one of those catch up posts - picture heavy!

Morning blogland. I haven't blogged for two days, because I was slacking! However, I am still keeping up to date with JYC - which, is turning out to be by far my favourite personal scrapping project of all time. I literally adore making it.
Here is day five "Counting down"

Day six - Christmas past

And today's prompt "The Lists" I have got my actual present list in that envelope - so no peeking family!

On Saturday - me, my sister and mum went to Tumbridge Wells shopping. It has become a Christmas tradition for the three of us, and one that I adore and love every second off. Many memories are made on these trips and also, something very special, mum and dad bless them, gave me and my sister some frivolous spending money! I felt about 15 again, what a magical feeling knowing you can buy pretty things with no guilt? I couldn't love them any more!
So,... here are some of the pretties that came home with me.
We found a shop called "Jeremy's home store" and I could have moved in!

Pretty button heart.....

Yummy ribbons.....

Christmas felt garland

Traditional wooden toy for Finlay's stocking (A family tradition)

My favourite buy of the day - these letter cubes! *Sheesh I love them!!*

These jingle bells - which, I strung onto twine and made a garland from, pictures coming soon!

Pegs, with a mini blackboard on. Awesome.

And this cute Brit flag, Its vintage (effect lol) and hangs in my hall. I think I am getting swept up in the whole Union Jack fad that is going on right now! (Esp in the UK)

These popcorn boxes are plastic! I will eat popcorn from them, and then store utensils in also. Pretty, completely unnecessary and frivolously fabulous.

Talking of random.. my robot is sporting a festive hat for the season..

This is one of those paper decorations made from a sheet of 12x12 that everyone is doing!

And this is a quick snapshot of my dresser at the moment...

So, the time came this Sunday for us to move rooms around. We have until yesterday, been using the brick built conservatory sun room as our lounge, however, the rain has driven me mad recently, drumming down on the plastic roof nearly made me go cuckoo. So, we moved round the playroom/dining room and the lounge. It is much warmer in the middle room, and I love not listening to the rain on the roof! Only had one night of it so far, but I already know it was the best decision to make. *Laura suggested I do this when I first moved in, but I was like "Nah... I LOVE the sound of rain*
Um... I USED to love the sound of rain.....
I wish I had listened to you!
anyways - here is the move in progress......

and then finished... Its smaller than the other room, but cosy is good in winter!

Yay for warm toes!
*****************

To finish this exhausting blog entry, I thought I would show you some stuff I've seen online of late and fallen in love with....
This cake, the decorator has mad skills that I totally adore! Everything about this cake is perfect. I really want it in my house.

And then there is this: AMAZING wreath, I did have the makers blog saved on my screen but Firefox just flaked on me and now I can't find it! But I bet its on the American crafts blog if you looked. How STUNNING is it!!? Don't even answer, because there are no words.
I love it.
I want one.
I might make one....
Watch this space blogsville! (although, If I had that many Flair buttons I wouldn't be able to use them all one one project - she must be on their DT for sure?) anyway.. that's me over and done with for today, you are free to move on!
xxxxxxxxx

day four........

Today is day four of my Christmas journal. I have to say, it is my favourite page in both topic and actual page. I made a decision today to include other bits in the album, I have punched envelopes and hung some of my favourite decorations (that I have duplicates of) from the D-rings. I will write some special journaling when events happen, day to day, like when he met Santa, and the letter he got in the post, and how he reacted to seeing the Decorations go up. I like it that the album is becoming more interactive this way, more personal and detailed. (as, 6x12 is a smaller size that I am used too, and whilst the speed of it impresses me, sometimes the space doesn't lol!
Anyway - onto today's prompt, in essence, its about what would be your perfect Christmas. For me that's a simple as simple can be, I don't want fancy ski resorts, or to wake up by the sea in a hot country, for me it is just about family, and how magical this Christmas will be for Finlay.
My perfect Christmas will be waking Finlay up, to see a stocking at the end of his bed, watching his face light up as he unwraps his little gifts. Climbing into our bed together, eating our traditional breakfast together and drinking hot chocolate. Wearing Christmas socks and slippers, reindeer hairbands and generally cosy together as a family. Then off to see my mum and dad and family for a HUGE lunch. :-)
I am sooooo excited, I can hardly wait!

oops - I think I got carried away there.... anyway, here is my page!
xxxxxxxxx

Monty python?

Lol....

Dec GoGo and JYC day 3.........

This months kit is CUTE from Scrapagogo - so if you are waiting for it - you won't be disappointed. I made some cute EASY decorations with this months kit - literally all these are are eight punched 2" circles, folded on three sides (to form a triangle in the middle) and then stuck together!

Onto the layouts.......

Blue, I have come to realise, does not photograph well! I tried 100 times to get a clear shot of this - oh well!

Its a great kit - full of warm tones that you can turn your Christmas photos into masterpieces, equally though, if you don't celebrate Christmas the papers are lovely for whatever takes your fancy.

Here is my JYC page three. It features one of the actual cards I am sending this year (apart from, now I need to make another as I have stuck this one on!)
I am loving doing this project - I look forward to the daily prompt and adore seeing what everyone else is doing! (which reminds me, leave me a comment and link me to your blog if you are doing and blogging JYC as I want to be nosey!!!)

Yesterday was a cute day - apart from the rain, we put our decorations up, I just looked at my photos are they are awful - so I will get some more for 2morrows post!

Today I virtually finished my Christmas shopping - I say Virtually, I mean that in both contexts - as I have bought all my shopping so far online (except for one or two) and I feel soooo happy about that! Christmas shopping when you are you are pram free = fabulous. Christmas shopping with a pram in Hastings - NIGHTMARE. In Bexhill its even worse, as half the shops are old and have single doors to get in, and with a pram, its a non starter (if anyone knows Bexhill and knows the shop M&Co, you will know what I mean when I say SMALL LIFT!!!!!) So, I decided to save my poor brain the stress and grief and shop from the comfort of my chair. I have loved it. AND everyone has something I think they will like. I hope. eeek.
Anyway......

Day two..........

Today was day two of JYC. It was a prompt about weather - and that was a particular sore point in our town today - or I would imagine all over the UK - we had torrential rain which really does stop a day off in its tracks (as we found out) one of the other ideas for today was cut a snowflake. Sounds simple right? Think again. Especially when you google "make a paper snowflake" and get lost in the 100's of American videos showing you intricate hand cutting! Urrrk.. I settled for a fairly simple one lol, and hid it in the background!

So - aside from the rain, which I hate - I do infact love the chance to wrap up warm, cover up in hats and scarves and hide behind the anonymity of baggy clothing, the secret of success on days when I am feeling particularly pale and podgy.

*sigh*

Anyway - I am LOVING scrapping in this size, the layouts come together really quickly!

Thanks for popping by, happy 2nd of Dec!

xxxxxxxx

Ding dong merrily on high,.....

I love Christmas for SO many reasons, but one of my favourite things is the smells! I love the spicy scents that December brings, especially gingerbread. For some reason, even though it is widely available all year, gingerbread symbolises the start of Christmas for me! Gingerbread lattes, *normally I HATE coffee* But I could drink a gingerbread latte all day long!

And the other day, whilst wandering round Asda, I found this pot of delight! It literally makes my skin smell edible, in fact - I should come with a warning, when I went to work yesterday, a few of the residents kept smelling me! Urk. LOL. Anyway I recommend it (apart from that particular side effect!)

So, Unless you live under a rock in a cave, you will have noticed that its December the 1st! whoooooo! Decorations should have gone up today - but that didn't happen *grump* but they will be going up tomorrow!! Hurrah! Here is my first entry, the "promise" to actually finish JYC lol... I really HOPE I do finish it!!!!

JYC makes you very thoughtful. I have a feeling, It will be one of those projects that combines all emotions! I woke up today feeling very reflective... wondering about the future and what it holds... and then this little man came bounding onto our bed and says "hiya mummy, missed you" and literally all worries dispersed from my mind, and the usual all consuming love for him took its place. Finlay certainly is a tonic for all stresses, *apart from when he is hanging off my leg etc* LOL... but seriously, I am one lucky lady to have this man in my life........

Ginger and curls

So, today I was up EARLY! Finlay just loves Sunday mornings... Urk!
But it turned out ok, as I printed and cut these guys out....which I will sew buttons onto and use in JYC and on Christmas cards. Mmmmmmmm I want a gingerbread man now!



And had slightly better success at curling my hair!!!
Which I now love, and wish was permenant!! Can you get wavy perms?



-- Posted from my iPhone.
Ginger

Cosmo project

Oooooooo I love Cosmo - I know - OLD NEWS. However - I felt the need to decorate this little shelving unit a lovely lady called Dee gave me in the summer. It was backless, so I adhered the various papers to the back. I don't really know what I am going to put in it, apart from a mini wooden family that I painted to look like Ben Finlay and myself. (mind you... I cannot find them since the move!!) Anyway.... It came together really quickly, the only hard part was deciding what papers to put next to each other! It kinda felt like a patchwork quilt, only wooden... and not a quilt lol!

Cute huh?

JYC and Bog awards

Roll on Dec 1st - I am ready for you (or I will be in the next few days when the last of my Christmas stash arrives!!!) I think I have gone a "little" over board this year with Christmas papers etc - but that is literally only because I have never really scrapped Christmas before (I know... odd) But I seriously dislike the samey old style photos we get each year! I am challenging myself to get good photos this Christmas. I think some of the drudgery comes from the lighting in the UK this time of year - it is SOOOO DULL that I makes me wanna scream! I have my house lights all ON all day at the moment - our Electricity bill is grande!

Anyway - back on track... so - in order to compensate for buying papers - I wanted to try and make as many embellishments etc for my album as possible. I designed and printed out flash cards, numbers, and canvas elements that I will incorporate into the pages.
**Numbers**

** I pre-sewed and glue-dotted some buttons**

I made these little felties.. which was a labour of blanket stitch love - but are cute (I hope to make some more later)

** These are the canvas elements**

**Scrunchie PomPom flowers - 2" across. Made using a punch and brads**

**These are the flash cards**

I also printed a border on each 6x12 Kraft page (as that's the size I am doing). I was really pleased with the way they have turned out. I corner rounded all the pages to match the border.

Bought things include some East of India Ribbon - mmmmmmmm pretty!

Adornit letters. I also plan on using the October Afternoon alpha stickers.

The gorgeous Mini Deck by Cosmo (Blogger just deleted that image for some reason.. sorry)

Here are some of my chosen papers - trimmed to fit inside the printed border on my kraft pages.The nice thing about 6x12 is you can use both sides of double sided paper happily - and if you don't want to use both pieces, you will have a huge off cut for embellishing. (in the photo below you will see Finlay pointing to his current favourite piece.. he then proceeded to pick up most of the papers and give me a super huge crease in the top corner - fab *grump*)

Offcuts! woo! *heart*

And this is my cover and first page of the album.
6x12 Green corduroy *(be still my heart!!!)*

Oooooooooo I am feeling friggin' festive and in need of some mulled wine!

In other news.....

Awww - I was touched this week to see that Angela, Rachel and Becks have all given me a little blog award for making them smile! So lovely - blogs are funny things - I literally read about 100 regularly - and would feel lost if blog land disappeared over night. I love the daily ritual of seeing what made capers my friends have gotten up to, and the inspiration on the Cosmo and American Crafts blog etc .
Part of the award requires me to post FIVE things about myself that you wouldn't normally know. So, five facts of me "right now" are....

1: I am back on my diet - no one knows this apart from me (until now) and so far I have had four days of eating like an angel and not the chocolate hover that I had fast become.

2: I don't like soup anywhere near as much as I crave too. I love making soups, but as soon as I am done making them, ill sit down for a bowl and my instant thought half way through it is "really... is this it!? Where is the 10" piece of hot buttered baguette?!?!?! - I am a lunch time carbo-holic and soup doesn't cut it for me!!!"

3: The Twilight books give me unrealistic expectations of love and life - and this both bothers and intrigues me.

4: There is the ghost of an old lady in our flat. She has a distinctive perfume, which we smell all the time, esp when we are sad. And she is soooo comforting, that I hope she never leaves. I sometimes hear Finlay talking as if he is answering someone, and I wonder if its her talking to him.

5: Our conservatory leaks in three places at the moment - and the current rain situation in the UK has meant that we have run out of pans to cook with - as they are all catching drips. *sigh*

Oh My!

I have waited LONG enough for this..........

But tonight is the night that I am seeing this Vampire Hottie! (ok - along side 200 other fans on the big screen) but thats good enough for me!!
WOOO GO NEW MOON!
XXXX

Preperation!

It's getting close!!! JYC... My first one, and i'm getting excited!! Woooo! I printed and punched my dates today, I firmly believe that preperation is key to me actually completing this album. I chose plain circles, various borders and printed them onto White/kraft card.I love how they look all jumbled up together. Cute huh?! Anyway... That's all I have to say about that today. X






-- Posted from my iPhone.

Things to learn on a Sunday morning:

So I woke up this morning, and took out the rags (see previous post) and my hair looked as glorious as this........

NOT!!!!!

In actual fact, I woke up to the fact that the girls from Austen knew more than me when it comes to ragging hair!!

LOL!
I was all expectational.. and instead after much undoing - and swearing at Ben for putting some in DOUBLE KNOTS.. I ended up looking like Tracy Beaker!

(Hmm... as you can imagine, this is NOT the look I was going for!)

Yes - a hideously dry and matted mess. Which - required immediate washing and hefty conditioning before It remotely looked normal again! Which - thank you pantene - didn't take too long.
This is what it SHOULD look like!
ps: Check out my cute new neck scarf! Rach knitted it for me, and when It arrived - I set to sewing on a popper and cute Rose button.. I am in love with it - Thank you Rach!
xxxxxxxxxx

Feeling all Austen

In a nod to the primitive lifestyle of the 'women' of Austen novels, I have ragged my hair tonight, to try and get ringlets by morning. Do excuse the hideous no-make up photo, but I've had a No make up Saturday Pjamma day. Hmmmmm I'm not loving the podgey flabster looking back at me from that photo either...


-- Posted from my iPhone.

Martha Madness

It feels like Martha Stewart has been around forever - she is quite the Mrs Beaton of her time, I obviously adore all her craft products - but never really thought to delve into her other projects before. Till recently that is, and I have to say, I am having me a certain bout of Martha Madness at the moment. I really want to sub to her home magazine - but its lots of £££ over here, so cannot justify it really. But I do spend a fair amount of time on her extensive web page for inspo.

Here are some of fav things from her site at the moment.....
CUTE! enjoy!

Little Muisngs festive update

I have listed the Christmas Section to Little Musings today - Festive Journal circles and lists. These are limited edition, and I will only be producing a certain amount of each number. I have pink and blue snowflakes, red and green snowflakes, Christmas multi, Christmas Lists, and two Custom selections, still at the same price as before.
Log onto my little shoppe to see more.

Today I feel.....

Contemplative. Especially as, in my line of sight, are Finlay's birthday presents, all wrapped and waiting.
I can't believe that two years have passed, it's scary. He is growing so fast, I feel almost out of control, I want to grab onto the moments of cuddles and giggles and never let them go... I am finalising the decorations for his party tonight. I'm making birthday cupcakes, but literally had a last minute decision today to make him a cake too.



Now, I know it's not mind blowing, by a long shot. But it matches the theme and I'm happy with that. Inside is cosmic blue buttercream and blackcurrent jam. I hope it tastes ok!!

Today, luckily Finlays birthday llama and donkey arrived.. The latest additions to his "anamalz" set. Cute huh!!



Wish me luck for the party!!!!

-- Posted from my iPhone.

Need a funky gift idea?

I have added a selection of bespoke prints to my shop. There are various designs, the name ones are designed to order, your colour scheme, animal choice, colours and name. Each 12"x8" matte print comes framed in a white wooden frame. Perfect for those extra special presents where you want something unique and different.
If you have any questions etc, please email me and I will happily talk to you about designing your perfect gift. I currently sell in 12" x 8" format - but other sizes, including canvas prints are an option. I would happily make up a sample image for you to see if you want.
But for now, feel free to take a look!
Here at little musings.
xxxx

cute

Finlay LOVES animals, as I am sure, most 2 years olds-to-be do. So, I always love it when we come across something "different" that both I and he would like. I am not a huge fan of plastic at all, don't get me wrong, I know it has its place in a toddlers life, but any chance I get to stray from that bright plastic and I will grasp that opportunity with glee. So, you can imagine my excitement when I discovered ANAMALZ. The cutest cutest handmade wooden anamalz you ever did see! Each with a nickname, and due to the nature of the wood, no two pieces are ever alike. I was even MORE excited when I found out after research that they do a Llama! So, seeing as its Finlay's birthday this weekend, I decided to invest in some. I discovered them at a wooden toy stall at our local market, normally retailing at £4.99 a piece, he was selling ten animals for £10! So, Obviously I got them.. and then ordered the following three for Sunday...
Sheep...

Donkey

And my fav... Llama.

These already reside in my home, my current love is "Hippo"

here they are all lined up. I aim to collect two of each, so he can pretend to make an Ark.
I just love them AND its perfect for family when Christmas etc comes round and they ask what he might like.

*sigh* Bless their wooden smiles.
Onto something quite opposite = Finlay's "peephole" rocket!
I made this last night for his party on Sunday. Its a peep hole rocket, for the kids to get photoed with their faces through.
cute huh?
Bright huh?
lol.
Today I have had a "Toy Cleanse" in prep for Sunday. I know what he is getting, and trust me he needs some space! I have two sacks of broken and toys with missing pieces, and then a whole box for gifting and another box of "Ben you need to look at these and tell me if Finlay still wants them, cos they are too cute for me to give away without persuasion" toys.
I feel virtuous! Now onto party planning.........

Finlay

On Sunday, this little bundle of love turns 2.
2!!

I cannot believe that two years have passed, two years of a journey of self discovery and utter love.
I had no idea how much this bean would change my life, sometimes I wonder what life was like before him, and can't remember.

So, today I start party planning. We are having a small gathering of family/friends to celebrate his little day. I am doing a "space" themed party. I have been googling and flickring images and some are amazing! I have to share!
I wish I had the funds to do all of these.
I do however plan to make a large cutout of a rocket that they can have their head poked through for photos! *cute or not?*
Also, I am hanging stars and bits around the flat, covering Finlay in tin foil ~lol kidding~
Anyway - onto the inspo!!!

this little cartoon is one of my favourite cartoons ever to exist.

my carbaord rocket will NOT be that elaborate - I only wish!!

1825

260 weeks
1825 days
43800 hours
I walked into work for the first time.
You were on shift, with a nervous smile you introduced yourself.
If someone had pointed you out there and then and said "you will fall in love with this mans soul" I wouldn't have believed you.
But I did.
Slowly.
At first, you showed me what a real friend should be, something at that time in my life I was without, and surrounded by those without my best interests at heart.
You showed me that I didn't have to be told what to say to be interesting to you.
You met my soul with a smile, and embraced me for my quirks.
You encouraged me to paint again.
You shared my belief in angels - and made me see my belief was worth talking about.
You dared me to dream of a life less ordinary,
extraordinary.
You held my hand the night in the hospital when you could see I didn't want to go home.
You stayed 7 hours passed your shift just to make sure I got home safe in the rain.
You caused me to question everything, run away and hide.
Till it was time to face the truth, that you had become my life.

"The stars look so beautiful tonight"
"not as beautiful as you"

That conversation changed my life forever, when you were so closed to not answering the phone.

I am so glad we didn't believe their lies, that we took time to sit a while, and find our way.

5 years ago I met you at work for the first time.
If I knew then, what I know now. I would have taken you by the hand, walked back out the door, and driven away into the sun.

Today, we are a family, me you and the most beautiful boy ever created.
He has your temperment, my sense of humour, your lips, my eyes, your hair, his own smile.
I am thankful for the job I walked away from, I believe I only started there so we could meet.

My life has taken on form that I didn't know possible. Its all down to you.
My forever.
xxx

There is a man who's work makes me think of you, Kurt Halsey - here are some of his sketches

and lastly - one I drew.... inspired by Kurt

Little things

It's Saturday night, Xfactor night, duvet, wine and stirfry night. It's "listen to those fireworks and think about what a strange tradition bonfire night is" night. It's also "yay my prima album arrived" day, so I'm starting to plan my JYC kit. I plan to put a whole bunch of supplies in a pizza box and only scrap from it, mainly to illiminate the "mmmmmmmm what now?" moment. Tonight I am pre-preparing some hand made embellishments, including mini blanket stitched gingerbread men, and felt flowers. I am also pre-sewing buttons, and sticking glue dots to the back!!













Awww he's tiny and lovely!!

WHOOOP!

I am SUPER happy today, BT sent our home hub and we are officially back on line! No more balancing on the bed to pick up Internet signal for me! I can freely blog from the comfort of my desk, sofa, garden, toilet (OK... I really never would I promise!)

Waiting for the net to be connected...I have come to know a few things:
1: IPhone are a life saver... but also not the same as my laptop
2: I am not a very good "Waiting for Internet to be fixed" kinda gal.
3: there is life outside the Internet - and that sometimes I should remember that.

Things I have learned today:
1: Meringues take a long time to cook. too long, I gave up.
2: That regardless of how many times I will curse at our neighbours, they won't stop sending fireworks up and freaking Finlay out just because I "will" them too.
3: That sweet potato mash is quite frankly the superior mash.
4: That when the estate agents telephone number flashes up on my phone, my heart skips a beat, despite it never being good news lol!

Lastly, as this seems to be a non-post, I will blog some....
... things to make you go "ooooooooooh!"
(I have NONE of these things in my home.. but I aim to have one by the end of the year thanks to Next home department)

catching up

Meet Knarly. Knarly by dentures, knarly by name. He is a little felt monster that will be adorning my Christmas tree, along with a selection of other un-named felties, yet to be born. I made him on Friday/Saturday at the getaway in a few stolen moments, his eyes were donated by Laura from her button box, and his insides are 100's of mini felt pieces that Nicola and I cut up to compensate for the lack of actual stuffing! I don't really know where the idea for him came from, I guess those Ugly Dolls that everyone is making at the moment are his foundations for life. Still, I get to practice my blanket stitch again this year. (last year it was felt doughnuts!)

despite taking all my scrap stuff, I didn't actually scrap at the getaway!! (shocking I know!) so when I came home, I decided that I really should other wise I might forget how! I made a layout with a photo I have been meaning to scrap for ages, of Finlay wandering round Blackberry farm with my dad. I love taking photos of people walking from behind (but HATE it when people do it to me!! eeeep!) gotta love those fabric prima letter stickers huh! Lush!

And one I have had in my head for weeks is a layout dedicated to all the random and gloriously cute things that Finlay says. He will be 2 on the 15th of November... don't even get me started on that! :-( But still, here it is. American crafts paper and speech bubble punch outs.

Speaking of the Getaway (ok.. so I was a few lines back anyway!) I can finally upload my layouts for the classes I taught, the first was a Sunday class, and the second was for the Saturday class.

It really was HUGE fun to teach at the retreat, I met some fabulously funny ladies all of whom I adored spending the weekend with. Thank you all for making it such a giant feel good success!

Pumpkin and Getaway

Well,... Its that time of year again! wooo! Pumpkin at the doorstep time! I had grand ambitions this year, of creating a really arty pumpkin, with that stained glass effect of not cutting right through, however, as you can see, It didn't happen! I tried! I really tried! But the Cheshire cat proved too much for me and my £1.49 carving set from Tesco (Aka the worst £1.49 I ever did spend!) So, instead I have a plain and highly simple moon and stars motif, decorated with paint (as usual) I don't think the residents of my road were ready for a arty pumpkin anyway.. it is Bexhill after all!

*********

Can I just say - a quick message to Sharon who sent me the robot napkins- Thank you! I have moved house, and lost your email (Its on the PC that's not connected!) I found them again today in my drawer and felt awful that I hadn't emailed you sooner! Moving proved too much to take for my day to day mind! But Thank you - so cute and perfect for Finlay's birthday! Email me please so I can send you a little something in return :-D

Hooter

I made this little decoration for someone today, she told me she had a thing for owls yesterday... Can you guess who you are?......


-- Posted from my iPhone.... How very 2009 of me!!!

Well, as you can see, I had a go at making one! I used mainly Cosmo papers, with a little Bo Bunny thrown in for good measure. I was lucky enough to be freecycled a wreath wire frame from a local florist, but you could easily buy one of these from a florist if they have any in stock. No harm in asking! I wrapped the frame in florist tape (but wish I had used masking tape now, or even better, the tape you buy in a picture frames, kraft coloured... anyway) I cut a million leaves out - and stuck them in sequence (ish) round the frame. I cut out far too many, I have enough left over to make something else.. but what? I then decorated with paper flowers made from the patterned papers. Cute huh? I love it, its hanging from a hall cupboard at the moment. I intend to spray in matte varnish and hang in the porch. It only took about an hour and a half to put together, I think being "un precious" about it helped add to its "charm". What do you think?

Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg - Garden Planner '09-'10

As promised, pictures of the project I made for Ben this weekend. It is a garden planner. Since moving in, we have taken on a good size garden, with room at the back for a large veggie plot. This has been our little dream for a long time, and Ben is thriving on it. He has become quite the garden centre enthusiast! We also have a compost bin, which, part of me is all "felicity kendal" about (Felicity Kendal for those who don't receive BBC channels was a lead character in a Brit sitcom in the dark ages about a couple who lived off their land) But part of me is like "mmmm, that better not smell of death in the summer!!!" I think I might plant a lavender bush by the outdoor compost bin, that might help with any dubious odours that waft in the direction of my sun lounger! I am all for the "good life" but also have a phobia of those little mini beasts that may inhabit the veggies.. Oh, its a catch 22, but one I am willing to see out :-)

Anyway - back to the topic on hand (wow... I sure do know how to ramble off topic)

Ok - Bens present. A garden planner featuring the new range of Cosmo Cricket papers "Nutmeg" from the mini deck. I love the mini decks from cosmo A L O T. They are divine and perfect for smaller projects where you only need an accent of pattern. I love the 12x12's too of course, but there is something very exciting about using 4-5 patterns from one range without actually cutting up a 12x12! I think Mini Decks will be the way forward for me with card making too. cute. Right, So, I took one of the plain kraft A5 folders from Paperchase, and covered it in my favourite non scrap product of all time, sticky backed woodgrain vinyl from our local large DIY store. Using nut meg papers, and MM cork letter stickers, I decorated the front. I used an old Elsie chipboard frame that I have loved for ages but never got round to using. The sticker strips are Cosmo Cricket Earth Love (apt for this project!)

I made a little index card for the front page, slipped into a paperchase A5 page protector

Each section has a divider page, using a punched cosmo tab, and various matching papers and cardstocks.This is my fav page - It has a chipboard peashell that I have been saving for years for the "right" project!

I love the seed section, I used paperchase A5 photo page protectors, 4x6, into which I slipped kraft envelopes for seed storage. I was over the moon with how it looked, the photos don't really do it justice, its a fun section of the planner!There is a section for plans of the garden and notes... to do lists etc
Then there is a Month by Month section, where Ben can write in what needs to be done.
On the back of the folder, I have taped in a bag for his seed markers.

A little close up of the front.

I truly loved making this planner, in fact, I think I would go as far as to say that It is my favourite personal project this year. Ben loved it, and started filling it in the same day (which is unusual for him!)I really hope you like it too!

xxxxxxxxxxx

Autumn Sunday

Today I am carving my giant pumpkin. I have narrowed it down to one billion designs... just gotta pick!

Yay for the clocks going back (not so yay that Finlay woke determined to get up at 6am!) when we were dressed, we went out for a walk to the park for Finlay - it was really quiet everywhere and I was like "wow... quiet for half ten!" Then it dawned on us it was half nine and in fact most people were quite sensibly still in their PJ's. Still, it was nice to get out as the weather was warm and Finlay appreciated the run around.

I am feeling overwhelmingly autumnal. I really want to do all sorts of autumny things. Its at this point of the year that I LONG to live in a big white wooden house in America, with a veranda that runs round the whole house and a porch swing. Each year I would decorate the front with pumpkins and squash (do you Americans call them gourds?) anyway - I would also have a cute wreath on the door, like this Martha Stewart one,

Or this awesome paper rose one. I mean, check it out! How stunning is that!??!

Oh mai, I think I might literally HAVE to make one to placate myself! That votive Jar next to the wreath is a bit pretty too,.... Oh geeze, why do I do this to myself!?

Anyway. I need to reign in my crazy crafty notions before I explode.
Onto something random - the little scrapping weekend I went on last week featured the normal photo sessions, Shimelle brilliantly brought her Polaroid and a box of film, which we all had a photo with, and then held up in front of our faces... I just realised that I haven't downloaded them yet lol.. I have this one though, cute.

She also took these - which, I love a million. I really dislike my photo being taken of me these days, weight gain and general worries about being the largest out of the girls and the frumpiest etc bother me NO end. So - when I was like "oooo I need a new avatar style photo" we did the classic crouch and look up photo - which helps lumpy ladies such as moi look "normal" I love these photos lots! And that, is all I have to say today *I think?* Ooo.. Actually, craft related, I made Ben a Garden planner - I love it, I will get some photos and show you in my next post!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

sad

Wow, I could not be more saddened about the news today - that Scrapbook Inspirations will be no more. I really do think that the UK scrapbookers will be worse off for its closure, regardless of what some people say. I thought that the recent changes to the magazine were brilliant, with a fresh new look at the way it was presented, new features, new faces and more. I wish that Future had given the magazine time to prove itself after the changes :-( It catered for all, beginners, those who have been scrapping a while and those who were confident with their scrapbooking. Its a shame that such a good all rounder will be missing from the shelves of my local newsie, and in fact from my door mat once a month. I was lucky enough to be commissioned a few times for layouts (that little aqua and pink one on the front cover at the bottom is mine *sob*) So on a personal level, I will miss seeing my work in print. Some may say "hey, its only paper and glue" but for me scrapping has opened up many more doors, I have found more than a love for patterned paper with this hobby. I have found a new way of capturing my memories, a new found love of photography, a way of releasing creative energy, and also, most importantly, I have found friends. I loved opening SI once a month and spotting my friends work. So today, I am sad for the UK, and for everyone who got published in the magazine, and for those who read and loved the magazine.

xxx

Colour lovers

Colour is a huge part of my life, and probably yours, as crafters, colour is a giant part of what makes us tick. We surround ourselves with colour, our homes, clothes etc, it's a direct reflection of "us". I think we go through colour phases too, for instance, I used to love purple, and I mean LOVE it, but now if someone asked me to scrap in it, i'd be hard pushed! I was thinking about my albums, and how when i am in a "colour phase" I tend to limit myself. So, I decided to download a colour app for my phone, and when I see myself reaching for the green 'again' I will open the app, choose a palette and stick to it for that page.



Cute and inspiring. As long as it's not purple that is lol!!! The colour schemes are made up by other app users, hence the odd names. I like "veggies man"...