Walkabout

Since Monday was a bank holiday hubby and I decided it was about time I had a walkabout. Last week I was only supposed to walk around the house but for week 2 I am able to get out for short walks. What better way than to gently stroll around a car boot sale or two looking for bargains. You really never know what you might find so we love to do this. We usually pack a picnic and make a day of it.

A bank holiday always brings out lots of car boot sales which is especially nice if the weather's good. Today was drizzly but it eventually brightened up and there were several for us to choose from.

I didn't find anything major but I did find a few cute boxes. One was in a shaker style and the other had a hinged lid and is perect for decorating up. Why couldn't I have found this in time for the PT altered frame project? I'm gonna think long and hard about what papers I use to decorate this up with and who I'm gonna give it to when it's finished. I'm still thinkin on what might go in it so until I decide it will sit waitin. I can see it decorated up with 3D flowers on the lid and maybe a quote under the glass - pretty enough to sit out on a table!

I paid £1.50 for the shaker box and just £1 for this lovely hinged box. I collect containers, boxes and bags since I love to alter them for gift giving and I'm thrilled to add these to my collection of 'to do' projects.

Then like a good girl I came home and rested up for a while (which I found I needed). I have a project I have been tinkering about with on and off this past week. Hopefully I can post it just as soon as I get it finished but I haven't crafted for the past couple of days. Everything I do is in small doses right now but I'd love to get and finish it some time soon. Will post it soon I promise!

I 'Love' Packages!!!

I absolutely LOVE packages. I love to give them and I especially love to get them and between yesterday and today I got two!

Firstly I got a shared package from my sister-in-love Linda which had get well wishes for me and b'day wishes for my hubby. His b'day was just 2 days after my op. She also sent yummy treats - beef jerky for him which he adores! and yummy tootsie rolls for me - how sweet was that? Thanks soooooo much Linda. I have already hidden our treats up since Jess is staying here right now and Vicky is visiting tomorrow. If the girls find out we have these in the house we'll be lucky to get even a mouthful! Shame on us I know but sometimes you just have to do these things.

The second package arrived this morning. Jessika made a paper bag album with me earlier this week and loved the album idea so much that we shopped on line for supplies. This is what I saw when I opened up the box.

Tell me what crafter wouldn't like to open a package like this?

Jessika had treated me to a few more papers from Teresa Collins 'bon appetit' range and 'haute cuisine' range so that I could finish my recipe album and maybe even create another one.

Then we discovered this fab 'American country' style range from Shabby Green Door called 'Farmer's Market'. She got me several sheets of all the designs and co-ordinating stickers to help keep me occupied when I feel up to crafting while I recover. Right now I can't do any one thing for too long but I can potter about with these when I do feel like it. How cool is that?

She also got some of the butcher's twine (think that's what it's called) that I have been seeing on lots of US blogs lately. I have been desperate to get my hands on some but didn't know how? Plus she got me a few clear stamps in the same range so I could make as many multiples of tags and embellishments as I want. She's so thoughtful and kind. Although we don't see her near as much as we'd like she's very good to us when she does come visit. I must try to surprise her with a goody package when she least expects it huh? I love to plan packages (and mom I haven't forgotten I have one that needs sending to you).

And just in case you're wondering - she didn't forget herself. She ordered a few Teresa Collins papers too plus these cute Halloween papers from My Mind's Eye from the 'Boo to You' range and a few ribbons and things as well.

She has a Hobbycraft not more than 5 minutes walk from her home in Northampton so she already loves shopping for craft supplies, but when she's here she always shops somewhere different so she can find things she can't get at home. She really looks forward to it and shopped at YTOC yesterday for even more. I looked in her bag this morning and discovered the cutest stamps she picked up there. I am hoping I'll get time to stamp a few out for me before she takes them home.

For now I am gonna take a break from the computer for a short while and then make up a couple of CDs full of templates and things that I have sourced from the net for her. Hopefully it'll give her lots of resources and ideas for projects to make using all her latest goodies. I know she'll get back to work and get super busy but when she does craft she likes to make a day of it.

While she's been staying she's copied lots of old family photographs so she's keen to make more paper bag albums. I can't wait to make up mine!

Project Tuesday 25 May

Well I wasn't sure last week if I would be able to play for this week but I am sooooooo glad I could. I have fulfilled 2 long time ambitions with this week's challenge.

I have ALWAYS wanted to do a recipe book - (Amanda will bear me out on this one) and I have ALWAYS wanted to make a paper bag album. Considering I have about 200 brown paper sacks that have sat in my craft room for a few years it was ABOUT TIME!!!

I am so very grateful to Project Tuesday for inviting me to join their design team. I am continually doing something new and exciting as well as being challenged and inspired to do bigger and better each week (and we are going to be good friends during my recovery). Hop on over there to get the details for this week's project. I guarantee once you have made one of these fab albums you will be well and truly hooked - I sure am!

This album is still very much a work in progress - I am not so fully recovered yet that I could manage to do the whole album in a day. I have the back half of the album to finish, embellishments to add and I haven't yet decided if I will add anything along the spine like rings or ribbon but I like how it's shaping up and that's what matters. I still have to make recipe cards to fill it with as well.

The pages I have managed to do are void of photos as yet but I have already decided I will make my photos black and white. I have a lovely one of Dave proudly displaying his 'cloud biscuits' using his mother's recipe for a Christmas breakfast one year. That recipe is definately going in this album and I probably have a few more cooking photos since I photograph EVERYTHING!

In fact I am only going to put family favourite recipes in here and I have decided I am keeping this one for MYSELF! I have always wanted to do a family recipe book that includes favourite family recipes from all the 'Howard' women and maybe this is the year to do it. After all I HAVE to do something with all those paper sacks - especially since my sister-in-love Sandy gave me a whole bag full too.

I found doing up each page a real joy. I love scrapbooking but don't get much chance to do it very often and I love stamping with scrapbooking when I can too. These pages were only about 5" x 5" so were mini pages that took very little paper and came together super quick. I wanted to continue the sewing throughout and the machine was still out on the kitchen table.

After assembling each page I numbered it to help me remember the order and then took it to the machine for stitching. I then stuck each page in place in the album. I prefer to do my stitching this way for a neater finish and so as not to damage the final project if it should get stuck in the machine. You can always discard a damaged page if need be but you wouldn't want to start the whole album again!

I had fun manipulating some of the themed accent pieces such as this 'favourite family recipes' one above. I added a further green circle to the outer edge and then cut out the middle 'family' section. I backed it onto red and replaced it. This allowed me to bring my colour scheme together even more. I am a lover of red and green which is reflected in my 'strawberry themed' kitchen and added to the black and white it makes for a great colour combo.

This is usually where I start a project. I find out what project I am gonna make and then scour my brain for any recollection of supplies I think I might have that would be suitable. Then I set about finding them and collecting them all in one place. I add or remove them until I am happy with what I have left.

For this week's project I knew I had a sheet by Teresa Collins called 'bon appetit' that I purchased on a trip back home for when I made my long awaited cookbook. You can just make out the 'family favourite recipes' in it's naked state. I finally put my PTI 'recipe box' stamps to good use for creating the tabs. This was a purchase with making family cookbooks in mind that has been waiting a long time to see the light of day. I'm only sorry I bought just the one sheet of Teresa Collins.

For my album I will use a pretty handwritten font and generate the recipes on my trusty computer but for the family ones I hope to create I want hand written recipes. I just love how my husbands hand writing can be traced back to his mother and I want that kinda thing preserved.

Well I have prattled on long enough. My darling daughter spent all of yesterday creating her own bag album and was up bright and early at 7.30 am this morning so she could get back at it. It's after 9 am and we haven't even had breakfast yet. She doesn't like being told she is sooooo like me but she IS like it or not! For that very reason I think we will get along better this week if we just keep crafting. FINE with me :-)

Hope you'll play along with us all this week - you will not be disappointed - I PROMISE!

Tea Update

Nothing spectacular today - just sharing the mini matching card to go with my box from yesterday. There is real potential to create some fabulous cards with these stamps but I am still only crafting in very small doses so I made an exact replica to match my box keeping it quick and simple. Give me another week of recovery and then we'll see.

Mom gave me a couple of pretty cups and saucers and I have plans to add scented candles in the cups and decorate the handles with ribbon and flowers. I saw this idea in a 'Crafts 'n' Things' magazine back in the 80's and have never forgotten it. Coupled with a pretty 'tea' themed card wouldn't they make loveliest hostess gifts? I'll let you know how I get on and will post the finished project when I do it.

We have had some beautiful weather the last few days and Dave kindly cleaned up the back yard for me. Over the next few weeks I can begin to invite friends for 'tea' (and cake) in the garden so we can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. I can see that pretty Cath Kidston bunting coming back out of the cupboard - yay! I love when I can put that up.

Dave arrived home from the allotment one day this week to see this beautiful fucshia plant outside the door. It was a 'get well' pressie from the girls at work. I am guessing I was laying down or they didn't knock! I don't have one of these so I'm thrilled. Already they're starting to open up and will add a beautiful splash of colour to enjoy looking at over the coming weeks. I am already enjoying watching the pretty birds that have a nesting box just over the neighbours fence. They love the tree just beyond our flint wall which affords an amazing view of them but they noisily remind me I am in their territory each time I step outside! Since we don't use outside much and are usually both at work I guess we will just have to get used to each other.

My new lavender will also go outside and maybe we can pick up another plant of two in a few weeks time. Today though I have promised to go sit down at the allotment for an hour or so to give hubby some company as he plants out the last few veggies. He's keen to show off his handywork this week and I have a good book to take with me so it'll make for a nice change. He kept me company as I watched the whole first DVD of the BBC's Cranford series (lurve a period drama) so I guess it's only fair. I wont put him through the second DVD today. I'll keep that pleasure for Jessika next week!

Soothe Away the Day

I am so excited to share a project that I finally finished today. Excited because I started it last week and it's now finished, because it uses my new WM stamps, because I actually managed to craft, because I think it's such a neat idea and because it's my first post since surgery!

I have to take things real easy right now - I am only day 5 post op and believe me I know it. I have already done more than I should, had way too much company too soon and overdone things. But then I knew I wouldn't be a good patient once I got home.

Anyhow as soon as I got my new stamps a while back I had a whole host of ideas running through my head. I decided to start with this one.

I have several craft books full of handmade gift ideas. They may be a bit old fashioned now but as soon as I thought of making these 'tea' bags I knew I had a recipe somewhere for the mix inside.

I immediately stopped by a fabric store after work one day last week to purchase a metre of muslin. Once I got it home I decided the stark white was way too bright and what better way to tone it down than by using some old tea bags in a bowl of water! This took just a few minutes at the kitchen sink (excuse the reflection of my blinds) and then I rinsed it and hung it out to dry.

Next I purchased some dried lavender from a local florist store for £1 a bunch over the weekend. My daughter Jessika has since given me my very own lavender plant so next year I can pick and dry it myself. I have always wanted to make 'lavender bottles' for gift giving so I'm really excited at that prospect.



It took quite a while to de-head the lavender but once I had I was ready to make a real start.

My recipe called for lavender and porridge oats. We always have a huge supply of oats in the cupboard for homemade museli and muesli bars as well as plain old porridge & honey for breakfast. I left some of the muslin white and only dyed half in case I needed muslin for any future projects.

The book called for muslin circles tied with ribbon but since I wanted to stay with the 'tea' theme I decided to make square bags instead.

I had seen a pattern for a box which could be adapted to the size and style I wanted so I got to work creating my own template. Once I had perfected my template I knew what size I needed to make my bags - 3.5" square - my box was 3.75" square. I set to at the sewing machine and made 4 square bags with ribbon strings to hang them over the taps (the bath water runs through them creating a soothing bath to soak in). The 'soothe away the day' tags finished them off perfectly. All I needed was the finished box to put them in.

This was where I had to leave it before going into hospital but I was keen to get back to it. I am trying to have a restful weekend since every day home from hospital has been far busier than it should've been. It took me most of the day on & off today but I finally managed to make the box and decorate it.

This is the finished result. I even managed to find some paper that looked a bit like lavender! It was from HOTP and was called 'purple fern' but it still works. It's been in my stash for a few years I think so it's always nice to use up something that old.

I used a kraft coloured cardstock for the box base and parts of the front decoration as well.

This shot shows the box open and the 'bath soak' tea bags inside. I think this will make a super cute gift for someone. All I need to add is a matching card but that will have to wait. I've done MORE than enough for one day!

Surgery Update

I will keep this short. I am home today and got what I had been praying for - a 'text book perfect' surgery. Even though the surgeon said my body wouldn't give it up easily he managed it just as we planned and without any complications. Recovery here I come!

I came home to over 80 emails but can't sit at the computer for too long - hence my short post. I'll take it easy the rest of this week and see how I get on. I know me only too well so I'm sure I won't stay away long.

I loved the Project Tuesday DT creations this week - would find it real hard to pick a favourite! Check em out if you haven't already. Jilly got her card today and loved it. She's already using her book mark! Love that girlie.

Project Tuesday 18 May

Ok so I'm posting this a little bit early but hopefully I've managed to squeeze in one more challenge before my hospital stay. This week was all about a book mark card and since Jilly had kindly given me a care package for hospital I needed a thank you. I doubled up and used this week's project for both.

This card is a variation on the crafting Jilly and I did on Friday. I chose to use PTI stamps again - this time from 'Women of Life' which I don't think I've EVER used and the sentiment from 'Floral Frenzy' - again another set I have NEVER used. I simply don't get the time to stamp like I want to. Thank goodness for DT projects or I'd never get them out!

That is one of my own challenges while I am recovering - to use more stamps. Several nice gentle crafting sessions just playing with stamps (and I plan to invite Jilly to join me) should be just what the doctor ordered.

I used all the same elements from the earlier cards I shared.

Besides being a different orientation I also had an extra piece which when opened reveals a book mark. I have never made one of these cards before but I love that the recipient gets a gift as well as a card - and all conveniently in the one envelope!

I based the book mark loosely on the card but added white dots to the centre of the flowers instead of gems. I didn't want anything bulky on it and besides it wouldn't have looked as nice if any of the gems came off due to wear and tear.

I was given several books on loan for some good reading by a colleague at work. I think this might be a perfect kind of thank you card when I return them - very appropriate don't ya think?

Follow the pink logo link to take you to Project Tuesday where you can see the other DT efforts and be inspired. Hopefully you'll play along too. While I may miss a week or two I look forward to catching up on them all when I get back home. I definately want to do next week's challenge even if it is a week or two behind.

Right now I'm feeling well relaxed and pretty good about everything. All good thoughts and prayers are still very much gratefully received though. Hopefully next time I post it'll be a done deal!

Good Company, Good Food and Some Craft Fun

On Friday I invited Jilly for lunch and some crafting. I made cupcakes especially for the occasion and we ended up cooking lunch together which was real nice.

Jilly was sweet enough to bring me a 'care package' full of useful things for me to take into hospital on Monday. She is such a thoughtful friend and I am truly blessed to have had her friendship for well over 30 years nows - GOSH it's been that long! It must be love - how else would she have put up with me that long. My hubby's only known me 31 years but he's stuck with me. Jilly sticks with me by choice (and I'm soooooo glad she does).

We had some fun with PTI stamps and made some quick and simple cards. I used a couple of sets here plus a MS border punch, some flat backed black gems and pearls, scraps of lace and ribbon, a bit of sewing and not much else.

I need a thank you card to give to the nursing staff when I come home so I made the red one for that. I'll have Dave make some muesli bars or something for them as well - real energy boosting and all natural - I'm sure they'll appreciate them.

There were no two papers the same as I just grabbed my scrap box and we picked out any papers we thought might work well. Such a variety of colours and patterns.

We had a lovely day together and it's been a little while since we last did this. I was supposeed to be having a few days to relax and this was just what the doctor ordered!

Before I was a Mum

I have to admit that I made this project about 3 years ago now but at the time I wasn't even a blogger. I made it for my daughter for Mother's Day and recently borrowed it so I thought I'd share it before I give it back.

I purchased the tin which came complete with the light blue circles all concertina'd inside. All I had to do was pick a theme and add papers, text and embellishments to turn it in to an album.

I used my computer to print off something I found that seemed to sum up being a mum beautifully. I split it into sections to make it fit and also to stretch it out so a piece appeared on each page.

It said things like 'before I was a mum I ate hot meals (my daughter learn't to eat cold food as she fed the kids and ate inbetween), I had unstained clothes, I had quiet conversations on the phone'.

It carried on with more like 'before I was a mum I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot the words to lullabies. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunisations'.

Then there was 'before I was a mum I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, chewed on, pee'd on, or pinched by tiny fingers'. I really liked that one - ALL of it very true!

Then besides the funny sayings there were also some very heart warming ones too like 'I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew how much I would love being a mum'. What mother among us couldn't relate to that one?

I finished it off with a photo of mummy's three munchkins which I printed in sepia tones to fit with my colour scheme. I wish I could remember where I found the text (and what font I used too) but it was a few years back. I may run across it again one day but I'm very glad I did find it just when I needed something.

I have another one of these tins which might just be perfect for a baby project. We have two gals at work who are both due to become grandmothers around the same time this year. One has asked me to make a few special things and it would be fun to do another one for a new mum.

I took the time to decorate the back of the tin too and added the date. It will be nice to look back on this many years from now especially since I added a photo of the kids that was taken that year.

When I made this it was pre-Nestabilities days for me. Thank goodness for Creative Memories cutting system. How else would I have cut so many circles so perfectly? I still have this system in my craft room and I still get it out every now and then so I wouldn't be without it - Nesties or no Nesties!

Project Tuesday May 11

This weeks project is all about having some fun and making something really different. I had intended my project to have a wedding theme with some appropriate sayings in each cookie but I couldn't find the paper I had in mind. Then when I ran across this fab paper by Scenic Route that had a kind of oriental feel I decided to change tack and go with it.

This was what I ended up with. I kinda like the orange and green combination and this paper was thick enough to hold it's shape for a box and double sided with a delicious orange polka dot on the reverse. I decided to keep my fortune cookies almost 'real' in appearance and colour since all my detail and design was on the box. I even inked around the edges and creases with a peach coloured ink pad for added effect.

This is a further shot which hopefully shows the shading on the cookies a bit better. I googled 'CONFUCIOUS' to get some funny sayings such as 'man with only one chopstick, goes hungry!' and 'man who sit on tack, get the point!'. Like I said this week was just a bit of light fun.

When my box is opened it reveals that lovely tone on tone polka dot innner. I inked the outside edges of the box with the same peach ink pad and used a green one on the inside edges.

My actual box was copied from a genuine chinese take away box. I keep all manner of cardboard boxes, especially the ones that are different from the average box. I always intend to use them as templates but never quite seem to get around to it. Well this time I did and I even used the original handle on my box. I NEVER throw anything away if I can help it!

The front says 'Confucious Says' and the tag on the handle says 'Fortune Cookies'. I even downloaded a chinese font from DaFont.com so it would look more authentic.

I think this would be a fun piece of table art if you were having friends over for a chinese dinner especially if you placed a few real fortune cookies around it.

I found the cookies a bit tricky to do on the first couple of runs. I don't know whether my paper was too thick or I just wasn't doing something right. In the end I played a video tutorial and followed along step by step. Once I'd cracked it the rest were easy peasey. If you want to play along for some oriental fun this week you can check out the other DT creations and find instructions at Project Tuesday. Enjoy!

Now I am off to Bedfordshire. I spent so long on my PT project that I didn't get a chance to make frosting and frost cupcakes to take in to work tomorrow. Looks like I'll have to be out of bed at 5.30am tomorrow to get them frosted in time for work. I like my 7+ hours sleep each night! Six and a half just doesn't do it - aaarrggghhhhh!

New Stamps!

These days I don't get to spend so much money on craft goodies. Dave and I have always supported our church financially but when we decided to increase our tithe a few years back we knew it would mean making several financial sacrifices. It was a 'jumping in with both feet' fully committed moment for us. That being said I can still be creative enough to earn a little extra to treat myself now and then. I teach a class or sell a few handmade cards - plus since the girls are always telling me I'm hard to buy for they have now started giving me money for birthdays, Christmas etc. so I can buy just what I want. I am allergic to flowers and perfume bothers my nose, I'm a fussy vegetarian, I don't drink or smoke, don't usually wear make up and seldom buy new clothes. I know what I like and like what I know so it's actually easier all round.

I squeezed a couple of classes in before I go under the knife (only 7 sleeps!) and have to step back from some activities while I recover. What better way to spend a bit of the money than on some of the newest Waltzing Mouse Stamps. I feel as though I haven't treated myself to any of these in ages and when I saw the latest release I knew I just HAD to have some of them if I could.

This was what greeted me when I got home on Friday. Four lovely sets of WM stamps! It should've been 5 but I forgot to order the set that makes the plaid background. It's first on my list next time around though.

I ordered the two sets all about tea. Since I don't do soda pop, squash or sweet drinks, I am a tea lover - I like mine to have a 'healthy tan' colour and be steaming hot and I prefer a bone china cup if I can get it - I swear it makes the tea taste better! I never drink to the bottom of the cup either - I think this goes back to my childhood when loose tea leaves were used. They were always floating at the bottom of the cup and I hated getting any in my mouth.

I adore these sets and have a head full of ideas. I've already decided Maddy is having a 'tea party' b'day theme next year just so I can use the stamp that says 'wear your best dress and pretty pearls we are having a tea party just for the girls!' How cute would that be for a bunch of 6 year olds?

I also ordered the set that goes with the labels 10 nestie dies. I wasn't too taken with this set of dies when I first saw it but it's really growing on me and these stamps make it quite special. Claire really does think of EVERYTHING.

And then I ordered the 'words of wisdom' set - a. because it's nice to have text as well as sentiments for cards and b. because there was a nice mixture of sayings and quotes including some about faith.

Despite getting these on Friday I haven't had an opportunity to play with them yet. I have had a laid back kind of weekend and given myself some much needed rest. It's important for me to keep well right now and despite still being a bit tired I am feeling much better than I have been. I have only 3 days at work this next week and then some more rest and a chance to get a few things done before D-Day. I watched the entire CD collection of the BBC Pride & Prejudice on Saturday - took most of the day to do it but that's my idea of rest! I lurve a good period drama and who can resist Colin Firth as Mr Darcy!

Anyhow I finally managed to get them into CD cases this evening. Many of you know I store my nestabilities in CD cases and then store the cases in lidded CD boxes which look nice sitting on shelves. Well ever since my first set of PTI stamps (which come in cases) I have used blank CD cases for all my other cling stamps too.

Claire packs so many stamps into each set that I always think they won't all fit but with a little jigging about they eventually do - JUST! I now have a growing collection of WM stamps (I often choose them over PTI these days) so it's now time to get them a box of their own. It's surprising how many cases you can pack into a box.

I'm hoping when I'm fully recovered that Amanda and I can discuss doing some kind of workshop around WM stamps and Nestabilities. After all I'm gonna have to keep being creative to get more of Claire's fab stamps aren't I? By hook or by crook I am determined to introduce other crafters to these lovely stamps so watch this space!

Just sharing

Just wanted to share a couple of pictures (for mom mainly) of earlier this week. Our youngest daughter Jessika and her partner drove up for the day to celebrate b'day number 27. Hard to believe but true. Besides the grey hair that seems to have appeared overnight the girls are beginning to make me feel old. But then we are celebrating our 30th anniversary in a couple of months time!

Anyhow Jess was thrilled when I suggested making her some cupcakes. Next time I'm gonna think ahead and make some cake pokes for fun. They would've looked real cute.

I gave her a special cupcake in one of my cupcake boxes too since we didn't have a bigger cake. Time was when my mother would've made a cake but these days she's no longer able to manage it. Her dad also cooked up a BBQ for friends and family so despite everything being a bit ad-hock and last minute Jess had fun and enjoyed her day.

Project Tuesday 4 May

Not only is today Tuesday but it is also my daughter's birthday (and somehow this morning while I was on the phone to her I volunteered to host a BBQ for her and her friends). I now have a very busy day ahead of me but first I need to post my project.

This week was all about altering a tin. I LOVE to alter projects and I have an ever growing collection of tins, boxes, bags - just about ANYTHING I think I might want to alter some day. My only dilema was which item to choose! In the end I kept it simple and opted for a square tin.

I think I like these best because they have such a large surface area on top - kinda like a big blank canvas which provides plenty of room to decorate and embellish. The last time I did a square tin I added a square card making kit inside and all the handmade embellishments to make cards to match. This one is much deeper so I may have to get my thinking cap on about what I fill it with.

I used the same cotton lace as my last project only in a burgundy red colour. As soon as I saw this lace I bought some in every colour and I knew this colour would be lovely on a project - I just didn't expect to be using it quite so soon. I added it all the way around the sides too.

I think this one is probably gonna go to my bestest friend Jilly at some point and I know she'll be thrilled.

You can play along this week here and when you do I hope you'll take a minute and link so I can see it. I love seeing what everyone comes up with each week - it's so much fun. Happy crafting!

Another Demo Day

Well I kinda hate to say it - cos I said it once before and my surgery was cancelled - but here goes..... today was my last demo day at base for a little while. I am crossing the days off the calendar and getting really close now.

I spent today with my friend Amanda at her store on the US air base. I didn't get too many samples done today but it was a real nice change of scenery and since I ride in her car there and back it's also a real nice chance for us to catch up a bit too. She spoilt me with goodies, which she doesn't need to do but they're all very yummy so I'm not exactly gonna turned them down now am I? She is a real sweetie but I'm definately buying the Baskin Robbins next time for sure.

Maybe I'll have a smaller one next time too (pralines & cream - yum) since I can't face dinner now - I'm way too full!

This was the first card I made today and I think it was one of my favourites. I could do this card again and again. It's simple, non-fussy and pretty. I used the new labels die set from Nestabilities that I am keen to play some more with. We thought if you turned it up the other way and punched a hole on either end it would make a great label on a jar or one of the clear paint cans. I checked my e-mails tonight and saw even more uses for it. And to think I wasn't too keen when I first saw it!

The next two cards use nestabilities as well since I was demonstrating using them. I used the nested flower which I love cos it's kinda funky looking and also the scallop and plain circles on this one. I sure wish I'd seen that my music on the flowers was the wrong way around though - aarrrggghhhhh!!!

I used a Sizzix Hello Kitty flower die for the base of this one, then the nested flower on top, then a blossom die on top and finished with a large button and some adhesive beads. I still like the first card best even though it doesn't have a flower at all.

Well I am off to Waltzing Mouse to check out the new release stamps and take Claire up on her free postage deal before I call it a day. It has been a very long one and I got suddenly tired towards the end of it. Thankfully I don't have to clean house tomorrow. My darling hubby washed the kitchen floor, hoovered, tidied the sitting room and even did laundry BLESS HIM!

In fact he did so much housework he didn't even make it to the allotment today. How sweet is he? Think maybe I'll keep him a while yet!