May Sketch Challenge #4 and Last Weeks Winner

Wow, I can't believe the difference a week has made in the weather - it is so hot!  Probably not hot compared with the South of France or Greece etc but as I was still wearing thick cardigans at the weekend and now we are having a heatwave the shock to my system is taking a bit of getting used to!!  Anyway, I am being very British moaning about the weather, for which I apologise, and it is so lovely to see the sunshine so I will continue on a happier note!

We have a new Friday Sketch which is the last one of our May Challenges.  However, they have proved very popular so we may well continue them in some format or another.

May Sketch Challenge #4

And here is my interpretation of the Sketch.  The observant of you will know that I have posted this layout before but it has been so busy lately that I hope you won't mind seeing it again!

'Added Reason to Visit' by Kate Holliday

I used our gorgeous April monthly kit 'Evangeline' to create the layout and had a lot of fun cutting out the flowers and butterflies from one of the patterned papers. 

Supplies Used:-

Evangeline April Monthly Kit

Ink: Distress Ink Pads 'Vintage Photo', 'Tattered Rose', Ranger

Tools: 'Paper Distresser', Tim Holtz Idea-ology

 

And now for last week's winner.  I am delighted to announce that the winner of the May Sketch Challenge #3 is Tracy Harris with this fabulous interpretation of the sketch in the form of a card.

'Travel Card' by Tracy Harris

This is an 8" x 8" card which Tracy has distressed with Walnut Stain, Rusty Hinge and Tea Dye Distress Ink Pads.  Tracy punched holes in a small piece of acetate in various sizes using her Cropodile and then sponged the same colours of Distress Inks through the stencil she had created.  Using the Harlequin Stamp, FlitterGlu and Lancashire Rose Mega Flake Tracy finished the wonderful background effect.  The stamps she has used on the main images are all from the Grand Tour 1 stamp set.  The tickets she cut out by hand.  (Tracy, like me, is a big IndigoBlu fan.)

I was so impressed with the way Tracy had adapted the sketch to create a card and particularly with her really clever background which looks so effective.  Thank you so much for sending the picture in Tracy and you will be receiving your prize of the 'Alora' patterned papers from Bo Bunny very soon.

It has been a joy looking at all the beautiful layouts that you have sent in, there are some incredibly talented crafters out there and I am so glad that you entered the competition.  I cannot wait to see what you produce for next week.

Have a great weekend.

Kate

xx

May Sketch Challenge #3 & Last Weeks Winner

Well it is Friday again and we have a new sketch for you.  This week's sketch has more of a clustered effect with space for three photos but of course you can use these spots for other things such as patterened paper, extra journaling or whatever. 

And here is my interpretation of this sketch.  It is a layout featuring my daughter and her friend receiving their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award.  The photographs are not brilliant quality but I wanted to include them in a layout to mark their achievement.   I have included the footprint ribbon and bark print paper to represent the expedition that they had to do for their award and there are some fun stickers and sayings 'congrats', 'good for you' and 'you deserve a pat on the back' which add a fun element.

'Your Just Rewards' by Kate Holliday

Supplies Used:-

Patterned Paper: Prima - Paisley Road 'Dandiya', Road Trip 'Twists & Turns', My Mind's Eye - Good Day Sunshine Girl - On the Spot, Jillibean Soup - Spotted Owl Soup 'Pea Pod Parts' (top journaling block)

Ribbon: May Arts - Printed Twill Black Boot, Jillibean Soup - Beanstalks 'Brown/Natural' (Twine)

Alphabets: Bo Bunny - Et Cetera 'Combo Stickers'

Stamp: Technique Tuesday - 'Today You by Ali Edwards' (Jounaling Stamp)

Ink: Ranger - Distress Ink 'Vintage Photo'

Other: Scrabble Alpha Stickers, word phrases and stickers all from the 'For the Record' March 2011 Kit,

Wooden Button from the 'Spring Jubilee' May 2012 Add-on Kit

I am also delighted to announce the winner of last week's sketch challenge.  It is Cath West with this sweet layout of her daughter's visit to the Farm; such lovely photos.  Cath has used the 'Sweet Threads' Kit and the colours in the papers work so well with the photos.  It is a lovely layout Cath, thank you for entering the competition and your prize of the Prima 'Nature Garden' papers will be sent off to you.

 'Farm Girl' by Cath West

Deb sent me through this layout from an album that she is making for her parents Golden Wedding Anniversary which she says is from last week's sketch also.  It is really interesting to see the different take on it and that is why sketches are so great because sometimes they can just act as a springboard to get you started.  These are such lovely photos and I am sure Deb's parents will be thrilled.

 '1966' by Deb Whittaker

 It has been so great seeing the different layouts coming in for the sketches, thank you so much to all those who have entered,  and I can't wait to see how this week's sketch is interpreted - keep them coming :).

Happy Crafting!

Kate xx

First Snow in May!

Well with a heatwave in March and flooding in April I am begining to think that anything is possible!  However in this case the First Snow mentioned is actually a beautiful double-page scrapbook layout created by Sue Costi (the winner of our May Sketch Challenge #1).  Sue purchased the February Mini Kit 'Love Me' and used these sweet photographs of her daughter playing in the snow that work so well with the papers and other elements.

'First Snow' by Sue Costi

(Please note that not all the elements are included in the kit as Sue has used some items from her own stash)

This is such a great layout with all the elements working so well together across the two pages.  Thank you very much for sharing another of your gorgeous layouts with us Sue.

Happy Crafting!

Kate xx

The Gilded Cage

This gorgeous card was sent in by Wendy Gay who creates the most exquisite work and I just had to share it with you. 

The papers used are from the Pink Paislee 'London Market' range which have proved so popular (understandably, they are really lovely) and Wendy also used the May Arts Faux Silk Ribbon and Pale Pink Rik Rak and the Tim Holtz die birdcage she 'gilded' with the Chariot of Fire Mega Flake from IndigoBlu.  The bird was coloured with Tattered Rose and Vintage Photo Distress Inks and all the papers and cards were distressed using the Tim Holtz Paper Distresser.  The green cardstock is 'Lily Pond' by Bazzill.  Wendy used flowers and brads from her own stash (as was the Tim Holtz die).

The effect I am sure you will agree is just gorgeous and I for one would be delighted to receive it :).

Thank you for sharing Wendy.

Kate xx

May Sketch Challenge #1 Winner

After a few technical difficulties (!), I am now really pleased to be able to show you the winning layout of our first Sketch Challenge.  As you can see, it is a sweetly pretty layout (of an even sweeter little girl!) that Sue created from our October Kit, 'Beautiful Dreamer'.  Sadly this kit is now out of stock but one of Glitz Design's (whose papers we used for the Kit) new ranges, 'Pretty in Pink', is quite similar and these we do have in stock if you have been inspired by Sue's layout (the lace is also available from the website). 

 'Dream' by Sue Costi

It is a lovely layout Sue and our Congratulations to you.  We will be sending off your prize of the beautiful Bo Bunny 'Country Garden' papers.

Nicky was also inspired by last week's sketch to create this lovely layout using the 'Farmhouse' Kit.  The colours of the papers and embellishments give it such a summery feel, perfect to showcase these summertime photos of Nicky's daughter.  All the embellishments are included in the Kit.

'You're So Sweet' by Nicky Parry

Sketches really are a great starting point when your mojo may have neglected you so do have a go with our next Sketch Challenge which you can find on my previous Blog and make sure you send in your pictures before Friday 18th and you could win a gorgeous set of papers as Sue has.

Happy Crafting!

Kate xx

May Sketch #2

Well it is Friday again and I have a new sketch for you.  But firstly I want to announce the winner of last week's Sketch Challenge and the winner is .... (just allowing a little time for the drum roll!!!), Sue Costi.  Sue created a lovely layout using part of her 'Beautiful Dreamer' Kit from last October.  Unfortunately I am having a few difficulties uploading the picture onto the Blog as it keeps turning it upside down!!!  Why this is happening I am not quite sure but I will upload it as soon as I can but as the day is passing very rapidly I wanted to make the announcement anyway and also let you see this week's sketch.

May Sketch Challenge #2 by Kate Holliday

And now my interpretation of the sketch which I had a lot of fun creating.  I don't scrap photos of my son as much anymore because he is away at university, therefore less opportunity for taking photos, so it was lovely doing these photos which I took last summer at a family wedding.  I got messy with paint, inks and stamps and I hope you like the result.

 'Photo Op.' by Kate Holliday

Supplies used:-

Cardstock: 'Nightmis't, 'Kraft' - Bazzill

Patterned Paper: Good Day Sunshine Boy 'Hit the Road', 'Sunshine Stripe' (the reverse of both were used) - My Minds Eye, Et Cetera 'Cut Outs', 'Combo Stickers' - Bo Bunny

Paint: Adirondack Paint Dabber 'Pool' - Ranger

Ink: Distress Ink Pads 'Antique Linen', 'Vintage Photo' - Ranger

Stamps: Tim Holtz 'Psychedelic Grunge' - Stampers Anonymous

Embellishments: Tim Holtz Idea-Ology 'Memo Pins', Chipboard Shapes 'Stars' - Bazzill

(The tag was from some clothing)

Do have a go with the sketch and send in your photos.  Sue said 'I think the sketch is a great idea as it gives you a starting point when sometimes you are stuck for ideas'.  Sue will win the papers from the Bo Bunny 'Country Garden' range and you could be receiving your prize next week too but not if you don't enter!

Have a great weekend and I will try and get Sue's layout onto the Blog as soon as possible.

Kate xx

Playing with the White Rabbit

We have been extending the range of stamps that we are able to offer in the shop and one of my favourite ones is the Alice stamp sets from IndigoBlu.  I created this card for a friend's 50th birthday recently and had such fun playing with Distress Inks, stamping and just generally getting messy!

Using my craft sheet I swiped several different Distress Ink Pads across, ensuring that they didn't touch, and then misted them with a little water from my mini mister so that they formed little 'globules' (so love that word!).  I then dabbed white glossy card onto the wet ink and heated it using a heat tool.  I repeated the process a few times until I was pleased with the coverage.  I stamped the White Rabbit from the Alice II Stamp Set onto white card and added the Happy Birthday wording, from the same stamp set (there are several different options for wording which I love).  I cut out the image and inked the edges with Distress Ink.  On the background card I stamped the swirls included on the Alice II set in two corners in Archival Ink and used the Script stamp and stamped this too.  The rabbit was added using 3D foam pads and a piece of black gingham ribbon and then it was matted onto black cardstock.  With some of the scraps of the inked glossy paper I die-cut the word 'Fifty'.

Supplies Used (all available from the website):-

Stamps: Alice II Rubber Stamp Set, Script Background Stamp - IndigoBlu

Ink: Black Soot, Fired Brick, Worn Lipstick, Vintage Photo Distress Ink Pads, Jet Black, Sepia Archival Ink - Ranger

Ribbon: Black Gingham 6mm - Spiral

Tools: Non-Stick Crafting Sheet - Stix2, Mini Mister - Ranger, Slim Jims Acrylic Wafters - IndigoBlu

Cardstock: Raven - Bazzill

Other: Glossy white card, plain white card both from own stash

The card was a lot of fun to make and really very simple - I just had fun experimenting.  I hope you like my little creation!

Happy Crafting!
Kate xx

May Sketch Challenge #1

Today is the first of our May Sketch Challenges and we are starting you off gently with a nice simple sketch :).  All you have to do is produce a layout either a 12x12 or an 11x8.5 or 8x8, whatever you fancy, or even a card, and send us in a picture before next Friday, 11th, to be entered into our competition to win one of our brand new paper ranges.  There will then be another sketch next Friday.  The only thing we ask is that you use Bellaboo products and as we have such a large range of gorgeous goodies that shouldn't be too hard!!

 May Sketch Challenge #1

And here is my interpretation of the sketch.

'Sweet 16' by Kate Holliday

I have used a couple of the gorgeous papers from our beautiful May Kit, 'Spring Jubilee' with lots of the lovely embellishments included.  The tulle from the Add-on Kit I have sewn to create a little flower with the heart button and ribbon in the centre.  My title is swung from the wonderful canvas bunting included in the Main Kit and I have also used Perfect Pearls Mist - Pink Gumball on the paper, title and rose ribbon but it doesn't show up very well in the photo but gives a pretty little shimmer which I think works for the content of this layout.  (I have the Perfect Pearls Mists in and hope to upload them later today).

I can't wait to see what you produce :).  Send pictures to kate@bellaboo.co.uk.

Happy Crafting

Kate xx

May - a month to celebrate!

May is birthday month at Bellaboo as I celebrate owning the shop for two years - I just cannot believe where the time has gone.  All month we will be celebrating with competitions, prizes and give-aways so you will need to keep focused on the website, Blog and Facebook and you might want to sign up so you don't miss anything!

Firstly every online order placed this month will receive a free gift (a party favour you may say!), however many orders you place you will receive a gift with each one.

Next we will be running a Kit competition; if you purchase this month's gorgeous Kit, 'Spring Jubilee' and email us a picture of your layout or other project you will stand a chance of winning the June Monthly Kit as the Design Team will choose their favourite.  You win all round with this one as the May Kit is simply gorgeous and full details of the Kit can be found on the website with pictures of the papers below.

Over the next four Fridays, starting this Friday, 4th, we will release a sketch which we would love you to interpret using any Bellaboo products and email us in a picture and we will choose our favourite.  You stand a chance of winning one of our latest Patterned Paper Ranges. You can enter as many times as you wish and there will be a new sketch each Friday so don't forget to check back as you only have a week to produce your layout or project and send us in a picture.

Here are detailed pictures of the papers included in our gorgeous 'Spring Jubilee' Kit:-

Aren't they gorgeous?  If they don't shout spring to you then nothing will and with all the rain we have been having here a little bit of spring fever is just what is required in my book!

And here is just a little card made by Nicky Parry using the Spring Jubilee Kit to wet your appetite.  There is an Inspiration Sheet which you can download and keep that goes with the kit and will get your creative juices flowing.

'Just for You' Card by Nicky Parry

Have a great day

Kate xx