tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65796211806316929952012-01-23T22:21:01.290ZA blog for those who love to craft with paper, pens, paints, or fabric.JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.comBlogger1561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-58579571493066904722012-01-20T15:25:00.001Z2012-01-20T15:25:53.910Z

I’m beginning to worry a little (or a lot) that maybe I do have a bit of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). When I go into something, I just jump in and have to have to drown myself in it for awhile, then go onto the next thing. My craft room is beginning to bulge at the seams because of it! Yet I have umpteen dozen unfinished projects lying around here and there that I’ve lost interest in. I

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-25614725587312225352012-01-05T14:22:00.001Z2012-01-05T14:38:20.891Z

Well, this is a day late for the WOYWW post, but here it is anyway: This picture is actually symbolic as it shows how my patchwork has overtaken my papercrafts! If you’re not a quilter, this project is a cushion cover for what we call in the US a “throw pillow”, those little cushions that litter (for lack of a better word) the sofa. Last time I posted about rearranging my craft room, so this

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-14666608737012098712011-12-29T15:08:00.001Z2011-12-29T15:08:57.764Z

I know yesterday was WOYWW, but I was too busy cleaning and organizing to write about it! Yes, at this time of year I get very inspired to start rearranging, clearing out clutter, digging through neglected stash, and dreaming of how I would design the perfect craft room if I had the money and time. Sometimes I type in a search on Google for the term “craft room images” and then sit in front of

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-20662340083186271282011-12-21T11:39:00.001Z2011-12-21T11:39:46.932Z

Yessiree, Christmas is nearly here. Only a few more days, then we have the “let down”…. presents opened, leftovers in the fridge, family gone home, lots of debris (wrapping paper, ribbons, cards, etc.) to dispose of, and a chance to put our feet up and have a little afternoon snooze in the recliner in front of the television. Ah well….. Yesterday was our Christmas “party” at my local “crop”.

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-63021325031424083682011-12-08T17:22:00.001Z2011-12-08T17:23:01.551Z

Yes, I’ve definitely branched out in my crafting now and have been so busy with sewing and patchwork that I have hardly touched my scrapbooking and cardmaking supplies. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to do EVERYthing I want to do! I think most of us feel that way at some point, especially this close to Christmas. Anyway, I want to apologize for not keeping this blog very current, and

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-56251808510009451692011-12-05T14:54:00.001Z2011-12-05T14:54:38.013Z

Last time I showed what I’d been up to with the patchwork I started. Well, I finally (whew!) finished the top – my first ever patchwork “block”. To begin, I had to sort out all my cut pieces. This was no small task, but I just pinned them to a piece of unbleached muslin in order to make sure that I’d cut the right pieces and that they would actually make the design I wanted. In this case, I made

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-37947726799266475362011-11-30T15:11:00.001Z2011-11-30T15:11:14.428Z

Well, don’t get too excited. It’s not human! But my new sewing machine, ordered yesterday and delivered today with free shipping, has arrived. From clicking “Add to Cart” to having the delivery man ring the doorbell took about 20 hours. Wow!!! So since it’s What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday, I’ve got some pics to show. This is the baby: Brother Innovis 600. More machine than I ever thought I’d

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-35937248403035396802011-11-19T15:05:00.001Z2011-11-19T15:05:08.263Z

Yes, I’m almost ready to begin my quilting project. But holy cow…no one told me how addictive and EXPENSIVE this would be! So far, I’ve spent over £100 and that’s just to make one 12X12” block! Of course, I know that most of what I bought will spread itself over future projects, but sheesh…. to get started has run me right into the ground. Here’s what I bought so far: That’s my batting (

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-36964284635939626712011-11-16T15:24:00.001Z2011-11-16T15:24:51.049Z

Okay, so I haven’t posted much about scrapbooking or cardmaking or anything else lately, but I really have been busy. Just not papercrafts. Lately I’ve been suffering with a restless mojo…. wanting to do something but not sure what. Now, however, I’ve decided to try quilting. Patchwork and applique. I’ve never done either but I have done a lot of sewing, so with sewing experience and the

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-55302447313552976952011-11-01T16:00:00.001Z2011-11-01T16:00:26.561Z

Oh my! I had no idea it has been so long since I posted an entry. I have no excuse other than living a chaotic life. We’ve had a little four-day break in Devon (Ilfracombe and surrounds) in October and family goings on (a christening near Exeter) and, well, just L-I-F-E happening. Needless to say, I haven’t done much crafting lately, either. I did start (!) two cards, which both lay on my craft

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-9062795006442623572011-09-29T12:00:00.001+01:002011-09-29T12:02:48.583+01:00

Recently I joined a swap on UK Scrappers for Affirmation Cards. I wasn’t really sure what they were, but it sounded promising, so – as we do – I did a search on Google and found loads of them out there for sale. It did give me lots of ideas, although mine ended up nothing like (sigh….) the ones I found. An affirmation card is basically a visual representation of a truth that you want to manifest

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-52471802749532471592011-09-14T18:19:00.001+01:002011-09-14T18:20:17.799+01:00

Yes, my Samsung Galaxy S2 has acquired a wardrobe of her own now! I came across this cover while looking through the Internet: and I knew, just knew, I was meant to have it! And when you see it close-up or ‘in real life’ it’s even more beautiful than its picture. Seriously! I got it from an online shop called Mobile Fun. They’ve got EVERYthing for your mobile phone! And I just ordered it on

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-24941119645327090212011-09-06T18:55:00.001+01:002011-09-07T00:15:10.505+01:00

Yes, indeed, I’m feeling very ‘crowded’ these days. I want to do some crafting but I spend time doing everything but that!!! Autumn is just around the corner. The leaves are beginning to turn golden, red, and nutmeg brown as they fall from the trees. Today we’re having gales, so it’s cloudy, dark, rainy and cool. When I step outside I can definitely get a sniff of Autumn (or Fall, as we call it

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-70425224922410829322011-08-31T17:23:00.001+01:002011-08-31T17:26:52.451+01:00

Where does the time go?! It’s another WOYWW post today – sort of. First, take a look at my workdesk in my craft room: As you can see, not a lot of work getting done here. It’s chaos! I just keep piling unopened mail and half-finished (or more precisely, half-started) craft projects, junk, etc. on my desk and have no room to actually do any work. I really, really need a good clean-out. Those of

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-52876760087181131552011-08-22T14:47:00.001+01:002011-08-22T14:47:57.376+01:00

It feels like such a long time since I’ve posted. My lovely little grand-daughter has returned home to Texas and life has assumed a state of normalcy….whatever that is. I loved having her and I think she enjoyed herself. Today is her first day of school and I’m sure she had lots of tales to tell! While she was here, I did very little crafting myself, other than making a travel journal for her. It

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-56189960183153815302011-08-13T10:40:00.001+01:002011-08-13T10:44:57.782+01:00

Whew…it’s been a crazy few weeks….but good! My granddaughter is here from Dallas, Texas, and we’ve been moving at the speed of sound! She’s amazingly brave as she flew from Texas to England on all by herself. I had forgotten how much energy it takes to keep up with a ten year old, however, and to keep her entertained. Luckily she’s a sweet little soul and quite happy to stick her nose in a book (

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-39988473365428182872011-07-10T18:20:00.001+01:002011-07-10T18:24:53.672+01:00

Finally found a little time this week to play around with some art journaling. I bought a book called Creative Wildfire that came with a little blank journal (actually just some sheets of paper stapled together), so thought I’d try it out. The pages are small, but very unintimidating and a fun size for experimenting. The book is very good, by the way. It’s basic enough for a beginner but also

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-48562909927082255352011-07-04T17:13:00.001+01:002011-07-04T17:13:49.503+01:00

Sometimes things just aren’t worth the time . . . like going to crops. I go to my local one (six of us) once per month. While I absolutely love the social side of it, I hate the packing up before I go, and the unpacking when I get home again. No matter how much I take, I’m always sure to leave something important at home and that blows apart my “plan” (however sketchy that may be) for the day.

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-61494644009178944732011-06-25T15:39:00.001+01:002011-06-25T15:43:05.877+01:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, there are a few interesting notes about arts and crafts in Norway. All of this, of course, is personal observation not professional expertise, so feel free to comment. Here’s one of the store fronts in Bergen that showcases a lot of the arts and crafts: Knitting: This seems to be one of the most prevalent forms of craft. The Norwegians love color and they use

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-85077283952783039672011-06-24T20:39:00.001+01:002011-06-24T20:46:14.296+01:00

Although it’s not strictly art, I thought I might share with  you some photos from our cruise up the Norwegian fjords. No, don’t worry… I won’t post all the photos here. Instead, I’ll give you the link to the album and keep my fingers crossed that this works. I’ve never done it before, but I spent a good hour putting these photos in chronological order and putting captions to most all of them. So

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-41750487179972358742011-06-22T11:42:00.001+01:002011-06-22T11:42:55.688+01:00

I’m a bit philosophical today. Last night we had our 18th of 20 art class lessons. Now a bit of background: Hubby and I have never had art instruction. He wanted to learn as a young teen but was told by the instructor that he should pursue ‘other studies’ as he showed no talent. That certainly did nothing for his self-confidence so he never touched a brush or drawing pencil since. I never had

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-1535781768357352532011-05-28T20:39:00.001+01:002011-05-28T20:39:37.021+01:00

I didn’t exactly plan it, but I just took a photo of my craft room desk and it really symbolizes my activities this week! The empty plastic box in the left foreground, symbolizes the reorganization and consolidation I’ve been attempting in my craft room. I had some various “bits” in there that I’ve combined with others and they’re all in a new box (or tossed out) now. The camera lens is a

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-62070890329223809632011-05-23T21:55:00.001+01:002011-05-23T21:55:01.186+01:00

I decided to actually DO some crafting today, but I got so frustrated digging through my Distress Inks that I got side-tracked. I thought, “There’s got to be a better way!” My distress inks were all kept, upside down, in a plastic storage box. Every time I needed one, I had to dig through all of them to find the one I want, and I use my distress inks a LOT!! I looked on Google, as we do, for

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-12539070238497688542011-05-16T17:27:00.001+01:002011-05-16T17:27:20.467+01:00

Yep, I’m about to relegate my craft life to the past and get a new hobby. Maybe I’ll take up quilting! First, yesterday I got all ready to do something, though not sure what. So I started cleaning my workspace to make some room. Just got finished and got out my art journal box when I got hit with the tummy terrors! It was awful but I’ll spare you the details. Afterwards I had chills and could do

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-78080159133662427022011-05-13T23:56:00.001+01:002011-05-14T00:12:34.952+01:00

Yes, Zip-a-dee-doo-da, zip-a-dee-ay, my oh my, what a wonderful day! Not sure about the spelling there, but I’ll bet you know the song! Yes, indeed, it was a beautiful day yesterday. I went with a friend for a ‘girls’ day out’. She wanted some help with using her camera as she’d never really used it much since she got it. I don’t know a lot about photography, but offered to help with the basics

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-27686700783373118342011-05-06T15:44:00.001+01:002011-05-06T15:44:54.716+01:00

Maybe I’m the only one like this, but I find myself floundering for a project. I’m soooo in the mood to do something creative, but when I go into my craft room I just blank it all out! I can’t decide whether I want to do some art journaling (yes, I do, but what?), or scrapbooking (yes, I do, but I don’t have the ‘right’ photos), or card-making (yes, I do, but for what and for who?)….yada, yada.

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-3640838772786940132011-04-29T15:23:00.001+01:002011-04-29T15:23:02.821+01:00

My new camera is GREAT! I took the first pictures yesterday at St. Peters Church in Bekesbourne. The following picture is almost the same picture but I stood slightly under a tree with beautiful pink blossoms. You can just see the church, but it’s deliberately out of focus, for effect. And the next picture is from the inside of the church. It’s a stained glass window representing the

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-23972297694606664092011-04-27T14:56:00.001+01:002011-04-27T14:56:23.498+01:00

Yes, it’s yet another WOYWW (= What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday) post, but this Wednesday  I’m jumping up and down. Look what’s on my desk: Yes, I did it… I ordered a new Canon 550D (Canon T2i in USA) and I’m so excited. I don’t know why but I just suddenly had to have this! My old camera is a Canon 350D, which is certainly not shabby, but it is several years old. It is also a digital camera

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-66293603593504397412011-04-21T12:52:00.001+01:002011-04-21T16:37:17.240+01:00

I’m not sure why, but I really am enjoying DOING something with my stash instead of just buying it. I even dug out some old photos to scrap, just for kicks. I found one of (left to right) me, my daughter, and my mother taken about 25 years ago that just begged to be scrapped. My mother has been gone a year and a half, my daughter is now a middle-aged mother herself, and time has left its

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-2079374418507051912011-04-18T17:35:00.001+01:002011-04-18T17:40:17.749+01:00

This morning was the ATC workshop at my local Pickleberry Papercrafts. I’ve done ATCs before, but just thought I’d like the injection of enthusisam that doing it with others gives, not to mention the class leader, Jane Dean. She is the funniest person I know. She can deliver lines with complete seriousness that make me double over with laughter! What a gift! Anyway, the workshop is only£7 and

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-40664886881820282432011-04-13T10:47:00.001+01:002011-04-13T10:47:56.965+01:00

Oh, yes, I’ve got my mojo back for scrapbooking now. Several people suggested page sketches, so I started looking through my old (and some are VERY OLD!) scrapbook books and magazines, so now I’m all ready to roll. I’m pushing forward with this album for my grand-daughter as she’ll soon be one year old. Oooh, so hard to believe. This picture was taken of her sitting at the doctor’s office. I

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-80777049437663736472011-04-12T15:40:00.001+01:002011-04-12T15:40:57.280+01:00

Well, I worked on the layout (in the last post where I asked for suggestions) some more. It’s only 8” x 8”, so I was a bit limited in what I could do, but I’m generally satisfied with the result: I added some journaling, buttons to the strip down the side of the photo, and a metal key and heart. Not perfect but I think it’s all I’m going to do to this. I do thank everyone for the suggestions.

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-10620144404093772002011-04-07T12:57:00.001+01:002011-04-07T12:58:53.396+01:00

Yes, two posts in ONE day….but just wanted to let you know that I’ve updated my card and scrapbook albums (see the little slideshow thingys in the right-hand sidebar) and also added a list of blogs that you may find interesting. I just noticed that I hadn’t added any scrapbook pages since 2009 and cards in almost as long! How the time flies when you’re having fun, right?

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-36373060438614021232011-04-07T11:31:00.001+01:002011-04-07T11:33:46.623+01:00

I just don’t do much scrapbooking anymore and when I do, I just draw a blank! I used to do a LOT of it, plus subscribed to several scrapbook magazines — most of which have now become defunct! At least with the magazines, I had lots of ideas to play with. Now, however, my energies, or what’s left of them, are turned to art journaling (more ‘playful’) and card making (so quick and easy). So when I

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-21307881692990142652011-03-31T17:15:00.001+01:002011-04-07T12:03:55.784+01:00

Oh dear…where does the time go??? Well, the She-Art course is finished and I’m happy I took it. It has given me confidence and introduced me to a few new ways of doing things. It’s always a bit of a let-down, however, when something like that finishes. I have to look around and think “what next?” or just feel lazy. I’ve been in a bit of a deep blue funk the last week for some reason. I’ve spent

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-40782735406061356452011-03-18T11:54:00.001Z2011-03-18T11:54:40.789Z

Try again! Hurrah, this time I got a She Art girl that looks like she’s supposed to! Of course, this is a teeny tiny canvas (5” x 7”) and I found it much easier to work on. Lesson learned. This one has LOTS of texture: modeling paste, paper flowers with button centers, lace trim on her dress, and – although you can’t see it – there are lots of lumps in the grass. Also, I made a little patch

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-76507294354291160272011-03-16T16:03:00.001Z2011-04-07T12:05:12.499+01:00

It’s “What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday” again. It’s been awhile since I’ve posted my desk but I’ve been such a busy little bee lately, I thought I might as well. As you can see, it’s all about paint, glue, etc. these days. The square plastic tub holds my Tim Holtz Distress ink (pads and reinkers) and the application tools for it. The wire caddy towards the back holds my Ranger Adirondack

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-69258106965652473852011-03-13T13:21:00.001Z2011-03-13T13:21:36.245Z

Yesterday was our local crop. I love these sessions….there are six of us and when we get together we really talk about everything, as you can imagine. We kind of ‘set the world right’ again. I always bring too much to these crops, but it’s fun to show off new stash and to see what the others have bought, as well. This time I had a ton of new stamps and some Tim Holtz thingys (dies, masks, printer

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-58007087905525615122011-03-08T20:44:00.001Z2011-03-08T20:44:22.463Z

Well, we’re now into Week 2 of the She-Art class. I’m enjoying it much more than I thought I would….in fact, I’m enjoying it A WHOLE LOT! I am still amazed at the videos that we have. I wish I could work like Christy Tomlinson: she just adds doodles, rub-ons, stamped images, and more with total ease. I have angst over which stamps to add, plus the fact that I don’t have the “right” rub-on or

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-75559144443110676732011-03-04T17:17:00.000Z2011-03-04T17:18:00.189Z

It’s the end of the first week of my online “She-Art” class. It’s been interesting. I’m not too sure how many She-Art creations I’ll want to make, or what to do with them after I make them, but I basically took the course to learn about techniques for backgrounds, how to use mediums and paints, etc. when I play with art journals. Here’s my first attempt: I’m not ‘in love with’ my background

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-91005363882590637152011-02-27T11:42:00.001Z2011-02-27T11:42:39.648Z

Yes, I had a real itch to start using my new stamps so just did this one very quickly. It’s cute, not stunning, but hey ho… I had an itch and scratched it! I used my new Graphics45 papers from their “Once Upon a Springtime” collection, the stamps are from Lili of the Valley (do check out their stamps, they’re brilliant). The round one is one of 12 in the set and I absolutely love all of them.

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-66753452957867617232011-02-26T13:18:00.001Z2011-04-07T12:06:56.480+01:00

It’s been a busy week….and expensive. I’ve bought a lot from my local craft store, including taking a great class on Thursday. We made some albums similar to “Smash Books” in purpose, but much more creative. The aim is to just ‘smash’ in the memorabilia that we save but do nothing with, like ticket stubs, post cards, notes, etc. Unfortunately I haven’t finished mine yet, so no pictures. Jane Dean

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-52632109210894826362011-02-20T13:40:00.001Z2011-02-20T13:40:57.221Z

Yesterday was our local crop, where six of us do a monthly get-together at one of our homes and do whatever we feel like: card making, scrapbooking, art journaling, or just sitting with tea/coffee, cakes, and munchies, and put the world right (we discuss anything and everything!). We’ve been meeting for a couple of years now and they’re great friends. Yesterday, I didn’t know what I wanted to do

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-40299907302082198292011-02-10T17:25:00.001Z2011-02-10T17:25:10.021Z

Aha! Our circle art journal (or art circle journal, if you prefer – they’re art journals that we did in a circle of crafters) is finally complete and seems to be a success. I’m breathing a sigh of relief because no one’s journal has gone astray, no mutinies, and I’m just so thrilled over the entries. Everyone seems to have really put their art, heart and soul into the journals and it shows. I’m

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-8886556303319449492011-01-31T18:52:00.001Z2011-01-31T18:52:22.514Z

Today I stepped away from my usual preferred style (“grunge”) and decided to try a ‘cute’ card. It’s for my sister, who doesn’t read my blog, and she used to have a whole exquisite collection of carousel horses so I thought this stamp was perfect: I used scraps for the patterned paper and flowers, but I’m fairly sure they’re K&Co ‘Que Sera’ collection. I used my ProMarkers to colour the image

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-13893597335070764702011-01-27T13:11:00.001Z2011-01-27T13:11:04.134Z

Well, the cover for my art journal is done….finally. I was just not satisfied with the first attempts (see last post) so ripped off the metal stripping, which never really took the alcohol ink as it should, and replaced it with some beautiful gold American Crafts ribbon, then used some Prima flowers with gems (cheap ones, can’t remember the manufacturer). I also finished the beads. Still have

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-25335150040209273542011-01-25T12:59:00.001Z2011-04-07T12:06:56.483+01:00

Have I been busy? Oh, yesssss (imagine the dog in the Churchill Insurance advertisement)! We’re in the last round of the ‘Colour My World’ circle art journals on UK Scrappers. The next mailing will be back to the journal owner – and that means mine is coming back to me! I can’t wait…. The last journal entry I’m doing is for the ‘Black & White’ journal. Now this was a tough one as, at least to me,

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-38701652256771165482011-01-13T15:13:00.001Z2011-01-13T15:13:27.004Z

I’ve actually been crafting…. just can’t seem to blog and craft at the same time! Our circle art journals are on their very last stop now and that’s GOOD news. I have only one to go and it’s the black and white journal, so I’m having to give this one a long think. The last one I did was ‘Shades of the Sea’ – not a nautical theme, just colours of the sea. Here’s my entry: Please remember that

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-31391094633158453972011-01-03T18:17:00.001Z2011-01-03T18:17:19.367Z

Well, I finally did it! I reorganized (US spelling!) my craft room to carve out a little niche for my writing. It ended up as more of a tidying than a grand reorganization, but it needed it: The Before As you can see, it was a real hodge-podge mess. I’d been shopping (as we do) the day before at Pickleberry Papercraft, where they were having a yummy little sale, and that loot is all on the

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-53329110951820536392010-12-31T11:03:00.001Z2011-04-07T12:05:12.502+01:00

Well, it’s finally here: 2011. I never in my wildest dreams considered I’d be living in this year. I remember in high school reading the book, 1984 by George Orwell, and thinking how remote that seemed. Yet -- at least I’m hoping is the case -- I have a few more years left to go before I reach the end of my journey. So today, like most New Year’s Eves, I’m feeling restless.  Since I’ve started

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-86614518048929803452010-12-22T13:19:00.001Z2010-12-22T13:19:32.926Z

It’s been too long since I’ve posted but I’ve noticed the same slow-down in other blogs. Let’s blame it on the time of the  year, shall we? Honestly, I have been busy…. so busy I can’t even keep up with the days of the week lately! I think it’s almost Christmas now…. just a few days and I’m in a little panic, not much. Still have presents to wrap, things to do for our family get-together on

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-66335028205011714402010-12-11T18:20:00.001Z2010-12-11T18:27:59.628Z

Yes, I really have been busy lately, but not necessarily using my craft supplies; more like buying craft supplies! It’s all Tim Holtz’s fault, too. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it! Seriously, if you are a crafter and haven’t been checking out Tim’s daily blog and his 12 Tags of Christmas, you’re missing a real treat. Now, true…. I haven’t actually made a single tag yet, but I will, I

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-34346370917206651172010-11-28T17:48:00.001Z2010-11-28T17:50:08.843Z

Yes, yes, yes.... I've been busy. I have a few new pages for the 8x8" album I'm doing for my newest grand-daughter. This one is to celebrate her new teeth, which appeared while I was visiting in October. That same week she learned to roll over and roll back -- ah, what a clever little girl she is! Just like her grandma, no doubt. And this one is

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-78702564546736186642010-11-18T17:09:00.001Z2010-11-18T17:16:22.873Z

I haven’t actually abandoned my blog. It’s just that I’ve been really, really busy. Last week I made some birthday cards, but unfortunately, I can’t show them yet as I won’t give them to the recipients until Saturday at our crop. Here’s a little teaser, though… This is my most favourite card I’ve EVER made! I based it on a scrapbook page that I saw and loved. I thought, well wouldn’t that

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-82212553752504980222010-11-06T14:36:00.001Z2010-11-06T14:43:45.637Z

Well, that’s a play on words, of course. I was playing with the art journal titled ‘Fire’ today. It’s one of our journals in the ‘Colour My World’ circle journal project that we’re doing. Ooooh, I love art journals and the freedom to experiment. I started with the base colours, which were colours of fire: yellow, orange, red, deep pink, and blue. As you can see, I used Jo Sonja acrylics (in

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-11733642797073371042010-11-03T09:54:00.001Z2010-11-03T09:54:22.130Z

Yes, it’s that day again….’What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday’ (WOYWW). I haven’t done this in awhile so thought I’d play today. In this picture, I’ve numbered the items to look at. Item 1 is my new (ahem!) laptop, which I am loving! I bought it for using in the craft room since my PC is elsewhere in the house, and also for taking to crops, for writing projects, and for taking along on

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-76776718027250818202010-11-02T16:55:00.001Z2010-11-02T16:55:20.402Z

Yes, another cowboy song! But it’s appropriate for me at this moment, so I’m going to go with it! Back home, back crafting, back dieting, so you see what I mean about ‘back in the saddle’? My trip to Dallas was good except that I was very ill for about three solid days of it, so it felt like wasted time. At least I got a lot done the first week – seeing old friends, shopping, being with family,

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-240190081855976502010-10-18T16:20:00.001+01:002011-04-07T12:05:52.419+01:00

Erm, the title of this blogpost is actually from the song, but it just occurred to me that perhaps not everyone has heard it! It goes something like this: The stars at night are big and brightDeep in the heart of TexasThe prairie sky is wide and highDeep in the heart of TexasThe sage in bloom is like perfumeDeep in the heart of TexasReminds me of the one that I loveDeep in the heart of Texas

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-13331556665941366502010-09-28T11:27:00.001+01:002010-09-28T11:47:21.907+01:00

We’re back from a nice holiday in Dorset. We stayed in a self-catering cottage in Bridport but traveled all over Dorset, Devon, and Somerset. What a beautiful country!!! I really fell in love with the area around Taunton (Somerset?) and the Quantock Hills, so much so that I’d love to MOVE there! It would be so convenient for driving to Bath, Bristol, Exeter, and would probably even be easier to

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-54557449663976163612010-09-13T15:37:00.001+01:002010-09-13T15:37:52.079+01:00

I’m stirring again…this time in the direction of art journaling. I’ve done the entry (well, it’s never done until it’s in the post, is it?!) for our ‘Colour My World’ art/circle journal. The colours for this one are ‘Sunset’ and I suppose that could mean just about most colours. For example, sometimes sunset colours are deep pink and deep blue, other times they’re a pale yellow and light blue,

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-91375326355791144132010-09-08T14:25:00.001+01:002010-09-08T23:24:29.827+01:00

It’s ‘that’ day again…WOYWW (What’s on your Workdesk Wednesday). Unfortunately, my desk is pretty empty, so not much use in taking a photo. I’ve been through a very dry and unproductive period lately. I feel like I want to do something but just can’t seem to sit down and get anything done! I managed a birthday card and that’s all. I ‘cardlifted’ this from this one designed by Jeanne Wynhoff

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-38135308712177603382010-08-29T12:37:00.003+01:002010-08-29T17:55:36.646+01:00

You may see this blog change appearances several times… I’m tired of the old look and am experimenting with a few new blog backgrounds. I wish it would be so easy to redecorate my house!! Just push some buttons and voila…. I like this one, ‘Peekawho’ from The Cutest Blog on the Block. It’s free, the best part… but it only shows the side art (I think it’s called a ‘wrapper’) if you pop it to full

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-86659461094675843512010-08-27T22:50:00.001+01:002011-04-07T12:05:12.505+01:00

I actually cleaned up my craft room today…. I’d been making cards for the last couple of days and it was an unholy mess! Since I’m now adding in sewing paraphernalia, along with the supplies for scrapbooking, card making, and art journaling, it was really getting a bit ‘stuffed’. My poor husband keeps saying we’re beyond reorganising and now we need a new house! (Maybe a BARN conversion??) Here’

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-75520020129214635872010-08-23T14:56:00.001+01:002010-08-23T14:59:18.486+01:00

I should begin this with a thank you for all the nice compliments on the dress I made... AND explain that, er, no I won't be modeling it. You see, this was a H-U-G-E wake-up call for me as to how much weight I've gained since coming to the UK and especially in the last few years. My excuse (and I'm stickin' to it!) is that because of my feet and leg problems, I have been unable to hardly even

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-88422248240135592772010-08-17T18:56:00.001+01:002010-08-17T18:56:28.515+01:00

Well, I think life is returning to normal now. I did finish my dress in time for my step-daughter’s wedding and was very pleased with the way it turned out. It was too short for my taste, so the next time I use this pattern I’ll lengthen it at least 3-4 inches! But I got a few compliments, so I’m okay with it. . . especially since it’s the first thing I’ve made in many years (30??). Here’s a

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-1310860535483062612010-08-11T16:53:00.001+01:002010-08-11T16:53:18.174+01:00

My head tells me it’s not true, but somehow I just feel that little charge in the air that says Autumn (UK) or Fall (USA) is just around the corner. I realise it’s blasphemy for someone in the UK to say it, but I can’t wait! We do have beautiful weather here in September and October, generally, unlike the still very hot days in Texas. The days are mild or even warmish if it’s sunny, but the

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-82708974884513190392010-08-06T18:58:00.001+01:002010-08-06T18:58:31.466+01:00

Hurrah, hurrah! My dress is hanging on the hanger now. I only need to do the last minute handstitching and I’m so thrilled! Here’s the pattern: I made the dress and tomorrow will make the longer jacket. The dress is much shorter than I’m used to wearing (gulp!) but Gok Wan (bless him, I l-o-v-e his programs!) says you don’t have to be a size 10 to wear knee length hemlines. The neckline is

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-62236827040165488172010-08-04T12:17:00.001+01:002010-08-04T12:17:07.650+01:00

After all my careful preparation, I finally started actually CUTTING out my dress, yesterday. It was all going well until I realised that I’d lost the pattern piece for the jacket pocket. I know it was there because I remember looking at it, but I can’t figure out how it could just disappear. Oh well, I’m sure I can work around that, but the fabric for the dress is a nightmare! It’s cotton (at

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-54351361587009818072010-08-03T11:10:00.001+01:002010-08-03T11:10:24.808+01:00

I just realised (UK spelling"!) that it’s been a very long time since I’ve blogged. My excuse is that I’ve just been too busy.  Well, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it, anyway. Today I’m cutting out a dress and jacket…finally. It’s Butterick 5472 and looks great on the pattern envelope. This will be the first thing I’ve made since about 1978 I think, so …. well, fingers crossed! It says ‘

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-80703046871494819262010-07-18T16:36:00.001+01:002010-07-18T16:36:21.907+01:00

There must be a word for someone like me… who always jumps headlong into a new hobby (or obsession). I have just ordered nine new patterns, making a total of 17 new ones now in just about two weeks (oh, and throw in one sewing magazine subscription)! How many items have I made from these patterns? Answer: none.  How much fabric have I bought? Answer: only enough for one outfit, and I’ve changed

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-20485341578045942842010-07-14T16:38:00.001+01:002011-04-07T12:05:12.507+01:00

I got very ambitious this past week and decided to clear out all my old magazines. I was drowning in them…. Simple Scrapbooks, which isn’t even in business anymore, to 2007-2009 issues of Creating Keepsakes and lots in between. The pile looked something like this (it got slightly larger): I took three boxes of them to our crop on Saturday and gave them all away! I told myself I was not going

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-41089018795839695212010-07-07T19:56:00.001+01:002010-07-07T19:56:38.665+01:00

It’s time to exchange our art journals again and I’m amazed at the entries! They’re all beautiful and to think this is really a first for most of us. I just finished and posted on the Green AJ that belongs to Hellosister: On the left side, I inked it with Distress Inks and then used torn bits for a patchwork border. The centre is gold tissue  paper with the saying ‘Each life needs its own

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-82609662264837633252010-07-05T15:26:00.001+01:002010-07-05T15:26:01.103+01:00

Have you noticed that we seem to be having a love affair with ‘vintage’ lately? Whether you call it ‘vintage’ or ‘retro’, it’s all the rage in food (i.e. ‘comfort food’) home furnishings, clothing, cards, and scrapbooking! I wonder what it’s all about! My guess would be that it’s a comfort thing. In the current climate of technology spinning too quickly and sometimes out of control, of a doom &

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-90287141978668265062010-06-30T18:17:00.001+01:002010-06-30T18:17:34.567+01:00

Well, it’s WOYWW again. I’ve got not one, but TWO messy workdesks this week, thus the fork in the road. Actually several forks if we’re honest! First, the usual paper crafting. I’m back on the Art Circle Journal again. The green pages are the first entry on the circuit, besides my own of course. And they’re far from done! I’m really struggling with inspiration for these art journals. I’ve

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-50007736312534962002010-06-18T15:40:00.001+01:002010-06-18T15:50:28.724+01:00

Why is it that when I’m really working away, concentrating, and maybe trying to hurry a little (my to-do list is a mile long), that things just go wrong? I had my photos printed then realized I’d got glue all over two of the photos AFTER the layouts were done! So I had to very carefully peel them off (thank goodness I’d used repositionable Herma) and reprint them. Then my ink cartridges ran out.

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-52822649507747139832010-06-15T22:44:00.001+01:002010-06-15T22:44:34.110+01:00

Yes, today was the first posting of our Colour My World Art Journals (circle journals). I’m so excited to see what everyone is doing. I’ve mentioned it in a few other recent posts so I won’t belabour the story, but basically we’re following the idea in ‘True Colors’, a Stampington/Somerset Studio book of a group of 13 artists who each chose colours, then sent their books in a circle until all 13

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-39643521873666387602010-06-09T14:00:00.001+01:002010-06-09T14:12:10.627+01:00

It’s that time again: WOYWW or ‘What’s on your workdesk Wednesday’. What’s on mine? Well, I’m doing my utmost to avoid real work but hoping this will pay off in the future. Normally when I want to use one of my Stampin’ Up stamp sets, I have to look through this mess, one by one, to find something suitable: These may not look so bad here, but each of these sets is double-shelved, which means

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-5739169257467855832010-06-08T09:25:00.001+01:002010-06-08T09:25:10.958+01:00

Well, I have done very little crafting lately. I’ve worked on my ‘Colour My World’ art/circle journal only a little more, adding my sign-in pages for every member to sign. I’ve had these little paper bags for a couple years but never could find what to do with them. So I put a blank ATC card in each one and labeled the envelope with the members’ UKS screen names. The idea is that each one

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-57227519338451633572010-05-25T17:55:00.001+01:002010-05-25T17:55:33.228+01:00

Pjew…. my fingers are permanently inked with Rusty Hinge (if you’re a crafter, you’ll recognize that colour!) and a few others. It doesn’t go away easily! I’ve been working for three (maybe four) days on the Colour My World Art Journal that we are turning into a circle journal. I thought I’d better get an early start, even though we’re not due to post it until 15th June, but it’s a good thing I

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-83770712773765924092010-05-16T17:51:00.001+01:002010-05-16T17:51:12.136+01:00

Yikes, where does the time go? Where do the days go? It’s just whooooosh and they’re gone. I think the older we get, the more scary it is, too. April is finished and so is my April entry for my 2010 mini album. Of course, May is nearly half over now! April was not an exciting month, but hey ho hum. We had a visit to Wildwood Park near us in early April. At this time of year, places like this

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-54868872769848260402010-05-07T15:57:00.001+01:002010-05-07T16:02:38.170+01:00

Maybe it's a Texas saying: 'I feel like I'm herding cats!' when everything and everyone seems to be going in different directions. I'm starting a new circle journal on UKScrappers, plus going on a weekend trip and getting ready for that, plus planning a trip to America and getting ready for that, plus embarking on a get-fit regime that is multi-faceted, plus feeling as if I don't have time to do

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-57636080540899328072010-05-02T11:01:00.001+01:002010-05-02T11:01:00.209+01:00

Yes, it’s raining again. Can’t complain as we really needed the rain, but my husband starts gasping for air when he can’t be outside! I told him he should have been a forest ranger in some remote area of a mountain in Colorado, Tennessee, etc. instead of being born in Northampton and having a career in business. The older he gets, the worse it becomes, too. He volunteers once per week to work in

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-65434811772398281692010-04-28T12:30:00.001+01:002010-04-28T12:33:32.757+01:00

Yes, it’s Wednesday. Yes, I’ve been working in my craft room. Yes, it’s a mess. No, I can’t find anything because it’s such a mess! This is my ‘main’ desk. This is where I sit when I’m sloshing away on my latest creation (hence the in-progress art journal pages you can just see at the bottom of the photo). I tend to work with things in boxes. The large plastic box on the left holds all my

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-27909998349794846392010-04-26T14:38:00.003+01:002010-04-26T17:06:26.750+01:00

Finally I've been able to do an entry in my art journal! While art journaling isn't difficult to do so far as technique, sometimes it's very, very difficult to get the journaling part down on paper, especially when it's something that's either painful or sensitive. And it seems there's a story behind most pages.  There are some excellent books and articles about the therapeutic value of art,

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-23389804907967173612010-04-23T15:50:00.001+01:002010-04-23T15:50:03.788+01:00

My ATCs have stirred my creativity it seems, although lately it doesn’t take much. I wish I could just be in a sun-filled, warm (emphasis here!) studio every day all day, filled with a big oak work table, all my craft supplies, a nice soft settee for curling up on when I need a break, my books and magazines, a coffee pot, computer, and telephone. Wouldn’t that be heaven??? Does such a place exist

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-970996251893662512010-04-22T12:42:00.001+01:002010-04-22T12:42:25.149+01:00

Yesterday I finished the last two of my set of six ATCs with the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme. (Remember you can click this image to enlarge it) I was hoping to have my new ProMarkers to use for these, but they just appeared in the post this morning so I used my Stampin’ Up markers instead -- along with, of course, Ranger Distress Inks for background shading, Ancient Page Coal Black ink for

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-69688239063148722832010-04-20T16:12:00.001+01:002011-04-07T12:06:56.486+01:00

I know it’s been awhile since I’ve updated – apologies, if anyone cares, but I was really ill for about four days and am finally feeling semi-normal (relatively speaking, of course). You know I’m really ill when I don’t even come around the computer as normally I spend about 4-6 hours per day on it. Well, almost. I was supposed to go to our local crop on Saturday but couldn’t… even though I was

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-69531361302337331022010-04-03T15:17:00.001+01:002010-04-03T15:17:16.427+01:00

Our UKScrapper book mark swap is now complete and a resounding success. We had 18 participants, which I divided into two groups. Each person made 9 bookmarks and received back nine unique bookmarks, and they were truly unique. Here’s a picture of the ones I made: Some people made all nine alike, some made nine different ones. I did them all different because I was playing with techniques and

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-1435447364548732242010-03-28T16:04:00.001+01:002010-03-28T16:04:06.854+01:00

It’s that time again in Britain: Spring forward, Fall back! So we woke up an hour later, according to the clock, than this time yesterday…. isn’t that a bit absurd? But have you ever wished you could literally change the time and go back to re-do something? If anyone over the age of 40 says they have no regrets, they’re either lying to you or lying to themselves. Do I have regrets? You bet’cha!

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-71904722195947781092010-03-23T14:25:00.001Z2010-03-23T14:25:14.781Z

Yesterday my husband and I were really frustrated with trying to remember some details about some books we’d read at book clubs, so we discussed devising some kind of rolodex-type system. I started looking online for something as writing out and organising by hand all our books was daunting, to say the least. Here are some photos of a few of our books: These are the three bookshelves in our

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-30761742373870710622010-03-14T18:30:00.001Z2010-03-14T18:30:00.919Z

Although Mother’s Day in the U.S. is in May, it’s today in the UK. I’ve been thinking about my mother a lot today….. it’s been about three months since she’s been gone but I still miss her every day. The hardest times are those when I think ‘Oh, I’d bet Mom would like to hear about this….’ or ‘I’m going to ask Mom about that….’ or maybe I find something I know she’d love and think about sending

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-6977440258707426502010-03-08T16:12:00.002Z2010-03-12T16:46:44.308Z

Arrrgghh. . . I’m so sick of grey and cold! We had a few days of rare sunshine last week, but it never warmed up at all. I’ve never been so hungry for Spring in my life as I am this year. We’ve had the coldest winter in about 80 years in the UK. It’s snowed in Florida and dumped snow quite regularly across the Midwest US and Atlantic states. Europe has also been in a deep-freeze, so where is this

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-17346315988247446122010-03-03T13:49:00.001Z2010-03-03T13:49:18.371Z

Yes, it’s WOYWW again. So, what’s on my workdesk today? A right mess, actually. I’ve literally been ‘playing’ for the past two days. I saw Tim Holtz on QVC last week and ordered some goodies (from Scrap Revolution however, not QVC) and found some inspiration. I’m organising a Bookmark Swap on UKScrappers, so that’s what I’m experimenting on. You can see three of the bookmarks (all unfinished

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-72641537627263000692010-02-20T16:07:00.001Z2011-04-07T12:06:56.488+01:00

Seems like the weeks are flying by right now and I can’t keep up…. how does that happen? Plenty of time to waste, but none to spend productively! We’ve had snow again and more predicted overnight. Just a month ago I was sitting in the Florida sunshine and now I wish I was back there! The ideal would be to spend November through March in a warm place in the U.S. and April through October here in

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-5064422092057268892010-02-08T18:12:00.001Z2010-02-08T18:35:34.742Z

Finally, finally, finally…. I’ve started my 2010 Mini-album! This is the one I’ve been yapping about (see my blog entry here) making it a challenge. We’re also doing it on Uk Scrappers, but you can join it on this blog or on UK Scrappers, if you’re a member there. I’ve had this idea seeing it on someone else’s blog, so wanted to give it a try. I finished the cover pages today: Sorry about the

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-15900750744969652092010-01-31T15:54:00.000Z2010-01-31T15:54:44.539Z

Yes, I'm back home now and it feels great -- except of course for the cold weather or the gloomy, short daylight hours, but that's about all. Today and yesterday we've actually had SUNSHINE (dare I say it aloud?) so who's complaining? It's much different than my last week in Florida when I sat outside on the deck, soaking up the rays in 70+ F weather. Oh well..... the daylight hours are slightly

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-18282524265711314892010-01-19T22:39:00.001Z2010-01-19T22:41:49.222Z

Today it was about 75 and sunny.... you see, I'm in FLORIDA, not the UK! My dear husband is managing things at home while I'm here and told me today to enjoy the sun while I can.... it's supposed to snow in Kent again tomorrow.  What a difference a few thousand miles makes! Not much shopping this trip, just lots of sorting through Mom's photos, knick-knacks, dishes, etc. I wish I could keep more

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-19733577825206158822010-01-04T11:06:00.002Z2010-01-04T11:16:25.138Z

Oh, dear…just when I was looking forward to everything getting back to normal today (post, public transportation, schools, etc.), this is what we woke up to this morning: Bleaaagghh. It may look like a picture postcard, but it’s a right pain in the you-know-what! Hope everyone had a good holiday. We did, although it was quiet (by choice), but I’m always glad when it’s over. Our decorations are

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-71258071781157942612009-12-18T23:06:00.001Z2009-12-18T23:06:14.434Z

Sorry it’s been awhile since I’ve updated. It’s been a rough couple of weeks. Although my foot is healing, it’s still very, very painful and I’ve been very restricted in movement. It’s all okay, just taking awhile. On December 12th, my mother lost her battle with lung disease. It’s very, very hard to write about so I won’t … except to say that I miss her tremendously. She was a wonderful woman,

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579621180631692995.post-48772803094904834102009-12-02T13:17:00.001Z2009-12-02T13:17:19.218Z

I haven’t done this WOYWW (What’s on your worktable Wednesday) in awhile but decided that this might be the best way to explain what I’ve been up to lately. So here’s my worktable: I’ve numbered the items so I can mention them in some kind of order. These are the printouts of the pdf files from Shimelle’s ‘Blogging for Scrapbookers’ online class. It’s finished now but I got some great

JaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234524661070266136noreply@blogger.com2