Sickly Sunday

Finally succumbed good and proper to the lurgy. Not good as I have work with a vengeance this next week. Sigh.
But being a dedicated blogger i have crawled out of my sick bed to show you my latest works of "art"

OK I was bored.

Last card club I took along the free papers from Scrapbook Inspirations. They were not the sort of thing I would normally use but actually realised they were quite nice and that I neeeeded some proper ones (Don't really like the shiny freebie paper) I went to Imagine That to buy some flowery Wild Asparagus but ended up with some spotty and stripy instead. And bought these matching words as I already had these photos in mind.
So its basically all three sheets of paper in strips and photo corners, plus the words, plus my new Heidi Swapp date stamp and a three quarter rosette in the corner. (My scrapping consultant suggested I needed to draw in a seagull but I went for that instead)

Actually I have realised that in the three LO's I have done there is something decorative in the top right hand corner. Wonder why?

Doing the Jack in the Box class at Imagine That get me challenging myself to use more of my BG Colour Me Silly Frog paper. And this is what I cme up with
{the layout will be back}
All BG paper but I made the spots myself! Words cut out on Jimbo the Robo. He is so cool! I was going to put the little colour picture in the corner attached with matching fibres that I got as a freebie. My scrapping consultant said the fibres looked horrible wherever they were as he doesn't like them. Thinking about it, neither do I. So if anyone wants some Colour Me Silly fibres - cut up but not used - you can have them! Went for more of that lovely May Arts double sided ribbon again.

Here's the journalling...{the layout will be back}
And lastly, a page I knew I had to do when I found out what Katya calls Carys. The papers and elements are all from the Neopolitan to go paper pad, apart from 2Carys" which are Poundland alphabet stickers and "from the" which are making memories kraft stickers. The " are from my Stamps Away punctuation set. BUT I had to do one side upside down as both sorts face the wrong way... unless I am doing something obviously wrong.
It's the first time I have tried a little mini book on a page. I didn't want the story of the title to detract from the big photo and I had another two photos of them together as well. Katya's mother is Russian so she has a Russian name - Ekatarina, although she is usually called Katya. So I checked and her initial is E

The flower is my first try at a real Carole Janson type one. But I wanted to fit the thing in my album so I didn't mount in between. I reckon (modestly!) it would have looked good though!. Most of the pieces were cut outs from the pad, others cut from some of the paper and others punched using some of my big flowers.
I've cancelled my scrap day with Sue and Anita tomorrow, but hope I will feel up to doing a little scrapping and card making as I really love this crafting lark!

The post with no name

because I can't think of a suitable pun with "fold" in and I am too lazy to take any more than three minutes over it. Yes I'm fully into half term mode...

So here is this weeks dare from Jane
I'm daring you to make a card that has to have more than one fold - so it can be a gate fold card, or a 3 panel card with an aperture or a card with multiple folds OR you can incorporate paper folding on the actual card itself. It can be on any theme.

Now I should have started doing this as soon as the idea was launched. But I didn't. So I had to watch all these great ideas unfolding and really stretch myself to come up with something different. So I went back to school and was inspired by those little paper things you make to ask questions with. No idea what they are called and yes... too lazy to look it up.

So I took some 6x6 double sided heavy card (all the papers are Fancy Pants Fancy Free Frou Frou designs (who thinks of these names) from an old SA kit). Folded it into quarters then folded the corners inward then folded the points back on themselves. You can probably do it without folding into quarters first but I was too lazy to work that out (there is a theme to this post - or are you too lazy to notice)
If you folded into quarters first you really need to put something in the middle so that no-one can see the folds. I also added some different fancy pants papers to the corners and some prima flowers. I'm really into shocking pink and orange together at the mo'.
Here is a side view so you can see the folds a bit better.
It is a "prop up" card as it can't stand up on its own...

Today we are planning a family board game, a short walk and a night of movies. if we can be bothered that is!

baby it's cold inside

but not for long! (Although Phil is playing Christmas songs on his computer for some reason!) Yesterday my mum was complaining of the cold in our house. well she doesn't actually complain, just puts on her clothes, a dressing gown and a rug. We thought that she was just used to being in a smaller, warmer house but as the day went on realised that there was no central heating. There was hot water so Phil diagnosed a faulty pump in the boiler. He phoned our tame plumber this morning and 2 hours later he was at the house. 1 hour later we had a new pump and are toasty warm again. Mr Plumber I love you!

Though not as much as my Phil (Christmas music aside) who has bought me two wonderful CD's. Tracey Thorn and Ben Watts of Everything But the Girl recorded solo stuff in the early 80's and somewhere I have a tape with their EP's on. Phil has tracked them down on CD so I am wallowing in University angst and memories of the early days of our relationship. Bliss!

Today I have been with the kids to visit friends Anne and Lesley , who it turns out are friends with another friend from training college Ruth so we had a good girly chat and meal together while the kids watched tv. Phil was going to come as he was at training college with Ruth too but the thought of all the oestrogen scared him off so he cleared the garage instead. Man's work.

I have also had some time to play with the new papers that arrived yesterday. But not todays... Today I received the fantabulous new BG 6x6 paper pads. Yes all 4. What a paper tart I am.
Anyway here is todays work...

Paper Salon Tribeca paper (6 sheets plus 6 Bazzill for $4.20 in the Cool Blue sale plus a huge bag of toning buttons thrown in) Letter stickers from QVC album and card set. Coasters from old Self Addressed Kit - Chloe's Closet?

Carnival paper from the Cool Blue sale, letter stickers from old SA kit, frame and border stamps from Purple Onion (with a SA kit), flowers are Sarah's Bloomers, Heidi Swapp Date Roller Stamp from Cool Blue sale (brill price but sold out now); Ribbon is may Arts from Little Silver hat

This is the first page I have done using a patterned paper background. Its quite effective i think. Phil told me it needed the flower and I think he was probably right!

well Happy Christmas from Phil's computer. (Although he is listening to Monty Python now) and it is dare day tomorrow!

I love half term

Time to spend with the family and just catching my breath!

Yesterday we went to Hadleigh Castle Country Park. It was a tad muddy. And possibly a bit of a longer walk than we expected. But we ended up at a Salvation Army farm and tea rooms for some lovely all day breakfast and hot chocolate

Phil and I were supposed to go out for an almost Valentine's day film and meal as my mum was staying overnight. But I had a really sick headache and went to bed instead! (Got up for Life on Mars though!). Today I was given a magazine, a choc orange, a lovely card and breakfast in bed. What a star! Plus one of the packages that was supposed to take 4-6 weeks arrived in about 10 days. Woo hoo! (Did think about saving it for Lent. for about 5 seconds) It was the sale stuff from Cool Blue Scrapbooking - more Crate Paper, some Paper salon paper and a Heidi Swapp date stamp. Will show what I have done with the already tomorrow.

for now you can see some of my second fold out book

All done using one 8x8 Bazzill card stock; BG Blush papers; various journalling stamps plus the new Autumn leaves build a flower stamps and Lil Davis foam numbers.

And here is the news

So much has happened since I last blogged.
You may not be interested but if I don't post it here I will forget. So you can turn off here (and thanks for dropping by) or skip to the pictures. I don't mind!

Last Thursday I blogged about the LO I scrapped and that I couldn't remember where I got the from. Well on Friday i went a blog surfin and lo and behold guess what I found! Tenika's site where she sells the transparencies. How cool is that. And a certain LO may end up on that site too... The transparencies are awesome and such good value. I remember the postage being teeny weeny.

Saturday was another church walk. I had been feeling blah and didn't want to go. But I am a good girl so did. I remembered to put my new welly boots on. I remembered to put on my woolly hat. I forgot to put my waterproof coat on. And that (said Lythan) was splat. (homage to AA Milne. Top poet). Yes it rained for 4 hours solid and I had my warm coat on which is frankly bobbins in the wet. I was so wet that when we parked up at Tesco for part 2 of the walk (as you do) I rushed in and bought a new jacket. Because I am tight (ok because i would rather spend money on paper), I bought the cheapest I could which is a man's (waterproof) black bomber jacket. It is cosy (and waterproof) and best of all i feel like a bouncer in it. I swaggered round the rest of the walk muttering "if your name's not down, you're not coming in" under my breath. After lunch the sun shone and we walked Maldon promenade where the boats looked beautiful.

then we saw the most amazing sight. A flock of starlings twirling and whirling in the sky. A photo can't really capture it.

Sunday: Church then a day of rest as still feeling blah and wanting to be well enough for today -

Monday:when I did my first teaching at Imagine That! went ok, learnt a few things but I'm happy to do it again as it is fun! I made another version of my valentine card for Phil as another class idea. However due to doing nothing yesterday i didn't finish it in time to also take photos so that will have to wait until tomorrow. Plus I have missed out on the Daring Cardmakers Little Extra again and was really hopeful for this week! You can see the fantastic creations of those who pulled their finger out on Tuesday.

Adios Amigos

Another Friday, another post

So what happens now?
(extra points if you know the song I am referencing!)

what happens now is that I explain my card really quickly cos I have some work to do and a trip to the orthodontist for number 1 son this morning

So the Daring Cardmakers dare this week is...

to make a card that is inspired by 'All Things Media'. The dare has been set by our Gillian:

It's around us no matter which way we turn, and all designed to get our attention. Ads designed by graphic designers who know all the tricks & techniques to draw our eyes to the product in question. You only have to glance at a Newspaper quickly to read headings with 'Shock' titles & 'Clever' puns all designed to make you want to read what the article is all about!
Maybe you have been inspired by an Ad in a magazine, the colours or design that has been used. Or incorporate actual magazines & newspapers onto your card; maybe chop up letters (ransom note style) to create the sentiment
So grab that latest edition of your favourite Mag, or pick up your newspaper, because there is so much inspiration there, Just waiting for you to discover!

The picture is from a Diana comic from 1969. At the Crafts by Carolyn meet in Birmingham last May, Puss was selling lovely bags of bits - including magazines and paper. I have just rediscovered my treasure trove and these pictures! I can do a few more like this. The papers are Junkitz flowerful which I love but have never used. Must put them on a layout next!

As usual I think the team have come up with lots of different and fabby interpretations fo the dare - and I know that everyone who joins in will too. So go on - I dare ya!

Tiddly pom

as Winnie the Pooh once said

The more it snows (tiddly-pom)
the more it goes (tiddly-pom)
the more it goes (tiddly-pom)
on snowing.

And nobody knows (tiddly-pom)
how cold my toes (tiddly-pom)
how cold my toes (tiddly-pom)
are growing.

As Lythan then said
well Winnie the Pooh (tiddly-pom)
if you had lovely bright croc wellies like mine (tiddly-pom)
then your toes (tiddly-pom)
would be warm.

Snow!
(tiddly-pom)

No school for anyone and it has also meant I could have a much needed easy day with a little bit of crafting!

Carys has been wanting me to scrap this photo of her nose with all its wrinkles for ages! (well i only took it on the 18th January so since then). As she is not well today I thought it might cheer her up. It is bright enough!
Stuff:
Bazzill card and brads
BG Romani/Gypsy papers and letter stickers. ("Carys" and "nose" cut out with Craft Robo using cafe rojo font).
Splendid new Autumn leaves stamps (first time I have dared stamp straight to paper)
Prima flowers
Auntie Sarah's bloomers.
button from button box.
Funky acetate I bought loads of strips of last year from the US at a bargain price. First I have managed to use! No packaging to tell you where I got it from.

Have to do some work tonight (boo hoo!) but I have a little project up my sleeve too if i have time to start it...
And it is dare reveal day tomorrow.
And more snow? Doesn't look like it. Shame.

A little bit of enabling

I am the sort of scrap shopper who splurges then doesn't buy anything for a while (hmm wonder if it is hormonal?) well it has been splurge time - although two lots of things I will have to wait 6-8 weeks for. Actually that is great because I am thinking of giving up scrap supply buying for Lent again this year so that will mean treats in the middle!

.... (time passes) Now here's a funny thing. I went to the Cool Blue Scrapbooking site so i could put the url here of the kit I have bought. I am so excited because due to time differentials they have normally sold out by the time I get there. (all that for £15 including postage!) And I found
there's a sale on!
So i now have 3 parcels coming in 6-8 weeks... I have bought the Heidi Swapp date roller, the Scenic Route papers as they are some of my new faves (as you will see) and the Crate Paper carnival set - £5! And the shipping is usually about £3.50 which is cheaper than some UK sites... I also almost bought Twirl (cough that and Holly are the only Crate sets I don't have) but I managed to show some restraint!

I also happened to pass A million little Things on my Scenic Route and may also have bought a few of the American Crafts thicker letters in felt. Again what bargain prices.

And I have also been to Imagine That this week (it is confirmed I am teaching next week. Only two people but I'm still terrified!) and bought a few papers. And things. And then I went to Artbase today as I had parked my car round the corner from there for an all day meeting where I had to work very hard and deserved a treat and anyway it is a local byelaw that you can't walk past Artbase and not go in so I bought the build a flower stamps and some MM kraft stickers. I baffled the man in the shop by asking for kraft paper. he said it is what you use to make paper bags. But on 2peas it is often used instead of bazzill. still i get some kraft in my new scenic route papers so I will find out then.

So are you as enabled and skint as me yet?

Oooh which reminds me - FREE enabling. Elsie has put a load of cute sketches on her site!

I end with pics of my darling daughter's hair. She has the most beautiful wavy hair but I straightened it for her yesterday and she loved it. Sigh. She will be in secondary school next year and it will all be different

Can't force the farce

I feel such a wimp. I've had to bail out of movie night. We were hoping to watch the new Adam Sandler but all the copies were out so Phil chose a film called "our house". There aren't many kinds of film I can't stand but comedies when everything goes wrong is one. Same for 30 minute shows. can't stick "Some mother's do 'ave 'em" or most of Fawlty Towers for the same reason. I tried so hard but as the things that happened went on and on I just got more and more wound up. They just put me in such a bad mood it is better not to be in the room. But you are not supposed to leave the room on movie night. Trust me family, it was in your interests really...

I woke this morning feeling a little washed out which was a blow as this is the only crafting time i will have this week. I have done my dare card for Friday and am struggling with my circle journal - probably becasue I still have a week to do it and I need my deadlines to be creative! I popped into Imagine That as Emma needs to borrow my punches for the exploding box class on Wednesday which I will be teaching next Monday. Gulp! (and why I have to get that CJ done today!). I got to drool over her CHA photos and all the things that she got Tim Holtz to autograph. Not that I am jealous of her going to CHA.



Grrrrr.

Right as can't show what i have done today I will show what the crafty club folks from Church got up to on Saturday. It makes me realise how much I have as I still am able to take loads of stuff I don't want anymore for people to play with and we don't seem to be using it up at all! I usually take certain colours of paper and try and teach a technique or suggest a theme although it often gets ignored! This time it was men's cards and I also took my supply of peel offs. I think they breed you know.
Here is the haul which isn't bad for two hours and some talking too.

How do I love you?

So this week's Dare is extra Speshal!

This week we're joining forces with the wonderful team of Scrapbookers over on the Everyone is Speshal blog. We're daring each other and you to make a Really Romantic Scrapbook Layout - but on a card!

Hmmm. Quite a challenge. I got a sudden flash of inspiration (rare) and made a mini book out of 8x8 square sheet of black Bazzill from my January Self Addressed kit. Just score into squares and cut along one score line into the centre and fold. et voila.
All the papers are from the kit too. It also features a Sarah's bloomer, bazzill button, various ribbons, Crate stickers (plus a few others), my new journalling stamps (will need to buy more), loads of ink etc. The text on the front, various hearts and stars were craft robo'd.
There are a LOT of photos so be warned.
And... I've given him the card already cos I couldn't wait!




The heart on 5 is made using little squares of paper cut in a heart shape. There maybe something similar on the Scrapstars challenge crop tomorrow.

All the Daring Cardmakers and Speshal Girls have done some fabbo work on this dare so go and look at all the lushness that being romantic produces!