Friday, October 31, 2014

BOO! Happy Halloween, this frightful Friday it's time to unbury an oldie!

Happy Halloween to all you ghost, goblins and ghoulies out there!
Be afraid, be very afraid!

Today's sharing an oldie or as I have mentioned above, unburying and oldie (stay with me!) has a bit of a theme running through it.  Can you guess what?


Firstly this years pumpkins from my boys.  Less is more was the approach this year and sticking with tradition.

Now to a couple of oldies.

Firstly my pumpkins from years ago when I used to go to a ceramic club.


A family of pumpkins, not very scary are they?

This is also a banner I made a long time ago using Halloween papers and beer mats.  I can't remember the make of paper but then it is that long ago you probably can't get it anymore now.


My youngest has his first filling in a tooth this morning, then his annual school photograph once back to school.  
I think this years photograph will be one to remember as he tries to smile after a filling!

As for the rest of today my best pal works at Allarburn farm shop and they are having a special tasting event, it is their opening anniversary, I think I might need to pop to see her. Well, it would be rude not to!
I then plan on a little Halloween baking in case we get a few scary visitors later.  


Gulp!

Enjoy the rest of your Friday and don't forget to leave me a comment, if you are joining me sharing an oldie, then I know who to visit and have a nosey.
It only remains for me to wish you all the very best for this coming weekend. 
Work again for me tomorrow and another busy one as we have a family meal deal this weekend.  
I'm sure it will be another full fun packed day.  
Happy crafting to those of you not working.  x

Thursday, October 30, 2014

We shall remember them part 3 or is it more?

Good afternoon all, how are you this Thursday evening?
Another late post today after being at work.  I had a good one, I was on a different section today to what I normally work, as they say "a change is as good as a rest!"
The tea is on so I've now got chance to post, followed by our local Halloween party tonight for the youngest.
The house is not decorated for Halloween yet but the pumpkin carving was completed last night, I shall show you them tomorrow now.
My photographs aren't the best today as the light has gone already, it's been dark and dingy all day.
Or as it is known up here "dreich."

Firstly I need to thank the lovely Kate for your beautiful card and donation, what a lovely surprise to come home to and grately appreciated.  x

On to today's crafty item and I'm afraid it's more poppy's, it is that time of year.
The whole poppy making started because a pal of mine's granddaughter born last year was called Poppy.  I wanted to make her something for the baby at Christmas so started to practise them with the idea of adding one to a baby hat.  As I showed my attempts both here and on Facebook my friends asked could they have one for remembrance day.
I haven't made as many this year but it has all been a little lastminute.com, donations are going well so I thank everyone who has supported me.  x
Getting back to wee Poppy, whilst at my mum's we met up and she is now toddling around, very active and a joy to be with.  She sat on my youngest boy's knee and he read a story to her, it was so cute!
The poppy's I have made this year are too big for a wee toots so I got to thinking, then my mum stepped in.
She gave me a ball of red glittered thread and I thought what would I do with that, she didn't want it and she was sure I could use it for something.
Then I had a lightbulb moment, what if I use a very small crochet hook, that would work, wouldn't it? Then I could get some hair slides or bobbles and make some poppy's for Poppy's hair.
This is the result.....


All glittery and sparkly just perfect for a little girl called Poppy!

To give you an idea of size next to my other poppy's, you can see it is quite a bit smaller.


It is the one on the right.
A tad fiddly to make but I was happy with it.  I also thought I would try the white shaped one with the same red thread and see how much smaller that goes too.

Well, that is all from me today folks, enjoy your Thursday evening, don't forget it's FFFriday again tomorrow, it's share an oldie day.  Take care and catch you tomorrow.  x

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

A little shaker for you, CAS style.

Afternoon all and how are you this Wednesday, can you believe it's the middle of the week already? 
Doesn't time fly when you are having fun?
Sorry for the absent post yesterday but time got away from me with being at work, you know how it is, by the time I had caught up with everything the fire was on, the tea was done and dusted so my crocheting was calling.  It is much more civilised crafting by the fire than venturing to my colder craft room.

Today I thought I'd share with you a card I made recently for a friend who wanted a clean and simple silver wedding anniversary card.  I have used a set from Papertrey ink where you get the dies, sprinkles and foam to be able to make shaker cards, oh and stamps too which I didn't use this time opting to personalise via the computer instead.  


I quite like this effect and used to make a lot of shaker cards when I first started card making.  
Isn't it funny that things just go full circle?
I think I might get lots of use from this set when I get chance to play again.

As Christmas is approaching I am thinking of ideas for friends and family, both for the festive season and birthdays (We seem to have a lot of birthdays in the run up to Christmas). Pressies ahoy!
The only problem I have is time especially as I get called in to do extra hours at work.  Mind you, I don't know about you, the more I tend to have to do, the better organised I am and the more I tend to get done.  Guess that's where the phrase "if you want something doing ask a busy person" comes from.  I have been known to go into "slug" or as I like to call it "veg mode" if I know I have nothing important to do.  If I could keep the pace going I'd be so damn efficient!  If only.
It would beat running around like a mad woman in December.

I have a birthday order to complete so I better make a move, then it's music lesson ahoy later as it's drumming night.  Lots of noise ahead.
Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday and happy crafting.  x

Monday, October 27, 2014

What you need is soap, friction, hot water, and lots of rubbing!

Morning all, what a fun afternoon we had yesterday.  Can you guess from the title what we were up to?
Innuendos were flying in all directions as we got hot, wet and soapy!
Then of course there was the rubbing, massaging and rolling!
Who would have known that crafting could give you such a work out?!
All this with copious amounts of bubble wrap too.  Sounds kinky?
You are only getting the half of it today.  ;)
What a laugh and we had but such a fitness session too.

Why, yesterday I entered the world of wet felting.
I have fancied giving this a go for a long time.
In a nutshell......Wet felting is a process used to make wool and other animal fibres into the dense fabric known as felt. The process involves the application of warm, soapy water, which causes layers of fleece placed at 90 degree angles to one another to hook together into a single piece of fabric. After the wet felting process is complete, the felted project is finished by agitating the fibres on a rough surface such as a washboard. The felted fabric can then be dried and used to make accessories or garments.

The lovely Helen in our craft group made a beautiful handbag recently at a crop and we were all intrigued as to how she made it and the finished article was just fabulous.  Now she had two options.....to show us how to make one ourselves or to make a job lot of them for us all.  Happily Helen is a good sport and decided to show us how it is done, many thanks for all your hard work.  x
So how do you learn to felt?  Start small with a flower maybe?  Not us, straight in there with a bag, flower and handles....in at the deep end is sometimes the best way to learn!

The class in progress....



We layered the felt over our bag shape first working horizontally then vertically, then we added hot water and soap.


Here is Haley laying out her felt.


Irene has wet and soaped her felt and is covering with bubble wrap getting ready to massage the fibres.  What a work out this turned out to be!  Rub, rub, soap, soap, massage, massage!


One side done it needed to be turned over and repeated on the other side.  Massage, massage...rub, rub!

Then we had the handles and poppy to make.



Tina and Roz rolling their handles.....what else could they be rolling?!

Even the "old bingo wings" got a good work out yesterday, I was fairly worn out once I got home. 
My bag is now stuffed with towels to shape and drying out.  I can't wait to use it.  
Want to see it?



What was lovely, all of us used the same pattern, the same process and the same colours but every single bag was different.  
We did giggle throughout the process as Helen's bags are just perfect and we had a few ups and downs along the way, getting there in the end.  
I had my fingers crossed it wasn't a case of looking at something on Pinterest and thinking I'm going to do that, then posting your picture of the finished project, looking nothing like the original, with the title, "Well, I nailed that!"  :D
I love those type of photographs, real life ain't perfect!  
Anyway just to show you the contrast here is the lovely bag by Helen.  


Not too different?  
Mine will alter a little more as it drys fully but you get the general idea.  
I am quite chuffed for my first attempt and I think I will go back and make more....can you guess the colour of my next one?
My big thanks to Helen and all the girls for such a fun, informative and interesting afternoon crafting.
You guys are the best!  x

That's all from me today, I think I have just about dried out after my early morning walk with the dog.  I have a mountain of ironing and housework to catch up on after being away and I am also working a couple of extra shifts this week so I better make a move.  Enjoy your Monday.  x

Saturday, October 25, 2014

It's the weekend,time for a little LOL!

Good morning, whilst beavering away busily at work today I thought I'd get back into sharing a couple of funnies with you, well it is the weekend!

It is a dine in weekend at work and a friends and family which means only one thing, boy it's going to be a busy one and the day will just fly by.  It also means that by the time I get home it will be a nice hot bath and a chill out session as I will be well and truly pooped!

Getting back to the funnies and this although it isn't a crafty quote made me smile, all will become clear.  My crafting project tomorrow involves using this product.....and that is the only clue I am sharing.  Intriguing!


It would kill me and the kids in that factory.  The hours spent when the boys were little making a bubble wrap walkway, why, well it gives you at least a half  hour break!
Naughty mummy!  ;)
What you've never tried it?
The other great thing I found with my boys whilst young was packaging.  You know the little polystyrene bits?  My two would play for hours with dumper trucks and JCB's moving them around the room, you've just got to make sure they don't eat them, which mine never did.

Back to crafting and as I have been spending more time crocheting of late I saw this and it made me smile.


Tee, hee, that is so me.
Finally and this is a note to myself from my husband.....


He wanted me off the computer last night and making tea!  Boring!
I am thinking more along the lines of get off Pinterest looking at all the beautiful crafty makes and get on with some Christmas presents, it won't be long now.  Yikes.

On that note I better go and feed my lot, have a super weekend and there will be more from me very soon.  x

Friday, October 24, 2014

It's FFFFriday....how about sharing an oldie with me?

Hello folks, did you miss me?
I had meant to post whilst I was away the last week but unfortunately the site we stayed only had Internet connection at the bar.  No mobile signal either!
Sorry Kate I haven't been in touch with you but I haven't been able to get hold of you.  Will sort something out later today when I am unpacked and sorted.

We stayed here.  It is a lovely site only about 15 minutes from family, so handy too.  The weather was interesting with the tail end of the wet and windy hurricane!  It was a little blowy in a static caravan!
I enjoyed time to do a little crocheting, played plenty of board games and did a little shopping.  This was only marred by some nice person hacking my credit card and treating themselves to flights and a couple of holiday!  Scum.  Luckily I managed to get hold of the credit card company and put a halt to anymore shenanigans.
It was great to see my parents and have some quality time with them.

Back to crafting and I have a couple of things to show you but first it's Friday so you know what that means, time to share an oldie with me.  Today's oldie is a wreath calendar, something a little different.


Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities die large scalloped circles for the base of the wreath.
For the flowers I have used Shapeabilities Anemone flower topper, Spiral blossom 1, Foliage and Ironworks motif.
Card stock by American craft and MME Loss and Found Union Square.
Calender from Papercrafts Boutique.
Bling from K & Company.
Glitter Stickles red and Distress ink Vintage Photo.

I'd love to see your oldies so don't forget to leave a comment below then I can visit you.  
It only remains for me to wish you all the very best for the weekend, back to work for me tomorrow but I am hoping to have some crafty fun on Sunday.  More from me later.  x

Friday, October 17, 2014

It's share an oldie time this Friday.

Good morning folks and it's Friday again, time for another oldie.  If you have just joined me every Friday I pick one of my old projects to share with you, back in the day when I seemed to have much more time to play!  I mean craft.  :)
I'd love it if you would join me, just add a message below then I can come and share some crafty love.

Here is today's oldie for you.


A little black and white number.
I have used digital image Annabel from Sugar Nellie coloured with grey prisma pencils.  The Spellbinder dies are Classic circles and Labels Twenty four (I've used two frames and linked them together), together with A4 embossing folder dots (difficult to see in the photo).  The sentiment and die "For you" are by SU with ribbon and pearls from my stash.

Go on I know you want to share in the fun!  I'd love to hear from you.
It only remains for me to wish you all the very best for the weekend, no work for me tomorrow I intend on spending the time with family.
Have a good one!  x

Thursday, October 16, 2014

A bespoke collection of cards!

Good morning all and another bright and beautiful day here.  Today I want to share with you a selection of bespoke cards, all made for the same lady who is 60 soon.
The first card I was asked for a washing up bowl, as her sister and her used to always fight over  who was washing the dishes.  Sound familiar?  My children wouldn't know as we have a dishwasher but I remember regular verbal fights with my brother over who's turn it was to wash or dry.
She also wanted a comment inside, as she was a lot younger than her sister, of how she often got paid 50p to go away!


The next card is for the mum and she wanted bottoms up looking in a rock pool, 'cause as a child that is how she remembers her.  Gosh I had to think about this one!


This is the nearest to bottoms up I could get!  But I think you get the general idea, with a mention of it in the card.
Finally this is for the nephew and he wanted to thank her for all the help during his school years especially on the geography front.


Three cards, one birthday, lets hope Caren loved them.

Today I have another busy day, no crafting for me but hoping to make another couple of poppy's later.
Have a super Thursday and don't forget to join me tomorrow with an oldie.  x

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Raising funds for the British Legion, crafty style!

Hi folks, back again today with some more crafting for you and today it's all about poppy's.
I have always supported the British Legion, whilst in the forces it was a given that you wore your poppy with pride at this time of year and I guess it has stuck.
Last year I decided, as I had started to crochet, to have a go at making poppy's and was very happily surprised at the response of my pals.  I don't go all out making loads, last year I made 12, asking for donations which I grouped together and sent to the BL.
The products and my time I happily donate as my contribution.
This year I have already been asked to make a few, in particular I was asked for a white poppy from a couple of friends, for peace.
Here are my attempts....



And together for sizing....both are made with cotton yarn.


Kate you also asked for one, which one would you prefer?  Could you also let me have your email details and I will get in touch with you via that.  If you would still like one, just let me know.

I am also doing the red poppy's too.


The left one is in cotton and the right in pure wool but can also be done in the bright red cotton.
Do give me a shout by leaving a message and your email below if you would like one and I will get in touch.

I managed to get all my cards and poppy's already ordered done and dusted yesterday so today I have the boring old ironing to crack on with, the excitement of it all!

Finally did you watch "The Apprentice" last night?
I don't know why but my hubby loves the show, what I want to know is where do they find those overconfidence numpties?
I know it isn't nice to judge other folk and I do try not to, but really!
How much money could you make chopping lemons?  (Really!)
Telling girls to look nice, wear high heels, short skirts and lipstick, then they're bound to win?!
Well, it worked this time, but surely that isn't the way to go if wanting equality in the workplace?
I thought we'd moved on from this, obviously not.
If you want equality then you prove you can do what the men can do but better....or is that just me?
I am now going to jump off my soap box and go and do my womanly duties!
Have a super hump day and more from me tomorrow.  x

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Happy birthday to Holly, 2 today!

Good morning all and how are you this Tuesday morning?
It is beautiful and sunny here in the North of Scotland although a little chillier that of late, Autumn is definitely here.
Today a wee break from the crafting to wish a certain someone a Happy Birthday.


Yes, our wee pup is no more and has now reached the grand old age of 2, or as my youngest says "she is 14 now so can look after me!"
It doesn't seem like we have had her for two years, it seems like only yesterday but as most folk with animals say she is now firmly one of the family.


How cute is she in this photograph!

The boys are keen to bake her a cake later but of course they will be eating it for her, I like the way they are thinking!
Maybe she can have a couple of wee treats instead?

Holly today, all grown up.....


This is her begging for her evening treat!  She sits right on my knee, blocking the TV until she gets what she wants.  Yes, she has her mum wrapped around her little finger!

What are your plans today?
I managed to book something yesterday so we will have a few family days away from the electricity!
(Whether the boys like it or not!)
This means I have a lot to get through over the next couple of days.  My pal Irene popped by yesterday for a cuppa, I haven't seen her in ages so it was lovely to catch up.  This means that I didn't finish the cards I had planned so that is first on the agenda today.
Then it's ironing and housework followed by a bit of crochet later.

Last night I went to another Jamie Oliver party at my colleague Roma's family home, wow, what a fabulous B and B her mum has, it is amazing.  I was a naughty girl too 'cause I love JO stuff, I shall show you what I bought when it arrives.  I can't wait, one item in particular I am looking forwards to decorating for the Christmas table!

It only remains for me to wish you all the very best this Tuesday and I shall catch up again with you tomorrow.  x

Monday, October 13, 2014

And now for something completely different!

Afternoon all, so the tattie holidays are here and I have spent the last two days trying to find somewhere to stay for a wee getaway....to no avail.  Everything I have looked at has been fully booked and even sites like lastminute.com can't help!  Boo!
That's what you get leaving things till last minute, but then we always do that.  Even our trip to Florida wasn't booked the month before we went.  I guess it is a habit that we don't plan anything at all.  Why?
Well, in years gone by with my hubby being armed forces we have learnt not to plan because quite often, if you did, cancellation was inevitable.  The only downside to this is that sometimes it means you get lazy and don't end up doing anything, is that a bad thing?  The kids have been out this morning and are now engrossed with their Xbox, hubby is catching up with some gardening and I have a few bespoke cards to make.  Everyone is happy, surely that is what counts?
Maybe we will get luck, and find something soon?!

Back to today and I have had orders for poppy's and cards to crack on with so although I will be crafting away this week I won't have much to show you that you haven't already seen. Sorry.  Very boring for my blog posts.  So I have thought about a different angle, see what you think.
I have decided to share with you people or items that inspire me to be creative and some are way out of my personal comfort zone.

Today I wanted to share with you Max McMurdo's website reestore.  Now you might know Max from off the TV, he works with Kirstie Allsopp on Fill your house for free and has been featured as a judge on Shed of the year.
I love the way he takes an item unloved or unused, the quirkier the better, and makes it into to a beautiful and functioning piece of furniture.  Don't take my word for it, pop and have a look on his website at his work.
I only wish I'd paid more attention at tech classes as I am not allowed near electric tools, far too dangerous with them!
I guess I need to learn.
Don't you just love this light....


Rustic and functional.
How about this table, how fabulous is this for recycling?


So we have our Rolls Royce engine part to make into a coffee table, I guess I will be needing some help but I do hope it polishes up as well as the one above.


It won't be anywhere near as exciting but it has relevance to us, being a part of an aircraft that hubby has flown in.

It only remains for me to thanks Max for all his inspiration, getting me to look at items that would normally be thrown away and reusing them.  That's got to be a good thing if only for the planet?

Have a super Monday everyone and who inspires you?

Friday, October 10, 2014

Oh my it's FFFFFriday again....time for sharing those oldies!

Good morning to you all and what a difference a day makes, the sun is out and the sky is blue, it's a little colder but much dryer.  The dog and I have had a lovely long walk this morning, time for a cuppa and a catch up on here.

Whoops, I missed a post yesterday, but more about my day later, first I wanted to share today's oldie.
This one is for Hazel who makes the most beautiful gift baskets.



Not quite to your standards Hazel but I love this as just a little added eggstra (do you see what I did there!) for a baby.
I have used papers from the Basic Grey range Archaic and the chipboard shapes and brads.  I have added a bit of stitching...google eyes...a small tag from SU marked "baby" a bit of ribbon and a charm marked "love".  Oh and where would we be without a greeting from the 'puter?!
The egg box I wanted to keep as simple as possible and basically took the paper from the supermarket off and used as a template to cut the BG, to which I added a brad and chipboard.  Everything has been inked with Vintage photo distress ink from the Ranger pads.
I also bought a little hoody with dinosaurs on and a first book of Dinosaurs to match!
Inside the egg box I added 2 pair of first size socks and scratch mitts plus bigger Dino socks to go with the hoody.

I'd love to see your oldies this Friday so don't forget to leave a message below so I know you are playing along, I will visit everyone who does and thank you in advance for joining me.  It can be anything at all that you have created yourself.  Go on, you know you want to, I'd love to see your work.  x

Back to yesterday and I was at work, we have a great deal on this weekend at M & S, I just have to share.  It is a family roast for a tenner.  That is a chicken or gammon or turkey or pork with three sides which  includes a bag of tatties or roasties and two difference packets of vegetables.  
A great deal don't you think?
We had honey gammon last night and it was delish!
I think we might be a little busy this weekend.

Last night my youngest had his end of term school disco, which was very exciting for him, he came home with glow sticks and a bouncy balloon having had a great time, but didn't do any dancing!  LOL.
Whilst he was out hubby and I went to pick this up for his bedroom.


It was a bargain and was on one of the local Facebook sites, reuse and recycle in operation here. The covers are off today for a quick wash and then it is ready for his bedroom.  We have been promising to decorate his bedroom and to make it more grown up for him for a while, I guess now he has a new chair to use for playing his Xbox, it is time to start.  He loves the colour red and as the new white is grey (apparently) his colour combo is sorted.  Time to order a new carpet and have a clear out.  I'm not looking forwards to the clear out part!

Now you can see why I didn't get chance to post yesterday, after tea, homework, the disco and a trip out it was time to put my feet up with a cheeky B and C and chill out for an hour before bed.

I'm in work early again tomorrow so this morning I shall be doing a little housework before enjoying some time this afternoon doing a little crafting before the children break up for the tattie holiday, where did that term go?  
Mind you, I am in a tidying mood today, it doesn't happen very often, so I might even tackle my craft room! Shock!
If I do that I might need a sit down in a darkened room later.  
I would show you a picture of the state of it but it's not even at that stage of untidiness to share. :0

Enjoy your weekend and more from me next week.  x

Wednesday, October 08, 2014

What a difference a day makes. When there's a crisis I head to the kitchen.

Good afternoon all and what a day we have been having up here.  Torrential rain all day yesterday, through the night and all morning has meant many areas up here are again flooded and some families aren't even sorted after the last lot!
Our neighbours with the sinkhole had not only the hole full of water but their whole front garden.  I feel for them.
Luckily for us our house is slightly higher, although I did have to put sandbags at our boiler house in the hope that the boiler doesn't get waterlogged, no hot water or heating for us if it had.  The rain has, gratefully, now stopped and water appears to be draining away.
The main street down to the harbour seems to have had the worst of it again, the road looked like a rapid river going by the Facebook pictures.  I've never know the village be affected like this and it has now happen three times in the last few months, what is going on?
On the bright side, I popped out to walk the dog as it cleared and it is great to see the community spirit, plenty of the local men running around in waterproofs with sandbags, helping their neighbours. Great to see and well done all that were involved.

The dog and I didn't manage our usual walk along the beach today as it was gone!
The tide was so high there was no beach at all.  The waves looked mighty cold and uninviting too.
Not a day to be at sea!
Even the sound was amazing, I could hear the waves crashing from outside the house last night and we are at least five minutes walk away.  Nature at it's best or worst, as the case may be.

As drying up commences, our boiler seems to be ok and a quick mopping up in the conservatory, not too much damage that I am aware of.
I am thinking of neighbours, locals in the village and friends at work who I know haven't been as lucky.  x

What do I do in a crisis, well I couldn't crack on with the housework and crafting just wouldn't do...if in doubt....bake!


I made some dark chocolate chip chewy cookies to share with the boys, whilst we catch the GBBO final tonight, can't wait! 
Who will win?

 
Nancy

Luis

Or
Richard

Would it be wrong to say I am so rooting for Richard?  I think he has been the most consistent throughout the competition, how many times has he been awarded Star baker?
Let's hope that isn't the kiss of death as he really does deserve the prize.

Enjoy the rest of your hump day guys, I plan on sitting down later with a cuppa and cookie and enjoying the show.
The high life!  x

Tuesday, October 07, 2014

Remembrance poppy time again, supporting the British Legion crafty style.

Hi all, remember I mentioned in an earlier post that I couldn't decide whether to do my poppy's or not this year and what pattern I was going to use.
Last night I took the bull by the horns and made a prototype and already have an order, my wee man wants to wear one at school.
What do you think?


It is a bit bigger than last year's attempt and chunky as it is made with pure wool except for the black tinsel.  To give you an idea of the size, I've compared it to last years attempt.


What do you think?  Do you like?
It is a little more realistic looking don't you think?
Now to decide how many I am going to make with all proceeds going to the British Legion.  
Last years attempts does look a little plain and simple in comparison.  I think I might have progressed just a little bit in the last 12 months.

As for today, I enjoyed a fun packed day at work, everything went well and we even had a little excitement to boot.  
All the Christmas wrap and cards are in the process of going out on the shop floor together with decorations and crackers.  It's that time again, ho, ho, ho!
As for the rest of my evening I think I shall mostly be making a poppy!
Time to go as I have tea bubbling away in the kitchen, homemade chilli tonight, too spicy hot, hot, more from me tomorrow.  x

Monday, October 06, 2014

Have a spellbinding birthday!

Good afternoon all, I'm off work today so I have spent the morning catching up on my ironing mountain, rope now rewound and crampons away for another couple of days.  I've just got to put it all away in the relevant rooms now, is it just me or is that the worst bit?
It's like going food shopping, don't mind the shopping or the carrying it home, it's the unpacking and putting away in the cupboards.  Is it just me?
In the grand scheme of things this is not important but I just wondered if other folk felt the same?

I had a really lazy day yesterday and caught up with some TV taping whilst crocheting, then my youngest and I had a bit of quality time at the pictures to watch Box trolls with a bucket of popcorn.
This was followed by a very nice tea from work, quick and easy, thank you very much!
Work on Saturday was a little crazy as the workload is starting to increase with the run up to Christmas.  Oh the joys, I can't wait!
Do you believe me?!  LOL.

Back to this week I have a couple of extra days in work and a few bespoke cards to crack on with, along with all the usual weekly chores and hopefully a little craft time.
Today I am sharing another simple Spellbinder card, using some of my older dies.


This is actually burgundy and white, not the best photo but it is quite dark today.  I have used the Fleur De Lis die and the square die together with dots embossing folder.  The ribbon has lined the internal square and the sentiment is made using the computer.  Ribbon and pearls from my stash.
Clean and simple.

It only remains for me to wish you all the very best for this Monday, I can't decide now whether to crochet or crack on with my card orders.  Maybe I'll bake!
In other words I am looking to do anything but housework.  ;)
I'm in work again tomorrow so I'll catch you a bit later in the day.  Happy crafting!

Saturday, October 04, 2014

Sharing a funny, why, it's the weekend of course!

Hi folks and I'm in work again today but looking forwards to my day off tomorrow.  Whilst I am beavering away I thought I'd share a couple of funnies that I have seen during the week that have made me smile.  This is tending to become a regular fixture on my blog as is my oldie on Friday, so without further ado...


This is so true, I love Michael's and could easily spend all day in it.
To get only an hour when we visited Florida at Easter was just plain mean.  LOL.
It was like supermarket sweep but with crafty stash instead.
(Madwoman crafter on time restraints!)

This next one made me giggle, having done more sewing of late!
Total concentration in threading a needle, glasses on, glasses off, glasses on top of head and still the cotton will not thread.
Ever get that feeling, you're going to need a bigger needle or a bigger hole in the top.


And the needle on the sewing machine isn't any better.

Finally in honour of Downton Abbey returning to our screens.


Well, I never, did you know that?

I still think the stamp I shared last week about crafting naked had to be the funniest I've seen in a long time, mind you, Gollum threading a needle is a close second of course.  ;D

It now only remains for me to wish you all the very best for the weekend, I hope you have a good one.  x

Friday, October 03, 2014

Sharing an oldie this Friday.

It's Friday again!
Where does the time go?
Do you fancy joining me in sharing an oldie today?
It can be any crafty project you have done in the past and would like to share.
I would be grateful if you leave a comment and link back to me, purely for selfish reasons, I'd like to see what you have picked too, just plain old nosey!

Today I have an early Spellbinder card for you.


I have used:
Spellbinders Petite ovals and Fleur De Lis Nestabilities, Fancy tags 2 and 3 Shapeabilities.
Card stock (great VFM) Nocturne Colorbok pearlescent.
Hero art stamps Anytime messages.
Zva creative pearls.
Ribbon from my stash.

I love layered cards letting the dies do all the work and keeping the colour palette simple.

That's all from me today as I have another day in work, then it's early shift again for me tomorrow, all the fun of the fair!
Both my husband and I are off work this Sunday so I believe we are going to have some family fun, according to my youngest who I think is planning a trip swimming or to the cinema.

Have a super weekend and happy crafting!  x

Thursday, October 02, 2014

Sewing but not as you'd think!

Good afternoon folks and how the devil are you this Thursday evening?
I'm slipping in a quick post this afternoon whilst the tea is on, bubbling away.
I have to say this working lark is tiring!  LOL.  A lot of our Christmas stock has come in this week and to say it is a mad house just now is an understatement, it is only set to get worse as Christmas gets ever nearer. Every year I know this and I say next year I shall be more organised but I seem to get even worse.  Ho, ho, ho it's just plain scary!

I've been a very naughty girl today too and ordered a kit, I just couldn't resist.  Whether I will get it before Christmas I don't know but maybe this is me forward planning for next year?
Do you want to see the link?  Here.  It is the kit being advertised on the top of the home page called Tinsel and tags.
I could not resist, I love the little baubles.
Slap my wrists and place me on the naughty stair.  (I knew all the extra hours at work would come in useful!)

Back to today and I plan on some more crocheting later but have a card to share with you today for a friend who likes sewing.


For this card I have used:
Stamps:  PI Vintage Sewing and "Stitch" from Andy Skinner  A stitch in time.
Paper:  TH Idea-ology Kraft resist pad.
Ink:  Distress ink Black Soot and Rusty Hinge.
Embellishments:  Idea-ology Ornate plates and brads, Pearls by Zva Creative,
Seam binding, thread and lace from stash.

Have a super evening and don't forget dig out an oldie for tomorrow, can you believe it's nearly Friday again already?!

Wednesday, October 01, 2014

Not made by me!

Morning all and I've set this to post whilst I am at work, trying to be more organised!
Mmmmm.  I wonder how long it will last?
It's the 1st of October too, when did that happen?

Now this is not something I have made but something my Mum bought me whilst in Aviemore at the Harley rally.  These are made by a lovely lady called Kate with a lot of patience.
Why do I say that?
Well, these are made with jump rings, yep, I said jump rings.  All are attached together one by one.
Sometimes you've just got to appreciate the work involved in a handmade item and share the love.
Don't you agree?


I am not a religious person but just loved the work on this cross.  You need to get up close to it to appreciate how many rings are involved and the bracelet is just lovely on.
Check out Kate's website here at Dragonsmaille.
I'm sure you'll agree she make some beautiful jewellery.

More from me tomorrow.  x