First Layout of 2011

So, yesterday i made my first blog post and today is my first LO of 2011.


I'm keeping with my resolution so far, lol.


Over the Christmas holidays i was able to have some time surfing the net, reading craft blogs in the hope of finding some inspiration to really help kick start my mojo, as 2010 i never really done much in the way of scrapping. i really want to change this this year as memories are way to precious to be forgotten.


whilst spending hours, literally, i came across this sketch site i have never heard of before, but i really liked it. Its called 'Sketchabilities', it's an awesome site with lots of inspiration for the card maker too. It can be found here: http://www.sketchabilities.blogspot.com/ make sure to pop on over.


As it was Christmas i decided to use there latest sketch (sketch 37) and use some photo's from this Christmas, you know what, i still haven't scrapped last years photo's!!!!


So out came all the Christmas stash, boy i seem to have stacks, but not use very much!!!! Working with a sketch really inspired me and i loved how easy it was to use. I adapted mine down to 8.5 x 11, but it still worked.



The sketch:


My LO:

The photo's are of Hannah and Sam on Christmas Eve, being very silly as they were so excited !! Love the silly faces of Sam.

This has really helped me get back into the swing of things and i am know about to start sketch 38, with the most beautiful kit, MME Lost and Found that i have had for a few months.

It's now the weekend, which i am looking forward too, have my monthly crop on Sunday which i can't wait for, might even get my LO finished.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend and get some craft time.

Take care

Sarah

xoxo

Hello 2011

Well it's 2011 already, wow!!

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year, can't believe it all went by in a flash.

The weeks leading up to Christmas i had a poorly family, my youngest Son, Daughter and the Husband!!! They were struck down with this high fever, shiver, cold bug, nasty and it went on forever. It made the Christmas preparations a bit stressful hence why there just hasn't been any blogging, but i am about to change that.

One of my new year resolutions is to keep this blog up to date, i always think about it, but i really need to start getting a bit more organised and as of today i am in the process of doing just that.

I have been a domesticated goddess today, lol, why i bother as in an hour when the kids are home from school it will look a complete wreck, but hey ho!!!

Just before i leave for the school run in the rain and snow that is bashing the south East at the minute i thought i would write my first blog post!!

So what has happened in the first week of the New Year then???

I started it off on a good note - stash shopping **insert happy smile**.

I hit the Hobby Craft sale and spent a good 2 hours having a wander, i did have Hannah with me, who has also caught my love for anything craft related. There wasn't much in the way of sale goodies, bit poor really, got a few bits for 29p that i am sure will come in handy one day. I did manage to pick up a Martha Stewart Monarch Butterfly punch that i have had my eye on for awhile :).

Whilst i was visiting family over New Years weekend in Kent, on our way to Panto i managed to stop at TK Maxx and see what they had in store. I couldn't believe what i managed to pick up for a great bargain. I got 2 Album Kits by American Crafts for 5 pounds!! What a bargain.

One is a 12x12 album kit and the other 8x8, 1 very happy lady!!!

This has just been what has been in order for me to kick start my mojo again. So happy with my purchases.

I have also finally signed up for a monthly kit ***another big smiley***

I have chosen Cleo Crafts monthly kits!! I spent a few weeks doing some homework, looking around to see who had good offers. I got the list down to a final 2 Cleo's and 1 in America, Scrap Book Nook, but the price of Cleo's won me over and not only that i know what Cleo kits are like and i have always loved them. Now all i am waiting for is for that first kit to hit my door mat.

So as you can see i have the New Year of a good start and hopefully this is the way forward.

I have also nearly finished my first LO of 2011, which i will share with you shortly.

Anyway best dash - it's school pick up time

Take care

Sarah

oxox

Way, Way too long!!!

Its been way, way too long since i visited my little blog - a whole 7 months. I really do not know where time has gone this year, we are almost upon the Festivities of Christmas already!!

Now the problem is, where to start!!!, one of the reasons i have left it sooo long to come back and blog, do i track back over the last 7 months and fill you in on whats been happening or just start a fresh from today??, decisions decisions!!!

I think for now i will take it one step at a time, as although i have been in hiding i have been slowly creating various bits and pieces which i will hopefully showcase over the next few weeks, see i intend to keep this blog malarkey up!! **coughs quietly**

So today i wish to show you my Design Team LO using the fantastic Cleo Crafts November Kit which consists of the ever so popular Pixie-Licious line by Cosmo Cricket!! I absolutely love these papers, beautiful colours and the designs are fab!!!

I made this LO using a photo of me as a little girl with my bestest friend ever, "Sebby" our Siamese cat. He was an absolutely adorable cat, such stunning features, but unfortunately we never had him long as he got killed on the road one morning, i was totally devastated!!! It broke my heart, but thankfully as my Dad was a keen photographer we have many photos.

I used Fairy Rings paper as the main background with hints of Flower Fields to give some colour. All lettering and embellishments have come from my own stash, which is ever growing :)!!

Sorry for the quality of the photo, had to use my phone as my Eldest and DH have gone to LDN today to see Top Gear Live and have taken my camera :(.



As i had so much paper in this kit i made a gift tag for my Nieces upcoming birthday next week
she is an arts and crafts addict just like her Auntie, so i know she will love it, but i am certain she will love the gift inside more :)!!!



I used one of my stamps from C.C Designs, love these!! It was Cupcake Kiki.

Decided to use the Butterfly Kisses paper so coloured accordingly with my Pro-Markers. Made a large gift tag from Kraft card stock and i must say i think it turned out quite well!!

So as you can see i am still enjoying creating, all be it at a slow pace, lol. I do have some more Pixie papers left which i have lined up for another project, a pin board project!! I have so far, painted the frame but had to wait to get some new ink for my printer, now that's done i might actually sit down today and make a start!!

It feels really good to have found some time to update my blog, hopefully now i have made the big leap i won't leave it as long!!

I hope your enjoying this beautiful crisp autumn morning, we are tonight of to a Fireworks display which i am looking forward to. Have a great weekend everyone and i hope to be back real soon

Take care

Sarah

xoxo

WOYWW

I've remembered to join in, Yeah!! I can never believe how fast Wednesdays come around.

So, this is my second time of playing along with WOYWW, and what can i share with you all today, a messy desk for starters, lol.

Last time i joined in, which i think was 2 weeks ago i got alot of messages saying my desk was just far to tidy, so i am hoping my desk today is somewhat more pleasing, unfortunately not to my DH eye, but he clearly doesn't understand a crafters mind, lol!!.

I am in the middle of making Birthday Invitations for my Daughter who's birthday is on Monday. I have been asking her for the last 5 months literally what she wanted to do, she will be 7. She has never had a set idea or theme until Sunday of this week!! Yes, can you feel my panic??

She has decided she would like a slumber party with 6 girl friends next week, so i am rushing like mad to get these invitations done, nothing quite leaving it until the last minute!!

They are very plain and simple, but hopefully unique. Have just 2 more to go, but it's also American Idol TV time now too, think this could be a late night!!!

So this coming week i have lots to do, and now in the form of crafting too. Need to look for idea's for the girls at the sleep over, might even get them to make a frame they can keep as they are all going to different schools come September, so might be nice as a keepsake - any idea's on what i could do would be greatly appreciated!!

Hope you've enjoyed a little insight into my room, might even show you the other side next week!!
Thank you for stopping by and take care
Sarah
xoxo

I know it's not Halloween.........

but this cute stamp was itching to be inked up.

I am still trawling through my new stamp collection which is why you are seeing Halloween in the Spring/ Summer, lol.

I used a Cleo Craft kit for this card which consisted of My Minds Eye, Boo to you papers. They are such fun papers, and am glad i still have plenty more to use.

I made this as a gate fold card, learning new designs and techniques as i go along.

Today, as i had some "me" time i wanted to create a LO, about something very heart felt that my Daughter wrote me last week. I haven't achieved any scrapping in the last 3 months, which is why i have turned to card making, but i couldn't let this moment disappear.

I used the April kit from Cleo Crafts which consisted of American Crafts, Letterbox collection. Now i don't normally like American craft papers but i think they have excelled their self's with this collection, just seriously yummy.

Photo is of Hannah and i a few years back now. Hannah wrote this beautiful little letter last week and when she read it to me, it literally made me cry, i was so upset, with happiness of course.

She wrote:

My Mum is fantastic,
She plays with me,
She cuddles me and she reads stories with me,
My Mum is amazing.
She smiles at me,
She kisses me and puts me to bed,
She is a super Mum
xx

She just melted my heart, and this is why i wanted to capture this now.
I am really pleased with the final outcome and not only that but i have also got her own handwriting included in the LO too, and will always have this beautiful memory.

Am now hoping i can start doing a few more LO's in the weeks to come along with the card making i am still very much enjoying.

Thank you so much for stopping my and leaving lovely messages, am of now to play with some sand, my next mission!! All will be revealed.
Take care
Sarah
xoxo

A quick Update

Unfortunately not much crafting going on the last few days, i have a horrid virus, but hopefully i am over the worst and life is on the up again. I do look like Rudolph the red nose reindeer mind you, nothing a bit of make up won't hide, hopefully, lol.

As it's WOYWW, (have i got that right?) over on UKS, i thought i would play along this week and show where i scrap, messy as ever.

Hopefully have some cards to show you all soon.

Take care

Sarah

xoxo

A Productive Morning

Today has been a mellow day, pajama day as the kids like to call it.

I'm full of cold thanks to my little one, so pajama day has been the best medicine, although i am looking forward to the kids bed time, kinda been a long day.

It has enabled me however to sit down and get another card made, and i personally think this is my best one to date. I thoroughly enjoyed making this card, new stamp, lovely papers and a new card template that i hadn't tried before.

The papers are American Craft, Letterbox which i recieved as a kit from Cleo Crafts.

Hope you've all had a marvellous Monday.

Take care
Sarah