the biskit barrel

getting ready..

2012-02-07T16:58:00.001Z

…for the next class I’m doing for UKS Art Journey….

makes for a nice afternoon of messing about with paints.

looking for inspiration

2012-02-06T12:33:00.001Z

One of my favourite pass times is to spend way too much time online, trawling websites, blog hopping and generally letting myself be bounced around while looking for inspiration. Colours, textures, techniques, things to help spark my creativity, leaving me with pages and pages of notes and idea’s and sketches for future projects (some very future projects looking at my notes) .

Today though I wanted to share this video with you from Brett Weldele, a US Comic Book Artist, using Distress Inks and Stains and produces beautiful work with them. Enjoy!

Brette Weldele Distress Inks

Time

2012-02-02T12:23:00.001Z

Not a lot of creating going on at the moment as the lurgy is still lingering and leaving me somewhat shattered. It’s the second posting of the “Journal Your Art” CJ next week, so if I do nothing else I have to get my pages done so I can pop it in the post. The theme for this one is “Time” and this is a peek of my page. There is another Time CJ in the group so I’m looking forward to seeing how people interpret, and having done this one I have lots of idea’s for the next one.

a little prima sneak of what’s due in store…

2012-01-29T14:57:00.001Z

new trims

new pins

and papers..

The lurgy is starting to retreat now, and I’m hoping to get back to making a mess in the next few days. Thank you to all those who sent me get well wishes. It’s much appreciated.

time out

2012-01-26T16:30:00.001Z

Image by Karsten Schneider/Science Photo Library

We’ve been hit by the lurgy, so I’m doing my best to keep up with orders from the store and all the forums we sponsor. Very sorry if I’ve been slow in getting back to you, hopefully normal service will resume shortly and I’ll get back to playing with inks and paints and all the things that make me happy.

playing with colour

2012-01-23T14:41:00.001Z

This is a new double page in my large molekine note book. I never used to like pink, but for some reason I love it in my journals. It seems yellow has crept up on me as well. So, I’ve spent half an hour today, playing with colour, a quick and simple page with lots of white space. Quite like it.

DIY Jenni Bowlin style

2012-01-21T11:09:00.001Z

As a scrapper, one of my favourite alphabet sticker sheets are the 12x12 Jenni Bowlin ones. I just love the style of the alphabet, so imagine how chuffed I was when I saw that there are stamps, in the same style! Yay!! Had to, I mean, just had to get them in for the shop.

At the same time as ordering the alphabet set, I had to get these Weekday stamps. So many “record your every waking moment” projects out there, you cannot tell me that these would not be well used and loved. You can find both sets online in the store now in the Jenni Bowlin Stamps section.

Whilst on the subject of stamps – yes we will be getting the Whisker Monster stamps in from Stampotique. Our order is already in we’re just waiting to find out when they will be shipping. We have restocks of your favourites and we’re adding some more designs to the range.

Right then, it’s windy and that means we need a beach walk today. Post office first though for all those scrummy stash orders from you fabulous people!

works in progress

2012-01-20T18:45:00.001Z

A couple of pages to share, they are both unfinished in that “it’s not done but I’m not sure I know what to do to finish it off" type not done. Although you’ll notice I have already journalled on the first page, so maybe it is done, or maybe I just don’t overly like it. I’ll look at them again soon and it will come to me. In the meantime, here’s something to freak out the neatest amongst you….

ooooh, who works in a mess like this. ME!! I do!!! Now do you see why I don’t do WOYWW! Hey-ho, feels quite good to have created though!

loving…..

2012-01-11T21:21:00.001Z

More sneak from Prima, the new Nature Garden collection. Genie Stones and Art Tiles. This also make me smile….

UKS Art Journey has begun

2012-01-09T16:18:00.001Z

After huge interest on UKScrappers, UKS Art Journey was born, a series of weekly classes over the next six month to introduce you to the world of art journalling. There are lots of very talented teachers for the classes. Each Monday will give you a heads up as to what you’ll need for the class on Wednesday. Starting off with choosing a journal, or if you prefer, making your own. Wednesday’s class is from the very talented Sarah Harris (AKA Flo), who will show you how to make your journals.
To celebrate we’re offering 10% off Moleskine Journals until midnight Friday, while stocks last. If you’re making your own, check out our waxed thread, we have lots of colour available and it’s only 12p a meter. If you’re only ordering waxed thread we will adjust the postage charges for you.
Happy Journalling!

CHA Winter 2012 - Prima Sneaks!

2012-01-09T10:01:00.001Z

These make me smile!

ah….

2012-01-04T14:55:00.001Z

Oh dear, a month since I posted. A month that has absolutely flown by. Who said it could be January already…? I don’t remember agreeing to that. Not one spot of paint or ink to be seen either – that is not good.

Over Christmas we made a concerted effort to reorder the shop website and make thing easier to find. Some sections were just starting to take on a life of their own as we have expanded our product range so much since launching. It’s taken up a good chunk of Christmas and the New Year to get that done. I’m waiting for bundles of re-stocks to come in and yet more extensions to the product ranges we have, especially all the new darkroom Door goodies we’ll be stocking.

I’ve signed up for a few classes and prompts this year as well to help get those creative juices flowing, and I will be taking part in producing classes for the UKScrappers Art Journey. I have lots of things to prepare for that, and I have a Circle Journal which is now overdue! eek. Luckily the kids go back to school tomorrow so it will give me some peace and quite to finally get on with stuff. It’s hard to concentrate when you’re constantly hearing “Muuuuuuummmmm………” My head sinks and I give up and go sort out whatever the current squabble is about and/or threaten to remove toys/x-box play time/remove chocolate privileges. One of them usually does the trick. You’d think I have teenagers, not kids in Infants!

I know it’s annoying to read posts that are apologising for not posting, which in a way this is, but I will be back to normal (I’m not going to try and define that, my head hurts already) soon. For now I must get on with it, so I’ll wish you a slightly belated Happy New Year and hope to bring you something more interesting next week. In the meantime do stop by UKScrappers and check out all the new classes scheduled for 2012. It will be a creative year indeedy!

If I lived nearer…

2011-12-05T16:32:00.001Z

If you live near Bath, pop along to the The Holborne Museum to see Bruce Munro’s Field of Light exhibit. It looks and sounds fabulous, sadly it’s a long way from here.

Field of Light consists of over 5,000 bulbs of light planted in the grounds of the Museum and flowing into the Garden Cafe. Acrylic stems are topped by frosted spheres which are threaded with fibre optic cables and lit by a colour projector. The result is quite magical, as both colour and light flow through the bulbs to create a uniquely captivating experience.

Yep, I wish I lived nearer.

Hip Hip Horray!

2011-11-27T18:35:00.001Z

card from Print for Love of Wood on Folksy.

Last year I was whisked off to New York and taken to Tiffany's on 5th Avenue for the big 40. 5 days in what has to be my second favourite city. My favourite being York. Such different places but both make me smile. Luckily we live close to York and I have a full weekend spending time with my lovely husband and kids. My week started with a bouquet of flowers being delivered to me every day. Then a weekend where I spent a Friday with just the two of us, lunch at my favourite restaurant in York with a spot of Christmas shopping along Stoneygate (home to Kath Kidston, the Teddy bear shop, The White Stuff and numerous other places pulling at your purse strings). Then it’s family time with a trip to the cinema to see Arthur Christmas (the kids haven’t stopped asking to go and see it since they saw the trailer for it) and dinner in the form a of Chinese meal. And finally, a trip to Whitby to take in the sea air – the cold biting air I might add and , more food, fish & chips. I loved every minute of it.

caught up in the hype…

2011-11-19T21:35:00.001Z

Tim Holtz is fabulously creative and brings us humble folks in the crafting world, with the likes of Tonic, Ranger, Advantus & Stamper Anonymous, products that truly, I for one, would be lost with out. I covert my scissors and oooh all those gorgeous distress products and idea-ology trinkets. More recently I am in love with the District Market range…possibly because I’m a sucker for all things notebook and I was not disappointed when they turned up for the shop along with the burlap panels.

Now we’ve all see video footage of Tim at the shows with his trinket box full of idea-ology goodies and gone oooh with jealousy. When I saw the new range of storage, and because I have access to these products because of the shop I ordered one, yep just one, of these Trinket cases. It arrived this morning.

It’s my birthday next week, but this was not a birthday present to myself. I genuinely wanted to know what they were like so I could decide if it was something I wanted to stock.

The trinket box was sent in the original box it was shipped in so when I realised I will admit to being a little excited and eager to open it, to take a peek at this prized possession. What happened next surprised me. You know when you get given a birthday present, and you know that your fabulous other half had provided someone with a list of idea’s at their request so they could get you something you really want, and you know each and every one of those idea’s was something you really wanted, then you open the present with them standing in front of you to find that they completely ignored the idea’s given to them but you still have to smile while you battle that sinking feeling. That is how I felt this morning.

Now I knew it wasn’t going to be big, but I’m going to need a couple of these babies at least to house all my idea-ology bits and bobs. I ‘m also not enamoured with the quality of it either, In the photo’s it looks quite good, nice solid handle, metal corners and latches, but the rest of it lets it down. The faux leather trim, in my humble opinion it ain’t all that when seen in real life. the design frustrates me as the box opens out the opposite way to the way the trays open taking up, for me, much needed space on my desk to use it. We don’t all have palatial studio’s to work in with huge expanses of worktop space.

The bottom tray is glued in place, as you would expect but, and yes I am being ultra picky now, the glue is all over the shop and not contained under the tray. This isn’t ooze from using too much, this is brush strokes of glue. The tray are made from sturdy stuff, as is the box, but I am disappointed with the finish and with a retail price around the £30-£35 mark I’d expect something a little better, doubly so as it carries Tim’s name. This is of course just my opinion, and I dare say lots of you will be dismissive of it, and I’m probably missing a trick by making the decision not to stock them. But there, you’ve now had my two-penn’orth, do with it as you will. I for one will continue to keep my trinkets in a RUB box with tray inserts.

and the winner is……

2011-11-02T18:03:00.001Z

lemon said...

thanks for the great techniques uks lemon

Congratulations! One set of Claudine Hellmuth Mini Studio Paints is yours!

did you blog hop here?

2011-11-01T07:30:00.001Z

If you are participating in the UKS blog hop, you may have come here from 3 Jolly Scrappers . Hope you enjoyed their project and didn’t forget to post a comment so that you can be in with a chance to win one of the prizes on offer.

First up, if you are new to my blog, a bit fat welcome to you! I’m Vicki, owner of a sprinkle of imagination where we have a passion for memories and getting messy! Which brings me nicely to our project - an accordion art journal, although, you could use it as a mini book rather than an art journal if you preferred.

To complete the project you’ll need:

a sheet of grungeboard (you know you have some, we all got it when it came out and then said – “now what?”)

a sheet of watercolour paper – I’ve used Windsor & Newton Bockingford 14x10 inch – 300gsm. The size is the most important part, any watercolour paper will do, or you could substitute with a heavy weight cardstock. Check places like The Range or The Works.

Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paints

Brushes and plastic palette knife

Ranger Craft Mat

Liquitex Acrylic Inks

Jenni Bowlin Paint Dabbers

Liquitex Gel Medium & Gesso

Stencil of choice

Waxed Thread and a charm

Stampotique stamps

and lastly – an old gift card.

Start by applying a thin coat of gesso to both sides of your watercolour paper and grunge board. Using an old gift card will help you get a thin coat. Let it dry on one side before you do the other.

Once the gesso is dry, apply some gel medium through a stencil with a palette knife (easier to get the gel out of the pot that way as well) in patches to create some texture for your backgrounds. I used the Crafters Worskhop small circle grid, a big favourite of mine at the moment. You’ll notice that the dots left on one side were a bit black as lazy me hadn’t cleaned off the black paint from the last time I used it. Again, you’ll need to let it dry before you do the second side.

While you’re waiting for everything to dry, select the colours you want to use to create your backgrounds. Add a little water to a small amount of paint and create a colour wash over both sides of the water colour paper and the grungeboard. You’ll notice that the dry gel medium will create a resist. If you want the resist to stand out more, then you can dab the still wet paint off, or if it’s started to dry, use a baby wipe or a slightly damp cloth to lift the excess paint off. Keep applying the paint until you are happy with what you have. Tip – use complimentary colours to avoid a muddy outcome.

The next later on the page is created by drawing circles with the Liquitex Acrylic Inks, if you are worried about getting round circles then you can always use one of the basic circle stencils as a guide to help you. Acrylic Inks come in dropper bottles so I just used the dropper to draw with.

This is the point where the size of the watercolour paper is perfect for working with the grundgeboard. Fold the watercolour paper in half – lengthways, and then cut it in half.

Next, score and fold each half at 3 1/4 inch intervals. You’ll have a small excess at the end, cut this off ONE of the lengths. The stick the two pieces together with gel medium, using one of the short lengths to overlap them. This will then make one long accordion piece.

I’ve cut window in some of my pages, so if you want to do the same, this is the time to do it as it’s easier than when it’s stuck on to the cover.

The grungeboard is to form the cover for your book. Lay it down lengthways and find the centre, then mark half and score across the short side a half an inch either side, giving you a one inch wide spine for your book.

Before you adhere your pages into your book, using a 1/16th inch punch, punch two holes in the back cover for the wax thread to go through and create your closure.

I’ve used a 1 meter length of red waxed thread, may seem a lot, but it will wrap around your journal three times to make an attractive closure. Wiggle the thread until you are happy it’s in the right place, then stick the last page of the accordion to the back cover with gel medium and let it dry. You can then wrap the thread and decide where to add a charm. To do this create a lose knot and add a charm to a jumping, thread through the know and tighten.

You’re now ready to decorate the book, adding photo’s, or in my case stamped images and some doodling ready to add your journalling.

Hope you’ve enjoyed the project and feel inspired to have a go! If you do, please leave us a link so we can come and see your version.

Now a chance to win prizes!

If you’re a member on UKScrappers, and leave a comment on each blog TODAY you’ll be entered for a chance to win a prize, remembering to include your UKS ID so we know who you are.

Anyone posting a comment here will also be entered in with a chance to win a set of Claudine Hellmuth Mini Studio Paints and a winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday.

Next to visit is A Trip Down Memory Lane.

If you get lost along the way you can go back to UKS and find the full list of blogs taking part here

i’m saying nowt else…

2011-10-28T09:59:00.001+01:00

It’s the UKScrappers Sponsors Blog Hop on the 1st November. Come and hop with us, there will be prizes along the way. Further details will be announced on UKScrappers on the 31st October.

sometimes we hide things

2011-10-27T11:50:00.001+01:00

It’s not often, but when I get extremely angry I need to take it out on something, vent my frustrations. Art journalling have saved my sanity on those occasions. I can get down all the screaming thoughts and then, as I did on this page, cover them up.

I opened my journal found a double page that already had a coat of gesso on it, and set about writing across it. Seems I had a lot to say as I then turned t round and ranted back over the first layer! Eek. I wanted some of that writing to show through on the final page so I used light layers of acrylic paint and simple shapes over it, and added dots with my favourite stencil. I quite like the end result and I know how much better I felt for getting it all off my chest.

Thanks for stopping by!

artists in waiting…?

2011-10-25T20:25:00.001+01:00

As it’s half term here I have a bunch of plans for the kids this week to keep them occupied. At the weekend I popped into The Works and picked up a bunch of canvasses – 4 5”x7” for £1.99! Be rude not to really.

In a bid to be a bit more relaxed about relaxed about it (I watch them like a hawk when they paint – I hate the mess…I know worlds most messy crafter!) I even let them loose with my supplies. Yep, out came the baskets of paint dabbers and the neocolour II crayons. Guess what somebody wants for Christmas now. Both of the kids loved the neocolours.

The plan is to hang them all up on a blank wall in the kitchen and start a canvas gallery of their work. We have some from when they were really little in nice frames. Jamie took his inspiration from the house and below, the garden. Rosie is more abstract in her approach, but I love them all and we had a fabulous time. Jamie has even declared he’d like to be an artist when he grows up… ahhh, I can live in hope!

simple sundays

2011-10-23T20:04:00.001+01:00

fresh homemade bread to go with fresh homemade soup = aching arms from all that kneading and the morning in a kitchen full of fabulous smells.

birds

2011-10-18T13:32:00.001+01:00

I had a fabulous three days on a workshop with Dina Wakely. A truly talented lady if ever there was one! Day one we painted birds, the backgrounds were meant to be full of art journal techniques to add some interest, but in all honesty when I painted my canvas I just loved it before I got to that part, so I stopped.

So here’s my practice piece with a single bird, and below the three birds again but with some extra elements in the background.

I’m thinking I may do another canvas as I enjoyed making these so much. Maybe I should add some into my journals.

wood mounted loveliness

2011-10-13T19:03:00.001+01:00

Oh heck, all plans have gone out of the window the last couple of days due to some new goodies arriving for the shop. First of all, after what feels like a very long wait, I am sooo pleased to be stocking Stampotique Originals.

When the delivery came, Jamie and I sat and unpacked it to check everything was there. The best part – all the ooh’s and ahhh’s from both of us! He loved the designs and has declared when he grows up he’s going to buy one of all of them. How brilliant is that?!
Today saw the very long awaited arrival of the new distress stains, Claudine Hellmuth’s mini Studio kits, the new Perfect Pearl mists (ooooh – such amazing colours) and the kraft and black ATC’s, No. 5 and No. 8 tags from Rangers (No.8 being the larger size). I’m working hard to get as many of these on the website as I can, but please be patient with me as I’m off on a three day workshop from tomorrow with the amazingly talented Dina Wakley. Super cool stuff! I loved the workshop I did with her earlier this year and ran for my credit card when I saw she was over again teaching.
Right, kids to get into bed, quick tidy round and then back to uploading all these new goodies. And I mist remember to take my little pocket camera with me tomorrow.
Happy creating folks!

gotta love a bit of bingo!

2011-10-10T10:53:00.001+01:00

I say that, last time I played bingo I must have been about 10 at the local working men’s club with my Nan. Been a while then! I do love Bingo Cards though, from the mini Jenni Bowlin ones to freebie ones like this one. Feel free to download it, I found it here, on a lovely blog full of stuff to download.

Enjoy!

I’m at it again

2011-10-08T10:19:00.001+01:00

yep, cries of abandoned blog! Sorry about that, I just seem to be busy at the moment. Not so busy there are not enough hours in the day, but busy enough to mean that the ole blog has been ever so slightly abandoned. Because of that I have made the decision to “abandon blog” for the shop, and just use this blog. So, for those of you not interested in what’s happening with the shop, I apologise. My aim is not to turn this into a blog all about the shop, but I will announce special offers and share my general excitement of new stock (finally) arriving when it does. I just figure it will be easier to manage from one blog, with all the Facebook updates as well.

So, it is my great pleasure to announce that we now have gift vouchers! yay! You can find all the info and how to buy and spend them here. All I’m going to mention is that you don’t have to spend them in one go either, we’ll keep track of the balance for you until you’ve used them all up.

Ok, for now I need to be getting on with life and family stuff, then a huge pile of creative books to read, and a project or two to be getting on with.

Have a fabulous weekend where ever you are!

Smash away your life

2011-09-14T12:35:00.001+01:00

A couple of years ago I came across Ali Edwards Week in Your Life project and thought what a great idea, made easier if you prep in advance for it. I don’t do the project the same time as Ali’s run’s. To be honest I do when I remember and think that just maybe I can make the time for it.

So, today I’m starting this years week using a Smash book, and have spent the morning preparing a few pages with ink, paint and stamps and making some tags ready to pop in to it. Lots to do yet, but I have somewhere to start for todays notes.

Now I just have to keep going!

treats

2011-09-06T16:22:00.001+01:00

Girls gotta have treats right? Now I just need brown boots…and brown shoes to go with it. Ho-hum. Anyway – it was a bargain at 40% off rrp. I can justify it. I can. Honest. No really, I can. I wanted it. See, justified.

Soggy

2011-09-05T11:25:00.001+01:00

Another page from the journal I took away with me to mark my first experience of Florida rain. Like everything else in America it’s bigger and bolder than in the UK. The first time I got very soggy shoes, the second time, I took them off and went barefoot, and it was lovely.

I’m not especially fond of the writing, but I sat with a pen and did it and then decided I should have done it differently. I partly wished I’d taken some small letter stickers with me. Oh well hindsight and all that, again. Tough really, I used what I had and that was what fitted in my pencil case.

Lazy pages

2011-09-04T18:54:00.001+01:00

I’m fast coming a fan of lazy pages in my art journals. By that I means ones that take very little doing but I find myself going back again and again to look at them.

This one is from my Florida journal. The background is super simple – it’s a mop up from another stencil spraying session with a few extra spots on top. The flower centres are made from off cuts of sticky-back canvas that had been sprayed with color wash. I simple cut them out and plopped them on the page without thinking. See lazy as can be.

The leaves, grass and doodles around the flowers (not that I knew that’s what they’d be when I stuck the circles in) were all drawn with water-soluble pencils and coloured with inktense pencils. Add journalling and ta-dah. Finished. Took me all of ten minutes to drag this one together, but I love it. Guess that’s what counts in the end.

Right, I’m now off for a lazy dinner. The man of the house has been slaving over an Indian (meal not person – should you be wondering…) for a couple of hours and I am about to devour it. Delicious and lazy, for me anyway, not for him though.

still alive…..just

2011-09-04T09:33:00.001+01:00

Hello, hello. Just wanted to let you know that we survived Orlando, the parks, food, heat and the most stunning thunderstorms I’ve ever witnessed. Since we got back I’ve been silly busy with the shop…buckets full of new stock has arrived (in boxes not buckets though ‘cause that would just be silly) and I’m working hard to get it all up loaded.

Whilst away I managed to mumble into 13 pages of my journal and I will share them with you just as soon as I get round to taking pictures of them. I haven’t even viewed our holiday snaps yet! I do at least know where the camera is since unpacking….a week ago.

Still kids are back at school this week and Rosie finally starts school – hurrah! I’ll miss her company during the day but not her trail of destruction. This means I should get chance to get crafty – once I’ve done all my jobs that is.

Popping off again now – nice to ‘see’ you all again though. Be back soon…ish. Promise.

It seems I’m taking some time off…..

2011-08-07T22:10:00.001+01:00

Oh blimey, I came to my blog to have a catch up hopping session and noticed that it’s been a month since I last posted. Eeek, sorry folks. Life seems to have taken me elsewhere and now I’m about to go on a much needed holiday. Normal service…ish, should resume in September. If nothing else I’ll have a heck of a lot of scrapping to do from the holiday.

However, you may be interested to know that the shop will remain open while we are away. Any orders placed between 09:00 Friday 12th August & 21:00 Sunday 28th August will get an extra something in your parcel if you spend over £25.00.

Orders placed after 09:00 on Friday will be posted out from Tuesday 30th August.

See you on September!

journal on your doodles

2011-07-05T21:11:00.001+01:00

After all that doodling, I’ve now written on it and for me, it just brings the page to life. Thought you might like to see what it looks like, and thank you for all your comments on this page from the previous post. It’s nice to know you like it.

I’ve got a couple of watercolour backgrounds drying at the moment so fingers crossed over the next few days I’ll have more pages to share.

doodling days

2011-07-05T12:30:00.001+01:00

You just can’t beat a day of doodling and colouring in can you.

We’re live!!!

2011-06-29T20:18:00.001+01:00

a sprinkle of imagination is now up and running!

Come visit us!

Sharing…

2011-06-24T11:30:00.001+01:00

A little while ago, no strike that, quite a while ago, I said I’d share a page and how I had created it. I meant it, it’s just taken me a while as when I start working in my journals I don’t really think about what I’m doing, the page just evolves and then it’s too late to take photo’s to share with you as a step by step. I guess I just work like someone possessed, or as my lot would say I’ve gone off being all arty farty. Nice huh! Grain of truth in it though.

With the exception of the stamps which are part of my own stash, all the products I’ve used are available in the store (yep – still waiting for images…sheesh but I have been assured that they are on their way on disc)

I started with watered down Claudine Hellmuth Studio paint dribbled across the page and then the excess on the brush wiped off on it. Then I’ve added torn pieces of book pages and added a little more colour to them with paint which I’ve then wiped off with a paper towel.

The second layer has been created using Prima and Crafters workshop masks and templates with colour wash ink sprays. The Stars have been cut from papers in my scraps pile, the coloured and doodled with Derwent Inktense pencils.

A little more doodling around the Prima mask with inktense pencils. The added extra black dots using the template and a black posca paint pen.

Finally, using one of my own stamps, I’ve added my favourite image and some more scraps of paper where I decided to add my journalling to the page. Don’t know what you think but I love this page and fingers crossed you’ve enjoyed seeing my step by step.

Right – postie has just been and there are two disks in the post that hold the promise of images for the store….. eeek, So excited. Wish me luck – again!

Home is where the heart is….

2011-06-21T18:37:00.001+01:00

I’ve spent time today avoiding doing things, things in this case being housework. After spending the last few days running round I thought I deserved a little time for me. I’m so exhausted at the moment waiting to open up the store (delay is now down to images – or rather lack of! Seriously I wish these people would pull their bloody fingers out!), clothes shopping for the kids who are never happy, or trying to organise our lives. I feel like I’m living in a state of distraction at the moment. One reason may be down to Chris being away again. I miss him so much when he’s not here. When he’s not here my frustration over the store seems to want to explode, he is keeping me sane right now.

So, I sat down while the kids have been playing a Lego game on the Xbox and played in my lovely and quickly filling up A4 watercolour moleskine. I adore this journal (yes – there are some for the shop), and created this page in it.

That’s it for now. Thank you for stopping by and wish me luck in getting those blooming images so we can open up!

Simple Things

2011-06-10T12:51:00.002+01:00

A couple of nights ago I caught Poor Kids on BBC. I didn’t see the start of the programme and it was on quite late at 23:05, but I was so moved by what I saw in the programme I stayed up to watch it. I felt it was my duty to be informed. After all if you don’t know about something you can’t do anything about it.

The documentary tells the stories of some of the 3.5 million children living in poverty in the UK. 3.5 million.

It is one of the worst child poverty rates in the industrialised world, and successive governments continue to struggle to bring it into line. So who are these children, and where are they living? Under-represented, under-nourished and often under the radar, 3.5 million children should be given a voice. And this powerful film does just that.

Eight-year-old Courtney, 10-year-old Paige and 11-year-old Sam live in different parts of the UK. Breathtakingly honest and eloquent, they give testament to how having no money affects their lives: lack of food, being bullied and having nowhere to play. The children might be indignant about their situation now, but this may not be enough to help them. Their thoughts on their futures are sobering.
Sam's 16-year-old sister Kayleigh puts it all into context, as she tells how the effects of poverty led her to take extreme measures to try and escape it all.

Poor Kids puts the children on centre stage, and they command it with honesty and directness. It's time for everyone to listen.

Watching the programme has made me aware of how grateful I am for the life I have. We are by no means rich, but we can afford for me to be a full time Mum without the need to claim benefits. Jamie is 6 soon and has asked for a Nintendo DS for his birthday, and you know what – he’ll get one. He won’t get much more, but he’ll get one. We have no debts, own our luxury cars, and go on holiday. We realise how fortunate we are and we are careful with our finances so that we can live the life we have without worry of where the next meal is coming from or how we’ll pay the fuel bills. There is something we can cut back on if we need to.

My parents weren’t cash rich, but I never missed meals, always had clothes that fit me. I was bullied at school, had cruel friends at times in my life, but I was never bullied because of the clothes I wore.

We give generously to things like Comic Relief and Children in Need but somehow that just doesn’t feel enough anymore. We donate physical things for children whose Mothers are victims of domestic abuse and find themselves in the many Women's Refuges around York, often with just the clothes on their backs, but I need to find a new way to help to do something about the children living in poverty right here in my area. I don’t live in a bubble, never have done, but I feel the need to actively seek a way to help a family who just need the simple things to improve their quality of life.

Will you join me?

Is it nearly bedtime?

2011-06-07T18:51:00.002+01:00

Yesterday I planned to spend a good chunk of today at my desk being crafty. All plans changed when Rosie woke up early hours complaining of tummy ache, then she called out about an hour later having been sick in bed. Poor lamb has hardly eaten anything today and has had a lazy, half asleep day curled up under a blanket on the sofa rather than running round like a loon at pre-school. She’s a lot better this evening but it did curb my crafty time quite considerably.

Having spent half the night either with her or listening out for her I’m more than ready for bed right now, but not before I share a quick shot of something I did start working on today.

Ahh, yes, I have cracked open some supplies at last. This isn’t finished yet, but I will share all – including a step by step, when it’s done.

just lying around…

2011-06-06T17:46:00.002+01:00

A little while ago, whilst on another pretend to tidy my desk mission (I am the worlds most chaotic scrappy crafty journaller evidenced by the state of my desk – never to be seen on WOYWW for that very reason) I dedicated a jar to “bits”. Stuff that hangs around my desk with no special home, off cuts of lace, odd buttons and keys, things that basically I can’t be bothered to put away.
The idea of this jar was when I did do some sort of crafting I had to include something from the jar in whatever I was working on.
A few days ago I was sat at my desk – yep, pretending to “tidy it up” and found a Jenni Bowlin mini bingo card. I, as always, couldn’t be bothered to put it away, so I dipped into my jar and challenged myself to do something with it. And here’s the result…. a little hanging with a few words to keep me going while I do battle with day to day life.

Tomorrow should bring me a sewing machine, fingers crossed, and I already have a project started in readiness using up more “stuff” lying around my desk, *rubs hands together*. Until then, thanks for stopping by. I really do appreciate it.

New Blog!

2011-06-03T13:45:00.000+01:00

Hello!

We're getting closer and closer to launching the online store, and ahead of that we have launched the shop blog "asprinkleof imagination.blogspot.com" and you can sign up to the newsletter at the shop to get updates.

Right - more cardboard boxes to open, check and upload! Better get to it. Look forward to seeing you on the shop sites!

Sometimes it’s the simple things……

2011-05-26T21:03:00.001+01:00

I know in my last post I complained (a little) about my life flying by at the moment, and there is a “good” reason for it. But as I posted that last entry on my blog I realised that I miss blogging. In amongst all the day to day chaos I try and find five minutes to blog hop. I don’t leave comments most of the time as I just hop on to the next blog having read, made a note of something interesting and added a new blog to my huge list of blogs to read and check back on. See, I haven’t completely abandoned blogland, just my blog.

After all that it got me thinking about the simple pleasures in life, and I have decided to start a new feature on my blog, “Simple Things”. Imaginative title don’t you think?! LOL. I dare say I won’t be the first to do it either, but hey, I’d love it if you joined in with me. If you do, leave a comment and I’ll drop by your blog to find out what it is that brightens your day. I’m going to attempt to do this once a fortnight – I know in my heart of hearts weekly is just too much at the moment.

Without further a-do, here are my simple pleasures at this point in time.

My latest pair of shoes. In my mind, foot perfection. I love to just look at them, I just wish it would stop raining so I can wear them more.

And my hardest working pair of shoes, my running shoes. Yep, I’ve started running again. In a fashion anyway, but I’m getting there. No marathons just yet.

Don’t forget to leave me a comment and a link to your blog if you decide to share your simple pleasures with me. I hope you do.

what happened?

2011-05-26T16:41:00.002+01:00

Ahhh, life is just flying by way too fast at the moment, and I don’t seem to have two minutes to myself. Last weekend was Rosie’s birthday and her chosen day out was to a chocolate factory! She’s been watching Willy Wonka. A lot. So, here she is loaded up into the car, complete with sunglasses, Princess tiara, birthday badge and pink monster. Well, you have to don’t you. Off we headed to Cadbury World. I did explain it wasn’t going to be quite the same as Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory (the Tim Burton version), but big PHEW, she loved it..and all that pink princess birthdayness got us tons of extra chocolate as well. Go girl! See, I knew there was a reason why we had kids.

Outside of that, here’s a few more Moleskines…..

I dare you to lose a red one in your bag!

Right then, it’s a quick love you and leave you. Again. Tons to do and the sooner I do it, the sooner I’ll get my life back and be able to create something other than chaos. Ahhh, it’s good to dream. Until next time..byeeee.

have you seen.....

2011-05-19T10:35:00.000+01:00

what's over on the top right hand side of my blog.....?

I just couldn't contain myself any longer. This is where all those moleskines are going. Over the next couple of weeks I'll share peeks of what else will be "in store".

slowly slowly…

2011-05-18T10:27:00.001+01:00

I’d like it to go a little faster but as they say, all good things come to those who wait. Hmmm, guess I’ll just have to get over this waiting lark then.

Oh – I tweet now. Come follow me (and the moleskines) @sprinkleimagine

the Moon….

2011-05-07T19:51:00.001+01:00

This weekend I am spending my time “pratting around” at Art from the Heart, but extra special time as it on a workshop with Dina Wakley – Sun, Moon and Stars. Today was the turn of moon and rather than babble on about it, here’s a few shots of my journal in progress.

One of my tags featuring what has to be my current favourite stamp.

Backgrounds drying off.

And my almost finished journal. I just adore it. I will be making more like this. It’s been so much fun. Yesterday we did our Sun journal and tomorrow its the turn of the Stars… I’ll share those with you next time.

As always, Thanks for stopping by.

sshhhhhhh

2011-04-30T21:50:00.001+01:00

It’s been a bit quiet around here. Well, I say that, what I mean is on here, my blog. Abandoned would be a good way to put it I guess. As for me I’ve been so busy it’s stooopid. My art journal calendar is sitting on my desk crying out for me to worked in. Yes I’m afraid to report that I am behind not just with updating it but with having pages ready to update. Arrrgh.

I have to come clean and say that I doubt that that is going to change much in the next week or so either. There are lots of top secret plans going on and fingers crossed I’ll be able to share more with you before May is out.

On the plus side for me I will have some crafty time next weekend as I’m off to Art from the Heart for a three day workshop with Dina Wakley. Dina posted some sneak peeks on her blog a few days ago and it looks good. I missed the workshops she did last year so was thrilled to bits to get a place this time around. I’ll even remember to take a camera with me as well, so I’ll post photo’s as soon as I get chance.

And the poor service award goes to.....

2011-04-09T21:24:00.000+01:00

Virgin Media!!!!!

Due to poor connectivity recently from our ISP we have decided to move our broadband service. I'm sure if you've done this you'll know what a right royal pain in the ass it is, but tonight Virgin Media's live chat representative have scrapped the bottom of the barrel for customer service. Not the biskit barrel obviously as all things are sweet there, but the customer service and dodgy website barrel.

Whilst on "live chat" with "Emma", our questions were not answered, we were told to ring a free number that isn't free...and is closed, and cut off without a chance to ask anything else. To put it politely there is not a cat in hells chance that they will be getting our business. I just don't get why it's so bloody hard to get customer service right.

I am sorry to rant on my blog. It's something I don't normally do, but I am sooo angry. It's the little things that make life big, and it's the little things that make a difference. Well done Virgin for getting it so wrong.

So, who gets your poor service award then?

Bit of a crafting void

2011-04-08T16:38:00.001+01:00

I seem to have had little enthusiasm for crafting recently, even my art journals have fallen by the wayside especially in the last week. I am still keeping up my AJ calendar but haven’t taken photo’s of it for this months pages. Shame on me I know. LOL.

The kids however have been crafty and this is what they made me for Mother’s Day. I will openly admit that I had a tear in my eye when I opened them up, even when Rosie was fit to burst and couldn’t help but present me with her turtle on the Saturday.

In a hope to get back into the crafty grove I have cracked open the March Scrapagogo kit today to make this pocket journal (just as the April one is being sent on it’s way…oops).

I’m not altogether sure what it will be used for yet, but every page has a pocket and a tag of some sort so lots of room to add things to it. To make it I’ve used to two sheets of double sided paper, dst and tissue tape. I call that a stash buster.

Well, that’s all my craftiness for the moment. Hopefully I’ll get back in the groove again soon. In the meantime I hope it sunny where you are and you’re able to make the most of it. TTFN!

another journal

2011-03-27T12:53:00.000+01:00

I recently spent yet another fabulous weekend at Art from the Heart, this time creating an Altered Book Journal. Since then I’ve slowly been building my pages. Not sure why but I have decided that I want to get every page ready to journal on and then I’ll write in it.

The weekend was full of tips and ideas, as you would expect from Dyan, on ways in which to make your journal more interesting with lots of hidden pockets, tags, trims, drawers and places to tuck stuff away.

As yet I haven’t done anything with the cover and am undecided if I want to do anything with it.

Here are a few of the pages that are ready…..

Thanks for stopping by!

bathing suit beauty

2011-03-26T11:06:00.001Z

Planning a holiday comes with it’s frustrations and worries when it’s the first time the smallest people in your house will be going abroad, and you plan on taking them on a long flight. It will be fine I’m sure it will. There is no reason that it wouldn’t be. In the meantime I create this page in my A4 journal to put some of those thoughts down on.

You can just about see how this page has been constructed. Firstly I stamped the whole page in black with a sassafrass alphabet, the covered it with several layers of paint, the last being the gorgeous mustard Dylusions paint.

I’ve then added scraps of patterned papers to lift and bring a more vibrant colour into play on the page, then topped it off with some Tim Holtz film strip. Problem is I am so pleased with how it’s turned out I haven’t written on it yet!

in preparation

2011-03-08T16:32:00.001Z

I always like to have a few pages ready to journal on and these two are in my mini journal. I started them whilst at my crop on Saturday and sat and finished them this afternoon. Can you tell I was thinking about the pile of pancakes I need to make while finishing the first one?

Dream a little dream…

2011-03-01T22:38:00.001Z

A couple of weeks ago I won a set of Tim Holtz stamps from Linda and being frugal, have stamped the images on the back of the scrapbooking paper I’m recycling from my old wedding layouts. He does almost fill this page in my mini moleskine though! Didn’t leave a huge amount of room for my journalling.

I’ve used dylusions paints, and here you can see circles of interference paint plus a little spray of perfect pearls. The stitches are doodled, and I couldn’t resist doing some more on the page below along with some doodled flowers.

Image from tumblefish studio

As March rolls around…

2011-03-01T11:27:00.001Z

At least we have a feel of spring in the air today. Actual blue sky, I can see blue sky. Oh how that gladdens my heart after weeks of grey dull clouds.

You’ll notice the end of March is missing as I’m doing a week by week journal it’s still being worked on along with the first few days of April.

I was doing so well by being ahead but last night I realised I’d got no further than the background for my second lot of March pages. Eek. I’m spending some time getting back on track today though. It’s been so easy doing this challenge so far due to me being so far ahead. I must keep going! I must!

Artful Journal

2011-02-22T14:08:00.001Z

As some of you know I attended a workshop at Art from the Heart with Tim Holtz last week, so it’s probably about time I shared some pictures with you of the journal we made.

Such a lot went into the covers. Art parts, sticky back canvas, die cut grunge board, kraft resist papers, distress stains, grunge blocks, alpha-parts and a small pile of idea-ology. I will be doing this again.

I have decided to keep my book as “a place for art”, somewhere to put ATC’s or little pieces of art I create. I’m bad for not creating just because I can. Things have to have a place to go afterwards, or a use. I don’t allow myself to just play as much as perhaps I should. So this will be a journal full of "just because”. There are lots of pocket pages to add in ATC’s and tags.

And finally the back, with the date in alpha-parts and yet more idea-ology.

The kit we had was truly amazing with so much product in it and more than enough to keep this little journal going for a wee while yet.

Sadly I was a complete numpty and left my camera at home, but I have been sent some photo’s from some of the lovely ladies that were also at the workshop, so I have those, along with Dyan’s fabulously designed ticket to serve as a reminder of the afternoon.

I love it when

2011-02-16T11:59:00.001Z

creativity strikes, or as the case may be at the moment, scrappy mojo hits! As you know I’m re-scrapping my wedding photo’s and have ordered a pile of cardstock and a new album to keep them in when they are done.

Last night I couldn’t wait for the new cardstock to arrive so I started this LO featuring some of my closest friends and based it on a sheet of kraft cardstock, but it didn’t look right, so I hunted through all my cardstock until I found a sheet that it did suit. Phew. This morning I finally found the CD with our wedding photo’s on and printed out a smaller version of the black & white shot. ta-dahhhhh, all finished now.

I am really pleased with this one, another HUGE improvement of the original layout. And Sarah – I am completely re-scrapping them, not scrapping them again. The old papers are lying on the floor waiting to be used for scrap and stamping on.

revisiting

2011-02-15T11:59:00.001Z

Over the weekend I decided it was time I had a clear out of my scrappy supplies as I have more paper than I can use, so I was hard on myself and now have a pizza box full of cardstock and patterned papers to take to my crop for rehoming.

While I was about it I sat down with some of my old albums and have since made the decision to re-scrap my wedding and honeymoon layouts. I know it’s nice to look at the progression of your style, but honestly, when I started scrapping I had no style. Badly matted photo’s plonked in the middle of pages with very little interest on the page. Weddings are important, so I want to create pages that I want to look at, so above is the first new page. Trust when I tell you it’s a thousand times better, although I’m not convinced I have finished with it. We’ll have to see.

The next layout is another look back. We ran out of ink in our printer so I had a hunt for a photo to scrap when I went to the local crop, that or sit and twiddle my thumbs! I found this one of Rosie’s feet and finally finished the layout on Friday.

A little stash busting went on here with lots of brads, stickers and a feltie being used. All of which I have had for a while.

That’s it for now. Today is one of my rare kid free days, and I have tons to be getting on with while the house is calm. Thanks for stopping by!

bubble bubble toil and trouble

2011-02-10T20:29:00.001Z

What a week! I've been around online, popping in here and there, but since Sunday I've been ill, mainly in bed, with the most horrendous tummy bug. I'll spare you the details, but on the plus side I've had to punch a new hole in my belt as my jeans were falling down this morning. I'm not quite out of the woods yet, but getting there.

A bad side to being ill is a distict lack of anything crafty. I've been filling in my daily art journal calendar but that's been it. Today, I decided to have a play around with my blog. I *think* I've settled on a set of new fonts - like them? Tomorrow I'm hoping to get a bit inky and create a new header so watch out for that one.

Next week however I'll definately be making up for a lack of crafting as I'll be off to Art from the Heart for an afternoon with Sir Tim! I am getting a little excited. If you pop to Dyan's blog there is a chance to win a golden ticket to the morning workshop as well.

Another attempt

2011-02-03T11:48:00.001Z

Still going on the cat front. What do you think? Are they getting better?

The fluffy above and her brother below.

Seriously, I’d love to hear what you think about these shots, and any tips for taking photo’s of cats who won’t sit still. I’ve already ruled out superglue, think that could be classed as cruel.

just a look

2011-02-02T13:55:00.001Z

A little while ago I signed up for “the joy of love” over on Willette Designs It’s free and runs throughout February.

Today’s prompt is to capture a loved one at their best or worst, and after that photo I posted the other day I’ve been desperate to take shots of my cats. As always they don’t want to do as I want them. That’s cats though I guess. As soon as they see me coming with the camera they run towards me and the shot I had planned in my head after watching them be completely still for ten minutes, has gone out the window. This shot is as close as I’ve been able to get to the fluffy one. A little out of focus but I will keep trying for that illusive shot! In the meantime I need to clean “nudge” marks off the lens and de-fur the camera.

Mini Journal

2011-02-01T15:09:00.001Z

Paints & Ink Sprays: Dylusions. Image: Tumble Fish Studio

I love my art journals and although I’ve only been creating my pages since August 2010 I think I may be getting closer to my style. I’m finding that I love brighter richer colours. Colours that ordinarily I might avoid as I think of them as being too loud for my eyes. I suffer from photophobia and I honestly think it gives me a fear of anything bright – colour included, but I’m learning to love them again. Having said that this page is about the near constant headache I’ve had for the last week and my craving for silence. Light I can hide from, silence is not so easy to obtain in a house with a three and five year old.

Paints & Inks: Dylusions. Images: Cemerony & Itkupilli

Another page from my small moleskine, this time in luscious red. I think this page was also borne from my state of mind and lack of sleep down to these cluster headaches. Ah well, tomorrow is another day!

Finally I would like to say a very big thank you to all those that have visited my blog in the last few days to view my calendar pages. I was amazed to see the stats! Thank you so much for your visits and for your wonderful comments and here was me thinking of giving up my blog.

Where did January go?

2011-01-28T11:08:00.001Z

So far I have managed to keep up with my art journal calendar…yay! I know it’s not quite the end of the month, but I’m sharing them with you now so that I don’t forget. The whole plan with this is that I’m always ahead of myself, I’m hoping it means I’ll keep it up.

I’m using an A5 sketch book so each page is a is big enough for a week. Below is the end of January running into February. yep – February is all ready to go, and I’m working on March! Told you – determined to keep it up.

Paints & ink sprays: Dylusions from AFTH.

Stamps: Sassafrass Lass, BasicGrey, 7 Gypsies, Paper Artsy

Image in February: Itkupilli

Chilly Beach Days

2011-01-28T10:00:00.001Z

Last weekend we headed to the beach for a couple of hours. We didn’t realise that this could bring out the premature teenager in Jamie who was fed up after five minutes of being cold. It seems that zipping his coat up properly wouldn’t have made and difference….until he did zip his coat up properly and lo, he was much happier and able to start a new rock collection.

Rosie on the other hand was perfectly happy to be outside, climbing over rocks, collecting sea water in her bucket and holding hands.

One word...awesome

2011-01-27T20:37:00.000Z

Bouncing off around the internet I came across this shot taken by Andrew Smith from Cuba Gallery .

All I have to say is "awesome"

Sketch scrapping

2011-01-27T13:26:00.001Z

I rarely ever use sketches for scrapping. I just have an aversion to them, even though I have started to create sketch challenges for my local crop, but just recently I they have started to grow on me, and more importantly means quick scrapping when the mood takes me. Yesterday I spent a couple of hours meandering through blog land and at one point landed on Shimelle’s blog and found her sketch of the week. I loved the big blocks of patterned paper and promptly printed off an A4 sized photo from our trip to New York in November 2010. I trimmed it down and then pulled out a couple of virtually untouched GoGo kits and set about chopping them up.

I know it doesn’t follow the rule of thirds, but to print the shot out smaller just felt wrong. I just love the simplicity of this layout and feel inspired to get stash busting. Just need to get some photo’s printed out now and hopefully I’ll then be able to justify the pile of unused kits currently hiding in my cupboard.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

When you are running late

2011-01-19T10:27:00.001Z

Getting the kids ready to get out the door in the morning is no mean feat, but it annoys me even more when my chaotic mornings are made worse by the door bell ringing. It’s not that we have such a huge house it takes an age to get to the door, but it’s the moments standing there whilst they ask me my name, followed by how do I spell that (short term memory problems from looking at my name less than thirty seconds ago – it must be an affliction suffered only by delivery drivers), followed by sign here, are precious moments that I should be using to pull on socks or brush teeth so that I can then bundle the kids out of the door. Still it gives me yet one more reason in my day to rant about something. Not least, as was this morning, that fact that I then didn’t have time to open the parcel! Arrgh. I hate that. I have very little patience especially when I know what’s in it.

So what was in it – this little lot to start with… Caran D’ache Neocolor II crayons….dozens of them.

Don’t they almost look good enough to eat?

I have fallen in love with the set of 15 I have, which were then topped up with some flesh colours when doing the Willowing course. Well now I have almost every colour, admittedly only almost because they were out of stock on some colours, but that’s ok. Why do I love them so? They have a creamy texture and blend beautifully with acrylic paints while wet, are vibrant and so damn easy to store. I know it seems rather excessive to buy so many but they will last me a lifetime. I consider them an investment, just like my watercolour and inktense pencils. Any besides, I wanted them! LOL.

I also now have a huge pot of white acrylic paint, some texture paint and a tube of interference paint to play with. Guess who’s running out of storage space again.

Ouch!

2010-12-28T12:13:00.000Z

It's been a little while since I made jewellery and I'd forgotten how much polishing it takes to get silver looking good. I actually have a friction burn on one of my fingers after working on this double pendant. The smaller one has children's fingerprints on it, and the larger one is patterned. I'm really pleased how this one has turned out and hope the recipient likes it too!

It must be time for new challenges

2010-12-23T15:01:00.000Z

You know, and I know, that I am utterly useless at keeping up annual or monthly challenges. This year I took part in LSNED and didn't finish. At the start of the year I meant to look at the Document:2010 project on UKS....and forgot. I haven't even looked at JYC this year. So, for 2011 I've set myself a challenge of creating a weekly art journal calendar a la Kate Crane.

So here are the first two weeks all ready to go. I figured that as I love doing my art journal, then this surely must be an easy to do. No photo's to take or print out and that means a distinct lack of feeling the need to colour match. Using up lots of scraps of scrapbook paper to make the daily journalling squares. Surely it has to tick some boxes as well as making a dent in my stash mountain, albeit a small one.

I'm doing this in an A5 greyboard sketchbook from paperchase and it feels good to have put it to use. Pages are ready to go not just for the first two weeks, but the first six. I figure by giving myself a head start I stand a fighting chance of doing this.

My next crafty task is indeed to look back over the Document: 2010 prompts (I have them all downloaded) and maybe make a Document: 2011 album.

So what crafty challenges are you planning to take part in next year then?

Frosty Mornings

2010-12-20T11:01:00.001Z

You can’t deny it is rather beautiful and worth getting the camera out for. We’ve had weeks of snow and ice, our footpaths and untreated roads still have inches of ice on them. Poor Rosie almost cried with the cold on her face going to school this morning. It comes to something when you get up and hope it’s only –4 Celsius as you’ve got used to that and it’s not as bad as it sounds. It’s certainly not the sort of weather than has you leaping out of bed. Jamie can’t wait for the school holidays to start so he doesn’t have to (1) get up and (2) go out. Oh boy – does he have a shock coming to him.

Being a guest

2010-12-13T16:44:00.001Z

This month I’m a guest, in this case a guest designer for A Trip Down memory Lane. It was a real privilege to be asked, especially as ATDML was the first store I ever did any scrappy shopping with. I loved the papers that I was sent to work with and simply put - I ran out of time to use them what with out trip away and all the chaos that comes with coming home again. I’ll be sure to share more layouts with you when I get five minutes to scrap.

The December gallery is now live, so head on over and take a look. There are, as always, some fabulous creations there, and I’d really like to say Thanks to Mel & Jill for inviting me to join their talented team of designers this month.

Thanks for stopping by!

Just can't concentrate!

2010-12-09T12:59:00.000Z

It's driving me nuts that I can't seem to concentrate on a blooming thing at the moment. Never mind restless legs from running, I have restless everything from being on holiday and am seriously struggling to get back into it, and worse sort myself out for Christmas. I have half idea's for projects running round in my head, a pile of presents to buy and make, food shopping to do and a house to sort out. I've even walked past the post box a dozen time with a huge pile of Christmas cards in my bag and forgotten to post them . I'm panicking and that means I come to a full stop! Not the best really.

So this very quick and probably dull post, is to apologise for the lack of blogging taking place. I have crafted for my crop, I have tons of photo from New York along with tales of parades and sparkly rings (twas a very special 40th) and I have created layouts for an upcoming guest DT spot, I will share these things with you soon. That is as soon as I have sorted myself out and feel properly back in the grove! Until then thanks for stopping by. Normal service will resume in January! Promise.

Been at it again…

2010-11-12T12:29:00.001Z

Yes, more scrapping. Think it may have something to do with a pile of “school” photo’s that have been sitting waiting to be scanned in, and that fact that once again my little craft space seems to be shrinking so I must use up my mountain.

This layout is one I created for a class I held at my local crop. Thankfully all the ladies that took part seemed to love it – big phew!

And after all that scrapping, I’ve managed to do a little art journaling as well. How could I not?

One background ready to work on, all done with acrylic paints.

And a finished pages, stamped and doodled in my mini journal.

That’s probably going to be it from me now until December as Chris & I are off to New York soon for our annual “just us” break that happens to coincide with my 40th, and that means packing up my journaling travel kit to take with me. I think that is going to be harder than packing clothes!

Thanks for stopping by!

A good bad photo

2010-11-12T11:51:00.002Z

Rosie is asserting her independence this week in a way that, at times, has been painful. Painful to me that is. She started out the week making her own sandwiches, or is that butterwich? The aftermath was, shall we say, interesting and took some cleaning up.

I decided to take some photo’s of her to mark this new found independence. This is the only one that is out of focus, but a perfect moment catching that cheeky little face full of pride showing of her yummy “butterwich”. This is definitely my good bad photo of 2010. So, what’s yours?

Are you sitting down?

2010-11-03T11:09:00.001Z

I think I'm still in shock. Last night I had a sudden urge to scrapbook, and here's the evidence.

I've used the October Scrapagogo kit, with no inking or distressing, not a doodle in sight. Totally unheard of for me! I have never scrapped straight from a single kit but I think I used a good chunk of it on this layout. So, finally, with all the art journalling I've been doing, I've made a dent in the ever growing stash mountain. Hurrah.

Thanks for stopping by!

eeeyuk..

2010-10-31T16:32:00.001Z

Bugs and diseases have hit our house again and it hasn't made for much fum over half term. Neither has there been much going on on the crafty painty inky front so a very quick post to share what I have done.

This little lady may well be headed for my mini art journal, but the (cute) couple below are in an altered book I'm working on for the art, heart and healing course over on Willowing.

That's it for now. Off to light the pumpkin we carved this afternoon! Happy Halloween !

What's your current favourite?

2010-10-27T01:23:00.000+01:00

I love finding new products to play with. New to me that is, and it's even better buying them when you get service with a smile. A couple of months ago I treated myself to some Tim Holtz tissue tape but I really wanted to get my hands on some Japanese masking tape, and here is one set I ordered from Papermash. Yep, I did order more than one set.

I just love it. It's sheer and silky and is slowly appearing in my art journals and scrapbook pages. I received fantastic service from Lynne at Papermash, so if you're looking for some interesting tapes pop over and give her a visit. There are some new Christmas tapes in store....

Thanks, as always, for stopping by!

Another first...

2010-10-26T14:22:00.002+01:00

A new page in my journal based on the second project from Art, Heart & Healing. This one is is my art journal rather than the project we are working on for the course.

I've drawn and hand coloured the little girl and whats more I happen to rather like her.

One wonky eye and a Moustache

2010-10-25T17:43:00.001+01:00

Neither of which I have in real life, well, I don't think I do, but here in my self representation (it's not a self portrait as it's not very like me, at all) I do! What's more I don't much care. I have thoroughly enjoyed creating the page for the class and as a result keep pinching Jamie's note book in the evening a doing a few faces. Practice makes perfect, or better at least.

So having completed my first page in my medium sized moleskine, and having done one in my small molkeskin, I decided to have another go but this time in my A4 journal.

Biggest regret here is adding the necklace but tis done now. At least she doesn't have a moustache! By miracle of all miracles I even managed to fit the stamped journaling around the hairline without suddenly having to stop or changed what I had planned to say.

And finally, another play, this time in my sketch pad - or should I call it my experiment pad. A simple line drawing having a go at doing a different style of face. I haven't been brave enough to colour her as yet. Having said that there are a few supplies I want to get my hands on first.

This week it's an altered book, with transfers and whimsey's. I've been playing in my "experiment pad" for the drawing of the whimsey's but with it being half term it may be a few days before I get the chance to work on the book itself.

First one...

2010-10-19T13:42:00.000+01:00

About two weeks ago I joined postcrossing.com and have since sent postcards to the USA, Bahamas, Finland, Russia and new Zealand, but today I received my first postcard. Yay! It was so nice to see it on top of the pile of post we had delivered.

This one is made from a photograph taken by the sender and has travelled 4645 miles from Texas. I won't share every single post card I received - that could be more than a bit dull to you, but forgive me if I share the occasional one.

Willowing along...

2010-10-19T09:21:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was the start of free Art of the Heart class over on Willowing.ning (there's a link over on the right if you'd like to join in). The class runs for four weeks and each week is a different project. This weeks project is an art journal page - see why I joined!

Part of the class is drawing a representation of yourself on the page. I have never been much cop at faces, feet yes, faces, no, bodies yes, faces no. So I had a little play in my mini AJ first and here is the result....

Not bad, but by no means great, but more importantly I thoroughly enjoyed doing it. I'm almost done on the double page spread in my bigger journal, although (don't laugh too loud) I have wonky eyes and a moustache on that one....hmmmmm. maybe my inner self is trying to tell me something I hadn't realised...I'm wonky or have a facial hair problem. I've certainly never noticed the latter, and I'm sure Chris would have offered me his shaver if that had been the case, so it must be the former.

So after this expect to see more of "me" on my pages. I love it because it's yet a different style.

Small and beautiful

2010-10-12T17:13:00.001+01:00

I seem to be in the land that migraines forgot but cluster headaches relish at the moment. With both kids out of the house today I have pretty much slept most of it, but I did have a lucid hour to eat and relax whilst trying to come back to the land of the living before this afternoons school run hit. While relaxing I decided to have a play in my mini art journal.

The book I'm using is a small moleskine sketchbook which measures 14 x 9 cm. Its got 80 pages in it apparently, at least half of which have now got paint on them. This is the first page that is now ready to journal on.

I think this could well be one of my favourite pages yet and I thoroughly loved working on a small scale.

Sheesh…

2010-10-08T10:06:00.002+01:00

Oh Lordy, like life isn’t complicated enough. I thought I’d use Windows Live Writer for this post as it’s often quicker than using blogger…. not today. An update is available… Why or why did I just not say “good for you!” and ignore it? Twenty minutes later and much faffing, I finally get to use it. Oh and MS – I prefer the old version. Do you think that’s just my age and the increasingly sense of disliking change creeping in, or more of a if it ain’t broke don’t fix it attitude?

Anyhow…. finally to share with you the second page I have completed this week. This is a sad little page recording how much I hate Sundays now as it’s the day Chris has to pack his bag and get ready for a week away. Just one of those pages where I had to get it off my chest before it burst (do you feel sorry for me yet? sniffle)

Yes, I know my writing ran out of painted lines, but I needed to write and lack of lines wasn’t going to change that. Plus, I don’t care and that is one of the many reasons i have taken to art journaling – it just doesn’t matter.

I also know I’m not the only person who’s beloved works away, and I’m lucky that he’ll be home for two weeks over Christmas, he was home for most of August, and it was great to have all that time as a family. It was like Sunday morning every day. Maybe I’ve been spoilt this summer and that’s why it makes it harder now.

Ho-hum, life goes on. I feel the need for a good cuppa now.

Thanks for stopping by!

The time thief is about again...

2010-10-07T20:30:00.000+01:00

I can't believe it's been two weeks since I last did a blog post. Chris has been working away the last couple of weeks and I swear he packed some of the hours from my day in his suitcase before he left. I'm not doing anything other than being a Mother and a housewife but blimey!

In the last couple of days though, once the kids have gone to bed I have managed to spend some time slapping a bit of paint down in my art journals. Shame I've only had chance to take a photo of one though and this is it (rather obviously...)

This page has now been journalled on where the lines have been painted, but it's private journalling so you'll just have to imagine the finished page with my scrawl across it. The quote is one of the many I've started to collect... "It's never too late to find out who you want to be".

Fingers crossed I'll get chance to scan the second page tomorrow and find the time to pop back and share it with you.

How ever hard you try....

2010-09-14T10:05:00.000+01:00

Since I started art journaling I have been collecting a few phrases as sometimes I don't want to pour my heart out on a page, but I still want to create something that has meaning to me. This is one of those phrases "However hard you try you end up like your Mother" . I would like you to note the stamping on the page though "results may vary" and "potential side effects". I consider myself a very different creature to my Mother and wish to remain like that.

A few more learnings....

2010-09-08T14:09:00.000+01:00

For starters, these quick pages are brilliant for me. It's meant that once I've decided what my lesson for the day has been, I whip out the alpha stamps and ten minutes later the page is finished!

So, my lessons from the 3rd to the 6th then....

Oh - a day of deep cleaning some of the rooms in the house. Far too long have we put this off.

On Saturday evening we went to the theatre. Nothing too cultured you understand...we went to see Rhod Gilbert. During the interval I was astonished by the number of mobile phones that appeared. As soon as the word interval was mentioned by the support act (sorry - Andy something...he was funny though), a plethora of back lights appeared as people reached to switch on their mobiles. I'm not sure what they were all going to achieve in 15 minutes, in fact a lot seemed to be playing games on them. What did people do before mobile technology? Oh yeah, I know - LIVED THEIR LIVES!

Sunday - the perennial dilemma faced me in the form of a quick shopping trip to buy a new purse. I think Chris thought I'd lost the plot but was glad I chose one in the end and didn't walk away with two.

By Monday I had relaxed and was fully enjoying a weekend without the kids. Oh how I miss peace and quiet.

That's all from me for now. Thanks for stopping by. I'll do another LSNED round up at the end of the week.

So good so far!

2010-09-03T09:19:00.000+01:00

I'm keeping up! OK - so it's only day two but that's good given my track record with these things.

Yesterdays lesson then. "There is no adult space in this house". I was merrily minding my own business, happy in the knowledge that the TV was switched off (for a change), and I could hear no bickering. The joyous sound of my two playing happily together was ringing through the house. I then realised the sound wasn't coming from it's usual place, i.e. their bedrooms.

Our bedroom door was closed. O-Oh.

I opened it to find Rosie rolling round on the bed, Jamie sitting in a moses basket (one that's usually home to Rosie's soft toys and in her bedroom) and our carpet transformed into a toy factory.

My question is this... Did you ever dare go in your parents bedroom? I know I didn't, and Chris didn't. It was a sacred place, an adult only space. You didn't play in it. If you were lucky you may have sneaked in the occasional bounce on their bed, but generally it was off limits. Even now as adults it seems wrong to go in your parents bedrooms. So how did this happen? The kids have taken over and we need to reclaim our space. I don't think it's going to be a tear free affair. Wish us luck!!

Learning Something.....

2010-09-02T14:00:00.000+01:00

Yesterdays lesson - Nothing makes me smile like the sight of the delivery van driver pulling up outside. Nothing makes me frown quite like opening the door to the Royal Mail "you were out" card. Not sure if it's strictly a lesson on this page, but I'm planning to write a note about the day's lesson to pop inside the envelope. Maybe today will sound more like a lesson... think I still have my art journal head on! Onwards and upwards!

From making a very simple book I've ended up making very inky, messy collage style pages for my LSNED book. Last night I sat and started to created pages ready to go up to the 4th September, aided this morning by some new 7Gypsies stamps and my trusty Tim Holtz tissue tape.

Right, I'm off to wash my inky fingers now! Thanks for stopping by.

Love her or hate her...?

2010-09-01T16:21:00.000+01:00

I know I have literally just posted but I left blogger to check my email where I found one from Waterstones. As a book lover who likes to eat (more than she should!) I had to check it out and I can't tell you how excited I was to see that there is a new Nigella Lawson book due out. I know a lot of people hate her, but I love her. She a cook who looks like she eats! Yay!! I hate skinny cooks. I have a collection of her cookbooks and have yet to have a recipe fail me, so you can imagine just how keen I am to get my hands on this. I won't blindly order it though, I want to read through it first. Looks like a trip into town then. Oh no, what a chore.

I'll leave you with the blurb about the book. If you get your hands on a copy before me, pleeeease let me know what you think, especially if you are a Nigella fan!

"A big, compendious, comfortable, informative and utterly engaging book, "Kitchen" brings us feel-good food for cooks and eaters, whether Express-style and exotic-easy during the week, or leisurely and luxuriating (in the spirit of How to be a Domestic Goddess and Feast) at weekends or for occasions. Divided into two parts - Kitchen Quandaries and Kitchen Comforts - Nigella gives us the wherewithal to tackle any situation and satisfy all nourishment needs. But real cooking is often about leftovers, too, so here one recipe can lead to another...from ham hocks to pea soup and pasties, from chicken to Chinatown salad. This isn't just about being thrifty but about demonstrating how recipes come about, and giving new inspiration for last-minute meals and souped-up store cupboard suppers. As well as offering the reader a mouthwatering array of new recipes, both comforting and exciting - from clams with chorizo to Guinness gingerbread, from Asian braised beef to flourless chocolate lime cake, from Pasta alla Genovese to Venetian carrot cake - Nigella rounds up her kitchen kit must-haves (telling us, too, what equipment we don't need) and highlights individual ingredients - both basic essentials and modern-day life-savers. But above all, she reminds the reader how much pleasure there is to be had in real food, and in reclaiming the traditional rhythms of the kitchen, as she cooks to the beat of the heart of the home, creating simple recipes to make life less complicated."

I wasn't, but I am now....

2010-09-01T15:43:00.002+01:00

In the last six to eight weeks I am guilty of doing no scrapping at all. Not even the tiniest bit since my last crop which always at the start of the month and we skip August. Hmmm, Art Journaling has seriously taken over my crafty time, my me time. It's generally all I think about and I feel cheated if I don't at least get a doodle in on a page. This is the reason, along with not getting any further than day six last year, I had decided some time ago that I wasn't going to take part in this years Learn Something New.

That was until I got today's prompt. It's all changed now. When I read the prompt I loved Shimelle's idea of using envelopes, and guess who has a box of hundreds, all leftovers from my old card making days. So, i whipped out 31 of them and the back of an old notebook. Had a quick rummage through last months scrapagogo kit and knocked this together.......

I will confess part of me wasn't going to join in because i couldn't be bothered to make or prepare a book for it but this took me a grand 15 minutes to put together. I know I've copied, or should that be lifted, the idea for the book from Shimelle but I sure she wouldn't mind at all, and it's an idea I think I'll use again after all I do have at least 169 envelopes left! All that remains to be seen is if I can get past day six this year. Wish me luck!!

Made with....

2010-08-27T15:31:00.000+01:00

Yesterday afternoon I got some time to lay down some paint for my JYC Art Journal, I know it's early but I love painting the backgrounds. While I was waiting for a page to dry, Rosie who is 3, came to join me and asked to sit on my lap. She then asked if she could do some painting with me as she was eyeing up my baskets of paints. What was I to say other than yes and let her choose the colours....oh it had to be pink! I added a pale background wash and then let her do the rest. Admittedly she only helped with the background but I've used the page to record the moment.

Does this mean I'm a bad scrapper..?

2010-08-23T18:20:00.001+01:00

We've just (and I mean just) got back from a couple of days in London with the kids....and i didn't take one photo. Not one. Didn't even get the camera out. I think I may need to address this issue as I can't actually remember the last time I did take a photo. I know i haven't scrapped for a few weeks and i have felt like scrapping, it's not a lack of mojo, more a lack of desire. Don't worry though - I'm not about to sell all my scrapbooking stash.

In the meantime, during this art journaling interval I seem to be having I'll share a couple of backgrounds I have done recently.

That's it from me for now. Thanks for stopping by!

Another page...

2010-08-17T10:25:00.000+01:00

I've started a couple of new journals using some moleskins, the ones you can get in packs of three. The paper is quite thin so I've been spending some almost therapeutic time gelling the pages together and then giving them a coat of gesso. They have a soft leathery feel now which I love. I've got two journals like this now, one for general use and one I'm preparing for this years JYC.

This is the first page in the "general" journal, all ready to go with my winged girl. I think this journal may be used for rants and out pourings so, in the main I'll only be sharing the "before" and not the afters with you. The scan isn't great but I love the wings made from patterned paper. I knocked them back with gesso and went over the pattern with a sakura glitter pen. Maybe I do have a girlie side after all.

Life brings...

2010-08-08T14:41:00.000+01:00

...for now, another page from my art journal. I don't intend to share every single page I do with you, just the one's that aren't "private". So far I'm not producing any private pages. I forget where I saw this "Granny" in her pink punk outfit, but I loved her. It also wasn't what I intended for the black & white background, but ho-hum, going with the flow again. All I thought when I saw this image was what great attitude, which led to the phrase along side it.... " Life bring experience, experience brings attitude" (you have to read the experience twice). Gotta love a bit of attitude.

I do have some LO's to share...still trying to find them. Odd that, but I'll be back with photo's as soon as I do.

Thanks for stopping by!

Another one ready to go...

2010-08-05T14:43:00.000+01:00

I know I should be doing the dreaded housework, and I have been, but I have the odd ten minute escape to pop up to the spare room where my patch of creative space is, to do a little more in my journal. I now declare this page ready to be written on. Not sure what about though yet.

Sorry the picture is a little wonky, I decided to scan it. That meant having the scanner perched on my lap as the PC is on Chris' desk...and as he's been away working most of this week, I have my crap all over his desk...hence said scanner perched on lap. He's due back tonight so maybe I'd better clear my stuff away so he can have his desk back.

Rosie is in nursery tomorrow so under the guise of getting Jamie a new water bottle for school, I'll be popping into ~~Paperchase~~ York and may happen into an art shop or something while I'm there as I've decided to do JYC this year, but you guessed it, as an art journal. Just need the journal now....

Got that Friday feeling...

2010-08-04T13:02:00.000+01:00

well, almost even though it is only Wednesday.

I've finally got round to scanning the border designs for my art journal. At the moment they are just line drawings, but please feel free to download a copy here if you think they will be useful to you in some way, be it as idea's for your own borders or to cut out and use directly in your journals. If you do - can you let me know if it worked ok as i've not done this before so it all could go terribly wrong!

I do intend to do a colour version of the designs, and have some idea's for other bits and pieces, all things I want to use.

Have fun!

All fired up…

2010-08-03T13:24:00.001+01:00

…even though I’m shattered. When Chris left for work just before seven yesterday morning I got up and headed to my desk to start a new page in my art journal before the kids woke up. I think I have been bitten by the bug after this weekend. I found it hard to get to sleep as the ideas for pages were bouncing round in my head.

I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and it gave me permission to do “something” with the pages I’d prepared in my journal. It could well have stayed a book full of backgrounds, not there is anything wrong with that, but that’s not what I did it for. So far the three pages are all about me but I' don’t think that there will be a theme for the book. I’ve already planned to create or buy a smaller book to work in and have dug out old art supplies from my college days which saves a few pennies. Having said that I have a huge paint shopping list now…eeek.

So, quickly, here’s a page I started while at AFTH.

And one I was working on yesterday making use of the new goodies I picked up while I was there.

And finally another quick page I did this morning. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with this one but then the words just seemed to flow.

On top of the huge shop I did over the weekend for some things that quite honestly, I needed, I’ve been on to Amazon this morning and ordered a couple of books to help give me a bit more of a creative boost.

So there we have it, the beginnings of my art journaling story and I’m loving it.

Pssst....

2010-07-30T13:50:00.000+01:00

Did I mention I'm running off this weekend to do some art journaling? Maybe? Ah well. I just wanted to leave a short note to let you know that I'm working on a little freebie which I hope to have ready towards the middle of next week. I'm quite excited about it! Until then I wish you a lovely weekend.

Will I, won’t I?

2010-07-29T14:43:00.001+01:00

I’ve been creating some backgrounds in the journal I shared with you here. I’m love creating them, but wonder if I will be able to bring myself to stick and scribble.

So far I have two absolute favourites. This first one was done with studio paints. The idea is that I use the light circles for the journaling, just one or two lines on each. Have to say I’m not sure about covering the pages up with anything else yet though.

Next, using Altered Originals ink sprays from AFTH. Oh I just love these. I’ve had so much fun with them so far. The stamps are Tim Holtz and Paper Artsy.

A slightly more subdued page next. If you’re looking hard you’ll notice that that’s the alphabet and yes, it is meant to be upside down. I haven’t posted the photo the wrong way round…LOL.

For this one I stamped on the alphabet using some sassafras stamps, then painted over it. After that I smooched some gesso across the whole page using an old credit card. Once dry I liberally sprayed the page with granite ink and let it soak into the area’s where the gesso hadn’t covered and then wiped it off.

And a few more. I won’t talk you through all of them, but these pages use stencils, stamps, more ink, dabbers, studio paints and gesso, and a whole lotta fun.

View Full Album

When I get brave enough I’ll come back and show you the before and after (hoping that you’ll be interested to see them!)

Little silver beads….

2010-07-27T17:18:00.001+01:00

Last weekend I spent another day at a silver clay workshop. This time it was making beads and findings and I learnt so many new techniques. My sketch book is filling up fast with projects now.

So here are some of the beads I made on the day.

First up, my favourite of the day, a small lentil bead. I just love lentil beads, and this one is tiny at 10mm in diameter.

This textured tube is now on a snake chain as I think it makes a wonderful focal bead at just under 30mm long.

Lastly, my etched pillow bead. Two brilliant techniques, although I do need to refine this one but it’s not bad for a first attempt.

As always, now all I need is time! Bit tricky with the school holidays in full flow as I won’t be getting my usual me time each week.

Window shopping….

2010-07-20T08:57:00.001+01:00

I just love window shopping. Don’t mind if it’s in real life or on the internet. If I had the space and money I’m sure our house would be crammed full to the rafters with all manner of lovely things. Even if I have the space and money it’s not very often I do buy as I worry about the cats or the kids wrecking stuff.

Are you a Monsoon fan? I love the place, and am hoping when we finally get round to decorating our bedroom to make sure some of their homeware range is featured. What I didn’t know until a few minutes ago is that they have a crockery range now by Denby. Denby, I am also a fan of! Double points.

It’s a shame I don’t have room for a second set. I’d love to serve something swanky up on that platter and I’m desperately in need of a new teapot, but a small one as I hate making tea in the cup.

Did anyone hear my purse groan....

2010-07-15T08:00:00.002+01:00

Yesterday I managed to create a couple of background pages in the journal I showed you, but I have a desire for some extra products to help make my pages. Enter stage left....

A set of spray inks from Art from The Heart... what I love most is that there is a graphite one! Wonder how much of the house will end up, by accident, covered in these little beauties when they arrive.

And these gorgeous stamps from Paper Artsy. Along with a new tub of gesso and some gel medium I should be able to art journal to my hearts content...or will I? LOL. Nah...there will always be something else.