Fun in T' Garden - Where did the weather go?!

Fun in T' Garden - closed
Originally uploaded by Scrap_Vamp

Well, after another day where it started to pour with rain the moment I walked into the staffroom, I thought I would upload this LO as it features photos from the ONE sunny and warm day we had during the two week break!
This is my take on Jane Dean's class at Saturday's Scrapbook Sisters crop and I'm really pleased with how it turned out. To reveal the hidden photos you pull the tab at the side, and out they slide - it's a great way to include several larger photos without doing a double LO.
The fab papers are by Prima and I delved into my bargain pack of American Crafts Thickers to complete the title.
Here's hoping for a nicer day tomorrow!

Tiny Fingers

Tiny Fingers
Originally uploaded by Scrap_Vamp

This LO was created in response to a challenge on the Carolinez Craftz Forumz. As part of the "Use Your Stash" challenges we moved onto using buttons. I decided to mix buttons with brads to create a muted rainbow effect to go with this photo of Joshua holding Carl's hand. I also manipulated the photo slightly, blurring the edges and increasing the contrast to focus on the details of the fingers.

Today was a busy one at school, with four lessons to teach, plus preparation for my observations on Friday, and finally filming with some members of my form for our assembly next week. I'm now sat on my own (well, Sasha is curled up next to me!) listening to cheesy radio and enjoying a good old surf. Very relaxing :D

Dreamer

Dreamer
Originally uploaded by Scrap_Vamp

Well, I'm finally starting to feel back in the swing of things at work. I can't believe it is only three weeks until Year 11 leave though!!

I enjoyed playing at the Scrapbook Sisters crop on Saturday, then joining in with the UKScrappers Cybercrop on Sunday - definitely a creative weekend! I will showcase those LOs, including the one I did at the Jane Dean class, later in the week.

Meanwhile, this is a LO I created during the holidays using some leftovers from a MM class at Scrapbook Sisters (see earlier in my blog for other LOs). This photo was taken at Farming World, the day after Amelia's second birthday. It was very cold in the wind, but we still managed to have fun! Btw, I'm loving butterflies at the moment - I blame my friend Tracey, as she just had a butterfly themed wedding which looked beautiful!

Easter Cake and Scrap Your Day

Easter Cake
Originally uploaded by Scrap_Vamp

So, today is the first day of Shimelle's new project, which I figured I would like to take part in. Unfortunately I developed a horrible stomach bug during the course of last night and am typing this from my bed! As such Carl took some extremely flattering photos of me this morning...I will be good and scrap the bad times too!

As I currently feel very hungry, amongst other things, it's possibly not the best time to post a LO about a cake but I am aware that I have been so busy this week that I haven't posted anything at all! Anyway, this LO features the Easter Gateau that I made this year (gateau was too long for the space I had for my title!) and I've used the new Basic Grey papers, alongside some Bazzill Bling and glittery chipboard. It is loosely based on a sketch from the April issue of Creating Keepsakes.

Sweet

Sweet
Originally uploaded by Scrap_Vamp

It has been blimmin cold today! Started a LO but got so cold doing handcutting that I had to stop.

Currently watching The History Boys as I type this - quite good :-)

This LO uses the Prima papers, along with quite a few of the Maya Road buttons. I have to admit that I'm falling in love with just about everything Maya Road is producing lately!

Destination Relaxation

Destination Relaxation
Originally uploaded by Scrap_Vamp

So, this is the second LO using the Crate Paper range. I've been meaning to scrap these photos for a while but never managed to find the ideal papers.

The photos show different views of Port Orleans French Quarter, where we stayed on our holiday in 2006, and where we will be staying for the wedding/honeymoon trip next year :-D

You might notice my increasing use of white pen lately - this is thanks to mum doing a class with Jane Dean, and inspiring me to go out and get the Pentel Hybrid, which writes so well on photographs.

I would highly recommend that everyone forgets the fear, takes the plunge, and begins to doodle all over their photos - it's great fun!

Just Perfect

Just Perfect
Originally uploaded by Scrap_Vamp

OK, this is the first LO I did for the Design Team using the second set of papers. These are new by Crate Paper, and I would highly recommend the range to anyone who likes the look of layered, hand-cut elements, but doesn't have the patience to do the hand cutting. This is because the range comes with a whole page of push out die cut elements :-D

This morning, Julia came round and we went through my GTP file, cataloguing the evidence and working out what I need to focus on for next term. As a result I'm feeling really positive, as I always forget how much stuff I've already got! She's also told me I'm not to do anymore work apart from when I work with the Year 12s on Thursday - hmm, I think I can manage that!

The Very Least I Can Do

The Very Least I Can Do
Originally uploaded by Scrap_Vamp

I haven't posted anything on the blog for a week because I've mainly been working on projects for the Scrapbook Sisters Design Team. However, some of my LOs have gone onto their blog so I thought I'd put them up here.

I've also done another one for them today, and am looking forward to using photos from the last few days on my own LOs over the next week or so.

This LO uses photos from the Insight magazine which the WWF send me quarterly as I sponsor tigers. The journalling explains how some people tell me I should donate money towards human charities before giving to help animals. Well, apart from it being my business, and mine alone, I believe that humans got the tigers into this mess, so the very least I can do is support the WWF's efforts at making things better for them :-)

Typical British Summer and a Creative Day

Typical British Summer
Originally uploaded by Scrap_Vamp

Well, I've managed to be really creative today, and started (and finished!) a project for the Scrapbook Sisters Design Team. I'm especially pleased as I have almost all my patterned paper left, plus all the cardstock, so there's plenty of scope to complete a few LOs too :-D

As for today's LO, this is based on a sketch from Creating Keepsakes and was completed in response to a challenge from Carolinez Craftz Forumz to use up cardstock. I added free acrylic letters, MM rubons, and a Ranger paint dabber to my cardstock to complete the LO. The title word "summer" was cut using Sizzix Cherish font.

Tomorrow I'm off to Canterbury with Mum in the morning as she has next week off work. Will try not to spend any money, lol!

You-nique and School Holidays

You-nique
Originally uploaded by Scrap_Vamp

This LO uses a photo that I really love. Having the new camera really makes a difference to the quality of the photos that I'm able to take, and lots of people are noticing it.

I love the look on Amelia's face - it looks like she is weighing up all her choices but is in absolutely no hurry to make them!

I'm also feeling quite chilled and creative today as it is now the two week holidays. We've got some nice things planned, and today I completed the cardstock LO I started 2 weeks ago as I finally printed my journalling at mum's. I also stopped in at Scrapbook Sisters and picked up April's CK as they have now confirmed my sub will start with the May issue. While I was there I was also seduced by the Basic Grey Cupcake papers and some Inkadinkadoo stamps :-D

Finally, I had an email from the editor of The Scrapbook Magazine to say my LOs had arrived safely. These were for Issue 30 and were on a summer theme.

Baby Boys and Skills Tests

Baby Boys
Originally uploaded by Scrap_Vamp

OK, first the skills tests part - yesterday I went down to Canterbury Christchurch College and took my skills tests. That was Literacy, Numeracy and ITC. I took them all on the same day in the hope I would pass them all first time and therefore wouldn't have to go back.

Luckily, I did! Feel very relieved to have got them out of the way, and now I can focus on things like my case studies of students and assignments.

This LO is another one I did at the Birthday Crop on Saturday. I've kept it very simple as I just wanted the photos to stand out. It's the second one of Joshua, although I'll need to get lots more photos if he's ever going to catch up with the number of LOs I've done of his sister!

And, on a final note, tomorrow is the last day of term - yay, I'm looking forward to the holidays :-D

Kids' Game

Kids' Game
Originally uploaded by Scrap_Vamp

I really enjoyed creating this LO as I loved the bright colours. I also had the opportunity to use my new All My Memories bird stamp :-D

The journalling is all about the fact that Amelia and Oscar are finally able to play (relatively) nicely together!

It has been great weather here today, in terms of being dry and having really warm sunshine - the only thing that spoilt it was the rather strong wind.

I don't really know why I'm writing about the weather - it's just that I always feel I don't write enough about things other than scrapping, so that's my attempt while my brain is addled from too much work!