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.

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.

Canvas class ...

... my lovely and very talented friend Lisa taught a class at the Cocoa Daisy crop and here's my take on it. Looks a bit dull on screen but it is quite bright! It's 8 x 10 and I just need to find a little home for it now!

Cocoa Daisy crop ...

... was on last weekend and I fully intended to throw myself into it. However it ended up being a weekend of viewing potential kennels to put Modbury into when we go on holiday and so I only managed a couple of LOs.

The girls over there are so welcoming even if you aren't a kit subscriber and I always enjoy their bi-annual event.

This first LO was for the one hour challenge and you had to include an 8x10 photo (or collage), patterned paper, more than one type of alpha and a non-scrapbook related item. I came second and that included chosing and printing my photos after the challenge started!


The next LO was for a sketch challenge. This has actually been sat on my desk since Saturday and I finished it today. I wasn't overly happy with it, I think because I should have started with smaller photos (these were already printed) so that the whole design was tighter and had more white space. Anyhow I changed the alphas around today and added a touch of ribbon and feel better about it!

Scraplift contest ...

... each month Cocoa Daisy have a scraplift contest and whilst I was over there playing along with the online crop I spotted April's challenge. So here's my take on the sketch.

Hope you all have a good Bank Holiday weekend, even if it is going to be wet!!

Last one ...

... think I'll call it a day with the Cocoa Daisy challenges now. Really pleased with what I've achieved - 8 LOs in 3 days.

The final challenge was to make handmade flowers. So I put the skills I learnt on Create 10 into good use here!

My new Scarlet Lime kit has finally turned up, delayed due to volcanic ash. About time too - desperately need some new stash to play with - yipee!

BFF ...

.. I've not felt well today (sore throat and headache) and DD2 has been off school as well. Work were really kind to let me finish after 2 hours (I work from home) so I had a bit of scrappy time. The challenges on Cocoa Daisy don't close til 2nd May, so here's another one - challenge to scrap your best friend and be creative with your journalling.

I went for some hidden journalling in a Q&A style.

Have just realised I've typed a ? at the end of a good book, will have to get the Tippex out. Note my butterfly obsession is still going strong!

Due to my fabulous productivity I am now in desperate need of albums and page protectors.

One hour challenge ...

... had so so much fun with this one. The challenge was to come up with your own sketch and then post it onto the Cocoa Daisy forum within 20 mins. You then had an hour to make a LO from either on your own sketch or someone else's. Here's my sketch (a bit messy) - I based it on one of my favourite LOs.
And here's the LO!

I had some lovely new fabric delivered today. I made the girls summer dresses last year which they loved, so am planning on making some again for them. I love new fabric - the feel and the smell is so nice!

Sunday challenges ...

... the first LO was for a challenge called Dear You, which firstly was to use one of the posted staionery images as inspiration (I continued with my butterfly obbession here) and to write your journalling as a letter too someone.

This next challenge was called Everything's Gone Green - the topic of the layout had to be green and growing things and the title hand-made and in some way reflect the theme of the layout.

I had only planted these seeds about half an hour before the challenge was posted, so perfect timing! I scraplifted a LO by Doris Sander.

Challenge 6 - Strawberries and Cream ...

.... inspired LO. The challenges continue over at Cocoa Daisy and I did this LO this morning. The colours look a bit dull, where has that glorious sunshine gone???

And speaking of Cocoa Daisy, my friend Lisa is a big fan and I was delighted that she was my handmade swap partner. On Friday this lovely bundle of goodies arrives all wrapped up in pink tissue paper - a Recipe notebook, a needle holder (am always losing them on my desk!) and a gorgeous pin cushion with fabby pins. I'm over the moon with all of them, thank you Lisa xx.

Cocoa Daisy Spring Fling ...

... Cocoa Daisy are having an online crop this weekend and after enjoying Shimelle's last weekend, I thought I'd have a little nosy. You don't have to have a CD kit to take part, it's open to anyone.

Challenge 1 was to use butterflies on a non-spring LO. Since I had some Martha Stewart punches arrive this week I went a bit mad!!

Challenge 2 was to use Ronda's Laundry Lines sketch.

Blue skies...

... is the name of this American Craft paper and I thought it would make a good title for this LO. I always feel happy when I'm with my dad, we have such a lovely time together.
Another sketch used - this time Kaiser Craft.

Scraplifting and sketches ...

... the latest copy of Creating Keepsakes landed on my doormat this morning and as I was flicking through I spotted a LO that I loved and immediately scraplifted it. Whilst doing the LO it got me thinking as to why I scraplift and use sketches quite often (sketches in particular - only yesterday I used one - see below). I think primarily it's because when I have new stash I can get an instant 'hit' by using these as inspiration, I can complete a LO fairly quickly without having to do the paper shuffling around thing and get quick gratification with my results!


Here's the LO I did inspired by Rita Shimiok using Scarlet Lime - the weather is dreadful here today so not a great photo I'm afraid. DD1 is obssessed the Meerkat advert and loved seeing them at the zoo - so it was a story that need to go into her album! This sketch I spotted on The Scrap Review website and actually comes from Kaisercraft. I got a one off kit from Cocoa Daisy and was playing around with the papers with a photo in mind and thought it would work perfectly.

A close up of the flower that I layered with netting.

I'm off to sunny sunny Majorca on Friday and I can't wait to leave this rubbish UK weather behind!

Doing a happy dance ...

.. as the postman brought me 2 new kits to play with today:

Scarlet Lime - these are the papers Cocoa Daisy

Both very different kits, but I am really liking the colours of Cocoa Daisy.

So straight to work with Scarlet Lime (well I couldn't be disloyal!) These are mainly 'Me Likey' Sassafras papers which I didn't really likey when I first saw them online, but the ones sent in the kit were the least cutesy of them all.

DD2 with her bum in a small tub of water as we couldn't find the paddling pool. I've used a sketch from a site I've just found called Stuck?! Sketches

Also managed to get my book covers made for LSNED, inspired by Shimelle's cover for this year's class, except I've made mine a different size and have used corrugated cardboard. Just need to cut my pages and I should be ready to go.

Cocoa Daisy Scraplift Contest...

... I was completely inspired by my Scarlet Lime friend Lisa's fantastic LO to try the Cocoa Daisy Scraplift challenge.

Right, have been promising the girls a cake baking session all day!