Looking back at 2009

Such a lot has happened over the last 12 months, I've joined my beloved Passion for Promarkers DT, been a Guest DT at DigiStamp Boutique, done some design work for Letraset, been asked to teach a Promarker class and I'd also like to think my card-making has improved. Although sadly I haven't had any time at all for scrapbooking - hopefully that'll change in 2010.
And on the non-crafty front Extra Special Parents gained registered charity status way back at the beginning of 2009. Willow started school, Faith started playgroup and Scott's age is now in double figures. Graham moved to another rig and is far happier now than he was on the last one.
So I got this fab idea from our Local Celebrity Kath who  thought it would be fun to show her favourite cards from every month of 2009, so I think I'll do the same....

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Looking back at them all together now though, I think they look a bit samey - I think maybe I need to diversify a little in 2010.

The Mini Photo Studio

A few of you were asking about the mini photo studio I mentioned yesterday that my Graham bought for my xmas, so I tried it out today and took a couple of pics to show you. I don't know where Graham bought mine from, but I will ask him. But I do know that the likes of Amazon have them at very reasonable prices.

The whole thing folds down into a satchel type carry bag for easy portability, and the pockets on the front house the tripod and a couple of floodlights (I only took one out for the pics) It comes with 4 backgrounds - red, blue, black and white. And the white sides and top diffuse the light to stop glare.

 I've taken pics of the two cards I made yesterday and they seem to have come out pretty well. I didn't use the lamps, just the overhead flourescent light in the kitchen and natural daylight (haha) from the kitchen window.

Well, I'd better get on, I'm halfway through preparing tomorrow's post. I've pinched a fab idea from Kath - the other day she posted pics of her favourite cards from every month of 2009 and I though it was a super idea. I'd also love to see you all doing the same - its actually quite interesting to look back over the last years photo's and see how things have changed.

On a roll...

Don't want to tempt fate or anything - but I seem to be on a bit of a roll. Decided to have a go at doing a couple of cards this afternoon and they came together surprisingly well.
Fair enough for one of them I used a sketch - my DT card for the 5th Jan at PfP, and raspberry is not normally my colour either, but I was quite chuffed at how it turned out.  Obviously I can't show you it yet, but I can tell you that I'm loving making easel cards.
The other card was a sample to take to Simply Create for my ProMarker class on the 16th of Jan. Jacqui tells me the class is sold out already - wow! Now I really am worried. Its one thing being able to colour in, its quite another thing to show other people how to do it. So if anyone has any advice, hints or tips then they'll all be gratefully received. 
Now I just need to give one of xmas pressies a try.... Graham got me this super duper mini photo studio thingy - it consists of a collapsible tent, backgrounds, lights and a tripod and all comes in this neat little satchel. But I'll have to leave that until the kids are in bed - I want to avoid sticky little fingers touching it or pinching bits.
I'm now at the point where I'm counting down the hours until the kids go back to school - even they keep asking when school's open again, they must be as fed up of me as I am of them lol

So what has everyone got planned for Hogmanay then?