Christmas is coming.......

We are seeing more and more Christmas projects on blogs now, and mine is no exception although time is a bit scarce again lately. Here's a couple of snippets from my Christmas card class which is in 'early prep stage' at the minute.



In 2 days I've only completed 3 cards, seems I have got too much in my head to concentrate at the minute, but I have a month to go yet so I am not too worried.

It's our 27th wedding anniversary today. We are so whacked out with all the work at the bungalow we have decided on a quiet night in for two, with an 'M and S Meal Deal'. Quick, cheap and easy with wine thrown in, cant be bad for a tenner eh?

Finally, for those of you who read my blog, and are interested, I still have Cinders. She is such a scruffy mutt, but I just love her, I just wish I could find a solution to her 'water works, problem. If any one out there has any advice on a 'cure' for submissive urination, let me know. I really don't want to give up on her. (Think I am going soft in my old age.)

Sue x

Can't see the wood for the trees.....

Do you ever struggle to find something in your craft room? Just lately I spend more time looking for stuff than I do crafting, and I reckon it's simply because I have too much. I have decided to have a real good clear out and get rid of my 'unwanted' items. I am going to start sorting it all out tomorrow, but I am expecting it to take a while...............................

Sue, as promised, this is for you. A different way of texture swirls, created with 3d paint, allowed to dry thoroughly, painted over then either dry brushed or rubbed with wax rubs.

The folloeing pics are from the 'prototype' of my next class, a Christmas waterfall book, (I have to get some current papers yet.) It is ring bound, giving the opportunity to add further pages to house lots of photo's.

Finally an update on the bungalow. It is a danger zone at the minute, no plaster on the walls, doors and windows boarded up, no plumbing, (yeah that means no loo) and no floors, just brick rubble. I think that we will start getting a bit more organised when the floors are concreted, at least it will be easier to walk around!

See what I mean, and it is like this all the way through. I'm so pleased I have been taking photo's and I am also pleased we still have the comfort of our other house for a while longer.

I keep telling myself, IT WILL BE WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!

Sue x

Completed plaque

Here's the finished 'plaque. The base of the large circle is just cardboard coated in texture paste, painted in pink and cream acrylic then dry brushed with gold. Short and sweet post I know, but X Factor is on...............ha ha ha ..........

Sue x

On a roll......

I don't know what Jean and Malcolm put in my parcel on Friday, (other than the yummy new stamps) but I am on a roll...........

Plate CI-285 is just beautiful, so here I am in the throws of making some sort of wall hanging. I even dragged the redundant tub of slightly hardened texture paste from the bottom of the cupboard. Can't do much more now till it dries, so thought I'd let you have a peep at it mid stream.......

Be back soon!!!!!

Sue x

Crafty Individuals 'friends' acetate book

I knew as soon as I saw the latest stamps from Crafty Individuals on my doormat yesterday afternoon, that it would not be long before I used them. Here's the result, a mini acetate 'friends' book.

I have taken photo's of the individual pages, difficult though as they are clear.

I have put them onto black card to make it easier to take the photos, as the stamping, (using Staz-on) does not show up on white.

The background is CI-235 and the gorgeous 'friend' images are from the new plate CI-283.

Words from CI-052 punched into a heart shape.

Another gorgeous image from CI-283 Friends word from CI- and swirls as before.

A little pocket housing a clear tag and an image from CI-277. Words from CI-283

Here's one side of the tag,

and the other side.

Background above, CI-116 and new images from CI-284. I cut the image to fit in a CI paper slide mount and added a few gems.

This swirl has to be my all time favourite of all swirls!!!!!! CI-182. New stamps from CI-284 and the postmark is from CI-278.

I added a tiny file folder and decorated it with 'cherish' and a border from CI-156 plus a sentiment from CI-277.

It opens up to reveal this, music CI-194, sentiment CI-052 and girls CI-277.

Finally I added an undecorated page to protect the inside, I just stamped CI-213 to add a bit of interest. I held the book together with book rings and ribbon to add interest

I can honestly say I have enjoyed making this so much. I am so lucky to be able to work with Jean and Malcolms lovely designs, SO LUCKY!!!!!!

Sue x

Crafty Individuals add to a great day

Just look at these new stamps from http://www.craftyindividuals.co.uk/. I was a very happy lady when I found them on my door mat at lunchtime. I couldn't wait to use them, but had to wait until I had been for my dinner at Faye's.

I have started a little acetate 'Friends' book, and hopefully will have it ready to add to my blog tomorrow. Just had to let you see these new stamps though, are they gorgeous or what?

Sue x

Just 'playing', my 'new kitchen' and 'frisky Mike!

I have been 'just playing' with my hand made art journal pages, and messing around with paint effects and techniques, just like 'in the old days'. Her's the results.......

Painting, chalking, stamping, embossing, gluing, sticking, peel off's OOOOOOP'S sorry, no peel off's, ha ha.

Some of the pages were torn, others cut straight, simply because they were for 'playing'.

I'd had my T H Sizzix dies for ages and not used them, so gave them a try.

Experimented by making a paper flower.

or two.......I have lots more work to do on them re journalling, but that will come......



SOOOOOOOOO, READY FOR MY KITCHEN NOW?????????

EXCITED?????????






VERY????????

Well don't be, it's only a temporary one (thank goodness.)

My sink unit and draining board

Fridge in the shape of a cool box, and work tops/ pantry, and finally the dining room........... set up for a cosy lunch for two!

On a more positive note, we have ordered my kitchen, but it is a long way off being fitted. We have no floors, just rubble, no plaster on the walls, no plumbing or toilet, no heating, just a stop tap for water supplies and minimal lighting. The good news is (I have to keep telling myself this) is IT WILL BE NICE WHEN IT'S DONE!!!!!!

Finally, both the girls have birthdays this month and Gina had her 30th last weekend, celebrated by an 80's themed night at home. Her friends really did her proud with the fancy dress costumes. Here are some of them, Gina is 3rd from the left.

Looks to me like Mike, with the guitar was feeling a wee bit frisky. Amazing what you can do with an old sock lol!!!!!!!

Think I'll leave you here......

Sue x

'Family' waterfall book

I prepared this book at least 2 years ago, cut it, covered it, inked it, then left it, as we do.

Then, as a little 'extra' for my eldest daughter Gina's 30th, decided to create a little album of relatives, some of whom she had never seen.

On the page above, I added small accordian fold booklet and tied it together with ribbon.

This is one side of it, full of mini photo's of days gone by.

The page above shows Great Grandparents from Norwich, who Gina never got the chance to meet.

And her Great Nanna from Grimsby, who she was very close to. The kids on the pics (now don't laugh toooooo loud) are me and my little sister. (OK I will allow it as they are hilarious I know).

The further you get through the book the older the phot's become......

Going right back to her Great Great Nanna. Gina absolutely loved it as the photo's were new to her. There is loads more in the book but I just couldn't show it all due to time.

Finally, I am having a go at art journalling, but have a LONG way to go. Here's the start of it at least.

Enjoy the weekend.........

Sue x

Butterfly tag book

Today was a great 'fun' day spent with four friends, chatting, laughing, joking, creating and generally having a good time!

We created a tag book, based on the theme of butterflies, and it was great to see the variety of different colours used.

The colours don't show up as well as they turned out in these photo's. Maybe it was too bright in the conservatory as it was sunny.

They do give a bit of an idea though......

Just look at the concentration on their faces,

Mind you, Betty was a bit of a handful again!!!!!!!!! lol Betty, talk about DISTRESSED!!!!!!

These are the completed books.....Sharons,

Deb Debs....

Jane

and Betty, hope that's right. Thanks for a great fun day ladies.......

Sue x