topcoats and kathyb - INTRODUCTION THREAD

[Janice]

Here we are ladies - get chatting!

As soon as you’ve reached 10 posts would you mind using the PM Facility to chat so that this forum doesn’t get clogged with lots of threads? Let me know when this happens or you’ve already reached 10 posts and I’ll delete the thread.

Thank you and have fun.

[kathyb]

Hi topcoats.....I am your newly assigned "adopter"!

I've been scrapbooking approx 4 years, though in reality longer - I simply didn't realise what I was doing was a hobby in its own right :lol:

I grew up in Shropshire, lived in London and surrounding area from 1989-2004, where I met my husband. We have two children and a third on the way. We moved up to Shropshire at the end of 2004.

Feel free to ask away and I will do my best to help you, or point you in the direction of someone who can.

Look forward to hearing from you :)

[topcoats]

Hi Kathy
Great I now have an adopter, I was all fired up to sort out the chaos of all my craft bits in a 14x12 garden shed, and now it looks as if my Dad is losing his battle, so I will be with him most days for now. If my sisters can take over occassionally i have promise myself to dig out the shed and organise a bag to take with me and scrapbook while he sleeps, which is most of the time now. Sorry to sound low, it is less than 3 years when i was doing the same thing for my mum, who was given 3wks-3months and she lasted, bless her ,7 months. Then i was travelling from Kent to Shrops , up for 7-8days home for 2, then back up. I know the m25.m40,m42 etc better than i know where i live now!!!!
Will need the scrapbooking for my sanity, as i have always found crafting is a great leveller and calming influence.
Kindest regards
Chris/topcoats

[kathyb]

Your time with your Dad and your family is the most important thing. I'll be here as and when you need something scrapbooking related... but don't pressure yourself...go with your instincts at the time.

We used to live in Ickenham ( near Uxbridge ) - where the M25 joins the M40, so know that part of the journey up here very well.

Has your Dad been unwell for a while?

[topcoats]

Hi Kathy
We have been at this stage with my Dad so many times over the last 3 years, he's in hospital now, as they thought it best for the family and Dad of course. He's lives a charmed life so we all half expect him to rally around once more.Just feel so tired out. Thanks for your message I've no doubt you are very busy , but thanks for replying so quickly.
Kindest regards
Chris/topcoats

[topcoats]

Your time with your Dad and your family is the most important thing. I'll be here as and when you need something scrapbooking related... but don't pressure yourself...go with your instincts at the time.

We used to live in Ickenham ( near Uxbridge ) - where the M25 joins the M40, so know that part of the journey up here very well.

Has your Dad been unwell for a while?
Hi Kathy
once more Dad has rallied round, the sun is shining, what more could i ask for?
Well, as i have been digging out the shed to make mine, i have had a great time sorting out, papers , cardstock, paints, etc etc.!!!! You name i have probably got it. Ages ago before we moved i bought artbin satchels and organising pockets off qvc and now have finally got so many boxes emptied and organised i can see at an instance what I have, there's light at the end of the tunnel or should i say shed.

Question , i have several albums with plastic page protectors in, do i need to buy white card stock to fit in them? or do i use the heavy papers as they are? oh dear am i making sense, do you always work on top of white scrapbooking card is the question.
regards
Chris/topcoats

[kathyb]

Hi Chris,

Great news about your Dad!

I was coming on to apologise that I've not posted on our thread this week. I don't know where the time has gone.

You sound like you have had a productive few days.

In answer to your question, no, you don't need to buy loads of white card to fill your plastic page protectors.

Generally the background to a page is made of card of one colour or another that co-ordinates or contrasts with your photos and the stories you want to tell. Or, as you have suggested even a patterned paper. Whilst this may appear a little flimsy on its own, once you have added your photos ( possibly matted on card or other paper, and any other bits and pieces it soon becomes firmer. Also once placed in the page protector it will be sturdier still, as you would have another page layout bvack to back with it.

Some albums/ page protectors seem to come with white paper or card in them. Whilst you could use this to scrap on, I generally remove it and use card / papers in the colours of my choice, and sometimes that is white.

Have a look in the "gallery" section. Even over the course of 7 days you will find loads of different ideas. Even just look at what backgrounds people have used. Some members are great and put loads of information about how they have created their layout. If you see something you like the look of and there is no informaiotn given, you can alsways post a comment asking about what it is you are interested in under the layout , or send a private message ( abbreviated on here as a PM ) to the creator.

Hope this helps?