Wednesday

Happy Birthday

Good morning and it is an early start today.  Unfortunately Christianas coughing woke me up at 5am.  I think we need to get back to the doctors.  We sat drinking tea at 5.15 and then she went back to sleep and me.....oh well, one of the joys of mother hood.

There have been a couple of SU parties recently, that is where a group of friends meet in the craft room and spend a couple of hours going through the catalogues, catching up with each other over a cuppa and cake as well as making a card or two.  Here is one of the cards that got made.

Have you got the Happy Birthday die and have you layered it up a few times?  It really does stand out and look smashing.  If you would like to find out more about this card or die, please get in touch.

It was a quiet day at home yesterday as Christiana is still rather poorly but it was lovely to see all the visitors we had.  We got to catch up with lots of friends and I dont know where the day went.

If you are local to Alvaston, Derby and fancy a card making get together this Friday do get in touch so that I can give you all the details.

Today Christiana and I are going to have a little play with Happiest of Day stamp set.....again.  Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a lovely day x

SU Goodies used for todays card
Stamps - Stampin' Up! Happy Birthday Gorgeous
Card - Whisper White Thick, Wild Wasabi, Berry Burst
Ink -  Wild Wasabi, Berry Burst
Thinlet Die - Happy Birthday




Hostess code for SEPTEMBER for all online orders under £150.
WMMPDYZA





Tuesday

Oh Ducky

Good morning and a quick "wave" to Angie who I met yesterday in the crafty section of The Works.  Can you believe that I went out without a pen and not a piece of paper in sight tut tut.  We managed by borrowing a pen and me writing on a Sainsbury receipt yikes.  Hope to hear from you soon.

Christiana is home, phew.  She came out of hospital late Friday night and it is now a slow road to build her back up again.  She still has an awful cough, she is very weak and has lost quite a lot of weight but bit by bit, she will get there.  We got Paul to drop us off at Alvaston Park and Christiana and I went out for a very short walk to see the ducks on Sunday. The fresh air did both of us some good.





Paul and I spent a little more time in the garden and I just love the way the hydrangea has changed colour from a very pale pink to a bright purple and now to this extremely vivid red.


Here is another card in the Sprinkles of Life collection.  I saw something very similar on my internet travels. I have changed a few bits and love the finished card.



If you would like to make a couple of cards on Friday evening, there is one place available at the card making get together in Alvaston, just get in touch and I can give you more details.

Thanks for having a read and wishing you a wonderful Tuesday.

SU Goodies used for todays card
Stamps - Stampin' Up! Sprinkles of Life
Card - Very Vanilla Thick, Soft Suede, Soft Sky
Ink -  Soft Sky, Old Olive, Soft Suede
Punches - Build a Tree, Tag
Ribbon - Soft Sky


Hostess code for SEPTEMBER for all online orders under £150.
WMMPDYZA


Thursday

More Sprinkles of Life

Good morning and it is a damp one today.  Rather dark and very damp outside but it does mean that the extra grass seed we have put down will 'take' a little quicker.  There is no time to get the back garden done this year so we shall get onto it as soon as Spring arrives next year but, in the meantime, we shall keep the grass as nice as we can.

The front garden is looking very nice as Paul is spending some time on it each evening.  I still cant get him to stop buying plants from the poorly counter though.

Unfortunately Christiana didnt come home yesterday from the hospital but she is feeling a lot better, the antibiotics are working and she slept all through the night last night.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that she will be home today and she will be staying in the house for a few days until she is fully recovered.

Here is another card made with Sprinkles of Life stamp set

 And the theme has be carried on to the inside too.  There is still plenty of space to write a sentiment.

Would you like to go to a Stampin' Up! party in Derby this Saturday in the afternoon?  If you would please do let me know.  It is also a great opportunity to find out about joining the Stampin' Up! team as well as getting to play with some lovely crafting products.

Thanks for popping in for a read today and I hope your Thursday is a lovely day.  Tracey x

SU Goodies used for todays card
Stamps - Stampin' Up! Sprinkles of Life
Card - Whisper White Thick, Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky
Ink - Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
Punches - Build a Tree

Hostess code for SEPTEMBER for all online orders under £150.
WMMPDYZA






Wednesday

Sprinkle of Life

Good morning and for the second day in a row, we are up early.  Yesterday it was because Christiana really wasnt well and we were at the Walk In Center at 7am, bless her.  We ended up going for a chest X-ray at the hospital and they kept her in.  She is very comfortable, the medicine is working well and she hopes to be home later today.  Phew.

Here is a card that has been made












 It is using just a few elements of the Sprinkle of Life stamp set which I cant believe hasn't really been used before. 

There is so much with this set and you can do so many different cards and projects with it.  I guess this is my new favourite set for this week.

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











Monday

Real Red and Old Olive

Hi and good afternoon.

Life got a little busy last week and I wasnt able to update my blog as much as I would like but these things happen.  We had hospital visits, doctors appointments and I wasnt well for a day or two and with Christiana being here, there were not enough hours in the day.

Christiana and I went by train to Carnage Hall in Holmes Chapel on Friday for a conference on her rare condition, Scleroderma.   It is a very plush hotel, on a vast estate with such amazing views.  We met lots of ladies with the same, similar and the same but different condition and heard from experts, doctors and others in the medical profession.  It was a real eye opener.  We mad lots of new friends and look forward to seeing them again soon.  I also got roped into a fund raising event in February which I can tell you more nearer to the date.

Paul has finished painting his new building whoop whoop.  That means that the electrics can go in and then the tables can be removed from the kitchen, oh I am so excited by that. The kitchen revamp has moved up a step or two as we have made a decision on the building works and I am just waiting for a start date from them.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is before the twins and friends come at the end of November... I will keep you up to date.

I know I said that I had shown you the last of the Happiest of Days stamp set but I have another, oops.

I think this is just great for Christmas Cards and tags.   It just needs a little wash and sparkle on the bows but that will get done nearer to Santa's Visit.  I have used one of the new sentiments from the Autumn/Winter catalogue called Snowflake Sentiments and there are some great words and snowflakes in the set.   Just a sweet card coloured in with SU markers.  All the inserts have been done too in Real Red or Old Olive and will be stuck together on my big Xmas Card Finishing Day in November.

Right them, I am off to see if I can have a little play in the craft room.....once I have tided it.

Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a great afternoon Tracey x

SU Goodies used for todays card
Stamps - Stampin' Up! Happiest of Days, Snowflake Sentiments
Card - Shimmery White for colouring
Ink - Archival Black
Colouring - Real Red and Old Olive Markers



A little Quackers

Good morning on this lovely start to a new week.

Christiana arrived safe and sound and as soon as she ate her Sunday lunch (at dinner time), had her shower it was as though she had never gone away.  She is home for a while this time, I hope.

We had a great day, the drive (or passenger for me) ride was very comfortable in Pauls new car.  No traffic on the road but goodness, what is happening on the main road towards the castle donnington airport.  It looks like a major building site.  When we arrived at Birmingham the car park system has changed and we were very lucky to get an hours free car parking.  And surprise surprise, Christiana had landed 15 minutes early and was with us less than half an hour later, it all worked like a dream.

Yesterday was Aunty Val's birthday and we know she is a little quackers so this card was perfect for her.

The stamp may not be Stampin' Up! but the duck has been coloured in using S. U. inks and put on with a paintbrush and water using the ink lids as paint pallets.   The card is thick Whisper White and just perfect for a little water colouring.  I do hope the post man took it to her in time and that she liked it.

Today we are off to the nurse first thing and then to pick up some medication for Christiana (which will also mean a wool shop visit).  Then it will be home for the rest of the day just chilling and catching up.

I hope you had a good weekend too and thank you so much for having a read today.


Sunday

Smashing Sunday

Good morning and I am up with the larks today.  My eldest daughter is returning from her Summer holiday so we are off to pick her up from the airport in a while.  Her Autumn holiday is starting now and she will stay with us for as long as the weather isnt too cold.  As soon as it gets too cold unfortunately she will go and have holidays with her sisters in Cyprus until the UK warms up again.

I am pleased to say that I am feeling a lot better and although I do still sound as though I have a cold, it  has just about gone.

Life has been a little busy over the last few days, I have had a trip to town, a christmas card and chatter evening, a day of crafting with 'the' machine just to name a few of the things I have had help doing but it has been so nice to spend so much time with such wonderful ladies and I have made a few new friends. 

This is the wonderful stamp set that you can get, FREE by being a hostess during the months of September and October.  Parties booking are being taken and there are a few afternoons and a couple of evening available if you would like to book your Stampin' Up! party.  Get in touch so that we can arrange this.  This set can not be purchased and it is a stunning 2 step set.

If you would like to come along to a Stampin' Up! party or see what Stampin' Up! is all about you are most welcome to pop in for a cuppa so I can tell you more.  Just let me know when you are free.

Here is a card that has been made by quite a few ladies over the last couple of weeks.

Photographs aren't the best.  The Berry Burst sentiment really stands out against the Powder Pink ink of the flowers and white card.

The pieces of card that were punched out of the layered base card have been used to add a sentiment to the inside of the card.

If you would like to make this card or any other similar card, please get in touch to find out about the get togethers our crafting group have each month.  You are more than welcome to come along.

I had best go and get a wiggle on and start my day.  Thank you for having a read.  Wishing you a smashing Sunday.  Tracey x

SU Goodies used for todays card
Stamps - Stampin' Up! Flower Shop and Happy Birthday Gorgeous
Card - Whisper White and Powder Pink (I keep calling it Baby Powder oops)
Ink - Powder Pink and Berry Burst
Dies - Lots of Labels Framelits
Punch - Pansy Punch
Embellishments - Rhinestones



HOSTESS CODE FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER IS WMMPDYZA
 




Thursday

The last of Happiest of Days (for a while)

Good morning and guess who is feeling a lot better today, yeah.  My cold is getting easier, I am not coughing so much and I am not so tired, all good news.

Here is one of the Thank You cards for the month of September.
Again I have used the Happiest of Days stamp set with Lemon Lime Twist and Berry Burst as well as the One Big Meaning stamp set.  I started with piece of Very Vanilla Card

With Old Olive Ink I stamped the vine of leaves across the bottom
Then the largest of the flowers from the set was stamped in the middle of the leaves, using Archival Black Ink.
Using Berry Burst and one of the Thank You stamps from One Big Meaning, the sentiment was stamped in the middle.
Lots of large flowers were then stamped out on another piece of card and coloured in using the ink from the lid of the inkpad.  If you dont have any ink in your lid, just squeeze the ink pad (when closed) so that some ink gets transfered into the lid.  This can then be used to paint in the flowers with a paint brush and some water.

 Colour in the flower on the front of the card

Colour in the leaves, big and small, with Lemon Lime Twist pen
 
 
Cut out the large coloured flowers
Adhere the stamped image onto Lemon Lime Twist card and then stick both of those to a Berry Burst Card base or the other way round, a Berry Burst mat stuck to a Lemon Lime Twist card.

Using 3 D Dots, stick the cut out flowers to the front of the card 

 Go over the flower with the Wink of Stella Clear Pen to give it a shimmer

Dont forget to add 3 sequins which are currently available on the Clearance Rack

 If you would like more information about making this card or anything else craft related please do get in touch.

If you are free tomorrow during the day or fancy a bit of crafting tomorrow evening please call in, the kettle will be on all day and it would be lovely to see you. 

Thanks for having a ready and wishing you a lovely Thursday.  Tracey x

SU Goodies used for todays card
Stamps - Stampin' Up! Happiest of Days and One Big Meaning
Card - Very Vanilla, Berry Burst and Lime Lemon Twist
Ink - Archival Black, Old Olive and Lime Lemon Twist
Coloured with Lemon Lime Twist Markers and Berry Burst ink as a watercolour paint
Sequins from the Clearance Rack




HOSTESS CODE FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER IS WMMPDYZA
 
 



































Wednesday

Midweek Musing with Happiest of Days

Good evening and what a damp and miserable day it was in Derby yesterday.  The weather really has changed, it is still dark in the mornings and the nights are really drawing in.  Autumn is here already.

I am full of cold a real hum dinger.  It started Sunday, well Saturday I wasnt the best but Sunday it was as though my nose was a tap.  A few of us got together to have a go at making an Autumn canvas on Sunday and I tried my best.  I really enjoyed the day with my wonderful crafting friends but I was so poorly in the evening and didnt sleep much at night.  Yesterday I was even worse and then last night at 3.30am, we were up with me coughing and unable to get my breath......I am hoping that I shall start to improve today but I dont have much of a voice and I look dreadful.

Lots of us crafting folk got together over the last couple of weeks and here is one of the cards that was made.  I am just so in love with this stamp set, embossing folder and amazing Lemon Lime Twist colour that goes so well with Soft Sky.

I saw the original on a blog hop some time ago and just knew it was one I wanted to make.  I loved making it so much and I hope everyone else did too.

I also used the embossing folder to decorate the flap on the envelope, it just makes the whole thing a little bit more special.

I didnt realise that when you read my blog on a telephone you dont see all the side bars and other bits and pieces.  I am so sorry it has taken me so long to find this out.  I shall in future make sure that I put information at the bottom of each post as well, just in case.  I shall spend the day on and off trying to get everything updated.  If there is anything else you would like to see then just let me know.

Christiana is still making her rugs and I believe that she may have another one or two ready.  I will try to get photos to show you what she has been up to.

If you would like to spend an evening with like minded folk making a start on your Christmas cards or tags or anything else Christmassy then why not come along to the Christmas Card and Chatter evenings that take place once a month in Derby.   If you would like a few more details, please let me know.

Right then, I had best hit that shower to try to feel a bit more human.  Thank you for having a read and wishing you a wonderful day.  Tracey x

SU Goodies used for todays card
Stamps - Stampin' Up! Happiest of Days
Card - Whisper White Thick and Soft Sky card
Ink - Archival Black
Papers - Naturally Eclectic
Coloured with Lemon Lime Twist and Soft Sky markers 
Embossing Folder - Layered Leaves



HOSTESS CODE FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER IS WMMPDYZA
Please use this should you wish to order any online goodlies  through me if you order is less than £150.  I will send a thank you in the post should you wish to leave your details.  If your order is more than £150 please get in touch as you can get some FREE Stampin' Up! products. 

If you dont already have a demonstrator I will be very happy to help you with any queries that you may have






Friday

Roar r r r r

Good morning.  It is Friday and I do still have that 'Friday Feeling' even though I am not at work. Lots of sunshine at the moment, I do hope it lasts.

Yesterday we changed the kitchen patio doors for bi-folding ones.  We also had a new back door and a few panes of 'blown' windows replaced so today I have to try and clear away all the dust.  It is everywhere but I will just do what I can do.  I love the new doors although we do have to ask the company to come back as they seem to be misaligned and not running as smooth as we had hoped.  I will get Mr. A. on to talking to the company.

We have had a roaring couple of nights of get togethers this week.  When I say roaring, I really mean it.





Arent they cute, well I think they are and everyone had fun making them.

Christiana is making another rug for Katerina, I love the colours of this.

 

As it is the 1st September Stampin' Up! have a new Autumn-Winter Catalogue out and as from today, you can get your hands on some of the wonderful new products.  If you dont already have a demonstrator please get in touch and I will help you as much as I can.
To visit the store and see all the new products, click HERE .  If you would like your own paper copy do let me know and I shall arrange for one to be sent to you.  Alternatively, you are always welcome to call in and collect one.

Right, off to get rid of lots and lots of dust.  Have a wonderful Friday and thanks for having a read.  Tracey x