Birthday girl

It is Hollies birthday today and she is 9, where did those years go?  Paul and I went to Build a Bear with her last week and got her Stuart, the minion, we were in the shop for so long as there was a party, then one of the tills was out of order and when we went to get the birth certificate (yes build a bears have birth certificates), one of those computers was Out Of Order but we got there in the end and it was nice standing chatting.  Here is a photo I managed to grab.  Really, when these two are together, no one gets in between them.
 

And here is the card that I made for Hollie.

Paul has gone away to work so I have to get my skates on now and get ready for Santa.  I am really looking forward to a very productive week and fingers crossed, by the time he comes back, most of the Christmasy bits are done.

Here is one of the cards we made during Crafty Week.  I made this classic card quite a few years ago and as it is timeless, we made it again.   The original was by Teneal Williams who is my inspiration for lots of crafty things.

A few bits and bobs to do today including a bit of ironing, another Graduation card and to put the overseas Christmas card together.

Stampin' Up! party, do you fancy hosting one? Or how about coming along to one?  Please let me know if you would like to do either or, how about signing up to get Stampin' Up! discounts or hold classes / parties for your friends?  Give me a call on 01332 721877 so that I can tell you more.

Must get a wiggle on because before I know it, I will have to cook dinner.  Thanks for having a read and have a wonderful afternoon Tracey x

Operation Conservatory

I have just seen that the weather forecast is going to be 8 degrees and then read that with the wind, it will feel like 1 degree, brrrr I shall wrap up warm today. I would like to wear a hat but I have been told that I look too silly in them, some even say I look like Freddy Parrott Face!!!

 (think of the thunderbirds theme tune as you read the next bit). Yesterday 'operation conservatory' went ahead.  The platform tower was out, the cleaners and cloths were out and we spent the whole day cleaning down the ceiling, the lights, the UPVC frames and yaks.

 

Did you really think that I would be able to get up on this tower?   I have never seen so many cat hairs and gunk but its a job well done.  Over the next couple of days I have to clean all the windows, again and the doors.  Then its sugar soap for the walls ready to paint them. Paul wants yellow paint and I would like blue.  As he is will be working away for a few days, guess what colour it will be * little smile*.

Thank you to everyone who has asked about the the window problems, they still havent been sorted, I am now being ignored by cloudy to clear.  The window sill damage hasnt been repaired and I dont think it will be.  But it is no drama, I shall just get it all sorted over the next couple of months, one way or another.

I did a few more tags

 And the craft room got tidied up ready for todays clean.  I only clean the craft room on a Sunday, hoover, mop floors, clean all the table etc. all ready for a busy week ahead.

Once chores are done today I hope to nip into town for a couple of hours to get a few more bits before coming home and settling into the crafty space.  I prefer to go into the center for a couple of hours each time, with a list, so I know exactly what to get.  I love the atmosphere, the hustle and bustle but prefer it is small amounts, goodness, when the girls are here I will be in and out of town all the time as they just dont have shopping centers like we do.

Right then, I had best make hubby a cuppa and take it to him.  Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a smashing Sunday

Rudolf arrived

Good morning Saturday.  This time next week the girls will be travelling to the UK, how exciting that is for me, Paul and the girls.

Crafty Week has been and gone and that was the last week for 2015.  I already have the dates planned for 2016 and the events are nearly full already.  I may have to put another day aside for Crafty Week next year as it is popular, perhaps the daytime class can have another go? Here are some snapshots that were taken this week

This is the little fella I left on the table for everyone with a couple of Christmas chocolate inside.  I have been wanting to make reindeers since August so I was really pleased to finally get them done.

Not a lot happening today apart from the usual chores and a tidy up of the Crafty Space.  I am still looking for a name for Crafty Space so if you have any ideas, please pass them on.

I shall be putting in an order today for Stampin' Up! goodies, if there is anything that you would like or if you have any queries about SU products, give me a call as I will be happy to help.

Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a lovely weekend x

Tagtastic Friday

Good morning, lets hope this weather temperature stays for a while, I can cope with 10 degrees at the end of November and the rain

Well the headache/migraine didnt go away yesterday.  The thing that bothered me is that one of my eyes closed and one side of my face looked a bit puffy and as I had a mini stroke a few years ago, I do worry a bit about migraines.  Fingers crossed that it will all go away over the weekend and things get back to normal.

I didnt do a lot yesterday, well I couldnt but I did sort out a few tags that I have made over the year, yes more tags, and here they are.

It is getting closer and closer to the girls visit and I really am looking forward to seeing them although I see them nearly every day on facetime / viber /  messenger, its the hugs that I miss.  Hoping that you have a wonderful day and thank you for having a read x

Tags, Trees and Hedgehogs

Good morning and it isnt as cold out side today as it has been.  Yes it's before 7am and I have been outside already.

I am really pleased to say that my mobile phone has been restored with its old number and that my E-mail account has now been sorted, phew.  I havent been able to access my emails for quite some time but now I have a bit of catching up to do which I shall do this afternoon and evening.

I have had to get my tags out cause Santa is wanting to take some presents that I have purchased.  I have always kept my tags in a certain box but a couple of years ago I received this lovely box with a lovely present inside and I just couldnt bear to part with the box, so it because Tag Box

And here are the start of the tags, I say the start as I have been making them all year at Christmas Card Class and they just need finishing off

 And a bit of a close up

My friend Julie has discovered paper folder and she has Jane B to thank for this.  Julie saw my wonderful tree on Tuesday that Jane made and now Julie has the bug

Arent they wonderful?  I think you have done a wonderful job creating these Julie.

Stampin' Up! have a few more weekly deals. 

If you would like to order any of the above items, or something from the clearance rack HERE or if you would like to pop in for a cuppa and a browse of the brochure, please do get in touch.  We can get your order sorted.  If you would like to hold a Stampin' Up! party, a bit like a tupperware party except you spend a few hours crafting with your friends and family, I would love to come armed with lots of crafty goodies for you all to create cards with in your home or, why not have your party here, in Alvaston, in the crafty space.  Give me a call on 01332 721877 to find out more.

Well I have quite a bad headache today so its back to bed for me for a few hours to see if I can get rid of it.  Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a smashing day.  x

Birthday Boy

Tuesday and it's not going to be as cold but we are going to get a lot of rain I have just read. Thats more leaks through the conservatory windows.

After work this morning its a bake a couple of cakes and do a few chores before having a house full of wonderful ladies to craft the night away.  There will be two total beginners tonight so that's always lovely.  The kits are ready, the room is ready and all that is left to do is to make a few sample of other cards using the same stamp sets.  I am sorry that I couldnt accommodate the other 3 ladies that asked to join the class but if there are a couple more people that would like to come along next week, I would be really happy to run this class again.

It was nephews birthday last week and here is the card that I made for him.

Some new weekly deals coming out tomorrow which I shall share with you and I am really pleased to say that I am taking Stampin' Up! party bookings for January and the amazing Sale a Bration.  I have a few evenings free to hold these parties at your home or in the crafty space here, in Alvaston.  Please let me know if this is something you would be interested in and I can give you more information.

Best get a wiggle on and get to work, thanks for having a read and have a super day. x

Winter arrived

Good morning and it looks like I have to de ice my car this morning brrrr.  So, Winter is here and I dont think we have done too bad as it is the end of November.

Its been a hectic few days again, more conservatory window sagas, out with friends, meeting up with SU friends that I havent seen in about a year, if not longer.  We managed to get to the Derby Christmas Market as well as the Swarkstone Christmas Fayre on Saturday.  Add the curtain lady into the mix, a birthday trip out with the youngest grand daughter and its been a busy time.

Not only all the above (plus a birthday) but I have tried to change my mobile phone provider.  This has led to  having no telephone, my email account receiving no emails and a new phone number!! not impressed but I have been told that it will be sorted this afternoon, so please forgive me if you have been trying to get in touch.

Here is a card that I made a few weeks ago at Craftwork Cards when I went out to Leeds with Pam and Jayne.

Its Crafty Week this week YEAH.  I have to get my skates on as I am not quite ready but hope to be by the end of today.  I have a couple of places available if you would like to come along tomorrow night to make a couple of cards, a little Christmas box and have home made cakes, all for the price of £7.00.  I will provide everything except sticky stuff so please, bring your glue, 3-D pads and tape with you.

Best get breakfast sorted if I have to de ice my car.  Thanks for having a read, have a lovely day and, if you do want to come along tomorrow, give me a call on 01332 721877.

Tuesdays Twitter

20% Sale off some stamps.  The quickest and more secure way to make sure you get your stamps is to purchase them through my on line shop and, they get delivered directly to you.  I shall be placing an order this evening so if you would like me to try and get you those stamps that you want, please get in touch by 5pm.  

Two people from Cloudy to Clear came last Wednesday for an hour an hour.  I dont want to bore you will all the details but I wouldnt let then "jig up" the roof to put in new window sills.  A decision was made for the fitter, who now works for Cloudy to Clear, to come back on Thursday and make some repairs.  However, they did hose down the conservatory to see if the windows did leak, they took windows out and put them back and then spent over an hour talking to each other, outside the house when they left.  Thursday came and the fitter came in the morning when I was at work!! The holes on the window sill are even more obvious now......the stuff he has tried to fill them with has been spread even further.  The 'buffing' he is supposed to have done is with a sander so my windowsill is getting rougher and rougher, not smooth and shiny.  There is black fluff in the joints of the window units?  I called to say I am not happy and the fitter tells me, oh, I was wearing gloves, it must be wool from my gloves!!    He said he would be back on Friday afternoon to sort it.  He didnt return and I had a call from the company to say he was at the doctors with an upset tum. He turned up yesterday, removed the fluff and then put silicone in the bottom of all the windows, to stop the water coming in.  He then only went and took a blade out of his stanley knife and used just the blade to smooth out the repairs he did on the window sill, scratching another groove into the window sill.   I have had enough of this saga now and I have decided that tomorrow I am calling out another company to see how much they will charge to put things right and then I shall ask Cloudy to Clear to pay that bill. 

Paul's base is down whoop whoop.  At 9pm last night we went outside in the wind and the rain trying to cover the concrete up from the awful downfall and fingers crossed, it will be okay.  More rain is due at 10am today but hopefully, the concrete will have set.

Here is another card from our 'sky' night, this will be popped in the box for the right occasion and yes, I do have lots in my box

 We used lovely as a tree stamp which is one that we shall be using during crafty week next week.  Just 3 places left on the Tuesday evening.

Today my car is back at Honda for 4 recalls so I have my magazines ready, biscuit in my bag and I shall spend a couple of hours chilling....

Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a wonderful day x

Sparkling Sunday

Good morning from a cloudy Derby.  Temperature today is supposed to be around 15 degrees and to remain cloudy but, not rain!!  We shall see about that.


It has been a busy few days, lovely to see everyone on Tuesday *waving* and then on Friday we had Christmas card and chatter night, I think it was definately more chattering than cards he he.  I did manage to get a few more card fronts made which will turn into Christmas cards this week.

Yesterday I went to a MDF class in  Balby with Pam, Leslie and Tracy and the day just whizzed past.  That's it for my crafty classes out and about for this year, I have been to 3 in the last 3 weeks, phew.  Loved it yesterday and hope to get my projects finished to share with you over the next few days, along with the others I am working on.

This is one of the cards that we made at Craftwork cards last week. 

If you get a chance to go to one of their workshops, I can certainly recommend it.  A great day out.

Paul has spent this week going though all the paperwork, along with lots of other things.  I am really pleased to say that it has all been sorted and everything filed away, in its own home.  This does mean, hopefully, we should be able to find things that we are looking for, phew.  Now I have to go round and put away all those little bits that have been left out that we are not sure what to do with but not today.

The base of the last building is just about finished, the concrete comes tomorrow and the actual building comes in 2 weeks time.  It all feels as though its coming together.

Just to let you know that I only have 2 spaces available for crafty night on Tuesday 24th November. If you did want to come along, please get in touch.

SAVE THE DATE - Tuesday 22nd December is fuddle night from 6pm.  It will be lovely to see you, to catch up, to swap the Christmas cards and have a lovely evening together.  We shall be having a fuddle, a secret santa and, you will need your sticky stuff and scissors with you.  Do let me know if you can make it.

The conservatory saga continues, but more on that tomorrow.  Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a wonderful Sunday x

Tuesday at Tracey's

Good morning on this extremely mild Tuesday and we are told, no rain.  Fingers crossed that this is the case as today is the day that the ground work takes place to put up the last building.  There will be a skip on my drive so if you are popping over, it will be street parking for a week or two.

I rushed home from work yesterday to see the Cloudy to Clear people who were due to turn up with the professional company to see what they could do about the windowsill, holes, scratches, leaking windows and now the damaged units inside the conservatory and.......they didnt arrive.  I rang and left a message and they called back, they thought they were due today but, due to other appointments, could they change the day and time!!  Well they werent due today as its Tuesday at Tracey's and I wouldnt arrange for them to come today.  They are supposed to come tomorrow now.

Here is another card from our 'sky night' last week.  I have used Lovely as a Tree and brushes on this.  Bits of snow falling and a bit of glitter on it which doesnt really show up on the photo.  One for the box for the right occasion.

Dont forget, if you have a bit of free time later and fancy a catch up, the kettle is on from 2 - 4 and again after 6.30, it will be lovely to see you. 

Best get myself ready for work now.  Thanks for having a read and have a smashing day x

Tis the season

After getting up so early yesterday, I ended up having a nap around 8.30ish until 11am.  I was not feeling the best so the extra sleep did me a world of good.  Hubby cooked Sunday lunch and we spent the afternoon doing a few odd jobs, sorting out paperwork and being together, it was lovely.

Today is Monday morning and the good news is, the last of the building work is being started tomorrow whoop whoop.  I am crossing everything that I have that it will be done by xmas so that I can empty the last of my boxes.  How exciting.  So the site gets cleared on Tuesday and the base goes down on Saturday, weather permitting.  It rests for a couple of weeks and then the building is put up at the beginning of December.  Of course, getting the inside done will all depend on when Paul is working in Derby.

As promised, here is one of the first cards we made in Leeds on Saturday.  It sqashes folds down flat to go into an envelope, isnt it a cutie.

Today I have to finish off all the SU goodie packages and arrange for collections /  deliveries, some people have managed to get some really lovely things.  My next order will be going in on Wednesday so, if you would like a little something, please do get in touch.  If you would like to nip in for a cuppa tomorrow, just let me know and I can give you address details. Kettle is on from 2pm - 4pm and then after 6.30pm.

Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a wonderful Monday, although it may be wet.

World of Dreams

Made it to Leeds and back yesterday and met some more lovely ladies.  The drive up was a bit naughty, lots of rain and misty but we made it safe and sound and had a wonderful day crafting. We made cards, boxes, paper trees and I have kits to make an advent calendar as a little carry box.  Home in time for tea and to watch the X factor.  I shall share my makes over the next few days.

There are a few places I would like to go today, the roundhouse, into town and out visiting but not too sure how far we will get.  Sundays are supposed to be lazy but mine never seem to be, are yours?  Oh its the last of Downtown Abbey tonight.... I shall have the tissues ready.

Speaking of tissues, have you seen the new John Lewis advert?  I cried!!! I think it is a wonderful advert, showing signs of my age now.

Do you know, I nearly forgot to share this months Thank You cards with you.

I have used Old Olive, Marina Mist and Certain Celery Stampin' Up! pens to ink up a stamp from the World of Dreams stamp set, on Very Vanilla card. The 'merci' stamp is from a very old SU set that I have had for quite a long time.  I punched out the middle of piece of 4 x 4 card with a die, stamped on the piece that I cut out and stuck that back in flat.  The negative of the die I stamped the word merci in Marina Mist and raised it up on 3 D foam pads.   The tags were cut out using a bigger die the same shape and I stamped the same image on it.  I cut out a 1/2" circle of Marina Mist card and stuck it on the top of the tah.  Using the crop o dile, I punched a small hole in the Marina Mist card and popped some Old Olive ribbon through it.   Voila.

All the SU goodies are ready and packaged up.  If anyone has something they would like to collect on Tuesdays at Tracey's that would be great or I can deliver it to you on Thursday.

Off to start my day with a few chores, as you do.  Thanks for having a read and have a wonderful Sunday xx

Lovely as a tree

I am off up the motorway first thing this morning, fingers crossed that the weather is kind to us.

I thought I would share this little find with you.

We have been struggling with wet windows, on the inside, in the bedroom.  Every morning I get up and have to peel the net curtains from the windows and I am washing the nets at least once a week.  The window sill on the inside is oak and it is getting very black in the corners, from all the damp.  Well, I purchased this little beauty last weekend and WOW what a difference.  I shall keep monitoring it obviously but no wet windows!!! So if you are looking for something to help with all the moisture in the air, I can certainly recommend this.

a few of us had a bit of a get together earlier this week to have a look at different ways of creating backgrounds.  I had lots of  card fronts left so decided to turn them all into cards, here is one of them. Not sure if the birds are upside down?

I had best get a wiggle on as we have leave the house soon.  Have a great day xx

Birds in trees

Good morning and just who has that Friday feeling, oh yes.

Its a whizz round today getting things straight along with a bit of ironing.  Craft room needs a little tidy and then I hope to sort out all the SU goodies that have arrived and package them all up.  Fingers crossed that they get here early enough.

I have Tuesdays at Tracey's this week so if you would like to call in for a cuppa please do and, please bring a friend or two with you.  I have the whole afternoon and evening free, just for you.  If you are local to Derby and havent been before, just take the plunge, get in touch, I will give you my address and do come along.  A few new bits added to the sales table, some retired stamps as well as papers looking for new homes.

I am off out for the day tomorrow, a whole day of crafting and I am really excited about it.  You can never have enough crafting can you.

 Here is another little card to share with you that we made last Friday evening in Peterborough. 

More distressing of backgrounds, a die cut and a couple of little birds and viola......so lovely.  Another little card that I adore, I need to make a few more of these.  I have ordered the tree dies so I am just waiting for them to arrive.

Our Friday night during crafty week is becoming so popular that I am going to run the same class again on 4th December.  If you would like to come along to a craft class, make a little Christmas box, a couple of cards and tags, eat cake and drink tea/coffee, chatter the evening away as well as lots of laughter, all for £7, please do let me know.  The evenings take place in Alvaston, Derby.

I had best get a wiggle on and get sorted, thanks for having a read and dont forget your brollys today....it's due to rain.

shoes, papers, cards and stamps......a perfect combination

A rather wet day today but that's okay, I can cope with that.  As long as we dont have snow and ice, I can manage.

Today is my Friday whoop whoop.  I have a lovely long weekend and will be making the most of each minute, as you do.  I came home last Sunday to a new piece of furniture in the conservatory.

 

 Paul had built the shoe cupboard for me but once we looked at it, we thought 12 x 12's?

You will be pleased to know that it is shoes that have ended up in there though, as was intended.

 I have sorted out my Summer shoes, which have gone in the loft and the Winter boots have been put away in the wardrobe.
The conservatory saga continues.....I told you that the General Managers came round with promises.   Well they have been back in touch with me again and want to return with 'their handyman' not the professional company they mentioned, that repairs UPVC window sills etc.  In the meantime, I have been told that should this happen to another window company, they would have come round and put a new strip all the way around the window sill making it look like new.  Watch this space.


Last Friday after a lovely drive into Peterborough and a visit to the Riverside crafty place, we ended up at SS and this is the first project we did.

I think that this is so cute and it was a bonus that I already had the stamp set, all ready for next year. Some colouring with distress inks, some heat embossing, glittering and lots of glossy accents. 

Out for a bite to eat tonight and then to visit Rob, Nat and the grandchildren, always a pleasure to see them.

Just to let you know that "close your eyes and make a wish" has arrived and that I have had to pay postage charges so the price is 13p more than anticipated but hay, still a bargain. 

Thanks for having a read and have a wonderful evening x

Tuesdays Twitter

Good morning from a chilly Derby.  Thankfully the fog has just about gone, phew.  Not too keen on it but I was lucky enough not to drive out in it first thing yesterday as  I had a wonderful day off work.  Once I did all the chores and washing I went to visit sis for an hour and the fog had just about gone.  She has had shingles and she isn't too well at all.  Fortunately I discovered that shingles isn't catching.

Then it was a wander around Allenton and a visit to B&M for the baubles for the grandchildren to decorate before going home to sort out the crafty space.  I didnt manage to sort out the crafty space too much so that will be a pleasure this afternoon and this evening.

Whilst I was away over the weekend it was Halloween and it looks like this is being celebrated more and more in the UK.  I adore it but I havent yet started to make cards for the occasion.  I did however make these.

I saw them on Facebook and just copied them, more or less.  I gave them out to the lovely ladies that I spent the weekend with.

One of the tutors made us some amazing cakes for the Saturday and they were really scrummy too.

Isn't she clever?

I have sent out a newsletter and fingers crossed, everyone on my list received it.  If you would like to know what I am getting up to, what classes there are and what other events are happening, please let me know and I shall get the newsletter sent out to you.

Paul cooked steak last night and boy it was good.  The only problem is the smell.  We dont have any extraction in the kitchen apart from windows open and doors open so this morning, all I can smell is steak....yaks.  I am sure that by the time I have been home a couple of hours this afternoon with my candles lit, the smell will have gone.

Well I had best get a wiggle on as its work this morning for a few hours before coming home to tackle the ironing, the steak smell and to put 1001 things away in the craft room.  Thank you so much for having a read and I hope you have a wonderful day x

Monday morning and November already

Good morning from an extremely foggy Derby.  The forecast today is for the temperature to get up to about 14 degrees but we shall have dense fog until about 10am so if you are out and about today, please do take care.  We travelled home in wonderful sunshine yesterday from Peterborough for about an hour and then suddenly, the fog just hit us.  It was so thick in some places so George and I shared spooky stories, perfect weather for it.

I spent a wonderful weekend of crafting with some lovely ladies.  There were 8 of us and we spent the whole time crafting and eating and do you know, the time just whizzes by.  Unfortunately I didnt have a brilliant internet connection at all so I couldnt share what was happening but I shall try and catch up over the week.

Last week was Crafty week and here is one of the cards we made.

It is called a 'swing card' apparently and it was lovely to make.  Everyone that came along to crafty week had a great time and as from tomorrow, I shall be getting ready for my next group of get togethers.  The evenings always start with a cuppa and a catch up and everyone gets to meet some new faces.  We then craft for about an hour making our little boxes and a card before stopping for home made cake, another cuppa and a raffle.  We recommence the crafting for another hour/ hour and half ish.  Lots of time at the end to flick through the catalogues, see what is available to purchase on the dressers or sit over another drink before saying goodbye until next time.  If you would like to join us for an evening,  please get in touch as it would be lovely to see you, whether you are a beginner or a well seasoned crafter, the more the merrier.

I am up with the larks today as have so many bits and pieces to put away and sort out and, I am excited.  As Paul was left home alone, there is quite a bit of cleaning up to do too so I am off work and hope to catch up with the chores.

When I got in last night, Paul had 4 large boxes of bits and pieces ready to sort through and at the end of a couple of hours, those 4 boxes were empty.  Lots more to hang up in the craft room (where?), photos were put on walls, quite a bit was put in the black bin but the conservatory will be looking very empty by this evening, whoop whoop. The shelves in the everything room are getting full and I have 20 CDs to go through, all containing crafting hints and tips.

I hope to send out a newsletter today and if you would like a copy, via email, let me know.  Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a wonderful day, whatever you are up to.  Tracey x