We near the end of 2011

Where has this year gone?! I'm sure I shut my eyes the 1st January 2011 and woke up today 30th December.LOL Well that's what it feels like.
Hope you all had a lovely christmas, ours was quite quiet...........not the same now the children are older. I had to work Christmas night so I wanted a chill out day . I only got a couple of crafty pressies, a 12x12 deep frame box, a lovely set of Tim Holtz stamps and some bakers twine. I was pleased with that as I'd only asked for the frame. What do you get a crafter who has most things and who needs to use up what they already have????My paper stash is going down, but oh what will the new year bring, I have been thinking about a stash diet and for how long I could stick to it.I shall do my best NOT to buy anything in January as we intend going to Bluewater craft show in February(it's normally at the NEC), not that I'll need anything.
I'm catching up on all the DT stuff I've to do, I've done my January L/O for Scrapbook Sisters monthly blog challenge(check them out, address at side of this page). I've also been asked again to do a L/O and a card for the Docrafts Creativity mag in March(Jan issue now out) using the new Papermania Portobello Rd range of papers, ribbons, stamps etc...........these are quite nice papers, so check them out. I've still to come up with the Bramford crop kit for Feb by next weekend.
I've had a bit of a sort out(yet again) in my craft room and decided to sell my Cuttlebug. I've a Big Shot and find I tend to use that more now.
Still can't upload any photos. My nephew reckons my Windows XP is the problem, it just is'nt working and has pinched all my files and disappeared with them.................will be taking to the Computer Dr in the next couple of weeks.
Well can I wish you all A Very Happy New Year, have fun but take care.

Janina xx

Computer woes!

My computer has decided to play up and won't let me sign into my account, will let me sign into the pc Administrator..............but that's no good when 99% of my stuff is on MY ACCOUNT. Got to wait until Wedsnesday when my nephew will come round to try and sort it out. To make things worse I can't even get into the control panel as the bar for that has disappeared too!!!!! I never thought I would miss things to do with a computer as I'm a real Techno Phobe.
Spent the whole day with lots of friends at two different crops(yeh I know I'm greedy) scrapping.
In the morning I went to Papermaze crop, Vanessa opened the remains of the shop for awhile so we could all get some real scrappin bargins( thanks very much for my stuff Vanessa), then in the afternoon it was onto the Create and Crop at Martlesham where I stayed until nearly 9pm.
Over the course of the day I managed 4 layouts and some lovely makes and takes at Create and Crop.
Some exciting news this week in that I've been asked back to do another feature in the Docrafts March Creativity mag. They've sent me some really lovely Papermania Portobello Rd products, which is new for January(see their mag due out 3rd Jan). It's geared up for the Olympics and really great for any photos you've taken in London or for making cards for men. Can't share any of my creating with you, you'll just have to buy the mag in March!
Are you ready for Christmas? No nor am I. Loads of presents still to wrap. A couple still to get including Emily's birthday which is this coming Thursday.........my baby will be 17yrs! Aaron will be 21yrs January 4th, where do the years go?
I've several scrapbooking bits to get done this week inbetween working 4 night shifts(in over Christmas), dentists, finish off shopping etc. I have done my design team work for Scrapbook Sisters January Scrapbook Challenge, so was quite pleased with myself.

Well my friends I'd like to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas, hope Santa is good to you and leave you something crafty.

Janina xx

Catch up Week

Been out to Papermaze today helping to pick orders in their 50% off sale, after the fire they had at the beginning of November. It's amazing how much some crafters are spending, especially so close to christmas! There has been some great bargins to be had like the Martha Stewart punches, Tim Holtz sizzix dies.............as you can imagine these were the first things to be snapped up. I've treated myself to a couple of American Craft Albums and some thickers, so been very reserved.LOL. Tuesday it took me TWO hours to pick a 4 page order!
Had a catch up week this week as I'm on holiday from work and don't go back until Tuesday night.
I've made some special christmas cards for my crafty friends, made my secret santa pressie, started on my challenge pieces which myself a 5 crop friends set each other each month, done the layout for the Bramford January crop kit and helped at Papermaze for two days aswell.............so all in all I've had a productive week. Tomorrow I need to get some housework done then I'll spend some time getting things ready to take to the Scrapagogo crop on Saturday. I'm going to be organised for once and only take what I intend doing.
I'm also intending to get all my christmas cards written over the weekend, so I can get those that need sending sent. We're off to Lakeside on the 7th December to get the christmas shopping done, it's a nice day out and they have a nice Range store on the retail park.

Janina xx

Cropping Tomorrow

It's the monthly Bramford Crop tomorrow, only one more left to go for 2011. This year has flown by. Is it 7 or 8 weeks 'til Christmas this weekend.?! I've started my Christmas shopping, got a few bits for my 3 kids stockings and ordered Aaron's main pressie online as it was so much cheaper that way.
Sold my old Digi SLR camera on ebay last weekend, I'd never used it properly...............did'nt understand the instructions..LOL so have now bought myself a new Nikon Coolpix digi camera from Argos which was half-price, it came today, is alot smaller and so much lighter. I had a quick play snapping pics of my craft room. Instructions look alot easier too.
I've also ordered a sewing machine to be used at the crop, I like to see sewing on layouts and cards, Karen does some lovely examples so I'm hoping she'll give our croppers a demo!
Next Saturday I'm doing a tabletop sale so hope to sell some of my handmade cards, then the next Saturday I'm doing the local WI's Christmas Fayre, so hope to sell a few more.
Well must go get things sorted for tomorrows crop, not sure what I'm going to take to do, never normally get much if anything done...........just chatting!

Have a great weekend.
Janina x

Stash Sorting

Over the past month I've been having a good sort out of my stash in my craftroom, which I might add is packed to the rafters! Shamefully I might add, you know the stuff you bought because you might use it! I've managed to sell bits on via ebay, UKS and the Bramford crop. I'm off to Create and Crop on Saturday so hoping to sell a bit more. I've made lots of cards of late as I've got two table top sales I'm doing in November. This has meant I've managed to use up papers, embellishments etc that I've had for awhile...............still has'nt made much of a dent in my stash hoard though. one card I made last week is the photo I'm showing with this posting. It's made from the left over scraps from the Bramford crop November kit Graphic 45 Magic of Oz, I must say I am quite pleased with the result and just proves what you can do with left over scraps.
I had a sad email earlier to say that Papermaze in Otley had a massive fire yesterday which looking at the local papers web site has destroyed a lot of the building and stock. My heart goes out to Vanessa as she definately does not deserve this, thankfully no one was hurt.
Well I've tea to start and a pile of ironing sitting there looking at me.LOL If I get it done today I can then spend some of tomorrow crafting.

Hope you all have a good weekend, I will as I'm scrapping all day Saturday.

Janina x

Sneaky Peek.

Over the weekend I have been working on two layouts for the Bramford Crop December kits.
Di from Crafts and Candlelight gave me the new Prima Printery collection and the very latest Kaisercraft Bonjour collection to work with. I had a good look at both lots of papers and decided that in each set there was a sheet that could be used to make your own embellishments, so out came my scissors and I set to work on lots of cutting. That'll keep the ladies busy for awhile at the crop on 10th December.LOL................some won't thank me! So apart from the papers the only other thing I used was glue and 3D foam pads to give some dimension to the layouts. I was quite pleased with both results, though the photos don't do them justice even if I do say so myself. Kaisercraft is the fisrt photo.
This afternoon I've also finished off 3 layouts that just needed titles, so all in all I've been quite productive. I'm more pleased I've got the crop layouts done well in advance so I'm not chasing my tail.
It's a night of telly tonight, Strictly Come Dancing is on at 7.25, then at 8 it's the X-Factor(just want to see who's going home), then it's Downton Abbey.

Janina x

Scrapbook Sisters Design Team

Last month I entered a monthly challenge on the Scrapbook Sisters blog, well what a surprise when I was contacted and asked to join their design team! What an honour, did'nt take long for me to reply and say YES PLEASE. This months challenge is One Shape, so I chose Rectangles, check out their blog to see my L/O's and Jeannie@s the other DT members L/O's. Check out the Scrapbook Sisters shop while you are at it, see link at the side of my blog. Why not join in the monthly challenges.............
As you can see I'm slowly trying to sort out my blog, it's trial and error as I'm not sure what I'm doing.LOL I'll get it sorted properly one day.
Been card making today. Made a couple of christmas cards and a couple of birthday cards. Have'nt done much craft wise this week, though I have been in my craftroom every day................tried tidying it up, moved a few bits around and it still looks just as bad. Will try again tomorrow.

Well hope you all have a lovely weekend. It's my weekend off so I'm hoping to do some crafting.

Janina xx

The aftermath of a visit to Ally Pally.

Well yesterday I was up nice and early as it was our September trip to Ally Pally. I picked Liz up at 6.30am then it was onto Karen's to pick her and Nancy up. We had a good drive down to Wood Green London arriving just after 8.30am. We get there early so to get a good parking place, infact we were right outside the front entrance due to having Liz's disabled badge. I'm glad I did park there as I went back to the car 3 times during the day to unload what I'd bought. I stocked up on card stock which is flipping heavy! We had a fab day as usual, bumped into Janet and Ang who went by coach. We ended the day in the park opposite AP eating cupcakes with Shimelle, SJ and several other crafters. The cupcakes made by Shimelle were scrummy.
On the way home we made our customary stop at Mcdonalds in Chelmsford. Got back into Ipswich around 8.15pm. I'll post a couple on photos of my stash purchases, looks like I spent loads, but I did'nt and managed to get some good buys. I also made a beeline for the Craft Stamper stand as I wanted to take up the subscription offer of their new Scrapbook mag hitting the shops 18th November, see photo. It's called Scrap 365.
Well I've new stash to go stroke.LOL several Rubbernecker stamps to mount, I love that stand as you get unmounted sentiment stamps for 50p each, what a bargin! I've amased quite a collection over the past two years.
I'm on holiday from work this week so I intend spending some of it in my craft room. I want to make some more cards, christmas aswell as other occasions.

Janina xx

Ally Pally here we come!

It's that time of year again when our twice yearly trip to Ally Pally in London is now only one week away. I've got a small list with odds n ends on it I'm hoping to get. So early next Saturday Liz, Nancy, myself and fingers crossed Karen will be on our way. We always have such a good day out with our customly stop at the Chelmsford Mcdonalds on the way home.
Tomorrow it's the Papermaze crop, I'm on a working wake 12hr night shift tonight, but will still go to the crop, will need nudging about mid-day as I'll have that glassy look in my eyes.............give me half an hour and a coffee and I'll be fine...............I'll just crash out on the settee at home in the evening. I've been going to Papermaze crop since 2006 and still thoroughly enjoy it as it's a very friendly crop and along the way I've made some good friends too.
Did I tell you I've started to make my christmas cards? Made about 60 so far, had a bit of a break from them and will start making more in the next few weeks. I've a week off work the end of the month, so apart from having an autumn clean in the house I intend spending time cardmaking.

Have a good weekend, mine will go in a blur until Tuesday as it's my weekend in work, so with lack of sleep............................

Janina x

Christmas is coming....LOL

Emily had her Yr 11 Prom a couple of weeks ago and here she is in her finery. She looked so lovely and grown up. Her friends came to our house and were picked up by a huge Lincoln Navigator 4x4 limo................what with the girls and the limo out the front of our house it gave the passing motorists something to look at.LOL
Cropping tomorrow at Create and Crop at Martlesham, I normally get several L/O's done as none of my real scrappy buddies go to this so I do less chatting. I aim to do at least 4 L/O's.
I'm on holiday from work next week and intend crafting part of it. I have good intensions to start making christmas cards!!! I started cutting card ready today.....................got two new rubber stamps from Lili of The Valley christmas line today.
Next Saturday it's the Bramford crop, a longer one this time finishing at 8pm for the harden scrappers.

Well hope you all have a lovely weekend, let's hope the sun shines.

Janina x

No enough hours in this week!

Well the Papercraft Show that I've organised for this Sunday 17th is fast approaching. I've done most things for it now thank goodness, just odds n ends left to do. Tickets have been selling, so that's good news and hopefully lots will turn up on the day. We have some really good stall holders coming along so there should be lots of lovely stash and demos to tempt everyone. I'm just hoping the stall holders have a good day............................
Had the Bramford Crop on saturday, another good turnout. Papermaze crop is shifting a week so will not be on this Saturday 16th but the 23rd instead, I'm pleased as I've last minute running about to do on Saturday so I'll have more time instead of running round like a headless chicken.
Emily has her yr 11 school leavers Prom this Thursday. The Limo is leaving from our house so plenty of photos to be had, I can't wait. Doesn't seem possible my 'baby' is 16yr, where does the time go?. The photos above are of Emily in her trial hair and dress run for her prom.....I made a boob and published the same photo twice.....still trying to get the hang of this blogging with photos!!LOL
The LO is one I did for the kit of the month at the Bramford crop. I was meaning to show you the one I did for Papermaze crop last month.
Well lots to do as they say. Hope you all have a good week.

Janina x

Busy Crafting

I've been busy the past few days card making, trying to use up some of my stash.........has'nt even made a dent in it but hey ho I'm going my best. Off to Papermaze crop tomorrow and my aim is not to go to the shop as I don't need anything as I've lots of papers in my stash supplies without adding to them.LOL
I need to go on a stash diet for the next year really. I've sold several unwanted bits n pieces of late on ebay. it's free listing this weekend so I'll be listing some more bits..........like those rubber stamps I bought cos I really liked them , but have never used them and am hardly likelies to either.
Are we scrappers compulsive buyers? !
Tomorrow at the crop I aim to do at least two layouts done, I might achieve it as I think only Janet and myself will be there in our little group so not so much chatter though Janet and I still do our fair share..LOL
Well I'm off to work in a while , I'm doing the sleep-in but that means nothing if buzzers are going off all night. 9pm-8am.
Hope you all have a good weekend. At the mo it's gonna be a wet one.

Janina x

Layouts

A couple of L/O's I did last year, the first one was for the Bramford Crop page kit of the month. I'll have to take photos of L/O's I've done recently now I know how to upload them!!!!

Bad blogger

Oh dear, where has the last few months gone?. I did'nt realise it had been soooo long. Life is busy.I work 3 nights per week( 12 hr shifts) and what with a family, home, crafting time etc........................excuses I suppose.
Just realised it's chucking it down with rain outside, typical as schools out in awhile.
Tomorrow It's the crop I run each month, we're a week later as my god-daughter got married last week, she looked stunning and I got lots of lovely photos. I'm going to make her and her husband Daniel a 12x12 page and frame it in a deep frame box....my task in the next fortnight. I'm going to have to learn how to upload my photos on here so I can show off my L/O's. Got an updated photo of my three children aswell, I say children, A is now 20, T is 18 and E is 16yrs so young adults really, but still my babies.LOL By shear luck and pressing a few keys I've managed to at long last include a photo on here, not exactly where I wanted it to go but hey ho it's a start.My computer learning skills very basic.............I know how to buy online...he he he.Infact I've two parcels awaitng my attention.
Right I'll post this and see how the photo pan out, then I might add some of my other photos..........have a great weekend.

Janina