Recklinghausen Musings ...: Pam

Showing posts with label Pam. Show all posts

Monday, 18 May 2015

15 loves {May 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 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 {14 loves} {here } and now all my {15 loves} {here }

Another month, another late post! But I was busy showing someone special around my little corner of the world, so I'm sure you can forgive me!

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

one

This is the special someone I was showing around! Stephanie from the Counterfeit Kit Challenge team. It was simply wonderful to meet her and her husband in person and introduce her to the delights of Germany. We took in the sights of Cologne and then went up the Rhine to take in a few Schloss!

two

On Pam's recommendation, I signed up for the Kelly Purkey Sketchbook class over at Studio Calico. I had been a little sceptical about a sketch class but once Pam showed me how the contributors layouts are also turned into sketches, thus providing you with literally dozens of new ideas, as well as seeing how inspirational Kelly is, I was sold. It's proving to be a great class so far and I've already done one or two of the sketches.

Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook class at Studio Calico

three

There are a lot of circles around at the moment and this one caught my eye. I have a fancy to make a more "messy" layout like this one. I love the colours and of course the stars.

Corrie Jones at Shimelle.com (Pinterest source here)

four

It may be because we aren't eating that many potatoes right now, but this one made my mouth water - literally. I have no idea what Asiago cheese is or if I can find it here but I will have a look around. I think I need a whole plate of these.

Asiago Potato Stacks at A Family Feast

five

Of course, the skyline caught my eye as it reminded me of NYC. And there's something about this card that is very NYC. Whatever, I love the simplicity of it and would love to have a go at something similar.

Julie Ebersole for Ellen Hutson.com

six

This cup says it all! Ha ha!

Found on GetPersonalEtc at Etsy.com

seven

It's been so much fun over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge recently with our Scrap Crush challenge and lots of inspiration from InterNational Scrapbook Day. I still love the concept of creating our own kits, adore the girls on the team and love the inspiration over there. If you've not yet counterfeited your own kit and would like to give it a try, why not head over there and get the run down on what to do and how to do it. You can also find a list of our tips for creating and using your own Counterfeit kits here

eight

I am so drawn to Sasha Farina's pages. I adore the detail, the white space, the stitching, the designs. I seem to pin them all the time even though I'm not sure that her style is something I can reproduce! Especially love this one - see, there's those circles again!

Sasha Farina for Studio Calico

nine

Suits is back. Love it. I get to actually have the TV to myself for a whole 90 minutes a week to watch the double episode for Season 4. A treat for me.

ten

Looks like the ideal t-shirt for me.

Found at AwesomeBestFriendsTs at Etsy.com

eleven

I purchased some of this October Afternoon Treasure Map paper collection at Scrapabilly - love the colours, the designs and the travel theme - there but not overwhelming. This particular page grabbed my attention on Pinterest because it was was interesting to see it used for a sports page - just goes to show how versatile it is.

Layout by Wendi at Scrappy Day in Paradise

twelve

Funny. Yes, that's me. Need to change that.

Pinterest source here

thirteen

Words to live by perhaps?

fourteen

I want to sit here, read a book, sip a cup of tea and take it all in. Some inspiration for my room.

Pinterest source here

fifteen

Asparagus season is back! I need to eat as much as I can for the next six weeks while this short season lasts. I could eat it every day. I don't, but I could :-)

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

Saturday, 14 March 2015

15 loves {February 2015}

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

Yes, another late {15 loves} post for February but I'm writing my March {15 loves} to go up on the blog tomorrow so it seemed right to get this done today, no matter how late it was :-)

one

I am not a shopper. Really, not at all. I have a very boring style in clothes and just don't enjoy going out and going through the process of picking things out, trying them on and then actually paying for them! But that doesn't stop me being inspired by things I see online! Such as this pair of shoes which I totally adore and can totally see me wearing. I won't be buying them, but if I was walking past a shop and they were in the window, I might just go in and take a look!

Available at ModCloth.com

two

I find myself drawn to Ashli Oliver's pages again and again. This one is no exception. I love it. All those layers and "messy" stuff. I think I need to hang out at her blog more often and see if I can learn some of her talent through osmosis. Just gorgeous!

Ashli Oliver at the Purple Mailbox here

three

Saw this on Pinterest and it just made me smile. I think this would make such a great little joke to send to someone. Available through Etsy but so simple to create yourself. Saving this idea for when I think it is needed!

Pinterest find here

four

One day I'll need this. Another Pinterest find but available through an online printing service. So simple, so perfect.

Available at Sun Frog Shirts here

five

This simple but effective card caught my eye - yes on Pinterest! Cards like this make me realise that I am lacking in the card making department but luckily, inspiration is out there.

Stephanie Berger at Be More Creative

six

In a nutshell... I love you! What a perfect little inspirational idea for an anniversary gift. I definitely want to try this out one day! I will have to look at what the coming anniversaries are and see if I can make a connection.

Pinterest source here

seven

We finally made it to the Museum Folkgang to see the Inspiration Japan exhibition that had been on for the previous four months on its last weekend! It was great to get back to this fantastic museum and be inspired by the incredible art they had on display. I had no idea that artists such as Monet, Gaugin or van Gogh had been so influenced by Japan and its culture. So enjoy learning more about the world of art. Came home with the book of the exhibition for a little light night-time reading (when I'm much older and greyer no doubt!)

eight

At the beginning of February, I was in full anticipation mode for my trip to NYC and of course, no {15 loves} would have been complete without something featuring the city. This art from Debbie Powell at The Art Works Inc is something that I could see myself hanging on my wall along with the other small prints and photos I've picked up. The Art Works site doesn't have any sort of print ordering service so I might have to do some more investigative work to track this down to see if it's available anywhere to order.

Debbie Power at the Art Works can be found here

nine

Citrus Twist always have such great sketches and I love to turn to them when I need a little help when I sit down to scrap. I especially love this format for all those square IG photos or even my ancient 1970s square shots.

Citrus Kits sketch from June 2014

ten

February brought LOAD of course and it was a lot of fun. Knowing that I probably wouldn't manage a full 28 layouts in 28 days due to my travels, I set a target of 20 and actually made 24 which made me very happy. A LOAD month is always a good month. It's such a super way to connect with those scrappy friends again and to get a daily dose of creativity!

eleven

We didn't celebrate Valentine's Day this year - with us both being on our travels, it seemed a little redundant, but this card is certainly something I'm saving for another time. We do this type of thing all the time - counting the number of days since XXX and then having a mini-celebration!

Available from Jenny Collier here

twelve

The countdown was running and my second adventure to NYC was now just a few hours away!

thirteen

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ocean, Pam was trying to freak me out by warning me how cold it was. She sent me this which made me giggle and I tried to reassure her that my excitement would keep me warm!

fourteen

It may not have been as cold or as snowy as New York, but after a winter of no snow whatsoever last year (winter 2013/14), I was thrilled to get some this time around. There was never very much and it never lasted very long but this last of the season snow was lovely to see.

fifteen

One to keep in mind at the end of a hard week. I know we shouldn't wish the week away but Friday is so very welcome!

Pinterest source here

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

Friday, 16 January 2015

15 loves {January 2015}

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

While January's list may be a day late, I promise to try to get them up on time in the months to come :-)

one

You might know that I'm a huge Tiffany fan. So I totally and utterly adore the Concierge of Love theme they have going on over there in the run up to Valentine's Day. Not only do the gorgeous videos feature plenty of pretty stuff, they are also full of fluttering paper hearts and other paper goodness.

Check out the Concierge of Love over at Tiffany's for some beautifully produced videos here

two

I love a good spoof and this one made me laugh out loud. I know you can relate!

three

I appreciate you might not be in love with Boxer puppies as much as me, but this Pinterest find is too much cuteness to let pass. Don't you think?

Pinterest source here

four

And if the t-shirt fits... I think I have to get one made like this - too funny

Source here

five

I think this is one of the prettiest cards I've seen in a long time. The link under the photo is to a blog post where she posts three similar versions of the same technique. I need to try this - just gorgeous.

Found at Stamp Away With Me

six

January's Scrapabilly kit was a total stunner. I know I say this every month but this one is really just super. I was sceptical about the lilacs and purple shades but I honestly can say that each layout came together like a dream. I'd buy another if I had enough snowy photos!

Scrapabilly January kit available here

seven

Yes, that's me...

Pinterest source here except I know that even on the 22nd, one is seriously a Scorpio and especially the year I was born. I've done my star chart and really, the 22nd was really Scorpio!

eight

This Instagram photo by my adopted baby, scrappy sister, Charly caught my attention right away. It's just gorgeous and seems to sum up everything I think about when I think about London. I'm hoping to get back there at some point in 2015 and I'd love to get a shot like this of my own!

nine

I saw this new paper line/company linked up on Facebook and fell in love with the "Up in the Clouds" collection right away! Click on the link below the photo to see the full range. Beautiful colours agains a bright, clean white background, a smattering of gold, pretty designs and a collection that I think belongs in my stash. Who could ask for more! I look forward to seeing more from PinkFresh Studio.

Find PinkFresh Studio and the Up in the Clouds collection here

ten

Studio Calico posted this mood board as a sneak and a hint for their Februay kit which will be revealed on 27th January. This has my name all over it. Shame I don't order stuff from the US due to the postage costs!

See the sneaks here and the mood board here

eleven

Fellow Counterfeit Kit Challenge Master Forger Stephanie, who blogs at Skyline Paperie is simply a wonderful scrapper and such a lovely person. She has a beautifully designed blog and is a far better and more regular blogger than me. I don't get over there often enough nor do I always comment but she's inspirational and creates wonderful layouts and cards. I'm sure she'd be delighted if you popped over to say hello!

twelve

The Belles are back again jingling their way through another year of Christmas card inspiration and I'm thrilled to be back on board. I've already made 4 cards for Christmas 2015. This year I WILL get ahead of the game.

Join in the Jingle Belles fun here

thirteen

I'm a member of Simple Scrapper and have to be honest that I just dip in from time to time. But I love the amount of content, inspiration and general guidance you get there as a member. There's a lot to be found over at their website for non-members too, including the Story Starters Challenge to kick-start your creativity. It's definitely worth being a part of this gentle, inspirational community and even though I'm not a very vocal or even active member of the group, I feel at home there. If you've not checked Simple Scrapper out, why not head over there and download some of the freebies to get a feel for what's on offer.