Bedroom Canvases

Morning,

Day 2 for our county 'walk to school week'. So please it's dry and sunny again.

Here are my bedroom canvases that I've been working on.
It's taken me ages to decide how to do them. Our wall are completely white and the bedlinen white with a few big flowers on the left side in deep orange, deep red and turquoise. With 2 big cushions to match in the orange and various little ones to match. So I picked out the orange for the canvases.

This is how it looks walking into our room.
(Our new bedroom mirror)



And up close






Now we've been doing our room for a couple of years now. I love Ade, but things take him forever. So after a week or so of waiting for the canvases to go up, I've blue tacked them. They are up for the 3rd day now. Not bad. Saying that, the canvases by the front door have been up with blue tack for about 3yrs now : )
Just a little tip for you, fabric bunting does not stay up with bluetack.

7am, shower time.
Have a good day xx

Starting the week with a new recipe

To start with, I want to tell you about the latest challenge at Butterfly Crafts.
We've been given a recipe to play with:
Here are your scrappy ingredients of which you need to use at least 3:

Yellow
Red
Bee's
Buttons
Brown
Glitter
Pearls
Banner
Ink
Stamping
Any Nikki Sivils product *

Don't forget to link to the gallery for the chance to win a fab prize of Nikki Sivils goodies, this months sponsor.

Here's what I came up with.
Another Florida photo.



These are buttons that I used for bubbles. I managed to pull the loops off the backs with pliers.



I really enjoyed getting the stamps out for this one. Whenever I do stamp, I always think that I should do it more often. I just seems like an effort each time.
For my glitter I used some shimmer sand that I sprinkled into the gesso.
And the LO is about how Louis will still happily pose for me. Hollie these days is a very reluctant model.



We had a lovely weekend. We split yesterday afternoon. The boys played on the wii and Hollie and I made flowers (Hollie's request)
We set up a production line. Die cutters and punches on one desk, all the fabrics and papers came out and sewing was done on another desk.
It was so much fun and we listened to the Sunday charts at the same time : )
I like our grown up time now she's that bit older.

Here's what I made:



And this is what Hollie made. Naturally Twilight had to get in there. This is her first obsession. As sweet as it is, I'm getting very bored of it coming into every conversation. Now I know how my Mum must have felt about Wham when I was the same age.



I've now finished my bedroom canvases and they are up. I'll get them photographed and blogged tomorrow.
xxx

A little bit of 'Me' time

That's sometimes all a Mum needs.
That's what I needed on Wednesday early evening.
Me, a bath full of bubbles and my book.

I've scrapped about it using this Twisted Sketches Sketch. This twist is 'Colour'.
I've used colour in various forms, card stock. patterned papers, 2 types of spray mists and chipboard too.



The photo was taken in Florida whilst on holiday this year.
I've used my new Studio Calico Kit, with a piece of Basic Grey Basics as my background.
And yet again that new border punch has come in handy again. I need more of these.



(Click piccie to read journaling)


Enjoying the weekend.Although yesterday I didn't feel right. Just hazy, achey and odd. I even had an afternoon siesta, which is unheard of for me. I feel much better today thankfully. We've had a lovely family breakfast, I've watched Sarah-Jane Adventures with Hollie and Hollie and I have been pottering in my studio. She's making the most amazing layered flowers. She's come up with a fab technique for the centres.
I found out something exciting last night.
I won the Cocoa Daisy 'Queen of the Crop'. Take a look here.
I was surprised just to be nominated, so to win was 'wow'.
Thank you to those who voted for me.

Right, Hollie has her hands on my glossy accents, I think this is time for me to go.
Happy Sunday xx

Hotdogs and Monsters

A super quick one from me as I'm just heading out to school.
Don't those 6 hours fly by?

First up, here's the next Sketchy Thursday challenge.
Time for a multi photo sketch. This is when I love editing and printing my own pics.



I went back to last summer. Our first camping trip.
I've used Love Elsie camping papers and fabric paper too. Perfect for these photos.
This weeks challenge is sponsored by SRM Stickers. I've used a couple of their stickers on this LO.



We had a row with my brother. He reaconed he could eat 15 hotdogs is 1 minute (including buns) Yeah right!!!! So he proved to us.....



.....and managed 1 in 1 minute : )
SRM Stickers are offering a prize to a random crafter if they join in this week.

Louis is off to a birthday party this afternoon. So I've quickly made young Eriq a card. A lovely little boy, so worthy of my precious Sassafras stash.

I've played along with 2sketches4u with this one. It meant I got to play with one of my lovely new punches : )



Running late now. Bye xx

Another Recipe

I hope you are having a good week.
Blue skies and sunshine here once again : )

I printed off this sketch from Studio Calico on Sunday.
So when I made those yummy muffins on Monday, I knew I wanted to add a second page to my new recipe file.




Then yesterday this little lot arrived **smiles lots and claps hands with pure glee**.

My studio calico kit plus the Trinkets addons and a huge amount of stash from Papermaze. My DT stuff, the new Basic Grey Basics ranges, a couple of Martha Stewart border punches. This one and this one. Plus a restock on paint dabbers and a few extra bits too : )
I was very well disciplined. I let the boxes sit there for over 2hrs whilst finishing a job I was working on and then opened.
I instantly altered a picture frame with some of my DT bit whilst on the phone to Nicky Noo .....



.....and then got in from school and finished my Studio Calico LO. I had already printed up the recipe and photo. So then just added the pretties from my new kit.



If you fancy giving these Cream Cheese, Raspberry and White Choccie Muffins, here's what you need. (click photo for close up)



And here's what to do:



I love this kit so much. I can't believe how many pretty things there are to play with.



Have a great day xxx

Cushions, Muffins and a LO

Another week.
I've got off to a good start.
I did the hoovering after the kids went to bed last night and packed up the lunches.
Ade cleaned the bathrooms yesterday and I had a good tidy.
Up at 5am today to start work and mopped all downstairs on way out to school.
Did the weeks groceries before heading home and made a pasta sauce ready for tea tonight and the best best muffins. All cleared away and done by 10am. Very proud of myself. I'll tell you about the muffins in a bit.

Here's a LO I did at the weekend.
I've always wondered how Louis gets a grubby mark on that one side of his mouth. Seeing this photo, I then realised how. Grubby thing thing!



It's actually larger than a 12x12. I've based it onto greyboard and will put it on the wall on my studio. Just a bit too bulky for an album this one.



I also managed to give my cushions a mini face lift whilst watching Dr Who on Saturday (I can never sit still and just do nothing). I bought these last year. 3 of them. So I've taken off all the tassles and added buttons.
We are finally nearly finished doing our room and en-suite. Everything is white with tiny touches of deep red/orange and turquoise, just like these buttons.
It's looking rather nice now. I'm working on some canvases too to go on the wall.



Back to the muffins. I'm so so happy with how these have turned out.
It's a recipe that I've adapted using cream cheese in the mixture and folding in fresh raspberries and white chocolate at the last minute. I've used the mega muffin cases I bought in Florida. The biggest cases I've ever seen.
The are totally LUSH!! Muffin Heaven. I feel a second LO coming on now for my recipe album.


Hollie is Starting her SATS today. I said I would bake something scrummy everyday for her. Yesterday we did butterscotch cookies.

Better get working now : )
Lots of love xxx

Pumpkin Cake and a mini 'know-how'

I quite like it when it's a grey rainy day. I've been home alone this morning and that just makes perfect for a gulit free scrap time.

I decided recently that I was going to start an album just for my favourite recipes. I just love cooking and baking so much, so combining that with scrapping seems to make sense. I have a spare A4 D ring A.C. album, so I'm off to a good start.
My most favourite thing to bake (and eat) is this Pumpkin Cake.
I found this recipe last year on another scrappers blog (I can't remember who's though) and have adapted it to my taste. There were quite a few other spices added, which I've removed, but I have upped the amount of ginger.

Here's the sketch that got me started:
Twisted Sketches. This weeks twist being 'Handmade'.





Here are the ingredients if you want to give it a go.
Pumpkin (tinned) by the way can be bought in Waitrose in the tinned fruit section(in the UK). But it does only come in at Halloween. I tend to buy up in bulk when it comes in. - Click the photos for a close up to read better.



And how to make:
Ultra easy and ultra quick.



I wanted to show how I make my coffee ring stains too. I love this little look. I know you can buy stamps for this effect, but making your own is so much more fun.

Grab some instant and add a small amount of water (cold will do) and mix. The more diluted the coffee is,the paler it will be. Place your mug into the mixture.



And then set onto your page where you would like the coffee ring to show.
And then leave to dry.
Don't make it too wet otherwise your page will warp. Be warned of this if using thin papers.



Now should I carry on scrapping or should I work?????

Today .....

...I am very tired.
I've really enjoyed all this politics talk lately, for the first time really.
We had a lovely wander down to the church after tea last night, the 4 of us and Poppy dog. No queuing for us, I think there were just 4 or 5 more people in the hall.
Ade and myself then camped in the lounge until about 3am. Snacking and watching the alternative election show. It was a fun evening.
We then went up to bed and carried on watching. I gave in just after 4am and Ade stayed awake.

I want to share this latest sketch from Butterfly Crafts.
The sponsor this month is Nikki Sivils. There's a fab prize to be won.



I did this LO yesterday. It sat and sat and I just wanted to add something else. So I made that arrow last night and glued in place. I wish I hadn't now and why did I glue it, it won't even come off. So I've stitched it today, but I don't think that's made me feel much better. Oh well.



This really is the best playarea ever. It's in Jurassic Park at Island of Adventures. I'm not one for playareas, but I love this one. Lots of rope tunnels and bridges, slides, water sprays. It's the best.
I've used mostly Cocoa Daisy bits again.



Then I started this one last night.
The Studio's challenge this week is to scrap something that makes you laugh.
I've been thinking about this one all week. I didn't want to scrap another photo of the kids. I wanted to scrap something abit different.
It's got to be my sis and brother-in-law to be. When the 4 of us together we just laugh the whole time. I love all the sillyness.
So, that's what I've scrapped.



I pulled out an older Cocoa Daisy kit for this one. The colours went well with the dodgy photos taken in their local working men's club.
Really not the kind of place that we would usually hang out, but my sis is abit scummy and doesn't really care : )
We've spent the last 2 New Year's there as they open up a hall just for families and have a kiddie disco. Drinks are cheap, you take your own food, kids are happy and it's just 2mins walk from their house. Doesn't get much better. Everyone's happy.
This was 2 yrs ago now.



I did lots of cutting out & doodling whilst watching the election stuff last night.
You can usually tell the ones that are done infront of the tv.

Now I'm hungry. We are planning on a proper English Breakfast at the pub in a bit. Ade's off today, so I'm liking that idea lots.
I think early night tonight then.

Thanks for looking xx

ps... I've just noticed that photo is wonky, but I'm too tired to change it. Sorry x

It's a Sketchy Thursday

Doesn't Thursday come around fast?
Almost weekend again, how did that happen??

Here's the new Sketchy Thursdays sketch:



I've used another Florida Photo. My album is now full, but I keep squeezing in extra pages.
I've used mostly older Cocoa Daisy bits with this month little stamp too.



We are sponsored this month by: {Ippity} stamps by Bonnie Rose. She kindly sent us each a stamp. I received this lovely 'Family' stamp which I love and can see me using lots. Thank you Bonnie xx
Here is Bonnie's blog. It's well worth a visit. Beautiful creations and scrummy stamps.



Happy Thursday xx

Teeny Weeny bit Rude this one!

I'm having another rush rush rush day, where my to-do list exceeds the amount of hours in the day. Things are slowly being ticked off though.

My baby sis is off to Turkey to get married on Sunday. I love her so much, but we sadly can't go. We already had booked our trip to Florida when they told us last November and also it's the week of Hollie's SATS, so was a definite 'NO' from the start. I'm going to feel so sad on the 13th, I bet she will look beautiful.

I have a little package to send off to her today. She's asked for a few things to burrow to take and a couple of cards to be made to take with her too.

I used this card sketch from Twisted Sketches to make her and Ben a wedding card to open on their day.






Very tasteful.
My sister has the filthiest mind I have ever known in a person. It really is being like a kid when we get together,the 4 of us just laugh all the time.
She is about become a Fletcher, so I've written a lovely sentimental message inside wishing them lots of love for all their years together as 'Mr & Mrs Feltcher'.
It keeps making me giggle every time I think about it.

I found out something cool this morning.
This LO below won over on Twisted Sketches. Yay! So I have a little guest spot coming up. Rather chuffed with that : )
I also got a couple of other mentions for recent LO's.




Better get my sister's package packed up and off to the postie.
xx

3 Day Weekends are the Best

We should have more of them. I love that feeling on a Sunday that there's still another day home tomorrow. Not that I ever go anywhere else other than home, but I like it best when we are all home together with no plans.
It's definitely been a chilled one.
We popped to Sainsburys yesterday morning and then had a lovely lunch when we got home of hot rotisserie chicken, salads and fresh bread (and wine)
I baked pineapple and strawberry muffins and then peanutbutter/choccie chip cookies. We then watched a film in the afternoon.
So chilled!

I fotgot to show this one from last week. Another Cocoa Daisy challenge.
Christine gave us this sketch.



And I scrapped about the prank I pulled on Dad recently.


He loves pranks, so we had fun with this one.




Lots of work for me to catch up on today. Louis is starting Street Dance after school today and Hollie is walking to MIL, so I get an extra 1hr20mins today. Sounds lovely, but I did feel sad when Louis ran into the playground this morning and it feels so odd not collecting Hollie. It's the first time. Three times now she's walked ahead of me to MIL. Louis always gets let out late, so it gives her a slight bit of freedom and MIL just lives 5 mins from school and most of the walk is within the school grounds. She only has a tiny road to cross to get to MIL's house. It's a good compromise with her now wanting some freedom.

Have a lovely day and hope you get time for some srappiness in your day xx

Lazy Sunday

We were hoping it would rain today. An excuse to stay in. So 11.50am, in slouchy clothes and no make up with latte no2 in hand. This is a lazy Sunday.

Did I mention already that The Studio has been moved elsewhere?
I think I did. If you didn't take a look, here is where it is now:

The Studio

I've joined in with this weeks challenge by scrapping an event that I didn't have a photo for. So I've scrapped Hollie's first feed and used her hospital cot label.
(click photo for story)




Off to watch yesterday Dr Who now.

Happy Sunday xx