Less is More

Two posts in one day

I didn't attempt last weeks "less is more" challenge as you had to use acetate.....this was too challenging for me but this weeks is right up my street. You have to make something that is off center so I sat and created this card this morning.


I have used the new Sew Lovely set from Stampin' Up! "hurray" I hear a certain person shouting, "a SU card for a change". I have teamed the manquin up with the new seam binding ribbon which I personally love. The greeting has been created on the computer using two different fonts.

UPDATED OOOPPSS - Great minds think alike or have I seen this before and subconciously it stuck in my mind? Whatever it was Jess HERE made a card which she put on the less is more challange a couple of weeks ago.

I do hope you like it and for those that have been asking, there may be a class on the Sew Lovely stamp set in the very near future....just watch this space.

I forgot to post this of Easter card this morning....opps,



I have already been to a car boot, cooked Sunday lunch and am now about to spend half an hour sorting out the mess I made in the craft room.

Happy Easter - XRISTOS ANESTI

Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter or as is said in Cyprus, Xristos Anesti. At Easter last year we were in Cyprus and had a b-b-q, ate outside and had the traditional "breaking of eggs competion" in glorious weather at the beginning of April. This year it looks a little chilly in Cyprus with rain and yet we have the glorious weather here.

Off for a wander around a carboot this morning and hopefully we shall have friends and family visiting this afternoon.

Another project from last weekend. Chris made us all this wonderful bookmark. We didnt have time to make it ourselves but she showed us how it was done.


And here is the butterfly in more detail, isnt it wonderful.

Have a lovely day, whatever you are up to and try not to eat all the chocolate in one go. Have fun with the egg hunts if you are having one.

Going bananas

I am still enjoying the lovely weather we have, even managing to sit outside for a while yesterday. I do hope it lasts and that Summer has arrived but I am sure its far too early for that.

We managed to get lots of work done in the garden yesterday, the fence is painted, the garden behind the pond has been cleaned out and we have had to take out even more plants that just never survived the cold winter, such a shame. A few weeks ago Paul moved a massive mock orange bush that we had, it was unruly, leggy and had just outgrown the spot we planted it in. I loved this plant and suggested that we gave it a new home in a small area of soil we have but he told me it wouldnt survive such a move as it was in bud but we gave it a go. Yesterday we discovered that it has lots and lots of new buds so maybe, fingers crossed, it did survive the move.

I thought you would like to see this card we made last weekend. I had great fun making it and there is no way that I am going to give it out to someone as I like it so much.
Here are a few photos of our Sunday Lunch....
This is the whole group, not a brilliant photograph but you get the picture.
This is Janice and Andy our hosts for the weekend and I really have to take my hat off to them, they are so hardworking and dedicated to what they do.

Lesley who got herself quite excited. She really was a happy bunny, clapping away, smiling ear to ear and why you may ask.....

because of this scrummy pudding. No she didnt eat both of them. If you click on the picture you will actually see how large they are. Both of these pubddings were eaten by 4 people - me being one of them.

Thank you for having a read today. Have a great day whatever you are doing and I look forward to reading your comments...

look at the birdie

Another early morning for me, I really must try and get back into a normal sleep routine. Everywhere is so quiet, calm and peaceful, even the birds arent awake yet. The one good thing about this time of day is that I can catch up with emails and blog land, I cant really start ringing people up now can I? or can I? okay I wont.

I have been trying to get agrip with Paul's posh camera. Its not really posh as such but it should take better quality photographs than mine does but I am not having too much success. It is heavy and cumbersome and I dont seem to be able to get the shots that I want. Plus my subjects keep flying away instead of smiling at the camera. Here are a few that I have taken.

This is one of the 3 camelia flowers about to open

You may have to click to enlarge this one, its one of my robins that visits the garden all day on and off. I purchased the little robin feeder for Paul for Christmas and this little dick bod loves it.Unfortunately, this lazy little dove also likes robins feeder

On this one I thought that he could be saying, "what are you looking at? food is food"

Thanks for having a read this morning. I do hope you have a wonderful day, the weather forecast is for wall to wall sunshine.

Midweek post

Up before the larks today, just couldnt sleep but that isnt a surprise since I was in bed before 8p.m. last night. I think I may need a nap this afternoon though.

Another little something from our ss trip at the weekend. This lovely little notebox was waiting for us when we arrived and inside it there are little tabbed notelets for us all to scribble on. It really is so cute. Thank you for making this, something I shall treasure.

We also had an amazing goodie bag which Janice and Andy put together for us, thank you for that too, lots of lovely useful bits, stamps as well as sweeties and chocolate.

Here are a few photos of everyone crafting away....I dont think that they knew these photos were being taken, naughty me.





I have gone back on the diet and back to the exercise regime. Can you believe that I put on 5lbs over one weekend, I think I ate for England. Wish me luck to get rid of the 5lbs at least this week.

Thanks for having a read

Monday Morning....

Yes it's Monday morning and the start of another week. Fortunately for me, it's only 4 days at work before starting a long weekend at home. No, I am not wishing my life away just looking forward to another fabulous weekend. It wont match the weekend I have just had at SS in Peterborough though.

Here is a photo for Chrisitana, Sophia and Katerina



This was Paul's birthday cake and of course, the blowing out of the candles. We had a lovely day surrounded by family. The girls were missing but we can make up in a few weeks when they come over for the wedding.

What do you think of this little fella



I think he is adorable. It's the badge I have been wearing all weekend at SS. Thank you so much to Janice and Andy for organising a wonderful weekend. We missed lots of friends that couldnt make it this time. And here is just one of the amazing projects


Sorry the photo isnt brilliant. I have changed the setting on my camera and until Paul comes home, I cant sort it out.

I will catch up with emails, SU orders and telephone calls over the next couple of days.

Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a lovely day, whatever you are doing

A scorcher is forecast

I have been told that we have a forecast for a scorching day today so get out that bottle of suncream if you are off out. I love the sun, the heat and everything that goes with it but, I do feel for those that are not of the same opinion. If you are someone who doesnt cope with the sun and heat, I hope you manage to keep cool.

First of all I would like to share some very special pictures with you. These have been made by my grandchildren, Amy, Millie and Holly



Bethany is going to make me one when she can. They are all proudly displayed in my kitchen, arent they adorable. Hopefully we will be seeing the girls today as it's Pauls birthday tomorrow and I have still got to make his card and go shopping to buy his present....last minute Annie again

We have had a lovely crafty week this last week, card making every night, laughter, mishaps, happy accidents the lot. Thank you ladies for making the week just perfect. We have had a play with some of the new items in the mini catalogue and there are so many wonderful things. For me, so far, the best has to be the embossing folders, the new seam thread ribbon and the baby blossoms stamp set. Here is a card that we made using all these products

Obviously, as soon as I start using other things, they will become my favourites, as usual.


Fortunately for me, Paul looks after cooking tea during crafty week, aren't I lucky, especially as he has been watching masterchef.

It was scrummy. My turn to cook next week.

Have a lovely day and thanks for having a read.

The New Mini

yes it's HERE the new 2011 mini catalogue. I think that this is the best thing since sliced bread, honestly. I know I might sound sad but this little book really excites me, the stamps, the papers, the colours and THE BIG SHOT.

I have been running a few classes this week using some of the new products and I am sure that the ladies that have been so far, are happy with the materials that they have been using.

If you would like to book a party, come to a crafting class for a couple of hours or just attend a party in the area of Derby, let me know and hopefully we can arrange something. Alternatively, you can just purchase a product or two (or even three, four....). My email address is tracey.rossos2@hotmail.com or you can call me 01332 721877. Hoping to hear from you soon.

Here is just one of the cards that we have made so far using some of the new ribbons, new stamps, new papers and the embossing folders.....

Crafting Weekend at Sir Stampalot

Does anyone fancy a crafting weekend away with 7 other ladies next weekend?

One place is available. Please give me a ring on 01332 721877 for more details.

Where HaveI been?

That is the question that everyone is asking. The truth is nowhere really but life has just been taken over by lots of other things, the wedding, the twins birthday, class preperation, going back to work and not to mention chores (I said not to mention them)

So, I have lots and lots and lots to share with you.

First of all, I have had a cancellation tomorrow night so if you fancy a couple of hours of crafting, please give me a call on 01332 721877. More details about the evening can be found on the events page. The is also one place free on Friday.

It was Sophia's and Katerina's 18th Birthday on 1st April and here are the cards that I made for them.




Their box arrived from the UK just in time and they had presents and cards to open on their special day. Here are just a few photographs that were taken at the birthday party, I just wish that I was there.





I cant believe that my babies are 18.

Of course we have the new mini, wedding photos and lots more cards to show you so please, do nip back tomorrow for another update of what Ive been doing.

Tracey