Can you believe it!

Wow! It's gone until next December. I can't believe that Christmas Day has been and gone already. This December has been such a whirlwind for me so it is with gratitude that I can look back at my December Daily Album and recall all the memories that I would otherwise have forgotten. I have really enjoyed this project and will do it again next year. Here are a few of my favourite pages.

Oh Christmas Tree!

I'm feeling slightly more festive now so here's a few photos of my tree. The Santa riding a cactus is a decoration I bought whilst travelling in Arizona.

Cold Play

Last week my friend, Kathyrn, and I went to see Coldplay at the Liverpool Echo Arena. Well, all I can say about it is WOW! We loved it. The band were so cool and at one point they actually went to the back of the Arena and played from there.

Anyway, here are a few photos.

A Beautiful but Cold Winter's Day

When I woke up yesterday I thought we'd had a sprinkling of snow, but it was just a hard frost. I really didn't want to go outside but I just had to grab my camera to snap those gorgeous iced plants before all the frost melted.

These are a few of my best shots.




As I hadn't been feeling very well on Saturday, I didn't leave the house so yesterday I just had to get out. As it was lovely and sunny we decided to go for a walk on the beach - well what else would you do on a Winter's day. I didn't dip my big toe in the sea, but I did dip my finger and yes it was FREEZING! Here are a few photos I took, which will find their way into my December Daily Album.

Are you giving money as a gift this Christmas? Then have a look at these cute little money pouches which are so easy to make. They have been made by one of my customers, Rose, to give to her Grandchildren and I'm sure they are going to love them!

The Key to Christmas

I often go mad at Christmas decorating the house. Last Christmas we had 4 trees! One in the hall, one in the Lounge, one in the Dining Room and a kids one where they hung all their home made decorations. This year will be no exception!

I often hang things from the door handles, upstairs and downstairs so the Christmas cheer is spread through the house.

I love the really big chipboard keys from Delish Designs and when I was shopping the other day I ventured in a shop who sold old music sheets. I thought they would be perfect for creating a festive door hanger and this is the result. I put together a kit to sell them through the web-site and they flew out!

I love Ali Edwards! I love her scrapbooking and her whole philosophy towards her art. I keep reading her Life Artist book and everytime it inspires me and gets me itching to start scrapping.

I am doing her December Daily Journal, which you can find on her blog.
I am really looking forward to scrapping this throughout December and creating a whole album as I go, but best of all, I won't have tons of photos to scrap in the New Year! Here are a few pages of my album, all ready to go.

The Lake District

I am fortunate to live only a few hours drive from the beautiful Lake District. A couple of weeks ago hubby and I went off to stay and be pampered in a wonderful hotel not far from Windermere. I just thought I would share some of the photos I took on the trip. I love taking landscape photos, but since I started scrapping I have taken more portraits. This trip was a great opportunity to get back to my first love of landscapes.

Re-discovering old stash

Today I was working on my Ali Edwards Daily December Journal and re-discovered using Bottle Caps! I had used the odd one or two a while ago, but I have now re-discovered them. The first one I just bashed with a hammer to flatten it, the second I punched out a circle which fitted perfectly inside the cap, added a number and then added some Diamond Glaze mixed with a few drops of Stickles and it is really effective.

It's really satisfying to be using up old stash!

Scrappy Do's Crop

Last Sunday was very exciting for me, it was the first Scrappy Do's Crop. What if no one turned up? What if I was sat on my own all day in an empty hall? What would I do with all those Jacket Potatoes and Mince Pies?

Turns out it was a fab day! A huge thank you to all who turned up, I couldn't have asked for a better crowd to spend my day with.



I didn't get that much done, but you don't go to crops to scrap do you?! I did manage to get my Journal finished that I am doing for the Ali Edwards December Daily Journal and I'll post some photos of that when I eventually get round to taking them!

Pumpkins

I just thought I would share some pumpkin photos that I have just downloaded. I love pumpkins and all things to do with Autumn and plan on scrapping this year's photos very soon, I'll probably use the BasicGrey Mellow range as I love it!

Stories in Hand

I'm taking a scrapbooking class. Not the conventional stick this paper here and that paper there kinda class, but more of a thought provoking class that gets the stories outta your head and onto the page, and boy do I feel as though I have lots of stories in there. Since I've been scrapbooking I have seen so many photos and photo opportunities that have made me remember things from my past. Why didn't I write them down?

Now I have this blog things are going to change. I want my kids to really know about me as a person, rather than just me as their mum. Thankfully my mum is still here and is still fit and healthy and I have lots of questions for her as well. Setting up this blog is just the start!

I have made and completed an album of 'sparks' which are pointers to spark your memory and I have also made a cute little jotter pad which I'm going to start carrying around with me to actually record those memories. Here is a photo of my jotter ---