the things you do!

Yet another old holiday snap. Ok, so we're young(ish) and fit(ish) and we like to keep active. We picked up the bowls and played (well kind of!). We made our own rules, did our own things and had hours and hours of laughter. Great times.

Ally
xx

Yet more snow!

So yesterday was the first day back to school after half term. When I left for work it was raining!My normal 20 minute journey took me an hour and it was a relief to get to work let me tell you!

I couldn't believe how much the snow was settling when it was so wet before!

The school playground.

...and the school field.

It was so pretty though that I couldn't resist taken some photos!

Ally

xx

sad news

I said that this would be a crafting blog, but today we had some really sad news. Simon's cousin died today. He only fell ill in November and was diagnosed with c but it was just too much. He was only 42.

This isn't really the place to share private news like this but I'm sure you'll agree that this is an exceptional circumstance.

I'd like to think we're all thinking of him and his family.

Ally
xx

Pancake day!

So pancake day has been and gone but Simon and I had a great time. He cooked them and flipped them. We had such a laugh!
I've made this page but am not sure if I'm that keen on it now. I liked it when I'd made it! I think it's too busy!
Still, at least it holds the memory and that's what scrapping is all about isn't it?

Ally
xx

Holiday page

So this is another page from a holiday Simon and I took back in 2006. For some reason the photos did not print at all well but it was the best that I could do. The papers have been inked with distress inks and the old tickets were from my stash.
Do you like the flower? I made this from instructions on how to make a ribbon flower but just adapted it for paper. Again the edges have been inked and it is secured with a small flower shape punch and a brad. I think it's really quite sweet.

Ally
xx

Weekly challenge

Over on UKS I have joined a team. Not only has this inspired me to do more scrapping but I have also taken on one of the weekly challenges.This challenge was all about change. The top photo was taken on new years eve on 2004/5. The bottom photo was taken when Simon and I spent one Saturday evening strolling around London and the South Bank. I got all excited when I found Pudding Lane because The Great Fire of London was our topic for the term, so had the photo taken to show the children when I got back to school.

Journalling is something that I need to work on. I've been a 'sugar coating' journaller so far (thanks Alana for the analogy) but am trying to move on to a 'donut' journaller. You never know, I may even hit the jam soon!

Is journaller a word? Hmmm not sure but I like it anyway!

Ally

xx

Holiday header page

Seeing as I've only just started scrapping, I don't have that much 'new' stuff to scrap. So while I try and build up some newer photos I'm going to scrap a holiday that Simon and I went on in 2006.

I have no shame in admitting that I am a snob at heart, but I have to say that I love butlins. We always upgrade and eat in the posh part with tablecloths, leather chairs and napkins. We go out and about during the day and then we have entertainment in the evening. It's not everyone's cup of tea but we enjoy it.

Sorry about the glare on the photo, I just couldn't get it right.

Ally

xx

Pearly Queen

So this is the last page of my birthday scrapbook. On the whole I'm quite pleased with my first attempt but I know I have a long way to go!
My cardmaking has taken a bit of a back seat at the mo as I seem to have got a scrapping bug. I've joined a team over on UKS (yikes) and I'm actually quite nervous about it but it will give me inspiration and lots of practise. Surely I can only get better!!!!!

Ally
xx

The Lion King

So, the main part of my birthday treat was to see The Lion King. OMG - it was fantastic.

I'm a HUGE fan of musicals on both stage and screen but this was the best I've seen. The simplicity of the way the animals were portrayed and the minimal set actually added to the overall feeling. I absolutely loved it.

Ally

xx

Natural History Museum

As the post title says, this page is about the time we spent at the Natural History Museum. I'm so sad ... I love museums!! We spent hours and hours here. I absolutley loved it as I'd never been before.

These are American Crafts papers and I played with one of my new Martha Stewart punches too.

Ally

what a view

This was the view looking out from the National Gallery.
Not much to it but I really like it.
Do you? - be honest now!!!

Ally
xx

Next birthday page

So ... (deep breath Ally) ... this is the first of my 'new' pages. I struggled because I had so many photos I wanted to put on the same page, but I really like it.
Hmmm... maybe I'll give this scrapbooking lark another go!
So Alana ... are you going to help me spend my money (what little I have) at Stamperama? - Looking forward to it!

Let me know what you think of my page.
Ally
xx

birthday scrapbook page 2

Well I've eventually got around to posting the second page of my birthday scrapbook. It has taken me a while to post it as it has been so dark lately that I haven't had good enough light to photograph it.

So...this is the page I made which stopped me doing any more. I think it was too orange. I looked at it, liked it, looked at, hated it and then decided that scrapping wasn't for me.

What do you think?

I have made a couple more pages now, so I'll post them as we go on.

Ally

xx

Oops

First of all, I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone on here and UKS who have given me such positive feedback about my first scrapbook page. Thank you so much for taking the time to look and make a comment. It really does help!

Now ... apology time. I said yesterday that I would post page 2 today. Being the dope that I am, I went and left my camera at school so I'll try again tomorrow.

Maybe I'll make another page of my birthday book now!!

First scrpabook page!

Now... last year was my 40th birthday and Simon took me for a wonderful London break. I kept all the bits and pieces with the intention of scrapping them.
But I have never scrapped before!
So...this is the very first page of my birthday book. I did this page about a month after I got back, followed by the second page and promptly stopped thinking that I really lacked creativity and that scrapping was not for me.
1 year on and I've decided to give it another go and embarrass myself as well. My thinking is that I will share my attempts at scrapping and then see what you have to say!
Go easy on me becuase I've only completed 4 pages in my scrapping career. I'll post page 2 tomorrow.
The big question is ... am I a scrapper?

Ally
xx