Callaloo Soup

The New Callaloo Soup Site is LIVE!

It's done! Please come on over to see the new Callaloo Soup. Update your bookmarks and feed readers, and poke around the site. I'm happy to launch not just the site, but a brand new project that is close to my heart. Come on over and get all the details!

Under Construction

I know it's been crickets here on the blog for a while. And you might have noticed that things seem a bit wonky (like the menu bar - it's there, just kind of broken). There's a reason though: I am working on building a brand new website!

Since I have to fit website development in between everything else, it is taking longer than anticiapted. of course. I always think I can pull stuff off in one day. I am usually wrong.

Hang in there though friends, I am really close and will share the new space with you soon!

Sister Sketch October | Free Files & Templates

 

Here we go for October! get your free files below

 

JPG | PDF | PSD

Check back in two weeks to see our pages and share yours!

Hearts and Butterflies Garland with Makin' it Cute

Who says you need a fancy cutting machine to get cute shapes like this? I made this garland using just my thick plastic templates from Me and My Sister Designs. You might remeber my post a few months ago using their Makin it Cute flower template? Well now they have two new sets: hearts and butterflies.

I've been in a redecorating mood lately, and just set up a new sewing corner in my office. What better to add than this garland?

You'll need: the plastic templates, patterned papers, scissors, a pencil, a hole punch, baker's twine and washi tape.

 

First, trace around the templates on the back of the papers

 

Then cut out the shapes.

 

I cut five hearts and four butterflies.

Now punch holes at the top of each shape

Next string the shapes along the baker's twine, passing the twine in from front to back.

Voila!

Space the shapes evenly along the twine, then cut and hang with washi tape.

You can leave as is, or use mini clothepins to add in some extras!

If you're not feeling the bright spring colours, you can always use Fall or Halloween papers to change the mood.

Thanks for stopping by! You can head over to the Fat Quarter Shop blog to find more links to projects using the templates. And they are giving away some templates too!

Sunday Something | Make Your Own Sunshine

This has been a good week for hibernating indoors, watching random videos and reading lots of blogs. it has been raining almost every day! here are some things I discovered while trying to make my own sunshine.

A Harvard reseracher puts forward a valid case for all those photos of your lunch.

Mr. Bean is back!

This looks like a good one. I love Bill Murray.

Let's take it slow shall we? Slow blogging and slow decorating sound very much like me.

I hope that your job is not all you do.

Happy Sunday!

P.S. Did you win the spot to True Scrap 6? Check out this video to find out! Hurry! You have until midnight PST tonight to claim it!

 

Ridiculously Easy DIY | Graphic Fall & Halloween Coffee Mugs

Did I get enough keywords in that title? (Imagine it was Chandler Bing saying that). Seriously though, these customised mugs are ridiculousy easy to do. If you remember my Valentine mugs, you know why. If not, read on!

All you need are plain mugs, Fall or Halloween themed rub-ons, scissors and a rub-on applicator tool.

Use the scissors to cut out the design you want to use. Carefully place on your mug, smoothing it down as you go

Use your applicator tool (a popsicle stick works great!) to rub the design onto the mug. Go carefully over the intricate areas. Remove paper and ta da!

You've got yourself some pretty coffee mugs! These will not be permanent, which makes this idea perfect for holidays and special events.

The best part is that it will take you all of five minutes!

Like this idea? Please pin the image below to share it!

 

 

Giveaway | One Seat to True Scrap 6!

How would you like to hang out with eight of the most inspiring and talented scrapbooking instructors on the planet... without leaving home? With True Scrap 6, we bring the best in online education to you, but we add a twist – everything is LIVE so you don't lose that feeling of community and excitementthat comes with an in-person event!

On October 18, True Scrap 6 takes to the internet with a full day of scrapbooking and papercrafting inspiration, hosted by producer Lain Ehmann and with classes from:

• Noell Hyman
• Nichol Magouirk
• Tracy Banks
• Donna Salazar
• Jen Gallacher
• Layle Koncar
• Kelli Crowe
• Katrina Kennedy

Yes, it's all streamed live... AND it's all recorded so you can revisit your favorite classes again and
again!

As a previous instructor I can tell you that this event is a blast! I was able to sign in from all the way in France, enjoy all the sessions, and make new friends.  Since I don't get to hang out with scrapbooking peeps often it was such a great experience!I really felt like I was in a room full of excited scrapbookers, talking about this thing we love so much.

I'm giving away one spot in this one-of-a-kind event. Here's what you need to do:

1. Visit www.truescrap.com and watch the short video at the top of the page.

2. Return here and leave a comment below by midnight Pacific, October 9, about which class you're most excited about.

3. Check back on 10/10 to see if you won!

And here's something for EVERYONE... Not sure you'll be lucky enough to win a spot? No worries... you can use coupon code “HERO” at checkout to save 20% off the regular registration rate. Just head over to www.truescrap.com and get yourself signed up! (Coupon expires 10/13).

About True Scrap: True Scrap blends the best of on-demand, web-based learning with the excitement and energy of a live, in-person event. True Scrap events have delighted thousands of ecstatic students over the past three years. Produced by Lain Ehmann with previous instructors ranging from Heidi Swapp to Shimelle Laine, True Scrap events are sure to inspire, entertain, and educate. Find out more at www.truescrap.com.

Rules and guidelines:

One entry per person, please. Contest closes to entries on Thursday, 10/9 at midnight Pacific. Winners will be chosen by random drawing on Friday, 10/10 and will be posted on Truescrap.com, and spots must be claimed by Sunday, October 12. If you have already purchased a spot and subsequently win a spot, you may transfer your prize to another person or receive a credit from your original purchase towards a future True Scrap event. No cash refunds will be given.

So hurry on over to watch the video, then come back to leave me a comment!

Sunday Something | A New Side of Jeff Goldblum

How was your week? Autumn is definitely here in this part of France, and though the grey. wet days are a struggle for me, the bright sunny and crisp days are making me smile. I'm thinking more and more about soups, stews and crockpot meals. And pumpkin everything!

This was written for people who go out to work, but I bet these DIY Instant Noodles would be great for we who work at home too.

Everytime I think about this video I laugh hysterically

Thanks for the reminder Susannah

I'm loving this street art project in Tunisia

I've been sharing this article about being organized just about everywhere, because unlike many that I have read this one puts things in perspective, plus gives actual actionable tips to use.

Hope you're enjoying your day, wherever you are!

Filofax Friday | Journaling With the Clipbook

Over the last month I've been taking the Journal Your Life class with Susannah Conway (I LOVE her), and since I love using Filofaxes for everything, I figured why not use one for my more creative artsy journal? I've been eyeing the Clipbooks since they were released, but my favourite, that gasoline blue one was always out of stock! As luck would have it, it came back into stock just as the class was starting so I snatched one up.

It is so perfect for this use! (And I already have other ideas on how I can use them ha!). It's soft and light, made for folding and bending, and comes with a bunch of notesheets: blank, lined and squared, thus perfect for scribbling, doodling and sketching.

Here it is in action

I love that I can add my own pages in between the notebook sheets too. I've been busy cutting magazines up!

I store the bits I cut out, plus tabs and sticky notes in the plastic pockets that came with my other two A5 binders, and that I never seemed to use.

Because the Clipbook is durable and absolutely not expensive, it's one binder that I am happy to toss in my handbag, leave on the floor, shove under my bed.... you get the picture.

Do you use a Filofax for journaling, scrapbooking or other creative pursuits?

Let's see what Monika is up to this month!

P.S. I posted a free printable for planning handmade gifts, if you're into that sort of thing.

 

Sister Sketch September | Beach Baby

Finally sharing our pages for September! I was happy to print out a couple photos from sumemr vacation and get them scrapped. Here's the sketch again

 

JPG | PDF | PSD

I totally stuck to the sketch this month. I loved all the white space. It really makes the photos shine.

That photo at the top is arguably my favourite from the trip. Here are some close-up shots

 

Now off to see how Vernell used the sketch.

Now off to see how Vernell used the sketch.Now No

Getting Ready to Crochet!

 

Now that I have somewhere to write it all down, my handmade gift list is under development! I'm starting off with the gifts I plan to crochet. I also want to do knitted gifts this year, and will add those to the list soon.

I have also chosen just one project to work on for myself this fall, a cowl pattern I found last year, and have wanted to adapt. I finally have all the yarn I need for it, so it's on!

Those are my scribbled notes so I don't get lost in the process.

What crochet projects are you working on this fall? If you like to make hats, check out my crochet hat round-up over on Craft Foxes.

I Love a Good Upcycle Project

I picked up a couple wooden cassette tape holders in April, thinking they would be perfect for storing my stamp pads (like this). It totally didn;t work for me though, the spaces were too small, and I didn't like how the cases looked on the wall above my table. So I nixed the idea, and they have been sitting in my office unloved since then. As Kieran and I were tidying his bedroom on Saturday, I had what can only be described as a brainwave! The stands would be perfect for storing cars!

After enlisting Lucas' help to remove every other shelf, we were in business! Kieran got busy putting the cars away. He has one holder in his room and another in his playspace.

(Eeeps! Blurry photo!)

Now maybe I won't find cars scattered all the floor now?

This is probably one of the quickest upcycle projects I have done. It helps that it was Lucas who actually did most of the work. I've shared some tips over on Craft Foxes on how to find the perfect items for upcycled decor.