Lessons Learnt - 7 - Don't be 'A' Negative... Be Positive!

Dear Scribblers

I don't know whether you've noticed that my pages and my outlook couldn't be described as girlie! If anything, I would say I'm more down with a sci-fi-goth-chic-geek-rock-chick vibe, although I don't know how others would describe me!

Like I said, I'm not into girlie, especially pink, so you can imagine what a surprise I had when I'd finished this LSNED page! I didn't even know I had this much pink in my card stock.

I started with a purple/blue watercolour base for the page, and layered on the artist trading card sized printed papers (from the Artist Trading Collection by The Crafthouse Press who also made the ones on the Oscar Pistorius page.) 

The title, Don't Focus on The Negative - Be Positive, was created on the computer, as was some of the other words. The rest came from many companies including: K and Company, Bo Bunny and Cosmo Cricket, which reads, " Remember to love, delight, explore, wonder, let your imagination run wild, laugh, believe, smile, hope, play, have fun, be genuine and kind each day."

The birds came from a free collection from a magazine, and I made my own version of the girl I'd seen as a template in a magazine. I think it may have been from 'You Can Craft'. If anyone recognises the artist or knows in which magazine it was featured, please let me know as I would love to credit them for their design.

Happy Scribing!

Update on Scrapbook Competition

Dear Scribblers

Way back in November, I told you I had made a snap decision to enter into the Scrapbook Magazine's 'Scrapbooker of the Year'. Well, I didn't win, although I received a rather nice letter back, along with a ton of scrapbooking goodies - result!

I thought you might like to see the 3 pages I entered.

City of Christmas Lights

This was a multi-sensory page. Fairy lights (which work) around the edges to go with the theme. Tinkling bells were attached to the paper bows and behind the fabric ribbon woven Christmas tree in the bottom corner, I added a felt pouch containing pieces of a pine car freshener! and drops of cinnamon essential oil on cotton wool. Very Christmas smelly! There was hand-written journalling and more photos hidden on the tag in the top corner.

The journalling read:

No wonder Las Vegas is called the American City of Lights! Especially at Christmas, where The Strip looks like Santa the Stage Magician has waved his magic wand, or an illusionist has dazzled with illuminated delights. The sights, sounds and smells of Las Vegas - memories of Christmas 2004.

Polo, Pimms and Picnic

This was about a fun day out in the summer. I wanted to show 'white space', stitching (the metal letters onto the page, and in the top corner) and use an opening out folder. Journalling was created digitally, and printed out on photo paper to match the quality of the pictures.

The journalling read: 

We had a wonderful day in glorious surroundings. It began with a scrumptious PICNIC of delectable savouries, cup cakes, strawberries and champagne. Then up to the clubhouse for PIMMS on the lawn in the sunshine.

We watched some fantastic chukkas of POLO by the impressive riders, and their splendid steeds, followed by the presentation of the cup and prize giving, before adjourning to the marquee for tea and cream scones, all in aid of an extremely worthy cause, Hope for Tomorrow cancer charity.

"I Love Acting - it is so much more than real life!"

There was no journalling on this page, as I felt the title said enough. For this, I used the quote from Oscar Wilde. I made the page as a stage, and cut out some pictures to stand on the page as characters in a play. The photos sat on different heights of sticky tabs to give the page depth in a decoupage style. Other photos, I 'mounted' them in frames to look like a backdrop.

I had fun making them, and they are now sitting proudly in my memory album.

Happy Scribing!

Most of the products from Bo Bunny, Dovecraft, Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen, and Hot Off The Press - (apologises to other makers who I can't remember.)

Project of the Day: Try a page which includes your other senses and not just two dimensional pictures. Try adding scent, a touchable fabric, pop-up elements or charms that jangle. I'm sure you can think of many more ideas than this. Please add your ideas to the comments, as I would love to hear what you have invented. Get crafting and keep scribing.

Note: My apologises to all those waiting to read about journalling your life. The chapters will be posted shortly, life has been a little crazy in January here at the home of the Crafty Scribe, but never fear I haven't forgotten, and will be raring to go very soon. Thank you for your patience.