Have you seen.....

..... these CHA releases from Fancy Pants. I just love fancy pants products and these are no exception. I can see cards being made with those christmas papers - I better get saving those pennies!

Friday Sketchers #62

As promised here are the cards I made yesterday when I spent the Day with Mum.

This is card for this weeks Friday Sketchers (how good was I to get this done on the day the challenge was set - I'm in shock lol). I have used another Pollycraft image coloured in Promarkers (I just love those pens) and I have used SU card stock and the minds eye papers.

This is the other card did which I just fiddled with and it came together. I used all of the same elements as the last cardand at the moment I have left a space for the sentiment so I can just add what I need when I need it:)

Well we had the dry night we needed and a lovely day here today. Russ managed to cut both lawns and has now fired up the BBQ to cook tea on. We popped to Mum and Dads to see the roof man who came and looked at the roof and fixed it within a hour which was great. Hopefully there will be no more drips in the living room. My Auntie & Uncle had come down for the day so it was nice to see them as I hadn't seen them since my Nan's funeral last year. It's always nice to see people without there being an occasion and they are coming for christmas this year which will be really nice :D

When we came back I had a cooking hour. I made lemon curd to use in the desert I am making tomorrow and a Plum sponge for desert tonight - I think Russ deserves it after all his hard work today. The only missing thing is custard and do I really want to attempt making that again?????? Watch this space!

A productive craft day!

I have had a productive craft day with my Mum. I managed to colour 4 images and complete 2 cards. My Dad doesn't call that productive but what do these none crafting Men know;)

Not had chance to take a pic yet but will do and upload tomorrow.

We are praying for a dry night tonight as our lawns are like jungles and look a mess. Also Ben doesn't like walking in long grass (yes he has many unusual doggie quirks but that is why we love him!) If we have a dry night Russ can cut them tomorrow Morning before going to Mum and Dad's to see the roofing contractor who needs to look at their leaky roof! I am going to potter in the veg patch as we have courgettes, Beans & peas to pick and the ground to do with being loosened a little :) Hopefully I will get some time for crafting at some point.

Sketch Saturday #60

This is my attempt at Sketch Saturday's latest challenge. The image is from Pollycraft which I have coloured with Promarkers and the papers are my minds eye which I purchased from bunny-zoe's crafts. I have made this card for TikiKrissy & Jeff. They are also celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. In true Nona style the card is rather last minute seeing as it should really be in the US for tomorrow!! Hopefully it will be waiting for them when they arrive home from a celebratory trip to Hawaii (we are both jealous!). Apologies for the rubbish pic but it was rather dimpsy when I finished the card so couldn't take it in my normal spot and couldn't wait until tomorrow as I need to post it in the morning;)

I had a blitz on unwanted cardboard today. It did make russ' side of the craft/office room look a little tidier something I had wanted to do for a while. I feel better now that I have done it.

Tomorrow I am going to my Mum and Dad's as Mum would like a stamping day. Hopefully I will get a couple of cards done.

A Day to forget

That is exactly what today was. Something happened with Russ' work and I was so livid this morning I got myself into a right state - you know when you are so cross all you can do is cry. That was me at 8.30am!!!!

Luckily I calmed down as the day progressed and I went to cancel some booked holday days at work so I can see my Cousins next Monday. My manager pursuaded me to take a day and half holiday this week so as off 3pm tomorrow I am finished for the week - Bliss! I feel sleep, crafting and maybe a little sorting of the craft room to move it in the direction I want to. Of course if the weather decides to improve (I am not holding out much hope!) I shall go pottering in the garden and I want to make some proper meals (OK Russ I know you will believe it when you see it!!!).

No pictures today as we have been to my parents for a lovely tea (thanks Dad it was one of my favourites you make and both of you for all your support :D) so no time for crafting today.

Kaboodle Challenge #9

This is my attempt at the Kaboodle challenge #9. I have used a downloaded image from lily-boos Boutique Little Mouse collection. £1.99 for 6 images is a real bargin and 3 collections put themselves in my basket while I was browsing their sight :o Watch out for some more cards using their images over the coming weeks!

This afternoon we went 10 pin bowling with my cousin and her teenagers who are over from the US. Sylvia is a very special person in my life and it is always great to see them all when they visit. Kat and Nick are great kids too and it is always a pleasure to take them out. I so wish it wasn't a costly 12 hour fight each way to see them so that we could meet up more regularly. I last visited them 2 years ago with my Mum so I think perhaps when things have settled with both our works and finances we will make another trip out there.

A quick update

Apologies for the lack of posts this week. Trying to concentrate hard at work seemed to wear me out last week so evenings were a bit of a washout!

Russ had Friday off. The original plan was to take my Parents to Ikea but they ordered furniture from a local store so it was just a day to chill a little. Unfortunately the weather here has been very wet so after doing the weekly grocery shop we vegged at home.

I did make this card for my friend that had longly awaited twins 10 days ago. I am hopefully off to the hospital to visit them on Tuesday and I can not wait for a cuddle :) I think it is difficult to make cards for twins as you need to of everything on the card and also she has had one of each so it needed to be mixed colours. When I saw this stamp I though it was perfect. I hope she likes it.

I have 2 cards ready for the elements to be stuck together and I hope to post at least 1 tonight.

Mojo Monday #94

OK so I know I am a little late as today is now Sunday and it has gone 10pm but I have completed this weeks mojo monday challenge.

We went for breakfast at Endsleigh Garden Centre this morning and of course that meant a trip to the craft section. I picked up Creativity Magazine that had free christmas Daisy and Dandelion stamps. This is the image I have used for this challenge.

Again I have coloured the image with pro-markers and the papers are the same BG fruit cake ones from earlier.

Apologies for the quality of the photo - my posh point and shoot's battery died on me and so I had to use a very old digi camera.

The Sugar Bowl - challenge 14 - well almost!!!

This is my card using this weeks The Sugar Bowl sketch which had to include sparkle. There is one problem - I didn't use a sugar nellie stamp so can't upload it to the challenge site - DOH!!!!!!!!!!. I was pleased with the finished card so thought I'd show it off here anyway.

I have used some left over Basic Grey christmas papers from a couple of years ago (think it is Fruitcake but not 100% sure) and a magnolia image which I have once again coloured in Pro-markers.

I have used 2 random chipboard stars from my chipboard box one of which was already glittered (ideal no mess :)) and some kaiser crafts gems. The gauze ribbon was something I found deep in a pocket in my bag at the crop yesterday - its surprising what you find when you aren't looking for it!

Finally I have used my trusty SU oval punches and a greeting from a hero arts set I have had for years in my drawers;)

This is my first christmas card of the year - only 80ish more to do before christmas lol!

Challenges and Chatter

I've had a good day today despite the disgusting weather here in the English Riviera area!!!!! Does the French Riviera have this weather? - not that I know of!

Anyway I digress lol. Today was July's Plymouth Crop. Although I don't really like the lonely drive down and back, I love going to this crop. All the girls are great company and we have a good laugh - and not always at my expense!! The dangerous thing is someone always has a new purchase that I just love and really want and today was no different with both Gill and Linda having new stamps.

As you can see I achieved 3 cards combining 5 challenges between them and I am quite chuffed with myself.

After the excitment of the arrival of tomatoes in the garden I had news about my Job - I still have one until at least November. I am totally shocked as all my friends will be gone at the end of October and I will be the last remaining Protocol 1 team member. In my area we are loosing 6 in October and so we will be reduced to 4 and I am the only girl! I really can't get my head around the fact that they have decided I should stay on over some of the others. It will be very strange in the office by then - it is empty enough now.

Tomorrow will be the first Sunday we have spent more time at home than at Mum and Dad's for a few weeks and we can spend some quality chillin time together - bliss.

A Spoon Full of Sugar #59 & Sketch Saturday #59

The theme on A Spoon Full of Sugar this week is hearts - everyone loves hearts and has hearts stash in their collection. I knew exactly which stamp I was going to us for this one. I also incorporated Sketch Saturdays sketch for today.

I have used the sugar nellie stamp which I have coloured with promarkers and the papers are all basic grey. I also found the brads in my brad stash that are also basic grey and I think they must have come from a kit as I know I didn't by brads when I got that paper pack lol!

Day 133 - 365 Cards

Today's inspiration on 365 cards was the word "Bubbles". When I saw it I thought - no way! but then linda showed me a new stamp she had purchased (I wish you hadn't!!!) a while looking through my papers I saw these basic grey papers that reminded me of bubbles - hay presto my mind was off designing the card!

Again I coloured the image with pro markers and the background cardstock is Core-dinations.

In the end there will be a greeting on the tab (made with the Stampin up tab punch) but as it could be so many different greetings I am going to leave it until I know what I am sending it for;)

Day 132 - 365 cards & Friday sketchers #60

This is my card for Day 132 on challenge site 365 cards. They had provided a photo of a cake as inspiration and this is how it inspired me. I picked out that it was a cake (and you all know I love cake!!!!) and that it was decorated with stars. It was the stars that drew my attention (after the cake fact) rather than the colours. I also used yesterdays Friday sketchers sketch #60 replacing the 2 circles for stars.

The cake image is a Stampin Up stamp that I have coloured using Promarkers. The papers I used were scraps from a Kit I had a while ago that I can't remember the name of. Finally the maroon background card is core-dinations.

We have tomatoes!!!!!!

Okay I know this sounds really sad to be so excited about tomatoes but our tom plants have their first tomatoes on them :D I get very excited by my little veg patch as it has gone so well - as you can see we have monster Runner beans and I have just picked our first handful so we can have some for tea with some freshly picked broad beans.

Earlier in the week we had our first courgette. Again these have turned into monsters and we had to remove some leaves so we could move around them!! This morning on one plant alone I counted 11 courgettes at various stages of growth and we also have 3 other plants like this!!!! I think I shall be looking for plenty of courgette recipes in the coming weeks.

Our Peas are also coming along and just need to fill out so we can eat some - Fresh peas are my absolute favourite. I remember as a child when my great aunt had peas I was desperate to pick and eat them - I remember her stating regularly that a 2 legged bird had been at her peas lol.

OK thats enough garden chat from me. I have taken the day off to play catch up with a lot of things and part of that I hope is to have a go at at least 1 card challenge so I hope to be back later with a pics but for now I must go and empty the washing machine and hang out its contents. Fingers crossed it won't rain!

Back to normal

Well Mum & Dad's spare room is complete apart from a wardrobe. A trip to ikea is required next week when we have had a little bit of a rest!!!

I did manage to make some cards over the last few days in amongst the painting (not sure how but pleased i did :D) This is a card for my Parents neighbour who is 88 on Wednesday. She and her late husband always had a bird table in their garden and I used to like watching the birds that visited and so I thought this was very appropriate.

The other I have made for my new manager who's horse was tragically struck by lightening and killed early thursday morning :( She really needs something to bring a smile to her face to know that we are thinking about her so I thought I would give her this tomorrow.

It is a week of playing catch up both at work and at home. Loosing 2 lead advisors and another competent member of staff last week within the june leavers I have gained a lump of difficult cases to plough through at work and the dust is laying visibily on the glass units in the living room!!! Im looking forward to a crop on Saturday and restful sunday already!

Don't faint.....

.... but I have not only 1 but 2 cards to show you tonight!!

This is new home card I have made for my friend at work. She is moving into a house with her boyfriend over the weekend and to add to all the excitment she will have the most gorgeous cocker spaniel puppy moving in with them in 2 weeks time! I have used the truck from SU and the papers are basic grey. Originally this card was designed as a christmas card with an image to be chosen at some point but the papers are not overly christmassy so they work for any type of card.

It is my car share buddy Bob's birthday tomorrow and I have have made him this card. The image is a magnolia William stamp which I have coloured with Promarkers and the papers are some 12x12 papers I had (sorry I can not remember who they are by at this precise moment!) the sentiment is cut with SU oval punches.

Work is now turning into a bit of a ghost town. We lost 45 people yesteday as part of the ongoing redundancies. It seems very strange with all the teams becoming so small. I think my team (which is now the remaining members of 2 teams combined) is the biggest left with a total of 20 people!

We did have some good news that Russell's job should be safe if the restructuring planned goes ahead and works. Although not all the uncertainty has gone it was a much more positive picture than we have had for a while.

The garden seems to be loving this weather- it has gone mad!! We should be able to harvest the first broad beans at the weekend. I am loving how it is going and I'm so pleased it has been more successful than I imagined. I will try and get some pictures for my next post.