Shivering Sunday

What a cold start to the day. I couldnt believe it when I got up and saw the temperature outside. I dont think I have ever known it to be this cold, just look at the picture. -7 yikes, I guess I will be staying in again today, keeping warm.
As you can tell, I found my camera. I took it up to my craft room and put it on my table, silly thing to do as so many things go missing once they are on my desk only to reappear weeks later.

I received this card a few weeks ago from Colleen, isn't it wonderful.

There is nothing nicer than the postman delivering a card that you arent expecting. Just a couple of days left of November now and then it will be Santa season. I have more cards to finish and quite a bit of wrapping to do today so will go and make a start.

Have a warm day and if you do have to venture out, stay safe.

Tracey

Saturday, snow and searching

YEAH its Saturday, the weekend has arrived. I hope that everyone reading this has a great weekend ahead of them. I expect its all preperations for Santas visit for most of us. Did those of you in Derby peak outside yet? We have snow, although the weather forecast was for snow on Thursday, it didnt arrive. We were then told it would be here on Friday but no, they were wrong however its there this morning. I dont think its too bad but the freezing temperatures wont make walking or driving pleasant, so drive/walk carefully today.

I have lost my camera, well not lost, just misplaced. I have been turning the house upside down for well over an hour to no avail so I am going to stop looking and wait for it to jump out at me. As soon as it does I will post some pictures for you.

Have a lovely day, whatever you are up to and thanks for having a read.

Tracey

Bags and Bags

Derby is expected to be very cold today, well it is November and it is Winter so I guess we just have to wrap up warm. I am told that we are expecting snow, yikes. Last year I made my first ever snowman and I do like to see everywhere covered in snow, my problem is that I am terrified of driving on it. In the past I have called on friends and relatives to take me to work if it has snowed and I have even wrapped up extra warm and walked to work, just because there is snow on the road. Hoping that the white stuff misses Derby.

I have been receiving some wonderful cards in the post lately, it is so nice when the postman brings you something you arent expecting.

This was made by Elvie, thank you so much it so cute.

And what do you think of this?

I have decided to make up little birthday card kits, an A5 box filled with card that I will score and print happy birthday on, lots of peel offs, stickers and bling and give them to the grandchildren from Christmas. They can then make their own birthday cards throughout the year and here is a bag that the A5 box will go in. Isnt it so cute? The flower is on a seperate pin. The photograph doesnt do it justice. If you would like to get a bag to fill as a christmas present or even for yourself, nip over to Anne's Blog and leave her a message as Anne is happy to make up lots more of these. I will show you the other ones over the week.

Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a lovely, snow free, day.

Tracey

The start of a new week

I am not counting days the days till santa arrives as I will just panic. Why is it that most of us ladies feel so much pressure over xmas instead of enjoying it? Well this year I am hoping to get everything ready well in advance so that I can enjoy every moment of the festive season.

Yesterday I didnt get ALL the chores done but I did make some more jam and I did go back to the Christmas market with Paul and MIL. I managed to buy a couple of things too.

During my crafty week we have a raffle each evening. I have a large basket containing so many SU bits and pieces including glitters, dazzling diamonds, stamps, glue, crystal effects, ribbons, card stock, papers as well as the little things that are sometimes overlooked when we browse through the catalogue. One of those items are these lovely little cards that are already printed and come with envelopes and little ribbon flowers. I made one of them up to show everyone and they really are a hit.

For those of us in a rush and no time to make a special card these just fit the bill, you only need to stamp a sentiment.

You may have to click on this to get a bigger picture.

If you would like to order these, or anything else out of the SU catalogue, I shall be sending off another order on 28th of the month, just let me know what you want.

Off to start another busy day at the proper job. Looking forward to this evening when I am going to start sorting out my wardrobe.....yikes.

Have a great day x

Elvies Virtual Party

Elvie had a virtual stampin up party last weekend. Her friends live all over the UK so she sent out some stamped images, instructions and away the party started. I hope the ladies dont mind me sharing these cards with you.

Arent they all lovely? Thank you to everyone who took part, I hope you enjoyed the day as much as I did.

Yesterday we had a great few hours out shopping. First of all we went to the Christmas Market at the roundhouse in Derby. The roundhouse was built in 1839 and was originally used to repair trains. It is 16 sided polygon and contains a central turntable which was used to manoeuvre the engines. It's a grade 2 listed building and it has been modernised, lots of glass, extended and now its part of the Derby uni, anyway enough of the history. The Christmas Market itself was lovely, 70 stalls of mostly hand crafted items, including the Stampin' Up! table, which looked really festive. I hope that Helen and the team had a great day and good luck for today. If you have time to go to visit today, its well worth it. We then went for lunch in the town centre and did quite a lot of present shopping. I went to visit my favourite shop and came out with a couple of new outfits.

Its another wonderful Sunday today. I am hoping to finish off the last of my chores (ironing again) early and then do some wrapping of the presents we got yesterday.

Have a lovely day, whatever you are up to and thanks for having a read.

Tracey x

Normality?

You know what they say about best laid plans and all that, well... I decided to clean out my kitchen cupboards last night and realised that I have a whole pile of things that I have collected and dont use. So these are now on the dining room table ready to be priced, wrapped and boxed for the car boot.

Who saw Children in Need? This is the first time I have ever seen it (well heard most of it as was busy) but wow, very impressed. Having lived in Cyprus during the Take That era I couldnt really understand what all the fuss was about, okay they were good but... having listened to them a few times this last couple of weeks and seen them I am smitten. I want to go to see them but I dont think I have much chance of getting tickets.

Off to the shops today to cross off a few more things on the Christmas List. I need to get presents for Christiana, Pani, Sophia and David as they wont be coming over for Christmas and their box needs to get sent. Hopefully my wonderful post lady will be reading this, she doesnt realise what a wonderful thing she does getting bits and pieces from the UK to Cyprus.

Here is a photo of the card that we made during the crafty week. Everyone said they liked and I must say that I loved making it. I must make more "different shaped" cards as they are fun to do

I know its early, as it usually is at the weekend when I get up. I am off to see the blogs that I have been neglecting.

Have a lovely day whatever you are up to and thank you for your comments yesterday, at least I know the blog is read.

Tracey

Normality is about to be resumed

Yeah its the weekend AGAIN. Why cant we have 5 days of weekend and 2 days of work, oh that would be ideal.

First of all *waving* to all the ladies who took part in the virtual stampin up party last weekend. I hope to get your cards on the blog over the next few days. Also *waving* to Ros and all those lovely ladies that came along to her actual real life stampin up party on Wednesday. We had a lovely time and for those that didnt make it, you missed out on some yummy cake that Ros made.

Thank you to all those that came for a visit last night and purchased lots of my crafting goodies that I can no longer use. The bits and pieces that are left are going into storage until I can get to do a car boot sale, probably in the spring when the weather is a little better I shall also be taking along all the clothes, nic nacs and everything else that is surplus to the house. I havent told Paul yet that he will be up and down the loft for a couple of hours tonight putting everything away, bless him.

Paul has just about finished all the decorating so I am putting the house back in order. I finally managed to put everything away from the papermax show, from my crafty week and just have a few bits and bobs to sort out from this weeks SU events. I am having a whole weekend off from crafting and am going to concentrate on Christmas instead, shopping, wrapping and jam making. I will let you know how we get on.

I have quite a lot of cards to share with you so I must make a note to try to post on here a bit more often. The first cards are samples I did for the crafty week. We used the choo choo stamp set and the right on track wheel. I do try to make different samples of cards so everyone can see what else can be done with the stamp sets we use on the night.


These arent the cards we made, I will get those on here soon. Whilst I love the bright coloured cards the bashfull blue one is my favourite. Unfortunately you cant see all the dazzling diamonds I used. I finally got my cloud template so everything that I have been making recently has clouds....its so lovely.

SU have a fantastic offer for the Christmas Bundle.....details to follow in the morning. A bit late I know but better late than never.

If you are wanting to order for Christmas PLEASE GET IN TOUCH SOON. I would hate anyone to be disappointed and not find their SU presents under the tree.

I cant believe how popular my crafty week has become. I only have a few spaces left in January (please see the side bar on the right). If you want to come along, please book your place as soon as you can.

Thanks for having a read and I am so sorry its such a looonnnnggg post. Have a great evening and please please please, leave a comment or two, just so that I know that this is being read.

Tracey x

Saturday at last

This weekend has seemed to take an awful long time to arrive but its here now. What a fantastic week I have had with the crafty nights, each evening has been full of crafty chatter, laughter and such wonderful company so thank you ladies. last night was the last crafty night for this year but the dates for January are on the right hand side of my blog.

Here is one of the cards we made this week using the On a Pedestal Stamp set, regal rose and old olive card. The new love letters designer papers and the new taffata ribbon have been included too. Thank you to Carol for letting me use her design, it one of those cards that you see and know you have to make it yourself.


And this is the insert. I dont know if I have mentioned it before, please forgive me if I have as my memory isnt as good as it used to be. As I really detest sitting here typing inserts and then cutting them down, sticking them in etc. etc. I have decided to do a decorated insert with a stamped greeting. So far I have received positive comments about this type of insert and for me, its much more pleasurable to make.


Paul returned last night YEAH and he is shattered. I have the pleasure of lots of washing and ironing today and hopefully, getting the spare room all spic and span.

Have a great day and thanks for having a read

Tracey

UPDATED to show you the insert...opps

Isnt this cute? It took quite a while to make but well worth it. Thank you to the girls at SS in Peterborough for showing me how to make this, along with the rest of us and thank you to Chris for all the cutting out she did.

Its been a lovely week so far with crafty nights each evening. I have the rest of the week to look forward to, with more crafty nights. I cant believe how many ladies have already booked for my January events, thank you so much for your support.

Paul is still away but due home at the weekend, fingers crossed. I have to say a big hello and *wave* to all the ladies who are attending Elvies Stampin Up Workshop on Friday, I am really looking for to this.

Hope that you all have a lovely evening and thank you for having a read.

Do you fancy a night of crafting this Friday?

I have 2 - 3 spare places on the crafty night this Friday night. Do you fancy a couple of hours making cards, lots of crafty chat, drinks and cakes? If so please get in touch to book your place.

Super Sunday

Do I feel good this morning, I have finally managed to have my extra hour in bed YEAH. I have been operating on Summer Time all week, getting up early, eating early and going to bed early but today I woke up at 6.30a.m., thats an extra 2 hours sleep. Not only that but I am off to the NEC. I ask myself, I have 7 boxes of crafting bits and pieces that I am going to take to a car boot, why do I go to the NEC to see what is there....window shopping of course and to be with some lovely friends, what else. I am taking a small bag, a small purse and I may buy something small.

A really good friend of mine, Anne helped prepare so many wonderful things for the papermax show. Here is just one of the cards she made

I loved this so much that I just had to case it and I have used it for all my thank you cards for the month of November.


So far I have made 20 of these and I still have another 15 half finished....tomorrow.

Thanks for having a read and have a lovely day.

Tracey

A challange for the boys

I was making boxes to put my cupcakes in and explaining to the guys at work what I was up to. Then the challange was set, I needed a box that you could take a cup cake out of without getting sticky fingers. With two engineers on the job, how could we go wrong. Designs were drawn, templates were made, problems were found so it was back to the drawing board. 4 days later we came up with the perfect design. So off I went and made the cupcakes


It was then cutting, folding, bending, sticking and then the boxes were made

When you open the lid, you slightly pull the front flap down and the cake comes out easily...brilliant design
And here are the IaBish design team, Ian Holden and Andy Bishop with their own little cake boxes (blue for the boys of course)
I wonder what they can come up with next......

It was my brother in laws birthday recently so I made him this card.

and a matching envelope

Today is a day for me, my day to catch up on all the little jobs that I have left behind over the last few hectic weeks and to finalise all the preperations for next weeks Crafty Week once I get back from all my little jobs out and about. I am really looking forward to next week, there is nothing better than sitting down to make a card, when its all been cut out ready for you. I am also finalising all the SU orders that have come in, cutting up designer papers for shares, cutting up ribbons and generally getting on top of everything. Tomorrow is the NEC, well a girl needs a bit of retail therapy now and again.

Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a lovely weekend what ever you are up to. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you have planned.

Tuesdays Twitterings

I didnt get too much put away last night but I did get another storage box of crafting items that I will no longer use.....but what do I do with all these boxes? I guess a car boot is really the only answer as that now makes 7 large storeage boxes of "things to go", stamps, punches, bits and pieces all no longer required as I am finding that I only use my SU bits and of course another few favourites. I am running out of time to find good homes for all these items as the craft room will soon have to be a bedroom, in fact I have 6 weeks yikes.

I mentioned yesterday that I havent yet shown you all the things we made on our girlie weekend away. Well this was made with the help of Lisa.


I know that my photography still leaves a lot to be desired lol.
Here's Lou and Chris. I shall show you what we made with Chris on another post later this week.

Another busy day at work for me and then its a visit to see my mum and dad. Lucky me cause I get to have tea with them tonight yeah. Nothing tastes as good as your mums (or dads) cooking. Will finish the unpacking when I get home.

Have a great day.

White Rabbit White Rabbit White Rabbit

Did you remember your white rabbit this morning? Does anyone still do this apart from me? Who forgot to put their clocks back yesterday or was anyone silly enough to put them forward this year (I did that 2 years ago ooopss). I havent had my extra hour in bed yet, I am saving it for Saturday so all my clocks, watches etc. are still 1 hour ahead. I am going to work earlier, eating meals earlier and up to now, not noticed the difference. Not sure how long it will last though....if I am lucky enough, I should be able to keep it up till Saturday after my lie in.

What a weekend I have had. First of all Saturday was the thank you party for my Stamperettes. These are my club 10 ladies (and Jane). We had a treasure hunt, a make and take, goodie bags, cakes, biscuits, free stamps, bookmarks etc. etc. etc. Thank you so much ladies for all your support.

Sunday was theDerby Papermax show. Off I went loaded up to the eyeballs with cards, albums, order forms and I think I must have taken half my craft room with me. I met Lesley in the car park and we set off to get our table ready. Anne joined us and helped unload all the boxes and bags. We got our table cloths on, decorated it all, changed it once and then kept changing it and we were ready. Organised Lesley got the flask out and there we sat, ready and waiting. Anne started the demonstrations with a lovely mans card (I will show you that in the week).
Oh we met some wonderful ladies who were so complimentary about all the cards and projects we made. It really is worth all the effort when someone says nice things about what you have spent hours over.....thank you. I hope to meeting some of them again in the very near future.

I have lots of photos to share with you but as I dont want to bore you I will put them on over the next few days. I still have to show you the other projects we made in Peterborough with Janice, Andy and the team.





Here are Lesley and Anne and some of the displays.

I am off to see what everyone has been up to in blog land, catch up on a couple of forums and then its time to put away some of those boxes and bags.

Have a lovely evening and thanks for having a read.

Tracey