Hello Autumn {A Little Interlude}

I'm away all week at a conference, but the fella had the chance to come with me for a short weekend away before all of the seminars started. We've had lovely weekend, walking along canals in the low, September sunshine; taking guided tours of dungeons and playing around with my camera.

I'll be catching up soon, so if you've left me a comment recently and I have been to visit or sent you a message, don't give up on me x

Back Home

So. India was amazing. I'll be sure to tell you all about it soon. But at the moment I'm still catching up: on sleep, on washing, on blogging.

And, more importantly, on hugs from The Steve.

It's Counterfeit Kit Time!

I think we're all aware of just how much I love the Counterfeit Kit Challenge. I have truly had so much fun playing along with the challenge; putting together cute kits from my own stash and creating some much loved layouts as a result. And the love affair is not about end any time soon.

This month the Counterfeit Kit DT chose the amazing A Little Birdie Told Me kit - the first from Front Porch Kits - to counterfeit. Since it sold out within such a short period of time, I have no hesitation whatsoever in a little copying.

The kit is based on Echo Park's collection For The Record and, although I have the kit on order, I just could not wait to play along and put my own kit together. (Though I'm sure that once it arrives, some of the papers may find their way into my kit this month.) So, in my version of the kit, I have tons of Bazill Cardstock - I'm a big, big lover of Kraft - and some of my favourite patterned papers from American Crafts.

This time around I've 'splurged' on the embellishments and I've added a huge amount of flowers - some bought and some handmade - along with a variety of leaves, brads, buttons, chipboard shapes, beautiful trims and some yarn remnants. Disappointingly, I couldn't find my 'googly eyes' so expect them to appear in the kit at a later stage if I manage to hunt them down!

I'm also using my new stamp set from Make The Day Special - Naturally You. How perfect are these stamp sets? I couldn't believe it when I saw the kit and knew I had just the right stamps!

In the process of putting my kit together, I also pulled rather a large amount of scraps - some paper, some fabric - and although there's no add on kits with the original I've made my own - Birdhouse In Your Soul.

This little kit is perfect for making mini-books, cards and smaller, little projects and is made up a ton of paper scraps in colours and patterns to match the main kit. Also included are several fabric remnants, burlap and some tidbits of ribbon, along with more delicious trim and another stamp from Itty Bitty - Dreams Make 'Em Happen. What do you think? Can I manage to make teeny, tiny scraps look appealing?

I can't wait to start creating with my counterfeit kits, but before I love you and leave you, I just wanted to say a massive thank you for all the comments on my kits and layouts last month. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude, especially for those of you who wanted to scraplift my layouts - what a compliment! Please go right ahead! And then show me? Anyway, I just wanted you all to know that during what was a tough month at work, you all seriously kept me going. Much love x

Missing In Action {A Little Interlude}

Deadlines. I thought I'd finished with deadlines the day I handed in my dissertation. But no, I have a major deadline next week and, although I'm unlikely to have to pull an all nighter and then do my printing on the morning of my deadline* - ahem - I currently look very much like this. Isn't this photograph fantastic? I'll be around over the weekend. See you then x

* Not something I'd recommend for those suffering from low or high blood pressure, panic attacks or...um...hangovers!

Such Is Life When Lived {Flickr Favourites}

This is my first Flickr Favourites for quite some time and I'm looking forward to visiting Mitsy over at Artmind to find out what everyone else has in their flickr favourites this week. For me, a little collage of recent favourites, inspired by one of my favourite passages.

"I used to sit on the banks with a raft and watch the water roll lazily by. One day I pushed my raft into the shallows of the water and found the water moved swifter than I thought. My raft was actually a boat. Then, after some time, I rowed my little boat into deeper water. There were great storms, mighty winds, tremendous waves, and sometimes I felt so alone. But I have noticed my little rowboat is now a mighty ship manned by my friends and loved ones; and beautiful calm seas, warm sunny days, and nights filled with comfortable dreams always double after a storm. Now, I could never go back and sit on the bank. In fact, I search for deeper water. Such is life when lived." ~ B.D.Gulledge ~

1. Then, I'll sail the seas, 2. The Seven Seas of Ryde, 3. ..., 4. ...

The passage perfectly describes how I feel about my 'life lived' and how grateful I am for my 'crew' - my beautiful family and friends.

How Winter Should Look

"The city is caught in the grip of ice. Trees, walls, snow, are as under glass." ~ Anna Akhmatova.

1. Snowblind, 2. Love The Sink Houses By Walther & Co, 3. Some Kind Of Blue, 4. ..., 5. Paloma's Parade Sash /Hairband, 6. Warm Hugs

Creative Ingredients

Inspired by a prompt from Shimelle Laine's current class on photography for scrapbooking - Love Your Photos, Love Your Pages - I got a little creative with my creativity earlier this week and ended up with what may become one of my favourite photographs of my craft room.

The class is, as always, really inspiring, so it's a shame I haven't had more time to work on it. I think I'll be adding new photographs from the class to some older photographs and dedicating a mini-album to my little craft room. If something deserves mention in a scrapbook, it's your very own space to scrapbook in, right?

Like A Rainbow {Flickr Favourites}

Inspired by reading the lovely Cindy's post listing what treasures she would like to find at the end of her very own rainbow, my flickr favourites are a multitude (multi-hued?) of colours.

1. Birthday Bokeh, 2. Paper Rainbow, 3. Esperando un arco iris.../Waiting for a rainbow..., 4. Today Is A Colourful Day

Visit Mitsy over at Artmind and find out what everyone else has in their flickr favourites this week. They're always good for the soul.

Love Your Photos, Love Your Pages {Scrap Sunday}

I lost my crafty mojo over the last month. Nothing seemed to inspire me - no wait, everything inspired me, but I just couldn't seem to do anything. I needed something that would give me a kick-start and, luckily, Shimelle Laine has done it again. Her new class Love Your Photos, Love Your Pages starts tomorrow!

My lovely friend, Cheryl, bought me a class pass for my birthday and I am so very glad that she did. With both photography and scrapbooking prompts, the class is absolutely perfect for me - and will most certainly give my creativity a much needed boost.

In fact, just registering for the class and having something to look forward to has improved my mood and brought back my mojo - I've spent the last week making jewellery, art journalling and sewing. So, thanks again for the inspiration Shimelle. I love your photos, love your pages and love your classes.

The Language Of Being Alone {Flickr Favourites}

This week there is a general theme to everyone's flickr favourites - loneliness or emptiness. I'm pleased that I was able to pick out a few photographs that have been in my favourites for an awfully long time and combine them with another of my favourite quotes.

“Language has created the word "loneliness" to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word "solitude" to express the glory of being alone.” ~ Paul Tillich

1. She Doesn't Love Walk Alone., 2. Alone With Birds And Crazy Sea, 3. Untitled, 4. Untitled

I'm curious to see how the rest of this week's participants have interpreted the theme, so I'll be heading over to check them out at Artmind as soon as I get back from work. Of course, if you have time, you should do it now.

{My Creative Space}

I've been spending a lot of time this week in front of the computer - working with my photographs instead of with my hands and, as a result, My Creative Space has managed to stay relatively clean and tidy. There's always a first time for everything!

I've been using Photoshop Elements to learn more about adding texture and grain to my photographs, adding a softer or more vintage feel to my images.

If you have time before heading over to Kootoyoo to check out all of this week's creative spaces, I'd be grateful if you'd tell me what you think of the effects I've used or tell me your own tips and techniques for altering your photographs.

The Very Pink Of Perfection {Flickr Favourites}

I must be going soft in my old (but not that old) age, but pink is a colour that seems to appeal to me more and more with the passing of time. This is just a small selection of pink favourites from flickr.

1. Pomegranate In Pink, 2. NG351 - Detail, 3. Pinks, 4. Howlite

Just in case pink isn't really your thing, you can head over to Artmind and feast your eyes upon the ever interesting favourites chosen by Mitsy & Co this week.

Big Thoughts & Small Pleasures {Flickr Favourites}

Inspired by one of my favourite quotes from H. Jackson Brown, Jr " Think big thoughts, but relish small pleasures" I've put together a small collection of my favourites from flickr this week.

1. Paris Et Ses Monuments, 2. Widemouth Sands II, 3. The Option Number Two, 4. Blissfully Relaxed, And Slowly Catching Up

If you'd like to see more flickr favourites (or play along with your own favourites) then head over to Mitsy's blog Artmind.

Butterfly Beauties

I hadn't really intended to have a theme for my Flickr Favourites this week, but a brief glance at the photographs on my favourites page showed a definite preference for all things fluttery. It must be the time of year!

1. Butterfly Sneak, 2. Yes I Do, 3. Butterfly Card, 4. Etsy Packaging

If you'd like to see more flickr favourites, head on over to see Mitsy & Co, via Mitsy's blog Artmind. I promise you that it's worth a look.

Feel The Earth Beneath Your Feet {Flickr Favourites}

There is something undeniably pleasurable about being able to take off your shoes and run barefoot across dewy lawns; the texture of soil between your toes and the feel of the earth beneath your feet.

*sigh*

1. Central Park, 2. Soil That Is Loved!!, 3. Tasting The Earth, 4. First Sign Of Summer

Head over to Artmind to see more Flickr Favourites chosen by Mitsy and Co. There's always new fantastic favourites to be found.

Craft Room < 3 {Flickr Favourites}

Late last August I spent a week or so re-decorating the old study, turning it into my very own craft room. I organised all of my craft items and stashed them away ready for creative projects, but I still haven't decorated the walls, or displayed any of my creations. It feels a little bit functional.

So this week, I've been looking for some inspiration and have spent a couple of happy afternoons trawling through the Pretty Organised Group on Flickr 'oohing and aahing' over some of the craft rooms featured. Believe me, it's hard not to feel a little envious!

1. My Home Office, 2. My Craft Room, 3. To-Do-Dish, 4. Redecorating

Grab yourself a well deserved cup of tea and then head on over to see Mitsy & Co at Artmind for more Flickr Favourites. It's one of my favourite afternoon activities.

Form & Function {Flickr Favourites}

An excellent photographer can make stunning and compelling images where anyone else would see only the ordinary. An oustanding abstract image, full of the subtlely of form and function is much more difficult to perfect than you might imagine. Today's collection of Flickr Favourites are the work of only one photographer - Wauter De Tuinkabouter. Since stumbling across his photostream in 2008, I have regularly added his images to my favourites and considered them excellent examples of images that look beyond the everyday to find beauty in the most ordinary of subjects.

1. X, Y and Z, 2. Shutters, 3. Irregular, 4. Vlakverdeling, 5. Het Paleis, 6. ││▪, 7. Crooked, 8. Patternized, 9. Cells

If you'd like to see more Flickr Favourites, then please head on over to see Mitsy & Co at Artmind. - and I'm sure everyone would be happy if you'd like to join in. The more the merrier, as they say.

Tickled Pink {Flickr Favourites}

My favourite shades as a teenager, even as a twenty something, were always strong, bold colours. I always felt as though lighter shades were 'washed out' and a little insipid. Yet, here I am, admitting to a fascination with shades of the palest pinks. Not a colour I ever thought I would embrace. But how could you not, when there's eye candy like this?

1. For Kristin, 2. Carnation Or "And Now For Something Completely Different", 3. 192, 4. Strawberry Drops

These are the kind of soft, romantic images that make me want to wear cute, floral dresses, picnic in the sunshine and run, barefoot, through spring meadows. Please tell me I'm not alone.

You can head on over to see more beautiful photography with Mitsy & Co, who've been rounding up their own favourites this week. And don't forget that you're also welcome to join in!

A Saturday Stroll

I love walking around my local neighbourhood because, despite the fact I've lived here for quite some time, I will always discover something - a new route, a view I didn't know existed or the perfect house (that I can dream of owning some day in the future.)

I found a run down little house just last week, with the perfect view across the hills, but on that trip I didn't have a camera with me. I'll be sure to take some photographs to share with you soon.

Today, I chose a slightly different route - because my curiousity got the better of me and because I wanted to head towards the park so that I could feed the ducks! I think they were pleased to see me. Obviously now that spring has arrived and the lake has thawed, everyone has forgotten about them. But not me, never fear!

Once the ducks were fed, I headed on towards Church Hill and arrived in time to hear the bells ringing four o'clock. The sun was low in the sky and the view was pretty spectacular. (You'll have to imagine it, the camera in my mobile phone isn't all that wonderful.)

After a brief stop to take in the view, it was homeward bound for a well earned cup of tea and a piece of carrot cake. It's what weekends are all about! What have you been up to today?

Inspired To Create {Flickr Favourites}

During the winter months my creativity has suffered severely. At a time when we're almost expected to curl up on the sofa with our knitting I completely lost my creativity and I would sit and stare at my beads, papers or fabrics without even a hint of an idea. Not like me at all!

Now that the spring has arrived, I'm grateful that the urge to create has returned and I'm looking forward to finishing off some old works in progress and starting some new projects for the spring and summer.

Yesterday I sorted through my bead stash and then had a look through my flickr favourites to find some of the photographs I've saved as project inspiration. Aren't these jewellery pieces amazing?

1. Last Rose of Summer, detail, 2. Howlite, 3. Night At the Ballet - Rescued Pink Vintage Bead Pierced Earrings, 4. Summer Garden Earrings

I'm not claiming that I'll be able to produce anything as exquisite as the pieces I've featured, but do watch out for some beautiful beading heading this way. In the meantime, whet your own creative appetite by heading on over to see Mitsy & Co, who've been rounding up their own favourites this week.