~ English Breakfast ~

Wow!

What more can I say about this fantastic kit I have received from Like For Ever.

 

It is great to have another UK based scrapbooking company that is producing a monthly kit. This is the first month I have subscribed although I have previously managed to bag a one off kit. The contents of this kit a amazing value!!!

 

 

So watch this space for lots of layouts using these fabulous products. Can't wait to get creating. If you feel the same then head over to Like For Ever and either get yourself signed up or order some stash (as a subscriber you get a discount too!).

 

All I can say is roll on next month!

 

Happy Crafting!

 

Terri

 x

~ I have a dream! ~

I'm deep in thought this Bank Holiday Monday!

 

I know quite a few people who love their job and their career is everything to them. I also know quite a few whose family means everything to them. But for me it's TRAVEL. Simply put I work to be able to travel the world.

 

This layout documents what I would love to do with my life if I was able to.

 

 

I used a Sketchibilities sketch to give me inspiration for this layout which uses some of my older stash up. I absolutely love using wood grain effect backgrounds. I think they give layoouts some real depth. I also used a white mist to create some distress on the patterned paper.

 

I hope you are all able to follow your dreams whether it be career orientated, involves family or like mine something completely different.

 

Happy Crafting!

 

Terri

x

~ Dining Out Tunisian Style ~

Good Morning!

I'm off to Body Combat shortly so thought I would just check in with one of my favourite layouts that I have created recently. Again this is using the Maggie Holmes Confetti collction of papers and a few random embellishments from my stash.

This layout shows a local restaurant we went to when we visited Tunisia last year. This roadside restaurant is called 'Cafe Kandil' and has been there for at least 12 years since my parents started going to Hammamet. It's basic, cheap and they do fantastic BBQ meats. Very little English is spoken so it is a case of pointing to the meat you want from the fridge. My fiancee had never been to Tunisia before but like me he enjoys experiencing countries how the locals do and this was the perfect restaurant to do that in.

 

I hope the weather stays nice for the bank holiday weekend. I think we all deserve some sun.

 

Happy Crafting!

 

Terri

x

~ TGI Friday! ~

Hello there!

 

Working shifts means I never really get that Friday feeling unless its for a holiday, but my other half frequently lets me know. So tonight, in accordance with that happy feeling many of you will be having I'm sharing a layout I created of a selfie taken on my birthday.

 

 

We went in to Sheffield to Peddler Market. We had a lovely afternoon listening to live music, eating street food, drinking real ale and cocktails. This photo shows us sat on the pavement eating pizza made in a mobile wood burning stove. It was scrummy!

 

These beautiful papers and embellishments are from the Maggie Holmes Confetti range. I absolutely love the versatility of this range.

 

We are having a relaxing friday night at home with Chinese takeaway and I'm on my second glass of prosecco. Any crafting done now could be rather wonky! If anyone asks it was meant to be like that!

 

Happy Crafting!

 

Terri

x

~ Another little jaunt! ~

This time last year we were enjoying a 2 week trip to Tunisia. Although I have been numerous times before it was my fiance's first time. We did however, do more travelling than I have previously done whilst there.

 

 

We booked a 3 day trip to the south of Tunisia, taking in the sights of the Sahara Desert. I was straight out of the movies. There were camels roaming free and road signs warning of camel crossing.

 

It wasn't until we returned to the hotel that we realised that the UK foreign office had recommended no travel to certain cities in the south and not to go withing 30km of the Algerian border. We had however broken all these recommendations, oops! Thankfully we arrived back safe and sound!

 

I love the above layout and it was created using a sketch from GogoGetaway. I used a 12x12 piece of patterned paper and cut it up to create all the tags.

 

Whilst we were away we took quite a few selfies. This one was taken at Sidi Bou Said, a very touristy place but nice to see the white and blue buildings.

 

Hope you are managing to get some crafting done. I've got a busy few weeks coming up but hoping to get some scrapbooking in.

 

Happy Crafting! 

 

~ A little bit of vintage ~

Happy Monday!

 

Well today is my last day off before I'm back at work tomorrow. I've loved having a week off to myself. My fiance is taking me out to Loch Fyne for a nice lunch date today followed by a stroll if the weather allows.

 

 

I thought what a perfect day to show a layout I created with a photo from another date we went on to a rooftop bar in the Trinity Centre, Leeds last year. I couldnt resist buying this paper when I visited my local craft shop. I love the vintage distress effect on the paper and allowed my to tear and distress my paper layers.

 

Happy Crafting!

 

~ Live to Travel! ~

Hi there, as you may have guessed travel is a huge a big interest of mine. I try to travel as much as my health will allow so I aim to cram as much in whilst I am well. Being a beach bunny does not appeal to me at all. I like to be out visiting villages, experiencing culture and enjoying amazing food!

 

 

I like to document both my trips and also my love of travel. These 2 layouts aim to do that. The layout above documents some of the places I aim to visit (I've already managed to accomplish a few on the list). We are currently starting to plan next years big trip, currently looking at Laos & Thailand or Trans Mongolian/Siberian Express.

 

 

I know a lot of people love their jobs and it is a defining part of their personality. But for me although I enjoy my job and it is a vocation I was drawn to it is not everything in my life. I don't have huge career aspirations, simply put I work to travel!

 

I hope you've been enjoying the posts over the last few days.

 

Happy Crafting!

 

~ India Part 2 ~

In January we spent 2 weeks travelling round South India and I'm ploughing my way through mountains of photographs that I want to scrap. I used my ipad to take a few photos and put them on instagram. I love the square 4x4 photos.

 

 

This is another sketch from the Gogogetaway weekend. India is the only place you can see cows roaming freely around cities and streets. However, it still managed to suprise me by finding a couple of cows laid on the beach. Totally random!

 

One thing I have learnt from my numerous trips to India is that I discover more about myself whilst I am there. I love their use of bright coloured fabric to make clothing and home furnishings. It is such a contrast to our love of black and brown. This layout show a photo taken in front of an elephant at the '5 Rathas' temples. These are vehicles used by Gods to transport them round.

 

Happy Crafting!

 

~ India Part 1 ~

Hi all, so this January we headed off to Southern India for a spot of adventure. We travelled with G Adventures around the states of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Obviously as a scrapbooker I took way too many photos but I'm trying to scrap the important/meaningful ones.

 

 

This layout uses a photo of my fiance at a lovely little Art Gallery/Cafe in Kochi but the theme behind the layout is more his love of travel. He gets itchy feet as soon as he's back home. I bought some papers and embellishements from the 'Hello World' collection which I absolutely love. 

 

This layout was from another sketch at GogoGetaway and it encompassed 4 photos which really suited the story I wanted to portray. The photos show how tea is made from the plantation, picking the leaves, the factory and the drinking it.

 

My week off is going far too quickly for my liking, I wish time would slow down a little. I'm not really being very productive but its nice to rest and catch up on some TV. I've loved watching 'Safe House' on ITV. Pop back ove the next few days for more layouts.

 

Happy Crafting!

 

~ Enjoying looking back at layouts ~

 Good evening, I'm having a lovely time on my week off from work so far. It is so nice not having to do anything inparticular. Today I caught up with a friend for lunch and we did some guiding planning. I realised that I haven't shared much of the scrapbooking I did whilst at GoGoGetaway or anything since. So I'm going to try and post a few layouts each day.

 

This layout is a favourite photo of mine from my Cousin's wedding last year. I think I've scrapped it twice now. The other version is a black and white photo. It is a photo of me and my Cousins. I really like the chalkboard trend at the moment and love how it makes this layout really bold.

 

I'm on a mission to try and use up as much of my stash as possible and not buy too much new stuff.

 

This is a couple of photos from 2013 when mum and I went strawberry picking. I have had the strawberry patterned paper for ages and new it would be perfect for these photos.

 

These layouts were created using sketches at the March 2015 Gogogetaway.

 

Happy Crafting!

 

~ Life has been a little hectic ~

Hello there,

Life has been a little hectic in the first part of this year following a house move and a couple of holidays. 

I still have my craft room (which is now even bigger!) and I haven't stopped doing what I love. I just haven't had chance to post about it until now.

I have created a couple of wall art pieces for my new home which I thought I would share with you today.

This was made using the lovely Maggie Holmes Confetti collection and a couple of photos from our recent India trip.

I saw something similar to this on Pinterest so decided to have s go at making my own. I used a Stampin' Up embosslits die for the different butterflies.

Now this one I made for the old house using an engagement card we received from my cousin. I love how personal it has become.

Hope to be back again with more to share over the next few days.

~ South India Trip 2015 ~

We arrived safely in Cochin, Kerala after a long journey. We have started to get our bearings and know our way around a little. After 2 days of relaxing, tonight we start a 2 week tour of South India with G adventures. 

We managed to find a bar and relaxed playing a card game called Fluxx last night after eating dinner at the Mangotree Restaurant. The portion sizes are way too big for my appetite but my other half does ok.

                                  

Before coming to India I made a travel journal from Stampin' Up's new large Kraft notebook. It's decorated using the retired traveller stamp set, a tag from my stash and current patterned paper. My aim is to try and keep notes along the way. Probably just bullet points and I'm going to stick in business cards, receipts etc... to create a unique but interesting journal.

                                  

We have just come back from a fantastic cookery class. We saw it signposted and then checked it out on Trip Advisor. Maria's Cookery Classes get a great write up, if you are coming to Cochin I highly recommend them. Here is her dining room table covered in most of the ingredients we need to make 4 vegetarian dishes.

                                  

We both loved the beetroot curry! So unusual. We will definitely try to make it at home. She explains why they put the different spices in and about some of the culture. We sat and ate as much as we possibly could and have had to come back to the hotel for a siesta.

                                  

  

After our group orientation we went for a walk along Fort Cochin's front to see the Chinese Fishing nets as the sun started to set. It was great to see all the locals buying and selling fish. We then enjoyed our first group meal together.

~ Where did 2014 go? ~

Hello there!

I can't quite believe where 2014 has gone! It did all get abit silly for me just before Christmas as we decided to have a city break, buy and move house all in December on top of Christmas and working full time!

I didn't stop crafting in 2014 I just didn't remember to blog it, so part of my New Years Resolution is to blog more often (fingers crossed!).

Here's abit of a round up of some crafting I did last year that I remembered to photograph.

                              

                              

A couple of scrapbook pages I did. The first one shows the girls I took to India in 2013 and the leaders in Costa Coffee in Agra. Then the second is a photo taken at a colleagues wedding in 2012. I love this photo of us. 

                                                 

   

                                                

A couple of cards made using some of last years Stampin Up' supplies. I'm loving making cards at the moment as they seem so quick and easy. 

I along with my mum went on Monica Gale's Paperie Retreat. Where we made so many wonderful items. We crafted late in to the night and ate way too much yummy food! Here are some of the projects we created.

                                         

                                         

                                         

                                         

I used the beautiful decorated fairy lights to brighten my bed up. Although they are now decorating my craft room in the new house.

                                         

                                         

I can't wait for the next retreat it's going to be amazing! Just waiting for the dates to be announced. 

~ Such a cutie pie! ~

My two cats are my pride and joy (except at 2am when they decide its playtime!). They can be so photogenic and I'm really pleased with this Instagram photo of Oscar relaxing by the radiator.

 

I am proud to say that I have used up quite a few scraps of paper and left over bits of ribbon. I've never really picked a single colour to focus on but love the different shades of blue used in this layout with a few kraft/brown pieces added in to break it up.

 

I've realised I'm a lover of layers. I can't help but put lots of different pieces of paper/stickers/tape overlapping each other! On this layout I also used mists and stamps to create added colour and decoratio to the layers.

 

Happy Crafting!

 

~ A few spare GoGoGetaway Classes ~

When I was at GogoGetaway in March I managed to pick up a few spare class kits. Mum and I had a scrapping day a few weeks ago and completed a couple of pages.

 

The first is a Project Life style page designed by Sheena Rowlands. However, I did alter it slightly from her original and used a few different sides of the journalling cards to fit my trip.

 

Travel is one of my favourite subjects to scrap and I have piles of photos frm lots of trips left to create with. Last year alone we went on 4 holidays abroad.

 

Then next class I did was by Sam Ball. I haven't added any journalling yet as I'm still trying to think of things for each number that happened last year.

 

I love this photo from our trip to Italy last October. So far for my journalling I have:

 

1. 30th Birthday Celebration

2. Crafting retreats attended

3. Engagements for friends and family (me included)

4. Trips abroad (India, Krakow, Italy, Budapest)

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

(I'll add them as I think of more!)

 

Happy Crafting!

 

~ Time is flying by ~

I can't believe we are already in the middle of June. This year is flying by super quick. May was mostly taken up by a lovely holiday in Tunisia. We had a lovely time although it now seems like an age ago.

I've been enjoying doing quite abit of crafting recently but just not got round to blogging it to be honest. I don't really like using the blogger app on my ipad as the options for your posts are very limited.

 



 

I've been continuing my Project Life layouts although I'm over a month behind. I really enjoy the speed at which you can create something which documents the everyday happenings. In April we had quite a busy month. My Other Half ran the Sheffield Half Marathon in aid of Crohn's and Colitis UK. I went to York twice, once for a Girlguiding Senior section Teams Day and then for my ward manager's retirement celebration. We had a great time at Jamie's Italian and then 2 of us queued to get in to Betty's Tearoom. The coffee and cake was devine!

 

I'm really hoping for some fantastic weather over the summer as I want to get out and about as much as possible.

 

Happy Crafting!

~ Project Life - take one! ~

Wow! I can't believe it has been so long since my last post. No idea where the time has gone. Since Gogogetaway I have been having a little play around with my Project Life Stash that I bought. So here goes my first attempt at documenting March:

What I found great about this concept was the ability to scrap everyday life as well as outings and events. I was able to encorporate some souvenirs of things as well. I will certainly be doing more of this but I'm not sure it will overtake my love of creating layouts. I have found it easy to work on this in a spare 15mins where as I never used to do that with layouts. April will be coming soon!

Another reason I haven't been around is that I have been on two weeks of nights with a night away in between. Then there is the fact that we decided to decorate our bedroom. It's been needing doing for ages as the cats took a liking to the previous owners wallpaper. So, knowing what the walls in the house are like we decided to have our first go at wallpapering. I'm really pleased with the outcome.

So the other half is off playing cricket so I'm leaving the mess and heading to my craft room. I hope everyone is enjoying the Easter bank holiday.

~ Welcome to 2014 ~

As I mentioned the other day I have a lovely new American Crafts Album for my 2014 Scrapbooking. So I decided to create a cover page for the start. I wanted it to depict 'thinking about the future' so I actually used a photo taken of a Buddha in Cambodia in 2012 and a quote I found online.

When I saw this paper I new it would be perfect for the front of my 2014 album as it had lots of 'daily' bits already printed on it. If you haven't already realised I love to layer matts, stickers and embellishments. 

I've been on 2 long days at work so I'm rather tired. Got a busy weekend coming too. My other half is running the Sheffield Half Marathon on Sunday. I'll be there snapping away with my camera. Been on a fantastic guiding training day in York today, feeling really enthused.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

~ A bit of fussy cutting! ~

Good Morning,

Maybe some of Sam's love of fussy cutting has rubbed off on me after the weekend as I find myself looking at which bits of a patterned paper I can now cut up. I must say I'm really pleased with this layout it's very pretty.

All the flowers and tickets around the photo frame were cut from the same piece of patterned paper. I loved the map background paper so didn't want to cover too much of it up. Pete and I love to travel and this photo was taken in Krakow, Poland. I spent ages playing with my camera and timer to get it to take a nice photo of us together. I have had the studio calico wooden hearts for ages and this was the perfect layout for them.

I'm really enjoying getting some crafty time at the moment and I'm planning to start doing some Project Life style scrapping as I get very behind on my everyday scrapping. I bought a lovely pink American Crafts D-ring Album for my 2014 scrapping. 

Hope you are managing to fit in some crafty time.