Vintage Mini Album

Following on from my sneak peaks earlier this week, here is the finished project that I designed for a group of lovely ladies in Reading. I had such fun seeing them all enjoy this workshop, and was glad I wasn't the only one who swore just a little when making these ribbon roses!

Think the best tip I shared on the day was to remember that you can stamp in layers to create a great effect...on this vintage title label I first stamped a frame, then stamped some script over the top, then stamped the lines, then stamped 2010...so in fact I used 4 stamps to create this vintage label. Try this technique if you haven't already, you'll be amazed how much more life your stamps will have.

Have started to think Christmas...I know I know it seems way too early, but if you don't decide what your homemade card designs are going to be, then you'll never get them finished. I also try to design 2 or 3 as I get a bit bored making the same ones over and over...I'll show you what comes off the drawing board when I teach my first Christmas class tomorrow.

xx

Painted Mini Album

Sometimes an idea just works...(and sometimes it dosn't)...but when it does especially when I'm up against a tight deadline, it is extremely rewarding. This little painted mini album was one of those "yeah I love it" designs.

Simply cut a 12x12 piece of white cardstock into 3 equal pieces ie; 4x12".
Next fold each piece in half. Take your favourite watercolours and put a little wash of different colours onto both halves on both sides. Try watercolour pencils, watercolour crayons or watercolour paints.

Once dry follow this simple template;
draw a couple of lines around each edge to frame the paint colour. Next stamp favourite stamps onto each page in black ink. You can add other embellishments, ribbon, flowers, brads, glitter dust as you go along. I then choose a navy patterned paper and cut my photo mounts into 3x3" squares and sanded the edges. I placed one on each page so that I know exactly what space I have to play with when I put photos in. For the front page, I simply did a frame stamp and used alphabet stamps for the title. I then got a large bloom, painted the edges and finished with a favourite brad. Hey pesto a cute little album ready to fill with photos...perfect for a week gift album as well as its really cheap and easy to make.

Have fun!
xx

High Vis Jacket, Boots and Bird Poop

Yes, that was what I really packed today, (well obviously not the bird poop that was gained whilst I was there), along with brushes and bits of cardboard, as I went up to Chelsea to finish off the final bits to the collage. Was really cool to see it in place and to see the garden for real. Everyone is flat out finishing off everything, ready for the weekend, when judging will begin.

Enjoyed the train journey too, (apart from a man next to me with very strong aftershave), taking time to go through the latest Living Etc (one page at a time, not flicking round - you know me!), and listening to some tunes....although I have to say I was completely uneased as I walked back through Victoria Station, heavy walking boots on even though its the best day of summer we've had so far, jeans covered in PVA glue and mud, and bird poop on my bag - then I thought to myself, hey I've just been helping at Chelsea Flower Show... and been paid to do a huge collage... made me feel better.

So what's in tomorrow's toolbag - well lots of kits to make these envelope albums at the Eternal Maker's famous School House event - can't wait to see old friends and make some new ones.

Enjoy your weekend!
x

All About Me Scrapbook Album

Had a wonderful class on Saturday teaching 18 creative ladies near Gatwick. I was given a great brief by a couple of my clients to create a secret mini album workshop for their annual weekend away - just want a designer like me adores!

I came up the idea of a 6x6 acrylic and chipboard album celebrating all the wonderful things about you! ie; All About Me. Too many times we scrap our loved ones, but I daydreamed about what it would be like if I found an album in a gorgeous old vintage suitcase all about my Mum. I would be able to read it and appreciate her passions even more, so I developed an album that might do that for my Holly someday. I took photos of my favourite jewelery, what books are on my bedside cabinet, how I like to eat a cream tea, and what our house looks like...it was really refreshing and also means you get to take loads of cool arty pictures of stuff you collect.

Here is all the lovely packs of kits I pre-made ready for them. You'll notice a new product which is my journalling kit (at the bottom) - just lovely off-cuts of pretty paper that I have used my journalling stamps on, ready for you to use on cards, layouts, even as a jam label. I'll be selling these and other handmade things on my new website due to launch next week.

Why don't you think about scrapping yourself! It doesn't have to be filled with photos of you if that's not what you like, but feel it with all the things that make you YOU!

blog-speak soon!
debs
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