An afternoon Smashing!

Hi All

I have finally got some Smashing done over the past few weeks! Was great to enjoy a little time crafting...got lost in my own little world!

My first page celebrates my pregnancy...on the left hand side I have used some little pockets to journal my pregnancy so far....can't wait to look back this when our little one is born!

My second page is celebrating the last ten years as I turn 30 on Thursday...eek! When did that creep up!! It was really nice looking back and realising all the fab things that have happened over the past 10 years....we often get consumed by and down in the dumps about the everyday things but this really helped to realise how fab life is :-)

Hope you like them both! I'm having a go at blogging on my phone so hoping all comes out ok....!

Happy crafting!
Hugs
Arline
xx

Definitely something to scrap about...

Hi All

Well, it has been a while! Got a few updates for you.....the first one which is probably the most exciting is that I am currently 17 weeks pregnant! This is why I have been absent for a while...we found out when I was 8 weeks pregnant, had a few complications to start off with but now, touch wood, all seems to be well. So as you can imagine my priorities have changed a little over the last few months! As I embark on this very new journey, as this will be our first child, I am going to go back to my old blog which is Arline's Allsorts as I'd like to keep this blog purely for scrapping and smashing. So if you are interested and would like to pop over there and follow me I would love to see you there.

On the scrapping/smashing front, I obviously have quite a bit to scrap about now but my mojo has taken a little wander at the moment, it has probably joined many of my favourite foods that I don't seem to be able to stomach at the moment! However, I am determined to finish my red SMASH book as it is on my 30 before 30 list.....this birthday is creeping round very quickly at the minute! So I think I might do a couple of pages about my pregnancy journey so far. I have also been doing a bit of research into the Project Life way of scrapping and am hoping to get a few bits and bobs before my birthday/Christmas to help me document the first year of our little one. So anything I manage to do over the next few months I will post of course!

Another piece of exciting news is that my scrapbook layout in the below post was published in the latest 'Creativity' magazine....first time I have ever had anything published so was a fab achievement....and another that was secretly on my 30 before 30 list lol!

Anyway, that is all from me at the moment, please come over to my other blog which many of you have before, if you'd like to follow my everyday life at the moment! I really am hoping to blog a little bit more so might try and document the next few months!

Hope you are all well and happy crafting!
Arline
xx

Arrival in Banff...

Hi All

How is the weather where you are? It is still snowing here....can't believe it! That means a day in the house....possibly crafting...yay! Hope you are all having a nice weekend.

I have another scrapbook page for you today. I absolutely love the 'All Aboard' range from DoCrafts and finally got chance to use it to begin scrapbooking our trip to Canada last year. This page only took about an hour, if that, to make. I used the 12x12 papers, one as my main page and cut a few elements like a calendar, border strip and individual words to embellish it a little further. I added a little aeroplane paperclip and some journalling, straight onto the page, to finish it off.

Hope you like it! Hoping to do a little more crafting on this snowy day so may have something to share later on. Thanks for looking!

Hugs

Arline

xx

It has been a while...

Hi All

Well, it has been a while since my last update so apologies as this may be a long post! Work is very hectic at the minute...Y11 are close to leaving so it is all coursework coursework and more coursework! Along with reports, exercise books to mark etc. etc. Have also felt under the weather this past week and really hoping that I can shift this cold I seem to have so that I can be ok for our holiday next week!

Anyway, will stop rambling now and show you some of my latest bits and bobs. A couple of weekends ago my Mum surprised me and came down for the weekend. It was just enough time for me to get her hooked on SMASHing....she had a go at doing a page in my red SMASH book....what do you reckon? 

She now has her very own SMASH book and some bits and bobs that she can have a go with...will keep you updated! Anyone wanting to have a look at the range should get themselves to Hobbycraft as they are beginning to stock it now! 

I have also had a go at a couple of SMASH pages....one was for a challenge for a facebook group I am in and it was 'All About Me' and then the other was one I have completed today about my lovely hubby.

Hope you like them. I also had a go at another 12 x 12 page about my lil brother. This was a picture taken on his 21st three years ago and I really like it. I thought it was perfect for this layout. There is a little bit of hidden journalling behind the picture too. Hope you like it!

Sorry about the last picture...uploaded strangely! Well that is all from me at the moment. One last week at work and then I hopefully will get a little bit of time to craft over the holidays! Might be taking some with me to the caravan as the weather is so bad at the min!!

Thanks for looking.

Hugs

Arline

xx

A couple more pages before going back to work...boo!

Hi All

Hope you have all had a nice weekend. I have had a lovely day today (my last day of freedom before going back to work tomorrow!) Hubby has been selling things at a toy fayre so I have had a bit of a girly day: shopping, bubblebath and a bit of crafting :) I have been working on a couple of scrapbook layouts today. Firstly, I must apologise for the picture quality...I really need to look into getting a new camera, will put it on my to do list!

The first page today is of a photo of me, my Mum and my Nan from my wedding day. I love the look on my Nan's face on this one-she looks so cheeky! I have used a variety of different products, some echo park and MME papers and some die cuts I got from Hobbycraft, not sure of the make...I think it may be missing something in the right hand corner but not too sure of what to do yet. It also has some secret journalling-I have seen this on a few different blogs but was inspired yesterday after watching Breyana Canete's You Tube video of her Disney scrapbook (which is fab!) I hope she doesn't mind me linking to her videos but loads of inspiration can be found so well worth a look. The journalling is in a small bag behind the picture...you can just about see it...

The second page I have made is a page all about my day as a bride. It felt a bit strange doing a page about myself....felt like I was a bit self-centred(!!) but I guess if you are scrapbooking your wedding then you are going to have a bride and groom page aren't you? Groom one is almost ready to go too ;) The pictures below look black and white but they are actually black and cream colour scheme and sepia photographs! Again, I have used some echo park papers, some black lace washi tape and some card candi just to finish this one off....there is also more secret journalling behind the final photograph ;) I can see many of my pages now having little pockets with hidden information lol!

This page will definitely go into my final Wedding album....have been doing lots of random pages recently so need to sort out specific books that they are going to go into! Have decided to document my trip to Eurodisney a few years ago so have started making a few purchases to help me do this...!! (Any excuse!) So will have a bit more of a focus for my scrapping.

Well, back to work tomorrow but hoping to keep scrapping/smashing. Only five more weeks and then it is the Easter holidays...lol! On countdown already...we are off to Cornwall for a week so I can't wait. Still working through my 30 before 30 list too...will keep you updated.

Thanks for looking!

Hugs

Arline

xx

Treasured Memories-Sketchbook 365 Challenge

Hi All

Had a busy couple of days. Yesterday I went to Lichfield and saw some old friends which was lovely. We had a good old giggle and it was nice to walk around the town where we used to spend so much time when we were younger! Then today I have had a bit of a baking day! Another thing on my 30 before 30 list was to make bread from scratch....which I have done! Took a long time but wasn't as hard as I thought....although I haven't tasted it yet! It looks nice and smells nice so will have some for tea and then make a final judgement!! Also made some scones, mini meat pies and cake. Yum!

However, back to the point of this post! On Tuesday night I had a go at completing the Sketchbook 365 March Challenge.....first time so please be gentle! I chose to use one of my favourite pictures from our wedding as it holds a 'treasured memory' which is journalled on my page. Even though I have puffy red eyes due to just having been in tears, I love this picture and thought it was perfect for the challenge this month. Here is my attempt!! I have tried to include all of the elements, using a silver and white tone to go with my background paper. I really enjoyed using the sketch, definitely one I will use again.

Hope you have all had a good few days. Thanks for looking!

Hugs

Arline

xx

A day of SMASHing!

Hi All

Woke up this morning without any MOJO at all...it was lunchtime when I finally pulled myself off the sofa to try and get some crafting done! Luckily....my MOJO seemed to be at the table with all my bits and bobs I'd left out yesterday!

Managed to get some SMASHing done today...I had a brill day with a fab friend yesterday and am looking forward to seeing some great friends tomorrow too so thought I'd do a couple of pages dedicated to them! My friends mean the world to me, it isn't often we see each other, even those that I live by (damn work!) but we always start where we left off and usually are giggling together in no time.

My first page is for a couple of old school friends who have been my best friends for nearly 20 years (gosh that makes me feel old!!) We don't live as close anymore but still keep in touch and it is like we are back at school when the three of us get together! Really looking forward to catching up with them tomorrow :D

My next page is about my lovely friend, and crafting buddy, Becky. Becky was my partner in crime yesterday, a good old gossip, crafty activities and a trip to the fish and chip shop (she is such a bad influence ;) ) We don't always see each other as much as we'd like to....my work usually gets in the way....but I absolutely love her to pieces! This is for you huni!

Hope you enjoyed looking at my SMASH pages....my red book is getting full now! Hoping to do a little more later so may have a few more pages for you. I've started working on a 100 things I love page and have found a fab scrapbook challenge I'd like to have a go at....watch this space!

Thanks for popping by.

Hugs

Arline

xx

A Scrapping Good Day!

Hi All

 

My friend came over today and we had a fab day doing some scrapbooking. It took me ages to complete two pages but I am happy with the result. I have been experimenting with a few different styles so would value any comments/advice you may have!

 

My first page is one with a piccie of my little sister and I. I have made it all pink and girly! This is a picture of us before we ventured out on a big shopping trip to Manchester. Needless to say we didn't look so bright eyed when we returned!

 



 

My next page is of a trip to Chester Zoo a few years ago. I am a big fan of Rhinos and I captured this photograph of one relaxing, lying down on the ground. I loved it that much that I just had to scrapbook it!

 

 

Hope you like them...it is half-term this week so hoping I might be able to get a little crafting done and play with some of my recent purchases!

 

Thanks for looking.

Hugs

Arline

xx

Working on my '30 before 30 list!'

Hi All

 

No crafting for me this weekend as my sister has been to stay. She is in her final year at Lincoln Uni, studying Law (the clever clogs!), and so didn't have to come too far to visit! We had an exhausting day yesterday in Manchester....we were shopping for a ball gown for her Law Ball coming up in March but we got distracted by a three-storey Paperchase! Heaven! The trip was a successful one though, my hubby had gone for an ice-climbing experience and came back in one-piece which is also a bonus! Here is a pic of me an my sis before we went....can't possibly show you the one on the way home...look far too shattered.....getting too old, can't keep up with her!

 

 

As you may know if you have joined me from my old blog, I am turning the big 30 this year so have been working on my 30 before 30 list this weekend! One of my items is to learn how to crochet. My very good friend is going to give me a few lessons (recently saw some fabulous blankets she has made which are just lush!) but I have had a little go using a tutorial on YouTube today.....here is what it is looking like so far...I'm quite chuffed with it as it actually looks like crochet! Think I am starting to go wrong when it says add a new line.....may persevere or wait to consult my friend! What do you think? It isn't a very nice coloured wool but it is only to start out at tho mo....

 

 

Another thing on my list is to start writing a book, which I have, but I am not revealing much about that at the moment! Lol! I may let you read a snippet at some point but think I need to be a little more into the story before I do....had a few ideas though so may change my mind yet....I have also been looking into studying for my Masters, and there are a couple of jobs that I am going to look into as well....need a change. So quite busy at the moment, not much to show on my blog but all a work in progress!

 

That is all for now...might go and read a little bit more of 'Devil wears Prada,' one of my 30 books before 30! Lol!

 

Thanks for visiting.

Hugs

Arline

xx

'Pride and Prejudice' SMASH page

Hi All

 

Most of the day has had me planning lessons, making resources and marking books to prepare for the week ahead but I managed to grab a couple of hours to do a bit of SMASHing!

 

My favourite author is Jane Austen and my favourite novel is 'Pride and Prejudice.' Many of my SMASH pages are dedicated to her but I decided to dedicate a whole double page spread to her fabulous novel as it turns 200 years old on Monday! There are many reasons why I love this novel but the main reason is for the character of Elizabeth Bennett. The 1995 BBC version of the book is my favourite and Jennifer Ehle plays the character just as I envisage her in the book! So my page is a bit of an ode to the book, the 1995 version and some of Elizabeth's best quotations! I hope you like it.

 

 

 

 

(Apologies for the quality of pictures....my camera broke a little while ago and so I am using my mobile at the moment!)

 

I am also going to celebrate the birthday by trying to read the novel, once again, during the day tomorrow.....may be a little challenging as I have work and a meeting after school but I will persevere!!

 

Thanks for popping by!

Hugs
Arline

xx

'Together'

Hi All

Well, here is my first post with some scrapping goodness in! I have sorted out all of my scrapping/smash stuff today....getting myself organised! So thought I would have a go at a scrapbook page....might even do a SMASH page later....creative juices are flowing, best make the most of it!

Here is my page that I have called 'Together.' It is of my husband and I on our recent trip to Canada at the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff. The views were incredible! I have used a layout inspired by a design in the latest Scrap365 magazine....not sure if I have done it justice though! It is a completely different style to what I normally would do so would appreciate your comments!

 



Hope you like it!

Thanks for popping by.
Hugs
Arline
xx

Brand new blog adventure!

Hi All

Finally I have managed to create myself a new blog! I have been having major technical issues but hopefully have got rid of the gremlins!

My crafting seems to have moved in a different direction over the past few months. I have found the world of SMASHing which is so much fun, messy scrapbooks....my kind of style! Love how you can do it however you want and it still looks great, there are no rules! As well as SMASHing, I am loving getting back into scrapbooking and have recently made one on our trip to Canada for my mother-in-law. Will try and share some pictures soon....

I still love cardmaking and I am sure they will crop up from time to time but I wanted to start a fresh with a blog dedicated to my new craftiness!

Hope you will all continue to follow me and I hope to visit lots of new scrapping blogs (as I often need the inspiration!)

Thanks for popping by!
Hugs
Arline
xx