Bloggin Along

Interview with....

2007-03-23T13:53:00.000+01:00

Can't believe I forgot to share the last dare. Title was interview with and of course I had to do interview with a vampire. I decided to go digital this week. Creating the background and the white paper using some gorgeous brushes I bought from Shabby Elements. Other scrap of red and black is from prebought papers from there too. Wanted to reflect the oppulance of the books.

What a week

2007-03-20T11:14:00.000+01:00

I can't believe how busy I am at the moment doing a million things and nothing. Having the family over last weekend was just amazing. I adore my nieces to bits and it was great spending such quality time with them. We went to the Zoo down in Funkyrolla and it was a great place I got some fab animal photos for scrapping, will share them tomorrow. Lots of photos too of the girls, my dad and his wife, the photos below are from our visit to the castle ruins at Teba and a quick visit to Ronda. So just need to get them printed and I can get scrapping!

Talking of scrapping the response to the Design Collective is amazing with so many people signing up and its making us all more excited than ever. I love to see my fellow designers work it inspires me so much!! Hope over to the blog, link on the side bar and get yourself signed up for this innovative project.

Last weeks speshal dare was texture and I had to create a layout about paint my favourite subject *grin* I used a wonderful template from ATDML that helps you doodle. It amazes me how quickly their stuff arrives for me in Spain, I barely wait a couple of days.

A Question.....

2007-03-12T20:35:00.000+01:00

I have a question or a debate for those of you who read my blog. If you came across your daughter's diary would you read it?

My Dad told me that he had come across my blog and read it. Was not sure how I felt about that as I see my blog as somewhere I can vent, share my musings and craft things with my buddies. I don't have anything to hide but knowing my father reads my blog may inhibit what I write in future.

Personally if I can across a blog of a friend or family member by accident I would probably ask their permission to read it. I know that sounds weird for a very public diary forum but that is the way I feel.

Please I would love to know what you all think.

{21} Day 6

2006-04-02T22:24:00.000+02:00

This is the simplest page in my 21 day journal but it was the hardest for me to create, purely because of the emotive nature. Rhonna's chosen quote is "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all."

Leg Hangover

2007-03-02T10:02:00.000+01:00

Never had a hangover in my leg before! Head feels fine but I woke up through the night with terrible cramp in my calf. That is what I get for drinking half a bottle of red wine and 2 very large gins. I have to say in my defence it was for a research purposes. Angela, my friend has a bar in the centre of town and was debating whether to have a bingo night in it on a Monday or Tuesday to pull the punters in. It has been decided I will be the bingo caller so the two of us plus Kate drove 40 mins to find another place that does one.

So in we walked and the whole bar turned round to see the strangers in town. Ordered our drinks and bought the bingo tickets. Much giggling later the bingo started. First line, first prize I win! Wooo hooo. First full house on the same game Angela wins, cue some very snidey looks from the regulars and more fits of giggles from us. 2nd game Angela wins the house but has to share the prize. 3rd game Angela wins the house again and we are both in stitches with tears streaming down our faces. Poor Kate wins nothing. Last game I win the line again and Angela wins the house. I don't think the locals want us to go back.

Happy Andalucia Day

2007-02-28T10:28:00.000+01:00

It's Andalucia Day here so nowhere is open and every one is doing their DIY including me. I am painting the internal patio today which means using a long extension pole as my short arse will not allow for me to get to the top.

I got a lovely parcel from Jenny squiffer full of lovely goodies for my to play with. Thank you sweetie I loved it so much and the cat stickers had me in hysterics.

I had a second interview yesterday for an office job and they phoned me later to tell me I had the job. Wooooooooooooooo Hoooooooooooo. It will be good to get back into a routine again.

Monday Blues

2007-02-26T17:41:00.000+01:00

What a mixed weekend. We launched The Design Collective at the weekend and I am thrilled by the volume of responses we have been receiving about it. Having way too much bubbly I was very excited to post about it on my blog at the official launch. Keeping quiet about this for all these months has been so difficult!!! I am just pleased that I can talk openly about it all and Clare is especially pleased as she has been fit to bursting to talk about it (tee hee). Well done Clare I am so proud of you!

Yesterday, nursing my cava induced hangover and lack of sleep I spent most of the day on the t'internet talking to friends. The internet enables me to feel less isolated and to my nearest and dearest online buddies -lubs ya all.

Design Collective

2007-02-24T10:47:00.000+01:00

Fresh, fabulous, inspiring

Introducing a new and exciting concept in scrapbook design inspiration.

Our team of designers are renowned for their diverse and creative approaches to scrapbooking and altered art projects. Their wealth of creative experience in designing new and innovative pages and projects is already being tapped into by leading magazines, retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers in the scrapbooking industry. They now come together to bring you a whole range of fresh, fabulous and inspiring ideas for your scrapbooks and other memory art projects. The team comprises: Fiona Beckman, Clare Brown, Jane Dean, Amber Harrop-Johnston, Debbie Jewell, Karen Leahy, Elaine Loughlin, Jennie Leon, Ali McGovern, Karen Miller, Debbie Nicholas, Katie Shanahan-Jones, Suzanne Torr and Kirsty Wiseman.

Classes will be issued four times during each calendar month on the 3rd, 11th, 19th and 26th. By subscribing to The Design Collective, on each of these dates you will receive:

 one major class project;

 two additional inspiring projects (taking a variety of formats such as challenges, new ways to use something, themed pages and so on);

 a range of tips and ideas from the design team.

A newsletter will be sent direct to your email box with the relevant classes in the form of attached pdf files. Classes will focus on different design elements and techniques and will cover a whole range of projects from layouts to mini books to gifts and altered items.

You can choose to print out the classes or save to disk; whichever format you choose, over a period of time you will be creating your very own Design Collection to use over and over again to create beautiful and meaningful pages and projects.

In addition to issuing project pdf files, we will be hosting a community forum for subscriber chat, help from the design team and a gallery so that you can share your work with us. And we will also host two cyber crops over the course of the year for even more fun, challenges and inspiration!

For just £10 a month (and NO! that is not a typing mistake!) you will be getting four major project classes, eight further classes and a wealth of knowledge and tips from the design team. That works out at under 85p per class! Plus, there will be no having to buy expensive class kits as we will be positively encouraging you to use up that stash mountain in the corner of your room! You choose what supplies you want to use, to match your own photos and themes, you get to stay in your pj’s and scrap in the comfort of your own home, whilst having the class designers to call upon for help and other subscribers to talk to in the community forum. And think of the money saved on petrol!

We will also be incorporating a Loyalty Scheme which will reward subscribers with additional benefits on the completion of a six and twelve month continued subscription with us. Subscriptions will be taken on a monthly basis, paypal is preferred but we will also accept bank transfer. This way you don’t need to pay out a lump sum up front, just the monthly subscription charge of £10.*

We will be taking registration bookings from Monday, 12th March. To make sure you don’t miss out on any important updates and registration details, please register your interest** by emailing to subscriptions.designcollective@gmail.com

Notes:

*Subscriptions will be due on the 2nd of each calendar month to ensure you continue to receive the classes without interruption.

** Registering your interest at this stage is not a final commitment.

Blast from the Past

2007-02-23T21:21:00.000+01:00

Speshal Dare this week was to use old stuff you never use anymore. Mulberry paper and fibres for my treatment.

I first of all painted the wooden box with one layer of purple paint. When dry I tore the mulbery & patterned paper into scraps along with some white tissue paper that I had stamped using a happy birthday stamp. I then started layering the paper using pva glue. Final layer I included some torn out fibres to create the end result.

Go check out the other girls dares they are amazing!!

A week of sorting

2007-02-17T16:20:00.000+01:00

What a busy week it has been. Lots of lunches out and organising the units for the kitchen upstairs. Today we bought the units for our kitchen and worktop. Met a man called Brad who hires himself out as Man with a van for €20 euros an hour, so we went to collect all the bits for the kitchen. I am so sad to get excited over a few units lol. Then went for a lovely lunch with friends who insisted on paying so that always makes it sweeter. When we returned our neighbours were standing outside their house so we got chatting (in spanish) and then they gave me a tour of their home, so we gave them a tour of ours. My spanish must be improving as they seemed to understand what I was saying, poor sods.

I have been norty

2007-02-10T14:08:00.000+01:00

It is not my fault. It is completely the fault of the very talented Jaq at http://www.astringofbeads.co.uk/ I was very lucky and managed to get these two beauties.

Hockney

Chai

Yummy huh! Each one is an individual work of art, completely unique, no one has the same. Anyways, that is me, no more beads for the moment, I want them all but I should leave some for others who appreciate them just as much as me.

Another day in paradise

2007-02-09T14:35:00.000+01:00

I love these photos that I took from my walk. So spring like. Its that yellow/green combo again. They were by the roadside and taking advantage of the cooler weather.

I uploaded my dare to our gathering gallery before being posted tonight and all I can say is WOW. The talent on our team never ceases to amaze me. Don't forget to check in later this evening to see it for yourself.

Pass me the Gin

2007-02-07T09:53:00.000+01:00

I love this time of year, all the trees are filled with fruit and the whole landscape looks like a packet of opal fruits. Here are a couple of photos from our walk the other (cloudy) day.

Dare Collaboration

2007-02-02T13:39:00.000+01:00

This week we collaborated with the girls at the daring cardmakers blog (link in sidebar) Our mission was to create a layout that was also a card. I created a 9x9inch layout that has four 3x3 windows that open and reveal photos and journalling.

I have blurred the mushy text as that is for her eyes only lol.

Cream Bazzill, crate paper, lots of TH distress ink, Tapestry stamp and Blonde moments stamp, Rusty pickle alphabet and some ribbon.

Go check out both our dare blog (click on button on side bar) or the daring cardmakers, the cards and layouts that have been created are stunning.

mmmm Dolly Bead Heaven

2007-02-02T10:12:00.000+01:00

Had a really good day yesterday, got a test in my Spanish class and got full marks (what a swot) then we got our store room on the roof measured up ready for our summer kitchen. This I need alot as whenever we want to eat on the terraces I have to take everything up and down two flights of stairs!

Met up with a friend for a chat and then worked in my studio preparing today's speshal dare. I have had a sneak peek at the dares for this week and all I can say is WOW you have got to go see later.

I was then made to consume copious amounts of wine with my late lunch/early dinner. Amazingly my head is clear this morning.

I was really excited to at last secure a couple of Dolly beads from the wonderful Jaq at http://www.astringofbeads.co.uk. I normally miss out on the sales as they fly out the door. Each one is an individual masterpiece. The two that fell into my basket are called Shiraz and Reef. Here is a sneaky peak from Jaq's piccies on her website.

I can't wait to see these beauties in real life :)

Speshal Dare

2007-01-29T10:57:00.000+01:00

I was thrilled to fill in for Clare at the Speshal Dares for a couple of months and I am even more thrilled to be asked to stay as a permanent member of the team. There has been a total revamp with lots of new blood so now we are the dirty dozen lol. I am so honoured as the rest of the team are all so mega talented being design team members and regular magazine contributors and then of course there is me ^^.

This weeks dare was a challenge to scrap something from your kitchen. I used the opportunity to do some revamping myself of the empty baileys tin I had. Using basic grey papers and lots of ribbon and lace I wanted to create something very boho/boudoir chic.

Now take the time to click on the link on the sidebar and go see the rest of the teams talented work.

I love presents

2007-01-25T17:11:00.000+01:00

I got a lovely present today, I have been eyeing up this tea/coffee set for ages in a shop window and I received it today as a cheer up present from my beloved :) She is so good to me. Even the box is cute!

Ps. I blame scrapbooking for making me like flowery patterns.

Fire Fire Fire

2007-01-24T13:32:00.000+01:00

Setting fire to the new microwave is not a good thing to do. If you have a solid block of butter wrapped in what seems like greaseproof paper; take a tip from me its not! I only wanted to soften the butter slightly and 5 seconds in the sparks and the flames started. *Goes back into the stupid cupboard*

Frosty

2007-01-22T20:54:00.000+01:00

My Speshal dare for the week. the theme was cold and frosty. I love using green and blues for frosty layouts but as I had done something similar at then end of last year I decided to go for a black and white but very simple layout.

Give me a kick

2007-01-19T18:53:00.000+01:00

Right up the behind! I have been really introspective over the last month. It is almost like I have been hibernating. I need to get myself back into society online and offline. I don't know why I have been feeling so down, obviously the flu etc did not help but normally I bounce back no problems. Maybe it is the winter blues who knows. Anyway I intend to get out as much as possible from Monday onwards. I will not allow myself to wallow in this self pitying mood anymore. This includes getting back to updating my blog more often and getting back to my creative self.

I know!

2007-01-12T14:26:00.000+01:00

I have not been on here since last year. I have been keeping my distance from blogging and forums in general over the past couple of weeks. Lots of things have been happening for me. I had a nasty virus between christmas and new year and then just as I was getting better I was hit with the flu!

The restaurant in which my beloved works was closed down just after christmas due to a prat and some bad paperwork so they won't be opening until Mid February which means we have less income at the moment. I need to find myself a better job for my own sanity but with feeling so crap it is the last thing i have been thinking about recently.

So all in all I have not felt creative or sociable....This is a complete self pity post lol so maybe I should share some photos of the one night that I felt ok; the fantastic Hogmany night we had in the centre of town, everyone dresses up in fancy dress for the new year. Did not get to bed till 7am which is a good night for me.

Missing in Action

2006-12-22T13:09:00.000+01:00

What a mad month this has been. Apologies I have been very neglectful of this blog!! So much to talk about but I have so much to do I will need to keep it short and sweet.

Last weeks Speshal dare was 'What Christmas Means to' I created another 9x9 for my book of me and journalled about our first christmas here in Spain.

Received my gorgeous handmade ornament and card through the SOSF swap. Thank you so much to Jodi.

Will update properly later tonight if I get through all my chores lol.

Naughty me

2006-12-09T17:06:00.000+01:00

OMG it's been a week since I last updated this blog! It's been a strange and busy weekfor me. Lots of christmas card making for me to send (not for selling) and parcel wrapping. It cost a fortune to send everything, next year more online shopping and more vouchers. It was also the anniversary of our cat Dugless who died on the 7th december last year. I did my speshal layout dedicated to him this week.

The journalling reads:

" Dear Dugless, I can't believe it's almost a year since you crossed the rainbow bridge. You only had one short year with us but in that year you brought us so much joy and happiness. You were the first pet we ever got. From the day we collected you from the cat sanctuary to the day when you passed so suddenly in our arms, you were a very loved kitten. See you across the rainbow bridge one day!"

Today we went to the boot sale down on the coast and it was fantastic, got a few nice things including a glitterball wind sculpture for the back roof terrace. (will take a photo another day). It was funny walking around in my light fleece and scarf and then you see the tourists in their shorts and t-shirts! I am not fully climatised yet but I would not say it was warm enough for shirts there was a definite nip in the air.

It's raining, it's pouring

2006-12-02T19:09:00.000+01:00

Torrential rain here today so that put paid to my trip to the market. But on the bright side it meant that it was perfect scrapping weather. Finished 2 layouts, one for the speshal dare on Friday (you will have to wait till then to see it) and one of Sappho's whiskers. Often when I scrap the cats the colours are beiges and greens so I wanted a different feel for this layout. In the end I went for a chocolate raspberry combo...yum. Used organza ribbon to mimic the whiskers and to also give the whole layout a chocolate box feel. This is also the first time I have used the larger photos that I got developed yesterday, the layout is 12x12 so it will give you some perspective as to how large that photo is!

Speshal Girl

2006-12-01T23:44:00.000+01:00

Well for a few weeks anyway! Clare has alot on at the moment and asked me to step into her shoes for a few weeks doing the Speshal Dares. After the panic subsided I agreed, I mean how do I even temporarily fill those talented shoes?? Any way two days after finding out I will be taking over I have to upload my first layout. Week one for me and I can't get my photos from the shop till after 6pm tonight so that leaves me a few hours to get a layout completed. Managed it in the nick of time. Feels strange as it is totally out of season!