April... Already :O

Hmmm... ok.. so time has yet again run away with itself!

****Warning**** extremely long post!!!

I still haven't taken photo's of the layouts i'd mentioned in my last post... but it is on my list of jobs to do... you'll have to excuse the poor quality of photo's posted today, the lighting is not at it's best.

I have taken a quick photo of the invite created for HisLordShip's Nana's 80th birthday party...

I used some Black cardstock I had in my supplies... Stampin' Up's Bridesmaid Speciality Papers

Stazon Black Ink... Stampin' Up's Cheer & Wishes Stamp Set

White Silk Ribbon

After my last post I was busy getting organised for GoGoGetaway 2010... It was 'The Best Yet'!

We got to choose 7 classes from 21... it was a hard choice as they were all fantastic. Excess class kits were offered for sale at £7.50 each after the classes were finished... a new way of offering the kits was established this year and I have to say I liked the way it was done, it added a bit more excitement to the weekend! You had to put your name on a list for the classes you'd like, a draw was done and then you were told if you'd won... I was lucky to win all 7 that I had popped my name down for... now I can't wait to get started on them!

The weekend was amazing... seeing all the friends i'd made on previous retreats and making so many many more... wishing I could afford to go to every GoGoGetaway... just to see everyone again!

Just a few of the Lily's

We went for a wander around the hotel and it's gardens... at one point I had about 6-7 camera's at my feet... I had lots of fun taking photo's. Here is just a couple of those taken...

The lovely Jackie

The lovely Sheena

As I'm a slow scrapper I didn't finish my classes in the class time but worked on them during crop time... I'm really proud of myself as this is the first year I have completed all the classes... not at the retreat but i've been working on them since the retreat... and here are the finished works of art except for the first class which was a mini album, which I have yet to photograph!

My first class was 'All Mixed Up' a Mini Album... Nicola... Thank-You so much... I have had nothing but trouble with mini album classes in the past but Nicola's theme & style was so me... I absolutely loved it and can't wait to create some more!

Next was a class by Lorraine... 'The Measure Of Love'... Another fantastic class

Because I finished it at home I used a Scrapagogo kit stamp for the journaling block which I've left blank for the moment as it's going to be a bit personal!

Third Class was 'Industrial Action' by the lovely Sam... we got to paint & heat emboss... it's given me the courage to use my own heatgun which i've had since 2005 and never used... lol

Photo was taken at Otley in January... Again I have left the journaling off for photo purposes!

Fourth Class was 'Flower Patch' again with the lovely Sam... Lots of detail cutting and I cut my flowers at the wrong section... but I like how it's all turned out!

This is going in my GoGoGetaway album... photo was taken at the very first Getaway in June 2008.

Fifth Class was 'Team Green' again by the lovely Lorraine... Loved all the texture, layers and rolling of paper etc in this class!

A photo of my lovely dog Fubar after a long walk through a National Trust's Forestry.

Sixth Class was 'A Word Please' by the lovely Eileen... Loved all the lovely bright colours in this class... not something i'd have used if I was to buy the papers myself... but...

I think they worked great when I could concentrate on the class at home. I took these photo's with me but didn't think they would work with the class, maybe it was lack of sleep due to going to bed after the clocks changed and then being woken up by a fire alarm at 6:30amish, followed by a bit of a disagreement on the phone with HisLordShip just before class started... but my head just wasn't in the class that morning... just hope i've done it justice since my return home!

Seventh Class was 'Every Cloud' by the lovely Sam... I actually had to take this class kit home with me as HisLordShip arrived early to take me home... rather than have hime wait around for an hour or so, I left around 2:30pm whilst everyone was doing this last class.

I did complete the class at home and really enjoyed it... again lots of detailed cutting and texture... a layout to add to the Holiday album.

On my arrival home from the retreat I was greeted by a huge pile of dishes to be washed... bedding to be changed due to HisLordShip allowing the dog & cat on the bed (not a good idea at best of times but when they are both malting, big NO NO!)... boys were supposed to stay with Grandparents Sunday night with Gramps taking them to school Monday morning, but apparently he had a meeting so the boys ended up coming home at 7pm, so it was bath and bed for them... I didn't get chance to sit down until I hit the sack at 12.30am... I was sooooo tired!

I've spent time re-arranging my bedroom/craftroom to try and create some extra space... it didn't work... so the purchasing of kitchen base units was brought forward and i've spent most of my time putting together units, ordered worktops which were delivered yesterday... just need to level the last unit which I put together yesterday and the bottom section will be done! Need 2 Wall Units for the side wall and then a trip to IKEA for some accessories, so looking forward to that part!

I would love to see your craft spaces as i'm looking for idea's and organizational help... so don't be shy please share!

In other news... HisLordShip is underfoot due to trying to be R Kelly and 'believing he could fly' over his workbike's handle bars... he's now nursing broken ribs! I swear men are worse than kids when they are ill and if he wanted sympathy... he's with the wrong woman... whahahaha!!!

Other than looking for jobs... i've not been doing that much really other than develop a love of T.V again... I am so into The Vampire Diaries... Supernatural Series 5... Drop Dead Diva and for the first time ever I watched Britain's Got Talent and actually enjoyed it :o

I'm still reading 'The Rapture' by Liz Jensen... I can't quite seem to get into it but i'm perservering!

Well I think i've rambled enough... I wasn't planning on such a long post but heyho that's life!

I've decided February was just not my month at all... I think it went by just way too fast and wasn't helped with being the shortest month of the year!

March however has got off to a flying start...

• 1st... I got my C.V. sorted so now I'm even more set for Job applications!
• 2nd... Handed over the 20 invitations i'd made for HisLordShip's Nana's 80th party and actually earnt some pennies YAY! Pennies are being popped aside to pay towards the cupboards etc I want for my craft room
• 3rd... Sat and popped a whole heap of decoupage images together ready to make some cards as I have both HisLordShip's Birthday and Mother's Day all on the same day... He's not happy about having to share his birthday... Hehe never mind, it's not like it happens every year :P
• Today... I'm blogging and feeling in an upbeat mood even after only 5hours kip last night!

Have any of you done any cards with the Pepper & Friends decoupage images that you are willing to share... I need some inspiration as the images are a bit bigger than most i've used before!

I do have a few bits to show you as I have been creating but I need to charge the camera batteries... and find the charger... but I will be back!

Right... now i'm off to see what papers I have in the house that will go with my decoupaged images... and make sure I have some cardstock (Nearly ALL my crafting supplies are still at HisLordShip's parent's house... I want my goodies back!... it's a pain having to nip up there all the time.)

Bad Bad Blogger...

I'll just stand in the corner & hang my head in shame!


I can't believe I haven't blogged since June last Year... I know I know... there is no excuse... except that Life just gets in the way and I'm absolutely useless at keeping up with things!

It's February 1st 2010... and so MY year begins... I don't start with January as it's quite hectic with boys birthday etc and your still getting over the Christmas & New Year hub!

My Word for this year is... FOCUS

I have been reading blogs through Google Reader for some time now and have to say it's fantastic... even more so this year as i'm trying to cut my time on the computer down so that I can spend more time doing other things that are more important and actually get some crafting done instead of drooling over everyone else's work... everyone creates such fantastic masterpieces that I feel guilty for reading and not having time to comment... so I must apologise now for not commenting on blogs!

Scrapdolly... is running a year long challenge called 52 in 10(scrapping about ourselves)... every Sunday a prompt is posted on her blog for those who wish to take part, it's a PDF, which is great for me as I'll be able to read it on my Sony Reader at crops instead of printing it out... so far I've saved the prompts and have ordered some prints that i'll need for the layouts I have in mind... hopefully the prints will arrive soon so I can get started and catch up!
I also noticed a couple of blogs running challenge's for the year... Scrap Weekly & 52 Weeks of Stress-Free Scrapbooking... so i'm hoping to combine the three and create as many layouts as possible this year... surely 52 layouts is do-able... even for me!!!
I have a huge pile of Scrapagogo kits all nicely piled in their yellow boxes... unused & gathering dust... so my aim for this year is to reduce this pile and create as many layouts & cards as possible before I buy anymore papers etc... I will still get my GoGo Kit as they provide the lovely new papers that are coming out... so will hopefully reduce temptation to buy anymore!

For some reason this didn't post yesterday so i've edited to add the question below!!!

I'm sorting out my stamps again as i have a huge pile waiting to go into Cd Cases but whilst unmounting some from the EZ-Mount Foam I've found they are leaving the glue on the back of the rubber... it's really really sticky and it's just a horrible mess... if anyone knows of the best way to remove the excess glue I would really apprecaite your help and advice!

Where did May Go... and nearly the end of June...

I am such a bad blogger... I'll go hang my head in shame until I can do a proper post tomorrow!

I need to get ready for work now before the boys arrive home from school, but promise I will be back tomorrow with lots of photo's :)

In the meantime if you'd like to leave me any advice or your opinions on the Canon 500D I would really appreciate it as I'm thinking of investing in one... would also like to know which lens you think would best suit getting photo's of Rock Climbers at all stages of their climb :)
Or maybe you'd like to suggest another camera for me to look at???

All advice gratefully recieved as my poor FujiFilm 9500 just isn't up to scratch :p

Where is time going???

I can't believe how fast time is just passing by... I have so much to get done ready for the workmen to come in and modernise this house that I just haven't time for myself or crafting at the moment... and tbh it's all stressing me out... I have so needed some 'Me' time!

HisLordShip took me out for a ride on the Motorcycle on Wednessday... we ended up at Skipton and Omg, some absolutely lovely views as well as slopey curvey roads... I enjoyed every minute of it! Of course seeing as we were over there I just had to pop into Samuel Taylors and have a nosey, very different to the Leeds ST. I was treated to a few bits whilst there... a cuttlebug embossing folder, Forever Friends Decoupage and some Whispers Blender Pens... they didn't have the Low-Tac tape i'd originally set out of the house for!

We had a walk around Skipton Market and bought some of the old fashioned sweeties... then set off home... or so I thought.... a lovely ride back into Leeds and a pit stop at the Leeds Samuel Taylors where I found my Low-Tac Tape... and was treated even more... I got the Big One paper stack by Clare Curd, Papermania Doodles Stamps again by Clare Curd (I think... lose track of who makes what as they are all yummy) and the new Creative Cardmaking magazine!

And then there was no cooking either as HisLordShip bought Take-Out... talk about being spoilt... hehe :)

Of course I've not had time to use my new goodies yet... but as soon as I can get this house in order I will be playing to my hearts content!

This Morning my Dandelion & Daisy Birthday Collection... exclusive to The Glitter Pot... arrived and to say I only ordered them yesterday evening I was amazed they arrived so quickly... so would highly recommend 'The Glitter Pot' to anyone :)

I have my eye on the New range of Dandelion and Daisy stamps that are due out on 1st May... the Masculine Collection... and with Fathers Day coming up will definitely come in handy for the men in our lives!

I was really upset to have missed the 'Stamp With Us' challenge last week... but just did not have time to play at all... so today I have sat down and made a card for this weeks challenge before the new challenge comes out tomorrow... talk about last minute! I had an idea and using the Dandelion & Daisy Sketch from their last weeks challenge (another missed challenge :( ) I made my card using some Chocolate Stampin' Up Papers and using the Choclolate Cardstock the lovely Monica sent with one of my parcels for a challenge again I missed doing I have come up with this lovely little card...

And of course the card had to have one of the cute little Dandelion & Daisy images... I just love these little guys at the moment... but as soon as house is sorted I can play with my lovely Stampin' Up Stamps :) (Excuse the windows... they will be going soon and lovely new Double Glazing will be going in... can't wait)

Well... best get back to sorting the shed... tidying and throwing... then into the house again to continue the cleansing process in here... feels like it's never ending but I know it will all be worth it in the end!

Catch you all soon :)

Back Again...

Absolutely full of cold... but I think it's brought my Mojo with it as I've got more to show you!

This card is for the boys Gramps whose birthday it is tomorrow and also for this challenge http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/friday-sketchers-46-sponsored-by-whimsy.html

This Layout is for the pre-Getaway Challenge for Scrap-a-GoGo... Getting To Know You

I've used Prima's Angelique Collection "Angel Kisses" for the background, Fancy Pants Glitter Cuts Green Frame at top and bottom of photo. Title is made up of Papercraft 4 You velvet Alpha in Yellow, American Crafts 'Remarks' Whistle Stop Colour Set 1 cardstock letters, lots of blooms and brads!

Journalling Reads...

1. I am a complete chocoholic with no hope for rehabilitation.

2. I love my family & friends but also like my own space.

3. I love taking photo's but hate having mine taken.

4. I've recently discovered I love to experiment with different foods.

5. I believe in fairies & all things magical, especially Santa!

Whilst not my usual colours to work with, especially together I really enjoyed putting this layout together!

This next layout is for the http://www.pagemaps.com/blog.php?do=blog&id=49 I rotated the sketch to fit my photo but like how it's turned out!

I've used a plain brown cardstock for the background, October Afternoon's 'Daydream: Freshly Mown Lawn' & an apple from 'Detours: Fruit Stand'. The swirl is Nicole Lombardo and from a GoGo Kit... I've chopped it into 2 pieces so it would fit. The stitching is Sassfrass Lass Rub-ons.
Not sure what the Chipboard Embellies are but they looked cute and were in a GoGo Kit, I used Jenny Bowlin Rub-ons to create the Family title and the little mushrooms... and also the journalling lines are Jenny Bowlin Rub-Ons!

Hope you all are enjoying this lovely Sunday!

Back soon with more goodies to share :)