A new member to the family

Sorry I haven't posted in well over a month, it's been a difficult few months, not least because I was working full-time in September at school, wasn't too well within myself and needed to organise carers for Mum, plus David hasn't been well with a trapped nerve in his back going down to his leg. Never seen him in such agony, but an osteopath is helping and David is feeling much better, also myself. Mum was 80 last week so we held a party for 50 (which I organised) which went very well.

Meet a new member to the family - my brother's new dog - Chloe.

She is 2 and a half years old and a retired greyhound from the Great Yarmouth Homefinders place attached to Great Yarmouth Greyhound Stadium. Chloe hurt her leg so had to retire, but she won 7 races, and her leg is now fine.

Chloe didn't know anything about a home life even her name as her racing name was Swift Second but she's coming along great and her character is coming out. Chloe loves playing. She and my brother came over last night for dinner. We'd bought her a squeaky pink spotted bone and she loved it had little spurts of playing with it. She is sooooo adorable. We can't have pets where we live but my brother doesn't mind us heaping love on Chloe, she is so loving and affectionate and her tail never stops wagging.

Hope to make some Christmas cards soon, I am way behind even more than last year :( and write some penpal letters, sorry to those who are still waiting letters from me.

Take care and thanks for reading xxx

Snowflakes LOL

It's not snowing yet :) instead I made a snowflake card using a sketch my dear friend Kerrie put up on our cardmaking forum last week. Here's the card:

The first card in a while I really enjoyed making. The background patterned glittered paper is by DCWV and it's gorgeous. The metallic snowflakes I bought in a beaded/snowflake garland set only £1 from a pound store. I punched out some pink glittered snowflakes and layered up with a glittered white brad to keep them together. I'm quite pleased with how this came out, it's even better in real life.

Off to have something to eat and then we're going up the Cliffs as usual, it seems to tame my overactive mind at the moment and calm me.

Take care xxx

Crafty Cardmakers # 3

I do so love sketch challenges and a good friend is on the design team of the Crafty Cardmakers blog. Here's a "thinking of you" card plus a Christmas one.

This one was made using a Penny Black sticker, some cardstock and paper from DCWV. The large glittered flower I recycled from a birthday gift bag :) and think it works very well on this card.

The image on here by Daisy & Dandelion with some patterned paper from the same make and also from DCWV. I cut out the shape for the image using my new Slice and the Noteworthy design card.

I'm so behind with my Christmas cards but am determined to make them all this year, I've finally made the rest of the birthday cards for this month. Thanks for looking :)

Sorry ...

... again, I just can't seem to get motivated for anything at the moment. I'm working almost full time at present as we are one down in the office and everything is still manic there, I guess that's the norm until everyone settles down, there's so much "first of term" stuff we have to do!

I'm really sorry to my lovely friends (penpals) who haven't heard from me for a while. Please don't fret, I'm okay, just don't seem to have the chance to sit down properly and write a lovely long letter. I'll get there though, please have a bit of patience, I haven't forgotten you.

Can't seem to get motivated for cardmaking either though I'm way behind with everything, plus I've agreed to run another cardmaking afternoon for the residents here end of October and that's on my mind. Ummm, me thinks I've just taken on way too much and need some "me time". Roll on half term, saying that it's going to be a hectic week end of October as Mum will be 80 and it's David's birthday too. I've been organising Mum's 80th birthday party too, still Mum is terribly excited and it's lovely to see.

Right I'll scan in a card I made this afternoon using a sketch (to help my lack of mojo) and will put it up soon.

Thanks for listening xxx

Mojo Monday # 102

I've missed a few of these sketches on the MojoMonday blog but here's the latest which I enjoysed using today to make a birthday card for a colleague:

I used the beautifully embossed and glittered Imaginisce paper Fairest of them All: Royal Procession (both sides) and my Slice to cut the corner and oblong shapes. The birdie image is from Imaginisce also, a rub on. Flowers, a sentiment and some Doodlebug glitter brads complete the card.

Hope Sue likes it, I just love the colours :)

Sorry it's been a while

Hello there, sorry it's been a while since I last posted, I didn't realise it had been nearly a month but can understand why. School summer holidays should give me loads of time to work on cards but in reality it didn't. Firstly we went on holiday to Somerset early in August, unfortunately David wasn't too well due to a trapped nerve in his back so we returned early and the rest of the school holidays at home. Not that we minded as it was easier for David to relax at home and also we still felt like being on holiday as the sea is only a few miles from us (about 5-10 minutes at the most) so we were able to get out and about every day. It also meant we were able to visit Mum who has recently been diagnosed with diabetes.

I was asked to run a crafting group on the court here (we live on an estate for the older person) on 24th August. It involved a lot of organisation and preparation as I put together 2 card kits and a bookmark kits and made enough for 20 to take part. I was extremely nervous - I hate talking out in a group - but it went very well apart from the initial "speech". Everyone enjoyed themselves and we had a laugh. In fact they enjoyed it so much I've agreed to run a Christmas cards and tag session during the half term week (last week in October). It should be a little easier this time but will still need a lot of preparation.

I had hoped to start on my Christmas cards but only made 1! I did manage to buy up loads of Christmas stash in anticipation :) I also bought a Slice (electric cordless die cutting machine). It arrived last week and I love it. It sits nicely on my PC/craft desk. I did make a Christmas card yesterday:

It's with a free pyramid card topper from CraftsUPrint. I layered it up and then added glitter glue to the angel wings and main star. I added mirri card in red and gold and then stuck it on to red card. A bit of gold glitter ribbon and the sentiment (from CraftsUPrint) and it's done. Sorry the picture is a little dark the light wasn't too good yesterday afternoon. The other Christmas card I made was using a fabric square which I bought at Wroxham Barns (Norfolk) during the holidays and had to try it out: I am going to try posting more often but if you don't see me for a while please don't worry. A colleague left at school and I'm working extra hours and it seems to be extra manic at the moment.

Thanks for looking, hope you are all well :)

Crafty Cardmakers first challenge

I'm always in need of a helping hand where cardmaking is concerned so have been inspired by the Crafty Cardmakers new blog to make this flowery card:I don't think you can see properly but on the white embossed paisley card inside each paisley design is a little bitty flower.

Everything on it is by Craftworkcards, some new stash I bought last week whilst down in Sussex.