Party Time

I love October Afternoon papers.  They have such a nice vintage feel to them and the papers are a great weight.  Even though I have enough patterned paper to keep me scrapping forever I couldn't resist adding a sheet of Sugar Stix from the Cakewalk collection into my latest basket from A Trip Down Memory Lane (okay and some letter stickers to go with it).

I had in mind that I wanted to scrap a photo I'd recently found which was taken at my 8th Birthday Party.  I wanted to use the star part of the paper but I didn't want to use the whole sheet of the paper and that was really all I knew I wanted to do with it.  So it sat like this on my desk for a few days:

It was just too square and I didn't really know what I was going to do with it.  Luckily Ann Freeman came to my rescue with this post on the ATDML blog which I spotted as I was uploading my final cyber crop projects.  I love what she had done with the paper and decided that was what I was going to do with my sheet.  I've added some other October Afternoon chipboard bits which I had left from another project and I'm much happier with the page now.  

Thanks Ann for the inspiration.

ATDML Cyber Crop - Debbie's layout class

I'm clearly on a roll today with finishing off the ATDML cyber crop classes.  My last kit class was one designed by the gorgeous Debbie Jewell, a wonderfully talented lady and just one of the nicest people you could ever want to meet (and you should want to meet her - she is that lovely).

Her class used very busy October Afternoon papers which I probably wouldn't have chosen and I did wonder whether I would do this layout when I first saw it.  However having done the class, I love the finished product.

My not very good, taken late at night with an iPhone photo is below.  Check out Debbie's original layout and the class instructions here.

ATDML Cyber Crop - Ann's mini book class

I had put together the fab mini book created by Ann Freeman on the first day of the Cyber Crop but hadn't got round to decorating it.  Making the last layout I used a photo from a day out with friends a few years ago.  Looking at the photos from that day made me think that they would be great together in Ann's mini book.

I've attached a photo of a couple of the pages.  It might look like the weather was sunny and bright but it's Scotland and even in July the sea was freezing.  It didn't stop the boys going in the water or wanting ice cream when they came out.  And it didn't stop them having a water fight when we got back to our friend's house.  It really was an amazing, awesome day.

ATDML Cyber Crop - Jane's Class

Today I've been working on Jane Hewitt's amazing hidden journalling layout.  When I started working on it (using up the bits left from Ann's 7-Gypsies class) I didn't think I had any hidden journalling that I'd want to add and I planned on adding more photos to the ingenious pull-out pages.

However as I worked on the layout and looked through photos to use I decided to use a photo of my friend, Van, and that I did have some special thoughts that I wanted to record somewhere private.  

Here's what I came up with.  It's maybe not quite finished but I'm happy with it so far.

Thanks Jane for another amazing class.

ATDML Cyber Crop - Jubilee layout

I'm still working on finishing the ATDML cyber crop classes.  This morning I finished the Jubilee layout created by the wonderwoman that is Ann Freeman, who packs so much into her life I'm surprised she ever sleeps.

I loved this layout which used 7 Gypsies Postale papers.  I really like 7 Gypsies products but sometimes am stumped as to how to use the papers.  Ann solved this problem brilliantly.  I had the kit from ATDML and there's enough product left over for at least one more layout.  Fantastic value for money.

Anyway here's my interpretation of Ann's class:

The inspiration I needed

I have been a hoarder of paper ever since I discovered scrapbooking, particularly paper collections.  I just couldn't bear to cut into those gorgeous patterns for fear of messing them up.  Despite knowing it was a complete waste to have them lying on the shelf in my scraproom, sealed in their original wrapping, I still couldn't take that first step to using them.

All that has changed though.  I have chopped up all the sheets of the Crate Paper Portrait papers I was intending to use for an album of our wedding snaps but which I hadn't done anything about for over a year.

How have I managed this?  I took an online class from Shimelle called Perfect Collection and I cannot recommend it enough if you need a virtual bravery pill to start using up those piles of beautiful papers you have.

It might seem a back-to-front way of approaching making layouts but it is effective.  I've made all my foundation pages, put them in page protectors with the photos I'm planning on using and I'm now starting to make those pages up.  And even better, it took no time at all, once I got into the groove. 

If you've got the time, and the piles of paper, take the class.

Here's some of the pages I've completed and some that are works-in-progress:

ATDML Cyber Crop - Scraplift Challenge

Yeah!  I've done it!  I have finished all the cyber crop challenges - and still have a day to go before the deadline.  I'm quite chuffed with myself.  Perhaps a glass of something will be in order.

The final challenge was to scraplift a layout by the ATMDL design team from the May and June galleries.  I plumped for one by Karen Moss which I thought I could use the remainder of that Echo Park mini kit I'd used twice already.

Here's what I came up with:

They are old photos of my niece playing at the River Teith in Callander.  I'm not sure I like the layout and may fiddle about a little more with it but I do think that I've now done to death that mini kit and I can recycle what little is left of it.

And now I can get cracking with finishing the classes from last weekend (after a refreshment, of course)

ATDML Cyber Crop - Bunting Challenge

The second challenge set for us was to use bunting on our layouts.  I didn't want to do a Diamond Jubilee layout as I'll be scrapping those photos later in a mini book and a layout, both designed by Ann Freeman as part of the Cyber Crop, but I didn't know what to scrap instead.

Luckily my husband came home from a golf day last night proudly clutching a trophy (for the worst score over three holes!) and my layout evolved from that.  I used a sketch from the October Afternoon blog which had caught my eye yesterday.

I've got one challenge to go - scraplifting the ATDML design team.  My friend, Antonia, would like me to scraplift one of my own layouts as she thinks what I did originally needs improving on!  But I've got my sights on another couple so I'm off now to choose between them.

ATDML - Journalling Challenge

The third challenge  set by the ATDML Design Team was to increase the amount of journalling on your page.  I quite often don't have any journalling on my pages so this was a bit of a challenge for me.  I did however have a photo of my college library desk which had been printed waiting to be used for some time and I wanted to write a few memories about the desk and my things on it.

Here's my take on the challenge, again using lots of old product:

I've only got two more challenges to complete and I'm still trying to do them before Sunday's deadline.

ATDML - Cyber Crop - Sketch Challenge

Hank has settled long enough to let me finish my layout for the Sketch Challenge.  He loves to go into any puddle, preferably a muddy one!  On a walk last week he was delighted to find that the footpaths were flooded, giving him more opportunity to get his paws wet.

I used up some more of the Echo Park "Hello, Spring" mini kit.  I've still got quite a lot of the kit left, but I'm not sure whether I'll use it or whether it'll go into the pile for the school papercraft club.

ATDML - Cyber Crop Class 11

Well I am still working on at the Cyber Crop classes (I am determined to finish them).  I've been slightly hampered this week though as Hank needed surgery on Tuesday to remove two fatty lumps.  I ended up sitting up most of the night with him and then spending the day yesterday keeping him company.  His whimpering whenever I left the room was truly pathetic!  

He's brighter today thankfully and lying grumbling away to himself at the front door as I've come upstairs for a while.

Anyway, back to the Cyber Crop.  The 11th class was a cute mini book by Karen Moss using  "Hello, Spring", one of the Echo Park mini collections.  Whilst I like the mini book Karen has created (great templates for future use!) I couldn't immediately think what to do with it so I decided to use the papers for a layout instead.  

I didn't like the papers when I first saw them but they are growing on me, so much so that I've a second layout using them sitting on my desk waiting to be finished.  I think that's one of the good things about taking classes with kits or at retreats, you get to use product you wouldn't normally pick and, hopefully, end up with something you like at the end of it.

Off to see how Hank is doing now ... he's gone very quiet!

ATDML - Cyber Crop - Class 9

I spent yesterday afternoon (after the Grand Prix had finished) working on the class designed by the lush Dawn Evans.  I've loved the classes I've taken with Dawn at the ATDML retreats - she's bubbly, enthusiastic and extremely patient!  She loves to gut papers so you get maximum use out of them and she's a queen of layering.

This class had both gutting and layering and a brilliant technique for using those fancy Martha Stewart type corner punches.  I don't have one so decided not to include that element on my layout.  I did however opt for the sewing, another Dawn trademark.  

Here's my interpretation of what Dawn designed (and yes, that is me playing the piano):

ATDML Cyber Crop - Challenge 5

The challenge this morning was an Olympic one and involved using one piece of cardstock, two sheets of patterned paper and three photos.

Yet again I used up some very old stash that has been in my craft room for years - some Junkitz Extreme Boy papers and Heidi Swapp chipboard letters.  

I must remember to charge up my camera battery today although it's nice and easy to use my iPhone to take pictures, even if they are slightly wonky!

Off now to walk Hank.

ATDML Cyber Crop - Class 5

I've not forgotten about Classes 3 and 4, but I've not finished Class 3 (great mini book) and not started Class 4 (it's cards - I'm not a card maker so that will be a challenge for tomorrow!).

Class 5 is a Karen Moss layout.  She has templates for hearts or stars and I took her star idea and changed it around a little.  Again I've used up stuff that has been kicking around in my craft room for years - a strip of chipboard stars from Li'l Davis (when did they stop manufacturing?) and some Rusty Pickle papers.  As the papers had been in my room for a few years they were a bit battered and ripped so I cut out the large circles to make them usable.

I'm feeling positively virtuous using up all this old stash and using photos I've not scrapped before.

ATDML Cyber Crop - Challenge 1

The first challenge set last night was to break open your stamps and use them on a layout, card or tag.  First Challenge 

Despite having a massive collection of stamps I rarely use them on a layout so thought I'd try to use them for that.  Here's what I came up with:

The stamps are a retired Stampin' Up! set called "Compliments to the Chef".  I really wanted to use the cutlery with the photo of Ann Freeman from the last ATDML retreat as she, for some reason I can't remember, had her cutlery down her t-shirt!  Having had a bit of a clear out in my craft room this week I've used old Chatterbox papers and Rusty Pickle stickers that have been hanging around for years.  

I'm enjoying using up some old stash this weekend.  It feels good to finally use it up.

ATDML Cyber Crop - Class 2 (Part 1 ...)

Jane's class posted up last night did not disappoint.  She's so creative.  You can find all the details here:

Travelling Mini Scrapbook

I did start making this project last night but took so long to choose papers that I thought it best to wait until this morning to avoid making stupid mistakes.  I've used some old Basic Grey papers (Marrakech) which have been lurking in my stash for years.

I've not started the three mini books yet but hopefully I'll get on to that later.  Meantime I've made another coffee and put another load of laundry on and am off to see what the next class has to offer.

ATDML June 2012 Cyber Crop - Class 1

I'm planning on joining in the A Trip Down Memory Lane Cyber Crop this weekend.  It kicked off tonight with a beautiful layout designed by Mel using Bo Bunny papers.


Here layout and instructions are here Mel's fab layout class and this is my version of it:

Now I'm off to see what the second class is like.  It's by my super talented friend, Jane Hewitt, so is bound to be fantastic.