"All That is Magic and Sparkles"

February Albums for sale

2012-02-10T15:25:00.001-08:00

Picture slideshow generated with Smilebox

3 scrummy shabby chic albums

2012-01-15T13:06:00.000-08:00

Have just finished these gorgeous wee books that i've had on the go since new year...I will post the inner pages soon...I used some mixed media techniques and some Prima papers called Pixie Glen ...I soo loved using my fairie stamps and I think they are cutely unique.

here is the link for the inner pages... https://picasaweb.google.com/100700185311124423062/ShabbyChicAlbums?authkey=Gv1sRgCI73_7Obo6Sm6QE#

Art Deco/Art Nouveau Albums December 26, 2011

2011-12-26T11:11:00.000-08:00

Three additions to ItsMagicandSparkles...i am hoping to complete at least one of the Art Nouveau Albums i've worked on for a few weeks...i've so loved taking my time over them and will be creating more with an Art Nouveau feel....love and festive blessings to all.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO VIEW THE THREE ALBUMS xxx

Etsy Shop Progress

2011-12-26T09:46:00.000-08:00

I have added more of my albums to my Etsy Shop ItsMagicandSparkles
To celebrate opening the Etsy shop I have reduced album prices and am offerring half price postage to everyone purchasing until the end of 2011( i will be refunding half the postage via pay pal to puchasers.

Etsy Shop Progress

2011-10-31T14:29:00.000-07:00

Above are photo's of two sweet albums i created at the weekend with Halloween in mind and a favourite story line of mine Alice in Wonderland.

Handmade Art Journals...

2011-10-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

Have been making some journal covers and i handsewed the pages into a binding it's a first and these three have now been completed.

Happy First Birthday

2011-10-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

The lovely couple next door are celebrating their little girls 1st birthday...they're such a lovely family.... created a simple little album for them....wishing them joy as they celebrate their special day...

Our Big Year....album for paula x

2011-09-04T05:06:00.000-07:00

Here are the finished pages .... it's been a pleasure creating this for you....and sooo nice to be able to pop in the photo's to start the album off with ...this is my favourite way of creating my little books thanks Pauli scrumptious x

Shop Update

2011-09-04T05:03:00.000-07:00

I'm a little behind on my plans to open my Etsy Shop but i've plenty of adorable albums to add to the shop....just photo's to take and time to actually do them justice by presenting them nicely in the shop....so i've rescheduled and expect to be 'good to go' by the first weeekend in October.

Albums with a holiday keepsake theme

2011-07-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

I've used some unexpected time recently to create some scrumptious keepsake albums...
Here are just 3 of them.I will complete another little slideshow to show the others as i hope to open my ETSY shop ..woop woop .. and am planning some little give aways for the middle of August.

Free digital slideshow created with Smilebox

Lou's Butterfly Album

2011-07-03T04:50:00.000-07:00

Linz and I met last week to more or less complete Lou's album ..and we are just about there.
Louise is amazing she is now making a recovery.We love you Lou and miss you toooooooo xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bliss Albums for keepsaking

2011-05-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

These albums are for keepsaking 'life's blissful journey' they have a beautiful fanstasy theme using Josphine Wall's art.The top one is complete and is has an womanly fantasy feel to it, the other album has an evolving adventure fantasy feel to it and i have another two prepared that have a younger 'childlike wonder' feel to them....they are works in process just as the Art Nouveau ones are and i hope to open my etsy shop with the two ranges of albums by the end of summer...

The album to the bottom is awaiting completion...

The images in this album range are from an art disc of work by Josephine Wall .The images are sealed and so colour fast the 3d images were enhanced by hand painting with twinkling h2o's and then given glitter accents ...The front page is blank at the moment ...here are some more photographs of the pages of this album .Front inner page has a pocket and as always there is pocketed space behind the images and inside the pages themselves.

Update on Lou's Album

2011-04-30T01:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the pages for Lou's Butterfly Album.

I've left lots of space on the pages as i would dearly love to mount some photo's mounted on shimmery bronze paper and add some more flowers and butterflies and go to town with some mini tags (Lou is the 'master of the mini tag!' oh and buttons i've created some scrumptious button flowers as well...its a must that the pages have got to have these on them).

Linzi has got a double page spread or two to add one.Speak to you soooon Linz.

I have a double spread in pink here for her lovely girls I will pop the photo's i have in photo corners so as they can be changed if the girls would like.

I'm printing off some others i've got of a sunny afternoon we had a few years ago for the friendship page at the back.

My thoughts are with you every day Lou ...i hope you are getting stronger and stronger .

Lou's Butterfly Album

2011-04-17T00:11:00.000-07:00

Lou's Butterfly Album is more than a project it's something 'very special from our hearts'.Here we are pictured above a few years altogether at Lou's... crafting and stamping away merrily.

OUR STORY
Lou is the precious gal who introduced Linz and I to 'proper scrapbooking'.I do not think I would have been making my albums if hadn't been for our Lou.We all met whilst working in a Surestart project, all doing different roles, (integrated teams don't only benefit families!we were drawn together by the crafting bug).If there is ever a group gals that could generate a frenzy around colourful papers and what you could make out of a kitchen roll inner it was us three!.Lou always has so many ideas and talents to share....she is a big sharer with an enormous heart.She is also the kindest, mellowed out lass I've ever had the pleasure to know with a sense of humour about everyday stuff that brings a smile to your face and got folks chuckling...she is a strong spirit and has weathered a lot of adversity and still had the energy to support others ..... we love her so much she is a 'one of a kind' person!

Lou is unwell and is on a bumpy journey of recovery and we do not know when we will be able to see her... so we are creating Lou's Butterfly Album to celebrate all that we/people love about her and to include memories of what she loves to.Then we will get the album to her as soon as possible so she can have something in hospital to let her know we are sending her love... which in time we hope will help her recovery.

I am hoping to share this process so as in true 'Lou style' anyone else wanting to create such an album can do so.Linz and I will also be emailing and leaving links for people so as they might participate and send love to Lou in the album if they would like.
1. We chose paper we know Lou loves ...yep Lou it's Basic Grey...this ones "Gypsy" i just know you'd have to put it in your stash and stroke the packet for a few months but Linz and I have broken the cellophane wrap!and we're gonna use it squeel!(squeels of delight)

2.We are using Lou's technique for a symmetrical butterfly.....fold the paper in half, in this case a piece of 12 x 12 draw half your butterfly and cut out ......a perfect template.Then use it on chipboard for the covers and the paper stash your using for you pages.

3.Planning out pages..we thought of a variety of themes and we need other's help to get most of the pages off the ground.Lou is special to a lot of people so we are trying to get the message out there..." photo's and comments you want to send Lou emailed to Linzi.lou2112@sky.com or contact Linzi or myself for our adresses address if you have something to post."

4.Special family pages.We would love to make some special pages for Lou's family especially her two daughters...........we hope to be in touch about this.

5.We are planning to use a variety of methods, including collage, stamping and use of quotes and a few stamps and items/embellis we know Lou loves.When complete the strudy butterfly pages will be held together with a bookring so as pages can be taken out or the album added to.An upate will follow.

Everybody loves you Lou and are rootin' for you ...............

Blissfull albums

2011-03-25T23:53:00.000-07:00

I created an album of BLISS last weekend... it's cover is bursting with colour and 3d design....i had a real creative fest making it...i will bind the pages today and post a photo....i've also some gorgeous little childrens memory albums i've to bind that have used the 'simply adorable' hand stamped images theme them...i will be popping these on ebay soon.Below is a 20 minute video(i'm very new at videos)explaining how i create my albums and it includes one I made for mothers day.
Simply pop in the title of the video to watch any of the password protected ones in this case it is ...memory albums....

memory albums from carol sikazwe on Vimeo.

Art Deco Celebrate Life albums

2011-03-08T15:42:00.000-08:00

I've decorated a few pages in one of the albums i started a month or so ago......i'm going slowly with these albums and just savouring creating them adding bits n pieces...and enjoying them the Art Nouveau ones have flowery pages planned i'm soooo loving just looking and thinking what i'll add to them.

Just love these two pages as the picture frame kind of allows a phot to be inserted and give the people or person n the photo some raher sparkly vellum wings weeee wouldn't that be nice ...i liked the thought of that.

OWOH Update

2011-02-16T23:17:00.000-08:00

This has been amazing... and altough the blogspot header says 16th February it is infact 7a.m on the 17th ! and have just used the random generator to pick a number between 1 and 113 and it is number 42 .....and this is Sam Bonney from Cornwall.I have emailed you Sam and your ATC's will be on there way to you as soon as possible xx

OWOH

2011-02-06T01:45:00.000-08:00

This is my first time participating in this activity.Thankyou for this opportunity to join in with One World One Heart Challenge special thanks to Lucy for leaving me a little adventure trail to follow from wishcasing wednesday....

Enjoy joining in with OWOH

" I am Carol I live in Leeds,U.K and am a passionate scrapbooker and lover of life stories. I am creative most days, usually with paper, glue n glitter, I love cutting and sticking, making albums for others and creating my very own embellishments, especially flowers! My work is sentimental in nature and is crafted from the heart and I love sharing and recyling ordinary things adding glitter and a little magic....... I love being inspired by others and learning new techniques"

Below is my doorstep prize of two sentiment infused ATC's for my OWOH winner.

This challenge is open to all active bloggers worldwide and only entails you leaving me a comment and then I will select a winner from those leaving a comment in February and post out the above prizes.

Instructions according to OWOH guidelines:

Please leave a comment, with your email or a clear way to contact you to arrange to post out the pictured prizes out to you.The winner of the prizes will be announced on February 17th i will then email and post the winners prizes onto them.

I sooo look forward to visiting blogspots and being inspired and hope you enjoy browsing my work for inspiration also...love to all participants xxxx

My Art Nouveau album project

2011-01-23T13:07:00.000-08:00

I am taking my time with these albums i want them to be embellished plentifully and i want to savour every moment.I've completed the front covers and the templates for the albums and their inner pages..... this project has been a little picture in my left brain for sometime!

Comissioned Albums for two special little girls.....

2011-01-23T13:01:00.000-08:00

Two albums to keepsake memories in for sisters.They are simular ' dreams ' based with some fairy magic inside and the cover schemes chosen by their mum based on their personalities.....how lovely..such a pleasure to create these albums...

For my Good Friend K.....

2011-01-01T09:05:00.000-08:00

I loved creating this for my buddy ....She has recently obtained some very old photo's there are sooo many that show some very memorable moments from her childhood. This is a particularly cute photo of her brimming with joy and mischief as a little one... she still has the same cheeky smile and so have included a photo of her on the first page showing that very same character a good 40yars on ! everyone cannot help but be drawn to this cute cheeky little girl so we've given her wings and she is her own 'Angel of Happiness' this suits my freind she is indeed an Angel of Happiness.I would love to create more of this sort of album for others....we all are our own Happiness Angels and I think it is a truly healing ritual to give oneself wings and the freedom to acknowledge this.

2010 Footy highlights album

2011-01-01T08:57:00.000-08:00

This is a quick 4 x4 to add to my sons memory box he enjoys his footy and had such a super time when the school team won the inter-high school cup..it was put together quickly and simply.I jotted in some of the highlights of the year..the big win...key Arsenal highlights...the new team...and oooh dare we mention it the World Cup!

Albums for Mitch

2010-12-19T13:53:00.001-08:00

Slideshow customized with Smilebox

Sweet Pea 'Winter magic Albums'

2010-12-14T01:07:00.000-08:00

At last i've managed to get the slideshow of these gorgeous little creations on the blogspot....I loved creating these they've a scrumptious magical and shabby chic feel to them lots of different textures in a most of them with prima and fabric flowers, embossed and flocked papers really yummy.

Digital slideshow generated with Smilebox

December albums to browse

2010-12-05T15:20:00.000-08:00

Another smilebox slideshow is coming please email me with any queries.Thankyou and enjoy...

A greeting card by Smilebox

Personalize a picture slideshow

Friendship albums

2010-12-01T15:22:00.001-08:00

A special keepsake for a special work colleague...Happy Birthday Pat..
I have some Christmas themed albums very simular to this i love this layout ... it is simple but so effective for keepsaking in...

Joe's special album is complete

Make a free slideshow

Love albums to personalise

2010-11-28T01:51:00.001-08:00

Photo slideshow made with Smilebox

A Special Keepsake Album for JOE

2010-11-21T22:07:00.000-08:00

Here is the basic layout outline for Joe's Friendship Album.It uses his favourite colour..red and 'school/grad days' design of DCWV cardstock.All 6 x 6 mounts have open tops so items can be stored inside and i'll be notching them so they look like like pockets and as you can see they are large enough on which to mount photo's if desired.The album is his mum's idea and such a super way of keepsaking for her son as his moves through a transition in life.

Completed New York Album

2010-11-19T13:38:00.000-08:00

It's been such a pleasure creating this album and thankyou to fluff for the extra distressing ...Kirst you know what i mean here!

Christmas card making

2010-11-15T15:32:00.000-08:00

I need time and inspiration for card making it's not my strong point................Two peas have 'it' here each Friday.
http//www.twopeasinabucket.com/events/11-holiday-cardmaking-weekends/

Video showing the nearly complete New York album

2010-11-15T15:14:00.000-08:00

New York Project - The process from carol sikazwe on Vimeo.

Progress with our New York Album project.

2010-11-07T04:19:00.000-08:00

Following the plan we had made i've now started a basic layout for each page using the photo's.

step 1. choose colour combination carefully to reflect colour in the photo's particularly like the hot pink in a skirt worn and this is key to this album being for the person wearing the pink!and the boys in their blues,greens and Khakis.So neutrals with black and a hint of hot pink throughout with a splash of designed paper that picks out the city backdrops and parks.Also a block layout in keeping with a geometric theme with just a hint of a journalling feel from adding a binding edging.All in keeping with what we discussed earlier to reflect the personality and sentiment the album hopes to hold.

step 2. Front Cover. Not yet complete but basics are there.....

step3.Mount photo's and provisionally layout basic pages.Keep it simple and ensure the elements can be moved around and adjusted as there is plenty more to add to the page!.

step 4. Add the key feature of 'the map' embellishment carefully matching each bit of new york to the page as planned......before embellishing any further.

step5. Carefully look at where the sentiment will go, stamp the sentiments and mount as appropriate.

step 6.add the paper and memorabilia distressing and inking/stmaping and tearing this pieces to give them a collage feel.Stick them underneath on the basic page...see it's a good job those initial photo's and layout elements were not stuck down in the first instance...but it was still important to know where they were going to lie! (this can be the fiddliest bit but it's important if you've a plan to in some way stick to it ...not always my strong point being a free flow creative! but i can do it especially when it's for someone else!)

more piccies to follow..................

New York Project - The process

2010-10-31T07:37:00.000-07:00

K and I have sat and planned a very special album today.... I hope to post more information about the process as i will be completing this album over the next 2 weeks.We spent all morning sorting and reminiscing over K's trip to new york, with a mutual friend and her two boys, 'the trip of a lifetime' it was and we are creating an album to give as a birthday gift mid November.The album is predominantly made up of tickets, programmes and maps with photographs mounted on the ecclectic mix of memories....i don't know New York and already feel as if i'm getting to now my way around!I'm hoping my posting about this project will share with you the process of what goes into one of my bespoke album.

Step 1.We have given each page a theme around a 'moment or place' and cut up and sorted all the memorabilia relating to the moment or place into little bags of 'stuff' labelled for each page.

Step 2. We have sat and browsed all my sentiment stamps choosing heartfelt sentiments that reflect the emotins evoked by the memories.

Step 3 We have chosen geometric shapes and steely blue's greys and some greens to reflect the streets/avenues of new york and the buildings,statues, parks and water.

Step 4. I've sketched out each page layout and given a key to which photo's go on which page alongside where on that map of new york those moments relate to ....its a real who, what and where.

Watch out for more about this project it's going to be such a pleasure sharing this.

Sweet pea toppers

2010-10-31T07:33:00.000-07:00

I'm hoping to create a journal and small album from 2 of these lovely embellishments i put together last week ........

Ching Chou Sweet Pea images

2010-10-24T07:12:00.000-07:00

Mmmmmm this stamp is so lovely to colour in I'm mounting the images but am not sure whether to create some notebook covers with them or cards............watch this space.....

Halloween Treat

2010-10-24T00:03:00.000-07:00

Sooooo Cute.. i've 2 more ...i am just binding them See my side bar of slideshows to see all albums.

I am creating some albums to order at the moment but am up to speed so am going to treat myself to creating two little Halloween paper bag albums today with my cute Magnolia Halloween Tilda's! so watch this space, photo's to post later.

The Journey Shared Blogspot

2010-10-17T03:43:00.000-07:00

I am trying something new...... a sister blogspot http://thejourneyshared-cazamataz.blogspot.com/
This new blogspot aims to create a space on line for journalling and self development wheras this one will be more focused on sharing my scrapbooking creations.x

Album Template

2010-10-16T03:33:00.000-07:00

From back to front a template to personalise

wishcasting wednesday

2010-10-12T23:25:00.000-07:00

http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/wishcasting-wednesday-fly-free/comment-page-1#comment-8931

What do you wish to fly free from?
I love so much of my simple life and am sooooooo grateful for it i like being grounded by those i love and being totally absorbed in anything creative ...........there is never enough time to be as creative as i would like.Recently my plans to work less hours have gone on hold until i know more about how the government cuts on public sector and the nhs will effect my little family... However flying free from fear and indecision is something i would like to do.
I am going to waffle on a little now and indulge myself in a reminiscent ramble of my journey around fear and indecision.
Again i'm conscious there has to be a balance here as i'm no adrenaline junky! I seem to have done a full circle as regards fear! As a young child i was pretty fearful and a lot of my emotion around fear, from what i can remember, originates from there... my decisions were never mine to make everything was decided for me ....however i was completely 'fearless as a teenager....phewww....the risks i took... i cringe with fear sometimes just thinking about them but i remind myself that my guardian angel must have been looking out for me as i'm still here. I was pretty decisive but those decisions were hastly made and the consquences not fully understood! Becoming a mum saw fear rise to the frontline of my life...making the right decisions for someone so precious in those early years, for all sorts of reasons,was sooo difficult and my greatest fear was the fear of losing the most precious of all things to a mother....and of losing my mind! (i've a much earlier entry on my blogspot around the creation of a little album about 'motherhood' this came about as a result of my releasing some of these feelings!) I struggled 'to do the right thing' being so aware and pondering the many 'potential' consequences of my actions and decisions as a mum ...
So here i am a 45 year old woman with all these life experiences to aid me make sound decisions in life i'm in the best place ever to make 'good decisions' so can release any fears i have about it!

I wish to fly free of the feeling of 'fear' and be more decisive about the actions i need to take to have more of what i love in my life.

wishcasting wednesday

2010-10-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/

Where do you wish to grow in your confidence? is Jamie Ridlers inspiration for Wishcasting today..............
I would love to have an inner confidence to forgive myself for making mistakes....the confidence that allows me to let go of being hard on myself .Although being passionate and striving for the ideal can be a real motivator and driving force the sided effect is that there is a tendancy to be hard on myself and this can soooo undermine my confidence .... a good balance of inner confidence and self awareness is what i wish for.

Thankyou to all the wishcasters i realy liked this quote found on Keishua's The Curious World Blogspot
http://keishuathoughts.blogspot.com/2010/10/wishcasting-wednesday.html
Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.- Peter McIntyre

Albums to go

2010-10-04T13:52:00.000-07:00

Thankyou Linzi and Bailey for your help at the weekend with cards for cherished.....The first 10 albums were posted today and the cards with them.

For the first time ever i've copyrighted the album design as they are a special item for 'Cherished'.
Here is a link to 'Magical Memory Albums' the website where my bespoke albums can be purchased.Another big thankyou to Linzi for her help with this.http://www.magicalmemoryalbums.co.uk/

Wishcasting Wednesday

2010-09-28T23:17:00.000-07:00

(this is the art work of Lisa OMalley i love it... and am waiting on a couple of prints to arrive...i think this one reminds me of my wish for this week)

I am up early before i scoot of to work.... I am inspired by Jamie Ridler's wishcasting prompt for this week is 'What do you wish to step into?'
It so amazing what can be achieved with a little focus and intention...... the universe has an amazing way of creating opportunities and guiding us on our journey.I wish to step into 'this space'.....the space of experiencing the moment, the here and now and acknowledging it as being a part of that journey.Allowing myself to release fear,anxiety and frustrations and just be in that moment moving forward with the pace that the universe allows....

Anyone for Anya

2010-09-26T05:17:00.000-07:00

I've tried to use the elements of the sketch but they are jiggled around to fit onto my easel card.

Sentimental easel cards

2010-09-25T02:25:00.000-07:00

here are the little easel cards made using last weeks posting link.

commissioned albums

2010-09-24T22:06:00.000-07:00

I was so pleased to be approached by Emma to make some albums for the charity 'cherished' and i am up early cutting an sticking, before a constitutional run with my buddy K.I'm hoping to send 10 of these albums to emma next week...here's the progress so far...

Creating them is a very special thing for me as
i have been thinking of some of the amazing children i have loved and been close to over the years and how they touched my life and made me the person I am today.I've also reflected on my own very personal losses...not in a sad way (..although a tear has and is often shed) but in a warm acknowledging way...Thankyou for this privilige ...and now i must get sticking!

Wishcasting Wednesday

2010-09-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/wishcasting-wednesday-how-do-you-wish-to-come-out-of-your-shell

I'm late with my wishcasting ...................
I quite like my shell...... however if i were to come out of it i think a big wish would be to find the courage and words to have a voice.
I wish alongside this to be able to accept the responsibility and let go of the fear that comes with my having a voice........
I'd like to peep out of my shell and break into a run and find i had wings and fly.....

kayleighs album

2010-09-13T13:13:00.000-07:00

Free photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

Squirrel Way Gala

2010-09-12T06:45:00.000-07:00

Kirsty and I met some super folks at the Squirrel way gala.So many people wanting to get into the scrapbooking process, thankyou for being so enthusiastic and don't hesitate in getting in touch if you have any questions.Thankyou to Kate for chatting to us about her love of cardmaking keep up the good work and continue with your creativity.Also anyone wanting to get in touch about special orders please do so... there were some super uses for the albums in keepsaking children's rights of passage/transitions and it was lovely hearing how ndividuals were going to share celebrating the joys their loved ones bring..........love to all.

Our day in Whitby

2010-09-12T06:44:00.000-07:00

This free digital scrapbooking design made with Smilebox

I collected some great tiny shells to make mermaid tails out of ....here comes the first page of my seashore album.We had a super day pottering around love spending time with you mum, what a lovely birthday week i had.

Such meaningful work

2010-09-11T14:56:00.000-07:00

Emma and her daughter Mia are involved in such meaningful work running their charity Cherished.I'm so very privileged to have been approached by them to create some special albums for their memory boxes.Thankyou girls i will create these lovely little albums from my heart.

http://cherishediom.weebly.com/index.html

Shaped easel cards...

2010-09-05T01:18:00.000-07:00

A new discovery to try.... using the images coloured yesterday..may only get one done today as am scooting off to see my lovely mum
http://in2crafting.blogspot.com/2010/05/tutorials-nestabitlies-shaped-easel.html

http://www.mousepotatodesigns.com/?p=1926

Lazy Saturday...by mistake

2010-09-04T23:20:00.000-07:00

My Saturday did a full circle from being a day of scooting around to my spending the whole day painting up some stamps with my twinkling h2o's...as often happens when there is a lot of change going on in my life i'd got my dates and times muddled for various appointments...it doesn't matter whether i put them in my diary, mobile phone or what i have a short ciruit in my brain that seems overlook the real world and if i don't stand still then it makes me ..i'm quite grateful for it however...the real world maybe a little frustrated with me! .... i believe i was probably just meant to craft 24 hours a day !because rather than worrying about it that's what i do and i adored colouring in and experimenting with copics and sparking paints...Sweet Pea stamps are absolutely gorgeous here's a link http://http//sweetpearubberstamps.blogspot.com/search/label/Soft%20Goth%20Night

A lovely lady sent me some coronado mermaid images with a recent purchase...they are gorgeous tooooo.. http://cidesignstamps.com/bloomers.shtml

Where do you wish to make a fresh start?

2010-09-02T15:23:00.000-07:00

Jamie Ridler and all those participating in todays wishcasting have stimulated thought in me again..A fresh start.....

My fresh start will involve my taking care of myself and avoiding working the very long hours i often do..
It will involve me being a little more assertive about my needs and opinions when it really matters.
It will involve my continuing to let go of the small everyday irritations and frustrations.

It will involve me continuing to focus on the bigger picture and continue to feel that the universe will unfold as it is meant to.
I will also continue to hold onto the goal of working less and looking for the work life balance i strive to achieve..
Thankyou for my fresh start..

compendium quote of the week

2010-09-02T14:54:00.000-07:00

How can compendium quotes aways come and seem so poignant this one is just what i need to hear at this point on my journey.................

''There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.''
-Douglas Everett

mini album giveaway

2010-08-28T01:47:00.000-07:00

http://lifeandtimesofa12x12addict.blogspot.com/

Hope i've popped this link in successfuly as i'd like a chance to be in the draw for some mini book giveaways from life andtimes of a 12 x 12 addict...I loved the post about her son doing good in his exams it's made me reflect.

......third time lucky i think i've managed the link now...i've wanted to know how to do this for ages...

Minis that remind me i'm a mum

2010-08-28T01:19:00.000-07:00

I browsed through these two minis , i've lots of them i tend to create them from paper bags and there are quite a few in my blog entries ...I created these some time ago and they remind me 'i am still a mum'...my son is so grown up know it great for him and part of my journey to 'let him go' but right now i do miss that little boy who was so eager to have me as his play pal and depended on me...This 4 x 4 mini i made this time last year when he'd done his exams and was moving into sixth form ...the other is an a5 project over quite a few years where i followed one of Shimelle's classes it is crammed with thoughts and reflections on things that evoked emotion in my son over the years... i sooo love looking at it..it shows him loving his chocolate Lebinz biscuits..him actually looking relaxed..i snapped him multi tasking once with the phone cocked under his chin whilst he tried to get his socks on still wrapped in his duvet but arranging to go out with his friends (he spends more time wrapped in the duvet than clothed!) and him walking away but keeping his temper when i made him walk with me! There's such a lot of journalling in here from me and i hope it'll be in his keepsake box forever and give him a few laughs when he is forty!
I have one i must finish for him.. a football one ...he loves his football and i've some great piccies i must put in the album i created a couple of months ago ...i thnk this bank holiday i may just take a break and do that one...I love being a mum..

I need my rose tinted spectacles

2010-08-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

My son turns 18 next birthday...i feel a little reflective as he has been on my mind a lot recently.... there is some hard work ahead regarding him applying himself to his A level courses ...My hubby and i are so lucky to be able to be in some sort of position to support him he is our only one... i feel a little sad when i analyse the present job market, the expense of living and the inequity there is regarding those that are financially and socially advantaged and those that are less advantaged...i see it every day at work ...I tend to see the world through rose tinted spectacles.. it has always been my saviour and allowed me to avoid cynicism and burnout... there are some amazing examples of those who do so well regardless of some awful situations but it is soooo hard for them.... if i could have my wishcasting wednesday again i would wish to fill them with optimisim and aspirations for the future... to be all they want to be or do all what they want to do or simply see what a great job they are doing regardless of the terrible time they might be having...I wish the government could see what they are doing though i am trying not to slide in negativeness but the present climate is going to cause a lot of problems for a lot of very vulnerable sections of society and i'm seeing it start now.

Wishcasting Wednesday

2010-08-25T12:24:00.000-07:00

http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/wishcasting

Thankyou to Tara Joyce for the encouragement she gives and all those connections through Tara and the I am proud to be an innerpreneur' website....Jamie Ridlers website is a truly wonderful inspiring way to feel positive and progress with your dreams thankyou soooo much i'm making my first wish....

My Wish for Wishcasting Wednesday is to sleeeep i wish for some nights of sweet healing sleep to prepare me for the changes ahead......

Julia's albums

2010-08-23T22:17:00.000-07:00

Some after piccies of an album i created for my lovely friend Julia.

before i personalise i create a basic book shape and dsign with the colours and themes requested:

mermaid name!

2010-08-21T22:48:00.000-07:00

Couldn't resist this one i've followed a link to a mermaid name generator, thankyou Yasmindeboo...

Your mermaid species is: Green Harbour Watcher

Her Latin name is: Viridans Ostia

Brown hair, vivid green tail, hair and dorsal fin offering good disguise in weed beds.

A gregarious, friendly subspecies, the Ostia is often seen swimming near to small harbours and is fond of catching the bow waves of boats, playing alongside dolphins and other porpoises.

Get your free mermaid name here!

My very own seashore album

2010-08-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

I've created this album for myself to capture some of my seashore musings and memories of beachcombing..and watching the waves throughout all the seasons.I hope to show it again crammed with memories.I've arranged to go to Whitby for my birthday this will inspire me ....I love Whitby...Can't wait mum we'll have a lovely trip!

Erte Album

2010-08-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

Decorating this album was a real joy...the papers i prepared myself from silhoutte fairies disc and then cosmic shimmer mists on white matted on black to the inside as removable photo mounts i've still to work on some flourishes and altered art to the inner pages..however my inspration is in the cover and I'll be returning to the album when i have some days off in September....

Blog Candy from 3D Jean

2010-08-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

Wow I've just won some gorgeous 3d Jean blog candy! i'm such a lucky girl!Thankyou so much

little pieces of art on my spring cards

2010-08-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

These little pieces i created seemed to be super themes for these spring cards.

spring card

2010-08-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

Recovering from a cold this weekend just managed my one card with delightful 'Erte'.Added a small pocket in which to slide a 'travel' themed tag, although a greek Goddess of love i think the card might be a nice keepsake for an lover of the sea and travel.Love this seahorse paper...and basic grey swirls clear stamps are great to use on these seashore projects as they are so 'seafoam like and swirly'..its hard to see them on this card as used them on pannels at sides of diamond shaped front.

Tip: if the topper is heavy the card is less springy i've reinforced the gusset on this one and may need to reinforce it again...plus enlarged the design template so have to get an 8x8 expandable envelope or make my own for her!if anyone has any ideas or a template for an expandable evelope would love to know about it.

inspirational words

2010-08-06T15:38:00.000-07:00

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie

sping card

2010-08-05T13:18:00.000-07:00

I have just created 4 spring cards to decorate this weekend(to celebrate surviving my first 3 days back at work after my beach holiday)...they'll have an oceans and seashore theme and were inspired by 3D Jean's websites delightful sring card with a vintage seaside feel...watch this space i'm tring to put the link for the blogspot on my side bar...there's so much great inspirational stuff here.

ERTE - Sea Goddess

2010-08-03T14:13:00.000-07:00

I have just painted up a few imgages of this gorgeous stamp..she came from Canada and i am creating a special album with a lot of mermaid images in it she will take pride of place...Its the first time i've 'gone to town' using my copics and cs paints...oooh i could have carried on all night however i am back to work tomorrow.. a reality check it's time to think about an early night.

p.s.My tip is emboss the images..as they can then be used with pens and paints.I like to use black versafne and clear emboss there is less bleeding of colours.

albums to peruse

2010-08-03T09:19:00.000-07:00

A photo slideshow by Smilebox

oooh back to my craft room

2010-07-31T01:22:00.000-07:00

Just got back from a holiday which was a lovely rest..Thankyou Chella for making it possible what a great break it was...had a gentle emotional emerse in 'Family Matters' a great read by Rohinton Mystery however...my craft room is calling but first a consitutional run with K n brekky at the deli...Thankyou K and Linda for looking after our little luvlies Jazz n Bats.

Tenerife

2010-07-31T01:21:00.000-07:00

Make a free picture slideshow

Bramley Carnival Sunday 18th

2010-07-19T00:06:00.000-07:00

What a lovely day thanks to Kirsty, Kim and my lovely Chel ...Linda thankyou for your yummy cream cake ..

Mermaids, seashore and ocean memory albums

2010-07-11T23:49:00.000-07:00

' the sea once it casts its spell, it

holds one in its net of wonder forever'

2010-07-04T23:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=277896788218

This is a link to a compendium video for your inspiration take a look and feel great all day!

creating to my favourite tunes

2010-07-03T12:53:00.001-07:00

Mermaids...so many of them and so many ideas of how to use them just not quite enough hours in the day to explore all the possibilities.I was pleased to find a few Einaudi pieces on the internet i misplaced (nothing is ever lost) my favourite album I Giorni such a long time and simply hummimg along to the pieces i keep hearing on the t.v isn't the same as floating around the house listening to it at my leisure...Mermaid creations to post later..............

Fly by Ludovico Einaudi

2010-07-03T12:53:00.000-07:00

Fly by Ludovico Einaudi

slideshow of albums created

2010-07-03T00:06:00.000-07:00

Just some quick albums to share here and pass on to others... I'm inspired to move onto my project ....'seashores and mermaids' what joy ..

Free digital slideshow made with Smilebox

National Armed Forces Day

2010-06-26T15:19:00.000-07:00

I created a paper bag album to be usd to scrapbook moments from an armed forces march for a friend who is passionate about keepsaking and sharing the joy possible in giving these little albums as gfts.Lexi and her mummy put an almost blank album to such creative use scrapbooking the big and small moments of 'a daddy's day'... he loved it and they loved creating it.I've created another album ready to be personalised in memory of National Armed Forces Day..i'm always deeply saddenned that so many very young lives and families have had their lives so very drammatically changed by the events out there....god bless them all and keep them safe.A photo will follow.

Woodlands Summer fayre

2010-06-21T00:29:00.000-07:00

It was a lovely day Saturday, Kirsty and I participated in a summer fayre at Woodlands Primary School. It was reminiscent of those Sure Start days Kirsty .....
Thankyou to Lorna and her sister Hayley...all the lovely children and staff who supported us by participating in our mobile lucky dip... we met some lovley people Sue and Jan either side of our stall were fountains of knowledge ...i hope to be getting more involved in this sort of event.If you are interested a few little bargains to try out scrapbooking in the paper bag albums then try ebay under OOAK albums there are so many there and i pop some on sometimes so enjoy.........I will be continuing to support WATOTO throught my album sales at events this summer.

June creations

2010-06-20T00:54:00.000-07:00

Free photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

May's creation

2010-05-09T10:28:00.000-07:00

album ideas...

2010-04-06T13:46:00.001-07:00

Some 8x8 albums to personalize

2010-04-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

This free photo slideshow created with Smilebox

A few little albums

2010-04-06T11:10:00.000-07:00

This slideshow design generated with Smilebox

Altered Fairytales book

2010-03-11T10:07:00.001-08:00

I'm loving getting lost in creating this altered book..there's a lot to add to some of the pages, a couple of them feel complete and my favourit is the spread your wings and join the Fairy ring page...hoping to tell a Fairy tale through the next few altered pages.

Christmas Doooooooooooooooooo

2010-02-21T09:29:00.000-08:00

It's taken me ages to get these photos onto a smilebox i've popped the slideshow here just incase i have aprob forwarding it by email on monday.....nhs email system is really tight these days and filters just about everything so here it is just in case.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Jazz has got a friend

2010-02-21T06:01:00.001-08:00

Jazzy has a play pal...i remember this gorgeous cat as a kitten she'd come over and was soooo confident i think she came into the house a few times..until our other cat chased her off his patch...well Jazz just wants to play so she's back and it was really sweet they've been playing in the back garden for the last few days...don't know what our other cat will think about it as he doesn't tolerate much playfullness... guess the girls are outnumbering him now.

memory album

2010-02-21T05:47:00.000-08:00

I had the privelege of creating a memory album for a team of wondeful people working with children..i was so pleased to hear from Sobia as i'd left sometime ago...thankyou for allowing me to put together all the childrens work for their consultant...such thoughtful and heartwarming input from all the children..

A quick celebration album on a budget

2010-02-21T03:52:00.000-08:00

I have a lovely lady who likes her albums on a budget...i always do the best i can for her ...here are a few pages from a recent album created.

Valentines sentiment

2010-02-13T03:19:00.001-08:00

I could be quite gushy about how grateful i am to have my luvly hubby around...i have a scrapbook of our journey together and there are a few pages left so our meal out on Sunday will have to incorprate a photo and a memory to add to my little album!Chel and i are busy and often stressed... life can be and is often a bit of a bumpy ride because thats what life is like ...good times and less fortunate times all part of that ...in him i did find a soul mate and a friend...this was this weeks quote from compendium and i really connected with it...
"Then we sat on the edge of the earth, with our feet dangling over the side, and marveled that we had found each other."

--Erick Dillard
If you want more from compendium do google them or look at the link they create inspirational books that warm the heart.

Plans for album

2010-02-06T11:59:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be busy next week with my commisioned album...the tags and content is still being collected and although i have the basics outline created i think i'm going to be burning the midnight oil...However,here are two books i'm hoping to alter.One will include the fairy and memaid images i've prepared and Alice's Adventures will be a work in progress...

easel cards

2010-02-06T11:51:00.000-08:00

I have created the last of my easel cards for now ..these lovely images i coloured in sometime ago they are dreamy and scrumptious.The last time i used them they completed an 'autumn dreams album' and a quirky little offbeat album i created for Megan,my neice for christmas.I love them ..

cards for valentines

2010-02-06T01:10:00.001-08:00

I have been enjoying creating some easel cards...i've a commissioned retirement album waiting to be completed and my itchy busy fingers and busy head had to be occupied so here's how one of the cards looked.

"9 lives Jazz"

2010-01-17T10:16:00.001-08:00

My kitten Jazz has fully recovered...she went missing today...i felt like i'd revisited that horrible feeling you get when you loose your toddler in the supermarket...I've only just braved letting her out for short periods after the snowy weather and she wandered a little further than usual today. It was only a matter of half an hour or so before i found her.........

Adventure Album and Journals

2010-01-17T10:07:00.000-08:00

I created this very one of a kind personalised album for a friend and her partner to chart their adventures..I loved it my friend chose from the stash of sentiment stamps and I hand stamped some special sentiment she wanted in the album what a pleasure this was.I was soooo enjoying this whole concept i then went on to create two simular sized one of a kind journals to auction on ebay.I'm enjoying this simple A5 template and am going to stick with this for a while creating some arty fairie and mermaid themed pieces as i've handcoloured some beautiful images i'm just aching to use..

Project 2009-2010

2010-01-05T07:54:00.000-08:00

Last year i created a simple calendar and had the goal of taking a photograph a month for a year and then making a mini album (take a link back to the blogspot post for December 2008-January 2009 and you'll see the pages of the calendar).Here we are in 2010 and I've just about finished the project, here is the album.I simply cut the top piece of my calender with my photo on and mounted it onto an A5 sized cardstock page (12 in total with a cover in some family themed scrapbooking paper)and then used my bind it all to put it all together ( i even used the same bind it all owire that held the calendar together).Then i used my favourite punch (stampin up label )and some scraps and embellis i had to decorate.I've made plenty of space for journalling and jotting down new shared family goals for 2010 behind the photo's and on the back of the pages i've just a few more flowers and buttons to add.Bring it on 2010....

Jazz Cat is back

2010-01-01T03:43:00.000-08:00

My little kitten is on her second cat life! ( the first one K and I witnessed as she climbed onto the bedroom window ledge and then adopted the stance of a flying squirrel kitten and landed in a little bush in the front garden!)She is now back from the vets after having surgery to remove an earplug from her tummy....yes an earplug.. ooooh its been an emotional 4 days, she was so poorly the day after boxing day.My son and i suspected she had swallowed something strange..we had seen remnants of an earlplug and had spent 2 weeks trying to take them off her and hide them.... the earplugs are mine and i use them to block out the buzz of the outside world when needing a deep sleep! i felt pretty bad about her managing to get one again. She has had a strange attraction to sponge and foam.I'm watching her like a hawk now and getting some pet insurance as i'm imagining she is going to be full of surprises.

Happy new year

2010-01-01T03:37:00.000-08:00

A new year brings endless opportunities to weave joy and happiness into the fabric of life ! Enjoy this coming year xxxxx

More Commissioned Albums for christmas

2009-12-31T01:44:00.000-08:00

These albums are now being enjoyed by the recipients 4 special girls..........

Make a Smilebox slideshow

New Years Wishes

2009-12-31T01:21:00.000-08:00

A new year is dawning...I've been so busy creating albums this year i've not even had time to add to the blog.Things hotted up from October through to a final commission i'm completing as we speak.I've loved creating them all and here are a few pictures of two smaller albums i created for someone with specific themes as gifts for people.