Scrapbook 2014 Title Page

Once I'd figured out that I was making my 2014 album a 12x12 album, I decided I needed a title page. For those long time readers of the blog, the title may seem familiar, see here also for the link to the free printable.

I kept the page monochrome as a contrast to the colourful pages that follow. I don't want this to overpower the album, but I also didn't want it to be dull. I added a trail of paper flowers and gems for impact, but otherwise I mainly left the page empty. It is, after all, only a title page.

Do you make a title page for your scrapbooks?

Holibobs

I love this page. I have a completely separate album for my holiday photos, these were just a couple that didn't fit. We went on a cruise last summer, and I tried to encapsulate that here with the sea greens and sky blues.

I am lucky to have a fair few items that work well with the boat theme, some anchors, some ships wheels... It was also another good way to use up that really awkward colour: orange. I've never been fond of orange, but here, it works. I've also tucked any photos or tickets that were left over from the holiday album to the back, I didn't want to lose them.

How do you document your holiday photos?

Christmas at Hogwarts

I have the best friend in the whole wide world. For my last birthday, she took me to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studios at Leavesden. I was ecstatic. I had been about two years earlier, but so mu had changed even in that short time period. Plus, as it was m birthday, I was allowed to open the doors!!!

The Hogwarts Model is the most perfect thing I've set eyes on. I could spend hours just staring at it. I want to shrink down and climb around it... But, as my birthday is around Christmas, this time I had the joy of seeing it decked out with snow! It was just beautiful. I too far too many photos, but these were the two I chose to focus on. I kept the colour scheme muted, reflecting the colours of the brick work.

Jingle Bells

Yes, this is a shameless Christmas Selfie. Yes, I am wearing a wreath made of bells on my head. No, I am not insane. But, that wreath was surprisingly heavy, it hurt my neck for days...

I have my own self proclaimed Christmas tradition whereby every time we put the Christmas decorations up, I wear an item. In the past I have had tinsel scarves and bauble earrings. This year was the turn of a golden halo...

This background piece is gorgeous. The berries are holographic, it was almost too good to use. But then I found some red mirror card to match it... and, well, it was irresistible. A few other patterns to layer and a journalling card... tada! It makes me smile every time I see this page, mainly because that paper is so beautiful. When a pattern is that good, you let it do all of the talking.

Do you have any patterns in your stash like that?

The Village Pub

I chose to scrap this picture because this place is special to us in a way that's not entirely tangible. This is the inside of our village pub. It's traditional, so not a tv screen showing football in sight, thank goodness. We come here for odd occasions, sometimes a birthday, but more often than not, just a Friday night where we cannot be bothered to cook.

I kept the papers dark and rich, trying to emulate the atmosphere. It's not my favourite page, but it felt good to document this small nook in our lives.

First Picture

Well readers, there's something I should probably tell you.

This is the first picture that was taken of me and my boyfriend. Yup. I have a boyfriend. Even I am still in shock about it, and it is now five months since we started.We met at the octopush society, he was the captain, I was a fresher. He kind of swept me away. This was taken at the Octopush Christmas Dinner. It's a beautiful picture, and I love it. It's the first picture of us. He looked so smart in his suit.

That's why I kept the whole page so smart. The crisp black and white. I look at this page and I remember that suit.

It was a very good suit.

#100happydays

You may remember that last week, I wrote a list of things I want to complete before I turn twenty in December. One of this number was to complete the 100 Happy Days Project, which I have already started.

For those who have never heard of 100 Happy Days, please take a look at their site. It's a wonderfully inspiring project, very simple, whereby for 100 days, you take a picture of something that made you happy. This is a great project to do if you find yourself in testing times, or if you just feel a bit low. The trick is to try and stick it out for the whole time.

I am currently 16 days into my 100. As a tip, I would suggest setting a daily reminder on your phone, or your computer. I've found that it really helps if I get a 'ping' at the end of the day to give me the kick to either a) remember to take a picture of something, or b) remember to upload something. 

They can be as mundane or as personal as you would like, and there are several different social media formats you can take it through. I am using instagram (for the very first time) and it's a little bit scary for me! If anyone is interested, I am ravenclawrachel. As I said, I'm still getting used to it, so bear with me! However, if you decide to take on your own 100 Happy Days Project, let me know. I'd love to check them out!

The Joys of a History Degree

Yes, that is Blackadder you see on the screen.

This was one of our lectures. It was listed as 'optional' on our timetable, but I'm glad that I went. It was an afternoon of watching Blackadder, and analysing how it could be used as a source to determine the views n the eighties of the First World War. It was quite fascinating actually. And we watched Private Plane, which, as an RAF child, I can practically recite.

I was quite happy to use some of the orange in my stash, it's a strange colour, it doesn't go with much. I was also happy to use this chevron piece, I've been hoarding it for years. I thought that such a wacky story required a colourful page,don't you agree?

How do you match paper to an event?

November and Frozen yoghurt...

This is my godmother, Suzi. She is the most scatty, most fantastic person I have ever known, and I am proud to have her looking out for me. She took me out in November in York when I was having one of my worst days, we went around, danced in front of the princess mirror in the Disney shop and ate brownies in the Museum Gardens. It was nearly six o'clock and getting dark, and then, she had the thought that frozen yoghurt would be a most spectacular idea. And it was, surprisingly. I'd never had frozen yoghurt before and I was pleasantly surprised. I had mine with chocolate and raspberries and it was really good. Suzi had a carrot smoothie. It was crazy ad wonderful all at the same time.

I picked the colour scheme to match the walls in the frozen yoghurt place. I kept it simple, because the memory itself is so crazy. It holds a special place in my heart.

20 before 20

I know I don't have a track record for keeping lists like these (see my disastrous attempt at my 50 crafty list... I still haven't gotten anywhere near completing that), but this year is different. I need something to aim at, something to focus on. I figured this list would be as good a place to start. I turn 20 in December. I've picked some easy, some difficult things to try and complete. I've added in some experiences, and some projects. It's a nice balance, I think. So here's my 20 before 20 list:

1.     Visit a Museum

2.     Visit an Art Gallery

3.     Walk York’s City Walls

4.     Visit a city I’ve never been to

5.     Go to watch a Rugby match

6.     Sew a piece of clothing I’d be proud to wear out

7.     Finish my two travel journals (from Holidays 2014 & 2013)

8.     Declutter 100 items

9.     Sign up for a class

10.     Volunteer/Get a job

11.    Knit something to wear

12.     Write an article for something

13.    Swim 1km in one session

14.     Rearrange my room

15.     Sign up and complete the 100 Happy Days project

16.  Yarn Bomb

17.    Go for a picnic

18.    Have a Harry Potter Marathon

19.   Visit a Christmas Market

20.  Go and see a show

I hope to scrapbook all of these when I complete them, make it a feature in my album for 2015. I don't have much at the moment, but this would give some focus and some content to it at the very least....

I'll keep you updated.