Journal Your Christmas 3 - christmas cards.

Shimelle's 3rd prompt was about christmas cards......well, you're probably sick of seeing them here on my blog..........but I do love making them...........so for this prompt I simply hole punched a card I made....put a little journaling on the back.......and it went straight into the album like that.

Excuse the appalling photos........the main colour in these pictures is green!!!!.........it's [still] pouring with rain here.......and dark as anything.........just can't get a decent photo........there must be a way........I think I need Shimelle to run a  'photography for bloggers' course!!

Journal Your Christmas 2.....and a Tim Holtz tag.

Shimelle's 2nd prompt was about the weather...........now that's something us Brits know about........talk about.........could be classed as obsessed about......possibly because our weather forecasters find it impossible to get right........probably because our weather changes.........not by the week.........not by the day.........but by the hour. On any day.......in any month.....our cars need to contain.....umbrellas......sunglasses.....de-icer.

Or p'raps it's because we seem unable to cope with any type of real weather........if it rains,the roads flood.....if it snows,they turn to ice.......if it's hot,they melt......in fact it's quite surprising this country doesn't constantly grind to a halt!!

Would I like it to snow on christmas day........yes........so long as it vanishes before it changes to a slippery,slushy black muck!!

I love the gorgeous ATCs and tags on Rinda's blog..........and she has inspired me to have a go at some of Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas.......the man is a genius..........I love his work........but it is way out of my comfort zone attempting myself.......not to mention that the only Ranger products I own are Distress Inks and Stickles.....but his first tag this year fitted so well with Shimelle's prompt ..........that I've had a go and added to this page in my journal.......hope it isn't too much of an insult to him!!!!

And now we're off out for our first xmas meal this year........it's an annual event with a group of friends........some of whom we don't see that often.........it's always early in December so as not to clash with work events etc............and always seems like the beginning of xmas to us.

I love dogs....or do I ??

I love dogs........but sometimes I hate them.........like today........when 'Vets Pension Plan' jumps on the dining room table and eats half a bag of chocolate nut clusters while I'm answering the front door..........you may wonder how a [very small] Staffie can jump on the dining room table...........so do I........I have never seen her do it.........only seen her sailing off ........as she hears me coming!!

I blamd DS........who fed her junk food on his lap when she was a puppy........she is the only dog I know who recognizes McDonalds......on a TV advert.

Is it a card.....or is it a gift??

I made this for my MIL...................who happily loves both hand made cards and anything that contains photos of her grandchildren.............so....... perfect for her........I took it to demo at the 'Creative Xmas' class I'm teaching for parents in a primary school..........I feel it's almost a gift...........especially if made with a child to give to their grandparents...........what do you think?

It's so simple to make......just 4 squares of card.........mine are 6 x 6........but could be any size.......decorated with scraps of xmas paper,photos and a few embellishments on the front.....just xmas papers on the back.........joined together with ribbon in a concertina style.......it all folds up and pops in a box I made for it.

I think any grandparent would probably love something on these lines.

Penny Black- precision required!

Penny Black Saturday Challenge has a sketch......full of squares.......though mine has rectangles..........and is on a large A5 size card.........just as well.........because as I made it I remembered......... why I don't make anything that requires accurate cutting.......why I love Lauren Meader templates,but mine always look like a 5 year old has made them.........why I don't make inchies and twinchies and such like things.........why I have lots of torn edges and angled layers on my scrapbook pages.........because I cannot be precise.........I just don't do precision...........and I find it highly frustrating even trying...........not to mention hating the waste.

I do however quite like this card......when viewed from a distance.........so the 'unpreciseness' of it is not so noticeable!!!! And it is perfect for DD1.
The image has been watercoloured and Stickled.........the papers are SU........the card oddments from stash.........sentiment is Penny Black........ribbon from stash.........SU punch used........xmas trees punched.
Incy Wincy Designs and Cupcake Craft Challenges both want red and green, while Stamp with Fun and Creative Card Crew both want xmas.........a sure sign it must be December!!

Journal Your Christmas begins......

This is where it started........I joined Shimelle's brilliant Journal Your Christmas online class last year.........most of the participants had blogs..........so I started mine..........and joined a whole new world..........never in a million years did I think.........it would be so totally addictive...........that I would see so much amazing creativity...........learn so much.........make so many friends..........and now, a year on, Journal Your Christmas begins again today..........and once you're in......you're in forever..........with the anticipation of Shimelle's wonderful prompts landing in your 'in box' every morning
The first page of the journal  is a manifesto of sorts......why you're doing the journal........what you want from christmas...........so let the fun begin.

The December numbers I'm using each day are a free download from Kerry..........and the central tag that I've written my 'wishes' on was a download from Jessica Sprague........most of the papers and embellishments I'm going to use in this album are from Stampin Up.

Steph's Make and Take

Yesterday I went to Steph's Make n Take Extravaganza..........travelled to Essex with fellow blogger Dawn [thanks so much for the lift,Dawn]...........arrived to the most perfectly organised room........and an M & S buffet lunch..........followed by an afternoon of crafting and chatting with 30 other crafty bloggers........Steph had worked her socks off prepping for us all to make 3 different cards and a gift box........and I loved working in a totally different style to my norm.........came away with loads of ideas.

The Lauren Meader gift box will be great to put a few home made truffles in.......a little gift for work colleagues.....I'll definately be making more of these. 

Steph had funded all this fun  herself......and we even got a goodie bag full of papers,embellishments and choccies to take home...

Thank you soooooooooooo much,Steph........

...for a wonderful afternoon.

'Anyone for Anya' guest DT card

This is my second........and final........guest DT card for the 'Anyone for Anya' challenge blog.......and this week the challenge is to follow a lovely simple sketch by DawnyP. When I first started making cards............ I followed sketches much of the time........and I still enjoy it.......they certainly give a beginner more confidence.......and some of my favourite cardmakers use them a lot of the time.

Decided to give xmas a rest today........and went for red and black.
Anya [though I think this cute one actually has a different name!!] has been watercoloured......the papers are all Dovecraft...........card is SU..............flowers from Hobbycraft.......sentiment is Clare Curd........and I know a few people this sentiment would suit!!!!
Have a peaceful Sunday everyone..........and please pop back later to hear about my fabby day yesterday at Steph's Make and Take.

Decision made-my christmas journal

I am not decisive......I don't do decision making well........I constantly change my mind.......last year my album for Journal Your Christmas was 8 x 8..........it got fatter and fatter........I had to buy larger rings twice........so this year I'm going to make a small one...........except now I'm not.......the Holiday in Hand class had gorgeous page templates......then I saw other people's wonderful ideas on blogs........so I thought maybe I'd go a bit bigger.........then I changed my mind yet again..........so I'm going to make........an 8 x 8 journal!!!!!

What finally decided me was coming across a chipboard album I bought at Ally Pally.......perfect........has 8 thick chipboard pages.......so 16 sides......and can then add small sheets inbetween for the extra pages.

In fact..........I've even made it..........just in time for the class to start next week.........I've gone for red and green........played safe there I know.........wanted it more co-ordinated than last year's one...........have mainly used papers from 2 SU xmas packs.....looks a bit boring inside at the mo........so this is the cover......you'll have to wait til December to see any more. 

I told her I didn't want a new phone!!

I went to upgrade my mobile contract..........I wanted the unlimited texts and free internet.......all for £1 a month more than I'm paying now.........I didn't want a new phone.......I like my old Sony Ericsson........but you get one anyway.........so I took it to put away 'just in case'.............but DD2 insisted on charging it up ........I told her I didn't want a new phone........she insisted on putting my SIM card in 'just to try it out'..........I told her I didn't want a new phone.........she insisted it was sooooooo much better than my old one...........so now I have a 'slider'......I was happy without one........I told her I didn't want a new phone........and now I have 'text' conversations..........I was happy with plain,old texts.........I told her I didn't want a new phone..........BUT.........she said the phone has a much more powerful camera than my old one......it even looks a bit 'camera-ish'..........perhaps I do need a new phone!!!
But.....if she thinks she's getting my old phone.....she's wrong!!!!

All Pink and Girly

Today is all pink and girly......well........ we have to be girly sometimes.......not my DDs though......they are never pink and girly....wouldn't be seen dead in pink.....one is all black....the other denim and blue.....she did once have a pink xmas tree....but even that's been consigned to the boot fair now!!!

Bright pink and green are not xmas colours me thinks.....wrong.......the papers I've used today are definately from a xmas set......and they're a lot pinker than the photo suggests.....so here's to a pink xmas.

Tilda has been coloured with copics.....papers are all PM Naughty but Nice....card DCWV xmas stack.....punched snowflakes have been glittered [which doesn't really show].......ribbon from stash.........Inca sentiment.

Have [almost] followed the lovely sketch on Friday Sketchers......Totally Gorjuss want any gorgeous girls this week.......One Stop Craft Challenges want snowflakes......Pollycraft Challenge want christmas......Sassy Designs by Susie wants pink and sparkly....that's this week covered then!!!!!

Edited....you must go immediately to Rach's blog to see the most brilliant cupcake with a twist!!!!

A lovely award from Mel

I've received this lovely award from Mel.......thank you so much.........I'm so pleased you enjoy visiting my blog........and I love visiting yours.......if you've never visited Mel's blog........do go take a look.

So now I need to list 7 things about myself that people might find interesting........not sure how interesting you'll find them!!!
1.I hate flying........and very nearly refused to fly home from Miami because there was a storm.......but refuse to let the fear stop me visiting other countries.
2.I saw the Rolling Stones live in Hyde Park......probably shouldn't admit to that.......but I was very young!!!!
3.I live near the sea.....and love it........especially when it's stormy.
4.I love magazines about.......crafts........homes......cooking.....gardening.......and spend far too much on them.....but they do inspire me.
5.I'm addicted to CSI type TV programmes.......though in general watch very little TV.
6.I hate 'reality' TV shows.......which is probably why I rarely watch TV........they dominate our screens these days.
7.My favourite band is Bon Jovi.......probably shouldn't admit to that either.......also saw them in Hyde Park.......but not nearly so many years ago........with DD1 ..........on a hot June night........they played for three and a half hours........that's what I call getting your money's worth.

So........I should pass this on to 5 other bloggers.......but I know a lot of you have had it already......hopefully these very creative bloggers haven't
Susie
Pinky 
Tracy
Chris
Sharyn

'Anyone for Anya' guest DT card

I'm really chuffed today to be  guest DT on the Anyone for Anya Challenge Blog........I love the tall Anyas......and this is one of my faves.

The challenge this week is to 'fake it'...........couldn't decide on one.....so I've gone for a hat trick.......fake fur,fake stitching and fake lace!!

Anya has been coloured with copics........card is DCWV.......papers are SU........and she's been layered to within an inch of her life.....luckily the card does still stand up......PM snowflake brads........Craftwork Cards Joy card candy.......Sakura souffle pen for stitching.......Martha Stewart border punch for lace........fun flock for fur.

Do pop over to Anyone for Anya to see all the wonderful DT cards.......and join in the challenge.

If you popped by yesterday.........hope you enjoyed the blog hops.........and managed to visit some really scrummy blogs.

Now I've just got to decide exactly what size my Journal Your Christmas journal is actually going to be......not an easy decision!!!!

Edited......the winner of the card I made for the Creative Blog Hop is.......random generator no.4 .........TILLY........sorry can't work out how to put the piccie on my blog!!!!!!       

'Window on the World' Blog Train......jump on.

Welcome to the 'Window on the World' Blog Train........the 2nd blog train I'm on today!!.......40 bloggers from across the world have taken a photo through their window this morning........so what a great selection of photos we're going to see.........and pretty typical for the UK........it's raining as I take mine!!!!

I live in a bungalow [one storey building]........so photo taken of garden from conservatory window........garden is a 'work in progress'.....and definately not looking it's best on a wet November morning.
I'm hoping to see some far more exotic locations as I jump on this blog train........please do join us and go take a look at the scene from Jool's window.......before chugging on round the world.
The post before this is a creative blog train........so if this is your first visit today.......do take a look at that as well......some gorgeous craftiness.
And you might like to come back here tomorrow.........cause I'm really excited to be a guest designer on the Anyone for Anya Challenge Blog.
Apologies for lateness....this was scheduled  to post at 9pm when I was out.......and Blogger didn't do his job!!!!!

Creative Circle Blog Party

Today something unique is happening...........and I'm really excited to be part of it........a Creative Circle Blog Party............8 crafters from various parts of the world...........showcasing 8 different crafts.............how cool is that...........I'm hoping you'll visit them all.......they're a real talented bunch..........you're in for a delicious crafty treat.........and you wouldn't want to miss out on.........Rinda's mixed media..........Sian's scrapbooking........Mel's crafting on a small scale.........Sharyn's food..........Gemma's photography...........Fiona's crochet or Lizzie's mini album.

Anyone who visits my blog knows how much I love cardmaking........so that's what I've got for you today.........and as a bit of a Magnolia freak.....it has to be this gorgeous new xmas Tilda.......using Colour Create's  red,green and white theme.

Tilda has been coloured with Copic markers and distressed with SU Close to Cocoa ink.....and has Craftwork Cards Joy card candy at the 4 corners.........the card and papers have all been layered........card is DCWV.........and the papers are all Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses......the SU Olive ribbon has been tied round the layered papers......the sentiment is Penny Black and has also been distressed........Tilda has some Stickles sparkle on her........and finally an SU border punch has been used.

If you'd like to win this card.....please post a comment.......it will be randomly drawn tomorrow.......and mine is not the only prize.......so be sure to visit all the wonderfully creative blogs......starting with Sian.

If you get lost on route....just pop by Rinda's blog.......and what a treat that is.

And you might like to return late evening........for another blog hop..........this time it'll be 'a wndow on the world'............see some fascinating photos from across the globe.

Christmas confusion......and a bit of Sugar

Lasy year for Journal Your Christmas I made an 8 x 8 album.......it got fatter and fatter........I had to go and buy bigger rings to hold it all in........I love it, but decided to go for a small one this year........but today in my Holidays in Hand Class.........there are the most wonderful digi downloads of 8 x 8 pages.....and gorgeous tags.......so what do I do now........stick to my original plan.......or go bigger......oh dear!!

And the uber-talented Marlene has provided the sketch at the Sugar Bowl this week......and you may be pleased to see.......no xmas card!!

Sugar Nellie manga boy has been coloured with SU watercolour crayons and blender.......card DCWV......papers Dovecraft for men.......Basic Grey stamped birds.....buttons from stash ......the sentiment is mounted on zig zag chipboard.

And please do return TOMORROW.........after 9am [UK time].........as something very special.....and very creative......is going to be happening........and maybe even some prizes along the way!!!!

Thursday......Ponder on this.

Today is work...work....work.....and then shopping [and not the fun type].

If you are making a xmas journal/scrapbook of any type,the lovely Kerry has designed some gorgeous digi dated chipboard pieces available as a free download on her blog.......do go check them out.Thanks for sharing Kerry.

And you might like to ponder on this until normal service is resumed tomorrow!!!

Obituary printed in the London Times -

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:-

 Knowing when to come in out of the rain;-

Why the early bird gets the worm;-
Life isn't always fair;-
and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Moments in Time-Childhood memories mini album

This mini album was inspired by a visit to my local museum.......on the wall is an enormous canvas.......printed on it is blown up black and white photos taken in the town and on the beach........mainly in the 50s and 60s......I have some very similar photos........some taken in the same places.......I decided to take them out of their neglected box......and put them in an album.

I've used the original photos.......all in good condition......my brother [the photographer] would call that heresy.......but why use cheap imitations.......when the real thing can be enjoyed.

I may add some journaling later.....for my children.......but for now they are complete.

You can click on the pics to see in larger format.

It's beginning to feel a bit like Christmas

I hate.... seeing shops full of xmas decorations in October......shelves of xmas gifts.....but what a difference a month makes.....come mid November.....chilly weather....dark evenings......and I start to love seeing all the christmassy stuff in shops.....just no christmas songs yet,please.....that's definately a December thing for me.
So I've signed up for Jessica Sprague's free 'Holidays in Hand' online xmas class.......which started yesterday......and our first task was to write some goals for this xmas........so what are my goals?
1. I want to buy less and make more.
2. I want to enjoy the run up to xmas without getting stressed.
3. I want the whole family to enjoy a relaxed and peaceful xmas day together.
4. To avoid excess this year....in food,presents,spending
5. To spend more time together, and less time in the kitchen over xmas.
Are they achievable??????  We'll have to see!!!!!
And a nice,fun,cheery card today.....I buy too many magazines this time of year....bit of an addict with xmas mags.....many of them have freebie papers in them.....but why do they have to be such poor quality.....loved these freebie papers.......but a real problem glueing them cause of the thin,cheap paper....they bubble up......which spoils the effect.....found Tombo stick glue to be the best.....but not perfect.

Anyone for Anya Challenge wants anything 'round' this week.
Anya has been coloured with SU watercolour crayons and blender.........face with copics......papers all mag feebie........fun flock on stocking......Stickles on wings

Over The Top Award

I've been sent a few awards over the last few months.....and am always very appreciative......but not very good at actually getting them on my blog......a few lovely bloggers have sent me this one......so thought I'd better do it!!

34 questions to answer.....1 word answers.....nearly managed that......and pass onto 5 other bloggers.......but I know quite a few of you have had this.......so if you haven't......and fancy having a go.....please take with my compliments.

1.Where is your cell phone? kitchen work surface
2. Your hair? volumeless!
3. Your mother? gone
4. Your father? gone
5. Your favorite food? chinese
6. Your dream last night? none
7. Your favorite drink? Archers
8. Your dream/goal? crafting
9. What room are you in? dining room/study
10. Your hobby? Craft
11. Your fear? heights
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here
13. Where were you last night? home
14. Something that you aren't? thin
15. Muffins? yes please
16. Wish list item? craft room
17. Where did you grow up? London
18. Last thing you did? made lemon muffins
19. What are you wearing? black
20. Your TV? CSI
21. Your Pets? 2 dogs + 1 cat
22. Friends? special
23. Your life? busy
24. Your mood? stressed
25. Missing Someone? Mum
26. Vehicle? KA
27. Something you’re not wearing? necklace
28. Your favorite store? too many
29. Your favorite colour? none
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? a week ago
32. Your best friend? OH
33. One place that I go to over and over? Tesco
34. Facebook? No

A quick follow on to the cookies disaster post........today we made lemon muffins........a vast improvement.........they taste delicious.......which means I will eat too many.........which is why I try not to bake!!!!!!