Torch Relay (The Studio Challenges Olympic Blog Hop)

Welcome to The Studio Challenges Olympic Blog Hop! You should have arrived here from Anna, but if you didn't, the full list is at the bottom of this post so don't worry!
In honour of London 2012, each team member has created a layout based on inspiration taken from different aspects of the Olympic Games. I decided to focus on the fabulous torch relay, and used a couple of the photos that I took when the torch passed through our part of the country.

I was so pleased to be able to get so close - that, combined with my fab zoom lens, meant I managed to get a couple of shots that I was really happy with.

What would you take inspiration from for an Olympic layout? Leave a comment and let me know, and you'll be entered into a draw to win a little prize from me! I've put together a quick page kit based on my layout - unfortunately I only had one sheet of the Lily Bee paper that I've used as my background, so I've included a similar sheet of Studio Calico paper instead. You'll also get some white cardstock, Fancy Pants alpha stickers, some Elle's Studio tags, Union flag ribbon, star sequins, a tag and envelope. You have until Friday 3rd August, and I'll announce the winner on Saturday 4th August.

 Your next stop is  Katherine. Thanks for joining in on our celebratory blog hop!

 Here's the full blog hop list:

The Studio

Daphne  

Valerie 

Anna 

Jules  - that's me!

Katherine

Back to The Studio 

G.

This is the third layout that I created using the grab bags from Elle's Studio, and the second one using a photo of my sister's cat, Ginge. Both layouts of Ginge have been framed in box frames and have made their way over to my sister - I hope she likes them!

I wasn't being deliberately stingy with the wood veneer alphas on this one - I probably could have put 'Ginge' on without too much trouble, but I liked the look of the monogram rather than her full name :D
In other news, I'm very happy to say that I'll be staying on at The Studio for another term. Amanda has increased the size of the team this time round, so do hop over to The Studio and check out the new girls - there's a lot of inspiration there! I even got a special DT badge - check out the sidebar! ----->

Cute Little Paws

Here's my layout for the latest challenge at The Studio. Val created one of her fab sketches for us to work with, and I stepped out of my comfort zone (again! I've been doing a lot of that recently) and flipped the sketch so the placement of the title would work better with my photo. 

I just love this photo - it's of my sister's cat, Ginge - I was trying to take photos of her but she was scared of the shutter noise, so I ended up laid on the carpet trying to coax her towards me. I took this shot without really looking, so I was really pleased with how it came out!

I couldn't resist using some more of the Pink Paislee wood veneer alphas, I don't think the packet is going to last long at this rate. There's also lots of Crate Paper buttons and trims, Elle's Studio tags and Papermania papers.

I added a subtitle up in the left hand corner of the layout, I don't think you can see it very well, but it just felt like that area needed a little extra texture, so I pulled out some Lily Bee alpha stickers. 

I hope you'll stop by The Studio and see what the rest of the design team did - there are some lovely layouts as usual! 

Run!

A couple of weeks ago I spotted a grab bag sale on the Elle's Studio website. I love Elle's tags and thought it would be an ideal opportunity to stock up! As the description stated that there would be little overlap between the bags, and it was the same rate of shipping for two bags as it would be for one, I decided to really treat myself - and I'm so glad I did! I popped a couple of photos of the bags on Instagram (I'm julesdix) if anyone wants a nosy, but they were full of bits from various manufacturers, not just Elle's tags :D

I've made three layouts so far, using pretty much just the contents of the grab bags, and I've still got loads left. For this one I used the July sketch at Sarah's Cards, and added the mists that I used for the background. I wasn't sure about the Dear Lizzy ruffle paper when it first came out, but I have to say having seen it in person I love it!

And the Pink Paislee wood veneer alphas? I've been absolutely dying to get my hands on some of those, so I was over the moon when I spotted a pack in one of the bags!

It's challenge time at The Studio tomorrow, so I'll be back with my second layout from the grab bags!

Cutie

This is my last layout with this month's kit from Ann at The Scrapbook Garden. This one's a bit brighter than my usual style, with the bright blue background! The colour works really well with the Bazzill papers though, and I made good use of the rest of the chevron paper.

I've layered more of the journal cards and stickers under and around the photo, and added a flower made up of folded punched circles with a sticker centre. The alphas are fabric Thickers coloured with an ink pad.  

The journaling card to the right of the photo was crying out to be used for journaling, which might sound like a silly thing to say, but I don't often journal on layouts so it's unusual for me to feel the need to add my scrawl to a page!

I've really enjoyed working with the Bazzill papers, and will definitely look out for their new collections!

Remember Blakeney

This is my second layout using this month's kit from Ann at The Scrapbook Garden. I had great fun cutting up the chevron patterned paper and piecing it back together before adding loads of doodled stitches. The Bazzill papers are gorgeous - I can't believe I haven't used them before!

I added lots of the stickers around the edge of the photo, and even cut some of the overprint from the backing sheet to create little frames that I tucked under the photo as well. There's also a bit of the text print from the backing sheet on there too - waste not want not!

The photo is of a farmhouse that we rented recently with some friends, in Blakeney, Gloucestershire. If you ever need a house that sleeps 8, in a sleepy little village, just a couple of minutes walk from a Michelin starred restaurant, and on the edge of the Forest of Dean I'd be happy to pass on the details! I don't know the owners, and I certainly won't get commission for passing people their way, I just thought it was a fabulous place :D 

Looks Like True Love

This is the first of three layouts that I've made using this month's kit from Ann at The Scrapbook Garden. I got to play with some gorgeous Bazzill patterned papers, journal cards and stickers - I've used Bazzill card before but that's about it!

For my first layout I decided to use this cute photo of two rhinos taken at Chester Zoo. I just loved the way they seemed to be snuggling together! I've layered up a couple of the journal cards and a piece of the patterned paper under the photo. The sentiment sticker worked perfectly with the photo and is mounted on foam pads, and the flower is cut from one of the journal cards.

I used some DIY Thickers with Papermania glitter, and alpha stamps for the title, and then went mad with my Martha Stewart heart confetti punch - still loving that punch!
Thanks for stopping by today :D

She Art Canvases

I've been having a play with a couple of 5x7" canvas boards, the 'She Art' collection by Pink Paislee, and some of Dyan Reaveley's fabulous stamps. Here's what I came up with:

Hope you like them!

My Boy Taz Minibook

I've been holding onto this project as it was made as a gift for my sister in law, and I wanted to make sure she'd got it safely before I posted it here, just in case! She actually got it a while ago now, so I'm definitely safe :D

Last time we went to visit I took loads of photos of their gorgeous dog, Taz, so I thought I'd send some back in the form of a mini book. I've gone with Echo Park's 'This & That: Charming' plus a bit of washi tape and some Thickers. 

I broke out my sewing machine to stitch pockets onto the pages, before gluing them together. I've popped a tag into each of the pockets for my SiL to write stories about Taz on. 

There's one photo that looks like I've just taken a shot of a field, but if you look closely you can see Taz's ears sticking up - did you spot him?!

I've Got Sunshine On A Cloudy Day

It's challenge time over at The Studio, and this week it was my turn to set the challenge! I went for a colour combination in lovely soft tones - yummy :D

I've used lots of MME 'Follow Your Heart' on this layout. I bought both collections when they came out, have made tons of layouts with them, and I've still got loads left! If you ask me, that's the sign of a very good collection :D 

I spent ages one day taking photos of the sky, when I thought the clouds looked really interesting. I was going for a more dramatic look to the shots, and was a bit disappointed with this one at first, but I think it really works with the colour pallette, so I'm quite pleased that I've actually used it!

Make sure you hop over to The Studio and have a look at what the rest of the DT made - there are some gorgeous layouts as always! Amanda has also announced the DT call for the next 6 month term, so if you fancy giving it a go the details are here.