Cold sunday

Brrrr... It's a cold one!
Well here we are, Sunday afternoon & yet again I was going to do so much & yet again I've managed to let the day slip away. Why? Well that's easy lol I turned on the pc & got side tracked, as you do. I set out with all these intentions, good as they are, but time seems to fly when you get on a pc, have you noticed? I swear it was only an hour ago that I sat down in front of this monitor NOT nearly 4 hours ago! Hey-ho
Anyways, whilst I haven't been here I have been doing crafting, amongst waiting (& having) my latest Lumbar Puncture, getting over it & sorting out some of my craft room to boot.
Craft-wise I've done some PL's, made some new style cards, had a bash at making some Christmas tree decorations, knitted quite a few pairs of socks & returned to my patchwork sewing. Busy, busy, busy. I won't bore you with ALL of the pictures today so I'll just pop a few on now & if I remember I'll add some more later on this week.
I'm also debating trying out for a Design Team but really don't know whether I should or not. They all ask that you know what your doing with your blog, well I don't really lol. I know how to put a post up, with pictures but I haven't a clue how to add the badges & stuff so if anyone can help me please give me a shout??

Anyhow, on to the pictures of some of the crafty bits of late...
So Hope you enjoy and keep warm, take care of you,
Hugs x

Boofle Book Card & Gift Bag

Inside of Boofle Book Card

Matchbox Card - Outer

Matchbox Card -Inner

Matchbox Card - Outer

Matchbox Card - Inner

Fizzy Moon Book card & Gift Bag

Inside of Fizzy Moon Book Card

Pocket letters

Well hello! I have been taken over by a couple of things of late, you know where I'm coming from, I'm sure. You see something someone has created & you think to yourself, Hmm I could do that! Then, off you go, have a bash at it & the next think you know you're addicted! Well it's happened to me... not with 1 new card craft but 2!!! lol The first being Pocket Letters, I can't stop making them. I just absolutely adore them, they are so easy to do the only problem I'm having is knowing where to draw the line lol The person to blame for this addiction? Easy! Crafting Gill that's who! She's created a monster I tell ya!! lol
Here are a few of my makes...

This was my 1st ever & went to India in a swap

Adored making this one, it went to a very special friend here in the UK

This one I loved doing & went again to a lady here in the UK

The next card craft that has got me really hooked of late is Paper Piecing, American Style ;) Not the English way. I've been informed the English Paper Piecing is done for the quilting. The sort I'm doing is getting the files & cutting various colours of card out in various shapes & piecing them together. They are mainly cut out using my beloved Cameo, I then add various mediums, Flower Soft, glitter, Glossy Accents etc to make the finished topper. Again, I'm just loving doing this too! For getting me hooked onto this I TOTALLY blame a good friend in the States, Lystra, good job I think alot of her, I've pulled more than the odd strand of hair out over these lol
Here are a couple of the ones I've made to date...

This one has got Flower Soft & Glossy Accents

She has Glossy Accents on shoes & hat

Lots of Flower Soft! lol

Used glitter card on here

So, that's what I've been up to, plus a bit of knitting those socks again, well the nights ARE drawing in again lol
Take care of you, Hugs xx

Things Change...

Well I have come to the conclusion I keep letting myself down! No, I do!! I make a mental note that I will come on my blog at least once a week & for a few weeks all is good & then what happens? Yep, I miss months! So there's no getting away from it... I let myself down lol
Well, yet again many things have been going on. I was taken, by surprise I hasten to add, to the Craft Show at Doncaster back in late July & I had a wonderful time! Spent a few ;) pennies, learnt a few tips & tricks & some MANY wonderful creations from people like House of Zandra, Hobby House, Craftwork Cards, Sweet Poppy Designs & Phil Martin to name but a few.
I have also taken the plunge & my wonderful hubby has bought me for our 13th wedding anniversary the Cut 'n' Boss machine. Oh me, oh my, what a wonderful machine... how did I live & 'play' without it in my life before? lol No more struggling to turn a handle... bliss!
As for the fur babies, they are all doing well. Taffy & Manky are still going strong although Manky has taken to sleeping in someone's sticky bud patch as he keeps coming home full of them, especially in his tail. He really is a manky cat lol Taffy on the other hand is still very much the regal Queen & really doesn't like to get herself dirty in any way shape or form. And Grace? Well, she is still making us smile every day :) She had a 'play day' with a Rottweiler recently & the 2 dogs were flying around the garden for hours, literally. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves & there wasn't even a murmur of a growl from either of them. It was a wonderful day had by all.
I'll be popping up some pictures later once I've sorted them out lol
Take care of you xx

Well it's happened again!! One minute it was January then I turned around & it's April!! Alot has happened since I last blogged some good, some bad, & yes, some ugly. We have to take what life throws at us though, don't we?
Craft-wise? I've been playing around a little with my boxes & as you know, I love altering them. I've done a couple for 'Just Because' presents & a couple for something to do. Pictures are below.
I've also done a few cards, a couple in a way I've not done before, I did put them up on Face Book but I don't think many liked them lol I did but others didn't seem to, oh well...
I also did some knitting in the evenings when I was watching one of my favourite TV programmes, Bones. Well, it was supposed to be an Owl but it turned out to be more of an Angry Bird! lmao
A friend took me to a shop the other weekend, Bee Crafty, on the A14, it was jam-packed full of fabric! Well I haven't done patchwork for over 8 years but once I got in that shop I was like a child in a sweet shop, I can tell you! lol The fabrics just oozed from every orifice, the colours were blending, the fat quarters were screaming to be bought, what could a gal do? I so had to bring some home, I just couldn't leave it all there, now could I? What sort of crafter would I be if I had done that??
Grace? Well she has come on leaps & bounds lol She now has a thing about chins! Yes, you read that right, chins! She just loves to give you a chin-wash :D

Embossed card, 4 flowers & a ribbon

Gardenias, doily, rose trim & embossed card

Mache embossed box, handmade flower, paper roses, rose trim & bead bling trim

Owl Aka Angry Bird

Time Flies...

Isn't it funny how time just seems to fly by? I swear it was only a few days ago I last blogged but no it was nearly 2 weeks ago! Well I've been busy, for me anyhow lol last weekend I went to Birmingham, Uk for the day to meet up with family I haven't seen for over 30 years... there's that 'time flies' again. Plus i also got to see a special lady I have referred to as my Brum-Mum since the day dot. It was a special day for a number of reasons, one of her daughters was celebrating her 50th (card & pressie made by yours truly below) Brum-Mum was celebrating her 74th on the Monday (card & pressie made by yours truly below) & of course it meant I got to catch up with the rest of the family. Well, a few of the family lol Needless to say, I had a truly wonderful day & it couldn't have happened it if wasn't for a very good friend of mine, Chris, so thanks Chris, your one in a million Mwaah

Handcut MDF with flowers for 50th

Exploding 50th Card

Painted, papered & pearled for Brum-Mum

Bookatrix for Brum-Mum

Crafting wise I've been doing a few cards here & there (I'll get some pictures took & pop them up soon)  plus also my book folding. I just love this new craft I've taught myself. It takes a while to get the folds right & you have to make sure they are straight & crisp or it just looks so untidy then that's not only your time wasted, which can be up to 5 days! But also the book wasted too! So, if you intend to have a go at it, be prepared for sore shoulders & backs! lol
Anyhow, here's my latest folded book...

Best sister designed by Bev Smethurst

I've done other folded books, I'll hunt out the pictures & pop them on in due course.
Just to finish, I want to say to anyone who does read this blog, thanks & I hope I'm not boring you too much? lol Hope you have a lovely week, hugs xx

Hello! Long time no see! It's been a while since I've bothered but I've made a semi-promise to myself. It's not a resolution just a butt-kicking lol I'm going to try & get on here at least once a week & say hi. Yes, I know I might be talking to myself but at least I will have made the effort to have done SOMETHING right? lol Which is better than doing nothing ;-)

Grace is growing up so fast, she is already 19 months young & has hubby wrapped around her paws like no other dog ever has! She is the apple of his eye! Me? I am his second love now but I don't mind it means I get to craft more lol They go everywhere together, up to the market village every Friday to get the fresh veg for the weekend. The stallholder gives Grace her fresh carrot to carry home, but not before they go to the butchers where she sits patiently outside while hubby gets the fresh bacon & eggs, yes Grace also has a boiled egg for brekkie every morning too!  Back to the bacon & eggs, lol, for Sunday breakfast & woe betide if hubby forgets the bacon! lmao You have never seen a German Shepherd get the hump if she doesn't have her Sunday breakfast!

As for crafting, well i didn't do any for quite a few months in 2014 but I intend to change that this year too :-) I've already made a few cards, started on altering a box & intend to do a triple tea-light candle holder for a family member's forth coming birthday. As soon as done, I will post the pictures here :)

So that's it for now, I'll pop some pictures up of Grace so you can see how much she has grown & changed. Look forward to keeping you amused along our new journey together, hugs for now xx xx

GraceJuly2014

Grace Dec 2014

Grace & Taffy Jan 2015

 

Grace

Here as promised, are a few pictures of our new, adorable, energetic, bundle of  fun German Shepherd pup, Grace. As my hubby says, she is good for the soul...

Starting Christmas cards...

Hello! Yes I know it's been a while since I last posted & yes I know I said I would make more of an effort to post on a weekly basis, but yet again, the time got away from me & I just kept remembering to post at the most inopportune times!!
We lost our beloved Sollee, GSD, in May, which knocked us for six. He was an old man you gave us many, many hours, days, months & years of love, loyalty, protection & friendship.
Then about 3 weeks ago we got a new addition to the family. Her name is Grace, she is a GSD with a cracking character. Talk about bringing life, laughter & yes, a few sleepless nights, but oh so worth it! She manages to steal everyone's heart who meets her. I will pop a couple of her pictures up in another post, so watch this space!
Anyhow, I have been coming out of my comfort zone & trying my hand at a few new things. The first being mini albums... & you know what? I love them!! lol In fact, I am now on my 5th one in about 3 weeks, I just can't get enough of them lol
Ho-hum I'm digressing... again.
here are a few cards, getting ready for Christmas, that I thought I would share with you all. They are all Hunky Dory which I love playing & creating with as the card stock is a really good quality & I, personally, think it shows.

Where did the last few weeks go??? 1 minute it was May now it's nearly the 1st of July... sheesh talk about time flying lol
I haven't done a great deal of late except for Shamballa bracelets & watches with a card thrown in here & there. Here's a couple of the cards that were done on the fly as it were, so hope you like :)

These were all done from left-over pieces of Basic Grey card stock xx

Painted MDF

Well, as promised to myself, here I am, back within a few days... yay go me! lol The weather here hasn't got a clue as to what it wants to do so has given me a good excuse to get out into the greenhouse this week. So far I have seeded cabbage, potted on tomatoes, cucumbers, Sunburst sunflowers & also some Russian Giant sunflowers. Hubby has popped sweet peas, nasturums (?) cauliflowers, Cathedral Bells, lettuce, green & Lollo Rosso, strawberries & various Peony-Poppies into their respective beds. Oh! He's also made a couple of raised beds ready for the carrots & cabbages :) On top of all that, he also managed to find some time to cut out some MDF for me to paint and 'bling' a little.
So, here are the pictures...

Haven't a clue as to what I'm doing next but hopefully it will be something worth showing to you.
Take care & Ta-Ra for now xx

Well, firstly I need to say 'Sorry' for not bothering with this blog of mine... SORRY
The next thing I want to say is a HUGE thank-you to a certain talented lady, Jakki, who created my new blog background! Isn't it just the mutts-nuts???? I LOVE it, so yet again, THANKS JAKKI!!!!!

Right now onto a card or 2 I have recently made. Not for anything in particular, just to try & get the creative juices flowing again.

Both were made using Basic Grey papers & distress inks. I just kept them simple.

I have also been busy painting some MDF that hubby has cut on his fret saw, so watch this space to see how they turn out!

Loadsa hugs xx

Challenge card #2

here is the second card I did for the challenge over at http://craftybrensnaughtystep.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/christmas-challenge.html?spref=fb

Naughtystep Challenge Card #1

Well, that time of the month again when we can enter a new challenge over at http://craftybrensnaughtystep.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/christmas-challenge.html?spref=fb
& this month we have a chance to win a fantastic prize worth £10.00 Oh me oh my, I so want to play with Bren's wonderful creations!
Anyhow, here is my first challenge card, yep, I did 2 'cos I'm greedy! lol

Giveaway :)

There's a fantastic giveaway over at http://endlesscreationbyjas.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/its-giveaway-time.html

I 'found' her on youtube & can't say anything else but AWESOME!

Altered Jewellery Box

Here is a box I have been altering for the past 4 months or so! I started it all gung-ho then whoooooosh mojo went for a holiday, so box was never finished.... until today!!

I have used....

Acrylic Paint, Crackle Glaze, Mod Podge, Distress Inks, Flowers from http://msgardengrove1.blogspot.co.uk/p/store-2-flowers.html gems, old button from stash, ribbon from Carole's Crafts, thread from sewing box, flourish from a Marianne die.

Ta-ra for now xx

Birthday & Challenge Card

Here is a card for the challenge over at http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

The challenge is to do a Birthday card so here is my take for a male. I always do a card for the females, so I did a mini challenge to myself to make a card for a male.

I'm on a DT team!

Hello,
Well wonders will never cease! I was asked to join a DT team for a cracking group http://craftybrensnaughtystep.blogspot.co.uk/ who do a monthly challenge.

This months challenge is a card with brown, cream & an image & below is what I came up with :)
So, why not pop along, join in and maybe, just maybe win the challenge & get a great prize!

Ta-Ra for now xx

Some Cards...

Well here a re a couple of cards I've made using the Boofle die-cuts, quick, easy & no brainwaves required! lol

Hello!

Hello!

It's been a while since I last blogged, no excuses, except that I didn't have anything interesting to show. I think I have now though.
A friend set me a challenge, this friend has set me many 'challenges' over the past few years & it's her way of kicking my butt into doing something creative, so thanks Missus mwaaaaah
Anyhow, back to my 'mission'... to create a notebook within a notebook. Not so easy, but fun to work out & then create. So here is the finished creation, would love to know what you think...

The papers used are from Papermania, Rose Garden, the rosettes were made from the same paper stack, a couple of very old buttons from my sewing box, a Martha Stewart border punch which was then distressed using Tim Holtz Walnut Stain. Then some organza ribbon in cream & pink to finish off.