This hobby unites us....

To all my scrapbooking buddies Merry Christmas for tomorrow and to my dear friend Jackie Happy Birthday today - for Jackie is a Christmas Eve baby xxx

I've made some amazing friends with this hobby, a hobby that if you get it, it gets you and you're well and truly hooked....

I thought I would share a layout that I did recently at my local crop, using a photo montage that Jackie constructed for all the Toad Hall ladies.

I'd taken my instax camera with me and everyone had a photo taken of them holding their polaroid photo.

So thank you Jackie for being you, I'm honoured to be your friend xxx

I've won!

Last night, my day got zillions better.

For those of you who don't know, over on Shimelle's blog she has a weekly giveaway. I only tend to leave a comment if I'm interested in the goodies (on the basis that I'm reducing someone else's chances who wants it more!)

So this week it was a giveaway for either a printable paper craft file or a custom pdf silhouette from Silhouette Gifts, which I thought were totally stunning.

So I left a comment and guess what, I've only gone and won!

Sam Says:
18 December 2011, 08:34

From notebooks when I was little to big girl scrapbooking papers – what’s not to love…

PS those silhouettes are AMAZING xxx

So watch this scrapping space!

PS - I was so excited I had to wake Harvey - he wasn't as impressed!

I've got the crochet bug!

With crochet having a mahosive revival, I recently decided it was about time I learn't.

So with a few basic stitches in tow (taught to me by my Mum) I set about having a couple of more in-depth lessons from my fab friend Sheena!

So I mastered Sheena's pointed flower, and having decided that chunky wool wasn't for me and that I wanted to use the finer embroidery floss type crochet thread!

After making numerous delicate flowers, I realised enough was enough and that I should have a go with a four ply (I may sound like I know what I'm going on about, but it was only because the pattern said that's what to use LOL)

Following a simple pattern from Mollie Makes, I made mug cosies - so cute and personal xxx

Hopefully the new homes they are destined for love them as much as I loved making them!

The results are in...

The little munchie, aka Teddy Edwards had a heart scan yesterday (at the same time as being castrated poor thing).

A heart murmur was detected on his first vaccination and although it was hoped it would get better, sadly it got a bit worse! The vet wanted to castrate him early so that the heart scan could be done asap under anaesthetic...

The results are in - he has a thickening of his heart muscles and there is no cure, nor drugs available. He will deteriorate over time, until one day sadly, when his heart will have had enough!

On the positive side, although he won't see double figures, he should lead a fairly normal life for at least the next three to four years!

Teddy was our surprise - his Mum, Lulu had Toulouse and Toupee (also in the photo) earlier in the year.

Then before I could get her spayed, we came home from work one night in July to find a tiny bundle of white fluff!

Teddy is one amazing kitten, so full of life and energy. It's hard to believe that his little heart is pumping away too fast, like it's as if he's been on red bull!

It's amazing how these little beings take a piece of heart and give so much back unconditionally.

Blimey, two weeks have passed already!

And isn't it always when you need more time that it passes us by so quickly...

I simply cannot believe that it's two weeks ago since my first layout as a member of the DT for Pencillines! We're now on sketch 263, designed by the lovely Sue Mylde.

Here's my take on the sketch, which I really enjoyed working with.

Although I don't get to London very often, Harvey and I were there a couple of weeks ago and spied these lovelies in John Lewis, made by Cavallini & Co.

Check out their website for some gorgeous stash!

Have you popped over...

To the ScrapaGoGo blog recently? Cause if you haven't then it's high time you did!

It's been getting all Christmassy over there... Each day there's a new and inspirational idea to create a little something, be it a decoration, a Christmas card or box for a present, pop and over and see if you're inspired!

Yesterday saw my little bird appearing... a perfect little friend to have on your Christmas tree and easy to make too! And today you can follow Eileen's step by step guide to creating a gift box, perfect for all those little presents!

So what are you waiting for!

Flora and Fauna

I got all Christmassy recently when I got the lovely Flora and Fauna December kit from ScrapaGoGo.

It's a stunner featuring Websters Pages, Bo Bunny, Authentique and Lily Bee and a gorgeous Hambly overlay... and that's just the papers!

With all the full on, busy, busy lives we lead and especially in the run up to Christmas, I suddenly realised that I had forgotten to blog any of my December designs...

So without further ado, my first layout was Grow.

This kit with all its intricate papers allows for my obsession of cutting out the tiniest of elements...

The Websters resin cameo took centre stage in this layout, well who can blame me!

Anyway off to my local crop, Harvey is out and so I thought why not? I've been off work today and had a throughly relaxed time so right in the mood for some scrapping. And even better I leave my stuff overnight and I'm back there tomorrow... bonus!

I got all Christmassy recently when I got the lovely Flora and Fauna December kit from ScrapaGoGo.

It's a stunner featuring

First Pencillines layout

This weeks Pencillines sketch was designed by the lovely Karen Shady. It was a really sweet sketch to work with... I seem to have a bit of a thing for bunting at the moment.... I know, late to the party!

My layout features a cute photo of Liv on our yurting holiday this Summer - we stayed near Ambleside and was recommended of a tea rooms that was to die for... as was the price, so sadly we only went the once!

I'm having a bit of a thing with October Afternoon at the moment and picked up some pieces from the Sidewalks collection at the ScrapaGoGo getaway. Unlike my usual trait, I actually don't have that many bits left from it... still any excuse for more stash shopping!

I've got some news...

And no it isn't that I'm eating for two or anything like that...!!!

I've been asked to join the lovely Pencillines DT team, hooray...

This was my DT submission based on the sketch

I am really pleased to have been asked, and being on Pencillines will be so different to being on the fabulous ScrapaGoGo DT team...

Being on these two DT teams, I reckon I've got the best of both worlds!

And my final ScrapaGoGo classes....

My last class on Saturday was called 'Layered Lovelies' and boy was there some layering!

Using traditional decoupage as a starting point, we created a set of unique hybrids to create 3D blooms and butterflies. After a serious amount of cutting, the end result was well worth it and the ladies layouts were stunning...

I love to see the finished results, especially if I get chance to have a mosey at the photos each lady is using on her layout - they are always such different images, each working equally as well!

'Set Sail" was my final class at the ScrapaGoGo retreat. Remember vellum, I'm sure you'll have some in your stash.... well with this class you'd love it again!

The photos were taken on Crosby beach, where the famous 100 Andrew Gormley statues reside... what an amazing place. I twisted Harvey's arm to visit it this Summer, having read about it on Kirsty Wiseman's blog... and it didn't disappoint!

Note to self... must visit the Angel of the North!

Over a week ago!!!

I can't believe it was only a week ago that our fantastic ScrapaGoGo retreat was over... I really miss you ladies, we have such a giggle and this retreat was no exception...

So on Saturday morning I taught 'Branching Out' using some gorgeous Websters Pages papers, along with floristry bits and bobs to create the floral cluster embellishment. I adore intricate cutting and Websters makes this task so simple with their many elements to choose from...

The photo was taken on our yurting holiday... Nina took some time out to sketch and draw on one of the two days when we had great weather! She needed red wellies and thank goodness she did as they were perfect for both our many wet days and to tonally work with this layout!

On Saturday after lunch I taught 'An Open Book', using watercolours to paint a beautiful image and incorporate onto a piece of bookplate paper. The class kit contents consisted of a selection of 6" x 6" papers which when cut into smaller squares create a fabulous patchwork effect.

This class just goes to show it's worth saving all those leftover pieces of paper to create your own patchwork background.

I'm off now to watch Strictly and X Factor results and continue with my first crochet mug cosy courtesy of Mollie Makes...

How time flies....

It's less than a week since we were at the ScrapaGoGo getaway, but somehow it seems so much longer!

I had an amazing time, met some lovely new ladies, caught up with some old friends and had a good old fashioned giggle... not to mention teaching five classes, all of which I throughly enjoyed.

The first was Snippet, which used a mix of fabrics, papers, ribbons and cool random embellishments such as ladybirds and the cutest coca cola bean can!

Check back over the next few days for class number two "Branching Out".

And in all its glory....

The stunning ScrapaGoGo kit for November... 'Chic Boutique'

How gorgeous is that? mmmmmm x x x x x

And who could resist the stamp, so versatile isn't it? Perfect as a journalling base or to create a fancy edge for your layout... yummy

Saving the best till last, G2P is amazing this month, scrummy, scrummy, scrummy

Can't stay around, I'm off to play!

Chic Boutique

Not long left until the reveal of ScrapaGoGo's stunning November kit 'Chic Boutique' Pink Paislee, Glitz, MME, Jillibean Soup and Coredinations... - and that's just the papers!

Step into the GoGo dress shop and get kitted out in taffeta and lace - all tailor made for you. Give memories and loved ones a new look within your designs using our chic mix that unites catwalk fashion and vintage trends, bows, pearls and all!

And ScrapaGoGo has some rather exciting news... each month your Create kit will now include a bespoke card... (as always, made by little old me.... bonus!)

10 things on the 10th

I haven't joined in with 10 things on the 10th in a while, so after a few minutes pondering what my 10 things could be, I wondered if I could focus on hobbies, past and present...

At the moment I'm big into crochet, of course it goes without saying that scrapbooking is still my 'thing' but crochet has really got under my skin... And along with a bit of teaching from my Mum, my friend and fellow DT scrapbooker Sheena is largely to blame for this new found addiction!

Initially, I assumed that I wouldn't have participated in anything like 10 hobbies, but when I put pen to paper, I had more than enough to fill 10!

1. Crochet... basic flowers, certainly not at this standard (yet anyway)... Sheena where are you?

2. Knitting, scarves are my limit.... the whole dropping stitches doobery really gets to me, so been there, worn the scarf, the end of my knitting career!

3. Scrapbooking... need I say more?

4. Embroidery... this would have been my preferred specialist subject at Uni, but my Mum guided me into print, as this "was a more commercially viable route!"

5. Card making.... will make, not a total fan!

6. Jewellery... again not really got under my skin. However Olivia (my eldest step-daughter) really has got the bug and currently has a side line of making jewellery charms which are sold across the UK - go girlie xxx

7. Painting... I find it so therapeutic but slightly frustrating as the end result can be a long time coming. However I adore art and am an avid collector of Caroline Shotton!

8. Weave... again a favourite of mine at Uni but not commercially viable... ok Mum I get the picture!

9. Pottery... god it's hard to do, gave that up for a tube of smarties!

10. Stained glass.... totally love creating pieces, especially copper foil panels. Think Olivia has most of our supplies currently, so I guess we won't see them in a hurry!

Enjoy your 10th of the month and belated Happy Birthday Shimelle xxx