Crafter's Ark

Central Park Pages

2009-10-25T08:11:00.001-07:00

We fell in love with Central Park. An amazing place right in the city with so many different areas. Ponds and lakes, wonderful secluded areas, football and baseball pitches, running tracks, playgrounds and a zoo............it just goes on and on.
Strawberry fields was not what we expected, I think the plants in the surrounding gardens are probably in bloom spring and early summer but there was nothing very special to see other than the mosaic and not a lot of 'peace' as there was a constant stream of people of all nationalities taking pictures.
I think I got a bit more creative with these pages and hope they give you a flavour of the park.

New York Scrapbook

2009-10-18T05:28:00.001-07:00

After our holiday my daughter asked me to make her a scrapbook. Taking quite a time but here are the first few pages.

All my spare time has been used on sorting and editing photos and getting the layouts ready. As we had nearly 200 photos choosing just a few for each of the memory pages has been really difficult.

How safe can it be????

2009-09-30T05:19:00.000-07:00

When we were going on holiday I put my credit/bank cards, cheque book and store cards - like Boots and Tesco point savers, in a safe place. Well, several really. When we returned I knew where my credit and bank cards were, got my priorities right, but could not for the life of me remember where I had put my cheque book or my other cards.

Last week after rooting round the house on a more or less daily basis with no result I had to ring the bank and order a new cheque book. No problem......... well, only that the person dealing with me must have decided that I couldn't get into my online banking and changed all my details. Eventually received new details in the post - but get this - the letter had my new customer number, my pin number, my bank sort number and my account number in the same letter - everything anyone needed to access my online account!! What is even more stunning, when I contacted the bank and pointed this out - they didn't think it was a problem!?!?!

Well, hurrah - this morning I found my cheque book, in the front of my ribbon drawer in the art room. Pretty obvious really.

I have £30+ on my Boots card and two receipts that have to be put on in the next week or two. Anyone got any idea where my point saver cards might be?

Well....that was a long coffee break.

2009-09-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

So much has happened in the last few months - I've retired - great but the run up was very hard work and tiring. I had to not only get all my work up to date, some of it a year ahead as exam work had to be prepared ready to go to the examiners next May/June, but I also had to train my replacement. Not easy as both he and I still had our teaching timetables so eventually had to spend a lot of time leaving copious notes and instructions on the computer.
Had a wonderful retirement party, lots of gifts and some lovely things said. Followed this by taking my teaching assistants out for a meal which was a nice finish to the term.
So forty years after I first stepped into a classroom as a teacher I said goodbye to my pupils and school. Quite emotional as you might imagine.

Next thing of note - had a brilliant week in New York with my daughter - my big retirement treat. Flew business class - what a treat- and stayed at The London NYC, very swish, had a suite and on our last night had a meal in Gordon Ramsay's Restaurant which is in the hotel. Excellent dining experience, staff were wonderful and I could spend the next three pages describing the food - enough to say that I could happily return as often as possible- but only if I wasn't picking up the bill. Did all the tourist things including a dinner cruise up and down the Hudson river which was great as we had wonderful night-time views of the city.

Finally - today was my induction day at Teesside University. I am starting an Honours degree in History next week, part-time, so that I still have time for me and hopefully my mojo will return. Have loads of crafty goodies I have gathered in the last few months which haven't seen light of day - including stamps and Copic Sketch markers which I bought while in New York.

So I hope I now manage to call in and add to my blog on a regular basis, preferably with some cards and scrapbook pages to show you and have time to call in on the forum and on member's blogs.

Hard Work Raising the Kids

2009-05-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I was doing some blog hopping when I became aware of a constant little visitor to my bird table - a little blue tit. Watched it picking up seed and flying off for a while and then found myself hooked. I tried to follow it's flight as I thought it might be nesting in my neighbour's garden, he has had them in a clematis at times but it seemed to be going further afield than that. Then I realised that there were two of them obviously taking turns at gathering food for their babies. One alternated between the bird table and a peanut feeder- safe because the mesh is small and they can't get a whole peanut out.
In ten minutes I counted fifteen flights.......... and this went on for the best part of two hours.
Now I always thought that raising the kids was hard work but given the size of these tiny things and the number of forays they must make in a day, I think I got off fairly lightly.
They do have one advantage though, their offspring don't hang around for years, nor do they keep coming back for Sunday lunch.

Sympathy Card

2009-05-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

My neighbour's Dad died yesterday so I needed to make a card for her. Rather busy day so had about half an hour to put this together. I matched the colours to the flowers I bought her. Never quite sure about what to put outside and in so kept the words simple - inside read ' With Our Sympathy at this Sad Time'. Would be interested to know what other people put, I'm not really into verses and I feel that I can only put something with a religious leaning if I know that the recipient will appreciate that.

Son's Birthday Coming Up.

2009-05-10T09:22:00.000-07:00

I seem to be basing my cards on papers and colours at the moment and love chocolate and tuquoise. The sentiment if from another Papertrey set.

This is for Louise to give to her brother - keep telling her she should be making her own. Another where the paper led me into the design.

Back in Business

2009-05-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

Made my first cards in several weeks today intended making a birthday card and made these three.

This one is for a friend of my daughter's. Used images from Papertrey's Green Thumb - and as she likes glitz I used a glue pad and glitter for the dandelion seed head flowers.

The following two were inspired by the papers. The black and white is a Papertrey pack and I love the long Happy Birthday stamp which is from their Round and About Sentiments set.

and the last one is just using papers from K & Co Maya Road. Gorgeous set, ready glittered, gilded or with a velvet texture - you know, the ones you just keep stroking. Well today was the day. This sheet is one of glittered ones and I cut and pieced it - was going to add a sentiment but decided that it would spoil it, so the sentiment will go inside. Really easy once I made up my mind to leave well alone.

Act of Faith

2009-03-21T05:45:00.000-07:00

I am taking a break from card making at the moment as I have started what I can only call an 'Act of Faith'. Not that I am religious but this is based on an incident that involved my mother and older sister many years ago. When I have a conclusion I will explain but I'm keeping it to myself until then. Please keep your fingers crossed, wish it well, say a little prayer - all will be very welcome.

My grandsons.

2009-03-21T05:30:00.000-07:00

The two younger boys in this picture are my grandsons, Rob,14, (second left) who plays the drums and Ed,16, (far right) keyboard and bass guitar. The story says all the rest except that I am one Very Proud Grandma.

Teesside rockers Electric Nightmares progress in band contest
Mar 17 2009 by Mike Blackburn, Evening Gazette

TEENAGE rockers Electric Nightmares triumphed at the North-east Finals of Live and Unsigned, the UK’s largest talent search for live original acts.
The Middlesbrough quartet, whose average age is just 15, will now go on to compete against bands from Scotland for a place in the national final.
The youngsters have made it this far against 10,000 applicants plus live auditions, to the North-east finals which took place at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle on Sunday.
They played two songs in front of hundreds of fans and a professional panel of judges. The first was one of their own compositions, Leave in Pieces, which they followed up, appropriately, with a cover of Teenage Kicks.
Of the acts making it through to the northern final, Electric Nightmares are the only youngsters.
But the day was not without drama.
Drummer Robb Maynard, the youngest in the band at 14, sprained his wrist just hours before the performance. But he strapped it up and played through the pain.
Robb said: “Waiting in the dressing room and then backstage before we went on was torture. But once we were on stage it was brilliant. We just played our hearts out.”
Jessi Stephenson, bass player, Rob's cousin and fellow 14-year-old said of the results: “We were all lined up backstage together waiting while they read out the judges’ decision.
“It was like something of the X Factor.
“They really dragged it out. When they called out our name first, we just couldn’t believe it. We just looked at each other before running on stage.”
The band are now preparing for the Northern Final on May 2 at the Tyne Theatre. They will go up against the other finalists from the North and Scotland for a place in the national final at Portsmouth Guildhall on June 27. That 2,000-capacity venue will include guests from recording agencies and the music business, including major record labels.

Such a long time.........

2009-03-11T09:19:00.001-07:00

It is such a long time since I used my brayer but have this new Stampin up set and braying came to mind.

The brayed background is in shades of yellow and blue, hasn't quite photographed as well as it might. Still I think it gives a seaside feel to the stamps.

My Dear Sister's Birthday.

2009-03-08T05:57:00.000-07:00

My dear, and only, sister is 83 years young on Tuesday - and I do mean young. She is a retired Methodist minister - but forget the retired bit. I think she does as much now as she did when she was officially 'working'. Still takes services at least once every Sunday, sometimes three times. Does funerals, runs house groups and visits her 'old people' in nursing homes and hospitals but I wouldn't mind betting that she is older than most of them.

Difficult to buy for so have made her a writing set as she still writes to her grand-daughters who don't live near, and to many of her friends - they are all over the country from the time that she was stationed in various places by the church. Did think I would do something modern and bright but she is a very elegant lady, wears suits and shoes with heels- only about 2inch ones now but still... So this is what I decided on in the end.

The stamping is done using Papertrey 'Simply Stationery' with their Spring Rain inkpad. The image on the envelope is a larger version of the parts of the circular stamp. The cardstock is the same inside and out but has photographed darker in the 'open' picture.

A bit more delicate

2009-03-06T09:57:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd try a couple of more delicate cards. This first one uses a Papertrey stamp from the With Sympathy set and I embossed the side with a Cuttlebug folder. Quite simple but I like it!!

This one was on my desk for days. I stamped the centre, another stamp from the same set, then couldn't get anywhere with it. Finally decided that the white base card wasn't doing it any favours so sponge inked it randomly with a matching blue and added the ribbon and sentiment. Think it works.

Black and Bling

2009-03-03T07:46:00.000-08:00

I love black and white and so black and bling sounded even better. Problem was that I got carried away with the Stickles and put it on all the stamped images. Only when I put the ribbon on did I realise that I had put it under the ribbon too so it's a bit bobbly. The option was to take it all to bits and start again ........so I've settled for the bobbly one. Still the rhinestones aren't spoiling anything.

Stamps: Papertrey
Ink: Papertrey

Engagement card...but a little different.

2009-02-26T10:40:00.000-08:00

One of my team has become engaged and we wanted to give her a card and a gift - and, as usual, I was making the card. My difficulty was that she is in a same sex relationship and we had never heard of such an engagement so this was my first attempt to make something suitable to celebrate the occasion. The words inside just say 'Congratulations on Your Engagement' then each of the team has written their own sentiment. I just wanted to keep it as simple as possible....... but had to add a bit of bling.

One of the team just had to ask "Who got the ring?" The answer was an eminently sensible "We both did".
After all diamonds are a girl's best friend.

Cardstock: PTI Vintage Cream and Aqua
Stamps: PTI

This is a pretty one

2009-02-23T08:11:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd better show you a girlie card after all my male ones. This is using the Shattered Glass that Jak introduced me to on Papertrey Ink Flower Frenzy stamp.

Sentiment, ink and ribbon are also PTI.

Seem to be hooked on Men's card this week

2009-02-22T08:58:00.000-08:00

This one is another card using a Grungeboard letter. Inked, embossed more than once, glittered just a little. Used PTI sentiment and ribbon and some Memories brads.

The other two are patterned paper with machine stitching, buttons or bling. Again the sentiments are PTI.

Louise tells me the second one can't be for a man because it has a flower in the middle of the sentiment. Guess I'll go for unisex then.

Lighthouse Card

2009-02-20T07:28:00.000-08:00

A friend asked me to make a card for her brother who has retired (early) to Cyprus, loves sailing and lighthouses in particular. Loved this stamp and she was really pleased with the card as she says - he is really living his dream.

Another Birthday, Another Card

2009-02-03T14:21:00.000-08:00

This is the card for my daughter to give to her sister- in law Angela, hence the A.

First time I've used Tim Holtz Grungeboard. The A is inked, embossed and glittered (in pink and green though the green hasn't photographed well) but think I could have been a bit more adventurous with it and given it a bit more 'welly'.

Back on track.....I think!

2009-02-01T02:39:00.000-08:00

Haven't had time or inspiration for far too long but have started making again and quite pleased with the results.
This first card is for my DiL's birthday. She used to have a phobia about butterflies but has worked hard at losing it and I thought that these were so pretty that she couldn't really freak at them. Inspired by Jak's shattered glass glitter but I put far too much glue on - therefore loads of glitter and the butterfly weighed a ton when it was wet - luckily it dried much lighter. Then went a little overboard with the rhinestones. Very girlie.

The other two are really male cards. Like most other people I find these more difficult but rather like these.

Love using the sewing machine on cards, think this might be a trend for me.

Stamps. PTI

Thanks Karen

2008-11-29T13:06:00.000-08:00

"This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind blogger’s aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight blogger’s who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."
So I'd like to pass this award onto:=

All my crafting friends whose friendship I value immensely and the 'Bloggers" on Imag-e-nation who share their talents with us all.

Thank you Karen for awarding it to me. It is much appreciated.

Trees

2008-11-24T09:27:00.000-08:00

I love all the tree stamps that are around at present and used mine with the shadow technique Jak showed us at Easingwold. Still manage to have a real fuss using the stamp placing set - usually get the first image on the wrong place on the plate - will eventually get the idea I'm sure.

Still I do really like this so it was worth the effort.

Where has the time gone

2008-11-23T11:33:00.000-08:00

I've had a really strange few weeks with lots happening and much to get my head round - yes I know some people hate that phrase but it really does describe what I've had to do.
First I have had to come to terms with this being my last year as a teacher, I will be retiring at the end of this academic year - a year before I had intended but the alternative would have been to do a lot more teaching and have my SENCo job much changed. Was a really weird feeling for the first week or so but now I am really looking forward to having so much time to myself.

Then my 'baby' decided to go to University, but keep on her full time job in the Inland Revenue - only possible because she works flexi time. Means that I am having to do a lot more Murphy walking and evening meal cooking - perhaps it's just as well I'm retiring.

My son's boys are now both in the rock band 'Electric Nightmares' and have got through to the regional final of the Red Battle- a country wide competition. On Dec 2nd they will perform and then -if they get through - they will be in the finals in Liverpool. The ages of the band members are 13,13,16 and 17 so they are competing against bands who are older and more experienced. It would be amazing if they got through. They are also recording their second album with mainly their own songs.

I had planned to do some card making today but ended up backing stamps, putting Nesties into CD cases on magnetic sheet and clear stamps into CD cases too. My craft room looks much neater and stamps are ready to use but now need to find some more me time.

Sad Morning

2008-10-30T02:41:00.000-07:00

I had an email this morning from my dear friend Jak (Crafter's Kitchen) to say that her dear Dad passed away peacefully last night. He had a fall last week and broke his hip, had to have an operation and then developed pneumonia. My thoughts are with her, her mum and her family.

Bits Box Card

2008-10-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

I spent a large part of yesterday sorting out my papers and lots of folders and files. Got so many bits and a lot of things that I bought and have never used, or used a little of and then moved on. My tastes have changed so much over the past few years and my ideas and styles have developed so I ended up with a huge sack of 'rubbish' which went in the bin. I also have a large carrier full of stickers and papers and other bits and pieces that my neighbour - new crafter-might use.

At the end of the day I had gathered a few bits that had caught my eye and made up this 'Bitsa' card, just because I thought all the papers went well together.

Cake cards

2008-10-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

The cupcake card - very girlie, lots of sparkle too. I've been thinking about getting these stamps for ages and finally succumbed.

This card is my Marks and Sparks Birthday Cake card - yes I know it doesn't look like a cake but it is testament to a crafter seeing materials in all manner of things. The polka dot card is part of the box that James' birthday cake came in and the ribbon was on the cake - washed and ironed. Voila my M&S Cake card!!

Stamps: Impression Obsession

Quilt Card

2008-10-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

I received the papers today from QVC - a real bargain that was posted on our forum. As soon as I saw them I thought of this quilting - an idea from one of my blog hops and I can't remember where I saw it, so apologies to the originator.

I cut the squares with my nestabilities, stuck them on a backing card with a tiny dab of glue in the centre- well away from the path of the needle - then zig-zag stitched them along all the joins and the edges. Really love the result.

A Step Ahead

2008-10-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

I seem to get so little time for crafting these days that when I had a day to myself I thought I ought to make my eldest grandson's birthday cards, even though it is still a month until the day.
The first one is from me and once again - what do you do for a 16 year old? Well he has just joined the Electric Nightmares Band as guitarist, keyboard player and vocalist so music was an obvious choice. I used the sheet music of 'The Entertainer' and typical 'man' colours.

The second is from Louise and I couldn't resist the cow stamp again - with slightly different wording and colour.

Message inside continues - '.... so just had to wish you a happy one'.

On a Happier Note

2008-10-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

Today is my younger son's birthday and these are his cards.
This one is from me - I wanted something a bit different - have done the racing cars, computers, cats etc. so thought that plain and masculine might do the trick...........although I did add a bit of sparkle on the dots.

On Saturday we were in Papermill at York and spotted this stamp that we couldn't resist and it made a great card for Louise to give to James.

..... inside it says 'to wish you a Happy Birthday Brother'.

Stamps: PTI Rustic Branches Penny Black

One I Didn't Want to Make

2008-10-05T09:21:00.001-07:00

Just a few weeks ago I posted a card which was for a friend who had had bad news. Her husband was diagnosed with cancer towards the end of August. This week he died, all very sudden and progressed far too quickly for any treatment to help. This card is for her and her two teenage boys.

Something Different

2008-09-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

These birthday cards are very different from my recent makings. The first is using PTI Flower Garden and Marvy inks with a little Stickles (thanks Jak) in the flower centres and shadowing around the edges. Nestabilities circles for the sentiment which is from the same set.

The second came about when I was rooting through my 'bit' box and found a piece of printed, embossed vellum. Only small but used in an aperture cut and embossed with my Nestabilities - again.

Manchester and more

2008-09-27T10:33:00.000-07:00

When in Manchester for our crafting weekend, seems ages ago now, I made this trinket box using Stampbord and a super lion's head stamp which is apparently out of production. Shame because I would have liked one.

I really liked the effect so used a similar idea to make my teenage grandson a birthday card but with a tiger's head stamp - so difficult to find something they will like.

This card is for a member of my team, a farmer's wife who is 60 this week. Used a watercolour image that was shared on the 'Imag-e-nation' forum, painted by Hilary's mum.

When you undo the ribbon and look underneath you can see how old she is!!

Busy Week.

2008-09-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

Had a wonderful weekend in Manchester with crafting friends, especially Liz, Jak, Pam, Sue, Joy, Kath and Greta, and it was lovely to meet up again with old friends and some new ones.

Back to school Monday only to discover that Ofsted were coming for an inspection on Wednesday. Stacks of files, policies and paperwork to check and tidy and deliver to the room assigned for the inspectors - late nights Monday and Tuesday. Didn't help that one of the areas noted was Learning Difficulties and Disabilities, so was fully expecting to have everything scrutinised.

Wednesday arrived and by end of day I had had a nodded 'Hello' exchange with one of the inspectors as we passed in the Reception area. Nothing more. Wow - was that a good sign......or not?!?!

Head called a break-time meeting today to give us the results and we were given Grade 1 - Outstanding -for all five areas of inspection with - surprisingly?? - an overall Outstanding. So we can all breathe easily again.
That was my very last Ofsted as I will be retired before we are due another, so not a bad one to go out on.

Now I have developed a really bad sore throat and stuffy head. Just had Lemsip and going to bed with a supply of Strepsils. Hope it goes away. I have the family coming over for Sunday lunch and my son and his wife are bringing all the wedding photos. They have just got 195 proofs and a disc is coming shortly with several hundred more on it, in fact everything the photographer (my ex-daughter-in-law who has now qualified and started her own business) took on the day. Could be the entertainment for several family Sundays!

Perhaps next week I'll get time to make a card,

Remember

2008-09-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

These cards are made with the new PTI stamps 'Remember' which I think are going to be amazingly versatile. I'm quite hooked on them.
The first is rather special, it's a Thank You card for parents who have given a generous gift to my department at school as their son has just left. He arrived at eleven, on the Autistic Spectrum, straight from a Speech and Language Unit where he had been since he was four. He didn't speak until he was eight and when he came to us he was quiet and quite tearful most of the day. This July he has left our sixth form, a confident young man, off to University. We are so proud of him.

This second is for a friend who has just received dreadful news. There are no words I can give her, just my love.

The third started as a practise piece. I don't have a Stampa-ma-jig so I stamped on acetate to help me decide on the place for the stamping. I actually liked what I ended up with and it is so completely different from the other cards.

Stamps: PTI Remember
Inks: PTI Poppy and Moss
Ribbons: PTI

Pink and Girlie

2008-09-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

Not my usual style at all but this is for one of my teaching assistant's birthday and she is very definitely into pink, shoes and glitz. Think this just about meets the bill.

Stamps: PTI Pond Life

Punch: Martha Stewart

Flower: Prima

Machine stitched cards

2008-08-31T10:23:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to try machine stitching on cards for a while now but with my sewing machine tucked away at the back of the understairs cupboard............ However, having become thoroughly bored as I have had two days lying with my leg elevated - phlebitis - I decided that enough was enough and dragged it out.

The first card has straight stitching

and I got really adventurous with the next card and used zig -sag.

I really like the effect and although the stitching isn't perfect I'm quite pleased with the result.

Papers: Basic Grey on first card, K&Co on second

Stamps: PTI Pond Life and Mixed Messages

Inks: Clearsnap Chalk Inks

Feel like Chris Hoy!!!

2008-08-28T16:00:00.000-07:00

Well, without all the effort.....but......I've been awarded

the Artepico Award three times. Thank you Karen, Joanie and Cazz.

I have to pass it on so need to do some thinking.

Bonnie Scotland

2008-08-26T15:38:00.000-07:00

Have just spent the weekend in Scotland. Angela has lots of family near Glasgow and as many were unable to make the wedding they put on a Scottish reception for the newly weds. We all got to dress up in our wedding finery again and had a really nice evening.

Then on Monday my sister and I met up with Liz - McLiz - who showed us some of the wonderful architecture and squares in the city. We had a lazy lunch and a wander round the shops and finally said our goodbyes on Central Station - not for long though for Liz and I as we will be room sharing in Manchester for the craft weekend in just a couple of weeks.

Broke the trip home to stop for coffee at Gretna Green. Having visited Scotland on a number of occasions thought it was time we stopped and had a look at the famous Blacksmith's where so many eloping couples have tied the knot, although I think that most of the weddings there now are planned well in advance with family and friends making the trip too.

Thank You Card

2008-08-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

Now that I've had time to recover from the wedding I've made the first draft of the 'Thank You' cards. The flowers at the wedding were initially burgundy and ivory but James and Angela added sunflowers - we all love them, real smiley flowers - so the final arrangements looked like this....

As I had used burgundy and ivory for the invites etc., I have used the sunflower with burgundy frame and sentiment for this card.

The bridal pair haven't seen it yet though it is flying off to Las Vegas via Louise's mobile so this may - or may not - be the final design.

The other card I have made today is rather more sombre, my cousin died last Friday and this is for his family. He was in his late eighties so although it is a sad time we do feel that he has had a good life.

Thank You card:

Anna Griffin stamp, Kraft card PTI

Sympathy Card:

PTI stamps

The Wedding

2008-08-15T15:36:00.000-07:00

This day has been amazing. After all the wet weather we have had, the day dawned bright and sunny, and stayed that way. The venue was beautiful, Fountains Abbey, and the ceremony, held in the Great Chamber of Fountains Hall, was a delight with friends and family contributing with readings that had significance to the bride and groom.

My two grandsons read 'Us Two' from 'The House at Pooh Corner' and they did a great job.

This is my younger son James and his new wife Angela.

The best man is my elder son Sean.

I'm in the middle with my daughter Louise in red and my son's partner Clare on my other side.

And this is the cake I made and iced.
I was so thrilled as the chef sent a message to 'whoever had made the cake' saying that it was the best wedding cake he had cut in a very long time. Must have been the regular feeding with brandy that did the trick.

I'm so glad that everything went so well for them. What wonderful memories they will have of their wedding day.

Storing Ribbons

2008-08-04T07:30:00.000-07:00

I saw this idea on a US site and decided it was the perfect way to use those lovely coffee jars that I always hate throwing away - did consider Ikea jars but doing my bit for recycling and the financial situation!!

I love the way they look, just like those old sweetie jars in the shops when I was little. Still need more large ones as not all my colours are in them yet, and, you may notice, one is a kilner jar - was getting a bit desperate.

I have all my spools in a drawer - I do admire folk who have lovely clean houses and can leave their card and ribbons out, my house gets so dusty they would spoil (I blame Murphy for bringing all the dirt in, three and he still hasn't mastered wiping his feet before he comes in).

Can't believe it is so long since I posted, blame this wedding, cleaning, gardening and icing THE cake have taken over my life. Haven't made a card for weeks.

Wow! Twice in One Day

2008-07-08T14:00:00.000-07:00

I'm flabbergasted, I've been given this award twice, once from Lizbe and once from PeeJay. Thanks ladies I'm thrilled and very surprised.

My awards go to

Jak

Caz

Toni

Bev R

Karen J

Kath -

Peejay Ramblings - I know but I love your ramblings and it is different from your Crafty Bits

The rules for this award are:

1. The winner can put the logo on their blog.

2. Link the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate at lest 7 other blogs.

4. Put links to those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs you've nominated.

Now if I can work out how to do all of those things I will have fulfilled the rules - don't hold your breath though, this might take me some time.

More with Papertrey

2008-07-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

It was another rainy day so I made a couple more cards.

This one is for Louise to give to her sister - she liked the 'berry happy' idea.

The new baby card is for a colleague whose baby is due in August but they already know that it is a boy so got the card ready. I'm not sure about knowing the flavour in advance, kind of takes the surprise away - perhaps I'm just a bit old fashioned.

Lovely Day

2008-07-05T10:31:00.000-07:00

Well actually, it's not. Rain and wind so a good excuse to take a day for myself and make some cards. Not before time I might add.
First is for a colleague, our super ICT technician, who has been studying part time while working full time, has just got a 1st class honours degree in Computer Science......so just had to do a card for him. Stamp is decoupaged in three layers then added the mortar board. Number is chipboard coloured with two blues and then highlighted with gold - as are the letters on the inside and the layering card.

The next is for another colleague who is adopting a baby girl. They are going to see her for the first time in a few days, then five days 'getting to know her' and they will be bringing her home. As I have just bought the Papertrey 'Bitty Baby Blessings' I was delighted to be able to make her an appropriate card.

.....and finally, one for my elder daughter's birthday next week. Decided to use the Maya Road paper that has been in my ' look and stroke' drawer for a few months. Had difficulty in deciding how much bling to use as I bought a kit which has lots of that in. Kept it pretty toned down though - I think!!

At last....my new Papertrey stamps

2008-06-24T15:00:00.000-07:00

I've had these stamps for a couple of weeks and have been itching to use them. This one is for Louise's birthday. My younger daughter takes after her mother - crazy about shoes, and, as she wears red wellingtons to walk Murphy this seemed very apt.

The second one is for a friend whose mum died yesterday.

Papertrey Stamps. Green Thumb
Everyday Blessings

My First 'Stampin' Up' Set

2008-06-01T15:26:00.000-07:00

These are made with my new SU set, Essence of Love. May be my first of theirs but certainly not the last. This first one is not my usual colour choice but I brayered the background with yellows and orange and really liked it.

These next two are also on brayered backgrounds,this first on has the same stamp randomly over the brayering. I double stamped the image without re-inking and the finished shadow effect is almost 3D - not so noticeable on the photo. Haven't decided on a sentiment yet.

This last one and the first have the butterfly from the set stamped, embossed and added with a glue dot to give some depth. Added flower brads and the quote from the set too.

In the News Too

2008-06-01T15:09:00.000-07:00

My daughter Louise featured in the local Gazette this week. She was asked to complete a questionnaire about her pets then they sent a photographer to do pictures. Of course Murphy thought it was a huge game and sat beautifully until the camera was raised then danced and pranced - or licked Louise which made her crunch her face up, not really the image she wanted publicised. This is the final piece.

Full Page Spread

2008-05-20T15:06:00.000-07:00

......well very nearly. This is the article from our local Evening Gazette. Grandson Rob is top right with his arm round his cousin Jessi. Doing the proud Grandma thing again.

Curry in a Hurry!!

2008-05-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

Just had to post this.
On the way to my son's birthday bash we passed through a local market town. Police cars, ambulance and fire engines all over. Turned out that a man in a Mercedes had gone to collect his take - away.............

rather too enthusuastically !!!

Luckily no one was hurt.

What a Week for the Band

2008-05-17T15:03:00.000-07:00

Electric Nightmares formally releaed their CD this week and are now on the download sites. They were interviewed on our local television news - three of them had chance to talk to the presenter and for two thirteen year olds and a sixteen year old they did really well. They also included a short piece of them performing.

My eldest son was also interviewed as a 'proud parent' - much to his surprise - he had several calls from old friends who hadn't seen him for a while and comments like 'you haven't changed a bit' (highly original - not) 'you sounded very posh' -(think he had his best telephone voice on) to - 'You looked fat'. Considering that he is 6'2" and weighs in at about 11 stone either that 'friend' needs new glasses or the adage about television making you look heavier is true (not that much heavier though).

This morning they were also on Century radio and our local paper is supposed to be doing a piece on them too, so it is all very exciting for them. They have also had two gigs - one very successful and the other in a pub which was half empty. Last night they brought their acoustic guitars and Jessi had her bass and they jammed for over an hour at my son's birthday bash. The bar manager brought an empty barrel and ice bucket for Rob to use as he hadn't been able to smuggle his drums in the car - it was a surprise for the birthday boy. We had a great time - they played all their own songs and lots of covers too.

Guess next week could be very tame by comparison.

Colour me........

2008-05-07T15:12:00.001-07:00

Green..

Because I have been housebound for the past week with a very painful back my younger son and fiancee picked up some of Papermill's new colour card for me and when I opened the first box, well you can't just buy one can you, this green was on top. It looked so fresh and springlike that I had to make a card - and this is it. Stayed with the green, stamping lightly with two shades on a background of a lighter green and then with darker ink for a feature. Had to stamp a button to match and attached with green ribbon. Used Agapanthus stamp and Whispers inkpads.

Liked this one so tried using blue.

Layers of blue card and a Stamp Francisco rubber stamp - Torn Hat -stamped with Whispers ink Starry, Starry Night. Love this stamp and like the faded effect using blue on blue gives. Little boy looks so wistful.

Love the Paper

2008-05-03T15:32:00.000-07:00

I loved this paper and wanted a design where it was the main feature with nothing to detract from it. Quite pleased with the result.

Paper: K&Co. Chloe

Kanban: DSC

Brads: Papermania Large

Sentiment: Making Memories Definitions

Four Legged Friends

2008-05-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

Time to introduce Murphy and Mr. Simms.
My favourite picture of Murphy is this one with his puppy coat just before his first haircut. Bouviers don't shed so have to have a cut and blowdry about every two months. He was about 8 months and already weighing about 70lbs and was just a little on the large side for this chair.

The second photograph is at about 2years, and 90lbs. He is now 3, had his birthday on March 26th, but is still more of a loopy puppy than a growing up dog. He's probably not as bright as he might be, still can't be let off the lead as he can't master the idea that he has to come back every time he is called, after the first three or four times he gets bored and goes off looking for an adventure.

Good thing that we love him to bits.

This is Simms in typical cat pose. He's now 14 years old and is a real beauty. Always wanted a marmalade cat. His fur is really thick and he is very good at keeping his white bits white. He is still a bit of a hunter although doesn't bring home as many 'presents' as he used to, thank goodness.

Voucher folder

2008-05-01T06:24:00.000-07:00

This is a new one for me. My daughter wanted something to brighten up the gift they had bought for a work colleague's birthday - so this is it.
Brown and pink Kanban DSC,
K&Co paper
Anna Griffin satin ribbon
Crystals
Letters. Cuttlebug Hippy Chick Alphabet

Call myself a Crafter?!?!!?

2008-04-30T14:49:00.000-07:00

Well so far I haven't posted any of my creations so thought it was time I did. This card and box was made for a friend's nephew's black and white themed wedding. The ribbon bloom is from instructions by Pam Bassett. As I had to guess the number of pieces of ribbon she had used I went completely over the top and did 60 - I later read a question on her blog and discovered that she uses between 15 and 37 - rather more manageable than mine I think.

This next is for my niece's birthday. I used Anna Griffin DSP and stamped with Chalk Cats Eye Peony. Stamp is from Paper Inspirations and the sentiment is clear embossed.

Electric Nightmares

2008-04-24T14:50:00.001-07:00

An update from my previous post. The band did not make it through to the finals, despite a brilliant performance. As grandma to Rob I know that I am biased but the general opinion in the room was that they were the group with the most talent.
However, their first CD has it's official launch on 12th May and will be available for downloading from most of the UK, European and USA music sites. It is called 'Bullet for You' and has four of their own songs on it. I have just received the hard copy CD's which are very professional - superb graphics on both the case and the CD itself. Will have to see how it goes. Would love for them to have a good response, they would be so thrilled.

New Header

2008-04-24T14:38:00.000-07:00

I have to thank my very talented friend Jak for sending me my beautiful header. When I work out how to do it I will add a proper link to her blog, Crafters Kitchen, so that you can see her fantastic handmade cards.

Wow - there's another new skill I've learned. You can now go straight to Jak's blog and it is worth a visit.

Electric Nightmares- grandson is drummer

2008-04-13T14:30:00.000-07:00

Most of my family have been round for lunch today and had exciting news. My youngest grandson, 13, plays the drums in a group with three of his friends and they are through to the semi - finals of a local 'Battle of the Bands'. Will be going to watch them on Tuesday night. They are all in the 13-16 age group and are competing with bands that are much older so have done really well to get this far but they are also very, very good so I do hope that they get through to the finals. Will be going to cheer them on. They have just released a CD of all their own songs - and it is now available from CDBaby to buy or download. Am a very proud grandma.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/electricnightmares