first & last

First layout, last layout

Welcome to our brand-new feature, where we take a look at readers’ first and last layouts, to see how they’ve progressed over the years

Annette’s first layout – May/June 2003

Makeover offirst layout – November 2003

Latest layout – July 2007

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scrapbook magazine

Annette West

Hometown:Fetterangus, Aberdeenshire.

How long have you been scrapbooking?Just over four years.

What made you take it up?I was on assignment with my husband in South Africa and had loads of time on my hands. I picked up a scrapbooking magazine one day and thought it looked interesting.

What’s the story behind the first layout you made?:It’s the first photograph of my husband’s granddaughter, sent to us in South Africa. I thought it would be nice to start a scrapbook of her as we were so far away.

If you could offer a new scrapbooker one piece of advice, what would it be?Buy kits rather than picking up papers that take your fancy. A kit gives you all the co-ordinating materials you need to try different types of stash.

What’s your most essential piece of kit?If I have my blade, my mat, a ruler, a good pair of scissors and some double-sided tape, I can scrap.

What are your scrapping ambitions?Mini books and albums are fun, and I would like to publish a book with instructions for making the various different types available.

What’s the story behind your most recent layout?My most recent page is of Libby, the subject of my first page. Now four-years-old, the photo was taken when she came up to visit us in Scotland for the first time about a month ago.

Sally Hodder

Hometown:Welton, Lincolnshire.

Sally’s first layouts

How long have you been scrapbooking?:Almost two years.

What made you take it up?: I found out about it from an American forum. I had no idea what it involved. I had made basic scrapbooks as a child, but when I found ‘real’ scrapbooking I was thrilled.

What’s the story behind the first layout you made?This layout took me a whole day to complete. I was so pleased with the result and wouldn’t change it for anything. The photos are some of the very few I have of me as a child. I used the originals, which scares me now. I always scan my photos these days.

If you could offer a new scrapbooker one piece of advice, what would it be?There are no right or wrong ways to scrap. Let your creativity lead the way. I would say not to go too crazy buying stash when you first start.

Sally’s last layouts

What’s your most essential piece of kit?My craft knife and tweezers.

What are your scrapping ambitions?To scrap, scrap and scrap! I want to do at least a couple of layouts a week and keep filling my albums.

What’s the story behind your most recent layout?I tend now to scrap in 81⁄2x11” size – the most recent in that size was done with a kit I subscribe to and it actually won a prize! My most recent 12x12” is of my daughter. I loved the expression on her face and wanted to keep the layout as simple as possible so as not to distract from the photo. first &last

Kelly Couttie

Hometown:Blackpool, Lancashire.

How long have you been scrapbooking?I’ve been scrapbooking for three years now, and I must say I love it. It is a creative outlet and it’s what I do when I need to get away from it all.

What made you take it up?My mum had been a cardmaker for about three years before I started, and she took me to a local craft fair. While we were there a lady had her scrapbooks on show and I instantly knew I wanted to do this. I love making memories to keep and pass down to my children. I went out and got the basics and haven’t looked back since.

What’s the story behind the first layout you made?My son was born four months prematurely and I felt blessed to still have him here. I had gone and had my scan picture, to go into labour just three weeks later, so decided to put the two together as it seemed significant. I struggled with my first page and was afraid of getting it wrong, but now I look back and see it as a memory of my scrapbooking journey.

If you could offer a new scrapbooker one piece of advice, what would it be? Don’t be afraid to take the plunge – it’s only paper, so if you don’t like your creation you can always start again! And always store and back up your photographs and try to make copies of originals rather than use them on your pages.

What’s your most essential piece of kit? Repositionable tape – trust me, I need it. But I also couldn’t live without my craft knife or rubberstamps. I’m a stampaholic. Stamps are so versatile and take on a different look each time I use them.

What are your scrapping ambitions?To create long-lasting memories for my family, to learn new techniques and to try everything at least once. You can’t find your style if you don’t try everything. I’m also in the process of starting my craft business, which is my ultimate ambition as I get to create all day long!

What’s the story behind your most recent layout?I have purchased all the Autumn Leaves clear stamps and wanted to use them on this layout. My father-in-law took this picture of my daughter when she was just two months old. It’s so professional I wanted to try and make it stand out more than it already did. It’s funny to see how my style has changed, and how I can just get on with making a layout now – I get a picture in my head and just follow it until I’m happy with the finished product.

Kelly’s first-ever page

Kelly’s latest layout

Carol Miller

Hometown:Witney, Oxfordshire.

How long have you been scrapbooking?Just under a year – about 11 months.

What made you take it up?My friend was a scrapbooker and kept nagging me to have a go. When we met for the first time at her wedding I thought it would be a lovely idea to do a layout for her.

Carol’s first layout

What’s the story behind the first layout you made?It was the first time I had met my friend even though we had been emailing for nearly a year. I wanted to capture the moment forever.

If you could offer a new scrapbooker one piece of advice, what would it be?Go with what makes you happy. Have fun and don’t be afraid to experiment with new materials.

What’s your most essential piece of kit?My paper trimmer! I couldn’t live without it.

What are your scrapping ambitions?Difficult question! Of course I would love to be a wellknown scrapbooker (wouldn’t most people?), but the most important thing to me is to just enjoy scrapbooking. I am on a Design Team for www.sarahscardsltd.com and that keeps me busy. In the future, I would love to design for BasicGrey (a girl can dream).

What’s the story behind your most recent layout?I was involved in the London bombings in 2005 and every year I produce a

layout about how I am doing, what I feel and remembering exactly how lucky I am. I’ll produce one of these layouts every year, as it’s a reminder of the event and something special to me.

Carol’s last layout

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