HAPPY NEW YEAR

I only managed this one page yesterday which is not the greatest I've done so far, but it tells the story of the day. The patterned paper and the letter stickers are American Crafts from a kit I got from QVC last year, the other stickers are 7 Gypsies and the chipboard from is Lisa Bearson. I've coloured the frame with a Colorbox inkpad and I've then embossed it with clear embossing powder, it looks gorgeous in real life and the colour matched the paper perfectly.

So, it's New Years Eve, I am off to work, which I can guarantee will be busy, but nevermind. So 'HAPPY NEW YEAR' to you all and here's to the next 12 months, let's hope it's a good one.

Christmas Day Page

Considering I call myself a scrapbooker I took a dismal amount of photographs on Christmas Day and Boxing Day! I've used the best photographs on this page below for my Journal. I printed the photos out 6 x 4 and then realised they wouldn't fit on the page as I had originally thought (doh!) so I had to get a bit inventive. I eventually came up with a flap that opened to reveal all of the photos in one go. I've used MME patterned paper and journalling block and some stickers. The lettering is Quickutz and I've now added the dot to the 'i'! So today is my last day to get caught up and it is so not going to happen. I've three pages still outstanding, and that's not including today's prompt. I also need to make a decision on my title page and the inside of my front and back covers. I'm at work tonight and I also have a large pile of ironing to do at some point today and as Rich is off paintballing I'll need to try and persuade the kids that an afternoon of TV watching is a good idea, so that I can have a little rest.

I am going to try and get at least one page done today, maybe two at the most! Wish me luck!

And Some More!

This page just fell together! I took these photographs on Christmas night after I finished work, not knowing about the sleep prompt. so when that came through I knew I had to use them. The papers and stickers are Bo Bunny, bottle tops are Dovecraft and the ribbon is Doddlebug. I love this page.


A fairly simpel page for the stocking prompt. I've used a colouring in stocking from the internet and used it as a template. I've used Crate Paper and Bazzill Bling on here. I might add a few buttons to this page aswell to tie it in to the page opposite which has the same papers on. I've also used my new scalloped circle and mini tag punch on here!



I still have three day's worth of prompts to do, so tonight I am going to do Christmas Day and Boxing Day and they really will be very simple pages. That will leave me with two outstanding pages tomorrow aswell as today's which was to do a title page - that can wait for now so I am not counting that!

More Journal Pages

Day 21 of my Journal - I used another Lisa Bearnson card as I think they work well with the 'kraft' look of my book and I didn't want the photos on show! I've added a Quickutz tag to the top of the card and some patterned paper and Revolution letters.


Inside the card I've put three photos and the journalling!



Day 17, I struggled with this prompt (I am saying that alot!) as I also struggled with presents this year - so eventually I thought well just write about that, so I have! The lettering is Revolution and the presents are Quickutz aswell.

I've also decided on another page so I am going to get that done this morning before doing today's prompt. I've decided I really need to do the 'day's' prompt aswell as trying to catch up!

Rudolph and Eve's

I had no idea what to do for the prompt 'Unexpected' so decided in the end to go with 'Rudolph' and our unplanned trip to Whitworth Hall before Christmas. The photos weren't great so probably wouldn't have been scrapped otherwise, so it's nice to have a record of the visit. The pages I am doing now are very simple as I am really struggling to catch up now. Today was planned as a PJ day and for me to get caught up on my journal, but I guess the last few days have caught up with me and the fact I am still struggling with a cold has meant I only managed to get two pages done. I might still manage to get at least another one done tonight before bed, maybe two if they are really simple pages.

This is my other page for today, I went with what our day was like as I feel I have already covered my love of Christmas throughout the journal. I also really needed to get these photographs in my journal!


I am really struggling with the prompt for today and would like to give that some thought before I do that page. I kind of feel a little sad that eventually this journal will come to an end but I am also pleased to have such a lovely record of this year's festivities. It's also made me think alot more about next year's Christmas and I may well include a page at the end that I can take out to write some reflective thoughts for next year - nothing serious just things like being more organised with cards and presents etc. I may even do a Christmas Planner with my left over stash from this project, but we'll see!

All Over and Catching Up Again!

What can I say, the day itself was lovely. The kids were pleased with everything they got, the dinner was lovely and I had to go to work! Boxing day was a good day too. We spent most of the day at my parents house and played on my Dad's Wii, we really have to get one of them when they come back into the shops. Even the kids could kind of do it, Imogen was particularly good at the golf! Today we have celebrated Rich's birthday, with a trip to the sales! No Wii's to be had anywhere but it was fun trying! I spent obscene amounts in Paperchase (what is it about stationary?) and just a few other little bits and pieces, including new car seats for my car and new books for the kids.

Well, the journal, I am so behind now, but I really want to try and get caught up. I've managed to get two outstanding pages done this morning before we went out. Tomorrow I have no real plans for the day, and as we have been out for most of the day for the last two days I think we will stay in tomorrow, have a PJ day and that might give me chance to do some serious catching up. I think as of tomorrow I will be nine pages behind. So here is the plan, to be caught up before the new year!

So here are my pages for today.....



A fairly simple one for my 'thankful' page, Sandylion papers and photo turns and Revolution lettering done with Bazzill Bling. Ironically, this goes next to my 'visitors' page, which uses the same papers and lettering! I hadn't realised until I put this page in my book tonight! They look really nice next to each other!



And here we have 'Christmas Dinner', which has to be my most favourite meal of the year! Those of you who are really observant will notice the date is the same as my 'letter to Santa' page - there is a reason for this - I made a mistake and punched holes in the wrong side of that page so I have had to juggle the pages around just a teeny bit to save me having to do the whole thing again. Anyway, that photo was my real Christmas dinner, it was gorgeous and I can't take any credit for it, my lovely husband Rich did it all. All I have done on this page is added a few inked Basic Grey circles down one side, and used some of the letter stickers for the title. One thing I have to give this journal real credit for is learning me to enjoy using my own handwriting. It is so much quicker if nothing else!

t'was the night before Christmas!

I've not managed to get any more of my journal done as I have been at work for two night shifts, and this afternoon has been spent doing some of those things on my to do list! Nearly all done now, just a little bit of washing to sort out and the parcels to wrap. George and Imogen had a nice bath tonight and while they were splashing around the elves came and delivered two presents each for them. They both got a new book each and a pair of pyjamas. This photo shows them putting out the carrot for Rudolph and mince pie and pop for Santa!

Here they are standing upstairs, with their stockings hung up ready for Santa, they have been hung downstairs but we have moved them upstairs tonight so they can open their stockings before we go downstairs in the morning.

We've also been tracking Santa here which the kids have really enjoyed and have kept running to see where he is next. I don't think they really get the concept of the 'world' and time zones but they have still enjoyed it.



I hope wherever you are in the world that all your preparations are coming together and that your Christmas Eve is as magical as ours. Good Night!

Still to do again!

Managed to get today's prompt done today too! I thought it was quite a good one as I have been meaning to do a to do list for the last few jobs. So here's my to do list from today.


I've used a Lisa Bearson card for this page, some 7 Gypsies tape and some Quickutx Revolution lettering. I've then covered a piece of card with some normal lined paper to put my list on. The card is a tag card any way so I've just tucked the list in the pocket. The biggest mistake I've made on this page is the title is the same as another day, but never mind!

Deer Santa

I am so behind with my Christmas Journal now, what with work and shopping and all the other stuff going on I have really fallen behind. I managed to get a page done this morning, as I am not sleeping too well at the moment and I have been awake since 3.00 am.

The lettering and photo corners are Revolution die cuts, the envelope is homemade using an Anna Griffin template, the journalling is done on a MME tag and the sticker of Santa is Sandylion. The white looks really stark on the scan but in real life it's not so bright!

We had a ride out yesterday to Whitworth Hall to see these special guys, they are so tame and will come right up to you. I had planned on buying food for them at the pub but it was closed so we will have to go back another time. We didn't see Rudolph, but we figured he might be sleeping ready for the big night!

Visitors

Another one done!

Sandylion papers and stickers, Bazzill Bling cardstock and ribbon from my stash!

Catching Up!

I am playing catch up with my journal at the moment! I've now only today's prompt and the Christmas Past one to do. I am hoping to get them done today, fingers crossed.

Up above you can see my page for the 13th of December, I have used loads of different supplies on here and a little bit of typed journalling. I love the way this page turned out!

And down below is my page for 14th of December, lots of Quickutz die cutting on this one and MME paper and die cut bird. The journalling inside the tag reads

'I just love Christmas music. Christmas tunes on the radio, in the car are the best. Children singing Christmas Carols make me very emotional.'



Hopefully I will be back later with some more pages.

Oh and it's my birthday today!

A Christmas Wish

No page for today's prompt unfortunately as I am at work for a few night shifts, instead here's a card I made for a good friend of mine. I pinched the idea from a card I had seen on the Quickutz website - I love a browse on there at all the stuff they have in their gallery - some of it's very inventive.

Tree Ornaments

Another page for my journal - day 11 now! Today's prompt is Christmas Trees. I've really struggled to get a decent photo of the whole tree this year so instead I have concentrated on some of our ornaments. I love to buy a few new ones each year so that eventually the tree will be covered in special one off ornaments instead of loads of baubles that all look the same. As you can tell from the different baubles ornaments you can see I don't do the co-ordinated tree! In fact I can't think of anything worse than a tree decorated to suit out decor or all in one colour. Ours is just a riot of colour full of interesting things to look at.

The page has nine photographs on altogether and the piece of Basic Grey lifts up to reveal the rest of the photographs and will eventually have some journalling under there. I have run out of time unfortunately to finish my page off. I am off to work tonight and I am doing three night shifts altogether so I am going to fall behind on my journal. Fingers crossed I can catch up on Friday and Saturday before starting my next lot of nights next week!

Wrap

Here's today's prompt about gift wrapping - not something I am big on but would like to be.

The presents are made from wrapping paper with ribbons from my stash tied round and the tag tucks into the ribbon on the smaller present. The lettering is Chip Chatter chipboard letters with a couple of ribbon embellishments and finally a parcel cut from some patterned paper.

The journalling reads

I don’t make a big deal

about wrapping gifts

but we have to make

sure ‘Santa’ has

special paper not seen

by the kids.

Traditions

I had tried to get my page done last night after we got back from my Mum and Dad's but we ended up watching a film instead. I got bits of it done but not all as I couldn't stop watching the TV! The two big tags lift out of the pocket - one with old traditions on and the other has new traditions on. I am sure as time goes on I will remember more traditions so I have left plenty of space to add more journalling.


Some obscure supplies for this one too! Papercraft4you paper (from QVC!) and also some stickers (Mrs Grossman, again from QVC!). I've also used some brown paper, which I desperately need some more of, some Doddlebug rub-ons, a Quickutz stocking and some red Bazzill cardstock. I've also finally used one of my Doddlebug Gingerbread men buttons - how cute is he?

I got some new book rings for my book and I am now much happier that it will all fit! They are two inch rings and seem way bigger than the one and half inch rings I was using before. I got them from Sarah's Cards and they work out at 41 pence each, including the post and packaging.

We are having another home day today, George is still not quite well enough to go to school, so rather than doing some Christmas shopping like I had planned we are doing housework! Later on, we might hit Sainsbury's and the craft shop for a few supplies, but other than that it's going to be a nice easy day at home.

Will be back later with today's page.

Christmas Sights

I am all upto date now and ready for the next prompt tomorrow. I wasn't too keen on today's prompt and really struggled with what to put on the page in term's of photographs. I didn't have any that I could already use and the weather hasn't been great today (even tried to snow at one point) so I didn't want to go out and about with my camera. So in the end I settled for a dodgy photo of our tree and one of my new tree decorations.


I love the finished page, the papers are Sandylion, as are all the stickers and embellishments, the only other thing I've added are some Revolution letters.

Elizabeth asked me a question about my previous page - the trees are from Blonde Moments papers.

Thanks to everyone who is visiting my blog at the moment - it's never been so busy! It's lovely to think people are taking the time to leave such nice comments about my work and although that's not why I am doing this journal it's a really to share this experience with so many people from around the world. Thanks!

Still to do

Not a very elaborate page - nor is it very good in my opinion - but it's done! I really don't want to get behind and still have today's prompt to do yet.

Updated Advent Photo

My lovely other half got me some ink today so I've printed my photo out and stuck it down - it looks a little less bare now!

Christmas Memories

Have put my head down and got on with my page today. It's about Christmas memories, good and bad.


Supplies for the page include MME paper, Bazzill Bling cardstock, Revolution die cut lettering, library pockets and photo corners, Basic Grey buttons, ribbons from my stash and a Sandylion sticker.

The journalling in the 'naughty' pocket reads

One Christmas that sticks out in my mind was probably 10 years ago now. I always used to go down the town on Christmas Eve with my friends and we always had a really good night out. Not too much to drink and just a bit of a laugh. I used to meet up with my brother, Gavin and we would get the last bus home together and make turkey sandwiches to eat before going off to bed. The year that I remember was no different except something happened that night to get me really upset and it ended my friendships with people I had known for a long time. I don’t even know now what got me so upset – all I can remember is the tears. It really spoiled Christmas for me that year. Not long after that I met my husband and so new traditions for Christmas began!

And the journalling in the 'nice' pocket reads

I don’t have any bad or unhappy memories from my childhood Christmases, I can only remember nice things. I was always the first to wake up and no-one was allowed to go downstairs without everyone else being there. As a family of six it sometimes took some time to get everyone up and ready to go! I can remember having stockings, not posh ones just the biggest sock you could find, with money in the toes and a tangerine! Santa never wrapped our presents, they were always just there on the chair or the settee and the morning was taken up with play and fun. As I got older the memories from Christmas change and although I can still remember the excitement the magic is not the same. For a while Christmas Day seemed very flat, especially once I reached my late teens/early twenties. I preferred the build-up to the day and the day itself seemed a little bit of a letdown. Now Christmas is all exciting again, as we have children of our own who have put the magic back into Christmas. Now the fun is in their excitement and their anticipation of the day and it makes me realise how special Christmas is for the little ones in our life.

I've really enjoyed this page and I am really pleased with how it has turned out. I think I am a very traditional red and green kinda girl when it comes to Christmas!

I am starting to get a bit worried about whether my book rings for my book are big enough. I put the holes about three quarters of an inch in from the edge and I really wish I had put them alot closer to the edge now. I am just wondering if you can get much bigger book rings thanwhat I have! I think at the rate I am going I will need three inch ones!

Advent

It took me ages to decide what to do for this page - even though I have the perfect subject! I just couldn't decide on a layout to follow. Eventually, it all fell into in place and this is my page for today.


I still don't have any ink in my printer, so my photo will have to wait for now, but it will be a photo of my 'sleeps until Santa' calender, which you can see here. I will change the number though, so it matches the date!



Supplies used for my page are Basic Grey Figgy Pudding papers, Chip-Chatter chipboard letters, MME journalling card, Basic Grey buttons and finally a Sandylion sticker.

Dream - Perfect!

There is not much to this page - Basic Grey Fruitcake paper, Bazzill cardstock, Revolution die cut, Quickutz lettering, machine stitching and hand written journalling.

Perfection

Perfection would be to not have to go to work so I could get my journal pages done!

I had hoped to get started at least tonight, but, I am too tired! I have made notes though and done a little sketch so it should all fall into place easily tomorrow. I will need to go to the shops tomorrow though and get some ink for my printer though!

Back tomorrow with two pages hopefully!

First Class!

Page three - Christmas cards. I've still got the journalling to do inside the big card but the decorative bit is all finished!


Okay, here's the details, the big card is from the Lisa Bearnson Christmas card box, letter stickers are Sue Dreamer, stamp from Dovecraft, papers are American Craft and Papercraft 4You and I've made a postage stamp with my new scalloped punch.

Inside the big card, I plan to do some journalling about my Christmas cards and my Christmas card list.

In the meadow we can build a snowman

I got home from work about 9.30 pm last night and started working on this almost straight away! I really don't want to fall behind right at the start do I?



So here's the details - the papers and chipboard letters are KI Memories, the blue lettering is Quickutz, snowflake buttons with some fine organza ribbon through the holes, a Quickutz snowflake cut from glittery paper with a gem in the centre and finally the journalling is done on Safmat.

I'm all ready looking forward to the next prompt and will be back later on to share!

Working Today

I know, I know! How can I possibly go to work when there is a Christmas Journal to do?

So anyway, I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who stopped by yesterday to see my manifesto page and especially to those of you who left such lovely comments.

I will be back on Monday, hopefully with two pages to share! In the meantime.....

First Christmas Journal Page - Manifesto

Well, her it is, the first page. I've ao been looking forward to this class and so I was very excited when the prompt finally landed. I spent a little bit of time thinking about it and then got on and created this.


The papers are Crate Papers, the title is done with 'zoe' Quickutz alphabet, journalling strips done on the PC (not ready to hand write anything just yet!), stitching on my sewing machine and finally deep red brads.