Tuesday

DAY - TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHT - Using up our Designer Series Paper

 


 

Good morning, I was up so very early this morning but that is the downside of going to be early too.  I have had enough sleep and will probably have a bit of snooze in the early afternoon, just because I can. 

I just dont seem to be able to keep up with anything at the moment, which is a little frustrating for me.  I am usually well planned, up to date and can be organised for up to 2 days in advance but feel as though I am failing a little.  Its all getting a little too much.  So I took the decision to do a little less in the craft room with friends that I have to prepare for,  reducing the number of times I say 'yes' I can organise that and saying no to the stuff that I dont like to do.  This is so that I can finish off lots of bits and pieces that I have been meaning to do, get some serious housework done and do some other things that I want to do without feeling pressurised.  I will let you know how I get on. 

My arthritis has been throwing a full-blown tantrum lately, it does tend to do that when I get a bit too ambitious with life. I've now started physiotherapy on my knees.  Do you remember that holiday mishap I told you about? Alexandros, with his dummy in backwards like he was auditioning for a toddler version of "Mission: Impossible," was about to launch himself onto some cushions. Naturally, my imagination went straight to A&E level thoughts.   I was sitting on the sofa, but in my heroic attempt to intercept him, I somehow ended up on the floor, straight down onto my knees. I managed to rescue the dummy (success), but then came the plot twist: I was stuck. Absolutely couldn't move.  Eventually, I clawed my way back onto the sofa but the damage was done, my knees turned into two swollen, bruised balloons. Walking? Forget it.  Who knew babysitting could be an extreme sport?

Mum also isnt brilliant and I am visiting more and more often.  Helping dad out when I can with his appointments and whist dad wont let me do much when I am with them, at least they know that I am there. 

One thing that is working is the new get togethers in the craft room where folk bring their own stash to use.  I dont have anything to prepare and its a little easier but we all still meet up, just a little less often. 

We all  have quite a bit of designer series papers in our stash of some kind or another. Well I really am trying to use up what I have as well as encourage folk to use theirs so yesterday afternoon we had a bit of a get together and made a few cards, using some of the said DSP (designer series paper).

Over a cuppa and some homemade chocolate cake, these are the creations that were taken home.




















Not bad for a couple of hours planning, a good clean up of the craft room and some templates that I have been wanting to make for a while.  So today its back in the craft room for me to have a tidy up and finish off my own cards which I shall share once they are finished.

I shall be in the Craft Room again, for visitors, queries etc. this Friday for a couple of hours in the morning and again in the afternoon.  The evening will be taken up with Festive Friday whoop whoop, do let me know if you would like to come along. 


 

Thank you so much for having a read today, I hope you. have a terrific Tuesday.  Tracey x
 

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Thursday

DAY - ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY ONE - Praire Grass by Stampin' Up!

 

Good morning.  We’re starting the day with beautiful bright sunshine. I was up quite early to get the house opened up, doors and windows wide (though not the front door, of course, as anyone could just walk in). It was only 14°C outside when I woke, while inside it was a warm 22°C. Letting in the cool morning air makes a big difference and the house cools down quickly.  Once the sun starts to come through, I shut everything up again and draw the curtains. It really does help keep things cool throughout the day.

After a couple of hectic weeks, I’ve decided to take a step back and cancel a number of  plans. Even though I try to stay organised, I’ve begun to feel a bit taken for granted and stretched too thin, so I’m trying a new approach. We’ll see how it goes.

Our “Try it Tuesday” with Signature Cards this week was absolutely lovely.






 

We had such a lovely time creating some beautiful backgrounds using our blending brushes. We started at the bottom of the card with Old Olive, gently blended upwards with Lost Lagoon and finished with Pretty Peacock at the top. It created the most gorgeous soft ombré effect.  Basic White Card is perfect for this technique, especially when paired with the Stampin’ Up! Blending Brushes.

Once our background was done, we stamped one of the smaller images from the Prairie Grass in Archival Black ink and added a sentiment to complete the design. Simple, but so effective.

For our second card, we masked off a section so the blending ran just down the left-hand side. It really gave it a different look.  Both versions turned out beautifully but I think the panelled one might be my favourite. What about you? I’d love to hear which one you prefer. You’ll find a list of everything we used at the end of this post.

As for today, I’m heading out for a coffee at the Pausa Café inside Dunelm. We’re having a little team catch-up there, though I’m not quite sure how many of us will make it. I’ll be there with my Annual Catalogue, some of my recent makes and of course, a good cup of coffee! Before that, I’m sneaking in a short stroll while the morning is still cool, just a few steps outside to enjoy the fresh air before the heat sets in.

Thank you so much for having a read today.  It would be wonderful if you could leave a comments, I cant tell you how much pleasure it give me reading them.  Enjoy your day.  Tracey x 

Stampin' Up! news and offers

Two brand new kits have hit the shelves and they are flying off fast.  Click on the images below to find out more.




Stampin' Up! have a wonderful sale on Two Tone Card.  Have you tried any of this yet?  If you would like to pop in and have a look at some, I shall be in the craft room tomorrow, 11th July.  Kettle will be on, come and see it in person.




You can flip through the new catalogue online by clicking on the image below or even download a copy to keep. 

If you would like to collect a proper copy from the Craft Room then get in touch

Click the image below to browse the full collection in the Online Exclusive range of products, look out for the "new" stickers to easily spot the latest additions.


 

There are still products available in the Last Chance section of the Stampin' Up! Website. If you click on the image below a new page will open up and you can have a browse.

 

 
 
 
Here is the latest Scrapbooking Brochure that was released in January.  At the moment it is only a digital brochure.  

 You can click on the image below and a new window will open up where you can have a browse through the shop. Please do get in touch with me if you would like any help.  My contact details are at the end of the post and I really am happy to help as much as I can.

If you would like to get in touch with me, here is where I can be found.  



Product List
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Saturday

DAY ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY NINE - Derby Dabblers

 

 


Good morning, oh my its 19 degrees and it isnt even 6am in my neck of the woods.  I think it is going to be a bit of a hot one today but I can cope with that.  I have all windows open currently so there is a lovely breeze blowing through.  Once the sun is out, I will just shut them all up and close the curtains.

For a change, no 'to do' list but in reality I do have a lot of catching up to do with little bits and pieces so I will work my way around each room.   Hopefully get to spend some time in the garden with Hubby today.  

Now that I am back off my hollibobs and downloaded the photos, I have 35,387 to work my way through.  Oh my goodness.  A few each day before I start taking lots more.  Its a job I love, as you know.

Last night was Derby Dabblers night.  Derby Dabblers is the name of our friendly craft group that meets on the last Friday of every month.  Everyone brings along something to keep their hands busy for a few hours including card making, knitting, sewing, crochetting and lots of other hobbies.  We spend the evening chatting, laughing, setting the world to rights and we always enjoy a hilarious game of bingo somewhere along the way.  There is plenty of tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits.  Its a relaxed and welcoming way to spend a few fun filled hours together and I always come away feeling alot more light hearted then when I arrive.  Here is what we got up to last night.











 The next one is on the last Friday of July but I will remind you again nearer the time. 


I wont get to see mum and dad today, I leave Saturdays for my nieces and the little ones.  Mum gets a bit overwhelmed when a few of us are visiting.  Her health is still not the best and to be honest, it never will be but she is comfortable, eats when she wants and has careres go in twice a day, much to dads annoyance but thats to be expected.  It isnt nice having folk in your house, as I know.  We will visit tomorrow though.

This week in The Craft Room we are having the following:


 If this is something you fancy please, do let me know.  

Then on Friday it is Festive Friday, still trying to get cards done and not being too sucessful.  I will have to buckle down and get them organised as I dont think I will be here this Christmas.


 Its always a laugh and it would be lovely to see you if you would like to join us.

I had best make a move and start my day.  Thank you so much for having a read and I hope you have a smashing Saturday.  Tracey x

 

 

Stampin' Up! news and offers

To find out more about all the kits Stampin' Up! have, just click on the image below and a new page will open up for you.  If you have any queries, please get in touch. 





The Stampin' Up! Suite Sale and is on until the end of the month. Click on the image below to find out more.

When you purchase a suite - or any crafting products from a suite - from the Stampin' Up! catalogue or the Online Exclusive section, you can get another suite (or products from a different suite) at 50% off. The discount will be applied to the lower-priced item.

You can flip through the new catalogue online by clicking on the image below or even download a copy to keep. 

If you would like to collect a proper copy from the Craft Room then get in touch

Click the image below to browse the full collection in the Online Exclusive range of products, look out for the "new" stickers to easily spot the latest additions.


 

There are still products available in the Last Chance section of the Stampin' Up! Website. If you click on the image below a new page will open up and you can have a browse.

 

 
 
 
Here is the latest Scrapbooking Brochure that was released in January.  At the moment it is only a digital brochure.  

 You can click on the image below and a new window will open up where you can have a browse through the shop. Please do get in touch with me if you would like any help.  My contact details are at the end of the post and I really am happy to help as much as I can.

If you would like to get in touch with me, here is where I can be found.  






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