DAY - TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY SEVEN - One sheet wonder stamped cards and a bit of garden maintenance

 

 

Today, after a good night’s sleep, I’m hoping to manage a few more pain-free steps as the day goes on. Patience has never been my greatest virtue, but I’m learning that sometimes you simply have to take things one little step at a time. We’ll get there in the end, won’t we?

 

We had an awful lot of thunder yesterday, along with just one really big shower of rain, which included hail. The forecast is for another day of thundery showers, which I don’t mind at all. In fact, I quite enjoy watching the storms roll through.  Not sure if it rained last night but everywhere is very dry again this morning.

 

This is how the garden is looking at the moment. A bit of trickery as it does look like snow when you turn the corner and take a glance.

 

 

Hubby has put some grass seed down and protected it with this fleece. Unfortunately, the little baby foxes that are living next door have decided that the fleece makes a rather good toy and a few holes have appeared.  The grass seed was put down as the foxes are using our grass as a toilet as well as the little ones began digging it up.   We’re hoping to take the fleece off next week, once the grass has had a little more time to establish itself, and fingers crossed it will continue to grow.

 

I had another painting lesson last night. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not very good at this yet, but I’m determined to keep practising until I’m happy with my design for a Christmas card. Our tutor is amazing and there are seven of us who get together to try and learn some new skills. The trick, of course, is to practise in between our get-togethers, something I don’t do nearly often enough.  I’ve decided that I’m going to make more of an effort though, and hopefully I’ll see some improvement.

 

This week in between doing very little, I’ve been having a few Nanny naps, enjoying a little potter around and doing a bit of sitting-down sorting. I’m learning that this is probably exactly what I need to be doing at the moment.  So many photos, paperwork etc. that need to be sorted so at least I can get on with this.

 

 

Here are a couple of cards that I made

I have used a variety of stamp sets and colours on a 12" x 12" piece of card and when I was happy with stamping all over it, I cut it up to create card fronts.  This is called one sheet stamping wonder and is one of my most loved techniques.    These two are my favourite and I shall keep them to one side to remind me of how they were created.  It is time I organised another one of these One Sheet Stamping Wonder Days.  I believe I can add a date in November.

 

I’ve also been sorting through my  "ready to use cards"  and honestly, I cannot believe just how many I have.  I certainly don’t need to make any more cards for a very long time.  I am also donating quite a few to a lovely cause and shall be passing those on tomorrow night at Derby Dabblers. 

 

If you’ve been thinking about coming along and joining us here are the details. 

 

I’m quite looking forward to it and, of course, catching up with everybody who’s there. It will be lovely to see everyone again.

 

Right, I had best get breakfast started as my "to do" list is ready and I want to tick off a few things as the day unfolds.  Thank you so much for having a read.  Tracey x 

 

STAMPIN' UP PROMOTIONS

Stampin' Up! currently have a sale with 15% off selected Designer Series Papers and card stock, for the whole month and whilst supplies last.  

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH 

I'm delighted to introduce the Stampin' Up!  August Product of the Month.

Throughout August, when you place a Stampin' Up! order of £70 or more (before postage), you'll have the opportunity to purchase this month's featured product for just £5.  The Product of the Month is exclusively available with a qualifying order and is limited to one per person. As with all Stampin' Up! promotions, it is available whilst supplies last, so once it's gone, it's gone!

If you're planning to place an order during August, this is a great opportunity to add an extra product to your collection at a fantastic price.

This is the May - August 2026 Catalogue that you can click on and have a browse but better still, why not pop into the Craft Room, Derby and grab a copy of your own.  This catalogue will no longer be available after 31st August as it will be replaced with a new one.  

The Last Chance List has lots of beautifully colour co-ordinated favourites, all with that signature Stampin' Up! quality we know and love, but only whilst stock lasts.  If you click on the image below, a new page will open up and you can have a browse in this section.  

Please do get in touch if you have any queries or if I can help in any way. 

Paper Pumpkin is now available in the UK, I did write a whole post on all I know about this and we can subscribe in the UK.  Subcriptions are now for the September kit.   To find out a little more, click on the image below and a new window will open.  But please, do get in touch if I can help in anyway, I am always happy to help.

 

 

 The new foiling system from Stampin' Up! has its own brochure, which can be seen below.  Just click on the image and a new page will open up.

 

 

 For Scrapbooking and Memory Keeping products please click on the image below and a new page will open up for the Memory Keeping section of the online store

 

 

You can click on the image below and a new window will open up where you can have a browse through the WHOLE shop. Please do get in touch with me if you would like any help.  My contact details are at the end of the post and I really am happy to help as much as I can.

If you would like to receive my newsletter and be added to my email list of friends do let me know.  I would hate you to miss out on all our get togethers and socials.  Always lots of new friends waiting to be met. 

If you would like to get in touch with me, here is where I can be found.  

 

 

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY SIX - Mishaps and Stampin Up 2026-2028 In Color Cards

 

 

Good morning, oops… it happened again. Remember earlier in the year when the wheelchair and Zimmer frame became rather unexpected best friends? Well, it seems they’ve made a comeback and I’m going to be out of action for a little while again.

 

Friday night brought another unexpected “incident”, which resulted in a call to 111 in the early hours. The response was fantastic. After going online for advice, a doctor called back within just two minutes and an appointment was arranged for the Walk-in Centre at around 8am Saturday morning. 

 

The doctor there was absolutely wonderful, thorough, reassuring and taking the time to explain everything properly. Just to be on the safe side, though, X-rays were needed, so off to the Royal Derby Hospital we went. And I have to say, what an experience.  From the lovely lady on reception, to the smiling member of the medical team who triaged me within minutes, to the nurses, doctors, porters, X-ray team and pharmacy staff, everyone was kind, cheerful, professional and incredibly efficient.

 

There was no hanging around for hours in crowded waiting rooms. People were constantly being moved through to wherever they needed to be and before long, I was being seen by the next member of the team. Even the porter who whizzed me through the hospital in my wheelchair seemed determined to make sure I didn’t miss out on a bit of fresh air, at the speed we went my hair was flying. The X-ray team were a proper comedy duo and made what could have been a rather daunting experience much lighter. Once everything was done, the doctor explained the situation, gave clear advice about resting, walking gently and eventually starting physiotherapy when comfortable and arranged some stronger pain relief.  Even the medication arrived within minutes.

 

I honestly have to take my hat off to everyone at the Royal Derby. Perhaps being there early on a Saturday morning helped, but the whole department seemed so well organised and incredibly slick. Most importantly, there wasn’t a grumpy face or a harsh word anywhere, just smiles, kindness, patience and genuine care.

So, although being back on the Zimmer frame isn’t exactly how the weekend was supposed to go, I’m feeling very grateful for the wonderful NHS staff who looked after me so well.

Now it’s time to follow their advice… rest, walk, rest, and hopefully get back on my feet properly before too long.

I do appreciate not everyone has the same experience, I just wanted to share mine. Sunday was spent in the chair followed by a few steps, then sitting in another room, followed by more steps and then it was repeat for the whole day.  I imagine that the same will be happening today with a few extra steps and this is how it will play for the rest of the week I guess, until I no longer need the zimmer frame, opps. 

Friday morning a group of us got together to have a play with our 2026-2028 In Colour products.  There are so many In Colour products at the moment.  Not only the card and the ink but co-ordinating ribbons, embellishments, two lots of designer series papers, pearlised papers, ginghams and the list continues.  We had a bit of a mix it up, new and old and it was a lovely morning with lovely company. 

We cased a card that fellow demonstrator Wendy Lee shared, the one on the right.  I used the Golden Glow In Color.  The pretty background paper is called Irresistible designs and it is white, it has a UV coated pattern that resists ink.  We applied the same colour ink as our card layer with a blending brush.  Then went over it with a piece of kitchen roll and it removed the ink from the UV giving it a brighter look.  

Next came the very popular Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper.  Have you seen this?  It really is a great pack of pretty papers and currently it is reduced by 15% .  We cut out one of the vases/plant pots and adhered this to the left hand corner of our layers adding a piece of ribbon with a knot in it.  Sentiments came next and mine was a very old one, which gets a lot of use.  Once everything was adhered I added three of the In Color dots to finish the card off and I love it.  

 

 

 

Next came the card on the left and the layout was also cased but I cant find where from?  If I do spot it, I shall update this post.  I used a retired stamp set in Strawberry Slush against the Barely Blush cardstock.  The sentiment is from my stash.  

UPDATE - It was a 2022 post on instagram and created by Barbara Mayer.   

Everyone had a wonderful time recreating these cards in their own style.  It was a lovely morning with lots of happy folk, just what was needed.  I have added a list of items we used that are still available to purchase at the end of this post x

Thank you for having a read today, I need to go and get a few steps in now so that I dont seize up.  Tracey x  

 

STAMPIN' UP PROMOTIONS

Stampin' Up! currently have a sale with 15% off selected Designer Series Papers and card stock, for the whole month and whilst supplies last.  

 

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH 

I'm delighted to introduce the Stampin' Up!  August Product of the Month.

Throughout August, when you place a Stampin' Up! order of £70 or more (before postage), you'll have the opportunity to purchase this month's featured product for just £5.  The Product of the Month is exclusively available with a qualifying order and is limited to one per person. As with all Stampin' Up! promotions, it is available whilst supplies last, so once it's gone, it's gone!

If you're planning to place an order during August, this is a great opportunity to add an extra product to your collection at a fantastic price.

This is the May - August 2026 Catalogue that you can click on and have a browse but better still, why not pop into the Craft Room, Derby and grab a copy of your own.  This catalogue will no longer be available after 31st August as it will be replaced with a new one.  

The Last Chance List has lots of beautifully colour co-ordinated favourites, all with that signature Stampin' Up! quality we know and love, but only whilst stock lasts.  If you click on the image below, a new page will open up and you can have a browse in this section.  

Please do get in touch if you have any queries or if I can help in any way. 

Paper Pumpkin is now available in the UK, I did write a whole post on all I know about this and we can subscribe in the UK.  Subcriptions are now for the September kit.   To find out a little more, click on the image below and a new window will open.  But please, do get in touch if I can help in anyway, I am always happy to help.

 

 

 The new foiling system from Stampin' Up! has its own brochure, which can be seen below.  Just click on the image and a new page will open up.

 

 

 For Scrapbooking and Memory Keeping products please click on the image below and a new page will open up for the Memory Keeping section of the online store

 

 

You can click on the image below and a new window will open up where you can have a browse through the WHOLE shop. Please do get in touch with me if you would like any help.  My contact details are at the end of the post and I really am happy to help as much as I can.

If you would like to receive my newsletter and be added to my email list of friends do let me know.  I would hate you to miss out on all our get togethers and socials.  Always lots of new friends waiting to be met. 

If you would like to get in touch with me, here is where I can be found.  

 

Product List

Basic White A4 Thick Cardstock [159230] £16.00	2026–2028 In Color™ A4 Cardstock [167684] £14.00	2026–2028 In Color™ Classic Stampin' Pads [167675] £63.00	2026–2028 In Color™ Dots [167546] £8.50
Artisan Sketched Garden 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [167752] £13.00	Golden Glow 3/8" (1 Cm) Bordered Ribbon [167548] £8.50	Strawberry Slush 3/8" (1 Cm) Faux Linen Ribbon [165274] £7.50	Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad [165286] £10.25
Clear Block Bundle [165674] £56.75	Paper Trimmer [152392] £27.00	Multipurpose Liquid Glue [154974] £5.75	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [144108] £4.00
Stampin' Mist [153648] £13.00	Stampin' Scrub [126200] £20.00

DAY - TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY NINE - My first foiling card with the Stampin' Up! Foiling Machine

It’s supposed to be a rainy day in my neck of the woods today and it certainly looks as though we’ve had a little rain overnight. The garden could definitely do with some more though, as everything is so incredibly dry. I’m hoping we get enough to give the plants a much-needed boost.

I’ve already made an early start this morning, I have sorted out some much loved crafting gooding  to pass on to a local church craft group. There are lots of things in the collection that I haven’t used for many years. I think that’s something most crafters can relate to,  as we grow and develop in our crafting, our tastes and techniques change, and things that were once firm favourites can end up sitting untouched.  Hopefully, the church craft group will get a few more years of enjoyment and good use out of these crafty bits and pieces. It’s lovely to know they are going to a new home rather than simply gathering dust.

I came across an image yesterday that really struck a chord with me. I’ve shared it above, and I wonder how many of you will be able to relate to it too.

 

I mentioned recently that I gave in and purchased the new Foiling Machine from Stampin’ Up! The instructions are really easy to follow and, as everyone seems to be talking about it at the moment, I’ve picked up lots of new tips and ideas.  Unfortunately, it wouldn’t go through the embossing machine I already owned, so I’ve purchased another one which should arrive tomorrow. Thankfully, a good friend has lent me hers in the meantime, and this is my first attempt at using it.

 

 

To say I love it would be an understatement! I’m already looking forward to having another play, and hopefully I’ll get the chance to create a few more projects later today.

Mum had another very sleepy day yesterday. Dad said she slept for around three-quarters of the day and wouldn’t wake when the carers arrived again. I’m going to pop up and see her this morning after I’ve done a little shopping.  I did manage to delete a few photos that i have yesterday and put an awful lot more in the applicable folders.  This evening I shall be spending another hour on it, working my way to getting that photograph app emptied.  

And finally, a little Stampin’ Up! news…

Stampin’ Up! have announced a FLASH DOUBLE REWARDS promotion for three days, starting tomorrow, Wednesday 19th August, and running until Friday 21st August.

With a minimum spend of £20, you’ll receive DOUBLE Rewards, that is 20% rather than the usual 10% on qualifying purchases, which you can then use towards a future order.

And with the current 15% sale on Designer Series Paper and selected cardstock, this could be a great opportunity to pick up a bargain or two while earning those extra Rewards!

If you need any help making sure you’re signed up to the Rewards programme, choosing what to order or placing your order, please get in touch. I’m always happy to help.

Now, I think it’s time I got myself organised and headed off to the shops. Have a lovely Tuesday,  whatever you’re up to x

 

STAMPIN' UP PROMOTIONS

Stampin' Up! currently have a sale with 15% off selected Designer Series Papers and card stock, for the whole month and whilst supplies last.  

 

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH 

I'm delighted to introduce the Stampin' Up!  August Product of the Month.

Throughout August, when you place a Stampin' Up! order of £70 or more (before postage), you'll have the opportunity to purchase this month's featured product for just £5.  The Product of the Month is exclusively available with a qualifying order and is limited to one per person. As with all Stampin' Up! promotions, it is available whilst supplies last, so once it's gone, it's gone!

If you're planning to place an order during August, this is a great opportunity to add an extra product to your collection at a fantastic price.

This is the May - August 2026 Catalogue that you can click on and have a browse but better still, why not pop into the Craft Room, Derby and grab a copy of your own.  This catalogue will no longer be available after 31st August as it will be replaced with a new one.  

The Last Chance List has lots of beautifully colour co-ordinated favourites, all with that signature Stampin' Up! quality we know and love, but only whilst stock lasts.  If you click on the image below, a new page will open up and you can have a browse in this section.  

Please do get in touch if you have any queries or if I can help in any way. 

Paper Pumpkin is now available in the UK, I did write a whole post on all I know about this and we can subscribe in the UK.  Subcriptions are now for the September kit.   To find out a little more, click on the image below and a new window will open.  But please, do get in touch if I can help in anyway, I am always happy to help.

 

 

 The new foiling system from Stampin' Up! has its own brochure, which can be seen below.  Just click on the image and a new page will open up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Scrapbooking and Memory Keeping products please click on the image below and a new page will open up for the Memory Keeping section of the online store

 

 

You can click on the image below and a new window will open up where you can have a browse through the WHOLE shop. Please do get in touch with me if you would like any help.  My contact details are at the end of the post and I really am happy to help as much as I can.

If you would like to receive my newsletter and be added to my email list of friends do let me know.  I would hate you to miss out on all our get togethers and socials.  Always lots of new friends waiting to be met. 

If you would like to get in touch with me, here is where I can be found.