Thursday

DAY - ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY ONE - Praire Grass by Stampin' Up!

 

Good morning.  We’re starting the day with beautiful bright sunshine. I was up quite early to get the house opened up, doors and windows wide (though not the front door, of course, as anyone could just walk in). It was only 14°C outside when I woke, while inside it was a warm 22°C. Letting in the cool morning air makes a big difference and the house cools down quickly.  Once the sun starts to come through, I shut everything up again and draw the curtains. It really does help keep things cool throughout the day.

After a couple of hectic weeks, I’ve decided to take a step back and cancel a number of  plans. Even though I try to stay organised, I’ve begun to feel a bit taken for granted and stretched too thin, so I’m trying a new approach. We’ll see how it goes.

Our “Try it Tuesday” with Signature Cards this week was absolutely lovely.






 

We had such a lovely time creating some beautiful backgrounds using our blending brushes. We started at the bottom of the card with Old Olive, gently blended upwards with Lost Lagoon and finished with Pretty Peacock at the top. It created the most gorgeous soft ombrĂ© effect.  Basic White Card is perfect for this technique, especially when paired with the Stampin’ Up! Blending Brushes.

Once our background was done, we stamped one of the smaller images from the Prairie Grass in Archival Black ink and added a sentiment to complete the design. Simple, but so effective.

For our second card, we masked off a section so the blending ran just down the left-hand side. It really gave it a different look.  Both versions turned out beautifully but I think the panelled one might be my favourite. What about you? I’d love to hear which one you prefer. You’ll find a list of everything we used at the end of this post.

As for today, I’m heading out for a coffee at the Pausa CafĂ© inside Dunelm. We’re having a little team catch-up there, though I’m not quite sure how many of us will make it. I’ll be there with my Annual Catalogue, some of my recent makes and of course, a good cup of coffee! Before that, I’m sneaking in a short stroll while the morning is still cool, just a few steps outside to enjoy the fresh air before the heat sets in.

Thank you so much for having a read today.  It would be wonderful if you could leave a comments, I cant tell you how much pleasure it give me reading them.  Enjoy your day.  Tracey x 

Stampin' Up! news and offers

Two brand new kits have hit the shelves and they are flying off fast.  Click on the images below to find out more.




Stampin' Up! have a wonderful sale on Two Tone Card.  Have you tried any of this yet?  If you would like to pop in and have a look at some, I shall be in the craft room tomorrow, 11th July.  Kettle will be on, come and see it in person.




You can flip through the new catalogue online by clicking on the image below or even download a copy to keep. 

If you would like to collect a proper copy from the Craft Room then get in touch

Click the image below to browse the full collection in the Online Exclusive range of products, look out for the "new" stickers to easily spot the latest additions.


 

There are still products available in the Last Chance section of the Stampin' Up! Website. If you click on the image below a new page will open up and you can have a browse.

 

 
 
Here is the latest Scrapbooking Brochure that was released in January.  At the moment it is only a digital brochure.  

 You can click on the image below and a new window will open up where you can have a browse through the 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 get in touch with me, here is where I can be found.  



Product List

Saturday

DAY ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY NINE - Derby Dabblers

 

 


Good morning, oh my its 19 degrees and it isnt even 6am in my neck of the woods.  I think it is going to be a bit of a hot one today but I can cope with that.  I have all windows open currently so there is a lovely breeze blowing through.  Once the sun is out, I will just shut them all up and close the curtains.

For a change, no 'to do' list but in reality I do have a lot of catching up to do with little bits and pieces so I will work my way around each room.   Hopefully get to spend some time in the garden with Hubby today.  

Now that I am back off my hollibobs and downloaded the photos, I have 35,387 to work my way through.  Oh my goodness.  A few each day before I start taking lots more.  Its a job I love, as you know.

Last night was Derby Dabblers night.  Derby Dabblers is the name of our friendly craft group that meets on the last Friday of every month.  Everyone brings along something to keep their hands busy for a few hours including card making, knitting, sewing, crochetting and lots of other hobbies.  We spend the evening chatting, laughing, setting the world to rights and we always enjoy a hilarious game of bingo somewhere along the way.  There is plenty of tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits.  Its a relaxed and welcoming way to spend a few fun filled hours together and I always come away feeling alot more light hearted then when I arrive.  Here is what we got up to last night.











 The next one is on the last Friday of July but I will remind you again nearer the time. 


I wont get to see mum and dad today, I leave Saturdays for my nieces and the little ones.  Mum gets a bit overwhelmed when a few of us are visiting.  Her health is still not the best and to be honest, it never will be but she is comfortable, eats when she wants and has careres go in twice a day, much to dads annoyance but thats to be expected.  It isnt nice having folk in your house, as I know.  We will visit tomorrow though.

This week in The Craft Room we are having the following:


 If this is something you fancy please, do let me know.  

Then on Friday it is Festive Friday, still trying to get cards done and not being too sucessful.  I will have to buckle down and get them organised as I dont think I will be here this Christmas.


 Its always a laugh and it would be lovely to see you if you would like to join us.

I had best make a move and start my day.  Thank you so much for having a read and I hope you have a smashing Saturday.  Tracey x

 

 

Stampin' Up! news and offers

To find out more about all the kits Stampin' Up! have, just click on the image below and a new page will open up for you.  If you have any queries, please get in touch. 





The Stampin' Up! Suite Sale and is on until the end of the month. Click on the image below to find out more.

When you purchase a suite - or any crafting products from a suite - from the Stampin' Up! catalogue or the Online Exclusive section, you can get another suite (or products from a different suite) at 50% off. The discount will be applied to the lower-priced item.

You can flip through the new catalogue online by clicking on the image below or even download a copy to keep. 

If you would like to collect a proper copy from the Craft Room then get in touch

Click the image below to browse the full collection in the Online Exclusive range of products, look out for the "new" stickers to easily spot the latest additions.


 

There are still products available in the Last Chance section of the Stampin' Up! Website. If you click on the image below a new page will open up and you can have a browse.

 

 
 
Here is the latest Scrapbooking Brochure that was released in January.  At the moment it is only a digital brochure.  

 You can click on the image below and a new window will open up where you can have a browse through the 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 get in touch with me, here is where I can be found.  






DAY ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY ONE - The longest day of the year

 

Good morning! I’m happy to report a small personal victory, I managed to stay in bed for a whole extra hour today.  With any luck, that means I’ll make it an hour later tonight too. Resetting the body clock is officially underway. Fingers crossed.

In other news, the weatherman has graced us with a warning that thunderstorms are on the way. Now, I do love a good storm, nothing quite like the drama of thunder and lightning from the comfort of a cozy chair when its warm but before the show begins, we (and by “we,” I naturally mean the royal we) need to spend some time in the garden for a bit of a tidy-up. There’s tying, staking and a whole lot of weeding to be done. Honestly, I don’t know what the weeds have been feeding on while we were away, but they’re having a party out there.   I also have lots of putting away in the house to get on with this morning too, oh it will all get done eventually, there is no rush.

Right then... it’s time. I’m beginning the emotional (and slightly chaotic) journey of parting with some of my beloved retired Stampin’ Up! goodies. Yes, they’re gorgeous. Yes, they still spark joy but it's getting a bit crowded in the Craft room and coming back from holiday made me realise, I simply can’t use everything all the time, unless I clone myself, and that’s just not going to happen.

So, I’ve added a brand-new page to this blog called 'Let it Go' No glamorous photos just yet, think of it as a soft launch, a humble little list that will grow (hopefully in reverse). If anything on it catches your eye, feel free to get in touch (my contact details are below). It is found on a tab at the top of this page.

These treasures will also be popping up on a few other internet sites, because, let’s be honest, my craft stash could easily fill a small village hall. It’ll be lovely to create some breathing room and maybe even rediscover the top of my desk!


We had a great morning at our Cuppa and a Card get together yesterday.  Here are the photos I managed to take.  I must remember to take my time and get better photos. 













Our next get together will be on Friday, 18th July but I will tell you about it again, nearer the time.

Thank you so much to reading my ramblings today.  Do leave a comment if you wish and if you can, I take so much pleasure knowing that folk are seeing the blog.  Tracey x


Upcoming Events

Its time to open those drawers, dig through the boxes and give your embossing folders a little dust off.  If you would like to join me in The Craft Room on Tuesday 24th June at 1pm for a couple of hours we will find a few ways to use the embossing folders and give them a new lease of life.  Do get in touch with me if you fancy this, my contact details are below.



We have our Derby Dabblers get together this Friday night.  Come along armed with something to keep you busy for a few hours, have a cuppa and a biscuit/cake.  Bingo half way through the night with Sheila.  It really is a lovely group of ladies and we always have a laugh. 


Stampin' Up! news and offers

To find out more about all the kits Stampin' Up! have, just click on the image below and a new page will open up for you.  If you have any queries, please get in touch. 





The Stampin' Up! Suite Sale and is on until the end of the month. Click on the image below to find out more.

When you purchase a suite - or any crafting products from a suite - from the Stampin' Up! catalogue or the Online Exclusive section, you can get another suite (or products from a different suite) at 50% off. The discount will be applied to the lower-priced item.

You can flip through the new catalogue online by clicking on the image below or even download a copy to keep. 

If you would like to collect a proper copy from the Craft Room then get in touch

Click the image below to browse the full collection in the Online Exclusive range of products, look out for the "new" stickers to easily spot the latest additions.


 

There are still products available in the Last Chance section of the Stampin' Up! Website. If you click on the image below a new page will open up and you can have a browse.

 

 
 
Here is the latest Scrapbooking Brochure that was released in January.  At the moment it is only a digital brochure.  

 You can click on the image below and a new window will open up where you can have a browse through the 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 get in touch with me, here is where I can be found.