Lovely flowers..

Hello......

I have had a lovely weekend and the weather has been fab too and that always helps.  We went to a bbq with friends yesterday and today we have been to play tennis.  We have recently joined the local tennis club and I honestly can't remember the last time I played but the boys loved it and I wasn't too bad either!!!

Its the birthday of a very good friend next week and I have made her this card and it's not often I say this but I really like this one......

This is a stamp and punch set from Stampin Up called Build a Blossom.

A close up..... (that's not blurry....now that is shocking!)

I am going to enter this into the following challenges.....

Fabulous Friday - Circles
Inspire Me Friday - Anything Goes
Paperplay - In The Garden
For Your Inspiration - Photo #10
Papercraft Star - Anything Goes #54
Anything Goes Challenge Blog - #46 Flowers

Fingers crossed........

Thanks for stopping by xx

Two simple cards..

Hi all,

Just a quickie today as I have just finished work and we are off to a friends this afternoon but here are the two cards that the ladies made at our workshop on Thursday....

One for the ladies.....

And.......

One for the men...

As I said, they didn't all end looking like this as everyone used their imaginations but it was fun all the same.  I have had a phone call since asking me to do another session close to Christmas.....could become a regular thing!!!

Thanks for stopping by and take care xxx

My first workshop..

Well, what an interesting day!!!

I held a workshop today for a group of ladies who just wanted to try their hand at making cards.  My Mum was asked if we could both put something together and demonstrate to the group but she has been very busy lately so I designed the cards and put everything together and then we helped the ladies with their designs.

All the bits ready to take.....remembering everything was a misson but I did ok.  I  put everything they needed for each card into plastic wallets (I had precut everything to make it easier).  We made two cards but I forgot to take a photo of them!!!!! Think my Mum might have a copy of each card so I'll pop them on later in the week!

The ladies hard at work!!!
I did enjoy it and I think they did too.  I was amazed to see that although I designed and demo'd the cards, every single one that the ladies made were different.  It was great to see all their work.

Aaron came with me and joined in too and he's been busy all evening with other 'projects'....bless him, he must take after me!!

Thanks for stopping by and take care xxx

Handbags...

A girl can never have too many bags and shoes......Well, that's what I tell my husband but for some reason he doesn't agree with me!!!

So I've made one (possibly the next best thing!)  I bought the top note die from Stampin Up and was searching you tube to find  uses for the die other that matting and layering and came accross quite a few videos showing handbags, purses and wallets amoungst others, so here is my take on it. 

The paper, ribbon and pearls are also from SU and the flowers are from Kaiser (the red one was coloured in with a promarker).  Think it's quite cute and could look quite different with other colours!

I'm doing something on Thursday that I haven't done before and I am quite nervous but I will enlighten you later in the week and let you know how I get on ( little clue.....it is to do with crafting!)
Thanks for stopping by.

Take care xx

My first Christmas Card....

And Claire.....it's all your fault!!!!

I don't normally bother with making Christmas cards (just couldn't face doing the amount needed) but I did think I would have a go this year.  I thought (like Claire) that if I started now it wouldn't be soooo bad!!
I had to order some Christmas stamps though......

So, here is my first EVER attempt!!!

I tried a technique from a card that my lovely friend Amanda showed me but.....it didn't go according to plan.  The blue sheet is vellum covered in ink and stamped with the snowflake to remove the wet ink.....with me?  Then stamp the blue snowflake onto white card (from the vellum)...  Anyway, it was supposed to look different to this!! ( I know I haven't explained that at all well!)  So in the end, I stamped the snowflake with white onto the blue and layered the vellum on top attaching with brads......CLEAR AS MUD!!

Well, then I got a bit carried away and made another.....

My supplies of Christmassy things (papers and stuff!) are limited so this is quite plain but its a start.  Think the snowman is pretty cute..
So, 2 down......goodness knows how many to go!!!
Thanks for stopping by
Take care xx

Clever boys..

We have had the dreaded school reports home............

Aaron was secretly really worried about his but he didn't have to be.  I am really proud to say they were both brilliant.  Both mentioned that they like to chat sometimes (not at all like their mother...lol!) but otherwise we were thrilled.

Back to crafting and I'm struggling again with a bit of missing mojo but I'll keep at it!!!!
Here is a card I have made for my friends little girl.  Its her birthday at the end of August so we won't be around to help her celebrate....

As always the photo is shocking but I guess you are getting used to that by now!!!
The owl is from Double Sprinkles of Kraft CD ( I cheated!....I didn't colour this one in although there are plenty that you can on the CD) and the papers were free from a magazine (can't remeber which one).
I attempted to make my own flowers - thought it was an ok attempt!  They are scallop circles that are sprayed with water and scrunched up.  I did then run an ink pad over them when dry to give and even  more distressed look.

Am going to enter it into these two challenges;

Ladybug craft challenge - #35 Summer Birthdays
Make it Monday - #46 Anything Goes.

Thanks for stopping by

Take care xx

My first award....

Wow, wow, wow.

I have a lovely blogging friend who has very kindly awarded me this......and boy, it made me smile!!!

I am fairly new to this whole blogging malarkey but am loving it and wish I could spend more time crafting but I am really chuffed with is award, Thanks Claire.  (Listen to me......sounds like an Oscar acceptance award!)

Now, I have two jobs to do to be worthy of keeping this and I am going to fail the first one (not good!) I have to forward this award onto 8 other people....As I flit about blogging land I haven't become a follower of too many blogs but I can award 7 other people...do hope thats acceptable.

So, here goes.....in no particular order...

1) Back to Claire - She is my only follower (other than my Mum and I'm not sure that counts!) and we met though MIM.  She lives in sunny Portugal and makes lovely cards despite her lack of supplies.
2) Amanda - Amanda Fowler....what can I say...she is the lady responsible for getting me into stamping in the first place.  She is a Stampin Up demonstrator and is hugely talented.  Thanks for everything my lovely friend.
3) Paula - Paula was one of the first blogs I came across.  Another hugley talented lady who designs for a number of people, Joanna Sheen, Crafter Companion to name a couple.
4) Julie - Another Stampin Up demonstrator.  She makes it all look so simple.... 
5) Pauline - I met Pauline (some time ago) through a mutual friend and she lives locally to me.  She does some stunning work and I hop over to admire her work all the time.
6) Lisa - I haven't followed Lisa for that long and came across her on another blog hop but again she does some lovely work.
7) Helen - This is a lady after my own heart....she like a bargain and boy, does she get lucky...She seems to make all her bargains look fab too.

Wow, that was tough but the next bit is even harder and possibly boring..sorry!  I now have to give you 7 facts about myself...yawn (I'm really not that interesting!)

1) My day job - I am a qualified Pharmacy checking technician.  I currently work two days a week in a busy community pharmacy.

2) I used to tap dance.  I would still go but another hobby has taken over at the moment(!) and  have been in two shows in a local theatre.

3) I have swum the Bournmouth to Boscombe pier challenge.  My friend and I swam pier to pier for the British Heart Foundation.  Before you ask...it was flippin tough and I would never do it again!!

4) I am the youngest of six children and they all think I am the most spoilt!!!

5) I have family in Australia and my cousin has just had a booked published.  I have been once, many years ago, and would love to go back sometime.

6) I can't cook.  I wish I could and I do try but it's never really that successful. It's edible but I wish it was better.  I keep saying I am going to go to evening classes but it never seems to happen - one day maybe!

7) I am very happy with my life.  I love my husband probably more now than ever (we've been together nearly 18yrs),  I have the two best boys in the world (although I would not always agree with that statement) and I am very content with how my life is panning out.  I want nothing more than for that to continue, for my children be happy with their life and become the best men thay can be and for me and my husband to grow old together.....

I'm not sure what has come over me....I'm not normally that slushy but oh well, it needs to be said occasionally.  Thanks again Claire.
Thanks for stopping by xx

Happy Anniversary..

So....I have finished the order for the lady at work and got paid for them but do you know what....I felt mean taking her money (I am NEVER going to make a fortune).  When people say "how much do I owe you?"  I always say..."Oh, don't worry!!"
Oh well, this time it went ok.


The card was for an anniversary and although it's really simple, I really quite liked it.

This is made entirely from Stampin Up, the Vintage Vogue stamp set and the tiny tag set, old olive and ballet blue ink pads.

I am entering this into the following challenges;
I Did it Creations - Floral
Quirky Crafts - #14 No patterned paper
Scrappy Frogs - Summer flowers
One Stop Crafts - #139 Summertime
Inspire Me Fridays - Anything goes
Charisma Cardz - All about flowers
Crafts and Me - Favourite stamp/image




Thanks for stopping by...
Take care xxx

Who'd have guessed it.....

.....I've finally joined the 21st century. 

Not only am I a blogger, now I have a webcam and am on Skype.  I am quite impressed with how technical I am becoming.  I had my first conversation via the webcam with my Mum this evening and the boys (including my husband) did a moonie to her....typical boyish behaviour!!!

The second of my card order was for a man and had to be postable (flat so cheaper).  I kept looking and looking at this and wasn't sure about it but it went down well so I guess it was ok (either that, or my lady at work is a good actress!)

I need some help.....please.  I need a new camera and any recommendations or advice would be great.

Materials used: grey lined backing paper from stash already, turquoise paper printed from Kirsty Wiseman CD postage stamp die, bike stamp from see-d's, postacard stamped using xyron design runner, happy birthday stamp from SU.

That it for tonight...I have one more card to do to complete the order so I'll be back soon.
Take care xx

I'm ever hopeful!!!!

 Evening All,

I've been to a Stampin Up party today.......that means I've spent more money....but I have come to the conclusion that life is too short and why the hell not!!!!!
I was quite good, didn't spend as much as I could have but I guess that's always the way!

Anyway, I've just got an order from a lady at work so I have been working on those and I asked my husband if I could give up work and do this full time.  To my surprise he said.....Yes!!!!!!! but very quickly backed it up with "If you can make as much money making cards as you do at work, then fine, do it".
Ah......not sure that is going to happen anytime soon so bang goes that idea....I'm ever hopeful!!!

So, the order was for a sister card, a male card (great...) and an anniversary card.  The request was postable cards so no big embellishments, girly for the sister card and whatever for the other two....so here's the sister card.

The pink and green papers were free from a magazine ages ago so not sure which one.  The spotty background is stamped with a stamp from SU (bird on a branch set) and not sure about the flower stamp...how rubbish am I???  No answers back on that please...lol.


I've just got to finish the male card and then do the anniversary card so in the words of Arnie....I'll be back!!!!

Thanks xx

18th Birthday..

Evening all

We have tried to go shopping today for boys clothes and I have to tell you I get really frustrated that you walk into a shop and see rail after rail of beautiful girls clothes and ONE rail for boys.....Now I know boys clothes aren't that exciting but come on!!!! 
Well, we managed a couple of pairs of shorts so I can foresee another trip out....great!!!

I mentioned the other day about my friend wanting some cards....well, I asked her if I can put them on here and like the man from DelMonte....she said YES!

The one for the prom I wasn't that happy with but she also wanted an 18th....

Again, my camera is rubbish but you get the idea.
I have used crystal effects fro SU for the flowers, the 18 and the sentiment (To a Dear God Daughter) and sprinkled some glitter into it whilst it was wet.  I've used the rocking (!) technique for the flowers with pink and black ink and used the baroque motif stamp set from SU for the strip of white and added some gems.  The pinks are pretty much the same shade although the picture doesn't give that impression.

I'm always a bit dubious when making a card to order although I really enjoy it and would like to do it more, I'm never really sure they'll like it!  Well, let's wait and see...

Take care xx

Cupcakes..

Well, thats another week over, looking forward to the weekend though......hopefully the weather will be kind !!

I have been asked to make a couple of cards for a friend this week, one being  for her neices prom, just to mark the occasion really but I found it quite tricky.  I will ask her if I can put it on here as it has a photo of her neice on it so best check before I upload random photos of children!!!!

Another card I have recently made was for my oldest friend in the world.  We have know each other since we were about 5 and still see each other.  She is known by all my other friends and Clairs "pretty friend" as she is very attractive.  Her husband is pretty good looking too, they kind of remind me of a couple you would see in a black and white Gucci advert, if you know what I mean.....love her dearly though and seeing her next week for the first time in a couple of months so it'll great to catch up.

The cupcake is a stamped image, coloured in with with promarkers, cut out and stacked up. I didn't put them on foam pads as I was thinking of the postage (not that I am tight!!) but in hindsight I think it would have looked better.....oh well!

Oopps...wrong way.

I am going to enter this into two challenges;
Crazy Amigo Challenge - Cupcakes
Make it Monday - #43.

Got the Newbury craft show tomorrow so hopefully I'll have lots of nice bits this time tomorrow night!

Take care xx