Kool Kitty Musings

Why did no one tell me...

..that my local Boots now stocked Philosophy? And that I didn't need to visit John Lewis in Newcastle just to get my sniffing fix??

Well it came as a very nice surprise while out on my lunch break today hoping to get a pot of the L'Oreal make-up primer I'd tried in a copy of Marie-Claire.

A few more items came home to live with me, including the limited edition 15 ml size of Hope in a Jar which I wanted to try on my skin without forking out the £30+ price for the usual size.

Some Microdelivery face wash to try, and the new Summer Grace fragrance tester.

I was most impressed with the range on offer, and soon I will have enough Boots points to treat myself to a big sized bottle of the 3-in-1 shower, bath shampoo - do I go for Melon Daiquiri a previous favourite, Coconut Frosting or Raspberry Sorbet... Then again there is always my favourite, Inner Grace.

Anyway, I will definitely be trying my Hope in a Jar tonight plus the Microdelivery face wash. :D

Also I managed to snap some of the pots in the garden tonight between sun and rain and also after waging further war against the green fly that have set up camp on my roses and clematis - they are persistent little buggers, especially now all the ladybirds have gone awol.

I do love this time of year when azaleas and rhododendrons are coming out.

The dwarf yellow ones are doing rather well.

The dwarf pinks had a loss in number...

The big pink one only seems to have one proper flower bud at the moment. The other buds could be leaves, but I can't recall how this one looked last year when I got it. So it'll be a nice surprise once it does open up.

Just a shame about the return of frosty mornings after all that nice weather. The roses are loving the weather and thriving, my spring bulbs are a bit less enthusiastic!

Also I can't believe I've still not had chance to post the photos I took at Easter. I think I need to get some of them printed ready for my scrappy weekend away at the end of April - but there are quite a few photos I should get printed for that!

Lovely new stash...

Just not sure when I will actually have chance to play with it.

It has been a pigging long day at work, and basically it looks like I am going to be working every weekend of April - but not the very last one, God forbid!!!

Typically the stress has kicked in tonight with a tension headache and tomorrow is going to be an even longer day... followed by the joy that is Friday the 13th...

But even if I can't play with my new stash, at least I can look at it right?

First up, I finally got some Melissa Frances resin accents:

Some of the fab new Kaisercraft resin blooms as I just love resin flowers like these and the colours are lovely:

Then I went on a bit of a paper binge...

First, Simple Stories' Fabulous line of papers, all Jo Kill's fault:

A sensation of Pink Paislee's Spring Jubilee - the chipboard stickers are "interesting", much preferred the ephemera pack of London Market, but I can work with them...

I couldn't hold out any longer and got the Story Teller papers from Crate:

As well as most of the Pretty Party papers. Just waiting for all the other bits in these two lines to reach the UK....

A little top-up to my alpha collection:

And these have probably jinxed my entire creative time this month:

... page protectors that I hoped to get back into making a few layouts with, or at the very least planning for my scrappy weekend away at the end of April - but with work as it is I will be lucky to pack a trimmer and an ATG gun before that weekend arrives.

Right, think it's time to take some Migraleve to alleviate this headache before it becomes a migraine... :o\ Last Wednesday when I was having such a nice time in Newcastle and then out for a yummy Indian feels like it was last month... how things change!

Good Friday = good mood

Well, it has certainly been a challenging week for my nerves, and I have been really looking forward to the 4 day weekend, I can tell you!

But first, something crafty and cheery. :D

This being the first Friday of the month we have a new colour challenge to enjoy on the DCM blog this week.

Leo chose some lovely sorbet fresh colours:

And seeing these colours the first time I knew exactly which stash to use - yep, my dwindling MME Howdy Doody 6x6 pad came out to play!

Paper: MME
Stamp: WMS
Flower: The Ribbon Girl
Dies: Sizzix, Cheery Lynn, PTI
Felt: PTI
Other: Buttons, ribbon, Distress Stickles, cotton thread, chalk ink

This card started out very differently but I'm quite happy with how it ended up - will definitely have to use bitty buttons more on things, they are very sweet. :)

On the non-crafty front I had a nice break from the stress of this week with a day out in Newcastle with Zoe getting some shopping done followed in the evening by a very delicious meal out at our usual Indian - with our usual pickles of course!

Here are my lovely purchases:

Rather uninteresting to some...

But I finally have an oven thermometer which will get tried out this weekend when I attempt to make Easter Malteaser cupcakes.

There had to be at least one Easter decoration - and I loved that little bowl from John Lewis.

Had to have this when I saw it - even if I don't use all the toppers on cupcakes, I could add a few to craft projects. But I just love Meri Meri design and Lakeland had lots of tempting sets, but I could only go for one and this was it!

Fenwick's foodhall is always a must stop place - and how nice to see them have packets of coconut M&Ms at last... and my fave white PB cups!

The main reason for visiting is always to stock up on Kolos rye bread, basically the best rye bread in the world! I bought a little loaf for myself, and two big loaves for the Easter weekend at my mum and dad's - Polish Easter breakfast of course wouldn't be complete without this bread! In fact once I finish up here I will be having some for my breakfast. :D

And finally the last thing I was expecting to buy was some new perfume, but when I saw the new additions to the Be Delicious range (I have quite a few...) I had to try them and to my extreme delight this creamy meringue perfume has a lovely fresh lemon zing to it without being overly sweet and sickly. And for once in the many years I have bought perfume I had a load of free samples dropped into the bag with my purchase. So look forward to trying those out, hopefully they are nice!

Right, I had best get my breakfast and get dressed - later on the menu it's a traditional Good Friday visit to the fish and chip shop plus Hot Cross buns somewhere in there as well. :D

Looks like I have more ribbon sorting to do

I have been "gifted" some more Yankee Candle jars by my mum that need cleaning out and still smell nice and Christmasy.

Not sure when I will get round to it, but that's a good few colours to add to the ribbon shelf. :)

I also managed to pop out for my lunch today and nip into Debenhams to spend my £5 off voucher. It was quite difficult as they are in the middle of a remodel and well, I hope once it's done there will be a lot more stock in my local store! I had trouble finding the right place where they have moved Mantaray and John Rocha clothing to, then I went looking in homewares hoping to snag a bargain like the typewriter cushion I love....

But none to be seen. Nor any of the bedding from the Butterfly home collection that I really, really want:

Still waiting for this to be available (in full) in a sale... one day. I had no luck the last time it was in the sale in the summer as there were no pillowcases available in store or online, just the king duvet cover. It would have been sod's law that if I'd bought the duvet cover it would have been totally discontinued...

So I then wandered back down to clothing to look for Mantaray stuff again and was happy to find a few things that looked nice. I was after a new work-ish top and this is what I bought:

I then nipped into M&S to try and get some sushi for lunch before it was sold out, only to discover they only do two versions of sushi now - the snack pack or the medium fish sushi. I used to love the California roll selection and vegi sushi.

Oh well, looks like I will stick to Sainsbury's sushi from now on as they do a lovely snack set and a delish vegi sushi set for a less.

I did manage to pick up some of the popcorn packs from M&S which are apparently a good alternative to crisps - since I gave those up for lent. Intrigued to know how the strawberry and white choc popcorn tastes. Not enough syns left in my allowance today to try a pack, so will have to wait for tomorrow. ;o)

Back to crafting news, I am currently eagerly awaiting the big reveal of the new Waltzing Mouse Stamps tomorrow, I have my eye on the Compact Greetings set in particular (love the font!) and a few other peaks I've seen... also waiting for new CHA items to make it to the UK. Especially the vintage-y Pink Paislee line and hopefully once that is in I can finally order the odd few sheets of the new MME papers that I really, really want. Didn't seem worth making an order for 6 sheets of 12x12 paper. Question is, do I need the Miss Caroline Howdy Doody pad:

Anyway, I think it is going to be a relatively early night, time for a nice long soak and another chapter of my book.

Sorted...

I have had a bit of a tough weekend with my mojo - alas I have hit a wall when it comes to cardmaking and didn't manage to make anything at Friday's crop.

Yesterday I decided to see if I could kick start things by having a little organizational kick.

So, I finally cleaned up all the used Yankee Candle jars I had under the sink and reorganized my ribbon storage to use them all up. :)

I've used my little used up jars for buttons and resin embellishments.

The flat-top medium jars are a nice way of storing seam binding without having to do a lot of rummaging. I have my Ribbon Reel seam binding in one, and my Ribbon Girl seam binding in another.

Anyway, here's hoping full on creativity returns. I managed to make a couple of cards but I'm not so keen on 'em.

Well, I may just try and see whether the mojo is back this afternoon.

Nice brown paper packages...

Or Jiffy envelopes...

Some nice things arrived in the post today:

Some dies from MFT purchased in their NY sale, including the doily die. :D

These stamps were free with my order, and will be very useful - some nice greetings there. :D

I also have this yummy spring country landscape die to play with from memory box dies. A nice alternative to the winter version. :)

And at long last I have managed to get C.O. Bigelow items in the UK. Have been after a new hand wash as my yummy lemon one is just now running out.

Speaking of lemons I have regretted not buying this ever since Florida 2009 when I had the chance to get it in Bath and Bodyworks but thought my baggage allowance would be tipped over... it wasn't, I could have got this. But anyway, I shall be using it tonight in a nice long hot bath!

Now, I need to remember to buy a new CD thingy to house the new dies and get some more magnetic tape as I'm all out... a die reorganization session is in order!

So long gingerbread family!

It's time to move with the seasons so my blog has had a little face lift to see us into spring. :D

Hearts and birdies courtesy of the wonderful Nancy Kubo - boy would I be happy if she had some new digi sets coming out. ;o)

And on the theme of hearts and birdies I see that Pinterest is awash with Valentines ideas at the moment. It's not a big holiday over here, but I very much enjoy the eye candy and ideas.

I keep saying that one day I will do one of these projects:

Source: blissfulb.blogspot.com via faryle on Pinterest

 

It hasn't happened yet!

I don't think I'd ever have the skill or patience for this, but a lovely take on bunting:

Source: lindaalbrecht.typepad.com via Arantxa on Pinterest

 

I love these plain linen cushions with button designs:

Source: allaboutyou.com via Lianne on Pinterest

 

I am even loving crocheted hearts!

Source: etsy.com via origami on Pinterest

 

Totally amazing heart biscuits...

Source: weheartit.com via Earline on Pinterest

Now all I need are some heart doilies and I will be a happy girl!

Time for some more baubles I think!

So I was flicking through a few recent pics and thought it time to share some more festive shots:

My knitted angel of JYC fame in her new spot on the tree this year.

I also took some pics at my mum and dad's when we were putting the real tree up (a fine specimen it is indeed) and ma and I have decorated it with just lights, vintage baubles that have been in the family since the 50s/60s (both English and Polish ones that have survived a couple of cat climbing expeditions over the years) and the glass baubles we have been collecting over the past few years, oh and of course the odd sentimental childhood item!

And for once all the pics here are straight out of the camera - got to love cranking up the ISO for bauble pics on green trees! Silver ones are another matter. ;o)

The gorgeous white/silver church ornament my mum bought for my dad this year - it is quite a stonker!

Ma's Gisella Graham winter trees bauble - her favourite, so you know where I get my love of winter scenes from!

The clip on mushroom ornament I bought for ma this year. Mushrooms are big in our house.

One of the oldest baubles in the collection.

My favourite snowflake bauble with my favourite Polish bauble in the background. I love those swirl baubles that have a prismatic opening with lots of pretty colours of glass inside.

Yep, I totally love that snowflake bauble... {sigh}

This little one is simply lovely.

And finally the new addition my mum bought for my brother - a very sweet candy house.

It resides very close to the ornament he made back in primary school that never fails to make it on the tree. :)

Some festive cheer to start the day....

I thought it was time for some more festive photos from around the house:

I just love this bauble - I have a real weakness of any baubles depicting snowy winter scenes!

The fireplace during the day complete with my woolly "reindeer-sheep" - shame about the cable from the lights but I am seriously in love with my wooden laser-cut tree from John Lewis - and of course there had to be a seasonal Yankee Candle burning away, mmmm North Pole.

I think it looks rather Nordic....

In the kitchen the countdown began again...

And the Russian Doll collection is up on the shelf.

I'm really looking forward to the break over Christmas so I can lounge on the sofa and just wallow in the festiveness. :D

Some more jolly moments

Well I've been rather remiss in sharing more festive pics here on my blog.

Here are some more entries from past JYC projects:

Still loving my M&S chalkboard advent calendar I bought last year. :D

When it comes to chocolate calendars, I am still rather partial to a Milkybar one!

But I seem to be managing fine without a chocolate calendar this year. In fact I am really loving some of the advent ideas I've seen on Pinterest:

Source: allsorts.typepad.com via Natalia on Pinterest

 

 

Love the little pocket bunting. I wish I could sew as neatly and uniformly as that!

Source: assets4.designsponge.com via Natalia on Pinterest

 

This takes it to a whole new level - how wonderful must it be to open one of those unique little boxes each day?

Source: marthastewart.com via Natalia on Pinterest

 

I do very much love an advent calendar with proper little windows that reveal meaningful and beautiful images.

Source: lilybeanpaperie.typepad.com via Natalia on Pinterest

 

This one gets my vintage-festive-sparkle-lovin' heart a-fluttering! Just love it.

The entry for the 6th looked at Christmas past and Christmas present, and this was my merging of two traditions, Polish and British:

Now I rather wish I'd gone and bought that set of Nativity Russian dolls in John Lewis, but they were £20...

The baby Jesus is just so cute!

On the 7th last year I was not having a stress-free time of it:

Snow = no going anywhere, never mind shopping in an actual shop! My car at that time was living under a couple of feet of snow in front of the house.

So there definitely wasn't much chance of things being simple!

On the 8th I managed to get out and about with the camera and took some lovely photos in town - I just love shop displays, I am sure in another life I would be a window dresser... how cool a job would that be?

Just delightful:

And talking of Windows... the window this year at Fenwick's, Newcastle was a sight to behold, the pics aren't too bad considering it was dusk and there was the glare of other shops on the windows:

Cinderella in her pumpkin carriage.

The white rabbit who seemed to be very late for an important date!

Plenty of choice at the Mad Hatter's tea party! Bet there was some cheeeeese cake on that buffet table.

Me and ma tried to get in on the action talking to the mirror, but didn't quite manage it!

Right I'd best scoot as I'm supposed to be out for dinner tonight!

Nordic inspired

We have a lovely dare over on the DCM blog from Fran this week, just perfect for getting you in the festive spirit.

It's all about Nordic inspiration, style trends, colours and well reindeer! Fran's even provided wonderful photo inspiration to get you in the mood:

I'm offering up two cards this week, here's the more traditional Nordic look complete with a Swedish greeting:

Paper: KI Memories
Stamps: Waltzing Mouse Stamps
Velvet Thickers: American Crafts
Dies: Marianne, Spellbinders
Seam binding: The Ribbon Reel
Ribbon: The Ribbon Girl
Other: Acrylic paint, embossing powder, sewing machine, felt, button, twine, 3D foam

It's a bit difficult to pick out the white felt scallop around the heart but it's there. I love how the white embossing with the WMS stamps has come out on the red cardstock, looks like it actually has been knitted. LOL And that zigzag stitch on my little sewing machine, I will be using that more often!

Oh and I actually cut into some old KI frosty papers, but dry brushed cream paint on it to make it more subtle and less frosty for this background. And I did say I'd be using that Marianne bough die a lot more!

And the other card, well it's a more modern colour twist:

Stamps: Waltzing Mouse
Dies: Spellbinders
Paper: American Crafts
Other: Stickles, white gel pen, twine, 3D foam

And if you need more inspiration, here are some twinkly shots of a few old and new additions to my tree this year:

This is one from last year, but I think it fits today's prompt rather nicely!

The festive mushroom is a new addition this year.

As is this gorgeous church ornament my mum bought me. Not quite Nordic, but very glam!

And can I just say I totally love RadLab for these bauble shots, soooo fab to be able to save your own recipe and just apply it quickly to a bunch of photos.

This week I have mostly been shopping...

So like I said the other day, my Christmas shopping has so far been a bit of a failure. For other people.

But not for myself and the house.

I finally got my little Sheep-deer from TK Maxx. The first time I saw him I thought he was a reindeer, but on closer inspection when I went back to TK Maxx this week, he is in fact... more of a sheep. I may yet make him antlers...

 

I managed to stock up on some nice baking items. Some fab baking cases plus accessories, including mini cases which needed a mini muffin tin. Some silicone jelly like baking moulds in Ikea, some nice sized silicone hearts that can either make 4 separate heart cakes, or 2 heart sandwich cakes... festive jelly beans for decrating, and some Christmas sprinkles in Lidl that looked just perfect.

I also finally have a domed cake stand - for £9.99 from IKEA. Hurrah.

More seasonal tableware was purchased in M&S with these red felt coasters and matching placemat.

Keeping on the red theme, I now have a lovely little slow cooker to get me through the winter months and free up the hob and soup pan for other things. :)

I finally managed to find a long and wide scarf in Zara... and didn't break the bank on it. To date all others were too short for wrapping round a few times and creative knotting...

Yesterday the delight that was Boundary Mills yielded a nice shoe shopping experience - so many pretty Hush Puppy shoes in one place. I bought the above in purple, plus:

...in dark brown, and these:

Which are a little bigger than the others, but I think will be fine with an insole or even thicker winter tights. :)

And finally, thanks to Jean, I have been reunited with a good-sized bag of Candy Corn M&Ms:

In addition to the shopping, there has been some making:

It started last weekend with our "annual" gingerbread house-making afternoon... which included an emergency dash for new gingerbread cabins when the IKEA gingerbread houses were opened up and all broken, but will make great cheesecake bases! So as we got to work on these little houses, complete with the white gunky icing included, it was a real fight to keep all the walls and roofs attached...

Lola just watched on hoping to hoover up any victims of the gingerbread house collapse...

Wednesday night I went with Becky to a craft night at her church and we made:

This lovely little flowerpot snowman, who I am sure will appear in many upcoming Christmas-themed snaps.

And this lovely felt heart ornament, in which I finally learnt to blanket stitch - it could have been tidier, but I am sure I could make some more of these with different felts, especially in nordic colours... and cut the hearts with my nestabilities. :)

And although not made by me, had a lovely lunch out in Tynemouth yesterday with my friend Kel, hot chocolate dessert for her:

And the most delicious cherry and almond scone for me:

I loved the chintzy decor in the shop and it was like a real Christmas shabby glam grotto. :D

And speaking of making, I had best get on and get a few projects done while we still have daylight available!

A TK Maxx bargain at last...

Managed to snag this little beauty in TK Maxx today just as I went in for a mooch at lunch time. It's a nice long wallet and is from their key-per line like my shopper bag:

 

Yummy teal colours and bird cages:

 

And a zingy orange inside with more teal:

 

And lots of space for cards as well as coins:

 

And all for just £9.99. Hard to resist that kind of temptation!

And speaking of orange things...

 

The guilty pleasure shelf in my kitchen cupboard is nicely stocked again, just in time for cold rainy evenings.

And in case you are after papercraft inspiration... fear not - my wish list has a new addition just from the sneaky peek I saw yesterday:

 

From the die cuts alone, I am already in love! I hope the papers are just as gorgeous. With lots of grey, teal, coral and red.

Anyone for tea?

While out at the Metrocentre Friday night for dinner at Wagamama's with the girls I managed to snag a quick bargain in TK Maxx. I've only been looking a whole year for the perfect teapot, and well, the wait paid off as I now have one.

The price label was over all the info on the bottom, but this little teapot is by BIA and is called the Melon teapot:

 

All for £4.50 and not too big that you're making tea for a small village and not so small that it's just a two cup number.

So It's now ready for it's maiden cuppa!

In the meantime I went browsing on pinterest at more teapot delights, one new teapot is definitely enough for now, but check them out!

 

Source: milkoverdose.blogspot.com via Ingrid on Pinterest

 

Source: tumblr.com via Emily on Pinterest

 

Source: everythingstopsfortea.com via Debbie on Pinterest

 

Source: google.it via Irena on Pinterest

 

Source: google.com via heidi on Pinterest

 

If I'd seen that stripy one I probably would have bought it as well!

Anyway, off to enjoy my cuppa now that it's a bit cooler following our hazy Indian summer heatwave!

Sunday snapshots

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...



Birthday spoils...

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)

Staycation off to a sedate start

So my staycation has been marred so far by the weather - showers and intermittent sun all the way this week according to the forecast, so not much chance of any outings.

But I am armed with a pile of books and have just polished off the first one:

 

Mr Knightley's Diary is a very nice retelling of Emma from the point of view of the wonderful Mr Knightley's, or Knightley as Mrs Elton so rudely calls him. ;o)

Makes me want to rewatch my Emma DVD yet again for a bit more Mr Knightley time! Apparently there are more retellings of Austen classics in this form by the same author, but I have to confess that Emma is the novel I am most interested in.

Sunday I was out all day shopping with my mum - looking for some nice new summer clothes in the sales. I came away with nothing but some new Paperchase additions:

 

Some new key caps (my cupcake key caps are looking the worse for wear) and some brand new kraft post-its. They had another book of post-its in the same range called study helpers I think, but I had to decide between the two and kraft won out!

Also got another bookend to go with my previous one as the baking book shelf needs shoring up from both ends now!

Thankfully no new A5 binders added to the line so I was safe from more mini-journals to start!

This afternoon looks like it'll be an outing to the garden centre for some bedding plants to fill in the gaps left by the pansies.

Then, I need to get my box of cards made so far this year sorted, envelopes matched and put in little baggies so they can go into the card basket ready to be used. I have been rather neglectful of the stack, but the organisation task is best performed in front of the telly! Or I might stick my Deathly Hallows Pt 1 DVD on...

It's all thrilling isn't it? There may even be time to catch up with the 52 Cards Challenge!

Sleepy Saturday...

The result of insomnia that kicked in at 3 a.m. and really dull weather has left me feeling a bit tired today. I managed to tick a few things off on my to-do list, but one of these items was catching up on all the tv stuff I'd recorded and failed to watch. So I am now up-to-date with The Chicago Code, still annoying that it got cancelled, a couple of episodes of Human Planet, some other random stuff and then I tidied up my craft space and got down to catching up with this week's 52 Cards Challenge prompt. Better late than never! ;o)

The elements were pale colours, vellum and stamping, perfect for indulging in my current obsession with peachy colours, plus I ended up having a PTI fest on this one:

Cardstock: PTI
Stamps: PTI
Dies: PTI, Spellbinders
Felt: PTI
Brads: Lasting Impressions
Other: Vellum, sewing machine, white embossing powder

 

I used a scallop circle die to make the flower - it's rather lumpy so this is one card to deliver in person I think!

Also love my Memento New Sprout ink pad, it's a lovely shade of light green.

Also have some other pics to share from last weekend when I made the Hummingbird Grasshopper pie from Cake Days for my brother's birthday:

 

I added almost twice as much green food colouring than directed in the recipe as it just didn't look green enough to me, plus next time I will definitely reduce the amount of butter in the biscuit base as it was too solid for my taste and I prefer it a bit more crunchy and crumbly. Oh and probably will add a few more drops of peppermint too as we like it minty fresh in our family!

But the birthday boy was happy and my John Lewis pie dish finally got an outing!

 

There was even champers to go with it. However birthday boy didn't want any photos taking of him... sigh

Next time I make grasshopper pie I will probably halve the recipe too, it was a big hit, but there certainly was a lot of it! ;o)

 

It was yummy mind!

Also the garden has been looking nice - lots more roses to enjoy from my old-timers that were planted last year, and now waiting for the new roses planted after Christmas to bloom.

But I am rather liking this allium:

 

And in a rare bit of dusky sunlight:

 

Well, here's hoping tomorrow brings some actual sunshine. ;o)

Pinning like there's no tomorrow...

Yes, I have disappeared into the inspirational vortex that is Pinterest, where I can happily pin everything and anything I see that sets my heart aflutter...

It's only been a week or so and already I have amassed quite a lot of eye candy... in a number of categories.

Colours

 

Photography

 

Baking

 

The home 

And that's just a small sample...

Must say though it is almost as good as retail therapy in a way, much less depressing than window shopping and much cheaper than online shopping! ;o)

Wow!

What a lovely surprise I had yesterday to see that the card I made for the Passion for Papertrey wedding card challenge got picked as one of the top 3 - oooh I was seriously chuffed to be honoured with the title of a top 3 passionista! ;o)

Ironically since the weekend my creative mojo has deserted me... perhaps it was the exhaustion of using all that stash on one card? hehe

But the weekend looms and with any luck I'll have time to re-investigate my stash in order to see if the mojo is lurking somewhere close at hand after all.

In the meantime I'll be having a relaxing time with my next book... just need to decide what it'll be...

And speaking of relaxing... I treated myself to a little luxury today as I had a voucher for £10 off at the Body Shop so stocked up on some summer additions:

 

The shower gel and body milk from the Japanese spa range - ohhh such a gorgeous smell.

 

The Lime and Coconut shower gel from the Polynesia Spa range.

 

And finally the green tea and lemon room/linen spray. I bought the reed diffuser last month and have had it next to my bed and well - it's just so gorgeous. Pricey, but gorgeous... I have another £10 off voucher so must resist buying more of the reed diffusers in this scent.

Nothing is ever simple @ Next eh?

So after doing some filing and sorting today I found a £10 off voucher for Next Online that they sent me to try and entice me back to ordering something.

Well, I have been in the market for a new collage frame this time for my lounge wall, over the record cabinet.

I have really liked this distressed frame every time I've seen it in store:

 

It's the bottom one - all higgledy piggledy...

The only thing is, it's £50!

Well that's not the only thing, when you see it side on it has lots of posts and struts sticking out to give it the dimension but it's really noticeable if you see the frame from the side.

Oh and I think the white would be a little lost on my Twisted Bamboo walls.... ;o)

So armed with my £10 voucher I found one that would be much better suited to my wall space and in an arrangement that I originally had in mind.

 

Plus, it was £38.

Or £28 with that voucher discount.

Or so I thought.

The flaming thing hasn't deducted anything at checkout so now I have to wait until my statement comes in to make sure it's been deducted and the most annoying thing of all is that it's not expected to come in for pick-up for 3 weeks!

Gaaaah.

How difficult does it have to be, is there any wonder I stuck to buying in-store rather than trying to order online.

And this collage frame better not come damaged like the first red collage frame did, that's all I can say. Took ages to sort that out.

Maybe it's just Next and collage frames. LOL

Stash snaps...

In the grand scheme of things today has not really been a productive day...

I started the day reading a new book cover to cover, did some housework, then my mum and dad popped round with new additions for the garden... which is looking gorgeous in all this lovely summery weather we're having - but the washing was in the way so no new photos to share...

And it has just been too nice outside to worry about getting other things done.

But I have some photos of some of my recent stash purchases.

Wednesday night I checked out the new Paperchase shop at the Metrocentre and picked up yet another (new!) binder for my collection. I hadn't seen these fabric covered ones before so think I will use it for my baking album or something else no doubt.

Also in TK Maxx I managed to get the stub Corner Chomper - not exactly a bargain price but more or less the same price I've seen it online - just nice to have it in person. They didn't have the little rounder (yellow one) so I was lucky to just walk out with one of these!

Thursday night I had a few PTI stamp sets to assemble... now I just need to get playing!

My little CD case that I use for storing my Spellbinder and PTI dies in is now 100% full and bulging at the seams, now that my latest PTI additions and those fancy tags are in there. Can't wait to try some of them out on my next card project.

Is it sad that this photo makes me happy? I don't think it's just the stash, I love all those colours together... So much so I've hung these newest embellishment packets over my desk to tempt me...

Mmmm some lovely Crate bits and pieces to go with the papers I bought - yum, yum, yum...

Also these Fancy Pants papers have some nice designs that will mix and match in with other stash as well as together.

Tomorrow is looking like it'll be a tiring day - ma and I are off to the Metrocentre/Newcastle centre for our shopping excursion and if the weather is like this again it's going to be boiling... fingers crossed we'll come back with some nice goodies and not just window shopping! Mind you, I could go for an ice cream from Marble Slab Creamery if they're still there... mmmmm.

Spring time

Looks like it definitely arrived today as it has been sunny and warm most of the afternoon - so much so I had the windows wide open for a while.

And with it feeling like spring, I feel I can transfer over to my new spring bag:

 

It's a Fossil shopper that I managed to get in the Collectibles sale - I have really missed them not having Fossil bags there for over a year or so. The only handbags I've splashed out on over the past few years have been Fossil bags - and only in Collectibles. I will never be able to afford one full price but will keep stalking Collectibles and TK Maxx for a bargain. :o)

I also polished off my current read today before getting my domestic chores done... I am really liking Liz Caryle's books - great characters and her language isn't overly Americanised for regency romances set in jolly old England. Plus I just love the reappearance of the character of George Kemble in the various books - he's a fab character.

So, my dilemma is whether I start a new read tonight or not... decisions, decisions...

 

My "Life is Good" collection pack arrived yesterday so I have everything I need (bar photos) to start a new mini album project at the next crop I go to. Feeling most virtuous with this creative organisation, as I've even managed to make my card for this week's upcoming DCM dare!

Right, I'd best get some other stuff ticked off my to-do list before I even contemplate starting another book!

Long time no post eh?

My, it has been a busy week with work and I even did some work over the weekend too - hopefully not so this weekend! It has been non-stop ever since.

But I did manage to go out for a nice meal and catch-up with Zoe (we finally got to exchange our Christmas pressies!) and that's been about it really.

I am still planning to get my Christmas Journal finished once and for all, just had no time to get my photos sorted for those last few days.

Also one resolution this year: I need to sort out my stash and do some purging, whether it's giving stuff away or trying to sell some on the Marketplace on UKS - I could really do with just sorting out what I have and will use from what I am hanging onto for the sake of it.

The nice thing about Christmas being over is that I had a nice stockpile of new Yankee Candle jars to use for my ribbon stash!

 

Ah, a lovely new home for my twill ribbon collection, and more of my nice ribbons are getting sorted by colour now - just need a few more jars and I should be able to sort them all out.

Also shock horror... I am thinking of parting with much of my KI Memories paper stash. :oO

I know.

I shall have to see how I feel about that once I sort my sorting...

Been busy...

And not in a creative way!

Well, aside from this batch of lemon cupcakes I made Monday evening as soon as I got in from work:

I tried another Magnolia recipe - and of course had to try one Monday night before boxing them up to take to work and hand over some after dinner out with a friend.

The one cupcake I had was rather delicious.... ;)

So tonight has been the first evening where I've had a little time to spare, so I have finally written all my cards to post tomorrow, and I'm just having a browse through some photos I took at the weekend of my mum and dad's tree.

 

Here's my mum's crystal scene bauble with an angel inside - very difficult to photograph but it looks just lovely on the tree.

 

The holly bauble - I love how the needles on the tree have come out on this photo too - you forget how nice a real tree is when you're used to having a silver sparkly one!

 

One of the leafy baubles we got in the set from Poland this summer.

 

And I love the viney pattern on this bauble...

Hopefully will get some better shots over Christmas, impossible to get a full length shot of the tree as I would need to be through the wall into next door's to get it all in even on wide angle!

Hopefully to get some more photos sorted for my Christmas journal before the weekend and play catch up a bit...

Been clicking away and action-ing...

Thought I'd share a few pics I took the other day - ok so I clicked away and took 179 (many of those didn't turn out so well as I'd not realised I'd left my SLR in manual mode after a play!)...

  

This one was inspired by a photo shared on the JYC forum, I had candy canes so leapt out with my camera into the snow-ice to try and take a shot... with, er, manual on by accident.

 

Pioneer Woman's Lovely and Ethereal action is very good for getting some nice effects on photos that were originally dark and very red (due to fairy lights).

 

I had the fire on last night for full effect plus countless candles...

 

Here's a shot of some of this year's new baubles... I love that red and white one - and it really works so nicely on the mantelpiece.

 

Thew mantelpiece looks quite nice and dreamy in this pic - the joy of actions!

 

I tried some Bokeh as per one of Shimelle's prompts - the original photo was pretty dark, but it lightened up nicely. Difficult to make out but this is another new bauble - the nativity scene in cut crystal inside the bauble...

 

I also tried it on my little mug of candy canes.

 

Here's the new nativity bauble on the tree - nestled in those silver branches.

 

A shot of the tree - can't get a decent full length photo - so this will have to do. ;o)

 

Here's another new bauble - the snowy house...

 

And a snowy scene on a flat bauble - it's very unusual.

 

And lastly - my giant Polish bauble (bought in a heat wave in August in Poland!).

I'll be using a few of these pics in my journal - speaking of, have some catching up to do tonight!

Escaping the house

So finally the weekend and a very good excuse to escape the house was meeting up with my mum for lunch out on her name day.

But first I needed to get a bunch of photos printed for my Christmas journal.

No problem, I thought. I could try out the little shop at the end of my street that does instant photos.

Ha! Unfortunately plans had to change when the lady looking after the shop couldn't find the key to the Kodak machine and asked if I could come back Monday. The reason companies like Kodak invented instant photo machines was probably because people wanted their photos... instantly.

So I hopped on the bus toward town to meet up with my mum and do some window shopping (and hope that the tiny Boots there would have an instant photo machine).

We did some seasonal browsing:

 

 

 

 

Then hunger prevailed and we went for lunch, which included some very nice desserts!

 

Ma had Crème Brûlée, while I had sticky toffee pud!

 

After more browsing around the shops I hopped back on the bus and went homeward bound but carried on further to the next big town so that I could see if the Boots there had a Kodak instant photo machine which was up and running and waiting to print my photos!

And, thank the lord, it did.

So now I have at least seven days of my Christmas Journal that I can be getting on with. ;o)

On a side note, can I just take a moment to say that I never thought having a cat flap (even though I don't have a cat) would ever be a blessing.

Well, when my back doors got jammed by snow and ice, the cat flap provided the only means with which to remove the ice block (with the aid of a stainless steel soup ladle and a screwdriver). MacGyver would be impressed... Who'd have thought it, escape by cat flap! But at least my outdoor lights are strung up along the back wall now. Just wondering where we'll find my kitchen scissors that my dad put down somewhere, and which promptly disappeared into the snow. Will have to wait for the big thaw I expect!

Someone did a little decorating...

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!

Festive purchases...

Alas, my weekend shopping trip with Ma to Newcastle didn't yield too much in the way of must-have items - in fact it was rather disappointing to previous years.

Especially John Lewis!

I can't believe it myself, but so disappointing was it that I took zero photos in the Christmas decorations department. And the Christmas tableware seemed to be missing the one item I wanted to purchase that they'd had on their website previously. A red plate with a white heart stencilled on that went with this range:

 

Most frustrating.

The only think I purchased in John Lewis this time round was a set of bobbins for my mini sewing machine. But I really wish they'd sold these red ones back when I bought mine - I just looooove it!

 
But back to festive purchases, Ma made good in Fenwicks where the choice of baubles was particularly fantastic this year! In fact we rather went to town and I looooove the baubles that she bought for me. I also now have a gorgeous little basket that got left at John Lewis restaurant and required me to dash back up two escalators to retrieve it!

We made a bee line for Paperchase but nothing really took my fancy. I thought I'd really like the stencilled tree range I'd seen online, but wasn't that taken in person.

In Debenhams Ma bought some coasters and a serving platter by Lisa Stickley - seriously lovely, but I am still looking for just the right nice round Christmas plate/dish.

That was about it really... Oh I did spot that the latest issue of Craft Stamper was on the stands and features two little projects I made for the Stamping Contrasts article using Banana Frog Christmas Elegance stamps:

 

 

I used Prima stick-on pearls as baubles on the tree, and added Stickles to the leaves for extra sparkle.

I also made a gift tag that could be used as a tree decoration...

 
I used the To and From stamps on the back and rather like how it turned out. :o)

This and that...

So, instead of making stuff this week... and when not reading, I did manage to pick up a few things of a retail therapy nature.

 

My yummy new Winter fragrances arrived. Of the three North Pole is my favourite - it's vanilla frosting mixed in with a spearminty smell. Like Jack Frost meets Christmas Cookie. Most tempting and one I am probably going to be using a lot.

Winter Wonderland is quite similar to my all time favourite Christmas Yankee Candle fragrance. Winterland. A combination of icy mint and pine trees - Not as lovely as Winterland but a decent substitute since they discontinued it.

Mistletoe and Fig - also nice, a bit of spicy fruit and fresh evergreen. Will be interesting to see how this smells when burning.... Once we're into November I think I can start burning these, especially since it will be Christmas card production time and I can stick my festive tunes and festive fragrances on to get me in the mood. :o)

 

Speaking of Festive, I went into that dangerous shop again. TK-ooops-I've-spent-another-ten-quid-Maxx. Yes, it pays to check out that store regularly, I managed to get some of that sticky stuff remover (gunked up hole punches and pricking tools - not good) and checked out the Christmas section to see if any more Polish or German glass baubles had appeared. Well these were the nicest of the bunch and definitely fit my colour scheme. Will give a few to my mum and then I can swap in some nice unique ones from this year's John Lewis Christmas decoration trip!

 

Next up, this came in at the library for me. Now, I loved the first three shopaholic books, and have liked the ones that followed... but this one has had pretty meh reviews from even die-hard fans of the series. I know it will be a quick read, but not sure I want to spend weekend time reading it.... hm... we shall see!

 

Today went into Debenhams with my mum as she was after some more Bad Gal Lash Plum mascara (our favourite Benefit Mascara) and I was after some non-Black Mascara so went for the brown one for a change.

Anyway, that meant that the Christmas catalogue was neatly dropped into my bag and well... the temptation for yet more Benefit could be too much.

 

I mean, does it look like I need any more Benefit stuff to add to my little tower?

No, I think the answer is a definite "NO".

So that catalogue will have to disappear very soon.

I did at least get a nice top from Mantaray (it's the fabric behind the Benefit catalogue).

Oh and the other retail therapy is also creative therapy...

 

All Glittery Andrea's fault really... but I am looking forward to using these on some new cards. :o)

And that's it, from tomorrow no more spending!

For a little while.

A quick Christmas fix...

So today I've been at IKEA and the Metro Centre all day with my mum - we left IKEA with the usual restocks: new serviettes, new tea lights, new candle holders, and a lovely white basket for my mulberry roses (yes they needed their own basket!), but none of the other vital items on our lists. Wasn't that rocked by this year's Christmas stuff, much of it seemed to be last year's rolls now sold as separate ones and there wasn't that much of the kraft wrapping left this year.

But I do love my new tea light holders for my mantelpiece:

 

Red, purple and pink - perfect for my front room.

I also have a new long winter cardi from M&S, a dress from Mantaray that I think will work OK as a tunic top and another nice top to wear under my long cardi.

But no Christmas stuff purchased apart from the nice little Yankee Candle classic Christmas fragrances set my mum bought... and the gingerbread tea lights in Ikea.

So, here's the Christmas fix from the cards I made yesterday:

 

Papers: Basic Grey
Chipboard and stickers: Basic Grey
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
Buttons: Making Memories
Twine: Papertrey Ink
Felt: Papertrey Ink
Die: Papertrey Ink

 

I just love this new line from Basic Grey - the snowmen completely crack me up.

And for something completely different:

 

Papers: Echo Park
Stickers: Echo Park
Ribbon: The Ribbon Girl
Die: Papertrey Ink
Stamp: Papertrey Ink

 

I used some of that lovely wide pencil stripe ribbon from The Ribbon Girl for this one, definitely time to be decadent and have a huuuuge bow!

Photos from the homestead

Now that all cupcakes are out of the house I can concentrate on other pretty things around the house. ;o)

Finally some nice late afternoon light around to get some snaps of the new leafy additions... mind you my lovely little spindle tree is not going to be leafy for much longer!

 

It's currently a bit lost in the montbretia and rather difficult to photograph without basically laying down on the decking!

But as soon as I spotted it, knew I had to have it one way or another in the garden, I mean look at the colour of these leaves...

 

A garden, no matter how small, needs some Autumnal interest, no?

Also for outside some violas or pansies, don't know which - they're small but pretty...

And another autumnal sight is my blueberry bush, its leaves are starting to go a little red here and there. :o)

 

Inside there are some new additions to the conservatory.

 

Two stonking great begonias.

 

Difficult to resist this colour eh?

 

I wonder how pink these will turn out..

The other great thing about garden centres is that they are just a treasure trove for Christmas decorations - and as a result the first new additions to the Christmas tree have been purchased:

 

Although not sparrows, i think I'll call them Peter and Paul:

 

Paul has a rather cute spotty botty...

 

But for now, they'll be living with the Christmas candles - in the Candle cupboard, which smells divine btw.

Right, off to get a few tasks off my to-do list and catch up with Sunday's Downton Abbey recording.

Sharing the pretties...

 
So my bedtime read last night was this:

 

Ok, well maybe there wasn't as much reading done as drooling while flicking through pages.

But what am I still most wanting to try?

 

Why, the Battenburg style cupcakes that made me buy the book... however I think that's a bit too advanced as my first foray into trying the recipes on offer...

I'm much more likely to go with:

Need I say more??

Hm...

Also non-edible pretties I hope to be playing with soon...

 

All in search of the elusive perfect cream white mulberry rose... But I really couldn't resist the lilac cherry blossom pack:

 

And the pale pink roses, gorgeous:

 

So there we go, am out shopping for real flowers Saturday (bulbs) but with any luck will have time to play with the new stuff. :o)

Baking Book Bargain

 

I picked up this fab book in Sainsbury's today for just £4.99 (cheaper than amazon at the mo).

Baking Magic certainly looks to live up to the title and it is packed full with recipes, not loads of life story blah blah blah writing that hides the main recipe event. And is really friendly for the novice baker who hasn't any gadgets or mechanical robotic assistance in the kitchen - namely me! I don't yet have any essentials but I've read the intro and found it so informative and down to earth on what you really need to get the right results (i.e. not a lot as it happens).

While out at dinner tonight with a friend we flicked through it and ooohed and ahhhed over so many of the recipes and photos, including homemade chocolate bourbons and even chocolate digestives!

There are cakes, cupcakes, muffins, cookies, biscuits and even some yummy looking savoury treats.

Once I am equipped with a few essentials I will be trying something out - for the fun decorative bits and pieces I think I am going to need some recs for online sugarcraft suppliers (gel food colouring, edible glitter, cute muffin/cupcake cases, cute colours of sprinkles), a place I can get unwaxed lemons???

I am back on SW (well with a slight exception for part of tonight's meal) but I think it would be nice to make something fun now and again and share the joy so I don't scoff it all on my own! hehe

A walk in the park...

Not in this weather!

Since it has been raining and cold.... much nicer to be indoors at my desk making something.

And since it was time for a non-Christmas card, I made something with my new Walk in the Park paper kit:

 

Paper: Echo Park
Stickers: Echo Park
Twine: The Ribbon Girl
Brads: Lasting Impressions
Other: Stickles

 

I Stickled the flowers and letters for a little extra pop, but must say I rather love that blue background paper - very pretty!

Also had an excuse to open up my nice roll of Paperchase gift wrap the other day:

 

I bought it in the sale as that's the only kind of Paperchase wrapping paper shopping I manage to do these days... and nicely finished off with some purple twine from a Polish Lidl, I still have raspberry pink and baby pink to open in that set, but it's rather nice stuff.

Right, back to my book - by the fire I think. :o)

In the words of Borat: "Wawa-wee-wa!"

Oh boy... I picked up my package today filled with yummy goodness... and I just forgot how nice all the stuff I ordered was! hehe

Behold the bounty - I cannot wait to get using some of this!

 

Starting with something non-Christmas-related! I ended up getting this kit after much to-ing and fro-ing - looking forward to opening it up and seeing just what I have to play with. :o)

 

Impulse purchases are sometimes good! Especially this range from Echo Park, I saw their other Christmas release and wasn't that bothered but then I glanced and saw they had another release. This  one. And my oh my, am I glad I got it - love the colours and of course with my favourite font of all time featuring heavily in the design it was made for me! De Louisville - yet another reason to love you! But font aside, the designs and paper patterns are lovely, and the snowmen and penguins sooooooo cute! I just want to lock myself away already and play with this stash...

 

Here is the Crate Snowdays line that I had to have from previews. Totally reminds me of KI Festive crossed with Love Elsie's Noel line.... No surprise it ticked the boxes. Totally rad and non-traditional colours, but so much loveliness to work with. :oD

 

Back to the non-Christmas stash with some MME Alphabet Soup papers. I have seriously started loving their designs of late, what with the Quite Contrary lines like Jack and Jill earlier this year, plus that Valentine's line in aqua and poppy red/orange. Many of the reverse patterns in this alphabet Soup line are just gorgeous, and the fronts are sooo cute - like the telephones and lions and owls.

 

This was my only real Cosmo Cricket haul. The Togetherness mini-deck and matching chipboard. If there are any patterns in the deck I truly love, I can get a 12x12 sheet but it has been a bit of a blah release from them for me. Not much of their new stuff really fits into my "style", well until I see some projects that totally rock the new releases!

 

Here's the last of the new Christmas stuff. Basic Grey. I couldn't resist the snowmen woolies, fabric brads, the lovely bits and pieces, definitely going to be using these papers in my JYC 2010 album.

 

Finally a the bits n pieces pile. Can't have an order without a little Tiny Type right?

So that's it for the stash. For a while.... erm... it'll have to be a long while! LOL

While I took my pics I realised I'd not yet taken a snap of my lovely tea set that I bought in Florida back in 2007 it must be.... I bought it especially for my new house - whatever it might be. And at last I unwrapped it from its rather long hibernation and now have it in the kitchen. I just love the pattern on the teapot.

 

It reminds me of some coffee cups and a coffee table my grandma used to have - very 50s geometric pattern.

And also in the kitchen/conservatory... I took advantage of half price flowers in Sainsbury's. Well, I love fresh cut flowers and the glads were back to full price and weren't as nice as the Tesco ones, but these roses and carnations were calling to me. :o)

 

It's started thundering here and the lightning is starting to flash, so I'm logging off for now and going to get my tea made.

Bumper TV night tonight, my poor V+ box has to navigate many clashes in recordings - why do they always put everything on a Thursday night!?

But I think I will be catching up on BSG while making a card for tomorrow's dare. Still need to pack all my new stuff for the crop tomorrow, but might just bring it all in its box. :o)

Sunday round-up

It seems like today passed really quickly! On the creative front I managed to get a few projects made.

This week's CPS sketch (#185) using some of the papers from the Making Memories stack from TK Maxx:

 

Papers: Making Memories
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Dies: Papertrey Ink, Nestabilities
Button: Making Memories
Felt: Papertrey Ink
Ribbon, twine: Pebbles Inc, Papertrey Ink

 

So there we go, already tucking into that paper pile and using some new bits and pieces too! ;o)

Next up is one for the seasonal card stash... based on Inspirational Sketches challenge #83:

 

Paper: MME
Die-cuts: MME
Die: Nestabilities
Other: Glitter cardstock

 

I'm actually quite happy with how this one turned out in the end as it just wasn't looking right until I started sanding the edges and voilà - it all came together in the end. :o)

I didn't get as much done as I'd intended as I popped the next disc of Season 2 of BSG into my PC while working at my desk... and well, got more distracted watching rather than cutting and sticking!

And since it has been such an autumnal day, I started burning this:

 

Thankfully not too much cinnamon (or maybe I am becoming immune) and it's not one that starts the bad hunger cravings either! ;o)

Places to avoid...

...if you are trying to be good and not buy scrapping stuff you DO NOT NEED!

Number one place: TK Maxx

I don't know if all this stock they are getting in is from a warehouse clearance or something, but I have never seen so many decent scrapping items in there.

Not so many weeks ago, Angela and I happened to trip over a rather large stack of Making Memories papers. £9.99 - four collection packs, 10 designs per pack, 5 sheets of each design. Only the odd sheet I would struggle to use, but plenty of quality stuff in there from the various Noteworthy-esque lines.

200 sheets of quality paper (not thin and see through). That's 5 pence a sheet!

Oh and we split a bundle of AC Thickers... I got some yummy scripty pink foam ones!

I also bought some very cute pink and black ribbon collections from pebbles inc. à la...

And in the past they have also had the packs of American Crafts paper collections (Teen), travel and everyday 12x12 album kits....

And today when we just happened to be in that shop, there were AC 12x12 neutrals cardstock packs, a black cardstock pack, various AC stamps, yet more Making Memories paper and album/page kits....

However both of us resisted very well.

And I am not going in there for the foreseeable future!

Also I have been avoiding the Papertrey website like the plague and trying not to become interested in what might or might not be still in stock from yesterday's release.

So to that end, I am shutting down the PC and getting back to catching up with my V+-ed Private Practice episodes!

The Great Papertrey Blow-Out 2010!

 

Yes, I admit it.

I weakened and finally made a blow-out order with Papertrey for some stash tools I've been admiring for quite some time. If you are going to fall off the bandwagon, you may as well do it with style (in fact this is usually the way I fall off any bandwagon).

It's a good job I can only allow myself to do this once a year because the postage and import & VAT duty is well... painful. It's times like this when it would be handy to have a friendly person in the US to send things on. Mind, if that were the case I would probably end up ordering all the time! LOL

But this here box contains a good number of items that will last me a lifetime and well, I like that!

I was up early this morning to go and pick up the parcel from the depot and pay the charges and now I need to get on with a day's work and ignore these lovely items.

I also need to ignore the PTI blog and website because I need no more temptation in my life right now!

However, now that they've arrived, I have the annoying urge to catalogue everything in a handy excel sheet just so I know what I've got... oh dear...

Best get on with some work-work I think!

July...

Where has it gone??

I can't say I've done much momentous this month judging by my photos... for the last week plus it has been work-work-work (including the weekend)... a few trips to the gym and some reading to relax before nodding off. Boring eh?

However I have managed to eat a lot of these:

Because I...

strawberries!

There's been minimal outdoor beanbag time because well... it's been like this or threatening to be like this whenever I've had time to read:

Instead the beanbag lives in the conservatory - my favoured reading spot.

There has been a new addition to the garden decor - not that there are any visitors to it...

Picked this up at TK Maxx yesterday for £7 I think it was. Very sweet and loads to choose from.

But this is the one that appealed the most.

So when I've not been working I have got through these books...

Simply Unforgettable by Mary Balogh - First in the series and rather enjoyable, so I shall be happy to read the rest in this series. :o)

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas - First in the Wallflower Series, shame the library hasn't got the next one yet as the titles in the series are currently being reprinted. Grrrr... but I look forward to continuing this one!

A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh - A nice little stand-alone novella, an easy evening read. :o)

Can you tell my addition to historical romance shows no sign of abating any time soon. However... I did have a little foray back into Nora Land with her newest title:

 
The Search by Nora Roberts - I found the last two stand-alone books by Nora a bit unexciting compared to her previous ones, but this one was totally back on form. Really enjoyable and great characters... makes me wish I could have a dog of my own, have been fancying life with a well-behaved Boston terrier for quite some time... but it ain't gonna happen!

And the current read... I am trying to give Stephanie Laurens a go again, but not sure I'm ever going to LOVE her books...

The Lady Chosen is the first in the Bastian Club series... I'm keeping an open mind, honest!

Tomorrow night it's a trip to the cinema which will be a nice break, time to see whether it's Team Jacob or Edward this time round... ;o)

Evening all...

What a very pleasant day I have had - been to the Metrocentre with Zoe for a spot of shopping... or well... browsing and tutting. The stuff I really liked didn't look good on me, the stuff I wanted I need to wait for in a sale (John Rocha really has some lovely summer items in but I can't pay full price for them grrr....), the tutting was caused by so many items of clothing being extortionate for what they were, not even ultra pretty, just over-priced and OK (and I'm talking about places that are usually seen as cheap outlets - ha how times have changed!).

Purchases were made though! I finally own this:

 
My Hemnes chest (aka the dressing table) is starting to resemble the Elemis counter of a department store. Now that I've recently finished off some other skincare products, I have opened my collection of the following Elemis items from past presents and self-inflicted treats (it feels rather decadent but makes the whole skincare routine less of a chore as they all smell lovely!):

So far so good with the tri-enzymes... And the skin wash smells divine!

Plus my little travel-sized Visible Brilliance has been upgraded to the full-sized version - yes, I loved it so much and saw a real difference on a morning especially the under-eye area that I realised my 10 ml bottle wasn't going to last much longer:

Also before the tri-enzyme stuff was opened I was using the Papaya Enzyme mask every week - my word, this stuff smells good enough to eat (well still be using this when a little treat is required mid-week)!

I also still love my rose petal cleanser and ginseng toner, don't think I will ever use any other as my skin has never liked any other products as much as it does these (Clinique's sensitive/dry range seriously didn't agree with my skin after a couple of days of using it). And soon, once my Molton Brown city hydrating moisturiser is finished I can open my little jar of Pro-Collagen Marine Cream that was included in one of my Christmas stockings! ;o)

And there is yet more Elemis stuff on its way to me! LOL Just some SPF protection, some cleansing mitts and erm... a very large jar of Pro-collagen marine cream, oh and some other bits and pieces... hm. So I should be sufficiently stocked for the rest of the year... well until my cleanser and toner run out.

Aside from shopping we managed a nice lunch at Pizza Express, where I have always wondered about the "Express" side of the name. The service was fine today, but it has been my experience that 9 times out of 10 it's always been the service after you've received your pizza that has been slow. Especially when you are eating there before catching a movie. The worst case was when our pizza arrived within 7 minutes of order (a record) and we still had 45 minutes to spare before the movie, ample time for a dessert no? Well 43 minutes later our dessert arrived and I was hastily paying the bill while scoffing my chocolate fudge cake! But today it was fine, and we had a voucher so even better, oh and I have experienced my new favourite Pizza Express pizza, the Padana:

Goats' cheese, spinach and red onion with tangy caramelised onions and a drizzle of garlic oil

It was totally delicious on a romana base... in fact I am sure to be craving one again this week - not good!

And so that was it really, bought a cardi (hurrah at last a cotton linen blend, no buttons, no strings, no ties, three quarter length sleeve, alas only available in cream no black), some discounted papaya body butter in the Bodyshop that includes citronella (great insect deterrent) and a mouse mat in Paperchase (which isn't suitable for laser optical mice (does any other type get used these days?) but works ok-ish with my laser optical mouse).  

And when I got home the weather had changed for the better and I slapped the sunscreen on, got the bean bag out, and finished my book. :oD

Now it's time for a cool bath in some Dreamboat Milk Bath - creativity shall resume tomorrow, it's the 30th so you know what that means - Banana Frog blog hop! :o)

Sunday round-up

Well the day has certainly passed quickly - much of it was spent outdoors in the sun finishing up the last of the planting for the summer (well possibly), getting the hanging basket bracket up for the trailing begonia, and the wire on the wall for the climbers.

All that remains is for it to all take nicely to its new earthy home. :o)

The hot weather hasn't been so kind to my David Austin roses and they have been drooping a bit, however it has meant that any victims of the sun have been cut and brought into the cool of the lounge:

Otherwise I have been staying away from falling for more Elemis luxuries, although I finally succumbed in the late evening to one huge temptation... it was rude not to!

So I shall be looking forward to my goodies arriving this week.

Also I should post the card I made for today's Project of the Day over on the Banana Frog blog - I've had a bit of a busy Frog Blog weekend! ;o)

Paper, journaling card and sticker: October Afternoon
Stamps: Banana Frog - Hiya Chick! and Sentimental Style
Border punch: EK Success
Twine: Papertrey Ink
Other: Rock Candy Stickles

 

Now I need to go and have a soak to get rid of the layer of sunscreen and BBQ soot (not that I partook, just got caught down wind of a party) - and I have just the item - I managed to stock up on 3 bottles of the now discontinued Dream Boat Milk Bath from the Bodyshop in their in-store sale yesterday. £3 each and so worth it!

 

If you want to see how....

This....

Became this...

Check out my project of the day post over on the Frog Blog.

In the meantime I'd best get on with a certain card for tomorrow!

Such a hoot!

Over on the DCM blog this week's dare is to create a boy card! Well I always struggle with these but thankfully My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary came to the rescue. ;o)

Papers: My Mind's Eye
Stickers: My Mind's Eye
Stamp: Papertrey Ink

You would not believe how many attempts there were to take a decent photo of this card... a huge amount. And still the stickers haven't photographed too well.

Oh and I got my sample of the new Elemis Eau de Parfum in the post today, it is very fresh and lovely for summer. I am seriously contemplating a purchase...

Anyway, I shall be back shortly to get this weeks Card a Day prompts posted, but will move to the laptop and do that while the last episode of Ashes to Ashes is on tonight.

Tomorrow I have a work day but also need to do a bit of tidying and sorting as Zoe is coming down Sunday for a little visit. But if I finish working earlier than anticipated and the weather is nice, ma might come over for a little trip to the park. :o) 

Stamp love Saturday

Have had a lovely day out today, did a bit of shopping after the hairdresser's, lunch at my fave local restaurant, and just enjoying a bit of summer!

While on my enjoyment high I decided to finally use my well-talked about impulse purchase of April. The Woodgrain background stamp from Hero Arts - oooh but I really like. It is so handy!

 

And it went just right with the prompt I wanted to do.

Prompt: "Krafty Love" - Inspiration: Miniature card, kraft background, stamped design, white/cream ink, hot pink accents

Stamps: Hero Arts, Papertrey Ink
Dies: Nestabilities
Bling: Kaiser Kraft
Other: Felt, heart punch

Also I have been seriously tempted by a new pair of Birkenstock's for this summer - see, it's definitely the weather that has affected me... earlier this week I would not have been thinking of summer footwear!

But I really want a pair of these in a size six and as cheap as possible, as at the moment with P&P the cheapest is just short of £50!

There is just no decent Birkie shop nearby - Clinkard's has never stocked this style (with the toe bit - I can't wear any of the others) and Schuh only does brown, white and black. Booo...

These would be under £40... but aren't as versatile as the other ones...

Hm, it would be a lot easier to decide in a shop that's for sure!

Anyway, I am logging off for the night and going to catch up with some of the programs I recorded this week, also do I start my current library book - if I do I might spend all of tomorrow finishing it! Decisions, decisions...

Today's snaps...

When I got in from work, put the shopping away, had tea, washed up... I finally put some of my new home cards up - granted many of these arrived er... around 7 months ago! LOL

But at least they are now on their own mantelpiece eh?

And speaking of cards... a certain vanilla vodka fan sent me this lovely card and....

OWL RIBBON!!!!

Thanks Gill, I shall be admiring the ribbon for a while to come before actually using it. hehe

Oh and finally...

This month's desk calendar is a bit of a colour coordinator with my office walls... well maybe they clash a bit. However, I think I am going to have to perfect taking photos of cards and projects with no good source of daylight, looks like it's back to propping on top of white cardstock to sort the white balance.

And speaking of cards, I think I am finally going to go and see if I can make something for this week's DCM dare as I was a bit of a lightweight last week!

Just a couple of purchases... oooh so exiting..

Well, not really! :oP

After months of searching, I have finally found a laundry bag that will squash between the bath and tall bathroom cabinet.

It needed to be flexible, portable, and pretty!

It was a tough ask!

But Next has come through. With their teal stripey bag, it even coordinates nicely with the rest of my bathroom accessories... wow!

 

I also ordered one of these for the back bedroom - hopefully it will fit the existing curtain rail:

 

Then I need to sort out the lounge curtains and see if this is going to really work:

 

Also, thanks to great customer service from Yankee Candle, I had a scent cheque to spend to make up for the issues I'd had with a couple of recent purchases.

Black Cherry restock and Vanilla Cupcake were what I went for!

I'm away cropping Friday night (not packed anything yet) and tomorrow need to visit Ikea to fill in the blanks on some items.

I need more hooks for my rails, ceramic pot thing for the kitchen, still looking for the right utensils jar, some food storage stuff, a stool, a step, erm... a little plastic tray... and more stuff that will no doubt come to mind... I hope I don't get sidetracked with other stuff! LOL

Just a few shots

The tv, broadband and phone went in today and fingers crossed when I move my desktop PC over it will be easy to get the Internet connection going from there. It all looked fine on the laptop so hope the wireless router setup will be straightforward.

While all that was going on, my mum and I cleaned the kitchen which included a lot of hours with the steam cleaner tackling the cooker - it is looking soooo much better and is spic and span now.

But in the bedroom, thought it was about time we unrolled the mattress to make sure it fits and let it puff up after being rolled up for so long.

Well it fits - thank god!

Excuse the still rumpled bedding, don't own an ironing board yet. But it'll uncrease a bit on its own.

Decided to put the cherry blossom set on first. The black is a lot less harsh in real life, but it's a shame they didn't do this combo with brown rather than black. Oh well, the cherry blossoms are very pretty.

My lamp has finally had its wrapping taken off. Really like the texture of the fabric on the shade!

The little green cushion looks rather at home even though it's the only green item on display - it's my accent colour by the looks of it.

My lovely teal vase has finally come out of the bubble wrap and has been filled with wired flowers.

Not much to report from elsewhere in the house, but all my albums have been re-homed, this is the emptiest this shelving is going to look for a while, as stash will be moving in here, once it's been sorted... ;o)

Anyway, am absolutely knackered now after the elbow grease and climbing with the Hoover to do the kitchen ceiling and everything. Been up since 6.30 so that we'd be there in time for installation so I will no doubt fall asleep in front of the tv tonight.

Got some work on that urgent job to do tomorrow and then will have to brace myself for the nightmare that will be Monday at work!

But now, I'm off for one of these:

 

The glossy accents are still drying...

So there goes sharing any new cards!

However I can report that my lovely new Strawberry Buttercream candle hasn't disappointed:

Which is a good job as I really need something similar to this one:

Which has about a third left to go. :o( I really wish they sold the swirl candles here in the UK, as I would love to get hold of this one:

I promise the candle posts will stop soon, but there's something about this time of year and breaking out the fruity scents. Always cheers me up - even when it's freezing cold outside! 

It rains AND it pours...

Well we have had literal rain (and very cold weather today) and once again something new to sort at the house.

No hot water, and the boiler seems to be on the blink, hopefully it's just a case of re-pressurising the system and nothing major. But how typical eh? Things were looking a bit too close to being finished!

However, on a positive note, we got my Laura Ashley mirror up:

It's looking very at home there and I love the detail against the mantelpiece:

 

Can now add a few things to the mantle piece... no idea what yet, but the vast majority of my Yankee Candle collection has moved home! Along with all my Scrapbooks.

And a few other bits and pieces, but there is so much more to move into the office/craft room. But since the boiler is in there nothing else is moving until that is sorted.