SW - Inspired By

This week ScrapWest is taking a step out of the box and back into the blog!

The challenge this week, set by Eva, is to share on your blog something that inspires you. And its not just for the usual Westies - we want everyone to play ;-) So go on, share something that inspires you and leave a link to your blog over on ScrapWest

My inspiration came in the form of this amazing sketch by SusieQScrapbook (Susie Costanza) who tells me she is keeping some really BIG secrets which she can't wait to share - so keep an eye on her blog over the coming weeks.

I was really thrilled with this LO as not only is Susie's design so fab, but I love how this LO captured and celebrated a very ordinary day that was special to me.



The journaling reads as follows:

How can ordinary onions make you feel so good?
It’s been a rotten summer with bad weather and lots of stress. Yet a Saturday afternoon at Lismore Castle and it all seemed to fade away. There is the most beautiful working garden on the grounds, and I just fell in love with the piles of onions drying and the smell of the moist dirt.
Sometimes the ordinary can make a day extraordinary!

To help carry on the inspiration I'm giving away the kit I used to make this layout and a few extra embellishments to boot! The kit includes 4 sheets of K&Co double sided paper, 2 sheets cardstock, assorted co-ordinating primas, ribbons and buttons.

To be in with a chance to win this little bit of inspiration in a 12x12 polly bag just leave a comment on this post and check back next Friday 7th September, when I will announce the winner.

And don't forget to check out ScrapWest for more inspiration, and maybe even more blog candy ;-)

Nice Matters

I just received this award from Karen (Karvaloo) who is possibly one of the sweetest people I know. I now want to pass this award on to 2 more people....

Its a tough call cause I have met so many lovely crafters and bloggers. Just earlier I was knocked sideways when I logged in here and saw all the lovely comments on my previous post. So a massive thanks to all the NICE people reading this. But my special two are

1. Kate - who along with Karen is one of the sweetest people I know. She has become such a great friend of mine this year, I want to let her know just how much she means to me.
   
2. Lainey - who is so positive and upbeat she is just an amazing person to be around. So thank you Lainey for always making me happy and inviting me into your life.
   

(PS - A sneaky one here for the two Lindas - (Kelly and LB) - who are both real sweeties but don't blog ;-)

My Own Home - Finally ;-)

Well at 12:36pm today I finally got the keys of my apartment! I made this mini book months ago to celebrate getting my very own place, and have been waiting 'til I had the keys in my hand to share it with you all.


The mini book itself is from Kellys Paper Crafts, while the Scenic Route papers and embellishments are from Craft Factory. Both of which were extras from design work I did for those shops ~ thanks ladies ;-)

ScrapWest - Memorable Moment

Caroline set the theme this week and you just have to check out the other entries over at ScrapWest they are amazing!


My entry is a photo of my Dad on my graduation day last year. He was so proud of me that day, you can probably tell by the smile on his face. ;-)

TFL x

Craft Factory DT LO

This was my last effort for the Craft Factory Design Team. I got some delicious Anna Griffin papers, chipboard and embellishments to play with all along the girly theme.


So here I am, with Lisa Bearnson, founder of Creating Keepsakes at the wonderful class she gave at Scrapaganza in May this year.

Well what else could I do ;-)

Vintage Hunt Photo

I seem to somehow have got some of my mojo back - I think I owe a debt to Jackie for that! As always she was such an inspiration last weekend! Also to be fair the pressure to get this book done on time for the birthday is getting REAL!


This is a photo of the Spratts Challenge Cup - some kind of hunt (?) The important bit for me is that Mays' Dad and Granddad are both in it. The arrow points to their names and the ribbon slide is sitting over them in the photo - obviously to attract attention to the relevant bits!

I loved using these Making Memories Funky Vintage papers, they had just the right vintage feel without being to girly.

ScrapWest - Wall Art

This weeks theme was to create a piece of wall art. My offering is a set of three altered mini-frames from Tesco - dressed up in some delicious Basic Grey.

I got the frames ages ago to create this work of my sister and brother and me! I hope they like it ;-)

Thanks for looking.

More Bleach Technique Cards...

I really did enjoy playing with this technique so here are a few more cards I finished since the weekend. The first one was a simple purple colour, which I matted on black and white, on a silver/grey card. I finished it with a few simple eyelets and organza ribbon.





The second card had a bit more colour. I matted on cream with an embossed bronze edging, mirrored in the backing paper. I mounted the title in the same way, and attached with wire and beads to the main image. To finish I set two more eyelets and threaded a ribbon through.

Mums Book cont'd

Here are 2 DLOs I've done over the last few weeks, again for Mums book. I'm keeping things pretty simple at this stage to get as much done as possible.


These are photos from Mum and Dads wedding day. The DLO is using Rusty Pickle, Princess Bride papers - which I fell in love with. I've embellished the LO with 7 Gypsies stickers, red hearts and roses (the bouquet was red roses), and I've added a pearly crown to the 'cake' photo to reflect the beautiful crown in the head-dress.



St Finbarrs Cathedral in Cork overlooked the area where May grew up. The journaling tells of the legend which suggests that the Golden Angel perched on the Cathedral will blow her horn to announce the end of the world. I remember my Mum telling me this story, the same as her Dad told her.

Saturday Crop - Bleach Technique

Last Saturday I spent the day at Elaines monthly crop and it was such a great break from all the stress of dealing with useless solicitors.

Jackie gave the most fab demo on using bleach with waterbase inks. Well of course I chatted a lot, but I did get some stuff done! Here is the card I finished last night, I have a few more to come too.



Thanks a mil also to Karen who supplied the fabulous K&Co papers used here. Also as I was tagged by Karen and Kate to be a


I am using this card and tagging the following:

• Anyone who reads this and wants to join in!
  

Sorry but everyone I know has already been tagged for this one!

ScrapWest - Pets

This weeks theme was simply 'Pets', and boy did it return some stunning results. Also there were entries from 3 newcomers which was fantastic. Check them out over at the ScrapWest site.


My own entry was of the bold Jinxy who only joined our family in March, but has grabbed the no. 1 spot in my heart. He is so playful and cheeky he is great fun to be around. Every morning I battle with him over my choice of clothes, he seems determined to play with whatever I have chosen to wear. And every evening he curls up beside me on the couch for a cuddle.

Tagged - 7 Things

I was tagged last week by the very talented Marlou. Unfortunately she is not well and is in hospital at the moment. I hope you're better soon. x

So I have to list 7 things about me and tag 7 people. Here goes.

My 7 facts:

1. I was adopted
2. I have 2 names
3. I love numbers
4. I spend my freetime crafting
5. I am a reiki master
6. I have many friends
7. I am very lucky

My 7 tags:
1. Lainey
2. Karen
3. Tigger
4. Carrie
5. Eva
6. Noelle
7. Kate

ScrapWest - Holidays

Continuing with May's book my entry for ScrapWest this week is a compilation of photos of May & Noel from various holidays over the years. They are still sickeningly ;-) in love after more than 40 years together. So I chose to focus on the sentiment - 'together' for this LO.


Hope you like my LO using the gorgeous Basic Grey Infuse - and don't forget to check out the other ScrapWest entries, they are fab as always.