Inspiration Wall

 I've been trying to get a lot of wonderful and colourful 'things' up on the wall by my desk.  Half hidden behind the lamp in  a wall hanging I made in New Zealand with a digi stamp, copic markers and scraps.  A group photograph from Italy. Postcards from Italy. Various photographs and other bits.

 I've finished my "New Years Promises" layout and it's up on the wall.  Can't really read it that easily but I'll keep it like this and see how it works out.

Just moved the Faith Wordle over the angel for now.  I still think I need some more things up....

Always....

look on the brighter side of life...

I thought this would be a great poster to have for the hallway or the lounge - somewhere you would see it frequently.  I found a great print on Etsy (by CJ Prints  and by Simple Fresh Design ) But I thought I could make a 12x12 scrapbook layout and then we can just hang a page protector up and change the layout/message now and then.  Plus this has been fun to make.

I cut out the big shiny sun and cloud from Amy Tangerine for American Crafts Scatter Sunshine paper.  I typed and printed the "always look on the" and "side" onto white cardstock in different fonts.  I used some letter stickers from my stash (American Crafts Remarks Sadie) and decided to go with "brighter" rather than "bright".  The "of life" stickers are by KaiserCraft and are just sitting at the bottom of the sun.

For now, I'm okay with this. I was tempted to doodle a border or add some machine stitching but I can always add some later if it needs it.  Just need to decide where to hang this up.

Mom doesn't like her photograph being taken much.... i think this will be the photograph that i will use on her birthday scrapbook layout.  i'm just not sure about the rest of the page.... i have some gorgeous shiny butterfly paper to use but im not sure about what other products to use.

capital letters are also taking a break from today's post...

the basic layout for my new years promise is done - i just need to add these promises (which seem easier to keep than resolutions) and i plan on keeping this layout out on the wall to remind me.  and of course this whole place needs to be tidied again!

my mojo has been waning lately... help!

A Gardening Day

 I stayed inside and got some crafting done while the rest of the family were outside turning old bits of a wooden bed into a raised box frame for our garlic bulbs to grow in.

 I captured these while they were both thinking about which bits of wood they could re-use so that the raised bed will be secure and not fall apart under the weight of all the peat that it will need.

One Little Word

Our supplies finally arrived during the week so we were able to get on with the January Prompt!

Not sure why this photograph hasn't flipped round to the right way (it usually does).

I was definately over thinking this.  I couldn't really decide what paper to use and where the inserts should go.  But I just started writing on the prompt cards and getting some papers (Hambly Transparancy, Carolees Creations and Bo Bunny) in.  My word is FAITH and the colors I'm using for this album are pink and brown.  I'm loving the washi (Amy Tangerine) and tissue tape (Tim Holtz) I've got, but I might move the trust tag to the other side....

December Daily Day 24 - Day 31

 The other part of Day 24. Layne visited and got to open all his pressies from us.

 Day 25 is another two photograph day. I visited my Gran at her new home and got some great photographs of her.

 Day 25 - Wrapping paper all ripped up.

 Day 26 - Aidy and Sarah came to see us all day. So lots more pressies to open.

 My cool brother got my lots of tools and my own power drill!  The journaling just says "it must be a Machon thing".  Dad's a engineer so I grew up around workshops and tools and all these fun things....

 Day 27 - All the Christmas sweets I enjoyed this season.

 Day 28 - Alf the Elf seems a little sweet on the Silent Night angel....

 Day 29 - My inspiration and motivation was waning around this time.

 Day 30

 Day 31 - I started this December Daily with a self portrait so I thought I would end it with one too.

 This photo was taken at .... 11.28pm 31st.

 The final back pages are just simple.... Goodbye 2011 with a photo of my miniature Jack Daniels.

We watched the London fireworks and I got some really good photographs.  Ended the album with ... Welcome 2012.

December Daily 17 - 24

 Day 17. A photograph of Santos Bear. An Auckland Starbucks Bear.

 We named our Elf Alf.

 Day 19. A few of these photographs are spares from earlier in the month.

 Day 20.

 Day 21.  The only Xmas decoration I got from Italy. I think this Leaning Tower of Pisa tree was 1 euro.

 Day 22.  A Christmas card from Birute in Canada arrived - so that is the insert.  (A Thank You card is on my to do list to be sent back).

 Day 23.  That photograph is from a few weeks earlier but I like it.  The insert is the packaging for the wrist supports I use.

Day 24. Love the photograph. New curtains. Alf the Elf is sitting on snowladies shoulder.