Blog Giveaway ....

Click on the link HERE, for a fantastic blog giveaway !

Busy busy busy .... and UNITY

For some reason, I have had a crafting splurge ... anyway here goes ... everything used including the stamps etc. are from the fabby Sarahscards HERE

Anyway .... off we go ... a couple of layouts of Jack Jnr. just after the 'just chilling' layout, he ate all 6 cushions !!! BOBL !!! The one of me was taken in France at Christmas and turned into black and white in Adobe.

Anyway, not a lot to add .... except to say, have you checked out UNITY lately ? Angela has the most fabby sale on this weekend, and all the 'Tree' stamps and nature stamps have got a huge percentage off them in honour of Earth Day - AND - there's other bundle offers as well ... so what ya waiting for ... ???

++ For 'S' ++

RIP :(

New Layouts

Made these two layouts using the lush new Pink Shoebox papers (etc. etc.) from Sarahscards HERE

These papers are fab, and they really really mix well together. I love em !

Good Luck Monica ..... (stampin up candy)

With the new Stampin Up challenge blog - I'm sure it will be a great success xxxxxxxx

By the way, if anyone is reading this ... if you hop on over to STAMP WITH US there is a heap of stampin up candy being offered (above). xxxxxxx

I don't believe I'm doing this .........

The wonderfully funny-but-slightly-demented Dyan from Art from the Heart tagged me from her blog ..... The idea being I had to take a photo of myself there and then. No brushing of hair or touching up of anything. Result - one photo taken of me at 6.30am this morning !!! *insert shocked smiley* NOW people know why I won't leave the house until I have my eyeliner and mascara on !!!

I now have to tag a few peeps ..... erm erm .... back in 2 ......

The lovely Maggie, who currently has some beautiful photographs of culzean castle on her blog, which just happens to be my most favourite place in the whole world. Its a great place to repair broken hearts. Maggie's blog is HERE

Secondly, the fantastically talented LISA Hetrick ... please spend a second looking at her fabulous work.

Thirdly, the lovely Julie aka scrappydandydo ... HERE

Fourthly, the gorgeous Gwyneth .. I love this woman to death. I reckon she's a trendy young hip-hoppy-type-gal-in-the-disguise-of-a-pensioner .... she's amazing, she does the most amazing work, and she is mad as a bloody hatter ! I love her !

Wedding Present Canvases

I painted this set of three canvases for my brothers wedding present. He did commission me to do a painting for him, but I figured these would be more appropriate. Each canvas is 3'x2' and are a lot larger than they look on the photo - click to enlarge it.

I must explain that he lives in a traditional French house, and these are (obviously) designed to go in his kitchen.

They were made by first priming the canvases. I then used a selection of medium to form a collage background (newspapers, paper tissue, cardboard). The canvases then were given another priming, and the vegetables roughly drawn on the canvas. I then dabbed on the background using a rough green and yellow cleaning sponge with different shades of green and yellow acrylic paints (mainly Claudine Hellmuth - her fabby blog is HERE ). I built up the layers over a few days. I then started on the vegetables themselves, again building up the layers.

I must state at this point, that I received help from our Head of Art Elaine who helped me build up the layers. I always want to go for pretty, but with this type of artwork, you need to use a 'flowy' painting technique. She also helped me with the lighting and shading, making sure I really made the vegetables 'pop' by using charcoal.

The completed canvases were given a final layer of glaze so that the charcoal wouldn't rub off.

I know these aren't to everyone's taste, but I don't think they're too bad for my first canvases !

Amazing ... and I mean amazing Weekend ... at

Art from the Heart !!! OMG it was amazing. I have learnt 40+ techniques using paints, inks, gel medium, gesso, the FAB FAB FAB Claudine Hellmuth paints (which are to die for) and the most amazing alternative for H20s/Pearl-ex/Pearl etc.... the Blonde Moments Minasie Pearl Pigments - wow, the effect they give is amazing.

Need to check with Dyan, but if its ok, I'll put some sample tags on my blog over the next few days.

Dyan is the most amazing teacher. You are on the go the whole time, and all the while, Dyan is giving you hints and tips in an easy to understand manner. I really did think I knew 'quite a bit' about inks and paints - but honestly, hand on heart, I knew nothing. This woman is a mine of information. What she doesn't know about these mediums isn't worth knowing. I was so impressed ... and if I am truthful - totally in awe.

Dyan isn't just a damn good teacher though, the inspiration all around the walls of her studio is breathtaking. Works of art are hung everywhere. Altered books of every type and description are on bookshelves all over. Cards and layouts are displayed everywhere ... and where there is space, the most amazing canvases you will ever see. It really is just like walking into a true artists workshop.

I am buzzing and feel fresh. I can wholeheartedly recommend these classes and workshops ... why not have a look at the up and coming classes HERE For me, this weekend of techniques although tiring, was worth every single penny ..... I have done a bit of begging for another weekend of techniques, so keep your eyes peeled.

On the off chance that you ever pop on here Dy .... thank you, you truly are an inspiration to us crafters..... and Jane - thanks for the wonderful hospitality - i've had a fabby time !!!!

Crop, Layouts etc..

I was at the fabby Warrington crop on Sunday. I love this crop so much, and there is always a scrum to get on the list for the following month - it is so worth the effort. Sarah and Lianne put so much effort into each crop, and it shows. We're all served drinks and goodies during the morning. Lunch is made for us, and then we get more drinks and pastries etc during the afternoon. No worrying about anything. We're just expected to scrap and enjoy ourselves, which we do by the bucket load. Perfect day eh ?!!

I can't remember all the papers etc... that I used on the above layouts, but some are from the new 3 Bugs ranges, and some are the new Pink Paislee papers together with embellishments from the same ranges - all from the fabby Sarahscards.

The adorable CathyC very kindly gave me some photos of her equally adorable granchildren (again) to scrap. Don't you think Olivia is sooooooooo photogenic ??

Talking of stash - I've been having a sort out. I'm starting a craft group at the local Community Centre near where I work, and decided I'd have a good sort out to help get us started, as we are literally trying to start the group with zero stash.

(Incidentally, if anyone has any stash of any description from papers to peel-offs, I will gratefully take it off your hands ....... please email me or PM me via UKS/SCS )

Anyway, it really got me thinking ... how do people use all their stash. If you buy a kit, do you just do one or two layouts and then put the kit away ? OR, do you use the whole kit straight away ? I've decided to challenge myself and use my kits to make layouts (maybe 2 or 3), then make cards with the leftovers ... and then, if there is anything left, to make ATCs or inchies until the whole lot has gone ! Does anyone else do this ?

OR - how about when you buy a new range of papers, but you have strips or whole sheets left that weren't quite right ... what about swapping with someone else to try something different ? Would it work ? These are just random thoughts, but I wonder if it could work with small groups .....

*goes off wondering and muttering*

Couple of Layouts

...... I 'borrowed' these fabby photos from CathyC of her gorgeous grandchildren. I love scrapping them as they're the most adorable beautiful babies.

'

The first layout of Henry is using MME papers from Sarahscards (which are in her HUGE sale) together with AC thickers, 7gypsies paperclip, Jenni Bowlin embellies, Adornit mini-alphas and a few other bits and bobs.

The second layout of Olivia is using the newly released lush Pebbles Inc. Downtown papers from Sarahscards. The alphabet is AC thickers, the background card is also newly released, but is from the Kraft range by Jillibean Soup, and the few embellies are K&Co cute as a bug.

Hope everyone reading is safe and well. Thanks for dropping in. Hugs xxxxxxxxx

Unity Wednesday Challenge

This weeks challenge was set by Lori - she explains here ....

Here's my idea for the 2/11 challenge. I'd bet that this week and next, lots of people are helping their kids get ready to celebrate Valentine's Day at school. Most of these events involve the little store bought cards that are about ATC size with a cute image and a coordinating short, funny/catchy saying. For this week's challenge, come up with a tiny Valentine along these lines--one image, bright and colorful, Valentine-ish sentiment. Maybe you'll even be inspired to make some for your kids to exchange with their friends . . .
I'm attaching a printable sample of the kind of cards I'm thinking about in case anyone is unfamiliar with them. As a kindergarten teacher, I'm much more familiar with these little things than I care to be . . .
http://www.kidsturncentral.com/holidays/valentines/vpcards.htm

Soooooooooooo I used red bazzill cardstock and rhonna farrer merry & bright papers - together with a new release Unity stamp called Boom Goes My Heart - so cute !!!

Will defo, defo, defo promise to start uploading photos from France .... and ... some fabby new papers from CHA !!!

Have a lovely week everyone xxxxxxxxx

Unity Wednesday Challenge

YAY !!! I'm back into the fold .... and this weeks challenge was set by me !!

Make a valentine card using a stamp you wouldn't usually use, use ribbon and buttons. I've just remembered that I haven't used buttons - oh poo and pants !

Papers are the new Pebblesinc that have just been released at CHA and are the Downtown range, and will shortly be in the UK via http://www.sarahscards.co.uk/. Stamps - are obviously Unity - yay !!!! Don't forget to check out the Unity Hip Hop on Thursday.

Catch y'all soon with photos from France - and some exciting news !

Happy New Year ....

Well, these are a couple of layouts for Scrappydos design team using 7 gypsies products, and lots of other added embellishments etc.

Happy New Year to everyone who calls in, I hope 2009 is kind to you and yours.

Well, we had a fantastic time in the South of France with my twin brother and his fiancee. We went to some fantastic places, and had a real hoot !! I'll post some photographs in a couple of days once I've had time to download em and sort them all out - last count there was over 300, but a load of them were rubbish. Thankfully, the ones of Father Christmas arriving on an iceberg into St Tropez harbour have turned, which considering the crowds of people, i'm most surprised about !!

Jeez - was it expensive there .. *insert shocked smiley* £27 for 4 coffees, 1 tea and coke !!

Anyway, it was all worth it, and a good time was had by everybody !

Oh, oh, oh ... did I mention that my brothers friends live next door to Johnny Depp ??? Whilst visiting Lisa and Evan, I excused myself to go for a cigarette and tried to crawl through the hedge - but it was too thick, so I tried to peep through, but the hedge was too thick ... so I climbed onto the roof of the pool room and slid off ... damned security grease ... In the end, the dogs gave me away by barking - little sods ... but hey=ho .. I can claim that I attempted to crawl through Johnny Depps hedge. Is this really the rational behaviour of a grown woman ??? Does it matter - its Johnny Depp !!!!!

Apparently he's there this week - now THATS sods law !

More photos to follow ................

Award, Mags & Going Away ....

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

This lovely award was given to me from Toni, and I am so delighted to be given it from someone so very special xxx

I will pass it on when I get back from my Christmas holiday.

Talking of holidays .... We are all off to the South of France to spend Christmas with my twin brother and his fiancee. It will be the first time in 7 years, that we have all been together as a family for Christmas, and I am soooo looking forward to going. I love the South of France .. its such a beautiful area of the Country,partcularly where Colin and Del live. They live in a traditional French village with a really cute village square which has a pond and the obligatory boulles square, surrounded by tiny little shops. We will be attending the Christmas Eve Mass procession through the village and up to the church with the locals who will all be bearing lit candles - it really is a stunning event. While there we will be ski-ing and ice skating, and maybe a bit of snowboarding *insert shocked smiley* so please think of me and hope that nothing untoward gets broken !!!

Oh, just a quick mention that I was extremely privileged to have two layouts published in Scrapbook Inspirations this month - my first ever - yay !!! I'll scan a photo of the pages when I get back !

I'd just like to wish everyone who comes to visit this blog, a very merry, happy christmas whatever you are doing, and whatever your 'faith' is or isn't. xxxxxxxxxx

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow .....

... yay !!! We have snow !

I woke up to the normal sound of Jack Jnr crying and scratching for one of us to come down and see to him ... so I dragged myself down he stairs. Peeped out of the landing window - and there it was - snow !! Heaps and heaps of it - yay !!!! I tentatively opened the back door and Jack flew out ... oh my god, did he love the snow .... he was leaping and jumping at the snow flakes and chasing the flurries of snow - sooooooo funny ! Downside was that he didn't want to come back in :( so after much shaking of doggy biscuits, he finally gave in, and came back in for a warm.

Its quite amusing how a flurry of snow brings everything in the UK to a stand still. What is normally a 5 minutes drive to my school, turned into a 45 minutes nightmare journey of skidding and skating all over the place. There was therefore no way that Stewart could have driven the extra distance to Aaron's school, so it was a day off for Aaron.

When I eventually arrived at school, there were very few staff who had managed to make the drive, so our school was closed for the day and I was sent home early - yay !!!!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the photographs of Jack at approx 6.30am this morning and then later on this afternoon on the green outside our house.... happy snow everyone !

Want some candy ???

............... My friend Jo (madhattermillie) is giving away some blog candy HERE. There's some amazing Stampin Up ribbon (which is truly brilliant quality - and the colours are lush, lush, lush) together with some 3x3 notelets and envies.

Her creations are stunning - so why not pop along and have a nosy at her work and pick up some inspiration...

My Unity Customer Challenge

.......... in order to recognise Aaron's 13th Birthday this weekend, you must use the colours red and white. AND ... in recognition of my American friends celebrating Thanksgiving, the card must have a 'thankful' theme.

The above is the card I produced.

Recipe: Bazzill Kraft cardstock, Anna Griffin papers, Dewdrops and most importantly - Unity September and November monthly stamp kits.

Wishing all my American friends a happy Thanksgiving xxxxxxxxxx

I'm back ..... and Unity Customer Challenge

After heaps of PC problems, caused by a certain almost-13-year-old, I have a new PC with Vista - so I'm still finding my way around ... hence my lack of postings.

Major apologies to those lovely people who regularly pop on for a visit, and who have either emailed, PMd me or spoke to me - I'm fine honest !

Anyway, this weeks Unity challenge was to take inspiration from the plates above. Hopefully, you will think my effort is appropriate.

I used K&Co Amy Butler papers, with the individual quote stamp from Unity, and the butterflies from the September Unity Kit of the month. Oh, and heaps and heaps of Jo Sonja's Opal Dust !!

Come back soon - hysterical photos of Jack coming shortly ...and maybe some more pieces of my work that I can show off ..... some has to stay hidden for now due to the Secret Santa Advent Swap on UKS .......

7th Unity Customer Challenge ........

......... and the challenge was set by Jess. We were asked to make a card any shape that we wanted, but NOT A2 size ... Please support the other girls by visiting their blogs - links are on the left.

Don't forget to join the Unity Thursday Hip Hop fun ... with heaps of prizes from Unity and lots of fun - go to Splitcoaststampers and click onto the Unity forum ... you'll find us all there ! Any new customers to Unity who order stamps tomorrow valued at $15 or more, will get the single So&So AND *all* orders to the value of $30 or more will receive a free single stamp OF YOUR CHOICE.

Recipe:- Paper/card - Tinkering Ink, Bazill. Stamp Set(s):- Dogstooth background Stamp, and Flaunt it set (not the right name, but can't access stamps at the moment). Inks:- Stazon, colorbox chalks .. and lastly, fabby Dewdrops !

Thanks for popping by xxxxxxx

24-hour Pink Booby Crop .....

....... well it was the annual 24-hour Pink Booby Crop @ Golbourne, and laughter and merriment were the order of the day ......... oh, and some scrapping and crafting ! Thanks go to the fabby Sonja, Nina and Ali for organising the whole day and for keeping us fed and watered.

Thanks also go to everyone for being such a fab crowd of the most talented girls I know. The work on display was incredible - particularly, the 'booby' layouts - brill, brill, brill.

Above are a few layouts that I managed to work on and the other 'projects' will be ready shortly. The last layout was done for Jayne, and she is going to add her own journalling.

If you are reading this ... please remember to check your 'boobs' - its better to be safe than sorry xxxxx