TIME TO CELEBRATE

Hi Playmates

Hope you are all enjoying your day.

I have had a bit of playtime in the craft pod today, alongside numerous trips to and from the washing line!  My craft time being more enjoyable because I have ended up with a finished card .. .. whereas my trips to the washing line have now culminated in a pile of ironing (which won't be done today!).

So this is my finished card .. .. 

This used:

Image:  Penny Black "1657K" Ode to Joy

Sentiment:  Clearly Besotted "CBSM1012" Mini Calligraphy

Backing Paper:  Nitwits "Melodious"

ProMarkers

Ribbon

Corner Rounding Punch

My Trusty Sewing Machine

I am taking this to two challenges:

The Little Red Wagon Challenge where the theme is "Piano Man" (anything music related)

and

The Penny Black Saturday Challenge where the theme is "Moving" (transport) or anything goes as long as it uses Penny Black Goodies.  I am covered with the "anything goes" option.

My post title was "Time to Celebrate" .. ..  I wonder if we will be celebrating after the football tonight?

HEDGE-WORD

Hi Everyone

Another lovely day .. .. .. this would do me for the whole of summer.  It doesn't need to be any hotter.

Just a quick share tonight with another of my favourite Penny Black Stamps.  A really great one because yet again it is an image that is suitable for the ladies or the menfolk.

This used:

Image:  Penny Black "4060K" Hedge-word
Sentiment:  Already part of the image
Backing Papers:  Pink Petticoat for the green .. .. ..  the manuscript background was out of the snippet box but I feel if was from a design pad from The Works 
Promarkers
Corner Rounding Punch
Hot Fix Nail Heads
My Trusty Sewing Machine

Hopefully catch you again soon

MONDAY SNIPPETS

Hi Everyone

Happy Monday!

Many thanks for the lovely comments on my previous post. You are all so very kind.

Yesterday my crafty playtime mission was to create something for taking over to The Snippets Playground where we are encouraged to use up our offcuts and leftovers.

This is what I have made to share with my playmates .. .. who I sadly haven't hung out with in the treehouse for quite a while .. .. sorry folks.  But don't worry I come armed with treats for stocking up the cake and biscuit tins and fruit for the healthy ones amongst us! LOL!!!

I don't know where the papers came from that I used .. .. they have been lurking in my snippet mountain for ages. 

This was my starting point

I started with two squares of snippets (which originally were part of two different 12 x 12 paper stacks) from which I cut two rectangles.

The two rectangles were then cut diagonally into four and then mixed together to create the background of my cards.  I stick them to thin paper to begin with, trim around the edges and once the glue is dry add my stitching.

Sadly I will still be keeping the wide strips that remain for use on another project further down the line.  So basically I suppose I have only really turned two snippets into two smaller snippets!!  Doh!!!

My sentiments were already good and ready to use out of this box here, which has been put together in the past using snippets of different coloured card. Normally these would be stuck or stitched together ready to be used .. .. but sadly that hasn't been happening recently and the box needs working on.  But it is really useful when in working order, especially when having a batch making session.

The actual box is part of one of the best things I have ever purchased from Lidl.  There are six of these boxes, along with two smaller ones and they all store in a great zippy holdall bag that was being sold for holding fishing tackle .. .. but works perfectly for my crafty needs. 

When the boxes are eventually all topped up again I will share some pictures with you as another snippet project.

Hope everyone has a good week.

                                             

QUICK AND EASY

Morning Everyone

Just a quick and easy card today that is perfect for when you need a birthday card in a rush (especially good for when it is needed for one of those men folk we struggle with making for sometimes).

Change the papers to pretty and floral and it even works for the ladies too.

This used:

Nitwit Digital Image which is part of the Farmhouse FQB Collection (one of my favourites collections from them) 
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Corner Rounding Punch
Backing Paper from Snippet Mountain
My Trusty Sewing Machine

Happy crafting if you are lucky enough to have some playtime on your hands.

SNIPPET TIME

Hi everyone

I hope you have all had a really good start to your week and have managed to squeeze in a bit of crafty time.

Not much actual "physical crafting" happening here since our move .. .. .. but amongst all the things we have to do I have been cracking on with the very enjoyable task of "organising a make-shift craft area". 

So I now have access to a table, a chair, a working printer, a limited supply of crafting goodies and my trusty sewing machine .. .. .. .. .. all nestled amongst piles of boxes that cannot be unpacked yet.  But that's OK - as long as I get a crafty fix somewhere along the line then all is good.

Just a very quick play today .. .. .. but even so it was enjoyable, and I intend to run over to the snippet playground challenge with the outcome.  

Recently, though I seem to spend longer trying to find the things I want to use than doing the actual making! LOL!!!

But my misplaced cutting plates turned up so I am at least able to let some of my dies see some action.

and these were the small pieces I started off with / cut into.. .. .. ..

This used:

A snippet of digital patterned design paper

Black, white and smooth silver glitter card snippets (originally A4 in size)

Julie Hickey "Happy" and "Birthday" sentiment and backing dies

Star Dies
My Trusty Sewing Machine

So in my previous post I eluded to all my patterned snippets now being condensed into one box.  Well here it is .. .. .. .. ..

and I am determined to try really hard to get this box greatly reduced .. .. but I know only too well that even though I will use what is stored in this box I will also be adding to it!  So it will no doubt still be like the Forth Bridge.

The majority of the contents are patterned papers, both digital printed ones and some from design pads.  There might be a small smattering of plain card in there as well, but the majority of my plain coloured card snippets are stored elsewhere in a much more organised manner, sorted by colour.  Mostly offcuts left over from wedding stationery orders in the past.

Yesterday saw what will be my new crafty space have a screed added to the floor ahead of it being laminated (hopefully) tomorrow or Thursday.  Then it will be out with the sandpaper, paintbrushes and rollers!

Anyway, that is me for now.

I hope you are all keeping well and apologies for being a stranger.

BAALAMB

Hi Everyone

Happy Friday!  Nearly the weekend .. .. .. .. yet again!!!  Where are these weeks disappearing too?

Here today to share a quick card which uses one of the images I have enjoyed colouring whilst sitting in the garden.  I don't think I have ever had so many images coloured up and "ready to go".  

Every year I promise myself that I will sit and enjoy the garden and the fresh air more .. .. .. and every year summer comes and goes and all I have ever done is "physically" garden .. .. .. but not this year.  

At last I have learnt to enjoy my garden in a different and more relaxing way.  It hasn't been a case of just digging and weeding ... ... ... though I have had to do that as well!  LOL!!

Anyway, let me introduce you to Baalamb .. .. :

This used:

Image:  Woodware "JGS768" Fuzzy Friends - Baalamb
Sentiment:  Computer Generated using font Aracne Condensed Regular
Backing Papers:  From the snippet box .. .. all I know is it came from a Nitwits Collection
ProMarkers
X-Cut Corner Rounding Punch
My Trusty Sewing Machine

Isn't it just the most fun image?  Perfect for filling the front of a 14.5cm square card all on its own.

So it is nearly time for me to head off to Mum.  Friday is our laundry and cleaning day .. .. .. though today making a batch of peanut brittle is also on the cards. 

Mum really fancied some a while back and we have looked in every shop and supermarket over the last few weeks and haven't been able to find any.  I felt sorry for her, so decided I would have a go at trying to make her some myself.  She loved it .. .. .. so I am guessing this may become another part of our routine now.  LOL!!!

I know that looks like a huge glass of gin and tonic on the left .. .. but it is just cold water with ice in that I used to test my toffee was going to set  ... ... honestly guv!

So that is me for today.

Enjoy your day and your weekend .. .. whatever you are doing.

PERFECT STRIPES

Hi Everyone

I hope you have been enjoying your week and haven't melted away in the heat!

What a lovely week of sunshine we have been having .. .. .. just a shame that the nights are just as warm!

My colouring antics have still been happening under the umbrella in the garden when I get chance, which means I have been accumulating a lovely box of ready coloured images ready for when I feel I can stand the heat that is in my craft pod. 

This morning started  nice and fresh so I at least managed to use one of my freshly coloured images to create a card: 

This used:

Image:  LOTV "Perfect Stripes"
Sentiment:  Computer Generated using font "Aracne Condensed Regular)
Backing Papers:  From a "new" box of snippets I found stashed away.  So even more of the blighters to use up now!!
ProMarkers
My Trusty Sewing Machine

next I would like to say a very big

"THANK YOU"

to everyone who searched for what I thought was going to be an impossible heart for people to spot .. .. .. .. but nah!  There was no fooling you hard and fast heart searchers.  

Well done to everyone who found it .. .. .. and to prove there really was one .. .. .. it was hidden in the centre of this snowflake.

I'll catch you again soon.

BIRTHDAY CHEERS

Hi Everyone

I hope your week has been going well ... ... and you have seen some summer sunshine!

Lots of re-organising and gardening has been happening here, which hasn't resulted in anything to share on my blog, but I did find a little bit of time today to make this:

This used:

Image:  GCR Designs: Wine Definition
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Backing Paper:  JAnnB Designs Cork Papers
My Trusty Sewing Machine

and that is all! 

So now you know the definition of wine please don't get all your nutritional "5 a day" from a wine bottle .. .. .. as nice as that might sound you will more than likely end up with a BIG headache!  LOL!!

Take care everyone.

Hopefully catch you again soon.

HARE IN THE MIDDLE

Hi Everyone

Happy Monday .. .. .. I hope you all had a good weekend and all the Dads enjoyed their special day. 

I needed to get up bright and early to clear the dining room table (yet again) ready for our youngest Son coming to celebrate the day with his Dad .. .. unfortunately the London Kids weren't able to be here but we had a good catch up on Facetime!

We can't wait for the day to arrive when we will all be together again.  It feels like a lifetime since we were.

A while back (in the good old days) I was fortunate to visit the offices of Immediate Media and whilst there got to sit in on a pre-issue planning meeting.  One set of cards that really stuck in my mind used a technique called "retiform".  

I thought about the technique over the weekend and decided to give it a go for the background of my card.  Not too bad for a first attempt.

This used:

Images:

Woodware Clear Stamp Set "JGS699" Hare in the Middle
Woodward Clear Stamp Set "JGS300" Going to Seed
Sentiment:  LOTV "Simply Cute Sentiments"
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set "664382A" Springtime Borders
X-Cut Flower Punch
Distress Ink Pads and Memento Dewdrop Ink Pads
Nail Heads

My Trusty Sewing Machine

I am taking this over to the As You See It Challenge where the theme is "Masculine".

Hopefully catch you again soon .. .. 

MOUSE BALLOONS

Hi Everyone

I hope your day has been a good one.

A birthday card from me today which I am taking over to the Bugaboo Catch the Bug Challenge Blog:

This used:

Image:  Bugaboo "Mouse Balloons"
Sentiment:  Computer Generated using font "Aracne Condensed Regular"
Backing Paper:  From the snippet mountain
ProMarkers
My Trusty Sewing Machine

So no opening of everywhere in England by the Government .. .. surprise, surprise .. .. but I "was" surprised that the number of people allowed to go to a wedding from the 21st June onwards isn't limited to 30 any more.  

Lots of  happy couples will be celebrating tonight .. .. .. the actual wedding celebrations won't be quite as we know them from times gone by .. .. but at least people can get married with more of their friends and family.  Probably after having their happy day cancelled numerous times in the past!

Catch you again soon.

MAKE A WISH . . . . .

Hi Everyone

I hope your Saturday has been a good one.

It has been quite productive here on many fronts .. .. .. which of course means the day has flown by .. .. .. but I did make time for a little crafty session this evening and created this:

This used:

Image:  Penny Black "2349K" best of luck!
Sentiment:  Woodware Clear Magic Singles "FRS009" Make a Wish
Backing Papers:  Craftwork Cards "The Potting Shed" and a snippet from "The Lovely Studio"
ProMarkers
Diamond Stickles
My Trusty Sewing Machine

and for all of you who sadly received torture finding the heart on my last post .. .. .. it was here:

sitting tucked away under the black layer in the top right corner.

It wouldn't do for them all to be easy would it? LOL!!

Catch you again soon and thank you to everyone who so diligently seek the heart in what I create.

HAPPY HARVEST

Hi Everyone

I hope your weekend has got off to a good start.

It was harvest festival day here .. .. .. as in the day Mr Heart decided to dig up all the crops he has been growing.  So vegetables are coming out of our ears!

Seeing him digging up the carrots reminded me of this stamp that hasn't seen the light of day for a while 

 
This used:

Image:  Trimcraft "CLG STMP" Harvest
Sentiment:  Woodware Clear Stamp Set "JGS581" It's the Little Things
Backing Paper:  Pink Petticoat
ProMarkers
My Trusty Sewing Machine

So most of today has been spent in the kitchen.  

Courgettes were turned into soup that was frozen ready for adding Stilton Cheese, Seasoning and Cream to when it is time for it to be eaten.

The beetroots have been turned into Beetroot Chutney using an old recipe my late Mum in Law used to use many many years ago.  We haven't made it before and I am just keeping my fingers crossed it tastes as good as I remember .. .. .. especially as we have a rather large amount of jars full of the stuff.

Carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers are still in the fridge for future use .. .. and there are lots of tomatoes still ripening.

We have done quite well with our crops this year considering we are only really just getting into it.  The only things we failed with were radishes and lettuce which we thought would be super easy to grow!!

Anyway, that is me for today.  Good luck with the heart searching .. .. a bit of a tricky one tonight.

BEST OF BRITISH

Hi Everyone

I hope you have had a good day .. .. and have taken pride in celebrating the 75th anniversary of VE day in one way or another.

I made patriotic paper chains, flags and bunting and decorated the outside of our home .. .. and the inside of our bay window as my simple way of saying "thank you" to all of our war heros.

I am so grateful I didn't witness the war.  How they coped I can't imagine.  They have my utmost respect.

We have been in "lock-down" for a few weeks and I am missing not being able to spend time with my family so much .. .. .. how on earth would I cope if my family had gone off to war and I wouldn't see them for years and years .. .. .. if I was to ever see them again!!!

No mobile phones, or facetime/skype sessions then.  

Many, many years ago I can remember us visiting a tank museum when the boys were young.  I wasn't interested in the tanks at all but of course my hubby and the two lads were.  In fact at one point I think we lost the lads.  They were hiding inside a tank LOL!!

I spent my time in front of a huge glass fronted display cabinet that was full of memorabilia from the war years.  Letters were on show from men (boys) to their Wife or Mum, and from them to the their Son/Husband.  It was impossible not to put yourself in the position of the person sending and receiving those letters.  I cried and cried at each one I read and although I was upset I couldn't stop reading them because they made me feel grateful I wasn't living through those times.  

I feel certain I wouldn't have coped in their shoes that's for sure.

So today for me has been another day to be grateful, to be proud to be British and to make a patriotic birthday card:

This used:

Image:  Penny Black "4215K" On Guard

Sentiment:  Computer Generated using font "Ink Free"

Backing Papers:  Docrafts "Best of British" .. .. very old but still very loved

ProMarkers

Heart Punch

Corner Rounding Punch

Glossy Accents

My Trusty Sewing Machine

and that is me for today.

Hopefully I will be around tomorrow when Christmas needs to start making an appearance again.  

Take care everyone.