BLOG HOP WINNER ANNOUNCED!

This weekend saw me at one of my regular weekend retreats, creating with friends.  For a change I travelled light and it made a big difference - I could actually find things easily and my choices were limited.  While this caused the odd small dilemma, it meant I wasted less time wondering what to use, and it certainly worked well for me.  Note to self: do this more often!!

I made 2 special birthday cards and 4 books, and my friend offered me papers to decorate a book when I didn't have what I wanted.  Two of the books are gifts.  One to someone I used to work with, and the other is a give away.  The offer is now closed and it is time to announce the winner:  CLAIRE NEWCOMBE that is you!!  This book will be on it's way once I have your details and I hope you have fun filling the pages: 

Thank you to everyone who took part and while it is too late to enter the challenges and
giveaways you can still visit the Blog Hop. 

I hope your own weekend was as fun as my own. Hope to see you back here soon and thanks for popping by! 

Blog Hop - FOCUS

Welcome to the Blog Hop!  With focus as a theme it could only mean one thing to me - my camera!  It goes everywhere with me and on my recent trip to the Shetland Islands I took over 4,000 photos, but don't worry I'm not planning to show these today! 

Instead, I chose just one and I decided to use it as an art journal page.  Out of necessity this was a quick page but I did manage to try a new technique.  I went to the Shetlands to attend a book making course and one of the ladies had printed photos onto tracing paper.  I loved the effect this gave to her page so I tried it out here using the image of a camera.  The opaque paper allows the background text to show through, I love being able to see different layers and this is a technique I will use often hereon.   I have lots of journals: for experimenting and playing in, art, for writing morning pages, and others which have a theme.  This one is all about 'journey' and I have written more about my journaling here.  

 

But I digress!  While visiting the Shetlands I flew out to the Fair Isles and stayed in the Bird Observatory.  This was a wonderful adventure and I will write about it more another time. I'm already planning a return visit!   It was here that we hoped to see puffins; however we

was told that they were just starting to arrive and it seems they come and go until they start to nest.  So imagine my joy when my first cliff top walk revealed lots of these little birds!

They are deceptively small and are quite brave birds, allowing us to get quite close.  They were beginning to seek out burrows and it is quite clear to see where they nest as the ground is like craters!  Puffins are not camera shy either so I was able to take lots of photos, in fact some seemed to even pose!

 



I like to have fun with my camera and as a way of creating focus I have a monthly neme called '5 in 5'.  The idea is to set a timer for 5 minutes (I use my mobile phone) and to take as many photos as you can in that time.  Then choose your favourite five and post them, linking back to my page so that others can come and see.  And just to keep things easy I post on the 5th of each month but you are welcome to post yours up to the 25th, so there is still time this month if you would like to join in!  Please pop over to see more here if you have time.  

As well as photography, one of my greatest passions is making books and as I have so many photos to choose from I have decided to use PhotoBox on this occasion.  It's my first time of sharing my photos this way but it won't stop me making other books about my trip!  I love constructing and choosing papers for each page and if you would like to find out more about the books I make and workshops that I run I have a Facebook Page.  

I am offering a giveaway.   To be in for a chance, just leave a comment on my Facebook page and I will chose a name from random on Sunday the 24th of May at 10pm BST.  Like my page and you will be entered twice!  

So!  Thanks for popping by and I hope the puffins made you smile as much I did.

Next in the Blog Hop is Louise so do pop over and say hi!   And if you have come straight here you might want to start at the beginning as Jennifer is planning a weekend of fun events and is giving away a WRK Insta Album Kit. 

 

 

This is the prize up for offer.  Enter to win by commenting on all the blogs in the Focus Your Craft & Soul Hop! The giveaway closes on Sunday the 24th of May at 10pm BST, and is open internationally.  Here is the complete list, have fun!

 

Jennifer: http://jennifergracecreates.com/

Sheena: http://sheenasscrapsandscribbles.blogspot.co.uk/

Sandie: http://itchifingers.blogspot.co.uk/

Louise: http://scrapbook-me.blogspot.co.uk/

Leslie: http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.co.uk/

K: http://kscraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/

Jo: http://curlyscrapbooker.blogspot.co.uk/

Jacky: http://scrappyjackylive.blogspot.co.uk/

Furrypig: http://chattycraftyartypig.blogspot.co.uk/

Daphne: https://dapfniedesign.wordpress.com/

Clare: http://crafty-clare.blogspot.co.uk/

Claire: http://www.creativemakings.co.uk/

Annie: http://www.artyfartyannie.com/

 

MANAGING THE MUNDANE plus Blog Hop Fun!!!

Do you have routines or rituals that structure your day to day or your week?  Some people like routines, infact some live their life by knowing what they will do from one minute to the next. 
Me? 
I like change and variation in my life.  So my shift work pattern suits me, and one week is never the same as the next.  Last week, Shimelle suggested that we observe what we do day to day and find ways of recording this.  I like to make more of the mundane and will do things to vary any routine, and so I often take things to work to do during my break, usually something creative .  On one occasion I was in London with time before my training resumed.  So I took my camera outside and took as many photos as I could in 10 minutes.  I went back to the training buzzing with excitement!  I was really pleased with the photos I took and the change in activity and pace gave me renewed energy for the rest of the day.  You can see some of the photos here and it is certainly an idea I will repeat again and again.  


This weekend I planned to continue painting my new workroom.   But then my daughter invited us to up Suffolk, where she is on holiday.  And so my plans immediately changed & Saturday morning we headed off. I recorded the day in photographs (many of them!) and here is just a quick snapshot:

 

 

And then our plans changed again.  Because it was suggested we stay over night as we were tired after our busy fun day and the sea air.  We were completely unprepared, had no change of clothes and we had to improvise with bedding, but what the heck!!  Life is about grabbing opportunities and making the most of every given situation, and so this weekend took yet another turn of direction and my paint brushes still remain untouched!

A change of pace or routine usually gives me a lift  and just like after the 10 minute photo shoot, I am feeling renewed with energy and ready to face another week.   I hope yours will be filled with good surprises and some fun, and to kick off you are invited to join in with some celebrations......

It's time for some BLOG HOP fun!!  

Congratulations to Jemma, whose blog is one year old today, and to celebrate she has organised a number themed blog hop.  If you have come to me from Jemma, then play a long.  Otherwise you may want to visit Jemma at just-jimjams, and then come back here.

So, ready to play along?  Here's what you do:

Collect a number from each of Jimjams' Blogiversary friends, put them in numerical order and then e-mail Jemma with the number which is missing from the sequence.

Here is my number.  I thought I'd have some fun so can you work it out from these clues?

a.   I am a prime number
b.   I have two digits
c.   Add these together and I am twice as many
d.   I am the first repeating number
e.   I appear four times this year as unique dates
f.    I am the number of years that a sun spot cycle repeats
g.   and the number of players in many popular team games
h.   Apollo ??  made the first lunar landing
i.    I am the record number of Oscars for one movie


What number am I?


Make a note, then head over to Furrypig for the next number clue. 


Good luck!!  I'm looking forward to playing along.

COME JOIN THE BLOG HOP!!

Today I am celebrating one year of blogging, or as Ruth called it - my BLOGIVERSARY! 
I was initially very unsure about setting up a blog, but I'm so glad that I did.  I've made lots of new friends, some who I occasionally meet face to face as well as in blogland.  And some are joining me in my first Blog Hop..... I feel so honoured and privileged.  THANK YOU - you know who you are!!

And here are some of the firsts I celebrated a long the way.  For this has all been a learning curve and I now see that my blog has become another way to create and develop.  I am linking back to posts in case you want the option of dipping in, so let's start:


1.  It felt like a risk when I organised a Poll and a Giveaway.  But it turned out really special when  winner, Natasha, used one of the tags I made in her artwork and posted it on her blog.  I had the biggest smile on my face when I saw it!

2.  I did an on line course and was encouraged to join the blogging world in order to share my creative work and to meet other people.  This is my first post.

3.  My first residential was an amazing experience and we created from dawn to midnight.  I'm going again in October.  I can't wait!  

4.  I made my first scrapbook page.  Handmade books and mini albums are my first love, but I  like scrapbook techniques and I LOVE some of the pages I have made during the year in taught classes at my monthly Eclectic Keepsake group. 

5.  I had a first meeting with Moira.  We met through 'Taking Flight' the online course that introduced me to blogging.  As as well as becoming a friend Moira also runs the residential workshop that I attend. 

6.  I posted my first video.   If you ever doubt yourself or your capability, just watch this. 

7. I took part in my first Blog Hop & won a giveaway!! I couldn't believe my luck and had such fun visiting new blogs.

8.  My first online swap, where I exchanged a handmade gift as part of Louise Gale's Creative Colour Challenge. 

9.   I took part in my first interview.  This was part of an online course where we were encouraged to think about different styles of writing and to interview our self!

10.  And finally, this is the first Blog Hop I have organised... so let's not waste any more time and let the fun begin!

HOW TO PLAY:

Listed below are names of those taking part.   

Visit each blog in turn, and you will be directed to the next person on the list.  If you 'get lost' don't worry - just come back here and pick up the thread.   

As you visit each blog, look out for a letter. 

There are 12 to collect.  When you have them all, rearrange them to make one word.  Then come back here and leave the word in a comment. 

I am offering a GIVEAWAY as a thank you for taking part, and will randomly pick a name from the correct answers on Thursday 23rd. 

Of course you are welcome to leave a comment without collecting the letters.  I LOVE receiving comments, as these always brighten my day!  

This is the start, so have fun & I hope to see you back here at the end.  And don't forget, this is where you pick up the thread if you get lost or have joined part way.

Let's start hopping!!  

  Your first letter is : C  

1.   Sandie (you are here!) 

2.   Ann

3.   Louise

4.   Angela

5.   Laurie

6.   Karen

7.   Moira

8.   Deb

9.   Alexa

10. Den

11. Lynn

12. Ruth

A FOCUS ON FABRIC....

There seems to be a focus on fabric for me, right now.

My daughter doesn't understand my obsession with paper craft, though she appreciates what I make.   However, I do understand her obsession with fabrics, and with upcycling, because I share that.

And imagine my joy when I saw a photo of my smallest granddaughter on Facebook wearing a dress that Emma had just made. 

For the fabric Emma used one of her tops that she no long wears and she made up her own pattern.  Wren looks the perfect model and seems happy to wear her new dress!

Then I found a wonderful website for vintage style fabrics: www.fancymoonfabric.co.uk.   I just had to look them up and oohed and aghed for a bit.   I see see an order following. 

And to complete the hat trick Alissa posted about a new magazine called Mollie Makes. I just had to look out for it today and joy of joys I found a copy in Asda.   I intend to curl up with with a nice cup of tea and linger over each scrumptious page just as soon as I finish this. And to wet your appetite here is the video that Alissa posted. I just had to share and while the kettle boils I shall watch it again... it is just so cute!

By the way!   I'd love your feedback on my new blog header and layout.  It was time for a change and it's still evolving and work in progress, but I'm still undecided about having a sidebar.   Do you think my profile should be at the top so that visitors can find it easily?   What is the first thing you look for when visiting a new blog?

Have a good day and don't forget June 20th is my blog-birthday-hop!
Lots of amazing people are taking part so hop along with us and have some fun. 

Hope to see you soon, I'm off to boil the kettle! 

Oyay! Oyay!

If I were a town crier I'd be ringing my bell loud and clear!  Because you see, my blog will be one year old on Monday 20th June.

And I am organising a  

BLOG HOP 

to celebrate.  

This is my way of saying thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey.  I have some amazing participants lined up, a surprise or two, and am I excited ?  Yes I am!  I hope you will make a note of the date and join us for some fun!
Thank you to Robert Needham, Town Crier for Colchester, Essex for permission to use this photo. 

I'm also celebrating progress in other areas too.  In my last post I named 10 things I wanted to achieve in the coming weeks.  I have ticked off Project 365 and these photos are now sorted and downloaded onto my Flickr site.  Yay!!

Thank you to anyone who left a comment on my post.  I was truely grateful and encouraged and have visited each of you to thank you personally.  But the Google Gremlins were about... grrrrr!  After writing a comment I would be signed out..... I would sign back in and repreat the process only to be met with the same problem.  I can't tell you how much time was wasted and it got so bad that I actually gave up.  And I don't give up easily!  But I did get to see what other people listed as their 10 things and loved the ideas and the sharing.  And I also found out something pretty special, but more about that next time.... 

Another of my intentions was to start a art journal.  I love using all kinds of media so this seemed a good place to experiment and work on pieces that are small enough to complete.  There's no point in starting yet another project that remains unfinished!  And so I bought this book.  There are no techniques or instructions, just 1000 images of completed work.  But a great souce of inspiration which will naturally flow into my other creative areas.


By the way,  has anyone else had Google sign in problems or is it just me? 
Enjoy your week, what ever you are doing.

Counting my blessings

Recently I took part in my first blog hop and I had beginners luck!  Above is the wonderful gift I received this week from Shelly.  I don't know what to expect as Shelly had not given details on her blog, but I must say I was amazed when I unwrapped the jiffy bag.  What generosity!  I have met such wonderful people through blogging and feel so lucky to have received this gift.  I can't wait to start using the stamps and inks!  I know I have already said it Shelly, but a huge huge thank you.

Right now things are very difficult at my place of work.  NHS cutbacks are hitting where it really hurts and lots of people are badly affected.  The next couple of months will be very unsettled and I don't know where this will lead other than the service will be closed on 31 March.  My team will be split and redeployed and I am trying to keep positive and hope that something good will come out of all this. 

This evening we had a chinese takeaway and I had to smile when I opened my fortune cookie.  Let's hope this is a good omen for me and others affected.

Because my work situation has taken up much time and energy I have not had much opportunity to do much creating.  However, I came across this tutorial and really enjoyed making these fabric flowers.  I love vintage and making my own embellishments.  The buttons came from a charity shop so I thought them perfect for these flowers.  They are made out of cotton sheeting, torn into strips and wound round.  I plan to experiment and make more adding fine net as I wind.  The ribbon was made by simply fraying one of the cotton strips and printing along its length.  I love this Vintage stamp and it was perfect for this. 

My son is staying with us this weekend so I am enjoying his company and tomorrow will be another day of catching up with my family and relaxing before another week begins.