Sunday, June 24, 2012

ATDML Cyber Crop

Over the weekend ATDML have been holding a cyber crop with loads of great classes and challenges, if you didn't get around to playing along you still have plenty of time. All the details can be found here on the ATDML blog. I put together a class using some gorgeous Websters Western Romance....



The netting trim is from the In Love collection.



If you fancy having a go at the class there are full instructions to download here.
TFL
xx

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Harry Potter Studios!

In the half term a few weeks ago we took the girls to the Harry Potter Studios just outside London, Emily is a huge Harry Potter fan and was extremely excited about seeing all the sets, costumes and props that her hero's actually used in the films. We weren't quite sure what to expect but we certainly weren't disappointed, we had a great time there. As you would expect I did take lots of photos but inside the studios it was quite dark and although I took my large flash it was still a bit dark to get good photos.

The outside of the studios..


After an introduction by one of the guides and then a short film presentation we were led into the great hall, it was just like stepping into the film (as long as you didn't look up, there was no night sky or candles just studio lights lol) It all looked so real, you could honestly believe that the walls were solid stone intricately carved, it was amazing!

Emily has a bit of a soft spot for poor little Dobby and we found him in a glass case complete with his blood stained shirt after being stabbed by Bellatrix. He looked so real and even had a hairy little chin which we had never noticed in the films.


Outside we got to see the Hogwarts bridge, the Night bus, Privit Drive, the Weasleys car, Hagrids bike and side car and the Potters cottage. The girls thought they would go for a little drive in the car....


Apparently for the first film they used a real house for Privit Drive but then decided to build one in the studios.


Diagon Alley was one of the best parts of the tour, we walked around a corner and stepped into Diagon Alley it was really atmospheric and just like the Great Hall was like stepping into the film.



Justin trying to choose a wand or rather seeing which wand was going to choose him!


At the end of the Great Hall they had the costumes that a lot of the teachers wore.


We had to try Butter Beer, it was a bit weird I have to say, the top was like a creamy caramel and the bottom was a fizzy liquid which didn't taste like anything else I have tasted!! It was OK but not something we would rave over lol.


Sorry to disappoint all Harry Potter fans but Hogwarts School doesn't really exist, all of the outdoor shots of the castle were filmed using this massive model! It is amazing, the attention to detail was fantastic!


In the Ministry of Magic there are loads and loads of tiles, they look so real but are actually made of MDF and then coated with lots of layers of paint in a really expensive paint process.


Some of the props from the film.


Inside Dumbledore's Office.


These props looked good enough to eat!


Emily really wanted to buy herself a Gryffindor cardigan and tie but it was so expensive in the shop so she settled for a scarf instead. She did try them on though.


Rebecca bought some Every Flavour Bertie Botts beans and when we got home Emily, her friend Bryony (also a Harry Potter fan) and Rebecca tried some of them. I haven't laughed quite so much in a long time watching their faces as they ate vomit, bogey, ear wax, earth worm, sausage and dirt flavour beans!




If you get the chance to go to the studios it is well worth a visit even if you aren't a Harry Potter fan, if you have seen the films it is really interesting to see how it was made, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
TFL
xx

Thursday, June 21, 2012

My Creative Sketches Design Team and Guest Design Team Call.

Just a really quick post but I wanted to let you all know that My Creative Sketches is having a DT and GDT call! Here is all the info.....

My Creative Sketches is thrilled to announce our call for designers for our sketch blog!

We're looking for talented designers and guest designers who love to create scrapbook layouts based on our sketches and who will enthusiastically promote our site. This call is open to everyone.

If being a valued part of a wonderful group of scrapbookers on an established site is something you think you might be interested in, please read on.

Expectations/Requirements:
- Complete one layout each month based on the sketch provided
- Provide quality photos of work to be posted on the My Creative Sketches blog
- Post your monthly sketch layout on your blog, facebook, and online galleries
- Promote My Creative Sketches and My Creative Scrapbook kit club on your blog and facebook
- Demonstrate open communication skills
- Meet deadlines
- Be a flexible team player
- Have a consistent style

In return you will receive:
- A warm welcome into our friendly, caring, supportive family
- Your photo and bio on the My Creative Sketches blog
- Monthly sketches provided well in advance of deadlines
- Opportunities to be featured on our company blog
- My Creative Sketches blinkie to display on your blog

To Apply:
Submit the following to MyCreativeScrapbook@yahoo.com with "Sketch Blog DT Call" in the subject line:
- Full name and email address
- Link to your blog/website and online gallery
- List of your current design teams or link to your current scrapbook resume, if applicable (note: previous design team experience is not required)
- Tell us a little about you and why you would love to be a part of My Creative Sketches
- Attach 3 samples of your recent layouts which best showcase your style (please keep images under 500kb in size)

The deadline for applications to be received is Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at midnight EST.

The selected designers and guest designers will be notified via email and announced on the blog and message board shortly after.

New design team members will serve a 6 month term beginning in August 2012. Guest designers will serve on a monthly basis.

Questions about this call may be sent to MyCreativeScrapbook@yahoo.com.

We can't wait to see your applications! 

Saturday, June 16, 2012

June Sketch Challenge

This months sketch challenge has just gone up over at My Creative Sketches, as always the prize is amazing!! You can find all the details here.
I know Simple Stories have been around for a while but I have only recently started buying their ranges and I love them! I used their Fabulous range (from ATDML) for this page of Emily.





Here is the great sketch, this months has been designed by Kim Keane...


and most importantly the amazing prize!


Don't for get to pop over to My Creative Scrapbook, if you haven't already, and check out the two new kits that Pam has put together. There is a Dusty Attic add on plus a Mixed Media kit and of course the four regular kits plus the flower add on......My Creative Scrapbook really is the place to go if you are looking for a great kit and an amazing choice!

On a non scrapping note I started a new job this week and for the first time in over 17 years I am working full time! The job is really really interesting and with loads to learn but it means that scrapping time is a bit limited which is coming a bit hard :( Hopefully in a few months I will have settled into a routine and life will be running smoothly again. 
I did have last week off before I started the job and we went to the Harry Potter studios....I will be back in a few days to share all the magic!!!!
TFL
x

Sunday, June 10, 2012

My Creative Scrapbook Prima Contest!

My Creative Scrapbook is having a Prima contest!!
Head over to our blog and message board for full details.
We have this huge Prima prize package just waiting to be won by you!


We also have a few more Prima prizes to give away too!

So come on over and see how you can win these Prima prizes! You will also want to reserve your Prima kit to be entered into our "win Prima flowers" contest. Yea what could be better than winning Prima flowers?!

Hurry....so you don't miss out. Visit us real soon for your chance to WIN!
We are so excited to show you all the surprises we have in store for you.
Go here..


Friday, June 8, 2012

Scrapping With A Little Help From A Friend

I thought I would share the last of my creations using this months Main Kit from My Creative Scrapbook, for those who read my last post you will know that the kit features lots of gorgeous Prima Sun Kissed. I will admit I did have a little bit of help creating this page!!





Here is my little helper!



I made a really simple little card with some of the bits that I had left over. One thing that I love about the Prima ranges at the moment are the sheet of alpha stickers and words they are so usable.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Sun Kissed

This months main kit from My Creative Scrapbook has been one of my favourites, the Prima Sun Kiss range is such a beautiful collection and great to work with. Pam has included so many gorgeous embellishments in the kit including flowers, note cards and chipboard.



Having seen how Gabrielle Pollacco used the Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch I had to buy one and it has been so useful for adding a few extra little details to pages. I have yet to have a go at creating her bloom clusters but they do look amazing and it is definitely on my "must try" list.




I cut out the images from the patterned paper and to add more depth bent the cut side of each butterfly and added some pin flair gel underneath to hold the shape.


I knew this photo would go so well with this kit when I found out what was in it and it does, I have to say though the page looks better in real life for some reason the photo hasn't picked up the colours 100%.



Here is the amazing kit!



TFL
xx

Monday, June 4, 2012

London Market

This months Limited Edition kit from My Creative Scrapbook has been revealed and it is another stunning kit! Pam has combined Pink Paislee London Market papers and embellishments with lots of beautiful Prima flowers, the colours in this kit are so gorgeous.


I used the large Pink Paislee numbers in the kit as a template to create the number 17 for this page, for added detail I stitched around each number (a big wonky I will admit!) and the used some liquid pearls.


I love the packet of Rare Finds that Pink Paislee have produced to co-ordinate with this range, there are so many really usable images including the little Paris cards and butterfly on this page.


I used the little Union Jack hearts in the Rare Finds as a template to create lots of hearts to stitch onto this page.




I have another gorgeous baby to scrap! Beautiful Olivia AKA Olive, she came to visit the other day and of course I had to get the camera out. Isn't she just so cute!



And here is the stunning kit!


If you haven't popped over to My Creative Scrapbook lately then you won't have seen that Pam has brought out two new kits! A Dusty Attic add on and a Mixed Media add on, you can check them out here. You can also check out the Design Team gallery, with 4 kits being featured there is loads of inspiration!
TFL
xx