Pinners I love to repin

Today's prompt share ten pinners you love to follow We all have such varied interests, finding new pinners to follow is fun!

I worked out recently that I've been on pinterest a long time, since early 2011 in fact. That's five years! I love nothing more than to research a topic via pinterest (don't you use it like google?), or spend a quiet Saturday morning pinning while Steve sleeps (although this morning I had to shop, kids want to eat all the time!)

In no particular order, here are ten pinners I follow and repin regularly

• Marcy Penner. A wide variety of craft, scrapbooking, DIY boards.
• Successful Blogging. Blogging is my biggest area of interest. Sue pins plenty of material that I haven't seen before.
• Katepickle. Kate pins a huge variety from recipes, kid activities, mindful parenting.
• Erika Sissons. Well known in the scrapbooking community, Erika pins a huge variety of layouts, craft and DIY.
• Maxabella. I've especially been loving Bron's screen-free pins lately.
• Julie Ann Shahin. Boards focused on DIY, art journalling, cards, seasonal, you're sure to find something to repin here.
• Anne @ Domesblissity. Anne pins lots of amazing recipes, from her blog and others.
• LouisaG. I love the quotes Louisa finds, they often pop up just as I need to hear the words.
• Johoanna Robson. A great range of art journalling, earth goddess, Dungeons&Dragons boards.
• About the Garden. A great collection of gardening articles from an Australian blog.

Who's your favourite pinner?

Tomorrow's prompt free choice share any story you want to

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An InLinkz Link-up

5 tips to rock your pinterest profile

I love pinterest! I have spent long hours on the couch, browsing pinterest while feeding Sophie in the last year, so I decided to share the things I look for when deciding to follow someone on pinterest.

1. fill out your profile! And don't be cute, I just want to know if you blog, and what you're interested in.
2. arrange your boards. I checked out a profile yesterday that had boards without pins in the top row! Doesn't make me want to explore your boards further. 
3. leave the group boards down the bottom! Another profile I checked out yesterday was about 50 group boards, and only 3 personal boards. I want to learn more about you, I can't do that if you don't pin anything personal.
4. browse the boards of people who pin you. You never know what interesting boards or pins you will find.
5. I rarely follow every board from one person. But I'm more tempted to look if you follow all my boards. (did you know, if you follow all, then go through and unfollow boards you're not interested in, the person will never know)

Do you have any great tips to rock my pinterest profile?

100 days to Christmas | using Evernote to keep organised

I know it probably sounds a little bit redundant, but I've developed a second layer of systems to keep myself organised and on-track - clipping pins to Evernote!!

Here's my reasoning:

• firstly, I'm away from the computer, actually DOing
• secondly, searching for ideas on pinterest then opening websites is kind-of clunky
• thirdly, if I upgrade my Evernote access, I can have access, without internet, to my notebooks
• fourthly, it gets me DOing I can print from Evernote

Here's how I'm clipping pins:

• spend hours browsing all those pinboards (as shared in yesterday's post)
• open the link, just as if you were checking it to link with love
• clip the article (or the page) using the Evernote clipper (which you are prompted to install when downloading Evernote)
• move the note to the right notebook (Evernote defaults to the first notebook you setup when signing up)

Do you use Evernote? Would you like a tutorial on getting started with Evernote?

100 days to Christmas | how I'm keeping track on pinterest

I love pinterest (is there anybody who doesn't enjoy wasting time researching on pinterest?), but it can be a time waster, so I decided to try making pinterest work for me, and use it to gather ideas in one place.

I've been collecting Christmas ideas for a long time (my first Christmas board is yes, I'm collecting Christmas ideas already), and straight after last Christmas I started collecting ideas on the board next year I'll do that.

I collect ideas for cookies, handmade gifts, decorating, ornaments, scrapbooking and cards.

I also moved all the Christmas-related boards to the top of my profile, so they're easier for me to find.

How will you use pinterest this holiday season?

less pinterest more do

I thought I'd do something a little bit different today, and share the pins that have prompted me to buy things.

Source: awesomelyawake.com via Cate on Pinterest

Sometimes I feel stuck in a rut with my family - we're all so busy that we never seem to spend time together, so I purchased this ebook to give me some fresh, new ideas.

Source: mmmcrafts.blogspot.com via Cate on Pinterest

This pattern has been printed out waiting for me to put it together for months. It is on the handmade gift list for most of the kids this year.

Source: etsy.com via Cate on Pinterest

I purchased this pattern for a swap. It's very simple to follow, and will feature in my Christmas decor this year.

Has pinterest inspired you to make a purchase? Have you created anything inspired by pinterest this week?

less pinterest more do

I had a big baking day yesterday, getting a head start on the Christmas recipes I want to share this year. And while I was baking, I had a go at this red velvet choc chip cookie {original link}

YUM! I love red velvet in any form, so finding it in a choc chip biscuit was an extra bonus! The kids really liked them, too, the box is almost empty.

Have you been inspired by pinterest to create this week?

less pinterest more do

We visited friends on Saturday night for a BBQ. It's always a good excuse to bake cake, so I had a go at this apple cake with brown sugar glaze {original link}

The batter doesn't get very batter-y, just follow the instructions, it works perfectly! I didn't cook my glaze long enough, so it was still sugar-y, but it was yum, anyway. I also used a mix of red and green apples, but I'd use just green next time, the red went a bit mushy. I also needed to cook it for an extra 20min. But it's definitely on my must-bake-again list!

Have you been inspired by pinterest to create this week?

less pinterest more do - the scraplift edition

As I was getting ready (on Thursday) to head to a crop (on Saturday) I thought long and hard about what layout was jumping out at me as I browsed my pinterest boards. Then I contacted Lisa at life as we know it blog, and asked if I could share her layout.

Source: lifeasweknowit-blog.com via Cate on Pinterest

I really love pattern paper as background at the moment, so I knew I'd have to have a go at this layout when I saw it. I'll share what I ended up creating next week.

scouts sunday | make a personal first aid kit

Scouting sections are called slightly different things in different countries, and badge requirements are slightly different. I will share my experience with cubs and joeys in Australia, and hope that you can adapt them to your requirements.

please note - the Australian standard for first aid is a GREEN cross

The actual badge requirement is put together a simple first aid kit and take it on outings with you (bronze boomerang, section 1 health and first aid, part 2 basic first aid, yellow book) Silver and gold badges also have the same requirement (or check and replenish a first aid kit.)

I had seen lots of altoid tins floating around pinterest, and knew that I wanted to try turning one into a first aid kit. Altoid tins are almost impossible to find in Australia, so I turned to eBay, and found a supplier of empty-altoid-tin-style tins, and purchased a large bundle. They ship from the US, very quickly, and the rates are good with such a strong Australian dollar.

bandaids in varying sizes

In consultation with someone from my local chemist, and checking lists on personal first aid kits available from sale at the chemist, we came up with this list of items. I carry this kit with me in my handbag, and having bandaids has come in very handy with the kids, and me!

gauze swabs, saline, medical swap

Thinking about all eventualities, including hikes, we decided to add a tube of saline solution. As I will always have a big first aid kit with me on any activities it probably isn't necessary, but it will let the kids feel as if they are doing something helpful.

mersyndol, polaramine, splinter picker

We also talked about each child packing any medication they require into their kits, if they're allowed to. Unless we're on camp, there will probably be no need for medication, but I have mersyndol to stop migraines dead in their tracks and polaramine in the event of an allergy attack (and I also carry an epi-pen, as I'm allergic to wasps.)

It all packs in to the tin easily (the photo at the top is of the tin, full), and the kids have it with them at all times (they all have yellow calico bags that they keep all their scout things in after each meeting. Parents love the idea, because there's no more scrambling for scarves as they walk out the door!)

Do you carry a first aid kit with you?

less pinterest more do

I had some friends over on Saturday afternoon for a little tea party (more on that another day), and decided to have a go at baking red velvet brownies {original source} when my red velvet cupcakes fell apart.

The frosting was pretty amazing (if I hadn't run out of time setting up, I probably could have devoured the leftovers with a spoon), and the brownies were just the right combination of chewy and crumbly and yum.

Have you created something inspired by pinterest this week?

how to hold a sliced apple together in lunch boxes

Natalie isn't a big fan of apples, but when she does eat them she struggles to eat a whole, uncut apple. I saw an idea on pinterest (that I now can't find on any of my pinboards) for using an elastic band around a sliced apple to hold it together.

Now the apple doesn't turn brown. and gets eaten most days!

Have you created something inspired by pinterest this week? Please share with us in the comments.

less pinterest more do

Since retreat in April, I haven't really been feeling the need to scrap. Which sucks sometimes, because my days are so busy during the school term that being creative is probably a better use of my down time than sitting on the computer or in front of the tv (note to self - schedule some creativity time next term). I finally made it to a crop at my local shop a couple of weeks ago, but still didn't flex my creative muscles properly. In 5 hours, I only created 1 layout.

It was, however, inspired by this layout by Alissa Fast that I pinned a few weeks ago. And looking at it now makes me want to flex my muscles again. Maybe this week I will manage it.

Have you created something inspired by pinterest this week? Share in the comments.

Less pinterest more do

Silly iPad app didn't post this yesterday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 I made a sprocket cushion for orange week at And Sew We Craft today, and only just finished before stopping to cook tea.

 {pinterest link}

Did you create something inspired by pinterest this week? Share your link!

less pinterest, more do

I know I set the challenge last week, but I was totally stumped for papers when I finally sat down with papers late Sunday afternoon. And Monday didn't see that getting any better. Then this morning, I remembered the He's Savvy May kit from Scrapbook Savvy, and created my layout in 45min! Love it when everything works!

I think I need to practice taking layout photos again

 Did you create a layout inspired by my challenge? Please share your link in the comments, so we can all see what you created. I've decided to make this a once-a-month challenge, so I hope you'll play along again next month!

{My post at And Sew We Craft yesterday was also inspired by pinterest}

can I borrow that idea?

Wednesday passed in a blur... of something... and my kid-free Thursday is close to doing the same! When I'm hanging in limbo, waiting for the next chunk of time to arrive, but I don't have quite enough time to actually start something before moving on, I like to zone out in front of pinterest. Some of my boards are stuffed so full they probably need thinning out and repinning to better explain them, but I do enjoy wandering through the pins to find something to inspire less pinterest, more do.

Source: artchoo.com via Cate on Pinterest

{original link}

I signed up for Kidding Around 3 at BPC last week. (yep, I know, 2012 was supposed to be the year of no classes. I remind myself of that every time I see a class that has me so inspired I madly rush out to sign up.) But this is purely selfless - I did it for the kids. I'll set them all up with journals for our summer holidays (in December), and set aside time each week to work on them.

But I know that our craft supplies are sorely lacking at home. So when I saw this link, with such a comprehensive list, it gave me a starting point to start collecting things for a craft trolley for school holidays (who knows, I might even be able to pull it off for our next holidays in June?!)

Source: lollychops.com via Cate on Pinterest

{original link}

I bought a big shot at the start of the year. And I recently purchased some butterfly dies. And these butterflies keep catching my eye, so I've got a plan.

Source: bakingbites.com via Cate on Pinterest

{original link}

I have some bananas going nice and black in the fridge (have you ever frozen bananas? I didn't realise just how mushy they get when defrosted!), so when I get through next week's cakes tall fundraiser for scouts, this will be my very first baking-for-us cake to bake. Because it's banana. And chocolate.

What ideas are you borrowing this week?

less pinterest, more do | milo slice

The cupboard is a bit bare this week, so I decided to try making this milo slice from pinterest for afternoon tea today.

The verdict is it is quite yummy - even my oat-averse children wanted seconds!

My post at And Sew We Craft today was also inspired by pinterest.

Have you been inspired to create by pinterest this week?

less pinterest more do

My post at And Sew We Craft wa inspired by a pinterest post today.

{click here to view}

What has pinterest inspired you to create this week?

less pinterest more do

I've spent most of today waiting - waiting for Riley to wake up this morning, so we could take the kids to school; and then waiting for him to have a sleep (which he still hasn't done); waiting for the kids to get home from school so I could get groceries, only to discover that I didn't have my key card; now I'm waiting for Steve to get home so I can actually go and get the groceries and cook tea.

{inspired by this pin}

also the three paper collection challenge from Shimelle

{inspired by this pin}

I think I'm at the end of my waiting for today. And tomorrow I can really start packing my scrap tote for retreat this weekend. Did I tell you it's my first. ever. retreat?

Have you created something inspireed by pinterest this week? Share a link in the comments.

 

less pinterest, more do

I don't know how the last few days slipped away without me posting here. Now that the kids are back at school, I can start getting back to a better routine.

chai-spiced gingerbread slice

{pinterest link}

{original source}

I'm not 100% sure about this slice. I'm going to give it another go with a mix of whole wheat and white flour, and grinding the tea leaves, because it has a grainy texture that takes over. Other than that, it was well-recieved at the crop on Saturday night.

bacon-stuffed roast potatoes

{pinterest link}

{original link}

I'm kind-of new to the idea of eating bacon with everything, but bacon and potato is a nice combination, so I thought I'd give it a try. But I won't make them again. Too much work for something that wasn't well-recieved by the kids, although Steve and I both enjoyed it. 

washi tape as calendar marking

{pinterest link}

{original link}

I thought this was an absolutely awesome idea when I saw it, so knew I would use it when I put a binder together last week. I'm hoping that having everything in one place, instead of ten different books, will help me keep my thoughts gathered. I'll still use my clipboard for the day to day stuff, so this will be like a command binder.

 

Have you created anything inspired by pinterest this week? Share your link with us.

less pinterest, more do

This week I was inspired by a long weekend, and some new product from my local scrapbook shop, to spend some time on Saturday afternoon scrapbooking. I was asked to create some product samples for the new Cosmo Cricket range Tea for Two. I loved the line instore, but wasn't sure what to do with it when I got it home, so I wandered over to my layouts I love board.

{inspired by this layout}

{inspired by this layout}

I'm thinking of doing some cooking this week. Have you created something inspired by pinterest this week?