So tomorrow morning it's the big exodus as me and my crafty friends are headed for a weekend away in Whitby - who knows what the weather will be like - we can only hope it's a repeat of today.
But no matter, because there certainly is enough packed to keep me busy:
I also managed to pick up a nice bargain in TK Maxx:
Just wish they had the Pier collection pad as I am really after that one - especially if it's at this price!
Right, best go get the last bits sorted for the morning. :)
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But as usual procrastination has set in!
I even have a project planned that involves photos:
And this collection kit from Echo Park:
And my PTI order arrived earlier this week:
Lots of scope for new crafty projects but quality time is required...
I have already organised all my new items and even tried a few out - namely these two:
But I also picked up my entire reserve list from the library - basically everything I have reserved the past month and a bit all came in today and well... there is a big temptation to just dive into a book and pack for the crop tomorrow. ;o)
So what's it gonna be? Book or packing?
Well, it depends on tonights telly - so I'd best get sorted!
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Well, I am nearing the end of my to-do list and waiting for a few things to happen of their own accord before I can complete it.... So thought I'd pop on the blog and share a few snaps.
Despite the cold weather this Easter weekend, there has actually been - gasp! - sunshine!
And although I've not had time to sit in the conservatory and enjoy it all day, I managed a bit of reading session while my weekend bake was in the oven.
I have had some fun playing with some papers that I ordered along with the Echo Park Sweetest Day kit for an upcoming project. The papers were just add-ons to my order from the latest Crate release as I wasn't feeling the love for the entire release and had nothing in mind for those other patterns, but I liked these a lot:
I even got down to getting my card for this Monday's prompt sorted... I wonder if you can guess what the theme will be...
Then once I got my project photographed and ready to blog I turned my attention to the big item I needed to do today.
The all-important Easter bake for tomorrow's Polish Easter celebrations. I'd been umming and ahhing over trying this recipe from Mary Berry a while, as I love Yorkshire curd tart and Polish baked cheesecake is very similar to this recipe but I wanted to bake something that was aimed at the British baker (and my temperamental oven) rather than a seasoned Polish domestic goddess - which I am not!
It is currently on its second hour cooling in the oven and while that is happening I cannot put my last minute zesty flapjack hodge podge traybake in.
I ended up raiding the cupboards trying to work out if there was something else I could "bake" to use up the rest of the butter and unwaxed lemons I'd had to buy for the above recipe (since no one sells them loose around here and you have to buy a bag of 5 and I don't use lemons all that much except for baking) plus the porridge oats I had left-over from some other bakes... and well, a lemon ginger flapjack recipe was found online but unmercilessly doctored to also include dessicated coconut (since I ran out of loose oats and had to resort to plain oats so simple packets and some other dry goods to make up the measures...) and mixed chopped nuts (needed using up...) in addition to the sultanas in the recipe.
We shall see whether it is fit for human consumption later this evening when the oven is finally free or whether the birds in my area will have their work cut out trying to find nourishment!
In the meantime, I'd best get some tea...
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Ma and I were hoping to head up to the Metrocentre for a day of relaxing retail therapy - but it appears a snow cloud is hovering and causing disruption, until I can find out whether snow has fallen over Gateshead and is sticking around our plans are on hold...
So much for a nice Mother's Day outing including a trip to Ikea - that's the way we usually roll in this family on Mother's Day!
But back to crafty-related things. I can't share the card I made for Mother's Day just yet. Instead I had some time yesterday to play with some of my new PTI stamps and started on some Easter cards. The one I'm sharing today was inspired by the Passion for Papertrey 50 Shades of Grey challenge and so I made a card to fit it.
OK, so mine is more like Three Shades of Grey, but there is grey in there! ;o)
Paper: MME, Bo Bunny
Stamps and dies: PTI
Other: 3D foam
The branches are from the Stitched Sentiments set, as is the banner die, and the other stamps are from Polka Dot Parade #1. I used the heart from the inside of a Tremendous Treats Tag as all my other heart dies were just a bit too big.
A shame the light was a bit poor when trying to get this photo, as the colours of the flowers and leaves are so much clearer in real life.
Anyway, I was so chuffed with how it turned out that I even Instagrammed it last night:
I still need some practice aligning those branches better. But it's definitely not a candidate for mass production! LOL
I also got a couple of other cards made, including the cards for this week's upcoming 52 Cards Challenge prompt:
And I am looking forward to trying out my new ink order, the latest Prima Chalk inks in pastel to complete my collection and am giving this Adirondack red inkpad a go in my continuing quest for the perfect red inkpad!
Right, I'd best go try and determine the snow situation again...
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So it's been a while since I shared some non-card pics.
Last weekend I went up for a visit to and some lazy time with little Miss Anja:
She was a bit of a tricky customer when it came to the camera. Every time I hit the shutter she totally changed her expression from a wide smile or laugh to a glum or confused expression. LOL But we spent a lot of time playing peek-a-boo over the top of the jungle gym and she has discovered how to roll over but isn't so keen on ending up stuck on her front after having rolled over.
We had a couple of walks out in the pram including a nice late breakfast on Sunday:
Then it was back to work Monday - I've been working from home this week on a few projects that needed some extra hours putting in. But it did mean I managed to actually see my lovely spring bulbs in daylight and notice how quickly they've changed:
Yesterday brought with it some rather nice surprises in the post.
Firstly a lovely Easter surprise from Angela over at http://paperandribbons.blogspot.co.uk:
Such a gorgeous card but also an egg box filled with a surprise I don't want to discover until Easter weekend. :) It's almost too nice to unwrap, but the suspense will win out by the end of March!
The other package that arrived was my PTI order. And best of all - no customs charge!
I really like the way dies are all packaged together in a dedicated envelope now so they don't fly about the inside of your box:
Here's a snap of what I ordered:
Lots of fun playtime ahead - well, time permitting!
I have also recently bought the pictapgo app designed for the iPhone but being used on the iPad. I really like the filters but wish it was more compatible with Instagram and would allow you to crop the image to Instagram size and save it that size. I think more playing is required, but would be great if they could make it possible to enlarge the app just like Instagram can be enlarged on the iPad so you can see everything better.
Oh well I am sure feedback from users will lead to lots of new updates and improvements, but it's rather nice to have RadLab on your smart device. ;o)
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So much for best-laid plans...
I have had a bit of a tiring day at work and didn't leave till well gone the usual time. Popped over to pick up my lovely order from Sarah's Cards at my mum and dad's then headed home - thankfully without stopping off to purchase some food as I had been intending... because I'd only gone and left my wallet at work.
This was deduced after much frantic searching of the floor and seats of the car to make sure it hadn't fallen out and also a call to my mum and dad's to make sure it hadn't fallen out of my handbag when I put it on the chair in the lounge... oh no... it was definitely still at work.
So off I went fully prepared to have to battle with the alarm system, but thankfully the cleaners were still in so I was in and out like a shot and back home for 8 p.m. wallet in hand.
It was time to finally open my lovely box of goodies and think about the project I wanted to get done tonight.
Lots of lovely Crate Fourteen, Basic Grey True Love and other assorted papers - including the new lines by Elle's Studio... But alas the paper I'd been intending to use is missing from my order. Never to mind, I will give them a call in the morning and see if they can send it through as typically it was my favourite pattern from the line and the one I had in mind for this project.
So after all that I don't feel fit for anything other than nodding off in front of the telly tonight. Will just have to hope I have my creative hat on tomorrow evening and work doesn't tire me out completely.
I also need to avoid TK Maxx like the plague.
I popped in yesterday to look at bedding and there was a lovely chevron set in aqua blue but only in Superking... so en route home I visited the larger TK Maxx store and they had it in King Size, but the Harlequin set I really wanted was only in double or super king. Boo hiss... I will have to make do with my nice aqua chevrons, new sateen sheet and matching pillowcases... but I have to wonder at the RRP prices they quote on the labels sometimes:
£120?? For a duvet cover and matching pillowcases by a company I've never heard of and cannot find any mention of online... hm... slightly suspect. But £24.99... I'm happy to pay that... I just need to draw the line at further bedding temptation!
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Today I finally got rid of that thing that has been niggling away at me and bugging the organizational part of my brain non-stop the past few weeks...
Today was the day to conquer the epic 2013 patterned paper purge... I retrieved all my papers from my stash cupboard and sorted them all out... it took a little over 3 hours. But everything I intend to use is now back in the stash cupboard ready to be re-loved and the items I am never in a month of Sundays going to manage to use are ready to find new and hopefully more appreciative homes. ;o)
I have just remembered that I do still have a bag of scrapbook kits to go through and sort out, but that shouldn't take long and I can do that one evening this week.
I had intended to get down to some serious crafting as soon as everything was organised, but I ended up catching up on some telly then watching The Enchanted Island operatic pastiche on Sky Arts right through to the end as it was very good.
At some point I also need to start my new book - been really looking forward to getting my hands on Ciara Garaghty's latest read, and it finally came in this week:
The problem is, I know I will want to read it beginning to end and who knows when I'll manage that!
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Well, it's time to get down to something crafty today.
Yesterday I spent most of the day on the sofa with the fire on reading the latest Nora Roberts book from her Boonsboro Inn trilogy. It was a bit of a slog as I've not totally enjoyed this latest series with the exception of the middle book in the trilogy.
However, it needed reading and will be returned to the library soon. :)
Today is another matter, today I need to not end up on the sofa enjoying the heat of the fire and reading yet another book that needs to be back at the library (although I am half way through the one I started this morning! Ooops).
Today, I need to get something made with this little pile of loveliness:
It includes the makings and theme for this week's 52 Cards challenge prompt. ;o)
It's been a bit of a funny week - I have worked from home all week due to the weather playing havoc with how long it would take me to get to work vs. just getting on with it at home.
I have had to ration myself to 1 hot chocolate a day or every other day:
There has been plenty of opportunity for winter warmer evening meals including my favourite comfort food - a tuna melt jacket potato:
Toad in the hole that miraculously came out very well and made for 3 nice meals:
There has been a lot of loitering by the fire in the evenings to warm the bum:
And in the mornings there has been some interesting weather - the ominous red sky indicating more snow:
Then a morning that was just fog and ice:
Followed 10 minutes by the appearance of the sun that made for an eerie sky:
Our snow is sort of melting now, but who knows what the afternoon will bring. There's still plenty of ice about! I'm just happy to say it will be a nice day spent indoors with the crafty stash, a DVD or two, a nice soak in the bath (with my book) and some good telly tonight.
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and a rather full suitcase, or two!
So I am back from the land of sun, oranges, wonderful eating and shopping experiences, but have stumbled back into the land of the sick and cold-virus-ridden. Excellent timing of course, haven't even had chance to put my tree and decorations up, but I have plans to put that to rights tonight!
We all had a wonderful and rather memorable time - ate loads, enjoyed every mouthful, had some great classes including one at the MFT boutique (fab!), laughed a lot and bought far too much... It was a grand caper indeed!
The big news is that despite not intending to come home with an iPad... I kind of did! Will-power zero when directed into the Apple store and stood next to friend who had intended to buy one and she said "she wants one in white"... hm...
Anyway, this has of course meant hours of fun and playing with instagram. Behold what I have unpacked so far:
My Pottery Barn Santa mug, filled with Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses. I am not a fan of Hershey's chocolate usually, I only like Reese's PB cups and had seen these in some baking pins on Pinterest. They are white and red peppermint chocolate swirled together and look most festive, and thankfully the peppermint is nice and strong with the choc. :)
I brought a good few years' worth of PTI cardstock back with me, including the current sampler pack and loads of neutral and well-used shades!
Felt re-stocks plus some of the MFT felt to try....
Lots of glittery delights to play with. It was sooo hard to find any misting sprays on this trip, or indeed Melissa Frances products, or coarse glitter for vintage projects. So I restocked on my most used Distress Stickles while I was at it and got some of the dry Distress glitter, plus some lovely glitter paint oh and some boring Martha Stewart cream paint, it would have been rude not to. Thankfully Whim-so-doodle came up trumps for the Ranger items and some of the Melissa Frances things.
So before I left I had made great efforts to determine which Distress Inks I needed to definitely get to extend my meagre 3-pad collection. Well I managed to get some of the ones on my list, plus a load of other pale/pastel inks at Scrappy Boutique and Whim-so-doodle. Joann's and Michaels were really disappointing for inks. You could only get limited bog-standard colours in single pads or would have to buy sets where you weren't too keen/needed the other colours. So it was great to get the majority from the Scrapbooking stores we visited.
I did get some other odds and ends, in retrospect it looks like I was on a button spree, but this was about it for embellishments... including that fabby retro tinsel from Tim Holtz with plans to use it to decorate my Melissa Frances Christmas houses and bell jar.... one day!
And finally, a selection of the dies, stamps, and embossing folders that came home with me...
Also in that pile is a rather handy item I picked up to try out. The Small and Medium stamp mounts from Martha Stewart. They are similar to the Fiskars stamp press, but smaller. I have already tried the small one out on a fiddly little die-cut and it worked like a charm for positioning and stamping cleanly. And not as bulky as the stamp press which I don't think I'd really use for small fiddly bits.
So there we have it.... I still have other items that need unpacking into bathroom cabinets (mmmm C.O. Bigelow lemon stuff and Bath and Bodyworks purchases, not to mention some items from Sephora...).
Oh and I accidentally bought a new Fossil bag - well it was red, and very light and well... I caved in!
Suppose I should get back to unpacking or maybe, just maybe get my tree and decorations up!
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I can't believe quite how late it already is in the afternoon.
I still need to get a few things on today's to-do list completed.
First up, I need to make a baby card for little Anja. I managed to get some lovely little outfits in Debenhams yesterday that would easily go into autumn weather and colours:
I didn't want to get anything overly baby pink - but thought these two would be just lovely. Why on earth they don't make more ladies clothing with the prints they do in girl's fashion I just don't know. Was discussing the same topic with the girl in Monsoon yesterday when I made use of my £15 voucher in the Sales section - she quite agreed!
Yesterday was a bit of a spendy day as I also spent my £15 beauty club reward at the Benefit counter on new foundation and powder, and while I was there got my eyebrows waxed and tinted... ;o)
Also at last night's crop I was as productive as hoped and have now completed the swatch for all the colours of PTI cardstock and Bazzill cardstock that I own:
I've had a bit of a slow start today as I wanted to finish the book I started Thursday night before getting on with anything else:
I think this might have been my favourite in the Fairytale series by Eloisa James. A nice Saturday morning read indeed. :)
Well, I'd better get down to some crafting once I have tidied up a bit, I also have this to watch while I work:
I do enjoy a bit of Tom Hardy on screen...
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I have been waiting months to find this lovely new line from Bazzill on UK shores so that I could finally find an easy substitute for my go-to PTI vintage cream cardstock - any other colours would be an added bonus.
And my, there are quite a few "other" colours that I can see myself using a lot!
I need to be organised first and create a little switch from the colours I've bought (I didn't get the purples or dark blues as they aren't colours I use. BUT I can definitely see a few cards coming on using the greys, the festive green and reds, and of course the aqua and pink shades. Plus the light lemon shade is really similar to the light lemon from PTI so I am really happy to have a substitute. :)
Ahhhh heavy weight smooth cardstock from Bazzill - at last!
Now all they need to do is release some more colours - preferably some subtle in between shades in the greens, aqua and pink palette.
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...just which of my lovely new craft purchases to try first.
I had a little spree last Friday but didn't manage to make anything this week as I've been busy every evening so far!
But tonight could be the night. ;o)
I also have a rather nice Krispy Kreme donut to enjoy afterwards... I was quite taken with the new shop at MetroOasis - it is still all sparkly and pretty! Shame they didn't have my favourite crueller or Kreme donuts in, but I made do with a couple others. hehe
I'm on baby card duty next week, just waiting for news after my friend Kelly is induced on Wednesday as to what make and model it will be. It's lovely to keep something a surprise and I wonder what he/she will be called too... can't wait. :)
Right, best go and get creating!
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...again.
And it's cold....
...still.
I think I am definitely due a lazy Saturday.
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:
Enjoy!
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So in the run up to my scrappy weekend away I was adding the finishing touches to my packing, the star attractions for my planned projects arrived in the post:
The remaining bits and bobs of Crate Paper's Story Teller and Pretty Party lines. I planned to get at least 2 mini-books made.*
*I always seem to be good at the big thinking, not so hot on the "doing".
Come Friday morning I was packed and ready:
...for what must have looked like a 3 month expedition rather than a 3 day weekend away.
Considering the monsoon weather forecast I didn't think I'd need to pack these:
There was a moment where this was consumed:
Which could have adversely affected productivity, it certainly affected the speed with which I could stamp the individual letters of Polish names! Polish Countdown must be a barrel of laughs... can I have a consonant please Carol, and another.... and another... and another....
But it was probably why I never got round to using these:
We did take a break from scoffing cake and shuffling paper on the Saturday afternoon and even managed to see some of these:
Plus have a moment in the sun:
But then it was back to work in order to actually finish, ok... mostly finish the one and only project I got done!
There are just a couple of little finishing touches needed then I'll get it photographed. :)
The thing I learnt this weekend (apart from the realisation that yes, you can indeed have too much cake) which I shall pass onto any other Crate fans, was not to use Staz-on, chalk ink, dye ink, Versafine or pigment ink to stamp onto the new shiny Journaling stickers.
NO INK dries on these stickers; I went through an entire arsenal of inks trying to find one that worked - nada, zip, zilch.
The only thing that works is a journaling pen. :o( I really wish these stickers were still matt as you could stamp away to your heart's content, but shiny stickers... do not like.
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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!
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From the NEC today, I managed to snag some Pink Paislee papers (split with Gill <g>) and ephemera that I'd been hoping to see, plus a couple of dies (rolled flower and another doily die), some lovely Prima heart crystals, some heart doilies, and hurrah some soft pastel grey, pink, and peach felt. :D I was getting very worried that I'd not seen any proper felt until near the end of our tour rounding the sewing and stitching show.
Alas didn't see any real variety of Hero Arts stamps, had been hoping to pick up some Cling backgrounds but there were hardly any HA stamps to see. Lots and lots of Spellbinders, but not the set I of pinking circles I was after (have managed to order some online ce soir) and dies galore - even some nice MFT dies.
Didn't break the bank which is good news, and we had a lovely day out. Just need to recover from the 5 a.m. (BST) start. ;o)
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Crack open the new stamps!
My lovely set of stamps by JustRite (designed to fit inside co-ordinating Spellbinders dies - which I don't yet own) arrived today beautifully wrapped up from Creative Craft World.
Something tells me I shall have to get using them for any crafty projects this weekend. ;o)
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Well... stash really.
The other week I ordered a few new things to play with.
The new MME Howdy Doody pad, which I've already used:
Some Amy Tangerine stash from American Crafts to feed my chevron needs:
This one is a fabric paper so will get used sparingly!
And a more neutral one.
Some papers from MME's Follow your heart line, but managed to forget to add the grey striped one to my cart, dur, only the one I really, really wanted! lol
Although I didn't get any of the patterned papers from the Echo Park This and That line, I did get the solids that go with it:
And at long last I have a sheet of this:
Just to use it now! :D
However I have some new stamps to get inking up, I just love them. One is from the newest WMS release:
The Compact Sentiments set which will work very nicely with any label dies I have - love that font!
And the Say It Loud set that should cover me for a good few occasions. I am liking striking greetings at the moment.
I'm still looking forward to Crate Paper and Basic Grey stash coming to UK shores... beyond that we shall see. ;)
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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.
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Thanks for all the lovely comments I've had about the card I posted yesterday for the 52 Card challenge. Glad it went down well. :D
It actually cheered me up a bit as I was knocked for six by a yucky stomach bug early yesterday morning, and well, let's say I feel like a totally different person today, thank god!
So I now am in the happy frame of mind to really enjoy the contents of a lovely package that arrived:
I am sure the eagle-eyed will spot where it's from, and yes I was on an embargo, but well... weak-willed and the opportunity to share an order with a fellow-crafter was too much for me! LOL
Also what made it even more lovely were the items very kind fellow-crafter included for me. I shall look forward to using my stash in a card very soon!
But first I need to get my dies into their new home and get those two stamp sets assembled. ;o)
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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!
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I had to trundle off to the sorting depot yesterday to pick up this:
My lovely Crate collection pack from ebay arrived, the lot also included the matching buttons, alpha stickers, trim, and dimensional accents.
I am one seriously happy scrapper now. In fact I am rather sad I can't start making my 2012 Christmas journal now! LOL
I'm not sure if it will be a daily one, or simply one that includes 10 to 15 photos and that's it.
We shall see... but I love this collection, even the papers I wasn't sure about and didn't order first time round, yum! Glad I am now all set with two of each plus what's left of the papers I used for cards last year. :)
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Exciting eh? My lovely prize from Crate's Christmas giveaway. I couldn't wait to open it up and have a good stroke of all the contents.
Very yummy indeed and I love this paper in particular:
Cannot get enough of this chevron design at the moment, plus grey shades. Most stylish.
The stickers have a different finish to Portrait, a bit shinier but the designs are fab. :D
Just need to find time to sit down and play! Chance would be a fine thing at the moment as it has been really busy with work. ;o) But I have a couple of cards I need to make, so more than likely I will find a way to use my fab new stash.
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When I saw this:
Source: mypapersecret.blogspot.com via Natalia on Pinterest
I immediately fell in love.
And I was most delighted to read that the landscape scene was from a border die.
Namely this one:
I really look forward to playing with it.
Oh and I am now happy to also be a full-time owner of RadLab. Yay! Got to love those black Friday deals plus a handy well-timed voucher too. :)
Kind of makes up for someone nicking off with my blue recycling box... grrrr. The day has been full of yings and yangs but I am now off to get my tea and plonk myself in front of the telly. ;o)
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There are some new additions to my ink drawer...
A handful of the new Prima chalk ink edgers. The colours really appealed to me - especially the beige and light grey shades as my PTI tea duo inks are definitely at the end of their life. :o(
So I have been looking for chalk ink alternatives and will give these a try not to mention some other shades from the range.
I also have some more Versamagic dew drops - just love those inks! Including Wheat and sand shades... yes, it is all about neutral for me at the moment. ;o)
If I was a really organised person I would get stamping all of these shades onto a white sheet of cardstock so I could see at a glance what I have... but this is me after all.
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Just picked up the latest In Death book from the library - it's had excellent reviews and I cannot wait to get stuck in... it's currently sitting on my bedside table so I am not tempted to read it instead of getting the tasks I need to do ticked off my list!
Mind you it is very difficult, such a cold day and it's oh so tempting to just dive under the nice fluffy autumn bedding I have switched to. Love my John Rocha pleated set, a bugger to iron but so comfy.
I'm also eagerly awaiting the arrival of some new stamps from the current Waltzing Mouse release to go with my die purchases:
I went for that must-have Nordic Winter set plus a couple of other items, but while I was buying bauble dies a few other must-haves made it into the shopping cart. I hope that Basic Grey flower die will cut well, I had to have it for the leaf alone!
Right, off to get my tea on then crack on with the to-do list!
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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.
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After a bit of rain this morning (which I made the most of by reading the book 3 in Julia Quinn's fab Bridgerton series from start to finish) the sun has been shining ever since.
The other day I managed to get a few shots at the park on my long walk before my camera battery died.
It was really beautiful. A tad breezy but it was so gloriously early-autumn weather.
I just loved the way the light fell through the willow trees and the sky reflected off the water.
Almost a shame to think that we are gradually saying goodbye to the summer...
Mind you I have plenty to keep me busy as the nights start to draw in.
It's back to photography class on Monday plus I received my latest order from A Million Little Things filled with lots of new additions and some restocks of old favourites.
In fact most of my order was MME papers I'd not managed to snag, as I am a real MME addict now, I also finally got the collection pack of Emma's Shoppe from Crate and yes, my most favourite AC Christmas papers. Those glazed snowflakes are just delicious! I really hope Jill can keep the shop going - it's hard times but it would be awful to lose such a wonderful store that has served so many scrapbookers all over the world all these years. Faultless customer service and amazing value. I'm keeping my fingers firmly crossed.
But in the meantime I need to get my latest AMLT stash hit sorted and arranged into its new home. :)
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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...
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All £2.46 of it plus £8 handling fee!
Now I just need to find some time to make something. ;o)
It's still work, work, work here and not much else.
But I've just put Gnomeo and Juliet on which came from Lovefilm the other day as a bit of a surprise and then it's X-Factor later... hm. Exciting eh?
But I am looking forward to a bit of unwinding. :)
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Time sure is flying at the moment - the weather has been mostly glorious this week. Why wasn't it so beautiful when I had my two weeks off work eh?
Bit difficult to enjoy it from a seriously hot office at work. :o(
However I am hoping Saturday will have some lovely sun to enjoy.
I have some pics I need to go through from a couple of Staycation outings.
But since I seemed to be in a bit of a stash shopping mood last week, I decided I needed some new stuff to go with the stamp purchases!
I think any packing for tomorrow night's crop will be revolving around this little stash. I am so happy with the MME pads in particular as the designs in the Away We Go pad are by none other than my fave MME designer - Zoe Pearne, lots of chevrons and fab background designs and even a bit of woodgrain. I'd not been able to find pics of the contents of these pads so I am really happy with what I went with. The Lost and Found 2 pads are lovely too - lots of card ops there! And the Echo Park one will be nice to play with, I bought the 12x12s of my fave designs as a back up plan.
And speaking of tomorrow night's crop, there's a cake I need to go and try level - hopefully it's cooled by now and once the frosting is done I can finally pack for the crop... maybe. ;o)
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Just as I was getting used to being a lady of leisure during my staycation. :o(
However I do have some nice things to look forward to this coming week (but they are towards the weekend - typically!).
To round off my staycation I managed to get through a few reads and a departure from the Hist-Ro was a great "chicklit" book - cried my way through much of the latest Ciara Geraghty book - between the funny bits... I loved her first book, Saving Grace, and the second was good too, but this one had me crying very early on and I just had to read it all as soon as I could, didn't want to put it down. {sigh}
I've also got another chicklit to start tonight if I can stay awake long enough:
But first I need a good soak in the tub, went up to Bamburgh today in a rather scenic fashion and although it was initially sunny the clouds soon descended so I doubt any of my pics will have come out too well... Not like this:
Source: flickr.com via Raquel on Pinterest
But it was just lovely to see those sandy beaches at last! And the chip-stop on the way home was very welcome. ;o)
On the creative front I have something lovely and new to play with this week:
My new haul of Waltzing Mouse stamps. I think we will be seeing a few cards soon featuring cameos in particular!
I couldn't resist the oval frames either as those cameos were also calling to me in addition to the frames!
Right off to pick my bubble bath!
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Christmas stash list that is! ;o)
I have found the new must-have collection for this year's Christmas stash addition (OK so I usually have 3 to 4 additions to my Christmas stash each year....) and it will sit quite happily next to the left-overs from my Echo Park Everybody Loves Christmas leftovers.
Behold beautiful Christmas yumminess:
I love the back of loads of these papers - fab for cards, plus the colours are delish!
This one in particular had me drooling, I seem to be loving chevrons at the mo:
Mmm, so simple yet so versatile!
I've not really seen any other CHA sneaks that have got me a little excited... it's so sad. But all the better for my CC balance for the time-being!
I am ready for some CHA enabling so link me up if you spot anything nice!
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All the way from the US of A with amazon.com - my new Martha Stewart scoring board. Under £20 including postage - a bargain!
Now I should be able to fold and score to my heart's content. Who knows might get some practise in tomorrow night. It comes with a little envelope guide thing, and a useful guide for cards and boxes and all sorts in the little compartment.
Also at long last I have joined pinterest so just need to find some time to sit down in front of the computer and start adding stuff. ;o)
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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)
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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.
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Had a great time cropping Friday night (even managed to bag myself a corner chomper...) and a wonderful time out Saturday afternoon and evening with Zoe and her girls and then when Zoe and I went out for a curry in the evening - will definitely have to do that again soon!
Yesterday my mum and I were originally planning to hit Newcastle for some prime shopping action, but she wasn't feeling up to it and I am quite glad we didn't go as we'd have both been flagging.
Instead we decided on a relaxed Mother's Day so I promised to make desert for a family take away evening...
My little baking project started out looking like this...
And ended up looking like this....
Yep, Hummingbird Bakery Strawberry Cheesecake cupcakes.
My mum was so impressed, she got the cake stand out!
And I am happy to report they were a real hit.... most delicious, and have been requested again for Easter weekend... we'll see... I might have something chocolaty up my sleeve for Easter weekend since I'll have had no chocolate since that dollop of Nutella on my Shrove Tuesday pancake!
Also this weekend, my collage frame went up... loving it!
My little patch of garden is looking very lush and is soaking up every drop of sun available:
And after buying tulips for my mum, I am rather wishing I'd bought some for myself...
Very nice indeed...
I also had some nice post today...
Something tells me I'll be using those on my next card project!
Oh and finally... I finished this:
As predicted by Zoe, I did cry... quite a bit, but it was a very good read. :o)
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Photos sorted for my next project, plus my collage frame, another frame I've had some time, and yet another little project I'm hoping to start working on using these fab digi papers and elements - let's just hope my printer is up to the job:
There are 3 sets of paper, a freebie basics set, and 2 sets of elements that I went for by Crystal Wilkerson - and the good news is if you order them this month you can still use the 50% off coupon! Just follow the link here.
So those were what I decided on for my little baking album (yet another Paperchase binder that hopefully won't be outgrown this time!).
And speaking of baking, here's a slice of the lemon loaf. Very nice it was for breakfast too... plenty more left for pudding tonight.
It's just lovely out in the garden at the moment. My dad was round earlier with some new acquisitions to plant... the washing is out drying on the line, and the bumble bees are buzzing around. Not a bad start to the British summer! ;o)
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I was supposed to be having a crafty session this evening and popping a DVD on in the background while I got down to work.
Instead I didn't even manage to get my trimmer out as I was too engrossed watching said DVD:
So yes, can recommend it if you fancy that kind of movie...
Also I am on the hunt for some more of my favourite ever pearl embellishments:
Kaisercraft BR02 Latte pearls to be exact - haven't managed to find them in stock in the UK (and ideally at a decent price with postage) and am running a bit low on my existing packet. I just love the light beige shade (lighter than this pic) and the fact there are teeny tiny pearls in the pack as well!
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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!
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At long last I am starting to feel much better and hoping to get back to normal service now here on the blog.
First up I have played a little catch-up with this week's DCM dare which was to create your own embellishment and use it on a card.
Well sometime at the start of the week I had a really good idea of what I wanted to do for this dare. Then Thursday came and I'd promptly forgotten what I'd wanted to make by then.
Then I went to make my card with a certain embellishment in mind, a DIY crocheted flower I was going to design my card around.
Another spanner in the works happened when the rest of the card just didn't work with the flower on it!
So I have admitted defeat and this card features a little DIY banner that at least adds the finishing touch in a nice way. :o)
Papers: Crate Paper
Ribbon and twine: The Ribbon Girl
Stamps: My Cute Stamps
Die: Papertrey Ink
Other: Promarkers, Liquid pearls
Also I thought I'd share some odds and ends photos...
My Christmas present amaryllis has been doing very well positioned over a radiator and close to the boiler - so much so it has had two sets of flowers and has now moved to the conservatory where it is less hot.
Last weekend at our scrapping retreat I had something nice and new to stroke.... mmmm the AC cardstock swatch which is just lovely and means I can now easily identify my favourite shades for when I run out.
Last weekend was rather a productive one. I got my Chicago Mini-album made from scratch including some time spent painting those blessed chipboard pages!
But I think the shabby chic white paint look was well worth it - and the mix of Cosmo Togetherness with OA Thrift Shoppe was just perfect for my photos... so here are a few snaps of the inside:
That first stop - a trip to Bath and Bodyworks right before a tornado hit and we were evacuated to the basement to wait it out. Never a dull moment shopping with us.
That holiday we seemed to go up quite a few tall buildings for a view of the city...
Ah that bead shop - an easy way to part with a lot of money in a most pleasant way!
My Uncle Wlodek's homemade lemon vodka is famed in his neighbourhood, so he always has mini dixie cups on hand for entertaining... It was very potent but very nice stuff!
This photo of me and my cousin Basia really cracks me up as both of us have the exact same pose without having realised it... apparently my mother believes this to be genetic... I just think we'd do quite well at synchronised standing.
And as you saw on the cover of the album I used the Tim Holtz rosette die kindly loaned for the occasion by Gill - well... you know what happened don't you... I just needed that die and the new one to play with:
So watch out for these on many more projects to come!
I also started and almost finished my snaps of 2010 mini-album at the weekend too. I had a major boo-boo mistake on punching my jan/feb calendar pages - the kind of boo-boo you can't easily come back from and find yourself having tantrum breakdown and swearing fit over... but it all came good in the end and I paid better attention punching the rest of the calendar pages!
I still need to do the cover and journaling and other bits and bobs but here are a few shots of the inside as it is:
Ah, marble slab ice cream and words of wisdom - a perfect combination.
I used some filters on my photo prints and was really glad I did as they worked much better with the BG Blush papers I used.
I just love that strawberry shot - it just sums up summer for me.
Anyway, depending on my progress with my new read I might finish this album off tomorrow, we'll see!
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It's been so long since I had a Photobox order drop through the letterbox, but I have just taken receipt of some of the photos I had printed over the weekend for 2 mini album projects.
Now, I had grand plans to use what remains of my 6x6 Togetherness pad:
But I need to cover at least 36 sides of a 6x4.75" mini album and what remains of my pad isn't going to go far enough... soooo with the 12x12 papers thin on the ground now here in the UK it looks like I am going to have to raid some of my other paper stash to try and plug the gaps... question is what will work with Togetherness as the colours are a bit more washed out in this line than say OA's Thrift Store, etc.
Anyway, I have got my paper artbins out and will stick the telly on while I sit and go through my options.
Fingers crossed 2 mini albums for Gibside will be enough to get me through the weekend - otherwise I may have to see about sorting pics for a third album... Yikes!
On a non-scrapping note I picked up this from the library yesterday - finally!
So at least I can finish off the series.
Off out tomorrow night for dinner and a movie, we're hoping to see Chalet Girl some film that is not Chalet Girl as have since read the release has been pushed back to March 16th!!! Gah... what to see instead? I was hoping to see True Grit (but with another friend) and not sure at all about No Strings Attached.
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And it all begins with Seam binding being in da house!
I have some other yummy stash to play with this month as well. ;o)
I have no idea where the weekend went.
Had a great crop Friday night, and did intend to get my Christmas journal finished.... well it's still got a few entries to go!
Saturday I had a few things to do, but managed to start another book when I got in from the crop in the wee small hours, as I was too awake to sleep.
Sunday Ma and I went to IKEA... well it has never before happened in my life, but we got there around 10:40 and were queueing for the tills to open, and out by 11:05!
Then went to the Metrocentre and quick trip into Costco and we were back on the road home after 5!
Finished another book Monday before meeting up for dinner and a movie:
Very good!
And last night I started the last book in the Hathaway series by Lisa Kleypas, finished it at 1 this morning. :o)
So tonight, I will have to hit the hay a lot earlier but which book to start next?
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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.
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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)
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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)
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Friday night is crop night.
Now, when it comes to packing efficiently for crops I have quite a sketchy background.
Efficiency and forward-planning are not my middle names!
So tonight, in hopes of changing my ways slightly, I have tried to plan my Journal Your Christmas album for 2010 - and as mentioned I am going to try to go the December Daily route where I have the basics of my album ready before the first of December and just need to add pics and embellishments so come January it is done.
Well, that is the plan!
I'll be using something old... papers from last year... Yummy Jolly By Golly, October Afternoon, and some My Mind's Eye... ;o) And something new - new Christmas bits from Crate and BG, and Echo Park... my lovely package has arrived, but I need to go pick it up tomorrow!
I've created some templates from old Artbin satchel dividers for getting the holes punched in the right places, and for working out photo placement in my little Paperchase A5 binder...
I've dug out what seems to be the last of any KI Christmas line that a certain a-million-kinds-of-lovely person sent me last year.
And there's always room for some Eskimo kisses...
And somewhere along the line, I want to use these...
And counting Thickers?
I worked out I need quite a lot of numbers - and thankfully I have enough to cover all of them in my Thickers collection, quite a relief I'm sure!
Anyway, I'm off to finish watching Mansfield Park since it is a bit of bleak night for TV tonight.
This version is soooo much better than the recent Billie Piper version. Really recommend it for the Austen fans!
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...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!
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Well, since you were intrigued as to what my PTI blow-out consisted off, here are a few pics with which to better illustrate... ;o)
Some stamp sets - there were more I really wanted but had to show some restraint.
A good selection of very versatile dies including two of the fillable frames. I was very good and removed a load of fillable frame sets from my order but wish I'd added one of those mat stack dies now! Oh well... I'm sure I'll survive!
And the rest... all the felt that was available to date, it cuts very nicely and some assorted buttons, alas the holiday button collection that I ordered last year and that got lost in the post on the last leg of its journey is no longer available. But hopefully there will be some more collections in future as I love all the colours but don't need bags of each of them, I already have dark chocolate and sweet blush buttons.
And as for play time... after finishing my work yesterday I got everything out of its box, updated the PTI inventory excel (I told you I'd need it!), got my stamp sets unpacked and ready to use and went and created! I wanted to do something for this month's UKS cardmaking challenge but also have a go at a challenge for the A Passion for Papertrey blog...
Paper: My Mind's Eye
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Dies: Papertrey Ink, Cuttlebug
Brads: Lasting Impressions
Other: Felt, twine, button
The white felt is the PTI felt, and the leaves are cut with Cuttlebug dies from one of the quilling sets from some other felt I had.
And those Just the Ticket stamps and die are fab. Will definitely be using them on all sorts of things.
Anyway, now that I'm done with work for the day I think I might just get back to my stash. The washing up can wait! ;o)
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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!
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