15 loves {November 2015}

Welcome to the next in the series {15 loves} for 2015 based on the original concept by my beloved friend, Pam, back in January 2013. I shared my loves (mostly late) all through 2013 & 2014 and now it's time to see if I can continue the series through 2015. I hope you will come back each month to see if there is anything in my list to inspire you. You can see all my {13 loves} {here}, my {14 loves} {here} and now all my {15 loves} {here}

I hope there's something in here to inspire you or maybe just make you smile.

one

I had a little excursion all the way south to Munich, Bavaria. It was a lot of fun to have some time to explore the city and see the famous sights. I ticked nearly everything off the list I'd planned to see - Asam Kirche, Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, the Royal Residence, Hofbräuhaus and so much more and added in quite a lot of things I hadn't planned such as a fabulous Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition at the Kunsthalle and the St Peter's tower which gave me a wonderful view across the city. It's a really beautiful place to visit and a trip during the summer is now on the cards for sometime in the future. Still so much to see.

two

The reason for my trip down there was to attend a topic book-binding workshop hosted by Scrappies and run by the very sweet and lovely Paige Evans. And even though I'm not so keen on this photo of me, it's a great reminder of my fun day. And I got to make a new friend - *waves* to Glenda!

Here's Paige's recap of the day - need to do that but I don't have so many photos because I was concentrating on my book!

three

Here are our books. I love mine (the aqua one of course!) and will definitely be trying this technique again. Such fun.

four

This purse doesn't seem to be available any more but I love it still. What a lovely design and colour. And it reminds me of Pam. *sigh*

five

Gorgeous colour and layout. Super mirror and such a comfy looking bed. I'd love to have enough space in my bedroom for an armchair in the corner. I guess I'll have to keep dreaming.

Found through Pinterest at the BudgetDecorator.com

six

I think these look so super cute and very festive. I just know that I don't have the time, skill or patience to make these but I wish I could!

Found on the Anyone Can Decorate blog

seven

After pinning all three of the images above, I realised there was a definite colour palette going on with the mint, cream and dark brown. So it was appropriate to also notice this Design Seeds scheme tucked into my Pinterest board too. Not deliberate but definitely something that seems to have subconsciously got my attention.

Design Seeds board here

eight

It's been an absolutely fabulous autumn which has brought a smile to my face each and every day. With colours like this and blue skies and sunshine, how could I not feel happy. My favourite time of the year. 

nine

I received a surprise in the post in the form of this gorgeous, hand-made basket using recycled material. A gift from Pam's wonderful grandmother and something I will treasure forever!

ten

Couldn't resist pinning this gorgeous layout - well, you knew I would didn't you with all those constellations featured! I think this is so scraplift worthy.... Just beautiful.

Find the layout here at the abcdeli blog

eleven

It's soup season and this one is now on my list to give a try. It looks and sounds delicious. I wonder if I can track down the pearl couscous it calls for (which I've never heard of!)

Found at A Spicy Perspective here

twelve

Even though it's not really been cold enough, we decided to welcome the run up to Christmas with a Feuerzangenbowle which is an incredibly delicious type of Glühwein. Much stronger and far more tasty. I have someone who makes quite the show with the flames and it's the best I've had in the years I've lived here. The headache the following morning is so worth it!

thirteen

The November Scrapabilly kit is full of Pink Paislee Cedar Lane papers and embellishments which was so gorgeous to use. There were so many wonderful layouts by the Pink Paislee design team online that I think that several of my layouts are no doubt indirectly inspired by them. This one especially, I suspect. But it's my favourite of the six I made and I'm happy to have recorded the story behind our mini-harvest! I love my Cameo.

Find the November Scrapabilly kit here

fourteen

I don't do it every year but I dressed up for Halloween this time. It was a fun evening and I was happy I'd made the effort. The allergic eye reaction the next day wasn't so much fun perhaps but all in all, worth it!

fifteen

Taking a moment to think about the tragic loss of life over the last few days. First Beruit and then Paris. I've had many happy times in Paris and love the city. Making me thankful for my life.

I’d love you to share your own {15 loves} lists with me. Why not link up in the comments below?

{15 loves} is a series that will feature on my blog each 15th of the month

Something fab's coming up and you need to know about it!

I've said it before, but it always surprises me - in a wonderfully good, happy, big smiley way - how easy it is to make friends in our little part of the blogosphere. Creative peeps are just the best and along the way I've made many new friends and they are very special to me. And they are such an inspiring group of people.

So I was more than delighted when my Counterfeit friend, Clair, emailed me to ask if I'd like to join in in a creative endeavour she's kicking off on her blog tomorrow.

Like stitching? Like paper? Like stitching on paper? Then you have to come along and join the party.

Clair explains how her FREE class came about on her blog {here} and it all starts tomorrow so you have to make sure that you jump on board.

Did I mention it's free? Did I mention that there's a whole list of talented featured stitchers. Oh yes... and did I mention that there might be a prize? Go on over to Clair's blog {here} and tell her I sent you!

See you in class!

Delightful

Scrapbooking has had several unexpected side-effects, all of which are wonderful - time for me, therapy, artistic outlet etc - but the best part of all is the friends I have made, friendships I've strengthened or relationships I've rediscovered. We may be different characters, or live in different parts of the world, or have different lifestyles but our love for this hobby has brought us together.

You all know who you are ;-)

Sisters, friends from the Bromsgrove crop, my BPC buddies, fellow LOADsters, Forgers from the Counterfeit site, card-making Belles, my very own "Whimsical Muse", blogosphere friends or friends from my life before scrapbooking. This is such a wonderful side effect of it all and I'd just like to say how lovely it is to have you all in my life - whether that be my real life or my virtual one. :-)

I value these friendships that I have made, kept or rediscovered over the last years.

And when you have creative friends, that means that they are creative in everything they do. And that equals creative gifts.

So, as part of this friendship appreciation, I'd just like to say another huge thank you to two special people who surprised and delighted me with their kind, thoughtful, unexpected gifts earlier this year.

Both of them are in pride on place in my scrap room, where I seem to spend so many hours these days, right alongside some very special items and of course this gorgeous frame from a very special friend (and sister!) .

First, I was delighted and surprised as well as a bit overwhelmed to receive a second simply gorgeous piece of canvas art in the post from my very special blog friend Junelle all the way from Utah. Her signature sheep with the heart nose had won my heart from the first time I saw one and now I had one of my own. I was moved at her thoughtfulness.

And then my (through scrapping) rediscovered school friend Sarah gave me the most sweet thoughtful present of a mound of Cadbury's chocolate ;-) when I last saw her as well as a sweet and pretty "She Art" canvas which I simply adore. The quote is perfect and one for me to remember. When I read it, I try to remember to smile more for the rest of the day. The pink and the blue with the map background is so me!

Anyway, I just felt the need to share the luck and good fortune I have with my friends.

And just to spread the love a little, I'm using this post to announce a giveaway. It's 5 years this month since I started the blog - well the first real post anyway - and I think this is something to celebrate. 

So help me celebrate and leave me a comment here on this post. I'll leave the draw open until the end of the month and then draw a name at random for a little prize!