UKS Weekly Challenge - 12/11

I haven't really got into weekly challenges, usually because I'm too disorganised, or because even if I do it, it's usually not done in time to gain any points.  My poor team, the Crafty Cupcakes, don't get a lot of points from my crafting efforts, but they are very gracious about it!

So when Alison asked for sample makers in advance, using scraps, it seemed like something to jump at.   Her brief:

• a colour scheme that is unusual for you to use

• delve into those scraps bags and use up some scraps

• do something arty! (whatever that term means for you)

Anyone who knows me will know how much I love scraps, and I have to confess that the scraps I used for this challenge weren't even mine!! Leanne, over at My Little Life of Scrap is a member of my crop, and has a completely different set of stash to me, mainly, I believe, Studio Calico kits, that I covet but can't really afford right now.  So when she offered me a root through her scrap bag I went for it, little knowing how quickly I would use them.  I know I'm sad, but I find it easier to scrap with scraps than with whole sheets of paper (of which I have many - untouched!)

So I went for a mix of pink and brown, something I rarely scrap with, although I couldn't resist the turquoise polka dots!  I used my Sissix Banner Die with Stamps found here. This is probably my most exciting recent buy as I can see so many uses for it, and I made a few cards from the scraps left over from my layout.

So a different colour scheme and scraps ticked off, now to do something arty.  Well I'm not very arty but to me arty means messy so I got out my paints.  Using the reverse of some Tando chipboard clouds as masks, I mixed and sprayed some acrylic paint to make a 'sky' to extend my photo a little.  I then embossed the right side of one cloud with white embossing powder to make it stand out better.

The embellishments all came from bits that were in a pot on my desk - a button, , punched heart and butterflies, a flower from a Doodlebug border, a couple of Primas and some gems.  The alphabet title is made of thickers, Gin X Rubons - my 'using up old stash challenge for every layout' achieved. 

I really enjoyed doing this, and will make more effort in the future as it took me outside my usual box!

eta - I've just seen Sutty's beautiful blog post about banners, and my heart sank as this looks just like a scraplift!!  However, I'm putting it down to 'Great Minds Think Alike' as I did this long before her post - I guess there was something in the air!!

Thanks for looking.