without a card, and the 'Delightful' collection from Authentique has a couple of baby themed die cut sheets, perfect for this task.

This card uses a die cut border strip, together with a delicate tulle trim layered slightly underneath...........

there's also a co-ordinating sticker, a crocheted flower and various heart die cuts (made using my Slice) to create a 3D button heart.

 

Love the pastels on this one.

Join me again tomorrow for some more Authentique goodness.

Have a good one,

Jayne.x.

Snapshots of You.

Hello and a Happy Monday to you!

It's time for another Crafty Challenge on the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum, and today my challenge has two aspects......you can choose either or both in order to satisfy the challenge requirements.

As Father's Day is fast approaching, I thought it was only fair that today's challenge should be in relation to all the 'menfolk' out there!  With that in mind, your first option is 'Manmade'.  I'd like you to create a card, scrapbook page or any other crafty item with a male as your subject matter......Son, Hubby, Father, Grandpa......the choice is yours, as long as he's male.

The second option is also 'Manmade'.....or rather 'Womanmade'!  Put something on there which has been created by you.  This could be handmade flowers, tags, fussy cutting, the options are endless as long as it's 'handmade' and not pulled directly from it's packaging.

I have a layout as an example for you.  A rare scrapbook page of my dearest other half.

Papers are from My Minds Eye for this one, and I managed to include a fair few handmade items on here, such as a 3 dimensional button heart........

A rolled zipper flower complete with handmade 'metal mesh' petals........

Faux 'Polaroid' photo's..............

Tickets............

And even a 'manmade' mess - paint splatters on the background..........

I hope you'll get a chance to play along this week and don't forget, you can use only one or both aspects of the challenge.  Upload your creation to the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum and Gallery in order to qualify for buttons.

Have fun and I'll see you next time,
Jayne.x.

Delightful!

Good morning!

In my recent Two Scrapbook Friends DT kit, Iwas blessed by the friends with the 'Delightful' collection from Authentique.  There is something about the superb quality of products from this company, which makes my heart flutter, so I was certainly not disappointed to have the opportunity to create with it!

Today I'm posting a scrapbook page, aptly named 'Delightful' and verging on the 'shabby chic'.........

Everything about this line screams elegance and brings to mind the classic designs of Laura Ashley (you may have to be British to know who she is!).

A cluster of embellishments in the bottom left corner layers up beautifully, and uses mostly die cuts of the various patterned papers, together with dainty crocheted flowers and a stick pin.  The stickers available in this line are dotted in there too, and of course ribbon and a tulle trim are perfect to complete the look.

Another cluster in the top right corner balances the page and shows how versatile the sheet of stickers can be.  As well as providing the title, I've used a total of five stickers here alone.

They are also perfect to use for 'ready made' journalling.

 

Well that's everything covered for my first creation.

I'll be back on Monday with my second project using more of this awesome collection.

See you then,

Jayne.x.