WOYWW 195

A bit late in the day but I have pulled out a couple of photos and some scraps of patterned paper to do this weeks challenge over on UKS - hopefully I will get it done by Sunday. It is my local crop on Sunday but after last weekends adventure up a big hill I can't decide whether to go crafting or get out in the big outdoors and do some more walking. Decisions decisions.

A couple of goodies on my desk - my first order from Caroles Stampers 10 group. Is this the first of many SU ink pads.........

Please pop over and say hello to Julia and see what everyone else has been up to today.

Words Of Wisdom #1

I see these nuggets mainly on Facebook and they make me smile so I thought I would share them with you here too.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I have a train journey into Aberdeen and back today as youngest son has another appointment at the orthodontist - not complaining though as it means a day off work!

I will be taking One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern. I usually love her books as they are a bit different and "other worldly" but it is taking a while to get into this one. I will take my Kindle with me just in case I feel the need to read something else.

The uplifting and thoughtful novel from the uniquely talented author. Everyone has a story to tell...Journalist Kitty Logan's career has been destroyed by scandal, and she now faces losing the woman who guided her and taught her everything she knew. At her mentor's bedside, Kitty asks her - what is the one story she always wanted to write? The answer lies in a file buried in Constance's office: a list of one hundred names. There is no synopsis, no explanation, nothing else to explain what the story is or who these people are. The list is simply a mystery. But before Kitty can talk to her friend, it is too late. With everything to prove, Kitty is assigned the most important task of her life - to write the story her mentor never had the opportunity to. Kitty has to not only track down and meet the people on the list, but find out what connects them. And, in the process of hearing ordinary people's stories, she uncovers Constance's - and starts to understand her own...

Pop over to The Book Journey and see what everyone else is reading today.

Sitting still on a Sunday

I feel like I have the arthritic knees of a pensioner today after our adventure up a big hill yesterday (photos to follow) so I'm not planning to do much today. Sitting down will be the order of the day.

Still on my mission to use up old stash and scrap some of the old photos I have accumulated I set to and did this weeks challenge over on UKS. The challenge was to use the sketch provided, scrap somthing, someone or somewhere you love, to use red or a heart and to use rik rak. using an old Scrapagogo kit this is what I came up with. The sketch didn't appeal first of all but I do like the result.

In amongst the kit was another half finished page - which is now finished. I love the colours in this kit - both the kit and the photos are from 2010!

World Book Night 2013

World Book Night is a celebration of books and reading.

We are passionate about books, bookshops and libraries but above all else about encouraging everyone to read.

We recruit passionate volunteers to help us spread a love of reading in communities across the country.

Each one of 20,000 volunteers gives 20 copies of one of 20 books which WBN has hand-picked and specially produced to people who don't regularly read to encourage them to do so. Volunteer givers collect the specially printed copies of their books from their local bookshop or library. WBN is free to participate in for all.

I received my email last night to say that I have been picked as a giver for World Book Night 2013. This year I have picked Me Before You by JoJo Moyes as it was a book I thoroughly enjoyed last year.

Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

On April 23rd I will have 20 copies to give away to people who maybe aren't quite as passionate a reader as I am. Last year I picked The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and still have a couple of copies left if anyone local would like one.

Skywatch Friday

Sunday was such a gorgeous day I had to get out for a walk - and I managed to twist youngest sons arm to accompany me (the promise of chocolate cake in The Bakehouse did the trick!!)

We almost didn't need our coats - but of course Callum ended up with wet feet!

And finally a rare photo of youngest son.

See more skies from around the world over on the Skywatch blog.

UFO's

UFO = Un Finished Objects.

Whilst I was rummaging in my craft room I have come across quite a few pages which have been started but never finished. I think I must have started this pair at my local crop and thought I would finish them off at home - but never did.

But better late than never here are two more pages for my US album: I have used Pink Paislee Amber Road papers and much use of the larch Monarch butterfly punch by Martha Stewart. Who doesn't love butterflies - even on a boy page!!

WOYWW 194

I am on a bit of a roll with my scrapping at the moment - Mr Mojo has entered the building!!

I am attempting this weeks challenge over on UKS for the second week running. I have been having a rummage in my craft room and came across plenty of old photos that I had forgotten about that are crying out to be scrapped - and plenty of old papers . Some of which I cringe at and wonder what on earth was I thinking when I bought them - but others like these ones from an old Scrapagogo kit are stunning and I'm amazed I still have them.

So my page is still a work in progress.

I'm also a very lucky girl with new goodies on my desk - thanks to the lovely Kate and her Stampin Up book has got me these embossing folders. I am in love with leaves and hexagons at the moment.

Pop over and say hi to Julia and see what everyone else is up today.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Welcome to It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading!  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

The boys are off school today so no rushing around this morning - so I got up, made a cup of tea and went back to bed with my book.

I managed to finish The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. This was something a bit different to what  have been reading lately and I knew a book about a young girl dying of cancer wasn't going to be a light easy read. The main characters of Hazel and Augustus are so well written and brought the story to life - although you know from the outset there isn't going to be a happy ending. Well worth a read - but have a tissue ready.

"I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once." Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten. Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green's most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love. 

I have now picked up Whatever It Takes by Adele Parks. I have read some mixed reviews and from what I can remember I wasn't overkeen on her last offering - but I will give it a go.

Eloise Hamilton is a Londoner born and bred, so it is a momentous day when she reluctantly agrees to uproot to Dartmouth, leaving behind her perfect world so her husband can finally live in his. There are compensations, however. Her mother-in-law Margaret will welcome her with open arms, and besides, she can still rely on best friend Sara to be her lifeline to London.

But both Margaret and Sara are facing their own difficulties, and thrust into unexpected turmoil, Eloise finds she is the one holding everything together for her loved ones - and by an ever-weakening thread. As her world implodes with the strain of being responsible for all around her, someone is bound to be overlooked. And the damage might be irreparable...

Pop over to The Book Journey and see what everyone else is reading today.

A scrappy Saturday

For some reason I woke up at the crack of dawn today - I do vaguely remember hearing my phone beep some time during the night - a text from hubby at 4am (he has been in the Far East for a week and is struggling to remember what day it is let alone work out the time difference!!)

So I made a cup of tea and make a start on Shimelles latest Scrapbook Starting Point that I had seen the previous evening. Earlier in the week I was looking through a box of older photos and found loads I now want to scrap - including this gorgeous one of Callum taken several years ago during a walk on a local beach. Then I found a bag of scraps of October Afternoon papers left over from previous projects - different collections but they all seem to go together - and this is what I came up with. You can see Shimelles original blog post here.

The alphabet stickers are by Doodlebug (I didn't realise till the other day that this company is still alive and kicking - their papers were some of the very first I bought when I started this hobby.) The leaf is a Stampin Up die.

Then I had a look at this weeks challenge over on UKS - this week it is to use the colour green, use at least 2 pearls and a quote by Shakespeare. I usually avoid quotes on my pages as they often seem a bit contrived - but I did a Google search and came up with "Off with his head" which is from King Richard III, Act III, Scene IV. It fitted my photos of the boys perfectly. They were taken at Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness back in 2008 - their cousins had come over from the US and they had all met up for the very first time. Luckily they all got on like a house on fire but some ill advised adult bought them all a plastic sword each!! I apologise to anyone who was at the castle that day who was subject to their running battles - but they had a ball!!.

October Afternoon papers again, the border is an EK Success giant scallop punch and the title is a Sizzix die set called Go Go Boots.

Skywatch Friday

The aftermath of the storm on my local beach.

See more skies from around the world over on the Skywatch blog.

WOYWW 193

An unexpected day off work for me due to a sickly child (either that or he has just pulled a fast one to get an even longer mid term break!!)

So a chance to play with paper. Finishing off the 2 pages I started at my local crop recently - I tend to half complete pages while I am there and then never get round to actually finishing them off. I am using the current Scrapagogo kit which is lush.

A new goodie has sneaked onto my desk - a fabulous moustache embossing folder - perfect for make cards - and for my niece who I have been told has a thing for moustaches!

Not a completely wasted day as I have also managed to empty the ironing basket, clean the oven and "cleanse" the teenagers bedroom. Someone has just suggested a fine idea to get him to keep his room clean and tidy (ie bring all dirty crockery down before it grows a fur coat and using the floor as a bin) and that is to remove his bedroom door - until he earns his privacy. A top idea I feel!!

Please pop over and say hello to Julia and see what everyone else is getting up to on this snowy Wednesday.

Pretty Paper Party # 1

This class by Shimelle started again on 14th January - and almost a month in all I have managed is a card and a page from the very first prompt.

The prompt was filled with so much inspiration with 4 scrapbook and 1 card sketch - I will have a go at the other.

I used a 6x6 paper pad by Authentique for both - the collection is called Loyal. The scroll journalling stamp is by Daisy Bucket and the sentiment is Sentimental Style by the now sadly no more Banana Frog.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Welcome to It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading!  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I finished Merry Christmas Alex Cross by James Paterson last night (a quick read and I much prefer this series to the ones he co writes with other authors.) So for a complete change of pace I have picked up I Should Be So Lucky by Tricia Ashley. I have read other things by this author and have enjoyed them - and isn't the cover so pretty?

Viola hasn't had much luck with men. Her first husband, Marco, companion of her youth and father of her only child, left her when he realised he was gay. Her second, Rhys, ended his high-octane, fame-filled life by driving his Porsche into a wall. No wonder her family always believes she needs Looking After, and her friends think she really shouldn't be allowed out on her own...

Which is why, at the age of thirty-five, she finds herself shamefully back at home, living with Mum.

Viola knows she has to take charge; she needs to get a life, and fast. With a stroppy teenage daughter, a demanding mother, and siblings who want to control her life for her, where is she going to turn?

Pop over to The Book Journey to see what everyone else is reading today.

Skywatch Friday

A canoeist on Loch Lomond.

See more skies from around the world here.

52 Cards Challenge 2013 : Week 2

I have slipped behind already - oops.

Week 2 over on Kool Kitty Musings was to produce a clean and simple card - easier said than done.

I don't like printing straight onto a card - too many things to go horribly wrong. I used Paula Pascual  Christmas Tree stamps and the sentiment is from a Marion Emberson Designs set called Find Joy Everyday. The cream heart shaped button was found lurking in my button jar.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Welcome to It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading!  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

You know it's a good book when you don't want to go to work on monday morning as you would rather stay in bed reading!

The Shoemanker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani is a slow burner. Starts off very gently but is starting to pick up pace and I really don't want to put it down. So beautifully written - you fall in love with the main characters so quickly.

The majestic and haunting beauty of the Italian Alps is the setting of the first meeting of Enza, a practical beauty, and Ciro, a strapping mountain boy, who meet as teenagers, despite growing up in villages just a few miles apart. At the turn of the last century, when Ciro catches the local priest in a scandal, he is banished from his village and sent to hide in America as an apprentice to a shoemaker in Little Italy. Without explanation, he leaves a bereft Enza behind. Soon, Enza's family faces disaster and she, too, is forced to go to America with her father to secure their future.

Unbeknownst to one another, they both build fledgling lives in America, Ciro masters shoemaking and Enza takes a factory job in Hoboken until fate intervenes and reunites them. But it is too late: Ciro has volunteered to serve in World War I and Enza, determined to forge a life without him, begins her impressive career as a seamstress at the Metropolitan Opera House that will sweep her into the glamorous salons of Manhattan and into the life of the international singing sensation, Enrico Caruso.

From the stately mansions of Carnegie Hill, to the cobblestone streets of Little Italy, over the perilous cliffs of northern Italy, to the white-capped lakes of northern Minnesota, these star-crossed lovers meet and separate, until, finally, the power of their love changes both of their lives forever.

Pop over to The Book Journey to see what everyone else is reading today.

Crafting on a Sunday

Today was my local crop for local people! And a great afternoon was had by all even if I wasn't everly productive. What I did come away with was a wish list as long as my arm from Kate's Stampin Up catalogue.

I haven't done much crafting this year so far as I cannot show you today's pages as they are still a work in progress. But here is the page I did for my team challenge over on UK Scrappers last month. We had to use the sketch below, use 5 of something and use some new stash. I used up some scraps from a recent Scrapagogo kit for this one and cut out 5 hexagons from the patterned paper and the new stash was the Stampin Up butterfly punch.

Using up the same kit for another of the UKS weekly challenges in where we had to use one photo, to use scraps and to use a meaningful quote. I think I eeked out the last few hexagons from the sheet of paper and my title was a tenuous meaningful quote!! I think I just have one sheet of paper left from this kit and a few scraps - it'll be another challenge to try and use them up.

Thanks for looking ♥