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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Title changed to stop spam.

Well, after some rather fetching moments with my darling daughter, who strenuously fights any attempts to put any pretty stuff in her hair, I'm looking for a couple or three readers who have a small child who'd love to try some of my new felt flower hair clips or bobbles FREE OF CHARGE!! Yes, that's right, FREE! I think they're delightful, and if I had any hair, I'd wear them myself, which of course you may want to do. Whatever you wish to do with them is fine, provided you don't sell them! Because that's what I'm planning to do.


The only thing I'd ask for in return is your opinion on a couple of things - the design and the price! So, if you fancy a little pretty in your post this weekend, drop me a line at rattuspackus@hotmail.com - the first 3 people to mail with a choice of type (either bobble/clip) and colour (purple/orange/blue/bright pink/dusky pink) will get the chance to help me out :)

If that sort of giveaway isn't your thing, try this blog from Charmed Stamps - they're a stamp company and they have such a lovely bundle of free stash to celebrate their new stamp range...

Update - still two samples up for grabs... email me :)

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Prepare yourselves...

I've actually gone and scrapped a photo of me, when I had long hair. It's really quite sad, how much I miss my hair. It's short now, for the main reason that at the moment, there's quite often bald patches due to stress. That and the fact that with a toddler it's quite difficult to spend time scrunching and combing. I don't think I could bear to go through the in-between stage - with curly hair it can be a nightmare!

Anyway, enough of my whingey reminiscence. Are you ready?


I've been trying to be a bit more simplistic with my layouts, otherwise I spend far too much time thinking about what to do. This one still took me three hours from start to finish though. I think most of the time I spend thinking about which papers and cardstock to use. I then hunt through the rest of my stash, and pick out stuff that coordinates with the colours I've chosen, sling it in the pile, and then discard it bit by bit until I get what I want. I think it looks ok, but I'll probably go back at some point to tart it up a bit.

What takes you the most time? Do tell ;)

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Pay It forward Layout - it had to happen!


Now my work is done with the pay it forward goodies, I can post this layout here. I really had fun with this one, but made an error which I have duly noted for future reference. That is - "title lettering should be the same type for each separate word."


I've posted the before and after, and I hope you'll agree, it was an improvement, though I have to do something to disguise the marker pen and the glue from the previous placement underneath. I might just take all the letters off an put a strip of card underneath - though any other ideas gratefully received.


I think I have a problem with Thickers. They are pricey, and sometimes I just can't bear to use too many. What's your favourite item that you can never bear to use? A piece of patterned paper? Or a strip of glorious ribbon - do tell ;)

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The goodies


So, as promised, here are a couple of shots of the stash that will be making its way to Floppy. It's going to feel a bit like Jim Bowen on Bullseye for the rest of you - have a look at what you could have won...



And what's in the box, I hear you say... well, I wanted to keep a few small bits and bobs a surprise - that way, Floppy gets the best of both worlds!



Thanks to all who participated. No doubt I'll have another draw soon for something or other, so keep popping back and browsing!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Hoorah!

And we have a winner! It is: Floppy, who said...

Congratulations on your 50th post and 1000th visitor!! Well done :) I really should get my finger out and start my own blog...I did sign up for one months ago but haven't done anything to it!

Edited: Floppy has been in touch! And very delighted she was too. Let's see if she still feels the same when she's got the stash! I'll also make sure she get a couple of my lovely handstitched felt flowers in a co-ordinating shade. Have a looksee here at my pal Trees's blog for a pic of said flowers - I have mislaid my pics, and wanted to blog the winner asap... I'll be posting photos of stash tonight, just so you know I wasn't teasing!
Enjoy the sunshine...

Monday, April 13, 2009

50th post!

It's been a while since my last post, I promise I've only been thinking of lots of lovely stuff to give away in celebration of my 1000th(!!) visitor (and coincidentally, my 50th post). So, photo to come, but suffice to say that anyone who comments on this post will be entered into a draw for a little bundle of crafty/scrapbooking goodies of various types - in shades of purple, green and pink. Lovely!

International commenters are welcome, but I reserve the right to substitute the bulky stash for something more amenable to overseas postage - say an Amazon/Ebay/digiscrap voucher or something ;) I'll close the draw on 12.00 midnight GMT Sunday 19th April and post the winner on Monday some time

Also, if you're up for even more free stuff, take a look at the gorgeous Tollipop blog. It's always choc-full of delightful pictures, photos and the most absorbing tales to accompany both. It's also her one year blog-anniversary, and so she's having a giveaway for the gorgeous framed original artworks below, plus other goodies. I have no idea why I'm telling you all about this... I want them all for myself. Mwa ha ha haaaa.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Stitch and Craft Show 2009

So, this last weekend was my big moment, my chance to see my name in lights... well, on laminated card anyway. It was the Stitch and Craft Show 2009 at Olympia 2 in London, and the Best of British Scrapbooking 2008 winning layouts were to be exhibited. That'll be mine then! Well, along with five other far more fabulously talented people, Michelle Jackson-Mogford, Julie Kirk, Jo-Anne Cavanagh, Jane Knight and the overall winner, Kim Tomlinson.



Needless to say, I was very excited! I managed to arrange to meet up with a couple of the other winners who were also going, and we got together for a photo or two. I also got to meet the very lovely (and dinky) Rosie Waddicor, the editor of Scrapbook Inspirations - the magazine that ran the competition.


I went with all intentions of splurging on loads of stash, but managed to only buy knitting-related products. Not quite sure how that happened, but hey ho. All is good!



Right now though, I'm really wanting this wallpaper - it's fabulously decadent!

I also got to meet up with one of my "Pay It Forward" giftees, Tinkersdamn, and handed her a little cute something that I hope will be useful. The 6 spots are now filled, though I will be having a 1000 (!!!) visitor giveaway at some point very soon, so keep your eyes peeled. Suffice to say, I've had lots of fun fiddling with felt, and think I might have to make all sorts with the stuff.

So, tell me, is scrapbooking your only craft, or like me do you have crafty fingers in too many pies?

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Q52 update - it's been a loooong while!

Ok so I admit. My plan to do one a week of these somewhat fell by the wayside around my last assignment deadline, and I got a little behind. 6 weeks behind.

But I'm all caught up, so here they are:

Q6 - If I could do it all again, would I change anything?

Q7 - What would I do if I knew I could not fail?

Q8 - What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?

Q9 - What was the last brave thing I did?

Q11 - What keeps you awake at night?

Those eagle-eyed people may well spot that Q10 is missing. It was "name 5 movies that inspire you creatively." I am hard-pushed to name even one movie, so I may just do 5 things (people, music, objects, situations) that inspire me creatively instead. THAT list is endless...

My answer to Q7 may seem mercenary, but I'm already doing everything else I've ever dreamed of, and if I fail, then hey - it was meant to be. I'm one of those people who can ALWAYS find a silver lining. And I figure, if I win the lottery, then I have a list of lovely things I could do for other people with the money :)

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Pay It forward Update

It's not been that long since I posted this, but already I have received my gorgeous gift from Sophie. A beautiful card wallet, complete with four cards and envelopes! The fabric is just wonderful, and I want more :) Thank you very much Sophie!

And so, this has spurred me on to get a move on with my PIF items. So far, I am sending Steph, Lisa, Eleanor, Sarah and Sophie a little something. All I can tell you is that it involves some of this:



from here - http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Pixie-Rose-Crafts - any more than that would give the game away. It's a new craft for me, so the results could be VERY interesting. So, watch this space, or your letterbox if you're one of the commenters (oh, and I've still got one left, so feel free to read and comment on the original "Pay It Forward" post here if you want to join in the fun!)

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Scrap your Day February 2009


Well, it soon came round again. After last month's astounding start to this project (see this post if you're curious), I was hoping for a fairly low-key day on February 25. Thankfully, I got it. The replacement carpet for DD's bedroom did arrive, but other than that it was a fairly uneventful day. That is, unless you count the first appearance of tree pollen, which is never a good day in my sniffy, red-eyed book.


I'm really enjoying the way my pages (and cards) are evolving as I make them at the moment. I start with the bare essentials, and the ideas are just popping in to my head. It's this aspect of crafting that really cheers me up. Liking the end product helps, but it's the process that I find most therapeutic!

What's your favourite bit, why do you craft? Is it for the end product, or just the sheer joy of making something?