Winter Blues ......

Happy Friday,

What a busy week ......it doesn't take long to get back in the swing of things does it.   
The last bits of the festive fayre has all but gone ...... there are a few chocolates and part of a Christmas cake, so the diet's off for another week (that's a shame! ...... she says with her hand in a large bag of peanut M&Ms).

Things are pretty much back to normal in the old craft room too.  The place is a tip, the 'To Do' list is growing daily, new stash is piling up because I've no time to play with it, I'm busy with DT stuff, and Blogger is up to his usual tricks! 
Not only has my Blog background disappeared (ok, ok .... that's not blogger's fault!) but now it's taking ages to save anything, and I can't preview things.  When I do leave the page (after making my own copy of what I've just blogged), log back in again, everything is there SAVED!!!! Arghhhhhh!  It takes me long enough to blog as it is without the site playing silly beggers.

Oh yes ....... and the Christmas craft stash is still out too!  Does that mean I have to keep it out all year now?
At least I stand a chance of making my ONE Christmas card every month then .......  I did say the same thing last year and look how well that worked out in 2013!
I'll keep you posted on how I get on ..... don't hold your breath though, it may get December before I make a start ........ and I might just get fed up of stepping falling over the stash box too!

One thing I have managed to do this week is a card for one of my favourite Blog Challenges -  Less is More

To start off the year the girls have given us a Colour Challenge .......

Winter Blues

they want us to use shades of Blue

Here's mine ......

My shades of blue are Tumbled Glass, Faded Jeans and Stormy Sky Distress inks, for the background with the text randomly stamped in Faded Jeans

Then the pretty flowers have been stamped over the top using the gorgeous Cornflower Blue Archival ink from the Wendy Vecchi range.
I love this stamp set - Rose Branch Border from Stampendous.  It's been in my stash for ages and never been used (like so many other things!)

The words are also from the same stamp set and have been stamped using another of Wendy's Archival inks - Watering Can

Some satin ribbon finishes off the front, and of course the inside's been done too ....

It's now in the post on it's way to my Mother-in-law for her birthday on Monday (two jobs done in one!) Hope she likes it.

It's also my day to post on the DT Blog over at Creative Studios if you fancy taking a look - more ideas using Sam's new stamp designs.

Thanks for popping by today.  I see I have another new follower too ..... welcome Kelly it's nice to have you along.
I hope you all have a lovely weekend.  Are you doing anything nice?
Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

Well it's started ok ......

Happy Friday, and a Happy 2014!

And hasn't she started with a bang!  My thoughts go out to those who are in the flooded areas ..... stay safe, warm and dry.

We haven't escaped over here, flood warnings are out all over the island and the unusally high tide around lunchtime today saw some streets flooded in Douglas, Ramsey and Castletown. And the ferries have been cancelled again so, it's a case of batten down the hatches and see it through.  We're going nowhere!  Check out these pictures on 3FM Isle of Man's Facebook page ....... scary!!

Things are slowly getting back to normal in the old craft room.  The door finally opened yesterday when I ventured in there.
What a mess!!  There's Christmas stuff everywhere, new stash piled high and DT stuff ready and waiting to be played with, I mean worked on!    That's my weekend sorted then.

2014 got off to a great start for me ........ I was amongst the winners in Tims' 12 Tags for December - whoo hoo!

Thank you so much to everyone that's visited my blog and commented on my tag post, I really appreciate it.  And the fun has started all over again ..... Tim's January Tag is already up there.  Can't wait to start playing along for the next 12 months.

Speaking of Tim Holtz ..... look what my lovely postie brought this morning  .....

The new JUMBO Tattered Florals and Greenery dies ....... the large flower is mahoosive!! Can't wait to play with these babies!!!
But they're going to have to wait (sigh!) the list is already full of DT stuff.  First up is my weekly post over on the Creative Studios DT Blog ...... here's a little sneaky peek for you

Brand new stamp designs from the lovely Sam Poole.  Watch Create & Craft, Saturday 18th January to see Sam demonstrate these, and more fabulous goodies.  And I'll be sharing with you more of my designs using the stamps, over the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for popping by today.  Have a great weekend ...... I'm going to make a start on taking all the Christmas decorations down this evening, I've had enough now, I need them to be away and the house clean and tidy again.  What I'm going to do with all the chocolates and sweets that are left well ........ it would be a shame to waste them now, wouldn't it.   The diet starts next week!!!

By the way, if you're wondering what has happend to my blog (where's the background etc. gone?) I'm working on it!  I wasn't best pleased when everything disappeared over Christmas.  You may have noticed a couple of different backgrounds appear then disappear over the last few days ...... I can't find one that I like!!!!  So I'm trying to get it back to the way it was ..... hopefully it will be sorted soon - I feel naked!

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

That Friday feeling .......

Hi there,

What a day ....... the weather's dreadful here.  It's cold, very wet, and extremely windy.  I do hope it's better where you are.  Mind you it's perfect crafting weather, so ..... I've shut myself in the old craft room and I'm not coming out until everything's crossed off November's list!

My weekly post for Creative Studios is done ...... here's a little sneaky peek

It's live on the DT Blog if you'd like to see it in full.

The advent calendar is all finished - whoo hoo!!  I'll show you that when it's all in place on the mantle piece on Sunday - it does look pretty (even if I do say so myself!).  I'm really pleased with it - thank you Craft Stamper.

I've prepped a few Christmas card designs (get me eh!)  Well, I thought I'd better make a start, they need to go in the post soon.

And what's this .......

All ready to start my Tim Tag - I'm leaving it a little late again I know.   But ........ before I can get on with that I need to make a card for a wedding we're going to tomorrow. 
It's all go in here today I can tell you, and to top all that .... I'm on babysitting duty this evening. Oh well, better get back to it. 

Have a lovely weekend.  It's going to get all festive around here ...... the tree's going up on Sunday, that's if I'm not too delicate after the wedding do.

Thanks for popping by, enjoy the rest of your Friday.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

That Friday feeling .....

Morning everyone,

It's the weekend - whoo hoo!!  Happy Friday to you all ....... what's everyone up to today?  Me, I'm hoping to spend the day in the old craft room.  I've got DT stuff to finish off and get in the post, my Tim Tag to do, my weekly post on the Creative Studios DT Blog (check it out later) and I must try and get around to finishing the advent calendar. So a bit of a full day for me. 
I also need to get into town at some point, and pick up a dress that I ordered last week - I'm trying to find something to wear for all the Christmas parties that are coming up, and it's not going well.  The other half's no help either.  All he said was  "What's wrong with what you wore last year?"   Oh yeah ....... As if that's going to happen!
I don't like clothes shopping at the best of times!  And looking for evening wear .....well!  Dress shop or Craft shop ....... hmmmm ...... I know where I'd rather be! 

Here's a little sneak peek of what's on the Creative Studios DT blog today ........

........ a little bit festive perhaps. 
It's a nice quick and easy card using some non-Christmas, and Christmas stamps.  I tell you, the closer it gets to the festive season, the 'quicker' my cards are going to have to be - I still haven't started making any.   Maybe next week.

We've a busy weekend ahead, Stephen and Lauren are off to the UK tomorrow - just a flying visit, but they've a lot to fit in.  I'm staying on the island with the little man, so it's going to be fun, fun, fun with trains, jigsaws, and sticker books for me.  And I'm sure we'll have to watch The Polar Express (again!!) at some point.  It's Alex's favourite movie at the moment.

The Christmas lights switched on in Douglas last night - very festive

and we also have the Continental Market in town this weekend so Sunday it'll be mulled wine and stollen - yum!!  I may even make a start on the Christmas shopping, who knows!

Thanks for popping by today, have a lovely weekend.  If today goes well in the old craft room you may see a bit more of me next week.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

Pinch and a punch ..... for the first of the month

Hi everyone,

Happy November!  Only 53 days until Christmas .......... so the countdown thingy on my blog tells me! 

Speaking of the festive season ....... if you pop over to the Creative Studios DT Blog today you'll find another of my clean and simple Christmas designs ...... here's a little sneaky peek

It's been all about cards, of one description or another, in our house this week.  There's a bit of a buzz around the island because, for the first time ever the UKIPT (UK & Ireland Poker Tour) has left the UK mainland and is visiting the Isle of Man - whoo hoo!!  And why not  ........ it is the home of Poker Stars after all.  The big event is taking place down at the Villa Marina on Douglas promenade and runs until November 4th.  The main event games have already started, with the final table being on Monday. It's all quite exciting.

the Poker Stars logo

Because my other half works for the company he's been involved in quite a few of the events going on, so I haven't really seen much of him this week.  Last night he was out meeting up with all the Pros who are on the island for the event (ok for some eh!!)  He did get my book signed for me though (finally!!) ......

Daniel Negreanu is one of my favourite players, and the scary thing is I could be playing in the same tournament as him on Saturday - eeek!!  Nervous or what?! 

Apparently I'm playing in the Poker Stars Charity Tournament, along with hubby (gulp!) and I believe there's a chance that Daniel, along with some of the other Poker Stars Pros are going to be joining in the game.
I haven't played a big tournament live for ages and if I end up on a table with one of the pros, or worse still Daniel himself, well ... that'll be me out straight away. Thanks for signing me up for this one Stephen!
No guesses at what I'll be doing this evening ...... yep! you've got it ....... practicing!

Thanks for popping by today.  Have a great weekend, and I'll see you all again soon.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

Venice ......... part 2

Ciao!

Ah well, it's our last full day on the banks of Lake Como (big sigh!).  After a storm last night, we had thunder, lightening, the lot,  the sun is shining again so we're going to make the most of it.
I've started the packing and the tidying up of the villa, finished the book that I was reading (not sure if it was worth it, but I had to know what happened at the end), so I think we're going to have one last trip out somewhere today.

But first I wanted to share what we got up to on our day in Venice.

After the lovely evening we had listening to the music in St Marks Square ........

........ we got up Wednesday morning and wandered back in there.  No rain clouds in sight, just beautiful blue skies and fluffy white clouds

We'd missed breakfast at the hotel (why is it always so early???!!!) so we decided we'd sit at one of the many cafes and enjoy a scrumptious continental breakfast al fresco ....... (now that, I could get used to)

It was rather delicious, I won't say how much it cost ........ although dinner in some places would have been cheaper!!!!  We're worth it though!

After 'brunch' we went for a stroll around the beautiful streets of Venice.  I just love this place, everywhere is so magical and romantic .......

We walked down to the Rialto Bridge .......

and watched the world go by for a while ..........

I have this thing about Venetian masks, I know some people say they're a bit scary but I love them, I'd have them on every wall if I could.

The shops are absolutely full of them and they're all stunning.  How I would choose one I've no idea

The mask I have at home didn't actually come from Venice, mine was bought in the next best place though - the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.  It made it all the way home in one piece too.
One of these days I do intend to buy one of these stunning pieces from Venice.  I'm hoping that one year we'll make it to the Carnival - wouldn't that be fab!

We wandered along to the famous Harry's Bar .....

and had Bellini cocktails (hic! hair of the dog and all that) .....

Then sadly, it was time to go back to the hotel, collect our bags and head back to Lake Como ........

It had been a fabulous two days, busy, but so worth it.  Hopefully it won't be eleven years before we're back again.

We stopped off at Lake Garda as planned and had dinner, before getting on the motorway for the drive back.

Garda is so different to Como, it's huge! and so still ....... 

We stopped in a place called Sirmione, down at the bottom of the lake, on a little peninsula.  It's only a tiny place but apparently one of the busiest, and I can see why.

It's tiny streets were filled with shops and restaurants .......

and they've even got a castle ......

Well that's just about it from Italy.  We've had a lovely trip, crammed just about as much as we could into it.  I think we're all rested and relaxed ready to get back to normal next week.

First though we have a couple of days in the UK to look forward to - the holiday's not quite over.  We arrive back in Luton on Saturday then we're spending the weekend with family and friends. 

I'm off to see Rod Stewart in Manchester on Sunday night, I can't wait. 

And of course I'll be catching up with all my craft buddies at some point too.  Here's to yet another great weekend.

Thanks for popping by today, and thank you to all those of you that have shared in my Italian adventure.  Hope you've enjoyed reading about my trip.  Don't forget it's not quite over yet though.  Watch this space!

Also why not pop over to the Creative Studios DT Blog this afternoon.  It's my day to post and I have a couple of quick and easy designs for you today using one of the lovely Sam Poole's latest stamp sets. Here's a little sneaky peek of one of them ......

Have a great day, and enjoy the weekend.

Arrivederci!! 

L'amore da lago di como

Linda

xx

Quick Post

Happy weekend everyone,

Hope it's a good one.

Just a quickie this morning - I know, I know,  I'm hopeless at the moment.  Too much to do, and not enough time to do it in.  I will book these little trips across to the UK! and with visitors the last two weekends I haven't had as much craft time as usual.

First of, welcome to my latest follower.  It's always nice to have a new face along.  Thanks for taking the time to join me on my crafty journey.  I will try and pop over to your blog at some point, I promise.

I know I haven't been commenting as I should recently, on all your blogs - guilty as charged I'm afraid. Sorry!  I have been popping over there though for a quick peek, every now and again.  I don't want to miss anything!  Once my next little trip is over, things should calm down a bit - for a couple of weeks at least.  I'll do a big catch up with you all then.

I'm busy at the moment with DT stuff.  Yesterday was my regular post on the Creative Studios DT Blog.  Sam's designed some more new stamps and I've been lucky enough to have a play ...... here's a sneaky peek at this weeks project ......

Keep your eyes open too for another new addition on the website ....... sshhh .... can't say anymore than that at the moment (new stamp set ..... hint, hint!)

I've also been busy making Indigo Blu samples for the NEC.  This is some of what came out of the old craft room yesterday ......

Love this stamp, it's from one of the latest releases - Mr. Darcy.  You can find it here on the Indigo Blu website.  The sentiment is also from a new set - 'B.F.F.'

Something a little different from the same stamp set .....

How true is that phrase ......  you can't beat a nice bottle of red, shared with friends.

Well, I've still lots to do this weekend.   I'm hoping to get a bit of retail therapy today though - I think hubby should start making things up to me, seeing as how he temporarily forgot my birthday, don't you.

Have a lovely weekend.  Happy Mother's Day too. 
I hope all you crafty mums out there have a really special day, and that you all get well and truly spoiled! 

Cheerio for now

Linda

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