Scrapbooking with Scenic Paper - Part 2

On the last post, I showed what I had in mind for the piece of October Afternoon 'Gravel Road' scenic style paper I had bought on sale, as a bit of an experiment.

This is the final result:

 

Apologies for the slight reflection in the top left corner, as this was photographed once I'd put it into the page protector.

 

I'm not one for leaving off journaling but this paper makes it a bit difficult to put much writing in, without it feeling overcrowded, to me at least, but I'm sure that's a personal thing. I do have information that I'd like to include about the place - some facts and figures, as I like that sort of thing, plus our own feelings about what we thought of the place, and how it was a little different from what I was expecting. I haven't yet decided as to whether to go ahead with the divided page protector style or another 'standard' layout, possibly a double one in order to get some more of the photos on show that helps show the total abandonment of the place.

 

I chose this photo to go on the first layout because I thought it gave an idea as to how out in the middle of nowhere this place was. The background layer (that you can just see beneath the brown cardstock) is an Echo Park paper I think, from the Everyday Eclectic collection. Then the cardstock, just from stash but most of mine is DCWV stock piled from a while ago that I'm trying to gradually use up.

 

The embellishments are some I've had for quite some time; I cannot remember where I got the little camera from. It's actually a charm, and came in a pack with an old fashioned car, plane, and suitcase. I snipped off the 'hole' bit that you would thread twine or ribbon through off, and stuck it on with a couple of foam pads. The 'scenery' sticker is from a pack I bought out in the States at a little shop we visited and the metal 'California' charm is from Eyelet Outlet. Again, these are several years old so I don't know if they still do them. At the time, they did various States, so you may see some Florida ones popping up as I try and use up some of the stash I've had for far too long.

 

I hope you like the layout!

 

 

Love, Maxi



Scrapbooking with October Afternoon 'Gravel Road'

What happens when you see a piece of scrapbook paper that you really like, but aren't sure how to use? Quite often, I won't actually buy it. If I can't see a way of using it, then although it's pretty, it's not really something I can afford to spend out on.

A while ago, I saw this video and found it pretty interesting. Even though I didn't have any scenic style paper to use, it was good to see information showing how it's possible to use it. So, when I had to order a new ring binder for my layouts, I had a quick flip through the 'sale' items (it'd be rude not to!) and I came across one of the papers Shimelle used in this video, 'Gravel Road', by October Afternoon. When I saw the video originally, I thought it might be good for use with some pictures of a old gold mining ghost town we'd visited. As it was only 23p in the sale, I didn't think there was too much to lose!

I trimmed it down, similar to the video, but not so much...

I then took the grey in the design and went rummaging for a mat for the photo. I found something from a travel themed kit I've had for years. I'm not so keen on the part that shows the washing line, and river, and bearing in mind there was no river at the place we visited (or washing!) I thought that would be a good place to put the mat. So, it currently looks like this...

 

The script bit of it will most likely be covered, or at least the best part of it will. I'm thinking about using this as a sort of intro page and then putting a few more photos and some journaling in a divided page protector following it in the album. That's not something I've done before so we'll see how that goes. I've got to fish out any info I have on the place, and see what else there is to add, and find out some facts about it and note them down to add to the layout. The picture I'm thinking of using is a plaque that's on a pillar there that says about the founding, and subsequent abandonment of the town, so it might be a case of the picture serving as some of the journaling.

These sort of papers don't seem to need a lot of embellishment, but of course, that depends on your style. At present, I have a couple of little things I think I might add, but they may end up on the additional pages, rather than this one.

 

I tried to ink the middle one, and scruff it up a bit, but I don't have any staz-on type stuff in brown, so it pretty much just came off again, as did the alcohol inks I tried. I hadn't really planned for any shiny silver metal so we'll see if that makes it in.

 

 

I like these little transport charms that, again, I've had for too long. One of the pictures I know I have is of a really broken down old car/truck type thing so that might be good. I need to research a bit more and see if the railroads of the time were part of this settlement. It was really in the middle of nowhere!

 

I'll come back and post the finished layout when it's done. Hope that's given you some inspiration in the meantime!

 

 

Love, Maxi

Kiwi Muffins

The good thing about muffins, and cakes in general, is that they are great for using up any fruit that's looking like it might consider going a bit ropey in the next couple of days. And this was how this recipe came about.

 

 

Even though it's not a strong taste, they are definitely something I'd make again, should I have the need to use up some more stray kiwis. They're really easy to do - just use a standard muffin recipe, and bung in some chopped up kiwis (peeled). A couple of light stirs just to incorporate them into the mixture and you're done!

 

 

Happy baking (and eating!)

Journal Your Christmas 2012, continued...

Well, I'm not sure 'continued' is exactly the right term. Stalled, might be a better one. I really wanted to keep up and get it all ready prior to starting the actual month of December this year, but I had a bit of trouble getting motivated. I did think about watching the previous JYC videos on Shimelle's site but I'd seen them several times before and I wasn't doing the number tags this year anyway, so it didn't really seem as if that would give me the impetus I needed to get started.

So, I was sort of already 'behind' before I'd even started! Not a great plan. I know we're always told you can't be behind in this hobby, and for the most part, I totally agree with that. It's not supposed to be a chore or a deed you must do, but on smaller projects like this, it's nice to keep up. I did make some notes every now and then through the month and took some photos. I didn't actually end up sticking to the prompts. Some just don't apply to me and now that I've finished the journalling, it's more a mix of the JYC and just a bit of an illustrated diary of Christmas - ie: we did this, we went there. And I'm fine with that. I'm more than fine with that, actually. It's more appropriate to our Christmas this year, and something I want to remember and document.

But at the moment, the journal itself is still looking a bit like this...

 

 

Not really what I had in mind for the state of it by this point in time, but there we are. I'm really hoping I'm not the only one who's run out of steam - or perhaps never got up a good head of steam to begin with for the project this year...or am I?



I really just need to sit down and put it all together. I've got the photos back and the journalling is all done, and printed out. I suppose it's just the enthusiasm that's lacking. If anyone has any good ideas about how to give me a shot of this, I'd be grateful!

Love, Maxi x

Triple Chocolate Muffins

These are definitely a favourite in our house, and so easy to make. I use the same recipe, taken from the book on mentioned in this post and I've never known them not to turn out well. Having said that, I'm sure the next time I make them will prove the exception to the rule!

 

 

Really quick to make and bake, and delicious to eat!

 



Lemon Meringue Pie

So, for the first time ever yesterday I made a lemon meringue pie. I've always loved this pud, and when hubby worked in London, from time to time he would return home with a slice of this most delectable goody from Borough Market's Konditer and Cook. Frankly, none I've eaten has ever beaten theirs.

Yesterday, we were visiting friends and I was bringing pud. Lemon meringue pie is a favourite of theirs too, so I thought I'd be brave and have a go! Not perhaps the best idea to experiment when you're taking it somewhere but there we are. I launched in regardless - and this was the result!

 

 

I didn't think it looked too bad for a first attempt. It probably could have done with a little extra cooling time but having not started it until the afternoon, and it being a bit of a fiddly dish, I didn't have time so there was a little juice running out when we cut into it, but apart from that, it was a success! Seconds were even asked for so I was over the moon.

 

The recipe I used was this one from Good Food. I was looking for an easy one and in the midst of my searching, one from the Good To Know website suggested using a pre bought base and a jar of lemon curd. Yes, I suppose that is easy, but frankly if you're buying all that, you may as well just buy the whole pie premade! Anyway, this Good Food one had a lot of good reviews and it wasn't difficult, so if you're thinking of having a go, I'd recommend the recipe.

 

And sorry there aren't any pictures of when we cut into it, but with three kids and three adults waiting on it, there wasn't much chance of that so you'll just have to take my word on it looking, and tasting really rather yum!

I was thinking of trying it again, and maybe using a lemon and lime mix instead of just lemons next time. Anyone got any other ideas or suggestions?

Recycling For Wrapping Presents

As part of my best friend's Christmas present, we got her an 'Experience' voucher. As you probably know, you can have this sent to you in a gift box type thing, which you pay extra for or you can just have it emailed. I chose the latter, thinking that I had plenty of supplies to do something pretty with it.

I printed out the email on some heavyweight paper and then went rummaging. It was then I came across some packaging my husband had brought home for me, in case I was able to use it for something (yes, he is well trained!).

So, from a boring plastic envelope, the piece became transformed, with the help of some washi tape and flowers, and a little bling into this...

 

The flap where the flower is lifts up and the documentation, telling her about her (hopefully fun!) experience is inside. She thought it was absolutely lovely so that made my day, and it was also nice to give something that looked pretty, rather than just handing over a piece of paper. And all of it was with supplies I already had to hand, plus the base packaging which otherwise would have been tossed in the bin!

 

I hope you like the result too, and may help you look at discarded packaging in a new light. If anyone else has done anything like this, I'd love to see it :) Please leave a link in the comments.

 

Love, Maxi