Altered Challenge from the retreat

We always have a number of optional challenges at our retreat weekends which delegates can take part in, seven was the count of last weekend including a sketch challenge, a top 10 challenge, a mystery kit challenge and one of the most popular - the altered challenge. This retreat the object to be altered was a small brown gift bag.

It never ceases to amaze me the variety of entries we get to these challenges and this year was no different. Projects ranged from minibooks to lined wine coolers, from festive reindeer to spooky houses, from mini Calendars to miniature stages, not to mention some very pretty decorated bags retaining their original use.

As always judging the challenges was not made simple by the very talented delegates who gave so many options to choose from and all so wonderful in their own right. Jane's post on Halloween showcased her witches house a little further. The overall winning creation however was this one by Denise.

More retreat projects and photographs to share in the coming days along with another Thirsty Thursday challenge

UKS Blog Hop!

Today we are taking part in the UKScrappers Blog Hop!

You may have come here from The Biskit Barrel (A Sprinkle of Imagination) and if so I hope you enjoyed your visit there. Here at ATDML we are uploading a layout project using the My Little Shoebox 3D roll up flowers.



Available in 5 different designs these versatile double sided embellishments will add dimension and texture to your pages.

The class is a layout designed by Ann Freeman, feel free to use it to create your own version of the same layout, or to get inspired to use these fabulous little 3D flowers in some other way!

The full instructions can be found HERE on our website as a free downloadable PDF

Here is an excerpt from Anns instructions talking about assembling the flowers:

• Choose a selection of 3D flowers (they all make different size and height flowers) and carefully pop out of the sheet. Note that the sheet is double side with a pattern on one side and a plainer complimenting colour on the reverse.
• Taking a needle or paper piercer start the rolling of the flowers from the outside working in to the centre, and once you have got the roll started you can carry on with your fingers. Roll the flower up and secure in place with a glue dot. You can practice how loose or tight you want your flowers, it is a matter of individual preference.
When you have a selection (I think I rolled 5) layer some of these onto the standard flower die-cuts on your sheet and use a needle or piercer again to gentle curl the petals on these.

We have donated a prize to UKScrappers which, along with some others donated by other UKS sponsors will be drawn for those who participate in the blog hop by commenting on all the blogs and on the UKS thread (link at the top)

In addition, all orders over £20 placed between now and 6pm on Sunday 6th November with your UKS name in the comments box will qualify for a free selection of brand new 2011 Christmas papers.

Thanks for joining us. Next on the blog hop list is Dyan Reavely of Art From the Heart

Happy Halloween!

After a fantastic weekend retreat I hope Mel, Jill and all their helpers are taking a well earned rest! As Ann said - some photos of classes and challenges will gradually follow, but since today is 31st October by request I am sharing my altered bag project and wishing you all a spooktacular day - whether you are out trick or treating or hiding behind the sofa with the lights off!

Frantic Friday = No Thirsty Thursday

Apologies for the lack of Thirsty Thursday post yesterday but due to a Frantic Friday today (we are all away the the retreat and have been super busy preparing) we will be back with the letter I for Inspiration next Thursday. Before then will share some of the class projects from this weekend which has got off to a flying start with a CD Calendar class using Echo Park Victoria Garden papers taught by Ann. Mel then taught an interative Simple Stories layout using the Generations papers. Suzanne's first class of the weekend had delegates scrapping three layouts using scrumptious MME papers and after dinner we ended the first day of classes with Mel's Bind-it-all book using Glitz Vintage Blue papers.

Photos to follow in due course!

Year-O-Graphy by Simple Stories

New in the shop by Simple Stories is a collection called Year-O-Graphy.
If you are looking to create a minibook to summarise your 2011, or maybe a set of papers to feature on a layout-a-month project for 2012 these papers would be perfect.

They come with matching stickers and the papers are a mixture of great background papers and others with plenty of elements that can be cut out and used as embellishments.

How about using this paper on a double layout with twelve 3"x4" photos and the twelve bingo card months cut up into a grid format? One of my to-do pages for the retreat this weekend which Mel, Jill, myself and the majority of the design team will be attending in Stoke-by-Nayland from this Friday through to Sunday. Talking of which, I must go organise myself a little more, I have many photos to print off ready for a very scrappy weekend.

*H* Thirsty Thursday

Another Thursday crawls around and a slightly chillier one at that! Not to worry, simply take inspiration from our next challenge, make a cup of tea and head to your crafting zone for some creativity! Week 8 now and we are taking inspiration from the letter H prompts below to make a layout, card or another crafty project. So here we go...

H is for HEARTS - Be they heart patterned papers or embellishments, maybe a stamp or some heart shaped brads - time to get hearts on our cards and layouts this week. You could even incorporate them into your title.

H is for HOME - Home made, moving home, home grown or combined with our first prompt "Home is where the heart is" - feature the word HOME or make HOME the subject of your next project.

H is for HAPPY - Happy Birthday, Happy Christmas, Happy to have you in my life... how will you include a little sprinkle of HAPPY on your next project? Is it too early to make that first Happy Christmas card? we think not!

H is for HANDSEWING - Feature a little stitching on your next project, dig out the needles and colourful threads and add a little texture to your projects.

H is for HOLIDAY - Summer holiday photos still waiting to be scrapped? Or maybe you are looking forward to the Half Term holidays next week? Or once again maybe looking to the next big seasonal holiday and creating a little handmade something for the home. Whatever you choose as your holiday inspiration please do share your creations with us here on the blog.

Remember as always you can jump in and out of these weekly challenges as you like. There are no deadlines, but you can win a little something from us by simply sharing your creations using the link tool at the end of this post.

Before you head off to play we just want to share as always a couple of inspiring projects from our design team, this week from Dawn and Jane.

Dawn shares this lovely page which ticks several H boxes - Hearts, Happy and Holiday

Jane shares a printers tray for the HOME prompt


and a cute feline page featuring some handsewing.

See you again next week for another challenge, in the meantime....Happy Crafting!

*G* Thirsty Thursday

Hopefully you weren't too thirsty yesterday as I completely forgot to schedule the next Thirty Thursday challenge! Apologies for that - hopefully this post is better late than never. Week 7 already and this week we are taking inspiration from the letter G prompts below to make a layout, card or another crafty project. So here we go...

G is for 7GYPSIES - The latest range GLOBAL (also beginning with a G!) from 7Gypsies was loaded to our site earlier this week if you haven't seen it yet. For this challenge we ask that you use any papers or products from any one of their extensive ranges.

G is also for GRAPHIC 45 - We have over 150 different Graphic 45 items available, which are your favourites? Time to dig them out for this weeks challenge.

G is for GEMS - How about showing us how you put your final touches to your cards and layouts with gems? Do you mostly buy and covert (I'm guilty!) or use these pretty embellishments? Share your gem adorned projects with us this week.

G is for GAMES - Traditional board games, outdoor pursuits or maybe the latest technology inspired games, it's time to scrapbook pages about them and preserve the memories.

G is for GREY - One of my staple go to colours or cardstock and certainly ink pads which pair lovely with lemon or bolder yellows, equally as well with pinks and blues. Use the colour grey as a focal point or background colour to your next crafting project.

As always we have some design team examples to share with you.

Jane created this beautiful mirror last month as part of the DT Gallery using Graphic 45 papers.

Ann's shares a page from a double layout class taught earlier this year with Echo Park Valentine range featuring plenty of grey in cardstock, patterned papers and the b&w photos.

Thanks for joining us for another round of weekly challenges. Be sure to share your creations using the link tool to be in with a chance to win a little something from us.