August at Simple Scrapper #2

My second layout for Simple Scrapper in August uses a current sketch teamed up with a Story Starter from March 2015 "You've got mail".  You can find out all about these resources as well as all the other amazing benefits of a premium membership with the link at the end of this post!

I decided to make another layout for my NYC album about meeting up with the sweetest girl, Lynnette! It was a fabulous day and a joy to get to know her in real life.

As you might remember, I have a large kit of supplies that I'm using for these layouts which feature a selection of papers and mismatched embellishments. But there are common elements and colours through all the layouts I've made so far and I'm hoping that the album will feel cohesive in the end.

I loved that the sketch provided space for two 4x6 photos - which I rarely combine on one page these days - as well as enough room for a good chunk of journalling. I was able to fit in a lot about how we first met online and the value of our friendship.

To find out more about the many resources and inspiration - including the sketches and story starters I use each month - available to inspire you to create beautiful pages and tell meaningful stories in a supportive, communicative community environment, check out the Simple Scrapper premium membership here.

Counterfeit Kit Challenge August member blog hop

It's that time of the month again and with the busy month I've had so far, I suddenly realised yesterday that I hadn't actually made my layout! So I got busy with the inspiration from the Counterfeit Kit Challenge this month and created something to share with you today!

In fact, I did have another page ready to go but it features my internet-shy husband who isn't so keen on me sharing so much these days :-) so I had to come up with something else.

However, the challenges on offer this month - courtesy of me actually! - are:

• Challenge #1: Challenge #1 - Happy Sandcastle Day
• Challenge #2: Challenge #2 - Outside The Stash
• Challenge #3: Challenge #3 - Sounds Foreign To Me

I knew that I wanted to use Happy Sandcastle Day and had the perfect photos from a time where we took my younger brothers and sister to the beach and they all built the perfect German fortress! Ha ha. But I seem to have mislaid that box of photos which was rather disappointing. Hopefully I will track them down when I go back through some of the boxes in the cellar and find them - there are a lot missing so wish me luck!

But the Sandcastle Day was still going to be my inspiration with all the soft neutral tones of my kit so I went with what my eye landed on right there and then. A sea shell. A single, perfectly formed double sea shell that I picked up when I went to Harlingen in the Netherlands back in February. It's just been waiting for the perfect moment to record a few thoughts and this was it.

I wrote my journalling in gold so that it didn't detract from the soft feeling of the rest of the layout.

The layout didn't really seem to need a lot of embellishments. This tiny veneer heart said everything I wanted.

I didn't feel the need right now to journal more than the few lines I've already included but there is a ready made journalling card inside my pocket in case I want to write something a little more deep before this layout gets tucked away in its album - whenever that is!

I'm kicking off the blog hop today so next up is the lovely Julie and I'm excited to see what she is sharing over on her blog. Here's the full list in case you get lost along the way but don't forget that the full list is always available at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog.

It's a bigger blog hop this month which makes me very happy so make sure you catch everyone along the way. There's going to be some great inspiration, I promise. Why not join in yourself in September - the more the merrier. Check out the blog for details on how to get involved.

CKCB     http://www.counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com 
Lisa        http://lisahausmann.blogspot.de
Julie       http://jsquaredscrapspot.wordpress.com
Leslie     http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com
Karen       https://pinkycrafter.wordpress.com
Tara          http://kryptonite72-rambles.blogspot.com
Margie     http://scrappinmargie.blogspot.com
Tina          http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com
Salla       http://pistojapiiri.blogspot.com
Jemma   http://just-jimjams.blogspot.co.uk

August at Simple Scrapper #1

My first layout for Simple Scrapper in August used an older sketch from the archive, and a Story Starter from the August "Exploration" topics. All of these resources are available for the members and they are such a wonderful starting point to any layout I want to make

I wanted to capture a little about heading up the Rhine to visit my husband where he's working at the moment, in the historical city of Worms (pronounced Vorms of course!). The sketch provided me with place for two photos and lots of space for journalling which was perfect to record my thoughts. 

It's a relatively small town which makes this already impressive cathedral all the more impressive! It really was quite breathtaking and walking in, you could almost feel those 1,000 years of history all around you.

I used my Counterfeit Kit Challenge July kit, Scooped, choosing the softer colours and b-sides to give this layout a completely different look to the overall feel of the kit.

I expanded the title so that it was obvious I was talking about the city - the problems of living a dual-language life.

To find out more about the many resources and inspiration - including the sketches and story starters I use each month - available to inspire you to create beautiful pages and tell meaningful stories in a supportive, communicative community environment, check out the Simple Scrapper premium membership here.

August at Scrapabilly #3

My last share using the latest Scrapabilly Kit des Monats which is now available featuring Party Time by Echo Park!

Here's one last view of the gorgeous kit. So much to love.

And here's my last and favourite layout made to celebrate being in Germany for 15 years! I can't believe how fast that has gone and how much life has changed.

This little cluster was all the embellishment I really needed after that title which just grabs your attention.

I die-cut the title using my Cameo and then stitched around the edges. Yes it took a lifetime but so worth it!

And just to finish off, I ran up four happy cards for the basket. The frames, die cuts and stickers just seemed to stack themselves to make these easy but fun cards.

Thanks for dropping by and don't forget to check out the kit here on the Scrapabilly site, as well as the Design Team gallery.

You can also find the Schnick Schnack Sack (embellishments) and the Pretty Planner Pack kits and galleries there too. So much to discover and so much inspiration to be had.

Back soon with some Simple Scrapper shares!

August at Scrapabilly #2

The latest Scrapabilly Kit des Monats is now available featuring Party Time by Echo Park!

Here it is for you to take a peek. There are lots of party and birthday themed items but as you'll see from my pages, there's so much more to lift from the wonderfully bright colours and fun patterns.

I loved all the bright, happy colours and designs and decided to go with a simple homage to my love of stationery! I gathered up pens and notebooks for a photo session and kept the design easy.

I'd pre-made some of the clustered embellishments I've used across my pages and this super cute typewriter seemed perfect.

There were so many little bits and pieces included in the stickers and die-cut pack that it was a lot of fun to just mix them all up together.

A few extra hearts to make a typical three heart cluster.

And then I noticed the pencil and pen die-cuts. Talk about perfect!

This page features fellow Master Forger Julene when I went down to Cologne to meet her! She was on a Rhine/Danube tour and this was the ideal meeting point. We spent a few hours together and chatted just like old friends. It also ties in with a Whimsical Musings prompt WM#127 be inspired by "your vibe attracts your tribe". I'll have to post it over there too.

Another of my pre-made clusters. This was a lot of fun to make and was inspired by Leslie's find over on YouTube here.

This one too.

Check out the kit here on the Scrapabilly site and don't forget to check out the Design Team gallery here while you're there. I love looking at the gallery to see all the different ideas we've come up with. You can also find the Schnick Schnack Sack (embellishments) and the Pretty Planner Pack kits and galleries there too. So much to discover and so much inspiration to be had.

Last shares to come soon!

16 loves {August 2016}

Welcome to the next in the series {16 loves} for 2016.

For the last few years, I've been sharing my loves each month - a little bit of everything that has caught my eye or been enjoyed over the last month. So, a new year and new inspiration. I hope you will come back each month to see if there is anything in my list to inspire you. 

To see what's inspired me in the past, click to find all my {13 loves}, my {14 loves}, my {15 loves} and my {16 loves}.

I hope there's something in here to inspire you or maybe just make you smile.

One day late but here we go...

one

My little brother graduated from Central St Martin's. A proud moment for us all. I couldn't be there but was thrilled to receive a few photos.

two

I pinned this particularly lovely A5 print - Never Stop Looking Up - here and discovered a gorgeous website which is so inspiring. Beautiful photography and such gorgeous lettering. Check it out!

Lamplighter blog here

three

I finished some classes and received flowers and notebooks and orchids. This beautiful bouquet graced my desk and made me happy.

four

The August Scrapabilly Kit des Monats was full of beautiful Echo Park Party Time collection papers and embellishments so it seemed fitting to use it for a celebratory page about being in German for 15 years. This was my favourite page with the kit even if it took me hours!

Scrapabilly Kit des Monats Design Team Gallery for August here

five

I know, I know! I write about delicious recipes all the time and never do anything with them but they always grab my attention. I've never heard of Buddha Bowls so I'm really interested to give this a go...

Recipe available at A Spicy Perspective here

six

Yep, this little one is growing!

seven

I had a road trip down to the city of Worms which is south of Frankfurt. We travelled a bit further on to Mannheim where we visited the gorgeous Baroque Schloss there. A fun afternoon taking in some history.

eight

Another road trip back to the UK and I knew I would hit 10,000 km on the clock. I monitored it and realised it would be just the other side of the UK border. Then promptly forgot when I drove off the train! I noticed a little later. Doh! 

nine

Back home in Birmingham, I thought it was time to check out the relatively new Grand Central which is the shopping centre they've built on top of the main New Street Station. This metal clad frontage made me realise how much Birmingham has changed and modernised over the years since I left but also that much is the same. The reflection here shows the iconic Rotunda building that is surely a symbol of 60's Birmingham and the back of the Odeon. Now a cinema, in my day it was THE place in town to go and see bands play live. Duran Duran, Adam and the Ants, Ultravox, Spandau Ballet - I saw them all there. Happy memories!

ten

My mum and I persuaded my 94 year old granny to come out to the Botanical Gardens for an afternoon cup of tea. It was nice to see her out and about and this particular shot is a favourite. It will definitely appear on a page soon.

eleven

A brand new, tiny, gorgeous nephew. *sigh* 

twelve

And I got to be there at this little dumpling's naming celebration. One happy auntie!

thirteen

My brother pointed this out to me at the Victoria & Albert Museum. I think I see a trip to London in my future for my engineering husband to get a bit of engineering geek!

The V&A here and Engineering the World here

fourteen

I *might* have a washi problem. I have NEVER managed to finish a single roll but yet, keep buying more! These are beyond cute. Lora Bailora on Etsy. 

Lora Bailora on Etsy here

fifteen

I'm not a sports fan really. But I do like zapping in and out of the Olympics when I can. Team GB have done amazingly well. So proud of them.

Team GB here

sixteen

Along with washi tape, I *might* have a problem with all things gold. Yes, these goodies came home with me too.

Hema here

I’d love you to share your own {16 loves} lists with me. Why not link up in the comments below?

{16 loves} is a series that will feature on my blog each 16th of the month