There's still time to play at Simply Create Too

This time at Simply Create Too Challenge, I made something a little different to my usual work. The theme for Challenge #131 was to use buttons and bows.

I had been browsing on the internet and stumbled across Jen of Eve Designs and her wonderful handmade photo books that she designs, makes and then sells the templates for others to make their own. Anyway, I CASEd a few of her ideas and created my own little photo book using my own measurements, page ideas etc. I made it for my niece's birthday, and considering she has three gorgeous kids, it shouldn't take her long to turn it into a special brag book.

I made a classic rookie mistake when I decorated the front of the album with my placement of the embellishments. While it looks lovely when it's untied; once the ribbon is secured, the heading can't be seen. Oh well, I'll know better next time. :)

This shows the inside of it with spaces to glue photos and journalling panels. (I particularly liked her cute little envelopes and pockets.)

Head on over to Simply Create Too and join in the fun with a whole new challenge. You never know - you could be selected as one of our top three entrants.

Bye for now.

Love,

My Box of Inspiration

As part of my rehabilitation of my creative juices, I watched a video from Sandy Allnock where she talks about the creative process. I especially liked a quote by Picasso  (originally heard from Kristina Werner), that she spoke about, 

At the time it really resonated with me, so I made a tool box and festooned it with that quote. 

I used a Kaisercraft chipboard BTP Scrapping Organiser that I covered with patterned papers from the Base Coat Collection. I painted the edges and drawer front with some Airondack Copper paint. After applying the quote using some old basic grey micro mono stickers, I painted over the quote with some multi-medium matt gel to seal the letters in place. To complete it, I added some strips of Papermania's Madame Payaud's patterned craft tape across the drawer.

Not only have I now got something to contain all of my craft stuff that I can carry around the house with me; but I have something to keep me going when I'm not feeling so inspired. This is really so great as I've been trying to contain all of the stuff I regularly use. There's a section for my embossing and stamping stuff, a section for glues, etc; a section for tools, pens, etc; and at the back there's a deeper section for scissors, ruler, heat gun and rolls of adhesive strip. The drawer is going to be for the ink pads that I regularly use as well as blending sponges etc. You should see my craft bench now!  :)

Thanks to Sandy Allnock for your inspiring words. I can't fully express what they really meant to me at the time.

Anyway, bye for now.

Love,
Janelle