ArtyFartyAnnie

Hi everyone, Today I decided to take on a new kind of challenge - and it's nothing to do with scrapbooking or crafting. I hereby promise to abstain from alcohol for the whole month of October (oooohhh scary!) Signing up for this challenge was quite a big deal, because I know it will be difficult for me, but if I say I'm going to do something I don't like to let the side down, so a public declaration of intent will help to make sure I stick to it! Like many people, I enjoy a glass or two and don't see that as a problem, but somehow my alcohol intake has crept up without me really noticing - a little (or large) G&T whilst I'm cooking dinner, a nice glass of wine with the meal, probably two .... and before you know it you're doing that every night of the week and it's just part of your lifestyle. I don't THINK I have a serious problem, but it has become an ingrained habit which is definitely not good for me. This challenge is a great opportun...

Hi Everyone, I had so much fun making these Japanese-style paper dolls with my friends - it's really easy, and it's a great way to use up all those scraps of gorgeous paper ... This photo is a great example of what my BHS calls the "cheerleader effect" ie where an individual item looks ok by itself, but even better in a group! I think a whole bunch of these would be a great inexpensive addition to a Christmas craft stall or fundraiser - which gives me a great excuse to make more! If you fancy having a go at some of these, check out my video tutorial ... The Japanese word for paper dolls like these is Ningyogami. Each one is wearing a Kimoni with a contrasting collar and a layered Obi or sash which is finished with a cord or narrow ribbon tied around the middle, so you can use up all those tiny scraps of ribbons and trims as well! Have a go - it's really easy and very addictive! Thanks for popping in today, see you again soon :o) Annie xxx

Hi Everyone, What a beautiful first day of autumn day we have going on here, I hope you're having a lovely day wherever you are. It's also Wednesday, so it's time to gather over at Julia's Stamping Ground to see what's been happening on crafty workdesks all over the world. My craft room is currently occupied by BHS#2 so any crafty stuff going on around here this week is limited to what can be done at the dining table, so here's my creative space this week ... The scribble pad to the RHS of my lap top is full of notes about properties - we're looking for somewhere for the aforementioned BHS to rent locally. Just in front of the lap top is a doodle colouring-in book and some packs of organza pieces in beautiful ombre shades. BHS got all of these in his local Pound Shop (to my non-UK friends, that's the same as a Dollar Store I think) - we're planning to do some more "Pound Shop Projects" like this cute Sock Kitty  which we made to...

Hi Everyone, This is a very exciting moment for me :o) Ladies and Gentlemen, please allow me to introduce ... drum roll ..... ... the small but perfectly formed Arty Farty Design Team wooooHOOOOo!!! Trina and Amanda have been great friends and scrapping buddies of mine since 2007, when a group of us first gathered around my dining room table to play with pretty paper. Over the years, our little group has grown, we have learned from and inspired each other and still enjoy getting together for some serious cutting and sticking whenever we can. I love their individual scrapping styles and I was really chuffed when they agreed to join my little team! Amanda Reynolds Petrina Eve The third member of my team is my BHS Tom, who is my Arty Farty IT Wizard. As well as helping me to put some of my ideas into practice, he is always full of creative inspiration and has threatened to have a go at digi scrapping. He is also annoyingly good at crochet and makes a mean pasta sauce. ...

Hi there, It's me AGAIN with a second project to show you this week ... I used the daisy and some stitching detail from my Georgie Stamp Set , a sentiment from a gorgeous set designed by Jennifer Ellory which was free on a magazine, and a beautiful smooth oval of Stampbord (that isn't a spelling mistake by the way). Here's how I made it ...

Hey everyone, Long time no blogging, but life is just now starting to calm down a little, so I managed to squeeze in some playtime this week wooHOOOO!!! Here's what I made first - a miniature Georgie , just about 3" high in her stripey stockings. I've photographed her against a book page so you can see how teeny she is ... This was such a quick and fun project, I can't wait to try it with some other stamps - I think they would make great embellies for cards and scrapbooks. Here's how I did it ...