Primary School 2

 

This is the second double page of my Primary School Class photos, this time in a different school (as evidenced by the change in sweatshirts and in curtains). I picked out the blue and cream from the photos and have kept it rather simple.

 

There is a tag for journaling behind the lower photo on this page, which I can use to record my general thoughts about these years.

 

I have started a separate scrapbook for school memories, as I have so many that they really deserve to be documented within their own right. This then leaves my other scrapbook for the more fun things such as parties and picnics and food...



Of the Night: Chapter Ten - Fanfiction Friday

Welcome back to Fanfiction Friday! I've started here with a set of drabble's, a drabble being a short story of 100 words exactly, no more, no less.

This story is called Of the Night, and can be read fully here. Each chapter is unrelated, and this story is continually growing. It is a Star Trek: Voyager story, and explores small moments that I believe could have occurred between Captain Kathryn Janeway and her First Officer, Commander Chakotay, if the show had decided to explore their relationship, rather than ignoring it as they did. They all take place either at night or in the early hours of waking. Enjoy!

Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

“You woke us up for this?"

"Us, Sir?" Harry asked tentatively.

"The captain is a lighter sleeper than I am. If you wake me, you'll rouse her too." Chakotay chuckled as he watched the younger man flush red, stuttering and stammering. The sensors had detected an asteroid belt that would mean extending course by another five months. Harry hadn't wanted to make that decision alone. Chakotay patted the ensign on the back in amusement, before turning back to the turbolift.

"Divert course and we'll pretend that this conversation never happened."


"Aye, Sir." Harry sank back into the captain's chair, mortified.

Primary School 1

These are my Class Photos from my first Primary school. I remember only bits and pieces from these years, which is why they're so crammed together. There's a small journaling space that I still have to fill in. I took the colour scheme for this double page from the curtains in the background, which were made out of quite possibly the most hideous pattern this world has ever seen. That combined with the sheer number of faces, proved tricky to try and not overwhelm the page.

As I had very few embellishments to match that curtain,  I got a bit creative. Plain flowers I just about got away with, but I found that buttons are ideal. You can colour co-ordinate them with nearly anything, as they come in nearly every colour! I liked using the buttons on this page as it added texture, but didn't overpower the busy picture.

The pattern of the paper on the previous page is continued onto this one through the patterned button, tying the two pages together.

So, the way to cope with busy pictures is to keep the background and embellishments simple, and to link a double page spread subtly.

If anyone is able to guess correctly which child is me, well done indeed!



Of the Night: Chapter Nine - Fanfiction Friday

Welcome back to Fanfiction Friday! I've started here with a set of drabble's, a drabble being a short story of 100 words exactly, no more, no less.

This story is called Of the Night, and can be read fully here. Each chapter is unrelated, and this story is continually growing. It is a Star Trek: Voyager story, and explores small moments that I believe could have occurred between Captain Kathryn Janeway and her First Officer, Commander Chakotay, if the show had decided to explore their relationship, rather than ignoring it as they did. They all take place either at night or in the early hours of waking. Enjoy!

Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

There isn’t much that beats waking to the smell of coffee, Kathryn thought as the bitter scent overwhelmed her. Blearily, she opened her eyes and accepted the mug being waved enticingly under her nose. She took a long, deep draught and sighed, slumping back against the headboard. As Chakotay slid back under the covers beside her he chuckled, drawing her attention.

“What?” she asked defensively.

“Sometimes I think you love coffee more than me.” With a smirk, she pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

“Nonsense, of course I love you more. You bringing me coffee, though, is a factor.”

Graphic (Nerdy) Nails

Now, I have never done a nail tutorial before but I am quite proud of how these turned out.

They look really neat and jazzy, and fantastic with the length of my nails at the moment. 

As this is a spur-of-the-moment sort of thing, I didn't take process shots, but I have made some rather helpful diagrams, to talk you through the process.

Step 1: Paint the nail a basic grey. I used a cheap, Natural Collection polish in the colour Winter Moon. Leave to dry.

Step 2: Mask off a triangle at the tip of the nail so that the point is central. I find using insulating/electrical tape the most effective, as it creates a good seal, but removes itself easily. Paint the exposed nail red; I used Sinful Colour's Sinful Colours 'Sugar Sugar', it has a subtle sparkle to it.

Step 3: Paint the lower two thirds of the nail black, leaving only a few triangles of colour exposed. This can be masked for a precise line as well, but I found it easier to paint this line freehand.I used Calvin Klein 'ebony hates chris-black' (it's the only one I have). 

Tada!

Now, for those of you who read the title - or you've been reading this for a while and you have grasped my obsession - you may have already guessed the nerd connotations to this nail pattern...

Yes, you guessed it! It's a Star Trek Voyager inspired nail pattern! Now, I know it's not entirely accurate, but the essence is there! Now all I need is to own some blue-y green and some yellow...

Can we just ignore that Seven of Nine exists? Pretty Please?

Also, I've just noticed how casual Tom Paris looks... just leaning in...)

Wendy House

Another 8x8 page this week, but this one is of little Rachel! This was a photo I found from when I was about 3 years old, and used to have imaginary tea parties. I'm quite impressed with my mother's photography here, as the view through the door of the wendy house is really quite creative!

I picked the colour scheme from the picture - predominately yellow, mainly for the reason of Winnie the Pooh! I was obsessed as a child (still am, really...)

I used some simple embellishments to top off this gorgeously simple page.



Of the Night: Chapter Eight - Fanfiction Friday

Welcome back to Fanfiction Friday! I've started here with a set of drabble's, a drabble being a short story of 100 words exactly, no more, no less.

This story is called Of the Night, and can be read fully here. Each chapter is unrelated, and this story is continually growing. It is a Star Trek: Voyager story, and explores small moments that I believe could have occurred between Captain Kathryn Janeway and her First Officer, Commander Chakotay, if the show had decided to explore their relationship, rather than ignoring it as they did. They all take place either at night or in the early hours of waking. Enjoy!

Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Chakotay found two steaming mugs on the table when he entered his quarters, but, apart from her jacket draped over the back of a chair, there were no other signs of Kathryn. Ducking his head through the bedroom doors, he smiled at the sight of her sleeping, her legs still hanging off of the bed. Hers had been a long and difficult shift. Careful not to wake her, he removed her shoes, pips and communicator badge before tucking her under the covers. Chakotay collected his mug from the other room and settled beside her, stroking her hair as she slept.

Pink Blossom

 

This is an 8x8 page that I made to document a really pretty picture that I took as a part of a photography lesson that I had in the spring. Our school had one, beautiful blossom tree in the corner of the field, and I took this picture which I am really happy with.

 

I also really liked this patterned paper - the delicate floral tied in so well, acting as a neutral and as well as adding interest.

 

I also experimented some more with layering washi tape, and it works well with this whimsical subject.

 

Looking back at these pages, I can definitely begin to see my personal style developing - for one, I really like using doilies...



Of the Night: Chapter Seven - Fanfiction Friday

Welcome back to Fanfiction Friday! I've started here with a set of drabble's, a drabble being a short story of 100 words exactly, no more, no less.

This story is called Of the Night, and can be read fully here. Each chapter is unrelated, and this story is continually growing. It is a Star Trek: Voyager story, and explores small moments that I believe could have occurred between Captain Kathryn Janeway and her First Officer, Commander Chakotay, if the show had decided to explore their relationship, rather than ignoring it as they did. They all take place either at night or in the early hours of waking. Enjoy!

Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

The away team would only be gone a few more hours. Sixteen hours and twenty two minutes more. Eight of which she should be sleeping.

Chakotay and the others had left for a routine survey of a binary star system. They had maintained full communication. There were no complications. But Kathryn couldn’t sleep without him - her usual stress now amplified. The bed felt empty.

Sixteen hours and twenty minutes.

She gathered his pillow to her chest, draping her limbs across it. It still smelt like him. It was a poor substitute, but for now it would have to do.

A Challenging Challenge

About a month ago, Claire from Claire's Craftroom set up a creative challenge, where she sent us each a picture and a colour and we had to make something inspired by the two. I got sent these:

Now, I struggled. I left it until the very last minute because it was out of my comfort zone - as a crafter I rarely use nature scenes to inspire, in fact I am, by definition, a nerd crafter usually. Or, at least, abstract novelties (such as my felt hearts) are more my thing.

But I couldn't do that this time.

So, I stuck to it as literally as I possibly could, and thanked goodness that I was half decent at painting.

I was very taken with the image of the gate though, so I chose to incorporate it into the painting. I used a piece of fabric in an attempt to incorporate the colour I was given. It gives the image a  more autumnal field. To try and make it more interesting, I frayed the edges to give the image some texture.

So while I found it challenging, I managed to get past it, and found it enjoyable despite it all, and I look forward to the possibility of joining in with subsequent challenges.