DAY FORTY - Pop-Up Petals, New Kits, Tuesday at Traceys and more

 

Good morning and here we are at home with the heating on the rain splashing on the windows.  Oh well, I dont mind that to be honest.

The journey home was epic but everyone was so very helpful.  It has certainly restored by faith in human nature.  The airline, london underground and East Midlands Railway were all amazing.  I got so much help, well looked after and I just wanted to sing their praises and fortunately, it doesnt look like the travelling has had any adverse effects on my poorly hip.

Hopefully today I can get to make an appointment to see a doctor, I will let you know how that goes. 

 

So now its on to the Next Chapter in my crafting world.   

Its time to make a few changes and as I have already mentioned,the first step is to refine my creative space.  This could take a few weeks but I am very happy to do it.  I shall start by rehoming quite a few crafting products that need to be used.  Obviously I shall be keeping all the things I love but, I do have to make some space for new things that are on the horizon. 

Yesterday I had a little play in the craft room and this card bloomed into life using the brand new (to me) Pop-Up Petals stamp set.  The vase was stamped in Pool Party, those darling spots had me smitten as soon as I saw the set.

To make the sunflowers look like they are happily tucked into their pot, I used a post it note mask across the top of the vase before stamping them in place.  The leaves are Old Olive, while the flowers themselves shine in Darling Duck, finished off with a soft touch of grey at their centres.

a gently slightly mucky was was added beneath the pot so it looks firmly grounded and not floating off into the crafty clounds.  For now, I have kept things simple, no embellishments nor glitter but lets be honest, that may change before it gets posted out.  I have listed everything I have used at the end of this post.  

 

Just a reminder that we have Tuesday at Traceys tomorrow.    If you need a brochure, or a catalogue (these are free of charge) come along and pick one up.  Do you need a card or two, a browse on the sales dresser or just a crafty chat.  Kettle will be on and it will be lovely to see you. 

Friday is Festive Friday, this is where we make a start on our Festive makes so as to avoid the rush at the end of the year.

If you would like to book on, please, do get in touch.  All my contact details are below. 

 

Did you know that Stampim' Up! have a Starter Kit offer on until 3rd March? Crafting is even more fun with community and there’s never been a better time than now to join the team.  Become a demonstrator and enjoy all the perks that come with that, like a 20–25% product discount, early access to the latest products and catalouges, the opportunity to earn a modest supplemental income, the chance to attend incredible training and crafting events and so much more. And for a limited time, new demonstrators will receive the new Stampin’ Positioner tool FREE along with their Starter Kit!

For £99, you can choose £130 worth of gorgeous products, enjoy FREE delivery, plus receive the Stampin’ Positioner and that’s before we even get to the best bit…

You’ll be joining a warm, welcoming community of wonderfully creative people who love colour co-ordination, sparkles, sharing ideas and cheering each other on.

Inspiration is endless, creativity flows freely and there’s always room for a little more glitter.

If your heart skips a beat at pretty paper, perfectly matched colours and crafty possibilities galore, this might just be your sign.

Do get in touch if you would like to find out more or click on the link below, have a read and go for it.

 

 

I do have a few kits for sale in The Craft Room, Derby should you be looking for one.  But did you know that Stampin' Up! introduce two kits each month?  These are the new ones for the month of February.  

 

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. 

Here is the Annual Catalogue that you can click on and have a browse but better still, why not pop into the Craft Room, Derby and grab a copy of your own.

  

For Scrapbooking and Memory Keeping products please click on the image below and a new page will open up for the Memory Keeping section of the online store

 

 

 

You can click on the image below and a new window will open up where you can have a browse through the WHOLE 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 receive my newsletter and be added to my email list of friends do let me know.  I would hate you to miss out on all our get togethers and socials.  Always lots of new friends waiting to be met. 

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

Product List

Pop Up Petals Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [167041] £23.00	Pop Up Petals Dies [167043] £27.00	Pop Up Petals Bundle (English) [168010] £45.00	Pool Party A4 Card Stock [124391] £14.00
Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [147107] £8.50	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090] £8.50	Darling Duckling Classic Stampin' Pad [165277] £8.50	Clear Block Bundle [165674] £56.75
Basic White A4 Cardstock [166781] £14.00	Paper Trimmer [152392] £27.00	Multipurpose Liquid Glue [154974] £5.75	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [144108] £4.00
Stamp Cleaning Pad [147047] £7.00	Stampin' Mist [153648] £13.00	Stampin' Scrub [126200] £20.00

DAY THIRTY TWO - Hello February and what a saga

 

White rabbits, white rabbits and more white rabbits.   What an amazing couple of weeks I have had, we had the run up to the wedding which didnt turn out quite as planned.  Groom came down with a bug which he kindly passed on to the remaining wedding party.  I ended up with Flu A and complications, Maximos also got Flu A with a fever of 40 degrees and mum/bride to be was eft running around here there and everywhere on her own with very little sleep.

As the evening wore on, my leg, particularly my hip, began to grumble. After the drive home and a night in bed, that grumble turned into a full-blown protest. By Sunday morning I struggled to get out of bed or put any weight on my leg and by the afternoon I couldn’t walk at all.

Sleep on Saturday night was minimal and Sunday night didn’t happen at all, courtesy of the pain. By Monday it was clear something had to be done. The pain had intensified, spreading through my hip, back, and groin, and my knee joined the drama by becoming numb. 

Off we went to the emergency walk-in centre, where, despite explaining that I couldn’t walk or bear weight on my right leg, I was informed that the centre was only for people who could actually walk in and they couldn't let me use their wheel chair to get from the car? After some back and forth conversation with Paul inside the centre and me in the car, including an offer for the doctor to come and see me in the car, it was decided she would call an orthopaedic surgeon at a private hospital just across the road. So off we went again this time somewhere that welcomed both me and had a wheelchair I could use. What followed were excruciating X-rays and some fairly enthusiastic pulling and manipulating. The good news? Nothing was broken, fractured, or split. The less thrilling, but manageable, news is that the whole area has been “traumatised.” It’s very swollen and inflamed, with possible nerve involvement, but it will heal in time. I was sent home with instructions, and a shopping list. On the way back home we had to stop off and purchase a wheelchair and a Zimmer frame not exactly your average holiday purchases. My new wheelchair companion, Daisy, has since become an essential part of daily life, along with the Zimmer frame. Between them they’re keeping me mobile, upright(ish), and mildly entertained — which is no small feat. On the Monday I was given a three-in-one injection which kicked in after a few hours, taking the pain from intense down to simply painful, a definite improvement. Tuesday we returned again, only to find the doctor in surgery, but a very kind nurse administered another three-in-one injection and once more the worst of the pain eased. Back again on the Wednesday for another injection and the doctor has answered all the remaining questions we had.

For now, I can’t sit for long, stand for long, or get about without Daisy and the Zimmer frame. Sadly, this did mean Ithat I couldn't fly home as planed I have to wait 10 days for it all to heal a little more, tak cortisone tablets and other pain killers that wont interfere with my RA.  

Add to that the paperwork, evidence, and proof needed to change flights and rebook train tickets (there’s still the Heathrow-to-Derby leg to consider), and it’s all feeling very administratively adventurous. But tickets have been changed and new flights sorted and I now have another 5 days to get myself as right as I can. Still, on a positive note, I’ve decided that all my ailments, ear infection, flu, chest infection, and now this hip saga, are getting themselves out of the way in January. Which means the next eleven months are going to be pain-free, healthy, and gloriously uneventful. Phew, thank goodness February arrived.

The actual wedding day was amazing (photos to follow).

And then I damaged my hip and all the surrounding area leaving me totally imobile, unable to walk, move, sit, stand nor lie down...phew and then 2 week passes in the blink of an eye.  

The saga started at the wedding on Saturday, there was a photo booth housed inside a campervan, because of course there was. I was encouraged to join the fun, I climbed two steps into the van and perched myself on a rather low seat. I was then carefully helped back down again and, as the photos below clearly show, all seemed perfectly jolly at the time.

As the evening wore on, my leg, particularly my hip, began to grumble. After the drive home and a night in bed, that grumble turned into a full-blown protest. By Sunday morning I struggled to get out of bed or put any weight on my leg and by the afternoon I couldn’t walk at all.

I think I’ve almost managed to get all my little ducks lined up in a neat row — events rescheduled, dates shuffled, and everyone notified… although, knowing me, there’s every chance I’ve missed something along the way (which, of course, can’t be helped!).

So, here we are with a shiny new and revised list of the lovely get-togethers we’ll be enjoying throughout February — nicely spaced out to give me time to rest, recharge, and catch up in between.

That said, if anyone happens to have a little time to spare on Monday 9th February in the morning, I’d be hugely grateful for an extra pair of hands. Nothing too serious, just a bit of friendly help and I promise good company in return 

It would be really lovely to see you on Tuesday 10th, whether you fancy popping in for a cuppa, having a gentle wander through what’s been happening in The Craft Room, Derby, or simply enjoying a friendly catch-up.
New faces are very welcome, and it would be just as wonderful to see familiar ones I haven’t seen for a while too.
Do get in touch if you’d like directions, want to know a bit more, or just fancy a chat before coming along.

Here are the dates for February’s Crafty Week, and I am so excited to be hosting it once again! 

We’ll be creating a couple of gorgeous cards using brand-new Stampin’ Up! products, playing with beautifully co-ordinated colour palettes, pretty papers and layering up all those lovely details that make a project sing. Think gentle blends, eye-catching die cuts and a few fun elements and surprises thrown in for good measure, all while inviting a little hint of spring into the craft room.

It’s all about relaxed creativity, lots of laughter and learning a thing or two along the way.

Booking as usually, is first come, first served, but I’m very happy to welcome larger groups this month. We tried it last time and it worked brilliantly, truly, the more the merrier!

If you event been in touch yet, once you let me know you’d like to join in, I’ll send a confirmation event email with all the details. I am so looking forward to spending time crafting with you.

At last, I finally get the chance to share a card with you, February is easing in with a wonderfully gentle start.  I thought it was the perfect moment to share one of the cards I made for Sophia’s wedding. While the stamp set itself isn’t SU, the card, the colours and everything else very much are, a lovely little mix-and-match moment that I was rather pleased with.  I hope it brings a little spark of inspiration your way. She loved it, phew...

Time for a move around now, get the hip working etc.  Thank you so much for reading the saga, if you got to the end. Tracey x

DAY TWENTY ONE - Darling Dinos

 

Good evening! I’m very happy to report that I think I may finally be turning a corner with this dreaded lurgy. It has well and truly knocked me for six, but I’m cautiously optimistic, it’s been a few hours since I last had a temperature, a coughing fit, or that awful sore throat. Fingers firmly crossed that I’m on the home stretch now.

With THE wedding just three days away, I won’t lie,  I was starting to panic that I might not be well enough to attend. Isn’t it amazing how quickly our minds leap to the worst-case scenario when we’re run down?

Sadly, the bug has now made its way to little Maximos, who has been poorly for the last 24 hours. A trip to the doctor confirmed he’s on the right medication, but it did mean his first birthday celebrations had to be postponed. Not quite the party we had planned — but we still took lots of photos, sang “Happy Birthday” to him, and we’ll be collecting a well-earned slice of cake tomorrow.  Celebrations can always be rescheduled.

Below is the card I made for him using the Stampin’ Up! Darling Dinos stamp set, a cheerful little creation for a very special (and very brave) one-year-old.

 So, while I haven’t quite had the energy to get properly creative just yet, I have been busy behind the scenes planning ahead and February is shaping up to be a month full of crafty goodness with lots to look forward to!

I’ve already mentioned our One Sheet Wonder Day and that’s just the beginning. We also have Festive Friday coming up, along with a Kit Night, which is always a firm favourite. Then there are our lovely Crafty Week get-togethers, where a group of us come together to create cards using Stampin’ Up! products.

We’ll be making at least two cards, and we don’t hold back,  co-ordinating papers, ribbons, embellishments and all sorts of crafty extras will be in full play. And even though we’re all working from the same ideas, every card turns out completely different… which is half the magic and always the most fun!

If you fancy joining us and getting in on the creativity, I’d absolutely love to hear from you, do get in touch.

Thank you for having a read today, Tracey x

 

Stampin' Up! news and offers   

The Stampin' Up! Online Exclusive Range has received a delightful refresh and it's brimming with creative promise, Think of it as a treasure chest that lives online only, full of fresh designs, inspiring products and stash. This refreshed collection is sure to spark new ideas, rekindle your creativity and tempt you into just one more project (or two).  Do have a look at what's on offer.  If you click on the image above, it will take you straight to the Online Exclusive Range.

Here are the kits for the month of January but, if you click on the image below, a new window will open with all the kits that are available from Stampin' Up! today.

Dont forget, grab your kit (or kits) and join us on 13th February at 6pm for an evening of putting the kits together in The Craft Room, Derby.

A brand-new Stampin’ Up! mini brochure has fluttered in, just waiting to be explored. It’s brimming with gorgeous ideas, dreamy colour combinations, clever card-making templates, and, of course, those irresistible sparkly embellishments we all adore. With 76 pages of pure crafty delight, everything beautifully co-ordinated and bursting with inspiration, it’s one you’ll want to linger over. You can browse the brochure online by clicking on the image above or better yet, pop into The Craft Room, Derby and pick up your very own copy.

Did you manage to have a glance ot the updated Last Chance list? If you click on the image below, a new window will open up and you can see at a glance what is available.  If there is something you would like, I wouldnt hang around too long because once its gone, thats it. 

Here is the Annual Catalogue that you can click on and have a browse but better still, why not pop into the Craft Room, Derby and grab a copy of your own.

 

 

For Scrapbooking and Memory Keeping products please click on the image below and a new page will open up for the Memory Keeping section of the online store

 

 You can click on the image below and a new window will open up where you can have a browse through the WHOLE 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 receive my newsletter and be added to my email list of friends do let me know.  I would hate you to miss out on all our get togethers and socials.  Always lots of new friends waiting to be met. 

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

 

DAY NINETEEN - Stampin' Up! Birthday Card and a Challenge for the week

 

Good morning,  well the common cold has now developed into Flu A, which is currently an epidemic here.  The symptoms are rather serious and I am just so fortunate that I managed to have my flu jab in December as I am told it will save me from getting 75% of the symptoms, especially as I am classed as 'compromise' with having Rheumatoid Arthritis and taking Biological Medication, yikes.  I do hope it has all passed in a few days and I am no longer contagious, imagine travelling all this way and not able to attend my own daughters wedding..gulp.  Keeping fingers crossed and staying very positive.  I will just take another test in 2 days time to see if I am okay, and then take another one two days after that if need be.

So it's to be another day of rest and recuperation today, pottering around and sorting out a few more things.  I did manage to do some decluttering yesterday, always good for the soul.  No crafting got done even though I did plan on doing some, lack of concentration but it will be back soon. I do have a couple of cards to finish today as the youngest grandson will be 1 tomorrow.  

If you fancy a bit of a crafty challenge, nip over to Stampin' Up! in The Craft Room, Derby - Craft Forum on Facebook and share your makes as well as be inspired by what other wonderful creations appear.  .  This weeks challenge is.  A pretty packet of embellishments is sent out the winner that is picked at random (UK only I am afraid). 

This little card finally had its moment in the spotlight a few weeks ago, celebrating a very special birthday over the weekend. It’s one of those cards that was made some time ago, then carefully tucked away, patiently waiting for just the right occasion and I do love when that happens.

It uses a folding template that has become a firm favourite in The Craft Room, one that many of you have made alongside me. It’s one of those designs that looks wonderfully impressive but is such a joy to put together, especially when you start playing with beautifully co-ordinated papers.

I’ve started keeping a small stash of cards partially finished, ready and waiting for when inspiration (or a birthday!) strikes. It means I can add the sentiment, personalise it, and finish it off just when it’s needed and it’s proving to be a rather satisfying habit.

This is also the perfect excuse to dive into those gorgeous Designer Series Papers where everything already matches so beautifully. Add in ribbons and embellishments in the same colour family and suddenly the card almost builds itself. A little layering here, a pop of texture there, and before you know it, you’ve created something truly pretty and every bit as enjoyable to make as it is to give.

Thank you for having a read today, I hope you have a wonderful start to your week.  Tracey x

Stampin' Up! news and offers   

The Stampin' Up! Online Exclusive Range has received a delightful refresh and it's brimming with creative promise, Think of it as a treasure chest that lives online only, full of fresh designs, inspiring products and stash. This refreshed collection is sure to spark new ideas, rekindle your creativity and tempt you into just one more project (or two).  Do have a look at what's on offer.  If you click on the image above, it will take you straight to the Online Exclusive Range.

Here are the kits for the month of January but, if you click on the image below, a new window will open with all the kits that are available from Stampin' Up! today.

Dont forget, grab your kit (or kits) and join us on 13th February at 6pm for an evening of putting the kits together in The Craft Room, Derby.

A brand-new Stampin’ Up! mini brochure has fluttered in, just waiting to be explored. It’s brimming with gorgeous ideas, dreamy colour combinations, clever card-making templates, and, of course, those irresistible sparkly embellishments we all adore. With 76 pages of pure crafty delight, everything beautifully co-ordinated and bursting with inspiration, it’s one you’ll want to linger over. You can browse the brochure online by clicking on the image above or better yet, pop into The Craft Room, Derby and pick up your very own copy.

Did you manage to have a glance ot the updated Last Chance list? If you click on the image below, a new window will open up and you can see at a glance what is available.  If there is something you would like, I wouldnt hang around too long because once its gone, thats it. 

Here is the Annual Catalogue that you can click on and have a browse but better still, why not pop into the Craft Room, Derby and grab a copy of your own.

 

 

For Scrapbooking and Memory Keeping products please click on the image below and a new page will open up for the Memory Keeping section of the online store

 

 You can click on the image below and a new window will open up where you can have a browse through the WHOLE 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 receive my newsletter and be added to my email list of friends do let me know.  I would hate you to miss out on all our get togethers and socials.  Always lots of new friends waiting to be met. 

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