Getting on my Glitz in a different size

Hi all
It's my turn to share a couple of projects with you using lovely Glitz Designs products and this month I thought I would change it up a bit and scrap in a different size. I decided to use A4 (uk paper size) and found it an interesting challenge and really enjoyed the different discipline. Here's what I created


Nothing is Black and White


And here's the twist on the title, my hidden photo and journalling!

For this project I have used:
Glitz Designs Love Games Papers; Floral and Damask
Glitz Designs Afternoon Muse paper; Floral
Glitz Designs Love Games Paper layers
Glitz Designs Afternoon Muse Journal stickers
Glitz Designs Teeny Alphas; cream and ivory block
Glitz Designs frosting; red and black
Glitz Designs Giant Rhinestones; pink, black, green collection.

The photos are from a cruise we went on, it was a formal night and we went to have some proper photos taken, all started out well but after a nice bottle of red with dinner the giggles set in and the formality of the photo shoot was blown! I printed off the 'proper' photo in black and white and then one from the end of the shoot, when it all started going south, in colour. The black and white of Love Games works perfectly with my black and white idea and the zing of Afternoon Muse works great for the shot of hidden colour.


I ripped away an aperture slightly larger than my colour photo from the Love Games floral paper and then cut away the centre of the crossword paper layer to create a frame.


I adhered a mat of the yellow paper to the back of the photo and cut a journal sticker to a rounded shape, added this to my photo and recorded my hidden bit of the story.


After matting the black and white photo onto some of the papers, making it big enough to cover the hidden section and distressing the edges, I created a hinge by cutting two of the little damask patterns from the paper and folding the strip in half, adhering it to the photo and the base of the layout so the black and white photo became a little 'door'


Cutting some of the black ad white poppies from the floral paper and scrunching them into shape I created some bespoke flower embellishments.


Adding rhinestones, lace, ribbon and the gorgeous teeny alphas for my title finished off my layout.

As I had done one of my pages landscape I thought the next one should be portrait


A Volcano and a camel ride

For this project I have used;
Glitz Designs Laced with Grace papers; Floral, Plaid, Rose and Polka
Glitz Designs Love Games paper; score card
Glitz Designs Laced with Grace Journal and Title stickers
Glitz Designs Afternoon Muse Title stickers
Glitz Designs Teeny Alphas; Burnt Orange

I love the orange colours in the Laced with Grace colection and the richness of them has always reminded me of the many volcanos I have been lucky enough to visit, so, the other day when I came across these photos of our camel ride through the Timanfaya volcano range in Lanzorote I knew just the papers to use to scrap my memory of an unforgettable day (for many reasons LOL)


When I get to work with such great paper colletions I really like to be able to mix the different papers up and let them do the work. I cut several layers in different colours and distressed the edges.


When I adhered the paper layers I made sure I left the top edges loose so I could slip my little photos under them in position. I created a distressed matt for my larger photo and added that on foam pads for added dimension.


I then set to and started chopping up some of my lovely stickers, they are heavy duty stickers and can take the punishment! It's really interseting to see how the stickers can be transformed into something completely different and I will keep all the bits not used as I know somewhere along the line they will be perfect for a project.


After adding the stickers, journalling and creating my title with the teeny alphas my layout was finished and even though it is mainly papers and stickers it still has a lot of dimension and I love the colour of it!

So why not try a different size to scrap your next page in? It'll make you look at things in a different way! Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon, until then Happy Crafting!
Love
M x

Simply Clear scrapbook stamping

Hi all
Today is my turn to share a project of the day over on the Banana Frog blog and as promised I expanded on the card idea I created for the Frog hop last Saturday


I've taken it large on a scrap page! As ever the step by steps for the poject can be found at the Lily pad.

I hope you're all well and happy, life at Mogford towers is still super busy but very exciting (and keeps me out of mischief LOL) I have so much I need to catch you all up on and one of these days I will be true to my word and get back on track with this blogging malarkey!!

Until then nice to *see you*, stay safe and Happy Crafting
Love
M x

Froggity blog hop!

Hi all

It's that time of the month when the froglets leap from their Lilypads and share some work with you on the Banana Frog blog hop. You can start at the beginning from the frog blog if you have just happened to visit, if you're here on the hop I hope you're having fun :)

This months theme is Summer so I made some summery cards to share with you ...


I like the clear fresh look of the acetate and love adding a splash of colour to acetate stamping with some alcohol inks.


Happy Days card


This is super simple. Using the Totally Tropical stamp set, add some different coloured stayzon to the large corner stamp and stamp twice onto your acetate. I really like mixing inks on my stamp to get a shaded, multi coloured image. Top tip, when stamping onto acetate get right over the top of your work and stamp straight down positively but not too heavy handed as the stamp will slide!


Stamp two title blocks from the Tropical Taste tadpole stamp set, again mixing the colours and then stamp the greeting from the Sentimental Style stamp set on to one of them. I have stamped two sentiment blocks so the one with the greeting will be for the front and the other one attaches to the inside behind it to cover up the glue marks, obviously it shows just plain white on the inside as the stamped side goes against the front block, but, as I have used gel glue to attach the sentiment for dimension it is quite nice to see the double stamped image. Hmmm I keep re reading this last bit .. does it make sense?? LOL


You are my sunshine card


Again another simple card but I think it has added impact with the alcohol ink. Using the Scribble Flowers stamp set, I stamped a pattern using black stayzon down one side of the card front.


Flipping the card over I then dropped on some alcohol inks in different colours and let it do it's own thing! While it dried (it doesn't take long!) I stamped the little sentiment block from the Build a Daisy stamp set, again I did this twice attaching one to the front and the other behind it


Flowers in Nature


And finally, a card that mixes a bit of all of them! I stamped the flowers from the Super Dreamy stamp set using several stayzon colours, Stamped the sentiment from Build a Daisy and finally added some butterflies from the Swirls and Butterflies stamp set. I then added some alcohol ink to the back of the sentiment area, letting it do it's own thing again and that was it, a striking card made simply :)

I hope you've enjoyed your visit with me on the blog hop and feel inspired to do some simply clear summer stamping, I feel inspired to take this to a larger project and am cooking up a layout for my Project of the Day on the 4th August so please check back then!

A lot of the froglets are very busy at the moment with summer holidays etc so this month is just a short hop, I will direct you back to the Lilypad to catch up on those you've missed or to peruse for added inspiration and don't forget to check the shop link to grab a sale bargain while you're there! thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon, until then Happy Crafting
Love
M x

A Huge thankyou!

Hi all

So this is weird ... this is me blogging without having a Team project to share, this is me blogging, well, just as me really!

I just wanted to post a Huge thankyou to everyone that tuned in to Create and craft for the aazing POW shows I had with Serif Craft Artist and the American crafts bundles last week. Thankyou for all your support and lovely messages and the over whelming amount of Birthday wishes you sent me .... It really means a lot when you take the time to contact and to all those that managed to grab the POW before it sold out I hope you enjoy it!

I thought I would share a few pics that were taken in the studio, it really can't be called work it's too much fun!




Me and Nigel May being visited by 'super hero' magic hands




Having too much fun on set!


And this is one of my favourite digi layouts I did for the show .... it is on my studio door now :)


There is a lot of prep for the TV shows and Stan and Ollie do get a little fed up with me sitting on the computer for days


luckily as it is digi crafting I can set my lappy up on my little table and sit on the settee comfy creating but it also means the boys can get to me


and they got so fed up they kept sitting on the mouse mat on my knee LOL And yes I am in my dressing gown, it was about 2am! (honest it was LOL)

Well I quite enjoyed my little catch up, maybe I should do more of this chatting thing LOL, I'm off now to post for the frog hop tomorrow, Project of the day on the 4th and to create some Layouts for Glitz. I hope you're well and happy, thanks for stopping by and until soon Happy Crafting!
Love
M x

Happy July with Glitz Designs

Hi all,
Well it’s that time again to share some Glitzy goodness with you with some Glitz Designs loveliness.

July is one of my favourite months, it holds so many memories for me as it’s the month that the long school holidays start and it’s my birthday month so I wanted my projects to sum up those feelings ....


40 years on

I hardly recognise this little person, but it is one of my favourite pictures of me and makes me smile, I realised it is now 40 years since it was taken, oh my life!! And I thought it would be interesting to see what I would say to that younger me knowing what I know now so created this layout with some hidden journaling to hold my message.

I have mixed up the collections for this one and this is what I used
Glitz Designs Love Games papers; score card and polka
Glitz Designs Laced with Grace papers; polka, floral and stripe
Glitz Designs Afternoon Muse paper; polka
Glitz Designs Teeny alphas; apple green block, pink block, yellow block and burnt orange
Glitz Designs Laced with Grace Whatnots
Glitz Designs Laced with Grace paper layers
Glitz Designs Afternoon Muse peek-a-boo
Glitz Designs Love Games clear stamp set
Glitz Designs Afternoon Muse clear stamp set
Glitz Designs Save the Date clear stamp set


I started by laying down a rough block of colour in the centre of the score card paper with some distress ink to create a base to lift my design...


...Then built up a collage of distressed circles to reflect the circle of the date stamp and to introduce all the happy colours from the papers. I also put my photos through a cartoon effect and printed them onto some mat paper, a fun effect that lends to the retro story I am telling.


I added some foam tape around three edges of my ‘now’ photo to adhere it to the page, leaving the right side open to slip in my hidden journaling.


I love the sentiment on the Laced with Grace paper layer but it was too big for my layout in its entirety so I cut some word strips from it ....


.... then added in the missing words with the teeny alphas. I love mixing up typesets and these teeny alphas are not only one of my favourite Glitz products but quite possibly one of my most favourite products ever! I love the colours.


Finally I stamped the Hello stamp at the top of a strip of card and fold it concertina style to slip in behind my ‘now’ photo. This is where my hidden message to the younger me lives.


This layout will live on an easel on my side for a while, I love its happiness with all the colours and I love the message it speaks to me.

So with the summer holidays round the corner over here in the UK and all my memories of long days playing in the back garden with the paddling pool and trips to the seaside I really smiled when I saw this photo of my cousins two little ones sitting in their sandpit in the sun, I love the candied shot.


Happy Life

I used;
Glitz Designs Laced with Grace papers; stripe, polka and plaid
Glitz Designs Afternoon Muse papers; block, stripe and banner
Glitz Designs Afternoon Muse paper layers
Glitz Designs Afternoon Muse cardstock stickers; titles
Glitz Designs Afternoon Muse Whatnots
Glitz Designs Afternoon Muse Glitzers
Glitz Designs Laced with Grace cardstock stickers; titles


I took some bright yellow paint and splattered the middle of my base paper, adding ‘sunshine’...



....And started building up layers of paper as a base for my photo. I created a paper ribbon with some of the Afternoon Muse block paper by folding a strip backwards and forwards along its length and when adhering allowing sections of it to stand free.



The clown from the what not was perfect as an accent at the corner of my collage so I cut him free and adhered him to the end of the follow your bliss title sticker.

The Glitzers were perfect for finishing off my layout as was one of the banners cut from the banner paper, while the ferris wheel cut from the paper layer finished of the happy fun fair feel of my page.

I hope July is a happy month for you too, thanks for stopping by and until soon Happy Crafting
Love
M x

Happy Scrappy stamping!

Hi all.

I cannot believe how fast time is going again and that we are already in July! I've also been rubbish at keeping in touch with you all I know, life is super busy but very exciting though. I WILL get into a better routine and pop into my little corner of blogdom a bit more often .... honest :)

Ok, so today is my project of the day over at Banana Frog, inspired by a glorious summer morning I made a 'happy card'


As ever the step by steps are over on the Lily pad and all the stamps I have used are in the sale so why not grab yourself a bargain treat or two while you visit!

Talking of projects of the day I had a lovely email from a lovely lady from across the pond the other day. She owns a FAB website called All free Holiday crafts, there are loads of great projects over there and lots of inspiration for all manner of holidays and celebrations and all free! (I spent far too long having a happy trawl around over there!) Go and check it out, and while you're there see if you can spot this


My Project of the day that went live on the Lily pad on Xmas day last year. I was thrilled skinny (oh there's a dream way to lose weight LOL) and very flattered when she asked permission to use my project on the site, maybe some more will pop up :)

Things are good at Mogford towers, busy as I said and full of craftiness that I hope to share soon!

The boys are good too


It's been a while since they made an appearance here hasn't it, haven't they grown!

Plans are afoot to take my website off line soon to give it a much needed face lift and update and I really want to re decorate here too .... now if only my old nemesis Mr time would slow down a little maybe I'll actually get there!!!

Thanks for popping by, I hope you're all well and happy and until soon Happy Crafting

Love
M x

A {tweet} project

Hi all
Last month I had the pleasure of teaching at the Scrap-a-Mia retreat and loved being able to share some of the Glitz Designs papers from the Aftenoon Muse line with the delegates. This is what I created;


A scrappy piece of home decor.

When you look closely there are so many colours in the Afternoon Muse line we were able to mix things up a bit so everyone could have a colour scheme that suited them from lilac to peach!


We constructed the cage from mountboard, covering it in paint and stamps and the Glitz papers made the pop up frame in the centre which was double sided so it looks good from all angles.




With the addition of some elements sheets put together from old scraps and some handmade net flowers there was a veritable feast of birdcages to coo over.

Remember somtimes when you look at pattern paper really look at it to see what other colours are lurking and also don't always see it as a solid sheet of pattern, imagine small flashes of it within a project and you'll be surprised how different that one piece of paper can look!

Thanks for stopping by, I'll be back soon, until then Happy Crafting
Love
M x

Papers used;
Glitz Designs Afternoon Muse; Stripe, Banner and Polka