I HATE PACKING....

but I love it when I get there!  Yes, this weekend I am back at Belstead for 3 days and looking forward to some great company and 'me' time. My bags are bursting even though I am trying to pack less, I am sharing a car with my friend Jill and what's more, we plan to shop on our way!  I intend to finish my Journal Your Christmas album..... yes, I know it is nearly March but I am determined to complete it!  I have printed some more photos today and gathered bits together.  It's all in bags cluttering the hall.  Hope the won't be as much as last time....


Last week I went to the Stitch & Creative Craft show  and bought more Christmas papers, stamps, and other bits.  They were bargain prices so how could I not?!  There were some lovely pink papers and brads so they will add a change to my colour scheme which has so far been fairly traditional.  I've just noticed bright pink on one of my Christmas album pages (see photo above) so perhaps it's not so traditional after all!

Here are some of the things I bought.  Some Spellbinder dies for my Hot Shot which I will be using lots this weekend, and I especially love the fabric 'Bloomers' made by Websters Pages.  I've hankered for these for a long time but thought I try and make my own. As often the case there has not been the time so I hankered no more!  I just need to make sure I use them and not just admire.  I also bought more paper flowers to add to my collection, and some gorgous papers which are also Websters Pages. These are double sided and at 50p a sheet how could I resist?  I'm just surprised I didn't buy more. 
 
 

One of the other things I bought are Decopatch tissue papers.  I already had a stock (far more than I realised actually) but couldn not resist the beautiful colours and designs.  I bought some fibreboard shapes to cover and started today thinking this would be quick and easy.  Little did I reckon on the gecko's fiddly feet!!  I had planned to make this as a gift, but as it should have been posted on Monday I may have to rethink my plan. 

My postings seem less frequent lately as I have been busy and work remains a preoccupation.  Hopefully things will settle a little from here on and I have some annual leave due next week. Yay!!  The car is booked in for it's overdue service, hair cut booked, and I have lots to do at home to catch up.  But I plan to see friends and have time with my granddaughters on Monday.  Lovely!! 

Best get on with the packing......

Catching up...

Two weeks ago I went to my monthly crop and was so in love with the papers and design chosen by the wonderful Ann Freeman. 

The pages shown are double sided, and as always I was thoughtful about what photos to take for the crop.

Although these papers lend themselves to Valentine's Day I decided to use photos of my daughter and her new baby, Wren.  I printed them in black and white, and was SO pleased with the end result.  I think this double page spread is possibly my favourite of all the scrapbook pages I have done so far. 

The papers are Echo Park 'Be Mine'.  The papers show as peach but are actually a beautiful  pink.

I think you'll agree that they are absolutely gorgous and perfect for my first scrap page of Wren.  Ann is a very talented designer and again I had to overcome my phobia of cutting up gorgous papers, but I am beginning to see the benefit!  If you look at the two photo frames in the finished pages you can see that the rectangular one started as a tag, and the other framed a bird in a cage (see the first photo above). 

Not wanting to waste the beautiful scraps I used the bird in a cage on a Valentine's card for my husband.  You might also recognise the pink floral semi circle, left over from the central piece.  Ann taught how to distress the edges, how I love the effect it gives!  I love shabby vintage and these papers couldn't have made me happier! Luckily there were some spare sets of papers so I just HAD to buy some to stroke and look at, but I really will make myself use them.  I am planning to challenge myself more and not to keep buying new papers until I use some of my huge stockpile. It will be interesting to see how long I keep to this as I am off to a Stich & Creative Crafts Show on Thursday.  It seems ages since I went to a show, so I am very much looking to a day out.  It's always good to see new products and new ideas. 

I hope you have had a relaxing weekend.  Time now to eat and watch tv.  Simple pleasures!

  

Storytelling Sunday - Butterflies

Thank you to Sian for inviting stories on the first Sunday of every month.  I was too busy for January, but was determined to join in this time.  I love Sian's blog at the best of times, and this relaxing round up of peoples stories is something I look forward to.  Here is mine:

When my granddaughter Summer, was 3 she started preschool.  She had only ever been left with close family members before so my daughter stayed with her on the first session.  Emma showed Summer where things were and explained what would happen next time.  How Summer would come and play with her new friends, and Emma would come back at home time and be waiting and looking through the window in the door.

Next week came.   Emma again explained what would be happening and she told Summer that she might have a funny feeling in her tummy.  Emma described this butterflies and said that this was normal, and nothing to worry about.  Emma said people sometimes get this feeling when they are a little nervous or unsure, and  she reassured Summer that she would be back and that Summer would be well looked after by the ladies there.

When it came to leave, Emma bent down and said to Summer, "How are your butterflies?"

Summer replied, "They are sitting down at the moment".

Summer's first day at preschool was a complete success and I often think of this story with a big smile.