She's baaaaack!

She Who Must Not Be Named moved out at the end of October to go travelling for 3 months. Honestly i was dreading those three months without her...but i have a wonderful new flatmate, i've kept myself occupied and we managed to keep in touch via e-mail and skype, so i managed not to completely lose the plot without her around. However, i'm thrilled she's back on British turf and am looking forward to having her closer and excited to cause mischief and mayhem together again. Life is so much more fun with my bestie at my side. It did feel like a piece of me was missing with her gone.

Paper: Studio Calico, Crate Paper, Stickers, Chipboard, Buttons: Crate Paper, Tags: Studio Calico, Stamp: MME, Punch: EK Sucess, Other: Tiny Attacher

i've mentioned before that she does not like to have her picture taken and i will probably get in trouble for posting this layout, but i had fun with it and it's not very often i get to scrapbook her, so i'm pushing my luck ;) Lot's of Studio Calico and Crate Paper here and did you notice some stamping again? Really trying to get more use from my stamps & ink & loving it. 

V Festival *Crate June Sketch*

Yesetday i was discussing music festivals with a friend. i didn't go to one last year as i was busy moving in July and this year i have other adventures planned for the summer. But how i wish i could attend one! They really are the most fun. Our conversation inspired me to scrap a picture from the last music festival i attended. i designed this layout using the June Crate Paper Sketch, this one was reeeally fun to play with.

Paper, lace, buttons: Crate Paper. Mist, Alphabet chipboard: Studio Calico, Ink: JBS for Ranger, Other: date stamp.

i think this was my favourite photo from V Festival in 2009, such happy memories. This was my first time using the new chipboard letters from Studio Calico. Usually i find 'self-adhesive' chipboard letters not that adhesive (yes, i'm looking at you AC & MM!). But i was delighted to find that these are super sticky. Yay!

Elle's Studio Pages

i have always been a fan of the stuff that Elle comes up with (she is so talented). As you know, i always handwrite my journalling so am often on the look out for places to house it, sometimes stickers and journalling dots can be a pain because my pen won't flow on them properly or the ink gets smudged, but not Elle's stuff! Anyway, i have fallen in LOVE with her latest release, handmade layers. It is the perfect mix of vintage and modern and has such a sweetness about it. And for my UK pals, you'll be pleased to learn that Elle's Shop has low international shipping prices too! Here's a couple of pages i did using the handmade layers collection:

Paper: Crate Paper, Alpha Stickers: Sassafras, Journalling Spots: Elle's Studio, Doilies: Cosmo Cricket, Mist, Stamp: Studio Calico, Ink: JBS for Ranger, StazOn, Other: twine embroidery floss, date stamp. Bottom photo credit: Adam Sayward

In March, i went to stay with a friend in Oxfordshire and we visited Blenheim Palace. We loved it there and had a grand time exploring the grounds and getting lost in the maze! i'd highly recommend it for a day out if you're ever in that area.

Paper: Crate Paper, Alpha Stickers: Sassafras, Buttons: Crate Paper, Journalling Spots: Elle's Studio, Mist, Stamp: Studio Calico, Chipboard: Maya Road, Pearl: Prima Marketing, Punch: Woodware, Embossing Powder: American Crafts  Ink:  JBS for Ranger, StazOn, Versamark, Other: Crochet Doilie, Embroidery Floss, Buttons, Vintage Lace, Beads, Date Stamp. Photo Credit: Steph Bracher.

i have to say, this is the most FUN i've had creating a layout in a long time. Which is saying a lot, because it's always fun. i think because i got a bit techniquey, it felt more like playing. i sprayed the vintage lace with mist to make it that light shade of pink. i use mist in this way so much these days, i wonder how i ever scrapbooked without it. And i enjoyed creating the ice cream cone too. i used a Studio Calico herringbone stamp to make the 'cone' and i double embossed a cloud chipboard piece with Zing! to create the 'ice cream'. Then i just glued some beads on for the 'sprinkles'. i was glad to get a different use out of the cloud chipboard piece. i think i'll be making a cupcake out of one next :) If you have any other ideas on how to use them, please comment and let me know!

Be you

The other day i was thinking about how much fun stuff i get to do. And how many wonderful people i have in my life. i'm getting much better at taking photos of that funness and those people, but for some reason it often takes me a while to get around to scrapping said photos. One thing that i never struggle to scrap about is me and what's going on in my head. What i like to call my 'scrap therapy' layouts. Pages to encourage me along, remind me to be my best self, to get my not so great feelings down. These are the pages that come most naturally to me, but i don't often share them with anyone. And i feel like i should. Because it's ok to be me, and it's ok to scrapbook about myself. No matter what anyone else may think.

i mentioned in January that i've been dipping in and out of The Happiness Project by Gretchen Ruben. What's  resonated with me the most from that book is one of Gretchen's 'commandments' for happiness, to 'Be Gretchen'. Meaning she should pay more attention to who she is and not what she wishes she was. Do things she likes and not just what she feels she should be interested in.  'Be Alexa' is becoming a bit of a mantra for me. i've been on a huge personal journey these past 6 or so months and i'm having to face up to a to of truths and make some big decisions so that i can live a balanced, happy life and just be well.

i've had to pass up on opportunities recently because i knew that if i had taken up on them, i wouldn't be true to myself. And i don't regret taking those decisions one bit. i am still finding my way, slowly, but it is my way.

Here's a page i made to remind myself that being me is one of the most important things i can do.

Paper: Crate paper, Mini frame: American Crafts, Alphabets: Jillibean Soup, Basic Grey, Mist: Studio Calico, Punch: Martha Stewart. Other:  paint, buttons, embroidery floss, crochet doilie, white pen. Tools: date stamp, tiny attacher

Ah, yellow + grey, you really are one of my favourite combinations. My beloved square punch always comes in handy when i'm in a funk, it's a good way to use up scraps and house embellishments.

My real reason for sharing this layout though, is to remind you that your uniqueness is the most amazing thing that you possess. There is no one else like you, and that is something very special, so be proud of it!

Loves.

Art Wall *February Crate Sketch*

It's been a while since i played along with a sketch over at the Crate Paper Blog but i couldn't resist this month's designed by Emily Pitt's, it was too fabulous. i scaled it down to 8 1/2"x11" and i also added a border, but otherwise i stuck to the sketch. i knew it was the perfect opportunity to use up some Restoration from Crate Paper and i'm obsessed with my tiny attached at the moment, so that saw some action. And a splattering of some White Mr Huey, of course.

Paper: Crate Paper, Alpha stickers: Basic Grey, Punch: Martha Stewart, Mist: Studio Calico, Buttons: own stash.

This photo was taken by my sister last month in Bournemouth. Check out her fab use of the rule of thirds in this pic, i'd like to think subconsciously some of my photography skills are rubbing off on her! My ma and i went down to celebrate her birthday and we all went out to lunch. On the way back we came across this wall, covered in tiles, each one different and individually hand crafted. It was was so inspiring. And what kind of scrapbooker would i be if i missed out on the opportunity to have a photo taken in front of it?!

What are everyone's plans for the weekend? Hope you all have a fantastic time!

Crate Sketch

Crate Paper have just started doing a weekly feature using a sketch. And you know this girl loves sketches! Here is this week's, designed by Emily Pitts.


And here's the layout i designed using the sketch. The background paper and the grey patterned paper are from Crate paper, the other paper and stickers are from Sassafrass Lass.


To make these wool embellishments, i plaited some wool and then glued it to some card, sticking it down in a spiral motion. Does that make sense? i think they are something i will be adding to my projects more often.


The page is about the first time i went horse riding, in the Australian outback. The trainers purposefully picked a well behaved horse for me because i was a first timer. Her name was buttons, rather appropriate for me, i thought!

Scrapbook Shares on Sunday and Blogiversary Giveaway winner!

First to announce the giveaway winner of my Blogiversary.i used the random number generator to decide the winner and it picked:



Congrat's Adrienne. Send your address to alexa_gill@yahoo.co.uk & i'll get the package out to you. Thanks to all those who entered & i'm sorry if you didn't win this time, but i'll have more giveaways in the future & there's still time to enter for the mini book kit below.

Now on to my scrapbook shares. They are all made largely with the April Studio Calico Kit. i will not lie, i was not crazy about this kit (and i am usually in love with their kits). But so far i have made 6 layouts with it, one i already shared earlier in the week. i think i'll get another 1 or 2 out of it and then the left over bits will go into the rest of my stash. i think it's been good to challenge myself to work with products that are out of my comfort zone but sketches have definitely helped me along the way!

This first one is based on a sketch by Rachel for the sketch challenge over at Sarah's Cards Ltd. i flipped it and moved a few of the elements around.


Sorry about the blob on the photo, looks like i need to clean my lens :/
Next up is a layout i took from sketch #11 of Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook class.



And lastly just a layout i did all by self without any help from sketches :) Makes me want to go back to Thailand so badly.


i've got a busy week ahead but i'll still be back to share the rest of those SC layouts and a few other things. Have a great week!