We're off again! ........

Happy Thursday .......

I hope you're having a good week ..... it's been a little crazy here.
I don't seem to have done much other than washing and ironing this week ..... the joys of coming back from holiday!  It doesn't help that we're off again this evening, although we won't need a summer wardrobe this time!

We're off to the UK to see family.  Fingers crossed the weather's good because we're taking the ferry across.  Looking at the forecast though, it could be a bumpy ride.  Luckily we've booked a cabin so we can sleep all the way there.

There's another reason for our little trip ......... wait for this ........ we're going to the Motorhome and Caravan Show at the Birmingham NEC!!!
Hubby's been after a motorhome for years, and our little trip around Scotland earlier in the year convinced him even more.
We know nothing about them so we thought the show would be a good place to start ..... have a look, decide what we want, do a bit of research before we take the plunge.  I have a few ideas on what I want so it could prove interesting ........ there needs to be room for my craft supplies!

Speaking of which, my craft room doesn't know I'm back.  I haven't had chance to get in there this week.  I've got a whole bunch of new stuff too, and haven't had time to play. 
We're only away until Sunday evening so next week things will be back to normal ...... a workshop to prep, blog posts to schedule, a Blog Hop coming up next weekend for the Uniko new release and of course Christmas!  It's going to be a busy week.

Before we went away on holiday I did finish another spread in my Art Journal .........

 
Acrylic paints, stenciling, pages from an old music book ......

Embossing powders to add texture ......

Rice papers ......

And the words are from a napkin ......... I do love this saying

Oh well, I'd better get a move on, the suitcase isn't going to pack itself.  Coffee first though I think.

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheerio until next time ...... I'll let you know how we get on at the show!

A quick catch up .......

Happy Monday ........

How was your weekend? ...... good I hope.
Looking at the calendar this morning, there's not a lot going on this week ........ for a change.  Wish I could say the same for the one in the craft room though!

We had a lovely weekend ..... a great night out on Saturday.  Delicious food,  the best company ever, and just the odd glass of wine ..... or two (ooops!). 

Lauren and I had a lovely afternoon too doing our Succulent Terrarium workshop ..... it was so much fun. And it's always nice to have mum and daughter time.

Now, you know me I'm not good with plants at all ....... my fingers are definitely NOT green, unless they're covered in green paint!!!  But, I'm told that these little babies don't need that much looking after ......... hmmmm, we'll see. 
They've survived the weekend at least ......

I was very proud of my 'creative gardening'  .......

The succulents are so pretty .....

You never know if I can take care of these, I might just make some more .....

This pretty teardrop one is going to hang in the craft room I think, once it's all settled in.

Whilst I was out on Saturday afternoon I picked up the latest edition of Making Cards magazine, not one of my usual craft mags but ..... seeing as I'm in it this month it would have been rude not to!

There was a little happy dance too when I saw that I'd made the cover ...... I'm chuffed to bits!

The lovely Sue Hobbs and I did an article featuring a couple of the new Christmas designs from Sweet Poppy Stencils

If you haven't decided on your festive makes yet pick up a copy of the magazine, it's full of great ideas.

Speaking of Christmas .........

My first purchase of this year's decorations  ....... that's the table sorted!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day and have a lovely week.
It's more Sweet Poppy stencils for me today, getting ready for the TV shows coming up on the 18th ..... more about all that later.

Cheerio until next time .....

The wait is nearly over ...... for some things

Happy Thursday folks .....

The last day of August ........ what happened to the rest of the month!?!

Just a quick post today.  How's your week been ...... are you GoT (Game of Thrones) fans?  OMG! I've just one thing to say .... March 2019 ..... really!!!!!!

I'm sorry I've nothing crafty to share today ..... there's lots of other stuff going on at the moment!   This is happening today ......

Yes .... Chris's pub opens it's doors again for business, and it would be rude not to go and wish them well now wouldn't it.

I'm on Grandma duties today ..... learning all about Pokemon!  The little man is here seeing as his mummy is busy running around helping Chris with the final touches ..... although she did pop in for a little while, she brought me her new shirts to iron .... as if I haven't got enough to do!!! She says I do them so much better than she does ....... yeah OK!

Both kids are going to be working together now ........ Chris, the Manager, and Lauren is joining his team as his Assistant Manager.  Good luck to them both ...... I know they'll be a great team!

Thanks for popping by .... enjoy the rest of your day.
It's dinner out with hubby later, and then off to the Prospect ...... it could be a late start in the morning!

Cheerio until next time

My bags are packed ..... I'm ready to go ....

Cos I'm leeeeaving .... on a jet plane!!!!  Well, almost ....... I'm on one of these again ..... flying across to Blackpool.

Happy Monday folks!
(sorry for the ear worm!!)

Yes I'm off on a jolly again ...... and right now I should be just about boarding the plane ready for the short flight across to the UK.  You guessed it .... this is a scheduled post!!

I'm off to meet up with my crafty buddy .... then it's a stopover at Susan's tonight, and tomorrow we're off on a road trip, down to the south of England for 5 days ...... including a two day Craft Retreat!!!  It's going to be fun, fun, fun!  And .... if it's anything like last year it'll be hard work too ...... two days spent in great company, being taught by the one and only, very talented ..... Barbara Gray (whoo hoo!!!)  Yes it's time for a spot of Clarity!!

Unfortunately I'm not taking my laptop with me so I won't be blogging ..... don't worry though I'll fill you in on everything when I get back!

What I am taking with me though is the project I've been working on for my nephew's wedding.  My brother didn't want just any old wedding card, he wanted something a bit special, so ....... I've made a Memory Box.
It's gone from this .....

to this ......

Sorry ...... but I can't really share the whole thing just yet ..... my brother hasn't even seen it!!! I hope he likes it because I haven't got time to start all over again. 

As we speak it's all parceled up, safe in my suitcase (I hope!) and it'll be hand delivered later today.

The wedding's not actually until August so you'll have to wait a bit longer to see it in full.

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day and have a great week!  If you're off to the Clarity retreat ..... see you there.  If not, I'll see you when I get back.

Cheerio until next time 

Linda

xx

3 more sleeps until we move .....

Happy weekend to you,

I hope you've had a good week.  Mine's been filled with boxes, boxes, and more boxes, with a bit of bubble wrap and packing tape thrown in for good measure! Who's clever idea was it to move!!!

There's not been a lot going on in the old craft room this week, apart from all the packing!!  I haven't even had time to play along with my favourite Blog Challenges (sigh!).  I did spend some time in there yesterday, playing with this month's Tim Tag .... it's not quite finished, but there's a few days left before the deadline.  All I need to do is remember which box I packed all my metal trinkets and embellishments in ..... definitely didn't think that one through! Hopefully I'll find them in time.

Speaking of challenges ....... I'm over the moon to have been picked as one of the Top 3 for January, in the Country View Crafts Blog Challenge ...... whoo hoo!!

I love these guys .... their website is one of the best online for craft stash shopping ..... I think so anyway!  They always have the new releases from all the top ranges ..... great prices .... and FREE P&P  .... you can't beat that now can you!  (ooh! Must remember to change my address on there)

Well ..... gotta go I'm afraid.  I need to do a quick trip into town ...... Post Office, to re-direct the mail. Stop off at the new house to unload some more boxes ..... then I'm off out for the day!  Hubby's packing up his office today ...... so I'm just going to leave him to it!  I've been given some time off  to spend the day with my crafty buddies and I can't wait!

Thanks for popping by ..... before I go here's Wednesday afternoon's view from the new house ..... (not a lot different from last Saturday's really)

We spotted a warship in Douglas Bay while we were sat having lunch at The Queens ..... and it was on it's way to the harbour

Don't worry, the novelty of a sea view will wear off ... eventually!!

Have a great weekend .... and don't forget ..... the clocks go forward tonight!  As if I can afford to lose an hour ..... there isn't enough in the day as it is for me.

Cheerio until next time

Linda

xx

What's been going on .........

Happy Friday,

Remember me!?
In case you're wondering where I've been ...... no I haven't been off on my travels again, although I had planned to be across in the UK for a few days ........... I've spent most of this week fighting off some dreaded lurgy that I must have picked up last weekend ....... not good!!!

I've been on my own too (sigh!) ....... Hubby's been in Ireland all week, on business.
I had all sorts planned for this week, craft sessions, shopping and lunch out, a quick trip to the UK, and I've not managed to do any of it ...... at least I didn't feel guilty for spending most of my time in bed with a hot water bottle and good old Beecham's!  Not very exciting ... but it seems to have done the trick! I'm finally starting to feel human again (almost!), so I thought I'd better catch up with you all before hubby gets home this evening.

So ..... what's been going on ..... what have I missed?

Those of you who read and follow the IndigoBlu DT Blog will probably have noticed that I haven't posted for a couple of weeks ...... no need to panic I'm still part of the team, it's just that I've decided to take some time off from the DT ...... I don't know if you've noticed but my heart hasn't really been in things lately, not just DT stuff, everything in general, and my head is definitely not in the right place.
After a very long, and emotional, chat with Kay, I've decided to take a sabbatical.  I'm still keeping up with all the new releases etc., from IndigoBlu, and obviously I'm still going to be using all the fab products, I just won't be doing any blog posts etc., for a while (except on here of course) I'm sure the rest of the IndigoBlu DT will keep you all entertained, and inspired with their regular weekly posts ..... you won't miss me at all!  And I'll still be keeping an eye on the Blog Challenge too!
Plus .... you don't get rid of me that easy ...... I believe some of my DT pieces are in print again this month ..... more about those later.

I'm going to be spending some 'me' time.  No deadlines, well, just the odd one or two.   No pressure, time to do stuff for me, and enjoy some of my new stash that's been building up lately (I hope!) And also time for the everyday stuff too ...... spend more time with the family .... enjoy that beautiful grandson of mine! Fingers crossed I can get my mojo back too!

Before this lurgy knocked me for six,  I had some fun with my Gelli plate, inspired by the fabulous Barbara Gray, and in the great company of some lovely crafty buddies on the island ........ meet Jill, Lil, and Maggie. As you can see we took over the kitchen for the day ...... loads of fun!!

Then last weekend I put together a little workshop project for our craft group.  Do you remember last year when I made this .........

based on the fabulous Advent Village designed and created by Gail Milburn for the December issue of Craft Stamper
Well ...... on Saturday I had 20 ladies all making one of their own.  They were each given a kit that had all the houses in, the numbers and a few embellishments to get them all started ...... and away they went.

Lots of tea and cake too ......

Decisions .... decisions ......

Busy little bees, weren't they.

There were lots of beautiful festive papers around too.

I've had nothing but great feedback from the afternoon ...... everyone really enjoyed themselves, even though no-one actually finished their village on the day!
I'm hoping to see lots of photographs of the finished projects ..... preferably before the beginning of December ...... this year! (are you reading this ladies?!)

I suppose it's a good thing really that I cancelled my trip to the UK this week ...... I've not exactly felt like doing much since Sunday, plus I don't think Susan would have been too happy if I shared my lurgy with her!
Yesterday was actually the first time that I'd ventured into the old craft room ...... what a mess!!  It needed a spot of tidying before I could do anything but I did eventually get a couple of things done for Blog Challenges.  I'll be back later on to share one of them with you.

Oh well ..... I think that's everything up to date.  Thanks for popping by.  I'll be back shortly with something for this week's Less is More Challenge ..... it's One Layer Week!

Enjoy your Friday

Cheerio for now ....

Linda

xx

Today's the Day!

Happy Wednesday!

Can I just say 'Welcome' to Ineke, from the Netherlands, my latest follower ......Thank you so much for taking the time to visit, it's nice to have you with me.
 
It's time to relax at last ........ all the craft stuff is done, photographed and pictures uploaded and, blog posts scheduled.
The house is tidy and the packing's all done ..... passports CHECK! Vegas tickets CHECK! boarding passes for Gatwick flight CHECK!!! 
Hair done, nails are done (fingers and toes!).  Phones, MacBook and Kindle all charged ...... and chargers packed.  Must remember to buy a US adaptor though at the airport because I can't find mine (better start a new list!)  Not that I'm getting excited or anything ...... but, I'm almost ready to go and it's only 3 o'clock!

I've been so busy the last couple of days  I've just realised that I haven't posted any pictures from the little man's Sports Day at the weekend

He had a great time ..... the little ones were are split into Colour teams ..... Alex was in the Purple Bunch.  It was quite funny .... there was one little guy who was getting really upset and wouldn't wear his bib ...... he didn't want to wear PINK!!!  (bless him)

Here's our little athlete warming up .....  I was shattered just watching him!

I won't bore you with every little detail, but here he is on the obstacle course ..... Go Alex!!

Throwing the javelin ...... (mind the teacher now!)

and Weight lifting ...... this was the heavy one (look at those muscles!)

We had one little boy who was very pleased with himself ......

And one proud Grandad too .....  as well as his mummy!
 

We're going to miss him while we're away ...... he's given me a shopping list of what he wants me to bring back for him ...... not sure if I'll get a remote control Diesel 10 and another Thomas in my suitcase, he may just have to wait until his birthday for those!

Oh well, I suppose it's time to close the old craft room door, log out of Facebook (for now!) and switch off the laptop.  Hubby will be home in an hour, the cab will be here to take us to the airport (I hope!) and then it's  ..... Viva Las Vegas!   See you in the US.

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheerio until next time

Linda

xx

Spent up ..... again!!!

Happy Thursday to you ..... what's left of it!

It's been a busy, expensive, non crafty day today ..... I haven't even set foot in the old craft room, except to look for an envelope for a birthday card!

The day started with a family trip to the dentist ..... wish I hadn't bothered!!  Not only did it cost a small fortune what with check-ups, x-rays, the hygenist etc., etc., but I have to have a filling too ... oh no!!  I suppose it had to come eventually ...... it's my first one ..... ever!!!  I'm quite proud of the fact that I've got to 52 and the worst I've had is a scale and polish!

To make up for the trauma of first thing, Lauren and I hit the shops ...... mother and daughter out for a little retail therapy .... always expensive!  Lauren's good at spending money ..... especially mine!

I did my fair share too I suppose ..... there wasn't much left when I got home .....

Speaking of shops ...... fresh on newsagents shelves this morning is the latest issue of Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine .... Issue 124.

Guess who's in it? ........... yours truly, along with Lisa Baker, another of the IndigoBlu DT members and the lovely Kay Halliwell-Sutton (the Boss!). 
We've been busy creating home decor projects for an IndigoBlu 'Off The Page' feature ..... there's even a sneaky peek at mine on the magazine cover .... so excited!

Oh well, I'll need to get an early start tomorrow to make up for my 'day off'.  There's still a little bit left on the 'To Do' list before the weekend starts.

Thanks for popping by today ..... and thank you and welcome to my latest follower, I really do appreciate you all taking the time to visit and read my little old blog.  It's kind of nice reading all your lovely comments too!! 

Enjoy the rest of your day ..... and cheerio until next time.

Linda

xx

It's all in the cards ....... or not!

Happy Thursday,

I've been trying to write this post for over 24 hrs (lol!) ...... don't quite know where the time is going this week but, I'm getting nowhere FAST!!!

In case you were wondering how I went on in the Poker Stars Charity Tourney on Saturday night well ...... it wasn't as bad as I thought ...... I held my own pretty well and made it to the final table - yeah!!!  And that was with one of the pros on my starting table, no it wasn't Daniel (than goodness!)  but it was another of the big earners ...... David Williams!!!!! (what a nice guy)

I lost quite a few chips to him in the early stages (good fold by me) but then managed to get a few lucky hands and finally finished 7th overall - whoo hoo!!  Out of 100 starters, including 8 or 9 professional players, a dozen or so ex-pros (hubby included) and a load of Poker Stars staff, I didn't think that was bad.  Stephen finished 4th so, quite a good night overall.
Not so good last night however .........

Hubby decided to host a home game for some of his team from work. Would you believe THE CHEF (daughter's partner), who only joined in part way through the game,  took all my chips on the last hand of the night.  For those of you that understand poker ..... I flopped a full house, 7,4,7, I had a pocket pair (4,4).   After a check and a bet ..... I went 'All In'.  One folded his hand and the Chef calls ..... he's hit a set of 7s with J,7.  What comes on the turn ...... another Jack, giving him a bigger Full House!!!!!  You can imagine my reaction - not happy to say the least.  I told you I'm no good at Poker!  But I suppose I shouldn't be too upset ..... at least the money stayed in the family!!  It was a fun night though, everyone enjoyed themselves.  I can see it becoming a regular thing.

On the craft front so far this week there's not been that much going on.  The beginning of the week saw a box go off to Kay at IndigoBlu, full of samples for the Hobbycraft Show at the NEC this weekend.  I won't actually be there myself  (sad face) but at least my samples will be.

Our DT brief was to use Kroma Crackle on card and then die cut it to make embellishments.  Here's a couple of festive designs I sent,  one using the Crackle in the usual way .........

I die cut the word from chipboard, using the Vintage Noel Alterations die, painted it using the IndigoBlu Black Gee-Sso-Good, then covered it with the Kroma Crackle and left it to dry.  This was the finished effect ....

In the places where the Kroma hadn't crackled very well I added a touch of glue and then sprinkled over some fine crystal glitter to give the look of snow.

The background design was made using the IndigoBlu Vintage Flourish stamp, stamped in Versamark ink and then dusted over with Perfect Pearls mica powder - very festive!

The poinsettia on this tag was cut from card made using Kay's Flitter Glu and Kroma technique.  If you're not very good at waiting for things to dry (like me!)  then this is a fab technique to try.

I covered a sheet of white card with a thin layer of the Flitter Glu, then add some Kroma Crackle mixed with a touch of red acrylic paint over the top.  I then dried this off using a heat tool.  You can see it's a totally different effect doing it this way, the cracks are much larger.

Has anyone spotted the deliberate mistake? ......... if you look closely at the background you'll see that I actually stamped the script upside down ......... ooops!!

If you pop on over to the IndigoBlu DT Blog there's a couple more of my Kroma designs on there this week, and if you're sick of the sight of Christmas then you'll be pleased to know they're of the non-festive variety.

Phew!!!! Finished at last!  Thanks for popping by today.   I've got an appointment now with a rather cute little guy and a very large jigsaw.  Then it's back into the craft room to finish off my project for tomorrows post on the Creative Studios DT Blog.  See you all then.
If any of you are off to the NEC this weekend have a great time, pop by and say Hi to Kay and the crew for me (IndigoBlu are on Stand G48), and go home with lots of lovely new stash!

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

Time for a bit of R and R

Hey! it's Wednesday already

How's your week going?  Mine's speeding by. We've been over here for 5 days and our feet haven't touched the floor.  Time for a day of rest and relaxation today, and as we've finally found the internet 'hotspots' in the cottage where we're staying, a chance to catch up with emails, Facebook and of course my blog.

Well, everything fit in the car - eventually.  I told you it would ........ including my craft trolley

There was just enough room left for Stephen and I in the front - it was a good idea to book Chris a flight over to the UK because there was no way he was getting in there too!

Thankfully the weather was kind to us, and Friday's crossing was fine.  We waved Goodbye to the island for two weeks and set off on the first leg of our journey.

Douglas Bay

Chris was safely deposited in Sheffield on Saturday, and he's settling into his new home nicely.  
He's moved into a newly refurbished, 'boutique style' (that's what the property company call it!!) student accomodation building.  He's one of the first ones to move in so he's virtually got the place to himself.  We've had a few texts from him and a couple of phone calls - he seems to be managing OK without us.

We've been spending time with Lauren and Alex going here, there and everywhere, even met the new boyfriend!  
Over the weekend, we went to Knowsley Safari Park  and got up close and personal with the animals there.  It's been a while since we were there ......

here kitty kitty .....

stopped for the zebras crossing

this is a Bongo ..... apparently!

Unfortunately we left the park minus a rear number plate.  Yes, you guessed it, we drove through the Baboons - twice!!!

  
First time through was fine ........ second time the car was covered with the little devils, which really amused Alex, and one of them decided he wanted a souvenir ...... our number plate!!

  

The nice kind ranger went in to retrieve it for us, and we only got stopped once by the police before we got it fixed back on -
(Policeman) Excuse me sir, do you know you have no rear number plate?
(Stephen) Yes, sorry officer, but a baboon took it off ............
It was in the boot so we were fine.  So funny though, it's right up there with 'sorry sir, but the dog ate my homework'.

It made for an interesting conversation later in the evening.  We called in on an old friend and spent the evening playing in a pub poker tournament.  It's been along time since I've played cards live, but I did ok.  I knocked Stephen out of the game which he wasn't impressed at - oops!  He finished third, and I came in second.  Not a bad result considering.

Ah well, time for some lunch I think.  We've had a nice lazy morning and I think the afternoon is going to be much of the same.  It all gets busy again tomorrow ..... I'm off to Manchester, to the Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts Show at EventCity.  Time for some Crafty Retail Therapy I think.

Enjoy the rest of your day, and I'll see you all again soon.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx