May 28, 2011

That Was Then, This is Now

Did you see my post on Wednesday for WOYWW ?  Well, if you did you will recognise the 2 photo’s featured on this LO.  This is my effort for the weekly challenge on UKScrappers which was set by The Crafty Magpies team. The photo’s are of Eugene and Bruno and as part of the challenge was to use a quote for a title I chose ‘That Was Then, This is Now’ which perfectly sets the mood for the before and after type photo’s.

I'm really pleased with this LO and even more so as I used only scraps from my ever growing supplies of ‘scraps’ – no new sheets of paper were harmed during the production of this LO! Well, with exception to the the base blue cardstock.

The metal embellishment which reads ‘Friends For Life’ has been laying around in a tin for ages too so Im pleased that it final has a home and the alphas are really old ones (from a kit bought from the well known shopping channel zonks ago) which I coloured red with my ever faithful promarker.

Thats-Was-Then-This-Is-Now

Im on a bit of a roll this past few days and I have another 2 LO’s in production this very minute both of which I would like to have finished before Monday, as now that the kids are off school for the Summer Holidays (yes, thats right here in Ireland school is now out until September!!!!!!!!!)  I doubt I will get as much crafty time to myself. 

Hugs
Dee
xxx

May 26, 2011

‘Cherish’ - Another Mini . . . .

I made this mini album using Basic Grey Two Scoops almost 2 years ago yet only yesterday did I finally get round to finishing it off and actually putting photo’s in it!  How crazy is that ?

The photo’s are of the man I cherish the most – my husband.

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The style is a bit all over the place and some of those hand made embellishments are a bit dodgy but I like it and Im glad it finally has photo’s in.

Thanks for stopping by,
Hugs
Dee
xx

May 25, 2011

WOYWW #103

Good Morning Bloggers!!!  Happy Wednesday.  I hope the weather is much better where you guys are because right now here in Co Donegal the weather is awful – wet and very windy, not the kind of weather we should be having at this time of year, but hey! Mother Nature always does her own thing.

So on my desk this morning is this lot:

WOYWW103

Looks quite boring I know but trust me there are WIP’s here that ARE to be finished this week.

These 2 WIP’s will be finished today (she says convincingly) One is a mini album that I made almost 2 years ago but never finished. I have photo’s printed out ready to go in this and then I share it with you all tomorrow. The other WIP is in the form of the 2 photo’s and some instructions. These are for the weekly challenge on UKScrappers.

WOYWW103-2

These fabulous books are my latest purchase and I have only managed to flick through quickly for a peep but they are great so hopefully I will have lots of flowers and motifs made very soon to use on my LO’s and cards (she says even more convincingly!)

WOYWW103-3

So there you have it, my space this wednesday morning !

Thanks for stopping by,
Hugs
Dee
xxx

May 24, 2011

Mirror Image ?

No. Two cats x Bailey & Murphy

I love this photo of Bailey & Murphy and its been in my ‘to scrap’ pile for ages now. The two of them were sitting on the sofa so close together that I had to look twice myself! It really does look like a reflection don’t you think ?

Mirror-Image

This is my LO for last weeks weekly challenge on UKScrappers. The criteria was to use only one of something, 1 sheet of pretty paper, 1 button, 1 bloom, 1 piece of ribbon etc. It was actually a great challenge to get the MOJO going as being restricted to what I could use meant that I didn’t have loads of stuff to faff about with.

The one bloom rule was allowed to be ‘stretched’ and could have many layers so I did take advantage of that:

Mirror-Image-CU

I really like the black & green combo – I must use that again.

Thanks for stopping by,
Hugs
Dee
xxx

May 15, 2011

Puppy Love

My crafting MOJO is coming back slowly but surely. I’ve had fun playing around with this paper bag album over the last few days which I have filled with cute  photo’s of Lincoln. I used the March Gottacraft Kit which was Echo Park ‘For the Record’  and added only a few blooms and themed buttons (cute paw prints, bones and a dog house) some doilies and odd bits of ribbon.

PL-1

I love the contrast of rich and subtle colours in this range,  its definitely one I need to buy more of!

PL-2

I decided not to put any journaling on the pages as the photo’s pretty much speak for themselves.  What's that famous quote – ‘A picture speaks a thousand words’

These are the pages:

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PL-4

Cute bone button!

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PL-6

Aww!  Spot the paw print button.

PL-7

PL-8

PL-9

This is my favourite page!  The photo’s are only small but I like the idea of the film strip feel. He has such fun with that bucket too!

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Water baby x

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Fluff in motion.

PL-12

So the MOJO flow’eth!  Lets hope it stays that way because I have a few projects that I need to do that have deadlines over the next couple of weeks and another mini album that I did well over a year ago which never actually got finished so its on my list too.

Thanks for stopping by,
Hugs
Dee
xx

May 12, 2011

February–Project 12

Well after starting this DLO for Project 12 way back at the beginning of April at the Loch House Retreat I have finally added the journaling and its finished!  Talk about procrastinate . . . . . I must be the Queen of Procrastination!!

Here is the Project 12 sketch for February:

february

And my finished double layout:

Feb-Project-12

I had quite a few lovely photo’s for February but had to narrow it down to just a few and I definitely had to use the one of Joe with his Chocolate Fudge Muffins!  They tasted as good as they look too. 

Left Hand Page

Feb-LP

The weather in February was actually not bad at all considering the time of year, we actually had a lot of days out with the dogs and some fun family time around the house during the school half term break.

Right Hand Page

Feb-RP

So now that the February pages are done its onto March & April!
See I'm not that far behind. . . . lol

Thanks for stopping by,
Hugs
Dee
xxx

May 11, 2011

A little bit creative and a lot less participation

Pretty much sums up things of late. I have a LO finished that has been sitting on my desk for a good few days now – its finished but Im not thrilled with how it turned out. In fact I dont like it much at all. Well why keep it then ? I hear you ask. Well, I did consider binning it but then decided to keep it to remind me that its a bad idea to scrapbook when you are really not in the mood. This LO was part of a challenge set by one of my teamies in the Ric Rak Ravers. The first part was an embellishment swap the second part was to use only those embellishments and a sketch to produce a LO. Although there was no time limit set to complete this challenge I really felt that I needed to get it done as everyone else had theirs finished – result = a LO Im not thrilled about. It wasnt the sketch or the lovely embellies either it was just a complete lack of enthusiasm.  My MOJO is taking a break right now but I hope it will resume normal service as soon as possible!

BTW – the word ‘stone’ in the LO is supposed to look all broken up. I used rub-ons as whenever I use them they always break up like this, no matter the quality or the brand, I have never successfully used rub-ons, the only difference this time being that this is the exact effect I wanted to achieve, I wanted the title to reflect the pebbles in the photo.

Set-in-Stone

So thats my little bit of creativity but what about the other part of the title of this post – a lot less participation ?  I am referring to my lack of participation in the on going projects I started at the beginning of the year, namely 52Q, A-Z Photography Challenge, Life & Me and Project 12.  I think a fresh look at these projects is needed in order for me to move forward with the things I do want to continue so here’s where Im at :

52Q – after the first 8 or 9 weeks of this it became obvious to me that I was not being inspired by this.  Each week it became more tiresome to actually complete my tag, the questions seemed ‘silly’ to me at times and I developed the opinion that it was a waste of my time, hence I have stopped taking part.

A- Z Photography Challenge – Im still inspired by this I have just fallen behind a little due to ‘real life’ getting in the way. I intend to pick up where I left off and get back in the game.

Life & Me – this project interested me as I wanted to have a dabble at art journalling. I’ve dabbled and have not really enjoyed it so maybe its not for me. I am keeping track of the topics and techniques though as maybe one day I’ll pick up where I left off.

Project 12 – Im definitely still in the game with this just a bit behind. I have photo’s sorted and journaling notes kept I just need time and MOJO to put the LO’s together.I have February’s LO all done apart from the journaling so I can start work on the March LO shortly.

There, I feel better for getting that out there!  Boy can I ramble on – mind you its good to vent right ? Now maybe I can actually get on and do something worth while with my creative time.

May 9, 2011

And Now for Something Completely Different

Im really enjoying branching out and trying new things first with the crochet and now with some quilting. I haven't started making anything as yet but I did buy these gorgeous fabrics in preparation when I went to The Kings Hall show and of course they have cats on . . .  what else did you expect ?Cat-Fab-1

A lovely lady who comes to the craft club hand stitches her quilts and they are so stunning but I dont think I will have the patience for that so I will be making my attempts on the machine. Between the crochet blankets and the quilts I think all my furry babies are going to be swamped in snuggly bedding, well all except the labradors that is – they would just eat all my hard efforts!

Now with all these new crafts to dabble in I just need a 36 hour day . . . .lol!!

Thanks for stopping by,
Hugs
Dee
xxx

May 6, 2011

Its Sketch & Scrap Time

Actually it was Sketch and Scrap time 3 days ago but hey – Im getting there!

Sketch and Scrap is a group Im a member of on UKScrappers. Each month a different member of the team choose a sketch for everyone to follow, its a great idea and quite amazing how different everybody interrupts the sketch.

This month it was my turn to choose the sketch and I chose this one from Sassy Lil’ Sketches. I didn’t particular like the sketch which is a little bit crazy I suppose. Why would I choose it ? Well the whole idea is to be challenged and I knew I would be challenged by it especially as it is a multi-photo sketch, so I assumed most of the team would find it a challenge too.

April-2011

I decided to use some photo’s of our family day out at the beach on St Patricks Day this year. Amy had drawn shamrocks on everybody with her make-up kit and a great day was had by all. Eugene’s best friend Richard joined us for the day and was crazy enough to go into the sea with my lot. And for those of you wondering, my darling husband is the mad man WITHOUT a wetsuit on!

Piles-of-Smiles-2

In order for these photo’s to work with the sketch I had to turn it by 90 degrees. My circle is a stitched one in blue embroidery thread although it cant be seen very clearly on the photo.

The papers I used were from the Gottacraft Christmas kit. I don’t do Christmas scrapbooking so its been a task to use the papers up. Thankfully the reverse sides of the papers were not too Christmassy so I have been able to use them up here and there. The upside down bunting on this LO is made from Christmas tree’s with the bottoms cut off! Who would have thought it, Christmas papers used for a St Patricks Day LO.

Piles-of-Smile-CU1

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs
Dee
xxx

May 3, 2011

Crochet!!

The kids have gone back to school today after the Easter holidays so the house is much quieter, well at least until 4pm!  The major housework routine which always follows a school holiday is well under way and thrown in for good measure is some me time – hence Im sitting at the computer catching up in blogville while slurping on a hot cup of coffee with a biscuit (or two, or three!)

At the end of March I signed up for a crochet class in the village. Crochet is always something I liked the look of but could never manage to get the hang of. My first 3 lessons were a disaster!  I just couldnt get comfortable holding the hook let alone manage any of the stitches. During my fourth lesson something seemed to ‘click’ and everything fell into place – I was well on my way to finishing my first Granny Square.  We are coming to the end of the course now and so far I have mastered a few basic Granny Squares, a larger square using a different pattern and a couple of roses, what do you think ?

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crochet-2

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Although the pieces are by no means fancy Im over the moon with my achievements and things can only get better. I have my eye on making a few blankets for the furry-ones and then a bag for myself so watch this space!

Thanks for stopping by,
Hugs
Dee
xxx