What I created at Sarah's Cards Retreat

A couple weeks ago Mom and I went up to Warrington for our second Mother/Daughter craft retreat (first with Sarah's Cards). It was an easy quick fun flight and then we started our classes.

Class One: This was the class with doodling - which I wasn't really looking forward too... I used a black and white photograph of my gran and great-granddad.  This was a good class to get into the crafting weekend.

Class Two: For the second class I used this photograph of my Grandma Violet.  This sheet of patterned paper from the kit went perfectly with the photograph.  The doilies were heat embossed... my heat embossing isn't that good but since we know own a heat gun it should get better.

Class Three: Love these papers! So many bright and eye aching designs!  We cut frames from the whole sheet of white cardstock and put squares of patterned paper behind and added decorated bright squares to the front. Love this technique.

Class Four: Normally I wouldn't go for these style of papers.  I worried about the use of roses and so much pink on this layout of Spot (a boy boy dog) but I think it shows his softer side.  The bows were made origami style from patterned paper.

Class Five: A project life styled class.  The Saturday before the retreat I still needed seven photographs for this class so I decided to do a Day In The Life.  It was fun doing these little cards and I learnt some new things for my Project Life.

Class Six: The last class. My mind was starting to get overused from all the creative so pretty much stuck to the instructions.  I used a photograph of me and Mom in Ireland last year.  I love this washi tape and the was enjoyable.

Sketch challenge:  The first challenge was a layout challenge.  I bought some papers from the charity table and used photographs from the Monday before the retreat when we had an avalanche of snow!!! A whole about 6 inches of snow in about 2 days! I used washi tape and a stencil and other bits I bought from the shop at the retreat.

Kit challenge:  We were all given a kit of papers and an alphabet set.  I wasn't going to do anything because I didn't find the papers inspiring but then I started cutting the flowers out of this sheet of paper and started to find the papers inspiring.  Just a simple photograph of my brothers when they were about 2 and 3.

And that's it.  I came home full of ideas and lots of new things to play with.  Already booked for another craft retreat for next year (sadly not with Sarah's Cards though).

Mom's Latest Layout

It snowed on Monday and Tuesday.  I took a bunch of photographs after I got home early from work and while Mom was stuck in traffic for about 3 hours.  She created this layout for the March Challenge.

Thought I would get this up and linked before we go on our retreat so I wouldn't forget to post it before the deadline.

Currently listening to a couple songs The Chelsea Pensioners "Men in Scarlett" - it is odd that I know most/some of the words???

Little Man

It's rare that I completely finish a layout in sitting. Lately I've had to put it to the side and think about it for a few days.  Maybe it's because its Layne.... I've had some photographs printed for ages and slotted them in a page protector for future scrapping.  I think this photograph is from last Summer.

It's for the Sarah;s Card Sketch Challenge. And came together easily with some left over papers, some washi tape, an old 'boy' sticker and some Amy Tan alphabets.

I love seeing my messy desk like this too!  It means I have had a good creative day!

Project Life - Week Nine

 On Monday I went to get my fourth tattoo (insert). Love it! This is my scrapbook related tattoo... a couple arrows and the word 'explore'.

To remind me to 'explore' the world... my life...

Our dog (Sunner) had a stroke on Tuesday and died on Thursday... sad day. I took Friday as a 'holiday' and scrapped about her.  This photograph is the only one I could find of her at the moment.  I made a simple art card with some Studio Calico hexagon stickers, a velum polaroid frame and some red brads.

I got some new glasses on Saturday. Ones with re-action lenses so I won't be squinting and getting as many headaches when the sunshine makes an appearance.

I'm loving the Project Life movement.  It's interesting to see all the little things you do weekly instead of just the bigger things that make it into the scrapbook album.  I really love the different sized page protectors I got too.  I know that a few months ago I thought it was a mistake to start my first Project Life with the pressure of each page is different instead of Design A. 

Loving PL!  And love looking at other peoples! Share your/your favorite PL blogs!

Project Life - Week 7 and Week 8

 Week Seven.  Was a loooonnnnng week at work.  I created some art cards "Do More of What Makes Me HAPPY" with some Amy Tan papers. 

Week Eight.  I was walking to work on Monday or Tuesday and the thought "I am Worthy" popped into my head... not sure why but I knew I would include that in this week's project life.

I challenged myself to use my big camera everyday this week too.  Used some clear Day of The Week stamps and took a photograph. (Stamps aren't just for stamping! They can stick/cling to mirrors too for some great photographs).

My new Winter boots arrived.  I decided to get some new warmer winter boots (for next winter?!) since it didn't make sence to have freezing cold toes and needing to wear three pairs of thick socks...

The insert is full of photographs of me getting my third tattoo.  I took the day off work and Mom had a half day so she could take photographs for me.  It's a beautiful tattoo! (I'm in love!)  I had to include a screen capture of the comments from Jo-Ann on Facebook!

Project Life - Week 5 and Week 6

 Week Five.  Little Layne's birthday (but we had to celebrate a little later because I was sick, then Mom was sick...)  Even when I am sick and feel all yucky I still think I should do something! productive!!! So I attempted so slowly tidy a little of the craft room.

 And I am still aiming on tidying a little bit more of the craft room...

Week Six... I got a heater for my bedroom... meet my new fur nephew Spot (inset), played with fake tattoo paper.

Loving Project Life!

Sarah's Card Sketch - Moms Layout

And I just realized that this challenge has ended....

I've been trying to get my Mom to do a few more layouts - usually by printing out a sketch and asking her to come up with something.  This is for Layne's album about his 2nd birthday.

We are going on a retreat in a few weeks and will be creating six layouts!!! I will just need to keep her calm and relaxed.  Whenever we are crafting away from home I find my lovely Mom gets flustered... (planning on making some little cards to remind her to relax and enjoy the time).