Layout

Wednesday 30 October 2013

You did it




My niece Emma has just got a job - admittedly only temporary - its so difficult for young people these days - she has been to university but there are so few jobs about. Anyway she is also becoming a manic card maker as well - raids my stash when she comes here - i have told her it will be an expensive hobby as there is something else you need!!!
This card - as always-looks better in real life - it is decoupaged and a bit glittery that does not show on the photo.
Fab Mo image - can always find an image thats suitable there.
This card will be entered in the following challenge
mosdigitalchallenge - mo's favourite colour[yellow]

Sunday 27 October 2013

Little Dragon Boy

Well i have not quite got round to having a mass tidy up - I seem to work well within my chaos, I have just been tatting today - finding paper that I had forgotten about. I was going to sort out my christmas craft stuff and then thought better of it - I need a full day off to go through that box. Here's a card I made earlier - love this cute little boy.
I will enter into the following challenges
sketchsaturday.- sketch
littleclairesdesigns- childs birthday

It looks a lot brighter in real life!!!

Sunday 20 October 2013

It's been a long time

x
...since I last posted - my heart wasn't truly into anything after John died - but slowly I am getting back to a 'new' normal. I miss him every single day.
I am lucky to have met so many lovely people through crafting and go to two different classes/get togethers. This is a card I made at Sarahs using a new die - did not think much of it at first but now I think its fab - great for male cards.
So I am entering it into a challenge after many weeks away from blogging and challenging and hope that my oomph is coming back

I will enter it in to the following challenges
sketchsaturday - sketch
inkspirationalchallenge - anything goes
chocolatecoffeecards-autumn-not-halloween.

Its nice to be back xxxx

Monday 22 July 2013

made with so much love and sadness

My darling John - the love of my life- died at work on 5th June. It was one of those 1 in a million freak chances - his artery sealed as the heart needed blood.  I went to the hospital thinking I would find him sitting up in a bed and moaning about having a day off work. I was taken to a room where I was told that he had died. My world collapsed in that instant.
John and I had our own song - Please don't go by KC and the Sunshine Band. It was played at the funeral but I felt that I had to say why it meant so much and I found the strength from somewhere to stand at the front of an unbelievably packed church and say why they words meant so much to us.
I have made this picture to hang in the room by a photo of my wonderful John - the words are from our song.

Monday 3 June 2013

posted with love

Well 2 posts in one day - I must be feeling better!!!I am having a look through my older stamps and stash remembering old favourites. I have so many ideas and cards in my head but just need to get them onto paper - oh the luxury of one day being a kept woman or at least a big lottery win to have spare time - though I shouldn't grumble as I still have a few sick days left but hopefully when i go back to the doctors I will be able to return to work - in a sad way I do miss it. Anyway here is my tilda card - i forget how lovely they are
I can enter this into the following challenges
totallygorjussr - anything with flowers
hobbyhousechallenge- anything goes
itsamagnoliachallenge -anything goes
totallytilda.- postal theme

Pink and Simple

Here is a simple card I made using a LOTV stamp - I love this cute image. The button punch is a bargain Martha Stewart one from America. I have used teeny tiny buttons as well as they seem to be breeding - every time I use them there seems twice as many in the jar the next time I look. This card is for nanaseasides challenge - she has just had a beautiful grand-daughter, Mia[such a pretty name] Nana Seaside was so helpful to me via docrafts when I first started crafting -she sent me a lovelyTilda  breast cancer themed card that got me wanting to make cards myself- um  she has a lot to answer for actually when I think of the money I have spent!!!

Sunday 2 June 2013

Let the summer begin

I love this Mo Manning image - just makes you feel summery - I remember my boys dragging the paddling pool out at the first hint of sunshine. For the first time in ages I feel I have got a bit of oomph so hopefully I will be putting more cards on - I love the satisfaction of finishing one and thinking what shall I do now.
I can enter this card into the following challenges
sketchsaturday - sketch
mosdigitalchallenge.- summertime
brownsugarchallenge. - masculine birthday

Lazy Sunday today - I have 2 hobbies [apart from eating] crafting and comping so off to do a bit of both 

Saturday 1 June 2013

Foreign Lands


My friend and neighbours daughter is off on her travels to Cambodia as part of her University Course - far more adventurous than I ever was - she is studying marine biology and is off to explore the waters there. I have made her a bon voyage card and inside I have made a little wallet and added some American Dollars. [My son said this is the best currency to barter with if you are kidnapped - a fact I shall keep from Maria's mom!!!]
I can enter this card into the following challenges
totallypapercrafts - anything goes
sisteractcardchallenge - anything goes

Wednesday 29 May 2013

At last - I am back

Been a bit of a few weird weeks - I am off work after my unexpected op - felt really tired and lethargic and even though I am lucky enough to be at home just not had the oomphhhhh to craft but hopefully each day is getting a bit easier. I have made a quick thank you card and thought it might get me back on the way to blogging. I can enter this into the following challenge
mosdigitalchallenge. - thank you

Hopefully next week - normal service will be resumed!!!!!

Saturday 4 May 2013

SCARS

No card to show this week but I did find this fab poster on pinterest and it sums up how I feel.
What a week - a week I was going to post a card every night - so determined to have a fun filled crafty week - well my week wasn't crafty or fun filled but it will be in the future.
Monday night A&E - long story short - morphine-emergency op-infected appendix-complications due to masectomy scar tissue-throat tubes-infection-human pincushion-lots of drugs. How amazing is our Health Service - care and compassion. The doctor said they would try to minimise my scars - I said have you lifted up my nightie and seen what has gone on before - the last thing I will be doing is parading n a bikini [not a pretty sight to be fair before any operations!!]
I will have to have 6 weeks off work so when i feel better i have got me some extra crafting time.
Hope to be blogging soon

Sunday 28 April 2013

Bunches of Love



A friend at work asked me to make a card for their mum - it got me thinking of how my mom would have loved it. My mom was really crafty - always sewing and patchwork. I didn't take up making cards until towards the end of my chemotherapy and sadly my darling mom died at the beginning of my treatment - I miss her so much. She would have really got involved with me making cards and buying stash - she loved butterflies and I think of all the cards I could have made her for her birthday or mothers day - but it was not to be.
I have used a gorgeous Mo Manning image - used pastel shades - as usual - even if I say it myself- it looks better in real life - more subtle and sparkly!!!
This card can be entered in the following challenges
mosdigitalchallenge - pastel shades
sugarcreekhollow - numbers and letters
qkrstampede - favourite things [pink - flowers-butterflies]
simonsaysstampschallenge - anything goes


Saturday 27 April 2013

Missing you already


Its really sad when people move on from work- obviously its good for them- but its also sad to miss a friendly part of the staff. This card is for the numeracy tutor who finishes on the first of May.
I can enter it into the following challenges
totallygorjuss - ribbons and pearls
sketchsaturday - sketch
tildastown - Mayday and flowers
sweetstampinchalleng - anything but birthday
stampinfortheweekend - die cut or punches

Just had awful trouble trying to load this - you know me and technology - the laptop nearly went out of the window!!!

Wednesday 24 April 2013

Wistful thinking


That's what I think when I look at this Mo Manning image - one of the first I ever bought - I just love the girls face and what she is wearing.
 Well I am surpassing myself this week - keeping up with my resolution of trying to post more often!! It makes such a difference having a craft room - but still not tidy enough to put photos on here of my lovely space.
I will enter this card into the following challenges
sketchandstashchallenge - sketch
whimsyinspires - pretty in pink
pennyschallenges - anything goes

Only 2 more sleeps til the weekend xx

Tuesday 23 April 2013

Noah's Ark



I love this woodware stamp [thanks for telling me about it Sarah]. It is so easy to colour and decoupage. I have lots of plans for it!!
Today after a lot of thinking I have asked to change my contract at work - after yesterdays trip to the hospital - I need to re-evaluate and although money is lovely - time is far more precious. I am hoping to work 4 days and not 5 - its gone to the big managers - so wish me luck. The thought of one day a week off is wonderful - I might not get more cards made or cleaning done - but the chance to do so would be so wonderful.
I can enter this card into the following challenges
promarkerchallenge - animals
craftdoormagazine - anything goes
addicted-to-stamps-challenge - birthday

Monday 22 April 2013

Friendship

Sent this to a special friend who is getting into crafting in a big way - so many penny black stamps its unbelievable!!
Been to the hospital today for my annual MOT - I think if I was a car - I would have been sent to the scrapyard - oh well keep taking the medicine!!
This card is a bit different from my usual layout - I have used acetate and its 8x8 - i wanted space for the sentiment using my favourite stamping up stamps.
i can enter it into the following challenges
cardsinenvy. - anything with wings
/lovetocreatechallenge - bingo [sentiment/ribbon/gems]
charismacardz - flag colors [the flag is red white and black] for my friend leah[trinidad and tobago]

Sunday 21 April 2013

Playing in Pastel


Have coloured with my pastel promarkers for a change - gives a more subtle effect. I have embossed the back with musical notes - I have loads of embossing folders but never seem to get them out so I am determined to start reusing all my stash.
I am entering this card in the following challenges
ilovepromarkers -pastel colours
totallygorjuss - embossing

Off to carry on sorting my messy room.

Saturday 20 April 2013

Howdy Doody


The saga of the printers goes on - first one completely kaput - binned. The second one John got from work says they were getting rid of it - obvious why when I tried to use it - sounded like an exocet and printed with many various smudges - binned. Got the old printer out of the loft - just needed new inks - bought them - its that old had to be recleaned which used ALL the pink and blue ink- at least it does print black but as soon as that goes I am buying a new printer - which is what I should have done last week - as I have spent over £50 on inks this week thinking thats what the problem was - on a happy note I have just won £40 on last weeks lottery so I am only £15 out of pocket. aaaaaaaaaarggghhhhhhhh

Anyway, I have been using stamps as in proper wooden ones rather than my lovely digis. Here is a card I have just finished - I have finally opened up my Lily of the Valley paper pad - but it hurt!!!
I can enter this little fellow into the following challenges
sketchsaturday - sketch
daringcardmaker - childs play
stampwithsarahkay. - for a boy

have a lovely weekend

Thursday 18 April 2013

blooming technology!!



I can't get my printer to work - brand new ink as well - everything pink - googled it ans still nort sorted - got the old printer out - thats run out - bought new inks and its patchy...aaargrhhhh. Think I will cut my losses and buy a new one. Luckily I had this image already printed off.
I have coloured it in greens and yellows - very springy colours. I can enter it in to the following challenges
mosdigitalchallenge - spring
milkcoffeechallenge - spring
totallygorjuss - spring shades

Saturday 13 April 2013

Friendship Cards

I am lucky that I have friends in many places - some I have met - some I hope to meet one day. Sometimes its just nice to send a hello card a sort of thanks for being my friend!!!
  I saw this stamp on ebay and it must have been a quiet time as nobody else bid so I got it a bargain price. Its a bit more pastelly than I usually go for. I can enter it in the following challenge
stampinfortheweekend friendship
sketchsaturday - sketch



Tuesday 2 April 2013

Quick Note Cards

Had a lovely stampin up set called bloomin marvellous - very tiny stamps. I thought they would look sweet on notecards - I have made a big batch of them in case I need to send someone a small not. The card was from a massive pile of card I bought at the Kanban shop - that I had forgotten about. Its not clear but some of the flowers are decoupaged with gems.These were definitely some of the quickest cards I have made but they are really effective. I decorated the envelopes to match.
I can enter it into the following challenge
totallygorjuss - something blue
papertakeweekly - anything goes

Monday 1 April 2013

Grumpy Cat

I love this Penny Black image - whilst sorting I have come across old favourites - I love my digi stamps but forget how wonderful the wooden ones are. I am on a roll today - may even post another card later and thats not even an April Fool. I am going to enter this into the following challenges
challenges4everybody - anything goes
pennyblackatallsorts - one for the boys


In the words of Arnie - I will be back!!!

Saturday 30 March 2013

Making Music


I know Lily of the Valley have bought out lots of new fab stamps but I still like the cute older ones with the little boys and girls. This is a card using one of the first LOTV stamp - the little boy is so sweet. I have at last bought a sizzix star die so that will be appearing quite often!!
Had a nice day today just tatting and colouring - I am determined to make more cards over the next few days - as I tidy up - its amazing what old favourites you find!!
This card can be entered into the following challenges
pinkgemchallengeblog - make it cute
sketchsaturday - sketch
creativecornerchallenge - anything goes

Off to declutter....as if!!!

Friday 29 March 2013

Adventure Guy

Love this digi from Mo Manning - goes really well with all the travel inspired paper I have. Love the sentiment - how many times have I heard that from the boys when they were little!!
Well its been a Good Friday so far as I have been having a sort out in craft room - I am determined to have some cards to show for these few days off.
I can enter my little explorer into the following challenges
mosdigitalchallenge - E is for........[explorer]
audsentiments - for a child
southerngirlschallenge - the kids are alright

Off to have a quick sort out then its upwards and onwards

Thursday 28 March 2013

Happy Days


oh so pleased to have a few days off work - its been so long since christmas and i am shattered - horrible horrible weather means i have not been driving and i have walked to work quite a few mornings and its about 4 miles - i'd like to think it helps with my weight loss but the mars bars i eat on the way to keep me energised don't help.
Still its Good Friday tomorrow and it will be good as I am going to hibernate in my craft room!!
Here is an Easter Card I made earlier.
It can be entered in the following
papermilldirect - easter card
craftycreationschallenges - easter
ilovepromarkers - spring is in the air

Sunday 24 March 2013

fifty shades of grey....... promarkers

.. that is my hearts desire!!!
Just got back from the NEC  - had a brill time - John is off to a golf show next week and this morning before I went to the show I told him how much I knew golf meant to him and if he saw anything he wanted he ought to buy it whilst he had the chance and as he really liked his hobby not to worry about the cost!!!

I got some bargains - bought yet more paper - some nice quotation stamps - just need to put it all away - that's when i find out i have got this paper and these stamps from the last show I went to !!

Here's a card I made earlier I 'borrowed' the idea from a certain book [that I have not read- if it does not have the word stamping or paper in the title i am not interested!!]
I can enter it in the following challenge
totallygorjuss - something borrowed

Off to hide the evidence of today's big spend . I read a brilliant quote from a fellow crafter she said
" My biggest fear is that if I die my husband sells my craft stuff for the amount I told him it cost!!!"

Saturday 23 March 2013

Minnie Mouse Ears


I saw this image from Sassy Cheryls and loved it. I have been lucky to have done to Disneyworld in Florida - my son worked there for a year. Hope to go again one day - its not just for kids!!
Have not been posting for a while - been a bit overwhelmed with my new craft room - still not tidy enough to take pictures but I did buy a great unit from Ikea to stuff and hide things away!!!
Its snowing heavily here so I am having me a day in my little room and hopefully getting some cards made or at least a sort out. I am off to the NEC tomorrow to the Craft Show where doubtless I shall buy lots of goodies that I desperately need - and hopefully one year get round to using them!!
I am going to enter this card in the following challenges
sketchsaturday - sketch
stampinfortheweekend - childs play
brownsugarchallenge - anything goes

have a fab weekend and stay warm

Sunday 3 March 2013

cake!!!

This card is for my friend at work who will be 60 next week. It actually folds out to be quite a large card so everyone can sign it. I love this mo manning image and its a lot more sparkly than it seems due to the flowers and the icing.
I will enter it in the following challenges
glitternsparklechallenge - ladys card
joannasheen - layer it up

Saturday 2 March 2013

Blooming Bows

I can not get to grips with bows - have bought a bow-easy [or not so bow-easy], I have the papermania stick one that I can't do either. I have just watched a jaki heath tutorial on you tube and thats not helped. Lyndsey showed me how and I thought I would remember but I havn't. I wanted this card to have a big fat flourishing bow on - obviously that did not happen.I can do them when somebody is with me but by myself I just can't.
Anyway enough moaning - I have mastered a glue gun - I had one gave it away as I never thought I'd use it - saw how fab there cards were so saw I needed one - its been great for the flowers - hopefully they will still be stuck on tomorrow!!
This card can be entered in the following challenges
totallygorjuss - anything goes with pink
sketchsaturday - sketch
simonsaysstampschallenge - anything goes

Have a fab weekend

Saturday 23 February 2013

vintage

As promised here is a card I made at Sarahs - I never feel guilty about my amount of stash after I have visited her!! Every available cupboard is hiding delicious secrets - this is a card from a beautiful die she has. Sarah also has a great online shop with lots of goodies [here].
This card is for my lovely sister-in -law
I can enter it in the following challenhe
crafts4eternity- very vintage

Sunday 17 February 2013

How life pans out.....

I have been thinking about this a lot lately - how your life can take a different path and so you have different experiences. The only reason I got into card making was because I was having chemotherapy and just needed something to do on my better days....if I had not been ill - I doubt I would have made a single card ever ..and my life would have been so less blessed because of that. I have met some wonderful friends through the breast cancer group but I have also made wonderful friendships with fellow crafters.
        I am lucky to have met 2 great craft teachers who I now count as friends.  On a Friday I go to Lyndseys classes and on Saturday I go to Sarahs for crafting. I always look forward to finishing work on a Friday. Love learning new techniques and dribbling over paper and promarkers together.

Lyndsey always sets homework on what we have learnt - this week it was a sketch and using paper piercing = see above card.
I am going to put my version in the following challenges
allsortschallenge - things with wings
alphabetchallenge- anything with wings
.addictedtostamps = bingo [paper piece/free/heart]

Later in the week I shall put on a card I made with Sarah

Saturday 16 February 2013

Back again

I know its been ages since I have been on here - just got caught up in the real world. Had an amazing time at the Craft Retreat in Wales with some lovely crafty friends I made on Docrafts - there were 12 of us in a Youth Hostel in Wales. Fab time especially on the Sunday when we did not get out of our pyjamas!!!
Robert has finally moved out so I have at last my own room - its taken me 54 years to get one- John mentioned something about a golf trophy room - soon put a stop to that!!
Can't believe how much stuff I have acquired - darn't put a photo on here of my new craft room til I get sorted!!!
Here is a card I have made for my best friends brothers birthday. I can enter it in the following challenges:-
mytimetocraftchallenge - mens cards
qkrstampede. - anything goes
cardsgalorechallenges - one for the men
totallygorjuss - for the men

Saturday 12 January 2013

Going Dotty



Well that New Year Resolution of posting more often did not last!!!

Having a bit more success with the Healthy Eating - went back to Tub Club and lost 3lbs so I am 1 and a half stone lighter than this time last year - still trying to lose another stone. John actually came with me and in his first week lost half a stone - told him it isn't as easy - he thinks he will lose 2 stone in the next 3 weeks!!.

2 big bits of news - number 3 son and his fiancee have moved out to their own place - so may actually get a craft room when we fumigate and redecorate Roberts room - freeing up the spare room. And No 2 son has now got engaged to Farrah - so thats lovely as well. The boys know now they have moved out - we are changing the locks!!!

My craft stuff is all over - hoping to be reorganised soon in the new room - here is a card I made for Farrahs birthday - lovely Uptown Girls Image  and some Craftwork Card Paper.

It is for the following challenges
totallygorjuss - spotty
charismacardz - happy birthday
stampinfortheweekend - anything goes

Off to do more sorting out.

Tuesday 1 January 2013

Happy New Year

Amazing myself here by posting and I have actually finished a card today - thats one resolution I would like to keep - making more cards and blogging more often [as well as lose 20 stone - win the lottery - be less cynical - get fit - keep in touch more - and drive further and get out of second gear!!]
Had a lovely quiet christmas and a quieter new year which suited me fine. Last night I spoke to my pen-pal in Canada which was wonderful she is a crafter called wendy.
Anyway my friend at work has just had her 5th grandchild [not that i am jealous!!!] so I have made a card for the new baby.
I can enter it in to the following challenges
bunnyzoescrafts - celebration
crazychallenge - easel card
papermakeupstamps.- anything goes with a digi

Off to find something to eat that does not contain calories - altho it would be a shame to waste all the christmas bits still lurking - thought of another resolution - get some willpower.