Team challenge

As I have mentioned before, I enjoy visiting UKScrappers and have even joined a "team" on the forum.  One of my fellow team members recently set the rest of us a challenge (here on her blog ) - to create a layout using a sketch as inspiration.  So I had a go this afternoon and this is what I came up with

I've followed the sketch fairly closely but have made a few minor changes.  I really like it - it's close enough to my usual style but has some extras that make it feel really different.  Challenges like this make me think outside of my normal "box" and create something a little bit different; in the long run, this can only help my creativity develop.

Crop class

At my local crop today, Vicki held a class for a few of us - we learned how to make a beautiful binder (using mostly Tim Holtz goodies) - I'm going to use mine to store stuff we produce in future classes (Vicki has lined up some good ones for us :-) ), it'll become a book of inspiration, I hope.

The cover came in three parts (front, back and central spine).  We chose Tim Holtz papers (in plain kraft brown but with resist patterns printed on) to decorate both the inside and outside of the covers; these were cut to size and then coloured with distress stains and inks before being stuck to the covers.  The spine was attached to the covers using sticky-backed canvas which we colourised using more inks and stains.  Inside, a ring binder attachment has been secured using brads - this could be used to make a journal, recipe book, mini album ... there are many possibilities (and I may explore some of these in the future), but I will be using mine to store future creations.

The binder was finished off by adding a beautiful knob/handle to the front (there is also an elastic loop attached to the back which can be hooked over this to keep it secured shut) and a "dangly bit" to the spine ...

So, not only a gorgeous end product, but also a chance to try out some products I'd not used before - all in all, a great afternoon's work - thanks Vicki :-)