Hocus Pocus! **DT projects**

My latest Design Team package consisted of goodies for one of my favourite times of the year - Halloween. *Ü* I know, I know...I did say that I wouldn't be mentioning 'HALLOWEEN' again for a long time but how could I not take up this challenge?  

I hosted a BIG family Halloween party last October and all of my family dressed up which gave me lots of opportunities to take photos. See here.

My first project is a matchbook mini. The papers and embellishments were by Kaisercraft and Pink Paislee. The photos are of 3 of my grandchildren.

Front cover.

 Inside - 1st page.

 2nd page.

 3rd page.

 4th page.

 5th page.

I used lots of different techniques on the layout. I don't usually sew on layouts, so I decided that as there was an outline of dots on the shaped grey patterned paper, I pierced them and then stitched around the outside with white thread.

I did paper tearing on one sheet of patterned paper and chalked the edges. The following words were 'rub ons' - 'spooky', 'halloween' and 'Cast your spell on me' which I made into a little shaped embellishment. The other words I printed from fonts on my pc.

The photos I intricately cut with scissors as there was a lot of distracting background. There was a little wooden fence in the package, so I heat embossed it with black sparkly powder mixed with a little silver to give the impression of metal. I then used die cuts from the Kaisercraft sheet and cut out the title from a sheet of Pink Paislee paper and placed a transparency sheet on the top.

Thanks so much for looking and please do feel free to leave me a comment. I really appreciate them. *Ü*

Into the light!

I have been moving at a snail's pace since Christmas and I find it hard to believe that we are halfway through January already. Where has the time gone?! It feels like I have been hibernating! LOL. I haven't been idle. There are enough jobs to be done and January is a good time to do them and keep moving.

The long mild autumn has shortened the winter so far and whilst we haven't had any snow - yet...there is still plenty of time for it to come but for now, I am enjoying some brighter days - albeit they are colder right now. Have you noticed? The days are getting longer. The evenings are staying lighter a little longer and the birds are waking me a little earlier. Still, that is not so bad as I can look forward to spring - full of hope. Hope of warmer days and the sun on my face. That is one of life's little pleasures for me anyways.

In the meantime, I shall get back to my cosy, warm den and snuggle up until next time. *Ü*

Have yourselves a good week peeps.

***HAPPY NEW YEAR***

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of my followers and visitors a very Happy New Year and hope that the year 2012 will be a happy, healthy and wealthy one for you all.

Traditionally, on New Year's Day, we have a roast beef dinner and enjoy relaxing - catching up on television programmes that have been recorded and not seen - due to spending time in the kitchen mostly! I believe that this past Christmas, I had made, cooked and baked more than ever - foodie gifts and treats and meals and desserts - oh my!

 I have had a wonderful Christmas with my family and I always look forward to the television off for the time we are together while we play games. LOL...we even played 'pass the parcel' and 'musical chairs' which had us 'laughing out loud'! *Ü*  'Logo' is a boxed/board game that I like too... it takes me on a journey through time - back to my childhood at times with guessing the brand names and logos of different products/foods. We also played a Christmas quiz that I had and Christmas bingo. Such fun times when we interact with eachother.

I'm not one to make new year resolutions these days. I do try to improve myself in different areas and try a little harder to be a better person in general.

So, here's hoping that 2012 will be kind to you and that there will be lots of happy memories. Just think...it will soon be Valentine's Day! *Ü*