GYSO #1

On my hunt around cyberspace for new sketch sites, I found Get Your Sketch On - a brand new sketch blog which launched on the 1st January.

This is my layout based on sketch #1


I used Crate Paper Snow Day for this page, which documents the traditions we have about our Christmas Dinner. I replaced one of the photo spaces with a journalling block, for 2 reasons. One was that I had a lot to say (nothing new there), and secondly as the photos taken of me at the table were just awful. Now I am trying to embrace my captured image, but these ones were just too bad. There is embracing, and there is humiliating...

TTFN



xxxx

Dinosaurs!

Wow, it's Sunday already?? How did that happen. Oh yeah, work happened...

Plus I have been working on some DT work, that I can't share just yet. Yay, I've always wanted to put that in a blog post!!

Anyhow, here is something I can share. Card #2 in my quest to use only scraps to make cards in 2011.

I used a card sketch from the brand spanking new Sketch Support site. This is Allison Davis's new site showcasing all things sketchy. And this week the sketch was a card sketch. So I took the sketch and rotated it, as I wanted to use this chipboard dinosaur.

Would you believe I bought a whole box of BasicGrey just for these chipboard dinosaurs? Yep, I bet you do. I have been coveting them, and now I think it's time to use the stash not just look at it ;) The whole card is made from scraps, all BasicGrey Archaic scraps. And the sentiment is an Elzybells stamp.

My card collection is growing, and I'm enjoying making cards again. The sketches I am finding out in blog land help alot ;)

Off to play with more sketches...

TTFN

xxxx

Today...

• I tackled the ironing mountain, and defeated it.
• I took the car to the garage, and didn't look like a complete girl when trying to explain what was wrong with it.
• I failed to get Jemma out of bed before 10am for the second day on the trot even with an alarm clock. Not looking forward to tomorrow morning, trying to prise her out of her pit at 7.30...
• I think I should get a job with the UN, as I have been dealing with warring factions (ie. siblings) all day.
• I am looking forward to the kids being back at school tomorrow.
• I am making lists.
• I am thinking about decluttering. Only thinking.
• I am trying not to feel guilty about having overdue library books. I hate being late with anything.
• I'm wondering what this year will bring for us, and trying not to worry too much.
• I'm gearing up for change.
• I'm still striving for balance.
• I have nothing crafty to share today.

That is all.

What's happening in your world today?

TTFN

xxxx

Twice as Sassy...

My fellow Sassie Pia set up a challenge over at the Sassy Lil' Sketches Forum to see if anyone was willing to join her by making cards this year only out of scraps. Now I have a large scrap folder bursting to the seams with scraps, so I said "Why not" and put my pledge in for 26 cards made out of scraps for 2011. This is number 1.

Now my title says "Twice as Sassy". There is a reason for this.

1. I used a Sassy Lil Card Sketch - this is the sketch from 14th December

2. The image on the card is a Sugar Nellie Simply Sassy stamp! This little cutie is called Bella Bunting, and you can get her here.

I coloured her in with my ProMarkers, and then hunted through my scraps for some, erm, scraps! The polka dot is from October Afternoon, and all the cardstock is Bazzill. The sentiment stamp is from a Studio G stamp set. The flower is made from a leftover piece of a punched border, gathered into a circle and then a button added on top.

I'm not a confident colourer, but these stamps are just so lovely to colour in! I even managed to make her have a hairdo like mine, with a few streaks in, and she also has my hazel eyes LOL. I know that this is one image I will turn to again and again.

TTFN


xxxx

London, Baby, Yeah!

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would use an Austin Powers quote as a layout title LOL. But I did, as it was perfect for my page ;)

I used a sketch from the Launch party for Creative Soup - a new challenge forum that started on the 1st January. Be sure to head over and see what they are cooking up - there is going to be alot of inspiration from the girls to get your creative juices flowing!

I used an American Crafts page kit that I bought at TK Maxx (complete bargain too) and was delighted to find a sheet of patterned paper with a tube map on it! Just perfect for a London page! The photos were taken on Westminster Bridge, just in front of the Houses of Parliament, as we were crossing to go for a trip on the London Eye.

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics

Patterned Paper, ribbon, badge buttons, alpha stickers - American Crafts

Chipboard circle and arrow - Maya Road

Thread - DMC

I am really enjoying my rejuvenated mojo this week! I love to have a few layouts under my belt early on in the year! I'm hoping to make a few cards this week too - I have one in progress on my desk, and a couple of sketches to help me along :)

TTFN

xxxx

Scrapping with scraps

When I saw the 28th December sketch at Sassy Lil' Sketches, I knew I had some photos that would work just perfectly. I had been flicking through my storage albums, and came across photos of Jemma at her 3rd birthday party. One of them had been taken by a friend using an Advantix camera, which when printed out was a long thin photo. Pulling out my scraps box, I found the perfect paper to go with Jemma's cute dress - I adored that outfit.

So, armed with a retro flower punch, a pair of scissors and the Spellbinder dies my Mum sent me for Christmas, I set about dissecting the papers to add as embellishments to a hand stitched circle. And check me out - no kraft cardstock in sight!!
I cut my title from funky foam, and added a generous amount of Stickles for some sparkle. I really do like how this turned out! I really love the combination of aqua and fuschia. A lovely girly layout of my not very girly girl!

Journalling reads -

@ three

You had just become a big sister.
You loved the Fun Song Factory.
You had a joint birthday party with your best friend Daniel.
You loved going swimming.
You went to First Steps nursery.
You played outside every night.

I was quite amazed about how much I could write about Jemma from when she was 3. It was 8 nearly 9 years ago, and I had a demanding newborn to deal with, but I suppose there are just some things that stick in your memory. I'm sure there are plenty more things that didn't, but I'm happy that something did stick.

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics

Patterned Papers - BoBunny Press, Sassafrass Lass

Funky Foam - Craft Planet

Dies - Spellbinders, Sizzix Sizzlet "Nouveau" and "Chunkadelic" alphabets

Punch - PaperShaper Retro flower

Flowers - Prima marketing

Glitter - Stickles glitter glue

Thread - DMC

I hope you have all recovered from seeing in the New Year. Today is another quiet day, well it is for some... I am in to work this afternoon, for my sins. Himself has gone to the gym, I think he realises that he maybe has over indulged a wee bit this holiday season, so this is him starting the New Year health kick off...


TTFN



xxxx

A Lil' bit Sassy...

... no really, I am!



I am honoured to announce that I have been picked by Katie and Cherie to be on the Layout Design Team for Sassy Lil' Sketches! I am still in complete shock, and when I read the e-mail I just bounced around the house with the biggest smile on my face! Thank you, girls, for giving me this fantastic opportunity. I'm so excited to be working with such a talented bunch of scrappers and card makers!
I am a 7th Sassie, so my first reveal is on 7th February. I cannot wait. O. M. G. as my 11 year old would say LOL.

To finish off the year, I spent a little time in my craft room. I picked a Sassy Lil' Sketch from November 7th, and printed out a couple of photos from Christmas Day. Every year I try to scrap one page about Christmas before the New Year, and I just squeaked in with this one! The light isn't great in our lounge, and Mark did use the flash on some photos, but I didn't like the harshness the flash put into the photo, choosing instead the grainier more natural looking shots.




These photos are probably 2 of my favourites from the year. I don't normally like photos with me in them, but this year I have started to embrace the concept of me being captured on film... I don't think I will be starting to take self portraits in a mirror just yet, but I realised that there aren't many photos about of me around. So, it's a case of suck it up, and grin and bear it for the sake of the occasional photo, even if it is just to prove that I was there!

I managed to make this layout entirely from scraps - I had some October Afternoon and BasicGrey seasonal papers lying about, and they were just the job. I am working on not making a layout using Kraft Bazzill too! I realised that I have used Kraft as a base for my last 6 layouts, maybe more... I do love it so!

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics

Patterned Paper - October Afternoon, BasicGrey

Alphabet stickers - American Crafts

25th December tag - Shabby Chic

Flowers - Prima Marketing (I think!)

Buttons - from my button jars

I hope you all gave 2011 a great welcome. We went to the cairn in Hopeman, making it with seconds to spare! We had become engrossed playing Game of Life on the Wii, and left later than we were planning! We met our friends at the cairn, and then the men went on the beach and let off some fireworks - but we didn't let the brisk wind and horizontal drizzle dampen our enjoyment of the "display"! We headed back to a friends house for nibbles and refreshements - in my case a cup of tea, I needed warming up - and a bit of Just Dance 2 and Michael Jackson Experience on the Wii. We headed home just after 2 am, and fell into bed. I am hoping for a quiet day today, and a lovely roast beef dinner at teatime!

Enjoy the start of this shiny new year, whatever your plans for the day may be! Hoping 2011 is a happy, healthy and creative one!

TTFN

xxxx