{JYC : 2011}

This year I decieded to take a different aproach (rather than assume, yes I will have time to make my pages from scratch each day! Along with work, being a mum, it being nearly Chrismtas and general other craziness that goes along with Decemeber) And that approach was to make up **most** of pages in advance, so that they are pretty much ready to go. But you could add more embellishments, titiles or numbers where required.

The first thing I knew had to be done was to make a plan on the album format. After much delibiration - I settled on 6x6. I thought this size would be 1.more achievable for me on a daily basis 2. was better value of money for me (one 12x12 sheet will make 4 pages!). Step one decision made.

Step two. Photos or words? I use my Iphone daily to take pictures, and I use instagram a lot. This is how many of my friends and me stay connected with each other. I love the effects you get with the photos. And I love that I always have my *camera* with me. I know I will take lots of other christmas shots with DSLR, but I love the look of square prints you get through instagram. After some lengthy discussions on twitter mainly - I settled on have a words focus page and oppsite this I will have a photo focus page. I will print all the photos in one go after Christmas  (cheaper!) and probaly embellish them slightly with punched shapes and other prettyness. Settling on this as plan, then aided the next step.

Step three. My pages. For creating my album I bought the Chirstmas in a Box kit that Shimelle put together. Then this along with whatever other Chrimtmas bits I had would be my core supplies. I did order a 100 manilla tags (planning on using them on my Christmas wrapping also!) but I wanted something fairly simple I could use throughout my album to offer some continutiny. I then gathered some cardstock in a mix of blues, greens, kraft, white and pink. I cute these into 6x6. Out of the kit I picked a selection of papers I wanted to use as backgrounds, these were all cute 5.5 x 5.5. The pages were then made up from these bases. Some more simple than others, but all are ready for Decemeber 1st.

Throughout my pages I used some enevlopes (some were sealed and then cut to make pockets), some with journalling cards, some with tags - but all of them I have left some space for journalling. My plan is also to add pages or inserts without the album were needed. It will as always be a work in progress - but the main bulk is done.

 As I have taken part in JYC before I am more aware of what some of the prompts which happen throughout the class - therefore I did make some of the pages more directed ready for that theme, but the majority are pretty simple, ready to be embellished & titled.

I havn't made any numbers, as I will see what each day brings in terms with how this fits - but I am toying with the idea of adding the number to the photo page?! (as I said this is a work in progress!) All my Christmas bits are now all stored together (with some letters, ribbons, etc) so that I can either attempt to complete my page daily! (doubtful) or spend a couple of hours at the weekend and finish the pages.

As with other years, I will probably tweet some of my journalling daily to. Helps me remember.

I hope all of you who are taking the class are excitied and I would love to know how you will be doing your album!

Roll on the 1st!

L

{JYC : 2010}

I have made a few discoveries about myself and crafting recently.

1. I do not cope well with deadlines

2. I find it hard to always craft everyday

3. I am embarrassed at my numerous unfinished projects

4. All of the above fills me with guilt.

That being said, I had decided that once again I wanted to take part in JYC again this year. But before I could prep 2011(blog post on that to follow) I wanted to make a big effort to complete my 2010 album. I had done a lot of the journalling in a notebook for the season. I wanted to combine my notes with my photos and my Christmas Stash. So out it came and I spent one afternoon / evening finishing my album.

Last year I opted for a multi sized album and I had already done about a third of the album. I sat down with my photos and my album, and I made a plan of what I wanted to record. I had last year, punched all sorts of different shapes out of my older Christmas stash (only the punches I had - circles, labels, stars etc) and stored them along with any other tags or sayings, all in a Quality Street tin - festive! This has been brilliant for just pulling together embellishments for my pages (and I used the same tin of shapes for my pages for this year too!)

I am so pleased I was able to finish my album. Here are a few pics of my finished album. Throughout the album I added envelopes which I put the pages with my original journalling in. I added pages of just a single photo, or a bigger layout with journalling. I included some reciepte, handwritten enevlopes & even a decoration off the tree.

I am very excited to be doing my JYC again this year. I will share how I started my album for this year later. (sorry some of the pictures are out of order, but blogger was being temperamental!)

Thanks for stopping by.

Just a quick note as well, I've posted a quick project over the fiskars blog. Drop by and take a look.

L

{Halloween Party}

Last weekend I had the crazy idea to host a little kids Halloween party. It actually wasn't that bad. The children arrived in fancy dress, and because of their age there was no real organised games etc. It was more a get together - with baked goods.

In preparation for the party I purchased a part pdf printable pack from Shindig parties to go http://amandaparkerandfamily.blogspot.com/

Here are a few pics of the party table. I was very please with the outcome.

I baked Red Velvet Cupcakes & Chocolate Cupcakes (Recipes from Hummingbird Bakery Cake Days) and the cookies was Miranda's Vanilla Biscuits (Recipes from The Great British Bake Off )

I did also make a door wreath, bubble wraps and goodie bags for the children using the same printable pack - but I haven't got any good pics of those.

L

{fiskars}

I would like to share some news with you all.
Exciting times.

Hope everyone has a safe bonfire night.


Love Leanne