Sweet Lady!

As crafters we all have a handful of fellow 'creators' that we aspire to be like and whos style we truly admire. For me one of them is Claire Brennan, creator of Waltzing Mouse stamps. I haven't seen a single card or project of hers that I didn't like and her personality really shines through in her blog. For me she's right at the top with the likes of Nicole Heady from PTI - another of my crafting heros.

Well now I can personally vouch that she is a real sweetie too!

I have been seriously bummed out of late. SERIOUSLY that is an under statement. I am currently wrapped up in (what I hope wont be too long) a battle to get some much needed surgery undergone and behind me so I can get back to normal. I keep asking myself 'what is normal?' it's been soooo long since I've experienced it I'm not sure - but I'm pretty sure I'll know it when I finally get hold of it. Right now I am on what you might call 'stand by'.

Anyhow I was going to treat myself to Claire's 'Lil Buddies' stamps to play with during my recovery and through various e-mails and comments Claire shared that she'd like to make a gift to me of this set. How sweet was that? Claire if you read this I apologise now if this embarrasses you but I am just so thrilled I simply HAVE to share.

This is the set she sent me. I fell head over heels for these little cuties as soon as I saw them but so much was going on at the time actually getting around to ordering them was harder than you'd think.

I have been a fan of WM stamps from the get go and I'm pleased to share that Claire is working hard to improve them even more. She's already changed the materials used and has even improved her packaging with a newly designed info sheet in the back which details how to use, clean, store her stamps etc. I was suitably impressed. For me the mere fact that she is a crafter herself, one who knows what she wants from a stamp and knows how much she'd want to pay means a great deal. If you've never checked them out there is a link here on my blog.

SO........onto the stamps.

Second apology Claire - I was going to try real hard to keep these for my recovery - I do still expect surgery in the next few weeks or so - but much like chocolate does they were calling to me. I SWEAR (shouldn't swear I know) but I could hear them calling to me!

Actually it was kinda your doing cos I felt really really driven to make you a thank you card and nothing but your own stamps would do. My card is not finished just yet - I'm sharing a bit early but it will get there.

I confess I am taking my time with this for a couple of reasons. First of all I see my doc tomorrow to see if we can make that magic phone call to the hospital or if we have to wait some more so I am trying to have a super relaxing day - no pressure. Might help, might not but I'm trying anyway. My dear hubby is at my mother's laying a new lino floor in her bathroom bless him so I have been pottering around at home just doing laundry and a bit of crafting (he's also out at the church youth group this evening so I plan to chill with a movie later). The other reason is that I want it to be just perfect. I don't want to rush it and make a mistake. I am making a little something else to go with it but I wont share that until later - I don't want to spoil the surprise.

I picked up this 'My Mind's Eye' 6 x 6 paper pack when we visited my daughter a few weeks back. I simply loved the colour scheme. I love having 6 x 6 paper pads because you usually get a few sheets of every design and it takes the hard work out of co-ordinating everything. They're perfect for card making and scrapbooking alike - who says you have to use a whole 12 x 12 sheet anyway? I love that there are some embossed papers in here too.

I used just one single image and sentiment from this set - can't you just see all the possibilities? Easter is just around the corner and I can see this used to decorate boxes and bags, make cute little tags - all kinds of stuff. Anyhow I know I wont even scratch the surface of these so I'm looking forward to playing with them properly - just as soon as I get the date for my op.

While we're on the subject can I just say a big THANK YOU to everyone that has kept me in prayer these last few weeks. I not only appreciate it I rely on it. Sometimes, just sometimes I get a little bit too low to do it for myself and I'm sure it's what carries me through to a brighter day. Claire you brightened my day and also made up for a real 'crappy' week too. Thanks again.

Here's hoping my appointment tomorrow goes well. Hope you don't mind me sharing.

Project Tuesday - On a Roll

Well I said I wanted to do more challenges this year and so far I'm doin pretty good. This week's PT project is a 'gift card holder' and here's my take on it.

My daughter is here visiting with me - actually she came down to take care of me since I was scheduled to have surgery on Monday. Anyhow she has taken over the kitchen table with an album she is creating and asked me to make this up for a friend who is due to have a birthday some time around when she gets back home.

She brought a supply of papers and embellishments with her so she let me choose from those.

I settled on some BoBunny papers that went together and chose to have a bird theme since a bird cage featured on the paper. She liked the idea of stamping 'happy bird-day' as a sentiment so we went with it.

I left the back inside cover for her to write her own message when she gives this to her friend. This shot shows the pocket tucked inside that holds the gift card.

I decided to add eyelets to thread the ribbon through - not sure why - just decided I wanted it this way. I used my nestabilities for the bird and then ran it through my Sizzix texture boutique to add some fun dots. It has a kind of cute look I think and she is real happy with my efforts but it wasn't easy to find a space to perch myself to work on I can tell ya.

She goes home on Friday but is set to come back down some time real soon when I will need her around again. She's a good kid, one who really shares my love of crafting so it's nice to have her with me for a while but she's also a 'daddy's girl' so she loves spending quality time with Dave when she's here. We miss seeing her and I know she misses home and family too.

There may still be time to get in on this week's project if you're up for a go. Some time soon they'll be announcing their additional design team members. Hopefully I'm still in the running - it's the first time I have ever put myself forward for something like this so my fingers are still crossed. The waiting is almost over!

Stitch & Craft Show at NEC

On Sunday Amanda and I travelled to Birmingham to the stitches trade show to check out some of the great new products that may just be coming this way. Oh I could tell you about the papers I drooled over and that Amanda let me pick out - love that girlie - but you'll just have to wait and see for yourself. I am definately getting my hands on a few things one way or another!

One of my favourites is always the Sizzix stand - much smaller this time around but the samples were every bit as cute as you'd expect. I thought maybe I'd share a few snap shots with you.

Who could resist the 'English' garden tea party look? I fell head over heels for the cupcake cups. There were several things cleverly made from what we would call 'photo mount board' using Sizzix templates. This meant they had some real body to them and also that they scored up and assembled perfectly. I was megga impressed with these I have to say.

This tea cup die had been cut twice so that a little box could be sandwiched in between to hold the napkin. How cute would these be as place settings on the table in a pretty garden - a regular tea party for the girlies - young or old! I just love em'.

I loved these simple additions that decorated the garden chairs. And I was simply GUTTED when I saw this fabric - I very nearly bought a few yards of it when we went to visit my youngest daughter for my b'day recently - aaaarrrggghhhhhh! I am soooooo sorry I passed it up, especially since they had several colours too. I saw it on numerous stands this year which made it even worse!

Every section of the samples on display had a theme and this one was bright and breezy for some summer time fun.

I had marked off these word dies in the catalogue before we went but totally ignored the shaped templates. I gotta say - when you see them in action and made up in cute samples it really gives them a whole new life - don't ya just love these labels on jars? Super easy, super quick, especially for gift giving - you can fill a jar with just about ANYTHING and cut a quick label to match. Love, love, love it!

Of course there were lots of lovely things to see besides dies. paper and stamps and these tapestry projects were gorgeous. I loved the pretty pastel cupcakes and teapots and I am seeing the Union Jack absolutely everywhere in town these days so they caught my eye immediately. It is ubber trendy right now.

There were stitching projects for adults and children alike. It's all coming back into fashion and 'handmade' is the new chic these days. My first passion was for sewing long before I took up scrapbooking and card making so it all appealed to my creative side.

By the time we stumbled upon this stand the demonstrator had just given out her last supplies for these cute make 'n' take magnets (upper photo on tin lid). They featured cute sayings about chocolate and sweet stuff that had been stamped on shrink plastic and shrunk down real small for a tag. I consoled myself with a photo of them in case I ever want to do something similar but I would rather have DONE the make 'n' take!!!!!

And of course there were demonstrations by well known celebrities in the crafting world such as Tim Holtz. His demo stand was packed so it was really hard to get a shot and even harder when you have ladies video taping his demos (right of shot) and everyone jostling for pole position. I gave up fighting and standing on tippee toes after a while I'm afraid. There was lots more to do and see but if I were standing in front I might've stayed a while and watched.

All in all it was a busy day and a long one starting with a 5.30 am wake up call, a long drive with snowy roads (almost blizzard conditions at one point) and then the long drive home at the end of the day but I sure slept real good last night. I swear I drifted off dreaming of all those yummy papers and stamps and other goodies I just couldn't get out of my head. Now is that crafter's heaven or what?

All I have to do now is have PATIENCE and wait for it to arrive same as everyone else. Patience - never been one of my strong points that.

Latest PT project

Well I am a bit behind in getting this one on the ol' blog as well. I've had a plumber in fitting a new water heater this week plus several appointments that were scheduled for this time off and a few friends drop by. Busy, busy, busy!

Anyhow the latest project was a joy fold card. I changed the measurements slightly to get a square card (sorry girlies - I have a real thing for square cards). Sure hope that doesn't disqualify me?

Anyhow I decided to use up scraps of paper again - it's either use them or throw them away. I used a MS border punch on several edges, added lots of black - it's out on my worktop right now, used one of my Verve scripture stamps and just happened to grab some real pretty flowers that were sitting in a basket in front of me at the time. If I changed anything I would maybe add blue or black diamantes instead of the white snaps (upper right) but I foolishly added them right at the beginning instead if waiting till the end - you live and learn!

Here's a shot of the card standing - kind of a weird angle - sorry. It was hard to know just how to shoot this one, but you can see how one fold overlaps the other and then I held the whole thing closed with a black photo anchor.

I decided to cover all of the inside while I was at it. I am still undecided if I will add a square of white on top of the blue for the greeting or leave it as it is. Either way this one was another fun project and since they're still taking entries for their DT I may still be in with a shot - who knows?

Same as always the link is on the right hand side of my blog if you fancy playing along. If you've never done one of these let me encourage you to have a go. You don't need a blog to play - simply sign up to a gallery like SCS, upload your work to your own gallery and link from there. They're fun and they inspire you to get crafting too.

Now what can I make next? Oh yeah - I remembered I really HAVE to clean my craft room today or tomorrow - shame. Hey - maybe I'll find a quick little project in there somewhere :-)

This one wasn't super quick but I love the colour scheme and how it turned out.

Way Behind

I am WAY behind in getting my thank you's out for my b'day gifts so yesterday I finished off a few cards I had started earlier in the week. When I went to make them I gave it a good shot but just couldn't get them finished until now. It's been kind of a busy week so far.




I just love the pink and black combo and this background paper is so effective. I only had scraps of it since I'd cut into it for a previous project but something makes me think it was a K & Co. paper?

I dragged out one of several sweet little round stamps from a set called 'circle of friendship' from StampinUp! This set is quite sweet but soooooo under used. Can't understand that at all cos when I do work with it I love it. I still have to line them but I'll do that today so I can get them out to friends and family who must be wondering where they are. Shame on me!

Cupcakes Galore!

My eldest grandson had his 10th b'day recently and they came to us for a b'day dinner. I decided I wanted to make him cupcakes in a football theme rather than make a big cake. FINE - until I looked for my piping bag and favourite tip that is! They were no where to be found.




A quick phone call to my daughter turned them up - at HER house from when she'd borrowed them last. Honestly if I lend anything to the girls it disappears for forever (and sometimes I NEVER get it back at all).

I wasn't happy with my efforts since I had to resort to using an inferior bag and less than perfect tip. Hey - I like what I know and I know what I like. Honestly I've had stuff in my kitchen for years that I rely on and can always get my hands on unless of course the girls have been round and raided!

Anyhow Zach didn't notice and he was really surprised and pleased with my efforts. Good job kids don't get so freaked out over this kinda stuff huh?

I was still sore over NOT being able to use my favourite bag and tip (yeah I know I'm a bit weird like that) so the following day after my daughter returned them I just had to have a go at putting things right. I decided to make some more cupcakes to take to work as it will be my last day for awhile. I had managed to find a new frosting recipe that was light and fluffy, almost 'mousse like' and much less sweet and heavy like some frostings can be. I was much happier about how these ones turned out - just like I knew they should - shame they didn't last long enough!

Might have to make some more while I'm away maybe. I have the idea of making chocolate flavoured cupcakes with green mint frosting - mmmmmmmm sounds yummy!

First Class on Base

Last week I taught my first class at Amanda's store on base. It turned out to be a really small class but it was kinda nice for our first attempt and now that we've made a start I'm sure they will grow.

Unlike the Bury shop where we have a classroom up stairs here on base we are actually able to use the space just outside the store. It exposed us a bit more to the public but hey I don't mind that if it adds to the publicity as well - it's all good.

I had Amanda take a few shots while class was in full swing. That's Bonnie with a big bright smile at the camera, still in her uniform cos she wasn't able to get away from work in enough time to change. They were a great bunch of gals and went real easy on me for my first time with them. Everyone seemed to enjoy it so hopefully I'll get to see them again on future classes. I'm looking forward to it anyhow.

Pink Gem Designs

Not sure quite how but I stumbled across some super cute stamps the other day and I had to share that they're getting a new 'gem of a challenge' started - actually it started on 8 Feb (my b'day). Along with that they're also offering a draw for a whole bunch of these cute stamps - gotta be in it to win it right?

I have posted a picture at the right hand side of my blog which is also linked to their site. If you click on it you can check em out!

I have a few stamp purchases in mind but now they're making me re-think the ones I was going to buy - aaarrrggggghhhhhh!!! Choices, choices, choices! Do I have to choose? Can't I just have em all?

Check out the gallery samples and you'll see what I mean. They all look fab. And girlies these are in the UK so they're in GBP too.

DT Call at Project Tuesday

One of my aims this year was to try to do more challenges. I decided to check out the Project Tuesday site to see what the latest challenge was and was pleasantly surprised to see they were calling for another member to join their design team. I am currently on the YTOC design team but that's very different as Amanda and I are good friends and it made sense since I teach and demonstrate for her as well. It would be a dream come true to be on another design team or even to be a guest designer some time.

Well here is my effort for the little treat holder project. I decided to make it Valentine themed since I still had Valentine papers and embellishments to hand.

It's kinda like a cracker with a treat inside. I chose to have scalloped edges since I thought the frayed edges were a little 'tatty' looking and besides it gave me a chance to add white pen dots. I also added the 'hugs & kisses' (XOXOX) strip for more detail. I used the black and white checkered paper on the body of the treat box because it looked way too plain otherwise.

I used my trusty nestabilities heart dies that seem to have been out on the work top for ages now and added a sticker tag that I embellished further with a bit of bling.

I liked how this turned out. All I need do now is find a sweet treat to fill it. Plus of course I have to link to the Project Tuesday site and keep my FINGERS well and truly crossed. Wish me luck!

You can check out all the projects by clicking on the link at right plus you can find links on their site to project 'how to's'. Why not have a go yourself?

I Treated Myself

Yesterday was my last class for a few months and it was so full we had to teach it downstairs rather than in the classroom. I have taught bigger classes before on several occasions but I do get concerned if there is a lot of equipment sharing which slows things down or a lot of 'newbies' cos there's only one of me. I hate to see a queue at the table and am real conscious how many times I hear myself saying 'I'll be right there' or 'I'll be there in a minute'. It takes me way back to cookery classes which were always a struggle cos I always needed the teacher and she was ALWAYS busy with someone else! Needless to say I didn't enjoy cookery very much at school.

Anyhow it went really well and having class downstairs worked too. In fact it was kinda nice and people were able to shop and wander around easier afterwards. I was busy but I enjoyed myself.

I managed to shop for myself as well. I had decided to use the money from the sale of my cupcake boxes to treat myself to a spinning tool.

I've been uummming and aarrhhing over whether or not to get one of these for a long time now. I know they're good but since I have at least two craft bags I wondered if I actually needed one. Since I am doing most of my crafting at the kitchen table these days (despite having an entire craft room) I thought it would make life easier and I could have things at my finger tips easier. Well that's the plan anyhow. I can tuck it away in a cupboard downstairs or maybe even make a cover like the one I made for the coffee machine so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.

This is the state that just one of my craft bags is in. This was after a recent crafting session and there was no way I wanted to tackle tidying it up to take it along to class last night. It could definate use some help huh?

I know from experience of gals who own a spinning tool that you can put a ton of stuff in one. So I wasn't surprised when I got my entire craft bag contents plus a whole bunch more stuff in it and still had a ton of room for more! I am sooooooo NOT a neat freak (far from it) but I do like the saying 'a place for everything and everything in it's place'. At least it starts out that way.

This is the view inside. I have a minimum of 7 punches in this baby at the moment and I could add even more! Of course I will probably change my mind several times on just what I want in it but I do know I need to go get a few more clear pencil cases. I use a couple of these to store several similar smaller items in (try saying that 5 times real fast!) so I can just grab a case, open it, take out and use what I want and then pop it back in, zip it up and shove it in my bag - yeah I did say SHOVE. I also like that I can see what I'm grabbing through the clear plastic.

I can throw several of these clear pencil cases in here easily. I do try to be organised IF I can.

Well I have a busy day ahead of me today. My kitchen smells delicious since I'm already baking stuff for my b'day lunch with the girlies this afternoon. I will have to be strong and not eat anything before then but it smells soooooooo good fresh from the oven.

This is what I have for breakfast this morning (the yellow one which I'm told has yummy lemon curd inside is mine). Rosemary, one of the gals in class made a whole tray of yummy cupcakes and I got a chocolate one for Dave and saved mine for this morning. Wasn't that so sweet? NOT the healthiest breakfast today I know but hey - ask me if I care? At least NOT today I don't.

Well groceries are due to be delivered this morning so I need to go get showered and get even busier. I am demonstrating my last demo for a while this Saturday so I might see some of you there.

P.S Get over to Claire's blog at Waltzing Mouse Stamps (link on right) and check out the new stamps. I am definately gonna have the Lil' Buddies set if I have any b'day money left over. If there's still time check out the WM blog hop and giveaway too. I enter these things - never won yet mind you - but it's still kind fun and exciting taking part. I just love Bonnie's creations best - so, so cute!

Sweetest Buttons Ever!

Yesterday when I went to work I took in cake since I was scheduled to be on annual leave from today until next Tuesday. My birthday is this coming Monday so I had a choice - cake this Tuesday before my b'day or next Tuesday after my b'day. As you can imagine where cake and yummy frosting were involved there was no contest - definately sooner rather than later!

I had forgotten we had an extended meeting so when we broke half way through for coffee I figured that was my cue to bring on the cake as a nice surprise. It turned out I was the one being surprised - with some lovely gifts and an early b'day card from the gals at the office.

I was thrilled! I had been wondering just what I would put in the centre of the table when the girlies come over for a b'day lunch on Friday and these pretty flowers in a jug will do just fine. The pretty pink polka dot will work perfectly with the Cath Kidston bunting strung around my kitchen that I am simply refusing to take down right now. We put it up for Maddycakes 5th b'day recently and I want it for mine plus I want it still up for Zacheriah's a week later and who knows if she makes me a welcome home banner Jess might even put it up for when I come home from hospital to cheer me up. We spent long enough making it so we ought to make good use of it and Lord knows there is certainly enough of it!

This box is a good example of one that can be kept and copied so I'm definately doing that. I hadn't realised at the time but the chocolate buttons inside are actually chocolate buttons - for REAL!

Seriously! They are just about the sweetest buttons ever! I could hardly believe my eyes when I opened the box - which by the way was secured with a button and elastic loop - so simple but so effective considering the contents. I was also surprised to find they were each individually wrapped too. How neat is that? Well this led me immediately to start thinkin what I could do with them.

I'm sure there are lots of things but this is what I came up with first. These pretty little matchbooks are perfect for a single button. Couldn't you just see these as party favours for a baby shower - you know 'cute as a button' kinda thing - how adorable would that be?

I knew my WM 'homespun' set of stamps had some 'sewing' themed text and since I wanted to use one of these to say thanks to the gal who chose my gifts this one was perfect. She just happens to go to patchwork/quilting classes so it was doubly perfect.

All these lovely gifts came from good ol' Marks & Spencers including the gift card I nearly missed! I am planning on going shopping in Milton Keynes with my daughter for a few new things to take into hospital with me later this month so I will enjoy spending it. I'm like my mother in that way - new stuff when you go on holiday, new stuff when you go into hospital - ALWAYS - drives my hubby mad cos he's American and simply can't understand WHY? Hey - why the heck not?

I don't know the cost of the chocolates and of course I want to eat some these rather than just give them all away - after all they ARE MINE you know, but you can bet I'll be straight into M & S looking for more next time I'm in town. I'd go today but I'm not feelin so good so I'm havin a stay at home and 'rest up' kinda day today. I might just about manage to get my grocery shopping done on line, then lunch and a nap I think. My few days off get busy about tomorrow so I think I need it.