I heard the very sad news today that
Beverley Todd
passed away on 23rd December,
having suffered a major brain haemorrage.

My heart goes out to her family at this very sad time
Beverly will also be very much missed in the scrapbooking world too
she was very talented and had many friends.

Good night sweet lady

Sleep well.

x

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas,
and I'm glued to the tree.

I'm wondering what Santa has brought, just for me.
Could it be cardstock or chipboard or lace?
Or a Cricut, I thought, with a smile on my face.

But, that's when I heard him,
"Hi Santa," I said
"Ho Ho! You know....all good girls should be in their beds"

"I know I should Santa, and now I've been caught.
I was just so excited, to see what you brought."

"Well, let's take a look in this room where you work,
he then shook his head quickly, and left with a jerk.

I heard him exclaim, as he put his sleigh in gear.
"You've got enough crap, so I'll see you next year!"

Merry Christmas to everyone
have a fantastic day

See you all soon

Jane x

Snowfall

I love, love, love how this LO looks in real life.
But, try as I might I just can't show you on here the true 3D in all it's transparency!

The dog by the way, playing in the snow is my 11yr old faithful GSD 'Murphy'.

It from December's Mini Kit from ScrapaGoGo containing
12 x 12 Acrylic Sheet by K I Memories in *Hibiscus*
12 x 12 Double Sided Patterned Paper
12" strip of Cream Lace

I added Black, Blue Ink, Rangers Dabber Paint in *Pearl* & my trusty White Uni Signo pen!

LO incorporating Paper Beads

Here is the LO that I gave you a peek of a few days ago, it also incorporates the paper beads from my tutorial.
The LO was created using December's ScrapaGoGo kit.

The photo was taken back in June this year at the GoGo Getaway Retreat in Cheshunt in Hertfordshire. The girls in the picture {left to right are Dee, Jane, Donna & Emma} were all such fun to share a weekend with and I can hardly wait until next year for the next one or rather two!

The stalk of the largest flower has been made using some Bazzill pompom ribbon and some of my paper beads.

My Paper Beads Tutorial

Paper Beads are not only a fun project to make, but they are also great for using up all those scraps of pretty patterned paper. They can be made up in batches and stored away until your ready to use them.

Suggested tools required:
Pencil
Ruler
Scissers or craft knife
Patterned paper {non cardstock weight is best}
Wooden Stick {manicure stick or similar sized dowel}
Pallette or non stick messy mat
Modge Podge or Water/PVA glue mix or {my chosen medium} Deco patch glue & gloss
Cocktail sticks or similar

Step 1:
Draw elongated triangles on the reverse of a 6" x 6" piece of patterned paper, as you can see by the photo, you can get a lot of beads from this size.

Then cut along the drawn lines to make the triangle shapes.

Step 2:Dip the wide end of the triangle into the glue medium and then turn it around the wooden stick, brush the glue along the paper as you turn it, to glue it together.

You will see the shape of the bead appear, when it is completely wrapped and held firm.


Step 3.
You may find it easier to transfer your bead to a finer stick at this stage to coat with the glue medium. You can either dip them completely in the glue mix, or brush them with the glue if you prefer.
Set it aside to dry out completely!
When completely dry you can then, coat them with a gloss medium or even clear nail varnish, to finish if desired.

Zesty Thanks

A simple thank you card, again made using the
Decembers ScrapaGoGo Greetings kit! I love the colours in this card and those stick on faux brads, they are gorgeous!

Yummy Blog Candy Alert!

Huge blog candy over at Claires blog and very generous amount too!

Ol' Christmas Tree

I have been wanting to create a paper tree for the past few years, but have run out of time every year so far. So when one of my design prompts was to create a Christmas home decor item, I knew exactly what I wanted to make. Then came the challenge of how to make it my own, there are so many paper trees designed each year that I decided to use a present/gift as a tree topper, rather than the traditional star or angel.
The tree was created using the ScrapaGoGo December Create Kit, plus the G2P's!

I am also using this project as this weeks Arty Girlz challenge where we are asked to use our Favourite Crafting Medium, and my favourite has always been Patterned Paper. So for me this challenge was easy!

December Sneeky Peek

As I said the other day, Decembers ScrapaGoGo kit was such fun to work with and thats just what I had when creating this LO. I can hardly wait to show you the rest of this LO and the other projects that I created with the kit. Maybe later today!I am also putting this forward for the ArtyGirlz challenge where they are asking to use Frames

I have actually heat embossed!!!

I have created this folder of papers goodies as part of a swap over on UKS

I hope that the person I made it for likes green!I started out with a 12x12 sheet of Bazzill Smoothie ardstock, then stamped using Versamark ink & embossed using clear powder for the bigger image & lime green for the smaller ones. I then measured & cut out the 4 corners. I made fold marks using my Scor-Pal (I love this bit of kit) as shown below. I then made a couple of holes in the back of the folder to thread the ribbons through!

Next I made an ATC sized pocket with more Bazzill smoothie, to hold hand stamped journaling cards, adding ribbon to tie!

Next I decorated the front by holding a snowflake template {these were a set of freebies with Papercraft Inspirations Magazine, given to me by a friend} I then patted my Pearl Paint Dabber {another product I would hate to not have in my crop bag} to create the snowflake & allowed to dry!

{TOP TIP} There will be a lot of paint left on the template, don't waste it, choose a piece of cardstock & lay the template carefully on it, this will create a negative image

When completely dry, I then added a large gem flower & glued a smaller on in the middle, before embellishing the snowflake with gemstones. I then made holes for the ribbons!

I used a stamp that I had in one of my Scrapagogo kits earlier in the year to make the journaling cards. It will all be enclosed in the embossed folder, along with some cards & envelopes & a extra few goodies that I won't disclose here.

Now all I hope for is that the person that I am posting this too, will like it too!

Driving Home for Christmas

Just look at what I have just finished playing with!!!

Everything in the December "Driving home for Christmas" Kit from ScrapaGoGo really does scream Christmas, but as a lot of the DT show in thier LOs, that it can be used for absolutely any theme too!

With papers from Crate, October Afternoon, K&Co to name but a few & the Cardstock from Bazzil & Core-dinations, plus a full 12x12 sheet of Alphas, it really is an amazing kit to work with!

Don't you just love that Bazzill Pompom & Velvet Ribbon? Then there's the epoxy brads & wooden ones too. Not to mention that Glitter Marker from American Crafts & the gorgeous journal cards & the tickets are such fun to use on your projects!

I adore the chipboard gift shape & the Bazzill Tulle adds a lovely touch to whatever you choose to use it on, there are also embellishments from Prima & Making Memories, there are gorgeous Ribbons & Ricrac. Plus there are fantastic buttons from Fancy Pants, in festive colours, but don't forget that exclusively designed stamp too, this month it has been designed by our very own Karen Cole & is perfect for creating mini banners & bunting for your projects.As always contact ScrapaGoGo for more information, you can also view the

DT gallery too!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email either Lorraine or Janice

sales@scrapagogo.co.uk

Birthday card

I made this birthday card for my darling step daughter who will be 8years old in December..sorry about the poor picture, I made it last night as part of a challenge over on Crafts Beautiful They are having thier online Christmas Party this weekend, so I had to upload it at the time, so it was scanned.

TMTA ~ Cloth & Paper

Here is my take on this weeks Think Monday, Think ATC's challenge...where we were asked to use Cloth & Paper! I have tongue in cheeked titled this ATC "Fangs for the post"

Friendship Card

The words on this card read

The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand,

nor the kindly smile.

Nor is it the joy of companionship,

it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one

when he discovers that someone else believes in him

and is willing to trust him

-Ralf Waldo Emerson

This card is also my entry to the Arty Girlz challenge #61 where we were asked to use a quote or verse!

My new award

I am thrilled to accept this lovely award from Leona

This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships!
These blogs are exceedingly charming.
These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.
They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement.
Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.
Please give more attention to these writers!
Deliver this award to eight bloggers who then must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.
I am passing it on to these lovely people for their wonderful blogs and the hand of friendship they have held out to me :

Teen
Mandi

Emma

Sally

Louise

June

Sarah

Carolann

A Few of my Cards

This simple but pretty Thank You card is a must have for my "ever ready card box" and would suit most age groups with it's sparkle and those chipboard toadstools are just so cute!This card will suit a young person for numerous occasions, just add a greeting and your sorted.Simple and very quick Christmas card, just add a touch of glitter for added sparkle.
The November kit from ScrapaGoGo was so much fun to work with this month and if you love the woodland feel of the papers and embellishments, there are a few kits still available!

There is also a special one off kit this month for sale, it can be viewed on the front page of UKS or Here

For further information to buy or subscribe to a kit, feel free to email

Lorraine or Janice on sales@scrapagogo or visit the website

Sneeky Peeks Revealed

This 1st LO is my nephew Thomas, using school photographs that span over 7 years. Tom and his family live in Australia. I get precious little time with him, so I always look forward to being updated with his annual school photos, along with the various family ones. I just love the brown felt mushroom embellishments, buttons and stickers!Its amazing seeing the changes in Tom, when the photos are all displayed like this together! The LO above contain photos of some of my favourite places in Dorset to visit, which include Westbay, where my parents live. Durdle Door, I love this place because I can take my dogs on the beach and the spectacular rock formation of the door, and last but not least Weymouth, with that wonderful clock thats conjurs up so many happy childhood memories!

Everything used in these LOs can be found in the November Create kit from ScrapaGoGo

TMTA Challenge

Here are a pair of ATCs that I have created this afternoon for the
'Think Monday Think ATC'
this week we were asked to produce something on the theme of Purple.

I have chosen to call them

'Purple Chic'

Bootiful Stampz ~ One a day giveaway

This what Sally from Bootiful stampz says:
"Yep! As it approaches the Merry Season, i think i'm going slightly mad!!!
I have decided that for the rest of November, I am going to give away
One Stamp EVERY DAY!!!!
There are conditions of course!
I want you to tell people about the One Day Giveaway on your blog and link back to This Bootiful Stampz Blog!
You will have until 11/12pm on that day to put your name down, only once per day please but you can enter EVERY DAY!!
and of course for EVERY DAY that you do enter, you will have to post on your blog! you could win once/twice or three times who knows!
All names that have answered that day and have posted on their blog (links will be checked) will go into a hat and the winner announced the next day!
I will make a new post each day and you just add your name to that post!"

So folks, today is day 2 so if your after a lovely freebie for your stamp collection, simply on pop over and have a go,
you have nothing to loose, and remember there are still 9 days left and your welcome to enter for every one of them!

I'm Member of the Month

Crafts Beautiful Magazine has made member of the month for November and just look at what was inside my prize parcel the postie delivered

Thank you CB

Congratulations

Huge congratulations to Nicola a good friend and fellow Scrapagogo DT girl..

She has been announced as one of the runners up in The Scrapbook magazines Scrapbooker of the year competition.

Nicola not only creates the most amazing scrapbook LOs, but she also designs superb cards too!

WTG Nic your a really worthy winner

Check out this months edition where the details are announced.

Congrats to all the other runners up too, which include Claire a GoGo subscriber!

Christmas Party News

There is going to be a massive online party on the Crafts Beautiful forum

{open to registered members only}

It promises to be massive & a weekend not to be missed.

Yes, thats right, it lasts the whole weekend of 29th/30th November!

There will be activities, prizes, giveaways, competitions, downloads and MORE throughout the weekend to keep you entertained and spread a little festive cheer.

There will be prizes up for grabs, and I'm talking HUGE prizes here

The prizes include:

Hampers from Lakeland

Pogo Printer by Polaroid, worth £100

£150 of Panduro Christmas Products

and this is just the tip of the prize list!!

I really can't wait to celebrate the run up to Christmas

If you would like to join in with the fun, games, challenges, loads of shopping discounts & more

then head on over to the

Crafts Beautiful website

to register on the forum!

See you there party animals!

No pretties to share today

Evening

Sorry, but no crafting for me today

I have a yucky cold, which in itself is bareable, but it also effects my arthritis & my right hip is sooo painful right now.

Can't sit or stand long enough to get anything done, nevermind, more Beechams & back to lay on the bed.

Catch up soon.

Another LO Sneek Peek

Don't you just love that Bazzill 'Mudpie' Bobble Trim?

Just a little sneek today

Haha can't see much can you??

but, all will be revealed soon!

See those pink dots, all hand cut :)

The Red Feather for Artwork Award

I was thrilled to hear today that I have been awarded the Red Feather for Artwork Award. I knew I had been put forward for it, but with all the fab stuff nominated, I am gobsmacked to have won it!!Here is the piece that was nominated
It was made using MM acrylic paints dry brushed on to textured Bazzill cardstock, some dribbles of Glossy Accents, Adirondacks Dabber Paint in 'Pearl' hand drawn & cut mug and swirls. the cappuccino foam was created with a dab of the Pearl paint, left to dry {so producing the texture} then a light tap of brown ink for the cocoa powder. Then simply inked & painted around the outside. If you see a piece of handcrafted artwork and would like to nominate it for the Red Feather award, then visit June's blog and put them forward. June is always on the look out for original works!

Just a couple of ATCs

Love this doodled ATC, I had a fun time sat quietly in my armchair creating this one, that I have chosen to name "Tangled Spooks" It's actually one of two {both the same} but only one of them is available to trade! This ATC I created for Junes Monthly ATC challenge, which for October was the theme of 'BOOKS'
The book I chose is
The Earthsea Quartet: "A Wizard Of Earthsea"; "The Tombs of Atuan"; "The Farthest Shore"; "Tehanu" by Ursula K. Le Guin
This ATC already has a home, so not available to trade.sorry about the scan on this one, it doesn't look that tatty around the nameplate in real life, it must be the angle of the photo!

Just L@@K what I have been playing with!

These are ScrapGoGos wonderful November Kits, aptly named 'A Walk in the Woods'Above are the fabulous Bazzill Cardstock and the papers, which include American Crafts, Sassafrass, Bo Bunny and Crate to name but a few!There are Hambly Stickers, Ribbons, Buttons, American Crafts Alphas.......
Making Memories Paperie Mocha journaling pages, Adhesive Badges, My Minds Eye Life Journal Card, Fancy Pants Bag O Tags, the list just goes on....

Fancy Pants All Fall ball trim, American Crafts My House Patterned Chipboard Shapes and thats just the basic kit.
There are also the options of the exclusive Stamps {Designed by the GoGo DT} and the Go2Pieces, which this month includes Transparency's Velvet, texture cord blossoms and felt mushroom/toadstool and more......

Then there is the Greetings kit which contains 10 quality Card Blanks & Envelopes, a variety of Papers, adhesive Chipboard shapes, Ribbon, Journaling Spots, Felt Greetings, a Book of Rub on Greetings and that all important Exclusively designed Clear Stamp! For more information about subscribing to these amazing kits contact sales@scrapagogo.co.uk
If you like what you see here, and would like to purchase a single kit then you need to go to the Scrapagogo website or contact at the above address

Ooo I have been given a lovely award

By the amazingly talented Maddy Hill........if you haven't seen this ladies wonderful work, than you really are missing out on a treat. Thank you so much Maddy, I really am honoured and will wear this award with pride.

I now need to pass this on to 7 blogs that I hold in high asteem

1. Tiff
2. Trinka
3. Julie
4. Karen
5. Ramsey
6. Caz

Thanks so much Tina

I recieved this amazing card and beautiful box full of die cut hearts & stamp shaped cut outs in the post from Tina, my very good blogging friend.

I love them Teen thanks so much, I will treasure the card & box always & will be putting the die cuts to good use very soon.

A Pretty Clipboard

I have made this clipboard to keep all my challenge dates & details in, as I have finally had enough of biddy scraps of paper all over my desk. believe me it was a real mess before I finally gave in LOL

This clipboard is simply covered in Bazzill cardstock with a few die cuts for added interest, and the OH won't pinch it because its pink, cunning plan huh?

The clipboard was ScrapaGoGo's project kit for October!

Opps almost forgot to tell you!

My good friend Julie - and the Gov of Inspirational Blogs is giving away great Blog Candy. Pop over to enter HERE for a chance to win this awesome prize!!