Be creative with me

Big Changes

2012-02-20T14:36:00.002Z

Time waits for no-one, and before my last remaining braincells gave up & did a runner, I decided that I would follow the dream, bite the bullet (write loads of cliches here!!) and sign up to become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Excited!!!!, well that did not cover it! But I will be back very soon with a link to my new fabby, whizzy SU space on the web with lots of projects and classes and workshop info!

I know I always say I'll be back soon, but this time I really do promise!

Now lets get my moon boots on float on down to the floor ................and breathe!

Project Organise

2011-05-27T09:11:00.003+01:00

Well this is still ongoing and probably always will be, why is it so difficult to find things...........?

I managed to pick up a lovely wicker basket at my local Charity shop for the bargain sum of £2 and it will look very nice, ..................now where to put it! I've been trying to put my shorter lengths of ribbon on these little spools I bought in packs for £1 each pack contained about 10 spools in 3 sizes brilliant value I think! All the small odd pieces that are just a few inches I've tied to the handle of the basket so at least if I can see it I should use it, well that's the theory anyway.

Belinda x

Catch up (again! Ooops!)

2011-05-27T08:21:00.005+01:00

I shall make no more promises, for the heart is willing but the brain (and the timescales) are not.
In brief - Olivia had a Royal Wedding street party at her school, it was a lot of fun and as part of the celebrations the children decorated a 3 tier

cake with icing and sweeties fit for the Royal couple (not!)

I dread to imagine the amount of e-numbers this creation contained!!!!!!

We have had two new babies born in May in our street so I have been busy with the makes!

Daisy arrived first at the beginning of the month followed by Marley on May 10th. They are both such gorgeous bubbas, and I can't wait for more cuddles! Here are their cards:

Organisation with Digital files.

2011-04-11T15:26:00.007+01:00

Printing Multiple Papers together & Organising Your Digital Papers and Images

In life and crafting I have to put my hands up and admit, I’m not an organised, methodically minded person, and that hampers me with the time I have to craft! If you have the same problem, loads of great stuff you buy and never get to use because you forget about it, or like me can never find it when you need it ‘now!", then perhaps try this method. It was recommended to me by my partner (who isa pretty organised type (groan) and can find his computer stored stuff easily).

You will need photo storage software, we are on Apple Mac here so I am using Aperture but I Photo,………………………. even Picasa (which is free!) is fine. In fact any photo management and printing system should work in the same way, although some functions will differ slightly, then that won’t be a problem.

Create a new folder in your photo storage software and give it a name e.g. PP Fairy Lights Papers. Now leaving your photo software open on screen, bring up your downloads folder and open the PP Fairy Lights folder (or other relevant papers folder) so that the papers or digital images are visible as individual files and drag and drop them into your photo software. They will then appear in your photo programme as a photo would.

Another advantage that I have found with doing this aside from the obvious ability to know where everything is and be much more organised, is that I have way more print options. If like me you struggle with your options as far as lack of control over size and wasting paper and card stock then fear no more. I suspect different photo software will vary, however generally within most applications you will have the choice to print thumbnails / contact sheets and several images to one sheet (set A4 printing for these). You can hold down shift and select multiple ‘photo’ digital papers and select print and choose contact sheet. Within Aperture and IPhoto you can choose the number of rows and columns this controls the size of the images on the sheet, allowing you to print the design scaled down for your smaller projects.

This is a real advantage to digital paper stored this way, when you purchase real designer paper in A4 or perhaps 12x12 format then use small sections the pattern can look too large for the scale of the project, but printed as an image file it can be scaled down or up to fit the smallest or biggest project you require.

Here are some screen shots:

The first one shows printing as a contact sheet and choosing the number of rows and columns then the size of the printed paper can be reduced or increased accordingly. You will see that there is a lot of space around these and they are great for paper piecing or mini cards. If you fancy creating an index that you could file in an A4 binder to help you match up your other supplies, paper pads, promarkers, copics etc then this really will help you see how the papers print out with your own printer inks and paper. I have found that sometimes the colours on my screen do look a tad different once printed, and matching with your supplies becomes a whole lot easier if you have a real life comparison.

The second one shows printing standard but selecting the amount of rows and columns that give you the image sizes you require this in turn creates multiple pictures to a page and are extremely adjustable. Again the pattern is scaled and this makes the paper really great for your smaller cards and projects!

The third shows printing 4 different papers on an A4 sheet, with my options if I chose three 'image papers' they print landscape in 3 bands. Brilliant for larger cards or maybe to decorate a 3D project where you need your DP a tad wider.

Give this a try with some of your digital papers both from a storage/ accessibility point of view and for easier more flexible printing, paper saving and getting the most use from what you buy. I am so glad I did!

Anything unclear pop a comment here and I will try to clarify.

Belinda x

Pink Petticoat Projects

2011-04-05T09:14:00.002+01:00

This free picture collage customized with Smilebox

Back last year Liz Armstrong owner of Pink Petticoat had a design team call, it was the first one for her company, and I decided to have a bash, as I am a huge fan and have almost every product she designs anyway. I was not successful in my attempts, however it's all experience and I had some very nice feedback from Liz and it encouraged me to use many of the lovely downloads that I have purchased from Liz over the years having been a PP stashaholic (my laptop overfloweth....)

All papers and images used are PP.

Till some time soon......................

Belinda x

Some cards

2011-04-02T13:08:00.005+01:00

Well although it's not two posts in one day they are consecutive so I am improving, well jury is out but............. Here are a few of my friends and families cards made in the last couple of months. I have been out of the habit of taking piccies of my projects with me not blogging as I should have but I have taken lots of pictures of other things, so my photography skills are hopefully getting better as a result.

I had an email from the lovely Kirsty Wiseman a few days ago to let me know she has showcased a project a did a while ago for my friend Sam's wedding. It involved the use of a product called Safmat, made by Letraset. It is a brilliant product, a vinyl type A4 printable surface that you can print at home with digital images, photos, fonts and sentiments then you cut it up peel of the backing and adhere it to almost any surface and it is virtually clear. I am on my second pack and it's really good value too! Check out Kirsty's post here and give Safmat a go if you love to personalise gifts and don't like lining up your alpha stamps it was made for you!!

Yesterday was not the weather we were promised, but while we have the wind around, I guess we have to take what we can get as long as it's not ra*ning (can't say the real word it tempts fate!!). Olivia broke up from school and had her last day until nearly the end of April on Thursday, so we headed for the new Aquarium in Bristol, and it was very good but very expensive!! We went by bus (which she loves and I don't!), now don't get me wrong I'm fine when I'm on the bus it's just that we were passed by approx 2 1/2 million buses while we waited but not the one we needed. After more than an hour waiting at the bus stop opposite where we got off, I decided to check the website on my IPhone only to find that although we got off at the bottom of the hill when we came into Bristol, the route back was totally different and the bus picked up a half mile away at the top of the hill. Arrgghhhhh!! A jog to the top with me carrying a weighty 4 yr old, was good for the diet but I looked purple as I got there and then another 45mins for the bus to finally arrive, we then hit the rush hour and crawled through traffic. After leaving the Aquarium at 3:30 we got home at 6:30 for what would have taken me 15mins in the car! And they wonder why cities are congested with cars???!! Just as well we both had a lovely time and I had a stash of Jaffa Cakes to keep madam going!

Will pop back with some Aquarium photos and all the Mother's day makes!

Belinda x

New Beginnings

2011-04-01T09:55:00.004+01:00

Well lets just say that life got in the way of my blogging since urmmgh last time, and draw a line in the sand, and start again shall we?

I arrive here with a new and fresher outlook, almost at my weight loss target 2 1/2 stone lighter, thank you slimming World. I'm happier with me and ready for the next chapter!

Sam my son will be turning 18 later this month ALevel exams round the corner and Olivia who is now 4 1/2 is happily ensconced in her new little school, where she currently attends 3 days a week and is loving every moment of it. Her food issues are improving her friendships are many, she not only loves playing with all the boys now but relishes joining in with the lovely little girls in her class too. We are so very pleased to have made the move with her to this lovely school, it has been wonderful to see her bloom since she arrived there last November, we are very proud parents and with her continuing her education there from September in reception we look forward to happy school days for the foreseeable future.

I will be posting again later to pop on some of the crafty projects that have kept me busy over the time since I was last here, and to share a few pics of the beautiful weddings and portraits we have been lucky to have had the pleasure of taking too. New additions to our friends lives and our family some beautiful little people. A couple of friends with happy additions due very soon so some projects I would like to share as they take shape. New tools I have fallen in love with, and some great bargains that I have found too that I really want to share..............!

if you are still reading I admire your fortitude! as Arnie would say 'I'll be back'......................

Belinda x

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

............AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!

2010-04-22T14:14:00.005+01:00

I am pretty sure the only person reading this post will be my Mum (you can always trust your Mum to stick with you!!), but I won't apologise for my lack of an appearance here as it's probably better to just see what's been happening in my world since.............last time!!

The above photos are from our friends Wedding that took place on a sunny February day at a beautiful Manor House in Castle Combe. N and I were official Photographers for the proceedings which was both nerve racking and fun at the same time. I am still a little learner when it comes to ISO's and F Stops and have a long way to go in that department, but I got some lovely shots that I was pretty proud of. The top shot of the beautiful Bride (Vikki) and Groom (Andrew) was one of mine and the lower one was one of N's of the gorgeous little flower girls, which I love!

This wedding was followed 3 weeks later by another friends, that again we were Photographing. This one was also a complete joy to be a part of although at times a bit of a challenge for the shots! The wedding was early March an absolutely glorious day with the weather (not great for taking photos though!) The day started for us and our cameras at about 7am (groan!) with the wedding taking place at the Roman Baths in Bath at 8:30am (yep you read it right 8:30). Followed by a fry-up in the famous Pump Rooms, followed by a river cruise on 'The Penny Lane' back to the Baths for Canapes, Dinner (amazing!!) and live band (accompanied by the Bride for one song!) and DJ in the elegant surroundings of the Roman Baths buildings. It was soooooooo rock'n'roll!!! Pictures to follow my Aperture application is playing up a bit so will add these as soon as my techs-pert (that's N) gets back tomorrow!

In other news........I joined Slimming World, the chocolate that goes along with the crafting had finally begun to protrude from my every juncture, so..........there was next to no choice!! It is going fairly well I am 10 and a half pounds lighter and determined to increase this!

Perhaps enough for now (eh Mum!!)

Belinda x

A quick review of 2009

2009-12-29T23:32:00.004Z

Gosh! It has been far too long, no excuses................., just me being pretty rubbish with the plate wiggling!

Where has this year gone? Are there really 24hours in every day? Does time actually move faster as we get older?

This cold snap has brought such pretty scenes, and it was lovely to have snow on the ground on Christmas Day, sooooo pretty! Here are a few snaps of the rear of our house when the snow was fresh and new last week. We are very fortunate in that we are quite elevated, and there are some large trees behind the house and some very pretty woodlands. The sledging that takes place there when we are fortunate enough to have a snow flurry, is such fun. It becomes a mecca for '

snow fun'!

What I've been up to!

2009-09-15T14:08:00.009+01:00

Well with no Mac to make uploading easy, my images stayed on my camera, but have now found their way into IPhoto and so here goes: the first card was for a friend, Shamsi (meaning sunshine) the DP is Stampin up, Penny Black Flower Sticker, sentiment from Craftwork Cards, MS Edge Punch.

2nd Card: Congrats card for my Son Sam for his GCSE success. Monkey Stamps CC Designs, coloured with Pro Markers, DP DCWV retro stack.

3rd An ATC Card made for a swap, I have been joining the swaps on BubblyFunk for the last couple of months, ATC's are very new to me. I've had some lovely ones come back. This is a Digi-stamp and I have to admit to loving these at the moment, they are instant crafting, which sometimes for me makes this hobby more possible!! She is from The Digi Stamp Boutique and she's called Marissa. I coloured her with water colour pencils a touch of stickles. For the main card I used some of Livvy's play sand (thanks babe!) and used sponged on distress ink (faded jeans) for the sky. THe shell was a 'firework' stamp from a Banana Frog set and I used a CM journalling pen to extend some of the circle lines to make a little shell. Added some small beads onto the water and voila!

4th and last one for now (more later, see I do make things!!) a card made for a neighbour's new home Owls from CC Designs (love these!) A NEW HOME made using my Karen Foster Snap stamps (these are my best ever purchase) the rest of the sentiment is by Elzybells.

I have been creating a poster today to advertise some Seasonal Classes that I will be running here in Bristol. It looks great on my screen, but when I attempt to print it then it's horrid, what was I saying about loving Macs????? Am of to try to sort it out, here's hoping.

Belinda

A Dead Mac

2009-09-14T23:25:00.004+01:00

What is the worst thing that can happen to you? You are lucky enough to own a lovely little Macbook, white, shiny and all around fun to use. Now I wasn't always a fan, but I became converted to the Mac-side with a little time and patience and will never again return to the Microsoft - side! Anyway one evening you are playing oops I mean working on the said lovely white machine balanced elegantly on the arm of your leather armchair, when the magnetic catch gives way on the cabinet door above you bashes the top of said beautiful white workhorse, and also takes the large cup of lovely earl grey over carpet and splashy liquid into lovely shiny white machine! Aaaaarrrrggghhhhhhh!!!!!!

She is no more, she served me so well, I miss her dreadfully, I truly did love her in a needy sort of a way! The Mac repair man said we would need to replace her logic board to possibly get her to work again, but we called it, she had suffered enough!

Thank heaven for our House policy, and I now have a replacement, a Mac but not white & shiny, but matt silver. In time I will hopefully love her as much as my little shiny white one, I am warming to her already!

I am just so pleased that I am back live again!!!

Did do some Digi Stamp purchasing (used the IMac) and made this card with one of them.

Belinda x

Oops Kelly's Prom!

2009-07-20T13:19:00.004+01:00

For some reason blogger didn't show this photo of the very posh Prom version of Kelly! A dress that was made espesh for her too in her fave colour!

I heard she had a great night! (minus the

silver clips that I used to hold the ringlet curls obviously!!)

Catching Up

2009-07-20T12:40:00.005+01:00

My, I have sooo much catching up to do! Right here goes back in June I had a little jaunt away for a scrapping weekend with some friends. We were heading off to Bideford in Devon to stayin an old manor house and I had been warned that Helen the

lady that ran this B&B was a fab cook, famous for her puddings, well

I loves me puds, so..............I was

gonna be happy scrapping and puds, who

could resist!!

However the day before was School Prom Day for two special people, Neil's

eldest Son Tom and my Friend Tracey's Daughter Kelly, so I did a do on

Kelly's hair in my ex hair stylist status, and she looked tres glam! Tom looked very dapper too in his Tux!!! They were at different schools but as

GCSE's came to an end around then I guess most schools had them that night! My Son Sam had

chosen not to go to his School Prom but decided not to mention this to me until after the ticket

deadline.................! Apparently it wasn't his scene!! A right of passage I think but then I'm just an OLD, what do I know eh?? I was rather disappointed.

Got to Bideford on the Saturday and the manor house was just frozen in time, amazing really, although a couple of the girls didn't share my enthusiasm and were extremely freaked out, and scared. Although we had a room each 3 of them slept in one room it was hilarious to see them so spooked - I shouldn't have laughed at them but it was one of those moments I wished I had joined the Tena Lady movement!!!!!!! They were thinking their room was haunted by the china dolls around the house!!!!! Anyway I slept great!!

Food was gorgeous, puds first night an amazing layered flaky pastry, mousse and fresh strawberry ensemble, and a monster sized Treacle Sponge a large jug of custard and 2 huge dishes of Devon Clotted Cream! The best Clotted Cream I have ever tasted btw! Wow a little too stuffed to scrap for the first hour after but I managed 6 lay outs between Saturday evening and Sunday Lunch (1pm) that was very good for me!!!!! Sunday Lunch well that was another roast dinner followed by two more puds, Rice Pudding (one I really can't touch!) did taste yum according to the others, and Bread and Butter Pudding along with more custard and bowls full of Clotted Cream. Now if I could have I would have pinched one of those bowls of cream and brought it home, Helen told us where she gets it from so I will be searching the web to see if they deliver, but perhaps not because...................something else that happened recently I did a routine trip to the Health Centre hopped on the scales and nearly passed out with the shock!!!! That's the thing about loving puds and Clotted Cream there is a always a price to pay boo, hoo! Well I am totally and utterly determined to balloon no more!! Gosh I may even join a slimming club!! Why do things that taste so yummy make us fat and diet stuff taste like cardboard I wonder???????

I am thinking that positive thinking would be good so I am closing my eyes and imagining me a curvy size 12 (could require boob job 2 complete this look) and will borrow mum's exercise bike while she's away and rescue my stepper from Incy Wincey and his friends in the garage, to start the new healthy me!!

Back soon with my Cornwall Hols pics, got back last week with webbed feet if you know what I mean?! :-)

Back so soon....

2009-06-18T09:38:00.003+01:00

Gosh don't pass out with the shock, but.........I had another card that I forgot to upload yesterday, shame as I love this one, even though I say so myself!!

Just wanted to mention that as A Creative Memories Consultant I, along with all the other UK (and International) Consultants have adopted the Make a Wish Foundation as our Charity for this year. What a fabulous Charity it is, they do amazing work and grant so many dreams come true to seriously ill children. I cannot read a single one of these amazing granted wishes with out a box of tissues at hand. They make a huge difference to Children and their Families at difficult times, when life can offer little or no fun and very little to look forward to they offer a fulfillment of a dream come true, some magic, I believe that every child deserves to have that especially when they have to endure such difficult obstacles. I would love to see a day when there isn't a selection process, but where every wish that is made by a 'Life Limited' child can have that wish granted, and most importantly it happens before it as too late!

Creative Memories is a perfect partner for Make a Wish, after all the albums we make are to tell our stories, to record our memories, and to make these memories last for ever. For some of the Parents of these children memories will be all they have in the future, but what perfect memories recorded forever of their precious Child's dream come true!!!!!!

You can visit the Make a Wish Site here, have the tissues ready, but, you it will I'm sure make you think about how important it is to record those events big or small in your Families too.

On that point I just wanted to share an email I received on Monday from my Leader in CM

Hi team,

I am writing to let you all know some difficult news. Sue, who many of you know, has a team in Abingdon and one of her team was a lovely lady called Kate. She has attended workshops in Bath and has been on 2 of my album weekends as well as being part of the workshops in Oxfordshire.

Tragically Kate died very suddenly last Sunday, suffering an annurism and of course this has been an incredible shock to all who knew her. Kate was always chatty and friendly and one of those people who would do anything for anyone. We will miss her dreadfully. She leaves behind twin girls of 9 and Sue has already spent time with them. She will have the immense privilege of working on albums with the girls in time ahead.

Kate is an inspiration to us all in that amazingly, she was up to date with her albums and so the reality of albums that last a lifetime, full of Kate's recording of times together and how she felt about her girls, are there for them....That is the power of what we do.

So please can Kate be an inspiration to you this week. Let us not be Consultants for the income we earn or for the flexibiltiy of our work, but because we never know who we may meet who needs albums like Kate's girls do now. I for one, will be on the phone this week to Customers to encourage them to complete albums, hold parties and of course I am making time to do more in my own children's albums, in honour of her.

Be inspired this week and remember, what we do makes a difference.

Belinda x

Lots to share.........!

2009-06-17T20:35:00.003+01:00

Well so much for the back soon..........? Where does the time go? I think as I get older the time seems to get away from me more!! Gosh, I sound like a Granny now!

2 Weeks since I last blogged (shame on me!!), but at least I have things to show, and hey, you have escaped my waffle so that could be a good thing!!

In my last post I used the new Digi CC Designs, and there are more here, I am seriously in love with these! I also bought some great Greeting Farm Stamps from Dies to Die For, and as ever Tracie's customer service was excellent! I even had some lovely MS Butterflies and some label shapes in my package and it arrived so quickly, very reasonable p&p too!

The Door hangers I cut out from some thick card and used my Creative Memories Circle Shape to cut out the hole, Lilac Gingham paper from Funky Fairy Downloadable papers, Green Stars paper from Pink Petticoat, patterned paper on the card from Stampin Up, the label shape on the card was my new Sizzix Label Die (love this!).

Have been to a training day today in Exeter for Creative Memories, very good, but a long day (I left home at 7:15 am) so will blog hop for a short while then zzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!

Belinda x

Heatwave!!

2009-06-01T22:35:00.008+01:00

Gosh where does the time go?? It has been really hot in our part of the world, and we decided to do the obligatory paddling pool purchase!

There have been a few Births & Birthdays since my last post too!! Baby Card is for a new baby Boy who has been called LEO , so seemed very appropriate and soooo cute!!! The Lion is by Hero Arts, embossing is Cuttlebug Swiss dots and one of their borders, ribbon recycled from a chocolate box! Mum card is using English Paper Company Papers stamped and cut out from the Dimension Fourth Alphabet. This set is fab and becoming one of my faves as it's great for so many occasions. Again used the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder. This was for N's Mum's Birthday 81 years young and amazing for her age!

I love these new images from CC Designs they are so very cute, once more used emboss folders and Stampin Up papers and Fiskars threading water border punch. This was for Yasmine one of Livvy's friends their Birthdays are 4 months to the day apart. There was a lovely little party on the Green with all the children and Birthday tea too very sweet!! I promise to post soon.................!!

Belinda x

MIA again. Friends 'special' birthday!

2009-05-06T23:06:00.003+01:00

Not got round to posting recently but I have been busy with a few things, so...........! Had a brill day on Monday it was my neighbour and friend Val's Birthday bash, she has been whisked away to Venice today to celebrate lucky thing!!! It was a special Birthday but I'm sworn to secrecy over which one, but she looks amazing and I'm thinking I'll have some of what she's on.

This is the Mini Book I made for Val, shaped like a handbag, with lots of pictures of her and her family taken over the last few years at our parties and get togethers and weddings here in the street.

We had a BBQ planned but the weather had other ideas, after I had made a huge pile of home made burgers too, so we cooked indoors and went off to Val's for drinks and food and of course........Cake!!!!

The sweetest sight all the little ones lined up on Val's sofa cuddled under a furry rug munching popcorn watching 'Jungle Book' -PRICELESS!

Roadshow Demo Day come 'n' gone!

2009-04-23T10:17:00.004+01:00

Well, the day arrived and it was great day! Everything went very well on Saturday in Leicester, and my nerves stayed in check, hands didn't shake too much and I didn't lose any fingers!!!

The only thing that could have been better was that I could have had a slow motion button as the 15 minutes for each demo whizzed so fast and I wasn't able to show as much as I would of liked with regard the decoration of the items made, but there were finished samples so...............!

The 15 minutes diminished more because after each session Consultants hung around asking stuff and taking photos of all my samples - this really ate into the next 15 min session!! But it was lovely that they liked the stuff and wanted to chat about what I was doing, so not a bad problem really!! I had a visit at the end from the main speaker of the Conference to tell everyone to get their butts back into the Lecture Theatre for the rest of the show - whoops!!

The demos I did were ' CD case'(inspired by the Scor-Pal project guide) , 'Photo Wallet Card' ( adapted from the little stamped image wallets we all know and love, size adjusted to take photos) and ' Photo Squash Box' (Adapted from an 'explosion box' by the fab Dawn Griffiths) they were all well received, especially the little box.

Feedback on the day was really fab, and I was so pleased, but I did not anticipate my name appearing on the Conference evaluation form. So it appears I will be evaluated..........um........arghh...........OMG!! I did have a bit of a shock as I thought when I agreed to do the demonstration that it would be as it was last year, several people in a room doing their 'thing' while the Consultants all milled around............uh, nope -new format!! 2 people demoing, each in a separate seminar room and 50 people at a time in four sessions coming in sitting down and hanging on my every word - well sort of !!!!

Not sure if I knew that I would be on the evaluation form I would have maybe been a little more organised with my delivery as I went for the chatty relaxed style I would use at a class or shopping party! Wish I had been told all this before, but you live and learn!!

I normally hold my Workshops on Friday Evenings monthly, but due to Easter and my Son Sam's Birthday falling on a Friday it was a little tricky so I moved it to a Saturday (this wkend 25th) Afternoon 2-5pm so if there is anyone out there that lives near to Bristol and would like to come, I would love to see you!! We are very close to the Mall at Cribbs Causeway, so you could shop til you drop in the morning and Scrap til you drop in the afternoon!!!!! It is a Creative Memories Workshop, but there is absolutely NO restriction on what you bring and use at my Workshops!! All my tools are available to use for the session, and I have a Canon Selphy Printer and Bigshot that will be there also!! There is a £5 workshop fee that includes Tea/Coffee/Hot Chocolate and choccy (-very important) biccies I do have a small stock of CM papers Albums, Pages & Protectors that you can rifle through if you so wish!!

Having read on Forums and Blogs there seems to be a bit of confusion and many misconceptions regarding Creative Memories, the image is that there is a lot of restriction at events and that it's all a bit old fashioned and rigid, it could be your opportunity to have a look at the stuff use the tools check out the difference in the Albums and make your own mind up?! There really, really is no hard sell- it is really not my thing!!! If you are interested in more info about CM or want to find out about Saturday (venue etc) you can email me at belindaw@me.com

Belinda x

Little Donkey, Little Donkey (can I have a ride?)

2009-04-12T23:45:00.003+01:00

What a gorgeous day it was today here in the West Country! Neil, Livvy and me had a trip out this afternoon, and joined the many others in sunny Clevedon. As soon as we had parked the car and jumped out, Livvy spotted Donkeys and decided she would like to have a ride. She really is not the bravest child so somewhat surprised we said yes and headed towards them expecting her to change her mind when she got close - but she wasn't put off, climbed aboard a friendly brown donkey called Ben, and waited patiently for the other children to climb aboard their donkeys. Off she went stroking Ben as she went. She did wobble loads on Ben's back as she informed me 'Mummy I'm all wobbly on Ben!!!!' I asked if she liked being wobbly and she shouted back 'I'm having fun'. This is her reply to anything that she doesn't want to stop doing, generally at bedtime when I say come on sweetie time for bed her usual reply ' But Mummy I'm having fun!'. The donkey ride was closely followed by a ride on the little red train that circles the field just by the sea wall.

We walked to the beautifully restored Clevedon Pier and decided to partake in a cake and coffee en route. The pier was fascinating to Livvy who thought in order to look through the boards to see the water below, it was necessary to lie down on the floor and peep through the planks, much to the amusement of everyone else walking past her!!

She truly is a one off - quite crazy!!!!

A lovely afternoon!

Belinda x

Hoppy Easter!

2009-04-11T21:40:00.006+01:00

What a beautiful sunny day it was today, it so helps to lift the mood! Had a lovely walk with Sam and Livvy this morning into the woods behind where we live to search for some twigs for our little Easter Tree. Here is what it looked like when finished!!

I've been making a few Easter bits & pieces and some ordered cards but here is one made with some old and some new stuff. The image was last years Pink Petticoat Easter chicks the dots are also PP, as is the background circle. The flowers are stamped with my new Elzybells flowers background (in one of the new clear Easter stamp sets!)

It's a small card about 4'' square, I'm loving little cards at the moment!

Back soon with more easter stuff!

OMG I am in awe!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-02T07:57:00.005+01:00

Well, after talking to none other than Kirsty Wiseman last week on the blower (telephone!), I received Patti Picklicious and a lovely set of Doodlebug Baby stamps (I have wanted them for ever), from the uber talented Mrs Wiseman and can I just take a moment to say.........................wow!

Now I do like my downloads and I have a lot, but they are mainly soft pastel, or light colours - great, but sometimes you need some Zing if you know what I mean?! Zing, ting, ting, Patti is soooooo full of fab pattern and colour! There are image stamps, titles and sentiments too, at £15 incl post it's amazing value.

Hey maybe now we are on speaking terms I should be asking for commission?!

Big plug from me though, because if you love colour and you like something different you will love it too!! Find Kirsty's Patti CD Blog here

I made this card as soon as I got it and that wasn't easy as I am a bit snowed under as I mentioned before, but, I was itching to get going with it so.............!

I used the 'Choc Fudge Sundae' papers from the CD and the baby carriage from the Doodlebug stamps. paper pieced and I shrank the papers cos I fancied making a tiny card (loving mini cards at the mo!). to make the image smaller (I'm on Mac BTW) I opened the image in Preview (the Mac image browser) chose print and then selected to print more than 1 image on my A4 page, as I hate to waste paper & card I chose 4 to a page as I know I'll use it all, I love it so! Did the same with both papers, to make a mini version!

I was so chuffed when I emailed it to Kirsty & she asked if she could pop it on her Patti Blog!!!

It is there in all it's glory and I am all warm and glowy inside!!! I may be a wee bit of a saddo?! I'll let you decide!

Belinda x

Excuses, Excuses!

2009-03-28T14:20:00.003Z

I am seriously bad at this malarky - keeping plates spinning is definitely not my forte!

Life is pretty hectic here at 'Stoke Park Towers', I am currently working on sample layouts, cards & papercrafts for the Creative Memories annual Roadshow held in Leicester mid April. I am doing demo's to the consultants for an hour during the lunch-time period, and I'm bricking it!!!!!

Livvy has been really off-colour and has had a cough that is preventing her napping and interrupting her both getting to sleep and staying asleep argghhhhh! These things are always ill-timed don't you think?!

Anyway I will share a couple of the samples and will probably be AWOL a fair bit, but will try to drop by briefly when I can!!!!!

Surreal moment yesterday morning, picture me (maybe not!) in the kitchen in my pj's bout 9:20 am (I had been up since 6:50 am!) phone rings I answer it - Voice other end says 'Hi is that Belinda?' I confirmed it wer me! 'It's Kirsty Wiseman here' well at this point if you are still picturing me, I looked really weird, chin on floor, rest of me on the ceiling!

Turns out I had been the first peeps to go to Kirsty's little tab to buy her fabbaroonie Patti Pickleishious CD and she had called me to say how excited she was and that I was first!!!!!! Yeah!! Crazy eh?! I was so chuffed and she was so lovely!!!!

Belinda x

NEC visit and Neil's Birthday

2009-03-20T08:05:00.003Z

This first photo to share is Livvy looking for bugs on a lovely walk we took on Tuesday, St Patrick's Day and also Neil's Birthday! What gorgeous weather it has been, and to take advantage we did a walk after having a lovely lunch out. The walk took us along the estuary at Oldbury and past a lovely old church. We followed a route from the 'Kiddiwalks in Bristol' book we got recently and I thoroughly recommend this book if you have small children and want to do a trek that's suitable for little legs! We have a backpack for her but she is pretty heavy so, Neil gets a good workout when her legs get tired (well they are tiny legs, bless!)

Tea party later with cake and candles, bigger children (& young adults!) and Grandparents! A lovely day all in all.

Second photo is a card I made a couple of weeks ago for my friend Debbie's 40th, it doesn't have 40 on it as I feel us ladies are a tad sensitive about these things (save the big number cards for men!!) so the words 'Fabulous' say it all. I used my One Four Zero petal stamps (which are fab btw!) rub ons, the butterfly paper was more like card (I think it was 'Paper Adventure' but i will check!

Well last weekend after a very rocky few days health wise for both myself & Olivia, I managed to get to the NEC in Birmingham for the Hobbycrafts show. I met up with some other bloggers which was really nice and had a great day. I went by train which is always a bit of a treat for me as I get to sit and do some thinking and planning so I always have my little notebook to jot them into. Strangely I have much more productive thought on the train!!! There were soooooo many exhibitors it was difficult to know where to start, but Clare, Emma & Katy had already been to some of the stands and pointed me in the direction of some of the ones I was looking forward to seeing.

Some hi-lights for me: seeing the lovely Julie hickey at the Craftwork Cards stand (love their stuff) the colours their were to die for, they always make me want everything - which we all know is good............but bad!!

Sissix wow every die imaginable and stunning samples!

Stamposaurus - love their stuff, stamps are so cute, but didn't buy any love their gallery on their website, their cards are amazing!

Little Clare- lovely stamps again, soooo cute and some nice male designs, like motorcycles & cars. Managed to get the skintone promarkers here that I have wanted for ages!

Paper Cellar - brill cardstock some really gorgeous colours and cheap to buy by the box, but heavy to carry - should have got it just before I left and not on arrival doh!

There were lots of hi-lights meeting the girls being one of the best bits. Chatting to Clare really took me back that lovely Welsh accent reminds me of my home in Wales many years ago and all my friends & family! I am quite sad my accent has disappeared but at the time I arrived in Bristol I was a teenager who wanted to blend in, and so.............it was lost!

I came home Saturday sounding more Welsh though so thanks Clare you helped me reminisce!

Belinda x

My Craft Space (it's messy but it's mine!)

2009-03-10T22:14:00.003Z

Ok the thing is we live in a town house so lots of stairs, get the picture! I am at the very bottom, next to the utility and by the garage, so it's pretty chilly at this time of year! No natural light!

The whole space is about 6ft x 7ft and as explained has 2 doors that open inward (utility & garage)! I have my shoe cabinet at the foot of the stairs on the right as you go up its really shallow so keeps the stairs free to climb easily! Along the same wall Billy bookcases from Ikea there is the soil stack in that corner so they are level with that and then shelving begins again facing the stairs, but my clever man built along the widest part himself giving me wider areas using Contiboard in an off white the same colour as my Billys. The thing that I was most grateful for was that he was able to make an A4 paper rack for me, which I know was a bit of a 'mare' for him, but I knew what I wanted and drew a little sketch and bless him he did it. I haven't painted it yet I do have a spray can for it to match the other white units. Now he is great don't get me wrong but he does love buying power tools from B&Q that cost a fair bit and he has the proper kit and has had for a couple of years so................I was just helping him get some use out of them if you think about it!!! Oh and a chance to practice too!

My desk was Ikea too and was the type that comes with different types of legs available we chose the type with wheels that are lockable. Shelves, rails, jars all from Ikea. I am very lucky to have this space and I love it just need more time to spend there!!

I am so lucky I can leave my house and be in Ikea within 5minutes, it's just down the road!! Lovely meatballs - some times it's worth popping in just for those!!!!!

OH & SOME MESS IS CREATIVE OK!!

Belinda x

A Sleepover!

2009-03-07T14:37:00.007Z

Last night I went out to celebrate my Friends Debbie's 40th Birthday. Will post Debbie's card after Monday as thats when she'll see it! It commenced with a train journey - not far just to Weston-Super-Mare and I got to disappear from home by staying at Debbie's yay I escaped!!!!!!!!!!!! We went to Bottelinos which is a chain of Italian Restaurants around Bristol/Bath/North Somerset. Great night, great company yummy food. Their Lasagne is just delicious!!!!! I left my camera at home, but Debbie had a polaroid disposable one (not sure how they will look but...............??) I am hoping to do something with them. I stole the camera and snapped away all evening and then threw it in my bag promising Debbie I will get two sets printed and will post her a set asap!!! As mostly all of my scrapbooking has been from Digital piccies that I have been able to tweak and play with, it may be a challenge for me to do something with them, but hey a challenge won't do me any harm!!

Candy went off last week and is winging it's way across the pond. I took another photo of a mini album and a card and images that went in the box along with something edible - an absolute must!!

Jack my other Nephew turned 10 this week, he is such a lovely boy! He is super, duper at Martial Arts and is not far from being a Black Belt, he's a great Liverpool FC fan and he is so gentle and loving with Livvy it brings a tear to me. We had two cards for Jack one from Sam & Livvy one from Neil & I.

Belinda x

The Winner is........................

2009-03-01T20:30:00.004Z

Well yes I finally did the draw but Livvy dipped in the hat actually in her bed tonight!!!!!!! Another manic day! We had visitors unexpectedly (which was lovely!), however we had not seen Neil's parents in ages and as we had a bit of a Mother Hubbard going on here, did a M&S food hall dash in order to cook something nice for our guests -Livvy missed her nap! Manic child alert this evening so while she was a little calmer in bed she delved in and drew out

JODI

Thanks Jodi and everyone else too that added a comment or just came to visit!

If Jodi could get in touch with me on belindaw@me.com and give me your address I will bundle up the goodies and send them off asap!

Will pop a piccie up here before it goes!

Belinda x

And the Candy Winner Is...........................

2009-02-28T22:22:00.003Z

In the spirit of 'Dancing on Ice' to be announced ..........................................................................after the break (thats tomorrow in the non tv world!!!!!)

Time has run away from me today and I did promise it would be Livvy who drew the winner and I only really remembered this after she was tucked up in her NEW big girl bed- so I couldn't disturb her! The cot is gone YES!!!!!! (well as far as the loft!) Bed bouncing or 'Kangarooing' as she likes to call it is the new pastime here! Ummm not sure how long the new big girl bed will cope!!!!!

Keep your fingers crossed for tomorrow! I have added a few more little pressies to the stuff In the photos so hope you likey?!!! I will post the name of the winner and will wait until Wednesday 4th March for the winner to let me know their contact details so I can send them the goodies. If I don't hear by then I will re-draw the winner.

Belinda x

More from the Workshop

2009-02-23T14:09:00.005Z

Well Friday night was good, the Workshop was well attended - I think that the Demo of Creative Memories Software went down well. There were several positive comments made regarding the editing capabilities and the printing options - 2 things that sold this to me even before I became a Consultant. A couple of the ladies had already bought it, but just needed some tips too!

I set a challenge too, with a prize and as there were only 3 people to have a go one being completely new to scrapbooking and one other very new to it, I gave all three a little something!

We had some really nice snowy photos there and they made some lovely Winter lay outs. Thanks ladies for letting me share these the first one is Anne's and second Michelle's . Sorry the colours not great strip lights in the hall.

I have just been over to www.elzybells.co.uk and checked out their new stamps that are launched today my personal favourite (though I love them all!!) 'Just Desserts' I cannot resist that cute little girl oh and imagine those donuts coated in Diamond Glaze yum, yum!!

Check them out and I'm sure you will love them too!

Belinda x

Quick Post - Workshop to prep!!

2009-02-20T17:11:00.003Z

Well I am having another Workshop tonight and am hoping that it is as successful as last time. I am doing a demo of the CM photo software and also setting the ladies a challenge to win a little prize! The challenge involves creating a layout with just one photo and leaving about 60% of the cardstock visible! I for one love it when others use this style of layout, but find that I've been reluctant to try it!!

I'm taking my camera and hope to seek permission to pop some of the layouts here! We will have a secret ballot for the winning LO. The prize is a lovely pack of CM Pastel papers with matching circular journalling boxes, and a little box made by me (with my new Scor-Pal, lovin it too!!) filled with Dark Chocolate coated Marzipan bars- yummy!!

Will be back with how things went!

Belinda x

He will strangle me but..................

2009-02-18T13:17:00.004Z

Well for the first time ever Neil sat at my desk and created something for me! Now you must understand he is a planner - that's what he does much of the time, he announced that he was off to create. I listened intently from above for rustling, chopping, punching etc............... not a craft-like sound to be heard for perhaps 20 minutes - then action, wow those punches must of been near combusting!!!!!!! Yes you've got it stage one was the planning!!!

Valentines Day arrived and I was presented with his card and I was very impressed well done Hun- it shows great promise and if I have a large commission and a pressing deadline then I may recruit you - planing time permitting!!!!!

The card I made for Neil was another circle card cut again with my CM Cutting System a CC Designs Monkey Stamp a flower made from little punched vellum hearts (same punch N used or my card) a pretty jewel in centre, paper from magazine freebies, SU scallop punch, rub ons.

I got a guide to Photoshop Elements (designed for numpties like me) and some choccies, I requested no flowers as they are so expensive for the few days around Valentines, and I hate being ripped off!!

Belinda x

Am I on a roll??

2009-02-11T07:28:00.004Z

Gosh it's like Buses none for ages and then they all come at once!!

Here is a card I made for a special little girl's 1st Birthday last week. We don't get to see her very often as she now lives in Wales, but we think of her and her Mummy often!

Card was in shades of purple and deep pink. Magnolia image (coloured with my promarkers), Stampin Up scallop punches, circle sentiment from Craftwork Cards and stickles in ice on those cute wings, though as usual the piccie doesn't really pick it up. Ribbon was a scrap in my ribbon bag that seemed to match!

Decided to play with font, colours etc. Oh well little things please little minds!

Belinda x

Candy For Anyone??!!

2009-02-10T22:26:00.005Z

Well my counter passed 1000 hits recently, bit blown away as I do tend to drone on quite a bit - that's when I do manage a post............! But hey, I'm chuffed that I have some visitors, so Thank you so much to all that visit and my very friendly 8 followers especially! I would like to give you all a chance to win a few (hopefully) well chosen bits and pieces:

1. A Creative Memories Picfolio Minutes Album in Navy with a Pink strap. - This is boxed and from my current stock and lovely. It holds 24 6X4 piccies and stands up like an easel when the pink strap links around it, allowing you to change the picture whenever you want. I will include a nice selection of 24 coloured mounting sheets to pop behind your photos. The Album is totally photo safe and so are the papers. It's yummy!!

2. A while back I showed piccies and raved about some shaded paper packs from a local discount store so a pack of these in shades of Reddy/Pinkish/Coral (soooo descriptive........not!)

3. Some lovely silver Metal Flower Embellishments, with the trend for adding metal charms and embellishments these are great!

4. A large selection of stamped images, focussing on those suitable for men's cards, don't we all struggle there!!!! Including Fireman, Fisherman, Pirate, Snowboarder, VW Camper Van, Martial Arts etc Will include girlie stuff too though!!

5. Last but not least a shopping pad altered by yours truly.

And there will no doubt be several other things added by the time I've reached the closing date...........

In order to be in it to win it leave a comment below this post and you will get one entry, if you have a blog and would like an extra entry mention my candy on your blog and link back here. End date will be 28th Feb and I will pop all entries into a hat and let my little Livvy pick the winner. I am happy to post overseas so no restrictions there! Good Luck!

Belinda x

The obligatory 'Snowshow'

2009-02-08T13:19:00.004Z

Well it just had to be done here are some of our snow pics from recent days! I haven't got the most recent ones yet and there are few funny ones I might add, as long as everyone isn't totally fed up with looking at snowy pictures - perhaps I may leave them until we are basking in hot sunshine in a few months, then we can reminisce!!!!!!!!

Those local to Bristol should recognise the big yellow house in the background of one of these.

As for the snowman here they just found him out by himself, Livvy was having a little chat with him, and asking him where he got his haircut!!

My son Sam is pulling Livvy on the sledge, his school closed on Thursday and Friday, but as he gets the public bus there and they weren't running he wouldn't have made it in anyway! Big smiles all round. Our snowfall after this was a fair bit heavier.

Oh and as I have gone over 1,000 hits woo hoo!, I am sorting some 'candy' that will be my next post, hopefully later today!

Belinda x

Card to Share

2009-02-03T10:19:00.005Z

Hi, here's a card, quickly put together the other day for my nephew Kyle's Birthday. He was 7 and is into performing in a big way!

He loves singing, dancing and had a guitar for Christmas - a prediction - a new Rock Star of the future! He also does love his Martial Arts classes too so.......perhaps an Olympian of the future too as he has a pretty determined personality, he'll definitely succeed whichever he decides to pursue!

The DP is High School Musical bought on my recent trip to Exeter for Crafts4Crafters, image is a die cut from Lilli of the Valley, letter stickers-Loupy Lou from Doodlebug and note charm from stash.

Belinda x

Some of my storage to share!

2009-02-02T23:44:00.004Z

Just thought I might share a few piccies of my storage for my 12x12 papers as I had no room for racks that store horizontal and no depth to store vertically, I had the idea of a shoe cabinet! The doors tilt down and as each pull down section would hold 2 pairs of shoes then I assumed - correctly that this would work. Mine has 4 door, I bought it from IKEA in the bargain

section and as it was ex-display got it for £25 which I thought was great. It works so well for me.

For my wood mounted stamps, I began storing these in plastic see-through boxes a while ago but ran out of the ones I was buying and left the remainder in a drawer, but when Neil built me this craft space I found similar boxes on an office supplies web-site and got as many as I could fit on my shelves. They are stored by theme and fairly easy to see and to find!

It's been only a small flurry of snow here, but we really made the most of it today, out on the sledge with Livvy. We've had it for about 4 years and finally it got a proper use! Is it me or does the snow bring out the boy in men......... but Neil was like the biggest kid trying to find the best slope to 'test' the sledge for us. We started to make a smallish snowman, but as I was working on the head and Neil was in charge of body, it was clear to see that men are not the best and most practical of snowman builders! Well at least my man isn't, his bit broke up several times and on his third attempt, with something just slightly larger than your 10 year olds average snowball it was suggested that our snowman should become micro mini and I should have a promotion to body builder ( not pumping iron kind............!) so small body and tiny head - Livvy contemplated our creation and announced 'like a dog! - woof! woof!' So it seems today we created our first snow dog!!

Belinda x

Busy Weekend & Tagged by Lainy

2009-01-27T22:33:00.005Z

Well last Friday (24th) was my first 'in a hall' Workshop for Creative Memories and I was chuffed that it was so well attended (12 ladies). I really enjoyed the evening and met 4 new ladies, some more card makers than scrappers, so with card making being my fave thing too we all got on really well!

Some lovely pages were made and I got a chance to demo some of the new punches, shape cutters and trimmers that I invested in for my workshops. The evening started for the scrappers at 7:30 and some of the girls left as late as 10:50 so clearing up/locking up and dropping my Mum home I got back home about 20 to midnight! Had a rubbish nights sleep the night before, Livvy awake at 3am until about 5:30 so a bit jaded but sm

iled through the evening - yawning isn't good with new people is it??!

We have been having broken sleep a lot recently with Livvy and so I was pretty tired on Saturday morning, but we had arranged to go visit friends that live in Beer in Devon, via Exeter where Crafts4Crafters was being held 24th - 26th. Creative Memories had a stand there, and I thought I would go and say hi to the girls and see how my papercrafting samples had gone down! I was worried that I would wander around and get very tempted to spend, but I felt that it was more needlecraft, knitting and stuff and so not too much temptation, but a bit!!! There were a few things that caught my eye, I gave in to a few, but not all...............!

Got to our friends about 6pm after being picked up after the show, Neil and Livvy had dropped me off earlier in the day and travelled the 20 miles or so on to Beer. Had the most gorgeous two courses ever and hit the hay - Livvy slept all night must have been the estuary walk that they all had (we seriously doubted that would happen given her pattern at the mo) ironically their little one woke us (all except Livvy) at 5am!!! Had a great day with our friends a wonderful roast and then headed home.

It was great to have a change of scenery and it's a really lovely part of the country. The girls got on so well too, we have some really cute pictures of them together Clara was one in October and Livvy just a tad over a year older, soooooo sweet!!!!

Talking of sweet Lainy has tagged me (thanks Lainy!) the challenge being find the 6th Folder in your Photo Library and the 6th photo in that folder

Here it is

This was taken in November 2006 when Livvy was just a couple of months old, seems like forever ago now - where does the time go???????!!!!!!!!

Will pass on tags tomorrow...............hopefully!!

Belinda

We have the best neighbours!

2009-01-17T23:19:00.007Z

I know Christmas seems a dim and distant memory now, but....... since I am madly making scrapbook and card samples for my Creative Memories business at the mo, I was going through the Christmas pictures and I found this one. It makes me think how lucky we are to have such great friends that are also our neighbours and how thoughtful people can be. Sam lives next door with her Hubby Ian and they have twin girls soon to be 5, on Christmas Eve Sam arranged for Santa to leave his footprints on both their path and our path after he had landed with Rudolph and co! Bit of a skiddy landing as you can see by the marks left. I don't know the stopping distance for a sleigh but I think Santa may have been exceeding the speed limit a little, he was in a big hurry though so I guess it was understandable! Anyway, Livvy thought it was great but was a little bemused when the footprints were still on the ground over a week later. Sam explained to us that they were talc and as it had been so cold and with no rain there they had stayed. All gone now though as the wet stuff returned last week.

I'm having fun making up the samples, they are for my CM Director to use at a show next month. I can appreciate now when I read on others blogs the difficulties in being DT members and working with a kit and not being able to dip into your stash. I have tried to pack all my other stuff away and just stick with CM stuff. Tool-wise it's easy as the cutting system is fab, in fact it was what sold me on becoming a consultant. I had purchased so many circle cutters and been disappointed every time (I am a huge circle fan) I know Nesties are great too but costly and I would end up buying all of them without my cutting system, and not everyone wants a die cutting machine do they? I have just ordered the new Squares and Rectangles set from CM and am looking forward to getting going with it, it will cut 18 different nesting shapes as does the Circle set amazing until you hear that the Oval cuts 24 nesting shapes. They are my best CM products no doubt. I do love the Tag Maker it's a close runner up, there could be some competition for the runner up spot though I have also ordered the new Sweetheart shapemaker which looks fab and is really versatile. I am a bit buzzy about CM at the moment (in case you didn't notice!!) I went to a training day last Saturday and it was a brill day and got me even more inspired and excited about new product lines that have just been launched and all the lovely stuff in the pipeline. The Hostess programme has been recently changed and is really brill too. I have a number of friends that work with or Host party plan (direct sales companies) and we all try and go to each others parties in order to support each other, but Anne Summers, Pampered Chef, Virgin Vie, Body Shop and Candlelight have been in my diary in the last year and none of them have such generous Hostess Rewards. So with a new year and with renewed vigour I am happy to be focusing my energies on being a very active Creative Memories Consultant.

Belinda x

My Christmas Nigella Moment (well 2 days!)

2009-01-03T22:46:00.006Z

Well as previously mentioned I did get my mitts on the book that is Nigella's Christmas, and boy was I gonna use it!! I had spent a small fortune for the previous 2 supermarket visits on seasonal ingredients, and with my heart brimming at the idea of giving homebaked gifts to our lovely neighbours and friends, I began!! Two days and 6 dishwasher loads later the idea had worn a tad tarnished...........but! It all tasted fab - I made 'chocolate biscuits with icing sprinkles', 'cranberry christmas morning muffins', 'cranberry mincemeat tarts' and 'christmas puddini truffles'.

At the end I wrapped and decorated these homemade goodies and added some labels and delivered them with love!! They were all well received and only one neighbour eluded me and disappeared before I could deliver..........so no choice really when they hadn't returned by Boxing Day we ate them ourselves - um yummy!!!

I think I need a break from being a 'Domestic Goddess' until perhaps..........next Christmas!!

My blog entries are a little like buses none for an age then they all come at once!

Belinda x

So what did you get????

2009-01-03T11:08:00.009Z

My gosh how long since I posted?????? So..............Happy New Year oh and Merry Christmas oops bit late!!!!

Here is a couple of photos from our first Santa trip with Livvy - she was a little hesitant until she got to knock on the toyshop door to pick a present - then strangely she was very eager!!!

Were you all lucky, did you get what was on your Christmas list? My list was very short but I got all that was on it so I was a very happy girl - well girl is stretching it 'old girl' would be more appropriate given my age! I got the new Take That CD Circus, the DVD 'Stardust' that had 'Rule the world' as it's soundtrack by Take That (is there a theme here?!), and a Graphics Tablet for my Apple Laptop. These were the items on my list and I was chuffed to also get Pink's new CD and Rhianna too music wise. Neil got me an Apple Photo Book with the photos of all the highlights of 2008 and this was my favourite pressie by far! Gorgeous piccies of my little Livvy, I can't quite believe the changes in her from January 2008, It's not until you look at photos you really see how fast they grow. He has done an amazing job with this book, firstly they are all his photos he has taken, he is always behind that Canon Camera of his, I moan about it at times - but boy am I now pleased that he takes such brilliant pictures at all the important and also unimportant times because all these times are moments to capture for ever - to never forget - to look back on days, weeks, months & years from now and smile and remember!

I don't believe in New Years Resolutions but I think we can all try to be better at being aware of improving who and how we are - so with that in mind:

no 1. I will (try) not to moan at him when he points that lens at me when I am laughing and enjoying my family and life in general and he captures that moment - I will try not to worry about how many chins I have, or if my nose looks big at that angle (it does at every angle anyway, it's my Dad's nose so.......!!) or that my teeth are crooked! God now I sound like I look like the 'elephant man'!!!

no 2. I will try to keep on task and not go off on a tangent - very hard for me as I find it impossible to do the short version, and I digress to the point of losing the point all the time, as if you've followed this blog from day 1 you probably already know ( I get this from my Mum.............!!!)

no 3. Take responsibility for my own foibles (sorry Dad, sorry Mum!!) and accept I need to change and to chill. I will read that time management book that I bought and only flicked through during 2008.

no 4. Not leave my craft space in a total tip, thin my overloaded cupboards as I go! Cut down on the purchases, until I am sure I need them (I mean really need them!!) bit of a large get out clause here!!!!!!

Belinda x

I'm making a list, checking it twice!

2008-12-19T08:12:00.006Z

I love lists!, they make me feel like I'm organised (which I'm not!), they give a feeling of control over the uncontrollable. How funny is it that as Christmas fast approaches and there seem to be millions of things to do and so little time to create the miracles the season demands, unless you are Nigella of course (I would love yo be Nigella, well at Christmas I would anyway), sorry back on track -

it's

funny that a piece of paper and a pen are all that are needed to

create that long (very long!) list that means-'I know what is required, I have it down here and I'm gonna do it!' Now I hardly check that list again, but hey I made it, I thought about what needed doing and it helped - weird eh?!........... Probably just me then!! On the subject of Nigella am I the only one who thinks it's strange that there is never anyone else in that house - other than the dinner guests that is! We could all be domestic goddesses surely if we could sashay around our enormous kitchens brandishing our blowtorches while stroking our kitchenaid mixer..........I wish!!!! No kids attached to our fluffy Bunny slippers or men walking in saying ' how much longer are you gonna be there and when is tea - and where's my clean socks???!!' Aaahhhhh a huge house of festive loveliness all to ourselves with a basement wine cellar and multiple freezers - we could all be Nigella then - actually I would need a compresser for the boobs but I'd be almost there and a face lift.........maybe I should make a list??!!!

I'd had a Charity Raffle going on for CM since October and did the draw last week, the prize was a fab 8x8 Album, Pages, Papers and Stickers and I used 'Random Org' to select the winner which was no 41. It was won by Rich KD my neighbours Son-In-Law and I managed to raise £40 for Children's Hospice South West. The charity was chosen as this years company charity in memory of a little boy called Joe Way, who sadly passed away at the age of four after being diagnosed with 2 different syndromes that made life very difficult for both little Joe and his family. The family live in Cornwall and had to travel to Devon to a children's hospice when Joe was able to, however toward the end of his life this was not possible, as he could not travel that far and Claire and Matt, Joe's parents had to manage at home. The money raised to build this Hospice will make such a difference to so many families like the Way family and would give children who have short and difficult lives a change of scenery and some smiles and fun, that can be hard to come by in their normal home environments! It can give parents some breathing space and a chance for a little 'normality' for the siblings of terminally ill children. I was in bits a long with many others when I watched the short film that introduced us to the charity that CM would support this year at our September Roadshow in Leicester. The film talked about Joe's short life that was full of the love of his family, including his big sister Megan and his meeting his new baby brother Finn just before he sadly passed away in May! His Parent's Matt and Claire are such courageous people and they have found comfort in the fund raising that they have organised for the Hospice in Joe's memory! I guess the thought of giving other families support when going through such a difficult time helps to heal, and during such sadness a focus can help to find away through when there is the need to reconcile that question - WHY? The full story of Joe's courage and that of the whole family! is on their website www.joeway.com - warning you will need a box of tissues for sure!!!!!!! If you are as moved as we all were then there is a link to donate from the website, it's a fantastic cause.

Couple of cards to get back to the christmas thing oh and since I started this entry this morning , I have been out and managed to get my mitts on Nigella's booky, wook yeahey praise the Lord!!!

Chrissy shopping almost finished.........I think...........must check that list!!!!!!!

Belinda x

Fab Party with Sian!

2008-12-08T14:48:00.003Z

Well I had a busy day on Saturday, Christmas Sale in the afternoon, that I enjoyed. Didn't sell masses but it was lovely, it was the School that Sam used to attend before he went to High School and it was such a nice school then and it still is. They have a new Head there who I met on Saturday, who is such a lovely guy and knows all the children by their christian name and is so lovely with them all.

Followed by a trip over to Bathampton for my Unit Leader Sian's party, to celebrate her becoming a Director with Creative Memories. The party was fab and we all had a great time, there was an inspired idea by Sian to have this amazing dress-up area with a photo booth. It was craaaaaaaaazzzzyyyyy! We all got into the booth (obviously not all of us together!) and had a blast!! It was crazy and there were some very, very funny shots.

When the light is better I will post the couple I brought home, soooooo funny!!! Food was fabby too care of Waitrose very posh and very yummy!! All in all it was a great celebration for a great lady Sian is a very inspirational person and there were many emotional tributes on the night and several of us could have taken shares in kleenex, blub, blub!!

My little Livvy woke up last night at about 1:30 am and was up for a while and managed to disturb Sam who starts his GCSE Mocks today. His first one is his weakest subject - basically he just doesn't enjoy it! He went off to school at 7:30am extremely tired and not looking forward to things!! Poor kid!!

Belinda x

More Makes for Saturday

2008-12-05T17:59:00.003Z

Couple more of the cards for the Christmas Sale.

Like a Candle in the Wind!

2008-12-05T16:58:00.008Z

Well I've been trying some new bits for this Saturday's Christmas Sale, including some Candles and here they are! I must say thanks to Mum for lending me her new stamps the beautiful Snowman one is from a set I recently got on her behalf from Dies to Die for, Mum's not into on-line purchasing ....yet! The stamps are by a company called Darcie's and they stamp so beautifully I love em (don't worry Mum you'll get em back.......eventually!!) they come in a plastic DVD size clear storage case with some illustrated designs on there for inspiration! I hope I have some pennies for Crimbo to order some of the other brill designs Tracy has in her shop, oh and if you've never ordered from there the service is amazing, I received my stamps next day......so quick!!!! Other stamps on the candles are Bella - Snowbunnybella, a teddy with flowers (not sure who makes this!!), Sugar Nellie - Maggie with dottie scarf (one in pastels & one bright!). All coloured in with Promarkers and a touch of stickles here and there for good measure!!!

Here we go again!

2008-12-04T08:29:00.004Z

Well I am doing another Christmas Fair on Saturday, so busy, busy, busy again........... This time i've got some candles too, I did one for the first time last Christmas and I was fairly pleased with it, so..... I thought I'd go for it and purchased some nice candles on my visit to Ikea last week. I have stamped the images and am in the process of adding colour and glitter and will attach with the heat-gun once Livvy is in bed this evening. Neil is out for dinner with some old work colleagues tonight so it'll be go, go, go! (sounds like a rocket launch or something!!!!!!!)

I am soooooo behind with the Crimbo gift shopping this year, though this is nothing new, however, we had agreed that this year we would be more organised and get it all done much earlier - That was before we got the horrible buggy thing that lasts..........forever!!

My eldest Sam has his GCSE mocks starting next week so it's a bit of a war zone here, me expecting a tad more effort in the revision and research area, him thinking more xbox 360 than education argghhhhh!!! Maybe I should just refuse to feed him unless he works harder (he has an appetite!) - would that be evidence of child cruelty and be likely to involve a call to Childline, and a possible holiday at the pleasure of Her Majesty??!! Could this mean I won't have to cook Christmas lunch this year............. ummm let me weigh this up!!!!!!

Belinda x

Christmas Fete and a week with the Lurrgy!!!

2008-11-30T22:58:00.004Z

Well me and my big ideas, I found out last Sunday that I could get a table at a local school Christmas Sale on the 29th and decided that it would be good experience, and a chance to get some feedback on my stuff and maybe make a few pennies too!

Neil agreed to help out with Livvy more, so as to free me up to get all my ideas to become reality............... that was before Livvy took a nose-dive in the health department - again!! Don't know what it is with this 'cold virus' going around, both Livvy and

me have had it on and off for weeks, I've felt like cr*p too, but she has been real poorly - runny nose, horrid cough, not eating (she's a poor eater anyway!) crying loads! and not sleeping at night - which obviously means I've been hanging! Not sure why my children never do the lie on the sofa with a blanket kind of ill, just the hanging on my legs rubbing snot into them and crying sort of ill.............! Neil tried hard with her trying when she was at her least miserable to take her out in the car all bundled up cosy to try to prevent her leech impersonation upon my person!!! By Thursday evening however he had come down with serious man-flu, so, that was that, leech permanently attached again. I swear if I have to wipe anymore snot or hear much more coughing I'll book myself into the funny farm.

Got to the school and it wasn't a 'Fete' it was to be precise a 'Bazaar', now I wasn't sure what the difference was, but it appeared that there were loads of Tombola, Lucky Dip, Spin the Arrow win a prize kind of things???!!!

Anyways..........it was ok, my first experience of such so - can't make much of a comparison. The Lady on the next table seems to do lots of events like these and she was not very busy at all. As I was late in booking I was also in the room furthest from the entrance, but there were lots of people there, so a good turnout!

A couple of things that I planned didn't pan out too well - Didn't get the candles done and a little lesson learned was never look at things on the net and plan around using them til you see them in real life! My Ikea mugs that I had planned for 'Snowman Soup' IRL were teeny, tiny!!!!!!!!! Time for plan B. Ikea had brill tall patterned paper cups and so these were my plan B. this also made the whole thing cheaper to create & so less expensive for selling!!

Lastly here is a pic of Livvy who during one of her better moments this week decided that this storage box for her toys was a bath! Aawww bless!

Snowman Soup

2008-11-21T10:21:00.002Z

Well I am hanging my head in shame - new to the blogging world and at the point where I should be full of enthusiasm and drive in this new endeavour, and I haven't posted for a week!!!!!!!!

I have been crafting, but not a huge amount to show for it as most of the cards I made this week were given to recipients straight away and the light has been awful as well as the fact I had forgotten to take pics when the light wasn't so naff.

My OH Neil was in a state of paralysis after his eldest Sophie turned 18 yesterday - he just mumbled constantly 'where has the time gone, it seems like yesterday............!' I guess that's the definition of feeling old then!

I did some planning this week for some hand crafted gifts that I am going to make for family and friends this year. Watched lots of tutorials, bought lots of ingredients to make one of gifts that I'm duplicating for sooooo many people, as I think it's a fab pressie for all sorts of peeps! I am going to have to to lots of taste testing though cos I've found a site with a recipe for a luxury hot chocolate drink aka 'Snowman Soup', but there are loads of reviewers suggesting different quantities to the original and also little additions that enhance the flavour!!!!!

So I have sourced the following:

Mugs - Ikea lovely smoked glass come in 4 shades 79p each

Marshmallows - tiny mini ones from Whittards large bag should do 10 mugs £3.50

Luxury Chocolate drink - Made by Whittards bought in Morrisons on offer saving £1 - £1.99

Mint Chocolate Stirring Sticks - M&S on offer buy one get one half price £2.99 each

There are other ingredients but I'd bought those already. I have seen this idea on lots of blogs but the Snowman Soup name I must credit to Angie Kennedy Juda (aka chic'n'scratch). There is a label with a poem on Angie's version, I have used poetic licence on mine so it differs a little.

I will post a picture when these are done!

As I said there are some other things in the pipeline too. It's so inspiring when you look at all the ideas out there, and I have to do something to reduce the stockpile of paper and card that I will soon be buried under!!!!! I won't buy anymore honest!!!! (Neil reads my blog now so that's for him!)

I have a great craft area that Neil built for me at the bottom off the lower stairs, next to the utility and garage - so no natural light! (We live in a Town house) We got some tall narrow Billy bookcases from Ikea and with the rest of the space he cleverly built with matching contiboard shelving and went as high as poss. Great but fairly shallow depth! The desk also from Ikea was white top with separate tubular legs with wheels. I really wanted the Alex drawer set to store my 12x12 papers, that I have also seen in many other craft areas on many blogs, but space was tight so...... we found one of the shoe cabinets in white the pull down type with 4 sections and my 12x12 papers are mainly in there with the Christmas ones in a Paper Mania storage case under the desk.

It all looked lovely when I first got everything sorted into my new space, then............... I began my Creative Memories experience and had to fit my tote, tools and stock in the space too! Big squash!

My biggest problem at the mo, apart from being a really messy worker is - losing things and I have tried re-organising a few things and that hasn't helped much as now l can't even find the things I used to!!!! Labeling is the key I'm sure and that's my goal - when I have time!

Will clean up and do photos to share I promise.

I've rambled - sorry, time to stop!

Belinda x

Some New Crimbo Cards (about time!!)

2008-11-14T15:51:00.005Z

Well I have made a start on some cards, not what you would call traditional though - but I wanted to experiment a little!

The majority of papers used are the new Pink Petticoat 'Tis the Season' Download. I can't recommend Liz's downloads enough! I bought last years and this years and you can mix and match both sets. This year however Liz has been super clever and created 4 different palettes for the patterned paper, that should suit everyone's taste. The palettes are 'Playful',' Contemporary', 'Victorian', & 'Traditional' and all are stunning, in addition there are all the colours of Liz's usual palette as plain and patterned co-ordinating papers and fab animal image stamps including Owls, Donkeys, Robins to name just a few, maybe you can tell I am a huge fan??????? A few scalloped edges cut with scallop edge scissors - not easy as they seem to rip as much as cut!!! Some ribbon from various places, though the red with white stitching was bought at John Lewis this week from their Christmas dept designed for gift wrapping 3yrds on a card with 3 yrds of red pom,poms on a cord, that will be used really soon all for £1.99.

Have been jazzing up some chipboard while Livvy napped this afternoon, so hope to use this asap! Also I've been planning some gifts that I've been doing my best magpie collecting for - will post these as I make them.

There is sooooooo much inspiration out there in Blogland and I am so excited about joining such a caring and idea sharing group from all four corners of the Globe. I have been particularly inspired by Chic 'n' scratch what a clever lady! and Dawns stamping thoughts she too is amazing, creative and very generous sharing all she does! These two ladies have so many wonderful ideas that I would take forever to try them all!!

Belinda x

More from the Workshop

2008-11-12T08:31:00.004Z

No favouritism honestly!, here are a couple of other great LO's from Saturday these are by Kirstin and Jodie and both 12x12. I am hoping to pop all the LO's from Saturday on my Creative Memories Blog over the next few days. History of these LO's - Jodie has just returned from a trip to Cyprus where she got Married and it was the most beautiful ceremony and she looked amazing, as did little Hollie her gorgeous little girl. Jodie's projects at the moment involve making pages of her recent Holiday snaps! Kirstin's current LO's are Family photos that she has had a while, including a few before her 3rd child Riley (now one) was born. She was having a feeling of guilt adding titles to her page involving My Family etc as Riley wasn't there, so we came up with a logo using the initials B R - Before Riley!!!!! well if BC works then why not!!!!! Her journalling explained the logo - it worked really well!

Workshop News!

2008-11-12T07:55:00.005Z

Well.....................! I enjoyed my first one, and it wasn't stressful, mind you would have been a tad easier without the stinker of a headache that I woke up with!

Lower numbers than I had hoped for, with one of my expecteds working later than she'd hoped and not making it and another who was having a Memorial for her Husband the following day and had got behind after taking loads of phone calls from friends and relatives on Saturday morning. Both totally understandable!

Anyway we had a bit more space and with one very messy scrapper on board ( no not me I wasn't scrapping with them!!) no names you know who you are Kirstin............whoops it slipped out!!, the largish table was full with stash and off they went.

I offered 2 tutorials and ended up switching them around as it seemed more sensible to do the one about using sketches and templates first. After we'd gone through the principles and uses then Anne (Kirstin's Mum), did an amazing LO with photos of a Cathedral she had recently visited and as she is working in an 8X8 format for her current album, one of the sketches was perfect for the photos she had with her. This LO for me was one of the best of the day! She also made full use of what she had learned in Tutorial 2 with the adding of journalling around her photo matt and some creative doodling to set the whole thing off - it was truly beautiful!!!

The original sketch was from Scrapbook Inspirations, I love that mag so badly I have 'had' to subscribe and with me being bargain hunter extraordinaire got an offer for my first three for £3 - yes that's £1 each woo hoo!!

If you have a family member that you are stuck for a Chrissie Pressie for, Magazine Subscriptions make brilliant gifts - imagine a pressie every month not just on the 25th December, how brill.

Belinda x

My First Workshop!

2008-11-07T15:44:00.002Z

I am busy getting ready for my first workshop tomorrow afternoon that I'm holding at my house for my Creative Memories customers. Goodie bags to prepare, handouts to print and samples to finish! I must say I am really looking forward to it though.

I have a small group coming as I didn't want to be overwhelmed first time around. I started with CM in the beginning of June this year and the format for their parties is 'class based' , the Hostess gets together 5 or 6 friends who each bring 5 or 6 photos and I (being the consultant woo hoo!!) help them make their first Scrapbook page. First ever 'Class' and I had 9 ladies including the Hostess Arghhhhhhh helpppppp!! It was chaotic but fun, I made mistakes but hey, that's how we learn!

Now we are talking very basic stuff here, which for some of the ladies is all they require, others are a little more creative and want to adapt and develop their own style. This is where the Workshops come in. This Workshop I will have 2 tutorials available if the ladies wish to join me at the tutorial table (in the lounge) if not they can beaver on in their own way in the crop room (my kitchen). The tutorials are 1. Doodles for your pages and 2. Inspiration with Sketches.

There will be a tool table somewhere!!!! - as you can see this a work in progress! CM tools are my favourites in Scrapbooking terms. I love their cutting system it's the best I have and I have many..............! I have bought several and until I got my CM starter kit I believed that cutting perfect circles was pretty much hit and miss! The company has just introduced another set of templates Circles and Rectangles and these are my next purchase for my tool kit for definate!!!

The 12" Wavy cutting tool with 2 waves, a fab Tearing tool a lovely Tag maker I had to have them all obviously. Commission spent and Craft Room full I am awaiting what will hopefully be a great afternoon - the first of many!!

I will take some pictures tomorrow and post them to show what we did, and I will update on whether my optimism was misplaced !!

Belinda x

Another Baby Card

2008-11-03T11:17:00.005Z

Well I did say I loved these Stamps. I have included a piccie of these stamps on this post and I ordered mine from 'Capture the Magic' excellent service from these guys they arrived in a flash, as I am not the most patient when I have wanted them for ever...........I was really happy! They came on an A4 poly sheet all ready to whole punch and pop in my folder so double fab! Did this card last night and I was so pleased with it, it's one of my all time favourites!! I used a patchwork idea that I have used before but this time instead of using all squares (punched using HobbyCraft punch, various papers) I did some pieces that are double size of the square and added these in. I can't take the credit for this idea as I've seen it several times before, but I love the effect. I then did various doodle stitches, used my baby vest stamp (again!!) on some patterned paper from a 'Paper Cellar' paper pad, cut out and placed this with foam pads on a punched black circle. Doodled white dots and a white ribbon and sentiment and Voila.......!

The second thing to show is the first attempt at using my Bind It All. I did this a few months ago and again the BIA was a must have purchase for me, I do love it, but I am very naughty and haven't used it since. Mental note...........again blow off the cobwebs and get cracking with the BIA nowwwww!!! Used K and Co paper pad Hannah Stamp and Papermania flower.

One last piccie on an older post I mentioned some fab paper in various colour palettes from a local value store here is the red colour way and so cheap under a pound, double sided and white core. I use them often as a paper pierced border, I used the beige this way on my other vest card on my last post with white gel pen stitches to good effect I think!

Inspiration from Kristina!

2008-10-31T12:37:00.004Z

Hi again

I love, love, love Kristina Werner's Blog she is soooo talented. Make a card Monday is a must every week for me and now Finally Friday too so double helpings yeah!!

Here is a card that I 'cased' from a MACM episode a couple of months ago - it took me forever to find the stamps they are called 'Cute as a button" and are by a company called 'Technique Tuesday' but they are going to get a lot of use (funny really thats how I justify most of my new stamp purchases!!!!!!!!) Anyways............. Do you love this stamp like I do?????

BOO! Halloween Fun!

2008-10-31T09:01:00.005Z

Here are some cards I made for Halloween and also for the new Dinky Dots Den Challenge! I altered my Magnolia stamps one I turned into a spidery witch and the other started off all angelic sat on her cloud with her little wings and pigtails, and then I turned her into a proper little devil................!!!! Spider and Bats papers were Pink Petticoat downloads and are really fun.

Hope you like em?!

Belinda x

Here come the girls!

2008-10-26T22:50:00.005Z

Well I feel alive again, I'm out from under the duvet and I have one new card and two older ones to share. The new one is for a new Baby featuring a photo of my Daughter taken by her photography mad Father when she was about 6 months old. The paper is from one of the Dots Downloads from Pink Petticoat I printed 4 images to one A4 sheet making it more suited to my card this works well for paper piecing too! The 'So Sweet' stamp was 99p by Studio G. Faux Buttons are peel offs and available in lots of colours bought them last week and I love em!! Was quite pleased at how it turned out.

The other two cards I made a while ago, the Magnolia card has one of my favourite Magnolia images those little welly boots are sooo cute. I paper pieced them and I also love the pink and brown colour scheme! The flower is by Papermania with a little punched flower and brown brad, cuttlebug 'swiss dots' embossing folder background, and more dots on the paper, there seems to be a pattern forming........pardon the pun!!!

The other card again using Pink Petticoat Image (one of my favourite crafting resources) I love all their stuff if you haven't seen the new Christmas range - you must view them here

This was made quite a while ago and is in my stash pile!

Belinda x

Tagged by Poppy

2008-10-24T22:36:00.003+01:00

I have been given the honour of being tagged by Poppy

Here are the rules:

1. Link your tagger and list the rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of the post by leaving their names as well s links to their blogs.

4. Let them know that they have been tagged, by leaving a comment on their blog

5, Link your tagger and list the rules on your blog.

FACTS about me:

1. I have a 13 year age gap between my two children.

2. I live directly behind a famous Bristol Landmark ( The Dower House) it's the big yellow house on the hill above the M32.

3. I used to live right next to 'Big Pit Mining Museum' in Wales when I was a child, although it was then a disused pit.

4. When my daughter was due we hadn't agreed names though we had a shortlist for boys and girls names. I went into labour and she was born 2 days later on 'World Peace Day' (21st September) hence her name Olivia the meaning ' bringer of the olive branch, symbol of peace'.

5. Many years ago I had my Tarot Cards read and I was told that I would meet a man who would work on contracts and that I would have another child, neither of which I thought would ever be the case all those years ago.......... it came to pass.......spooky!!

6. I love mash potato sandwiches especially with salad cream........yum!!

7. I have an eye condition known as 'Keratoconus' this means that my corneas are irregular shaped and bumpy causing distortion and blurring of vision. I was diagnosed about 3 years ago.

I will do my tagging tomorrow as I am full of cold and need to get some sleep asap.

Night, Night

Belindax

Added Saturday - I'd like to pass the tag to:

1. Lainy

2 . Kim

3. Emma

4. Clair

5. Linda

6. Deb

7. Alison

Hope you can play girls!!

Belinda xxx

2008-10-19T17:26:00.003+01:00

Some little treat bags made from cellophane bags and tied with ribbon. Tags which by the way I love are from SU from the US. Love this set I bought from a seller in the US, they sell retired sets and with the dollar/pound exchange so good they work out really good even with the shipping. Two sets fit in one of the international shipping envelope that they use and I think that the shipping worked out at about $13 for each envelope, really affordable.

This set works with the SU small tag punch, and has a variety of different tags including Easter bunny, lovely blossom thank you, ribbon striped valentine and a gorgeous Christmas bauble one!

You will see more of SU sets I have purchased from this seller, and if anyone would like the details then email me and I will let you have them!

Slacking already, shame on me!

2008-10-19T17:05:00.003+01:00

I'm ashamed that I've been very slack and cannot give any relevant excuses other than I was a little like this with my 5 year diary that could have lasted me.........um 8 years when I was a child. Though I'm quite enjoying popping things here that I know at the moment aren't really looked at by many! That sounds a bit like a saddo I think, but as I haven't given links to this blog to people that I need to yet, I want to get in the swing and try to sound at least a tad interesting!!!!

Anyway a few projects: I thought maybe doing some challenges would be a good way to kick off and I enjoyed this one it was for 'A Spoonful of Sugar Challenge' , didn't enter it as again that might mean peeps looking - doh!!

Sugar Nellie stamp she is so pretty! DP from a 12x12 pad bought ages ago by Dena, flowers from Silly Monkey Crafts, Ribbon from Hobbycraft, Letter stickers from a page kit from my local cheap shop (Rajani's), green card also used for SU punched scallop from DCWV paper stack and black swirls from American Crafts rub on book ( I love these but they were tricky to apply to this DP), am I the only one who has issues with rub ons??!!

2008-10-09T19:42:00.008+01:00

A few things to share, firstly a card using a stamp from the Sugar Nellies range. A luggage tag has the image mounted on it bought in a pack from WH Smith, papers from a stack of male designs name escapes me, stamped name using Karen Foster Snap Stamps (love these) and lastly Skittle-Dee-Doo Sizzix Decorative Strip for the 'U Rock' sentiment, brilliant investment, I got mine for about £12.

Second a picture of Livvy the other day, looking like she was living in Siberia, we were seeing Grandma who likes to see Livvy 'wrapped up warm' . Livvy does have a tendency to get wheezy when she has a cold, so when we see Grandma we bundle her up a bit so we don't get told off!

The weather here today was lovely and fingers crossed the forecast says the same again for us in our little corner of world tomorrow.

Must just plug a few places in Bristol that have some great bargain craft items, the first is called Rajani (in Fishponds) and it is a huge store selling everything imaginable, a huge range of candles and masses of picture frames, my fave purchases are packs of shaded card in varying sizes, suitable for card making and at 89p a pack they are a steal. I will upload a photo of these tomorrow. Today I bought Red shades and Purple shades, but don't tell Neil. They also do sweets and choccies branded and un-branded for bargain prices, great for all those lovely treat boxes and bags that I am seeing on all the clever crafters blogs at the moment. They do have a large stationery and craft section, in my opinion some of this can be a bit cheap looking, but worth a rummage! Another note to self -do not give him this blog address until this post is at least on page 3, he'll never read past page 2!

There is a lovely Craft shop in Kingswood called 'Hooked on Crafts', with a very friendly and helpful owner, their stickles are the cheapest I've found locally. Nice selection of stuff that isn't available at places like Hobbycraft including easymount.

Will add some more local bargain plugs soon!

Belinda x

Hello Mum!!

2008-10-09T19:14:00.002+01:00

I must start this post with a shout out to my Mum (Joy). I gave her the info over the phone of the Blog address, but...............when I arrived at hers the following day, she informed me that my Blog didn't exist! Mum is fairly new to computers and my Brother set her and Dad up earlier this year with a Mac, wow , great I hear you say - ummmmm yes, well!!!!! Turns out that she had been popping a space in between the words in the blog address, ahhhhhh bless!! It's not just the over 60's though, Neil had to rescue his Brother on Tuesday who had been trying to use a portable internet device on his PC for 2 days insisting that he couldn't get on the internet with it and it was 'rubbish' , however when Neil checked he had been typing in www.goggle .co.uk!! When Neil had stopped rolling around the floor in hysterics he told Chris what he was doing wrong!!! So middle aged and senior aged (I'm being tactful here because she's reading this!) we can all have a bit of technical difficulty from time to time!

Christmas Cards, don't be fooled!!

2008-10-07T08:31:00.000+01:00

Well as promised here are some cards to share.

The Halloween Card I made last night is a Download from www.dinkydotscrafts.co.uk

she is called Lulu Witch and I think she's fab!!! The image comes in three sizes on the download and there is a Wizard available too, that is equally as cute! Picture is a little dark, the weather in Bristol today - PANTS!!

I've coloured her with Promarkers and used SU Dimensionals to give her a little space to wiggle her broomstick!! Black Paper doodled with White Signo Gel Pen, Orange self adhesive paper from DCWV matt stack Autumn, Ribbon from Hobbycraft. Little black jewels in corners to look like brads!

I don't usually make cards this big (folded A4) but wanted to try the larger image first!

Now you may be fooled into thinking that like other card makers in blogland that I am super efficient and have been designing and creating my Christmas cards for several months,...........uh noooooo! These are last years and I am as usual chasing my tail, and need to get my metaphorical finger out!!!!!!!

As I have quite a few past creations to share, it seems only fair that on each post that I add these oldies I also have to add a new one made that day or within the previous few days.

So this is my note to self - 'get organised and get your blooming finger out!'

Belinda x

Family Fun with Thomas

2008-10-05T22:47:00.000+01:00

Today Neil and I took Livvy (just turned two) to see her current TV favourite - Thomas the Tank Engine at Bitton Railway Station. The Fat Controller for those less sizist - Sir Topham Hat shook her hand and she pretended to be coy!!!!!!! She's so loud normally that anyone who knows her can see through her little ploy! In fact if they had seen her a 1/2 hr later yelling at the top of her voice in the shop when I wrenched the Thomas umbrella from her grasp, they would know the truth!!! Anyways she loved our steam train journey as did we highly recommended!

Over the next week or so I plan to share some of my past stuff here and see what you think!! I will also share some stuff about what's happening in life with me and mine!! I also hope to set up an area of my blog that will be for the customers present and future of my Creative Memories Business. This will let my customers know when I have offers and about Workshops, Open House Events and all things Scrapbooking relating to my Business, so watch this space!

Belinda x

Time to be out there!!

2008-10-04T23:17:00.000+01:00

I have been reading and viewing all the fantastic blogs out there for such a very long time, the inspiration and smiles that these have given me have brightened many a British 'Summer' and long chilly Winter Night!

I had this crazy idea that just maybe I might be able to have some interesting things to share!!! Well I guess that remains to be seen....................!

So for now welcome to my little space and I hope that you can find something to stop you falling asleep in front of your keyboard!!

Belinda