Pages

Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Changing Times.

First of all, let me express my deepest gratitude for everyone's kind words of comfort ♥

Mums funeral went as well as any funeral can go. The service was beautiful and it was lovely to see so many friends and neighbours join our family in paying their last respects.
Life goes on and we are all getting back into some form of routine again, albeit a different routine.

As any regular visitor will know, I'm not the most prolific crafter at the best of times, to put it mildly. Like so many other card makers, I work all week and only have time to get inky at the weekend when the household chores are done. I'm fine with that though of course I always wish I had a little more playtime.

I've had very little spare time for the last few months as I was spending the weekends over at my Mum and Dads house and although Mum is now no longer here, the situation hasn't changed any.
At the age of 86 my dad is suddenly on his own after 61 years of marriage. I've been told by more than a few people that I'm not doing dad any favours and that he "Has to learn to adapt and live on his own" and yes that's true. I have to work during the week and he is on his own, but I'll be damned if he's going to spend 7 days a week alone. (Thank you Mary for your advice and encouragement on this subject, yes I will continue to follow my heart) and so my hobby time has disappeared.

I'm not complaining, I'm not trying to get anyone's sympathy vote for poor-little-old-me-that-has-no-time left. I totally adore my dad  and I love spending time with him. He's so easy going, he's kind, considerate, caring and funny, he always makes me laugh. Spending precious time with him is a privilege and one which I intend to take full advantage of.
With this in mind, I have stepped down from the Totally Tilda challenge and the Ribbon Girl card challenge. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on both teams (albeit a very much briefer time than I had hoped for on the Ribbon Girl) and I will always be truly thankful to Susie and Christine, and Mary and Andrea for the opportunity and the honour of being involved with both of these wonderful teams.
Thank you also to the lady that asked me yesterday if I'd like to join her challenge team. 6 months ago I'd have snatched your arm off to join it! It's a good job you're the loveliest lady or I'd have poked you in both eyes for your impeccably awful timing!

I hope to return to my hobby sometime in the near future, maybe in the new year when things have settled down more, but it all depends on how much time I can find or maybe I'll get lucky and win on the lottery and then I can retire? I won't hold my breath on that one.

I've missed a fair amount of my friends birthdays this year, not replied to emails, neglected to keep in touch and lost a friend or two in the process. As for Christmas, it's not even entered my mind yet and I think it's been cancelled this year.

With love 'n' hugs

Thursday 30 October 2014

Candy Winner and News.

Let's start with the candy winner. While I'm back at home I thought I'd better take the opportunity to get the candy drawn.



Anne I will get your parcel popped in the mail to you xxx



The reason for my absence:
My mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer in July. Mum was a very private person and she didn't want anyone to know that she was poorly.
She didn't want to talk about it, didn't complain, just accepted it and got on with it.
She didn't want any treatment, just palliative care and her only wish was to remain at home for as long as possible.

My amazing dad cared for mum, with the District Nurses and Bolton Hospice at Home nurses providing invaluable support for the last couple of weeks, which enabled mum to remain at home for all but a couple of hours. I cannot praise enough the work these nurses do, they are truly angels.

Mum passed away peacefully in the early hours of last Saturday morning.
I will not be around much for at least the next couple of weeks.



♥ ♥ ♥

Friday 17 October 2014

A Little Bit Of Candy

It's definitely been one of those years when my crafting time has taken a back seat, due to one thing or another. An illness within the family is my priority now and so I'm not at home much these days. 

My blog has been neglected along with my friends, my commenting has fallen by the wayside, my inbox is full of unanswered emails and although I do feel bad about it, my family will always come first, as it should.

So I have a little candy to say 'thank you', especially to those that still pop on here even though I don't return the favour. 

These are all things I love...I must love them because I have two of them all! 




Stempelglede "Follow Your Heart" set of unmounted rubber stamps.
Stampin' Up! "Express Yourself" set of foam mounted stamps.
Go Kreate dies, large frames Frilly #10.
Tattered Lace die - Rose.
Joy! Crafts dies, Feathers.
La-La Land Crafts die - Stitched Scallops.

All items are brand spanking new and in need of some love..like being taken out of the packets and used!
Candy is open worldwide (though I am not liable for any customs charges that some countries impose). 
As I said earlier, the candy is a small thank you and I would like it to go to a follower or friend, whether they have a blog or not, so no candy only blogs please.

Just leave a comment on this post.
(I moderate all my comments just because I get so much spam so don't worry if your comment isn't published immediately, I will publish them the next time I get home and on my computer)

Thanks for everything ♥
Love 'n' hugs

Sunday 12 October 2014

Totally Tilda Challenge ~ 106

Good morning.

Today I have a card for the new challenge at Totally Tilda where the theme for the next fortnight is 
"Halloween"



So Spooky Tilda has been coloured with DI markers.
The papers are from Doodlebug Design 'Ghouls and Goodies' 6x6 pad.
The Boo and Bat are from the Spooky Scene set of dies from MFT.

Embellishments from The Ribbon Girl:

Spider Charm  (I removed the hanging loop)

Our generous sponsor for this challenge is...


http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/servlet/StoreFront

Simon Says Stamp

And the prize for one lucky winner is...



Thanks for looking.
Love 'n' hugs

Saturday 4 October 2014

The Ribbon Girl Challenge

Good morning my lovelies.

I'm back today with my card for the new challenge at the Ribbon Girl.
We have the fabulous theme of "Glitz and Dazzle" which is the perfect opportunity to get out all my favourite things and play :)



Let's start with one of my favourite images, Iris created by the lovely Sylvia Zet.
She's coloured with DI marker pens.
The papers are some older (but much loved) ones from Papirgleder, I'm down to the last few sheets now :(




The fabulous prize for one lucky winner is...


a £10 voucher from our lovely sponsors at Lili Of The Valley

And


a £10 voucher to spend on all those delicious goodies at the Ribbon Girl store.

Thanks for looking.
Love 'n' hugs

Sunday 28 September 2014

Totally Tilda Challenge ~ 105

Good Morning my lovelies.

Today (at long last!) I have a card for the new challenge at Totally Tilda where the theme for the next fortnight is "Sitting Tilda".



This little cutie is Virgo Tilda and she's been coloured with DI markers.
The papers are again from Inkido, the Forever collection.


The little bow is a die from Lil' Inkers.

Our generous sponsor for this challenge is

gif maker

And the prize for one lucky winner is...


Thanks for looking.

Love 'n' hugs

Sunday 7 September 2014

The Ribbon Girl Card Challenge.

Good Morning!

Today's card is for the Ribbon Girl card challenge where we have the loveliest and easiest of themes 
"Use Ribbons"




It's an anniversary card for someone but I can't say more than that because they've not had the special occasion yet!

The image is of course from Lili Of The Valley and it's been coloured with DI markers, I really struggle to photograph pink cards, they tend to come out looking very wishy washy!
The gorgeous papers are an older set from Inkido.

Ribbon Girl goodies used:


The fabulous prize for one lucky winner is...



A £10 voucher from our lovely sponsors at Lili Of The Valley.

and


A £10 voucher to spend on yummy Ribbon Girl goodies ♥

It's such a lovely and easy challenge with a fabulous prize on offer, so I hope you'll all join in.

Thanks for looking,
Love 'n' hugs