Tuesday, August 19, 2008

It's official!!

I have decided that beyond any shadow of a doubt... I AM A CRAP BLOGGER!!! I could never keep a diary and I can't keep my blog updated regularly either!!! BUT I am keeping my blog, cos as much as I don't post as often as I would like I do love it and so back to business!














So here are a couple of my LO's that I have done reasonably recently (well since my last post anyway)!!!!! Both of them were for the CTYD DT and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself doing them!
I am in the middle of two weeks off work but what with everything going on at the moment I have barely had a minute to sit down, let alone get my stash out and play but I am working on it, and I am hoping to get some bits done today, after I have cleaned the kitchen cupboards! Nice! (Oh God I wish blogger had smilies)!!

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Silly Pictures!

Over on CTYD is another challenge...

"For most of us, a big part of our crafting is scrapbooking ... & that means photos. So, for today's 40 Day event we want to see your silliest photos. We all have them, so from the mildly amusing to the downright daft"
Get your entries in by Midnight BST on August 8th & the DT will pick their fave to win a scrappy RAK from us!
Well technically I can't enter but I can still play!!
So here is one from my very large dodgy pics collection...

SPOT THE SEALION!!! Dammit I missed it!









"NOW WHERE DID I LEAVE MY NUTS?"
And one the funniest pics I have seen! I cannot take the credit for this, found it on the internet a long time ago, but everytime I look at it, it makes me laugh!!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Day 22 - 40 Days Events


Another offering for the more recent 40 day celebration challenges!!
"Today's challenge is for you to do the same: use your scraps & show me your scrappy projects - & as I love the odd multi-challenge attempt, feel free to combine this with as many other challenges as you like"
This one closes midnight BST 28th July (next Monday).

Check out the CTYD blog as well, as there is one up there I have arranged plus NON-celebrity squares! LOL!

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Stars & Stripes

One of the challenges for the Guv's 40th Birthday Bash was to create something with star and/or stripes. Well me being me, I left it to the last minute (you still have 3 1/2 hours left to enter)!

And here is mine, a digi LO featuring a pic of DH back in the 60's when he used to engrave the FA Cup! There is a rather good story that goes with it but I'm saving that for a paper LO! I used the Shabby Princess Moody Blues digi kit, plus some random stars and staples!

Monday, July 07, 2008

And the winner is.......

according to the random number generator.....
RIBENARUBY

Not you? Head on over to Crop Til You Drop because.....
THE WEBSHOP HAS A PROMOTION ON FOR '40 DAYS' AS OF JULY 1ST, THE 40TH ORDER RECEIVED WILL BE FREE (THEY WILL BE REFUNDED) & UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY (JULY 7TH) EVERY ORDER WILL RECEIVE A FREE GIFT. UK ONLY & YOU GUYS CAN TAKE PART IN THIS ONE IF YOU'D LIKE.

And don't forget to check out Beverley's Blog for a new challenge and chance to win everyday!

The Top 40 Tips!!! (minus 14)

Firstly, apologies for my absence, I will do the list of tips in a mo, and then I'll figure out the random number generator later to pick a winner! Sound okay?
Secondly, we didn't make 40! :( So this is the top 40 minus 14!! Although if anyone else wants to add anymore, feel free I will add them to the list but you would have missed the chance for the draw! Sorry!

1)When trying cut a photo into a circle, pop a blob of blu-tac on the back, and use it to pop the point of a compass in, you get a perfect circle and no marks on the photo. (Mine)

2)When writing on the back of your photo, write the notes where the subject is. This is to avoid any accidental loss of info when you cut the photo up. (BunnyB)
3)Use wallpaper! You can get free samples from DIY shops, and some of the patterns are absulutely gorgeous! They are great for covering minibooks, ATCs and even layouts!(Jo)

4)I scrap all my layouts using sketches and have my photos printed only after I've decided on the sketch for that layout... do all my cropping before printing... saves time on cropping and money on photo costs. (Cathy)

5)Keep all your scraps seperated by color either in folders or big zippy-type bags. That way ,if you're looking for a particular color, you don't have to rummage through every single piece of scrap. Simply pull out the color you are looking for. (Deanne)

6)Ok, i have to admit that i have been known once or twice to accidently layer up pretty papers slightly wonky :( so my tip is to stick dst to my jeans before i put it on my project. That way i can carefully peel it back if it is not inplace first time. (dont do this if you got a wooly jumper on lol!!!!) (Zoe)

7)If you use a glue stick i find if you breathe over the area (it not yuk honest - it being creative lol) then it warm the glue a bit so you can remove it and restick if necessary. (Zoe)

8)Turn post it notes upside down to hold chipboard letters while you colour/emboss them...it stops them flying all over the room and ending up on the floor!! :) (Alix)

9)Wipe down your craft mat/working area on a regular basis as it picks up an astonishing amount of dirt/glue etc over time that spoils nearly completed crafting!(curlywhiskersandtwitchingnoses)

10)Buy a piece of cork and cut a piece slightly smaller than your metal ruler. Stick it to the back of your metal ruler with double sided tape and voila! Next time you cut anything with craft knife and metal ruler, the ruler will not slip! :) (Bibi)

11)How about using a curling iron to straighten out your ribbon? When I have a lovely ribbon I would like to add to a project and it has a gret big ole crease in it, or it is too wrinkly for the project I just use my curling iron to iron it flat. Just open the iron, and slide the ribbon over. Easy peasy, fast, and works like a charm! No big iron needed. :) (Pamala)

12)When working with alpha stickers use a clear plastic quilters ruler. Align the bottom tips of your stickers at the top edge of the ruler. Now, to get them on your paper use one finger to press the tops of the stickers on the paper and slip them off the ruler. Perfect placement every time! :D (Shirley)

13)Keep it simple. so(card, scrapbook page etc) before going to a friends or a crop make page/card kits and put into plastic sleeves with the picture so you don't have to spend your time searching for things that coordinate, so you can enjoy making and chatting instead. :)(Scrapaddict)

14)In an effort to save money I love to search through dollar stores. They tend to have ribbons, colored pencils, markers, stickers, papers, and everything else a scrapper could possibly need- for the amazing bargain of $1.00! (Annie217)

15)Using all of the plastic pakaging that our supplies come in, plus many other items too (for instance my Big Kick, the packaging from the memory card for my camera, etc.) Use it to create your own ghost shapes!!!! I cut out a big flower shap--ran it through an embossing folder and painted it with acrylics! Voila--I had a ghost shape in the shape I wanted and the colors I needed for the page! I have soo much of that plastic aroung I can't wait to make more shapes! Plus, it helps reduce waste--can it get any better? (KimR)

16)Instead of tossing those clear packaging pieces away, cut them up into shapes... doodle on them and you have a cheap and unique embellishment! (Lois aka Katesmum)

17)Start from the outside edge of the paper and measure down 7". Cut toward the center of the paper 5". Now finish cutting the 5x7 mat back to the edge of the paper. From the same outside edge that you started with cut 5"x7" mat going the other direction. Keep going around the outside of the paper cutting 5"x7" then 7"x5" and when you finish there will be a little square of paper left from the center. (Ginny)

18)Something new that I've gotten into is tearing the edges of photos- you know, just like tearing the edges of papers. Looks great and always unique since the tear will never be the same twice :)Just be careful with the tearing, and don't do it on a photo you really love unless you have a backup version...heehee. (Vcolbourne)

19)To make the most out of my letter stickers, especially the ones that are cut out to the exact shape of the letter, i keep the backing and reuse it in future layouts. also, i am not sure if this is a "safe" tip a.k.a. acid-free but i get these really cheap foam letters in a local store but they're not in the colors i like so what i do is i paint them with nail polish. there are lots of metallic nail polish that look good on the foam letters. (jeanie nieva)

20)when doing anything to do with scrapbookin or cards, dont over crowd the item.... less is more!!! (ruthieb)

21)I like having my ribbons sorted by color. I find I use them more!(carla)

22)One of my most useful tips is to use an old catalog or phone book when you are gluing or painting. When the page gets messy, tear it off and have a clean surface to work on. (Swedie)

23)The plastic covering used for junk mail and catalogues is useful for gluing or for paper mache if you want to keep you work mat free of mess. (ribenaruby)

24)Whenever you need a quick center for a flower on your scrapbook page or card, just drop a lump of hot glue (about the size of a dime) onto some freezer paper. While it's still sticky, sprinkle it with some glitter or add micro beads or rhinestones or sequins to it. After it cools, lift it from the freezer paper and voila! You have a cheap and easy BLING flower center you can adhere with a glue dot...hehehehe...or even another small dot of hot glue! (Colette Bate)

25)My most time-saving tip is organization. I have all my paper, even the scraps, filed by color or type of pattern (stripes, flowers, dots, etc.). Then when I want a striped paper, I just go through that file folder. (sammie)

26)My tip for scrapbooking would be to make sure your photos are backed up. I upload mine to Walgreens.com that way if I need copies, I can just go ahead and print them right from the website. (Heather)

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

TOP 40 TIPS (-39)! LOL!

Okay as my challenge for Beverley's 40 day celebration, I want you all to post a comment here with your TOP TIPS for scrapbooking, cardmaking, whatever! Anything that you've done in the past that you consider to be a brainwave, labour saving or just a little bit of useful advice. The idea is that I then add them in here as a post and hopefully we will have the TOP 40 TIPS.

And as it's a birthday bash, there has to be a pressie on offer so everyone who posts a comment is in with the chance of some scrummy stash, there's 12x12 patterned paper, die-cuts, chipboard, blossoms, card blanks and A5ish size patterned paper.I will use the random generator to pick one person and the kit will be on it's way to you!

You have until 5th July at 2pm GMT to enter.

So, I'll start the tips off.....

When trying cut a photo into a circle, pop a blob of blu-tac on the back, and use it to pop the point of a compass in, you get a perfect circle and no marks on the photo.

Monday, June 30, 2008

40 DAYS OF FUN & FREEBIES!

Full details & kick-off of the event will be posted over on Beverley's Blog anytime now!

Check out all these blogs as well for events coming up in the next 40 days.
Alix Cox
Beverley Todd
Brigitte Grant
Colette Bate
Croppinsville USA
Crop 'Til You Drop DT
Crop 'Til You Drop SHOP
Elliemook
Jay670120
Pam Sandy
Shirley Pando
Sisterhood Of Scrap

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Crocs!

I love these Crocs, they're not real but my God are they comfy! Better than the authentic ones I reckon. And when I saw the little Care Bear Jibbitz I had to have them, I used to LOVE my Care Bears and I know they are tucked away in my Dad's garage somewhere!
And I have to say this.....I know something secret!!! Sssshhhh! Can't say too much yet but if you love reading blogs and competitions and freebies keep your eyes peeled because there's something about to happen over at CTYD, so keep looking it should be going up tomorrow!!!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Chipboard Projects

A LO using Samantha Walker Day By Day papers, I used the Black Leaf and the Quadrant, plus one of the stickers from the Tags & Accents Sheet. The chipboard butterflies came from the Bare Element Dimension - Wings set, these are fab, you get three sheets of die cut shapes, in this case butterflies and they are so lovely!! I used two of the smaller butterflies and inked them all over and cut some scraps of the Quadrant paper to fit.

Second is a card, the papers and ribbon came from one the HOTP card makers kits, The chipboard heart I coloured with a black pen and glued on, I filled the inside of the heart with glue and a heavy sprinkling of glamour dust.



Third is another card, once again the papers and ribbon are from one of the HOTP card makers kits. The chipboard is actually from We R Memory Keepers Promenade collection, I have used most of the papers but I still had some chipboard tags left, so I painted the centre of the flower with acrylic paint to match my card and stuck the Happy Birthday on top!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Gotta Love These Papers!

I absolutely adore the Bo Bunny - Teen Chic paper range, it's really, bright, really girly and really fun to work with and the stickers are fab.






I've been working on other projects with the papers including the sweetie tin below and a decorated matchbox to follow and these cards were made with some of the leftovers.





Saturday, June 21, 2008

I have one thing to say...

BL@@DY HELL it worked!!!!! LOL!

CHARMING!

First is a card I made using a HOTP Personal Shopper Cardmaking Kit, I die cut the title, I punched a circle out and I added an eyelet just above it, then I hung from it a lovely, cute ladybird charm.




Second I used an entire pack of Romantic Heart charms and using a pair of pliers I hung them from an old piece of chain I had knocking around, I added a clasp and voila! One charm bracelet!

Friday, June 20, 2008

Testing!!!! LOL!

Okay, third pic as promised, I really hope this scheduled posting works, could make things a lot easier for me, maybe I won't forget to blog so much!!!
A pic of a lizard I took in a reptile place, quite a handsome chap really but I was really happy with how clear the picture was!
Not going to rabbit on here, incase this doesn't work!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Holiday Snaps

Just thought I'd share some of my favourite holiday snaps from when DH and I went away to Norfolk for a week last month! I took loads and I do have one particular favourite, stunning shot, but right now I am hanging on to that as I have plans for that photo! In my opinion it's the best photo I have ever taken and is definately worthy of something more than my blog!! First picture was up at Blakeney Point, while we waiting for the tide to come in so we could go out in a boat to see the seals!



Second picture is one of my favourites from the 40 or so pics I snapped of the seals they are TOO cute! This chap was a particularly large one, shame we missed the pups though, I think we were a little early for them, now that would have been cute!
Third picture is in a scheduled post which I am now about to try and master! Wish me luck, I will see if I can get it to work!

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Time to craft!

I always fancied doing an altered clock and finally got my butt into gear and went out and bought a clock! I love it, I used papers from my DT kit, they are Mod Design Whirligig, I love them and I love the clock as well!! I have given up asking DH to hang it on the wall for me though so I'm going to get the hammer out tomorrow and do it myself!! He moans at me for nagging but is it any wonder really!?


I also have made recently an altered sweetie tin using Bo Bunny - Teen Chic, which I am also very happy with and had great fun doing, I want more sweetie tins now though so there's a good excuse to buy sweets!!

Also I have just set a challenge on the CTYD blog so pop on over and check it out!

Friday, May 30, 2008

TOOT TOOT!!!!! I am so chuffed!

Remember the fire photo? (Next post down)!!



Well here it is on the FRONT PAGE of the local paper!! How cool is that!? My first published picture!! And God did it look good when I walked in the supermarket and there was a whole rack of them, all lined up with my piccy on the front!!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

I have been a very bad blogger! AGAIN!

Okay, if anyone knows of a good way to keep me blogging regularly, please let me know! Answers on a postcard.... or just leave a comment! LOL!
Anyhoo, some of my more recent creations;

Card holder, I have been making so many cards lately and had nowhere to put them, so I decided it was about time they had their own little storage case. I used a HOTP Personal Shopper kit for this, I do like working with these kits as there is so much in them and always plenty of contrasting papers and embellies for larger projects!

A page featuring myself and my very dear friend Tina, who sadly died in March, I found this page very therapeutic to do, although I have not included any journalling, I'm not ready for that yet. But it is a photo of her, how I remember her, full of fun, joy and smiles! And yes those chocolates we are sucking on are willy shaped, and I look stunning! NOT!



And finally for today, a card I made a while back, which I absolutely love, It is all vellum and I started making those addictive gathered flowers from organza ribbon again!! And the gems in the middle of them set them off perfectly!









One final, non-craft related thing, we had a massive storm last night and a massive fire started at the end of my road in a derelict old school, it was such a lovely, old Victorian building though and it was so sad to see it burning, but at the same time absolutely amazing. The power of the fire is so intense. It took eight fire engines, over 12 hours to put out, I stood in my back garden and watched the roof collapse, an amazing sight to see but one I don't want to see again! The funniest bit though was when the hydrant across from my house lost pressure, the firemen pulled the hoses off and guess what? Sod's law, the pressure came back full force and sent them flying, thankfully they were okay though and took it in good spirits!!!!

Thursday, May 01, 2008

OK! Time to get going again!!

I have had loads on and I have recently celebrated my 30th birthday! And considering some of the poo that has gone on lately, life is great!!! I love it, I look in the mirror and for the first time in my life I like what I see, I feel so confident and able to achieve anything I can set my mind to and it's great! I can't understand why I'm feeling this way but I'm definately not complaining and long may it continue!!
So in relation to that statement here are a couple of LO's I have been doing over the last couple of weeks!
This one is me on my 30th Birthday after a rather drastic haircut!!!

This is the HAIR before and after, can you believe I weighed myself before I had it done and when I got home I had lost 1 1/2lb! I think I may have a skinhead next! LOL!

And the last one of me, (my BoM is full, I never thought that would happen) with new hair and new clothes (birthday pressies) ready for a hen night!! It was a great night and I LOVE that top so much!!!

Saturday, April 12, 2008

It's been a while!

And TBH I haven't even considered updating my blog until now, you would not believe what has gone on recently, and for a while back there my Mojo went completely AWOL, it's back now but it needed a swift kick in the dirt-box first!!! Anyway, not posting any crafty makes today but something instead that is important to me right now.

My dear, wonderful friend Tina, suddenly and tragically died on the 19th March, I will miss you always and never forget the times we shared, you always had that sparkle inside you and the power to reach out to others and make them smile, even though you doubted that yourself sometimes. I hope what I have done since is right by you and is what you would have wanted,
I have acted how I thought best and I hope that it may bring some comfort to your family.
You will always be in my heart and in my mind, and I will miss you so much, you have left a hole in my life and my heart aches for you and what you went through. I love you darling, sweet dreams. xxx. I hope you found what you were looking for.
"If love could build a staircase and memories build a lane, I'd climb right up to heaven and bring you back again."

Saturday, March 15, 2008

WOW! Check out the wind damage!!

Remember those storms? Well I spent most of the night laying in bed, petrified the roof would blow off or the chimney would come in but thankfully all we lost was the shed window, and then I look out of my window the next morning and see this, apparently a ship had broken free of it's moorings in the wind and smashed into the dock and crane and all that was left was this tangled pile of metal!

And while I'm at it, keep an eye on here because I won some blog candy from Jodi's blog Thanks Jodi!! So now I will be passing it forward, so keep popping back as there will be blog candy coming up soon!!

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Catching Up!

I decided that it's about time I posted some of my latest makes up here, as what with one thing and another I have kinda neglected my blog! AGAIN!! I have a couple of new CJ's getting ready to go out and a couple of swaps as well, plus the DT stuff and life in general, I've been making loads and posting none of it!!

I've been playing with charms! I have absolutely loads of them at the moment and I love them, especially the ladybird, butterflies and bees set! Too cute! I love the charm bracelet but as soon as I used up all the hearts on that I got another set through!! So I may go for a matching jewellery collection!! LOL!

This is my first ever Tear Bear and I love them they are so cute and easy to do. Basically you use a wet paintbrush to draw your bear shapes on the paper and tear them out while they are wet, then use a firm bristle brush (an old toothbrush works well) and fluff them up round the edges, be careful not to fluff them to much though or you will wear the paper out and he will end up with a bald patch!!!

And here he is again, with a friend!! I also have made an Easter chick hatching from a vellum egg but I haven't photographed him yet!! I just love doing them, I have a fab tear bear pattern but I need to figure out how to upload the file here! There is loads more to upload so I will try and get it done over the next few days!
As for the matchbox drawers I haven't forgotten the requests for instructions just not had the time, as soon as I get some matchboxes I will make another set and create the instructions as I go!!

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Thankyou Fab!!


The wonderful Fab has nominated Beverley, Looby, Alix, Shary and I for the Excellent Award over on the Crop Til You Drop Blog!! Thanks Fab!!
You just have to check out Fab's blog, it is absolutely amazing and incredibly inspiring!

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Check it out!!


I am so proud of this, I absolutely love it and it looks stunning on my desk, I am using it for storage for my brads and eyelets. I made all the matchboxes by hand although in hindsight I think I would buy them next time, all the little imperfections become quite big once you start stacking them!! I have left the top blank so I can add another tier later if I want to!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Having fun!!!

I am having a fantastic time crafting at the moment, and I am loving every minute, I am still churning out the cards, something I never really did much of until recently, numerous LO's, and loads of other bits and pieces, and the inspiration is still flowing, I have so many ideas and plans right now, and not enough hours in the day!! Also got my new DT kit through and WHOA! There is a serious amount of beautiful stash in there, the box when it arrived was seriously bulging at the seams and stuff inside is absolutely amazing,
it's going to take me a while to plough through all that as well!!
Then theres a couple of new projects I have in mind, I want to an A-Z of products and techniques I love in a journal plus try out some new techniques and use some of the bits that are stuck at the back of the drawer! I want to create some sort of storage for my growing collection of stickles and alcohol inks and on top of all that I want to start a new CJ!
Also today we got a lovely catalogue through the post full of beautiful works of art and photos and that there are some amazing pictures in there plus loads of inspiration to work from, I think I'd better start a list!!

Sunday, February 03, 2008

And even more....!

I didn't realise how much stuff I have been doing over the last week, it just keeps coming!! This one is for a family birthday I have coming up, used my Craft Robo. It's the first time I used it for a card and I quite like it. I got the template from UKS, so many thanks to Humbug for designing it! I used a HOTP cardmakers kit from and a little charm both from CTYD, and a little piece of leftover ribbon.




This is from a class over at MCC, to make an art journal, I love the results and had a great time making it, it has 64 pages to fill and I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to put in it yet!! All suggestions gratefully recieved! LOL!

And the last one for today is this 18th Birthday card, the birthday is tomorrow so it's going to be a little late, but it's the thought that counts!! This is another one I did with my robo, I have no idea where I got this template from but if you designed it, then thankyou very much! I really need to sit down and have a play with my robo when I have a few hours spare and see if I can design a few of my own!

Saturday, February 02, 2008

And there's more...

This is one of my favourite LO's at the moment, I loved doing it and the paper was so apt! It's Creative World Drop Dead Red and I got it off Beverley over at CTYD. There was a skull on it which I didn't like much so I covered it with more of those fabulous gathered flowers I did over at MCC. They look great as well if you cut into them after you have sewn them, like petals! My Boy isn't dangerous at all, unless he's hanging off your finger! LOL! But I love him to bits and he is truly beautiful!

This one is my Mojo! We all talk about our mojo's but have you ever tried to imagine what yours would look like in a physical form? Well, on one of sleepless nights I did and this is my mojo!!
I used Renae's House Aubrey papers that I got from CTYD!!! I even posed him for the picture sat on the Aubrey Garden paper!
My journalling reads;
"OK, So why on earth do I have a picture of a blue, fluffy thing in my treasured scrapbook? It's my mojo! Or at least what I picture my mojo to look like in physical form!! My mojo is my inspiration, creativity and motivation to make my pages as good as I can. My inspiration comes from patterned papers, magazines, gallerys, sketches and my imagination. My creativity is (I hope) natural but this is how I choose to use it and my motivation comes because this is what I love to do. So I love my mojo and it's cute representation, it even makes funny noises, like me trying to use a stubborn paper punch!!"

And then there's this one! I can't believe I finally scrapped it but I am so glad I did, it's the pic of me after our car accident back in November. I wanted to remind myself how lucky we were and to laugh at probably my worst self portrait, I never realised how wonky my nostrils were! LOL! Looking good (NOT)!

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Results of my Labours!

I have been doing some of the fab free classes over on My Creative Classroom and here's a few of my results, I have loads of stuff to show but here's a few for now and hopefully I will make time to add more in as I go over the next week!

This one was to dye ribbons to match your work, I left some of the original ribbon in the picture on the left and the colour it has picked up is amazing.





This was to use a Becky Fleck sketch.











This was for a class by Beverley (AKA The Guv), to use scraps using a Di Hickman sketch.






This was the same class using another Di Hickman sketch.







This was class on stamping and although I didn't follow it exactly, it was great fun!!








And lastly, this was to make fabric gathered flowers which I can't believe I never tried before and I absolutely love them so will be doing plenty more in the future!!

But most importantly I have been having great fun and I'm going back over there shortly to see what to do next!!
All of the papers came from HOTP cardmaker's kits, which I got at a bargain price over at CTYD!