Here is a page detailing the day out in Palma while we were on holiday in Majorca in September. It was hot hot hot.The papers were Kaisercraft from Loobis on the Scrapbook workshop. The letters are a die set by Julie Hickey.

And here we have the original Ipswich photo from 2010 when Jack was still with us. I have made a flap on the bottom left for the journalling

Here Comes Trouble

I don't really know why I used this title on my page, as these kids are no trouble at all, but it was Emmas cheeky look and the way she has her arm around her brother, I just thought it was apt. The photo was taken December 2021 at Venoteca Restaurant where we had a private room for our annual get together for Jacks anniversary. This year was excellent as we had missed 2020 due to covid, and there were a lot of us there. Some of us stayed overnight in a hotel so we could really go for it! I have put 2 smaller similar photos on tags in a pocket. I used Vicki Boutin paper and fussy cut some of the flowers.

These 2 layouts were started at the monthly scrapbook crop at Loobis and finished off at home. The paper collection is from 49 and market, I thought it might be a bit too pastelly for me but I think it suited the photos. I used a stencil - not something I ususally do, to add a bit of interest to the background, although my style is busy busy I dont like any spare empty space lol. On the 'childhood memories' one I have all the journalling on the tags, all about how mum used to make our clothes and I never really appreciated it and how clever she was. I regret that. The other photo is of Emma in the back garden here just playing with her Sylvanian family toys, how she used to love them. I used a craft knife to cut out the middle bit of the page and you cant really see it but there is some white netting stuff just behind.

These 2 layouts were made at a Scrapbook day at Loobis using the 'Workshop Collection' by Kaisercrafts. I cut various cogs and wheels and the bicycle chain from the papers and layered them up for James' last day at primary school. The skateboard was something I had stamped and cut out previously.

Same method for this next page - photo is of him on his first day at Secondry School - he looks so short next to his 2 friends. I added some fibres at the bottom of the page to finish off.

I made a set of these coasters at a craft Workshop at Loobis. You start off with greyboard and prime them with gesso. Then glue rice paper on and neaten the edges with sandpaper. Finally add several layers of varnish and finish off the edges with gold wax. I have made 6 sets so far and given 3 sets away to friends. I will be making more for Xmas presents and I'm now on the lookout for more rice paper designs.

These cards were made using a lovely big stamp (sweet meadow) by Julie Hickey Designs which I bought from Loobi Crafts.I've coloured the flowers in using various different methods. Water colour pencils, some alcohol ink pens and Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads. I really need to practice this. The last one I inked the stamp with 'crushed olive' and stamped that first as the background. I added a bit of glitter and a ribbon.

This card was made using a die I picked up in The Range. It was for Trevors birthday as he's a member of the Wine Society. I've used glossy accents on the wine glass but it doesnt really show up in the photo. The background is just some cork themed paper that I had in my stash.

This was made in card class at Loobi's using various different stamping techniques, and I gave it to Chris for his birthday. I'm quite flattered that his Mum has framed it and put it up in her beach hut themed summer house.

Another one made in Card Class using a folding technique and an embossed background.

These 2 cards were made using my mini coffee cup die and some old Basic grey papers. Hopefully not too girly

This card was made for James when he started his new job. I got the idea off pinterest and improvised using old papers and stickers from my stash. Honestly looked better in rl its hard to see the pop up desk in the photo.

This is a slider card made in a workshop at Loobis - the sheep does actually move from side to side. The second card was made using a Tim Holz die - very fiddly and not something I would buy, but its fun as a one off. The background was inked on over a stencil.

This scrapbook page documents our stay at Ragdale Hall in August 2021. The grounds were lovely - hence the out door photos in our robes. The background paper is from a Vicki Boutin pad, and the dasies are stamped and water coloured. The RELAX letters are from Peartree cut files and I have added a sprinke of sequins and a dandelion clock from my stash.

These next 2 layouts were made using a Kaiser Craft kit and put together during a workshop at Loobis The first one is Dave & I at Combe Martin visiting Ruth and Ian, and the second one is us on a boat in the Norfolk Broads visiting Tricia & Trevor. I used some nuvo jewel drops - difficult to see but they give the effect of water droplets.

Here are a few birthday cards I have made using the bee stamp from Indigo Blu and the papers are Simple Stories, Simple Vintage Lemon Twist. I have sent a card to Nikki for her birthday but I forgot to take a photo.

I had to create a layout for Trevor and Tricias Wedding in July, I kept it simple and used the invitation and the flowers from Dave's buttonhole. I stamped solid hearts on the background and added some light glitter although its difficult to see, and also I cut out a wave and added it to the bottom of the page.

This next layout documents Emmas 'journey' from wonky teeth to a perfect smile. I have journelled about it on the tags which are tucked behind the photo on the bottom right. the papers are the Morning Dew from Kaisercrafts and the lettering is from Peartree Cutfiles.

These photos were taken in Norfolk the day before Tricia's Wedding. It was glorious if windy. The design is from an online Scrapbook class by Lisa at Loobi's and I used the Mediterranean Dream papers by Scrapboys.

Another month has gone by and I've completed 3 layouts. I am reading a lot more, back to around a book a week so I'm spending less time crafting. This page is about the first time we went out for dinner with friends after the lock down which seemed to go on for ever and ever. We went here for Andys birthday, near Bedford and it was an excellent evening. I used Studio Light papers from Loobis

We had a few days away in the Forest of Dean in June and one of the places we visited was Puzzle Wood. It is so mystical and has been used a lot for filming (Dr Who, The Huntsman, Merlin, Star Wars) and it was really quiet when we went. I used Simple Stories Vintage great escape and the Tim Holtz Garden Green dies from Sizzix although I think I probably bought them from Loobis

This Layout was about our trip to Scratby in Norfolk, we went there for a weekend to Tricia & Trevors Holiday home and it was just perfect weather. They showed us around the area and we had a meal in the Boathouse where they will be getting married. I used the lovely Marina papers and ephemera by Mintay

Here we have the New home card I made for James and Maria, as they have moved into a flat in Leeds. Emma had got me a pad of texture type pages so I used the brick and wood ones, and just messed about until it looked right

This one was for Trevor & Tricia's wedding, there is a lot of glitter on it but the photo hasn't really picked it up

This one was for Emma's birthday. Not sure why I chose a camper, I did have a template in my emails from when I used to subscribe to Crafty Templates many years ago. I had a quick look on Pinterest and there were loads to give me inspiration. Also she does mention every now and again her boyfriend is going to buy a van and do it up so they can go to festivals.

And finally, another of these Coffee cup cards, this time with Thanks a Latte added as its always nice to have a Thankyou card in your stash. Papers are very old Basic Grey. Thats me done for now, I have loads of photos ready and waiting to be scrapped.