Book Review - It's a Kind of Magic by Carole Matthews

Fantastic Fiction Review: When Emma's boyfriend Leo turns up at her special birthday dinner unforgivably late and horribly drunk, embarrassing her in front of her family, she decides enough is enough. Why can't someone just wave a magic wand over him and bring him back refurbished as a proper boyfriend and save her the trouble? But when Leo meets Isabel and starts changing before her very eyes, Emma realises she should be careful what she wishes for...

Before reading this book I had only read one other book by Carole Matthews and that was some time ago so wasn't entirely familiar with her books. The inclusion of magic and fairy in the story made for a very witty, fun, light hearted read. The characters were likable and believable. Reading the book was, I felt, like reading a screen play and could easily imagine this book being made into a film.

Stamperama - Retail Therapy

Yesterday, despite suffering from a heavy cold, Lara and I popped along to the Stamperama Rubber Stamp Show at the Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre. Although advertised as a Rubber Stamp Show there is always loads of other paper crafting goodies for sale and yesterday was no exception.

Having tightened my belt and bought hardly any scrapbooking goodies for ages, I had a little splurge yesterday and came home with some nice bits and pieces.



I particularly liked these packets of Organza Roses from Mei Flowers at only £1 a pack. What a bargain.



These charms, also from Mei Flowers, were also a great buy and I plan to use these on cards. The enamel handbag charms are gorgeous.



On The Hobby House stand I picked up these lovely teeny crochet flowers and more charms. The die cut flowers are from Craftwork Cards .



Having new stash makes me want to get crafting!

P is for Punching your 'art out!

This month at Scrapology we scraplifted a layout by English scrapper Laura Buckingham. The layout featured lots of punched paper strips.

Here's Laura's layout and the sketch.





And, here is my layout. I used papers and stickers from the Echo Park 'Summertime' collection, some punched butterflies and BasicGrey letter stickers.



You can see all the design team layouts at Scrapology and if you have a go at scraplifting Laura's layout you could be in with a chance of winning a prize. Also, if you visit this post and leave a comment and follow the blog before 12th February you could also win some amazing blog candy.

Book Review - The Rose Revived by Katie Fforde

Fantastic Fiction Review: When May teams up with Sally and Harriet it is the best day's work she's ever done. Each of them needs money, badly. Which is why they are reduced to working for Quality Cleaners under the watchful eye of 'Slimeball' Slater. When they discover it is them being taken to the cleaners, they set up as an independent team. And that is when things really begin to take off. With more lucrative jobs coming in, they soon find that they are able to take the first steps towards freedom and independence. For May that means paying the mooring fees for her adored houseboat. Harriet can take art classes and reveal her gift for painting, and Sally can save up for a place of her own. But while they are making a success of their working lives, they risk overlooking the romantic possibilities they have created...

This is a nice easy read and easy to get into from page one. I warmed to the characters and the humour Katie Fforde includes in her books is an added bonus. Lots of feel good factor and happy endings although rather predictable.

Chick Lit Reading Challenge for 2011

Because I don't have enough to do (LOL) I've decided to sign up for the Chick Lit Reading Challenge for 2011. I enjoy reading 'light' books. Books that I can pick up and put down. Books that I can read without needing a dictionary to check the vocabulary! Books with a feel good factor. So when I saw the Chick Lit Reading Challenge that requires participants to read 12 chick lit books including 2 books from debut authors throughout 2011 (plus any other genre that appeals) I thought "Why not".

You can keep track of what I'm reading from my list on the sidebar on the right and any recommendations as to what i should read next would be appreciated. having said that I have acquired quite a few books from Read it Swap it that I already have quite a few books to read.

D is for Double Page Layout

This week a new challenge was launched on Scrapology. We chose a super two page layout by Jana Eubank whose scrapbook pages I have admired for some time.

This was Jana's original sketch and layout.

I used some Teresa Collins and Adornit Christmassy papers for my festive layout which seemed fitting in the week after Christmas. The only embelishments I added were some poinsettia flowers (I think from Papermania), some brads and some BasicGrey letter stickers.

Do pop along to Scrapology to see all the other gorgeous layouts the design team have created and if you send in a layout of your own based on the original sketch you could win a super prize.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

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.

E is for Embellishments at Scrapology

Today the November challenge was launched on Scrapology. Here is my layout.



The layout we lifted was by Cindy Schneider. Cindy's layout was a digital layout and here it is.



And this is the sketch to go with the layout.



For my layout I used photo of Lara taken at Halloween a couple of years ago. I used Bazzill Card stock, Rusty Pickle Pirate Princess Papers, Queen & C0 Sassy Sequins, Prima Flowers, Buttons, gems and Doodlebug Adhesive Transfers and glitter.

Please drop by Scapology - Adventures in Scrapbooking to see all the teams layouts. You'll be glad you did.

Crafty Birthday Wishes

Last week was my birthday so I thought today I would show you the lovely birthday cards I received from some of my very talented scrapping/crafting buddies.

First is this beautiful pink flowery card from my lovely friend Maria. We met on UK Scrappers and have been cyber-friends for a few years now.



Next, is this Mermaid card from Lynn. I also met Lynn via UKScrapper where we were 'Blossom Babes' team mates and then design team members from Crafty Pastimes, Mojo Holder and now Scrapology.



And finally is this really bright and cheerful card from Anita. Another friend from UKScrappers who is also now a design team member on Scrapology.



I am so lucky to have received such wonderful cards and also so lucky to have such wonderful friends.

Finished

This morning I managed to finish two more of the layouts I started at the crop last weekend. I only needed to add the journalling, which in my case is usually just 'Who, When, Where', but finding time to even do that has proved difficult this week. Anyway, this morning I finished the layouts and photographed them.

This first layout is of Lara and her friends at their school sports day in 2009. Not sure if the other parents would want their daughters faces on the internet so I've hidden them and also the name of their school. I used papers, sticker and a journalling card from the October Afternoon 'Report Card' Collection (really liking October Afternoon at the moment), a Bazzill 'Just The Edge' cardstock strip, Prima Flower, Epoxy Brad from Imaginisce, Ribbon and the letter stickers are BasicGrey stickers that I've coloured red with a Promarker.



The second layout was a scraplift of a layout by Suzanna Lee. The photos I used are of Lara on Christmas Day 2006 and like Suzanna I used My Little Shoebox Papers. I bought so many of these My Little Shoebox papers several months ago but have really struggled to use them so when I saw Suzanna's layout I just had to scraplift. The Title letters are BasicGrey and the journalling at the bottom ProvoCraft.

You are so Beautiful to Me

Today I went to my monthly crop at Stamp Addicts . It was the fist opportunity I'd had to scrap since the last crop.

I managed to put together 4 layouts including this one which used a sheet of Prima Wink 'Little Miss Paper'. The paper was so pretty that I didn't think it needed too much embelishment so I just added some flowers and leaves, some swirls using Liquid Pearls and a title.



I used an assortment of flowers from Prima and Wild Orchid Crafts and also made some fabric flowers using a tutorial from Gabrielle Pollacco's blog. They were so easy to make using just a few scraps of cotton fabric and some pretty pearl brads. The leaves were punched from left over packaging - it was just the right colour so, waste not want not.