Hand Crafted Memories

Here's another finished page from last weekend's Cybercrop over on the Studio Challenges Blog. I used photos of me rather than the holiday photos I'd intended. All of the pages I made for the crop have been made from the bits in my scraps box. I've only cut into one new sheet of paper, (apart from the Bazzil). I've got better recently at throwing away all those little bits that might use one day. These were all quite big pieces so I'd hung onto them and there was just enough for this page. and the details

The Cybercrop over on the Studio Challenges Blog last weekend was a sketch challenge, I've had the page ready since Saturday but just needed to go and get the photos. I know as soon as I saw the sketch which photos I wanted to use. I'd also set myself the challenge to use holiday photos because that's why I started scrapbooking. I've had a great opportunity in my past to travel and the photos are just sitting in albums never seeing the light of day and no words to record where they are or when. For this cybercrop I've concentrated on my trip to America in 1992. This was the sketch and here is my page and a little shot of the detail

I've picked up the pictures for my layouts I made at the weekend and I've photographed them. This was the 10AM challenge over on the Studio Challenges Blog Cybercrop, it was set by Anna Bowkis. Anna is the UK founder of the fabulous pencil lines challenge blog and up to this year hosted the Scrapping Angels retreat of which I have been lucky enough to attend twice. This was a sketch challenge, here is the sketch and here is the layout I made. and some of the detail

Craftwork Cards have another great sketch for you to have a go at making a card, as always there will be a great prize for the chosen winner. Here is the sketch. and here is my take on the sketch, again using the lovely Vintage Rose collection. Go here for the details.

Here is another completed project from yesterdays Cybercrop over on the Studio Challenges Blog . This one was made from a kit that I had purchased from Amanda, and was the 7pm challenge. I love home decor projects but wanted to concentrate on scrapbook pages. This was the exception and I'm so pleased I did it, already it has pride of place in my hallway.

I started scrapbooking originally to get all my holiday photos out of their albums that never see the light of day and record my memories. This was the perfect place for me to begin with this crop, so I've added the personal challenge of using holiday photos. Boy have I been productive so far this weekend, the fabulous Cybercrop over on the Studio Challenges Blog has got me scrapping again. Each hour yesterday another project was posted, well with the best will in the world even the simplest pages take me longer than an hour. That's what is so great about this crop, I've got until the 4th September to get them all completed and uploaded. I've got a pile of started pages, some just waiting for photos and some waiting for 'something'. This is usually where I get stuck, deciding what the 'something' is. Here is one of the completed pages, it was the 3pm project, hosted by Ifa . I'm posting a bit out of order but its the order they were completed in. I

It's off and running the Cybercrop over on t he Studio Challenges Blog began at 8am. I'm loving the sketches so far, but that's always my favourite way of getting started with a page. It takes me longer to sort out the papers then a couple of hours to make the page, its almost a full time job! This is one of the great things about this crop I've got until the 4th September to upload everything, perfect! I can take my time and get the housework done as well.. The 12 o'clock challenge was to make a card using one of the Cosmo Cricket lines of paper, I've used the Cogsmo range. I've also made a little gift card 3X3 for the challenge over on the allsorts challenge blog. Their challenge is to make a 3x3 miniature, so while I had the papers out for the Cybercrop I made a matching gift tag. Here is the tag for allsorts. and here is the card for the Cybercrop. Ellephantastic also have a challenge for male projects, right up my street as I have so many male cards

How happy am I that there is a cybercrop tomorrow. I stumbled across this earlier this week and as I'm happy a bit of a crafting hiatus I thought why not? I must have poured all my creativity into project Top Secret. If you are interested it begins at 8am tomorrow over on the Studio Challenge Site . Amanda is too excited and has issued a two part pre-crop challenge and is giving us all a chance to introduce ourselves, here goes. The first part is to create a page with a framed title. Done!   The second part is to answer a few questions. 1. What's your name and where do you hail from? My name is Kathy and I live in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. 2. Who's your favourite scrappy manufacturer? OMG! how do I pick? There are many including Cosmo Cricket, Basic Grey, Jillbean Soup, Pink Paislee, and I'm liking October Afternoon at the moment. Did I miss any out? 3. What product do you find yourself using most? Glue! 4. Do you prefer make your own embellishments, or buy ready

I've been to Cornwall for a few days with work, so not much time for crafting. A friend is moving house next week and I've made a quick card for her. I've had these elegant rectangle cards for a short while but was never sure. After I made this card I love them!

The Top Secret parcel was delivered safely to Craftwork Cards yesterday morning, while I was there I had a sneaky peek of the new MME papers. OMG  they are stunning, I now have to decide which ones I am buying . Of course I want them all but I am going to be sensible. Honest! My year long project hosted by Shimelle Laine over on UK scrapper s continues. These are my July pages, I'm so enjoying this project. It is turning into a lovely record of life at this time, already looking back at the beginning of the year it makes me smile to see the snow. At the same time I'm dreading the end of the year in case it all comes back! Check out the slide show on the right of this page to see the whole year so far. (Just click on the cross to get rid of those annoying poker pets!)    Go here to check out a super giveaway from Tracie, this would be a boost to anybody's stash. So generous.

I signed up to the Big Idea Festival that started yesterday. Class one was a door cone, its a schultüte which is a paper cone filled with school supplies and little gifts to celebrate the first day of first grade in Germany.I thought this would be more geared to Scrap booking, but its not looking like it. I think I'll dip in and out of this one depending on what the project is.I'm thinking this will look nice with a lovely little posy in it, just right for the hostess of the BBQ I'm going to tomorrow. I'm hoping to get some of the challenges over on Shimelle's blog, she's issuing a few challenges through until Monday , go here for the details. She is doing both scrap booking and photography challenges and with prizes!

I made this page on Sunday, I just didn't get around to photographing it until this morning. I had a new washing machine delivered a couple of weeks ago but in order to get it into the garage in the right spot my brother and nephew came to move the old one. Actually my brother moved it and my nephew just gave him expert directions. I think he's going to end up working for a council somewhere! He claimed a couple of empty washing powder tubs and then did a bit of a forage in my craft room. He sat for ages with his Dad and between them they came up with this. It was great to see them discussing the whole process and making something together, usually his head is at a 45 degree and with his mouth open and a controller in his hands. I used the instructions over at Sara h's cards , it was a 10 minute layout  suggestion that really appealed to my busy days. I love it and will be saving this idea to use again. On another note 'Project Top Secret' is done and sitting r

Don't forget The Great Northern Papercraft Extravaganza at The Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate is on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September 2010. Show times are 10am to 4.30 pm Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday, with wheelchair access from 9.30am on both days. Advanced tickets are: Adult £4.50, Children are Free and a Weekend Pass £8.50 they can be bought on-line from Craftwork Cards or by calling 0113 287 7794. Tickets can also be bought on the door on both Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September 2010. There are Breakfast Workshops available to book on-line at Craftwork Cards taking place prior to the show on both days. T he Card Oscars will take place on Saturday 11th September. Full details on the blog here. On Sunday there is a new fun item Ready, Steady, Craft where 4 top UK crafters will be challenged to make a card from a bag of goodies and the public will vote for the winner.

Go here to see a lovely give away. I attended a lovely class taught by Tracie in June, see this post here for the gorgeous book we made. Also nip over to Craftwork Cards , they've got another sketch challenge, how lovely is this sketch? Here's my card, all those butterflies came out of scraps. and a close up This was totally inspired by a picture I once saw and can't find now but it was white with white butterflies on it. I loved the picture and intended to make on for myself one day. So far the day hasn't come but at least I remembered it for this card.

I'm so happy I've won one of Brenda's holiday prizes. Over the last couple of weeks she posted clues of where she was and we had to guess. Today I found I was one of the winners, hooray!!  I took a little walk today to try and get some new photos and have a practice with my new lens. It's lovely and warm outside but the sun is completely obscured by clouds.  Here are my favourites. For the crafting readers I found this handbag card that I'd forgotten to post. It's one of the set I made for QVC to use for the Craftwork Cards handbag kit they have. Also a couple more sneaky peeks from project 'Top Secret' Sssshhh!

I know it looks like I've not done much crafting but believe me I've done loads, I just can't share it at the moment. It looks like it will be a while before we can share the news of our secret mission, so I'm going to share some little peeps at my work. I received a super box of goodies from Craftwork Cards to use on my project and was absolutely thrilled that it was my two favourites Anglomania and Vintage Rose . Here are a couple of my first items. I've also been trying to improve my photos, I bought a 50mm lens but I seem to be struggling a bit sorting out the light. I'm determined to persevere and get it right. Here is a picture I took today that I quite like. I love the colours.

Craftwork Cards have set a new challenge, they have a gorgeous new embossed frame and they are looking for your suggestions of what is should be named. It's a beautiful rose inside a scallop circle. Simply give it a name and e-mail your suggestion to info@craftworkcards.com. You only have until Friday, and there are £50 worth of fabulous embossed products to be won. Sssshhh! still working on my secret projects, I've completed quite a few now and will post some sneaky peeks as long as nobody tells. I can't tell you how happy I am with everything.

I love free, don't you? I really like attending retreats, I think you learn so much and its fabulous to spend time with like minded people. I always come away full of ideas and totally motivated. Problem is they can be a bit expensive. I was so pleased to find a posting on UK Scrappers about the Big Idea Festival. Go here to see all of the free classes and to register. A whopping 39 projects, I'll say that again 39 projects, even better you can use your own stash. I've signed anybody with me?