Kit Club Love

Hello,

I have more of my new Cocoa Daisy 'Cherry Soda' kit to share today.
Two more LO's. This kit goes on sale tomorrow. It is utterly delicious. Take a look for yourself here.



I made this page about myself.
I let everything get on top of me sometimes. But it's hard then to forget the things that really do matter and how lucky we actually are.
This is a rare photo of myself that I actually like. Ade took it during one of our walks where we live.
I cut some thin strips of patterened paper and stitched along to journal on.


I just love this Sassafras paper that's in the main kit. The colours the hearts. It's the same piece of paper that I used on my frame that I blogged yesterday. I think I will need more of this paper.
I think I will always be a Sassafras lover.
I used some old foam alpha stamps for my title. The gorgeous Jenni Bowlin pink paint 'chewing gum' is one of the addons here. This colour is fab!!


And the flowers are handmade by roughly cutting circles from paper and cutting a spiral . This is then twirled around a wooden skewer and pulled out into a flower formation and stuck in place.

This addon here 'Fruit Smoothie' I highly recommend. I used some of the Basic Grey Paprty Petals to lay on my page and mist over. I also love the LilyBee Aplha Stickers. They are such a good size and you get so many on that sheet. I used some of these on my frame yesterday too.

My next one I used some photos from 2009. Louis was at school and Hollie was off for a teacher trainer day. So we went to legoland, just the two of us.
I always remember this day because of something she came out with. We were heading towards the train and saw a lady with a toddler that was attached to reins. With such a serious face and looking so disapproved she said ''I don't agree with having a child on a lead'' thinking the lady was treating the child as a dog. Oh Hollie, how you brain works!!

It was definitely the colourful Crate Papers in the main kit that inspired this page. I just love these summer colours.



I used the big brown Pink Paislee foam alphas from the kit and painted them over in the same JBS pink paint.

And some more bits and pieces. October Afternoon Stickers (always a winner in my eyes)
Sassafras Alphas, I completely heart these Jillibean stickers. Half the page has red alpha stickers and the other half has the most adorable stickers. Love this.


So, you can see why I love this kit so much. Such a delight to scrap with.
So far I have made 5 LO's, 1 frame and a project that I will show tomorrow.
And I still have heaps and heaps left.

Hannah asked me a few questions about the kits yesterday and it's the same questions I get asked loads by friends that scrap and also when I go to crops. So I thought it would be a good time to chat kits.

I first started getting a monthly kit quite a few years ago. Before then, I spent a small fortune each month. I used to buy up whole collections when they came out, but big pots of primas, big packs of buttons, brads etc...
But I really cut back once I got a monthly kit. It took me ages to commit to a monthly kit. The thought of commiting to £30+ a month. But once I did start, my only regret was that I hadn't started months before. It definitely cut my spending.
I loved getting a box of goodies arrive each month with everything that was coordinating.
I loved having a selection of papers from various manufacturers. I loved have just a few buttons, brads and embellishments rather than big whole packs and I loved having alphas each month too.

I started with a well known UK kit. I had it for a few months, but stopped when I no longer got excited when I opened it. It was nice but no longer had the wow factor for me personally.

I had a kit from the US during the same time but this kit had everything matching from the same manufacturer. This wasn't for me either.

I subbed to ScarletLime (a US kit) for quite a long time and adored this kit. There was just so much crammed in this box and such great value for £30. But after a while the patterened papers were just not to my liking. They were often designed for the company and I wanted the names and new papers. So although I loved the bits and pieces, I just wasn't using the papers.

I also subbed to Studio Calico (a US kit) for 6 months but after month 4 as much as I loved the kits, I felt them rather samey. I did love the addons though and really enjoyed having the online store and being able to buy extras like punches, paints, twine with no extra postage. I always loved the choice of papers but felt I needed an addon as there wasn't quite enough bits and pieces for my liking. I really enjoy having these bits in a kit.

During this whole time (since 2008) I've also subbed to Cocoa Daisy.
This is the only kit that I haven't got bored of. I've loved every kit. I love that there's always the latest papers from all the well know maufacturers. I love how well they are always put together and that every month feels so different from the last. I just never feel bored. Every month is a lovely surprise when it arrives. I love having a stamp each month in the kit and having lots of bits and pieces to play with. I've always loved the Cocoa Daisy message boards. The whole CD community is such a friendly place to hang out and scrap. The inspiration is just endless for me.
I love the addons and that you can also buy extra bits and pieces each month now too to have shipped with your kit.
Then I got asked to join the design team last year.
I'll never forget that moment when I received that email. Talk about shock!!

I think for about £30 a month the kits are worthwhile. It's finding a kit that suits you and has what you want.
I have never had to pay any customs bills during all my years of having US kits.
Have I just been lucky? I'm not sure. But it's never been a problem for me.
If you have a spare £30 a month and you are thinking about it, I say give it a go.

Right, I have two hungry little boys to feed, so I better go.
Hollie is at a friends until tomorrow now and Louis has a friend over until this evening when I'll take them both to football. I just hope that raidn stays away. Standing in the rain on a football pitch for an hour isn't my idea of fun : )

Thanks for stopping by and tomorrow I will share the project that I made for Mum's birthday a couple of weeks ago.
Have a good day

lisa xxx

mmmmmm 'Cherry Soda'

That's what this months (June) Cocoa Daisy kit is called.
mmmmmmmmmm is defintely a way to desciribe this kit too. It's total LUSH!!

Here are a couple of things keeping me from blogging last week.
This busy page of Louis.



I love this busy paper, matches my busy boy.
We're having some self belief issues right now with him.



I loved the BG Pin Wheels that came with an addon. They are 3d stickers and I stuck this one onto white card and cut around and attached to a painted wooden skewer.

And then this little 6x4 frame.
I adore the sassafras paper in the kit. Just gorgeous.



And this '&' stamp comes in the main kit. Cool eh?!!



I hope you've enjoyed the holiday weekend.
It's been a busy but relaxing one here. Cleaning, some work, some movies, some baking, some gardening, some scrapping, a lie in and friends over last night for wine and cheese fondue.
Lots going on, but all in a chilled out way.

More of this new Cocoa Daisy kit tomorrow.
Lots of love xxx

My Mischievious Pair

Here they are



Full of beans, full of fun, loud, giggly, silly, sometimes annoying, full of love
and they are mine : )
I wouldn't have them any other way.



I've used the Fancy Pants 'To the Moon' collection.
It was those stars that got me started and inspired the whole page.
But initially it was the Studio sketch here.
When I saw that star, I knew I wanted to use those Fancy Pants stars somehow and the whole page evolved from there.



If you want to play along with us at The Studio, click here.

And to finish for today, have you seen the three talanted ladies that made it to the Cocoa Daisy team? See here.
I am so excited to be working with these ladies.

It's brunch time in our house now. A chilled out day with English breakfast for lunch. Yum.

Have a lovely Sunday xxx

My Boy Wonder

Wow, it's been a busy week.
Busy with work, busy with kids and loads of scrappy DT deadlines to forfil.
My Cocoa Daisy June DT kit arrived last Frday, so I've been creating like crazy with that. I adore this kit so so much and have made loads this month. I can't wait for the reveal now.

Talking of DT's, heres my Sketchy Thursdays work for this week.
The new sketch....



And my LO.



I've scrapped my poser of a boy. He loves acting up to the camera for me. I just love it!! Gives me great piccies to scrap. Thank you Louis.
I've used abit of a mish mash of Fancy Pants for this page.
Quite alot of the Beach Bum range. The main backing paper.



The rub ons are from 'To the Moon'.
And the sun and paler blue papers are from Beach Babe.
Lots of hand stitching including stitching over these small white circles.



If you want to join in, pop along here and link up.

I'm going to break from work for a couple of hours now and get back to my scrappy deadlines.
Enjoy your day xxx

Bling Bling

Hello on this blustery day.
I hope you enjoyed the weekend.

We went to stay at Mum's this weekend as it was her birthday.
Ade and I had planned to take our smaller tent and camp out in Mum's big garden. We thought it would be so cozy. We decided against it which I think now was a good idea. I think we would have blown away. It's rather blowy out there.

I joined in with my fellow Studio designers this weekend for their card challenge.
It's a fun one if you fancy playing along too.
Simply add somthing shiny to your card.
See the beautiful creations form the design team here and upload your own blingy card.
Here's my card:



I have a drawer of nik-naks. Bits and pieces that I keep thinking it will come in handy one day. This very blingy heart was in there and just suited this challenge rather well. I decided to use up some older papers. I just love the Making Memories 'passport' collection. It was seeing the matching ribbons that got me inspired for this challenge. They were sat on the top of my drawer of ribbons and reminded me of this particular range.

Thanks for stopping by today xxx

Me, Myself and I

Wow, how did Friday come around so quick again????
Did someone hit the fast forward button??

I have one last page to show from my Cocoa Daisy crop last weekend. I saved my favourite 'til last.
Denise had the wicked idea to stain ribbons etc in coffee, let dry and use.
You can see the challenge here.

And here's what I made.
(click on pic)



Here are the bits that I had soaking in coffee.



I just love this technique and the room ends up smelling so good too.
I also used the coffee cup stamp that I designed for Cocoa Daisy.
The other part of this challenge was to scrap about the person you love having coffee with the most.
That for me was actually 'me'.
Right at that moment when I was creating this I was being driven crazy by family and I just wanted a couple of hours to myself. You know that feeling???



If you haven't seen Denise's work before, go see here. She's one of my favourite Artist's. So so talented this lady.



And here are some of the Red Velvet Cupcakes that I baked yesterday. They are so scrummy. And my new cake stand that I found yesterday : )



3 hours left to work now and I need to make my Mum a canvas and a birthday card.
I need to hit that rewind button. I need more hours.

xxx

Quality Time

Another Thursday, another Sketch.
Here you go. This weeks sketch from Sketchy Thursdays.



And my page using leftovers of my Coffee House kit from Cocoa Daisy.
A photo taken whilst having coffee and cake in Windsor last year. I love quality time like this : )



If you want to join in with this weeks challenge, visit here

And don't forget the June Guest Designer challenge is still open until the 21st May.
See here.

I have friends over this afternoon so off to bake some Red Velvet Cupcakes now : )
xxxx

Just a bit Fancy

Hiya!!

Today I am going crazy for Fancy Pants Designs.
I still sit and stroke the beautiful box I received after CHA. The novelty still hasn't worn off.

This month I was asked to design with their Chipboard Banners and this is how I used them:

(click on photos to enlarge)



I decided to document how we as a family watched the recent Royal Wedding at home on the TV eating cream cakes and drinking bucks fizz. (the kids felt terribly grown being able to have their own glass each).

I sanded and distressed the edges of the chipboard banners as well as the stars that came in the same pack. This worked really well as some of the stars were yellow, so by sanding I was able to remove the colour.
I then stitched along to create the banner string.




I also used the matching alphas on which I added glossy accents so they stood out better, some of the matching papers and Fancy Pants doilees too.
You can see my page on the Fancy Pants Blog here.

Next up is my 'Studio' page for this week.
The challenge this week is to add lots of dimention to the page.
I used the 'Beach Babe' collection. From Fancy Pants again.
I heavily embellished the page with the chipboard pieces.



I love the vibrants colours from this collection. Just so fun to work with.
The ribbon and brads are also from 'Beach Babe'.



I've carried on with the same ribbon, papers, chipboard and flowers.
The place we stay in Florida is called 'Bahama Bay' so this chipboard title fitted perfectly. I needed to cut the palm tree trunk though so it would fit in neatly.
I love these photos of Hollie at the resort. The kids are so happy here.



I think I have spent far too long at my desk today. My left elbow really hurts.
Abit of a quieter day here today after 2 very busy ones. Nothing planned after school : ) And the goulash went in the crockpot at 8.30am, so I don't even have dinner to sort now tonight.
I may just have some scrappy time later.
Enjoy your day xxx

Layers

Hello,

I've just finally sat down.
I've had one of those mornings where I've just rushed from one to the next.
Early to start work, quick hoover and dust downstairs, kids to sort for school and straight grocery shopping. Got a tomato, red pepper and basil soup prepped and in the crock pot for later. Had a mad dash around Louis' room, it desperately needed it, hoovered upstairs, cleaned all the mirrors and now finally starting work again. I hate doing housey stuff during 'work time' but sometimes it has to be done. The kids bathroom and the guinea pig need cleaning after the school run later, I want to make sundried tomato and feta cheese bread with the kids, Louis has a friend over for tea and then we all head off to the boys footy match for 6pm. Phew!!
Two days in a row like this. At least I never have time to get bored.

I still have more Cocoa Daisy pages from the weekend to share.
My lovely friend Anna set this challenge to scrap something book related, use at least 5 layers and for typewriter style font on the page.
Ade took these photos of me in the garden last month.



He got me reading Susan Hill books which I've been loving.
This months Cocoa Daisy Kit,Vintage Ink just keeps going and going. I can't believe how much stuff I've made with it.
This challenge is here if you want to see more.



Anna is in my thoughts lots today. They are having baby #3.
It's 12noon in Sweden now so I'm wondering if she's been born yet.
I can't wait to hear.



One of Ronda's challenges was to be inspired by some album covers she posted here.
I took a Paramore cover and came up with this below.







My latte is now finished, so work now.
Thank you for stopping by.
See you tomorrow xxx

Cookies, Notes and Time Travel

Good Morning.
I hope you enjoyed your weekend.
I had so much fun at the Cocoa Daisy Crop over the weekend.
I made so much!!
Here are a few more creations to add to what I've shared already this weekend.

My Truly Scrumptious Challenge:
A Scrap Recipe - Something Sweet - A Heart - Sparkle - Pink - And a Cluster

(click on photos to enlarge)



So I made this little wall hanger.



Anja's Challenge, Letting Go.
Scrap something that you can't keep. Read more here.



As Louis writes all the time. Comics, stories, notes. We just can't keep everything. So I photographed this note that we found at the bottom of our bed last weekend.







And lastly, another challenge of mine. 'Time Travel'

Take an old holiday snap. Do something to edit the photo. Distress it, journal on it, edit it. Then scrap it.

I scanned this old photo from a Lanzarote holiday back in 2004. The photo was in an old scrapbook.
I've brightened it and then edited it with a cinema look giving it the wide black egdes and then printed our names on the top.



All these challenges are still live. If you want to see the challenge or play along, click on each challenge title here.
All my LO's have been made using Cocoa Daisy kits, old and new.

Thank you for stopping by.
See you tomorrow : )

Crop Time

Happy Sunday!!!!!

With a family swim done, bacon sarnies and Dr Who with the family done...it's now 'me' time.
The Cocoa Daisy Crop is well underway and I'm lovin it. I find this place so inspirational.
Want to see some pages? I've made 8, a mini book and a wall hanging so far : )

A challenge I set yesterday was 'Sew Sentimental'.
Scrap something that has a meaning or a story.
And use the 'faux' stitching technique on the page too.
If you haven't done this before, you can read how to here.

I've chosen this tablecloth as my subject to scrap.









13 yrs later, now a wife and a Mum, the table cloth is still going strong and has become the indoor picnic rug when we veg out on the floor infront of the tv with lunches, pizza, late night cheese and biscuits.



The next one is about using lines on your page.
I've used the lined pp and corrugated card.
A romantic trip to Barcelona, just the 2 of us.



I love these typed words from Scrap Rat.



And a page I made during Eurovision last night for Danielle's colour combo challenge.
Turquoise, pink and yellow.
A soppy one from me.







I've just launched the next challenge which you can see here.
There will be challenges on the hour for the next few hours along with a class and lots of games and chat.
Come and join in.
xxx