Long time, no see......

Hi Everyone,

Firstly I apologise as it's been so long since my last post, I have had some major computer and internet problems over the last few months so haven't really been able to stay online for longer than a few minutes at a time. It's been a bit of a nightmare lol.

The computer problems are really my fault as I become very engrossed in this years Big Brother and started watching the live feed on the internet, but I watched it for so long I over heated the computer and it died - whoops :(

Then when we finally got a new computer then my internet moderm decided to died. So really I haven't had much luck with technology in the last few months.

On the bright side we went on a lovely holiday to Cape Cod in the US in October and I have had a lot more time to scrap without playing on the internet all day lol.

I've also had two scrapbook layouts published in 'The Scrapbook Magazine' recently which was great.

Anyway that's all for now expect a long post soon with lots of holiday and scrapbook photos. (As at the moment for some reason it will not let me add photos)

I've been MIA.....

I've been MIA for quite a while now, so forgive the long catching up post lol.

So what have I been up to? I finished my DT term at 'The Sampler'. Unfortunately I never received my last kit, it got lost somewhere in the volcanic ash cloud trouble lol, so that was a bit of a let down. I've decided to take a break from DT's for a while as I was starting to suffer from 'scrapper's block' and really want to spend some time scrapping just for me - also I need to start using up my mountain of stash before it gets too old and I don't like using it lol.

I'm still on the XOXO girl's DT until August so here is my June challenge layout:-

Here's how to play along:-

Your challenge, should you choose to except it, is to scraplift one or more of these creations. When you are finished, leave us a comment under this post with DIRECT LINK(S) to your scraplift creations and thank you all in advance for scraplifting us!If your direct link(s) lead to your blog, please make sure you have mentioned: (a) our challenge blog "XOXO" with a link leading back to us (b) our June Sponsor "Divine Design Kits" and (c) the Lipstick Chick(s) you scraplifted. Scraplifts are due by 30 June. The more you scraplift, the better your chances at winning!

Here's this months prize:-

Then in the last week of May my sister had leave from work so we had a lovely few days together. On Wednesday we went to London to see this:-

It was my 3rd time but my Sister's 1st and she loved it. We had fantastic seats and Lee Mead was lush too lol.

Then on the Friday we went to see this:-

I enjoyed it but didn't think it moved the story on at all. I really love Aidan though......

Next my DH and I went on our Holiday to Holland :)

We had a lovely, relaxing time and took some great photo's the only problem was it rained at least once a day so my hair looks crazy in every photo lol. So here are some scenery one's instead (don't want to scare people lol)

I came back to two fantastic e-mails. The first requesting to publish one of my layout's in an upcoming issue of 'Scrapbook Magazine' :)

and the next saying I am having 4 layouts published in the June 20th issue of 'scrapbook news and review'. I'm so excited to get my layout out there and get this great response.

So I'll leave you with one of my latest layout's, the rest I can't show as they are all out for publication - so exciting xxx

Thanks for stopping by, I'm going to try to update every day from now on, but we will see how long that lasts lol ;)

Sarah's giveaway.....

Sarah is giving away this lovely prize over at her blog, make sure you check it out here.

The Sampler Blog Hop - Update....

Last month we had a blog hop over at The Sampler, we will be announcing the grand prize winner at the Crop Spot ASAP, but Holly has also very kindly offered one mini prize for each DT members blog so my mini prize winner picked at Random.org is:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:
3

Timestamp: 2010-05-19 07:31:23 UTC

Kmassman

Congratulations, please e-mail me at Butterflycrafts1@aol.com with your address info so I can pass it on to Holly.

Make sure you check out the Crop Spot for the grand prize winner announcement and the other DT member's blogs incase you win there.

Thanks for playing along.....

BlueMoonScrapbooking.com American Crafts Giveaway!!!

BlueMoonScrapbooking are having a American Crafts giveaway and the lovely Lynnette is the host, this is the prize you could win...

Here's how to enter:-

This Giveaway will run from May 8-May 29, 2010.....
Post this picture of the American Crafts Prize Giveaway everywhere and anywhere you can. Including your blogs, facebook, myspace, etc. and include a working link back here to this post on my blog. Then.....
Leave me a comment here with direct link(s) to where Lynnette can see it for herself.
To make things a little more interesting, also give 3 random & fun facts about yourself with your comment.
The winner will be picked and announced on Lynnette's Saturday post at the BlueMoonScrapbooking Design Team Blog. All can apply but only 1 can win!
Good Luck Everyone!

Butterfly Crafts May visual challenge....

This month at Butterfly Crafts we are sponsored by Nikki Sivils and we have this massive prize pack of Nikki's products to give away.

This months challenge is to create a layout based on this sketch: (check out the blog here for more details - http://butterfly-crafts.blogspot.com...challenge.html/ )

and you'll get an extra entry into our prize draw if you use any of Nikki's products on your LO.

Hope you will come play along xxxx

XOXO Girls....

I am very pleased to announce that I am part of the Lipstick Girls over at XOXO girls for a 2nd term. I really loved being a part of the first DT, so decided I would throw my hat in again and I was lucky enough to be chosen along with so many talented Ladies.

So here is my May challenge LO:

Head on over to XOXO girls to see the over wonderful creations to scraplift and this months winner will also get a May kit from our May sponsor Color Me Miki.

Help please :) !!!!

My layout from the last post is in the running to win a prize at Nerdy Victorious Scrapbookers so if you liked it can I ask for you vote here...

Thank you so much....

Nerdy Victorious Scrapbookers.....

I found this great challenge blog called Nerdy Victorious Scrapbookers a while back and have been wanting to try a challenge for ages but I kept missing the deadline, so this month I definatly wanted to give it a try. Each month Lynnette sets a college challenge, here is this months:
And here is my take:

This month they are sponsored by a fantastic new site called Snobby Walrus, here is what you could win:

SO check out Nerdy Victorious and thanks for looking.....

The Sampler Blog Hop......

Welcome to The Sampler’s Very First BLOG HOP!!

If you have just joined us, you may want to start at the beginning at Holly’s blog: http://www.experiencelifewisely.blogspot.com/ . The Sampler Design Team has LOTS of inspiring projects, tips, and techniques to share! Please hop along with us to see what everyone has in store! Here is our Blog Hop rotation for today:

Holly: http://www.experiencelifewisely.blogspot.com/
Jeannie: http://jclutz54.blogspot.com/
Sarah: http://www.theoccasionalcreation.blogspot.com/
Karen: http://makeandcreate.blogspot.com/ *YOU ARE HERE! :)*
Chris: http://chrisaiton.blogspot.com/
Danielle: http://danielleholsapple.blogspot.com/
Guest Designer Sarah: http://redoaklines.com/

End at The Crop Spot, with Sandy at our Blog!: http://www.scrapbookingsuppliesrus.com/blog/article/recent/?blog_id=10001

Now I'd like to share my project with you made exclusively with products from The Sampler!

Flowers LO:-

On this LO I made these PP Flowers, here is a quick tutorial on how to make them:-

Step 1: Cut out 3 circles, 1 large, 1 medium and 1 small.

Step 2: Make cuts on the circle as shown on my circle with the pencil lines. Your circle should now look like this.

Step 3: Cut a small triangle out between each of the cuts. Don't worry if the triangles or cuts or uneven. When you start layering everything you won't be able to notice.

Step 4: Layer the flower shapes on top of each other and stick down with glue dots or 3D pads. Bend the flower petals up a little.

Step 5: Add a button and pin to the centre to finish the flower. You can also add ribbons and gems as finishing touches.

Thanks for looking, you can find all the products used in the April 'The Sampler' Kit.

Not only do we have some awesome projects to share today, but you also have a chance to win a PRIZE! By leaving a comment on EACH Design Team member's blog today, you have a chance to WIN an amazing prize sponsored by Scrapbooking Supplies R US! You have until Tuesday April 27th to leave your comments for a chance to win!!!

Hop on to find out what Chris - http://chrisaiton.blogspot.com/ has created to inspire you today!

Thanks for stopping by.............

More from this months 'The Sampler' kit.....

In this months kit you get this cute Maya Road strawberry chipboard mini-book, here's what I did with mine:

I decorated the front cover using, markers and the glitter from the kit and for the pages I started by spraying them with 'Maya mist' to give them a lovely glittery background to scrap onto.

Thanks for looking, join us later today for 'The Sampler's' first ever blog hop.......

RAK....

Tracie is having a RAK at her blog to win these gorgeous goodies:

Go check it out....

This starts again tonight......

I have resisted all week watching it on the internet, so I can't wait till 9pm tonight xxxx

'The Sampler' Chipboard Challenge....

Here is this months challenge from 'The Sampler':-

We LOVE our chipboard here at The Sampler! And this month's kit is no exception! We packed April's kit with some great Maya Road chipboard pieces! Now, the fun and sometimes difficult part; using it. This month we challenge everyone to use some of their chipboard on a layout! Adorned or not, we want to see that chipboard on your layouts!

Please post a link to you entries in the comment section here on or before May 12th, 2010! Happy Crafting!

Here is my example:-

We just brought a Wii fit board and I love it, I really love my Husband's and my Mii characters too. They are just so cute. xxx

Also rember to check back here (my blog) on Friday 23rd April as 'The Sampler' DT will be holding our first Blog Hop!!!

We look forward to seeing your chipboard creations.......

My first LO with April's 'The Sampler' kit....

I finally got my April kit through - yeah!!! I couldn't wait to get started with it, so here is my first LO:

I love the vintage postcard kit, the 50's style images really appeal to me.

We have some really fun things planned this month at 'The Sampler' so make sure you check back here for more details coming soon......

Thanks for looking....

April 'The Sampler' kit....

This months 'The Sampler' kit is my fav so far, as it contains new lines from my two fav paper companies Sassafrass and Cosmo Cricket - yummy!!! I'm unfortunately still waiting for Mr Postman to bring me my kit, so here's some pic's from 'The Sampler' site :-

The Kit contains:-

Patterned Papers
Sassafras Life is Beautiful “Secret Garden”
Sassafras Apple Jack “Translate”
Sassafras Nerdy Birdy “Sprightly”
Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety "Strawberry Fields"
Cosmo Cricket Material Girl "Snip Snip"
Cosmo Cricket Material Girl "Calico"

Specialty Papers
SEI Happy Day “Confetti Glitter”
Creative Imaginations Red Glitter Scalloped Die Cut Paper

Cardstocks
Core’dinations Embossed Cardstock in Deco Coral Sparkle & Red Pepper Kitchen Dot
Core’dinations Core Color Cardstock in Sequoia & Jaybird

Embellishments
Sassafras Cherry Flag Banners Cardstock Stickers
Crafty Secrets Vintage Postcard Kit
Hambly Vintage Doily Rub-on in White
Prima Pearls & Rhinestones
Maya Road Chipboard Keychain-Fruit
Maya Road Strawberry Mini Album
Creative Imaginations Journaling Strips in Kraft, Red and White
Champagne Glitter

Alphabets
Sassafas Apple Glitter Alpha
Prima Alphabet Stickers-Ivory

Ribbon
Red Ric Rac Ribbon
American Crafts Teal Plaid Ribbon
American Crafts Orange with Dots Ribbon
Prima Pale Yellow Lace
String of Fused Pearls
2 yards Twine

Get your kit here and keep your fingers crossed for me that my kit comes soon, I'm getting impatient waiting for the Postman lol.