Use It Up Day

It's not very often that I scrap with papers that I grab from the shelf 

as I've usually got a kit on the go 

but today I need a subtle look page and none of the kits I was working with were suitable.

I grabbed a Christmas paper from my shelf (OK I used the reverse) 

and some vellum and joined in with

The Studio Challenges September Sketch

I rotated the sketch for the purpose of my portrait photograph, embossed some vellum and drew around a side plate before adding a few embellishments to create a softer look.

I think it must have been Use It Up day as I finished off 3 small sheets of embellishments.

I also used my Tim Holtz die for the first time since buying it over on Crafty Sellers.

 The prompt I was following was to scrap somebody special and who better than

my parents as the subject.

No Such Word as "Can't"

Did your parents always tell you
"there is no such word as can't"?

Mine certainly did, especially my Dad, and I often hear myself telling this to the child

when she gives up too quickly.

Luckily it's not very often as she has inherited my stubborn ways!

This month, the challenge over at Challenge YOURself is to

scrap an affirmation and I have always been a big believer in believing in yourself.

There are many times when I could easily said no but with that built in stubbornness

I generally succeed although sometimes I wish I hadn't.

I know my limits these days pushing those limits can't hurt sometimes, can they!?

This is the story of a walk completed in Madagascar in the blazing sunshine with no shelter.

Steep steps and narrow path climbs were obstacles in themselves but with health factors to contend with I wasn't sure whether my body could take it.

As you can see by the layout, I DID!!!

I found the little wooden heart in a shop on my return home

 and knew it would be perfect for a future layout!

I was so proud of myself for perservering
however the following day brought its own challenges - my body had forgotten how to move!!!

This is another layout created using my "Hello October" counterfeit kit.

What have you done recently to Challenge YOURself.

(Please note that this month I actually remembered to include that photo of ME!)

Argh, No Ribbon!

Even with the knowledge of the three great challenges set by our Queen Laura this month

I failed to put ribbon in my kit so I quickly added some in

whilst packing for the monthly crop.

Now don't get too excited thinking that I've created something wonderful with this ribbon because that wasn't the challenge!!! That's my excuse anyhow.

As you can see, I have used it a wonderfully unusual and creative way.

Yes, I've stuck it down in straight line - it is pretty ribbon though!

Again, my journalling is tucked in behind my photos and tells the story of how this little boy ran as fast as his feet could take him when he saw us handing out sweets to his friends.

He was rewarded with  a few extra for his efforts and he rewarded us with a beautiful smile.

Again, I have used that clear plastic that was headed for the bin

What dustbin bound item have you saved lately to use on a layout?

A Simple Story of Me & the Snake

Do you know something? 

Have I told you before? 

I absolutely LOVE being a part of Jen's Design Team. 

Not so long ago, I received some fabulous items from 

Simple Stories DIY Boutique 

to play with and I must say, I am in love with this collection.

By following this sketch (it's LOAD time again)

I created a layout all about me and the boa constrictor.

Now snakes don't bother me, but don't bring a spider anywhere near me!

This Boa was handed to me on our recent visit to a wildlife park.

I was quite happy, knowing it was a constrictor, to hold it and pose for a photo

that is until the guide said

"be careful it doesn't bite you"

My arms extended, DH and DD walked backwards as quickly as the possibly could and my face in the picture tells the story!!!

How silly and naive of me to think that just because it suffocates its prey

that it wouldn't be able to bite as well.

So if you fancy a bit or even the whole of the collection

why not take a look at all the goodness that is

Wearcrafts

You won't be disappointed!

Reasons to be Cheerful Part 5

My fifth and probably final layout (although I do still have a fair bit left)
using 

Cheer, the September Kit from Wearcrafts

follows Sue's sketch over at Me and Mine.

I missed joining in last month so I'm getting in early for October!

There's plenty of time to join in so why not have a go yourself?

Don't forget to see what Jen and Virginia have been doing with the kit too and
while I'm here how could I not show you the card
the child made for her Dad's birthday yesterday.
I think he may be on rations for a while!

Lost!

We recently spent a few hours attempting to escape from a local Maize Maze.

The three of us went our separate ways and the last one "out" had to buy the ice creams.

HE had the map but still couldn't find his way out - I rest my case!

My "Hello October" counterfeit kit was perfect for this layout - all those arrows facing different ways!!!

He's not the best map reader in the world and on our road trips he will ALWAYS get us lost.

Is it just a man thing? He cannot possibly look for road signs whilst talking, reading a map or anything else for that matter and never tells me what I should be looking for so

sometimes the air is "blue" inside those hire cars.

It was quite satisfying watching him trying to get out whilst I was safely at the end!

Reasons to be Cheerful Part 4

My fourth layout created using Wearcrafts

12 Pledges Kit - Cheer

tells the story of the the child when she had Chicken Pox.

She was only about 4 weeks into starting nursery when she developed the spots 

and was more upset that she couldn't go for two weeks 

than she was about having itchy and annoying pimples!

The current challenge over at

The Studio Challenges

is to scrap lift one of the Design Team layouts.

It was such a difficult choice but in the end I chose Anna's starry layout

which had previously been scrap lifted from Cari.

Anna had changed Cari's triangles into stars which I then turned into spots to fit in with my layout.

So, it's not the fact that the child had Chicken Pox that cheers me 

BUT the fact that we are very lucky on this island of ours 

to avoid the world's more debilitating illnesses.

Yes, we may struggle at the time to contend with Chicken Pox or Influenza 

however imagine having to cope with ebola where there is no medical help.

Don't forget that Jen and Virginia have been playing with this kit too
so make sure you stop by their blogs to see hoe they've been using Cheer.