Thursdays bits and pieces

Good morning, the second time for me.  We should have been up and about early this morning but I got up early, went for a lie down and nodded off time way after 10am, oops.  Never mind, I obviously needed the sleep.

Thank you so much to all the lovely ladies that nipped in yesterday to collect orders, have a browse through the sale table and those that came to say hello.  Lovely to see you.  If you are reading this and fancy popping in this evening after 6pm, you are most welcome.  You had best eat first though as Paul is cooking fajitas and the house will smell lovely and spicy. If you cant make it today, dont worry, the Sale table will be out all week next week too.

Here is a card I made recently and I am hoping that the postman has already delivered it.

And another one of the makes I was fortunate enough to swap with last weekend.

This was made by Joanna, thank you so much.

I think that all the plans may have gone out of the window for today, never mind.  Thanks for having a read and have a lovely day x

Tuesdays Twitter

Good morning and boy, it is cold today.  -1 at 6am and still -1 brrrr. I have told Christiana to stay in bed.

Here is a lovely little card that I made over the weekend using some new bits and pieces that are going to be available in the new year and just look at those papers. 

This has Love written in every language.  Usually Greek isnt included but this time it is.  It is a wonderful valentine or anniversay Red.

The craft room overhaul is coming on well and if you fancy a rummage through all the items that I have for sale, please do let me know so that you can arrange to pop in and have a cuppa and catch up at the same time. 

The SU orders have arrived with the exception of the stitched dies.  These are due any day now. 

I have more glue too if you need to stock up.

One of the things I love about Stampin' Up! is the promise they give.  I had a friend who purchased the gingerbread collection and the punch locking system kept coming apart. 3 weeks after the original order was delivered,  I rang them up and explained the situation and less than a week later, we have a new one delivered.  It really is good service. 

The next Stampin' Up! get together is going to be next year in Amsterdam, in April.  Fancy coming along?  Something for you to think about.

Right then, off to sort out some more crafting goodies that need to find new homes. Have a great day and look forward to seeing you soon. 

Positive Monday

Good morning, I think it is safe to say that Summer really has finished for this year.  Never mind, lots of frosty days to look forward to. Maybe I can get to practice with my camera and capture some nice images.

I was very brave on Friday and caught a train to Telford for the Stampin' Up! Event.  I really wasnt well enough to drive so the train suited me great. I visited Christiana in hospital at lunch and then went off. An uneventful trip but boy, I really have lost my confidence being on my own! I went to the dinner that SU held and had a wonderful time.

Saturday was just as brilliant, lots of freebies and inspiration. I came away feeling really positive and energised and cant wait to share everything with every one I know, plus the friends I havent met yet.

Here is one of the swaps I received from Telford
 


This was made by a lady called Kim Price, isnt it a great idea.

And of course the new SU bag for this year, as if I dont have enough of them, never mind.
 
HANDMADE Crafty Space is have a major overhaul *giggles*.  It will be out of action for a few days but so much stuff is being sold.  I have moved all the selling items into the conservatory until next monday so if you want a bargain, please do call in.  Give me a ring first though, just to be sure I am home.

The orders have arrived whoop whoop and I will be sorting them out this evening.

Health wise, I am not the best unfortunately.  I am still getting the dizzy spells even though I am off the methotrexate.  So it is blood pressure monitoring for one week and then go back to the doctor.  The aches and pains of RA are returning too which means that I am up at silly o clock, fingers are starting to hurt and tasks are starting to get difficult but, I am still smiling and I will get it all sorted.

On a positive note, we have the fuddle on 16th December.  Put the dates in your diaries, let me know if you plan on coming along and dont forget the secret Santa. If you can lend a hand on the Wednesday or Thursday preparing the room, please get in touch as this will be really appreciated.   I will also have a page on my blog and on facebook so you can all see who is coming along and what food will be put on the table, a bit more organised this year. Lots to look forward to before Santa arrives.

Tag tastic

Good morning.  3 degrees outside (when will I see you again, okay, maybe not).

I am currently sat here trying to print out lists of what I have used for some swap tags I have made.  I am off to Telford tomorrow which I hope will be a lovely time with some like minded crafters.  I shall stay overnight and on Saturday I shall spend the day with Stampin, Up!  I think I will come back feeling so rested and relaxed and full of everything SU.  So look out, I may be knocking on your door to get you to sign up.  Stampin' Up! is still as strong as ever and with the new Spring/Summer catalogue soon due as well as the Sale a Bration, all I can think of is craft party after crafty party, whoop whoop.

Here are said tags

I have made around 80 of them over the last month or so with a lot of help from friends and family, thank you.  I cant wait to share what I swop them for.


I am still off ALL medication and I am still getting the dizzy spells but soldiering on, as you do. Hopefully the train journey tomorrow will be uneventful.

Right, I had best get a move on as I know a certain young lady is waiting for me.  Apologies for not getting to answer all texts and emails, I hope to catch up tomorrow. x

Midweek Musing

1.2 degrees outside, I cant believe how cold it is brrr.  I shall be wrapping up when I go out again today.

I am pleased to say that, at the moment, health wise, I am feeling okay.  I am so frightened that my RA symptoms will all come back all of a sudden but so far, so good.  The dizziness hasnt gone though.  It just comes and goes in waves so I have to give this another week and then return to the doctor if it hasnt gone to start investigations.

On a brighter note, I did manage just one hour in the craft room yesterday, in two stages.....

Our fairy garden has had a storm of acer leaves all over it.   The acer has done really well again this year and the colours of the leaves have changed all year.  Sadly they will all go now, ready for winter.

Mind you, these flowers are still looking good despite the cold weather.

Here is another sample of what you can do with the new dies from Stampin' Up!

Thanks for having a read today.  I do hope you manage to stay warm and, if you do want anything ordering from Stampin' Up!, please get in touch before this evening.

Dont forget to check out the stamps for sale, a few more have been added x

Happy 1st November

Good morning its a bit chilly out there brrr.  Happy 1st November.

I have the slow cooker out today.  I shall gently fry the meat and onions and pop it all in so that I dont have to worry about food this evening, it will make a nice change.

Stampin' Up! have some wonderful new products out today

And below are details of the special offers on some stamp sets.

If you would like to place an order, please do let me know before tomorrow evening as I shall be submitting one around 8pm.  Here is just one sample

I did manage to have another play yesterday with the Jar stamps and this is what I made.

I added a bow with the stamps and die cut across the top of the jar.  Fingers crossed that I get another hour in the craft room later to make another one or two....they are very addictive.
Thanks for having a read and wishing you a lovely Tuesday

A new week begins

Good morning and here we go, another new week.

As my week last week was not the best health wise and after discussions with GP and Rhumatology, I have been advised to stop the medication immediately, drat.  I have to get myself to 100% without side effects and start all over again, on a lower dose and be more closely monitored.  A bit of a blow as it means it is going to take a little longer to get everything sorted but only a minor setback.

On a positive note I have been invited out to a dinner that Stampin' Up! are holding later this week in Telford.  How wonderful is that!!  If I am fit and well enough to attend, I shall be making the short trip, lucky me.

You may have noticed that I now have a new tab page of items for sale.  I am being very ruthless and things will be sold as soon as photographs are taken.  It is such a shame to have all these wonderful things and not use them so I am looking for new homes for lots of things.  I

Another little play with the Jar stamps from Stampin' Up! I just adore them. This time I used one of the dies too.  I hope to do another one later this evening, if I am up to it.



If you have been thinking about purchasing some Christmas Stamps, hang on and take a look at tomorrows post, there is a sale of some SU products and some new dies, which I cant wait to purchase.  I shall place an order on Wednesday morning so, if you want a little treat, let me know and I can add your order to my own.

Thanks for having a read and wishing you a lovely Monday x

An extra hour

Good morning on what is supposed to be a very mild Sunday, fingers crossed that it is as today is wash day.  I know I dont usually wash on a Sunday but its best to get it done and out of the way.

How did you spend your extra hour today?  I spent mine in bed, I so needed the sleep. I do feel for parents of little ones though as they dont know the difference yet.  I think it used to take me more than a week to get everything back to normal when mine were little.

I had a visit from work on Friday afternoon and it was wonderful to receive a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates.  It is the first time that this has ever happened and it really made me emotional.  I so appreciate the little things.

Sitting eating breakfast this morning we could smell these, they are wonderful.

I managed to get in the craft room for a while yesterday and hope to get back in there again today.  I made a few tags and as soon as they were done and dusted, Christiana asked me to wrap some presents and you have guessed it, she pinched the tags.

I also had a play with the Jar of Love stamp set.

This is my first stab at using the stamps, this is what I usually do.  Have a play, sort out colours and then throw the 'play images' in the bin.  I have been told that I am being silly so I am using the 'play images' to make up a few cards as thank yous.

More cards with this stamp set to follow.

I best I had put the brooms and the halloween sweets away for another year.  Not too many sweets left in the bucket, mind you, it isnt Halloween until tomorrow night.


I have a tinee tiny order to go in later today.  I forgot to order myself some craft card which i need for the gingerbread men so, if there is anything you need, please do let me know.  

Of to start my day, thanks for having a read and hope you have a wonderful Sunday.

Tagtastic Friday

Good morning on this Friday.

Yesterday I ended up in bed all afternoon and most of the evening, not sure what upset me but something did, never mind.

I cant believe that all the Drama programmes I watch are ending.  Poldark has finished, The Bake Off was a wonderful drama, Cold Feet has done sigh...... I guess a bit more crafting will get done in the evening.

Here are a few more tags that I have been making over the last week or so. I found a little die for sale at a reduced rate and I couldnt resist.

 I am just making them bit by bit as and when I can.  As soon as I get a few ready, Christiana nips and pinches them to put on the presents that she has got.

I love growing alstrameria plants and in the past we have had success in splitting them and growing the babies, to give away of course but the one I have outside are small one.  So when I saw the tall ones for my vase I had to treat myself. 

Then yesterday I just saw this little drop of nectar about to fall. 
 
Well I think it is nectar, if it isnt, I am sure that someone will let me know what it was.


I best get Christiana up otherwise the day will be over before she gets out of bed.  Thanks for having a read and wishing you a wonderful Friday x

Chritiana's C

Good morning and another dry day I have been told.

I am pleased to say that this week I coped really well with the medication.  Tuesday was as bad as normal but yesterday, as I crave the fresh air, Paul took us to the Monkey Forest and I cant tell you how much better I felt after 4 hours outside in fresh air.  It did me the world of good and I slept like a log last night too. 

 I couldnt believe how close the monkeys actually came to you. I thought it would be an enclosed building but no, it is set in some wonderful forest.  The moneys actually walk past you and not a care about you being in their environment.  It was lovely and I would certainly recommend it.

I cant believe that my sweet peas have been 'naff' all summer and now, yes now they decide to flower?

 

I have a little rose coming out as well now, just as I was about to put it in the greenhouse, typical.

Christiana and I have been playing with the letter C.  She wanted to decorate one for when she returns to see her Grandparents and Christmas.  We tried with the cotton twine first but that didnt work but we have done it, in the end, the way she wants.

Now she wants help with doing another half a dozen.

As it is coming up to the end of the month, I shall be placing another order for Stampin' Up! goodies over the weekend.  If there is anything that you would like, please let me know.

Off to try and untangle the craft room....oh my, what a pickle it is in.

Happy Birthday Brother In Law

Good morning and it is a chilly one.  I have already been outside for a while, sweeping up the moss deposits.  Yes we still have those falling from the roof daily.  We have made so many enquiries into having the roof cleaned and the cost is silly money.  Paul has purchased a platform and the plan was to get it done over the Summer months but that didnt happen so, for now, I will sweep up the moss.  To be honest, I enjoy the fresh air on my bad days so it isnt a chore.

Today is brother in law's birthday and here is the card I made

It was good fun making this.  I have a few more all put together and just need names/occasions to be added.

I have been signed off work until mid December as there is a bit of a disagreement about my treatment.  The hospital says that not all my side effects are caused by the medication and to see my GP.  My GP says these side effects are the medication and I have to wait another month to see if they die down.  Never mind, at least I am not suffering with my joints.  It does mean though, not a lot of crafting at the moment but also, not much housework getting done either ooops.  I am still staying positive though and looking forward to see my daughters when they come over at the beginning of December.

Christiana is planning on having Christmas in Cyprus this year, with her grandparents over there.  Also her aunt and family are going from Belgium and her cousin will be there from London so a really big family get together.  And of course, it will be warmer.

Thanks for having a read and wishing you a wonderful Tuesday.  Tracey x

Thank Yous

Good morning, it is cold out there but at least it is dry.

This week hasnt been the best health wise but fingers crossed it gets easier for the next couple of days.  I had another trip to the hospital and I have to take some additional tablets to see if they will help with the side effects.  I can but try.

Not a lot of crafting going on but I have received this lovely shaker card from Jane using the Jar stamps from Stampin' Up!

It is such a cutie, thank you Jane.

We were taken out last Friday to a wander around a craft shop and a lovely cuppa and cake at Borrowash Garden Center.  It was so nice to change the four walls, thank you to another Jayne.

The front garden is looking wonderful and it has had its first mowing.

As the seasons are now changing, we have taken lots of cuttings from the bizzy lizzys and fingers crossed, I can grow my own for next year.  The bulbs are in and we have raided so many 'poorly corners' in lots of garden centers to top up our borders.  It is looking a picture.

Thanks for having a read and I hope to post again tomorrow.  Have a great Friday, Tracey x