* October afternoon sketches *

Over @ the October Afternoon blog there is a sketch challenge which is in it self already hard to resist. Butttt.... the best part is that with this challenge comes the change to win a paper pack of Cherry Hill. How great is that?
I simply love the new Cherry Hill and Ducks in a Row lines.

Of course I pulled out my OA papers to play. This is my result. There were 3 sketches posted but I only had time for 2 (for the deadline that is, the other sketch will follow later this week) Supplies: White & blue cardstock; October Afternoon Detour papers, ribbon, pins, white puffy paint, Fiskars borderpunch, corner punch, Melissa Frances rub on.

Supplies: White and green cardstock, October Afternoon Detours papers, twine, Melissa Frances rub on.

Don't you love the different looks created with the same paper line?

* Card Patterns 16 * Use It #11 *

It was time for another round of challenge blogs; this is the first time I am participating in a Use It challenge though. This wasn't very difficult for me. The challenge was:
make a square card;
use summer papers and embellishments
use flowers, ribbon, pin, twine
use your punches.
Well, I used the Bloom line of My Minds Eye; one of this summers favorites of me. I haven't used it very much (YET), so why not use it now :). Usage of ribbons, flowers, pins, twine and punches is so easy, since I use it on all my cards.
It was fun though to make this one. I used one of the stamps for sentiment that are gaining dust in one of my drawers since I have Melissa Frances stamps and rub ons. Supplies: white and pink bazzill basics, My Minds Eye Bloom & Grow papers; Other; Fiskars Lacy days of summer border punch, Crafts too corner punch, McGill Flower punch, Scalloped scissors, Studio G stamps, Prima Flrower, Pin, beads, pink & mint ribbon, white organza ribbon, button

And as promised my first card with the papers I bought yesterday. They are so lovely to work with. It gives a real summery feeling. I used a sketch from Card Patterns, already number 16. Again it was a great sketch to work with.

Supplies: white & pink bazzill basics; Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday papers; Other; green & pink ribbon, rose; white puffy paint, Crafts too corner punch; Fiskars border punch, Butterfly punch, pin, Melissa Frances stamps.

* Top 5 @ CP! * scrapshopping *

Wow! I am listed in the top over at Card Patterns with the card I made after sketch #14!!!!I don't know what to say I am flabbergasted and very exited. There were so many beautiful cards from such talented cardmakers...

Congrats to Nina who has won with her very bautiful fun card which look just like a window view. Go to her blog to see for yourself.

Yesterday I went shopping and of course I went by Pipoos to have a personal look at some of the new stuff. I love buying online my scrapstuff not only because it's easy shopping and delivered on the doorstep but also because there is no real scrapshop in my neighborhood. Occasionally I can go to pipoos and I bought some Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday papers and the new Zinnia line from My Little yellow bicycle. Yummy papers and I am *so* planning to use them for cards today :)

(I really should confess that I also ordered these online - but these were so hard to resist and I still have to wait a week or so before it will be delivered since the shop is closed. Shame on me!!)

I also got me some extra basics which I use very often; some pins and buttons. I forgot some extra safety pins. Well, I can get those cheap at the action as well so no biggie...

Of to scrap now. I want to finish the Use it! Challenge and the new sketch over @ Card Patterns is online.

* Got Sketch #83 Get Well Soon & Got Sketch #80 Snow & Ice *

Another card based on a sketch. This time it's a sketch of "Got Sketch"- another great sketch site. I thought it would be an easy one, but it turned out to be quite a struggle. I didn't finish it in one evening. I tore down some pieces and this morning I took the card again to finish it up. I am still not too happy with the outcome, it is not my best card. But it's ok now. Supplies: white, pink, red and green bazzill basics; Basic Grey Gypsy papers; Other: pink organza ribbon, pink ribbon, pin, white puffy paint. Corner punch, McGill Flower punch, EK flower punch.

This is the sketch on which my card is based.

And yes, this morning I finally finished a new layout again. It has been months ago when I last finshed a layout. I still love those bright papers even when it's used for winter photo's.

Supplies: White, green & red Bazzill Basics; October Afternoon Good Cheer papers; Other: mint and pink ribbon, American Craft puffy thickers; white puffy paint, paperclip, stapler with staples, Fiskars border punch, corner punch, Snowflake punch.

And I used another Got Sketch for this layout, to get in to the scrapping mood again. It was easy to use and the layout was finished in like 2 to 3 hours 9real quick for me).I love their sketches and really plan to do them weekly.

Also the theme for Jaaroverzicht has been published and this week's theme is: on this moment.

The minute I saw it, I knew what I wanted to scrap. A week ago I took some new photo's and I am planning to use one of those.

So I am off to do some more scrapping.... yeah!

* new layout for my blog *

It was about time to update my blog with a new look. Before I still had the easter theme and that is almost a month ago, so this evening I made a new one. I tried to give it a spring feeling and I think I succeeded it. I like my new background with flowers. I am not too happy with the header though. It doesn't really come together with the background, I think. Maybe I will try to make a new one later, but for now it will do.

Currently I am reading a Douglas Preston novel, The monster of Florence. Its a true crime story and even though it doesn't quite read like a normal novel, the suspense holds me tight and I want to continue reading even when I can hardly keep my eyes open and I *reall* need to go to sleep.

* another card for 2s4U #26 *

I am really on a roll with cardmaking at the moment. I haven't scrapped a layout in weeks, but cards come so easily out of my hands these days.
Yesterday evening I finished this card, this time for already sketch 26 over @ 2 sketches for you. Its for a colleagues who's daughter will turn 2 this week.

Supplies: white & pink cardstock, K&Company Berry papers, American Craft thickers; ribbon, white puffy paint, jewel stars, Fiskars border punch, corner punch, sticker mermaid.

Hope to do some scrapping soon though. This week I have 4 days off, so maybe I will get something done in those days.

* CP #15 *

This morning I cleared out my scrappapers, OMG, I have a lot of papers, and some papers I never will use again. So I really should try to sell them or give them away.
Orrrrr...... make more layouts and cards :)

This weeks sketch over @ card patterns was * really * a challenge for me. I have spend many hours on it making and the first card ended in the garbage bin.
I am reasonably happy with this outcome. I like the cheerful papers, I am going to send it to a colleague who has been ill for quite some time. Hope she likes it.Supplies: Bazzil white and grean and blue, K& Company Berry papers, Other: Fiskars Treading water punch, corner punch, white puffy paint, flower, ribbon, organza ribbon, button, pin, doily lace, Melissa Frances rub on.

* Gehaktratatouille * Jaaroverzicht *

This weeks theme voor the Jaaroverzicht is reading/books. A very easy one for me since I have been reading since I was a little girl. Over time the taste of books changed but unfortunately the page is too small to put in more pictures also from childhood books.
I used a kit of Summertime Designs.

Even voor het gemak het recept in het Nederlands.
Vandaag gemaakt en superlekker; mijn versie van gehaktratatouille:

Ingredienten:
* olie
*300 gr rundergehakt
* 1 zkje silvo stroganoff kruiden voor gehakt
* 1 teentje knoflook
* 750 gr Italiaanse wokmix
* 250 gr. champignons
* 400 gr (1 blikje) gepelde tomaten
* 400 gr. witte rijst
* maggi tuinkruiden voor bouillon
* zout en peper

Werkwijze:
* Verhit de olie in een wok. Bak hierin het gehakt met mix voor stroganoff kruiden (300 gram, bewaar de rest) in ca. 5 min. rul.
* Voeg de Italiaanse wokmix groente toe en roerbak deze ca. 5 min. mee.
* Voeg de champignons toe en wok mee.
* Voeg de gepelde tomaten toe
* pers de knoflook boven de mix uit en wok.
* Laat de saus op zacht vuur nog ca. 5 min. afgedekt sudderen.
* Kook intussen de rijst (met beetje zout en eetlepel maggi tuinkruiden voor bouillon) in een pan met ruim kokend water met zout in ca. 8 min. gaar. Giet de rijst af en laat deze even staan.
* Breng de gehaktratatouille op smaak met zout en peper, en verdeel deze, met de rijst, over vier borden.
Eet smakelijk!

* CPS 115 * 2S4U 26 *

I had an early start into the weekend, this afternoon I was off so finally some time to do some scrapping :). I already printed out some sketches for cards earlier this week and was already planning them in my head during work... oops... :)

I start with the sketch over at CPS, already 115!! The sketches and the samples on the site are always stunning.

Supplies; white cardstock, Basic Grey Sultry papers, other; ribbon, flowers, hotfix with stones, white puffypaint; pin, Melissa Frances clear stamps. Fiskars borderpunch, corner punch, scalloped scissors.

Secondly, my take on Kazan's sketch no. 26 from 2s4U. There sketches are always so lovely to work with. Unfortunately I hardly have the time to do so...

Supplies; white and pink cardstock; Bo Bunny papers Alyssia; Other; Fiskars borderpunch, corner punch, butterfly punch, ribbon, flowers, hotfix with stones, white puffy paint, Melissa Frances rubon.

* Jaaroverzicht week 19 *

I finished the card of week 19 for the Jaaroverzicht. This time the theme was "dodenherdenking". I gave it a twist and opted for Freedom. Still it was a difficult one for me. I have so much feelings and thoughts about freedom, but they are difficult to put in words yet along to put on a very small piece of paper.
Freedom is the biggest good one can ever have and we must never forget those that got wounded fighting for freedom and died for freedom. I don't think about this at 04/05 only, its often on my mind. Freedom to say what you think and feel, to do what you want, to live in a free country without war.... it is the biggest treasure one can ever have. But at the same time it is easily forgotten. So I chose this quote from Dick Cheney, I think it says it all.

* CP #14 *

Finally time to do some scrapping :)
I have only time to make one card, and I notice that I have to get back into "scrapping- mode" after weeks of no paper scrapping. I chose a sketch over at Card Patterns.
I like their sketches a lot, so that I don't think this outcome is my best is not because of the sketch.

Supplies: white and yellow cardstock; patterned paper Basic Grey Gypsy; Fiskars borderpunch, other: doily lace, flower jewels, ribbon, martha stewart rubon.

It will be on the post tomorrow to one of my colleagues. I am a little late with this card.... oops... But better late than never.

I still have to make a new background and header for my blog, it's still in Easter theme. Hope to find time for that next week.

* Jaaroverzicht * Card * Reading *

I slept like a rose last night, in my bed and in my room which is feeling like my room again. So happy!

For the forum I visit and make a layout every week, one of the themes was "Koninginnedag" Every wednesday the new theme is given, so it was before the Attack on the Royal Family, but of course that was the theme of the card for me. It isn't a happy theme, but it still belongs to this year. (However, I decided not to use a photo of the attack)
And I am behind the weekly submissions, so this one is of week 15 when the theme was Easter. I like the fun colors and little chickens :)

I didn't make any cards recently, this one is a Congrats Card of march. One of my colleagues gave birth to a baby girl on 29/03/2009. I also put a pair of little socks in the enveloppe :) So cute. They came in a set of 3 pairs so I still have 2 pairs left and I plan to make a little box with it. Soon... when time allows.

During the last weeks I still managed to do some reading, in between of the works on the rooms; I finished Nora Roberts Eerbetoon & Peter Tremaynes De Listige Slang.

Currently I am reading Saskia Noort; Nieuwe Buren.

Yesterday, one the blog rounds readingI found a new Design Team Call. This time from Card Patterns. They always have very nice sketches which I try to make every time. The DT position is for June 2009 - Sep 2009, so for 4 months. The sketch they put up is nice again and I really want to try to enter....

* Finally!! * ScrapStreet Pub *

I am sitting behind my pc @ my desk in my own room again.
For 2 weeks the house has been a complete mess since we were working on repainting the bedroomwalls and that sounds easier and quicker than it was in RL.
First the wallpaper had to come off - took 2 days. Than my bedroom walls had to be replastered because there were a lot of cracks - took 2 days to dry completely in order to paint the walls. So we started in the other bedroom.
All this time all the belongings from BOTH rooms had been put in the living room, hall way and even in the kitchen and bathroom. Since our house is * very small *.
On one of the days Carpetright people came to measure the rooms in order to put lamination boards on both bedroomfloors on 30/04/09.
We were still working on the painting and removing the old carpet and the underfloor in the biggest room.
@ Sunday 3 may we finished the work as far as we could do it ourselves.
The next day I had to go back to work and after work we went to Carpet right in order to make sure we get the right underfloor for the biggest bedroom.
Wednesday we removed that last things from the rooms because the next day the new lamination floor came and the rooms had to be empty. On that same day we went to Beter Bed to get a new bed and 2 closets for the biggest room. We managed to save my bed thankfully. Since it would be very difficult to get a new one, since the max length my bed can have is 1.90 meter instead of normal size (my bedroom is too small). It will take 6!! weeks before the new furniture arrives. Verrry long. It's very beautiful.
& we went to the praxis to buy some roller curtains for my room.
Friday 8 may in the evening my uncle came to get the curtains and roller curtains and some other things attached to the wall. Quite a job, took also 3 hours!
And then today, we worked all day (and still not finished) to get all my stuff back in to the room. Of course everything had to be cleaned and sorted out as well. I managed to throw stuff away, but still I have so many things (scrapstuff is taking up a lot of space, space which I don't have) in my room. Tomorrow I will finish it up.
Butttt.... it's so nice to have my room back finally. It feels again like my room. Tonight will be the second night I sleep in my room again after 2 weeks :)
I will show photo's later.

Again I am published with one of my cards in Scrapstreet magazine. I am always so proud when one of my cards is being chosen for publication. :)
Now the new mag is out, I can put up the card which was in the April issue of this year. The subject was Spring.

Now that we are almosts back to order, I am soooo looking forward to do a little scrapping. I will have to make a B-day card tomorrow. I am already too late since tomorrow is her Birthday... sigh. But I have been too busy to remember before.