Kitty Scrapper

Bramford Girls Challenge

2012-01-06T23:18:00.001Z

I got around to completing the challenge with the girl tonight, I did leave it to the last minute which is why it is so simple really. I am still loving the Octopode images and have treated myself to a few more digi stamps to use this year.

Tracey gave us all a door hanger to alter this month, we all picked another person to make for, I hope that Janet likes my effort.

Front

Back

I used DI’s Worn Lipstick and Weathered Wood and a range of stamps on the background, I also used a bronze and white marker pens to highlight the hanger. The letter stamps are ones that I won a while back from Shimelle, I really like the font and don't use them much, I think they will be featuring in my Document 2012 album.

I will hopefully be able to do a post about how my travel journal has turned out as I am planning to tackle this at the crop tomorrow. All my papers have arrived from carious online stores so I am stocked up now and ready to go.

Thanks for looking

Happy New Year

2012-01-04T14:32:00.001Z

Happy New Year Everyone, hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and has recovered from Christmas. I have only been back at work 2 days and it seems like 2 weeks!

I have had my blog now for just over 2 years my first post was on the 30th December 2009, it has been neglected a bit lately with the madness of work and life, but one of my resolutions is to update more often and to take part in more challenges.

I have done a fair bit of crafting over the Christmas period mainly last minute Christmas cards and thank you cards. I also made the annual calendars for my mum and aunt.

Have you got any scrapping bargains in the sales, I have got a fair few bits, mainly the core elements of my 2012 album, I like to document each month, I am using the Simple Stories Life Documented papers as the theme that runs through. I also have another very special project I am going to be working on….

My lovely boyfriend as a Christmas present is taking me to America for 10 days. So on the 16th January I will be jetting off to LA with trips to San Francisco and Las Vegas. I plan on taking lots of photos of course and I want to dedicate a whole album to this trip. I have chosen the Simple Stories Destination papers as the core for this album and also got a set of different divided page protectors to use as well.

I am also going to make a travel journal to take with me to complete when I am out there. I am planning on making a bound book with a leather cover like I saw made on Kirstie’s Homemade Home. I have the supplies I just need to find the time to make it.

I also have October – December to finish scrapping in my 2011 album so need to get a move on with that. I recently backed up all my photos from 2011 all 4gb worth of them. Please remember to back up your files people I would hate any of you to loose precious memories.

Well again I hope you all had a good start to the new year, I need to go get working on my challenge piece for the Bramford Crop on Saturday as the other ladies look like they have been busy!!

Thanks for Looking

Christmas Crafting

2011-12-07T16:34:00.001Z

Well I have been busy crafting and seem to have neglected my blog a bit, so thought I would stop by and show you so,me of my christmas crafting exploits, its a bit photo heavy!A couple of weeks ago on Sunday one of my old school friends came around and we had a day of crafting and chatting. I managed to get a few bits done and she managed to get a few shots of my in my crafty corner in the caravan.

I finished working on the challenge from the bramford girls, I was a bit stumped but turned to one of my favourite things to make at the moment a garland. We had 3 wooden decorations (star, tree, house) to alter somehow, I am happy with the response and used some of the lovely vintage images on the Jenni Bowlin papers.

Next up was to work on the secret santa for the Bramford girls again, I went with a box, which I deconstructed and put back together with my destressed papers. I then made some tissue paper flowers and tucked a few goodies inside, I hope the lady likes it

I am also well under my way with the Christmas cards that I need to make, I have most of my images coloured in I just need to construct the cards. I love how they are turning out so far..

Well I think that is the blog nearly up to date. I am completing the Shimelle Journal Your Christmas class again this year and will have to photograph and update the blog with that soon.

Hope everyone elses Christmas crafting is going well.Thanks for Looking

First go at the TOFF Challenge

2011-11-13T13:43:00.003Z

As I mentioned earlier in the week, I have fallen for the Octopode Factory images, and have brought myself a few digi stamps to play with. I discovered they have a challenge blog so decided to have a go with one of my new stamps, the theme this week is SWIRLS

I have used some of my scrapbooking scraps and found out an old stamp from my stash. I then used my Cricut to cut a star out and use this as a mask (yes the cricut is back out and will hopefully be getting more use!)I then took the digi stamp-annabel lee and got busy with my promarkers, I am getting more confident using them now and have some more on my crafting wish list.

I enjoyed this challenge, please go over and check out the wonderful Lily's Blog and Etsy shop.

Thanks for looking.

A Mini Album...

2011-11-11T14:04:00.006Z

I have only ever made one mini album before and decided that after my recent weekend away in Whitby I would make one to use some of the 200+ photos I took. I have had this scrapbook in a tin lying around in my stash for ages so decided to make use of it.

I used all old papers aswell so again a stash busting mission, I am really pleased with how it turned out and am going to tackle scrapping some of the photos from the weekend soon too.

Thanks for looking

A Few Recent LO's

2011-11-10T19:55:00.005Z

Well the Christmas cards are still in full swing and a few more digi stamps have come my way! I thought I would show a few of the LO's I have completed recently inspired by the Paper Party hosted by Shimelle.

I have used a lot of old papers from my stash and I am trying to have a big clear out of my crafting stuff. I have however just brought myself a Big Shot so I will be looking out for lots of new dies so will not be buying any new papers for now!

I have now filled my document 2011 album up , it is an AC 12x12 D-Ring album and I am only up to August, so I am going to have to get another album to finish the year off. I also need to make my month dividers for the album too ao and the christmas cards!!

Thanks for Looking

Its Christmas!!

2011-11-08T17:22:00.002Z

Well it is not christmas, but time to start thinking about it in terms of crafting at least. So it is time to think about christmas cards and Journal Your Christmas.

Christmas this year is having a gothic theme, I am going gold and dark red and black and skulls for my decorations so decided to go with gothic for my christmas cards too. I brought a couple of The Octopode Factory stamps at Ally Pally and have since invested in a few digital stamps, which is a first for me, I have also been experimenting with promarkers. Here is the samples so far:

I also had my parcel from Shimelle arrive for Journal Your Christmas and I am looking forward to the prep weekend coming up to start making my journal.

I am off to do some more crafting and will update with a few recent LO's soon.

Thanks for Looking
x

Scrapbook Starting Points

2011-10-30T20:59:00.004Z

I have at last had time to get on the laptop and post some of the pages I have been doing since I last posted. Scrapping has been slow as I pulled all the ligaments in my wrists in the car accident so have been been wearing a brace on it, not the most stylish thing ever!! But it is feeling a bit better now so have been scrapping to relax in the evening again.

I thought I would try out this weeks Starting point over at Shimelle.com, I have been taking part in the Paper Party class she has had going on and will be posting some of the LO I have completed. I am loving it and actually using all the old collection papers I had in my stash, and there is enough of it.

So here is my LO for this weeks starting point, please go and check out her blog for more information.

Thanks for looking
x

What a Week!!

2011-10-10T08:00:00.001+01:00

Well it never rains but it pours! After a nightmare beginning of the week at work it got dramatically worse on Thursday when some charming woman decided to drive 25mph into the back of my car at traffic lights!! Yes Kitty Car 2 looks like it has bitten the dust, still waiting for the finial say form the insurance company but it does not look good..and neither does my back!! Yes cue whiplash and a return of my problem back, not impressed!

Despite all that I managed to get away for the weekend to Whitby, it was a very welcome break at the end of a horrible week. I took my camera and tested it out with 200+ photos. I will definately be scrapping a few of them, I love shooting in black and white mode, worked great with the ruins.

Well I am hoping to get some scrapping time in tomorrow night as now home and very stiff and achey, am off to the doctors tomorrow to see if he can give me something for the pain.

Will be back with scrapping and less moaning soon!

x

Bramford Crop Challenge

2011-09-27T21:59:00.002+01:00

Each month at the Bramford crop a group of us set each other a challenge, this month it was to use 3 pieces on T/H diecut chipboard from Janet, on the theme of Halloween. I struggled with this to start with, but after, painting and staining etc, I decided to go with what I do best, layers of pretty paper.

I had picked up a few bits of Halloween themed paper at the crop a couple of months ago and decided to use them and create a banner/bunting effect. I am happy with how it turned out, and looking forward to seeing what the other ladies have done.

Thanks for Looking

Disaster LO!!!

2011-09-14T21:47:00.004+01:00

Well I have managed to find some time to scrapping between the early mornings, early nights and 12 hour days! I think my tiredness is what caused my near disaster on my last LO. I decided I would have a go at creating a LO similar to the one that is my current fav, it was going well and I liked how it was looking. In my wisdom after nearly finishing it, I decided to add a few sprits of glimmer mist, well it was all going great till I knocked the bottle over my LO!!! I must point out that I take the sprayer out to get blobs of mist, well from now on the open topped bottle is not staying on my scrapping desk!!

Well I think that the quick action of attacking it with paper towel that I have not ruined the LO, of course it is all I can see when I look at it. I enjoyed the process of adding lots of layers and bits and will be doing lots more of this type of thing on LO's. I am luckly getting to go to Ally Pally next weekend, as there is a spare seat with my crafting buddies, so will be stocking up on lots of little elements and bits to carry on this style.

Thanks for looking and hope the disaster is not to obvious!!

My New Favourite LO

2011-09-05T21:11:00.004+01:00

I have a new favourite LO!! I have a frame on my mantle piece which I put my current favourite LO in, the one I created at the crop in Bramford is now in the frame. I only completed one LO on saturday, but it has lots of detail on, and thanks to Karen lots of 'fiddle titting'!!!

I am loving the brand Sassafras at the moment, I brought a couple of cheap 12x12 pads from the craft superstore and I am loving them, even though they are old collections. I am also embracing the idea of adding lots of layers and textures on the LO.

I am going to try a few more LO like this in the future, although they are not speedy I think the effort is worth it.

We also got our challenge pieces for the next 3 months in our group at Bramford, got my thinking cap on for all of them, will post as and when they are completed.

Thanks for looking

LSNED Days 1-5

2011-09-05T21:03:00.002+01:00

I have been enjoying a daily bit of crafting doing these pages fro my LSNED album. I thought I would update my blog with pages 1-5, it is intersting that the start of term for me has many of the same lessons.

I will do regular updates of this project each week.

Thanks for looking

LSNED Base Album

2011-08-29T12:02:00.003+01:00

I have made a start on my LSNED album, I have had this album for a while, it did have chipboard pages in, but I will replace these with the cards I am still to make. I am going to try and use up some old stash, although I did by the kit from Shimelle to do this class. I am in love with many of the new American Craft papers, but I am trying to resist.

This is totally different from my album last year, but I am so excited to see what this month has instore, just looked through last years, and it is crazy how much can change in a year.

Well I will try and blog regularly about this project, but what with 2 new centres opening at work it is going to be manic and I will be spending at least 3 hours a day on the road, which one good thing means I can indulge my love for Radio 2. I am hoping that I can document this hectic month and have something brilliant to look back on.

Thanks for looking.
x

Weekend Crafting

2011-08-29T10:44:00.003+01:00

I have had sometime after a manic week to get some crafting in, it has been a welcome break from the craziness of the week.

I have completed one LO and also completed my challenge for the Bramford Crop next weekend. I have also started to do the prep work for the LSNED class ran over at Shimelle.com, I completed it last year and love the mini book that I completed that can be seen here.

This is the coaster that I altered for the Bramford Crop.

This is the box that I altered for the Bramford Crop. I had real problems with this and it has gone under many different transformations, till I am now happy with it.

This is a LO which I completed with some hybrid elements free from the online crop at Shimelle.com.

I will be doing another blogpost later when I have completed my LSNED album for the 1st September start.

Thanks for looking.

Tackling a Kit

2011-08-11T17:20:00.001+01:00

I have had a page kit form the bramford crop in my scrapping bag for a long while, but always struggle with kits as I am not very good following instructions!

I have made 2 pages from this kit and added lots of embelishments to the second one of them. I had lost a few of the bit from the kit, but am happy with how it looks. I need to add a title to the first one but I need to get myself some more thickers.

Thanks for looking

Couple of Other Pages

2011-08-10T17:00:00.000+01:00

Here are a few of other LO made this weekend using different bits of scraps I have been stashing for a while. I printed about 50 photos out so lots more scrapping to be done.

Thanks for looking

A Successful Weekend

2011-08-09T19:06:00.004+01:00

Well after my scrapping mojo got back on board last week I had a very successful weekend of scrapping. This was helped along by my first Bramford Crop I have been to in 3 months.

I managed to get 3 layouts completed and to sell a few bit of my old stash. I also was very organised and had picked paper out in colour selections ready so I knew I was ready to go wen I got there.

It was lovely to see everyone again and spent alot of time gossiping as well as crafting. I am looking forward to taking part in the challenge for next months crop as well, have to put my thinking cap on for that ladies.

Thanks for looking.

New LO's

2011-08-04T20:18:00.004+01:00

I have actually found some time to scrap!! Here is a couple of LO's that I worked on this week. I have had a huge sort out of my stash and donated lots of stuff to a friend who is starting out in crafting.

I am looking forward to heading to the Bramford crop this weekend, it has been way to long.

Thanks for looking

Explore Playbook

2011-07-19T00:08:00.004+01:00

I have been creative at last!! I got my first prompt today in my email tray and decided to get cracking as soon as I steped in the door, otherwise I would sit down and the day would catch up on me.

Here is the play book I made, I went with Pink and Brown as my theme and am happy with it, which is suprising as the last few scrapbook pages I have done have felt a bit off.

I have completed the other parts of the challenge but have not photographed these or put them on my blog as they are a bit personal.

I am looking forward to seeing what tomorrows prompt brings.

New Class Starts Tomorrow!

2011-07-17T22:20:00.002+01:00

I am really looking forward to tomorrow as I have signed up for the new Shimelle Laine online class EXPLORE, which starts tomorrow.

I have not scrapped for ages, but have loads of photos that I keep taking, so I am hoping that i will get the scrapping bug again and also that my neglected blog will not be so neglected.

Keep Well

KS
x

Birthday Card

2011-05-24T09:00:00.000+01:00

I had to get around to making a card as it had to be in the post this week, I decided to opt for simple and quick as am really tired after heading back to work.

I used one of the punches I picked up at the Crop a few months back and also one of the rosettes that I cut from the lovely Janet's die, which have been in my stash box for a few months. The papers used were also all scrap pieces so am being good at using bits up.

I am not really a card maker but am happy with the result and I hope the person likes it too.

Thanks for looking

Never rains but it pours...

2011-05-22T16:20:00.005+01:00

Just as I thought I was getting back to normal with finding time to craft I ended up laid up at home for 2 weeks ill. I am hoping to get back to work tomorrow and then it is the doctors and the hospital later in the week to hopefully get myself sorted.

I have however this afternoon done some scrapping (8/20). I did break my challenge of no stash, well I did not buy any patterned paper, and I am still working through my extensive stash. I did get myself a new punch, a butterfly, it seems I am using them more and more on my LO's these days.

I have printed out 30 new photos to scrap so hopefully I will get my scrap on this week.

Thanks for looking.

When life catches up.....

2011-05-12T12:00:00.000+01:00

Well after my creative week last week and a busy weekend, more on that in a moment, I have been struck down by every type of lurgey going. I have slipped a disc in my back, I suffered bad with this 2 years ago and ended up having it operated on so not happy, I also have sickness and dizziness and a cold, so generally feeling naf. I have been off work for 4 days and done nothing but lay in bed feeling sorry for myself, am off to the doctors later so hopefully can get drugged up and on the mend.

I was happy to see when I looked at the blogs I follow that my LO was picked and feature by Shimelle over on her blog, it put a smile on my face.

As I mentioned I had a busy weekend, it was my dad's 60th and we arranged as a family to go on a boat cruise on the Noffolk broads, it was a lovely day for it. My new bf even came down and met the family and spent the day with us. I took about 100 photos using my new camera so will have lots to scrapbook when I feel up for it. It was a good weekend but did mean I missed the NSD Bramford Crop and also time to work on all the NSD challenges online. I am hoping I have time to catch up on a few before the closing dates.

Hope everyone else is fighting fit and I will be back with some scrapping soon I promise.

New Love - Pinterest

2011-05-06T08:30:00.000+01:00

My new obsession is Pinterest...

I have seen this referred to a few times on peoples blogs and have been intrigued but that was a far as I went, I have now however taken the leap and it is a great resource especially for scrapping and collecting all the wonderful images you find on the web. It is also a great resource for images including scrapbook layouts.

Here is the blurb about it...

What is Pinterest?

Think of Pinterest as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love and "follow" collections created by people with great taste.

People use Pinterest to collect and share all sorts of things -- wedding inspiration, favorite T-shirts, DJ equipment. You name it, people are pinning it.

We know you have great taste in something. Our mission is to make Pinterest the best place for you to share your taste with the world

I am becoming a bit obsessed and starting to collect images on my boards. Go check it out, I can be found here....

http://pinterest.com/kittyscrapper/

Happy Crafting

5/20 Sketch of the Week

2011-05-04T21:29:00.003+01:00

I am still going strong with my scrapping and have been inspired tonight by this weeks sketch over at Shimelle.com. This is LO 5 of the 20 I am going to complete before I buy any new stash. I am really struggling for alphas for the titles already and my Cricut is in storage so towards the end there maybe LO's with no titles!

This LO is a little different for me as I am not normally all about the clusters of embellishments, but I am really pleased how it turned out.

Thanks for looking

Getting back in the groove

2011-05-04T09:00:00.001+01:00

As I had said in my previous post I have got the scrapping bug again, I even found myself planning LO in my head on the way home from work today!! I think part of the problem I was having was since splitting from my fiancée that I was struggling what to photography/document. I have decided to scrapbook my year again like the Document:2010 project of last year, but going to do it less formally this year. I am planning on using the divider pages to create a marker for each month, but still planning on that one.

Below are a couple of LO's I created this past weekend, I feel that I am going back to my old style of scrapbooking and it is feeling good. Don't get me wrong I love all the different techniques, but I just love patterned paper!! I am going through all my old stash and have promised myself not to buy any new papers or stash till I have created 20 LO's......do you think I will last?

Both LO feature the lovely spring blossoms in Highfield Park in Nottingham, these were inspired by the challenge over at These are a Few of My Favourite Things. I love this challenge blog but lost touch with it, I am inspired by the great stuff happening over there please go check it out.

Thanks for looking

Happy Crafting

Latest Scrapping inspired by Shimelle

2011-05-03T18:25:00.003+01:00

Over the past weekend I have actually been scrapping and have completed 4 LO and also printed lots of photos out, I am finally getting back in the mood for it.

I started off by completing a LO inspired by the 4x6 Love free class that Shimelle is running over at twopeas this year. April's was to use 4 4x6 photos on a LO, it also was an interactive

page, the first one I have attempted. I am really happy with the results and will be using this template again, check out her website for more information.

Here is the completed LO

Here is the close up of the interactive flap

And the journalling/photo it hides

Thanks for looking I will be posting more of my completed LO this week.

I can still Craft!

2011-04-16T10:22:00.005+01:00

It has been a long while since I did any Scrapbooking, many times over the past month I have got everything out and then no inspiration would strike. But last week I did manage to do some scrapping and also reorganise a lot of my scrapping stuff now I have limited space, since to moving back in with my parents.

So here is the layout I created, I am realising how butterflies are creeping on to more and more of my layouts as well. The pictures are a bit dodgy as they are from my phone, lost my camera lead in a box somewhere!

I also got around to making a mothers day card with a new paper pack I picked up at the Range

I am planning on tackling a couple of challenges this weekend, so hopefully will be able to blog again soon.

Happy Crafting

What Are you reading?

2011-03-28T20:31:00.002+01:00

Well I have not had much of a chance to do any crafting in the past month, what with moving and packing up the old flat, plus weekends away. But I am finding that I am having more time to read, maybe all the train journeys I am doing! I cam across this on one of the blogs I follow and decided to drop by and do a post, it has been a while after all.

The book I am currently reading is

N.P.

by Banana Yoshimoto

I am a big fan of Japanese contemporary fiction and have a vast collection. This is one of the early translated ones I read and have decided to go back a revisit it. Worth a read if you like a more surreal tale. I have scrapped about my love of Japanese fiction before the LO can be seen here.

I have just come back from a lovely weekend in Nottingham and went exploring in a beautiful park with my new camera, so lots of photos to get printed and ready to scrap this weekend at the Bramford crop.

Hope everyone is well

New LO New Start

2011-02-23T18:58:00.002Z

I have had a bit of a change around in the focus of my Scrapbooking, it is more centred on me and what I am doing with myself and the new things I am going to be doing this year.

I know I am a bit delayed with the whole resolutions things as it is nearly March, but i decided to follow the trend a choose a word. My word is EVOLVE

Here is a LO I created at the last Bramford crop, I had been wanting to create a LO using the rosettes that are very trendy at the moment. I am really happy with the result and I managed to cut a lot of them so I am sure they will be appearing on more of my LO soon.

I will be back with more photos and LO soon. I have a new camera, which I am learning how to use all the bits on so am hoping to explore my photography this year too.

Hope everyone is well and I am enjoying catching up on everyone's blogs.

Catch Up

2011-02-22T20:57:00.002Z

I realise I have been gone a long time but I am back now and trying to get in gear and get some crafting done. I am hoping to be back this week with some LO I have completed since Christmas.

Thanks for the emails I have received asking if I am ok, I am getting there.

Catch up soon.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-21T19:42:00.001Z

Hi all

I just wanted to stop by and wish you all a Merry Christmas. I am currently have a few personal problems so will not be blogging till after christmas.

Keep safe in the snow and have a brilliant christmas

JYC Day 5-7

2010-12-08T00:26:00.003Z

Been delayed in posting these pages,but I am still up to date, I have still a bit of journalling to do for each page as well. I also have cut some envelopes on the Cricut (similar to the beautiful kraft maya road ones) which I will put some extra journalling in.

Thanks for looking

JYC Day 4

2010-12-04T23:48:00.002Z

I decided to differ from the prompt today and feature a recipe that I tried out today. It went down very well with my mum and dad who I took it over too. It is the first time I had ever done anything with fresh cranberries, and I am thinking of stocking up the freezer with some more.

Hope everyone has had a productive day.

Thanks for Looking

JYC Day 3

2010-12-03T21:35:00.003Z

Today's prompt was about cards, this one had me stumped for a while, I still need to do my journalling, I like the idea of listing who I am sending cards to this year which has been mentioned on the forum.

I have shown examples of the cards I am sending to my work colleagues including the fairy motif and some of the cards I have received. I made my title to look like a string of cards and am pleased how it turned out.

Thanks for looking

SCD Tag Challenge

2010-12-03T12:10:00.002Z

Well with my second SNOW DAY in full force, I decided to crack on with the SCD tag challenge this week. I love having time to catch up on all the tv I have recorded and to spend the day crafting.

The challenge this month is tags and the theme is: TREES

I decided to go Christmas themed of course, and am going to include this in my journal. I coloured the background with DI's and marbled with water and diluted glimmer mists. I stamped over a Papermania Christmas tree in brown archival ink. The tag was from a free download from misscutiepie which I embellished with some twine and a pin, and a button. I then highlighted the edges with some bronze embossing powder.

Thanks for looking.

JYC Day 2

2010-12-03T08:30:00.002Z

Well after a my Snow Day yesterday(I have one today also) I got to take lots of photos and they fitted in great with weather prompt.

I still have the journalling to do am going to try and cut some envelopes on the Cricut today to fit this in.

Thanks for Looking

JYC Day 1

2010-12-02T19:19:00.004Z

I have had a snow day today so spent it crafting and catching up with the tv I have recorded. I am still enjoying this project and have taken lots of photos today of all the snow. I am loving my pogo printer as they are just the right size.

Here are my pages for the first day...

I was very happy to go in to work and see all the blooms had opened on my Christmas cactus. I don't have a garden at home but I have my window sill at work full of plants. I thought it would be something good to record as they bloomed on the 1st...I know a bit early for Christmas!!

The next is a page about a festive treat I had for lunch.

My album is starting to shape up nicely. I have include Shimelle manifesto, and also a lovely freebie from SJ over at Little Musings.

Thanks for looking

JYC Manifesto Page

2010-12-01T22:09:00.004Z

I have started as I mean to go on and have been crafting away on the Journal Your Christmas class. The first prompt was to create a manifesto for the project and what you want to gain from it.

I have used a mixture of supplies from my stash and some from the Shimelle kit. I am really happy with it and think I am going to enjoy the format too.

My Manifesto...

This is the first year of me tackling the Journal Your Christmas class and I a

m really excited, it seems that we have not had a proper Christmas since we moved in our own place. It should be a time for me especially to get the house decorated and sorted but things get in the way. First year after moving out I had my bad back, second year we moved in to our current flat and nearly had no heating. This year after the many stresses and strains I am looking forward to doing Christmas my way and creating new traditions.

Thanks for looking

JYC Cover

2010-11-29T21:56:00.002Z

I have signed up for Shimelle JYC class, as I said previously I have a lot of new Christmas stash. I am using an album from Paperchase and have decorated the front of it and lined the inside and am waiting for the class to start on the 1st December.

I am going to try to keep the blog updated with the progress of this project.

A break from paper!

2010-11-29T21:05:00.005Z

Scrapbooking has been over ridden in the past two weeks by a little commissioned project I have been working on.

My mum sings in several choirs and one of the smaller ones were looking for something all the members could wear. I made my mum one of the felt brooches for her birthday, they liked them so much I was asked to make 25 of them. I kind of put them off, being asked in August and the fact they needed them for the 2nd week in November . I suddenly realised it was the start of November and I had not made a start 200+ petals cut out later and all sewn on they were done and delivered off.

I used instructions from here, but altered the way I constructed mine, preferring a stitched rather than stuck effort. I also added a variety of buttons to the centre.

I am looking forward to seeing the choir all wearing them for the Christmas concert. But my fingers are glad for a rest, I need a thimble for sure!!

Thanks for looking

SCD Challenge

2010-11-29T20:25:00.003Z

Well the them this week at SCD is SNOW and blimey am I fed up of the stuff already!! I mean it looks nice but the kids(at work) go mad and cause havoc and travelling is a nightmare.

But in terms of crafting it is a good thing as I have had a spend up on Christmas stash and am now getting in the mood. I have started the prep for my JYC album and finished my Christmas cards, organised a staff Christmas dinner and nearly finished my Christmas shopping.

I decided on making an ATC for this challenge, I used a pale blue card and stamped with a Paperartsy stamp using weathered wood DI. I then drew out a little snowman on the same blue card with a black gel pen, I distressed the edges with DI. I added a chipboard crown, coloured with DI, and some bling.

I have just realised I have done another SCD challenge with hat/hair lol!!

I am going to try and get back in a routine of blogging as I have lots to share.

Thanks for looking.

I am still here!!

2010-11-21T16:30:00.003Z

Well I can not believe it has been so long since I last blogged, November has been a crazy month, lots of changes at home and also damn illness!!

Well I am now getting over a chest infection, which has knocked me out for a few days, still been struggling to work, as it is a mad house, and I seem to be the leader of the madness. Only 5 weeks till Christmas as well! I am getting there with the gifts and organising what and where we need to be for Christmas.

I am planning on creating my JYC album this week ready to get crafting at the start of December. Treated myself to some new stash to which I am looking forward to getting crafty with.

I have also got around to photographing my entry for the challenge over at SCD(passed weeks got no further than my camera), it's theme is NUMBERS and it is a free challenge this week.

I decided on a tag, the photo is not great as it is from my phone in bad light (lost my camera somewhere in the house!) I coloured the background with DI ink and the stamped over with a couple of Paper Artsy stamps . I sprayed over with some red cosmic shimmer. I then used a Mona Lisa stamp which I have had for years, before I was a crafter. I decided to make a crazy hat/hair for it. Then added some bling. Not my normal style but I am really happy with it.

I now have the task of tidying the flat and find my crafting area as I have been a bit lazy on the housework front. I promise I will try not to leave it so long between my next blog post.

True Stories Inspired LO

2010-10-31T19:14:00.002Z

After a bit of a heavy weekend(emotionally), I have got around to doing some scrapping and having sometime to myself. This LO is inspired by the first prompt from the True Stories class.

Below is the Journalling Detail:

Q&A

Is that a new pair of glasses?

some people hate the fact they wear glasses for me it is another accessory that i can add to my outfits. I currently have about nine pairs, they are scattered around the house, the car and also various cases. My favourites are a bright pink pair from ghost.

Is that a new hairstyle?

I change my hair a lot, both style and colour, what can I say I get bored easily!! For 23 years it was long and always in tied up in a ponytail, the colour changed the style didn't. Now it is short and getting shorter and the colour is changing too.

How many tattoo's do you have?

Well I currently have 14 tattoo's but plan for many more. I got my first one when I was 19, after saying I never would get one. It was a flower and vine, my last was Hello Kitty, my next who knows.

A lot of these questions I have come up with have also given me lots of ideas for more LO. I am planning more scrapping this evening to try and shake me out of my negative mood rut.

Thanks for looking.

2010-10-25T20:05:00.002+01:00

This class started today and I am already formulating ideas for scrapbooking pages, I am thinking this is just what I need to be able to get my mind back in to scrapbooking.

I will be doing blog posts about this soon.

SCD Challenge

2010-10-24T11:27:00.002+01:00

Well this week over at SCD it is another colour challenge this week the colours are:

GREEN & YELLOW

I created another ATC for this challenge. I used DI to create the background then stamped over in DI to give a background pattern. I then found up some Papermania stamps and stamped a birdcage. I the coloured with DI a Tim Holz bird and added it to the side, I added glossy accents to the wing.

Thanks for taking time to look.

Completed LSNED Album

2010-10-16T15:45:00.003+01:00

Well I completed this album within the month, which was an achievement!! I have posted all my pages on my blog.

I wanted to show you the album now it is completed and finished. I finished with the following:

Learn from Yesterday

Live for Today

Hope for Tomorrow

I have just signed up for the next Shimelle class which involves focusing on journalling, it starts on the 25th details are on her blog.

Thanks for looking

Birthday Gifts

2010-10-16T14:48:00.003+01:00

Last week it was my aunts 60th birthday. I made her a mini album and thought to put some small gifts in as well I would make a version of the box I made at Carol's class. I love how simple this box is to make, and how good it looks.

I also made a easel card that coordinated with it.

She loved them, even though I had to explain how to display it.

Thanks for looking.

SCD Challenge

2010-10-16T11:22:00.002+01:00

Over at SCD this week it is another colour challenge:

Black and Orange

So of course this means Halloween!! I decided to go with an ATC as I am loving this format at the moment. I coloured the background with DI and then stamped the background using Paper Artsy stamps. For the skull I printed it on to tissue paper using my inkjet printer and then pasted this on top with glossy accents and then covered the whole front in sepia glossy accents.

I love the effect and am really happy with it. I am off to play some more

Thanks for looking

New Stamps

2010-10-14T18:48:00.003+01:00

I had my post from they lovely ebay seller who I brought some stamps off. I am getting excited to use them, I am just going to have to spend the time mounting them.....any tips?

I know these are not new stamps out but they are new to me and I got them for a bargain price!!

So once they are mounted I am going to get stamping and make some ATC/cards. I am finding my heart is not in scrapbooking at the moment, I guess happy pictures/times seem a bit far away right now, but a good thing is I have something new to play with.

Thanks for looking, and check back soon.

SCD Challenge

2010-10-12T21:01:00.003+01:00

This week over on SCD the challenge was to use 'Green and Purple'.

As I am in to ATC at the moment I made a simple one using some stamps and DI. The ink on the swirls in more purple in real life, but so hard to photograph in the evening miserable light. I also added the cute stickers from Paperchase.

I definitely see me doing more of these ATC. I have treated myself to a few stamps so when they arrive will be having a play, can not wait.

Thanks for looking.

SCD Challenge

2010-10-03T09:27:00.003+01:00

Well it continues to be a manic household, but on the plus side I am getting some crafting done, just not be able to upload much to my blog.

I have not done much scrapbooking lately, I am not feeling overly motivated with LO, but I have been doing a few other bits. After the class I took at Crafts and Candlelight with Carol, and the trip to Ally Pally I have been experimenting for with the grungey/altered look. I thought the challenge over at SCD would be a good challenge to get back in to.

The challenge is a colour one this time : Orange, Brown and Gold

I used the theme as set at the Bramford Crop as 'wheels' for the topic of my ATC. I used a combination of DI's in the ground, a TH mask and gold perfect pearls. I used a variety of stamps on the background to. I then highlighted bits with a white gel pen. I am happy with the result, this is probably only the 5th ATC I have ever done.

I still hope to get a few more bits uploaded this weekend, and also to catch up with all the blogs I have not had a chance to get around to this week.

Thanks for looking.

LSNED Day 19-29

2010-09-29T19:40:00.010+01:00

Wow what a crazy couple of weeks it has been and time for me to update my blog with all my LSNED pages that I have been creating.

Managed to keep up with the scrapping just not the blogging of them, so this is a photo heavy post guys.

Day 19

Day 20

Day 21

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 25

Day 26

Day 27

Day 28

Day 29

I am loving how all the pages are random, but they do work as a whole, only one more page and then I have completed a whole project!! I will be uploading complete pictures this week.

Thanks for looking

My first SVG file

2010-09-19T16:58:00.003+01:00

As I posted below my weekend has been experimenting with the Sure Cuts A Lots software for my Cricut. I will admit my Cricut has been under used lately, but now I have had another move around it is easier to use.

As you may have guessed from the title of my blog, I am a fan of Hello Kitty. I know that Provo Craft do have 2 Hello Kitty Cartridges but with everything being on a budget at the moment, new cartridges are not an option right now. BUT with my new knowledge via YouTube I can create my own from images found on the internet. So here it is my Hello Kitty cut, the font I used is called Creampuff and is a free download.

The image was taken via my iphone as lost the cable to my camera, hence the fuzziness.

Have a crafty Sunday evening

LSNED Day 18

2010-09-19T14:23:00.002+01:00

I spent the day playing with my laptop and Cricut and the Sure Cuts A Lot software , which enables you to cut images from your computer on your Cricut. I even learnt how to use the Inkscape software to make my own cut files, very exciting. So that was my lesson for the day.

The Cricut bug on my page, I created the cut file for, I also learnt I should use my Cricut more!!

Hope everyone has had a productive weekend, I even got a LO done!!

LSNED Day 12-17

2010-09-18T14:21:00.007+01:00

Another group post for LSNED, I have been keeping up with my album, just not with my posts, I am happy that I am keeping up but need to find more time to do some scrapping.

Day 12 - Getting up early and hunting out a bargains is always relaxing.

Day 13 - That is felt ok going to the gym after a 2 month break

Day 14 - It ok to want better form myself in life my job and my circumstances, and I should not feel guilt for this.

Day 15 - Risk assessments are never fun.

Day 16 - Working with the kids I do it is interesting what you can learn from them.

Day 17 - After a week of the gym and some healthy eating options I lost 2lb

I also completed a title page for my album describing what the whole project was about.

I also have now put all the tabs into the pockets in my albums, I am loving the overall effect, so far and am looking forward to it being completed.

Well I have made it past the half way point so fingers crossed that I can get it all completed.

Have a great weekend

LSNED Day 5-11

2010-09-12T21:03:00.004+01:00

Well I really have fallen behind in posting these, and also doing any blogging, it has been such a manic week at work, feels like the kids have been back ages.

I have created my pages for the LSNED, the album is coming together nicely and I am happy that I am still keeping up with the class.

I am hoping to get some scrapping done this week as I now have a colour ink cartridge for my printer so can print out all those photo I need to.

I am off to catch up with the blogs I follow.

Bramford Crop LO

2010-09-05T20:54:00.004+01:00

Well this Saturday was the Bramford crop, it was a year since I started going, it really does not seem that long. We had a challenge kit this week, we had a bag of stash and had to use everything in the bag on a LO. I learnt that it was best to check everything in the bag otherwise you come to nearly completing your LO and find elements that need including.

I only had a couple of photos with me, as my printer has run out of colour ink, so annoying!! I have loads of photos I want to print to get scrapping too! The picture I had was one taken of my lovely man issuing the hipstamatic app on my iphone, so it was a square print, so I decided to run with the theme.

I am really happy with how it turned out and it is quite different to my normal scrapping style, and I must thank Karen who was sitting next to me, helping me figure out how to use all the bits and lending me punches and dies, oh and also my first experience of glimmer mist. I am thinking glimmer mist and kraft paper is on my shopping list, oh and also small pins(thanks again Karen)

Well I am off to get the chocolate chip muffins I have made out of the oven, thought a treat for my staff on their first day back to work.

LSNED 4th September

2010-09-05T16:32:00.002+01:00

I actually have learnt a non work related lesson hee hee....but it was the weekend and the day of the Bramford crop. I did get one LO done which I will share later.

Yesterday I had been going to the crop for 1 year and have been scrapbooking for 14 months now. It is crazy how much stuff I have accumulated in that time. I am in between sorting all my stash out again, as I had a catastrophe where my plastic draw unit collapsed during the night, my Cricut was on top too!! I have found a filing cabinet and another draw unit so now need to reorganise all my bits and pieces.

So my lesson learnt is that chatting can get in the way of creativity...but that is OK.

Hope everyone is having a creative weekend

LSNED 3rd September

2010-09-05T16:22:00.002+01:00

Well I am still up to date with this project but we are only a few days in!! I have finished sticking my pages together and printed all my tags out so I have my mini album ready to go everyday, this is going to become more of an issue next week when I am back at work and the stress and long days resume!

The lesson today was work related but it boosted me, and was a good end to the week. I learnt my ideas were respected and sort out by my superiors and that I am seen to be passionate and a creative thinker. This coming after 2 weeks of stress and tension at work, where everyone was feeling negative.

I am still only using my scraps as well.

Happy Scrapping

LSNED Day 2

2010-09-03T20:26:00.002+01:00

Well another page completed for the shimelle class. Yesterday I learnt that I can only ever hope people are as organised as me at work. I had 3 days this week to catch up on all the prep, finalise the timetables, and to get my staff up to date and lets just say frustration overruled all my good intentions. I already know next week is going to be very manic, and I have 28 new kids to sort out!!

I am pleased that I managed to use more of my newly organised scraps to make this page, I also completed my journalling tab for the pocket too.

Hope everyone is looking forward to the weekend, I am off to a crop tomorrow so must sort my stash out and print some photos out.

Making Gifts

2010-09-02T19:17:00.004+01:00

Well I had this post written a while ago but had to wait for my mums birthday to pass, to post the gifts I made her. I am really skint at the moment so it was handmade gifts all the way, but my mum loved them.

I made these different variations of felt flowers brooches, I am really happy how they came out and it was worth the effort. I followed a tutorial found here. I stitched mine and did not rely on glue as I was worried about the durability.

To package these gift I used my Cricut to cut a milk carton box and decorated a tab. I am super happy with this box and will be using it for Christmas gifts.

I am planning on making a few more of these for a few friends who like them.

Hope everyone is having a good week so far.

LSNED 1st September

2010-09-02T18:35:00.003+01:00

Well I have begun this class and been absorbing the prompts and forums for ideas and created my first page. I am happy with how it went. I have added tags to my mini album and found a great free download from Linda Tieu .

I am now doing my pages back to back to create a pocket to store the tags in, I am loving it and it is only day 2!!

The lesson I learned on the 1st was that it is ok to compartmentalise your life/things/time but only sometimes. I have been so stressed lately with my partner being unwell and work pressure getting to me, that it all kind of crashed and burned last week but I learnt by only letting one worry concern me at a time that I can function in some kind of normality. I don't think what I learn everyday will be so emotional led, but I am glad I am recording something I would not had done otherwise.

I have another 3 blog post in draft and will be posting them soon as my blog has been a little neglected lately other than WOYWW.

Happy Thursday to you all

WOYWW

2010-08-31T23:18:00.004+01:00

Well this week seems to have gone by quite quick, I am sure I say that most weeks, but it is time to nosey around some desks. Firstly can I thanks you for all the well wishes for my partners health, he has had a few good days, so we are a happier household. Also I made it to about 110 blogs last week and comment on all that I could, blogger was having some issue, but I really enjoyed making some new friends along the way.

Well even though I have had more time this week I have not actually done any crafting, but I have been organising my stash, partly because my plastic draw unit is collapsing under the weight of everything lol!! I found it very therapeutic to sort my scraps and to organise all my embellishments, I spent the best part of a day cut out elements from element sheets and punch out all my die-cut and bagging them up by theme. I found that I had lots that had fallen out and were getting ruined, I also rediscovered some bits I had forgotten. I also discovered a few bit to put out to sell at the next weeks crop.

I also sorted through all my loose 12x12 pattern papers and card stock, I have a lot. I have stored this all in my really useful box 12x12 container with dividers, I got this in a set from QVC and now I have sorted it out is a lot easier to find paper.

As you can see I do like to try and be organised, I am not sure how long it will last though!!

I am looking forward to making it around lots of blogs this week all though I am back to work properly from today!! If you are unsure why I am showing you my bags of booty please head over to Julia's blog where all will become clear.

LSNED (shimelle.com) starts today so looking forward to scrapping later today

Have a good Wednesday

WOYWW

2010-08-24T23:00:00.003+01:00

Wow where is this month going! I have been having a hectic time of it this week, lots to do at week and them my partner has been unwell again, and he also has his exams this week so manic times... luckily I booked some time off work!

Well as you can see that I have been doing some crafting by the state of my craft desk!! I thought I would show you a photo of my space from a distance so you can see my little crafting nook.

On my desk is the start of my mini album for shimelle new class starting 1st September and also the card I have made for my mums birthday on Friday.

I have lots of crafting on my to do list as well as my crochet, the blanket has grown by another row of squares, no updated photograph as it is in the boot of my car for some impromptu crocheting.

If you are wondering what this is all about please visit the wonderful Julia's blog and see what this maddness is about. My appologies for not getting around may desks, but as I said things got hectic!!

Have a brilliant week and thank you if you have taken the time to leave a comment.

LSNED Front Cover

2010-08-24T10:38:00.007+01:00

Well I am looking forward to this class starting on the 1st September, I sat down and made my front cover last night. I decide to go with a mini album rather than an 8X8 scrapbook album.

This front cover is really busy but I love it, I enjoyed finding up my different alphas and creating the layers. I am going to work on getting the 30 pages cut for the inside so I am ready to go. The picture is a bit naf as I had to take it with my old camera as I have mislaid the cable to mine in my fit of housework!!

I have a few days off work so in between doing the work I brought home and doing housework I am hoping to do some scrapping.

Hope everyone is having a good week.

2010-08-23T19:27:00.003+01:00

Been really busy lately but have managed to fit a bit of crafting in. Looking forward to getting started with the Shimelle class starting on 1st September, going to try my best to keep up with this one.

I also have some photos to upload but have lost my camera lead so that will have to wait for now.

Hope everyone is ok

WOYWW

2010-08-17T23:24:00.004+01:00

Hello again everyone, thanks everyone for the lovely comments, I did not manage to get around many blogs last week, but I am going to try my best to do better this week.

I have some more shots of my crochet blanket project, which is growing slowly, I am happy with it progress, I also got a lovely box of new wool, very exciting and now too many for cute bag!!

I also have a shot of my desk which has my sewing machine out from an LO that I was doing some stitching on at the weekend. I have customised my sewing machine with some rub-ons and love it!!

Please go over to Julia's blog and catch up on all the other lovely desks...you will be around the world and back before you know it.

Shimelle Crop Challenge #37

2010-08-16T21:07:00.002+01:00

Challenge #37 to take a shot of your home

For this I took a picture of my window sill and the random bits that collate there.

Shimelle Crop Challenge #9

2010-08-16T20:56:00.002+01:00

This is my entry for challenge #9 to scrap with a black and white photo.

All the elements in this one are freebie I have found at various places on the internet. I want to thank the people who put freebie digi stuff out there as it means I can digi scrap and try it out.

Thanks for looking

Shimelle Crop Challenge #11

2010-08-16T20:07:00.002+01:00

Challenge #11 - use at least 4 different pattern papers

I went for a lot of tonal papers on this one and also create a paper embellishment to out of some off cuts too.

Thanks for looking

Shimelle Crop Challenge #16

2010-08-16T19:57:00.002+01:00

Well found sometime to upload some more of the bits I completed for this weekend Cyber crop over at Shimelle.com

Challenge #16 - to scrap with pink

This was not to tough for me as I love pink and have a lot of stash that is pink, I have recently been scrapping a lot in pink. I needed to make a card for my good friends birthday next week so got scrap happy for this challenge and used some odd bits and pieces on my scrap desk.

Have loved looking at everyone's creations so far

Shimelle Crop Challenge #14 #28 & #32

2010-08-15T20:54:00.004+01:00

Well here is some paper scrapping for this weekend for the challenges over at Shimelle.com.

Challenge #14-To scrap with squares, this one I did something a bit different I found a frame sticker to put on the front of a card for my godsons christening. It is very simple,and I had to resist fussing it out.

Challenge #28 &#32- I covered two challenge with this one, I created a LO with a quadrant of patterned paper, this is not a LO style I have done much but I like the effect. I included on this the embellishments I made from scraps. I had lots of off-cuts of papers and some blank chipboard flowers, I covered these and inked them, I also used a flower punch to layer on top with a gem.

I still have lots of challenges I want to tackle but time has run away with me this weekend, I have tomorrow though to try and catch up after work.

Hope everyone has had a good scrapping weekend.

Shimelle Crop Photo Challenges

2010-08-15T20:08:00.007+01:00

Well I have been busy scrapping away but have not got around to updating the blog with the challenges.

This is a collection of the photo challenges so far.

#4 photograph something man-made - I decided to photograph the viaduct that is on the road I live on.

#15 photograph the sky- This was taken out of my kitchen window last night

#19 photograph nature - not having a garden I went out my front door to find some greenery, I came across this clump of weed, I like the contrast with the concrete.

#21 photograph your feet - not a great shot of my feet, I am not a feet person really.

#25 photograph books - This is our stairs of books, we have an open staircase up to our loft, we don't use the steps often, so it now houses our book collection.

#31 photograph your crafting space - Well my crafting desk still has my sewing machine on so I have been scrapping on a small table from the sofa, so I wanted to show you both.

Shimelle Crop Challenge #5

2010-08-14T16:07:00.002+01:00

Time for another digi scrap this time using the lovely polka dot alphabet free to download. I am going to use this on some paper scrapping projects too. The kit here is one from Anna Langpap downloaded from 2Peas.

The list of challenges is still growing....I am slowly getting there.

Shimelle Crop Challenge #3

2010-08-14T14:36:00.002+01:00

I did struggle a little with this one as it is so simple, I decided to hold off on the journalling as well. It is nice to do something different from my normal style too.

Shimelle Crop Challenge #1

2010-08-14T14:20:00.003+01:00

Well I have got around to doing some paper scrapping today and decided to start at the beginning and tackled the red, aqua and white challenge.

I got my sewing machine out for this one too!!

100th Post

2010-08-14T14:18:00.001+01:00

Wow I have reached my 100th post!!!!

I just want to say a quick thank you to all that have looked at my blog and took the time to comment on my work.

Shimelle Crop Challenge #7

2010-08-14T00:17:00.002+01:00

Well I have completed my first scrapping related challenge, this time it is digital. Mainly as I was too tired to get my scrapping bits out so went to bed and tackled this instead.

This one is the scrap with circles challenge, as you will see I have polka dots and bubbles!! Most of these elements came from the August download free kit form Owl Tree Studio blog. I am still only using digi freebies really as I am not sure I can commit to this process 100% yet.

Well I am sure by the time I log on in the morning that I will have more challenges to add to my list.

Shimelle Crop Challenge #6

2010-08-13T21:32:00.002+01:00

This challenge was to take a photo out of a window, this one was easy as I was not going outside in the pouring rain. Again I used my iphone to capture these photos. We have a cracked window at work (comes with working with angry teenagers) it worked really well with theme of looking out of the window.

I am hoping to catch up tonight as I am busy scrapping...even doing some digi scrapping

Shimelle Crop Challenge #2

2010-08-13T21:15:00.003+01:00

Well I made a start of these when at work earlier with my iphone, it was chucking it down outside (see #6). I took photos from my office desk, a cake we had to celebrate Friday and also other bits on my desk.

I am really happy with how the iphone close up pictures went, looking forward to scrapping the cake ones.

I am planning a huge scrap-athon tomorrow

Shimelle.com Crop

2010-08-13T15:43:00.002+01:00

Well I am sitting at work reading all the blog entry for today and have my list of things to tackle when I get home. I have tackled some of the photo challenges with my iphone, which I will upload when I get home.

I am looking forwards to the scrapping and seeing how everyone else has been creative.

WOYWW

2010-08-10T22:51:00.003+01:00

Well it is Wednesday again and time for another snoop about the crafting spaces of the world. I am really annoyed that I only got to about 35 desks last week, I had such good intentions but things never worked out, but I would like to thank you all for your comments.

This week I have been doing alot of crafting, after a productive scrapping weekend, I have been busy both on and off the scrapping desk.

As you will see my desk area is a right mess with a load of stash just dumped from the weekend. This is because I have been concentrating on this bag of tricks.......

I was inspired on my wanders around the WOYWW desk to get my crochet hook out and to start playing....and I have started a blanket.....as you can see I need alot more squares about 200 more, but it is a start and I am enjoying it no end.

I have also been getting creative and made a hair clip to keep my hair,that is in desperate need of a cut. out of my eyes....alas I need to wait till payday for that one!!

I have been able to do this all with the help of the book that can be seen in the bag it is called 'The Good Housekeeping Step-by-Step Encyclopaedia of Needle Craft'. This book was my mum's and one that I have loved for a long while and one I have had many failed attempts with, however something has now clicked and I am working my way through the crochet chapter experimenting. I will keep you updated with the progress of my blanket.

Now I am off to hopefully make my way around lots of desk. If you wonder what this is all about please pop over to the wonderful Julia's blog to see more.

Cyber Crops

2010-08-10T13:22:00.003+01:00

Just thought I would spread the word around a couple of cyber crops that are happening this month.

First I have heard that Shimelle is hosting on this weekend on her blog, still to see any info about this one.

*edit this is happening 13th,14th and 15th and has now been mention on Shimelle blog.

The next is from The Studio Challenge blog.

I have enjoyed the last one I did with Shimelle and am hoping to be able to take part in these ones.

Hope your week is going well

Better Living Through Scrapbook Challenge #2

2010-08-08T22:34:00.005+01:00

Well I got around to working on the second challenge from BLTS Blog, the challenge was to create a LO about someone who inspires you using the following.

Choose at least 2 of the following:

1 The photo must be black & white.

2 Use at least one major circular element on your page

3 Use paint or ink .

4 Hand make your own flowers and use them on the layout.

5 Include hand written journalling.

I worked with 2,4 and 5.

I have been keeping this circle die-cut in my stash forever and never get around to using it on a LO, but at last it has been used. I also created a crochet flower which I then added a chipboard button too, I am loving crochet at the moment, so any excuses. I found a velvet mum sticker which I double layers and added some sparkly Prima alpha too. I then did it...yes...a large section of handwritten journalling (I have issues with my handwriting) I like how it has turned out.

Please go over and see the love DT interpretations of this challenge too.

Better Living Through Scrapbook Challenge #1

2010-08-08T17:05:00.005+01:00

Well I have been doing some more scrapping and have completed the first challenge over at BLTS, number two is on my to do list already.

The challenge was to chose at least two of the following for your project:

1. Journal about how you’ve achieved “better living through scrapbooking”.

2. Use at least 3 photos of your scrap space.

3. Use the title “I Scrap, Therefore…” (finish the statement in your journaling.)

4. Create a scrapbook layout using photos of your scrapbooks.

5. Have someone take a photo of you surrounded by your supplies, then use that photo as the main image on your page.

6. Create a mini-album “tour” of your scrap room.

7. Journal a list of your ten “can’t live without” scrapbooking tools/supplies.

I picked 2,3,and 7

Go check out the blog and the DT. There journalling prompts starts tomorrow as well.

Have a good weekend.

LO from the Bramford Crop

2010-08-08T11:08:00.003+01:00

Here are some more LO from yesterday, I have some more planned for today and a few challenges to tackle as well.

I have fallen in love with the new chipboard alphabet from Papermania, Summer Bloom collection and feel I may have to go buy another packet before the week it out!! I also used one of the bright dollies that I brought when away in Birmingham.

I took a lot of photos when away in Birmingham for my Birthday, a lot of them not scrap worthy on their own so used Picasa to create a collage to scrap, also used some beloved AC thickers. How I wish I could afford more of these.

This finial one is the crop kit from a couple of months ago at Bramford which I have meant to do, I thought the photo matched the colour in this LO...again more of the Papermania chipboard alphas.

Thanks for looking, have a good weekend.

Recipe #6

2010-08-08T10:54:00.004+01:00

Well another fab challenge over at Chicken Soup this week, and another picture inspiration.

I decided to take the text and the pink as my influence on this one and created a LO while at the Bramford crop yesterday, which was a rather productive day.

Go over and check out the DT interpretation on the blog.

Have a good weekend.

WOYWW

2010-08-04T07:49:00.003+01:00

Well another week over at the wonderful Julia's blog has arrived ans time for a good rummage around others desks. There were so many last week, I tried my best to get around all of them but the numbers just kept growing....and growing.

I also want to thank everyone who stopped by and left such lovely comments and also well wishes for my partner....you crafting lot are a friendly bunch.
Well I did not do any scrapping yesterday so I have a photos of the aftermath of a scrapping session, the LO on my desk can be seen on the post below.
For all you lovelies who asked that is a Blythe doll, I was addicted to all this blythe when I was at uni, and now I have moved around she is sitting on my desk, she wanted to say hi....she is modeling my scraps basket this week.
No shots of the lamp, who was embarassed by all the comments!! Do your lamps not wear scarves??
Finially I have a photo of the draw unit beside me that needs a joll good sort out after a scrapping session and also before I go to the crop on Saturday, I have also included a photo of my inks crop storage.

Have a wonderful week and enjoy trawling around the world to see all the lovely desks.

xx

These are a Few of My Favourite.....BANDS

2010-08-02T23:11:00.004+01:00

Well over at the wonderful These are a Few of My Favourite Things blog the challenge was to scrap your favourite Band. The DT have some brilliant takes on this challenge so please go over and have a look.

I decide to focus on the now dis-banded band The Darkness.

I was again trying to use up alot of my scraps on the LO and also got my sewing machine out and did some sewing on the LO. This was the first time I have used my sewing machine since getting it for my birthday. I created the sheet of mix tape paper from a free download from SJ over at Little Musings, please check out her blog and the freebie each Friday. I added some grungeboard skulls in the corner and a small journalling block.

I am still having issues with my journalling on my LO as i feel it does not look good and spoils it a bit, I must try some different methods of getting it on my LO.....like not my handwriting.

Please go over and check out the brilliant blog by the wonderful Julie

New Summer Layout...with scraps

2010-08-01T21:27:00.003+01:00

I am still working my way through my stash and have been trying to use up some scraps on every LO that I tackle recently. I found a lot of 12x12 papers which I have cut bit off but still have a good amount of paper left so am going to be working on alot of cluster LO.

I have also realised that I have a lot of digi scrapping stuff on the laptop which is in no real order so I am going to be trying to use more of my digi stash on some hybrid LO. I have used one of Shimelle scroll boxes on the LO as a cute journalling block.

The photos on this LO also have a vintage feel to them, not by some cool PhotoShop action but by cheap photo paper and a ink cartridge that needed changing!!

I am happy with this LO and I am enjoying using my stash and trying out different styles of scrapbooking.

Hope you have had a good weekend.

SCD Tag Challenge

2010-08-01T21:01:00.003+01:00

Well it is the finial week of tag challenges over at SCD this week and it is a colour theme this week...

Orange. Blue and Brown

My attempt at this challenge uses a background of an embossed piece of core'dination cardstock (brown and turquoise). I then used spice marmalade distress ink on a chipboard birdcage, this was then finished off with some flowers and bling.

Please go over and check out the DT tags.

WOYWW

2010-07-27T22:44:00.005+01:00

Well I have been missing in action for a few weeks as we have had a move around at home and as a result my scrapping space has moved. As you maybe aware my partner has had a few health issues as his family have been visiting, which made my scrapping space unusable, but now we have had a move about I am free to scrap without being in the way.

It has meant that I am not looking out the window now but I am beside a window. My desk has fitted in to the alcove well and I have my chest of draws fits in well in front of the fireplace. It also mean that I can have a pin board above my desk which is great. I am still sorting through my scrapping stuff, having a bit of a clear out of bits and also rediscovering a few forgotten gems.

I am hoping to get around to see a lot of the lovely workspaces this week, and thanks in advance for taking the time to comment.

Recipe #3

2010-07-26T21:49:00.003+01:00

Well I got around to completing another of the Chicken Soup Recipes, I struggled with this one a it was so simplistic and so much white space.

I am going to add some journalling under the title to take away some of the white space, as I am still struggling with it.

In making this LO I found a pack of American Craft pattern papers which I have fell in love with all over again so planning more LO with these.....crazy how you forget what you have in your stash....or maybe that is just me!!

Hope your week started well.

LYPLYP Prompt 17

2010-07-25T18:51:00.003+01:00

Ok well I am totally out of order with this class now, I have managed to read each prompt and that it about it.....sometimes life takes over!

One of the latest prompts was about using multiple photos on a LO, thought I would have a quick go with a digi template I had, I altered it about to fit in with the colours of the photos. The template and lettering are both from Shimelle.

I am going to try to start back where I left off with the class in a couple of weeks when I have the opportunity.

Hope everyone has had a productive weekend.

Chicken Soup Recipe #4

2010-07-25T12:14:00.002+01:00

You really must go over and visit the new challenge blog over at Chicken Soup it has some great inspiration challenges and a great DT too.

I have started on the latest challenge with inspiration from a book cover up on the blog. I am planning to work on the others this weekend too.

Have a good weekend.

SCD Tag Challenge

2010-07-24T20:10:00.003+01:00

Another tag challenge over at SCD this week and the theme is CIRCLES. Please check out the DT's tags on the blog.

I have been having a big tidy up of my craft stuff having a clear out and sort out. I have been crafting for less than a year and it is crazy how much stuff I have got in that amount of time. we have sorted out the front room so I have my crafting space in a place it is accessible, even when we have guest so am very pleased.....I really need my crafting outlet right now!

When tiding I found a lot of scraps so thought I would put them to good use and create my tag from them. I am pleased with how it turned out and have loved doing tags and using up my scraps.

Have a good weekend.

FREE Journalling Class

2010-07-24T11:58:00.002+01:00

Came across this and thought I would post this in case anyone else wanted to have a look at this class. It can be found at the Elle's Studio Blog, it is running from 8th -28th of August.

Have a good Saturday

49 Things

2010-07-21T23:46:00.004+01:00

Came across this on Mel's blog thought I would give it a go......oh and check her fab blog.

1. Seen The Terracotta Army in China - NO, I would love to travel to China

2. Cross stitched a sampler Not a sampler but I am currently cross stitching a Sailor Jerry style swallow

3.Kept a friend for more than 20 years As i am still young I have a few pre-school friends I still talk too regularly.

4. Made your own jam Yes several times...used to help my grandma and mum do this when i was growing up. I do not like jam though!!

5. Seen the Crown Jewels in The Tower Of London Think I did as a child, not sure

6. Attended a school reunion and enjoyed it No and I don't think I would!

7. Kissed the Blarney Stone Again think I went as a child to Blarney but did not kiss the stone, that I can remember!

8. Learned how to tap dance No and really have no desire to!!

9. Seen one of the Wonders Of The Ancient World No would love to see the pyramids

10. Ridden a tandem bicycle No

11. Commissioned a piece of furniture Well if getting my dad to make me furniture and bits counts then yes.

12. Sold for profit something you made yourself Yes, I sold a few of my paintings when a university

13. Seen Sydney Opera House No would like to one day

14. Walked up the outside of a volcano No

15. Met an idol No can not think if I have any idols

16. Found or sent a message in a bottle Yes remember sending one when I was younger and on holiday

17. Held a stranger's hand, just because they needed you When I worked in the clothes shop helped a woman who was having a panic attack.

18. Thought you might have seen a ghost Yes, when I was only a child saw a neighbour in the garden only to find out he had died 2 days previously, still not sure if it was my young mind playing tricks on me.

19. Been caught speeding No, I do try to stay in the speed limit

20. Won a bet I have won silly bets with friends, but never gambled

21. Visited a penpal No

22. Published a poem When I was at middle school, sent one off and it got in a magazine

23. Had your appendix removed No it's still there

24. Pierced an interesting part of your body Ears, nose twice...that about as interesting as it goes

25. Seen your name in lights No

26. Had a handsome man buy you Champagne Don't like Champagne!!

27. Had tea at The Ritz No too posh for me

28. Found a peacock feather Yes several in different places, my mums friends brought a house and inherited 2 peacocks!

29. Made a collection of more than 50 objects Yes Hello Kitty, Toy Monkeys as a child, Mirror Balls (had 245 on my bedroom ceiling when I was a teenager)

30. Crossed The Equator No

31. Partied through til breakfast Not without a power nap No!!!

32. Found a fossil Yes and have lots from when my dad worked at the chalk quarry

33. Seen The Northern Lights No

34. Built your own house No

35. Started a Mexican Wave Yes got love a wave however big or small.....you can look stupid if it does not catch on!!

36. Judged a competition Yes as part of my job with the kids yes.

37. Flown in a hot air balloon No.....I am too heavy to float!!

38. Spent too much money on something you've only worn once Indeed, have things I have never worn too!

39. Scored an own goal. Figuratively or otherwise Yes

40. Appeared on live tv Yes behind a reporter on the news

41. Asked for your money back Yes on several occasions

42. Had your photo taken with someone famous I am sure I have when I was at school some Olympian...no idea who....so maybe not famous!!

43. Grown your hair long enough to sit on When I was younger it was long not sure if long enough to sit on.

44. Been locked in somewhere overnight, or long enough for it to start getting scary No

45. Found something valuable and made sure it was returned to its rightful owner When I was in the clothes shop found a bracelet belonging to a shopper and got it back to her.

46. Taken part in some kind of endurance event or attempt Umm does an all night art/drawing event count?

47. Driven from one end of your country to the other Been to both ends but not driven it myself.

48. Been publicly recognised for bravery or special community service No

49. Gone out on the town in an outfit you've made entirely on your own I create all my outfits I wear as an extension of my personality, but not entirely I have made. Been out in whole outfits made by my mum on several occasions

Have a go it is great at prompting memories!!