New Year Resolutions

Yesterday I found a note on my ipod of the resolutions I had made at the start of 2010. How did I do?


1. Clear the clutter and make some money in the process - We sold so, so, so much stuff on Ebay during 2010. You name it - we sold it. It was a bit of a joke in our house that if something didn't move it got sold! Seriously though, we have got rid of lots of unwanted 'stuff' and made quite a bit of money in the process but where the money went or where the space created by selling the stuff is I don't know


2. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle more - Yep, I have been doing this. Our recycling bin if used far more than the general waste bin and I have been taking glass bottles, etc to the bottle banks and clothes (that can't be sold on Ebay or passed onto friends) have gone to charity shops. I have swapped 16 books on Read It Swap It this year and made good use of the library rather than buying books.


3. Scrapbook more e.g. one page per week - Hmmmm. I failed on this one. I'm not scrapbooking as much now as I used to but when I do get time to scrap I enjoy it and that's the main thing. Being on the DT for Scrapology is making sure that I do find time, at least once a month, to scrap.


4. Pass my CiLCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration) - I managed after two years of hard work to finally pass my CiLCA in March. A relief to get it out of the way.


5. Remember to take reusable shopping bags to the supermarket - Hmmmm. This is another where I have failed more than succeeded. Even putting a supply of reusable bags in the boot of the car hasn't helped because I still forget to actually take them into the shop! Having said that, I do my grocery shopping online a lot and have it delivered and by handing the plastic bags back to the driver when he next calls I feel I'm doing my bit

6. Bake every week - Unfortunately another failure. I do bake - but not every week. It a shame I failed on this one because everyone loves homemade cake. I will try harder next year.



So, 3 out of 6 resolutions kept. LOL

Favourite layouts of 2010

As 2010 is almost at an end I thought I would look back at the layouts I have created this year and do a 'top 10 layouts'. Coming up with 10 favourite layouts wasn't actually that difficult because as my scrapbooking has slowed down quite a bit recently there weren't that many layouts to choose from. Anyway, in no particular order, here are my favourites:

1. Introducing Tuxedo



2. Naturally Pretty



3. When You Photograph In Black And White (a rare photo of Christopher)



4. Smile



5. The Great Escape

6. You Are So Beautiful To Me.

7. Snow Day

8. Just Add Water

9. 10 Things I Love About You

10. Victorian Day

Handmade Cards

I'm hoping that me crafty friends will by now have received the Christmas cards I made for them so hopefully I'm safe to show and tell you about them.

They all used the same Magnolia 'Tilda as an Angel' stamped images coloured with Promarkers.

Some were pink ...............



Those silver snowflakes were I think from Matalan.



I used the Bazzill Tulle on several of the cards to make lovely floaty bows. I also used flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts on some of the cards.

Some were blue ...........



I can't remember what make those glittery snowflakes were but they really sparkle in real life.



And, some were brown ..........





The gold stars on this car were also from Matalan and I think the ribbon came off of a Christmas gift box last year.

Show and Tell - Christmas Cards

I though today I would show you the wonderful handmade cards I have received this Christmas from some of my crafty friends.

First is this gorgeous flowery, tulle-y (I know that's not a word but it seems right LOL) card from Maria. Maria used some Bazzill tulle on my birthday card a few months ago and as I loved it I went out and bought some too and used it on some of my Christmas cards too he he.



This next card is from Lynn. I'm not a stamp expert but I think the stamp is one of Lynn's Kraftin' Kimmies. Lynn is such a great card maker.



Next was this paper folded card from Anita. That Christmas tree is so clever.



Sue sent me this cute layered bear card - so sweet.



This final card arrived yesterday from Deirdre. I love the stamped elves - so simple in design but so effective.



Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow to show you some of the cards I made and sent this year ....... hopefully the recipients have received them by now.

Happy Birthday Lara

On Thursday my little girl turned 8. Happy Birthday Lara.



As a little extra present I secretly made her a cute little Sock Puppy using this tutorial.

This made me smile

I saw this clip on Jana Eubank's blog and it made me smile so I thought I'd share it with you.

M is for Multiple photos and Mix 'n' Match at Scrapology

This week a new challenge was launched on Scrapology. This was the layout I came up with.

Rather coincidentally, when the challenge was launched much of the country (apart from where I live!) was in the grip of snow although when I created the layout there was none. I used photos of Lara taken almost a year ago when we had snowy weather.

The layout the design team lifted was by Wendy McKee. I have admired Wendy's paper crafts for a long time and was looking forward to creating a layout based on hers. But Oh! how little did I know how long it would take. I don't know how long Wendy spends on a layout but this one took almost a whole day! It looks so simple to emulate, but Oh! I was so wrong.

This was the sketch that went with the layout.

For my layout I used papers from the Echo Park Paper Company's Wintertime collection, Snowflake embelishments from K and Co, Pom Pom trim from Bazzill and self adhesive gems.

Do pop along to Scrapology to have a look at the rest of design teams layouts - there are some real stunners and another great prize up for grabs.

I'll be back soon with some cards to show you. I've been making Christmas cards for a few special crafty friends but can't show you them until they have been posted.