Simple Pleasures

Have you been enjoying the sunshine? The change in weather last weekend was a very welcome and  pleasant suprise. We had a spur of the moment morning out to make the most of it.

I used the June sketch from the Scrap 365 sketch challenge blog and some of the new Simple Stories Summer Fresh range that I'd ordered. The 6x6 paper pad had the perfect sentiments and just the right size journal blocks for the layout. The dotty butterflies were found buried deep in my stash and I handstitched the sun outline.

So my simple pleasures......

• To feel the warm sun on your face after a couple of miserable weeks.
• A cappucino and warm lemon and poppy seed muffin sitting in the sunshine.
• Buying fresh cut flowers from the market

......a perfect morning. Here's to the next one.

Have Bucket Will Travel

I know more scrapbooking (I'm suprised too) but after a clearout yesterday I found some photos that I had been meaning to scrap and then today I saw Shimelle's Starting Point 

The photo in question was quite small and had a very purple hue about it like a lot of 70's photos. My scanner and I haven't been seeing eye to eye so to copy my photo I tried using my mobile and a retro app. Funnily enough using the retro app made my photo look a lot less purple.

So using Shimelle's starting point I started with 12x12 cardstock in a shade called Dusk by Bazzill. I then took a book page which I painted and inked and layered up a few paper scraps. I wrote my journaling straight onto the layout all about a day out at the beach with my bucket and spade ready for a day of sandcastle building. I thought the ric-rac added a retro touch. I remember ric-rac on many a dress when I was little don't you?

This Cat

This Cat

.....has got a meow and sure knows how to use it.

Day - Night for whatever reason.......mostly when

she wants something to eat.......sometimes for a

bit of attention.

Purdey snapped in a quiet moment.

The Romance of Reading

I have many things to be thankful to my Mum for, being able to knit, my love of sewing and all things crafty, being able to trim my own fringe and knowing how to colour my hair to cover those greys........but something I really appreciate is my love of reading.

As a child I have memories of Saturday afternoon trips to the library or spending my pocket money in the local book shop buying an Enid Blyton Secret Seven to add to my collection. I also spent my pocket money on buying Matchbox cars but that's another story.

I recently bought some secondhand childrens books. The covers in themselves attracted to me but the title also caught my eye. The Romance of Reading. I sent one of the books, Happy Hours to Julie as I knew she'd love it too. I kept Merry Moments and when I flicked to the back of the book I found a school stamp. The very same primary school that my Mum went to. Did she read this book I wondered?

Click on picture for a clearer view

I'd started thinking about how lucky I was to have someone who encouraged me to read from an early age when I saw a news item this week. A survey has recently been carried out which found that 1 in 8 children had never been inside a book shop, 1 in 5 had never received a book as a present and 1 in 3 lived in a house in which there are no books. It saddened me to think that there will be a whole generation of children who grow up without knowing how much simple pleasure there is in reading a book. I must be getting old!

So when my Mum recently asked me what I wanted for my birthday you won't be suprised to hear that I asked for a book to add to my already bursting collection.

My Month In Numbers - February

Hi I'm back with my next installment of My Month In Numbers. Throughout February I've been busy counting and keeping note.

10 - the number of minutes before I was due to leave for the ICHF show at Bluewater to find out I wasn't going

46 - the amount paid for two tickets to see The Black Keys at Alexandra Palace

-10 - the temperature on the drive home and
34 - the number of icicles hanging by the front door

5 - the cost ($) of the Lucky Days embroidery pattern I bought

The pink hexagon hides some journalling about having to say a sad farewell to one of our much loved cats.

I had been pondering just how to record my numbers this month and when I found this notebook hexagon shape in the Silhouette online shop it seemed ideal especially when used with some really old notebook printed patterned paper I found stashed away. It even had some doodling printed on it that ended up in just the right place.

Have you been keeping numbers too? I received the comment 'Why are you counting icicles, do you not have anything better to do?' And if you want to find out why I've been counting visit Julie at Notes on Paper to learn more about My Month In Numbers.

My Month In Numbers - January

Hi are you taking part in Julie's My Month In Numbers? Squeezing just into February here are my January numbers.

2 - In January my blog celebrated it's 2 year birthday

7.99 - The extortionate amount I was charged for the delivery of my new phone that I ended up collecting myself.

2000 - The number of nectar points exchanged to spend at Amazon. Tilda's Winter Ideas already here and Zakka Style on it's way (hopefully).

-0.50 - The amount my eyesight has improved since my last eye test. Apparently if you are short sighted as you get older your eyesight can improve. Not all is lost then!

9088 - The pattern number of the Simplicity retro 70's dress pattern I bought. Coming along nicely.

If you would like to take part or want to know or get some tips on how to collect your numbers visit Julie at Notes on Paper I'm sure she'd love to see you and your numbers.

My New Love

Today I have a layout to share dedicated to my new love. You've probably guessed, my new sewing machine.

It also gave me the perfect opportunity to use a White Stuff label that I'd saved. You know, one of those 'I've just got to save this' things that you put away and can't bear to throw out. It was probably more luck than judgement that I found it again but I'm glad I did.

Come on look at those sweet buttons. Admit it you wouldn't have thrown it away either would you?

See you soon with another recycled project.

By the way I seem to be experiencing problems commenting again on blogger anyone else had the same? Sometimes I can't scroll through posts either but I am still visiting and leaving comments where I can. I'm hoping it's just one of those glitches that resolves itself soon.

Pretty Paper Party - Collaged Background

Today I'm taking inspiration from a combination of things from Shimelle's prompts, paper scraps collaged into a colourful background, a splash of paint and some pretty handmade embellishments.....plus a bit of doodling that I just couldn't resist.

Even if I don't do another thing I'm happy to have kickstarted some creative scrapbooking and every time I look at this layout it will put a smile on my face.

Pretty Paper Party - Paper Pieced Patchwork

As you can see it's all the 'Ps' here today. I had great fun piecing this layout together. It involved a lot of cutting and sticking but I'm really pleased with how it turned out. A great way to use some of your favourite patterned paper.

Crunchy outside, soft inside, the treats cats crave

One of my cats, Purdey goes absolutely mad for her favourite cat treats. I'm beginning to think they have something everso slightly addictive in them. She's developed quite a habit and turns into the most demanding cat if she thinks there is even a sniff of a Dreamie snack. In fact she only has to see you in the kitchen and she thinks it's Dreamie time. Oh what have I started?

I don't know why I suddenly thought about it but I remembered how when I young there was a craze for shrinking empty crisp packets. You might not be aware of it, I know Mr P looked like I was mad when I asked him about it. I'd just thrown away an empty packet, it came free with something else, just a little freebie to get your cat hooked.  I hoped I might be able to shrink it small enough to make a embellishment and luckily it worked.

If you would like a template to make the perfect sized hexagons for a layout or card let me know and I'll happily send you one.

.......now to venture into the kitchen.

Pretty Paper Party - Strips and Scraps

I'm still partying and look I have another layout completed. I've wanted to scrap this photo for ages as I love the colours of the hydrangeas. It was taken in the Garden Cafe on a visit to the V&A.

I'm feeling good about not using new supplies and pleased to be showing off some favourite paper, although I still have quite a few sheets of the Noteworthy design. I know, I'm guilty of panic buying. Please tell me you've done the same.

I'm not entirely happy with this layout and I can't decide if I should add some stalks (stitched maybe?) to the flowers on the righthand side or if I should leave it as it is. They look like they're floating to me and need to be anchored.

I'll stop fretting about it for now and just feel satisfied that I've done some scrapping.

Pretty Paper Party - On the Edge

Hi as you can see I've been partying. I haven't followed all the prompts and certainly not in order but the idea of signing up to Shimelle's class is to get me scrapping and using up paper and that's what I've done.

This prompt was all about including different edges on your layout, maybe using something you don't usually or a bit of a different style. I am a fan of distressing so roughing up the edges of some co-ordination cardstock didn't worry me and I picked out some scallop offcuts I had in my scrap box and even stuck some to another square of paper to make another layer.

I have a stack of scalloped 8x8 and it felt very good to actually use one up. And yes that is purple, it suprised me but it looked perfect as the cliff top flowers in the photo are a shade of purple and as I went through different options from my stack it definitely looked the best suited.

Using what I have and not trying to match everything has definitely brought about some different colour combinations. I hope to share my next layout soon.

A Sketch Recipe

Hi. Do you remember the cupcakes I baked recently? Well I thought I'd record the moment and dedicate a bit of scrapping to them using sketch 10.6 from Sketchy Thursdays. I had planned to scrap them before now but the printer run out of ink. How did I let that happen?

I've only recently bought some baker's twine and I love the combination of the red and white with a bit of blue. I think that will be appearing in future Christmas cards. I used some of the cupcake papers (clean and unused!) to back my journaling block and folded some more peeking out from under one of the photos and to form a flower under the button.

I'm enjoying the challenge of sorting through my stash and using it up rather than buying new so if you spot any really old supplies that's the reason why. I'm not saying I won't be tempted to buy new but I can try!

It Took Just One Trip

No, don't worry knee recovery has taken a step back. Today I'm lamenting the sad demise of my favourite sandals.

One day last month the phone started ringing and as I rushed to get to it before it stopped I caught my foot on a wooden floorboard and well, that was that. One pair of totally wrecked sandals - favourite sandals! You might think I'm being a bit melodramatic here but I loved those sandals and they were always the first pair put in my suitcase ready for holiday, the first pair to welcome the the warmer weather, the last pair I braved the chillier Autumn weather for. Not any more.

I spotted this sketch on Sketchy Thursdays and it really appealed to me and you can see how much I loved my sandals as I have a photo of them on holiday, no really. I can't work out if that is being a true scrapper or a little bit bonkers?

My layout has quite a lot of white space for me and I have to resist the urge to add something. You can't see it in the photo very well but I machine stitched down the circle and where each line ends I added the punched hearts. I had some tiny stickers that were perfect saying 'wear and tear' and 'such is life'. Says it all really.

......as my journaling reads.....goodbye my old friends.

The search is now on for a replacement pair - wish me luck

Like a Craft Butterfly

Hi. Today I have a layout to share. I was playing with the photo booth option on the computer and thought one of the photos would be good for a layout to record my love of craft and how I seem to flit from one thing to another. At the moment I seem to love all things quilty. This morning I brought home a collection of quilting books from the library and my eyes lit up when a copy of Amy Butler, In Stitches had just been returned.

I'd seen and loved this sketch from Sketchy Thursdays. I immediately thought that one of my butterfly downloads for the Silhouette would be perfect. I used the half that I cut off as a frame for my journalling. You might also spot more of my Cath Kidston tape and one of my own printed canvas labels.

I quite liked using the sketch and I didn't spend long deliberating over which paper to use I just did it. The butterly printed card had been hanging around in my stash for ages and was the perfect match for the background paper.

With a sense of satisfaction and some scrapbooking done I can now get back to a bit of sewing.

Pick Your Own

Today saw the return to a bit of scrapping. The photo is typically not very good quality 1970s and square. I intended to keep it square after scanning and printing but it somehow came out 6x4 (ok user error). Luckily sketch #243 at Pencil Lines used a single 6x4 photo so I took advantage of this and used it as inspiration.

For the circle element I used a doily and added a piece of painted book paper at the centre so I could add my journalling. I made my own scalloped embellishment using an offcut from a watercolour pad page using the binding holes to thread some red satin ribbon through finished with a bit of paper lace sticky ribbon.

A summer memory - Scrapped.

Get Knitted

So, I finally scrapped - hurray. I'd been wanting to scrap this photo for a while and I thought it would look good with my texture tuesday photo from last week. The colour scheme of pink and orange is a bit unusual and not something I would probably have chosen. The papers came in a bargain kit I picked up from.........yes you've guessed it, TK Maxx for £2.00. It also gave me a good opportunity to use some orange glittery alphas that at some point I obviously thought it was a good idea to buy. Why? I can't decide whether my layout looks bright and summery or just plain gaudy but at least it sees a return to scrapping and that can't be bad.

If you're wondering about the photo it's me aged 17, knitting while sitting under a hairdryer getting ready for a night out - like you do! And yes my hair was red and blonde I was obviously struggling against it's natural state of straight and brown to make it blonde and curly.

And please don't say I didn't warn you but my new addiction is making napkin flowers.

Now perched on my kitchen window sill.....

.............And through the round window.

The male of the household is hoping that I move on to a new addiction some time soon.

A Wedding.......Or Two

Hi. I'm sure you've noticed that today marks the occasion of a very important wedding. Imagine my suprise when on 'the big clear up' I realised that another wedding took place on the very same day 29 April ...........in 1920. 

 I happened to take a peek at my scrapbook albums (when I was supposed to be tidying up) and came across a layout I'd made when taking the Create 10 workshop by Crafty Templates.

How pleased I am that I decided to do some tidying I'd have been very disappointed if I'd discovered this coincidence next week.

Enjoy your day if you're joining in with celebrations. I shall be toasting my Great Grandparents.

Feeling Retro

Hi have you had a good weekend? I've been feeling a bit retro. Having decided on a pudding  to take to a Sunday lunch invite I was disappointed to have to change my original plan when I couldn't find an ingredient. Tell me, is there a world tinned cherry shortage? Anyway I finally settled on making a good old standby - a pineapple upside down pudding.

Not very modern you're thinking and you'd be right as the recipe I turn to when I make this is one from my first year home economics recipe book circa 1981. Written in my bestest handwriting, bestest handwriting for an 11 year old anyway complete with original splashes.

 And you know what it was like, you were made to cover your exercise books in sticky back plastic or wallpaper or in my case the wipeable wallpaper that the kitchen had just been decorated in. So many shades of brown.....

But whenever I make this the result is always the same - delicious.

And to finish my retro weekend I have a layout to share. When Alana scrapped a 70's photo of her being a bridesmaid I thought I should hunt out my photos too. I can't remember exactly how old I was and I need to check some details with my Mum so I can add some journalling. I can't work out if I look serious or just plain unhappy.

Do you have any photos of you as a bridesmaid that you want to share?

Blissed Out

Do you remember last month I felt inspired by the delivery of my Spring Boden catalogue?

I've been busy and completed my second layout using one of the free stickers as inspiration for the title  - Blissed Out

This photo is one of the first I used to create a layout when I joined UK Scrappers but I had the urge to revisit it after using the photo as part of the Skinny Mini class. For this version I added a soft light layer and added some typed text. I'm looking forward to learning how to add texture to photos in a later class.

For the layout I decided to print the photo onto canvas paper to add a bit of texture and go with the natural feel I'd decided on with the stitched linen and kraft cardstock background.

And for those of you wondering what the original looked like I'll be brave and show you......

 .......an 8x8 and not very adventurous.

Bloomin Lovely

Today I have a 6x12 layout to share.

As it's fast approaching Valentines Day I thought I'd scrap a photo of the two of us. We don't really do Valentines Day but it's always a good opportunity to scrap a photo from the previous year. I know this one isn't from last year but I have another layout planned too. Last year I made a reverse canvas.

Scrapping the layout also gave me a chance to use my newly acquired bazill basics kraft and the paper is from the Glitz Love Nest collection. Something I've been doing alot lately is making my own backgrounds from inexpensive white cardstock and inking and stamping to suit whatever I'm making. Another homemade feature of the layout are the paper flowers. Since finding a brilliant tutorial from Gabrielle Pollacco I can't stop making them. The ones on my layout are made from book pages and white cardstock which have been inked with worn lipstick distress ink and spritzed with water mixed with a bit of LuminArte Sunburst mica powder. I don't know about Sunburst I look more like I have a 40 a day habit!

Once I started making them I experimented with different types of paper I think these are my favourites. This is how they start off, these ones are cut using the tattered floral die from some coloured notepaper. You don't have to use mica just plain water will do but you can just see the slight glimmer it gives.

This is what they look like layered up you could leave the centre more open and fix a gem or button but I quite like the fluffy look.

If you like the thought of making your own embellishments from your existing stash then visit the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog they have all kinds of tutorials posted today features page pebbles. I had every intention of joining in with their putting your own kit together this month but got too excited by making flowers.

Let me know if you make any flowers of your own I'd love to see them.

Happy Creating