Scrapbook Tips for Busy Mums

I have had such a hectic week. First I was ill and now CK is ill. He's also contageous so he's been confined to the house. Hubby is at work so I've had the task of amusing him all to myself, lucky me. I don't know if it's all three year old boys or just mine, but they do not do well indoors.

I've had very little time to do any crafting but what time I have had I've tried to use wisely. I'm way behind on my scrapbooking (haven't even done Christmas yet), so I've made a plan to get caught up.

Firstly I chose my photographs and then I did a very rough sketch.

I trimmed all my paper, chose my embellishments and settled on my final layout.
Then I did another sketch of exactly where everything was and wrote my journaling under that sketch.

Next everything inside the plastic protector and I went on and did another two pages in exactly the same way.

Now what I have is not one finished page. Instead in the same time It would have taken me to do one complete page I have three pages that only need to be glued. I will pop my album in the car, along with my snail adhesive (because it's no mess) and when Cameron is up and around and back to his routine instead of having coffee while he's at playgroup or swimming etc I can finish my pages.

Just make sure that your final sketch is a good one ie all the elements of your layout are marked clearly, otherwise you'll return to it and have no idea what you had decided upon. Also Use up your background papers that already have some layout details on them to speed up the prep work as some of it will already be done for you.

Decorated Magazine Files

I bought some magazine files from ikea a few months ago and they're very practical, cheap but a bit boring. I decided to re-vamp them.

First it got a coat of white acrylic pain which I sanded lightly with some fine sandpaper.

Using the Greenhouse Garden and precious butterflies stamp sets. I stamped my design in pool party, island indigo and real red.

The ink took a while to dry on top of the acrylic paint. The ink used is water based (so water soluble) so and water near this would absolutely ruin my design. They're stored in my dining/craft/play room on a high shelf so it's a risk I'm willing to take. Maybe a mistake, watch this space.

A few greeting cards

These are some greeting cards that I've made over the past week.

The bookmark card is one that I did at my first card class the other weekend, which went very well.

The other is an anniversary card for my husbands great grandparents which was made using one of the SAB promotional sets, which you get free when you spend £45.

Card making class

Saturday 21st January at 10 am.

Card making class in Dunfermline. We will make three cards a valentine, Mothers day and birthday.
The class is £10.00 (payable in advance please) and anyone that places an order on the day will get £10 off their order.

This class will cover basic paper crafting skills that are essential for beginners. All level of crafters are welcome.

To book your place please email marianardone.mn@googlemail.com

Finished at last!

Finally managed to get my Christmas crackers finished. Next year I think I'll start collecting loo roll holders before December. Very pleased with the results though.