My sister Lindsey is a child minder, and whenever I return to the homeland for a visit, I usually spend a day with her so that I can get to see my darling niece Abbi. Of course this means that I become ‘Auntie Lesley’ to all the other kids who spend the day there. I secretly love it, but I can see how much hard work it is trying to keep tabs on four two year olds. Never mind the noise levels, but you never seem to have enough hands at meal times, and it seems like your whole day is spent changing nappies!
On my last visit, the kids and I had a great time building jigsaws, reading books, painting fingernails and playing games. They are all really good kids, and it’s so funny watching them all interact together – especially Josh and Abbi. Any time you ask Abbi who her boyfriend is, she will tell you that it is Josh. And he will declare his love for her just as quickly. They are always watching each other, and if one needs help, the other will give it. If Josh loses his bottle, Abbi will pick it up and hand it to him and they will share their toys with each other more easily than with the rest of the gang. Its just too cute! What’s more, they are constantly giving each other hugs and kisses! I guess as far as Abbi is concerned, you can never be too young to kiss boys.
So this layout is about these two little cherubs, and I have had lots of fun using my sewing machine on this one.
Products used:
DCWV 8.5″ x 11″ cardstock
Scalloped edge paper
Sewing Machine
Bisous PDQ Journaling Pad
Rectangular chipboard from Making memories
Heidi Swapp Writers Block
‘Cute’ & ‘gorgeous’ chipboard from Dovecraft
Heart chipboard from Bisous
Printed ribbon from Hobbycraft
Glitter sticker from Making Memories
Just a quick post today, but a few photos to share with you all!
I have a little tub that I keep at hand, and every time I cut up pattern papers or salvage remnants from a greetings card or gift bags, or have a left over piece of ribbon or small piece of acetate, i place it in this tub. Then if i need a small piece of paper to add a little bit of colour to a project, the first place I will look is in this tub. It’s a great way to stretch your papers to the max, as it is surprising how much of an impact even the tiniest piece of paper can make to a layout.
This weekend I decided that my pile of scraps was getting out of control – I could hardly move the tub without spilling paper everywhere. So without really thinking about it I started plucking out random pieces and sticking them onto a piece of cardstock. I didn’t have a design in mind, nor a photo to use on the layout, but I was still having fun, and it all came together in the end!
Have you got lots of scraps lying around? Why don’t you let your creativity flow by digging in and using up all those left over pieces of pattern paper.
I bet you never realised how cute I was once upon a time! Yes, it’s true – thats me in my little red dress, building sandcastles whilst my big brothers watch over me playing in the sand. I don’t know when this picture was taken, or indeed where we were (I must remember to ask mum the next time we are chatting), but it reminds me of the good times we had as a family. When I think of the beach I remember my brothers burying each other in the sand, I remember my sister and I jumping off the sand dunes, and the excitement of hearing the chimes as the ice cream van pulled along the shore.
Who am I trying to kid? – I still get excited when I hear the ice cream van! But my point is that often the where and the when of photographs aren’t the most important elements of their existence- often it is the memories that are conjured up deep inside that spring to life as we look back at snapshots of our history – and that is why I love this little photo.
Did you notice the text print flower that i’ve used as a really wicked embellishment for the page. This is a Donna Salazar’s signature embellishment and if you want to find out how to make them for yourself, check out her video at the bottom of this post.
Products used:
Kraft paper from Papermill
Crate paper
Rubber Stamp from Tim Holtz
Chipboard from bisous
Life’s Journeys button border sticker from K & Co
Self adhesive lace paper from Paper Cellar
Flower from Prima
‘Treasure’ rub on from Cosmo Cricket
‘Our family’ rub on from 7 Gypsies
‘Memories’ sticker from Basic Grey
Charm from Mei Flower
Trim from Hobbycrafts
