Friday 26 February 2010

A Baby Shower

I went to Rach's Surprise Baby Shower last night.It was organised by Hannah,Rae's twin sister,she got her there on the pretence of dinner.Her face when she worked through the door was a picture.I think she was wondering why all the girls from the crop had been invited to dinner.

Surprise!!!

It was the first baby shower I'd been to so didn't know what to expect.It was such good fun and we all had a real good laugh.We played games,I won a goodie bag for answering the most correct questions about Rach as a baby.We played pin the dummy on the baby,we had to draw a picture of Rach but the paper had to be on top of our head and finally we had to look and smell the nappies and guess what was in there ( that was gross).



What a fun night!

I made this Baby Shower card for her and I also made the invites which I really enjoyed doing.




I've managed to get a few things done this week.I've done Libby a thank you card to say a big thank you for all the hard work she puts into organising Bromsgrove Crop.

I've also made a start on my December GoGo kit.The Snow Day LO I did by using a Julie Bonner sketch.She has some great sketches not just for LO's but sometimes for cards as well which is always handy when you lose your mojo.





 Looking forward to tomorrow as I'm off to GoGo Gameover in Coventry with Lib & Lisa where we'll be doing 5 classes throughout the day.I'm off now to pack my bag.

Bye Bye.

Deb x

Tuesday 23 February 2010

I love Prima

I organised a crop at Sunrise Crafts on Friday night there was only 7 of us and they are all good friends of mine so we had a good laugh and all managed to get at least one LO finished.I got to use my new Prima paper and flowers which I absolutely love.The LO I did below was using the Watercolour Rainbow-Because,I didn't really have to do a lot with it as the page is just gorgeous with just a photo but I added lots flowers,some Prima glittered chipboard,lace and pearls.





It was the first crop that my friend Kerry had been to she did a gorgeous ski LO that looked fab.I've already told her I was going to scraplift it,I don't think she'll mind. She also won the raffle which was nice for her first visit.
I've also been using my Webster Pages.I think the Postcards from Paris - Salon les Fleurs suited these photos I took in Montmartre,Paris really well.

some more lovely Prima flowers and the Paris page pebble.


I've done one LO using the photo Jan sent me last week.I've used some Jenni Bowlin papers that I got from Ally Pally for a bargain price of £1 for a pack of 12- 4x4 papers.The photo is of my Mom & Dad at Margate in 1973. One of the things I want to get done this year is to scrap my old photos from my childhood and also my Grans photos I inherited.I have one that dates back to the 1850's which I'm looking forward to scrapping.

I've found another inspirational website called Embellish Magazine.It is a free online magazine that do photo inspirartions,colour combinations and sometimes paper downloads.
Off to watch Tim Holtz now on QVC I love his artwork and the distress inks are the best!
Bye Bye

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Using up the leftovers.

I'm on a roll today I got all my housework done this morning and managed to get loads of crafting done this afternoon.I've managed to use up my Prima retro papers that were leftover from the LO we did at Bromsgrove Cropganza.I managed to get two LO's done with just leftovers,we certainly had our moneys worth from the kit.Thanks Cleo and Morag!



I've also done a LO with the Pink Whispers kit that I'd put together, this is the last project with these colours.


My sister asked if I'd do a 21st birthday card for her niece. Faye has special needs so I've done  bright funky colours which she will hopefully love.Happy Birthday Faye!


and lastly my lovely friend Jan sent me this photo while she was out shopping today.She went to a little gift shop called Let's go round again in Wombourne.Jan said she bought some lovely ribbon so if your in the South Staffordshire area it might be worth checking out.She saw this display and said she thought of me.Thanks Jan it's right up my street.I think I know a couple of people who would like to visit this shop when they next  come over for coffee.This will be my next photo inspiration.

Hope you will join me in this photo inspiration challenge.I just love the blue,pinks and reds with some lacey detail thrown in not forgeting those cupcakes.

Sunday 14 February 2010

Happy Valentines Day

Well as usual I didn't receive a card or present for Valentines Day.He reckons he doesn't need to buy a card one day a year to show that he loves me when he shows me all year long! Yeah right.
We did go to Selfridges Champagne bar in Birmingham for lunch though.We intended to have breakfast but when we got there we saw they'd got a set Valentine menu so we waited and had that. The food was amazing as usual and included was a glass of champagne each so has he hadn't sent me a card I drank he's as well (not that I hold a grudge).We had a look around the store while we were there I love looking in Paperchase and Pedlers.In Pedlers we saw a fab 1950's diner payphone so we got that to go in our newly decorated kitchen.

How cool is that!

I don't seem to have got a lot done this week crafting wise but here are a few cards I've managed to do with the PinkWhispers challenge.

                                             
I'm still loving the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set.


The chipboard square is the new glitttered journaling stickers from Prima.They are so pretty!

and finally a card very similar to one I've already done in a previous post but a different colour scheme.Once I get a design I like I can make a set of cards very quickly and by using different colours and embellishments they won't all look the same.

I'm hoping I can get a bit more crafting done this week.See you all soon!

Tuesday 9 February 2010

I love pink!

When I was checking out my favourite blogs I noticed a a creative mint had got a new amazing inspirational photo and it was pink!It was so feminine and pretty I decided there and then that I would be using that adorable photo as my inspiration some time this week.I had so many ideas running through my head after I'd seen it I couldn't sleep(I must stop looking at blogs at night).
When I clicked on  Lisas blog she had seen the Pink Whispers photo and fell in love with it too. I'll be looking forward to see what  wonderful creations Lisa will be coming up with.

Here's my stash I decided to use:


and here's Leslies photo from a creative mint that I found so stunning.


Will be back soon to show you what I've done with my gorgeous pink stash!!!

Monday 8 February 2010

Phew! 12 hours of scrapping!!!

It was the Bromsgrove Cropaganza on Saturday I had a brilliant day. I'd like to thank Libby for all her hard work and time in organising it all,we are all very grateful.Rach,Lyn,Maria,Jan and myself got there for 10 o'clock to help Libby set the tables.I think we needed all the tables out for this crop,we were certainly at full capacity,which was great.
Morag Cutts did 3 classes that were fab,we made an organiser,did a LO and a mini book and still had loads left over. I know some who didn't do the classes wish they had. Morag is a great teacher so thank you.Thanks to Cleo from Bellaboo who put together the fabulous kit to do the classes and for bringing the shop.I loved the new Prima papers!
The raffle prizes were awesome. I really wanted 1st prize it was a beautiful kit made up by Craftz Boutique,unfortunately I didn't win it but I did win 6th which were some Prima goodies so I was happy.



We stopped for dinner at about 6.30. Libby had made a huge pot of chilli which was delicious and Toni bought some yummy desserts ,so thanks ladies. I think we all got our second wind after dinner and carried on scrapping. We left about 10.30pm after a fantastic 12 hours. I don't know what time the last person left but there were still quite a few die hard scrappers when we left.

I only managed to get this one LO done after I'd finished the classes but I had such a good day and had a brilliant laugh with all the great ladies who came to the crop. Thank you all for a wonderful day.
Today I've been on my regular Monday shopping trip with my mom and sister and when I went into BHS they had a shelf tidy that matches my cakestand so I had to get it.I've put all my lovely Prima goodies into it.When they have the 20% off day I want to get the vegetable rack which has 3 tiers,it's fab.


I'm off now to check out the UKS thread for the March Bromsgrove Crop.Libby has informed me she has volunteered me to do a card class. I think she knew it would be the only way to get me to do it by throwing me in at the deep end!!!

I've been tagged !!!

Yes I've been tagged by Lisa this is my first one so I'm quite excited so here goes
1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Broke my ankle.:-(
Went to a heath spa for two days. Total pampering  and relaxation.
Tried oysters (never again!!)

2. What are your New Year’s Resolutions?
I didn't make any because I never keep to them so I thought if I didn't make the usual one " to lose weight" I might actually lose the weight. Does that make sense!!!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2009?
No

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No thank goodness!

5. What countries did you visit?
Gozo but airport is in Malta so does that count as two.

6 What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
 A luckier year.
 The last 18 months have been so unlucky for us so hopefully 2010 will be the start of good things.

7. What date(s) in 2009 will remain etched in your memory and why?
15th April. I broke my ankle.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting the house back to normal after the flood.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I didn't manage to lose weight again in fact I put it on!!! Double failure.

10. Did you suffer any illness or injury?
I fell down the stairs and broke my ankle in three places.

11. What was the best thing someone bought you?
Mick bought me a Dior cocktail ring which I love and will treasure forever also my girls bought me a Nokia E63 which I'd had my eye on for a while.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Jodie who did her first year at Uni and Paige who got herself two jobs to earn herself some pocket money.

13. Whose behaviour appalled and depressed you?
No Comment

14. Where did most of your money go?
Going out and enjoying ourselves!!!
They say life begins at 40.
and though I hate to admit it scrapbooking supplies.

15. What did you get really, really excited about?
My holiday to Gozo.
 It is such a special place,the people are so friendly and welcoming, great weather, great beaches,great food. I just love it.

16. What song(s) reminds you of 2009?
I'm Yours- Jason Mraz.
It's our holiday song so it makes me feel happy.

17. Compared to last year are you...
a.) Happier or Sadder?  happier
b.) Thinner or Fatter?  fatter
c.) Richer or Poorer?  the same

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Excercise.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Eating and drinking

20. How did you spend Christmas?
We had Mom & Dad round for lunch and then the my Sister,Brother and their partners with all the kids so we had a house full but I love it.My nieces and nephew are still little so it's great to still have some of the magic now my kids are a lot older.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
No I haven't fell out of love with my husband yet.

22. What was your favourite TV program?
Home and Away. It has been gripping the last 6 months.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't this time last year?
No.

24. What was the best book you read?
The Return by Victoria Hislop. What a fantastic historical romance. It isn't a soppy romance it is set in Granada 1936 during Franco's coup and present day. It is written so beautifully it tugs at the heart strings a real page turner.

25. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I was 41 and I spent it on Ramla beach in Gozo and then a fantastic meal on the seafront in Marsalforn.

26. What was your best musical discovery?
Pixie Lott
Andre Rieu, not my usual choice of music but I just love the way he plays Strauss.

27. What did you want and get?
A decorated house (we had a flood and were down to bare walls and floor downstairs for the first 6 months of the year while it dried out).
A brand new fitted bedroom (my liitle oasis)
A new craft room.

28. What was your favourite film of the year?
Slumdog Millionaire but the book was better.
The Boy in Striped Pyjamas it was made in 2008 but I didn't see it until 2009.

29. What did you want and not get?
I think I got everything i wanted except a Chanel bag. Only joking.

30. What one thing would've made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Losing weight I know I would be happier and more confident.

31. How would you describe your fashion concept for 2009?
I'm a jeans and t-shirt girl but I started wearing leggings which was a big mistake as you don't realise your putting on the weight because they grow with you!

32. What kept you sane?
My family and friends
My hobby (scrapbooking).

33. Which celebrity or public figure did you admire most?
Nobody!

34. What political issue stirred you most?
The soldiers that have been killed in Afganistan. One of Jodie's best friend is a soldier and I dread the day he is sent over there.

35. Who do you miss?
Jodie when she's at Uni and my Gran.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Mark, my friends new partner.He is funny,kind and makes my friend happy.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned.
You know who your true friends are when you really need them. When I broke my ankle and I was in and out of hospital I was really down I couldn't do anything for myself but my friends were there for me they kept me company,did my housework and washing. I am really grateful to them all.

38. Quote a song line that defines your year.
Things can only get better
Can only get better

by D:Ream
It wasn't our best year but things can only get better :-)

Well that is my yearly review. It will be interesting to see how my answers  change for 2010. Will be back later to tell you about our Cropaganza.

Friday 5 February 2010

Inspirational Photo Challenge

I just adore looking at Melissa Phillips blog,she is so inspirational  and her work is so beautiful. Sometimes I get a tear in my eye when I read the things she writes about her daughter.
I also love the Photo Inspirational Challenge that she has started doing so I thought I would have a go at  it this week.She gets the photo's from A Creative Mint which is another great source of inspiration .. This is the photo for this week:

What a gorgeous photo of vintage buttons and ephemara done in reds and creams . Firstly I decided to get a pile of stash out that I wanted to use. Here it is:


I had great fun making these cards and LO and it really does get you inspired when you look at a beautiful photo with a great colour scheme.I put my stash in this gorgeous cake stand that I got  from BHS.It is so much easier to get creative when everything is out in front of you.


Here are my finished cards









I'm off to the Bromsgrove 12 hour Cropaganza tomorrow so I need to get my photos printed and stash together. I wish I was more organised I always leave everything until the last minute and I'm bound to have forgotten something. TaTa. for now!

Wednesday 3 February 2010

A Great Week!

I'm really having a good week.I actually feel well after feeling ill since Boxing Day.My kitchen has been decorated.Thanks Dave.
On Monday I booked a week in Barcelona for me and Mick while Paige is in China(Jodie,no wild parties while we're away.lol).We've never been away on our own before so I'm really looking forward to it.It looks a beautful hotel set right in the middle of an exclusive shopping street,think Chanel and Prada.I'll only be window shopping though .
My crop buddies came round my house Tuesday and we had a day of crafting (not that I got much done). Rach made some fantastic cards and Lib did some fab LO's.I only ended up doing one LO with the Jan Scrapagogo kit I think I must talk to much,We had a great laugh as usual,thanks girls I love it when you come round.Here's my one LO I managed to get finished.

I'm out shopping with Mom and my sister tomorrow and then the Cropaganza is on Saturday.I am so looking forward to it.We have got 3 classes with Morag Cutts which I know will be fab! I must get some photos printed on Friday and some papers sorted.I've just ordered the new Prima papers from AngelCrafts so I'm hoping there'll be here before the crop.
Here's a couple of cards and LO's I've managed to do this week. I used Winter Wings paper by Websters Pages for this LO.I love them They are so pretty.



I did this card for some friends who've just became proud Grandparents for the first time.



This Birthday card I made with just leftover paper and a scalloped punch.It's a great way to use your small scraps of paper.


Thanks for stopping by. I'm now going to watch some great Wednesday night T.V. , Dirty Dancing followed by Melrose Place then Desperate Housewives.What more can a girl ask for!!!

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