MIMM 1

Or ME in my MoleskinE, but that's too long to keep typing. So from now on it's MIMM!

I have really enjoyed working on this journal. It has taken me completely out of my comfort zone as I am not a messy card maker as a rule. I don't generally get inky, painty fingers - but I have really relaxed and got into this. It was liberating!

Kirsty Wiseman, who devised the kit, provides a very detailed instruction manual, as well as a how-to video on UStream. There's also a private Flickr group so that you can see how other people have personalised their books. I did adjust a couple of things to suit myself - changed some of the colours and added more drawings, etc.

So today I am showing you the front cover, complete with faux coffee cup stain!

The inside cover has a tag with the date so that when I look back in years to come I will know when I created it. The first page deals with the basics, name age, photo etc. I'm really taken with the idea of using torn up book print - would never have thought of it myself. Of course it does go against the grain ripping up a book, but I chose a trashy charity shop book that I didn't like!

Page 2 and 3 are about my clothes (what I prefer to wear, my dream outfit), my body (best bits, worst bits), and things I would change.

I particularly like the border, it took a while to do but I think it's very effective. It was supposed to be a chequerboard effect but I didn't like it.

The next two pages are about my hair and skin. That isn't really my dream hairstyle (don't have one) although the colour is a bit cool!

Between each page I have made a pocket and there will be tags in each with more personal details (not for sharing though!), but I've yet to do those.

For colouring the pages I have used a selection of Distress ink pads, Glimmer Mists and some spray inks from the Dylusions range (Art from the Heart).

I'm very proud of it and look forward to sharing more with you soon.

M x

Puppy Photos

I thought it was about time I put some more photos of Chloe on my blog. My goodness how she has grown. She is now twice the weight she was when we had her weighed at 8 weeks, and suddenly she seems all legs.

The first couple of photos are when she was about 10 weeks old and she looks like such a little thing - sort of chubby yet tiny.

She has a thing for shoes, any shoes, she's not fussy. She likes to pair up my Crocs in the flower bed (slightly OCD methinks!).

And this is her at 13 weeks, she is thinner and sleeker, and definitely leggy. As you can see, she loves her comfort - cushions and crocheted blankets. She particularly likes my Rowan Cashsoft blanket that I made last year.

She's not been very well this week, has behaving out of character, so tonight we took her to the vets and it would appear that she has a bladder infection. So now she is on a course of antibiotics for a week and we have to go back next week for a check up. At least she has no problems taking her tablet - pushed into a little bit of cheese, it didn't touch the sides. So different from giving tablets to a cat - what a palaver that was. Of course going to the vet is a licence to print money. I hope this isn't the start of things to come.

It's half term this week and all my grand plans of card making haven't exactly come to fruition, although I have made some today. I haven't got pictures yet as our main computer is down so I can't scan them. Hopefully I'll get some decent photos tomorrow.

I downloaded a blank Promarker colour chart from the Letraset website and had fun colouring in the squares of the colours I have. I have 66 pens including a blending one. Still loads to get!! Although after the vet bill, not for some time!!

The other day I felt the urge to do some painting. I used to love painting when I was doing my O and A Level art and I haven't done any for ages. I am inspired by Dyan Reaveley at Art From the Heart (here ) also a blog called Luna ( here ). I've only drawn the image so far and painted the background, but I will show you soon.

I hope you are all having a lovely week, nice that the weather is picking up. Back to work on Monday and another stressful week of my daughter doing her GCSEs. I know I haven't mentioned much about that but yes, we are in the throes of them, and I will be so glad when they are over. There are four next week - 2 maths, 1 history and 1 Italian - wish us luck.

Take care

M x