Hello!

I am sorry for the lack of Friday Freebie on Friday. I was all caught up in the excitement of getting away with the girls for a weekend away that I utterly forgot to post it!

Anyway - It's a freebie with a bit of a difference, it's a mini digi kit for Halloween.

4 papers (3 pumpkin and 1 wood grain) 

6  pumpkins Png's

and glitter Png embellishments

Hope you like.......

You can download the kit for free 

HERE

And perhaps - you could make a card like Caroline's here  - Caroline used the woograin effect paper and a pumpkin to create a gorgeous Halloween greetings card... fab!- or, you could use them on a scrapbook page that you make with your Halloween photos. Either way... HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Oooops!!!

You're not going mad..... There's no Friday Freebie!!!! I'm in a cabin in the woods and I failed to sort the freebie!!!! Ooooops... Sorry, Sunday evening will be the freebie day I promise... It's worth it, it will be a Halloween kit!!

-- Posted from my iPhone.

Oh for the love of inspiration.........

Two things today that make me sad...

1: I am not in America for Halloween

and

2: We don't have a Pottery Barn in the UK so I could buy these....

AWESOME PUMPKIN CANDLES.......

Awesome Ceramic pumpkins and gourds (squashes)

these FABULOUS white pumpkins..

Actually... I am obviously now going to paint my squashes white for "fall decoration" in my lounge..

cos these are plain beautiful!!

I want this porch,

I want so badly to live in a big wooden house in a quiet American town, with a big wooden porch and veranda round the house which I could decorate like this.......

But, I don't *insert a giant BLAH*

So I will stop wishing my October away!

I am going away for the weekend with some friends, so that will cheer me up!

Talking of which.....

I need to order photos like ASAP!

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Shimelle winner and latest page.......

Me again! Back for blog number 2 of the day. If you are here looking for the latest Friday Musing please see the previous post here

Till then, I thought I would post my latest page. I used the divine mix and mend range by sassafrass lass (I know - those who know me, will be saying "Sj.. Sassa???" ... sigh... it's true.. I take it all back Sassa - I actually LOVE this range!!!

I literally adore the textures, tones, colours, stacked embellished look... and they suit my style of inky clustered pages... so putting this page together was really fun!

I think it's only the 3rd page I have scrapped since moving back - so it was theraputic to my creative soul... *phew* And.. it's not halloween related!
Now.. onto the 2nd part of my 2nd entry today..
THE WINNER OF SHIMELLE'S CLASS!
*drumroll please*
*
*
*

* 
Olivia you were number 48!

Pop me an email along and I will forward your deets to Shimelle!

Friday freebie & Friday Buy It Now digital Stamp

Welcome to the Friday musings this week!

I have been a busy bee this week, but I came up with a sewing set - I hope you like it!

It comes with two outline sets, two colour sets and four printable papers.

You can either use the four images together as a card topper - or perhaps cut them up, or even patchwork them onto your card with a sewing machine!

--------------------------------------£1.50-------------------------------

I forgot to send out the musing to my CT this week - until about 11pm last night!

 BUT to my utter elation and surprise, Caroline Sears sent me an email at 1am this morning with this DIVINE card 

- I love the images a lot, they are one of my fav sets ever, but I didn't realise how cool they would look on a card till saw this..

GORGEOUS huh!?

Those October afternoon papers look stunning with this stamp..

check the details too, the pins, the ribbon and that beautiful tape measure charm!

xxxxxxxxxxx

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And fear not - if sewing is not your bag at all - how about a freebie?

Meet "Fifi" the toy giraffe. Perfect for baby cards/albums/projects.. If you like her, download her HERE

The one about Autumn

- Morning all! It's a beautiful sunny Autumn day here. 

My favourite kind of day. I love Autumn best of all the seasons - for all it encompasses. The colours, the need for cosy blankets, spiced candles, pumpkins, stews and soups, darker mornings (yup.. when you have a 3 year old darker mornings are a blessing!) and of course, the cuddling together more :)

It also, seems to re spark my creativity.

I adored adored the fabric pumpkins that cropped up all over the blogasphere last year, and I was certain that this year I would make some.

So searched for free patterns online and found this one:

(The finished pumpkin looks nothing like the one in the picture on there website by the way lol! - so if you decide to make it, you have been warned!)

I made the orange one to the pattern on the website, and then I just hand cut the others as it was easy enough. 

I like the little blue/green one best. 

The large blue velvet one has too many panels but I love it's squished look that I won't unpick it :-)

And here is my corner dedicated to all things Halloween....

I have hung some paper pumpkin lanterns from some twine and also stacked the pumpkins and squashes up here (actually, there has been a variation of this for weeks now, as we keep eating and replacing them!)
They look gorgeous at night when lit by a candle.

And I last night I set to making a "fall garland" for my lounge. I love Autumn colours, and they look really pretty when all gathered together. I cut all those leaves out on a big shot *can you say repetitive?*
Worth it though - I had to add a staple here or there but all in all - I love how it looks! Esp the white birds, pretty.
*sigh* - I love autumn - did I say that already?

A little giveaway!

If you have ever taken an online Shimelle class before - you will know that they are ridiculously amazing, and also, fabulous value for money.

I've said it before - and I will say it again, Shimelle's classes  have lead to my favourite scrapbook projects ever. Most recently her Learn Something New Everyday class - which lead to my favourite minibook of all time. And - just last week, I was looking through my JYC of 2009 and realised that it will become a treasure for Finlay when he is older (I hope)

Which brings me onto this:

Her new class "TRUE STORIES"

True Stories is an online class that starts on the 25th of October, but it can be completed at any time. It lasts three weeks, with fifteen full-colour PDF prompts delivered straight to your inbox, Mondays through Fridays. From the beginning, there is absolutely no way to ‘fall behind’ or ‘not finish’ because it’s not that kind of class. You can follow along by working on a prompt each day if you would like, but you can also keep the prompts as a reference for when they come in useful for your own scrapbooking, blogging or other story-telling needs.

True Stories covers fifteen different ways to approach your story and commit it to paper. You can use these prompts as a scrapbooker and see your journaling evolve to something that will be a treasure to read. You can use the prompts as a blogger to make your entries feel like honest, unique and compelling tales. Or you can just use them in general as a collection of ways to add a bit more excitement to your writing if you’re feeling like you’re in a rut of writing the same way on every project.

And I am lucky enough to be able to offer a free class pass to one of my gorgeous blog readers!

All you need to do - is post a comment telling me something true (how fun!)

To start you off - I will tell you something true about me...

"I am scared of wooden spoons"

There, I said it.

And it's true - the texture of an unglazed wooden spoon FREAKS me out - that and lolly sticks.. aghhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Your turn!

THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY (22nd)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A a little self promotion.......

It's been a little while since I did a Musings promo, I think we all tend to hide our heads in the   sunshine when it comes out, and moving over a month didn't help! But I am back with a tightly fitting work hat - and have been at the drawing desk every day recently catching up on orders (so if you are still waiting on your order, please know you are on my list and it will be with you soon!)

Anyway! I am excited to be able to offer you something a little different with the musings!

It's that time of year again, when whether we like it or not - all the shops get their festive cards instock! And it made me think, that a family musing would look super cute as a Christmas card! So... I am pleased to be able to say, I allowed myself to get swept away with Christmas - and now every musing ordered till Christmas will come with a free Card design (wording of your choice) 

OR if Cards are not your thing, you can opt for the second option.. Backgrounds!

Backgrounds can add pop to the musings and look ace when printed!

Here is a couple of examples:

And background ideas:

I hope you like them!

Please note - I can only take on so many orders for Christmas - and if you think a family musing would make a cute present for your loved ones - don't forget to order soon to avoid disappointment. xxxxx

Friday Freebie!

Hello all!

This week, I have decided to give the Musing away as a Friday Freebie.

I hope you like them!

Meet Maeve and Andy - two Halloween loving characters who are planning their Halloween outfits early.

So if you want to download the freebie click HERE
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The CT have some spooktacular projects for you this week to inspire.
Lisa has used both the musings, alongside the freebie from last week *pumpkin* to make this gorgeous Halloween card. I love orange and purple together - it's the perfect Halloween combo.

Caroline made this fabulously spooky post-it-note holder...  I love it! and Andy works brilliantly with those skull papers.. I like the look of those chocolate eyeballs too.....

I used Maeve to make a bag topper for some Candy corn. I love the musings when used in conjunction with party favours etc - they lend themselves to decoration as well as cards.. either that or I just love hand cutting - lol.. Plus, can you imagine handing out these little baggies as party favours? Cute!

I have to show you this awesome banner Leanne made using the pumpkin from last week - cool huh!  I have a penchant for Orange this time of the year - I think I need some pumpkin!!!

One of those life posts....

Hi Blog land. Thank you for popping by :-)

Today, I am just catching up on a couple of things that have filled my life recently...

First up - if you have followed by blog for more than a year now, you will know my insatiable love for Halloween... well the feeling is back with stronger force than ever (perhaps having a child reinforces the love of fun holidays?) In the UK we SUCK at Halloween. No one celebrates it - people hide away, in fear of their doorbell - lights are turned off in hope people won't attempt to trick or treat - It is mega sad.

One of my life ambitions is to be in the US on Halloween.... I have no idea where, a smallish town perhaps where the whole town has a street party... I don't even know if that happens - but I can dream right?

One of my ALL time favourite films is "Hocus Pocus" with Bette Midler and SJP.(1993)

I was in love with the lead boy character all my teenage life - I think his name in real life was Omri Katz.. 

Anyway - this made Halloween magical for me, the film, the costumes, the Halloween party they all have in it!

Every year I get all excited - and every year it tends to be a giant anticlimax. 

But in order to placate the need for Halloween in my life - I will eat pumpkin, go to pumpkin farms, I will dress Finlay up for a kids party, I will throw said kids party, I will make decorations and cake and enjoy the tiny moments before it's all over without really starting lol!

I am also planning to have seasonal decorations.Last year I made a paper wreath - which I loved...

And this year - I plan to make a garland for a wall in my lounge - and I am also planning on making a pile of fabric pumpkins.

They are SOOOO easy to make! I cut 8 petal shaped panels and sewed them together - gathering the base after stuffing with a running stitch before pulling to a close, and sewing a little stem from green felt (thank you Shimelle for the green felt!!) and again, using a running stitch and pulling to a close. Easy peasy. Now.. imagine one in orange velvet!! I am off to some Goodwill/charity shops later for reclaimed fabrics.

*excited!*

Talking of fabrics...

For my Birthday in June, I was lucky enough to be gifted the gift of Cosmo Cricket fabric!

Early bird was my favourite scrap range of all time, I say "was" because it has a current contender with the Mix and Mend Sassafrass line. BUT Early Bird will always always be in my top favourite scrapbook paper loves list. So when the fabric came out I nearly had heart failure!

And when it arrived I literally cut into it within seconds.

Thank goodness for rotary trimmers that's all I can say!

The strips are all random - there is no rhyme or reason, the only rule is - no matching colour can touch.

This is the top sheet to a quilt. However, I am now stuck. I want to add about another 12 inches in plain red fabric to all edges - however, this will require mitred corners - and I have no idea how to do this at all.

I would take it for advice from the local sewing shop - but the sewing on the quilt is not quite perfect, and I would be a bit ashamed to show her... so here it lies, unfinished.. since June.

*sigh*

Oh well! It will be finished one day! Hopefully in time for the depth of winter cold... 

So I can snuggle under it with this guy...

In an added blog tale that bears no relevance to the above - on Sunday - it was THE BIG DRAW at the Bexhill De la Warr Pavilion.

Once a year - they allow everyone to go mad with washable markers, paper covered stairs, chalks on the roof etc etc to celebrate illustration.

It's part of the Children's book festival.

I love it. Obviously.

Here is me drawing on a window.

I would have felt like a rebel - were it not for the million doodles around mine.

And here we are adding to the paper cup & plate display...

Robot plate - yay

Each section was themed. On this window, they asked you to draw a portrait...

so of course, here is my doodle of Finlay?.........

bless him!

Anyway - that's all I have for you blog wise today.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Popart!

Hello! Sunday again - and it's sunny- yay.

Remember the recent post about a vintage camera - well - fuelled by Laura Buckingham's latest toy camera obsession - I too jumped on her bandwagon (mainly so that between us we can own ALL the cameras in the world lol.. *evil laugh*) And today at a boofair snapped up a "pop art camera" for £1.50.

lol.

I think it is both hideous and divine!

I cannot wait to view my life on technicolour paper for the rest of time.

Or for the one time I actually put film in it - we'll see.

 So I am sure - albeit that it works- and if it doesn't work - at least it wasn't one million dollars. - you will soon see some fun snaps on pages coming soon!
And talking of scrapping - here is an actual scrapbook page.

I know - I didn't know I still scrapped either ;-)
I used an entire Hambly overlay on this page - which is frivolous but fun!

And one of those *new favourite* roses which I blogged about last month or so...

{heart}

xxxx

What has filled your Sunday?

Friday freebie & Friday Buy It Now digital Stamp set

 MORNING!

This morning, I have two stamp sets to show you -our first is "It's raining cats......"

which is a BUMPER stamp set - including eight images.

The set includes images that could be used for all year round occasions, as well as a cute pumpkin kitty for Halloween cards /gift bag toppers/ cupcake toppers etc etc

The complete set is only £1.50 and can be purchased by clicking the 

following paypal button:

£1.50

all payments are secure and come with protection from Paypal.

Onto some SWEET projects!

This week Lisa Hines has rocked out the pumpkin cat - by making this gorgeous Halloween garland - printing the images before hanging them with pop corn makes for a fabulous Halloween decoration! I love it - also, makes me want popping corn!

then she made something that made me go "how on earth did you do that?!" 

She printed a candle using Pumpkin cat...

I did ask her how - and Lisa told me that.....

There are lots of tutorials on Youtube just search stamping candle. ...

But I printed the image onto tissue paper by sticking the tissue paper to a piece of normal paper then printing, then cut round, pop it on candle put grease proof paper over the top and heat with heat gun!

Anyone else thinking about where they've put their white candles? I sure am.

I love this project heaps - it's total versatile and would make AWESOME presents!

Don't forget that here at Little Musings, I do custom art work of your families from photos.. imagine putting a custom order of your family on a candle for holiday gifts? You could even do it in place of a Christmas card for your close family!!

Anyway - back to the projects lol!

Caroline Sears made this stunning wall hanging using Angel Kitty = I love the added fallen halo and the bird in the cage.The Looney Tunes phrase is perfect for this project - I just love the woodgrain too - beautiful!

And fear not freebie lovers - I have something for you today too.

A glowing Halloween pumpkin!

Brighten up your Halloween invites - or make a cute candle like Lisa did!

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE 

HERE