Perfect As A Rose ....

Happy Saturday!  Here in the UK it's a Bank Holiday weekend, so that's an extra day off on Monday for some of us :)  This last week has been a better week with Dad.  He's been more or less his old self again, although he's still been very weak.  I've spent the week making some of his nutrition drinks into ice-creams and ice-lollies ready for the week after his Chemo treatment when we have trouble getting him to eat.  So, this week we're making preparations ready for his sick week.

Sketch Saturday challenge is sponsored by our regular sponsor

The Craft Barn

"We are a UK based business selling a wide range of craft supplies including stamps, dies and embossing folders, punches, an extensive range of items to alter and decorate and much more for your scrapbooking and card making projects. We are committed to providing the best, most up to date craft products at great prices, coupled with first class service.


Some of the leading companies that we stock include Stamping Bella, Ranger, Tim Holtz, Crafty Individuals, Martha Stewart, Katzelkraft stamps, Nestabilities, Craftwork Cards, Copic Pens, House Mouse, Viva Décor, Eco Green crafts and Cosmic Shimmer to name but a few.


We are constantly adding new products to our range of craft supplies so be sure to add us to your browser favourites so you can pop back and see us."

The Craft Barn offer a wide range of goodies for all crafters from all things 'Cuttlebug' to grunge paper, from cottage cutz dies to cosmic shimmers, then there's your essentials like cardstock and papers and adhesives.

Not forgetting their HUGE stock of clear and rubber stamps to tantalise you!

There really is something for everyone :)

For all the latest products that have been added to the site PLEASE CLICK HERE,
including the NEW SPECTRUM NOIR marker pens,
the latest Crafty Individuals products,
Crafts Too embossing folders,
& the new LaBlanche silicone stamps.

The Craft Barn is open this Bank Holiday Monday at the usual time
9:30am - 5:00pm

and here's a date for your diary...
NEXT WEEK sees the next store event,
Saturday September 3rd is Andy Skinner day!
From watercolouring to alcohol inks with Andy Skinner, Carol Cockbain and Lina McDermott will be showing you loads of ideas using Andy’s stamps combined with lots of other goodies in their free demo day at The Craft Barn. 

At the minute we have no details of the prize thats being offered, but as soon as we know we'll let you know.

Here's this weeks sketch...

... and my card ...

... using another Teddy Bea image this time Teddy Bea_017

To make this card I used:-

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Pink Petticoat Gingham and Create with TLC papers

Sentiment ~ Create with TLC

Flowers & Pearls ~ Stash

Tools ~ Sansodor, Pencil Crayons, Blending Stumps, Sewing Machine, Marianne Design Butterfly Die, Nesties, Diamond Stickles

Swinging By To Say Hi .... Sketch Saturday #169

Yesterday morning was spent Dad sitting whilst Mum went out to her friend's house for an hour and half for a coffee, natter and some much deserved "ME" time.  She returned relaxed and ready for whatever the rest of the day brought.  Which was a visit from the Occupational Therapist.  She's going to request a few things for us that she thinks will help Dad both in and outside the house.  We've had to make it clear to him that he doesn't have to use anything she brings, or if he tries them and doesn't think they're a help they can be returned.  He's funny when it comes to aids of any sort ... i think he sees them as defeat!  He must be feeling a little better cos he has us all organised with jobs tomorrow.  My sister is changing the bed and cleaning upstairs, Andy is sorting the TV out in the bedroom and plugging the electric bed in (Dad refuses to have it plugged in and use it when he doesn't need it!) and Mum and I have to go shopping for some new jog bottoms for him.  He hates the idea of not getting dressed when he goes downstairs, so i suggested some jog bottoms because they're like PJ's but they're not!  In the meantime, I've taken to comfort cooking and eating ...

... apple, sultana's and cinnamon tear and share bread.  We tore it and shared it and now its all gone!


So Good Morning people.  It's time for another challenge to kick start your weekend, and this week we have a new (for us at Sketch Saturday) sponsor!...

"iCopic.com is an online retailer dedicated to providing high quality Copic products backed by superior service and affordable prices. Our huge selection of Copic products and Price Match Guarantee program make us the one stop shop for supplying all your Copic needs. With you in mind, we’ve designed a site that makes shopping a breeze and most orders qualify for Free Shipping!


Along with our extensive Copic Products, we also offer the industries best products in markers and inks including Tsukineko and Tim Holtz products and accessories. Our rubber stamp collection offers a wide range of styles from Greeting Farm, CC Designs, Magnolia and many more including our Exclusive Gorjuss Collection.

With a shared passion for stamping and art, iCopic.com is proud to sponsor Sketch Saturday challenge, where one lucky winner will win our Copic Ciao Marker Kit which includes 8 Ciao Craft Primary colors and 1 multiliner pen. 

Copic Ciao Markers are the perfect choice for beginning artists. These round shaped pens are made specifically for those who want to try markers for the first time. Solid polypropylene body is both smooth and comfortable for a perfect controllable grip. These double ended markers with durable polyester nibs come with a Super Brush and Medium Broad nibs. Ciao markers are refillable and the inscriptions and symbols on the body are wear resistant. Markers are low-odor, blendable, and for use on paper, leather, wood, fabric plastics, faux fur, and more.

They’re also offering all Sketch Saturday subscribers who purchase $75 or more, $5 off and Free Shipping!

Please register and log in and use Coupon code SSS0811 during checkout (Expire 08/31/2011)."

WOW! WOW! WOW!

not only a superb prize for our challenge winner but a very generous offer available to ALL Sketch Saturday challengers!!!

Thank you SO MUCH iCopic.com xx

 here is this weeks sketch...

and my card ...

I'm addicted to these Teddy Bo/Bea images and had to use another one .  This beauty Teddy Bea_014 was used for the card I made to say thank you to our gorgeous friend Paula for putting up with us for our weekend away at her house in London the end of July.

To make this card I used:~

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Pink Petticoat Gingham & Kathryn Balint, Old Time Rendezvous

Sentiment ~ Create with TLC

Pearls, Ribbons & Flowers ~ Stash

Tools ~ Diamond Stickles, Pencil Crayons, Sansodor, Blending Stumps, Sewing Machine

B .. Beautiful Baby Boy ... DP2 Challenge #96

Escaping from my life for a few hours resulted in the card I've made for this challenge.  Its taken me 2 days to complete, snatching a few minutes here and there in between visits to the oldies house.  

Dad's been in bed for most of the time since last Sunday.  He had to get up on Wednesday and go to the hospital, a day early because of my big mouth and what at the time seemed a good idea LOL!  With him being so tired, I thought it was appropriate to ring the Chemo Unit and explain he was so sleepy and lacked energy, thinking it might be good for them to send out the District Nurse to take a blood sample that was required on Thursday to check his calcium levels.  However, they decided that perhaps we should take him up immediately, so the levels could be checked there and then as sleepy is one of the side effects of high calcium.  Too high and you can slip into a coma or have a heart attack.  Fortunately, after dashing up there and having the test he was given the all clear for anaemia and high calcium, but told that he now has MRSA!  He has to put cream up his nose 3 times a day and wash with this body wash everyday for the next 5 days!  Is it never ending? 

Once again I owe a BIG thank you to my friend Suzie for putting herself out xxx and to my gorgeous friend Paula for putting up with the daily rants xxx Love you BOTH lots xxx

Debbie is the hostess this week...and she's challenged us to make a card or 3D project using the theme...

Feeling BLUE!! 
(Use the color BLUE)

I've made this card ready for the birth of our nephew ... Charlie!  He's due to land sometime the beginning of October, but with not having much chance to craft lately, I decided to get it done now.

I used no-bow baby  from Mo Manning

To make this card I used:~

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Raspberry Road Designs ~ My Baby Love, Boy

Sentiment ~ Create with TLC

Pearls ~ Stash

Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Pencil Crayons, Sansodor, Blending Stumps, Carla Craft Corner Punch

Showers Of Warm Wishes .....

I could do with some of those right now!  I had to mention side effect didn't I?!  Saturday morning at 4:30am I had a phone call from Mum, saying that Dad didn't feel well ... he was experiencing discomfort in his chest.  Fortunately, after being checked over by the Paramedics it was decided that it was the onset of side effects from the Chemo.  Dad has never been a poorly person.  I don't even recall him ever being ill, so i think he was panicked by how ill he felt and the fact that initially he couldn't wake Mum to tell her.  It broke my heart on Saturday morning to see him looking so small and fragile in his bed and again today.  He's very tired and has taken to his bed the past 2 days, only coming downstairs to lay on the sofa under piles of blankets.  I'm hoping for a better day tomorrow, for Mum's sake and for Ellie and Ebony (daughter and great-niece) who are babysitting him whilst Mum and I go grocery shopping.   Today I sent Mum out to her weekly exercise class.  Dad was happy upstairs in bed as long as he could hear me, so i hoovered for Mum and then made a noisy cup of tea, banging cupboard doors, the fridge door and cups on the side.  Andy and I had a vocal conversation about nothing in particular, we just wanted to keep the noise going LOL .... that was hard, when your happy sitting with someone in silence.  Not to mention how odd it felt being noisy whilst someone is resting in bed!

This weeks challenge at Sketch N Stash has been designed by Sue ...

You can flip the sketch and add extra embellishments but we must still be able to recognize our original sketch.  Please do remember tell us what your new /neglected stash is that you used on your creation.

  
The sponsor this week is the fabulous ...  Bunny Zoes Crafts 

and they have generously offered this  fortnights challenge winner a

£10 voucher for their fabby online store


NEW ARRIVALS
*NEW Belles 'n Whistles Sweet Art Girls II
*NEW August C.C. Designs
*NEW Whimsy August Release
*NEW Wild Rose Studio - Stamps & 6x6 Papers
*NEW Nellie Snellen Stamps
*NEW Sew Easy Stitch Piercers, Twine, Floss and Glitter Floss 
*NEW Basic Grey Oxford and Out of Print
*NEW Marianne D Papers Merry Little Christmas & Winter World
*NEW Marianne D Creatables Dies
*NEW Marianne D Snoesjes Christmas Stamps
*NEW at Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Authentique!!!
*NEW August - The Greeting Farm
*12 *NEW My Minds Eye 6x6 Paper Pads
*NEW Swalk Stamp sets
*NEW Humphrey's Stamp sets
*NEW Gorjuss Girl Stamps
*NEW Spectrum Noir Pens plus Neenah Card
*NEW Magnolia - The Winner Takes It All

For my creation I used new DP's and a new Teddy Bea image.  The neglected stash was tulle and Sakura Stardust Pens (Gold & Silver), which I haven't used for a while on my cards!

a close up of the fabby image ....

... and the inside ...

To make this card I used:~
CS ~ Stash
DP's ~ Essence by Jeanine Baechtold
Image ~ Teddy Bea_057
Sentiment ~ Create with TLC
Flowers, Tulle & Pearls ~ Stash
Tools ~ Crystal Stickles, Sewing Machine, Woodware Leaf Punch, Sansodor, Pencil Crayons, Blending Stumps, Carla Craft Corner Punch, Sakura Stardust Pens

Happiness is Homemade and Teddy Bo Challenge #16

.... and we're trying to make lots of happiness at home right now with the start of Dad's Chemotherapy on Thursday.  We couldn't have a plane sailing day either ... ending up being there until 6:30pm because Dad had got very dehydrated again over the past few weeks and his calcium level had raised again.  We now know exactly how much fluid he needs to be having, 100mls every half an hour!  We shall be trying our best to make sure that he has that ready for the next treatment. He didn't have a very good night Thursday night, I think it was all the information he'd been given and a lot of excess nervous energy left over from the unknown.  Yesterday morning however, he's been up into the greenhouse and tended to his plants and pottered about in the garden for 10 minutes.  He's tired but still in his normal aggravating mood.  He's said that he's hoping that the side effects of the Chemo are all mind over matter and has said that he doesn't intend on having any of them except the hair loss!  So fingers crossed. 

I want to thank my gorgeous friend Suzie, who i know stalks my blogspot, for the beautiful card that she sent me and especially for what she wrote inside.  I love you loads xxx

This weeks challenge, is sponsored by Simon Says Stamp!

"With over 100,000 items in stock, Simon is proud to offer the best selection of Rubber Stamps, Scrapbooking, Artist Trading Cards, Altered Art, and Paper Crafting Supplies in the world!"

To see all the latest products instore please click HERE

To see the exclusive Simon Says Stamp range, please click HERE
Not forgetting their HUGE Magnolia range HERE

All things Tim Holtz including newly released products can be found HERE
They have new Copic colours HERE

Did you know that SSS have e-gift cards too?

any amount from $5.00 - $100.00 is available, ideal to send to a crafty friend if you're unsure of what to buy them eh?

A very generous $25 gift certificate will be awarded to our lucky winner this week to spend on goodies in the SSS store!

Thank you to all at SSS xx

Here is this weeks sketch...

 and the Teddy Bo Challenge #16 is .... LOVE IS IN THE AIR

We are looking forward to seeing all your fabulous creations, and we only have one little rule, which is        

You must use a Teddy Bo and Co image.

I've made this card for my Husband for his birthday on 26th of this month.  He's been so good to me just lately and so understanding ... I'm sure i don't always deserve it!  I thought the sentiment was apt "Happiness is Homemade"  

... my creation using a Teddy Bo image ...

 ... and close up ...

To make this card I used:~

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Can't remember now ... its been a long week

Image ~ Teddy Bo_002

Sentiment ~ Create with TLC

Buttons & Border Ribbon ~ Stash

Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Pencil Crayons, Blending Stumps, Sansodor

Sending A Smile ....

Well the countdown has begun and I'm sending this smile now cos I don't know if I'll feel like it later in the week.  Dad looked awful when i went to see him today.  He was a funny colour and quite tired.  Not sure if that's his condition or whether its worrying about the start of his Chemotherapy.  He sat dozing in the chair for most of the morning with Koree (my grandbaby).  Tomorrow is the start of GP and/or hospital appointments along with the funeral directors visit tomorrow afternoon (its completely beyond me!).  That's one appointment I shall NOT be attending.  I don't think there is any need for me to be there!

On a happier note, I got the chance to play some more yesterday and made this card too ...

I used another adorable Teddy Bea image _008

To make this card I used:~

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Raspberry Road Designs ~ Travelogue, Pink Petticoat Gingham and Postcard free download

Sentiment ~ Create with TLC

Pearls, Buttons and Flowers ~ Stash

Tools ~ Pencil Crayons, Blending Stumps, Sansodor, Cuttlebug, Nestie, Woodware Leaf Punch

Those Who Can, Do! ....

... So with that in mind, I did!  I settled down at the dining table with my trusted lappy and decided to make the most of the free time that I have before the onslaught of treatments and possible horrible side-effects next week! I really needed some "Me" time after spending so much time the past few day working on Dad "Funeral Program".  Thankfully though Jo x, my gorgeous teamie has come to my rescue and taken the biggest job off me and for that I am truly thankful!

I decided to follow a sketch from Sunday Sketch & Stamp and thought i'd enter my card.  Wrong .....  I've just checked and the competition ended at midnight last night L2MQ!  Typical!  It doesn't matter though cos i got to spend some quality time with my pencil crayons and a Teddy Bea image.

I used the gorgeous Teddy Bea_003 image ...

and not only used her on the outside, but inside too ...

... the adorable little verse was found via a google search.

To make my card I used:~

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Raspberry Road Designs ~ Annie's Room

Sentiment ~ Create with TLC

Flowers ~ Stash

Tools ~ Pencil Crayons. Blending Stumps, Sansodor, Diamond Stickles, Sewing Machine, Nesties, Cuttlebug and Woodware Leaf Punch.

Hearing Voices In My Stethoscope .....

In the grand scheme of things this week has been fairly uneventful.  Dad only had one hospital appointment and it wasn't a procedure!  It was his Pre-Assessment appointment prior to the start of his Chemotherapy next Thursday.  He was on top form and performed beautifully to his captivated audience.  Not much serious talking and far too much laughter really LOL!  But then its his positivity that's keeping us all going.  I've also been asked to design his "Funeral Program" ... talk about feeling obliged to do something!  I have to admit i'm finding it extremely difficult to do, but he has me over a barrel LOL!!!  I'd like to say a huge THANK YOU to Jo who has offered to help me out with cluster frames.  I decided I would design some and use on the back page .... Pfft, hadn't got a clue how to do them or where to start, just thought they look pretty L2MQ, didn't realise it'd be that difficult!  

Anyway its Saturday again and means just one thing .... Its time for SKETCH SATURDAY.  This weeks fabulous sketch has been designed by my gorgeous, kind, caring, generous teamie TERRY.  She has designed a brilliant sketch and arranged the most fantastic prize too from a very generous sponsor who is offering copious amounts of goodies!

They are ...

Art Journey is the most specialised, but above all the cosiest (online) StampStore in Holland.  The Website has 3 different languages, so therefore is accessible for everyone. Service and quality are very important to Louisse for her store. Visit the online webstore through http://www.artjourney.nl and you will see lots and lots of yummie stuff that we crafters really really need (LOL).

Art Journey offers a wide range of goodies for all crafters.  

Besides lots and lots of common craft products, they also have their own stamps!  

If you have the opportunity to visit the Store in Sleen (in the Netherlands) then Louisse and Liesbeth will be very happy to say Hi to you during a workshop or in the store itself.  Don't hesitate to come on over to the online webstore or to the store in Sleen and you will find lots of yummie stuff. Terry went there yesterday to in with a workshop and had a great time ...

The fabulous prize on offer is .....

This fabulous stamp sheet is called "Boys"  How adorable is that .... definitely need this for my boys!

This stamp sheet is called "Birds"

This stamp sheet is called "Friends2"

The next stamp sheet is called "Modern2"

and the last one....

... is this fabulous Stamp sheet called "Willy Héléne"

Hmm i'm wishing I wasn't one of "The Saturdays" so that I could be in with a chance of winning those beauties.  But for your chance to win these gorgeous stamps you need to follow the sketch below ....

You can rotate it or flip it, but follow the sketch ....

I wanted to make yet another card for my Dad ... he's not going to have room on his mantelpiece at this rate L2MQ ... It's just a "stay strong during your treatment" card!  I used Teddy Bo Doctor for my card ... a huge THANK YOU to Terry who made this card possible x

... and a close up of the beautiful Doctor  

and the inside of the card ...

To make this card I used ....

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Poor Baby Free Download

Image ~ Teddy Bo_029

Sentiment ~ Create with TLC

Clipart Images

Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Pencil Crayons, Blending Stumps, Sansodor

Sh*t Happens

Sh*t happens ... hmmm, what an apt sentiment for our lives at the minute!  For those of you that don't know, my Dad has been diagnosed with stage 3 Adenocarcinoma of the left lung.  His prognosis isn't that good and with treatment he has a minimum of 12 months left with us.  Which will go by in no time at all because you want it to go slow!

My parents have adopted the "Sh*t happens" approach to this horrible disease and can be heard saying it in nearly every conversation they have LOL.  Dad has said that he refuses to give in and be beaten by this, he says he's not ready to go just yet.  His positivity gives us hope.

As soon as i saw this image i just knew what i wanted to make with it and who i wanted to make a card for ...

Isn't he adorable?  He is one of Mo's new creations ...

The fantastic sentiment was created especially for me by Paulette at Create with TLC

and i used the cute little image again on the inside but left it black and white.

To make the rest of the card I used:-

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Happy Kitchen ~ Raspberry Road Designs

Button ~ Stash

Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Pencil Crayons, Blending Stumps, Sansodor, Corner Punch