Focus!

Hi Everyone,

Today I'm very excited to be joining in with a Blog Hop as part of the Focus Your Craft & Soul free blog event which kicked off at 4pm today over at Jennifer Grace Creates


Jennifer's blog events are always fun, so I'm looking forward to a weekend full of ideas, inspiration and great giveaways. Just look at this one - a WRK Insta Album Kit - which Jennifer is giving away to one lucky person ...


The giveaway closes on Sunday 24th May at 10pm BST and is open internationally - all you have to do to enter is to comment on each of the blogs in the Focus Your Craft & Soul hop.

I'm the last blog in the hop - if you've worked your way through the list and arrived here via Claire's blog, all you need to do now is head back to Jennifer Grace Creates to complete the hop or find the complete list if you've got lost along the way!

But don't go yet! I have a project to show you, my first ever scrapping process video, a mini photo tutorial, and a little prize of my own to offer one lovely reader :o)

Here's the process video on You Tube showing how the page came together - grab a coffee and settle down, it's almost half an hour long ...



This year I have decided that the best way to catch up on scrapping thirty years' worth of photos is to make a few "focal" pages featuring favourite photos, and lots of matching pocket page spreads to scrap multiple pictures really quickly. So here's a focal page, featuring one of my favourite photos from our wedding day ...


I used arrows and frames to focus attention on the subject of the page. Then I made some PL-style cards for a matching pocket page spread ...


The pocket page cards were great fun and very quick to make, and used up more of the stash left from the focal page. Here's what I did ...



These were the papers I had left, and an empty pocket page protector. I also grabbed some stickers, a Happy Scatter "Which Way" arrows stencil, my Georgie Stamp Set, a white chalkboard pen, a fine black pen and some inks ...


First, I cut the patterned papers into pieces either 3"x 4" or "6 x 4"


Then I set about garnishing each of them with scraps, stickers and doodling ...


I tried out lots of ideas, like inking and doodling through the stencil ...


... to create my own fun embellishments ...


Stamping onto patterned paper and cutting out the images to make my own photo corners, hearts and butterflies ...


Heat embossing a stamped image ...

,
Then adding a wood veneer and splattering with mist ...


I ended up with more than enough cards to fill two pocket pages, so all I need to do now is add the photos. Here's another pocket layout ...


So that's eight photos scrapped in double-quick time!

If you would like to win one of my Georgie Stamp Sets, just let me know in the comments below by Sunday 24th May at 10pm BST and I'll put your name in the virtual hat! NB the draw will be open internationally.

Remember to head over to Jennifer Grace Creates now to finish the hop and join in with all the fun - see you there! :o)

Annie xxx

Comments

furrypig said…
thank you for walking us through your process and a great reminder of both how to get lots of photos scrapped and how to use up scraps thank you xxx
JO SOWERBY said…
I love the ideas you've shared and what a great video thank you for all the hard work and inspiration. I'm making a Golden wedding anniversary album for my parents and your ideas have given me some inspiration. I'd love to win some stamps xx
Jo xxx
Love your blog, shall be adding it to my reader! Great idea to make a pocket page to complete a layout. Would love to win some stamps too!
Sarah said…
Hi Annie, such a beautiful page and I will look forward watching the video tomorrow when I have more time!! The pocket cards look fab!!
K said…
Great layout & cards. Got quite a bit of inspiration from your video, thank you :)
Fabulous idea to pair up traditional LO's with the pocket page journaling, enables you to document so much more of your story.
I will check out your video, <with a cuppa or two) when I get some quiet time over the weekend - I had added you my favourites .
You're stamps are so cute, would love the chance to win a set (if I'm allowed).

Claire x
Sandie said…
A great idea to include a video and I love the page pocket cards, there's nothing like making your own so that they are original.
I'd love a chance to win your stamps - please include me in the draw. Thank you :)
mandysea said…
Oh my, I've just spent ages here! You did amazingly well for your first video! Loved the LO! And what a great moustache photo to scrap! Great layering each with an effective border drawn. Did I see chocolates whip past the screen??? Love the use of scraps for the pocket cards... so into that! Fabulous POST!
mandysea said…
Oh and forgot to say.... YES to stamp set - perfectly wonderful!!!!
Dawn said…
I too struggle with knowing what to do when I have a large amount of photos from an event such as a wedding or birthday party. Your process would make that so much easier.
Love the little pocket cards, particualy the dude one lol
Jackie said…
Super video...well done on it being your first!!!!! Great way to use lots of photos quickly....love your focal page!! Thank you for the chance to win the set of stamps!!!!
Frances said…
Really really love your idea to create one main LO opposite your own handmade PL cards and LO. So inspiring and unique.
Gill said…
I love this - my favourite project on this hop!
Thank you for a great giveaway!
Lou said…
I love these Annie..such a fun thing to do x
LeAnne said…
Love the PL cards. Thanks for a chance to win stamps.
LCSmithSAVED said…
Loved your page & especially the idea of a backup of pocket pages to enable you to get through your memories in a timely way! Please consider me for your prize - your stamps are lovely!
Janet said…
I just found your blog through Jennifer's event and I am loving it!! I would love one of your stamps. Thanks for the chance to win. I can not wait to check your blog out more thoroughly.
scrappyjacky said…
Such a fun page.....and I'd love to win the stamps.
Clare Brown said…
great tutorial and layout, thankyou for sharing!
Natalie said…
Really loving your layout. I'm new to PL so really love the idea of making my own cards. x
Unknown said…
Hi as promised I came back to watch your video. tea in hand in was the perfect way to wind down from the day, listening to someone with as much enthusiasm for paper as I have ...LOL!
Melissa said…
It's been a busy week around here, but I'm so glad I jumped back in and finished the hop. Your layout is great & I like that you added a companion pocket page - I've been doing that quite a bit lately.
Melissa said…
OH, and I love to win the stamps! :)
Lizzy Hill said…
Now that is a fabulous idea that I might just have to pinch.....focal LO....PL the rest. Splendid idea! And of course, your cards are fabulous AND of course, who would NOT want to win your Georgie stamps??!!!!
mandysea said…
I've really taken on board using the scraps to cut and be ready for pockets!!! I'm going to keep this going!! I've put it on my blog :)
Daphne said…
What great video and page! Love it!
Jennifer Grace said…
Such a beautiful page Annie, and I can see why that's one of your favourite photos! I love seeing how you are using the arrows stencil too. Thank you so much for joining in the FYC&S Blog Hop! x