Lessons Learnt - 12 - Cat Rule number 136 - Always hog the last ray of sunshine. Whatever the weather.

Dear Scribblers

The sun has been shining in clear blue skies here in the south of the UK. Don't you notice what a difference it makes when the weather is good? Everyone is happy, and there's a buzz of excitement in the air. I think it's also due to the fact the Olympics officially begin tomorrow. How exciting!

As it's all about the weather, I've chosen to show you this layout from LSNED 2011.

It's all about how the cats can always find the last bit of sunshine in the garden or the house.

The printed title reads: "Deep Summer Is When Laziness Finds Respectability (Sam Keen) - Turns To -  It Was One Of Those Perfect English Autumnal Days Which Occur More Frequently In Memory Than In Life. (PD James)"

The quote within the circle tree is by Lesley Anne Ivory from 'Cats in the Sun' - "At the end of the day when the sun is setting, cats may be seem making the most of the last little corners still in sunshine, until the shadows lengthen and the sun slopes round the other side of the world to awaken all the cats there."

To make the layout, I painted the background in watercolours to look like a cartoon-style sky and gently sloping hill. All the papers and the main title came from two separate kits that came free with Scrapbook Magazine - "Summer scrap kit" and "The Autumn Wishes" collections. I cut out pieces to make the title, sun set, trees, top and bottom borders and arrows to bring focus to the title. The alpha and number tiles for the date also came from the kit.

I printed out a number of suitable photos of my cats, Draco and Merlin, to the sizes I wanted, and cut around them so they appeared more embedded into the scene.

This is another one of my pages where I felt I was getting the knack of art journalling rather than straight on scrapbooking. Plus the layout cost pennies, just a lick of watercolour paint, free papers and both photos printed at home on a single A4 photo quality sheet. Thrifty!

Enjoy your day. Whatever the weather!

Happy Scribing!

The Crafty Scribe Communiqué - Silliness, but you can call me Vlad!

Communiqué... News Flash... Communiqué....

Dear Scribblers

Had to share this with you all.

Last Friday, I went to see the hilarious stage show of The Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy in Brighton. We had a fabulous time, which began by a meander through North Laines, where I happened to find The Vintage Magazine Company. Inside the shop, waiting for me was The Count (Vlad to his friends) from Sesame Street! In full figure finger-puppet style. He was my favourite character when I was a child, so I just had to buy him.

Obviously, he came to the theatre with us...

and then again to see the Olympic Torch on Sunday. Can anyone guess where we are?

I have a feeling that he's going to crop up on a few more photos, don't you? He may even need his own  mini scrapbook!

Do you photo anything unusual? Or carry anything with you? I know that Gisele Scanlon of The Goddess Guide and Experience, carries a little blue plasticine snail called Mr Snailey who goes all over the world, and into the best restaurants, with her. Why don't you start something silly today?

Don't worry, Lessons Learnt will resume again tomorrow with number 8 of the series.

Happy Scribing!

Communiqué Ends... Communiqué Ends...

Lessons Learnt - 4 - Olympics & Oscar Pistorius

Dear Scribblers

With the Olympics and Paralympics coming up on us as fast as Oscar Pistorius, I thought I would share a LSNED page that is based on a quote from that fabulous South African sportsman who is also known by the awesome name of 'The Blade Runner!'

His quote is: "A loser isn't the one who comes last in the race. The loser is the one who sits in the stands and watches."

This isn't just a quote for sports and games. It's to remind you to get involved in life, remember to participate in each day, don't just sit on the sidelines and watch your time go by.

I painted the page in a pale green, then added the Olympic rings, although most of this became covered up. I used artist trading card sized papers with game-type images on them and splattered the whole lot with more paint, before adding the mat and layered sheets. I'd printed out the words on the printed paper using the computer, picking a sporty 'American Football' style font. The day, number and trophy clipboard tags were added along with a lot of glitter.

Happy Scribing!