ENGAGED

Dear Reader

Last night was my friend Nina's engagement party. Here she is with her lovely man John having a cuddle in the kitchen. Kitchen's always the best place at party's right? And above is the card I made for them. It's a gatefold card and inside, apart from our love and best wishes to Nina and John, is a short quote from Leo Tolstoy:

"He felt now that he was not simply close to her but that he did not know where he ended and she began."

Stop filling up Lynda!!! But if you can't have a romantic saying in an engagement card then as granny would say 'it's a poor show'. I wanted the card to be like one of those soft focus romantic moments that you get in films - all gooey and heart-melting, to make you feel all warm inside. I love a bit of romance! Anyways, I stamped everywhere with an Anna Griffin stamp (she does romantic really well I think in her papers and products), used lots of tattered rose distress ink, some soft pink Martha Stewart card and some embellisments from RWS and my stash. Just to complete the whole romance of it all I made the card for them on Valentines Day. Oh! no - you're filling up again Lynda !!!

All the ingredients were in place for a cracking party - lots of bubbly, food, people and a mood for celebration so you'll not be surprised to hear that it turned out really well and was a great night. John's family had come from all over the place and I had a long chat with a lady called Sue from Darlington who used to do sugar craft and was stopping in her caravan outside in Nina's garden with her two dogs who'd come with her, a jolly motorbiker from t'other side of the Humber with lots of biking stories, and masses of other folk including Nina's neighbours. Turned out that Nina's neighbour was called John too and apparently there'd been a bit of embarrassment when they first moved in. Nina had shouted loudly for 'John' to bring her some loo roll up and got an answer through the open bathroom window from a surprised neighbour John next door to say he would try and help! Oooops - bet she remembers to check Mr B Ogroll is in place from now on!! And thank goodness she's now 'Engaged'!!

POST IT NOTE

Dear Reader I know I said I wouldn't be back for a while with any cards but I thought this one was so lovely that I'd just have to post it on my blog. It was a big surprise when it arrived in the post today. I opened it wondering who on earth it was from and guess what, it was from Nurse Tammy! If you've been with me from the start you'll remember that on a visit to the docs, Nurse Tammy and I started off talking low fat diets, moved to cupcakes and then on to crafting cupcakes which was all far more interesting than limp lettuce! It's really cute with beautiful decoupage which my photo doesn't do justice to and lots of sparkle.

Isn't it lovely when you get a nice surprise in the post. I fear with all things going 'e' that the days of the posted card may be drawing to an end (terrible for us crafters and I don't know if I should even be voicing this fear in case it makes some of you faint!). I truly hope not as an 'e' card, appropriate in some circumstances I give you, just isn't the same as a card sent in the post. Even the post office seem to be conspiring to get rid of handcrafted cards by, as Jane has recently pointed out, making it impossibly expensive to send them. I suggest that when the politicans start lobbying us for our votes this May we ask them where they stand on the issue of a reasonably priced posted handcrafted card! Ha! That'll put them on the spot and sort the men from the boys as granny would say. In the meantime though thanks Nurse Tammy for the card - it's beautiful.

FIRST OF FIVE !

Dear Reader
As promised I'm back with my challenge cards for this week. I've crafted all weekend (it kept my mind off other things) and the following five cards are the result. As granny would say 'No point in sitting about moping, best keep busy'. So no moping for me - instead lots of crafting and hence lots of challenge cards! Out of adversity etc etc. Although looking at the state of the house I probably ought to have been busy hoovering lol. Crafting - hoovering..... no contest!!!

I really think this week's going to be a better one. First appointment of the week was with a caterer (what could be better than talking food and yes there are cupcakes on the menu!) and the second with a magician. He came in today to discuss our Awards 'magical evening' but we spent the first half an hour rolling around laughing at his jokes and Tommy Cooper impersonations. "Two fish in a tank - one says to the other you drive and I'll man the guns!" .... etc etc he he he I just love Tommy Cooper jokes. Anyway, he's going to get the evening off to a good start with an illusion. The choise was making someone disappear 'just like that!' or sawing someone in half. What a choice! Good job he didn't come in last week I could have give him a list of names for both lol.....

Anyway, here's the first card which is for the Sketch Saturday challenge. It somehow felt right to rotate the sketch 90 degrees so I did. Papers are by Martha Stewart and I've used a Whiff of Joy stamp coloured in with distress inks. I made some paper flowers and used pearls to give a soft look, which is also helped by all corners on the card being rounded off. The tag I also made and fixed in place with a large pearl brad to keep the pearl and rounded theme going. I've used a Woodware sentiment stamped with grey ink, again for a softer look. Hope you enjoy this card and the ones that follow it. I'm now crafted out so you probably won't see any more cards from me for quite a while! Although I might be back with another Tommy Cooper joke!!!

JUST FOR YOU NELLIE

Dear Reader

This is a card I've made for a challenge Jane at Jane's Lovely Cards told me about. Thank you Jane. It's the Sugar Nellie Challenge - hence the Sugar Nellie stamp (thanks Lady Janet). For this challenge you had to follow a sketch and use three flowers, two brads and a button. Such a lot to remember I nearly got a headache! I wanted to do a card for a teenager and so no K & Co papers folks (Nicki will be cheering!). Instead I've used some Martha Stewart papers. The flower one in particular is lovely - all shiny and glittery and I love diamonds almost as much as I love spots! Although you can see I managed to get spots in with the ribbon lol. Image is coloured in distress inks and everything else is from my stash or RWS.

SWIRLS AND PEARLS

Dear Reader

Here's another entry. This time for the Whiff of Joy Challenge. I used, surprise surprise, K & Co papers. Even the butterfly is K & Co! The image is coloured in green and brown distress inks as I wanted to give a woodland feel. I liked the green swirly grasses on the paper so I thought we'd continue with the nature theme with a butterfly embellishment which has been distressed with old paper distress ink (come in useful already Nicky - thanks so much), stickles and a pearl swirl. I guess Harry Potter is on my mind - I wanted to give an 'old book' look to the card so I made some tabs which I'm quite liking. I also wanted to offset all the 'swirliness' with some nice rectangles and echo them with some other straight pearls to give some form. Hope you like it!

FRUITY FRIDAY

Dear Reader
Here's my entry for Friday Sketchers. I've used reds and sage greens for this card. I've kept it fairly simply to give emphasis to the thick red ribbon and strawberry charm, which adds to the fruity theme. I used, wait for it, K & Co papers, nesties for the sentiment and my new scallop punch on the backing card. The image was coloured in distress inks.

TILDA - WITH LOVE

Dear Reader

Here's my entry for the Magnolia Challenge. I enjoyed this sketch and tried to get a different look to each of the layers going across using different scallop borders and mediums, including my favourite lace in the whole wide world. Papers are, as if you didn't know, K & CO. I used an Anna Griffin swirl stamp and embellishments from my stash decorated with stickles. Not too sure about the stamp in retrospect but I like to try different things. I think this Tilda has a slightly wistful and apprehensive air so I wanted to colour her in muted shades to give a calm peaceful look. But I think I've overdone it and now she looks as though she's on valium! Forgive me Tilda!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!

Phew! What a hectic week it was last week. We had a high spot mid week when my youngest Alice (right on the pic) came home for a couple of days and we had a big family night out. Well, kind of out. Ten of us went to the Hainton for the carvery, then hot footed it round to mum's house for dessert and coffee. It was one of those nights when everyone was on form and we had a lot of laughs. Dad surprised us all with a DVD he'd put together of slides he'd taken back in the 1960's. Hilarious seeing us all looking like something off the set of Thunderbirds with Dad's Ford Anglia car, which he reminded us took five of to the Black Forest in Germany complete with all our camping equipment and luggage! Brought back a lot of memories and I know we're going to treasure this DVD. Alice was home as her birthday was coming up. It's actually today - as well as my nephew's Freddie. Alice is 22 and Freddie 17. Happy Birthday and lots of love to you both xxx! The pix were taken on the night out. Alice is with her sister Chloe but as you can see Freddie is pretty shy at having his picture taken. I tried all night to get a good one but he was too quick for me lol.

It was manic at work last week as the Business Awards brochure came out. For the first time it's in ebook format and I'm so pleased with it. I'm hoping it will make it really easy for businesses to take a look and for the first time they can enter online. How 21st Century are we!!! Here's the ebook if you'd like to take a peek. Please pass it on to any businesses you know that might like to enter. We all know one who deserves a prize! And if there was one for the kindest 40 year old business woman who loves Bruce Springstein and vanilla latte I think we all know who'd win....!!

http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=mypagesuite&pnum=&refresh=5i1T0Es89k0G&EID=cc1f92c8-d156-4bb2-887b-b16a9ad02d0e&skip

The snow today was a perfect excuse to sit and craft all day and so I've lots of cards for challenges. Hopefully I've met all the criteria! All being well will photograph tomorrow day and be back tomorrow night to post. I've enjoyed looking at everyone's latest blogs today too - guess I'm not the only one keeping warm crafting and blogging whilst it snows!

IN THE PINK (No 1)

Dear Reader

It's been a weekend to remember - we've been 'in the pink' as granny would say, so I've posted a couple of cards I've put together to reflect that. This one is for the Magnolia Challenge, Sketch Saturday and one other challenge which for the moment I can't find! lol It was a challenge asking for pink, light green and dark green and I can't for the life of me find it now. Leave a comment if you know where it's at!! I've used Magnolia Edwin (kindly given to me by Janet - thanks Janet) coloured in with Sekura pens. I wanted a Love theme so he's now holding a love heart (appropriate for the 'in the pink' weekend we are having and the fact it's Valentines Day! I bet you can all guess it's a Cuttlebug heart so no prizes for that one! Papers are by Martha Stewart (got a bit distressed (get it!!) with K & Co). Sorry bad joke but I'm leaving it in! I've inked everything with Tattered Rose distress ink and used embossed Cuttlebug hearts. Tag is Tiny Tags stamp by Woodware and I've gone to town with the Stickles. Embellishments and ribbon from RWS and stash.

I'm sure most of you that read this blog know about Tracey's 40th Birthday Bash yesterday. I was amazed at the way it all came together, with lots of people contributing and doing their own thing and yet it all tailored together seamlessly with hardly any duplication. Different people even arrived bearing the same range of decorations (pink of course) and serviettes etc- how remarkable is that! The shop looked fabulous, the table was decorated beautifully, the food was yummy and we even had flower decorations and sprinkles to set the whole thing off. And of course a wonderful set of balloons (you can't have a birthday party without balloons!) including Nicki's remarkable balloon man, named Buster, who I have been photographed kissing. Can't wait to see that one - not!! lol Lots of customers, family and friends were there and it was a really fitting tribute to Tracey's 40th and the shop's 1st birthday! To (mis)quote Captain Kirk (OMG I'm now quoting him as well as granny!) may they both go forth and prosper.. Happy Birthday Tracey and Happy Birthday Running with Scissors! Love you both xxx

IN THE PINK (no 2(

Dear Reader

Here's the other 'pink card'. It's for Friday Sketchers. I painted the stamp at Tracey's party after a glass of champagne so under the circumstances it's not too bad hiccup! I thought the Martha Stewart diamond papers would complement the diamond shape we were given. I've inked everything again with Tattered Rose. All embellishments from RWS and my stash.

BOHEMIAN LOVE

Dear Reader

Here's a card I've put together for the Simon Says Stamp challenge which Jane at Jane's Lovely Cards mentioned on her blog. As you might guess the prompt for the challenge is 'LOVE'. With Valentine's just round the corner what could be more appropriate! Actually, Maurice and I met on Valentine's Day eight years ago. We both went independently to an 'I hate Valentine's Night' party at Chicagos. Ironic eh! Eyes met across an uncrowded room and that was it for an hour or so. Then my friend was asked to dance but being a lovely friend dragged me, protesting, onto the dance floor too so I wouldn't be stood on my own. I turned from a twirl, smiling apologetically at the poor guy who'd invited my friend to dance and ended up with me Miss Gooseberry there as well, and there was Maurice dancing away in front of me. If I tell you the record was Bohemian Rhapsody you can guess that dancing was a bit difficult. That record goes from ferociously fast to sloth-like slow. A real challenge but we bobbed about a bit! The only plus side was that it is amazingly long so we got plenty of time to take stock of each other! We both liked what we saw I guess. The clincher for me was a good night kiss which took my breath away - I swear I heard violins! - and I knew he was THE ONE. Ah! memories ..... Anyway, back to the darn card....

The inspiration is from one Tracey at RWS taught at a class. I loved the design so much I've made lots with it but I think this one is my favourite. It's for Maurice's eldest sister Marie's birthday and I've tucked a 'Sister' message at the bottom of the tag. Papers are - you've guessed it ' - K & Co. I'm happily working my way through the pad! I've punched the little flowers, stamped and embossed the tag through a Cuttlebug and used gorgeous gorgeous lace from Running with Scissors. I could carry a piece of this lace around with me in my purse it's so pretty to look at!

EASTER BASKET

Dear Reader

Here's my entry for the Magnolia Easter Basket Challenge. I've really enjoyed doing this one - right up my street as I love boxes/baskets/containers of any kind and I'm already thinking how I can adapt it to suit different occasions. I used my K & Company paper pad and my new Martha Stewart doillie punch which I'm hoping will come in really useful. I'm liking the way you can make a nice handle with it if you punch both sides. I've used a Magnolia Alfie for this and it's nice to see he's got a mouth! And a smiley one at that. Loving his ears too - very Prince Charles, Coloured him in with my three distress inks (I'm very distressed I've only three) He's a bit too red - should have had that lipstick colour pink distress ink really but there you go. At least he's bright! Also used some other inks. Goodness knows what they're called. I wanted to bring in some blue so I used a Sekura felt tip on some shiny paper and added water with a water colour brush. Probably wrong but 'needs must' as granny would say. Anway, we got blue boots. Which looking at them would probably meet the approval of the chiropodist I saw yesterday. I've distressed and aged the paper lace border and inked with Saraha Sand chalk. I'd like 'Gingerbread' as it's not so 'strong' but can't find it anywhere for love nor money. If anyone knows where I can get it please let me know as I've looked for ages. My flower is from Trotters Traders. I know how to pass an hour on a Sunday afternoon! I've deliberately kept the thing simple, because I just wanted to focus on Alfie with a flower in his hand and the sentiment (which is tiny tags by Woodware). Maurice popped out to Tesco and in true man style came back with not one but three bags of chocolate eggs. I put two bags in the basket (is it my imagination or are the bags of eggs smaller these days?) apart from the purple ones which didn't match my colours. How picky am I! Maurice now has those in his packing-up. The basket smells absolutely gorgeous - I'd forgotten how good those chocolate eggs smell - and I can't wait for Easter.

A PHOENIX RISES

Dear Reader

It's a while since I blogged as I've been having what they call today 'health issues', what we in Grimsby say 'been a bit badly'. Lost the fight with the tooth last Thursday. The dentist said it was a 'rogue', so I called it Bill Sykes and had it out. RIP Bill. Unfortunately I've now been faced with a whopping bill the size of Iceland's national debt so I'm not a happy bunny. And today I was faced with a haridan of a nurse when I went for chiropody treatment for my poorly toe (is there no end to my minor ailments!), who tut tutted and had the nerve to tell me that my best shoe boots were far too high and pointy and hence bad for me. This from an insole of a woman sporting the worst pair of size 8 clumpy blue trainers I have ever seen, who clearly should be arrested by the shoe police. Well, I'm sorry but there are limits and I've reached them. I may look for some slightly wider shoe boots when I've finished handing over my pay cheque to the dentist but I'm not giving up my heels .... yet.

Apart from that it's been a good start to the week as the logo for this year's Business Awards event is ready. Hope you're liking it. As you probably (well hopefully) can guess, this year we're having a Harry Potteresque magical theme for our Awards and I wanted the logo (crest) to represent that.

At the Gala Dinner we going to split the audience into four houses and the crest shows the colours of them. We've named them Grimmydor (scarlet/gold), Scunnerin (green/silver), Humberpuff (yellow/black) and Ravenscorus (blue/bronze). Each house will have its own ghost (Nearly Headless Harry/the Corpulent Count/the Grey Banker/the Bloody Bishop) and its own animal mascot (lion/snake/badger/eagle). There is a phoenix on top of the crest which is supposed to represent business rising from the ashes of recession (I think optimism is a good thing!) and I'm hoping our Awards do spread some magic for the business community. They've had a really tough time of it. I guess I've let my imagination run riot this year but it's been a lot of fun and the graphics people at the Telegraph have really got behind the concept and I think done us proud. We've also had a lot of fun putting it all together and I guess that's what it's all about.

I've had a go at the Magnolia Easter basket challenge and hopefully will be decorating it tomorrow night, so I'll post it Wednesday. It was a bit fiddly - you could do with four hands really - if my toe wasn't badly I might have bought that into play! - but I found that if I held it together with paper clips (the basket not my toe) it made the job a bit easier. That's my top tip for anyone else out there trying it. Or even better get a mate round. As granny would say "many hands make light work". And for anyone out there who's wondering what the heck I'm going on about, take a look at the Magnolia site (link below). The design team have come up with some stunning Easter baskets. I'm just wondering what to fill mine with. Probably teeth!

http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/

FRIDAY SKETCHERS

Here's my entry for this week's Friday Sketchers. Thanks to Nicki for the image which I coloured using Tracey's distress inks. Yes, I am hoping to increase my inks but at the moment all my money is going on my teeth - what's left of them! Papers are by K & Company and I distressed using chalk. Tag is stamped using a Craft Works stamp with Sahara Sand chalk. Ribbon from Running with Scissors and pearls from likewise.

A big thanks to Lynda for my doillies. Didn't use on this card in the end but am saving for a special card on another day!

A DUCK AT THE DENTISTS

Dear Reader
I'm thinking you're probably as sick of my teeth as I am but let's get the saga finished shall we? Today I finally got some treatment, after my Friday appointment got cancelled because my new dentist Mr Traingates had got rushed into hospital. I was so eager to get the ordeal over today I actually arrived early! Yes, unheard of and it felt very strange. Consequently I had to sit in the upstairs waiting room on my own twiddling my thumbs and listening to the sound of the drill 'til they were ready for me. There were big notices about telling me to switch my mobile phone off, so I did. Apparently it interferes with the x ray machine's waves. Funnily enough Maurice was telling me yesterday that he has a machine to test microwaves for leakages - not for soup that's boiled over but for radiation!) and that the same machine registers very low levels from mobile phones. Scary huh! Anyway, got called in. My even newer dentist Mr Harris (Thininout) told me how much the treatment was going to cost and before I could get a moan out at that news popped the x ray machine into my mouth. To my horror my phone then started 'quacking'. I hadn't turned it off. The quacking meant it was Maurice as he is the only one with the duck quack ring tone. The dentist looked around startled. I just laid there innocently looking up at the ceiling hoping to God that it wasn't affecting the x ray machine or I would be forking out for one of those as well as root canal and a crown. Think I got away with it. As granny would say "sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all"....