Notting Hill Carnival: Sketch

Notting Hill Carnival

Ah, the Dear Lizzy line. I swoon. I drool. I love! This was my first time playing with this fabulous new line from American Crafts. I literally went looking for photos so I could use it! Then the Handmade Love girls posted this week's challenge sketch and I was excited to put all these gorgeous papers in one layout. Bliss! And a pendant banner...{sigh} Pure Joy!

But enough about the scrapping part, I'm just happy to have scrapped these photos of my first weekend in London. Back in the days when I barely knew my roommates, when I was still hopelessly lost getting around the city, and so blissfully unaware that I'd started the most amazing time of my life.

The fun to be had that first weekend was definitely an indication of the year to come. As fate would have it, Notting Hill Carnival was in full swing. If we wanted an introduction into the culture of the city, we definitely got it. You basically just walked the streets of Notting Hill drink and b-b-q in hand, beads around your neck. Britt, Bex and I didn't really partake. But we stumbled upon Tallini in full celebration mode (That's my girl!) and got the only photo of the four of us ever taken. Seriously, the odds of that happening are slim to none if you see the massive crowds that were milling the streets.

Oh how I miss London. Even worse, I miss Miss MISS those girls!

xxbesos

j.leija

Epiphanie

Wonderful sentiment is it not?! I just discovered, thanks to Ms. Monica Blain, the site called Epiphanie. It's a gorgeous upscale camera bag company that, guess what, is located here in Texas! Just up the highway from me in fact. The bags themselves are gorgeous and definitely on my wish list for when I (finally) get a job. Not only are their products wonderful, but the ladies of Epiphanie are also extremely generous. They're giving away either a Canan 5D Mark or a $2,500 gift certificate for Southwest Airlines! Here is all of the info on the chance to win and be sure to check out their online shop for a truly amazing camera bag!

xxbesos

j.leija

Gift Bag Book: Random Prompt

Here's my contribution to this weeks challenge at my favorite little challenge blog, Handmade Love! As hostesses, Monica and I get to offer random prompts to our challenge-ees and the first one we came up with is to use non-traditional scrapbooking materials. This type of challenge, is one after my own heart. I'm constantly seeing potential in all of the objects around me, especially office materials! I love wondering the aisles of my local Office Max/Depot, to discover hidden gems. I've even got Matt doing it too. He surprised me with some heart shaped binder clips from his last trip. [I heart him]

The majority of this book consists of things you can find at the office supply store or from your cupboard, and the base of it is an actual gift bag I purchased. Isn't it gorgeous?! A few weeks ago I took another of the ever inspiring Debby Schuh classes, her Anthropologie Bag Album. She taught us the basics of turning our favorite gift bags into wonderful one of a kind albums. I was so inspired, I dragged Matt out the very next day to get my supplies.

As you can see, there are a variety of non-traditional items used as pages. I added a few index cards, a piece of cork paper, a clasp envelope, a manila folder and a highly decorated brown paper bag. I wanted to include every inch of that gorgeous gift bag and added some of the trim to finish off a page or two. I also stapled on some embellishments and used reinforces to really get into the office supply feel.
The whole thing came together so quickly! If it weren't for the embossed butterflies on that brown paper bag, I would have completed it in under an hour. It's totally do-able :) So my challenge to you, my fellow scrapbooker, is to look around your house and find some truly great stuff to include in your next page. And check out Handmade Love for the design team's take on this too fun challenge. And if you're not inspired enough already, the winner of this weeks challenge will receive this mini as a prize (aka RAK!). So get to scavenging and show me what you find!

xxbesos

j.leija