Backgroung

Friday, 2 March 2012

G is for Glitter - Bajan Diners - Scrapology March 2012 Challenge

This month we scrap-lifted our lovely DT member Anita, this is my version.

I used Kaisercraft Sweet Nothings papers from Merly Impressions to create this layout.
The background is a 12x12 cardstock from DCWV which came in kit.
I cut the square from the centre of the die-cut, stuck the edge with 3d foam then returned the middle on doubled foam for extra height and the addition of some orange ribbon.
I cut around the edge of the birdcage and flower on Dozen Roses and cut to 7 x 6 1/4" approx with the cage and leaves extra.
The photograph is 6 x 4 which I trimmed and matted ont the dotty section of Devoted,
this was then slid under the birdcage and flower. This frame was stuck with 3d foam too.


From Devoted, I cut out the birds and additional flowers then added them to the layout along with a bow from the remaining ribbon.


I then added loads of stickles in Platinum, Crystal, Patina, Cinnamon, Tiara and Diamond Black.
It's a shame they dont show very well here.
The butterfly was from a section under the photograph with glossy accents on the body.


Ingredients:
Memories Die Cut
Memories die-cut paper - Sweet Nothings Collection
Dozen Roses
Dozen Roses - Sweet Nothings Collection
Devoted
Devoted - Sweet Nothings Collection
The ribbons and flowers came from a box of "posh" chocolates Lianne got on her last birthday, so a little recycling here too lol!.
There is lots of dimension to this page too which is not visible.

This is our sketch and Anita's original page:





Why not hop over to the Scrapology Blog to see the other DT samples and take part in the challenge?
Look forward to seeing you pages :)
TFL
xxx

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

On Saturday, Roberts Birthday, we went to Bluewater.
I had a appointment for a facial at the Elemis spa-room in John Lewis and once finished realised I'd forgotten my make-up. A lovely lady on the Bobbi Brown counter gave me a quick make-over so I was ready for our night out.
Following a lovely meal at Loch Fyne - fantastic seafood platter - we went along to the cinema where I had  tickets in the gallery for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel which inspired this layout.


I started with a plain piece of white bazzill and inked the edges.
A piece of bubble wrap was dabbed with Tim Holts distress ink pads in Milled Lavender and Faded jeans, the placed onto the white and pressed lightly. I then added splatters of Cosmic Shimmer and Tattered Angels glimmer mists.


Random strips of paper from the BG Kissing Booth collection were cut and inked then placed onto the cardstock. A recent app on my iphone for a photobooth made the perfect photograph for this layout, especially as we took it whilst waiting for the film!
I tied a thin piece of white organza ribbon around the strip, matted onto paper, then stuck it on at an angle. The journalling block was punched with a large scallop from another of the Kissing Booth papers, I chose this bit as it had "25" on it which was the correct date which I ringed with black pen.
A few flowers from my stash were added with pearl and jewel centres along with a spray of gems.


The title is stickers from the BG collection pack which I have edged with fineliner.
I love the way this alphabet came in three different styles.
The Birds are from the element sticker sheet, inked edges and mounted onto 3d foam pads.

I have been browsing many magazines and blogs lately and have used various techniques/ideas that I have seen. I cannot remember where/when so please let me know if the idea is/was yours and I'll gladly credit you.

As for the film????
I haven't laughed so much in a long time, it was absolutely fabulous and I would recommend everyone to see it - it's ageless (unless you are under 12 when you need to be accompanied by an adult!)

TFL
xxx






Sunday, 26 February 2012

Lemon Drizzle Cake

I asked Robert what type of birthday cake he would like and he wanted as the title suggests.
I found the following recipe on the internet and set to work - Lemon Drizzle Cake

First challenge - make lemon curd - easier than I expected.


Next, bake the cake - problem - only have a 9" springform tin not 8" :(

Well, I made it but am not 100pc happy with it.
I think it would have helped if I had the correct sized tin - note to self - buy one!
However, here it is:


The filling is Marscapone swirled with the home made lemon curd.


I dusted the top with icing sugar but you can still see where it stuck to the plate when turning it.
The recipe, once the lemon syrup is added, makes for a very soft cake so not easy to handle, it also darkens the edges making it look a tad burnt but I assure you it's not.
May try them as cupcakes???
The cake stand is my latest purchase from Pampered Chef - so glad I did as they are retiring it this month!

Taste test to come, just off to eat dinner first.

Again, Happy Birthday to my beloved Husband
xxx


Saturday, 25 February 2012

Fly me to the moon

Its Roberts birthday today and this is the card I made for him.

A 6x6" CWC card covered with a Basic Grey Marjolaine paper.
The stamps were recently purchased in a sale just for this purpose, Robert loves astronomy so they seemed apt.
The background was stamped onto white cardstock then I used my brayer and some Big'n'juicy ink pads to colour it. I also used Copics in areas to enhance.
I dotted the sky with icicle stickles to represent stars and the ground with distress stickles for sand.

The letters are from a sheet which I have added randomly then edged wit a fineliner.

Below is a close up of Astronaut Tilda, I had to add a smile - I hate to think of them with no mouths :(
Note to self - READ labels before applying glossy accents!
As you can see I've used Crackle accents instead!


Happy Birthday Robert xxx

Thursday, 23 February 2012

Battersea Park Fun Fair and Tree Walk

I was thinking the other week about my childhood and remembered being taken to the Circus on Clapham Common every year. I think it was Billy Smart's.
It was probably triggered by watching Water for Elephants.
I spent ages on Google trying to find some photographs without any success unfortunately, but whilst looking found the following of Battersea Park.








They bought back more lovely memories as I recall being taken there too.
My sister tells a lovely story of the Rotor which, as it slowed down, ripped her knickers to shreds.
I remember too the Grotto which was artifical caves which you walked through and the one that sticks in mind was walking over a volcano which had millions of jewels in red and orange to similate lava.
The fun fair closed following an accident with the big dipper, scary really as we had been on it the night before! but the tree walk remained open for many more years.
Along the avenue beneath the walkway were loads of candy striped tents selling popcorn. candy floss etc and some too where you could make pictures using paints on a centrifugal wheel.

I am hoping to scrap these pages soon as we have the Cardinal Colours Crop in March and our annual retreat shortly after.

If you remember any of these things, do share your memories, I'd love to hear them!

TFL
xxx

Monday, 20 February 2012

Arrival of Baby James

 Following on from my Patchwork page for baby James, this is the second one for his album, which I made at our February crop day (see previous post).
I used the same set of papers and based my layout on a pagemap.
The paper had a lovely embossed and thermographic glittered circle at the bottom so I used it as a feature on my layout. I cut around the image so the photographs which measure 3x4" fit under the edge. 


The left border was cut with a punch belonging to Lynn, thanks for the loan! :)
I cut a butterfly using a Marianne die twice and layered it up, 3 pearls were added to the body.


A strip of lace from my stash was added and topped with another new die from Memory box, the button strip, which I have stitched into place with some white embroidery thread.
I added a few random "buttons" too along with a few pearls.


A close-up of the lace.

Thanks for looking.
xxx

Sunday, 19 February 2012

Second Scrapology crop day.

This time last Sunday, Lynn and I were gearing up for our second crop day.
After much shopping, arranging, re-arranging and planning we were set.
Everyone had a mug filled with goodies including a hot chocolate sachet, marshmallows and a flake - true winter warmers.

Here are some of the ladies hard at work...



I made raspberry ripple cupcakes.


Served alongside the healthy option...


I managed to play too, watch this space!
Follow this link to see some of the lovely pages made that day.

Thanks to all that came and for the lovely feedback, hope to do it again soon!