Day at the Park//Photography

It's been way too long since I blogged over here, everything has been about It's a good place to knit recently. However I have been taking photos, scrapbooking, baking and I started my new web design OU course last week...... life goes on. I thought I'd stop by and share some photos from the park but I'll be back during the week with some layouts and baking stories.

Robbie recently decided he quite likes swings so long as he gets to do it himself, so I taught him how to swing properly:

 My sister, Sharon, looking out to sea:

 Robbie loves dandelion clock season, he makes "wishes" everytime he finds another one:

 It was a little sunny for Kris, but he was having fun riding on this camel toy:

 And he spent some time pushing us on this weird climbing frame that is also a roundabout - odd huh:

Overall we had a great time at the park - it was lots of fun and was so good to finally get a day without too much rain, April was rain season here definitely.
Thank you for being so patient during this time of uncertainty, it's been good getting my other blog up and running BUT having both of them has been my main aim. I'll be back later in the week.
V xx

Coconut Almond Cakes//Kids Stuff

Today we had Isla from next door over for some baking; we made coconut almond cupcakes - they had so much fun and they've already even a few each. Here are some photos from our afternoon:

Kristofer pouring in the sugar (I premeasured everything):

 Having a good lick of the beater:

 Cleaning the other beater:

 Isla spooning the mixture into her cases:

 Kristofer spooning his mixture:

 The cakes cooling off, getting ready for decorating:

 Spreading jam on the cakes, before dipping the cakes into coconut and adding a cherry:

 The finished cakes:

Cute huh? We had so much fun, I love baking with kids - it's very different from baking on my own; and quite alot messier too!!!!

I'll be back over the weekend with some creative projects,
V xx

The Puppet Master//Weekly Creative

Wow I can't believe it's been nearly a week of my 45 minute challenge; it's going well and I'm sticking to it; I'm just squeezing alot into my 45 minutes and getting so much more done outwith computer time. It's great. Anyway's I'm popping by to share this, it's called The Puppet Master:

It's my first steampunkesque piece, and I love her. I used mostly Graphic 45 papers, grungeboard and some little trinkets we had stored away for times like these. I ended up really enjoying making this and it's quite a poignant piece for this period of my life.

Right that's me for now, I have other creative things to share in the next little while and I'm planning some kids baking soon so I'll be sharing that.
All knitting projects have moved to my new blog, It's a good place to knit, so go check it out.
V x

A Quick Update//Daily

Hi,
I've started a shiny new blog (I'll still be here) but it's just for knitting, you can find it HERE, it's called It's a good place to knit (inventive huh) and my first post is already up. If you want to go follow me over there please feel free - especially if you love to knit.

In other (very quick) news, I've decided to take up a challenge set by Amy of The Happy Daisy - she has set it for lent, I just want some none computer time for a bit. So what's the challenge? Only using my computer for 45 minutes each day - I don't think it will be a problem, it will give me time to sign into blogger. I get emails and twitter through my phone, and will only reply to things that are really important!!!! I'm very excited to try this out, I'm looking forward to knitting more, creating more and spending time baking and making with the boys.

See you all soon,
V x

Purple Headband//Finished Object Friday

Wow Friday already and, guess what? I have a finished object:

This cabled earwarmer took me just a week to complete, and I actually only knitted it on 3 of those days - I'm really pleased with it and I love the colour - it's the same one as my kitty hat.
Go check what everyone else is up to on Tami's blog; I'm excited to see some finished objects.
V x

Julie//Feature Artist

Today's feature artist is Julie of Notes on Paper; her blog has been a favourite of mine for a while - she's very talented, loves to art journal and does blog series' about colour!!! Here is her interview:

1. Who is your biggest creative influence?

In the papercrafts field I hugely admire the work of Katie Licht, Dina Wakely and  Magda Bolinskafor. And I am so inspired by the work of collage artist Graham Rawle, assemblage artist Joseph Cornell and painters Paul Klee and Mark Rothko. Oh and I love the cartoons of Berger & Wyse.

2. Why and when did you start creating?

Ever since I could hold a pen I’ve been writing and ever since I was allowed near scissors I’ve been making things. But as for ‘why’ I create … I don’t exactly know. I think a lot of it is about creating order and inventing or telling stories from random moments and random scraps of paper.

3. What is your favourite thing to create (and why)?

At the moment it’s anything to do with vintage and/or found paper and text. So that’s scrapbook pages, collage and even the paper packs I make – I love putting those together. I’m also settling into a style of art/visual-journaling which feels ‘right’ to me, so that’s a favourite [for this week at least!!].

4. Do you have a favourite song to create to?

I don’t often have music on while I’m creating as I get too distracted and end up singing along and tapping the table instead of working! I mainly listen to dramas and documentaries on Radio 4 or sometimes Classical music on Radio 3 [but then I run the risk of pretending to conduct an orchestra with a pencil.]

5. What are your favourite materials/mediums to create with.

Patterned papers, text cut from books and magazines and white paint.

6. Your blog turned 3 in November, how did you go about creating a successful blog?

I guess it depends what you consider ‘successful’! But it’s good of you to say so!

I’m afraid I’m a bit of an over achiever, I don’t like to do things if I’m not going to throw myself in fully and learn all about them. So I’ve read lots of tutorials on everything from making blog buttons – to keeping readers interested and engaged. I also created a wide variety of categories and features I return to from time to time [like ‘My Month in Numbers’ or my ‘Overheard’ conversations amongst others] so I always have options of what to blog about – they’re like prompts and they focus my mind on what kind of atmosphere I’d like to create over there.

Whenever possible I like to create a blog series which readers can really join in with [eg. Tips for the Twitter Curious; Tips for the Design Team Curious; Going Postal] rather than constantly talk about myself!

If anything I have too many ideas about what I want to blog about, so I write them all down and add ideas and photos to draft posts whenever I get 5 minutes spare. That way there’s always a choice of things to complete and publish when I get more time.  I’ve even been known to keep a spreadsheet of posts, to keep me organised, especially when I’m blogging a series over several weeks/months.

7. How do you keep your blog balanced with your life?

If you call sitting next to my partner on the sofa while I blog ‘balance’ … then that’s how I manage it! Other than that … I don’t think I’ve found the answer to the balance question. That said, I took a nice long break from it over Christmas and New Year and came back refreshed. Plus I never take my laptop away with me on holiday!

8. What gave you the inspiration for your purple phase blog series?

It was during a discussion with Shimelle Laine on Twitter where I mentioned that, at that particular moment in time, purple had been my regular ‘go to’ colour in both my crafting and clothing. When she responded that many scrappers have, over time, told her they find it the hardest colour to use … I had a spark of inspiration to create a series where I could share new, interesting ways to use it and,  like most of my favourite ideas, I had to start working on it straight away. When it’s fun and it’s something which excites me, I don’t mind putting in the time it takes to produce enough interesting content for a full series. 



Swing by and visit me at my blog: http://notesonpaper.blogspot.com/

Tweet me: https://twitter.com/#!/notesonpaper

Or join my Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Julie-Kirk/182561398482471

Julie has created a 15% discount code for her shop, Julie Kirk + The Carousel Zebra - it's valid for one week only, so go check it out using this code: VICKIYB.

Thanks for stopping by, be sure to show Julie some love on her blog, facebook page or twitter.

V x

Knitting Needles//Pinterest Sunday

I cannot believe it's nearing the end of the month again - just one more Pinterest Sunday then it's March!!! Next week I will start back on the colours but as I've spent this last month knitting, I figured needles would be a good place to start!!!! So here are some pretties!!!!

I would love to know what decade these plastic needles came from, as I picked up about 10 pairs in a charity shop. I love this pic:

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The tops of these needles are too cute, and I'm not even the biggest polka fan:

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If I owned these, I probably wouldn't use them - they are just gorgeous:

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If I didn't have cats, and I owned this many pairs of needles this would be how I want to display them, this is gorgeous:

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I love the tops of these too, so pretty:

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Making an antique jug a little more exciting:

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I love knitting needles, and at the moment I have around 34 pairs of straight needles - the majority are not new ones, and I've become a little addicted to searching charity shops!!!!!

Anyways I'll be back later in the week,

V x

*please click on the photo for the pinterest link; and on the source link for the original photo URL. If there are images I have not linked too, and you know the source please let me know......

Something Creative//Weekly Creative

Thanks so much for all the lovely comments this past week; it's good to be back!!! Today I have a couple of creative things to share.

Firstly is this layout of my MIL, this was on our wedding day and I used Glitz papers for it:

 And secondly, I made this canvas using Bo Bunny Zoology papers ages ago but never got around to sharing:

I used some prima and maya road things too, and the photos are from our visit to the safari park a few years ago - the giraffes were beautiful.
I'll be back Sunday with something Pinteresting.
V x

Stacey//Feature Artist

Today's feature artist is the ultra talented Stacey Young of My Boys, My World. Stacy is the wonderful mother of 3 little boys, she lives in Australia and is on the design team for Prima Marketing. Here is her interview, be sure to pop by her blog and leave some love!!!

1. Who is your biggest creative influence?

I have so many creative influences.  I love to blog hop around and gather inspiration from all types of scrapbookers.  But a picture or even a piece of paper definately get my creative juices flowing:)  My boys inspire me every single day!

2. Why did you start creating?

I have always loved art and being artistic.  I started scrapbooking about 7 years ago, I think it was quite new back then and to me it sounded like a fun way to pretty up photos.  It wasn't until my first son was born over 4 and a half years ago that I really got into the craft.  It is now a passion and "my art".

3. What is your favourite thing to create, and why?

I love to create 12 x 12 layouts.  I just love picking out a picture and adding some life to it by creating around it.  I love playing with embellishments, inks, mists and paints.  There are so many different possibilities with scrapbooking and no 2 pages look the same. 

4. Do you have a favourite song to create to? 

Not a particular song, but I do love to create with music when I can .  Most of my time scrapping these days

is spent at night when the boys are tucked up in bed so I have to be quiet.

5. Who are your favourite manufacturers?My all time favourite would have to be Prima Marketing, I have always loved there beautiful papers but their flowers are my ultimate favourite and to now be on their Design Team is such a dream come true.  Their products just get better and better with every release.  I also love Crate Paper, Hambly, Sassafras, Webster's Pages and October Afternoon.

6. You are on several massively known design teams; what advice would you give anybody trying out for a DT?

Never give up, I,  never in a million years thought I would ever be on the Prima Design Team.  I still remember when I received the email and how overwhelmed I felt.  You also never know what the manufacturers are looking for in a design team member.  They always choose such a variety of different styles that it might just be you one day.

7. Many of your layouts and canvases are created using layers; do you have any tips on how to create that look?

Yes, firstly I never ever glue anything down until I have layered it all down on my page first.  I will then take everything back off and start adhering to my page.  I always start on my bottom layer with paints and mists.  I will then tear and distress my patterned papers.  I use alot (and I mean ALOT) of foam tape!!!  I poke things in here and there and can't help myself to just keep adding more and more. 

Thanks so much for popping by,

V x

3 Projects//WIP Wednesday

I wish I could have come back from my break with some finished objects but instead I've got 3 halfway done projects; it's really hard to not cast on something new as I got a lace pattern and some laceweight yarn the other day. Anyway's here are my WIP's:

Firstly is a little bunny; I have done both heads, all feet and a leg - so I still have the front and back, 2 arms and 1 leg to finish!!! I'm doing it mostly in brown and cream but his jumper will be turquoise - he's a present for my sister and has been a relatively easy knit:

 Second; I taught myself how to cable, by making a cute headband. I'm beginning to realise that if I teach myself in stages and start small it'll be easier, so here is my first cable knit:

 And third, I am knitting a shawl. I am using an olive green cotton yarn, it's so soft and I can hardly wait until spring to wear this. It's a fairly simple little pattern that I made myself:

I can't wait to see what everyone over at Tami's blog is up to this week - it feels like forever since I've had a good look at pretty knits.
V x

March//Blog Sponsors

I've decided to open my blog up to sponsors, why? Because somebody asked if they could sponsor my blog sometime this year, so it seemed like a good time to put the feelers out! So what do you have to do?? Just drop me an email - vicki(dot)yelland-browning@hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk and we'll chat. I'm not asking people to pay; just provide a short interview for a blog post here on It's a Good Place to Start. And, what do you gain? Some new readers to your blog of course.

Happy Valentines Day too......
V x

Blog Series'//Honest To Blog

I've found, in the blogger world - that people become very presumptious of others. I've been guilty of doing it myself - sometimes I'll find a blog and judge it on the top post....... which isn't always fair. Look further and you'll maybe find a little gem........

I personally don't read every single post on the blogs that I follow; but I know that posts I love to read and I regularly go through my reading list; check out what people are doing or have been doing. I love reading blog series by these lovely ladies:

Emma of Food Coma
Elsie of A Beautiful Mess
Kaelah of Little Chief Honeybee
Kaylah of The Dainty Squid
Julie of Notes on Paper

Doing blog series' can sometimes be really difficult, having the time to keep up and knowing enough about your chosen subject....... sometimes it's nice to do a series alongside another person (for example Honest to Blog is an idea that I first found on Little Chief Honeybee) but you still have to have the foundation.

I have a few series' on my blog:
Pinterest Sunday
Foodies
Girl Crush
Kids Stuff
Weekly Creative
Feature Artists

And a few mini series':
DID
Honest to Blog

I'm not the most regular blogger, and I know that frustrating for regular readers - especially if you're following a series - but I'm trying to get better. Having some time off from my blog helped, so I plan to do that maybe twice a year then hopefully my blog can stay fresh. This coming month I have some fabulous feature artists, some weekly creative and I've already scheduled a pinterest sunday.

V x

Blog Hiatus//Daily

My little blog is taking a break for a couple of weeks or so; I'm going to go visit a friend, catch up with some knitting, reading and sketching. It's really having a bit of New Year "ME" time. When I get back I already have a couple of feature artists lined up, Pinterest Sunday will return with PINK and I'm sure I'll have some knitting to share also.
"See" you all soon,
V xo

Kitty Hat//Finished Object Friday

I started out knitting this hat just less than a week ago, and finished it in just 3 days - it was very exciting. I got the pattern from ravelry, and it's called Kitty Hat. I changed the bottom rim to just basic knitting and purling because I've just really started purling and I didn't want to over complicate myself!!!! Anyway's I'm really super happy - mainly because last year I finished just one object and this year I've already finished one. Anyway here is the hat:

I've had this cadbury purple yarn in my drawer for about 6 months, and this felt like the perfect project to use it for!!!! Make sure you pop in to Tami's blog to see what everyone else is finishing this week.
I'll be back on Sunday with some Pinterest Sunday, if you have a colour you want to see let me know......
V xo

Diabetic Cupcakes//Foodies

Just before Christmas my MIL found out she's diabetic so, with my wife being diabetic also, I set out to create a cupcake recipe that uses lets natural sugar. I decided to use my Ikea cupcake tin, this one is tall, and makes the cutest cupcakes:

 So here's what I used:

Ingredients

4oz stork (or butter etc)
2 eggs (I used medium/large sized)
2oz dark brown sugar (you can just use normal caster sugar)
1.2oz sugar subsitute
3 drops lemon essence
4oz self raising flour
0.1oz baking powder

Method

1. whisk your butter and sugar together until smooth
2. whisk in one egg at a time, with your lemon essence
3. whisk in your flour and baking powder
4. whisk for a few more minutes, then divide into the cupcake papers
5. bake on 190c for about 10/15 minutes (this depends on the size of your cupcake)
6. test your cupcakes with a piece of raw spagetti - if it comes out clean you're done!!!!

These cupcakes are a little less moist than some but I'm working on it - and they do make a yummy treat if you're just trying to cut down on sugar. You could make different variations - I threw in some coconut too.

I had alot of fun making these, it's been a while since I've baked something just for fun - I did lots of baking for hampers over christmas, plus the christmas cake and a commissioned birthday cake so this was nice and relaxing!
I'll be back tomorrow with some knitting!!!
V xo

Yarn and Other Stuff//WIP Wednesday

It's been a while since I've done a WIP Wednesday (check out Tami's blog for more info on that); but I have a few works in progress and some yarn to share today!!!

Firstly my lovely wife treated me to some yarn from the Cucumber Patch, it's not a yarn store I've used before but their online experience was easy and the yarn came just over 24 hours later. Here are just some of the balls (most of them are doubled up on):

 I love them all, and I already have a few projects in mind - I want to try something small and lacy - I'm learning alot about knitting in January.

So my first WIP is a scarf; I had to frog this project during the week but I'm much happier with it now and I'm using 2 different yarns to complete it - this one isn't for me but I want to get it finished by the weekend - who knows it might make an appearance on FO Friday in the next few weeks:

 The other project I have on my needles are some mitts (the pattern on Ravelry), they are very pretty and have some faux cabling up the side. I've finished the first one and I'm not far from finishing the 2nd one!!!!

I have to say I'm feeling very productive in my knitting so far this year - I have a finished object to share with you this Friday and I'm going to a knitting group tomorrow night, so hopefully that will go well. I'll be back tomorrow to share some diabetic cupcakes with you.
V xo
PS - if you're on Ravelry, add me - I'm KnittingV

Mint Green//Pinterest Sunday

I can't believe it's Sunday already, and we're into the 3rd week of January.... it's gone so fast already and we've started making some big plans for the year ahead. Anyway more of that later, obviously sunday brings Pinterest and this week is Mint Green. Why? I think mint green is a beautiful colour, it's understated and it doesn't come up as often as other colours in design.

This hair is so beautiful, I would love to have mint green hair, even just for a little while:

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I love this cute little caravan, just for photoshoots like this:

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Mint green walls with black and white counters - um yes please:

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This is my favourite mint green photo ever, it's so beautiful (and lets pause for a minute to take in those stairs):

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You can't talk mint green without thinking about shoes, pretty right?:

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And of course I might need this camera:

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So mint green, what do you think? Are you a convert? Have you fallen in love? I'm off to do some more knitting, I'll be back on Wednesday for some WIP's and on Friday with some finished objects. I also have a few creative projects to jump by and share in the week too.

V xo

 

 

 

*please click on the photo for the pinterest link; and on the source link for the original photo URL. If there are images I have not linked too, and you know the source please let me know......

2011, Second Half//Daily

So here it is, the 2nd half of 2011 - July to November, you can find December HERE!!

We took Robbie, Kristofer and their friend Kris out for the day:

 Whilst on a boat we got waved to by the men painting the Forth Bridge:

 Kristofer played in net nests:

 We went to the beach with these cool boys:

 Robbie turned 6 and had a pirate party and cake:

 We fed swans (AND CYGNETS) at the pond:

 Clare and I played at the park too:

 I took gorgeous pics of Kristofer and Daniel:

 I took Clare on a photoshoot for my OU course, this was one of the outtakes:

 Robbie was a pirate at the park:

 I made a chocolate cake for a birthday party:

 And a pale green robot cake:

We went to Edinburgh Castle, and I took tons of photos of door knobs: 

 We got Rusty and he fell in love with Pumpkins:

 Trick or Treating was scary this year, but the boys were excited:

 Luna had a photoshoot at the park:

 We took lots of photos at another park:

 And we seen the coca-cola truck (it was awesome!!!):

Ok so we visit parks alot, but the kids love it and it's a great way to burn off energy!!! All in all 2011 was a great year - I can't wait to see what 2012 has to bring.

V xo