overdone the trifle

well any amount of weight i lost this year has been made null and void by the copious amounts I have eaten over the last few days - mainly trifle. I have eaten my body weight in coffee creams - roll on jan when i shall return to slimming world with a brown bag of shame over my head.
Hope everyone had a lovely christmas - i had some lovely hand-made cards from my crafty friends. I have just made a simple card today for my sister who spent christmas day in hospital - she seems to be on the mend now.
I can enter it in to 2 challenges;
totallygorjuss. - easily does it
mosdigitalchallenge - fave mo card made this year [i added this because as soon as i use a mo image - it becomes my favourite - this was one of the first images i bought and I use it so much.

Back to work tomorrow if I can find anything that fits...

have a wonderful christmas

That's it really - to all my friends who just pop by - I wish you joy and happiness this Christmas and a happy healthy 2013

Peas on Earth...

Loved this image from whimsiedoodles. I wish I had seen it earlier before I posted my cards - oh well it will be fab for next year.
I am going to enter this card in the following challenges
hotshotcraft. - clean and simple
kaboodledoodles. christmas
sketchsaturday - sketch

Not time to make cards tonight - need to practice I am performing my silent "silent night" tomorrow..hopefully there will not be anyone who can really do sign language in the audience as my words may very much vary from the original!!!

happy snowman

love this digi image by mo manning - easy to colour but looks effective. I learnt the background technique from Lyndsey. Its a good way to use up scraps and peel-offs. Made a few cards last night - but its no good I have to face up to putting away crafting stuff and get the tree from the loft - tho I swear blind it only went back up there last month - where has 2012 gone!!
Will enter this card in the following challenges
Digi Galore notrealstamps. - Christmas
ladybugcrafts - christmas /winter
stampinfortheweekend let it snow

fairy christmas

I have been asked to make a  chrimbo card for a  friends fiancée.I ihave used a lovely Mo manning image. It's an easel card and I have used some glossy accents to make the Snow Globe stand out and I have used traditional christmassy colours and stickled the holly and flowers to make them sparkle.I have used my new memory box holly die-cut tho it's hard to see!!! I am hopefully going to finish off my own Christmas Cards tonight - so pyjamas call and I shall be sitting in front of the fire - promarkers at hand!!
I will enter it in the following challenges
totallygorjuss - for someone special
craftingforallseasons green& red/glitter& sparkle
mosdigitalchallenge. - something beginning with 'D'  [scallop circle/holly die-cuts]

Golden Wedding

I really must do something christmassy - like make cards or put up the tree - its less than 2 weeks away and I really have not done anything - tomorrow night I shall make a concentrated effort - unless there is something good on the telly.
Here is a Golden Wedding Card I have finally finished as it is needed for tomorrow - its like a double gatefold card.
I can enter it in the following challenges
cardmaniachallenges wedding/anniversary
lovetocreate anything goes
totallystampalicious anything goes

Thank You Card

I have been asked to make a Thank You card for  our tutor. I have been on a Sign Language Course - really good fun. I passed my BSL over 10 years and not alot of it has stayed with me - its been great trying to learn a bit more. The course finishes a bit before Christmas and we are going to 'sign' Silent Night at the carol concert. I may be signing the first verse three times over and hope no-one realises!!
   The card is quite big - 8x8 and  is using a lovely Mo Manning image and I have been raiding my stash for flowers and gems - it does look better than the photo - I know I always say that[my photography is worse than my signing!!]
I will enter it in to the following challenges
mosdigitalchallenge - anything goes
hotshotcraft.blogspot.co.uk/ - butterflies
ilovepromarkers. - anything goes

Glitzy Girls

I love the Uptown Girl stamps. This is for my best friends daughter who is 30 - I feel so old I can remember going up to the hospital when she was born a few weeks after my son who was born. They were both born in the Royal Naval Hospital in Gibraltar - it seems so long ago.
Anyway the card can be entered in the following challenges
totallygorjuss - anything goes with glitter [it is actually very glittery but the photo does not pick it up!!]
divasbydesignchallenge - glitter and sparkle
joannasheenchallenge - anything goes excluding christmas

altered book

Just been finishing off a few altered books that friends asked for. Great way to use up lots of ribbons. Love the new alphabet stamps from Stampin Up. Will enter this in the following challenges

totallygorjuss. - don't be square

Hopefully now I have finished all these books  - I can start on some cards. Hope to be back soon.
[Just checked - this has not photograped that well - it does look better than this - honest!!!]

Something Simple

Its been yonks since i put anything on here - not been feeling 100%. I seem to pick up any infection going - i sound as if I am on 50 cigarettes a day - not bad for a non-smoker. Off work at the moment- just feel so dreadful but I thought i would try and post today. This is a very simple card I made a few days ago when I had a semblance of energy. I did go to the craft show and still have to unpack some of it - just need some oooomph,
This was a very simple card. I can enter it in the following challemge
.totallygorjuss - plain and simple

favourite christmas stamp

I adore this stamp from Stampin up - it does not need colouring and it looks effective when stamped  in different coloured inks.I added stickles for glistening snow
 A traditional vintage Christmas card.
I can enter it in the following challenges
challenges4everybody anything goes
eclecticellapu - vintage
quirkycrafts.blogspot layer it up and let it snow

Red, White and Blue

I went overboard with the Jubilee - bought loads of fab papers - still got loads left - so have decided to make some very British Birthday cards...though I suppose it should really be tea rather than coffee!!
 I will enter this in to the following challenge:
hidinginmycraftroom your 3 favourite colours - well they definitely are this week!!!

christmas paws

Was full of good intentions of making a christmas card every night so that by last posting date i would have loads - yeah like it was going to happen!! However this is one I did make earlier using a Mo image I bought last year and was going to use immediately!!!! I really need to get organised. I can enter it in Mo's challenge this week though

mosdigitalchallenge anything goes

dreaded peel-offs!!!

Been having a sort out and found a box of peel-offs when i first started crafting - i thought they were the beesknees - perhaps use a border bit now and again but thats it - then i found some black ones i have a feeling that they are supposed to go on glass but who knows[or cares] - also found some stamps i had forgotten about - with lovely quotes so i am making a pack of notelets up and here is the first - it also fits wonderfully into the following challenge
joannasheenchallenge - silhouettes

Now i have had a sort out - I am full of ideas so i may even post more than once this week..if only i did not have to go work 

chocolate

A quick birthday card for my friend - we have been friends since we were at school together - our children are way older than we were when we first met. We bonded over our love of books, chocolate and stripy socks - it was the bay city roller era!!
I will enter this card into the following challenges
totallygorjuss. - things with wings.
addicted-to-stamps-challenge things with wings
cardmakinmamas.anything goes

It's a boy

My friend has just had her second grandson. His name is Dexter - what a gorgeous name. I am making a few baby cards this weekend - must be something in the water - obviously i have to relish other childrens babies because there is no sign of me being a grandma!!
This is an easel card with a lovely mo image that i have coloured with Promarkers - its quite big as its an 8x8. - you can't really tell but the image is decoupaged.
I have entered this in to the following challenges
mosdigitalchallenge cute and cuddly
stampinfortheweekend anything goes
craftycatzweeklychallenge male card

off to watch strictly and try and finish card number 2

Lost the Plot

I definitely need to find the plot again It seems ages since I put anything on here - spent more time sorting [and buying] than making anything but I am determined to get some cards made this weekend.There is a craft fair at the local fruit farm on Sunday and that might inspire me.
The only thing I have made this week is an altered book. I met my lovely friend Wynn online on a cancer support site - we were both diagnosed the same week and went through the same treatment - we meet once or twice a year in Birmingham and spend ages drinking coffee and chatting up - I am truly blessed to have her in my life - here's the book I made her.
I will enter it in the following challenge
jellyparkchallenges pink and anything but a card
happycampers shabbychic

only 73 days to go

Usually i make my chrimbo cards late november but i loved this mo manning image and wanted to get it coloured in. I shall enter it in the following challenges
sketchsaturday. sketch
www.totallygorjuss - traditional christmas colours

Today I have been on the Breast Cancer Stall in town - people can be very generous and it was quite moving how many people donated and told me about their involvement with cancer. When I look back I realise my life may not have taken the path I thought it would but it has taken a detour and I have been blessed along the way by the wonderful people I have met - in fact I would never have had  a blog as its only because I had time on my hands during chemo that I first bought a craft magazine as something to do - millions of pounds of crafting stuff later - I am still here XXX

Sympathy Card

Had a busy weekend - went with John and his 2 brothers and 3 sisters[plus partners] to St Ives. We went to scatter their mom and dads ashes - it was a lovely weekend in a way - more laughter than tears and lots of old and new memories.
The card is for my friend whose dad sadly died this week - I remember reading this poem once and thought it was so poignant that I kept it in a file where I put quotes and sentiments that I like.

The card can be entered in the following 2 challenges
sentimentalsundays anything goes
totallygorjuss anything goes

Tilda loves flowers

 I think thats what this stamp is called - its one of my favourite magnolias as the flowers are so pretty to colour and she hasn't got wings like the older tildas. Really struggling at the moment to get some oomph - probably because its getting darker and I seem to have been asleep when we had this years summer. Got so many ideas for cards but I just stroke the paper and then do nothing!!! I have just googled tilda cards and looked through other blogs but rather than inspire me - it has depressed me - the others are amazing - I would love to know where all the fab papers are from and I really think copics are amazing but I really can't start again as I have got that many promarkers!!!
Anyway this card is for the following challenges
justmagnolia. - pearls and diecuts   [diecut the scallop circle/punched the leaf and there are lots of little pearls on the flowers]
 totallygorjuss - punches/dies

Pots of Love

It is a little known fact that the 'Guns of Navarone', 'Von Ryan's Express' or 'Zulu' are on the television every Saturday night - well thats what it seems like in this house - I am banished to the coffee table as John watches one of them cos it must be at least...7 days since he last saw them!!! Oh well, gives me time to make a card.

This card is for the following challenge

sketchsaturday - sketch

Thank You

I should be saying thank you to all the lovely people who made cakes and dropped coins in the MacMillan box . I did the biggest coffee morning in the world today at work - people were so generous with their time and money. The cakes on display were amazing and it was lovely because as there was a Governors meeting on - we had an extended lunch hour - so even longer to sit, chat and eat. I made a batch of cards that I sold earlier so the money from those will go to MacMillan -.

Macmillan were so wonderful when my dad was ill and they were there when I needed them through my treatment.

This card can be entered in the following challenges:

totallygorjuss - thank you

paperprettiesblog. fall inspired colours

lovetocreatechallenge - anything goes

ROAR

or RAWR!!!! Whats that about.....I admit it I am the woman with the red pen who goes around at work crossing out bad spellings and taking away unwanted apostrophes. Don't even get me started on "your" and "you're"
Anyway this card is entered in the following challenge
totallygorjuss. - RAWR
craftspotbykimberly. wild about you

Down by the River

Just a quick post tonight to put this card on my blog. It has been a really long day at work - one of those days that just drag - I really need to win the lottery and retire!!
 I shall enter it in the following challenges;
sketchsaturday - sketch
hookedoncraftchallenge - cards for men
tammyscrapincorner - anything goes

night night xxx

Sunflower Tilda

I was asked to make a card for a thirtieth birthday - had to have Dr Su on it!! and all I knew was that this person liked sunflowers. Thankfully I found this tilda stamp in my stash. It is to go in a box. I use a lot of that scrim stuff that plasterers use - not quite sure what for!!! I don't do DIY but it's really cheap for a roll in B&Q.

Pleased with how it turned out but it has not photograped as good as it looks - more sparkly and fresh than it appears.

I am going to enter it in the following challenges:

lovely-haenglar-only - anything goes

littleclairesdesigns - stand up straight

drsdesignsblog. - sunflowers

stempelsonne. - sunflower

Golf Widow

..that's me. Every Sunday off John tootles to play golf but I don't really mind - never ever to worry about birthdays or christmas...more balls that's the answer!!!

I bought this Mo Manning image this week and its my new favourite until the next time I go on the site!!

It was great to colour - used Stampin Up papers as they seemed to suit it so well.

I will enter it in the following challenges:-

mosdigitalchallenge - buttons

totallypapercrafts - favourite stamp

mymumscraftshopchallenges - buttons

One day out on a golf course, a group of golfers notice a funeral passing by on a road adjacent to the golf course. Alf says to the others "Why don't we pause a minute ans show some respect for the dead" So they remove their golf caps and stand in silence as the hearse passes by. Finally George says "There were a lot of cars. That person must have been well loved" Alf replies "She sure was, It would have been our 30th wedding anniversary tomorrow!!"

HOPE

I am amazing myself tonight - 3 posts in 3 nights!!
Feel so much more motivated since I have had a tidy up - can actually find scissors and backing paper
.Anyway this card will be a boxed card for the raffle tomorrow night at the breast cancer support group - i shall be in wolverhampton in a few weeks shaking my tin for pennies - dressed in pink - hopefully looking better than i did this time last year when my tee-shirt was quite a larger size.....I am determined to have my 2 stone sticker by then - only 3lbs to go

I managed to get some pink ribbon brads in America [top right hand corner of card] - Phillip is off in a few days - I wish I could sneak in his suitcase - there are so many amazing crafty bargains there.

This card can be entered in the following challenges:-
wildorchidchallenge - layers
dawn-dawnscrafting. - pink/breast cancer awareness
thecraftypad - breast cancer awareness

Its amazing what you find...

......when you have a sort out. I have more rolls of dst than hobbycraft. I have for some reason 4 sunflower yellow promarkers - vaguely remember thinking thats a nice colour i have not got most times i stock up!!!..and the paper I so desperately scoured wolverhampton for - well why did i not look a bit deeper into my useful box!!
Its no good - I am going to have do like the advert - paint Roberts room bright yellow in the hope that he moves out and i can have more space.
I have managed to make a card today coloured with promarkers - mostly sunflower yellow!!! I will enter it in the following challenges:
toptiptuesday.blogspot.happy birthday
cutiepiechallenge no flowers
thesquirrelandthefox.blogspot anything goes

Now I have had a bit of a tidy up - I really want to put more cards on my blog so hope to see you all again soon xx

Fredtember!!

John asked me to make a card for his work mate Fred and said "Can you make a large retirement card so we can all sign it".
 5 minutes later  he says "It's Fred's 60th birthday next week" -
10 minutes later. "Oh and he has asked me to be best man as he gets married in two weeks"
 - so I officially declare September as Fredtember!!

Here is the Retirement Card - it is quite big!!!
 I can enter it in the following challenges:-

dudetimedoodles - masculine and two shades of blue
mosdigitalchallenge - anything goes
creativecraftchallenges - all about the boys

Off to start on the next card

Sketches

I love sketch challenges - as everyone comes up with so many different ideas. I am gradually working my way through my paper stacks - I have a real weakness for paper - do you think there is a paper equivalent of  Alcoholics Anonymous...my name is margrit and I am addicted to paperpacks.....the good thing is that if I used one sheet a day - I would have to live to about 1000 to finish it - but then I am always buying more. My Phillip is off to the States in a few days and I have already given him my orders!!
This card is for the following challenges;
totallygorjuss - sketch
.papertakeweekly - anything goes
emeraldfaeries - use a doily

hopefully posting more cards this week - need to get organised and stop stroking paper!!!

Sister Act

I love this Mo Manning image - it always makes me smile - I think of the choir led by Whoopi Goldberg and all the singing!! My friend Wynn was taught by nuns and she always thought they had roller skates underneath because of the way they glided!! I jut thought it would be funny to give them bright coloured socks!!

On the back I got a bit of memento ink on it but  have used a stamp that someone loaned me along time ago -[ must try and find if it is still available!!],,,,,"This card is hand-crafted, any smudges, splodges or spillages are intentional and are designed to enhance the artistic quality of the finished piece!"

I will enter it in the following challenges
sweetstampinchallengeblog. - inspired by film or song
ilovepromarkers - anything goes

quick card

very simple thank you card - i had one eye on the Paralympics as i was making it - Alex is one of the volunteers - he will be working mainly with the wheelchair basketball events.
I have used pan pastels to distress - a lot smoother than chalks.
Need to get my oomph back  - it would help if i tidied up all my crafty stuff - but that's an Olympian task in itself!!!
entering this in two challenges
sketchsaturday - sketch
hotshotcraft. - panpastels

Don't make many of these!!!

A lovely lady called Irene at the Breast Cancer group I go to is celebrating her wedding Anniversary next week - her platinum - 70 years of marriage - how wonderful is that.

I had a lovely day with my friend Diane [get a blog] who helped me so much in making this card - feel a bit guilty getting any credit for it - she had made one the same as a Ruby Wedding Card and it was simply stunning!![get a blog, Diane]

The heart is an indigo blue stamp embossed in silver. Wild orchild flowers .

Not been into crafting much this week - had a week off and was so full of good intentions - but the lure of the settee and re-runs of Law &Order - SVU proved too much!!
I shall enter the card in the following challenges
disdigidesignschallenge - anniversary
marksfinestpapers.blogspot. - try a different fold

Okay thats it - hopefully I will get my cardmaking ooomph back but in the meantime GET A BLOG, DIANE!!!!

Weddings

It was years since we went to a wedding and now we have three!! One last week which was our nephews - wonderful wonderful day. One this weekend up in Middlesborough - my best friends son, Oliver - the theme is red and silver. And one in 2 weeks here in Wolverhampton. I am getting my moneys worth out of my new dress.!!! Been really shattered this week and have not really done anything crafty but I have a week off work soon and I can't wait to have a bit of 'me' time . 

focus on the ribbon

I love this freebie image from saturated canary - i decided to make it into a book for the raffle tonight - my breast cancer support group - if i say it myself everyone wanted to win it and i have promised to make more to sell for funds rather than make as raffle prizes......need to get that martha stewart heart punch [unless anyone can cut me a few out - hint hint!!]
i will enter it into the following challenge
toptiptuesday - focus on the ribbon
i think focus on the ribbon is a cool title for this as thats what people do focus on the breast cancer ribbon - but i also used  stampin up ruffle ribbon as well as loads on the spine.

Golden Saturday

Just watched Team GB get another Gold - I love watching Sport but those who know me so well - realise participation in anything that involves moving is a great bug no-no. Until they support custard cream slice eating as an olympic event i shall remain medal-less!!

Made this golden card - just because I love the image. I will enter it in the following challenge
mosdigitalchallenge - anything goes

Hope the weather keeps nice - I am off to a barbecue and then I have a night on my own as the men in my life are all out for a curry - so early jim-jams and crafting xxx

Fab at fifty

It seems ages since I have posted - I have been shattered this week - watching the Olympics sure takes it out of me - all that making tea and reaching for the remote.

Been really busy at work as well so crafting took a bit of a back burner - but found out its a colleagues birthday next week so wonderful Mo to the rescue and here is a quick card I made.I bought lots of DL card blanks when I started card making but did not use them all because I prefer the square but this image suits them best. I can even enter it in the following challenges

craftyribbonschallenge - spots and dots [spotty paper/bikini/ribbon]
ilovepromarkers - spots and stripes  [spotty ribbon/spotty bikini/stripy towel]
kaboodledoodles - birthday or any special day

Pearly Girly

Been a bit glued to the Olympics so abandoned my crafty stuff. The Opening Ceremony was amazing - very British humour - could not believe when the Queen turned round - I thought it was going to be Judy Dench!!
Anyway have managed to make a card for a friend...it can be entered in the following challenge
.totallygorjuss - pearls
divasbydesignchallenge - happy birthday
simonsaysstampschallenge - anything goes

Have used my latest favourite Mo image - so versatile

Off to watch the Swimming - still waiting for that elusive Gold - lets hope next time I post there is a ist place for team GB

Take it Easy

I wanted a take it easy day today - - but the day has just flown by - by the time I had had physio and shopping and sorting - the day has gone - still did have time to make one card. I have used glossy accents to make the water stand out .
So I am entering this card in the following challenges

mosdigitalchallenge - in the doghouse
totallypapercrafts - photo inspiration [a very chilled out dog!]
whimsyinspires - summer fun

I hope its as warm as this at the weekend

Tidy Up Session

I have been having a mass clear up - don't tell the recycling police but a lot of stuff has just gone in a black bag and straight to the tip - I did start of with good intentions but was over whelmed by all the rubbish I have accumulated - can actually see the bedroom carpet now. Found lots of paper and gems I had forgotten about. Went to Dunelms to buy new quilt cover for now tidy bedroom - what a coincidence they sell craft paper!!!
Anyway here is my card for today that I will enter in two challenges
sketchsaturday - sketch
totallygorjuss. - leaf

Mo Manning image - paper that I found earlier today [Stampin Up] leaf is decoupaged

Enjoy the rest of the weekend

Love is all around

I love this image - Mo Manning - if you could not guess. When I look at the old lady I think of my mom and wish that I had been able to make cards for her - she would have loved them and been as interested in all the bits as I am. She was mad on butterflies and I think of all the cards I could have made of her - oh well back on to happy thoughts - glorious weather here today - lets hope it lasts.
This card is for the following challenge
mosdigitalchallenge - hugs and kisses [what i think Jack and Ginger do a lot of!!]

Have a fab weekend and enjoy the sunshine xx

Strawberries

Might go off to the fruit farm later as for the first time in ages its - wait for it- sunny.
I love this Mo image - really fresh and lovely to colour.
Going to enter it in the following challenges;
papertakeweekly - strawberries and cream
simonsaysstampschallenge - lets get fruity
thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge - food and drink

Quick Card

Off to do my gay gordons and dozy does in a minute - nearly forgot to put this card on - its for two challenges
sundaysketchandstamp = sketch
midweekmagnolias= lets look at edwin

Off to the Barn Dance

I am off to a Barn Dance tonight at my church - it's a fund raiser for the church  theatre group. Their last production was Annie. So I have made this to put in the raffle - its an altered notebook. Along with a lot of the other skills I am lacking in - is dance and co-ordination. Last time I went with John we finished a barn dance - the caller said 'You have now returned to your original partner' I was standing facing a lady and John was holding the hand of a very bewildered old gentleman!!!
I am entering this in the following challenges
mosdigitalchallenge - dancing and singing
paperplaychallenges - music

Have a fab weekend - at least it has stopped raining!!

Breast Cancer Group Raffle

Off to the Support Group tomorrow - we always have a little pink raffle so I have made a boxed card. I managed to get some pink ribbon brads in America and have used one in the corner. Love this quote  - it is so true.It does look better in real life - more vibrant and sparkly.

I am entering it in the following challenges:-

wildorchidchallenge - shabby chic
sentimentalsundays - bingo stamps/flowers/pearls plus sentiment
stampwithsarahkay - lots of flowers

Blooms,Blue,Buttons and Butterflies

Me and John are officially old now as we have joined the National Trust!! Determined to get our moneys worth - today we went to Shugborough Hall - method in my madness - I look at the map and work out where the craft shops are in relation to National Trust properties. We had to pass a new Hobbycraft and  a Dobbies on the way.
Finally managed to get the Martha Stewart butterfly punch [so yours is safe, Lyndsey!!]
I am entering this card in three challenges:-
lovely-haenglar-only - anything goes
justmagnolia - all the 'B's
paperplaychallenges - Happy Birthday

Happiness is.......

Having a look through my stash and I found these craft cardstock cards that I had forgotten about - better for male cards - love this image by Mo. So here it is. I loved Charlie Brown and Snoopy books when I was young - wish I had saved them all - probably worth a bomb now - remember buying a book with Snoopy on called Happiness is a warm puppy.
I am entering this card into the following challenges
mosdigitalchallenge - anything goes
totallygorjuss - sketch
toptiptuesday - one for the men

Hope your weekend is going great 

Liz's Birthday

It's my sisters birthday later this month - she doesn't look on here so its ok to post!! A bit different from an ordinary easel card - this is not the first attempt - for some reason when I first assembld it - the picture was on upside down and backwards not the effect I was looking for!! Liz is not a pastelly pink sort of girl hence the brighter colours.
 Well, its a wet weekend in Wolverhampton [alliteration - see that English  A Level did not go to waste!!]
Hopefully after a schlep round the city centre I shall be posting more cards later.
I am enteering this card in the following challenge
papertakeweekly. - anything goes
bunnyzoescrafts - girly
ribbongirls- girls girls

Get Well

Time for a simple card - no flowers or lots of bling and lace. I like this LOTV stamp as its not so hard to colour - some of their christmas ones had so much detail - drove me to tears!!
Been having a blog hop today and I know it inspire you but it also depresses me - when I see the way some cards are coloured and arranged I think I am so primary school in comparison - oh well we all start somewhere. I love copics but being as I have lots and lots and lots of promarkers - I shan't go there!!!
Anyway this card is for the following challenge
totallygorjuss sweet and simple