Scrapwest Blog Celebration

Today is SCRAPWEST Blog celebration day. For me it's a celebration of inspiration which comes from a wide range of sources. From fantastic materials which I see in Craftshops, online Craftshops and in other peoples work to priceless photography, delicious designs and captive creations by other crafters- I AM INSPIRED!!!Check out the rest of the SCRAPWESTIES at the link ........................over here!


I have done a LAYOUT for this week and I have tried to incorporate a range of techniques and tricks I have gleaned in my time Scrapbooking - cutting,stamping,staining,ribbons, buttons, brads,doodling,distressing,printing and matting.

Below is a selection of goodies for you to try and utilise as many different styles as you can on a LO.It's up for grabs so if you post a comment I'll draw a name on Friday 7th. Happy Crafting.

Raindrops on Roses....

2 years ago I did this Layout of my little boy on his first day at Playschool. Today he started BIG school. He bounded in and can't wait to go back tomorrow. The start of a fabulous new world for him. I'll have to do another LO of the picture of him today!!
I managed to make it to the Post Office to send off some Wedding invites.When I get a chance I like to decorate the boxes they are going in as I think it adds to the excitement for the Bride.
She went for a simple layered style with co ordinating ribbons and cardstock.
Here's a Weding Congratulations card I did for somebody. Most people like to get a Personalised card for the couple if they are going to the trouble of getting a handmade card ,in my experience.

I have done quite a few Layouts by now but some of the ones below remain firm favourites of mine. Scrapbooking photos lets me put memories in a bubble to treasure. What did I do with my life before I started Scrapbooking!!!!!!

Memorable moments

I have had many memorable moments in my life so far but for this weeks SCRAPWEST challenge I chose this picture which is one of my favourite wedding pictures(shhh don't tell Shane!!). It was taken just before myself and my Dad walked down the aisle on March 1st 2001 I love it.

Cards and building

The summer has arrived at last!!!What beautiful weather over the last 2 days. Pity I was working :(
My wonderful husband has been busy building storage for me and all my bits and pieces in the loft here.He has moved the desk so the PC and printer are next to my new units. Happy Days. It has led to me being very tidy in my creativity and I have been putting things back in their places - lets see how long that lasts!! I'll post some pics when he has finished completely. In the meantime here are some cards I did for someone today.

Better pics

Found a picture of the lovely lace I was talking about yesterday. Isn't it amazing for two young girls?! Talking of pictures I have taken the bull by the horns and signed up for a 10 week online photography course with Cheryl Johnson of www.feelgoodphotos.com ( have to learn to insert links!) to improve the quality of my shots(LOTS of work to be done there!!!!). Here's part of my 1st assignment - self portrait including my name. Anna was not impressed to see her bath letters on my mirror!! LOL!!

Thanks for all your lovely messages. xx

Where it all started

Mum found this the other day when she was tidying. I made this denim and patchwork bag when I was 11 and it won a Highly Commended in the Cork Summer Show!!!Every single bit is handstitched and I remember clearly making it in school.I am delighted to have this to show to my kids. My great grandmother was from Kenmare and she was one of the famous lacemakers from there. A piece of lace( Tabernacle veil of Kenmare lace) that herself and her sister created is in the National Museum in Dublin.The description says -Needlepoint lace designed by one of the nuns and worked by the Misses Mary and Jane Leahy in 1911. I can feel a Layout coming on!!!!!
I sent the card below to a fab couple celebrating their 1st wedding anniversary - Orla and Brian.

First post

Hi and welcome to my first post!!!!!!!!!!!!! Decided it was time to join bloggerdom to keep me on my toes and have somewhere to keep my handcrafted bits n' pieces. I have the best of intentions to update my blog regularly so watch this space!!!!!!!!!!! Here's a card which is part of a wedding invitation order I have just completed. A simple embossed raised image.Quite sophis if I may say so!!

Here's my contribution to SCRAPWEST this week. We had to create a work of art to hang on the wall. This is my Mum at her first official photo sitting in 1946 at the grand age of 1 year. A gorgeous picture of her too.