Four occasions, four cards

June's a busy month. Cards are flying off my craft desk like hot (birthday/wedding) cakes.

Happy wedding:

Happy birthday (for a friend):

Happy new home:

Happy birthday (for a baby):

Nearly all of these were given at least two weeks late. Incidentally, this is what my pictures look like straight from the camera. Yup, Photoshop rocks. *Scowls at parent's non-photo-editing computer*.

Project Life: Milo and March, Part 1

Blissfully typing this from Cornwall. Aaaahhhh... Holidays away are ace, but holidays at home are just as great. I'm giddy at the prospect of catching up with everything in my crafting and blogging life. Work can be completely ignored for a week.

So where are we with Project Life then? Oh yes, that's right. End of Feb. A little one - the first baby born among my friends - was christened. His name is Milo and he's possibly the cutest, most bush-baby like human bean ever (And that's saying something. I have a gorgeous nephew of my own who normally wins these things hands down).

And then the start of my March. If you're a regular reader, you will have already seen my layout for Jade's hen do. So, I'll crack on with the rest. You'll have to bear with me this week as I have no Photoshop and am having a go at FotoFlexer online instead.

It was all scary films, christenings, celebrity chefs and manor houses...

...half marathons, babies and tweets...

...craft shows, Pinterest-protests and family...

These are indeed the days! Will have more to show tomorrow.

Welcome to Real

It sounds a bit Matrix-y but it's much cooler.

In its own words: "Real is a network, but not a social network. A physical network. When we talk about post, we don't want you to click a submit button or hit enter, we want you to lick a stamp and pop something in an envelope. Why? Because real things are so much more wonderful. We've found ourselves in a world where the only memories of holidays are digital photos and 140 character updates from the beach. What happened to bringing back shells from the rock pools, or saving the beer mat from THAT bar? Real objects have the smells, textures, tastes and sounds that bring our world to life. Let's cherish them, and remember their value."
 
Well, obviously I was sold! I was asked to be one of the founding members of this project, which was rather nice - I think they'd seen my Project Life and realised what a complete HOARDER I am. The 50 people taking part (there are still spaces I believe so get in touch with them!) are from marketing, publishing and art backgrounds, all sending through lovely bits of ephemera from their everyday lives. It launches on Thursday and you can follow its progress at www.welcometoreal.com and @welovereal. The Real network will be showcased from now until 27 July 2012 at ROA Gallery, London. My plot is number 007. Yup, how perfect is that?!

A glimpse into my first exhibits:

I'll be as intrigued as you to see how this unfolds.

My Dad...

...Is a footballing, dental-surgeon holiday-lover. He's a 13-year-old trapped in a 56-year-old's body. He's a Scottish, health-conscious joker. He's a straight-talking, community-giving businessman.

And I'm very lucky to have him. He says he had a great day yesterday :)

I love seeing occasional family pictures from other bloggers so thought some of you may appreciate these. An oldie of us all with my dad, my dad in 'Papi' mode and my brother as a dad himself. I hope you spoiled your dad at the weekend, had happy memories of him, or enjoyed being a dad yourself. I know not everyone has a good relationship with their father; many don't have a relationship at all. So it makes it all the more important that if we're fortunate enough to have it, we truly cherish it. And I don't care if that sounds cheesy.

Got some fun news to share tomorrow. Really hope I make it to my computer and manage to leap-frog the usual pesky obstacles: deadlines, gym and freelance.

Project Life 2012: February, Part 2

Lordy. I can't even keep up with blogging, let alone Project Life.

On the plus side though, I've had a great week seeing friends, working hard and spending what felt like a lovely long weekend with my family. Yes, I feel I've used my time wisely and that feels good. So I'm sharing the second, third and fourth pages of my February tonight. I wonder if I can whip through the rest to take us up to the end of March this week?

Hen dos, cinema trips, new hair and house sales:

Blog printables, Dad texts, heat wave and June Bugs:

Twitter, my first open mic night, baths, brollies, cards and cuties:

In other news, I've signed up for Studio Calico's July class, Summer Stamp School. I really need some inspiration for using stamps. I've got so many but sometimes it just seems a bit of a faff to use them. And when I do I just grab my black Stazon ink these days. There are other colours! Also, you get an exclusive set of stamps when you sign up with no postage cost.

Yes, that's right. I have too many stamps and I signed up so I could get more stamps. I'm among friends who understand that though, right?

Busy week. The lovely Sarah Gane started on Mollie Makes today as our new Digital Editor. You can meet her over at her blog, Bobbin Bloggin. I'm going to Pulse London tomorrow and I still haven't finished my Papercraft Inspirations magazine commission yet (also due in tomorrow, whoops) so best get on...

Let's make a date to check back here on Thursday yeah?

Life, slow down!

Do you ever feel like life is just so packed with fun events you can't keep up with documenting it?

I do. All the time. And that makes me a very lucky girl. Went to watch Wales Vs Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium yesterday. What an atmosphere! 57,000 people in attendance. I'm not sure I've ever been to something so big.

And it's the start of my nephew's first birthday celebrations today. Getting ready for cuddles.

Loving my bank holiday so far, hope you are too.