ScrapWest - Summer Sizzler

Eva set us the challenge of creating a 'summer sizzler' this week. Well, it was nice to remember times when the sun was shining!



I chose this photo from Taormina in Sicily, as it seemed to exude heat! Although I had to cool it down with Creative Imaginations 'Vacation' papers in case it melted! And I was thrilled to get an opportunity to play with the Heidi Swapp, Ghost Letters.

Wednesday Stamper - HATS

I've been watching some of Carries work for Wednesday Stamper and decided to give it a go myself this week. The theme was Hats and I made this ATC.


The background is ivory card stained with Rangers Antique Linen distress ink and covered with a flower stamp (which I got free today with the latest issue of Scrapbook Inspirations) using brown and dark red ink. The text is computer generated and stained to age. I also used a vintage image raised on card and threaded through with a selection of micro beads.

ScrapWest - Its the Little Things

Caroline O set our challenge for this week, and I had a tough time getting started on it. I did this LO for ScrapWest a few months back and it kept popping into my head when I tried to think about this weeks challenge.




Eventually I choose this picture taken by Joe of Eddie and I having pints on the day I bought my apartment. Having such great friends with me on that day really meant a lot. Once I'd picked a photo the LO came together in no time, and I was really pleased with the results, even though it is a bit bright for me!


I used Scrappy Cat, UniStyle Tempo paper, with Basic Grey [Basic Elements & Fusion] Letters, and Karen Foster, Paper Mania and other brads.

Cheryl's People Class

This weeks assignment set by Cheryl was to photograph people. Some settings and poses were suggested. The weather was pretty poor this week so that didn't help, but as usual the assignment got me thinking.

My model was particularly uncooperative - you know the sort, won't get out of bed for less than a six pack! And even with such high wages proceeded to pull faces and whine throughout the shoot!

I liked the simplicity and texture of the pebble-dashed wall, however the gray hair blends a bit too well.

So I moved my model against the garden shed, which also has a fab texture, and gives more definition to the model.

Finally having tried all the 'correct' shots, I took this one which breaks all the rules, but which I think is great. Even the model was impressed with this one, which I am taking as the highest possible praise!

Celtic Inspired - ScrapWest

This weeks ScrapWest theme was set by Carrie. I really enjoyed this week as I had the opportunity to play and experiment, although I have to admit my effort was influenced by Carrie in more ways than the title.


Last weekend Carrie gave me a small canvas to alter. I coated it with Gesso, painted with green acrylic, and over laid with some lovely Stewart Gill pearlescent paints (also bought on a shopping trip with Carrie).

To this I applied celtic images (on loan from Carrie) stamped and embossed onto tissue paper, and decoupaged these to the canvas. I finished with the soft gold ribbon, and the lovely Tara brooch I got as a present some years ago.

Change the Viewpoint

"Change the viewpoint" was the title of Cheryls class this week. So on Sunday we headed off to Birr Castle to try this out. It was a perfect day, the sun was shining and we had a picnic in the woods by the river. I think if I was ever to be a sprite I would chose to be a woodland nymph, as opposed to a water sprite or any other type. What type of sprite would you be?

Anyway the first of my photos is from the lovely museum at Birr Castle which commemorates the groundbreaking scientific endeavours of the Earls of Rosse and the early photographic interests of Mary, Countess of Rosse. It really is a lovely place and there is something of interest for all the family.

On the journey home we stumbled across Lough Boora Parklands, which was a wonderful surprise. We wandered around for a couple of hours, it was so tranquil and serene.

There are a series of sculptures located around the Lough, the one featured here is called the Sky Train.

Joe found wild strawberries, which I'd never tasted before and they are tiny but delicious. I felt like bush-tucker girl!

Another Crafty Weekend

This weekend Lainey kindly invited me over to play in her house as Ed was away for a night. Linda and Carrie were also around and we had so much fun crafting, and learning new techniques from the incredibly talented Carrie!


On Saturday morning Maggie May joined us to give us a lesson in watercolour painting. We did a lot of messing, and I got into some trouble with the teacher for not concentrating, but given this was my first attempt with watercolours I was very pleasantly surprised by the results!


There was also great artwork being created in the garden by Linda and the girls, who made these amazing iced biscuits.















After which we all took a well earned break for lunch in the garden, while the younger ones bounced around in the heat the older girls worked hard to keep everyone cool!

I had such a lovely day, thanks to all of you!

Scrap-a-ganza - Tags

This week for ScrapWest I just had to create something to celebrate the wonderful time I had a Scrap-a-ganza. As the challenge was "Tags" set by Carrie I decided to create my own memory tag book of the weekend, with photos and journaling of my favourite bits!

I used bazzill bling cardstock and the exclusive just released, bright and funky Prinx Green papers which I was given at Scrap-a-ganza by Henk of ScrapArt.


The Best Bits
The first tag is the Scrap-s-ganza logo and dates of the event. The journaling reads;

"It started as a glint in Elaine's eye and turned into the best weekend of scrapping ever! There were so many great moments over the weekend that I wanted to preserve the memories of some of the best bits."

Shopping

The shopping was overwhelming. I spent a fortune, but got so much stash! I checked in 21kg and carried 10kg more onto the plane on the return journey. It was great to see so many new papers and stash, and the 'pizza box' bargain shop was brilliant!

Winning a Prize

In fact I won 2 prizes, the first a give away at the Making Memories class with the "2 Jodie's", the second was for a card I entered into a competition. I was so thrilled to win something for my effort, and I really liked the prize kit too!!


Crafting

Even amidst the madness I managed a teeny bit of scrapping. I did 9 classes ~ none yet quite complete, but I learned so much. I spent time in the crop room finishing bits. And as ever it was an amazing opportunity to see what other seriously talented scrappers were up to!

Meeting Lisa

Definitely a highlight ~ meeting with Lisa Bearnson the founder of Creating Keepsakes magazine. She gave the most inspirational talk during the 2 hour class we attended with her, it was truly moving. She reminded us of the importance of spending more time creating the happy memories we scrapbook. In her words, "To scrap happy, you have to live a happy life".


Time Out

There wasn't a lot of this, but I snatched a few moments in the park on Saturday evening. While it was lovely sitting in the sun feeling the spray of the fountain, it stung how much I missed Joe, I don't really like to visit new places without him as I invariably want to share the experience with him.

My Roomie

Spending time with Joanne was a brilliant added bonus! Not only is she the best fun but also she has a much deeper side. It was magic having the chance to talk to her late into the night, and play gin rummy with giant scrapping cards. I know I've made a very special new friend.

ScrapWest - Birds of a Feather

Last weeks challenge was set by the lovely Ruth, and I had great fun with this photo of my lovely sister Jill celebrating her 30th birthday with a gang of her great friends.

I used Basic Grey, Blush papers and Alphabet and assorted blossoms. There is a tag tucked in behind the papers which can be pulled out. I'm leaving this blank for Jill to complete with her memories of the night!

Turn & Tilt

Another fabby assignment from Cheryl this week! I'm so enjoying her online course. For those of you who missed out this time, if you get the chance sign up for the next one! She keeps it nice and simple but really gets you thinking. Anyway here are my entries for this weeks 'Turn & Tilt'.




We went for a leisurely walk by the canal yesterday evening. The sun was shining and it was just a delightful atmosphere - homework doesn't get any better than this!



I can't pick a favourite so I'd love to hear what you think. I like the atmospheric glow of the first image of the mooring post. Something about the mix of simplicity and yet detail of the rough wood surface and background reflection of the second image works for me. The last image of a water tap is again simple but quite striking I think.