Happy Halloween ...

I feel naughty ...

I'm at work and I'm blogging!!! But don't worry dear friend, I won't get in trouble ... I'm on my lunch break and I'm using a publicly available wireless network. Woo-hoo ... Internet freedom ... I could easily get used to this!!!

Sharing some layouts I've seen ...

Just popping in here really quickly so I can share a couple of the layouts I've seen posted in the galleries using my Frightfully Delightful collab with Nini ...

by Barbara (aka sokee)

By Kym

by me

Thanks to everyone who has downloaded the kit so far, and thanks too for all your wonderful comments of support and encouragement. It's lovely to hear from you and better still, to see your creations! If you'd like to have the kit, it is still available and you can download it for FREE here.

A frightfully delightful collaboration ...

I've been patiently waiting for this day to arrive and at long last it's here. Yeah! What's so exciting about today I hear you ask? Well, today I get to share a new freebie with you ... but this freebie is a bit special, let me tell you a little bit about why.

It all started about 3 weeks ago when I decided it was high time I created something to give away on my blog. It didn't take too long for me to decide that I wanted to make some Halloween inspired papers ... then I thought about adding a frame ... and a button ... and then a ribbon and before I knew it, I had the makings of a complete mini-kit. But, something was missing, it needed something else, it needed WORDS!

Now words are not my strong point (just ask anyone of knows me!) and so I asked myself this question: "Who do I know that creates gorgeous wordart and who would consider doing a collaboration project with me?". My answer came instantly ... Nini aka Suddenly Artistic Designs.

Two emails and only 48hrs later and our collaboration was almost complete! WOW, that was fast!

Working with Nini is an absolute dream come true ... she is soooooooo talented and she inspires me with everything she does. I really hope we get to create together again in the future.

So there you have it, that's the story behind the not-quite-so-mini mini kit that Nini & I present to you today ... frightfully delightful ... enjoy.

click to download

We really hope you like our kit and as always, both Nini and I would love to see how you use it, so please feel free to leave a link to your LO or other creative project in the comments section.

Have a great weekend everyone and may we be the first to wish you a spooktacular Halloween too!

Brrrrrrrrrr, it's getting chilly ...

I'm not kidding ... just look at the ice (yes ICE, not frost!!!) I had to scrape off my car windscreen this morning. I think it's fair to say the seasons have changed.

Summary of a working week ...

Weeding the garden = 5 hours (+ 72 hours of aching muscles afterwards!)
Current temp job = 32 hours
Miscellaneous = 83 hours (sleeping, eating, housework etc!)
Digiscrapping = 0 hours

Something needs to change!

Why did it have to be this week?

Of all the weeks to be asked to do some temping work, why-oh-why did it have to be now? Have you seen who's in the Designer Spotlight over at Oscraps this week?

TaylorMade Designs

Amanda is one of my digiscrapping heroes. I can honestly say, that if not for her, I wouldn't be blogging today. It sounds melodramatic I know, but is was during Amanda's week in the spotlight last year that I started digiscrapping seriously. It's thanks to her that I began posting my layouts in the gallery at Oscraps and as a result, I got my first CT gig with Sue Cummings (who btw has a collaboration with Amanda being released later this week ... read about it here) and when I started CT'ing I decided to start blogging! So you see, Amanda is the reason why I blog. Fact!

Colds and creativity ...

I Tweeted the other day that I'd lost my motivation, well now I know why ... I've got ANOTHER cold!!! This just isn't fair, it's the third cold I've had this year and the really annoying thing is that there's still enough time for me to get another one. Gah! But at least I now know why I'm feeling so low and uninspired ... it'll pass, hopefully soon. In the mean time, here's what's been happening in my digiscrapping world this past week or so ...

Creations by Tinamarie has released An Autumn Affair To Remember. It's a little different from the usual orange / golden hues of autumn, but the details are so exquisite and the muted tones so elegant.

click here for credits

Che Yang has created Family Fun and as the name suggests, it's got lots of family orientated tags / prompts to get you inspired.

click here for credits

Joyce Paul has teamed up with Designs by Anita and created a simply divine collaboration called Just Breathe. The colour combination of this kit is so delicious; soft muted tones of apricot and mauve. I sigh whenever I see layouts created with this kit.

click here for credits

Fei-Fei's Stuff has released Like Home and if you love patterned papers and quirky elements, then this is a "must have" kit.

click here for credits

Lastly, I'll leave you with an early sneaky peek at a new themed mini-kit due to be released on Friday 22nd October ...


Did you notice the designers names? Tee-hee!!! Ooohhhhh, I really can't wait to tell you more ... but I'm afraid I can't ... not just yet!!!

The fair is in town ...

and amongst the brash glaring lights, gaudy stuffed animal prizes and stomach wrenching rides, there remains a gem of tradition in the form of the carousel ride. This is my kind of ride ...

The weather on the first day of the Abingdon Michaelmas Fair couldn't have been better. Early morning autumn haziness slowly gave way to beautiful late summer sunshine and warmth. I love the fair, the sights, the sounds but best of all the smells. Mmmmmmm ... hotdogs, onions, fresh doughnuts and candy floss ... yummy!

All too soon the fair will be gone and my little town will return to normal, but to me, the Michealmas Fair always triggers the start of autumn for real. Soon the clocks will be going back an hour, the central heating in my home will need to be turned on and I can finally put my lawn mower away for winter. Then of course my mind turns to all things spooktacular as I start planning for Halloween. My brother-in-law's birthday is the 31st October and this year he turns 40 ... the perfect excuse for a Halloween / birthday party don't you think?!?!?! Now if I could only convince him it's a good idea. Tee-hee!