On your marks, get set......

 Hello peeps....I am finally feeling almost back to normal after being poorly (well, as normal as a I can) and have decided to upload some photo's (couldn't post them before as they were Christmas pressies!).

So, the title of my post.  I seem to have inadvertently set myself 2 challenges over the past few days (because of course, this isn't a busy time of year at all!!) On 23rd December I had the brilliant idea to make my Dad a present....no quick project for me....nope....I decided to make him a scrap book!

One of my Coven secret santa gifts were 3 chipboard scrap books so I used one of those.  I printed out the photos and covered each of the papers with patterned papers, sanding back the edges to distress and soften them.  I then edged them with distress ink and on the front pages I added a couple of Tim Holtz metal corners,

I embellished most of the pages with cogs, ribbon and as my Dad is a keen photographer I included some Tim Holtz mini negative strips.  To add a little aged sparkle (well the photo's were from the suprise 70th party we threw Dad back in November!) I added some blue foil around the edges of the pages, rubbing back to expose the paper underneath in some areas (the blue edges on the picture below).

To decorate the cover I made a blue resin heart.  I coloured the resin by mixing in mica powder, it gives a lovely opaque colour with a fantastic depth of colour.  That is one of the great things about mica, it can be used in so many ways.

I was pleased I made my Dad a handmade gift......but I really do test myself by deciding it less than 48 hrs before it being opened!  

Challenge 2 is  I plan on starting the new year in a different way.....with a tidy craft room!!  To start I have bought 3 large lidded storage containers and am part way through sorting out all my fabric and sewing stash (which is dumped....and I mean dumped) that has been spilling behind my dining room table for more than year now.....I like the have some small triumphs before tackling the craft room....which those of you who follow me on WOYWW know that trying to sort out the craft room is no mean feat.....I am not planning on doing it all (I haven't totally lost my marbles yet!), I thought I would tackle one of the stacking drawer cabinets...they are  a bit of a glory hole so if I can tidy them up and organise them better I am hoping I may be able free up at least 1/2 a drawer for some of my Christmas craft stash!!

Wish me luck with my task....I may be some time!

Happy crafting
Kyla