Not Another Cake Stand!

Yep - fraid so. This one has to be one of the prettiest cake stands yet so I couldn't resist (and besides Dave said I could). Mom have I ever told you just how much I love your son?

Dave and I spent an afternoon at Risby Barn looking at antiques and collectables which we both love to do. On our way through the village we noticed another antique fair and while there I spotted this beauty (though I think Dave would've been equally happy if I'd have overlooked it). Better still when the seller offered me her best price and then knocked a couple of quid off that after I hesitated I think we both knew I wasn't going home without it.

The photo barely does it justice. It really is a lot bigger than it looks.

I don't usually buy pink but this one had my name on it and I was captivated by the gorgeous swirls and mix of frosted and clear pink glass.

This is a shot from the top. I also love that the edge follows the swirl detail and is scalloped rather than smooth round.

Heck - it's almost a shame to put anything on it and cover up all the lovely detail. I have absolutely NO idea where I'm storing yet another cake stand but I will make room for it. I can feel an afternoon tea coming on so I will be baking a cake and calling Jilly some time real soon.

I also have a feeling Vic is gonna want this one or at least try to borrow it (and maybe forget to return it). I might be a bit possesive until I've had a chance to use it first.

I think maybe my next post has to be a crafting one. Hopefully I can get something nice made for posting tomorrow.

It's Been a Year!

Can you believe it's now been a year since Amanda moved her store to Risbygate Street - and to coinside with the launch of her loyalty card, plus a new product range - she had a demonstrator come along for the day.

This is Dawn Inskip - a perfectly lovely lady and one I hope I get the chance to see again. I first met Dawn at the all day workshop and she was very complimentary about my class. She works as a free lance demonstrator.

She was demonstrating the latest range from K & Co. and did a fab job since the products flew off the shelves. She even managed to make me buy a few!



She also made some lovely things and one of them even had my name on it! She also taught me a new technique - thanks so much Dawn. I really enjoyed talking to her - such a lovely lady.

You can check out her blog at http://www.anythingpapercraft.blogspot.com/

Saturday Football

This Saturday was also the last game of the season for one of our Grandsons so we decided to go watch and then have a family picnic in the Abbey Gardens afterwards.

He may be a slight boy (no meat on his bones at all) but he can sure play football. He runs up and down the pitch getting in on the action whenever he can and regularly scores.

I have to confess I was a pretty proud Grandma standing there watching as other parents were calling out his name and encouraging him whenever he got the ball. There are a handful of top players and I'm really pleased to be able to say Zach is in that group. I'm also pleased to say the coaches do a fab job of teaching them good sportsmanship and it's lovely to see.

I had to smile as I watched him at half time pour water over his head to refresh himself and then take a breather to recharge. He is constantly on the go during every game and works real hard.

Since it was the end of the season all the teams were awarded various medals and trophys. I will be checking next week's BFP to see if they made it in there as they posed for photographs - the trophys and medals were donated by BFP so they sent along a photographer.

It may be the end of the season but Zach was lucky enough to have been asked to play on a Sunday team so all his hard work has paid off for him.

Although Kaleb wasn't playing today he plays footie too - he's just not so serious about the game as his older brother. We don't yet know what Kaleb is passionate about but he's still just a bit young. I'm sure in the next year or so he'll start figuring it out.

And as for Maddy......

Well she was wondering why she had to get up so early to go sit in the cold and watch a bunch of boys chase a ball around. She was not amused and it shows!

Very attractive Maddy.

It Pays to be Loyal

This Saturday saw the launch of a customer loyalty card at YTOC and I know many of you will be really pleased. I know Amanda is thrilled to be able to offer this.

It may have taken some time to get this scheme up and running but there were celebrations over the weekend because the shop has been in Risbygate Street for a year now and it seemed like the perfect time to say thank you.

Amanda created it herself (clever girl) and has added an extra special halfway bonus too.

Now all you girlies can earn just that little bit extra when buying your craft supplies. That's just the sort of thing we like to hear huh?

Be sure when you next stop in to ask for yours

Grandma's Dish & Yummy Croutons

I rearranged my day off for Friday this week to make a hospital appointment but since it wasn't until the afternoon I busied myself at home in the morning. Besides doing several loads of laundry and some house cleaning (the usual kinda stuff) I decided to use up a french stick that was either going to have to be eaten or thrown away.

I absolutely love making homemade soups - curried parsnip is my favourite and ham & beans is Dave's - and I love croutons in my soup. Making home made croutons isn't rocket science but I've never bothered until now. I made garlic and herb croutons.

They turned out perfect and were yummy! I know it's no longer soup weather but hey they taste pretty good on salads too. I am always looking for quick and easy things to make at home that I can throw in the freezer and grab when I need them. Last weekend I made several bread puddings for the freezer too. I love my bread (and it shows).

I realised as I was taking a quick snapshot that I had put them in Grandma's bowl. It's hard to see the detail but it's got engraved leaves and flowers all over it. The lid is really pretty too (not pictured). Mom was digging in her kitchen cupboard and when I saw it I thought it was really pretty and put 'dibs' on it. Rather than wait mom let me bring it back home.

See mom it made it back just fine and I promise to take real good care of it. I want to pass it on same as you. Remind me again - was it Grandma Howard or Grandma Hood's dish?

Amanda's Birthday

Finally I can share my latest crafting project with you all. Since it was to be a gift for my good friend Amanda at YTOC who was celebrating her birthday on Tuesday I had to keep it under wraps until I'd given it to her. Even more important to keep it secret since her mum Kay checks my blog regularly. I didn't want to give the game away.

I made the card first using a Monday Mojo sketch. I have added this site to my list here on the blog. They do a regular feature sketch and you can submit your take on it. The site is full of ideas and inspiration.

I chose 2 papers (Basic Grey) that are designed to go together and I just loved the vibrant pinks, green and contrasting brown.

I created the text on my computer and decided it would look nice printed on patterned paper. I added the pink flower using the die that Amanda gave me for my birthday gift this year (love, love, love this die!) and an old favourite leaf die. I layered up 2 sets of leaves, one in a darker plain green and one in that luscious lime green patterned paper. It's fun to mix up papers and to try die-cutting with patterned papers too.

Next I needed a gift but what to get her? Well I know she has loads of allergies so flowers were out and I wasn't sure whether or not she liked perfumes etc. In the end I stopped into Thornton's chocolate store since I knew she liked chocolate. I couldn't possibly go wrong with chocolate!

I created this matching gift bag (tutorial on my blog) and stuffed it full of as much candy as I could. I bought a bit more than I could actually fit in which is fine with me cos I now have some chocolate too. Thanks Amanda :-)

I created an over-sized tag using all the same elements from the card as a focal point and decoration for the gift bag and I'm really pleased with how it all turned out.

Back in the UK

Our nephew Timothy moved back to America a couple of years ago to get re-aquainted with his father's side of the family and liked it so much he settled there. Well after a couple of attempts he finally made it back and brought his American girlfriend with him.

Dave and I found ourselves with a free afternoon on Saturday so we took them out to Lavenham for lunch. On the way home we detoured to Needham Market so they could browse through all the bits and bobs at the Old Town Hall antique and collectors centre. We regularly visit this place whenever mom comes to stay and it's been awhile since we were last here.

The weather couldn't have been better and since Amber was flying back home early the following day I was really glad we squeezed in some time to get to know her. I made them pose with this statue just for fun and it made a cute shot. I plan on e-mailing it to her and I think she'll appreciate it.

She was a real sweetie and they've been together for almost as long as Tim's been stateside. Since he plans to stay and visit for a few months it will put a strain on their relationship but I think they'll manage just fine. I know he hasn't always found making his own way in the world easy and he's had to grow up pretty fast but he's done a grand job.

We'll really miss him when he goes back but for now we're gonna make the most of having him here.

April Featured Stamper!

Just surfing the net during my lunch hour - I'm sad I know but I don't read a magazine like most normal people - I read the net instead. Anyhow I checked out A Passion for Papertrey and I am the featured stamper for April!!!

Yay! It's quite a thrill to see yourself on another blog so check me out here http://apassionforpapertrey.blogspot.com/

Would love to know what you all think.

4 Square Friendship Frame

I was unable to sleep during the night because of my cold so I decided it might be better if I just got up especially as Dave needed his sleep.

Since I didn't want to wake him I crept about in my craft room. I needed something quiet to do so after reading for awhile and realising I wasn't going to be able to return to bed I decided I could just about manage an easy project if I took my time over getting it done (in between coughing and blowing my nose that is).

I knew I had seen similar project on Alli Miles site - check it out here http://allistamps.blogspot.com/2008/04/garden-of-life-5.html and had always admired it intending to have a go myself at some point especially since I had the 'Garden of Life' PTI stamp set.

This is my version using one of the frames I purchased at the car boot sale this weekend. It only has 4 squares so there was much less work involved compared to her project.

Because my frames were 4 squares long it was hard to get everything in the shot so I took a close up photo showing partial detail. I decided on using 2 shades of the same colour ink and added inner cardstock frames in each square alternating the colours. After I stamped my text I decided I wanted a bit more black detail so I added pen dots and lines around each square to finish it off.

I think it turned out ok and since I have 2 more frames I can have some fun mixing them up too - but not until I'm feeling better. At some point sheer exhaustion will take over and I'll head back to bed.

First of the Year

Mom this one is for you!

I know, I know it's not fair showing you what you're missing cos I know you love a car boot sale but today Dave and I went to our first couple of car boot sales of the year and boy oh boy did I bag a few bargains!

I paid just .50p for these two metal hearts that I plan on decorating. I figure maybe a cute rub on quote and some 3 D flowers, beads, buttons or vintage lace maybe? Something along those lines anyway - I'll figure it out when I get to doin it.

I picked up 17 hinged rings for £1 which is way cheaper than in the shops here in town. I paid £1 for a pack of 100 diamantes that were about 1/2" big so I was happy with that cos I don't have any that big and I got 3 frames all the same for .50p the lot! I have seen a really neat Papertrey ink project using the 'garden of life' set so I figure I can do something similar for decorating my craft room or gift giving.

To top it all off nicely I 'bagged' a bargain (sorry couldn't resist the pun) bag at £1 that will take my Big Shot die-cutting machine as well as several dies. You wouldn't know it to look at my craft room but I do like storage systems and bags and boxes for everything - plus I like to be able to grab and go so I like things in their own bags.

I used a camcorder bag for my old Sizzix (the older larger style camcorders of course) which worked perfectly but wouldn't fit my new Big Shot machine. This bag was for a lap top and was surprisingly deep so it fit my new machine just right.

Since it has a couple of zip pockets, one of which had several smaller pockets and compartments it means I can take along scissors etc.

If it wasn't for a stinking cold I brought back home from our weekend away that got progressively worse as the day went on (and is now lodged nicely in my head and nose) it would've been a perfect day. I just love a bargain!

Easter Break

I hope everyone had a really nice Easter break. Hubby and I went to Northampton to visit with our youngest daughter Jessica and stayed over which was really nice. A weekend away together was long overdue and we had such a great time I think we're gonna have to try scheduling in a few more throughout the year - although Dave did mention camping next time - not if I can help it.

This isn't the best shot (taken from the side) but we stayed at a lovely hotel called strangely enough 'The World's End' in the pretty village of Ecton just outside Northampton. When we checked out the following day I asked why the name? and was told it used to be a hospital and mortuary and that it was apparently one of the most haunted places in Britain - LOVELY!!!

I think maybe it's a good job I didn't know that when I booked but it was beautiful inside and we had a lovely room. Thankfully we didn't see or hear a single ghost.

We spent a whole day shopping in town and Jessica was surprised to find out that I knew my way around. I have an Aunt and several cousins who live there so we've visited a few times over the years.

Jessica is a daddy's girl so she loved having him run her around everywhere and he was real happy to oblige. Before taking her back home after shopping we stopped in at her local Hobbycraft store. She was bowled over by it and had never been in one before. Not surprising then that she spent quite a bit of money in there. I think maybe she's in trouble as it's within walking distance from where she lives - oh dear!

Dave stayed in the car and before we woke him and got back in I took this shot - aahhh bless! As long as he gets fed, gets a nap or has a newspaper to read he'll shop all day long.

Later that evening we went out to dinner and I'm happy to say Jess is spoilt for a choice of restaurants - all within easy walking distance.

Dave and Jess really wanted to eat here but since I'd had an italian pasta dish when we ate out for lunch and I couldn't see much else vegetarian on the menu we had to go somewhere else. Next time guys - I promise!

By the time we finally settled on somewhere it was getting dark. We ended up in Buddies American Diner which was very atmospheric and the food was great.

Here Dave and I are drooling over the menu. I think I'd go back to this restaurant again and judging by the size of the rack of ribs Dave had so would he.

We finished off the weekend by visiting a really friendly baptist church for Easter service which was lovely - somewhere we'd definately go again too so all in all it was a really nice Easter break and it was lovely seeing Jess.

Cute Hair

The time is heading for close to 9 pm and while that might seem early still I am probably going to be heading off to 'Bedfordshire' pretty soon. I've had two 5.45 am starts this weekend (and too much in my head to actually sleep at night) plus I have work tomorrow which means a 6.15 am wake up call so I'm gonna try to get a good nights sleep in if it kills me!

Thank goodness we have a break with Good Friday and Easter Monday coming up and luckily for me I took a days annual leave to get 6 whole days off. Not only do I need the break but Dave and I are planning to go away for the weekend and since we've both each been busy doing other things seperately on the last couple of weekends I'm looking forward to spending time with each other, relaxing and visiting our youngest daughter.

Sorry I'm waffling - see I knew I was tired.

Anyhow I ran across this picture of Maddy with a cute 'Pebbles' style hair-do - remember the Flintstones?

I took it a couple of weeks back and I thought Great Grandma might enjoy seeing it. I took it during one of those rare moments when she was perfectly still (and oblivious to the camera) but only because she was engrossed in a cartoon on the telly at the time.

It reminded me of when my own girls were small and I used to fix up their hair - 'warm fuzzy feelin'.

Hope you enjoy seeing it Mom :-)

Make 'n' Take & Stampin Up!

I really can't pass up an opportunity to do a make 'n' take whenever I see one at a show. I just love em and I was especially excited to see one being offered at the Stampin Up! stall at the craft show in Thetford this weekend.

Before the doors had opened to the public I had a chance to go around and look at all the various stalls and the many products displayed. I was so pleased to see Stampin Up! here in the UK up close and for real and I met some very lovely ladies in this booth. I knew as soon as I saw them laying out all the different elements at the table that they were going to be doing a make 'n' take even before I'd spotted the sign saying 'FREE MAKE 'N' TAKE.

I didn't get a chance to go along until the end of the show since I was so busy demonstrating on the YTOC stall myself but go along I did - eventually!

I made the cutest little Easter card (am sending this one to Jilly) quickly and easily which is why I love Stampin Up! designs so much. They're clean, simple, always cute and not difficult to achieve at all.

The little bunny and Easter sentiment were very timely and I loved stamping the polka dot background. I am simply 'dotty' about polka dots. I love to wear them, to create them, to craft with them.

Although I have several punches and stamp sets I have to confess I got mine stateside but how cool is it to be able to get them here finally. Never fails you know - I spend ages chasing up American products then get my hands on them only to find if I'd waited just 6 more months I could've gotten them here. Happens evey time honest!

Anyhow I had great fun doing the make 'n' take and for me it was the icing on the cake to a very enjoyable (but busy) weekend. Can't wait to see what we get to make when Michelle from Stampin Up! comes to our CW evening.

Craft Show

Well I worked last weekend at the all day workshop and I worked this weekend too. Good job I have been feeling like my energy levels are returning huh?

This weekend I did my usual stint at YTOC demonstrating - sorry to anyone who missed it - you gotta be there to catch me and then I worked at the craft event in Thetford today. Amanda had booked me in to demonstrate some of the products a while back and it was finally here.

This is how things were shaping up at the start of the day.

Lots of great craft supplies to purchase as well as a whole bunch of designs here and there for extra inspiration. I think all bar 2 or 3 on the boards are my designs or creations although not all done today I might add!

Amanda wanted to take one of the new pails to the show and while I'd have loved to have more time to decorate it than I did we managed to take one along. Shame I didn't take a picture to share of the top of the pail cos the layered flower with leaves and pretty swirls was soooo pretty. i wish I had more time to play with Sizzix dies - seems ages since I played with any of them but I just love mixing them up and layering different ones together. There are actually 4 Sizzix dies and 2 Nestabilities going on on the top of the lid.

This was what the pail was filled with - FREE CHOCOLATE!!! Yum!

Every so often Kay kindly gave me a little egg. Thanks so much Kay :-)

Here I am complete with a 'pinny' on (so pleased they're black!) and my name badge from last weekend working at the demo table with those cute flower stamps again.

It turns out that Anna who designed the stamp was at the show selling other products and had so many comments from customers about what I was doing with her stamp that she just had to come on over to see for herself.

She was delighted with how creative I'd been with her simple design and it was a thrill for me to get such recognition and compliments. She was happy to pose with me to prove it.