My new stamps...

Well I had to have a play with my new stamps, didn't I? LOL! I created this layout yesterday and just finished off the last few details this morning. The stripey paper is from the Kraft range by Making Memories and so is the little tab I have put the date on. I have used two of the brand new Autumn Leaves stamp sets (Stitched Journaling Panels and Elegant Flourishes).

I'm off to do some things around the house that needs to be done and then hopefully attempt to make some easter cards...

A box of goodies...

This arrived late yesterday afternoon. A box full of scrapping goodies!! Yum! I mean, just hoooow nice are these new Rhonna Farrer stamps by Autumn Leaves?

I have always liked the swirly/flourish stamps that Rhonna has made in the past. But there has always been that little thing about them (can't really explain it) which has stopped me buying them, thinking they wouldn't be totally useful. But these. Now these really caught my eye...and "that something" about the design which I wasn't totally keen on in older packs is not there anymore. I ripped them open and had a play with them straight away LOL!

And what other goodies was there? Li'l Davies chipboard alphabet, some Maya Road chipboard books, some Heidi Swapp bling (as it's the first time I have bought any!!) and lots of yummy papers...mainly Scenic Route.

Before I leave I can show you my finished minibook which I talked about yesterday. This is based on a class that Shimelle did over on the Fiskateers blog. As usual I kinda just "get inspired" by a class and then do my own thing. Rather than follow the class step by step. But it works for me. And I end up with something individual which I guess is always great...

I must be lucky...

I must have had a lot of luck yesterday... Look what arrived:

Yep my first little order from the US!!!! Shipped on Friday and arrived on Wednesday! Incredible!! And do I loooooove my new Autumn Leaves stamps or what!?! I mean...H-O-W useful are they going to be...? Soooo!!! I also got a pack of Making Memories white alpha shimmer stickers too. Maybe because it was a flat jiffybag it went a bit quicker than a parcel...what do I know. In any case - that gives me hope for the second part of my order. Maybe, maybe today...? *takes quick peak out of the window*

I have already had a play with my new stamps. I'm working on a minibook at the moment. All the pages are done but I have no clue what to do for the cover as the background pattern is so VERY busy. Maybe I can use my new stamps...somehow...

I also did this layout with a photo of mum which I really like. Maybe because it sends me straight back to that relaxed summer feeling and spending a few weeks at my parents' summer house on the south east coast of Sweden. Anyway...papers are by American Crafts, Bazzill cardstock, brand new (yay!! And double-yay!!) Autumn Leaves stamp, Heidi Swapp chipboard, some ribbon, photocorner, brads and flowers.

Patiently waiting...

...I'm patiently (or not?! LOL!) waiting for my new stash to arrive from the US. Though I don't really know why I'm hoping today... The first bits were sent from the US on Friday, so for it to arrive today it would have to have gone with record speed I think. Realistically I might have a small chance for tomorrow, a decent chance for Friday and maybe the most realistic one for Monday. Still, a girl can hope...

So I'm trying to keep myself busy, rather than looking out for the postman all the time (...though a quick glance through the window every now and then doesn't hurt, right?) and get some scrapping done. I had quite a few photos of mum and dad when they came for a visit in May 2005 where dad was holding is camera. In every photo I took it seemed like. And I had been a bit stuck how to scrap these. But then my eye caught one part of the new Scrap-Room kit and I realised I could do something fun with the funky Scenic Route arrows.

Supplies: Scenic Route arrows, papers and chipboard. Autumn Leaves journaling stamp, Pressed Petals chipboard letters and then some alphabet stickers and ric rac.

What a nice summery weather...

What a great day it is today!! Okay so we might have a quite hazy sky but the sun is still out and everything feels so summery. Just come back from a walk to the post office and everyone must love the nice weather. People are out in their gardens, cutting their lawns etc. It just makes you smile to have so much sun and light... Never would have thought that this morning when we woke up and all we could see was fog LOL!

This is a quick layout of my brother and his girlfriend which I made using Rouge De Garance paper, some ribbon, ric rac, buttons, Fontwerks stamp and Making Memories jewelled square brads.

Playing with my stamps...

Been playing with my stamps this morning and managed to use three different lots on a new layout I have created. The (now rather "old") journaling stamps by Autumn Leaves, my new Scrap-Room flower stamps and my new corner stamps by Heidi Swapp. Fun!!

Oh and before I forgot. Deanne wanted to know (sorry I forgot to reply to this yesterday) where I bought the corner stamps by Heidi Swapp from: they are from ATDML. Hope that helps.

Apart from that, the supplies used for my layout are: Rouge De Garance papers, a few ribbon bits (Strano Designs etc), some embroidery thread and eyelets (yay I managed to use some more!!)

I have been a bit naughty over the last few days and ordered a bit more stash from the US than planned. So I better get scrapping faster to use up some stuff...

Wintery minibook...

Now I can finally share what I have been working on for the last few days. And no, it doesn't take days to make. I have just done little bits here and there as I'm still recovering from being ill. Anyway, this was such a fun project by Shimelle. I saw it on the Fiskars TV website last weekend, just before I got ill, and decided it was something I would definitely give a go.


I really, really enjoyed doing this book and I can easily see myself doing something similar in the future again!! So quick and easy by just cutting 12x12 cardstock into 3 strips etc. I have even managed to surprise myself by using the brightest (!!) sheet of green cardstock I have ever seen. I got it in a kit a few years ago and it's been in my cardstock pile ever since (never thought I'd use it) LOL!

Scalloped edges...

First of all, thanks to: Sue, Deanne, Katy, Carin, Olive and Alexandra for the messages you left yesterday about me feeling better etc. It means a lot! Nice to know that there are people out there actually reading what I post LOL! So thanks for making me smile....I really mean that!

Still feeling rather weak etc, but I guess I just have to accept that it takes a few days to recover (something I'm not that good at LOL)

So then ---> scalloped edges. I really love them! Anyone with me on that? From magazines/forums etc it's quite obvious that scalloped edges are becoming (is!) very trendy again! So get those scissors out girls! My corner rounders (which, when you remove the outer edge, becomes scallop punches) are my best friends at the moment!!!

Wow that was an "experience"...

Wow...WVD (winter vomiting disease )...that was an "experience" I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy - never ever! They say this is an unusually bad year for it... I have been more ill than I have ever been in my life before. I can't explain how bad it was...

In less than 24 hours I lost 3 kilos (!!) and I got so dehydrated I experienced the worst cramps...pains I did not think was possible. There is no words to describe them. I really don't know how - they were that bad. I don't know what happened to the last few days, I can not tell them apart. My calendar still says Monday 19th of March. That's the last thing I remember totally properly.

My e-mail box is overflowing and I have no idea what's happened the last few days in the world. Scary! I'm getting really hot just from the effort of typing this, so I guess I still need to take it pretty easy...

On a happier note I received the new Heidi Swapp corner stamps while I was ill (don't ask me what day they arrived. I really haven't got a clue!) Yummy!! Family, Love, Travel and Emotion sets:

Had a little (that was HARD work!!) play with them this morning and managed to create a card. These stamps are going to be very useful me thinks...

OMG...

Winter Vomiting Disease is a nightmare!!! I have never felt so ill in my life!!! In 24 hours I have lost 3 kilos... I have felt pains for hours like I have never felt before, which has left me wriggling desperately in agony...

*crawls back to bed*

Sorry - WVD...

Sorry there won't be any update today. We have both caught the WVD (winter vomiting disease). Yuck, yuck, yuck!!! I can't even (and won't) being to tell you what a h*ll of a night we have had. Just managed to have energy enough to get the laptop and type this. Now back to bed...

Crazy day...

What a crazy weather we have had here today!! Within the last ten minutes we have had two major snowstorms (think: going totally dark, snowing almost horizontally, snow blowing in all sorts of directions so you can hardly see...you get the picture) lasting about 1 (!!) minute each. Inbetween that we have had nice blue sky and sun!!! What is happening?! LOL!

Got some nice stash today. First a few bits that I ordered from Box Room Booty at the middle of last week. A trasparency, a stamp, some rub-ons and chipboard alphabets. I loooove those chipboard alphabets - look so much better in real life :)

And then I got a parcel from Heather (thanks!!). She had a little competition for two kits on her blog last week and I was lucky to be picked as one of the winners. So more yummy stash to enjoy. My favourite has to be the alphabet stickers. Looks like they could be by Basic Grey - and that's a gooood thing :)

*signs out thinking: I must have a thing for alphabets at the moment...chipboard, stickers, rub-ons...love them all*

Playing with stamps...

I have been playing with my new flower stamps from Scrap-Room (see previous post)...the ones that I was not sure about. Well I am now ---> I LOVE them! They worked really well stamped onto the Rouge De Garance papers and cut out. Or at least I think so LOL! I can see them becoming very useful for layouts, cards etc.

So what do YOU think? Funky flowers....or? :)

Mmm...stash...

Got some yummy, yummy stash yesterday afternoon. The March kit from Scrap-Room!! Love it, love it, love it!! The only one I'm not totally sure about is the American Crafts one (bottom right)...but with a bit of cutting and playing around I might just change my mind. My favourite has to be the Scenic Route kit. For some reason I just seem to love Scenic Route paper at the moment - it is soooo usable! The only thing I'm not sure about is the small birds, but that's only at the top of one sheet so I can cope.

What is it about birds and scrapping papers at the moment anyway?!? I don't get it, I really don't. I remember first seeing Rhonna Farrer doing them...was it 2 years ago or something. But now it seems like every paper manufacturer have gone bird-crazy and they are everywhere! Madness! LOL!

Anyway, back to my Scrap-Room kit. This was the first month I had the embellisment add-on. And guess who is a very happy girl noticing that the main part of the add-on is by Scenic Route? :) And then it was the stamps...flowers. When I first saw the preview (you have a few days to say "not thanks" if you want) I kept changing my mind about them...I really wasn't sure at all. Then I decided it wasn't so much money so I'd gamble and go for them. I'm just working on a layout at the moment and decided to try my new stamps. Can I just say ----> I L-O-V-E them!!! Stamped onto patterned paper and cut out, they sooooo work!! Can't wait to finish the layout and show you on here.

And before I go. A big thank you to Nikki. I helped her out with a few things she needed and without me knowing she'd spoken to Tammy at Scrap-Room and asked her to put together a kit for me as a "thank you" for the help. How sweet is that?!? So a big thank you to Nikki for such a nice surprise!

Scraplifting...

Came across some layouts by Keisha Campbell which I really liked this mroning and decided to scraplift one. The layouts are quite similar but I adapted it to the A4 format I'm working with at the moment, which lead to me having to change the title a bit etc to fit better.

The papers are by Imaginisce, the scalloped and pink cardstock is by Bazzill, chipboard letters by Heidi Swapp...and then just some ric rac and two giant brads (sorry got them in a kit and don't know who they are by). A rather simple and quick layout to do - but sometimes that's very nice as you get a feeling of a "achievement" very quickly.

Enjoy the view...

Since I'm taking two Big Picture Scrapbooking classes at once, I wanted to do a layout which would cover both my assignments this morning. Because of doing quite extensive journaling for the "My Word" class (and working in A4 size!) I knew the best thing was to keep my layout fairly clean and simple to fit all the text on there. Though I couldn't resist making it a bit more cheery with some funky flowers!! LOL!

I have used my new "Flirtini" papers from Pink Martini, Bazzill cardstock and Li'l Davies rub-ons for the title. Photo is taken of the beach just a short walk from my parents' summer house in Sweden.

The journaling reads:

I’m not sure there’s anything as special as when you come to the end of the path through the forest and you walk slowly up the last little hill towards the beach in Skåne. Moving the branches from the bushes out of the way as you walk. Sometimes you hear the noisy sea before you can see it. You certainly smell it. The scent of summer and sun. You never know quite what it’s going to look like. Is the sea going to be calm like a mirror? Or lots of waves (though this you’d hear all the way from the house)? Maybe the beach is going to be quite long or rather narrow, “eaten up” by the sea? You take those last few steps and you see the beach and sea for the first time that summer. That feeling IS summer. It’s nice just to stand totally still there for a minute or so, take a few deep breaths, looking both ways. Towards Åhus and towards Stenshuvud. You feel so relaxed, calm and peaceful inside. Like this is what it’s all about. Then walking through the sharp grass onto the beach, happily feeling the sand getting in through your sandals. Just how it should be. It’s all part of that feeling. The warming sand on your feet. Putting down your beach bag and going straight down to the water to feel the temperature. Knowing that most likely it will be rather cold. Still hoping it’s one of those special weeks each summer when the water is really nice and perfect temperature. Then getting your beach towel out and lying down feeling the sun on your skin. Ah! Heaven!

Time for some music...

Don't you just hate going to the dentist? Not exactly the most fun way to spend a morning. Still I guess it has to be done. Got back and decided to play with some ribbon for the Product Playground class. Can't really say that I was/am in a creative mood either (don't get me wrong, I'm in a GOOD mood - just not creative) Ended up doing some little flower cards...but I'm not sure I'm very happy with them LOL! At least I made something though, which I think is very important to keep the dreaded "scrapper's block" away. :)

I'm off to play with my iPod and add/remove some music! Love my little speakers!! Since I got them, I have used my iPod sooooooo much more. Just need to find a better place for them than in the middle of my scrapping desk LOL! My desk is tiny so they take up very valuable space even though they are not so big...

Glitter...

I can't believe the best highstreet stationery shop is closing down. Sad but true - Stationery Box will soon be no more. Most of the stuff is sold for 60% off the price now. Visited one at the weekend and got some great bargains. Metallic coloured bulldog clips in different sizes, magnets, a (green!) ruler, a tiny address book, some post-it note tabs, glittery colouring pencils and lots of other things. But the best thing I bought was a datestamp!! Can't believe I have not got one of these before!! I think I ended up paying less than a pound for it. Most of the items I got were about 40-60p!!

A little selection of what I got:

My glittery pencils which I couldn't resist:

And some cool magnets called "crystalballs":

I have just finished a layout using the new Scenic Route papers. I'm on a mission to try and start using my eyelets again. Let's face it, who hasn't got hundreds (or thousands?!) of them nicely sorted by colours in boxes? And I have decided mine need to be used rather than just stored. So here's my first attempt. 20 eyelets used...

Pink Martini - yum...

Another layout using my new Pink Martini papers. From the Pink Squirrel range. I have also used the matching rub-ons, some ric rac and some of the glitter alphabet stickers from Making Memories. Photo is of my sister and her boyfriend.

Right I'm off for some lunch and then we're going to have a nice day out. Rather windy but still nice and sunny outside.

A snowy walk...

Last night I was flicking through the latest issue of Creating Keepsakes and came across the article with Jamie Waters' sketches. I have always liked how she puts together her layouts so I made a decision to try her sketches some time...

...and this morning I did. The patterned papers I have used bits of are by Chatterbox and the stamps came from a Scrap-Room kit from this year. The photos are taken just before Christmas (2005) in Sweden, very near my parents' house.

Good day...

Thursday's are good days at the moment. A new week of my "Product Playground" class and a new week of the "My Word" journaling class! Lots of yummy ideas, projects and suggestions to download. Unfortunately this is the last week of "Product Playground". But at least it's a good one ---> ribbons!! And ribbons I use all the time and have... well...let's just say: lots and lots of :)
I've been listening to a very inspirational 28 min audio message for my journaling class and done all the little exercises in my journal this morning. A very nice way to start the day! Love the audio messages from Amy and I'm so happy that they are quite long too!

After that I got scrapping. A layout using my new Pink Martini papers. A very busy layout LOL! Can you get TOO busy?! Maybe you can I guess. But this was a fun layout so who cares. After I had taken my photo I noticed that I had forgotten to add a date and some journaling to the layout. So I did some handwriting in some of the circles.

A very special cake...

I have been good and kept up with my journaling prompts for the "My Word" class this week...but somehow I have been "scared" of starting the layout assignment. But with a new one being given to us tomorrow, I finally got started on my journaling yesterday and this morning I made the layout. Not sure what I was "scared" of...once I got going I really enjoyed it! As is happens I have combined it with the "Product Playground" class too and used rub-ons...

Paper is from the new "Floral Chic" range by Fancy Pants and rub-ons are by Basic Grey & Gin-X. I have tried to take a close-up of the journaling too...though I'm not too sure how easy it is to read when Blogger won't display larger photos - sorry!

Yummilicious...

Mmm...I have just received some yummy stash from Banana Frog. I always used to scrap in quite muted colours. I have always liked muted colours...the colours of autumn...deep greens, wines, browns etc. And I still do. But...

Having received some brighter papers in kits, I have MADE myself use them (and wow was that H-A-R-D!!)...but as the months have gone by, I have got used to the brighter papers. So much that recently I have (never thought I would say this!!) decided I LIKE (gasp!) scrapping with bright, funky papers. It makes me happy! And if it makes me happy then it means I'm more likely to scrap and feel creative...

Look at these papers I received. We're definitely talking bright and funky!!!

Pink Martini - Flirtini (...ooooh I can't wait to use this!!):

Pink Martini - Orange Creamsicle (funky!!):

Pink Martini - Pink Squirrel (yummy flowers!):

...and lots of Rouge De Garance!! (VERY bright...I'm almost scared!! LOL!):

...and finally a (bright!) layout that I have just done this morning. Papers are the new "Floral Chic" range by Fancy Pants, lots of ribbons, Fontwerks & Sassafras Lass stamps and Making memories rub-ons.

I took my own challenge...

This morning I set a little challenge for Carin, and anyone else who wanted to have a go, in the "Product Playground" thread on UKS since she was a little stuck in her scrapping. (She did the same for me a week or so ago - thank you Carin, it was very much appreciated). As I had posted the challenge, I actually decided to do it myself too! LOL! So here's what we had follow for the layout:

* use rub-ons (of course! - this is part of this week's Product Playground class)
* use at least 2 photos on your page
* use some green and some blue on your page...even if it's just small amounts
* use a bookplate
* ...and some ric rac (or ribbon if you don't have any ric rac)

I'd love it if YOU want to take this challenge too please! Would be so much fun to see what everyone creates. If you do decide to have some fun and play along, please post and let us know how your layout turned out.

Me? I used one of the latest Chatterbox kits from Scrap-Room. This was the first time I had tried the scalloped Bazzill. Have to say I wasn't so keen on it until I cut it up! LOL! Rub-ons are by Chatterbox too, the bookplate is made using a Sizzix die + chipboard and then it's finished off with some black ric rac. Oh and the stamp is my very much loved "Notepad" by Fontwerks.

***Ooops and the layout looks like it's not been made straight at all in the photo - it is, I promise - just bad editing from me I'm afraid, sorry!***

To Cynthia who asked about the "glossy stuff" used on the inchies: it's Glossy Accents by Ranger. Hope that helps :)

Around The Block...

Just finished another layout for the Product Playground class using rub-ons (Basic Grey). Though it almost fit for all of the previous PP weeks too since I used buttons, chipboard etc. Papers are by "Around The Block" and I think it's my first experience using papers by them. I have to admit I was a little stuck at first since the colours are rather "plain" and pale on these papers. But once I discovered that the backsides had more strong colours and I got my chalkinks out I was a happygirl...

Inchies...

Signed up for an inchies swap on UKS about a week ago. You basically decorate 1x1 inch squares. Everyone knows how long an inch is, but... Have you ever cut a 1x1 inch square and thought about how small it is to decorate?!? I hadn't! It's TINY to work with! LOL! Anyway I did my background last night. Lots of yummy shimmery Twinkling H2O's on watercolour paper. Unfortunately this does not show up very well when you have to make the photos small enough for Blogger to like.

Then I decorated them today with my new Chinese stamps, Glossy Accents etc. The photos really don't do them justice and they were really hard to photograph because of the shine in the Glossy Accents etc. Seems like a lot of people put old/vintage images/people on inchies so I anted to do something a bit different...

I have also done my writing prompt this morning for the "My Word" class. I guess it's all about learning not to be "scared" to start writing...Something that I will keep in mind from now on. :)

...and I have done a card from the scraps leftover from yesterday's layout. Just a silly/funny card for no reason. Some rub-ons are included, so yet another project for the "Product Playground" class.