Smile || Scrapbook Layout

Hi all,

I have a layout to share today that's very pink and yellow... a colour combination that seemed odd to start with but I think I made it work!

I used a selfie I took with my dad on a little breakfast date we had.

On this layout I used a combination of different products rather than lots from the same collection like I normally do.

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

Go See Do || Scrapbook Layout

Hi all,

I have a layout to share today that involves the Mini...  but not mine, for once!

Back in June I went to a classic car show with my parents. It was the hottest day of the year, 35 degrees in the shade so sadly I didn't take many pictures as I felt like passing out most of the day! Of course I had to take pictures of the Minis though... 

I mostly used the Shimelle 'Starshine' collection here. The backing paper is one I've been hoarding for a few years, it's by Sei. I got it in a surprise bargain box and it's got a gorgeous green foil on it.


Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

5 Projects Using... Dovecraft Perfectly Pink!

Hi all!

Here are 5 projects using the Dovecraft 'Perfectly Pink' collection from Trimcraft. There's a bit of everything here! There are instructions on how to make them below each picture. 

1. Add gesso across the centre of a 12x12" sheet of pink cardstock
2. Once dry, use the packaging technique to smoosh pink spray ink across the gessoed area. 
3. Take a pack of wooden frames and back each one with patterned paper.
4. Arrange across the layout and stick down when you are happy with the arrangement.
5. Print your photo and mount. Cut a doily in half and stick one half behind the photo and the other to the left of the page. Add pegs to the photo and stick down.
6. Finish with accordion flowers, a title and other embellishments in each frame.

1. Cut 4 inches off the bottom of a 12x12" sheet of patterned paper. Mount onto a 12x12" sheet of contrasting paper.
2. Cut a doily in half and stick one bit on the top left and one on the bottom right of the page.
3. Stick a length of ribbon across the top and bottom over the centre paper.
4. Fussy cut several flowers from floral paper. Stick some over the doilies.
5. Print your photo and mount several times onto patterned paper. Add a doily behind and stick to the layout. Add more fussy cut flowers. 
6. Finish with a title, gems and buttons.

1. Cut 2 hearts from acetate. Stick together with 3D foam tape around most of the edge. 
2. Through the gap, add sequins. Seal the gap.
3. Cut a heart the same size from patterned paper and cut an aperture in the middle. Stick on top of the shaker element.
4. Die cut a large tag and cover with patterned paper.
5. Stick the shaker element on top.
6. Decorate with paper flowers.

1. Cut rectangles the same size as a  die cutphoto frame, from acetate. Stick a photo frame to one of the acetate pieces. Add 3D foam around each edge and the inside joins in the photo frame.
2. Add sequins into each compartment. Add the other piece of acetate to the back.
3. Cover a card blank with patterned paper.
4. Stick the shaker element in the centre.
5. Embellish.

1. Stamp a large sentiment in black ink on a card blank.
2. Fussy cut flowers from patterned paper. 
3. Stick the flowers on the card, around the sentiment and so they are overlapping each other and the edge of the card.
4. Leave to dry and add a couple of small embellishments. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Time To Create || Scrapbook Layout || Simple Stories The Reset Girl

Hi all,

I have a super quick and easy scrapbook layout to share today, using the Simple Stories 'The Reset Girl' chipboard stickers & washi tape. I got them as part of a kit last year and they've been sitting around because I never really scrapbooked about creating before....

Until National Scrapbook Day happened and I wanted to scrapbook the layouts I had made during that weekend. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Birb Watching || Scrapbook Layout

Hi all,

Here's the first of a series of blog posts that come under the umbrella of 'Emily Loves Scrapbooking Again!!'. There'll be a new layout comprised of non-design team products every Saturday for the considerable future. 

"You stopped loving scrapbooking?!" 

Well, not exactly. But I overthought every single layout I made. 

I'd love to be on a scrapbook design team so I could concentrate on scrapbooking but this is the hand I am dealt right now and I am very grateful for my current opportunities. 

Another problem for me was and is, dolla. I've finished uni and haven't worked out what I want to do with my life yet. So I'm saving what I can and that means I can't justify a scrapbook kit subscription. 

But then National Scrapbooking Day happened.....

I am a member of the 'For The Love Of Pretty Paper' UK scrapbooking group on Facebook. Over that weekend they posted 12 challenges and during the weekend and following week I completed every single one and loved it! I really enjoyed getting stuck in with my stash and not having to stick to any particular brand. I even got completely caught up with my 2017 scrapbook. 

Here is a layout I made for a 'tic-tac-toe' challenge, to pick three items from a table of nine. My choices were fussy cutting, die cut and ink spatters. 

The picture I used is of my boyfriend on a recent visit to the local nature reserve. We had heard a 'birb' (what he likes to call a small bird, it's very sweet), but couldn't see it. Here he is looking for it, camera at the ready.

To make the layout I chose to use my Heidi Swapp 'September Skies' paper pad. I picked it up a couple years ago in TKMaxx before they made the ridiculous decision to stop selling scrapbook supplies.
I fussy cut the floral paper and layered behind the photo, adding die cut birds on top and finally my title, journalling and ink spatters.

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

Lovely || Scrapbook Layout || First Edition 'Sweet Nothings'

Hi all,

Today I have a layout to share with you using the First Edition 'Sweet Nothings' paper pads by Trimcraft. It has a really gorgeous pink, peach and aqua colour scheme, with lots of florals. There's a cut apart sheet (well, 3) in each pad and that is what I used to make this layout. It is a shame that First Edition pads do not have matching embellishments but these cut apart sheets make up for it a lot and allow for a wider variety of creative inspiration. 

The picture I used is a selfie of Nathan and I before a date night. I believe this one was Wagamama (again!)

Step by step:

1. Cut apart the cut apart sheet in the 'Sweet Nothings' 12x12" paper pad.
2. Take a 12x12" sheet of bookprint paper and paint gesso across the centre and up and down the left side of the page. Leave to dry.
3. Paint watercolour onto plastic packaging with plenty of water. Smoosh onto the gessoed areas.
4. Arrange the long border pieces along the centre of the page at different angles. 
5. Print a photograph at 4x4" and add other pieces of the cut apart sheet behind it, along with a coloured doily. 
6. Punch holes in tags and add twine through the holes. 
7. Stick the 'I love making memories with you' piece on the left side.
8. Add a length of crochet trim beneath the title.
9. Finish with adhesive pearls. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

#Snapchat || Scrapbook Layout || Dovecraft 'Kiss & Make Up'

Hi all,

I have a scrapbook layout to share today using the Dovecraft 'Kiss & Make Up' collection from Trimcraft. It's just so cool, right? I also used some machine stitching on this. It's optional but gives such a great effect (except when it comes unthreaded and the air turns blue.... ). There's a tutorial on how to make it below the picture. 

So, the pictures. My cousin Caroline and I were messing around on Snapchat at our grandparents' house at Easter. At the time I had a Windows phone so didn't even know what Snapchat really was.... I know, right?! On the day of writing I should be getting an iPhone.... not my birthday yet but my OH doesn't want me "crying" over a glitchy phone any longer... 

Instructions!

1.       Using an old credit card or a palette knife, spread a layer of gesso across the centre of a 12x12” sheet of textured, coloured cardstock and allow to dry.

2.       Spray red ink across the centre of the page. You can use a stencil if you want.

3.       Print your photos at 2x3”. Mount them onto tissue paper and then onto patterned paper.

4.       Stick both onto a piece of patterned paper and mount onto another. Stick this onto white tissue paper.

5.       On the left side of this, stick three patterned tags so they are peeking out from behind. Stick the whole thing in the centre of the layout.

6.       In the top left and bottom right, stick lengths of washi tape and ribbon.

7.       (Optional) Using a sewing machine and various colours of thread, stitch along the ribbon and washi tape with straight and zigzag stitches. Also stitch around the photos and a zigzag down the left side.

8.       Ball up your offcuts of thread and stick behind your photos.

9.       Finish with brads, tags and chipboard stickers.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx 

Spring Has Sprung || Scrapbook Layout || Dovecraft Blooming Lovely

Hi all,

I have a layout to share today using a photo of the gorgeous flowers in the Museum Gardens in York. I took my boyfriend's new camera and it takes brilliant shots and I love it. I only use my own camera now for project photography. 

I used the Dovecraft 'Blooming Lovely' collection to make this layout and here is a step by step guide:

1. Stick an 8x8” sheet of patterned paper in the centre of a 12x12” sheet of patterned paper.
2. Cut a 7” square of vellum and stick in the centre of the 8x8” sheet.
3. Print a photograph and mount twice.
4. Cut a wooden frame in half. Stick one half behind the top right of the photograph and stick the other half on the left side of the 8x8” sheet.
5. Cut  a coloured doily in half. Stick one behind the top right of the photograph and one behind the bottom left.
6. Cut a length of washi tape just wider than the 8x8” sheet and stick towards the bottom of the 8x8” sheet.
7. Cut adhesive banners in half and stick on the left and right of the tape.
8. Add a length of ribbon above the left side of the tape.
9. Stick down your mounted photograph on the right side of the layout.
10. Stamp ‘Spring Has Sprung’ onto white cardstock, cut out and stick behind a wooden frame. Fill in the gaps with patterned paper and washi tape. Stick on the bottom left of the photograph.
11. Add a line of buttons along the still visible parts of the washi tape.  
12. Add floral stickers, die cut butterflies and flowers to finish off the layout.

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

Mixed Media Scrapbook Layout || First Edition Paradise Crush

Happy Saturday!

I'm back with a new mixed media layout, I think I've finally got my mojo back. This layout is made using the First Edition Paradise Crush paper pad by Trimcraft. If you're one of my American followers then you can now pick up this paper pad (and 'Storyteller') too in Michaels. Funny how we struggle to get our hands on scrap supplies here in the UK, I never think of it being the other way around!

The picture was taken at the BioParc in Fuengirola, Spain. I asked (instructed..) my boyfriend to stand under this huge building so I could take the picture. It's untitled. Not a stylistic decision, I'm afraid, I'm just bad at titles...! 

 Step by step:

1) Take a sheet of coloured, textured cardstock and using an old credit card, paste gesso in the centre of the page. Leave to dry then add a couple more layers, depending on how thick the gesso you're using is.

2) Paint watercolour paint onto plastic packaging and 'smoosh' (press down) on top of the gesso. Repeat on more packaging with co-ordinating colours.

3) Print your photo at 2x3" and mount onto patterned paper.

4) Fussy cut flowers from the paper pad and cut a coloured doily in half.

5) Arrange the cut out items behind the photo in the centre of the page and when you are happy, stick them down.

6) Using a patterned stamp, stamp in co-ordinating colours behind some of the elements of the page.

7) Finish with stickers and adhesive gems.

If you're wondering what watercolours I use, they are by Reeves. I bought them when I was in art school and I still love them. 

Today my family and I are celebrating Christmas. With one thing and another, we never actually had Christmas dinner all together so it will be good to have a catch up with everybody. Fingers crossed no one asks about uni/etc :) :) :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Arthur's Seat || Scrapbook Layout

Hello hello hello!

I have a new layout to share with you today. The pictures are from when Nathan and I climbed Arthur's Seat on our trip to Edinburgh. 

We originally tried to go up Calton Hill (the smaller hill which was near our hotel) but couldn't work out how to get there so instead we decided upon Arthur's Seat. That's when I took the second picture down. 

Eventually we go top and the views were awesome. 

The backing paper here is from the Shimelle 'Little By Little' collection. I love mixed media but whenever I try to do a background I'm never happy with it and I liked the painted effect on this paper. In the end I cut it in half and flipped one side over as I loved the side with cameras on it too and it added more interest to the background. The papers are simply taped together at the back, you can't really see the join as it is covered with the photographs. This layout was super simple to make but it turned out so well!

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Trimcraft Bloggers Day || Scrapbook Layout || Dovecraft Painted Blooms

Hi all,

A layout to share today using pictures and memorabilia from my trip to Trimcraft for their Bloggers Day back in February.

I have included memorabilia from the day - my name tag, the little business card and the tag from my 'goody bag'. I have kept the balloon too (they can be harmful to wildlife) and folded it and put it in one of the pockets in my scrapbook. Never throw things like this away as they look fab on your layouts - I'm talking maps, tickets, leaflets you can cut bits from... anything!

Obviously I had to use Trimcraft products for this layout so I used the Dovecraft 'Blooming Lovely' collection.

1. Step by step:
2. Take four sheets of 6x6” patterned paper. Keep once its original size, cut 1 inch off two of the sheets, and 2 inches off the final sheet.
3. On a 12x12” sheet of patterned paper, stick down the whole 6x6” sheet in the top left.  Stick another sheet below and to the right and the other sheet even more so (but don’t stick this one down too much)
4. Take the smallest sheet and cut a pennant into one of the short sides.
5. Print a photograph at 4x4” and stick onto this sheet, then stick onto the layout.
6. Print another photograph at 2x3” and mount onto patterned paper and then onto a tag. Slide behind the paper you didn’t stick down properly, then stick this paper down so it allows the tag to slide out.
7. If you have a small memento that you don’t want on full display but still want somewhere on the page, make a pocket. You can do this by cutting patterned paper larger, then folding it around the piece of memorabilia and sticking the pocket down. Add a frame on top and add an embellishment.
8. Add washi tape and stickers in the bottom right of the layout.
9. Add a line of bows down the centre of the layout.
10. Add a title. Use different colours and shapes of letters to add some interest.
11. Add some journaling.

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

Spring || 8x8" Scrapbook Layout || Dovecraft Painted Blooms

Hi all,

Spring is in full swing now, I am obsessed with taking pictures of all the gorgeous flowers in our village. There's something so uplifting about the yellows and purples, even under a cloudy sky.

Here is some inspiration for those of you who are 8x8" scrappers. I loved 8x8" scrapbooking when I first started out, the smaller size is less imposing and you can put together a page in less than half an hour, so it's great if you don't have as much time to craft.

This layout uses the Dovecraft 'Painted Blooms' collection by Trimcraft and you can find step by step instructions on my Trimcraft gallery (link)

(Top tip, little easels are fantastic for photographing smaller layouts and you can pick them up from The Works)

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Spring || Scrapbook Layout || Dovecraft Painted Blooms

Hi all,

I have a layout to share using the Dovecraft Painted Blooms collection from Trimcraft.

When I first saw the floral stamps (before I got my mitts on them) I knew I wanted to make a layout stamping them over coloured watercolour patches....

Here it is!

When I got my hands on the stamps, this project was the first thing I tried but it took three attempts to get right. The first time, I used cardstock that absorbed the water too well and the second time I used too much paint and the result was a brightly coloured Kandinsky-inspired mess.

Fast forward a couple weeks I had another go. Initially I started out using my 'Artiste' watercolour markers I have from my Docrafts days but a few circles in they decided to stop giving out ink. Instead, I bravely got my Reeves watercolour tubes out and squeezed a tiny bit of my chosen colours onto my clear acrylic block. I painted a circle of water and then dropped in a tiny bit of the paint for each circle. The paint spreads out into the wet area but you can help it along with a brush if you like. Once it was all completely dry I added the stamping.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Castle On The Hill || Scrapbook Layout

Happy Saturday!

I have a mixed media layout to share today and it's inspired by 'Castle On The Hill' by Ed Sheeran. If you haven't heard it then a) where have you been for the past 2 months and b) go listen, now! 

When we went to Edinburgh, that song had just come out and it was going through my head when, walking to go out for a drink that evening, the sun was setting over the castle (on the hill). I took a few pictures but there were trees in the way but we got to the art galleries and there was a podium that I climbed on to take this picture (I had to be lifted down).

I still wasn't sure about the picture but I had a play around on my phone on 'Camera 360 Sight' and it has lots of effects to emphasise different weather conditions. This one really brought out the blue and the fire of the sunset. 

For this layout I really wanted to use some orange to bring out the colours of the sky. However, I am repulsed by the colour orange for a silly reason that I don't want to mention...
Anyway, I chose some paper for the background, this is a rather old 'on my desk' paper by Gossamer Blue )which I haven't heard of in ages.) I covered some parts of the paper with gesso and then did the packaging technique with spray ink over the gessoed areas.

The tags/layered papers are from the 'Happy Watercolour' 6x6" paper pad from The Works. It's a real bargain at £1 and the papers are so pretty.

The wood veneer are some form of American Crafts but I can't remember what collection. A lot of my stash is a bit older but that doesn't make it any less wonderful to work with.

The large thickers are from the Paige Evans Fancy Free collections by Pink Paislee and this is the first time I've used them and I love them. They're larger than normal and really grab your attention.

I finished off the layout with some machine stitching and some scrunched up thread.

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

Fly || Scrapbook Layout || Simply Creative 'Chalkboard'

Hi all,

I have a layout to share today using the Simply Creative 'Chalkboard' papers from Trimcraft, along with a little mixed media in the form of yellow watercolour paint.

The photograph is of some waxwings that spent a few days in the area at the beginning of February. It's a bit of an 'out-take' shot but I really like it, how the camera captured details like the birds' feet and yellow tails, but blurred some of the wings.

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

C

Dream Big || Scrapbook Layout || Simply Creative 'Sweet Dreams'

Hi all,

I have a layout to share today using the Simply Creative 'Sweet Dreams' paper pad by Trimcraft.

The butterflies are fussy cut from a sheet in the 12x12" paper pad. Then I drew a circle lightly on the page and stuck the butterflies around it. Super easy to do and so pretty!

For a step by step guide to how I made this, check out my Trimcraft gallery (link).

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

Liverpool || A4 Scrapbook Layout || Simply Creative 'Around The World'

Hi all

I have a layout to share today using the Simply Creative 'Around The World' papers by Trimcraft.

I printed my photo off at A5 width and trimmed the edges so it was slightly smaller than the page. 

On the background I die cut a pattern (using a First Edition background die) and then used it as a stencil, spraying ink through it and then removing the die cut to reveal the pattern underneath.

To find out more how I made this, head over to my Trimcraft gallery...! (link)

Amazing || Scrapbook Layout

Happy Saturday!

I have a mixed media scrapbook layout to share today and it's something that took a whole afternoon to make but I love it.

The photograph is of Nathan on a trip to the local nature reserve. For some reason we've never been before even though it's right on our doorstep. Nathan had got a new camera and we had fun testing it out. We sax foxes and deer as well as rare birds - a good day!

The background paper is foiled and is from the 'Gypsy Gypsy' paper pad by Craft Consortium. In the cover of the pad there are lots of gorgeous designs to cut out and I chose the stags' heads and the fox for this layout.

For the mixed media background I added some light gesso and then modelling paste through a Prima stencil. Once it has dried I rubbed some Nuvo embellishment mousse in gold over the top of the raised areas.

The 'amazing' is a wood shape from The Works and I covered it with Dovecraft 3D Pearl Effects paint. I added the paint over some of the polka dot stamped areas too.

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

Bee-autiful! || Scrapbook Layout || Simply Creative Country Garden

Hi all,

I have a layout to share today and it's super easy to make! I used the Simply Creative Country Garden papers from Trimcraft to make this. 

Last summer I spent an hour trying to get a decent picture of the bees in our garden... this is one of the three good ones I got....!

To find out how I made the layout, head over to my Trimcraft gallery (LINK)

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

You Will Forever Be My Always || Scrapbook Layout || More Than Words Challenge Feb 2017

Hi all

I have a layout to share today for the More Than Words challenge. This month's theme is to be inspired by the word 'together' and include an ampersand on the project. You can find out more here.



Here is my layout. I used a picture of Nathan and I on Valentine's weekend.

The backing paper is one sheet by Crate Paper 'Heart Day'. I saw that the triangles could form a heart shape so I cut it out, flipped it over and taped it into place. As I had the heart coming off the edge of the page, I had a gap in the centre so I just filled it with scrap paper and covered it up with my photo.

The gold washi tape was 15p for a pack of two from the local supermarket after Christmas and I love it. 

Most of the embellishments (paper behind the photo, lip brad, chipboard sticker) is from the new Dovecraft 'Kiss & Make Up' collection which is brand new from Trimcraft, I got some yesterday at the Trimcraft bloggers day and it's so lovely to work with. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx