CCW Scrap Map Challenge

Since joining the scrapbooking website UKScrappers I have been learning new techniques, meeting very friendly folk and thoroughly enjoying myself.
I particularly enjoy taking part in the weekly, monthly & house challenges.

This is a layout which I did for the April Week one challenge, set by Sue from Creative Craft World.
You might recognize the photo of Ben which I used in my Tartan Parade post earlier this week.
I also entered it into the CCW April Scrap Map challenge, who knows perhaps I'll be the lucky winner of a scrap kit and the chance to become a guest designer at CCW.

Fleurs de Paris

Last weekend the SP & I spent 24 wonderful hours in Paris.
We drove up to visit the Version Scrap Expo, which was being held at the Parc Floral, Vincennes.

Later we checked into the Hotel Daumesnil located close to the Chateau de Vincennes.

This beautiful florists shop was on the opposite corner to the Chateau, just across the road from the Hotel.

Sharing all these beautiful flowers with

 Liz @ Rose Vignettes for Fresh Cut Friday

and

Beverly @ How Sweet The Sound for Pink Saturday.

I'm sure they'd both be happy to see you if you called in too!

Ben watching The Tartan Parade

Ben is sending lots of love and a picnic to share with Sadie

because Aunt Sarah @ Hyacinths For The Soul

 is hosting The Tartan Parade!

We're also visiting with the Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays,

after all it's not every day a chap gets to wear plaid!

And..........

since the letter T is centre stage at Mrs Matlock's Aphabe-Thursday this week

we're joining the party there too.

Scrap booking

With Diane & Susan- Graceland 2005

For Alphabe-Thursday this week over at Mrs Matlock's blog off on my tangent 

I'm sharing some of my recent scrap book creations.

Nick & Mr Ben June 2011

Tea for one in the garden

Susan & Me - Paris 2011

The SP jumping for joy in HHI.

Thanks to UKScrappers my scrap booking mojo is back!

the 5 most important things needed for our trip to Italy, next month

Easter Calico Rag Wreath

Whilst visiting blogs recently I came across Gina @ Random Thoughts, who was one of the hostesses of the Spring'taculer Craft Link Party Parade.
I just fell in love with her Easter Burlap Rag Wreath. Click on the link to see how pretty is it.
The tutorial was very easy to follow and so I decided to make one myself.
Not having any burlap to hand, I improvised with a length of creamy white calico left over from my bunny rabbit crafting days.

Ripping the calico gave my wreath the country homespun look that I was after. Thanks go to my friend Sue @ ISewQuilts for that tip.
In place of the pink pail and Easter flowers that Gina used, I hung a decorated egg bought many years ago at a craft fair in Bavaria and still one of my favorite items of Easter decor after all this time.

What do you think? C'est jolie n'est pas?

Pink Saturday - Scrap booking: Tags.

This iconic phrase has been my motto once again this week whilst I recuperated from quite a bad fall last weekend.
Don't ever try and separate two squabbling dogs whilst carrying two mugs of tea, otherwise you could end up falling flat on your face, as I did early on Saturday morning.
My knees took the brunt of the fall and I still have terrific bruises, black, blue & yellow, from my knees down to my ankles.
I was very lucky not to break anything.
My friend Gaynor broke her collar bone a few years ago, whilst performing almost the same trick, minus the dogs.
To help pass the time I have been busy crafting.
My new obsession? Tags!
The tags below were the first ones I made and I gave them away to friends, coincidentally I gave the pink one to Gaynor.

A few weeks ago I joined a fantastic online scrap booking site UK Scrappers and last week signed up for a Tag Swap.
The photo below is of the three tags I made for the Tag Swap, and I'm very pleased with how they turned out.

I hope to get back into blogger mode during the next couple of days and will be over to visit you all to catch up with what's been happening in your world this week whilst I've been awol.

Sharing my new obsession with Beverly

 @How Sweet The Sound 

and all the other participants celebrating Pink today.

Monday Doorways

For Louis la Vache's Monday Doorways

a little taste of home.

Musée de l'Orangerie Jardin des Tuileries 

in Paris.