November ATC's - Christmas

Well I had 9 ATC's to do for the Bubbly Funk November swap and the theme was Christmas. These are meant to be sort of Folk Art style and I really enjoyed making them. I didn't quite finish them last night, I still had a few threads to tie through the buttons. We went for a lovely walk this morning but my hands were cold when we got back and, boy, it was hard work tying those threads.

Talking of walks, I had hoped to capture a few "Autumnal" shots this morning but all the trees round here are still too green so I may have to wait a while longer.

Shimelles Christmas Class is up for sign ups, I'm soooo tempted but it's double the price of the last class. Mind you it is 37 daily prompts which is alot but I'm always so busy in December, I'll have a bit of a think!

Brainy and Curious - ha ha ha

Well, as you can see, my best attempt at looking brainy was to peer over the top of a dictionery ha ha ha!!

So the next 2 pages are done for Shimelles class, I enjoyed doing these to and really getting into this hidden journalling lark. On brainy, the page itself has been built up with thick card as I needed to disguise the steel hinges from the creative page but what I've done is made a recess under the photo and inserted a 3 fold mini book (yet to be decorated and journalled). The mounted photo has ribbon for hinges and a little piece of velcro to secure it.

For the curious page I have created a pocket at the bottom and put in a 4 page mini book (again yet to be decorated etc) and fitted eyelets and used ribbons and beads to hold it together.

The words Brainy and Curious are hand cut but in the same colour as the main card, I sought of felt I didn't want the word Brainy to be too bold. It gives an embossed feel to the pages.

I've got the whole day to myself today and the morning has just flown, why doesn't it go this quick during the week.

I received a rather natty jigsaw piece from Caroline at Bubbly Funk this morning, 9 of us have a piece each and we've been asked to decorate them in a Christmas theme and send back to Caroline. She'll then put them together and put a pic on Bubbly Funks site so pop over and take a look, the completed puzzle should be on there by the beginning of December. To give you an idea of size, the completed puzzle is 12" x 12" so they're pretty big, approx 4" x 4" each piece!!

Right well, time is precious and I can't sit around here chatting all day.

Whatever you're doing, have a fabaroony weekend, catch you all later.

Switched to Beta

Well "SLOW" I may be but I get there in the end and I have now switched to Beta.

I haven't had a chance to really see the difference yet but I was absolutely pulling my hair out just before I upgraded because I just COULD NOT get a picture to upload!!!

Anyway, moving off of my soapbox. One of my latest creations is this altered coaster, or beer mat in my case and I'll give you 3 guesses on the theme ha ha ha!!

I think it's okay but I must admit I seen some pretty darn good altered coasters in my time and this really doesn't make the grade, oh well!

Ooooh and while I remember, I am chuffed to pieces today because my pic of Knockan Crag that I put on here a while ago has made the last 20 of the UKS photo comp - thanks Nat for pushing me in the right direction there.

I don't expect to win because there are so many fab entries but I don't care, it's the first time I've made the top 20 and I'm grinning like a Cheshire Cat at the mo!

And while blogger is behaving here is a couple of quick pics of my entry in the rather fabby choc cj I received recently. Now I'm not a fan of chocolate at all really, although I have been known to politely nibble a piece of Galaxy or 2, so I wasn't really looking forward to doing my entry in this one. But, I must say, it did go well and I was pleased with the result, I just hope the owner thinks so too.

Relax and Creative!!

I really enjoyed doing these layouts in Shimelles class, I got alot more satisfaction out of these than I did with Angry and Sad.

Again I had to include some areas for hidden journalling and I'm keen to make all my pages completely different because I think my moods are all so different also!!

On the relax page I have created a little pocket with a top opening and inserted a tab complete with another, hopefully relaxed, picture of me.

On creative I decided to manipulate a couple of pics to try and emphasise my creative side (hope it works). I then added a couple of steel hinges so the photos flap out to reveal a space for more hidden journalling or maybe some more pics.

I now need to think about taking some more mood photos of me, back to the drawing board hey!!

On a normal day to day life in general note! I've had a really busy week but I think next week will be better so I'm hoping I'll be able to focus a little more on some of my crafty projects.

Ooh, and absolutely shock horror, I have to admit I BOUGHT some Christmas cards yesterday. They were on special offer and totally gorgeous and I got 18 for £6.40 so thats 18 less that I have to make - yippee!! I'll take a pic of them in the week and upload.

Right, off out soon, seez you later.

Angry and Sad

No, not literally, I rarely am, thank goodness but these are the next 2 pages that I have done for Shimelles class. (As usual, I finished the LO's after it had got dark outside so needless to say the photography is pants in artificial light).

I found them difficult, as I say, I'm rarely either and it was especially hard to have "Angry" inspiration.

The photos are black and white except for my eyes in both photos, they are my natural steely grey/green LOL!

Again, I want to add hidden journalling at a later date so I have added tabs to both LO's as shown in the bottom pics. I'm glad I settled down to these tonight, I've had a really busy day and I felt I was getting a little behind with Shimelles class so it was good to get 2 more moods done.

I have already sorted out pics for Creative and Relaxed, hopefully they will be a little easier to do!

No stunning news unfortunately, just far too much work on at the moment, I'll be glad when the end of the month comes (the bulk of it has to be done by then) so hopefully this time next week I'll have plenty of time to be creative.

Yesterdays crop

A quick post, off out in a bit.

I had an absolutely fabby day yesterday. I was soooo nervous when I got there, you know, the heart in your mouth type feeling!! but everyone was so friendly.

Emma showed us some layouts using multiple photos so I had a go at one of them yesterday. It was a great learning curve for me as the majority of my LO's are only single photos. I'll post a piccie up later. Vicky cooked up a fabulous soup for lunch (fortunately I'm in her recipe swap, so I'll be cooking some of it myself soon).

After lunch Emma showed us how to make a paper bag book, another first for me. I haven't decorated mine yet (such a slow coach that I am at scrapping) but when I have I'll stick a piccie on here.

I should have a bit more creative time later so I'll sort some pics out, I also need to make a Christmas card - yikes! for a card swap I'm in and I really want to get further on with Shimelles class, feeling a little behind now!!

Of course, that's only the tip of the iceberg on my creative "To Do" list but I'm getting there LOL!

Thanks for popping in Gems :-) I'll be doing a bit of blog hopping later to catch up with all of your news.

Red sky in the morning.......

Shepherds warning! So they say, and they say just right too.

This pic was taken in Aultbea in the Scottish Highlands on the morning we were travelling back to the South of England. I must admit is was an amazing red sky, I couldn't resist a pic, it was taken from our hotel window as we were packing!

The journey started okay but when we reached Inverness and got onto the A9 the heavens just opened. It absolutley chucked it down all the way to Carlisle!!

Anyway, moving on. I haven't done any more to Shimelles class today, or yesterday as it happens. I've been quite busy at work and too tired in the evening but I have managed to take some sad and angry pics of me, I'm having a play with them at the moment!!

I've got another busy day tomorrow but I'm hoping to get some time to look at my sad page for the class. I'm off to my first ever crop on Saturday "EEK". I'm looking forward to it but also nervous but I'm sure it will be fine. I'll let you know how I get on, they are running a couple of classes that I'm hopefully going to do so that will be fab.

Catch uze all later x

Shimelles Class - Happy

Well I've completed the "Happy" entry for my "You think you know me" book. I decided to cut the large photo of me into 4 sections that lift up individually. I will do some more personal journalling there when I've got more time to think about it.

I had to include a picture of Tony cos he makes me happy, so quite fitting I thought LOL!

Still using more of my precious BG, never thought a craft knife would pass over it but hey, can't keep stroking it can I!!

Shimelle's Class

Well Istarted the class today and made my front and back covers.

Used my beloved BG as well as a few other bits and bobs. Although it took me ages to start this I'm pleased with the end result, I sort of based my idea on Kristi's book as I quite fancy a mish mash sort of look which really reflects me!! Although mine isn't a patch on Kristi's but hey ho!!

I'll probably add some ribbons and the like to the book rings when I've finished but at the moment it is just completely empty.

Arrow chucking and a very late night!

Had a really late night last, didn't go to bed until gone 2am. We went to a darts presentation night for a league that I used to run until this year (scrapping has taken over LOL) and I was asked to present the trophies.

Neither of us really wanted to go but once we got there it was actually great to catch up with people, some we hadn't seen in years, so a good night really.

Tony was entered into the singles competition, not his choice but hey!! Although he was a very good dart player in his day he hasn't played in months and didn't have his own darts so we were all slightly amazed when he beat a pretty good opponent in the opening round. To cut a long story short, he progressed through to the final after numerous rounds and he won - yipee!! I was suitably impressed LOL!

I did the dutiful thing and presented all the trophies but because it was sooo late we had to cancel our cab and ended up getting a lift home with an old friend and his wife. In they came for coffee, hence the 2am bedtime!!

Needless to say I woke up at my customary 5.30 this morning and of course unable to sleep, I've normally got 100 crafting things going on in my head so there was no way I was going back off to sleep.

Anyway, after visiting my mum this morning I did actually manage to finish the ATC's I'd started yesterday, Bubbly Funk's October swap, Black and White! So here is a little example!

I have a few other things I want to look at today but I don't think I'll be too late to bed, yawning already LOL.

Knockan Crag and "The Bell"

This pic is of Knockan Crag in the Scottish Highlands. I haven't altered it in any way, it was as black as black above us but the sun was shining on the mountain in the distance. I hope the camera has captured it well!

As much as I love going on holiday I have really, really missed creating and I was desperate to get back to it today.

The Bubbly Funk Design team challenge this month is to use some Angel blooms in a variety of ways but to use at least a couple in a Christmassy theme so for my first effort I have created this rather wacky bell shaped decoration. I was rather pleased with actually, mind you, it was the 3rd bell shape I had cut. The first 2 were absolute pants!!

I also managed to just about finish my cj entry for posting on Monday, I musn't forget to take pics tomorrow and I've also started my Bubbly Funk October ATC's. Black and White theme so something a bit different.

I've still to study more of Shimelles work book, do some recipe cards and lots of other stuff before I can even think of Christmas. Note to self: Don't sign up for anything else!!!

Talking of Christmas, I so love the brown and golds that are coming out this year but I just musn't buy any more decorations. I have a major passion for Christmas and I have decorations in red, blue, silver, burgundy, gold and I just pick a colour scheme each year. Family even ask me what colour I'm doing so they wrap presents to the right theme!! I just love it when everything coordinates but I do wish they hadn't brought out these gorgeous browns and golds, would go so well in my living room too LOL! Oh well, we'll see!

Back from the Scottish Highlands

Well, all can say is WOW! What an amazing place. We had a bit of changeable weather up there, obviously! It is October after all and on one of the days we kept seeing the most fabulous Rainbows. I managed to get a pic of one.

I have never been to the Scottish Highlands before and I would certainly go again. We stayed in Aultbea, between Gairloch and Ullapool (my sincerest apologies if I have spelt anything wrong).

Now I would say it was pretty remote, the locals didn't seem to think so but when your nearest Tescos is some 70 odd miles away, I'm afraid that is remote to me!

The scenery is absolutely stunning, the sheep are suicidal and the local drivers are completely fearless! but we had an absolutely fab time.

When I'm less tired I will post a few more piccies on here to share :-)

Seez ya soon x 

"Happiness" and "Christmas Folk Art"

Can't believe it's Tuesday already, so apologies my blogging chums, for no entries since Saturday.

A couple of little crafty bits to show you. My altered monogram for Linda's swap on Bubbly Funk, I've never done one before so I've got no idea if it's okay.

Also one of the ATC's for Carolines swap on UKS entitled Christmas Folk Art. Yet another new one on me but I quite like the way this one has come out, I must have a thing about clocks at the mo. Mind you this one doesn't tick.

Talking of ticking, my altered cd clock is still going and it keeps reasonable time so I'm pleased about that.

Ooh, really exciting news too. I've signed up for Shimelle's class that starts mid October, I am so looking forward to it. I really feel I could do with learning more about this scrapping lark so I'm gradually going to build up a collection of books and do these sorts of lessons to get to know as much as I can. I still feel very proud to be on Bubbly Funks design team and I want to do my very best so I'm keen to take new techniques on board.

Anyway, busy time coming up so I'll get back when I can.

Nearly forgot, hee hee, don't forget to wish Caroline of Bubbly Funk a Happy Birthday tomorrow.

HAPPY 40th CAROLINE

Ally Pally

Went to Ally Pally today, so I took a quick pic of some of my purchases - yey!

Had an absolutely brilliant day. Got an early train this morning and then the tube up to Wood Green. Then you either catch the W3 bus or jump on the freeby Palace bus, which we did, even though the W3 would have been free as we'd got one of those Away Day tickets.

Although there was a long queue it soon filed in and there was loads of room inside.

Spent loads of money and could of spent more so we left earlier than expected, otherwise I'd have been applying for a mortgage LOL!

On the way back we stopped off to see the new Emirates Stadium, Arsenal Football Clubs new home. It is awesome, what an amazing place! Of course Tony was giving me the grand commentary on it, and hey, why not. After 6 years of waiting he finally has his season ticket and pleased as punch he is too.

We got back to Victoria Station and had a yummy, but incredibly calorie laden lunch, chicken wrapped in bacon with melted cheddar cheese - YUM YUM YUM! Then back home and now playing with my new stash, all in all a really good day.

Off to play some more LOL!

Altered CD!

Well I finished my cd today. The face of the clock is the cd, I covered this and another circular piece in cardstock and of course, my beloved BG!!

The numbers are just printed up on the computer and embossed and I added a few papermania bits and pieces, chipboards words and threaded a couple of eyelets with fibres and beads.

I bought an old clock in a charity shop for a couple of quid and took of the hands and clock motor (or whatever you call it) and mounted it all into the clock.

It's ticking so that's handy, how well it will keep time is another thing, we'll see.

Really tired today so off to bed soon x

Introducing Rukki!

Bubbly Funks week 3 challenge: What's in YOUR wallet!! Well handbag actually!! And well actually, I don't normally carry one so I settled for a LO of "Rukki" our faithful rucksack that does all the hard work when we're out bless him.

Oh, and get a load of these beauties. Another challenge (on another forum) that I had to complete was to alter something, the wackier the better so tadah!! Altered toe separators, you know, the things you use when you're putting nail varnish on.

Me done for today, still working on my altered cd and the plan is coming together nicely at the mo ;-)

Tagged

Thank you Tracey for the tag.

The rules are: List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets.Tag 5 friends and list them. Then, those people need to write on their blogs about 5 weird things, and state the rules, and tag 5 more people.

Right I am going to tag Caroline, Natalie, Heather, Gaye and Beth (I'm sure some of you may have been tagged before, sorry, but I haven't got that many blogging chums)!!!

Here goes:

1/. My hair is dead straight, not even the slightest kink in it. Even my hairdresser gets apprentices to try and dry a curl in it for a laugh!

2/. I've got small feet for my height apparently (5 ft 8" and size 5 feet).

3/. I had braces on my teeth in my 30's. Decided I couldn't eat properly so something had to be done (cost and arm and a leg mind you)!!

4/. I can't hold the phone to my right ear, just feels strange and I can't hear properly, ooer!

5/. I can move a vein in the back of my hand side to side over a tendon I have there. DH thinks that's weird, I'm used to it.

Some things just look pants uploaded!

This LO actually looks quite pretty IRL but when I uploaded it, it looks absolute pants! Oh well, never mind.

I did this for the Roz and Kirsty monthly BOM prompt. It's actually a 12" x 12" LO and my BOM is 8" x 8" but I was going to put it in an album that will eventually just have random photos of Tony and I.

Having no kids or pets, people as subjects tend to be a bit limited for me but it'll be nice for us to look through when we're old and wrinkly LOL!

I'm in the throws of altering a cd, another first in Di's world of artistry (roll eyes). OOh and the whole evening to myself tomorrow as Tony is off to another footy match, I'm loving his season ticket, yey! 

ATC's

Did some ATC's yesterday. The images come from a crafters companion book but they are just outline images. I printed them out onto some watercolour paper and painted them with some Maestro Craft paints. I then finished them off using gold and silver pens and some glittery gel pens for a bit of interest.

It was nice to get the paints out again, something I used to do a lot of years ago.

Got the day to myself today, Tony's gone to footy but the trains are playing up Yet Again! I think he's getting a bit fed up with British Rail, bless him!

I going to cook a curry later, we have been on this healthy eating trip for weeks now, it's worked because I've lost a stone and back down to my pre "giving up the weed" weight but it is just plain dull so I'll look forward to that later - yum yum, I do love my food.

If I do anything else creative I'll update you all later. 

Another Bubbly Funk Design Team Layout

At last I have uploaded a pic (it has been a right pain even with Picasa)!

I typed a lovely long piece earlier all about this LO but it's been lost twice now so I'm not a happy bunny!!

Anyway, this is another Bubbly Funk Design Team Challenge LO. This time a pic of Tony taken in Cornwall in June when we flaked out in the shade of a tree in bro's paddock.

The title is hand cut, something I have started to find quite theraputic and I did some distressing on this one too, all very enjoyable actually.

"Addicted!"

Well could be to anything really, crisps, peanuts, cheese, muffins (anything that adds 2 inches to my waist). I decided on Stash though, my latest offering for the Bubbly Funk Challenges. I'm a bit late, this is week 2 and we're in week 3 already but, hey, I had to tidy up before I took the pics LOL!

I had to add a small pic of my Basic Grey collection, which, incidentally, is growing but probably because I only stroke it. It breaks my heart to cut into a piece.

Not much time today, stuff to do so going to nip off to Tesco for a couple of bits and then back to the rest of the Chicken Jambalaya I cooked the other day. It is actually quite Yum but a little on the warm side, phewy!!! 

Ribbon Storage

Well my ribbons were a bit of a joke really, didn't know what I had or in what colour, I just kept buying more and shoving them in a box. So I came up with this, it's actually an old laser cartridge box that has the flap over top so I set about covering it with some more of that adorable wrapping paper I'd bought from that posh shop. I virtually took up a whole sheet - eek! but it's just a lovely paper, it has strokeable bits on it if you know what I mean LOL!

Anyway, I made up a sections to go inside similar to the inside of a box that holds 6 bottles of wine, you drinkers amongst you will know what I mean!

I then punched some holes in the top of the box in 3 differents sizes to allow for differing widths of ribbon and voila. Shoved the ribbons in and poked them through the holes.

It's taken me hours but worth it as I now stand a chance of selecting the right ribbon for the job! LOL!

Right, printers finished doing some more pics, off to do a layout.

Catch you all laterz! 

Flying through the backlog!!!

Well, I'm having a good week. I've finished the ATC's for the Bubbly Funk September swap and here they are!!! The theme is "Pets" in case that isn't completely obvious to you LOL!

I also did my entry for the Summertime CJ but I haven't photgraphed it yet so I'll upload another time.

I've decided to sign up for the Altered Monogram swap on BF, I've never done one of those before so it should be quite interesting. Not quite sure what letters we're doing yet, whatever it is though I'll be cutting it out myself so I'd better find an easy font to use.

I haven't done the BF challenges either apart from the first one so I'm going to look at those. I haven't done an actual Layout for a while so I'll enjoy the change.

Went to Brighton yesterday, shopping, it's a fascinating place. I have been there lots of times before but Scrapbooking has made me more Arty Farty and I'm now more aware of the different types of shops. There is an area called "The Laines" and some of the shops along there are totally unique, I could have spent ages in them.

Took mum out shopping this morning and bought some more fab wrapping paper that's similar to the one I used to cover my art journal. And I mislead you all, I thought it was around 70p per sheet but I was completely wrong, it was £1.75 a sheet - EEK! Now I know why I only bought a couple of sheets.

Off to prepare chilli con carne for dinner and share a couple of bevvies with the old man while we cook. Always a good time for a great chin wag. 

Bubbly Funk Design Team Challenge

Well Caroline sent through some lovely Hippie Chick papers and BG Ribbon and this is my first ever Design Team Challenge. :-)

I'm really quite please with the result as I don't normally work with such bright colours but I had some pictures of a Horse Fancy Dress that I ran over 20 years ago - eek and they seemed to fit the bill.

I decided on a mini book to accomodate all the photos, I even dragged the sewing machine out of the corner to include a bit of stitching.I was a bit nervous about it so I hope it's okay, I've still got some papers left so I'll see what I can do with those for the rest of the paper.
















I'm now working on some ATC's for the September Bubbly Funk swap and I haven't even looked at their weekly challenge yet!! I've also still got an entry for a CJ to do yet (got another week and a half for that) so it's nice to be really busy with things to do. Just a shame work keeps getting in the way, I could quite easily scrap all day. Oh well never mind.

Anyway, talking of work, I MUST do some, hopefully back to the nicer things later.

"Simply Him"

Completed another LO of Tony this morning. It looks a bit wishy washy on here but the colours are a little brighter than this in real life. I was pleased with this one and it didn't seem to take forever to do so perhaps I'm getting better at this scrapping lark!!

Got the Design Team kit from Caroline yesterday, well, it is just fab. Lovely bright colours, brighter than I would normally use but good for me to be faced with the challenge.

I've got quite a few ideas that I'm playing around with and a some pics that I've scanned that I think will go well with these papers.

It was a nice surprise to see one of my blogging buddies had popped in and left a comment today, "I will swap to Beta, I promise, hun"

Looking forward to the weekend as ever, going to take mum shopping tomorrow and then back later to settle down to some scrapping (surprise, surprise) cos Tony's off to footy, yippee - good job he doesn't read my blog LOL!!

Ooh, while I remember, got some great coasters in Tesco today. 4 hard backed coasters in a little sturdy box, absolutely fab for altering, for £1.49 - bargain!!

Off to play with some 20 year old pics, see what I can do with them LOL!! 

Yet another new project!!!

Right, I've covered my Art Journal. Quite pleased with it actually, the paper is gorgeous. It's wrapping paper from a posh shop in town. I only bought 2 different sheets (from memory, about 70p per sheet) but I'm going to try and get back there to buy some more, it's lovely quality.

When I actually start the inside is another matter. I've been looking for inspiration on the net and I've found a few sites that I quite like. I guess I've always been slightly arty so I think I'll enjoy being able to let go with paints and pencils and stuff.

I'm not entirely sure what way to go on theme either. Alot of people tend to do a journal on their innermost feelings but I kind of want this to be cheery and bright so I may go on a theme, maybe holidays or happy snippets of my daily life. I'm not sure I'm ready to expose the inner me to anyone just yet LOL!!

Sorry I promised canine pics didn't I!! Yes I took a few so I'll stick one in here somewhere. I must also get around to converting to beta blogger, I might have a look at that later as everyone seems to be going that way (and I miss a blogging buddies little ditties on here too).

Oooh, and I'm looking forward to getting my first Design Team pack, it's very exciting but also a bit nerve wracking, I hope I'm ready for the challenge :-)

Right, I'll go and see if I can sort out a pic or 2 of a woofer.


Here's Adam, he's just retired and our friends are going to be having him in 3 weeks time. Don't let the grey chops fool you, he's only 5!!

Don't try this at home!!!!!!!!!

This is what happens when you try to smile for the camera whilst attempting to stop your wrinkles from showing at the same time!!!!!!!! You end up looking like a deformed frog!!

I'm having a bit of "My God, I'm 42" paranoia and I've got to the stage where I'm convinced that the wrinkles round my eyes are doubling daily!

I've now taken to avoiding mirrors at all costs, it's just a bit tricky when you're putting your make up on!

It's a good thing I'm a bit of a hermit and don't actually go out much. Of course, there is a big disadvantage to that because my friends only see me once in a blue moon so the next time they cross my path I'll just be one huge mass of wrinkles LOL!

Anyway, enjoying scrapping at the mo, Tony's been out for the last 2 days so no interruptions. I've started and finished the cj entry I had to do by Monday but I already have the next one as Jilly had to send early. She is such a hard act to follow in the cj's, her entries are always sooo good, I've had to work extra hard on my entries just to try and keep up the fabby standard.

I've started a LO for the Bubbly Funk weekly challenge "Call the Fashion Police", I've managed to find the most awful school and teenager pics of me that I possibly can. One is particularly bad, lets just say it involves a swimming costume, green swimming hat and a pair of black elasticated plimsoles! Do you remember black plimsoles - yuk!! Anyway, it's going to be another addition to my BOM, as if anyone would want to look at those pics, but hey, never mind!

Right, that's it from me, off to the dogs tomorrow so might have some canine pics to put up.