Counterfeit Kit Challenge - January 2012

Reading through my blogs recently, I came across a post mentioning the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog (sorry, I can't remember who's blog I read about it on, but if you've blogged about it recently - THANK YOU!!).

On the 5th of each month, the team challenge you to take inspiration for specific kits from one of the many suppliers out there, and compile your own kit made up from stash you already have. Well, anyone who knows me will know I have TONS of stash from when I owned Craft Magic UK - and now I think I've finally found a way to use some of it up!

Throughout the month, the team will also be challenging us to actually USE the stuff in our kits - shock, horror!! You mean I can't just sit and stroke it all???

Now, a lot of my stash is quite old, so the kits won't be as up to date as some .... so here goes with 'January 2012's Counterfeit Kit' Kit based around the Amber Snowflake Kit from Cocoa Daisy

1) Paper Loft - SC312
2) Paper Loft - SC336
3) Paper Loft - GO127
4) Paper Loft - SC306
5) Paper Loft - SC302
6) Paper Loft - SC305
7) Pixie Press - Romance Letter Collage
8) Jenni Bowlin - Live Laugh
9) Paper Loft - Geometric Bubble Caps Alphabet Stickers
10) Pixie Press - Canvas Emotion Stickers - Joy Emotions
11) Sarabinders Small Envelopes
12) Creative Impressions Twill - 'Live, Love, Laugh' & 'Create, Believe, Imagine'
13) Assorted Blooms from the Duck Pond Crafts 'For The Boys' Kit
14) Buttons from 'For The Boys'
15) Ribbon from 'For The Boys'
16) Making Memories Shaped Clips
17) Debbi Moore Stamp - magic moments ...
18) Large Flowers from 'For The Boys'

I can't wait now to see what we are challenged to do with our kit!

Creative Color Challenge 2012

I've just signed up to the Creative Color Challenge 2012 over at Louise Gale's blog - on the 1st of each month, Louise will post a colour palette to use for that month's challenge. I thought it was about time I moved away from neutrals or blues in my crafting, so hoping this will help to get my creative tastebuds salivating ;-)

If you want to join me, pop on over to Louise's blog

Attitude of Gratitude

Well, September came and went .... I started my Learn Something New Every Day album, completed the first 7 days and that was it :-(

I'm a little disappointed with myself, but I guess life just gets in the way sometimes. So, I'm a little wary about starting another longterm project ..... but I'm going to give it a go anyway!

So, I'll be joining in with Attitude of Gratitude 2011 over at PrecociousPaper. I'm planning to tie it in with a bit of bible study as well, so November should be a truly uplifting and thought-provoking month.

If you'd like to join us, pop on over to the PrecociousPaper blog ;-)

Feeling Blue!

No .... not me lol. Mo's Digital Pencil are running a new Challenge called Feeling Blue - make a card using the colour blue.

I used my new Scalloped Circle Nestabilities to make the easel card and I'm really pleased with the effect.

And another one!

This one was made for the Glue Pot Challenges Weekly Challenge with the theme Get Well Soon. If you fancy joining us, we're on Facebook - it's an open group so anyone can join.

For this card I used a gorgeous image called 'Harry's Feeling Ill' from Mo's Digital Pencil. It was a great one to colour, but I definitely need to find somewhere to buy the new fine nibs for my Promarkers ;-)

Michelle Perkett Studios - Vintage Creations Challenge

I love the vintage look - and now that I've managed to get to grips with it, I love stepper cards lol. I'm not the most patient of people, so tended to rush the measuring and cutting ..... big mistake! But this time, I took my time with it, measured, cut and scored acurately and guess what .... it worked lol.

I decided to mount the image in the centre step rather than the back one, as I wanted it to be more visible ... I think it works.

Cardstock by Bazill, Paper from a Paper Mania Pad (I think! Yep, you've guessed it - I've lost the cover to this pad as well lol), eyelets from Eye-lets Etc and image from Michelle Perkett Studios

Sketch N Stash Challenge 68

Well, I think I'm on a role with the old mojo - so I'm making the most of it!

Today I've finished my entry for the Sketch N Stash Challenge 68 - I adore this sketch, and can see me using it often. If you want to play along too, you have until Sunday 28th August to get your entry in - there's a £10 voucher to Bunny Zoes Crafts up for grabs.

Anyway - onto my entry. One of the rules for Sketch N Stash is that you have to use something new or something neglected from your stash - being greedy, I used both!

The something neglected is the patterned paper. It's from a huge pad I had, but I've lost the cover so can't tell you what it is lol. I've not used it in ages, so decided to start using it up. The new stash is the ribbon, which comes from my Cardmaker's Kit from Duck Pond Crafts; the mint green pearls from Hobbycraft; and the digi-stamp, which is a freebie from Sassy Cheryl (you can find her group at Paper Craft Planet. The card is Bazill and Anita's Silver Miriboard.

Off now to do some more colouring - I SOOOO love my Promarkers!

I love surfing!

Recently, my laptop became sick ;-( She's still sick, but I went out and bought myself a Netbook so I could a) get back to work and b) get back to my social life (Facebook, Paper Craft Planet etc lol). And of course, back to my crafting.

First thing I did (after installing a good anti-virus programme so my Netbook doesn't join the laptop in the hospital), was to set up Google Reader as my homepage - and boy has there been some inspiration out there recently! There have been a few Blog Hops taking place, so I've added lots of new blogs to my list - and found lots of new/old technique tutorials to have a play with.

Amongst my favs are:-

Faux Porcelain Flowers by Sherry Cheever

Starfolded Card by mollyscrap on You Tube

I've had a go at the Starfolded Card - just need to put the finishing touches to it then I will post piccies. I'm going to use it for the Papertake Weekly Challenge - Grow Your Own, so watch this space!

Altered Buildings & Blog Hops

I have had SOOO much fun this evening with the Altered Artspirations Challenge over at Scrapbookgraphics - the challenge was to alter a building, monument or landmark.

I watched the Dome being built, as the Dockland Scout Project base is directly opposite - in fact, this picture was taken from the Blue Bridge at the entrance to the dock.

It took FOREVER to 'colour' in the roof, as I've lost the pen to my graphics tablet so had to use the mouse (which is why it looks a bit raggedy). But I'm really pleased with the finished results.

I'd LOVE to know what you think!



The flowers came as part of the kit which is being given away FREE from the Digital Design House on their Blog Hop. Check it out - the kit is absolutely gorgeous!!




To join the hop, start at Kate's Blog - have fun!

Been Pooter-less Again!!!

Yes, my faithful old PC died last week :( She's been a loyal and faithful friend for 7 years, but this time, she'd had enough!

So - I'm sitting here blogging on my new (well, new to me) PC with a NINETEEN inch screen!!! I feel like I'm at the control panel for NASA LOL.

And it's arrived just in the nick of time, as we're running a Cyber Crop over at FaithScrappers UK this weekend. It starts a 7pm on Friday, with classes and challenges being posted all through Friday evening and Saturday. Sunday will be class-less, but we will have a Bible Study during the day.

Our CCs are pretty relaxed - there's no pressure to join in with the classes or challenges, you just pick the ones you fancy having a go at. And if you want to do them all ...... FAB! It's a chance to learn some new techniques, create some meaningful projects, chat with other crafters and have fun. The theme for this Cyber Crop is The Power Of Prayer!

Come on over and join us - if you're not already a members you'll need to join. Just register for membership (let me know you've done it babsm316@yahoo.co.uk and I'll approve the membership asap) and then let the herma fly!!!

The First FSUK Challenge .....

will be going live THIS FRIDAY (29th January). Our Design Team has been working feverishly behind the scenes getting ready for our challenges .... all we need now is YOU!

Come and join us on the FSUK Challenge Blog EVERY FRIDAY for a new challenge. In the meantime, why not pop on over to the forum and join in all the regular fun and crafting :)

Art Journal Caravan - Itinerary #2

I had a spare half hour while I drank my coffee (actually, I could have unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, but what the hey!!!), so I thought I'd have a play with Parcel #2 from the Art Journal Caravan over at scrapbookgraphics.com! I LOVE this one - the colours are gorgeous, and I just fell head over heals for the bird.

So, I've had a play with ACCEPT - something I do struggle with. Thanks for the inspiration, Tangie - I'm going to print this one out and stick it to my wall as a permanent reminder that I don't have to be perfect ... I just have to accept it and get on with life!



Now ....... back to the dishwasher LOL

Life is like a box of chocolates .....

Prompt 3 in ScrapDolly's 52in10 Challenge has brought mixed feelings. The first part of the challenge was to go back in time and give some advice to a younger you. Well, I went back 15 years to a day which in hindsight was filled with mixed emotions, when my life could have turned out so differently.

It's been good to actually put my thoughts down on paper, even if they are hidden ... they are far too personal to blog. Although I've done this layout digi, it will actually be printed as two parts. Underneath the photo on the main page is a journalling block containing a letter I've written to myself - I doubt I would have listened even to me .... I didn't listen to anyone else LOL. The photo is of a beautiful sunset I took last year, as I didn't want the subject of my letter to be obvious. When it's printed, the photo and hinges will be stuck over the journalling to form a flap (hope that makes sense).

The second part of the challenge was to use a quote ..... thanks ScrapDolly - I've been waiting to use that one for AGES!!

Well, here it is :-

52in10 Page 2 - Goals 2010

I've managed to get my second page done tonight, less than 24 hours since the prompt was posted LOL. I get the feeling I'm being lulled into a false sense of security ..... they can't all be this easy but I bet they will all be this much fun.

2010 has started fairly well - we now have a proper floor in our kitchen! Just the skirting boards and painting to do and that will finally be finished after 5 years :)

I can also see my living room floor - well, half of it anyway. I'm slowly getting my life organised, but the biggest achievement is that I've finally accepted that it's not something that is going to happen overnight. I need to take baby steps - it didn't get messy overnight, so it's not going to get tidy overnight!

My weight has always been a battle, but I really do think I'm in a place now where I CAN and WILL win that battle. Again, it's baby steps, and I'm so pleased to have lost my first stone. I've kinda set my goal weight, although it's in liquid cement rather than stone - if I get to a weight where I'm happy, and it's not my goal, I know I can move that goal. I want to look good and be healthy - not a stick insect :D

Well, enough waffle from me for tonight - here's the layout!



I'm still a very new digi-scrapper, so would love to hear your comments!

The supplies all came from FaithSisters - the paper and flowers from the Consider The Lillies Kit, the frame from the Fun & Funky Frames Kit and the title is made using the Alpha: Invisible 3 Kit. The text is Papyrus.

52 in 10 - Prompt 1

The boys went back to school today, so I've spent the morning working on my first layout for my 52 in 10 Album. I tried to keep the page fairly simply, as there was a LOT of journalling. I didn't realise that so much had happened in ten years - and these are just the highlights! It was good spending some time looking back over the past decade and seeing how it has shaped my life.

I'm now looking forward to the next prompt arriving on Sunday!






Now I've had my bit of fun for the day, I guess I'd better get back to reality ..... and the washing machine!

Nancy Drew Challenge!

Crikey - two posts in one day LOL.

I was reading someone's blog (sorry, I cleared my reader before noting down who's it was) when I spied THIS:-



I read EVERY Nancy Drew book I could get my hands on as a child/teen and LOVED them. This challenge really is up my alley - and I'm always up for a challenge.

If you fancy joining me, and quite a few other ND lovers out there in blogland, you can sign up for the challenge HERE. Although the challenge doesn't require a book review, I'm planning on writing one for each book so I can put together my own digi-album of Nancy Drew Mysteries!

Ooooh - I'm SOOOOO excited LOL,