Little Red Wagon #217 Christmas.

Hi there, how's it going?

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and Santa was good to you!

Apologies for not being around here much this last week but the crafting cupboard has been closed while I took a few days off.......I say this this, which really means I worked Christmas Eve, had Christmas day with the family and was back in on Boxing Day......the joys of working retail!

In between everything I feel as though I've been baking constantly.......4 dozen Christmas cookies, 3 dozen mince pies, 2 dozen chocolate eclairs, 1 tiramisu, a platter of chocolate dipped strawberries etc.etc. and a partridge in a pear tree!

Of course I feel blessed to have the luxury of enjoying all these things so no complaints here.......just not much time for crafting!  This now means of course that I'm late with this weeks post for..........

Oh well, can't have everything!

It's Rosanne's turn to host this weeks challenge and she'd like to see anything Christmas.

I have a cute little project to share with you today as Santa was really good to me.......I must have been a very good girl this year because my long awaited gift arrived in the mail last week, courtesy of my hubby........my very own Silhouette Cameo!

Anyone that knows me is aware of how much I wanted (needed!) this thing, so it's probably a good form of self preservation on my hubby's part, cause he longer has to hear the pining, whining and general nagging!

Anyhow, at this point I'm not too sure what I'm doing with it but I thought I'd have a little play.......an experiment of sorts for this weeks project, so here goes:

I feel as though I've cheated which of course I have, because other than a little glue and the slightest effort, the machine did most of the work! I also now realize that it's not really Christmassy - more Wintery but......too late!

I added a little vellum behind the windows for effect and a touch of ribbon to the top, so I think it's pretty cute especially if you add a battery tea-light in there (if only I had one!).

That's about all for now, so head on over to the Little Red Wagon blog where you can check out even more Christmassy creations, just in case you haven't seen enough this season(lol).

I'll be back whenever I can steal a few more minutes of time, so till then have a wonderful weekend,
Jayne.x.

Little Red Wagon #216 - Christmas with Non Traditional Colours.

Good morning.

It's that time of the week again, time for a Little Red Wagon challenge............

and this week Regan would like to see something Christmassy (of course!) but in your 'non traditional' colours, which basically means NO red and green.....got it?

I went with that (un)common Christmas combo......burgundy, blue and a little grey/black in there too!

The Prisma pencils and OCMS came out again for this one, and there's a touch of sparkle on his hat too.

Papers are oldies from my stash......Bo Bunny I believe, and the digi is also an old freebie from Di's Digi Designs.

You know you have some non-traditional Christmassy papers lying around somewhere(for that matter you can use anything!) so why not enter this weeks challenge by linking up over on the blog.

The Girlfriends have some cool and groovy kinda creations for you too.

Have a great day and I'll be seeing you Friday.......the first day of the Christmas break......wish me luck! LOL.

Take care,
Jayne.x.

One Big Splash.......and a Sketch!

Hi there, hope it's a happy Monday?

We certainly had a harsh intro to Winter over the weekend......my back is still feeling the effects of the shovelling that's for sure!

My page today however takes me back to warmer days - Summer 2011 to be precise.

I also have a sketch for you, as it's my turn to deliver the goods for the Two Scrapbook Friends Sketch Challenge this month.

So, no more hanging around, here's the Sketch.......

Nice and easy one here, but a good way of getting a fair few photo's onto a single layout.

My page is nice and easy too - not too much fussing going on as I wanted the photo's to tell the story.

A cluster of embellies.....

a taste of stitching......

and a fancy title seem enough to finish things off.

Papers are oldies from Authentique which I dug from my stash.

I hope you'll get a chance to join in with our Sketch Challenge this month - just link up over on the Two Scrapbook Friends blog and as always, you could be in with a chance of winning a gift certificate to the store!

That's about all for today but I'll be back on Wednesday for Little Red Wagon Day.

See you then,
Jayne.x.

My Guy.

As the title suggests, today's post is all about the love of my life.........or rather the other love of my life!

You see my husband has a little competition these days I'm afraid, in the form of a canine furry friend - Charlie of course!

As far as scrapping goes, as least it means you get to see a change from the usual 'girlie' stuff on here.

So without further ado, here's 'My Guy'.

This is another page using my recent Two Scrapbook Friends DT Kit, from Echo Park's Photo Freedom collection by Jenni Bowlin.

As mentioned in my first post here, I love the red/black colour combo in this collection, which cried out for a little photo editing.

I can't resist these teeny tiny camera's I picked up from the store too, sooooo cute!

Most of the layout was influenced by the button stickers I wanted to use, from the co-ordinating sticker sheet........they inspired the stitched circle type of thing.

You can't help but notice my use of the Dymo labeller again - perfect journalling for this page.

On a side note, Dymo Support stopped by my blog the other day and were kind enough to leave an awfully nice comment on my use of their product.......guess you never know who's lurking out there !!

I spritzed a few messy patches of black Dylusions mist here and there, then finally, my favourite piece (other than the puppy of course!)..........the vintage pointy finger/hand kinda thing! 

I LOVE it!

It was printed on a 4"x 6" journalling tag on one of the patterned papers, but I knew it had to be fussy cut along with a bracket shape and put on this page.  I slipped a small piece of notepaper in there and popped the title on top.....cool!

Alrighty I think that's about all, but before I go I have to show you two more photo's.........the subject matter was trying his best to get in on the act all the while I was trying to photograph this layout.  I think he liked the look of the handsome dude on there!

And then, a guilty look if ever I saw one!

That's all folks but I'll be back on Monday as it's Sketch Challenge time over at Two Scrapbook Friends.

Have a great weekend,
Jayne.x.

Little Red Wagon #215 - Christmas Birthday.

Good morning on yet another freezing cold day in these parts.

I'm definitely NOT a Winter person so it's about now I start getting grouchy and dreaming of hibernation!

To make matters worse, our puppy has decided he LOVES snow, so what  used to be a quick dash outside to do what needed to be done (!), has now turned into an epic journey of discovery, rolling around and frolicking in the white stuff every time we venture out there!

Thermals will be added to the Christmas list me thinks........hope I've been a good girl otherwise the dogs gonna loose out.

Anyhow onto the purpose of today's post, (but just in case you're wondering, no I have not succumbed to any nasty bacteria my kiddo's may feel the need to share.......yet!).........it's Little Red Wagon Day........

Tammy's leading the charge today and as she's a December baby, she'd like to see some Christmassy kinda Birthday cards.

Don't think I've ever made one to be honest, but what I can gather from anyone I've ever come into contact with who has a Birthday within the close vicinity of Christmas, they usually get the 'double up' kinda card/prezzie. This in turn might peeve them, I'm guessing, just a little.......rightly so!

Now as I'm not one to rub salt in the wounds I thought I'd make a sweet, perfectly appropriate Birthday card with no hint or suggestion of recycling, or anything Christmas!

I love the look on this girls face - the kind you see when they find the dreaded Christmas sweater under the tree, and perfect for our topic of conversation!

Digi is from Saturated Canary and coloured with Copic's, while papers are a 2012 winter collection from We R Memory Keepers.

That's about all so head on over to the Little Red Wagon blog for some Christmassy Birthday inspiration from the rest of the Girlfriends.
You can wish Tammy a Happy Christmas Birthday while you're there too!

Have a great day and I'll see you Friday,
Jayne.x.
-----------------------------------
Challenges entered:
Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Top Tip Tuesday - #116 Snowflakes
Crafting From The Heart - #2 Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenges - #192 Let It Snow
The Crafty Bloggers Network - Girly
Created With Love Challenges - #70 Anything Goes
Incy Wincy Designs - Let It Snow
Lexi's Creations - #105 Snow
Make It Monday - #170 Anything Goes
Glitter n Sparkle Challenge Blog - Blue
Lacy Sunshine Stamps - #23 Celebrations (Mine is Birthday obviously!)
Opus Gluei - #171 Brrrrrring It On

Happy Ever After.

Good morning.

If you're looking for the 'Songs of Christmas' Blog Hop then you're at the right place.........just need to scroll down a little or click here.

If you're just browsing then stay a while, I have a layout to post today.

First though, please excuse any bad grammar, spelling mistakes or general babble today, as the delightful stomach bug that's making it's way through our local school, decided to pay a visit to our house this last week........via my eldest.  She has now generously shared with my youngest so we all now how this pans out now don't we?!

I could be posting on borrowed time here, although fingers crossed, no symptoms yet, just a little ragged around the edges having spent the night on a camp bed next to my daughter.........mopping brow, rubbing tummy etc.etc.

However, on to brighter happier things like paper, glue and embellies to guide me to my 'happy place'!

Today's page was my first creation from a Two Scrapbook Friends DT Kit of a while ago, using one of Echo Parks Photo Freedom collections by Jenni Bowlin.

I was immediately drawn to this because.....well.....there's black in there I guess!  Can't help it, anything with black in the colour scheme is usually a winner for me.

I also thought it would work beautifully with the vintage/retro photograph my In-Laws passed over during their last visit........their Wedding Day photo of 45 years ago.

No pressure or anything!!

Happy Ever After.

I fussy cut a few pieces from various sheets of PP, and layered here and there.

I do love this retro camera (Maya Road I think).....perfect for this page together with a couple of wooden hearts.

I used various stickers from the co-ordinating sticker sheet for the title, and how cool are these mini coat hangers?

So cute, I love em.

Finally, a couple of die cute feather shaped thingies, and of course the Dymo had to make an appearance.

Did you know Dymo Industries dates back to 1958, and by the late 60's had become a household name for labelling every single thing in your house that did not move or breathe (although I may have tried it with my brother once or twice!)?

There ends the lesson for today!

I'll be back on Wednesday for some Little Red Wagon goodness, and then Friday with Part 2 of this collection.......germs permitting!

Have a great day,
Jayne.x.

Songs of Christmas Blog Hop.

Hello and welcome to the Songs of Christmas Blog Hop with Two Scrapbook Friends!

You should have arrived here from the lovely Tracy's blog, who I know had a wonderful project for you to feast your eyes upon.

As I'm sure you're aware by now, our Blog Hop is all about the Songs of Christmas so the inspiration for my project comes from the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas".

Now I'll admit I'm using a loose interpretation of the song, as my creation is more like the '24 days of Christmas', but as there is no festive jingle of that title that I'm aware of, this is close enough!

Yes you may have guessed, my project is an Advent Calendar of sorts........a flip chart countdown to 'the Big Day' if you will!

Here goes:

I was fortunate enough to be re-gifted one of those ornate scrapbook display frames by my girlfriend Carola (she will definitely have something to say if I don't get the obligatory mention in there!), which coincided with me trying to recreate this 'Advent' idea.............a project is born!

A trip into the Two Scrapbook Friends store found me the perfect Christmas papers........Nordic Pines from Bazzill.......non-traditional, a touch of black, a little Kraft........what more could a girl want?

An evening (or two!) of thinking, measuring, re-thinking, re-measuring and more embossing powder than I have used in the last 10 years finally got me to this point.

I liked the idea of a chalkboard background as it is for my kiddo's after all, so I used a white embossing powder to create a chalk-like effect with various glue pens and stamps.

The scrabble letters (never a disappointment!) received a little TLC from various Distress inks and Liquid Applique.

No Christmas project is complete without an appearance from the Jolly Old Elf himself..........

and I used a 'pearl' embossing powder and a steady hand to create the subtle graffiti background.

As far as the 'flip tags' go we started at 24 of course on the 1st of December, are at 19 right now (just in case you weren't aware of that!) and will work our way down to one more day to go.......Christmas Eve!

A little burlap and ribbon finished things nicely and I think that just about covers everything.

Hopefully you've been inspired to run out and create your own Christmas project, or maybe just finish the 101 tasks you have left to do in the remaining 19 days!

Either way, you'll have some wonderful ideas and a few Christmas songs in your head to put a skip in your step.

It's been a pleasure as always, but just a few important tidbits before you leave:

In order to be entered to win the special prize all you have to do is hop from Blog to Blog, and leave a comment on each as you go. Simply check back at the Two Scrapbook Friends blog on December 10th to see if you are the lucky winner!

Here are the featured blogs in our Blog Hop:

Shelby

Joanne

Tracy

             Jayne - that's me!

Darcy

Jodi

Amanda

Christa

Audrey

Janice

Ann

Carolyn

As you can see from the list, your next stop will be with Darcy who I'm sure has a fabulously festive creation in store.

Have fun hopping and I'll be seeing you again soon,

Jayne.x.

Little Red Wagon #214 - Here Comes Santa!

Hi there, it's that time of the week........

Yep, time for another creation to satisfy this weeks challenge and today it's Jan's turn holding the reigns.

We are officially into the festive month of December, so she'd like to see the jolly old elf himself.......Santa!

I've had a busy week so far with the usual Christmas panic that the 1st of December brings. Throw in a sick kid too, and I'm back to the usual scramble to find my creativeness the night before my projects are due!

Never fear, I completed the task (at 12.40am to be precise) and here's the outcome:

Isn't it strange how I like this one better than a fair few I've pondered over for a few hours?  There's a message in there somewhere!

A bit of a mixing pot on here really - cheesecloth, fabric snowflakes, glitter, sequins.  I like to call it the "throw it all on there and hope for the best" approach!

Papers are last years Christmas collection from Authentique, and the vintage Santa digi is a really old freebie I snared once upon a time from Digital Two For Tuesday.

Hop on over to the Little Red Wagon blog and check out what the rest of the Girlfriends have been up to.  You can enter your own creation whilst you're there......no excuses - 'Tis the season and you know you have loads of Christmas creations in the works!

Thanks for stopping by and I'll be seeing you tomorrow......I have a layout in mind!

Enjoy the day,
Jayne.x.

Songs of Christmas Blog Hop

Just stopping by quickly to let you know exciting things will be happening this Friday!

The Designers and Friends at Two Scrapbook Friends will be participating in a Songs of Christmas Blog Hop beginning at 11am on December 6th.

Be inspired by twelve amazing Christmas projects that are based on some of your favourite Christmas songs. You will need to hop from blog to blog, leaving a comment on each in order to qualify to be in a draw for a special prize from Two Scrapbook Friends!

The Hop will remain open from December 6th to December 9th at 11:59 pm (EST), and you can join in at any time. The Winner will be announced on December 10th on the Two Scrapbook Friends' blog.

Watch their blog on Friday, December 6th, so you will know where to begin!

Got it?

See you then,

Jayne.x.

Such a Handsome Boy!

Well hello there.

I know I don't usually post on a Sunday and at this hour no less, but two reasons for today's visit:

1. I didn't have to work today.....well not my 'paid' job anyhow!

2.Today is the deadline for the November Sketch Challenge over on the My Minds Eye blog and as I actually managed to complete a layout using this months sketch (for once!), I thought I'd better actually post it!

So here goes.....you knew it had to be done, a page showcasing my handsome young man.......Charlie!

Isn't he cute?

Here's the sketch that inspired things:

Papers on this page are obviously My Minds Eye with various stickers, die cuts and trim added here and there.

Buttons and fancy metal brads......

I picked up an absolute bargain a couple of weeks ago at a yard sale, a Making Memories Tag maker and all the accessories to go with it......$2!!,  So I got to play and make a co-ordinating tag for this page.

Finally, a few sequins dotted around.

I think that's everything there, so I'll be back in the next day or two with another layout.

Enjoy what's left of the weekend,
Jayne.x.

Little Red Wagon #213 - Off The Edge!

Hi there, I'm finally back after a fabulous weekend of scrapping.  I wasn't sure how things were going to turn out having developed a pleasant case of Strep mid week last week, but I'm glad to say it didn't affect my performance or my eating habits.

I never EVER thought I would comment that one could get tired of eating........till you go on a scrapping weekend!  When breakfast runs in to mid morning snack, which leads to lunch, then afternoon snack, which turns to dinner.......well you get the picture!

No complaints though as that's it for another year.

Anyhow, I'm a little later in the day than I expected with this post, but it is still Wednesday so that's pretty good in my book.  It means that technically I'm not late for this weeks Little Red Wagon challenge..........

Joanne would like to see something 'Off The Edge', in other words something which extends beyond the edge of your card, layout or whatever else takes your fancy.

Now I sorta, kinda, mighta stretched the rules a little here, although technically parts of my card do extend beyond the front edge......just not the back!

I'll explain in a mo.

Now don't get me wrong I have nothing against extended parts (and now that I've typed that it sounds like something from a classic Brit Com........saucy!),but I find that if there are elements poking off the edges, it's not very 'mail' friendly.  Most of my cards have to be mailed......kinda the cheapest route when there's a 3000 mile distance involved, so in order to accommodate these extended parts (!) it forces me to create a weird sized envelope OR a weird sized card to fit in a regular envelope!

Are you following here?

So you can probably guess that I'm all for taking the easy route......one which involves trimming a 1" strip from the front of a very ordinary square card, and extending anything that needs to, within that space.

Good......everybody's happy, so long as Joanne doesn't call me on it!!

I stuck a quick sentiment inside.......

and before I forget I should mention that the layout for this one was inspired by Deconstructed Sketch #128.

Colouring is courtesy of my Prisma pencils and OCMS this week, and you'll have to use your imagination cause there's a nice touch of sparkle in the fur trim on her coat. Unfortunately the camera didn't quite catch that.

Papers are from Bo Bunny's 'Snowfall' collection (last year!) and the Digi is the cute Gillian from Prairie Fairy.

Maybe you could create your own genuine 'Off The Edge' creation and link up over on the blog.

Don't forget to check out the other perfectly legal creations from the rest of the Girlfriends whilst your there!

That's it for today but I'll be back again this week with some more crafting.

Enjoy your day,
Jayne.x.