Happy Birthday Liz

Good morning.  It's raining, drat.  Not sure if the gardeners will work in the rain so I dont know if they will come today or not.  They did a great job yesterday, they put all the drains in around the house and the stone was put down.  I thought I would be able to park on the drive when I got home but it wasnt to be......the stone has now been replaced by sand.

If you are free this Friday evening and fancy a crafty get together why not join us for the Christmas Card and Chatter night, you can bring any Christmassy project with you to do, card making, knitting, crochet etc. etc.  We start around 6pm but please be careful when you come.  I dont know what the state of the pathway will be like but I will ensure it is safe.  Car parking will be outside the house just in case the sand has been replaced with something else.

I dont think I will be able to use the craft room today once (and if)  gardeners are here so I will nip in there very early to start putting things away.  I have lots out and about and it needs a good hoover.

Liz had her birthday last week and I know with all the holidays that postage is a little out of sorts but I do hope she has received her card by now.

This is quite an old stamp set but still it is still on my shelf.  Stampin' Up! stamps never go out of fashion and I love using older ones.

I had best go and make a start with a few chores, thank you for having a read and I do hope you have a lovely day, despite the weather.  Tracey x

Stunning Butterflies

Good morning.  I hope you have had a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend.  The weather wasnt too bad but this morning I have woke up to beautiful sunshine.  The forecast isnt too bad, at least it means that the gardeners will be able to work throughout the day.  They havent been since Friday so there is plenty to keep them going today.

I was lucky enough to go to the motorcycle museum craft show with Ruth on Saturday.  Thank you so much for a fantastic day Ruth.  I cant believe how many new companies have appeared  *mouth open in astonishment* where did they all come from?   I saw a couple of new techniques as well, just need a little time to play.

Sunday wasnt the best of days for me but yesterday seemed a lot easier.  I think Sunday was the first day that I had been at home alone since we lost Christiana and it just hit me all over again.  I am told this will keep happening and each time it does, I will get through it.  Thank you to everyone for all your support, you really dont know how much it means to me.

Yesterday I spent in the craft room, it was very calm, peaceful and I kept busy and today I must give myself a little kick up the bum and get a move on.  I already overslept (should be up at 6am so I am ready when gardeners arrive but didnt wake up until 7.20am).

As mentioned a few days ago, the theme for this month in The Craft Room is garden and just look at these beautiful butterflies that Sallyann has made for the tree.

They are stunning, thank you so much.

Would you like to come to The Craft Room to make some decoupage items.  Emma is going to show us how and there are just 2 spaces available on May 18th in the afternoon.  Here are some samples but there are plenty of other images/designs for you to choose from.

I had best try and do a few chores and get ready for the day.  I am off to Ikea, I know it is dangerous but I really want the top to my little trolley in the craft room.  I may have to have lunch there too.  I shall be in the craft room this evening though so if you fancy a visit, let me know.

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

Beauty Abound and garden update - Day 3

Good morning and Happy Saturday.  Not the greatest weather to start the Bank Holiday but lets hope it improves. 

Here is a card that Diane made recently for a sample at our crafty get together.  She has used Beauty Abound stamp set which really is a lovely set.  There are details below and if you would like more information about the card or stamp set please, do get in touch.

I didnt make it into the craft room yesterday, the builders were here until gone 6pm and I was so tired so had a night off.  I caught up on a couple of tv dramas and just chilled.  Later today I shall be in the craft room but this is my path for the weekend.

It's a bit like an 'It's a knockout" course.  The builders did a great job again yesterday.  All the debris from the drive went and was replaced by stone.  They put down half the amount of stone onto the garden and will put down the rest on Tuesday.

Here are a couple of updates.

If you do call round please, come to the front of the house or I will be very happy to visit you over the Bank Holiday.  Of for a little retail therapy this morning.  Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a great day.  Tracey

Butterfly Gala and Debris......

Good morning. Friday again, which is good news as I have woken up with that Friday feeling.  I have already been in touch with Sophia and Katerina and they are both at work, in the sunshine.  Katerina starts her new job today which is always exciting isnt it.

Here is a card I made using the Whisper White notelets and envelopes.  Have you tried using these yet.  I can certainly recommend them as they are great to just grab, decorate and send.

I used Butterfly Gala on this one and the matching punch just cuts the butterflies out perfectly.  I didnt use the punch on this card but I thought I would let you know.  I decorated the envelope too, I think they are so pretty and will be using this set again next week.  For the colouring in of the butterflies, I just squeezed the ink pad really hard so that some of the ink transfered to the lid.  I used a paint brush and a little water and just added some colour.  You cant do this too much as the card is not meant for watercolouring.

It is raining this morning and I was wondering if the gardeners turn up?  Well they did despite the rain.  They did another amazing job yesterday, despite the weather (we had some heavy showers).  They told me around 12.30 lunch time that they would be digging up the area between the kitchen door and craft room and it would take about an hour.  I didnt get back in there until 6pm.  Yesterday they discovered a tree stump right outside the kitchen door.  Well we knew there was something there as we had massive mushrooms growing a couple of years ago.  Here is the stump

I had a pathway from the kitchen to the craft room put down but it was very slippey.

They have piled up all the debris (dont know what else to call it) on my drive and a grab lorry is supposed to come today to take it all away.

Yesterday a chappie walked into the garden (gate is open).  He said he is on the committee of the Earl of Carsington Fishing Club and that Marketon Park have just had some new sitting positions installed around the lake for fishermen.  These positions now need some hard core putting down prior to being finished off and could he take some of mine off the drive.  Well of course I agreed and he went and got his trailer and loaded it up.  I dont know if he will be coming back but its nice to know that part of our garden will be at Marketon.  Especially as my dad was a very keen fisherman in the 1960's-1970's

Well I had best go and get some chores done.  I did grab quite a few bits and bobs out of the craft room to do some stamping and colouring in the kitchen.  Thank you for having a read today and I hope you have a great day.  Tracey x

Product List

Butterfly Gala Photopolymer Bundle

[150599]

Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes

[131527]

Jet Black Stazon Ink Pad

[101406]

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

[110755]

Thanks a Bunch and garden update

Good morning and it is Wednesday already.  I am really pleased to say that most of the little odd orders I placed have arrived, Stampin' Up! are really quick with the turnaround which is always positive.  I have a large order still being picked but thats because we had a Bank Holiday yesterday.  Fingers crossed it will be here soon.

Stampin' Up! demonstrators can order the new catalogues today, which I shall do.  They also get the opportunity to order some new products from the new catalogue.  I shall be looking at the new coloured inks and card.  I shall also treat myself to a new stamp set, and why not. 

Paul arrived in sunny Scotland safe and sound yesterday.  He will be back in the middle of next week. Which meant that yesterday I spent the day in the craft room I have managed to finish off most of the May birthday cards and made a start on the Thank You cards for this month.

I have had this stamp set and matching dies for months, Beautiful Bouquet.  I only ever use the sentiments as they are just perfect but it was time to use the whole set together.  I do hope you like them.  I am so pleased that this set is going to be available in the new catalogue.

The gardeners were here just before 8am so I am still busy doing my few chores before going into the Craft Room.

 Before the work started Wednesday morning.

 This is after the work finished Wednesday evening.  As  you can see the decking went, you can see where the damp has gone through to the conservatory (bottom row middle picture, black wall).  The shed has gone top row far right and 3rd row down on the right.  We discovered stepping stones and another semi circle under the decking.  No bodies though, phew

There is a mini digger and a chappie with a pnumatic drill out there at the moment, yikes.

Well thank you for having a read, if you fancy a cuppa you are most welcome.  If you would like to collect bits and bobs......just send me a message to make sure its safe to do so.  Have a wonderful day as the sun is shining.  Tracey x

Product List

Beautiful Bouquet Photopolymer Stamp Set

[143666]

Bouquet Bunch Framelits Dies

[143659]

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

[110755]

Big Shot

[143263]

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

[106549]

Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad

[147087]

Merry Merlot Classic Stampin' Pad

[147112]

Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad

[147101]

Jet Black Stazon Ink Pad

[101406]

Clear Block Starter Bundle

[129851]

Linen Thread

[104199]

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

Garden, Everything is Rosy and Butterfly Gala

Happy May Day.  Most of Europe, including Cyprus, have a Bank Holiday today to celebrate 1st May.  We have to wait a few more days for our Bank Holiday as UK have the first Monday of May as a holiday.

Today, being May 1st,  a new product medley from Stampin' Up! is available, Everything is Rosy.  Here is a link so that you can see it on the Stampin' Up! website. LINK
A couple of projects made with this kit

 I shall be placing orders later this evening so if this is something you fancy please, do get in touch.  If you do decide to order it yourself, please do remember the Hostess Code and if you leave your details, I shall happily send over a little thank you.

          Hostess Code for the month of May T3FWHZXN

Yesterday I was bitting and bobbing in the craft room and the birthday cards for the month are nearly all done.  I shall be in there again today to finish them off.

The garden works start today so please be careful if you do visit.  You may be wise to come to the front door and give me a few minutes to get to you.  I have taken before photos and will keep you all updated on the progress, isnt it exciting.  This time last year we were doing the kitchen.  Some photos taken last night

 Here is another Butterfly Gala Card that I made with the Lace Dynamic embossing folder as a background.  It looks stunning in real life.

The theme for The Craft Room, Derby this month is garden, well it had to be.   To start me off Jean has made this wonderful bird house which is already hanging on the tree, thank you Jean.

Paul leaves today to work away for just over a week.  I shall be spending lots of time in the craft room so anytime you fancy a visit, please do.  There are still quite a few stamp sets available at half price and lots of things in the FREE baskets.  These baskets will be taken to Sinfin Nature Reserve after the weekend.  Well, I had better start my day, gardeners will be here in an hour, ooops.  Thank you for having a read and I hope you have a wonderful day.  Tracey

Butterfly Gala Cards

Good morning and its a bit cooler here today in Derby and foggy too.

Mr weatherman said more rain is due too so that will help with all the watering of the garden.  Then I hear that we will get sunshine again, whoop whoop.

It was lovely to see so many folk yesterday, thank you for the company.  Today I am in the craft room for the day as I really do have to crack on with those birthday cards, it will be May 1st tomorrow.

If anyone would like some more details about the Everything is Rosy kit which comes out tomorrow, please do let me know.

Some very good news to share......mum went to doc and they have given her the results of all the latest scans/xrays etc. and she is all clear of cancer.  The tests have to be repeated again in 3 months but phew is all I can say.  She was feeling very positive but she had a fall Sunday night.  She ended up in A&E overnight where they really looked after her.  She was home at half 7 in the morning and I spent a few hours with her yesterday.  She is fine but her head, face and eye are really a mess.  She said she is okay though.....

Saturday afternoon, 18th May we have a decoupage class in The Craft Room, Derby.  The lovely Emma is returning to show us how to make these items.

If you would like to come along in the afternoon to make these (lots of other designs available) please do get in touch as soon as possible.  Only two places remaining.  These are what we all made last time.

Here are cards that were made using the butterfly gala stamp.  I made a few of these in different colours and I am really pleased that this set will be carried over into the new catalogue that comes out in a few weeks.

If you would like to find out more about these cards, stamps and colours used please do get in touch.

All items on the dresser in the craft room are half price and there is a basket full of stamps that are FREE to a good home.

Well I had best get off and start my day.  Thank you for having a read and I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday.  Tracey x







Product List

Butterfly Gala Photopolymer Bundle

[150599]

Touches Of Texture Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[143251]

Night Of Navy A4 Card Stock

[106577]

Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad

[147110]

Berry Burst A4 Cardstock

[144249]

Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad

[147143]

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

[106549]

Stampin' Trimmer

[129722]

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

[110755]

Big Shot

[143263]

Aqua Painters

[103954]

Versamark Pad

[102283]

Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock

[140490]

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

[141897]