HAPPY COUPLE

Hi Everyone

Have you all had a good Bank Holiday? I hope so.

Life in the "House of Hearts" as been productive .. .. .. but sadly not all of it was in the craft department .. .. .. hence the lack of a post yesterday. The only crafting I have done has been for orders which I cannot share (sorry).

The garden has taken up a good deal of our time but we have made some good headway. The area I started to clear at the beginning of last week is finally finished and we have planted our runner beans and courgette plant.

We also tracked down some "sensibly priced" plants for the hanging baskets and pots and these are all planted up and watered in now too.

The lawns are cut and the greenhouse is half decent. I have been given a cucumber plant so now need to learn about looking after this.

Still lots more to do in the garden but at least we can see where we have been .. .. .. and judging by our aching knees and backs it has been a pretty good "work out" for us too.

I just "had" to make a card today though as I was starting to get withdrawal symptoms but whilst gardening I kept looking at my hands and wondering how I would ever be able to handle wedding stationery ever again!!!! But ten minutes of scrubbing with a nail brush sorted them out eventually LOL!!!

This card used:

Image: Lili of the Valley "S112" Wedding Couple
Sentiment: Lili of the Valley Wedding Sentiments (sorry can't find these on the website - I bought them from their stand at Ally Pally)
Backing Paper: Funky Hand CD "That's Funky Too"
Nestablities: Plain Heart
ProMarkers
X-Cut small flower punch
Diamond Stickles
Ribbon and pearls from the stash box

Aren't they just the most adorable wedding couple you could imagine? I love colouring this cute pair in so much.

So that is me for today. A quick bit of work on an order and then we are rounding the break of with a Chinese takeaway tonight .. .. .. yummy!!!!!

Thank you for calling by - have a good evening and see you again tomorrow with the launch of a new Get Funky! Challenge.

Love Jules xx

THE SKY CAN'T ALWAYS BE BLUE !!

Hi Everyone

Did the rain fall in your neck of the woods today?

It has rained pretty much all day here. Quite pleased really as it meant that I didn't need to go out and do more gardening .. .. .. .. I wouldn't make a very good farmer would I? They don't get a choice. Rain or no rain they would be out and about!!!

Hubby and I decided to go out on two missions today .. .. both of which failed.

The first mission .. .. to go and buy two hanging baskets. There was an advert on the front of the free newspaper for a local garden centre selling buy one get one free hanging baskets and we decided to go and investigate. We thought because they were "buy one get one free" there would be hundreds of the blighters - but no hardly any?

I saw another lady clutching her cutting from the newspaper and noticed the sales assistant pointing and giving directions so I thought I would follow her. She stood happily looking at individual plants.

Time to re-read the advertisement!! Yes, we had read it wrong .. .. buy one hanging basket "plant" and get another free!! Not a whole hanging basket!! Doh!!

The plants were two expensive to buy and make our own (even if we got every second one free) and to buy two hanging baskets ready made they wanted £50 !!!! Do they know how many Penny Black stamps I could buy for that .. .. .. .. and they would last much longer than the 6 months the hanging basket will!!!

Never mind - mission abandoned we went on to our second task. Fill up with diesel at Tesco on the way home .. .. but no chance .. .. Tesco have no diesel!!!!!

Best go home and just make some cards and let hubby watch the football .. .. ..

This is one of the projects of the afternoon

This used:

Image: Friends Stamp "029J" Beach Scene
Image: Friends Stamp "002B" Small Rowing Boat
Image: Hero Arts "S5316" Silhouette Grass
Sentiment: Hobby Art Clear "CS016D" General Greetings
Nestabilities: Circles
ProMarkers
Distress Inks
Eyelets and raffia from the stash box
Well this card finished up nothing like I thought it would when I started. I just love it when that happens.

I coloured the whole image with promarkers and then went over it all with distress inks. My sky ended up a bit darker than I intended it to but then when I looked out of my craft pod window I decided it wasn't that much different to what I can see here at the moment. The sentiment was actually a straight acrylic stamp that I was able to curve on my block to run around the outer edge of the circle.

You may not have heard of the "Friends" range of stamps .. .. they are lovely and stamp so well. I bought mine from Simply Stamps when I was at the NEC but have recently found that they also sell on-line.

Their on-line store is called Stampers Supermarket and they are well worth a visit. They sell a good range of stamps with a great selection of new and also second hand stamps.

You can find the on-line store here if you fancy a nosey .. .. but don't blame me if you cannot resist a little spend LOL!!!

Julia who owns the store is working on her advertising banner and has just started her own blog. Julia is very raw recruit into all this blogging malarky so if you get chance to pop over and see her and give her a warm welcome to blogland I am sure she will appreciate that very much. (We can all remember those first few scary weeks in blogland can't we LOL!!!).

Anyway, I hope you have had a good Saturday .. .. I bet you are all excited about the Eurovision Song Contest this evening aren't you? (not).

Catch you all again soon.

Love Jules xx

HUGS AND KISSES

Hi Everyone

Do you all have that extra special Friday feeling .. .. .. .. extra special because we are heading for another Bank Holiday weekend?

We are promised some rain for tomorrow, wind on Sunday and sunshine on Monday .. .. we shall see!!

I don't mind there being a little bit of rain as it will soften the garden up for hopefully some more garden sorting. My runner beans are ready to go in .. .. but the sticks are still not up and my courgette plant is ready for its entry into the big world.

My hands are definitely in need of a bit of tlc .. .. this gardening malarkey is doing them no favours and they are looking a bit sorry for themselves. But I just cannot work in gloves - be this indoors or out.

Last week when we were paying for a purchase in Boots they had some painted false nails on sticks that you could place over your own nails to see if the nail varnish colour is something you would like to buy. Of course I had to have a try whilst waiting for the sales assistant to "do her thing" and I chose a lovely shade of pink. Oh my .. .. that finger looked so lovely .. .. but nails like that would be so impractical. I turned to hubby and said "I bet you wish my nails looked like that!". Ever diplomatic he avoided answering by saying "I thought you would have chosen to try the black one!!!" (I used to wear black nail varnish, along with lots of other dark and weird colours when we were first married). Perhaps I need to make more effort but for me gardening and cleaning do not go hand in hand with beautiful nails!!!

Anyways, here is my share for today

This used:

Image: LeLo Design by Stampavie "SAV-LELO-07" - You Go First
Sentiment: Elzybells
Backing Papers: Funky Hand CD "Dreams Come True"
Stars: buttons from the stash tin with the shanks cut off
ProMarkers
So that is me for today.

I am hoping to get some more crafting done over the weekend too and also a good blog hopping session .. .. .. I am well overdue!! Sorry folks!!

Love Jules xx

ANYONE FOR A PICNIC?

Hi Everyone

Slowly getting on top .. .. .. but it has involved me installing myself on the dining room table .. .. .. as I have been busy putting inserts into a box of cards.

This task is all finished now so I just need to clear away before hubby returns. Not that he would be bothered in the slightest .. .. but it only feels right that he comes back from work to a home rather than a card making factory LOL!!!

Today's quick share uses a lovely slapstick stamp from Penny Black.

This used:

Image: Penny Black Slapstick "40-016" Hedgehog Birthday
Sentiment: Penny Black "Critter Party"
Backing Papers: Funky Fairy "Gorgeous Ginghams"
ProMarkers
Chalks

and that is it!!

Mmmm.. .. .. I could just eat a slice of that cake or one of those jam tarts .. .. .. but it is a bit cool and windy here for a picnic.

Thanks for calling by. See you again soon.

Love Jules xx

CHEERLEADER

Hi Everyone

Another quick post today as I am a little up against the clock this week. Lots I would like to have finished by the weekend and my week is disappearing very quickly!!!

My share of the day uses a mixture stamp ranges but they are listed below.

This used:

Image: Sugar Nellie "Cheerleader"
Image: Magnolia "604" Flags
Image: Elusive Images "UDLHC0005" Heart
Backing Papers: Funky Hand
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Woodware Flower Punch
ProMarkers
Diamond Stickles
So that is me for today. I don't think it will take you long to find the heart today!! LOL!!!

Have a good evening.

Love Jules xx

BACK TO WEARING SLEEVES

Hi Everyone

Much cooler today - so much so that I am back into long sleeves (but pushed up to my elbows as always LOL!!).

I think the whole week is going to be a bit "changeable" .. .. .. but it will keep me on my toes.

My little share for today is here

This used:

Image: Creative Cafe "CS56143C" Doodle Flowers
Sentiment: Unmounted Stamp Company "BD-FR-01" Word Frame
Backing Paper: Pink Petticoat "Gingham"
Go Kreate Die: Concentrics Scalloped Squares
Distress Ink: Dusty Concord
ProMarkers

I really enjoyed making this little creation and am pleased with the end result. My favourite part being the little play with my distress ink!!

Off now to make another make .. .. lots to do!!!

Have a great evening and thank you for coming to visit.

Love Jules xx

PENNY BLACK CHALLENGE 102

Hi Everyone

A bit of a struggle getting a decent picture today. My world either has too much sunshine or not enough!! How can that be?

I did take a few shots in the garden but even they were not that brilliant.

So I am afraid it has to be the best of a bad lot today!! Sorry!!

My creation is for the Penny Black Challenge where they would like to see "lots of dots" .. .. so here is my dotty creation.

This used:

Image: Penny Black "2072J" For You!!
Backing Papers: Funky Hand Dreams Come True CD
Nestabilities: Classic Scalloped Circles Large, Circles, and Large Deckled Rectangles
ProMarkers
Chalks
Josy Rose Nail Heads
Diamond Stickles
Cord from the stash box

I have had a good day today and got lots of creations lined up on top of my bookcases - a week full of days and creations like today will do me nicely!!

I hope you have all had a good day. Not quite so hot .. .. and likely to be even cooler over the next few days .. .. but no rain!! So it is watering cans at the ready!!!

Bit more gardening work in order so I am off there now. Hubby is bringing me back some compost for my tomato plants so need to be getting ready.

Thank you for calling by and I will catch you again tomorrow.

Love Jules xx

HAS ANYONE MELTED YET?

Phew!!! Has this weekend been hot or what?

Today I have seen hardly anyone out and about .. .. and we live on a main road!! Everyone must be either soaking up the rays in their garden or trying to keep cool indoors. Personally I go for the staying in doors option.

The best time for me to go into the garden on days such as today is early evening - just as everything is starting to cool down.

I must need my head looking at though because I am still doing a roast dinner for our evening meal!!!

Just a share of a very simple card

This used:

Image: Stampendous! "V126" Happy Couple
Sentiment: Stampendous! "J180" Mr & Mrs
Backing Paper: Pink Petticoat
X-Cut Butterfly Punch
ProMarkers
Diamond Stickles
Ribbon, Brad and Pearls from the stash box

I hope you have all had a lovely weekend and haven't melted or got burnt by the sun.

See you again tomorrow.

Love Jules xx

PENNY BLACK CHALLENGE 101

Hi Everyone

It has just dawned on me that I haven't taken part in my favourite challenge yet this week .. .. .. The Penny Black Challenge .. .. .. so I had a quick look at my creations of the day to see if anything I have made fits into the theme of "flowers".

My image is a little "outside the box" because it doesn't actually feature a flower .. .. but it was a flower once upon a time .. .. one of those pesky dandelions that keep springing up in my garden!!! LOL!!!

This creation used:

Image: Penny Black "2070K" Frequent Flyer
Sentiment: Elzybells
Backing Papers: Funky Hand CD "Now That's Funky"
Promarkers
X-Cut flower punch
Diamond Stickles
Glossy Accents
Sticky pearls from the stash box

I hope everyone has been warm enough today !!

Catch you again soon.

Love Jules xx

NOT ONE OF MY NORMAL CREATIONS

Hi Everyone

Yes, I do believe Summer is here .. .. yippee!!! What a beautiful day.

I have done really well on the card production front today but rather than share the one I am proudest of I decided to share the one I am not sure of.

I like it .. .. .. but will anyone else? I am probably unsure simply because most of my creations feature quite a bit of white .. .. and this one doesn't.

This is what I used to make this "different" creation:

Backing paper distressed with "Tea Dye" Distress Ink
and I then used so many stamps that you will have to try and spot them (especially as the heart is so easy to find LOL!!)
Elusive: "32531" Script Background
Hero Arts: "S5316" Silhouette Grass
Hero Arts: "G4917" Dandelion
Hero Arts: "E2114" Damselfly
Penny Black: "3849E" Birthday Dreams
Silver Pearl Embossing Powder
Turquoise Sparkle Embossing Powder
Cuttlebug Nested Heart
Ribbon, lace, and black pearls from the stash box

Phew!!! I think that might be my longest list yet.

And then just to prove that not all of my garden looks like a field .. .. here are a couple of photographs of some loveliness that can be found within my wilderness at the moment.

Such a shame that the flowers last for such a short period of time .. .. .. and eeeek .. .. .. just look at that fence that needs a coat of whatever you paint fence panels with nowadays .. .. and those are only a few of them!!!!

Well, no gardening or blog hopping for me tonight. Hubby and I are off out for a meal and I need to make myself look respectable. Oh dear .. .. perhaps better start now!!!!

Have a lovely evening everyone and I will catch you again tomorrow.

Love Jules xx

NEW HOME CARD

Hi Everyone

Well the day hasn't been quite as sunny as yesterday .. .. but still pleasant.

Apparently we are being promised a BBQ weekend - so that will be nice. Not that we are likely to have a BBQ!!

Here is my share of the day

This used:

All papers : Pink Petticoat
Image and Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Martha Stewart Punch: Daisy and Frond
Flower made from Woodware Punches
Button, ribbon and key charm all from the stash box

So last night I was a good girl and did some work in the garden. I am going to be equally good and do a bit more tonight. Though I have to say that my garden is actually more like a field. It hasn't been under control in the whole 19 years we have lived here. We have a large garden which could look so beautiful given a couple of years "hard labour" !!! But it doesn't help that my lovely hubby hates worms, slugs and snails .. .. .. and these little beauties just love my garden!! (I want the worms there but does anyone have any "kind" ways for me to catch and get rid of the slugs and snails?).

I am also hoping to do a bit of blog catching up tonight. Last night my hubby spend most of the evening trying to sort out my lappy so I didn't get much visiting done. My lappy is definitely a lot happier today but is still not 100% right. The thought of losing everything was quite a scare though so it has prompted me to get all of my work and downloads etc backed up somewhere else .. .. I would be gutted if I lost everything I have collected together over the years!!

Have a good evening everyone and I will catch you again tomorrow.

Thanks for calling by.

Love Jules xx

JUST A SIMPLE ONE

Hi Everyone

What a glorious day ... ... ... could this be the start of summer? Oh I hope so!!!

Just a quick share with you tonight as I need to go and "do a bit" in the garden (and it will be "a bit" as time is running away with me again)!!. I need to prepare the ground for some vegetables I am going to attempt to grow and also organise my greenhouse for my little tomato plant family.

We won't bother with "before" and "after" photographs as you will all feel too sorry for me LOL!!!

Anyway, here is the quick share .. .. nothing earth shattering .. .. but a card I just know my Sis is going to love as she is really into handbags and makes them to sell.

This used:

Image: Stampendous! "N190" Posh Purses
Background Papers: Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Computer generated
ProMarkers
Woodware Flower Punches
Diamond Stickles

We all managed to pass inspection at the dentist yesterday .. .. our next appointment is November!!! Eeekkk we will be back to Winter by then and in a panic about Christmas cards!!

On that cheery note I will bid you all a good evening LOL!!!

Catch you again tomorrow if my lappy lets me. It isn't very happy at the moment and may need to go and be "inspected" at the computer hospital if hubby can't pull any miracles out of the bag. How will I cope?

Love Jules xx

TOO MUCH EMBOSSING?

Hi Everyone

Quite a few things to share today.

First is my little make of the day. Not sure if I have "over-done" the embossing - but I do like it!

This used:

Papers and Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Sizzix Flower Die: "656079" Flower Layers #5
Sizzix Leaf Die: "656075" Branch with Leaves
Sizzlits Die: "656512" Butterfly #12
White Core'dinations for the butterfly
Cuttlebug embossing folder: Script
Diamond Stickles
Buttons, pearls and ribbon from the stash box

After embossing the cut flower and leaf shapes I rubbed the edges gently with an old black ink pad to bring out the script.

The butterfly had been cut from the white Core'dinations cardstock and I rubbed this with an old emery board to bring out the inner core.



Next I want to share an award that was given to me by my lovely blog buddy Kerry (A Girl Who Just Loves to Craft). Thank you Kerry for thinking of me .. .. I would like to think I spread a little bit of sunshine LOL!! If you get chance please pop over and see Kerry's gorgeous creations - she is certainly one busy crafter!

I know I am supposed to pass this award on .. .. but as you know I can never single people out .. (anyway you all add sunshine to my life) ... ... so anyone who visits .. .. .. please feel free to lift it from my blog in the knowledge that I would love to share it with you.



And last but by no means least .. .. where was that pesky heart on Saturday? (It even took my hubby a while to find it this time).

Many of you found it but I received a few messages from people who didn't .. .. .. so to put you out of your misery here it is:

OK - so there we go.

Time now for me to plan another escape from the house .. .. dentist time!!! Just a check-up hopefully.

Catch you again tomorrow and thank you for calling by to see what I have been up to.

Love Jules xx

SATURDAY SUNSHINE !

Hi Everyone

A lovely Saturday weather wise - I hope it has been for you too.

Only time for one make today so far as the day has involved having to venture out into the big world with hubby. You know I am sure I could just be locked in my little home for months and be quite content.

I decided I would rather make a card than watch the FA Cup - no-one playing gave me any encouragement to watch (though I would have liked the under-dogs to win). Anyway, not much beats a good crafting session does it? In fact does anything ??????? Mmmmm...........

Well another of my favourite places (separate to my craft pod) is the bath!! I love a good soak in the bath .. .. .. though I certainly wouldn't want to share it with these little fellows .. .. .. no matter how cute they look !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This creation used:

Image: Penny Black "1684K" Bubbles 'n Squeak
Backing Papers: Funky Fairy - Gorgeous Ginghams
Woodware Circle Punch
Promarkers
Diamond Stickles
Cord from the stash box

I decided the hearts had been far too easy to find just recently so this one might take a little bit more looking for.

Have fun!

Off to the bath now - hope there are no little mice in there playing with our toothbrushes!!!

Love Jules xx

STAMPALOT CHALLENGE

Hi Everyone

Well we are nearly halfway through May and I haven't entered anything into the Stampalot Challenge yet .. .. .. how can I not take part in this one? Have you seen the awesome prize that is on offer?

But before I show you the prize I will show you my little creation.

The theme is butterflies and blossoms

This used:

Image: Personal Impressions "P1406M" - Cherry Blossom
Sentiment: Hobby Art Clear "CS016D" General Greetings
Backing Papers: DCWV The Old World Stack
Papermania: PMA 41258 Glitter Embossed Vintage Butterfly Borders & Corners
X-Cut Butterfly Punch
Josy Rose: Nail Heads
Minimal Promarkers
Pearls and cord from the stash box

So now for a look at the awesome prize:

and this is only part of the prize .. .. pop over to the challenge blog to see the full extent of this fantastic prize and also to see all the great creations the DT have made - then no doubt you will be creating and entering yourself (if you haven't already). If you do .. .. then good luck.

Well I have had one week of being at home - which equates to 3 extra craft days in my life. I still feel a little like I have just had a week off work .. .. but my bank account will tell me differently!!

My new routine is falling nicely into place. I still get up nice and early with hubby and do housework (sorry for swearing) before eating breakfast and making my way to my little craft pod.

I have to do the housework first because once in my little room I don't want to leave it. The only thing I do before hubby returns is hang the washing out and bring it in again - eat a bit of dinner and make the odd cup of coffee. What I am finding is because I am upstairs and the kettle is downstairs I am tending to drink more water from the bathroom tap .. .. that can only be good .. .. doesn't water make you beautiful? Must remember to have a gallon a day!!

Another good thing is that I am in a great routine with the ironing and do a little bit each morning alongside other jobs and slowly I have got on top of it .. .. hopefully never to fall behind again. So if nothing else I am offering a much more efficient laundry service than I was before!!! LOL!!!

Have a good weekend everyone and thank you for popping in.

Love Jules xx

NO BLACK TODAY

Hi Everyone

I hope you have all had a good day.

No black from me today (well a Penny Black stamp but none of the colour black) .. .. instead a bright and cheerful creation which I can see me making lots and lots of.

Love this stamp!!!

My creation used:

Image: Penny Black "1469K" Clothesline Cat
Background Paper: The dots are from Pink Petticoat and the gingham is from the now "de-funked" Funky Fairy (which is a shame because they did some beautiful papers).
Sentiment: Computer generated
ProMarkers
Clippunch butterflies
and the ever faithful Diamond Stickles

So did you see The Junior Apprentice? How confident were those kids? I keep trying to think back to what I was doing at their age .. .. .. .. no-doubt it was something childish as per usual. In fact I don't think I am as confident as some of those kids even now LOL!!!

Catch you again soon

Love Jules xx

PENNY BLACK CHALLENGE WEEK 100

Hi Everyone

Here today with my Penny Black Challenge creation.

This week is a very special one as it is their 100th week and as well as being given a sketch to follow there is also a blog hop to take part in. (I think that part will have to wait until later as I have quite a bit I want to cram into today).

So here is my creation:

and here is the sketch

My creation used:

Image: Penny Black "2377J" What Creation!
Backing Papers: DCWV Black and White Prints
Sentiment: Computer generated
Cuttlebug Folder: Happy Birthday
Nestabilities: Classic Scalloped Circles Large and Circles
ProMarkers
Diamond Stickles
Button and embellishments from the stash box

So out with your Penny Black stamps folks and have a try. There are lots of lovely goodies to be won and the sketch is great to use.

Thanks for calling by.

Love Jules xx

GOTH GIRL

Hi Everyone

A creation today using my favourite colours .. .. .. black, white and purple. Well they are my favourite colours most of the time. Occasionally other colours take their place temporarily - but these always come back as my ultimate favourites!!

Today has been a strange day and looking out of my window whilst crafting I have seen what looked like snow falling .. .. but it is too warm for snow!!

It was actually hundreds and thousands of dandelion seeds flying through the air for the majority of the day .. .. .. .. how scary .. .. .. how many dandelion plants potentially sprouting up everywhere!!! Eekkkk!!!

Well leaving you with that scary thought I will move on to my share of the day .. .. ..

This used:

Image: Sugar Nellie "Goth Girl"
Backing Paper: Funky Hand Download "Salt and Pepper"
Punches: Woodware, X-Cut and Martha Stewart
ProMarkers
Distress Ink: Dusty Concord
Josy Rose: Nail Heads and Stars
Ribbon, cord and brads from the stash box

So that is me for today.

Thank you for calling by and I'll catch you again soon.

Love Jules xx

WELCOME LITTLE ONE

Hi Everyone

A quick share to show you one of the creations I have made today.

New baby cards are amongst my favourite cards to make and this one uses a stamp set I bought at the NEC earlier this year .. .. I have already used it lots already .. .. but just haven't shared any of those previous creations with you.

So it is time to make amends.

This used:

Image and Sentiment: Butterfly Kisses "A2C1015" Hello Baby
Backing Papers: Pink Petticoat (plus a bit of scrap from the box for the paper piecing)
Nestabilities: Classic Scalloped Circles Large and Circles
Martha Stewart Punch: Daisy
ProMarkers
Diamond Stickles
Button, ribbon and lace from the stash box

Thankfully I took my photograph earlier in the day because the sky has gone very, very dark and I feel the heavens are going to open any minute!!!

I'll catch you all again soon.

Love Jules xx

HAPPY SUNDAY

Hi Everyone

I hope that you have all had a good weekend.

Some of mine has been spent (with the help of my lovely hubby) in trying to organise my little craft space to make it more "user friendly". After all if I am now going to be spending all this extra time in there it needs to be practical. We didn't do too badly but the room is so small that to have both of us in there along with all the tackle we needed called for synchronised movements - it was a bit like a game of chess .. .. .. one of us needed to move one way before the other could move and so on.

So once we gave up on the miracles that could be performed in my little room today (LOL!!) I decided to have a quick play and this was the result.

This used:

Image: Penny Black "2361K" Ecarte, Splits, Pirouette
Sentiment: Funstamps "FG12" Happy Birthday (Dots)
Backing Papers: Funky Hand CD "Dreams Come True"
Martha Stewart Punches: Traditional Scallop and Frond
ProMarkers
Handmade roses
Diamond Stickles
Ribbon, pearls and stamens from the stash box

Time now to start my kitchen duties .. .. .. after all .. .. .. all play and no work makes for a messy house!!! LOL!!!

I am then hoping for a good old blog hop this evening.

Take care everyone and I'll catch you again soon.

Love Jules xx

MY FUTURE STARTS TODAY

Good morning Everyone

Well as promised here I am back to share the creation I started yesterday. This is a thank you card for my hubby to show him how grateful I am to him for allowing me to try and live my dream. (I won't show you the soppy inside .. .. that is secret LOL!!)

Yesterday was my last day in paid employment and what a magic day it was. It was made so special by my now ex boss and his wife (and all my colleagues) that I will never forget it.

The cream cakes went out the window and instead I treated everyone who wanted one to a breakfast .. .. boy were we all stuffed!!!

The day flew by and I was given a beautiful watch and a gorgeous necklace .. .. .. which believe it or not was heart shaped!!! LOL!!!

The lovely lady who I have been training to do my old job for the last 6 weeks gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers as a "thank you for my patience". (Thanks Em Gem xx). She is so lovely and I just know we will be staying good friends (and that she will be a good customer - she said she is never buying a card from anywhere else now!). Bless!!

The day was rounded off at the local up the road from me. Definitely a day to remember.

I got a lump in my throat a few times at various parts of the day but I was strong!! No blubbering!!

So here is the finished creation for my lovely hubby (who certainly is one of a kind - in a lovely way).

This used all manner of things:

Backing Papers: These were all free in a magazine many years ago and I just haven't been able to use them until now because I love them too much. They were also down loadable from http://www.craftsbeautiful.com/ but when I did this at the time they didn't print out as good as the original ones in the magazine. (I wonder if they are still available? I might have to go and have a look and another try at printing).
Elusive Images: "UDLHC0005" for the row of hearts
Sentiment: Hero Art Set "Be Yourself"
Spellbinders Shapeabilities: "Doodle parts"
ProvoCraft: Heart Die
X-Cut: Butterfly punch
Pearls, ribbon and staples from the stash box

All of the white flourishes and patterns on the background were already part of the backing paper - I haven't stamped all of those on.

So, off I go now to the future. It all starts here.

I think I have had all the phone calls, emails and good luck text messages for today .. .. .. so I will now commence my adventure (and will thank my lucky stars and keep everything crossed on the way).

Have a great day everyone.

Thanks for calling by and a special thank you to everyone who has sent me lovely messages of encouragement. All very much appreciated.

Love Jules xx

WORK IN PROGRESS

Good morning Everyone

Well the day has finally come.. .. .. today I finish the job I have been doing for nearly three years .. .. .. and tomorrow I start my own adventure.

Today is going to be tough. I am useless at "goodbyes" so always opt for "I see you when I do" so that I don't get that big lump in my throat and that tell-tale "filling up of the eyes"!!!

But it will be "I'll see you again" because the people I have been working for and with have become very good friends outside of work - which is great - and after work tonight we are having a little celebration to mark the end of one era and the beginning of another.

Oh I do feel funny!! My tum is turning somersaults at the thought and I am slightly in panic mode .. .. but I am sure all will turn out fine once I get up and running properly.

Anyway none of my dream can possibly come true without the backing and blessing of my fantastic hubby - so to say thank you I wanted to make him a special card. The problem is it isn't quite special enough yet... .. ... so you can just have a little look at the current state of play!!

I am using some really special papers that I got free with a magazine years ago but haven't been able to use because I love them too much.. .. .. but it feels just right to use them now.

I want my hubby to know how much I appreciate everything and hopefully my creation will show that. Depending on what time I get home tonight I may finish it then - or alternatively I will start my new life tomorrow morning by finishing it then.

How appropriate it would be to start doing what you want to do most in life by saying "thank you" to the person who has made it all possible. Oh I am a soppy old thing!!!

Anyways, here is the "work in progress"

You will see the rest tomorrow .. .. when I am finally happy with the end result.

I will give you an up-date tomorrow on how today went. I know it is going to involve me raiding the shop for cream cakes at some part in the proceedings - and having a little drink after work.

Take care everyone and don't forget to go and vote .. .. .. if you haven't already done a postal one that is!!!!!

Love Jules xx

A QUICK SHARE

Good Morning Everyone

Bank Holidays do something strange to the week and your brain don't they?

They make it so that you have to work out what day it is for the rest of the week!! Saturday was fine, then Sunday felt like Saturday and Monday felt like Sunday ........................ but I like them all the same!!! LOL!!!

So today feels like Monday - which means by rights I shouldn't be going to work .. .. .. but in reality it is Tuesday .. .. .. so I am.

Wow .. .. .. that was so confusing I could be a politician couldn't I?!?!? Perhaps we won't go there!!

But only three more days left until I take that giant leap into full time self employment. You wouldn't believe the list of tasks and goals I have set myself .. .. .. and I add to it every day!! Eekk!!!

My new boss still hasn't given me a job description or contract of employment you know .. .. .. I think she is going to be using the old phrase "and any other duties you may be called upon to do from time to time" .. .. .. I can just tell.

So before I head off out into the big world I thought I would share a quick card with you.

This used:

Image: Lili of the Valley - "Mr Fixit" (one of my new ones from Ally Pally and I lurve it)
Background papers: Funky Hand for the main and My Minds Eye border strip
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Spellbinders Nestabilities: Large Deckled Rectangles
Brads: Woodware
Cord from the stash box
Diamond Stickles

So that is me. Enjoy your day whatever you are doing and take care.

Thanks for calling by.

Love Jules xx

NEW FUNKY HAND DOWNLOAD

Happy Bank Holiday Monday Everyone !!!!!!

The sun is shining here at the moment .. .. let's hope it lasts .. .. .. but it does look very windy!

Mind you it looked nice at the start of yesterday but my hubby went to the football and came home to say he was "freezing" and wished he had taken his winter coat with him (what I call his walking sleeping bag).

Bank Holidays always feel special and to make it extra special Anice has released a digi-download over at Funky Hand called "Flutterby Flowers".

Now being on Anice's DT I get to play with any goodies she produces ahead of time (I am so, so lucky) and below are the creations I came up with on my first play.

I couldn't decide which one to show you so decided to post all three LOL!!!

The first creation uses the new download alongside the free download papers that are available from the Funky Hand store, distress inks, embellishments and ribbon from the stash box and a good old fashioned pair of pinking shears!!

The second creation uses papers from the Funky Hand "Dreams Come True" CD, lots of tiny beads that I have stuck all over the butterflies, Martha Stewart Daisy punch, brads and cord from the stash box.

And last but not least, a simple card made again with backing paper from the "Dreams Come True" CD. The images were just printed and coloured with Promarkers. The butterfly has a tiny bit of silicone gel underneath his wings to raise them off the card (but you can't see this very well).

Buttons, gems and thread from the stash box and not much else!!!

So I hope you likey, likey them. If you pop over to Anice's store "here" you will be abe to see what my fellow DT buddies also did with the download. There are some wonderful creations.

Well in the time it has taken me to write this post the sun has disappeared .. .. .. I didn't think it had taken me that long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a lovely day everyone .. .. and I hope that you aren't having to go to work today but can spend some time doing what you like doing best (and if that is ironing then I have some you can have so that you enjoy your day even more!! LOL!!).

Love Jules xx

PENNY BLACK CHALLENGE WEEK 99

Hi Everyone

I hope you are all having a lovely Bank Holiday weekend.

My hubby is at the football today to watch the last home match of the season .. .. .. so this is my last weekend of guilt free crafting for a while. I have been listening on the radio and they have actually managed to win today!!! Yay!!

Whilst crafting I have made a little creation which will fit into the Penny Black Challenge for this week where they want us to "get out our punches".

I have managed a few different punches on this creation - the only part I wasn't able to punch was the large star. No punch to use for this!!

So, here is my creation

This used:

Image: Penny Black "2863J" - Lovin' & Huggin'
Sentiment and Backing Paper: Pink Petticoat
Punches:
Martha Stewart: Embossed Zig-Zag
Fiskars: Small star and heart
Woodware: Circle
Promarkers
Cord from the stash box

So that is me for today. Thank you for calling by.

Have a good Bank Holiday Monday tomorrow.

Love Jules xx

GET FUNKY! CHALLENGE - MAY

Good Morning

Can you believe it is May already!! So this means a new challenge is starting at Get Funky!

This month the challenge has been set by my lovely team mate Enfys and she should like to see your shaped cards - but of course it also needs to incorporate at least one Funky Hand paper or digi image from Anice's lovely array of papers and images.

This is what I came up with .. .. .. but it ended up so large that it became difficult to photograph LOL!!!!

I hand cut the shape using an A5 blank card and then simply used lots and lots of punches to make all the embellishments. All of the papers used were from Anice's very first CD "The Funky One".

The smoke was hand cut and attached to a strip of acetate to look like it had escaped from the chimney and the sentiment was computer generated.

What a happy bright little home it looks with all the little flowers on the outside - no dead ones or withered leaves like at my house LOL!!!!

I suppose I should now feel guilty enough to go and remove all the dead heads and withered leaves from my plants - but no - hubby said he would take me to do a bit of necessary craft buying .. .. .. and I just can't say no as that would be rude .. .. .. .. and he won't offer again. LOL!!!

Have a great Bank Holiday weekend everyone. I hope you get to do something special for some part of it.

Love Jules xx