Winner!

Back on 1st April, as part of the Counterfeit Kit Challenge April kit reveal, we were asked to share three random facts about ourselves - two of which were true and one was not. We asked our readers to guess which of the three statements was false and then those who guessed on each of the Master Forgers' blogs (whether you were right or not!) would be put into a hat for a prize draw at the Counterfeit blog. The winner will be announced over there today so make sure you check it out to see if you won!

However, at the same time, I announced a draw here too for anyone who guessed correctly.

Now, to remind you of my three strange facts:

1. I have lived in three different countries
2. I’m scared of counting myself to sleep
3. In school, I wanted to change my name to Portia Le Bon

Let me help you see which one is true...

Here is a layout I made in early Whimsical Musings days for a prompt about Scary explaining how I'm scared of numbers, and especially of counting! Strange but true and the result of a recurring nightmare as a child. The process of counting really freaks me out and there is no way I can count myself to sleep! 

And here is another Whimsical Musings layout for a prompt about names. And yes, I really DID want to change my name to Portia Le Bon! Portia came from The Merchant of Venice which we were reading at that time and it sounded so glamourous to me - much more than my own "boring" name. And as every teenager has a major popstar crush, I was in love with Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran and was determined that if only he could meet me, then he would fall in love with me and we'd get married! Ah the stupidity of youth. Makes me laugh now. As well as cringe a little with embarrassment!

And as for countries I've lived in: I come from the UK and have also lived in France (1986-1987), The Philippines (1997-1998) and now Germany (since 2001) making four in total not three.

Which means that the most normal sounding item on my list is actually false and the two totally bizarre sounding snippets are in fact true!

Only three of the 25 commenters guessed that #1 was my false fact.

So, congratulations to fellow Master Forger, Leslie! My little giveaway will be on its way across the ocean to you shortly!

And.... my bestie Pam pointed out that my false fact was a little misleading as, if I've actually lived in a total of 4 countries, then I have, in fact, lived in 3 as well! :-)

So, to be fair, I put a second, small prize together with some items from my stash and put all the 16 names of commenters who made guesses into another draw and pulled a second name...

Another congratulations to Sherrie! Watch your postbox for a little something from me too.

For everyone who commented, thanks, it's always wonderful to hear from you so please keep coming back. And don't forget to head over to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog to see if you're the lucky winner there.

Prize draw reminder! Last day....

Just a reminder that today is the last day to join in on the Counterfeit Kit Challenge April Fool's Day prize draw, which was featured on the team's blogs on our April kit reveal.

You can go to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog post here for all the details. You needed to comment on each of the Master Forgers' kit reveal posts with your guess about our false fact :-) Each comment gives you one entry in the draw.

In addition, I am also giving away a small prize and I will draw a name out of the hat for anyone who has guessed my little white lie correctly!

You can find my kit reveal post here and my three random facts.

This is a sneak peek of my prize.

Winning names will be announced on Friday, 18th! Good luck :-)

9 happy memories

I adore making elaborate layouts full of layers, distressing, clusters and just a couple of photos. All artistic and time consuming. These are my most favourite types to spend time on and the end results never fail to please me.

But sometimes, I get the need to make something a bit simpler and to use loads of photos all at once. And the end results never fail to please me too!

I decided I wanted to attack the fabric Love Elsie paper I had in my Departing Summer kit as well as to use up several of the paper trims that are so ancient that no two strips are the same colour. But what to do with them?

Then I thought about the Heidi Swapp journalling spots I'd included that feature days of the week and I thought that would be a fun easy way to write some notes about photos that span a few days - of a trip for example. Grabbing my storage binder that was closest to hand, I found the dozens and dozens of photos from the 2008 trip of the Chances to Germany and the layout came together.

I added in a second sheet of blue cardstock so that I could do a double spread and got to work chopping up the papers - the single sheet of Chatterbox was cut in half and both parts used, and the fabric paper was cut into strips and edged with pinking shears just to add some detail, using up half the sheet which in itself felt like an achievement. The paper strips were next. I found a couple that were almost the same shade of faded and two others that I glimmer misted on top and then a last two which I glimmer misted on the back. You'd never know that these trims were originally pea green. Layering everything up gave me a base for my photos.

Counterfeit Kit Challenge layout #2 using Departing Summer kit

I managed to fit on 9 in total, all of which started off as standard 4x6 prints and I cut them all down to 4x4. The journalling spots helped to tell a brief story about each of the three days (will definitely be doing that again) and I even decided to use two of the photo corners to pick up a bit more of the pink from the spots. The biggest problem I have with these types of layouts is the lack of embellishment so I was determined to find a little corner for something and the die cuts seemed ideal, glimmer misted to match the other blue tones, scattered across the two pages.

 I left one of the blocks empty to fill with some sort of embellishment but when I saw the bling frame in my kit (another item I'd never had an idea about how to use) I knew it would be perfect there and the idea of filling it with the title came to mind. (I added in the smaller alphas from my stash.)

Sometimes, these older products just need a different thought process to make them "work" for you.

Don't forget to enter my anniversary giveaway by commenting on this comment (here) - it's open until the end of the month but there's no time like the present to enter!

Delightful

Scrapbooking has had several unexpected side-effects, all of which are wonderful - time for me, therapy, artistic outlet etc - but the best part of all is the friends I have made, friendships I've strengthened or relationships I've rediscovered. We may be different characters, or live in different parts of the world, or have different lifestyles but our love for this hobby has brought us together.

You all know who you are ;-)

Sisters, friends from the Bromsgrove crop, my BPC buddies, fellow LOADsters, Forgers from the Counterfeit site, card-making Belles, my very own "Whimsical Muse", blogosphere friends or friends from my life before scrapbooking. This is such a wonderful side effect of it all and I'd just like to say how lovely it is to have you all in my life - whether that be my real life or my virtual one. :-)

I value these friendships that I have made, kept or rediscovered over the last years.

And when you have creative friends, that means that they are creative in everything they do. And that equals creative gifts.

So, as part of this friendship appreciation, I'd just like to say another huge thank you to two special people who surprised and delighted me with their kind, thoughtful, unexpected gifts earlier this year.

Both of them are in pride on place in my scrap room, where I seem to spend so many hours these days, right alongside some very special items and of course this gorgeous frame from a very special friend (and sister!) .

First, I was delighted and surprised as well as a bit overwhelmed to receive a second simply gorgeous piece of canvas art in the post from my very special blog friend Junelle all the way from Utah. Her signature sheep with the heart nose had won my heart from the first time I saw one and now I had one of my own. I was moved at her thoughtfulness.

And then my (through scrapping) rediscovered school friend Sarah gave me the most sweet thoughtful present of a mound of Cadbury's chocolate ;-) when I last saw her as well as a sweet and pretty "She Art" canvas which I simply adore. The quote is perfect and one for me to remember. When I read it, I try to remember to smile more for the rest of the day. The pink and the blue with the map background is so me!

Anyway, I just felt the need to share the luck and good fortune I have with my friends.

And just to spread the love a little, I'm using this post to announce a giveaway. It's 5 years this month since I started the blog - well the first real post anyway - and I think this is something to celebrate. 

So help me celebrate and leave me a comment here on this post. I'll leave the draw open until the end of the month and then draw a name at random for a little prize!

Happy Mail

Look what arrived in the post for me on Saturday...

I won this wonderful prize over at Ginger's Life of Spice to celebrate her 300th blog post.

Ginger also organises a Mail Art Exchange over there on her blog and her generous prize has convinced me to give it a go! Now that I have the basics - envelopes, a great pen, a funky little stamp and some gorgeous Martha Stewart stamps - it seemed an opportunity not to pass up. I haven't done anything like this before, so I'm a bit nervous but I have a while to think about what someone would like to get in the post in order to create something fun and happy! Why not join in on the fun?

Thanks Ginger for a great giveaway! I'm thrilled.

A Cheery Post

Well, I got some lovely ideas about what cheers you all up! 

Thanks for joining in the fun.

Here's your list of happy-makers:

1. shopping
2. purchasing scrapbooking supplies
3. a nice dinner out
4. getting messy creating something from a piece of pretty paper
5. fossil hunting
6. a finished LO that looks pretty and featured one of my lovely children
7. sunshine after a gray yucky day
8. a clean scrap area
9. a smile from one of my boys first thing in the morning when they are sleepy and happy
10. my family 
11. my friends 
12. the promise of brighter days ahead
13. chocolate 
14. wine
15. great pictures 
16. good food (especially chocolate!)
17. hearing from my daughter or son just for the heck of it
18. having an evening to myself to get one of those it-seems-neverending-projects done
19. recently my youngest daughter discovered a Jack in the Box. We were out shopping yesterday when I showed it to her. When it (a sock monkey) popped up, she said "That scared me. Again!" This continued numerous times and we ended up buying it. She was so cute
20. a bit of sunshine
21. spending time with my girls
22. a shiny new magazine
23. lazy sunny days spent with friends & family, 
    days where nobody has a care in the world and is totally relaxed and having fun
24. popping in to others' blog homes: it's like having a cup of tea on their veranda
25. a visit to a very well-stocked bookshop, with some money in my pocket to spend, preferably 
26. a cup of chai tea: my most recent taste sensation

So, it's pretty clear that we get a lot of joy from family and friends, sunny days and being outside, scrapbooking or other crafty/creative activities, and not to forget food and drink!

And I agree with all of you! 

Here's just a few of mine - in no particular order!

• A good book, a glass of wine (or even better, a cocktail from my own "personal" cocktail bar) and some Cadbury's

 

• A cuddle from adorable little ones 

• A cuddle from an adorable big one

• Good food - asparagus season is just about to start and I have some of the early crop ready for dinner tonight... I can't wait!

• Sitting on the balcony, just taking in the life around me

• Experimenting with my camera and taking photos that I love

 

• Some new scrapbooking products

• Scrapping my stories, showcasing my photos and feeling a sense of satisfaction when I see completed pages

• Sweet memories of favourite places

So I promised a giveaway and using Random.org (and I promise that I put 1-12 not the 100 that it shows here!)  the lucky winner is commenter number 4:

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:4Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Congratulations Erin!!  

Erin, email me your snail mail address using the link at the top of the right-hand sidebar and I will get a little parcel of goodies out to you.

Thanks to all of you for joining in and sharing your ideas.

I feel a lot more cheerful now and each comment made me nod and smile! (It also helps that my cold is on the way out and my voice is almost back!).

Feeling lucky?

Want the chance to win some goodies?

Earlier this week, I celebrated 300 blog posts and wanted to share the love!

I was feeling a bit under the weather and asked you to share something that cheers you up - I have had some lovely comments already but a couple more would be even better.

Go to this post (Help Me Celebrate!) and leave me a comment. Your chance of winning is high!

The sun is shining today and I am sitting out on my balcony, soaking in a few healthy rays. Now that cheeps me up!

Come and join in the fun...

Going Green for Christmas

Well, it's Wednesday which tends to mean it's my day to post my Jingle Belles Christmas card.


Week 13 is all about "The Holly and The Ivy".  To incorporate holiday foliage onto our cards - holly, ivy, mistletoe or even poinsettias - anything considered leaves and not flowers.


Each week the first thing I do is to have a rummage through my overflowing Christmas drawer for anything which might fit the challenge. This week, I was surprised to find loads of bits and pieces I could use and ended up over-achieving (again) and making four cards! Yes, I surprise myself sometimes!


Two were identical so here are the three:

Ok, so this is my least favourite and also the one I did two of, but I liked extending the cut-out off the card.

I have been enjoying just delving into my scraps bag and mixing up patterns and manufacturers. 

I love CC - this is just so pretty! 

So another set of cards sitting pretty in my drawer. 

 Thanks for looking and what's your pile of cards looking like? So great isn't it? Thanks Jingle Belles!

PS. Don't forget to check out my post (Help Me Celebrate!) to share what cheers you up and to be entered into my mini-prize draw to celebrate 300 blog posts! It would be lovely to hear from you!


I intend to make the draw at the weekend so there's still a few days - the more the merrier!

Making me smile this week

Three wonderful, scrappy friends have brought huge smiles to my face this week. All three times were unexpected and all the more lovely for that.


I want to take the chance here to say THANK YOU to all of them - each of you made my day!


First off, I received this

in the mail from Deb! I had ogled coveted admired it on her blog (here) last week and was just in love with it. It was inspired by the Elvis song Blue Christmas (one of my Christmas faves) and features sparkle and snowflakes - what could be better? When I realised what was in the envelope, a huge grin appeared and it totally made my day. Deb - thanks for being such a sweetie and for thinking of me. I am still thrilled - the card is here next to my computer and I keep looking at it. It's gorgeous.


Recently, I received blog contact from one of my LOAD friends, Danielle and her blog (here) was duly put onto my "follow" list. You have to check out her blog - she has loads of scrapping and creative goodness on there and is currently posting some simple tutorials for very sweet projects. She was celebrating her 100th post - CONGRATS Danielle! - and had a giveaway. And I won! I was so pleased and can't wait to see my prize in the mail - MemoryWorks Simple Stories Life Documented Scrapbook Kit. A compact kit to document a whole year of memories! How cool is that?!? 

Thanks so much to Danielle (and to MemoryWorks) for such a lovely giveaway. 


Today, there was just one card in my mailbox - all the way from sunny California! Another LOADster but originally, we "met" through the 12 on 12 challenge and Cathy is also very active in BPC classes, so we often find ourselves on the same course. I love her scrapbook style - she has such a wonderful eye for product combinations and her layouts are always so lovely to look at and her subjects are so interesting too. We are both participating in a Christmas card swap as part of the Nic H class "Colour! or is it Color?" and she sent me a card too! Thanks Cathy if you are reading this! I absolutely adore my card. So pretty and using BG - how could I resist?

I feel very grateful for the friends I have made over the last couple of years through scrapbooking. They really keep me going when I am feeling a bit down. And they never fail to bring on a smile. 


Thanks girls!