Youer Than You!

Good morning.

There's a new Sketch and Crafty Challenge up over at Two Scrapbook Friends and it's my turn to deliver the goods so here goes.

As it's the beginning of December, I guess I should be delivering a creation of the merry, tinsel variety, yes?

Errrr no........for those that know me, it's painfully obvious I'm am not a happy Christmas scrapper!

Unfortunately you'll have to make do with an everyday kind of page from me, but that doesn't mean to say you can't get into the festive spirit yourselves!

Here is this month's Sketch........

I'm quite partial to the everyday kind of photo's and pages, so here's my sample showcasing my daughters recent photo shoot........

The only problem I encounter when creating this type of theme (or lack of theme!), is finding an original title or journaling that means something, when in honesty I really have nothing to say!

So did you figure out the Crafty element yet?

This month I'd like you to use a quote somewhere on your creation.

Quotes are such an awesome resource for us Scrapbookers/Cardmakers.  Why not leave it to the experts - the writers, poets and thinkers of the World to put into words what we're trying to say, and give our page meaning?

Here's a close up of the quote I used for my title, provided by the ever inspirational Dr Seuss.

We've also got tearing and layers......

and an eclectic collection of embellies together with more layered goodies.

So there you have it and of course you are free to use a quote wherever you choose, whether it's as a title, journalling or sentiment etc.

It's time to get your craft on and enter this month's Challenge to be in with a chance of winning a $25 Gift Certificate for the store.

Just remember to link up your creation over on the TSF blog.

That's all from me so I'll be seeing you again later this week,
Jayne.x.

Sketch and Crafty Challenge with Two Scrapbook Friends - Hello Summer.

Well hello there.

As we are just over half way through Summer break, I hope you are all managing to fit in a little crafty time to yourselves?

The first of August means it's time for another Sketch and Crafty Challenge over at Two Scrapbook Friends, and yours truly is responsible for delivering the goods.

As always, there are two parts to the challenge so here is Part One of this months task.........The Sketch:

Please feel free to add your own personal touch and make it your own in whichever way you choose.

I used a fabulous summer collection of papers for my layout from Simple Stories - Good Day Sunshine......perfect for capturing all those Summer memories.

I was fortunate enough to win this whole collection of papers plus all of the embellies from Scrapbook and Cards today during their National Scrapbook Day giveaways!  Lucky me, but you can find them all over at TSF.

There's such an awesome array of embellishments, chipboard, journal tags, acetate overlays and stickers included in this collection.......pages really are made easy!

This leads me nicely to the second part of this months challenge - the Crafty element.

I'm making things pretty easy for you this time around as I would like to see you capture some of those Summer snaps on your creation.  This may be in the form of vacation pics, BBQ's, food, summer activities.....the choice is yours, just bring on the sunshine!

As always, Two Scrapbook Friends have a prize to give away but please remember, in order to qualify and be in with a chance of winning, you must use both the Sketch and Crafty element of the challenge.

You can check out all of the rules and link up your own creation over on the TSF blog.

That's about all except to say.....have fun!

Till next time,
Jayne.x.

Sharin' A Smile.

Good morning to you!

It's 7am on April 1st and no this is not a joke......I really am here bright and early for a change!

We've headed into a new month which means it's time for a brand new challenge over at Two Scrapbook Friends, and yours truly is the host.

We received some fabulous entries last month and although Spring is trying it's best to make an appearance ( I know I for one am desperately trying to soak up every ray of sunshine out there!), I'm hoping you will all still have a chance to play along again this month!

Please remember that every entry linked over on the TSF blog needs to show your interpretation of both the Sketch and the Crafty element.

So without further ado, and continuing with my move into digital, here's this months Sketch:

For the 'Crafty' element of my challenge, I have chosen something which is pretty 'on trend' right now........Confetti!

You don't have to stick to paper of course, although you can if you wish.  Sequins, rhinestones, pearls, enamel dots, eyelets, brads and even paint splatters to name a few, will all work just fine as long as you create a scattered confetti styled element on your design.

Here's my sample:

Don't they say dog owners begin to look like their canine friends?

I started to believe this after I looked at the photo my daughter snapped........Charlie and I wearing the same expression!

For my 'confetti' I used a selection of sequins, pearls and rhinestones......

I also added a paper covered wood veneer circle, a pin/button and the title is cut using my Cameo.

A fairly simple page really, but it makes me happy.

I do hope you'll get a chance to play along with my challenge this month........it's always fascinating to see a sketch used in so many different ways!

Don't forget to link up your creation over on the TSF blog because as always, there's a Gift Certificate to the store up for grabs by one lucky winner!

Well that's about it from me but I'll be back tomorrow, together with the rest of the Little Red Wagon gals.

See you then,
Jayne.x.

Bliss........and a Crafty Challenge.

Good morning.....yes here I am again, less than a day after my last post and I still have Internet!

Oh it feels good to be on-line.

I thought I'd better catch up on a few things, first and foremost a layout I thought I'd posted a couple of weeks ago.

Obviously hadn't!

This one is for the Crafty Challenge I'm hosting this month over on the Two Scrapbook Friends blog.  All you need to do is link up your own entry to be in with a chance of winning a gift certificate to the store.

I do love a good colour combination and quite often scour Pinterest and other websites for inspiring examples.

I found a particularly cool colour combo a little while ago over at Design Seeds (Hint: If you're ever wondering which colour to pair with that particular shade of puce (what colour is puce anyhow?!), this is the place to go.........the photographs alone are enough to kickstart the mojo!).

Anyhow, with this in mind I decided to issue a 'Colour Challenge' as this months Crafty Challenge.

Here are your 'colour contenders':

Nice!

Now you don't have to match the colours exact, as long as there is a definite influence in your creation.

I felt these tones would work beautifully for a Fall page, so for my example, I took the liberty of introducing a little 'red' and 'burnt orange' into the equation too (can't possibly have a Fall page without a little orange now can we?!!)

Bliss.

There's a lot of fussy cutting on here to create the scattered leaves.

I also went to town on the paper layers with four different border punches.

One of my new fave effects is the distressed edge, created using Distress Ink and a Bo Bunny stamp I picked up at the store some time ago.

Papers are definitely from my stash......Imaginisce from at least a couple of years ago I would think, and that just about rounds things up nicely.

Feel free to join in with this months challenge if you get a chance.
You can check out the Two Scrapbook Friends blog post and where to enter here.

Alrighty, I'll be back again tomorrow as it's time for our Little Red Wagon challenge once again.  By that time you'll be totally sick of me after 3 days in a row!

Have a great day,
Jayne.x.

Summer Fun

Technically I'm a day late in posting this, but I'm sure no-one cares.......hopefully!

It was my turn to host yesterday's Crafty Challenge over on the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum, so here's the spiel I delivered there:

"Today I'd like you to move away from the comfort zone!

Go on.....you can do it........right out of there!

Think of what you usually create......then do the opposite.

Think of the tools or embellies you usually use......then reach for something different.

Think of your style, that comfortable, fabulous niche you've spent years trying to establish and perfect..........then throw it out the window, be brave and try something new!

OK maybe that is all a little OTT - sounds more like a movie trailer than a Crafty Challenge, but you get the general idea I'm sure.

For this challenge, you don't have to do everything completely opposite to what you would normally would.......I don't want to push you over the edge here, but choose at least one element (or maybe more if you're feeling brave enough!) and try another direction.

For example:

If you consider yourself primarily a 'Scrapbooker'........make a card.

If you usually create single layouts..........go for a double.

If you always use a plain cardstock background......get some pattern in there.

If you're generally one for the clean and simple modern look.........go for a layered, vintage feel.

If you hate a particular embellishment/technique and would never consider allowing it near one of your creations..........go wild with it.

I have a girlfriend who hates buttons and would never use them on a card or layout........personally I think anyone of this view is quite possible insane (not the friend in question of course!), however my point is we're not judging today so just try it...........what you hate another will love.  You may have fun and discover a new fave in the process.

So............
I am definitely NOT a double layout kinda gal. I'm lucky if I create one per year, so that's what I did.........think I've satisfied my quota for this year!

Generally, I also rarely use a plain cardstock for backgrounds preferring more subtle patterns/textures.

So there are my opposites, and here's my sample:"

Back to today's 'Live' feed.........

I realised when posting yesterday that I'd forgotten to add the journalling strips, right under the word 'FUN' and yep......still haven't gotten around to doing that!  You'll just have to use your imagination.

I got to work on this layout with the Sew Easy Circles tool from We R Memory Keepers.

If there's anyone out there like myself, who has the Sew Easy tool and heads but didn't really use them all that much, I suggest you go out and buy this thing.  It really does give it a whole new lease of life.

More over here, together with a few pennants.

I found some nicely matching flowers in my stash, and made a couple of flags from toothpicks and paper scraps.

Inspiration for this page was from a sketch by Susan Stringfellow over on Sketch Savvy.......you know there was no way I was attacking a double with no Sketch!

Papers are 'On The Sunny Side' from My Minds Eye.

That's it for today so I'll see you tomorrow for another delve into the Little Red Wagon.

Have a good day,
Jayne.x.

Always.

It's Monday, the sun is shining and I'm in a good mood!

Could be something to do with the fact that I had an awesome weekend, scrapping the days (and nights!) away with a fabulous bunch of ladies, lots of great food and general all round fun.  Technically I should be pretty miserable today considering it'll be a fair few months before the next scrapping getaway, but I'm not gonna go there!

Today,  I'm killing two birds with one stone........a Crafty Challenge over on the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum and the first reveal for one of the paper collections I recently got to play with for Scrapfest samples........Down By The Shore from Fancy Pants Designs.

I had a slight dilemma when I was given this collection to work with.

Although I LOVE the colour scheme......can't go wrong with navy blue and red (think Tommy Hilfiger), there's no getting away from the fact that the theme is pretty nautical........extremely nautical actually and did I have one single photograph that encompasses anything remotely of that kind?...........Nope of course not!

Plan B!

Scrapbookers are a pretty resourceful bunch when they need to be, so this is a classic case of using a fairly 'themed' collection, for something entirely different to which it was originally intended.

Oh this is all sounding so very technical so let's get on with it shall we?

Here's my completely 'NON-nautical but oh so lovey dovey' themed page.

Now it's safe to say you would not find my hubby battling the high seas, not in this lifetime anyhow, but the theme of this page was triggered by the caption on one of the tags included in my kit - "Sail away with me".  A little online research delivered a nice little quote to match, and a romantic page was born.

The cute buttons are included in an embellishment pack for this collection, and the flags are made using scraps of paper and toothpicks........mint flavoured no less!

Fancy Pants produce a whole variety of awesome stencil sets and I was given one with wavy lines.  Rather than using the stencil frame for this page, I popped out the inserts, added a little texture paste, inked then stuck them to the page.

 
The focal embellishment for this layout is a collection of torn, rolled paper strips which brings me, finally, to the second reason for today's post.

As it's my turn to deliver this weeks Crafty Challenge over on the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum, I'd like you to rediscover your paper stash.

We all hoard paper I'm sure, but one of the reasons I love it so much is because it's one of the most versatile and economical embellishments out there.  There are 101 things you can do with paper.......tear it, distress it, roll it, ink it, use it like ribbon, stitch it, weave it, crimp it, scrunch it, pleat it, fold it, emboss it, die cut, punch it, curl it......to name but a few!

For this weeks challenge I'd like you to use paper as a focal embellishment on your creation, instead of allowing it to play bridesmaid to the rest of the elements.

My effort includes a little tearing, rolling, tied with jute and placed on a backdrop of cheesecloth.  The perfect little chipboard anchor was also included in the 'button' embellie pack.

And that's it from me.

I hope you enjoy your day, and are lucky enough to have some of the beautiful sunshine we're experiencing here.

I'll see you on Wednesday when I'll be digging into my Little Red Wagon of stash.

Have a good one,
Jayne.x.

Bring Me Sunshine!

Are there any Britt's out there now singing the theme tune to Morcambe and Wise huh?  Come on you can admit it........show your age!

For those in other parts of the globe, I'm guessing you have no clue, so please ignore.

On to today's Blogging creation which comes in the form of a Crafty Challenge I'm hosting this week, over on the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum.

I'm hoping that if enough of you lovely folks join in with this challenge, we might just encourage Spring to arrive a little earlier than the current agenda seems to have planned for us.

Yes.....the theme for this week is 'Sunshine'!

I'd like to see some form or another on your crafty creation, and if Mother Nature just doesn't get the hint, at least we'll all have something to remind us of sunnier days.

Here's my page:

A simple little page today which still seemed to take forever due to all the stitching on there!

The papers and various stickers are Echo Park, together with a few buttons, flower and puffy sticker things I've had in my stash forever.

I do like the new funky pink tape I found for my Dymo labeller.....just the job on here, and I cut the star burst strips using a mask.

Today's layout was inspired by a sketch from Creative Scrappers.

That's about it for today but I'll be back on Wednesday as I'm raiding my wagon to host my first challenge over on Little Red Wagon.

See you then,
Jayne.x.

Dies and Doodles!

Good morning.

I'm back hosting another Crafty Challenge over on the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum this week, the first of the New Year!

This time I'd like to see you use a combination of a couple of my favourite things........Dies and Doodles!

I recently realized that this dynamic duo appear on quite a lot of my creations, so why not challenge the rest of you to do so!

I know a lot of people really don't like doodling especially, but it doesn't have to be too elaborate and quite often, a few lines are enough to complete a scrapbook page or card.

For my sample I made a really simple, quick card using a couple of dies and a white Sharpie for doodling...........oh........and NO colouring! gasp!!

Told you it was simple, but I'm quite liking it in a refreshingly different (for me!) kinda way.

I hope you'll feel inspired to dig out the pens and die cuts for this one.

Enjoy your day,
Jayne.x.
---------------------------------------------
Challenges entered:
The Unstampabelles Challenges - #19 Use one or more Dies

Supersize!

Welcome to the last day of 2012, which also happens to be my turn to host the final Crafty Challenge over at the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum.

For this one I'd like to see something on your card, scrapbook page or any other creation that is 'Supersized' meaning something of above average proportions.

You may choose a large photo, or a particular embellishment such as a large flower, button etc, or what about some huge alpha's on there?

Doesn't matter what it is, as long as it's enlarged to a size more than what would be considered average.

For my sample, I created a layout and chose to supersize a banner.

As you can see, other than the solitary photograph, the banner with it's over sized pennants, provides the main focal point for this page.

I also love the rather large Mason jar, cut from one of the patterned papers (Dear Lizzy 'Neapolitan' collection from American Crafts) to hold the title, and set on a lightly misted background.

A few more feminine embellies......

and a scattering of pretty buttons, finish the page.

Inspiration for today's layout was provided by the July sketch in Scrap 365.

So it's a fond farewell to 2012 and a warm welcome to 2013.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to visit my blog this year, especially those leaving comments or links to various forums.......I really do appreciate every one of you.

Wishing you all a safe and Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you in 2013.
Take care,
Jayne.x.

A 'Fussy' kind of challenge.

Happy Monday.

Did ya get snow over the weekend, did ya, did ya, huh?

This is a slight under exaggerated impression of my kiddo's who were pretty thrilled to see a covering of the white stuff over the last couple of days.........me......not so much!

Looks like it will be a long winter....yay!

Anyhow happier thoughts.

Today I have a Crafty Challenge for you, which I'm hosting over on the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum this week.

I thought we'd get a little fussy.......with the scissors that is.  Grab your patterned papers, stamps, digital images or anything you might have a slight grudge against, and cut the heck out of it.

Doesn't matter whether you create a card, scrapbook page or anything else which takes your fancy, just go for it.

I have a scrapbook page for you as an example, another showcasing one of our summer family activities earlier this year.

Awesome Niagara Falls.

So here's the fussy cutting we've mentioned, not in the least time consuming I know, but usually worth the end result.

A collection of flowers, punched butterflies, die cuts etc.

And a few more, together with lace and alpha beads, for a little added texture.

Papers are from My Minds Eye's 'Indie Chic' and the layout was inspired by sketch #51 over at Sketch Savvy.

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you in a couple of days.
Jayne.x.

One Big Kiss!

Welcome to another Monday morning.......always amazes me how quickly they seem to roll around.

It's time for another Crafty Challenge over on the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum, and for this weeks challenge I'd like to see you 'Layer It Up'!

Create a card, scrapbook page or anything really with lots of layers on there.

You can choose to layer just one item.....papers, embellies, photo's etc, or you can combine a number of things, the choice is yours.

You can also choose to layer just one area of your project or the whole thing.

For my example, I layered the whole page......nothing like getting your point across!

My page contains a variety of layers.........die cuts, stickers and tags........

trim......

flowers and punched papers.........

washi tape flowers and tags......

Papers on this page are from the Authentique 'Fresh' collection.

If you'd like to join in with this weeks Crafty Challenge, don't forget to upload your creation to the Two Scrapbook Friends Gallery and Forum by November 15, in order to collect your buttons.

That's it from me so have a great day and I'll see you later in the week,
Jayne.x.

Bring out the Brads!

Good morning and a happy Monday to ya!

Saturday I had an awesome day of scrapping with a wonderful group of ladies (big thanks to Christa and Ann for all your hard work) and was pretty productive for a change!

Today I was going to post the last project from my recent DT Kit, but realized sometime over the weekend that I had almost (but not quite!) forgotten that it's my turn for this weeks 'Crafty Challenge' over on the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum.

With that said, the final installment of Prima's Doodle-Deux will have to wait until later in the week........I'm sure you can stand the suspense, yes?!!

Anyhow, on with the challenge.

Today I thought we'd take things back a little once again.

I'd like you to use some of those once loved (and probably forgotten!) embellies...........Brads or Eyelets!

These little beauties have had somewhat of a revival in the scrapbooking world recently, and I for one am guilty of not using them as much as I should.

So here's your chance to dig them out and put them to good use. If you've been scrapbooking for 5 years or more I know you have some in your stash somewhere, so come on ladies, let's see what you can do with them.

Here's my page for today, using Simple Stories 'Fabulous'.

I used brads to create a couple of circles on my layout but you can do whatever you please.

A little touch of sewing (thanks Dee for reminding me to do this!) and we're done.

I hope you'll get a chance to play along with this weeks challenge......don't forget to upload to the Gallery and Forum and I look forward to seeing what you create. 

I'll be back here before you know it so till then, enjoy,
Jayne.x.

Extreme White Space!

It's time for another Crafty Challenge over on the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum, and Yours Truly is here to deliver the goods.

For today's challenge, instead of using a particular technique or embellishment, I thought we'd change things up a little and try a particular style of scrapbooking.

Some may call it minimalist, but I see quite a lot of pages in this style throughout magazines and the Internet, that contain quite a large amount of detail and embellishments, so I prefer to think of it as 'Extreme White Space'!

I'm sure you've seen layouts that showcase one small photograph, with a variety of techniques or embellishments condensed into one small area of a 12" by 12" page?

Well that's what I'm referring to......they don't call it a Crafty 'Challenge' for nothing right?

It's not a style I usually employ as the urge to add more most often wins, but I was up for the challenge so here's my page.

I realize I may have took liberties just a little, as my patterned paper has some detailing of it's own in the top right corner, but I guess I had to get my fix of adding more somehow!

Don't be put off this challenge by thinking you can't go to town on one of these pages, as you can still cram quite a lot of detail on there......just into a smaller area.

I kept things fairly simple on my layout, and probably could have added more, but even on here there are 12 different techniques/embellishments in that one small space.

I hope you'll give this one a try and have some fun with it as I surprisingly did!
I'd also love to see your creations so don't forget to upload them to the Gallery and Forum.....there are buttons to be gained of course.

See you next time,
Jayne.x.