Me-and-Lil G

30TH GOTH CARD

2011-10-11T16:05:00.000+01:00

Hi all! Isn't this weather terrible? Really miserable! Hope you're all keeping warm.
I was asked to make a birthday card for a Goth. Now this is right out of my comfort zone, but I knew it had to be black and purple!

What do you think? TFL x

SOMETHING DIFFERENT...

2011-09-26T12:02:00.000+01:00

Hi all! I know - it's been over a month again. Sorry. I'm just trying to get back on my feet properly! Anyway, hope you're all well?
My very good friend has a birthday coming up this week, so I made this for her. It's a deep-edge canvas collage. Get me! She is also a very talented crafter, especially for this sort of thing. And it will be her first birthday without her dear husband, who sadly passed away earlier this year. So I wanted it to be a bit different.

As you can see, it's a right mix of textures, pearls, flowers, ribbon, buttons, etc.

Most of it is from my stash, so I've no clue where I got them. But the flowers are definitely from WildOrchidCrafts...

... and the sentiment is from Melissa Frances.

What do you think?

Right then, I'm off to wrap it up and post it! TFL x

OMG!! TWO CARDS IN ONE MONTH!

2011-08-21T14:52:00.000+01:00

My friend's birthday is coming up at the end of the month, so I thought I'd try and make her something. Used the Cuttlebug again, with the usual sprinkling of flowers and pearls. TFL x

A BIT MORE DECORATION...

2011-08-09T10:43:00.001+01:00

Morning, all. Firstly, thank you all so much for your lovely comments on my card. I wasn't sure about it, but you've made me feel much more confident about taking up crafting again after my break....

Secondly, we ordered some other decals at the same time as those in the Garden Suite (!):

This is on her wall above her bed. She didn't notice it until we asked her to tidy her room up a bit!

She loves it!
TFL x

FIRST CARD FOR MONTHS...

2011-08-08T14:43:00.000+01:00

Well, here it is. I have at last made something. It's a card for my friend to give to her sister, who has inoperable cancer. The brief was 'not too fussy or sad, but lots of flowers and stuff'. Oh, okay then!

I put my dusty old cuttlebug to use and added some flowers (WildOrchid Crafts) and a few pearls.

I like it and I hope it fits the bill. TFL xx

THE GARDEN SUITE

2011-08-08T14:00:00.000+01:00

I haven't been completely out of it... I have been decorating, too. The downstairs 'facilities' were a bit dark and miserable, so I changed it.

I bought the decals in contrasting colours (ebay) and cut them up a bit.

It is now known as the 'Garden Suite'... get me!!
TFL x

I'M NOT DEAD....

2011-08-05T11:02:00.000+01:00

... just been away for a while. I can't believe how long it has been since my last post. But it wasn't through laziness. I've been a bit poorly. The best way to explain it is to say that the world started to spin a bit too quickly for me and I needed to get off for a while. So I came out of hospital, packed up my job and have been spending some quiet time with my hubby (who is struggling with a 'rotator cuff impingement' or something painful) and my girl.

But I'm back now. I've been asked to make a card so I'm about to brush away all the cobwebs from my craft room and let the daylight back in. Then I need to find the box marked 'mojo' and try and come up with something amazing!!

Watch this space! xx

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

2011-06-19T08:57:00.000+01:00

My Dad was the best, as I'm sure was everyone else's!! Happy Father's Day to my Dad. I miss you every day. xxxxxxxxxx
And I'm sending big hugs to everyone who can't be with their Dad today. xxx

YOU OWE ME MONEY!

2011-05-29T07:40:00.004+01:00

Morning all! It's a horrible grey day here in rural Lincolnshire - but then it IS a Bank Holiday weekend, so I shouldn't really be surprised!
Anyway, I found out last weekend that a very close friend of mine has just been diagnosed with inoperable ovarian cancer. She starts chemo on Tuesday to hopefully shrink the tumour so they can at least stop the little bugger spreading any more.
Stunned.
Anyway, her sister and I had a chat and we (along with my lovely Lil G) are going to take part in the Race for Life on the Lincolnshire Showground on 10 July. (For those of you around the world who may not know what this is, it's in aid of the Cancer Research charity and is supported by Tesco supermarket. There are events around the country and it's a women-only event.)
For those of you who know me, you will know that I'm not a runner/walker. I'm a swimmer. I don't do running. If I need to be somewhere faster than walking pace, I take the car. So this is big.
Now, you can probably see where this is going...
My Dad used to ring me up and say "You owe me money" and I'd ask what for? He'd say "For the raffle tickets you're about to buy!"
I am not going to adopt the same tactic, but I am going to ask you if you can spare a few pence to sponsor the three of us.
Here's the link you need:
Race for Life
We've set ourselves a target of £250, so anything you can spare would be much appreciated.
Thank you all and have a great Bank Holiday weekend! xxx

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

2011-05-22T08:49:00.000+01:00

Hi all! I know it's been AGES since my last post... so busy and no mojo since the hair slides episode. Which is why I didn't want any more craft stuff for my birthday - I have tons and no time to do it lately. So I asked for a new handbag. And look what I got:

It's from the Dandy collection by Disaster Designs. I got a handbag, purse, mirror, make-up bag, wash bag, weekender bag, mug/coaster and a flask! How spoilt am I??? I love this design, very shabby chic and reminds me of Melissa Frances.
AND
You may or may not know that I'm a big red panda fan (I have one at Bristol Zoo, well for this year, anyway) so my very talented Mummy painted this:

Absolutely amazing. She's very good, isn't she?
Anyway, off to eat birthday chocs for breakfast! xxx

MY FAVOURITE...

2011-05-22T07:30:00.000+01:00

My very lovely hubby bought me some yellow roses for my birthday. I bought him a macro lens (nope, me neither) for his camera and he took this of one of my roses. How beautiful is this? xx

He has his own blog for his photos...

WE'RE BACK AND WE'VE BEEN BUSY!

2011-05-02T17:00:00.003+01:00

Hello all! I can't believe we're in MAY already, nor how long it's been since my last post! We've been away on holiday (spotted that thing where, if you take 3 days' leave, you get 11 days off in row!) but I did manage to smuggle in some craft stuff to our luggage!
This is what I've been doing:

(beautifully modelled by my very own Lil G, by the way!)
I made the one above cos the bought one she had fell apart. Glue gun and a few flowers from WildOrchidCrafts and hey presto!

I made the red/white one for school (and cos I found some red roses in my stash...)

This one was made to go with her new outfit and cos purple is her favourite colour... and you may notice that I've started to add a bit of bling as well now...

No idea why I made this one but I was on a roll...
And finally...

... this is the reason that I bought the slides, once I realised I could make them pretty. This one is for a wedding later in the year and I love it. What do you think of them all?

Did you all have a good Easter break? We had a good holiday, but it was tinged with sadness as we lost a close friend just before we went away. But it's best for him as he's not in pain any more. And he can keep my Dad company, heaven help us!!

TFL xx

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD

2011-04-13T20:35:00.001+01:00

Love and miss you every day. Doobie xxxxx

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY...

2011-04-03T08:59:00.000+01:00

... to all of us mums, to our Mums and their Mums! And hugs to all of you who can't be with your Mum today x

SOME MOTHER'S DAY CARDS

2011-03-27T19:58:00.008+01:00

Hubby cooked, bless him, so I could catch up on some long overdue crafting! So here are today's offerings.

All the stems are from Beccy's Place and the butterflies are from the Digi Stamp Boutique. Sentiment from Waltzing Mouse.

I coloured them all with Derwent Watercolour pencils, which I love. I use them with my Whispers blender pen and it gives a great finish.

I finished off the butterflies with a dash of GlimmerMist for a bit of sparkle.

Thanks for looking! xx

THE PINK LADIES WOT LUNCH

2011-03-20T09:36:00.000Z

Morning all! It was Lil G's birthday last week so we took her and three of her friends out for the day to a local theme park. They had a brilliant time and we gave them each a pink baseball cap so that we could find them amongst the many, many, many other small hooligans! Here they are having an ice-cream break.... yup, that's mine.. the one with the ice-cream moustache!! x

IS IT JUST ME?

2011-03-18T23:54:00.000Z

Hi all! Bit of a late one, but I wanted to get this in before going to bed... Lil G's birthday yesterday and we're taking her and three friends to a theme park for the day tomorrow - woo. Anyway, what also happened yesterday was that we got Sky installed at home. The man came and stuck a nasty little wok on the side of my house and left us a little black box that does all kinds of clever stuff.
And he also left us the cardboard box that the little black box was delivered in.... Now, maybe I just have a dark side but this little box is still here, on the living room floor, and I keep giggling at it...

So I've left it on the floor in front of the bookcase.. asleep. And it hasn't moved an inch since yesterday. Not sure how it's helping the planet or our electricity bill - it just seems to be taking up space, but it seems a shame to wake it up!!! xx

MOTHERS DAY CARDS FROM LIL G

2011-03-12T19:09:00.003Z

Us again! Here is a set of oriental cards that Lil G made for Mother's Day! I love the colours and her designs - nothing to do with me!

The papers and chipboard toppers were part of a freebie set that came with a craft magazine and she loves the bright colours. I think she's done a really good job.

She has made a set of four because there is one each for both Grandmothers, one for an Aunt and another one for a lovely lady we call Nanna 3; she's not related but she might as well be!

Right, I'm off to start my own cards now! xx

SSSHH!! I'VE MADE THIS FOR A FRIEND AND SHE DOESN'T KNOW!!

2011-03-12T14:10:00.000Z

Hi all! At last I've got around to some crafting, so here you are... the first one of the day! It's for a very good friend of mine and I made it using Waltzing Mouse's 'Asian Garden Additions' stamp set. Hope she likes it!
Off to start work on Lil G's birthday card now.. Can't believe she'll be 8 on Thursday!!! Have a great weekend xxx

2011-03-04T08:25:00.000Z

Morning all! It's O/H's birthday today (which is why I couldn't publish this earlier!) and Lil G thought that you might like to see the card she made. She chose the image, coloured it with watercolour pencils and assembled it. I cut it all out for her. The card background is PP's craft card and the sentiment is printed on the pc. I think it's gorgeous and Daddy loves it! TFL x

WHAT A WEEK!

2011-02-26T08:42:00.002Z

Sorry for the lack of cardage... I'll be remedying that today with hubby's birthday cards (hopefully!). I say 'hopefully' cos I've been flat out all week doing a PRINCE2 course and I still can't see straight! My brain hurts. I passed the Foundation level on Wednesday and I now have to wait a fortnight to find out if I've passed the Practitioner level - eek!
So, watch this space!! xx

SURPRISE!

2011-02-19T09:53:00.002Z

Morning all! What do you think of the face-lift? My good friend, Mrs VH, has revamped her blog and I thought mine needed a fresh look. xxx

2011-02-14T08:31:00.002Z

Hi all! Thought I'd show you the card I made for my lovely hubby....I made this a few days ago, but I couldn't publish it until today! I used Waltzing Mouse stamps and Letterpress ink. Happy Valentine's Day xx

AND SOMETHING FROM LIL G

2011-01-30T16:59:00.001Z

A bit of a giveaway if the recipient spots it, but hey ho! My baby girl made this, with a little (but not much, I have to say) help from Daddy. She chose the image (and was a bit scared that it might offend!), coloured it in, cut it out and added the foam pads. Inside, it says "... from your biggest fan". Well done, baby girl xx

'HANOVARIAN' BIRTHDAY CARD!

2011-01-30T14:39:00.003Z

This is for someone special but I can't tell you who yet cos it isn't their birthday and they may try to sneak a peek!
I used those amazing V&A Hanovarian papers with a freebie digi image - and I found another use for the brayer and gold ink that I got for the Letterpress!

I inked up a flourish stamp I found and it just adds another dimension. The sentiment is of course Melissa Frances and I think it stops it being too old-fashioned. Hope they like it!! x

A CARD AND AN UPDATE...

2011-01-30T10:51:00.004Z

Hi all... a quick card for another newborn, so I used the same image but slightly changed the layout.
And some news on the Letterpress... Well, it seems my problem is actually the die itself; it isn't that well made. I used some of the others and it works fine, so I filed down the edge and I seem to be making progress. However, I'm still not 100% happy with it cos it's flippin' messy!! But I solved the issue of the sticky paper, I now just use a strip of DST and it works much better! TFL x

RISE AND SHINE!!

2011-01-23T10:08:00.003Z

Morning all! Had a panic this morning, when I got up and realised it was my friend and neighbour's birthday!!! So I made this. A freebie digi stamp and lots of matting and layering. I recoloured the image in Photofiltre and added the flowers (from WildOrchidCrafts) and some pearls from my stash. Hope she likes it!! x

LETTERPRESS? NOT IMPRESSED...

2011-01-22T21:19:00.002Z

Hi all. Well, after many months of threatening to get the Letterpress starter kit, I eventually found one. I've put it off because I couldn't really justify £50 on a new crafty toy! However, MadAboutCards had one in their sale at half price, so I thought, why not?
I had read mixed reviews on it, but I really liked the look of the results. I have to say that the only good thing about it so far is that MAC delivered it in super-quick time!
You get a small collection of 'dies', actually very pretty and ones that I would use a lot. You have to stick them to double-sided adhesive paper and cut them out. This paper sticks them to the lid. You then line up your paper, ink up your die with the brayer (and you really REALLY don't need much ink, it goes for MILES!) and whack the whole thing through the machine. Now, I have a Cuttlebug and I can tell you that it works fine with it.
BUT the resulting image was not as wow as I'd hoped. It had printed fine and the ink was even, but it had done that thing where it shows the edges (there is a name for that, but I can't remember what) so there were black lines around the image. I cleaned it all up - a feat in itself - and tried again. No matter how carefully I ink up the die, it does the same thing.
And the adhesive backing comes off the die after one go, so I had to stick it on again, cut it out and stick it to the lid again. That will get extremely boring when I have my invitations to make!
So, all in all, not a great start. It is obviously something I'm doing wrong, but as far as I can see I've followed the instructions to the letter and I'm not at all impressed.
Any of you got one? What am I doing wrong?
xx

IT'S BEEN TOO LONG!

2011-01-16T15:34:00.006Z

Hello all and a very happy 2011 to you and yours! I can't believe how long it's been since I posted, but things have been a bit hectic lately.
What news? Well, I've been promoted, which is a real bonus, especially in the current climate! Andy and I have been married for 10 years this year, most of which have been traumatic for one reason or another. But we decided to make or break at New Year and luckily, we went for make. So we're renewing our vows around our anniversary in October - a great excuse for making stuff, eh?!!
And our friends had their second baby girl on Friday!! So I made this for them:

(apologies for the rubbish photo, but the light is rapidly fading here!)
I wish you all well for this year and I hope your dreams come true. x

WEDDING PHOTO ALBUM

2010-12-30T10:37:00.004Z

Hi all! Hope you had a good Christmas? If you look below, you'll find the Guest Book and Box I did for a friend's wedding. Well, I was also asked to do the Photo Album:

It's a 12x12 scrapbook album, really. The bride bought it and give it to me to finish. It's a very odd tone of cream, sort of a mix of cream and stone, and it's covered in this flocked stuff. Which is a nightmare to work with! But it's done and I hope she likes it.

I did it to match the other items. TFL x

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2010-12-21T21:36:00.004Z

Love from all of us x

THAT BAUBLE STAMP.. LAST ONE!

2010-12-19T18:44:00.002Z

Love the effect that the Glamour Dust has on black and white...

No more with that stamp for now, I promise!! Happy Christmas everyone and many thanks to those who follow me xxxx

THAT BAUBLE STAMP... TAKE 5!

2010-12-19T16:10:00.002Z

Couldn't resist another go at this stamp! This time in Copper ink and dusted with Glamour Dust (I love this stuff!). This works really well, I hope! TFLx

I think I've about done with my Christmas cards now... hopefully! How about you? x

COPPER BAUBLE

2010-12-19T14:25:00.002Z

This fabulous bauble is from a Waltzing Mouse set of stamps and I love it. I inked it in copper, then went over it with Sakura jelly roll and added some Glamour Dust. I like it and I think it looks great by itself. What do you think? TFL xx

IN RED THIS TIME, BUT CASE'D

2010-12-19T09:22:00.003Z

I love this and I have to say I unashamedly CASE'd it from Tattys on DoCrafts. You can see the set she made here. TFL x

THAT BAUBLE STAMP ... TAKE 4

2010-12-18T18:00:00.001Z

And in green! This time I used sparkle dots for the accents. TFL x

THAT BAUBLE STAMP ... TAKE 3

2010-12-18T15:44:00.002Z

This time in blue and purple! TFL x

THAT BAUBLE STAMP ... TAKE 2

2010-12-18T13:57:00.002Z

Using gold inks, this time. I like this one, too! x

THAT BAUBLE STAMP... TAKE 1

2010-12-18T12:56:00.002Z

I know it's a very common stamp, but I do love it. I've used pink, purple and lilac inks and decoupaged a few of the baubles. TFL x

SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT

2010-12-14T22:53:00.003Z

Hi all. I don't usually do bright colours like this, but I really like the effect.

I stamped the image, then used my shape cutters to make most of the circle. I cut around the rest and used my ScorPal to make the borders. The sentiment is done on the PC and is shaped to allow for the poinsettia. Not sure who it's for but I quite like it! TFL x

CHRISTMAS CARDS...

2010-12-07T13:18:00.002Z

When filling out your Christmas cards, take 1 card and send it to this address: Headley Court Military Hospital, Headley Court, Headley, Epsom,Surrey, KT18 6JN.

If we pass this on and everyone sends 1 card, think of how many cards these special people who have sacrificed so much for us would get. Just address it to 'A Hero'.

VELLUM AND POOR LIGHT!!

2010-12-05T21:12:00.005Z

I've realised something else today... trying to get a good photograph of vellum and Glamour Dust in artificial light is a black art.. and I'm no good at it! But hopefully you get the idea?!

I Cbug'd the snowflakes out of vellum and added the crystals, all stuck onto lines of Glamour Dust, created by drawing lines using my Sakura clear pen and leaving them to set for a few minutes before shaking off the excess. I quite like it. TFL x

MIRRI-CARD....I HATE IT

2010-12-05T15:34:00.003Z

Thought I might try something a bit different. I don't usually use mirri-card...now I know why. Maybe it's the brand I've got but it keeps 'shaving' off. I used my Cbug to do the snowflakes and shards of it keep peeling off. Managed to get it glued on okay, but it was very fiddly.

And the photo isn't great, either, cos the light's not too good at this time of day! I used my Nesties to cut out the circles, embossed the silver circle and it's all put together using foam pads. The sentiment is Waltzing Mouse. I quite like the overall effect, but it seemed to take a REALLY long time to make. TFL x

WOW!!!

2010-12-01T09:12:00.003Z

Yesterday at my house....

And today...!

ME... ENTERING A CHALLENGE!!

2010-11-28T20:14:00.003Z

The very talented Mandi over at Keep It Simple! suggested that I might enter one of these cards into the weekly challenge, given that the theme this week is 'Joy'. So I've put this one in:

Wish me luck, cos I've never entered anything before! x

MORE CHRISTMAS CARDS...

2010-11-28T18:33:00.008Z

Been busy today! Well, can't go far cos the roads are icy and it's cold....!

And this little cutie is from Pink Gem and he's 'cute-iful', as Lil G would say! Thanks, Janet xx

The 'Joy' and 'Snow' were done on the laptop in WordArt and the centre pieces are all stamped using Waltzing Mouse stamps. Hope you like them xx

WEDDING GUEST BOOK

2010-11-27T15:30:00.004Z

Remember the Hawaiian one? Well I've been asked to make another one for someone else. It has to be purple and white with lillies and not as 'fussy' as the other one. What do you think?

Close-up of the flowers...

BLOOMIN' KIDS!!!

2010-11-25T22:26:00.005Z

Don't you just love it when your child, on her way up to bed at 8pm, suddenly announces that she HAS to take a totally decorated jar full of sweeties for the school Christmas fair... tomorrow!??

So I found an old marmalade jar and my Waltzing Mouse stuff....

SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT NOEL STAMP

2010-11-21T18:07:00.002Z

GOT NEW STAMPS... MUST MAKE CARDS!

2010-11-21T00:28:00.001Z

And another one! Just LOVE these Christmas stamps from Waltzing Mouse! Been itching to have a play! What do you think? TFL x

MY FIRST CHRISTMAS CARDS!

2010-11-20T17:24:00.012Z

The 'Noel' is a digi stamp by Cottage Arts from the Joyeux collection. I resized it to allow the Waltzing Mouse stamps to fit! x

AND LIL G'S BEEN COLOURING...

2010-11-17T17:40:00.002Z

She chose the stamp, coloured it, laid out the card design and all I had to do was stick things on for her. Very talented, my girl. Watch out, crafters.. we have competition!! TFL x

MUM'S BEEN PAINTING AGAIN....

2010-11-15T18:57:00.008Z

So I made a couple of birthday cards out of them... The snowdrops are for a friend. Hope she likes it cos I think the paintings are terrific x

LIL G'S FIRST GROWN-UP PARTY

2010-11-08T08:40:00.000Z

We went to the Hawaiian Luau for our friends' wedding and I just had to share this photo of my very beautiful (and worryingly grown-up!) Lil G. Looks fab, doesn't she? Had her first pair of 'high' heels for the night too... x

IT'S NEARLY CHRISTMAS!!!

2010-11-07T08:55:00.004Z

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted! Time really does fly, and we weren't even having much fun!!
Thought I'd show you a couple of pics from Halloween..

One thing is very clear... I couldn't ever be a brunette!! We got some glowing balloons and turned off the lights... terrified the Trick-or-Treaters!!

Am hoping to get some crafting done later today, so watch this space! x

HAWAIIAN WEDDING GUEST BOOK AND BOX

2010-10-16T17:48:00.005+01:00

Evening all. I have at long last managed to complete this project. It's for my friends who eloped to Hawaii and got married yesterday. When they get back, we're all having a luau!!
I've tried to make it all as 'Hawaiian' as possible.
Here's the cover of the book:

And here's the lid:

I hope they like it! TFL x

BLIMEY! A CUTE IMAGE!!!

2010-09-23T21:53:00.003+01:00

Not like me at all, is it? I'm rubbish at colouring, see? And not much better at cutting out... But it's my mate's birthday this weekend and she's a massive cat lover and she also loves her flowers. So I made this.

She's 29!! I used my nesties to cut out the circles, then glued the flowers and bits on. I also glued the leaves on both sides of the frame to add dimension. I quite like it, but it's not really my style. AND I sliced my cuticle in the process... no idea how!! I hope she likes it, cos she's a lovely person and I'd like to give her something lovely. TFL x

FOR YOU...

2010-09-19T21:33:00.003+01:00

And now for something completely different! It's my friend's birthday next week and she, like me, loves all things oriental. So I had the perfect excuse to use my Waltzing Mouse stamps (Asian Gardens). Hope she likes it. TFL xx

SYMPATHY CARD

2010-09-19T12:33:00.003+01:00

We lost a very dear friend to cancer last week. He had been given the all-clear not 8 months ago, but it came back with a vengance and took him very suddenly. He was a great friend of my Dad and helped me through the court case and coroner's stuff and he will be very sadly missed. I chose the verse because not only will he be reunited with my Dad, but also with his son, who died suddenly a couple of years ago. His wife is a lovely lady and I wanted to make something very special for her. It started out as a good idea but I may have overdone it a bit. What do you think? TFL X

BON VOYAGE

2010-09-12T20:01:00.003+01:00

Made for my Mum to give to my cousin as she leaves for Swaziland. Waltzing Mouse stamps and lavender ink. TFL x

HAMBA KAHLE

2010-09-12T12:22:00.004+01:00

Which I hope means "go safely" in Swazi. Or I may have just wished her a thousand fleas in her pants! It's for my cousin, who's off to Swaziland next week to run a school for three years.

Papers are, again!, Kaisercraft. I think I'm addicted. TFL x

WHEN A CHILD IS BORN...

2010-09-11T17:59:00.002+01:00

... so too are grandmothers. How fab is that sentiment? This card is for my friend who has just become a grandma for the first time. Papers are 'Capella' from Basic Grey, flowers from WildOrchidCrafts and pearls from my stash. Flowers and pearls!! Yay! I'm back!! Actually, it's just a bit of an indulgence - got a Bon Voyage card to do and I think it may be a CAS style card.

Thanks for looking x

SOME GOOD NEWS!

2010-09-11T12:07:00.002+01:00

You may remember a while ago I told you about my neighbour whose unborn child died very suddenly? Well, I am now very happy to tell you that they had a baby boy, Oliver John, on Thursday! He was delivered by c-section at 33 weeks and weighed in at 4lb 5oz, but he's holding his own and Mum's doing fine. So I made this for them. I hope they like it.

The papers are Kaisercraft's 'Up, up and away' again (I LOVE this stuff) and the sentiment is a rub-on from Melissa Frances. TFL xx

GLAD YOU'RE IN MY CORNER

2010-09-09T17:33:00.003+01:00

Another card using the 'Up,up and away' set from Kaisercraft. Honestly, these papers are so fab, the cards make themselves! Sentiment stamp is, of course, Waltzing Mouse. TFL x

UP,UP AND AWAY!

2010-09-09T15:57:00.002+01:00

FINALLY got my hands on the Kaisercraft "Up up and away" set!! The sentiment stamp was free on the latest issue of 'Craft Stamper' magazine. Thought this could be one of those 'men' type cards but I like the paper too much to let a boy have it!!TFL x

A DROP OF RED WINE...

2010-09-05T15:01:00.003+01:00

Apologies for the wonky pic - I promise I haven't tested these bottles!!! The sentiment, thought up by my Lil G, says "I whine a lot, now you can wine a little", which I thought was clever!

MIDNIGHT INSPIRATION!

2010-09-05T00:05:00.004+01:00

I've been wanting to have a go at a wine label for a while and for some reason, tonight was the night to do it. Don't know why. Feeling a bit under the weather, so I suppose it will take my mind off it!! It's a half-bottle of champers and the sentiment says "To return some of the sparkle you bring to my life". The wording is done on my pc but the gold flourishes are, of course, Waltzing Mouse. It's for my Mum. TFL x (PS Off to bed now!)

CAN YOU SPOT MY DELIBERATE MISTAKE?

2010-08-31T16:29:00.005+01:00

I love this set from Waltzing Mouse, but I really can't do it justice for some reason. I quite like the overall effect of this card - it's a whole new style for me, not a pearl in sight! The whole thing is a bit of a disaster movie in the making, but the main -oops!- is that I embossed around the edges of each of the card squares and then used the WRONG SIDE!! D'oh!! Oh well. I still like it. TFL x

ANOTHER DAY OFF AND A FREEBIE STAMP

2010-08-31T14:06:00.002+01:00

No idea which craft magazine this came from, but I think it was 'Craft Stamper' or something. I printed Pink Petticoat's 'Ocean' paper onto cream card and used this as the base. And I can't tell you where I got the sentiment stamp from, either, but it may have been a See D's. This card just sort of came together by itself, sticking with the 'CAS' style. I think I'm going to send it to my mate, but for now, I'll keep walking past it and decide what to do with it when I love it. Hugs x

HEADING BACK TO MY COMFORT ZONE...

2010-08-28T17:42:00.002+01:00

That's better... feels more like home! x

OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE.. BY A MILE!

2010-08-28T16:00:00.010+01:00

Surprisingly - and thanks largely to o/h offering to do the shopping! - I got a chance to play a bit more with my new Waltzing Mouse stamps. This set is called Asian Garden and I love it. But I didn't get on too well. Not the stamps' fault, but mine!
Partly because this is not my usual style of card at all. But if you don't try, you don't know, do you? And I love the 'clean and simple' style of folks like Kerry but it's not really 'me'.
I had a vision of how they should look but they've just not turned out the same I've seen the very talented Claire (of Waltzing Mouse) doing clever stuff with ink and I thought I'd have a go. I tried this ruddy tree about four times before I managed to get it somewhere near what I wanted. I don't know if this card needs any other sort of embellishment? Given its sentiment, I suppose not. What do you think?

Love the idea of this card, but again, I managed to make a lousy job of it! I have tendonitis in my thumb and the painkillers I take for my back make my hands a little unsteady, so I didn't do the best job.
But as a first attempt, what do you think? Hugs xxx

A SWEET TREAT

2010-08-22T10:23:00.001+01:00

Got a jar of lovely St Dalfour marmalade and had a go at a 'gift' label. What do you think? TFL x

MOTHER MCCARTHY'S POWDERS

2010-08-21T18:43:00.003+01:00

Get me!! Three cards in one day! I KNOW!! Another one made with Basic Grey's 'Capella' papers and another Vintage Label from Waltzing Mouse. Oh, and a bit of bling. Not sure why I made it or who it's for, but I'm having fun!! TFL xx PS, I have to mention my clever hubby who takes all these photos. Check out his blog (link on the right) cos he's a very talented photographer.

FOR MY BALMY FRIEND!

2010-08-21T17:39:00.004+01:00

On a bit of a roll, I think! Made this one quite quickly and I think it's very effective and 'warm'. Used 'Capella' papers from Basic Grey - I only bought the 6x6 pad and I really wish I'd got the bigger one, cos they're fabulous. The label is another of the amazing stamps from Waltzing Mouse. TFL xx

MONOCHROME VINTAGE BIRTHDAY

2010-08-21T15:57:00.004+01:00

This is not the first card I made today... oh no. The first card was lovely, really pretty, dead chuffed with it. Right up until I dropped an ink pad on the top of it. Why, oh why do the laws of gravity team up with the laws of Sod and make the ink pad land face down? Not fair. So after a quick spot of lunch and half-an-hour of James Bond tracking the fiendish Scaramanga, I made this.
Pink Petticoat have got some wonderful 'Vintage Rose' papers; this is made using the 'Ocean' colour scheme. The frame on the label is from one of my AMAZING new sets of stamps from Waltzing Mouse. It's for my friend's birthday.
I finally got my mini sewing machine to work, too, which is great as long as I only use white cotton cos I've no idea how to change the bobbin! xxx

YAY! TIME TO CRAFT!!

2010-08-21T08:51:00.003+01:00

At last, a day when I've 'booked' myself as unavailable so that I can play with my new toys.. I've received my stamp sets from the amazing WaltzingMouse and my nesties to go with them...!! Just need a drop of mojo and I'm off!
Besides, there's nothing much else to do cos it's pouring down here.. So WATCH THIS SPACE!! xxx

TOLD YOU!! COUSIN'S BIRTHDAY CARD

2010-08-02T12:50:00.003+01:00

Taken me all morning (most of which was spent fiddling around with the sewing machine!) but I think I like it. The papers are all from Pink Petticoat's new Vintage Rose collection and I love it. Hope you're all well xxx

THERE'S A CARD ON IT'S WAY....

2010-08-02T08:41:00.002+01:00

... oh yes there is. I've finally got a couple of hours to play!! Watch this space!! xx

A LITTLE GIGGLE...

2010-07-19T13:22:00.002+01:00

.. Still no card, I'm afraid, but I'm really hoping to get some free time this weekend to make something.. anything!! Just wanted to share a little gem from my baby girl..
Daddy was working all weekend, so I decided to take her across to our local pub, who do a really good carvery on a Sunday. I hadn't realised quite how often we go there until we walked in and the landlady said "Hi Debs, what can I get you both?". I answered that I would just have a coke. But you should have seen the look on her face when Georgia said "I'll just have my usual, please, Sandra"....

We both collapsed in giggles, and, before you all call Child Services on me, I should explain that Georgia's 'usual' is actually a glass of chilled milk with a straw!!

Out of the mouths of babes... x

GOOD NEWS.. NO, VERY GOOD NEWS!!

2010-07-06T18:37:00.002+01:00

Hi all. I've been absent for a while, sorry. No card this time either, but I do have some very good news - well, for me anyway.
My car started making some odd noises. I had her checked out by a local garage and he said she was fine. That night, she started making some very odd noises. So the lovely people at Lexus Assist came and got her, took her away and arranged a courtesy car for me. Not happy.
Even less happy when they rang me to say that the head gasket had blown and it had caused a lot of damage to the engine. BIG money to get it fixed. And she's out of warranty - typical.
BUT, after 5 days of stressing over a possible £4,500 repair bill, the lovely man at the Lexus garage has just rung to say that they don't feel she should be like that after only four years so they're PAYING FOR IT to be fixed!! How good is that???
I've spoken to friends and colleagues who drive similar cars and they can't believe it. They've all had trouble with their cars which have been 'just out of warranty' and been told 'tough'.
I'm blown away.
I have to say that the customer service has been excellent - truly remarkable in this day and age - and I'm hugely impressed.
So I thought I'd share xxx

A SUMMER SMILE

2010-06-26T11:00:00.003+01:00

We bought a new dress and have to show it to the world!!

LIL G'S PEN-PAL CARD

2010-06-26T09:38:00.005+01:00

Following on from my last post, she was so chuffed to get all these beautiful cards and especially the one from Jessica, asking to be her pen-pal. Jessica wrote and told her all about herself and Georgia couldn't wait to write to back and tell her that they have SO MUCH in common (bless!). She made this:

This was her first attempt with the (MY!) watercolour pencils and I think she's done a great job. Daddy cut out the backing paper for her and she stuck it on, punched out the flowers and leaves, raided her stash for the little sparkly bits and put it all together. No, really. By herself. (Oh, apart from the blue 'aura', which I did). I don't know whether to be worried or impressed!!! Probably both, actually! What do you think? xxx

OPERATION SMILING NOG

2010-06-26T09:22:00.004+01:00

My baby girl has been very unhappy since her best friend moved far away. They have moved for work, but the little one was very upset about leaving friends and family so her mother decided that it would be best not to stay in touch with anyone here. Make of that what you will, but it left my girlie heartbroken, especially because they didn't tell us that they didn't want to stay in touch. So I asked some of my lovely DoCrafts and other crafty friends if they would send my little noggin a card. And they were so kind - she got loads! And she now has a pen pal, too!! A proper one, with letter-writing and sending cards and stuff, not emailing!

She loves getting stuff through the post and has really perked up. So I thought I would share some of them with you:

From Suzi & Jessica and Maureen

From Alex and Maureen

From Linda and my very good friend, Vicky

This one came with my birthday card from our lovely friend, RosiePosie.

My little noggin is smiling again! She still misses her friend, of course, but she's so touched that all these lovely peeps sent her such beautiful cards.

Thank you all. Your friendship means a lot. Hugs xxxx

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

2010-06-20T09:47:00.002+01:00

I can't be with mine today - it'll be six long years at the end of this month - and I know there are many of us in the same boat.

But I also want to wish my o/h a very Happy Father's Day ... he and Lil G have a very close relationship, just like I did with my Dad. She's a proper Daddy's Girl, too, which is lovely. We're taking him out for a slap-up lunch!

To my Dad, whevever you are, you know I love you and miss you every day. Doobie xxxxx

Hugs xxxx

WHEN IS A SHED NOT A SHED?

2010-06-08T17:24:00.005+01:00

When it's a pub... apparently...

The picture is from the Leicester Mercury newspaper (he was also featured in Saturday's Mirror newspaper, too!) and the very dashing creature lounging on the sofa is my big brother. And he's entered his 'shed' into Cuprinol's "Readers' Sheds" competition (I know.. !). It's a great shed, if I'm honest - I've stayed in it! And I think now he's had it extended, you can probably see it from space!! Just thought I'd share xxx (oh, if you get a mo and you wouldn't mind, please click HERE and vote for it!)xx

IMAGES@LN8

2010-05-31T23:42:00.003+01:00

Just a quick post to let you know that I have at last managed to persuade hubby to show the world how great he is at photography. He's done some amazing pics of Lil G, as well as loads of fabulous flowers, etc. He now has his own blog! He can be found at http://ln8images.blogspot.com/, so please take a peek if you get a minute xx

MY BABY BROWNIE

2010-05-30T13:29:00.003+01:00

Just thought I'd share this with you. She was a Rainbow for two years and then got her pot of gold. She made her promise on Friday and is now working towards her Artist badge, amongst many others!! Proud of you, pretty baby xxxxx

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS AND PRESSIES!!

2010-05-27T18:50:00.005+01:00

Hi all! Been a few weeks since my last post - sorry, it's been mad here. And not in a good way. Lots of aggro at the office for both of us and some sad news about a friend, who now needs a coronary bypass and whose husband has cracked his spine in 3 places!! Ouch!!!

But it was my birthday last weekend (22nd) and I had a lovely day. So I wanted to share some of the cards I got and a little something special from my baby girl.

The Eiffel tower card was made by my very good and talented friend, Mrs V H (check out her stuff here), the gorgeous monochrome card was by Rosie Posie (who makes the most amazing creations) and the butterflies were from my friend, Ann. How FAB are those butterflies??? She's going to teach me to make them!!

And, handmade by the little princess herself:

Off to the Sincerely Yours craft show in Lincoln this weekend - yippee!! but watching out for those dreaded debit card pixies who nick all my money but leave me lots of yummy crafty stuff!!

Hope you all have a great Bank Hols!! xxx

EVER HAD ONE OF THOSE DAYS?

2010-05-09T09:50:00.002+01:00

Well, I had one yesterday. I have an order for a wedding card, cream and gold and the bride likes butterflies. Dead easy, I thought... Oh no. The fates were totally against me. The one in my head looked fabulous, but getting that out and onto card... not a hope. I started it at 8 in the morning and by 10 last night, I'd wasted sheets and sheets of card, loads of pearls and flowers and litres of my precious ink! And I still don't really like it.

But I'm not sure why, to be honest with you. I don't get much time to craft anymore, so I've noticed I stick to the same layout a lot of the time... BORING. Actually, I have another one to make today, so I'll try something else.

Anyway, it's done. I can't change it. And I don't have time to make another one as well as the other one.. if you see what I mean!! Hugs. xxx

NOT TOO SHABBY!!

2010-04-28T19:48:00.001+01:00

Hi all.. what do you think of the new look? xx

NEW HOME CARDS

2010-04-26T18:05:00.004+01:00

Made for a couple of colleagues... The pink/white uses a Pink Petticoat digi image from 'In my garden' and my dear C'Bug. The other one is Pink Petticoat 'Lovely' colour paletter with an image from the 'Home Sweet HOme' set, some gold ink and some string! Oh, the obligatory MF rub-ons, of course! The pyramid box (in which I put a fridge magnet) is one of PP's templates, too, done in Lovely. TFL xx

A PURPLE ENGAGEMENT

2010-04-25T14:09:00.002+01:00

Hi all! Hope you're enjoying this lovely weather and you are all where you should be, not stranded where you shouldn't!!

Oh, did you notice my new blinkie at the top right? I saw Postpals on the Russell Howard show the other night... take a look. It's a brilliant idea and we carders can always use a good reason to make a card!!

But this one I made for a friend. No inking or anything! Just punched out some leaves and cuttlebug'd the frame - then got busy with the Glamour Dust and a lot of flowers. The wording is done on my lappy. I'm quite pleased with the overall effect. TFL xxx

SYMPATHY FOR A CHERISHED PET

2010-04-18T11:05:00.001+01:00

Never had to do one of these before, so I hope this works. TFL x

A STUDY IN PINK

2010-04-17T20:25:00.002+01:00

Made this for the Grandmother of a colleague. It's her birthday next week and she's spending it in hospital, very poorly. So I hope it brightens her day TFL xx

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY

2010-04-13T08:20:00.002+01:00

Today would have been your birthday and I would have spent weeks trawling around trying to find you the perfect present! You were always a nightmare to buy for, but you would have loved some of the new gadgets I'd have got you.

Lost you six years ago this year but love and miss you every day xxxx

SPRING BIRTHDAY

2010-04-11T17:29:00.002+01:00

Hi all! Just a quick card for a friend's birthday next week.. She likes spring colours so I hope this fits the bill. TFL xxx

EASTER WISHES AND A TRICKY CARD

2010-04-05T21:09:00.002+01:00

Happy Easter, everyone! Lil G has eaten her own body weight in chocolate, of course, and is totally hyperactive.. we took her to the seaside today - sunny Cleethorpes! - where she had ice cream and chips and a donkey ride... Jolly good fun was had by all!

And I've at last done this flippin' card... It's for a girl I work with who is a Kiwi and has just got her UK residency. Not something I've had to do before and was really struggling for inspiration, but I hope that this works. The rolled-up maps are of Lincolnshire (where she lives now) and New Zealand...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LIL G!!

2010-03-17T13:38:00.002Z

My very beautiful and talented baby girl is seven years old today!! I can't believe it! Not sure if it seems longer or not, but seven seems so grown up! She's already fashion-conscious and thinks boys are 'bleurgh', apart from Troy Bolton of course (HSM, for those of you who don't know). He's 'yummy', apparently.

So proud of her xxx

A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY CARD

2010-03-14T13:52:00.003Z

for a very special friend who is now going to realise that I didn't get this in the post in time and that I'm rubbish, but I hope she forgives me and likes it anyway!! xxx

ANOTHER GO AT THE LETTER BOX

2010-03-07T17:45:00.001Z

Love this woodstaining malarky! Oddly relaxing and I love the fact that you can really see the grain in the wood. TFL xx