Scrapbooking:Project Life 2016

Happy holidays everyone! Today's post is a little (or not so little) scrapbooking update. I can't believe that I've managed to keep up scrapbooking with Project Life for a whole year! From choosing which pictures to print, to selecting different pocket cards and adding a little bit of journaling, I definitely enjoy this method of scrapbooking. I also love adding embellishments (stickers and glitter, need I say more?) but Project Life doesn't require a lot of those so it's a lot less time consuming, which is perfect as I can fit it in when I have free time.

 

I suppose it should come as no surprise then, that I ordered a new Project Life album for 2016. I didn't order any more pocket cards as I already have a pretty large collection which I will be using up. I'm also starting a mini scrapbook project for a friend that will form part of a gift next year (unfortunately I can't give away anymore information on that just yet).

Here's a look at some snaps of my 2015 album =)

 

Would I recommend Project Life as a way to scrapbook? Yes!
The initial costs for the album, page protectors and cards work out a little pricey but after that, the only thing I pay for are the photos that I print. Have a read of my first Project Life blog post here for more information on where I purchase different products.

Anyone else going to be scrapbooking in 2016?



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Istanbul Holiday Haul

No holiday is complete without a little shopping. Of course I did a little bit of duty free shopping as well as buying some bits and bobs while in Istanbul. We also found Sephora at one of the malls, so I restocked on face masks and got a few goodies for friends. Here's what I picked up for myself =)

Duty Free: My first Nars blusher (Outlaw) and my favourite fragrance, Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire EDT.

Carrefour and Local shops: Colouring book full of pretty patterns, Smiley stickers, Little bowl for my desk (most likely for rings), blue woven purse and mini keychain purse.

Sephora and Sightseeing: Fibre mask discovery set, Pore clarifying mask and three bookmarks.

Handmade Turkish soaps from a local shop. (L-R Argan Oil, Tumeric and Himalyan Salt).

On the whole, I think I did pretty well and didn't overspend. The Turkish soaps are suitable for use on the face and body, so I'll be using them to cleanse my face in the mornings. Unfortunately, the summer holidays are coming to an end and now it's time to start getting prepared for work.



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Scrapbooking:Project Life 2015

I've always been a crafter and have scrapbooked in some form or another since I was at secondary school. At the end of last year, I promised myself that I would try out Project Life as a way to record my photos and memories. I knew that scrapbooking a double page for every month would be realistic for me and something that I could easily do in my free time (whenever I'm not planning lessons or writing up assignments). So far, I've nearly finished a double page layout for March, with a separate double page layout for my residential trip to Wales, and I'm collecting photos for the April pages.

March - Wales trip still needs journaling =)

Double page for January (seemed to have cut off the left edge)

Project Life really is scrapbooking simplified. All I do it add the photos that I want printed to an album on Snapfish, and at the end of the month I'm ready to order the prints that I want to include. I use Snapfish to print my photo's as I can easily upload the pictures from my phone to the album using the app, create individual albums for each month, take advantage of the free prints they offer every month (so I only end up paying P&P) and just wait until they arrive through the post. I find that this helps a lot as I don't need to faff around with the printer at home or try different websites.

Haul of scrapbooking goodies!

I also don't use a whole Project Life Core Card kit. This is simply because there are too many pretty designs all in different kits, and I can't really afford £20-£30 on one kit (especially on a student budget), so I buy the Core Kit Samplers from the Hey Little Magpie online store. It means that I can pick and choose different 'mini' sets to use in my layouts, which is great because I love mixing and matching the different designs. I know it doesn't seem very cost effective, but I would never be able to use all 600+ cards from one of the core collection kit in my scrapbook. I also mix and match my cards with other brands, and use these calendar cards as a way to highlight the month that's being scrapbooked over the pages. Just cut up the individual months and pop them in one of the pockets. I know some Scrapbookers like to have a theme throughout their album, but I'm definitely not one of them =)

The opening page of my scrapbook features these two cards.

Over the past few years, I've collected a bit too many scrapbooking supplies, but with Project Life they really aren't needed as the design and layout is so simple and easy to do (although I do like to get creative by adding some sparkle and embellishments).


How do you record your photos and memories? Ever tried scrapbooking?



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Notes on Henna

Over the past few months, I've made a habit of applying henna at least once a month. It gives me a chance to practise my skills, try out different henna cones, and have a little 'me' time. I've actually stopped using the £1 ready made henna cones that are available in most South Asian grocery/fashion stores, and have opted to only purchase fresh made henna cones. I found that when I did apply the store bought henna (Mehak brand), it actually gave me a rash which had never happened when I had been using it in the past. A few of my favourite people to order fresh henna cones from are Henna Visa, Henna by Afruza, Shah-Dhillon Henna Designs and Bharathi Sanghani (Artistic Henna).

Henna using the Lavender Mix cone from Henna by Afruza 

Using fresh henna paste means that there are no chemical extras in the mixture, which are used to prolong shelf-life and can cause allergic reactions. Because they are freshly made, they can be stored in the freezer, and thawed when you want to apply some henna. These henna cones are slightly pricier than the usual £1 ones, but the quality of the paste and the colour result is well worth the price. They are also made by hand and you know that each batch of cones is made with effort and care for the best results.

Have you tried applying henna before? What tips would you share?



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Creative Stitches and Hobbycraft Show [haul]

Thanks to the lovely MangoWhirl for telling me about the Groupon half price offer on tickets for the Creative Stitches and Hobbycraft Show, which gave me the chance to snap up two tickets for the price of one and go to the show with my mum. The show was at the Excel Exhibition Centre in London (luckily not too far from me). We went on the last day of the show (Saturday 6th) and spent a good 3-4 hours browsing the different stalls, watching the creative fashion show, taking a look at the demonstrations and workshops and finally having a little bite to eat just as the show was ending. There were many different crafts exhibited at the show, including card making, scrapbooking, needlework, cross stitching, knitting and jewellery making.

One of the (many) stalls! This one selling beads and jewellery making components.

Decopatch Cat

There was an exhibition of patchwork quilts completed by artists as well a few other displays. I didn't manage to get great pictures, so I won't be sharing them on here. =(

I did pick up a few bits for my jewellery making box, as well as two mini cross stitch kits and a paper pad which I'll be using for scrapbooking. I also took advantage of the Decopatch offer which included the decopatch glue, brush, 2 papers and an item (value of £3) for £10. I'll be trying out decopatch for the first time and hopefully I'll end up with lots of decorated items to place around the house. The papers were just too pretty for me to pick out two, so I ended up buying 8 (2 with the original offer, and 6 that were on offer as well). My favourite paper has to be the black with the white lace design (which is why I picked up two of them!) =)

 

Are you into crafts? What sort of crafts do you enjoy?



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Creative DIY Inspiration

I'm currently on the hunt for a job, so I thought why not use my time productively as well as get a bit creative at the same time. I'm already painting canvases (click the tab above to go to my canvas art facebook page), but I've also been inspired by a lot of other tutorials (some of them I found by accident!). Here's a few pictures of what I have been up to, as well as links to a few more inspiring DIY blog posts. If you have anymore to share, feel free to leave the links in the comments =)

Making some embellished friendship bracelets. Tutorials can be found here (for the bracelet) and here (for the embellishments). I used ribbon ends, lobster clasps and some chain to make the closures, because I didn't leave enough thread on either end to tie the bracelets together.

Mini shamballa style zebra bead bracelets - Perfect gifts for little kids.

Henna pattern in acrylic paint on my pocket mirror.
Fill up a cone applicator with acrylic paint and henna away =)

And here's a few more DIY posts that I haven't yet tried out. They do look pretty cool though.

DIY Brush Holders by EpiphannieA: If I didn't have enough storage pots already, I would definitely get creative with some spray paint and jam jars!

Two Finger Rings by The Creative Muslimah: One day I will get around to makeing these. The video tutorial makes it look so easy!

DIY Cute Cushion Covers by MangoWhirl: Love the paisley print on these cushion covers and they make such a pretty addition to a couch or bed =)

The Creative Muslimah's twisted bow earstud tutorial : I'd probably use this tutorial in a slightly different way (because no-one sees my ears) and put the bows on pins (or something similiar) =)






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Personalised canvases anyone?

I've added a page tab at the top, which links to the facebook page that I created for my canvas designs. I've actually been doing quite a bit of painting recently, which is also evident on my Instagram page (IG username is asmaa17 for anyone who has Instagram!). Take a look on the page at what I've been busy with, and if you'd like to order your own, email me (chocoholic-hijabi@hotmail.co.uk) or use the message feature on the FB page =)

 

 

 

Let me know what you think =)

 

 



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What I've been up to recently

So exams have been over for two weeks now, and I've been keeping myself quite busy. From the Pearl Daisy Smiles Better event, to more recently painting canvases, making jewellery and doing more henna, I've been indulging my creative side (which I neglected over the past few months). If you follow me on Instagram, you're probably well informed of what I've been doing (I seem to Instagram everything at the moment!). Here are a few snapshots of what I've been doing in my free time (alongside everyday chores and learning to cook).

Finishing off a scrapbook for a friends birthday (this is the back page)

Trying out stencilling on a personalised canvas

My first attempt at bridal mendhi

More mendhi patterns that I've been doodling on my hand (practise makes perfect)

 

Making jewellery (Shamballa style bracelets)

What have you been up to recently?





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Canvas Art: Personalised with mendhi patterns

So this is my most recent canvas art piece. It's my name in Arabic, with a mendhi design spreading around the edges of the canvas from the top right hand corner. Dark blue background, teal writing and silver henna patterns. I quite like the raised 3D effect with my name, which is the result of layering quite a lot of acrylic paint, but the mendhi design was a lot easier to do (same technique as this canvas art, with the 'henna cone' filled with paint).

I'm currently in the process of setting up a blog page for my canvas art. If anyone would like to order a personalised canvas, you can contact me for details and information at chocoholic-hijabi@hotmail.co.uk.

Let me know what you think =)



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A Personalised Gift

As you could probably tell from previous blog posts, I love all things artsy and creative, and most of my free time goes into crafting (or reading). This is part of a birthday gift for a friend. It's a miniature personalised canvas with her name (Fatima) in Arabic using acrylic paint. Brown background and gold writing with a few crystals to add some sparkle =)

What do you think?




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