Cable Knit Monday

Good morning. I hear the weather is going to be wet until around 9am and then it will get up to about 22 degrees today, so it will be warm.

Garden starts today, so excited and of course it is tablet day today, oh well, I will keep as busy as I possibly can.

I thought I would share a video with you today, it is the new embossing folder from Stampin' Up!, I hope this works.

 CABLE KNIT VIDEO

 Here is a link to Pinterest, with some samples, which are stunning. Just click on the link below

PINTEREST SAMPLES

 Let me know what you think, I cant wait to try it out when my hands are a bit better.  I have been going through my box of half makes.  Do you have cards that you have started but not finished?

I finished these two off which was made with the lotus blossom stamp.  I still have one of these stamp sets available if anyone would like to purchase it!

I had best get myself dressed and ready to start the day.  Thanks for a read and I hope you have a wonderful day, whatever you are up to.  Tracey x

Sundays Soup

I am not quite sure what happened to my Friday post but it decided to appear today, very strange.

I have had a good weekend so far, little pain, little energy so Paul took me for a wander around the crematorium yesterday followed by Marketon Garden Centre.  The fresh air was lovely but boy was I tired last night. It was early to bed and late to rise today which was fine by me.  Paul left home around 2ish and has travelled to Plymouth for the next 10 days...it has been a long time since I was home alone.

Have you seen all the wonderful creations on line from the new Autumn catalogue, there are some stunning projects.  I am not sure if I am allowed to cut copy and paste as I dont want to upset anyone but just go to pintrest and see what there is, amazing.

I have had a bit of a play and made a few new baby cards.

Loved making them and will pop them in my box to use at a later date. 

The garden project starts tomorrow, which is good news.  I shall be home to keep an eye on them but not able to do much more than that.  If you do pop round during the week, can you use the gate next to the craft room please.  I shall keep it open and if I am not in the craft room, just know on the conservatory door, I wont be far away.

Now with me taking this new medication, it does mean that my immune system is going to get lower and lower.  I have been advised not to be with people that may have an illness such as chicken pox, shingles, coughs and colds as I wont be able to fight these things off.  I do hope that everyone understands that it is a bit of a trying time at the moment and whilst I would love to see everyone, if you are a bit poorly, could you leave your visit until you are well again please.

Greenhouse is doing well, strawberries are really coming on, again.  The cucumber has gone mad and we have another 9 mini cucumbers growing.  The plum tomatoes have not done so well but my tomatoes are still turning red.

As we have quite a lot of tomatoes, I have made soup.  Thank you Jean for your recipe, it is lovely.  I shall be making more as soon as I can and freezing it, ready for Winter.  Paul loved it.

I have updated the front page of my blog.  Off to spend an hour or two pottering in the craft room.  Thanks for having a read and have a lovely Sunday x

Friday Feeling

Good morning.  A bit cloudy out there and the threat of some rain but that is okay.  I do like being outside even if I can do a bit of sweeping and tidying.  Not a lot of gardening happening at the moment but I am doing what I can.

Today I have woken up with achy painful hands. So I am hoping that today will be a good day and and I can do some little bits and pieces that have needed doing for a while.

The garden man is coming today, to finalise the plans for next week.  As I cant visualise things, Paul has drawn it all out, in the garden

What do you think?  I do hope we dont make any mistakes with this...rather nervous and excited at the same time. The borders are going to be a little bit bigger, we shall have a triangle ish shape as you come up the path and lots of lawn.

Have you had a peek at the new Catalogue, anything you really like?  I shall be placing an order on Tuesday/Wednesday should you wish to add anything to it, quite like a few little bits.

Off to potter as best I can, thanks for having a read and have a lovely day x

First of the month

Good morning on this first day of September.  I havent been in the UK for quite a while at this time of year so I am looking forward to seeing all the changes in the season.

Today I woke with a headache and the usual painful/swollen hands but no upset tum and feeling a little more human, which is good news.

I didnt do a lot yesterday and I dont think I will be doing much more today but that's okay.  We have marked out the front garden with stones and yellow paint ready for when the chappies turn up next week.  I did manage a bit of washing which needs to be ironed and I did venture into the craft room for a couple of hours...

Today SU have brought out a new Winter Mini Catalogue and, if you would like a copy, please pop in to collect one or let me know and I shall try and post one out.  Until you get your hands on an actual paper copy, here is a link for you to see what is new

CLICK HERE FOR NEW CATALOGUE

It is a smashing catalogue with lots of new and wonderful ideas.  If you would like to see some of the new products, ask a few questions or pop in for a cuppa and a crafty chat, please do let me know as the kettle is always on.

As well as the new catalogue, Stampin' Up! also have a few items on special offer

To see these items in more details, please click on the link below

SPECIAL OFFERS
I do hope that these links work.

Thanks for having a read and wishing you a lovely day.  Tracey x

Wonderful Wednesday

Good morning and what a fresh morning it is out there.  I already have a line full of washing and another load in the washer.  I do hope it doesnt rain.

So I took my first lot of 6 tiny tablets on Monday and boy, how poorly was I.  Although the little blighters are really little, I struggled to swallow them, they seem to stick in my throat so the last few were taken with milk, followed by a bag of crisps.  I was fine until around tea time and then I went downhill very fast.  Yesterday was an off day and Paul stayed with me in the afternoon.  Headache, nausea, mood swings and very tearful, I guess I have to wipe Tuesdays off for a while. Paul cooked me bangers and mash with onion gravy to make me feel better, bless him.

I got up today with a headache, which I have taken a pain killer for and usual pains in hands/fingers.  I can still get out of bed unaided and I can still potter so, all is well. It could be a lot worse so I shall soldier on.  I know a lot of people who take this medication are extremely ill so I shall feel lucky if these are the only symptoms I get....until next Monday when I do it all over again.

Last night, for some fresh air, Paul and I marked out the front for our new lawn, which is due to be laid next Monday.  It is rather exciting.

Another couple of cards that I made with pretty papers.  No sentiments as yet as I dont know what they shall be used for.  I will put the sentiments on when I need them.

If all goes to plan, I shall be in the craft room this afternoon if you fancy calling in.  I am sure I can make a cuppa and if you fancy a bit of a craft, bring your things with you. 

Today is the last day you can order the Thoughtful Branches Bundle.

If you would like this set please, do get in touch before 3pm as that is when I shall be sending in a little order and, if you have any bonus days vouchers to redeem let me have the codes to deduct £4.50 off your order.

Off for a little potter, thanks for having a read and have a wonderful Wednesday x

Happy Bank Holiday Monday

Good morning, and what a lovely day it is out there, even if it has rained.  No plans today so we shall just take it as it comes.

Aches and pains.....well I am walking unaided in the morning which is good.  My fingers take about an hour or so to get working and I cant take a tablet after breakfast to ease the pain today.  As I am starting the new medication, I cant have my pain relief.  I have been told to drink lots of water to help with any headaches I may get so it is a glass an hour.

On Saturday Paul took me to the Sinfin Nature Reserve for a cuppa and a bacon buttie.  Really, it is the best way to start the weekend.  We then did a few chores at home and had Rob, Nat and the girls round.  We are all planning a holiday together next year.....very exciting.

Yesterday it was a potter day, catching up with chores and then I met a new friend, Anna, who spent a couple of hours with me.  She cant wait to meet everyone else.

I am on Street Life, an internet site where you can help your neighbours and they can help you.  I have found it to be really good.  Last week we were after a 1 tonne builders bag, to put the stones in and store and after a day or two, I got 2 offers of bags.  So I got some tomatoes from the greenhouse as a thank you for the bag.  I have now asked for a cribbage score board.....Paul and I are loving playing cribbage but the digital scoreboard is not very good.  Fingers crossed that I can get one.

Pippa went home but she had a great time with us.

All the stones have just about gone from the front and this time next week, chappies will come to start digging up the crazy paving.

We thought we had discovered a man hole cover buried underneath the stones but fortunately, it is just a great big slab of concrete and patio slab.

 

Here are a couple of tags that I had a play with yesterday afternoon.  The red and white edged ribbon is available in the new winter brochure which starts later this week.

 

 If you would like a copy of the new book please, do let me know.

Right, off to potter best I can, thanks for having a read and have a wonderful Bank Holiday Monday x

Friday Feeling

Good morning  All the windows and doors are open and it feels fresh and summery.

I have been sorting out all my Stampin' Up! 12x12 papers and if you want to grab a bargain or two, please pop round.  I have them laid on on the craft tables, ready to sell.  This is just about all the crafting related projects I have been able to do this week.

We went to the hospital on Wednesday and I had an injection whilst I was there to help ease some of the current painful symptoms I have.  I am also starting the new medication on Monday and the prognosis is, that if I can tolerate this new medication, within 8 weeks I should be able to get back to some kind of normality.  This has cheered me up no end. I will have to have blood tests every 2 weeks and I will have to be closely monitored for a while but just to think that I wont wake up with these pains and be able to do things that I took for granted will be wonderful, so, fingers crossed.

The joiner came and put up a new door on Monday, he cleaned up all his mess, was extremely polite and respectful and he is happy for me to give out his phone number for any carpentry/joiner work that you may need doing in the derby area.  It is Neil Lowe and you can reach him on 07967018192. I really cant recommend this chappie enough and we will be having him back to do some more work for us.

The shower man came too and he changed the lever on the shower, for exactly the same one??? Lets see what they say about it.  Paul's arm is a lot better now, thank goodness.

I have managed to do lots of pottering, tidied up the greenhouse and other little bits over the week but it has all made me extremely tired, oops.    Last night Paul and I reminded ourselves how to play crib....it is addictive.

I saw a pack of wonderful 12 x 12 papers whilst I was sorting mine out and I couldnt believe that I haven't made any cards with them yet,  as they are smashing.  So I sat for a while and made one or two,

This is the first, it does have a lot of glitter but you cant really tell.  I hope to finish off a few more as and when I can.

Well, its time to feed the dog, we are on dog sitting duties for another couple of days and then we hand her back.  Thanks for having a read and if you fancy a bacon buttie and cuppa tomorrow, Paul is taking me down to the Sinfin Nature reserve around 10am.  Have a lovely day, Tracey x

Mondays Post

Good morning, mr weather man says 18 degrees, showers around 9am and then just a cloudy day.  I guess I can get the whites washed then.

I cheated, last night I was so achy and so tired, I took a tablet before bed and wow.  I slept from 10pm right through till 7.30am, I turned in my sleep, I moved pillows and I could put the sheet and quilt on/off as I needed.  These are things I haven't been able to do for weeks.  This meant that I woke up with niggles this morning rather than pain.  I have had my usual tablet after breakfast but I do feel so much more human today, whoop whoop.

The joiner is coming this morning to sort out the bathroom door, that will make it posh and finished when painted. 

We have myra, the shower people coming this afternoon.

Paul got this injury a week or so ago and he wrote to them to see if they have had similar incidents and if they have modified the shower levers to make them with a rounded edge rather than a sharp one.  They want to come and take the levers away but I wonder what they will replace them with?

Phase 1 of the front garden has started. 

We are removing the slate from the front as we would like to use this around the side of the house, outside Pauls Studio, once he has finished it.  We looked at purchasing some new slate but at £180 a bag (I think it was for a tonne) we decided against it.  Well instead of the gardening chappies taking it all away, we have a week to bag it all up and put it to one side for a few months.

The borders are tidy although they do need a bit of a hoe again.

No cards today although I am in craft room sorted out lots of bits and bobs.  I may be able to make one or two later today, when fingers are in full working order.  Thanks for having a read and have a great Monday x

Light House

Sunday and looking forward to another lovely day.  Up early but then we had a woofing alarm clock.  She woofed as the folks came out of the pub and walked down the street, she woofed at Paul's snore, she woofed as the crows flew over making a noise and she woofed as the birds sang....oh well.  Yes Pippa arrived and she is with us for the week so, if you plan on visiting this week, can I ask you to come to the front door.  The side gate has mesh against it (pippa gate we call it), the back gate is locked so the front door will let me put Pippa safe before opening it up.

Normal aches and pains today and tablets taken so just waiting for them to kick in.  We even have a line full of washing out already.

I received a wonderful present for the garden from Christiana.  The postman came yesterday with a parcel for her, I rang and told her something had arrived and she had ordered it, from amazon, to be delivered here, to cheer me up.

It lights up at night and goes round, its great.  It cheered me up so thank you very much.
UPDATED - I tried to add a video but it didnt work.

We are painting the fence panels to get them ready for Winter, these are the new ones that we have had put up outside Pauls garage and the craft room.  I think the panels around the garden may last another Winter and then we will have new ones next year although once the garden is done, we may end up with replacing them this year.

Have you seen all the wonderful creations made using the thoughtful branches set from Stampin' Up!  there are lots of them on Pintrest and only 10 days left to get your set, before the date ends or the sets go out of stock.  If you would like to see some examples and have a cuppa at the same time, please get in touch.

I have made the decision to sell off a lot of crafting items including papers, stamps and other bits and pieces.  If you would like to grab a bargain or two, please pop in over the next week, to see what there is.

Off to see what Pippa is barking at now, thanks for having a read and have a lovely day.

Saturday Bags

Good morning on this Saturday.  I guess it is more rain showers today but that is okay with me.  We (Paul) cut the grass Thursday night, just in time for the showers on Friday so now it is looking quite good and, it was done in time for the dustbin men to take away the cuttings.

Yesterday was another good day pain wise.  I woke up with the usual left knee, feet and hands in pain but after tablet, all pain gone within the hour.  The tiredness/fatigue is a bit of a struggle but, I just keep going bit by bit and if I have a doze, so be it *giggle*.

Today I didnt get up till nearly 10am oh my.  That really is a lie in so its a bit of a slow start.

We have pippa arriving today for the week.  Her folks are going away so I said we would look after her.  I am also hoping to send out emails today, hands permitting, to try and catch up with everyone.

On Wednesday we made a few bags, ready for Christmas  TAH DAH

 It was a lovely way to spend a couple of hours and make a start getting ready for the big man's visit, which wont be too long now. I am hoping to pop a set of cards in them and give them out as stocking fillers at Christmas for the family and then put some little bits and pieces in others for all the stamperettes and pen club group.  I am getting organised.

We have these growing on one of the plants but we dont know what they are
 
 
Do you know what it is?

Well thanks for having a read, I hope you have a wonderful Saturday, what ever you may be up to.  Tracey x

Planter card

Good morning.  Another warm Thursday but showers have been forecast for today, which is okay as it will mean that we dont have to water the gardens tonight.

Surprise surprise, this morning I was able to get out of bed and walk down the hall, unaided.  That is the first time since returning from Cyprus that I haven't needed help to get out of bed and walk for a few minutes.  Amazing.  It felt so good.  I did however get up with very swollen hands, that painful left knee and achy feet.  Today I have pains in both shoulders but that is no surprise as at goodness knows what time this morning I had to pull myself up very quickly off the pillow.  Something was crawling all over my face, at first I thought it was a dream but it wasn't!  If you heard me scream *giggle* you would think I was being murdered.  I feel so sorry for Paul who put the light on and helped me get off the bed before discovering a money spider.  I dont care how big it was it was still a spider.

Some time ago I saw a card on Pinterest and I just had to make it,  it took some time working it all out but I got there in the end.

It is supposed to look like a planter with flowers in it.  I enjoyed making it and got lots of help with the punching out of the flowers, thank you ladies.  I haven't added the butterfly or sentiment yet as I may want to make it a bit more personal for someone special.

I am off to get blood tests today.  I have to wait for Paul to finish work to take me as I am still not driving.  Just when I get my legs working my hands decide to play up.  The dizziness comes and goes but I am just getting on with whatever I can in the house during the course of the day when I am not dizzy.  I am not getting very far but that doesn't matter. Today I shall try and put a few papers away as we are getting piles.  I have a tendancy to put things in piles and then when I want something, I have to search through the piles, not so good. 

Thanks for popping in today, I hope you have a wonderful Thursday whatever you are up to and, if you fancy a cuppa and natter, give me a call and pop over.  It will be lovely to see you x

Cards for the chaps

Good morning on this sunny day. Forecast is for 24 degrees, sunny with clouds so that will do me. 

Today we have a problem with that left knee and feet, still.  a few fingers are very puffy but I can cope with that.  The biggest problem that I have now is the dizziness.  Yesterday was a right off, I sat in the sitting room chair all day with a blanket.  Everytime I moved the room span round, I was feeling sick all day and had the worst of headaches.  Today the dizziness comes and goes so I am up and about and trying to do a few bits, not dwelling on this.

Katerina has had one of her exam results overturned?  It seems that her fail mark was just a fail and so she has appealed and asked for it to be re-examined.  So an independent has been and remarked her exam and she has scrapped through with a pass WHOOP WHOOP.  That means that she has passed 9 out of the 10 exams and just has to resit the one in October.  She will spend the who of September reading for it. 

When Pam took me out a couple of weeks ago I managed to pick up a bargain of a stamp set, one I had been after for a while and I have sat and made these cards.

Lots of chappie birthdays coming up so these will do a treat.  When I am up to it, I shall make more for my selling boxes.

Have you thought about signing up to Stampin' Up!  If you would like some more information about this please, do get in touch and I would love to have you as part of my team.

Off for a little potter and a cuppa.  Thanks for having a read and wishing you a wonderful Wednesday x