Wild Hare Kits: 'This View' Layout

I want to share this 8.5 x 11 layout that I made with my Deluxe Kit for July from The Wild Hare Kits. I've been loving this size of layout recently, as it offers me a lot more room than my standard 6x8, but the proportions are similar - and a 12x12 is no for me! 

My kit was full of amazing stash - with lots of Heidi Swapp's 'Pineapple Crush', Crate Paper's 'Wild Heart' and Jen Hadfield's 'Patio Party' so I took my cue from the tropical feel of my kit and went searching for a few photographs from our 2017 visit to Madeira. I found this one, that I hadn't scrapped, from the Tropical Gardens in Monte. It was such an amazing place and I'm happy to have it on a layout!

The colours of my kit really reminded me of my time in Madeira and, I've added lots of extra leaves and 'lushness' from the Maggie Holmes' 'Flourish' die-cuts and stickers that came with my kit. To finish off, and to add a little balance, I added a little washi to the base of the layout, then scattered around some enamel dots and some of my favourite, little jewels!

Wild Hare Kits: Time To Have Fun Layout (and Sketch)

Did you know that each month there's a sketch over on The Wild Hare Kits Blog to help inspire your layouts? And did you know that sometimes our layouts inspire the sketch? 

I knew as soon as I saw the die-cuts from Crate Paper's Here & There Collection, that were included in my kit, that I wanted to create a banner effect! It's a look - and colour scheme - that's a little different for me, but I love it! 

In fact, I loved it so much that I decided to use it as the base for our sketch this month. There's a few tweeks, obviously, but the basics are there. I love how cyclical inspiration can be! There's still lots of time to order a kit this month and to join in with a layout (or card, or mini) based on the sketch!

Killing Kits: Tackling Branding Strips

Hey! It's time to share the latest of my videos in the Killing Kits Series, that I'm working on in collaboration with the Counterfeit Kit Challenge. Today, I'm using a little bit more of the leftovers from my 'Planning For Perfection' Counterfeit Kit January 2016. (I made a start on them in the last video to make some Handmade Embellishments & A Quick Card. Be sure to check it out, if you haven't already seen it!)

This time around, I'm tackling a little stack of branding strips (because who doesn't have lots of those leftover?) to make some cute tags that could be added to a layout; used as a bookmark; or added to a gift!

Please feel free to leave comments here, on YouTube, or find me over in the Counterfeit Kit Facebook Community. I would love to hear from you! 

CAS-ual Fridays: Clean & Simple Watercoloured Splattering

Hello! I'm excited to share my first make as a member of the CAS-ual Fridays 'Ink Squad' and, a little later in the month, I'll share my first tutorial so be sure to follow the CAS-ual Fridays Blog!

For today's make, I've used the Best Day Ever Fri-Die to full effect to create a little card with a big wow! It may look clean and simple, but I became a little messy with my watercolours while I made it! (There's a co-ordinating Best Day Ever stamp set too, so don't forget to check that out too!)

First, I took a standard, white C6 card base and created a splattered effect with three colours of Pentel Watercolours (Prussian Blue, Viridian and Yellow Green) and a little bit of Windsor & Newton's Gold Gouache. (You can create a similar effect with inks and a little bit of water, if you don't have any watercolours!)

Once dried, I centred the Best Day Ever Fri-Die on the front of the card base and then ran it through my die-cutter. It cuts like a dream - no little burrs or fluffs!

I backed the die-cut with a little Rinea Gold Foiled Paper to add some shine; then, I added all of the little 'inners' from the die to the centre of the letters. It really makes the sentiment stand out. For the finishing touch, I added a few sequins and a little bit of bling for a bit of texture. All done!

Please check us out on Instagram & Pinterest, and share your CAS-ual Friday creations with us (@casfridays and #casfridays) we love seeing what you have created! Have a lovely day!

Wild Hare Kits: July 2018 Kit Reveal

It's kit reveal day at The Wild Hare Kits and my new kit is fabulous (obvs!) I'm in love with every last bit of it!

Remember to check out the kit reveals from the rest of the Wild Hare Kits DT, as each kit is curated just for us each and every month! And, of course, if you would like to request your own custom kit, just complete the Style Profile. There's no monthly commitment, so it won't hurt to try!

Killing Kits: Handmade Embellishments & Quick Card

It's time for me to share the latest of the videos in the Killing Kits Series that I'm working on in collaboration with the Counterfeit Kit Challenge and I'm delving back into the leftovers of my 'Planning For Perfection' Counterfeit Kit from January 2016. 

This was such a massive kit that I had to store the leftovers in two files (!) but I've nearly finished the first file - and I've loved making new, with old! I often find it easier to work in batches, so today's video includes a set of handmade embellishments *and* a little card. Who doesn't love a two for one, eh?

Whether you are struggling to finish a current kit, or need to revisit some older stash, I hope that the Killing Kits Series inspires you to love - and use - what you have!

As always, feel free to leave comments here, on my YouTube Channel, or over in the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Facebook Community. I'd love to hear from you!

I Made The Ink Squad {Cas-ual Fridays Stamps}

It's been difficult to keep this a secret but, finally, I'm able to share that I'll be joining the amazing Ink Squad DT at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps! I'm so excited! I'll be creating for the main CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Blog, where we'll share our makes; our tips and techniques; and the occasional sale! 

There's also a CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Challenge Blog, where the Inspiration Squad share their makes based on a theme. There's $25 to spend at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps for the winner, but if you use CAS-ual Fridays Stamps or Dies then that doubles! So much incentive to play along!

Wild Hare Kits: Vacation Mini Album

Hello! Hello! After a little visit to ‘Memory Lane’ earlier in the month, – as I revisited some of my favourite travels, courtesy of The Wild Hare Kits – I’m now excited to be back on the road!

I’m on holiday at the end of the month – back to the beautiful island of Madeira – and I wanted to make a head start on my vacation album. I love vacation mini albums so I decided on a 3x4 format. The kit I received had a wide selection of 3x4 and 6x4 Project Life Cards, so I used these for the majority of my base and I’ve decorated some of the cards already. The die-cuts from the Here and There Collection are so much fun!

For the front of my album, I’ve used Paper No. 22 from the Paige Evan’s Pick Me Up Collection for Pink Paislee (which is easily the most adorable cardstock I’ve ever seen!) and I’ve decorated it with a die-cut and flair from the Here and There Collection – and a little bit of the twine I received in my kit!

The album is a little chunky already, but that makes me excited to see it when it’s finished – and that means that I have something to look forward to when my holiday is over. Not everyone can say that, right?

I’ll be sure to share a full look at the album as soon as it’s finished!

Killing Kits: Clamshell Layout Process Video

Hello! I'm excited to share the latest of the videos in the Killing Kits Series that I'm working on in collaboration with the Counterfeit Kit Challenge. This time around, I'm working with the leftovers from my October 2017 Kit and December 2017 Kit from The Wild Hare Kits. I loved the October Kit so much that I asked for a similar kit in December - and, of course, that meant a fair amount of leftovers!

My inspiration for the layout was the beautiful HKC Exclusive Paper by Kimberly Hutchison, that's included in the May 2018 Kit from the Hip Kit Club - which is this month's kit to counterfeit over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge.

Please feel free to leave comments here, on my YouTube Channel, or over in the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Facebook Community. I'd love to hear from you!

Wild Hare Kits: Remember This Always Layout & Process Video

Hello! Hello! Even if I am based in the UK (where summer is normally confined to two, mid-week, days of sunshine sometime in June) I am so excited for summer! And I have my kit from The Wild Hare Kits to thank for all of the excitement

This month I received a Deluxe Kit to work with and I could not have been more happy with the wonderful selection of neutral cardstock and fun, travel themed embellishments. I decided to start on some of my older travel stories – and I really want to focus on the actual stories – so I started with this beautiful tree, on the Etosha Salt Plains in Namibia. I like a clean look, so I chose to use the more neutral side of Paper No. 22 from the Paige Evan’s Pick Me Up Collection for Pink Paislee.

I added detail with a 6x4 Project Life Card from the kit and some of the die-cuts from Crate Paper’s Here and There Collection. Then added some washi to create a hidden section on the layout behind the central section. I’ve used some of the Palms Paper from Crate Paper’s Wild At Heart Collection to create an envelope (which I’ll stuff with notes about Namibia and some ephemera) all hidden away!

I used one of my small (like, really, teeny-tiny) dies to create some arrows, which I’ve added to the central section of the layout. I’m so happy that I was able to stitch over them without difficulty. Sometimes I hold my breath a little when I add stitches – as it’s a make or break moment!

Finally, I stitched a little at the bottom of the layout, for some extra texture and added a little sentiment from One Canoe Two’s Twilight Collection (I received that last month and it’s the only element that I’ve added from my stash all month!) and some enamel dots!

There’s a Process Video for this layout over on my YouTube Channel today, so do head on over and subscribe, if you want to see these layouts in action – and catch a little look at the hidden section!!!

Wild Hare Kits: June 2018 Kit Reveal

It's kit reveal day at The Wild Hare Kits! After working with the Petite Kits for the last few months, I asked for a Deluxe Kit this month and I'm in a state of shock - I really should remember just how much is included in these babies!

Remember to check out the kit reveals from the rest of the Wild Hare Kits DT, as each kit is curated just for us each and every month. And, of course, if you would like to request your own custom kit, just complete the Style Profile!

Killing Kits: Patchwork Cards Process Video

Hello! I'm excited to share the first of the videos in the Killing Kits Series that I'm working on in collaboration with the Counterfeit Kit Challenge. (Check out the Introduction for a little overview if you missed it earlier in the month!)

This video features the leftovers from my 'Summer In The City' Counterfeit Kit from August 2015! I was a little shocked when I realised it was that old, but I'm so happy to have rediscovered an older kit - that I still love - and I think, that with the addition of a few recent embellishments - it looks on trend!

Whether you choose to use the ideas in this new series to help you finish off your current kit, or whether you haul out the remains of some of those older kits, it’s up to you. But, I hope that the Killing Kits Series will help you to make the most of those little leftovers!

Wild Hare Kits: Little Love Card

I've made a little card with some leftovers from an earlier layout, it really is my favourite way to stretch out my supplies!

I had a little stack of 2x3 sections from the lovely 'Let Your Heart Decide' Collection by Pinkfresh Studios. (I had a whole 6x6 Pad in my kit, but I still can't help myself when it comes to little bits, I just have to try and use them!) So, I cut them all down to 1x3, then added them to a 6x4 card base. I really like the off-set, random look, but I think a more structured look would also be nice and may try it next!

Once I'd added them to the cardstock, I ran the card through my sewing machine to add a simple running stitch. I like the added texture - and it secures all of the cardstock.

I then choose a sentiment sticker from the 'swoonsome' One Canoe Two sheet that was included with the kit, along with a little heart sticker. It's so cute. Finally, I added a few of my favourite little sparkles (like, seriously, I add them to everything) and that's it.

I love it when I'm able to find a way to use up all of my little leftovers at the end of the month!

Wild Hare Kits: Making Memories (and Embellishments)

Today with my take on this month's Wild Hare Kits 'Handmade Embellishment Challenge.' I love to make my own embellishments - and often use my selection of dinky, little dies to make hearts, stars and flowers. In fact, I make my own embellishments so often, that I was already halfway through this layout when I realised that it would fit this month's challenge. It still counts, right? *I won't tell, if you don't!*

I used a small die-cut to make lots and lots of little banners from the beautiful selection of papers in the Pinkfresh Studios 'Let Your Heart Decide' collection. I then shuffled them, so that there would be variety in each banner, before running them through my sewing machine.

Once I'd attached the banners to my layout, I realised that they looked nice, but a little boring. That was easily solved, by adding some more interest with the stickers from One Canoe Two's Twilight Collection. The little crosses and hearts are just lovely!

Introduction {Killing Kits Series}

Hello lovelies! I'm so excited, because today I can finally share the introduction to my new video series, Killing Kits, that I'm working on in collaboration with The Counterfeit Kit Challenge.

Before we start, I wanted to share a little overview of how I store all of my unfinished kits – because, once I found a system that worked for me, it made everything so much easier. Well, until it didn’t … but more about that in a minute.

Normally, I’ll have two or three monthly kits in use and I, most often, will have some leftover at the end of the month. Of course, I could sort the leftovers into my stash, but I tend to think that after all of the effort of co-ordinating a kit, it seems a waste to break it down.

It used to stress me out. I had two or three kits in use – all over my desk – and the leftovers from (at least) the last month, sat around in little dishes or boxes making me feel guilty.

Eventually, I found a solution.

I store all of my kit leftovers in these Wilko A5 Binders. These frosted binders, came with a small exercise book, dividers and, a set of four removable wallets. I removed the exercise books and dividers (I still have them somewhere!) and found that the wallets were about the size I needed for most of my kit leftovers. They are surprisingly roomy. I went back to the store and, now, I have a set of four folders and a total of sixteen wallets.

The small size of the binder has made it really easy to store them on a shelf, next to my desk – and, of course, it’s so easy to snatch a couple of them of the shelf on my way to a scrapbooking crop. No need to spend time co-ordinating supplies, more time crafting! Yay!

But, here’s the issue. Those little leftovers eventually built up and, when I finally filled the last wallet, I found out that these little binders aren’t available anymore. What?! I really didn’t want to start over with a new system – and, honestly, I would rather spend my money on new stash (or new shoes!) So, I realised that I need to start making more an effort to use those leftovers – and it’s been a lot of fun to take a fresh look at some older kits. It’s even more fun to finally kill a kit.

Whether you choose to use the ideas in this new series to help you finish off your current kit, or whether you haul out the remains of some of those older kits, it’s up to you. But, I hope that the Killing Kits Series will help you to make the most of those little leftovers!

I'll be back on the 30th with the first of the inspiration videos!

Long Live The Adventure Layout

Finally found a little time to sit down and craft with the all of the iNSD inspiration available online - and if this is all I make, well, I'll still be happy! I decided to use a bit of my 'It's The Little Things' Counterfeit Kit and combined the Scraplift Challenge from For The Love Of Pretty Paper and the current Counterfeit Kit Challenge Shapely Photos.

I loved Kerry Bruce's Layout from the For The Love Of Pretty Paper community, and made mine in 6x8, rather than 12x12. But I think it's easy to see how I've used Kerry's for inspiration. I loved the circles and the hand stitches, but I used my machine instead.

Photo wise, I decided to die-cut one of Granada into a small circle. It fits a little better into the overall layout - and, of course, fits the theme of this month's first challenge from The Counterfeit Kit Challenge

Then, I took my final little bits of inspiration from Kerry's embellishment clusters! Done!

It's The Little Things: May 2018 Counterfeit Kit Challenge Mini Kit

Hello! Did you see this month's Counterfeit Kit Challenge Reveal? The inspiration kit this month is from Mind The Scrap and it's so lovely that I *had* to counterfeit it, even if I have more kits than I need! So, I decided to make a Mini Kit - which turned out to be a little bit less 'mini' than I expected.

I've made a (short-ish) video overview of the kit - with some chatter about how the items I've included relate to the 'Inspiration Kit'. Please let me know whether this is useful to new counterfeiters and/or interesting to those of you who have been counterfeiting a while. I'm happy to make more videos when I create my kits!

Wild Hare Kits: May 2018 Kit Reveal

It's kit reveal day at The Wild Hare Kits! I'm so excited to work with this month's kit - it's full of lovely colours; floral and adventure/outdoors themes!

Remember to check out the kit reveals from the rest of the Wild Hare Kits DT, as each kit is curated just for us each and every month! And, of course, if you would like to request your own custom kit, just complete the Style Profile. There's no monthly commitment, so it won't hurt to try!

Wild Hare Kits: Clair Scraplifts Iris ❤

Hello! Hello! Did you know that the Wild Hare Kits Design Team have been busy scraplifting each other all month? If you've not had chance to check out our work this month, now is the time! I'm over on the Wild Hare Kits Blog today, sharing my scraplift of the amazing Iris Fox.

I was so happy to hear that I would be scraplifting Iris! She has a style that, somehow, combines structure and whimsy and I knew that there would be a lot of fantastic layouts for me to choose from ❤

I knew that I needed to find a layout that I could 'transcribe' to 6x8 - which is the standard size for most of my layouts - and, in the end, I lost at least an hour or two scrolling through Iris' Instagram feed (@whimsyfox) and found one of her older layouts that called my name. (Can you spot which one it was? Head on over to the Wild Hare Kits Blog to check whether you're correct!)

First, I added a few embellishments from earlier Wild Hare Kits to the leftovers of my Petite Kit - it still amazes me how each kit co-ordinates so well with my stash - and with all of my older kits! To 'Square Off' the layout a little, I added some washi to the bottom, then concentrated on a 'Grid' for the rest of the layout.

Of course, it needed to be a little smaller than the one on Iris' layout, so each section is a little smaller than 2 x 2 in. I cut down some of the cardstock from my kit and layered them with some embellishments for a little added detail. Then I added a small 'Title' from the stack of Reset Girl Labels I received in my kit. (I love them!) The little leaves, behind the label are stolen from one of the Pinkfresh Studios Frames I received in my kit - they were just the right size and colour to add a little detail to my layout!

Finally, I added a little stitching. Iris's layout includes some hand-stitching but I love my machine - and I also wasn't sure I would be able to fit hand stitches between each element as neatly.

I'm so happy with how my scraplift turned out - and I have several more of Iris' layouts saved in my favourites, so I'm sure there will be more scraplifting of Iris in the near future!

Wild Hare Kits: Project Life, The Daddy/Daughter Date

Today, I'm back on The Wild Hare Kits Blog with a Project Life spread for ... um ... August 2017. I really am that far behind. But, I am steadily making headway and that's all that counts. Sitting down with a Wild Hare Kit definitely makes it all a lo easier, as I know I have coordinated stash on hand - and don't need to start a search for that label I remember buying circa. 2011.

This layout is a little close to my heart, as it's from a 'Daddy Daughter Date'. My dad is very camera shy, but he hasn't realised that my Huawei mobile has a camera - so I'm able to take candid shots of him at home, or on our adventures, without him noticing. It's amazing!

I've dedicated one side of the spread to a 6x8 photograph of dad and in between the Pockets, I've added a leaflet from The Ridges Garden we visited. The colours of the leaves on the 'Beautiful' cardstock by Pinkfresh Studios matched the colours of the leaflet so, so well. I've used one side of it, with a little stack of butterflies I die-cut from the 'Dashing' Heidi Swapp cardstock in my kit (once more, look at how well those colours match!)

I then cut another 3x4 and used the other side as the base for a little embellishment from my own stash. Perfection!

Who knows, if it's this easy, maybe I'll catch up one day?!