Gaudi's Sagrada Familia ...

... last week's challenge on UKS was to scrap 3 photos of a building with a handmade/stamped title. I took these when In Barcelona for my 40th and althought the photos are quite neutral, Gaudi's mosaics aren't and I wanted to reflect that in the page. The journalling is on the tag behind the photo.

 

Old stash and new ...

.. I mentioned the other day about the punches I got at the NEC last week. I also picked up some stamps, masks, washi tape and a few other bits and pieces. I wanted to have a quick play so with some last few scraps that I had earmarked for cards I came up with these.

 

 

Meet Raskog ...

... a few weeks ago I spotted this kitchen trolley in Ikea and thought it would make a great craft trolley. Looking in blogland it looks like I'm not the only one!! So with a determination to try and keep my desk tidy I decided this weekend to get one plus a couple of Antonius trays. Haven't finished filling it up yet, am still trying to organise all my supplies.

Punches to hand in the top tray (see those 2 postage stamp punches? I got them for £2 each at Hobbycrafts, NEC!!! Thanks to Jemma and Lesley :) ).

Embellishments in the middle.

Ribbons, trim and bakers twine in the bottom.

 

Blue Brads Fun night ...

... last week the Blue Brads house over on UKS hosted a fun event over 3 nights. This included challenges, bingo, scavenger hunts and more.

This was my layout for a sketch challenge

The embellishments on this layout was a challenge on the first night and then to use them on a layout on another night, which I combined with the weekly challenge.

Bloglovin' ....

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

... Just a testing.

Last layout ...

... this was the first layout I did on the Bloggers Weekend, a class kit by Tracie Hudson that I had bought years ago. Following instructions got me into the swing of scrapping for the weekend and although not a style I would come up with on my own, I enjoyed making it.

Sat at home I think I have lots of stash. In the company of other crafter's - not so much!!! Was very envious of Ruth's punch collection, so I've had to buy some more. The Martha Stewart pinking circle was very hard to come by and I would also like the 1" version (called Starburst) but that seems even more elusive.

I have a few projects in mind, watch this space!

Oh, and in case you've not already seen this, here we all are - 

Happy Mother's Day ...

... I had wanted to buy this card for my Stepmum but left it to late for delivery. I then realised with the cricut and SCAL I could of course make my own!!!

 

I had planned a 10 things post for today, but as I'm now struggling to think up new ideas, I'll leave you with some photos instead

My beautiful family

My amazing stepmum 

My wonderful and sorely missed mum 

Bakers twine ...

... I've been asked a couple of questions recently about bakers twine.

The first was by Louise and what do I use to stick the twine down with. I use Glossy Accents under each point that crosses and then at the top of each loop.

J and I were having a chat about how I get the twine to loop, and we realised it was because I keep it on reels or pegs, rather than flat cards. So if you're having trouble with looping your twine rewind it!!

 

Challenges ...

... Ruth set us a challenge. We each had to take 17 of a particular item to give to everyone else and then make a project with all the items you are given - so I took a length of Bakers Twine for each person. The challenge was to use as many items as you could - I managed everything!

The only things I added to this layout were background pp, journalling card, alpha stickers and the punched lace behind the bird washi tape. Some items were more challenging than others, like Ruth's blue card (I used a tiny dot on the butterfly) and Mel's cardboard box (which I punched a scalloped square out of).

 

Ruth also reminded me about the UKS weekly challenge Sunday morning, so I completed that quickly before it was time to pack up. The challenge was to use 4 different scraps, yellow or circles and a food/celebration related theme.

 

Bloggers weekend ...

... but firstly I seem to have lost a month! February has flown past whilst being busy handing over at my Customer Support work and settling into my fabulous new role.As I get into my stride I'm hoping for lots more creative time.

And to kick start that all I had a fabulous weekend at the YHA Milton Keynes, organised by Lizzie, with 16 wonderful like-minded people and I've made some lovely new friends.

I had lots to eat (that was just lunch) ...

demolished Mel's amazing Malteser cake ...

and had lots of late night crafting and chat especially with Jennifer, who was great company.

Although I thought I might have been more productive, completing 5 layouts, it took me awhile to get into my stride. And I got lots of inspiration, learnt some new skills and have a shopping list the length of my arm!

This is my favourite page from the weekend, scraplifted from Margrethe Aas Johnsen's page on the cover of Scrap 365 this month.