Twelves Galore

TWELVE

So as everyone else is ranting about 12 and this kind of date will never happen again in my lifetime, 

I thought I would join in too.

I've been looking for a clock to capture the moment but the only one I could find was this....

...on my phone. Taking a screenshot was the only way to capture it.

12 seems to be quite a significant number in a lot of respects and I found the following list in the  

The Cincinnati Enquirer

TWELVE NOTABLE TWELVES 

 

12 months in a year.

12 hours on a clock face.

12 inches in a foot.

12 strikes to bowl a perfect game.

12 people have walked on the moon.

12 face cards in a deck.

12 days of Christmas.

12 apostles of Jesus.

12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.(Not that I'd know!)

12 jurors in felony trials.

12 signs of the Zodiac.

12 pairs of ribs in most humans. 

On Twitter, @Jin_Campbell wrote: "At 12 mins,12 secs after 12 o' clock on Dec 12th, the time will be 12:12:12,12/12/12 & 12 days before Christmas."

 

I also found another app on my phone which shows timings between 12:12:12 on 12/12/12 and the time and date I was born - and no, I'm not going to check if it's right!!

 

 

And what was I doing at 12:12:12 on 12/12/12 - sorting out my wardrobe!!!

Perfect Timing ...

....for two reasons!

Sitting, staring at my computer is something I do quite a lot of when inspiration has faded away.

Yesterday was one of those times, I'd been busy at school all morning so needed a bit of "ME" time. I haven't done many LOs lately as other things have taken priority so that was my aim.

With inspiration lacking and a bit of blog hopping Sarah's Cards December Sketch Challenge came up trumps. Seeing the sketch I immediately knew which photo I wanted to use. I'd had it printed A4 size in strips and had looked at it many times and wondered why ... that is, until now. 

So the sketch looks like this...

and as you can see I've flipped mine 90º clockwise using my "strip" photos as the main blocks. I really like the way this has turned out. I have used Amy Tangerine papers and embellishments from my stash.

On holiday we are always using the self timer to take photos of the three of us. Most of our "set-ups" take at least three attempts and we've had audiences in the past (which my DD thinks is highly embarrassing!)

This "set-up" was no different and on the 5th attempt it was "Perfect Timing"

                                So Sarah's Cards became my Perfect Timing for my Perfect Timing!

A Book Lover's Gift

 So really I should've been making cards but I fancied something a bit different.

With the knowledge that I needed a little something extra for a certain person for Christmas I set about making a Book Club Journal.

I covered chipboard for the cover and added elastic to the back cover as a closure.

I found a great template here and printed about 25 pages onto A5 paper. Using my bind-it-all to join the pages and a back cover, I then stuck it all inside with a loop for a pen.

As it's a Book Journal I thought a bookmark and notepad would be appropriate too

I placed these inside a pocket in the front cover.

 I can now wrap it up and place under the Christmas Tree and eagerly await the recipient's reaction....

6 Spoons, 2 Layouts

To answer a question from Gemma on why I had spoons on my craft desk, here is the answer...

I have made these spoons as markers on an allotment (not mine)

I originally saw them on Pinterest and as I know a few people with veggie plots, I thought it would be a good idea to make a few sets as gifts. They are so easy to make, just a few coats of Mod Podge and a spray of clear acryclic is all that is needed. Just need a good idea on how to wrap them now!

Yesterday was our Christmas crop and I wasn't really in a crafting kind of mood.

The chocolates that Jemma brought got my craft juices flowing and I managed to get two LOs completed.

 

The first is a picture of my daughter on a recent school trip to Germany. I used an old kit from Sarah's Cards and added a couple of my own embellishments including a huge paperclip from Wilkinsons.

 My second LO highlights a family photo taken in the USA using the self timer. I wanted a photo of us running into the sea but whilst I was setting up the camera, Nick and Imogen (unbeknown to me) decided that they would have a silly moment and run like "girls". The photo doesn't really showcase what Imogen was doing but Nick looks like Larry Grayson!

 

Advent x3

December 1st and what a lovely surprise I had this morning!

My wonderful daughter had set up the most fabulous advent calendar for me and it brought tears to my eyes.

Just look at what she made - my very own Advent Forest...

each tree has a surprise inside.

She also made her Dad a North Pole Fishing Hole

He's an avid fisherman hence the fishing theme

this one requires him to fish for the correct number each day so with his recent experience of fishing, he may not be getting many chocolates!

I opted for the Wilton Tins advent for Imogen this year but feel quite disappointed with myself when I see what her imagination has come up with at age 13.

She seemed very happy with it when she walked into the kitchen this morning though.

Space at last!!!

If you saw my picture from yesterday of my workspace you would think I was a real messy, disorganised sod!!!

Not really! Only in my craft room (usually) but I do eventually get around to tidying up.

I really need to have a GOOD sort out but I'm a bit of a hoarder (take after my Dad) and hate parting with things "just in case"

Anyway, I did tidy my space yesterday but I haven't done any crafting.

So I went from this

to this

in the space of about 15 minutes. I thought it would take so much longer that that which is why I left it so long!!!

I also received a package yesterday from Dapfnie of a gorgeous handmade card and a stamp I was lucky enough to win during Jennifer's blog hop.

Thank you Dapfnie

I can't wait to use it, probably at the crop on Saturday which I'm really looking forward to...

Not much going on here...

...with a craft desk like this!! :O

I have so much to do today. I have made a good start but still loads to tick off my list including the shocking state of my craft desk.

A really good sort out is required and I WILL get it done today along with the 101 other jobs.

Busy day with meetings tomorrow and off on a retail therapy sleepover to Liverpool on Thursday.

Crop day is Saturday :) Elbow for the 5th time on Saturday night then the Crop Christmas do on Sunday night.

My list MUST be finished today

Inspired and Educated

Fridge magnets aren't really my things but I saw some during our Summer holiday and couldn't resist.

They sit proudly in the corners of my fridge freezer doors and they remind me of gems on a scrapbook layout.

My friend took a shine to them so, knowing I wouldn't get them here, I decided to but some (how hard could it be?)

Well, my obstacle came when I didn't know what the little round glass, nuggetty, pebble thingamajigs were called. I went to bead shops, crafting shops and got the same (are you mad?) look from everyone I tried to explain them to. I'd resigned myself to the fact that my friend would be getting something else for Christmas,

THEN...

...HERE last weekend Jennifer made a gorgeous necklace out of a  

CABOCHON

and there they were on ebay along with some cheap round magnets to stick on the back.

Two days later, postie delivered my goodies and here is the product of my new found education....

Our Favorite Recipe

This weekend I've been following Jennifer's Jumbles Frosty Festivities Blog Event.

One of her blogs Jacket Potato Surprise inspired me to blog one of the Graffham Three favorite meals.

I threw this together one night when I hadn't been shopping and didn't have much else in the cupboard. It has become Imogen's most requested food, she adores it and would eat it every night if allowed! Full of protein, it's good for us being non meat eaters and it's always very filling and warming on a Wintery night.

So Beany Wraps can serve 4 but as we are only 3, I divide the mixture between three flour tortillas instead of 4 :)

Ingredients


4 flour tortillas (big are better)
1 tin mixed beans in tomato sauce
1 tin pineapple chunks (drained)
1 jar pasta sauce
200g cheddar cheese (grated)
rice (I use 2 of the boil in the bag)
greased ovenproof dish

Lay the tortillas flat and divide the beans and pineapple onto the middle of each tortilla

 Fold the tortillas and place in ovenproof dish

Pour over the sauce ensuring the tortillas are covered Sprinkle over the grated cheese

Bake in a pre-heated oven 180ºC for approx 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbling

 Serve on a bed of cooked rice

I hope you like our recipe - we do!!!

And now for something completely different...

Whilst in the USA earlier this year, I saw a lovely pinny which has stayed in my mind since.

Google is  a wonderful thing as I recently managed to find a "how to" online so after hunting down some BIG jeans for £1.50 in the local charity shop and dusting off the sewing machine, here is what I made...

Cute ruffled flower

Designed and printed onto transfer paper then transferred onto the material ready to stitch on

The extra pocket from the front of the jeans stitched on

Now I can keep my clothes clean from paint etc whilst enjoying my favourite pastime!

Frosty Festivities

After the big comedown from the UKS crop I was glad to arrive at Jennifer's Jumbles Blogspot via JimJams
{thanks Jemma :) }

I am now so looking forward to the weekend where once again I hope to find inspiration and creativity and ignore my family! This gorgeous My Mind's Eye collection is up for grabs...




and with a few glimpses of the weekend, I can't wait until Friday....

Silly Prices!!!

Having see something similar online with a cost of just under £10 for one card, I set about to make my own version to send to my family this year.

I found a royalty free tree then used a snowflake font in a different colour to add the "leaves" to the tree. Using PS, I've resized and printed the background for the card separately so that my tree would be the "stand out" feature of the card added a bit of ribbon and a few gems.

At a cost of about 50p compared to £10, I'm pleased with the card and think Mum and Dad will be too!!!

SO ENJOYABLE...

UKS CYBERCROP is nearly over :(

Well, what can I say? I'm really going to miss the fun of the UKS CyberCrop.
I've had some great laughs with my 'Splorer Teamies, I've sat here at night literally with tears rolling down my face with some of the banter that's been going on.

The CC itself has taught me so much and I'm especially loving the digi stuff which I've really started to get into and enjoy. I think this has to be one of my favourites. Having seen a similar Americanised saying, I wanted to make it my own and hence put this digi LO together...

I've also learned to journal more after being slapped on the hand (you know who you are) to follow the rules.
I normally hide my journalling as I don't like my writing but here I just scrawled all over the page!!

The next two LO's I used images from the Internet to print onto my background paper before adding photos and embellishments.

I also printed the violin onto sheet music paper for this one and really like how it's turned out.

I've also learned how to use those embellishments that I really don't like. Used in the right way, I don't think they look as bad as I first thought...

AND finally for now, sewing, I HATE sewing, but with inspiration (and after two failed attempts) I managed to get the LO how I wanted it. I'm glad I persevered and gave it a go....

My First Digi

It's DigiDay on UKS and with lots of help from Kate Hadfield's tutorial I've managed my first digital layout.
I could never quite get "digital layout" - I mean, what's the point? Now I understand and will hopefully continue to play around with all those downloaded elements that sit on my hard drive!!

and following on from that one, I think I might be getting a tiny bit hooked on digis!

Dawn Inskip's Challenge, with a fab free download had me trying lots of different things to create another digi...

More UKS Challenges

Technique Thursday with Cal: Ways to Use it: Week 2 is all about using negatives. I had a few ideas but eventually came up with using my cricut to cut out different size hearts around where I would eventually put the picture. I used different papers to show through the negatives and I must admit I quite like what I've done.
See what you think...

The Time Traveller's Wife

So today I've been time travelling on UKS as part of the Time Traveller's Wife Pre-Crop Challenge.

I think I looked at most of the previous cyber crop links in the menu and eventually the choice was between two.

The Stuntman by Gertie from April 2008 Oscars Cyber Crop

and

Bow Street by Sarah Palmer from April 2010 Monopoly Cyber Crop

I hope you can tell by the picture which one I chose although I will be scraplifting the other one too.

Now onto Technique Thursday with Cal: Ways to Use it: Week 2

Cal's Pre Cyber Crop Class

So it's my first time as a Cyber Cropper and I really am enjoying it.

I loved Cal's Class A Perfect Day over on UKS

Cals' page is just my type. Being a simple kind of person, I like the simple things (I don't do fussy)

Here's my take on Cal's LO

I've also had a go at the challenges so far...

 Technique Thursday with Cal: CC Pre-Crop challenge (Ways to Use it: 1)
which was to make a project using tags ...

I've completed Beanpole's A Patchwork of Poison. 
 I didn't think this was really my cup of tea due to lots of cutting but it's surprising how enjoyable it was doing something different for a change...

And finally (for now) the Birthday Card set as the first challenge as UKS is celebrating its 10th birthday...

I still have my ATCs to make for the Team Explorer ATC Swap and I need to use my Mystery Kit although I can't post a pic of that one just yet!!!