DAY - TWO HUNDRED AND FORRTY THREE - The end of August

 

 

 

I honestly can’t believe we are at the end of August already. Where on earth have the days gone? They really do seem to have flown by, but at least we have a lovely September to look forward to.

Tomorrow is an exciting day in the Stampin’ Up! world, as the brand-new September–December Catalogue goes live, along with new additions to the Online Exclusive Range, new Kits and a brand-new Product of the Month. Lots of lovely new things to tempt us.

And did you know that those of us in the UK get an earlier preview because of the time difference? You should be able to have a look through the new catalogue and place your orders from 11pm this evening. So, if you’re anything like me, you might want to put the kettle on and have a little browse before bedtime.

It’s a good job I’m feeling so much better today because I’m going to be in and out all day with hospital and doctor appointments, as well as having a few visitors. A busy start to the week, but a lovely one too.  I had a go at driving yesterday and I must say, I was fine with a short distance. 

The weather is still quite warm here, although we are continuing to get our fair share of rain. I have to say, the grass seed that hubby planted has certainly come up trumps, it has grown at a rate of knots in such a short space of time. The garden is looking very green and happy, even if the weeds are clearly enjoying the weather too.  

It was a lovely lady’s birthday yesterday, and here is the card I sent to her. I used one of her favourite Stampin’ Up! stamp sets, so I hope it brought a little extra birthday happiness to her day.

 

And now, I’d better get myself organised for another busy day!

 

STAMPIN' UP PROMOTIONS

It is the very last day to take advantage of the Stampin' Up! sale with 15% off selected Designer Series Papers and card stock.  

 

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH 

The last day to grab 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 today, 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 FORTY TWO - Stampin' Up! Kit cards

 

 

Well, I got a bit of surprise upon waking up this morning, for the first time in what seems like ages, I woke up without all the usual rheumatoid arthritis aches and pains. Hooray. I think we can safely say that makes yesterday’s side effects of the injection well worth putting up with.

My hip is also feeling much better, which is another little win. I’m going to continue with plenty of rest, a little more gentle walking and, hopefully, a few more days of taking things steadily, and I should be back to normal. Well… as normal as I ever am.

I’ve also been sneaking back into the craft room and finishing off a few cards. There’s something very satisfying about adding another batch to my little box of cards ready to be posted out. I thought I’d share a few of them with you today.

 

 They are all cards from kits that just needed a little something to finish them off.  

I really can’t believe we’re almost at the end of August. Honestly, where does the time go? It feels like we’ve only just started the summer and here we are, heading into September already. Someone really needs to have a word with the calendar and ask it to slow down a bit.

As well as Tuesday marking the start of September, Stampin’ Up! has lots of exciting new things happening too.  It will be the start of a brand-new Catalogue, new products being added to the Online Exclusives range, a new Product of the Month, new Kits and lots more.

I found a poster that another demonstrator had shared and I thought I would share it here, as I think it may be useful to see what is happening at a glance.

Have you got the new catalogue?  If not, do let me know and you are welcome to pop into the Craft Room and pick one up.  

I'm hoping for a lovely quiet Sunday today, with perhaps a little crafting, a little pottering and absolutely no dramas from my aches and pains.    Thank you so much for taking the time to have a read today. I hope you have a lovely, leisurely Sunday too.  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 FORTY ONE - Derby Dabblers

 

 

Good afternoon from a very dark and decidedly grey part of the UK.  We’ve had rain on and off all morning, it’s due to continue for most of the day, and the forecast seems to think we’re in for another three or four days of it. So, we really have gone from one extreme to the other! The temperature is certainly cooler, although thankfully it’s not cold, and the gardens are looking spectacular. The weeds, on the other hand, are growing at a speed I’m sure I’ve never witnessed before.

I’m pleased to say that my injury is slowly but surely healing. I’ve progressed onto a walking stick, which feels like a little victory, and I’m trying to challenge myself to take just a few extra steps each day. My pain medication has also been reduced and with a little physiotherapy starting in a couple of weeks, hopefully things can only get better from here.

Of course, because apparently one trauma wasn’t quite enough, my rheumatoid arthritis has decided it would like to join in to.  So today is injection day, which I know will help enormously. It does mean I have a few side effects to contend with afterwards — the headache, tiredness and slightly fuzzy thinking — but I can cope with those. So today is definitely a day for pottering about, doing a little admin, and generally avoiding anything that requires too much brain power. A nanny nap may well feature in the proceedings as well.

We had a lovely evening at Derby Dabblers last night, although I have to admit it was a bit of a struggle for me. I sometimes wonder what on earth I would do without that hubby of mine being around to help.

There were 10 of us altogether, and everyone was busy creating, crafting and generally getting stuck into one thing or another, as you can see from the photographs. 

 

It was lovely to see so much creativity happening around the table, and despite my slightly slower pace, I thoroughly enjoyed being there.

 

Our next get together will be on Friday 25th September.  

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to have a read. I hope you have a fabulous start to your Bank Holiday weekend and let’s hope there’s a little sunshine hiding somewhere behind all those clouds.  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 Share 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 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.