Coincidence

Joanne and I had both pulled the same Pagemaps sketch - mine was for these photos of Saint Maarten and Joanne's were of Jersey live. Same sketch, two completely different layouts.

Marks paper company

My LA friend Ching is on the Design Team for Marks Paper Co and has a giveaway on her blog of some of their new papers. So head to her blog and leave a comment .http://notleftstanding.blogspot.com/

Thank you to everyone who came to the crop today. It was lovely to welcome a new member Emma, who completed two pages of an album for her parents. I completed three layouts including one for my scrap you day calendar. I'm embarassed to say the last month with anything on the calendar is May and even that's not finished. I've taken the photos, but not completed the pages. So I will print out photos next for December and February and do them at the next crop

Wild about you

Crop tomorrow

And more Big Band layouts today. I started this one at the November crop. When I was tidying my room the other day I made a pile of in progress layouts and kits which have been made up ready with photos. So this layout was at the top and only needed a title. The others will be loaded into my crop back for tomorrow.

I borrowed some stamps from Lorraine called "Wild about you". I have made two cards tonight which I'll post tomorrow. E is going to a party tomorrow and the birthday girl is going on safari at Easter and her present is some SA Rands, so these stamps fit in perfectly with the present.

Day 12 of Load

And I'm keeping up. This is another cybercrop layout. My photos are much bigger than those used in the example, but it feels great to use up some old letter stickers and scraps of paper.

Two more layouts

Still keeping up with a layout a day. Matthew was enrolled into the ATC at St Ouen's church on Sunday. They all looked very smart in their uniforms. Ties have to be done with a Windsor knot, eventhough you can't see the tie for the jumper.

I forgot

to post this layout yesterday. I think it will need some adjustment though as the pop dots are too thick for the buttons and the letter stickers don't stick.

And why did I forget, as well as Elizabeth being off school again with a blocked nose, I was playing with my new fancy pants sewing machine. Now if only I could find the little baby quilt I'd made to practise my quilting on. It's here somewhere. I need to ring the shop today (closed mondays) as there are two bits missing that I've spotted.

Off to the gym now as I missed my usual Monday morning workout

ATC

This is a class on Ukscrappers by Taniwha. I got loads of brushes dirty and myself!! Matthew is being sworn into the ATC this afternoon at St Ouen's church. He looks so smart in his uniform. He had his hair cut yesterday as it was getting long over the ears and not regulation length. he's even sewn his own badges on his uniform - 6mm down from the top.

Claire

I'm working through a packet of photos and doing challenges for the My Scrapbook Nook cybercrop where my friend Ching is on the Design Team. I wanted to scrap my only photo of Claire. One of the challenges is to sew a heart which was perfect for the photo. I found the scenic route arrow and went through my tidy stash to find pinks and oranges. Lo and behold a kit came to the surface that Joanne had bought me for my birthday and the fabric paper (called Claire). The only hitch was having no pink E available so I painted it and left it to dry overnight. I stamped the swirls on the letters to make them look more cohesive.

Cybercrop

This is my precrop challenge based on the aqua monochormatic look of the inspiration given. Elizabeth has a sore tummy again today, but fortunately Maria is here this morning until I get back from highlands.

Dilemma

I have had the call with the rescheduled date for the Weakest Link - Thursday, 19 March. I couldn't say yes straight away which is disappointing. I teach on a Friday morning and a 2pm Thursday filming, means flying home on Friday. So I need to consult with my students to see if they are happy to extend the term by a week.

This morning I've done a layout using the first of the Blue Bazaar sketches / challenges. Used a scrap of the black & white paper rather than cutting into a new sheet and more Fastenator bars.

Gran Canaria

Instead of going to quilting today, I stayed in and finished some sewing, pulled this layout together and tidied, dusted and vacuumed in my craft room. I wouldn't say it's tidy, but it's certainly tidier and you can see more of the floor.

The above layout uses some of the Rouge de Garance papers I won a couple of years ago. I split the prize with Joanne as there was two of everything and I still have loads left. The papers are very bold and I find them challenging to use. But when you find the right photos to complement the papers, they don't require much embellishment. I even used some Fastenator bars as they were on the windowsill.

I came across this month long crop Boot Camp bluebazaar.com.au in which the aim is to make 25 layouts, use up stash, try out different techniques and based on themes and sketches given. The sketches are from the pagemaps.com website and I've used several of those used in the Boot Camp before.

Day 3 of Load

Last year I did a Layout a Day with Lain but only did 15 layouts in the month. SO far this is my third. Still loving the threading water punch and the MM journalling spots.

Can't sleep

So here's another layout from photos taken yesterday. No snow here so hoping airport is okay.

Update - staff are having problems getting to Pinewood so I was told not to catch my flight, even though it went on time. So disappointed

Outdoor fun

An old layout which just needed a title and journalling. That's it for today as I need to go and pack!!

More crop layouts

I'm having a desk tidy morning and my flight details for the Weakest Link have just arrived, so it's getting closer. Here are two more layouts from the February crop. All I had to do to the Easter Walk layout was do the journalling, so I reached for the closest black pen and set to work. Big mistake - horrible thick pen which messed up the layout but it's now finished.

Some layouts at last

Two layouts. The first I did last night and is another geocaching layout when we visited nick's family last year and the second is the first layout of our Caribbean cruise. Apologies for the poor photographs but it is night time here.

I have eventually used my Sure Cuts a Lot programme with my Cricut. I had to install two more bits of software to cut the St Kitts title in the font - Pharmacy. This is the font that the Quickutz font Blossom is based upon. I also used some vinyl to cut the lettering which was another first.

I've just seen a link to a tutorial on making pendants using wooden scrabble tiles. they are darling. http://www.makeandtakes.com/links/scrabble-tile-pendant-tutorial

Crop dates for next six months confirmed

Please note the April crop is not the second Saturday as that would take us into the middle of the school holidays:

10 Jan
14 Feb
14 March
4 April
9 May
13 June

See you on Saturday - get ready to be bored silly by Caribbean photos - that is if I print them early enough

We're back

And I managed to sleep through until 7.30am today, after waking up at about 5 past midnight for a very poor fireworks dispaly nearby. No photos dowloaded yet, but I promise to be ready for the next crop which I will arrange on Monday but is scheduled to be 10 January. I am missing my Autumn Leaves calendar on the window sill, they stopped making it for 2009. I'm hoping one of the earlier calendars fits the dates for 2009.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wow what a crop

I have to admit to being more than a little nervous when Liz, Joanne and I set the challenges for today's Christmas crop. Forty two layous plus some more in Christine's bag were created and most of those layouts fit at least one challenge. Here are the four layouts I made.

Crafty Sunday

Whilst Matthew is at ATC, I've had some time to do some crafting which needs to get finished this week:
* First I sewed the borders onto a baby quilt for one of Nick's colleagues. We are going to a housewarming next Sunday so I have a deadline. No backing big enough to fit the quilt so:
* Dyed a backing to match the quilt, dyed four T-shirts that Elizabeth and Matthew are tie dyeing, overdyed a bag I've made for a challenge. The colour was described as burlesque red but in actual fact it's a gorgeous purple, which I hope works well as I didn't like the colours of the bag originally. I'm going to let them set until tomorrow as Turquoise takes 24 hours for best effect and I can wash all of the projects together. The bag is for our quilting lunch on Wednesday - so another deadline!!
* For WI (tomorrow night) we have a competition and I usually forget to do anything for it. This month it's a place card - for which I've made the attached stack of presents with a tag. I used the Cricut tags Bags and more cart - thanks Lorraine for the loan. the idea came from a video on leah Fung's blog - see sidebar

Nick has gone to collect Matthew so I'm just blogging and cooking lunch. Elizabeth is making the dessert. Matthew has a short Big band performance at the Opera House this afternoon, so I may quickly go and buy one last present and pick up some photos for next weekend's crop.

The old ones are the best ones

Matthew's 13th birthday party is almost over. They watched Quantum of Solace, ate rubbish, enjoyed the chocolate fountain and finished the evening playing Crossfire. Ching made a layout of Matthew's ninth birthday, I think, and they played the game then. Mostly the same boys again, so I must print off a photo of both parties. The boys are definitely MUCH taller and smellier.

Poor Elizabeth spent some time at the dentist today under Nick's supervision. I haven't spoken to her yet as she's getting lots of attention sleeping over at Bronte's. We didn't want to risk her having dental problems whilst we are on holiday so she has had some of the nerve removed and a filling poor thing.

What have I Done?

I had a call from the Weakest Link to ask me to keep 2 February free. They'll confirm next week whether I am needed on that date.

Countdown to the Christmas crop

Less than two weeks to the Christmas crop and we have some special fun and Christmas giveaways for you. To win extra tickets for the draws you can participate in one or more of our challenges:

1. Joanne’s sketch challenge – uses five portrait orientated photos – 1 4 by 6 and 4 smaller photos. Uses scraps of patterned papers 5 extra tickets for participants

2. Completed layouts 1 extra ticket for each layout

3. Product challenge 1 extra ticket you will be given the product when you arrive (and it's gorgeous, I might keep them myself)

4. Packaging challenge use the packaging from one of our prizes in a layout or card 2 extra tickets

5. Sue’s Inspiration / sketch challenge Original layout uses two 6 by 4 landscape orientated photos, but you could also use one large portrait photo too. Circle punches and buttons might be useful

6. Liz’s challenge 5 extra tickets for participants – details to follow


So pack some extra photos in your crop bag and be prepared for fun, participation is entirely optional but there are some lovely prizes – some of which are new products to me. Everyone will get two tickets just for being there. Gingerbread muffins are in the freezer, so the countdown has begun.

Last Blues Brothers post

Well at least for this year. The show was brilliant, I had no idea what to expect. A minor blip in that I hadn't made it clear to Joanne where the show was being held. She was at the Opera House and we were at Fort regent. Joanne made it to her seat with two minutes to spare, both amazing and worrying!!

The school band have been asked to perform again next year and also do four numbers. They have been renamed the Black Rhino Orchestra. They got a good write up in the local paper too. I would recommend seeing the show next year.

Time to get ready to go and see Beaulieu Year 6 sing at the Soup Kitchen in the Royal Square. Elizabeth has raging toothache despite having a temporary filling put in yesterday so is not in the best of moods. However I have an appointment for a proper filling for her with my dentist tomorrow. I don't think toothache and Caribbean islands would be a good mix.

More Blues Brothers

Well the day has arrived and in 30 minutes the Blues Brothers Xmas show will start with the Beaulieu and De la Salle Big Band doing two numbers to open the second half. here's a link to the local paper of a photo they published last week with Matthew in it. Can you spot him? http://www.thisisjerseyphotos.com/cgi-bin/store/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=2008/October&image=0596893.jpg&img=0&search=blues%20brothers&cat=all&tt=&bool=or&tfile=tn_0596893.jpg&numtolist=45&sortfiles=1

Getting ready for Christmas

At our quilting group which meets on a Wednesday we have two Christmas lunch traditions -
1. a handmade gift swap and
2. a challenge
I was feeling very pleased that I had finished my gift pictured here, when Matthew brought home a letter asking for us to make up a goody bag for a lady at the Jeanne Jugan residence. Another job to add to the list!! Fairy cakes are already baked for tomorrow's Beaulieu Xmas fayre and Elizabeth has just asked if she can test them - NOOOOOOOO was my immediate answer!!

I just need to find the pattern for my challenge item which I have started but mislaid the pattern for it. Just 10 days left to find the pattern and complete the bag.

Catching up

Here are a few layouts from the last two crops. The colours are a little poor but most of you have seen them in real life. The time for sax is a grey background but doesn't look like it. I must keep up and file these soon, as I reprinted the photos of Elizabeth playing her new sax because I had fogotten that I'd already scrapped them. Never mind I will file them a la Stacy Julian for use some time in the future.

I have added a blog list on Ching's recommendation which automatically tells you when the blog was last updated. Very clever and very useful

I'm back

Where from you may ask. For the last two weeks I've been focussing on finishing a quilt for a wedding gift for my best friend, Jean. The wedding was on Saturday at Hotel l'Horizon and I finished the quilt yesterday. I had it washed this morning to remove the markings and here it is. I need to add a label which is my job for tonight's Caesarea Quilters meeting and then wrap it and deliver it to Jean's home.

Today I've been working through my pile of piles and the desk is looking much clearer. I hav even photographed some layouts ready to show you tomorrow.

Blues Brothers

Today has been quite busy with an audition for the weakest link this morning and this afternoon Matthew practiced with the Beaulieu & De la Salle Big Band after school. They practiced with the Blues Brother tribute act who are appearing at the Fort on 29 November. Excitingly the Big Band has been asked to open the second half of the show with two numbers, one of which is Johnnie Be Good. A photo or two may appear in the JEP as a photographer came and took a few photos. Other forthcoming preformances include the Fete de Noue.

Shaker card

Time to make a quick card this afternoon from the Ustamp class. I didn't have any microbeads so used some fine glitter, hero arts stamp and my new scallop punch.

Caesarea Quilters are celebrating their 10th birthday tonight with a talk by visiting quilter Anya Townrow followed by drinks and nibbles. Elizabeth is coming with me as she was about 10 days old when the inaugural meeting was held. Joanne was also at the inaugural meeting and her idea for a name of Crapaud Quilters didn't receive much support for some reason!!

Another nice SU blog

I got some lovely SU goodies today. The stamps have been mounted and put back in their box whilst I tidy the office and catch up on my own bookkeeping. Another nice SU blog with a giveaway http://juliesjapes.blogspot.com/Julies Japes

Stampin Up

I've joined the Ustamp holiday class and am loving the Stampin up scalloped punch. I came across this card set on Gadget Monkey's webiste which is lovely and you can win it. Go to purely stamping blog

I have made a lovely waterfall album from the Ustamp class which I'm hoping Elizabeth will choose the photos for and I can add a picture by the weekend.

Christmas card with a little help from my friends

Feeling a little sorry for myself as I have a stinking cold which ruined our weekend. Not well enough to go to work today, I have done some sewing and started planning my contribution to next Monday evening's WI Christmas Crafts. No matter that I keep telling the organiser I don't make cards, I still get roped in. I took my first effort to Lorraine's this morning and the resulting card as redesigned by Lorraine, Jenny and Jean, is finished. I now need to stamp and emboss enough baubles and backgrounds for 15 ladies. One job off my list, just need to buy some red card next. Thank you ladies for your input the card is much nicer than my prototype.

SU scallop instructions

I know some are impatiently awaiting their SU scalloped punch. Here is a turning the corner tutorial http://www.kathysstampingniche.com/kathys_stamping_niche/2008/09/scallop-border-punch-tutorial.html

Yet another Egypt layout

Created from a sketch for the Scrapagogo 3rd birthday celebration. I completed a few more on holiday and will post those tomorrow.

last minute again

I have eventually managed to print about 100 of Nick's photos that he scanned from slides so I have photos to take with me on holiday and scrap. I know that sounds like sacrilege, but Nick isn't a morning person at the best of times. Even on holiday I'm up at least an hour or two before him. This is the third year I've taken some scrapbooking, the first year I finished my Peru album and this time I'm hoping to finish my Egypt album. I don't think there are many pages to finish so I will take the album with me.

ALL I need to do now is to make up some page kits. I always procrastinate and avoid what I should be doing, so at the moment I'm blogging and downloading games onto my ipod touch. If I actually did what I need to I would be less stressed and ready to go!!

See you soon.

I just couldn't resist

My new Threading Water punch arrived today from America, just as they're starting to come back into stock in UK stores. Anyone who has one and wants to know how to turn the corner should watch this video on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV4Z1xjHOPA


So I did a layout today using some Scarlet Lime kit and my new punch. The layout is very loosely based on a ScrapMaps sketch.

work in progress

There's a new sketches site being launched on 17 August. Can never have too many sketches. http://pinksketches.typepad.com/pink_sketches_blog/ or click the link in the bar on the right hand side.

Last night I decided to spend half an hour filing my six inch pile of layouts from the last six months / a year. Got myself into a right mess as to what went where, so have pulled all of the matching albums out to sort them out today and will need to order some more albums. This time I must label the albums.

I've also ordered some 3 up photo albums to sort my photos along the lines of Stacy Julian's system from Photo Freedom. Though a tidy floor might help so I can get to the photos , but that won't be today. Joanne has offered to look after my Cricut whilst we're away on holiday, which is very generous of her. I still need to try out the Sure Cuts a Lot software, but at least the office desk is almost clear, especially as my layouts are now in the lounge!!

A lady on 2peas, Toni, had one of these very elusive punches and offered it for sale. she very generously found another in Michaels or Joanns for me, so hopefully they will be here very soon. She even managed to post it on a Sunday as her local Post Office is open on a Sunday.


Post Offices in the US are few and far between we've found. In Orlando we only found one in Celebration and similarly in LA we only saw one in Venice Beach.

Jean's fiftieth birthday

Yesterday we spent much of the day celebrating Jean's birthday and also her engagement to John. This is a layout which pulls together a few of the pictures Elizabeth took to stop her from being bored.

Lego is also 50 this year. Here are the children joining in the celebrations

Page Maps sketch

The first challenge I've done from Willow Tree Crafts scrapathon is the Pagemaps sketch again using the Scarlet Lime kit for June. I wasn't keen on the die cut flowers but they make a statement.

I forgot to mention that yesterday's layout from the stuff on my desk was also a Page Maps sketch from Becky's book.