Only 10 Months Until I Start The Next One!!!

I actually finished it!!! As it's February tomorrow I thought it was about time I finished off the Christmas journal. I had to add a ribbon to tie it up as, despite the larger book rings, it's still bursting at the seams.
I added this envelope....

And made this mini book to go inside.....I can't show you the photos because of child protection. Before you ask, the photos are the official ones that were for sale after the play so I am allowed them!!

This page was from a few days before Christmas when we had a family party and Christmas photo shoot. It is too cool having a photographer in the family!

Then a page about my pressies.....

This one is from when we took my nephews to the aquarium....

Then New Years Eve.....

And finally a page to sum it all up at the end.

This is the first scrapping I've done all week. I have enjoyed having a little break and have been spending lots of time crocheting, which I will update you on later.

TFL xx

Get Knitted

Well my mojo returned and before I had chance to really put it back into action I got a stinking cold and am now feeling poorly and sorry for myself! I do however find it virtually impossible to sit and do nothing so have been enjoying a bit more knitting and crochet.

Today I went with Mum and Clare to our local knitting shop 'Get Knitted' which is an awesome place. They have every type of wool you can think of, including pure Cashmere at £22 a ball!! Needless to say I didn't buy any of that but I did buy this ......
Which I have already set to work turning into these....

To make some little pressies for my little girly cousins.

I am loving it and have almost got quite good at it! I have also been working on a fun little knitting project partially for my lil cousins and also for the homecorner in school. I haven't photographed it yet but will do soon and share with you.

TFL xx

Gathering Momentum

A days scrapping has finally kick started my mojo and I've managed to produce three layouts that I was really happy with.

Firstly this one for the Sarah's Cards January sketch challenge. Quite a story behind the title which I am going to attach to the back of the layout. My sister took me for a walk in my pram on the beach just after this photo was taken, unfortunately I was not strapped in so when she hit a hole that someone had dug in the sand, I ended up on my face in the sand!!!!
I did some really fine cutting which was worth the effort in the end!!

Of course no layout of mine is complete without some liquid pearls and glossy accents!!!

This next one is using my Jan kit, this picture of me and Jake was taken at Pizza Hut, the waitress tripped while bringing our food out and dumped a plate full of chicken nuggets, chips and ketchup into my handbag!!!!

I was soooo pleased with the little knife, fork and spoon, I had to make myself use it as it was so sweet that I just wanted to look at it!! But boy am I glad I did!! I used silver embossing powder and UTEE and then pressed a swirly pattern into the handles....I am in love, I need more of them!!

This layout was inspired by Pencil Lines sketch 170. More of my Be Loved papers and one of our Christmas photo shoot pics....

Used some clear buttons that were a bargain in the ATDML sale, added some matching paper behind with some glossy accents and 'voila!' perfectly matching buttons!

And finally a layout I did yesterday. These lucious AC papers gave me a hankering to do a really clean, crisp layout....so I did!! Also used a few embellies from some old kits.

So all in all a productive couple of days, even though I haven't been very well. What will I manage when I'm better?!!!

TFL xxx

Resolutions Resolved

This is my second layout with my January kit. It's for week one of the academy. The prompt was about those New Years Resolutions that we always make but never keep. I used to do that, I vowed every year that I would learn to play the drums, but last year I actually achieved all of the resolutions I made (I gave up on the drums) so I thought that this would be a great angle on the prompt.

I used the same photo that I used to scrap my resolutions last year so that it nicely bookended the year.
I originally stamped a background using my Polka dot stamp but wasn't that pleased with the effect so went over them with Liquid Pearls and I really like the effect.

The journalling is hidden on three tags which slot in behind the photo.

TFL xxx

Slow

The layouts are happening slowly at the moment. I'm not feeling all that well so if I have the mojo I find I don't have the energy. This is one I did at the weekend with my gorgeous new MME papers which I just adore. It's one of my baby photos that I just really liked....
Some close ups....

New pink liquid pearls......

A bit of paper pleating.....

Still no parcel but today could be the day! Went to Clare's Stampin Up Party last night and ordered a few nice bits so thats another parcel to look forward to.

Havin a lazy morning in preparation for a not so lazy afternoon in school!!

TFL xx

Do You Like My Frilly Apron??

Can you believe it's almost been a year since I discovered the great Gogo?! This month they have surpassed themselves with my favourite kit to date....Frilly Apron. It's just gorgeous, let me show it to you....

Firstly when I opened my yellow box I had a lovely surprise, a few weeks back I won a giveaway on their blog, so when I opened my box there was a freebie mini kit. I really wanted this kit on Grab It day but couldn't really afford it so what a great prize!
Then the main event! Packed with pretty, vintage stylie gorgeousness and some really cute and unusual embellies..check out the chipboard knife, fork and spoon!

I did allow myself the Go-2-pieces on grab it day and I am so glad I did. I especially love the little tags I hadn't realised they were metallic and now I want them in lots of colours.

So my first layout is for Week 2 of the January academy...I know I know I never do them in order I don't know why (it's completely against my OCD nature!!) The prompt was to scrap your 2010 goals, something I had on my crafty to do list so I got stuck straight in......

This year my goals are: to, one way or another, return to work or more importantly, study. To continue to love my hobby and hopefully get some more work published and more DT work (esp now I am no longer on the Butterfly Crafts DT :( To get lots more school experience, and to do all I can to stay well and continue to recover.

Here is a close up of the detail:

I am particularly pleased with the little flower I made from the twine...my own invention!!!

I am hoping that today could possibly be the day that my prize could arrive. I'm not gonna get my hopes up as I have been told that these boxes have been packed and collection times booked so potentially this box could be like pass the parcel!! I'll believe it when I see it.

Have a great day xx

Why???

I just saw this video while I was blog hopping and just thought it was great, take 5 minutes to watch it, it's worth it xxx

Mojo Delivery

Anyone who has spoken to me over the last two weeks will know that I have been waiting for parcels! I ordered a few bits of stash in the sales and the blasted snow has stopped them reaching me until today when my postman arrived completely loaded down!!! This is a much needed inspiration boost, unfortunately I have not felt that great today so made an attempt to start a layout but had to abandon in favour of a lie down in front of the telly. However, I fully intend to make the most of a clear weekend to get stuck back in.

I saw these AC papers advertised in SBM and can't believe I hadn't noticed them before, so pretty, and a welcome change from Christmas stash! Also found these brads going cheap in the Sarahs Cards sale.
Then a small order from Papermaze. A couple of Christmas transparencies, I haven't used transparencies for a while and have always enjoyed it so thought they would be nice for some Christmas pics. After being initially unsure I decided I did like CC Jolly by Golly so grabbed a couple of sheets, and of course I am a sucker for anything with cupcakes on so Nook and Pantry had to be done!!

And then this little beauty!!! OMG brand new sparkling release to tide me over until the CHA launches drift to our shores. MME Be Loved....so gorgeous...the colours are amazing. I have already cut into these so watch this space!!

The backs are yummy too.....

Speaking of CHA I have been keeping an eye out for sneak peeks and am gonna start a wishlist of things that catch my eye in the side bar =====>>>>>>

Thats all for now, hopefully I will feel a bit more lively and creative tomorrow and will have something to show you!!

Night xxx

Feeling Sketchy

So the snow still hasn't melted but we have only had a dusting since Wednesday and the roads aren't too bad so I've been managing to get out and about. I have been so glad of it cos I spent quite a lot of time in the house over Christmas so would have got really bored if I couldn't get out. I have been glad to snatch some crafty time inbetween trips out and have had fun using up some stash. I am waiting on a few bits and pieces but the weather seems to be holding up the parcels so I am being extra creative and using up the scraps.

I have worked with two sketches this weekend. Firstly the Twisted sketch. The twist was 'white' which suits me quite nicely as I more often than not use white cardstock anyway. The layout has turned out so differently from the sketch but it inspired me in the first place and that, surely, is the idea!!!
My sweet nephew Jake, about 12 years ago. So cute, he looked just like Tommy Pickles from the Rugrats!

I used Bella Blvd papers, Maya mists, Cosmo Chipboard and Thickers. I also threw in some extra 'white' by doodling on the photo and Thickers.

I also found a sketch on the ATDML blog. Again my take is very different from the sketch but I used it as a strating place.

I am really hoping the weather starts to get back to 'normal' soon. I have some nice things planned this week and I don't want to have to cancel them. Also I REALLY want my prize to arrive as I have been waiting for 3 weeks now and I am the most impatient person in the world!

Night xx

Nearly There

Here is an update of my journal, it's still not quite finished but I only have about 4 pages to do.

Wes and Maureen on Christmas Eve....
Christmas Dinner.....

Some snap shots from Christmas day, printed on my Pogo...

Having my annual Snowball at Auntie Jean's on Boxing Day......

Our big family get together.......

More fun and games......

And thats where I'm up to. I have got all the photos I need now so just need the time and inspiration to do it!

TFL xx

Snow Business

We finally got some snow on Tuesday night so have had a couple of days at home. As well as decorating the dining room I have managed to have some crafty time.

Firstly I did Yvonne's CJ 'Where in The World', I can't believe that I've done 3 entries already, I think this is gonna fly by. Here is a sneak peek as I don't want to spoil it for the others.
Yesterday I did my layout ready for Butterfly crafts cahllenge 27 that goes live in about a week. I've done it using the mini kit from gogo....

Today this little guy came to visit. He loved the snow and was trying to catch snowballs in our garden. He looked so cute with snow all over his face!

This evening I fancied doing something crafty but wasn't inspired to scrap so I made these tags..

They were inspired by these at Cosmo Cricket. I really enjoyed making them, it definitely felt good to be using up scraps and they will look lovely on beautifully wrapped birthday presents during the year. I will definitely be making more. This one is my favourite so far.....

Anyway, school is reopening tomorrow and I am really pleased about it. Last week I was looking forward to getting back to school and getting on with things, taking my mind off of my disappointment and the snow stopped me going in today so I can't wait to get back to it. The children aren't coming in until 9.30 so we can make sure everything is safe and warm etc.

Better go and get some sleep so I am ready for it! xx

Happy Birthday!

Just a quick post to say a big Happy Birthday to my Auntie Sue who I know reads my blog. Hope you have a lovely day. Keep Warm!!! xxxxx

Gogo and Pogo!

Here is more evidence of my crafty weekend. I decided to make this mini book to say Thank You to my neice for organising a little Christmas party at her house. It's made using my December kit from Scrapagogo and pics from my Pogo.

Yesteday I went to The Range and found these kraft gift bags, I just loved them and at 3 for 99p I just had to have some. I wish I'd bought a few more packs and I also wish that I'd discovered them before Christmas as they'd have been perfect to package some of the homemade gifts that I gave.

I kept it quite simple but am pleased with the result....

So I am getting ready to go back to school tomorrow. I have to say I can't wait. I have loved Christmas and had a nice rest but am looking forward to being busy again and seeing the children.

Night xxx