More Simple Stories layouts

As promised on my blog post yesterday (noting that is 3 blog posts this week - they're a bit like buses!) here are some more of the layouts I created for this months ATDML gallery.

This page I shared in the Created by ATDML Facebook group and received lots of lovely comments and feedback (thank you x). The papers are from the new Charmed life range and predominantly I used THIS paper and a few more flowers cut from the coordinating Insta-squares pack.

I also created this page from the same collection (loving the chevron background paper - I bought several!)

I also had a bit of a play with my new tag stamping up punch to create this simple layout featuring two skinny photos of my spinning phase! Hopefully by the summer my body shape will be as skinny!!

Paper used on this page were from the Say Cheese collection but the layout could very easily be created using any left over papers you have and a handful of alphabet stickers. Hope I have inspired you. Pop over the to gallery for more ideas on Simple Stories from the rest of the DT.

February DT Gallery and a Valentines gift for Hubby

What can I say - I love Simple Stories papers and NEVER struggle to design with them! This month over at ATDML the design team were sent a selection of papers to work with and as there were a number of new ranges out I may have purchased a few extras too!

As well as a couple of layouts I made a travel minibook as a present for my husband for Valentines day. It is full of photos and journaling of our trip to New York last January for his 40th birthday and here are a few images.

Papers are all from the Urban Traveller collection and can be found HERE in the ATDML Store. Sharing more of my DT Simple Stories layouts tomorrow.

Up for a challenge

Well I have not been the greatest at blogging this month - probably because I have been living in the gym! I signed up to a six week nutrition and exercise plan and have been in the gym 4/5 times a week and preparing healthy food every evening to ensure I stay on track. I had a very successful first 2 weeks losing half a stone but haven't lost any weight since though my body fat has reduced by 6%.    If I am honest it is definitely the eating habits that I struggle with most - I am either 100% focused or I'm not and I cheat myself. So today I have been good (well it is Monday) and hope to have set myself up for a good week ahead. I also started two additional exercise challenges this weekend and today completed day 3.

The first is a plank challenge - I can hold for about a minute at the moment but decided to undertake the challenge from day one to build up my stamina. I fully expect to be struggling with this challenge by day 12!

The second challenge is a squat challenge from this website. I found this link on Pinterest and rather than have my Active Board  full of nice images I thought I had better rise to a couple of the challenges! Day 3 completed today and yay... no squats tomorrow!

Hope these may inspire you to join me (or you can simple read and laugh knowing the pain I am putting myself through!!)

February Photography Scavenger Hunt with ATDML

Time to join in with another photography challenge with A Trip Down Memory Lane.

Go check out February photo prompts here on the blog post I did earlier today and then come find us on Facebook at ATDML # Create and share what  you've been capturing with your camera this month

Here is a collage of my images from the January challenge.

January photo prompts
1. Celebration - Hubby's birthday2. Sales/New Purchases - My Morphy Richards Soupmaker3. Resolutions/aims - Minimum 3 gym classes a week4. Footwear/Footsteps - Trainers enroute to gym5. Something you've made - Leek & Potato Soup!!6. Self Portrait - With a green smoothie7. Winter Chill - Rainy office window view

Farewell January, Hello February

How has the first month of the year gone by already? I was determined to keep up with at least a blog post a week but I didn't quite manage it - probably because I have been in the gym 4/5 times a week and the collapse into nothing when I get home!! Still I managed to blog 9 times during January so if I can do 10 in Feb it'll be one better!!

So as well as my Green Smoothie challenge, going to the gym more often (totally nailed that one in Jan!) I am also striving to make the most of my Cineworld Unlimited card. £15.90 per month and I can see as many films as I like - two films per month and you've saved money!  The harder challenge thought is resisting a Starbucks Hot Chocolate now located in the cinema!

Anyone else been to see this film yet? I thought it might drag being 3 hours long but it was utterly fab and DiCaprio is outstanding in his role! I would recommend it if you haven't had a chance yet to see it. I have also see 12 years a slave and American Hustle (on New Years Day) so that was my two films for Jan. There are loads I want to see this month including That Awkward Moment with Zac Efron, I, Frankenstein and Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit - not to mention Mr Peabody & Sherman with the kids. So glad I have an unlimited card and I will DEFINITELY get my money's worth this month!