Best Wishes, Birdie!

Look, I'm so sorry about this...really I must apologise - for my over use of the wonderful Henbury Lane Collection from Papermania! I never realised that I had used it so much, but it appears that I simply can't get enough of it!

This is another of the designs I've put together for my little old stall at the local fayre/fete - call it what you will. I'll be making quite a few of these for people to pur-chase, as time is of the essence and I'm sure you also find that the time consuming part of making a card is the actually designing. I'll probably shake things up a bit by changing the colour scheme, but the layout should stay the same.

The birdie comes from a fantastic punch I got my hands on a couple of months ago from Stampin' Up, and it's gorgeous for creating lots of lovely cards! Here I've punched out the pieces with differently coloured core'dinations cardstock, and inked the edges with Colorbox chestnut ink to add definition. I cut my scalloped mat and circle using my Quickutz nesting dies, and the light blue paper is from my scrap box. The greeting is from a Woodware set that I've had for ages, and of course, my card would be incomplete without a little hand drawn border around the circle.

Hopefully have some pictures and the whole Alton Towers debacle tomorrow, but to be blatantly honest, I haven't the energy to type it at the moment!

Hope you're having a great day - thanks for stopping by!

Busy Bee Weekend!

What a busy couple of days! We just got back from a fun and eventful packed weekend at Alton Towers, and I'm absolutely shattered. There's so much to tell you, but I will leave it for another night, but as usual whenever I'm involved, there was drama galore!

Tonight I have another card made at the Glitter Pot demo, but this time I have used the Hampstead Collection of gorgeous papers, embossed transfers and flowers. I LOVE this collection - it's so warm and comfortable, like putting on a pair of old slippers and having a hot chocolate!

As the sketchy flowers are gorgeous, I immadiately reached for that particular paper, and used Colorbox chestnut ink to slightly distress the edges. I added a co-ordinating paper to the bottom and covered up the join with one of the glittered cardstock borders. Mmm, scallops!

The frame around the embossed transfer greeting is one of the flowers from the Hampstead Collection, and I've added white gel pen dots for a little more interest. Hope you like it.

Anyway after a great weekend, best get to bed. Hope you had a great weekend too!

Remembering...

Hope you've had a wonderful day!

Tomorrow is going to be a toughie for me, but firstly to a card, again made at the Glitter Pot. On this project I stirred together a little Henbury Lane {can you tell how much I ♥ this range?!} with a soupson of Papermania Rose Garden, and I love how it came together!

Goodness, I just love the watercoloured effect of those stickers and the butterflies are to die for! The handwritten effect of the greeting also gives a personal touch.
Tomorrow sees the first Anniversary of the loss of Michael Jackson. If you read this post, you will know I have been a lifelong MJ fan, and I still am. He meant so much to me, and I think of him everyday. I know that not everyone liked him, as no one can be liked by all, but he will always hold a special place in my heart. Remembering Michael Jackson. Gone too Soon.
Have a great evening, and thanks for stopping to visit!

Sending Hugs in a Tea Cup!

Hiya,

Just a quick post tonight, as my battery on me laptop is about to run out, and I'm too lazy to leave the bed {complete with snoring husband} and get my charger! I've been browsing through my followers blogs - something that I always mean to do but rarely get the time. For some reason it wouldn't let me click on some of them, it would do the bottom right on each set, but then none until I got on the tip row. Very strange indeed. There were a lot I missed, but I'll have another shot at it soon.

Onto another card I made at the glitter pot, using one of my all time favourite collections from docrafts - Henbury Lane. And yes, the tea cups get another outing, this time in decoupage format, simply because they are so darn cute {in the words of Jonny Depp as Willy Wonka} The papers are from the same decoupage set too, but the greeting stamp is from one of the Hawthorn and Bramble stamp sets.

I've yet again pulled out one of my stalwart crafting techniques - paper pricking around the edge of paper or cardstock - never fails to bring interest to a card...oh, and a little freehand lines too - yum! Put a cake on there to go with the tea, and I'd be all set!

Hope you likee alotee!

Love, Clare x

Butterfly Summer Love

Hi there everyone!

Goodness, hasn't the weather been gorgeous today? Well it has where I live so I hope you've had the same luck. Having said that it was been a little too hot for me, I could have just done with a little breeze every now and again. I've had three showers today - good job we don't have a power shower, more like a dribble shower, but it did the job at keeping me fresh! And a hot day would not be complete without a calippo...yum!

Tonight I have a card for you that I have made to raise money for our local community, and also the charity I support. I'm holding a stall at the local summer fete, Woottonstock {get it? - very clever don't you think!}. It's been held in the village for years now, and it's a great success. There are lots of little stalls, plus support from the police, neighbourhood watch, and fire service - they come with their fire engine and let people sit in the fire engine and have a go with the hoses...very popular with the ladies of the village - in fact many children have been hurt under the stampede of hormonal women. You think I'm joking...

Then in the evening, we all gather in the pub's beer garden and a couple of bands play till it gets dark, and there's also a Bar Be Q - a lovely end to a lovely day.

As well as having a stall at the fete, I also have to make a cake for 'guess the weight competition' on the neighbourhood watch stall, David (my hubby) is a neighbourhood watch coordinator and this is our contribution, as well as our time. I have suggested that he makes a cake for the stall, but he quite rightly said that it may weigh three stones if he did, so I think we better stick to me making it!

Goodness, I can waffle! So, onto my card.

I made this card with scraps of card from the Forever Friends Pink Parfait collection, and the blue polkadot paper I think is from the Forever Friends Christmas collection of papers. I think, because sometimes it's hard to tell with scraps! I ♥ using scraps, it's one of my most favourite things to do. It gives me such a feeling of well-being. One day I plan to use everything in my craft room before buying anymore, which I should achieve when I turn 565 years old.

The butterfly is that gorgeous punch from X cut. I just LOVE it! It's so versatile, and the pearl heart is another item from my stash. The scalloped border is from the xcut border punch, which I embellished with irridescent shimmer dots. I'm sorry, I cannot for the life of me remember which stamp set the greeting is from, however I have used brown ink to colour. If anyone knows the whereabout of this sentiment, please don't have nightmares, do get in touch.

Thanks for stopping by, have a great evening!

Cakes and Cards

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Just a quick post today with a card to share - yes, you read it right, can you believe it?! I have a card! However, I have to say that I haven't made this over the past couple of days, as I've been taking photographs of my friend Michelle's cupcakes for her New Cupcake business - the Lincolnshire Cupcake Company, and let me tell you - her cakes are AMAZING!!!

I seriously had trouble keeping my hands off them, and one nearly slipped into my mouth! Michelle (who's surname is Baker, how appropriate!) very kindly gave me a cake, and it was stunning. Let me show you just a couple of the cupcakes that she made.

How utterly stunning are these? They are perfect in every way, right down the the coloured sugar which almost looks like glitter! Can you imagine having cakes like this for a Wedding or Birthday celebration! SO different and sophisticated!

This one also has the coloured sugar which looks like glitter! It's amazing!!! Michelle's attention to detail is second to none. I've asked Michelle to make Lightening McQueen cakes for Joe's 6th birthday, and I can't wait to see them! Of course, if you would like to order some cakes, or commission The Lincolnshire Cupcake Company for a special celebration, then Michelle would be delighted to discuss your needs. you can contact her through her website {please excuse the cake crumbs, it's under construction but there is a link to e-mail her}. Wow, it really has been a joy taking the photographs! I'll share some more photographs when I've edited them.
Now onto my card. I made this at the Glitter Pot demo, oh about three weeks ago now, and excuse me for saying so, but I love it! My card making style has seemed to take on a Clean and Simple Style recently, and I really am enjoying it.

I've used the Hampstead stamps on this card (both the Sketch Flower and the Icons and Sentiments) and simply stamped the flowers around the bottom of the card with Vivid ink in Ultramarine. I love these inks as they are exactly what they say - vivid, and being waterbased you can use them to colour too. I blended the colours with a paint brush. I matted the panel onto blue coordinating cardstock. I stamped the greeting in the same colour and cut out, then fixed it to the front of the card over a length of pink ribbon from the Red hot capsule collection.

Anyhoo, that's all for today - tonight we're going to a quiz at the local village hall, and we're all really looking forward to that!

My Sea{t} of Tranquility

This is the life...this really is the life! I've been busy all morning zhushing up the garden with my new pur-chases and now I'm enjoying the fruits of my labour.

I've planted some more pots and given the table and chairs another coat of furniture oil, filled up the bird feeders and given the bird table a good clean, cleaned out my glass lantern which were filled with wax after the children got hold of them after a Bar-be-Q we had in April, got out the chimnea from the back of the scary shed so that we can actually use it if we get cold, and put up my lanterns, fairy lights and got out my cushions and throw for when there's a chill in the air in the evenings.

This is where I'm sat right now typing this! Isn't the wonders of technology amazing - thirty years ago you would have had trouble to fit a computer into a space the size of an average family living room, and look at me now, sat with one on my lap. Whatever next - flying cars?!

I LOVE my new swing chair/seat/bench {delete as appropriate} it's so comfy - I'm laid the length of it right now as it gently swings to and fro. All I need now is the sound of waves lapping the shore - I've got a water feature - does that count?

This is to the left side of the swing appendage {If you were sat on it, not if you were looking at it - I don't want you to get confuddled} with the array of pots and plants that I bought yesterday. I also dragged the large one in the corner around from the front of the house, and nearly gave myself a hernia whilst doing it. We've only used the chimnea once, although we have only had it since April, so I can see it getting used lots now it's outside. And it's a lot more environmentally friendly than those calor gas patio heater thingies.

One minute whilst I switch to the other side of the chair and get a swing going...That's better - I was burning one arm and I don't to get lop sided! OOo, and it is a little red too! Silly me - you'd think with having dark hair I would tan easily but I take after my dad - one look at the sun and I'm like a lobster! Will be slapping some aftersun on that tonight me thinks. Anyhoo, I digress. This is the right hand side of the swing. Again a similar set up here, sans le chimnea {Ooo, get me!}

Mmm, look at my gorgeous pinky pink lantern! And I love the daisy flowers (real name Osteospermums or something like that). Grass is a bit neon glow-in-the-dark...you see, I didn't use RAW!!!

Just look at them, aren't they stunning? I love the blue centres with the touch of orange around the edge. Wish I'd got the orange ones too now :( Will go back at the weekend and get them :)

Finally, here's a couple of the lanterns. I just love candle light in the evenings! and I ♥ ♥ ♥ my new decking area!

Well that was a little like 'through the keyhole'! Promise this is not turning into a gardening blog - papercrafts is still my first love. Normal service will resume shortly!

Move Over Alan Titchmarsh...

Good Evening!

Well, I've not been in my craft room as of late - I'm making the most of the good weather and at the same time trying to get my garden sorted out in my last few day off recuperating. The swing seat has been up for a good few days now, but I've barely sat in it for 10 minutes as I always seem to spot something to do!

Today I've been planting up some new pots and then had a trip to the garden centre for more plants and lovely things to make my garden nice! I must admit however, I'm not very green fingered, and I had to ring my mum to ask - is so and so plant perennial? I only like to buy perennials if I'm planting in the strip along the back, as I can't be doing with the hassle (or the cost for that matter) of planting out, then having to do it all again the next year! I don't mind bedding plants and annuals for pots, but I like something in my garden all year around.

I also bought an outside small table for the side of the swing chair to hold a drink or two! - maybe olives too? I LOVE olives! And the chimnea will make an appearance onto the decking full time now I've bought a cover - no use tucked up in the shed, and then when you need it you can't be bothered to get it out! I also bought some beautiful hanging baskets - 2 for £12! It would have been rude not to at that price! A couple of lantern also went into the trolley ready to hang around my decking - I really can't wait until it's all finished - just in time for winter I expect - I'll be sure to post some photos when it is.

Well, best be getting to beddy byes, I had a late one last night - Talking to Cliona Larkin (a fellow docrafts demonstrator from over the pond; no, not America - Ireland!) for nearly three hours - imagine the phone bill. Then I realised I had her on skype where we could have chatted for free - she was best pleased. I will have exciting news once everything is sorted. Tomorrow I have a man coming to steam clean a couple of my carpets - cheaper and less hassle than replacing, and remember - watch the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves. Not in my purse!

Thanks for taking the time to visit xx

I want it RAW!

Good Tuesday to you all!

I cannot believe it's Tuesday already - where did the weekend go? David was a way all week with work - and he returned Saturday just in time to fix together my new Swing Seat/Bench - call it what you will. As you can imagine, he was so filled with joy at the thought of that! I explained to him that as I had bought it, he would have to pay 10 pence per sit (which I think is quite a reasonable amount), but then he said he would have to charge me £1,000 for fitting together (daylight robbery) so I think we'll call it quits.

Completely taken by this gardening malarkey, I nearly gave myself a hernia shifting play sand that had some type of triffid plant growing in it, and I decided to try and remove some ivy off the fence; boy -have you ever wished you'd never started something? Then on Sunday I went to the tip three times getting rid of garden detritus (LOVE that word!) such as an old lawn mower, clippings and ivy, etc etc. I was like a Tasmanian Devil - nothing was safe to stand in my way! The Joe and I took a trip to buy some cushions, a throw, lanterns etc etc to make my decking a la swing seat/bench look lovely - alas they have not made it outside yet, as I have had no time to sit there! Today I have more cleaning and treating of garden furniture planned and jet washing the algae off the concrete. MY lovely neighbour is even paining my side of the fence - how great is that..."that's when good neighbours become good friends".

Now enough of this waffling, I have something completely wonderful (well I think it is) to show you - and I'm not talking about the card (although it is pretty spiffing even though I do say so myself). A few weeks ago I was given a great magazine from the people at Future Magazines - namely Photoshop Focus Guide - there are different guides around Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, and this one focused on the use of RAW images (issue 80). I've been meaning to have a go with RAW files on my camera, Lousie Jolley - the super talented photographer at docrafts uses RAW all the time and recommended it to me, but I've always been a bit scared - don't know why - it's weird how we're sometimes daunted by something different from the norm - but now I'm so glad I have!

So firstly, let me explain what RAW is (in very basic layman's terms, which I may also get wrong - I'm certainly no expert! ). A RAW file is an untouched image caught by the camera - there has been no in camera processing such as in a JPG, where most of the tonal and colour detail has been lost as soon as you take the picture. Put simply, a RAW file is like an old fashioned negative, which you then process on a photo editing program such as Photoshop elements with a free plug in download from Adobe. You can usually capture RAW files on any modern D-SLR's. Now, please don't think you have to be a computer or photography whizz to do this kind of thing, as I certainly am not - sometimes I even have trouble using Facebook!

If you have RAW on your camera, why don't you give it a go? I'm so glad I did. I wanted to show you the difference in your finished picture from unedited, JPG Photoshopped and RAW.

Above we have the JPG unedited version of a card I've made using some scraps of Forever Friends Pink Parfait Collection, and one of the free stamps from a back issue of docrafts Creativity! Magazine. The photo is okay, but the white is not really white, and the colours are a little washed out. Even though I set my camera for the conditions, sometimes the lighting is not just right to capture a good representation of the image. And remember, being a JPG, a lot of the quality of the picture has been lost.


So, above is an edited version of the first photo. I changed the lighting levels, changed the white balance and increased the saturation slightly, the white is looking better, but the not perfect and the pink is just not right! Now....wait 'till you see this!

This is the edited RAW image. By changing things such as brightness, temperature, white balance and exposure, I can get the image from my camera to look as close to the actual card as I can. And I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to make your photos look better with editing - after all that's what we take photos for, isn't it.

Anyhoo, I hope I haven't bored you with all this waffling - off to go some gardening now....move over Alan Titchmarsh!

Oh My, What a Day!

Hi everyone!

Well, yesterday is all over, thank goodness! Because my appointment was in the afternoon, I had all day to dread it! I kept myself busy, making some cards for the local summer fayre, but my mind kept wandering to what laid ahead in the afternoon. As it's quite personal, I'd rather not go into what I had done, but the thing I was dreading the most was the local anaesthetic, which was quite bad, but once I had that over and done with, it was fine - until the anaesthetic wore off! Then I turned to wine and paracetamol in the evening - not thinking about mixing the two - being an ex-nurse and all. Oh well, I had a lovely sleep! Anyhoo, that should be the whole sorry affair over and done with - just have to wait and see, but hopefully this should be the last time I bore you over the subject.

When I was having a look in Joseph's book bag last night, I found a note from school saying that the children could wear either an England or football strip on the day England play in the World Cup, and if a match falls on a Saturday, they can wear them on the Friday. Luckily my friend told me there was a match on Saturday as quite feankly I have absolutely ZERO interest in football, and neither does David or Joseph, but you know what children are like when they are the only ones in the whole school not wearing the same as the others. It really is isolation for them. I do get quite fed up with the lack of notice with these things - finding a note in Joe's school bag at 7pm the night before, with no way to get to a shop really isn't on, but there we are. SO what did I do? I was just going to send him in a red t-shirt, but I knew that wouldn't suffice, so I got out the NEW Artiste's Acrylic Paint from docrafts (please see note below the picture), an old white t-shirt and me paint brush, and painted one meself, drugged up on paracetamol and charddonay at 10.30pm. I think I did a good job, considering the circumstances!

Now I must say, these paints are waterbased, and therefore not suitable for t-shirts that are going to get wet (ie washed) and Joseph will probably come home covered in red paint, but needs must - so please don't think the Artiste's Acrylic Paints are waterproof and suitable for fabric, as they're not!

I also wanted to show you a new addition to my Craft Studio - a wonderful set of Copic markers!!! I decided to be a naughty girl and treat myself for being a good girl!

Ooo, look at 'em all - just makes you want to dive in, doesn't it!

Anyhoo, making more cards today for the Summer Fayre today, so hopefully I have something to show you maybe later, or tomorrow, or after the weekend....soon!

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