Challenging news

I know it's been a long time and I'm sorry for that not sure if any of my family or friends read this blog any more but just thought I'd update you all with our news. To any penpals I'm so sorry for not writing, not sure where the time has gone we had some worrying health issues with Mum earlier in the year but she has now perked up and still living by herself with carers coming in 3 days a week.

David and I now some very challenging times to come, as David starts treatment for cancer and will require chemo and then radiotherapy/chemo any day now. It is going to be a very difficult time but with our family and friends we will get through it and the cancer is treatable - Nasopharyngeal Cancer (cancer at the back of the nose) - we are praying all goes well. The hospital where David will be treated is about a 50 minute drive away but it's a wonderful hospital with latest technology.

We did manage a few days away to Yorkshire last week but David went with a cold and I came back with a cold, so we didn't stay as long as we'd hoped. I have put some photos on my Facebook page if anyone is interested in seeing them (you do have to be my Facebook friend to see them though).

Will try and keep you updated, love Valerie x

Charisma Cardz Challenges 33

Can't believe I'm posting on here, it's been so long. This challenge caught my eye though - negative challenge, and here's my entry:
Thanks x

Chloe dog - my brother's beautiful greyhound

Blimey, you don't hear from me in ages then you get 3 posts in an evening!

I couldn't resist showing you my brother's dog Chloe again. My brother has had her a year now and she's really come out of herself since my brother collected her from the Great Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders Kennels last October. Chloe has a lovely character and isn't shy in coming forward, she loves woofing to my David for treats and so enjoys playing with her toys:

Chloe showing off for the camera, and may be saying: "can I have another treat please?"

Playing with her favourite toy, her ted.

Holding up the door! Chloe so loves laying on her back, ready for a tummy rub whenever someone goes by!

She's such a girly dog, loves all things pink and colourful and is so dainty.

We love her to bits, especially as we can't have any pets of our own where we live :o( at least we can heap all our pet love on Chloe :o) and she laps it up. My brother says Chloe sulks if she doesn't see us when she expects to!

Items for school fayre

As promised in my post yesterday, here are photos of some items I made for the school summer fayre last term:
Stationery and cards printed off the computer.

Teapot cards with a verse and a teabag inside.

Fridge magnets which I thought would go down well with the little ones.

Bookmarks, always useful.

Post-it-note holders with a post-it-note pad and small pen inside each one, I think these were the best seller.

I enjoyed making these though didn't have much time to do them in.

Christmas kit swap

I took part in a Christmas kit swap recently where we had to send the organiser 3 kits made up of Christmas material so the receiver could make up a card from using the kit only. Having received 3 different kits in the post today I made:

I love the colours and especially the reindeer backing paper, wonder where that came from. I received 3 small buttons so thought they'd be ideal for the reindeers nose.

The cardstock had already been cut for an easel card and the gold backing paper came embossed with snowflakes. The gold paper really shimmers.

I edged the images and cardstock with red colorbox chalk ink to help make the card stand out a little.

I'm really pleased with my efforts, making Christmas cards is a bit of an effort at the moment, yet it's 1st November !!! bet get a wiggle on :o)

Where does the time fly?

Good afternoon. Okay, who took all my spare time? I'm sorry for not posting for such a long while, some of you will have seen me on Facebook - I enjoy farming and attending to my pet :) as I can do these whilst relaxing of an evening.

I don't seem to have made many cards this year, though will try and attach a few later. The main news is that David took early retirement in April, mainly for health reasons, it was getting difficult driving to and from London with the problems in his knees. The other major news is that I moved jobs in June. I decided to apply for a new job and the first job I applied for, was interviewed and offered it :) It is still in a school office, the hours are just slightly longer but better hours in a way as I do the same hours every day - 8.45 to 3.15 pm which is great, and I still get school holidays off. This is the school I now work in: Warren School It's a beautiful school for special children and I just love it there, it was the best move I made. I'm so looking forward to the built up to Christmas as apparently we really go all out to make it a special occasion. I will start learning British Sign Language in the New Year which I will enjoy, I've managed to pick up a few words already.

Mum has been a concern for a while but it's all in hand now and Mum is looking better than ever :) she celebrated her 81st birthday yesterday and we spent some time with her, went out for a light lunch, then 7 of us went out to dinner with Mum in the evening. A lovely day.

There really hasn't been much time for cardmaking, but I have managed to keep on top of current birthdays, anniversaries etc. Now I'm in a panic as I'm way behind with my Christmas cards. Here are a few cards I've made:

Thanks for looking will try and put up a few images of some goodies I made back in June for the school fete in July.

Take care x

For sale - various craft items

Good morning

Not sure where the time is going, I really must try and make some cards today.

I've had a little sort out though (and it's continuing) and I have a few things for sale. Namely lots of dies (Quickutz, Cuttlebug, Sissix - including alphabets) and some Cuttlebug embossing folders (A2 and the sets of 4 small) and all my Magnolia unmounted rubber stamps, debating on selling some of my Nestabilites - since I have a Slice I don't tend to use them as much - ummmm not so sure though :) If you are interested please email me or leave a note. I can send you Word documents with piccies and prices etc. Will only sell to those in the UK. Thanks very much.

Valerie