Yoo-Hoo

... it's your birthday

I made this pretty little twisted easel card earlier today, I think it turned out pretty well, except for the raggedy edges to my mats (I really must get a new blade for my paper trimmer).  Don't you just love those googlie eyes?

 

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING

 

I LOVE MY CRICUT AND I LIVE IN THE UK!

 

 

 

 Here is the card I made for my Grandmother's 90th birthday, sadly, yesterday, she passed away.  I could tell you all about her, and gush over her life, how she bravely fought again her Parkinson's disease for soooo long, but I won't (who needs a downer... right?).  But as anyone knows (and most of us have lost someone we love, at some point)  - "life goes on" and "time is a great healer", two much used platitudes that are so very, very true. Goodnight Gran x

 

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

First Day of School

... not as a pupil though... NO, my beautiful daughter starts her new job (teaching assistant) in a couple of days, and since she has also moved away from home, I'm sending her a good luck card.  Love that girl... she's such a little 'scaredy-cat' and yet she's embraced her new life with such purpose, she's made me very, very proud to be her mum!  Anyway, the card...

 

 

The white mat actually started out VERY differently.  I (in my wisdom) decided to make some educational flash cards for my niece, however, I was a little ambitious... and by the time I'd made 'a', 'b' and 'c' my little niece was too old for them!  Yes, I know... but I got distracted! The mat was actually a large 'tag'.

 

Anyway, the topper, (which was a tag), made using Cricut 'PLANTIN SCHOOLBOOK', had a piece of 'TERESA COLLINS' 'Fabrication' 'yellow brocade' adhered to it.  On top if this was a ('JUST BECAUSE') Cricut cut (apple), I have since... sliced off the top of the tag to make a plain white mat.  To make my card more 'schooly' I added a sentiment (computer generated), punched it out (large scallop punch) and gave it some faux stitching. 

 

The apple and it's leaves are created using a 'CREATA' paper pad, which has lovely glossy detailing.

 

 

The other punch used was a 'MARTHA STEWART' deep edge border punch ('DAISY FAN'), which is utterly gorgeous.  This punch makes a beautiful decorative border, and if you cut a piece of cardstock 2 1/2" deep and punch both sides (line it up), it creates an even lovelier border.  I added a button and gem for a little bit of bling.

 

The inside wording is computer generated, although I would have preferred to use the 'SCRAPPYMOMS' school stamp set, but I was limited on money at the time and only bought the 'owl ocassions' set.  And the same happened with 'MY CREATIVE TIME', I ran out of money! So annoying when that happens! But hey ho, I'm pleased was the result and I'm sure my daughter will love it.  Although she's loving ANYTHING from home at the moment!

 

Challenges...

 

MY CREATIVE TIME - Throwback Thursday #363 - 'Altered Item/Old Cartridge'

 

SCRAPPY MOMS - Terrific Tuesday - 'Back to School'

 

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

 

 

Heatwave? ha ha ha

Not Happening!

 

As usual the predicted heatwave for this weekend... HAS NOT HAPPENED, what a surprise!  The weatherman has got it wrong again.

 

Still, hey ho, since there's not so many customers to deal with... I can craft!  As you know I recently purchase the 'FABULOUS FINDS' Cricut cartridge, and after trawling the Internet for some inspiration I found http://cardcreationsbylorraine.blogspot.co.uk/.  Lorraine has made a lovely little creation using this cartridge... I thought I'd put my spin on it, here's what I came up with, using scraps from my stash...

 

 

I used magnets as the closure and the punched border is Martha Stewart 'Around the Page' 'DOUBLE LOOPS', the patterned paper is from 'CREATA', I also added some sparkly glitter stickles on the flower and stitching (everything looks better with stitching!) and a few gems... all from my stash pile!

 

Challenges...

 

PENNY'S PAPER-CRAFTY CHALLENGES - #141 - 'Dies and/or Punches'

 

BUNNY ZOE'S CRAFTS - August Challenge ' - 'Bingo' used... die cut, sparkle and stitching

 

LITTLE SCRAP PIECES - Fun Friday - 'Anything Goes'

 

A.R.T.  CARD CHALLENGES - #11 - 'Anything Goes'

 

Enjoy the Sun (hahahahahahahaha)

 

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

 

 

 

Oh Pooh...

No not,  Winnie

Seriously I am STRESSED, I decided to download something... and you know what happens... something pops up here, something pops up there... "do you wish to continue?" and like an IDIOT I click yes! and now I've cocked up my laptop... BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh pooh, pooh, pooh and double pooh

Even blogger won't save properly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just wanted to let off steam while I figure out a way out of this mess, so here's a little card I made for my super-doper daughter...

 

The REALLY cute owl paper is from a stack by 'Creata', and the owl is (another) Cricut cut... from the 'STRAIGHT FROM THE NEST' cartridge.

 

 

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

 

P.S.  I could NOT fix the laptop, I had to do a system restore,

thank goodness for this little feature!

Touch...

What a marvellous thing this touch screen business is!  Admittedly it takes some time to get used to, and as with any new technology, ITS EXPENSIVE, but here I am... I'm back!

 

I am the proud owner of a new laptop (windows 8 and touch screen...WOW), mostly, it has to be said, to the generosity of my mother and children (early - VERY early - birthday present)... thank you for donating to the cause!

 

I have SO missed you all, I've still been crafting (duh), but haven't been able to SHARE, and I DO so like to share!

 

That said, the caravan park is now ready for the summer (after A LOT of hard work) and we are - thankfully - getting busier.  So much depends on the weather, though.  So we have to hope that the recent spell of warm weather continues.  Good for business - Bad for crafting!

 

I made this for my daughter, using the Cricut cartridge 'STORYBOOK'.  The papers are by CREATA.

 

 

Challenges...

 

FASHIONISTA CHALLENGE - #15 - 'Vintage or Shabby'

 

LETS CRAFT AND CREATE - Challenge #69 - 'One For The Girls'

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING - 'Wednesday'

Blah... blah... blah...

 

Bar Closed!

I've just finished doing the bar, tidying up and locking up... now I'm unwinding with a cup of tea and a chocolate cupcake with marshmallow filling and chocolate fudge frosting, that my daughter made earlier (yummy).

 

I've been running the caravan park single-handed yesterday and today (everyone else has gone to a 40th birthday party!) so I haven't managed to post until now!

 

I seem to be a little 'stuck' in the Cricut 'CINDY LOO' cartridge at the moment...

 

 

The background  paper  is  from 'FIRST EDITION'  'Dreamcatcher',  I used the filigree cut on  p.29 at 3 1/2".  The pink paper is glittered and from 'CREATA'.  I used gems, ribbon and peel-offs for the embellishments

 

 

Challenges...

 

CRAFTING FOR ALL SEASONS -Ch. #50 - 'No Stamps Allowed'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Sunday'

 

 

Thanks of stopping by... I hope you like today's creativity.

 

 

 

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Ding Dong...

I watched Margaret Thatcher’s funeral today, not that I’m usually an avid viewer of the morbid or macabre, but this was an occasion to be remembered.  Whatever your view of this woman (and everyone has one), she did effect SERIOUS change in Britain.  Some will say for the good, some will say for the bad.  Me? I too, have a very strong opinion on this subject, which I will not share on my blog (this is my ‘happy place’).  I, will be passionate about my crafting here, not about politics (unless it is to occasionally take the mick!).
 

Baroness Thatcher, even in death is STILL causing major dissent throughout this country. Normal, upstanding citizens, who would not normally behave this way, seem to have lost all signs of moral decency and are actually booing as someone is wheeled passed during their funeral, it's not like she can hear them! Our country, it would seem is very strongly divided in its thinking concerning this once powerful leader (in some places the extreme of this is called ‘civil war’). Some believe she should be in line for sainthood, whereas others believe she is Satan’s handmaiden and is in all likelihood being reacquainted with HIM as we speak!

Whether you are crying buckets or singing ‘Ding Dong, the Witch Is Dead’ please leave the serious politics somewhere else - not on craft websites (if only I had followed my own advise!). It is understandable to have objections to some of the Thatcher Policies especially if you were adversely effected by them (and lots were), and I personally would rather see the “ONLY” 10 million pounds that has been spent on a state funeral, spent elsewhere (my replacement hip, for instance or allowing me to have physio immediately rather then having to wait three months) but, strongly though I feel... HERE is not the place for my voice to be heard.  I noticed on a crafting Facebook page, that people are actually falling out over the Baroness... and she’s dead!  It all got very... “well, she said, so I said... and then I deleted her from my page (whatever)”. Seriously leave the politics in the real world and let’s all craft in peace [man] (I sound like I’ve just come from Woodstock, ha ha ha).  Usually craft sites are celebrating each others talent and creativity, Maggie, is putting a spanner in the works... yet again! I try hard to respect everyone’s opinion (as I would expect mine to be respected) but time and place people!  Perhaps I should start a campaign...

“NO POLITICS... IN CRAFTING”     or    “HOBBY DON’T LOBBY”     or     

“LEAVE YOUR SOAP BOX AT THE CRAFTROOM DOOR”

So... even though I DID get a little political in the middle there (government spending/heath policy), I DO think we all should concentrate on crafting - on crafting sites.  Perhaps a little - "live and let live" wouldn't go a miss... that's more than the Baroness is doing now!

So I've had my say, let's craft...

 

CARD BASE - A6 white card blank - with scalloped edges from stash

MATS - 2 squares using 'CREATA' 'Design Blok 8'  (3" x 3")- corners rounded using a punch, adhered using foam pads

CRICUT CUT - 'CINDY LOO' cartridge p.50 <Flower2> (3 1/4") plus all relevent layering cuts

EMBELLISHMENTS - gems - from stash (pound shop purchase!)

SENTIMENT - "sorry" peel-off - from stash

ENVELOPE - lined using 'CREATA' 'Design Blok 8'

 

INSIDE - cream CS (3 1/4" x 3 1/4") and 'CREATA' 'Design Blok 8'  (1" x 1") - corners rounded plus a gem

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Wednesday'

 

PIN AND TACK - Ch. #8 - 'Anything Goes' - SPARK YOUR CREATIVITY NOW!

 

LET'S CRAFT AND CREATE - Ch. #68 - 'Flowers'

 

ROCK ON!

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

 

It Is Not Swell!

I am still unwell.  In the head.  Well, specifically unwell in the sinuses. Because my sinuses are swelling. Swelling and welling. With what, I cannot, in all good taste, say.  But it's not good!  Oh, no, the swelling and welling is not swell.  So,   I   am   not   well.

Apparently, when I am sick I get poetic and feel compelled to channel Dr. Seuss!

I am suffering from an ‘upper respiratory tract infection’ (I know this,  because I have just spent two hours pouring over a medical dictionary). This is a fancy way of saying that I have a ‘cold’. I KNOW I have already told you that, but I’m feeling particularly sorry for myself and so saying that I have a ‘cold’’ does not really give you the full image of the depth of my suffering... so I prefer ‘upper  respiratory tract infection’.

I might even add an "itis" to it.  How about rhinopharyngitis? With an occasional roughness to my usually delicately-tuned vocal cords, we could even venture to laryngitis. Or pharyngitis or even sinusitis.

 

This continued attack of illness is incredibly inconvenient at the moment as the sun has decided to shine and the wind has dropped to a degree that will no longer effect poor little monkey’s nether regions! Meaning I SHOULD be out in the gardens... weeding or finding paintbrushes and opening tins of paint! But I am not, so instead I’ll just have to stick to answering the telephones and giving the caller my sultry,   sexy rendition of either a deep-voiced telephone call-girl or a man!  The only images my current dulcet tones are likely to conjure are ones of sweaty wrestlers or butch lumberjacks! So not only do I feel and look like a creature ‘from the black lagoon’ but I also sound like one as well... woe is me!

Do you hear those violins playing in the background for me?  ;-)

I was planning on discussing something deep and meaningful today.  But I am constitutionally incapable of doing so at this time. Probably because my skull is full of stuff that is not grey matter (or is it gray matter?), or what’s the matter... you hey, gotta no respect¯Oh dear, it’s getting worse, my ‘upper respiratory tract infection’ is beginning to effect my green matter...

 

I DID manage a card for LITTLE SCRAP PIECES Fun Friday Challenge 'May Flowers'.  Whoop, whoop...

 



I used a kraft square card blank for this and added two patterned papers, the bottom one is from a paper stack called 'FOREVER FRIENDS' called 'Kraft Notes' and the top one is from  'CREATA' 'Design Blok 9'.  The topper is from a 'Hundydory' kit and the frame is a Cricut cut from the 'ELEGANT EDGES' cartridge p.56 'oblong frame' creative feature <Bird3>.  I have used yellow ribbon from my stash and a gold peel-off.  The flowers are from 'CREATE AND CRAFT' shopping channel and have a pearl added to the their centres.

 

 

The inside is decorated using up any scraps of paper and another flower with a pearl.

 

 

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY...

 

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

Cough, cough...splutter

I'm really not feeling 100%, but I could resist posting a couple of "this will make me feel better" cards, but I really can't be bothered to go into too much detail... sorry about that!

 

The first, I made with a challenge in mind... FANTABULOUS CRICUT CHALLENGE blog have a great colour and shape challenge ending today, so I wanted to get this in!  I'm afraid I went with the obvious, for a triangle... a sail, but I'm not feeling too good so you'll have to forgive my lack of imagination.

 

 

 

 

All cuts were made using the Cricut 'JUST BECAUSE CARDS' cartridge @ 5 1/2" for the outside of the card. I used the image on page 67 - the boat (duh!).  Most of the CS was from my stash, using up bits and pieces (aren't I good?), I do know the blue strip is from an 'ECHO PARK' pad 'Dots & Stripes - Candy Shoppe', Raspberry Small Dot and the yellow is  'TERESA COLLINS' 'Fabrication' 'yellow brocade'.  The Cricut cut used inside the card and on the outside of the envelope was created using the 'sticker' creative feature.

 

The second card I'd like to share with you is also from the 'JUST BECAUSE CARDS' cartridge...

 

 

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LOOK!

 

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING - 'Sunday'

 

HAVE A GREAT DAY...

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

Dog gone...

...good

 

Morning peeps, how's it hanging?

 

Before I show you my latest creation I'd just like to tell EVERYONE how generous my mother is!  Has she bought me a car? I hear you ask... A new outfit?  A house, maybe?  No, none of these, although if you could give her a nudge, it might help!  She has generously shared all her disease-ridden germs with her oldest daughter (she's not so generous with her youngest!).  Yes, I have a cold... and its a stinker!  Thanks Mum!!!

 

I don't know if its the women of her 'era' or if people today are generally more moany (is that even a word?), but whilst I am coughing and spluttering, dripping and blowing, moaning and groaning - she is merrily (and quietly, unlike me) getting on with things!  Whilst I bemoan my unfortunate laspe into sickness land, she is carrying on with a smile on her face... God I love that woman!  I don't think I could admire anyone more, than I do my mother.  She is the most positive person I know and it is ALWAYS wonderful to be with her - I do wish she would keep her germs to herself, however!

 

I was looking through my Cricut cartridge collection yesterday (like you do) and realised I hadn't shown you anything from the 'JUST BECAUSE CARDS' cartridge, so inbetween coughing and nose-wiping, I came up with this (I don't think I'll be giving it to anyone I really like - its probably got too many germs on it!)...

 

 

 

CARD BASE - 'CREATA' 'Design Blok 7' glittered patterned paper/CS and 'JUST BECAUSE CARDS' cartridge p.37 <Dog> (5 1/2") , also cut the insert <Dog-s> (5 1/2") in black CS - adhered to the inside

1ST DOG MAT - black CS scalloped circle (3") - 'WOODWARE' punch

2ND DOG MAT - 'CREATA' 'Design Blok 7' green glossy spotty patterned paper/CS (2 1/2") - 'WOODWARE' punch

CRICUT CUT - white CS p.37 'layer 1' creative feature <Dog> (5 1/5") and black CS p.37 'layer 1' <Dog-s> (5 1/5") -  adhered together using 'ZIG' two-way glue

1ST SENTIMENT MAT - black CS (3 5/8" x 1 3/4") - punched using 'X-CUT' 'scallop' border punch

2ND SENTIMENT MAT - 'CREATA' 'Design Blok 7' green glossy spotty patterned paper/CS (3 1/2" x 1 1/4") - faux stitched

SENTIMENT - black CS 'JUST BECAUSE CARDS' cartridge p.37 'word' creative feature <Dog> (5 1/2"), also red CS p.37 'word' creative feature <Dog-s> (5 1/2") - adhered together

EMBELLISHMENTS - red string beands, gem, white rub-on - from stash

 

CUTE IN-IT!



 

Challenges?  yeah...

 

CRAFTY-EMBLIES - Ch #9 - 'Anything Goes'

 

LADY ANNE'S CHALLENGES - Sentiment Friday Ch. #8 - 'Anything Goes'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Saturday'

 

HAVE A GREAT DAY

 

 

 

Blah... blah... sneeze... blah...

 

 

 

Hello April...

Well I've finally got around to posting... its been a busy few days.  Easter is now over, disco, bingo, scavenger hunt and egg hunt all being a great success, even if the weather did its utmost to put a spanner in the works!

 

Being part of the tourist industry, we rely heavily on good weather to draw in our customers... what can I say?  If its not snowing, the east wind is blowing up a gale!  It is bitterly cold here (rain we're used to... this cold?  We are not!). Needless to say some of our customers stayed away... tucked up warmly in there little houses instead of risking frost frozen caravans with no water ('cause it had frozen, and no amount of heating was gonna make it run again!).  Anyway we did have the 'die-hard' intrepides, who simply weren't prepared to miss out (water or no water), these wonderful people braved the cold, and helped children find eggs; managed to collect various obscure items on their scavenger list; danced the night away and shouted 'bingo' with the best of 'um!  Thank you one and all for keeping me in employment!

 

My son also had his 22nd birthday (celebrated by his sister and I going shopping  and lunching- WITHOUT HIM!), he didn't seem to mind though as I treated him to a take-away indian meal.  He said he'd rather stay home and tackle the giant Lindt bunny I bought him for his birthday present.

 

The Grand National was run yesterday (well done Auroras Encore! 66/1 winner), so the sweepstake needed to be organised (which I did NOT win).  Its my step-father's birthday, so later today we will be celebrated with a family meal out... can't wait, carvery here I come!

 

As you can read, I've not had a lot of time to craft (but I have managed to squeeze in the odd fix, here and there), I thought I'd just give you a quick up-date and post some pictures of the mini cards my daughter asked me to make, she wanted four cards (2 x boys, 2x girls) for the children who are leaving her care (nursery), to start school, here's what I came up with...

 

...with handmade envelopes!

...'BOYS WILL BE BOYS'  Cricut cartridge

...'ONCE UPON A PRICESS' Cricut cartridge

 ...'CREATE A CRITTER' Cricut cartridge

...'BOYS WILL BE BOYS' Cricut cartridge

 

 

I have some more things to show you, but they will have to wait until I have a little more time, I'm off to bed now... so nightie, night xxx

 

 

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