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Scrapping - Summer Days

Yesterday I spent the day doing some scrapping which I haven't done for quite some day and rediscovered how much I really enjoy it despite the fact that it takes me ages to do one layout. I'm so pernickety and like everything to look just right before I stick it down. I'm my own worst enemy at times and need to speed up! Anyway, I completed this layout of Lewis enjoying the summer weather recently. He just loves to be out in the garden playing with his toys which incidentally take up most of the garden! He also loves riding on his bike at the moment and loves to go for long walks with mummy so that he can cycle which I don't mind because it is good exercise for me. I am really pleased with how this turned out and since it was my first one of the day it spurred me on to do more.

I used this week's sketch from pencil lines and the paper was from DCWV Paper stack 6 which I bought in WHSmith at the weekend in their sale. It has lots of gorgeous papers which is spurring me on to do more scrapping too. I printed the letters onto cardstock and cut them out and the stamp was from a download I purchased ages ago from Designer Digitals I think!

I had great plans to get lots of crafting done today but have only managed to colour some images instead as I have been watching the Michael Jackson memorial on iplayer for most of the afternoon as I missed it last night and desperately wanted to see it. I did manage to colour some images whilst I watched so I will try to get some cards made tonight.

8th Wedding Anniversary

Morning all,

Today is my 8th wedding anniversary which I believe is bronze or pottery in traditional terms and either lace or linen in modern terms. I can't believe where the last 8 years have gone, they have passed so quickly which I guess is a good sign! Steven and I have actually been together 14 years tomorrow which again seems like only yesterday! It is also my friend Carol's birthday tomorrow and she was the one who got us together. A good way to always remember her birthday, not that I'd ever forget anyway!

Here is the card I made for Steven:



I used papers which I bought at the Artstamps show in Edinburgh recently and coloured the Rachelle Miller image which I have had for yonks with my copics. I'm slowly getting used to using these! The red raffia is from Tescos which I bought at Christmas time but didn't use on any cards! The sentiment is from Cuddly Buddly and the dew drops are from Kirsty Wiseman's shop. I quite like the way this has turned out!

This is the card I made for Carol's birthday:



Carol loves handbags and so I thought that this would be a great choice for her and also was a nice change for me to make a card which didn't involve using images. It was so quick and easy to make too. All of the materials used are from Craftwork Cards. I bought a goody bag which cost me £10 at Easter time which was fantastic value for money and was crammed full of lots of goodies. The sentiment included wasn't included but I also bought these from Craftwork Cards.

Well, today I am going to try and get my creative juices flowing and do some scrapping as I haven't done any for a long time. I have so many photos to use and a mountain of papers to use as I keep buying thinking that'll be great for ...... but never get around to doing anything due to lack of time. I'm also going to try and pluck up some courage to use my cuttlebug! We'll see how I get on! :o)

Summer Days

It seems so long ago since I last posted! I have had such a few busy weeks and I'm still recovering! I'm now on holiday thank goodness and I'm looking forward to making up for lost time and getting lots of crafting done! I spent the last week of term away with my class on a residential trip just outside of Aviemore which was great fun. We had absolutely glorious weather to enjoy all of the activities that we took part in. The kids had a ball and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I never sleep very well when I am away on residential trips, such a huge responsibility being responsible for other people's kids 24-7. I missed my wee man hugely whist I was away and was really happy to be back home last Friday to see him. I have spent the whole of this week trying to recover and catch up with lots of things too. I have also been enjoying the fantastic weather that this week has brought and have coloured some images today and yesterday so that I can get several cards done hopefully tonight and tomorrow. I hope to be back tomorrow to post some of my creations, probably tomorrow night as I am meeting some friends for lunch tomorrow.

The picture above is of Lewis enjoying the sunshine and playing with his water table out in the garden. His "cheeky monkey" hat is so apt at the moment, loves getting up to mischief!

Happy Birthday Joana!

Happy Birthday Glitter Graphics


Many happy returns to my lovely SBS sister and blogging buddy Joana whose birthday is today. I hope you've had a wonderful day Joana and have been spoiled rotten!

Haven't managed to get any crafting done at all this week due to another chaotic week! I'm trying to get everything tidied up and finished off now for the end of term as I am going off on a residential trip on the last week of school. Lots to be done before then and not enough time to do it as per usual! Aaargh!

We've just returned from a night out at the circus which is in town at the moment. I haven't beem to the circus since I was a little girl and was so looking forward to it. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed by the quality of the performance but Lewis enjoyed it so that was the main thing! It has rained most of the day here so hoping for some better weather tomorrow, not that I'll be able to have the time to get a tan!

Hope you're having a great weekend whatever you are doing!

Blogging Buddies

Once again, it's been a very long time since I posted! The weeks continue to fly by and as usual my life seems to go flashing past me as I always have something to be doing work wise! Roll on the holidays. Three weeks and counting!

Yesterday I had a lovely day when I met up with my bloggy buddies Debbi and Manda and went to the International Art Stamp and Paper Craft Fair at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh. It was so great to meet them. I didn't spend too many pennies so hopefully will be able to make a few purchases online in the next couple of days getting the things that I really wanted but couldn't get!

Thanks to everyone who offered me some advice about using my Cuttlebug in my last post. This was greatly appreciated as I am TERRIFIED to use it! Debbi was great at reassuring me yesterday that it will be fine and I even bought some new nesties to use in it. I now just need to find the time to try it tentatively. I'll let you know how I get on!



The card above is one that I made some time ago for one of Lewis' nursery nurses who went off on Maternity Leave and has since had a wee boy. Her face isn't the best so don't click for a close up! She seemed happy enough with it so that's the main thing!

I have had quite a few awards given to me lately by some lovely ladies which I haven't gotten around to posting because I haven't been blogging or crafting. Apologies ladies for the delay in posting these - better late than never! That seems to be my motto at the moment in my very hectic life!

FREINDSHIP AWARD

I was given this award recently by Riane and Vikki, two special bloggy buddies:

The Friends award: These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to five bloggers who must choose five more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

I award this to: Riane, Mar, Manda, Debbi and Riet


HONEST SCRAP AWARD

I was given this by two very special bloggy pals , Mar and Debbi

There are rules with this award....They are -

1 - Thank the person that gave it to you.

2 - List 10 honest things about yourself.

3 - Put the honest scrap logo on your blog.

4 - Select 7 other bloggers that you think deserve this award

Ten honest things ......... let me think ...........

1. I am very hardworking.

2. I am a Piscean.

3. I am a control freak!

4. I dislike people who are rude and have no manners!

5. I am partial to a glass of red wine or a southern comfort and lemonade.

6. I love spending time with Lewis and Steven.

7. I love lying on a beach in the sun reading a good book.

8. I am very loyal to my friends.

9. I work long hours.

10. I am very committed and dedicated to my job.

I would like to pass this award to: June, Clare, Riane, Sarah-Jane, Melissa, Joanna and Vikki

Well, I am off to get organised for the grand finale of The Apprentice. Have you been watching? Who do you think is going to win? It'll be interesting ........I think that Yasmena may just pip Kate as she takes more risks but to be honest I'd be happy for either of them to win. Go girls!

I hope to be back much sooner than my last post!

Birthday Boy

Morning all,

Well I didn't get around to posting or crafting last night as I had planned! I was exhausted after all the running around with Lewis' party. We had a fantastic day and he was so excited. The kids all had a ball and were so well behaved which helps. Lewis is a Aliens Vs Monsters fan at the moment so I used this theme to create his birthday card this year. It's the only card that I have managed to make recently much to my dismay. I have lots of new Gorjuss Girl stamps that haven't seen any ink yet, I'm just desperate to use them! Anyway here is the card I made for Lewis and one of the birthday boy himself at his party yesterday:
Today I am going to be very busy trying to get through the bulk of my reports and then tonight I plan to relax by getting some crafting done although that will depend on how much I get done! I'm looking for a bit of advice with the Cuttlebug. Santa brought me one at Christmas. I used it once and then it broke! The shop that Steven bought it from refused to do anything about it because she said that I had used nesties in it and that you are not supposed to use them with the cuttlebug! You can imagine my horror when I found this out as that was a large factor in me wanting a cuttlebug in the first place. She suggested that I contact Provocraft to see what they could do. They were great and replaced it for me by sending a brand new one very swiftly. I have had a new one for weeks now but I am terrified to use it. I don't want to go breaking this one too. Anyone got any advice who used nesties in the cuttlebug as well as the embossing folders? I would greatly appreciate it! I think I could be doing with a wee masterclass!

Have a great day whatever you are doing! Hope it's not raining where you are! :o)

Lainy xxx

Time flies!

I can't believe it has been 3 and a half weeks since I last posted. Where does the time go? I have been really swamped recently with work, it's all go at the moment. I have a student on placement with me at the moment for 5 weeks and I'm in the middle of writing reports which take a very, very, very long time. It was also Lewis' 3rd birthday on Tuesday and what a great day he had. He was so excited and got lots of lovely presents, he was a very lucky boy! We're having a party for him this afternoon so he is very excited about that and it can't come quick enough. I thought that I'd pop on here quickly before I get knee deep in the rest of the things which have to be done before then. I hope to be back later tonight and have some time to myself tonight to get some crafting done as long as I am not too exhausted. I have a day off work tomorrow but that will need to be used to write more reports! Boo hoo!

Pink and sparkly

I can't believe that it is Thursday already. The week has gone flying by which is a good thing since I'm back at work. Last night my class and the class next door put on their WW2 performance for parents, grandparents and family friends and what a night it was! I'm still on a high as are the kids as they were outstanding. I felt so proud last night and priviledged to be working with such a talented bunch of young people. The show was based around a grandmother recalling her memories of living through WW2 to her grandchildren through drama, singing and dancing. We also had a small orchestra playing too as we have several kids who play piano, violin, viola, cello and double bass. They were all absolutely out of this world and the audience were blown away. A memory I'll treasure forever and never forget! Pleased that it is Friday tomorrow though as I am feeling really tired and still have a real chesty cough and annoying head cold which came on last week and is still lingering. I have been hoping to get some crafting done but haven't been successful so far and well don't think it'll be happening tonight as I have a lot of work to get done! So why am I on here? Putting off the inevitable ....

This card was another which was made for my sister's birthday. I just love this stamp, it's so adorable. Think I'll be using this more often.

Stamp: Whiff of Joy: Confirmand Melinda
Paper: Can't remember where it's from, in my stash
Medium: prisma pencils, sansador, glitz it glitter glue
Tools: Martha Stewart Lace punch
Embellishments: card candy and sentiment from Craftwork Cards, prima flowers

Was having trouble coming up with a title for this post, that's why it's rather random. Off to get some work done now. Have a great night whatever you are doing!

Blog Candy Winner!

Evening everyone,

Apologies for not getting round to posting this yesterday. This was due to the weather being so fantastic yesterday and being the last day of my holidays I just had to enjoy it as it is not often that we see the sun or have the temperatures that we did yesterday in Scotland! It has also taken me so long to put everyone's names in a bowl, how time consuming is that! Next time, I'll definitely be using a random number generator - have learned my lesson the hard way.

Well, after 212 entries later and we have a winner ..................................

Thank you so much to everyone who took part, I never imagined that I would have that huge number of entries when posting it two weeks ago. Unfortunately, I haven't managed to visit everone's blogs so far but hopefully over the next few weeks I'll be able to do this. Thank you also to those of you who liked my blog well enough to become a follower, that was much appreciated. I'll look forward to meeting lots of new bloggers as a result and keeping up with your creations. I have also posted the 10,000 mark during the last couple of weeks which is fantastic. I'll need to have more candy shortly to celebrate!

I'm kind of dragging this out a bit aren't I? Get on with it I hear you shout (if you haven't already scrolled to the winner's name that is!)

And the winner is ............................................

Samantha from Samantha's Handmade Cards

Congratulations! Please email me before Friday so that I can get the candy sent off to you. My email address is on my profile page.

Hope you are having a great night whatever you are doing. I had lots of plans for tonight but seeing as it has taken me son long to write out names and do the draw I think my plans are well and truly out of the window. Maybe tomorrow night I'll manage to get some crafting done, here's hoping!

Whiff of Joy

Just popping on here quickly to post one of the cards I made for my sister's birthday which is on Monday. I am intending on getting some crafting done next so don't want to spend lots of time blogging as I normally do! I am going to enter this card into the Papertake Weekly Challenge as their challenge this week was to use pastel colours.

The image is Whiff of Joy: Musing Melinda and is the stamp which you can win in my blog candy which closes in just over 4 hours! So if you haven't already entered, do so before then! Don't worry you won't win a used stamp as I bought an extra one in anticipation of my blog candy :o) I really like the way this card turned out and hope my sister likes it too! Will be back later this evening to close my candy and possibly post again!

Stamp: Musing Melinda (Whiff of Joy)
Paper: Always and forever digital kit by Zoe Pearne from sweet shoppe designs
Medium: Prisma colours and sansador, glitz it glitter glue
Embellishments: pink ribbon from my stash, sentiment from craftwork cards

My Blogoversary Candy

************THIS BLOG CANDY IS NOW CLOSED*************


As promised I am posting my candy to celebrate my blog being one year old recently on 24th March. I can't believe that a year has passed so quickly! I am so glad that I took the step way back then to start a blog. I was a little cautious - who would want to visit me? A year later I have come into contact with so many wonderful people and have met some great friends as a result. To celebrate this I have decided to offer the following candy:



* Whiff of Joy Guardian Angel Collection stamp - Musing Melinda
* 6 x6 pad of Basic Grey paper - Sultry collection
* Pack of Basic Grey Archaic Glazed Brads
* All sorts of things paper scuffers - 2 sided sanders
* Chocolate & Marshmallow card candy from Craftwork Cards
* A selection of charms

To be in with a chance of winning my candy you need to leave a comment on this post to let me know that you are taking part as well as posting a link to my candy on your blog to let others know. I will enter my followers' names twice to thank them for their continued support. There is absolutely no obligation to become a follower but if you would like to that would be lovely.

The closing date is Saturday 18th April at 8pm. I will draw the name of the winning entry and post the name of the winner on Sunday 19th April. I will post internationally.

Good luck!