PnT Scrap Challenge

We recently held a sketch scrap challenge at one of our crop sessions. Quite a few of the ladies participated, and posted some of the results on the Pics 'n Tales Facebook page.  This is the sketch that we used:

And this is my take on the challenge:

I used little bits of paper left over from many different projects, mixing and matching paper from different manufacturers. The photos were taken at Fairview farm back in 2010. I love how the red and green  (typical Christmas colours...), pics up the colours in the photos. The chevrons and buttons add a bit of fun - something every layout should have!

January class - unexpected treasures

When I found a stash of vintage books in a bookstore in Cape Town recently, I just had to have them... Ever found yourself in that situation? Regularly, I hear some say...

Anyway, what to do with a whole stack of small books, published in 1887? Create a class project, of course!!

At first, some of the girls were quite taken aback by the instruction to tear most of the pages out of the book, and then to procede with scrapping directly onto the book pages. But they soon got over that and started getting quite creative!

The idea was to scrap photos that were rather random - not taken specifically for a project. The result: a fun mini album with a vintage twist. Here are a few of the pages from my book:

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are about 20 more little double pages...

 

 

 

Inspiration from the animal kingdom

I found myself suddenly bored with a mini album project recently and decided that I needed a quick layout "fix". Not having a lot of time on my hands, I reached for a Pagemaps sketch for some inspiration.

After finding some long lost paper in my stash, I added a few embellishments to the growing pile of goodies on my desk, and started to feel quite inspired and motivated. Until I realised I did not have a photograph that said "scrap me now!"...

And then I remembered the awesome photographs posted by an American photographer, Junelle Jacobson, on her blog. I used one of her stunning photographs of the cutest little lamb.

My journalling reads:

I love how this picture seems to capture all of life's innocence in one small, new pair of eyes.

Finally completed...

I can't even remember at which Scrapbook Convention we started this project. The album was awesome, and something a bit different. The paper and embellishments we got with it, was a bit far outside my "box", so I really struggled with it. But I finally got my head around it, and created an album about my grandparents in their youth. And I must admit, I quite like how it turned out, even though it is not my usual style!

There was an added bonus to creating this album: I got to learn a great deal of my family history in the process!

 

Cute mini album

Here's another little mini album I made using my now "go to" design for quick and easy projects. This folded album is so versatile and quick to make, you can't help but use the idea over and over again.

I used an adorable range from Fabscraps, that went perfectly with photos of my son and his cousins on the beach. I cut up a Fabscraps chipboard title so I had two titles to use, and combined it with letters created on the Cuttlebug with a Heidi Swapp font.

 

The inside of the album is decorated with banners and a variety of stamped images.

 

 

 

 

Scrap365 January Challenge

Today's layout was based on this amazing sketch by Morag Cutts over at Scrap365:

 

I flipped the sketch around, and changed the size of my photo. Instead of using a Christmas theme, I opted for something with flowers and butterflies.  I found a gorgeous tag with the word "news" on a dress, and just had to incorporate it into a layout. Since this photo was taken when I was about 3 months old, the layout is entitled "1972 news".

 

 

 

 

 The papers used are from Kaizer Craft, Glitz, Basic Grey and Prima, while the embellishments includes a bit of bling, beautiful white flower ribbon, Making Memories trim and a few elements cut from the Kaizer Craft patterned paper.

 

 



 

I really enjoyed working with this sketch. It looked quite simple, but with a few different patterned papers, it was possible to create a layout that is really full of detail. Great fun!

 

 

 

 

So let's try again today...

I created this quick mini album using a few die cut pages from Fancy Pants. I think they were originally meant to be used as journalling spots, but found a new purpose as a mini album.

Since I used a random selection of photos taken throughout our holiday, the fact that the pages did not all look the same suited me perfectly.

 

Each of the patterned die cuts was backed onto cardstock. Embellishments included rub-ons, eyelets, glossy accents, stamps and brads.

 

Don't you think these little rock stars are just too cute for words?!

 

 

The cardstock backing on each of the pages also serves to make the album a little bit more sturdy, so that it can be displayed and handled without worrying about the pages being damaged.