hobby d'un jour

Creative Scrappers.

2012-02-23T03:45:00.000-08:00

Quick post today of a Layout I have made for Creative Scrappers sketch 196. Here is the sketch:

And here is my take:

The story behind this page is how four grown up respectable ladies can turn into four giggly school girls after only two cocktails !! They were both one litre cocktails mind you !!

I have used a lot of stuff that I bought in France. Most of the paper is from Kesi'Art and the cute splash stamps are from a company called Ze[naty]tude. Go and check them out, they have lots of cool stuff at a very reasonable price.

Speak to you soon.
Anne

Weekend in Lille.

2012-02-21T06:35:00.002-08:00

What a lovely weekend ! I have just come back from a three day weekend in Lille with three of my anonymous friends. We went there for a scrapbooking show called " Pour l'Amour du Scrap" but really, it was just an excuse for a weekend away !! We had such a great time, delicious food, plenty of cocktails, numerous shopping bags and a little scrapbooking !
The show didn't turn out to be that great. It was pretty small and there was no bargain to be made ! But.. we came across this amazingly talented lady called Tanya Watts who taught us how to use inks to make tags. Tanya is a "ranger educator ", one of these people who hang out with Tim Holtz and call him her buddy ! This woman was an inspiration. She has just recovered from Breast Cancer and has enough energy and enthousiasm to host a show and make it real fun. Our time with her was the highlight of our trip, ( well, the cocktails were pretty good too ! ) and we came out with two little handmade tags to cherish. ( Well, I have got three as Tanya gave me an extra one !! ) ( I know, me !! Not the others !! ) ( in fact it isn't even for me ! It is for a friend, but anyway, I am rambling !! ) ( talking about rambling.. no I won't say anything about Sue who likes to wake up at 6 and tell me everything I would ever want to know, and even the things I never knew I wanted to know !! and still have enough energy to talk through the day ! ) ( now, I have found my match, someone who talks more than me ! ) Anyway, I was talking about the tags so here they are..

First the one made by the Master Tanya Watts:

And then my creations.. taddaddaaa...

These were so much fun to make, I really need to buy some more ink now so I can make some more !!

But anyway, here are a few more pictures about our trip. You will recognise, Aunty Pauline ( not her real name ), Sue, the Newcastle lass, ( that's her real name !! ) and the Techy One ( not her real name but you might have guessed that !! )

Breakfast Au pain Quotidien

Petit Plaisir

Garlic Snails for dinner !

Cocktail glass nearly empty !

Hard at work

There are hundreds more pictures to share so I can see a mini book coming !!

Thank you ladies for a wonderful weekend. I couldn't have chosen a nicer bunch of girls to go away with and Sue, even if you talk at 6 o'clock, it was a pleasure and a real laugh to share a room with you.

Take care

Anne

Quiet but busy !!

2012-02-15T06:24:00.000-08:00

I haven't had a chance to write for a while but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy !!

Two weeks ago, I was lucky to attend a local crop with some friends and the lovely Lisa. We learnt how to make flowers and Lisa taught us through a page. I haven't quite finished that one yet so I can't show it to you but I also got a chance to start my 12 pictures for 12 hours project. Let me explain.. a couple of weeks ago, my anonymous friends and I decided to journal and record one day of our lives. We first thought we could make a page and it would be nice for the kids to look at it 50 years down the line. Well, a page wasn't going to be quite big enough so I decided to make a mini book. I felt courageous and spent a night misting and distressing, cutting and glueing, splatting gesso and paint all over the place, ( litteraly all over, yes, walls and floors were not spared unfortunately ! ) but I loved the result, my pages looked good and were ready for my journalling. So I spent most of the crop inking time, sticking pictures and masking tape. All I had to do left was write the journal and think of a cover and a way of binding all the pages. And add a bit of sewing.. of course.. !
So here it is...

I like the grunge look, very different from my last mini book which was clean and simple. But if I am honest, it was a little too messy for me ! My fingers are still red a week later !!

Now, back to sewing ! Are you bored of it yet? because I still can't get enough, and it is catching !!

Amelie is also at it now, making skirts for her doll !She is so creative I am not surprise she loves it too. The only problem is her attention span ! She has millions of good ideas but a little like me, she gets bored half way through her project, still, she did a good job ! And she didn't sew her fingers or break the machine !!

And talking about skirts, I know it is still winter but surely it is never too early to make summer skirts so here is one I made earlier !! Yes, another one for Amelie's collection !

And the little bird is an idea I have for Easter decorations...

But it might not be ready for this Easter !!.

I hope that you are enjoying half term. We are loving it. It is just so nice to stay at home and not rush around.

Speak to you soon.

Anne

Once upon a time...

2012-02-06T03:08:00.000-08:00

There lived a knight in shiny armour...

and a lovely pretty ballerina...

One day they met...

And fell in love, ( Amelie's version ! )

And he killed her ( Harry's version !! )

Well, you see we have to keep ourselves busy when it is snowing outside !!

Have a lovely week.

Anne

Sooo cute...

2012-02-01T03:36:00.000-08:00

Still having fun with my sewing machine !! And my blog isn't called Hobby D'un Jour ( Pass time of a day ) for no reason !! People who know me will confirm that I get bored really quickly and my interest changes from day to day. So at the moment I am mad about sewing. That involves surfing the interest until the early hours of the morning for free patterns, ( any recommendations welcome !! ), dreaming about sewing projects, spending money on sewing material, boring my friends and family with sewing miracles and spending time trying to understand my machine ( I do have a manual but that would be far too simple !! ). So anyway, here is my new achievement !! A pretty skirt for Amelie ! And trust me, this is an achievement. You are talking to the girl who CAN' T SEW, WON'T SEW !! but I am very proud of myself !! I did learn a few lessons on the way...

Always read the instructions carefully
Always read the instructions carefully
Always read the instructions carefully
Make sure you won't run out of thread.
Make sure you won't run out of bias tape.
Make sure you put a lot of time aside ( It might say "quick and Easy " on the box, but is it ever !! )
Make sure you have a child who loves everything that you make and is very easily pleased !! (I do !! )

And with this in mind, here is what I made !!

Impressed !! ( that is mainly for my mum and my sister who were starting to despair about my abilities to sew !! )

But enough about sewing and back to scrapbooking. Well, card making. Remember, a few weeks ago I received a lovely card from Cat, well, I feel I had to make her a special card too. She likes everything vintage and antique looking so I came out of my Clean and Simple style to make her a grungy looking card and here is the result..

She has received it and she likes it ( Or so she says !! ) ( mind you she is French so she would probably say if she didn't!! ).

So, off I am to school to teach. Enjoy the rest of the week. I am looking forward to the weekend. we have a crafty day on Saturday with the lovely and talented Lisa teaching us some new techniques. Why don't you come and join us if you are local.

Anne XXX

Just can't get enough...

2012-01-27T03:34:00.000-08:00

of my sewing machine, so I am afraid, another lay out with stitches !!

These pictures were taken last October on Amelie's birthday, seems like a while ago now but couldn't find the right papers to match. I really love the result ! The sketch is from Creative Scrappers

so here is it..

The blue green paint is the paint left over from my front door !!

Have a n ice weekend everyone.

Anne

Still in love....

2012-01-24T00:41:00.000-08:00

with my sewing machine ! And here is a little card I have made for a friend who is moving house, again !

I hope she likes it and wishes her happiness in her new home.

Anne

And here is one...

2012-01-23T03:13:00.000-08:00

I didn't make earlier !!

No I didn't make this card. The lovely Cat sent it to me full of good wishes !! I really love it, look at the snow and this gorgeous little village punch ! that might just have to go on my next Christmas list !!

Thank you Cat, you are a star !!

Anne

Mini book.

2012-01-18T03:24:00.000-08:00

Today I will show you a mini book I have made with pictures we took while we were skiing. I am not sure you can remember but a couple of weeks ago I had made a book for a friend using leather and instructions from Kirstie Allsopp. I knew I wanted to use this method again but I had ran out of leather so I decided to use Denim instead. The result is still good and I am happy how the mini book feels. If I am completely honest I wish I had done the binding of both parts closer but apart from that it is a nice souvenir.
So here are the pictures. And I am still undecided about adding a title to it. What do you think?

I thought I would also show you a dress I made for Amelie's doll but in fact the pictures make it looks even worse than it it is real !! But Amelie loves it !!

Take care.

Anne

Lovely weekend..

2012-01-15T09:16:00.000-08:00

At home trying to catch up on cleaning and seeing friends. I also managed to make a page for Sketchy Thursdays. I can't believe it is the last challenge. These ladies have been so good to me. I still remember the first time I entered one of their challenges and they didn't pick me. I was so upset !! How could they not like me !! What a lesson that was. But I decided to try again and again. Their sketches have always inspired me and I was very lucky to be chosen as a favourite a few times and these times, I felt very honoured and proud. It is a real shame they are stopping but I would love to finish on a high so I have made an extra special page, including all the skills I have learnt while working on the past sketches. I have used paint and ink, stamps and stickers, ribbons and masking tape, pens and sewing. I really love the result and I hope they do to. But, hey, this time I won't feel sad if I don't get picked, I will just feel sad to say goodbye to these wonderful ladies who always took time to write a little word on your blog. So good luck ladies and hopefully see you soon.

Here was the sketch:

And here is my page...

I especially like the masking tapes that my dear lovely beautiful kind and generous sister !! bought me for Christmas and the little badge I got a while ago.

I also came across this new challenge site called Craft Origine. I think that they have just started but I like them already. This was their sketch.

And I thought Harry's page worked a treat so I have sent it to them. I hope they like it too !!

And while I am at it, Scrapbookers Anonymous and the talented Lea are challenging you to use masking so I think I will send them my page too !!

Take care everyone.

Anne XXX

No stopping me now !

2012-01-12T05:40:00.000-08:00

I was chosen as one of the favourites over at Sketchy Thursdays for my first page with sewing, so thank you very much ladies and since you like it so much here is some more !!
This page is for the new challenge over at Scrap365. I have never played with them before but I like the new magazine so I thought I would give it a go. There is a sketch to follow ( which I kind of did !! ) but most of all it was an excuse to use the sewing machine again !!

Now, about the sewing machine ... My husband has often toyed with the idea of having a tv in our bedroom and I have always objected to it. We hardly ever watch tv anyway and why would I want to watch it in our bedroom. Surely there are more exciting things to do in the bedroom........ like sewing !! yes I have found a prime position in our bedroom for my sewing machine !! But you might guess, my husband might need a bit of convincing !!

Take care

Anne

Happy new year !!

2012-01-11T03:27:00.000-08:00

Happy new year everybody, may it be full of lovely crafty projects and ideas.

I should really be working so this post will be quick. But just to show you my first page using my sewing machine, this is soo cool. I will easily get addicted and my mum and my sister will be amazed that I still remembered how to switch it on ! ( Although, if I admit, I had trouble threading the thread with the machine so I ended up doing it by hand. !! ) Still very proud and if this page won't win me any prize for best sewing, it is still one of my favourite. This picture was taking last week in La Clusaz. Did I tell you we went skiing ? Did I tell you Rachel that there was lots of snow !! ( private joke !! ) ( or actually not so much of a joke ! ). Anyway, here is my page for Sketchy Thursdays and Bird Is The World Challenge ! ( two into one, yeh good start of the year ! )

Not too sure what that black thing in the bottom left corner is, I have tried to clean the camera but it didn't help. And just to show that I can use different stitches on my machine, a little close up or two !!

I hope you like it as much as I do !!

Anne

And all there is to remember...

2011-12-29T06:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas has been and gone and all there is to remember is recorded in my precious little mini book. I have really enjoyed making this book. In a way, it has helped me appreciate Christmas more, making every moment special enough to record.
I hope that you are ready for quite a few pictures !!

I like this mini book because it has lots of tags with things to read at the back. I am not sure I will make another one next year but I think that the trick to get your Christmas mini book finished is to have it prepared before December. I had all the pages made and I had mostly planed what would go on each one. Things did change and the finish product isn't quite what I expected but I like it all the more.

Now for another picture of something a friend gave me for Christmas. I especially love home made Christmas gifts and I thought this tree was gorgeous, simple but effective.

I will definitely make some more with the kids next year.

If I don't get to speak to you before the new year, have a lovely happy and crafty new year.

Anne

Little Book of My Favourite Things...

2011-12-21T12:54:00.000-08:00

Here is a little book I have made following instructions from Kirstie Allsopp. Has anyone ever seen her programs? Most of my friends have and they are divided into two very separate groups. Those who think that Kirstie is a complete waste of space and and an insult to modern women, (who in their right mind would ever have the time or the inclination to make such useless things as a felt bird or a heart garland!).. And those friends who like me, think that Kirstie is an inspiration and absolutely can't wait to try and make all the Christmas decorations and gifts that she makes in her programs.

So, with my new sewing machine ( I know I haven't updated you recently but I got a new sewing machine from my mum for Christmas and I know it isn't Christmas yet but we have already celebrated !! ). So anyway, with my new sewing machine and my mum's expertise, a little help from the program and a good stash of leather and paper from my scrapping supplies, I made a Little book and I gave it to a very special friend for Christmas. ( someone who I know would appreciate my effort and excitement at creating such a cute little thing ! ) so... tadadadaaa...

This is the first of many, watch this space.. the teachers will get one for their summer presents and everybody I know for their birthdays !! I have ideas of making mini books with them. I am sooo excited about this, it looks and feels gorgeous, even if I say so myself.

I have also been busy with my Christmas mini book and added pages of our early Christmas dinner, our trip to Winchester, our winter ball and carols in the barn. It is too late to show you pictures now but I will try tomorrow.

Have fun everyone and Merry Christmas if I don't get to speak to you sooner.

Anne XXX

It is starting to look like Christmas !!

2011-12-13T01:20:00.000-08:00

We have been busy decorating the house and it is now really starting to look like Christmas. Here are a few pictures of what we have done so far..

All these decorations gave me an idea for a page. But since I am way behind writing my Christmas cards, it had to be a very quick page ! And that is so difficult for me. I choose the sketches from Sketchy Thursdays and Sketch in Thyme.

They are quite similar, with three pictures. I decided to use pictures of my new wreath. ( I can spell it now, you will understand when you see my page ! ) I made this wreath last Friday when I went to see my anonymous friends Claire. A friend of hers is a florist and taught us how to use wire and ribbons to make Christmas decorations. This is so clever. I really enjoyed it and my newly painted door looks even better now. But anyway, here is my very quick page with a very obvious corrected spelling mistake !!

Finally I have been busy making a Christmas mini book and here is what it looks like so far..

That was busy me!! How are your preparations going?
Anne

Soooo excited !!

2011-12-06T09:41:00.000-08:00

I am so excited and you know why ... father Christmas is bringing me a new lense for my camera, 70 to 200mm. This is sooo cool, I will be able to take a picture of the kids whilst they are playing and they won't even see me !!I am sure there are lots of other things I could do with it, but this is what I am looking forward the most.

At the moment I am having a cleaning obsession. It doesn't happen often, trust me !! but I have found this new product that smells like apples and it reminds me of the shampoo I used to have when I was little, and suddenly, every time I squirt, I am time travelled back to my childhood. I can see myself at summer camp, at my grandma, and suddenly forgotten memories come flooding back. Isn't it strange how the brain works, what triggers your memory. fascinating ! Anyway, I had to scrap this strange new obsession and Sketchy Thursday was perfect as usual.

Here is the sketch..

And here is my take...

May be I should write to the company and ask to be paid for the free advertising !! Mind you, I never said it was a great cleaning product, it just smells good !!

Enjoy the Christmas preparations. It is all go here, kids are sewing stockings at the moment, hence this post is taking me forever as they keep loosing their needle !!

Have fun..

Anne

At last...

2011-11-30T01:32:00.000-08:00

a little time to scrap and of course a sketch from Sketchy Thursdays. Here is the sketch...

And here here is my take...

back to the zillions things I have to do !

Take care

Anne

Would rather be scrapping !

2011-11-21T01:29:00.000-08:00

Not much happening on the scrapping front, with a sick bug that seemed to attack everyone in the family, apart from me, but guess what ... I was the one who had to clear it all out !!. Anyway, everyone is back at school and I thought I would show you the result of my baking last week. It was Pudsey Bear day in the UK on Friday, a day of celebrations for Children in Need when lots of events take place to raise money. I thought I would organise a coffee morning here and prepare lots of cakes and biscuits. Well, first, my oven blew up, it literally did as I was baking, and second of all, what on earth made me think I would be up to having loads of big and little people in my house after I have spent the night watching the new Breaking Dawn film. ( which was really rubbish but I loved it anyway !! ). It did go well still and it was really nice to see everyone. I had prepared a few things as I said so here they are, and I know, it isn't quite Christmas yet, but I still like these cute little Christmas trees !!

Hopefully I will get some scrapping done this week, we will see how it goes.

Have fun everyone

Anne

Breaking Dawn !!

2011-11-17T11:17:00.000-08:00

Going to out to see Breaking Dawn. Are you ready for the vampires...

Anne XXX

Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge.

2011-11-15T12:23:00.000-08:00

Hi there,

There is a new challenge over at Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge. Here is the sketch...

And here is what I made as the Guest designer of the month, yes, me !!!

Go and check what the other designers did and play along with us, there is a very cool prize to win !!

See you later.

Anne

Remembrance Sunday and crafty weekend.

2011-11-14T05:17:00.000-08:00

On Friday I was lucky to go to London with a friend to visit the Country Living Christmas Show. It was a really good day out that gave me a lot of inspiration. Most of the stuff for sale was very expensive but gave e millions of ideas for Christmas decorations. I didn't buy much but I came across this little store with extremely cute badges. The store holdm, Siobhan Jordan is a very talented artist, you can check her blog on siobhanjordan.blogspot.com and I really like her style. I have used one of her badges on a page already, you can see it in the middle of this lay out that I made for Sketchy Thursdays.

This was the original sketch...

I have done a page similar a few weeks ago and liked it a lot so decided to copy myself !!

I also managed to make another lay out for Sketch in Thymes. I had to flip the sketch to fit my horizontal pictures but I like the simplicity or the end result.The colours are really bright but then again, these little Moshi Monsters are really bright too.

and this was the original sketch if you fancy having a go.

Sunday was remembrance Sunday here. It is always emotional and I always struggle to keep my emotions in check but this weekend we went to our local memorial and the ceremony was lovely. Lots of local Brownies and Cubs and Rainbows were there and it was uplifting to see all the children paying their respect and behaving so well. It is tradition to wear poppies and Amelie got the idea to put them in her hair. I am not sure it is the thing to do really but they did look cute !!

I hope you have a good week. I have received lots of goodies this weekend so I hope I will be able to spend some crafty time. Although, very exciting, the new Twilight Film is coming out and I am going to see it on Thursday at midnight so should try to get some good night sleep beforehand !!

Anne XXX

Maths day.

2011-11-10T02:46:00.000-08:00

Today was Maths Day at school !! And the children had to dress up as something mathematical. They had the option of wearing something spotty or with a number or lines, but, no, my children decided they wanted to dress up !! Put your thinking hat on, mum, and design two costumes in one night !! tadddaddaa, proudly presenting, Mrs Calculator and Mr Pencil !!

I love this picture of Harry, he made me laugh !!

And I have finished my advent calendar I was making. Well, I have finished it, but all I need to do now is buy and wrap another 23 presents ( time 2 ) !! but here is was it looks like so far...

Shopping evening at school tonight and day out shopping in London tomorrow. Followed by scrap book workshop with Lisa in Goldaming on Saturday, life is sweet !!

Take care

Anne

Lovely weekend.

2011-11-07T03:21:00.000-08:00

I have just had a very nice weekend.
Saturday I went to our local crop with a bunch of my anonymous friends. ( We all know who they are !! ) We had a really nice time. Lots of cups of tea as usual and delicious cakes made by Claire ( One of the anonymous ones !! ). This time, we had the privilege to have Lisa, teaching us how to use paint and mist to create a vintage look. As you can imagine, this is completely out of my comfort zone ! We had to cut without scissors and without measuring, spray without knowing what it would look like and generally paint and glue the whole lot. I love the result, I think it is so clever. And it kind of looks like the sketch on Sketchy Thursdays ! So here is the sketch...

And here is my page...

In the afternoon of the crop, we had the lovely Suzanne teaching us how to do a novelty box. I haven't finished mine but I will show it to you soon. I will probably use it for a Christmas present for a teacher.
The day went really quick and I had the impression I would do a lot more but I think may be we chatted too much ! Still, it was really lovely.

On Sunday, I did lots of gardening, ( raking the leaves could be a daily chore if I could be bothered !! ), some crafty Christmas preparations and played battle Ship as a family game, and.... the girls won !! Go Girls !!.
I am getting so excited about Christmas. I have quite a few projects on the go. I am making an advent calendar, a Christmas banner and a mini book, where hopefully, come December the 1st, all I will have to do is take pictures and stick them in !! Well that's the plan anyway !

Don't forget the challenge on Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge. I really enjoyed it and I am sure you will too.

take care and have a good week.

Anne XXX

Sketchy Thursdays.

2011-11-02T07:20:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

There is a new sketch on sketchy Thursdays. Since it is already Wednesday, it feels a bit like last minute panic !! Here is the sketch...

And here is my take...

I love this picture. It was taken at the airport in Malaga, Spain. We were delayed so ended up being the only one in a very empty airport rather late in the night.
The page is about our travels this year. We were so lucky to be able to fly business class ( courtesy of my old job at BA ) to many places. Unfortunately my concessions stop this year so I am not sure there will ever be a next time !!

Thanks for looking.

Anne

Happy Halloween !!

2011-10-31T13:52:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

Happy Halloween from us here !!

We had a great time Trick or Treating. Although, every year, I feel there is something not quite right in encouraging the children to "beg" for sweets, we always have a lovely evening and the neighbours are always happy to see the little monsters.

We had a lovely half term, it went so quick. We spent the end of the week in Prague and celebrated Harry's birthday with our friends in Czech Republic. Our friends are the nicest people you could ever meet and we spent four days eating and drinking until we couldn't possibly eat any more !! The kids had a memorable time and Harry has already booked to go back next year !!.

Not much scrapping done recently, I am on a cleaning and decluttering mission. (that is after spending four days at my friend's house!! her house is immaculate and tidy, how does she do it?). The bin is already full of stuff, (mostly Andrew's but shuuussh !! ) and it already looks better !!.

Have a good week everyone and don't forget to check Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge for their new challenge, you will see what I have designed for you !!

Anne

Very super duper quick.

2011-10-27T07:09:00.000-07:00

Here is a page I made last night. I will enter it for three challenges. Get Picky, the Paper Variety and Sketches in Thyme. You see, busy but clever !!

Happy Halloween everyone !

AnneXXX

Sketchy Thursdays

2011-10-26T05:43:00.000-07:00

Quick one today to show you what I have done for Sketchy Thursdays. Here is the sketch...

And here is my page ...

I started with the three pictures and layers of paper. I knew I wanted to write the words that Harry had to learn as I think the whole family will remember them forever !! I like the page I made although, admittedly it doesn't look much like the sketch in the end. Still, it is meant to be an inspiration, isn't it? !!.
If you like the effect on the pictures, I used an app on my phone that is pretty cool. This is called Grunge look !!.

Enjoy the rest of the week.

Anne

The secret is out !!

2011-10-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

No I am not pregnant !! But I have been chosen to be a designer at Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge !!

Yes, little me !! How very exciting and you can go and check it out if you don't believe me !! Go on ! You will meet Anne Pennington and her team and you can see a picture of me ! And you can join in the next few challenges, I had a go at them so I know they are fun !

I would like to thank Anne for her trust in me. She has always been very complimentary of my work and you know how nice it feels when someone likes what you do. So a warm thank you.

In the mean time, Halloween is coming so busy preparing banners and carving pumpkins. I will take pictures when it is all finished and looking Freaky enough !!

Take care

Anne xxx

A few crafty projects.

2011-10-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

Today was the Autumn festival at school so my friend Claire and I had an evening baking last night and came up with these pretty little biscuits.

We first made the owls biscuits and then we were left with half Oreo biscuits. ( And there were far too many for me to eat !! ) so we decided to search the net for "crushed Oreo biscuits recipes"! and believe it or not there were quite a few, including these chocolate cookies. A little tag and a ribbon and that was our work done !

And since I was making tags and it is Harry's birthday party tomorrow, I made some more thank you goody bags.Luckily, he has only invited 5 friends so that was nice and quick !

My baby is back today, so I shall finish this post and go and enjoy my cuddles !

Have a lovely weekend.

May the best team win the rugby on Sunday. So long as they are French !!

Anne XXX

Sketchy Thursdays

2011-10-18T11:09:00.000-07:00

This week my little girl has gone for a 4 day residential stay with school. The house is very quiet and I am not sure I like being the only girl in the house. ( and no, I don't want to watch yet another programme of Top Gear ! ). I wanted to make a page to let her know how I felt about her going. I found the sketch on Sketchy Thursday this week was perfect as it gave me a lot of space for journaling. I have had a look at the work some of the ladies have already done and there are some truly amazing pages, so I don't think I stand a chance of winning but I like the page anyway and it will be nice for Amelie to read it when she gets home !!

As you can see I am rather addicted to masking tapes at the moment and Crate papers !! And I bought some more today so you will see loads more soon !!

Take care and thank you all for your nice comments.

Anne

Box of pretty things !

2011-10-17T03:12:00.000-07:00

I have been shopping and look what I have found !

A box of very pretty little things ! And look at these little envelopes, not sure what I am going to do with them, but they are so cute ! They are only about two centimeters long.

I found this box in TK Max. They had stopped doing crafty stuff but I think with Christmas round the corner they have started again, I just might have to go and check it once a week !

Have a good week.

Anne XXX

Sketch in Thyme.

2011-10-14T15:41:00.000-07:00

There is a new sketch at Sketch in Thyme...

So I had to have a go since they liked me last time ! I really enjoyed the sketch and I love the result. Again, I used paint, you see, I am trying to do something different ! Tell me what you think...

I wanted to enter this page for another challenged where you had to use "leaves " but I can't remember which challenge site that was !! Anybody knows?

Have a lovely weekend, enjoy the rugby, I know I will. But no comment if we loose, I will have warned you !!

Take care

Anne

Happy Birthday to my baby girl !

2011-10-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

Amelie is 9 today, time goes so fast, scary ! Although it seems that this birthday has been going on for a few weeks !! Tonight we are going to the restaurant so that Amelie and her friends can make their own food, sounds messy !! Rather their kitchen than mine !! Party bags and treats are ready, balloons, checked, cake, ordered, it is all under control. Here are the little treats me made for the guests, with a little tag, saying Thank you for coming ! This way, we don't have to write Thank You cards !! hey, you see, I am organised !!

Also I had time to play with Sketchy Thursday this week !! Double organised !! call me super woman !

This was the sketch...

And this is my interpretation..

I tried loads of new things on this page. Lots of doodling, misting, glitter and a new App on my phone. I like the result, although I wish you could see the misting more, but it is kind of hidden behind the pictures. I used a old letter board and some spray paint for the background.

Anyway, off to school, busy busy,

Anne

Another Freaking scrapbook challenge.

2011-10-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

Just a quick one! Really busy with my daughter's birthday that seems to last forever !! Last weekend I treated her to a surprise trip to London to see Wicked and this weekend is her birthday sleepover. She has one every year with a couple of friends and they usualy behave pretty well. For some strange and rather stupid reasons I have decided to give her room a make over. Excuses like, you know she is growing up now and needs a proper desk and grown up curtains... and suddenly it is the whole room that needs changing. I was busy today making new curtains, yes, MAKING !! with a sewing machine, proud or what !! They look good but I wonder if they are a bit long, anyway, back to scrapping !!

I managed to make a page for Another Freaking Scrapping Challenge. I have meant to enter their challenges for a long time and support Anne in her venture but I have never had the time, so this month, I made it my mission !!
So here was the brief:
scrap your school days – your own school days incorporating three of: a photo of you back in the day, or a momento from those years , perhaps: a song title, lyrics or album cover from that era, your favourite school subject, or a page from one of your texts, diaries or notebooks , a scan or your yearbook – whatever is representative of your school days. Maybe you could include a memory of those days in your blog posting. We'd prefer if you scrap your own school days - as we like to encourage our followers to scrap about themselves to leave a legacy for their family - but you can scrap your children's school days if you prefer.

I also saw another challenge on Scrap Fit that I thought I could use where this week, you have to write your journalling around something.

And because I might as well try to fit in as many challenges as I can when I am busy, I thought I could try Scrapbookers Anonymous where this month, the lovely Lea and her friends encourage you to use die cuts !

And this is what I came up with:

The journalling is about ten Things I remember from my school years, ranging from the name of my favorite teachers to the games I liked to play. This photo really makes me smile as it looks very much like a picture of my little boy and both my children looked puzzled when they saw my page. Why would Harry be in that classroom ?!! The little people are cut from old sewing books of the 1970 and the dominoes are there because I used to love playing this game with my grandad, again and again.

I hope that you have a nice weekend. Think about me when the girls are still giggling and chatting at 2 in the morning !!

Take care

Anne

PS. Thank you to the very lovely ladies at Sketch in Thyme who chose me as their favourite this month, I will definitely play again soon.

What a lovely weekend !

2011-10-03T00:41:00.000-07:00

The weather was glorious and the children had a very long weekend due to two inset days.
On Saturday I went to London with Amelie and a friend and her daughter to see Wicked at the theatre. We had such a fab time. This trip was a birthday surprise for the girls and they had the time of their lives with enough time to have lunch at the restaurant and go shopping.

I thought I would use the cutest picture I took on Saturday on the new Sketchy Thursday sketch

.

I also I came across the Bird is The Word challenge where you have to use the words You and Me.

So here is what I came up with..

I hope you had a nice weekend too.
Anne

Still time to vote !

2011-09-30T01:57:00.000-07:00

At Once Upon a Sketch this week you can vote for the winner !! So.. you can vote for me !! Well, not many people have so I will have to blow my own trumpets !! Go and check their web site quickly and look out for the page with Gnomeo and Juliette ! And then vote, for your favourite really, not just mine !

Have a fab sunny weekend

Anne

Sketchy Thursdays

2011-09-23T04:42:00.000-07:00

This is the sketch on Sketchy Thursdays this week:

As soon as I saw it, I knew I liked it and what paper and pictures I would use. I love the result, probably one of my favorite page ever !! I love this paper, it is from a French brand and I will look up for the name if you are interested. So, here is my page...

I hope that you all have a nice weekend. If you are going to Alexandra Palace, I am very jealous and I can't wait to see what you bought !!

Anne

Quickie

2011-09-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

Just a quick one to show you a little card I made for someone who asked me for a recipe. I was wondering why on earth didn't I simply write it on a piece of paper instead of wasting my time, well, it is because I love wasting my time on crafty things and hopefully I will make someone feel very special !! Hope you like it too, and by the way, the recipe isn't mine but it makes the most delicious cookies, ever.Give it a go if you get a chance !!

Take care

Anne

It started with a sketch !!

2011-09-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

My new project started with a sketch from Sketches in Thyme. Here it is...

but it ended up like this...

First I thought I would turn the sketch upside down. I knew which pictures I was going to use, I just couldn't edit them the way I wanted ! I wanted three small pictures under the Olives sign but I just couldn't figure out how to do it ! I used Picassa so if anybody has got any tips on how to create your own collage, then please help me !!.
The rest, well, apart from a few extra layers and the little pictures on the top left is quite similar to the sketch, hmm, if you look quickly !
Does this ever happen to you, you start with an idea and it ends up completely different to what you had originally planed? I still like it, it just doesn't look one bit like what I had in my head !

Busy making little presents for Amelie's party at the moment, butterflies and glitter, lots of glitter !!

Have a good week,

Anne

Once Uppon a Sketch.

2011-09-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

There is a new sketch over at Once Upon A Sketch. I like this challenge site as it encourages to write down your thought and ideas. Yesterday afternoon Amelie asked me a question that I had to write down for future memories and laughs ! So I poped over to Once upon a Sketch and used their sketch. This time the requirement is that you write a couple of sentences on the picture so I gave it a try .
Here is the sketch...

And here is my take...

Now, if you look closely, there is resemblance between Gnomeo and the Smurfs, you know, they both wear funny little hats, so I know where her thoughts came from, but I did laugh at loud !

Yesterday I also had time to make a little present for a friend of Amelie.

This little gift was an idea I got when I went to a Stampin'up party presented by Suzanne.( You have to go and check out her new blog, she is new to blogging !). The party was great, we had far too much wine and I can still remember eating loads of chocolate but not achieving anything crafty ! Still, loads of gossiping and really a great night ! So thank you Jemma for hosting it and sorry we left so many empty bottles of wine behind !
Anyway, the little gift was real a try out for new ideas for our School Christmas fair. Every year, a few crafty mums get together and try to make little crafty things to sell for the school. So we thought, these little bags of goodies might work. A few reindeers and snow flakes instead of the Japanese dolls and there you go !.What do you think?

Enjoy the rest of the weekend,

Anne

Get Picky and a donkey !

2011-09-12T05:41:00.000-07:00

The inspiration board at Get picky this month is as followed:

Pretty hey !! I decided to use the pictures I took of the kids on their first day back at school. The pictures aren't great as the kids didn't really like yet another picture for the scrapbook !! But they are colourful and I thought they would look good with the yellow. Now, as for the Donkey, well, I am not sure I put it there other than it does look cute and it is wearing high heels and there are high heels on the pictures !! Hope you like it too, it makes me laugh !!

Speak to you soon

Anne

First crumble

2011-09-08T02:19:00.000-07:00

First blackberry crumble of the season and it smells good!! I love picking blackberries but this year it hasn't stopped raining so I haven't had a chance. But I walked home from a friend's yesterday and I noticed a few bushes along the road, I had to stop !! Combined with my neighbour's apples, it was the perfect combination !!

There is a new sketch at Creative Scrappers...

so here is my take on it..

I am pleased with so I hope you like it too.

I am meant to be sorting out stuff for a car boot sale on Sunday but I have just had a look at the weather forecast but guess what, it is meant to be heavy rain for a change, so I don't think I will bother !!

Enjoy the rest of the week.

Anne

Sketchy Thursdays.

2011-09-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

Here is the new sketch from Sketchy Thursdays..

Nice and simple and this is the way I intended my page to look like but somehow it ended up being a bit messy and busy. Still I like it and I hope you do to.!

We have had a lovely weekend with friends coming over for Sunday lunch. They have the cutest little girl ever !
Time to get ready for school now. I feel very sad for the children. They have had such a wonderful holiday and I am dreading sending them to school again. I will miss them loads.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend and good luck to everybody going back to school tomorrow !

Anne

Mini Book.

2011-08-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

Here is the mini book I have made of our holidays in the Alpes. I have used mostly Kesi Art papers and the front and back covers are covered with a fake wook plastic thing that I bought in a DIY shop a long time ago. I really like the result and we have already shown it to many friends. Even Andrew likes it !! yehhee !!

I think there might be a spelling mistake on that one, I will have to check it out !!

I would like to use this page to write something about them at their respective ages.

I hope you like too !!

Speak to you soon

Anne

I am back !!

2011-08-28T16:02:00.000-07:00

I know, I haven't blogged for a long while but I have just come back from holiday in France. We had an amazing time starting off at my parent's in Brittany, then on to The French Alpes and the Swiss Alpes. We finished our holidays with two nights in Strasbourg. Really, it was great ! I feel all refreshed, ready to start the new term ! ( well, kind of ! ).
I didn't get any chance to scrap while I was away but I took hundreds of pictures and I did manage to sneak in a few scrapbooking shops. I found this French brand called Kesi Art and it was love at first sight ! I have already made a mini book which I will show you tomorrow if I get a chance but for now, you will have just have to make do with some of my pictures !!

On the way to the Lac des Confins

On the decking of our chalet.

First sight of the Mont Blanc

Meeting up with old friends.

Having fun in Lac de Thun, near Interlarken.

On the top of Europe. The Jungfrau.

I will try to come and visit your blogs next week !

Anne

Sunshine !!

2011-08-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

Sunshine at last. It feels wonderful to be at last able to enjoy the garden and to go for long cycle rides. Not much time for scrapbooking though !! I'd rather be outside while it lasts !

I still got a chance to do a page for Sketchy Thursdays. I always find their sketches inspiring and Andrew had found a set a scan pictures as he was tidying the garage ( I know, what on earth were these pictures doing in the garage !! ) that were perfect for a multi picture page. Anyway, here is the sketch...

and here is my page ...

It isn't my favorite page of all time but I like it and I am glad Andrew tidied the garage and found these cute little pictures again !!

Enjoy the warm weather

Anne

Creative Scrappers

2011-07-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

Just a quick one from Creative Scrappers. Here is the sketch :

And here is my take:

Have a nice weekend every one ! Looks like the weather is going to be lovely !! Enjoy !!

Anne

Two in one day !!

2011-07-25T05:11:00.000-07:00

Well, my day is going really well, so well, I have already finished my page for Sketchy Thursday and I have already baked my cookies for the teachers !! the sketch for Sketchy Thursday this week was as followed

And this is the page I made...

I Thought I would also enter this page for The Paper Variety Challenge. Here is the brief:

-Challenge-

This week's challenge is to create a paper project that features a grid design or rainbow colors. Kudos to you if you can use both! :)

I think there are enough colours on my page to make a rainbow !!

It looks a bit crooked but I assure you it is straight !! this page is about Martin Plage. A little place where my parents have got a summer house and where we spend most of our holidays. I have never actually lived there and yet when people ask me where I am going on holiday I always say "Home". It is a very special place where I get to see my mum and dad and often my sister and her family and my brother and his wife. I guess this is why it feels like "HOME".

And here is a quick picture of the cookies for the teachers !

Last day of school tomorrow !! Bring on the holidays and the fun times !!

Anne

This day is for me and only ME !!

2011-07-25T01:34:00.000-07:00

Kids are still at school for another two days and I have finished my lessons so today is MY day !! Crafty things, a page started that needs to be finished, a few gifts tags to make, some cookies to bake and may be a cup of tea at my friend !! Better get on with it !! But just before I go, these pictures are for my anonimous friend Rachel, I know she will appreciate !!

Now, I know this probably doesn't look spectacular to you, but I have organised and tidied my draws. ( Well, there might still be one little messy draw !! ). I have tidied my ribbons and threads, put all my flowers together, sorted out my papers !! ( I should so get a life !! ) but I know my friend will be proud of me !!!

Hopefully I will come back later with my latest crafty creations !!

Oh, and I almost forgot !! I won a RAK, yehooo. The lovely and very talented Helen Tilbury has chosen me to be the worthy winner. I am so chuffed, I can't wait for my little parcel !! In the mean time go and check her website here. I love reading her blog and her creations are truly amazing.

See you later.

Anne

Once Upon a Sketch.

2011-07-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

Raining again, still depressingly autumnal weather, can't wait to go on Holiday !!

Still, had a lovely night yesterday, scrapping with my friends. I managed to finish a page I had started a while ago for Once Upon a Sketch. Here is the sketch..

And the challenge was to include a quote in the journaling. So here is my page..

I am happy with this page, although I can see the ribbon has already moved !! The journaling is about winning. I don't really understand why people keep on telling kids that it is the taking part that counts when in life, if you don't fight for everything and believe you can win, you don't get anywhere. I am very competitive, and so are my kids. It doesn't mean we are mean to others, it just means that we always thrive to do our best and are confident we can do most things.

The other things I made last night were two cards for the teachers. I also like them both and in fact, I like them so much, I will find it hard to give them away. I made the first one using a flower that was on one of my birthday cards.

And the second one was inspired by a card that Valerie made. I really loved the original and I am pretty impressed with the result, although the original was even better !!

That's it for today. Tomorrow I will show you pictures of my newly organised craft draws and boxes !! Someone I know will be impressed and won't call me the messiest scrapper in town anymore !! ( although we all know it won't stay tidy for long !! )

Take care

Anne

Raining, again !!

2011-07-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

I need to immigrate, not sure where to, but there must be a country where it doesn't rain 24/7 in the middle of the summer !!

We had a nice weekend despite the horrible weather. It was the Horticultural show in our village on Saturday and we did enjoy it. I love this very English tradition. People compete for the best homegrown vegetable and fruit, the best piece of art and cake, the best picture and and flower arrangement .. Harry had entered a competition of an "Imaginary mini beast " and won first prize !! ( ok, his was the only one !! ) but he was also chosen as the best piece of children's art and another cup. Amelie won second place for her non functional piece of art . She had made an insect house with some painted clay insects and butterflies and I won third prize for my "Flowers from the garden ". Which I am very pleased with as there were dozens of entries and I was competing against very old ladies who have been doing these kind of things for years !!. We also came back with bags of vegetables from the auction, a few tomato and pepper plants, and I won a flower pot at the raffle !! So a very good day indeed. And that was despite the terrible hangover, but we won't go into details !!!

On Friday I received a fantastic parcel from Natalie Elphinstone. I had won one of her give away and I was very excited when I saw the Australian stamp. The parcel was full of beautiful goodies and the picture only shows a few but trust me, it was once more, Christmas in the summer !!

Finally, I have decided to enter the Sketchy Thursday challenge, although I have checked and there are already some amazing entries !!. This is the sketch...

And this is my take.

The pictures where taken last Friday during Sports day at School. Both Amelie and Harry did extremely well. (must be the training at 6 every morning !! ) ( I am kidding !!) (Better clarify this before Social Services come knocking on my door !! ). I know, people say it is the taking part that count and they are probably right, but I am very competitive and so are the kids so I was really proud of them !!.

One for my sister and my mum !!

2011-07-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

This page started with Amelie showing her new Brownie badges and ended up with the story of my inability to sew !! I used a sketch from Creative scrappers again !
Here is the sketch...( still can't make it small for some strange reason ! )

And here is my take ..

I like all the little bits and pieces, they all tie together well. I especially like the red bobbin. There is this great clothes shop near us where they have even better labels attached to their clothes. Now, I know, I should may be see a doctor, it is not right to be interested in labels more than clothes !! But anyway, they are having their sale on at the moment so I asked the young lady who worked there if she had a few spare labels and she offered me to choose a few from the sale rack !! It was like Christmas !! And I had already noticed that little red bobbin !! So, the moral is... if you don't ask, you don't get !!.

Take care

Anne

Where does time go?

2011-07-12T14:36:00.000-07:00

Already Tuesday and I haven't had much time to do anything crafty since last Thursday. Well, I did manage to make a couple of cards. One for my very good fantastic friend ( I have to write this as she threatened to read my blog !! ) who has just moved house and another for a teacher. I have to make quite a few cards for all the other teachers so I'd better find some crafty time !!

I have had time to browse the web though !! And there are a few challenges out there that I would like to do. Also, I have found this amazing company that does very cute buttons ! Now, I have never ordered from them, but they are having an amazing give away, so go and check their website at http://purplepumpkincrafts.blogspot.com/2011/07/huge-purple-pumpkin-giveaway.html
and this is what you will see:

Sunday, July 3, 2011

HUGE Purple Pumpkin GIVEAWAY!!

We are having a HUGE GIVEAWAY to celebrate our first birthday, with not one, not two, but FOUR PRIZES up for grabs! First prize will be a $50 VOUCHER to spend in the next sale. Second prize will be a $25 voucher, third prize will be a $15 voucher, and fourth prize will be a $10 voucher.

The winners will be drawn on the 22nd of July - just before the next sale!

So how can you enter? It's easy!

1. Be a follower of this blog.

2. Post about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to here.

3. After you've done that, just leave a comment after this post. For an extra entry, post about this giveaway on facebook, or on any message boards, and then leave an extra comment :)

I will definitely give it a go, why don't you !!

See you soon:

Anne

Sit down and have a cup of tea !!

2011-07-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

I have made one myself as this post will probably be a long one ! Lots to show !!

First of all, yesterday afternoon I went to my favorite charity shop and found lots of old Lady Birds books. You know the books I mean, old children picture books. They are really lovely and the little old lady serving me looked very shocked when I told her I was going to cut them out !! Her little face was saying it all, "how dare you cut into this piece of British Heritage, you silly foreigner !!" I am sure she was going to tell all her friends and I will probably never be allowed to set foot in her shop ever again !!. Still I have got them now and I will show you later how I have already used one of them !!

Last night, my anonymous friends, Rachel, Claire and Sue came over for some scrapbooking. We decided to all do the new Sketchy Thursday Challenge. We had a lovely evening ( eating far too many liquorice all sorts, well especially me and chocolates and crisps ) and it was great to see the results of three people looking at the same sketch !! The four pages are really nice yet amazingly different, I wanted the girls to leave their pages here so I could enter them all for the challenge but they all chickened out !! Chicken, chicken !!. Anyway here was the sketch...

And here is what I made...

These pictures were taken last weekend at the summer fare. Harry was doing the May pole dancing and Amelie was doing Country Dancing. They both did really well and put on a brilliant show. I wanted to make this page quite simple as I have used a lot of layers and embellishments recently. I felt had had to go back a bit and "purify" my pages if that makes sense. I interpreted the bunting with three little tags and some string. I really like the result and especially the picture in the back ground, straight from my "new" old picture book !!

This morning I got a lovely surprise in the post !! A parcel from France. Jeanne, a very lovely friend of my mum, has made me some more crochet flowers !! Merci Jeanne, encore une fois elles sont superbes et j'ai deja plein d'idees comment les utiliser !!

Finally, I got a bit of time for myself today, ( that it after I had to go round the shops and distribute thank you letters to all the generous shop owners who gave us presents for the school raffle !! ) so I decided to do a bit of baking. I had to make some cookies for Amelie anyway as she needed some for her Brownie Camp . Yes, Brownie camp, two nights away !! My baby girl is gone for two whole nights !! It is going to be so quiet and tidy here !!

So I saw on a blog a long time ago, some little biscuits made in the shape of buttons. I remembered them well as I thought they would make great presents for the teachers at school. Today I looked for a recipe and I found something quite similar but not exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to make something special so I decided to make a dough and add some lavender flowers. I have lots of them in my garden ( you know, part of my blue scheme !! ). I thought today would be a practise and I would just try them on my friends and family !! As it turned out, a friend came round and told me they were nice and they actually took me quite a while to make. The shape was easy and the cooking very quick. It was threading the ribbons that took forever. The little holes close up a bit when you cook them so it was harder that I thought. So I just thought I would use this batch for the teachers !! Two and a half weeks early but yeh !! I wrapped them up nicely and tadddaa !!

I am so pleased with the result !! They look so cute !! Now, if I am completely honest, they do look better than they taste ! But they will be perfect dunk in tea !!

The teachers looked a bit puzzled this afternoon when the kids gave them their biscuits but now I feel it is done and all I have to worry is making a couple of cards !!

Right, time to go and read my book.

Have a lovely weekend everybody.

Anne

Creative Scrappers

2011-07-06T01:51:00.000-07:00

They have a new challenge at Creative Scrappers (http://creativescrappers.blogspot.com/) and here is the sketch.. ( not too sure why I can't make it any smaller !! ) never mind !!

I liked what the design team did so I thought I would have a go. I used lots of Gesso which I had to leave to dry during the night ( that was the hardest bit !! ) I am not very patient and I would rather have it done "yesterday", but I like the end result. I have loved the homemaker collection and I can say it is probably my favorite collection ever, shabby chic and bright. I used a picture of Harry while we were "picking your own ". I like the picture as you can clearly see Harry's dilemma. It is a nice strawberry, shall I put it in my box or just eat it !! (For the record, he ate it !! ). So anyway here is my page...

Thank you so much for all your nice messages of encouragement and praise. The really do mean a lot.

Take care,

Anne

Looking Pretty !

2011-07-04T04:24:00.000-07:00

We had a beautiful weekend here. The weather was wonderful and our summer fair at school was a real success. I hope that everybody had a great time, it looked like they did anyway ! We made loads of money for the school, but as usual I didn't win anything at the raffle, which is a shame since I got all the prizes myself !!

Sunday was a lot quieter, I did some gardening in the morning. This time of the year is the time to enjoy and I love pottering about and looking at my pretty flowers. This year I went for all shades of blue and pink and I am very happy with the result. The borders look colourful and bright but yet are all coordinated !! ( may be I am a little obsessed with colour coordination !! ) (It is when I start dressing the whole family in different shades of blue that I will have to start worrying !! ). Anyway, for those who will appreciate it, here are some of my pretty flowers !!

Sunday afternoon we went strawberry and raspberry picking with some friends. It was so much fun. Harry kept eating them all and I am very surprised he hasn't complained of a tummy ache! The funny thing is when we got to weigh our baskets, Harry said to the lady, I didn't pick many because I was too busy eating them !! You couldn't but laugh at his honesty !!

And here are the kids caught in the act !!

This weekend I also managed to make a page for Once Upon A Sketch. I really love this website. The amount of talent is extraordinary and the challenges really push me out of my comfort zone. This week you had to use this sketch..

And talk about the person on the picture.

I said this page took me out of my comfort zone since I decided to use some stencils and quite a lot of ink. I am not sure it shows on the picture but I first made a circle with stencils then added the leaves in a circle. I added a bit of glitter in the end to brighten up the page. I made the little birds and used a crochet flower that my sister ( or my mum !!) ( I might get into trouble here for not remembering !) made me last summer. So here it is..

I have decided to also enter this page for a challenge blog called The Craft Garden. You had to add a bird on your page and another challenge blog called Get Picky where you had to use this picture as an inspiration.

And if you look quickly, my colours kind of match !!

Have a great week everyone.

Anne

Two posts in one day !!

2011-06-29T09:45:00.000-07:00

But this one will be a quickie !! I did manage to put a page together for Sketchy Thursdays. I had this idea in mind. I am not sure it has worked well but yeh, all your pages can't be your favorite !! This lay out is about how uncomfortable I am with my naturally curly hair. I always straighten it, I am just used to it that way ! But sometimes, when I am on holidays, and there isn't anybody I know around, I leave it to dry naturally !! I still think it looks weird but I guess, it is the real me !!

Here was the sketch...

and here is my rather colourful page !!

The colours do match in real, promise!!

Anne

Drink, anyone?

2011-06-29T01:33:00.000-07:00

Busy busy with our summer fair at school coming up on Saturday. Not much time to scrap with all that needs doing !! ( although I have got an idea for Sketchy Thursdays sketch this week but it will have to be a very last minute thing !! ). In the mean time, my lounge looks like a toy shop, combined with a wine merchant !! My car is full of toys and garden stuff for the plant stall. My fridge is full of chilled beers and my freezer full of chop onions ( for the BBQ ) ! Anyone for a party !!

Speak to you soon !! ( if I haven't been buried under the amount of stuff coming in to my house over the next few days !!)

Anne

PS: And if you have ever thought about putting your day down for the PTA... don't !! You won't have time to scrapbook, get your priorities right !!

Bring me sunshine.

2011-06-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

It is lashing out again today, I need to immigrate !! Funnily enough, I know for sure that last year, at this time, the weather was glorious. I remember being in Wimbledon, on centre court, watching the ladies semi final. ( So if I am accurate, it wasn't exactly last year, it was last year and a week !!) Today, the weather is terrible, it is good thing they have a new roof on center court or not much would have happened again today !!
Anyway, Andrew took a picture of me with his phone while we were there. The picture isn't great quality but it still shows how nice the weather was and the colours just cheer me up. I was waiting for the right moment to scrap this picture and now is perfect ! I wanted a girly girl page, full of flowers and bling to match the dress I was wearing. This dress is not really me and yet, it is my ultimate favorite. I have had it for years and I even wore it for a wedding when I was pregnant. It is one of these feel good outfits, do you also have one ?

Anyway here was the sketch from Design Dollies. I have never entered their challenges so I hope they like me !!

And here is my page ...

And a few close ups...

It is the Apprentice on tonight on Tv, so I shall go and make myself a cup of tea and relax !!
Take care

Anne

Happy Father's day !

2011-06-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

Nice and quiet weekend for a change with lots of gardening between the showers. The garden now looks lovely and tidy. Andrew has also spent his father's day weekend putting the swing back up ! Bless, but he did get a "Thank you daddy you are just the best daddy in the world !!" so I guess it was all worth it !! And here it is together with a few more pictures of the garden...

Andrew was out Friday so I got a chance to scrapbook a bit. I had seen a page in a French magazine a while ago that I really liked. the artist is Marie-Laure Bollinger. Her blog is mlbcreation.blogspot.com. If you have never seen her work, go and check it out. She is an amazing woman, she has four children if I remember well, she works and still has time to take stunning pictures and create fabulous pieces of art.

My page is not half as nice as the original but I still love it. I love the colours of it and the simplicity of it. I am thinking about framing it and putting it in Amelie's room as the colours would match all her bedding and decorations and I got a big kiss and "I love you" when I showed it to her. !! Ahhh. But enough talking, here is the masterpiece !

I hope that you all had a lovely weekend, pretty busy week coming up so not sure how much scraping I will get to do.

Take care

Anne

Deja Vu !!

2011-06-17T06:31:00.000-07:00

Nothing new, still raining !!
Saw the new sketch over at Once upon a sketch and decided I might be able to use my Summer Treat page. The ladies at Sketchy Thursdays liked it and choose me as one of their favorite ( yes me !! ) so I thought I would try and see if they also like it over at Once upon a sketch. The ladies who enter are all ever so talented I don't think I have got much chance to figure amongst the few selected but we will give it a go anyway !!

Here is the sketch...

June 15th Challenge

Journalling Criteria: The theme 'A Moment In Time'. You can interpret this any way you like, but you must journal at least 4 sentences on why your pictures are memorable.

and once more, here is my page with my little man !!

I hope you all have a nice weekend. Father's day here this weekend in the UK. Not much planed apart from cooking and baking and looking after the garden ! Well, providing this rain stops !!

Anne

Perfect day for...

2011-06-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

It is raining, it is windy and cold, it is a perfect day to stay at home and do crafty things !! First of all I decided to make a page for Sketchy Thursdays. I don't normally get a chance to play until Tuesday when I have some time off so it was a real treat. Another multi photo lay out this week. I just love them. Here is the sketch...

When I first saw it, I must admit, I wasn't really keen but as I looked through my computer file, I found some pictures that I took when we were in Gibraltar. Andrew was really keen to take us bowling there, and before we went, I really couldn't understand why !! You go to Gibraltar to see the monkeys and the dolphins right, but to go and play bowling, that wouldn't have been my priority !! However the bowling alley was in a old building that had been lovingly and carefully restored and it was pretty special so, it was a good idea after all. Well, it was a good idea until we started playing and I lost ! I hate losing, I am the worst looser ever. I would never let the kids purposely win, but this time, they beat me fair and square !! ( well, I didn't have the little barriers on the side to stop the ball disappearing in the gutter !! but still ! ) And Andrew beat me too ahhhhha ahhh !!. So here is my page...

I thought I would also enter this page for The Paper Variety that encourages you to use different alphas.

And since I had spare time on my hands, I decided to do some work for our school summer fair. For those who know me, I get quite heavily involve in the school and end up doing lots of little jobs. This year, like last year, and the year before, I am in charge of the raffle, collecting prizes and begging for goodies. This is a painstakingly long job but to make my work harder I decided to present the prizes in pretty envelopes !! Silly me, I really need another job !! Still, theylook nice now !! and I know, some people ( well, I can name three !! ) will appreciate the work involved !!

I hope you enjoy the rest of your week,

Anne

Getting good at this !!

2011-06-14T05:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a page I made in only two and a bit hours !! Call me super speedy !! It is for Sketchy Thursdays.

Here was the sketch...

And here is my take...

No time for a chat today, millions of things to do !

Take care

Anne

Cute tags and busy weekend !

2011-06-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

I have celebrated a few birthdays this week including the big 40 for Cathy. I am sure she would be pleased to know that it is now official and on the web !! Her husband cooked for us and a couple of girl friends. It was such a good idea, a dinner between girls and cooked and served by a man. And it was delicious !
And today, Harry was invited to a Laser Run party. I had a bit of time, and had forgotten to by some cards so I decided to make pretty gift tags for the presents. They worked out better than I expected and only took me around 10 minutes to make so I will definitely do that again.

This week I also got time to make a page for the Sketchy Thursday July Guest Designer call. Here were the sketch and the brief:

This month your GDT layout must not only be based on the sketch above but must incorporate at least two aspects from the following bits of inspiration.

The approach of summer brings to mind...

juicy fruits...

We Heart It - Ola

cool popsicles...

We Heart It - Symptom

and patriotic treats.

We Heart It - Rachel Brandt

I struggled a bit with the three requirements. First I thought I would use the strawberries from SRM Stickers that I had won, but they were dipped in chocolate, so I had to carefully hide the chocolate bits under the pictures and then the patriotic treat... well, I know this is bit far fetched but these pictures were taken in Hyde Park, London, and it is a treat to go to the park, so " London " and "Park " is my Patriotic Treat !!

I really like the page, I like the colours and the pictures, I think it well balanced ( even if I say so myself !! ) and I love to see the kids being silly together, which they are very good at !! So anyway, here is my page..

Today Amelie took part in the Hampshire Junior Olympics. We had such a wonderful day. It was really well organised and we all had a fantastic time. Amelie's school was chosen to represent Hart for the swimming competition. The pool was packed and the atmosphere was electric. I was so great to see the kids competing and cheering friends along. Hart came a respectable 5th out of 10 teams which is good considering we are such a small village school. I just hope all the kids remember this day because it was pretty special and they all made us proud !! And Amelie didn't even stopped half way through or finished last but one !! She did really well and arrived it the top three in a couple of races. Go girl !!

She really enjoyed the opening ceremony and was waving like a pro !!

I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Anne XXX

Tres British

2011-06-07T06:35:00.000-07:00

I am back !! I know you have all missed me and my posts ! ( hmm, may be not ! )

We had a very busy half term, spending a week in Spain with Andrew's parents and a weekend in London.

Spain was hot as you expect and the highlight of the trip was definitely a boat trip to see the dolphins. Although ask the kids and they will tell you that the day in Aqua Land was their best day ever and specifically the "kamikaze slide " ( Don't ask! I still have nightmares about it ! ). But to come back to the dolphins, it was really special and unforgettable. It is hard to capture the magic on camera but Andrew, who was in charge of the camera that day got some pretty good shots.

And last weekend we went to London to watch Trooping the Colours. A very British tradition when hundreds of soldiers and musicians march on Horse Guards Parade to celebrate the Queen's birthday. Her birthday isn't actually until next weekend so what we saw was a rehearsal but still, it was pretty spectacular. The kids also enjoyed it and hopefully they will remember it as it is very hard to get tickets and we were extremely lucky to have front row seats.

I decided to use the sketch on Sketchy Thursdays to display my colourful takes of the day. As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew I would cut the picture into quarters so I could show more pictures and thought I was being quite clever, until I saw what the original designer did and it was exactly what she had done !! Great minds think alike !!

Anyway, here is the sketch...

And here is my colourful take...

It took me a long time to choose the colours. I usually like things that match and find it hard to use bold and opposite colours but this time, i had no choice. I had nothing that match and everything that was sightly resembling made the pictures look dull. So I followed my friend Lisa's advise ( scrappyfairies ) and used bold colours. I think it works and the page looks as colourful and bright as the ceremony.

Now for another British day. Remember the Royal Wedding. I know, it seems a long time ago ! We had a fantastic street party here and I decided to make a mini book. I started a long time a ago and I was very enthusiastic about it a first but as the days went by, I got a bt bored with it ( story of my life !! )! Recently a very good friend of mine made me a little hand stitched button that I knew would look great on the side of my mini book. So I found all my bit and pieces again and finished it. The last pages aren't half as beautiful as the middle pages but at least, it is done and I can start something else !! So as promised, here is the longest mini book ever ! ( not by its size but the time it took me to finish it ! )

Well, I think that's it for today. hopefully I will get a chance to do a bit more this week !

Take care

Anne

Busy bee !

2011-05-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

Time flies and I don't get time to do all that I would like to do !

We went to Devon this weekend to celebrate my birthday and we had a wonderful time. We stayed in a "luxury Mobile Home ". I wouldn't stay it was luxurious ( not really by 2011 standards anyway, may be it was about 20 years ago !! ) but it was cosy, there was even a little electric fire and we had lots of fun. The weather was mixed and we didn't get to swim in the sea but we got to watch the intrepid and brave (or nut ) surfers out there ! We found the most amazing cafe, right on the beach in Putsborough that served hot chocolate with Marshmallows and honestly, there isn't anywhere nicer in the world.

I mean, look at this view !
I loved Devon when I was young and Andrew and I stayed in a very basic campsite in Croydes but I liked it even better with the kids, even if we had to stay in my idea of hell campsite !! ( The funny thing is that when we saw this campsite 15 years ago, Andrew and I swore we would never go to a campsite with loud kids and swimming pools with slides and all day entertainment !! ) funny how we change !!

Anyway, obviously never got time to scrapbook but I have just noticed on Sketchy Thursdays that the sketch they have this week would work for my previous post and my entry for THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS. Here is the sketch...

And so, here is my entry !! again !! I wasn't chosen for their GDT, ( not sulking or anything !! ) ( just hate losing !! ) So I hope they like this one !!

I will speak to you soon. I am making a mini book about our street party for the Royal wedding and it might be finished soon !! Well, may be ...

Take care

Anne

Happy Birthday to me !!

2011-05-19T03:28:00.000-07:00

It was my birthday yesterday. ( yes do feel guilty if you forgot !! ) ( Only joking !! ) and I was very lucky to receive lots of lovely presents including two amazing parcels. Those who know me will know that I always get very excited when I receive parcels with lovely stamps as I know they either come from my Mum in France or my Sister in Germany. Well, it as my lucky day as I had one of each !! Both were filled with scrapbooking goodies including gorgeous stamps from Kesi'Art, ribbons, and masking tapes, a super duper punch and brads. It felt like Christmas, only even better, because at Christmas you always end up with stuff that you never wanted in the first place !!

Anyway, because it was my Birthday I allowed myself to eat sweets all day ( liquorice allsorts and chocolate mints!! ) and do not very much more than scrapbook!! Well, I had to try my new stuff. So I decided to use a sketch I had seen in French magazine a while ago, that used paint and masking tape. Masking tape is quite big in France, I love it but it is quite expensive. I also decided to use a photo of Andrew I had secretly kept of a day he had to go to some offices in London and had to have his picture taken to be allowed in the building. I like the picture but I know he doesn't!! It was perfect for the new challenge at Scrap Fit :

Workout #44 - Stand By Your Man

We all have at least one man in our lives that we love! So lets dedicate this challenge to him! Don’t be afraid to think out side box with this. I am sure your husband/boyfriend , father and son quickly come to mind but maybe there is another man who is dear to you like Tim Holtz or Brad Pit??? Have fun with this but be sure to make this a ‘mans’ layout so give it a manly/rough/rugged look and feel.

I decided to make it messy purposely as Andrew is quite .. ( very..) messy ! I was brave and used paint and gesso and all the things that normally scare me but I like the result. I loved using the making tape and I could easily get addicted ! So here is my page...

And since I was wearing my apron and I had already repainted half of the kitchen with my attempts to make splashes of colours, I decided to enter the new challenge at These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things. Here is the brief this month..

So EXCITED about today's prompt! These are a Few of My Favorite Photos!!! What is your FAVE photo?? Can you choose just one? Or do you have a few that you just want to share?? Whatever your FAVE photo, we want to see it! :):):):):):):):):):)

It is difficult to choose just the one picture but I love this picture of the four of us in France. The setting was wonderful and peaceful and it was our anniversary so it is very special. I used the same idea as the first sketch but used my new stamps a bit more. I really, really love them. You will see them lots, they are so versatile. So here is my lay out:

Well, enough talking for today, I have TK Maxx voucher to spend !

Have a lovely day!

Anne XXX

Scrap Fit challenge.

2011-05-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

I have discovered a new challenge site called Scrap Fit. I like the brief for this month sketch and for once, I had to invent my own sketch ! Scary ! Here is the brief..

This challenge is all based on two little words ‘ Only You’ – this is the title for your layout! Since this is a title challenge be sure to include plenty of journaling to back up reason for the title - we want the juicy details =)

I decided to use a lay out I designed a long time ago, tweaked it a little and added a few bits here and there and here is the result :

The green letters are from the very first pack of letters I have ever bought and the papers are a mixture of stuff. I had to do some patching up for the note paper on the side as I didn't actually have enough !
The story is about Amelie entering this cross country run a few weeks ago. She had never run anywhere before and yet decided it was something she wanted to do. ( May be the idea of an afternoon off school had something to do with it !! ). Not surprisingly enough, she didn't do too well !! But still, she made me laugh and I admire her way of looking at life. I would be embarrassed and really disappointed if I'd finished one but last, but not Amelie. She says she really enjoyed it and is happy she finished !! So looking on the bright side, she can only get better !!

Take care

Anne XXX

Sketchy Thursdays .

2011-05-13T15:40:00.000-07:00

They are having a GDT challenge over on Sketchy Thursdays. I am not sure I could design anything of my own since I always use sketches but I am sure I could always try !!. I liked the sketch and even more the little picture that came with it so I thought I would try my luck. I have been meaning to take a picture of the little teddies my mum made with the kids when we went to visit so when I saw the little tea cups on the picture, I knew exactly what I would do ! I know I haven't followed the colour scheme completely but I take it as a shabby chic kind of style more than a colour restriction. So anyway here was the brief...

and here is my take...

and a few close ups...

Lazy weekend ahead, aren't they just the best !!

Anne XXX

Thought of the day !!

2011-05-11T09:57:00.000-07:00

Here is the proof ( as if anybody ever needed one !! ) that snails can't read !!

Or are they simply trying to tease me !! Where is my garlic !!

Have a nice evening

Anne XXX

What a day !

2011-05-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

Saturday was our local crop. We had the chance to have Lisa come and teach us how to use mist and paint. So many of my friends are far too scared to use paint so it was a real treat! Lisa took me right out of my comfort zone using colourful paint and asking us to "splatter " paint all over the page. It took me a while to get used to it but I like the end result and my friends'pages were truly beautiful and sooo different from what we normally do. So again thank you.
I managed to do three pages. The first one was for Sketchy Thursdays. Here is the sketch...

Here is my page..

I like the pictures of Harry so much, I thought I would keep the page very simple. I love the colours and the little buttons my fantastic super duper sister ( yes it is my birthday soon, let's keep her sweet !! ) bought me !

The second page I made is for Once upon a Sketch. I love this web site as it encourages you to write and it is what I like best about scrapbooking, remembering a story or a thought. So here is the sketch...

And here is my page...

The story is about Harry and my mum going fishing. They enjoy it so much ! Even if Harry only caught three shrimps that day !! ( probably three sad little things that felt like committing suicide ! ) but he still loved it. Them two get so excited when they go down to the beach in their gear. A bit like when I get close to TK Maxx or a scrapbook shop. You can hear their hearts beat with excitement and anticipation !

Last but not least, the page I made with L:isa. I thought I would enter it for Creative Scrappers. Here is the sketch..

And here is my page...

Well, that's it for today, lesson in a few minutes, have a nice day..

Anne

I am so excited !!

2011-05-07T08:24:00.000-07:00

I am so excited we are having a crop today and a lesson from the very talented and gorgeous Lisa from scrappy fairy. I can't wait !

Before I go, here is the mini book I made with the pictures I took in Belle Ile. I really like the book, I like the size and the colours. The pictures are nice and I enjoyed the simple lay outs. The only thing I struggled with was the title on the cover as Ile as got and accent in French which obviously isn't standard so I had to try and use other letters. It isn't perfect but I am sure as it gets handled a bit more it will soon look aged !!

Off I go, see you later !

Anne

Sit down with a cup of tea !!

2011-05-04T04:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, I haven't been blogging much lately but I have been very busy !!
First of all, there was all the decorating at home. We had new shelves built in our dining room and they all had to be painted. It was glossy paint so not an easy job and I did manage to accidentally paint most the house with it !! Even today, as Harry was going to school, I noticed some paint on his jumper ! Oups!. Now, the shelves are lovely and I am very pleased with them, mostly as they were designed around the size of my scrapbooks !! I know, this is sad ! But true !!
Secondly, there was the garden to look after. Two weeks away at this time of the year is lethal, weeds everywhere, seeds that need to be planted, but I am getting there and I will be ready to post some pictures soon. ( don't sound too excited ! )
Then, there was the mini book that I started about our stay on the island of Belle Ile. It is nearly finished but I haven't got a front page at the moment so I can't show it to you yet !
But I am forgetting the most important ! the wedding !! A whole day of partying and eating and drinking far too much and a few days to get better ! Ah, this where the time went, I remember now ! We had a fantastic street party with the whole village invited. The bride and groom even made an appearance ! They did... see !

Anyway, last night, at last, I got a chance to sit down and scrap a page for Sketchy Thursdays. Here is the sketch...

And here is my version...

And a few close ups...

The page is about Harry and Amelie learning how to sew. Well, in fact they are embroidering some Easter flags ( whatever they may be !! ) on these pictures. Whenever we go to my parents by the sea ( hence the sea side theme ! ), my mum always has some sewing projects on the go. This time we were making buntings and teddies. That reminds me, I will take some pictures of the very cutes teddies my mum made with the kids. The kids really enjoy being part of it and at this rate, they will be much better than me at sewing ! ( I know, I know, I know what you are going to say ! ).

Anyway, I'd better go and prepare lunch for my friend who is coming to have a chat about our next DSA adventure. I wonder what is in store this time? 60 cookie jars? Curry for 100? Cake sale? Summer fair? or just an excuse for a free lunch !!

Take care !

Anne

Petite Gourmande !

2011-04-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post today. Amidst the millions of things I should be doing, I got the chance to make a page for sketchy Thursdays !! Here is the sketch....

And here is my take...

I tried to be a little messy as the kids are at school and I hadn't use my new cheap Gesso yet !! I like the page although I am not sure about my hand writing. I had to do it twice as the first pen turned out to be blue in the light. The story is about Amelie the greediest child you will ever meet !! Put vegetable on her plate and she will look at them for hours before pushing them round her plate but give her anything sweet and she will suddenly be very hungry !! The funny thing with the raspberry tart is that she never ever finishes them !! They look lovely but I don't think she is keen on the custard. She will always choose that same tart though. Oh, what a shame, I end up having to eat it !!

Take care

Anne

I am back !!

2011-04-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

Yes I am back and as much as I like holidays, it is lovely to be home ! I can't wait to get scrapping but unfortunately there is a quite a lot to do !! My husband was very kind and did a big spring cleaning before we came back but the garden needs desperate attention and the ironing basket looks more like a mountain !

Anyway, I had a fantastic time at my parents in Brittany. The weather was wonderful and believe it or not, the kids had their first swim of the year. It must a be a record to go swimming in April ! We had a very special time with our friends in Belle Ile and I have come back with hundreds of pictures to scrap. We all enjoyed walking and fishing, we went on boat trips and Marcel's quad. We did some sewing ( even I and I have a picture to prove it !! ) My mum even let me use her precious sewing machine so I could make a bunting !

The bunting is already up and looks really pretty around the patio.

I also got the chance to make some slate hearts with some old roof tiles my had had kept. It was quite a messy affair but I enjoyed using the millstone and I like the result. Although I am not too sure what I am going to do with them !!!

I guess I should go and pack the kids bags for tomorrow and attack the iron mountain before it attacks me !.

I will be back soon with some scrapbooking. I hope !!

Take care

Anne

Vive le printemps !!

2011-04-09T13:13:00.000-07:00

Oh, today was such a nice day, so warm and lovely. It felt like summer and it was great to see the kids play outside all day. I pottered around the garden, which is coming on nicely and I can't wait for the brick layer to come over next week and finish off the new borders. I have planted lots of little seeds in the play house ( my green house !! ) and they will soon be ready to be planted outside. I know I might sound sad, but I am getting really excited. I can already imagine all the colours and smell the sweet fragrances. I can't wait !

Last week was my friend's Mariska's birthday. I won't say how old she was or she will get upset with me but she invited me to her tea party and it was very lady like !! Strawberries and cakes, cupcakes and yummy biscuits, sitting around a nice pot of tea in the garden. ( well it was lady like until I tried to get on her new hammock with my skirt !! ). I had prepared her a card and some of her favorite biscuits. I don't often make cards these days. ( I used to before kids !! ) but I enjoyed making this one and it was super quick compare to a 12x12 page !! Mariska is Dutch so I was adamant I was going to put a bicycle on the card !! and she loved it ( or so she said !! She probably thought it was a really childish joke but kept quiet !! ) ( Mind you she might give me a card that smells of garlic for my birthday ! ) . So anyway, here it was .

Last night I had a chance to finish off a page I started at the beginning of the week. The lay out is from Once Upon A ... Sketch, a new challenge blog that encourages you to write on your pages. I really like the idea and the sketch reminded me of a page I done a couple of months earlier about Amelie in new York so I thought I would give it a try. Here is the sketch.

And here is my page .

I choose the back paper as it looks like something straight out of the seventies and is very similar to the wall paper we had in our dining room when I was little. The journaling is about how privileged I feel to have had such a happy, stress free childhood. No drama, just a happy simple life with two working parents quite strict but looking back very fair, lovely caring grandparents, good friends, good education and good values. Until you have kids yourself, you don't quite appreciate how hard it is to make the right decisions sometimes but when I look at my brother and my sister, I think my parents did a pretty good job raising us.
I must admit I struggled a little to coordinate all the papers and I would really have like to sew the blue circle but I didn't have any blue that matched so I had to borrow one of the kids' felt tips. The picture makes me laugh as everybody comments that Harry looks the spitting image of me.

Anyway, enough of me talking. I would like to try and my a page for Sketchy Thursday again this week. They have a lay out with 4 pictures this week but I am running out of pictures !!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Anne
XXX

Sketchy Thursdays

2011-04-05T02:21:00.000-07:00

I finally get a chance ( or the motivation !! ) to sit down and write on my blog !! A lovely weekend with the family and far too many nights out (and too many headaches ! ) don't all add up to much time on the computer or scrapping !

Anyway, last week I got too parcels ( whououhh I hear you say !). I got one from my sister, full of lovely goodies that she had bought at the Creativa exhibition. I should really have taken a picture of all the lovely things she got me but I forgot ! But trust me, it was really nice.
And then I got my winning prize from Sketchy Thursdays. They are clear stickers, really truly great but at the moment I am just looking at them thinking I can't possibly use them or they will be gone ! but I did manage to take a picture.

Talking about Sketchy Thursdays, they have another great sketch this week.

So I decided to give it a try. I had to turn it upside down to make it work for me but I am pleased with the result. I wish I had aligned the days of the week to the picture now, but too late. I blanket stitched the little bird, which I thought was a good idea at the time but worked out to be quite tricky ! I had to find a little sticker for the tail as I got that bit a bit wrong ! The page is about Amelie growing up everyday. I know it sounds silly but at the moment I look at her every morning and think, oh, no, you have grown again ! She is growing up physically but also as a person. she is becoming more independant and she is starting to spend much more time on her own in her bedroom. After years of me saying to the kids, " can't you go and play in your room for a bit instead of hanging around me all the time !! ", I am not sure I like it ! I like their mess and the awful amount of noise they make ( well I don't really but I miss them when they aren't there ). I wanted to write something on the page about how I feel, but I am not sure where to put it so I will write the journaling at the back instead and it will be for Amelie's eyes only ! Anyway, enough of me talking and here is the page ...

Well, I should stop eating all the mini Easter eggs I have bought for my students and get on with the housework. Weather is pooh today so can't even pretend I have to be in the garden, the cob webs are calling me !!

Have a nice week.

Anne

Very pleased with myself !!

2011-03-29T04:18:00.000-07:00

I am indeed very pleased with myself. I have made a new page for Pencil Lines and I really like it ! I am biased obviously and I know it isn't very nice to blow your own trumpets but I am very pleased with the lay out so I will !!. I like the colours, the pictures and the memories. I like the bunting and the embellishments. I just like it all !! This was the sketch..

And here is my page...

And a few details...

It is the first time I make a bunting and I am sure it won't be the last. It is a little fiddly to cut all these triangles and thread through them but it is definitely worth the effort.

Anyway, should really do some work !

Take care

Anne

Lucky me !!

2011-03-28T04:46:00.000-07:00

First of all, I feel so lucky, I won the random pick on Sketchy Thursday last week !! I never win anything ! honest ! never ! and this time I will get a bag of goodies sent to my home, I can't wait!

Last Friday, I went on a shopping trip with three of my anonymous friends. We went to a shop called Crafts You Love in Dorking. I bought lots of very nice papers and we had a really funny day gossipping ! We stopped in a very traditional pub for lunch. The food was scrumptious but the service was less than perfect to say the least. Although the staff was very friendly, they just couldn't cope, so in a very French way, I complained to the manager and got us all a free drink !! It was Gin and Tonic for me !!

The weekend was lovely, sunny weather all round. It makes me want to move out to Australia where I know the weather would be nice most of the year. We can do so much more when the sun is shinning. Kids played outside all day, we had our first BBQ of the year, we went on a family cycle ( with no drama !! Yehoo ! ) and just enjoyed being outside while we can !. I also managed to create a page for Sketchy Thursdays using the pictures I took of Harry playing with Andrew's old action men a couple of weekends ago.

Here is the sketch :

And here is my version...

and a closer look...

I would really like Andrew to write something on this page as he felt kind of emotional to see Harry enjoying his old toys but I know it will be a while until I persuade him to do so !!

We also went to see one of our local gardens yesterday. I told you I walk past a wonderful field full of daffodils every day as we walk to school, well, the owner of the house, a lovely lady called Pat, has opened her garden to the public for the month of April and is offering afternoon tea to all of those who take the time to visit. If you live locally, it is really worth the visit. I have never seen anything as beautiful as her garden in full bloom and the scones were also well worth the visit !!I took lots of pictures of Amelie in the daffodils, I will have to sort them out here are a few...

I also let Amelie use my camera to take some pictures for a photo competition she is doing at school and here is the result.. I know.. I have got competition .. call it beginners luck but her pictures are pretty amazing !!

Well I hope you all have a great week ahead. enjoy the sunshine while it lasts..

Anne

Keep on running !!

2011-03-23T05:10:00.000-07:00

What a gorgeous day out there !! Probably the best day of the year so far. I have already been for a run and a cycle !! ( I know I am so good !! ) and this afternoon, my friend is coming to help me with my garden.
Last night my adult class was cancelled and Andrew was out so it was the perfect opportunity to scrap !! I made this page for These Are A Few Of My Favorite thing Challenge Blog. I really like this site. No sketch, just a little imagination. This month the challenge is to scrap your past times.

I am here today to share our latest challenge!! *These are a Few of My Favorite Pastimes*.... Soooooooo FUN!! This can go in soooooo many different directions and that is one of the things that I love about our challenges and our DT...the way you all have different views on our challenges! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

I decided to take a picture of my very well travelled ( that's another way of saying very dirty !! ) trainers !! I spend a lot of time running. But in fact, I don't actually like it that much. I just feel this is something that I should do. It is part of my life and weekly routine and strangely enough, I miss it when I don't do it. I don't enjoy running on a treadmill. I like to be outside, smell the air and hear all the sounds. I sometimes take my ipod but most of the time, it is just me and the birdies ! I like to use my running time thinking about stuff, shopping list, things to do.. ( nothing like the legitimacy of wars or anything important, just stuff !! ). Anyway, here is my page.

I was inspired by a French lady, I can't remember her name but I will look it up. She often works with a black background and funky colours. I like the result as it is a little different from what I normally do in terms of colours. I also like the fact that it has a story attached to it. When I first started scrapbooking, the journaling side of it is what attracted me. I like the fact that my grandchildren will be able to read about us, what we did and liked.

I hope you get a chance to enjoy this gorgeous weather. And HAAAAPPPYYYY BIIRRTHHADDAYYY Claire, you know, the anonymous one !!

Anne

A little tired.

2011-03-21T05:32:00.000-07:00

I am feeling a little tired today. May be the result of two sleepovers in a row or more because of all the hard work in the garden yesterday. We are redesigning the back garden at the moment and that has involved a lot of back breaking efforts to turn grass over, bring in manure and rake new top soil on. Now all the hard work is done. I just have to wait for the brick layer to turn up and build the new border and the real fun job of choosing new plants and buy some bulbs and seeds can start. Yehoo. At the moment it is looking like this...

But I am hoping that in time for summer it will be all nice and colorful and the grass will have grown around.

Talking about garden, I have decided to try and make a page every month to remind myself what is happening in the garden. ( Obviously I will forget next month about my resolution, but here is the first page anyway !! )

Shame about the flash !! the picture is really pretty with vibrant colours. The picture is of my front border and the little crocuses are always the first signs of spring so I just love them.

Anyway got a huge pile of ironing to do ( glamorous life of a woman who works from home!) But in fact in won't be too bad as a friend of mine has sent me a copy of a French concert I used to watch every year when I was young !!

Speak to you soon. And if anybody is local and wants to join our next village crop, it will be on the 7th of May.

Anne

Crop Day !

2011-03-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

What a lovely I have just had.
Today was our local crop in the village hall. About 14 ladies doing crafty things ranging from painting to cross stitching, card making and scrapbooking. One lovely coffee and walnut cake, dozens of chocolate cookies and lots and lots of cups of teas !! Thank you all of you, I have had a very relaxing day !

I did manage to make two layouts ( which is good for me !! I am rather slow !! ) but I haven't had a chance to take any pictures yet so I thought I would show you something that I made last night instead ! I really like to scrap pictures that I have just taken and that are still very fresh in my memory so I thought I would use the pictures I took of Mad March Hair Day and try to enter the Sketchy Thursday challenge. I like the sketch but I especially like my friend's Lisa's interpretation of it ! ( if you have never seen Lisa's work, go and visit her blog at scrappy fairies, she is amazing !! ) So anyway, I took the sketch and turned it over...( like Lisa !! )

Here is the sketch...

And here is my version...

I tried to be as messy as I could to reflect the MAD. I find it really hard not to put the pictures straight and use paint randomly but I like the result, and the pictures really make me laugh.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend. Half Marathon day here where I live so we will be spending the day outside, handing out sweets to the brave runners who need an extra little help !! ( well that is if the kids don't eat them all before the runners arrive !! )

Take care

Anne

Mad March Hair day

2011-03-18T02:15:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I know, I know, I haven't been blogging recently ! I have so much to do in the garden at the moment, I haven't got much time for anything else. But... We are having a scrapbooking day tomorrow, all day, in our village hall so I have got lots of pictures ready to use.

Today is Mad March Hair day at school. All the children can make their hair as mad as they dare in exchange of a small gift for charity. I love this day, I always go to school early to see all the children and yes, I do also make my hair mad, but there isn't any picture to prove it !! Although I am sure someone will post them on face book later !!

Any way, here is how Amelie and Harry looked. they don't actually need the hair to be mad, they are barmy anyway !!

Have a nice day !!

Anne

50p ? That's far too much !!

2011-03-07T05:36:00.000-08:00

Hello everybody. I hope that you all had a nice weekend. It was cold but sunny here, we can't complain. I can't quite remember what we did on Saturday so it can't have been that exciting but we went to a car boot sale on Sunday. We got up early, very early, packed up the car and set off to sale all of our unwanted ( but still gorgeous !! ) items !! It was such an experience. I love car boot sales and it was lovely to be able to do it with the family. Kids were happy to sale their old stuff, and Andrew sold lots of his toys ( don't feel sad, he has still got a loft full of them !) and I was happy to sale other people's stuff!! It did make me laugh when people argued that good quality items were 50p and could they have it for 20p !! I love bargains but some people were just comical and if anything, car boot sales are a good way to have a laugh !!

I didn't have much chance to scrap but I did take some nice pictures of Harry playing with Andrew's old action men that we found it the loft. They smell so old and look kind of weird but Harry loves them. And I guess it must be nice for Andrew to see his little boy enjoying his old toys.

I did make a page last week for Sketchy Thursdays. I used some pictures I took walking to school. We are so lucky we can walk to school ( although, kids would probably not think themselves lucky everyday !! ). And at the moment we pass a few beautiful gardens on the way. One of the garden looks like my idea of Heaven ( if there is such a thing ) ( but that's another discussion topic ! ). It is truly the most beautiful thing with little crocus, iris and daffodils growing randomly in a meadow. Believe me, it is very special. Anyway, here is the sketch:

And here is my page:

And some close ups !!

I really like the result and it is probably thanks to the kind help of all my anonymous friends and especially anonymous Sue who gave me the back paper. You will also recognise the little flowers that my mum's friend Jeanne made for me.

Anyway, got to go and teach.

See you later

Anne

Cool hair dude !!

2011-03-02T01:43:00.000-08:00

Did I say it was a shame I had a lesson last night !! Well I did have a lesson but decided to then stay up, for far too long and make a page with my new pictures of Harry. I put a French Cd on ( Axelle Red for those who want to know !! yes, I know that's not many of you !! ) and I scrapped for a couple of hours.
There is a challenge on These Are a Few Of My favorite Things that had caught my eyes about Features. Here is the brief:

What a FUN challenge we have today! "These are a Few of My Favorite Features!"... this can be taken in sooooooo many different ways!! Do you love your nose? Your eyebrows? Your hands? Your painted toenails? OR... is it something about your kid(s) that is your FAVE? Or what feature about your pet do you love? Whatever the feature is ... we wanna see it!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

And I thought it would be perfect to scrap Harry's new haircut. So here is the result of my late night !!

The writing is quite small for the journaling but in fact I like it that way as Harry gets embarrassed when I speak about him so it is little more discreet that way. Well it was until I put in the web blown up !!

I love the colours on this page and the little embellishments I bought last weekend work well with the Basic Grey paper.

Anyway, better get ready for my next lesson.

Have a nice day.

Anne

Lucky me !!

2011-03-01T11:42:00.000-08:00

Today I received a little parcel from France !! I love receiving parcels !! I get so excited !! It was from my mum, I knew straight away as the stamp was beautiful and my mum always makes sure she puts nice stamps on for my dad's collection !! ( That's a hint for all you readers who throw their stamps away !! keep them for my dad ! ) Anyway, in the little parcel, were 22 gorgeous little hand made flowers. A very generous friend of my mum called Jeanne crocheted me these little beauties. Now, I don't even know Jeannne, she is a patchwork friend of my mum, so you can imagine how kind this lady is. So Merci Jeanne pour les jolies fleurs, elles sont magnifiques et elles vont faire bien des envieuses !! and here they are...

I have a French lesson tonight, which is a shame because I have just been to the hairdresser's for Harry and took some good pictures. Harry has been worried about his hair for a few days and is spending quite a lot of time combing it and putting water on it and trying to make it longer every morning ! ( sweet, he is only 6 !!). So today I took him to have his hair cut and when the young lady asked him what he wanted, he answered that he wanted to look like Mathew!! ( Don't you know, Mathew, from school !! ). Mathew is a really nice lad, trendy and very popular. I guess he looks a bit like Justine Beiber, only with black hair. So my little Harry now looks very trendy and very grown up and I can already imagine that it won't be long before I am asked if I can buy hair gel !!

Have a nice evening.

Anne

Inset day, rainy day !!

2011-02-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

Why are all inset days on a Monday when I have 5 lessons and never on a Friday when I only have one ! Kids have been great, despite this horrible weather outside. They have now gone for a play at some friends which gives me a few minutes to sit down and surf the web!!
We had a lovely weekend. Well, that is if we don't talk about the rugby !!. We went to the pub on Sunday for a very nice Sunday lunch and played some board games in the afternoon. I should really spend some time gardening, but the weather is far from great so I keep finding new excuses, it is far too boggy right now !
Anyway, I said I would show you the page I made for the new Sketchy Thursday sketch so here was the sketch

And here is my take on it. !!

Harry wasn't too impressed I had used one of his stickers but I think it was worth it !! Now, considering this page took me three hours to finish, I am not sure it was time constructively well spent !! As someone I know will say ! But never mind, I like the result !!

But I'd better go, I have another lesson in a few minutes and now I have just had a whole packet of Liquorice Allsorts, I feel rather sick !!

Take care

Anne

Shopping Trip !!

2011-02-26T08:33:00.000-08:00

First of all thank you for all the team in Sketchy Thursday for choosing me, yes ME ME ME !! as one of your favorite. I feel so honoured. Some ladies on this site are really good, I mean fantastically talented so I feel very proud I have been selected, thank you !
This morning I had a chance to go to the show MAKE IT in Farnborough. I went with a friend who likes cross stitching and unfortunately there wasn't much for her there. It was mostly for people who like to make cards and decoupage. There wasn't that much for me neither, but still, I managed to find a few bits in two stores I liked.

I don't often work with pink but these ribbons are gorgeous and I can feel a bright pink and lime green page coming up. I took Amelie to the shop American Girl Place in New York and it was full of pink frilly girls and dolls in there so I am sure I will find a nice sketch somewhere to use my new purchases !

On Thursday, my anonymous friend Rachel come over to scrapbook. She came at 20.00 and left around 23.00 and in all that time, we only managed to create one page each !! We are so slow !! We kept laughing at how slow and unproductive we are, moving one button here and one paper there ! No wonder my husband thinks it is a waste of time, sometimes it is, and yet, I love it !! Rachel's page came out really beautiful and I wish I had taken a picture to show you but I am sure she will have her own blog soon !! ( wink wink !! ).
The page I did is for Sketchy Thursday's new challenge, it is nearly finished and I will try to upload it in the next few days.

Anyway, time to warm up, it is war in this household this afternoon. France is playing England at Twickenham later. May the best win, let's just hope it is France !! Kids have been busy making flags, mostly English, I will have to make my own !!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend

Anne

Busy page for a busy day !

2011-02-23T07:57:00.000-08:00

It is a wonder how I get any time for scrap booking during the holiday, between having friends over, picking up other friends, going ice skating, going to the cinema, having friends for sleepovers and dropping kids off for sleepovers ! Still, managed to make this page last night after going to a meeting to organise a street party for the Royal Wedding ! ( getting excited yet ! ?)
I got the sketch from Sketchy Thursdays. It is a good sketch for me since I have a lot of pictures to use from our trip to New York. The page I made is very busy, but I like it that way as it reminds me what chaos that shop was, full of very excited kids, Legos and colourful stuff everywhere.

This is the sketch:

And this is my version of it !!

No stitching this time, didn't have enough time !! But lots of cute little stickers.

I hope you are enjoying you half term break.

Anne

New York, New York

2011-02-22T05:18:00.000-08:00

Back from a great trip to New York. We decided to take the children to America for a long weekend. It was very tiring but a fantastic and memorable experience. Kids really enjoyed the whole trip and adjusted fairly well to the time change. Well, Amelie did, Harry struggled a bit more, waking up at the crack of dawn, ( or even before !! ) and falling asleep in every taxi !! Still, the weather was brilliant, the food plentiful and it was just really nice to share the adventure with the family.
I did try to go shopping but I don't think New Yorkers have got much time to do crafty things and on that point it was a bit disappointing but I have now got a whole new load of pictures to scrapbook, so hey, I can't complain.
Yesterday, we were all trying to recover from jet lag, (apart from Andrew, bless, who had to go to work ! ) so I got a chance to make a page. I was feeling rather tired and thoughtful, hence the title and the mood of the page. I decided to follow a sketch from Creative Scrappers

And since I had quite a lot of time on my hands and very quiet children, I did a fair bit of sewing. So here is the result.

I really like the paper. It is from Basic grey and it is called Olivia. I think I might have to get the whole book !

Well, I should really get going with all my washing and cleaning the fish tank ! ( who said fish were easy to look after !!)

Nice to be back at home and online !

Anne

Happy Valentine!

2011-02-14T09:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine every body. I hope you all have a nice day.

We had a lovely weekend. Again a great weekend for rugby as England and France both won their matches. I wonder who I will support in two weeks when France and England are playing against each other !! hmm, let me think !! I could say I will support the winners but really I will support France !!

On Sunday, Andrew cooked this amazing Moroccan lamb for lunch and mussels for dinner. What a treat ! Andrew cooks mussels like no one else does. Last night he added pear cider and bacon and it was scrumptious. Tonight, I am cooking, lamb again !! ( we both went shopping separately and came back with quite similar shopping bags ! ). Kids are eating early and we should have a nice evening. Although, One Born Every Minute is on, not sure this is very romantic !!

Talking about romance I made a page for Shimmelle.com. I really liked the sketch and remembered a picture we took last year in France on our 10 year Anniversary. The setting was beautiful, really one of the most beautiful places in the world, a little village in the Ardeche called Labeaume. The food was really delicious. All sounds perfect but in fact the kids were misbehaving and the service was appalling !! hey, this is France !!. Never mind it was still a great day to remember !!
The tittle is La Vie Est un long Fleuve Tranquille. Which means, life is a long calm river. I am know I am very lucky but I have always had a very happy and easy life. I remember my childhood with very fond memories of my parents and grand parents. My job has always been rewarding and stress free and I am grateful for a lovely family.
Anyway, here is the sketch:

And here is my page ...

And from a bit closer...

Well I hope you all have a very nice evening.

Anne XXX

A bit of colour !

2011-02-11T06:22:00.000-08:00

Just a quick one as I promised to visit a friend who has just had a baby boy.

The weather is still not great, although it did stop raining for a couple of minutes today ! So I decided to bring the sunshine in and try a challenge for the studio. You have to use only these colours.

I used a picture of Amelie and I that Andrew took in Spain. Looking at the picture makes me laugh. She is such a character, she is always pulling funny faces, she has a grin that would warm anybody's heart and when we were on holiday one year, the nannies ( that makes it sound like we go to some posh places, doesn't it !! Not really but there were nannies !!) named her "sunshine smile". So anyway, here is my page !

And a bit closer ! Note the little frog as she is half a frog after all !! The photo makes the page look a lot more orange than it is. I guess the lack of sunshine doesn't help.

The title says "je t'aime a la folie " which is what you say when you take a daisy and pull the petals one by one.

So now, time for a cuddle with a new born !!

Have a lovely weekend

Anne

Rain, rain, go away !

2011-02-10T01:15:00.000-08:00

The weather was so nice at the beginning of the week, and spring looked so close. But today it is drizzling again, probably because I had set myself to go for a run, oh, well, I will have to go shopping instead!!.
After a busy first half of the week, I managed to find some time last night to scrap a picture I took when we had to go to hospital with Harry a few weeks ago. I found a sketch on Creative Scrappers that I liked. I used my favorite papers of the moment from October Afternoon and decided to add a few hand made flowers !! Yes, aren't you proud I made them and sewn them myself !! ( et de toutes facons si j'avais dit que c'etait Marie, on ne m'aurait pas cru !! ). I like the page, I even managed a bit of misting !! Here is the sketch:

And here is my version.

My mum made this little teddy for Christmas for Harry and he fell in love with him. He even asked for another one, so he actually has two of them and you will often find Harry playing in his bedroom with them. They go on all kind of adventures !! I have a close up of one of the flowers.

I think I am going to invest in a sewing machine soon as I really like to add sewing on my pages but it is sometimes quite hard to go through so many layers of papers and keep going straight.
Anyway, I have a lesson in a minute so better go and prepare my props.

Anne

Allez les bleus!!

2011-02-07T04:31:00.000-08:00

What a lovely weekend !! It started well with England winning at rugby on Friday but got even better when France won on Saturday !! We are not actually big sport fans as we would much rather be outside ourselves but we do like watching a good match of rugby ! And this inspired me to do a sketch for A Few of My Favorite Things, where you have to say what is your favorite game. I am pretty sure they meant board game, but never mind ! We got the opportunity to go to Twikenham last year with the children to watch England vs Australia and witness a great victory. We had such a nice day out, kids loved it and the atmosphere in the village was fantastic. I would love to go again to watch a 6 nations match, but it is very difficult to get tickets these days so I think we might just have to watch it on TV instead. Admittedly a lot warmer ! So anyway, here is my lay out.

I have cut a few bits and pieces from one of Andrew's magazine to make this page and had a go at using paint. I still find it hard to be messy ! (although, my friends would laugh because I am a very messy scrapper, I just don't like my pages messy !! )

On Sunday I went to visit a friend in Teddington. I hadn't seen her for three years and it was really lovely to catch up. Kids were very pleased to meet up again and we had a lovely day. My friend is very crafty too, her house is beautiful, decorated with lots of little ornaments and gorgeous pictures of her family. I know she would love scrapbooking, I will just have to convince her !!

Anyway, house work is calling me, better go !

Anne