Big Cat Diaries!

Here is the double layout that I have been working on for the last couple of days. Found it quite challenging as I had 7 photographs that I wanted to use. I took inspiration from my mum's pagemaps book and managed to make this layout whhich I am very pleased with. I love the Bo Bunny 'Fluttery Buttery' Papers and stickers that I used. They actually came in a recent Cleo Crafts kit.

The photos are some taken at Ranthanbore National Park, India. We spent 3 days at the park and were very fortunate to see tigers on 3 out of 5 jeep safaris. There are about 40 tigers in the park but they are still rarely seen. National Geographic was actually filming this tiger when we arrived at its location.

Keep an eye out for further India and Tiger related pages over the next few weeks/months.

Wicked CC - Just a little late!

Well finally I have remembered to upload my LOs from the Wicked CC in November 2009. It was the week before I went away on holiday so they were uploaded to the UKS gallery but not on my blog. Am really pleased with how they turned out.

Mystery kit - We just so happened to have Wizard of Oz as our theme on brownie pack holiday so I new exactly which photos to use for this. I cut out and decopaged some of the flowers.

I really enjoyed doing the 'Over the Rainbow' class and am really pleased with the results.

This is my pre-crop challenge LO which is the first time I have ever done an 8x8 page. I found it quite daunting at first as I was a little worried about putting too much on.

Tin Man Challenge - I was really pleased with this LO, the photo is of me and my boyfriend before we went to the Rugby Club end of season dinner dance.

Another great class, I had had these photos a while but couldn't think how to use them as they aren't the best (but then its not easy to take photos while balancing in a canoe!). Lol.

I am starting to scrap my trip to India so watch this space for more LOs in the near future. Also I intend to make all my own cards this year aswell.

Christmas cards!

These are a couple of my christmas cards I made this year, I didn't want to show them before christmas as some of my friends keep an eye on my blog. I was really pleased how they turned out. Next years plan is to start using copic markers as I have some really cute christmas stamps which I would like to use.



I have also bought 2 Tim Holtz stamps, 'Christmas Miracle' and 'Reindeer games'. I'm looking forward to making cards and tags with those. My neighbours really like to send handmade cards so they have offered to buy some from me if I make enough. I actually really enjoyed making the cards this year even if it was a little stressful!

JYC update!

Proof that I have actually been taking part in Shimelle's JYC 2009. I have actually got round to making some pages. Am really pleased with the ones so far. I managed to get hold of one of Shimelle's kits so am trying to limit myself to just using her kit as abit of a challenge.

Look what Santa brought me!

My boyfriend bought me a Big Bite for xmas which I was so pleased with. He had also bought me absolutely loads of gromlets in different sizes and different colours. Won't need to buy any for a long time. Just need to find some time to play with it!

Pagemaps end of year sketch challenge!

This is the sketch over on Becky's pagemap blog for the end of the year. There is a great prize donated by Michelle Roudebush.I really enjoyed using this sketch as I had a collection of 3 activities from my last holiday to use for it. I decided to use a Basic Grey 'Marrakech' papers, Tim Holtz tags and flat back gems.

I apologise for the quality of the photo as it was dark so had to use my flash. This LO documents the preparation required for the Maharastrian dinner when we were away at the Guide World Centre in Pune, India.

New Years Resolutions!!!

To be honest I don't normally do new years resolutions because I am usually rubbish at sticking to things. But this year is going to be very different:

There are various different areas of my life which I intend to change, some much simpler than others as you will see, I have split it in to categories.

Crafting:

• Get organised!
• Start to make christmas cards much earlier, so they are not last minute (ie. August).
• Make some homemade birthday/christmas presents.
• Try to use each Cleo Crafts Kit every month so I don't get a stock pile.
• Finish my Gambia, India and Scotland Albums.

Guiding:

• Take part in as many Centenary celebrations as possible.
• Make a Centenary minibook keepsake.

General:

• Think more positively!
• Clear my debts and save for a house deposit.
• Update my blog more regularly.

Some amazing blog candy!

Tracy is giving away a fantastic cosmo cricket 'jolly by golly' christmas kit on her blog. (http://lifeandtimesofa12x12addict.blogspot.com/2009/12/jolly-by-golly-rak.html).

You have got to be in it to win it!
Good luck everyone!

JYC - getting there!

16th – Gift Exchange – This year I met my friends from university for lunch and to exchange our Christmas gifts. It was great to meet up with Tammy, Ashley and Angie because since we graduated and started working shifts its difficult to organise outings that we can all make. As usual we ended up at Frankie and Benny’s

17th – Full month of December planned out on a calendar sheet.

18th – Christmas Curry – Well dinner this year will be similar to that of last year, we will actually be having an ‘Asian Christmas dinner’ at our local Indian restaurant. They put on a fantastic spread of authentic Indian dishes and also a more traditional roast turkey. However, I actually prefer curry for Christmas!

19th – Dear Santa – To be honest there wasn’t really much I wanted this Christmas, so as I write this my main wish for Christmas day is to wake up in good health and enjoy the day with my family. I would like to have one worry free day where I don’t think about my health, work etc… and am able to just enjoy myself.

Thank you for all the wonderful presents in previous years

Terri
X

P.S I hope you enjoy your whisky and Rudolf enjoys the carrot!

JYC Again!

13th – Christmas Carols

My top 10
1. Do They Know it’s Christmas – Band Aid
2. Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl
3. Last Christmas – Wham
4. Step in to Christmas – Elton John
5. Mistletoe and Wine – Cliff Richard
6. I wish it could be Christmas Everyday - Roy Wood & Wizzard
7. Mary’s Boy Child – Boney M
8. Merry Christmas Everybody - Slade
9. Lonely this Christmas - Mud
10. Saviour’s Day – Cliff Richard

14th – The Gift is in giving – Our tradition is for me to hand out presents one by one for us to open in turn. We have done this for as long as I can remember. By doing it this way we manage to stretch out the present opening for a few hours and see what everyone else has received as they open their presents.

15th – Visitors – We don’t really have anyone we specifically visit at Christmas as most of our family either live miles away or we don’t really keep in touch with them. We always visit my Nan and mum’s side of the family about a week before Christmas to deliver presents and have a mini Christmas dinner. We usually visit friends sporadically throughout the festive period depending on work commitments.

JYC update

11th – O’ Christmas Tree – My tree in my room is about 3ft high and artificial. I have decorated it for the last 2 years themed around the colours of my bedroom, teal and silver. I love the way the blue lights twinkle against the baubles and enhance the colours in the room.

12th – The Ghost of Christmas…

Past – Christmas has always been a time spent with close family and friends. As mum was always taken to her Nan’s on Christmas day she chose not to make me go, so we spent the day together at home and then in later years we went out for Christmas dinner with close family friends.

Present – This year will be the first year that my boyfriend has spent Christmas day with me and my family which will be great but also a little weird for me as I have never had Christmas morning with anyone other than my parents.

Future – Next year will be the first year when I have to work a shift on Christmas Day so I’m not sure exactly how Christmas day will work next year with present opening and dinner etc…

Journal Your Christmas!

December 2009

1st – Manifesto – I was away in India as the world geared up for the start of the December Christmas rush but when I returned on the 8th I decided I was definitely in need of some direction. So I signed up to Shimelle’s class ‘Journal your Christmas’. In it, I will write something every day to reflect on the holidays of my past, enjoy the holidays of the present and dream about the holidays of the future. To some, this would be a stack of papers and trivial scribbles, but not to me. I am taking back my Christmas, I am letting it be something I relish and most importantly I am giving at least fifteen minutes to myself, everyday, no matter how crazy this season becomes. This Christmas I will make something with my own hands, my own words and my own memories.

2nd – Winter Wonderland – I have to admit that although I do love to be outside in the crisp winter air, wrapped up in my thick coat, my favourite place in winter is in my pjs sat in front of the fire.

3rd – Jolly Mr Postman – I actually start making my Christmas cards early on in November (well I try to at least make a start!) however, I always seem to end up being last minute. For example I still haven’t written any yet and am not sure I have even made enough. My cards get given to close friends and family. Some are posted while others are given in person.

4th – Love Actually – I spent some time thinking about this and expected me to decide on a children’s classic such as ‘The Snowman’ as my favourite Christmas film but a few years ago around Christmas I went to see ‘Love Actually’ and every year since then I have watched it during the Christmas period. It always fills me with Christmas joy and happiness, as if everything will have a happy ending even if there are a few hiccups on the way!

5th – The big count down – From being little I have always had an advent calendar, in later years it has always been a yummy chocolate one, but this year as I was away at the end of November I didn’t get an advent calendar. I must admit that I do miss opening the little windows everyday and seeing the countdown right in front of me. Maybe next year I will make my own.

6th – The good, the bad and the ugly – Christmas is a time to spend with family and friends, so for quite a few years there was a group of us who went out for Christmas dinner together and then come back to our house where my mum would put on a little buffet and we would stay up drinking and playing games until the early hours.

In 2006 my mum, dad and I went to Gambia for Christmas and New Year. Although we had a great holiday, it just wasn’t Christmas! They celebrate on Christmas Eve which meant that we ended up having chinese for Christmas dinner. It was nice but just not the same.

I must admit that I really am not looking forward to having to work Christmas Day next year, but will try to forget about it for 365 days.

7th – Making his list and checking it twice

Present list

8th – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… (everywhere you go!)

To include pics of: xmas tree, lights, ice on cars, frost etc…

9th – Traditions – Our family have got quite a few traditions when it comes to Christmas. But the main one which sticks in my head is the annual mince pie making sessions my dad does. No one can make mince pies as good as his and its something I look forward to at Christmas.

10th – All wrapped up! – I must admit that almost all my presents are already wrapped up and some are already under the tree waiting to be delivered.

MOJO is BACK!!!

Well I have to admit the last few month's have been a struggle with my scrapbooking, just seem to have had no inspiration what so ever. However, all that seemed to change tonight!!!

I made these tag books and painted them a while back but never had any ideas about how to decorate them for my friends. So after a few hours at the weekend searching for some nursing/medial related jokes I came up with this idea. However, still had no inspiration about how they would be put together and decorated. But tonight it just seemed to come to me in an instant!

So here they are, completed. 2 Tag books for my fellow nursing graduates entitled 'You know your a nurse when...'.

I have just photographed a few of the pages from the books otherwise you would be here forever. Both books have the same jokes and comic strips in them.
I have used Blonde Moments and Basic Grey Lime Rickety Papers, Woodware stamps, Petaloo flowers and jolee embellishment stickers, plus a few buttons and ribbon from my collection.

This LO is of my other half and his brother at the beach at Mossyard which is a campsite in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. I love how the picture turned out, they seem to be struggling with the decision to swim or not.
I used one of my Cleo crafts kits (not sure which month?! possibly july) The papers are Cosmo Cricket Snorkel and the title is done with thickers.

Am looking forward to sharing some more of my work now my mojo seems to be back in town ready for christmas!!! Perfect!

Another CJ finished!

Well I have just finished my last LO for NIP's CJ on UKs, my final LO was in a 'News of 2009' CJ. I chose to do a LO on the Sumatra Earthquake on 3oth September. Photos might follow if I get chance. I have had a major sort out and tidy up so I can finally see my desk top (1st time in months!).

I hate the rain, it always makes me feel lethargic, so I never seem very productive. Today has gone too quick as I haven't got done half the things I wanted to do.

CJ's update

I was one of the last to get the 2000 CJ so many of the usual ideas for LOs had already been used. I decided to do a double LO about the Nobel Prizes that had been awarded in 2000. It was quite challenging to stick to the sketch and fit in all 6 winners and why they had won.

This is my entry for a Favourite Poems CJ, the owner wanted no 3D embellishments as she plans to store it on her bookcase along with her other poetry books. I chose one of my all time favourite poems, I first read this poem as part of my English Literature GCSE, but it has since become a firm favourite.

The Six O'Clock News by Tom Leonard is an unusual poem as it is written phonetically to highlight his broad scottish accent. The poem's focus is around why news readers do not have a accent. I love the simplicity of the poem and how truthful it actually is. It is set out in a long thin column to emmulate an auto-queue.
And last but not least, my Season's CJ has returned from its travels. There are some amazing LOs in it. Will photograph it when I get chance so you can all see the amazing job the girls did.

Special Olympics minibook!

Here is another of the minibooks I made during the UKS summer event but have only just got round to adding the pictures and embellishments. Its a minibook for my Boyfriend's brother who took part in the special olympics and won 2 Silver medals and 1 bronze. We were all so proud of him.

I used Basic Grey Colour me silly papers and Bazzill Cardstock for the base.

Congratulations are in order for Louise from Cleo crafts as she is expecting a baby in March 2010!!!

As for LSNED:

I really struggled yesterday, but I would have to say that on the 4th September I learnt that after a full day and then a night shift your feet ache and begin to swell.

WOW!!!!!!!!

I had won some stash over on Sisterly Creations blog (http://sisterlycreations.blogspot.com/) and it arrived this morning. The blog said I had won a pizza box of goodies. Well I never knew you could fit so much in to a pizza box!!!

There is a huge stack of beautiful papers including some very well known brands (some gorgeous MME and Basic Grey, my fav!).

There are 2 bags full of flowers and chipboard pieces. Numerous alpha sets, rub ons, stickers, tags, embellishments, journalling spots (just what I need! I am rubbish at journalling) and loads more.

I would just like to say a huge thankyou to you both for the amazing stash you have given me! Thankyou!!!

Cooking on gas!!!

Learn something everyday:

3rd September: There are some advantages of working for the NHS! (20% off at Nandos).

Learn something new everyday

I have started to do Shimelle's Class, learn something new everyday. I am hoping to keep traack of it via my blog and then start to scrap the pages next week. So here goes:

1st September - I learnt that exercise really can be fun, especially when you do it together.

2nd September - I learnt that its worth shopping around to get a good deal.

Lets see what today has instore for me.

Graduation Ball

Oh what a night! It was my graduation ball at Cutler's Hall in Sheffield. Our official cap and gown ceremony is not until 16th November 2009, but we are all on holiday waiting to start jobs at the end of September.

Me and my friends on the stairs leading in to the hall.
Me and the other half, all dressed up and waiting to go in to the hall.

Other half with his friend from his Physio course and his girlfriend who is a fellow graduating nurse.


This is the gorgeous Cutler's Hall where dinner was served and we boogied in to the night.
I must admit that it was a fantastic night, but the alcohol flowed a little too well and I was a little worse for wear by the end.

Below are two tag books which I have been working on for my friends who along with me have qualified as Staff Nurses. They are still in the early stages, but all the pages are covered ready to be embellished. I really hope that they like them. I used Basic Grey Lime Rickety papers for the one below.

For this one I have used Blonde Moments Sugar Dumpling (I think!).

This is my DLO for the 'Ribbons' CJ from the CJ Lovers CJ on UKS. I used some papers which were left over from one of my cleo crafts kits (can't remember which month!). I used various ribbon to make grass and flowers.

Well I'm off to do some more scrapping. Thanks for looking.

Blog Candy!!!

I have found loads of absolutely fabulous blog candy!!!

Check out Denise's gorgeous blog candy - closing 23rd August

http://thecraftyden.blogspot.com/

Bev's amazing blog candy - closing 17th August

http://bevscrafts.blogspot.com/

Basicgrey Challenge blog - closing 21st August

http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/

Good Luck everyone!

Crafty goings on!

Well I'm pleased that the UKS mini book event has started, and is keeping me occupied nicely. Below is the 1st of 10 minibooks. It was a Bellaboo design by Cleo Jarvis and is made completely from scratch. I decided to use 'Nature' as my theme as I had some photos from when Al and I have been to a couple of country parks.

I found it quite hard to decorate these two inner covers as I didn't want to use anymore photographs and I couldn't go very 3D.

I used some Basic Grey papers for the inner pages. Its took quite a while to get the pieces cut to the right size. This page has photos from when we went to Rother Valley Country Park at Christmas 2008.

This second page contains photos of Thrybergh Country Park in Rotherham. We went in January so it was cold but the sun was out so it was a gorgeous day.

This is a quick card I made for my Aunties Birthday. I used left over scraps of paper from one of my cleo crafts monthly kits and the free stamp off a previous Craft Stamper Magazine. Am really pleased with how it turned out.

Am hoping to start another minibook today, but it might end up just being a few cards. Can't wait until tomorrow morning as its Cleo crafts minibook on UKS so I'm hoping the kit I have bought for it arrives in the morning too.

Student to Staff Nurse! OMG!

Well its been an intense few weeks what with final placement, interviews and then the waiting... But I have now been successful at both my interviews. I have been offered a 12 month contract on an Orthopedic ward or a permanent job on a palliative care unit. I have some big decisions to make...

Back to crafting, my Cleo crafts August kit arrived yesterday and it is gorgeous. Lots of cosmo cricket Snorkel papers which are brilliant for summer scrapping, just a shame we haven't had much sun so far this summer. I am looking forward to the minibook summer event on UKS, plenty to keep me occupied while the other half is away in Scotland.