Jingle all the way

It's the "Jingle Bells Christmas"  time of year again!

Kim Archer over on the Jot Magazine blog is running her annual Jingle Bells workshop. Stop by and have a look. There are some wonderful Christmas ideas to get you on top of everything before the rush!

Christmas.

It’s a busy time.

With much to do. People to see. Places to be. Secret Santa presents to give.

 

And things to make!

 

For creatives, Christmas means the chance to put those supplies you have amassed over the years to good use. And it feels soooo good when you use up those Making Memories letter stickers you just HAD to have in 2007!

Seriously though, it’s so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of Christmas. With end of year school awards days,  parties, dance concerts, work Christmas functions, drinks with the neighbours, Christmas shopping and family events. And when you’re creative you still want to make stuff. You still want to squeeze in a little bit of creative time, even if it’s just to make dear Mrs Jones next door a hand made card or a photo gift book for your mum filled with photos of the grand kids.

 

And that’s where our Jingle Bells gift workshop comes in.

 

Yes, a bit of blatant promotion here BUT the thing is… I LOVE this class. And I don’t want you to miss out. I love the projects, our contributors, the energy and vibe already in the classroom, the fact we have a new awesome classroom space, giveaways from our generous sponsors, the beautifully presented ebook gift for all participants and the fact that it’s a chance to take a little smidge of time out from the busy every day to connect, share and MAKE STUFF!

I’m as guilty as the next for being so busy at Christmas time that my plans of making cute handcrafted gift tags and Christmas cards fly out the window BUT I love that the Jingle Bells class is the opportunity to treat yourself to some time out and the chance to make some lovely hand made gifts for Christmas.

We are gearing up for an incredible 2 weeks of projects and fun in our Jingle Bells gift class.

You can interact as much or as little as you like. The opportunity is there to chat with other classmates in our message boards and to upload your finished projects in our galleries if you want to. Or not.

Go over to the Jot Blog to book in now!

Stuck Sketches is celebrating its 6th birthday this month. And to celebrate, we are having a blog hop on each of the CT members blogs. Our Creative Team are revealing their layouts for the August 20th sketch. Generous sponsors, Paper Stories, are giving away a voucher to their store for one lucky hopper. 

 Here is the sketch:

And my layout:

 
For your chance to win, leave a comment here and on each blog on the hop. Once you have been to visit all of the blogs, email your name and address to stucksketches@optusnet.com.au. Emails are to be received by midnight Sunday August 25th.
And, here is the full list just in case you get lost...

Atsuko
Celeste
Kerryn
Kylie
Mel (that's me!)
Nina
Rachael
Sarah
Tomomi

So, your next stop on the hop is  Nina!  Please check back if some of the girls post's aren't up yet, they will be there shortly :)
Have fun!

Mel

What to Scrapbook when There’s Nothing to Scrapbook About

... over on the Jot blog :)

Have you seen this FREE magazine yet? It is full of funky and fresh new ideas for scrapbooking, paper crafts and Project Life? Jot is fantastic- you need to take a look! 

The first issue has an article in it written by the lovely Sian Fair. "What to Scrapbook when There’s Nothing to Scrapbook About " gives you a list of prompts to choose from and challenges you to take photos and make layouts of different things. Little things that I would like to have read about my Grandma, and most likely my grandchildren will find interesting.

My first layout is based on the prompt: "your favourite kind of weather and how it makes you feel".

Summer makes me happy.... What type of weather do you like?

Mel

Stuck?! Sketch for July 1 and thoughts on fitness/weight loss

Hi everyone.

Just thought I would share my layout for the Stuck?! sketches blog this month. It is called "Foodie" and describes exactly what I am. Food (and craft supplies) is my weakness. I am trying to overcome the food effects by going to the gym regularly and giving up some junk.

I'm finding it hard so far... Working full time, 2 school aged kids (going to a school 20 minutes drive in the opposite direction of where I work), husband and parent-in-laws all under one roof. I have my mother in law cook for us to help out while I am working but it's hearty and not so healthy food. I know I can say no to that nice big helping of meatloaf bbq sauce and scalloped potato, but who does that after putting in a full day teaching teenagers? Its just easy to pile up the plate and sit with my family.

So exercise? The gym is a 40 minute round trip, and running around our estate gives me pain in my shins. I read that I may be doing it wrong... but who can help? Nobody I know runs or goes to the gym... I feel alone on this journey. I can't exercise at lunch because I work in and office and wear shirts and skirts and have 30 minutes for lunch. I read thais journey.

Sigh... I need to find a pattern, a routine, and make it a habit. But I do persist, I do keep going to aerobics, I do keep trying to run through the pain, and I choose not to eat that second scone at morning tea. I don't buy the tim tams any more, and I choose to walk along the beach instead of watching tv on the weekend.

And I have noticed changes, subtle but they are there. Any tips on making this journey easier would be welcomed!

Mel xx

Stuck?! sketches July sneaks.

Hey there :) It's been a while, but life is keeping me busy. I hope to post more often now that I have my own craft room and space sorted. I just need an extra hour or two in the day and i'd be set :)

Just posting today to give you all some sneaks of July's sketches over at the Stuck?! blog.

These sketches will be available on the 1st and the 15th of July. Jump in and have a go at the sketch challenges because we have a great range of sponsors with awesome prizes.

Saturday morning- i'm off to the gym today, only to come back home and ruin it all at a BBQ.

Mel