Batty Boo!

This cute image is the Batty Boo! digital version from Sylvia's Wee Stamps - you can find it here.  I had printed it out last year but never got around to creating anything with it, so before my stash got put away I had a play.  The image is coloured with my Copic pens and rather than do a Halloween card, I've made it Autumnal instead with lots of Marianne Design die cut leaves.

The colours are looking washed out as I had to take the picture with the lamp on - that pumpkin is actually quite orange!  The paper is also more orange and is a Nitwits digi design I use quite a lot but can't get to my stash to see what pack it's from.  I've added the faux blanket stitch edge with a black marker pen as I had planned to have this as my DT card for the Totally Papercrafts blog, sadly though I've had to step down from the team as I just don't have the time to commit to creating and commenting each week - but instead I can go back to entering the challenges!

Just a couple of Marianne Design dies on this card, the ivy spray is from LR0206 and the maple leaves are the smaller die from LR0255.

Die Cuttin' Divas are looking for Fall colours this time around, as are the Created With Love team.  Over at the Fairy Tale challenge blog they are looking for pumpkins, mushrooms and/or bats this time - perfect!

A quick update on the DIY home front - we are now all plastered and the coving on so looking good.  Now I just need some fine days with a bit of a breeze so I can open all the windows to help get it dried out.  Jason is much better on the medication and managed to get back in his car - so he's off to spend the weekend with his girlfriend and look around the DIY stores in Plymouth.  It's the big craft event at Westpoint, Exeter on until Sunday .. .. I would love to go but although it's not so many miles away, getting there from here would take a couple of hours at least and I certainly can't do that each way on my own and spend a day at the show.  So, yet again I'm having to miss out seeing my friends - if you are going, have a great time and let me see what stash you get!

Pretty Ribbons

The theme this week at Cute Card Thursday is 'pretty ribbons' and we have a new sponsor for this challenge: Crafty Devils, a UK store based not too far away over the border in Devon, but sadly I've never been to it .. .. perhaps a day out is in order then!  I had a quick look at their web shop and there's lots of lovely crafty stash in there so once I've finished my post I'll be putting the kettle on for a cuppa and a leisurely browse.

I can't do much else today as there are two men in the living space .. .. the ceiling is plastered and looking good, if a bit pink! They are making a start on the walls so hopefully they will be finished by tomorrow evening.  Then it's a case of waiting for the plaster to dry before deciding what to do next.  Unfortunately Jason is in agony and off work with a painful back - the doctor says it's just lots of muscle spasms and to rest, take anti-inflammatory pills and pain killers, and not to move any more furniture for a while!

Back to my card .. .. the image is one of my new Lili of the Valley stamps called Nativity Angels and I coloured with my Copics in pale neutral shades then got stuck for putting things together .. .. I hope it all works, what do you think?

Yet more of the freebie Nitwit papers - can you see how I was going for that beige colour rather than the red or blue shades.  When it came to embellishments though I had to add in a little colour so after die cutting the poinsettia from some matching beige Nitwit paper in my stash, I added the blue die cut snowflakes and leaves, and the tiny blue pearls.  Finally, as it's a ribbon challenge I tied a multi bow from narrow red satin ribbon and added a couple of loops behind the flower too.

These are the Marianne Design dies I've used on this card:
mini snowflakes from the Christmas Stocking die (and I still haven't made anything with the stocking) - CR1256
poinsettia - LR0122
leaves - LR0227 & LR0192 (bottom spray with inked embossed areas)

The Fussy and Fancy Friday theme is to use punches and dies on your creation and at Creative Inspirations they would like you to use your favourite stamp brand - Lili of the Valley! There are others I like too but I have more Lili's in my stash now than any other brand!

Boy Sledging

Good Morning!  As promised, I have a card to share with you today.  I treated myself to this charming little lad on his sled with his best friend, a stamp from Lili of the Valley.  I've coloured the image with my Copic pens and created my DT card for the Stampavie and More challenge - yes we are back!  The theme is flowers and the challenge runs for two weeks.  Our DT is a little thin on the ground just now so we might be looking out for a few more teamies very soon, so why not come and join in with our challenge!

Here's my card - the base is cut with a Frilly #10 and I've used a piece of the red spotty Nitwits magazine freebie paper .  There's sparkle on the snow, plus little triple dotty snowflakes I created with a white gel pen for added interest in the 'white space' on the image.  To embellish I've die cut various bits and bobs with my Marianne dies and finished off the flowers with little blue pearls.

These are the Marianne dies I used:
mini poinsettias - LR0142
leaves from - LR0226 & LR0227
snowflakes - CR1225, CR1226 & CR1256

The Christmas Stamping All Year Long challenge is for anything goes, but Christmas and stamping of course.  Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas challenge is to use stamps - my image and text are stamped, and the Cutie Pie challenge theme is 'one for the boys' - my little chap sledging just might go to one of my grandsons, and finally, the challenge at Totally Gorjuss is going dotty - I have dotty paper, dotty snowflakes and pearl dots in my flowers as well as dots embossed on the snowflakes.

clickity click

No card to share today, but I do have a couple for later this week.  Instead, here is a picture of the cushion I've made, styled on my bed with my teddy bear - well you are never to old to have a teddy bear in bed with you, are you?

The wool is a DK weight I bought ages ago to knit a jumper for my grandson, needless to say he grew out of the Grannie's knitted jumpers stage and so the yarn got left in a box.  I have several other colours and weights too, so will be looking out for more ideas to use up the stash.  The pattern for the cushion was in a Woman's Weekly magazine back in the last century .. .. I tore it out thinking one day I might get around to making the cushion, and that day came!  At the moment the pad inside is looking a bit big, but I am sure it will squash down and then the buttons wont be straining so hard to keep the thing closed.

Just a note: ted is a 'Boyd's Bear' - I think called James but I'm not 100% sure and the ticket is put away 'somewhere safe' - and you know what that means!  He is a few years old now and came from the teddy bear shop in Padstow, here in Cornwall. His trousers have faded over time, originally they were an aqua colour similar to the cushion, and his jumper has stretched a bit - and no I didn't knit it although I used to do a little Fair Isle knitting many years ago and still have a little girl's cardi I made for my granddaughter but never got to finish before she got too big!  No more granddaughters so perhaps I will finish the lace edging and offer it up to a good home .. .. ..

Well, we are just about ready for the plasterer - he phoned to say he was delayed but would be here tomorrow morning .. .. I do hope so as I can't get to any of my paper crafting stash without serious risk of back injury.  Jason and our kind electrician neighbour have sorted out the electrics for now, but there will be more electrical work to do fitting spots in the kitchen ceiling and connecting the rewiring for the remaining lights once things are dry and painted.  My big problem now is making a decision on a paint colour for the walls that will sit with the Laura Ashley roman blind I made for the kitchen window, it's in shades of eau-de-nil, off white and pale stone - should be easy then!  The sofas are a dark brown leather and the kitchen work top is a brown/beige/white imitation marble laminate with kitchen units in an oak effect shaker style.  The blinds at the large windows either end of the sitting/dining area are white verticals, and the dining furniture is a 'teak' solid wood from Africa that my parents were given as a wedding present - all I know is it's very solid so not easy to shift about!  We are going to be laying the same laminate floor as in the new build area, a white oak effect finish, and the kitchen area will be tiled in a pale beige ceramic.  So, with the mix of styles, wood and wood effects, I'm thinking a fairly neutral pale shade of beige is going to be the best option .. .. perhaps Dulux Nutmeg White if they still make it.  From experience their 'white' shades have more colour in them than shows on the paint chart - I have Jade White for my bedroom and Mum has a Lilac White in hers and both are definitely a colour - if you get what I mean.

Die Cut Christmas

Hello again!  I just have a little C6 Christmas card to share with you today created with Marianne Design die cuts.

Talking of stash .. .. it has been out of the sideboard so we could move the solid wood thing, then I had to squeeze into the porch to put the boxes back, before the dining chairs got stacked in front of it.  So, there is no way I'm going to be able to get to my stash for at least a week, possibly longer if we decide to wait until the floor is laid and decorating done before bringing the furniture back in.  I do have a couple of cards put by to share with you in the coming days - but sadly after that I will be painting walls, skirtings and doors rather than anything stamped!

I can't remember the name of the paper pack that I used to create the card, if you really want to know I am sure it will be available still from your Marianne Design retailer. The dies I used to create the card are:

icicle border LR0135
fronds LR0245
mini poinsettia LR0142
Merry Christmas LR0225
snowflake LR0124  and CR1227
Christmas tree layers CR1227

To finish things off I've added the little blue gems.

Well, I couldn't find any challenges that my card would fit - the two Christmas challenges that I quite often enter both need stamps this time around, and my card is stamp free!  Now I must get back to clearing and dusting again, ready for the plasterer to get on with his job and to try and limit the amount of dust we consume with each mouthful of food and drink, or inhale with each breath of air - why is it bare walls and floors just exude dust all the time?

Fairy Nice Christmas

This week on the Cute Card Thursday blog our theme is 'Fairy Nice' and as always we leave the interpretation of the theme up to you.  Our sponsor for this challenge is Whimsy Stamps so fly on over to the CCT blog for the details and DT inspiration.


I have inked up one of my new LOTV stamps, although she isn't new to LOTV but somehow I forgot to order her earlier!  I have coloured the cute Christmas fairy image with my Copics then added Stardust Stickles to her wings and the stars, and a white gell pen over the polka dots on the bauble bow.

Here's the card:

The papers are more from the Nitwits freebie pack in Simply Homemade magazine and I have just added the little texts from Cuddly Buddly that have been in my box an age, a scrap of gross grain ribbon tied in a bow, and various Marianne Design diecut bits and pieces to create the embellishment, finishing things off with tiny blue pearls.

The Marianne Design dies I've used for this card are:
mini poinsettias - LR0142
spiky fronds - LR0226
edge to the plaid layer hidden under the flowers and fronds, plus the bit under the bow - LR0270
the little red hearts are the waste from the heart die in the new stocking set - CR1256

The Creative Craft challenge is to include some ribbon on your project and is being sponsored by LOTV for this challenge, so I just have to enter my card with them!  At Created with Love it's an anything goes theme, and the Flutterby Wednesday theme is also anything goes with a fairy or butterfly on it, whilst at Crafty Cardmakers it's for winged things!

And thank you to Claire for leaving me a lovely comment on this card, and when I went to check out her blog she had a reminder that the Christmas Cards All Year blog challenge for September is for Christmas fairies with a touch of sparkle - so another one to enter!

A Christmas Carol

Finally I'm able to post this card!  I have been packing up my craft stash then gradually bits and pieces come out of the cupboard or one of the boxes, and then I have to clear up again .. .. I tell you - being a tidy crafter is just not me!  The good news is that the plasterer is booked for next Tuesday, all the wallpaper is stripped except for behind the radiator and that we are leaving 'till the last minute as we want the heating on in the evenings.  The skip was delivered yesterday and is already almost full with the building debris that was in the garden, let alone anything we might find in the garage, the shed or from the latest diy challenge. Jason has some channeling out to do for the electrics and to build the boiler cupboard - but he tells me "that's no big deal and will be done in time .. .. .. so stop worrying!"

So, to my card - this is one of my new Lili of the Valley stamps, called a Christmas Carol and I've coloured with my Copics along with a white pen to hightlight the snowy accents.

Here's the card:

I've used paper and die cuts by Marianne Design to embellish my card, adding the embossed faux stitiching and inking the edges with a brown Versamagic chalk ink.  The little pearl flower button is from my stash and the pearls on the mittens and edge of the card are made with a cream Wacco pearl maker pen.

This is the list of Marianne Design dies I used on this card:
faux stitches - LR0161
skeleton flower and leaves - LR0156
pine boughs - LR0227
mittens - CR1255

I'd like to enter my card in the Oldie but a Goodie challenge to use dies or punches - and my old things are the dies that cut the flower and skeleton leaves and the Marianne Design patterned papers I got for last year's Christmas cards so am now using up.  Over at the Marianne Design Divas blog it's an anything goes challenge, so as I have the patterned papers and die cuts from MD, I'll enter my card. And, the Creative Card Crew have a Christmas challenge and on the Christmas Card challenge blog the theme is to include music with your creation -  so here's mine for them too!

Winter Gifts

I am enjoying colouring my Festive images to match the Nitwit papers that came free in Simply Homemade magazine, and for this card I chose the aqua paper with polka dots for my background and added a faux blanket stitch edge with a white marker pen.  The stamp is one of the Dawn designs called Dawn Giving Away, from Nellie's Choice by Nellie Snellen.  I've coloured with my Copic pens and added touches of Stardust Stickles on the snow and flakes.

To embellish I found a length of gingham ribbon, an odd button, and cut lots of bits and pieces from my Marianne Design dies to create the embellishments, then finally finished off with the white faux pearls made with the Wacco pearl pen.

Here's the list of Marrianne Design dies I've used on this creation:
biggest snowflake and leaves - CR1225
smaller snowflakes - CR1256
poinsettia flowers - LR0142
stamens - LR0122
red blobby fronds - LR0106

A Creative Romance want to see dies and/or punches - and you all know how much I love to mix up my Marianne Design dies to create pretty embellishments on my creations.

I'm going to have a lazy day today as it's raining and I don't fancy going out to do the weekly shop on my own.  I'm still feeling tired a lot of the time and the neck injury is something I'm just going to have to live with, along with the various allergies that keep cropping up!  My skin is really clearing up nicely - perhaps sitting on a leather sofa rather than a synthetic material one has helped .. .. I'm finding a lot of synthetic fibres irritating.  Plus, I've developed a routine of light skin brushing in the shower with a 'scratchy mit' to remove the flaky skin then tons of the organic Aloe Vera moisturiser with other goodies in it really is helping, so much so that I'm reluctant to go for the UVB treatment now as there are risks and side effects involved (and knowing me something is bound to crop up).  Ah well, I don't have to decide today so instead I can go back to colouring in .. .. no rush now for the DIY as the skip wont arrive until Monday and we have 2 weeks to fill it up.  Still waiting for the plasterer to ring with his quote - hopefully it wont be too exorbitant and he can start in a couple of weeks time as well.  So, I might be nice and tidy for Christmas after all!

Hip to be Square for CCT

Hello! Yes, it's me at last!  I have been having a bit of a tough time of it recently and decided that come what may I would make a DT card for this week's Cute Card Thursday challenge - our theme is 'Hip to be Square' and you can interpret as you will.  Our sponsor for this challenge is Whiff of Joy Stamps.

I recently treated myself to some new Lili of the Valley Christmas stamps and this little chap is the first one I inked up.  And this is the first time colouring with my new specs too - much better at seeing things than the old ones!  I've coloured with my Copics and then added touches of Stardust Stickles for the snow.  I've also added a little extra robin at the top - he has flown in from the robin bird table stamp and filled the gap I thought.

Here is my card, a square white base and I've used Nitwits papers with squares on (a freebie in a recent magazine).  I've matted each of my layers with dark red card and then cut out the snowflake and heart dies from my new Marianne set CR1256, the stocking die set.  The pretty candy cane ribbon is from my friend Jenny's new craft shop.  I found I'd already got the LOTV circular sentiment stamped from last year so that came in handy to finish things off.  The card is less embellished than many I've made recently, my excuse is that yet again my craft stash is on the move .. .. I've taken over the sideboard in the living room for my most used items so I don't have to venture into a freezing cold conservatory on dark winter nights to rummage for stuff.  That means the old falling apart chest of drawers can go to the dump - once I've re-homed the two drawers of wooden stamps somewhere .. ..  Of course, I can't find a thing and everything is squeezed up, but hopefully once the living room has been plastered, painted and the floors laid I can get re-organised again!

I see that the monthly theme on the Lili of the Valley inspiration blog challenge is for ribbon or lace, so I shall enter my Festive Christmas card.  I'm also going to enter the Totally Gorjuss anything goes challenge, and the ABC challenge that's up to the letter U for unlimited (that means anything goes!).

LIM with Baubles!

When I saw that the Less Is More theme for this week was to use a rubber stamp and possibly some water colouring, I had an idea or two!  This card is actually my second effort, the first is not quite so LIM, but I'll show it any way - tomorrow (if I remember).

I've stamped the Serendipity Baubles onto smooth water colour paper then punched out with a scallop square before colouring with my Derwent Metallic water colour pencils - limited colours but I thought they would work with this image.  To make it more festive I've added the Stardust Stickles to the boughs and a little glaze and sparkle here and there on the baubles.  I fixed the 3 squares to my base card with 3d foam then stamped  the text with my new bright red Momento ink - the text is a Serendipity stamp too.

The challenge on the Christmas Card Challenge blog is to use something new - my new red ink pad. And on the ABC Christmas Challenge blog they are up to the letter Q = quick.  My card was relatively quick to make as I didn't have to spend hours pondering on papers and layouts, although it did take a while for the Stickles to dry!

I'll be back soon with my other card .. .. ..

Summer Time

Today is the last day of summer, according to the meteorological office that is, and the sun is still shining here in Cornwall.  There is a distinct change in the air though, things slowing down, flowers going over, butterflies flitting lazily about .. .. a feeling I can certainly identify with too!  I hope we get a prolonged Indian Summer to enjoy before the autumnal winds and rain arrive.

Here is a card that I've had finished for quite a while but forgot to post.  I stamped the Serendipity image of Queen Anne's Lace with butterfly and coloured with my Copcis, added Stardust Stickles to the flower heads and glazed the butterfly.  My original intention was to enter the Serendipity Stamps blog challenge to have a butterfly on your creation .. .. but that theme was ages ago!  So instead I find that the Marianne Design Divas theme of Summer Sun might fit.

And, here is my card.  My base is a small tent fold created from old SU card that I have to use up, thankfully it's a soft colour that I like, and a pile of slightly smaller than C6 envies - oh yes, I am still on my economy stash drive but have told myself that it doesn't include stamps and dies!  I've run the top through the Swiss Dots CB embossing folder, cut out my stamped and coloured image with Marianne Design die LR0279 inking the embossed areas with a soft chalk ink (a better match to the base in real life).  The layer behind the image is from the same die set, pretty fancy this one!  To finish I simply cut the holly corners from CR1253 and again inked the raised areas.  It's a pretty little card for my stash that I can keep for those awkward occasions .. ..

Update on my personal health issues coming up now so skip past if you'd like.  I have had several medical appointments and my rash has been eczema, psoriasis and now back to eczema with possible patches of psoroasis.  I was prescribed Dovobet but it turns out I'm allergic to it and things got much worse!  I've had my name put forward for UVB light treatments but am not sure if they will help or not.  I got a good Aloe Vera lotion with soothing Calendula and other herbal extracts to help after the bad reaction to Dovobet - thankfully things are clearing up nicely so I am very reluctant to go back down the trial and error route of pharmacological remedies. I have been given an inhaler as I've developed a wheeze and possible allergic asthma, but allergic to what?  It's another indication that my immune system isn't functioning as it should.  I have lost two fillings, one from a tooth only filled a year ago (do you get a warranty with a filling), so will have to go to the emergency dental clinic again as I've not found a National Health dentist in this area with vacancies - needless to say I am not looking forward to yet more treatments from newly qualified dentists needing the practice!  What I need is a holiday .. .. a little crafty break would do nicely!

Hello there!

Well it's been a while since I posted, and I totally missed adding my last DT card for Totally Papercrafts ... ... I'll share it with you in just a bit.

First to say that although some of life's problems are still causing me stress, I am actually feeling more positive, if tired.  Yesterday I was treated to a day at the Eden Project - wonderful! Thankfully there is a free bus from the car park to the entrance and a little train inside to take you down to the domes.  We strolled down the zig-zag path as I wanted to see the banks of flowers and enjoy the late morning sunshine.  Inside the tropical dome there are dazzling butterflies flitting amongst the foliage, and an occasional flower too.  I was very glad of the Baobab smoothie towards the end of the route through the tropics, a delicious mix of coconut, pineapple and of course the baobab too.  We stopped for lunch, a healthy salad, before visiting the temperate dome. Unfortunately one of the youngsters wasn't feeling too well so we didn't spend as much time in there as I would have liked, but by then I was beginning to tire a little myself so we wondered through the gardens to the outdoor lift that takes you to the high walkway bridge across to the entrance. By then I was walking very slowly and wished I had my poles with me but still managed to browse the gift shop and buy an Aloe vera and a coffee plant for the conservatory.  I was able to validate my ticket so have free entry for a year and will definitely go back.  So much I didn't get to see, especially outside and as dogs are allowed everywhere except in the domes, I could happily spend a few hours wondering about with them on a sunny afternoon.

The Adult Education flyer came the other day and after browsing the various courses I am going to give Sivananda Yoga a try.  There is a course held in Newquay, not too far away, during the day time so I wouldn't have to go out in the dark winter nights.  I am hoping that this type of Yoga will help my balance which is steadily getting worse, it says that it will "enhance wellbeing and self confidence, improve strength, stamina, flexibility and posture. Teach relaxation and breathing techniques to release anxiety and stress" - sounds just what I need!

And here is the card that I made for the Totally Papercrafts challenge on 16 August - ages ago! it was for a favourite colours theme and I must say I like shades of blue for Festive cards.  The image is one of Lili of the Valley's Nativity stamps, coloured with Copics then with a pricked border.  The card base and layers are cut with my set of Frilly #10 dies and I've decorated with Marianne Design die cut mini poinsettias, ivy leaves and swirls, finishing off with little blue gems.

Unfortunately I'm having to take life a day at a time just now and can only craft occasionally, so it will mean that my posts may be few and far between - I really can't tell.  Today is the first time I've been on the pc in a couple of weeks so lots to catch up with on blogger and Pinterest.  I hope if you are one of my followers that you will stay with me - I so appreciate your stopping by.  And, I promise that I will post now and then if only to tell you what I'm doing, until then .. ..

love and hugs,
annie x

Felty things

Hello again!  I am back with a couple of felty projects that I've finally managed to complete.  The old wrist injury has flared up so colouring is out for a while, and using the computer mouse is agony - but typing is ok and I can managed to sew a little - strange!

Anyway, my first project is something that I was inspired to make after seeing similar designs on Pinterest.  I used my Nestability circles to cut out the wreath from sparkly white felt, and that left me with the bauble.  I blanket stitched the layers together with a little stuffing in the middle for padding and added thin white ribbon hanging loops.  The holly and berries are die cut with Marianne Design die LR0127 and then I've added the stitches to the leaves and little beads to the berries before sewing and gluing them to the wreath and bauble.

I was looking at my blog reading list this morning (first time in days so I haven't gone back too far) and saw that Crafty Creations Challenge is to 'take two' - I hope that my two Christmas decorations will fit the theme for them.

And this is my second project, a little key holder created from felt and Marianne Design dies.  I've cut out the bird and stitched around the edge of the wings and body with running stitches to fix to the base heart.  The heart I've stuffed and fixed the two layers together with blanket stitch.  I've added the veins to the leaves and little pearls for highlights, plus a tiny sequin I found in my bead box.  To finish I cut a length of Marianne's ribbon to make a loop so I could add the split ring for a key.  These are the Marianne Design dies I used to create my key ring:

Heart from CR1225
Bird die COL1301
Leaves from CR1248
Flower from LR0160 (cupcake)

I'm off to the opticians this afternoon so hope the weather clears up before I leave, I hate driving in the rain.  Fingers crossed I don't need all 3 prescriptions renewing .. .. I would like some pennies left for craft goodies this month!

Dieing and Punching - bring it on!

At least it's still Thursday so I'm not technically late this week with my DT card for Cute Card Thursday!   We are sponsored by Katharina at Whiff of Joy - stop by the CCT blog to read all about it and see the DTs inspirational creations.

For my card I found this cute Christmas Bunny I had printed out ages ago - he's by Sylvia Zet for Wee Stamps and you can get him as a digi from here.  I've coloured him with my Copic pens and added Stardust Stickles to the snow and falling flakes.

I have made a relatively simple card this week (it's not been a great week for me) and have just used some of my Marianne Design dies to create a mat for my image and to decorate the card.  The patterned paper is from my stash - no idea where I got it, probably a magazine freebie.  Here's the list of Marianne dies I've used:

pretty square blue mat for my image cut from die in LR0234
snowflakes from CR1225, CR1226, LR0123
text and banner both from COL1325

As I've not been around much to check on the blogs I'm not linking up to any other challenges - if you know of any do let me know.

Now for a bit of a moan - only read if you want to feel as stressed out as me! After a couple of days enjoying the sunshine and pottering about in the garden, I ended up with the most horrific headache last evening and have been taking every medication in the cupboard to get some relief .. .. finally it has eased but I feel like a rung out dishrag.  My own fault - I decided to tidy up a corner flower bed outside my bedroom window, just that little bit of bending and digging and moving a small paving slab or two ... ... it has messed up my neck again big time, every time I move I hear crunching and grinding and the neck muscles are in spasms of protest!

There was good news from the Inland Revenue yesterday regarding my tax mix up .. .. they aren't going to pursue the matter for the moment (probably waiting until Mum pops her clogs and I inherit so they can get hold of the house), however, I had a letter from the DWP who want me to be assessed for returning to work - ha! I am now 60 years old but under the new pension rules have to wait until I'm 63 to officially retire and claim my state pension - so in theory they could squeeze a couple of years hard labour out of me.  I have been medically retired from the Civil Service for the past 7 years as I have a degenerative spinal injury, collapsed vertebrae in my neck (hence the headaches if I try and use my arms too often), spondylosis (curvature of the spine so I walk a bit wonky and one hip is higher than the other) and loss of lordic curve (lower spine giving back ache if I sit or stand in any position for more than a minute or two).  All this was confirmed by x-rays and a Consultant Rheumatologist back in 2006. The consultant doctor appointed by the MoD to review and make a decision for or against medical retirement said I would be crippled in less than 5 years if I continued to work. The DWP seem to think that they are better placed to say if I am fit to work, or not!  

Plus there is the Chronic Fatigue/ME that I was diagnosed with at the same time as the neck problems arose and after a bout of pneumonia.  That gives me memory loss problems as well as exhaustion at the drop of a hat, but it is unpredictable as anyone with the condition will know - but CF/ME isn't recognised as a disease by the DWP, and ME can only be diagnosed by a brain biopsy and that's not something that can be done whilst you are still alive and kicking!  Some days are good, others you can hardly remember your own name let alone any other details about life.  I had the top ME specialist in the land as my Consultant and although my symptoms are relatively mild, and therefore only treated with rest, my immune system is easily knocked for six so getting an infection as simple as the common cold can be debilitating. Mixing with 'the public' is a risky business especially during the cold/flu months of the year - hence trying to avoid doctors surgeries and supermarkets as much as possible!  When my consultant moved on to pastures new just before my father died, we decided that I didn't need any further reviews unless my symptoms deteriorated significantly, thankfully they have not although there have been times when I have been battling an infection that I have definitely felt like death warmed up!

And more recently there is the weird rash that the doctors can't figure out, and increasing tinnitus and deafness from the constricted nerves in my neck caused by the collapsed vertebrae.  Oh, and to be on the safe side I've made an opticians appointment just in case there's something more unusual going on there. Two years ago my eyes were being affected by high blood pressure but then it went the other way and now I have low blood pressure so who knows what will be revealed!  So, all in all, with the stress of looking after Mother, trying to get this place done up (will it ever be fit for company to call), keeping the garden tidy, figuring out what the hell is going on in my relationship with DH, and generally getting through a day without something falling in on me - I'm doing ok!

Just For You

Good Morning!  I am relieved that my poor old pc is working this morning after all the flashes and bangs we had here on the coast last evening and overnight.  At least the garden is looking perky from all the rain and the skies are blue again, albeit with the odd pile of white fluffy stuff on the horizon.  Hopefully it will stay fine for a while as the grandkids are planning another visit tomorrow .. ..

This is my very late DT card for Cute Card Thursday where we have an anything goes theme - I must remember to add it to the blog.

I coloured this cutie Dawn stamped image from Nellie's Choice with my Copic pens then cut her out and added a row of faux stitches around the edge to tie in with the rest of my stitched details on the card .. .. ..

And here is the card.  I've used my Frilly #10 dies again to cut the base and layers but kept my embellishments minimal this time.  The fancy mat behind my image and the flowers and leaves are all from Marianne Design die set CR1248.  I've stitched the veins of the leaves with a green embroidery floss, and around the fancy circle and the centre of the flowers with a peachy pink floss.  The embossed areas on the flowers I've inked in peachy pink chalk ink then finished them off with pink gems.  The little text banner is one of my new dies COL1325 that comes with Christmas text stamps, however, I found that some of my old Papermania clear sets would curve around a bit and fit in nicely.

Stampin' for the Weekend would like to see shaped cards this week, while over at the ABC challenge  blog they are up to the letter S for stitching, so perfect!

Home Sweet Home

Where has time gone, where have the days gone! I am all over the place and have had a couple of very stressful days and completely forgot what day it has been.  But better late than never, here is my card for this week's Totally Papercrafts challenge theme of inspired by a song.  I made the card thinking there must be plenty of songs that could fit the bill .. .. but when I googled Home Sweet Home it appeared to be just the one heavy metal version by Motley Crue (not on my play list), or various versions of an old traditional song written by American John Howard Payne with the traditional tune by Englishman Henry Rowley Bishop.

The 'card' came about as I have new Marianne dies to play with and actually isn't a card as yet.  I might make it into a hanger, or then again add a card blank behind if I need to send it to someone.  The papers are by Nitwits from the Spring Whimsy Too collection, I've cut the layers using Marianne Design die LRO242, then added the little extras with mostly my new dies.  The trees and lamp post are from COL1330, and the house and the text are from COL1333.  The tag shape behind the base is cut from LR0187, the butterfly from LR0158, and the flowers from CR1210.

I hope you like it - I didn't have time to make anything fancier but I think it's turned out ok.

The Allsorts challenge has been to use kraft card and over at the Die Cuttin' Divas the challenge is anything goes!

I hope to be back later, or tomorrow morning with my DT card that I should have posted yesterday for Cute Card Thursday .. .. first though I have to go shopping as the cupboards are bare.  At least my car is now back on the road so I can escape from time to time!  Catch up with you all later - bye for now!

Jingle Bells

Just the one picture today, and not a frill in sight!  When I saw that the Winter Wonderland challenge was for bells, I immediately thought of this cutie on the Penny Black clear set Jolly Follies, and the text is from a very old little clear set. My base is a dark green card from my stash in a tent fold with an inner to match the outer - I need several simple designs like this for DH to give out to his friends and clients so I might repeat this one.

I've coloured the stamped image with my Copic pens then cut out with Marianne Design die CR1202.   The patterned paper is also from Marianne Design and has the look of layers, but isn't - so a quick and easy card.

I am feeling rather tired again - a few ups and downs recently and lack of sleep has got to me.  I was hoping for a good night last night, but the b**** car alarm went off at 4.45 this morning!  I suspect my neighbours cats were dancing on the bonnet again - I'll give 'em dancing if I get my hands on 'em!

Anyway - I am best left in the grumpy corner today so will catch up with you all later - although the postman might cheer me up as I've had email notification that my new Marianne dies are on their way, and also a couple of new Copic pens for my collection  .. .. I might just be tempted to do a little light colouring then!

And, one last thing, the Marianne Design Challenge blog have candy!

look at that beautiful collection of crafty loveliness!  I'm entering - are you?

A very frilly Frilly Christmas card!

Well I didn't get to press the button yesterday for this card, and Mat spent time with my machine in bits to try and see what was slowing thing down .. .. he will be getting a few extra 'bits and bobs' for it then fingers crossed I will be speeding along nicely.  Unlike the car .. .. but that's another story!

So, here is my next Frilly creation, and I went to town rather on the decoration taking my inspiration from Neline Plaisier's Christmas designs in the Marianne Design the Collection brochure #7 on page 6.  I've used my new ivy, snowflake and flower dies - will give you the list of numbers at the end. My base card is again cut with the Go Kreate large frame Filly #10 and the paper on the top is from my scrap box - I think it was probably a magazine freebie some time ago.  I am trying very hard to use up the paper stash .. .. The image is cut out with a Nestie circle and matted with a couple of scallop circles, then behind that I have a Marianne Design circle with the embossed areas inked with dark blue chalk ink.

The image is a little mouse from the Penny Black clear set Holly Day Critters, coloured with Copics, with a pearl pen to create the snowflakes and stardust Stickles over the ice patch.  I've also added a blob of stardust Stickles to the centre of my snowflakes too and used a pearl pen to add the white pearls to the centre of the flowers.  I've inked the ivy sprays, some more than others, and the flowers with the dark blue chalk ink and found just enough dark blue paper to cut the snowflakes, although I think they would have looked better if not quite so dark.

Here's the list of Marianne Design dies I used on this card:

large circle from LRO141
ivy corners CR1253
flowers from CR1251
snowflake from COL1330

The Totally Gorjuss blog challenge is Christmas in July, Addicted to Stamps would like to see lots of layers, and over at Charisma Cardz they want you to make your own embellishments, well I nearly always do!

I've got Frillies!

Yes, after weeks of trying to decide between the different shapes and sizes, I finally ordered a set of Go Kreate Large Frame Frilly #10 dies - and what wonderful service, they came the following day!  Of course, now I want another set .. .. but will have to wait a month or so for the piggy bank to fill back up!  I've had no problems cutting through a double layer of card to create my blank, making sure I didn't go all the way through on the spine so I had a card .. .. and then cutting a paper layer to fix on the top.  Expect to see several shaped cards in the next few days .. ..

But this is my first design, a Christmas card with Lili of the Valley's stamp, the perfect snowman, coloured with my Copics then a touch of Lace Stickles for the snow.  I've embellished with various Marianne Design snowflakes, and had to strategically place a couple of them when I discovered that I hadn't washed my hands well enough after picking strawberries from the garden - oops!  I've also added lots of Stickles to the snowflakes too, a real sparkly number under the lights, but not showing up too well in my pictures.





Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge is for snowmen or snow-women this week and Holly Jolly are also looking for snowmen, and I think I can just about manage to enter the Christmas Card Challenge for snowflakes.

I'm supposed to be tidying up the table and putting crafty things away before the grandkids arrive, but I might just finish off another frilly card I have almost made, then I can schedule it to share with you tomorrow.  Enjoy your day!

Christmas in July

As I had my Copic pens out on the table I thought it might be an idea to colour some Christmas images and get started on those festive cards.  This little cutie is from Lili of the Valley and called Milly Winter Window.

I have a few challenges I can enter with my sweet festive card: both Sweet Stampin' and Crafty Catz blog challenges are for Christmas in July, while the Cutie Pies challenge is pretty in pink, and the Papertake Weekly theme is dieing for a punch.

And the theme for the monthly challenge over on LOTV's Ideas to Inspire blog is for a touch of pink - perfect!

I've created a tent fold card with a scallop blank then added the mats and pretty papers before decorating with lots of Marianne Design die cut pieces.  These are the dies I've used:

star border - LR0134
holly sprays - LR0244
mini poinsettias - LR0142

I have to do a bit of tidying up now as the grandkids are coming on Sunday, plus there was a swarm of flying ants in the conservatory yesterday evening that caused a minor panic!  I went around with the fly killer, Jason siliconed up the hole they were flying out from, and after leaving them to die I had to go and dyson up the bodies.  The spray has left a residue on the windows so guess what I'm doing later today .. ..

Whatever you are doing, enjoy your weekend and hopefully the sun will keep shining wherever you are.