How To Make Scrap Paper Flowers {Scrap Sunday}

Do you ever have days when you really want to be creative but you lack inspiration and ideas? When you know that if you start a new project (or try to finish a work in progress) that you'll just end up frustrated? Well, here's a suggestion. Do something really simple.

When I'm feeling less than inspired I focus my attention on making embellishments. Often the process of making embellishments is simple, but time consuming and I often find myself reluctant to spend time creating them when I want to finish a layout or mini-album quickly. So, every so often, I sit down with a box of scrap paper or ribbon, crank up the stereo and spend a couple of hours making pretty things. Tea and biscuits are optional, but they do make the process a lot more enjoyable!

These cute, little paper flowers are really very simple to make and a very useful way to use up all your paper scraps, so don't be throwing any of them away. Start by cutting circles of paper/cardstock in a variety of sizes, then distress the edges using a craft knife - be careful, I'm accepting no blame for lost fingers, okay?

Once all of your circles are distressed, layer them all up into little stacks - varying the size of the base so that you end up with different sized flowers. To finish, use your craft knife to make a small hole through the middle of your stack and pop a brad through the middle to hold the layers together. Voila!

Now just set all of your embellishments aside ready for the return of your scrapbooking inspiration, use them to decorate gifts or add them to a chain to make spring themed bunting. So many possibilites!

Waste Not, Want Not

At some point over the past few years I have started to display certain tendencies. I have a particular piece of wood for the soul purpose of stirring paint tins; I have a burgeoning collection of (slightly musty, secondhand) books; and I can't seem to throw anything away. It seems that I am destined to become my own father - aren't little girls supposed to end up like their mothers? Oh well!

The thing is, while my dad has a double garage and a workshop in which to store his growing collection of things that 'will come in handy one day', I don't have the luxury of space. If I keep collecting these 'one day' items from car boot sales, hoarding broken things, and accepting bits and pieces that my friends and family no longer need or want, we'll soon need to extend the house.

A very, very small selection of some of my 'one day' items.

So, I've decided to focus my efforts and each week I will be sharing my 'waste not, want not' projects with you. You'll be seeing some delicious eye candy, tutorials and links to other inspirational projects that will have you making the most of what you already have. I hope you'll join me next Wednesday for my first Waste Not Wednesday! Exciting!

Tickled Pink {Flickr Favourites}

My favourite shades as a teenager, even as a twenty something, were always strong, bold colours. I always felt as though lighter shades were 'washed out' and a little insipid. Yet, here I am, admitting to a fascination with shades of the palest pinks. Not a colour I ever thought I would embrace. But how could you not, when there's eye candy like this?

1. For Kristin, 2. Carnation Or "And Now For Something Completely Different", 3. 192, 4. Strawberry Drops

These are the kind of soft, romantic images that make me want to wear cute, floral dresses, picnic in the sunshine and run, barefoot, through spring meadows. Please tell me I'm not alone.

You can head on over to see more beautiful photography with Mitsy & Co, who've been rounding up their own favourites this week. And don't forget that you're also welcome to join in!

Motivation {Fashion Forward}

After spotting several comments on last week's Fashion Forward from ladies who felt they would need a month long detox, a personal trainer or liposuction before they would be confident enough to wear a cut-out dress in public, I thought that maybe I should confess that I feel much the same way - I couldn't wear it, even though I think it's fabulous!

Maybe, I should also confess that many of the outfits I feature are aspirational - not just because I choose some astronomically expensive pieces - but also because one day I hope to be able to walk into a store and buy myself an outfit just like the ones I put together each week, without fearing the image that will look back at me from the mirror?

Maybe I should also confess that for me, creating these outfits each week keeps me motivated?

English Rose by OPCreative featuring TopShop

Items in this set: Chiffon High Neck Dress, £50, Topshop; Shoes, £175, ShopSavannahs.com; Patience Clutch, £19, calypso-celle.com; Pink Large Rose Earrings, £10, debenhams.com; and My Pink Rose Ring, £6.49, shopruche.com

Let's just say that I am not quite as slender as I once was - and I was by no means waifish. I was a gym bunny - you could not keep me away - and I was gearing myself up to enter a half marathon. A couple of injuries later and I found it very difficult to start exercising again. I couldn't do quite as much as I was used to, so I felt like a failure and stopped trying altogether. Not the right attitude to have at all!

Now I miss being fit and healthy, but knowing myself only too well, I am trying very hard not to start off too quickly or expect too much from myself in terms of results. So, I'm going slowly. Very slowly. For the past month I've been walking every day, increasing my distance or my speed and, at the end of the month, I will start to introduce some running. Well. Okay. Jogging.

Whilst my focus is mainly on becoming more fit and healthy, a drop in dress size would definitely be welcome. So, my motivation is simple. I have a wardrobe full of beautiful clothes (and some tragic ones, but let's focus on the beautiful) which I cannot fit into. As an extra incentive, The Steve has promised to buy me a new dress when I reach my goal weight/size - and I'm currently looking fondly at an image of this beauty of a dress from Topshop every time I feel my enthusiasm waiver.

Funny what keeps you plodding along, isn't it?

For more fashion inspiration then please head on over to see Katherine at Paper Pocket and check out the posts from the other Fashion Forward ladies.

The Southern Adventure {Scrap Sunday}

Although I'm going to miss being a part of the Design Team for All About Me, I am definitely looking forward to concentrating on some of my own scrapbooking projects. I certainly have enough 'works in progress' to keep my occupied, so maybe I shouldn't be getting myself so excited about starting a new project. But....I just can't help it!

Last year my parents took a roadtrip of sorts, visiting the coast and cities in the southern part of our little island. They spent three weeks hopping from town to city and from city to coast - and, of course, they took a lot of photographs. When they returned, I offered to put their photographs together into a scrapbook and suggested that they annotate a few of the photographs for me so that I could add a little bit of detail.

It's taken a while, but my dad has finally put together the first half of their 'Southern Adventure' - it seems I'm not the only person in the family to take lots of photographs, keep tourist information and collect postcards. It's in a shoebox. The first half!

A mini-book is not going to cut it. So, I've had a little bit of a think and I'm going to create a full album, complete with fold outs and pockets. Of course, I'll be sharing my progress as I go along, but in the meantime, I'd really appreciate it if you'd let me know what you think of the colour scheme I've chosen and some of the embellishments I've put together. I'm aiming for a prettier style than normal, so all feedback will be welcomed. Thanks x

A Saturday Stroll

I love walking around my local neighbourhood because, despite the fact I've lived here for quite some time, I will always discover something - a new route, a view I didn't know existed or the perfect house (that I can dream of owning some day in the future.)

I found a run down little house just last week, with the perfect view across the hills, but on that trip I didn't have a camera with me. I'll be sure to take some photographs to share with you soon.

Today, I chose a slightly different route - because my curiousity got the better of me and because I wanted to head towards the park so that I could feed the ducks! I think they were pleased to see me. Obviously now that spring has arrived and the lake has thawed, everyone has forgotten about them. But not me, never fear!

Once the ducks were fed, I headed on towards Church Hill and arrived in time to hear the bells ringing four o'clock. The sun was low in the sky and the view was pretty spectacular. (You'll have to imagine it, the camera in my mobile phone isn't all that wonderful.)

After a brief stop to take in the view, it was homeward bound for a well earned cup of tea and a piece of carrot cake. It's what weekends are all about! What have you been up to today?

In The Year I Was Born

I am a child of the 1970's - but only just. I don't really remember flares, platform shoes and the days of disco. It seems, though, that my birth year was eventful - the first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, was elected here in the UK; the Sony Walkman was released at a cost of $200; the first snowboard was invented; Idi Amin was deposed in Uganda; hostages were taken at the American Embassy in Iran; Rhodesia became Zimbabwe; and I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor entered the charts!

Since this will be my last layout for the Design Team at All About Me, I wanted to create a layout using all of my favourites. So, it includes my favourite colours; techniques and embellishments, which I've combined into one of my favourite layout styles with layered scraps and no photograph. I've come to realise that the layouts I've created in this style are my favourites and I wanted this last DT layout to be both a joy to make and a joy to look back on.

I hope that you'll pop over to All About Me to see what the rest of the Design Team have created. Next month, the new Design Team will begin creating and I can't wait to see what the new folks bring to the challenges!

Inspired To Create {Flickr Favourites}

During the winter months my creativity has suffered severely. At a time when we're almost expected to curl up on the sofa with our knitting I completely lost my creativity and I would sit and stare at my beads, papers or fabrics without even a hint of an idea. Not like me at all!

Now that the spring has arrived, I'm grateful that the urge to create has returned and I'm looking forward to finishing off some old works in progress and starting some new projects for the spring and summer.

Yesterday I sorted through my bead stash and then had a look through my flickr favourites to find some of the photographs I've saved as project inspiration. Aren't these jewellery pieces amazing?

1. Last Rose of Summer, detail, 2. Howlite, 3. Night At the Ballet - Rescued Pink Vintage Bead Pierced Earrings, 4. Summer Garden Earrings

I'm not claiming that I'll be able to produce anything as exquisite as the pieces I've featured, but do watch out for some beautiful beading heading this way. In the meantime, whet your own creative appetite by heading on over to see Mitsy & Co, who've been rounding up their own favourites this week.

Rock On! {Fashion Forward}

In what is perhaps a little bit of a backlash against the season's trends of soft, shimmering colours and vintage inspired outfits, I've been noticing a resurgance of rocker chic. The strong autumn/winter trends of studs, chains and zips have now been joined by denim, buckles and a more edgy take on the bodycon dress.

If you've been oogling Herve Lerger's Spring 2010 Collection (and if you haven't please do, oogling is so under-rated) then you might be interested to know that this version from Goddiva is only £35. Around £2000 cheaper. Oh, and did I mention it comes in four colours? Rock on!

Rock My World by OPCreative featuring Dorothy Perkins Boots

Items in this set: The Cut Out Dress, £35; Black Skater Boots, £55; Schwarze Clutch, £40; Article Lot De bracelets Perles Et Breloques (Bracelet) £2 and Stormy 5 Color Metallic Eye Shadow, £2.50

And when was the last time you found boots this amazing in Dorothy Perkins?

If you're looking for more fashion inspiration then please head on over to see Katherine at Paper Pocket and check out the posts from the other fabulous Fashion Forward ladies. And, don't forget, you're more than welcome to join us in posting your fashionable finds - just check out the guidelines.

Emerging From The Dark

I feel a little like a flower that has lain dormant during the cold, dark months of the winter, locking away all of the energy that suffused me during the summer months and keeping it safe until the warmth from the first rays of spring sunshine reach down into the dark.

The promise of new light, of new life, triggers within me a desire to leave my confines and struggle towards the surface. With every passing day, I feel stronger, more energised. Finally, after what seemed an eternity in the dark, I break free and I feel the warmth of the sun on my face.

A Light Exists In Spring {Fashion Forward}

A light exists in spring,
Not present on the year,
At any other period.
When March is scarcely here,
A color stands abroad ,
On solitary hills,
That science cannot overtake,
But human nature feels.

From A Light Exists In Spring by Emily Dickinson.

I actually had a completely different Fashion Forward post planned, but I woke up this morning to rays of sunshine and full of the joys of spring. I always feel such relief when the sun starts to shine, the birds start to sing and colour reappears in the world.

So, after a quick stroll around the park, I thought I'd show you an outfit I conjured up during the deepest, darkest days of winter when I was craving some spring sunshine. Florals are always a guaranteed trend during the spring/summer season and this year is no different, but the variation in choice is enormous.

A Light Exists In Spring by OPCreative featuring Bottega Veneta Bags

There are the traditional floral prints - big and bold or small and dainty - along with more graphic interpretations and photographic prints. Floral accents are also a major component of the trend this year, with fabric flowers featuring heavily on necklines, hemlines and in accessories. I'm loving it in all it's blooming gorgeousness!

But, if floral isn't your thing, you can still bring a little bit of spring into your wardrobe by incorporating lighter and brighter colours into your outfits and swapping your winter coats for light trenches or long cardigans - both key trends this spring. Then head out for a walk in the sunshine and take a deep breath full of new life.

For more fashion fashion inspiration, head on over to Paper Pocket where Katherine & Co. will be showing off their own wardobe workouts. And, don't forget, you too can join in Fashion Forward - the more the merrier!

Life Can Be Such A Chore!

I know that I said I was going to stay on the Design Team for All About Me, but during the DT Call life suddenly got a little bit busier and I decided that it was important to step down rather than 'let down' and, with much sadness, I'll be leaving at the end of my term. That means that this is my second to last challenge. *Sniff.*

The good news is though, is that there is an awesome team, with a mix of new and old designers ready to take on the challenges in the future and I'm looking forward to taking part in some of the challenges without any pressure! Besides, it means I might stand a chance of winning some of the fabulous sponsorship prizes.

Talking of which, as a little 'goodbye gift' I'm sponsoring this month's challenge with an embellishment box - full of the joys of spring; a mini album and a handmade bracelet made of some beautiful crackled glass beads. (I secretly want to keep it all!)

Anyway, I have digressed. The new challenge is all about scrapping your everyday, rather than life's special events. It makes sense to dedicate some time to documenting your life as honestly as possible - even though that may sometimes seem boring. Rather than documenting one particular day, my layout is more about how I sometimes feel - as though life can be such a chore. We all feel it from time to time, as though the washing; ironing and cleaning will never end!

I raided some old interiors magazines for pictures of ovens, bins, dishwashers and washing machines and combined the best ones together in a collage. I then simply sewed around the edges of each element to add a bit of depth and detail, added some lettering and even - shock horror - added my own handwriting.

There are some more awesome examples of how to tackle the challenge over on the All About Me Blog, so do go and have a look - after you've done the ironing, of course.

Welcome Back Nikon D40!

Should you ever want to purchase a new camera, but know that you need one which can fall down a flight of concrete steps, one which can fall off a window shelf and one which can be kicked (accidentally) across the bedroom floor - not all at once, of course - and still survive, then I would highly recommend the heroic Nikon D40.

Here's a little of what we've missed:

Life can finally go back to normal! Looking forward to showing you some of the crafty projects that I've been working on; putting up some tutorials and just generally showing off!

*Contented sigh!*

Vintage Inspired {Fashion Forward}

Fashion Forwarders could do worse than raid Grannie's wardrobe because vintage inspired fashion - and jewellery - is a really key trend for the spring and summer. It's classy, it's feminine and I love it!

Pair up a pretty vintage blouse with a classic pencil skirt and peep toe boots or combine a vintage jacket with a simple white t-shirt, skinny jeans and some brown leather boots. You'll look vintage, but you won't look as though you're heading to the retirement home early.

Pretty Vintage by OPCreative featuring 1928 Jewelry
Items in this set: Blouse of Spirits-Mod Retro Indie Clothing & Vintage Clothes, £27; Lace Mini Skirt, £30; Melina Heels, £245; Pink Champagne Ornate Chandelier Pendant Necklace, £22 and ASOS Cute Plastic Bow Brooch, £2

The items I've chosen this week are inspired by the ShopRuche Look Book. It's full of pretty (and affordable) vintage inspired pieces, independently designed jewellery and ... they're having a sale!

If you're looking for the linky, head on over to Paper Pocket, where the lovely Katherine is hosting Fashion Forward for February.