Good Day Sunshine!

Aside from the irony of my title as there isn't a glimpse of sunshine to be found out there today (!), I've created my own little piece of sunshine inside as I have a day off......yay!!!!

Time to finally get that Christmas tree finished as the decorations have been lying around half hung since Friday.

First though more important things.......blogging!

I was checking through a bunch of completed scrapbook pages lying on my desk, as I had a feeling I'd probably missed posting one or two here and there.  Sure enough I found one from way back in the Summertime.

I'm not sure why I didn't get around to blogging this one because it happened to be one of my faves at the time.  Papers were from one of my Two Scrapbook Friends DT kits using the 'Truly Scrumptious' collection by The Paper Loft.  This page happens to be the second page I created as the first was posted way back here.

Good Day Sunshine

A beach selfie from our Summer camping trip, wisely positioned to show head and shoulders only! Lol

This page is another example of my present love for embossing powders as there are random doodled circles in the background.

The title was cut using a freebie file for the Silhouette from Kerri Bradford, and there's a bunch of stamping, paint splatters and stenciled molding paste in the background too.

Lots of layering with patterned papers and more cut files here........

And a nice little cluster of embellies to tie in with those on the opposite side of the page.......I was a good girl for using up my flower stash!

I think that's about all so I hope you find your own little piece of sunshine today.

Have a good one and I'll be back again later this week,
Jayne.x.

Inspiration Elevator #27 - Go BIG or Go Home.

Good morning.......a delightful Monday morning no less!

It also happens to be the 15th of the month, which means it's time for another generous helping of inspiration from all of the creative ladies at Inspiration Elevator.

Our main purpose here at IE is to challenge ourselves, each other and YOU to take the creative process to the next level;  to inspire growth and change in our scrapbooking beyond the mundane.

You can see all of Inspiration Elevator's previous challenges at our blog and catch us on Facebook .

We are thrilled to welcome back as a guest designer with our team, the very talented Christine Meyer!

This month's challenge is issued by the creative Christa Uttley. Here is her challenge for us, in her own words:

 GO BIG OR GO HOME: Scrapbookers as a rule use what photos they have on 
hand or if you are designing, whatever pictures allow you to best 
showcase your lines or express your paper lines. This month's challenge 
is to be very deliberate about your photo choice because we are going 
BIG! Bigger than 8x10 if you can do it. Recently, I saw a friend using a 
12x12 she had printed at the local
Costco and was stunned at the power this GIANT image had on her story
telling. (If you'd rather not spend any extra on your photo then scrap
those large baby pictures or a wedding shot you have lying around.)
Think scenic vistas or think about all the details that go missing in
your world and blow them up. Be brave!

 Here are the MUST DO's: Must be at least 8x10 in size. We want this
GIANT photo to take centre stage and tell the story in a big way.

So there you have it........BIG is the word!

I must admit, this kind of challenge has been on my scrapbooking bucket list for quite some time.  I'm so glad I finally get the nudge I needed in order to accomplish the task.

I chose a photograph from our recent camping trip, and had the print developed at Costco as an 8"x12" for $1.99.......pretty reasonable I'd say!  I'm already thinking of my next 'oversized' project, but first, here's the result of this month's endeavor:

Summer Daze

There's one thing for sure when you're scrapping large photographs - you can complete a page fairly efficiently as there isn't an awful lot of room to fit too much on the page!

I started with the 'Homemade' collection of papers from Pebbles, and if you were over here on Friday when I posted this layout, you may remember me saying how much I LOVE this line.  I actually did run out and buy extras to make sure I could complete another 1 or 2 pages with them!

Today's effort is page #2.

Layers of torn paper and 'faux' stitched edges create the background........

The pretty flowers are fussy cut from a sheet of PP, and there's a vine tucked in there from a Silhouette cut file.

Another fussy cut flower, plus a single piece of flare provide the sunshine........

Finally the title is made up of Thickers and another Silhouette cut.........

That's just about all.

Here's a list of this months participating designers......we encourage you to check out each of their creations, then head on back to try the challenge yourself:

Christa Uttley

Wendi Robinson

Katherine Sutton

Lisa Moen

Lisa Speigel

Ann Jobes

Jayne Morgan - that's me!

Guest Designer: Christine Meyer

Now it's your turn to 'Go Big' and get creating.  Just remember to link up over at the IE blog as we'd love to see your 'BIG' inspiration!

Have a great day,

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.

Little Red Wagon #244 - Summer

Hi there.

I hope you're enjoying your summer vacation so far.  I'm making the most of it while my parents are here for their annual visit.

Today's challenge over at........

is perfectly appropriate for this time of year, as Rosanne would like to see anything with a Summery theme.

My Mom's Birthday just happens to be occurring this week, so I went with a Summery Birthday card:

I kept things clean and simple, but played around with this one by painting some watercolours onto a mini 'sunburst' place card (Jillibean Soup), then added a stamped image.  The touches of black provide a nice contrast.

Why not absorb a little sunshine yourself and create your own 'Summer' themed project?  Just link up over on the blog and don't forget to check out a little inspiration from the rest of the Girlfriends while you're there.

I'm hoping to be back again this week as I still have a backlog of scrapbook layouts to post!

Enjoy the sunshine and have a great day,
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.

Oh the places you'll go........

I still have one last layout to reveal from a Two Scrapbook Friends DT Kit, using the 'Pool Party' collection from Pebbles Inc.  It seems such a long time ago, I'd practically forgotten about it!

Anyhow, this ones another bright, summery page perfect for today.

Here's 'Forever Friends':

I used a glassine envelope, scrunched to hold a journal tag.  I couldn't resist using the quote from Dr Seuss.....I just added a little extra on the end, referring to my daughter's bear she takes EVERYWHERE!

This time he's catching a ride in the back of her trike, so I placed a 'Polaroid' style frame over top of the photograph to highlight.

I love the title on this one.

I used one of those chipboard stencils (Fancy Pants I believe), pushed the letters out then used the stencil to first ink, and then stencil with a sharpie pen.  I finally added the original letters themselves.

My Lucky 8 Punch from We R Memory Keepers was used to create the shaped circle, and also their Sew Easy Circle Tool, this time with a 'zig-zag' head to create the stitching.

Finally, an easy peasy vellum banner......I say easy peasy because they're part of this collection and ready made for you......just have to stick em' on there!

I added a couple of pinwheel stickers and lollipop sticks for a little extra.

Wow that was a lot of photographs!

I'll be back next week with something......not sure what yet - I'll see where the creative juices (or time allowance!) take me.

Have a great weekend, enjoying the sunshine I hope.
Take care,
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.

@ The Beach

Hi there, how's it going?

Time for another scrapbook layout and a sketch on here today, as it's my turn to host a Sketchy Challenge over on the Two Scrapbook Friends Forum.

For this weeks sketch, I thought I'd use a recent page as inspiration, and as the weather actually feels a little 'summery' once again, the timing is perfect.

Here's  Sketch #16

The circle base grounds things nicely, and there's still plenty of space to add your own flare.

Here's my page using an awesome summer themed collection from Pebbles Inc.......'Pool Party'.

This collection includes a variety of vellum, ready stitched banners which means the hard work is done for you!

I did try out a new Nestability for the flowers and gave them acrylic/pearl centers.

And that's all.

Enjoy your day and I'll be back, sooner rather than later.....hopefully!

Take care,
Jayne.x.

Beach babe!

Good morning, I'm flying in and out here with a teeny, tiny card.......I just didn't want you to think I'd forgotten y'all by neglecting my blog for another day!

Anyhow today's card is NOT square......how about that? It's also extremely small, as this is one of the largest circular dies I have (still not very large!). Hence it's also pretty clean and simple, due to not having any room to fit anything else on there.

No matter, it's another Saturated Canary image, so that's cute enough all alone.........



This California Babe was coloured up for a couple of reasons:

#1 To enter challenge #11 "Shaped Cards" over on the Saturated Canary challenge blog.......well, I didn't quite make the deadline for this one!

#2 To enter Sharlene's challenge over on the Two Scrapbook Friends forum, which was to create a card or scrapbook page showing some Summer attire.

I did meet the deadline for this one, but felt it safer for everyone concerned if you were looking at this bathing beauty in her swimsuit, rather than me!!!!

She's coloured with a combination of Promarker's and Copic's.........



and the only other addition is the Martha Stewart ribbon I can't get enough of (spritzed with a little water and scrunched) and a starfish sequin from the dollar store...........


That's all folks, but I'll be back tomorrow because it's Sketchy Wednesday over on the Two Scrapbook Friends forum, and guess who's up for the challenge this week?

See you then
Jayne.x.

Hey Sunshine!

I'm back because I've been playing again.......joining in with another challenge at the Two Scrapbook Friends online crop, in the forum.

This time I tried Shelby's challenge 'Let the Sunshine In', meaning you have to include a 'sun' somewhere on your project. I guess I could have used the last scrapbook page I did here, but no.....I had a plan! Always a little worrying when that runs through my head, as things can sometimes turn ugly if 'the plan' doesn't go 'as planned'.......know what I mean?!

Anyhow, fortunately for me (and you!) things went 'to plan', but I'm just not entirely sure about the end result! I'll let you be the judge.............


So I'm thinking that my 'sun' is now a little weird and doesn't look much like a 'sun'! Couple of reasons for this I guess......first I didn't want to use sunshiny colours - they don't match my photo! Nope this sun had to be 100% girly.....think we achieved that!

Secondly, well I got a little snip happy with my trimmer and should have maybe had a 'plan'. I had the general idea in my head, but as this is the new me.......no faffing, primping etc, I cut and stuck it on there. Well that will teach me I guess......back to procrastination 101!

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the outcome, I just hope viewers will get the idea that it's meant to resemble a sun. Hint: the title is a clue!

Enough waffling, back to details, and this is a big one........I finally dusted off my sewing machine! For months, no years now I have been meaning to dig it out, as I always love the look on cards and layouts, but usually resort to hand sewing. To be honest, when I'm scrapping upstairs and my machine is two floors down in the basement......those two flights of stairs are the deciding factor!

Bone idle I know, but when faced with the choice of hand sewing every 'ray' on this 'sun', my legs have never moved so fast! So glad I did though as I love it, and I'm pretty sure you'll be seeing quite a bit more of it in future.



Papers today are from the We R Memory Keepers valentine line 'Love Struck', and nope there is no sketch.....just 'a plan'! (lol). I used sticker alpha's from Cosmo Cricket and chipboard from Bella Blvd for the title, together with some dollar store crocheted lace...........



The charm is another dollar store find, tied with a little Bakers Twine............



Well that's about all from me, but hopefully I'll be back again tomorrow with a card.
See you then
Jayne.x.

Summer days..........

Hello. Thought I'd hop on here with another quick scrapbook page. I got a chance to join in with one of the challenges yesterday for the Two Scrapbook Friends Online Crop.

This particular challenge was from Christa, a fellow member of the DT, to use some of your Summer stash. Is it any surprise I got to work on this one first.........I have plenty of stash! My layout uses last years Pink Paislee papers and embellishments...........


For the last 18 hours or so I have battled the temptation to fill the white space! Now I am finally at peace and no longer feel the need to stick more on there. Could this be the new me?

I'm actually quite happy with the outcome and the whole process......no faffing, worrying, need for perfection........well maybe a little of the perfection part! I almost caved when my eldest dd looked at it and said 'it looks a little bare'.......but no, be strong, she is 8....I am.......well anyhow, I'm standing my ground!

The title was conveniently pre-made for me by a banner strip, and I added pieces cut from the PP with a few Dew Drops.......



My stash of yellow buttons helped with the circle and the pennants are made from the excess I cut from the title.........

Finally, I quite like the thermometer I cut from the PP to form a sun, and popped behind a die cut cloud.............


That's all for today, but I'll be back this week with various bits and bobs!
Have a great day
Jayne.x.

Life is..............sweet!

Well, it's Bellarific Friday tomorrow over at Stamping Bella's Bloggabella, and the theme is Anything Goes. Also, for anyone who didn't know, it's the last week for entries to the open DT call. Ooooh, exciting stuff, can't wait to see who wins as there have been more than 50 examples of super phenomenal talent every Friday, for the last 4 weeks.

Anyhow, enough rambling, here is my effort for this week.

'Life is....sweet!'.......presented by 'the Turtle Tots'...........

I had fun colouring these 3 summerliscious babes as they are so cute. I remembered to choose my DP's first for a change (which made life a lot easier when colouring!) so I like how the 'striped dress' especially, matches perfectly. I really should do that more often........someone remind me please..........

I coloured solely with Prisma's and Gamsol, apart from the one shade of pale blue I didn't have, and had to use a Copic marker. DP's are from Fancy Pants 'Rustic Sun' line. I used a little Glossy Accents for the sweet treats the turtles are holding, and found a chipboard ice-cream in my stash, which I covered and inked. I was super pleased when I noticed the reverse of one of the papers was perfect for the cone, so that worked out nicely! Ribbon and Dew Drops from my stash, together with some 'faux' stitching and we're done.

Have a 'sweet' weekend.

The last days of Summer..........

......or at least 'Summer' themed cards that is. Just a very quick post with my final 'Summerish' card this week. This will be entered into 2 challenges I found whilst scouting around.

A new challenge blog by 7 Kids College Fund started up within the last couple of weeks, and looks like it should be fun. Their first challenge involved 'pink' and 'dots' so here goes.........




The stamp is from The Greeting Farm and was coloured with mostly Copic's and just a touch of Prisma's for skin shading. DP's are who knows........the remains of my wagon stash, as is pretty much everything on this card!

I do like the look of the Martha Stewart border punch,which I believe is actually 'dripping paint', but I thought looks quite good for a melting hot Summer theme. That leads me nicely into the other challenge I'll be entering this card into. The theme for challenge #26 over at One Stitch At A Time Challenge Blog is 'Pack A Punch', ie. use any punch or punches on a card.


That's it for now. I think I'll chill for the next couple of days!

Party.......

So, I'm back with this weeks Summer creation #2. This card is for a challenge on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog entitled 'Summertime Blues' i.e. produce a Summery creation with 'blue' in there. I used a great 'House Mouse' stamp I've had for a while called 'Lemon Lips'..........

.......I love these two little guys - Maxwell and Mudpie apparently - they bring a smile to my face every time I see those pouty little lips!

I coloured with a combo of Copic's and Prisma's/Gamsol and it was a little tricky let me tell ya! Me being me, I bought the stamp cause I liked it, but never gave a thought to the colouring (you'd think I would have!). Two minutes into colouring and I finally realize I have to tackle the shading of the glass, liquid through glass, ice through glass and liquid, mouse through glass, mouse through liquid and glass.......get the picture. Mild panic to say the least, however, trooper that I am, I persevered and I'm pretty proud of my first attempt.

I'm not sure which DP's I used because yet again I dug into my wagon of stash. I did use a border sticker and alpha's from the Echo Park Sweet Summertime collection. I also stamped the slice of lime and parasol separately and popped from the card.

So, cocktails anyone? I have a great little image (which I will colour one day!) of a Grandma with cocktail in hand saying "I don't care what time it is.....it's 5 o'clock somewhere!"

Enjoy......

Summertime..........

Just popping in, to post a juicy little summertime card I created for a couple of challenges. It seems every challenge I checked out this week is calling for a summer theme, so I will be back over the next couple of days with more variations on that theme.

First up, Digital Pencil Too Challenge Blog are calling for creations using the following photo as inspiration.........

.......I can't help but think of summer with this mouthwatering citrus colour palette, so here's what I came up with..........

The image is of course Mo Manning's Pool Party with the adorable characters Bella and her dog Bronte. I love her podgy little tummy (Bella's that is!) and scrawny little legs - too cute!

I'm also entering this card over at Little Red Wagon, for challenge #41 where the theme is.....of course......you guessed it.........a Summer theme.

I coloured with Prisma pencils and Gamsol, and I wish I could tell you which PP's I used but unfotunately, I dug into my scraps and can't remember!

See you tomorrow.......