An actual layout

So you may have noticed that I haven't updated for a while, heck, you probably stopped coming round here a long time ago.

It is not that I don't want to blog, I just have nothing to share. In years gone by I would craft ferociously, taking every little spare minute I could find to make things. Not so much anymore.

I like to think about crafting, I like to look at what others make and think how cool it would be if I could make something too, I like to shop for supplies, I like to sketch down ideas that come to me, I like to surf blogs and look at pretty pictures ... but then when I look at my watch and see how much time I have wasted on this here 'puter I have to dash about and vacuum the floor, or wash the dishes, or feed the kids, and well .... then I have to go to sleep and it starts all over again the next day.

I tend to do well when there is a deadline and I have to get myself motivated, but with no deadline ... well I tend to be a tad lazy. Hence, nothing to post.

Last week I was asked to make a layout for a cyber crop, and that is like a dealine isn't it, so I actually got my head in the game and made something. Something that is not for a magazine and that I can share with you.

As we have just celebrated the Queen's diamond jubilee, we have been spoiled with bunting all over the place. Totally festive! Bunting is big in crafting too, so I decided to use that as a starting point for a layout of Hailey's tenth birthday.

Made myself a wee sketch ... as that is just the way I roll. I find it hard to just start crafting, I kind of have to have my sketch done first.

It looked like this:

 ... but as often happens the actual end product doesn't turn out exactly like the sketch. The bunting hanging over the photo wasn't working so I ended up layering some the paper banners instead.

Managed to use my new Memory Box Tessatina border die (so delicate - I love it) ....

 
... as well as the fab block alpahabet dies from Papertrey Ink.

 ... as well as the very lovely new washi tape I just recently purchased (not so easy to find in the UK, but I found lots of fab ones here) and that awesome weekdays stamp from Hero Arts and Studio Calico.

I also used a Karla Dudley digital element, but only used the word enjoy and then added my own text as I wanted this text to be my journaling. LOVE Karla's handwriting and digital elements - she is so talented!

That gorgeous doily stamp is from Waltzing Mouse stamps, used it with Vesafine Smokey grey ink.