Blog Candy Giveaway...

So who would like a little box of goodies containing some items that arrived in our shipments of new goodies - today Maya Road and Sassafras arrived along with more My Little Shoebox, plus we have had loads of other new things in (stop by the shop to see what's new and take advantage of the free P&P until midnight tonight! - use code: NEWSFREESHIP )

Leave a comment on this post before 6pm on Thursday 2nd September and we will draw one at random to receive a box of new goodies :)

Those Paper Bag Books...

i got an email yesterday from Wendy asking to see the paperbag books i made for my cruise swap gifts.

My camera battery was dead and by the time it was charged the light was appalling so forgive the poor photos but here is the book that I kept for myself. I made 10 more the same for the onboard swap and the people i spoke to from the swap really liked them. We got some really neat gifts in our "Fish Extender" too :)

I left most of the pages quite empty so that they could add either photos, memorabilia or notes about their trip but to add interest i included some tags, journaling spots and embellishments here and there.

They were simple enough to make but of course times it by 11 books and even a relatively simple project takes quite a lot of time but they went down well so it was worth it!

Stapled Paper Ribbon Frame

This layout uses Basic Grey "Phoebe" which, like lots of ranges from Basic Grey and other manufacturers includes some very busy papers. The paper on the left hand side of the page seemed very daunting when sat on the table. It featured a myriad of colours and mixed patterns.

I used the strip on the left cutting across the stripes to create lots of short stripes rather than going along the stripe creating long stripes.

With some of the remaining paper I cut a variety of small pieces a couple of inches long and between 0.5 and 1 inches wide utilising the different patterns and colours.

The small pieces were then folded over and stapled to the mounted photo to frame it and to tie it in with the section of paper on the left hand side of the layout.

Of course this style of frame can be done with folded ribbon pieces as well and is a great way to use up those odds and ends of ribbon that exist in the bottom of your ribbon box!

A Sketch For September

OK OK I know it is still August but with being away and having the children (and Darren!) home all the time I feel like I am a little off kilter with posting!

So to get you started for Septembers sketches here is the first one. As always interpret as you will, use 4 small and one larger photo or substitute photos for extra journaling spaces, embellishments etc....

For the August sketch comp you have until 31st to post a link on the relevant post for the chance to win a £10 shopping voucher and with all the lovely new goodies that have arrived and those that are due in store in the next couple of weeks it will be VERY easy to spend a voucher!

7 Gypsies Receipt Holder

I was talking to Justin at 7 Gypsies the other evening and we were discussing some of the new 7 Gypsies products. I already knew that Justin did some crafting himself and he said he had been playing around with the small version of the Vintage Receipt Holder (and I have to confess that I have plans for one of the ATC 12 card models myself). I always think it is a good thing when those who sell us the product also use it themselves, so I asked him to send us a couple of photos to put up here. Justin has used some of the new mini ephemera, some of the hardware and the Paddington tags. I now need to find some time to play with my own one and am wondering whether to go with months of the year or something else on a '12' theme.......any ideas gratefully received!

Jill

Edited to add - I just e-mailed Justin and apparently the photos are of him (before he joined 7 Gypsies) :)

Crafting Away From Home

Well I am away on the Isle of Wight for a mini break visiting relatives and as I was packing I was wondering about taking something craft wise. In the end I just bought the Cricut and some cardstock to cut some bits and pieces I need to cut because I find it so stressful trying to pack up and take things to craft away from my usual craft area!

Without exeption I plan to be sensible and pack light and EVERY single time I get this overwhelming panic that I will need something that I know I have left at home so I keep on adding stuff to my tote or the many boxes I end up with. Usually by the time I have finished the car is full and I spend half the time unloading and then packing it all back up!!! I suspect this is the reason why I have never regularly attended a crop.

So anyone have any good tips for mobile scrapping that works for them?

New Graphic 45...

The newest Graphic 45 products are now in store. Steampunk Debutante is their new line with a mix of industrial images combined with softer designs like florals and Victorian ephemera.

Each paper is double sided with a less busy side on the reverse. I am looking forward to a play with these when I get back from the Isle of Wight on Thursday.

In addition graphic 45 have released 4 new papers to add to the Christmas Past collection from 2009 to create the 2010 Deluxe collection!