I've been tagged

Diana has tagged me:

1. If you could have £100 worth of scrapbook paper or assorted embellishments, which would you choose?

Definitely scrapbook papers, because they can be used for any papercrafting, whether it's LOs or cards.

2. If you had to choose between using only stamps or rubons, which would you choose?

Definitely stamps. I do use rub ons, but get frustrated with them because they don't all rub on as easily as they should - and sometimes it's not easy to get hold of the better ones. As for stamps, my collection is growing and growing and I love the fact that you can do so many different things with them.

3. If you knew how to do both awesome cards and layouts but could only do one for a whole year...which would you do?

That's a difficult one. A year or two ago, there would be no contest, because I only used to make cards. I still don't really consider myself to be a scrapper, but I enjoy what I do. However, I would have to opt for cards, because I enjoy making them, sending them and sell quite a few to raise money for charities.

4. Would you rather own a scrapbooking store or have your own scrapping room at home...(can't have both he he he)

I'm fortunate enough to have had our spare room fitted out for me to have a place to craft, especially as we are only in a small two-bedroomed maisonette. I'd have to say scrapping room (and selfishly I wouldn't mind it being a lot bigger than what I've got already). I haven't got the health and strength to contemplate a scrapbooking store.

5. And last but not least, what is your CURRENT cardmaking or scrapping style.

I think this is a very difficult question to answer. I tend to do all sorts of styles (partly because I know that people have different tastes) and partly because I know I'd get bored if I stuck to one sort of style. Having said that, I think recently I've done a lot more stamping than I used to, and I love using alcohol inks and experimenting.

Thanks, Diana, for an interesting tag.

I'm tagging in return:

Janice (farmersgirl)

Joanne (angelnorth)

Bumbleberries CJ

I needed to do my DLO on Jackie's super CJ that is being passed around the group on Bumbleberries. The subject is 'what makes me smile' - and, while there are plenty of people and things in life that do make me smile, we are going through sad times that make it quite difficult at the moment.

But there's nothing like a bit of crafting to 'take you out of yourself' and so I've got on with this this morning and this is the result:

HS:MS drawer

'Hve you a favourite drawer - be it messy or tidy? I have lots of the two! So show us'

This was an easy one today. This drawer is my favourite (and the tidiest) in the room where I craft. The room was specially fitted out a couple of months ago and (theoretically) there is a place for everything.



I keep thinking I should take some pictures of my newly fitted room, but it hasn't yet been decorated - hopefully very soon - so think I might wait till then.

Scrap a little sunshine

At the beginning of July, Ellen on Crafts by Carolyn told us about the need for people to make mini scrapbooks for for children with cancer in which they can stick photographs and little notes from family and friends. (more info here: http://scrapalittlesunshine.blogspot.com/)

I've been meaning to make something and in fact started a concertina book a couple of weeks ago and didn't get it finished.

I have to admit that atm I don't really feel like crafting, but thought it would be good today to try and concentrate on doing something for this project.

The idea is to make mini books that the children themselves add their photos and bits of interest, so they are not meant to be finished.

Apparently, there is more need now for books for boys, so the ones I've made are suitable for older boys:







I just hope they're suitable. The concertina one was made sticking a few cards together, so that the middle three have pockets (hence the stickers and tags sticking out).

HS:MS bedroom

'Do you have a fave spot or piece of furniture in your bedroom? Show us what you got!

This isn't anything to do with furniture, but it is a little jewellery box (of little value, except sentimental) that was my grandmother's - and for that reason it is very precious and usually is found on my bedroom windowsill:

'

HS:MS window

'Choose your favourite window in your house. Show the whole window, the curtains and window decoration.'

I'm a bit embarrassed atm to photo any of my windows. We desparately need decorating (someone's booked to start sooooon - oh the joys that will bring!!) and therefore our curtains are looking worse for wear because there's no point in replacing till the decorating's been done. And the net curtains need washing (but again ... not until the decorating).

In the end I've chosen this window in our lounge because it looks out on to the world (you can just see the main road beyond the green - a reason we need to have nets even though I don't like them - tried without for a while and felt we were living in a goldfish bowl, particularly as there is a bus stop opposite). And my other reason for choosing this window is that it's one of Josey's favourite places - she can easily nose when the postie or milkman is on his way.

HS:MS SPS 10 and SOS 10

Yesterday was HS:MS SPS day (again!): 'Lets see how gorgeous you are this week, my freinds'

Well, this is a cheat because I didn't take a photo yesterday (just didn't feel up to it for various reasons).

Today we've been out to lunch. It would have been dad's birthday tomorrow and so the plan was to go to the local Beefeater with mum, but, unfortunately, she just wasn't well enough to join us. In many ways we didn't feel like going, but in the end we did have a good meal and were glad that we went.

Here's a picture John took of me (which I've 'played around' with different effects):



And here he is:




And Josey behaving herself under the table (guide dogs should be neither seen nor heard!):





And lastly the half-eaten dessert that I shouldn't have had:

HS:MS favourite spots: bathroom

'Often a room used for convenience but have you a pretty little corner in your bathroom or something that you like about it? Show me a sneak of your bathroom.'

This is a penguin that I've had for years - it lived in the bathroom of the first flat I bought and has moved a few times since. Quite some time ago, the tip of its beak got chipped, but I like him so much that I've kept him just as he is:



Thank you for all your kind comments, not just today, but generally. I'm feeling a bit despondent about my crafting at the moment, although I've been doing a lot of it.

Just having a break and then must continue with sorting out ready for this evening.

Today's tasks

This evening my cards are being sold (hopefully!) at our church's women's evening fellowship, so today I need to make sure everything is labelled properly etc - also want to put the finishing touches to putting together a few more packs of Christmas cards - the robo was beavering away yesterday with silhouettes of Mary and Joseph! I probably won't be able to show anything here today (we'll see how time goes, but it always seems to run out!).

This week I haven't been able to get round to other people's blogs as much as I like to, partly because of the ongoing back pain and trying to get things done for this evening, as well as a few other things, like John's hospital visits (routine). We're also experiencing sad times as a family.