Well I have had quite a country-fied weekend on the music front. Caught up with Hart of Dixie and spent the rest of the time listening to new tunes and falling even more in love with The Lumineers self-titled album.
Today's favourite song:
Love it!
And all that music in the air made me feel quite creative this afternoon. I made a card for the current Mojo Monday sketch challenge (#241).
Paper, chipboard and sticker: Crate Paper Die: Cheery Lynn Bling: Prima Other: Resin flower, toothpick, sewing machine, 3D foam, distressing tool, Distress Stickles
Alas the Distress Stickles are still drying despite being applied 4+ hours ago! With any luck they will be dry in the morning. ;)
And now, back to my new country playlist while I have a nice long soak in the bath and get started on a new book.
Hard to believe this time last week I was down on the (adventure) farm with two very adventurous little girls:
There was even sunshine. Amazing isn't it? Sunshine in May...
So with this yucky cold and dark weather I'm thinking I need some therapeutic crafting time. I will be searching up some challenge blogs this afternoon I think as it's been a while since I made anything other than my cards for the 52 Cards challenge and DCM dares. :)
And to help me get into the spirit my lovely little prize from A Passion for Papertrey arrived yesterday:
So what better excuse to use it on some new projects. :)
I also managed to finally finish The Witness this morning before getting up for the day:
It was good, but now time for a return to some historical romance due back at the library next. ;)
Also lazy Saturdays are perfect for getting stuck into new music. I am especially loving The Lumineers album I downloaded after repeated listening in preview mode. I hadn't heard of them until hearing the song Ho Hey used on Hart of Dixie then I discovered the rest of the album, and yep. I'm sold. :) Think this is my summer album this year, and Ho Hey is still my favourite song so far:
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 must admit my birthday has definitely crept up on me this year... I blame it all on the past few manic weeks with work.
But I had an impromptu visit from the family today whilst working from home and there are a couple of things I can't wait to try!
I got some lovely silver jewelry from my mum including some owl earrings... very apt.
Also the long awaited box of Mally items to try:
Hm, what could be in there?
Well it looks like a lot of nice little items to try. I already have a Mally Mascara which is indeed bullet-proof - but there's a bit of everything in here including a really good brush by the looks of it.
I also finally have a proper pinny for my baking adventures. I have been on the hunt for the right apron for a while - all the ones I'd seen and tried weren't so good up top. This 50's style pattern must have been designed with homely housewives in mind as it fits perfectly.
And it now resides in its new spot ready for some baking action - whenever that might be!
After everyone had left and I got back to work but also put on my new Pierces CD - have had it in the car for a few little runs out, but wow, totally blown away and so glad I got the CD version rather than just downloading it as I can have it on loop in the car for the next how ever many months! hehe
Right, I'd best have a look inside that little box of Mally-goodness and try a few things out. ;o)
Well, I can't believe it's already after 3 in the afternoon... I think my delayed time clock has a lot to do with staying up until 2 in the morning after getting in from the late night crop and being too awake for bed.
Had a crop - I didn't exactly make progress with my current mini album. But I am now armed with a new trimmer:
Over the years my Making Memories trimmer has been cutting wonkier and wonkier, I can never get a true straight cut out of it any more and the numbers and grid are starting to rub off rather badly in the area I use the most for cardmaking. It's a real shame as it was a really expensive trimmer at the time, and it has always cut beautifully (just not necessarily perfectly straight!). These trimmers are supposed to last a lifetime if I remember correctly so it's more than a bit disappointing.
But I had a go of the Cutterpede last night on Gill's recommendation - if anyone knows their trimmers it'll be Gill, and the one I tried cut perfectly straight and I liked the mini foldable swing out arm, and well, it's more portable for crops that's for sure. It doesn't have the same whoosh cut that I loved about my MM trimmer, but I was desperate for a trimmer that cuts true.
So here's hoping my latest trimmer investment is The One.
I also treated myself to the usual cardstock restock - the shades I seem to be running out of between crops:
I can't seem to get enough of Bazzill OP Wheat cardstock at the moment, I know it's sad... but I just love it with lots of things, plus I always worry that I'll run out of that Bazzill Turquoise Mist cardstock. Next time I'm at the shop I am probably going to have a good stock up on my favourite OP colours. Thankfully I have a little stash of Real Teal and Splash to keep me going, not to mention my 25 pcs. pack of Tanner!
One of the highlights of last night was trying to convince Lynda of the superior power of Paula Cole's music and lyrics through the medium of her best ever song - Feelin' Love...
I originally "discovered" this track when I bought the City of Angels soundtrack when the movie came out, not that I saw it at the cinema... but it's a fine soundtrack indeed. And the album, This Fire, that the track originates from is my favourite Paula Cole album, however I have been rediscovering her most recent studio album again today:
It's been on loop a few hours now. ;o)
And speaking of rediscoveries... I finally, finally started using this set of Acrylic blocks from Fiskars that I bought in Florida a few years back.
They seemed like such a bargain at the time and for one reason or another I never actually used them.
Well this past week I finally permanently unpacked them from their box and they live in my ink drawer and I have been using them a lot, especially with my Papertrey stamps. The three square blocks are a really handy size for me and they do have a bevelled edge after all on the grid size, so are easier to hold than I remembered for positioning. And the foam packaging is very handy as a pricking mat/stamping cushion.
And new bizzaro discovery... well I have always been curious just what it is that people who shop at a 24 hr Tesco buy in the late/early hours... Instead of driving right past on the way home last night, we stopped off (I was in search of the Ben and Jerry's Coconutterly Fair new flavour and Tesco still has their £2 offer on B&J's - it seemed like a good time/petrol-saving idea at the time!) and discovered that people buy weird stuff after midnight - ice cream not withstanding...
One woman left with a pair of flip-flops, a bottle of hair dye and a bag of veg. Another bloke bought some pillows... and there was another lady going in as we were coming out who looked like she meant business and was off to do her weekly shop - who knew right?
I left with a small pot of Coconutterly Fair for £1.50 grrr! They didn't have it in the full size (even at the largest Tesco in my area), and Cookie Dough in the full size for future enjoyment.
So yes, it all sounds rather barking doesn't it - but hey-ho even the small tub of Coconutterly Fair was worth the little stop-off.
I suppose I'd best get testing out my trimmer eh? ;o)
I just saw on the e-mail newsletter that Pink Martini will be touring the UK again this year and October 11th they'll be playing The Sage again!
That's one show I'd definitely want to go see - they were great in 2007, shame there was a no photography policy inside the hall, especially now I have that zoom lens for my SLR...
It was that kind of day yesterday where I needed to clear head space between various tasks... so of course, what better reason than to get the stepladder out the shed and get stringing lights up and pulling baubles from boxes...
The fireplace is a red/white affair... and looks much better now that I added those gorgeous pine cone baubles. You can't go over the top with this sort of thing at least.
I found a new home for my wintry Matryoshkas, the one above was from Accessorize a few years ago - I didn't like the one they were selling this year for the price they wanted.
And this one has been appropriated from my mum... I just love the winter scene....
In other news I have finally got this on iTunes:
Oh and tonight, I shall definitely be trying my new fuzzy PJs - minus 6 it was last night!
The box I use to "temporarily" store the cards I've made overfloweth... This is where my cards are supposed to go before they get allocated a lovely little envelop and popped into a bag...
Hm, there is obviously some problem with this system - in that it is totally not working.
But tonight, I have nothing else pressing to do, so will put the telly on and get this little pile sorted and get a basket ready to try and sell some of these for Children in Need at the reception desk at work.
Fingers crossed!
Also I have finally properly fall in love with Laws of Illusion.
Initially I wasn't all that taken, but now Lissie is going to be swapped out from my CD player in the car and replaced with Sarah. No doubt the Pink Martini Christmas album will be my December looped CD of choice... :o)
Mind you, I cannot stop playing this at the moment either! Talk about contrasts...
And on that note, I am off to start sorting... well, maybe in a bit... It'll give me something to do while Spooks is on (blimey looks like it might be gripping tonight eh?)
I just got an e-mail through letting me know that Pink Martini are releasing their first Holiday album! Yaaaaay! I have been dying for them to do a festive collection since before their wonderful version of "Do you hear what I hear?" appeared on this Starbuck's CD:
It will fit perfectly in my yuletide playlist alongside favourite CDs:
And...
I wonder what other new Christmas offerings will be available on iTunes this year?
Thank heavens Season 2 disc 1 is on the way from Lovefilm!
Woah, talk about a bit of a cliffhanger, I'm just glad I can delve right into season 2 tomorrow!
Am now off to wind down and watch Monday's ep of Glee and perhaps delve into my new book.
Also I am currently counting down the days until this track is available for download:
She definitely has the voice of Stevie Nicks... rather uncanny, but I am loving this track and of course I managed to download In Sleep when it was the free track on iTunes... oh and speaking of, I have pre-ordered the new Sarah McLachlan album which I can't wait for either!
Well not just because that's the theme of this week's dare over at the Daring Cardmakers blog...
Speaking of, here's my card:
It's a trifold card - that's the flap element! ;o)
Papers: October Afternoon Stickers: October Afternoon Pocket: Martha Stewart Bling: Prima Die: Nestabilities
Rather cute stuff that Fly a Kite line...
And I rather like the spotty stickers!
Anyway, it's been a rather stressful day and I am probably going to have to do some work this weekend as next week is going to be very hectic. :o(
When I will be moving house is a mystery I had hoped to be moving stuff over next weekend since the TV and Internet is getting installed but have a big project in at work and may have to work next weekend to meet the deadline as it hasn't got off to a smooth start and is already delayed. Grrr...
But in cheerier news, here are some nice things - my summer Yankee Candles arrived (and I have two newly cleaned out jars from old candles to add to the ribbon jar collection):
And...
Also Glee fans - I saw that Sue Sylvester's version of Vogue has been uploaded to the official site and here at digital spy - can't get it to embed properly, so check out the link.
Anyway, I'm off to take a couple of Ibuprofen and wait for Ashes to Ashes to come on. :o)
So I totted up my little jar list the other night... I need to burn another Six large Yankee Candles before I can finally sort all my ribbons by colour. Cripes.
It will take me a while! Maybe I should just buy some in IKEA... but no! Where is the fun and nice scents in that!?
In the meantime I am wondering which colour should get the first sorting treatment... hm... decisions, decisions....
Anyway I have some pottering to do tonight, plus I need to catch up with the latest ep of Glee - mid-season break coming up :o(
Oh and I am quite liking this song at the moment - it's very Fleetwood Mac, but new... but must stay away from iTunes for a bit - if it's even available that is!
And a big thank you to everyone who has hopped stopped by on their way round the Banana Frog blog hop!
Who knew I could actually make a card with no paper on it? LOL I am so addicted to patterned paper that I never think NOT to use it...
So here's today's card for the no-paper prompt...
Prompt: "Get Well Oranges" - Inspiration: Vibrant/tropical colours, two different fonts, sticker border, no patterned paper.
Stickers: KI Memories, Doodlebug, American Crafts Punch: Martha Stewart
Thank heavens for that pack of Tropical cardstock from American Crafts too. :o)
But I think it will be back to the patterned paper for the next card. LOL
This Sunday I'm off to Newcastle shopping/browsing with ma (it was her Mother's Day request - and who am I to refuse...).
John Lewis will be our first port of call, we usually spend a good few hours in there anyway. But I am hoping to check out their mini sewing machine - if they actually have one in store as it is out of stock online, plus The Cushion Department. Yes, you know why...
If there is nothing more appropriate for my bedroom colour scheme, I may just get this cushion at last for... the study?
Also a special port of call will be made to the new Marble Slab Creamery store in Eldon Square. I had no idea they had made it over the Atlantic, but yes there are just two stores in the UK, one in Newcastle and the other in Dundee...
I shall schlep the camera along with me, just to document any ice cream yumminess. I am sure the one I had in Florida last year (as pictured) was birthday cake flavour - whatever it was it was most delicious and resulted in Marble Slab Creamery being added to the "must visit again" list.
And I really hope we have time to visit the new Apple store as I want to try out some portable speakers for my nano so I can see what works for it. If anyone has any recommendations I am all ears. I want one with good sound so it can be played anywhere in the house, mains and battery operation, remote control (handy for my playlists as they are quite ecclectic...) under £100 and with a hookup to the laptop so you can use it as laptop speakers when playing DVDs...
I'm not sure this one fits the bill entirely, but so far it has been the highest rated for under £100.
I would definitely go cheaper, as long as the sound quality is good for everyday playback.
So hit me with your recs. :)
What else, what else....
Oh, currently there are two songs constantly playing on the radio that I can't get enough of.
Goldfrap's Rocket - will be off to check out the album in iTunes... Love a lot of Goldfrap's stuff... But I love the 80s feel to this one. :D
And one that I find very similar (not in a bad way) but this really compliment's Rocket.
Ooer there seems to be quite a bit of bum cheek showing in the still of this youtube vid...
Gabriella Cilmi's On a Mission... looks like there could be some good remixes, so I'm off to iTunes now!
Hah, you may have had to do a double take - what have Papercrafts' Card a Day book and Madonna got in common?
Me!
My recent little amazon order arrived today, the Card a Day book (which by the way is really good - any cardmakers out there I would really recommend it for the eye candy and ideas - the layout is really good too) and the double CD/DVD compilation of Confessions Live - I needed it just for the exclusive Paradise (Not for Me) clip, love that version, and really I don't think I will ever tire of the original album.
Anyway, these two items will join forces tonight as I am going to get down to some creative time once I've had my shower. :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!
Over Christmas I had rather a few sprees on iTunes - gulp!
Of the various albums and tracks I bought, I have really been loving one track in particular from Paloma Faith's album:
The track is Play On:
I've also been adding to my tango music collection (not that it was huge!) with some tracks from The Gotan Project and Bailango! - including one that has been used in a few films like Take the Lead.
I definitely have wide and varied music taste. :o)
The only time I don't have the tv on or music playing is at work and when I'm totally asleep! I cannot function without background noise and I'd never be able to live without music. I reloaded my iPod shuffle for the gym the other day so it now has all of Shakira's She Wolf remixes, and 3 Words remixes (I just love the beat of that song).
When I'm creating stuff I usually have the TV on in the background, pop in a DVD or more often than not, lose track of time with my playlist! I'm not sure how much it influences my creative output, but music definitely gets me in the creative mood.
So are there any tunes you just don't get bored of hearing right now?
I must confess one of the albums I never get bored of is Confessions on the Dancefloor, I should really get a copy of the live CD as one of my favourite arrangements of a Madonna song from Music is on the DVD of this tour. Much prefer it to the version of Paradise on the original album:
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.
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