December 2010 - A Summary

December 2010 Summary

The Good

Favourite Gadget:

Even though apart from the jumper I knitted for Mr P, none of the other jumpers, cardigans etc worked out, the KNITTING NEEDLES have still gotten the most use out of me this month.

Favourite Song:

Surprisingly enough it is NOT a Christmas song (mainly because I am the re-incarnation of Scrooge...I just don't do Christmas) but a sillly little Pop Song COTTON EYED JOE from the Rednex.

Favourite TV show:

Back to enjoy  The Mentalist - it rounds up my Sunday evening.

Favourite Beverage:

Wine all the way baby - thanks to the Christmas offers I was able to get myself a couple of really nice wines such as Wolf Blass - yum yum

Favourite Food: 
Spekulatius, which are spiced biscuits that are traditionally served in Germany during the Christmas period

The Bad

Health:

Even though the nosebleeds were less frequent, I managed to grab myself a mean cold during my time off work (therefore making it the most wasted time off ever) and on occasion my previously experienced Plantar Faciitis is back. Boy that can hurt something wicked....let's hope it is not turning into such a stinker as March 2009, when I was limping around for a few months...

Create Your Own Kit - January 2011

Oh yes, just because we have a new year doesn't mean that I stop creating my own Kits from my old stash...that is definitely an ongoing thing for the time being.

I am going back to basics though as I did on my first two kits, i.e. I only select the papers and card stock but do not match embellishments to it. I found that I am much more creative, when I can delve in the abyss that is a plethora of embellishments in all colours of the rainbow (holy cow...where did that sentence come from?!???).

When I chose the embellies for my {{November}} and {{December}} Kit, I found that I was less creative. So let's see how I fare with my first Kit for this year

** click on image to enlarge **

3 sheets of 12 x 12 cardstock from Bazzill

2 sheets of 12 x 12 double sided paper from My Minds Eye

2 sheets of 12 x 12 double sided paper from Cosmo Cricket

Attempted Goal:

4 Layouts
'London Rocks' ** 'Thankful' ** 'Watch out' ** 'Wembley'

1 Card
'Thank You'
Achieved


Well - I actually already achieved the above goal because I pretty much used up the Kit and have 4 layouts and 1 card completed since yesterday....but some have been done for challenges, so I cannot show them all just yet.
But these two I can:

Card - Thank You
Created for the recent challenges at:

• Allsorts {{Challenge #84 - Thank You}}
• 365 Cards {{Challenge #308 - Sketch}}

I used one of the brand new images from {{Some Odd Girl}} which was part of the brand new release...yummo!

**click on image to enlarge **

Ingredients:

Cardstock: Bazzill ** Papers: American Crafts, Cosmo Cricket ** Rub Ons: Upsy Daisy Designs ** Other: ProMarkers; Stampin' Up punch; Uniball Signo; Sheared scissors

Layout - London Rocks

Create for the recent challenge at:

• Twisted Sketches {{#82}}

** click on image to enlarge **

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill ** Papers: My Minds Eye; American Crafts; Cosmo Cricket ** Stickers: American Crafts ** Chipboard, Die Cuts: Cosmo Cricket ** Other: Bakers Twine; Alpha beads; Buttons; Decorative Tape; Paint: Cosmic Shimmer **

A Year in Review

It is my day over at the {{Daisy Diaries}} to showcase a project, using many different products from 

{{Upsy Daisy Designs}}

** click on images to enlarge their view **

Actually, I created the envelope mini book specifically for a magazine call and I have to admit that I am really upset that this was not requested. I think this has to be one of the nicest mini books I have created in the past. But on the other hand it is a good thing the book never made it into {{Scrapbook Trends}}, because otherwise I would have nothing to showcase this month...*giggles*

If you click on {{this link}} it will take you to my post on the blog where you can see some of the other pages I created, but just as a lil taster - here are two which weren't shown on the blog. Enjoy :)

One Little Word - 2011

Over the past years I have played along to {{Ali Edwards'}} idea to focus on just one word for the year ahead, to make it your motto and try to live by it. Additionally I also scrapped a page using my word to remind myself throughout the year

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

I started in 2008 and chose MODERATION, as I was living it large the years before. It was time for me to pull the brakes and start living sensibly

In 2009 my chosen word was POSITIVITY, after I read the book {{the Secret}}, I knew I would enjoy my life much more with a positive outlook - and it worked!

For 2010 I went with the word DETERMINATION as I had so many plans and so many goals I wanted to achieve. I have been determined, all right but not to the extend I wanted to be. Probably because during the year I had forgotten about my word and just plodded along...proof of that is that I never even created a layout for my word until now....sheesh

So, in anticipation for 2011 my chosen word is: THANKFUL. There should be no worrying over things that I cannot change, no crying over spilled milk. Just to embrace each days and be happy that I am alive, loved and  in the wonderful position to be able to speak my mind.

Here's to a happy 2011!

That was 2010

Okay, okay we still have two more days to go before 2010 is officially done and dusted, but as this will be my last post for the year, may as well wrap it up :)

I am not big on endless long posts summarizing what happened during the year, so I will make this short and sweet.

Favourite Song of 2010

Something In Your Mouth - Nickelback

Favourite TV Show of 2010

Mock the Week

Favourite Event of 2010

The Queen Mary 2 voyage to the Norwegian Fjords with my Mum

Favourite Layout of 2010

Favourite Card of 2010

Favourite Project of 2010

Favourite Picture of 2010

Thanks for sticking with me through 2010 and for leaving your lovely comments - I appreciate you all more than you know.

Love and Traditions

A little layout to pull on those heartstrings...awwwwwwwwwwwwww

Ingredients:

Papers, Brads: Imaginisce ** Stickers: Dymo, American Crafts ** Other: Cosmic Shimmer; Uniball Signo; Pearls

And here is one I created for the recent {{Cosmo Cricket Blog Challenge}} to scrap about a Holiday Tradition. Well the only tradition we hold up every year, is to make sure that our wine rack is filled to enjoy some lovely evenings, snuggled up on the couch with a glass of wine in hand....bliss. And the other is that we always have a German/English combined Xmas meal. Yesterday we enjoyed a crackling pork roast with sprouts, carrots, roast potatoes and a very rich and creamy sauce. Some of the pork crackling was a bit charred but for our first attempt ever, we were mighty pleased!

**click on image to enlarge**

Ingredients:

Papers: Cosmo Cricket - Jolly by Golly "Borders"; Jolly by Golly "Elements"; Earth Love "Remember" ** Stickers: Cosmo Cricket - Jolly by Golly; Jenni Bowlin - Alpha's; Making Memories: Date ** Chipboard: Cosmo Cricket - Earth Love Button

Still having two days off work because if a holiday (such as Christmas) falls on a weekend, we get the following working day/s off work. This year Boxing Day and Christmas Day fell on a Saturday and Sunday so we get Monday and Tuesday back - Good hu?

Have a Spooktacular Day

Whilst everyone is busy unpacking their presents and indulging in a little a lot of food drink, let me quickly share this card with you which I am entering in the recent {{I Love ProMarkers #46}} and 

{{ Passion for ProMarkers #80}} challenges. 

Yup, I love my ProMarkers for sure :) and I love my 

{{Some Odd Girl}} digi images. This spooky fella was the October Freebie from SOG and I keep saying it again and again - grab those Freebies while you can because some of them will remain an exclusive. So be quick to get your hands on {{Deery}} for this month.

** click on image to enlarge **

Ingredients:

Cardstock: Papermill ** Papers, Brads: Imaginisce ** Other: Pearls, ProMarkers, Cosmic Shimmer, Zig Millenium Pen

A new obsession

In time for the new year, I have just found a new obsession by falling for these lil fellas:

all images from Just Ducks

Every month I will add one duck to the collection - and yes, they will share a bath with me (whether they like it or not)

Gnah.....

Why do I bother taking time off work if all I ever seem to do one those days is to lie in bed being sick as a dog.

First day of my holiday today and on cue - a nasty cold knocked all our plans for this week on the head...grrrrrr

Plaanten & Bloomen

I think my {{December Kit}} has to be my favourite so far this year - it brings out the messy pup in me and I enjoy splattering and splashing the inks and paints all over my layouts.

In addition to my attempt at scrapping all my old stash first, I also took a look at my nicely displayed rubber stamps and whilst I keep buying more of them I realised that I haven't used any of them for at least half a year (if not longer). Needless to say I sat myself yet another challenge - I have to make use of at least two of my rubber stamps each month.

**click on images to enlarge the view **

For December I have chosen this combo (purely because I go from left to right on my stamp board...)

And look! Look! Look!

I already included one of them in this layout from my Kit:

Layout 3 - Plaanten & Bloomen

When we stopped of in Hamburg/Germany at the beginning of 2007 we did not expect it to be white all over and freezing cold...Even though it is not unusual for Hamburg to be cold and white in January/February whenever we went there HOPING for snow it was never there. In 2007 we decided only to stay one night on our way towards Munich and OF COURSE this time it would have been great to stay longer and enjoy the snow. At least we had one day exploring {{Plaanten & Bloomen}}

Style Challenge #10 - Bling it up

How fitting is this weeks challenge over at the {{Some Odd Girl blog}}? We are asking you to bling it up - how very Christmassy, right?

Check out the deeds on the blog and see what the other Designers created for this challenge. I had to go with a tag still, as the cards are just not coming (and as a side-note: I officially suck at knitting now too...over the last two months I knitted one long jumper and one cardigan and both looked totally crap. Maybe I should just stick to layouts these days)

I made use of the {{Penguin Friends}}, some glitter glue, cosmic shimmer and rhinestones to bling up my tag.

** click on image to enlarge **

Don't forget there is also the {{Tiny Contest}} running at Some Odd Girl, as well as their recent {{DT Call}}. My term comes to an end and I would love to see many familiar faces going for this gig (it is so much fun!!!). Get you submissions in and if you want to show Kristy what you can do with her images but don't have one at hand - you can download the uber-cute December Freebie {{here}}

Have a Cool Yule

I "borrowed" the idea for the title for my tag (in combination with the image) from crazeeeee SOG DT Coordinator {{Leah}}. I *wubs* her because she is as mad as they come - in a good way...and she makes up words as she goes along, like "frackin'" or "lulz". How can you not feel connected to a girl like that, hu?

Anyhoo - I took {{Penguin Love}} and created this fun tag for the recent {{Allsorts Challenge #82}}. As you can see the card-mojo is still away on vacation somewhere else but the tags and layouts are at least still happening.
** click on image to enlarge **

Have a fabulous week ahead everyone

Upsy Daisy Designs - DT December PT II

I had so much fun this month playing with the "golden oldies" ---> 

{{ Hot Chocolate }} and {{ Spirit }}, which are the holiday lines from 

{{ Upsy Daisy Designs }}. 

I don't think you need a new line each year, because there are so many different ways in which you can use the same papers over and over again.

This is my third year using these lines and I still get so inspired to create with them.

** click on image to enlarge **

Ingredients:

Cardstock: Papermill ** Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs - #UDD0156. Giving, #UDD157. Joy, #UDD0160. Play ** Rub Ons: Upsy Daisy Designs - Basic White Alpha ** Stickers: Making Memories ** Other: Uniball Signo Pens, Pearls, Rhinestones

Shazam - Wham - For You :))

I am really digging my {{December Kit}} - the colours totally suit the winter pictures I have lying around. 

Have a look at the first three projects I created from my own Kit.

Layout 1 - Shazam!

The story behind this picture still cracks me. When we were hiking in Berchtesgaden, we tried to find one of the public pathways and came to this sign which was totally covered in snow. We shook it, threw snowballs at it but no matter what we tried - the snow clung to it as if super-glued. As soon as Mr P stood himself underneath it and unfolded the map - every single bit of the snow came toppling down on his head. I laughed so much I almost peed myself. It took me a while to gather myself and take a snap, that is why most of the snow had disappeared from Mr P's head by then.

Layout 2 - Wham

Yeah, it's the month of funny titles...he he

You can never ever be too old to throw yourself in the snow and make a snow angel, right? So when we came across this huge bit of untouched snow, I just had to throw myself in and wiggle arms and feet about :)

Tag - For You

Just a few left-over bits stuck onto a self-made tag, Perfect little touch for a present

And that's it for now, but I am sure there will be more to come - the Kit is still lying on my desk, calling out for me :))

Deer To Me

If you haven't been over and downloaded Decembers {{FREEbie}} from {{Some Odd Girl}}, then you should  go over there right now....Deery is sooooooooooo cute - she may become one of my fave downloads ever!

** click on image to enlarge **

Ingredients:

Cardstock: Staples ** Paper: Rusty Pickle ** Stickers - Making Memories ** Twine:  Supply Owl ** Pens:  ProMarker, Zig Millenium ** Other: Cosmic Shimmer, Walnut Spray, Pearls, Bling ** Digital Stamp: Some Odd Girl

I am entering this tag into the recent {{One Stop Craft Challenge}}, where the theme is Coffee or Tea. My colour scheme for the image and the tag is brown - just as I like my coffee and tea. Well, I  know I have been taken artistic licence but isn't that what our craft is all about? 

Have great week ahead!

Upsy Daisy Designs - DT December PT I

For the last time this year - and for the last time ever.....today see's the last monthly Sketch over at the 

{{ Daisy Diaries }}.

We are not going away...oh no, but we want to change things around at {{ Upsy Daisy Designs }} and we thought one year of sketches was more than enough.

I would be delighted if you'd join us this month and scrap along to our last every sketch. below is the layout I created but to see the original sketch and what the other DT Members created, you will need to hop over to the {{ blog }} and check us out.

(Psssst: would you have thought that the papers I used for the below Layout are actually from a Christmas Line? Nah, didn't think so :)

**click on image to enlarge**

UDD products used:

Papers: #UDD0151. Cocoa, #UDD0155. Wintergreen, #UDD0153. Frosted

Rub Ons: #UDD124. Classy Brown - Alpha (8x8), #UDD186. It's A Girl Thing

November 2010 - A Summary

November 2010 Summary

The Good

Favourite Gadget:

If you can actually call them a gadget, then I would say KNITTING NEEDLES have won this accolade hands down. Within the matter of two months I knitted one jumper, one cardigan and am in the last stages of finishing a minidress/long jumper

Favourite Song:

It's those Ozzy rockers AC/DC again: CAN'T STAND STILL never stood still on my iPod

Favourite TV show:

Harry Hill's TV BURP - even though not as funny as it used to be, it still cracks us up every Sunday afternoon

Favourite Beverage:

Back on the wine - and it is no surprise that it will either be Shiraz or Syrah

Favourite Food: 
Fig rolls - DUDE, how I am obsessed with them right now!

The Bad

Fitness:

Hahahahahaha

Fitness - What's that?

My cross trainer is presently used as a clothes horse (and I have no intention of doing anything about it right now)

Hol-ODDay Hop Winner

The winner for RAWRK TOBY is:

 meredith said...

great tag. I really want to start making tags but thought "then what?" what would I do with them? sticking them on a card is a great idea. Thanks for the inspiration x

1 December 2010 08:21

Congratulations Meredith!

Please EMAIL ME so I can get your image to you!

Thank you everyone for playing with us and for taking the time to leave a comment

Create Your Own Kit - December 2010

Even though I have subbed for three months to the {{Nook}} kits, oddly enough I get more done with my old stash. Probably because of some guilt twang...after all I challenged myself to use up at least twelve of my 24 Kits before I can sub to a new one...so somehow I think I feel I have to get some of my stash depleted before I can dive into the subbed Kits.

Anyhoo I ramble on - I don't really like Christmas themed Kits because both Mr P and I are the reincarnations of Scrooge: we don't do Christmas.

Of course we like the days off work and we "celebrate" in the way that we really put an effort into cooking some really special meals that we only have once a year, but other than that - there is nothing for us to gain from Christmas. We are neither religious nor do we have Children and as we buy what we need during the year, there is also no pressure on a last minute dash for some presents.

All in all, we have a very relaxed Christmas time as we can just sit back, relax and watch everyone else hyperventilate: quite fun, actually...

But that didn't stop me form putting my December Kit together in a Christmas fashion - I like the challenge to see just how much out of the box I can scrap with the Santa theme going on.

** click on image to enlarge **

Ingredients:

3 sheets of 12 x 12 cardstock from Bazzill & FrancesMeyer

5 sheets of 12 x 12 double sided papers from Rusty Pickle, 3ndypapir, My Minds Eye, October Afternoon

1 sheet of Winter themed stickers from Cosmo Cricket

various journaling cards from Cosmo Cricket, 3ndypapir, Rusty Pickle

2 pieces of punchinella

5 tickets

2 tags

1 sheet of circle stickers

2 lengths of bakers twine

1 piece of striped ribbon

2 pins

selection of buttons

selection of brads

Let's see how I fare with this Kit

Some Odd Girl - Hol-ODD day Hop

Welcome to our first Some Odd Girl Hol-ODD-day Blog Hop!

We're taking this hop to show some love for all our Oddies this holiday season but having a hop that includes our customers! So take a hop thru our list and make sure to leave comments at every stop because the Odd Girls have some prizes to give away but you have to complete the list to be entered. We are starting HERE and ending up at KRISTY's blog and I am SURE along the way you'll see some amazing projects!

**** You should have arrived here from the SOG blog – if you just happened upon my blog today, please go back to the start HERE and hop along. Should you get lost in cyberspace along the way, below is the list of all participants (the ODD girls are listed in red)  ****

 Some Odd Girl 

 Kimmy  - YOU ARE HERE

 Margie 

 Andrea 

 Leah 

Corry

Sally 

Yvonne 

 Meredith  

Tanya 

Robin Mc 

Jennifer 

 Donna  

Marcie 

Asa 

 Zarah 

Tanya 

Mary 

Denise 

 Robin F 

Diana 

Jan 

Cassie 

Kellie 

Kristy 

At the moment I am in a card-making slump and it really grinds on me...,so I have been trying to find a way to get me back into the swing of things and I have found that creating tags is definitely the way to go for my right now. They are quickly done and if I am really stuck for a card I guess I can always use the tag and stick it on to a card, right?

So, I took RAWR TOBY and went to town *giggles*

** click on image to enlarge **

I have one RAWR TOBY to give away to one of you – so be sure to leave a comment to be in with a chance to take Toby home.

Our hop runs thru December 1 at 6pm EST. The Odd Girls will have their winners posted December 2 on their blogs. Are you still here? Get to hoppin!

Your next stop will be at MARGIE’s – check out what lush ODDness is waiting for you there.