Mmmm Hot Chocolate

How's it going?

Just dropping in with another well overdue (to be blogged anyhow!) layout!

This one is the second from my Two Scrapbook Friends DT Kit using the Cozy collection by Authentique so as you may guess, it's a Wintery kinda page.  The title sort of gives things away, and although I'm guessing most of us wouldn't settle down with a steaming hot mug at this time of year, in my book, you can enjoy something sweet all year round.

So here we go:

Mmmmm Hot Chocolate

The background started off with a layer of clear Gesso, then mist smudged with a watery paintbrush.

There's also texture paste stencilled on there and some stamped coffee mug stains.  A little collection of embellies in the top corner, and I do love that 'knitted' print paper.

More layers of punched papers and Gesso splattered chipboard behind the photo's, and a little journalling printed onto vellum.

Finally, a small cluster of flowers and chipboard snowflakes.....all dabbed with more Gesso.

That's about all folks so I'll try to get back again over the weekend with another page.

Have a good week,
Jayne.x.

True Happiness

Well hello there!

So let's catch up shall we?  There's been far too little blogging around here recently and as I still have Winter pages to post, I think I'd better get moving before this Winter decides to make an appearance.

You'll have to forgive grammar and spelling today as I'm not moving all that quickly.......the results of a Birthday sleepover for my eldest last night.......5 girls, lot's of food, movies, chatter and a full on pillow fight complete with war paint at one point - but it was all good fun and we did sleep.....eventually!

So, today's page is from what feels like eons ago (because it was!) and was part of a DT Kit from Two Scrapbook Friends......the Cozy Collection by Authentique.

This first page uses some treasured photo's of my girls when there were small.....I just love the expressions on their faces, but I have been told by certain people (you know who you are!!) that this is not a 'Jayne' page at all!

Not sure why but I guess you can decide for yourselves:

True Happiness

It starts with a fab little background cut from 'Birch' grain paper on my Silhouette and layered on top of Kraft.

There's also a textured white embossing powder dabbed here and there for a snowy effect.

A few layers of stickers, paper and thread hold the photo's, and I do like those brass mittens and natural hemp. 

Finally the action shots......framed with Kraft, photo corners and a little white Gesso around the edges.

The title was also cut using my Cameo.

There we go.....one down......a few more to go!

Have a wonderful day enjoying the sunshine I hope and I'll see you in a couple of days,
Jayne.x.

Sweet Memories

Hey, how's it going?

Thought it was about time I posted another layout on here as I've been a class one slacker recently!  I meant to make an appearance yesterday but decided to give myself the day off as it was my Birthday..........any excuse I know!

Anyhow back to it.

This page has been lying around for a few months (hangs head in shame!) just waiting for it's debut.  I love the photograph......fond memories of a visit from my parents last Summer.

Sweet Memories

I can imagine as we speak, my Mom and Dad are testing their brains thinking "where was that photograph taken".......hehe I think I'll leave them in suspense for a little while and test them later!

Lots of distressed layers on this one......

The papers are a really nice Fall collection from last year by Authentique.  I've veered away from a fair few of their recent collections as I got a little tired with the designs, but I was reminded when creating this page how consistently awesome the quality is.

The background consists of stamping and ink stains, and lots of layers around the photograph too.

More layers on the opposite side and a sweet little cluster of embellies.

This weeks happens to be my turn for a layout over on the Scrapmuch? blog so I'll definitely be back Friday.

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

Sketch-y Friday at Scrapmuch? - Those Moves.

Well did you miss me?

Here I am for the second post of the day due to a slight mishap!  You can check out why in my first post here.

So today is Friday and it's team B's turn up over on the Scrapmuch? blog for Sketch-y Friday.

We had another awesome little Sketch to work with from Laura, and here's my effort:

Those Moves.

I dug into the old photo's again - this one's my hubby way back in the day!  It reminded me of a move from the TV show The Professionals (you might have to be British to know what the heck that is!) where the two tough guys from Scotland Yard or MI5 or something like that, are constantly sliding across the hood of the car to go catch the bad guys.

I have a feeling my DH was probably just catching some rays or trying to look good for the photo!

Anyhow, back to the relevant stuff........

Papers are oldies from Authentique and I started with the background - a little white acrylic paint, a stencil and then some fake tire tracks using ink and a patterned brayer from American Crafts.

There's also a few metal star studs dotted here and there.

My title is cut using my Silhouette and a font called 'Outright Televism'.  I also cut a circled star to place behind.....sort of continues the theme of the patterned papers.

Finally, I covered a chipboard arrow with some of the PP's and added a metal paper clip from Maya Road to compliment the staples punched here and there.

Here is the Sketch for this week which you can also find over on the Scrapmuch? blog.

We would love to see your own interpretation of course.....just link up over there to be in with a chance of winning a prize!

OK that's definitely 'it' from me for today, so have a great weekend and I'll be seeing you Monday,

Jayne.x.

Little Red Wagon #237 - How Charming!

Yes......I am rather late with my posting of last weeks challenge for........

but the reason is that we took a little mini break for a few days over to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

My intention was to take my laptop and put my post in order whilst we were there. Unfortunately my Wifi and Blogger decided not to co-operate with this idea...........so I gave up!

Till now, when I've just remembered that I still need to post it, preferably before tomorrow's challenge!

So here goes:

It was Jan's turn to host and she wanted to see a 'charm'........how charming!

Here's my effort:

And as the photo shows a pretty bad representation of the charm, here's a close-up:

Papers are oldies from Authentique........'Genuine' or 'Original'.......I can never remember which, and the charm is by Tim Holtz.

That's it from me but I'll be seeing you tomorrow for this weeks challenge.

Till then,
Jayne.x.

Little Red Wagon #224 - Pocket

Phew - a busy day today with one thing and another and as I only got home around an hour ago, today's Little Red Wagon post is just a smidge late!

This week Joanne would like to see a pocket on your creation so I took the challenge in it's literal sense and added.....a denim pocket......complete with rivet and stitching!

This weeks card is another 'easel' variety except this is what I like to call the 'make it up as you go along' style!

Not the most structured design I'll admit, but a pretty good way of using up a whole bunch of scraps from your stash.

Here's a close up of that pocket.........

I specifically chose this collection of papers from Authentique for the denim print, but one of the sheets has a whole bunch of 'rivets'(if that's what you call them!) printed on there, so I fussy cut around one, added a little Glossy Accents and stuck it on.  The stitching and a gift card stuck in the top finished things off.

Hopefully you'll get a chance to join in with this weeks challenge over on the blog and come up with your own 'pocket' creation.

I'm off to check out what the rest of the Girlfriends have been up to, so have a good one and I'll see you again later in the week,
Jayne.x.

Happy 2014......maybe just a tad late!

Good morning.

I managed to fit in some happy crafting this week between snow storms......or rather 'during' snow storms!  What better way to spend those cold, dark nights than holed up in your craft room?

I really wanted to create a layout using the current sketch over at Stuck?!Sketches and link up.

I use their sketches quite often, but usually older ones so I never seem to link up to be in with a chance of winning anything.

Not today........I'm linked and in there! Lol

I do really like my page though.....it just seemed to come together really nicely. The plan in my head worked (for once!), and these days I'm really liking a carefree use of stamps on my pages.

At one time I was scared to death to stamp anything on a layout for fear that it would either not stamp effectively, or I wouldn't like the look of it!  Now, especially with the popular distressed/grunged look, and the fact that more and more art journalling techniques are settled nicely into scrapbooking, the pressure is off.  Stamp away, and if it doesn't work perfectly.......who cares, it was 'meant' to look like that anyhow! (wink!!)

Here we go, better late than never........Happy 2014!

This photo was taken a few weeks ago when my hubby and daughters attended the Mayor's levee in Cambridge and had a great time.......Mommy was at work! :-(

At the celebration, they had a photo booth kinda thing set up where you were able to dress up in various props and have your shot taken.  These were then later e-mailed out to you.......a perfect scrapbook opportunity, even when you're not present!

I wanted to focus on photography and numbers as a general theme throughout this page, hence the arrangement I cut using my Cameo, embellished with a film strip from Tim Holtz.......

I love that tape but a word of advice if you're using it.......I'm convinced it will not stick down with anything other than cement (and even then I'm not really convinced).

Having used it on a fair few pages, I now just instantly reach for the staple gun.......saves for a lot of frustration (and cursing!).

When I saw the circle on the sketch, I thought 'clock face' - perfect!  Just had to search for one in the Silhouette store and found this vintage version.

There's also some of that random stamping I mentioned and a little more down here, together with my title which actually worked out I think.  The sequins remind me of light bulbs which was sort of the look I was going for.

Finally it needed fireworks, so I got to work with the Liquid Pearls.......I don't think I've used this stuff in the last 5 years!

Papers are the 'Celebrate' collection from Authentique.

That's about all so I guess I'll be getting ready to go to work.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you next week,
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.

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.

Little Red Wagon #210 - A Christmas Tag.

Well, it's Thursday already and I think it's safe to say the plan, the one where I try to post fairly consistently throughout the week, has not exactly......well......gone to plan!

Things  have been a little busy as always.......yesterday was my first day off from work in the last 8 days, so I had to catch up on the essentials - a little crafting that is!

Don't worry, I didn't do anything crazy so the laundry and housework are still waiting patiently for me!

But more to the point.....what do you think of the new look?

Big changes around here huh?!

Purely by chance a couple of weeks ago, I thought it was time for a change so I headed on over to LeeLou blogs, which is where I've took advantage of Julie's very generous 'freebie' blog designs for the last little while.  To my surprise, I found that due to family commitments and the financial stress of hosting the now quite popular 'freebie' blog designs, she is no longer able to continue with them, so anyone using them would find as of today they would disappear!

I call it a stroke of luck that I would choose to visit her blog on that particular day (not having been there for at least a year or so), and just the push I needed to choose a brand spanking new design!

So, hopefully you are not overwhelmed by the newness of the colours, chevrons etc.......I know my Mom will not like my photo in the Header there (she says it's not 'me'!), which is of course why I've put it there (lol), but I like the freshness of it all so you're stuck with it for a while at least!

Anyhow, back to business and the reason for my visit today.....a brand new challenge is up and running over at.........

and this week Rosanne would like to see a Christmas tag as it's getting close to that time of year (in case you didn't already know!!).

So, I'm not really known for creating anything with a theme.....Birthday's, Christmas, Halloween etc.......I only really make them when I have to, so of course I left things till the last minute and finished this one yesterday on my day off!

I admit though, I did quite enjoy the process (or maybe that had something to do with the company of 'crafty' girlfriends I was keeping at the time!) so who knows, I may make a few more.

Here goes:

The beauty of a tag is that you really can dig into your wagon and use up the smallest of scraps.  This winter collection of papers was one of my favourites last year from Authentique, so having already managed one layout, a couple of cards and now a tag from it, I think I have just enough left for one more scrapbook page.

Like I said I had time to play yesterday so I got to work rolling flowers, punching snowflakes and getting generally messy with Stickles and Liquid Applique.

I'll now probably hoard this and not bring myself to give it away.........see, you make a much needed dent in your excessive scrapbook stash only to hoard the results anyhow!

Hopefully you will have more success at reducing your stash by entering this weeks Little Red Wagon challenge, but regardless of the outcome, have fun doing it!

I'll be seeing you again tomorrow, so till then, have a good one,
Jayne.x.

Little Red Wagon #201 Back To School

Hello, here I am almost a week late for a change as I didn't quite make my deadline (as usual!) for Wednesday's Little Red Wagon challenge.......duh!

I feel like I'm constantly chasing my tail these days, what with trying to settle into our school routine this last week, the continuing saga of house training a puppy, then throw into the mix my in-laws arriving mid week on a jet plane from the UK.........just the usual stuff!

Anyhow, this weeks challenge over at Little Red Wagon.......

was issued by Tammy and has a Back To School theme

I thought as school Picture Day is fast approaching, it was about time I finished scrapping last years photo's, so today's offering is a layout showcasing my youngest daughter's portrait.

Gr1.

Papers are last years school collection from Authentique and I quite like the splashes of yellow in there.

I used plenty of stickers from the co-ordinating sticker sheet...........

and lots of stuff from my stash - trim, brads, stamps etc.

That's all for now but I'll be back on Wednesday I hope, for this weeks challenge.  You still have a couple more days to join us this week if you wish.

Enjoy the rest of your day and our impending spell of humidity apparently!
See you soon,
Jayne.x.

Little Red Wagon #196 - Christmas in July!

Hi there.

I'm running a little behind with today's post (as is the norm!)......should have appeared yesterday, but things were a little busy and time got the better of me.

The usual joys of cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, looking at more fluffy bundles of fur (the puppy variety) and generally entertaining the kiddo's..........entertaining resulted in the form of "Let's detox and vacuum the couch and clean every other surface in the family room!".

Much fun had by all!!

Anyhow, yesterday over at Little Red Wagon......

........our hostess, Rosanne wanted to see a little Christmas spirit.......just about snook that one in on the last day of July for a "Christmas in July" challenge.

I'd coloured a Christmas image quite a while ago - probably one of those from last Christmas that never actually made it to a card, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to dig it out and be ahead of the game for this years celebrations.

Winter Joy.

Changed things up a little and went with a simple Easel card.

Haven't made one of these in a looooong time!

The digi is from Pollycraft and coloured with Copic's.

 

Papers are from Authentique.

Hopefully you might get a chance to join along with this weeks challenge over on the blog.

Also check out what the rest of the girlfriends came up with, if you need a little festive inspiration!

Have a great day.

I'm off to get things rolling with the "Let's see who can clean a bathroom the fastest" game.

The joys of summer vacation!

Take care and I'll see you soon,

Jayne.x.