Waiting for the phone to ring.

The interview went well and DS1 was told that he should expect a phone call on Friday. Appparently he had a lot of qualities that the company requires. Here's hoping he gets taken on. By all accounts he did well and I am extremely proud of him.

Man in Black

OMG my eldest is at this very moment having his first official interview. He is dressed in a black suit and looks really handsome. I cannot believe how mature he looks. We have been warring for ages about him getting a job. I have been putting a lot of pressure on him so whether he gets this job or not I won't care as he is making the effort that I want him too. I can hear myself saying ' If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. I wish him the best of luck, but he has made me proud by just trying.

Having a life

and recording it in print. Yesterday I attended one of my oldest friend's weddings. I really didn't want to go to begin with, but I found the courage to go. This wedding was going to be different as my friend (Gina) is a punk.

The style of everyone was amazing and I am so glad that I went. I plan to make her a mini book to celebrate her day (any scrapper would).

Here is an image.



One of the funniest things about yesterday was finding out that WEBBY had a real name; CARL. I laughed when he was reciting his vows (not audibly; I do know how to behave some of the time). It was an internal snigger as I had only known him as Webby for years.

That hair is just ace.

Libra Layout

Most recent layout. Can't really say more than that.

My first Binditall project.

I have had a fabulous idea. I won't share at this moment. Will tell you more when the project is complete. I now have lots of binding combs. Got them from Stamp Addicts and they were reasonably priced. Love this idea. Off to play.

Another way to play

We all have surplus Phonebooks lying around. The paper used is the same texture as newspaper. I like to have text as the background to play around with. In a previous post I used the obit page which did feel slightly awkward about. I have discovered that the phonebook has similar paper and is full of text. Yummy. Off to play. Will be back later with images to share.

Pencil Lines Sketch #42

The sketch is here. I had a portrait photo to work with so I have maneuvered the sketch to fit my image. I have used sewing to immitate the scallop edging. You will need to get in really close to see that detail. Felt flowers are lush. I recently took part in a felt flower swap on UKS and so felt (no pun intended) that the blooms on the sketch should be from my already mountainous stock.

Bind it all

Well this is the tool of the moment. I really love mine. I should be showing you what I have made, but like a numpty I bought the largest rings and now need the smaller ones to play the way I want. So guess what? You guessed it, I've been shopping again and I've now bought all sizes. My smaller rings should be here by the end of the week. Should be up for a bit of show and tell by then.

Is anyone out there like me? I expect not as I am truly unique (LOL). What I mean is, like me in the sense that you make purchases; having thought of lots of things to do which have inspired the purchase, only to feel a total lack of inspiration when the products are right there in front of you. It is a bit like writer's block and a right royal pain in the butt in my opinion.

Sometimes a bit of a distraction helps.

I love the Pencil Lines challenge for this week. I have printed off my photo. Let's hope I get it finished.

Look what the postie brought for me

Newest toy. Clapping hands excitedly. Cannot speak. Shrill screams. I am in love.

Lervina

And here she is. My newest playmate.

Sew Crazy

Got myself back to Lidl today and returned the useless comb binder. Don't get me wrong the price was NICE and there was nothing wrong with it. It wouldn't have enabled me to do what I need to do which is make mini books so my purchase did not fit the purpose. Not the manufacturers fault or Lidl's. Just mine. Ha ha ha. Sometimes when one door closes another opens. At Lidl today they have sewing machines. £39.99 and it does lots of different stitches. I am chuffed to bits with it. I have tested it. It does what it says on the tin which means I now have a multi-stitch sewing machine. Prepare to see me go SEW Crazy.

Creating decorative backgrounds

I've organised another swap on UKS. This one was inspired by something I saw on Artezine. I have been experimenting with backgrounds and this is what I came up with.







Got to make a deco page today. The theme is green. Be back later with images.

You buy cheap, you buy twice.

Okay so I am remembering that saying and now I know this to bee true. I bought the machine yesterday and while I was pleased with it ititially after this morning's playtime I have realised its limitations. I have repackaged and it and it will be finding itself back to Lidl very shortly.

I have bought a BIND IT ALL. WHOOPEE. I got it here Postage only 2.95. The lovely lady in the shop said she will get it in the post for me today and hopefully it will be here tomorrow or Monday. Can't wait.

Discount shopping ROCKS!

I love those discount supermarkets, Aldi, Netto, and Lidl. Look what I picked up yesterday. Wow. Twenty pounds which makes it much cheaper than a bind it. My new JOY TOY came with paper, card and acetate and plastic combs. I will have a play and see what I can create later. YUMMMY!

I did not blog yesterday because I was too busy making. Will post piccies later. Just about to take DS 2 to school. Found a new place to roam. Thought I'd share http://www.cardsbyjulie.blogspot.com/

My Reptillian Assistant...

will be with me really soon. Till then I'll just have to stroke the screen.

More things that I have been making.

Just a stamp CJ came togehter today. Thanks Jean your stamp helped me to complete another project today. whoopee. Angelic ATC. No word as yet, but I am working on it.

The fruits of today's labour

Okay so I have had a disaster with my DVD box. The coating I used to protect it (water based gloss) made the paint bubble and lift. Anyway I am going to refer to it as my happy accident as I painted over it and I am loving the texture.

Here's how the front of my DVD case is coming along :)

The sun is shining

At long last the rain has ceased and the sun is shining in Manchester. Whoopee.

Scraptacular

I am in shock. I just checked my emails and found one asking me to do a sketch for a magazine. I am so chuffed. I have no idea what to do at the moment but I am sure something will come to me. I am certain I won't sleep until it does. Maybe this is not a big thing to everyone, but to me it is massive. I am so happy.

Take one dvd box apply paint and voila. I purchased a two part paint from Fred Aldous the other day. I didn't really have a chance to play with it until this afternoon. I now need to paint everything.

I am in yet another swap on UKS (Altered DVD case) and I am currently working on that with my paint.

I am liking the way it is looking. Will post more piccies later. I love the little details and how the vert di gris is picked up.

Counting the days and making a note.

The first day of this cylce was on Monday 9th. The mid point (ovulation) is fourteen days from this date making it July 23rd. Apparently this is the time to concieve for a girl. Will try again around this date. So why am I sharing? To be honest I am just making a note.

Shopping

I went into Manchester today shopping. I had a great time and spent way too much, but it did me good to get out. My best purchase of the day was an outfit for Marcus from H&M. I love it.

Skulls are it. I love his teeshirt and his wristband the most.

I am a purple princess

Well that's if you believe those quiz type things. I think I like some of what it says and disagree strongly with others. I stole the idea from Jems blog and had fun taking part in the quiz.

Christmas is just around the corner

Well we have five months to be exact and as a crafter everyone I knows expects a hand crafted card. I have been making batches. To be perfectly honest they are going to be sold at a table top sale at the weekend. I like them and if they don't sell they will go to friends and family.

Turnaround

I sent a layout off to SI for submission. I have been scrapping for about three years and I have never done that before but I felt this layout (teenage) could offer some inspiration for those of us who are mums to sons. Often layouts are pink and girlie and while I love them I just can't make them because my subjects are usually male.

My layout has been accepted. I am thrilled. Thank you Lou for scanning it for me. I really wouldn't know where to start.

So yesterday's result put me on a bit of a downer, but this news has really brightened my day. Can't wait to see the layout in print.

I am smiling all over my face.

Result

NEGATIVE :(

Just means I have to try again.

Having fun trying

Well I am due on Tomorrow. I have already taken two pregnancy tests which have come back negative so either you have to wait until there is enough hormone present to show up in that case the test I take tomorrow should reveal everything or I am not pregnant.

The chemist opens at 9.00. I will be leaving the shop, having purchased my test kit at 1 min past.

Will post here either way. Keeping my fingers crossed (but not my legs iyswim lol)

And so a whole week has gone by and what have I been up to creatively. Well I've been card making. John's mum had an important, but well played down birthday beginning with 6 and ending with 0 (Shush I did not tell you) In my opinion she looks amazing. I did not take piccies of the cards but I did make them entirely from scratch using MM template kit. I found this kit in my very messy bedroom and must admit to having had it for almost a year before using it. I think we are all a bit like that aren't we. Anyway loved making and decorating the envelope the most. Both cards were well received so I was chuffed. She even rang me to thank me. Small things make me smile so that is my smile for today having your creativity appreciated.

Yesterday I began making some tags for a swap on UKS. Vintage Lingerie so I have used a pattern for a real corset and decoupaged it. Me and decoupage (tolling). That is a technique I never use. Make your own mind up about how sucessful they are by looking at the images. Click on the imagees for a closer view.




I love taking part in swaps, they allow me to try new techniques and experiment in ways I just don't think of. Yey for swaps. Swaps make me smile too.

I got a package for a swap I am hosting this morning, more tags. I have a whole bundle they are all different and all fabby will take piccies to post here.

Ran out of steam for tidying. In fact I got distracted. Basically I found things to play with. LOL

overhaulin'

My scrap space is usually really messy. I have to admit I am one messy crafter. I have made it my one priority this evening to tidy up. So far I have filled 4 carrier bags with rubbish. I know now great for the environment, but it is doing me the world of good.

Tidying up invariably means rediscovering things I knew I had but couldn't find like some really cool making memories card templates. I am goint to use them on the tag swap that I am hosting on UKS.

I have had fun organising my paints. I did not know I had so many; glass paints, acrylics, silk, watercolour, oils and then there are three dimensional and fabric. Wow. I am such a collector. I do use my acrylics and you never know when the rest will come in handy so they are not ready to go to carrier bag heaven just yet.

I've moved all of my magazines beneath my desk. They used to live on it but it makes more sense for them to be underneath. I haven't bought any for ages and I rarely refer to them. Just for a change I make myself into a liar. John (OH) has just walked in with the July issue of CK. I am very happy. Think I will browse that one whilst in the bath.

Life Laundry they call it don't they. I certainly feel lighter, but the job is only half done and I think I have digressed enough.

Will post piccies when the job is over.

My this was a long post expect silence over the next day or so :lol:

Sew mental hearts

I am addicted to felt and sewing and hearts. Here are the fruits of my addiction. Texture and layering are my fave flavours of the moment.

I used the large sizzix heart die (loaned from Cheryl (thanks hun X. Using this die I cut hearts in pink and red felt. I've used contrasting embroidery threads to sew free hand. I have gone for swirly randomness overall. The red die has a cuttlebug bloom flower sewed onto the plain red heart with another smaller red die sewed on adjacently to this one with another smaller pink heart attached to create another layer.

The pink heart has even more layers. I love it, love it, love it.