After All These Years

{Mini Album}

Hmm. I can't remember if I've shared this mini album on my blog before but I was sorting out all my project/layout photos and came across it. This mini didn't take very long to do. I absolutely love it.

Take one sheet of pretty paper, cleverly cut and folded . . .

And you have this matchbook style mini album - ready for embellishing!

My journaling consisted of some random thoughts on becoming a mummy. I think that's why I love it so much as it's one of my favourite topics!

Thanks for dropping by!

 

{Etsy Buys}

Ok. So I really needed another online addiction. Blogging, blogs, forums, galleries, Facebook and now Etsy. I just love cruising recently added items or searching for shops in my local area or looking for specific things just to see.

I'm now developing quite a list of favourite Etsy shops. And I like the idea of buying from people just like me - everyday people making stuff, using their skills.

Yesterday I received two pieces of happy mail from Etsy buys.

The first was these cute flowers from Sweet Vintage. Soooo gorgeous in real life. Actually inspiring me - not much is doing that these days! And I just love the care that Jodie takes to package up your purchases too.

The second was some Japanese masking tape/Washi paper tape from Pretty Tapes. I've been wanting some printed tape for a while - I've just always had a thing for stationery! And I've got plans for these pretties. Sooo many more designs I was loving and it was hard to choose.  

I'm working hard in the small amount of time I have available to list lots of new things in my Etsy shop by the end of the month. Some items are almost ready to go and I can't wait to share!

 

{You & Me: A Layout}

These photos were taken of Amelia and I on her second birthday - not the best as she wasn't having a bar of staying still! Oh how I love the bright colours used in this one!

 

To give my layout more dimension, I curled and shaped the scallop edge of the patterned paper. Subtle, but it's something I love to do.

 
(Excuse the bluish cast to this photo - bad lighting!)  

I hope you're enjoying this long weekend - we are getting a few things done around the house such as blocking off my new scraproom from little fingers! Not long now and I'll share photos I promise!

{What I've Been Up To}

Thought I'd share a sneak peek of a little something I'm working on at the moment. Yummy, yummy bright, flowery goodness!

Buuuut it's not quite what you think! Coming soon to my Etsy shop . . .

{Card Share & Links}

Inspired by Blossie herself, I created this bright and colourful card with lots of little details!

It's so fun to create a card like this - start with lots of blocks of patterned paper (great also for using scraps) and one by one, add a little something to each block. Pull lots of coordinating bits and pieces out of your stash and have fun!

.

.

.

I also have a couple of links to share today. The first is a cute fabric pom pom tutorial found here. What a great way to add colour to a room!

The next link is a twist on the old butterfly frame. Here is an example using a crab punch. Yes, a crab punch and it's so cute! What other shapes can you think of that would look great presented in this way?

And just for giggles, watch this video of Beyonce (and backup dancer Justin Timberlake!)

Enjoy!

{Artist Update}

My little artist has now graduated from crayons to felt pens . . . rather scary for this clean and tidy Mummy! Luckily her Daddy spent some time with her teaching her how to put the lids back on the pens properly - she is so careful about doing this every time!

Nice and comfy, on the couch. And you do a bit of drawing, then have a rest while you watch ABC kids (of course).

Nice drawing isn't it? She systematically scribbles with each colour, then comes over to me and says "Look Mummy!" and I have to give lots of praise!

Back soon with more crafty shares!

  

{My Little Shoebox & Ruffles}

How's about a layout share using some of my favourite papers in the whole world? Oooh how I love My Little Shoebox - bright colours, cute designs, lots of spots and scallops. All my favourite things!

 

Here I've used lots of strips of the brown spot to create the ruffled border around my layout. It was a whole lot of folding, and took a whole lot of double sided tape to adhere it securely to my layout!

 

Cute banner too! By not appying adhesive the the 'pointed' portion of the banners and curling them up slightly with my fingers, I've created lots of dimension.

 

One of my favourite ways to add interest to titles and journaling is by simply layering them on top of die cuts or journaling spots. I love ranges of paper that have coordinating journaling spots.    

And what did we do before pop dots?