Where oh where has the wonderful spring/summer-like weather gone?

I guess I shouldn't complain, after all I don't really want it that nice when I work...leave the sunshine for the weekends :)

Now that the clocks have gone one hour forward it is really nice that I get home when it's still light in the evenings - it makes me happy but causes my sleeping pattern some havoc. Good thing that there is CSI on back to back episodes every night.

I leave you with another {{GCD Studios}} layout - I just love their papers and cannot wait to see the selection of their papers which we receive in our {{Donna Salazar}} DT pack

Lily Bee and me...

...would you believe me if I told you that I never heard of {{Lily Bee Design}} until a few weeks ago?

I know!!! I must have been living under a rock. But I guess since I have started to use up all my old stash, I had no time to look around for new papers and just went with what was on hand.

So when my old DT teamie {{Jill Cornell}} told us about their current {{DT Call}} and one of their current DT members {{Virginia Tillery}} said how much fun it is to create with their product, I did something I generally never do: I bought some of their papers specifically to enter their call.

My general "philosophy" is that if I apply for a team, I have to LOVE their products and have to enjoy working with their stuff. I simply cannot submit to a call on a "just because" basis, especially if I haven't heard of the company before.

So, I have gone against everything I believe in this time because I fell in love with their papers the minute I checked out their product line. Within half a day of the papers arriving, I created these layouts and the card/tag combo which I showcased in {{this post}}

** P.S. Does anyone else have the same problem with blogger at the moment? The thumbnail for my pictures on here look all blurry but when you click onto them to see their original size, they are crisp and clear. Any ideas what the problem may be? **

So, their submission deadline is 31 March 2011, still a few nail biting days ahead of me before I will learn if I am part of the team.

One thing is for sure though - whether I get accepted or not, Lily Bee is HIGH on the list of my fave manufacturers right now and you can expect to see many more projects using their product on my blog. If I had some spare cash I would buy the recent {{Jump & Jive}} Kit from Noel Mignon, which features the newest Lily Bee releases

*sighs*

picture courtesy of: Noel Mignon

Last but by no means least, I created a wee tag for the recent challenge over at {{Some Odd Girl}} - how fun to play along again at my old "hunting ground" :)


Tag: Rusty Pickle * Papers: Sassafras Lass, American Crafts, Lily Bee ** Digital Stamp: Some Odd Girl ** Stickers: Jenni Bowlin

Have a fabulous Sunday everyone

Birthday treat

Mr P took me out for my birthday yesterday (even though today is the "proper" day - thanks to everyone who has left me well wishes on Facebook), as it is always so full everywhere on Fridays. we decided to go for a nice pub-crawl on the Thursday.

The weather was kind to us and if my stupid walking boots wouldn't have given me blisters it would have even been better...but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

Every morning when I get up, I have to pinch myself because I am so lucky to be blessed with youthful looks. I mean seriously - do I look remotely like someone who turns 50 in three years time? No botox no facelifts or anything like that, just your generous helping of Red Wine or Beers on the weekends with a few Pizzas and chocolate thrown in, is all the beauty regime I need :))

But I digress - our day out was really nice, we left at lunchtime and got back home by about 20:00hrs, I fell into bed completely knackered from all that walking about an hour later and slept and amazing 12 hours (pretty much unheard of these days...the older I get the earlier I get up, usually muttering the word "I have to get up, my back is killing me"....yeah, I may look quite young but my body is telling me I am an old fart)

Today, I am re-charging the batteries and tomorrow - weather permitting - we are going to have another walkabout along the seaside while the sun is showing her face.

I leave you with a layout I created for the recent {{Sassafras Lass challenge}} to use blocking on your page...phew, tell you what I am not doing very well with having to use rectangles or squares in a set way to block a picture. I am generally so all over the place that this proved a real challenge for me. But I am super pleased with the outcome in particular considering it only took me two hours to finish this one.

** click image to enlarge **

Twisted Sketches #93

And we are live with another fun sketch and twist (swirl), which you can check out {{here}}.

This is my take on it.

Cardstock: Bazzill ** Papers: Scribble Scrabble, My Minds Eye, Cosmo Cricket ** Stickers: Sassafras Lass, Rusty Pickle ** Other: Embroidery Floss, Pearls, Buttons, Alphabeads

This is another layout created with the contents of my {{March Kit}}, which brings my total to a respectable 3 for the moment

Yeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaw

And in other SUPER EXITING news...have a look-see

{{here}}

That is one super-special gig for me, purely because of the way it came all together...

You see, I applied for the {{GCD Studios}} DT spot, as I love the Product Designers they work with one of which being {{Donna Salazar}}.

At the same time Donna held a call for her DT as well and I was seriously contemplating applying for that gig too, because I love Donna's style, her products and the various manufacturers who produce some of her stuff

 ** can you say {{Spellbinders}}, {{Clearsnaps}}, {{Zutter}} **

Yeah, I know - that's the mother-load, right?

So, I was ooohming and ahhing but thought it would be really greedy to go for both, GCD and Donna, seeing that you also get GCD product if chosen for Donna's Team - what if I would have gotten both? That would have been unfair to other crafters. I have to stress though that I was never under the impression that I seriously WOULD get both gigs but you just don't know...so I just kept the GCD submission going.

Then I got an email from Heidi Sonbul, the GCD DT Coordinator who advised me that she forwarded my submission to be also considered for Donna Salazar's call and my heart jumped with joy!

How cool was that?

The GCD DT reveal came and I was sad not to see my name on the list and when the GDT was announced and I didn't make that list I became even sadder - only to find and email from Donna herself a few days later  in my inbox, inviting me to join her team!!!

OMGosh, I was so over the moon happy - It was SO meant to be becoming part of Donna's team and I cannot wait to get started.

Oh and another quirky thing surrounding this DT call - a few months back one of my older (as in I have known her for quite some time) online friends came across my blog again and we started to "re-kindle" our friendship - only to find out that we are BOTH on Donna's team now...if that isn't fate, then I don't know.

Thanks for letting me be so exited about it.

By the way, I will be offline for a few days as it is my birthday on Friday and I have taken the next two days off.So Mr P is taking me out - and seeing that this old woman her needs five days these days to get over a hangover, don't expect any sensible posts from me this week :)))

WIP - Sunday

What a marvellous day it was was yesterday - almost like a summer's day; so what did I do?

I stayed in and scrapped...yah, I am THAT pathetic.

In my defence I was anticipating that today would be as brilliant and sunny as yesterday, so we decided to do all our "doings" like cleaning up the balcony and re-potting plants today..well, that backfired good and proper.

On the other hand, I got quite some stuff done and might still do my "gardening" later on if it stays dry.

As for my weekly WIP update, you will most possible get a I-have-seen-THOSE-before-for-sure-moment looking at the picture, and you would be right. This was a previous WIP seen{{here}}, but while I carried on with the blanket I noticed that I made a mistake with the alternating pattern.

Right.

In.

The.

Middle.

Of course you could argue that it may not be noticed by others, but the thing is I KNOW it's wrong, so it will stick out like a sore thumb to me. So, I unravelled what I previously did and started again (not the individual squares but the joining together bits). This time I fancied a white edge along each triple set, so this is where I am at right now

But I also managed to create another pillow case (my fave so far), it only took me two days of ferry travel to finish it

And to finish of my weekend post with the traditional paper-crafty-bit, let me share a tag and card with you.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Tag: Rusty Pickle ** Papers: Lily Bee Design ** Other: Embroidery Floss, Zig Millenium pen

Cardstock: Papermill ** Papers: Lily Bee Designs ** Stamp: Papermania ** Ink: Stampin' Up

Juss sayin'....

I wish...

...that bloggers TAKE their blimmin' annoying word verification OFF. I generally try to comment on every blog I visit and to those who have left a comment on mine but I really don't have the time and patience to waddle through a plethora of verification words. If you are so worried about spam (which I never see on any of the blogs which don't use verification), enable comment moderation. It makes life easier for everyone.

...that car drivers in this country would have to re-take their license every year. The amount of motorists who SPEED LIKE HELL when the traffic light turns amber and subsequently run through a red light once they get there, is frightening. You simply CANNOT ever cross traffic lights when it shows green for you and you see a car approaching if you value your life. Drivers please remember - it is not always adults crossing the roads, children have no idea that you all seem to forget that amber = slow down.

...that I am still within a chance to get to the second interview stage for the job I applied for within our company. We were all supposed to hear whether or not we would be going forward by then end of last week, beginning of this. Hmpfh - patience is NOT my middle name

Now that I had my rant for the month, here's a layout I created with the contents from my {{March Kit}}. I love the look on Mr P's face....he is not impressed that his Nan is pulling him into the picture :))

WIP - Sunday

Another busy week for me and my hook - I just love that you get almost instant gratification when crocheting.

As for this weekends' work in progress let me show you a peek of my almost finished pillow case. I haven't made up my mind yet if they will a present or if we keep them for the bedroom. Right now, they make me happy whenever I look at them :)))

I actually finished a wrap-around-case for my hooks and wee scissors, but I messed that one up completely when I started sewing it together...so I have to have another bash next weekend.

Again, I have not neglected my obsession with paper and glue and been busy getting some of my DT assignments done through to April (yay me) and did a few cards and tags along the way too.

The first one is a tag I created with some left-over papers from my GCD Studios stash - after my unsuccessful attempt in 2009 I tried out for their DT again, but didn't get picked. No big deal, I just carry on regardless.

This tag was also created for the wonderful BUTTERFLY BLOG LINK PARTY, which one of my online buddies {{Eva}} is holding. Click on her name to get taken to the post where you can link your own creation using a butterfly  

Actually I am quite surprised at myself: I got knocked back from Sassafras Lass, GCD Studios AND I totally blew my interview for a new position within our company, but I am still in a good mood and worry more about my next crochet project rather than being upset. 

And here is a card I created for the current challenge over at {{Kenny's Krafty Girlz}} where the theme calls for ribbons, lace and bows.

I am so in love with this month's Freebie...another thing that makes me happy just looking at it :)

And clever me, I made use of my {{March Kit}} for the card, which means I now have my total goal for the cards achieved for this month. Now to focus on the remaining three layouts :)))

Twisted Sketches #91

The most recent challenge and sketch are up over at {{Twisted Sketches}}.

Come and play along with us and tackle the twist of: Chipboard

I have combined my {{Upsy Daisy}}  DT layout for the month with the sketch.
Our assignments this month was a multi-photo layout.
Man, I do struggle with those and even plonking two photo's on one page gave me a real headache...

Cardstock: Bazzill ** Papers, Rub Ons: Upsy Daisy Designs ** Chipboard heart: Maya Road ** Other: Embroidery Floss, Alphabeads, Paint, Cosmic Shimmer, Pearls

Clickety Click

I have been busy with my {{March Kit}} so far - but I can't show all of the layouts yet as one if for a later 

{{Twisted Sketches}} assignment.

But here is one layout and card I can share.

Papers: My Minds Eye, My Little Shoebox, Scribble Scrabble, Cosmo Cricket ** Stickers: Sassafras Lass, Rusty Pickle, Making Memories ** Other: Cosmic Shimmer, Alphabeads, Punchinella, Embroidery Floss

The card was done with the left overs from this layout and for the life of me I cannot remember where I got this digi stamp from. It was a Freebie and I have had it for way over a year....if anyone knows, please leave comment as I would love to give credit where due.

Cardstock: Bazzill ** Papers: My Minds Eye, Scribble Scrabble ** Digi Stamp: unknown ** Stamp Sentiment: my STAMPbox ** Pens: ProMarkers

WIP - Sunday

I can't believe another week has just seemingly whizzed by again...on the other hand, I seem to be whizzing through all my projects too :))

Since last week I have finished three layouts, two cards and crocheted two pillow cases...oh yes.

Here is what I am working on right now - you may recognise these blocks from my last week of February {{WIP post}}. 

Once a month I order a selection of my fave yarn (Patons FAB DK) from {{Purple Linda Crafts}} and I was waiting impatiently to place my March order so I could continue with the above blanket. The squares you see above hooked up a total of 300g of Patons. Now I have another 300g here and can continue :)

Once I finished this lot of squares I decide if I want to make the blanket larger or if that is it - so for the time being, the blue blanket will remain my WIP.

But I finished two pillow cases...yay!

I am not 100% sold on them but for my first two attempts they are not too shabby 

(and they fit with our couch)

And here is one of the layouts I finished up

Cardstock: Poundshop ** Papers: GCD Studios ** Tag: unknown ** Journaling Spot: Collage Press ** Other: Bakers Twine, Cosmic Shimmer, Masking Taoe, Deco Tape, Embroidery Floss

Please keep you fingers crossed for me and send my good vibes if you have some spare time on Tuesday morning. I have an Interview lined up - same company I work for but a different department.

Happy Sunday everyone

Upsy Daisy Designs - DT March PT I

I love the month of March - no only because it is my birthday in March but also because it is the start of Spring. 

I ♥ Spring - the scents, the brighter days, the first blooms....*sigh*

So, for my first reveal of the month for {{Upsy Daisy Designs}} I wanted to include flowers to celebrate the impending beginning of Spring.

Card - Happy Birthday

Cardstock: Bazzill ** Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs - #AVA016. Wipeout, #AVA015. Summit, #VO012. Chic ** Other: Cosmic Shimmer, Embroidery Floss, Uniball Signo Pen

Inspired by Twisted Sketches #47

Card - Thank You

Cardstock: Papermill** Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs - #AVA016. Wipeout,  #VO012. Chic , #SYLA013. Everglades, #SYLA004. Expedition** Other: Embroidery Floss, Zig Millenium Pen

Inspired by Twisted Sketches #48

Create Your Own Kit - March 2011

I am doing really well with my Kits so far - having started in September 2010 I am now on my seventh Kit and I have to say that this was the best idea I have had to get myself working on the stash I had at my fingertips.

Whilst it is of course great to have all the latest papers and embellishments, it should be more important to actually use what we already have.

I was a bit disappointed that I did not fare so well with my {{February Kit}} - I totally failed it and I guess it is due to the colours...I got totally bored and depressed looking at those earth tones, which is why I only managed the grand amount of ONE (= pathetic attempt) Layouts...ugh.

For the March Kit I wanted to go with some colour again and which better one to use than the one that still scares the living daylights out of me: YELLOW...uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh. It is the most underrated colour in crafting, I think and the reason is probably that I am not the only one being intimidated by this colour. That is also why I have set my attempted goal higher than usual, as you will see at the end of the post.

You may, correctly, say that not all the papers you see below are in fact yellow, but that is just because I decided to take a picture of the flip side of the paper. The picture looked totally boring when I showed all the yellow sides....so there!

** click on image to enlarge **

3 sheets of 12 x 12 cardstock from Bazzill

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

1 sheet of 12 x 12 double sided paper from Prima Marketing

1 sheet of 12 x 12 double sided paper from Sassafras Lass

1 sheet of 12 x 12 double sided paper from My Minds Eye

1 sheet of 12 x 12 double sided paper from Scribble Scrabble

Attempted goal:

5 layouts
{{Clickety Click}} ** {{Lemme Go}} ** {{We Rock}} **

2 cards - Achieved
{{ For You }} ** {{Hmm}}

GDT Spot and WIP Sunday

Yay, the day is finally here and I can share my GDT card for the {{Kenny K's Krafty Girlz}} challenge.

I was so over the moon excited when I was invited to play along with the girls and it was REALLY difficult for me to choose one of the images. I really love them all and right now, I add to my "selection" one new one each month. 

So, for the recent challenge, following the wonderful sketch by {{Rach}} I took  the {{Metal Drummer}} home and had some wicked fun with him...**sniggers**

Cardstock: Mad About Cards, Stampin' Up ** Papers: GCD Studio, Making Memories ** Stickers: Jenni Bowlin ** Deco Tape: Pink Paislee

I followed inspiration by {{Caz}} who loves to print her digi images on Kraft Cardstock before she colours them. It gives them a softer overall look and I really think it worked well here. Thanks Caz, for the idea!

On to my current Work In Progress - I actually have two things on the go right now:

I had a great vision about these circles being turned into a poncho, but somehow that did not work out. So I started combining them to form a scarf, which also didn't work out a planned. Right now, I have put these aside and wait for a brain flash :)

And as I was stuck with what to do with the circles, I figured may as well start something new - that's where these hexagon wheels come in

They will be turned into a cushion cover and hopefully I can show you the completed projects next week.

Have a great Sunday everyone

Re-cycle

Some of you may know that I tend to re-cycle previously scrapped photographs if I really don't like the look of the old layout anymore.

Last weekend I took two old layouts apart and had another go at them - watcha think?

Bacharach Babes

created in 2006

Cardstock: Bazzill ** Papers: Chatterbox ** Chipboard: Magistical Memories ** Rub Ons: Making Memories

Bacharach Babes

 now

Cardstock: Bazzill *Papers: GCD Studios ** Stamp: Hero Arts ** Stickers: Rusty Pickle ** Other: Cosmic Shimmer, Anita's acrylic paint, Pearls, Rhinestones, Embroidery Floss 

Family

created in 2006

Cardstock: Bazzill ** Papers, Rub Ons, Paperflowers: Fancy Pants

Photo Shoot

now

Papers: GCD Studios ** Tag, Stickers: Rusty Pickle ** Other: Cosmic Shimmer, Anita's acrylic paint, Pearls, Rhinestones, Emboridery floss

On another note, I have finished another one of my{{Art Tags}} 

D = Distress

I love distressing my craft projects - whenever there is something missing or hasn't quite the "ooomph" factor, I end up tearing/sanding/colouring some elements to add a further point of interest. 

Tag: WHSmith ** Papers, Stickers: Sassafras Lass ** Other: Cosmic Shimmer, Embroidery Floss, Pearls, Staples, Uniball Signo Pen

And to round this post up, let me share another tag with you which I created for the recent {{Kenny K's Krafty Girlz}} challenge. This week the requirements is "all about R's"...so I figured the Roller {{Skate Chick}} and my papers and embellies based on the colour Red would qualify :)

Cardstock: Poundshop, Stampin' Up ** Tag: handcut ** Papers: GCD Studios ** Other:  Cosmic Shimmer, ProMarkers, Embroidery Floss

Twisted Sketches #89

Another week and another sketch over at {{Twisted Sketches}}. As per usual, if you want to work with us from the sketch, please go over {{here}} to see Anam's blueprint and the reveal of the rest of the DT.

The twist for this week is: Pins - one of my favourite items to work with!
I tried being a right clever dick this time around and used a safety pin (ha!) to attach my date tag and some beads from it. I made use of my {{February Kit}} for this layout.

** click on image to enlarge **
Papers: My Minds Eye, Rusty Pickle ** Stickers: Rusty Pickle ** Decorative Tape: Retro Nana ** Mist: Cosmic Shimmer ** Other: Alphabeads, Masking Tape, Punchinella, Embroidery Floss

WIP - Sunday

I have enjoyed another crochet filled weekend (now there is a surprise...) but I also managed to squeeze in some time for crafting...oh yes.

But for this post let me show you what is my main priority to finish at the moment

During the last week I finished 12 squares with the Willow block pattern {{as seen HERE}}. On average one block takes about 50 minutes and I know this not because I am so sad that I time myself...no, no. My ferry travel to and from work takes about 55 minutes and I generally complete one square each way.

The yarn I am using is Patons FAB DK - 100g balls (approx 274m running length) in the following colours:

• Turquoise Blue 2315
• Glacier Blue 2301
• Airforce 2312

I am not quite sure what I am turning these block into - either a blanket or a long vest, I change my mind about that every other day.

Oh and I spoke about my armrest cover the other day - here is the finished product. I don't like it too much anymore, too wonky for my liking but for the moment it  will do :)

And before I forget, I am still due a winner for the {{Sketches to Scrapbook}} iPhone app:

Congratulations to VIRGINIA!!!! 

Wooohoooo.

EMAIL ME to claim your prize

Upsy Daisy Designs - DT January PT II

I adore the picture of my Nan, Auntie and my wee Mum 

(the one sitting down)

For this layout I had fun with some fussy cutting of the yummy scrummy {{Home Sweet Home}} papers from Upsy Daisy Designs.

** click on image to enlarge**

Papers: #HSH011. Alma, #HSH012. Beach ** Rub Ons: #UDD124. Classy Brown - Alpha (8x8), #UDD187. Man About Town ** Ribbons: #RIB403. Vogue Ribbon

A new couch

...yay, it finally arrived our new couch!!! We only waited like five weeks for the delivery (considering we ordered an "in-stock" item)....but it was so worth waiting for.

For 11 years we have been parking our bums on the most uncomfortable and ugly couch you could ever imagine, but at the time we had no choice. It was either sit on the floor or get the only couch in the shop, which would fit trough our front door. And Sod's Law meant that this was the ugliest and smallest couch on the planet.

During the last two years Ugly turned into nasty as well, starting to fall apart and we had to shove cardboard and extra cushions on the seating area, just so we wouldn't cut out behinds open with the springs that were poking through.

So, why didn't we get a new couch sooner? Trust me, we tried....saving all our money and once we had it all together some major repairs on the house threw a spanner in the works. But this year we finally got what we craved for so long and in all honesty, it was great that we waited so long because the style and colour fits like a glove.

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

And even more amazing is that the yarn I bought last year when I did not even know we would get a purple couch, well it matches! So my crochet blanket worked out perfect.

Wanna see?

Of course you do 

('scuse the slight blurr)

You know what? I think I have done a fantastic job with my first ever crochet project.

I know, I know one should be modest but darn it - I am so proud of my blanket, why shouldn't I show it off, hu?

I also finished a lace pattern armrest cover, but I haven't taken a picture of the full cover yet  - but here is one of the six circle/leaf bits that make up the cover

The pattern is taken from the book {{Simple Stylish Crochet}}, which I ADORE. There are a number of poncho's, cardigans and long vests that I cannot wait to crochet and the above pattern is actually supposed to be part of a stunning cardigan

I also finished yet another block from the {{200 Crochet Blocks}} book - let's see if I can make them all during this year.

Block 181 - Begonia

And here is my first Hexagon - thanks to the wonderful tutorial from {{Attic 24}} and the gorgeous yarns from {{Purple Linda Crafts}}. The colours make me happy - if only I didn't use such a high setting on the iron. As you can see the block is really flat and you can't see much texture...well, I rather screw up the first one than a whole blanket full of them

Oh and in crafty news...have you seen my wonderful new badge on the right hand side of the menu?

Yup, I am a Guest Designer in Februray for {{Kenny K Downloads}}...wooooohooooo  - how exciting!