HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

It was Dad's 77th Birthday today so we got the family together & had a little "do" for him. Lots of party food, yummy American cheesecake, big chocolate Birthday cake my 16 year old niece made & some drink. Managed to get some snaps that i thought i would share.

A HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOY!

A VERY HAPPY DAD WITH NEW FISHING GEAR!

DAD BEING A GOOF BALL & A BIT TOO MUCH WINE!!! OH BTW LOOKS LIKE DAD IS GIVING THE FINGER BUT IT IS JUST HOW THE SUN HAS CAUGHT HIS HAND, HONEST!

HE MANAGED TO BLOW THEM OUT IN ONE GO!

YES THE CAKE WAS GORGEOUS!!!

It has been a lovely day and i reckon everyone had a great time, i know Dad did. I just wanted to make it extra spesh for him as know he is sad with Mum not being here anymore. I KNOW MUM SHARED OUR DAY DAD, SHE ALWAYS WILL, WE MAY NOT SEE HER BUT SHE IS THERE. WE ALL LOVE YOU DAD XXXX

Thanks for letting me share. Big hugs Clare xxx

Sorry i am Making Changes to my Blog Layout!!!!

Please bear with me guys but i am doing maintenance on my bloggy so may look a bit scewiff!!! it will be looking fine in no time!

Big hugs, Clare xxx

Sophisticats Weekly Challenge

This week over at Sophisticats we are on to challenge 28. The theme is "raining cats & dogs" and is running over 2 weeks. The theme is to be interpreted in our own way whether it be to do with rain, cats, dogs however we want to look at it.

I think that you can probably guess the way i was going to interpret it!!!

Have been itching to use this beautiful new cat stamp by Crafty Individuals. As  the challenge is running for two weeks & we can enter up to two pieces of work i may have to try out some more appropriate stamps for the occasion!!!

Thankyou for popping by!

Lots of love & hugs Clare xxx

Go pop over to Sophisticats & check out their challenges!!!

Just a Little Card to Show!!!

Hi everyone, i do hope that you are all having a wonderful weekend wherever you are in the world.

I have managed to have a bit of time today playing with one of my new stamps. It is by Simply Stamps and is actually called Winter Scene but thought i would try to adapt it to a nice summery scene as it has been a bit of a cold one today!!!

 I found some of that lovely ivy in the local craft store last week and have been itching to use that too so thought i would blend it in around the frame. I used my Promarkers for the colouring of the scene. I am really pleased with how it turned out.

Sorry i haven't put many creations up the last couple of weeks but all of the cards i have been working on have gone out to family & friends. I like to show them once they have seen them as they all look at my blog, kind of takes the suprise out of receiving it!!!

Will be back soon with more. Thankyou for stopping by!

Big hugs Clare xxx

Imaginisce March Challenge

Now that i have managed to get hold of some Imaginisce products i can finally play along with their Monthly Sketch Challenges. This month's sketch is by Erin Bassett;

The challenge is to create a card or layout using Imaginisce products and using Erin's sketch as inspiration by 25th March. This is what i came up with using the "Lucy Bird" range.

I you would like to play along to be in with a chance of winning an I-top Tool Package or a $75 prize pack click HERE!!!!

Thankyou for stopping by
Hugs Clare xxx

Yummy Imaginisce!!!

I managed to finally get my hands on some Imaginisce paper's Lucy Bird range. This is one of my favourite brands but boy is it hard to get hold of in the UK. I had a look on the Glitterpot website & nearly fell off the chair when i saw it!!! They literally only supplied the papers there though, no accessories like rub-on's, brads, ribbon, stickers etc so i had to improvise & had loads of cutting out on my hands. I got atleast 3 sheets of each in the range just for this purpose. I had a play last night and made a card, a really quick one & i loved making it.

Now i just need to go out my other Imaginisce Twitterpated range!!!

Thanks for popping by, hugs Clare xxx

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MUM

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful Mum. I miss you each and every day but i know that you are still around me and guiding me in my life. I know that you are never far away so i have put some fresh flowers, a hedgehog ornament & a card that is hanging on your tree above your memorial.

Godbless you Mum xxx

LOVE YOU MUM XXX

CLARE, MARTIN, BERT & SIMONE

Sending love to everyone else who has also lost their Mum xxx

Scrapville February Card Sketch Challenge

This is the first challenge that i have taken part in this new & awesome Aussie blog. Janet is the owner of "Scrapville", a shop front business for scrapbooking, cardmaking & papercraft. My gorgeous friend Melinda Spinks is on the design team for Scrapville & she introduced me to the fun & games.

I have taken part in the February Card Sketch Challenge which was designed by Melinda as well as a scrapbook layout. This is both of the fab sketches;

So i decided to do the card sketch and this is what i came up with;

I have used white & blue linen cardstock,  Pocket Full of Posies Stack pp, Prima flowers, Martha Stewart Doily Lace border punch & Stylized Flowers CB embossing folder.

I have made my card for my Mum, although she passed a year ago, she may not be with us physically but i know that she is still around me and i will be putting it on her memorial over in Dad's garden on Sunday along with a gift. I will never stop doing this & helps me get through these tough days.

ralia

I guess it will seem weird doing a Mother's Day card in Australia as they celebrate it a different time of year to us in England, hope this is ok!!!

Thankyou for this wonderful challenge.

Hugs Clare xxx

Come check out Scrapville HERE

Seasonal Scrapper Card Challenge

I have got behind with my LSBS weekly challenge (infact with most of my challenges!) because of having treatment over past couple of weeks. I managed to get week #5 done which was a summery themed card challenge set by Deanne & had to produce a set of three cards. I had been itching to use my new Doodlebug Purple Passion pp which i think is beautiful & summery. I also used white hammer card, green  & mauve Bazzill card, Craftwork sentiments, Prima flowers & my yummy Martha Stewart lace border punch.

Here is what i came up with;

If you want to go check out the Seasonal Scrapper challenges pop over to LSBS. Now just got to complete challenges #4 & #6 then i am caught up.

Thanks for popping by!!!

Hugs Clare xxx

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge

This weeks Crafty Catz Challenge #22 is all about shades of green with the added option of St.Patricks Day (for all of the Irish Folk out there). I actually love green shades when card making & don't use it as much as i should, think i will be using it more often in future!!!!

Here is what i came up with;

I have used my gorgeous little House Mouse Grape Dreams stamp, white linen card, green Bazzill card, KI Memories Stars Sublime Lace card, Shabby Shutters Distress Ink Pad, Textile CB folder, Petite Scallop Circle Nestibilities, Martha Stewart  Lace border punch, Prima flowers & GCS sentiments.

Thanks for visiting. Hugs Clare xxx

Click here to play along!!!

So Happy!!!

I am so happy because i have a card published in this months Craft Stamper magazine!!! it is my Gossamer Pink card which was one of three cards i entered in the Stamper of 2009 competition which i won the card entry with my flowerpot card. Katy Fox, the editor asked my permission to run a page in Reader Submissions (page 71) which is a step by step on how to create the card.

It has totally made my day as i was in hospital having treatment all day yesterday so it has perked me up no end!!!

The magazine is officially out tomorrow but you can see details on the upcoming magazine here. Also i am adding a sneaky peak of the page but you will have to go buy the mag for the details.

Thanks for stopping by!!! big hugs Clare xxx

Thankyou my Darlin Friend Deb!!!

My beautiful Aussie friend Deb has just passed on this beautiful blog award which has brightened up my day.  She is one of the most thoughtful friends a girl could ever ask for and even though we are at other sides of the world we are always in contact by phone or email & send little packages of craftiness back & forward.

Thankyou my darlin friend, Love you heaps. Hugs Clare xxx

Go pop over to Deb's lovely blog, she is a very talented lady!!!

Cards for Charity

I am currently making loads of cards for St.Wilfred's Hospice to help raise funds towards a 10,000 freefall skydive which my hubby Martin is doing on 1st May.

Martin wants to take part in honour of my Mum who passed away at the hospice on 17th December 2008. It is something he has always wanted to do but even more so now after seeing the wonderful love & care that was given to Mum in her last days of life. The incredible dedication the staff give to their patients & the aftercare which is given to the families left behind is something that people never forget & does make the experience of bereavement & loss a little easier to bear.

One of my beautiful neighbours who works at the hospice & looked after Mum asked me a few weeks ago if i would like to make some cards for her to take in to one of the daycare centres for St.Wilf's she helps to run every week. I made a box of cards a couple of weeks ago & they all sold within a couple of days so i have been busy making more. All of the money that is raised will go towards Martin's skydive which will end up in donation to St.Wilfred's.

My neighbour has also asked me if i will go to the day centre one week with her to meet the patients/families & do some little demo's & talk about what i do etc, maybe get some more people interested in cardmaking. I would be totally honoured to do that.I have got my second round of treatment on Wednesday (yuck!) so maybe after a couple of weeks i will feel up to doing this. I will keep you all posted!!!

Just some cards i made over the weekend, hugs Clare xxx

Thanks for looking xxx

Crafty Catz

I had been asked to make a card for a friend, a very spesh friend. When i am asked i always try to find out a little about the person who the card is being made for. Flowers & purples i was told. Going through my stash i found this very beautiful paper from the Basic Grey Sugared range. I love the whimsical look & and resurfacing this paper pad from my stash has made me want to go do loads of creating!!!

Oh by the way, i have just brought these yummy Prima flowers & have been itching to use them for a special card.

The card was also appropriate to fit in with this weeks Crafty Catz challenge #21 which was to make a card with a fancy border & ribbon. The prize for this week is a gift certificate from Wendy at Digital Delights

Hope allof my friends in blogland are keeping well.

Hugs & kisses Clare xxx

Had a Play

Had a little play with my friends Penny Black stamp and my new Promarkers yesterday!!!

Thanks for stopping by, hugs Clare xxx

Hi All!!!

I am back in blogland after a break. I had my treatment last Wednesday which all went ok but felt very blurgh for a few days. It took 7 hours for the infusion which made it a very long day. Luckily i had the IV in my left arm so was able to play with my Promarkers!!! just on the offchance i did lots of stamping the night before & managed to get a few bits done. I have been asked by the hospital staff to take some cards in when i have my next treatment day on 3rd March, so may even be able to make some money whilst sitting on my butt!!!

Well i am a year older since my last post as it was my 37th Birthday yesterday. I was totally spoilt, receiving mainly money but i also got some yummy Bodyshop smellies, a Coldplay CD, pandora charm and i still have pressies on their way from OZ from my lovely sister Helen. I think they will be some yummy crafty stuff!!!

I ordered some lovely crafty bits yesterday online at The Glitterpot so cannot wait to get those. I spent just over £40 of my Birthday money, i just had to because it is free postage over £40, it had to be done!!!

The rest i am saving to go to The Craft Barn in March all being well. They are having a big free demo day at the barn and will be meeting up with two of the great girls from the Card Feast. It is 3 days after my next treatment so fingers crossed i will be well enough!!!

So i will leave you with some odds & sods i have been playing with since my last post

Big hugs, Clare xxx

This was a layout for last weeks Seasoned Scrapper over at LSBS and challenge 3 required a summer LO, or our
idea of summer. I loved it as it made me scrap pictures that are kept in my memory box. It was a happy day, the day before me, mum & dad left Australia to come back to live in England. It was the last pictures taken as a family with my brother Mark who passed away a year later. It also includes Mum and Mark together and i just know they have now been reunited. Our memories are so precious x

Just some cards i have been making. Sorry about the last pic it looks a bit cack-handed!!! anyway back to make more, thanks for looking xxx

No Blogging for a Few Days

May not be on blogland for a few days as off to hospital for the day tomorrow, yuck. Have got to go in for the day and have a drug called Rituximab via IV which takes 6-8 hours. I have also got to have it on 2nd March. It is a drug which is used to treat certain types of cancer & has shown to help the awful side effects of  Rheumatoid Arthritis by blocking the immune system which attacks the joints in RA sufferers. I had 2 lots last year but it did not make any difference but they want to give it a blast again as can be successful on the second round.

I will try anything at the moment as i am in so much pain. I saw my Biologics nurse yesterday and he is loathe at the moment to try me on the newer drugs until i have seen my Rheumatologist in June. I have been coming out with a lot of bruising on my joints which he is concerned about so wants me to see Dr.Sam before anything else. I also want to find out if anything can be done about my elbow as obviously i rely on it so much and is restricting a lot that i can do being my right arm. This upsets me more than any other joint as effects my crafting some days. I cannot even type or write for long without being in agony & having to rest it, what a killer!!!

Anyway will be firing up my MP3 player & stock up on mags for tomorrow as usually have the IV in my right hand so can't do much else. Darn it can't even take my craft stuff up there to while away the hours!!!!

Will be back on blogland soon once i am feeling more human as the drug can make you feel a bit yucky for a few days.

Hugs Clare xxx

Card Feast

Yesterday i went to my very first Card Feast, infact it is the first craft demo/class that i have ever been to. It was held at the local ESK venue & was held by my lovely friend Gaynor and another lady who i can now call a friend, Anne.

It was held from 10.30am till 4pm and i absolutely loved every minute of it. It was also great as i got to see my other mate Jane who joined Gaynor & i at The Brighton craft show.

We had a lovely lunch & dessert which was included & was further plied with biscuits, cakes & drinks.

Gaynor took the morning session & this was what we all created;

Design by Gaynor White

Design by Gaynor White

The afternoon session was taken by Anne and we made another two beautiful cards;

Design by Anne Hide

Design by Anne Hide

Jane & i were incredibly fortunate to be seated next to two very cool ladies (3 including Anne in the morning!) and we were officially named "the rowdy & gobby" end of the table!!! so glad as the two ladies, Brenda & Linda have exchanged numbers with me & Jane & hoping to have a get together real soon.

Hopefully Gaynor & Anne will be having several Card Feasts throughout the year, i will certainly be the first to put my name down!!!

Hugs Clare xxx

Seasoned Scrapper - Summer Week #2

Week #2 was Deanne's challenge & it was certainly one to get your teeth into!!! we were asked to make a concertina card box for this one, with full info & instructions here.

This is what i came up with;

I used white hammer card, Making Memories "Be Inspired" papers, bling & embellies.

Im really happy with how it turned out.

Thanks for popping by!!!

Hugs Clare xxx

Seasoned Scrapper - Summer Week #1

Although i have not had a chance to take part in any other of my weekly challenges i have managed to keep up with the "Seasoned Scrapper" challenges over at LSBS.

So for challenge #1 we were asked by the wonderful Nic to decorate a journal for the Seasonal Scrapper weekly challenges. We are to use the journal to record the weekly challenges & we will be able to use the book for future inspiration. The requirements were to decorate an excercise book, diary etc in colours/wording across the seasons & use tabs to seperate each season.

This is what i came up with;

If you would like to take part in the weekly Seasoned Scrapper challenges just click on this link for all of the info you will need. You can start at any time but to be in with a chance for the weekly prize you must upload your work by 12am the following Sunday (which is about 2pm Sunday afternoon in the UK). Alternatively if you get all challenges in by the end of the month by deadline you will also be in with a chance for the monthly prize.

Thankyou for popping by!!!

Hugs Clare xxx