Yesterday after some rain in the morning things turned decidedly brighter:
They also involved a good few steps - and a certain two little girls and one very excited Jack Russell who made it to the top in very short order!
But the climb was well worth it - I even wished I'd brought my shades it was so sunny.
We had a lovely afternoon stroll round the park and then home for tea and an evening in with:
In complete contrast I have been having a rather lazy day today since the weather has been really yucky - snow after rain and it has been pretty cold. So I managed to get one of the books due back at the library read from cover to cover and also finally got my defrosted Quorn mince into a lasagne for tea. :)
Anyway, I think a soak in the bath is imminent and then I look forward to enjoying Homeland tonight. I also see that Ingolrious Basterds is on right after so not a bad TV night. :)
Think I shall put my new Emeli Sandé album on while I enjoy my soak:
Then it's back to the grind tomorrow - ah Monday's don't you love 'em?
I haven't really managed to be productive today - despite good intentions. Instead I got lost in a book and trying to pin down my washing in the gusty winds we are currently encountering - how different the weather is compared to yesterday.
So nothing papercrafty to share just yet, but here are a few random snaps...
The best French film I have had the pleasure of seeing this year is now back with Lovefilm and I cannot wait for the next edition in the trilogy, the first film is Les aventures extraordinaires d'Adèle Blanc-Sec:
Here's the Hollywood-ised trailer:
Really enjoyed it witty, charming... and entertaining!
I also cannot get enough of my current fave album:
My current favourite track is this one:
Come next week, I'm sure I'll have another favourite track... so many good tracks to choose from!
I also got my first Christmas stash delivery this week - I know seems like it's too soon to even think about Christmas cards, but well... if the weather keeps cold and as the nights draw in I may have to fire up the Christmas CDs and get started making something with these lovely additions:
MME 12 days of Christmas collection pack, plus the chipboard and some assorted papers from Crate Peppermint.
I will try to resist using them on my next card... but who knows? ;o)
Soon I am going to have to start applying my new concealer purchase (for the pasty winter pallor):
Industrial strength apparently, I have Erase Paste in shade 2 (for summer) but needed a lighter shade for winter so here's hoping industrial strength is right!
Also a new lipstick for the limited Benefit collection - which until this purchase only contained all 3 of the Color Plump lip pencils - alas retired - big mistake Benefit! Big mistake! Huge! {sigh}
But this new one is a lovely shade. :)
And finally, the baking bug hit again yesterday.
As soon as I got in I got down to baking a couple of recipes. First up a way to use up some of the delicious apples from the tree in my mum and dad's garden - wish we knew the variety as they are completely unlike any apples you can buy in the shops, lovely and tart and so fresh.
It's apple streusel cake from Hummingbird's cake days - slightly flatter than it should be as I had to bake it in a 9" spring-form tin as I didn't have an 8" one.
We'll be enjoying it for dessert after the Sunday roast this evening.
I also tried out Leon's Scones in the Bake-a-boo cookbook.
At least I could try one of these before the temptation was too much! Naturally combined with my favourite raspberry jam and some clotted cream.
And now I think I shall put the kettle on for a nice cup of tea and get down to making something - or maybe starting my next book? Hm...
I actually finished a card I sort of started at the crop:
Paper: My Little Shoebox Stamps: PTI Dies: PTI Seam binding and twill: The Ribbon Girl Felt: PTI Punch: Martha Stewart Button: Making Memories Twine: The Ribbon Reel Pearls: Kaisercraft Other: Stickles, Copics, 3D foam
I also finished a couple of books that need to go back to the library and watched this while trying to be creative, but watched the movie more than I made anything!
It was very good, even better than I thought it'd be. ;o)
Last night I wrote a nice not-exactly short blog post, and just at the last stage when spellchecking with iespellcheck it crashed my browser... Ever since I upgraded my browser iespellcheck has been crashing it, so now I have to remember to save a draft before I hit spellcheck, and well as you can see remembering to do that isn't really happening!
So last night I enjoyed some luminous orange classic Kraft Mac & Cheese for tea - thanks to Becky.
Yes, it is definitely a comfort food treat and I can't remember the last time I had some. I have another pack in the depths of my cupboard for emergency purposes!
After my glowing tea I got down to make my card for this week's DCM dare...
Well, while I was doing that I put on this...
...and promptly got engrossed watching it. So much so my foot almost had a rather painful encounter with my Making Memories trimmer when I managed to knock it off my desk.
But it was an extremely good movie, all the better because I didn't have to stick too closely to reading the subtitles for a change!
Yes it is gory, etc. but I really recommend it as it's well worth seeing.
Today my lovely new baking book arrived in the post:
And I have been contemplating my options for Easter... I think when it comes to The Return to Chocolate I shall have to give these a whirl, but with some teeny chocie eggs I picked up in Tesco on top!
But before that happens I need to stay off the chocolate for one more week... it can be done!
...You could get your creative-thing-on while watching this...
I was actually pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it... mind you Bradley Cooper is always nice to watch right?
But yes, I hope they are planning a sequel.
Oh and I made the Banana, Strawberry & Peanut Butter smoothie tonight and it was seriously delish. Good use of my Healthy Extra milk allowance for the day too.
I wonder what other recipes I can dig up that are tasty and do-able on a diet...
I was supposed to be having a crafty session this evening and popping a DVD on in the background while I got down to work.
Instead I didn't even manage to get my trimmer out as I was too engrossed watching said DVD:
So yes, can recommend it if you fancy that kind of movie...
Also I am on the hunt for some more of my favourite ever pearl embellishments:
Kaisercraft BR02 Latte pearls to be exact - haven't managed to find them in stock in the UK (and ideally at a decent price with postage) and am running a bit low on my existing packet. I just love the light beige shade (lighter than this pic) and the fact there are teeny tiny pearls in the pack as well!
And it all begins with Seam binding being in da house!
I have some other yummy stash to play with this month as well. ;o)
I have no idea where the weekend went.
Had a great crop Friday night, and did intend to get my Christmas journal finished.... well it's still got a few entries to go!
Saturday I had a few things to do, but managed to start another book when I got in from the crop in the wee small hours, as I was too awake to sleep.
Sunday Ma and I went to IKEA... well it has never before happened in my life, but we got there around 10:40 and were queueing for the tills to open, and out by 11:05!
Then went to the Metrocentre and quick trip into Costco and we were back on the road home after 5!
Finished another book Monday before meeting up for dinner and a movie:
Very good!
And last night I started the last book in the Hathaway series by Lisa Kleypas, finished it at 1 this morning. :o)
So tonight, I will have to hit the hay a lot earlier but which book to start next?
Catch-up with DVD rental list night while making my DCM card for this week....
I had Letters to Juliet on while working away:
It was OK - alas there seems to be a real lack of decent chick flicks about at the moment. Hoping a trip to the cinema tomorrow night finds something decent!
This year, I'm planning to chip away slowly at getting my Christmas cards made, so each week now before Christmas I'm going to need to make at least one card so I don't end up doing them all last minute come December.
Because in December I want to concentrate on my Christmas journal - which I'm tentatively planning to make in advance.
Very tentative planning!
Next weekend I really need to get down to planning it as I want to start it at my crop at the end of the month. Hm. Time will tell what happens with that. ;o)
So, this week's Christmas card is this one made in response to the current sketch over at the CPS blog (#184):
Note, if you can't draw a nice tidy box with a pen and ruler, stick-on pearls are your friend to hide those corners! Also, SU white cardstock is my best friend for stamping onto - I think I need some cream card too, but wow - the results with my little rather old Papertrey ink cubes is faaaar better to how it stamps on regular cardstock. Spring Moss ink in action on the tree and stamped evenly, never thought I'd see the day. ;o)
It's difficult to tell when the card is stood up, but the insert greeting is positioned so its frame goes around the front greeting when shut.
And here's the inside, grey ink border and some Stickles, and distress ink (old paper) on white cardstock.
I'm rather in the Christmas crafting mood after making that card - but we'll see how long that lasts right?
During my crafty time I watched Changeling.
Very good movie, but cripes I need some light relief after it. Amazed it was a true story.
Hopefully the next movie from lovefilm will be one of the comedies on my list. I need a break from drama.
Also I finished the Untamed Bride this afternoon:
It's the first in this series and better than the second one, much better... but still, it's rather OT and so far fetched in places, not to mention revisiting past characters from Bar Cynster and Bastion Club series is overly done because those characters seem to have become caricatures of their former selves... :o(
I think I'm going to need a break from Stephanie Laurens now just so that I don't disappoint myself with the rest of the Cynster and Bastion Club books I still have to read...
I've not read a single word of my current book since trying to start it Sunday.
Looks like the next couple of weeks are going to be rather busy with work and I may need to work this weekend too. :o\ More than likely after today's progress!
But this evening I have caught up with some stuff at my desk, watched the latest Great British Bake-Off....
Only thing is it makes me feel rather peckish!
And I've taken the opportunity of watching some free movies online with Lovefilm. This one wasn't too bad:
Have just found that Lost in Austen is free to watch online with my package so am catching up now, as I never saw it the first time round - a perfect excuse for some period adventures!
Typepad still seems to be having a little mood on... the post I wrote yesterday didn't publish until today but at least I can add pics to my posts again!
So back to the weekend... Saturday I had a lovely afternoon out on the coast with Zoe and the girls including a trip to a beach I've never been to:
It might look rather hot and pleasant in the pic, but the water definitely wasn't warm! LOL
After a quick stop for chips by the sea on the way home Zoe and I headed out to see this:
The kid in it was very cute, Jason Bateman I rather like, but Jennifer Aniston - still playing the same character in every movie I see her in. There must be a non-Rachel-Green role out there for her right?
Also I quickly overdosed on pick and mix during the trailers, never mind the movie! Not good.
Yesterday I attacked this:
My very well-stocked To Be Read pile from the library, I feel quite lucky that the lending limit is 20 books in my area, it certainly comes in handy when reading series!
And here's what's at the top of my pile and first due back at the library:
Hopefully it'll be tons better than the Elusive Bride (the second book in this particular series and really disappointing) - the first one seemed to be on loan from the library constantly since mid-June so I've only just got it! Fingers crossed it was worth the wait, but I think I will need a break from Stephanie Laurens land so that her writing, characters and plots don't get too muddled and stale.
...you trawl through 20 odd sneak peeks for CHA and only see two items you actually like enough to add to your imaginary wish list?
In fact I am mildly disappointed by the lines being brought out by some favourite companies like Cosmo - not really digging their Christmas lines this year and I reserve judgement for the new non-holiday lines... :o(
I quite like Togetherness but think it will be one to combine with kraft for best results.
However, the only Christmas line that has caught my attention so far is the one from Crate - Snow Day:
It is Distressed KI/Love Elsie meets MME meets Jolly By Golly. Nice.
Aside from that I will be looking forward to the new glitter cardstock from KI - I hope it will be well received and picked up by stores over here, as I am in need of new shades of glitter cardstock... Also I wonder what their 3D "Liquid Pearls" will be like, I could do with something similar in zingy colours.
Other than that nothing has wowed me. :oO
I wonder what Basic Grey has in store and October Afternoon, plus perhaps there will be a fab release from BoBunny...
For a break from everything, went to see Twilight Eclipse last night:
I think my retinas are still burnt from one particular moment! But I enjoyed it more than the second movie... and it was a good idea we caught the early screening and the queues were out into the car park last night when we left.
Anyway, hoping normal life resumes this weekend and I get time to make something - and that my mojo returns!
There were some really great moments and then others that didn't work so well for me... it was nice to revisit SATC land again but wonder if they've gone as far as they can with the movies. In some respects it's just not a patch on the original series, but there were many ladies in the cinema who'd only ever seen the first movie and not watched the series who really enjoyed it...
The trailers for new movies weren't all that inspiring either, hope there are some good movies coming out this summer!
Oh what a glum post for the evening, but I will say one thing, I am quite jealous of the photo frame display Carrie has over her bed... and Samantha never disappoints... ;o)
At last a lazy Sunday. I had a mini sort out of stash, did the washing and promptly brought the washing in when it started tipping it down, and have just been lazing about the place and making some cards...
So, whilst my dinner is in the oven I might as well share them.
Prompt: "Heartfelt Thank You" - Inspiration: Felt, button/ribbon combo, flower accent, paper border, embossed background.
Papers: October Afternoon Label: Chatterbox Stickers: Doodlebug
And lastly, a cute and simple one... I just love this heart paper too much to do anything else with it! lol
Papers: My Mind's Eye Die: Nestabilities Stamp: Papertrey Ink Bling: Kaiser Craft
So while doing that I caught up with some shows on iPlayer (including that Jo Malone one) and watched:
I'm not really a Leo fan per say, but I really liked this movie. But back it goes to lovefilm tomorrow... still have Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs to watch - polar opposites no doubt! ;o)
... she was very good, and now I am really itching to get my skates out LOL - but not sure I am up to doing anything roller derby-related!
It was quite fun to be greeted at the cinema by a local group of roller derby girls all kitted out in their flash sequined Lycra numbers handing out flyers and flapjacks!
Anyway, it was a great film - totally recommend it, the skating bits especially were fab! And Juliet Lewis was in great form as Iron Maven, and Drew Barrymore was quite a character as Smashley Simpson.
Oh and I had a bit of a soft spot for their coach played by Andrew Wilson of the Luke/Owen Wilson dynasty. Had no idea he was a Wilson brother but he as some of the Luke Wilson magic... hehe
Anyway, tonight I have been making my card for tomorrow's DCM dare, but also trying to sort out the right tension on my machine when using a colour top thread and white bobbin thread... It's quite a learning curve but I have been practising!
I am still having issues knowing where the needle is going to start off on the zig zag stitch - hence there was some wonky stitching going on...
But who knows, maybe one day I will progress to fabric!
I cannot believe how tired I am this evening. Only got in about an hour or so ago, had my tea and feel like sleeping for a week! LOL
So no cards tonight, although I am itching to play with my sewing machine again. hehe
No playing tomorrow night either (or visiting Hobbycraft for some nice new colours of thread), but I wonder how well equipped Boyes will be in town with Guttermann or Coates reels... if I have time for a nosey!
Tomorrow night I am away to see:
Can't wait, have been eyeing it up since seeing the trailers last year! I secretly always wanted to be in a roller derby! Or disco... hehe
Right, off to watch Masterchef (not liking how they have mucked about with the format this year, much preferred the half-hourly weekday instalments) - it's been a bit of a choppy and blah series, the contestants I most liked were dropped last week and the final three aren't really all that interesting dish-wise.
I didn't follow the prompt too closely but I really went with the pink bit! It's been a while since I had the KI out, and hadn't realised how many papers in the Pop Culture line I'd managed to procure... so about time I used some!
I love this font in the Banana Frog Cupcake Greetings set - I wish there was a whole everyday Greetings set in it! :o)
And I rather like the Martha Stewart punched border, don't own the punch but I had a strip of this included with an order and it is very sweet. hehe
Next up today's card using a more recent purchase.
Papers: My Mind's Eye Die cuts: My Mind's Eye Stamp: Papertrey Ink Ribbon: Scrapworks Other: Pearls, mini bag pocket
Here's the inside with a bit more Paisley.
I just love these Be Loved papers from My Mind's Eye, I really wish I had an extra sheet of all the designs in the kit because the designs on the reverse are as lovely as the designs on the front.
And there we have it for another weekend. I think I will have to aim for an early night if I have any hope of getting up at 7 a.m. now the clocks have gone forward!
It has been a gloriously sunny day today, but still very cold outside. So I've been admiring the nice weather from my window while catching up with some cardmaking.
I even managed to watch a DVD and catch up on Medium. :o)
Anyway, here's yesterday's card.
Prompt: "Together" - Inspiration: Doily/lace, three buttons, bird on a branch, pinking/deckle edge.
I die-cut the label in the vellum and then attached it to the card using the glitter brads, then stamped the greeting inside. Cuteness abounds again with My Cute Stamps. :)
This is the movie I watched this afternoon:
So how was "I Hate Valentine's Day"?
Hm, it was OK, nothing to write home about or a movie I'd probably watch again. It had some nice moments but was a bit OTT in places. However, nice to see John Corbett again. ;o)
Am hoping to see Alice in Wonderland this week, in 3D too! But before that I have to get through Monday... which looks to be rather a hectic day.
You can have a gazillion different buttons, yet not find the right ones for your projects???
I asked myself this a lot this evening during Relocation, Relocation, Relocation when I had the contents of several button jars tipped over my desk...
And all because of today's Card a Day card!
Prompt: "Button Tree Thanks" - Inspiration: Button elements, spots and stripes, mini-greeting, kraft.
Paper: October Afternoon Stamps: Papertrey Ink Ribbon: American Crafts Other: Liquid Pearls, buttons
This arrived in the mail from Lovefilm today:
The reviews are mixed, I know it's no Big Fat Greek Wedding (ha will there be anything that tops that in the comfort movie category), but I have a real soft spot for John Corbett...
Hoping to have some quality time with this little addition tomorrow night. Was out tonight for Pizza at Pizza Express - where once again it took longer to deliver dessert to our table than the main course... 20 minutes to slice a piece of cake and add a strawberry to the top. Good job I bought the movie tickets beforehand as we arrived in our seats just as the trailers began. And the movie...
Nice to see Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane cast against type. ;o) Anyway, it was very enjoyable and a good chick flick - just right for the day after Valentine's too!
And I kind of would like to one day have a Boston Terrier! LOL I am sure this will pass... but man, they are kinda cute!
No, I mean the cards I've made today are all rather manly looking and not a sign of pink or glitter or cuteness, well, except maybe the Mr Campy caravans!
I'm now completely up-to-date with my Card a Day activities, but definitely craving some girly prettiness now.
Here's the first one using Cosmo Cricket's Wanted again.
Papers: Cosmo Cricket Stamps: Sassafras Lass Die cut accents: Cosmo Cricket Brads: Making Memories
This card is actually pretty huge as it was made to fit a blank unused envelope I recycled and the inside and back are fully covered in Wanted papers (the perfect way to use up stash in a no-fuss fashion - just cover your entire card blank with it!), mind you it weighs a bit what with that and the screw eyelets. Yep, using up those eyelets too!
And then the Mr Campy came out!
Papers: Cosmo Cricket Die cut accents: Cosmo Cricket
I think this would work as a Bon Voyage card, or even something quirky for Father's Day - since I am sure there are many dads out there who got harassed with this question from the backseat on long car journeys!
And finally, more Mr Campy:
Papers: Cosmo Cricket Stamps: Papertrey Ink Die cut accents: Cosmo Cricket Rub-ons: Doodlebug Stickers: KI Memories Ribbon: May Arts
And at last, I have used up what remained of that May Arts ribbon (purchased ca. 2004) - the relief!
Now, I had hoped to be more productive this afternoon - but I put on a DVD while I was crafting, and ended up forgetting the stash and concentrating on the movie. It was one of the best films I've seen in ages, absolutely beautiful to look at and totally engrossing. Definitely see The Fall if you have the chance. :o)
It was a little cheesy and slow in places, but my God, it had some of the most hilarious scenes I've seen for a while in it. Seriously I thought I was going to cry with laughter at one moment...
Also on the drive home, I heard this track (that's the nice thing driving home this late, they have great remixes on the radio that you can crank up high). It's a remix of the new Massive Attack single Paradise Circus:
Will definitely be getting this on iTunes once it's released!
Getting-back-to-my-book night before the new series of America's Top Model is on!
Priorities right? I've had a bit of a tiring day and am not in the mood to make anything, but I am definitely in the mood for PJs and chick lit!
Also my latest Lovefilm rental is:
But when I'm going to watch it I have no idea. Last night, I half-heartedly watched:
Hm, I'm a big Austin Powers fan, well Dr Evil really, I find those films immensely funny even now, but this is no Austin Powers... it's a wonder they got the green light to make this as it's just not in the same league I'm sorry to say. I really hope Mike Myers has some fresher projects in the works as this one was disappointing and just not worth the watch.
Every Christmas I always know we will be treated to one of two films, or maybe both....
One is The Sound of Music. The other is of course:
Mary Poppins!
Off out for dinner tonight so not much chance of getting anything new made, I need to go dig out my winter boots for the walk but shall be watching and singing along to Mary Poppins in the meantime!
But I did post this card project on the Frog Blog:
I have a mini-stack of new books from the library to start reading:
But which one to start first? I still have the German version of Dance Upon the Air on the go, but need to get these read and back to the library first. :o)
Then I have a couple of DVDs from Lovefilm to watch:
I know rather different choices, but that's the luck of the draw with Lovefilm.
Also at some point I need to finally transfer all my photos over from the cameras. Best carve out a few hours for that on Sunday!
And in scrapping news, tomorrow night I'm off up to Zoe's for our monthly scrap night - although she tends to scrap 4 or so pages while I veg in front of the telly and don't bother getting my stash out the boot for lack of mojo. But this time I have something in mind... I had the whim to make some mini-books - well that led me on a little hunt for some suitable albums, always late to the party I am, but Basic Grey and Cosmo Cricket were the albums I was after, but which one to decorate tomorrow night, I need to get shot of some Basic Grey collection packs too - and I've not even picked the photos yet!
Or one of these Cosmo albums (hopefully the last 2 will arrive in the post tomorrow aiding the decision!)
There was a fab project on the Write.Click.Scrapbook blog recently using the above Cosmo Ethan album together with the Girl Friday pack, so I am going to save that one to try my hand at that project.
Or maybe tomorrow is the day to use this sheer binder from Maya Road?
Well things are quite busy gearing up to my hols away next week - I hate the time before actually leaving to go away, lots of to do lists, and all that... plus scouring the shops looking for bargains.
This year the holy grail seems to be to find a pair of white/summery trousers that fit properly in all crucial areas, but it seems to be an impossible task to find a short fitting pair of trousers in the right size - no matter what size you are. And I am peeved that M&S have not managed to meet the task, as I have a few pairs of Autograph trousers in the perfect length I bought a year or so ago but they have nothing like those any more in the stores and good luck finding a short fit - they just have medium and long in plentitude... grrrr... and I hate that they will no longer allow you to order your size in to try before you buy. :o(
Their sizing is so random now that if you order something online there is no guarantee it'll fit you so I wouldn't want to waste my money on that guessing game - but the surprise star of the shopping hunt has been Sainsbury's, they've had some really nice stuff in - so fingers crossed they will have some new trousers to choose from this week!
But all that aside I had a break from the shopping last night and went to see this with Zoe:
Many people over the years have told me I need to read Picoult... well I am afraid as amazing as her books may be I just do not want to put myself through the emotional torture of reading them, I'm not quite ready for it - I wonder if I ever will be! Wibble
But the odd cinematic outing is fine with me, I can sit with a tear-stained face, sniffling away for 2 hours, but being in that state for the length of time it takes me to read a book is a bit dangerous to the psyche!
And yes, call me weird but despite not reading the book, I wanted to know how the book ended before going in and seeing the movie as - all in the name of emotional self-preservation for the famous Picoult Plot Twist Device... but the movie makers decided to go with a rather interesting twist themselves - not going to spoil it, but yeah, if you've read it you are also in for some surprises!
And thankfully my waterproof mascara held up well, there was plenty of sniffling in the audience and the noise of Kleenex packets being emptied, plus the odd manly cough to disguise the aforementioned sniffling... so we went off to Chiquitos for a meal afterwards - I probably should have stuck with a burger, as the salad I had ended up being mega calories - but mega mmmmmmm!
This year my own personal challenge is to be creative and inspired each day of the year... so here I'm sharing just what's inspiring me and making me think creatively, plus whatever I manage to make.
Recent Comments