catching up with the WIPs...

...do you have a section in your craft space labelled WIPs? {works in progress} my pile consists mainly of LO's that I've either started at a class somewhere...or that just didn't seem to be *working* for one reason or another...

so...in the interest of tidying up the craftroom...i've decided to focus on reducing this pile!...honestly...i swear i spend more time tidying than i do crafting...where the heck does all this mess come from!!!...

ok, so this first LO is from the category of *noooooooo* i just can't make it work! Its all about my BIL and his bestie running the Berko half marathon, which has become a bit of a tradition now...have you ever seen a man look more proud to have eaten a piece of fruit?? ;0)

in the end, i actually really like how this has turned out...and just in case you're struggling too...here are my hints on making a LO feel masculine:

****hint****

~ use earthy colours...keep them muted and in similar hues

~ use torn paper...it has a rougher texture to it

~ keep your photo mats simple...boys don't like fuss!
~ add work day embellishments like tape measures, or tyre tracks to keep the theme

~ use metal to make statements...i've used rows of brads to draw attention to areas and a squished bottle cap with a sticker in the top to echo the medals that the boys are wearing

~ add humour...my boys love it when the page is silly!

if you have any hints for masculine pages i'd love to hear them...there may well be a top tip out there that i don't know about!!

these next 2 LO's are ones i started in the summer at the Crafty Stash workshop i went too...and were taught by the fabulous Tracy Hudson...she really is inspiring and so enthusiastic...in fact the whole Crafty Stash team are super fun...and the shop's not bad either! lol

both my pages are different to the originals...i've added stuff i loved and skipped a few bits here and there...but they are recognisable enough...much more so that usual for me! i guess that is testament to how much i loved them to begin with!

right...off to tackle a bit more tidying and a few more WIPs...i'm really getting quite into finishing things off now...and the feeling of *done* is wonderful!!

Have you been to a Crafty Stash workshop yet??

Well i would certainly recommend it! :) I went recently with a group of girlfriends and it was the most fun day i've had since the wedding!! {and equally as knackering lol} The classes were taken by Tracie Hudson who is and was just amazing, the LO's were lovely, the class kits were beautiful and everyone involved made the day run super smoothly. Good work ladies!!

Here is the LO i did for the pre-crop challenge. It didn't win which was very remiss of everyone who voted ;) but i'm really pleased with it anyway :)

This is one of the LO classes we did, using a Prima transparency and its such a lovely product to work with...you couldn't really fail to make this page look good...and Stephanie is beautiful, isn't she? This look is achieved by painting on the reverse and front sides of the transparency and adding the photo, lettering and flowers. Quick, simple and stunning!

I'll share the rest of the class LO's as i finish them...i am the slowest scrapper in the world...not to mention that i forgot to take my photos with me!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaagggggghhhhhh....i was sooooooooooo cross with myself!!!