The Story of 5 Minutes More

I made this layout nearly a year ago now, but in one of those awesome moments of scrapbooking it got picked up for publishing before it even made it here onto my blog. It went live in the January edition of Scrapbook Trends (which I still unfortunately haven't been able to access to be able to see it for myself) but it means I can now share it here finally!

A great mix of products here, in a range of lovely soft colours. Can I say that? I think if you asked me if I like scrapbooking pastels, or if I did it a lot I would automatically say no. Probably because I tend to assume pastels equal baby layouts, Easter themes, or those lovely shabby-chic romantic pages. None of which I'm particularly prone to doing.

But on this layout I wanted to make the stamped triangle pattern the focal embellishment of the page and at the time I was super-keen to use my new stash of Prima Chalk Inks. They blend so nicely together and stamp so nicely. I used the 'Favourite Stamp Set' by Kellie Stamps (still available... and on sale now!!) and repeatedly stamped the triangle 'my life' stamp over my page.

I actually took that stamp and mounted it on my acrylic block backwards so that I was able to just stamp a plain triangle in order to create my pattern. Only on a few select areas did I turn the stamp around and use it properly. A great little technique that could be used with plenty of other shapes too.

Oh and in case you're wondering.. yes I chose that lined paper deliberately so I could consciously use it to help line up my images and keep my pattern from wandering all over the place ;-) It's one of the reasons why I add the Studio Calico Grid Paper to my order every month - I need the straight lines!

The story behind the layout is a little bit less romantic and clever. But it is Real Life, and I'm sure most parents can relate. It's about how my kids love to have some 'screen time'. TV, DVD's, the iPhone, iPad.. whatever. If it's got moving pictures on it then it's entertainment right? Games or shows, it doesn't really matter. And whilst we realise the importance of limiting the amount of screen time they're exposed to sometimes it's rather tempting to allow them just 5 minutes more... 'cos it also means peace and quiet for Mummy and Daddy ;-)

She

She can't say much, but she communicates with squeaks and grunts and hugs. She points and squeals and reaches. It's very clear what she wants most of the time. But of course, there are plenty of occassions when I really wish I could read her mind.

The challenge this month at Scrap the Girls is a fantastic one - it's to use one of the SHE quotes by Kobi Yamada as the title & inspiration for your layout. Plenty of great choices, and I chose "She coloured her thoughts with only the brightest of hues". It was just a tad too long and I wanted to make it present-tense so I changed it slightly to the title you see here.

Apart from the quote, I also used this wedding invitation as the inspiration behind my layout. Journaling on clouds? Brilliant! Why haven't I thought of that before?!

And I have to credit Munchy with the idea for including the rainbow. When I originally finished this layout it was sans-rainbow and although she gasped and stated how beautiful this page was (that's her usual response..... and I love it!) she also said it would be prettier with a rainbow! Looks like she might be taking after me :-)

I used the February Studio Calico kit 'Candy Shoppe' for this layout, adding lots of mist and paint. I am loving this kit! I've got another layout to share with you that I made with it, and now the March kit has just landed on my doorstep too, so lots of fun ahead for me :-)

PS. I was gobsmacked to see the news that Scrapbook Trends Magazine chose my layout as the winner in the Cosmo Cricket sketch challenge, to be published in thier magazine in August. Thanks to all my girls who encouraged me and supported me, but I truly wasn't expecting that outcome. I am over-the-moon and totally giddy right now :-)