Journey with ME

What have I been doing?

2012-01-25T17:53:00.000Z

Not a lot! I haven't been well for the last couple of months and the last few weeks have been worse. Don't know if it's a flare up of the M.E. or something else. I'm slowly getting back to what is normal for me but I'm still very tired. Everything is an effort. Luckily my two sons have been very understanding and are keeping the household chores at bay and doing the cooking. I'm still without my one of my hearing aids. I did have an appointment but I didn't make it....just wasn't well enough. I haven't made another appointment yet as I don't want to make one and not be able to keep it again. Mmeanwhile I have managed to make three cards so far this year. The first was for my youngest grandson's birthday and I struggled to make a card...wasn't very happy with it but didn't have time to make another. Forgot to take a pic before it was sent off. Second card was for the Crafters Re-united forum. The challenge was a sketch from the lovely Jackie. My niece is due to have her second baby..a boy..in about 3 weeks so that gave me a bit of inspiration for a card. Third card for another grandson's birthday. I have to make yet another card for my eldest's birthday this weekend.
Here are the two cards that I did take a pic of.

The image is a Bently bear stamp from Adam Prescott. Everything else from my stash.

This one was made using a free download from my Craft Studio. The letters were cut out using a die then applied glossy accents.

It's Christmas..

2011-12-24T22:26:00.002Z

First of all.....can I wish you all very happy Christmas..and thank you all for visiting. Everything is done and all ready for a nice quiet day. Just a slight problem with one of my hearing aids....it's not working!!..and it would have to be the one for the worst affected ear. I will cope though..the TV volume will be a bit higher. I now have to contact the hospital for an appointment to see what the problem is and hopefully get it fixed.

I've had to cut back a little more than usual this year but I think that's true for a great many of us. No reason why it shouldn't be just as festive though. Anyhow.....Got all my cards done with time to spare. Forgot to take pics of some of them and the ones I did take haven't turned out too well.

Papers and images include.... Nancy Wyatt, Polka Doodles, Just inklined, FSS, Dustin Pike, Adam Prescot and glitter, ribbons, punches,stamps and adhesive gems from my stash. Die cuts from Spellbinders and X-Cut, masks/embossing templates from Stamps Away.

A Very Happy Christmas To You All

Just to let you know..

2011-12-16T22:41:00.000Z

..that I have had to put the word verification feature on again as I'm getting a ton of spam. It's a pain ..I know ..but it has to be done I'm afraid. Hope to be back soon as soon as I've finished the final Christmas card I have to make.

I'm a Winner!!

2011-12-02T22:24:00.000Z

Just checked my email and I have one from Do Crafts saying that I am a winner of the November prize draw......gobsmacked!!! Now I can't wait for my prize to arrive. The news has come at the right time to cheer me up, as I've been watching the pennies extra carfully this week. My youngest has got a temporary Christmas job, and as he won't get paid until after Christmas, things are a bit tighter financially at the moment. I've been sitting on my hands when watching Create &Craft, and avoiding temptation to go onto some of my favourite craft sites to see all the crafting goodies that want to jump into my basket. I'm being very good.
Other wise I have been busy making some cards. Not finished yet but almost there. Just a few more to do then all the inserts need doing....as well as a load of inserts for the crafting group. I've found that they are a lot easier to do now with Craft Artist. I've only got the free compact version at the moment but hope to get the full version soon. Now I just need a few more hours so that I can spend longer playing with it.
Be back soon I hope with some pics of some of the cards.

A good week....

2011-11-20T17:30:00.000Z

...despite the damp and gloomy weather, the last week has been so good for a change. Last Saturday I spent a lovely afternoon at the theatre. Anne..my best friend...was part of the performance..singing in the choir in "Lives in art." It was fabulous and was rounded of with time spent with Anne, and a former colleague and his boyfriend. It was lovely to catch up and have a giggle. Tuesday was craft group. I don't actuallyt get anything made myself. This is due to a lovely lady who is an enthusiastic crafter but has some learning issues. She has always done decoupage and was amazed by stamping. She had never seen clear stamps and has always been told that she couldn't stamp. Last week proved that person wrong. She stamped perfectly and then enjoyed colouring in her image. I helped her choose a card blank and embellishments, and she produced a beautiful card that she was very proud of. We stamped and embossed a few more images, which she took home ready to make some more cards. It felt so good that I, with even my limited knowledge, opened up a whole new chapter of crafting for her. Isn't that what crafting is about?..sharing knowledge and enabling someone to create something beautiful. Friday was a hospital appointment for my osteo arthritis. The consultant was very pleased that the treatment was having a positive effect. Medication, thumb splint, resting splint and compression gloves. I was even happier. During the last few months ny weight has gone up considerably. I put it down to the medication. Well it seems to have levelled out and I thought that I might have lost a little of the extra weight. Was I surprised when he said that my medication was to be reduced...alternating the dose....one a day then 2 a day. The reason? The dose depends on your weight. So that means I have not only lost the extra weight I had put on....but lost some extra from when I last attended. Wooohooo!!!
Also managed a card and I am pleased at the way it turned out. My colouring is definitely improving. Some way to go yet but I'm getting there. The card is for my granddaughter's 15th birthday in a couple of weeks.

The image is from Inklined...glittered foam flowers from a pound shop. Go Kreate die, x-cut punch... everything else from my stash.

Cold, wet and dark...

2011-11-08T16:17:00.002Z

..the weather that is. Not feeling all that bright myself. Supposed to have gone to craft group today but got up with a raging headache. I thought that breakfast and a shower would help shift it... but no. Went back to bed for a couple of hours and I do feel a little better now, although I am very cold. I've got the heating on and extra layers of clothes but it doesn't seem to be helping. If this carries on my heating bill is going to be horrendous. I have to go out tomorrow as I have to put money in the bank to cover my shopping delivery which I'm waiting for at the moment. I think an extra early night is on the cards for me. All that aside I do have a card. It's for the monthly forum challenge, and the theme is LIM..less is more..and had to have a snowman or penguin as the main image plus a sentiment. Not a easy as you think when you are used to using backing papers and embellishments. I made it..then had to make it again.....the sentiment was wonky and I had some ink transfer from one of the stamps. I couldn't make it without any glitter at all so I added just the tiniest bit to the snowflakes. The base card is white though it doesn't look very white on the pic. I added a little colour to the snowman and the sentiment using my new pencils.

Just a quick post...

2011-10-22T21:32:00.001+01:00

...so that you know I haven't gone awol..lol. Had plans to get my housework done and enjoy some crafting time at the weekend. "Best laid plans...." haven't been feeling too well this week, think it has been the change in the weather. Nothing specific..just feeling more tired than usual. Decided I needed a little retail therapy, so I bought myself some new colouring pencils. I know everyone is using the alcohol markers but I'm resisting that route. First..I can't afford them at the moment and will be unlikely to in the near future. I know that that the price is coming down steadily, but if I buy a few I will want them all. I do have some colouring mediums so I've decided to try and improve my techniques with what I've got. Now....I've been colouring with cheapo colouring pencils and I've found that I'm happier with those....so..I bought myself some Staedtler ergo soft pencils from ebay. Good price as well..24 for £9.99..with free p&p. ordered them Thursday..got them this morning...my kind of shopping! Going to have a proper play with them tomorrow..housework can wait. I've got another card done. Was really pleased with it until Molly got her paws on it. Left it on the table for the glue to dry and she decided she wanted to play with the buttons that I'd glued. Managed to rescue it but there is a little bit of glue showing. I think I might be able to get away with it though....hope so anyway. It's my great-niece's Christmas card. She always wants fairies and Disney princesses but I went different this year. Still girly with pink and lime green and a bit of blue...and glitter! Spotted paper and snow person stamp from Polka Doodles...buttons, ribbon, card and glitter from stash.

Made a start....

2011-10-15T23:07:00.001+01:00

.....on my Christmas cards. Well I just had to try out the new stamps I've got. The first one is is an adorable little elephant called Humphrey. I coloured him in using ordinary felt tip pens and a water brush. Added some snow with a gelly roll white glaze pen.... and some snowflakes punched from glitter card. I think my colouring is improving slightly.....????

Another Humphrey..this time a rocker card. Coloured with very ordinary cheapo colouring pencils and a bit of glitter card and stickles glitter. On this image I put him some red boots on..whereas the first one I didn't. In the examples that I have seen there are no boots but I think it looks better with. What do you think.

Another rocker card..this time with stamps by Polka Doodles. The inspiration for this card came from them as well so I can't take the credit for that. Again coloured with pencils and lots and lots of glitter on the trees.

I've entered this card for the monthly forum inspirational challenge..which is Winter Wonderland with glitter and glitz. Think it fits the bill. Tyler is the 3 year old little boy who lives next door

Thank you for reading. Hope to continue with the roll I am on at the moment.

Daisy,Daisy...

2011-10-01T23:13:00.000+01:00

....tra la la la, la laaa. Just a little ditty that's been in my head since my last bout of crafting. I made five cards all with the same image stamp..a daisy. Why?..Well.....my eldest has finally got the go ahead for a crafting group at his local TARA..(tenants and residents association)..and I've been roped in. The first gathering was last Tuesday and I really enjoyed it. He asked me to make a few stamped samples so that's what I was doing last weekend. That's was as well as the front garden...grass cut and borders weeded. I've got the back garden started on Thursday....while the glorious weather is with us..and hope to finish it tomorrow and/or Monday.
Now for the cards. All made..with exception of the base card.....from scraps from my bit box.

The daisy stamp coloured using felt tips and a water brush. Matted and layered with pink glitter card using dies from Go Kreate. Papers from Pink Petticoat, sentiment stamp..not sure who's..and a bit of ribbon from stash to finish.

Now a circular card. Just stamped and glittered the image. Daisy paper as before. Matted and layered using X cut dies...and a Sizzix embossing folder. Rest from stash.

A side stepper card. Image masked and coloured with oil pastels. Dies from Go Kreate. Sentiment from Pink Petticoat and the border punch from X Cut.

Stamped three times..alternately on pink and white card. Sentiment on fourth panel and gems added. Matted on alternate colour card and then all four matted on to dark blue. I then added glossy accents to the daisy images.

The last one looks a bit Christmassy. Stamp paper pieced, and matted onto gold mirri. Border used is a Woodware border punch. I've not put a sentiment on this one yet. Not sure that I like it.

I am a woman of many moods....and they all require chocolate.

September is going fast...

2011-09-21T22:41:00.000+01:00

...too fast! The nights are drawing in pretty fast now and we will soon be putting our clocks back. I love the weather though. Ok , we have had some rain..but not too bad and the temperature is more to my liking. I do love Autumn. Still not got the grass cut and there is a bit more to do in the garden. I'm not going to get stressed about it though...it will get done when it gets done. I've got two things to show you. first the cross stitch that I did for one of my grand-daughters. Word came back that she loved it. The pattern was from cross stitcher magazine. I did it on 14 count to make it a bit quicker and glad I went for the blue aida..think it shows the shading better.

Next, a card. I did this for the Crafters Re-united forum inspirational challenge. The remit was circles and stripes. Was a bit thrown by this but then I was inspired by Papercraft Inspirations magazine..and a free download of the paper used...perfect! I needed a card for my neice's partner as well. Difficult task here as I've nevr met him and don't know anything about him except that he is an accountant. So..combined the two and went for a basic male card. Happy with the way it turned out.

Striped paper..I think is Papermania. Faces paper a free download from Papercraft Inspirations. The text is computer generated. Dark blue paper from stash.

Also managed a couple of ATCs for the forum. Must get those in the post!....and I really need to sort out my my picasa ATC albums.....and this blog needs a bit of updating. The list of things to do is getting longer......

Not much to post about.

2011-09-10T22:13:00.000+01:00

I haven't done any crafting 'cos I've been busy in the garden. It really needed a good tidy. Cleared up some leaves..lots more to come...and deadheaded a few things and cut some other things back. The lawns need cutting but they will have to wait a few more days. Most of this week has seen me shifting soil. My neighbours are digging out a flower bed and paving it and were going to take all the soil to the tip. Dot (my neighbour) asked if I would like it instead. Yes please! she spent a long time sifting and adding bags of compost to that flower bed a few years ago so I knew it would be good for my front garden. Mine is very stony and very shallow ...can't dig down very deep because of the tree roots...which by the way has been cut down. Well her hubby dug out all the soil and wheelbarrowed it all onto mine. I just had to shovel it onto my very meagre and sorry looking borders. My front garden is starting to look like a garden now. They even gave me a lot of the plants so have been planting those as well. It has tired me out though. Just have to catch up with the housework now...although my sons have played their part doing the essentials and cooking. I'm hoping to have a few days crafting. I really need to think about making a start on Christmas cards if I don't want to be rushing at the last minute. I did manage to finish a piece of cross-stitching that I started for one of my grand-daughters..just needs pressing and framing.

"I am a woman of many moods and they all require chocolate".....this is so me!

Ggggrrrrr!!!!

2011-08-19T22:13:00.001+01:00

Things are not going right computer wise. Aol keeps disconnecting, the comp is running slow, AOL temporarily lost several days email.....(got them back now but will take me ages to get through them)..and today I can't log on to the Crafters re-united forum. I was hoping to post a card for the inspirational challenge and the deadline is tomorrow. I'm not a happy bunny. To top all that I have lost a couple of sheets of self adhesive gems. I know I had them a few days ago but can't remember putting them away. Wanted them yesterday and can't find them anywhere. I've looked in every drawer, box and folder and can't find them. It's so annoying! Anyway I have got a couple of cards to post. The first one was for my youngest's birthday (22). Now John doesn't "do" cards...I've done the football..the car..the sexy lady etc. Was a bit stumped so I decided to keep it simple. Done in the colours of his room. He didn't say much about it but it's still on the mantelpiece.....2 weeks later....so I think he likes it.

Black card matted and layered onto white and grey. Big faux brads in grey (punched circles and then embossed and added glossy accents). Lettering is an alphabet die borrowed from eldest..so I don't know the make, and to finish it off, some grey paper string....simples!

This next card kills two birds.....It's for my DIL's birthday and I hope to enter it for the forum inspirational challenge....if I can get logged on. I was a bit worried that it was too young for her, 40 something, but she does love cute, fairies and glitter, so I've gone for it. The image is from Lilli of the valley, matted onto glitter card. Added a bit of glitter to her wings. The backing paper is by Pink Petticoat....used it for the sentiment as well. Used an X-cut punch on cream card to match the base card down the side, added a blue lace ribbon from my stash. Punched butterfly ..same as backing paper....which I've foiled with silver. Three die cut flowers with a bit of stickles glitter glue, and a leaf punch to finish it all off. Hope she likes it.

Wouldn't you just know it?..soon as I'd posted on here I managed to get on the forum to post my card, and I got the deadline wrong..it's Monday. Got there in the end.

Been playing...

2011-07-31T21:30:00.000+01:00

....catch-up for the last couple of weeks. Had a day in Bury with grandchildren a couple of weeks ago and that put my routine all out. Just about caught up with everything now thank goodness, just got my bedroom/craft room to tidy now. I've even done the garden....front and back..and a tiny bit of crafting. Ddefinitely got to do some tomorrow. It's my youngest's birthday on Wednesday and I have yet to make his card. I've really struggled to come up with ideas, but I think I've cracked it now. Made a start on some cross stitching for one of my granddaughters, not a big project but I hope she will like it.
Finally got my new oven....yay! Youngest son is enjoying using it....lol. And more good news....MY GUTTERING HAS BEEN FIXED!!!...only took 7 months. It turns out that the contractors who originally did it had told the housing association that it was repaired last month. I had another date for the repairs to be done on August 11th...but the housing association repair team came out last week and fixed it. Think someone from the contractors is going to be in a bit of bother. Would love to be a fly on that wall.

Also made a card for the Crafters Re-united inspirational challenge. The theme was Mono...but we could use skin tones a well if the design called for it. Well I was dying to use a Lilli of the Valley image that I got with a magazine. There are 20 designs and all gorgeous..can feel a crafty spend coming on! Well I chose the design...coloured it..made the card and was really pleased with myself....until I read the remit again. The mono theme had to include the sentiment as well.....mine didn't....so couldn't enter it. Wouldn't have worked well with the colour I went for so did it in grey.Will read the rules extra carefully next time. Anyway, here's the card.

The backing papers are ..I think from Papermania...could be wrong though, I've had them ages. I ran the top piece through my die cutter using a Sizzix folder....the bottom piece I used a craft tonic border punch. Cut and framed the image with my Go Kreate dies. Added a few flowers that were first coloured with an ink pad and then added a bit of stickles. Ribbon from my stash with a stamped sentiment..... and the butterfly....well that is a 5 petal flower punch with one of the petals cut out as I don't have a small butterfly punch.

Time is flying.....

2011-07-10T21:46:00.000+01:00

..by. I've got so much I want and need to do but this week I've been exhausted. Have done very little the last couple of days. Perhaps it's the heat that's got to me...thankfully it's a little cooler now. Wednesday was shopping in town...bought some crafting goodies....nothing much..just a few bits from the 99p store. Amazing what you can find if you have a good browse. Friday saw the OT. Not a long appointment but gave me some tips on relaxation in the hope it may help me sleep better. I've never been a good sleeper at the best of times so I'm not pinning too much hope there. She's away for all of August but I can contact the hospital if need be. Met with Anne for lunch and a good old catch up on the gossip. I haven't done any crafting at all!!! If I can get motivated this week and get jobs done that need doing, then perhaps I can spend some "me" time in my crafting space...and I want to do a couple of very small cross stitch projects. It's sitting there on the top of my box just waiting to be stitched. I want to try and get them done at a time when I don't have much else to do, otherwise my fingers will swell and I won't be able to hold the needle.
OK..off to take my medication now and try to have an early night with some quality sleep.

Don't time fly?

2011-06-25T21:20:00.000+01:00

Doesn't seem like a month since I last posted. What have I been up to?....not a lot. The weather has foiled all my attempts at gardening except for yesterday. I was determined I was going to get some much needed tidying done. Broke my own rule with that. To make sure that I pace myself I have a rule now that I don't start gardening before 3 in the afternoon and only spend an hour out there. Spent 3 hours yesterday. Had to be done though....I am so behind with what needs doing...but at least now a big part of what needed doing is done. That makes me a happy bunny. I haven't done as much crafting as I wanted to either. There are not enough hours in a day to do all I want and still get plenty of rest. That is something I can't change so I'm not going to worry about it. I've had another appointment with the OT and I now have ...beside the thumb splint...a resting splint for night time and a pair of compression gloves. My hands were so swollen when I saw her that she was quite shocked and didn't realize that they got that bad. That's when she decided on the compression gloves. I can wear those when my hands are swollen....and just the left hand one and the resting splint on the right hand at night. It has meant a big improvement to my hands and my sleep. The problem was that I slept on my hands....but with the splint I can't do that now..and the glove and splint means that I am not waking as much because of pain in my hands. Still finding it difficult to actually drift off to sleep but that's another problem that the OT is going to try and resolve on my next visit. I think she is thinking along the lines of asking my GP to change my night medication. I've been on it for nearly 6 years now so my body has probably got too used to it.
I did get two cards made...one for the Inspirational challenge on the Crafters Re-United forum and another just so that I could try out 2 new goodies.

Here's the first one for the challenge. The theme was for a female card and it must have a ribbon. I was looking through my stash trying to decide what to do when I came across a parchment that I'd traced and never got any further. I couldn't find the pattern instructions...or the designer....so just went for it. A few mistakes but as I haven't done any parchment for 18 months not too bad.

The next card is using a Build a Blossom Pansy sheet from La Pashe. My new goodies as well...one of a set of dies from Go Create. I've been playing and now son has borrowed them for the weekend. Kept the card very simple, was very pleased with the effect until I went and stamped the sentiment wonky. I am considering stamping the sentiment on card and covering the original. Not sure now though....what do you think?.....leave it alone..cover it?...

Halfway...

2011-05-26T22:28:00.000+01:00

...but not to paradise. To the other side of the city. It started yesterday on the way home from the city centre after a bit of shopping with my eldest. I have to have someone with me on these trips because I am not reliable and tend to get a bit stressed. Well...I got on my bus to go home and suddenly realised that I hadn't got my handbag...(purse to our USA friends). I couldn't do anything about it so I stayed on the bus home and then had to decide what to do. Tried to remember where I had misplaced it and came to the conclusion that I had left it on the previous bus, or left it at the bus stop when I put my bags down. First thing I did when i got home was ring my mobile. No answer. Then phoned the bus company and was told that if I had left it on the bus and someone handed it to the driver, it wouldn't reach the depot until midnight. Tried my mobile again and got an answer. It was the driver of the bus..thank goodness! Then had to arrange to go today and collect my lost property. Phoned my son and he came with me as I didn't have a clue how to get to Halfway, and had to borrow the bus fare. Was re-united with my bag and it's contents....was so relieved. This little adventure has shook me up a bit.....thinking what problems there would have been if my bag hadn't been handed in. It just makes me feel so much more vunerable. At least, hopefully, I will be able to relax and get some sleep tonight.

Another busy week.

2011-05-22T21:25:00.001+01:00

The end of another busy week. 2 hospital appointments since my last post, some gardening and a card made.
Wednesday's appointment was with the occupational physiotherapists. It was supposed to be an hour long but due to missing buses was 20 minutes late...hence a shortened appointment. It was good though. She gave me a thumb splint to wear and already I can feel the benefit. She has also written a letter to my landlords(housing association) and requested another hand rail for the stairs, and she is also trying to sort getting my armchair highered. I have to go back in 4 weeks when she is hoping to give me some other methods for getting some quality sleep. As many people will know (or maybe not), sleep is something M.E. sufferers have a real problem with. It's not the amount of sleep but the quality which is the problem.
Got a little gardening done but not much......just a bit of tidying.

The card I made was for the Crafters Re-united inspirational challenge. The card could be any theme, any colour, any shape, as long as it was no bigger than 31/2 ins x31/2ins. perfect for those smaller images that I'm sure most of us have. I usually do 6x6 or 5x7 cards .....but I do have some blank 5x5 which I might try. Enough waffling...here's the card. The main image is, I think, Bentley Bear, but definitely by Adam Prestcott..... I love his images. Backing paper is My Minds Eye. Nesties and embossing folder used, ribbon and gems from stash. The sentiment stamp..which I think is very appropriate for the challenge..is from another set but I can't remember the name.

Finished it!

2011-05-17T21:23:00.000+01:00

Finished what I hear you asking. Cataloguing all my stamps, that's what. Put all my clear stamps in empty cd cases...all nice and neat ..and I know what I've got now. Stamped all my stamps onto paper and sorted by type...floral, cute, flourishes, sentiments, Christmas etc.. and then into sleeves in a ring binder. Each image has a cd case number, or if it is a wooden backed. Now all I have to do is browse my folder and locate the stamp I want quickly and easily. Sorted! The inspiration for this method came from Peejay...thank you. Now the next job is to sort my digi images. I have quite a few..some purchased....others generously given as freebies. Most of them are in a folder on my external hard-drive....which is fine....but it would be easier to browse an actual folder, and then I would know at a glance what I have. Sometimes I think I've got a particular image but can't remember if it is a digital or a stamp. Will save a lot of time. I've also been busy sorting other craft stuff....my ribbons especially. They were wound onto wooden dolly pegs but they had outgrown their space. Now they are wound onto card and colour coded...all in a their own box which I can keep in sight instead of being hidden away in a drawer. All this re-organising has made more room for my buttons, brads and eyelets which tended to get pushed to the back of drawers. My crafting space is very limited but now it's easier to find things. I'm a happier crafter now. All this re-organising hasn't left much time for actual crafting though. Hoping to get some done in the next few days. though. I had a busy week last week..town on Wednesday with eldest to do some shopping and banking.... and then town again Thursday for lunch and a good old natter with Anne...needed that! was hoping to do some gardening at the weekend but the weather and the fact that I was totally beat put paid to that. The weather has been a little better the last couple of days but no chance of gardening. I went to the the hospital today for a rheumatology appointment and got a definite diagnosis of osteo arthritis and more medication. That's seven lots of medication I'm on now. I don't have to go back for another 6 months. Tomorrow and Thursday I have 2 more hospital visits. Both at the same hospital at the other end of the city. Tomorrow is with the physiotherapists for the arthritis, Thursday for breast screening. It's a lot of travelling and extremely tiring. Thankfully the boys are being very good and pulling out the stops as far as housework and cooking go. They don't always show much awareness of my health difficulties but they are being very considerate at the moment, and I am grateful for that. Oh..got my new specs. Varifocals and they are great!! I knew I'd missed having them but didn't realize just how much until I got these new ones. I'm finding the computer a lot easier and hopefully will be able to catch up with everything. I'm so behind with my blog list, updating this blog and keeping my Picasa ATC pictures up to date. It's great not having to constantly change glasses whenever I need to read something...eg...instructions, shopping, visiting the library, filling in prescription forms.

Been a busy bee..

2011-05-01T22:38:00.001+01:00

..spring cleaning, gardening and a bit of crafting. The cleaning has been a lot easier to do with my little steam cleaner, and kinder to the environment and my purse, no chemical cleaners to buy (not that I used many before). I've done the back garden and discovered that I'd lost a few plants due to new fencing being erected. The front garden is taking a little more time and effort even though it is considerably smaller. The plants have been flourishing and I need to cut back what passes for a lawn. In the past it would have taken me a couple of days, but I have to restrict myself or I wouldn't be able to do anything for a week. Getting there though and we have had beautiful weather...sometimes a little too hot for gardening.
Went to the opticians yesterday for my eye test...only 2 years overdue..and get my new varifocals next week. I've hated having to wear 2 separate pairs, forever switching, but the optician has the varifocal offer so I've taken advantage of it. Can't wait...freedom again.
Done a little crafting but mainly sorting through my craft stuff and doing a bit of re-organizing. Found some things that I'd forgotten I have. I hope to sort out my clear stamps this week..at the moment they are all in a cardboard box and mixed up. I've got quite a few empty Cd cases so I'm going to transfer the stamps to them and then I can catalogue them....that way...hopefully... I'll know what I've got.
Here are the cards I've made in the last month.
An easel card for Anne's birthday. Lilac pearlised card embossed with one of my new Sizzix folders. Pyramage is by Maria Maidment, added a touch of stickles glitter glue to the flowers (can't see that very well in the pic) and matted onto dark blue card. Lace, ribbon, adhesive pearls and glitter butterfly from my stash

Another easel birthday card, this time for my sister-in-law. Again a Maria Maidment pyramage and embellishments from my stash. I don't have the punch to do the edge I wanted so I improvised. Used my scallop scissors then my silent setter for the holes..turned out not too bad.

This card was one of those that non of us ever wants to make. It was for my sister- in -law who's brother has died. He was a Liverpool football fan so I did the colours in red white and black. Decided to keep it simple and thought the single poppy was fitting.

The last card..another birthday...is for my niece. I also entered it for the Crafters Re-united April inspirational challenge. Any card, any size as long as it had a button. The main image is a freebie from Jak, mounted onto rainbow card then blue glitter card. Butterfly is a punch and the button is a chipboard. A stamped sentiment but I've forgotten the make. It's not a good picture, camera phone and glitter card don't mix very well.

Been to hospital.....

2011-03-28T21:06:00.000+01:00

......and sort of got a diagnosis for my hands. Have to wait until I go back in May for blood results, but consultant is of the opinion that I have osteo arthritis. It also may be the reason I am having a lot of pain in my knees and hips He agree's with my GP that I could have Renaud's as well. He doesn't think that will be too much of a problem though. If the results confirm OA I will be given some more medication which he says will help to slow the process. At least having a diagnosis makes things easier to deal with and manage. Off now to chill a while before I go to my bed. It's been a long day.

I've been awol...

2011-03-20T13:52:00.000Z

...been busy..well sort of. Still finding it hard to spend long on the computer, my concentration wanders and I forget what I'm doing. Went for my ECG and everything was OK......and I've got an appointment for the rheumatology clinic next week. Perhaps I can get some treatment for my painful hands. I haven't been sleeping at all well and it hasn't helped that I fell last week in the house. Not much damage but I fell backwards and landed on my backside....sent the ironing board flying and broke a couple of glasses...my back still hurts. To top all that off some idiot drove into the telegraph post a couple of weeks ago and brought down mine, and neighbours phone line. So no phone or internet for eleven days. That's how long it took BT to replace the pole and reconnect the line. I'm getting a bit of compensaton from my internet provider though, not much but better than nothing. It's taking me a bit of time to catch up with everything.

On a lighter note I have some cards to post. Not many, 5 birthday cards and a Crafters-reunited forum inspirational challenge card. Rather chuffed with that one. In the past the members have voted for the winner, but now all the cards go into a draw for a voucher to spend, and guess what?....I won it!!! so here it is.

The challenge was to make a card using a craft CD. I've used Joanna Sheens Hollywood vintage CD, with a gorgeous Nancy Watt paper and paper rose. The ribbon is a cream grossgrain from my stash. I've put a sentiment on it but I didn't make it for anyone in mind. One to go in my box I think.

This card was for my grandson's birthday. I think the image is from Squigglefly. I ran it through a cuttlebug folder, 3D it and used glossy accents on the eye.

Birthday card for my eldest. Image from Squigglefly with some buttons added and raffia tied through them. i love this image ..perfect for him. When he's gardening he's always having to hitch his trousers up.

Another grandson's birthday. He's interested...at the moment...in all things military, so I used some camouflage backing paper for the numbers. I wanted the background to represent a cargo net, so used the netting from some oranges and inked through it.

A birthday card for my great neice. It's come out a bit bright with the camera....and I'm still trying with my colouring. Maybe I'll get it right one day.

Last but not least, a birthday card for my eldest at home. He likes to play poker online..but not for any stakes I might add. I've used real playing cards that add up to 27...that's how old he is. The miri card is embossed with a folder (can't remember the make) and the cards are layered onto a leather look black card.

I've also entered this into this months Crafters-reunited forum inspirational challenge..which is to follow a sketch. You never know...I might get drawn out again.

Right...off to do a little more catching up.

Winter is still here...

2011-02-19T21:21:00.000Z

...and we've had snow to prove it. It's blooming cold! Went to the docs yesterday for the results of my x-rays. Expected to be in there for about10 minutes, but was there for half an hour. The results show that since my last x-rays there is considerable degeneration in the bones of my fingers. Doc says this could be osteoarthritis but can't say without further investigation. She wants me to go to the rheumatology clinic again, but has to consult with the doctors from the practice. She is only a locum so can't refer without their say so.
She checked my blood pressure..said it was OK....then checked my pulse again.......said it was high and that an eye will have to be kept on my blood pressure. I've to have another ECG. It's at my local hospital this time, only a 10 minute bus ride and it's a walk in clinic. She also hasn't ruled out Reynaud's for my hands. They are really painful now and I'm beginning to lose some sensation especially with the right one. I'm dropping things more frequently. It's frustrating and annoying. The doc did ask if I needed more painkillers but I said that I'd wait and see about the hospital. If I do get referred they might be able to offer some other treatment other than more painkillers. I'm already on three different ones and sometimes you can hear me rattle......lol. I haven't got as much crafting done as I wanted to, but I even managed to make a card for a challenge. All the pics are still in my phone and I will put them on here as soon as I get the chance. I'm thinking about booking a slot for the computer..both my sons hog it and I have to jump in when the chance arises.

Too good to be...

2011-02-11T22:31:00.001Z

...true....and it had to happen to me!!! Was feeling very chuffed with myself today. Yesterday I managed to do all the jobs on my list, yay!...(I'm back to writing lists again. Feel I have achieved something if I manage to get half of it done.) This morning got up early (for me that is) and got all my kitchen cupboards cleaned...yes!..then went to docs to drop off my prescription request and make an appointment. Was feeling really good and the weather was perfect for gardening. Didn't push myself, even though I could have stayed out there longer. Just tidied and cleared a small plot where the crocuses are flowering and the tulips are pushing through. Cooked the tea and then just as we were about to sit down to eat...the cooker exploded. Well not really....just sounded liked it. The outside glass layer of the oven door shattered. Glass all over the kitchen floor. I spent a good half hour sweeping it up and then vacuuming with a crevice nozzle attachment. I didn't want any of us getting glass in our feet, or Milly and Mollie getting it in their paws. Phoned my eldest and he says he will have a look on the Internet and see if the glass can be replaced but I think it will have to be a new door....or worse.... a new oven. I really could do without this extra cost just now. Until then I have no oven. I do have the gas hob and a microwave but I rarely use it for actual cooking....just warming things up usually. Ah well.....tomorrow is another day. Not planning on doing anything.....hopefully a quiet day crafting.

Blimey..

2011-02-02T22:07:00.000Z

.....it's been so long since my last post. I'm not spending much time on the computer....just too tired at the moment. With spring not in the too distant future my body clock will adjust itself and I can get back to doing the things that I want to. I'm still waiting for the guttering to be repaired. I did phone about it 3 weeks ago and they told me that as I had reported it 1week ago it was not a priority and could be another 3 to 4 weeks before it got repaired. I kept my cool and told them that it was reported well before Christmas, and suggested that as it was only holding on by one bracket I was not responsible if it fell and injured someone. It suddenly became a priority. . . . . . . . . .Still waiting.
I had to see the doctors a couplel of weeks ago for a prescription review...all my medication is on repeat...so I thought it was a good chance for me to bring up the matter of another bone scan. Was told by the hospital when I had a scan 2 years ago, that I would need another one in 12 to 18 months. The doctor I saw said that as I was taking medication for the osteoporosis I didn't need another scan....don't think that's right though. Also asked about my fingers. The joints have become swollen and can at times be very painful. The doctor asked for blood tests for rheumatoid arthritis but said that he thought it was carpel tunnel. Duly had blood tests and went back a couple of days ago. This doctor, (very rarely see the same doctor twice in a row)...said the tests were inconclusive for the rheumatoid arthritis but has requested x- rays on my hands. She said I need to see a rheumatologist again and thinks the problem with my fingers could be Reynaud's. Wish they'd make their minds up! Suppose it is difficult making a right diagnosis because of the M.E....have constant joint and muscle pains everywhere. Might get somewhere next week...I've got the x-rays on Friday morning and have to see the doctor again when results are through.
Crafting wise I've not done much..just 3 birthday cards. Will post those when I get them on computer. I haven't even managed any ATCs. I really will have to make a real effort to get back into crafting mode.
The best thing to happen so far this year? A visit to the theatre to see Me and My Girl. It was fantastic!! Had us all singing along and tears of laughter steaming down my face. I went with Anne..who I must say a very big thank you to. When she went to book the tickets the phones and internet were down so she queued for over an hour!!! THANK YOU ANNE!!!!

Almost over...

2010-12-31T23:29:00.000Z

..and the new year is fast approaching. I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all my readers a peaceful and happy New year, and a big thank you for your support throughout the year. I know I don't always reply and of late I have been a little lax with updating my blog. This year hasn't been too good health wise, and time spent on the computer has left me feeling more tired than usual. Hopefuly this will improve and I will be able to stay more in touch with all the wondeful people in blogland.

I know this is a bit late but here are pics of some of the Christmas cards I've made. Kept things a bit more simple than usual....but I still went with the glitter and sparkle....and flower soft...and glossy accents....

I've not been able to do much practising on my colouring, so not much change there...doesn't help when the natural light is virtually non existant and you have to work with artificial light......well...that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

First some trinitage cards from La Pashe..so easy and quick. Three layered up and one done as a pop- up. I made a matching bag with the pop-up one but the pics are terrible. (Most of them are..I blame the light)

Pop-up card ...gift bag and card front.The backing paper is wrapping paper.

This one was for one of my grandsons.He's been diagnosed as possibly being autistic and is slowly learning the guitar.

Stamped.....embossed with gold and mounted on nestibilities. Dry embossing at the bottom of the card using a holly mask from Stamps Away at Clever Cut. Added gems,sentiment and a ribbon.

Very quick card. It was a free download from a blog and I can't remember the name of it!! I've added Sakura glitter pen to alternate rows (not showing up on pic) and gold glitter to the star.

Using the mask...Holly from Stamps Away.. to emboss using my die cutter. Cut out the middle with nesties and stamped a greeting...added a ribbon...another quick card.

This was for my 4 year old great niece who requested a Christmas card with Belle.

Lots of glitter and sparkle for a Christmas fairy. The stamp is by Adam Prescot

.Love this penguin!! By Mo Manning. The card was for one of my grandsons who's crazy about penguins.

Another embossed card using a mask. Can you see what I did wrong on this one? Decided to cut out the centre circle and mount it slighty....after I'd put the gems on the trees. Cerrrunchh...Doh! Quite liked the effect though so left as was.

Two cards done with tissues. A pack of eight tissues for a pound and eight images on each tissue. Matted and layered using scraps of card, and backing paper, peel-of sentiment and stars and a ribbon. Made quite a few of these.

Think I've been quite thrifty this year with the card making. Well.. I suppose I'd better make a start on next years so I wil be well ahead...yeah ..right.

A Very Happy New Year To You All

It's going...

2010-12-08T22:19:00.000Z

..but very slowly. The snow that is. The weather forcast is for slightly higher temperatures over the weekend but then back to the arctic conditions next week. I finally managed to get my guttering reported properly....they will be sending someone out but don't know when.....and the guttering on the back of the house is coming away now. It's all the weight of the snow and ice. Went into town today with eldest son and did the last of my Christmas shopping..only a couple of presents I needed to get and of course deposit money in the bank. I'm back in the black..but only just. Bought myself a few crafting goodies..necessities...card, ribbon, lace, glitter...you got to have glitter at Christmas!..and I bought myself a hat. I never wear a hat normally but if we are to have more of this cold weather I've decided that it would be sensible. Wasn't sure about it but I am getting used to the idea. I was going to venture out on my own but son advised against it, and I'm glad he was with me. (He was the one that persuade me about the hat). The madness that overtakes some people when Christmas shopping is unbelievable....they become blinkered to anyone around them .....and manners are simply non-existent. Thank goodness for internet shopping. I must just say a very well done to Tesco. They've had a lot of flack lately due to the weather causing problems, and I did wonder if my shopping order would be delayed and/or incomplete. But no.....it all arrived well within the 2 hour delivery slot, and with a smile. My freezer and cupboards are now well stocked and will only need fresh provisions from now until Christmas. Sorted. Just got to get the cards made now.

Snow on snow on snow....

2010-12-03T17:36:00.000Z

...on snow. A foot and half of snow here and it looks as if more is on the way. Can't go any where 'cos there's no buses....at least on this estate. We have a couple of fairly steep hills that keep the buses off. (Sheffield is built on hills ) We can get a bus if we are prepared to walk a mile. Youngest son had to do that to sign on at the jobcentre. They told him that if he didn't he would not get anybenefit. On top of all this I had a snowfall off the roof this morning. It has almost brought down the guttering ...it's hanging very precariously and is likely to bring down my phone line and neighbours satellite dish...... and cannot get it repaired very soon. The repair line is only answering emergency calls. Well I've reported it and if any damage is caused to property or persons, not my problem.....I reported it! Can't get to the bank so now I'm overdrawn and will have charges to pay...great..NOT! Can't the powers that be understand that it is sometimes impossible for a disabled person to get to a branch. There was a small branch a short bus ride away but that closed last month, so now I have to travel to the city centre. I am considering changing my bank to one that is more local. The charges are higher but at least it is more local. Will have to have a good long think about it though..pros and cons for both.

I can show you the card that I made for the Crafters Re-United forum challenge. I didn't win it..never expect to as the standard is always very high.

The image is from Pink Petticoat and I've coloured it with chalks and a bit of clear sparkle from Sakura. I have decoupaged the pears and the partridge but it's not easy to see on the pic.

Now I really must get cracking on my Christmas cards. Got most of them ready to assemble so shouldn't take me too long.....ha ha....will probably change my mind on some of them half way through. What will really hold me up is envelopes. Have some on order and still waiting 3 weeks later. Got to order some more but can't tell when they will arrive with the weather situation. Ho hum.

Oh.....sugar!!!

2010-11-20T22:46:00.000Z

That card I made for a challenge?.....I should have read the instructions properly. Never mind though cos I have made another one...and I really enjoyed making it...got a little bit inky. Proper crafting!.....only kidding, I just love getting messy with the inks. The challenge calls for an easel card with some element of decoupage and embelishments of choice.....and....this is the bit I missed....depict a Christmas song. Anyway I can put it on here now..the first card that is..not the actual challenge one.
The decoupage image is from FSS....added glitter and flower soft. The pink backing paper is by Kate Knight. Everything else from stash. Not a good quality pic..very bad light ..and glitter doesn't photograph well.

2010-11-19T22:17:00.001Z

It's not been a good week for me. I've felt more tired than usual and feels as though I've had a cold coming on but it's not quite developed into one...got the sneezes and the shivering but that's about all. I think it's starting to get better now though, but it's a slow proccess. The real downside is that I've not been able to do the crafting that I wanted. Done some though....and.....(drum roll) ..I've actualy made a Christmas card!! Can't show it yet though cos it's for a challenge. With any luck I will be able to do the ATCs for this month. Did make a birthday card for my coming up 14yr old grand-daughter. Had it all worked out and then disaster...I spilt tea on the image I'd coloured. I did have another one ready printed to colour but I was running out of time. It just didn't turn out right at all. The colours of the card and papers didn't go together and I ended up making something totally different than what I had planned. Not very happy about the end result.....and my colouring definitely hasn't got any better. (Really need to practise with colouring....just can't get it right) Anyhow...here it is. The image is by KennyK. Just hope Rebecca will like it, and not think that it's too girly..she's a bit of a tomboy at heart.

Think I'm invisible...

2010-11-06T19:55:00.000Z

.....not really, just feels that way at the moment. I am a member of a forum and I stay logged in 'cos if I don't it's a pain getting logged back on. I don't participate much but do like to do the monthly ATCs when I can. Well this month's swap is running and I can't join in. Every time I try to post it keeps logging me out! Another forum has just moved provider and it requires us to register..I applied but have not heard anything back so I am locked out. I can read posts in some catergories, but not all, and I can't post. Seems like I'm "Billy no mates" at the moment. Can't go and make a start on my Christmas cards yet either. The card stock I ordered Should have been here Friday...but the postie went before I had time to get to the door....I was in the shower.... I've got to wait while Monday now to have it re-delivered. I just hate these times when things just don't go right.

Nearly a month.....

2010-11-01T21:59:00.000Z

..since I last posted on here. Time is flying by and Christmas will soon be upon us. It may be the seasonal change weather wise but I've just been so tired....too tired to do anything much....and not sleeping well. After doing the essential chores I haven't had the energy to do much crafting or spend time on the computer. When I have been on the computer my brain goes into shut down mode and I can't take anything in. I've not made a start on making my Christmas cards yet but all is in hand. I'm making little notes and sorting through my stuff and have a reasonably good idea on what I'm making. Of course things could change...and some ideas will probably go out of the window.....that's the way it is with crafters. We start with one idea and it ends up being something completely different. Christmas shopping wise I'm almost sorted...just a couple of pressies to buy. Of course I have a very restricted budget...don't most of us these days?.....but I think I'm on track with it all. Most of it has been done online or by mail order. Good realy because I hate shopping (except craft shopping) and love receiving parcels.
Create and Craft/Ideal World has done it again..or rather haven't. I need card stock.....just good quality basic white....you can't make a card without a base. Saw some on there with a reasonable price so went to order it. I'd forgotten my password so requested a new one. Email duly arrived and went to type it into the login box.... it wouldn't accept. Phoned customer service and was left on hold for 10 minutes before I hung up. That's the second time that I've gone elsewhere. 3rd time lucky?..I don't think so.
My girls (Milly and Molly) are keeping me on my toes. They are so adorable and at times so mischievous..they are growing so fast and exploring. Places that were safe from them aren't any longer. They are both good climbers. It's like having a couple of naughty kids around the place. I'm beginning to dread putting the Christmas tree up...boy are they gonna have fun!

It's been a good couple of weeks....

2010-10-10T00:18:00.001+01:00

....well sort of. Having ordered my shopping online and it being delivered promptly I feel a lot less stressed. I've not done a lot really..been chillin' and taking things easy. Last Wednesday went to lunch and the theatre(Crucible), with my friend Anne to see Hamlet. She got the tickets as a birthday present to me. Must say it was brilliant. Guess who forgot to turn their phone off?.....and guess who's phone rang twice because it wouldn't turn off?....yes me. I did manage to turn it off eventually..thankfully. What makes it worse is my ring tone....the theme to "Danger Mouse." Had visions off being escorted out. Ah well..all makes for an interesting day. The day was wonderful....thank you Anne. It's taken it's toll though.....have been so tired and am only just starting to come round...wouldn't have missed it for anything though.

I'm still waiting for something to be done about my ceiling. The last time I phoned about it, I was promised that it would be sorted by Friday the 8th. Well Friday the 8th came and went. Phoned again and was told that someone would be here on Monday without fail. Not sure if that is just to look at what needs doing or if the job is going to get done. Can't see the latter really as no one has been to see it. Well I do know that if it isn't done very soon, I might just tell them that if it isn't done I will have to get someone in to do it, and send them the bill. Perhaps that will give'em a kick up the proverbial. I'm totally p****d off now.

Milly and Molly are 5 months old now, growing fast and are just as adorable and boisterous as ever. They certainly keep me on my toes. Here are some pics of them on a sunny kitchen window sill taken a couple of weeks ago. Molly is a bit terriatorial (sp) and seems to think that that place is hers. One of the gloriously sunny days that we are still getting..alternating with wind and almost torrential rain. Myself I think we might be in for a wet winter

Autumn has arrived..

2010-09-25T22:25:00.000+01:00

....cold winds are making it very autumnal here. We have had some gloriously sunny starts to the days followed by some torrential rain. Wanted to get into the garden but not had much chance....I've been so very tired lately. Got up this morning to a right mess in the kitchen. Molly wasn't well during the night and today she has vomited most of what she has eaten. I've tried her with a very small amount of food this evening and she seems to be keeping it down. Hopefully it's just an upset tum thats she's had . She seemsa lot brighter now, and is playing with Milly. I think she might have eaten some leaves of one of my plants. Will have to find somewhere to put the plants out of their reach, now that they can get onto all surfaces....nothing is safe!
I've spent the last couple of hours comparing prices for shopping online. My usual fortnightly shopping trips are beginning to get too much for me, so I will have to start shopping online again. I used to do this when I worked...I didn't want to spend my days off food shopping. Well the prices seem to compare favourably and I think an order will be put in this week. The only thing I will have to remeber is to go to the bank to put the money in. Not a great chore though as I can combine that with a library visit. If I pick my delivery slot carefully it will cost me no more than it does at present. don't know what son and DIL will have to say about it, but it can't be helped.....it just takes too much out of me and takes me a few days to recover.This will give me more time and energy to do my crafting.....something I love and has been somewhat neglected the last few weeks. Christmas is coming and I want to get a head start so that I wont be playing catch-up at the last minute. My 5 grandchildren all have their birthdays around Christmas, so that is even more to do. I could buy cards for them but they have come to expect hand made cards, and I know that they look forward to them. I think they like the fact that they are personal to them...makes them feel a bit more special.

Where has it gone?

2010-09-18T21:34:00.000+01:00

This month that is. It's flying by and leaving me floundering. I seem to be doing a lot but getting nowhere fast. I haven't been on the computer for days..I've just been so tired. Got on today and spent a lot of time catching up with emails. I've decided that the next few days are going to be for me. The housework, except for the essentials, are just going to have to take a back seat. I'm going to do some crafting and perhaps a little bit of cross stitching. There are a few small UFOs to do. Also going to sort out my Christmas crafting stuff and see what I've got, and decide what I'm going to do.
The plasterer still hasn't been about my ceiling. Three phone calls have now been made and they have put it on the urgent list. At this rate I might get the living room decorated for Christmas.
Just a short post..my hearing aids are bleeping at me....time for a battery change. Got to find the manual to make sure I get it right. I'm so used to them now I can't be without them.

I got a brand new...

2010-09-02T21:43:00.000+01:00

...lawnmower. It's bigger than I thought it would be but it does collect the grass cuttings so no more raking, and it does have four cutting heights, which can only be good as far as I'm concerned. Haven't had a chance to use it yet. Was at the hospital yesterday and shopping today. Hopefully the weather will hold for the next few days. Also got my hearing aids fitted yesterday. Wow..what a difference they make. I'm hearing things that I haven't heard properly for a long time..eg the cats purring. I thought I was hearing the purr but I wasn't...I was only feeling it as I stroked them. I can now hear the phone even when I'm not in the same room, I can now tell which direction traffic is coming from when I'm outside and it has made a considerable difference to the tv and stereo volume. The big difference for me is the fact that I no longer feel so isolated when out in a crowd..I can hear what's going on around me. They are taking a bit of getting used to and there is one downside for me. When I'm upstairs at my craft space (my bedroom) I can hear the traffic outside with the windows open. I can turn them off though so perhaps it wont be a problem. It was my birthday yesterday so beside the lovely cards, flowers, chocolates, candle set and other gifts, being able to hear as I can now for probably the first time in my life made it extra special.

Sod's law again..

2010-08-26T20:46:00.000+01:00

...and I'm sure this house has a jinks. Son had 5 days off work last week and promised to get on with the decorating and get the living room finished. Second coat of paint on the ceiling and walls, door frames and skirting boards glossed and the chimney breast wallpapered. Easy. (He did train as a painter and decorator)Not to be though. Started the ceiling ok then a shout....Muuuumm......What? The plaster was coming off! Anyway..got in touch with housing and they said that someone would be in touch within 10 days...still waiting. Will phone them tomorrow but as it is a bank holiday nothing will be done anytime soon. With any luck the living room might get done in time for Christmas.....not holding my breath though.
I wanted to make a start on the front garden which has been sadly neglected while the new fencing was being erected. Yesterday decided that I had an hour and made a start. Got halfway through cutting the lawn and then disaster.....the lawnmower started smoking and then cut out. The motor is burned out. That means a new one and more expense. ...AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!! Will anything ever go right in this house?...I think not.

I got piccies...

2010-08-24T21:13:00.002+01:00

...of Milly and Molly. I managed to get these while sitting out on the back step on Sunday evening. They like to sit out there with me in the sun while I have a cuppa. 13 weeks old and full of energy.

What's this way...?

Shall we try this way..?

I'm Milly......

...and I'm Molly.

Doesn't Molly just love to pose!..unlike Milly who's more interested in that little black box that I'm holding. (My camera phone)

I also managed to get ATC's done for this month and a birthday card for DIL's birthday which was yesterday. Finally got a pic ..blogger didn't want to play nice.
I've used Fred's flowers and my butterfly punch..a bit of stickles glitter glue, gems, brads and a Woodware border punch.

Been sooo busy...

2010-08-15T22:17:00.000+01:00

..with Molly and Milly. Constant cleaning up after them, but at last, after trial and error food wise they are funtioning normally. It's like having twin toddlers about the house..they are into everything and are now setting their sites higher..as in... "what can we climb now that we are bigger." They are great free runners as well. You have to be careful when they are in full flight so to speak...stay still or get run over. Love 'em to bits though and they are such a joy to have. I've tried to take some pics of them awake but no chance. Awake means active. During this time I've not had the energy to do much housework..but it had to be done.I made myself a list and slowly got through the jobs. I even managed some crafting yesterday (tidied my craft space !) and a bit of gardening today. Not had much time or energy for the computer and I have a long list of emails as well as trying to keep up with everything thats happening forum and blog wise. I will make some time to catch up with it all. The girls have an afternoon nap so I can leave them quite safely while I get on with things. They still have to be in the kitchen when no one is with them for their own safety. A lot less hazards in the kitchen ..up to now.....they have learnt how to get on to the dining table. Still quite a bit to be done in the garden. The weeds have flourished in the recent rain, as they do.....hopefully I will be able to get more done during the next few days if the weather stays reasonably fine...so now I'm off to bed in the hope that I can actually get to sleep before dawn.

If anything can go wrong....

2010-07-26T20:45:00.001+01:00

......it will. Sod's law...and it has. It's been a busy and very tiring week. Having to get up very early......7 o'clock.... for delivery of my new freezer. A hospital appointment that was over an hour long and took an hour and a half travelling time each way. Shopping on Thursday that wore me out due to extra shopping to fill the new freezer..and finally my little fur babies have the runs. I'm not too worried at the moment as they are eating well and drinking water....are as boisterous as ever, but they are tiny and any weight loss is not good at their age..9 weeks. I've been taking extra precautions hygiene wise and I'm exhausted. To top it all off my kettle is broken, the element has burnt out. Not a major thing but it adds to the pressure. Can't grumble though, it only cost a fiver and I've had it 2 years. Had a problem with my digital phone..that went kaput ..or so I thought...until I tried it in another socket. Was working fine. Anway, I've tried it again in it's original socket and it's working fine now. Technology! As you can probably imagine I haven't managed to do any crafting. I had to pull out of an ATC swap which I hate doing when I've signed up for one. I will have to find time to spend in my craft space this week as it's my youngest's 21st birthday next week, and he will expect a special card.
On the hospital front, they have decided that they are going to give me two hearing aids instead of the one. This is because although my left ear hasn't much hearing loss I find it difficult sometimes because of background noise and the tinnitus. I will be able to use that one when I need it. I go back in 6 weeks time to have them fitted. While I'm on the subject of hearing....I've become more aware of an annoying situation. Because I have some hearing loss it does not mean that I am stupid..... and I can read and write. If you speak clearly and look at me I can usually lip read any words that I miss. I am sick of having to say.. "pardon" or "sorry?".. when someone talks to me and doesn't look at me while speaking. Perhaps this will not be necessary when I have my hearing aids. I think though that I will still lip read as I've done all my life....habits die hard.

I tought I taw a puddy cat...

2010-07-18T15:21:00.001+01:00

...I did! I taw ........2 puddy cats!! My new little additions to the family. M&M...Molly and Milly. Just 8 weeks old and tiny.
(Sorry about the picture quality)

They came to me via a friend of DIL. The lady lives in sheltered accomodation and tenants are allowed a cat or small dog as long as they have been spayed/neutered. She bought her cat with assurances that it had been spayed/neutered. Well obviously it hadn't and 5 kittens arrived. She managed to rehome 3 and had promised me one. Last week she was worried about them as they had gone off their food, and the council were on her back to rehome the remaining two kittens. She called in the RSPCA and they said that as the kittens were so tiny another week with mom would be ideal. That shut the council up. As there was one kitten without a home and destined to the RSPCA, I said that if the last one hadn't been homed I would take it. The RSPCA were happy with that and gave the all clear for them on Friday. So now I have 2 tiny beautiful tabby kittens.
Aren't they gorgeous! They've settled in and are eating, playing and sleeping as normal.

Another pic taken by my son on his phone...better quality.

Started out with good intentions....

2010-07-15T22:33:00.000+01:00

...but I got side tracked. I was hoping to give the front garden a little bit of TLC this week but the rain has put paid to that. Instead I took the vacuum cleaner upstairs today with the intention of doing my bedroom. Finished off 2 ATCs that should have been in today...all ready for the post now though....and then went on to make some more for another swap. Guess what..the bedroom didn't get done. Don't care though...I enjoyed myself playing with a stamp that I've had for ages and not used (got a few like that)..and the bedroom will have to wait 'til the weekend. ( My craft spac is in my bedroom). I've got things to do tomorrow. Pay some bills..go to the bank....library.... and the surgery for an ear check. My appointment for the hospital came through and it's for a mould to be taken of my ear (for the hearing aid)...and I have to have an ear check to make sure that there is no build up of wax or any infection. So much fun....NOT!!! Perhaps the weather will brighten up for the weekend, and then that will be another excuse not to do housework.

Blimey..

2010-07-07T20:21:00.000+01:00

...it's been so long since I last posted! I'm stil here and trying to enjoy the beautiful weather that we have been having. I say trying because the heat really doesn't do me any favours. It makes my joints swell more and so they become more painful....and trying to get some sleep is a no goer. I've got through quite a few library books lately. Well what else can you do in the we small hours when every one else is sleeping soundly? Last week I went to the hospital for my hearing test and assessment. The travelling alone wore me out. One hour to get there and an hour and a half back. Anyway...I am almost totally deaf in my right ear (no surprise) and I need a hearing aid. I have lost some hearing in my left ear but not as much as they first thought. The loss is due mainly to having tinnitus which blocks out a lot of the everyday sounds. Anyone who suffers with this will know what I mean...I've lived with it for many years but at times it can be a real pain in the proverbial. The hospital phoned me today and I have another appointment to have my hearing aid fitted in a couple of weeks time. Perhaps then my kids wont complain that the TV/Radio is too loud.
I've not been able to do as much as I wanted in the garden..it's just been too hot. We have had a litle rain today and the temperature has lowered slightly....but the forecast is for it to rise again over the weekend. More reading for me then. I'm still waiting for son to get a move on withthe decorating. His last bout of days off was spent watching the footie....but he has 5 days off starting Thursday and he has promised to get a lot done...not holding my breath. Just want the living room finished, then I can get my curtains up and my ornaments/pictures etc. out of their boxes...which in turn will give me more storage in the cupboards.
I haven't done a lot of crafting except for ATCs..which can be found on my Picasa....link on the right, and a bit of cross stitching. Still only small pieces of cross stitch but I will make them into cards I thnk.

Do you like the new look?

2010-06-17T21:55:00.000+01:00

Thought I would give the new template designs a go. I've gone all summery....matches the beautiful weather we are having at the moment. Might change my mind yet..but there is plenty to choose from.
Most of my fencing has been erected....just waiting for the metal fence and gate on the front and then it will all be finished. All the paths have been newly tarmaced. I've got some tidying in the garden to do with the digging that had to be done for the fencing posts...and some plants to re-site that I had to move. It's been either too wet or too hot to do a lot in the garden. I'm slowly getting back into crafting again. Done 3 lots of ATC's this month and I've just got to get them posted. I've also sorted out all my received ATCs ready to go into and album....and located on the computer, piccies of the ones I received early in the year and will be updating my Picasa album in the near future. Not that I've been totally idle craft wise....I've started doing cross stitching and am enjoying it. It's mostly small pieces that I'm doing, but I do have my eye on a couple of larger projects for when my confidence grows. I did a cross stitch and framed it for my friend Anne's birthday and was pleased at the way it turned out..but I forgot to take a picture of it...DOH!!

Such a lot has happened....

2010-05-31T21:53:00.000+01:00

..in the last couple of weeks. Firstly the Imag-e-nation forum will be no more ...sob sob....but the online shop is still there and stocking more crafty stuff...yay! I've not been able to get on the computer..due may I say to me being absolutely shattered... and youngest hogging it. He's found tribal wars and is totally addicted....at least it's stopping him from getting bored. He's still unemployed and the job centre has told him he can't apply to go on the scheme for the long term unemployed...why?.....he's been unemployed for too long!!!! Utter madness.
My paths and front privet hedge has been ripped out and I'm now waiting for the work to renew my paths and put in fencing to resume...the bank holiday has got in the way. I finally made an appointment to see the doctor about my hearing. I've always had some hearing loss... I was born that way...but lately it has become a bit of a problem. When your 20 year old tells you that the tv is too loud then you know there's a problem. Any way..got a hearing test done and was told that on the preliminary results my hearing is very bad...and that I'm certainly a candidate for needing hearing aids. I just have to see the doctor on Friday for a referral to the hospital. Also had an appointment at the job centre. An appointment was made by letter telling me that a query had arisen with my claim for incapacity benefit. A couple of days before the appointment they telephoned me and changed the appointment date. I asked what the query was. Was told not to worry, it was only to check that I am in receipt of all the benefit I'm entitled to. Attended the re-scheduled appointment..was kept waiting for 30 minutes and then was interogated. How many bank accounts do I have?..How much is there in my bank account?..Do I have any savings?..Do I own any property?.....Have I ever done any work, paid or unpaid, while claiming benefit?.... Who else lives with me? I asked why all the questions. Was told ...and I quote.."that it has been suggested to this department that I am not as ill as I make out and that my claim is therefore no longer valid." In other words some malicious person (and I have a good idea who) has contacted the department with this claim. I was fuming to say the least. Anyway..signed my statement and was told that it probably wouldn't be going any further as I have been assessed by a medical examiner within the last 12 months and been accepted as too ill to work. Wouldn't mind so much.....know that they have to act on information received....but they already know what date my asessment was...they have it on file. Change of subject now. I've managed to get most of my crafting goodies unpacked. I might be able to get down to more crafting now that I have a good idea where to find most of my stash. I've missed a few ATC swaps and lots of challenges...got a lot of catching up to do.

Still a lot to do...

2010-05-18T13:41:00.001+01:00

.on the decorating front. I've so many jobs that need doing in the garden and house.... but not the energy to do them as quickly as I would like. Bought myself a new bed.....when I realised that I'd had my old one for....32 YEARS!!!!! Needed a wardrobe as well but I couldn't afford the one I really wanted as well as the bed....so as a quick fix to that problem I bought one of those self assembly wooden ones with a canvas cover. When it was delivered.... nearly 3 weeks ago....the screws to put it together were missing. Have been in touch with the suppliers and twice now they have said that they have been despatched. Not happy about this...I've got a wardrobe in pieces that I can't use yet, and my clothes in cardboard boxes taking up valuable crafting space....gggrrrr!!! I'm still trying to catch up on the computer as well. Took piccies of a card and some ATC's made and swapped but not had the time to upload them yet. It's another lovely day outside so now I'm off to have a potter in the garden.

I'm still here..

2010-05-06T23:12:00.002+01:00

..and still trying to get organized. There are stil a lot of boxes to unpack...and most of them are in my bedroom making it an obstacle course. Some of my craft stuff is unpacked but not all. It's not worth unpacking untill the decorating is done. A start has been made on that front. Just have to wait for son to have a day off work when he can do it. In the meantime....Monday was my friend Anne's birthday...and although we have chatted on the phone we haven't met up since before Christmas!!..so it had to be a ladies wot lunch day. I made her a card and although I say it myself it has been one of the best one's I have done in a long time..was really chuffed with it, I even made a box as well.

I used FSS flowers, embossed them with a large ball tool for dimension, stickles glitter glue for the centres....my butterfly dimension punch. Sponged the edges of the card and butterflies with blue ink pad and added a few self adhesive gems.....and although it doesn't show up on the pic, Sakura clear glitter pen. The text is computer generated.

I still have a lot of catching up to do on the computer but I'm slowly getting there. There are so many blogs that I have not had much chance to visit as yet..but I have made a start...there's so much that I've missed!!

I'm not getting it back...

2010-04-14T21:15:00.000+01:00

..until next Wednesday... my stuff... that is. My living room carpet has to come out of storage and be fitted first and that isn't happening until Monday for delivery and Tuesday for fitting. I was hoping to get some crafting done this weekend but that plan has gone out of the window. I've got some ATC's I want to do for 2 swaps and I'm not sure that I'll be able to get them done in time. I know what I want to do, so if I can get organized as soon as my crafting stuff arrives I just might be able to make the deadlines. Wanted to do some gardening as well, but as all the tools are in storage no chance..except that I had to go to the library to pick up a book that I'd reserved and as I was in the area I popped into a little hardware store and picked up a hand fork for a pound. Cheap ..but it has done the job for now. I've spent a couple of hours in the gardening tidying up a little. Going to know about it tomorrow though..I'm already aching and it's the big shopping day as well. Will be totally wrecked for the rest of the week....feels good at the moment though..I've been itching to get out there.

At last it's finished...

2010-04-12T20:23:00.000+01:00

..and I should have my stuff out of storage by the weekend. just a couple of things that need to be done(telephone socket to be attached to wall and back security light being wired in). I promised myself that I would take it easy over Easter..but I ended up cleaning the outside. The white upvc windows and doors are once again white and the paths swept. I can see my garden again...and it's looking beautiful despite being neglected. I have an abundance of flowering bulbs which makes me temporary blind to the weeds that I'm sure must be there somewhere. There is decorating to be done but I'm in no hurry with that. Son is going to emulsion everywhere for now. The kitchen and bathroom are decorated and have new flooring...and all the doors have been glossed. It's lovely being able to have hot water on tap without having to wait for it to heat up.....and the best thing?..not having to get out of bed on a cold morning and make my way downstairs to use the loo! I have 2 now....1 upstairs ..1 downstairs.
I have a lot of catching up to do on the computer, but I will be able to spend a little more time as I won't be so k********ed after getting up at 6.30 for the last 9 weeks! (I can lay in now till 8 o'clock..lol. Still too early for me though)

No title...

2010-03-23T11:33:00.000Z

I HATE LIARS! No details.....you know who you are

It just isn't....

2010-03-22T21:46:00.001Z

..happening. With the house I mean. No floor tiled last week. Got a leaky radiator which the plumber came out and supposedly fixed ..it still leaks but only when the radiator is turned on. Was supposed to come out Friday to fix it again..... but no show. My liason officer is on holiday until Wednesday and I can't get hold of her temporary replacement...who, by the way, is supposed to visit every day. Not seen him since last Thursday. I've got a long list for him. Perhaps he has guesssed that and is avoiding me. I have a schedule for this week which includes the fitting of white goods tomorrow...but no way is that happening until the floor has been prepared and the tiles laid. Roof finally finished and saffolding down.....but the scaffolders managed to rip my phone line away from it's wall fixing so it's hanging very low. What's made me angry is that they should have reported it and didn't. The guttering is done..except the down pipe isn't connected. If we have heavy rain my neighbour's conservatory will get the full blast of that. The rear security light isn't working and the back door has to be slammed shut to be able to lock it....my neighbours will love that...NOT!!!!! .(young children and shift work)..and....I now have a leaking kitchen radiator, and a very fast dripping hot water tap in the kitchen. The decorator has turned up and almost finished. He would have finished today except the patch plasterer decided to turn up after the painting was done. Other than that everything is hunky dory. Well not really but I'm trying to look on the bright side..having trouble seeing that at the moment. I've had enough now..want it finished and done with. Can't get my stuff out of storage until the work has been signed off, and that just seems so far away at the moment with all the niggling little things that need sorting. Somebody needs to pull their finger out and get the job done.

Work has come to a halt....

2010-03-17T13:31:00.000Z

..again! Plaster patch was supposed to be on Monday.......decorating the kitchen and bathroom yesterday and today.......floor prepared for flooring Thursday and laid Friday. yesterday had a couple of blokes come and replace 3 radiators that were taken off when plastering was done, and the loft insulation was finally done...only 3 weeks late. I'm still waiting for a plumber to repair a very small leak on the upstairs toilet....not a major job but I can see it becoming one if it isn't repaired very soon. Still got the scaffolding up....got a new roof and facias but no gutters..just hope it doesn't rain. The really anoying thing is I'm getting up at 6.30 every morning to be ready for the work to be started at 8 oclock, and no one is turning up! I could have stayed in bed and got some much needed rest. It's really taking it's toll now..I'm very tired and in a lot of pain. My hands are very swollen and walking upstairs is extremely difficult and painful.....I'm almost crawling up them.
I haven't been able to spend too long on the computer, hence my absence visiting all you lovely bloggers out there. Hopefully I will be able catch up soon.

House update...

2010-03-09T20:42:00.000Z

Finally..work has been done on the house. The roof is almost finished.... I have half a kitchen....and a complete bathrom with bath, toilet and power shower. Also got a new downstairs toilet with small handbasin and radiator fitted. I should have skirting boards and internal doors by Friday (no bedroom doors at the moment and downstairs doors don't shut 'cos they don't fit new frames) It means another week of getting up at 6.30 and I'm exhausted by the early evening....very early nights for me. Not that I'm actually doing much.....you can't when you have workmen all over the house...just moving boxes from one room to another when they need room to work. Right..I'm off for a bath and then bed. Night all.

Spoke too soon....

2010-02-21T17:11:00.000Z

..everything was going OK with the house. Then things started to go wrong. Firstly the downstairs rooms were plastered...but I had to get the big boss in. Nothing wrong with the actual work..it's just that the plasterers had mixed the plaster on my living room and kitchen floor......and hadn't cleaned up! When the project manager saw the result he was straight on the phone and 10 minutes later two lads were sent to clean it all up. That problem sorted and then the big one. The new central heating and bathroom fittings were due to be installed last Wednesday. The crew turned up....but then youngest ( 20 year old) decided to throw a tantrum. No other word for it..a full blown tantrum...he wouldn't get out of bed and expected the work to continue around him.....so the crew pulled out and work has been delayed for another week. The work has been scheduled for this Wednesday and hopefully there will be no hiccups and work will continue. Youngest has been warned! Thursday should have the stairs and remaining 2 bedroms demolished and replastered. Downstairs toilet replaced and a new floor. That should mean second fix for the joiners and electricians....and the kitchen refit started next week. Keeping my fingers crossed that nothing else will hold up the work. Really could have done with the heating today. A lot of snow fell overnight and it's freezing in here.

Unfortunately I have had to put word verification on again for comments. I'm getting a lot of spam again...ggrrrrrrr!

Been awol....

2010-02-14T19:49:00.000Z

..but I'm still here..just. The work on the house is progressing well. The plastering of the downstairs will be done tomorrow and then it's back upstairs to do the remaining two bedrooms and the stairs and landing. The dust is unbelievable....it gets everywhere. We're still living out of boxes..but we have a bath installed and I'm taking the washing over to son and DILs. I'm going over there in the morning because we wont have any electricity or heating until the plasteres have finished..and it will be an all day job. It's a bit of a nightmare and just thinking about how it will be when all the work is finished is keeping me sane at the moment. The house has ben fully rewired with lots of sockets in all the rooms and security lighting outside. I've had scaffolding outside of the house for three weeks now and still no work started on the new roof. This is due to the bad weather making the work schedules way behind. It will get done some time soon though..I hope! I'm missing my crafting big time. Got some cross stitching done though, and I'm hoping to get a couple of parchment pieces done. Well it's time to wrap the computer back into it's plastic jackets (carrier bags)....the dust sheets are no good at keeping the dust off it. It took me two hours to clean it the first time so I'm keeping it well wrapped against the dust.

A challenge card..

2010-01-19T20:43:00.001Z

It's been absolutely ages since I participated in a blog challenge. I've been busy making the few cards I need before all my crafting stuff is packed away ready for the renovations.....so I decided to enter the card I've made for middle grandson's birthday, which is next month. This is for Daring Cadmakers which asks for a hole on your card. There are 4 holes....the eyelets. The pic isn't good quality.....I blame the lack of light.
The image is from Mo Manning. I've coloured using watercolour pencils and water brush...not brilliant colouring but I'm pleased with the result....improving I think. No match to the amazing creations on other blogs of course.

Still got the snow...

2010-01-14T21:18:00.000Z

..but it is starting to thaw...slowly. The pavements are even more treacherous....solid packed ice.
Well the woman from the house modernization contracters came to see me at last, and the work starts a week next Monday...and I'm staying in. If I opted to move out while the work was done, it meant waiting for possibly another 9 to 12 months. I just want to get it over and done with. I won't be able to use the washing machine or cooker for approximately 9 weeks. They are providing me with a small table top oven and 2 rings. With the microwave it shouldn't be too bad. There is a respite centre a short bus ride away with facilities to do washing...but I think my son and DIL will help with that...I did it for them when there house was modernised. We will have to use the living room as a kitchen for the duration.....lived in bed-sit land for a few years when my first 2 were little so I think I will be able to manage. I can always escape to eldests for a few hours if it gets a bit too much. Just got to get a load of stuff packed to go into storage while the work is being done. We're having a de-clutter at the same time. The boys emptied the loft today.....amazing the stuff we hang onto. Anyway... there is already a big pile of junk outside waiting to be collected and we haven't even started on the bedrooms yet. Unfortunately I will have to pack away most of my craft stuff...sob.. sob..but it will be for the best as there will be dust and muck everywhere. I'm keeping my cross stitch and parchment tools to hand though ( they take up very little room) so I may get a chance to practise and improve on both of these.

I've had enough.....

2010-01-10T20:21:00.000Z

..of this snow and ice thank you very much. I've been out to the local shop a couple of times, but the ice on the pavements is so treacherous that I daren't risk it too often. And the heating bill is astronomical! Couldn't go to do my fortnightly shop on Thursday so eldest son and DIL fetched me some. Now I'm very grateful and annoyed at the same time. I have 2 sons at home...20 and 25....have they offered to do some shopping? No they have not! OK the elder of the two is working..but the youngest's excuse?....he hasn't got the right footwear. Can you believe that! I suggested he wore his working boots.....but he can't go out in those....they're just not the thing to be seen in. Typical fashion victim. Since taking down the Christmas decorations I've started packing. Why? Well....my house is due to be modernised.....totally gutted. I did opt to stay in but after a phone call 2 weeks before Christmas saying that the work is due to start on 25th January, I'm having second thoughts. I don't want to be living on a building site in this weather. When I told the person this she said that she would try and get to see me the next day....or failing that would keep the appointment made by letter the next week (Which I may say I never received). She did say that if I opted to move out the work would be delayed. Well she didn't turn up for either so at the moment I don't know what is happening. I have so many questions that need answering before I can decide. There are a lot of thigs to be taken into consideration...and she didn't leave me any contact details..arggggh!!!!

Another year....

2010-01-02T23:02:00.002Z

.......gone, and not a very good start to this new year. Christmas went by in a bit of a blur for me. I decided to spend Christmas day at home with the boys and boxing day at eldest sons. Well I might as well have gone to sons on Christmas day for all the company the youngest two provided. They got up late, ate their dinner, then spent the rest of the day upstairs with the TV and XBox. I did get to watch some programmes without any interference over the festive period though. Didn't get to sons on boxing day..just didn't feel well enough...and son phoned to say to come over on the Sunday. Didn't make that either..spent most of the day in bed. Finaly managed new year's eve and stayed the night. It was lovely just to have someone to talk to!! Spent a big part of today in bed again. Daylight is short enough without me missing most of it. Hopefully my sleeping pattern will start to improve now that the days are starting to get a little big longer. I need to get back into creativity mode as well..got two ATC swaps and two birthdays cards to make this month as well as thank you cards.

To wish you.....

2009-12-23T22:48:00.000Z

...all a very peaceful and happy Christmas, and hope the new year is everything you hope it to be. Thank you all for being so supportive over the last few months....I really do appreciate it.

12 days of Christmas

2009-12-18T22:21:00.008Z

What?...I hear you saying. Over at ATC Swappers Paul asked us to do 12 ATCs all the same for a mega swap. In return we got 12 ATCs all different, and a little extra from Paul. Thank you Paul.
Here's a pic of one of the twelve that I made..yep..Bentley and his little friend again.

Water coloured using pencils...polar white flower soft on his hat and snowflakes and glossy accents for his wellies.

Here are the twelve that I received. Aren't they gorgeous? My thanks go to all the following. From the top reading left to right

Jane Millard...SheilaKing aka She...GermanFerrao..Lorraine.....Pat.
Alison...Mette Reedman...Steph....Anesha.
Hazel Christison aka Dido.....Julie Long.....Paul Ford

All my ATCs, sent and received are on picasa .....the link can be found on the right hand bar. There are still a couple of swaps to arrive yet....hopefully. The November swap on ATC Swappers went walkabouts in the post, but you never know they could still turn up. (trying to be positive here...lol)

A long post.....

2009-12-17T22:12:00.021Z

..for me anyway. Still got the cold, though it's more of a hacking cough now. Just hope that it doesn't turn to a chest infection. Getting a doctor's appointment will be be practically impossible now until after the new year. I woke up late this afternoon to a heavy snowfall. Thankful that I decided to venture out yesterday to the bank instead of leaving it until today, no way was I going out today! Anyway...seeing as all my Christmas cards are done..and the ATC's for this year thought I'd show you some of what I've been doing.

3 of the cards I've done for the grandchildren and young family members. I don't usually "do" cute but these images are soooo cute I couldn't resist. Square easel cards, I'm loving this style. The base card is wheat colour, matted and layered with red card and pattern paper. The paper is a download from Mad about cards. The first two images are from Pollycraft. The first image is Milly Singing.... the second one is Bronson and Beaker (love the little Robin especially) and the third one is one of my favourite stamps at the moment..Bentley. All water coloured, then a sentiment circle from Funky Fairy's and a charm added. I went with the traditional red and green for the colouring to co-ordinate with the papers.

Now this one is definitely a first for me. Cross stitch. (A kit from Cross Stitcher magazine) I did embroidery when I was much, much younger, and I used to make my children's clothes when they were little. Never done cross stitch like this though. Enjoyed doing it and there are a few mistakes..but I'm quite pleased with it on the whole. The best thing about it for me are the eyes. They are done with french knots and these are something I could never get right no matter how hard I tried. Can do 'em now though......Yippee!!! Well I made it into a card and it's going to one of my great nieces..she's only 3, so I hope she likes it and wont mind the mistakes.

Some of the quick small cards...great for using up the smaller pieces of your papers and card. I've done them tent style and I really like them this way.

Now for the last few. Although it wasn't intentional on my part, a theme has emerged, traditional colours and poinsettias.

I made this for my best friend Anne. The inspiration came from a floral punch tutorial by Jane Gill in the October issue of Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine. I've had to adapt it slightly because I didn't have the punches and I made it slightly smaller. The bauble stamp is by Paper Artsy, gems Papermania, Stickles glitter glue (stamens), ribbon and charm from stash.

Two cards done in the same style as above. The poinsettia and the pricked frame is from Fred She Said, scalloped circle using nestibilities and the pale green paper from someone who's blog I read regularly and I've forgotten who! If you know where from please let me know then I can give credit where it's due. The poinsettia and branches come B&W which I coloured using pastels and baby oil

Another poinsettia...this time dufex and decoupaged.

This one is a pattern from CraftsUPrint. I've used 2 strands of metallic thread..gold and green. Mounted on to red then dark green card, then finished with gold peel-offs.

And finally.....not traditional colours this time....or Poinsettias.
A winter church scene kindly given by a member of the Imag-e-nation forum. It is a copy of a picture a friend painted and didn't like so she said it could be used. I glittered it up with Stickles, matted and layered onto dark blue, red and then wheat card. Added silver peel-offs.

Done!

I've finished...

2009-12-14T23:37:00.002Z

...all my Christmas cards, except for the finishing touches to the last 2. Had a great day in town with Anne on Friday..but boy am I paying now. Was feeling tired on Saturday but I expected that and managed to get the Christmas tree up Sunday...after a lot of nagging from youngest son. (He's 20 by the way!) Got up today feeling very unwell and ended up by going back to bed. I've only been up for a couple of hours and I'm going back to bed after this. I've got a stinker of a cold..hopefully that's all it is... and will clear in a few days. Normally a cold wouldn't worry me, but on top of M.E. it makes it feel a lot worse. I'm drinking chamomile, honey and vanilla tea, with a little extra honey. It's so soothing to a very sore throat. Hopefully I will be back in a few days to update and catch up with my blog reading. There are so many of you that I haven't visited lately..and I do miss you all. Keeping up with all your blogs makes me feel that I'm part of the world when I'm unable to get out and about.

Nearly Christmas ...

2009-12-10T21:33:00.002Z

..and I've been busy and almost finished preparations. This last week has been horrendous due to problems with the post office (card account) and my health. I will be back in a couple of days hopefully, to let you know what I've been up to and catching up with my blog reading list. Just too tired tonight after a mammoth shopping trip, which consisted of walking approximately 6 miles around Morrisons!

Stop the world....

2009-12-01T21:04:00.003Z

...I want to get off! Not very original I know but it's how I feel right now. After last Thursday's shopping I'm only just starting to get a grip as it were. I think I've identified the problem I've been having concerning the vertigo and the late sleeping. I take a medication every Saturday for the osteoporosis, and have done for a while now. The side effects are listed and it does say that for the first few weeks these can be apparent but should wear off. Well I didn't have any side effects......but I think I am now...so I'm going to try and get an appointment with my GP and see if she agrees with me.

Yesterday I went to meet my eldest son in town, outside one of our main craft shops because it is shutting down and everything is half price. There wasn't much left but I did get a few things that you just need. Now I've been to this shop a few times and it is just round the corner from the bus stop so no problems...or so I thought. Got off the bus OK then crossed the road and then the panic set in. I was lost and didn't know where the heck I was. Managed to pull myself together and phoned son. Luckily he was already there told me to stay where I was and he would come and fetch me.....which he did. I've never had this happen to me before and I felt so foolish....but at the same time scared to death.

I've managed to get the card orders done and was hoping to start my own cards today. I didn't get up until late..again..but worked out that I should be able to make a start tomorrow and get them done this week...but (there's always a but)..my youngest's friend asked me if I could make him 5 cards. OK....who are they for...what size etc? He doesn't know..just wants 5 "bog standard" Christmas cards. Crafters dont do bog standard! I'll probably make him 5 fairly simple ones and hope he likes them. Told my eldest about this and asked his advice what sort of cards...his answer.. "ask John (my youngest) what sort of cards he would like." No good..John doesn't "do" cards, of any type, so that idea is out.

Here are a couple of the cards I did for orders. I've done them both using free images and backing papers from Jak. I apologise for the quality of the pics....blame it on the lack of daylight and my hurry to take pics before they were handed over.

Punch used is Friskars. Round sentiment is Funky Fairy's. Rest of is from my stash.

What have I been doing?....

2009-11-20T21:16:00.004Z

....not a lot. It's only the last couple of days that I've managed to get out of bed before lunch time. The problem was caused by the doctor's surgery messing up my prescriptions....yet again!! I put in a request for 4 items but it was only when I'd had the prescription filled and arrived home that I realised that there was an item missing. The missing item was the one I needed most...painkillers. I take 2 types of painkillers but the secondary ones are only a top-up so to speak....I had run out of my main ones. I phoned the surgery but was told that nothing could be done at the time.....it was almost closing time. The result was 4 days without them!!! I phoned again Monday morning to be told that I would have to put in a new request for them, and as normal would have to wait 48 hours. Sleep does not come easy to me (extremely common as any M.E. sufferer will tell you) and being in pain for most of the day and night makes any sleep almost impossible. Anyway..I'm sorted now and another complaint has been sent to the practise manager.

I've not been totally idle craft wise though. I had a play with my new toy (as you do) and rummaged through my scrap bits..(got a lot of those)...and came up with these 4, very minimalistic, cards and another gift bag. I apologise about the quality of the pics..the light was terrible.

Stencils that were free run through the die cutter and embossed, then matted on to gold mirri card and then mounted onto white card with foam tape. The sentiment stamped with clear ink pad and gold embossed onto white card, gold ink pad run round the edge and then mounted with foam tape.

Another gift bag made the same way as the first one with a poinsettia..from Fred..mounted on to gold then red card cut out with my nestabilities. The paper used is a hand made one from my stash.

Word verification.

2009-11-18T12:09:00.002Z

Unfortunately I have had to turn word verification on...hopefully for a short while. I don't like having to do it but I'm getting so much spam. I do have comment approval, and I can delete the spam comments, but I'm so fed up of them in my email box at the moment.

Will blogger let me...

2009-11-15T22:14:00.004Z

..post the cards I've done?...YES!!! First up is the card I made for Anne..a new home card, but not a traditional one. The papers...Laura Ashley....were free from a magazine. The image is decoupaged and a little glitter glue added. The sentiment, again, free with a magazine, is mounted on a scalloped circle done with my new die-cutting machine and (one and only set) nestabilities. The edge of the card is punched with a friskars leaf border punch.

The following 2 cards I've used some more stamps, again, free with a magazine..and the little bear is called Bentley..isn't he cute! Coloured with watercolour pencils and an aqua brush (Think my colouring is getting better) and some stickles....used my nesties here again to matt and layer. The gorgeous papers are a free download from Martine.

This card I have cut out a circle aperture and attached a double sided hanging image

This shows the other side of the image circle.
Last ..a gift bag. I based this on a blog candy I won last year. I've added a charm (Free from a magazine...can you see a theme here....lol) with a blue gem in the middle of the charm and the stamped snowflake. I've matted and layered Bentley with a plain red card and a Christmas sentiment punchem from Ffunky Fairy's. I didn't know if this would work as I had trouble finding white gusseted bags. What I have used though is the bags that my prescriptions come in and just cut them down length wise. I've got a lot of these bags and I am loathe to throw anything away until I'm sure that I cant find a use for them. Might make few more of these...handy for those small gifts.

So there you are .....2 Christmas cards made. Better get a move on now and get some more made.

3 blog candies..

2009-11-14T23:59:00.003Z

Debbie has some fantastic candy on offer...ends Monday 16th November.

Claire also has some gorgeous candy......ends Friday 20th November

Rach has fabulous candy ......ends Sunday 22nd November.

I've actually made a couple....

2009-11-14T20:32:00.002Z

...of Christmas cards!! Only small ones but it's a start. Unfortunately I can't post them at the moment..... Google wont let me.
My week has been very tiring. Tuesday I went to town to meet my friend Anne. We didn't have a long as we usually do but i was shattered when I got home. Wednesday had to do the big shop as the buses were supposed to be on strike on the Thursday (usual day for shopping)..but the strike was called off Thursday lunch time...typical! Thursday I should have been able to have a bit of a lie in and recover.....but no. I had to pick up my prescription from the doctor's, and it was half day closing. Friday I got my lie in...didn't do me much good though..felt just as bad. Forced myself to get up this morning before lunchtime though...I need to get out of that particular rut I seem to be in at the moment. It doesn't help when the weather is cold and miserable..I just want to stay in bed where it's warm and dry!

Can you help....

2009-11-14T20:20:00.002Z

...... Jak raise money for a very worthy cause? Please click HERE to go to Jak's blog and the relevant post.

I'm absolutely sick of those ....

2009-11-06T22:07:00.004Z

...d***m firworks! Why do they have to be sooo loud, and at all times of the day and night?!! I remember as a girl that we used to "ooo" and "aahh" to a small ground based rainbow fountain. I shudder to think what the local wildlife is going through. As I live just across the road from a wood, I can only imagine what is happening to our local foxes, hedgehogs and squirrels and birds. Don't people think or care about the wildlife that we so selfishly share this planet with!!?? Ggrrrr!!

On a to a calmer note now that I've had my rant. I've still not got to actually making any Christmas cards yet. I will get there though. Got some images ready, and sorted out my card stock ready to cut to size etc. I've got a couple of orders to do and I don't want to leave them to the last minute and then panicking. I have got one Christmas card done though.....my entry for the Imag-e-nation forum challenge. The challenge could have been any sort of card as long as the focus was a tree.....so here's mine..pink and bling. Again the standard was very high and the voting was very close. Needless to say mine wasn't one of them. The image I used is from Craftsuprint.

I've been busy..and spending....

2009-11-02T21:39:00.002Z

....got myself a set of nesties. I was going to buy a couple of big punches, but the nesties work out cheaper in the long run. I've been playing with them for the last couple of days. Last year I purchased some round birthday sentiment digi images...(I know I could have done them myself on the computer but it was easier this way!)...and I've got myself some Christmas ones as well now (Funky Fairy's). They look a lot neater being cut with the nesties than by hand...and great for a quick card, don't have to find the right stamp then the right ink.....etc. etc. Even managed to get a couple of cards done over the weekend as well. One for the Imag-e-nation challenge and one for my friend Anne...she's moved house today....at least I hope she has and there hasn't been any hitches. Started..only started mind...making some Christmas cards. Not got very far.....just stamped some images ready for colouring. I think I'll spend tomorrow afternoon doing that. Think I've got everything I need now to make them. Card stock...check. Images....check. Backing papers..check. Embellies (charms, gems, beads, flowers)..check. Glitter (got to have glitter at Christmas!)....check. Colouring mediums...check. Ribbon....err..need some more.....oh and some envelopes!
I must update my blog list some time this week....I've found a few more that I like and there are a couple that have moved...(Toni's being one of them).

Yes, I know I'm posting...

2009-10-26T22:55:00.002Z

...quite late in the evening. If I don't do it now while I think about it I'll forget...again!
Chris is raising money for the Papworth Trust.... click here to find out all about it.

Now for some SU blog candy......

Joanne has some great candy up for grabs......ends 31st October

Julie is celebrating her 2 year blogaversary.....ends 1st November

I've been invaded!!!

2009-10-24T22:43:00.002+01:00

..by ladybirds (or bugs). The weather started a bit wet and windy this morning but then turned to torrential rain and really gusting winds. The leaves were coming off the trees in bucket fulls. Suddenly the wind stopped.....the rain stopped...and the sun came out. It was glorious. And then it happened....hundreds of ladybirds flying and settling on the walls doors and windows on the south side of the houses. It was amazing! My sons have been laughing at me 'cos I've been all round the house, carefully removing the ones that have come indoors through open windows and vents. I don't know what caused this strange behaviour but it was certainly a sight to watch.

Early Christmas presents.....

2009-10-22T21:58:00.002+01:00

...or late birthday presents.....depends which way you look at it. Last week my electric bill was available to view online... (I opt for paperless billing where possible)...and I got a shock. I pay for my electric fortnightly with a budget account....and have received no communication that I might be paying too much. Well I phoned the company and asked for details of the amount. Apparently they have been estimating my bills even though my meter has been read regularly. I was £205 in credit! Well I got it credited to my bank account so I have been on a small spending spree. As I am a Halifax bank customer...(might not be for much longer though..simpler charges?..extortion more like!)... I have paid my small overdraft and I now have a healthier balance. I thought I would treat myself to a die-cutter...so have been trawling the internet looking for good deals on the Bigshot or the Cuttlebug. Had just about decided on the Bigshot when I went on the Docraft site and what did I see?..a die cutter for under £40..and just under £5 for postage. Ordered it Tuesday..it's arrived today! I'm a happy bunny. Only problem at the moment is that I have only got brass stencils to play with.....but I have been playing and I love it! Now I have to decide what to get next for it....I do have a limited budget. Also got another present....this time from son and DIL. A new wrist watch. I've always worn one but mine gave up the ghost and I have felt lost without one. I know I can use my mobile phone but I've never got into the habit with that.
I've been so tired this week and I'm just starting to feel human. Last Saturday I went with son and DIL to visit the river boat lights at Matlock Bath. It was an evening trip, again arranged by their local T.A.R.A., and it was fantastic. There was a fair, so spent a little, and to end the evening a fireworks display. I did get some pictures but not good ones I'm afraid. I spent the night at their house and had Sunday lunch before dragging my very tired self home.
What with postal strikes, bus strikes, fire service strikes..I think it best to stay at home and craft. I will be stopping off at the craft shop next week....well it is on the way to the freezer shop. The prices are a bit higher than on the Internet but the service is fantastic.....(free cuppa while you're browsing).... and they do have a loyalty points scheme.

I needed that....

2009-10-13T22:01:00.003+01:00

...a day out in town with Anne. It was great to get away from the house for a while. We spent about 3 hours gossiping over lunch..... a slow meander round a few shops..bought a few things but didn't spend that much (honestly, you can ask Anne..she was with me!) We went for a cold drink and a sit down then off home. I'm shattered but I enjoyed myself. It's not often either of us get out much but it's great when we do. Thank you Anne for your company..and the laughs.

I've got a fairly easy day tomorrow then the dreaded fortnightly shop on Thursday. I can see myself having to resort to Internet grocery shopping again soon, with perhaps a shop with son and DIL once a month. I really am finding shopping harder each time....and I'm dreading the Christmas shop! Never mind..will cross that bridge when I come to it.

I'm going to put on the card that I entered for the Craftsuprint challenge. Entry ends at the end of the month so you've got time if you want to try your luck.

The sheet I've used is one made by Angela...a very talented, regular contributor to the site.

The light has caught the berries on the card. I used a Sakura glitter pen on them. The corner ones are red holly berries and santa is holding mistletoe. I used polar white flower soft on santa's trimmings, and glossy accents on his boots.

Right....I'm off to bed now.

The last few days..

2009-10-11T21:27:00.003+01:00

...have been very relaxing for me. I've managed to get into the garden and tidied up a bit. Lots of leaves have been raked and there will be plenty more no doubt. The squirrel has outdone me again and managed to eat most of the fat balls and nuts that I put out for the birds. There are very few birds coming now and at last I've figured out why. Not one squirrel...but three....two young ones and mom. I can understand why farmers consider them pests. The only birds that have not been scared off are the Robins, Blackbirds and Magpies. Got lots of Magpies..they come from the woods just across the road from me. If anyone knows how to encourage the other birds I would be grateful for any tips. I've been doing a bit of crafting as well. A challenge card and two lots of ATCs done. I've updated my ATCs to my Picasa which can be found by following the link in the side bar. A couple of the swaps haven't taken place yet though. I will update as I receive them. I've also entered the challenge on craftuprint site..a really good prize if you win..so go check it out. Mine was on there but I can't find it now..will have to have a good look later on.

Last month's Imag-e-nation challenge called for a card using a sheet from the free printable gallery on the forum. The sheets are made by some very talented people and are given freely. I decided to enter as I wanted to make a card for my BIL on my sister's passing. I chose a sheet made by Jak. It's a lovely soft image and I thought it suitable for what I wanted.

I'm starting to feel....

2009-10-07T12:24:00.002+01:00

.....a bit more positive now after the shock of my sister's passing and the behaviour of my siblings. Didn't feel well the Saturday after the funeral but I was expecting that. My friend Anne phoned me and we decided to have a day in town on the following Tuesday. Unfortunately I couldn't make it. I woke up feeling unwell but thought that with some breakfast I would feel better, but no....the vertigo set in. I've spent the last week taking it easy and doing some crafting, ATCs and a challenge card for the Imag-e-nation forum. I was hoping to get out into the garden at the weekend and clear the leaves, but it was so windy it would have been a waste of time. Yesterday, because I was determined to get out there, it rained heavily all day. Shouldn't grumble though as after nearly 3 weeks with no rain the garden certainly needed it. It's dry today so I might be able to make a start tomorrow. Hopefully I will make the next lunch date with Anne next Tuesday.
I've also started to de-clutter. My house is being modernised early next year and some of our belongings will go into storage, so I've been collecting some boxes. These were just being dumped in my bedroom and I couldn't move in there. I started out intending to tidy so that I could store them out of the way. I ended up finding things that were years old and absolutely no use...the things we keep! I'm dreading the thought of clearing the "junk" cupboard. You know the one...that one that we all have that is full of things that we just know will come in useful one day.

Some mega, mega...

2009-10-01T23:10:00.002+01:00

..blog candy on offer.

Jak.....this is awsome!

Bev....has some oh so cute! WOJ...and then some!

Caz.....has Squiggle Stamps candy to give away

Nikki...is celebrating over 150,000 hits with a £25 gift voucher for her online store.

I'm downright disgusted.....

2009-09-24T22:03:00.003+01:00

..with my so called siblings!!! Today was my older sister's funeral. It was a beautiful service and well attended by relatives, neighbours, care staff from the hospital and past work colleagues of my sister...except that myself, my eldest son and an aunt who I don't remember (my mother was one of 12) were the only relatives from "our side" of the family. A short explanation here. I am the middle one of 5..older brother and sister..younger brother and sister. When I was about 5 we were put into care. I still don't know the exact reasons...but that's another story. Elder brother and sister stayed with my father, gran and grandad. Younger brother and sister were fostered together. I was fostered separately. As young children we all saw each other fairly often. Later we drifted apart but still kept in touch. I haven't spoken to my younger sister for 20 years or so, and my younger brother for about 10 years. (yet again another story!) Anyway when my sister died I got in touch with them both. Brother wasn't interested...but my other sister did get in touch and intimated that she would attend the funeral. Well they didn't come, and they didn't send a card or flowers...nothing!! It didn't go unnoticed by several people. I am so angry with them..not only for my sister but also for her husband and son. Even if they felt that they couldn't attend surely a card or note acknowledging my sisters passing would not have gone amiss. My eldest brother wasn't there either, which surprised me, but perhaps there was an explanation for that. I didn't really like to ask at the time, not wanting to upset them any more than they were. I have been tempted to phone my sister and ask for some kind of explanation..but I've decided against that. I don't want to dignify their behaviour by responding to them.
OK..rant over.

The start was good..

2009-09-18T21:46:00.003+01:00

The week started great. On Monday I went with eldest son and DIL to Scarborough for the day with their TARA. (Tenants and Residents Association). Thoroughly enjoyed myself....haven't been to the coast for nearly 20 years....where do the years go?!!
I arrived home to be greeted by my youngest telling me that David had phoned and would I call back. David....which David? My brother, BIL, grandson, other people named David that I know? It turned out to be my brother-in-law and I knew as soon as I saw the number that something was wrong. My sister had died. She went into hospital with a kidney infection and died of pneumonia. I am still a little dazed with the news. She hasn't had good health for a number of years (severe rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis) but no one expected this. She was 57 years old...16 months older than me. I suppose that it is a release for her knowing the pain she was in....but it doesn't make it any easier...at the moment I'm finding it hard to come to terms with it.

I'm still here...

2009-09-11T21:47:00.006+01:00

First of all I would like to thank all you lovely people who have contacted me one way or another regarding Theo. Your comments and kind words are very much appreciated.

I've been busy. The weather has been glorious this past week so I have taken the opportunity to tidy up the garden. Cutting plants back and planting and re-planting some bulbs...especially the daffodils which had outgrown their space.

I haven't had much time for crafting.....(or blog reading....will catch up very soon hopefully!).... except a wedding card my friend asked me to make for her...and here it is. Hope you like it Anne...it will be in the post first thing in the morning.(I apologise for the quality of the picture...mirri card is not the best thing to photograph even at the best of times.)

A cream card matted and layered with dark blue, gold mirri card and then cream again. The cream layer has been punched with a Papermania punch, and small pearls added to the centre of the punch-outs. The image and sentiment is Anita's, stamped and embossed with detail gold, matted onto dark blue card and the whole thing finished with dark blue ribbon.

Next are a couple of cards I made for the Imag-e-nation forum challenges. The first one was to make a card for a child up to the age of 12. As my printer wasn't playing nice at the time I had to go with what I had. The image is a digi from Dustin Pike....used foam pads to lift it a little. I know the colouring isn't too hot..but I am practising...and hopefully will get there in the end.

This one was to make a side-step card. I've never done one of these so it was a first for me. It's made from an A4 piece of card.

Decided to go with red and black for this one. The image is a digi from Jak's blog. I didn't have the right colour card, but I did have paper. I blinged it up by spraying it with silver spray and sparkle from crafters companion...I'm loving that stuff at the moment. I didn't have a red flower either....so I used a pink one and coloured with an ink pad. I cut the centre out of black card using a punch and then sprayed the whole thing with....guess what?...yes, my favourite thing of the moment. Matted and layered the image and finished off with some black ribbon. The sentiment was free from a magazine. I didn't figure in either of the challenges but I did enjoy making the cards. Well crafting is better than housework any day. Just got to tidy up my crafting space a bit now...got some ATCs to make.

It's been a bad week....

2009-08-31T23:24:00.002+01:00

.......for me. Only to be expected I suppose. I still can't get used to the idea that Theo isn't jumping on my bed in the morning and miaowing at me if he hasn't been fed by 10 o'clock, or trotting into the house several times a day to make sure we are still here. What I miss most is his comb and cuddle time in the evening. He liked to be thoroughly combed then would lay in my arms (just like a baby) for about an hour with me stroking his beautiful silky coat and Theo purring gently. He would come to lay at the bottom of my bed on his blanket at about 3 in the morning, then go downstairs when he heard my son getting up for work at about 5.

My new printer has arrived and it's been installed. I've still got to get to play with it properly yet....but so far the results are good. My mojo left me last week...didn't even manage to get the ATCs done for the ATC Swappers. I've made myself do a card today so perhaps it will come back. The card is for the Imag-e-nation challenge...which asks for a card made using the side step template. Not sure that I'm happy with what I've ended up with. I didn't have anything in particular in mind so I just went with the flow so to speak.

Last Wednesday I went to the doctors after I was asked to make an appointment for a prescription revue. The outcome?.....no problem with the medication, but I did tell her about the bouts of vertigo that I have been having. She checked my ears...fine she said....no infection. Then she asked why I have never done anything about my deafness. Well the answer to that one is that I was born partially deaf so it has always been normal for me...even though my hearing is deteriorating....probably age catching up with me. Anyway she said that she would find out about a hearing test for me at the surgery and would phone me to let me know. I'm still waiting. She also checked my blood pressure...again, fine no problem. Then she asked me to stand up while she took it. She ended up checking it three times..she thought her machine was playing up. No it wasn't....my blood pressure goes through the roof when I stand apparently. That could explain the vertigo and the bouts of profuse sweating when I exert my self too much...eg vacuuming the living room. Another wait and see.....is there something wrong or is it to be put down to the M.E. once again.

The bad news...

2009-08-29T22:12:00.002+01:00

..is that Theo was run over and killed last Tuesday. He must have been on his way home for his tea. If he wasn't in by seven o'clock I used to shake his box of biscuits and he would come trotting down the garden. Now he won't be coming home.

Want the chance....

2009-08-28T15:02:00.002+01:00

...to get your hands on the fantastic Flippin Christmas and Remember When... sheets from La Pashe? Just pop over to Toni's blog here ...to find out more.

Theo is missing...

2009-08-26T23:12:00.002+01:00

...and has been since Tuesday afternoon. I know he's a cat and is probably doing what cats do but I'm so worried about him. He didn't come in for his tea yesterday....very unusual...and no sign of him today. He has never been out at night before. It has been windy and raining most of today...and Theo hates wind and rain. I've asked round the neighbours but nobody has seen him. I'm trying not to think the worst though and hope that he is ok and just got a bit lost...and hoping someone is giving him shelter.

Oh no!!....

2009-08-22T22:00:00.002+01:00

.......my printer has finally given up the ghost. Got ink cartridges.....black no problem....colour wasn't coming through easily so tapped a damp tissue to get the ink flowing. Tried to print a test page but no joy. My printer wasn't communicating with my computer. Turned everything off..unplugged printer....waited a few minutes plugged everything back in... still no joy. My printer now says that there is no colour cartridge, so now it wont print anything. I even tried looking for an update for it. I went on Lexmark's site and my model isn't even listed. I've got so fed up of the rigmarole with it, and after tearing my hair out for the last 2 days, I have decided to buy a new one. Can't really afford it, but it seems to have become one of those necessities of modern life. It won't be here for about 5 days so until then....no printer. The model I've ordered is the same as my sons, an Epson all-in-one and the ink cartridges are cheap...unlike my Lexmark where the cartridges were beginning to work out very expensive, because it will not print on quick or draught.....only best. It is now uninstalled. I'm not sure how to dispose of it though. The scanner works ok..it just won't print!
Besides all that bother my week has been a bit hectic and tiring. I have been up and about early every day. Last Saturday was spent gardening, and I thought that would be it. Just finished and was admiring my hard work, when my neighbour popped his head over the hedge and told me that the fence would be installed on Monday. That meant me having to go out in the garden on Sunday to move some plants. He could have told me earlier. He sat in his garden and watched me cut the lawn and trim the edges. the side where the hedge was being dug out I needn't have done. Wednesday I went to town with Anne (you know Anne..my greatest fan...lol)....and we did a 2 hour lunch with chat and gossip....and book shop browsing. Thoroughly enjoyed it even though I was shattered by the time I got home. Thursday was shopping day which we had to hurry a bit more than we usually do. U2 were at the Arena so that meant long traffic delays on our route home, and I certainly didn't want to get caught up in that lot. So the last couple of days should have been spent taking it easy and making my daughter in laws birthday card. Had it all planned..but the printer has put paid to that. So now I shall have to give her one that I made earlier and hope she likes it. Will be taking it over to her tomorrow..her birthday.

Blog candy..

2009-08-14T23:56:00.002+01:00

I haven't linked to any blog candy for a while....but here's 4 not to miss.

Michelle has some wonderful candy...check out those "oh so cute" donkeys while you're there. Hurry though.

Bev has some more awesome candy...17th August

Emma has 2 lots of candy to give away...19th August

Claire is giving away candy .....21st August

It's Friday...

2009-08-14T21:24:00.002+01:00

...and so far I'm doing OK with the plan. Thursday I had to get up a bit earlier than normal to pick up my prescription, get it filled (half day closing) and then to the bank. So the afternoon was spent making a card for the Imag-e-nation forum challenge and a couple of ATCs for a forum swap. The card I had planned just wasn't to be, my printer has totally run out of ink. The poor thing definitely needs replacing. According to that I have a half full cartridge of colour and almost a full black. It just isn't reading the ink levels and it will only print on the normal setting now.
Today has been a little overcast and threatening rain..and as it was cooler I had planned to cut the grass...yet again. The weed and feed is certainly working now. Didn't get it done though. I just couldn't summon up the energy. On a more positive note I did get a bit more of my craft stash sorted and tidied. The ATCs I'd made were quilled, and the papers were in such a mess.....that's probably why I haven't done more of it. I find quilling very therapeutic, it's really quite amazing what can be done with a few strips of paper. I've sorted the papers by colour into separate bags, and now they are sitting very neatly in a shoebox. I think it will be a lot easier to see what colours I have. Which isn't a lot at the moment..need to put them at the top of my craft shopping list..along with all the other goodies that I want. What I did use on one of the ATCs (just because I wanted to try it out) was the silver glitter spray from Crafter's Companion. I've seen it demonstrated on the tv...but I must say it doesn't do it justice. The result is gorgeous! No more debating whether or not I should use that last little bit of glitter card in case I can't get any more...or even hunting for just the right colour. Will have to have the gold as well now. Think my Christmas cards are going to feature a lot of glitter this year.

So far so good....

2009-08-11T21:20:00.002+01:00

....my plan that is. The weekend was spent having a couple of relatively lazy days...nothing too strenuous. Yesterday I couldn't ignore the weather...it was glorious....so late afternoon..after a slow, gentle walk to the local shop...I spent an hour in the front garden trimming the lawn edges and weeding the borders. I told my son before I went out there to give me a shout in I hour, and I stuck to the hour! I resisted the urge to stay out there longer..as I usually do. Today another stroll to the shop, one load of washing and a tidy of my bedroom. I've no ironing with the washing I did. It was perfect drying weather..sunny and a light breeze.....which meant that with a few minutes spent carefully folding the dry washing, I have saved myself an hour of dreaded ironing. Yay! Tomorrow I will probably spend crafting. I can't do what I had intended as my printer needs cartridge refills...gggrrrr! .....and I wont be able to get them done until the weekend Why do these things always happen when I've made plans.
As for the gardening, it is going to be a lot easier very soon. My neighbour has a privet hedge in the front garden and we share one in the back garden. He told me yesterday that they are taking the front one out and putting in a wooden one..less for me to cut on my side ...and asked if it was ok to do the same with the back one. Of course I told him yes. This means that next year when the housing association take out another one in my front garden and replace it...I wont have any hedges to cut. A big workload off my gardening time. I know it's more environmentally friendly to have hedges, but only if you have the time and energy to maintain them. There's nothing worse in a garden than a badly neglected hedge. With the hedges gone I should be able to plant some slow growing, garden friendly shrubs and plants. So we all win.

Well I've made a start.....

2009-08-06T20:32:00.002+01:00

....on my plan. Monday I thoroughly vacuumed and dusted the living room, and cleaned the kitchen. The kitchen isn't too hard as I clean the work surfaces, tile splash-backs and cupboard fronts daily. Tuesday I was going to do a little gardening, but of course it rained....so I cleaned the stairs and landing....with plenty of rest stops in between..and did my ironing in the evening.
Wednesday saw the sun show it's face in the afternoon....that meant me doing my washing and in the garden cutting the grass. I did want to do more but I resisted. Today has been shopping day...so now I think I have earned a couple of days taking it a bit easier, and having some craft time. Don't know how long I can keep this up without me resorting to trying to do everything in one day. Time will tell!

I'm going to have to get...

2009-08-03T20:51:00.009+01:00

...some sort of order in my life. At the moment I take each day as it comes, and that is fine as far as it goes. However, not having any order means that I'm not getting the things done that I want to. I know that I have to pace myself and not try and do everything in one go...but I'm not leaving myself any "me time." I want to be able to do the things I enjoy without feeling guilty that the housework is being too neglected. OK, I don't do housework that I used to...I just can't manage it. What I need to do is devise a flexible plan for the week which will allow me to get the necessary work done and still leave me enough energy to do the gardening (weather permitting) and have a day just for crafting. At the moment I'm having to make things at the last minute.....and that is not enjoyable...it will become a chore.

Here are 3 cards that I've made recently. The first 2 are for the Imag-e-nation forum challenges. I didn't win..but then I didn't expect to..the standard is very high.

The first one has the theme of teddies, and as I'd got some free Paddington Bear papers..I went along with that.

The second one was for a theme of black and white. The stamp is from Dimension Fourth and the spotty paper from Jak's blog.

This last one is the card I made for my youngest son's birthday, which is today. My baby is 20 now. The paper and image are a free download from Peejay. It didn't turn out quite as planned. The wheels on the car are gold on the download...but my printer decided that yesterday was a very good time to run out of yellow. So I made it a blue and silver rather than blue and gold.
My signature is back....but I think that I've accidentally deleted it from this post....dohhh!!

I don't want....

2009-08-01T21:50:00.002+01:00

......another week like the one I've just had. After the problems with IE and finally catching up with my blog reading, my comp decided to play up. I went to switch on the computer last Wednesday....no joy. I thought that it was just a sticking button...but no. Eldest son came over and found that the button was playing up (cheapo plastic!) but the main problem was the power unit. When my computer went down last year I had a new motherboard and other bits but not a new power unit. Groan...more expense...but son came to rescue. He'd bought himself a laptop recently, so he still had his old comp with all the bits...including an all singing, all dancing, power unit. He has been over today to fix it for me.... so now I'm back online with a long list of emails and again I'm playing catch up with my blog reading. So if you are on my list.....SLOW DOWN!..until I catch up....lol. All this has meant that I haven't been able to make a card for my youngest's birthday on Monday...so I will have to get a wriggle on tomorrow. Not that he really appreciates it mind.....he "doesn't do cards." Besides all this, my sleeping hasn't improved over the last week. I can see myself making that card tonight if I'm still awake at 3 in the morning.
The weather has been just typical for us. Start of the school holidays and we have had rain...some of it torrential. I had to go to the local shop on Wednesday for bread and milk. I set out in a fine drizzle and the sun trying it's hardest to avoid the clouds. I came home absolutely drenched to the skin. I had to stand in the porch and ask my son to fetch my bathrobe as I had to strip off completely. The leather shoes that I had worn are still not completely dry. On top of that I had visitors. The housing association sent 2 officials to undertake a quick survey of my house prior to the modernisation early next year. They wondered why I was surprised to see them as apparently they had turned up by appointment. News to me. I can see that I am going to have a few problems with the modernisation. They showed me a plan of how the kitchen is going to look. OK..except that they haven't accounted for my table and chairs. "Well you can always move them into the living room"...erm..where? Then the plan has put the fridge-freezer in a corner next to a radiator. Humpfff. I have got a separate fridge and freezer. " Well in that case they can go in the porch" (what is at the present the old coal-house and currently houses my dryer and gardening equipment). Hummppfff! ..."or....you can sacrifice a unit in the kitchen and have the fridge in there and the freezer in the porch." What..with my dryer, garden equipment and the new combination boiler that is going in there? "Right....that will have to be sorted at a later date with the liaison officer, who will be contacting you about storing some of your belongings while the work is carried out." Oh this is going to be fun.....NOT!
Then to cap it all, Thursday I was rudely awakened after a restless night, by 2 workmen who had come to repair the overflow from the cold water tank in the loft. Yes I had reported it and was given an appointment date...Friday!

If it's not one thing...

2009-07-27T01:07:00.002+01:00

.....it's another. After all the trouble I've been having with IE and widgets intermittently showing (or not!) in the sidebar...things have settled down.... and now my signature has gone walkabouts!
Today I have managed to visit all the blogs in my list and haven't been thrown off one. .hurray!!!
Apologies for not leaving many comments...I just wanted to catch up with my reading.

Yes..I know....

2009-07-27T00:41:00.004+01:00

..it's late...but I'm so fed up of going to bed and then having to get up a couple of hours later because I can't sleep. I go back to bed and the cycle starts again. I've been so tired the last fe days. Anyway...got some blog candy here.

Bev has a stamp in her Simon-Says-Saturday-Surprise draw..check it out.

Go here for some fabulous celebration candy....closes 27th July

Paula from Pollycraft has 4 sets of digi images to be won...closes 31st July

Claire has some gorgeous candy to give away...closes 21st August

Rachel has sugar free...

2009-07-15T22:32:00.002+01:00

......candy here! .... you have until Saturday 18th.

Thank you Anne and Peejay for the comments on my new piccy. I hated the other one..oldest used to say it was my mug shot for the police line up. You really can go off your kids (he's not a kid..nearly 40) very quickly!
IE seems to be settling down a bit. There are only a few blogs that I get the abort message now. Thank you Peejay for the advice....will keep it in mind if IE doesn't want to play nice.

What the 'eck...

2009-07-13T00:14:00.003+01:00

...is up with blogger or IE....or both!? Can't access some of the blogs I like to visit and it wouldn't let me access my own blog yesterday....kept getting the abort message so I gave up. So can I apologise now to all the lovely people who's blogs I regularly visit...and I'm missing my fix of inspiration! It's not always the same blogs that it happens with though. It can change on a daily basis....and it's very frustrating!!! My counter and adsense at the bottom of the sidebar sometimes make an appearance, or not, and I'm not sure if the feedjit thingy down there is acurate either. So much for technology enhancing our lives..it certainly isn't enhancing mine at the moment. If anyone has any remedies for these problems I would love to hear them.

A very busy...

2009-07-07T20:29:00.004+01:00

.... week! With the glorious weather and intermittent thunder storms, I have been slowly working my way through the garden. My son and I went halves on some shrubs and plants. We know what the shrubs are,they have labels, but the plants we are not sure about. They were delivered while son was out so DIL took delivery of them and took them all out of their packaging. We know the names ...but not which is which. So it will be a case of waiting and see till they grow bigger and flower so that we can investigate. The weather has not played nice with me though. I bought some lupin seeds and planted some straight out and some I started in trays. Not sure if the ones planted out are doing anything though...everything looks the same at the 2 leaf stage. The ones I planted in trays thrived and were put outside in their pots to acclimatise before going into a plot that I got ready. Well now they are no more. We had a thundery downpour and they got zapped. After all my careful nurturing! I've got some poppies started and I just hope they will survive when they are ready to go outside. I never have much luck with seeds....you'd think that a mixed packet of 6 varieties of annual scented flower seeds couldn't be hard. Well it is in my garden. The marigolds and Michaelmas daisies have disappeared, and the night scented stock has finally given up due to the heavy downpours and Theo laying on them. The others are fighting a battle and I may manage to get something out of them. Today started overcast..brightened up and then started raining about lunch time and it hasn't stopped. Hope it clears up for tomorrow though, I'm going shopping. Not our usual day for shopping but I have to work round other peoples schedules to be able to shop at all...unless I do it all on the Internet.
I've not done much crafting and didn't get any of the challenges from the blogs done. I have done 3 lots of ATC's though...Imag-e-nation forum, Crafts Beautiful forum and ATC Swappers.....and the Imag-e-nation forum card challenge.
Right..I'm off to watch Torchwood....ooh heaven....Captain Jack 5 days ina row. (Yes... I know he's gay and attached..but he is still gorgeous!!!)

A change of scene..

2009-06-28T20:55:00.002+01:00

.....today. I went with eldest son and family to the place where I grew up...Rivelin Valley. I lived just round the corner from the park and spent many happy childhood days there. Over the years it has been developed and for a few years now it has been a beautiful nature walk. You can go whatever distance you want. A gentle stroll..following the river....or a serious hike up to the dams. We sat by the river under a willow tree and ate a picnic lunch, followed by a slow meander...and a nervous crossing of the stepping stones in the river...(not easy using a walking stick!). I remember as a child we used to put or own stepping stones in. The local council has now put much bigger and more stable ones there now. We then finished back at the park with a Cornish ice cream...with a flake! It was a 2 buses journey but well worth it. I shall probably pay for it health wise for the next few days. The weather we are having at the moment..hot and sunny.. is forecast for the rest of the week. I doubt that I will get much gardening done, but it might mean that I get to do some crafting.

I don't know if there is a problem with blogger or just my blog, but my feedjit, counter and adsense widgets are not showing. They should be at the bottom of the right hand sidebar. Can you see them? Anyone else having this problem?

Journey with ME

What have I been doing?

It's Christmas..

Just to let you know..

I'm a Winner!!

A good week....

Cold, wet and dark...

Just a quick post...

Made a start....

Daisy,Daisy...

September is going fast...

Not much to post about.

Ggggrrrrr!!!!

Been playing...

Time is flying.....

Don't time fly?

Halfway...

Another busy week.

Finished it!

Been a busy bee..

Been to hospital.....

I've been awol...

Winter is still here...

Too good to be...

Blimey..

Almost over...

It's going...

Snow on snow on snow....

Oh.....sugar!!!

Think I'm invisible...

Nearly a month.....

It's been a good couple of weeks....

Autumn has arrived..

Where has it gone?

I got a brand new...

Sod's law again..

I got piccies...

Been sooo busy...

If anything can go wrong....

I tought I taw a puddy cat...

Started out with good intentions....

Blimey..

Do you like the new look?

Such a lot has happened....

Still a lot to do...

I'm still here..

I'm not getting it back...

At last it's finished...

No title...

It just isn't....

Work has come to a halt....

House update...

More problems with the house....

Spoke too soon....

Been awol....

A challenge card..

Still got the snow...

I've had enough.....

Another year....

To wish you.....

12 days of Christmas

A long post.....

I've finished...

Nearly Christmas ...

Stop the world....

What have I been doing?....

Word verification.

Will blogger let me...

3 blog candies..

I've actually made a couple....

Can you help....

I'm absolutely sick of those ....

I've been busy..and spending....

Yes, I know I'm posting...

I've been invaded!!!

Early Christmas presents.....

I needed that....

The last few days..

I'm starting to feel....

Some mega, mega...