Cropfest!

I'm so excited! It's nearly another Cropfest weekend! Cropfest is a scrapping weekend my friends and I do 2 or 3 times a year. It's like a retreat but done our own way and doesn't break the bank. We usually book a Guide hall and spend the weekend scrapping, chatting, swapping advent calendars and generally having a girly weekend!

I have my photos printed... I have a packing list.... I have hmm, probably not enough time to get all the packing done tomorrow! Oh well, that's normal.

But a whole weekend of craft and scrapping - what more could you want? I won't be blogging over the weekend but will post some layouts early next week! Watch this space.

Winter's here!

I went for a walk yesterday and was surprised at how wintery the weather has become. I wraped up warm with layers, hat, scarf and gloves thinking that I was over dressed but wow, did I need them! It was only 2.30 but the wind was bitter and the sun began to set at 3.20! Where did autumn go? I'm sure it was only yesterday the leaves began to turn. The countdownt to Christmas begins!

Advent calendar

I have been working on my advent swap recently. This year I have decided to present it as a hanging book that can be converted into an advent album when finished. These are work in progress pics, but you get the idea! I've decided not to buy anything specific but am using up scraps and bits of alphabets to make it - how eco!

Still here

I'm still signed off work. And although I am feeling better what with physio and everything.... I can't help but feel like my life is still on hold - there's something missing. I am trying to be positive and look for little things that I can do (and I'm getting there) but I still feel a bit trapped.

The good thing is... since I've been off I hve been blogging and reading other scrapper's blogs. And I have enjoyed that and it's somehow comforting to know there are people out there who are interested in what you post and who you can be inspired by. So thank you ladies for being there.

It's not mess - it's creativity!

I often look at my scrapping desk when I've been working on a layout and think 'what a mess I've made!' But in reality, I don't think it actually is a mess. Have you ever been to a crop where there are maybe 10 scrappers all with their stash (lots and lots of stash usually). I walked into a room once at a crop and thought to myself what a state the room was in! But then I lookied more carefully and realised that what is a mess to one person is a creative start for a project or inspiration for someone else. Do you remember that advert for Persil with the children covered in mud or paint? Well ladies, that's us. Creative all the way! Worry about the actual mess later and enjoy the scrapping!

(don't you just love ribbons!)

Pop Art Scrapping

Have you ever tried changing your photos before scrapping them? I'm not a fan of digital scrapping, don't get me wrong, I like the results - but it's just not for me. I like the actual cutting and sticking and 3D of this wonderful craft!

But I was doing a project with my class a while ago now and produced these images for use in a pop art lesson based on Andy Warhol. You can get a free download of Pop Art programs online. The one I used was Pop Art Studio 2.3. This is just one of the settings you can choose from (there are about 9) and it's so easy to do, literally a click! Have a go. I will post a photo of mini canvas that I made using these images soon!

Saying thank you

I don't think you can over estimate the power of thanking the people who make the difference to you in life. It's so easy to take people for granted! Here is a card I made to send out.