This Crazy Life.....and a sketch!

Happy Friday to you!

I see light at the end of the tunnel........there's rain falling from the sky today instead of that white stuff we've put up with for the last few months!

Don't think I've ever been so pleased to see rain although my hair is suffering already.  The plus something temperatures are doing nothing for my do!

Anyhow I'm excited today also, because I get to post a layout. Don't know why but it seems like forever since I last posted a scrapbook page, as opposed to a card.  Doubly excited as well, because I have a sketch for you too.

Since the Silhouette arrived in my house, bought by the jolly old guy in the red suit, I've been playing around with creating sketches using the software.  I've tried various programs before.....Paint, Gimp etc without any success.  I came to conclusion I'm just too computer illiterate!

Till now!!

I love using the Silhouette software.....so easy once you get a little used to it.  So I'm glad to say I am finally moving into the digital age as far as sketches go.......no more pencil and ruler for this girl!

Now I know you'll miss those painstakingly sketched efforts (she says rolling her eyes!) but believe me.....it's for the best!  20 mins effort compared to 2 hours work.....I'll take it!

So, I'm starting today with a pretty simple one (they get a little more involved) inspired by my first layout using my recent DT Kit from Two Scrapbook Friends...........'A Charmed Life' collection by Simple Stories.

Here's the sketch first:

Better huh?

And here's my layout:

My eldest and her Dad acting goofy at my Birthday dinner......we're a refined bunch!

I used the Cameo to cut chevrons in the background paper, then stitched around them.

This collection has a co-ordinating sticker sheet so I put a few of them to good use, together with some more shapes I had cut.

For the title I used a cute little shaped paper clip from Freckled Fawn (you can find them in the store) together with some die cut letters and a sticker.

That's about it for my page, but feel free to use the sketch if you get the urge.  I'd love to see the results so drop me a comment if you do and I'll stop by.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you next week as there are more layouts (and sketches) on the horizon.

Take care,
Jayne.x.

Little Red Wagon #230 - Bling It Up

Hey, how's it going?

Another Wednesday means another collection of crafty creations from the Girlfriends over at Little Red Wagon.......

and this week Joanne would like us to 'Bling It Up!

Now don't be shy - dive right into those wagons and dig out the glitz, the glimmer, the shimmer, the shine........well, you get the general idea!

I went with a good old fashioned hoard of rhinestones I've been keeping in my stash forever.  This challenge is the perfect opportunity to use up a whole load of them.

Here goes:

I can practically here the disco music blaring from this card - those were the days!...........(yep I'm a 70's girl!)

The image on here is a rubber stamp (gasp!) from Kraftin Kimmie, coloured with Copic's quite some time ago - I'd placed it in that sad forgotten 'waiting to proceed to a card' pile of images and.......well........forgot about it!

Not a lot more going on here for today so why not go dig out your own collection of bling.  If you're in need of a little inspirational dazzle, check out the projects from the rest of the Girlfriends over on the blog.

I'll be seeing you again on Friday.....I have a layout lined up and a sketch too!

See you then,
Jayne.x.

So Lucky!

Alrighty, I guess it's Tuesday already so I'd better get myself into gear as far as Blogging goes!

I was given a couple of collections to work with recently from Two Scrapbook Friends and I had a whole lotta fun.  This week I'll be posting my creations using 'A Charmed Life' from Simple Stories.

This is a great line full of bold colours and balanced with a lovely neutral 'parquet' flooring kinda pattern.  As is the norm with Simple Stories, they've included a co-ordinating sticker sheet which makes life easier when searching for embellies.

I'm starting today with my least exciting creation.......the card!

I say 'least' exciting because as much as I do enjoy making cards, I usually feel a little limited when making them, as the creative juices just don't run amok on something measuring approximately 5" by 4" like they do (hopefully!) on a 12' by 12' scrapbook page.

Having said that, my aim here was to use up some of those left over stickers.

I do really love the fact that they enable you to throw a card together pretty quickly for a loved one, or say for your Anniversary which might be tomorrow and your in desperate need of a quick card for your other half..........no this does not apply to me of course and (maybe!) never would!

Enough chitty chat, here's my super duper 'stickerfest' kinda card.

Easy peasy!

I'm not sure if it was due to guilt from lack of effort, but I actually decorated the inside too!

Yay.....a total of 6 stickers on that baby!

I'll be back tomorrow as it's Wagon day, and then Friday with a LO at last.

Oh......I have a sketch for you too.  I've finally gone digital with my sketches so I hope you'll like the new look?!

Til then, have a good one,
Jayne.x.

Little Red Wagon #229 - A Rainbow of Colours

Good morning......Wednesday again which means it's time for........

This week Jodi is leading the challenge and she'd like to see a 'Rainbow of Colours' - basically to use as many colours of the rainbow as you can.

Good.....we need a little change from the dirty white/gray snow that's lingering in these parts!

I went with a sort of clean and simple card (I seem to be veering toward these more and more these days!) although there was a fair amount of fussing on there.

You'll see why.

Here goes:

Yep......nothing like individually sticking down dozens of sequins around midnight!  Very relaxing, therapeutic even, good for the soul, better than Yoga.........not!!

Here's a quick view of the inside:

So why not see if you can find your own rainbow and link up over on the blog.

I didn't find a pot of gold at the end of mine but you never know!

The Girlfriends have a whole kaleidoscope of colour waiting for you too.

I'll be seeing you again soon, so have a great day,
Jayne.x.

Puppy Love.

Good morning.

Just popping in on a Saturday for a change, as it seems the only snippet of time available this week.

March break is drawing to an end.....do I hear a collective sigh of relief from all caregivers across the country?!

A busy and mostly enjoyable week in our house, but tiring to say the least.

Back to the normal routine next week, although I have to admit I'll miss my sleep in each morning!

My page today is a sweet one showing my three babies (one of the furry kind!) from last summer.

Puppy Love

Puppies and kids.........I dare anyone to be able to resist an involuntary aawwwwww!

I loved this paper collection - Rough and Tumble from Carta Bella, a great colour scheme and I think I must have dressed my girls to match it! Lol

Everything on here is pretty self explanatory although I did cut my title using the Silhouette.........

and journalling is printed through Word......Baby Boston font.

The layout was inspired by an older sketch from Creative Scrappers.

That's it for now so I'll be seeing you next week if I actually get something creative finished!

Have a great weekend,
Jayne.x.

Little Red Wagon #228 - Truly Dimensional

Good afternoon.

I'm posting a little late in the day for this weeks........

due to a couple of reasons.

First, the fact that I am patiently waiting for the constant rounds of sickness that seem to have taken up residence in our house recently, to kindly and most definitely take a flying leap somewhere else!

Our most recent case......'manflu'........not good!

Secondly.....it's a snow day or rather 'snowstorm' which I'm going to have to start digging out pretty soon if I plan on leaving the house tomorrow!  This also means hubby is working from home so I have competition for the PC.......I'm loosing the fight!

Anyhow, just enough time between breaks to get my post on.

This weeks challenge over at Little Red Wagon issued by Tracy is 'Truly Dimensional' meaning she definitely does not want to see anything flat.

I guess you could use folds, layers, pop dots.....whatever as long as there is a little dimension in there.

I killed two birds with one stone on this one, as my eldest needed a card over the weekend for her friend who happens to love owls.

A quick trawl of the Silhouette store delivered a quirky little 'owl' easel card.

Yes.....I do feel a little guilty, as the Silhouette did most of the work (she says hanging her head in shame but secretly relishing the fact that she didn't have to think too much on this one!) but it passes the test.......

dimension!!

We even liked it so much we made two!

So, why not create some of your own dimension and link up over on the blog.  The Girlfriends also have a little inspiration waiting there for you.

I'll be back Friday.....sickness, weather and PC competition permitting!

Have a great day,
Jayne.x.

Little Red Wagon #227 - Punch It Up!

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

 and as it's my turn to host this weeks challenge, I thought I would choose an easy one!

Since Christmas, I've been using my Silhouette Cameo quite a lot on most of my creations, which means some of my older and favourite 'go to' tools have been neglected.

For this reason, I thought it would be fun to get back to my roots and use one of the staples I would previously never have created anything without......punches!

I decided to choose one of my faves and run with it.

I think this butterfly punch from Martha Stewart was one of the first I ever bought, and it's certainly earned it's keep!

The picture frame was sketched and cut using my Silhouette - I still had to get my fix in there somewhere!

I'm sure you all have a fair few punches hiding in your stash, so why not enter this weeks challenge and let's see them put to work!

Don't forget to link up your creations over on the blog, and why not check out the inspiring projects from the rest of the Girlfriends too?

Have fun and I hope to see you again Friday,
Jayne.x.

Golden Girl

Good morning.

Thought I'd stop by with a layout today, although I should be doing plenty of other stuff......if I can keep my eyes open!

I started watching the Oscars last night but kept having to pause the action for one thing or another - getting the kiddo's to bed etc, so all in all it was WAY past midnight when I finally finished viewing!

Makes for a grumpy Momma, especially when I must have slept like a log in one postion all night and woke up with a stiff shoulder.....oh the joys of having a good nights sleep! Lol

Anyhow, today's page is all about my Momma and a snapshot taken during their visit last Summer.

Golden Girl

She will probably smile over the title, or be getting ready to chew my ear out over the phone!

During our Canadian Summers my Mom's head get's hot, so although she needs the shade, she doesn't like to wear a hat covering the top of her head.  Hence the mission to find her a visor......... then everyone's happy!

Consequently, it proved to be a great source of entertainment for us as you couldn't help but look at her without thinking she'd just stepped foot of the set of an episode of 'The Golden Girls'!

We're easily amused!

Anyhow, as far as the page goes it's a little 'artsy' again, with a taste of mixed media.

The paper collection is from Pink Paislee but I covered most of the background with a mixture of Gesso, watercolours and Molding Paste.

There's also cheesecloth, Washi tape ( I have to thank Carola for the loan.....again!) and sequins in there.

Now that should get us in the mood for Summer!

Have a great start to the week and I'll be back Wednesday with a new Little Red Wagon challenge as it's my turn to be the 'hostess with the mostess'! (a little Brit humour!)

See you then,

Jayne.x.