JB November challenge 1: cheer for chocolate

Lisa set this challenge: 'The theme for this challenge is chocolate....and that's basically it. Any type of card please as long as there is a link with chocolate.

I downloaded two different chocolate swirls and then copied and made into the chequered background.

'

CBC big challenge 2

One of Sue's famous templates:




Papers are from the Tutti Frutti range.

CBC crew challenge: falling leaves

Clare (kenspeckle) set this challenge: 'Well autumn is well and truly here, so we thought it would be a good time for a SEASONAL CHALLENGE

So your challenge is to make a card, SB page or in fact anything you fancy - as long as it incorporates LEAVES of some kind. They can be pressed, stamped, punched, skeleton - even photos - the choice is yours.

And given that it is Autumn it would be nice to use all those lovely warm, mellow colours too.'

These are very simple, quick cards, using some cut outs that were part of a Victorian set I had long ago. The envelopes were bought from Lakeland long, long ago. They are made of vellum - I thought they matched up with the cards.

CBC big challenge 1

Today sees the start of a big challenge weekend on Crafts by Carolyn.

The first challenge, set by Sue, is:

'we want YOU to make a christmas card with

MORE than ONE FOLD

this can be interpreted how you like'

Having made a swing card recently, I've been intending to try and do a template for the craft robo. This took some time to do this morning, but now, not only have I achieved a card for the challenge, but I have templates saved to use again and again with the robo. Although it took me a long time to get the templates right, in the end it will be so much quicker than having to cut everything by hand.

I did a template for the base card and then did another one that cut all the way across in the middle, so that I could cut patterned paper to stick directly to the base card. (The photos make it look more bendy than it is irl.)

This is the first robo template I've done myself from scratch, so quite pleased with it.




I've put a blank square one side so there is somewhere to write the greeting.

HS:MS garden

'Is there a little corner tucked away for your escape? Do you have a favourite plant or some garden furniture that you are fond of? Share with us you favourite garden shot.'

You've seen several photos of our garden already. The garden chairs have now been packed away for the winter, so it's all looking a bit bare on the patio now. I wasn't feeling like going outside (even though the sun is shining) so I took a zoomed picture from inside - one of my favourite spots in the summer:

Crafts by Carolyn crew challenge: in the spotlight

Joanne set this challenge: 'Your challenge is to use a spotlight technique on your card or LO to bring out part of the design.'

I've used Elusive images rose stem script set stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold and embossed with fine detail gold. The circle that has been mounted with double sides pads was stamped in the same way and coloured with Marvy le plume pens.

I needed to make an anniversary card, so this was just right. The photo doesn't show that the card used has a subtle sprinkling of gold throughout.

Chinese whisper LO

I did this LO a while ago, but couldn't show it at the time because it was part of a swap on Crafts by Carolyn - to see the progression from the template, please have a look here: http://craftsbycarolyn.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43395

Friendship

Friendship is very precious. I've made some super crafting friends on various forums and blogs - and I'm so grateful for all of you. I also value friends around me. A very dear friend came round this morning for coffee and a chat (I'm actually old enough to be her mother, but it doesn't feel like that - friendship doesn't depend on age).

Thank you, Liz, for the beautiful roses you bought me and for listening.

Another Bumbleberries CJ

Yesterday I said that I'd done my DLO in Angie's lovely CJ - a big senior moment! That one was Jackie's! (I've now amended the post).

This one today is Angie's: 'My favourite recipe'. Angie said: 'I would love you all to share your favourite recipe with me on a double page layout.' There are some mouthwatering recipes in the CJ already.

Here's mine:

HS:MS fridge

'Inside or out - what is your fridge like? What does it say about you? Show us!'

From the outside, the fridge just looks like any other kitchen cupboard:



This is the inside:





Contents are very varied - to cope with John being a diabetic with heart/renal problems and me with high cholesterol.

I've been tagged

Diana has tagged me:

1. If you could have £100 worth of scrapbook paper or assorted embellishments, which would you choose?

Definitely scrapbook papers, because they can be used for any papercrafting, whether it's LOs or cards.

2. If you had to choose between using only stamps or rubons, which would you choose?

Definitely stamps. I do use rub ons, but get frustrated with them because they don't all rub on as easily as they should - and sometimes it's not easy to get hold of the better ones. As for stamps, my collection is growing and growing and I love the fact that you can do so many different things with them.

3. If you knew how to do both awesome cards and layouts but could only do one for a whole year...which would you do?

That's a difficult one. A year or two ago, there would be no contest, because I only used to make cards. I still don't really consider myself to be a scrapper, but I enjoy what I do. However, I would have to opt for cards, because I enjoy making them, sending them and sell quite a few to raise money for charities.

4. Would you rather own a scrapbooking store or have your own scrapping room at home...(can't have both he he he)

I'm fortunate enough to have had our spare room fitted out for me to have a place to craft, especially as we are only in a small two-bedroomed maisonette. I'd have to say scrapping room (and selfishly I wouldn't mind it being a lot bigger than what I've got already). I haven't got the health and strength to contemplate a scrapbooking store.

5. And last but not least, what is your CURRENT cardmaking or scrapping style.

I think this is a very difficult question to answer. I tend to do all sorts of styles (partly because I know that people have different tastes) and partly because I know I'd get bored if I stuck to one sort of style. Having said that, I think recently I've done a lot more stamping than I used to, and I love using alcohol inks and experimenting.

Thanks, Diana, for an interesting tag.

I'm tagging in return:

Janice (farmersgirl)

Joanne (angelnorth)

Bumbleberries CJ

I needed to do my DLO on Jackie's super CJ that is being passed around the group on Bumbleberries. The subject is 'what makes me smile' - and, while there are plenty of people and things in life that do make me smile, we are going through sad times that make it quite difficult at the moment.

But there's nothing like a bit of crafting to 'take you out of yourself' and so I've got on with this this morning and this is the result:

HS:MS drawer

'Hve you a favourite drawer - be it messy or tidy? I have lots of the two! So show us'

This was an easy one today. This drawer is my favourite (and the tidiest) in the room where I craft. The room was specially fitted out a couple of months ago and (theoretically) there is a place for everything.



I keep thinking I should take some pictures of my newly fitted room, but it hasn't yet been decorated - hopefully very soon - so think I might wait till then.

Scrap a little sunshine

At the beginning of July, Ellen on Crafts by Carolyn told us about the need for people to make mini scrapbooks for for children with cancer in which they can stick photographs and little notes from family and friends. (more info here: http://scrapalittlesunshine.blogspot.com/)

I've been meaning to make something and in fact started a concertina book a couple of weeks ago and didn't get it finished.

I have to admit that atm I don't really feel like crafting, but thought it would be good today to try and concentrate on doing something for this project.

The idea is to make mini books that the children themselves add their photos and bits of interest, so they are not meant to be finished.

Apparently, there is more need now for books for boys, so the ones I've made are suitable for older boys:







I just hope they're suitable. The concertina one was made sticking a few cards together, so that the middle three have pockets (hence the stickers and tags sticking out).

HS:MS bedroom

'Do you have a fave spot or piece of furniture in your bedroom? Show us what you got!

This isn't anything to do with furniture, but it is a little jewellery box (of little value, except sentimental) that was my grandmother's - and for that reason it is very precious and usually is found on my bedroom windowsill:

'

HS:MS window

'Choose your favourite window in your house. Show the whole window, the curtains and window decoration.'

I'm a bit embarrassed atm to photo any of my windows. We desparately need decorating (someone's booked to start sooooon - oh the joys that will bring!!) and therefore our curtains are looking worse for wear because there's no point in replacing till the decorating's been done. And the net curtains need washing (but again ... not until the decorating).

In the end I've chosen this window in our lounge because it looks out on to the world (you can just see the main road beyond the green - a reason we need to have nets even though I don't like them - tried without for a while and felt we were living in a goldfish bowl, particularly as there is a bus stop opposite). And my other reason for choosing this window is that it's one of Josey's favourite places - she can easily nose when the postie or milkman is on his way.

HS:MS SPS 10 and SOS 10

Yesterday was HS:MS SPS day (again!): 'Lets see how gorgeous you are this week, my freinds'

Well, this is a cheat because I didn't take a photo yesterday (just didn't feel up to it for various reasons).

Today we've been out to lunch. It would have been dad's birthday tomorrow and so the plan was to go to the local Beefeater with mum, but, unfortunately, she just wasn't well enough to join us. In many ways we didn't feel like going, but in the end we did have a good meal and were glad that we went.

Here's a picture John took of me (which I've 'played around' with different effects):



And here he is:




And Josey behaving herself under the table (guide dogs should be neither seen nor heard!):





And lastly the half-eaten dessert that I shouldn't have had:

HS:MS favourite spots: bathroom

'Often a room used for convenience but have you a pretty little corner in your bathroom or something that you like about it? Show me a sneak of your bathroom.'

This is a penguin that I've had for years - it lived in the bathroom of the first flat I bought and has moved a few times since. Quite some time ago, the tip of its beak got chipped, but I like him so much that I've kept him just as he is:



Thank you for all your kind comments, not just today, but generally. I'm feeling a bit despondent about my crafting at the moment, although I've been doing a lot of it.

Just having a break and then must continue with sorting out ready for this evening.

Today's tasks

This evening my cards are being sold (hopefully!) at our church's women's evening fellowship, so today I need to make sure everything is labelled properly etc - also want to put the finishing touches to putting together a few more packs of Christmas cards - the robo was beavering away yesterday with silhouettes of Mary and Joseph! I probably won't be able to show anything here today (we'll see how time goes, but it always seems to run out!).

This week I haven't been able to get round to other people's blogs as much as I like to, partly because of the ongoing back pain and trying to get things done for this evening, as well as a few other things, like John's hospital visits (routine). We're also experiencing sad times as a family.

Salt: Jesus is Lord

Today a new Salt challenge is launched. Kimberly chose the subject this time - she wrote:

'A big thanks to those of you who are reading and creating along with us!

This week's theme is

JESUS IS LORD!

I (Kimberly) chose this because this is the start of our journey with God, acknowledging Jesus as our Lord and becoming born again! The wonderful thing is that it is so easy to join God's kingdom!

If you confess with your mouth, JESUS IS LORD and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with the heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with the mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:9-10

Please take a look at Salt

Originally I had the idea of scrapping photos of my baptism (I was baptised in the sea), but I couldn't find what I wanted and wasted time (and John's energy in getting boxes out of cupboards), and in the end changed course completely and ended up with this, which I wasn't really happy with:

'

HS:MS favourite spots: hallway

'What hidden treasure or favourite spot do you just LOVE about your hallway?'

When you enter our maisonette there is just a tiny inner porch off which lead doors to the lounge, the kitchen and an all-purpose cupboard, so no real hallway there. But in the centre of the maisonette there is an inner hallway, which leads to all the rooms. It's quite a sizeable square and houses a cupboard where we keep our crockery. On top of the cupboard is our phone, the machine for carelink and a photo of our wedding. This is what I've chosen:



It's such a dull day and with it being an inner hallway the light is always worse here than anywhere else, although there is a glass partition. There was no alternative but to use the flash and it was difficult to take without reflection on the glass of the photo, but in the end I've managed it with just a glint on the edge of the frame.