He so fly

Pencil Lines has a little celebration going on, as this weeks sees the 100th sketch go live....with Kelli Crowe as the guest DT member, as well as some old faces making an appearance, AND a huge prize up for grabs why not pop over to Pencil Lines and take a look for yourself.

My LO this week features Bobs doing what he loves to do - fly!
I'm not kidding - that boy of mine is sending me greyer by the day!



Bobs came home from a hard days skating last night and told me one of his mates had posted a video of him on You Tube......he was so excited to now be able to "Ollie 7 steps" - ummmm I didn't have a clue what he was talking about so I had to go take a look for myself!

OMGoodness! My heart nearly stopped when I saw that "Ollie 7 steps" isn't some little trick - Oh no! It means launching yourself off to clear a set of 7 steps! YIKES!

After sharing the video with one of my online buddies she asked if Bobs had gone head first in to the flowers - heh hee hee - Bobs confessed that he did just that ( and then showed me the cuts and bruises to his shins! )
One of my mates called me the other day and asked if my guys had ever thought of taking up a more gentler pass time - like jigsaw puzzles! LOL! I wish!

Ive had a very restful weekend, the guys have taken really good care of me and I'm starting to recover from my surgery.....slowly but surely =)
After wallowing in my bed for too long yesterday I got Hubs to take me for a little stroll on the beach....I didn't get very far, but it was such a beautiful evening and I really wanted some fresh air.
The sunset was amazing and I'm so glad I went.

Bad Girls September kit goes live at 10pm PST tonight (that's 6am Monday morning for the UK gals - set your alarms because this kit is sure to be sold out PDQ!)
Have fun and thanks for dropping by.
T.x.x

Ouch!

Ive been dreading today arriving for the past week!
I had surgery today and look like Ive just done 10 rounds with Tyson!!
Hubs and the guys are attending to my every need and looking after me good and proper - I don't know what I would do without them.....they are my hero's.
I'm now on "official" rest for the weekend, which will hopefully allow me the time to catch up on some zzzz's and prepare myself for the start of The Bad Girls Top Designer Contest (see previous post for details).

I managed to finish off my projects using Bad Girls September kit - which is definitely colourful and very glitzy indeed....

I managed 3 pages and a project and there is still plenty of stash left to create at least triple that.


I haven't had chance to share my Pencil Lines LO from sketch 99 yet, as this week has been rather busy getting the guys ready for school - I can't believe the holidays are nearly over and we haven't managed a full day at the beach yet, thanks to the awful summer we have had.

Sketch 99 was sponsored by Jenni Bowlin and although I have scrapped this photograph before I wanted to scrap it again, using more muted tones, as I'm creating an album for Hubs Uncle which will be filled with old family photos

Have a great weekend and thanks for popping by =D
T.x.x

Back to School - well almost

Following on from the sucess of last years "Top Designer" contest, Bad Girls have opened up the school doors and registration is now underway for this years "Bad Girls Design Academy".

6 weeks of FREE online classes all of which will teach the PRINCIPLES of DESIGN.
The contest is open to all, with classes beginning on the 8th Sept at 10am PST - that's 6pm for those in the UK =D

With the most amazing classes, taught by some of the industries finest designers, and a HUGE PRIZE PACKAGE up for grabs - what are you waiting for?
Pop over to the message board and sign yourself up now!

I mentioned a PRIZE PACKAGE - wanna see some of the wonderful goodies which have been donated by the sponsors of this years event?

With scrapping delights from Prima, Sassafras, K&Company, American Crafts and 7 Gypsies - the lucky lady who gets crowned Bad Girls Top Designer 2008 is sure to be kept busy with her bumper PRIZE PACKAGE.....just look at all the goodies she will receive....the PRIZE PACKAGE is worth over $650's!!!




Registration is open right now and its certainly getting busy over on the message board - why not come along and join in the fun?


I've been busy playing today with the scrumptious delights in Septembers Bad Girls kit - there is no better way to spend a dull and dreary afternoon =D



Have fun.
T.x.

Party Time

Our weekend was wonderful - time spent chilling out, catching up on family news, watching the children playing whilst us "oldies" took walks down memory lane with Mom and my sisters, which had us all peeing our pants with laughter as we remembered the crazy things we got up to as kids.

We gave "little W" a water table as one of his birthday gifts, which he loved.....so much so that within seconds he was undressed and attempting to climb up and sit in it - he certainly loves the water and isn't afraid of it at all, which is a good thing as my guys are planning on teaching him to surf next summer.

My wee nephews party was a huge success but I'll admit to forgetting just how much hard work toddlers can be!


My back is in two as Ive spent most of the weekend walking around the garden holding my nephews hand....he took 10 independent steps for the first time on Sunday afternoon and my Sis called this afternoon, to say he had managed 20 more today :D

J was a complete star and spent so much of his time with "little W" trying to teach him to walk - it really was heartwarming watching J being so gentle and encouraging towards his cousin and I'm sure he felt as if he had accomplished something when he saw "little W" take his first steps.

We braved the crowds and took the little one to Thomas Land at Drayton Manor park yesterday....OMGoodness - NEVER again will we venture to such a place on Bank Holiday Monday - it was utter madness as the entire park was heaving with people.

I almost gave up the will to live after standing in queue after queue...if it wasn't for the permanent huge smile on "little W's" face I would have given up and called it a day!

We said our goodbyes and headed home.....thankful that its not so long til we get to see them all again.....as much as I love living by the sea, I do miss having my extended family close by.
So - its back home and time to start the "back to school" shopping regime, only this time I have to go buying stuff for me too, as I enrol at Uni on the 10th Sept.....that came round far quicker than expected....YIKES!!!

T.x.x

I MUST be dreaming.......

Ever since I started scrapbooking I have had my firm favourite manu's to create with - when I scrap with their products the pages come together like magic and are always in amongst my personal top favourite LO's.

When I heard there was a DT call going for one of them I just had to apply - although I knew they would receive hundreds of amazing submissions from right across the globe (and I really didnt think I stood a chance - this was a personal challenge for me and me only.)

I submitted my pages and sat back and waited to see who would be the lucky ones to make the team - I had a list of names I thought should make it because their work shines and really inspires me to get busy with my scissors.

Anyways....the announcemnt was to be made last night U.S time - far too late for me to stay up, as I needed to be ready to head up "North" bright and early this morning.
I have just checked through to the manu's blog and well........OMGoodness!
I really cant believe it?
I must be dreaming......Will someone please pinch me?????
Have you ever had a dream come true?
If so, then you will know just why I feel the way I do - I made the Sassafras Design Team!

T.x.x.x

What a day....

Its been a really fun, but hectic day today.
The Guys hit Mount Hawke Skate park for the day armed with camcorders to record their stunts and tricks....


J took things easy because his ribs are still too sore to skate :(


Hubs and I plodded around St Agnes for a while before stopping off for a bite to eat.


On our way back to the car we passed this doorway -

OK - so I couldn't resist giving Hubs the camera ;D LOL!

It would have been rude of me not to pop in and say "hello" to Rebbecca at Scrap Angels as we literally passed by the door way to her store -

(and even ruder of me not to buy something - well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! LOL! )
We are heading up North soon to see the family =D
I cant wait to give my new nephew lots of "Auntie Kisses" and the guys are looking forward to seeing their cousins/aunts/uncles/Nana etc, as well as spending some time hanging out down on the farm - whilst I help my Sis prepare for my little nephews Birthday bash....Hubs and I have been put in charge of organising the party games....do 2 year olds play party games??? I can't remember - its been soooo long since we organised a toddlers party!YIKES!!!!!

Have fun - I know we will =D
T.x.

Sassafras Sleepover.....

My niece called me a few days ago to have a good old moan about her brothers.
I do feel for her at times because her big brother ( aka - big bOther), is at that stage in his life when he likes to exert his authority, as the oldest, and be "The Boss"....especially when Mom and Dad are not in hear shot.....tee hee hee I remember going through the same with my big brother and to be honest he made my life hellish at times - although I love him dearly now :D

She told me how she had a sleepover planned and was really excited at the prospect of having her girlie friends over for a PJ party.....I can just imagine the fun they will have - the pamper and makeup sessions, listening to cool tunes and sharing girlie secrets.....listening to the excitement in her voice sure whisked me back to my childhood days and I remembered the sleepover parties I had experienced as a child *sigh*- growing up sucks at times.

Our chat got "serious" when my niece started to grumble about her big bOther - "like he is just going to spoil all of our fun because he wont leave us alone".....apparently he has taken a liking to one of my nieces friends and thinks the way to impress her is by acting like a complete goof ball - he has sooo much to learn eh?
So with my niece in mind I set to work and made her something which might just help........


I dug out a collection of patterned papers from Sassafras Serendipity Scrumptious range, as well as a collection of Sassafras stamps.
Hand cutting the designs from the patterned paper took a while, but I managed to watch Son of Rambow at the same time - its a great movie and one that my guys love to watch over and over again.


I used a sheet of thick mount board, covered in white Bazill cardstock, to form my base for the door hanging - I'm really fortunate that we have a picture framing store in our village and they give me their off cuts of mount board for free :D
Some of the stamped images were outlined using Sakura Souffle pens - I'd forgotten I had them and "found" them recently whilst tidying up my scrap room - oppps! Check out the link because they are on offer atm :D


Products used - Patterned Paper - Sassafrass Serendipity Scrumptious; Stamps - Sassafras "Banners", "Head in the Clouds", "Girl Talk" and "Borderline"; Bazill white cardstock and ribbon; Rusty Pickle buttons; Floss from stash box.
Fingers crossed the door hanging works and my nephew leaves the girlies alone!
Have fun.
T.x.

Nothing to report

No news to share - just a couple of sneaks :D

Have fun.

T.x.x.x

Us Time

A month or so ago I posted about how the guys are spending less time with Hubs and I as they busy themselves with their hectic and sometimes rather manic social lives.....hanging ot with the "oldies" isnt such a cool thing to do!
Whilst its kinda sad to be made to feel a little redundant, the upside of it all is that it means Hubs and I have the chance to spend more time together ...not as Mom & Dad...just as "US"... a slightly sagging, almost middle aged, couple!
I wanted to record this stage in our journey as a family - so I scrapped it using Pencil Lines #98.


Sassafras PP's, stamps and page accents, Rusty Pickle buttons, Bazzill cardstock, American Crafts Thickers.

Im really enjoying watching my boys grow and it is far more rewarding than I ever imagined it could be...Im so thankful that they came in to our lives and that we were eventually able to be a family.
The guys and I are off to Cornwall for a few days before we head up North to go and celebrate a very special day - my Sis and her hubby finally adopt my beautiful nephew and he will legally become thier son - he also just happens to be celebrating his 2nd Birthday this week too - so its a double celebration all round :D


Im soo happy for them and know just how they will be feeling tomorrow when the judge tells them that its official - they are a Mom & Dad - for real - forever!
Dreams really do come true.

T.x.x.x

Happy.....

This is one of the pages I created using the left over stash from the class kit for Scrap Angels Summer Scrapfest, which was held last weekend.
I really don't like waste and use up every scrap of my stash if I can - I'm sure I'm not the only one who cant bear to throw pretty paper away - no matter how small the snippet is - it can be used! :D
I took the page with me to the Scrapfest to show the ladies that every last bit of their kit from my class could be used to create another page - some have asked for me to share how I created my second page - so Ive added "how to's" here.

This page used Heidi Swapp paper and glossy page accents, along with Prima Say it in Crystals, Scenic Route Alpha Stickers, Chatterbox stamps, Daisy D's rubons, Rusty Pickle Buttons and Bazzil Ribbon.
I hand cut the decorative floral border before matting my photograph on to a larger piece of paper. A scrap of Scenic Route paper was used to create a ribbon border, which teamed up nicely with the black spotted ribbon strip from the set of Heidi Swapp page accents.

The kit contained a large Heidi Swapp triangular photo corner which I simply cut in half to make two, which I then used to add decorative corners of my matted image.

Using Stazon, I stamped images on to a sheet of printable acetate - repeat stamping the same image created the transparent border.....a quick and easy way to create a "Hambly" effect border for your pages at a fraction of the cost :D
I mounted some of the acetate Chatterbox stamped images on to patterned paper before adding them to the page using 3d foam pads. I use either Glossy Accents/Diamond glaze to fix acetate (...or even the good old Pritt stick as it dries clear and doesn't show :) )
Before attaching the Heidi Swapp butterflies to the page, I slightly folded them to lift the wings, giving the illusion they have just settled on the page before taking flight.

Using Scenic Route alpha stickers and Daisy D rubons I created the title.....outlining the white rubons with a black fine line journaling pen to give the letters more definition.
The Prima Crystal frame was cut in half and positioned around the Heidi Swapp circular page accents - I love a lil bit of *bling* on my pages :D
Buttons were sewn in place and ribbon added to one of the stamped frame accents.

Once the page was complete I used a white journaling pen to add some doodled dots to tie the page together - American Crafts white journaling pens are the best IMO - the nibs don't split (unlike the Signo pens, which were all the rave a few months ago!)

I hope that helps???
Have fun.
T.x.x

OUCH!

The guys left home at 7am yesterday morning to head to Cornwall for the day with friends, which left me with the day free and easy to do as I pleased.
After a quick blast around the house tidying up, I pulled out my stash and just as I was about to make my first cut of the day, the phone rang........it was J, in tears :(

He had fallen from the top of one of the 13ft vertical skate ramps and wanted his Mom!!
OMGoodness! I was sooo worried....the drive down to Cornwall would take me two and a half hours....that's two and a half hours to sit and worry whilst battling through the holiday traffic!
Bobs called me to tell me J had knocked himself out but had come round quite quickly - thank goodness he was wearing his helmet because Bobs scared me half to death when he retold the story of how his little bro had decided to free fall through the air!! My guys are such dare devils at times - no wonder I am going grey!

The first aiders at the venue were excellent and J was checked over before being whisked back home by one of the youth workers....we arranged to meet at our local hospital and after a couple of hours wait in A&E we were told J has cracked ribs and muscle bruising to his back and tummy.
He is sore and very grumpy but nothing a gentle cuddle and DVD cant fix :)



Whilst Ive been playing "Nursey" to him today Ive managed a little scrapping


I'm really in a scrappy mood, so am planning to spend the evening "messing".
Have fun.
T.x.x.x

This weekend.....

This weekend I had the pleasure of spending time in the the company of one of my scrapping idols - the truly inspirational and oh so bloomin talented Debs - not only does she blow me away with her amazing designs, but her friendship is one that I have treasured for the past couple of years.....I just wish we had more opportunities to hang out together, as time spent with her is always just sooo darn funny.

We spent the weekend together in one of the quaintest Cornish villages - St Agnes, as we had been invited to go and teach at Scrap Angels Summer Scrapfest.
Our weekend from start to finish was a blast.

We battled our way through rain storms on Saturday, as we drove along the Atlantic highway before finally arriving at our destination - which was a little guest house set in the heart of the village.
We booked in, sorted ourselves out and then headed over to Scrap Angels HQ, where Rebbecca was waiting to greet us.
If you are ever in the area you must call in and spend some time visiting this treasure chest of scrapping delights.....Rebbecca has so many wonderful projects, which she has lovingly created, on display - they are sure to fire up your creative juices and set your imagination cogs a whirring....I know they did mine as I looked through her array of stunning minibooks and altered projects.
Anyways - Debs and I took a look around the store and somehow a few bits and pieces seemed to drop into our baskets - I'm not quite sure how that happened, but I'm sure glad it did ;)

After a hearty Sunday morning fry up, Debs and I headed over to the hotel and prepared ourselves for the day ahead.

Meeting all of the 41 ladies at the workshop was a complete pleasure. Everyone was so warm and friendly which made Debs and I feel so very welcome.

Debbie taught two stunning layout classes using KI Bloom and Crate Caitlin - which had everyone "ohhing" and "ahhing" as her classes were truly divine.
I taught a hinged layout class using Sassafras papers

and then funked things up a little by combining a little Heidi Swapp, Scenic Route, Prima and Chatterbox together.

It was really encouraging for both of us to hear that our classes had been well received, and that delegates had reported back to Rebbecca that they felt that they had learned new techniques and design principles which they will use again on future projects :D


Its always nice to hear positive feedback from your classes and I know we were both blown away by the wonderful comments which had been left - it really made our day :D
Debs and I both thoroughly enjoyed our time spent with everyone and at the end of the day left the event on such a high.

Debs is making her way home now, which is kinda sad, because we both wished we had had more time to spend together....maybe next time eh?
I'm planning on spending the rest of the day playing with my weekend purchases and can't wait to start attacking the papers :)
Its been an amazing weekend - thanks to Debs, Rebbecca and all of the wonderful ladies we got the chance to meet.....so a big big THANK YOU to you all from me.

T.x.x.x.x