14 loves {September 2014}

Welcome to the next in the series {14 loves} for 2014 based on the original concept by my beloved friend, Pam, back in January 2013. I enjoyed sharing my loves so much through the year that I decided I needed to continue through 2014. I hope you will come back each month to see if there is anything in my list to inspire you. You can find previous posts  {here}

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

So, a late, late, late posting for a chaotic September - four months late to be honest! But I did promise to get it up before the year was up so here it is! There wasn't much time for window shopping whether in real shops or virtual and certainly not much time for pinning or doing much of anything other than packing, schlepping, unpacking and fighting against the chaos. But there were a few highlights... let's see if I can manage 14!

one

One of the last mornings driving to work from our old home. The mist on the fields is one of the things I miss. Views like this make/made me happy.

two

I fell in love with this layout and this vellum paper as soon as I saw it on my Pinterest feed. I still love it and try as I might to track down this paper on this side of the ocean, it was not to be :-(

Dreaming with Chic - Shabby Chic Crafts

three

I started new lessons at an old, familiar, friendly building over in Dortmund and was happy to be welcomed back into the "fold" by lovely, new students.

four

There wasn't much time for scrapping or sharing over the late summer but the Scrapabilly September kit (now sold out unfortunately) featuring We R Memory Keepers Indian Summer papers was a joy to work with amongst the chaos. This is a favourite layout I made with the kit featuring one of my "stolen" Instagram photos of my darling niece.

five

The next photos show a bit of an evolution of the first few days of our move - I was so inspired by the new life we were beginning #newhomenewlife

First up, the keys to our new home. 

six

What would, in time, become my scrapbook haven.

seven

The very first night. Candles, music, and just being there.

eight

There might even have been champagne involved!

nine

The new neighbourhood.

ten

Our view over the "park".

eleven

The new city skyline.

twelve

I wish I could achieve something as stylish and calming as this pin. The colours are beautiful and the room would certainly make me happy. But there's nowhere for my scrap stash!

Pinterest source here

thirteen

Of course, there was a little shopping at Scrapabilly along the way, stocking up on the gold twine and doily vellum that is a must in my stash. I think I must have bought 6 rolls of this twine so far and as soon as the gold doilies start getting used up, I simply must buy more.

fourteen

And just because this pin spoke out to me. 

Pinterest source here

I’d love you to share your own {14 loves} lists with me. Why not link up in the comments below?

{14 loves} is a series that will feature on my blog each 14th of the month

14 loves {November 2014}

Welcome to the next in the series {14 loves} for 2014 based on the original concept by my beloved friend, Pam, back in January 2013. I enjoyed sharing my loves so much through the year that I decided I needed to continue through 2014. I hope you will come back each month to see if there is anything in my list to inspire you. You can find previous posts  {here}

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

Another busy month, another late posting. But I'm trying to keep up and that's the main thing. September's {14 loves} is still in the works. It WILL come before the end of the year I promise!

one

I saw this layout on Pinterest from Studio Calico (see here) and knew right away that I had to find the supplier for the gorgeous constellation paper. I tracked it down to Studio Tekturek in Poland and ordered the full collection pack as well as the matching flair buttons. The paper is glossy, thick paper so I'm not 100% sure how it will work with my style of scrapping but man, I love the designs! I had to navigate the shop in Polish but their customer service was great and they kindly communicated with me in English! I'll let you know how the collection works when I've cut into that precious paper. Oh yes, and it was SO reasonably priced too, even with the international postage.

Studio Tekturek One Way Ticket collection

two

This year marks 100 years since the start of WWI and a particularly moving Remembrance Day. It's not so easy for me to commemorate this memorial day living where I do, but my best friend sent me a whole set of photos of the incredible ceramic poppy installation at the Tower of London and my very good, blogging friend and fellow Master Forger, Lesley sent me a special anniversary poppy pin which I wore with pride. 

three

This pile of empty packing boxes were the LAST to be unpacked. I'm not saying there's not still a whole lot of chaos going on round here but there are no more boxes at least. 

four

This is the evening we "found" our new home under the debris. Makes me happy.

five

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the Weihnachtsmarkt is a coming. It will be opening this week but the preparations of our (new) local market makes me happy each and every year. The Essen Weihnachtsmarkt has always been one of my favourites and I'm thrilled to be able to experience it up close this time around.

six

This pin from the Gossamer Blue team really inspires me. I think I need to make this layout. Isn't is a stunner?

Pinterest source here

seven

The red cups are back. Need I say more?

eight

I had to get my grubby little hands on these Pebbles candy cane beauties as soon as I saw them in the Scrapabilly shop! They are just delightful and can be found here.

nine

I have been monitoring the supply of these Studio Calico vellum sheets in the Scrapabilly shop since I discovered that I could use on them practically any layout I wanted. The last time I counted Sylvia still had five. Then last week, she was down to four! That was the sign for me that I had to buy all of them :-) I think they'll work really well with the Studio Tekturek papers, don't you?

ten

I love vellum pockets and was happy to have the chance to put one to good use to hold a handful of confetti on this wedding layout. I love it when a technique works over and over again. 

eleven

October was of course LOAD2014. This Scrap Happy member-only month of daily inspiration was fantastic as always! Leslie and Lynnette did a great job with 31 School Days based prompts and I followed most of them. In total, I managed 34 layouts in 31 days which was fabulous and filled me with creative fulfilment! My layout pile made me smile and of course, featured on my final layout of the month.

twelve

We have lights! It's taken a while to get around to the little jobs around the new flat, but in the last few days, we have light in all but one of the rooms. It really helps with these dark evenings.

thirteen

As part of LOAD1014, there was a special offer for A Flair for Buttons. I love this shop! Lots and lots of the most gorgeous buttons and you can even mix and match flair from different collections to make up your own selection. Of course, I couldn't possibly pass up on the whole NYC collection. It will go into my mini-kit that is currently under construction for when I finally get hold of my NYC photos off my back-up drive.

fourteen

Our new local café and ice-cream parlour (La Luna) serves delicious caffe latte with a teeny tiny ice-cream cone! Worth the extra pennies from time to time for a treat!

All in all, a pretty good month, don't you think? Full of inspiration and little bits and pieces to enjoy and bring a smile to my face. What have you been loving this month?

I’d love you to share your own {14 loves} lists with me. Why not link up in the comments below?

{14 loves} is a series that will feature on my blog each 14th of the month