DAY - ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY FOUR - Birthday card and Strawberry Festival

 Good morning and it's another early one.  As the windows are open, the man coughing sitting on his verandah, the dogs barking as someone ran past and the pesky birds all added together make an amazing alarm clock.  That is before the neighbours alarm clock goes off at 5.45am.  Oh well, at least I can sit in the sunshine as I write this.

There was another friend that celebrated a birthday recently and this is the card I sent.  

It is a right combination of elements from the die cuts to the ephemera of a wonderful designer series papers, sadly retired, to sentiments and banners.  I had great fun in making this.  

We went off to a local Strawberry Festival, just up the coast slightly and what an afternoon we had.  Not only was the weather just perfect but the venue was amazing.  It was all set out at a local football stadium,  There were hundreds of tables and chairs that were empty for the majority of the time but we soon realised that all the seats would be filled with family who came along for a picnic.  There was entertainment, a pottery class, a strawberry cocktail class, strawberry pavlova demonstrations, traditional dancing,  puppet shows, the strawberry ladies entertaining children and singers galore.  

We arrived at the festival around 4pm and I had to have a strawberry milkshake.  We wandered around the various stalls selling strawberry products and I got fresh strawberries and strawberry jam for us and the girls.  We then had more drinks, watched the baking demonstration, saw the local band which consisted of two men playing a flute and bouzuki  which gave the music to the traditional dancers to dance to.  We then had a traditional souvlaki and sheftelia, which was cooked to perfection.  However, we do think we left far too early because the photos show, the place was packed.  There were live singers and dancers well into the late night so we must return next year, to stay a lot longer.  

Today is the very last day that you can grab the starter kit and join Stampin' Up! with this amazing offer

I would love you to join my team and should you need any further information, do let me know. 

So today's job at the complex is to sort out an issue of noisy neighbours which is proving rather difficult as they are not home.  It seems that there was a standoff in the middle of the road last night with headlights facing each other and a slanging match.  I am so pleased I didnt hear it.  I shall let you know how we get on.

I am slowly having a bit of a sort out, discarding things that I have no use of whatsoever, advertising a few household items and moving things around.  I am not one for sitting doing nothing. 

Well, I had best get breakfast sorted, we shall eat out on the verandah this morning before our early morning meeting at 9am with the gardener.  Thanks for having a read.  Tracey x

Stampin' Up! Promotions

Here 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. 

There are 5 brand new design (magnetic close) 2026-2028 In Colors.  

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 your can have a browse.

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 June 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.

 

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 - ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY ONE - Fun fold birthday card

 

Good morning.  Up before sunrise this morning but then the dustbin men arrived around 4am and what a racket.  We only get them twice a week now but they are extremely noisy.  It doesnt help that I sleep with the bedroom windows open as we get a lovely through breeze.  Nanny naps will be needed later.

Had a lovely few days flitting here there and everywhere.  Lots of cuddles and lots of time spent with the girls which is lovely and just what is needed.  Today is fairly relaxed day, as it should be.  We are off to a strawberry festival today, which is certainly different.  

I have had another few birthdays this week and here is a card that was sent out to a friend.  I do love this style of card with such a fun fold.  Its a great way of showing off the pretty designer series paper from Stampin' Up!

 

I have quite a few cards to put the finishes touches too here on my holibobs and I am hoping to be able to sit and do that later today.  Thank you so much for having a read.  Tracey x 

Stampin' Up! Promotions

Here 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. 

There are 5 brand new design (magnetic close) 2026-2028 In Colors.  

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 your can have a browse.

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 June 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.

 

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 - ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY FOR - Retired Garden Meadow Birthday Card

Good morning. Well yesterday's plans went all to pot, all because of a message ' mum are you coming for coffee?'  I didnt need asking twice so off I went to spend time with both daughters, the grandchildren and my sister in law.  We had a lovely morning in the sunshine.  

It was pure fluke that the boys were wearing the same tops but so cute.  They needed hats on outside as the sun was quite strong, they really are such cuties.  Growing far to fast but the apple of my eye.  Its photographs like this that make me want to get back into scrapbooking again so, thats what I shall do, once a week, a whole day to loose myself in memories.  

The afternoon was a totally different story, it rained and it rained, a little hail and dark clouds where we were but it wasn't too cold, which is always a blessing.  Todays weather is going to be very similar for us, warm but storms and showers, which I dont mind.  

It was another friends birthday yesterday and here is the card that I passed on to her. 

This card has quite a few lovely elements coming together, starting with the retired Garden Meadow Bundle. The wheelbarrow overflowing with flowers, along with the watering can and little garden trowel, were stamped in Memento Ink and coloured using a selection of Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers to bring them to life.

Once coloured, they were run through the Cut & Emboss Machine and die cut ready for layering. A square panel of Designer Series Paper was added to the card base to create a lovely backdrop and the garden elements were popped up on Dimensionals to add a little extra depth and interest.

The Happy Birthday sentiment was stamped and die cut, and the same die was used again to create a co-ordinating layer underneath to help it stand out beautifully. To finish, three little embellishments were added for that final touch, because it’s always the little details that complete a card.

Thank you for having a read today,  Tracey x

Stampin' Up! Promotions

Here 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. 

There are 5 brand new design (magnetic close) 2026-2028 In Colors.  

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 your can have a browse.

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 June 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.

 

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 - ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE - Stampin' Up! Birthday Fancy Kit

 

 

Good morning, an early start again but I have had lots of sleep so feeling refreshed.  

It really does seem as though it’s been one mishap after another lately.  Yesterday’s little saga started off perfectly normally with a visit to Katerina, who was taking me to a couple of new shops. And let’s be honest… who doesn’t love a bit of shopping? Better still, going with one of the girls makes it feel rather special for me as we dont often get the chance. .

Off hubby and I went, parked the car outside her house, wandered into the house, and there to greet me was Marcy,  their soft, soppy golden retriever, crying with excitement as she always does. Those who know golden retrievers usually grab a toy when they’re overexcited, apparently it helps channel all that enthusiasm. But yesterday? No toy in sight.

Instead, in her excitement, she grabbed my arm and… ouch!

She absolutely didn’t bite me, Marcy is the gentlest soul. But somehow her teeth caught my skin and gave me a very nasty puncture. Suddenly there was blood, quite a lot of it, and I instantly had that horrible feeling that I might pass out or be sick. Typical me.

Cue the mad dash to the sink with cold water running over it, and goodness me, did it sting.  Of course, the water made it look as though I was losing gallons, which only added to the drama. Eventually things calmed down, some lint was put over the rather impressive gash, then a bandage. The last thing we need in this climate is a fly or insect deciding to investigate.

The trouble was, the stinging and pain weren’t easing up, so the cavalry was called in. Alexandros’ godfather came to the rescue, thankfully he’s an A&E nurse. He had a look, a prod, another look and then very casually announced, “Ahhh, it’s okay.” Apparently plenty of antiseptic, changing the dressing often, and keeping an eye on it should do the trick. Of course, as we don’t know quite how deep it is, I’ve been told to keep watch over it, moving on.  

It was a friends birthday yesterday and this is the card that I left with her.

The card was created using one of the Stampin' Up! kits and its just amazing.  You can do so much with this  kit. It is called Birthday Fancy and comes with a stamp set and a little ink spot  as well as sticky stuff and embellishments too.  It says you can create 12 cards with it but to be totally honest, you can create tons more with a few additional base cards and elements.  The lovely stamp set is brilliant and can be used for many more years. 

Well I had best get my skates on, thank you so much for having a read.  Tracey x

Stampin' Up! Promotions

Here 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. 

There are 5 brand new design (magnetic close) 2026-2028 In Colors.  

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 your can have a browse.

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 June 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.

 

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 - ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY ONE - Another Brighten your Day Birthday Card

 

Yesterday turned out to be one of those days, the sort where you wake up thinking you have a plan, but it didn't quite work out like that.  It all started rather earlier than I would have liked. We had to be up, showered, dressed and breakfasted by 8am because the lift men were due. To be fair to them, they arrived at 8.15am, which is practically early by local standards.  Hubby stayed with them while they worked, trying to learn a little more about the workings out etc.  and then, at 9.15, it was time for us to dash out because my pampering day had officially begun. First stop, my nails.

Naturally, because plans dont always go the way we want them to, the water tank man, who was booked for midday chose 9.15am, the exact moment we were stepping out of the door, to make his appearance. Typical.

Now, we have a couple of leaking pipes and he had already warned us that while they might a straightforward repair, there was a possibility that the tank itself could be causing problems. If things proved awkward, it could turn into a much bigger job. In fact, he was the second person to tell us exactly the same thing, so we had prepared ourselves mentally, or at least tried to.  Still, there was little we could do at that point, so off we went.

That meant I had to use the monster, otherwise known as the car. I discovered that driving it was absolutely fine provided there were no other vehicles on the road, no awkward parking spaces and preferably no obstacles whatsoever. Apart from that, a complete success.

Nails done, we headed home feeling rather pleased with ourselves. As we pulled up, the skies suddenly darkened and then came the rain, thunder and lightning. Oh my goodness, what a performance! It was one of those spectacular storms where Mother Nature decides to put on a full theatrical production. We actually sat outside for over an hour just watching the show. Nature can be quite extraordinary when it wants to be.

After a quick bite to eat, it was back into the monster again and off for a haircut, followed by a trip to the shop for glamorous purchases including a new tap, spanners and screwdrivers. Not exactly the sort of shopping trip dreams are made of. However, all was not lost because I did manage to find a lovely new picture for the wall, so naturally that became the highlight.

Then came cuddle time, followed by a mad dash to Bingo because apparently there had not yet been enough excitement packed into one day.

I can honestly tell you that by bedtime I was more than ready to see my pillow. Never has a bed looked so inviting. I think yesterday managed to fit about three days into one.

Yesterday was a special friends birthday and I went back to the Brighten your Day card that we made.  I am sure she will love it.  Posted it out in plenty of time.  I love the colours of this one.  

 Well, I had best get myself ready for the day.  Thanks so much for having a read.  Tracey x

Stampin' Up! Promotions

Here 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. 

There are 5 brand new design (magnetic close) 2026-2028 In Colors.  

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 your can have a browse.

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 June 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.

 

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.