10 things: all about me ...

... inspired by this post, I thought I would share a bit more about me!

- I am Fay, no middle name and no ‘e’ at the end

- Wife to Steve who works in Renewable Energy (wind and solar) at 3m. We have been married for 10 years, but have been together for 20. We met on our industrial placement from University at IBM in Basingstoke in 1991.

- Mother to Lily, nearly 9 and Mia 7. I love having 2 girls (can’t comment on boys) but they do test my parenting skills to extreme.

- I lost my mum when Lily was two weeks old and I miss her terribly. Even now I struggle to come to terms with it.

- I grew up in Torquay and went to University in Bristol studying Business Studies. With hindsight I would have chosen a far more creative route.

- Before the girls I worked mainly in Telecoms Customer Service/Order Management/Project Management, first for Mercury Communications in Birmingham. Later I went back there when they become Cable & Wireless and was made redundant in 2002. Then I worked for Vodafone for a short time before becoming pregnant with Lily.

- Now I work for easyfundraising on an ad hoc basis after resigning my permanent position in July.

- I chair the Infant School’s PTA which brings me great satisfaction and stress in equal measures!

- Not surprisingly I love making things – I can sew, crochet, cook, bake and paint.

- I love giving gifts and the wrapping paper is as important. I used to change the Christmas tree decorations every year and co-ordinate my wrapping paper with it. I now have other things to do with my time!

Book advent update ...

... this has gone down really well with the girls and we are enjoying having a cosy up at the end of the day with a festive book to read. I've made a little book to write the reviews in from index cards and these great journalling cards.

Book advent ...

... I think counting down to the big day is one of my favourite parts of the holiday season. In the past I've made and advent calender tree and an advent activity calender.

This year I've been taken with the idea of a book advent - reading a Christmassy book every day. I went through the girls' collection and found about 6 appropriate books, so a quick shop on ebay resulted in a few more and a trip to the library has got me to 23 (still waiting for another from the library).

I'm going to wrap them up and number them (library books first!). I was hoping to find some brown paper bags, but no joy at short notice, I could leave them unwrapped but then discovering which book is half the fun.

I've also got a Playmobil calender for the first time and the obiligatory choccie calenders (I'm sorry but I think they're a must!)

I'm not planning on a Xmas daily album this year, I've still got an uncompleted one from a couple of years ago and my Gratitude journal is untouched. I'm thinking I might get the girls to do a book review and maybe make that into a mini album instead.

A mystery parcel ...

... I received a parcel at the weekend, nothing unusual in that - there's plenty arriving at the moment, and when I opened it I found some rather lovely goodies.

The only thing is, I didn't order these and I've no idea who's sent them and why!!! It's come direct from Lily Bee in the US. I thought at first it might be something to do with the Cocoa Daisy Crop, but there's nothing about it on their forum. I can't think who I've given my address to either!

Whilst I solve the mystery I shall enjoy my goodies, I've already made a birthday card.

A few more Cocoa Daisy challenges ...

... I got some time last week and at the weekend to do a few more challenges, really loved this online crop!

To scrap in B&W (which is harder than I first thought!)


To use machine stitching - along with the circles on the side, I've outlined some of the backing paper circles.


To be inspired by quilting - I chose the hexagon theme


To use mod podge - I have wanted to make one of these birds for ages and they were recently featured on Kirstie's Handmade Britain. He's a bit lumpy and lopsided, I certainly learnt a lot for the next one!


And finally a recipe challenge - to use pink or red, white, some sparkles, texture and answer various questions.

A cosy cabin ...

... a Cocoa Daisy challenge LO based on an autumnal colour scheme.

Grateful Days 5 - 14 ...

... I finally got caught up with my pages over the last couple of days. I've been really mindful that if I don't stay on top of this project then it will just be added to the unfinished pile and I really don't want that. So I'm holding myself accountable on my blog!

A couple more...

... from the weekend.

A christmas card based on a clothing design.


This challenge was to make a piece of wall art based on some pictures, so I made a 6x4 canvas.

I've a few more challenges that I'd like to do but I'm trying to make my Gratitude Journal a priorty this week so that I don't get behind and have it as another uncompleted project.

It's been a month ...

... since I scrapped and there's nothing like a good online crop to give me a boost, especially the ones over at Cocoa Daisy.

I started off on Friday night with the One Hour Challenge which had to include a photo of yourself, 5 facts, 3 pieces of patterned paper and 7 embellishments.

I actually changed my finished LO on Saturday morning as I wasn't so happy with it.

Next a sketch challenge set by Vicky Boutin.

A challenge inspired by quilting, knitting and crochet and to include either holes, yarn or a grid structure. I crocheted the flowers myself!

Saturday's one hour challenge based on lists, stationery supplies, being a bit messy, lines and handwritten journalling.

The challenges are open all week, so plenty of time to join in.

11:11 11/11/11 ...

Just me and my dog x

10 things: Pinterest quotes ...

Source: blueberrylake.tumblr.com via Fay on Pinterest

Source: dailybitsofbeauty.com via Fay on Pinterest

Source: sundayinbed.tumblr.com via Fay on Pinterest

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Fay on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Fay on Pinterest

Source: engravedwithmusic.deviantart.com via Fay on Pinterest

Source: inspiredbycharm.com via Fay on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via Fay on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Fay on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Fay on Pinterest

Pincushion ...

... can you believe that I didn't have a pin cushion? Something I've wanted to put right for sometime. I love these ones from namolio mine's a bit more basic!!!
I blanket stitched round a circle (not my best stitching and I couldn't find my pink floss) and then basically crocheted a small hat shape which I crocheted onto the blanket stitch (of course the number of stitches weren't the same on each so I had to do a bit of tinkering). The first crochet thing I've made without a pattern so quite pleased with myself.

From Pin to reality ...

... I do have a lot of inspiration pinned on Pinterest but I'm doing OK in actually making some of them. Not feeling too great but needing to create I decided to have a go at these coasters.

Source: luvinthemommyhood.com via Fay on Pinterest

Now maybe I need to make more effort in product photography!!

Grateful: Days 2 - 5 ...

... I designed these pages to take photos, but I'm not finding I need them so they're taking some filling.

I've been using some journalling blocks from here - there's also some great numbered cards which would be good for Journal Your Christmas/December Daily.

Gratitude ...

...so I started my Gratitude Journal yesterday and it feels really good to focus on positives as I'm feeling quite stressed at the moment.

I started the covers back at the end of August for Learn Something New. I wanted to have mixed media covers (I've used 7x5 canvas boards) but didn't really like what I came up with. So then I stenciled on some modelling paste, but still didn't like it, so ended up painting all over the top again and them inking the reliefs (that's the beauty of canvas!!) Note to self: punch holes for bookrings prior to adding layers in future!

This is my first page. I'm going to try and keep it quite simple, firstly so that I can keep up with making pages throughout November but also so that I don't end up with a huge book.

I had a lovely gift in the post this morning. I was thrilled to win this magazine in a giveaway on Bugs and Fishes. This is such a great mag but a shame that it's from the US, may have to put a sub on my Christmas List.

Sorry if you haven't been able to see the pics in this post earlier, not sure what happened there - thanks for pointing it out Lisa.

It's been 4 years ...

... recently Emma posted her first LOs and so I thought the timing was apt to share mine - as you can see they are Autumn ones.

I had a single Basic Grey collection pack and buttons, I obviously hadn't cottoned onto proper journalling - using poems I'd found - and none of the pictures are dated! Still I think they're OK!!

Attitude of Gratitude ....

... well I didn't even get off the ground with Learn Something New Every Day in September. I had started my album covers, cut up lots of paper and started writing a note on a scrap of paper each day, but with my Nanna's illness and passing, I just lost any motivation with it.

So as I have a pile of paper waiting to be made into something I thought I'd join in with this -
a month-long tribute to thankfulness and expressing your gratitude. Hopefully a month of calm reflection but a month of craziness!

Operation Thirteen: Part 3 ....

...so these are the last of my makes. The bunny creature has rice inside so that you can microwave it and use as a hot water bottle.

a bookmark

and a little bag.

This poster has been designed by the fab SJ, such a great product and price and a completely personal design service. You can find out more here.

Operation Thirteen: Part 2 ....

... a few stationery items. Making these I realised that I'm not very good at cutting out or sewing straight! So I bought myself a rotary cutter (blunt already from much use!) which is helping a bit!

I've not applique'd before, so why I thought I'd try on these presents I'll never know, but at least the recipient isn't critical of my work!

Just need to buy some rice to finish the last present and then I'm done. Have a real sewing groove on at the moment, have also made the girls a nightie each at the weekend.