Taking time to smell the rose

Monday and an extremely busy morning (was there till gone 2 today).  I dont mind as today it was a lovely morning *nudge nudge wink wink*

We have spent the last couple of days finalising everything, sorting out clothes rails, as I have no wardrobes, sorting out tv and internet and generally thinking OMG it really is happening.  The exchange still hasnt happened, although it should have done by now but fingers crossed, there are still a couple of hours left.

Walking in from a brilliant afternoon out yesterday with Rob, Nat and the grandchildren, I smelt the rose at my front door and wow.  The aroma is wonderful, trust it to all flower now.


I am not brilliant at taking photos but this is a lovely rose and one I need to replace.

A few weeks ago I put a plea out for help for some navy butterflies and this is the reason I wanted them.

I made a couple of Candy Bar signs for Nat's sister's wedding later this month.  I wont tell you the price she paid just for some tags on white hammered card......

So my SU order is just sitting here, waiting to be submitted.  If there is anything at all you would like to add to this (last chance of FREE p+p) get in touch before 8pm.  

I am now off to pack my 2 craft bags with all my necessary crafting goodies as that is all that I shall have available for a while, yikes.  Be prepared if you live local, I may call you to see if I can borrow a bit of crafting space.

Thanks for having a read and have a wonderful evening

Not so Sunny Saturday

Saturday and up well before the larks today but it is an exciting day so thats okay.  The weather forecast isnt too good with 80% chance of rain and temperatures around 19 degrees, so not cold.

Today the lights come out of the garden, the plants all get put in one area, the garden furniture gets all stacked up because on Wednesday, yes Wednesday we move house.  Now that is all depends on the exchange going through on Monday and completion on Tuesday.  We were promised exchange last Wednesday, then Thursday and finally yesterday but it just never happened.  I am afraid our solicitor has let us down big time and I can certainly see why people say moving home is the most stressful time of their lives although to be honest, I dont feel stressed, I dont think.  I dont really feel anything.  Here are all the boxes so far,

 This doesnt include all the boxes upstairs.

I do still have my bedroom and living room free from boxes but after today, that may not be the case.
I said to Paul last night, goodness I know we have all this now but when we get to the new place, it will all be worse.  To tell you the truth, I cant wait to move now, a new start, our own home together.  Starting afresh is going to feel so wonderful.

Tuesday afternoon and evening I hope to be spending time cleaning as much as I can so I will be in the bungalow with rubber gloves, bleach and mop.  I dont believe we will have internet for a few days but I do hope to be able to take my phone number.

Apart from the packing, life still goes on.  I have worked quite a few extra hours this week and enjoyed it.  Lots of people are off or on holiday so it has been quiet and extremely nice.  But I have still been able to enjoy the wonderful fragrance from my jasmine plant and mock orange plant.  They have both gone a little mad this year, and these are plants that I must replace in the new house


 Oh yes, I am going around the house taking lots of photographs just in case I forget what something looks like.  I may want to recreate things in the new house and my memory is not what is used to be.

How about this?


I made it for my mum for her birthday and loved doing it.  Cant wait to do some more.

Stampin' Up! news  I GOT THE BROCHURES, oh yes, I had the new brochures delivered so, if you would like to join stamperettes, starting on 28th July, come along and grab your free catalogue.  Not sure until you have see this amazing book, come along and have a peek.  If you would like to purchase this fantastic catalogue, I have quite a few here and, you will just have to ignore the boxes, have a quick cuppa and who knows, you may just end up sorting out some plants.  I am in most of today and I do have samples of all the new IN colours.

Still a few days left to grab yourself a few bargains, YES lots of retiring products have already gone but still weekly deals are around, quite a lot of goodies on the retired list and, oh there is a yes, LOTS from last years Winter brochure can now be purchased.

My next order will be going in on Monday and I am still offering FREE p+p for anything added and delivered to me.  Give me a call on 01332 721877 and get your Christmas supplies while stocks last.

Thanks for having a read today and I hope you have a lovely day.  If you fancy a cuppa and a crafty chat, do call in

Watercolour

Monday morning and fingers crossed, Paul will return home today.

Its back to work for me but I know it will soon be lunchtime and I can chase up what has happened to the house sale.  My house now looks like one of those hoarding programmes, boxes everywhere.

I thought I would go along with the Less Is More Challenge this week as I have been doing a lot of watercolouring and here is my card.

 I made quite a few birthday cards with this stamp set, as well as lots of notelet cards that are on my tidy desk, I just think its a lovely stamp.

Yesterday I managed to do a lot of pottering, got ALL the ironing and washing done and packed up a few odds and ends.

Had an evening in front of the telly with my SU catalogues and it was soon bed time but phew, it was extremely warm.

Thanks for having a read, I hope all is well with you and have a wonderful day.

Louis Vuitton

I had a lie in today and feel such a lot better for it.  I woke up to sunshine and warmth, lovely.  At the moment it is 17 degrees and the forecast is up to 20 degrees but a strong possibility of rain.  Well thats okay as I am home all day again today.

The food shopping arrived just after 8am.  Well with free delivery and £20 off your shopping, why go to the supermarket?  I think its brilliant and have done my shopping this way everytime there is an offer on.  The food is fresh, packed items have a long life on them, nothing is broken and its great to just put it away.  Hopefully, when I do get to go the supermarket, I will enjoy it as I haven't been for so long and it wont be a chore.

Yesterday two very special friends celebrated their birthdays. Here are their cards although you cant see the sparkly on them.

 

I went to a very special birthday party for George.  It began with afternoon tea and my, it was scrumptious. I spent quite a long time having a crafty chat with Nina , which was lovely as I hadnt seen Nina is ages and it is always good to catch up.  I met lots of interesting people and learnt a lot about the Alvaston area.  Then there was this wonderful buffett.  I sat there in the sunshine with lots of lovely people, wonderful conversation, listening to brilliant music that George had sorted out.  What a way to spend a Saturday, heaven.

And this is the most amazing cake that George had made for her by a super duper talented lady. Well I sent a photo of this straight off to my sister in law who actually works at LV and she thinks it is brilliant.

This afternoon I shall be browsing through the SU catalogues as next week will be last week to place any orders and I dont want to miss out on a some wonderful stamp sets that are retiring.  It is also chance to join Stampin' Up! at amazing discounted price. If you would like to place an order or find out more, give me a ring on 01332 721877 or come and have a cuppa with me later today.  It may also be the last week that we are here in this home yikes.

Have a really nice Sunday and thank you for having a read.

The longest day of the year

Goodness, that sun is already warm, its going to be a lovely day.  Its not yet 6am and I have all the windows open.  I know that not everyone enjoys the heat so I do hope that you manage to keep cool.

I have shredded quite a few more papers (note to ones self, not to keep letters I do not need).  I have a few bags ready for the charity shop again and when Paul returns, he will take them for me. 

I received this wonderful card in the post, thank you Pauline.  I love the colours, the stamps and the borders.  

I will have to have a go at making a few of these once my crafting space is sorted out.

House news well, no news is good news I hope.  Fingers crossed that I can tell you more on Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend

Ollies Birthday

Friday and the sun is out.  It is already rather warm out there but the forecast is for showers today and tomorrow with sunshine back on Monday.

I have had another couple of days pottering, as you do and I am hoping to return to work on Monday.  My blood pressure is still low, the doc wont let me reduce my medication and the dizzy spells are still there but if this is what it is to be for a while, then I shall just learn to put up with it, there are a lot of people a lot worse off.

The news on the house front is frustrating.  On Monday we were told that Tuesday was exchange of contracts.  Tuesday came and went.  Wednesday we were told exchange hasnt happened, people buying my house didnt take some document to solicitor but they were doing that on Wednesday, so we would exchange contracts.  We were also told that  27th June was the date that everyone had been given for house move but, we hadnt been officially told this.  In the afternoon we were told dont worry, all is in hand, then we heard nothing all day yesterday.  Last night after another chase around we discovered, all the solicitors were off yesterday, people buying our house had gone on holiday but paperwork was in place but not sure if ready to exchange until end of month, on the other side, something was missing so we couldnt exchange.  It is getting extremely messy and complicated and still right hand doesnt know what left hand is doing.  So to wade through all the confusion, one step forward, two steps back and I am still happy, still living in box city but not a lot to pack anymore.

It was my nieces sons 3rd Birthday earlier in the week and here is the card that I made him, plus another couple of photos.
 
A few cakes that we made for him

 Do you remember this box?  I managed to get hold of it a few years ago in Cyprus and I am still using it to transport all the little cakes I make for the family

 Here is the birthday boy opening tons and tons of presents, a lucky little chappie

Thanks for having a read and fingers crossed, I can pass on some good news quite soon about the house move.  Have a wonderful day

Midweek Musing

Midweek and another warm day.  I do hope this weather lasts a little longer.

News - well, on the house front it has been frantic.  Calls here, there and everywhere.  Right hand and left hand not knowing what they are doing but hopefully, I shall have some good news to share with you tomorrow. 

I dont know if you recall but I mentioned some time ago that I had taken our eldest grand daughter to Rolls Royce for an interview.  She is only 14 and Rolls Royce take on young apprentices each year.  Well the good news is, she got in WOW.  As from September she will go to school 4 days a week and go to Rolls Royce 1 day, how lucky is she?  I do hope she will like it.

Stampin' Up! Weekly Deals are these.

You may have to click on the image to see the deal in a bit more detail.  I shall be placing an order on Friday so if you would like any of these deals or anything else, do get in touch.

Here are a couple of Christmas cards that I made recently.  I dont know if you can see all the shimmer, sparkle and shine?

I am pleased to say that I the scales at fat club were kind to me this week.  I have maintained for the last 8 weeks which is such a disappointment but this week, I lost weight although I dont really think I did anything different from previous weeks, our bodies certainly are strange.

Thanks for having a ready today,  I do hope you have a lovely day, whatever you are up to.

Sunny Monday

Monday morning and the forecast for today is supposed to be 20 degrees and sunny by the afternoon, thank you, that will do me.

We had a very relaxing day yesterday, especially as it was Father's Day. The loft is now half empty, another bag or so in the dustbin and a couple of bags ready for the charity shop.  There isnt a lot left to pack, I dont think.

 Just look at the cards that the grandchildren made for Paul

 I think I have some very clever grandchildren as they love making cards.  I have packed all my cardmaking bits away for them to use but I am always looking out for some bargains for them to use.

The girls have always called him "silly funny grandad" and he got a wonderful beer tankered with that engraved on the side of it, WOW.  He was over the moon with it.  Really brightened up his day.

We had the 'soon to be owners of my house' visit us too and guess what, they think that contracts are due to be signed and exchanged on Tuesday, tomorrow, oh I am keeping my fingers crossed. 

Thanks for having a read and have a wonderful day today, whatever you may be doing.

Fathers Day

Sunday morning and I am up far too early.  Maybe I will have a nap later in the afternoon?

We had a lovely day with Mum yesterday for her birthday, I dont have too many photos but a couple to make a little scrap book page with and one that I hope to put in a frame for her, to remind her of the day.

It's fathers day today and here is the card that I made dad

Yes, another one from a kit that I modified but I loved making it and that is what making cards is all about

Today will be a little quieter, being Sunday but just as busy.  Rumour has it and it is only rumour.....we may be signing the contracts on Tuesday for our house move?? Fingers crossed.

I hope that all is well with you and thank you for having a read today.

Happy Birthday Mum

Not only is it the queens birthday toady, it is also my mums birthday.  She is going to be *cough* *cough* years old and I am really looking forward to spending the day with her.

Here is the card that I made

This one started out as a decoupage kit which I thought was very elegant,  I added crystal effects, lots of glitter and some typing.  I love the way it turned out.

And this is one made earlier, from Sophia, Katerina and Christiana.

A simple stamped image, coloured in with lots of shimmer and sparkle.  

Fancy a crafty night?  I have a crafty night planned for Friday, June 27th for one night only to make 2 cards, 2 tags and something a little different.  There are a limited number of places so please, do let me know if you fancy coming along.  I really am getting withdrawal symptoms from not having crafty week and, by the end of the month it will be the last few days of the Spring Catalogue, the last few days of the Annual Catalogue plus there will be lots and lots of catching up to do.

Off for a day with the folks, thanks for having a read and I hope you have a wonderful day too.

Lots of Links

The forecast today is for a warm one without rain.  Now could this mean that Summer has arrived? We shall see.

We have had a little positive news regarding house moves/sales/purchases which is great. The bungalow sellers believe that they have a couple of weeks before they loose the house they want, it does get confusing.   Mind you, we are constantly being told different things by different people, solicitors, chasers etc. and surprisingly enough, I am still all cool, calm and collected about it.

I have done enough shredding to last a lifetime and I am shocked that the shredder has lasted so well with all this extra work.  I have put lots of different things onto ebay, charity shop has had so much from me and a couple of black bags full or rubbish in the bin.  I am refusing to take anything with me that I do not need (apart from crafting items of course).  Speaking of which,  the weekly deals for this week

You may have to click on the image to make it larger so that you can read it.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE WEEKLY DEAL

Just to let you know that the clearance rack doesnt have too many things on there now so if you want to grab yourself a good deal, now is the time to do it.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE CLEARANCE RACK

And dont forget the retiring items.  Once these have gone, they will not be coming back, so sad for some lovely little stamp sets.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE RETIRING LIST

I shall be putting in a cheeky little order on Sunday morning so if  you would like to add to this little basket, please let me know before Saturday morning.

The study has been really emptied and apart from a few papers and bits that need to be actioned, here is my office for the next few weeks.

Here is the last of the cards that we made in Doncaster a few weeks ago.  

I am sure this stamp will get lots of use, just love the sentiment.

Thank you for having a read, have a lovely day, whatever you are up to.

Tuesday Twitter

 Tuesdays twitter again.  I do miss Tuesdays at Traceys and I hope it isnt too long until they start up again...sigh. 
We have had lots and lots of emails, text messages and phone calls from the bungalow sellers, lawyers, chasers etc. etc. for our new home and we are a little more optimistic today.  There are still the hold ups but everyone is aware of what is what and I am keeping all my fingers, toes and everything else crossed that this goes ahead in just a day or twos time.....yikes.  The boxes are as packed as they can be but this evening, I will be going around the house again with an empty box to see if there is anything else I can put away.

I can see that lots and lots of crafting products from the SU retiring list are selling out rather quickly.  I have put all my orders in so if you are waiting for something, it has been ordered and should be with me very soon.  If you havent yet placed your order, I shall be putting another little one in tomorrow as soon as the weekly deals are out and I would love to get you the goodies that you want.  It is still free P+P to have items delivered to me.  Just give me a call on o01332 721877 or send me an email and we can get your crafting bits to you as soon as possible.

I made this at the weekend and loved doing it

I can see that this will be the start of something new...just need to time and equipment now, well maybe soon.

The offer for joining me, my team and Stampin' Up! is still on for the month of June.  Grab yourself a few bargains, see all the new products as soon as they are out and have fun creating at the same time.  I would love to tell you more about this so please, do get in touch if you would like to find out how.

The weather forecast is for 20 degrees today with a 50% chance of rain.  The rain is doing my garden the world of good but causing havoc with my windows lol. 

Right, off to start my day.  Thank you so much for having a read and I wish you a wonderful Tuesday

Birthdays are good for you

Good morning on this bright and breezy Monday.  Another start to another week and fingers crossed that today is good day.

Emails have gone off to all parties concerned, about the bungalow and fingers crossed we get to hear some more news later today.

In the meantime, how about a crafty class?  I am in the process of getting a date, for a Friday night,  possibly 28th June, to have a one off crafty get together.  One stamp set, 2 cards, 2 tags and a little bit of something different.  More details to follow as soon as I get confirmation of the room.

Here is a card that I made last weekend when I went to Doncaster and had a surprise crafty class.

I love the sentiment, which is so apt for lots of the cards I am making at the moment, with limited supplies.

Its Christmas card and chatter night this Friday night.  If you fancy making a few Christmas cards you are most welcome to come along and join us, just bring your Christmassy bits to do.  The cost is £1.50 and it is held at St. Edmunds Church, Sinfin Avenue, Shelton Lock.  We are there from 6.30 for 3 hours.   It would be great to see you.

Have a lovely day and I hope that you manage to stay dry if you are off out.

Peaceful Petals again

Another morning of being up bright and early and what a hectic day so far.  Craft fairs, coffee, catching up with friends, a scone with jam and cream and all before 3pm, magical.  I know that this evening has a few more boxes ready to be packed, a card or two to get ready for posting and clothes to get ready for the week, really packing it in today.  No moping about for me.

Here is a card that I have made with my limited supplies.

I have used a wonderful stamp set that I still cant put down,  Peaceful Petals and I have coloured the flowers in with the new blendabilities, which I am getting used to.  I have also added a bit of extra thick bakers twine which you can purchase from the new catalogue, due out in July.  I realise that not all the colours work together but it was great having a play.

You can still join Stampin' Up! at the amazing price of £50, getting £55 worth of projects plus all the office supplies you need and, it means that you can place pre-orders to get your hands on a lot of new products that arent due out until 1st July.  Please do get in touch if you would like to find out more about this.

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

Saturdays Post

I am up far too early for a Saturday morning but as I have a busy day planned for tomorrow, I want to get as much done today as I can.

It is supposed to be extremely wet today but inbetween the showers, I shall be washing and hoovering my car.  It needs a little tlc, well we all do at times dont we.  And then it is continuing with the packing, oh yes, there are still lots of little bits and bobs to go away.

Unfotunately, it seems that the sellers of the bungalow that we are supposed to be buying, may not be able to purchase the house that they wanted, for lots of various reasons.  So we have been told that it is highly unlikely that we will be able to purchase the bungalow as the sellers will not be selling it!! Yes they can do this and all the money we have paid out, goes down the drain.  We really are keeping our fingers crossed that they will continue with the sale despite what we are being told but who knows what will happen.  However, we have sold our house so we do have to move out so continuing with the packing, is what we shall do today. 

We have found lots and lots of lovely things at the back of cupboards, on that high shelf, that werent really lost, just put away and forgotten.  Its been wonderful going down memory lane but so time consuming, tut tut.  

Last night was Derby Dabblers and it was fantastic to see so many people again.  I didnt take one phototgraph, opps.  I did manage to do a few inserts and finish a couple of cards off that I wanted to make.  I have to put my crafty bits away this morning and hope that I can find them again next week, for the Christmas card club.

I got THE new Stampin' Up! catalogue for 2014 - 2015 and I cant put it down.  It is so very different from previous ones and every time I look at it, I am just loving something else.  When I think back, I am sure I was the same last year, and the year before and the year before.   I can tell you that not a lot of stamps have been taken over from the 2013-2014 book so if there is something that you really are desperate to have and not kick yourself for not getting it, please let me know and I will order it for you.  I have taken off my on line ordering but a quick email or phone call will get you your goodies just as quick as an online order, and its free postage this month (an offer from me, not SU).

I forgot a birthday, how could I?  I just got totally confused with dates but this was put in the post last night.  Not a brilliant photo but it has lots of sparkle.

I have 8 birthdays next week so sometime over the weekend, I must get all the cards sorted out.

We have lots and lots of baby birds in our garden, as soon as I can snap a photo, I shall share it with you.

Thanks for having a read today and I hope you have a lovely day, despite the weather.

Monday's mess

Not such an early start today, guess its not such an exciting morning ahead. 

Another week begins and heres hoping that the weather is nice this week.  What lovely weather we had yesterday, did you make the most of it?

Here are another couple of cards and tags made with the wonderful Peaceful Petals stamp set and these are a couple that are all ready to go for the next crafty night get together, which I hope wont be too long.

 

Along with a blue and green stamp n write marker, a blender pen, some blue or green card for the insert and the brilliant tag punch, you can soon whip up a batch of these.

Photos of what I came home to on Saturday evening.


Paul had piled up all my crafty bits and bobs from around the room, on shelves and generally all nice neat and tidy and he removed my shelves and a few pictures from the walls.  Dust, goodness there was dust everywhere.  It took ages to clean but clean I did.

We have begun to sell things on ebay but what a performance that was.  I couldnt access my ebay account, all my 9 years worth of credit (so to speak) has gone.  I had to re register and start all over again, I am finding nothing is easy and straight forward these days but this will not beat me.  I will not let these things get the better of me and will always find a way round, phew.

I had best get a wiggle on as I dont want to be late for work, thanks for having a read and have a great day