Catch up

So tomorrow is a day off - from work and having a sick child at home! So do I catch up on washing and chores, or craft??  Will guilt triumph over desire?? Watch this space. I managed to catch the beautiful poppies in London this weekend.

A stunning sight and fitting tribute to my Grandfather and all those who have fallen in conflict.
                                                                Catch you soon xx

Bug catching

Not the flutterby kind. Andrew is off sick and been very ill boy today. But I thought I'd share some pretty bugs. We went to a Remembrance service on Sunday. Despite the chill and it being November, I spotted several butterflies which are symbolic of resurrection, hope, joy, and new beginnings. Quite appropriate. I wish the world would learn from prior sacrifices but no sign of us changing yet. Like my paternal Grandfather and the many men and women who have lost their lives to war and conflict.....Rest in Peace

Cuteness is catching

I thought I'd share two cute things today. My card and my works Christmas ad. If you live further afield than the uk  you not be familiar with Monty. But with the media frenzy and facebook, I'm sure you are. But just in case- here he is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iccscUFY860

Aww. Christmas is coming :-)

A Layout!!

Finally!! Remember when I used to do those? Here's one using a photo of my beautiful Ferb. He has turned from the cutest kitten to an enormous fluff bundle of cuddles. He is quite beautiful-inside and and out :-)  Been doing a touch of Christmas shopping  and tidying today but will check back soon xx

A flying visit

I'm posting and running today! A quick card for you. I am determined to craft tomorrow- so watch this space xx

Where do the days go??

Almost the end of half term here!! I have been very productive and redecorated the kitchen with my husband. It looks very clean and cosy now- was a bit of a bland mess before. Picture need to go up and a few finishing touches and it's done. Simple card today with a summery feel- but I'll need to go in another direction today and make a birthday card for my father in law. Good news is my mother in law is home now and they are both on the mend. Yay!

Fun and the flicks

 

 

No crafting- just a cake. But a very scrummy one!! My friend had a tea party so I took this along. We had a pile of yummy calorie laden treats and a fab time. I also went to see How to train your dragon 2. It was very good and I had a tear in my eye at one point, so highly recommended!
If you are interested the recipe for the cake is this.

200g butter
200g sugar
Cream them.
Add 2 eggs
200g sr flour
1 tbl spoon drinking choc
Mix well.

Divide between two sandwich tins and bake till firm at about 170c

Filling- double cream with sugar to taste
Topping- Butter icing with choc melted into it. Cover with white choc, maltesers and milky way stars and drizzle with melted choc. Scoff!!
xx

Backseat blogger

My blogging has definitely taken a back seat recently. Work's been hectic, schools been demanding with high school applications and other bits and Andrew's 11th birthday. Then after me feeling overwhelmed by all of that my lovely mother in law took very ill and put it all in perspective. Worry about what you love and let the rest wash over a bit more. So I'm on half term and everything else is shelved for the time being. hopefully mum in law will be home in the next day or two and we are good. Andrew had a lovely birthday and is growing up so fast- to fast. I'm having afternoon tea this afternoon with some friends, so had better do something nice to bring with me. So please keep checking back- I am trying to get back to blogging but bear with me. xxx

Hectic times!

I am so in need of a holiday!! Work is soooooo busy it's not funny, I've been out for dinner 3 nights in a row( not complaining at all!!) Have caught up with friends that I haven't seen, been to a memorial service for a lovely man that died far to young, dealt with an almost 11 year old's ever changing moods, prepared for said almost 11 year old's birthday and ...the list could go on, but I'd bore you!! So Wednesday was out for a curry for birthday boy Roy and this was his card. Simple and no fuss. Need a few more things to be like that!!

Slightly scrappy

I made this for a friends retirement this week. I had no photo to use but was familiar with sentiment so adapted it to suit my lovely friend. She was delighted with it and we had  a lovely evening last night drinking and eating and laughing.I sat with a close friend that I haven't caught up with in ages, it was lovely to sit and giggle and be silly. A fantastic night out. Tonight I'm out for a friends birthday and then catch up with another friend on Thursday. Happy days.

I have made it out to the craft room but without a camera- so another card for you. Have gone with the red and blue theme again, I always find it quite striking. I was a good girl  and tidied the kitchen up and moved it all about to confuse everyone. Although, as I am the main user, I don't see it being a real problem. May take them a few days to get used to it. Ha ha ha!

Keeping it simple

Gone for a very simple style here but I think the yellow and navy give it a lovely bright and bold look. Can't believe I haven't made it out to my craft haven yet!! To much work work. To much house work. How depressing! Need something to put a little sparkle in my step. Trying to come up with a few new idea's here. Think I'm missing IACW although I seemed to spend more time organising behind the scene and need something to hold my attention that is not work/domestic related! Anyway, hope your steps are sparkling! catch you soon xx

Very cherry

Hi there! Got another card for you today! Got a very cute bow making template from Papercraft Inspirations. So the bows have been used a lot recently. Have just finished the "forcing children to do homework" session. Now continuing with the making dinner session. Then the DIY and tidying and then cinema for the kids! A busy one- with me still gazing yearningly at the craft room door. If anything, just to tidy up in there!! Bombsite! The kids definitely have my messy genes lol! So I'm going to make my cottage pie- hope you drop by soon. xx

Bon voyage

A double creative helping today for my friend/colleague. Susie is going to do charity work for a few months and I made these to say so long. She has a pug and French bull dog, so the cakes went down well. Have a day off tomorrow so vow to get in that craft room!

Sniff sniff sniff

That's all I do at the moment! Cough and cold lingering as normal. But I made this card and have a few more lined up. The paper is from a Peter and Jane book- very vintage!! So bear with me- I'll be back to normal soon xx

Off track!

I feel very sorry for myself. I have a bad cough ad cold now. One day of recovery and I'm on my bum again!! I made a nice card but no photo yet- so call back later please xx

Back on track

Today I felt much better so managed to go out. Bit tiring but back to work tomorrow for sure. Got a couple of new cards done but am on a mission to scrap. Have also got a pile of amazing goodies as a belated birthday gift- so will need to play with those. So having got the hols out the way, and Andrew's 11plus exam and a week of feeling blah... I'm going to get on with some stuff. On the home front, poor Dave now is a germ fest- but different to mine. So still germs lurking. The plus this week was Andrew was voted house captain at school. Three cheers for him!! In the meantime- a card from a couple of weeks ago. Looks quite cute in person !

Blahhhh

Apologies for no posts but I am sick at the moment :-( Be back with you soon once my sinusitis clears up. Booooooo :-(

Freedom!!

Until 3.20pm!! Kids are back, so is Dave and I am on a day off from work. so it's been tidying, haircut and silence. Heaven!!! Another card using my stash of hessian. Very bright and cheerful. Will need to dive into my craft room now! TFL x

As I was saying!

It's been busy here! I've fitted in a couple of cards but have so many pics to scrap!

The bedroom has almost been transformed. Painting-check. Wallpaper-check. Blinds-check. Minecraft décor- erm.......well....not really....but it looks lovely. That will follow. We popped to the cinema on Saturday to see Lucy. A strange film. It started well but got a bit silly towards the end- so mixed feeling on that. Almost school time. I always have mixed feelings. It's good to get back to routine but I love having Dave at home for the summer. He is rather lovely and I don't get enough time with him during term as he is always a busy bee. It's also great not having to nag the children to get dressed, get ready etc. Will just have to countdown to half term. TFL xx

Almost there!

Almost back to having a bit of time to share! Dave is back to school tomorrow and the kids on Wed! It's been a busy time of decorating, work and a lovely holiday but normal service is about to resume. thanks for sticking with me! xx

 

Found my folder!

So I made this, this week, for starters! Picked up some lovely hessian shapes, in a variety of colours, from the pound shop. I have to say, sometimes they come up with some fab stuff, so I grabbed these! Have also been busy decorating Andrew's room. Anybody remember these??

A feature wall behind a board hiding the fireplace- so we told Andrew it's a keeper!! TFLxx

Throwback

I was so pleased today. I crafted. I took photo's. I uploaded them. I've lost them!! Can I find the folder they are in? No!! So instead of showing a card I made today its a layout from several years ago! Oh well, it's better than nothing!! I will find and share properly tomorrow xx

So little time

I am desperately trying to get to my craft room but summer hols, decorating and work are collaborating to make it a no go! So this is not a fantastic photo but at least its a newish one. There are some more cards on my desk waiting for photo's but I need some time or a valid excuse to get in there. Can you think of one for me??

Thank goodness for throwback Thursdays

Otherwise I would be on day 4 of no posts!! It's been a funny old week getting back to reality after our holiday.  A sad one too. Like many people, I was so sad to hear of Robin Williams passing. A funny funny man to grow up with. Mork and Mindy was my childhood favourite. Depression has had a lot of discussion on social media. So many suffer from it without others knowing. I've been there. I was on antidepressants  a few years back and couldn't bear the bleakness of life, despite a wonderful husband and delightful children. But it's not a subject to share- you just battle inwardly and try to keep going. Some days you're good- which is most of them for me now but someday's not so much.

I was back to work today which was a bit of a shock so have not had a chance to get creative-who knows- tomorrow maybe!

Winner!

Well I have a winner. I didn't have many people commenting but Virginia did pretty much every day. Thank you to her and Jen for popping by. So having an entry in the draw for all those days means the goodies go to Virginia!! Congrats! Will be in touch for your address.

Back in Britain

And sharing another Bunty card! Did you enter my draw? Last chance to tonight 12pm GMT. My original post about it was July 26th- all the details are there. Will let you know the winner tomorrow. xx

So there you have it!

Want to win? Become a follower and leave as many comments as you want-each time you'll go in the draw. Competition  closes 10th August 12pm GMT. Due to postage costs I can only send to UK entrants only. Sorry :-(

Will announce the winner on the blog on Monday11th August.