Mini book page for Happy Daze and UKS

A very long time ago...back in the depths of winter I made 2 pages for UK Scrappers.......whilst searching for a photo of a missing layout (more of that soon) I found these photos which I had forgotten all about!!

I thought it best not to show them until they had been featured on UKS but I reckon this one must have been shown by now.

My brief was to make Pretty-Grungy with Stamping.....

I used Gesso for stamping and inked Distress Inks over it.

I think it was a 6x8 but I made it with a flap that opens up the secret is to have a bit of space on the left where the punch holes are so that the flap still opens even when you have finished the mini book and joined the pages together.

(I think the blue cardstock was 6x12, then fold at 2 inches from the top and 2 inches from the bottom, cut 2cm off the left hand side of each flap and use the flaps as a base to hold the shaped flap covers with)

The papers were My Minds Eye from Happy Daze


Love and forgotten makings

Ruth xxx

UKS Mini Book

The first of my 2 vintage pages for UK scrappers mini book ideas is up on the home page today.

I made a shaker box with acetate packaging left over from a christmas present and inserted it into an opening. The heart is layered with double sided foam tape and hidden with lace. You could place a photo inside the heart or sand and sea shells etc.........as you can tell I made this one way before Christmas so had my Christmas head on!! The lovely papers are My Minds Eye from Happy Daze

Click here to see it on the UKS home page, where there is a pdf with full instructions and more photos........

Love Ruth xxx

UKS mini book classes

Starting January 11th on UK Scrappers there will be free mini-book page classes every Monday.

Each page has a 6 inch side so you can mix and match the different styles and sizes or stick to your favourites.

There are five different styles all made by various designers.



1) Freestyle/Artsy: this is more messy and experimental (6x6 with some shaped pages)

2) Simple: simple scrapbooking at it's best -think Kathy Z (6x6)

3) Vintage: shabby chic, distressed: think Tim Holtz-y (6x8 portrait)

4) Kid friendly: as it says more playful and fun loving style (6x6)

5) Pretty Pretty: glittery, flowery blingy (6x6)



You can use any of your own papers as the instructions are not manufacturer led. You can also use these pages to do the 2010 challenge run by Shimelle Lane. Either way it looks like it's going to be a whole lotta fun over there at UKS.





I have been sponsored by Happy Daze to make 2 pages in the Vintage style. With my left over matching papers I plan on making some of the other designers projects...oh what fun!! I do hope you will join us......

Love and anticipation
Ruth xxx

Funky Recipe Book

It's Bubbly Scrumptious Friday again and today I have made a Paper Bag Recipe Book from the September Bubbly Funk kit to hold those Favourite Christmas recipes that lie around on scraps of paper or hide in forgotten books.....where is that Delia Book? hmmm!!

I used up lots of those epoxy alphabet stickers that have been sitting in my stash for years....I think most of them came from the pound shop!

I Still can't get enough of these cute papers and fabulous embellishments from the My Minds Eye kit. It's dead easy to make as I'm sure you know.........just ignore my atrocious handwriting please!!

To see the rest of the pages and for full instructions on how to constuct the book please visit Bubbly Scrumptious HERE.

Love and mince pies

Ruth xxx

French Chic Dt add-on kit

Hidden in my box with the August kit was a lovely surprise from Caroline...the blue mini-album add-on kit from Bubbly Funk.


Made by SEI in excellent quality chipboard and tough plastic protectors this little 6x6 book comes complete with paper doileys, Melissa Frances key holes and bags of style in the form of flowers and ribbon and all for a mere £7.50.


I used papers from my main kit to make the book, using the principle of Three Border Punches to create texture and lots of randomly cut strips of papers to layer.


An easy to use removal system for the sleeves is perfect for a small album like this.



Shrink plastic from the main kit came in handy when my journaling stamps were too big for the page!!

I used a favourite vintage button below........

I was inspired by the lovely Nathmael who often uses Blue and a very natural way of stamping with Brown Ink on her layouts and mini- books........click HERE to see more of her pretty work.

Love and ooh laa la

Ruth xxx

Boy oh Boy it's Friday

Hello Friday again and oh so so soon!! There was me anxious about the length of the school holidays and yet they are flying past!!

This week I have got that whole Ben thing out of my sytem in one go and dedicated a wee mini book to him!! These Dream Street and Elsie papers are perfect for this 6x8 book and the best bit about it is you can just stick in normal sized photos. I made this style album for the Daily Chrismas Diary last year and it works really well with good quality double sided papers.



I went to town with the old cardboard, gesso and cereal boxes again but for boys this grungy combo is perfect. Had I not been decorating it this mini book would have made a cool birthday present for one of my nephews.
Included in the kit are the chipboard alphas and the shrink plastic that I made the buttons with......handy huh!

I always use the off cut 6x4's for tags or pockets.....one cheeky photo of a butt naked Ben is hidden discretely in a pocket!! Can you spot it!!

Click HERE to read my full instuctions and for the other DT members ideas.

Bugs and Kisses

Ruth xxx

Glimmer Mist giveaway and giving away my secrets...

Tattered Angels are having a giveaway on their blog HERE because they have repackaged their bottles to look like this!


It is still the same great product but with a fabulous NEW LOOK!!

My talented friend Carol has tagged me and I have to write about 7 things in my life that I can't do without..

1) My kids.....yes they drive me bonkers but I couldn't live without them xxx

2) My DH...........yes he drives me.........just kidding.......who else would tell me to touch Earth occasionally as I live in the clouds most of the time!

3) I can't live without creating...it has always made me happy and provides me with escapism from the daily grind.. and boy what a grind it can be sometimes!

4) I could live without Coffee and Chocolate but I choose not to!! I put up with the migraines because I thrive on that extra late night kick when I am crafting in the dark!!

5) I couldn't live without my memories...my mind frequently wanders back to my childhood I'm sure I have rose tinted glasses on when I do but it keeps me sane....I think!

6) The four seasons.....no not classical Vivaldi but the actual weather...I know I moan but I love to watch the changes of mother nature...I just wish winter wasn't quite so loooooong!

7) Friends.....besties........rellies (relatives) and newbies!! You know who you are!!

Lana's Birthday Book......

One of Georgias friends is turning 8 today. Each year I make her a little something and we always have a photo shoot beforehand. This year I used a Maya Road Crown Book (well actually half of one, the other half can be saved for the next birthday girl!!)

I used these bright and funky K&Co papers and matching rub-ons and stickers...it wasn't until I'd made the front page that I realised I'd bought some lovely matching felt words but it was too late to change it so the next one I make will be even nicer!!

Happy 4th July to my American friends...have a wonderful time I can't wait to see your lovely cards, layouts and photos of the day!!

Love and glittery giggles

Ruth xxx

DT tag book with lazy laminating!!

I have made this cute book using the Bubbly Funk May Kit which is jam packed full of beautiful K & Co papers and accessories......these pages taken from a book of matting sheets have been laminated to strengthen them and simply decorated on top to make a wee book bursting with colour and flowers.

To purchase a kit please visit Bubbly Funk HERE and to learn how to make this book click HERE.



Thanks for looking I really do appreciate your time and comments.



Love and laminating



Ruth xxx

I have just paid my weekly visit to oxcraps blog I love her vivid photos and obviously cool lifestyle!!

In the hope of re-creating at least a little bit of it, (I would love an inch of her coolness) the best I can do is mess about with my photos!!


I have spent most of the weekend making an adorable 1950's inspired mini-book, which I am starting to dread having to give away. I think I may have fallen in love with it a little bit too much!!



The little white squares are for passport size photos.

Tucked into the pocket is a whole load of spare photo mounts, journelling stamps and some tags for additional mummy love!!

The white polka dots are puff paint and the pink ones are perfect pearls.

Some pages I just had to leave blank because they look too pretty to mess with (thats what the spares are for!!)

The flip side of the page above.....
Room for more miniature photos
The last page.....
I used a Melissa Francis chipboard flower book, Shabby Princess papers, Prima flowers, a prima journelling stamp n04 and a Dew Drop chalk ink for stamping and edging.
All edges are dry brushed with cream acrylic and the holes were punched with a star punch.

TFL xxx