Sj's - Little Musings

a little new year spell......

2009-12-27T13:43:00.002Z

When I was in my late teens, early twenties, I used to do a little new year spell every new years day. I haven't done it for a few years, but for some reason I can't stop thinking about it, and so today I have decided I will be starting it up again, carrying on my own little tradition.
It's very easy, a wish spell, I say spell but don't get me wrong - it came from a book about Angels and is very harmless (unless it works, in which case, its the most powerful thing ever!)
You don't need herbs, or a cauldron, or chanting... lol.. you simply need:
A pen
White paper
and a clear glass of water.

Write down, as simply as you can, your biggest hope for the year.
Be it - NEW JOB
or TO SAVE MONEY
or TO FALL IN LOVE
etc etc.
Write it down on a piece of plain white paper, so that the writing fits under the base of the glass.
at 11:11am on new years day place the glass, full of water, over the writing, and leave on a window sil/ledge.
The theory is, that the water will magnify your hope, making the universe aware of it - and legend of the angels say that it will come true.
well.. it can't hurt right?

what will you wish for? - shhhh don't tell me!
xxxx

Christmas catch up and another digi printable freebie... (another??? really....yawn! ... yup!)

2009-12-26T20:45:00.007Z

Ok - lets kick things off with a quick bunting freebie, just click on the image below, then when its opened in large, right click, save and print and you can print off as many as you like to decorate your home if you are having a NYE party.
Paper bunting is awesome, and if you print it onto card, and attach it properly to ribbon, you can reuse it! (although... unless its 2010 next year as well this one is pretty much a one night stand arrangement!!!)

So, moving on to Christmas,
I HAD AN AWESOME TIME! I love Christmas at the best of times, everything about it (apart from financial ruin) makes my soul leap with joy... but this year it increased its wow factor for me by 100%, having a two year old to make it magical for.
I cannot express to you how happy it made me to see how "mind blown" Finlay was on Christmas morning, when the mince pie had gone, and all but crumbs remained, and the milk drunk. In its place was a stocking he could fit in, FULL to the brim of little presents from Santa.
Literally heart melting stuff. My photos from this moment came out blurred, all because I didn't prepare my settings, something that some of me will regret, but the rest of me rejoices in, because the blurriness totally reflects how he was acting - ripping at the paper with utter joy!I got to see it first hand, and fill up a new chamber in my "Mummy heart" of experiences I will never forget.
And then, if that wasn't enough, I was showered by my husband and family with gifts that had me often squealing with delight!
Including this bad boy - which was presented to me today!
WHOOOP!!!
I can't wait to finish off my quilt that I started MONTHS ago, and then move on to funky stuff, or sewing on my scrapping more, etc etc = fun times!
***
I also got this ladies book.
I have a chef crush on her cooking - and the way she explains things is perfect, her recipes and family friendly cooking style never fails to inspire me.
Plus, the book is pretty, and has a pink polka dot scallop spine!!!
CUTE.
This also made my Christmas... not a present for me, but seeing Finlay's joy at his camera. I know he is only two, but seriously, this boy has grown up with a camera in his face ALL the time, and he loves it! He loves seeing the pictures, looking at photos when printed, holding the camera and looking through..
I captured him here, taking a photo of the necklace we gave Ben's mum today - look how happy having a camera makes him!
I am 100% satisfied in my decision to buy him this!Look at this face!!!

I got this charming blue lace agate necklace - which is pretty pretty...

This plethora of goodness.......

this dotty cake stand!! LOVE IT

This awesome card organiser!!!

A selection of awesome knitwear..
scarf 1

socks

scarf 2 (My fav)

This cute sewing box from Boots (I wonder how many others in blog land got something from this range this Christmas?)

And my coveted BAKE book ends!!!!!!
HEART
Already in the kitchen holding up my cook books! wooo!

I got tonnes more cuteness, including a knitted hat, which I will photo in day light.
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So - I guess I will sign off - with one last thing to say...
HAPPY BOXING DAY EVERYONE!
XXXXXXX

Christmas eve............ digi freebie etc

2009-12-24T09:03:00.006Z

Time for one last digi freebie before Christmas... three clear overlay doodle frames for your festive pages/photos. (They also go well with the sketched words I gave away the other day too!) If you like, you can download them here:

JYC:

Wow. I can't believe that the last lot of JYC I shared was the 16th! Sorry about that. I have however kept up to date! I am extremely proud of that fact. (Its the first project of its kind I have kept up with. I joined up for LSNED (another Shimelles class) and failed on day 16) Anyway - Here are my pages till today ( I will upload the 23rd when its better light - as the first few pictures here are done in the evening and look a bit rubbish!)
Things to do:

Right now:

An unexpected letter:

Dear Santa:

The only snow:

Thus years hat:

Gift list:

Well, Its Christmas eve, a time of tradition and love. It has become a tradition in my family, that on Christmas eve, Santa's top Elf takes a little time out of his busy schedule to leave a Book on the doorsteps of the Children of the family. He wraps it up, with a little note, leaves it on the step and rushes back to finish packing the sleigh for Santa.
Finlay will be part of this tradition this year, as he is old enough to understand what is going on.
I cant wait.
:-)

Later, I will venture into town to get swept up in Christmas eve panic buyers (happily safe in the knowledge that I am 100% DONE!) I hope to get Finlay's hair cut, buy mini cake cases for my chocolate peanut butter cups - yet to make, get some last minute make up at boots, and get the ingredients for butternut squash roast.
Then, this evening, we will be cosying up with Christmas movies - and reading Finlay "The night before Christmas" before bed, when Finlay has gone to sleep (if he can manage it!) we will be wrapping the final gifts, decorating the lounge with "Santa evidence" and drinking baileys! - probably to the sounds of All Angels and Christmas hits.

I am excited - I literally am!

So, I will sign off for a few festive days, and wish you all in blog land a Merry Christmas.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

things I have loved........

2009-12-23T09:01:00.003Z

I have a photo folder on my Pc called ART INSPO and over the year, I save images that make me go "oooOh pretty!" every now and then I will flick through that folder and admire others talent, bask in the prettiness and generally admire the gorgeous.
I every year, I start a new folder, for the next years worth of pretty.. so, here are a few of my favourite images...

Happy Christmas eve eve!

Mmmmmmmm

2009-12-22T17:03:00.000Z

Do you British girls remember these?

If you were born early 80's you may well have eaten a pack of these in your early teens!! Well.... For those who don't remember, they were chocolate covered pretzels and delicious beyond measure. But obviously they didn't reach the heart of the masses and they ceased production. So, today after finding some gorgeous festive star shaped pretzels I decided that I would make my "blast from the past" snack myself....
All you need is: pretzels and chocolate to melt...

Dip the pretzels...

Lay out to harden on greaseproof paper..

And then eat, enjoy and be merry!!!!

Ps: sorry for crappy iPhone pics!

digi freebie

2009-12-21T19:55:00.002Z

Oops - I forgot to add this to the last post. It is a printable A4 sheet, print out around 3+ times on card, cut out the triangles and staple the top to ribbon, and hey presto, paper Christmas bunting.
I hope you like! - all you need to do, is click the picture below, right click and save and you will have it on your pc to print at your leisure.
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mmmmm yummy! and ANOTHER freebie!

2009-12-21T19:20:00.003Z

Do you like gingerbread? I found a recipe today that is the best i've tried. It came about my accident, in the respect that I had run out of light brown sugar, and wanted to make some. I did however have dark brown and caster. so... I used a combination of that, and the result was delicious, you will need:

12oz Plain flour
4 oz Dark brown (sieved for lumps)
2oz Caster Sugar
4oz Butter or stork margarine
4Tbsps of Golden syrup
1 egg
A good heap tsp of ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Cream the sugar and marg together really well, add golden syrup and egg, mix.
Add dry ingredients and mix to form a dough.
Wrap in cling and let rest for a few hours.
once rested, I broke my dough up into small lumps, rolled into balls and pushed flat onto a non-stick tray. I cooked for 15 mins on 150c.
Let cool, and drizzle generously with icing sugar yum!

On a different topic. Finlay had a letter from Santa today - I photo'd the whole event, and have ended up with some photos, that whilst not technically fabulous, leave my heart warm!
(and at the end of the day... thats what a photo is for right??)
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Look at his little finger tracing the words.....

He hugged it for hours... my heart swelled up and burst.
I love this age, everything is SOO magical!

Digi freebie #2

2009-12-19T12:13:00.005Z

Seeing as its December - I am giving away another digi freebie. It is a set of "sketchy" words and doodles, which you can use on digital pages or indeed print if you are that way inclined :-)
The file looks like this:
As they are a PNG you can lasso the image you want, paste onto your digi pages and recolour.
I hope you like it! You can download the zip file here:

JYC, Llamas, Reading and sneezing...

2009-12-17T08:52:00.006Z

Llama llama! ok, I know you probably don't care about the llama photos... but I wanted to upload anyway, as it was such a lovely day for my little one! Laura treated Finlay to a day and lunch at the Llama farm (and indeed me, bless!) I was very proud when he showed no fear in the face of this llama, and happily fed him directly, even though lots of the other kids were scared too! In fact, the lady couldn't keep Finlay out the carrot bucket he was so keen! The llama was beautifully soft, and friendly and we loved him millions!
Finlay also met Santa, which he kinda loved, and kinda freaked out at lol!

The above Llama was called Harry *if my memory serves me correctly that is...*
Check out the tooth grin on this one.......

Ooooo I could literally kiss him!

And we were SOOOO pleased to meet baby Emanuel, born less than three weeks ago, quite by surprise (the mother wasn't deemed mature enough for pregnancy... which just goes to show what sort of society llamas are living in these days lol - teenage pregnancies affect all kind it seems!)

This lil' fella popped his head in to say hi, probably to admire the baby in the stable next to him.

Santa's grotto.
It cost me £5.50 for Finlay to see Santa. We waited an hour in a packed out room, and eventually got in there, for Finlay to specifically not want to be in there lol.
He got his book present and we left for macaroni cheese in the cafe.

But not before falling in love with the reindeer...

*happy sigh*

So, yesterday, I had some work I needed to catch up on, and alongside the piercing headache caused by blocked sinuses I needed some help! Mum and Dad kindly popped over my way, and took my little screamer out for a milk shake in town whilst they finished their Christmas shopping. My town has some amazing boutique gift shops, that never fail to hold a plethora of *I saw this and thought of you* gifts. Yay!
Dad came in, and waited for Finlay to wake up from his mini sleep, and when he woke, still all toasty in his sleeping bag, dad read him "The tiger who came to tea" I sat on the floor in awe, not only at how beautiful they looked together, but also reminiscing the times that dad actually read me the same book when I was a child.

Last night, when Finlay was all tucked up and snoring, I decided to catch up on JYC, I had planned to do my entry every day on the day, but the weekend saw me fail at that, and then being poorly also put to bed my hopes of achieving that! Anyway, I still aim to do most of it on the day of the prompt, and I start again with that ambition today.
Till then, I am uploading 14th, 15th and 16th's pages.

The last layout features my new button punch of joy that I blogged yesterday, I had a couple of emails asking where I found and bought the GORGEOUS Martha Stewart Button Punch from, I am a lucky girl and my mum (who runs a little craft shop) Ordered me one in on her shop order, she doesn't sell online though, so for you UK girls who love the punch as much as me, I googled it and found that the Glitter pot has some in stock. here

**************
I woke up today and sneezed 11 times in a row. Seriously, 11 times! I nearly passed out and peed a bit in my pjammas! that's gotta be a record right?
*I didn't actually pee in my jammies.... just thought i'd clarify that*

My new fav thing...

2009-12-16T20:11:00.000Z

Ooooooooo yum!!!!!

-- Posted from my iPhone.

CUTE

2009-12-16T14:55:00.002Z

I know I said I would blog the Llamas... but I am still poorly, and they need editing. *insert feel sorry for me sigh here*
So, I thought I would do some online shopping (the kind where you fill a basket and then leave! - I know. Worst online shopper ever?!!) Anyway, the dotcom gift shop
Here
has all this......
if anyone family wise is reading this... they deliver! (lol)
mmmmmmmmmmmmm pretties!!

Anyway...
*sniff and cough*
Bye...
xxxxxxxxxxx

quick freebie

2009-12-15T09:50:00.002Z

This week, I will be learning and developing my (currently rusty) drawing skills. I used to draw non stop, but of recent years my pad and pen have played a minor roll in my life.
I will be giving away some digital stuff, that you can print out or use on digital pages over the next few days etc, which I hope some of you will like!
Starting today with some CHRISTMAS LABELS.
Print onto an A4 sheet of white/cream card and trim, punch and string up for your presents.
If you fancy these, then all you need to do is pop via this link and click download:
HERE
Enjoy!
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JYC catch up

2009-12-14T22:06:00.002Z

I just wanted to do a quick post with my JYC pages, I am currently nursing a horrible cold that, today has developed into an itchy throat cough. Urk.

I am feeling utterly washed out, it's 10pm and bed is calling, so I am gonna keep this quick!
This is in reverse order... sorry (lol @ my lameness!)
Day 13 was about your fav Christmas song - obviously SANTA BABY is the best song EVER for Christmas, hence my "Santa lady sketch" (I am still undecided as to whether this is in fact highly wrong and inappropriate..... blog reading jury give me your verdict please!)
Day 12 - I did about the trip Laura took me and Finlay on to the Llama farm. Cute! (I will blog more gorgeous llama photos 2morrow when I am less lame)

and day 11 was about Christmas tree decorations... I am deffo a sentimental tree dec kinda gal!

*sniff* Night blogland! Wish me better please!

Salt dough

2009-12-11T18:38:00.005Z

Last night I made a batch of salt dough.
I had forgotten how cheap and fun this was, and I gotta say, I am totally in love with it all over again! It couldn't be simpler, literally 2 cups plain flour, 1 cup salt and one cup water.
Mix, chill for an hour, roll out, cut, bake on 100 for 2-3 hours and tadaaa!
here they are waiting to be baked ........

And here they are painted up with some paper mania gems as eyes.
I love the fact that I didn't have to spend a penny on these decorations, I had salt and flour already (obviously) and water came from the tap (I know... It was miraculous lol) and the paint is just normal acrylic, ribbon and gems from old stash!
I have a whole gingerbread family on my tree right now, looking all beautiful..

Here is my favourite thing I made though, a free hand (cut with a butter knife) bird with heart wing. I will make MANY more of these, I didn't know how much I would love it till it was painted and ribboned! Pretty pretty and SOOOO EASY!
I suggest you run and make some salt dough... it really is a must for the home made Christmas fans this year!

Here is my entry for the JYC album day 11. Its about the tree, I haven't actually journalled on this yet... I am a total sentimental tree kinda gal, I have soooo many decorations that mean something, that have a history and story behind them. It makes me smile knowing that nothing is on my tree by chance. :-)
xxxxxxx

Gold star for meeeeeeeeeeeee

2009-12-10T16:22:00.003Z

You are probably getting sick of the JYC posts now. Sorry about that! But here is today's page!

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Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-10T14:15:00.003Z

Hello all!
I meant to upload my JYC yesterday - but got sidetracked by hanging more Christmas lights.

Today I am uploading the 8th and 9th's entries.
The 8th is about "Whats around me" Christmas wise. I love little trinkets and decorations, I would love to live for a while in one of those magical Christmas lands, like the one from THE GRINCH, even if only for a week. So cute.

And the 9th, is my favourite entry so far. I did a double hinged layout, and love how it has turned out. I have a small dilemma now about how the layout on the back of this will be affected by the hinge, but I will work around that! I love the ribbon that ties the pages together.
*big happy craft smile* This album is making me feel crazy festive!!

Today.. I am wrapping presents! Woo. I have gorgeous red kraft paper, holly and ribbons!

one of those catch up posts - picture heavy!

2009-12-06T21:38:00.009Z

Morning blogland. I haven't blogged for two days, because I was slacking! However, I am still keeping up to date with JYC - which, is turning out to be by far my favourite personal scrapping project of all time. I literally adore making it.
Here is day five "Counting down"

Day six - Christmas past

And today's prompt "The Lists" I have got my actual present list in that envelope - so no peeking family!

On Saturday - me, my sister and mum went to Tumbridge Wells shopping. It has become a Christmas tradition for the three of us, and one that I adore and love every second off. Many memories are made on these trips and also, something very special, mum and dad bless them, gave me and my sister some frivolous spending money! I felt about 15 again, what a magical feeling knowing you can buy pretty things with no guilt? I couldn't love them any more!
So,... here are some of the pretties that came home with me.
We found a shop called "Jeremy's home store" and I could have moved in!

Pretty button heart.....

Yummy ribbons.....

Christmas felt garland

Traditional wooden toy for Finlay's stocking (A family tradition)

My favourite buy of the day - these letter cubes! *Sheesh I love them!!*

These jingle bells - which, I strung onto twine and made a garland from, pictures coming soon!

Pegs, with a mini blackboard on. Awesome.

And this cute Brit flag, Its vintage (effect lol) and hangs in my hall. I think I am getting swept up in the whole Union Jack fad that is going on right now! (Esp in the UK)

These popcorn boxes are plastic! I will eat popcorn from them, and then store utensils in also. Pretty, completely unnecessary and frivolously fabulous.

Talking of random.. my robot is sporting a festive hat for the season..

This is one of those paper decorations made from a sheet of 12x12 that everyone is doing!

And this is a quick snapshot of my dresser at the moment...

So, the time came this Sunday for us to move rooms around. We have until yesterday, been using the brick built conservatory sun room as our lounge, however, the rain has driven me mad recently, drumming down on the plastic roof nearly made me go cuckoo. So, we moved round the playroom/dining room and the lounge. It is much warmer in the middle room, and I love not listening to the rain on the roof! Only had one night of it so far, but I already know it was the best decision to make. *Laura suggested I do this when I first moved in, but I was like "Nah... I LOVE the sound of rain*
Um... I USED to love the sound of rain.....
I wish I had listened to you!
anyways - here is the move in progress......

and then finished... Its smaller than the other room, but cosy is good in winter!

Yay for warm toes!
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To finish this exhausting blog entry, I thought I would show you some stuff I've seen online of late and fallen in love with....
This cake, the decorator has mad skills that I totally adore! Everything about this cake is perfect. I really want it in my house.

And then there is this: AMAZING wreath, I did have the makers blog saved on my screen but Firefox just flaked on me and now I can't find it! But I bet its on the American crafts blog if you looked. How STUNNING is it!!? Don't even answer, because there are no words.
I love it.
I want one.
I might make one....
Watch this space blogsville! (although, If I had that many Flair buttons I wouldn't be able to use them all one one project - she must be on their DT for sure?) anyway.. that's me over and done with for today, you are free to move on!
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day four........

2009-12-04T17:34:00.003Z

Today is day four of my Christmas journal. I have to say, it is my favourite page in both topic and actual page. I made a decision today to include other bits in the album, I have punched envelopes and hung some of my favourite decorations (that I have duplicates of) from the D-rings. I will write some special journaling when events happen, day to day, like when he met Santa, and the letter he got in the post, and how he reacted to seeing the Decorations go up. I like it that the album is becoming more interactive this way, more personal and detailed. (as, 6x12 is a smaller size that I am used too, and whilst the speed of it impresses me, sometimes the space doesn't lol!
Anyway - onto today's prompt, in essence, its about what would be your perfect Christmas. For me that's a simple as simple can be, I don't want fancy ski resorts, or to wake up by the sea in a hot country, for me it is just about family, and how magical this Christmas will be for Finlay.
My perfect Christmas will be waking Finlay up, to see a stocking at the end of his bed, watching his face light up as he unwraps his little gifts. Climbing into our bed together, eating our traditional breakfast together and drinking hot chocolate. Wearing Christmas socks and slippers, reindeer hairbands and generally cosy together as a family. Then off to see my mum and dad and family for a HUGE lunch. :-)
I am sooooo excited, I can hardly wait!

oops - I think I got carried away there.... anyway, here is my page!
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Monty python?

2009-12-03T20:31:00.000Z

Lol....

Dec GoGo and JYC day 3.........

2009-12-03T15:45:00.004Z

This months kit is CUTE from Scrapagogo - so if you are waiting for it - you won't be disappointed. I made some cute EASY decorations with this months kit - literally all these are are eight punched 2" circles, folded on three sides (to form a triangle in the middle) and then stuck together!

Onto the layouts.......

Blue, I have come to realise, does not photograph well! I tried 100 times to get a clear shot of this - oh well!

Its a great kit - full of warm tones that you can turn your Christmas photos into masterpieces, equally though, if you don't celebrate Christmas the papers are lovely for whatever takes your fancy.

Here is my JYC page three. It features one of the actual cards I am sending this year (apart from, now I need to make another as I have stuck this one on!)
I am loving doing this project - I look forward to the daily prompt and adore seeing what everyone else is doing! (which reminds me, leave me a comment and link me to your blog if you are doing and blogging JYC as I want to be nosey!!!)

Yesterday was a cute day - apart from the rain, we put our decorations up, I just looked at my photos are they are awful - so I will get some more for 2morrows post!

Today I virtually finished my Christmas shopping - I say Virtually, I mean that in both contexts - as I have bought all my shopping so far online (except for one or two) and I feel soooo happy about that! Christmas shopping when you are you are pram free = fabulous. Christmas shopping with a pram in Hastings - NIGHTMARE. In Bexhill its even worse, as half the shops are old and have single doors to get in, and with a pram, its a non starter (if anyone knows Bexhill and knows the shop M&Co, you will know what I mean when I say SMALL LIFT!!!!!) So, I decided to save my poor brain the stress and grief and shop from the comfort of my chair. I have loved it. AND everyone has something I think they will like. I hope. eeek.
Anyway......

Day two..........

2009-12-02T17:15:00.004Z

Today was day two of JYC. It was a prompt about weather - and that was a particular sore point in our town today - or I would imagine all over the UK - we had torrential rain which really does stop a day off in its tracks (as we found out) one of the other ideas for today was cut a snowflake. Sounds simple right? Think again. Especially when you google "make a paper snowflake" and get lost in the 100's of American videos showing you intricate hand cutting! Urrrk.. I settled for a fairly simple one lol, and hid it in the background!

So - aside from the rain, which I hate - I do infact love the chance to wrap up warm, cover up in hats and scarves and hide behind the anonymity of baggy clothing, the secret of success on days when I am feeling particularly pale and podgy.

*sigh*

Anyway - I am LOVING scrapping in this size, the layouts come together really quickly!

Thanks for popping by, happy 2nd of Dec!

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Ding dong merrily on high,.....

2009-12-01T21:01:00.007Z

I love Christmas for SO many reasons, but one of my favourite things is the smells! I love the spicy scents that December brings, especially gingerbread. For some reason, even though it is widely available all year, gingerbread symbolises the start of Christmas for me! Gingerbread lattes, *normally I HATE coffee* But I could drink a gingerbread latte all day long!

And the other day, whilst wandering round Asda, I found this pot of delight! It literally makes my skin smell edible, in fact - I should come with a warning, when I went to work yesterday, a few of the residents kept smelling me! Urk. LOL. Anyway I recommend it (apart from that particular side effect!)

So, Unless you live under a rock in a cave, you will have noticed that its December the 1st! whoooooo! Decorations should have gone up today - but that didn't happen *grump* but they will be going up tomorrow!! Hurrah! Here is my first entry, the "promise" to actually finish JYC lol... I really HOPE I do finish it!!!!

JYC makes you very thoughtful. I have a feeling, It will be one of those projects that combines all emotions! I woke up today feeling very reflective... wondering about the future and what it holds... and then this little man came bounding onto our bed and says "hiya mummy, missed you" and literally all worries dispersed from my mind, and the usual all consuming love for him took its place. Finlay certainly is a tonic for all stresses, *apart from when he is hanging off my leg etc* LOL... but seriously, I am one lucky lady to have this man in my life........

Ginger and curls

2009-11-29T10:49:00.000Z

So, today I was up EARLY! Finlay just loves Sunday mornings... Urk!
But it turned out ok, as I printed and cut these guys out....which I will sew buttons onto and use in JYC and on Christmas cards. Mmmmmmmm I want a gingerbread man now!

And had slightly better success at curling my hair!!!
Which I now love, and wish was permenant!! Can you get wavy perms?

-- Posted from my iPhone.
Ginger

Cosmo project

2009-11-28T21:32:00.003Z

Oooooooo I love Cosmo - I know - OLD NEWS. However - I felt the need to decorate this little shelving unit a lovely lady called Dee gave me in the summer. It was backless, so I adhered the various papers to the back. I don't really know what I am going to put in it, apart from a mini wooden family that I painted to look like Ben Finlay and myself. (mind you... I cannot find them since the move!!) Anyway.... It came together really quickly, the only hard part was deciding what papers to put next to each other! It kinda felt like a patchwork quilt, only wooden... and not a quilt lol!

Cute huh?

JYC and Bog awards

2009-11-26T16:13:00.008Z

Roll on Dec 1st - I am ready for you (or I will be in the next few days when the last of my Christmas stash arrives!!!) I think I have gone a "little" over board this year with Christmas papers etc - but that is literally only because I have never really scrapped Christmas before (I know... odd) But I seriously dislike the samey old style photos we get each year! I am challenging myself to get good photos this Christmas. I think some of the drudgery comes from the lighting in the UK this time of year - it is SOOOO DULL that I makes me wanna scream! I have my house lights all ON all day at the moment - our Electricity bill is grande!

Anyway - back on track... so - in order to compensate for buying papers - I wanted to try and make as many embellishments etc for my album as possible. I designed and printed out flash cards, numbers, and canvas elements that I will incorporate into the pages.
**Numbers**

** I pre-sewed and glue-dotted some buttons**

I made these little felties.. which was a labour of blanket stitch love - but are cute (I hope to make some more later)

** These are the canvas elements**

**Scrunchie PomPom flowers - 2" across. Made using a punch and brads**

**These are the flash cards**

I also printed a border on each 6x12 Kraft page (as that's the size I am doing). I was really pleased with the way they have turned out. I corner rounded all the pages to match the border.

Bought things include some East of India Ribbon - mmmmmmmm pretty!

Adornit letters. I also plan on using the October Afternoon alpha stickers.

The gorgeous Mini Deck by Cosmo (Blogger just deleted that image for some reason.. sorry)

Here are some of my chosen papers - trimmed to fit inside the printed border on my kraft pages.The nice thing about 6x12 is you can use both sides of double sided paper happily - and if you don't want to use both pieces, you will have a huge off cut for embellishing. (in the photo below you will see Finlay pointing to his current favourite piece.. he then proceeded to pick up most of the papers and give me a super huge crease in the top corner - fab *grump*)

Offcuts! woo! *heart*

And this is my cover and first page of the album.
6x12 Green corduroy *(be still my heart!!!)*

Oooooooooo I am feeling friggin' festive and in need of some mulled wine!

In other news.....

Awww - I was touched this week to see that Angela, Rachel and Becks have all given me a little blog award for making them smile! So lovely - blogs are funny things - I literally read about 100 regularly - and would feel lost if blog land disappeared over night. I love the daily ritual of seeing what made capers my friends have gotten up to, and the inspiration on the Cosmo and American Crafts blog etc .
Part of the award requires me to post FIVE things about myself that you wouldn't normally know. So, five facts of me "right now" are....

1: I am back on my diet - no one knows this apart from me (until now) and so far I have had four days of eating like an angel and not the chocolate hover that I had fast become.

2: I don't like soup anywhere near as much as I crave too. I love making soups, but as soon as I am done making them, ill sit down for a bowl and my instant thought half way through it is "really... is this it!? Where is the 10" piece of hot buttered baguette?!?!?! - I am a lunch time carbo-holic and soup doesn't cut it for me!!!"

3: The Twilight books give me unrealistic expectations of love and life - and this both bothers and intrigues me.

4: There is the ghost of an old lady in our flat. She has a distinctive perfume, which we smell all the time, esp when we are sad. And she is soooo comforting, that I hope she never leaves. I sometimes hear Finlay talking as if he is answering someone, and I wonder if its her talking to him.

5: Our conservatory leaks in three places at the moment - and the current rain situation in the UK has meant that we have run out of pans to cook with - as they are all catching drips. *sigh*