JB-Crafting Supplies..One Summers Day

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at JB-Crafting Supplies. I have used a cdrom from Joanna Sheen. It is called One Summers Day and features the wonderful artwork of Barbara Mock. There are so many fabulous images on this cd, it is hard to know where to begin. You just want to print them all out..lol. To make this card I have mounted the backing paper and the image onto some purple card and have also created a border using the same card. I edged a strip of the backing paper with some lace and then make a border strip using die cut ivy leaves and small sequin flowers.

I'm not having a good day today..but at least it's only my legs. Perhaps the cold weather has affected them. All night I have been asleep on and off because of the pain. Personally I'd like to give them away for a fortnight..lol. I've always said that waist up I could conquer the world but waist down it would take me a while..lol.At least it's quiet here. All the cats are asleep, so my head at least doesn't feel like a cat round a bout. Normally, as they go out through the window..my head becomes a round a bout with the incoming and outgoing cats. This summer I'm hoping to be able to get new windows for the parlour..I've already told the builder that it needs to be operable in such a way that the cats can still get in and out onto the studio roof..lol. I bet that there's not many people that have to bear that in mind when buying windows.

I had a phonecall last night from a friend who told me that she had purchased some fruit trees for the land as a present. I couldn't believe her kindness..she knew that I had planned to buy some fruit trees when I had the money but she decided to get them for me. I am really blessed by the kindness of my friends. She has ordered a pear,plum, apple and cherry tree. Virgo man has been told to dig the holes in readiness.I am also going to buy a bramley cooking apple tree some time after Easter. It will be interesting to see how they get on in this little cold valley. For the front garden, I'm hoping to get some herbs. I must be feeling brave because I haven't got one green finger...let alone ten...lol The herbs that I'm hoping to get are bay, rosemary, mint and parsley.And I've also decided to try basil..but in the kitchen. These are the herbs that I use the most. I do fancy having a go at tomatoes but that may have to wait until next year.

Well the coffee is calling and work is also having a little shout. I'm hoping that Sparkle will arrive..as I'm still in crisis after the breaking of my mug last night. This mug was huge..Henry had bought it for me as a joke. It held about a pint of coffee and he said that he'd bought it for me to cut down on the number of brews he had to make..lol.Everything about the mug was perfect and now it's gone...thanks to Jeffrey. He also managed to break my ashtray as well..I'm just waiting for the third disaster..lol. So Sparkle needs to be here to make the perfect coffee, he'd worked out the perfect amount of coffee, sugar and milk over the last few months and now we have to start again...lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Time for tea

Todays card is from a Joanna Sheen cd..and I have to admit..I can't remember which one. Never before has my mind thrown me such a blank..lol. It is I think from Janet Kruskamp..The Collection. I promise that I will check later. I said to Sparkle this morning, I think that I'm all carded out this morning. The past week has been hectic, and I feel quite worn out. But I'm sure that with a bit of slow crafting this afternoon..I'll get back to normal.At least I hope so..lol The fan at the bottom of the card is a diecut from the Signature Range from Joanna Sheen. I just love the Signature die range..they just cut so well. I resent paying my hard earned money on a fabulous looking die that doesn't cut cleanly. You then telephone the company and they try to tell you that it must be the way that you're using it, you need waxed paper, you need to use shims..as far as I'm concerned at this point they've just lost a customer. I have never had any problem with any of Joannas dies..they have always cut cleanly the first time and have continued to cut cleanly after many many uses.

At the moment the weather in the mountains is calm with the occasional gust of wind. The weather man has said that tonight is supposed to be horrible with raging winds and rain. I've took the decision not to let the cats out today. If the weather is going to be so bad, then I'd sooner know that they're all safe. I don't think that they look too bothered..they've all got into their own special places and don't look like they want to move. Tankie and Sprout are on the bed, Obie and Nicodemus are in the airing cupboard, Milky is on the fridge and Jeffrey is of course on top of Reg..lol. Raven is on my legs..it's so cool having a leg warmer that never goes cold.

Well the coffee is calling and I think that after a good dose of caffeine,I maybe halfway back to normal..lol. I think sometimes I could do with caffeine on drip. I'm only organised as far as dinner tonight. I'm going to do fried chicken with jacket potatoes..I may make some coleslaw if I can find some mayonnaise at the back of the fridge. I'm going some time today planning the meals for the next week, just so I don't end up in the week with a blank head...at least I will have an idea what to peel..lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

The Vixen and the pine cone

Todays card is from the Giordano Christmas cdrom brought to us by Joanna Sheen. It has been a number of years since Joanna released this cd and it's one I get out every christmas. There are so many different types of images ..it's hard to know where to start. I of course had to do the vixen..it's half of the name of my business. Henry and I decided that we would call the business Vixenvarg to represent the both of us. Vixen for me because I love foxes and everything country and varg for Henry. Varg is an old name for a wolf and Henry loved wolves and old legends. The wolf also features on our family crest. On the crest it is actually what they call a collared wolf..which fits so well because as a family we have always been surrounded by animals. And so Vixenvarg came into being. Now of course there is only me but I hope to keep the business going to honour Henrys memory. On the card above I just used the large image and some die cuts. The die cuts of the ivy leaves are from the signature die range from Joanna Sheen. The pine cone dies are from the Tattered Lace range. They are my favourite dies of a pine cone because of the amount of detail. As always I try to recommend dies that cut well every time and offer great value for money. I have in the past bought some really expensive die ranges and they have been nothing but trouble. If, when reading my blog see a die that yu like and I haven't mentioned from which range it comes from..just message me and I'll tell you. There are so many craft companies out there all competing for our money...and as a crafter always want the best value..and with dies we need to know that they are going to cut cleanly everytime. One thing that I have planned for next year is that once a week on the blog I'm going to feature a product or range that I love to use. Now I won't be getting anything from any company to do this..so you can rely on getting the truth. There are, as I've already said, so many companies competing for our money  so I thought why not share what I've found out over all my years of crafting. I think that it will be a fun thing to do and if it helps in any way then all the better.

It's certainly a cold one here in the mountains today. Two of my outside cats came in last night..so that proved it to me how the temperature had dropped. Nicademus and Oberon are my two tabbies and are a bit like Laurel and Hardy. They will not be separated. If they're out..they're together and if one comes in then the other is not far behind. Nicademus seems to have made himself comfy on top of the fridge freezer and had plenty to say while I was cooking dinner. He is half Bengal and is a big boy but very stubborn.He loves being an outside cat but come the first hard frosts..he knows it's better at home.And then there's Obie..she is the prima donna of the house. You will only get a fuss if she decides..otherwise she will spend most of the day looking down her nose at you..lol.

Well the coffee is calling and I've decided that I'm going to be using my watercolour pencils. I haven't used them for a while..I use my paints but the pencils have sat there for a while..so I thought..it's about time they had an airing.So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Ivy Dreams

Todays cardis made using the One Summers Day cdrom brought to us by Joanna Sheen. There is something very peaceful about it and could be a card used for any occasion. I have mounted the image and the backingpaper onto some dark green card. I created a border using the same green card and a thin piece of thebacking paper. Onto that I added some die cut ivy leaves and some sequin flowers. The small oval at the bottom is also on the sheet that the image printed out on. I have to admit to having a bit of a thing for these small sequin flowers. I buy them from Mei Flowers. They are available in a large range of colours and are very little money. What I really like about them is the twinkle that they give to any project you use them on. Of course it could just be that I have a thing for little fiddly things..lol

Well the wind is following heavens hard here in the mountains. The cats are running around, enjoying the feeling of the wind through their fur. It's so funny to watch them skipping around, chasing the leaves. They seem to be so intent in their own joy that they don't notice the other cats and every so often run into each other..lol The weather news has said that it's going to get worse later on..so it seems to be time to batten down the hatches..or in my case, I may have to close the biggest cat flap in the world (the parlour window) and I don't know how I would cope with that..lol. It's because I'm a lady of a certain age and need a good draught to keep me cool..lol. I thought that I had finished with the hot flushes a couple of years ago, when I spent a whole year in front of a fan..but no..they have returned with a bang. At night the duvet must be dizzy..off and on and off again..all night. I can't have my feet covered else I think I'm going to melt. If any of you are suffering in the same way..you have my sympathy. I know a few men who would deserve a year of it...then they may understand it and not treat it like a joke.

I've just had a cup of coffee put in front of me..the smell of it is divine..so it's back to work for me now. I hope that you have a good day..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Hello Sailor

Today I am sharing another Jiggery Makery lady. She is definitely the sailors friend. I coloured her with my copics and mounted the image onto a card which had been covered with silver  mirri and a blue paper. Adele , who is the designer at Jiggery Makery has also designed a sheet full of sayings with a marine theme. I used the Ahoy there.and cut it out into a flag shape, then did the same with a print out of happy birthday. To complete the side of flags, I diecut a piece of bunting and coloured it red, white and blue. I'm always really envious when I see the Jiggery Makery ladies because they have such perfect long legs..lol Even before I was in the wheelchair, I never had cute legs..lol I always wanted to be able to wear really high high heels but at 6 foot tall it was never a good idea. Plus the fact that I would never be able to walk in them...I'm way too clumsy..lol.But I do have a couple of friends that can and do wear fabulously high heels and manage to walk. My feet are always jealous. I was thinking of getting a pair of really high sexy shoes just to wear in the wheelchair..after all I wouldn't have to even try to walk in them...now there's an idea to follow..lol What this space..sexy shoes may follow.

This week I have received a couple of surprise presents. I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends. The best one in Jeffreys opinion is a grey furry cat bed.As soon as I unwrapped it...he was in it. Now this isn't a big bed but he convinced Reg to join him and there was more dog and cat hanging out than in..it was so funny. I managed to get a photo, so I will show you tomorrow. So many people have seemed surprised that all my animals will lie together...I must share some pictures with you come the winter frosts...you can sometimes hardly see Reg because of the amount of cats on him..lol.They always have, I'm not convinced that Jeff even knows he is a cat. He behaves more like a dog..running to catch dog treats. Show him a cat biscuit and he'll show you an unhappy face.

I'm hoping for a quiet week end with lots of crafting. That's my plan. I've had lots of upsets this week and just fancy crafting and planning future projects.Well the coffee is calling and today I'm really thirsty...the truth is I need a caffeine hit..lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Braver, Stronger, Smarter

Todays card is one that I made for the jb-crafting supplies design team.The flowers are designed by Adele over at Jiggery Makery. I used the flowers to decorate the frame that surrounds the words. The leaves are from the Signature die range and I coloured both using my copics.

I hope that you are all having a good day. I have already been visited by quite a few people today all wanting to share their memories of Henry. It has been a bit of an emotional rollercoster so I'm going to retire for the weekend. I keep getting phonecalls from people who are hoping to call in..and I'm looking forward to seeing them..hopefully I have enough tissues..lol.

So with all this in mind please excuse me until Monday. I'm going to keep the coffee and tissues to hand and keep remembering to breathe..and then hopefully everything will be fine. I hope that you all have a fantastic weekend..so until Monday..take care and happy crafting

Sweet Sunday

Todays card is made featuring the wonderful artwork of Polka Doodles. This image is from their Pretty Sweet cdrom. All the backing papers are also from the cd. There is an amazing collection of backing papers on the cd and I've used 3 of them on this card. The leaves were diecut using a die from Joanna Sheens Signature die range and the flowers and greeting were from my stash. My ever growing stash...lol..if I see a flower that I like it goes into one of my stash boxes.

Reg is in so much trouble today..he's lucky to have been given some gravy bones at any time this century. Whilst I was sleeping he brought himself into the parlour and into my crafting recess and caused total chaos. I had been working on a card for one of my design teams, which involved a lot of colouring and he managed to get hold of the card and trample it. It can't even be saved..so I have to begin again. I tell you it's a good job that I love him..lol

When I took him for his wheel today we were joined by the girls..Rave, Tankie, Pinkie and Milky. As I was wheeling I was picking blackberries and Reg was sniffing his way through the grass , looking a bit like a demented hoover..lol. Coming back was a very strange experience. Following my friend getting bitten by next doors dog, the neighbours have put up a wire fence. To all the world it looks as if I now live in a prison camp. There is nothing nice about it..wooden poles with square netting attached. The cats think that it has been put up for them to swing on. They have so far had 3 of their team all hanging from it..hanging on by their paws looking through the squares. I don't know what the neighbours think it looks like. What amazes me is that they have proper fence panels which would look so much better..but what can I do..nothing. The only positive thing is that hopefully my friends will be able to visit without being bitten. We shall have to see.

Well the coffee is calling and so are the athletics..lol. I hope you all have a great dat. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Birdcage Flowers

Todays card is from the cdrom One Summers Day by Joanna Sheen. I have been playing around and gave myself a challenge to take an image and make two different card designs. So this is the first..watch for the next coming later in the week. The main image and the two small detail pictures were on the sheet. The backing paper was also on the cd. The flowers and foliage were from my cutting die collection..which I coloured using my copic pens in toning colours. I just love these little leaf flourishes..they are made by Tattered Lace.

It is still so very hot here. I took Reg out for a wheel and we got really well baked. We sat in the shade and enjoyed the little breeze that drifted through the trees. I thought that I would let Tank try the walk..the first time since her injury but it was just too much. She was determined to try but hadn't got very far and had to lie down. So I picked her up and she continued the walk on my knee...bless her. She wasn't bothered at all by my wheeling and just sat there keeping her eye on everything. Jeff and Rave also came with us...Jeff was his usual meowing self..I'd love to know what he's saying as he complains his way down the road.

Well the coffee is calling but yet again we've run out. It just shows how stressed I was over the weekend..to run out so soon..lol. So it's tea until Tuesday. That is one of the things with living in the middle of nowhere and not driving. But I'll know for the next shopping to buy twice as much. I'm still learning to shop for one. There are lots of things that I no longer need but was so used to buying them in for Henry. I still haven't got my appetite back properly...some things I just can't face. I have to admit that the one thing that has got me through is egg custard tarts. They must be my main comfort food. Without even looking at the packet I could tell you who made them. My two favourites are Tesco and the Co-op. I think once my system has calmed down these supermarkets will be wondering why sales of egg custards have dropped so much...lol. Isn't it funny how we have a couple of things that we crave when having a bad time. At the moment I'm on a bit of a salad moment as well. I would never have got away with it if Henry was here..No more rabbit food mother! There is something comforting with all the peeling and chopping. A moment of calm. My life needs these moments...no matter what they are or how they come about. One joy that I did have today was the arrivel of the latest Lakeland catalogue. I have a passion for cooking utensils and strange ingredients..so I love the stuff from Lakeland. I have been buying from them for years..back to the days when all they sold were freezer bags and containers for use in home freezing. We're talking about the days when most people didn't have freezers...goodness how I'm ageing myself. But I shall be enjoying a cup of tea  whilst having a good flick through the catalogue. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Thankyou Flowers

Todays card is another from the wonderful One Summers Day cdrom brought to us by Joanna Sheen. I have used this image lots of times, particularly for thankyou cards. The mirrored ivy flourishes are from Joanna Sheens Signature die range. This die range is one that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend as it does what it supposed to do...cut cleanly..with no bother. I have tried lots of different ranges and some are just a pain..they won't cut and when they do..you just can't get the die cut out. The backing paper is from the cd and I have used a purple card to mount it on. Just a simple card but I think it's lovely.

It's raining heavens hard today. We went for a wheel and got soaked...but Reg really doesn't mind the wet. My old dog Hilly absolutely hated the rain..if you took her out ..she would just stand rooted to the spot and refuse to move. Not one step would she take. Many a time she had to be carried back when it started to rain whilst she was out...lol.

Today has already had one disaster...my shopping didn't arrive. The little tesco man telephoned to say the van had broken down...oh no..no coffee. They have rang to say that it will be later..much later..so please keep your fingers crossed that I will get a caffeine hit later in the day. And hopefully I will get lots of lovely salad for tea tonight. Just lately I have so been into salad...I've had to have it every night. Henry was a bit of a meat and potatoes man and would put up with salad once a week but no more...he used to say I'm not a rabbit Mother. It always made me laugh. Looking at my diet lately, I seem to be going into a fish and salad phase. I'm hoping for plaice tonight....we shall have to see.

So I'm off to have a nice cup of tea...I can't even have a biscuit thanks to Tesco..lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Peeping Owl..second version

Todays card is another version of this fabulous image by Pollyanna Pickering. It is from her British Wildlife cdrom which is available from Creative Crafting World. On the sheet that you print out you get a number of different sized images and this was made with one of those. Even though it is a smaller image...it still is of a suitable size to fit a larger card. In this case I've used a 7x7 card. The leaves were die cut and I coloured them using my copics. I just love the colours in the image and think this would make an ideal card for a man.

I was so lucky today when I wheeled Reg. We managed to go out and missed the rain. I was so annoyed with a car that had parked outside my house. I have enough trouble getting the chair over the camber on the road...but today with the way that this car was parked..I couldn't get in the chair until I was in the middle of the road. But I'm sure that these things are sent to try us..lol. Reg was confused by the change in habit and got a little protective of me...he decided that he would be a husky today. He tried walking sideways in front of the chair..which then confused the cats who kept trying to get between Reg and me. If you had seen us you could have done nothing but laugh...it must have looked as if we had never done it out before..lol.

The athletics are on and I've got card ideas going through my head. I received some fantastic news last night but I can't tell you anything about it just yet....I know...but I promised. I should be able to share it with you in the next couple of weeks....until then you will just have to believe me when I say I have been happy dancing in my head ever since I got the news.My journey and adventure into the world of crafting just gets better and better.

Well the coffee is calling..I hope you have a fantastic weekend..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

The Garden Lady

Todays card was an order for a very special lady who loves to garden .I came up with the idea to do a gatefold card and to put two hanging baskets on the front. The hanging basket dies are from the Signature die range from Joanna Sheen. The leaves are from the Tattered Lace die range and I made the tiny flowers using a pinflair punch. I really enjoyed making this card because you all know how much I just love fiddley jobs. I coloured the leaves using my copic markers.

I did a close up of one of the hanging basket so that you could see the detail of the hanging basket itself. There is nothing better than a good die that cuts cleanly every time and this was amazing..the detail on the chain just has to be seen to be believed.

On the inside of the card I have used an image from Joanna Sheens 'One Summers Day'. I also added some more flowers. I do hope that she likes it.

Well when I took Reg for a wheel, we had 4 of the cats with us...Jeff,Rave, Tank and Milky. It was really hot and they kept throwing themselves into the shade. But by the look of the sky, I don't think that the good weather is going to last long.The clouds are grey...so I'm expecting a lot of cats to arrive in a hurry..lol

I was thinking today about when I started this blog...it seemed a strange road to takebut I so wanted to share my cards. I have found some really good friends through the blog and have got to know some amazingly talented people. Living where I do..you really need a hobby..and I had the added complication of being disabled and housebound for a lot of the time. Crafting really saved my sanity and brought a great deal of joy to my life. Henry, bless him, was always proud of what I did..even though he hated the glitter..lol. I remember once he was taking the mickey out of me for using glitter and I ended up throwing a pot at him. Glitter was everywhere..the dogs, the cats and Henry were covered in purple glitter. We laughed and laughed. I am truly blessed with all my wonderful memories. I remember an old saying that my Gran used to say..God gave us a memory so that we could have roses in December..I really didn't know what she meant then but I do now. Even on our darker days we only have to remember happy times. I will continue to count my blessings...no matter how small.

Well as I said there is now an influx of wet cats. So as the coffee is calling I'd better give my caffeine level a boost. So until tomorrow..take careand happy crafting.

Roses for you

Todays card is one I have made for the design team over at the fabulous Just for Fun Challenge blog.Why don't you pop over for a look? This card features a decoupaged little girl from the lovely Moreheads cdrom brought to us by Crafters Companion. It was one of my cds that I really hadn't used for a while..so I decided to have a play. The doily effect is made using a die from the Tonic range. The corners are from the Signature die range. I layered the doily onto some gold mirror card to add a little shine. I then die cut some rose leaves and coloured them with my alcohol pens and then added some paper roses. I really enjoyed making this card...I got to play with lots of different things and took my time. Sometimes with life as it is, we need to make a card in a hurry but sometimes I think we need to remember why we craft...because we love it and I have to say that spending an hour playing with my crafting bits can't be beaten. Some people love the football, some the tennis but give me card making every time. Well give me athletics and crafting...and I'm in heaven. I'm looking forward to watching the Diamond League athletics tomorrow..so it should be a good night.

When I took Reg for a wheel today it was like a village meeting. We were joined by 2 friends, had 5 cars stop for a chat, a little boy came over to see his friend Reg and another dog and his owner joined us for a while. A car also stopped and I was shocked to see it was a friend who had left the village around 8 years ago.He lives down south now but was in the area and heard about Henry...and wanted to come and see me. I was so touched that he had taken time out of his day to check I was ok and to say how he felt over losing Henry. This was someone who encouraged Henry to take his first steps. It was so kind of him to call and helped me to remember just how kind people can be. Sometimes since losing Henry, I have felt so alone, missing him all the time and it really does help to talk about him to people that really cared. What a blessing it was for today. I think Reg was exhausted when he came back...he probably was saying to himself..goodness doesn't my mum ever stop chatting. He knows now how many people stop us and just sits down on the grass...with a look that says..when you're ready mum!...lol

Well the coffee is calling...along with a small bit of my new secret passion....Lotus caramelised biscuit spread...I love it but have to seriously ration myself...lol. It just sounds so wrong but really tastes good..I think a little bit on a slice of bread will make a lovely treat. So until tomorrow take care and happy crafting

Planting Kindness

Todays card is another from Joanna Sheens 'One Summers Day'. I have so been enjoying working with this cd. So many images that are suitable for anyone who loves to garden. I loved making the flowerpot. It is one of the things that I love to do because I love fiddling with tiny flowers and leaves. I always have done...when I was a child I loved making tiny things and colouring really detailed pictures. Now as an adult, I still love colouring and have had a really good time with zentangle. For those of you that don't know what it is...google it...it's an amazing art form and gives you as an adult encouragement to doodle. It is so calming and you can really lose yourself for an hour..or two..lol. I'm thinking of doing a set of pictures just in black and white for my kitchen. If I remember..lol..I'll post some images that I've tangled tomorrow. The great thing is that you can do it anywhere...all you need is a piece of paper and a black pen.

I was lucky today when I took Reg for a wheel..I missed the rain shower. The trouble was the midges. For those of you that live in an area where there are no midges...you don't know how lucky you are. Because there was no breeze there were hundreds of the little blighters. My legs and arms have been bitten to death...and the worst thing is trying not to scratch...the more you do..the worse it gets And... I'm finding it very hard to type at the moment as Rave has decided to sit on my chest, right under my chin...and she's not for moving. As I'm typing she is purring and warbling and demanding attention.

We had a power cut in the night and very strange it was too. I was woken by the lights flashing.It was like lying in a disco. And then it was black. I managed to find my way to the parlour and get a torch...and then the lights came back on...lol. By this time I was wide awake so I listened to some music. Now are you ready for a blast from the past..I listened to Doctor Hook. I just love the really soppy tunes that they did. So there I was at 3 oclock this morning singing along to Sylvias Mother...but it worked for me...lol

Well the rain has decided to come down by the bucket..there are cats hurling themselves back through the window and the coffee is calling. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting

Vintage Roses

Todays card is a lovely image from Aspire Crafts. The image came on a pad with lots of great romantic vintage images. The pad I think is A6 in size..it may be a little bigger but all the images are classic and so nice to use. This card is a 7x7 and the only things that I have added are some die cut border from the Signature die range and some toning backing paper from the Hollypond Hill cdrom. It is a very simple card for me but I thought that the image was so lovely, it didn't need anything else. All my life I have tried painting roses because I love them so much, I live in hope that one day I will get it right. I have a pink rose bush in my garden and it blooms every year without fail. It must be a really hardy variety because it has bloomed for the past 24 years without the slightest attention from me. I'm not good with plants...they have to fight their own fights in my garden...lol

I am happy to say that my shelves are now in order...in fact better than they were before the chaos. I have sorted my cdrom library....sorted my peeloffs...boxed all my gems and pearls...and came to the conclusion that my passion for pearls,gems, lace and ribbon knows no end. The one thing that I can't find is my box of stencils and masks. I'm getting the urge to make some backing papers myself and seeing that I have collected many masks and stencils over the past year with this thought in mind...I just wish I could remember where I've put them...lol.

It was the day of my second B12 injection and all I can say that is any different is the fact that I've had a slight headache ever since the last one. After reading the paperwork it seems that a headache can be one of the side effects...well thanks for that. I'm now drinking loads in the hope that the headache will go. Some of my friends are real headache people and suffer badly with them. But I have been lucky and never been a headachy person...so I find it hard and turn into a right whiny wimp. Keep your fingers crossed that it leaves me before my friends do..lol

Well not only is the coffee calling..it's sitting by my side smelling delicious...so until tomorrow take care and happy crafting

Thankyou Card

Todays card is a reworking of a thankyou card using this lovely image from One Summers Day by Joanna Sheen. So many times I have needed to send a thankyou card and this would be my favourite type. I love using purples and blues. The ivy flourish is from Joanna Sheens Signature Die range. I love the entire range...and I have admit to owning most of it!!...simply because they do what they say..they cut so easily and cleanly. So many dies that I have bought in the past are so hard to use..having to use lots of shims and the cut not being as clean as you would like. I now tend to stay with the ranges that I have found to be fantastic..the Signature range...Brittania range..All Occasion range..Tonic and finally the Tattered Lace range. It took me a long time to get into die cutting..I think it was the thought of adding another type to my crafting goodies...another thing to spend money on...but I'm so happy that I did. I only buy dies that I know will work with the type of crafting I do. Thank goodness for that...you could spend fortunes on all the different dies out there...I'm grateful that I have limited funds so I have to make every penny count and every die has to be able to earn it's space.

The weather is still lovely..even though it is a bit cooler..I love it like this...sunny but with a breeze. I wheeled Reg and had 5 cats with me today. The horse seems to have gone from the field...we all missed our extra friend today. I took Reg out earlier today so that I would be back in time to watch the athletics on the tv. It is my secret passion...I adore watching all the athletics...it is something I have done for years now. So a lovely afternoon ahead...crafting and athletics..a strange combination I know but it works for me.

Well the coffee calls..so I hope you have a wonderful day...take care and happy crafting

The Peeping Owl

Todays card is from the wonderful Pollyanna Pickerings British Wildlife dvdrom. It was brought to us crafters by the wonderful team at Creative Crafting World. There is not one image that I wouldn't use...they are all so stunning. And I cannot stress just how much there is on this dvd...backing papers, inserts, borders, flowers and embellishments. I mounted the plain coloured topper onto some gold mirror board. The backing paper was also mounted onto some of the gold. I diecut some ivy leaves and coloured them with copic markers. I think that this card would be suitable for anyone and for any occasion..

I'm sitting here thinking about what I want to craft today. I have orders to do and a pile of toppers that I have printed and I don't feel like doing any of that. I was so uninspired today I polished the furniture, hoovered the top of the house and sorted my flowers. You can really tell when the going is getting tough..I clean house. Reg, my dog isn't very keen on the hoover..but most of the hoovering that needs to be done is because of him..I've come to the conclusion that my carpet is like dog velcro..everytime Reg lies on the carpet he leaves a little tuft of hair. I think that I may do the orders...sometimes when my mojo is having a wobble..just beginning something is the best way.

Well the coffee is calling ..so I'll make a brew and get crafting.So until tomorrow..take care and I hope your crafting goes well.

Thankyou Flowers

Todays card is from the Joanna Sheen cdrom One Summers Day. I was looking for a simple image to put on a thankyou card and just loved this one. I have mounted the image and the matching backing paper onto some gold mirror board. The only decoration I have added is some banner diecuts. The die is from the Signature die range from Joanna Sheen

I spent a lot of yesterday printing loads of images and backing papers out, in readiness for a few hours crafting.I have a new disc to work with for one of my design teams and orders for a lot of cards. I'm feeling quite calm today and am itching to begin. For the team over at jb-crafting supplies I will working with the new Crafters Companion cd....Halcyan Days. There are some really beautiful images on there that are very different from what I normally work with...so I'm really looking forward to that. To me the colours are the very essence of summer and there is something really nostalgic about them. Images that manage to remind you of childhood summers and days where the sun seemed to shine all the time. We know that it didn't but our memory remembers the sunny days and good times.

Luckily for me today was another sunny time for dog wheeling. Yet again we caused a road block..it seemed that everyone I knew arrived one after another. And a car stopped that I didn't even know the driver but he said that he loved the fact that the cats came as well. We were met again by the horse...mind you I think actually it should be called a pony. The cats are slowly getting used to it's presence.

The soundtrack for today is Paloma Faiths 'Only love can hurt like this' I just love this song and keep playing it. My taste in music is very strange...I like lots of different types...Van Morrison,.AC/DC, Nickelback, and Jim Reeves...lol. I have always been a softie and loved a good ballad...it all depends what mood I'm in   and just lately it's been really strange...my moods are up and down...so I don't know what I'm going to end up listening to. Tomorrow it could either be a bit of Avenged Sevenfold or a bit of Motown...we shall just have to wait and see...lol

Well the coffee calls...I hope that you have a fabulous weekend..take care and happy crafting.

Planting Kindness

Todays card is another from the fabulous new cdrom from Joanna Sheen. There are just so many images that you could use for a whole range of different people. This card would be perfect for any gardener that you know. The only decoration I have added is a plant pot with lots of little flowers.  The plant pot is from the Signature die range from Joanna Sheen as well. I have bought quite a few of the garden themed dies from the range and have been so pleased with the results. Every die that I have bought from this range has cut beautifully no matter what type of card and the effects have been beautiful. I particularly adore the hanging basket die and will be using it in the next few days...so you will get to see how useful it will be.

I've been lucky today that the sun has been shining again. On wheeling Reg today I had the pleasure of 5 cats with me. It was so warm that at every small piece of shade they would throw themselves onto the grass. Which is all very well until the dog trying to stop out of their way gets himself wrapped around the wheelchair and stuck.It was so funny and took quite a while to get us all free. By the time I got back to the cottage I was exhausted...lol.

It's been quite a day today. I had a visit this morning from a lovely lady from the charity Cruse Bereavement Care. It took me by surprise that I did need to talk to someone, so I put on my big girl pants and did it. And I'm glad that I did. The only problem with the whole meeting was the input of Jeffrey. He decided that she was a very nice lady and needed a present. So he bought her a shrew to play with. He did the same thing for the builder the other day. I'm afraid that Jeffrey is quite surprised by their reactions and cannot understand why people get so upset....lol. I'm happy to say that the shrew has been returned to the field...no doubt it will visiting again soon.

The coffee has been drank by the bucket today and the need for another top up is calling. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting. And I hope that if you get any surprise presents today, that they are of the chocolate or flower variety.

The Birdhouse

Todays card is made using an image from the fabulous new cdrom from Joanna Sheen. The cd is called One Summers Day and features the artwork of the very talented lady Barbara Mock. There are some beautiful floral images, as well as interior and exterior views. I particularly love the images that feature the china...I do have a thing for bone china tea services...as my dresser can tell you. I will be featuring some of the other wonderful images over the next few days.For some reason when I sit down to craft with these images..a feeling of calm comes over me..which is just as well at the moment.The only decoration that I have added is the three die cut butterflies.

Today has been a little bit stressful for me. Nothing in the grand scale of things but just enough to agitate me...lol.First stress was the council bin men. Just because there were two bins outside of my house they decided to only empty one. And guess who's bin was left. Yes it was mine. So I had to spend half an hour in a queue on the telephone to get to actually speak to anyone and they are now going to send another van out to empty my bin. It beggars belief really that because some jobs worth on the bin team thought that I may have filled a second bin..the cost of another trip is going to come out of the council budget. If only they had taken the time to count the bins in the street, they could have realised that in fact there are 9 bins on the street and that there were 9 bins out.It's not hard is it. Enough of whine number one..lol

Whine number two is the amazing amount of midges that I got bitten by whilst wheeling the dog.I'm sure that anyone who also lives in areas affected by the little blighters knows just how bad they can be. I was bitten from head to toe. I have to say that Reg the dog and all the cats luckily aren't affected and all trot along quite happily. When I was little I wasn't aware that these little beasts even existed and it's only since coming to live in Snowdonia 25 years ago  that I met the Welsh midge.

Well the coffee is calling...Ihope that you are all having a great day. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Patchwork Hopper and Gruffie

It seems an age since I last blogged..as most of you will know I've had a devastating time, losing my son who was only 17. Words will never be enough to describe the horror of it all but I have to believe that there is a greater plan that we know nothing of. During the last few months I have wondered what to do and I came to the conclusion that Henry would have said why haven't you made a card? He was always so proud of what I did..and so to honour him..I've decided to get back to doing what I loved. At first it's been like learning to walk again..I couldn't remember where anything was and everything that once came naturally was really hard work..but things can only get better.The amount of kindness and support that I have received from my friends in the crafting world has been amazing..thankyou all. So without further ado..here are my first cards.

I am lucky enough to be on the design team for Gruffies and Guests..which celebrates the art work of the amazing Ellen Jareckie, the creator of House Mouse. I have to admit to a bit of a thing for the Hoppers...I just adore rabbits. These cards are for the new challenge over on the Gruffies and Guests blog. The theme is Patchwork and must include a Gruffie,Hopper or House Mouse image. I hope that you will pop over to the blog and enter the challenge. This month the challenge is sponsered by the fabulous My Creative Classroom.I hope that you will come on over as there are some fabulous cards created by the very talented ladies on the design team. They are always a fantastic source of inspiration.

My first card features one of my favourite Hopper designs. The background paper was made using all the scraps left over from making other cards. I love making this kind of background because I can use up all the papers that are just too pretty to throw away. Now I have a box dedicated to all little bits of pretty and sometimes I will just play and make a background.I got the idea from a crazy patchwork throw that I made some years ago.

The second card features a gruffie and uses the fabulous patchwork dies from Joanna Sheen. It is another way to use up the scraps that as crafters we cannot bear to throw away. On the card it says You deserve a break and I'm sure that we all know people who work so hard that they really do need to take a bit of me time...and what nicer way to do it than cuddling down under a patchwork quilt.

Well, as always, as before, the coffee is calling and the cats are demanding some attention..lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.