Happy New Year!

2009 is almost over. It's been a huge decade. This time 10 years ago I was only 13 years old. So much has happened since then.

I finished school, walking away with really good A levels in Art, Textiles & Maths (weird choice I know). Went to uni for half a term before realising it just wasn't for me.

I visited many places across Europe that I have fallen in love with. Lived in Edinburgh for over a year.

New family members were born, was reunited with other family. Lost other family members and we still miss them very much.

Started crafting which has been a huge influence on my life in the last 10 years.

I started my own business in the last year.

So many other things have happened. Too many to begin to even list here. But the biggest thing to have happened in the last decade... just over 5 years ago...

I fell in love!

I found the most amazing guy who has been there for me. We got engaged, bought our first home and are planning our future together. I gained a whole new second family.

At the age of 23, the noughties has been about growing up and finding where I'm supposed to be in life.

I can't wait to see what 2010 and the next decade brings.

For now I wish you all a Happy New Year. Enjoy bringing in 2010 and I will see you all next year!


Sydney fireworks 2009 courtesy of The Telegraph.

Where has December gone?

If someone could answer me that question I would really appreciate it. In fact where has 2009 gone? It seems that every year older I get the shorter the years. I'm only 23 for goodness sake! I'll be 30 before I know it!

Well back to the present...

Our second challenge at ECP: The Challenges is now online. I'm so happy that people like our new challenge blog. All the DT put in so much effort with their challenges and we have lots of great ones lined up for 2010.



My project for the second challenge was inspired by the Recycle, Recycle, Recycle project at Easy Craft Projects. I had wanted to give my young cousins something handmade for Christmas and these 'cookies to bake' jars seemed great. I used the Christmas tags from The Cutting Cafe. I've not actually got round to filling the jars with ingredients yet - like I said I just don't know where this month has gone.

There's also lots of great projects up from the new DT members at Easy Craft Projects. Some great last minute crafting ideas. We've also got some special projects to inspire you for the new year.

This weekend has been spent running round getting things ready for Christmas. Hampers are beginning to take shape, some presents are wrapped, all cards are posted and I've even managed to find some time for baking! Mince pies, minted chocolate and cinnamon biscuits. They needed a little more cinnamon but they are still yummy : )



If you're in the UK (or many other places in the world) you will have noticed all that white stuff outside. It's been snowing on and off all week here but today the sky was full of it. It's melting already but I managed to get some photos first.



I've also taken some photos of our Christmas decorations. I've made alot of them myself this year - little button wreaths and paper birdhouses for the tree, lots of lights and my handmade candles from Altered Chic. It makes a nice change to put the effort into making the house look all pretty. That is going to be one of my New Year's resolutions.











I've also had my hair cut this week - quite a bit shorter than it was. It's only shoulder length but I do like it so much better now.



Ok, so this post was a little long and photo heavy - maybe another New Year's resolution should be to post more often. But then I say that every year and it's not happened yet : )

Lisa x

Our first challenge!

The first challenge is now online at ECP: The Challenges! I'm so excited. We've been planning this for ages and now it's all go!

This is the LO I put together for the first challenge....


It is being sponsored by The Cutting Cafe. The challenge is great and you should certainly go over there and check out the rest of the DT's creations.

I've been crafting all week for ECP, Altered Chic and Christmas. I've always wanted to decorate our tree in handmade decorations and this year we're actually doing it! I've made little paper birdhouses (there's a project by Lauren for them over at ECP), cross-stitching little hearts, making mini button wreaths, and I'll be making a cinnamon stick and gingham string to wrap round the tree this evening. Hopefully the tree will be up and decorated this weekend so I'll be able to post some pictures.

Busy, busy, busy... off to Derby with Altered Chic next Friday and there's still so much to do!

Lisa x