ink on my fingers

Catching up - Tim's 12 tags

2011-12-06T22:52:00.001Z

Day 3

I'm trying to catch up with Tim Holtz's 12 tags of Christmas. He shares so many wonderful techniques, like the tag above. I don't have all the supplies he uses in hos projects so have made substitutions, which I think is a good thing as it makes me dig out things that haven't been used for a while like the the background stamp I used in day 3's tag.

Day 4

For Day 4's tag I used the carved ornaments 2 die as I don't have the snowman die or the snowflake on-the-edge die so used the icicle embossing folder. I'm really pleased with the way this one turned out.

Day 5

This one is a fairly simple tag, but I love the mirror text stamp and the archival ink stamping on alcohol ink technique. Added embossed snowflakes to the bottom with a bit of bling.

I spent most of my weekend working on an explosion box card commissioned by a work colleague - this is the first one I've ever done - I really hate to have to measure anything and wasted so many sheets of cardstock. I'm really happy with how it turned out and have to thank fellow ATT members for the inspiration and the instructions on how to create the rosette snowman.

It's started!!! Tim's 12 tags of Christmas

2011-12-01T21:53:00.001Z

I know I still haven't updated my blog with the rest of Tim Holtz's Crafting in the Caribbean Cruise but I will get round to it soon.

I can't believe it's the 1st of December already, I love looking forward to seeing what Tim's going to come up with each day, had a sneaky peak at work :) really just wanted to get home there and then to make my version. I don't have the Noel die(yet!) so used Tim's Joyful Christmas stamp embossed in silver instead - this is my favourite Christmas greeting stamp. I love the tattered pinecone die and the festive greenery.

Tim's version is here and this is mine:

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 1

I still haven't got all my Christmas cards made yet, just a few but I always find that Tim's tags inspire me to adapt his ideas to use in my cards - I just need to clear some space on my table so that I can actually get to work :)

Gesso background card

Telescoping Card

Stepstair Card

The cruise part two...

2011-10-30T22:26:00.002Z

CocoCay, Bahamas

Monday 26th September was a beautiful day and we arrived in the Bahamas at CocoCay, an island owned by Royal Caribbean. It was so warm, the sea a beautiful blue, soft sand and palm trees everywhere - paradise. I had booked myself on an ecoboat tour, but had a bit of time to kill beforehand so wandered around the colourful market.

CocoCay Coconuts!

Perry, the tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. CocoCay is also known as Little Stirrup Cay and is part of the Berry chain of islands, and is about 50 miles from Nassau.

Freedom of the Sea at CocoCay

It was so refreshing to feel the seaspray and cool breeze while on the tour, and every so often we'd stop and Perry would stand in the bow of the boat with a big fishing net then pull things out of the sea.

Conch

First we got to hold a large conch, beautiful colours and Perry told us that this one was around 5 years old and was going to be his dinner that evening :)

Next came a large starfish, they become hard to the touch when out of water to protect themselves, and would soften again when returned to the sea and no longer felt under threat.

Stingray

After the boat tour, I wandered around the island for a while, and had a paddle in the sea.

I spotted a little hermit crab trying to climb it's way up the steps to the bar - maybe it wanted a Crabbies Gingerbeer(teehee).

We had a barbecue lunch on the island, and I found a great spot on a picnic bench in the shade of some trees. A few people were making their way to another table then all of a sudden I saw them tearing off in the opposite direction - I wondered what was happening then I spotted the cause of the uproar, two iguanas decided that they wanted some lunch too! There were chickens wandering about too, and they didn't seem bothered about the iguanas, so I couldn't resist trying to get close for some photos. I was trying to get him head on, but he decided that his profile was much more photogenic

iguana

ready for my closeup

Back on board we had our first workshop that evening. I was in group B, our class was at 8:00 that evening. We decorated an insert for a cup, great first project and the cup proved to be very useful to take to class without worrying about spilling drink on your projects. It didn't take very much materials to complete the project but as always with Tim we had more then enough supplies to make a different insert for every month if you were so inclined.

Cup of creativity

Back to reality - can't believe it's over..

2011-10-18T20:52:00.000+01:00

All ready to go!

It's been a few weeks now since I returned from the most wonderful holiday - Tim Holtz cruise to the Carribean. It was an amazing experience, even better than last year - I think because it was my second cruise I knew what to expect and wasn't so nervous, and I was sharing with my roomie Carolyn from last years cruise too. This time we were sailing from Port Canaveral, so the flight was a bit longer than last time.

We decided to spend the night at the Disney All Star Sports resort in Florida before the cruise, we had hoped we'd arrive in time to meet some of the others for dinner, but it took us so long to find the right place to get the Disney Magic Express, then get checked in that it was too late. We hit the diner then just crawled into bed - long day of travel. Loved the towel mickey on the bed though!

Next morning we had a few hours to kill before taking the shuttle to Port Canaveral to board the ship.

First order of the day was breakfast, pancakes with warm strawberries and extremely crispy bacon, the pancakes were so good - must be healthy a wee bit - did have fruit with them :)

We then had a walk around the resort, the place is so big and beautifully laid out, there's a wonderful pool, a Disney store, diner, amusements - we didn't see all of it.

While walking around I saw a shadow darting across the ground, and found this wee fellow on a tree, who knew lizards could be cute?

I loved how the stairs to the upper apartments were made to look like lifeguard stations - and just loved the beautiful blue sky.

The shuttle came to pick us up, and we got to see some of the other resorts and beautiful scenery on the way to the port.

Near Port Canaveral

Disney ship at Port Canaveral

Boarding the ship went really smoothly, and just as we stepped on board I heard voices calling my name - it was Pat and Lorraine, who Carolyn and I had met on the cruise last year. It was so great to see them and catch up.

Lorraine

Pat

This time our cabin was on deck six, just above the Promenade deck, which made it so handy for getting to the conference centre for class and Mario's marketplace. Last time it took almost to the end of the cruise before we worked out the easiest way to get there!

Children's pool

Promenade

Later that evening we had our welcome reception, we were given our ScrapMap cruise tote - a mini rucksack, and then all madly swapped out our trades before Jim West introduced Tim and his team.
My trades seemed to be well received, and I gave one to Tim too - think he liked it.

My trades - dress form pencil holders

It was great to see fellow crafters I'd met on the New England cruise, and to put faces to the usernames on
cruise yahoo group. There's so much to write about and photos to share that I'm not going to try and cram it all into one blog-post. Stay tuned for the next installment :)

!3 Tags of Halloween - and a sneaky peek :)

2011-09-11T22:11:00.000+01:00

!3 Tags of halloween

Back of tags

I've spent most of the weekend immersed in distress ink, glimmer mists, rubber stamps, ribbon, tags, die cutting, embossing folders - great fun:) Wanted to complete my tags for the All Things Tim Yahoo group 13 tags of Halloween swap. This is my first swap on the group so hope they are well received. I stayed up late on saturday night to work on them and to take part in an online chat with Jim, Tim and Mario about the cruise in 2 weeks time - but I got so caught up in playing that it was almost 2:00am before I signed in and everyone was saying goodbye!

I still haven't finished my cruise swaps but plan to do so this week, my case is already mostly packed. Really looking forward to meeting up with some of the lovely ladies I met last year and making new friends and of course Tim's workshops, Mario's store and the studio at sea.(And the food, sightseeing, warmer weather, and not forgetting the towel animals)

Vampire blood vial!

This year I've decided to enter Craft Stamper Magazine's Stamper of the Year competition. I finished one entry today and I think it's turned out really well. Don't want to give too much away but I've included a couple of sneak peeks below

Anniversary Printer Tray

2011-07-24T23:17:00.000+01:00

50th Anniversary Printer Tray

This is the project I've been working on for most of June. A Tim Holtz printer tray for my Mum & Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary. When I was visting them in Scotland in May I managed to scan some of my mum and dad's wedding album - told porkies and said my friends daughter was doing a project for school on weddings and comparing styles between now and the 60's :)

Mini canvas

I've used tissue tape on the edges, Bo Bunny TimePiece papers, grunge blocks, Prima leaves, an old pocket watch and made flowers from Claudine Helmuth canvas. I also made a mini album using the TH clock die.
Mum & Dad were quite surprised - didn't know I had got hold of old family photos, they really liked it.

L:Mum, R:Gran(Mary), Mum(Agnes), Dad(John)

The Happy Couple, 1st July 1961

Mum

Grungeblock initials

L:Yvonne(me!),R:Pauline(Big Sis)

Canvas flower

Wedding Jalopy

Mini Album

A crafty round-up

2011-07-18T22:01:00.000+01:00

Steampunk telescoping card

June has just flown by, and July looks set to do the same.
I was inspired by Shelly Hickox and Technique Junkie's telescoping cards so had to have a go at making one for my niece's 18th Birthday. I love how they look and the way they unfurl!

Upcycled Coffee Jar

I needed some pretty storage for my charms instead of them being strewn all over my dresser so I had the idea of adapting something I saw at LB Crafts stand at Ally Pally, Lin was wearing a necklace with one of tim's vials which had been painted and stamped. I used Paperartsy Fresco paint - works great on glass, then stamped with script stamp from Tim Holtz Papillon set.

Stamped fabric

June's project with my friends Bibi and Sam involved sewing machines, fabric paints and stamping. We made reversible tote bags and fabric covered journals. The script stamp seems to be a favourite of mine at the moment and used it to stamp the fabric for the bag using dye-na-flow fabric paint.

Stamped Tote bag

detail - butterflies

Applique bird

reversible bag

I used one of my photos taken on a walk by the canal in Hackney to create a transfer to use on the cover of my journal, I then overstamped around the edges with fabric paints

The pages are made from watercolour paper interleaved with large manila tags

Fathers day card

I made an easel card for my Dad's fathers day card using the TH weathered clock die

The strangest thing happed when I'd posted it off from London to my Dad in Scotland. Normally anything I send arrives the following day, but a couple of weeks went by and it still hadn't arrived. Then i got a call from my Dad saying it had arrived and on the envelope was a sticker saying that there was insufficient airmail postage! Airmail??? To Scotland from England - wonder if they'd tried to send it via Nova Scotia :)

Stamp, shrink, bead

2011-05-22T23:31:00.000+01:00

Getting back into a bit of crafting after feeling ill for a few weeks - today had a craft day with Bibi & Sam. We made shrink plastic and bead charms for a bracelet and pin. Used a mixture of Tim Holtz, Bo Bunny and Graphic 45 stamps.

Chotski pin - mine

Bracelet - mine

Pin - close-up

Bracelet - Bibi's

Bibi, as usual spent so long chatting and entertaining us that she didn't even start making her pin! Bibi - get it done and I want to see it blogged too! But her bracelet turned out lovely :)

Bracelet - Sam's

Sam finished both of her's - both look great, and Sam now has a blog and we've given her a quick tutorial so hopefully we'll see her posting soon! Thanks Bibi for hosting today and for our lovely goodies.

Pin - Sam's

Steampunked!

2011-04-26T21:44:00.000+01:00

Steampunked box

Had a lovely Easter Weekend, great weather in the UK during a Bank holiday for a change!

I had planned to paint my hallway but a trip to Hobbycraft and lunch with friends was much more appealing :)

Sunday was spent with friends Sam & Bibi - another crafting session at Sam's this time.
Sam had bought us all some lovely goodies for Easter - nesting wooden boxes to be altered, beads and charms, a sketch book to alter, a canvas and inkjet transparencies to use for a transfer technique project. Bibi gave us a goodie bag with Hotel Chocolat Eggs, chocolate, cheese biscuits and a skooshie bottle - really handy when your paint dabbers dry up :)

Metal rose, embossed with steampunk texture fade

Cogs and gears - blinged!

We steampunked our boxes, I actually started out with the top of the box painted in a mix of pink and blue - not my normal style but as you can see it didn't stay that way for long - I had to grunge it up with expresso paint and heirloom gold perfect pearl mist. The sides are covered in kraft resist paper and tissue tape, and gears cut using the Tim Holtz cogs and gears die - I love my vagabond, makes cutting metal and grungeboard so easy. Used dressform cut from Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante papers and stamped Gibson Girl with gears to decorate the top, which I'd covered in metal foil.

Gears

My mobile phone chargers now live in this box, instead of falling on my head when I open the cupboard door!

Good Day Sunday - Easter basket's and Altered Books

2011-04-17T23:40:00.000+01:00

We'd been planning this crafty get-together for a while, a trip to Kervan - a Turkish restaurant in Edmonton then an altered book project based on a Prima class by Marion Smith. I put together a little Easter gift for Sam, Bibi and Yasmin. Sam's not a fan of chocolate (mad woman :), so I put together a selection of cheeses and biscuits. Bibi and Yas had Lindt Rabbits, Lambs and mini creme eggs. Each basket is decorated with glimmer misted flowers, felt rabbits and monogramed labels painted with fresco paint and crackle glaze.

L to R - Mine, Bibi's, Sam's

We tore the original pages out of the books and cut various types of paper to size and some smaller random sized pages to add interest. The pages are sewn into signatures (my sewing machine protested against sewing paper). As you can see, we all came up with different styles for our front covers, I went for a SteamPunk theme. We didn't have the prima book closures so I decided to make my own version using some chain, Tim Holtz jump rings and mini bulldog clips. We then hung charms from the chain - looks great I think!

Bibi's

Sam's

Yvonne's(mine!)

DIY book closures/charm dangler

DIY book closures

ArtsyCrafts Configuration finally done!

2011-03-09T20:58:00.000Z

Compartments of imagination

ArtsyCrafts Configuration

Had a crafty get-together with my friends Bibi and Sam on Sunday. We had a great time playing with stamps, tissue paper and beeswax. I've had beeswax for ages and did nothing with it, until I saw Hels Sheridan's beeswax collage project in Craft Stamper magazine. I used some of Tim's new stamps and some sewing themed stamps that I just found again that I bought years ago. I'm pleased how the project turned out. I was still in creative mode when I got back home so decided to finish off my configuration box. Turned out well I think?

Beeswax Collage

mini canvas

Tim Holtz @ ArtsyCrafts

2011-02-27T10:32:00.000Z

Inchie book presented to Tim

Had a wonderful day on Friday 25th Feb at ArtsyCrafts in Milton Keynes. Of course it was even more fantastic than Lin and Leandra's workshops usually are because the wonderful Tim was here to teach a configurations box class. First I was in class with Lin and Leandra(with their wonderful helpers too) after I had been to the shop :) We made a lovely triptych using some new PaperArtsy products - new chalk paint and metal card. As usual Leandra comes up with some fab words - this time "worm envy" and we heard about "red snot"

Work in progress - triptych

Finished project

ArtsyCrafts Project

After a much needed lunchbreak came the highlight of the day - Tim's class! I love his work, his teaching style - really just everything! I didn't finish my box - too many choices in the goodies we were given that I spent sooo much time putting things in and taking them out again - plan to finish off today and upload later but here's a couple of photo's of the goodies we were given and what I've done so far.

grungeboard typeblocks

Centre section

Mario always has to try on hats and he borrowed Siobhan's - looks very fetching in red sequince! Tim gave away raffle prizes - and I was lucky enough to win one, an alterations die. My vagabond arrived at work on thursday but as I was going to MK couldn't take it home to play :(

Tim and some of the ArtsyCrafts team

too many starbucks Tim?

I had a fabulous time, thanks to everyone involved and to Tania for arranging the Inchie book presented to Tim.

CCC #32

2011-02-14T22:41:00.000Z

CCC#32 Ink & Masking
Linda over at Studio L3 set this technique for the challenge this week. It's on page 59 of Tim Holtz's book.
I haven't been keeping up with the challenges but thought I'd give this one a go. Enjoyed playing with this.

It's been a while - a look back

2011-02-13T22:41:00.000Z

Haven't update my blog for a while, had an op in early january and just starting to feel like i'm getting back to my old self again! Have been meaning to do something with my Tim Holtz cruise photos so have put together a slide show. Great memories, and so looking forward to another Tim class - this time in the UK at ArtsyCrafts in Milton Keynes.

Also a couple of configuration boxes I made for Christmas

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas day 6

2010-12-07T07:38:00.000Z

I love learning all the new techniques Tim comes up with! again I don't have everything he used on his tag so I had to substitute with what I did have. I don't have the trees embossing folder but tim gave us the snowflake and snowman folders on the cruise so used the snowman, I'd cut some of the deers while on the cruise too, thinking they'd come in handy. I can't wait until the Vagabond is released in the U.K. - really makes die cutting and embossing a breeze! I did struggle with the stamping on the inside of the folder - couldn't seem to get enough ink in the right place so a couple of tags bit the dust until I got one I was happy with. Don't have the tree die either but another present from Tim on the cruise was the Raven and Scaredy cat die - the branch the raven perches on also makes great antlers - just cut 2 and flip one over :)

Playing along with Tim

2010-12-05T21:06:00.000Z

Day 1

Day 2

I've been playing along with Tim Holtz's 12 tags of Christmas. I don't always have all the products that he uses so it's a challenge to find alternatives. Day 1 Ididn't have the house die so used the haunted house from the seasonal grungeboard, trimmed it down to fit.

Day 3

Day 3, I didn't have the tree stamp Tim used so I used another tree stamp I had in my stash and it worked quite well!

Day 4

Day 4, no prima bling swirls so made my own from a cut apart Heidi Swapp bling frame and some flat backed pearls. Also don't have the baubles so made my own with some pearls, headpins and beadcups.

Day 5

Day 5, I don't have the metal number so used PaperArtsy number stamps on metal, cut them out and painted/embossed.

CCC#21 Perfect Distress

2010-11-14T16:34:00.000Z

This week Linda of Studio L3 set us the challenge of Tim Holtz's Perfect Distress technique that can be found on page 38 of his Compendium of Curiosities book. I love this technique, have had Perfect Pearls for a while now but not used them much, so this challenge was good in getting me to use something from my stash. I love the look, gives a really soft, pearly sheen - it's a bit hard to see in the picture but I think lends a vintage look to the tag. Used the swiss cheese punch Tim gave us on the cruise to give a different look to the rosette. Finished off with a ruffle of tissue tape - love that stuff!

Blog Hop. Celebrating 1 year of Shimelle's Bakers Dozen

2010-11-11T16:00:00.001Z

Can't believe it's already been a year that I've been a member of Shimelle Laine's Baker's Dozen design team. I love Shimelle's style whether it's traditional scrapping, digital or hybrid. So her kits Streamlined 2009 template and Bazinga seemed ideal to use to document my first ever Tim Holtz Cruise. It was such a wonderful time, so full of creativity and the most wonderful people. Can't wait until next year's cruise.

If you'd like to continue the hop please pop(hop!) over to the lovely SJ's blog at http://www.scrappyfairy.blogspot.com/

CCC#20 Compendium of Curiosities Challenge 20 - Industrial Grunge

2010-11-07T16:48:00.001Z

This weeks technique set by Linda at StudioL3 is Industrial Grunge which can be found on page 54 of Tim Holtz's book. Not sure that it really shows up well in this photo but the technique was done on the grungeboard key, does give it a weathered, rusted look. Card is a late birthday card for my friend Sam. Hope she likes it!

CCC#19 Compendium of Curiosities Challenge 19 - Extreme masking

2010-10-27T21:49:00.000+01:00

Linda at L3Studio has set the Tim Holtz Challenge for this week as the Extreme Masking technique on page 61 of Tim's Compendium of Curiosities book. I used a mask cut from the Scaredy Cat and Raven die and various colours of distress ink, then stamped the skeleton onto the masked raven. Used some tissue tape at the bottom and a couple of paperclay skulls - took a mould from the skeleton I bought at Absolutely Everything while on the Tim Holtz cruise- AE is a fantastic shop, loved it so much! I'll get back to blogging about the cruise soon.

Bon Voyage!

2010-10-20T22:54:00.000+01:00

I'm slowly working through the photos I took on the cruise and have just sent off my first 2 rolls of film from my Diana F+ camera to be developed. The Diana is a lomography camera sometimes known as a Toy camera as it's made of plastic and totally manual - no batteries. Not sure how they'll turn out but that's all part of the fun of Lomo. Theres a great Flickr http://www.flickr.com/groups/diana_plus/ which show the type of photos produced by the camera - love the vignetteing.

So on the 30th Sept the buses came to pick us up from the Hampton Inn to take us to the big boat! I knew it would be big but just didn't realise how big it would be... so massive. The weather wasn't so great that day, drizzly rain and overcast, and as we were heading for the bus to take us to the ship I caught a glimpse of a tv showing a weather report and New York was catching the end of a storm - explained why things got a bit bumpy later on - I didn't really know this was unusual as I'd never been on a cruiseship before - nearest thing was trips on the ferry to Isle of Man with my family when I was wee. (Don't think the Renfrew ferry to Yoker counts!(Scotland)). It took Carolyn and I a few days before we got the hang of finding our room without going the longest way round.

We had our welcome party in the Maharaja lounge, received our id bags(best things ever), Cheryl swapped out our charms and we met Jim, Tim and the gang - didn't get great photos because Tim never stays still for long :)

Back to reality

2010-10-14T21:14:00.000+01:00

Oh well, firmly back to reality now. First day back at work, the joys of traveling on the London underground. At least I have next years Tim Holtz Cruise to look forward to - and my projects and photos provide great memories too. I can fully recommend Tim's cruises organised by Scrapmap, everything is taken care of, Tim is an amazing teacher and his gang of helpers take care of all the workshop needs. A fully stocked studio was available for us to work in at any time and it was so fantastic to meet so many creative people from all around the world who share your passion(obsession).

This was my first ever visit to the USA and my first Tim Cruise. Met my roomie Carolyn on the flight over to Newark which was a good start. Once we arrived at our hotel in New York we decided to wander around until our room was ready.

Our hotel was in the garment district and the fabric and trimming shops were just amazing. We had a look around Grand Central Station - what amazing place! Tried to make it to Empire States Building but we had to make our way back to the hotel to freshen up for our trip to the Tinsel Trading Co. and dinner at Tony Di Napoli's.

Tony Di Napoli's

Grand Central Station

St. John New Brunswick

2010-10-08T15:37:00.000+01:00

Coastal Photography tour, 4th October. Great day, sunshine, waterfalls, beach, sand in my shoes - what more could you want?

New York and Portland

2010-10-02T21:20:00.000+01:00

Having such a great time on ScrapMap Tim Holtz cruise to Canada & New England. Had our first class with Tim yesterday - boy is he fast :) Fab class, really pleased with how it turned out and it's something that can be worked on all during the cruise - a travel journal.

Just a quick few photos - New York and Portland.

August

2010-08-17T10:00:00.001+01:00

It's been a busy old summer and I can't believe it's August already - not long until I go on my cruise not just any cruise but a Tim Holtz cruise!!!!

Shimelle has released a lovely new quick page on Two peas 'An instant pretty page template'. Its really great and so easy to use, just drop you favourite papers and photos in - and you can flip it around for different looks.

Here's a couple of LO's that I've done using it :

Bazinga!

2010-08-16T20:17:00.000+01:00

I blame it all on my big sister! July flew by, Pauline (the big blister in question) came to visit with my nieces Heather and Lorna at the beginning of July. We packed a lot into there time here and felt like I needed a holiday afterwards! I also signed up for Picture Summer at BPS but didn't manage to keep up this time, but still on the look out for photo ops.

Did manage to create a couple of layouts using Shimelle's Digi kit at Two Peas in a bucket - Bazinga

I love the butterflies in this kit and the papers are great - very summerey.

I love Jonsi and thought the papers worked really well with one of the photos from his forum.

Father's Day

2010-06-21T17:50:00.024+01:00

Another day, another blog entry! Just managed to get this hybrid card made and posted in time to send to my Dad. He thinks my photography has really improved so thought I'd include some of the photos i've taken recently - the tulip is from his garden. Used the journal block and alpha from Shimelle's "You are amazing" kit and frame from Starburst mini kit.

Flaming June

2010-06-20T20:48:00.008+01:00

Flaming sinusitis more like! Been really suffering this week, sinusitis pain really horrible and balance off, feeling much better now though. Just as well since mybig sis, 2 nieces and one of their friends are coming to visit on the 30th and I have a few things to get organised before they arrive.

I actullay completed 2 design team projects before the end of the month, just forgot to blog the layout above! This was made using Shimelle's "You are amazing" page template and alpha.

More photos I'd taken during the Picture Spring course. I borrowed the title from Photographer Craig Tanner's Blog as it really captures what I feel I have learned from Picture Spring at Big Picture Scrapbooking - will need to sign up for Picture Summer!

A hybrid project using part of the same template to follow shortly....

Where did May go?!!!

2010-06-06T10:05:00.006+01:00

I can't believe it's June already, May seems to have flashed by in the blink of an eye. At the beginning of May, Mum finished her chemo sessions and this coincided with Dorothy Pauls last ever performance of her one women show at the Pavilion in Glasgow(although she does always have a pianist!). If you haven't heard of her take a look at Youtube, she is so funny and it was great to see Mum enjoying herself. The end of May also marked the end of Mum's radiotherapy sessions too so June will be a better month all round. My niece Heather took part in Kilbarchan's Lilia's Day procession yesterday so hopefully my sister took some photos - did you Pauline?? Hopefully she did and no doubt they might end up on a layout or two!

The LO above is of our day at the theatre - couldn't take my SLR to the theatre so took a couple of photos on my phone - not too bad really! This is a page template by Shimelle at 2peas "Count to four" - it also includes a full alpha!

2010-03-31T22:00:00.002+01:00

I'm very late with my DT work this month, real life work getting in the way again :) Lots of overtime this month. Did this LO for Shimelles Something for almost nothing class and used one of the Cute labels as a journaling spot.

Photo of Max & Molly sitting on the windowsill - so cute!

Hey big blister if you read this leave me a comment!

More digi stuff

2010-02-17T20:48:00.010Z

Half way through February already! Where's the time going to? The weekend just doesn't seem long enough to do all the stuff I had planned :) I'd been thinking about starting up an Etsy store or something similar, I've got as far as finding a site very similar to Etsy but is UK based http://www.misi.co.uk/ and have created a shop banner but so far haven't got anything on there to sell.

One thing I have managed to do is 2 digi layouts for Shimelle's Bakers Dozen design team.

Used the Can't buy me love kit from TwoPeas and one of the Lovely Labels. Photo of my sister's papillons Max & Molly - they're so cute, I just love their big ears.

Second one uses the Love You quick page, added Heart created in PSE6 using cookie cutter tool and an old text brush, also used one of the Pretty Labels.

2010-01-12T21:16:00.006Z

Happy 2010! Hoping this year will be a good one. I don't make resolutions as such but this year I do want to try and be more creative - lost my inspiration a bit last year but this year have got off to a good start. Completed a hybrid desk calendar and a layout using Shimelle Laines "Remember" quick page template. The page templates are so easy to use - just clip your favourite digi papers and photos to the appropriate layers and you are done - of course you can add brushes etc or move the elements round.

Here's my Layout - Remember Winter

I wanted a desk calendar for work so decided to make one myself. I used the 2010 CD Calendar Template from The Digichick.com and several of Shimelle's kits at TwoPeas. Used a piece of chipboard for the base which I scored then covered with fabric scrapbook paper. I printed out each month 2 to an A4 page, then trimmed to size. Printed photos out on photo paper then handcut. Embelished each page with ribbons etc then bound together with BIA.

Christmas Projects

2009-12-29T16:42:00.003Z

Hi everyone - hope you all have had a happy Christmas. Been working on a couple of Bakers Dozen layouts - but as I'm in Scotland have had to take over my Dad's PC - don't tell him how many new fonts I've downloaded :) - not to mention pixresizer and a couple of photoshop brushes.

I just couldn't resist creating a layout with a photo of a work colleague wearing his christmas dinner - I didn't know one spoonful of curry could cause such a large stain!
Used Shimelle Laines Christmas M emories page template, snowflake stickers and Wrap it up Christmas papers from Two Peas in a Bucket.

My second layout is of the Christmas Cards I made this year. Found the idea for Easel Cards on Splitcoast stampers and went a bit overboard - it's a really easy design to make and does allow you to make them as simple or as involved as you like. Used the Wrap it up Christmas papers to make the Christmas Tree embellishments, snowflake stickers as journal spots and penned words Christmas - all by Shimelle Laine at Two Peas in a Bucket.

Tim's Twelve Tags of Christmas

2009-12-13T21:37:00.008Z

I've been following Tim Holtz's 12 tags of christmas. I love his techniques and his stamps and all the Ranger products. This is the first year I've actually done them all, usually just do a couple or just use the techniques. I don't have all the products he used so improvised on some - even made my own brads - don't have an i-top so covered some large brads with wadding then put the sticky canvas over the top! I didn't win anything from Tim's blog even though I commented every day :(

Jennie at The Artistic Stamper is doing a fantastic blog candy if you've done any of tims tags - post a link here http://theartisticstamper.blogspot.com/2009/12/tagtastic-blog-candy.html

Cupcakes

2009-11-26T20:44:00.005Z

I've been playing around with my craft robo again recently - he normally gets used around christmas after being neglected for a while :)

I used Shimelle Laines Autumn Apples Embellishment kit and Autumn Apples Polka dot papers to make cupcake wrappers,used the apple embellishment and welded to the basic cupcake wrapper shape to make a border of apples around the edge. Created a print and cut using the pink polka dot paper, then inked the apples, added a bit of sticky ribbon. Then i had to make some muffins to put IN the wrappers to take photos - any excuse to bake muffins :)

If anyones interested in the basic cupcake wrapper leave a comment.

On a roll

2009-11-17T19:52:00.006Z

I've actually made another layout - a hybrid one this time! Since the announcement last week of being chosen as one of Shimelle's Bakers Dozen I've done more scrapping in a week than I've done in the past few months - now I just need to get cracking on my Christmas Cards :)

I used Shimelles Starburst mini kit from Two Peas in a Bucket, and one of the postcards from The Long and Winding Road. The birds are from another kit on 2Peas, Carin Gardner's Element-ary Aviary Elements. I used the birds as clipping masks on with the blue polka dot and green damask papers from the Starburst paper kit.

Photo was taken from St Mary's Church in Walthamstow in the summer - an open day for the photography club I joined for their Summer School. The roof is not normally open to the public but we were able to climb up to the clock tower and onto the roof. I couldn't believe how far I could see - all the way to the 02 and Canary Wharf.

Announcing Shimelle Digitals Creative Team

2009-11-12T16:00:00.023Z

The Bakers Dozen!

I'm so excited to announce that the wonderfully talented Shimelle Laine has created a creative design team and I was lucky enough to be chosen! Shimelle's digital design kits are available from Two Peas in a Bucket and can be used either for purely digi layouts or hybrid so you can get double the enjoyment :)

There's thirteen of us(hence the name) from all over the world - all really talented ladies and it's so great to be working with them, it so inspiring to see such a variety of different styles of layouts created from the same kit.

We've all used The long and winding road for our introduction layouts: here's mine below.
For more inspiration please go and visit my very talented team mates:
Alison Anso Atival
Dolly Elisa Helen
Karen C Karen M Kate
Nadine Rani Sheri

Hope you enjoy the blog hopping and thanks for stopping by - now go and treat yourself to a kit!

My Surroundings....

2009-11-09T22:38:00.002Z

Catching up!

2009-11-09T21:25:00.003Z

I remember one of my English teachers at School telling me "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" - I was full of good intentions to keep up with Shimelle Laine's "Blogging for Scrapbookers" class but things have gotten away from me again. A bit of excitement for me (a very big excitement to me anyway!)on friday sort of pushed everything else out of the way - more will be revealed on thursday - stay tuned :)

Prompt 4 is about blogging/scrapping something ordinary but maybe with a little twist -so here goes.....
The underground or the tube - whatever you want to call it.
I've been living in or around London for nearly 14 years and still can't get my head around how some people behave. We don't have an underground system like London's in Scotland - ok we have the underground in Glasgow - the clockwork orange but it's basically a very short circular route so I wasn't really prepared for all the different lines here. When I first moved to London I tried to avoid any journeys that involved changing lines - was so scared I'd get lost! After a while I got braver and as long as I could work out my route before hand it wasn't at problem. But what I still can't get my head around is why do people feel the need to squeeeeeze into already packed carriages when there's another tube arriving in 2 minutes - and if that ones packed theres usually another one a minute after that! I'll only squeeze in if I'm running late and can't afford to take the chance in waiting. It may not be the most pleasant mode of transport but it is quick and frequent - not like Kilbarchan buses that only run once an hour after 18:00pm and every 2 hours on a sunday.

Favourite things

2009-11-05T20:15:00.004Z

I'm still running a day behind but at least i'm still going!

Things I love are:
1. Lush : I love their bath ballistics and bubblebars.

2.Lensbaby Lenses: Take a look at the Lensbaby group on Flickr or the official Lensbaby website. I love the effects you can get and have bought myself a set of optics to play with.

3.ArtsyCraftsy weekends: run by Leandra from Paperartsy and Linda from LB Crafts. They always come with the most amazing projects.

4.Tim Holtz - so inspiring

5.Craft time with my friends - we try to get together at least once every month. Sometimes we don't get much creating done but it's great to get together!

A Perfect Day (Almost)

2009-11-04T21:36:00.006Z

I'm hoping to keep my blog a bit more uptodate with the help of Shimelles latest class - Blogging for Scrapbookers.

Thinking of a memorable day recently - in July my sister and two nieces came to visit me it London. I usually book us theatre tickets but thought this time we'd do something different - so I booked us tickets for Eurostar to Paris for a day trip. I was a bit worried that it would be a struggle to get the girls out of bed so early but they both surprised me! We made it to St. Pancras in good time, bought some breakfast from M&S and got on the train. The journey was so much quicker than I expected.

We decided to take the metro to the Louvre but the map looked so confusing, but we then spotted a help point - they were so helpful, provided us a map and marked out the route to take and where to change. I'd recommend using the metro - just ask for instructions its not as scary as it looks.

Heather and Lorna wanted to see the Mona Lisa, so we followed the signs and crowed into the room - I've seen it before but still surprises me that it's smaller than I expected. After we'd managed to squeeze closer to get a better look the girls had had enough of culture and wanted to go outside and sit by the fountain in the courtyard - I could easily have spent most of the day wandering around the gallery but this trip wasn't just about me.

It was such a warm day it was really good to sit by the fountain and we all stuck our feet in to cool down a bit. After we'd relaxed for a while we decided to walk down by the Seine, we ended up walking all the way to the Eiffel Tower - the girls did moan a bit - don't normally like to walk very far :) (To be honest shouldn't really have got annoyed as it was a really long walk on a very hot day)

The queues were just soooo long to go up the tower so we decided to have icecream instead - and then it started to rain - very heavily for about 5 minutes!
By this time we were all footsore so decided to take a sightseeing cruise down the Seine - this was wonderful, relaxing and very enjoyable.

It was then time to head back to the station when the cruise ended, we walked up to metro and stopped to watch some street dancers for a while - a surprise ending to the day.

squirrely

2009-08-29T22:08:00.002+01:00

squirrely
Originally uploaded by inky_yvonne

Bought myself a Lensbaby Muse with double glass optic and creative aperture kit. Only got it yesterday so went out to the park to play with it today. Take a look at my flickr slideshow on the sidebar - click on a photo and it will take you to my Flickr gallery page.

Painting with Light 2

2009-06-22T21:21:00.004+01:00

Signed up for Cheryl Johnson's Painting with Light the sequel photography course and have been having fun with the the challenges each module brings! I would recommend any of Cheryl's course - take a look on her website http://www.feelgoodphotos.co.uk/

A few of my photos here:

More Projects

2009-04-15T21:32:00.007+01:00

A few more photos of the projects I made on Easter sunday:

A Crafty Easter Sunday!

2009-04-14T21:05:00.012+01:00

Many thanks to Bibi for hosting our craft day on Easter sunday! Had a lovely day - from 11:00 am to 10:00pm we crafted to our hearts content. I made little easter treats - acetate sour cream cartons stamped with paint dabbers and filled with mini eggs.

It was Bibi's birthday on the 10th and I'd planned to make a cupcake tower but the stand didn't arrive so just made cupcakes - they did turn out well though :)

We managed to do a few projects, a clock kit from Cleo's undomesticated scrapbook kits, Bibi bought us all a chipboard monogram, Sam bought us a mirror and I bought little tin pails(didn't get round to doing anything with that yet)and I altered a wooden birdhouse I bought from Paperchase.

February - already!

2009-02-08T22:16:00.005Z

Happy 2009, I know i'm a bit late :) Had found it really difficult to get back into the swing of things after having time off for Christmas but back to normal now. This weekend was UKScrappers Cybercrop - a Murder Mystery themed one this time, I was a CSI! Didn't manage to meet the deadline for most of the classes but did manage to earn 100 points for the Mystery kit I'm really pleased with the way it turned out.

The other 3 LOs I completed were based on 3 classes from the CC.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-21T21:52:00.007Z

Hi out there, haven't update my blog for a while - my excuse is that I hadn't been well and only recovered fully at the end of October. Again I've not been prepared and made christmas cards at the last minute! Had a great crafting session with friends last weekend making cards inspired by Tim Holtz 12 tags of christmas.

Hope you like the photos.

I bought a new pair of shoes to go with a dress I bought for New Year - yes for those that know me I did say a dress :)

The shoes looked a bit plain so I glimmer misted them!

More artsy craftsy

2008-09-14T20:55:00.007+01:00

Had a lovely craft session with the girls today, playing with slide mailers, metal embossing and paint - just what the Dr. ordered!

I feel like last weekend has inspired me so much - hadn't done much in the way of crafting in the last month or so as have still been suffering a bit. Just need to keep it up, had planned to make a start on Christmas cards in August but so far have only managed to make 3!

Thought i'd upload some more photos of the projects I made last weekend.

Artsy Craftsy

2008-09-13T22:32:00.008+01:00

Last weekend spent a fabulous 2 days in Newport Pagnell doing a workshop run by Linda Brown of LB Crafts and Leandra Franich of PaperArtsy. The workshop was fantastic, great new techniques using paints, metal embossing and bead making from UTEE. My favourite was the Gothic Arch, combining stamping on fabric, a bit of sewing, and metal embossing. I want to make

another one! They're going to hold another one next year -i'll definately be going :)

I've not done much in the the way of scrapbooking for a while, but have actually pulled my sewing machine out and used it! Bought some new bedroom furniture and decided to make curtains too. Bought some satin ribbon and stamped my favourite Heidi Swapp Damask stamp on it then created rosettes to put at the top of the tabs, also created embelishments by stamping the damask stamp on shrink plastic.

Creativity

2008-07-28T22:05:00.005+01:00

Today’s My Freedom blog prompt: Tell your blog readers(if I have any :)) about someone who has been a creative influence in your life -- a crafty mum, aunt or grandparent, an influential school teacher or a friend who brought out your creative side, perhaps

Looking back I have had several creative influences in my life, My Gran was probably the most influential although I only see this now - she was able to turn her hand to anything, could knit Arran cardigans and intricate fairisle patterns, she made clothes for my mum, her sister and brothers - from curtain lining or old clothes - rationing was still going on after WWII. She was a fantastic cook and baker too.

My Dad is also an influence - he's a fantastic gardener and great at DIY - very creative in a practical way, I've actually picked up a good grasp of DIY skills which have come in handy living alone.

School teachers - two most fantastic art teachers I had at St. Brendans High school, Mr King and Mr Callan - always encouraging and inspired my love of Rennie Macintosh. Mr Callan did have some quirky ideas - we would never know what to expect for still life - I remember he once borrowed George the skeleton from the science department, dressed him as a monk and created a grave in the middle of the art room, we walked in to find poor old george in the 'grave' with a butchers knife through his ribs! Certainly made a difference from the usual fruit.

Today was my first day back at work after being ill for 3 weeks, actually was really pleased to go back - although still in a bit of pain, good to feel that things are getting back to normal.

On the mend

2008-07-24T21:04:00.005+01:00

I've been MIA recently as have been a bit poorly. New tablets seem to be helping so hoping to catch up with Shimelle's My Freedom class, and Scrap Your Day tomorrow.

Have finished my Inspiration Layout but still need to do the Aspiration one, think I have most of it in my head.

I also managed to complete the last class in Jessica Spragues "Now we're rockin with Photoshop"
I've learned so much and would highly recommend her courses to anyone. Take a look at www.jessicasprague.com
Digi layout below - pictures taken while on holiday in Tenerife - just look at that blue sky!

2008-07-16T01:16:00.002+01:00

Today’s My Freedom blog prompt: Share a list of links with your blog readers, leading them to the websites that inspire you most.
Tim Holtz
shimelle.com
Lesley Riley
Feel Good Photos
Overlooked
Somerset Studio
UKScrappers
Jessica Sprague
Jo Blogs

This is just a short list, too many to add here.

Todays prompt was to plan a dream day with no constraints. I've done a one dream day to spend with family - will do another to spend with friends.

2008-07-16T00:59:00.003+01:00

Yesterdays My Freedom blog prompt: Share an old photo of yourself and a current photo of yourself with your blog readers. Tell them a little something that has changed and a little that has stayed the same.

The photo was taken at Ballantrae in Scotland, I'm the daredevil jumping off the bank! We went to Ballantrae quite often in the summer, loved going there although my mum says I used to hate the sand when I was younger :)

Things that have changed: well I don't live in Scotland anymore, and haven't been to Ballantrae in years and years so don't even know if it has changed. What's stayed the same - I still love the seaside although don't get much opportunity to go very often.

Finished!

2008-07-13T22:53:00.004+01:00

Eventually managed to muster enough energy to complete my first LO for My Freedom class.
I like how it came together - a completely different process than normal. Still have my Travel one to complete, maybe tomorrow. If you want a better look go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/inkyfingers/2664788391/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Played with my alcohol inks and a Heidi Swapp mask today and altered my Ikea standard lampshades

2008-07-11T23:08:00.003+01:00

Today’s My Freedom blog prompt: How do you prefer the pace of life? Do you wish things would
speed up or slow down? Illustrate with something that has been on your mind or on your calendar or share your preference between working slowly or quickly on a craft project.

I found this photoshop brush in my collection - sums it up quite nicely I think!
Time certainly seems to be elastic - sometimes I think the year just seems to be flying by (probably an age thing) but then it can seem to drag. Because I've been off work ill this week time has been strange, I only seem to be functioning normally when it's time to go to bed, but I'm still waking up early in the morning but really not fit for anything so the day seems to stretch endlessly - and TV is driving me up the wall. ITunes has been my saviour this week.
Got my hospital appointment through but this seems so far away - 29th July, just have to hope I can deal with the pain until then.

I don't mind craft projects that take time, but I do have quite a few unfinished projects around so sometimes is good to have a project that can be finished in one sitting.

Every Artist...........

2008-07-10T23:29:00.006+01:00

Today’s "My Freedom" blog prompt: Have you ever been inspired by the words of a poem?
Share the poem with your blog readers and tell them how you came to value its words.

Well, it's not exactly a poem but it does having meaning for me.

This really resonates with me because I feel that no matter what someone creates, they put a piece of themselves into it, although I do struggle with calling myself an artist.

The digi layout above I created using a photo I took of some flowers my friend Sam sent to me to cheer me up. Original photo below.

What’s in your suitcase?

2008-07-09T17:42:00.007+01:00

Today’s "My Freedom"blog prompt: Play a game of ‘What’s in your suitcase?’ on your blog by listing your necessities for travel.
My essentials would be: books - can't travel without something to read. My MP3 player, can't seem to sleep without listening to some music and I think sometimes it can provide a soundtrack to your holiday - a song that you then associate with a location (hope you know what I mean :) )
Camera - no self respecting scrapbooker would be without their camera, lenses, rechargable batteries
Suntan lotion - being quite pale and freckley this is essential.
Space allowing i'd sneak in some crafting stuff - a few stamps, some inkpads and paper - oh and a journalling book and a pen. I made some envelope books for my holiday to Tenerife to record what we did each day and hold tickets etc.

Travel journals.

Time Travel

2008-07-09T17:29:00.002+01:00

Ok so this should have been done yesterday but the painkillers hadn't kicked in so playing catchup today. Blog prompt 2 from "My Freedom" Class is : If you could travel in time for just one day, where would you go and what would you do? I'd go back to Glasgow around 1896 to meet Charles Rennie Mackintosh, around this time he designed the Glasgow School of Art. I love Mackintosh and used to go to the degree exhibition every year as part of my school trip. It's one of my favourite buildings in Glasgow and I love how Mackintosh designed the interiors also - down to details like mirrors and lighting. I'd have spent the day watching his design process and trying to soak up inspiration.
Details of Mackintosh here - http://www.crmsociety.com

I'm still here...

2008-07-07T23:07:00.000+01:00

just! Been feeling poorly for a few days but thought I'd try something to take my mind off it for a bit. I've signed up for Shimelle Laine's "My Freedom" class - details at www.shimelle.com
Todays prompt relates to time & travel. Took some pics of clocks in my flat - the one from my glass painting days that hangs in the kitchen(need to change the battery!) and my wee mackintosh clock ontop of the TV. This looks like shaping up to be a very interesting class - whole new approach to photos, journaling and design. Lets hope I finish this one - the Home project is still not completed but not forgotten :)
Here's what I did with a couple of photos.

Home

2008-04-11T22:36:00.000+01:00

Today I actually manage to start and complete a project on the day the prompt was published!
I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. Photo I took of some flowers I bought myself and aged in photoshop, printed then sanded the edges. Project is from Shimelle's 'No Place Like Home' class.
House shaped cut from chipboard, covered in Paperchase flocked paper, lace, crocheted flower and fabric flower stamped and folded.

2008-04-04T22:38:00.000+01:00

It's me again! Thought I'd actually get round to updating my Blog eventually :)
As always I've got too many projects on the go but I love it! Currently trying to follow through Shimelle's 'No Place Like Home' class. So far managed 1 DO, a digi version of journaling and have my House book under construction (OK so I've cut the covers and found some cute little door knobs from a DIY store near work!)
Since I last updated my blog I've changed jobs - so no more 12hr shifts - heaven!
Have been taking photos around my flat today, moving stuff out of the way to make it look tidy! I'm still in the process of sorting out my stash into my scrapbox, so once this is done I'll have everything easily to hand and not spend hours hunting for stuff.

I've done it Kate!

2007-08-30T20:58:00.000+01:00

Kate nominated me for a "Thinking Blogger" award in the hope that it would kick-start me into updating my blog again - and it has, thanks Kate!

I can't believe it's nearly September, time seems to have flown since the Art and Soul Retreat in Pienza, Italy. It was so relaxing, nothing to do but craft, eat go sightseeing, craft, eat! Their running another Retreat next year so if anyone is looking for a creative holiday I recommend it - more details on the A rt & S oul webs ite
We were taught how to make a fabric journal and image transfer techniques by Lesley Riley
Here's a few pics of mine.

It's been a while....

2007-06-22T21:29:00.000+01:00

I know I haven't put anything up on my Blog for a while - I'm not sure if anyone actually reads it! Thought I would anyway as I wanted to share my photos from my wonderful holiday in Italy.

I spent a few days in Rome before travelling with Judy McLellan to Art & Soul Retreat in Pienza, Tuscany. We created wonderful Fabric Memory books taught by Lesley Riley http://www.lalasland.com/. The holiday was just such a dream come true for me - I'd never done anything like this before but I'm so glad that I did. The talented group of women I met were so inspiring and I hope that I might see some of them again if Glenny can arrange for Art & Soul in Scotland 2009!

Rome was amazing, when I arrived I caught a taxi from Termini station to my hotel - Hotel Columbus, which Judy and I had booked online - it did say it was near St Peters Basilica but I just didn't think it would be that close - about 3 mins walk away. After I found my way to my room and unpacked I went for a walk, then just sat in St. Peters Square watching people go by - it was so surreal - I couldn't really believe I was there.

What now?

2007-01-14T01:35:00.000Z

Well, the Christmas Journal finished last week so have felt a bit lost, got used to doing a bit of art and journalling(or thinking about it!) each day.

So, I've decided to join the rest of my team on UKScrappers and take part in Yorkie Girls 2007 journal. The idea is to create an entry for each month, everyone seems to be doing a variety of different things

I'm planning to do a mix of art/scrapping journal. Thinking of having a calendar page with events jotted down and the facing page with photo and journalling, but we'll see! I've done the front cover so far.

As well s Shimelle inspiring me with her online classes, I love the cupcake recipes she has on her site so I decided to buy myself a handmixer with some gift vouchers I got at Christmas and tried baking....and discovered I needed to buy a bigger mixing bowl. My poor toaster and wall tiles ended up getting a bit splattered!

All good things come to an end...

2007-01-06T23:31:00.000Z

It's the twelfth day of Christmas, decorations have come down and it's the last day of the Christmas journal class. I've loved doing this class and it's made me really apprieciate and savour Christmas this year and remember past Christmases too. Thanks to Shimelle for the wonderful prompts and inspiration and to everyone who shared their creations, I feel that I have new friends all over the world.

Jan 2nd:Focussing on innocence and the artistic challenge to use white. Journalling relates to the innocence of children - I saw my niece in her school concert and it was so wonderful to see the kids so joyful and full of the spirit of Christmas.

Jan 3rd:Recalling the most special moments, wanted to protect and preserve the so journalled inside one of the christmas cards I made this year. Seeing Lorna in her last primary school concert and the look on the face of my friend Judith when she opened the triangle mini-album I made for her.

Jan 4th:Planning for next Christmas - make cards earlier, I keep thinking I should start in September instead of a last minute rush! Try not to worry so much about presents - my family and friends are more than happy with the gifts I buy and really want to see me more than they are concerned with what present they'll get, except my nieces maybe!! :)

Jan 5th: Packing up, putting all the Christmas things away and finding homes for my presents.

Jan 6th: The End, 12 day of Christmas and last journal entry, I feel that this journal has enabled me to recapture my love of Christmas and to record moments that could so easily be forgotten.

Back to reality!

2007-01-02T16:29:00.000Z

Happy 2007!
This is the card I made for my Dad's birthday, combined 2 photos in photoshop then used the watercolour filter on it, and printed onto canvas. Like how it turned out, Dad said he was going to frame it!

Well, the festive seasons over and I've already been back to work. Had a really wonderful break with my family back in Scotland. Dad's 70th birthday was great, lovely meal in Cardozi's in Paisley, and he was really pleased with his present(Paint Shop Pro X).

I've caught up again with my Christmas Journal, got todays entry to do but thought I'd get the other entries posted up. I think i'm going to need bigger book ringers - my journals got a bit chuncky!

Here are my entries;
18th Dec:prompt was to journal our christmas menu and include something from that meal later, I rescued a piece of paper napkin and tucked it into the top of mu journalling tag.

19th Dec:A letter to Santa - hidden inside vellum envelope is my letter to Santa, if money was no object I would love to have a personal die-cutting machine like a craft-robo as I love the idea of being able to use any of the great fonts I have on my pc to cut as titles for scrapbooking

20th Dec:prompt was about an unexpected delivery - mine was an old friend turning up with a christmas card for my mum. She had no idea I would be there and I didn't know she would be coming, it was such a lovely surprise and we arranged to meet before I had to return to London, artistic challenge on this was to use a postage stamp - had to go and rescue them from my mum's recycle bin - chilly!!

Dec 21:prompt was to take a photo of how home looked right that moment with no tiding up first so took a photo of christmas tree and the fireplace looking very festive.

Dec 22:A very handy entry - to do list, some of the i'd already completed but others I still had to do so putting it in my journal made sure I did them - and ticked them off!

Dec 23:Christmas stockings - don't have one anymore but when I was younger used to get apples and tangerines and other little present in them.

Dec 24:Journalling on tag tells to why I love christmas.

Dec 25:Christmas Day - journal the most memorable or surprising moment. Photo shows candle plate & vase. I bought the vase when on Holiday in Portugal with mum & dad and had asked if the could bring me back a matching candle holder when they went back in September. Mum told me that the didn't have any so was a real surprise when I opened my present, looks great on my dining table - thanks Mum & dad.

Dec 26:Boxing Day -Our family tradition is a bit like a second sitting for Christmas Dinner!

Pauline and Alistair brought what was left of their turkey and ham, and Alistairs homemade stuffing made with gingerbread in it - absolutely gorgeous! Artistic challenge was to use something that would be thrown away, piece of christmas cracker and ribbon hold journalling tag and joke from cracker used.

Dec 27: Christmas Calm - sleep cycles always change, no having to get up at stupid time to go to work so the first couple of mornings take a bit of getting used to, waking up at 5:00 then realising I could go back to sleep - bliss! The hard bit is going back to work and getting up early again. Artistic challenge to use blue somewhere.

28th Dec:Christmas treats - things you only do are have at that time of year - most seem to involve food!

29th Dec:2006 in review, double page for this one, I created a collage in photoshop of some of my favourite moments of 2006, photos of portugal, sculpture from outide of Dali exhibition and my card that was published in Simply Stamping Magazine. Second page has journalling strips of achievements/favoutire moments of 2006.
30th Dec - title page, haven't done this yet - will do it later!

31st Dec - New Year's Eve, was working so not much planned, watched BBC Scotland, had a glass of wine and watched the fireworks from my window. Photo is a picture i took of my glass of wine, clock, shortbread tin and Scottish recipe cutting board overlayed with a picture of fireworks in George Square, Glasgow. Artistic challenge to use glitter and glitz!

1st Jan 2007 - New Years Day: I don't really make resolutions but have little things I try to do

2006-12-17T22:34:00.000Z

Well, I've decided to put all the pages here, from day 13 to today - day 17.

Day 13 remembers how we used to hand out the presents - and my dad only opening one present an hour, this used to drive us mad, but one year Pauline and I decided to buy him a pair of slippers - and wrap them seperately! He still waited a whole hour wearing one slipper!

Day 14 is about christmas songs - love them or hate them - i really like to hear them, been listening to Angelis and they do a couple which sound really good.

Day 15 is about visitors - me! I'm visiting my mum & dad for christmas then we'll visit Pauline & Alistair, and I'll visit my friends too.

Day 16 - being grateful, i'm grateful i was able to get almost 2 weeks off work to come home, means I'll be here for my Dad's 70th birthday on tuesday and I'll be here for christmas. I'm also very grateful that an old friend dropped in to my mums today with a christmas card - she didn't know I was here and it was such a lovely surprise, so we're going to meet up while i'm here - if you ever read this Angie - it was so lovely to see you!

Day 17 - perfect presents, I hope this will be perfect - I made a triangle minibook at my first scrapmates crop - hello Anne(mafswife)! and thought it would be perfect for my friend Judith.

Well that's it for tonight - need to stay caught up!

Things change...

2006-12-17T22:20:00.000Z

But not in a bad way - day 12 prompt I decided to look at what's different this christmas.

This year Pauline and Alistair are living in Kilbarchan, last year they were in Linwood.

This year it'll be just Mum, Dad and me for Christmas Dinner, instead of Pauline, Alistair and the girls too. Not a bad thing really - means more room at the table! We'll still see them on Christmas morning even if it mean having to drag Heather out of bed - my niece really does love to sleep!

Our artistic challenge for the journal entry today was to use something from our stash that I thought I'd never use - so I used the chipboard curly brackets, inked with silver and stamped very lightly in green.

Oh Christmas Tree

2006-12-17T22:10:00.000Z

Day 11's prompt is about christmas trees. I don't have a proper christmas tree - the one I did have was just too big so I threw it out. I wanted something that wouldn't look out of place and didn't take up too much room. I found the perfect thing in Wood Green, silver branches with silver baubles wired on. I put then in my red glass vase, which I stood in a christmas dish surrounded by other silver christmas baubles, this is on one side of the archway into the kitchen, on the other side I have my branch lights that I've hung icicle decs from.

On my dining table I have my christmas runner mum sent me, with another vase with silver branches that look frosted, and hanging from these I have my microscope slide ornaments and my basic grey blitzen baubles I made last year. The photos on the journal page are a close up of one of the microscope ornaments and smaller pics of the others. Large photo acts as a pocket for journalling tag.

Catching up - again!!

2006-12-17T21:36:00.000Z

It's all been a bit manic lately so have been very neglectful of keeping my blog up-to-date and I'd fallen behind with my christmas journal.

I'm now in Kilbarchan, Scotland at my parents where I've hi-jacked my dad's pc! Arrived here on friday morning, had a lot of last minute things to do before leaving so now that I'm feeling more relaxed I've had time to catch my breath.

Journal prompt 9 related to family christmas traditions, I've journalled on a couple of stamped vellum tags and put them in a vellum envelope on my page, journalling about the changes our family christmases have gone through - Pauline & Alistair moving to Islington and we'd go down to London so that we could see Heather & Lorna. Now they've been back in Scotland for a while and it's me that's down in London so I travel up to see all of them!

Prompt 10 was about wrapping presents - I saved a piece of wrapping paper from a present last year because I loved it so much, has a very vintage collage feel.

It's starting to look a lot like christmas

2006-12-08T21:04:00.000Z

Christmas shopping done today, only a couple left to do. Hopefully can pick them up tomorrow during my lunchhour - my weekend to work.

Todays journal prompt was to illustrate how things change for christmas, christmas lights etc. I don't have a proper christmas tree but have some glittery silver branches that I've decorated with baubles and my Basic Grey deccies.

Christmas - time to get organised

2006-12-08T08:15:00.000Z

Couldn't get in yesterday to update blog. Wasn't in such a good way anyway - been to the dentist for the first time in years and had 2 teeth out. Wasn't too bad but jaw a bit sore afterwards.

Yesterdays prompt for Christmas journal was to help get organised, include a Christmas shopping list, this came at just the right time as I'm planning to do the last of my shopping today so I can take my list with me! I created a pocket from some artist canvas on a roll, stamped and distressed edges, I like the sort of aged look. 2 vellum tags in the pocket, one listing presents still to buy, the other my to do list and journalling

Christmas Memories

2006-12-06T22:43:00.000Z

Todays journal prompt was to remember good and bad christmases. I can't really say that any christmas has been really bad, the only one that came to mind was 1995, I wasn't that long out of hospital after an operation for an ovarian cysts and was on hormone injections which made me feel really strange, had terrible mood swings and couldn't go out on my own because of dizzy spells, I can look back on this now and laugh -this was just so not like the normal me!

The best christmases where when all the relatives used to get together, the house would be full of cousins and the neighbours, and sometime members of the Scottish netball team! We did have a white christmas one year when my uncle was visiting from Australia.

Decided to treat myself today, went to the hairdressers and she gave me a deep moisture treatment and a head massage - bliss!

Advent

2006-12-05T21:28:00.000Z

Shimelle's prompt for today relates to Advent calendars or the countdown to Christmas. Being so disorganised this year I don't have an advent calendar so I suppose my journal is my countdown! I might pick up one if I get a chance...

Used a picture of an old door from an ATC pack with some glitter stuff from my glasspainting days, wasn't sure if it would work but turned out OK. Behind door is a a paperartsy stamp. Stamped 3 journalling blocks together and folded into concertina.

December 4th, Dream Christmas

2006-12-04T23:54:00.000Z

A 12hr shift today at work, but in between I managed to download the prompt for todays journal entry so I could get it done when I got home.

Couldn't find any of my own photo's that summed up my dream christmas so found one on the net. My dream christmas would be having all the family together - like it was when my sister and I were young and all the cousins came over.

Caught up

2006-12-03T22:03:00.000Z

Well, I've managed to catch up with Shimelle's class! Got all three pages done, but have had to scan in as my batteries are all drained - put some on to recharge but still the camera won't power up. Think I might need to get some new ones. Anyway, hope that I can keep up now, have gone for a small format because i'll be travelling home to Scotland on the 15th so I can be there for my Dad's 70th birthday, then i'll be staying for Christmas. So it has to be small and all i'll need to take is a few stamps, a couple of inkpads and a pen (hopefully!)

Journalling Christmas

2006-12-03T16:24:00.000Z

I signed up to do Shimelle Laine's Christmas journal class. Even though I don't seem to have time do get things like christmas cards made I thought i'd do this. The intention is that each page should only take around 15 mins - but i'm already behind!! Well, I do work shifts and went to a crop on saturday! I have handcut and inked all my pages and done the manifesto page so I am catching up. Intend to get the next 2 entries done today too.

Manifesto: Noun. A declaration of one's intentions.
Starting December first, I will keep a Christmas journal. In it, I will write something every day to reflect on the holidays of my past, enjoy the holidays of the present and dream about the holidays of my future. To some, this will be a stack of papers and trivial scribbles, but not to me. I am taking back my Christmas, I am letting it be something I relish and, most importantly, I am giving at least fifteen minutes every day to myself no matter how crazy this season becomes. I hope you will share, encourage and understand as I make something with my own hands, my own words and my own memories.
I may post some or all of my entries here. Other artists are doing this with me, and you can see their work here. Or you may join us

Above all: enjoy the season. I will.
Yvonne (inkyfingers)