Dolly's Dreamings

UK Scrappers sketch 2

There is a whole new challenge on UK Scrappers this year appearing ont he first and third Monday each month.

Follow this link to find out what it is all about. 

There will be two sketches per month that you can play with, released on the first and third Monday of every month. Hosted by Mini Owner, your pages need to be uploaded to the UKS Gallery.

Here is the link to the gallery

Sue will give you a  new sketch and I will aim to provide a very simple digital template for digi scrappers to play with. These will be PSD format and kept basic so you can embellish your heart out.

This is the information for Sketch 2

You can download the digital template HERE

 

Download UKS Sketch 2

 

Have fun playing

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UK Scrappers Sketch 1

There is a whole new challenge on UK Scrappers this year and it starts this month.

Follow this link to find out what it is all about. 

There will be two sketches per month that you can play with, released on the first and third Monday of every month. Hosted by Mini Owner, your pages need to be uploaded to the UKS Gallery.

Here is the link to the gallery

Sue will give you a  new sketch and I will aim to provide a very simple digital template for digi scrappers to play with. These will be PSD format and kept basic so you can embellish your heart out.

This is the information for Sketch 1

 

This is Sketch 1

Download UKS Sketch 1

 

 

We can't wait to see what you come up with and let us know what you think. There is a special gallery to upload your creations here

 

And so that I knew it worked this is the page I made using the sketch and template and Dawn Inskip's Secrets Bundle

 

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The fog lifted - but later

I awoke to a gorgeous frosty foggy morning and it was so beautiful I just had to go out and see it first hand so donned warm clothes - my goodness was it cold - and headed next door to the heath.

I know how lucky we are to have this quite literally on our doorstep. Truly lucky.

Everything was dusted with frost and it was so pretty in the fog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

even my little bird bath fairy was holding frozen flowers

 

 

It really was glorious. Barb there is lots of green but, whilst I know it would become tedious quite quickly, I would love to have your snow for a while.

I am not sure if any of you in the UK have been watching Winterwatch this week - again it is coming from Arne, an area we walk regularly. Again I know we are very lucky.

 

It is new release day today and I have had the chance to work with some amazing collections.

This one is one of my latest favourites - called New Style by Dita B

 

 

and this si what I made with it

 

 

 

 

I will share other new collections tomorrow but Dawn Inskip has some amazing goodies at 50% off today in her store.

 

It is Light and Shade - Love Ya and has papers, elements and journalling cards - these are the amazing illustrations to whet your appetite.

 

 

 

Finally Barb and Mary asked for instructions for the numbers page so I hope this helps.

Download Travel by numbers

Download Link HERE

Let me know if it doesn't work

 

Today I am thankful for

• frost and fog (but glad it is clear now)
• where I live

 

 

 

Free accordion album class

I promised I would celebrate my first month of freedom with some freebies so I have another today - this one made as a part of a blog hop promotion - a very simple accordion album.

 

This is a very simple accordion book to use as a display item at home. I used a Woodware base for mine, but it would be just as easy to cut the squares from a very thick cardboard. If you want it to stand up you need to make sure the card used is reasonably thick and substantial.

The step by step here is very simple as the design is very straightforward. At the end of the post there is also a PDF file you can download that has all of the instructions and pictures and makes for an easy reference sheet if you want to create this project. The supplies given are for the book I made. Obviously you will vary them according to what you want to create.

Supplies

 

• Woodware accordion album (4 sheets of wood with slots pre-cut)  My ‘pages’ were 6” square.
• K and Co Amy Butler papers
• K and Co Amy Butler mat stack
• K and Co Amy Butler chipboard letters
• Assorted ribbons, some of which need to be sheer
• Assorted blooms, stickers, die cuts
• 8 photos
• Journalling pen
• Stickles glue
• Herma permanent adhesive
• Double sided tape
• Sewing machine
• Hole punch/cropadile/sharp knife
• Corner rounder

Step by Step

• When making any sort of mini book I find it is much quicker to assemble all the supplies before you start. That way you have everything coordinated and ready and you can complete the book really quickly.

• Having everything coordinated means that the book works as a whole thing. It doesn’t seem disjointed.

• There are so many coordinated ranges out there that the job is made even more simple, although there is a thrill putting together your own selection mixed and matched from lots of different ranges.

• When making mini books I prefer to think of each page as a separate scrapbook page, work on it as a separate page and then assemble them all together as a final stage.

• I cut all of my background papers first – 8 squares each 6” x 6”. This meant that I knew what colours my 8 bases were and could ensure they were balanced before I started.

• 6” x 6” is a perfect size as it means you get 4 ‘pages’ out of each 12” x 12” sheet.

• One of the things you can do to make a book work better together as a whole is repeat ideas and designs throughout. You might want to have several elements which are used on many of the pages. For this book I used doodled photo mats, doodled flowers, glitter, scalloped edges and stitching as my repeated elements. Not all elements were used on every page, but by mixing and matching them you get a cohesive look at the end of it.

• The doodled mats are simple to do and quite effective when making a mini book.

• Cut the mat to the size you wanted

• Using a black journaling pen draw two parallel lines all round the mat. You are NOT looking for perfection. The beauty of doing this is that it is hand drawn and whimsical. You don’t want ruler straight lines.

• Once you have drawn the lines, use the pen to colour in small blocks between them. Again, you are not looking for a regimented design of small small large etc. Mix the sizes and spaces up so it is as random as possible.

• Once you have finished your mat add the photo to it and you are good to go.

• I didn’t use doodled mats on all of my pages and I did vary some of them using dots and swirls instead.

• One of the ways of tying something like a mini book together as a whole is to use scraps of the papers to make the embellishments.

• In keeping with the doodled theme I drew doodled flowers for many of the pages.

• Again you are not looking for perfection. You are looking for a freestyle where petals are uneven and double lined.

• Once you have doodled them cut them out leaving a small border.

• As the letters I used had little bits of bling on, I added stickled glue to the edges of the petals and to the centres of the smaller flowers. The larger flowers had tiny felt blossoms stuck in the centre.

• I love sewing on pages as it gives extra detail. It is very easy to use a sewing machine, but good effects can be achieved with hand sewing and with faux stitching where you just draw or stamp the stitches on.

• Faux stitching is very simple – if you are going for a faux zigzag just stick the shape to the background and use a regular journaling pen and draw the zigzags over the edge of the shape to make it looks as if it is stitched to the background.

• Big simple shapes make good background detail to the page. I used circles which were sewn on for several of the pages and also used a large heart which was stitched on to the background paper.

• Once you have completed all the pages it is time to assemble the book as a whole.

• The album I used had slots cut in the wood so that the book could be joined together. If you are using a book like this then it is much easier to cut the slots in your pages before you mount it all together. I marked where the slots had to be on each page by using a pricking tool to prick through and then cut the slots with a craft knife.

• If you are making your own base from thick chipboard then you could punch the holes with a crop-a-dile either before you mount the pages to the base or after if they are not too thick.

• You need to make sure that your individual pages are stuck down very well to the album. I prefer to use Herma permanent adhesive as it is just my glue of preference. I lie the page on top of the base as I glue so that I can go right to the edge each time and any spare glue only goes on the base – which is a good thing!

• If you have ‘lumpy’ pages, which I often do, or simply if you prefer to use it, double sided tape is the answer.

• Make sure you lay the tape right up to the edge of the page as you want a good firm stick right along every edge with no loose bits.

• Once you have assemble the individual pages to both sides of the base boards you need to join it all together to make the display album.

• I joined mine with ribbons. I chose to use very sheer ribbons for joining the pages so that if they were in front of pictures they would not detract from them.  I used fancier ribbons on the ends.

• A good tip I was given, and always use, is that I burn the edges of the ribbons,. I keep a lighter in the craft room and just flash the cut edge of the ribbon in front of the flame. This seals the edge and stops it from fraying and is the most effective method I have found.

• Do be CAREFUL though. It is a naked flame and the ribbons catch and melt very quickly.

  I hope that you enjoy making one of these.

If you find these instructions at all useful and if you make one I would love you to let me know and share it with me if possible. Just drop me a line on my blog.

If you want to download the full PDF which can be printed easily then you can download it HERE

Thank you for stopping by and do please visit again. I often have free downloads and classes on the blog.

Old class and new class news

I have enjoyed browsing through my old classes - though some are terribly dated and not what I would do now. It has been quite cathartic to look at the old back up files.

However it has made me decide I will be doing new classes later this year. If I ever get a new computer that is. Looks like it may now need to be a new machine. Oooh goodie - just when I have stopped earning I get to buy a new computer!

I cannot believe it was 6 years ago that I did my 52 in 10 class. I offered it as a freebie and kept up a whole year posting a prompt and a page for everyone every single week for the entire year.

 

So please ... watch this space if you are interested in some new classes I will be offering.

 

Meanwhile ... and old class page that still works and is still something that might kick start a few mojos.

 

 

Obviously mine is a page about the Fiki monster but you can make it about any topic and there are some interesting tecchniques you may want to use on other pages and projects.

 

The PDF is here

 

Download Action by Scrapdolly

 

or download here

 

and this is the text for the intro and supplies list  if you can't download the pretty PDF

Action … by Scrapdolly

This is a really quick and simple page that can become as fancy as you want it to be.
The supplies are limited and it is the sort of page you could leave quite plain or dress up and go to town with.
You can adapt this page to suit any theme – the only limit is your imagination.
The supplies given are for this page here, but you can adapt them in so many different ways.
The great thing is it uses scraps and part sheets of papers! dig into that scraps box and get creative.
Please remember this class is provided free so please don’t use it an call it your own. Share the blog address with friends so they can download their own.
And once you have made your version, please share it by uploading it and do let me know by sending me a PM or by posting on my blog. (http://dollysdreamings.typepad.com ) The reason I love doing these classes is because I love seeing what you all come up with.

 

Supplies

• One sheet of cardstock for the background and one sheet of black cardstock

• Scraps or part sheets of coordinating patterned papers.

• Chipboard/felt.vinyl, die cut letters

• Various buttons

• Embroidery floss

• Journalling spot or large scallop punch

• Journalling pen

•Journalling pens in black and white • Scallop edge punches – optional • 1 photo approx 7” x 5” and 3 photos 2 “ x 3”

• Stamnps and ink – optional

Have fun and do watch out for new classes coming later this year

 

Today I am thankful for

• the number of people in the scrapping community who have inspired me/had faith in me/ laughed with me/shared with me

 

Technique Tuesday - an oldie but a goodie

OK - so I am sticking with the Technique Tuesday for a while - just to see how it goes - and this week I have a class I ran oddles of years ago which I still get asked for.

 

 Exploding boxes make great gifts and they are really easy to make and such fun to fill and give as gifts.

 

I have uploaded a file you can download if you have never made an exploding box and would like to try one. They are really simple, great fun to make and great little gifts.

 

Download Microsoft Word - exploding box class for blog

 

It was actually written for this box here which was used in a magazine.

 

 

 

These are others I have made

 

 

 

 

I guess writing a  post like this I am thankful for

• keeping files for years in a relatively organised way

 

Quick and simple mini book

Still trying to post freebies this month as I am really enjoying being free myself.

Some questions first.

Do I have a new mother board .... NO

Is my computer back ....NO

Am I happy about it .... NO

Am I getting better at being chilled about things .... ABSOLUTELY 100% YES

 

However, onto a class.

This is a really simple mini book and it was a class I used at school when I ran scrapping classes for the children. So many girls have made these little books and loved them.

It is a very very simple book and uses many ideas that I have gleaned from around cyber world. I am very keen to stress it is not unique and I owe credit for some of the techniques - the little tab and 'buckle' page to the Sleeping Under canvas mini book by DeeMo that was part of the most recent UKS cyber crop. The flap and fold page was also in that class but I have used that before and I picked that up from another mini book I saw on You Tube. I guess there are few new and unique ideas, the differences are how they are combined.

This mini book uses a very simple binding rather than a stitched or matchbook binding that I usually do.  

 

This is the front of the mini book - cats of course.

I have used the book to record the cats in 2012 so all of the pictures were taken last year.

Here are the rest of the pages

It uses just two sheets of 12" x 12" cardstock, two pieces of chipboard and scraps of card and patterned paper and is really really simple to make. I like simple!

These are the downloadable instructions in a PDF

If you make one I would love to see it so drop me a comment and a link so I can come look.

 

Enjoy creating and celebrating my freedom with me

Saturday specials - a little freebie

I promised that this month I would try and share the love of being a lady of leisure (although I do seem to be awfully busy doing nothing!) by posting some freebies and classes and templates I have made in the past. Note the use of the word 'past'

No new mother board yet! Patience is waning I have to confess.

 

This set of elements was made for a UKS blogathon

Chalkboard elements are still popular and so I thought it would be fun to play with making a few.

I have made two sets in different sizes as a free giveaway today. There is a standard 4" x 6" size and also a smaller 3" x 4" size, though they are all easy to resize to whatever size you want them to be in.

They are all standard png files - but I have also included a jpeg image of each for people who would prefer not to use png files - and they print really nicely as they are high resolution.

Firstly here is a page I have made using two of the files in the freebie collection

The photo was taken on Scarborough seafront on our tour round the UK this summer.

This is one of the elements in the set

This is one of the blank files with just a title - perfect for journalling

The other elements that are printed are from a digital kit called Instalife by Lorie M at Pickleberrypop. Even if you are a paper scrapper, do be aware of digital kits and accessories as they are perfect for printing and adding to projects and the beauty of them is you can use them again and again and again, in whatever size and colour you want.

This is what you get in the set - 10 different chalkboard elements

 You can download the files here

Chalkboard elements set 3" x 4"    Download 3x4 zip file

Chalkboard elemenets set 4" x 6"  Download 4 x 6 zip file

Chalkboard elements set jpeg files Download Jpeg zip file

I hope you have fun with them and would love to see what you make with them. Do come back and link to your creation so I can see them in action.

 

And do check back on other days this month and see what other freebies you can pick up

Template Thursday

I promised that in this first month of being off I would try and share some of the freebies I have made in the past to give people things to play with and try out. My way of celebrating I AM NOT AT WORK! Plus I can use files I have on back up which is way easier in my computer-less state.

OK so I am cheating on this one as I am recycling an older template I shared a while ago but I was going to make a new template - honestly - and I just plain ran out of time.

 

This was made for my first month as a member of the Scrapology Design Team. I am still so proud I was a member and so sad that it all ended and we no longer do scrapology.

This is my page for the challenge - Credits ... all papers and embeliishments are from Pickleberrypop here and are by Fayette, Lorie M, Jumpstart Designs and Stdio Lalie. Don't forget - huge sale going on today as well!

The photo is - of course - the Fiki monster

As it was my first design spot I made a free template for you if you would like to use it.

It is a fully layered PSD template that you can download.

DOWNLOAD free template here

  Download Scrapology Nov 13

I hope you have fun with it and please do share what you create with it

 

Today I am thankful for

external hard drives and the fact I did religiously back up each month

busy days

Ni blogging yesterday as I was off oooop north to see my folks.

We had a fabulous visit with Pauline, Sam, Chris and the girls, swapping christmas presents and enjoying great company and a fabulous meal. It was like a little mini Christmas day and very special.

Sadly Emily was very poorly and Chris not brilliant. I hope Em is better in time for the real big day.

I do have pictures but I am a lazy mare and have not downloaded them yet.

These are just a couple I put on facebook

 

my surrogate Mom and my god-daughter- love them to bits

 

 

 

and the edible and totally wonderful little Elinor (sadly Emily was poorly and in bed :( )

 

Today I have felt rubbish - not really part of the plan to have ANOTHER cold so soon.

 

But we did go out for breakfast and had a cold and windy sea view.

 

 

I have bnew scrapping to share - this time made with another Pickle Barrel collection by Jennifer Labre called subtle beauty

 

 

 

 and very fitting as it is Emily from a few years ago at Christmas so she is still on this post.

 

 

 

Such a pretty pretty littl;e girl and now a very pretty young lady.

 

I also have a brilliant video to share - well I think it is brilliant. In my opinion it doesn't matter how you get the message out - just get it out

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• being on holiday - better to feel rubbish at home than at work

 

 

 

And finally - do check out Dawn Inskip's facebook fan page as there is an amazing freebie