Happy Birthday Uncle John

The weather forecast for yesterday was rain, rain and more rain but, it was lovely in the afternoon, some sunshine but it wasnt too warm.  The rain never came.

I tried to sort out the craft room with my new drawers but I didnt get too far, never mind, hopefully I can get it done soon.

As well as it being my birthday on Tuesday, it was also my uncles and here is the card that I made for him

We did this in one of the classes and I just love all the colours that go with crumb cake ink.

Today I shall be out all afternoon and evening busy, busy, busy.

Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a lovely day.  What are you up to today?  it would be lovely to know.

Midweek Musings with lots and lots of photos

Umm, where did the sunshine go?  It really feels cold today, so cold that I have had to put my heating on, good job Paul is away and he wont know.  And yes, I have got a cardigan on too.

Well what a hectic few days.  Monday after work was a mad clean up, lots of ironing and lots of visitors because yesterday it was my birthday.  Unfortunately Paul had to go away yesterday morning (that is why I had to do all the ironing) but we did have breakfast together and what lovely presents he got me.  I am so lucky as he really is thoughtful.  As well as the 3 drawer units and flowers, I got a tiny box of chocs, a dvd that I have been wanting to see, well actually we went to the cinema to watch it to find out it had left.  That was the second time we had done that, how embaressing.   Then I got a box of J20, some wonderful little candles, a new china mug and mat for when I sit outside in the sun, yeah okay and a birthday cake.  It was lovely to spend an hour with him before he went off on his travels.  Then I went off to work armed with  georgraphy cake, blueberry muffins, shortbread biscuits and brownies. 

 The afternoon was filled with friends visiting, then more friends and more and, before I knew it, time for bed.

I have received some wonderful birthday cards

So then I cut the cake Paul got for me and we sat and chattered and laughed.

I have such lovely friends who spoilt me rotten with thoughtful presents, thank you to everyone.  Thanks for making my day so special when I thought I would be spending it alone as not only Paul left to work away but my parents are away as is my sister.

My daughters, who are split everywhere this week got my birthday organised between them.  Katerina sent me this card from all the girls

And clever Christiana organised Amazon to deliver this present, from all the girls.  A little girl with a dog from the Willow collection.  The box was even wrapped up ready for me to open.
 

Her present matches the one that Katerina organised for mothers day. A little girl with a cat from the Willow collection.
 

I have to show all these photos as I am not sure if all the girls have seen all the cards and presents, if you know what I mean but ssshhh, dont let the girls know lol.

So now I am an older lady who should be taking things easy but do I, oh no.  Today I am putting the finishing touches to the craft room and then its the finishing touches for next weeks crafty week.
We shall be crafting on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and at the moment, there are some spaces available.  If you would like a little more information about making a couple of cards, joining in the fun and laughter, eating home made cakes and biscuits,  just get in touch.  The card making is for experienced crafters as well as beginners.

Thank you for having a read, right to the end and have a wonderful afternoon and evening.

Happy Birthday Vasco

What happened to the weather?  At least the weather forecasters are getting it right at the moment.  Rain, wind followed by a little more rain.  Well the rain is doing the world of good in my little garden, things are sprouting, new shoots are making an appearance although all that heavy hail and wind yesterday knocked a lot of the flower heads off my camellia.

We went to Ikea yesterday and Paul got me some new drawers for my birthday treat.  The craft room needs to be a bit more organised so that is what I shall be doing this week.  Hopefully, when Paul returns (yes he leaves again tomorrow for another few weeks), he can put the drawers up for me and my room will be complete although I do need......

I was asked to make a card for a lady at work.  She is the godmother to a dog and it is the dogs 1st Birthday today, this is what I came up with.

She loved it and I am quite pleased with it too.

Well today I have a few chores to do, a few visits to make and I am looking forward to putting my feet up with hubby tonight to watch the continuation of The Voice.

Have a lovely Sunday and I hope you manage to stay dry.

Bright and Cheerful Bugs

The weekend is here, at last.  Although I have only worked for 4 days it feels like 8 or 9.  It has been so busy at the morning job but that makes the time go by a lot quicker.

Yesterday was great.  We had two crafting sessions, one in the afternoon and one in the evening and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.   Here is one of the cards that we made

A nice bright and sunny card which was totally opposite to the wind and rain that was outside.

Stampin Up Whisper White Card, Basic Black Card, Certainly Celary, Daffodil Yellow, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie and lots of other colours for the catterpilar.
Stampin Up inks for the clouds and the grass backgroud, Stampin Up Write Markers for all the colouring in and Stampin Up Basic Black ink.
Stampin Up White Gel pen and different ribbons, again all Stampin Up

I have quite a bit of cleaning up to do this afternoon, putting crafty bits away and finishing off the half made cards from yesterday all in time for Paul coming home.  Paul will be here for a couple of days but sadly, he will be leaving again on Monday meaning that he wont be here for my birthday on Tuesday so maybe, just maybe, I get to have a birthday weekend this weekend?  Who knows.

Thanks for having a read and I will catch up with you again after the weekend. 

Happy Bunny

Well the weather forecast was right for yesterday wasnt it.  They said rain and it rained. They said warm and it was 17 degrees when I got home from work.  Let's see if they are right for today, wind.  Up to 50 miles an hour in some areas, hold on to your hats.

Today we are making cards.  There is a session at 2pm and another at 7pm and there are a couple of places still available if you fancy it but it is first come first served.  Give me a ring on 01332 721877 before 1.00pm or before 6pm.  These are taking place in Allenton, Derby.  The table is set, the raffle basket is ready and I am so looking forward to it.

First of all I have to go and have a morning at work which will fly by as I am so busy.

Katerina had her first BIG exam yesterday, bless her.  She is coping so well.  Sophia is busy revising for her exams.  Christiana is still sorting out her apartment, yesterday Sophia and boyfriend went round to help build up some Ikea furniture so Christiana is so excited about getting the place all nice.
Life for me is so much easier when the girls are coping with their lives.....we just wait for the next hic cup.

When I have lost my mojo, get a little stuck with putting the right colours together or dont really know what I want to make, I just go through the Stampin Up catalogue and I got my inspiration from the card below from page 25 of the SU Catalogue.  It isnt exactly the same as I didnt have all the elements but I enjoyed making it.

Right, off to start my day at my morning job.  Looking forward to seeing everyone later today.  Thanks for having a read.

Wet Wednesday - so the forecaster says

Good morning, I am sat here and it is 12 degrees outside already - only 6.30am.  I have just heard that the lovely weather isnt going to last, which is a shame.  At least yesterday I managed to get all the outside cleaned again, plants watered, a few weeds pulled up and its looking very nice.  I even sat outside for well over an hour having a coffee with George and putting the world to rights.  How nice it is just to stop for a while.  Fingers crossed that I get to sit outside again very soon.  I havent made up my hanging baskets nor put in the border plants because of the weather but I think that this weekend, I shall get that little job done and put lots of colour in the garden.

Would you like to make a couple of cards and tags tomorrow?  I have an event at 7pm tomorrow night as well as 2pm in the afternoon and there are spaces available at both sessions.  If you do please get in touch for more details 01332 721877 or tracey.rossos2@hotmail.com

Here is a card I made some time ago. 

Is anyone else struggling with the internet at the moment?  Everything is extremely slow, my emails are not getting out and, I am not receiving emails.  Text messages are taking a couple of days to get to me as well....how odd.

Off to get ready for my morning at work and then home baking in the afternoon, lovely.  Have a wonderful day and thank you for reading the blog today.

Sunny Bank Holiday Monday

Good morning, I do hope that those off work are enjoying the Bank Holiday weekend.  I know that not everyone is off today. 

I dont have any photos from the Cypriot Easter yesterday just yet but I am sure that when they all wake up (sometime after 12), the girls will send me the pics for me to share.  I am told that the Preston BBQ was lovely but tiring.  The Nicosia lunch was lovely as it also coincided with a birthday and a name day so all girls, quite happy.

Yesterday I managed to have a wander around Derby Shopping Centre and then I spent a wonderful couple of hours just sat in the sunshine chatting away to my sis.  I dont remember the last time I did that and it was great.  Today I have a red arm and a red chest (looking a bit like the robin that visits my garden).  Then it was feet up and watched the last of Endevour.  I have loved that series as it has been one of the few dramas that I didnt know "who dun it" until they told us.  A lot of dramas I realise who the culprit is quite early on but not with Endevour.

Today I am on a mission with my continual changing around, sorting out and putting things away.  I have decided that my crafting magazines have to go so for every one I shall keep, 5 will have to go.  Arent I cruel?  If you or someone you know would like some crafting magazines, send them my way.

Here is the first page of March 2013 that I am scrapbooking.  I am still not brilliant at this but I keep having a go.

And here are a couple of close ups but the focus isnt brilliant.

 
I do like double pages so I have the other page to photograph for you and I am already thinking about Aprils page.


The sunshine is due to be out for most of the day so, if I can, I shall be have a little tidy up outside later today, totally relaxing on a Bank Holiday. 

I hope you manage to enjoy the day and thank you for looking at my blog.

Happy Easter

Yes it is Happy Easter to all my Cypriot family and friends.  Katerina is in Preston and they are attempting to have a traditional Easter Lunch, out in the car park of her apartment.  Please keep your fingers crossed that the weather stays dry as there are a lot of young Cypriot adults away from their family today and it really is a special day for them (as big as our Christmas).  They are going to BBQ the meat, eat salad, drink cokes and sing songs....I think.  Hopefully some photos will follow.

Christiana and Sophia are home in Cyprus.  They went to midnight mass which was followed by traditional soup, with all the family.  Some breaking of eggs will have happened too, I am sure.  Today all the family are going to Nicosia to be with Christianas God Parents, who are also their fathers Aunt and Uncle.  It will be a very big family affair and I am quite sad to be home alone.  Never mind, I shall just look at the photos of our last Easter with everyone.

Friday night was lovely at Derby Dabblers and lots of candles were made.  I could kick myself as I forgot to take my camera. Here is one that I made

 I still have a couple of places left for Thursdays card making sessions, the first starts at 2pm and the other at 7pm.  Please give me a call on 01332 721877 or email me at

Has anyone mis placed their pokey tool?  I have discovered this in my little basket of tools.  If it is yours, just let me know.
 
As promised earlier in the week, here is one of the cards that I was playing with when I went to clean my room.  This is using the Summer Silhoutte stamp set.
 
I did exactly and Michelle Zindorf says in her tutorial and had great fun.

Thanks for having a read and have a great weekend, what is left of it.

Fab Friday

 Yippee, the weekend is just a few hours away, how good is that.  Its even better with the Sun shine making an appearance so early in the day.

Here is another card that I did using Postage Due stamp set

 Supplies
Card -Neutrals Ivory, Crumb Cake, Rose Red and Very Vanilla
Ink - Crumb Cake
Accessories - Seam Binding Ribbon, Antique Brads, Postage Stamp Punch, 1" Punch, Woodgrain embossing Folder

With the sun making an appearance, my camellia plant has gone into flowering overtime.  It is amazing and I am giving this lots of love and tender care.  It has never had so many flowers open up and there are still so many buds just about to open.

Do you remember all the castor oil seeds I planted?  Well not so many of them made it through the winter.  I have now put what is left out in the sunshine to see if this helps them a little. 

Along with the month of May comes a new word.  For those of you that don't know, I am having a word a month in 2013 that will help me.  So far I have had once, sort, chill (that was last month) and this month is communication.  I think that so many problems are caused through lack of communication or wrong communication, that I am going to try a bit harder with this.  I have also been told that I communicate at the last minute which is just me but I understand that this does cause a few problems for other people and hopefully I can do something about it.  Its also a case that we mis understand what is being communicated so I am trying hard with that one too.  Phew, a bit heavy for a Friday.  I still think chatting over a cuppa with a biscuit or cake is the best way to communicate rather than over the phone or email.


Next Thursday I have a 2.00pm class  using the BUG ME stamp set from Stampin'  Up!.  Would you like to make a couple of cards, a tag and who knows what else using this stamp set?  Please get in touch to book your place.  I am repeating the same class at 7pm and it would be great to see you.


If you dont already have a Stampin Up Demonstrator, I would love to be yours.  Give me a call on 01332 721877 or drop me a line at tracey.rossos2@hotmail.com

Sorry its a bit of a long post today and I hope you managed to make it to the end.  Have a wonderful Friday and a wonderful weekend.  Thanks for stopping by for a read.

SU Orders have arrived

The sun is out and about again today, how wonderful.  The whole world looks such a nicer brighter place when the sun shines as people smile, they are more helpful and I think generally, the sun shine impacts us all, especially when its not TOO hot.

Yesterday afternoon I had a play with stamped images on candles

 it was a bit of a practise really as tomorrow is Derby Dabblers night and we are going to be doing this.  I had to refresh my memory as to what to do and what not to do.  If you feel like coming along to St. Martin's Church from 6.30 - 9.30 its only £3 per person, £2 for teenages.  We also have a mans theme for card makers and scrapbookers.  If you knit, crochet or do any other type of craft, why not come and have a cuppa and meet some felow crafters?

This afternoon finds me covered with stamps, A4 card, emboss folders, ink pads, buttons, scissors etc. etc.  Oh yes I have had 3 orders arrive, new orders, back orders, strange orders, you name it, I have it.  I shall be sorting everything out, having a good old look at what everyone has and maybe tonight, I may have a play with something myself.

More cards tomorrow but for the rest of the day, I hope you enjoy it.  Thank you for having a read.

Tuesday at Tracey's Today

Yesterday I managed to start yet another sort out of the craft room, it seems that I am just outgrowing the space that I have which is such a shame.  And of course, I do like sorting and organising which means that there are quite a few retired stamp sets for sale.  It did take me a lot longer than I thought as I saw the Serene Silhoutte Stamp set, just sat there and thought ooohhh, why dont I have a little play, so I did.  I shall finish the cards today and show you what I did later in the week.

I have the morning at work today and then I thought how nice it would be to spend the afternoon with friends so, if you fancy a cuppa and a biscuit, please feel free to call in later today for a while.  We can catch up on all your latest news.

Here is another card from last weeks crafting get together using  the Postage Due stamp set

Supplies
Card - Sahara Sand  and Real Red
Stamp Set - Postage Due £15.95 for a set of 4 stamps., Itty Bitty Banners £10.95 for a set of 6 stamps
Punches - Postage Stamp £14.25 and has that lovely edge to it
Accessories - Neutrals Designer Buttons £8.25 for 72 buttons, 4 each of 3 designs in 6 colours. The Real Red thread used for the button has been made with a very thin strip of card threaded through the button holes and gently tied in a knot (it did snap a couple of times before I got it right)
Ink - Real Read and Soft Suade.

Its the Derby Dabblers crafting get together this Friday.  We are going to be stamping onto candles which is always lovely.  If you fancy a social night out with a few other crafters, why not come along?

Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a lovely day.

Mondays news

It is THAT day again, oh I am so pleased when it comes round to 12 noon on Mondays as I do suffer from that Monday morning feeling.

We did lots of crafting last week, here are two samples of one of the cards we made.

We used the Postage Due Stamp set and Fan Fair Designer series papers.  I had a great play with this stamp set so lots more of these still to show you.

 
I have been asked to let you know about all the items I use on my cards so this is something that I shall start to do, from today.

Supplies
Card - Sahara Sand, Night of Navy, Midnight Muse.
Papers - Fan Fair Designer Series Paper, 12 sheets 12 x 12 double sided paper £9.95
Stamp Sets- Postage Due £1595 for a set of 4 stamps.  Itty Bitty Banners £10.95 for a set of 6 stamps
Ink - Night of Navy, Midnight Muse
Accessories - Naturals Designer Buttons £4.50 for 24.  8 each of 3 designs.  Linen Thread  £3.95 for 13.7m. Midnight Muse stitched ribbon ££7.95 for 9.1m

If you would like to purchase any of these items please get in touch on 01332 721877 or email me at tracey.rossos2@hotmail.com

Have you heard about This and That from Stampin up?  Have you heard about Smash books?  Well if you look on the big wide web for more information about these you will be as excited as I am.

From 1st May we can order This and That and from 1 - 31 May SU have a bundle offer. You will be able to get these items after May 31st  but, the special offer of 15% off is only available until the end of May.  You may purchase each item individually as well as grabbing the bundle offer

I shall be placing my first order of these on Friday, if not before.  If there are 5 more ladies that would like one, place your order with me for the discounted bundle £29.24 prior to Friday and I will put all 5 ladies into a draw (well I will put your names in a draw) for two lots of £12.50 hostess prizes which means that you could get an additional £12.50 worth of goodies for your This and That Journal.

	Description	Price
	Epic Day This and That Journal	9.95
	Epic Day This and That Designer Series Paper	9.95
	Remember This and That Rotary Stamp	5.50
	Epic Day This and That Designer Stickers	4.50
	Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape	4.50
	Epic Day This and That Bundle Includes the five This and That products listed above. Only available in a bundle until May 31st	29.24 15% Off Retail Value

 

 
I do hope that all this makes sense?  If it doesnt, just give me a call.

I have the dining room table all cleared now, teapot and cups ready for a Tuesday at Traceys tomorrow.  If you fancy a cuppa and a biscuit, please feel free to call in.

Off to do a bit more sorting in the craft room, having a restful evening and chilling with a play with some inks and paper.

Thanks for having a read today and I hope you have a lovely evening.