Strolling and Snapping

Yesterday I went for a lovely walk around the local town after taking Joe to school, and I decided to take my camera along for the ride. You may be wondering why, all of a sudden I'm able to post on my blog so regularly after such a long absence, and how I'm getting out and about more than Ant and Dec, well, you see I'm having a couple of weeks off work. I'm having my treatment this afternoon (by the time you read this I should be well and truly doped up and hopefully out of it!) and I just need some time to get back onto the World. It has been really great - firstly getting to grips with mundane things such as cleaning and shopping, but also wonderful to take time to enjoy the world around us...and that's where these photographs come into the story. Sorry for waffling!

I noticed this stunning flower on the way back from walking Joe to school, so on my way to town I couldn't resist stopping and taking a couple of photographs. I love how the water droplets have fallen on the petals and the colours of the flower are gorgeous!
Once I got into town, I popped into the local coffee house for my favourite non-alcoholic tipple - latte! I had taken in a couple of photography mags with me, and I was overwhelmed with the need to take this photograph. I love taking pictures like this, and the wonderful thing about digital photography is that you can keep snapping away, getting the lighting, aperture and composition right until you're happy! This is not exactly right, so I've just contradicted myself, but there was a fella in the coffee house trying to talk to me all the time, so I was distracted!

Then on I went to St. Peter's, an Anglo-Saxon Church in Barton Upon Humber which dates from the 10th Century. It's not used as a place of Worship (there is another church about 200 yards from St. Peter's) - it's now a National Heritage property, and therefore open to the public. However, not on the day I visited. Just my luck!

I don't know whether I mentioned it before, but I recently (well, December) joined the local Amateur Dramatics Society (Southwalk Players) and we run the local Barton Ghost Walk. I play the Ghostly Midwife and I tell my story in St. Peter's Grave Yard. I stand just by the grave stone (to the left of the street light, if you can make it out) and tell the story of the 'Woman that no one knew). Oooooo Spooky! It really is in the dark. The Ghost Walk usually runs from October to March (we need it to be dark), but we're doing a one as part of Barton Arts Week on the 28th June. It starts at 9.30pm from Baysgarth Museum (if you know Barton). Why don't you come along if you live close by and fancy being scared out of your wits?!

So, this grave stone is the centre of the story I tell. It reads "Doomed to receive half that my soul held dear, the other half with grief, she left me here. Ask not her name for she was true and just, once a fine woman, now a heap of dust." Nice. If you want to know more about the story, you'll just have to come on the Ghost Walk!!

Then I went home, and did boring homely things. Hopefully tomorrow, if I feel up to it tonight, I may have a card to share. Have a great evening, won't you!

Two days, and a Whole Lotta Fun!

Hi there, I hope you are having a great day so far!

I went and had me hair done yesterday, and for a change I chose a new colour - instead of the vibrant red highlights I usually have, I've gone for a coppery red, and very pleased I am with it too! I must say though, I went to bed early last night with the mother of all headaches, I always seem to get them after a long visit to the hairdressers - I think my head doesn't like being touched for that long!

I thought I would tell you about my weekend at the Glitter Pot in Sussex! They were having a demo weekend a couple of weekends ago and I was asked to demo on behalf of docrafts - a chance to visit an amazing shop in the glorious Sussex countryside? How could I refuse? Well, I couldn't. So I didn't.

Here I am at the beginning of the second day of the weekend, practically chomping at the bit to get started demoing all the gorgeous products, such as the utterly stunning Henbury Lane Collection. And here you can see these scrumptious snippets of lusciousness patiently waiting to be taken home by a loving crafter to be used in abandoned craftiness (oh no, I've been sniffing the silicone glue again - not- just in case you think I'm being serious!).



Now, I'm still looking as happy as ever even at the end of the weekend. Why??? Because I get to shop!!! Look at that cute Glitter Pot bag filled with aforementioned scrumptious snippets of gorgeousness. I'm still chomping at the bit to get crafting!!! Look, my expression practically screams 'Chomp'!

Now, this is a lovely photo of two of the nicest crafting celebrities in the industry. Julie Hickey and Paula Pascual - yes, THE Julie Hickey and THE Paula Pascual!!! Please, don't think I'm being facetious - I'm completely serious. Julie has been my inspiration and one of the designers I most admired when I first started crafting. I remember when I first got to meet her as a visitor to the Hobbycrafts exhibition to the NEC in Birmingham back in 2005. I approached her as soon as the show started with sweaty hands and a dry mouth in the hope that she would sign my book that I had eagerly packed that morning, ready for this moment. She was so lovely, although she did look a bit scared when I wouldn't let go of her hand (again, I jest). A genuinely lovely lady. and now for Paula, the uber talented Spanish Bonita. She is the bee's knees, I love her style, her company, her photography skills (see my blog picture - thanks honey!) and most of all her. I'm so grateful and honored to now calls these people my friends.

Well, after a seven and a half hour journey from home to the Glitter Pot, then two days of demos, what better way to spend Sunday evening than on the car park that is the M25. Arrrrggghhh!

I seriously had enough time to get out of my car, go for a three course Maccy D's (complete with McFlurry of course - Oreo, not Crunchie you understand), walk back, have a chat with other stranded car travellers then get back in my car. I didn't of course. Instead, after about half an hour of not moving ANYWHERE (as you can see from the picture above, I'm actually still on the slip road onto the motorway), I cracked out my camera and started a-snapping. People were looking at me like I'd lost the plot. And I think I had.

I took this photo 'cos I love clouds. Oh, and because I was more bored than I ever thought possible. What I would have done for a telly and a good episode of 'Most Haunted'.

Then I took this photo and started laughing at myself. Yes I think I had really lost it at this point. About an hour and a half after this ( count it - two hours, not moving anywhere) the traffic slowly started moving, thankfully replacing my sanity to it's usual state. See, I don't use the word Normal. I set home on my journey at 4.45pm and climbed in to bed at 11.45pm. Oh the joys of car travel.

See you tomorrow. Thanks for visiting - and have a great day xx

Congratulations, and Celebrations!

Hello there!

Well, I did say yesterday that I would be back with a card, but unfortunately the day progressed so fast that after putting Joe to bed, then doing all the household chores, that it was my bedtime before I knew it.

Anyway, here I am - with a card so it's not all bad news! This is a card that I made a couple of weeks ago for Mrs. Zaitschenko, the new Head Teacher at Joseph's school. At the moment she is the current Key Stage 2 teacher, so it's really great that the new Head Teacher will be someone that all the children know.

I embossed a cream A6 tent card blank with a quickutz embossing folder, then I used a gorgeous wrapping paper from Paper Chase to create a lovely accent on the card. The wide grossgrain ribbon is also from Paperchase, and I used tortoise shell buttons from my stash to finish off the panel. To finish the card I used white doodlebug rubons to spell out my greeting - as you can probably see I nearly didn't get all the letters of Mrs. Zaitschenko's name on the card!

TIP: when adding lettering to a card I always start at the end on the word, and work back - this helps me try and make sure that I have enough room, rather that guestimating how much space I'll need then running out!

That's all for now - I'm off out this afternoon for a trip to the hairdressers for a cut and colour - I haven't had my hair done since April so I'm really looking forward to it!

Drama, Drama, Drama!

Well, as you can probably see I've been really busy over the past couple of days, adding little touches to my blog to hopefully make it more appealing to the eye, and I've really enjoyed doing it! I must thank Shabby Blogs and Cutest Blog on the Block for advice and free blinkies! Gosh I remember about two and a half years ago, I didn't even have a blog - or know how to create a link or anything - it's amazing what you can learn from internet pages around the world, so thanks for all your help! I've also added some pages to my blog - Tutorials - with links to the tutorials I've done (only 2 so far, but I hope for more) and Challenges around blogland.

Had a bit of a drama on Saturday night - well, it started like this...David (hubby) had gone to bed, and I was still on the internet playing around with my blog. Decided I'd take a visit to the downstairs ladies room as you do, and minding my own business, walked straight into a BIG puddle of water all around the loo. Quick as a flash (rather like Mrs. Incredible) I ran upstairs to get David. Who stumbled downstairs (he does like his sleep, bless him) and tried to wake himself up. I did think about splashing him with toilet water, but thought he might object.

Anyhoo, to cut a long story short, it seems that the cistern is cracked all down the side and underneith, only a hair-line crack mind you, but I'm sure thats all it needs for those pesky molecules of water to escape. So there I was, midnight - suddenly tired at the thought of having to do some work scooping out water from the cistern with one of Joe's plastic beakers (which is now in the bin just in case you're wondering).

Now, every cloud has a silver lining - the floor isn't damaged (we think, it's a laminate floor), and it means that we need a new loo - Whoo hoo! (ooo, that rhymes!) and to finish it off we're going to have a small corner sink fitted, which will be great instead of having to use the kitchen or utility room sink. That's if we can fit one in...it's a very little, little girls room!

I'll try and be back soon with a card...thanks for coming to visit!

A new Signature!

Good Morning Everyone!

Goodness, before you know it you'll be sick of me updating my blog before long - I can't seem to stay away!

I just wanted to share my spiffing new signature that I just made using instructions from Shabby Blogs, it's so easy to do, and I can't believe after wanting one for all this time, it was as easy as it was! Knowledge is only powerful when shared, so why don't you go and have a look and make your own signature? I think I may have to mess about with the size, but it's a start!

I'm sure I'll be back later with news of what's happened over the weekend and a card, we had a bit of drama last night! Over to my signature....

A Lovely Award!

Well, I'm back again, this time to thank Sarpreet for my award which she gave to me about two weeks ago now. I'm so sorry for being delayed in accepting it, but now I have some time, I want to thank Sarpreet so much for choosing me.

The rules of this award is to link it to the person who gave this to you and award this to twelve other bloggers. Goodness, this could take some time!

Leonie Pujol

Paula Pascual

Kim Costello

Alexandra Kamann

Christine Dark (check out her digi stamp blog too - I love it!)

Emma Wood - (please do go and have a look at her blog and support the Yorkshire Air ambulance that she is raising money for in her father's memory)

Katy Harrison

Beckie Dreyer

Amanda Stokes

Fabrizio

Melanie Marshall

Katy Godbeer

Well, that took ages, everyone of your blogs are so inspiratonal that it was difficult for me to choose!

Please, go and pay them a visit and leave a lovely comment, it will make their day! And thanks again, Sarpreet!

Love, Clare x

More Storage Ideas - Love IKEA!

Now here's a little swishy idea for storing all your stickers, gems, decoupage and almost anything else that you can basically attach to a clip, and don't ask me how I came up with it, because I just don't know! I LOVE it, because I can see everything I have and therefore use it, before it was all hidden away in drawers and the like, and I forgot I even had it, so it never got used. Also it's all to hand just under my shelf near my desk, so I don't have to keep getting up (not that I'm lazy you understand), and the clips are really strong, so nothing falls off.

It's meant to be a net curtain wire and hooks from IKEA, but I soon changed that! You can also buy extra clips, which are a little bigger - great for bulkier items, or when you want to put a few things on a clip. For my docrafts goodies, I try and keep things from a collection on one clip, and other things I keep together such as letter stickers, rub ons, gems etc. The great things about this also is that the clips will detach from the wire and you can move them around.



The great thing about the clips though is that they are detachable so I can move them around on the wire. I would recommend though that if you are going to get something like this and you need to trim the wire, use some heavy duty wire cutters (proper DIY cutters), and not your lovely jewellery wire cutters as I did, or believe me - you will ruin them!


Finally, another obvious one, my best friend sheila bought me this cute little watering can and pail in aqua when I first decorated my room, and it's perfect for my pens! It's just the right size and allows me to see what I have. I have my watercolouring pencils and Papermania brush makers in the pail (not photographed). So cute!!!


That's all for now! Hope you're having a great weekend and making the most of the weather!

Love, Clare x

Storage Ideas

I can't believe it's nearly been a month since I last updated my blog. One day, I'll get the hang of keeping this thing up to date - I used to be so good at it, but I suppose over time I've become busier, and with that comes less time for things like this.

At the moment I'm having some time off work - next week I have some treatment at the hospital and docrafts have very kindly said that I can have some time off around the treatment - I really need it to be honest, life has been very hectic recently. Sometimes I feel that I never get time to look up and appreciate things around me - so the next few weeks will allow me to do just that.

So far this week I've cleaned out all the kitchen cupboards and restocked with food - goodness I can't remember the last time I went out for a good old food shop! Once, the cupboards were bare, now they are overflowing! I've also had my car serviced, and we';ve had the painters in and now have a fresh new hall, stairs and landing! I'm trying to catch up on all the things I never get the time to do. Next week I hope to have some chill time. I'm hopfully getting a swing sear (always wanted one of those!) to sit in the garden, but I think the weather is meant to get miserable next week again - I choose my moments!

Anyhoo, I DO have some cards to share with you (Pardon? I hear you scream) but tonight I want to show you some ideas for storage that now grace my room. I found these CD storage holders at Tesco, and I thought they would be perfect for my quickutz nesting dies and the like - and they were!

They are like a little filing cabinet, and I keep one set of dies in each CD pocket.

I also can fit in my Quickutz embossing folders ( and also other brands of embossing folders) so they are really handy to see what I have available. I also keep my Letterpress printing plates in the CD pockets too. Now I have three of these blue boxes, one for dies, one for embossing folders and one for my letterpress plates. I love them!

And now, these are quite obvious ideas, but I thought I would share the pictures anyway, becasue they are so yummy! I always buy Douwe Egberts coffee, and use the glass jars for storage as they have lovely glass lids with a vacuum lid (which I remove for the dishwasher), and they really don't look like coffee jars when used for someone else. I not too keen on using a glass jar with a plastic branded lid, as I think it takes away the beauty of what's inside - call me shallow, but there we are! The small er jars are from IKEA, as are the white stands, which allow me to layer my jars and get more on a shelf.

Anyhoo, that all for tonight, hopefully I'll be back before you know it with a couple more storage ideas!

Take Care,

Clare x

As promised!

WoW! I know... I can hardly believe it myself - I said I would be back with a card, and I am! Okay, are you alright after your fainting attack - I thought I heard a thud!

But there has to be a confession somewhere in this post doesn't there? I didn't actually make this card last night. I popped around to a friend's house for a quick chat and a brew last night, and it turned into a fish and chip supper with a glass of white zinfandel (which is actually rose - go figure!). So when I got back home about 9pm, I didn't feel like cracking open the inks and reaching for my papers - the sleep monster had me in his grasp. So I had a cuppa and after browsing through Facebook (seriously, I think I have an addiction - you can find me under Clare Docrafts Curd - original, don't you think?) off I went up the golden staircase to Bedfordshire.

So, THIS card is actually a card I made for the Forever Friends CD rom launch on Ideal World. I also used it as a demo card on a couple of the hours too. So, confession over, in any case I hope you like it. Photo is a bit wonky - no I didn't take it after a glass of wine!


If I remember correctly, the image, greeting and paper is from the Wedding section, and the green leaf paper (one of my absolute faves!) is from the Everyday section. I inked up the edges of each peice of paper with brown ink to create some definition, and added a faux stitching to the leaf paper. You can't really see it, but I also added Anita's 3D clear gloss finish to the wheels and lights of the car too. LOVE that stuff! The ribbon is from the Papermania Heather Capsule Collection.

Anyhoo, that's all for tonight - off to Am Dram in about 15 minutes for the first time in three weeks, darling!

Love, Clare x

Just a Bit of Sharing...

Hi there everyone!

Thanks for stopping by, I really do appreicate it seeing as I have heavily neglected my blog over the last few months - things have been pretty hectic what with one thing and another.

I'm really enjoying the Ideal World Experience - I love going there - everyone is so friendly and helpful, and it's really great to see Leonie again! By the way please stop me if I repeat myself, I have a habit of doing that - my memory is terrible!

On the health front, I have had my results, and without going into too much detail, I do have to have some treatment, but once that is out of the way, hopefully that will be it. Still feeling very tired and worn out though! I'm still having investigations for the blood results things look good. Thank you again for all your well wishes, it really means alot!

This week, I've been making cards for Creativity! Magazine, and Creativity! TV, so unfortunately I can't show you those, but I wanted to share some photos I took using one of my new lenses, a 50mm 1.8. Katy Godbeer introduced me to hers at the Christmas party, and a love affair was born! I love the combination of the colour of the walls in my living room, and the flowers - gorg!

Anyhoo, maybe I might have a card tomorrow, as I'm going to make one just for me tonight!

Love and best crafty wishes,

Clare x