What a Scrappy Life

Child Challenge Blog - DT Call

2012-01-27T11:53:00.004Z

Recently I got a lovely email from Tiffany asking me to join in with the DT call and the new challenge blog that she was setting up. The challenge was to use this child's toy as inspiration for your layout.

And this is my take:

You can find further information here

Twisted Sketches No. 136 - Fabric

2012-01-25T13:00:00.001Z

This weeks sketch is up over on the Twisted Sketches site, you can find it here, and here is my take on the sketch.

I use Studio Calico Fabrip for the twist of my sketch (woodgrain effect - pinked circles).

also added a few flowers for extra detail.

Thanks for stopping by ...

A Happy Morning

2012-01-23T13:37:00.001Z

Just spent this morning at my 1st 'Knit & Chat' - well should I say 'Crochet & Chat' - the 2 hours went really quickly, roll on next week.

Now I just need to practice till then.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sarah's Cards Blog Challenge - Jan 2012

2012-01-23T09:00:00.001Z

Another blog challenge from Sarah's Cards, you can find it here.

Its about your Creative Intentions for 2012. So has my word for the year is Appreciate, I decided to do a layout with this in mind.

Products used:

Cosmo Cricket - Odds & Ends, Crate Paer - Random.

Thanks for stopping by.

My Mind's Eye January Challenge

2012-01-22T11:32:00.009Z

I'm back into scrapping, I've finally finished my Document 2011 and even though I've not finished my Christmas Jourmal I'm putting it to one side to complete some layouts. So I thought the best way to do this is by joining in with some on0line challenges.

So this is my first one, over on the My Mind's Eye blog there had set this sketch challenge,

And this is my take on the sketch. I've used this photo before and just love how James looks different in his new school uniform.

I've used MME Kraft - Fun Day Collection.

As well as the cut out circles, I hand-stitched around the circles to give it more texture, using the colours of the school houses.

Thanks for stopping by.

Twisted Card Sketches

2012-01-21T13:00:00.000Z

This weeks Card Sketch is up, and you can find it here. And here is my take of the sketch

Please hop over to the site and join in, I'd love to see what you come up with.

New Snaps

2012-01-18T09:00:00.008Z

At my crop on Sunday, I took my camera and asked the lovely Morag if she would take some photos of me, which thankfully she agreed, these are a few of the shot she took. I only wanted one or two, but she was more than happy to keep snapping away.

And a few with Julie.

On the way to the crop I spotted these - just had to stop to get a photo.

Thanks for stopping by ...

Looking Forward and One Little Word

2012-01-16T16:02:00.000Z

(Apologies a long rambling post)

At the beginning of 2011 I would never have thought that my life would be so different, with lots of highs and lows. I've tried my best to over come some the lows - but this time of the year it is very difficult - not going into too much detail on here - but it has been hard these past few weeks.

So here are a few things that happened to me in 2011 and my thought process to looking forward towards 2012 and how I chose my 'One Little Word" ...

Health

Finally getting my health problems sorted, after years 'making do and trying to get on with it' , I'm on the mend and looking forward to a happier 2012 health wise. Having my Op and the lead up to it, has shown me how I have 'made do' with things, how hard some days/weeks had been just doing the basis of things. Yes, I looked 'OK' I even acted 'OK' but just because someone doesn't have a bandage or plastic on show doesn't mean that they are not hurting inside.

Then after having the Op, I finally woke up to how I have been treated by people over the past few years. It's really easy to 'just go along with things' for an easier life, 'not say things' because their trauma is 'always alot more important than yours' , but why is that, why do people dismiss how you are feeling and what you are going though is relevant compared to theirs. Why do I worry about these things, why do I constantly think about how others see me, how they might react to what I say, why do I think I need them to like me. I don't want to be dismissive of their traumas big or small, but some times, just sometimes, it would have been nice to have them listen to me, and not change the subject back to whats going on in their life, but I'm know its only human nature to do that, but it has been hard, listening to others when I needed them to listen to me.

Well, being house bound for 7 weeks after the Op and having plenty of time to think about these things, I came to realise that some of the people I call 'friends' are no more than 'acquaintances' and once I got my head around that, I'm realised 'I'm OK with it'. I can survive having 'acquaintances' if our paths cross, and it is something that I want to happen, then that's fine, but I will no longer be going out of my way to 'just go along with things' because they want me too. I will endeavour to do what I want more, not what others what me too, what if it doesn't suit them? well, I'll just have to cross that bridge well I get to it.

Family/Home

Giving more time to Jon and James, I sometimes felt that I don't give them as much time as we needed as a family, I'm always going to 'a crop, 'a retreat' or on my computer but over the year things have made me re-assess what I do and how I must cut my time down away from the house a lot.

I don't have to be out every weekend at a crop, or book onto the next retreat, I can just stay at home and enjoy it. I know this is my fault has over the years I've been caught up in the whirl pool of scrapbooking that I've felt that I must do, must go, must see that next big things, but do I really need to? or more so, can I really afford to ? well the answer to both these are 'No' I have a few things booked for this year, but definitely no where has much has I had booked in the previous years. I won't be juggling my family life to fit my hobby, but the other way around.

Scrapbooking

So onto my scrapbooking, being asked to join the Twisted Sketches DT Team - something that over the past few years I wanted to do for a while is be on a DT team. I love the challenge of this site and it has given me the change to improve my scrapping and make me thing about different ways to scrap.

Then being asked to join the Twisted Cards DT Team - looking forward to starting on this team in the new few weeks. I started crafting as a cardmaker, so it will be nice to get back into card making again.

Then in November being chosen as one of the Runner Up for Scrapbooker of the Year 2011 - yah !!!! I was so chuffed. It came at a time when I personally needed a boost and it was definitely just what I needed. Now this was something that I would not have entered previously, but this past year, life has shown me that its is too short and opportunity will just pass you by if you don't give it a go.

so what in store for 2012

I don't really set myself resolutions because I know they will be broken before the end of January, but I do like to have one or two things to aim for in this coming year. These are just a few of the things I hope I can achieve this year.

* Keep a check on my health

* Enjoy my family life

* practice & master how to crochet

* learn how to use my camera

* get more layouts published

* join another DT Team

* visit New York

* spend time with my girlies

So how I choose my word for 2012

I often look at others and think how wonderful their lives are! how fantastic there homes look! how they have the perfect partner! the perfect kids! the perfect life! I don't think 'why not me' but I do wonder how come they have all this and more! Then when I stop and think, I realise that I have it as well: - a nice home, a loving partner, a fantastic kid, and even though it not perfect, it my life and I should appreciate it more.

So my little word for 2012 is APPRECIATE. I could have had several and it has taken me weeks to decide, but I ended up with APPRECIATE - I hoping it will reminds me to APPRECIATE what I have (family, house, friends), what I can do and what is around me, and be a constraint reminder to me about how to APPRECIATE life in general.

Right, if you have made it to the end of this post, thanks for staying with me and reading my ramblings.

I'll be back in the next few days hopefully with some scrapping, and some new photos from a mini photo shot with Morag.

Thanks for stopping by ...

Project Life/ Document 2012

2012-01-14T16:10:00.006Z

So for my document 2012, I've decided to incorporate the idea of project life and document 2012. I've still got my document 2011 to finish, before I start on this years. Still not sure whether I will be doing it has a weekly entry but I will be changing the format more as the Project Life format.

As project life is meant to be completed on a weekly basis, it has to be a very organised album. So with that in mind I started to gather some supplies together and taking the idea from Lisa fabulous blog post (very long read but worth it) here I stamped some journalling cards to use in my album.

I love how they have turned out, and really hoping that I can finish my 2012 album this week and start this one.

I've used a selection of stamps from My Minds Eye, Studio Calico, Technique Tuesday.
I even used a Studio Calico grid background stamp on a few of the sheets.

And I got these lovely stamp set from Ebay, which has retired stamps from Studio Calico.

I know its not straight by eh oh ! only noticed when I uploaded so will have to do another one.
How are you going to document your 2012 adventures?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

CHA Preview

2012-01-13T09:00:00.001Z

Yes, its that time of year again, when all the lovely must have will be showcase over in the US.

Now I know I'm in the process of getting rid of most of my stash, but there is no harm in looking eh!!

So these are a few of the new items that Tim Holtz will be introducing. These are the ones I like but you can see more on his blog here

And some lovely collection from MME

Twisted Sketches No. 134 - New

2012-01-12T09:00:00.002Z

Hi all, after a couple of weeks break we are back with another fab sketch, which you can find here

and this is my take

Products : Studio Calico (SC) - Memoir papers, wood veneer house, Mr Huey - SC Mist; Maya Road - Scallop dollie; Cavallini & Co - stamps; punches - Fiskars, Martha Stewart; Alpha - AC/SC - Elf, Jenni Bowlin - Vintage Brown alpha stickers.

Why not pop over and join in, it was be great to see what you produce with the sketch.

Happy Srcapping

A New Look - Phase 1

2012-01-07T07:28:00.018Z

So I've started on my de-cluttering/re-organisation of my space, and boy do I feel a lot better for it.

So over Christmas me and hubby discussed how I could change the room for the better, I did try and persuade him that converting the garage would be the best, but that fell on deaf ears - lol, and really the room is adequate for my needs and having even more room would just allow me to fill it even more. Anyway after checking out Pinterest (I love this site) I decided that the layout of my room was not as effective as it could be so I figures out that changing my desk and moving my Expedit units would be a start. So a quick trip to Ikea at the beginning of the week and I was set to start Phase 1 of my room.

It looked like this, at this stage I had taken all things off my desk and removed my chair (forgot to take photo) and there were sets of drawers in front of the Unit.

I must admit I liked the fact that I could sit on my chair, and everything was in a 180 degree angle that I would be using, so even though other people said 'I could never work in this' I was happy with my lot, and know where things where, but I was aware that it was getting too much and I really didn't need to be cramped in a room like this. I had about a 12 inch walkway from door to desk, and every possible space was packed with 'stuff' I won't call it stash because a lot of it has been in the room for ages and won't be appearing on my pages in the future, but you know how it is, 'it might come in one day' well no more. I so getting rid of it all.

Drawers and albums, boxes of pre-made cards under the desk.

So on Friday I set about moving all my stash into my son's bedroom and even some into our room - Even I was shocked on how much stash I had crammed into the space - definitely no photo evidence of this. When my hubby saw it all, he was very silent which is never a good sign - lol.

Anyway, after emptying the room, I was feeling alot better about how my room would look. We did have a problem getting the table down, hubby is normally very good about keeping 'Allen keys' that we get with Ikea storage, but the Allen keys we had where too small for the screws. But we did manage it, or should I say hubby did.

Then we moved the unit into the corner and assembled the new desk. We couldn't afford to get rid of the Expedit units we had, and to be frank they served my purpose, I no doubt will be re-thinking this again in the future, but for now I'm OK with these.

Photo taken with in iPhone - but was already liking how it looked.

So this is how it looks now, its by no means de-cluttered, I need to empty my units and the drawers that where in my room and re-oganisation them, and by empty I mean get rid - yes this time its all going. I am hoping that I can keep me room like this, and as my hubby said 'its all my mess' so really I've no excuse. I can't believe that we managed to sort the majority of it in a day, now it left up to me to really de-clutter and get rid. My main aim is to have the unit tidy, nothing on the floor and hopefully keep my desk clear - which has I type is not like the photo at all - got boxes with stash that needs to be photoed, and uploaded onto Ebay and my desk has small jars with ribbon and buttons that are going as well.

My stash will be going onto Ebay over the next few days/weeks : sizzix alphabet dies, punches; stickers; brads; buttons; rub-on; 12x12 paper - many in collections; Embellishments - ribbons, buttons, alpha sticker sheets, magnolia and clear stamps - sorry no Studio Calico ones; albums - various sizes (No D-ring ones). This is just some of the things that I can see I look around that will be going, but I know that there will be lots more. If anyone is looking for somethings, please get in touch who knows, I might just have that thing you need. I will only be posting to address in the UK. As and when I put things onto Ebay I will add a link from here.

Just added these - check out others via right side of the Ebay page.

Thanks for stopping by...

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-03T22:15:00.007Z

Welcome to 2012 and I wish you all good health and happiness for the coming year.

I've had a great festive season spending the time with my family in Derbyshire. The downside of being away from home is that there was no internet connection and very limited mobile phone coverage - I did spent some time sitting on the bedroom window cill, sending texts, and one evening I actually got onto the internet - only happened once - but it did work. So even though it was great to getaway having limited contact for a week was off-putting when you are used to surfing the web and keeping in touch. But that said, I did managed to go on some lovely walks, and take a few photo - some I'll share with you over the next week. I was also able to complete most of my JYC and practice some crocheting - which is still very basic - lol.

So one thing I've got planned for this coming year - is to try not to spend any money on stash - there it is - written down so I'm committed - lol. I'm determined to spend a very limited amount of any new stash, I've got so much - I swear I could open a store and still have loads left.

So my plan for each month is to only get my Studio Calico Kit, and perhaps 1 add-on, but not 3 or 4 like I've done in the past. I can live without that lovely stamp and the extra papers, no matter how nice they appear. I will be taking it a month at a time, but so far (and I know its only day 3) I've resisted the 'Sale Now on' signs in the on-lines stores. And has I said in the past, I am determined to sell a large amount of my stash. I'm going to be very ruthless and just 'get rid', so watch this space for an update.

Thanks for stopping by ... I'll be back with some photos of my JYC, my humble attempts at crocheting and photos of my week away.

Happy Birthday Son

2011-12-31T10:00:00.001Z

Today my little boy is 14, well not so little now has he is constantly reminding me that he's now officially taller than me.

Happy Birthday Son, love you loads and wishing all the very best for the future.

Mum & Dad

Happy Birthday to me

2011-12-24T10:00:00.001Z

Today is my birthday, and has you read this I will have opened most of the Birthday presents and cards, and enjoy having some family time with Jon & James.

A quick photo of me - what about that scarf eh! I made this in the Summer, looks complicated but it not, just straight knitting - which is all I can manage to be honest.

So I'll end this post with this ...

and wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and I hope Santa brings you all that you want.

xxx

Twisted Card Sketches DT Team

2011-12-19T11:30:00.001Z

I've just been asked to go on the Twisted Card Sketches Design Team. As you know I'm already on the DT for layouts, but decided to submit for the card sketch team as well.

You can see the details here

This was my submission.

I'm so looking forward to this challenge, and I hope that you will follow me and join in.

Twisted Sketches are taking a break over the next two weeks and we will be back with some great sketches and inspiration for you all.

Scrap365 Sketch

2011-12-16T17:00:00.000Z

I came across this sketch challenge on the Scrap365 blog here and thought I would play along.

So here is my take on the sketch. I used October Afternoon - Sidewalk Collection; Studio Calico - mini month stamp; Mr Huey Mist -Piglet; Kraft Tag - WH Smith; Bakers Twine; Punches - Fiskars Borders; Tim Holtz ink - vintage photo.

Thanks for everyone who has sent me their congratulations about my win, it is very much appreciated.

Twisted Sketches - No. 132 - Glitter

2011-12-16T12:00:00.000Z

You can find this weeks sketch here, and here is my layout.

I've used one of the many photos taken of James over the Summer.

I do hope that you can join in with the challenge, and I love to see what you product.

Thanks for stopping by.

OMG ....

2011-12-14T10:00:00.000Z

Take a look at this layout ...

yahh.... I was chosen as one of the runners up for Scrapbooker of the Year 2011 run by Scrapbook Magazine. I was and I still am blown away.

I found out when I was away in November with my Scrappy mates, what a great time to receive such good news, I was really chuffed I wanted to tell the world, but couldn't until after the 12th December when the magazine goes on sale.

I did add some hidden journalling behind the photo - basically just saying how I felt and what it means to me.

A few days after acknowledging my thanks, I received my 1st box of goodies. Still waiting on Box 2, which is a daylight magnetifing lens, and also Scrapbook Max (digital) to come.

This is one of the layouts that I entered, not OTT which is not my style, just one that I liked and had various technique on.

I will be featuring in an issue next year in the 'Introducing the Design Team Member', and I will be able to share some sneaks with you in the new year.

Thanks to the girls at Toad Hall for making receiving the news special, especially H for her lovely PR work - lol.

Wrap up Warm ...

2011-12-09T09:17:00.002Z

Even the bull is wrapped up warm ... Lol x

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The nutcracker

2011-12-08T22:47:00.001Z

Just went to see the Birmingham Royal Ballet perform The Nutcracker - what an amazing performance. My first time seeing a ballet and I truly hope it won't be my last.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Shimelle 4x6 love

2011-12-08T15:43:00.007Z

I've not done every month of these and I was curious as to how she was going to incorporation 11 photos onto one layouts. Well technically its a double but it still counts as one layout using a 6x12 photo protector in the middle.

So here is my take on the sketch. I used photos from my recent scrappy weekend in Shropshire, with October Afternoon - Sidewalk Collection.

A quick shop on how it will look in my album. One of Shimelle suggestions was to add embellishments that allows your eyes to flows across the 2 pages, which I did so starting at the top left - into the middle - then on the bottom right.

Thanks for stopping by ... don't forget all comments regretfully received.

Journal Your Christmas v December Daily

2011-12-02T08:57:00.003Z

Happy December everyone, only 24 days to the big day - yahhhh!!! For the past 3 years I done Shimelles Journal your Christmas (JYC) and loved it, all of the years I was still finishing off in January/February, but they did get finished.

Dilemma 1 - Journal Your Christmas or December Daily?

This year I've purchased Ali Edwards December Daily Kit from Studio Calico and seeing what Ali has done over the past years made me think why not do the DD for a change. But then I think no, I'm used to JYC and love Shimelle's prompts and instructions. So have decided that this year I will try and do a combination of them both, but with Shimelle being the main inspiration, as I'm used to her way of instructions.

Dilemma 1 - sorted.

So here are a few of my base pages, I did the date tags a few weeks ago here.

Using the Studio Calico kit I set about cutting and sticking. I've not used any border punches (ahhhh !!!) mainly because I wanted my pages to be constructed before the end of November, but have inked all the edges. I took the advice from one of Shimelle recent classes about getting a few sheets of paper and cutting them into block and sticking but really not knowing what photo etc will be going on that page. Fab idea, which works for me.

Dilemma 2 - What colour card stock to use! Did I want the same colour throughout or a combination.

Sorted: A combination of kraft, green, white, vanilla, red.

I've even used my Cuttlebug Christmas Folders on a few of the pages.

within the kit was some overlays - I'm never quite sure what to do with these, but some DD examples I've seen have used them as a sort of page divided,

The green envelope is from KI Memories (stash), x-cut tree punch. Added the date tags on the overlay.

I doubt that I will be adding photos each day, or writing masses of journalling, but the pages I've done so far, can either have photos, journalling or a simple saying added. I'm trying my best not to be so overwhelmed with it all and just enjoy it!

I will try my best to keep on track and add regular updates throughout the month.

Twisted Sketches - No. 130 - Flowers

2011-12-01T11:00:00.002Z

This weeks sketch is up here with the twist this week being flowers.

Heres my layout

I Hand-stitched the Studio Calico - Ampersand Mask

Please pop over the the Twisted Sketch site and have a go, I'd love to see what you come up with.

Santa Sack from October Afternoon

2011-11-29T10:48:00.008Z

Over on the October Afternoon (OA) blog, they had/have a Santa Sack Sale, information here. So has I just loooove OA I know I just had to have one, and has most you know what I have Julie also needs - lol.

The idea was to get one box a week for the 4 weeks that it was running, but lack of funds on my part only allowed me to purchase 1 box. Well it arrived, last week and I received a letter from ParcelForce informing me that because of the weight of the parcel that I need to make an excess payment before they would delivery it. So even though it was great value it just bumped the cost of postage up for both of us, which did put a damper on things, but only till I opened my box - WOW - I just love it all.

25 sheets of 12x12 papers - some older, a few newer one - 5 & Dime, Rocket Age, Boarding Pass, SideWalk, but all of it yummy.

8x8 paper pack - arrived at the right time to use for my JYC Album.

Word & Label stickers, journalling cards, alpha stickers.

Buttons, chipboard, rub-ons, flash cards, Rocket Age miscellany. It also included a Chipboard Mini Album from the 'Modern Homemaker' collection which I forgot to photograph.

It just amazing how much is in each box, and the value for money was great.

Now all I need is to find a little space in my room for it to go - lol.

Toad Hall Scrapping

2011-11-25T12:43:00.010Z

So last weekend whilst I was with some of my scrapping pals, I managed to get my Doc 2011 October pages done, and start on my November pages, and a few layouts as well as Sam & Sheena teaching me how to crochet.

Here are my layouts, I will upload my Doc pages later.

I had this idea to make a layout of the layout that won 1st prize at Sarah's Cards Retreat earlier this month. I decided to use the same papers that I had used for the original layout, and also include some the same elements.

This one is to go in my album with the ones about my road trip to Ally Pally in September, and it meeting Shimelle and SJ for Cupcake in the Park, after the show had finished. And yes the cupcakes tasted as good as they looked.

Funny Faces - taken at the Sarah Card's Retreat when me and Julie were messing around.

Products: October Afternoon - Sidewalk Collection, American Craft - Thickers,

Scarecrow Weekend

My 1st visit to the Belboroughton Scareecrow weekend, even though it rained I did manage to get some decent photos.

Products Used: American Craft - Nightfall collection, KI Memories Die Cut Calendar sheet.

Studio Calico - Month Stamp, embossed with Apricot Zing Embossing Powder

Apologies for the poor quality, took them this morning and not the best.

Twisted Sketches Card DT Call

2011-11-22T12:00:00.001Z

Twisted Sketches are looking for some new talent to join the Card DT Team. More information here.

If you enjoy making cards, why don't you give it a go.

Toad Hall Weekend

2011-11-21T08:27:00.020Z

Apologies again for a photo heavy post

I've just spent a fantastic scrapping weekend in Shropshire with the girls from the Skrapz crop. I love spending time with fellow crafter and I had a really enjoyable weekend.

My weekend started off with lunch in Much Wenlock with Sam,

we had lunch in a tiny but very traditional pub, had a walk around the town and some shopping,

then we set off to officially start our weekend.

We was greeted with these,

and the room all set up ready for us.

My room shared with Sam

The lovely Deb baked these FAB-U-LOUS cupcakes, and yes they tasted as good as they looked.

Like last year we hired outside caterers, for the weekend, such a fab idea and worth every penny.

Friday night was Curry Night

Cropping the night away

mini snap - Sam has a great camera that produces these mini Polaroids.

Our little attempt of getting some different looking photo from our photoshoot.

It was nice to spend time with both Sam and Sheena who I don't see as often has I would like, something that hopefully will be changed next year.

I want to give a big thanks to Sam for taking over the organisation of our weekend away, and the girls for making it special, looking forward to seeing you at the crops, our if not same time, same place next year.

I will upload what I did over the weekend soon.

Twisted Sketches - No. 128 - White

2011-11-17T08:30:00.000Z

This week sketch is up and you can find it here

Here is my take on the sketch

For the white twist - I used white card stock, and thickers as well as I a snow photo.

The photo was taken whilst we where on holiday at Easter (March) 2008. The Saturday we drove down to Norfolk from Birmingham in bright sunshine, all be it cold. On the Sunday we woke up to the place covered in snow, it lasted about 2 days, then it was back to normal spring weather.

Thanks for stopping by and please join in with the sketch, I love to see what your take is on the sketch.

Happy scrapping

2011 Christmas Journal - date tags

2011-11-13T09:32:00.003Z

I've started to put my Christmas Journal together, and yesterday I made these date tags. I will be using a combination of different numbers, e.g. thickers, stickers and die-cuts, which I will add has I complete each page.

Product used:

Stampin' Up cardstock

old book pages

music pages

Sizzex Mini Envelope Die

Nestabilities - small pinkie

Tim Holtz Distress Ink

Ribbon from stash

Sarah's Cards Retreat - Part 5 - The Winner is ...

2011-11-11T09:00:00.002Z

Over the weekend there was a number of games and challenges that you could take part to add even more fun to the weekend.

I love sketches, so I took part in the sketch challenge, where we were all give a sketch to come up with a layout.

I had purchased some the the new American Chap Collection, which I just loved especially for layouts of James, and one of the papers was called 'James' which I just had to have.

The sketch challenge was being judged by the DT team. So on Saturday night they had laid all the entries out in one of the classrooms so that we could all see what talented ladies we all are, and how we had interpreted the sketch.

OMG - out of all the entries - I'd won I was so chuffed and it was great to think that some of them had liked my layout to vote for me - what an honour. I know that if I had been in the room when it was announced I would have cried, as it was, I wanted to cry when Sarah came over. I'd won and that was a great feeling, and it was definitively the 'icing on the cake' for a fab-u-lous weekend.

This was my entry. Another photos from the Summer and James looking 'cool'. I love how it has come together.

American Craft 'Chap' collection

Studio Calico (SC) number stamp & Maya Road clear mini tickets

Tim Holtz tickets; Pink Paislee stamp, Studio Calico Chipboard Alphas; Mini Tag - punch from Stampin' Up: SC mini date stamp

So thanks to the DT who voted for me and thanks to Sarah & Leanne for my great prize.

So that all about Sarah's Card Retreat, has you most probably can tell, I had a blast. The whole weekend was well organised, the DT team were friendly and helpful, Sarah & Lianne were a joy to meet again, and nothing seemed like too much trouble.

My table buddies were a joy to be with, right from meeting for lunch on the Friday to saying our goodbyes, you make my weekend very special, so thank you. It is always nice to have 'Friends with Benefits - lol.

Now I'm getting ready for the next crafting weekend away in Shropshire. This one is a more relaxed one but will be just as enjoyable. I'm planning to get my Document 2011 unto date, and my Christmas journal pages started.

Sarah's Cards Retreat - Part 4 - Photos

2011-11-10T09:00:00.001Z

A few photos from the weekends.

Julie & me in the class room

Now who can resist a chocolate fountain ????

A group shot.

Kirsty

Tyre Fun

me and Julie - she loves me really !!!!

Me and Sheena - its was so good to spend some time with Sheena, with one thing and another we have not seen each other much this year so I'm really looking forward to seeing more of her next year.

The night sky was amazing on our way home, I tried several times to get a good shot, but this was the best of the couple I took.

Final part 5 - OMG !!!!

We make a list ...

2011-11-09T15:04:00.003Z

And we checked it twice - lol.

Just spent 6 hrs shopping with Julie at Merry Hill, got a boot full of Christmas presents ready to be wrapped.

Just need to get into the houses without anyone seeing it - some hope eh!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sarah's Cards Retreat - Part 3 - My Layouts

2011-11-09T09:00:00.001Z

As well as the classes and the make and takes, I managed to complete some of my own layouts. I had set up some page kits, using past Studio Calico (SC) kits. I had taken the idea of cutting up several different papers into blocks and then decided which photos will go with the papers - an idea from Shimelle on-line - Pretty Paper Party class.

Teeing off

Used : SC - October 2011 kit, and my 'Ampersand' mask with Barnwood Mist.

A simple layout, of Jon playing 'putting' golf in the Summer.

Friends

Used: Studio Calico - October 2011 kit, Thickers from SC Sept 2011 kit.

I'm really pleased how this turned out. I'd seen a layout with this title on the net and just loved the title. I took a note of the title but not of the person who did the layout, so apologies that I can't give her credit for the title. I can't even remember if she had used a circle of the layout, but I did and love how my page has turned out.

I followed the theme of circles and added different sizes and colours around the main circle - followed by some stitching, to some of the circle and the card stock.

The photo was taken by Morag in the Summer, and when I first saw it, it made me catch my breath, she had captured our friendship, a friendship that will never end and will last way beyond a lift time.

Easter at the Beach

This was one of the October edition for Shimelles 4x6 love class. What a fab idea, I did think how would you add 10 photos to one pages, but its obvious when you think about it. So I got some page protectors and gave it a go. My page does not have as much detail has the examples, but I can always add more.

Part 4 - Friends with Benefits

Sarah's Cards Retreat - Part 2- Classes

2011-11-08T12:44:00.002Z

This post is about the class that I did. All really enjoyable and with some using the same technique I still think I learnt something from all the classes that I could use in the future.

Tactile Memories - designed by Claire Wheatley. I used a photos of my wedding. The glitter thickers are from my stash.

Against the Grain - by Vanessa Stokoe. The use of the cardboard was a new technique for me.

Fancy Flora by Jen Naulls. Another photo of my Wedding, love how it uses the top of the paper and a small photo. I added the extra pearls around the bottom of the page.

Krafty Adventures by Louise Stevenson. James on the beach in Summer, involved a lot of gutting of the paper and learning how to do the paper pin-wheel.

Through the Window by Natalie Grant. Used a photo of my Mum and brother in the 1960's attending a Wedding.

Flying the Flag by Rachel Ward. Lovethe idea of adding an envelope to the page for hidden journalling and also how the banners are all clustered. My journalling is about how the time has flown by over the past 14 years since becoming a Mum.

Then over the weekend there was 4 Make and Takes, I did do all 4 but can't find my tag but here are the other 3

A sweet holder

A page layout

A decorative peg

Part 3 to follow - my layouts

Thanks for stopping by ...

Sarah's Cards Retreat - Part 1

2011-11-06T21:20:00.024Z

I will start off by saying that this one and the next few posts are photo heavy - and I will try not to 'rambling on' too much.

Boy, Oh Boy - I've just spent a FAB-U-LOUS weekend in Warrington at the Sarah's Cards Retreat. My laptop is still broken so I wasn't able to blog over the weekend, so I'll tell you all about it over the next few posts.

Friday 4 November - me and Julie sent off up the M6 to Warrington, stopping off on the way for a coffee and look what we got, Yah !!! our first 'Red Cup' of the season at Starbuck. Has we were drinking in they had originally put our drinks into 'normal' cup but a quick smile, followed by a please and thank-you worked wonders and we got our wish - lol.

Then we continued the journey to Warrington, where we had arranged to meet our 'table buddies' for lunch.

As me and Julie had arrived early we took the chance to take some photos around the church, which was breath-taking,

even Julie was impressed.

The Lewis Carroll Window, what a marvellous piece of artwork, I wasn't sure why they called it that, then a lady in the church explained ...

That this was Lewis Carroll and 'Alice', apparently he had actually been ordained, and at the base of the stained glass window it actually told a story.

Then we cross the road and had lunch here,

I found this place when we came to the last retreat in March where we had a fabulous lunch then, and they didn't disappoint us now, I did end up having the same as last time, but it was truly fab and it you are even in the area, call in and enjoy a wonderful meal.

Then it was onto the Hotel for a weekend of fun, laughter, scrapping and shopping.

I will share all the class layouts in the next post, Part 2.

Our room.

The Shop - didn't take a lot of photos of the shop has I was busy buying - lol

Sarah's Cards stock a fab range of products and I love most of them, well to be honest I love them all but especially Studio Calico, October Afternoon and American Craft - all just simply yummy and just what the doctor ordered - lol. Well he would do if he know it would have me happy.

and of course the wonderful sweet section - all the 'old fashioned' sweets that you just NEEDED throughout the weekend.

The crop room

The Dining Room

Right I'll end now and if you have got this far, thanks for sticking with me and I hope I've not bored you too much, and if you want to come back and see and hear more about this weekend, please do.

Part 2 will be the class layouts.

Twisted Sketches - No. 126 - Feather

2011-11-02T14:01:00.001Z

This weeks sketch can be found here, with the twist being 'feather' and here is my take on the sketch.

I did wonder what I was going to do for this one, then I remembered taken these photos at the Botanical Gardents of the beautiful peacock that is there.

At a recent visit to a craft shop I saw these feathers and there proved to be a perfect match.

Please join in, I look forward to seeing what your take on the sketch is.

Holiday Scrapping

2011-11-01T13:36:00.007Z

Whilst on holiday I managed to do some scrapping.

Vacation Fun - October Afternoon - Board Pass Collection, Ali Edwards stamps

Getting to Grips - Studio Calico (SC) - October 2011 Kit, with some flowers from Prima, that were on my desk, and some camera wash tape from my stash.

Just love this bird stamp which is an exclusive one by SC

On the Way to the Beach - Studio Calico Oct 2011 Kit, scraplift from Geralyn Sy (DT for SC)

Blow - Studio Calico September 2011 kit, Jenni Bowlins Butterfly stamp.

You Rock my World - Studio Calico Oct 2011 kit; SC Ampersand Mask; SC mist - Barnwood

By my Side - Studio Calico Oct 2011 kit:

I've even done some journalling, just documenting how DH is always by my side no matter what and how much I appreciate and love him for it. This is one of the photos that James took over the summer, which I just love - very rare to get my DH to look into the camera, so it makes it even more special.

Thats all for now, I trying to sort out my bags for the retreat at the weekend. Me and Julie are going to the Sarah's Card Retreat in Warrington ... Yah ... I'm really looking forward to it and meeting some old friends and making some new friends. I know I will be taking more in this time has the last time I was there I wasn't well and everything was abit of a struggle, but I'm fighting fit now (well almost) and raring to go, so I should have even more of a laugh then last time.

Thanks for stopping by,

PS. Why is it that when I look at my pages they look complete, when I upload them they always seem to be missing something, not sure what, just something - lol. At least 2 of these will be added to. I need to add journalling to them and 'something' else - what that 'something else' might be - I haven't a clue.

A Week by the Sea

2011-10-30T10:10:00.012Z

We have just returned from a week in Sheringham, Norfolk as always we totally relaxed and enjoyed being by the sea and spending time together. The weather was pretty good, and we ended up on the beach most of the time.

We did go for a lovely walk in the woods

Sheringham Beach

My holiday fascination - the local stream train

We visited Cromer

Cromer Pier

I even got up in the mornings to take photos of the sunrise.

I even did some scrapping, which I will upload soon.

And theres more

2011-10-26T09:00:00.002+01:00

Just realised that I've not uploaded these.

This one was for the Solihull crop - sketch challenge. I used Fancy Pants - off to school collection.

Photo of James 1st and last day in Year 8. He has grown up so much since the first photo was taken, both in looks and general nature - but he will also be my little baby.

and this one was using October Afternoon - Boarding Pass Collection, and lots of stamping

Thanks for stopping by ...

PS, if anyone know how to make my blog work better e.g. when you click on the photo it enlarges, I would be very grateful for the instruction. Thanks x

And its a Double from Me

2011-10-21T12:25:00.001+01:00

I've not done a double page layout in ages, but at my crop last Sunday decided to give it a go, it had started off has a single pages, but has I had loads of photos for that event, and has Julie was doing a double pager for the same event, I thought why not, so I started with the right hand side first, before deciding that I could do a double pager.

So this is how it started, (again apologies for the smallness of the photo, if anyone can tell me how to sort it out I would be forever grateful)

I used my Studio Calico October 2011 kit, with 7Gypsies 97% complete stickers from from stash.

Studio Calico Mask sprayed with SC Mr Huey - Barnwood

I added the squirrel (love it!) has an in-joke with myself about how I 'squirrel' away my stash.

Then I did this page

and it ended up looking like this, (since taking the photo I've misted on the left hand side - above photo)

I could have done a triple pager - lol, because I had a few photos of meeting up with Shimelle & SJ after the show.

Then I did this one of Morag, Julie and me when we went on a lunch date in Solihull, in-between starting our Christmas shopping that is.

Supplies- Crate Paper - Farmhouse Collection

I did do my September and October Document 2011 pages, but need to print off some photos then I will upload.

Busy, busy, Busy

2011-10-20T10:46:00.013+01:00

Why is that some weeks you have loads of time of your hands, and others there's not enough hours in the day to get by. The last few weeks for me have been the latter, and I so looking forward to half term and not having to rush about for a few days at least.

Inbetween general life duties, I have been scrapping, and I've even started on my Christmas shopping and made some Christmas cards, thankfully I've only got a small family so the shopping shouldn't get to overwhelming.

I've finally got around to taking photos of my recent layouts, but before you look at them. Last week - Tuesday to be precise - I received our Studio Calico kits, well me and Julie had a spending spree, well I did get all 4 add-ons, and a few extra bits and pieces like you do, and had they only charge one P&P for the shipping, we would be mad not to. Anyway on Tuesday morning, two large bags arrived

And inside these bags were these, full of some lovely goodies

But the best part of it all was this label

The postal service obviously know how much I really needed all this extra stash - lol. Love it - Just need to figure out now how to add it a layout.

Right back to my layouts.

Smile

I got a new mask by Studio Calico and the lovely Mr Huey Shine and just had to use it straight away. Went a bit OTT on the shine, but I hope I get better with practice.

As well as some Studio Calico chipboard houses - which I inked around the edges

Back to School

James in his School uniform. I did misting, stamping and embossing on this layout,

I even embosed in purple, to represent James new school colours.

Stop by in a few days to see some more layouts.

Finish with this photo of me in John Lewis, Solihull. We did do some Christmas shopping but who can resist the Christmas products.

Twisted Sketches - No. 124 - Spell

2011-10-19T12:00:00.002+01:00

You can find this weeks Twisted Sketch here, and here is my take on the twist ...

We don't do halloween at home so I was finding it hard to think of how I could work the word into my layouts, when I thought of 'spelling' and has I'm hopeless at it (all I'm saying is thank goodness for 'Spellchecker'), I came up with this layouts.

Product used: Kraft Cardstock

Studio Calico Patterned Paper

Alphas - American Craft Thickers & October Afternoon Mini Market Alphas

I hope you can join in with the sketch, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Shimelle - Starting Point 8-9 October 2011

2011-10-09T13:33:00.006+01:00

Another starting point layouts from Shimelle - you can find the layouts here.

and here is my version

I used the new Fancy Pants Design - Summer's Ends, which I purchased from SJ Papercrafts, here. She recently had a BOGOF offer on selected papers, and following her blog looks like she has regular bargains/specials offers, so well worth checking the shop out.

Thanks for stopping by ...

Legally Blonde

2011-10-08T10:43:00.010+01:00

Last night, I had another theatre trip, yah !! I think I've got the theatre bug, I just love going and has Julie is equally as keen I've got a good friend to share it with.

So last night we went to see 'Legally Blonde' in Birmingham, it was really good, and it amazed me how they can transfer a film into a musical and still keep the full story intact.

We started the evening with a trip into Harborne for tea, then a coffee at the Mailbox followed by the show.

Julie, Izzie & Mille

Me & the Girls

If you've not seen it is worth a trip.

Twisted Sketches - No. 122 - Twine

2011-10-05T11:38:00.001+01:00

Another fab sketch design from Twisted Sketches, you can find it here.

and here is my take,

products used:

Studio Calico September 2011 kit

Vanilla Cardstock

AC - Nightfall

Stamps: Pink Paislee, MME, SC camera stamp,

Hero Art/Basic Grey background stamp

Baker's Twine

Punches : Fiskars border, SU - scallop, heart,

Sizzex - mini envelope

Tim Holtz mini stapler

Mist : Mr Huey - Cream, Lemonade, Classic Calico

Ink : Time Holtz - vintage photo

Alphas : Thickers, October Afternoon Mini Market

Close up of the camera stamp and mini envelope. I even made the little flags

Close up of the formula background stamp and misting

Please join in and I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Happy scrapping

Shimelle - Starting Point 1-2 October 2011

2011-10-04T11:15:00.011+01:00

I getting back into scrapping, I'm slowly getting my room organised, actually I'm doing the whole house - got too much stuff and not enough room, so I've not been doing much crafting, but I did managed to sit down over the weekend and do this, another Starting Point from Shimelle, you can find it here.

and here is my take on it.

I've used papers from my Studio Calico (SC) September 2011 kit.

and my finished layout is .

I also used my Pink Paislee 'phantom' stamps - I know these are ideally for Halloween - but I feel they are useful for other layouts

and Tim Holtz Bat & Skull mini dies - ideal for this layout, only got the die really for the 'skull' - but bonus having these bats as well. I also shadowed stamped my SC clouds over the 'moon'.

Thanks for stopping by ....

Happy Birthday Izzie

2011-10-02T09:00:00.001+01:00

Today is Izzie birthday, (Julie's eldest) and this is the card I made. I got the idea of the making the mini envelope from the October Afternoon blog here.

I stamped inside the envelope ' no refund - no exchange' from the 7gpysies Numbero stamp set, which I know she won't return has the envelope contains money - lol

I stamped and misted a shipping tag - stamps used : Pink Paislee, MME, 7Gypsies

I even made some mini flags, which are so easy to make.

I hope she like it and I wish her a very, very happy birthday.

Scarecrow Weekend

2011-09-29T21:34:00.001+01:00

On Sunday (25th) me and Julie went to village of Belbroughton for the scarecrow weekend, well the rain put us off, so we didn't stay long, but these are a few photos I took, before we gave up and went for a coffee. The villagers had really got into the spirit of things and I love how around every corner there was a different 'character'. The theme was 'The B Festival' so all the characters where to do with music.

status quo

Boy George

Jessie J (complete with leg cast)

The Beetles

I also visited the local library - lol

What a great use of a telephone box.

and we ended a short visit with a latte and homemade scone - lovely.

Yummy !!!!

Shimelle Staring Point - 24 September 2011

2011-09-27T18:24:00.006+01:00

You can find Shimelle Starting Point layout here and this is my version of if.

Photos are of me and James on separate occasions, sitting on a stone lion to have our photos taken. I used my Studio Calico May 2011 Kit.

Thanks for stopping by ...

2011-09-24T17:35:00.001+01:00

Just spent a great day at Ally Pally with Julie.

To top off the lovely day we meet
Shimelle & SJ for cupcakes in the park.

Shopping and cupcakes what more does a girl want.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Kirsty's 21st Album

2011-09-24T10:00:00.003+01:00

Apologies for the small sizes of the photos, I don't know what features blogger has changed over the past few months, but I can't get the pictures any bigger for you to get a better view, but I hope you get the idea.

I was asked by my best friend if I would do a scrapbook album for her daughter's 21st, of course I said yes, so even thought I didn't get the photos till 4 days before her actual birthday, I managed to do the album in a week and post it back, so it arrived when she returned from her holiday.

I was out of my comfort zone with this one, using a 8 x 11 album, instead of my normal 12 x 12 size, but once I got my head around it, I actually like working with this size and might in-corporate this size into my albums. I did some of the pages before I got the photos, and just hoped that the colours didn't clash too much, thankfully they didn't.

I used paper collections from Cosmo Cricket, Sassrafass, October Afternoon, Echo Park and add bits and pieces that I could find, of course I stamped, misted and stitched on some of the pages.

As I had done 32 pages, I didn't take photographs of them singular, but in batches of 6, but took a few of the ones I liked best.

The front of the album

Close up view - Cosmo Cricket paper, Alphas - American Craft Thickers and October Afternoon, Prima flower.

Like this one - showing mum and daughter in holiday mode.

My spelling is awful, notice this bottom photos the middle top layouts 'cousins' is spelt wrong and I only noticed when I was putting the layouts into the album. I was in a panic, because I had stuck the alphas down with glossy accents - ah! then I remember a trick I learnt when I went to card making classes about how to remove things that are struck down by using a heat gun, which did the trick. and the page was saved.

All the album was very colourful but I did this one in black & white of mum and daughter. It is a paper collection pack I found on my shelves from GCD designs 'Paris Nights', the collection has flocked, shimmer designer papers, die-cut shapes, tags and transparencies, which I think is over 2 or even 3 years old.

When it arrived in Preston, my friend texted and said how lovely it was and how it brought her to tears, in a good way - lol. My niece was over the moon and she said she didn't even know about some of the earlier photos, so each page was special. She even took it into work the following day.

Looking back I wish I had more time to complete it and maybe add different size pages throughout the album, but hay oh ! maybe I will do one for my other niece in 2 year time and be able to plan it better.

Thanks for stopping by ...

Shimelle Sketch of the Week - 21 September 2011

2011-09-22T19:30:00.001+01:00

This year I'm really enjoyed working with sketches, I seem to be able to work a lot better with a starting point, sometimes I stick closely to the sketch, other times they just give me a kick start that I need to get going.

So this is Shimelle sketch of the week and you can find the details here

and the is my take on the sketch. For this one I've followed the design closely.

Products used:

Patterned Papers: Crate Paper - Toybox; October Afternoon - Rocket Age; Pink Paislee

Alphas: October Afternoon - Rocket Age

Maya Road - Kraft Dollie

Embellishments - Crate Paper - Toy box; Jenni Bowlin 'flag banner'

Stamps - Technique Tuesday

Puches - Stampin' Up ; Fiskars

These photos where taken by Morag at a recent day out, (I will be using a lot of these photos in coming layouts).

When I watched Shimelle's acccompanying video, she said that she had used scrap, so I did the same, this is using pieces from my Studio Calico June 2011 'Paper Moon' kit.

Thanks for stopping by ...

Layouts from my Weekend Crop

2011-09-22T13:27:00.011+01:00

I realised that I've not been sharing much of my scrapping, so here are a few layouts that I did at my Solihull Crop at the weekend.

I used my Studio Calico (SC) September kit "Glee Club" and did a scraplift from the one of the SC DT team, Nicole Harper here.

Bazzil Cardstock - Vanilla

Patterned Papers - Basic Grey 'Out of Print' ; American Craft (AC) Any Tangerine; SC exclusive

Alphas : SC/AC exclusive; MME - Lime Twist

Punches : Fiskars; Stampin' Up (SU) circles

Stamps: Hero Art 'formula'; SC stamp, SC month, Pink Paislee, Technique Tuesday

Inks: Jenni Bowlins, Brown Sugar, Malted Milk,

Zing Embossing Powder ' Brown Sugar'

Embellishments: AC/Any Tangerine

Photo is of Izzie and me before we went to see Batman Live in August.

This months kit had a great camera stamp, which I know I will be using a lot.

SC exclusive paper, AC/Any Tagerine, MME

Stamp - SC camera,

Nestiies: Heart, small pinkies

Punckes: SU circle, Fiskars borders

Alphas : AC/SC exclusive

Embellishments :AC/Any Tangerine

Photo of James at our recent photoshoot with Morag

This one was using the new Fancy Pants 'off to school' collection of James and his friends on their 1st day back at school and in there new school uniforms. Design based on a Shimelle sketch.

I have done a few more but can't share at the moment, but please keep popping back to have a look.

Thanks

Twisted Sketches No. 120 - Buttons

2011-09-21T11:00:00.009+01:00

Hi all,

Another great sketch from Twisted Sketches this week, which can be found here .

This is my take on the sketch. Using my August Studio Calico Kit.

Just love this mini month date stamp from Studio Calico

Hope you can all join in, I loved to see your interpretation of the sketch.

Happy scrapping x