15 loves {December 2015}

Welcome to the next in the series {15 loves} for 2015 based on the original concept by my beloved friend, Pam, back in January 2013. I shared my loves (mostly late) all through 2013 & 2014 and now it's time to see if I can continue the series through 2015. I hope you will come back each month to see if there is anything in my list to inspire you. You can see all my {13 loves} {here}, my {14 loves} {here} and now all my {15 loves} {here}

I hope there's something in here to inspire you or maybe just make you smile.

one

I made this layout last month for a Counterfeit Kit Challenge using my November Remembrance kit about waiting for my new niece. We are STILL waiting - she's officially dawdling now! - but I'm so happy to capture these sweet photos on my page. This is really such a great kit to use - love the mix of colours. See my reveal here.

two

I need to make my own little confetti heart - I adore this. 

Pinterest find here

three

This hobby has connected me to many wonderful people around the world and a particularly special one is Sherrie over at Sherrie's Muddle Puddle. Look at this wonderful parcel of goodies she sent me - complete with its matching Whimsical Musings prompt! And yes, it certainly rattled. Full of great products, this brought a real smile to my face.

four

I dream of having a little corner like this for myself.

Pinterest find here

five

As part of a new series over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge, I offered up a failed layout to the team for constructive criticism and was delighted to turn that fail into two new layouts. This one uses the original base papers and I now adore it. I especially love that it records my part of the Scrapabilly Advent gift swap - another year of wonderfully crafty presents.

six

I created my own Advent candle display this year using some on-trend copper coloured wire and Cameo cut copper foil cardstock. Simple and provides exactly the right amount of Advent feeling.

seven

Always on the lookout for new ways to cook one of my favourite veggies - Brussel Sprouts. This recipe looks gorgeous and I might test it out.

Recipe found at Two Peas & Their Pod

eight

It's Christmas Market time again. Love it. Love how pretty the lights are here in Essen. Visits have been made and local food consumed and at least one or two Glühweins drunk!

nine

My obsession with NYC hasn't waned. This photo caught my eye - wish I could take photos like this...

Pinterest find here

ten

Pretty gift wrap is something I always want to do but then the time runs out and I just go for my usual. But this is very much me. Would my family think me ever so slightly mad if attached a gold fern leaf to their gift? Probably, but it would be oh so pretty.

Pinterest find here

eleven

It was my birthday and I got a new winter hat to match the snood I received last year. My sister is an awesome crocheter and I love the set. I also received pink stars for my tree and an oversized sage green tree and star that are hanging in my room. She is truly talented and self-taught. So proud of her.

twelve

Talking of birthdays, I got some fantastic presents. It was truly quite a haul this year and I am very blessed to have wonderful family and friends that give me such thoughtful gifts. This was a good birthday. 

thirteen

Love this even if I'm not going to make an Elf layout. But the die cut shaker element and the cluster of dies in the corner are just great. This collection is calling me. I'm not sure if I can resist...

Pinkfresh Studio's Instagram 

fourteen

My tree - it took a long time and there were a few bumps along the way but it's done and it's pretty and I'm very happy with it. The next three weeks are all about the pretty. 

fifteen

Love seeing this 2003 star hanging on the tree. This is the year we got married and we just passed 12 years. Happy times.

I’d love you to share your own {15 loves} lists with me. Why not link up in the comments below?

{15 loves} is a series that will feature on my blog each 15th of the month

15 loves {November 2015}

Welcome to the next in the series {15 loves} for 2015 based on the original concept by my beloved friend, Pam, back in January 2013. I shared my loves (mostly late) all through 2013 & 2014 and now it's time to see if I can continue the series through 2015. I hope you will come back each month to see if there is anything in my list to inspire you. You can see all my {13 loves} {here}, my {14 loves} {here} and now all my {15 loves} {here}

I hope there's something in here to inspire you or maybe just make you smile.

one

I had a little excursion all the way south to Munich, Bavaria. It was a lot of fun to have some time to explore the city and see the famous sights. I ticked nearly everything off the list I'd planned to see - Asam Kirche, Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, the Royal Residence, Hofbräuhaus and so much more and added in quite a lot of things I hadn't planned such as a fabulous Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition at the Kunsthalle and the St Peter's tower which gave me a wonderful view across the city. It's a really beautiful place to visit and a trip during the summer is now on the cards for sometime in the future. Still so much to see.

two

The reason for my trip down there was to attend a topic book-binding workshop hosted by Scrappies and run by the very sweet and lovely Paige Evans. And even though I'm not so keen on this photo of me, it's a great reminder of my fun day. And I got to make a new friend - *waves* to Glenda!

Here's Paige's recap of the day - need to do that but I don't have so many photos because I was concentrating on my book!

three

Here are our books. I love mine (the aqua one of course!) and will definitely be trying this technique again. Such fun.

four

This purse doesn't seem to be available any more but I love it still. What a lovely design and colour. And it reminds me of Pam. *sigh*

five

Gorgeous colour and layout. Super mirror and such a comfy looking bed. I'd love to have enough space in my bedroom for an armchair in the corner. I guess I'll have to keep dreaming.

Found through Pinterest at the BudgetDecorator.com

six

I think these look so super cute and very festive. I just know that I don't have the time, skill or patience to make these but I wish I could!

Found on the Anyone Can Decorate blog

seven

After pinning all three of the images above, I realised there was a definite colour palette going on with the mint, cream and dark brown. So it was appropriate to also notice this Design Seeds scheme tucked into my Pinterest board too. Not deliberate but definitely something that seems to have subconsciously got my attention.

Design Seeds board here

eight

It's been an absolutely fabulous autumn which has brought a smile to my face each and every day. With colours like this and blue skies and sunshine, how could I not feel happy. My favourite time of the year. 

nine

I received a surprise in the post in the form of this gorgeous, hand-made basket using recycled material. A gift from Pam's wonderful grandmother and something I will treasure forever!

ten

Couldn't resist pinning this gorgeous layout - well, you knew I would didn't you with all those constellations featured! I think this is so scraplift worthy.... Just beautiful.

Find the layout here at the abcdeli blog

eleven

It's soup season and this one is now on my list to give a try. It looks and sounds delicious. I wonder if I can track down the pearl couscous it calls for (which I've never heard of!)

Found at A Spicy Perspective here

twelve

Even though it's not really been cold enough, we decided to welcome the run up to Christmas with a Feuerzangenbowle which is an incredibly delicious type of Glühwein. Much stronger and far more tasty. I have someone who makes quite the show with the flames and it's the best I've had in the years I've lived here. The headache the following morning is so worth it!

thirteen

The November Scrapabilly kit is full of Pink Paislee Cedar Lane papers and embellishments which was so gorgeous to use. There were so many wonderful layouts by the Pink Paislee design team online that I think that several of my layouts are no doubt indirectly inspired by them. This one especially, I suspect. But it's my favourite of the six I made and I'm happy to have recorded the story behind our mini-harvest! I love my Cameo.

Find the November Scrapabilly kit here

fourteen

I don't do it every year but I dressed up for Halloween this time. It was a fun evening and I was happy I'd made the effort. The allergic eye reaction the next day wasn't so much fun perhaps but all in all, worth it!

fifteen

Taking a moment to think about the tragic loss of life over the last few days. First Beruit and then Paris. I've had many happy times in Paris and love the city. Making me thankful for my life.

I’d love you to share your own {15 loves} lists with me. Why not link up in the comments below?

{15 loves} is a series that will feature on my blog each 15th of the month

15 loves {October 2015}

Welcome to the next in the series {15 loves} for 2015 based on the original concept by my beloved friend, Pam, back in January 2013. I shared my loves (mostly late) all through 2013 & 2014 and now it's time to see if I can continue the series through 2015. I hope you will come back each month to see if there is anything in my list to inspire you. You can see all my {13 loves} {here}, my {14 loves} {here} and now all my {15 loves} {here}

I hope there's something in here to inspire you or maybe just make you smile.

one

I saw this colour featured on S's blog and fell in love. 

Essie here

two

I *might* have picked up one or two items from this collection. Well, it would have been rude not to.

Pink Paislee Memorandum

three

I must have saved this from Pinterest or FB and didn't save the original link. But anyway, it's kind of cute! Adding to my flamingo collection.

American Crafts

four

Every. Single. Week.

five

We've turned into Downton fiends. Now onto series 4 and can't believe it will come to an end :-(

six

September was successful with daily photos and now i just have to make up my Learning Something New Every Day mini album (Shimelle's class)! I hope to get it done by the end of October but I really enjoyed having a photographic focus to the month. I need to do that again. 

seven

I'm still so very inspired by Ashli Oliver. Another gorgeous layout seen on Pinterest.

Ashli Oliver at Cocoa Daisy here

eight

True, so true

American Crafts

nine

This gorgeous girl is, well, just gorgeous!

ten

Now, doesn't this look delicous? Vodka, pear, lavender lemonade.

Recipe found here

eleven

Autumn is here and it makes me happy, every single day

twelve

I love maps. This is just gorgeous. Found on Pinterest and instantly saved.

Story by Modcloth here

thirteen

Gorgeous Tiffany inspired printables. I'm not sure if I'd use them but they sure are cute.

Found on Etsy - Little Surprise Shop here

fourteen

Suitable for a very civilised cocktail hour which I keep saying we need, this bar cart might be a bit out of my price range but it's so gorgeous that I obviously need to track down something similar!

At Furbish Studio here

fifteen

The BBC adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, a classic version for sure, celebrated its 20th Jubilee recently and I even made it into a Whimsical Musings prompt. There's a great article about it on the BBC website. And the Colin Firth lake swimming scene still sets my heart racing.

I’d love you to share your own {15 loves} lists with me. Why not link up in the comments below?

{15 loves} is a series that will feature on my blog each 15th of the month