Some more piccies

A couple more journals that I've created...

Grumps' one (My dad refused to be called Grandad when Sarah was born 11 years ago and decided to be called Grumps instead... yes, we get asked all the time who GRUMPS is, my explanation is that he's a grumpy old sod - worst thing is that poor Mum is known as Mumps - it's just attention seeking me thinks - on Dad's behalf that is) was made speedily on Christmas Eve. Dad is the kind of person who takes offence with wasteful presents and I had to check with Mum first if he would appreciate a handmade book. Anyway, Dad's a great gardener and has learned lots over his lifetime. He's now gardening by the moon - very interesting and probably uses common sense! So he's going to use the journal to write and design his gardens in it.

I cut the lettering out on my Cricut, using Opposites attract (my fave font cart - so versatile) and the little picture was cut out from a pack of Kim Martin's paper - All Occasions. The green is actually quite flowery, but it looked right. I outlined the lettering by hand, but still would like to get a cricut pen to go in place of the blade - have heard that they work really well with outlining. This time I used Mount board for the covers, it tears a bit when I cut it in my guillotine, but have just sanded the edges. Even cheaper for the insides, some old dot matrix paper that Dad had given me for Sarah to draw on (good job that I decided that it was to good for waste paper - despite the fact I've hoarded it for the past 7 years!! Oh well it's in good use now!)

This next one is for a family friend, Chloe, she must be 14, nearly 15 and has gone through most fashions... goth, mad coloured hair, a very individual young lady! We decided that this was a great design for her, she's doing her GCSE's next year, so will no doubt need lots of space to write her revision notes..

The cover was Dovecraft KRAFT coloured 8" x 8" boards, with the front covered in DCWV Rock Star sheet. I have a lovely friend called Karen who has an ebay shop, who I know I can rely on for papers that I don't have!! I managed to get this set from her on the last day at school, and am so grateful for her!! Chloe isn't really a girly girl, well last time I spoke to her she wasn't! So I didn't put too many ribbons on it for her.

I can't wait to hear what people are using their books for..... I really enjoy making them.

Anyway for now, I'll be off. Didn't make anything today, but will be stamping before long as I have som Magnolia's and Nellie's on order!! Oh.. and a Will'n'Way set as well... I'm so naughty!

Hugs, Em xx

Well, here's the first lot of my artwork. I said that it would be every day, I'm only just going to make it!
I bought myself a Bind it All machine back in November, knowing that I would be making severa presents with it! Well that was the excuse anyway... here's some of the presents that I made - let me know what you think!

Jo's my bestest crafting buddy and we agreed that we'd make something for each other this year instead of buying - unfortunately she ran out of time to make mine.. but I kept my part of the bargain!
Here's the inside of the book, I even managed to put tabs in it for her. I'm hoping that she will use it for her card layouts and ideas as I know she has sheets loose on her table, I know that she WILL eventually use it after stroking it for a bit.

The chipboard I bought from The Range, Dovecraft and the cover sheet is one of my favourites, Rob & Bob Studio. The inserts I used was a pack of laid writing paper I found reduced in Sainsburys'!! You'll get to learn that I am a one for bargains!

I'll have some more to show you tomorrow.. maybe a card, depending if I manage to get my space on the dining table back for a couple of hours..

Hugs, Em xx

Post Christmas sigh...............

Joyner peeps Christmas morning

- everyone full of cold and coughs....

oh and Aimee stuffing her face with banana chips!

Well, that was that! Christmas is now over.
I've not blogged for a whole month now! What is going on! Lots to say...

Firstly, the pc is now installed in the dining room - on the breakfast table that was the dumping ground!! It's great there as Sarah can now do her homework, we can all be sociable (as much as you can when surfing!) or at least be in the same room together when playing, eating etc.

Secondly, the front room is TIDY!! With Christmas and decorations to be put up, the boxes, (Yes, it did take us 6 months to move the box with our wedding presents in..) the clothes - ironed and unironed - and piles of craft items have NOW GONE!!! This is the way that I am attempting to keep it as well, it's so nice without the mess everywhere!

Thirdly, because Christmas involves entertaining - not a word that normally enters the Joyner family vocabulary - I tidied the dining table, yes you heard right!! Jo was amazed when she came around yesterday to see it tidy. BUT... yes.. this is the way forward, I've said it before, but it has always reverted back to a crafty organised chaos.. piles leaning everywhere. .. NO MORE!! The Chaos is now in my room, and in the garage, to be sorted and organised ready for the big move into the Craft Shed. ooohh... it won't be too long now!

Lastly, my Mum and Dad are now on their way home..... it's so sad when they return back to France, I don't think that I will ever get used it. But it's meant to be.. We had a really fun week with them. The girls enjoyed their company so much this time around, June (when Rob and I were married) was so rushed and we didn't really spend quality time together with Mum & Dad..... but this time was lovely. We spent last weekend with M&D and Mat & Jill (my brother & SIL) ... it was great - we had an early Christmas on Sunday and were all spoilt rotten by Mat & Jill.

I made some gifts this year, and now that they've been received, I shall post them here. I've been quite chuffed as I've not really been in the mood to create what with one thing and another.. but it's helped me turn things around and move on from a sad last few months.

I also got some lovely crafty presents, well OK with a little bit of a hint to Rob.. well he wouldn't know otherwise!!

I'm aiming to get a creation posted a day to help me keep motivated, it shouldn't be that hard - should it!?

So.... until tomorrow.. I'm off to create.!

Hugs, Em xx

New toy to play with....

NEW TOY ALERT!!!!

WOWee!!!! My husband is simply gorgeous!! As many crafters may agree, an All-in-One Printer is one of the important bits of kit - how else are you meant to scan and print your creations or favourite papers! Well my lovely Epson CX6600 died a death after printing all of our wedding stationery. The print head simply gave up apparently. We have had it for about 5 years, and it has gone through much printing... but it's so annoying that it doesn't print anymore, especially with such a great scan facility! I hate throwing things away which still have use in some way, but as the Rob keeps telling me, manufacturers build printers these days as purely disposable items.. disgusting really....

Anyway to cut a long story short, Rob has bought me (well no-one else is going to use it!) a lovely HP printer (C5180), so me and the girls have been playing with it this morning, printing off photos from the summer. I've also printed off some of the Pink Petticoat papers - I can't believe how lovely they are!! Looking forward to printing some more off now and creating some yummy cards!

The Start of something NEW...

Oh My Gosh... I can't believe that I've started this!! I've been hooked on reading and admiring lots of crafters blogs that I've taken the plunge and created my own.... I'm looking forward to finishing and showing you some of my creations.

I LOVE to craft and create all sorts of papercrafting items. I'm constantly dabbling, much to my family's grief... I call it my sanity. I have 3 gorgeous girls, who keep me very busy. I don't have much of a social life apart from going to Craft Groups & Crops, so I spend most of my time creating!

The main aim of this blog is to display my finished creations. I've been a bit of low the last few weeks, and I've decided that I need a good old kick up the bum.

Let's hope that this will be the start of something wonderful and new!!