A 'Blokey' Christmas Present

I know I know, Christmas is over and here is a post about a Christmas present. So my heartfelt apologies that I am talking Christmas in February but I seriously feel as though its only December!

Its become a recent tradition in our family that the adults participate in a Kris Kringle when it comes to gift giving. It has become a really special tradition where we all really love and appreciate the year long thought that has been put into the present. When it comes to the gifts I like to give, it is usually something handmade by me.

For Christmas 2013 I drew my cousin's partner - they currently live in WA so I've only meet Russell a handful of times. Thankfully the wonders of a little Facebook stalking has given me a little insight into his hobbies and interests. Namely, cycling and triathlon, so I knew I had to do something for him along those lines - but I was super stumped as I am not great when it comes to doing 'Bloke' in my scrapping style. In fact I was a little stressed that I wasn't going to come up with the handmade goods, I thought he would simply have to suffice with a gift from the cycling shop. In the end persistence paid off and I made him his own one off album.

I was going to use the title 'tri-man' and show off photos from both his cycling and triathlon pursuits but Darling Husband vetoed that and I ended up limiting my photo selection to just cycling photos.

I used an Ali Edwards stamp to create the 'awesome' arrow and adhered it using a bit of mounting tape.

I think that Chevron's are particularly blokey! I love how with the acetate albums you can see your elements through the pages. I think it adds a bit of interest and its exciting to turn to the next page and see what's there. Its also pretty cool that you only have to stamp once and you can see it on the next page.

Geotags - another cool blokey element! I also really am in love with the word bubbles from WOW chipboard.

Here I've used another Ali Edwards stamp and cut it out them adhered it with mounting tape. I'm using a lot of stamps in my scrapping of late. It is just so using to create cool little embellishments using them. I've used the Pink Paislee Sentiment stamp in the picture below.

Stars and arrows were definitely the go in this album. On this last page I've used the the Luxe Chipboard Stars by Pink Paislee. Oh and the Papers are from Simple Stories 24/Seven range.

I'm really happy with how this turned out - in fact I'm totally stoked.... and despite the fact that Darling Husband said that the gift would only make an appearance to family on Christmas Day (thanks dear) it turns out Russell has shown it to his mates as well!

Happy Scrapping

Fleur x

De-constructing Project Life Part 2

Wow - was it really all the way back in August that I last posted about Project Life? In fact my only post so far about Project Life... all about my excitement of cracking into a Project life core kit box. You can read that post here.

Well its been a bit of an evolutionary journey for me and Project Life since then. I will be the first to admit that at first I found it all a little overwhelming as I felt a bit of pressure to adhere to the old KISS (keep it simple stupid) philosophy. I am a lumpy bumpy scrapbooker, my style is typical 12"x12" layouts usually with just one photo. I felt a tad constrained sticking to just the one core kit. However now I feel like I have finally found my peace or perhaps my style with Project Life. I am elated that while watching the Australian Open that I was able to pull it all together and feel content with the Project Life journey I'm taking. 

I've got quite a few pages to share over the coming weeks - yes I watched a lot of tennis - yes I am disappointed Nadal lost - so stay tuned and watch the evolution unfold! I think I'm almost achieving straight sets!!!

Turns out I like to mix in some 12"x 12"layouts with my fave photos

Not loving the layout above. Its a bit to flat for me - but I guess every journey starts somewhere. I do however like the wood veneer Studio Calico Arrow that I inked using my StazOn black ink. These packs have oodles of arrows and hearts in them which have really gone a long way in my Project Life album.

I felt with these two pages above that I was starting to get my 'needs to be lumpy bumpy' but KISS issues sorted....somewhat still not 100% but I like certain elements like doubling strips of Washi Tape with a small element and the 2013 flair in the centre of my PL card. Plus I started incorporating cards that weren't in my core kit. In the bottom layout I have used one of the Simple Stories Journal Card Cutouts from the 24/Seven range. 

I'm struggling with the use of my own handwriting - not my forte! I have made it one of my new years resolutions to consciously make an effort with my handwriting but I feel a little bit conflicted as I am meant to be whizzing through the construction of this album. 

Evolving ...game.... but not quite set!

Happy Scrapping

Fleur x