Round and round ...

... the garden scrapbook page, said Miss Smith in her Just One Sketch class. Encircle your design. Celebrate curves. Which this page, completed at my nearest crop on Saturday morning, attempts to do. You'll see from the orginal design (right) that I tipped it sideways (after a fashion), used the previously journalled narrow strip for a photo, rounded edges and cut out a semi-circle. That left room for a bit more journalling in my Quotes and Notes series for my children. And with the friendly and creative company of the circle of scrap friends, plus cups of tea provided by the lovely Emma and Ali, it wasn't too painful to put together without a computer ...

(Journalling reads: The west of Ireland had some pithy sayings. Here are some of your Grandma Mattie’s favourites; a few of them may also be of Belfast origin, from where Grandad Jack came and where Grandma did her nursing training at the age of eighteen.
“I’ve seen a better-lookin’ face eatin’ hay” (disparaging).  “Does your mother know you’re out?” (to someone behaving stupidly, implying they should not be outside without a parent).  “Who’s ‘she’: the cat’s mother?” (if you referred to her as ‘she’, rather than ‘Mum’, in her hearing).  “Were you born on a barn?” (if you left the door open). “I’ve seen people die with less fuss” (designed to put your in your place).  “If the wind changes, you’ll stay like that” (whenever you pulled a face).  “If you’re not careful, you’ll fall in that shough (ditch), and then you’ll be up to your oxsters (armpits) in clabber (mud).”  “You’ve got bags under your eyes you could plant tatties (potatoes) in”.)

I am wondering what design challenges await us this week!

Comments

[Karen Walker]

Whatever those challenges might be, I'm quite sure you'll do them proud. I love seeing how you adapt your sketch to each new assignment.

[Amy]

Oh this is a great idea for a layout! Unfortunately, I grow grow tatties under my eyes today, nevermind!

[kjjc]

fabulous memories. Lovely to see you on saturday.

[Miriam]

Catching up with you today, Thank you for the texture and the Hex's I can't wait to use them. So many of your sayings are familiar to me with the family all from Dublin. I really love the bookmark picture, is it a pocket?

[Lizzie]

Oh great Alexa! I remember many of these sayings from my own childhood, though I didn't know they came from Ireland... My grandparents were Scots and my mother spent some of her childhood in Scotland too, so I suppose she learned her sayings from there.
Fun page, with some nice touches - I like the vertical photo idea, I love the line of coloured brads, with the matching little dots to separate each Saying, and the stripey strips above and below your journalling panel. Very nice!

[Jacky S]

Love all the sayings.....some are new to me.....but some my mum used to say.....particularly the 'who's she-the cat's mother'!!

[Jo]

i love the subtle use of circles in ur work. mine has yet to be photographed,
jo xxx

[Irene]

A trip down memory lane for me today. I remember most of those sayings, particularly the barn door. I was always in trouble for not closing doors properly. Great page.

[Rosie]

Your digital scrapping is really REALLY beautiful, I love it.

[Sian]

Oh, yes! Some lovely familiar ones in there and they have made me smile on a very wet and windy day here today.

[Marcie]

Always intrigued and inspired by your challenging but simple compositions. Wonderful!

[Honoré]

Oh, this - the journaling, that is - was too funny. I'd not heard any of these expressions ( living here in the US ), so I had a hearty chuckle. That being said, really must congratulate you on the layout made the "old fashioned way." Per expectation, a 'simply Alexa' gem and it just goes to show, too, how versatile one sketch is/ can be.

Cheers~

[Debs14]

Oh yes, I heard a few of those when I was growing up! Lovely post and a great take on the 'circular' challenge. I've just read the latest one, a layout without a photo {gulp} That's going to be a tough one for me!

[Paul]

Woohoo, another beautiful layout from the sketch. Expertly made away from home. You did extremely well. I was only just saying to someone crafty today that I find it much harder to create away from my craft room. I feel I need to bring it all with me. Sorry I missed you :( Work in Manchester tied me up instead. Pxx

[Louise]

Some familiar saying there! and it's good to record them.

[Alison]

I remember quite a few of those being said to me by my Gran, as I was growing up...great page Alexa!
Alison xx

[ifa]

Great memories. I also have an Irish grandma and I tried to read your sayings with her accent for the full effect.

[Nathalie]

Oh my! How I enjoyed reading those!!! She, sorry, Grandma Mattie, must be a hoot! :) Another wonderful idea for a subject!

[Diane Herman]

Love the brads :)

[Wanda Jorgensen]

These terse little sayings are treasures for sure. The one about being born in a barn reminds me of one of my Dad's "close the door--we're not paying to heat the great outdoors." Another one..."use your head for more than to keep your ears apart!"