Is this ME?

Apparently this is what my name means.

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.
You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want.
You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.
You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you.
At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.
You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.
You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.
You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.
You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life.
You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip.
People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them.

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.
You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.
You have the classic "Type A" personality.

Pleased to meet you Izabelle

Jayne and Carl's daughter, Izabelle is so gorgeous. I am so pleased to have met her last night. She is just 9 days old and already she has a little personality of her own and strength to match. She lifts her head and wriggles like no other. Still Marcus the un-initiated baby holder, managed very well. The photo speaks for itself. I am so proud of him. He really took and interest. I hope he will be as good when his little sibling arrives in around 11 weeks time.



Jayne and Carl are relaxed first time parents. It is so strange but wonderful to see them as a family unit. Congratulations and welcome baby Izabelle.

ButtonDollz

Another great swap on UKS hosted by Dotty Dotty. I have finally finished mine and I love the way that they have turned out.

I have named them. Sad I know. From left to right we have;

Freya, Pheobe, Flossie, Pippa, Prudence and Fleur.

I made them using TH distress inked backgrounds that were cut into button shapes using sizzix sizzlet button collection. The buttons were strung like beads using a light gauge wire. I used a stamp for the face (Stella)The dolls were made in sets of three. One set was finished by adding beading and for the other three I brushed a layer of 3D gloss over the entire design after glittering.



I need to make space on my memory card. A very dear friend is calling by with her week old daughter. I feel honoured. I cannot wait VEXCITED :)

The TH Impression

Meeting TH has left an inky impression on me. I have been playing with my inks ever since I saw the technique performed before my eyes.

Last night I made some mail art using the inks and the blending block. Cut and Dry foam is good, but the blending block is so much better. I ordered a new pack from Scrap Revolution last night and hope they wont take too long to arrive.

Here's my mail art.

3-2-1 GO!

Using some of TH techniques today I have created 6x6 backgrounds for a swap I am in on UKS.

This is based on the tag that Tim made for me.



I used his blending tool and a variety of inks to create the initial background, then I used water to distress and finally I stamped with a new stamp from his 'Componets collection (COmOO3SKULLS)'.

I love the look and I am sure the technique will be everywhere in my creations over the next week or so.

The Tim Holtz experience.

I had the fortune of being one of the lucky people who got to meet Tim Holtz at Dawn Bibby's design Studio in Oswaldtwistle today. I did not know what to expect. It was quite an intimate experience. A few crafters huddled around a table to be inspired by Tim, his inks and his sense of colour adventure. He shared a good number of techniques. I wish I had taken a note pad to record some of what he was doing. He demonstrated grungeboard and adirondak crackle paints amongst other things. Unfortunately there were none of his new products for sale today, (design ruler, grungeboard or his new texture hammer) but that was down to shipping. I have placed a preorder and will be notified when the goodies arrive. Something lovely to look forward to. :)

I made a piece of coaster art art as a gift for him wand I did buck up the courage to give to him. He was very receptive to my simple gift and even made me sign my work. How cool is that. Tim Holtz has artwork that I made and it is signed. He made me a lovely tag and signed it for me too.

I also had my picture taken with him and my best friend Cheryl.



I did have a chat with Dawn Bibby. She is so sweet and slim. TV piles the pounds on her. I had my picture taken with her too.



Overall the day was so much more than I could have anticipated. I really enjoyed myself. I was in great company. I met Paul (olbas) on UKS and a few other great people too.

So did meeting Tim Holtz live up to my expectations? In short it exceed them. I am totally in awe of anyone who can do what he does with paper.

Thanks to today, I think I will be an improved crafter.


Here are some images from the day.

Look what I got!

I love taking part in swaps. UKS is a great site for that. I get to take part in all manner of crazy art projects (crazy in the most creative way). I recently took part in an altered coaster box swap.

I mailed my box to my swapee (pictures of the actual box will only appear after she has received it, but the spoilers reveal my colour scheme (see two posts back).

My swapee sent me a fabby boxed stuffed full of delicious chocolate (needless to say that it is now empty) Her theme is Easter and it is so appropriate. I love it and now intend to make these for my boys to fill with little choccy eggs.

I am devasted as the images I had have now disappeared. :(

Music

seems to play a large part in my life and always has done. I have recently found out how to link videos from YouTube to my blog. Yes I know I am behind the times but hey, better late than never. This week I have decided to share a few of my favourites. They are by no means my exclusive; this is the soundtrack to my life, or even my very preferred top ten. They are random songs that I just love and need to hear every once in a while. Today's madness is by Daft Punk and is called Too Long. I hope I can find a link. Why do I like it? It has that Euro-cheese factor a bit of Cheddar mixed with Brie.

SPOILERS!

Okay I made my box for the swap on UKS and here it is, well partially I don't want to give too much away.



Tis Monday the start of a new week. Whoopee. The sun is shining too.

Just Fine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwliC-kK-W4

Playing with my BIA

I have had my bind it all for a while now and I have made some fabby things but not many. Well a very close friend and me both have one and have decided to make bump books. I have prepared two books and now just need to get going with the decoration for the outside. The book is going to be called; 'LUMPY BUMPY ME'

Blobbing on

I am so fat, I look like an a diss on a rap track 'You're Momma's so fat...' but I am pregnant and so this is my excuse.

This is me at 6 months

blog on

I have been neglecting my creative side for a while now. Not blogging, not crafting very much and filling each day with much sleep. That is to be expected given that I am 6 months pregnant, but it is not an excuse. Note to self: Blog often and revamp the darned thing.

I don't find blogging hard, I can rant on about any old rubbish LOL

Found my charger

I had a brainwave yesterday. Well actually it was quite obvious when you think about it. I had plugged the darned thing into the surge protected adapter that the computer is on and forgotten all about it. So my charger was never lost but just moved. I blame the hormones.

The last few weeks have seen us as a family really settle into our new home. I have started to craft again. Did go through a bit of a dry spot there for a little while but everything seems to be coming full circle.

I am so glad to be blogging again. Really missed it. Didn't feel the same without pictures so here I am. I have lots to share, but first things first.

Last year on UKS I took part in a fabby altered project called Just a Stamp. Basically this was a CJ with a difference. I then moved house and caused massive delays to everyone one the group. They were very understanding about my predicament. As they say, all's well that ends well and so I sent the CJs to the next person and eventually mine came to me. Here in pictures is the thing itself. Well worth the wait in my opinion. There are some fantastic interpretations of the stamp that was sent with my CJ.

I want to thank everyone for taking part so
PIP, Julie, Cara, Tree, Jean, Hannah, Efemera, Flo and Culpepper massive thanks and mucho gracias. I love my book and will treasure it forever. XXXXX