Lots of little suprirses

As I mentioned in a previous post, my computer died and fortunately for me, Paul installed his computer to use whilst he is away. Unfortunately his computer is rather old and extremely slow (not a complaint). I cant have more than one programme open at a time and if I have two web pages open it goes even slowly so I am not using it as much as I used to. On the positive side, it has given me more time to do a few jobs around the house. I guess that I am feeling a little like the old computer, slow, not able to do more than one thing at a time and definately start to grind to a halt if I have to think of more than one thing at once. Hopefully I shall pick up this week and get back into my normal busy lifestyle.

Another Bank Holiday that was wet and soggy but what a surprise I had yesterday. With all the rain that fell over the weekend I have lots of new buds in the garden, here is the poppy with 4 new buds, one about to flower


and the jasmine, well just look at all those new flowers, (you may have to click on the picture to make it larger)

They were not there on Sunday morning. What a difference a day of rain makes.

Speaking of surprises, here is another one that Christiana sent me
The post from Cyprus was a little slow but what a lovely card, well worth the wait. Thank you hon.

Thanks for having a read today. I hope that you have a lovely day and I do believe that the sun is going to make an appearance in Derby, fingers crossed.

Stamperettes Series 6

There is just one place remaining on the Stamperettes Series 6. If you dont know what this is, I have 9 ladies who are all going to spend £15 a month (plus p+p) for a period of 10 months. During these 10 months, each lady will be a virtual hostess for one of the months and get at least a level 1 hostess gift as well as at least £15.00 to spend on Stampin' Up! products. We are hoping to start this on 28th May but need that last little place filling up. Would you like to join this group? Please call me on 01332 721877 or send me an email tracey.rossos2@hotmail.com.

THIS WILL REMAIN AT THE TOP OF MY BLOG FOR A FEW DAYS. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATED POSTS.

UPDATED - The last place has now been taken. Stamperettes Series 7 will commence in August, if you would like to participate in this, please let me know.

Win some free stamps

Good morning, well I am hoping that today is going to be a little better than yesterday, in fact it has to be. I woke up yesterday after a well earned lie in, half made a cuppa and went to switch on computer, my usual routine. Umm a blank screen on the computer, I tried everything but nope, it didnt want to play, ok then back to my cup of tea by which time had stewed, so I started again and made a fresh cup. Picked up my phone to send a text, dead. Saw a lovely bird outside, grabbed the camera, dead. So I plugged phone and camera in to charge whilst I went for shower, I cant repeat what I was saying to myself as I walked upstairs to the bathroom. Had a shower, went to brush my teeth with electric toothbrush and guess what, yep, it was dead.

Finally got sorted, got in the car and went to visit a lady 30 minutes away, the rain was awful, the traffic was slow and when I got there, she wasnt home ohh noo. Started to come home and sat nav only goes and dies on me in the middle of nowhere, ok, I can see your smiles. Eventually got back into Derby after going around a lovely housing estate with ramps, twice, but it was an experience. What else could go wrong? Well I went to pay for something later in the day, put my hand in my handbag and it came out black???? A new pen, with a lid on had leaked all in my handbag, not only onto the things I had in my bag but the bag was a cream canvas one, fairly new and it had soaked all the way through yaks.

I was glad to get home and put my feet up I can tell you, the rest of the day went okay so fingers crossed that nothing untowards happens today. Paul, bless him, spent the evening removing my computer from the study and installing the old one that he had for his music which I am so grateful for because at least I have a computer again. Unfortunately I have no bookmarks, no history and a clean canvas to work on, as I said, today has to be a good day.

Do you want to enter a competion to win FREE STAMPS...of course you do, it would be silly not to. Just click on the link HERE and fill out the form, what have you got to loose?

Thanks for having a really long read this morning and I hope your day is a lovely one. I shall be hiding away in my craft room today, out of harms way.

No photographs to share with you today I am afraid as I still need to get some programmes added to my computer.

Crossword Card

Up with the larks today, in fact it was before they made an appearance, I will definately want a snooze this afternoon otherwise I will be in bed by 7.00p.m. tonight.

What a productive day yesterday was, I spent the whole day turning my spare bedroom back into a spare bedroom instead of a store. I had everything in there, ironing (now done), bits and pieces for Christiana (now somewhere over the med), crafts galore (now sorted out and in a new home) as well as lots and lots of bits to sell (all in one box and ready for selling). The windows and mirrors now gleam, the curtains are all washed and ironed and the whole room is ready...for visitors. I wonder who will be my very first over night visitor in this lovely room?

Today I am going to spend some time outside in the sunshine, I was hoping to do this yesterday but the clouds came over and so I just continued with doing some more bits in the spare room, oops if Christiana reads this I shall get told off, it isnt a spare room, its Christiana's room lol.

As well as it being Bethany's birthday last Monday, it was also my mother in laws and here is a card that was made for her
Oh how lovely, I have a few more followers, thank you for joining me on my blog.

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

Tuesday Twitterings

Today we wake up to wall to wall sunshine, such a big difference to the weather yesterday, I guess that the lillies can go back outside then. We also wake up to the news of more volcanic ash, yikes. I remember all the disruption last time and wonder if it will be the same this time, I guess only time will tell.

I have had a bit of a lie in today which was well deserved, so its a very slow start to the day, lucky me. Yesterday was our eldest granddaughter's birthday and here is the card that I made for her.
I have been putting this little ted on the back of all my cards for the grandchildren, I think he is so cute

This is the card and envelope together, I do hope that she liked them. Paul got me 4 new stamps for my birthday and I have used a couple of them on Beth's card, stamped the card and used watercolours to colour it in. I was really happy with the result.

Today will be another busy one once the chores are out of the way and if the sun stays out, I will try and sit outside for an hour this afternoon.

Thank you so much for having a read, hope you have a lovely day.

A wet and soggy Monday

Its so hard to believe that the weather has changed so suddenly and become cold, wet and windy. It is so gusty at the side of my house that I have had to bring in my new Lilly.....it is so beautiful and so tall that I didnt want it to get damaged. Well the weekend flew by again didn't it? Was I the only one who didnt get everything done that I had intended to do? Not all the wedding invites got posted, the washing didnt get done and nor did all the cleaning but hay, it doesnt matter, I can always get the little chores done today or tomorrow.

I promised you some pictures of all the handmade cards I got for my birthday, so here they are
















I cant tell you how lucky I feel to have so many wonderful friends so once again, a big thank you.
Today will see me not only catching up with the little chores but also trying to sort out my craft room and put everything in its place, having a coffee with visitors that I am expecting and hopefully a nap in the afternoon.

Thanks for having a quick read today and hoping you have a fantastic Monday.

Birthday, Birthday and more Birthdays

It's nearly the weekend, which is always a good thought to start the day with and its hard to believe that yet another week has passed by so quickly but it has certainly been an eventful week. Last Saturday I had some wonderful surprises for my birthday from family and friends and I just want to say a really big THANK YOU to everyone. You have made me realise what wonderful friends I have and your constant support is really appreciated. Can you believe that I havent taken photographs of all the beautiful handmade cards I received but I will get it done over the weekend so that I can share them with everyone who reads my blog.

This week we have had lots of other family and friends birthday's and I did take photographs of the cards that I sent out. This is one that I made for my dad, not a brilliant photograph but I just love the card and I know he did too.

My dad shares the same birthday as my sister, who also has her wedding anniversary on the same date and here is the card that I made for her
Do you remember me posting this little slider card (I dont know what else to call it),
well I made it with the intention of using it as a money wallet and here it is with some money in it. I actually attached the money with a glue dot and apparently it took my sister ages to try and peel the dot away....oppps.
Today it is a very good friends bithday so Happy Birthday P.Ann, I hope you have a lovely day and this is the card that I made.
Here is a close up in the hopes that you can see all the lovely sparkly bits
Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a wonderful Friday. Dont forget to leave a comment so that I can link back and read your blog.

Just a bit of waffling today

We cant keep up with the amount of food that the birds are eating at the moment. The 3 bird feeders are emptied within two days whereas normally we dont refill them for at least 10 days. Why you may ask, well there are so many babies in our garden its a wonderful sight watching them all being fed by their mothers. Not just sparrows but we have young doves, blackbirds and a baby robin. Here is the robin sqarking to his mother to feed him again
Today I will try to capture his mum actually feeding him.

Lots and lots of birthday's this month. Unfortunately I cant seem to concentrate on sitting down to make a card so here are a couple out of my box with the names added.


Hopefully I will get my concentration back soon.

I started this little project two months ago and only just finished it yesterday. I am not totally happy about the way it turned out and I think I need more practice with a glue gun but I am sure I will get there eventually.

Its a pin cushion on the top with emergency supplies inside. This is for a personal shopper that I went to visit back in March and I have used some material that I got at the NEC and the papers and ribbon are Stampin' Up!

Good news on the diet front, I have now lost a total of 9" in just 4 weeks, I am really pleased. The bad news is that the dress I purchased to wear at my wedding is too big...ooppps. I am not going to worry about it today though.

Just another couple of days and I will be a year older, I am like a big kid and love having birthdays.

Thanks for having a read today and if you get chance, please leave a comment as I really like reading what you think and then I can visit your blog too.

Tuesday Twitterings

Stamperettes Series 6 will be starting on 28th May. For those that do not know what this is, it's my club 10. 10 ladies commit to spending £15 a month (plus p+p) on products in the Stampin Up brochures. During one of the 10 months each person will be the hostess and get at least £15 to spend as well as a level 1 hostess gift. It's like having your own virtual Stampin' Up! party. There are only 2 places left so if you would like to be part of the Stamperettes series 6 or need more information about this, please get in touch.

I was up earlier than the birds this morning, I just couldnt sleep so I will get on with a few odd jobs that need doing. No doubt I will be napping on the sofa before the day is over or even going back to bed shortly.

Did you want an ink pad, a stamp set or just a pack of card? I am placing a Stampin' Up! order on Thursday so if you want me to add anything to it, just give me a ring or send me an email.

My daughter, Sophia purchased her first car yesterday. She has been saving very hard for this for a very long time, bless her. She worked last Summer and saved as much as she could and with her birthday money and a little help from mum, dad and her sister she finally managed to buy what she wanted. Obviously, because Katerina has contributed towards it, she is also driving the car. Dont they grow up so quickly?

I dont have any cards to show you at the moment but I have been trying to get a little colour chart finished to hand out and it's a very slow process.... here is a picture of one set.

Just a few days to go before it's my birthday and for some reason I am so excited about it, I feel like a big kid. Its weigh in day today and apart from Sunday evening, I have been very good this week so I am hoping to have lost another inch or two.

Thanks for having a read today and I hope you have a lovely day, whatever you are doing.

Raining cats and dogs

Halfway through the weekend and what a turn in the weather, whilst it is still warm and muggy (14.8 degrees at 5.00a.m.), it has been raining cats and dogs, which gives me the perfect opening for the next two cards.

I saw these on the internet during my many hours of flicking through blogs and had to have a go at making them...all Stampin' Up! Products were used to make these with the pick a petal stamp set.


I haven't put a sentiment on them yet, they are sat in my box ready and waiting to go.

Have a lovely day and I hope that rain doesnt stop play for you..

A sunny Saturday morning

It was the monthly Derby Dabblers get together last night and I went along and chattered to everyone there, it was lovely and so relaxing. There were 22 of us and its so nice to know that we are all still meeting up after 5 years, I am so pleased it's still going strong. Everyone is very talented and the hints and tips that are passed along are wonderful, I dont think that there is a nicer group of ladies and I feel previlaged to be part of them. There were a few new faces as well last night and I do hope everyone else enjoyed it as much as I did.

Being at home the last week I have been amazed at how all the flowers in my little garden have started to open up and here are two of my favourites.

This is a little poppy plant which we rescued from Wilkos looking very sorry for itself. It is full of buds and hopefully they will all open up quite soon

and this is a water iris that's in the pond. The buds on this plant always open up for my birthday which creates a lovely splash of colour in the corner of the garden. I did take lots more photographs but I dont want to bore you all with them today

I have been making some cards using the new embossing folders that Stampin' Up! have introduced and I cant stop using the square lattice one. It makes such wonderful backgrounds and Paul asked, can you stamp onto the embossed piece of card. I explained that you wouldn't get a perfect image but, if you stamped first and then ran the image through the square lattice folder it may work. Well I am pleased to say, it did work

Now I just need to find a few more hours in the day to try other things. Here is another card, clean and simple, with the motorcyle stamp and the wonderful ribbon from SU
It's very early in the morning and the temperature is already 14 degrees, it is really warm and stuffy here, maybe a day to do some more work in the garden.

Thanks for having a read and dont forget to leave a comment, please

The weekend is nearly here

Friday again YEAH, I can hear all those sighs of relief. My week has been sew lovely, with lots of visitors, lots of chilling and the sun has been shining for most of it.

I have spent some time looking at some wonderful card creations and just had to case a few of them, I cant remember everyone's name but thank you for the inspiration. Here are a few cards made using the sew lovely stamp set, the new seam thread ribbons and lots of SU colours. Do you have a favourite?




Enjoy your day, whatever you are up to and please leave a comment, just so that I can come and visit your blog. x

Sweet Treat

I have waved Paul off to work this morning, not everyone has today as a holiday. Lucky me will be at home all this week, chilling and getting to grips with lots of things.

I was lucky enough to receive this wonderful sweet treat from Anne last Friday, isnt it wonderful? She has used Pocket Silhoutte stamp set and created a lovely little bag with a chocolate inside. I am saving my chocolate until after my weigh in tomorrow. Last weigh in I had lost 3" which I am really pleased with.

Paul has worked so hard in the garden this last week and now it looks perfect, I cant wait to sit outside reading my book or having a coffee with friends. It is full of colour with the plants all flowering and we have buds on some old favourites which we thought we had lost due to the bad weather.

Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a great day. Dont forget to leave a comment, just so that I know you have been to visit.

White Rabbit White Rabbit White Rabbit

Did you remember to say yours this morning? I wonder where the saying came from? Apparently, if these are the first words you say in the morning of the first day of the month, you are supposed to be lucky throughout the whole of the month....we shall see.

I have had a lovely week and apologies for no blog updates. Paul has been home this last week and has hogged the computer but its been great having him around.

Here is a card that I have made today, it's a little pocket card (not sure what it's proper name is) and Lou showed us the basics of this card at our recent get away. Monica has a lovely card made using this stamp set and I have gone and cased it, I do hope you dont mind, here is the original from Monica.



I have used all Stampin Up goodies, which I shall list later on this evening.

I hope you have had a great day and thanks for having a read