CT Los for Mireille using Lisa Marie kit

Here are my Los for Mireille using the lovely Lisa Marie kit - here's the link! http://www.angels-scrap-shop.de/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17_29&products_id=120

As you can see there are some gorgeous b/gs and elements in the kit - and lots more beside these you can see here! With lovely shades of pink and lilc/purple, it's a great kit for more feminine themes! Thanks Mireille for such a great kit to work with!

Bernie x

Bits N Bobs CT LOs using Indian Summer kit

Straightaway, here's the link to the kit info...http://scrappingbits.blogspot.com/search/label/Indian%20Summer . If you hurry you might get this as a freebie still, lol, but even if not, it is SO worth whatever Julie puts it in the store for!!! There are LOADS of gorgeous elements, and the b/gs are wonderful too! It's all very useable, and, as you can see, could be used for heritage-type LOs through to dreamy, fantasy-type LOs. It's a great quality kit, and I've had such fun creating these LOs today! Thanks Julie!

Bernie x

Candleworks Scraps CT LOs using Vintage Gentleman

My first Los for Deborah - here's the link to the kit at Scrap It Sassy... https://scrapitsassy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_63&products_id=6441&zenid=97cff0690d00afdbad2339e6a5d45bcf .

I really enjoyed working with this kit; it's full of items you can really get your teeth into! Also, it's not often I work with a male-themed kit, so it was real fun! As you can see the kit if very versatile, being great for heritage-type Los, but also for more up-to-date themed pages too!

Thanks for inviting me to be on your CT Deborah!

Bernie x

Scra It Sassy CT Los for Crystal's Inspired kit

I had such fun creating these Los that I couldn't stop at 2!! here's the link to the store for the kit.. https://scrapitsassy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_143&products_id=3103 . There are lots more beautiful b/gs and elements in there that I haven't used yet, and the tones within the kit are gorgeous! As you can see, the kit was great for a variety of subject matter! I loved the determined look on the face of my DN Megan-Elise as she went over the jump!

The middle LO has Megan-Elise with my 2 DDs and DH in one of the rowing boats at Hever Castle. We visited the Castle gardens in the summer holidays, and it was the first time for about 35 years that DH had rowed a boat! he did really well though and got them over to the far side of the lake and back again!!

The top LO is one especially for Megan-Elise! She's got a few days left till she takes the Kent Test. For those who don't know, it's a test that parents can choose for their child to take if they want them to go to one of the Grammar Schools locally. Megan-Elise's mum, and I went to Clarendon House Grammar School for Girls, and now my eldest DD is there too, and Megan-Elise is going to take the test as well, as will my youngest, Evie, hopefully. It's quite stressful though as not a lot of the test is about what they have learnt in their years at school. It's as much about learning how to do the test as having the knowledge! The outcome of the test is always a worry as anyone can have a bad day, so I just wanted to say to Meg to have faith that she will end up where she belongs!

Family News: Not much to say really! We all survived the first week back at school - although already I'm stressing a bit about Evie, as she has apparently been sat next to and partnered up with a little boy who seems unable to sit still or concentrate or even be quiet. He has over the past few days taken most of the things she possesses in school and even pieces of work she has done, and even torn corners off her work. I'm giving it a little time before I speak to the class teacher about it, as I'm hoping the seating arrangements will change shortly once skill levels have been ascertained by the new teacher, but if not, it will mean the first 'discussion' of the new school year!! Always such joy!

Bernie x

Scrap It Sassy CT LOs for Amagination's Autumn Vows kit

First off here's the link to this gorgeous kit https://scrapitsassy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_230&products_id=6407&zenid=a06945886b901137d8f97315046718fd .Every part of this kit is beautifully made and so delicate - just perfect for wedding LOs! But of course, me being me, I wanted to stretch myself and see just what this kit could do for me using other sorts of photos, and I wasn't disappointed! I loved making the top LO of my niece Megan-Elise! All the floaty, delicate pieces just came together effortlessly to create a dreamy kinda LO!

The bottom LO, is my eldest DD, aged 12, with DH in May this year. He was ringing me to find out where I was and I was a little way away taking photo of him, LOL! I love the look on DD's face as she snuck in a cuddle!

So, there we have them! I was really pleased that a kit I'd usually shy away from, not having any wedding pics to hand, was so versatile it could cope with my ordinary every day pics!!! Thank you!

Bernie x

Exciting News!

Antoinette went to the last Dressage comp. of the set of 3 in the Championship last night. She took part in the first two, but then Molly moved away so she couldn't take part last night. So, of course she didn't expect to come anywhere in the Championship, as she effectively had a score of zero for this last comp. She stayed extra late to watch the Presentation though, and was amazed when they called her out as having come 3rd!! She got a nice rosette and was absolutely over the moon!

Good job she had something to cheer her up though, as she's a tad stressed atm as school is being very strict, and poor love, she knows she is not the most organised person, so it's quite stressful for her just to have all the right books/pieces of paper/files in the right place at the right time! She's so like her dad that girl, LOL!!!!

Bernie x

CT LOs for Scrap It Sassy - Roses Are Red kit by Just Another Scrap

Here's the link to this kit in the SIS store https://scrapitsassy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_132&products_id=4123&zenid=207a885ad0e61870325172cc6acedd2a . Although this kit is small in comparison to others I've had, the papers are so vibrant and the hand-drawn elements so delicate and beautiful, it would be a great addition to anyone's stash!

This will only be a very short post tonight as I am absolutely exhausted! For the 2nd morning running I awoke at 5am again, and a day of driving around to appointments in the heat, then going staight from the last appointment to get Evie and then Antoinette from school, has left me utterly done in! I had to then take Antoinette t the stables about 6pm as there's a dressage comp. again, and she loves helping out and watching and learning...not to mention untacking Donny and helping Julia put him out in the field!! I'm not sure how on earth Antoinette will cope with the rest of this week at school, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it!

Just a couple of weeks after closing our footcare clinic at Holy Trinity Resource Centre, (they put the hire price of the room up from £7 to £12, and there was no way we'd pass that much of an increase onto our customers, so they've lost nigh on £1K pa we used to pay them!), mum had a 'phone call from a lady who's trying to set up a new Disability Health Centre, and, the building she's hoping to use is the now disused ex-pub just round the corner from mum! She wants us to go in for a morning or afternoon a week and do feet! Talk about one door opening when another closes! The lady apparently has 26 other local businesses interested in being part of this, so it sounds very interesting. Fingers crossed the lady is successful!

OK, best get on with uploading before I fall asleep at the pooter! Someone pass the matchsticks!

Bernie x

CT LOs for Scrap It Sassy - Vintage Memories kit - Designs by Denise

Here's the link to this beautiful kit https://scrapitsassy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_144&products_id=5840&zenid=3d89fad0e857faca89d93ce85c5b5387 . The whole kit is just full of beautiful stash, and is very easy to scrap with! Gorgeous shades of green and blue and that grungy grey colour in the top LO here - scrummy! The elements are beautifully done - check out the swirls - just perfect!

Whilst using the swirls on the first LO I created, Mother and Daughter, I was pleased to find I remembered a tip actually given to someone else over at DSP (Digital Scrapbook Place) when I was taking part in their New Kid On The Block comp. That is, if you want to use an element to look like a rub-on would IRL, and you want it to cover 2 or more layers of paper, think about what happens IRL. You get that tiny little gap along the edge of the layer where the small difference in height just breaks the rub-on. So! I erased a tiny little line along the edge of each layer my 'rub-on' was to cover, and am really pleased with how realistic it looks! It's also nice to know I have a memory still!!!!

The top LO is a rare photo of Antoinette with her dad! It's not rare that they're together, just that she allowed us to get a photo of her, LOL!! I played with the photo a lot to get that particular tone and texture to it! The Jane Austen font was perfect!

I had such a great time creating these LOs - thanks to Denise and SIS!

Family News: Antoinette went to the stables again yesterday and spent another day working hard there! She really has got a great work ethic up there!!!! Had to LOL there though, as 2 other mums were saying how their daughters would work so hard at the stables but ask them to do anything at home and it is moan moan moan!!! We all sympathised with each other and consoled ourselves with the thought that they need to be able to be themselves at home, so we're allowing them to do that!!!!

Evie returned her 6 books to Ramsgate Library, and brought home 6 more! She's really loving reading, and bringing down a bookcase from upstairs (where they have all been living since we redecorated the living room!) was a good move. She has her own shelves and keeps them nicely stocked and all in order!!!

I awoke at an odd 5am this morning for some reason, hence the unusual time of my post!! My brain was instantly awake, and there was no getting back to sleep, so I was up before 6, and then remembered I needed to upload these LOs, so am making good use of the time! Today is stables day really so won't get much chance for any digi scrapping today. It's the first week back playing the organ at Church - hopefully the nerves won't be too bad! First weeks back are always a bit stressy! I spent a couple of hours trying to find some nice music to play during Communion, on the net, but couldn't find anythng, and then with having to download scorch to see scores, then needing to restart the pooter, it all got too hard, LOL! I do worry about the poor people listening when I keep playing the same pieces every few weeks!!!

Right! Best off, as need to get the U/L done, wash my hair, and choose some Communion music!!! All the fresh air at the stables wears me out, so do't expect to be back this evening!

Bernie x

CT Los for GirlBoheme using Sail, Sail Away kit

So! Here are my LOs using this beautiful kit! You already got a sneak at some of the stash in my LO for Pickleberry Papercrafts' Sketch challenge, but hopefully these will show you a bit more of what's inside this generous kit! here's the link to the Scrapbird.com store... http://scrapbird.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73_186&products_id=1329&zenid=e9b6db2045ee31ab87b381b9d6238ef3 .For what's inside that's a bargain price, have to say!

First up, I was really excited to see 2 masks included in the kit! They are both beautiful, and I put them to good use! On my Child of the Sea LO, I used one mask on the photo, then the other on the creamy paper, then again on an area of sea within the photo, to make this wonderful effect!
On the Family LO (at the top!) I used the same mask on both the photo and then on a paper for a more subtle effect!

On the Walmer Castle LO, I used the mask as it came, to add a bit of dark grungyness around the edges of the LO! See how versatile masks are?!!!

There is so much I haven't yet used in the kit, but I had to stop at these 5 Los using the kit (inc. 'comfy ride' below!) or I could have carried on until Christmas, lol!! Thanks again to Aimee for giving me the opportunity to work with such high quality stash!!

Family News: At this hour of the morning, there's not much to tell yet! I'm trying to think of things each day for my LSNED class - just need to print off some tiny photos for the pages now, then I'll be all set to do a week's worth of pages on Weds. evening with Paulette!

Thankfully the wind has died down, and the sky is a bit brighter. Hopefully it will be a bit warmer today. The last couple of days I've actually felt cold, and it's a bit of a poke in the eye that summer may be coming to an end! The digi stash world seems to be full of back to school kits. I'm steadfastly ignoring them! Head in sand here trying to pretend nothing is happening on Monday morning!! All the uniforms are ready, school bags bought and pencil cases organised (if not packed into said bags!), it's just the thought of getting back to routine *shudder*. Still, it will be good for my diet if nothing else!

Off to play with my newest kit from Scrap It Sassy now - a lovely vintage number!

Bernie x

LO for Pickleberry Papercrafts' Sketch Challenge #6

Well, I couldn't wait to get started with my next kit from GirlBoheme Studios: Sail, Sail Away, which can be found at Scrapbird.com here http://scrapbird.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73_186&products_id=1329 !! (As you can see already it's very versatile, this not being a sea-themed LO, LOL!!). But I also wanted to have a go at the new sketch challenge at Pickleberry Papercraft! I've been to this relatively new craft shop a couple of times with friends and rellies, and have always received such a warm welcome from Kate and Jane, not to mention a cup of delicious coffee!! If you get the chance GO THERE!! It's packed with scrummy stash of all kinds, and makes me want to forsake digi for a while and get back to papercrafting!! Anyway! I love to use a good sketch, and this one must have been good, as my LO came together so quickly!!!

We booked a family group lesson on Bank Holiday Monday, 31st Aug., as Andy was having his first ever ride!! He did really well actually!! Antoinette was VERY priveliged though, to be given Seamus, who is now the owner's husband's horse! When he came to the stables, he obviously had a period of settling in, but then Antoinette was the first paying customer to be allowed to ride him in a lesson! Before her only staff had been allowed to ride him! He's pretty large - 16++ hh (I'd have to ask Antoinette for the exact height...she seems to know every horse's height by heart, lol!) and thundered round the indoor school when in canter. You could tell just by looking that he was really comfy for Antoinette to ride - like a big old sofa!! She loved riding him, and the fact that he's not used in lessons any more, usually, made it just that big more special for her!

Now I'm off to play a bit more with this gorgeous kit!

Bernie x

My First Guest CT LOs for Mireille!

I thought this kit would be perefct for some of the beach shots we've taken this summer, and I was right! Here's the link to the kit... http://www.angels-scrap-shop.de/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17_29&products_id=130&number_of_uploads=0&language=en . There are some lovely b/gs and gorgeous elements in there...with some especially cute little characters, as can be seen on my 'gappy happy smile' LO! I've loved working with this kit, and look forward to the next! Thanks to Mireille for giving me the opportunity!

Family News: Well, we have all the school uniform we need now I believe! We even found pure white trainers for Antoinette - no other colour on them at all! - as per the new school uniform instructions from the Federation Head! We've managed some household chores that have been avoided for several weeks, lol, and I've even managed to get photos off my camera and the pooter and onto a 4GB memory stick! I couldn't face putting them all onto about 10 different CDs, as there are so many photos!! I'm back doing WW with a vengeance...am hoping if I write it here I may stick to it a bit better! Now I just need to make some notes for LSNED - I'm not doing my pages yet; I'm noting down my thought for each day and Paulette and I are going to do a week's worth next Wed. evening when I go to hers from the first of our craft evenings after the holidays!

Oh and I had a mammoth shopping spree today - I used my $10 voucher at SIS and managed to pick up a good few kits, all of which are scrummy!! Can't wait to play! I've printed off the new sketch challenge at Pickleberry Papercraft, and am hoping to get time to do a digi LO for that!

So! On with the uploading, then I can start a new kit! Or a challenge!

Bernie x

A bit of news

Well, what a couple of days!

I was too upset to blog on Sunday evening or Monday morning...it was the end of summer presentation at the stables - everyone who had earned a badge/cert/taken a test over the holidays is presented with it at the end of summer party. So of course, Antoinette was looking forward to getting 2 Bronze award certs and her BHS Level 1 cert. and Evie was really excited about being presented with her E Test cert and felt. Well, the Bronze award certs came and went with Antoinette not called up. She WAS called for her BHS certs, but then Evie stood and waited...and waited...all these other children going up, but she wasn't called. I was SO cross, as she must be the youngest child there who turned up for the party and had earned an award, and she was forgotten by them!
I went and asked the staff member who gives out all the certs with the owner, and she said she had Antoinette's Bronzes there, but didn't then proceed to present them! When I mentioned Evie's E Test she just looked horrified, so it was obvious she'd forgotten her.
Evie went over at the end of the presentation and was just ignored!
I went out and found her crying in the car - it was her big moment in front of all the parents and other kids and she'd been forgotten! Andy chased around after the staff member and she eventually came over to the car and gave Evie her cert and felt, so she did cheer up, but it wasn't the same.
Antoinette was also given her certs separately.
One would have been bad enough but both to be forgotten! Grrrrr!

Then I opened my emails and the first one looking at me was this...

Our Lord has many weak children in his family, many dull pupils in his school, many raw soldiers in his army, many lame sheep in his flock. Yet he bears with them all, and casts none away. Happy is that Christian who has learned to do likewise with his brethren.

J. C. Ryle


...so I thought I should try a bit harder to get over this upset!!

Then I saw another email saying I've been accepted at Guest CT for Sept. and Oct. for Mireille Keller! Her kits are lovely, so I'm looking forward to starting there!

I won the $10 coupon from SIS for using 10 kits in August, and I won Rustic Charm's latest kit for free for entering her scraplift challenge on the SIS forum! Plus as I won it last month too, I have a coupon for 60% off her stuff , so am all set to go on a mammoth shopping spree as soon as I get the time!!

For now though I have to rush to go school uniform shopping with DD1 right now!! (She's waiting for me for a change, lol!) and then brunch with Margie and Megan!

This afternoon I hope to start my Learn Something New Every Day mini-album (a Shimelle class) and do the first pages.

The shingles is still there and itching and prickling but no real pain as yet.

Back later! Hopefully!

Bernie x

Another LO for GirlBoheme!

Well, I just couldn't stay away from this kit, so when it was pointed out that our team on UKScrappers is hosting the weekly challenge the week after next, and we needed sample LOs, I made one (and NO! I'm not going to spill the beans on what the challenge will be!!!) and just altered it slightly for the CT. Lets' just say there's something on the original which isn't on this one, as this one isn't bound by the challenge requirements!!!

The link to the kit instore is in the post below, with my other LOs created from it!

Family News: Antoinette rode Julia's horse today in her lesson and they fitted together perfectly! At the end of the lesson, Julia came in and said that Antoinette could ride it any time she liked but not for jumping (think the horse is still learning that new skill himself!)! Wow!! I think Antoinette is still floating on air now!!

In her lesson, Evie managed her 2nd ever fall! Alfie spooked at nothing in a corner - literally nothing!! - and went one way, and Evie went the other! Thankfully it wasn't too bad, and she was up and cantering again quite quickly! This afternoon, thankfully, as Alfie is no longer #1 favourite, lol, she had BJ who, it has to be said, rarely moves fast for anyone except his owner, LOL!! He is a lovely safe horse though, so Evie felt much better having him for her pony afternoon. That said HE decided to spook at nothing - twice in the same place - but thankfully Evie managed to sit into it, and stayed on!! She had a lovely afternoon, finishing up with poo picking with Emma in the indoor and outdoor schools!!! Lovely!

So, an earlier night tonight for everyone, as we wait with baited breath to see Andy up on a horse for the first time tomorrow:) Camera batteries are charging as I type - 2 sets of course!!!

Bernie x

PS Almost forgot...I googled the signs and symptoms of shingles, and it's looking very much like what I have on my back...am hoping the pain's not too bad when it comes!

My First CT LOs for GirlBoheme Studios!

Have to say I am so honoured to accepted onto Aimee's CT!! Mostly because her kits are so fantastic, but also, having just seen the other CT members' LOs with it on her blog, I'm slightly in awe!!!!

I've just been working with her newest kit the last couple of days, and this is what I've produced! The kit is available here.. http://scrapbird.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73_186&products_id=1394 and IMO is a bargain price considering how much is actually in the kit!! Let's just say it's VERY generous! Everything goes together so well, and I adored the gentle grunge!!

I'm desperate to create some more pages with the kit, but all the back-to-school 'stuff' is getting in the way...uniform and kit to buy, last-minute rellie visits...it's all good, but does take me away from the pooter.

Now I must get on, as today is stables day and once I leave the house, we won't be back till late afternoon! Today Evie has a lesson at 11am, Antoinette has hers at 2pm and also at 2pm Evie starts her mini-pm - a pony afternoon for littleys under 8 years old! Must remember to charge batteries for the camera quickly !

Bernie x

Scraplift Challenge at Scrap It Sassy

Here's my LO for the 2nd Scraplift Challenge! Almost missed it as we've been so busy it's taken me away from the pooter a lot :(

I used the scrummy Forest Frolic kit by Phantom Scraps, and really enjoyed myself!! I LOVE a good scraplift!!!

Family News: Sat 10 am saw us setting off for Auntie Maureen's house in Beaconsfield, Bucks. We had a lovely time there, despite the traffic on the M25 being a bit of a nightmare (again!) at times! Maureen has given us a whole LOAD of family tree stuff to sort through, so we will be able to go quite a way back on Andy's mother's side of the family. There are even copies of pages from a lady's diary from the mid-1800s...so interesting!

After a faster journey home, we got in around 9.45pm, so all went to bed! Then I was up at 6.45am raring to go & do some more using the fantastic true North kit from GirlBoheme....see the next post for more details!

Bernie x

Monday's News

Well, I wasn't really looking forward to Monday much as we had 8 footcare appts booked in that would take us from 9.30am till about 5.30am (taking an hour's lunch break though, which we don't normally do). I had to take Antoinette to the stables before I started as well - she's taking the first of her BHS Progression tests this week and has 2 days of training before the test on Thursday afternoon.

When I got up I checked my emails and was amazed to see I'd won a digi kit over at DST! So that cheered me up!!

We did the appts. - it was SO hot driving round - very muggy yesterday. Not nice. Went back to stables to see if Antoinette wanted to stay and watch the Dressage comp. that was going on there, and of course she did - she was busy being Julia's little helper!!! I haven't seen her look so happy for a long time though - when we arrived, she came running over, and there was this little brown (from the sun) dirty (from all the dust at the stables!) face with the biggest smile you've ever seen!! So, just gave her some money for food and drinks for the evening and left to take mum home.

Got home, had a coffee and a chat with Evie and Andy, then came on to check my emails (I know, it sounds like I'm obsessed, but between my service provider sending through anywhere between 2 and 4 copies of the same email on occasion, and all the digi site newsletters I've signed up for over the last few months, lol, I can end up with over a hundred a day, so it's better to keep on top of things!)

To my amazement, there was one from Cheryl Johnson - she's the Photographer whose courses I took a couple of years ago; she's also a fellow UKSer, and also is in charge of submissions at Scrapbook Inspirations mag! I'd sent a LO in for the theme of Christmas, just a simple one about how I'd love snow at Christmas! As mine wasn't about wanting some big gift, or wanting to see long-lost rellies, I wasn't expecting to be chosen for publication, esp. as it's the first time I've submitted anything, lol! BUT! She wants to publish my LO!!!! O.M.W.!!!! How exciting is that?!

So I'm ringing round, telling mum n dad, and doing a happy dance here, then sat down to carry on with emails...there's another one from Aimee, a newish Designer who makes some scrummy scrummy kits...have a look here... http://girlboheme.com/gbstudios/ (you can get to her store from there!). I'd sent her an email after discovering her yesterday lunchtime whilst meandering through the www and applied to be on her CT. She was emailing back to say yes!!! Yeehaaah!!!!

So, yesterday, I had 3 pieces of very very good news!!!

Went back to the stables at 8.30pm for Antoinette - she was still 'happy as larry' and just finishing up with Julia and her horse Donny. Julia let her give him some extra strong mints and take him down to the field - she and Antoinette were so pleased as they'd come 1st and 3rd in the Dressage, and there were a LOT of entrants - 19 - last night, and the majority were not from our stables! On the way home Antoinette told me that Julia had said to her that when she goes out to shows in future, Antoinette can go with her and be her groom!!! How great is that?!!!! So, of course, Antoinette was floating on air last night!!

She'd also had a chat with Julia about loaning Marley, assuming the price is right, as we're waiting to hear from the owner. Antoinette was really torn as much as she loves Marley, it felt a bit too close to trying to replace Molly, so she really didn't know what to do. Also she was worried Julia would think she wasn't interested in her and Donny any more. So she chatted it all over with Julia, and they decided it would be a good idea to do the loan - for Marley as well as for Antoinette - and she could still do things with Donny!

So, all in all, yesterday turned out to be one of the most eventful days we've had for a while!!

Today Margie and I plus Meg and Evie are all going up to Pickleberry Papercrafts in Faversham so Margie can have a nose! (It's a lovely shop!!), then later Margie and I are hoping to do some genealogy research. I'm trying to go back down dad's father's line, but as neither he nor his siblings seem to know anything about their paternal grandparents, it's not easy! We ordered dad's parents' marriage cert yesterday and what we hope is his dad's birth certificate. They prob won't turn up for at least a couple of weeks though. It's far far cheaper to order them from your local Registry Office, but it does take longer. But, when it's a choice between £8 ea or £20 ea (from Ancestry.com) , it's not really viable to do otherwise!

Back later!

Bernie x

Scrap It Sassy CT LOs using 2B Or Not 2B kit by Trifaith

Lots of bright vibrant colours in this Kit, and 2 very cute bees!!! Some lovely b/gs and elements which will be so useful! Here's the link! https://scrapitsassy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_193&products_id=4476 .

The bottom LO shows the elements as they come; the top LO is also unaltered colour-wise, just a bit of gentle brush erasing aorund the edges, and some outer glows around the jewels at the bottom! Just goes to show what differnet LOs can be made from the same kit!

Family News: Antoinette got her ride on the Head Girl Julia's private horse, Donny! He's a big boy, lol!!! He seems lovely though, and Antoinette loves him already! Julia has said that if Antoinette helps her with cleaning and grooming duties, and cleans his tack for her too, she can have a lesson on him every now and then! Starting next Sunday!! To say Antoinette was thrilled is an understatement! I don't think she stopped beaming all afternoon! It's really kind of Julia to take Antoinette under her wing a bit like this, following Molly's move to Sussex, and we're really grateful! It's such a great feeling when someone does something nice for your child, isn't it?!!!

We're just getting ready to watch X Factor which starts again this evening in about 10 mins - eeek! I still have uploading to do!!! Best get on with it then!!

Bernie x

Scrap It Sassy CT LOs using Grateful Bounty kit by Body Works Studio

Here's the link to this lovely kit... https://scrapitsassy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_34&products_id=1496 ...it's just what it says on the tin! Warm fuzzy family feelings oozing out of the b/gs and elements! I can think of lots of varied uses for these b/gs and everything in the kit fits together nicely!

The photo of Evie just jumped straight out at me for using with that b/g, and the garlands really brought the b&w photo to life! The last LO was a bit of an impulsive 'let's see if I can do this' LO really, as the kit initially gave me the feeling of wanting to do more formal LOs with everything quite deliberately placed. I was really pleased that even with just a few elements, I made a LO I love!!

Family News: You wouldn't believe it - we went to the stables and waited about 45 mins for the Head Girl to be ready to ride her horse, with the idea that Antoinette would give it a slow walk around to cool off afterwards. The Pony Club Campers were having their lesson in the big outdoor school, but, of course, it HAD to start raining didn't it, just before Antoinette was going to get on the HG's horse! So of course the Campers had to use the Indoor School (where the HG was riding) as they were being tested (by the top Pony Club tester no less!), so HG had to leave and go outside. She hadn't actually ridden her horse in the rain much before and wasn't sure how he'd react so was a bit wary of putting Antoinette on him! So, now it's all set for Antoinette to ride it tomorrow lunchtime instead! So guess where we wil be come 1pm?!!!!

Still, I've got 2 footcare appts. first, and then the hairdresser; Antoinette will go up to the stables early, so Evie and Andy can have another lazy morning to themselves! It had better not rain on my new hair tomorrow!

And! Most annoying thing to happen today, even more so than the non-riding, was that I missed the one hour $1 sale at SIS! Flippin PSE5 was going slow and driving me mad and the whole hour completely passed me by somehow! Typical! Pah!

Bernie x

Scrap It Sassy CT LOs - Caribbean Blue kit by Litterbox Creations

Here's the link to this kit - it's choc-a-blok full of stash! https://scrapitsassy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_94&products_id=2981&zenid=b8776782c5d76969400fc83534fa8c3a

Now this kit was chosen as a bit of a challenge to myself, lol! For some reason I rarely scrap in blue, either in paper or digi. I don't dislike blue, I just don't go to it as my first choice of colour!

The greeny background in this LO is actually one of my photos!

The trickiest bit for me was finding photos I felt were right for the b/gs, but it was plain sailing after that, as everything in the kit is so well co-ordinated! I LOVED all the grunged up, distressed papers and the big brackets frame! Of course, living in a seaside town, I had to use the seagulls! And the little sprinkling of sand of course (loved that too!!). I tried to make the title look as if it's been written in the sand...not sure it was 100% successful but it's OK for me!

We're off to the stables now as the Head Girl there said that Antoinette could have a ride on her (private) horse this afternoon while she herself is riding...don't want to miss that - a real honour!!

Bernie x

Scrap It Sassy LOs with the gorgeous Pretty in Pink kit by Kat's Creations!

OMW! What can I say?!! This is one of the most gorgeous kits I've worked with! I was a bit wary at first, it being ALL pink, but actually, with all the gentle grunge, different shades and patterns, there is plenty of variety! You can get the kit here at SIS... https://scrapitsassy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_163&products_id=5958&zenid=307230be934e0c09a3648d7617561d0b .

I am SO pleased with the way these LOs turned out! As you can see the stash is just fantastic if you have girls in the family!!! The top LO is of my DN Megan-Elise...ever sinceshe could walk I think she has been made on climbing - the child has no fear at all, lol!!

The 2nd LO is my DD2 taking us for a walk in a small local woods (which is to be developed in the near future unless the protests are listened to by the local council:(). She went there with her class last year (Year 1) after they'd been reading the book The Gruffalo! Although the class searched very hard, they didn't find the Gruffalo, so Evie wanted to take US there to try again!! It was a beautiful afternoon with the sun shining through the leaves of the tall trees, so I'm really glad to have scrapped this photo! Especially if in years to come the wood is no longer there...this will be all DD2 has to help her remember this episode in her life!!

Thank goodness we're starting work a little later this morning as it's given me time to do these two LOs - I've had such fun!!

Bernie x

Scrap It Sassy CT Los - Forest Frolic kit by Phantom Scraps

Yet again, I had a fantastic kit from Scrap It Sassy - you can find it here... https://scrapitsassy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=31&products_id=6075&zenid=b41d8f9a4b8de8cd4910ca893015d121 . The colour palette suited me just fine and I can see me using this a lot! All the elements were very usable and versatile!

The LO about Margate came about really after I decided I really should try and use some of the little characters in the kit! Usually I shy away from this kinda more cutsie stash, but I actually love what I created with it!! (For those who don't know, Margate is a little town in the far S.E. of the UK, in the county of Kent. It used to be a famous holiday place because of its beautiful beaches, and was one of the first places that people used bathing machines, way back when! It's really a shadow of its former self as far as glory goes at this moment in time, but those of us die-hard Margatonians live in hope of better things to come (once the Council decides to invest some money here!)

The 2nd LO, is DD2 with one of the smallest ponies at the stables, Pickles. He's a little tinker though as he's very well-behaved, but once given the green light to canter, he shoots off at the speed of light!! twice now Evie's been caught out by his speedy canter, but both times managed to stay on and the 2nd time she didn't even have a leader, but still managed to bring him to halt...eventually....after several circles in the big outdoor school, lol!!!!!

Family news: It's been a VERY hot day here today! This afternoon it got to 28dg at our house - waaaay too hot for me!! Thankfully we finished work at 2pm so I could go home and hide indoors in the dark, cool living room!! Andy and the girls have all been to the beach this afternoon...they've all come home sun-burnt even with applying loads of sun cream, so I was not happy about that! It's hard to judge though, as the sea breeze can make you feel it's not as hot as it really is...at least they put SOME on, lol...they're all smothered liberally in Nivea now, as over the years we've found that to be the best thing for cooling sunburn and helping to stop skin peeling!

Antoinette's best friend Laura is sleeping over tonite...had better go get them in from the garden and prepare for bedtime! Hopefully it will go smoothly so I can carry on with my uploading of CT LOs!!!!!

Bernie x

Bits N Bobs CT Los using Summer Bride kit.

Two LOs for Bits N Bobs using Julie's Summer Bride kit available at Exquisite Scraps here... http://exquisitescraps.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8_150&products_id=2244 . I actually finished these 2 days ago but after a 9 hour day yesterday I wasn't fit for much when I got in!!

I loved this kit with its gentle colours. Now I've learned a new technique of making edges disappear, it was perfect for practising! I'm really pleased with both the LOs but especially 'Concentrating'! Had great fun making things disappear slightly on there!!!!

Now I'm just waiting for Julie to upload her Fantasia FS kit to her shop so I can get my hands on that for mor of the same!!! Although think I need to find a decent tutorial on perfect extractions, as this kind of thing seems to go hand in hand with extracting!

Bernie x

MY Quick Pages for SIS now on sale!!! Oh MY!!

https://scrapitsassy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=62&products_id=6142&zenid=bdb15253efc86563d1bd04323d4db7ff

Here's THE link!!!!! The QPs I made for the Scrap It Sassy CT are now all packaged up with those of the other CT members and for sale in the shop...follow the link!!!! I'm am just so blown away with the thought that someone, somewhere in the world...anywhere in the world...could be using something I designed!!!! Thanks to all the designers who made the fabby August Collab kit, and to SIS for giving me the opportunity to experience this feeling!!!!

Bernie x

Avatar Challenge at Gotta Pixel!

This is my first ever time at making an avatar! The challenge was to use a letter from your name - or not! - and use it as the focal point of your avvie. I used Gypsy Couture stash from the Digichick (A splendid Story kit) and love how it turned out! Unfortunately it doesn't show up so good at 100 pixels square, lol! Still, I had fun making it!

Bernie x

Elise Hanson @ The Digichick - Layout Contest!

Well, I rarely get time to join in with challenges and contests as much as I'd like, so I took an hour out to make this LO today! It's a photo from 2007 when I was taking one of Cheryl Johnson's Photography Courses. Evie was about 5 yrs old and just loved the feel of my reflective mat, so decided to lay on it for a while in our garden - not very helpful when I was standing there camera in hand raring to go, lol!!! I used an Elise Hanson kit called {Always} Eden. It's packed full of yumminess, and it was easy to find bits to put together for this LO!

I'm pretty realistic about my chances when entering any contest, being a relative newcomer to the digi world (I started at the end of January this year), but, much as I love my CT work, I do enjoy taking time to create a LO 'just because'!!!

Anyway, thanks for prompting me to scrap another of my 'portfolio' photos!

Bernie x

Wedded Bliss kit by Rustic Charm Creations

Wow! I seem to be on a bit of a creative roll today! We got back from the stables earlier than expected, so I made good use of the time to create a couple of LOs with this beautiful kit - Wedded Bliss by Rustic Charm Creations, available at Scrap It Sassy here https://scrapitsassy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=31&products_id=6016 . It's a gorgeous kit, full os useful elements - in fact I don't think there's one thing in there that I wouldn't use! I made a nice bright page for some of my Woburn Safari Park pics from our holiday this year. Then to show something completely different from such a vibrant kit, I made 'Evie'. I've also made a 3rd LO with this kit for a Scraplift challenge over on the Scrap It Sassy Forum (link is on the store front page!). This kit is fabulous! You need it NOW!!!

Bernie x

These are my Los made for the Scrap It Sassy CT. I used a kit called California Broken by SAHM of Drama Queens. It's a gorgeous kit with such scrummy colours inside!!! The lion LO was inspired by a scraplift challenge at Faith Scrappers UK...I scraplifted my scraplift, LOL...does that count as a 'lift, if you 'lift yourself?!!!!

I'm caught up with all my Jessica Sprague classes now - thankfully today's lesson had no practical of its own as such, just carry on from yesterday. Yesterday's was all about how to make your own brushes, and it IS a fascinating process with amazing potential. But I found, to my surprise, that I really not interested in mkaing my own at this moment in time! I don't know if it's just because my mind's not really 'at peace' so I don't feel enormously creative (although having sat and made 2 Los this evening I'm def feeling more inspired now!) or if it's just that I'm lazy and, knowing there are so many brushes available out there and that I don't need anything personal at the moment, it just doesn't appeal to me to sit and play at that! Still, the class is available forever via my account there so if in the future I have more time on my hands and can relax properly, I can go back and watch the videocasts again and make some for myself!

Evie's had a great day - she had DN Megan-Elise sleeping over last night and she stayed till noon, then at 1pm Evie was picked up by her best friend's mum to go to their beach hut for the afternoon! Antoinette came home at 3pm - she'd also been to the beach with her best friend following her sleepover there. Unfortunately she's cut her toe quite deeply on the rocks:( She was asleep by 7pm, lol and Evie asked to go to bed at that time, lol!!

So! Now I'm all alone as Andy's brother got tickets for the 3 brothers to go to the closing act of the Broadstairs Folk Week. His wife Jo, is the Director of the whole thing, so it's a very hectic and busy week for her...I'm expecting much beer to be drunk tonite!!! I've got plans though as there's a cyber crop at Butterfly Crafts to try and catch up with, as well as this week's SLYMI challenge (Scrap a square within a square). I also need to forward on the LO I created for the Scraplift challenge at faith Scrappers UK!!! Then later I have yesterday's The Bill to watch and tonite's Criminal Minds (LOVE that show!!)! I know how to enjoy myself, lol!!!

Bernie x

I couldn't come and blog yesterday as it was such a sad day. We went to the stables at 11.30am, and Antoinette groomed Molly and helped with putting on her travelling boots and bandaging her tail ready for travelling. Then the staff let her lead Molly up the yard to the waiting horsebox. After a little walkaround while waiting for the driver to get ready (!) Molly was eventually loaded on...she was such a good girl and didn't take any persuading - just walked on up the ramp!
We then went and opened the big double gates of the stables and wited there for the horsebox to pass. Molly was facing our way and looking out of the window. As soon as she saw us, she started whinneying and neighing, and carried on right down the private road until they turned the corner at the bottom and were then gone!
Of course Antoinette - and Evie! - were devastated.
Julia, the Head Girl at the stables told Antoinette that she could go and groom her horse if it would help...and then said that actually, she could groom her horse any time she liked! I asked Antoinette if any other kids groom this horse and she said no other kids are allowed to go near it as it's Julia's private horse! So that was a pretty special thing for her to do and for Antoinette to receive!
Antoinette did go and groom the horse - Donny - and he is lovely...very friendly! I think he will be a big help for Antoinette in getting used to not having Molly around.

After all that we went out for a meal with mum, dad and my aunt Marion (see the Nun in the photo below!!), which went someway to taking Antoinette's mind off the situation! Especially the big slice of chocolate fudge cake at the end, lol!!
Margie had made Antoinette a lovely canvas with a gorgeous photo of her riding Molly, just after she came out from a Dressage test. It's really lovely, and is going on the wall in their bedroom!
DN, Megan-Elise had made a big poster with photos of Antoinette on Molly as well...that's also going up on the wall!!

Antoinette has now stuck her nose in the BHS Progressive tests book I got for her, and seems determined to take the first test this month! That's good news as when she's taken all 6, that allows her to skip past the BHS Stage 1 test (for age 14 and above) and go straight to Stage 2. However, as Antoinette's only 13 in December this year, she has plenty of time to do the 6 tests!!!

Today I've been scrapping - on paper, shock! horror! - at my friend's house! Had a lovely day and managed to finish 3 CJs so they're all ready for posting on Saturday - phew! Both Cjs have got a little caught up, that's why I have 3 atm lol, but hopfully they'll all be home soon!

I have some digi scrapping I want to catch up on...have a new kit from SIS sitting waiting for my attention! Marion went home today so that should make life easier just over the w/e. We have some footcare appointments tomorrow though so won't get much done:( Then next week it will a matter of ringing all the pople we had to cancel appts. for when mum got swine flu and book them all in again - looking like the summer holidays could be over for me, lol!!

I AM now almost uptodate with the Jessica Sprague classes though! The last lesson - today's - I've listened to but not actually done the practical yet...making our own brushes! BUT! I will DEF have a go over the w/e! Hopefully then I will have something to put on here!!

All the emotion of yesterday really took it out of me though, so am just chilling for a day or 2 and hoping that at the w/e I can have some time to just sit and create! Oh, and get the photos of Hever Castle off my camera!!!!

List of things to do:
SIS CT kit
SLYMI Week 33 LO (scrap a square within a square)
Challenge LO for Pickleberry Papercrafts
Cut my pages for Shimelle's Learn Something New Every Day class which starts on 1st September and maybe do the title page.
Buy photo frames and make DDs some photos of them with Molly to go on their bedroom wall.

OK! Off to watch some sleep-inducing tv now with DH - could be an early morning with DN doing a sleepover!!!!

Bernie x

Look What I Made!

This one is for Pat, Molly's owner. I've printed it off and put it in a lovely wooden frame. It's our little gift to thank Pat for all her kindness to Antoinette (and Evie! She's had a few little rides on Molly as well!). We shall miss her - and Molly of course - but hope to go down to Sussex occasionally in the school holidays to see Molly and Pat.

This is one I made for my Aunt Marion, who's in the photo with Antoinette! She was ever so brave standing that close to a horse!!!! She asked for a copy of the photo to take back to the Convent or the other Sisters there would never believe her, lol! So I decorated it up a bit and put this one also in a nice wooden frame, so she can keep it up in her room!

Antoinette (and Evie!) had her last ride on Molly this afternoon. It was lovely to see them all together, but I'm not going to say much more than that as it makes me fill up!! We're going to Hever Castle tomorrow and Antoinette is adamant she doesn't want to go to the stables tomorrow. They said their private goodbyes to Molly this evening when they turned her out into the field *sniff*.

We will go up on Wednesday when she leaves to see Pat and wave goodbye to Molly. I'm dreading it as I'm sure I'll be worse than the kids!!!! *double sniff*

I got loads of lovely photos today though and now I've seen just how good one looks all prettied up and in a wooden frame, I'm going to do one each for the girls to hang in their bedroom. Molly has really touched their hearts and I really don't think they will ever forget her!

Right! off to watch some boring TV to make me sleepy after all the excitement of creating the photo frames! Early start tomorrow!

Bernie x