Surprise Page!

Well no sooner had I said I might not get time to craft but then I found myself crafting this very afternoon! We were due to have dinner with some friend's this evening so we could meet their new baby boy - just 3 weeks old and I'd promised an additional gift once he was born.  I made some hand sewn items for the baby shower but had in mind to do a framed scrapbook page once baby arrived.

I didn't think I'd have time since I was elbow deep in zucchini bread most of today (I'd promised to make and donate some for the allotment sale tomorrow) but I ran short on eggs after the first couple of batches so I decided to make good use of my unexpected free time and craft.

The page was framed and under glass when I took these shots so apologies for the slight glare - I didn't want to have to take it out of the frame.  Jo is mad about Winnie the Pooh and Tigger and has kitted out the nursery in these characters with lots of bright colours so I knew I wanted to add to her theme.

I tucked a bouncy Tigger cut out in one corner just for fun and to draw attention to a special date - the day they became a family!

I also wanted to add a piece of scripture since these were Christian friends of ours and I knew it would mean a lot to them.

I chose from Psalm 139 and it reads 'you created every part of me; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully & wonderfully made'.  This is particularly appropriate because after having been married 13 years this was very much a miracle baby and an answer to prayer.  Then I finished off the entire page with some machine stitching using an orange thread so it would stand out.

They were both thrilled with this gift which made it all worth while and their little baby boy was lovely.  He's really suffering with colic right now so I really felt for him and hubby got christened all down his trousers.  It's been a few years since that kind of thing happened.  And when we left them to come home, baby was asleep and they were headed for a long night while they wait for their dog Daisy to give birth to her own babies.  I was sooo hoping she'd have a puppy or two while we were there to see it but she didn't.  I love the miracle of child birth no matter who or what it is.  I was my daughter's birthing coach for all 3 of our grandchildren plus I love to watch shows like 'One Born Every Minute' .  I cry every time!

As I type this post I can hear bag-pipes playing outside and every now and then a big cheer goes up.  We saw the pipers as we were driving home. The town is full of ladies walking for charity, in the dark and in their PJs no less and the pipers have positioned themselves just outside our house.  Our two girls are out for the evening and they won't be expecting to see so many ladies out but I hope they stop to cheer them on.

As for me?  Well I'm headed off to Bedfordshire.  It's been a real long and busy day and tomorrow promises more of the same.

Sleep tight and don't let the bed-bugs bite!

Suezie

Waltzing Mouse Blog Hop

Well today was full of good intentions and not enough of what I needed to achieve everything but I'm happy to say I can still enter the Waltzing Mouse Blog Hop for this month just not with the project I intended to make.

I had big plans to scrap my grandson's birthday photos which would've been just perfect for the theme and since his b'day was just a couple of weeks ago it was all fitting in very nicely thank you.  Only trouble was it took me a while to get hubby to take me to the store to get the photos and then when I did I left them at my mother's house on Wednesday when I visited for the evening - aarrgghhhhh!  I guess maybe it just wasn't meant to be huh?

Instead I did something I almost NEVER do!  I created a clean & simple (CAS) card using the pretty flourish stamp set that Mr Postie delivered to my door last week plus a couple of other stamps besides. I really struggle to do CAS so this was quite a challenge for me.  Everything is stamped directly on the card and only the 'sweet b'day wishes' and frame have been added on, plus the ribbon & brad of course and that's it.  A quick bit of inking around the edges and 'Bob's yer Uncle'.

I chose to cut around the pretty scrolled edges inside the frame image and then added some really pretty little gems for a bit of bling.  Finally I added this embellishment using foam pads for a bit of dimension.  I like this card so much that I think I might make one up in several different colours and gift it as a set of cards next time I need a quick b'day gift for someone.  I am already imagining it in lime green, turquoise, pink & purple - I love the black against the plain colour - so striking.

The card is my 'official' entry but I couldn't remember if I'd ever shared this page on my blog so just to prove that I could've done a nice b'day page 'here's one I did earlier' LOL!  I had planned to use a few of these stamps again on my grandson's page but hey ho - never mind.  Now I'm off to check out some of the other entries for more inspiration.

Happy Blogging!

Suezie

A Few Things You Might've Missed

Since I'm sharing I thought I'd post a few pictures of some crafting you've missed whilst I've been away from blogging.

Technically I still have a few outstanding projects on the go from the past few months but I can at least share a few finished ones.

These were a couple of cards I made using Echo Park papers.  I made them up for work colleagues who were having birthdays.  I adore the blue and yellow colours of this first one and I love, love, love anything bumbly bees :-)  There was a lot of chipboard going on here though it's hard to tell.  I got to work and then realised I hadn't taken photos so they were a bit hurried and in poor light I'm afraid.

I wouldn't usually choose these colours but my inspiration was taken from the paper collection itself and the pompom trim is fun to work with - so touchy, feely - such fun!

This is a rather hurried shot (again) of a page I created for a work colleague who sadly lost her beautiful daughter at the beginning of this year.  We were meeting for lunch - actually she very kindly came and collected me for the day out since I wasn't able to go meet her right now.  This photo was taken just minutes before she arrived and sooooo doesn't do this page justice and it looked beautiful inside the frame.  I know a picture of her daughter will look even more beautiful in it and it was an honour for me to make it for her.

There were some lovely details going on here and there and the paper was all much busier than I would normally like but once it was all layered up and toned down a bit it seemed to work really well.  I used the Waltzingmouse stamps for the flowers and the text background plus the text 'you shine' and the handmade from the heart stamp on the left.  This is a really lovely set to help you add personal touches to your projects.  It was released around February this year but if you haven't seen it yet it's called 'Make Your Mark' and you can check it out here.  Believe it or not I used a stencil to draw the letters on green card stock, added a few pen details and then cut out with a slight border.  Sometimes the old ways are the still the best.

I also made a whole series of cards using up scrap papers - I used Crate in the card above and October Afternoon in the one below.  Again I used a text stamp and those fabby flowers from WMS.  I have no end of flower stamps, punches and dies but I still grab for these flower stamps time and again.  I am addicted to them!

I guess maybe I love the stitched style and cutting them out is so therapeutic.  They don't have sharp angles and just seem to flow as you cut so they're super easy and layering them up is all part of the enjoyment for me I guess - even though I'm not a fan of decoupage!

These cards are basically the same concept but I used some Verve scripture stamps in my oval and chose to add the flowers off to one side.  I like that I could mix and match up the design and still come up with a few more ideas.

Both of these cards were made using Echo Park papers.  I am struggling to find a dealer selling these fab papers so I have to grab them when I see them.  There's nothing complicated about these cards if you're looking for inspiration to make some yourself.  I simply started with a square pre-fold card, added a background block, added a bunting strip, die-cut an oval and co-ordinating scallop oval using Nestabilities dies, stamped a sentiment and added a bit of baker's twine and some stamped WMS flowers - what could be easier?

And lastly if that sounds easy enough but maybe you're thinkin but I don't have Nestabilities dies or Waltzingmouse stamps then you can still create a version of this card.  I used my trusty Creative Memories circle & oval cutting system to create this one.  I layered up offset circles for the flower and then layered up buttons and flat backed beads for the finishing touches.  Okay technically I used WMS for the text background and the leaves but you could use text paper and free-hand cut the leaves and it would still work.  Plus did you notice the difference in card size?  Any sentiment you may have will do so you have no excuse not to have a go at this one and I'm sure somewhere along the way you'll add your own design touches too.

Well I do have more but I'm just a bit bug-eyed from the ol' puter right about now.  Boy am I ever gonna find it hard when I get back to work - my job has become ALL about work on a computer these days!  Oh and just in case you're checkin in here Pauline can I give you a shout out and say HI, I hope you're doing okay and also to Sandy that I'm very much thinking of you right now and big HUGS.

Suezie

Picnic Perfect!

I had in mind to create a page today so I set all the bits out on the desktop ready for me when I got home from work.  I had a basic design all mapped out in my head and plans to use some of those yummy embellishment stickers by Echo Park Paper Co.

My camera's low on juice so I only have the one picture to share.  It's a bit busy maybe but I just can't help myself I guess.  Love it or loathe it - it seems to be my style.

I used these photos of Maddy on another picnic & play adventure day just to size up and position photos how I think I want them but I hope to use some different ones - just as soon as I take them LOL!

There are lots of cute little features that maybe don't show up quite so well in this shot so I'll explain a few.  I took the journaling blocks and mounted them onto chipboard - even to the point of using my crop-a-dile to cut out the postage stamp edging!  I thought I was real clever doing that LOL! 

I also added the words and 'sweet memories' banner text onto chipboard so it would stand out too.  I 3D mounted the flower stickers using foam pads and added buttons and pearls to them.  I used a fine liner black pen to add lines to my paper so it would be more defined and then finished up with some little pen dots.  I used a mixture of upper and lower case letter stickers to keep it fun.  Remember - you can always click on the photo to see it in a larger size for more detail.

All that's needed is the journaling and of course the right photos but it's nice to know these ones would work if I needed to use them instead.

Well that's it for now.  It's after 10 pm and I have work tomorrow - another day done and dusted.  Maybe tomorrow I'll work on the tags for my picnic in a bucket.  I want to save the rest of the stickers for a few cards so I will have to drag my trusty Sizzix dies out I think.  Should be fun!

Enjoy!

Suezie

Grandma's Cloud Biscuits

I enjoyed makin the recipe scrapbook page wall art so much that I had to create another one and this time I used mom's 'cloud biscuits' recipe that I've made soooooo many times.  In fact even my hubby has made them on several occasions too including for Christmas Day breakfast.

As usual I have someone specific in mind to receive this hand created artwork so my colours and papers were chosen to fit nicely in with their kitchen colours and design.  One more pressie ticked off the Christmas list - cool!

I just fell in love with the designer paper full of kitchen gadgets and since these papers reminded me of pretty fabrics I created a 'patchwork' mat to place my recipe onto including lace and a paper doily for added effect.

I perhaps didn't use quite so many WM stamps on this page because I didn't want to cover up that cool kitchen gadget paper too much.  I did use the little teacup stamps though which I thought were cute and then I used more of the info strips on my page.  With names of designs such as 'tea towel' and 'percolator' how could I resist?

I know my package will be here early next week so hopefully I can add some of mom's buttons on these pages somewhere since they're intended to be keepsakes. 

Hopefully next week I can get a few more made and then all I have to do is make one for me LOL!  I want, I want, I want!  I think I am genuinely hooked on these!

Hugs

Suezie

Pretty in Pink & Blue

Well I may have been thoroughly bored and a bit of a misery this morning but I decided a 'pity party' was not the way I wanted to go today and did some more stamping and scrap booking this afternoon with Waltzing Mouse stamps.  Not only do I love these stamps but they're also saving my sanity at the moment so I'm VERY grateful for them and besides I can't seem to put them down right now anyhow.  Hard to believe I still have two sets I have yet to open and play with too.

I had in mind to do a page using 3 smaller photos in a row and something a bit more girly.  This is a nice design to display either 3 different kids/people or 3 shots of the same event.  I can't quit with the round stamps from the 'rescue remedies' set - just love the scalloped borders and all that opportunity to use those black gems - and those flowers are just way too cute NOT to use them again.

I picked these papers up last time we were stateside and had Maddycakes in mind for them so I've been hanging on to them for a while now.  They're double sided (my favourite kind) and are called 'giggle kids' from Making Memories.  Aren't they cute?

Because I've used several papers sparingly I still have enough to do a page of Madyson at a later date.  In fact one of the papers is full of text with lovely words like 'sugar', 'spice', 'little princess' and 'sweet girl' so I kept as much of that one as possible.  I decided to try using some text stamps from my newer western sets in a totally non-western style page and I liked how they worked out.

 I fell in love with this beautifully scrolled frame stamp when I used it on my earlier western page of the boys - it makes quite the statement.  On looking at these pictures now I think maybe I should've used a frame stamp on the pink behind as well but there's almost always something I'd do slightly different on EVERY page, card or project I create so it's no big deal really.

I have had both an entire day by myself today with nobody for company but Michael Buble (well on CD anyway) and am on my own again this evening too as hubby is at the church youth group this evening, so after this post I plan to go get my pj's on, grab a nice cuppa and pop in yet another period drama DVD which should just about take me to bedtime.  Tomorrow is April 1st so I'm starting the countdown to 11 April when I hope to get some answers (if I'm still full of the colly wobbles that is).  BIG apolgies for this morning's grumpies BTW.

Hugs

Suezie

As for Me and My House......

Well today I created another page using those 'oh so cute' Waltzing Mouse homespun stamps - namely the house.  I was keen to give this one a go with one of the scripture stamps from Verve featuring a verse from Joshua 24:15 'but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord'.

In truth the page may seem a bit bright with the yellow but then when you remember that it will eventually be under glass and these colours will tone down it's fine.  You know - a bit like wearing make-up when you wear glasses - you often need to add just a little bit more to see it once you put your glasses back on same kinda thing.

I tried to use as many WM stamps as I could again with the exception of the verse and that zigzag stamp that I love so much.  I even managed to use another frame stamp behind the house although next time I might change the background colour to kraft or something similar.  It all got a bit too much green by the time I added the leaves as well.

As I wanted different flowers I re-created those funky ones I first made last year using the rescue remedies set and a Spellbinders nestabilities die.  I love how different they look.

I'm pretty sure these papers are October Afternoon but I had already cut the label strips off - not sure why?  I love to stamp onto patterned papers so I have even used the text stamps onto the yellow floral paper as well as the larger circles.

I'm happy to gift this or equally happy to put it up for grabs if anyone is interested.  If nothing else I will have a lovely collection of Christmas gift pages by the time I'm done huh?  I really must try some toned down papers at some point I think.

Hope you like :-)

Suezie

Banana Cream Pie Plus Another WMS Page

My daughter came over and made Grandma Howard's Banana Cream Pie (under my watchful eye) on Friday for our family dinner - I had some pie shells and bananas that needed using up. This was a firm family favourite and poor ol' mom slaved over a double boiler to make these - bless her.  I cheat and use a microwave technique.  Why ever not?  Plus I usually cheat and use a ready made pie crust too.  Hey - I bake - I just bake the easy way - who has time? LOL!

Technically they're topped with meringue rather than cream (uses up the egg whites perfectly) but I have been known to use a cream topping if I'm in even more of a hurry.  And YES I do still have the foil casing on these - I wasn't brave enough to remove the pie from it cos they were a bit crumbly - I did say I had to use them up.

 

They're soooooo yummy!  Best of all there were left overs so hubby and I had a second piece the following day. Double yum!

I don't use very deep pie shells so I get two whole pies out of this mixture. Want the recipe?

Grandma's Banana Cream Pie

1 - 2 pie shells, 2-3 ripe bananas, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar (twice), 2 cups milk, 5 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 tablespoon butter

Mix flour, salt and 1/4 cup sugar in a large microwave bowl then gradually stir in milk.  Cook on high stirring every few minutes until thick as custard.   Cook a few minutes longer.  Mix egg yolks with remaining 1/4 cup sugar and stir in a little of the hot custard mixture.  Add egg mixture to bowl, stir and cook on high, stirring occasionally until it moulds when dropped from a spoon.  Add butter and vanilla and pour over sliced bananas in pie shell.  Top with whipped, sweetened double cream or meringue.

Enjoy!

The other thing I wanted to quickly share is the page I finally finished.  I just love this page design so I had to make a second one.  This one will probably be a gift but I will happily take requests for a page if anyone's interested.  I can't repeat the same papers but I have some lurvely October Afternoon papers coming plus a few other pretty ones I'm looking at in my stash.

Don't these WM stamps lend themselves beautifully to this page design?  I have an 'as for me and my house.....' scripture stamp from Verve that I am thinking about using for a different layout using these WM stamps too - except using the house and flowers stamps. 

So many of the 'tiny' stamps are fun to use like the centre circle which works really well in the scalloped strip.  I first cut a scallop with scissors that were a pretty close match in size and then stamped the circle into each scallop.  They were perfect for sitting one of my favourite black gems into.  I am not a photographer so sometimes my photos don't do justice.

The frames are perfect for adding text and now that I have the WM alphabet stamps I can use WM for ALL the text on my pages.

I am getting a nice collection of scrapbook pages using Waltzing Mouse stamps in my WM gallery - this ones going in there and I have plans to keep adding more so watch this space.  At some point I will move on from this design and do one of the other half dozen sketches I have rattling around in my head! 

Enjoy!

Blessings - Suezie

Waltzing Mouse Page (take 2)

Well I get out of the house for a short while today as I have appointments to attend.  And the sun is shining so how lovely is that?  Better still hubby is off this afternoon to take me so I can enjoy his company - how else would I get to them? - I need his strong arms to hold me (swoon) LOL!

Love that man soooooo much, especially right now, poor guy.  Seems I can't say anything about him without that 'poor guy' feeling right now.  He is putting up with a whole lot for me.  Must be love huh? (swoon all over again)lol!

It also means I can finally get this page packaged up and into the post today with his help.  I added a mount and block with instructions to aid photo placement.  And just because I could I added that lovely 'impressively hand stamped, expressively for you' stamp I have - kinda looks like a seal - how neat.  I even signed it too so it kinda looks like a certificate of authenticity (boy that's a big word for me - ha!). 

I kinda like this as presentation for ALL my gifted pages now.  I would usually buy a frame and give them framed but this way they can go easily into the post.  Watch out family back home!  Now I know I can do this well I know I can send more pages to ya :-)

And because I liked the feel of this page so much (and I have the perfect family photo for it) I decided I had to recreate it so here's a sneak peek - it's still a work in progress mind.  I think this one might have to be a gift too - that way I can create a third one.  I already picked out the papers so I must, I must.  Funny how this page makes me want to delve into my designer papers and see what fab colour and pattern combos I can come up with.  Lovin it!

Oh why can't I just create scrapbook pages for a living and work from home, dream, dream........ I guess maybe I don't have the business savvy that's why as in I'd want to give them all away and that's NOT a good way to run a business LOL!

This Waltzing Mouse set of stamps was by far one of the best purchases I've EVER made and if seeing this page is making you want it then go treat yourself - I DARE YA! 

.......AND if seeing this page makes you want one then comission me why don't ya.  Maybe I COULD get a cottage industry off the ground - who knows?  Stranger things have happened!

Big HUGS

Suezie

Howdy Partner!

I well and truly lost an entire day yesterday - up in my craft room that is!  I am beginning to feel better at least (much less pukey feelin) even if I'm still not there just yet so I spent my whole day today stamping and playing to come up with this page.

There are loads of stamps used in this page and I had the mess in the room to prove it.  I began by stamping the woodgrain on kraft coloured cardstock and followed that up by stampin those fabby western words like 'sasperilla' and 'true grit' onto a denim paper.  I had a large scrap of red bandana paper so this became my photo backdrop.

I just couldn't make up my mind which designs to use from my new Waltzing Mouse western sets so I decided to create a vertical border so I could feature as many as I liked (think I might replace the guitar with boots tho').  Besides these two sets I used about 4 more sets to create frames and swirls and did you notice the 'happy trails'?  I stamped it into the blank tag from one of the WM tea sets!  I tell ya - nothin was off limits LOL!

I used my computer for the text in the last frame, typed and printed it then stam ped the frame around it plus I even added an extra swirl stamp to fill up the space at the bottom - who'd have thought I could use so many swirly stamps on a boy page? 

I even managed to find a frame stamp that had a 'zigzag' circle in the centre which worked perfect for the sheriff's badge stamp.  I really enjoyed mixing them all up.  I especially love the horse and rider in this frame - wouldn't they make cool badges for a boys b'day party.  Or even a slider for a bolo round the neck - this would be a cool activity so they could 'make their own'!  I think I'll use this one again and again I like it so much.

And another one I'll use again is the frame stamp for my title - which fit exactly right I must say.  I wonder does Claire keep all these dimensions in mind when she creates each new set?  Bet she does!  I just loved the swirls - so feminine yet so masculine made up like this.

I had a real play with my inks as well, stamping first in red and then brown over the top for a reddish brown effect and then first in blue and again over the top in brown for the denim blue - sometimes charcoal effect depending on how much brown I added.

I dragged the sewing machine out and just happened to have black thread in it so I stitched several rounds around my bandana paper for added effect.  I also used a Martha Stewart 'zig zag' border punch in black because somehow zig zags seem to fit western style perfectly.  Plus I stamped a row of stars to add with my ribbon for more detailing.  My ribbon should've been baker's twine but I still haven't found it yet - aaarrgghhhh!!  I have scrapped these photos sooooo many times - mostly for shows and events cos they're an attention grabber - and maybe these ones should've been in sepia but I've clearly used those all up 'double aaarrgghhhh!!!'.

Never mind - who knows?  Maybe I'll frame this one up and give it to the boys for their room and create a whole new one for me :-) 

I really enjoyed my crafting yesterday and so far I don't seem worse for wear today.  Yesterday was the first day I have actually felt really good - all I need do now is get rid of the colly wobbles and manage to walk by myself and I'll be back to my old self again.  I borrowed my mother's walking stick and had a go at a short walk yesterday evening and I managed to gain some control so maybe there's finally a light at the end of my tunnel huh?  I just have to keep aiming for it and I'm hopeful I'll get there.  I am sooooooo very tired of being house bound right now but just look at what I can do when I set my mind (hands) to it LOL!

My daughters due to visit me today and I can't wait to show her this :-)

Enjoy!

Suezie

Each New Day

It's surprising just what each new day brings and there's no way of knowing what it'll be.  For instance I didn't think today that I'd have an unexpected visit from my mother and sister, or that my labyrinthitis would go completely haywire either!  I didn't know that I would be 'tagged' by a fellow crafter and blogger.  And I didn't know that when I played around with a pretty scrap of paper this morning - looking for a 'spring' feel project; one I had to set aside when my company came - that I'd end up with an adorable scrapbook paper wreath kinda thingy ( I finished it this evening).  Well just see for yourself - what would you call it?

I have thoroughly enjoyed making this project - not just because I got to use up lots of lovely paper scraps or to stamp but funnily enough because I got to use my glue gun for a change.  Okay so Christmas was the last time I used it and that wasn't so long ago but I love using my glue gun.  It made really quick work of sticking this project together.

All it took was some clever folding, a bunch of layering up and then 1 simple photo and a couple of die-cut shapes to create a pretty decorative piece that I think would look lovely hanging in Maddycakes room.  I have only submitted to a magazine once before (and got published) and I think this one would be a good choice to try again with maybe???  I think this would also make a cool class project too if I wanted to teach it - kind of a scrapbook project but still very different.

I am lovin that kinda 'bursting out' frame stamp from WMS by the way!  And even though my letters ran over the edge a bit I think it's a great stamp for scrapbooking titles.

For now this is hanging on a hook on the closet door in my craft room and it's so nice to have a '3D' project on display.  It has some real depth to it and I like the way it looks hanging there.  I think I'd enjoy making another one of these too but something tells me tomorrow is a 'whole new day' so who knows what it will bring? I sure couldn't have predicted today LOL!

Blessings!

Suezie

Putting on the Glitz!

I know you may not be able to see it clearly from these shots and they're still a work in progress in these photos but I have been playing with those fab embossing glitters that Amanda turned me on to.  I am just loving the things you can do with them - so much so I had to have a newer, quicker heat gun cos I got fed up waitin for my old thing (you now the kind that looks like a hair dryer) to heat the powders up. 

I usually figure if it's not broken and it still works then why change it? - but it has been sooooo nice bringing myself up to date with a new one - makes such a difference!  Plus I sold a whole bunch of surplus craft items this weekend that it was nice to put something back by way of new crafting gear.

I was surprised a t the colour scheme - not usually my colours but these BoBunny papers were sooooo pretty.  They're from a design called Jazmyne and are part of their glittered range.  That's important as it happens cos I glitzed up the chipboard, die-cut accents with glittered embossing powder. I think we'll have fun with these in this class so I can't wait!

You might just be able to make out the glitter in this shot.  I have since added green embroidery floss stitches to the flower stems plus changed the title frame - finally used one of my new Waltzing Mouse Stamps from Jessy for Christmas (about time!!) - to a glittering lush purple so it 'pops' out of the page.

Since I've already taken my samples in to the store I can't re-photograph it until someone takes me there again.  I saw my doc today and I'm still a health and safety hazard (LOL) so I'm still not allowed back to work let alone able to walk on my own yet.

I also made up the handmade card kit but the photo I did in a hurry was not up to scratch but it's in store if you want to see it and I promise I'll eventually post a picture here.  These classes don't run until March and I sure hope I'm better by then!  I don't want to be a lady of leisure anymore - it's getting BORING!!!

Blessings

Suezie

Still Wobbly But I'm Crafting!

WARNING - megga long post!  I have a lot of catching up to do.

Well folks I can't yet say I am well - labyrinthitis and I are still very much aquainted but I am beginning to get the upper hand in our relationship shall we say :-)  Still wobbling and leaning all over the place, clutching onto everything and EVERYONE in sight to get from A to B and back again - and we're only talkin' a handful of steps here folks but I can SIT better AND more importantly I now feel I can actually craft too - whaaa haaay!  Might take me slightly longer as I potter around (and look real funny doing it) but I can craft and that's all that matters.

Can I just give a MASSIVE thank you to everyone that has helped me over the past few weeks - you know who you are!  I know I have leaned against you, pushed and pulled, hung on for dear life and even dragged you around as you've steadied me along my way.  I have even learned to see the funny side and laughed at myself and with you.  Jessica that picture of me walking into the wall in the corner of the ladies restroom when I was tryin to make it to the sink and us both nearly peeing our pants laughing will stay with me for a very long time LOL!  I think we would've pee'd if we hadn't just gone :-)  Too much info - sorry.

I have needed my hubby's steady hand to gently push me back to standing on numerous occasions as I've tried to cook dinner and swayed backwards out of control - love that man :-) or to rescue a glass from my hand as I feel myself going.  And lately I really appreciate the picking me up and taking me somewhere too - even if it's just to sit and visit with someone.  I'd go megga stir-crazy otherwise and it's good for me to attempt things, even if I fail so at least I can judge my progress.  There's still a ways to go yet and stairs and doorways remain a very real struggle but I think there has been some progress so that's good news and I thought some of you might appreciate the update.  It's not all bad and it feels good to be able to say that.

Okay dokay then - on to the crafting.  Yay!

I have managed to do quite a chunk of crafting over the weekend - mostly cos Amanda picked me up and helped me get in-store at YTOC both Saturday and Sunday (much easier to craft when the stores not open).  I may well be a health and safety hazard LOL - I didn't say it my doc did - but I'm the only one likely to get hurt if nobody else is around huh? Besides - if you can't make a fool of yourself among friends then when can you?

First up are some pretty blue and yellow creations.  I'm not sure how this colour scheme came about - just sorta stumbled onto it so it's different but quite sweet.  Our mission, besides catching up with each other - yes we did have one - was to heat emboss, heat emboss, and heat emboss some more as Amanda needed samples.  I won't claim to be a massive fan of heat embossing - probably because it involves dragging out equipment and lots of clean-up more than anything else but I ADORE stamping on scrapbook pages so it worked for me.

I had grabbed a handful of photos so I just had to work with what I had but Maddy's little butterfly hairclips gave me a chance to use that stunning butterfly stamp that we've all seen on Amanda's sample board in every colour and type of embossing powder imaginable.  I just love how stunning they all look - makes you want EVERY colour.

I started off by adding pretty pearlised butterflies to the background layers.  I think I am a convert for the pearlised embossing powders for sure.  I quickly followed this up by adding 3D cardstock stamped pearl butterflies, swiftly followed by stamping on vellum for a more 'floaty' feel.  A quick bit of computer generated text - remember we were short on time here - and one page done.

I took the opportunity to use up scraps (I frequently do this) from my page to make up a quick card and I even got adventurous and tried out a bit of glitter embossing powder too.  If you break this card down it's simply 3 strips - 1 of which has been border punched, a nesty circle and scallop, a bit of ribbon and a stamped and cut image plus a sentiment and some bling - easy peasey when you know how.  Why not try it.

Then on Sunday I made this page.  Again the idea was to keep it quick and simple but it took longer to heat emboss everything on this page than I thought by the time I was finished.  ALL the ladybugs, trails, flowers, leaves and letters are stamped and heat embossed.  Some directly on the page and some cut out and then added.  These were pictures of Maddy on one of her birthdays wearing an 'oh so cute' ladybug outfit that mummy and I simply couldn't resist buying her.

This was the first chance I had to use one of my new Waltzing Mouse stamp sets that Jessy got me for Christmas.  I am really keen to do more scrapbooking pages using WMS stamps - I just love em'.  I was super impressed with this frame stamp and I'm only sorry you can't see just how lovely it was in red glittered embossing powder.  I'm not a fan of glitter but I was converted - keep reading!

All the lettering was stamped, embossed, cut out free-hand, inked and then added to the page in different ways.  This is the simplest, easiest technique I know of and I love it.  I did start a card with the scraps but as it's not yet finished I'll have to share it later.

Then because it was getting late we made one last joint effort to get a 3D project done.  I made up this basic box while I watched Amanda glitter up some die-cut flowers and leaves.  Boy oh boy!  I fell head over heels in love with the 'clear sparkle' embossing powder and how it transformed these!!!  Does anyone know what I'm talkin about when I say K & Co. glittered chipboard embellishments?  You know the REALLY over-priced ones?  The ones I refused to buy but drooled over.

I was so excited at the thought of using chipboard and this technique that you can fully expect to see it featured in a class project just as soon as possible girls!  I am also a massive fan of making gifts as you know so I hope to plan a class this year that features a handmade card kit with our very own embellishments all presented in a handmade box of some kind.  I love, love, love to give handmade card sets but I love to give a card kit even more.  Why should I be the only one to have crafting fun when you can share it?

Best of all Amanda sent me home with a pot of this stuff so I can have a play.  Those of you who know me will know I don't do TV much at all if I can help it - maybe a film, a good period drama, news or an interesting documentary now and then but mostly it doesn't go on unless hubby is home.  If you've ever wondered how I have time to craft with work, church, family etc. - that then is your answer I guess.

Anyhow I am going to try sitting and playing with this stuff today or tomorrow for sure.  I think I will be loathe to give it back too.   Maybe I need to get me one huh?  I just love it loaded onto coloured cardstock which turns it a paler shade (very pretty) but that competely transforms it once it's heated up.  Kinda like my sweet 'n' sour sauce.  It goes a milky pink when I add the cornstarch and then goes a vibrant reddish-pink once it heats and thickens.  Come to think of it - that's exactly the effect LOL!

I'm converted!  You should SERIOUSLY check it out :-) Oh, and you should check out Amanda's glittered page here too - simply beautiful and another great stamp!

Hugs!

Suezie