Too good to be...

...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..

.....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...

..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...

..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....

...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!!!

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.

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...

.....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.....

..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....

....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