Forgotten Friday 35- getting ready for another trip!

Hi Folks, it's been a week since my last post, and a lot has happened since then. I went to visit my Daughter last weekend, and we had some much needed time together. I helped her sort some bits and pieces out for her student house, making her room feel a bit more homely. It was lovely to see her.

I also went to the Happy Stampers show at Port Sunlight on Saturday. This is my favourite show I think, as I love the atmosphere, and the stands that exhibit at this show. I met up with my two blog friends Jo, and Lesley, sadly missing Elaine, or our quartet would have been complete. We met up with several of our Chocolate Baroque Guild friends, who we rarely see these days, so it was lovely to see them again. Lou, Rebecca and Sarah particularly, it was so great to see you girls.

I love to catch up with Jo (Zart) and Jennie at the show, but I had a terrible headache on Saturday, so I only managed the briefest of hellos girls, sorry. I bought some new rubber from several stands including Stamp Camp and Lost Coast, and am really itching to make some projects with those amazing stamps. It was very busy at the show, and sadly I didn't get to all of the stands, so there were several that I know I missed that I would have liked to have looked at.

I spent quite a bit of time at the IndigoBlu stand with Kay and Alfie. Kay was demoing their new Flitter Glu, a really great new product that you can ink up your stamps with, and apply gold leaf or glitter over the top. It captures really fine detail. I'm going to make some bits and pieces with it soon, so watch this space. I was really proud to see some of my samples on their stand too, including a couple that I dropped off to them on the day.

My favourite purchase of the day had to be a new Vintaj Big Kick, which will be able to emboss Vintaj blanks to use for jewellery or mixed media projects. I will also use it to replace my Big Shot, which I've had for quite a long time. I run a card class from home, so the Big Shot will still get used in the class anyway.

Okay, on to today's project! I have chosen to rake through my very neglected Darkroom Door stamps this week. My Husband has booked up for us to go away on a short holiday to Paris next month, to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. We have never been there together oddly enough, I've been a few times, on school trips, etc, but we've never gone as a couple. I've decided to make a small journal to record memories of our trip, and collect ephemera that I bring back. So, I have covered the front and back covers of my journal, and started to prepare the pages. I will add pockets, and make some tags, hopefully by the time we go, the journal will be ready!

I have gone with a soft plum colour scheme as my overall base for the journal, it's my favourite colour. I have chosen the Montmartre stamp as the main focal stamp for the front cover, stamped onto a piece of Kraft card with a Versafine, and added clear embossing powder. I have used a white pencil to highlight the street lamps. I have added the word Paris in a Tim Holtz frame, and metal corners to the cover. I hoard my ideology bits for no reason whatsoever, and decided that I should actually use some on this little book. As I make progress with the album, I will try and show you more photos.

So, if you feel like having a rummage through your crafty stash, and making something with a forgotten or neglected item this week, add a link to my comments, and I'll pop along to take a look. Thanks for stopping by today, xx