Very sad email arrived today........

So thought I would share it with you all, it's the end of an era for ScrapaGoGo as a kit club, but I fully understand the reasons for it's demise!
However, knowing Lorraine & Janice personally, I know that when they say there is more stuff in the pipeline regarding their tour dates & Retreats, that there will be things to still enjoy & look forward too in the future...
Here is the email that explains what has forced their hand in making the decision to cease trading... I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lorraine & Janice for allowing me the privilege of being part of their amazing Design Team & encouraging me in my craft journey.
I wish them all the best for the future & I will be eagerly waiting news on future events
Jane xxx

Dear Valued Essentially GoGo Kit Member, It is with the deepest regret we have to inform you that Essentially GoGo Kits, therefore also ScrapaGoGo, will be ceasing trading from April 2013 Kit. The decision of Royal Mail to increase prices dramatically from April is going to have a very negative impact on our service and goods and has ultimately pushed us to this decision.  At present your Essentially GoGo Kit is sent '2nd class PPI Packet Daily' rate at a cost of £2.02 per kit, from April this will fall under the 'Medium Parcel upto 1kg' rate and we will be charged £5.60 per kit. With the postage cost within the cost of your subscription it is clear that we can not absorb this £3.58. In turn we feel that we do not wish to supply fewer products to compensate for this difference (which would equate to an alphabet along the lines of Thickers etc) therefore having a detrimental affect on creating a great array of items in kit form as we offer at present. What Do You Need To Do Now? April 2013 Kit will be the last in your subscription, therefore any Standing Order or Paypal reoccuring payment you have will need to be stopped AFTER this payment has left your account (March payment). If you are unsure of the date your invoice is raised for April Kit then simply log on and look at your account on the Kit Management Suite to confirm. It is paramount that no overpayments are made or continued after this payment. As a thank you for your valued custom and loyalty we will be sending two additional brand new and exclusive GoGo Stamps in with your April Kit. We wish to reassure you that GoGo Getaway is not affected in any shape or form with the closing of ScrapaGoGo and exciting news for future events will be announced shortly. Once again we would like to express out gratitude for choosing ScrapaGoGo as your Kit Club and look forward to sharing our exciting new regarding GoGo Getaway Ltd real soon. Janice & Lorraine

A Fab New Online Shop.....

Opened this week by the lovely Clare Curd, she has called it Clare Curd Crafts.

I can't wait until pay day because she has so many wonderful crafty delights on her shelves.

To celebrate the launch of her store she is offering a prize to one of her followers, she is giving away a fantastic Silhouette SD, how cool is that!

Head on over to Clare's blog to find out how to enter for a chance to win this awesome prize 

Thredbo

Here is the LO that I have used as a DT example for this months challenge over on The Cupboard Trilogy blog.

The challenge this month is called "Lead by Example" I would be thrilled if you could visit the blog & bowled over if you would join in, there is a lovely patterned paper pad up for grabs this month.

All you have to do is look through the Design Team examples, then choose one to use as your inspiration. You can unashameably copy it, be inspired by how it is designed, or it's colour combo. Then link to the blog & tell us who's design you used as inspiration ... Easy right?

The photographs in this LO were taken in 2000 when I went to Australia the 1st time, they are called Threadbo Mountains & the only place in Australia where you can ever see snow. The mountains are also the start of the irrigation system that NSW uses to be able to grow crops. 

The papers are by Rusty Pickle & I think they are called French Market, that big snowflake I made myself by tracing around a huge brad on to a piece of chipboard, I cut it out & used some tiny files to file away at the edges, then painted it & added some pen lines.

The rub on snowflakes & the title are placed on acetate as an overlay, which in real life looks quite dimensional & helps bring the somewhat boring photos to life.

Thanks for visiting

~ Jane ~

Saying goodbye to 2012 ....

Last year for me, had it's highs & lows, plus a huge change in lifestyle too.

Cripple Camp in May was brilliant, I am not being unkind by calling it that, it's just the pet name that we call ourselves. We are a small group of people that have all spent some time in the Royal Mineral Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath. I spent 2 weeks in the hospital in October of 2011 & met some lovely ladies from all around the UK, who quickly became friends & wanted to remain in touch, Katy set up a closed facebook group where we can visit to support each other on the hard days & share the good days & generally just have a good old chin wag. In May some of us met up in a Bristol hotel for a weekend, a few I hadn't met before but, they quickly became my good friends too. We all have different conditions, some similar symptoms between us & some are more disabled than others, but we all support each other & accept the way we are & don't expect anything of anyone. Roll on the next meet up!

In June, I started my own challenge blog called The Cupboard Trilogy, this is something that I have wanted to do for a long time, but not quite had the courage to do it. So far it is proving to be active & entry numbers are growing monthly, I am sure this is down to the wonderful work of my fab Design Team, who continue to produce fabulous examples every month. We have a new prize challenge start on the 1st day of each month & paper crafters everywhere are all very welcome to play along, please visit us HERE to join in.

I was made a grandmother again in September, when Skyla Esme Beau was born, being my 4th grandaughter to join my other 9 grandchildren that I am very blessed to have in my family. The ages of my 10 darlings range from 14yrs down to tender age of Skyla, still a babe in arms. I have been told that their will not be anymore grandchildren now, because my 4 wonderful sons families are now complete.

September also saw the breakdown of my 12yr relationship with Alex. Where we lived together was on the edge of a village, although not remote public transport was very poor & I would have become very isolated, so I needed to look at moving into a nearby town where it would allow me to be more independent. I don't own my home, it's a housing association property, so I started to look for a mutual exchange. Within a week I had found a little 1 bedroom flat where I thought I would be happy to live & the occupant wanted my little bungalow, so we put in for the exchange to take place.

October 1st Alex moved out & on the 27th I moved into my flat, I felt comfortable immediately, everything I need is on my doorstep, which is great because of my limited mobility. This move meant such a big change for me in more ways than 1, because it's the 1st time in all of my 52 yrs that I have ever lived completely alone. I quickly had to learn to budget & any other things that would have until now, been done jointly, but I am managing it just fine so far.

The year was topped off by spending Christmas with my sons & seeing in the New Year with Alex, we remain good friends & hopefully always will.

So come on 2013 bring it on, let's see what you have in store for me during the next 12 months .... I am ready!

Happy New Year to you all, I hope it brings you health & happiness, as well as a comfortably balanced life .....

~ Jane ~

xXx

Daddy Fun

December, what fast year 2012 has been .... It has simply flown at a rate of knots & for me personally saw a lot of events crammed into it. One of which was the launch of The Cupboard Trilogy challenge blog, which yesterday saw the start of a new challenge called "Frosty Winter"  below is the LO that I created as a DT example.

There is still a lot of my craft materials in storage boxes, that I can't really unpack until I have somewhere specific to stash it, I intend to buy some designated storage cupboards in the New Year, so I am still only able to use what I can get too!

Anyway, for my LO I chose to use a Sketch (I will add the name when I remember where I found it ooops) I have used Bazzill Cardstock,  Patterned  Paper left overs, Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels in 'Iced Crystal'  Dew Drops Ink in 'Platinum Planet, Blonde Moments Festive Pearls in 'Gold Lustre' & Alpha's by Crate Paper & my trusty black pen!

This is Mason my grandson 3 years ago having some giggly fun with his Daddy, youngest son. Mason is getting such a big boy now, I had forgotten that he looked like this, he was a podgy little bundle of joy :)

Thank you for visiting , please leave a comment I always try to return the favour 

~ Jane ~

Such a long absense ...

Well, there has been so much going on in my home life just now, that my crafting has taken a very back seat.

I moved home 3 weeks ago into my little one bedroom flat, I needed to down size do to my relationship breaking down. It was a mutual decision & we remain good friends, he comes back now & again for his fix of my roast dinner :)

I needed to move because of the new 'spare bedroom tax' & also to move into a town, so that I has most things I need on my doorstep. I loved the location of my previous home, but being a non driver I was very isolated. So to remain independent I needed to move.

I love where I live now, the town is very small & it's somewhere that I have known all my life so familiar to me. I am slowly getting sorted & finally back to so crafting again. I completed my part in 2 circle journals [aka C J's] today, but I can't show them yet because it wouldn't be fair on the C J owners!

My journal in this round is called  'Patterns of Life' I found it a bit of a struggle o produce with limited craft supplies to hand [mine was packed away in boxes] but, I am quite happy with the finished journal, tomorrow it will be on it's way to the next player & I won't see it again for some weeks!

I chose to write a poem to put in my C J & here it is

Patterns are everywhere, just look & you'll see

The brocade on your curtains, stripes on a bee

Pyjama's in the morning, find paisley there

Foliage in the garden, the leather on your chair!

Even love has it's patterns, changing seasons too

Walk down the road a bit to look for what's new

Feather's on birds, falling leaves from the tree's

Postage stamps, butterflies, just look & you'll see!

Just open your eye's & take time, like me

Because sometimes we look , but don't really see

The swirls on your coffee cup, or lines on your ledger

Those patterns of life are there to give us all pleasure!

~ author - Jane Songhurst ~

Slowly, my craft supplies are coming out of their packing boxes & I will be back to crafting again, blogging what I make & blog hopping to find hidden treasures as well as revisiting my loyal followers & joining in with all the amazing challenges that are out there in blog land.

Talking of blogs, please head over to The Cupboard Trilogy there is still time to take part in this months prize challenge

Quick Digi LO

This is my DT  Scrapbook page for the Happy Scrappers challenge blog, this months theme is Pets/Animals. I am still restricted to digital work because most of my craft stash is packed away in boxes in preparation for my house move on 27th October. I can hardly wait to get all my stuff out & sorted so that I can start getting inky & gluey again.

Meet Elmo & his Mum Maggie in their paddock, Elmo was born on a very cold night about 6 months ago. My daughter in law Caroline had been observing closely for 2 weeks prior to his expectant birth for any signs that it was near. However, she fell asleep earlier this evening, my son came home around 11pm after work & just took a peek in the stable to make sure Maggie was OK & saw that little Elmo had been born already & Maggie was being a good mum knew exactly what to do & managed by herself.

I think Elmo is about 2 weeks old in this photograph & just look at his beautiful flaxon tail, he is a very handsome boy 

Thank you for stopping by, please leave a comment & I will visit your blog in return.

~ Jane ~

Don't blame the older generation, because it simply isn't true.!

I have amended this a little bit, because it was written in the American style & I can't pass these off as my words. The author to my knowledge is unknown. 

I am old enough to remember all of these things, including hand washing my twin sons nappies!

Being Green

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days."

The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."

She was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in our day.

Back then all we did was,  return glass milk bottles, soda/fizzy pop bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were truely recycled.

But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags, that we reused for numerous things, most memorable besides household garbage bags, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our school books. This was to ensure that public property, the books provided for our use by the school, were not damaged by our scribblings and doodles, as we personalised our books on those old paper bags, so they could be past on the to kids below us.

But too bad we didn't do the green thing back then.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.

But, was she right? Didn't we have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's nappies/diapers because we didn't have the throwaway kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

But that young lady is right; we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the Olympic Stadium. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not polystyrene nuggets or plastic bubble wrap. Nor, did we fire up an engine and burn petrol, just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But she's right; we didn't have the green thing back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But hey what do we know, because we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the bus or other public transport and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their mothers into a 24-hour taxi service.
We had just the one electrical socket in a room, not an entire bank of them to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerised gadgets to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space, in order to find the nearest take away.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were, just because we didn't have the green thing back then? 

We didn't call it by a name, but it was a way of life and all we knew ..... Life seemed so much simpler back then!

Next time your about to cast the blame, think back to this post and wonder is there really anyone to blame or is it just a natural progression in life & knowledge!

~ Jane ~

I Am So Proud To Have Been Chosen .....

... As Guest blogger over on the Crafty Bloggers Network this week, it normally takes place on a Wednesday, but due to technical issues this week it was uploaded late, probably something to do with all the thunder storms sweeping the country this week.

The blog is a fabulous resource for inspiration,not only from thier own DT, but they have interviews with craft celebrities, challenges to take part in, tutorials & crafters everywhere.

If you are not a part of the Crafty Bloggers Network,then please do pop over & take a look, it really is a good read. They also have thier own Facebook Group, where friendly crafters are in abundance eager to share thier blogs & visit yours too. So, where you are looking to visit craft blogs or need to direct more traffic to your own blog, then this is the place for you. You can find them on Facebook HERE & you would be make very welcome to join us.

So on to my card,for some reason I found this very difficult to photogragh & edit to get a good light on it, wether it's the colour mixes or what I don't know but the photo does it no real justice, so I apologise!

I also have limited resources available to play with, because most of my craft supplies are boxed up ready for an pending house move,I can't wait to unpack it all again & start organising it & get back to having it all available to me again!

You will also notice that I haven't added a greeting or sentiment to the card, this is quite normal for me because I add it when I know who will receive it & for what occasion.

I have used 3 colours of my favourite craft staple, Bazzill Basics Cardstock in Melon, Chiffon & Frosted, plus my newest Marianne cutting die called Anja's Quadrant, I have used 3 of this is a 5 piece set of dies on my card, along with the sheer ribbon & embellishments from my tote.

If you would like to read my 'Introduction of Me' you can read it HERE please pop over & give me a little support.

As always thank you for dropping by my blog, please leave a comment to let me know that you stopped by, so that I can return the favour & visit you in return.

~ Jane ~

Design Team Call .....

Over on The Cupboard Trilogy challenge blog, this time we are looking for Cardmakers only.

The DT Call is open to everyone, we have a good mix of DT members which include beginners, seasoned & more expert crafters. It is open for both UK & International applicants & you will all be treated the same & given the same opportunities. I also like to take on at least one crafter that has yet to be on a Design Team, giving them a foot on the ladder so to speak.
So if you have never had the courage to put yourself forward before, please do apply, if chosen you will soon feel at home in our friendly team!

Don't forget to enter this months challenge as well,for your change to win a fabulous prize!

~ Jane ~

DT share

It's the 1st Saturday of the month & a new challenge has started over on The Happy Scrappers challenge blog. There are no prizes offered for thier challenges but, they offer great inspiration & if you love scrapbooking & enjoy following prompts then pop over & have a look.

Here is the LO I made as this months DT example 

This months prompt is SPORTS

I used one of my digi kits from Daisytrail to create this LO because most of my craft materials are packed away waiting for my house move in a few weeks time. As soon as my stash is out of the packing boxes I will be recreating this LO because I do like it & want it in Masons album!
This is my grandson in his very 1st Football Kit ... Arsenal of coarse!

Don't you just love those cute little socks, I dare say he will be having quite a few kits as he grows up because he is as football mad as his Daddy already & he is only 3 years old [almost]
Thanks for visiting my blog today

~ Jane ~

It's The 1st Saturday Of The Month ....

Which means that a new challenge has launched over on The Happy Scrappers challenge blog. This months challenges prompt is Birthdays/Celebrations, the DT including myself produced some lovely Scrapbook Layouts as examples, so now I can show you the one that I made!

This photograph was taken almost a year ago now on my grandson Mason's 2nd birthday, & I can still almost hear my son Paul saying to him
"Blow like this Mason, blow your candles out"
The Elmo cake that my son made tasted really nice, even if I did have a surprise when I was handed a slice of Red & Blue coloured marble cake. Why does it always feel so odd when we eat anything coloured blue!?!

Although my LO looks like it is set in a frame it isn't, it's actually part of the paper! I wanted to create the look of a pin/notice board for my LO for a more casual look & think I managed it. It really was very simple to put together with just a few scraps from my 'oddments' box. The only thing that was taken from a new packet are the American Craft 'Thickers' which I used for the word Mason & the number 2. The little cupcake embellishment I made myself with some pieces cut from a scrap of patterned paper & built it up in 3 layers so hat it stands proud from the page. Other than that it's just more patterned paper. 

I am happy with the finished result....

Thank you for visiting today

~ Jane ~

Hey I gave it a try ...

Digi scrapping I mean, as you may or may not know already, I now have my own monthly challenge blog, that launched last Saturday called The Cupboard Trilogy 

Well, the challenges are for cardmakers, scrapbookers & digi scrappers, anyway, the card & scrap Design Teams produced not only fabulous cards & scrapbook LO's, but they decided to have a play with digi scrapping as well, to boost the DT input [because we only have 2 people in the dedicated digi team at the moment]

Anyway, they were making it look so easy that I thought "Hey, I'll give it a try too" so I did. Further down my blog page you can see my very 1st attempt, which is nice but very plain & simple.

Then I thought I would create a digi using the Colour Chart prompt, which is the theme for this months TCT challenge!

This is my 15yr old stepdaugher Daisy during her 1st professional photo shoot. She was pleased with the photos taken so much that at long last she is actually seeing for herself how pretty her beautiful red hair. Until this photo was taken she like many girls & women just wanted to dye it a different colour, I think now she is thinking differently!

It's still a very simple design, I haven't worked out how to get anymore technical at creating layers ect. but, in truth I am not sure I will bother,because although I am finding it a fun thing to do, for me personally it can never take the place of cardstock & glue :)

Thank you for visiting today, I really do appreciate it & I read all comments & try to visit your blog in return :)

~ Jane~

[we are still looking for digi scrappers to join the team, message below if interested]

A quickie birthday card .....

For a very special little boy, Logan my youngest Grandson just turned 2 yrs old. He is a real motorhead already & anything with an engine is fair game, especially if it happens to be his Daddy's fire engine or quad bike. If it doesn't have an engine then anything with wheels is a good substitute, he actually loves going cycling with his Mummy saying "hello" from his back seat to everyone that he passes by. Just like his own Daddy as a child, his social skills are very strong, he loves to pass the time chattering to anyone that will take a minute to listen to him :)

So, this is the card I made for him. 

The image, which I coloured using promarkers is a Sugar Nellie stamp called ' Little Farmer'  The cardstock & papers were just plucked from my 'can't throw that away' holder & 3 bits of card candy!

Thank you for visiting my blog

~ Jane ~

x

              Entered into the following challenges
  http://www.craftybloggersnetwork.blogspot.co.uk/ ~ Anything Goes
 http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/ ~ Anything Goes
   http://anythingchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ ~ Polka Dots with a Birthday Theme      

                                                          

Today's The Day ....

The Cupboard Trilogy challenges went live today, you have 3 chances to win the lovely prize by entering with a card, scrapbook page or a digi scrapped page, maybe you would like to enter all 3!

There will be an overall winner who will win the prize offered & a 3 lucky people [1 for each genre] will get to win the DT Top Pix badge on thier blog!

So, please grab the badge from the challenge blog & help us spread the word & get crafting!

Here is the Scrapbook LO that I created to add to the Design Team projects. The photos are of my daughter in law, just after the birth of my grandaughter Yasmin. I decided not to add a title to the LO because I think the photographs speak for themselves .... Nothing is so deep as a Mother's Love!

 Thank you for visiting my blog today, please leave a comment & come back soon

~ Jane ~

Quick, Quick, Quick ....

Less than 24 hours now ....

Until the launch of The Cupboard Trilogy challenges & I am offering just one last chance to get a freebie aka as Blog Candy!

To get your hands on it simply follow the 3 simple steps

[1] Grab the TCT challenge blog Badge & display it on your own blog linking back here

[2] Post on your blog to announce tomorrows launch

[3] Leave a comment in the box below & become a follower!

Please Note: This candy expires at 11pm GMT Tonight

 

The Cupboard Trilogy challenge blog

The final blog Candy is this wonderful papercrafting kit

 *Thank you for playing along & good luck*

~ Jane ~

I took the plunge .....

And tried my hand at digi scrapping, I was curious to see if I could do it really. I don't think I would ever be very proficient at creating some of the beautiful digi scrapped pages that really look 3D, but it is kind of fun. It could never replace paper & glue for me, but I do feel it will have it's place in my crafting life, especially on the days when my health prevents me from indulging in my papercrafting.

So, here is my very 1st attempt

The photograph is my son & grandson on little Mason's 2nd birthday.

Don't you just love his Elmo cake, it tasted as good as it looked too even if I was suprised to see a slice of red & blue marbled sponge cake presented to me. It was really quite surreal eating red & blue cake that tasted of chocolate *laughs*

                                                              Thank you for dropping by

                                                                              ~ Jane ~

Update ...

Well, I have been crafting but I can't show you what I have made yet because it's all DT work. Not too long to wait now though, because the 2 DTs that I've been preparing for The Happy Scrappers & my own challenge blog The Craft Trilogy [which launches 1st July] are nearly due!

Back on 15th June I celebrated yet another birthday, I am not big on my own birthdays really, but I wa thrilled to bits to log into Facebook that day to see that an online friend Alison Paterson, had created a digital scrapbooking page for me. I loved it so much that I thought I would share it with you. I don't think Alison has a blog so I can't link to her!

Oh my gosh ....

I'm so excited, I have just set up my own craft challenge blog called 

The Cupboard Trilogy

I've selected a great Design Team [DT] & we are all on track for the launch on 1st July. I say a DT, but technically the team is split into 3 groups .. Cardmaking, Scrapbooking & Digi Scrapping, so hopefully there will be something for everyone!

There will be a prize each month for the over all winner, then there will be a 'DT Top Pix' badge awarded to each of the sections, chosen by the appropriate Design Team to post on your own blog!

I am looking for sponsers of the blog at the moment & looking for each of the genres of design, so if your looking in & you can supply a prize for Cardmakers, Scrapbookers or Digi Scrappers, please contact me on my profile page, I would be most appreciative!

I will update here nearer the time of the launch, I have my birthday to get through first, 52 this year, where on earth does the time go??!

Have a great day

~ Jane ~

It's The 1st Saturday Of The Month ....

Which means The Happy Scrappers have set a new challenge, this month the theme is

The Great Outdoors

Here is my DT Layout

The photos are of my grandson playing in the garden, he is a whopping 14 years old now soit was lovely scrapping these photos, I remember this little photo shoot like it was yesterday!

I wanted to keep the LO quite simple & fun, so I used blocks of cardstock in black, lime green,orange & blue. The paper used {which I cut to pieces} is from one of Fancy Pants older collections called "On a Whimsey"  The butterfly & trail were hand cut from one of the papers & stick to the page at varying depths, to add some extra detail, I cut up another sheet to use as quote blocks between the photographs. I have added little extra's like the little bird & teh word 'memories' which is on a piece of acetate & added a little doodling around the butterfly trail!

Altogether, it was a quick, but effective LO with the paper piecing technique keeping the feel of it a bit rustic & childlike to suit the mood of the photos!

My Top Tip ~ When adding embellishments, glue them down at differing heights, this adds extra interest to your LO. There are lots of glue items on the market to allow you to do this including 'sticky dots' double sided foam tape etc. My personal favourite is Pinflair Gel Glue because it dries clear & is silicon without the odour!

~ Thank you for visting my blog ~