Dolly's Dreamings

Sketch Saturday ... yes I KNOW today isn't Saturday

I am thrilled to post here that I am hosting a sketch Saturday every second Saturday of the month over on the ATDML blog - Created by ATDML

 and before you say - I know today isn't Saturday. I am just giving you the head's up for next Saturday and sharing what I created for October.

The blog is fabulous and full of inspiring ideas from the fab team over there (and still grinning to be back a part of i)

 

This was my sketch last Saturday and you need to watch for the next one coming out next Saturday. Hopefully, these sketches will inspire you to scrap - even if the connection to the sketch is somewhat lost.

This is the sketch I posted last month

 

 

 

And this is the page created - using the gorgeous Come Away with Me papers from Graphic 45 and available in store here 

 

Life has been quiet but lovely here and whilst it is getting colder it is STILL my favourite time of year ... darker morning (snuggle up in bed time) crisp days (walks on the beach time) and dark evenings (snuggle up in front of the TV) What's not to like?

And Autumn means great sunsets - and there are few places to better them than evening hill. This is a painting I have just finished based on a picture I took last year - not great but I do like elements of it. I used acrylics, a medium I am not comfortable with really - and it shows

 

 

 Today I am thankful for

• art which brings me so much joy
• scrapping which also brings me so much joy
• Nigel - brings me the most joy of all

and I just thought these were cool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tropical Travelogue Part Two

It's been a lovely day here today - just a nice chilled relaxed day with a long walk and nothing much happening. Not every day needs to be amazing. Truly! But every day can be lovely. It's just that some days you have to look a little harder ... today I didn't have to look far.

 

I shared some of the Graphic 45 Tropical Travelogue work the other day so this is the remainder of the things I got to create

 

This was different again - very much a water theme with the aquarium at Seaworld

 

 

 

 

 

 

and this was another 'wild page using lots of the leaves. One thing I will say about this collection was that I used a LOT of fussy cutting ... but I do like fussy cutting.

 

 

 

 

A tropical Travelogue set had to have pictures of the Caribbean Beach - our tropical paradise ... well, it used to be. They have ruined it now. It is no longer just tropical with gondola monstrosities and huge towers and it certainly isn't our idea of paradise, but it WAS

 

 

 

 

 

And I couldn't resist using it for a Pismo page - still my favourite ever sunset. Sandbanks and evening hill is close, but this was perfection 

 

 

 

 

This is my favourite page made with the collection and I confess this one is framed in the hall. I have a lovely frame - I think it is a Ribba from Ikea which is about 16" square with a 12" x 12" opening inside the mount - where I change the pages regularly. This is in the frame at the moment.

 

 

 

and finally three more cards I made with the left overs

 

 

 

Do check out the collection HERE

 

Barb you asked if I always do pages quickly. I never leave an unfinished page... I generally spend between an hour and two hours in a page ... any longer than that and I lose interest... I also have to clear my desk and put away everything after each layout even if I am doing another page that day. I am terribly OCD 

Today I am thankful for

• being married to someone who gets the simple things of life too
• nice days - not just special days. Although it is true what they say, every day you are alive is special

 

 

Finally - some people made things a little more special by painting the ordinary and making it extra-ordinary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Design Team work .. from the past

There has been little new scrapping that I can share over the last couple of days. I have been busy living (and working) making those memories to scrap so haven't done much scrapping ... well at least not things I can share just yet. 

So I have some older scrapping that I wasn't able to share until now.

A little while ago I was invited to guest design for Charmed Cards and Crafts. I was thrilled to have been asked and had such fun making projects for Karen and her store.

She sent me an amazing pack of the Graphic 45 Deluxe Collectors Edition Tropical Travelogue

I had such fun playing with it making such a collection of pages. I loved that there were blues and greens and brights and then also more subtle things. I added nothing to these pages - no extra embellishments, just the papers an stickers included int he kit - and quite a lot of fussy cutting.

 

I won't bore you with all of them today - I will split this over two posts as it will be quite picture heavy and heck - that's tough!

This was one fo the first I made. I loved the colours that were in the collection and this page used a mess of fussy cut flowers from one of the papers.

 

 

 

You can see that better in a  couple of the close-ups

 

 

 

 

This page is in complete contrast - focusing on the wild and green and jungle aspects of the collection

 

It begged to be used for zebra pictures

 

 

This third page seems to be a combination with some jungle bits but a vacation theme

 

 

 

 

And this one different again - I love the borders that come in the Graphic 45 range - they lend themselves being cut out and used in different ways

 

The pictures are of Mom and me - they were taken about 20 years apart when Mom was about 26 and I was 16 ... I made everything int he picture of me black and white except me so it was more in keeping with Mom's picture. My Daddy carried this picture in his wallet until the day he died. I am not surprised - she looks gorgeous

 

 

 

I loved using the little leather effect journal

 

 

and finally today a couple of the cards I made

 

 

 

 

You can see why I loved working with the collection

 

Today I am thankful for

• being asked to guest design
• having gorgeous things to work with
• Autumn - still my favourite time of year

 

And yes- bored panda - perfect for Autumn evenings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing what an early start can do and my first ATDML project

Retirement has slowed us down - no doubt about it. We rarely make it out before 10 am unless one of us is working - and that's fine, but it does make for shorter days.

Today. by 9.20, we had been up, had breakfast, taken Nigel's car for a service,  had a blood test - him not me and just routine - and been to Starbucks. Unheard of. That's a whole day's activities in just that first hour!

Consequently it seems like it has been a long day and we have done a great deal. We started another mammoth jjigsaw, were thrown about time and so had lunch at 11.30 and went to the cinema. Today was A Simple Favour and I am not quite sure what to make of it really. Nigel summed it up by saying 'Mmmm - it wasn't quite sure what it wanted to be was it?' Think Gone Girl, but not as good but that was a comedy. Nope - doesn't make sense does it. Hey ho. The trailer made it look fabulous and there were some good bits, but neither of us were sure what to make of it. Second film this week as we saw Blackkklansman on Wednesday which was a totally different watch.

 

I have some new scrapping to share today - it was a class page ... well two actually ... I made for ATDML - did I mention I am now a bona fide full on design team member again. I was a DT member for ATDML for several years a long time ago and then work interferred with my scrapping. I was so thrilled to be asked back.

One of my first tasks - which was a pleasure not a task - was to host a class and this is one of the class pages I made. You can find the class here and they sell all of the supplies - Graphic 45 Come Fly With Me here on their blog (along with other classes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can find all of the instructions by following THIS LINK

 

Today I am thankful for

• a lovely long day accomplishing 'stuff'
• a definite feel of Autumn in the air
• Being back on a DT

 

 

 

So I have had a cracking good time

Yesterday was going swimmingly. Nigel went to work and I went to art. I had a lovely time - they are a super group of people. We had a cinema visit planned in the evening - to go and see Skyscraper. The film was actually very good. When you suspended disbelief it was a good film and an enjoyable couple of hours.

What was not so enjoyable was the fall. Oh yes - following on last year's fall over an unlit step and causing an avulsion fracture in my left ankle, I surpassed myself last night. The cinema was dark as the adverts were playing and as I apologised to the two people in the row that I had to disturb, I stepped into a void. The steps are clearly marked with white tape/paint. However, a seat int he row in front of mine had been removed for repair and the empty space had no markings on it. Consequently, I thought I was stepping onto solid ground and I stepped into a void. As I fell I broke my fall, very carefully, on the arm of the next chair. I landed hard enough to bend the arm of the chair. Oh, my - the agony.

It resulted in an A and E visit (once again the NHS were amazing) and they diagnosed cracked rib/ribs. There is, of course, no treatment for that other than pain killer and rest. They checked breathing was OK and were very kind. It was not a good night. I slept little and very movement hurts like mad. I had no idea cracked ribs were so painful. I feel like my entire side should be jet black but it will take a few days for the bruising to become visible. 

Cinemas are truly dangerour places - well for me anyway. In the words of GOT - the night is dark and full of terrors.

I have some new scrapping to share - made pre-injury

This is a page made with a selfie we took at the beach last week

 

 

 

 

 

 

and this is another with two similar photos taken the same day

 

 

 

and finally this is a page made with a new collection that is absolutely brim full of stuff called Roughing it in style by Jumpstart Designs

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• Nigel looking after me
• pain relief

 

 

It's been a cinema week

Having missed out on films in November and December, for the best of reasons ie being in America, we have been catching up and int he last seven days have seen four films

We saw Darkest Hour which I thought was OK but it wasn't a hit in my book, although Gary Oldman was unrecognisable

We saw Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri which was very good - choice language but a very different sort of film. I can see why it won awards but it isn't by any means our award winner of the year 

We then saw Molly's Game which was good, great Sorkin dialogue but very long

Today we saw Coco - my favourite of the week. I was pleased we had been in Disney for the release and had learnt a lot about the film and about Dios De Muertos (which we knew nothing about)

The animation int he film was utterly superb and the story was wonderful and yes, I cried. Always a good Disney if I cry!

 

Couldn't resist sharing the trailer - go see it - it's fabulous

 

 

 

 

Nigel had a little minor op on his back to remove three large skin tags today and we are glad it is done. They go off for histology but the doctor said they were fine. He is a little sore now but no stitches which is great.

 

Dawn has a new collection called Hush out today. These are the elements and there are papers and stitches too

 

 

and this is what I made with it

 

And I have another pickle barrel collection to share - this time from Jumpstart Designs called So this is love

 

 

and this is what I created with that

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• a cinema week
• a successful mini op
• working heating as it is awfully cold out there.

 

 

and these were off t'internet - my friends who are teachers will really identify with these ladybird spoof pages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pickle Barrel lushness

Today is THAT day again - when the new Pickle Barrel collections are released and wow - what an amazing collection of 6 packs this month with the most gorgeous colour scheme.

 

I was lucky enough to be hosting the Pickle Barrel Mojo challenge this month - you need to check that out HERE

And this is the page I made using 6 packs from Laura Burger, Dita B and Jen Yurko

 

 

Because the pickle barrel is a set colour scheme, everything worked so well together.

 

This is one fo the 6 packs - Bygone Summer by Dita B

 

 

 

 

And this was one with Jen Yurko's sticking together

 

 

 

Dawn also has 50% off her Worn and Well Loved papers, kits and frames just for today and these are two pages made with that lush lush collection

 

 

 

 

 

Today I have had a scrappy day - which has been lovely.

 

Today I am thankful for

• a scrappy day
• great kits to work with

 

 

 

 

 

Bank Holiday days

Well that Bank Holiday didn't quite pan out as expected. It started OK but Sunday am at 8.00 we had a call from the hospital to say could we collect Nigel's mother. We didn't even know she was in there. She had called Care Line as she felt unwell and we hadn't heard the phone.

Thankfully there was nothing wrong with her but she'd had another health check and was able to come home and we were able to get her settled back in.

But it kind of threw yesterday.

I set up in the church ready for the week long art festival and other than that we had a pretty quiet time. Thankfully the heat is less oppressive which has perked the cats up a little. We have also got used to the new sofas - it takes a while to sit somewhere new after so long.

I will be glad when the renovations at hoe are finished but the end is almost in sight.

 

I did some scrapping and can share a new page made with products by Heather T at Pickleberrypop

 

This was the defining picture of our road trip last year - Nigel int he driving seat, frap in hand, laughing and having such fun. We so love our road trips. Oh and we were at a level crossing - he wasn't drinking and laughing like that whilst actually moving.

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• Nigel's mom given the all clear again
• scrapping time
• an opportunity to display my goods at the church

 

 

 

 

A little scrapping a little watching

Today has been a tad unusual int hat we went to the cinema int he morning. Gosh I don't think I have done that since I was a child and went to the Saturday cinema. However, there was a film showing that we had missed and really wanted to see. It was Jackie (as in Jacqueline Kennedy) and I came out feeling a tad unsettled. I cannot decide if I liked it, hated it, felt it was powerful, liked her, disliked her. It left me with many questions ... I guess good value for money then. Both Nigel and I have always been fascinated by JFK and also by Jackie having visited Hammersmith Farm on Rhode Island and learned a bit about the Bouviers so it was a much watch for us.

 

I have also managed some paper scrapping, making a page for this month's challenge on UKS which was a colour challenge using Kraft and Denim

 

 

 

 

 

I also have digi scrapping news to share. Dawn has four amazing collections on offer at 50% off for today only and they are amazing.

Secrets collection   Follow your heart collection 

True colours collection   and my favourite Photo Frenzy collection

and these are a couple of pages made with them

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• the opportunity to go to the cinema in the day time
• scrappy time

 

and finally - thank you so much to our friend Mike who sent us this clip - what amazing children and they are called the Leahy's

How cool is that!

 

 

 

 

Save

Bank Holiday - again

This time of year there seems to be a lot of holidays. I am not knocking it. When I was at work those holidays were so precious - but they do seem to bunch together somewhat.

Nigel is off to speedway - that goes with Bank Holidays - and I am up for a quiet night of TV and possible scrappiness.

 

Last night we went out with the family as both of Nigel's brothers were here - it was a lovely evening with much wine, good food and laughter a plenty.

 

Every time I take a picture of my mother in law with her three sons I do worry it will be the last one.

 

 

I have new scrapping to share today made for one of the mojo challenges on Pickleberrypop.

 

Every month there are LOADS of challenges on Pickleberrypop - all diverse from scraplift challenges and templates to recipe challenges and kit challenges. Often they offer freebies as does this one.

 

I was again hosting the template challenge and this month worked with the free template from Tiramisu Designs

You can snag the template here ... it's free and you can play along

 

I made this page using Tiramisu's Sea Breeze Bundle

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• holiday (OK so mine is pretty permanent)
• treats - Nigel's oldest brother treated everyone to dinner yesterday which was exceptionally kind of him

 

 

and finally I have done a bit of drawinga gain.

This time I tried to sketch a landscape from one of my photos of Venice. I bit off a little more than I could chew really but for a first attempt it was OK.