90th Birthday Wishes

Good morning and it is a very good morning.  I only went to sleep at 8pm last night and woke up 11 hours later and boy, do I feel refreshed.  We have had a busy couple of days and I guess I just ran out of charge. 

Well I have to get a wriggle on this morning as we are off to Aunty Jeans in a couple of hours, she is 90 today and we shall be taking her some flowers and a card.

 I do hope she likes it.

Here is a rather strange succulent.  This plant is growing around the family grave in Cyprus.  We were very naughty and brought this piece home with us to see if we could grow some here, in the garden.  I am really pleased to say that it has taken and here it is with the flowers open.

It is in our conservatory at the moment because of the cold weather.  Once the sun goes in, the flower closes up.  We dont know what it is called.  Do you?

Best go and get ready for our visit out.  Thank you for having a read and I hope you manage to stay warm.  Tracey xx

Happy Birthday Uncle Joe

Good morning.  Having just heard Mr. Weatherman it seems that the morning will be good, the afternoon will be chillier and the evening may turn white....yikes.  Well I dont have to go anywhere so a bit of the white stuff wont bother me too much and it does look nice.  Fingers crossed that it gives the East Midlands a miss though.

It is Uncle Joes birthday today, I think he is in his very late 80s or early 90s.  This is the card that I made for him using a very old stamp set called One in a Million from Stampin' Up! teamed with retired paper and cardstock.  

The sentiment on the outside reads "over a million people share your birthday" and inside it says "that makes you one in a million".  It was sent out in the post so fingers crossed he received it.

Yesterday was a busy day.  I left home around 11 ish and came home at 8.00pm last night.  I was in bed by 8.30pm.  Today wont be quite so busy as I couldnt cope with it so its a day in the craft room continuing with my  "clearout".  We are having a new carpet fitted in the spare room but we dont know what time they are arriving, so we have to stay in for the day anyway.

It will also give me chance to use my 7" square of free space to create one or two birthday cards for some special people that had a birthday earlier this month.  I wasnt here to organise their cards so belated ones will be made.  I shall also try and do something that Sylvia told me she does, make all the following months cards in advance.  Something to try and achieve and it does save last minute rushes.

The Thursday evening class is now full.  If you would like to book to come along to the Friday, Saturday or Sunday class please do get in touch.

I am off to start my day.  Thank you for having a read and watch out for that white stuff.  Tracey x

Late Anniversary Card

Good morning and a cold one it seems too, therefore I wont venture outside just yet.

Well I was brave yesterday.  I advertised The Craft Room classes on instagram and on facebook public.  I have had a few enquires which is very good.  This is what I put on the social media pages.

I thought it was quite nice and I couldnt spot any spelling mistakes either.  If you are reading this and would like to come along to a craft class, please do get in touch.

We have an Anniversary in the family today and I forgot to get the card sent.  So last night I turned to my "free stamps from magazines" and made this one again. I used my Stampin' Up! markers to colour the image in and of course the thick whisper white card makes a perfect card base.   I think it is just a cute image and I do like the clean and simple look.

So this got put into the postbox last night.  The collection is at 8.45am this morning so they will get it a day late.  I also have a few birthdays to catch up on and I hope to get those done in the next day or so.  Better late than never is my motto for the next couple of months and I hope everyone understands.

Well I have a busy day today, in and out the house this morning, a late lunch or an early tea and then I shall be in the craft room from around 7pm as I am still being very ruthless and having a major sort out.  At the moment it looks like a bomb has hit it and my working area is a 6inch square on my desk tut tut.  Thank you for having a read and I wish you a wonderful Monday.  Tracey xx

An inspirational bunny

Good morning and it seems to be a bit warmer today, I am hoping it is.  I think my sleeping pattern has now gone back to normal.  Although I was up at silly o clock yesterday I did go back to bed until well after 10am so that has helped.

The house is having a major sort out.  We are still working in the first room of the house, the spare room but wow, what a difference.  The books have been sorted, the paperwork has been gone through.  All the wardrobes have had everything taken out and some things put back,  including the tops of the wardrobe.  The computer desk is now free and clear with lots of space to work on and this Tuesday, we are having a new carpet put down.  Tomorrow it will be washing of the curtains and cleaning the windows and the room will be ready on Tuesday evening. 

I am also doing a major sort out of the craft room and being very ruthless too.  I have far too many beautiful things, a lot of which I have outgrown and wont use again.  So from Monday 4th - Thursday 7th The Craft Room will have a pre loved (as well as new) sale.  Just let me know if you want to call in and I will put the kettle on.

I started to clear the desk in the craft room where I work and I came across a little stamp in a magazine that is rather old and never been used. 

I have had no inclination to craft but this stamp was lovely and was just what I needed to make a very simple card.  I do hope you like it.  I am going to use her again later to make another card, slightly different.

This week Katerina had to submit her dissertation for her Masters Degree.  She has been working on this long distance degree for two years.  Well Paul and I are her editors and a 22 page document was submitted Friday night.  It certainly kept us busy.

On top of the sorting and the proof reading, my accounts also had to be done.  I am late in doing them which is understandable by most folks but not the tax office.  I am pleased to say that they have now been finished and will get submitted today.  Just 4 days before the deadline, ooopps.

If you are one of the lucky ones to have some crafting items to collect from me, it would be lovely if you could get in touch to arrange to collect the over the next day or so please. 

Thank you for having a read.  I hope you have a super  Sunday.  Tracey x

Handmade..... you cant beat it

Good morning.  Well I managed to stay up until 8.30pm last night but was up at 4.30am this morning.  I was woken around 2am by police helicopter over the house.  It came around for more than half an hour.  I have since learned that it was following 2 chappies that were running through gardens in the next street.  I presume that I will never hear anything else about this.

Yesterday I didnt make it into the craft room despite the heating being on.  I just didnt have the enthusisam at all but I must go in there today and finish the dreaded annual account *YIKES*.   Once I am into doing them I am fine, I just have to make a good start.

Last night we went to our neices daughters birthday for an hour.  It was lovely to be out and see everyone and just look at the cake that my sister in law and neice made.

What a work of art that was and it tasted just fantastic too.  So pleased we went.

I also got some happy post, thank you Helen.


A lovely card and one that I just may have to case (case means copy and share everything).

Well I am in the house today until about 10am and then from around 11.30 am again for the day.  If you feel like a cuppa and giving me some distraction from the accounts then please do.  Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a lovely day.  Tracey x

Home safe and sound

Good morning and it really is morning.  Just gone 4am and brrrr the house is to cold.  I hope the heating soon kicks in.

We arrived back safe and sound yesterday from Larnaca Airport.  We were up around 1am so that we could pack the last minute things, grab a cuppa and get a lift to the airport.  Thank you Sophia.  The flight back was perfect, really it was.  A few little bumps but nothing else.  I would certainly recommend BlueAir Travel if you have to go anywhere.  It was an emotional flight home as you can imagine. 

Taxi arrived a few minutes after we came out of the doors in to the cold blast of freezing air.  Again I can recommend Western Cars for the airport trips.  We were home in less than an hour and if felt good to be home.  I went for a lie down around 3pm and didnt wake up for the next 12 hours.....oppps.  I am so lucky to have the husband I have as he just let me sleep and here I am, up bright and early and already the washer is on.

I am pleased to let you know that the new injections I am having weekly seem to be working on the Arthritis.  I am rather pain free and able to do a lot more so I am thankful for that.  They do have side effects, the worst ones are I am constantly feeling nauseous and I am getting a lot of dizzy spells.  I am not due to see my consultant until June so I think a trip to the GP will be made this week.....if I can get in.

I am now going to share with you all the beautiful hand made cards that I received for Christmas.  I do hope you will enjoy looking at them as they are all wonderful.  I so appreciate the time taken to make these.

Thank you for all of the them.

Right then, I am off to change the washing over and I am sure I will be having a nanny nap later today.  Thanks for having a read.  Tracey xx

The close of a chapter

Good morning.  It has been a tough few days but I am pleased to say we have manged to get out a bit too.

We said farewell to one if my sister in laws that lives in Belgium, whi flew out on Thursday. That was hard as I gave her a few keepsakes of Christianas.  Very tough for me to let go of things.  Then we went and saw a friend of mine from more than 33 years ago which was lovely.  I do see her most times that we visit but again it was hard as she knew me when I was pregnant with Christiana and was a part of our lives ever since so we had lots of memories to share.  Fortunately Irini crafts a lot with a group of ladies so I was able to pass on all of Christianas crafting items......again very sad. Having a coffee a day or so ago, I was quite down as usual until I went to put sugar in my drink

Yesterday we went to Nicosia to see Christianas god parents. We spent a few hours drinking coffee, eating cake and chatting.  We went to the mall so we could have been in westfield centre in Derby.....not a lot of difference except for the amount of toddlers.

Today we are closing the apartment.  Lots of the girls friends are coming over this afternoon with pick ups, cars and manpower......another sad day.

On a happy note, Paul found Larry the Lizard in the store room.  We think he may have been a toddler when he climbed in through the slats in the door but now he is too big to go out the way he came in so we have left the door open for him.

Unfortunately the neighbours keep closing it, so we have to go and open it again.

Well I had best go and start gathering all the little bits we have left around the place and pack the clothes again.  Thanks for having a read, wishing you a lovely Saturday.

Old car

Good morning. Well it was so windy yesterday, lots of damage, corregated roofs blowing off, debris in roads etc. etc. It certainly made interesting driving.

We managed to get to do a bit more official work done for Christiana but we still have to go out again later this morning to do more.  We had brunch with Sophia in a lovely cafe called mingle.  I have been before and liked it, so we took Paul.

On Sunday we drove to the girls and on a piece of waste land right next to their house on a hill was a VW beetle.  I said to Paul goodness if the registration of that is FW66 it was my car 30 years ago and laughed.  The next minute I was screaming..... it was FW66 so we had to stop for photos.  The car was for sale so I got my sis in law to ring up......just 6000 Euros, perhaps not.

Thanks for having a read xx

stunning skies

Good morning. Can you believe that we overslept? How can you do that ? Well we did.  We had to pick Sophia up at 9am but we didnt wake up till after 8.30am, ooops. Oh well.

Yesterday was another good day.  We went out for morning coffee and this is the view on the way to the cafe

We then had to go and do sone official things for Christiana which wasnt easy as we were given a whole list of places we have to visit for her.  Then it was back to the apartment for more sorting.  We are doing quite well with the sorting and hope to be finished earlier than anticipated.  But I will keep you Posted on that front.

We made our daily visit to the cemetary yesterday but it isnt getting easier.  I sorted out the wreaths, made sure the candle was lit and put more flowers into vases.  Sophia came with us too.  My sis in laws went earlier in the day and her father would have gone for a visit at some stage.

Last night the weather turned wet, windy and we had thunder and lightening storms.  I borrowed this picture.

It was amazing.  The streets were flooded and I cant tell you how many folk called us to tell us not to go out of the apartment as the news had given “yellow” warnings.  So we stayed put.

Thanks for having a read today. Tracey xx

Strange tea pots

Morning, sun is out so going to make the most of it.

Sophia took us to Nicosia last week. She had a meeting so Paul and I put on our coats, gloves and hats and spent 2 hours in the ‘old Nicosia’ or within the walls as it is sometimes called.   There is one street called Ledra St and it is quite long with lots and lots of shops, cafes, bars etc. Well there were a crowd of folk so we followed them at a slow pace, all snug and warm but after 20 minutes they all stopped.  We had only gone and reached the border. Before Sophia left us her parting words were “dont walk too far or you will come to the border” oops.  Well we decided if we go again we will take our passports and see what is on the other side.

Paul walked me down some seedy streets I can tell you.  We got lost  a few times but all roads lead back to rome, so to speak.  I did find this one strange shop with some pretties.

Today it is a lot more sorting and dropping bits off.  More advertising of free items and hopefully dinner with the girls this evening.  Thanks for having a read and see you soon x

Sunday

Good morning and I am pleased to say we slept a bit better last night.  The sun is trying to come out and the temperature is forecast to be around 17 degrees in the day but dropping to around 3 degrees tonight.

When we came to the apartment lots of things skuttled across the floor when we put the light on....... we soon discovered that there were 100s of tiny cockroaches not only on the floor of the kitchen but everywhere in the kitchen.  We spent the next 4 hours killing as many as we could......yaks.  We are still spraying horrid stuff and killing them all the time but we dont know where they are coming from.

Today we have made our list of what needs doing, where we need to go and what we have to buy.  I do have to keep to lists as I still find that I achieve a lot more with them, than without them.

Here is a card that was made at our last get together using some of the new products from  the Spring Summer catalogue as well as from the Sale a Bration brochure.

Thank you for having a read and I hope you enjoy your Sunday xx

Saturday

Good afternoon from a rather chilly Larnaca.  We had a lovely morning with blue skies, sunshine and a high of 17 degrees

but now it is very windy and only 5 degrees. We have just been out and had to put coats, hats, scarves and glooves on as it is so cold brrrr.

We said goodbye to Christiana on Thursday and whilst everything went according to plan, I think it was one of the worst days of my life.  I dont know how I will ever get over the loss I feel or how long it will be before this pain subsudes. In the meantime I will spend as much time as I can with Sophia and Katerina here in Cyprus.

Today we sorted out one of the bedrooms, tomorrow it will be the bathroom.

I wanted to share this lovely wreath with you which was made by Sheila.  It has been made using the Sprig Punch, isnt it lovely.

Right, off to put my feet up.  Thank you for having a read. Tracey x

On our way.....

Good morning.  A big THANK YOU goes out to everyone that came to visit on Saturday, oh my, so many wonderful friends.  I cant tell you how blessed I feel to have you all in my life.  We had a lovely afternoon of crafting, chatting, drinking and eating cakes.

Here is one of the cards that were made

The new Spring/Summer catalogue was handed out as well as the Sale a Bration brochure.  I believe that everyone was happy with the contents of both of these as everything just co-ordinates beautifully and there are such of a variety of products that I am sure that there is something that everyone likes.  And of course, there are all the carry over items from the Winter Catalogue too.

Not to mention the FANTASTIC joining offer that is available.....did you know that if you join Stampin' Up! you pay £99 and get to choose £170 worth of products.  Not only that, there is a second option of joining Stampin' Up!  For £125, you still get £170 woth of products of your choice but in addition, you get the absolutly, pretty, stunning and perfect carry tote as well, which means it is costing just £26.

If you would like a bit more information and you dont already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please do get in touch with me as I would love to help.  You dont have to be local to Derby either.  My contact details are just on the right hand side.

I am currently sat in a bar, with a coffee on my way to see the girls.......it is going to be a very hard visit but we will all be together and that will help.  We have an hours delay so lets see if we can get a grip with instagram.....any tips welcome.  Thanks for having a read today, Tracey xx

Crafty Afternoon

I am having a crafty afternoon today.  I woke up at 4.30am all excited and then Paul told me to have an other hour otherwise I would be tired later.  He was right so I did but it was another 5 hours goodness me.  Its a good job the craft room is more or less ready.

If you have some time free this afternoon please do call in.  If you need directions, please get in touch.

Wishing you a lovely day.  Tracey x

Happy Anniversary

Good morning and tut tut, who went to bed at 10pm but didnt get up until after 10am.  Hands up that would be me.  The last time I did that I was poorly but I am not poorly today.  So hubby has made me a lovely cuppa and now I am off to start my busy day.

The craft room got a couple of boxes sorted out last night.  Clearance Rack items arrived but I am still waiting for two boxes......hope they come soon as I really really do need them for Saturday otherwise it will be plan B, (can someone let me know what plan B is)?

I did get to play last night too, well it would be rude not to, (and I did put all my bits away after I finished as well).

I have quite a few Anniversary cards to make over the next few months so I made a start.  No inserts done yet but I will do that this evening at some stage.  The stamp is a free one from a magazine, do you know how many magazines I have, unopened with pretty stamps on them?  Well I must work my way through.  I have used a brush to give the sky a bit of a blue haze.  The clouds are dies and the sentiment stamp is another free one from a magazine. 

I have FINALLY taken out my perpetual calendar so if you would like a birthday card, please let me know when your special day is and I shall add it to my calendar.  I just need Paul to add a few more nails into the craft room wall to hang up all the Christmas presents, the calendars and a few other bits.......he will do it tonight.

Yesterday we had lots of lovely visitors, thank you so much.  It really does help us each day as we have learnt we like to be around other people.  We do enjoy being the two of us, dont get me wrong but at this time, it eases the pain and it is so appreciated.  We are so lucky to have so many wonderful friends. 

Off to get myself ready for the day, thank you for having a read and I hope your day is a good one.  Tracey x

And so 2019 begins

Good morning and I hope you had a lovely evening.  Paul and I didnt do much except be together, which was plenty.  I had a sit in a chair that I borrowed from my sister and watched a bit of TV.  It is a reclining chair that also helps you get out of it.  It is on loan to see if I like it or not and if I do, I will buy one that will match our new living room furniture, when we get round to buying some.

Yesterday was a bit busy with hospital visits,  our anual cobweb blowing off at the crem and a wander around town.  We had a lovely dinner courtesy of Mr Mark and Mr Spencer.  Then we stayed up past the bewitching hour and watched the fireworks in London, oh my, they were wonderful.

This morning we opened our pressies and WOW.  Thank you to everyone, I have been terribly spoilt by so many wonderful gifts.  Everything will be treasured and individual Thank Yous will go out over today and tomorrow.  We are also cooking our Turkey Lunch today so that we can have turkey sandwiches tonight, turkey and chips tomorrow and turkey pie after that.  Yes we like turkey.

No crafting bits to share today but hopefully there will be tomorrow.  Thank you for having a read and thank you for all your support during 2018.  We couldnt have gotten through the last few weeks without our friends, really.

Wishing you a Happy 2019 xx