Shimelle challenge number 4

Amazingly I have managed to complete another layout for Shimelle's online crop this weekend. Not only this, but it uses two of my least-used colours, mainly because I can't wear them, so don't automatically pick them to scrap with.


It's the fourth challenge of the crop, but it also fulfils another challenge, number two. Challenge 2 is to use three papers from different manufacturers. The three papers used here [are very old, and] come from Sassafras "life is Beautiful", Fancy Pants "Celebrate", and Tinkering Ink "Botanical Bliss" ranges. All were released before this current decade began, so it's nice to finally get some use out of it.


Challenge number 4 is to use grey, yellow and one other colour of my choice. This is the hard one for me, since I rarely use yellow. I do have it in my collection though, and managed to dig out some photos with yellow on too. The only grey paper/card I possess is some A4 sheets from my 1990s cardmaking stash (yes, I have already admitted I'm a hoarder!), but I think that this size worked well with the small photos. The photos also decided the other colour for me - had to be red to go with my DD's coat.


I also got the chance to try out bunting finally. I've had desires to do a LO with bunting on, and I like it, a lot. I can see me and bunting becoming good friends! I also got to use some baker's twine, which I got with a Folksy purchase recently, so I've clearly redeemed myself and come bang up to date with that. I'm enjoying browsing everyone's layouts, and am looking forward to more challenges too. Please let me know if you're playing along...

Back from the dark!

Well hello! I hope you're all fine and dandy, and that your lives have been treating you well.

It's been (shhh) since I was last here, and far too much has gone on for me to fit it into a quick post. Suffice to say, I have a craft room now, and so am finally back to scrapbooking after almost two years off. Two! So I decided a really good start would be to join in with Shimelle's online scrapbook crop this weekend, and see if the mojo has left or has just been hiding under a rock, out of sight.


Here's the first challenge, to scraplift or take inspiration from a totally gorgeous layout by Jaime Warren. And here's my take on it. I don't usually use green and pink, which is probably why these journal cards from Prima have sat around for about 3 years. I am a definite convert though.


Doing this has really re-ignited my love for paper-scrapping, reminding me why I enjoy it so much. It's all the teeny tiny details, that you wouldn't notice at first glance. Like the fact that the teeny tiny leaves have been creased where the middle vein would be (and how that teeny heart above has actually moved down by an inch in the finished layout - shh).


And the way that you can link things in threes, like the hearts, and the three areas of embellishments. Oh, and the pretty pictures of course!

Let me know if you're joining in, though I'll probably find you through the links on Shimelle's posts, if you've shared there! Looking forward to seeing what you all have been up to...

Cut down in my prime

Just as I was pootling along quite well, I've been struck down with an 'orrible virus. So please excuse me as I defer my promises for another couple of weeks. Our family has been battered recently with illnesses (albeit minor ones, for which I am very grateful), and I need a bit of time to fully recover - or it'll just just happen all over again.

Toodle-oo for now, folks. I hope you and yours are hale and hearty x

What love can do

Love can make us do very strange things.



This photo shows me confronting my fears, for love, trying desperately to hide the fact that I'm cacking myself. "Why?" I hear you ask. Well, because in about 5 minutes after this photo, I have to get into this.

Here is a shot from the top...



And here is my "she can't see me so I'll let my feelings show a little" face.


Otherwise known as "Eek, get me off this effing thing".

What is your greatest fear? Do tell...

Family resemblances

I was always told I look like my Nana, my Mum's mum, so I suppose it's only fitting that my daughter should resemble her Nana, my mum!

This is one of my favourite photos of 2009. Prize to the person who recognises the beach...

Serendipity

I took this photo during an online course from Cheryl Johnson a couple of years ago. I was practicing focusing close-up with fuzz in the distance (can't remember the proper photography term), and had given my daughter a satsuma to keep her still. I was just lucky to get this shot of my daughter popping a piece of satsuma into her mouth, looks like it was totally the shot I was going for :)

"Fluke!" as they say.

Five things...

Image from: http://www.pillarcc.co.uk/hearts-in-service/

...that I spend most of my time doing (when I'm not doing childcare/housecare) right now:

1 My Kindle
2 Crochet
3 Dreaming about and planning for our future house extension which will allow me to do something about #4 and #5
4 Longing to make my own clothes
5 Buying fabric and obsessing about quilts

What's floating your boat at the moment?

Before I had my real babies...

...I had many surrogate children. Now, take a deep breath, oh ye of faint heart. For what I am about to tell you may shock you to the core.

I like rats. Pet rats, fancy rats that is... rattus norvegicus, rather than the black rat of the "carrying the fleas that carried the plague" fame. They are truly delightful, similar in temperament to dogs, and just as easily trained! I'm giving you fair warning, there will be a couple of photos later, that you may well not want to see - I fully understand that some people think that they are pretty foul.

As I was looking for photos for this blog post, I came to the realisation that I've not scrapbooked about any of the rats so far, hence this post. Here's hoping it doesn't send you reaching for the close tab.

I've had the pleasure of knowing 22 in all, mostly in batches, and mostly females. Female rats are inquisitive, intelligent, friendly and very sociable. Our first big group were 6 girls named after 50s film stars, of which Dot (Doris) was my favourite. She was tiny, but by far the bravest of them all.



(notice I'm easing you in by not showing a picture that shows her tail!)

At one point, we had 13 - due to a pregnant pet shop rat. We gave all the females to good homes, but kept the males, 6 in all, named after Liverpool FC managers. If I could remember the names or thought you'd be interested, I'd list them! *sexism alert* They pretty much behaved as stereotypical male animals - sat around stuffing their faces with food, peeing everywhere and didn't move much. Working on their fat storage, presumably. They were still delightful, but much less interesting to watch than the giddy girls.

I shan't go on any more, but shall leave you with a photo of another glamorous rat Mazz (named after Marilyn Monroe). She was an albino rat, the ones with the pink eyes, and was a grumpy little sod. Unsurprising though, seeing as she couldn't see past her whiskers. The head-scarf is due to hair-loss, the story of which I may well share another day...


So, tell me. Do they make you cringe? Or do you want to reach out and stroke?

The thing is...

that it's been an inordinate amount on time since I last dove into the world of blogs. It's all been a bit busy due to the birth of the bump (E.T.A. it's a girl! Heather, you are forgiven, I should've stated that she looks like her dad :) ). And I can't believe I didn't even post about it here. So hello to anyone who's wondered back to take a peek, and I'll try to do better this time!

However, I'm taking an opportunity to reactivate my blog (and hopefully my energy for it) for at least the next three weeks. Three weeks because that's how long Shimelle's "Blogging for Scrapbookers" class is. Which I signed up for this time last year, but never did anything about. But that's the best thing about Shimelle's classes is that once you've signed up, you get to play again each year, free of charge.

So, my intention is to post a pretty picture each day, and try to fill in some more meaningful words a minimum of once a week. I hope you'll be with me, and I hope I'll make you smile at least once.

Sarah

P.S. I've missed you guys x

With love from me to you

Good evening folks. It is a special day today, one which you will always look back upon with fondness. Today, I shall be sharing with you my most favourite recipe, for raspberry chocolate brownies. And for this, you will either love me or hate me, but either way you'll love the brownies! I didn't get a chance to photograph today's version, so here's one that I made earlier!


So, are you ready? Here goes...

(from Donna Hay "Chocolate")

160g plain flour, sifted
200g dark chocolate, chopped
250g butter
205g brown sugar
4 eggs (I usually use medium)
1/4 tspn baking powder
40g cocoa powder, sifted
1.5 cups raspberries fresh or frozen (I reckon frozen is better, not worth wasting the fresh on this, better to make cranachan...)
Oven preheated to 180C. Put choc and butter into a small pan over a low heat and stir until melted and smooth. Put in a bowl together with the sugar and eggs (I usually mix the latter two first). Sift over the flour, baking powder and cocoa and mix to combine. Pour into a 23cm/9 inch square, greased cake tin lined with greaseproof paper, top with the raspberries and bake for 45 mins/until set. No need to defrost the raspberries.
I make half this mixture, and use a loaf tin to bake it in. It takes a little less time to cook though. It also freezes very well, though may not get a chance depending on how many people are about!
And why am I sharing this with you? Well, it's my birthday, and it seems to be the tradition that on your birthday, people expect you to give them cake. I've almost managed it :) Enjoy x