Life and Craft of Dilly Dally Dingle

Wedding Invitation samples.

2012-01-12T15:57:00.003Z

Things are hectic in the "Dingle House." Chris is starting a day release course from work, this means his already overloaded work schedule is being crammed into a 4 day week. I am helping to cover sickness at work and fitting in 5 session a week at the Pre-school for a little while.

It was my "day off" today so after trying to catch up on the boring things like phone call and housework, I decided to start putting together the ideas I had for a Wedding Invitation enquiry I have had.

Very basic design but I think I would have preferred that the dotty paper was blue and perhaps the ribbon was wider.

Still, it has long last got me in my craft room.....still can't really see my desk though! LOL

I am determined to get creative again this year, perhaps I need some new goodies to play with to inspire me!

Adele
x X x

Just had to share......

2011-12-14T16:45:00.003Z

....................THIS!!!!!

Ho, ho ho!!!! It's has been a very long hard day, I feel tired and grumpy and getting stressed that I am running out of time (especially child-free time!) BUT when Amelia came home and gave this to me it put the biggest smile on my face ever. Isn't it often the smallest things in life that make the biggest impact!

Sorry for the waffle and the awful lighting but I just wanted to share some Christmas spirit.

Love 'n' hugs.

x X x

2011-12-02T12:27:00.002Z

Well, just back from another hospital visit with Amelia. After several cancellations, I complained and we have at last got to see an ENT consultant. Amelia has been going round telling everyone that the doctor is going to "hoover her ears out" and we giggled about having to wait and the fact that I couldn't exactly clean them out with my Dyson!

Luckily the wait was unusually good but it seemed the consultant barely had time for us to sit down before he was trying to get us back out the door. At least her likkle ears are wax free again for a while but her has referred us to yet another Paediatric ENT consultant regarding her adenoids. Ho hum, something for us all to look forward to next year then!

Anyway, enough of the moaning, let's get on with the only little bit of creativity in a while. We melted some chocolate the other day and poured into some little Christmas moulds we salvaged from a previous year's Advent Calenders. Then after they had set Amelia enjoyed selecting them and putting them into our "Advent Truck" which was a bargain in the January sales at Lakeland Plastics.

Concentrating hard...decisions, decisions. Hmmmm

Hmmm, I wonder if mum would notice if one "went missing!"

"I'll save the spare one for Daddy!"

Thought Jack might have been too old to want to do this but I think the thought of chocolate swayed him to give 5 minutes of "Game time or tv time or computer time!"

Right, I have a few hours "spare" shall I try to do some crafting or start that fight for Amelia Blue Bagde that I keep on putting off?

Take care.

x X x

Santa Claus is coming to town..

2011-11-23T21:37:00.002Z

I had a "day off" today. A day to attempt to catch up on housework, phone calls, work records...and even a bit of online shopping.

In a vain attempt to find my crafty mojo I have been scouring the crafty sites but got annoyed with myself for wasting so much time and still not knowing what to buy to get me crafting again. Eventually I settled for a few downloaded Christmas sentiments so I have at least created SOMETHING today.
This afternoon I sat at my breakfast bar singing "Santa Claus is coming to town" all to myself! I coloured the sentiments with my copic markers, inked the edges , backed them onto an old Cuttllebug stamp shape die and finished off with a dab of Glossy Accents on the berries.

I might add a dash of glitter or metallic high lights....that will have to wait until my next "day off!"

Ho, Ho, Ho! ( Trying to get Festive!)

xxx

And for this week's attempt....

2011-10-28T18:30:00.002+01:00

at baking we have cheese scones.

We have been out to do a bit of shopping today: a new pair of boots for Amelia, a new coat for me, some note pads, pens...etc...and some Christmas lights!!!! We had planned to go into Nandos afterwards but it was packed, so instead we came home via KFC but ended up with a rather late lunch.

The cheese scones have gone down a treat helped along with a large glass of wine! Cheers!

x X x

A bit of baking!!!!!

2011-10-22T19:34:00.003+01:00

Please forgive me but baking really isn't something I have done much of, in fact I am a complete novice. Anyway, despite my complete incompetence in the kitchen I have plans to change this and spend some time baking with (hopefully) both Jack and Amelia.

Today we started with some scones which, despite their appearance, tasted lovely. Much lighter than I was hoping for and while still slightly warm we smothered them with double cream and cherry jam.....delish.

Next I made another batch of plain biscuits, with the children being at home this week, I don't suppose the will last very long.

Now, having had to use egg yolks for the biscuits I thought we'd try making meringues rather than wasting the egg whites. Never made these before and as a first attempt, was very pleased. In fact we have just eaten them with a fresh fruit salad, a squirt of cream and a drizzle of toffee sauce.

Oh dear, I had better get on that cross trainer tomorrow! LOL

Lazing on a Sunday afternoon!

2011-10-16T14:15:00.003+01:00

Been a fuuny weekend really, trying to catch up onn the 1001 jobs that need doing around the house but actually achieving a bit fat nothing! LOL

I am very slowly helping my mum with a bit of knitting.....it is actually part of my Christmas present from Mum and Dad, but me being me, I chose a hooded aran coat. Seeing as, to make matters worse, I chose a dark marl grey, I offered to knit the sleeves!

In a moment of utter madness on Friday evening, we bidded for a piano on Ebay. None of us can really play, although Jack can read music and can play a few tunes on his electric keyboard. We thought it would be something fun to do with Amelia. Anyway, to our complete surprise, we won the bid at £21 and picked the piano up this morning. Not 100% sure of it at the moment, it doesn't really fit with the "decor" of our dining room but I really cannot moan for what we paid.

So far we have had renditions of Jupiter from "the planets" by Jack and we are trying to teach Amelia to play Happy Birthday. I feel I need to label / colour code the keys perhaps but we have had fun anyway.

Just finished tidying the kitchen after a lovely roast dinner, now I am going to sit in the sunshine of the conservatory and chill as I finish my wine and do a few more rows of knitting.

Sunny Whitstable!

2011-09-04T08:17:00.005+01:00

Making the most of the last weekend before the children go back to school as well as the forcast of a glorious sunny September day, we decided to take off to Whitstable for a few hours. I have visited a long time ago but don't know the area very well.
We started of by walking "The Street." (A strip of land about a half a mile long that you can only walk at low tide.) After ambling along, collecting shells, mother of pearl and a few oysters along the way, we only managed to reach the end just in time before the tide was against us.

After a walk around we settled for a fish and chip lunch on the beach, the weather was truely gorgeous and aftyer lunch we spent some time just enjoying the sunshine...... it wasn't long before my little mountain goat, Jack, just HAD TO clamber over the breakwaters!

By mid afternoon it was far too hot tobe wnadering around so we decided to make for home where we watched the children run around the garden as we enjoyed a rather large jug of Pimms...well I did say we were trying to make the most of the summer didn't I!

A card for Jack!

2011-08-30T11:03:00.004+01:00

My darling Jack is 12 today, goodness how quickly has that gone.

I did make a start on his card a little while ago, downloaded and printed a few images, chose my paper, coloured the image, got the frame ready and made up a few embellies. BUT then it sat in a polybag waiting to be assembled...which I managed at about 12.30 last night! (BLUSH)

As organised as ever! Still I was quite please with the results, especially as my mojo is still missing. I have done very little crafting recently apart from a bit of knitting.

I used papers and embellies from the Basic Grey collection I won from Card Making & Papercrafts via Facebook. On first impressions I didn't think I would have much use for the Life of the Party collection but I have loved working with these bold but grungy colours, thought them ideal for a 12 year old boy.

Loved this image, Paul Texting from Mo Manning - first time I've used it.

I inked some of the little stars and then applied some glossy accents to add texture.

This card meets;

Basic Grey Challenge 51 - Anything goes.
Cards for men -G is for ...... grungy, Glossy Accents, Grey (as is Basic) or even GRRRR he is on his mobile AGAIN! LOL
Challenge up your life - 51 Something for men.

More Waffle and walks in Wales!

2011-08-19T11:43:00.005+01:00

Monday 1st August

The weather looked rather ominous so we decided to take another walk directly from the cottage. The start of the walk was on road and was hard going with Amelia moaning that her foot hurt, her legs, her tummy, her arm......I considered that we might be expecting too much of her but we weren't exactly climbing Snowdon! LOL

We got to a small clearing, had a quick "refuelling session" with a few snacks and some drink and then the "real walk" could begin! The woodland path was lovely and shaded and we stopped almost immediately to watch a little rabbit hopping around in the undergrowth. Not long after that, Amelia's moaning started again as the path suddenly took a steep incline! With constant encouragement Chris and me took turns with her, supporting her up the hill. After a few twists and turns, the path markers sent us on a small detour and the terrian became rather rocky. ( It was at this point Amelia told us she didin't like rocks! Hmm, perhaps Wales wasn't a good choice after all!)

My mountain goatof a son, Jack swiftly scrambled up a very steep bank of rock, somehow I followed with Amelia clinging to my arm, leg, neck...basically anything she could...and Chris stood behind in case we needed help in the form of a shove!

Once at the top of the ridge, it took our breath away. We stopped for a while and admired the view of the Conwy Vally, nearly 500 feet below from where sat, "Cadair Ifan Goch" or Red John's Chair! It takes its name from a legendary red haired giant who is said to have sat there to bathe his feet in the river, Afon Conwy!

Stunning, but sorry the pic just does it no justice at all!

More catch up waffle and some crafting to come.

XXX

Snowdonia catch up, day 2

2011-08-15T08:47:00.008+01:00

Sunday 31st July

My first night in the cottage was rather unsettled. It suddenly dawned on me that we were (in my opinion) in the middle of nowhere with no way of contacting anyone if needed- our phones are all on hte same network and we have no service available, not even the convenience of the "World Wide Web" seems to work in this part of wild Wales!"

Once asleep, I slept as snug as a bug but was rudely awoken at 6am by the walking alarm clock we call Amelia. As I made Amelia's breakfast one of the sheep greeted me loudly just outside the kitchen window and I watched two pheasants make their way up the field as I drank my first cuppa of the day. As the men of the house slept, Amelia coloured and I took in more of the scenery from the comfort of the little conservatory.

After a nice cooked brekkie we decided to try a 3 mile circular walk from the doorstep of the cottage. It was lovely to see the cottage from a different perspective. The weather was cloudy but the scenery was stunning, shame the full beauty is just not captured in my photgraphs.

Our walk took us passed a lovely little chapel, Capel Salem, and we spent a little time chatting to some of the locals coming out of their Sunday service, so glad we did ponder for a while as this was followed by a rather steep hill...which Amelia moaned about all the way up!

The children seemed quite relieved when we were nearly back at the cottage....

.....and Chris was quite relieved to find that he briefly got phone reception at the very top of the lane!

At the bottom of the lane we stopped to say hello to these little ladies.

Then the children discovered a nice little step just outside the cottage, perfect for sitting on waiting for mum and dad!

Playing "Snowdonia holiday catch up!"

2011-08-14T10:53:00.009+01:00

We are back from our hols and I am now playing catch up on some blogging and sharing a few holiday snaps!

Saturday 30th July!

After an early start we set off on our journey to Cae Llwyd, a cottage near Llanrwst, nestled in the Conwy Valley and on the outskirts of Snowdonia National Park. The children struggle to sit for 5 minutes without bickering, so a 5 hour journey was not something we were looking forward to. In anticipation of this we decided to get some in car DVD players to keep them both occupied but instead we should have just got some travel pillows!

We made very good time so as we drove through Llanrwst we detoured across the bridge and stopped off for our first cream tea! We followed with a short walk along the river and a quick pit stop in the park for the children to let of a bit of steam!

On our approach to the cottage my heart went into overdrive several times as we encountered some very steep, narrow and winding lanes. (Please remember I am a Peckham girl originally!) Perhaps following the SATNAV route was not such a good idea! Once at the cottage we were not disappointed, in fact I was rather overwhelmed by the views of the surrounding countryside!

The inside of the cottage was lovely too!

The neighbours are rather noisy bleaters though!

Later on we opened a bottle of wine and sat in the garden watching the sun go down and the housemartins zooming around above our heads.

And to finish a very long day we lit the wood burner and chilled out feeling totally relaxed!

Slow worm news!

2011-07-20T15:54:00.003+01:00

Breaking news when I came home from my last day of work this term! Wandered around the garden in an attmept to clear a pounding head and what did I see...a baby slow worm with Jimmy! Not sure if Jimmy should be Jenny! LOL

Feeling shattered I am going to sooth my head with a large curry, a bottle of wine, and a looooong soak in the tub. Followed by 6 weeks of pure relaxation and pampering. Could someone please tell that to Jack and Amelia!

Meet Jimmy!

2011-07-06T13:36:00.005+01:00

Life is as hectic as ever but my work records are done, reports complete and are being handed out to the parents today! Yippee, another thing I can cross off of my ever growing "To Do List!"

Jack has his Year 8 timetable and started the lessons this week. It's scarey to think that this he has been at Grammar School for nearly a year and that this time next year he will have chosen all his exam options. Goodness, he is still only 11. EEk, how old does that make me feel!

Life is still all over the place with Amelia, you just get over one hurdle and another is throw in your face. I just keep on jumping the hurdles as best I can.

Chris and myself have been very busy in the garden. I should be like some sort of muscle woman after carrying all those railway sleepers, concrete posts, gravel boards and fence panels about. Progress is slow but hopefully you can see that there has been some improvement in the chaos we call a "garden!"

So far we re-done the rockery in front of the conservatory, taken the borders right back and made a raised, slate border on one side. Dug up all the plants in front of the playhouse to make a step/ small seating area and fenced the back of the garden and planted out a new border.

"Phase II" of the fencing has been delivered and is waiting in the garden for us to find the time, energy and motivation. WE are attempting to clear the ivy and tidy a very overgrown contorted hazel in preparation.

The garden is looking rather bare but that will take time and I will enjoy watching the garden become established as I sit a sip a glass or two of wine!

***

Our new little seating area just waiting to be "prettied up" with more flowers

and some solar lights.

New fencing & border at the back of garden...looking a bit bare!

Our pile of rubbish and rubble!

.....and at the top of the page, did you meet Jimmy the Slow Worm? He has ignored the chaos and has taken up residency under a rock in the rockery, right outside our conservatory windows. Last night Jack and me were watching the slow worm slowly slithering over the slate and Jack suggested that we should name him. Jack then decided to call him Jimmy (I don't know why) and he called out to Amelia. "Amelia, the slow worm's name is Jimmy!" Amelia replied "Really, how do you know!" LOL

A Barn Dance Style Card!!!

2011-05-27T14:19:00.004+01:00

A friend at work asked me if I could make her a Barn Dance Style card for a Bridal Shower and like a mad woman, I said yes!! EEK.

I faffed around for ages trying to find inspiration but my mojo has, I fear, gone forever. I did however manage to tidy my craft room a little bit more. (At least the huge pile of 12x12 papers have found a new place and I can see some carpet!)

Eventually I felt I hit jackpot with some of the BasicGrey paper that I won on Facebook from a Cardmaking & Papercraft competition. The fabby "woodgrain effect papers" are from the Life of the Party collection and were just what I needed to get the ball rolling with this card.

I downloaded a couple of free "Western style" fonts and made my up a little Wanted Poster type sentiment, backed with a distressed piece of BG Mortifica and a little paper doily I attacked with some inks and glimmer mist. A few rustic touches of natural rafia "lace" and a bit of gingham ribbon hopefully complemented the theme. Finished of with the fabby image from the Charming, Holly & Madison Around the World Collection.

My card was made with the following in mind:

BasicGrey Challenge - Mix and match (I also used brads from the BG Suigared collection)

Creative card Crew - Anything goes

My Time to Craft - Use a die cut

That's life!

2011-05-20T11:03:00.002+01:00

Long time, no blog but that's life as it is I am afraid. Got a "day off" today so as well as blitzing the house and updating my work records I thought I'd take 5 minutes to pop along to the land of blog and say hello.

Jack is doing nicely at school and getting back into his cricket so that ties up all but one Sunday between now and the end of July. Thing have been pretty hit and miss with Amelia and on top of all her other "issues" she seems really congested. I am clutching at straws and have booked in an appointment with an Osteopath, all I have to lose is the £30 fee. This is a new venture so we will just have to wait and see how it goes!

work in the house seems to have taken a back seat for now and we have been making the most of the dry weather and started working in the garden. Last weekend we had 10 big reclaimed railway sleepers delivered and slowly but surely we are making progress-well if you can call it that!

We are not gardeners and time has always been an issue, so we are taking some of the borders back to hopefully ease the time and attention we will need to kepp the garden looking reasonable-well that was the plan.

The huge clump of what I think are Japanese Anenomes are in need of a new home as we are stripping right back in front of the playhouse to make a step/ border running right accross. Lots of digging! Oh joy.

In between the digging I am revamping the playhouse with a dark preserver, can't wait to get it all back "in an orderly state" again so I can sit on the patio with a jug of Pimms and enjoy!

(The chaos I call my craft room is in a state of mid-reorganisation but I MUST get up there at some time over the weekend as I have 2 cards to make and I have also promised a friend a little goody bag of embellies!)

Off to search for another few hours in my day.

x X x

Crafty kids and altered boxes!

2011-04-09T13:52:00.003+01:00

Well yesterday saw the end of another school term, Jack came home with loads of revision plus extra bags of washing in the form of his PE kits, Amelia came home bouncing out of the taxi wearing some rabbit ears she had made and laiden with some Easter goodies. On investigating the contents of her school bag I pulled out a creation wrapped tightly in blue paper towel, Amelia looked on excitedly as I unwrapped it. Inside was a lovely little clay pot boldly decorated in red, blue and gold. Fantastic, I thought- little pots to hold "stuff" are always welcome in our house - we seem to accumulate "stuff!" AS I admired the paintwork, I happened to notice the initials scribed into the bottom of the pot.......and they weren't Amelia's! LOL We discussed whose pot it was and Amelia was really quite concerned that she had another little girls work, I put her at ease saying that she could give the pot back today as she is going the the child's birthday party this afternoon. Problem solved! I delved back into her bag pulling out the second little creation wrapped in blue paper towel and this is what I revealed!

JUST what I needed - the head of Anubis!!! Not quite as useful as useful as a pot! Hmmm! Still in search of some creativity I happened to come across some nice boxes, just calling out to be altered...can you hear them? Now exactly how I will alter them, or in fact what I will use them for is another matter entirely!

Right, all is quiet here at the moment. I am really suffering , so heady and congested and practically no voice at all. My darling Chris has taken Amelia to her party, Jack is SUPPOSED to be doing homework and I am going to have a hot, steamy shower followed by a dose of Lemsip and some Olbas Oil! Atchoooo!

Getting organised? Hmmmmm!

2011-04-06T09:54:00.003+01:00

Today I have "a day off!" It's 10am and so far I have; Done 2 loads of washing, loaded and unloaded the dishwasher, hung one load on line. Cut a little template for an Easter basket for Amelia to decorate, found some little Spring stickers from the depths of my craft room, shredded some green paper to make some grass and then did some reading with Amelia. Taken in some furniture, telling the delivery drivers I wanted it left downstairs. I have a large unit in the hallway and two smaller ones left in the middle of the front room! As soon as they had gone I decided that I couldn't wait for Chris to get home to re-arrange our bedroom. SO, I have moved one bedside table, hoovered behind it, dusted skirting board and told myself that I was strong enough to get one of the new smaller chest of drawers up by myself. TOO heavy, took drawers out and inch by inch I managed to carry the unit up. I am just having a tea break before continuing with the next part of my plan to get de-cluttered and organised. One day, I will live in a clutter free, chaos free, organised home! LOL...I DON'T think!

x X x

Crafty Individuals Mother's Day card!

2011-04-03T16:31:00.003+01:00

So, is my mojo back yet? Not really sure but I did have lots of fun trying out some of my new goodies yesterday. The stamp design is a bit different from my usual cutie, comfort zone and am looking forward to attempting some different inking techniques with it too.

* * *

This image I coloured in with my Copics, then attacked with some Glimmer mists and Glossy Accents. I used another "new stamp" well, I got it before Xmas but hadn't take it out of it's packaging until yesterday....does that still count as "new?" Anyway it was the Musical background stamp from Jennie at Artistic Stamper. I am planning on making up a batch of inked, stamped heart, butterflies and flowers on some recycled chipboard to have on hand IF and when my mojo ever gets back to it's former self!

* * *

Right, best get on. My darling hubby if cooking a lovely roast dinner and I am going to spend some time out in the conservatory, sipping a nice glass of wine and colouring some images with my Copics. (Blows the dust off the box!)

My card is going into the challenge at: Scrapbook Sisters - 29 Mother's Day card Dutch Dare - Distressing Clear it out - Buttons (I did however struggle to part with this little mother of pearl button!)

Some crafty spending to revive my mojo!!

2011-04-03T14:32:00.004+01:00

Just a little bit of spending to hopefully get the creativity kick started. It worked, well it had to seeing as I hadn't made a Mother's Day card for my mum until yesterday afternoon. I was eagerly looking out the window for the majority of yesterday morning in hope that Mr Postie would turn up trumps.....and he did!!!!! Scrummy flowers, seam binding and twine, will need to continue sorting all my stash in preparation for some more colours! I have really enjoyed trying out my new stash, thank you Tracy of Creative Treasures! I will reveal my latest creation shortly, after my mum has seen it!!! LOL

Happy Mother's Day!

x X x

Having a crafty sort out!

2011-03-30T12:00:00.005+01:00

I am trying to find my missing crafty mojo hidden in the depths of a really messy craft room but unfortunately its gonna get a lot worse before I can see any improvement at all. A little while ago I discovered a long lost, rather large tool box lurking at the back of the spare wardrobe so I moved it into the craft room. There it sat, for weeks and weeks, possibly even months, me having to practically step over it every time I ventured in there. The worktops are not visble from underneath the piles of storage tubs, baskets, papers and general crafty clutter. Is it any wonder at all that I am not feeling inspired to get creative. Hey ho, onwards and upwards. I have cleared the contents of the large toolbox and stored into smaller boxes which fit onto my shelves and now I have some FLOOR! whooo hoooo! I can even whizz my office chair from my little worktop by the window over to the computer without crashing into anything! This morning I am starting to sort out my stamp collection. I feel it has been rather neglected as looking back at my creations over the last few years I have mainly used digi images. Don't get me wrong, I love digital images but I feel the need to a bit of rumaging around, organising, and storing in pretty little boxes! It's been so long since I crafted, I cannot even remember what I have! So far I have uncovered my little collection of Magnolia's, spurred on by a little purchase of 2 new stamps which arrived yesterday. Here is what I have uncovered so far:

I stamped several images yesterday and have since sat down with a nice cuppa and happily cut them all out.....next step.....................COPICS!!!!!!!

Those naughty knitting needle fairies!!!

2011-03-18T15:48:00.003Z

My darling mum has been very busy with her knitting needles and is trying out a few new creations which really inspired me...yes, shock horror...ME feeling a little creative again. Thought I'd better act upon it quickly before it vanishes again BUT there is always a hurdle to jump isn't there.

There I was with a huge bag of scrummy wools at my feet, a stash of cute little projects to make and do you think I could find ANY knitting needles. Those naughty knitting needle fairies have come along and stolen ALL my needles while my creativity was AWOL!

Never mind, yesterday I took a very brief detour to my mum and managed to borrow a vey old pair of needles that we believe originally belonged to my Big Nan (Great Grandmother!) It was rather nice just sitting down and knitting just for the fun of it and even nicer knowing that my darling Big Nan had once been sitting down knitting away with those needles.

Right waffle over, I have given you a little sneek peak at what my mum has been creating and watch this space as we progress with a little more creativity. (Fingers crossed life doesn't get in the way again!)

x X x

A Magnolia for mum!

2011-03-16T16:47:00.003Z

Today is my darling mum's birthday so what better reason did I need to TRY to get creative. I had a new pad of papers from The Paper Cellar that I have never even used so after finding what I needed in the chaos I used to call my craft room, I set to work.

I took inspiration from the sketch challenge over at Just Magnolia and although I had a few near disasters with a rather old little pot of liquid pearls I really enjoyed my crafty time.

I really, really MUST tidy my little room so that I can actually open the door fully, see a bit more carpet and desktop and use what little ctraft time I have a bit more efficiently!

Happy Birthday Mum!

x X x

Not exactly crafty but.....

2011-03-05T17:55:00.003Z

...at least we have had some form of creativity in the Dingle house today. A year or two (???) after having our kitchen fitted we decided that a few wall cupboards would come in handy. I wanted to free up a few of the base cupboards for things like Jack's homework books that are constantly being scattered around the house and in danger of Amelia using them for colouring books.
I am going to shuffle around and organise over the next few weeks but in general I am very pleased with the results. We have also at long last got the back panel of the breakfast bar fitted! Whoo hooo.....onwards and upwards.

I have tidied all the mess that was created washed all the new cupboards and will shortly celebrate the progress with a nice glass of something.

They are a few things I am dissappointed in however;

* Can't get glass shelves for the glazed cupboards instore as promised and will possibly now have to wait weeks until I can organise the glasses.

* Still waiting for Chris to fit and connect the lighting.

* Have you noticed another flaw? I NEED more wine!!!!!!!

Day 4, recycled blooms & knitting

2011-02-10T19:10:00.003Z

Today has been a bit of a funny old day. It started with Jack and Amelia bickering as usual and it wasn't the greatest start to the day. Amelia went back to school and I took the opportunity to blitz the kitchen while I waited in for a delivery of some more kitchen cupboards.

In the afternoon I decided to do a little bit of recycling! Tore some pages out of an old book, attacked them with inks and glimmer sprays, cut out layers of flowers, and edged with yet more ink....trouble is that looking at my hands now, I look like a very heavy smoker! LOL

Haven't quite decided how to finish them off, I have rummaged around my button box for some small, recycled shirt buttons but I am tempted to use some pearly brads....decisions, decisions.

I managed to do a few more rows of knitting last night too, the pattern is quite straight forward but it's slightly flared so I am having to decrease too.....haven't done any knitting for ages and although I haven't managed much since I started at the weekend, I have really enjoyed it.

Three consecutive days!!!!!!

2011-02-09T09:29:00.003Z

I am still playing a bit of blogging catch up with the few cards I have actually made. I must get myself a crafty to do list going, when I have done one in the past it did motivate me to find time for crafting.

Still, I don't expect I will get much done today, I have Amelia off sick again. She did have a better sleep but woke up this morning with the cough of an 80 year old man...bless her. What with that and a little red, sore, moustache from where she is blowing her nose so much. Poor little lady, she is also having to suffer regular ear drops in preparation of an ENT appointment later in the week.

Anyway, back to the card - I made this for my Mum & Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary. I used a very similar design to a Wedding card I made last year. I was running out of time so instead of the hand stitching I was planning to do, I dusted off the ol' sewing machine!

Right, best get on. I am going to get the kettle on for a cuppa, get Amelia in the bath, do creams, ear drops and medicine and hopefully spend the rest of the day cuddling and knitting and watching DVD's. ( MY knitting is coming along nicely...slowly, but nicely. Will try to take some pics to monitor and motivate my progress.)

Playing catch up...

2011-02-08T10:53:00.003Z

.....with life and blogging! Well not so much with life! I have been awake for half the night with Amelia who is full of cold and just couldn't stop coughing. I have kept her off of school today for loads of Calpol and cuddles.

Anyway, here is another of the cards I have made.

Once again I struggled to get motivated but once I had actually started the card, I really enjoyed making it. It did help that I had already stamped the main image and cut out all the little pieces ready for layering.

I made this for a challenge over at Crafts by Carolyn's Forum.

It's been a LONG time.....

2011-02-07T15:01:00.004Z

....but VERY slowly I am trying to muster up some enthusiasm to craft again! I have had a few cards that I NEEDED to make so that really helped me get back into my craft room which has just been used as a dumping ground for months now...I really need to have a complete overhaul and get rid of the clutter and unused crafty stuff in there. Might even encourage my creativity...you never know.

I have actually made a few cards but will probably need to blog again later as I am expecting my little whirlwind home from school any minute now! I had forgotten how relaxing it was to just sit and colour with my Copics!!!

My card took inspiration from;
My Time to Craft - Flourishes
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes + Flowers

More snow!

2010-12-04T00:16:00.004Z

Time for Chris and me is non-existent but a while ago Chris booked a day off and we planned to do some leisurely, child-free Christmas shopping. A Dickensian Christmas Market and a nice little pub lunch was on the cards....unfortunately that day was supposed to have been yesterday! LOL, things just NEVER go to plan! Children off school, roads closed and cars buried in snow- it was never going to happen was it!

Hey ho, the Christmas tree is up, that's a first. Usually it's a rushed event the weekend before Christmas, but already we have noticed a flaw in our organisation. A "little" matter called Amelia is now driving us mad by asking "when is it Christmas?"....every 5 minutes!!!!

I now really need to find my crafty mojo and make a few Christmas cards!!!!!!

For now here are a few more of our snowy pics! Now I may not have got my romantic pub lunch but my darling hubby did make me a loveheart on the top of my car! Not a good pic as I was hanging out of the window, but the gesture was there!

Chris looking very smug after throwing a snowball at Jack's window!!

The cat looking really impressed "NOT!"

An avalanche just waiting to happen...or broken guttering!!!

Mad man with broom stick!

Snowy days!

2010-12-01T15:49:00.004Z

Well, it has been threatening for a few days but yesterday it actually happened, we woke up to a snowy white landscape. We live in one of the highest parts of Kent, so when it hits us, it seems to hit us harder than other parts of Kent. We have the estuary one side of us and the North Downs the other side so I suppose we could be rather more exposed than some of the southern counties.

Anyway, after a lot of rushing around yesterday morning, I decided not to send Amelia into school. Her school is over 5miles away and up a nasty hill, so certainly not walkable with her if the worst came to the worst. Then I had the decision as to whether or not to send Jack out in an attempt to catch his bus - his new school is 3 miles away in the complete opposite direction and once again, the journey is rather hilly. Luckily, just as he was about to leave, his school announced closure so I was happy to keep them both warm and safe at home with me.

Chris on the otherhand, either goes to work, or loses a day's pay. So he went for it! He works 25 miles away and most of that is motorway. He set out and took 2 hours to get to work.
Throughout the day, it snow, and snow, and snowed some more.

The contorted hazel looked pretty.

AS the day went on, it just didn't stop and Chris left work at 2.30pm, cleared the snow off his car and set of on his 25 mile journey home at 2.45. After an absolutely awful journey home he managed to walk through the front door just before 11pm! Poor, poor Chris!

It goes without saying that no-one went anywhere today, it has been snowing again today nearly non-stop and the forcast is for plenty more to come with strong winds to make matters worse.
But despite the below freezing temperatures boys just have to be boys and just couldn't simply clear the path and driveway a bit, could they???????

Stay safe, stay warm, stay happy!

XXX

Hello strangers!!!

2010-11-25T15:33:00.003Z

Hello there - I have been a very bad blogger but then again I have been a bad crafter and a bad house keeper too. To be honest, I have really not been that well and had a bit of a health scare a few months back. I am still not right but several tests later I am no further to knowing what, if anything is wrong with me. All I do know is that I am still in some pain and absolutely shattered. My doctor has put it down to a stressful life but unfortunately that's the way it is and it's not going to change.

Anyway, after months of having no energy and no crafty mojo whatsoever I had a mad moment yesterday and made not 1, not 2 but 20 cards!!!! LOL, I was cheating really as they were invites for my Uncle! Not really happy with them but at least it has, hopefully, got me back into a crafty, Christmassy mood! Ho ho ho!!!!!

My little Christmassy attempt meet the following;

Diecut Dreams -Anything goes.
Papertake Weekly - Cut it out.
ABC Challenge- I is for Ice and Snow.
Crafts by Carolyn - Time to Create- Christmas!

Right, my mojo may have gone missing but I have got a little stash of new crafty goodies to try out whilst I go in search of it! Hope to be back soon!

x X x

A Charming Dottie!

2010-09-19T10:09:00.003+01:00

This week's challenge over at Dottie's World is to make a card or project using 2 charms and 1 brad, and of course a Charmed Download!

Completely stressed (shall we just mention the word "children!) shattered and mojo-less, I just wasn't happy with where to put TWO charms so I came up with a weird framelike creation!LOL
I enjoyed using me new pastel Christmas papers so much last week, I kept to the same colour scheme and have another Chrimbo card in my box!

Bye for now!

xXx

A Sketch for a Wedding!

2010-09-18T16:39:00.003+01:00

I needed to make a Wedding card so when I saw the sketch over on Cardmaking and PaperCraft forum it was madness not to use it.

Here is the sketch;

and here is my adaptation of it!

It's rather stressful here, I hope to have a bit more relaxing crafty time!

Dottie's Conditional Christmas Challenge!

2010-09-12T11:37:00.005+01:00

Hello everyone, another Sunday another challenge over at Dottie's World;

"This is the time we all make a start on our huge pile of Christmas cards - if it isn't then it should be as you surely don't want that last minute panic :-) To get you started we would like you to create a Christmas card, the condition here is that you must not use traditional Christmas colours, so I don't want to see any reds or greens, anything else is good to go. The only absolute must-have is of course one of the gorgeous Charmed downloads. "

Now this was the perfect reason to get out the new pack of Dovecraft Christmas papers, loads of yummy soft pastel colours. I hope you like my little Christmas Pixie, she is one of my all time favs!

My card was also made for;

My Time to Craft - Jewelled. I have never used these stick on gems before , they were sent to me by a very kind cyber friend and fellow crafter, a little while back. I have got them out, look at them and put them safely back away in their little box....an apt time to actually USE some! LOL

The Great Outdoors

2010-09-05T09:14:00.004+01:00

It's my turn to set the challenge over at Dottie's World this week!

I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone, children going back to school and the thought of Autumn ahead already. Let's make the most of the weather whilst we can!

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Please make a card, project with an outdoor theme. That's the only requiremnt apart from obviously using one or more of the fabby Charmed Downloads.

XXXX

Pop over to Dottie's and join us! xx

A 1st Birthday card!

2010-09-03T12:03:00.002+01:00

With both the children being off on school holidays I have had very little chance to craft but I loved making this card, another wonderful image from Mo Manning. Jack started Grammar school today and I have spent most of the morning at the opticians with Amelia but hopefully once the children are all settled and in a new routine, I will shuffle around some time for my crafting again despite my return to work next week!

Sorry for the pictures, the battery on my camera needed charging so I had to use Chris's camera!

I am eagery waitng for Jack to come home now- hope he has had a good day!

XXX

A card for Jack!!

2010-08-31T10:23:00.003+01:00

My "baby boy" was 11 yesterday and starts Grammar School on Friday! I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone!

Now I saw this image from Mo Manning aaages ago and knew straight away that I just had to use it for Jack! He is mad about electronic games, computers, gadgets etc and considering I haven't crafted for a few weeks I thoroughly enjoyed making this for him. It is always best making cards for those that are closest for you!

This card was also made for;

Stamping for the weekend - anything goes!
Bee Craft - anything goes!
Stamps R Us - Stitches!
Rosie D's - One for the Boys
Paper Cutz - Metal
Cupcake Craft - Digital

I HAVE to make a few more cards this week, so hopefully I won't leave it so long before blogging again! XX

Plastering and patios instead of papercrafts!

2010-08-30T15:16:00.003+01:00

Well life is just hectic, but I am rather a glutton for punishment aren't I! I seem to live life going from one "priority" to another and never really managing to complete anything in it's entirity! I suppose life with children is like that for everyone but life with a disabled daughter is just that much more stressful - more to do and less time to achieve it in!

A few weeks ago it was repainting the playhouse, then it was replastering the living room and this weekend it was laying a patio! We got fed up with all the local cats using our slate patio as a huge litter tray. We laid it about 3 years ago as a temporary measure after having the house extended. Cost saving at the time but enough is enough when you cannot even allow the children to go out on the patio!

Well the sand, cement and slabs were delivered last week, the cement mixer arrived on Friday and it seems it the lovely British weather thought it would make life just that much trickier for us to work in- 3 days of now stop labouring and several torrential downpours later we are allowing ourselves a day off - especially as it is Jack's 11th Birthday today!!

First things first we had to move well over a tonne of slate to the top of the garden. Woke up on Friday morning and thought we'd forget the patio and build a swimming pool instead!

Chris,standing "on the patio!"

No where near finished but getting there!

Next job on my gardening agenda is building a little brick wall and redoing the overgrown rockery. I am leaving that to next weekend though!

A Favourite Charmed at Dottie's World!

2010-08-15T10:30:00.003+01:00

It's Gunn's turn to set the challenge over at Dottie's World this week and she asked us to use a favourite Charmed Download. Simple you'd think but how on earth do I choose just one download! I dithered around over the Pixies as I love them so much but I couldn't chose between several of them so I put those to the back of my little mind and went for something else instead.

I made a vintage style card with this image a little while ago and enjoyed using it so much I thought I'd try it another. Now I REALLY need to get a bit of craft shopping in as some of my basics are running low; things like inks and adhesives so I tried using a few different inks I had laying around- not sure of the effect I have messily created but hopefully I am able to get away with it!

I also made this card to suit;

Basic Grey Challenge - Pearls - I used Mortifica and Liquid Pearls to supposedly match my seaside theme.

The ABC Challenge - A for August - Well you are meant to be able to paddle in the sea in August aren't you? ( I suppose you could always paddle in the torrential rain!)

Dottie gets Framed!

2010-08-08T11:14:00.002+01:00

Over on Dottie's World this week Dottie needs to get FRAMED!!!

Details of the FRAME IT challenge along with details of £10 voucher blog candy

ARE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I decided to put the gorgeous Market Day image (from Sugar and Spice collection) behind acetate for a "window" effect and then to frame it with snowflakes. I am not at all sure about the finsihed card and whether it actually "works but I have found it rather difficult to be inspired this week. Especially with my little helper around!LOL

All in all though I cannot complain, we have finished painting the playhouse, the living room ceiling has been plastered, PVA'd and a first coat of paint went on yesterday. Guess what's in store today then...well it's either painting or building that little brick wall...hmm, decisions!

What to do next!!!!

2010-08-04T12:17:00.003+01:00

My poor little head is spinning, playhouse still in chaos, living room ceiling half down, Amelia due back this evening and the plasterer due in tomorrow morning.....what I time to have crafty ideas, inspiration and the motivation! LOL

At least the inside of the playhouse is painted, well the basics anyway...I fancy decorating it with silver stars or something. As you can see I used up scraps of old paint for a beach hut, summery feel. I wondered whether the concoction of blue paints we mixed together, the lilac and the lime actually worked but when we started using the large ladder (which really has nowhere else to be stored) as a storage unit for some of the toys, I am now even tempted to bring a bit more orange and yellow into the scheme.

I sorted out a few old, odd buttons and some wire and would like to start a sort of mobile/wind charm to hang from the ceiling- not quite sure how that will work out but hopefully the children will enjoy helping me.

I also had the idea of salvaging an old dartboard from the loft, it never really had a home but thought it might be a fun game with Jack, not too sure I fancy Amelia throwing sharp objects around though!! Now this is crying out to be altered, don't you agree? Another project I'd like both the children to help out with.

I have popped down to our local hardware shop today and I am attempting to make a pendant out of a washer. I am eagerly waiting for the Glossy Accents to dry and will post a pic and details as soon as I can. Not quite sure of mine at the moment but others I have seen look fabby!

Right off to move a bit of furniture around in the living room and then make up Amelia's bed so she has some where to sleep tonight.

x X x

Another busy day!

2010-08-03T09:28:00.003+01:00

Still feeling really weird without Amelia at home but trying to make the most of it and keeping busy. I did some more painting in the playhouse yesterday then in the evening we started knocking the plaster off the ceiling in the living room. It was water damaged a few years back but I wanted to hold off having it done in the hope that we would knock through into the conservatory to make one big room. I can't see that happening so seeing as we have ordered a new suite, we decided now was a "good" time to get the ceiling done! (If there is ever a good time!)

Today is probably a bit more of the same, I hope to take some pictures of the playhouse later so be ready for a colourful shock! LOL

I thought I'd quickly blog a commissioned card I have made, it meets the challenges;

Basic Grey Challenge- Stitching, I used papers from the Sugared collection

Wild Orchid Challenge - Lovely lace

Right, time to get the paint out again I suppose!

It's very quiet here today!

2010-08-02T08:02:00.003+01:00

I am just not used to being without Amelia being next to me constantly BUT she is staying with her Nanny & Grandad for a few days and Jack is certainly not the early bird of the family, I am letting him have a little lay in this morning.

Now to update you of the havoc in the Dingle house. On Saturday we had some bricks delivered for me (yes, ME!!!!) to build a little brick wall. I will say it's is only a little, one course of bricks onto the foundation footings that Chris has already done for a rockery border in the garden. Now the thing is, Saturday was rather wet and gloomy so I now have a pile of bricks in the middle of the garage waiting for the next opportune moment to strike.

So our plans for Saturday went slightly astray and I told myself that I would do some gloss painting instead-there's still loads that needs doing in the house but gloss painting with Amelia around is not an easy thing, well not unless you like loads of fingerprints in your paintwork. I have been feeling pretty low this last week, having both the children at home and their abilities and preferences getting further and further apart has really hit me hard and I needed aboost.

What better way of a boost than a bit of creativity, this creativity took the form of attacking the "playhouse." Now we got the playhouse 5 years ago with the intention of making it exactly that, a summerhouse that the children could play in but when we had the house extension a few years ago, the contents from the old garage got stored in there and it became more of a really messy shed. See what I mean!!! (BLUSH)

Now please don't expect to see some fabby, designer creation. I made the best out of a few weird and whacky colour combinations and used up some old, half empty pots of paint in an attempt to save money and make a bit more space too! I hope to get back out there today and finish off the painting. I have a few more crafty ideas for this little playden, our suite is being replaced soon but the two seater sofa is in reall good condition still so it's going to have a new home in the playhouse, posible covered with a patchwork throw and a match homemade rag rug on the floor...am I too optimistic...yeah, I guess it may never happen but the though was there.

It doesn't help by the fact that yesterday as I wandered through the little crafting section at Dunelm Mills, I came across a SEWING BOOK that I couldn't resist!

Now my poor sewing maching has not been used properly for years, it's dusted off for the occasion stitched card but that's about it! Hmmm, now I am in another quandary
...what do I do first!

Dottie's World goes all manly!

2010-08-01T07:37:00.003+01:00

Well, manly with a twist - it's my turn to set the challenge over at Dottie's World this week.

Whilst looking through my stock box I noticed I am incredibly short of cards for men so I thought it would be a good idea to get a few in there rather than keep putting myself under the pressure of having to make them at the last minute - cards for men can be tricky enough as it is!

You have loads of images to choose from the Charmed Download collections so lets see what you can come up with........Now for a little twist, I want to see some ribbon on your manly cards!!

I also made this along with the challenge for;

Stamp with Fun #69 A card for a boy/man
Cute Card Thursday -Texting Crazy

Dottie at the Movies!

2010-07-25T09:39:00.002+01:00

What a week it has been, the end of term for Amelia on Wednesday, all the end of term parties and a Fun Day at work, saying goodbye to 17 of our 4 year olds off to school in September. THEN to top it all Jack had his last day of Primary School on Friday. He is really grumpy and unsettled at the moment- not surprising really as he is one of only two boys in his school off to Grammar School in September. Hopefully a bit of time and reassurance will improve matters!

I am having awful issues with Amelia, her sleeping and eating are quite poor at the moment as she is complaining her "neck hurts." We are off to see the ENT consultant next month regarding her hearing and I am wondering if there is an issue with her tonsils and adenoids too.

I feel shattered already and have six weeks of constant attention with Amelia to cope with. Hey Ho......

Anyway onto the very little bit of crafting I have managed.

This week over on Dottie's World the challenge is Let's Go to the Movies!

NOw I only started this last night and I was so tired it was just one disaster after another and I am not at all happy with the card....not sure the sentiment works but I will follow up with some apt words inside the card and hope hubby doesn't take offence.

Loved colouring in the Dragon from Once Upon A Time Collection - I should imaging he will be used over and over again!

Right best get on now....I have had a few blogging issues to and had to change my background...not sure about this one yet but at least you can read my waffle.

x X x

Dottie's World- That Summer Feeling!

2010-07-18T08:10:00.004+01:00

Hi everyone- it's a fabby challenge over at Dottie's World this week and a super prize up for grabs too so make sure you pop over and join in the fun!

The challenge is to make a summery project using a Charmed Download! BUT Lou would like you to make your summer item different to what you normally make!

Look HERE for details!!!!!!!

Now I was really stuck for time yesterday- had such a busy day planned and very little time to make anything so I cheated a bit- hope it's OK. The design is very similar to what I normally make but I saw a challenge on another site and it reminded my of a few cards I had made in the past and really enjoyed - so I went long with no patterned papers and lots of WHITE! I hope this is DIFFERENT enough!

I really enjoyed making this card too! Thanks for the challenge Lou!

Here are a few of the cards I had previously made like this, using lots of white and no patterned papers:

Dec 09.

Aug 08!

A little leaving book!

2010-07-14T19:49:00.003+01:00

One of the ladies I work at the Pre-school with is retiring next week so I have been trying to gather up little pictures from all the children to put into a little book I am making up. The going is rather slow but at long last it is starting to take shape and I have loads of little piece of art all stuck into the pages now.

This afternoon, I have completed the front cover.

Sorry, the lighting isn't great!

I have been inspired by the current ABC Challenge, Papertake Weekly Challenge- In the garden and Cute card Thursday- School Out!

The wonderful images are by Mo Manning so I thought I'd also enter my Rose garden, flowery card into this week's summer theme challenge!

Dottie goes Vintage!

2010-07-11T07:53:00.003+01:00

Hi everyone, another hectic and very hot week here! We have had Amelia's parent's evening and an Induction Evening at Jack's new school to slot into our already busy agenda and I am relieved that the week is over. Hopefully things shoud start to calm down a bit now. Yesterday Amelia also had her last Speech and Language session for the term, so that will free up some of our Saturday mornings too! I think the children are growing up far too quickly, especially Jack and I want to try to make the most of the Summer holiday and have some quality time with them both! HOW exactly is a different matter!LOL

Anyway, I am trying to get myself a bit organised and start working ahead again- it hasn't happened quite yet but today's card was actually planned, printed and coloured a few weeks ago!
This week over at Dottie's World we are going VINTAGE!

"This time I would love to see Vintage style on your cards and be inspired by summer. It could be the colours, flowers, time of year...and so on...as long as you include a Charmed Download!

AND don't forget we have another fab new collection to play with too......

ONCE UPON A TIME -have you seen it???

Hello strangers!

2010-07-04T09:16:00.007+01:00

Just thought I'd pop in and say hello to any passers by. It has been a hectic week with work, an Audiology appointment for Amelia, loads of school events going on with the children and a HUGE amount of record keeping to get up to date for tomorrow. I just haven't really stopped!

The coming week won't be much better I fear, we have Parent's Evening for Amelia, I have to get Jack to his new school on Thursday and pick him up, therefore I need to make additional arrangements for someone to be here when Amelia gets home from school. Then Thursday evening we are at Jacks new school.

I am back to putting drops in Amelia's ears on a daily basis in preparation for an ENT appointment next month-unfortunately, this week's appointment resulted in another audiologist, another opinion so we are not quite sure where we stand re; a hearing aid for her. Hey, ho...with all her sensory issues, putting in ear drops can be quite a traumatic event, LOL, for her and ME!

Anyway, thought I'd show you a few pics of the chaos in the Dingle house yesterday. It started at 5.30 when Amelia decided it was time to wake up and wreck the bathroom, then it was time to get everyone ready in time for an electrician to sort out a few of our lights. Jack got a new chrome spotlight for his room, we got a new light for the living room, and I have got no working light at all in my craft room- Chris has PROMISED he will renew that today for me. It's in writing now Chris-no going back!!!

It was such a glorious day I decided to take my record keeping out in the garden. I kept Amelia occupied for a while but had to keep on getting up and down to refresh her water!!!!!

and what started by me having a quick break from the paperwork to do "a bit of weeding" resulted in this!!!!!!!

Hhmmm, well the makeshift slate patio that we put down a few years ago after the extension has, hopefully, had it's day. Fed up of the cats using it as a litter tray and we want to be one step closer to a nice, clean, york stone patio. We had always planned to re-use the slate in the borders......so now we need to one by one move and prepare the borders! EEEK! We decided to practically uproot everything and start another rocky area from scratch. It's going to take forever we have to go backwards before we move forwards!

At gone 10pm last night, I decided enough was enough and put away my record keeping for the day. We opened a nice bottle of wine and sat out in the garden for an hour or so.

He Man, make fire; me woman, drink wine!

Right waffle over, Chris has gone swimming with Jack and I need to prepare for another day of chaos and record keeping....bring it on!!!!!

Dottie's World - Paper Piecing!

2010-06-27T08:31:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone, it's my turn to set the challenge over at Dottie's World this week;

" Now paper piecing is a technique I have only really ever tried once or twice...and that was ages ago! I thought it was about time to have another go, so this week I challenge you to make your creations including some element of paper piecing.

Don't forget to use a Charmed Download and leave a link so that we can visit. "

I used Rosebud from the Pixie Chicks collection, kept it quite simple as this will probably be earmarked as one of the teacher's thank you cards.....I am running out of time yet again!

I decided to paper piece her little dress and shoes- the shoe were rather fiddly, but very cute!

Dottie's World- No patterned Paper

2010-06-20T08:03:00.003+01:00

Hi everyone. Back home, washing nearly up to date but still loads to do. As well as being Father's day today is is my darling Chris's Birthday so I have a busy day ahead. I let Chris have a lay in but I was up early to finish making a few cards and wrap a few presents before the kiddies and me bombarded him with his goodies and a few "adapted" versions of "Happy Birthday!"

Chris is going to take Jack swimming this morning to give me a chance to run around and tidy a bit more so that hopefully this afternoon we will all be able to have some quality time together before we all have to go back to school/ work tomorrow!

Anyway, enough waffle; I quickly made a card for this week's challenge over at Dottie's World, which is to use no patterned papers. Loads of ideas for this one but not much time so I stuck to a very basic background of torn and layered card. I was going to get my sewing machine out to stitich these together but at nearly midnight last night I just didn't have the energy-especially as I had a bit of a fingermark issue on my "not as dry as I thought-Glossy Accents" - sorry!

Got a VERY busy week ahead of me! As well as playing catch up at home, I am back to work and determined to get all my work records up to date and passed to my supervisor for the children's leaving reports to be made up . I want these done and dusted and off my to do list.

After that I have loads of unfinished decorating to do and one very messy and unorganised craft room. I was given a large black storage "thingy" yesterday - perfect for A4 card but I have nowhere to put it at the moment! LOL

Right, better get on. See you again soon!

XXX

A pit-stop at castle Acre!

2010-06-18T14:23:00.003+01:00

WE spotted this view from the road, driving back from Thetford Forest a few days ago and seeing as it wasn't that far, we thought we go and take a closer look! I was a bit dissapointed when we first got there as the place was streaming with teenagers, charging around, shouting at the top of their voices and leaving their rubbish strewn everywhere! I understand they were only "having fun" but I couldn't believe that the "responsible adults" that they were with didn't make them take their rubbish home with them! Sorry, moan over!! LOL

Once again, Amelia and her fear of heights and falling caused us a few tantrums and tears, it was hard for Chris to walk with Amelia clinging to his leg and refusing to move! With much encouragement and trying to take her mind off of falling she eventually settled down a bit and found her comfort zone!

Amelia jumping off the "mountain" we made her climb!!!

As usual, Jack was in his element!

After convincing Amelia that she really wasn't going to fall over the wall, she stood beside it so I could take her picture!!!

We have started to pack today, ready for our journey home tomorrow. Thankfully, nearly all the washing is up to date!

XXX

Wild at BeWILDerwood!

2010-06-16T17:31:00.005+01:00

We have had a fabulous day at BeWILDerwood and the sunshine was just the icing on the cake! I have taken over 120 photographs today so choosing just a handful was quite a challenge.

Now I am afraid of heights so I was really not over keen when I saw the height of the woodland walks but I wanted Amelia to have a go so I really tried to hide my fears! Luckily it wasn't too crowded, just as well as trying to get Amelia to cross some of the bridges caused a few tail backs, tears and treetop tantrums! She is REALLY frightened of heights/falling, her confidence was minimal and she needed constant encouragement with jelly babies!

Jack on the treetop walk

No need for jelly babies here, Amelia was quite happy to climb this with Jack. LOVE this pic!

My "babes" in the Wood!

The "den" we built in the den building area! It was quite dangerous at times with Amelia charging around brandishing tree trunks!

Jack was in his element, climbing walls, zip wires, slides, rope swings, he made the tree top walk look so easy, running ahead then coming back around to help us encourage Amelia along. We finished the day on a lakeside decked area with coffee and a huge blueberry and cream muffin. YUMMY, I am certainly going to have to go back on my diet and fitness routine when I get home!

We are having a quick pit-stop back in the cottage and off to the pub for dinner!

See you all soon!

XXX

Thetford Forest in the SUN!!!!!!!

2010-06-12T17:08:00.003+01:00

Today we have had SUNSHINE!! Whooo hooooo! Took a drive down to Thetford Forest and let the children loose on the adventure play area. It was hard going at first as Amelia has this thing about heights/falling and needed such a lot of encouragement to even stand on a low beam. Her confidence soon grew! Jack needed no encouragement!

Jack on the spider's web climbing frame.

Amelia on the rope bridge!

Chris and Jack at the Pyramid Slide! Amelia wouldn't go on but both Chris and Jack loved it despite it being a rather tight squeeze at the top of the pyramid!LOL

Back in the cottage now, dinner finished, drinks at hand, England shirts on and flags at the ready! COME ON ENGLAND! AS for my crafting, well we have been here a week today and this is all I have accomplished! (Blush!) If only I had packed my Copics too!

Brisk walk in Brisley

2010-06-11T11:12:00.003+01:00

Foxley Wood!

Well hopefully we will get a little break in the awful weather soon as we have a few places a bit further afield we would like to visit and spend the whole day...won't be quite so much fun if we are soaked through.

We are relaxing in the cottage, playing in the garden and soaking in the hot tub, eating too much, drinking too much....will have to do a lot of running when I get home!LOL

Here are a few pics from a walk around Brisley Green, a few minutes from the cottage itself!

The Pill Box!

Tweedle-Dum & Tweedle Dee!

Jack eyeing up a cricket pitch!

As for crafting I am getting rather sick and tired of stamping and cutting the same images over and over again! Really wishing I had a few Christmas stamps with me- I could make such a head start on my Christmas cards!LOL

Wildlife and woodlands!

2010-06-10T08:52:00.005+01:00

Yesterday, despite another rainy forcast the weather didn't look too bad so we decided to go for a walk in some woods fairly close to the cottage. Whilst we were getting ready- look who came to say hello!!!!!! He shamelessly edged closer and closer to us and then wedged himself down the gap in the decking!

The walk was great despite Amelia being really grumpy and complaining about being hungry throughout. Anyone would have thought we'd taken her on a marathon hike rather than a stroll through the woods. Glad we all had our wellies with us!

Some of the "Wildlife!"

WE have managed to get a new charger for my old camera-so glad to have it back.

AWOL in Norfolk!!

2010-06-09T15:23:00.006+01:00

We are having a bit of a break but I am finding it hard to switch off and Amelia is just SOOOOO grumpy. We have all had a few sniffles, sore throats and fluffy heads but that little lady certainly knows how to do the grumps!

The weather has really not been very kind so far but we are trying to make the best of it and grabbing every opportunity between thunder storms and torrential downpours! We only have a really SLOOOOOW internet connection but for now here are a few pics at Hunstanton Beach on Monday!

Dottie Easel Card Challenge!

2010-05-30T09:40:00.004+01:00

It's been a manic week here- I have had Amelia off sick earlier in the weeks and also I've had an ultra busy week at work. Thank goodness it's half term now! I have got so much to catch up on.

Anyway, this week over at Dottie's World, Karen set us a challenge to make an Easel Card. Now I have never made one before, I have often admired them but never actually made the time to try something different from "My norm!" The only "rule is that you need to use a Charmed Download somewhere on your creation.

Here's what I made using a Pixie Chick download, a few of my new dies, an old book, loads of inks......!LOL

Sorry, the colours are awful, I took pics late last night.

Pop over to Dottie's World and see the rest of the DT's creations...then grab your Dottie Downloads and play along! I'll look forward to seeing you over there!

HUGS

XXX

Thanks a Bunch Dottie-a FREEBIE DOWNLOAD!

2010-05-23T10:37:00.005+01:00

Hi everyone, it's my turn to set the challenge over at Dottie's World and I am trying to think ahead in my ever long attempt to be organised! SO- What with us going off on our hols for a couple of week between now and the end of the school year - I am aiming to be one step ahead with all those thank you cards for the kiddies teachers. Especially as my son Jack will be leaving his Junior school for pastures new! EEEK...how old does that make me feel!

THANKS A BUNCH

So this week's challenge is pretty open to loads of themes, images, styles etc. Only two main rules;

1 - Your creation must include a thank you greeting on it.

2 - It must include a Charmed Download

As a very special thank you this week, anyone who joins in with this week's challenge will recieve a FREEBIE DOWNLOAD of the beautiful image I have used in my card this week- "Dahlia Pixie." Who can resist her? Looking forward to seeing your creations.

XXX

Copic Colour Challenge says Farewell!

2010-05-20T17:11:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone, feeling a bit sad today as we have officially announced that the Copic Colour Challenge blog will be finishing.

The blog had been running for 63 challenges and I had been part of the furniture there. I got onto the Design team on the very first DT call, with my first DT challenge being number 3........it will be a big gap in my crafty week and I have thouroghly enjoyed working with all the girls there!

I will just have to find other reasons to get my Copics out now!

Hey ho........

Flowers galore!

2010-05-19T14:57:00.003+01:00

Hiya everyone, I planned to have made this card for this week's Copic colour challenge but we are having a bit of a DT emergency and it looks like everything is on hold for the moment. We will keep you informed as soon as we can...BUT for now I will go ahead and show you the card anyway!

I used the wonderful image from Michelle Perkett again to join in their blog challenge which this week is Flowers Galore! Don't think I need to explain that one; I used layers of beautiful blooms and gave the flowers on the image depth with some Glossy Accents.

Also this week over at Papertake Weekly you need to "Say it with flowers!"

Anything Goes over at dare U to digi Stamp.

You may have noticed that Mr Postie HAS been, spot the new swirl, leafy punch and that wonderful spider's web stuff....MUST get more of that....hmmm...what colours should go on my next Wishlist?

Bye for now!

XXX

My Wishlist - Craft Must haves for May!

2010-05-18T18:02:00.004+01:00

MR POSTIE...Where ARE you? Can you tell that I have been spending? I spent all day Sunday dithering, flicking from site to site, umming and arhing.....Dilly dally Dingle strikes again! BUT eventually I did make a decision and treated myself to a few new crafty bits and bobs.

I don't get much time to browse the shops online and in real life it's practically impossible now I don't have a car. I think I am going to start a little ongoing wish-list...so Chris, darling, sweetness, if you need any ideas for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Xmas....or just because...check it out! LOL

Now where do I begin;

flowers, blooms- a girl can never have enough.
a leafy die/punch.
a swirly die/punch.
a butterfly die/punch
3 new images to play with each month. (I 've had 2 already which allows one more, he he he!)
oh yes, I forgot, a snowflake die/punch in preparation for Christmas...eek!

Right, I will come back and edit this as I find more ideas.

Now 'fess up! What's on your wishlist?

A Sketch for Dottie!

2010-05-16T07:44:00.006+01:00

Hiya everyone, well my crafting time this week has been rather hit and miss but after the wreckage that putting up a shelf in my craft room created....I did manage to put together a Design Team card late last night. It is of course for todays challenge over at .Dottie's World

The challenge this week is a fabby sketch:

Be prepared is so not my motto, but I do strive to be so........SO I made a Christmas card!

I had the idea of using snowflakes around the top edge of the circle but I really struggled with incorporating the squares at the bottom of the sketch, until...PING...I had a little brain wave and dug out the unused set of 4 little cuttlebug wintery embossing folders that I have had since first getting my Cuttlebug a good few years ago! That then led on to me using the "Snow Sledding" words folder which I aslo cannot remember ever really using!

This card also fits in with this week's challenge over at;

The ABC Challenge which is U-for unused!

The Saturday Challenge which is to use metal. (Brads,charm, metallic ribbon,metallic rub ons)

Christmas Cards All Year 'Round- which is to use flowers on your card!

Winter Wonderland - See Amid the Winter's Snow.

Right- Chris and Jack have gone swimming so hopefull I can spend a girlie hour or so colouring with Amelia!

Pop over to join in with this fabby sketch over at Dottie's! Bye for now!

XXX

Sweet Blog Candy and waffle!

2010-05-15T17:44:00.003+01:00

So much for my Friday off to catch up with housework and do a bit of crafting!!!Arrghhhh! I had to go into work for a staff meeting at 12.30 anyway BUT late on Thursday night my manager rang asking if I could cover someone who was off sick. So that was it really, my "day off" was shattered to pieces!

Today I have still not done much at all either. My little craft room is in chaos BUT I do have a nice little shelf hidden under my work bench.....I am in MUCH need of a complete re-organistion but I just cannot see how and when it will ever happen. I am having to cover a few extra shifts at work, then it's half term, then we are away....in between I still have those dreaded childrens records I have to get bang up-to-date ready for the info to be used in final reports as the chuildren leave us and start "big school!"

Hey ho....let's clear a little bit of space and make a card ready for tomorrow's Dottie's World Challenge. BUT.....drumroll..........for now.....

Some sugar-free Candy from Karen!!!!!!!!

SCRUMMMMM-MY!!!

Getting distressed over Copic Colour Challenge

2010-05-12T13:26:00.006+01:00

Well another Wednesday is here which means another colour combo for the Copic Colour Challenge. In an attmept to stop my recently found mojo running off again, I jumped at the chance of using the image in progress I had already got on my desk. Not really sure of how I pictured these colours to look, I also had to dig deep into my paper stock to find something suitable....I hope it works! Regardless - I had so much fun with these colours and the fabby Michelle Perkett image.

This week's colours are;

and here is my finished card.

I made this card to also join in with this week's challenge over at Michelle Perkett Studio where you need to use some distressing! I distressed the edges, torn paper and inked. I used an old file on the little metal paper fastener and brad and then went a bit mad with some metalic rub ons!

Thoroughly enjoyed the challenge thank you.

I also played along with hte challenge over on Papertake weekly - Shiny, Sparkly & Special. I wanted this to be subtle so you may have to look hard!LOL The glosy accents and pearly brads are shiny, the sparkles are the tiny little silver stitiches I have penned on, the metallic ink I have distressed the edges with and also the metallic rub on I went mad with!LOL Hmm "special" I cannot say my work is special, I am far too critical of myself and my work....but I promise you, cutting into that gorgous lace was really hard work, so I will say the lace is special!

Right, enough of my waffle, let's get on. Don't forget to grab those Copics and join us over at the Copic Colour challenge, we have another GREAT prize from Toodles & Binks, so get your name in the hat!

XXX

Ooops, I did it again!

2010-05-11T14:27:00.002+01:00

What happened to creating every day? Life got in the way again I am afraid. I have crafted every day , a bit of knitting and an unfinished image sitting on my desk but after the hectic weekend, work and a hospital appointment all I was fit for yesterday evening was curling up on the sofa with hubby and feeling sorry for myself!

Not feeling much better today I am afraid, had an awful morning at work, come home had lunch and done a bit of housework and now I have less than an hour before Amelia gets home.

Talking of Amelia, she was an absolute little darling at her Audiology appointment yesterday, she was so polite and listened so well! I had a huge lump in my throat and was so very proud of her. Unfortunately her hearing is still an issue; they want to carry out a balance test (something that has never been done before) possibly a CT scan of her inner ears and are referring her to the Ear Nose and Throat Surgery for further assessment. We may be looking at grommits and/or a hearing aid in the near future. Well as near in the future asthe NHS will allow. For the time being I am needing to put drops in her ears 3 times a day!!!! LOL...hmmm with her huge host of sensory issues, that will be fun!

Jack on the other hand is coping very well with his SATS exams and last night went to the Cricket club for his first time, he really seemed to enjoy it and did very well!

VERY proud of both my "little" darlings! (and my big one too is you are reading Chris!)

Right, waffle and moan over with, I am going to share my poor, part finished Michelle Perkett image, go and get the kettle on and make a card for tomorrow's Copic Colour Challenge!

Dottie's World- I need flowers!

2010-05-09T07:59:00.002+01:00

It's Gunn's turn to set the challenge over at Dottie's World today and she wants us to use flowers on our creations...along with any of the fabby Charmed Downloads obviously!

Now I couldn't resist trying out a few of the new stamps I treated myself to only yesterday and had great fun stamping these out on little scraps of my copic paper...waste not want not! Now I chose a very pale pink paper for this card originally and started working the little girls dress in creams...then I had a complete change of heart and decided to inject some warm, sunny oranges into it...then at about midnight last night, I had to rummage around to find a paper that was more suitable. I do hope it doesn't look too thrown together.

I used "gift for mummy" from the Sugar and Spice collection!

Make sure you pop over to Dottie's World and join in the fun!

An afternoon shopping and....

2010-05-08T17:51:00.003+01:00

.....not a lot to show for it except;

A nice full tummy after a huge lunch at Nandos.

One small pack of Papermania Clear stamps.

One pair of pink pumps (a sort of summery replacement to my green boots!LOL)

.....and a few basic vest top t-shirts.

Isn't it always the way when you go out with the intention of spending.

Chris, Jack & Amelia did much better (Amelia wasn't even with us!) and at long last I settled on a box canvas picture to hang over my bath. I had intended to paint one, but as usual, time has just never been on my side. I feel inspired to re-paint my bathroom now. I will show some piccies when it's done!

My Little Mermaid!!!

2010-05-07T14:57:00.004+01:00

OH I have had such a lovely time today playing with this image. I knew exactly what paper I wanted to use and then dug out my stash of mulberry papers I have had since the year dot. ( Well probably about 8 yrs ago when I first sarted card making!) I had this idea to make waves with my sewing machine and some glitter but it didn't quite work out as I had planned!

I didn't feel that I wanted to add flowers as an embellishment so I hunted through my stamps and found a starfish, inked the edges and was quite pleased with myself. (How little it takes to please me!LOL)

I made this card to fit in with this week's challenge over on ABC Challenge which is;

T is for Thank you

and to make myself even more pleased with myself, I have made one on the teacher's thank you card and it's ONLY MAY!!!!!!!!! Whoo hoooo!

Day 6 and still going...errr...strongish!

2010-05-07T12:00:00.003+01:00

Just popped in to say I am STILL crafting it's day 6 and I wanted to show you a work in progress for now....although I am enjoying this image so much I should imagine the finished card will be blogged some time later today!

I am really trying to get a bit of energy and enthusiasm into my life again, I am fed up of feeling sluggish and tired all the time. So as well as trying to step up a gear with my crafting I also did 1.5 miles on the running machine last night, 80 sit-ups and about 10 minutes on Wii Fit Yoga.
My poor suede boot however is not looking that heathy!

back later! XXX

The case of the boot and the Twinkle Toes Talc!

2010-05-06T20:19:00.005+01:00

Went down the village to vote and then quickly popped into the Co-op to grab some pasta for a quick and easy dinner! It was LOVELY, diced bacon a nice salad and some yummy garlic bread.

Loaded the dishwasher, tidied the kitchen, took the tin foil from the grill pan and put it in the bin, just as I bent down to put it in the bin, SPLAT. Bacon fat all over my lovely green, suede boot!

I resisted temptation to wipe it off and with some cyber help, cornstarch was recommended. No cornstarch in cupboard I grabbed at Amelia's "Tinkerbell Magic Talc" (she calls in twinkle toes powder!) and smothered my poor boot! At least I have magic on my side.

Hey ho, if it doesn't work at least my boot will smell nice and fresh and it will be a great excuse to treat myself to another pair of boots...or two....there must be some bargains out there, right?

Dingle's Daily - Day 5!!!!!

2010-05-06T07:49:00.004+01:00

Have you noticed....I am actually crafting again!! YEAH ...and enjoying it too. All I need now is a bit of an aim, a challenge, a longer term goal....hmmm.

There is a bit of a challenge going on, it was mentioned on Mumsnet, the create something every day...365 days...eeekk. Not really sure I could do that but it has really helped to give me a boost!

Anyway, I haven't got much to show you for day 5, at the moment anyway - BUT the day is still young. For now I thought I'd share what I have been doing in a vain attempt to be organised. I have done LOADS more- I am trying to get images printed/stamped, cut and all ready to go. I have a few ideas for storage but that will be next on my list for a new organised and prepared Dingle. ( WARNING...please do not hold your breath for this. Life does have rather a habit of me falling flat on my face!LOL)

Copic Colour Challenge #63

2010-05-05T12:02:00.000+01:00

Sorry this is very short and sweet, in an attempt to be organised I am blogging and scheduling BEFORE work as I quickly eat a bit of brekkie! This week's colours over at the Copic Colour Challenge are beautiful, so soft and delicate- although I had to substitute for BG10 and another one...LOL...not even sure what one now, sorry!

I used this fabby image by Mo Manning and kept the design really simple in the attempt to let the gorgeous, sparkly ribbon do the talking.

I cheated this week too....as I am trying to make the most of my mojo just in case it runs off again. I also made this card in line with the challenge over at Stamp with Fun which is "Friendship."

I'm Late, I'm late.....for Mo's Challenge!

2010-05-04T07:22:00.004+01:00

Well, the poor white rabbit is anyway. For once I am actually crafting for the fun of it and my long lost mojo is being raised from hidden depths! LOL

This is the first time, I think, that I have played along with one of the Challenges over at Mo's and this week it was to make a masculine card...hope this fits the bill. I loved colouring him!

I have also started my card ready for tomorrow's Copic Colour Challenge...I am trying to make the most of my mojo while it's still here!

My first Michelle Perkett Image

2010-05-03T12:54:00.003+01:00

I have admired some of these images for a while now and in search of my long gone mojo, I decided I would make time to treat myself to a few new images. This is, I am sure, the first of many.

I have made this card for this week's challenge over on Michelle Perkett Studio Blog where this week there is a sketch to follow. Now I am not very confident with sketches but here goes:

I loved colouring this image despite the colours not being my "usual, comfortable" colours. AS I was playing around with the sketch I came across this mad idea to use the oval as a little flower garden....but both Chris and Jack looked at me as if I was mad so I didn't persue my explaination. Hopefully YOU may see where I am coming from...please!!!!!

All sewn up!

2010-05-02T10:17:00.003+01:00

I am a bit late with this week's challenge for Dottie's World as my poor mum and dad had a bit of an emergency yesterday with water flooding through their ceiling, flooding carpets etc and blowing all their electrics! SEW rather than the afternoon spent hand stitching and sipping tea in the conservatory....I tried to help out a bit. Not much more can be done at the moment but at least this morning the water has stopped dripping through , now it's a case of waitng for it all to dry out and see what damage has actually been done!

Late last night I packed away my sewing machine and was quite happy with what I had done...but this morning it took me aaaages to finish this card. I was faffing around with a few additional embellies as it look rather bare. Hey ho...I ended up just going with the flow and hoping for the best.

I used Quiet time from the Boy Oh Boy collection and tried to use papers and a few odd "vintage" stamps to give the card an older style!

Catch up and chaos!

2010-05-01T19:17:00.003+01:00

Well the plan for this afternoon was to leisurely sit in the conservatory sipping tea and crafting!! LOL....yeah as if that was ever gonna happen! As well as the children being in "extra grumpy mode" my poor mum and dad had a bit of a home emergency too. They had water pouring from the flat upstairs, through their kitchen ceiling and flooding out their kitchen, hallway and into their living room! They have no power so we had to try to shuffle around food in freezers and cook part of their dinner for them.

Love you mum and dad, hope it gets sorted soon for you so! XXX

Right, I thought I'd take a few minutes playing a bit of catch up blogging.

Here are a few DT cards I made recently but with my recent lack of internet and pure lack of organisation- they just didn't get blogged here! TUT TUT, slap my wrist.

The first was for the Dottie's world Butterfly Challenge using a beautiful Pixie chick download.

Next was for a Copic Colour Challenge using the fabby Sid- Silvertrail from Toodles and Binks.

Right, short and sweet.......off to quickly finish my Dottie DT card for tomorrow's challenge...oh one day I WILL be organised!

Dusting off the knitting needles!

2010-04-30T14:01:00.005+01:00

In search of my missing crafty mojo, I thought I'd take a big step into my past and re-visit a craft I gave up when Amelia was born over 8 years ago....KNITTING! I wasn't happy enough to use any of the wool I have stashed away up in the loft, and there are many boxes of wool to choose from might I add...OH NO....I just HAD to go out and get some more! LOL

I actually went out with the intention of buying some wool/a pattern for a DK summery cardi but came back with a scrummy dark red chunky merino wool mix.

I have started the back all ready but unfortunately I just had to stop to do a bit of housework...yawn.

Copic Colour Challenge 62!

2010-04-28T14:27:00.003+01:00

Hi there, it's Wednesday which means another Copic Colour Challenge and its a very pretty colour combination this week so grab those copics and play along...a fabby sponsorship prize too...I WANT them!LOL

the colours are;

I really enjoyed working with these colours, so fresh and springlike. I added a bit of sparkle with some irridescent glitter and a few scraps of ribbon from some christmas crackers...far too pretty to waste.

We have a few changes that are going on over at the Copic Colour challenge, so pop along and vote to let us know whay your preferences are please.

....and the winners are.................

2010-04-25T10:22:00.002+01:00

......................drum roll please!!!!!

First out the "hat, Amelia chose

Nicky with her "add on" entry.................

then Amelia picked...............................

Jac with her "paper flower" entry.

WEll done ladies, you have each one a Charmed Download of your choice. I will now pass your names over to Karen at Charmed! XXXX

Dottie's World - Textures galore!

2010-04-25T07:47:00.004+01:00

Hi everyone, sorry - I have been a bad,bad blogger. Life, the school holidays, decorating, gardening, paperwork and a severe lack of an internet connection have not been in my favour but I still live in hope that I will find my crafty mojo once again.

Nevermind, my craft room is looking a little tidier, my garden a little less jungle-like and I have a little less white gloss paintwork to do to. At least a bit of progress has been made!

This week it is my turn to set the challenge over on Dottie's World and here it is:

Textures Galore!

"I would like you to include several different textures on your creations this week please. This could be felt, embossing, stitching, feathers, ribbon etc.....as long as you include a Charmed Download, the rest is up to you."

Now I cheated a bit on this week's card by using loads of scraps, a sort of stripey serendipity of offcuts. I dusted off the sewing machine and stitched around the edge and brought a bit of continuity to the background by attacking it with some Glossy Accents- which also added a bit of texture and interest. This didn't show up that well but hopefully you can make out what I mean.

Anyway, here's the finsihed card!

My choice of textural effects include; stitching, glossing accents, ribbon, Cuttlebug embossing, I also gave the card a bit of dimension using the flowers and some 3D pads on the image. I know it looks rather wintery rather than the pretty Springlike colours that are "in" at the moment but this is what caught my eye....and I went with it!

Please pop over to Dottie's World and join in the challenge.

Watch this space to as I will be choosing the

2 lucky Blog candy winners

I promised aaaaages ago!

I used "Market Day" image from the Sugar and Spice Collection.

Dottie goes colourful!

2010-04-11T08:30:00.004+01:00

So sorry for being missing in action, my mojo well and truely took a nose dive and was buried with a host of other issues in the Dingle household. Things like children and decorating and gardening and paperwork....all the things you just cannot avoid. Still no better off, in fact after a day of going mad with a pair of garden pruners yesterday...the house is positively like a tip again! It's so frustarating when you want to wash curtains and mats and all the bedding, when your wash basket is just never anything but overflowing. Oh the joys of having the children at home! LOL

Still I will be playing catch up over the next day or so...with both the housework and my crafting hopefully - not to mention the draw for the Dottie Download candy...I haven't forgotten! XX

Best get on with this week's challenge from Gunn. She wants us to play with green , pink and turquoise...and this is what I came up with very quickly yesterday after my rampage with the pruners!

Birthday Blog Candy!!!!!!!!

2010-04-04T12:50:00.000+01:00

Here we go ladies, as promised here are the details of my Birthday Blog Candy.

Karen of Charmed Cards and Crafts has kindly offered to give away not one, but two Charmed Digital Download collections . Rather than give two collections to one winner I have decided to let two winners each chose one download bundle of their choice !

Now a few rules to get your name in the hat:

* Become a follower here and at Dottie's World.
* Please blog about the candy on your own blog.
* Each time you enter a Dottie's World Challenge throughout MARCH make sure you link your work HERE as well as at Dottie's World and you will gain an entry into the draw. This gives you a chance to get 4 entries into the "hat" or if you decide to make two projects for my "Pastels or Brights challenge" you will be given 5 chances to win.
* The candy draw will close midday Sunday 4th April (GMT) and I will announce the winners shortly afterwards!

Remember, be in it to win it!

This post will stay at the top until the draw is over, please scroll down for later posts!

Thank you.

XXX

Paper roses........

2010-03-28T15:39:00.004+01:00

It's my turn to set the challenge over at Dottie's World today....take a look!!!!!

I had this silly idea in my mind about copying the BG paper for inspiration but I am not sure on the finished effect...LOL...never mind, I did have lots of fun trying it out!

Pop over and join in the fun but don't forget to also leave a link here to go into the blog candy draw! XX

Copic Colour Challenge #57

2010-03-24T21:21:00.004Z

Another Wednesday, another set of colours over at the Copic Colour Challenge;

So grab those copics and join in the fun to be in with another fabby bit o' candy from one of our sponsors. here's what I did with the colours;

Step into Spring with Dottie!

2010-03-21T10:11:00.002Z

Lou has set this week's Challenge over at Dottie's World;
"I don't know about you but I love the fresh feeling you get outside when you feel spring has arrived.
To celebrate the new season I would like you to make a card with a spring feel. It could be just the spring colours or even a spring theme like flowers or Easter eggs. The only rule is that you use a Charmed download.

Some fabby samples over on Dottie's World, pop over and take an inspiration peep!

Copic Colour Challenge

2010-03-21T09:44:00.005Z

Sorry I am rather late in posting this, I needed to get around to taking another picture as the lighting was awful in the my first lot of photos!

Here is my attempt at this weeks Copic Colour Chalenge colours.

2010-03-14T10:32:00.004Z

Hi everyone, Happy Mother's Day to all you mums out there! Well another Sunday another Dottie's World Challenge. This week it was set by the lovely Gunn;

"Hello everybody.
Another sunday with another challenge. This week I wasn`t to sure what I really wanted. Suddenly it hit me- AddOns...
And by that I mean: You have to use 3 flowers, 2 brads, 1 button and finally 1 charm.
And of course you have to remember to use a Charmed download.
So go ahead and have fun."

Here's what I ended up with, I used Water Lily from the Pixie Chicks #2 collection.

Don't forget to join in and link your creations to my blog candy post above to be in with a chance of grabbing a freebie Charmed download collection of your choice. The more Dottie Challenges you play along with this month, the more chances you have of winning!

Copic Colour Challenge 55

2010-03-10T15:52:00.003Z

Having a bit of an emotional time of it at the moment, not quite sure whether it's just sibling rivalry or issues with disability but it's SO draining. I feel family time just doesn't exist any more because I am juggling things between the children all the time......hey ho!!!

Anyway, better late than never here's a card for this week's Copic Colour Challenge. I started my card yesterday but I just couldn't get a result I was happy with last night so it sat on my desk until after work this afternoon! Still not 100% happy, I find masculine cards so tricky...it looks rather bare.

This week's colours are;

I used the lovely Adam stamp from Toodles and Binks who are also our Sponsors this week.

Pastels or Brights?

2010-03-07T08:16:00.006Z

Hi everyone, well today it is my birthday......21 again......and as it is my turn to set the challenge over at Dottie's World I thought I would put a little twist into this week's challenge. This week you have a choice but it's still fairly open.

I want you to think;

PASTELS or BRIGHTS

Make a card or project using a Charmed Download keeping to either VERY pale pastel colours or VERY bright, bold colours. Now if of course you want to make two creations, one of each, that would be fantastic. Perhaps try two versions of the same image.

Here's what I ended up with, not sure of the bright one, bit out of my comfort zone but had great fun making them both.

Now seeing as it's my birthday I thought I'd offer a bit of Birthday Candy, I'll give exact details ASAP but I am just waiting to ensure something first.....COME BACK and check out the details!! I will blog a seperate Candy Post for you to link to, but for now you will need to be a follower and to join in with this challenge to get you started......WATCH THIS SPACE!!!LOL

Crafts by Carolyn Challenge 1!!!

2010-03-05T11:19:00.003Z

Yeah, I made a card other than a DT card...shock!!! LOL

The first challenge was put up on Crafts by Carolyn and we needed to pick a letter and make a card using 3 things beginning with that letter!

I chose "L" for lace, liquid pearls, leaves and a little extra love too!!

Come over and join in the fun and games!

There's a crafty party going on.........

2010-03-04T18:58:00.002Z

........don't miss out!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow over at Craft's by Carolyn we are having a bit of a crafty bash. Challenges, quizes, games etc.......prizes and fun...be there or be square! LOL

Although I have to go into work for a staff meeting around lunch time I am promising myself some child free, craft time......now just keep your fingers crossed for me that one of the children don't go down sick ! hmmm.

Copic Colour Challenge # 54

2010-03-03T16:58:00.004Z

Another Wednesday, another Copic Colour Challenge, and here are this week's colours;

I took the opportunity to make use of one of my new stamps and the new leafy die I treated myself to and here's what I came up with;

Pop over and join in with the Copic fun and take a peep at the rest of the DT's creations for inspiration. XXX

Dottie's all distressed!

2010-02-28T09:25:00.004Z

This week over at Dottie's World , Nicole set the challenge to include some distressing in your Dottie projects; any type of distressing, as long as you include a Charmed Download.

I wanted to try an image from the Boy, Oh Boy! collection I haven't yet used but I am not sure it was the right one to go with the challenge, perhaps something more traditionbal would have worked better. Still I loved colouring this image and had great fun trying a few different distressing techniques.

I distressed the edges of my patterned paper and sentiments with some scissors and roughly inked them, I used ink on my Cuttlebug embossing folder and once again, roughly inked the edges, I included some paper tearing on my project-something I haven't done for ages and lastly I srunched up the brown layered nestie and used metallic rub-ons to create a more textured effect...this doesn't really show...perhaps I should have been a bit more heavy handed. LOL

Hope you can pop over and join in the destressing distressing fun!

It's my turn to set the challenge over on Dottie's World next week, and as it's my birthday I have some very special Birthday Blog Candy up for grabs kindly donated by Charmed Crafts and Cards. Make sure you drop by to find out the details!

x X x

Copic Colour Challnge #53

2010-02-24T13:26:00.004Z

Well, over at Copic Colour Challenge our newest Design Team Members have been announced and we will all look forward to seeing their wonderful work next week! This week the colours are much bolder;

I ended up not really using the grey (although I did use C1 to add a bit of shadow on the blue wing and beak) it's not compulsory to use all three colours but I usually try to. Here's what I ended up with;

Grab your copics and join in the fun!

Dottie's World - It's a small thing!

2010-02-21T07:47:00.004Z

It's Lou's turn to set the challenge over at Dottie's World...a boy did I struggle!LOL Here's what she said;

"This week I want you to think small, I'd like you to use your Charmed download on a project that is smaller than which you would normally make. I won't give any specific dimensions, just think dinky (small)..........This should be fun!!!!!!!!!!!"

Now at first I though shrink plastic....but do you think I could find it in the chaos I call my craft room! So in the end I resorted to making a little card, it's just over 7 x 9cm so very roughly around a quarter of the size I normally make my cards! Boy did I have fun making it!!!!!

Can I please say thank you to the lovely Net who sent be the butterflies and punches leaves THANK YOU!!!!

Make sure you pop over and join in with this challenge, just remmeber, think small! LOL

Amelia's creativity is blooming!!!!

2010-02-20T20:26:00.004Z

BLOOMING awful!!!!!!!! A few weeks ago it was scribbling in biro on our new flat screen TV screen...this week Troy and Sharpay got it!!!!!! LOL...looks like they've been face painted as spiderman....I wonder if that was the effect Amelia was after!

Wet wipes wouldn't touch it, nail varnish remover...well it sort of made Troy's face go all fuzzy! LOL

Oh well, lock up the pens!!!

A Crafty bit of spending!!

2010-02-19T18:27:00.002Z

Well, what's gal supposed to do when her crafty mojo is missing!

I have treated myself to a few new goodies today.....now hurry Mr Postie...I want them all NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank goodness it's Friday, I am full of cold, my head is like cotton wool but my mum got back out of hospital today and I am going to go and open a bottle of wine......CHEERS!!!!!

Copic Colour Challenge #52

2010-02-17T13:35:00.004Z

Hello everyone, another scrummy set of colours have been blogged today over on the Copic Colour Chalenge. I cannot believe we are on week 52!!!

Anyway, here are the colours, hope you like them. I chose them this week hoping to feel a little bit Springlike!

We have another fabby sponsor this week so make sure you pop over and join in. Here's my card!

We have had some amazing entries in for the DT Call and the new members will hopefully be releaved soon!

Watch THIS SPACE!!!!!

Dottie with Hearts!

2010-02-14T10:41:00.005Z

This week over at Dotties World it is Gunns turn to set the challenge and she wants us to include a heart or hearts on our creations and well as some doodling and obviously one of the fabby Charmed Downloads.

I chose to use Water Lily from the Pixie Chicks #2 and rather than put her onto a layered backing I put her directly onto the patterned paper. This is not something I do very often but as I doodled in metallic pen I wanted to keep this on view. This is a great way of doodling by just adding a bit of sparkly interest to a patterned paper. Have a go and join ibn our Dottie Challenge!