The Ribbon Girl ~ Lovely Lili Challenge.

Good morning!

I've a card to share today although it's one I made quite a while ago, a couple of weeks before my craft room was dismantled and everything packed away.

This is my last GDT card for The Ribbon Girl where the theme is girly, how's that for a nice and easy challenge?

Ribbon Girl Goodies Used:

40mm Gertrude Embroidered Net Lace

25mm Pale Fuchsia Plain Sheer Ribbon

Wooden Heart Button threaded with Ivory Button Twine

Stickles Stardust

White Opal Liquid Pearls

3mm White Adhesive Pearls

The image is Time Flies and I dug out my Inktense pencils to colour her with for a change.

I've had the boxed set of pencils for at least 5 years but only used them once or twice and both times with little success. But when I was at LOTV for their birthday celebrations, I watched my lovely buddy Dena colour with them and she advised me to try a different kind of card to colour on and it really does work a gazillion times better than the card I use for DI's. I still prefer the Distress Inks but I'm going to use the pencils some more and hopefully improve.

The papers are Maja Design Sofiera and the sentiment is an from an old set by Elzybells.

There's always a fantastic prize on offer and for the winner of this challenge it's a stamp of the winners choice from LOTV and a £10 voucher to spend at The Ribbon Girl.

A big thank you to Mary and Andrea for having me as a GDT and an even bigger thank you for asking me to become a permanent DT member!!!

So, for those that have asked about the craft room:

I got the room emptied of my craft stuff on the Bank Holiday Monday and then Phil set about dismantling the wardrobe, drawer unit and shelving and clearing everything out of the room. He's moved the radiator, put in some extra electrical sockets, cleaned walls, filled holes, sanded paintwork and has now started the painting.

Once the painting is finished then the fun stuff can begin!

Every evening after coming home from work I've spent trawling the Internet for furniture and pretty accessories. I found some good bargains, had some excellent service and some not so good service too.

When the room is finished I'll post the photos and add links to the sites where I've bought stuff, and there'll be a  little celebratory candy too.

Thanks for looking and for bearing with me.

Love 'n' hugs

From Leeds to London...

I'm sorry I've no cards to share but I thought I'd fill you in on what's been going on here.

As some of my friends already know, we've had a very special visitor staying with us. My crafty buddy Amanda from Pennsylvania arrived last Sunday morning...a day later than planned as her original flight was cancelled! We didn't do too much on Sunday, just went over to Todmorden for a spot of lunch and then for a little meander around Hebden Bridge.

Monday we went to LOTV where we met the super sweet Faye along with her lovely hubby, they had travelled for miles to meet up with Amanda. Then it was on to Samuel Taylors and a little catch up with the gorgeous Katy - who I've not seen in a very long time!

Tuesday we went to The Hobby House to meet up with Jill. We all went for lunch in a lovely little place Jill had taken us to previously that serves the best fish, chips and mushy peas. We then spent the rest of the afternoon doing some crafty shopping and catching up. I always love visiting Jill and it was a fabulous day.

Wednesday morning we set off on the train down to London. By the time we'd got there and dropped our bags at the apartment it was time for some lunch, so we met up with Hal and went to Camden Market for street food and I introduced Amanda to a Strawberry cider - or two.

After Camden we headed to the South Bank and later we had dinner at Strada followed by a stroll back to the apartment.

Thursday the weather had changed and it was much cooler and raining so we took the tour bus trip around London, hopping off at Hyde Park to collect Hal, and then again at Covent Garden for lunch and some shopping. We also took the boat trip down the Thames and then it was time to head on back to the train station for the journey home.

Friday was a much quieter day - because we were all knackered! 

 We just went out for afternoon tea at Slattery's along with Emma - who flew out yesterday to Japan where she's working for the next 7 weeks.

And suddenly it was Saturday and time to take Amanda back to the airport for her flight home.

I had a fabulous week and my only regret is that it was over far too soon :(

I'm very grateful it's a long weekend in the UK then I can catch up on all the chores before going back to work, then next weekend we start with the craft room remodelling. I use the term 'we' rather loosely, as it's the hubster that'll be doing all the hard work, I'm just the site manager :) 

I won't have much to share in the way of cards for the next month or so while my craft room is out of bounds, but it means I should be able to catch with everyone in blogland.

Thanks for looking.

Love

The Ribbon Girl - Colour Challenge

Good Morning my lovelies.

Today I have my GDT card for The Ribbon Girl where the colour challenge is lilac/purple.

Now I've got to tell you something...if you asked me to use all "My favourite Things" then this pretty much covers it.
Favourite colours, favourite lace, favourite ribbon (the pure silk ribbon is just amazing!) and an image from one of my favourite designers.

Ribbon Girl Goodies Used

40mm Gertrude Embroidered Net Lace

Lavender Pure Silk Ribbon
Wooden Star Button threaded with Ivory Button Twine
Stickles Stardust Glitter Glue
White Opal Liquid Pearls
3mm and 5mm Ivory Adhesive Pearls

The sweet image is Wee One by the lovely Sylvia Zet, and it's coloured with DI markers.
The papers are from Papirgleder

There's always a fantastic prize to be won, so head on over to The Ribbon Girl Blog 
and join in.

A big thank you for all your condolences, warm wishes, cards, emails, messages and flowers.
The funeral took place yesterday and as far as funerals go, it was a lovely day.

I'm off work this week and waiting impatiently for my BFF to arrive from America.
We have a full schedule for the week ahead so I probably won't get on blogger until next week now, thank you for your patience!

Love 'n' hugs

Totally Tilda Challenge ~ 96. LOTV, Friends and Other stuff!

Good Morning my lovelies, it's going to be a long one today so you might want to make a cuppa and grab a sandwich.

I'll start with my card for the new challenge at Totally Tilda where the theme for the next fortnight is

"Princess Tilda".

I made my card for the Boss-lady who celebrated a BIG birthday last week (a VERY BIG birthday, poor old dear!)

Tilda was coloured with the usual DI markers.

The gorgeous papers are Maja Design Sofiero. 

Ribbon Girl  goodies used:

50mm Emily Embroidered Tulle Lace

25mm Pale Fuchsia Plain Sheer Ribbon

15mm Satin Ribbon

Wooden Heart Button threaded with Natural Button Twine

Stardust Stickles, White Opal Liquid Pearls and 3mm White Adhesive Pearls.

Our generous sponsor for this challenge is

Bunny Zoe's Crafts

And the prize for one lucky winner is...

Please pop on over to the Totally Tilda Challenge Blog and join in!

LOTV

Yesterday we went to the LOTV shop in Leeds for their 10th birthday celebrations.

I had the most fabulous day ever!! They have a beautiful shop, a lovely cafe area upstairs (they make a cracking cup of coffee!) and members of their DT were there doing demo's.

But the main reason for my visit to meet up with my gorgeous crafty buddy Dena and her lovely hubby Tom.

She's just the sweetest lady ever - as well as being amazingly talented.

(far too much talent contained in one tiny lady!) 

Dena on the right, me in the middle and Andie (lovely to meet up with you Andie) on the left.

I also got to meet lots of other crafters...in no particular order and I hope I didn't forget anyone!

Christine and her lovely fella Barry.

Becky and her daughter Grace - who is the most adorable little girl! 

Linda I went to where Becky was doing her demo and asked if she'd seen Linda yet. Becky was giggling and looking at the person stood to the side of me...which of course was Linda! 

I hadn't even looked to see who was stood there...now you know why I'm not allowed to go anywhere without a responsible adult to accompany me!

Marianne and Lynsey.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Mary and Andrea from The Ribbon Girl 

(photo courtesy of Mary and Andrea - I have no idea what I was doing with my hand! I really do have fingers!)

And last but certainly not least, was the fabulous Dawny P who kept my hubby occupied (thank you Dawny) for a while when he discovered they have a shared interest, birds of prey.

Meeting all these fabulous, talented, creative and amazing ladies was definitely the best part of the day for me...many thanks to you all ♥

Last thing on the agenda:

I haven't been on blogger or left comments these past few weeks, for which I apologise.

Phil's mum hadn't been very well for some time but she started really struggling to cope at home on her own. 

She went into the local hospice for a couple of weeks respite care, but sadly she passed away just a few days later - last Monday.

Phil has 2 brothers living abroad, Jeff has flown over from South Africa, Neil (USA) is due to fly in later this week and of course Hal will catch the train back from London so everyone will be here for the funeral on Friday. I don't know how much time I'll have to try and catch up with everyone in Blogland over the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for looking.
Love 'n' hugs

The Ribbon Girl ~ Magnolia Only Challenge.

And I'm back with my second post for today.

This time I have my GDT card for The Ribbon Girl Magnolia Only Challenge where the theme is

"Buttons and Bows".

For me this is a nice and easy challenge...I have a bit of a fetish for buttons and bows!

Ribbon Girl goodies used:

30mm 'Claire' Ivory Embroidered Tulle Lace

38mm Vintage Ivory Fluted Edge Sheer Ribbon

Wooden Heart Button threaded with Ivory Button Twine

Stickles Stardust Glitter, White Opal Liquid Pearls and 5mm Ivory Adhesive Pearls.

The image is Tilda With Daffodil Basket and as usual she's coloured with DI markers and re-inkers.

The papers are Pion Design Fairy Of Spring - I'm so sad that these have now been discontinued!

There is always a fabulous prize to be won, so head on over to The Ribbon Girl Blog and join in!

Thanks for looking.

Love 'n' hugs

Totally Tilda Challenge ~ 95

Good Morning my lovelies, I've got two cards to share with you today...yes two! 

First up, I've got a card for the new challenge at Totally Tilda where the theme for the next fortnight is

Tilda With Wings.

I do have a fairly large pile of Tilda stamps, but not many of them have wings, so I chose a stamp that was originally brought out as a Christmas image, but she doesn't look particularly Christmassy to me.

As usual, she's coloured with DI markers and re-inkers.

The papers are Pion Design Shoreline Treasures.

Sentiment from PTI.

A few pearls and a darling little cherub from The Ribbon Girl.

Our very generous sponsor for this challenge is

Simon Says Stamp

And the prize for one lucky winner is...

I'll be back shortly with my 2nd card for the day.

Thanks for looking.

Love 'n' hugs

Happy Anniversary ♥

Twenty years ago today...It was a beautiful, dry and sunny day, and I was up in Scotland.

Just over the border from England, at Gretna Green.

The occasion was a wedding. A very small family affair of only 23 people, including the bride and groom, but I thought it was totally perfect.

20 years later and I still love the groom with all my ♥

We've been so busy at work and with other stuff at home that I didn't have time to make anything more than a very CAS style of card.

But I made up for it by buying Phil a present I know he really, really wanted, an iMac (for processing his photos) and he bought me a bin. Now before you think that's a bit of a strange gift, I'd had it on my Pinterest wishlist for when my craft room is refurbished.

Cute or what? I absolutely love it!

And...since the boy went to Uni I've got no spare money anymore...he wants to eat meals, every day! And I'm sure there's some partying/drinking going on that I'm paying for.

So although I did go on the Internet and purchase Phil's gift, the money came out of his bank account.

Ooops! But I couldn't afford to buy the cable let alone the rest of it!

Happy 20th Wedding Anniversary honey xxxx