A Scrapbooking Weekend!

Last weekend I spent a wonderful few days away at this converted barn nestled deep in the Dorset countryside with the lovely Lisa-Jane and 5 scrapbooking friends. Well, a couple of the ladies I had actually only met once or twice previously but by the end of the weekend I definately now consider them to be friends!!

 

We ate yummy food, drank gallons of tea and coffee, enjoyed home baked cakes, had the odd glass (or two) of wine,  chatted, laughed, relaxed and of course scrapped late into the night.

Some of the ladies spent time relaxing in the hot tub, swimming or in the gym but the most excercise I got was a lovely walk around the grounds of the farm.

 

Along this lane ....

... and around this lake and the second lake which you can't quite see in this photo as it was on beyond the trees!

 

 

I managed 5 completed layouts and well into a 6th, although some ladies made 10 or 11 pages .... maybe I chatted a little more than I created!!

 

I'll be back soon to show you the layouts!

 

S J Crafts Kit Layout

Oh hello blog!! So sorry I've neglected you a while!!

Once again everyday life caught up with me and "hogged" my blogging time!!

 

A few weeks ago I launched the new kits in my shop and of course it was only right I should have a play with it.

 

Here's the layout I came up with ...

The girls were enjoying "deer spotting" in the New Forest Bolderwood Deer Enclosure and spent ages gazing through binoculars to see them close up!

 

I wanted to make a quick and easy page as I currently have a BIG pile of photos I want to scrap and I need to make a dent in the pile!! I'm on a bit of a mission just lately to make quicker layouts as I don't get much scrapping time these days and need to be more productive in the time that I do have!

 

 

 

I matted the grey cardstock onto the pink leaving just a small border and cut the floral paper into a banner to echo the journal card I knew I wanted to use top left. I used my new scallop border punch on some more paper strips and just tucked the "So Happy Together" card underneath.  A few small embellishments (some raised up on pop dots) to finish off and another page is done and in my album.

 

Do you sometimes make quick and easy pages in an attempt to get through the pile of photos and memories you want to scrap or do you prefer to make less layouts but spend more time on each?

 

Sarah x

The Lost Village

I realised I didn't show you the other layout I made at the crop a few weeks ago.

Tyneham is a Dorset village which was evacuated in the second world war, but the residents never returned and it's remained deserted ever since. It's now known as the "lost Village"

Many of the building are now ruins but there is loads of information about the  village and the villagers. The school is particularly interesting - as you enter the door you feel as you've stepped back in time - all the school books are laid out and name labels still sit above the coat hooks.

If you want to know more check out this website.

Last Summer, when my in laws were here visiting, we took a trip out there. 

The old phone box was a great background for a few photos with the grandparents.

From the village we walked out to Worbarrow Bay where the photos on this layout were taken.

I layered up patterned papers and washi tape and created my title with my favourite Wood grain Thickers.

I hope you've had a lovely weekend ... thanks for stopping by today!

Snow Day!

It's a Snow Day here today!!

School is open so we set off for the walk to school!

Back home to the warm and dry, where this is the view from my craft table!

Do you have snow today?

What's on Your Workdesk 189

I haven't joined in with WOYWW for quite a  while so I thought it was time I dropped in for a  little snoop around the desks to see what you've all been up to!

But it's only fair that before I go see your desks, I show you mine!

Just before I took this photo I had been adding a few final touches to the two layouts I made at the crop last weekend - they are over on the top right of my table. Over on the left is a lovely pile of some new stash ... Crate's On Trend papers! I think I will use some of these for a layout to record our trip to see Wicked in London last Summer. The photos are right there ready to go!

In the front is a selection of photos and papers .... the very beginnings of another layout ... once I decide which pics and which papers to go with ... which is what I was doing when I paused just long enough to grab my camera and snap this photo.

Before I go visit all the others crafty desks, here is one of the finished layouts.

Worbarrow Bay, one of my favourite places in Dorset.

Look at the beautiful colour of the sea! 

It really is a beautiful beach, quiet and peaceful even in summer as not many people are even aware it is there. 

It's a 20 minute walk down a track through the woodland to reach it but it's well worth it.

Thanks for stopping by and do please take a minute to leave me a comment so I can come visit you too!

3 Little Explorers

One of my "aims" for 2013 is to do more scrapping for me!

Last year I seemed to spend a lot of my scrapping time making layouts for challenges, on line classes, blog hops or for magazine work, so this year I plan to do more "Just For Me" scrapping alongside the "work" stuff!

I started off with this one!

A layout to record a lovely day out to a local farm last summer with one of my best friends and her two daughters. The girls all get on so well, despite the age differences and had lots of fun running about, playing and exploring the farm.

I used some white mist on the background, washi tape, various stickers, punched butterflies and a few brads!

I love days out like this ... being with friends ... enjoying the outdoors & having fun!

I had a fab day at the crop yesterday, catching up with scrappy friends and even managed a couple of layouts so I'll show you those just as soon as I can get them photographed.

Hello 2013

Goodbye 2012. Hello 2013!!

A very Happy New Year to all my lovely blog readers!

 

We didn't go out to celebrate the New Year. But it was nice to just stay at home, cook a lovely meal together and enjoy a glass or two of red wine. I just about managed to stay awake until midnight to see the New Year in! If you celebrated, I hope you also had a wonderful evening.

 

2012 certainly had it's ups and downs. We had a few sad times, some difficult times, plenty of fun times and lots and lots of happy times.

 

Bring on 2013!!

I'm looking forward to the next 12 months and whatever they may bring.

 

I wish you all much happiness, good health and fun times in 2013.