Tassels Tutorial {Counterfeit Kit Challenge: Forgeries On The Fourth}

For this month's Forgeries on the Fourth for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge each of the Master Forgers chose one item from a current collection as an 'Add On' embellishment and we combined these items made up an 'Add On' Inspiration Kit.

I chose these lovely, colourful tassels from the Maggie Holmes 'Shine' Collection, for Crate Paper. To recreate them, I raided my stash of embroidery threads and found a few co-ordinating beads. Once I'd tried making a couple, I found a method that seems to work well - and I wanted to share it!

You'll need:

Embroidery threads - each tassel uses one, full skein.

Co-ordinating beads in a range of sizes/colours.

Scissors.

Standard 3in x 4in Pocket Card. 

Embroidery needle - make sure it fits through the beads.

Optional: 

Craft wire - a thin, flexible one works best.

1. Unravel the full embroidery skein, removing any knots, then reserve approximately four inches of embroidery thread. Wrap the remaining thread around the width of the card.

2. Whilst the thread is still on the card, thread the 'reserve' through the wrapped thread and tie one or two overhand knots across the thread on the card. Remove the thread from the card.

3. Cut approximately ten inches of craft wire. Starting around half an inch from the knot, start to wrap the wire around the threads - make the wire tight, as this will cause the thread at the top of the tassel to form a nice 'bud'. NB: You can use some of the embroidery thread to do this step instead. Just reserve a little extra at the beginning!

4. Thread the ends of the 'reserve' thread onto the embroidery needle and use it to thread on some bright, cheerful beads. Tie the two ends of the 'reserve' together to form a loop for hanging.

5. Smooth the loop of threads and using some nice, sharp scissors, cut the loops to create the ends of the tassel.

6. Sit back and admire your handiwork for a moment or two, then head on over to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge to see the rest of the Forgeries on the Fourth - and see the tutorials used, or created, by the Master Forgers.

Slow In The Sunshine {November's Counterfeit Kit Reveal & Blog Hop}

Hello! Welcome to November's Inspiration Kit Reveal for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge! If you've been following the reveal blog hop (which starts on the main blog) you will have arrived from Susanne's blog, Snaps and Snippets and will have seen lots of inspiration along the way. If not, read on and I'll make sure you find your way.

This month's inspiration 'kit' is actually a collection - the Cedar Lane Collection from Pink Paislee. The collection is full of beautiful autumnal elements - like acorns, leaves and wreaths - but it also includes some colours and patterns that could easily be used to scrap memories of summer (or that would work well with winter scrapping!)

 

To make my own kit - Slow In The Sunshine* - I started by browsing the Cedar Lane Collection Reveal and then went looking for close matches in my own stash. I was really pleased to find a match for most of the colour and patterns that I liked in the collection.

I don't usually include a lot of embellishments with my kits and whilst that normally works for me when I'm making layouts (which I tend to keep minimal) it really doesn't work for me when I'm making mini albums because I like them to be full of little extras! As I have a lot of photographs from spring and summer to scrap soon (well ... I need to edit them first) I know I'll be making a few mini albums this month and I've included a lot of extra embellishments to make sure that I have enough to add some 'chunk'.

There's my usual selection of eclectic 'bits and bobs' which includes some wooden veneers, bulldog clips, resin flowers, cute buttons and charms. Then there's two alpha sets - one leftover from Echo Park's Everyday Eclectic Collection and some of my favourite Sassafras in Turquoise. I've also added in some super sweet rub-ons from Dear Lizzy which include images of trees, bicycles, birds and fences - which I thought were perfect for the end of a suburban summer!

The Cedar Lane Collection includes a massive selection of amazing extras - like die-cuts, stickers, labels and little embellishments, so I wanted to add some similar items to my own kit. I raided my stash of die-cuts, stickers, small and medium pocket pages and fabrics! (I love including some fabric!) 

I was also thrilled to find this little squirrel which is from a really old collection by We Are Memory Keepers. He's one of just a few nods to the whimsical side of the inspiration collection that I managed to find in my stash.

Now, as if this wasn't enough (for me at least) each of the Master Forgers chose one item from a current collection as their 'Add On' embellishment and combined these items will make up an 'Add On' Inspiration Kit which we'll be revealing, in full, on the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog tomorrow.  But, in case you simply can't wait until tomorrow, we're each showing off (or linking to) to our choice of add on embellishment today, which means you can head off on a treasure hunt of sorts! 

 

Tassels: Maggie Holmes 'Shine' Collection, Crate Paper

Your next stop (and mine) will be Just JimJams where we can find out how Jemma has interpreted this month's inspiration. It's always interesting to see how she copes with so much pink!

* The name of my kit comes directly from the lyrics of First Aid Kit's 'Cedar Lane'. It has been stuck in my head ever since we found out what our inspiration kit would be for November!

One Thing {Counterfeit Kit Challenge: October Challenge #3)

Over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge this month's third challenge is 'One thing!' We were challenged to use paper, photos and only one other thing (e.g mist, stamping or one type of embellishment.)

Now, I think it's fairly obvious that my kits are usually light on the embellishments, as my layouts are usually quite minimal (my mini-books can be chock full of embellishments though!) so I'll be honest and tell you that this challenge wasn't really all that challenging!

My 'One Thing!' was a little spritz of mist in a zingy orange that co-ordinates with my patterned papers and adds interest to my grey cardstock background. I've added extra detail with my patterned papers by cutting out some small stars and creating a rolled rose.



To finish off the layout, I've used one of the 'testimony' prompts from the CSI Case File we used as this month's inspiration for our counterfeit kits - and added some handwritten journalling.

As she usually includes some amazing embellishments in her kits, I'm interested to see how Stephanie, one of my fellow Master Forgers fared with this challenge and which 'One Thing!' she decided to include. So, I'm heading on over to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge  to find out. Want to join me?

Pop Tart Mini Album

Where has the time gone? Did someone steal September? One minute I was looking forward to a ridiculously busy month ahead (working in the education sector means that autumn is ridiculously busy!) and the next I was realising that it's  over! *sigh*

I had little time to myself this weekend and decided to 'chill out and craft on'. Before starting on 'Misty Morning' my Counterfeit Kit for October, I wanted to make a little something, anything, with 'Pop Tart' my Counterfeit Kit for September. And I decided on a small, but chunky, mini-album.

I started by cutting down some of my 3x4 cards to a dinky 2x3, then punched a hole at top-centre in each card. The addition of a simple journalling ring means that I'll be able to shift the pages around when I start adding photographs and memorabilia.

Using my kit, I added some embellishment clusters to a few of the pages - and I also made a small stack of additional clusters so that I can include more detail once the photographs have been added.

I've decided to use this little beauty to document a specific project, but  I'll need to do a little bit of photo-editing before I can add photographs to such a small album. I'll be sure to share the album as soon as it's completed.

In 2012, I set myself the challenge of making one pair of earrings each week during the year and it launched my fascination with beading and jewellery making. I'm intending to challenge myself again in 2016, so a little reminder of where it all started seems appropriate and the happy, bright colours seem perfect! (Want to see what I made? Earring Challenge 2012)

Believe it or not, I've 'killed my kit' as it was so small to start with - result! Now, I can look forward to working with 'Misty Morning' my Counterfeit Kit for October when I visit my local crop next week. Any plans for using up your stash this month?

Misty Morning {October's Counterfeit Kit Reveal & Blog Hop}

Hello! Hello! I am so thrilled to be starting October with my first kit reveal as a member of the Master Forgers Design Team for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge! Each month, I have looked forward to the inspiration kit reveal (it's like receiving a kit, but without the stash sinning!) and I am always inspired by the amazing counterfeits created by the Master Forgers. 

I was delighted to find out that, although we each receive advanced notice of the kit we'll be using as our inspiration, we don't see each other's kits until the reveal - which means that I'll be hopping along with the rest of you to see the kits created by my fellow Master Forgers. I love that I'll still be able to make myself a cuppa and settle in for some inspiration!

If you have arrived from Susanne's blog Snaps and Snippets I am sure you have already seen some fantastic counterfeiting, but here's the full list of kit reveals in case you'd like to start at the beginning!

Guest Designer, Tina : http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/

Lynnette http://www.sassyscrapper2010.blogspot.com

Margie: http://scrappinmargie.blogspot.com

Susan: http://littlethingsbigdays.blogspot.de/

Stephanie: http://skylinepaperie.blogspot.com

Susanne: http://snapsandsnippets.blogspot.com

Clair: http://obstinatepursuit.blogspot.co.uk/ (You are here!)

Jemma: http://just-jimjams.blogspot.co.uk

Julene: http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com

Kelly: http://66.147.244.112/~honeysv0/

Leslie: http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.ca

Lisa: http://lisahausmann.blogspot.ca

This month's Counterfeit Kit Challenge inspiration is CSI Casefile 365-9. It's a beautiful blend of seasonal colours and themes - with a little bit of added (and tweak-able) inspiration.

Starting with the colour scheme, I chose cardstock and patterned papers from Bazill, American Crafts, Sodalicious, Papermania and Dear Lizzy - in a mixture of 6x6, 6x12 and 12x12. I also found an old Hambly vellum, which I thought would add a little additional softness to my kit!

 

Next I went looking for the perfect alphas and found some amazing, soft khaki coloured Thickers with a beautiful, flocked finish. *swoon* I also added in some smaller alpha sets from Pebbles and October Afternoon.

Then I went looking for my evidence, using the list as the basis of an eclectic embellishment 'add on'. I found some little travel themed wooden veneer embellishments; a dinky bicycle charm; some beautiful, little autumn leaf beads and some 'transportation' themed die-cuts. I added a few extras that match the colour theme - and think I have a small, but cute collection. I popped them all into a small bag (which you can see in the photograph above) for safe keeping! 

A little more 'scouting' meant the addition of a sheet of watercolour paper; some embroidery thread (in place of the string) and some 'transportation' accents from Studio Calico. (These were free - and the link will be coming up in this month's Forgeries on the Fourth over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog!)

I'm intending to use the 'testimony' inspiration as starting points for my projects during October, creating some 'Thank You' notes; a travel inspired project and maybe, just maybe, including my own handwriting on a layout!

Now, I'm going to pop the kettle on and settle in for some extra inspiration from the other Master Forgers. Will you join me over at  Just Jimjams to see how Jemma has been inspired?

Beautiful Bronzes

I'll admit it, I'm a little bit obsessed with earrings! It all started at the beginning of 2012, when I challenged the members of Operation Tackle That Bead Stash to a challenge - create a pair of earrings, every week, for the year. I thought it really would be a challenge, but I loved it so much, that I re-issued the challenge for 2013. 

I really thought that having already created fifty-two pairs of earrings, that another fifty-two pairs might stretch my creativity along with my stash. Thankfully, Blue Moon Beads are overly generous with their design team - and there's nothing more inspiring than a regular influx of fantastic products. 

Materials: Blue Moon Beads - Bronze Rounds (ZC-001-0040) Bronze Drops (ZC-001-0041) Bronze Eyepins (BM13230-PE-054) and Bronze Earwires (ZF-001-00019)

I've made these bronze drop earrings using several products from the Urban Warrior Collection, which is a deliciously up to date collection of metallic teardrops, spikes, rounds, chain and, um, handcuffs! 

Using just one collection makes it ridiculously easy to make jewellery that 'works'. There's no second guessing about whether each of the products in front of you work well together, because someone else has done all of that hard work for you. Making this challenge just a little bit less challenging!

Owl Be Seeing You

How cute is this little fella? He's from the new Blue Moon Beads Amulet Collection. Originally, I was hoping to add him to a necklace, but I couldn't find quite enough bronze chain in my stash and had to have a little re-think!  

Instead, I found Bronze Jump Rings and a Lobster Clasp, both from the Blue Sky 2013 Collection; a couple of leftover Rope Rings - which came in a set of mixed sizes; and a little heart drop leftover from a project using chain from the Urban Warrior Collection. Including the time it took me to rummage around in my stash, it still took me less than ten minutes to make a cute, little handbag charm.

By the way, I'm so sorry for the seriously awful title. It's so difficult to keep thinking of new ones!

Fit For Royalty {Bead Table Wednesday}

Hello! Hello! After almost a month of building work, and no internet connection, you cannot imagine how wonderful it is to have a little time to just sit down, with a cup of tea, and catch up on everything. And without the persistant sound of drilling!

Time without the internet made me feel amazingly productive - and I'm seriously considering scheduling myself time away from the computer each week - so there's quite a lot for me to share. As it's Bead Table Wednesday, I'm starting with one of my recent makes for The Blue Moon Beads' Design Team. 

Materials: Blue Moon Beads Glass Round Pearls, 4mm, Champagne. (BM25233) Blue Moon Beads Oxidised Silver Crown Toggle Clasps (ZF-001-00172) and Miyuki Galvanised Steel Seed Beads.

The 4mm Glass Pearls in Champagne are such a classic colour and combined with an Oxidised Silver Crown Toggle Clasp and some co-ordinating Galvanised Steel Seed Beads, the end result is a little more 'modern' than the classic combination with Gold or Silver. 

I've been blessed with some ideas for embellishing and adapting this little cutie, so expect to see a few variations on a theme. Is it just me that, busy working on one thing, has ideas for another twenty? 

The Mist Drops Hung On The Fragrant Trees

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than with a little creativity inspired by The Wonderings Of Oisin, by W.B. Yeats? What's that you say? With a Guiness? Well then, at least wear a little green!

"We rode in sorrow, with strong hounds three,

Bran, Sgeolan, and Lomair,

On a morning misty and mild and fair.

The mist-drops hung on the fragrant trees,

And in the blossoms hung the bees.

We rode in sadness above Lough Lean,

For our best were dead on Gavra's green."

Materials: Blue Moon Beads - Green Glass Rondelles (ZB-002-00053) Bronze Earwires (ZF-001-00019), Bronze Headpins (ZF-001-00019).

I Chose Creating

Sadly, I've been away from home since last week attending a family funeral, so I haven't had much chance to pop online and let everyone that voted for creating, rather than cleaning that I did manage to squeeze in a little bit more crafting before I tidied away my Blue Moon Beads stash. So, how about a quick peek at what I made?

I chose to stick with bronze components (well, they were already covering every available crafting surface.) This pendant is made very simply using Large Rope Rings - which came in a pack with several sizes - and some smaller Bronze Jumprings from the Blue Sky 2013 Collection. Set inside each circle are some faceted acrylic beads from the PB&J Bead Mix, hung simply with Bronze Headpins and a Bronze Jumpring.

Another little rummage through the bronze stash uncovered this beautiful, bud-like chain from the Urban Warrior Collection. Each of the little 'buds' is already attached to the chain with teeny, tiny jumprings - so the time consuming, fiddly bit is done for you. All I needed to do was cut my chain into a few different lengths, attach them all to a Bronze Jumpring and add chain! It took no more than ten minutes - and most of that was the rummaging!

So, what's everyone else been up to this week? Have you perhaps been finishing up your Counterfeit Kit? Or maybe you've been starting on Telling Tales? Do let me know.....

Beautiful Bronzes

I'm just stopping by quickly to share a little loveliness that I popped together this morning. In the middle of re-organising my stash from Blue Moon Beads, I had an idea. And let's face it, everyone wants an excuse to stop tidying, don't they?

The Blue & Bronze Teardrops were part of a pretty earring component set (I've still got some lovely filigree pieces to work with!) but I wanted to combine them with the pre-made Blue & Bronze Pendant from the Blue Sky Collection. Don't they work so well together?

So, to create the focal, I've attached the Blue & Bronze Pendant to a Bronze Twisted Jumpring. I then added the two Blue & Bronze Teardrops and a length of Blue Moon Beads' Bronze Chain to one side. I've added two lengths of Blue Moon Beads' Bronze Chain to the other side, to ensure that the necklace is balanced well. I hate it when my necklaces start to twist around!

Now, to carry on creating or to carry on cleaning?

The End Of An Earring Era

I never, ever thought that I would manage to keep up with a year-long jewellery making project - even if it was to make 'just one pair of earrings each week'. But, I did! And I have loved every minute of the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Earring Along so much that I have encouraged everyone in the OTTBS Facebook Group to sign up for another challenge in 2013. 

In the meantime though, let me share my last three pairs of earrings from 2013, all made with some of the amazing beads, findings and stringing materials from Blue Moon Beads. 

I must admit that I'm a little bit in love with this first pair - they remind me of pink champagne and I feel happy every time that I see them! The majority of the components for these little lovelies actually came from a pre-made pendant (but we all know I can't leave anything in one piece, right?) All I added into the mix was a couple of luscious pink round beads and ear-wires, both from Blue Moon Basics.

This second set of earrings came together really quickly with a combination of elements from the Feather Jewellery Collection, the Mud Pie Bead Mix and some amazing tassel chain earring components. They make little swishy-tinkly noises as I walk. Great fun!

And finally, proving that sometimes less can be more, these cute earrings are made up of simple ear-wires, oval jump rings and some of the most amazing metal charms - loving the tiny touch of central bling in all that metal. The charms are from Blue Moon Beads' new collection, Urban Warrior, which is a little bit swoonsome! I guarantee that you'll be seeing more of that very soon!

A Little Eye Candy

So, we had a visit from an internet engineer this morning and normal service will resume shortly. Hurrah! In the meantime, let me say a quick thank you for all of the sweet comments that were left for me on my last post - and for the e-mails that I received from a few of you as well. It means so much to me that there are still people out there reading. Now, onto the eye candy.

During October, I was thrilled to find out that I was selected for the Blue Moon Beads Design Team. I was even more thrilled when a box filled to the brim - and I really do mean to the brim - arrived at my house. There were tins and tins of beautiful bead mixes, chain, charms and cords! Lucky old me!

This weekend, I finally had a little bit of time to sit down and start making. I've started sweet and simple, by taking some of the 'oh-so-cute' earring charms and using them as charms for a couple of necklaces. Because that's how I roll!

This first necklace uses a slightly chunky feather charm, along with some luscious beads from the Red Velvet Bead Mix.

The second uses another 're-purposed' earring charm, which I separated into two parts and re-strung on to matching antiqued bronze chain. And, because I used some of Blue Moon Beads oval shaped jump rings to attach the charms, the chain looks seamless and much more professional. Result!

As I am still steadily working on the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Earring Challenge, where we're making a pair of earrings each week for 2012, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make myself another pair of earrings using some of my new stash. I combined some lovely, clear faceted beads from the PB&J Bead Mix, with Blue Moon Beads Glass Pearls, silver spacer beads and some ear-wires to create some earrings a little reminiscent of snowdrops. I love these so much, that I've worn them every day since I made them!

Autumnal Greens & Golds

It's been a little while since I've managed to join in with the monthly challenge over at Operation Tackle That Beadstash, but this month's beautiful combination of autumnal greens and golds made me determined to make something; anything. So I had a little rummage through my stash. I came up with lots and lots of greens and almost no gold.

What I did find though was a few bobby pins, some gold wire and a little package of mixed green beads leftover from other projects. I then spent a happy half hour weaving and winding. I love making a little something out of (almost) nothing.

Pennant Banner Tutorial

Today, I have a little tutorial for you all, inspired by The Counterfeit Kit Challenge, where I'm this month's Guest Designer. September's Counterfeit Inspiration Kit contained some of Maya Road's Canvas Pennants. They're a little bit too big for my style, so I created my own, much dinkier version using the Bannerific Stamp Set by Lawn Fawn. I can highly recommend purchasing this little lovely. It really is one of my favourite sets because each of the elements is adorable - perfect for cards and scrapbook layouts; and most especially for counterfeiting your own embellishments.

Your first step is to gather up some scraps in a colour combination which will suit your finished project and I chose colours that would compliment September's Counterfeit Kit. I then stamped directly onto my little pieces of patterned paper scraps - sometimes managing to fit on all five of the little pennants, sometimes only one or two. It's doesn't really matter, because you'll be cutting them out individually, so use up as many of those small scraps as possible!

Cut out all of your stamped pennant images and arrange them roughly into the order you'd like them to appear in your banner. Now it's time for some machine stitching. (If you're not a confident stitcher, try working your way through my recent series of tutorials Stitching On Paper.)

Start by setting your sewing machine to straight stitch and adjust the speed to it's slowest setting. Now place your first pennant piece under the presser foot, with the needle in place just above the outside edge of the pennant. Sew three or four stitches - aim to leave a little bit of space between your last stitch and the edge of pennant.

Ensure that you leave the needle in the 'down' position - then lift the presser foot and slide the next pennant into place, so that the edges of your pennants are close but not overlapping.

When the pennant is in place, drop the presser foot and continue stitching. Repeat until you have completed your banner - stitching to the very edge of the last pennant piece. Now remove the banner from your sewing machine, pulling on both working threads.

Knot the working threads at each end of your banner - this will stop the pennant pieces moving around - and use a needle or paper piercer to ensure that the knot is tight up against each end. Now display your banner proudly on your cards and layouts!

It's Autumn. Believe.

Over the weekend, I delved into one of my boxes of scraps (the large one full of long, thin strips of patterned paper) to make a sweet and simple card. The combination of colours that I chose reminded me instantly of autumn - although I could, of course, have been thinking about it subconsciously when I chose the colours. Who knows?

To decorate my card, I've used some of the teeny, tiny leaves and flowers from Lawn Fawn's Flutterby set; finishing off with a cute sentiment (which is part of the main sentiment from the same set.) Quite simple really. 

I'm thinking that I might just sit down and make a whole batch of cards, all with little strips, stitching and some stamping. It could be the perfect way to whittle down my box of scraps, while wasting away a happy, little autumn afternoon.

I've Been Caught Stealing

Uh. Oh. I've been caught stealing! But instead of the shame that you'd usually associate with that phrase, my little heart has, instead, been filled with pride because I'll be joining the Counterfeit Kit Challenge as their Guest Designer for September. 

I am such a huge fan of the Counterfeit Kit Challenge that each month I can be found sneaking onto the blog during my tea break, or lunches, so that I can hit refresh 'just one more time' until the inspiration kit is finally revealed. I'll start thinking about how I can adapt the kit to suit my own tastes; wondering what papers I have that I can substitute in; what kind of embellishments I might be able to make myself; and which photographs I might try to use during the month.

Of course, as soon as the Master Forgers reveal their own counterfeit kits the following day, I'll often see something that starts me thinking all over again - like a paper I hadn't considered using, or a new way of combining the colours and textures from the inspiration kit. I start to get excited about the papers and products I already have in my stash! And that's why, even before I've started pulling together my own kit, or scrap-booking my pretty pictures, that the Counterfeit Kit Challenge is so much fun!

Learning Something New - Mini Album

I'm eagerly anticipating the start of Shimelle's Learn Something New Every Day at the weekend.I've taken part in this annual class many times and there is something wonderfully about revisiting an old favourite. One lesson that I have learnt the hard way though, is that if I don't prepare for the class, I never finish my album!

Using August's Counterfeit Kit has made it fairly easy to get started. I cut down a lot of cardstock and patterned papers to 3 x 5 inches, 'chomped' all of the corners and punched a hole in one end of each piece. To start making the base album feel a little bit more 'lived in', I've decorated the front using a little spritz of Mister Huey's Calico Shine; added a patterned paper effect with the camera stamp from Lawn Fawn's Say Cheese Too; and added a title with some Sassafras Alphas.

Inside the album, I've started to add some additional pattern with the chevron stamp from Papersmooches Geographic - it stamps wonderfully and, because it's a clear stamp, it's so easy to build up the pattern to create a fuller effect - and some extra embellishment with some of the smaller stamps from Papersmooches Teen Routine.

It's shaping up to be a fun album, full of colour and pattern - which is one reason why I love mini-albums, they really give you a chance to experiment with new ideas, products and techniques. Looks like I've started learning already!

Is anyone else planning on taking part this year? Have you done your preparation? Please let me know so that I can come and take a look. You see the best thing about starting class, is all the new friends!

West Kirby Marina

I found a little bit of time this weekend to do some scrapbooking. I've really missed playing with my pretty papers over the last few months, so it's lovely to be feeling inspired again. Thankfully, there's lots of inspiration around at the moment - I had some new (well, old really) photographs printed off recently which is always a big boost to my scrapbooking mojo and, of course, I've been playing along with the Counterfeit Kit Challenge. 

The paper's in my kit for this month are perfect for scrapping the blues, greys and browns of my spring-time photographs from last year and I'm hoping that they'll be just as useful in scrapping the rest! I seem to have a lot of kit left, but not a lot of month though - so we'll have to see if I can manage to squeeze in everything I have in mind.

I come back to this simple formula of strips and stitching, time and time again, because it works for me. It's minimalist, but it works especially well with my larger photographs. I've added in a little extra detail with some Cosmic Shimmer Mist and a selection of stamps from the Blossom Stacker Set by Unity and a word stamp from the Say Cheese Too Set by Lawn Fawn (both of which are available in the UK from Make The Day Special.) 

Do you have a scrapbooking formula? One that works for you when you're in a hurry, or when you need a kick start? I'd be interested to know - so that I can try it!

Such Bad Weather (For Photography!)

Hello! Hello! I have no idea what kind of weather you're all experiencing at the moment, but I've been surrounded by grey, miserable rainclouds for the last few days - and I must apologise because they're seriously affecting my ability to take a good photograph of my crafty makes!

I've been clinging to my memories of summer for as long as possible by using Admit One from Lawn Fawn's Summer Release. Though if you're hankering for some autumnal projects, may I suggest that you take a peek at the rather delicious Autumn Release now available at Make The Day Special?

My sentiment is created using the super cute ticket stamp (which is set to be an all time favourite) and I've also used two of the sentiment stamps that came with the set. It's fairly easy to mask of individual words with a couple of Post-It-Notes and you end up with a whole new sentiment!

To add a little bit of 'pop' to the card, I've also added the larger of the two pinwheel stamps that come with the set, colouring it with Pro-Markers to co-ordinate with the spray ink on my card base.

Et voila!