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

Sunday 31 August 2014

Totally Tilda Challenge ~ 103

Good Morning my lovelies.

It's time for another challenge at Totally Tilda. The theme for the next fortnight is "Pearls, Glitter and Gems" and to enter the challenge you must use all three of them on your card or project. 



And this little lady is levitating Tilda...since some numpty forgot to sit her on something! 
Her legs are paddling in the water and her bum is floating in the air...oops!

She's coloured with a mix of DI markers and Sennelier L'Aquarelle paints, with glitter on the water and the bubbles.
The beautiful papers are Pion Design - My Precious Daughter.



Our generous sponsor for this challenge is:


gif maker

And the prize is...


Thanks for looking
Love 'n' hugs

Sunday 17 August 2014

Totally Tilda Challenge ~ 102

Good Morning my lovelies.

Today's card is for the new challenge over at Totally Tilda where the theme for the next fortnight is "Get Well Soon". 


This super cute little Tilda (thank you Dawn ) is coloured with Sennelier L'Aquarelle paints.
I'm still getting a feel for them but I'm really enjoying mixing colours and messing about.
The papers are My Minds Eye ~ On The Sunny Side, they certainly are lovely, bright and cheerful colours in this pad.
The sentiment and the clouds and sun dies are all from PTI.

25mm Veronica Lace
3mm and 5mm Adhesive Pearls
Stardust Stickles and White Opal Liquid Pearls.
(The store is closed for the Summer holidays until the 23rd) 

Our generous sponsor for this challenge is

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

Simon Says Stamp

With the prize for one lucky winner...


Thanks for looking
Love 'n' hugs

Monday 4 August 2014

Creative Bloggers Hop and Totally Tilda Candy Winner

I've been asked by my friend Amanda to join in with the Creative Bloggers hop.
It's a continuous hop every Monday with a host of different inspirational bloggers taking part each week.

I was introduced to Amanda through my friend Patty not long after Amanda had started her blog. 
She's funny (hilarious is a better description) sweet, sassy, and an amazing crafter who also loves cats and we got on like a house on fire. I was delighted when my BFF Amanda came to stay for a week in May and we talked and laughed and shopped and had very sore feet after pounding the pavements of London!

Onto the questions and answers part:

What am I working on.

I've not had much time to work on anything recently but I bought some new watercolour paints - Sennelier L'Aquarelle - with my birthday pennies, and I want to play with them and get more comfortable using them and mixing colours together to create the required shade. 

How does my work differ from others in my genre?

Does it differ? I don't think it does really. 
I do prefer the cleaner and simpler style of card making though I admire and drool over those cards that are loaded with fancy embellishments. 
I like straight lines, symmetry and definitely NO grunge or torn papers!

Why do I write/create what I do?

Pure self indulgence!
I believe everybody should have a hobby or interest outside of work that gives them something to look forward to doing in their spare time. There's nothing I love more than sitting in my craft room playing with stamps, paint and pretty papers. It's total relaxation for me and something I always enjoy doing.
It's my little bit of heaven on earth.

How does your creative process work?

If it's a card for a challenge then the first step is to pick a suitable image. Then I colour all the skin and the hair...I like to get the hair out of the way because I HATE colouring hair!
Then I choose the papers I want to use...which most of the time are Pion or Maja, my two favourite brands, and I finish colouring the image in shades to compliment the papers.
Lastly I play around with embellishments...ribbon, lace, pearls, buttons, occasionally flowers, before sticking everything down.

Now it's my turn to pick 3 bloggers to answer the questions.
In alphabetical order:


I first met Erika through our mutual love of the very sweet stamps by Sugar Nellie.
Erika is the most versatile crafter I know and I think she can turn her hand to anything.
Her cards range from intricate designs to the more clean and simple designs, and she is the Queen of Spellbinder dies. She bakes, she sews, she crochets and she makes me very jealous of all her talents. 
As if all that wasn't enough....Erika is the loveliest, sweetest lady ever.

I've been lucky enough to be the recipient of some of Erika's talents and for my birthday this year I was absolutely delighted to open the parcel that contained these...


I can neither crochet nor sew so I was in absolute awe!!
The bag now holds all my paintbrushes (see the little pockets on the front..perfect for my brushes!) and other painting supplies and the owl nearly didn't make into my craft room because someone - 19 years old and male - wanted it for himself! It's soft and squidgy with googly eyes and perfectly cute!!


Shirley was one of the first people I met when I started blogging. 
She's always been there for me, offering support, helping me with 'technical' blogging stuff when I was stuck, and being a shoulder for me to cry on. 
I can tell her anything and I know she'll only offer me the very best advice.
Shirley is my adopted Mummy and she's the loveliest lady you could ever wish to meet, and I'm proud to call her my friend.
She's also a very talented crafter and she's a whizz with all those fabulous dies, always using lots of them to create her gorgeous cards. 
I was lucky enough to meet Shirley and her lovely husband Ian when they were on their way up to Scotland. 
She's a little treasure.


Wendy is a more recent - but equally valued - friend.
She moved from the UK and now lives in New Zealand...how's that for a massive life adventure!
She's also another Sugar Nellie addict...there are a LOT of them!
She's a super sweet, caring and very thoughtful lady who doesn't have a bad bone in her body. 
Wendy emits pure sunshine wherever she goes.

She creates gorgeous cards, from the clean and simple style to more intricate designs.
Girlie cards and boy cards too - anyone who can make boys cards gets an extra Gold Star from me!
And Wendy is an amazing Mama to her two gorgeous children. 

The best thing about blogging is all the amazing people I've met from all over the world!!

Last thing for today...

Over on the Totally Tilda challenge blog, to celebrate the 100th challenge some of the DT had candy.
The candy was open to anyone that entered the challenge and left a comment on the DT's blogs.

My candy goes to entrant number 111 which is Margreet.
Your parcel is all ready to be popped in the mail as soon as I have your address.

Thanks for looking.
Love 'n' hugs

Sunday 3 August 2014

Totally Tilda and The Ribbon Girl Challenges

Good morning my lovelies.

I'm here today with a challenge card. I really don't like to make one card to cover two challenges but I've had very little time this last month to spend in my craft room. This year we have been plagued with illness's in the family and my mojo has been well and truly sapped. 
I've waited so long for my new craft room and now that I've got it I just don't have the time to spend in there, but I know things will turn around again.

So, today's card is for the Totally Tilda No 101 challenge where the theme for the next fortnight is "Mid-Summer Christmas" and The Ribbon Girl card challenge where the theme for the next week is "Anything But A Square". Two fabulous themes!


The circular card base was cut with a Lifestyle die.
The paper is from Pion Design "Swedish Lapland" collection and has been cut with Lil' Inker Stitched Circle.

This is my first attempt at colouring with Sennelier L'Aquarelle watercolour paints. You can blame my friends in the Netherlands for leading me into temptation!! 
I'm not so happy with the flesh colour on this Tilda but it's all part of the learning process, and I've since found a different colour combination that I think looks better.

The sentiment is from Stampin' Up, and all the embellies are from The Ribbon Girl.


PRIZES

For the Totally Tilda challenge we are sponsored by
Bunny Zoe's Crafts

gif maker

and one lucky winner will receive




And for the winner of the Ribbon Girl card challenge.


A £10 voucher from our lovely sponsors at Lili Of The Valley
and from Mary and Andrea


Two fabulous challenges that I hope you'll join in with.
(and it's the Ribbon Girls 4th Birthday so there is a gorgeous giveaway on their Facebook page )

I'll be back tomorrow with the winner of my candy for the Totally Tilda 100th challenge.

Thanks for looking.
Love 'n' hugs

Monday 14 July 2014

The Ribbon Girl - Candy Winner

Hello my lovelies.

Thank you to everyone that entered my little candy and thank you for all your lovely comments on my craft room makeover.
I've still been putting stuff back in the room and I think I'm about finished now, apart from the notice board.

I just need to find some spare time to spend in there!

So I have a winner, chosen at random...


...and that is MaryJ

If you can please EMAIL ME Mary...I need your email address to arrange for your vouchers to be sent to you.

Love 'n' hugs

Sunday 6 July 2014

Totally Tilda and The Ribbon Girl Challenges

Good Morning.

At long last I'm back with a card. It's been 6+ weeks since I made anything and it was so nice to use my new craft room for the 1st time, if a little difficult to find where I've put stuff!!

So today's card is for two challenges, Totally Tilda 100th Challenge, where the theme is 'Anything Goes' and The Ribbon Girl card challenge where the theme is 'Summer'. 



Flower Tilda with Bow Knot has been coloured with DI markers.
The card shape was cut with a Go-Kreate die....I wish I could buy some more of these but they never seem to have any stock when I check the website.
The gorgeous papers are the new Pion collection My Precious Daughter, a birthday gift from a special friend ♥
And the sentiment is from a set by Amy R.

All the embellishments are from The Ribbon Girl apart from the 2 little butterflies which are cut out from the Pion papers.

50mm Emily Embroidered Tulle Lace - sorry but this is out of stock due to a problem with quality.

Prizes

For the challenge at Totally Tilda it's a little different this time.
We have two generous sponsors and so two prizes...


gif maker


And



Also, as it's our 100th challenge some of the DT are offering candy. 
I have a nice little mystery parcel containing stamps, a paper pad, dies and embellies.
To win any of the DT's candy is easy...just enter the challenge.


The Ribbon Girl also has a fabulous prize on offer for the 'Summer' Card Challenge.


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


Now who wouldn't want to win that? I love a good spend at both these shops :)

Two challenges, both with nice and easy themes and both with fabulous prizes so why not join in...you've got to be in it to win it!

( and I still have candy running for another week on the post HERE )

Thanks for looking
Love 'n' hugs

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Craft Room Photos and Candy

And now for the results of my husbands labour of love.
I totally ADORE my new room, it looks so much bigger - to me - and feels light and airy and it's exactly what I dreamt of...only better.
I owe a massive thank you to my lovely hubby for all his hard work and for giving me free reign with his wallet.

It's going to be a long post again as I wanted to try to add links to the lovely places I bought my goodies from, and I've tried to show the photos in a similar order to the 'before' ones, going clockwise around the room.


The view from the door way.
The paint is from Ecos Organic Paints  I've got White Lily on the wood work and 3 of the walls and Fjord on the back wall. I LOVE that colour so much! The paint is water based, organic and totally solvent free - as used in the Louvre - well if it's good enough for the Mona Lisa....


Behind the door is the new Pax wardrobes from Ikea - I went for 2 single wardrobes rather than one double, with Risdal doors. The doorknobs are off eBay.


The storage boxes are also from Ikea except the wicker ones which are a set from Aldi.


Three drawers on each side of the wardrobes.


Next to the wardrobe we have my lovely oak work tops...oh my goodness I love these too!
We intended to buy them from Ikea but when we went to order them we discovered they take 4 to 6 weeks to arrive so Phil did some research on the Internet and they came from Wood Work Tops
They were so helpful and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again.
A shout out to Magic Mike for cutting the worktops to size and rounding them off, he was so very generous in giving up his free time ♥


Paper storage unit from Storage4crafts, also extremely helpful people.


I really didn't need the Raskog kitchen trolley but the colour went so well with the paint that I was having it!
The day light lamp on the desk was bought from Optima for £89.32p with free P+P rather than direct from Daylight Company at £144.99p plus £5.99 P+P.
I'm so good at saving Phil money :)


The two wall shelf units are from Shabby Store
Another store that I will happily buy from again, thank you to James as I think I talked his ears off!

Evie the bunny is a birthday gift from the sweet Miss Dena and will keep Olive the mouse - a gift from an exceptionally lovely lady - very good company. Both were lovingly made by Rachel at Rocky Loves Rosie.

The storage jars with ceramic bird lids are from Live Laugh Love.


Another store I could spend a months wages in and the delivery was faster than the speed of light.


The cake stand was another eBay buy and those cute dolly pegs are hand painted by Suzann at Frillyflowers.


Another storage unit from Storage4crafts.


The Gregor chair is from Ikea and the gorgeous cushion cover is from All The Trimmings UK on Etsy.


And lastly I have my lovely little light from Sainsburys.
Damn it but they've reduced the price of them now pfftt!

I still have birthday gifts that I haven't put in the room yet and I need to put up a notice board and clean up the Distress re-inkers before I put them back.

Thank you very much for looking and for your patience in my absence, and now on to some candy.


I have a £50 voucher from The Ribbon Girl for one winner chosen at random.
Please note: The vouchers can be redeemed against any of the vast products stocked in the shop, but not against the P&P, which can be anything from £2.50 in the UK up to £5.25 for the USA.

To enter just click on the blue frog, candy will run for 2 weeks.
Thanks for looking
Love 'n' hugs
Elaine