Busy..busy..Be-freakin'-USY

Actually, busy doesn't even begin to describe the last couple of days - ugh, I didn't even get the time to work on my March 2010 Summary yet. Well, I guess I still have 20 more days to get it done before April is due...gnaaaaaah.

Aaaaaanyways - this is going to be a sort of picture heavy post as I have scrapped quite a bit but didn't get the time to blog all about it so far. Better get started now then, hu?

First off, is my take on the recent {{ 2 Sketches 4 You }} challenge. That {{ Robot }} stole my heart and I simply cannot stop using him *swoon*

** click on images to enlarge **

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: My Mind's Eye
Stickers: October Afternoon; Making Memories
Stamp: Robo Heart - Some Odd Girl
Tools: Border Punch - Martha Stewart; Promarkers

Then there is the latest challenge at {{ I Love Promarkers }} where the only requirement was to showcase animal/s. What better way than to do that with my friend {{ Owlie }}. He was ho{o}vering on my desk for well over a month now, waiting to be used...eh voila!

** click on images to enlarge **

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: My Mind's Eye
Stickers: Making Memories
Stamp: Owlie - Some Odd Girl
Tools: Border Punch - Fiskars, EK Success; Circle Punch - Woodware; Promarkers


And then I just created a layout for the sheer heck of it - because I am loving monster images a lot right now. Getting {{ Bulz }} and previous Freebie Spike to work together, was just a given for this cute picture of my nephew and niece. They look like wee monsters, don't they?
I also used the contents of the {{ March Mega Muse }} - I still have so much left from that gorgeous Kit...

** click on images to enlarge **

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: My Mind's Eye; Scribble Scrabble
Stickers: Rusty Pickle; October Afternoon
Stamps: Bulz, Spike - Some Odd Girl


Speaking of the {{ ScrapMuse }} Kit - the April Mega Muse is now up {{ here }}. A must have for those who love {{ Cosmo Cricket }} and {{ Sassafras Lass }} - I reserved my Kit allright and cannot wait for it to hit my doorstep!



Okay, so that's it for now but I will be back shortly with a re-cap of Mr P's 40th birthday

A birthday weekend to remember

Wow, that was a wicked birthday weekend for me and to think that we are doing it all again in a couple of days time when Mr P (aka Lyndon) is celebrating his 40th...but let's not get ahead of the times and reflect on the last couple of days.

 ** picture taken with mobile phone - hence poor quality **

I took Friday off, so we could start our pub-crawl through {{ newport }} and {{ cowes }} in the early afternoon - well, at least that way we could be sure to get good spots in the pubs, rather than wait until the evening when everything is jam-packed. The whole day was on the generous Mr P as part of a birthday present to me. We really don't do presents these days, so it was a nice gesture to celebrate in such a fashion.

Apparently, I am also going out with a celebrity....well, who'd knew?!!? We combined my day off with Mr P getting new glasses as he wanted my opinion on the style of glasses he was going to get. So, the optician said to him "you look like a celebrity", which cracked Mr P up to no end...shame, she didn't specify which celebrity she was thinking of...

** pictures taken with mobile phone - hence poor quality ** 

Anyhoo, Mr P got his celebrity-glasses sorted out and we went on to get some fish'n'chips. I haven't had those for ages and let me tell you the ones we got were the best I have eaten in a LONG time. After that we went to the first Pub {{ the Hogs Head }} which has the silliest prices around. We got two pints of Beck's Vier for £4.80...yah, that is like dirt cheap!!!

Our next stops were {{ The Crispin }}, which I really don't like too much and our favourite {{ The Castle Inn }} which sells some yummy Wheatbeer.

** pictures taken with mobile phone - hence poor quality ** 

Then it was back to Cowes to pop in a few pubs along the way home - well, it would be rude not to, right? The plan was to get a chinese takeaway from our local {{ Jade Garden }}, but once we got there I was determined that only a pizza would do - so that's what we ended up with.

We listened to {{ Madness }}, had our Pizza's and many, many laughs - it was a great birthday treat for me!

And, we did get our chinese in the end, because on Saturday I found out that I was really REALLY stupid over the last two months and paid my credit card bills, when in fact they were actually CREDIT notes....d'uh! So, I had quite a big whack of money I didn't expect - of course that warranted some form of celebration, right?

Before I go, let me quickly share my layout for the recent {{ Gutter Girlz }} challenge. Check out their blog for the deeds - which were so very fitting for this picture of me struggling up one of our hills on the way towards {{ Ventnor }}. Again, I used the recent {{ Scrapmuse Kit }} to create the layout.

** click on image to enlarge **

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: My Minds Eye, Scribble Scrabble
Other: Cosmic Shimmer; Journaling Pens; Buttons; Stickers - Rusty Pickle
Tools: Border Punch - Fiskars Sunburst

Scrapmuse - March DT reveal

In case you did not find the time to hop over to the ScrapMuse {{ Gallery }} to check out all the wonderful creations by the DT, here is the skinny on the projects I created with the {{ March Mega Muse }}

** click on any of the images to see them enlarged **

If you still want to grab yourself a Kit - head over {{ here }}.

Scrapmuse - March DT

I had so much fun working with the {{ Mega Muse }} Kit for March 2010 - and I am nowhere near done yet either...I know I keep saying it over and over, but it is true -> these Kits are so JAM-packed with stash, that you can easily create 4 layouts, 2 cards and still have enough product left over to do the same again. I am SO not kidding you.

When I first had the papers in my hands (we are talking mainly My Minds Eye here, ya know) I shrieked (honestly I totally DID) with delight, because I fell in love with the funky brolly papers straight away. 

For those of you who don't speak British-English -> brolly = umbrella 

*giggles*

You now what really bugs me? When peeps post sneaks of their projects and tell you to go some place else to view the thing in full...guess what? It bugs me so much that I am doing the same to you now  

*nernernernerner*

Here is what I have created so far from the Kit, in a nutshell:

** click on any of the images to enlarge **

But, if you want to see it in full right now - have a looksey {{ here }}. The ScrapMuse gallery is hummin' with screen-lickin' projects.

And then there is the BIG blog-challenge-kick-off over at {{ Some Odd Girl }} on 25 March 2010. You just HAVE to be there and check out the 36 (yes, I DID say thirty-six!!!!) brand new releases. If you love Sassafras Lass and Bam Pop (remember them?), then you will ADORE Kristy's digi stamps - I certainly cannot get enough of them. And as a further mean tease, have another sneak on me....can you guess what this image may be? Post your guess below no later than 24 March 2010 and if you get it right - you will win a little crafty sumthin'

And before I go - do you love handcrafted goodies? Are you located in the UK? Then check out this {{ Swap }} the uber talented {{ Claire }} has started. We need a few more takers to get an even number - it will be super fun, so come and join us!

ScrapMuse - March Mega Muse now available

I cannot wait to get stuck in with this wonderful Kit. Jam-packed with CHA releases from My Minds Eye and Scribble Scrabble...everyone who knows me, can visualise me drooling at the thought of MME lushness...

In all honesty, I do expect this Kit to sell out fast, just look at the ingredients list:

Scribble Scrabble - Nanas Trunk - No. 351
Scribble Scrabble - Nanas Trunk - No. 352
Scribble Scrabble - Nanas Trunk - No. 353
Scribble Scrabble - Nanas Trunk - No. 354
Scribble Scrabble - Nanas Trunk - No. 355
Scribble Scrabble - Nanas Trunk - No. 356
MME- Jack and Jill - Favor ite Thing Colorful Umbrella
MME - Jack and Jill - Favorite Thing Bright Argyle
MME - Jack and Jill - Sweet Thing Yummy Stripe
MME - Jack and Jill - Life is Good Serene Spots
MME - Jack and Jill - Cute Beautiful Blooms
MME - Life Stories - Frequency Grid
MME - Jack and Jill - Cute Title*
MME - Jack and Jill - Cute Alphabet
MME - Jack and Jill - How Sweet it is Journaling Card
MME - Life Stories - Accessory Sheet #1
Endofthedaycrafting(Etsy) - Baker's Twine Blue (2 feet)*
Endofthedaycrafting(Etsy) - Baker's Twine Red (2 feet)*
Basic Grey - Nook and Pantry - Buttons (assorted)
Prima Marking - Daisy Dreams - Lagoon (1/2 package)*
May Arts - Velvet Cordoroy - Aqua (1 yard)
October Afternoon - Mini Market Alphabet Stickers - Very Merry Teal and Black*
ScrapMuse - Kraft Tags (4)*
JujaCrafts(Etsy) - Organza Flowers (2)
Candy Bar

So, if that sounds like your cup of tea >> RUN to the {{ store }}. Remember last time when I urged you to get the {{ Space Cowboy Kit }}?? Yep, that one sold out quickly too - if you are still kicking yourself because you did not get the SC Kit in time, make sure it doesn't happen this month.

Stay tuned for some layout and card inspo to follow soon.

The Tooth Fairy...passed me by

The last two days were spent in quite some discomfort - for the last couple of years I have been trying desperately to register with a National Health Dentist, which is something I am so not used to from the health Services in Germany. There, you just went to any dentist you liked and got treatment when you needed it and not when it would fit within the yearlong waiting list.

So, due to me not being financially able to afford the extortionate private health care, I basically have to wait until either my teeth fall out, break off or until I am no longer able to control any pain with self medication, then I MAY get an emergency appointment (great health service, hu?). Monday morning one of my fillings fell out - just like that, I did not even eat anything that would warrant the filling to go. Yesterday I got my emergency appointment with the same clinic I had been to in 2008 for emergency treatment and to my "joy" I was told that "there is no way we can do a filling here again - the tooth is too brittle. It needs to be pulled"

Say WHAT????? Holy shit, what is it with dentists in this country - they don't really believe in preserving your dental work - they just rip it out and hope they make they big bucks when you have to go back to them for dentures...sheesh! The pulled a tooth in 2008 on my left jaw side, now the pulled a tooth on my right jaw side. Give me two more years and I will have to feed through a straw.

Well, I would like to think that the dentist was honest when he said the tooth was brittle and not save able but I would dispute this statement slightly when I recall the strength he had to muscle up in order to get that sucker out. Seriously, that was one of the most evil things I had to endure for a long time. He tried to break parts of the tooth in order to get to the other bit to pull it out but had to drill it down in the end because my oh so "brittle" tooth refused to give way...he was leaning on my lower jaw, his nurse had to hold my head in place when he was wiggling the pulling tool from side to side and through all of this I had to listen to all the cracking and creaking noised that were going on...nice.

After half an hour of pulling, pushing, prodding, drilling the dentist had to give me another injection (number three!!!) as the area was so sore that I was in quite some pain. But, in all honesty, the dentist itself he was really friendly and considerate - he always stopped immediately when I indicated that something was uncomfortable and looked at other ways to get to the tooth. Nevertheless, I am feeling a wee bit sorry for myself now....and to know that I have a cavity on the top right doesn't make me any happier. Unless my registration with an NHS dentist is approved there is nothing I can do about it but wait until the pain becomes unbearable and try the emergency helpline again. Shall we take bets already that the tooth will be pulled in the end?

So yeah, you can probably tell I am feeling really great right now - lost a tooth and the flippin' tooth fairy didn't even show her azz around here *pouts*

I decided to work from home today has my jaw is so sore and I would have just not been able to talk to anyone over the phone. At least I got quite some stuff done - AND it gave me a moment to update my blog too - yay :)

And while I am in a posting mood, here is a layout I created for one of the challenges posted over on {{ScrapMuse}} during our February Spread The Love Contest. We were asked to take inspiration from this ad:

And this is what I came up with...

**click on the image to enlarge**

Ingredients:

Papers: My Minds Eye

Heart Shape: Cut with Cricut from a scrap piece of kraft paper

Stickers: Rusty Pickle, Bella Blvd

Other: Paint; Bubblewrap; Twine; Star Punch

I *heart* ad-challenges because like no other they really leave you room for interpretation. Do you like a certain colour, a particular element, the font, the subject? As soon as I saw this ad I knew I wanted to use the Russian writing as my inspiration. The picture of Lyndon in front of the T34 tank has been sitting on my scrap table for about four years now and I lacked the idea on how to approach it. The ad gave me the kick up the wotsits that I needed.

ScrapMuse Bloghop Spread The Love

Welcome to the "Spread The Love" blog hop for ScrapMuse

You are at the very beginning of our blog hop.Take the time to leave some love on each design team members blog post for the blog and once you have visited (and commented on) all blogs, leave a comment on the ScrapMuse blog to let us know about it.

Here is our blog rotation for this evening

1. Kimmy >>> that's me - you are already here :)

2. Ruth

3. Valerie

4. Deanna

5. Teresa

6. Holly

7. Berta

8. Missy

9. Janet

10. Chiqui

11. Pauline

12. Kristy

13. Janelle

14. ScrapMuse blog

ScrapMuse is a mid-month kit club which will soon be celebrating their 6th year of offering kits that feature all the latest and greatest scrapbooking companies such as Basic Grey, Pink Paislee, Prima Marketing, Fancy Pants Designs, Jillibean Soup and so much more! ScrapMuse publishes a monthly newsletter featuring great technique articles, inspiring layouts and fun tips. At the ScrapMuse website you will find an active, friendly message board and gallery.

For information about ScrapMuse’s monthly schedule, including kit reveal, shipping, payment dates, and to sign up for the monthly ScrapMuse kit, please visit the Join Us page or email melissa@scrapmuse.com. Three and Six month prepaid subscriptions are available now in the store. All memberships and subscriptions will begin with the March 2010 kit.

I know that there are many cardmakers out there, who always feel a little left out when it comes to Monthly Kits. Personally I think that ScrapMuse fills this void - as their Kits are so chuck-full of gorgeousness that it would be rather more difficult NOT the create cards from it.

You will always find oodles of embellishments with your ScrapMuse Kits, which allows for some real quick cards to be made. My favourite card made with the December Specialty Kit FAMILY TIMES, is this one:

It took all but five minutes to get this critter done - the Chipboard shapes really help in getting a quick card ready when you are stuck for time.

The same pretty much applies to one of my favourite cards made with the January Specialty Kit SPACE COWBOY.

Isn't he fun?? And again totally quick to do as the robot was just cut from the paper and spruced up with some of the stickers supplied with the Kit. 

You can still order the Family Times Kit but Space Cowboy is sold out (see, you should have listened to me and bought it when I first showed ya!)

Now, please hop over to Ruth to catch more fun ideas on how to use your ScrapMuse Kit. *** Please note that due to some scheduling issues, my post is one day early - so please hop over to Ruth on the 15th of February ***

Thank you for visiting us all today, we hope to see you on our Forum and have you join the fun of our month-long celebration of Love and ScrapMuse

Spread the Love - Scrapmuse Contest

When you think of February you think of LOVE! At ScrapMuse we are going to dedicate the month of February to spreading the love.

"Spread the Love" will be a month long contest held on the ScrapMuse message board. We are going to spend the first 5 days of February getting everything ready for you. You will have the rest of the month to earn points by spreading the love about Scrapmuse, participating in weekly challenges, joining our Blog Hop, and posting on the message board.

Since the contest is all about love.....there will also be random "love" points handed out! You will find a complete list of rules and ways to earn points on February 5th in the "Spread the Love" section of the message board. The grand prize for the scrapper with the most "love" at the end of the month will be a Brand New March 2010 Mega Muse and a July 2009 Mega Muse. We will also select a second place winner from a random drawing who will win a March, 2010 Mini Muse.

Scrapmuse - January DT - PT II

Who would have thought that even though mojo is still giving me a hard time, she returned shortly to allow my create another layout from the recent SCRAPMUSE Specialty Kit Space Cowboy.

**click on image to view enlarged **

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: Bella Blvd
Stickers: Bella Blvd; Sassafras Lass
Cosmic Shimmer: Midnight Blue, Lava Red

There are still a few Kits left if you are quick - you can order them HERE

Scrapmuse - January DT - PT I

Wow - that must have been the LONGEST wait I ever had to receive a DT Kit delivered. It took almost a whole month to get to me...sheesh. But in fairness, what with the weather totally bringing this country to a standstill, I am lucky that it arrived after all.

So, you wanna see what I got to play with this month?

Is it a plane ?

Is it a bird ??

Oh no, no, no - it is the SPACE COWBOY Kit

A plethora of scrummy Sassafras Lass and Bella Blvd had me in creative overload. Three layouts and two cards later and I am nowhere near done.

 

It would be great if you come join us in the FORUM to see the step-by-step instructions by the DT and have a laugh with us all.

2009 - A Reflection

So, with 2009 almost out of the door, what where the highs (and lows) for me this year?
I pretty much to the same thing day after day, month after month - so there was not that much excitement to be had.

As for the lows, I guess the main one was the attitude of people in general and how it changed. Working in customer services, I found that people were more willing to verbally abuse you if they didn't get what they wanted, waving the "but it's a recessions you know, you should be grateful I am still your customer" in your face. It got to me (and my colleagues) during the year - there is only so much shit you can take...and it is usually the customers who have no grounds that swear, shout and rant at you. The ones who have a good case, are generally the nicer ones...go figure.

Other than that - I was a pretty darn lucky chick during 2009.

I lost 3stone in weight within 10 months (this is the healthiest way, as you are more likely to keep weight off if you loose it steady) and slimmed and toned my body down from a UK size 16 (Europe 44) to a UK size 10 (Europe 38). Actually some of the size 10 pants are getting loose now and I had to buy myself some size 8 ones...so now I am in the fantastic position that I HAVE to eat some fatting food in order to not loose too much weight. Yeah, I am thrilled to bits with my weight loss - that was the greatest thing to happen to me in 2009.

For the crafting side of things, I am blessed to be on the Design Team for three awesome companies: {upsy daisy designs}, {my stampbox} and {scrapmuse}. I could not be happier with the product I receive and I am already looking forward to all the new releases for 2010.

Now - let's move on to Entertainment of the year
.
Well, my album of the year has to be this baby:

Ok, Ok, so it was released at the end of 2008 but I only bought it in 2009 and it hasn't left my iPod, since I bought it from {iTunes} in January - I *heart* it so much :)

As for books - I have fallen in love with the Women Of the Otherworld Series by {kelley armstrong}

TV shows - there was only one for me this year, which I truly loved: {wallander}. But I am not talking about the remake with Kenneth Brannagh, nope - I am loving the Original, which is shown in Swedish but with English subtitles. It's brilliant!

And I guess that's it really for 2009 - as I said: nothing spectacular occurring, but I am intending to make 2010 a year full of excitement. There will be changes of some sort but all for the better, I am sure.

Oh and I leave you with my "hottie" of 2009 - I have to say, my dear old {joe} had to make way for this {fella}...at least I am keeping it with the same band :). One of my fave songs I played this year *swoon*



Have a blessed New Years Eve and I see you all in January for the reveal of the winner of my Super RAK.

Gutter Girlz - December GDT

Yay, finally the day is here when I can share my layout for the most recent {gutter girlz} challenge with you. I was so excited and when I was asked to join the girlz this month as guest designer, after winning last months challenge with {this} entry.

I have been using the contents from the December Scrapmuse Specialty Kit {family times} again, as I still have so much left. But this time I have mixed it with a couple of non-Kit items and I love how it all came together.

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: GCD Studio; Jenni Bowlin; Cosmo Cricket
Stamps: Sassafras Lass
Other: Chipboard Elements - Sassafras Lass; Stickers - Jenni Bowlin; Ink; button; flowers; Paperribbon - K&Co


Now, if you want to know what prompted me to create this layout, you will need to check out the {recent challenge} to get the skinny. See you there

Scrapmuse Dec DT II and Super RAK

Surely, you didn't think that the one layout I showed you was all that I created from the recent {scrapmuse specialty kit} for December 2009?

Oh no, so far I created a total of four layouts, three cards and I still have oodles of stash left over...these Kits are the ultimate value for money.  If you want to see the full versions of the layouts, please take your time to have a look at {my gallery}. And don't forget, in a few days the full {mega muse kit} will be available to buy...yum yum..

Why don't you join us over at the {scrapmuse forum} where you will find much more inspiration from a very diverse group of Scrappers. Did you know that the incredibly super talented Designers and Artists {vicki chrisman}, {catherine matthews-scanlon}, {lucy edson} and the amazing {michelle clement} all used to be Scrapmuse Designers?? If that doesn't whet your appetitie to check us out....

Now, what about the Super RAK? Are you sure that you don't want it to grow? I need at least 51 followers to increase the prize pack. So get your friends in on the fun. Signing up to follow my blog does not mean that you HAVE to stop by every time I post...and you certainly don't have to comment on every post. Wanna get the scoop on how to get your hands on the prize? Then please check {this post} out. This is the prize pack so far: