The Craft Room, Derby: DAY TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FOUR

Good morning. Brrr its a tad colder at the moment, only 1 degree, that is a drop of 27 degrees in a matter of a couple of days. I shall be keeping my thermals on today thats for sure.

So we are home again and my sleep pattern is all over the place. A small price to pay for being with the girls and our latest addition to the family, Alexandros. I went to bed at 8pm on Tuesday, got up to what I thought was a dark morning. Made a cuppa and thought mmmm a bit peckish, perhaps beans on toast will do. Good job I didnt cook as I discovered it was 11pm. I had only been asleep for 3 hours...what a narna. I am trying to stay awake longer each day in the hopes that I will wake up later, its not working so far but I will just go with it.

I have had a few days to try and catch up with everything at home and have come to the conclusion, I cant. So I will just plod along each day and catch up over the next few weeks.

I have joined a pain management group that meet once a week for a couple of hours and I am exploring new possibilities of how to cope with the pain I get with my Arthritis and Lymphadema as well as all the other bits and pieces, I will let you know how I get along. So far I have met a really nice bunch of folk which is always a bonus.

Quite a few friends of mine have been sharing their sucess at Slimming World over the last few weeks, they are doing amazing and so pleased for them. However, I dont like to tell them that I have discovered all those extra little pounds that they have lost.

I cant believe that I have put on so much weight when we thought we were being so good on our holiday. I guess the meals were mostly careful apart from that one Indian meal (hadnt had one for over 5 years due to gallstones), then there was the pint (yes pint) of milk shake that I had most days, the lattes with the girls, most days, the all butter coissant that went with the latte etc. etc. So it is no wonder that clothes dont fit. So now it is full 'watch what goes into the mouth' mode. I dont like to say 'diet' as that triggers hunger pangs, wanting chocolate and everything else that is sweet. Also counting the steps and the gentle exercise that I am trying to do will help. I have a few goals. I work well with goals. If I can shred a couple of pound a week and hopefully 1 stone by Christmas, that will be perfect. Then I shall give myself another goal, moving on

This stunning card along with lots of similar cards was created in a crafting get together we had a few weeks ago, inspired by Clare Ottoway, a fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

We all used some Designer Series Paper from either the Country Woods or Country Lace 12"x 12" paper back and covered a 'Tent' style card base.

Using rectangled dies, the center of the card was cut out. A panel piece was put on the bottom of the card to stop if from splaying (becoming wider and opening out). A pretty piece of Designer Series Paper was stuck to the inside of the card, sorry you cant see it in this picture and then a small tab was stuck to the back of the paneled piece so that it would float out. Not easy to describe in words.

Using the wonderful Country Flowers stamps and dies we added elements to stick on the front of the moving panel.

The sentiment for this card would need to be written on the reverse side of the base card. I loved making this, even though it did have may elements. Full details of what can be used are below.

So what is happening in the crafting world I hear you ask...well thats the reason you are here I think. Stampin' Up! have such a lot happening at the moment.

The Starter Kit promotion is on till the end of the month. Whilst the normal offer of receiving £130 worth of fantastic crafting supplies is a good offer, for the month of October you get to pick £160 work of supplies, free delivery and tons of help from all over the world.

Why not call in to The Craft Room, Derby on Tuesday 15th October (all day) or Thursday 17th in the evening to talk to me about it and find out more. I would love it if you joined the Stampin' Up! family in learning lots of new crafting skills, making new friends and even getting discounted products either by being a Happy Shopper or sharing your hobby with friends and family

If you already know The Craft Room, Derby but have a friend or relative that may be interested, please do bring them along to say hello and they can find out more.

There is plenty of on street parking but do let me know that you hope to pop in so that I can be sure there are enough cakes.

Happy to give you venue details if you dont know where abouts in Alvaston we are.

Did you know that the all the kits in the Stampin' Up! Kit Collection have been discountted during the month of October?

If you click on the image below it will take you to see all the kits that are available.

Thank you so much for having a read today, I hope you have a great start to your weekend. Tracey xx

Should you like to place an order online, you can click on the image below and a new window will open up where you can have a browse through the shop.

Obviously, if you would like any help please, do get in touch with me. My contact details are at the end of the post and I really am happy to help as much as I can.