An autumn weekend

This weekend I have mostly been...

Finding new paths. I have driven on these roads all my life and I've never parked up and explored beyond the hedge. It's very special to walk slowly along, looking for fruit, listening for squirrels and soaking in the beauty of it all.

Foraging for blackberries. More than I can carry, mostly small but sweet and full of flavour. Every so often you can find a big juicy one, hidden behind a leaf or protected by a bramble. They taste all the better for having to fight to get them. 

Being grateful. Somewhere after crossing this stile I dropped my phone (which is what I was using to take these photos). We walked on and eventually left....a couple of hours later I realised what had happened and we returned to trace our steps. Before we had even parked the car, someone rang to say they had found my phone in the long grass and where could they meet me to return it. I am amazed that they found it, and that they returned it. People are good.

Resting. Much like these little sweeties in the pet shop. I wish I could take them home, but I don't think a certain pussy cat would approve.

Being inspired. Taking photographs for future reference (and sketching). Enjoying colours, shapes and scents.

Doing things differently. Being outdoors doing stuff means I'm not indoors making stuff. I'm making the most of it while the sun still shines, and it feels good.

Scrapbook Sunday

Time off work has been absolutely perfect. Lots of lovely times and in between...some crafty stuff too. 

In between experimenting with sketching and painting, I still scrapbook. I have many stories to tell and much pretty paper to use.

Hello September

Sliding in to autumn and the weather is as hot and sunny as we could have wished for in June. Right now my days are filled with scrapbooking, painting, long walks in the sunshine and precious moments. There are some really good things happening, and there are some really terrible things. The contrast between the two is almost more than I can handle. Taking it day by day, moment by moment, is the only way through.

An art holiday at home

This week has been quite lovely. Staying home from work without any plans to go anywhere...it's nice to have time just to be.

One of the things on my lifetime to-do list is an art holiday - preferably one of those ones somewhere in Europe that's warm and sunny with great food, cheap wine and lovely scenery. That's not really in the budget this year, so instead I am making an effort to make art at home - starting with getting out the watercolours and experimenting.

Hopefully I will have some finished works to show you by the time I go back to work...

Favourite photos

This photo is one of my all-time favourites. It's taken me a while to scrapbook it, because I wanted to do it justice. And there is SO much I could write. (There is some hidden journalling on a tag behind the photo). Sometimes, though, you just have to get it done. Things change, feelings change...let's get it down on paper while it lasts.

Project Life?

Project Life is a massively successful system that has taken over the scrapbooking world this year. Instead of doing pages about single events, scrapbookers use pages with lots of little pockets to record individual photos and journalling cards. It's mostly done on a weekly basis to record every little moment. Lots of people are doing it. 

My trouble is committing to a long-term project. I like scrapbook pages because they are single items and 'completeness' doesn't really extend any further than a 12x12 spread. I've taken part in annual month-long classes in September and December every year for the last 5 years and I only have a 50% completion rate on those albums. So I think attempting Project Life was always going to be a bit ambitious. Instead, I've used it as a bit of inspiration to get back to doing monthly review pages. I last did these in 2007 when I lasted until April, so I've already managed to get further than ever before. Currently operating two months behind....but when you consider that I am also scrapbooking a holiday that took place two years ago, that's pretty good going really. 

Flowers

Don't you just love flowers? I do, but then I'm easily pleased. Mum and Gran love flowers too, so for their joint birthday earlier this year, I bought loads of bunches of roses and mixed them all together for a huge, multi-coloured bouquet.

I'm also loving this embellishment under the photo (which neatly hides my foot in the photo). Paper + chipboard + washi tape....and those little wooden cameras will be featuring in a lot more pages in the future for sure.

Insta-Morph

I haven't done a Morpheus page for a while. Mostly because I felt like I was always doing pages about him, and there are other stories that need telling too. And then I realised that I'm always taking photos of him, just not scrapping them. Instagram is a wonderful thing (find me! @wightkate) and I've been taking lots of photos of Morph with my phone lately and making them look wonderfully vintage. The square format is also great for a different look to my pages. I've just had a big batch of photos printed, so you can definitely expect to see some more instagrams in my albums.

Something different

I think this is as close to minimalist as I get. A white background counts, right? One of my favourite photos from this year, Mum and Gran's birthday lunch in February. My 2012 album is already really full, and I can't tell you how happy that makes me. 

A summer burst of creativity

I don't have a lot to say, really.

Well, I do have a lot to say but none of it makes a lot of sense. I think I need to go back to keeping a journal to get some of this stuff out of my system. But to sum it up: life is full. I am mostly quite happy. I still face challenges, but I am growing to meet them. And that's not a bad place to be right now.

Also, I have made a LOT of scrapbook pages recently. Something about the wet summer weather we are having just inspires me to stay inside and create. And I definitely can't complain about that.

This page? Probably the most complicated page I've ever made and it certainly took the longest. I started it three times with different background papers and kept changing my mind. Then I had already stuck down the photo and the title card, so I had to stick with those, but I changed the background again to make a grid of punched squares. Then I layered on the doily, the title, some stamping, that cluster of embellishments....and then it still didn't look right, so I decided to continue the quilted effect by sewing across some of the squares. After the first one, I realised doing them all was actually going to drive me insane, so I chose random ones across the page. Then I decided I wanted buttons. Then I had to thread embroidery floss through each button and use a glue dot to stick them on the page. I *think* it's finished now, but I'm still not entirely sure!

A life online

It's hard to imagine a world without the internet. So much of my life happens online, and so much is recorded there too. This blog is my own little corner, however rubbish I am at updating it. Facebook, though, is another story. I resisted joining it in the beginning, figuring it was just another 'thing' that would pass. But in 2007 I gave in and signed up, and despite occasional weeks when I try and cut myself off, it's been an integral part of my life ever since. As someone who is really bad at keeping in touch with people, it's an easy way out. And as much as I would like to say I miss handwritten letters and postcards in the post - who am I kidding, I never wrote any letters.

The idea for this page came about when one friend was going through another's Facebook profile photos. And I realised that they are a mini-autobiography all of their own. Facebook keeps them in a folder and it's super-easy to go through and chart out my life. So much has changed since that first picture in 2007 - not least my hair - and making this page seemed like a good opportunity to bring it all together.

35 photos on one spread is definitely a record for me. Also, a great opportunity to use some office-themed supplies. I know I can't actually use a typewriter to go on Facebook, but it kind of fits the theme. The Facebook logo and 'like' symbol were downloaded and printed on photo paper to make my own embellishments.

I love this. I love the grid of photos. I love the way it charts my life. I love that it feels like progress and reminds me how far I've come. And I am absolutely going to do another one in another five years' time.

The sweetest feeling

Oh, it feels so good to be back. 

I took a long break from choir earlier this year, and walking through the door to my first rehearsal in months? Very hard. But after about five minutes it was like I'd never been away, and as soon as we start singing I remember why I love it so.

As I write this, I've just got back from our big summer performance. The photos on this page are from a rehearsal earlier in the week, when everything came together and we realised that it was going to be ok. And tonight it was more than 'ok'. Honestly, nothing beats singing in a big group of people when you can hear the harmonies blend and you know that your voice is joining with everyone else to make a sound that is bigger and richer than anything you can do on your own. And when you know a piece really well, and can sing your line with confidence (I'm still working on that bit) so that instead of concentrating on the notes, you can just feel the joy of singing...that is the feeling that I strive for, and it is sweet indeed.

Creativity is not dead

I've had a bit of a shuffle around on my desk. Do you ever find that you never use the stuff that's neatly put away? EXACTLY. I've been saying this for years as my reason not to tidy up. Anyway, I realised that the reason I wasn't using all my fabulous embellishments was because they were carefully hidden on a shelf. So I've changed that:

A friend came to my house the other day, and remarked 'You have enough to scrapbook forever!'. I didn't have the heart to tell her that she was only looking at my scrap paper basket. (It's in the top right, off the edge of this photo). The good stuff is tucked away so the cat can't sit on it. I do, though, make a point of going through my folder every time I need a piece of paper, so at least it gets used.

But the rearranging has paid off, with a great crop of pages lately. I've been having a real urge to scrapbook and haven't been able to do anything about it, because I'm just so busy right now. But there's always next weekend, and I have a few days off work lined up. All this rainy weather is perfect for staying inside and playing with paper.

Quiet moment, old papers

In 2007 I went to a scrapbooking weekend. And while I was there I went to a local scrapbook shop (my first ever!) and bought some papers that I thought were lovely. I even bought matching stickers and embellishments, which I'd never done before. How exciting!

Five years later, and I finally turn that paper into an actual scrapbook page. Those circles are from the SEI Madera Island range, which is so old that you can't even get it on sale any more. I found the perfect use for them on this page about my favourite coffee shop. And that orange chevron behind the photos? The 'b' side of the same paper. Who says trends don't come round again?

That girl, this girl

Every so often, there's a post on one of the scrapbooking forums I use, saying 'how do I scrap the bad stuff?' And honestly, it's kind of tricky. There is no easy way to make heartbreak/illness/bereavement fit nicely in between pages full of pictures of your cat and the smiley everyday. Mostly, my answer has been - I don't. I've tried scrapbooking about all those things, but pretty paper doesn't make them better.

But life changes. And sometimes pages cover the hard stuff without even meaning to. This page above isn't a new one - it's from 2007. It was one of my favourite pages at the time, and got the most comments in my online gallery. I can remember where I was when the photo was taken, who I was with, what was happening in my life, and how I felt. I was mostly worried about growing my hair and losing weight, and trying not to get too sunburnt. Oh, if only I knew then what I know now...

It was the angle of the photos that inspired me to do a re-take. That, and the fact that it is exactly five years on. Where did the time go? That girl in that first photo feels like a different person. She was so insecure, so uncertain, so superficial. So excited about the future and so determined to make it work.

And in 2012, this girl? The future she is living is not the one she thought she'd have. And it's been a hard road to get here. This girl worries less, loves differently, works harder, sings more and has finally grown her hair, only to keep it tied up all the time. Still the same heart, same soul, same faith in herself. In 2007 that girl didn't need to worry because things were working out ok. This girl knows she doesn't need to worry because whatever happens, she can deal with it.

Scrapbooking from a starting point

Sometimes I need a kick to get me going, and sometimes something just inspires me. This starting point just seemed perfect for these photos from a fabulous wedding.

I made my own fabric flower (I know!) and used candi dots to look a little bit like confetti. I have two sizes of butterfly punch now and oh that makes me happy. So does layering two colours of butterfly together to get the contrast I wanted. And then after I'd done the whole thing, I stamped right on to the cardstock to create a journalling space. Lots of different elements that I love on this page.

Catching up - Christmas in June

One of my projects lately has been to go through my albums and work out where the gaps are. What stories are missing? And I realised that if you just looked through my albums (organised by year) you'd probably think I spend a lot of time shopping, eating cake & drinking tea, and taking photographs of my cat. There are lots of occasions that I know happened, that just aren't in there.

I think partly it's because I always have so many photos. My Christmas pile is one of the biggest in my box of photos. Partly it's because I struggle to see the stories beyond the obvious ones of family, dinner, and presents. And yes, partly it's because for several years, Christmas has been an incredibly difficult time for us all. Christmas 2011 felt very different and very positive, and suddenly as I went through my pile of photographs, it wasn't so hard to think of a story to tell that was more than just about the silly hats and how we always have our crackers between the main course and dessert.

Not every page has to be that profound, though - it's perfectly ok to showcase some of the daft photos that are inevitable when you start messing around with crackers.

And sometimes, when you go through the pile of photos that you printed out, you find some that  you can't remember taking in the first place. The story in those is absolutely priceless.

Sunday baker: Chocolate truffles

Last week I made chocolate cupcakes. They didn't work so well. My own fault for firstly using the wrong flour, and then running out of cases so I had to recycle the ones from the cakes that went wrong. It was never going to work. But after making two dozen cakes (and mixing them by hand when I couldn't get the mixer to work) I was determined not to let them go to waste.

I have lots of childhood memories that involve cakes Mum made, and I can remember her making chocolate truffles like these. Sticky and chocolatey and flavoured with rum, rolled into a ball and covered in chocolate vermicelli.

Mum found a recipe for me online here and I only tweaked it a little bit. I didn't add any sugar, used less cocoa because it was already very chocolatey, and then used rum flavouring instead of actual rum.

Don't worry, I didn't just make nine. My 24 chocolate cupcake failures made a nice even 40 truffles. And I've only eaten two of them so far...

I do my best work at midnight

Things that I do well at midnight: scrapbooking, blogging, surfing the internet, painting my nails.
Things I don't do well: sleeping, knitting and photography.

Singing it out

Mama said there'll be days like these, 

there'll be days like these Mama said.

Can you get that song out of your head now? It wasn't intentional, but the title of the page kind of stuck and now it's all I can hear when I look at this.

I love this page for lots of reasons...the pale chevron paper is one I made using a new stamp. That alphabet I've used for the title might just be my favourite ever. And there is paper that's not straight. I'm not quite at the level of layering some people use but I'm getting there in my own little way.

Another day in paradise

If I had a superhero alter-ego, I'd quite like her to be Glitter Girl. But because I don't, all I can do is follow the challenges she sets every week. Mixing fonts in my titles? Sorted.

Testing

I guess it's time I joined the 21st century? I am always a late adopter.

Blogging from my phone!

Stuff I make: the lampshade project

One of the joys of renting is that I can't really do anything permanent. Or more accurately, I could but then I would have to leave it behind when I inevitably leave. I'm not generous enough to do that, so I settle for making things that can be packed in a box.

Using a plain lampshade from Ikea and my trusty butterfly punches, plus some Glossy Accents (which I am praying is strong enough to withstand the heat from the bulb, otherwise I could wake up with dead butterflies falling on me.) 

I spent a pleasant couple of hours sticking it all together, grouping one or two large butterflies with lots of smaller ones. I decided not to go for all-over coverage for a couple of reasons - firstly, I didn't want it to look like my room was being swarmed by insects. And secondly, I got bored punching out butterflies. I am a lazy crafter.

And here it is in place. I'm kind of pleased with it, and I've found a legitimate use for my endless crafting supplies. Win all round :)

Whoops, I did it again

I know, I know.

I said I would keep up with this thing, and look at me now.

Sorry.

The last few months have been harder than expected....now there's an understatement. It's taken me far too long to realise that I push myself way too hard. Work/study/craft/play/music/life....I can't believe that I am still learning that I don't have to fill every minute of every day to make life worthwhile. Something had to give, and this time it was my OU course. I cried for about three days solid. 

But. It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Suddenly, I have time to do all the other things I wanted to do. And it's amazing how much crafting you can get done when you don't have to spend 16 hours a week studying Shakespeare.

Yes, these are crafty projects including a cross-stitch first started in 2001. There's a story in that, and I'll tell you another time. There has also been knitting, crochet, and many things involving paper and paint. And, for the first time in about a year and a half, today I played the piano. 

My list of goals for 2012 has been radically revised....but only in terms of timescale. I will keep reminding myself that it is ok to take things slowly. To be selfish in what I do and how I spend my time. I will get there in the end, but the joy is in the journey.

Current obsessions - nail varnish

Oh Pinterest, it's all your fault. I started following a few boards with nail designs on, then I subscribed to a few blogs, and before I knew it my nail varnish collection was out of control. How many colours does a girl need? Over 55, apparently. (I keep finding them in unlikely places, plus a I still need a white.) Then Mindy introduced me to quick-drying top coats. How did I never discover these before? I'm currently using a Sally Hansen version but apparently Seche Vite is the nail blogger's choice.  

There is a whole world out there of some amazing art and I am only at the beginning, that's for sure. There are stamps and transfers and designs you can paint on...but in the meantime it's amazing what you can do with some sellotape. Paint your base coat, wait till it's properly dry (even the insta-dry stuff takes a few minutes) then place tape to mask off a section of your nail. Paint on the contrasting colour, and peel the tape off immediately. Use a quick-dry top coat to even it all out and there you go. There are much more detailed tutorials out there, but that's the idea.

It is occasionally amusing to think back to my old self - the one who wore baggy jeans and polo shirts, who used makeup as a mask and didn't really know what to do with nail varnish, and would definitely never have put two colours together. I can't believe it's taken me this long, but it feels good. And I guess I have the internet to thank for it.

Goodbye February

If you asked me, I would tell you that February was a really hard month. That it was grey and blah and I was glad to see the back of it.

But if I really think, February wasn't all bad. It's a month of birthdays - three special girls means several parties. And parties are always good.

And despite feeling as though I have had no time at all to be creative, the pictures I have taken of my scrapbook pages tell a different story. Apparently I did make stuff.

And actually, despite the grey and blah that definitely floated around, there was a lot of sunshine too. (I told you these yellow roses would pop up again).

So maybe February wasn't so bad after all. I am still, however, very glad to welcome March. Hello Spring!

Yellow roses

You'd think this an everlasting bunch of yellow roses...but no, this and the page from my last post were taken on the same day, that's all. You'll get confused if I use another photo from the same set in December, I tell you.

I feel sort of guilty that I don't blog more often, because I made the commitment to come back and I like that this is a diary of my crafty life. But I feel guilty every time I pick up a piece of paper at the moment, because I know there are other, more important things that I should be doing. And studying is only one of those things.

Whenever I write a blog post I look back at my old posts to make sure I'm not repeating myself. There are definitely some common themes, and finding the balance in my life is one of them. Even before I was ill I struggled to balance duty with pleasure, and fun with responsibility. These days I have to factor in health, and energy, and a lot more emotion than I ever had to juggle before. I thought that when I returned to work last year I had cracked the whole 'life after cancer' thing. Now I think that the universe was probably having a good laugh at me then. There is definitely no easy solution, just a lot of hard work.

But life isn't all bad; I bought some new roses today. And despite feeling guilty, I am still picking up the paper and creating pages that make me smile.

Working it out

Sometimes it's hard to fit everything in.

In the second month of 2012, I am very aware of my super-long list of goals for the year, and how much I have to do to achieve them. I was doing really well and feeling really motivated, and then I went back to work full-time.

Obviously I am pleased to be healthy enough to be back at work, blah blah, but really - it gets in the way of everything else I want to do.

Like scrapbooking. And studying. And occasionally combining the two as you can see in the page above. I realised that something which is supposed to take 20 hours of my week (in reality, of course it doesn't) should probably feature in my albums occasionally. For example - remind me again why I am doing this?! I think I will be re-reading this page a lot in the weeks to come. (And yes, it's Shakespeare, so you have to allow me this title just once, ok?)

I am still working out the patterns in my life that will give me the time to do all I want to in a week without feeling exhausted by Wednesday afternoon. Bear with me :)