Look What I Got Today.....

Had a little wander round the shops today ... ended up buying some underwear, which I wont show you and these babies .......

aren't they just the sexiest shoes you've ever seen? And what a bargain .... they'd been reduced from £25 to ........... £7!!!! I'm sat here now in my shoes and pj's pmsl ...! On my return from the shops I found this little lot through my letterbox....

This is the delicious blog candy I won from Margie, there's some lush stuff and I can't wait to use it .... thanks Margie!

Sketch Saturday ~ week 31

This weeks challenge is "your choice". I've used Sketch 30 again purely because its good for using up all the scraps of paper. My VBF Vicki's hubby's birthday is January 3rd so this is his card from her ...

CS & DP's ~ scraps, image ~ Magnolia Winter Stampclub collection coloured with WM's and paper pieced, sentiments ~ stash, hearts ~ leather scraps cut using Hippy Chic Alphas with Cuttlebug and wrapped with raffia.

Papertake Weekly Challenge ~ Dawny's Sketch #5

Well I tried to resist doing this challenge, but only cos I wanted to pace myself with them so I dont run out over the holidays .... but I had this image all coloured in sat on the dining table right next to my lappy .... and I just had too! I can always make another lol!

Again I used my leftover CS and DP's, a little bit of gingham vellum, no idea where that came from but found it in my pink pile, ribbon, flowers, beadcap and brad ~ stash, image ~ my win from Spiral Whisper, coloured with WM's and Sakura Glaze pens. I've left off the sentiment cos I dont know who or what its for. Loved the sketch though Dawny and will defo be using it again!

Using More Scraps

I'm trying to replenish my depleted card tin. Due to leaving Christmas card making to the last minute .... not as last minute as Jo admittedly pmsl! I've allowed my birthday and get well cards to run low. So I managed to make 2 today to add to my tin ...

I've been itching to use this Stamp since it dropped through my letterbox earlier this week, but just haven't had chance until today to use it. CS ~ stash, DP's ~ leftovers, small flowers ~ woodware punch, flowers ~ stash, button ~ Poppicrafts, pearl gems ~ stash, image ~ Mimi and pig, coloured with WM's and her wellies are paper pieced. As yet I've not put a sentiment on it but had thought about "Happy Piggin' Birthday" or something along those lines lol! pretty naff, I know!

Again, DP's and CS ~ stash, image ~ RAK from Jo, coloured with WM's and Sakura Glaze pens, gems, flowers, beadcaps and ribbon ~ stash, sentiment was also RAK from Jo.

Sketch Saturday ~ Sketch #30 & SCSC ~ Challenge#12

Yet another fab sketch to follow from Sketch Saturday ....

and then Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge is this week set by my lovely blog buddy JILL and it's my favorite theme: PAPER PIECING

So another male card again for Scott's Dad ... CS ~ stash, DP's ~ paper at the back was RAK ages ago and the other paper is scraps. I also used these to paper piece Edwins trousers, tie and jumper (tank top in my day). The rest of him has been coloured with WM's, string, peel-off and eyelets ~ stash.

This has to be one of my favourite cards, gonna have to stroke this a few times before it goes!

Friday Sketchers ~ Sketch #33

Friday Sketchers host this week is Jacqueline from the Netherlands. This weeks sketch is sponsored again by Unik Hobby. The winner will receive two beautiful stamps from the Rachelle Miller collection.

I looked at all the DT cards and loved what Claudia had done ... so here is my take on her interpretation of the sketch.....I used CS ~ stash, DP's ~ are all leftovers from previous projects (am back on to using all my bits up) image ~ RAK, but I don't remember who now, thanks anyway! coloured with WM's, gems and ribbon ~ stash, used my new Aldi £38 sewing machine (my advance 40th birthday pressie), I'm loving this machine, its so smooth and worth more than I paid, sentiment ~ PC generated.

Rylee asked me to make this for his Grandad (Scott's Dad) who very inconsiderately has a December birthday!

Twas the night before xmas ....

Twas the night before Christmas,
I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa
brought just for me.
Could it be cardstock
or chipboard or lace?
Or a Cricut, I said,
with a smile on my face.
And that's when I heard him,
"Hi Santa, " I said
"You know....good little girls
Should be in their beds."
"I know I should Santa,
And now I've got caught.
But I was just so excited
To see what you brought."
"Well, let's take a look
In this room where you work.
He shook his head quickly,
And left with a jerk.
I heard him exclaim
As he put it in gear.
"You've got enough crap,
I'll see you next year!"

Saw this on a few blogs and just had to share it with you all!

I've been tagged!!!

I've been tagged by Vee and now I have to list 7 random or weird facts about myself ... this should be easy ... cos I'm totally random and weird!

1. I hate driving on motorways and dual carriageways

2. I hate anything with wings, spiders, frogs etc.

3. I'm apparently OCD so the family says ... with my favourite saying being "cross contamination"

4. Hate people who share glasses, pop bottles, cans etc.

5. My right ear is bigger than my left.

6. I love smelling washing as I fetch it in off the line or out of the tumble drier.

7. I hate having a bath, prefer to have a shower.

Now I have to tag 7 other people, so I'm passing this on to .......

Tab

Jill

Becky

Linanna

Ila

Jo

Carole

An Award!

Diane, bless her little cotton socks, has given me this award ...

Thank you so much honey! The rules are to give it to five others, who shall give it to five others.. You shall link the one you got it from, and also the ones you give it to & let them know.You also have to write down five things you are addicted to.

Jo

Vicki

Jill

Jacqui

Barbara

Right my 5 favourite things are ......

My family

My friends (real life and blog buddies)

Rubber Stamps

My laptop

Mobile phone

God, how boring am I, wouldn't it sound better to put ..... sex, alcohol, cigarettes, chocolate and cake! Sad thing is I dont do any of them pmsl! What am I gonna give up come January .... gave up sex when I got married ... never the same when you can roflmao .... alcohol when I got drunk on Vodka for the second time at 16 .... cigarettes about 6 years ago ....... chocolate and cake since joining fat club in July!

More Sour Cream Containers

Just finishing off my Christmassy stuff this morning whilst I was Rylee free. I really must sort out my present wrapping too, I've not even started yet. I managed to make 4 sour cream containers to put money in. I really like these cos no-one has a clue whats inside and there so easy to make.All DP's and images are freebie downloads found via Digifree.

I Think I'm On A Roll!!!

I've only gone and won 2 more lots of candy ..... that makes 4 in the past week now! I've won Helz's cute new stamps from Spiral Whisper!!! And also the blog candy over at Margie's blog! It's like Christmas has come early for me! I also got my winning stamp from Pink Gem Mimi and Pig can't wait to ink it up!

I'm defo buying a lottery ticket tomorrow for Friday nights Euro Millions!

My Girls

Just wanted to share my babies with you! This was taken on Saturday night whilst they were out on the lash lol! Can you guess which is the eldest?

Papertake Weekly Challenge ~ Monochrome Madness

This weeks challenge is to use one colour! You can use shades of the same colour and small accents of other colours if you like! Fae asked me to make 2 money wallets for my friends little boys Christmas pressies, so what better than to combine the 2 challenges lol!... the PTW challenge and Fae's. I decided not to make money wallets cos I've already made them from us lol! I'd made a couple one of these sour cream container earlier in the year for my great niece who thought it was fabby. I followed the instructions here which were simple to follow. I used DP's and images from Pink Petticoat Rainbow Christmas and curling ribbon out of the January sales.

Today's Makes

Here are the cards I made for DH's friend. Card One ~ CS ~ stash, DP's ~ free download, netting, peel-offs and gems ~ stash, image ~ Hampton Art Stamps coloured with WM's and blinged with Glamour Dust.

Card Two ~ CS ~ stash, DP ~ Shabby Princess Holiday Sampler, image ~ google search, peel-off ~ stash.

Card Three ~ CS ~ Home Bargains holographic card, DP's ~ Raspberry Road Designs, Crystal Skies, image and sentiment ~ Panduro, coloured with WM's and paper pieced, peel-off ~ stash and flourishes cut with Cuttlebug die.

Card Four ~ CS ~ Holographic card Home Bargains, DP's ~ Merry & Bright, image ~ RAK coloured with WM's and Sakura Glaze, snowflake and heart brads ~ stash, sentiment ~ PC generated.

Card Five ~ CS ~ stash, DP ~ free download, images ~ RAK from Becky coloured with WM's and Sakura Glaze and blinged with Glamour Dust.

That's all those finished thank goodness ... I just have the envelopes to make now but there not going to take long to do!

I also made this for one of Eloise's pressies ... we got her a gift card and I wanted something different to put it in ...

I followed a tutorial from here. DP's ~ Pink Petticoat, button ~ stash. I've just noticed the picture on the gift card that you can just see dont half look like Eloise ..... ooooohhhh spooky! I've covered some of our message on the left, thats what that extra bit is if you were wondering lol!

Secret Crafter ~ Challenge #11

This week's challenge is a fabulous sketch by DONNA. Again any theme or technique but we must still be able to recognise the sketch.

CS ~ stash, DP ~ PP and a free download from somewhere, image ~ google search engine and sentiment ~ Cupcake sprinkles (another free download).

Embarrassing .....

As promised here comes my before and after photos. I apologise in advance should anyone be affected in some way by these photos pmsl! But, I dont mean to give you nightmares lol!

So, if you hadn't guessed these are the before photo's lol ... can you tell I hate having my photo took?

And this was taken about an hour ago. I honestly can't tell from the photos. I know I've lost weight cos those clothes no longer fit! Would be interested to hear what you think!

OMG ..... Christmas has come early!

I've just found out I've won a fab WOJ stamp in the advent calendar. I'm totally shocked and soooooo happy! Things have been tough here lately, I've not been able to buy any stamps or crafting goodies so its been a bit depressing. Although I have found some fantastically generous friends in blogland ... you know who you are and I love you to bits. This is just the icing on the cake. My very first Mimi and WOJ stamp.

Wish I'd bought a lottery ticket!

How Lucky Am I...?!

I just got an email from Janet letting me know I have won her fab blog candy!!!!!!

Mimi and Pig stamp. I just love this stamp and have had my eye on them since they've been released but not been able to afford them. I don't know if I've told you before but I'm Rylee's Mimi! When Fae told us she was pregnant I spent hours looking for different names for grandparents. I didn't want to be a grandparent anyway I was only 38, but thats what happens when you have kids when your still young lol! Everyone else (Scott's parents, my parents and the outlaws) had already got names .... Granny & Grandad, Nan & Gramps, Grandad & Nanny, Grandma and Great Gran ... there was nothing left for us! I eventually google searched "Grandparents names" and it came up with Mimi & Pops, among other things lol! Fae and Scott decided that they liked Mimi & Pops the best and thats whats stuck. Rylee knows who Mimi is but most of the time calls me Jill lol, and he knows his Pops but has decided to call him Poppy at the moment .... bless him. So thats why I love these Mimi stamps so much!

Christmas Crackers and A Card

Right as promised earlier here are this years Christmas Crackers ........

Not very good quality photo I know, the camera must be playing up again pmsl! I've made 10 of these, I know there's only 5 in the photo but they're not mine so they're not complete (still have one end left open for VBF Vicki to put her bits and bobs in). I followed this tutorial which gave me the exact dimensions to cut the wrapping paper .... a job I left Andy doing last night whilst I went to an Ann Summers Party! So, I used empty toilet rolls that I sterilised in the microwave (about 5 secs on high power ... tip from Fae when she worked at a previous nursery, before they said that loo rolls etc weren't allowed to be used in construction play!), wrapping paper on a roll, curling ribbon, red holographic card and scraps of cream and red card and my good old faithful glue gun. The photo actually doesn't do them justice, they look a lot better IRL.

On to the card ..... on Thursday when I collected Rylee from nursery my VBF Vicki was unhappy so once Rylee had gone home I set too making her a card full of hugs and some snowman soup minus the snowman lol! Which me being me forgot to photograph ...doh!

CS ~ stash, DP's ~ Summer Driggs, image ~ RAK from Diane, thanks honey! coloured with WM's and Sakura Glaze, swirly bits ~ Cuttlebug die, embossing ~ Cuttlebug swirl folder, flowers, beadcap, flower clip thingy and brad ~ stash, sentiment ~ Rubber Romance.

Friday Sketchers ~ Sketch #32

Hosting this weeks sketch is Heidi from Norway. She has made an easy sketch for us this week - and hopes we all have time to work with it. Helene from Alota Rubber Stamps has been so kind and is sponsoring the sketch again this week.

Scott's sister had a baby girl yesterday, that makes her 3 girls! I thought I'd use this sketch to make a card. CS ~ stash, DP's ~ Kay Millar and some leftover pink spotty paper and checked vellum, image ~ paper pieced and coloured with WM's and Sakura Stardust pens, dots are liquid pearls (seen Tab do it so many times on her cards and it looks fab ... lol not quite sure about mine!) flowers, brad and beadcap ~ stash, senitment ~ I forget where I got them from but they were a free download as is most of my stuff!

Here's Those Cards I Promised ....

Here are 2 of the cards I made for my VBF Vicki. The first is for her Father-in-law and used CS ~ stash, DP's ~ Welli Designs (free download but can't find the link at the mo), image ~ RAK from Jill, my bestest blogging buddy, coloured with WM's and Sakura Glaze pens and blinged with diamond stickles, sentiment cut using Hippy Chic Alpha on the Cuttlebug, gems, flower, beadcap and brad ~stash. Oh nearly forgot, I used my new sewing machine on this one, it has some fab stitches and was £38 from Aldi ... its my early (40th sssshhhh) birthday present from my parents.... very early in fact lol! It's not my birthday till April, but you can't miss up on a bargain can ya?

This next card was totally inspired by another blogging buddy Tab, she makes the most gorgeous cards and has an inspirational blog. I used CS ~ stash, DP's ~ dreamsfulfilled, Winter Wonderland, image ~ RAK but I forget who, coloured with WM's and blinged with diamond stickles, snowflake brads and ribbon ~ stash, sentiment cut again using Hippy Chic Alpha's.

Right I'm off to make my crackers now, but I'll be back later to post the card I made for yesterdays Friday Sketchers and of course my crackers!

Forgot To Tell You .....

Guess who became a Gold Member at Fat Club last week? Yes my VBF Vicki and ME! I've lost a total of 24.5lb and am now a size 12! I started off in July weighing 11 stone 1lb and in a size 16/18, I was just beginning to creep into the size 18. There were 2 reasons for joining Weight Watchers, one being a night out with school friends, some of who we'd not seen for years. Vicki and I had always been 2 of the smallest at school and then for quite a few years after we'd left. My problem started when I stopped smoking about 5 - 6 years ago (I can never remember now... must be my age!) After having Ellie at 21 and until I stopped smoking I always weighed between 8-9 stones. My second reason for going was to help my niece Beth loose weight. We figured if we did it together (my sister, Vicki, Beth and I) it would help her and it has, she too has dropped 2 dress sizes, but still has a long way to go.

I weighed in tonight at 9 stone 4lb and fit quite nicely into a size 12. I'm really proud of my achievement and wanted to share it with you all. I've had my "Be An Inspiration" questionnaire thingy tonight from my leader and I need a before and after photo for next week. As soon as I sort them out I'll post them on here.

Before I go I just want to share with you what my leader wrote about me ... "I'm proud of you because you took on your weight loss with a laugh and a smile. You brough fun to the group whilst encouraging everyone with your continued success. 24.5lbs lost is a brilliant achievement and I hope you continue to attend whilst maintaining and continue to light up the meeting. You knew what you wanted and you grabbed it with both hands - well done you"

I am going to apply to be a leader now I've reached my goal, not sure how successful I'll be at it, but I bet I could make em laugh!

I Love My VBF Vicki ..... honest!

My VBF in real life ... Vicki has asked me to make 4 special Christmas cards for her. Nothing like giving someone plenty of notice ... eh?! I've also been asked to make a couple of cards by my neighbours daughter Victoria. She wanted the pregnancy card (see previous post) and a card for one of the Specials she works with who has just got a place in the regular Police force. So here it is...I've used CS ~ stash and printed the image directly on to it. I've then printed the image out twice more and decoupaged it. The image is the fab Police Officer George available from Charmed Crafts and is part of the George at Work Collection. I've coloured George and his Police car with WM's and added a silver button to the wheel.

I've tried to upload the photos of the cards I've made my VBF but for some reason blogger is being ridiculous and not allowing me to do it! As soon as its stopped having a moment I'll let you see them.

Papertake Weekly Challenge ~ Dawny's Sketch #4

Another pregnancy card this time .... it seems to be either one or the other just lately! CS ~ stash, DP's ~ Summer Driggs, ribbon ~ Poppicrafts, blooms ~ Poppicrafts, pearls ~ Crafts Central, beadcaps and gem brad ~ stash.

My Tree

OK so now I'm Christmas'ed. Andy finally went in the loft and fetched all the stuff out. Ellie decided we weren't having baubles this year on the tree and I dont do tinsel, bloody hate the stuff ... no matter where or how I put it, it always looks pants! We always have a real tree and this year is the first time we've had an artificial tree .... at one point I thought Andy was gonna cancel Christmas because we couldn't afford a real tree this year ... until I told him that a real tree was not practical with a 17 month baby running around with no shoes on and who tends to put every little bit of fluff etc in his mouth (thats my fault cos I fed him candy floss, I'm sure he thinks that tumble drier fluff is the same lol).

So this is what we ended up with ....

I've got to pop to Wilko's tomorrow for one of those tree skirty thing-a-ma-jigs. I didn't think about one of those with being used to my nice red pot! So thats with the flash off ...... and this is with it on ......

In case you can't tell from the photo the tree is decorated with icicles, snowflakes, jingle bells, 3 birds (not real ones) and some green feathers. Don't really think I could've fitted the baubles on anyway lol!

And then finally my faithful old swag .... I made this with a swag from Poundland and some lights and baubles from there too about 8 years or so ago. Most years I have to glue some of the baubles back on but I think it still looks pretty good! Now I just gotta clean up all the mess this task seems to generate.... yipeeeee!

Sketch Saturday ~ Sketch #28

Mariska is hosting this weeks sketch. Its her first sketch and she is hoping we like it enough to participate but to motivate us just a little bit more ... Melissa, owner of Pink Cat Studio has kindly donated an amazing stamp set for one lucky participant!!

CS ~ is cream card put through the printer and printed using "A Whisper of Romantic" DP's ~ from the same kit, ribbon, blooms, brads and beadcaps ~ stash, image ~ was part of RAK but I dont remember who from, but thanks anyway, she's been coloured using watercolour pencils, WM's and Sakura glaze pens, sentiment is "those we love dont walk away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen and unheard, but always near. So loved, so missed and so very dear." Yes it another sympathy card ... I seem to be doing quite a few just lately! Not the nicest of cards to be making!

Secret Crafter ~ Challenge #10

This week's challenge is a theme set by KIM: -
EMBOSSING - DRY OR HEAT
We would like to see embossing on your creations, dry or heat it's up to you!

Needed to make some quick and easy Christmas cards. CS ~ stash, embossed using snowflake and swiss dots cuttlebug folders, image ~ Panduro coloured with WM's, sentiment ~ pc generated.

Friday Sketchers ~ Sketch #31

Claudia is hosting this weeks sketch which is sponsored by Cards of Maria.CS ~ leftovers, DP ~ Summer Driggs, image ~ Magnolia coloured with WM's, button ~ stash, flourish ~ leftover from another project, sentiment ~ Rubber Romance.

Phew.......

Sorry for not being about this week but Fae's boss asked me to do a stall at the nursery's Christmas Fayre and I just got back! I made £8.97 after taking out the money for supplies. Not bad I dont suppose! Took my nappy cakes and candles, a lot of people liked them and said I was very clever and really creative and that they were beautiful, but didn't place an order. At least though they got to see them and hopefully they'll stick in their minds and should they need one they'll get in touch with nursery and hopefully I'll generate some orders.

Here is what I took .......

Also been busy making cards to take and only sold 1! Not too bothered though cos I really did need to replenish my card tin.