I'm Still Alive!!!!

Just to let you know if any of you where wondering where i had disappeared too .... I've been soooo busy lately helping with organising a my BIL's wedding which is gonna be 31st October ... I've been mad making invitations, bridesmaids posies, the bridal bouquet and tonight the MIL's corsage and 1 buttonhole (that i don't know if i'm happy with). I'm also making wedding favors and am awaiting a decision on what's going in them.

I have managed to make some cards and when i have time i will schedule posts so that I dont have such long periods of nothing lol!

I made this card an absolute age ago and never got round to showing it, so whilst i'm AWOL i try and show some of those cards.

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Basic Grey i think, but dont have a clue which ones

Image ~ RAK from Jill ... thanks honey x

Gems ~ Stash

Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Cuttlebug Hippie Chic Alpha Dies, Fluffy Stuff, Whisper Strokes

Friday Sketchers #70

Jacque from the US is this weeks host and the challenge is sponsored by DIGITAL STAMP OASIS.

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Summer Pear's Mini Kit

Images ~ Magnolia Fall Collection

Sentiment ~ PC Generated

Ribbon ~ Stash

Tools ~ Nesties, Whisper Strokes

I dont know why but on this photo it all looks wonky ... its not IRL honest LOL! Perhaps its cos i was on the phone to Fae when i took the photo and had the handset wedged between my ear and shoulder! I think we'll blame Fae anyway ... couldn't possibly be my fault!!!

The Sugar Bowl ~ Challenge 19

Marlene's Sketch ... with the added 'Please use' - the colours Pink and Brown.

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ A Whisper Of Romantic

Image ~ Gorjuss Girl

Dewdrops ~ Available Here

Gems ~ Stash

Flower ~ made using Rach's fab tutorial ... thanks honey x

Sentiment ~ PC Generated

Tools ~ Woodware Leaf Punch, Woodware Small Flower Punch, Stapler, Nesties, Whisper Strokes

What a fab night we all had last night at the Psychic Supper! It was our first time at anything like this and OMG how did they know what they were telling us if someone from the other side wasn't telling them! I had my angel cards done first and she had me perfectly ... i told her nothing, didn't confirm or deny anything, she told us collectively (Sis, Dec, Andy, Fae, Ellie and me) that we had a female in our lives that was causing a lot of upset and it was time to just let it go! She had no idea we were related! She told hubby he was taking driving lessons, Ellie that she was having a new car and that the relationship that she was beginning now was probably the one as it was very strong, Fae and Ellie pulled out the same angel cards and she said "you're related, are you sisters?" now the girls weren't sat with one another and they don't look alike. Dec was told that his friend called Stephen was in the army and not to worry about him cos he would be ok and he'd see him again ... his best friend Stephen is in Afganistan! Oh i could go on, but i wont bore you with it all. We will be going again though!

Create 4 Fun ~ Week 37

Time for the 7th challenge. This week's prize is the Borderabilities set In Spades from Spellbinders.
CS ~ Stash
DP's ~ The Queen of Quirk ~ Spring Chicken
Image ~ Digital Pencil Too
Pearls ~ Stash
Sentiment ~ PC Generated
Tools ~ Martha Stewart Flourish Punch ~ available HERE, Nesites, Whisper Strokes, Tombo Blender Pen

Sketch Saturday #68

This weeks sketch is being sponsored by one of the regular sponsors, Simon Says Stamp! who is once again offering another $25 gift certificate to spend on SSS goodies for this weeks very lucky challenger!! (it has to be me at some point surely LOL!)

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Summer Driggs

Image ~ Digital Pencil Too

Pegs ~ Stash

String ~ Morrisons 99p a ball

Sentiment ~ PC Generated

Tools ~ Whisper Strokes, Tombo Blender Pen, Oval Nesties

Can you believe that my 19 year old daugher bought a wedding dress yesterday cos it was a bargain !!! (Paula will believe it cos she knows what a nutter Ellie is LOL!) Yep ... we went shopping with the BIL and his Phillipino bride ... don't ask! ... Anyhow, we went to one of our local charity shops which has a fantastic bridal section, on the basis of buying Fae and Ellie a bridesmaid frock each ... Ellie decided that she had to try on some of the wedding gowns so she could be a princess! ... ahem like she doesn't think she is already PMSL! The first one she tried on she fell in love with and bought! Her poor boyfriend who shes only been with for 2 months is fleeing the country this weekend LOL! We did point out that it could frighten him off, but she's told him its an investment! If she chooses not to wear it when she does decide to get married then she'll be selling it on ebay! We have researched the label ... Papillon, which appears to be a good make with gowns ranging from £950-£2,000 ... she paid £60!!! We did get all excited, thinking she was leaving home, but she soon dashed that idea! At least she made us smile which is a refreshing change at the minute! Still no news on Beth this week ... not heard from her since last Wednesday!

Sunday Sketch & Stamp Challenge #11

This fortnight's sketch (#11) has been designed by Arianne:

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Free Download

Image ~ RAK from either Carole or Tab ... thanks whichever one it was! x

Mesh stuff ~ my prize from Amy Stampin' 4 the Weekend

Flowers and Brads ~ Stash

Sentiment ~ PC Generated

Tools ~ Oval Nesties, Woodware Leaf Punch, Whisper Strokes, Tombo Blender Pen

Edited: DH just got letter through post informing him of his new test date ... its now 28th September at 8:40am .... so in just a little under 2 weeks i could be chauffeur driven everywhere ... woohoo (obviously bound and gagged in the boot, as Paula suggested LOL) x

Double Dutch #26 ~ Sketch It!

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Pink Petticoat Lola's Boudiour Collection

Image ~ Digital Pencil Too Girl in Kimono

Gems ~ Stash

Tools ~ Whisper Strokes

Absolutely adore how this card has turned out. Might have to keep this for a few day to stroke LOL!

Edited: DH was supposed to have driving test this morning at 8.20am. When he got to the test centre he was informed that the test had been cancelled due to the examiner being ill. Have a very disappointed hubby at home now!

Friday Sketchers #69

Jacqueline from the Netherlands is hosting this week's sketch and Scrapbook News and Review are the sponsors.

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Summer Driggs Energy

Image ~ Ben Digital Pencil Too

Sentiment ~ Freebie Wordart

Flowers & Gems ~ Stash

Dewdrop ~ RAK from Tab available here ... thanks honey x

Tulle ~ RAK from Tab available here ... thanks again mwahs x

Charm & Jump Rings ~ Stash

Tools ~ Nesties, Whisper Strokes, Tombo Blender Pen, Woodware Leaf Punch

Stampin' For The Weekend ~ Challenge 15

Donna has given us a fabulous Sketch to play with this week. It has lots of layers so its a really nice excuse to use up all those scrap pieces of paper we have in our stash.

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ All Scraps

Image ~ Sandra Dry Digi Stamp

Raffia, Buttons & Gems ~ Stash

Sentiment ~ PC Generated

Tools ~ Whisper Strokes, Tombo Blender Pen

Sketch Saturday #67

This weeks sketch has been created by Coco.
One step ahead me! The FIL generally asks me to make him a card to give the MIL for her birthday ... this request is made a couple of days before the event. So, am determined not to be caught out again and have made the bloomin' thing 2 months in advance PMSL!

CS ~ Stash
DP's ~ Berry Sweet Kit
Sentiment ~ PC Generated
Dewdroppy thingys ~ Here
Image ~ Magnolia Stamp Club Fall Collection
Peel-off ~ Stash
Tools ~ Whisper Strokes

Create 4 Fun ~ Week 36

This is the 6th challenge and is a fab sketch. This week's prize is a wood-mounted stamp Stitched Bunny with Basket from Whipper Snapper, which is absolutely adorable!
CS ~ Stash
DP's ~ Summer Driggs Golden Sunshine
Image ~ RAK from Jill ... thanks honey another beauty x.
Sentiment ~ PC Generated
Ribbon, Beads & Gems ~ Stash
Tools ~ Nesties, Woodware 2" & 1" Flower Punch, Woodware Leaf Punch, Watercolour Pencils, Tombo Blender Pen.

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Just had to do a mad dash down to sis's house ... good job she only lives round the corner! Beth had turned up shouting and screaming, demanding Sis write her a letter to say she's thrown her out cos Beth just can't live with her Mum anymore! She was flailing her arms about and saying all manner of stuff. Chris in the end did write her a letter saying that Beth was and never has been homeless and no matter what would always have a bed at her house! Not sure thats gonna go down too well when she realises, but hey ho! Just as i thought today was going to be quieter than yesterday!!!!

Papertake Weekly Challenge ~ Dawny's Sketch #23

This is my last week as a Guest Design Team Member at Papertake Weekly and what could be better than ending with another fantastic sketch by Dawny P!

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Shabby Princess free download

Image ~ Magnolia Fall Stamp Club

Flowers & Gems ~ Stash

Sentiment ~ PC Generated using a selection of fonts

Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Woodware Leaf Punch, Whisper Strokes

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Edited: OMG i need to have a rant .... what a day i've had today! It started off ok, with the grocery shopping and went down hill pretty quickly from there. Was having a lovely cuppa with the MIL whilst Andy was on driving lesson with his Dad (nearly the big day!) ... Ellie rang me to say that the Peugeot garage had rang her to tell her she couldn't cancel the car she ordered on Friday! I raced home and phoned the garage myself. Now this car had been ordered as i said on Friday, she originally wanted a blue car but was told that if she had a black on she could pick it up on Monday or Wednesday of this week ... Monday came and they rang saying that she couldn't have a black one cos they'd gone, but if she had a grey or silver one she could have it by the weekend ... This along with the .... come down Saturday morning to sign paperwork, which we did as were dismissed rather rudely by one member of staff telling us that we weren't supposed to be there they didn't have a chassis number yet! I decided they could stick the car where the sun didn't shine and told them yesterday on behalf of Ellie we wanted to cancel the order. Now today he rings up telling Ellie she can't cancel cos her Scrappage paperwork has already been sent off ... when i come out of orbit as i say i phoned them up. I asked him to explain why we couldn't cancel ... he couldn't answer me! I told him that in every eventuallity there was a 14 day cooling off period and that we were well within our rights to cancel ... he told me that it was a decision only his manager could make ... i told him that the decision was mine i was standing guarantor. I also told him that no way should he have kept Ellies original log book and given her the photocopy ... should she get a producer from the Police how would she explain this. I told him that he needed to contact the whomever the paperwork had been sent to and get it back. He said he needed to speak to his manager. I told him to do that and ring me back in 25 minutes and tell me it was cancelled. He rang back in 10 LOL and told me it was cancelled and that Ellie's documents would be sent out by 1st class post ... i told him i would collect them and to have them ready by 9am tomorrow morning. He said his manager wanted to post them ... i told him i didn't really care what his manager wanted and to have them ready by tomorrow morning. He rang this afternoon to say they would be at reception!!!

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If that wasn't enough some lovely cherub, decided whilst having an argument with his girlfriend to kick MY car! Unfortunately for him i knew who he was and Ellie and the Inspace workman saw him do it! So guess who was on the phone to the Police! ... Yep little old me! He came and apologised later ... only cos he knew he's been found out ... pleading and begging me not to go to the Police and press charges cos hes got a 12 month suspended sentence .... UNLUCKY! All this was caught on our CCTV too LOL! Have given my statement to the Police and will be pressing charges. These people have to learn they just can't do these things to others properties and that no way will i let them do it to mine!

Just Magnolia Week 21 & Stampin' for the Weekend

The challenge at Just Magnolia is a fab sketch by the talented Mina and is sponsored by Simon Says Stamp {crosses fingers, legs, eyes, arms ... you get the picture}.

This weeks Stampin' for the Weekend challenge is a colour challenge.......with three colors, ORANGE, TEAL AND PINK.

And this is the end result ....

CS ~ Stash
DP's ~ Sugar Plum Paper Daisies free download
Image ~ another beauty from Tab, where would i be without you xxx
Ribbon & Pearls ~ Stash
Sentiment ~ PC Generated
Flowers ~ made using Michele's fab tutorial on Just Magnolia Too
Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Woodware leaf Punch, Woodware 2" & 1" Flower Punch, Watercolour Pencils.
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I have another BIL's wedding to look forward too soon. Had a phone call today from BIL to let us know his girlfriend from the Philippine's should be arriving in this country sometime this weekend. Obviously, they need to marry at some point before her 6 month visa runs out. At present i am still invited lol, but as we know that can all change and quite quickly too. I think i'm nominated to make the invites, but with the first lot being returned it doesn't mean this lot will be used either! Fae and Ellie will both be bridesmaids at the this wedding, no doubt with Rylee being a page boy too. Angeline (blushing bride) is having her best friend as matron of honour (she already lives here) so it looks like both families will be included in this wedding. I do have it on good authority that this wedding will be joint wedding not just one for the bride!!! I'll keep you posted on my invite lol!

Friday Sketchers #68

Heidi is the host of this weeks sketch at Friday Sketchers. The sponsor this week is Ladybug And Friends, they are a small company from Norway, selling art and crafts to wholesalers and retailers all over the world.

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Basic Grey

Image ~ RAK from Jill, i think ... thanks honey x

Gems and Buttons ~ Stash

Sentiment ~ PC Generated

Tools ~ Watercolour Pencils

Stamp With Fun ~ Challenge #22

This weeks challenge is a fab sketch by Tina46.
CS ~ Stash
DP's ~ Raspberry Road Designs Vintage Doll Papers
Image ~ RAK from Tab ... thanks honey x
Flowers ~ Stash
Peel-off ~ Stash ... i will use them all lol!
Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Nesties, Woodware Leaf Punch, Glamour Dust, Watercolour Pencil, Tombo Blender Pen

Ok so i keep promising the Wedding Invitation Revoking story ... Please ensure that all Tena ladies are securely fastened as i accept no responsibility for wet knickers! ..... My future SIL sent me an email late last weekend, informing us that if we collect Tesco clubcard vouchers we could swap these in exchange for money off vouchers redeemable at the hotel hosting the wedding. I mailed back twice ... once asking her to find out if it would be worth it cos would do my weekly shop at Tesco rather than Morrisons and secondly having found out the information telling her, for us it wouldn't be worth it cos we'd never accumulate £10 of Tesco vouchers before the next due date. I had also checked out the hotel website and suggested that perhaps she should ask for discounts on the hotel rooms for wedding guests, as these were being charged at the same rate as non-wedding guests even though she'd been told that the price of all wedding guests rooms would be held at 2007 prices! Her response was shirty to say the least ... telling us she didn't care where we stayed be it a tent, caravan or a cheap B&B down the road (which i had mentioned to her ... initially i might add she had insisted that all guests stay in the wedding hotel). I was told that i had "been invited to a wedding that should mean something to me" and to basically stop complaining and that "if people dont like it, tough" Should i have a problem i should contact her Mum "she is the host after all" ... well, to be honest i was childish and threw my toys out of the pram! I mailed back explaining that i was only trying to help and told her that her "wedding means nothing to me ... all it is, is my brother-in-laws wedding" I then added that "Quite frankly i didn't give a flying BEEP as to whether i got an invite from" her "mother" her "or the BLEEPING Queen!" PMSL ... told you i was childish ... in hindsight what i should've done is walk away from the lappy, think about it and then reply with a smart mouthed email not a potty mouthed one!!! But hindsight is such a wonderful thing and I really dont have time to worry about at silly spoilt 29 yr old when i have Beth to worry about. Anyhow, last Saturday night i had an email from her Mother which basically says ... she "was disgusted by the abusive language that was used in" my "email," and my "now low opinion of my daughters wedding." And that she was "now officially informing" me that I "will not be attending the wedding. Under no circumstances reply to this email address or my daughters email address again." LOL ... well you just have too don't ya ... i replied with a simple "Thank You" PMSL ... If i'm perfectly honest, I truly didn't want to go ... it has, over the past few months turned into some sort of farce ... firstly with the invites ... which incidently are being returned ... asking my advice about wording, making a decision, then changing it at the last minute, when i'd spent hours on the lappy sorting it all out! I have been asked about Wedding Etiquette, when i told her, she's poo..poohed everything! So why ask? She's tried to tell us what colours to wear ... told us not to discuss anything with anyone ... i wasn't allowed to discuss wedding invites with the Outlaws ... the MIL was asked to make a sample wedding cake which was taken back to her Mother for a taste testing and we were told that it was hoped she liked it cos if not they didn't know how they would be telling the MIL that she would not be making it! And the list goes on ..!

Andy and Ellie, Fae, Scott and Rylee still have their invites ... for now lol! And i have told them not to make a decision on whether they will be going or not purely based on the fact that i wont be! Both girls were furious, Ellie text SIL and was told basically that the Fae and herself "weren't even considered" when she was picking bridesmaids ... the bridal party is all her choice and that this wedding is more her wedding than BIL and that he should be happy that her parents were allowing her to marry him .... what century does she live in? Was concerned about telling the Outlaws, but they took it really well, MIL even LOL'd, FIL was a bit miffed and insisted that i should still go! Showed them all the emails and the texts and i came home polishing my halo ... which is unusual!

Anyhow thats the story, I know you sometimes read the blog Shauna ... so correct me if i'm wrong on any of this and i will be more than happy to share your response!

The Sugar Bowl ~ Challenge 18

Challenge 18 is a fab sketch from Kathy, with the added "Please Use" option of "Buttons"

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Free download ~ Rhonna Farrer Aug 2008 free Pea Kit

Image ~ Manga Girl

Buttons, Gems & Raffia ~ Stash

Ribbon ~ Stash ... printed with the border from the Kit
Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Whisper Strokes, White Sakura Souffle Pen

Sketch Saturday #66

This weeks challenge is sponsored by one of the regular sponsors, The Craft Barn.
Before you say anything ... i know the image is Dexter, but he's just spending the day cross dressing ... he's in touch with his feminine side lol! I wanted an image to fit in with the sentiment i found and this one fits perfect if Dexter is a little girl!

CS ~ Stash
DP's ~ Annie Paper ~ freebie download
Image ~ Motivet Dexter ~ RAK from Tab, thanks honey mwah's
Flowers, gems & brads ~ Stash
Sentiment ~ PC Generated, using a collection of fonts
Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Woodware Leaf Punch, Whisper Strokes

Beth Update: Monday morning she got up saying she was cleaning her bedroom ... Sis told her she had to sort out a job or a college course. This caused an argument ... Beth ridiculed Sis for taking her to McDonalds Sunday evening to chat ... she then kept saying "again" in response to everything Sis said she was going to do. She left house saying she was going to look for full-time job, college course or going ski-ing in Scotland!!? We took it that she did the latter as there was no sign of her last night lol! Sis text her phone and her friends phone this morning saying that she'd had enough and that her clothes would be taken to where she was. Beth told sis not to do that, that she would come and sort things out ... sis not having anymore of it ... said "Again!" and told her that it enough was enough. Beth text saying she was on her way home ... 2 hours later sis and i went down with her car half full of the contents of Beth's bedroom ... I text saying be on front in 2 minutes to collect clothes ... out she came after we'd started unloading car ... she asked me what she was supposed to do with her stuff ... i didn't respond (daren't if the truth be know lol! my mouth gets carried away as you'll find out in the wedding story lol) ... she also asked the same to Sis ... Sis replied "not my problem anymore, its yours!" ... to say she was shocked was an understatement, but i think this was what was required. For the past few weeks, she come and gone as she pleased, with no consideration for anyone. Only coming back for clean clothes, a shower, money or food. It had to end sometime. No doubt she be back sometime ... she always does, but for now, she's on her own!

Wedding update to follow shortly!

Friday Sketchers #52 & Just Magnolia Week 20

Claudia is this weeks host at Friday Sketchers and has designed this fab sketch.

Just Magnolia's Challenge is Ribbons and Bows.

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Freebie Download ~ Big Boy Papers

Image ~ RAK from my gorgeous buddy Tab x

Buttons, Ribbon and Raffia ~ Stash

Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Whisper Markers

Papertake Weekly ~ Angels and Faires

This weeks challenge at PTW is Angel and Faires we are being sponsored by The Angel Company, which has some adorable stamps.

• CS ~ Stash
• DP's ~ Alexa Crazy free download
• Image & Sentiment ~ The Angel Company
• Flower ~ Stash
• Gems ~ Stash
• Tools ~ Border Punch from HobbyCrap don't know who its made by cos it don't have name printed on it, Woodware leaf Punch, Dovecraft 1.5" Daisy Punch, Glamour Dust, Whisper Strokes.