CHRISTMAS CLUB - SALLY'S SKETCH!!!

Hi all, hope everyone is having a happy Saturday. So beautiful to have the sun shining, hope it continues. I am off to Ally Pally tomorrow so posting my Christmas club card earlier. It is my first time going to AP so im really excited, a bit nervous too and hoping that my body is going to play nice tomorrow (think i might double up on the steroids and i'll be buzzing around!!!). Anyway it was the lovely SALLY'S turn for the Christmas challenge this week and this is what i came up with;

This was Sally's super sketch and i hope i have done it justice!!

INGREDIENTS

MY MINDS EYE COLOURFUL CHRISTMAS "WINTER WONDERLAND" PAPER

KAISER CHRISTMAS RUB ON'S

KAISER RED PEARLS

RIBBON & BUTTON FROM STASH

Hope you will go pop over to the other girls blogs and check out their creations. If you go to my side bar all the girlies are listed there. Remember anyone is welcome to join our little group, just email one of us.

Probably have some more posts for today but before i forget i promise to email pics of Ally Pally and the bits i get hold of. I am meeting up with Sylvie (Gibmiss) and can't wait. Anyone else going just give me a shout and perhaps we can meet up.

Big hugs.

Clare xxx

HOUSEWARMING CARD

Remember the time you move in to your first place with the other half? (yeah im sure some of you are cringing right now!), well my lovely Nephew Dan has just moved into a flat with his Girlfriend Sam and i wanted to make them a housewarming card.

INGREDIENTS

WHITE & GREEN BAZZILL CARD

DOODLEBUG "WELCOME HOME" ICON STICKERS

RIBBON FROM STASH

BLACK ALPHABET PEEL OFF'S

Congratulations Dan & Sam!!!!

Thanks for popping by.

Hugs

Clare xxx

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MUM, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD.........

Feeling very mixed today. Happy as it is Dad's 78th Birthday and sad because i wish my Mum was here to celebrate Mother's day. I would like to share one of my fave pics of them both on my wedding day.

Im trying to be nice and cheery around Dad and im going to make him a nice dinner tonight. Martin came over today and we gave him some pressies (including Benedorm series 1 to 3!), a CD and some chocolate so he was very happy with that. My sis and kids were over yesterday and Rebecca made Grandad a huge chocolate cake.

BIRTHDAY BOY!!!

I managed to find a beautiful angel windchime from Past Times to put on Mum's memorial tree. We have all placed some lovely flowers and her card down and i just know Mum would be chuffed to bits with everything.

Thankyou for letting me share these pictures with you. Would like to say Happy Mother's Day to all and big hugs to all who have lost their beautiful Mum's.

Love you Mum and Dad xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A CARD FOR A MALE MATE!!!

Isn't it strange how some times you get that "aagghh" moment when you realise that you nearly forgot that Birthday. I always try and keep some handy for such moments like these but then you do another "aagghh" when you have no male one's!!!!

INGREDIENTS

TURQUOIS BAZZIL CARD
PLAIN WHITE CARD
HOBBY ART SMALL LIGHTHOUSE STAMP
PAPER MAKEUP SENTIMENT STAMP
BROKEN CHINA DISTRESSED INK
TURQUOIS METALS
RIBBON FROM STASH


HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR SUNDAY BRETT!!! Hoping it gets to you on time hun, Put 2 second class stamps on it!.

Big hugs Clare xxx

MY MUM'S SPECIAL MOTHER'S DAY CARD

Just wanted to show you the Mother's day card i made for Mum. My Mum absolutely loved flowers with abundance. Im going to buy some lovely flowers for her memorial place in Dad's garden for Sunday. I know she is still around me and she can see her card. She was my biggest supporter and she is my inspiration and always will be.

INGREDIENTS

CRAFTWORK CARDS LABEL STYLE CARD
SEI PP
PAPER MAKEUP STAMP SENTIMENT
WILD ORCHIDS ROSES & GYPSOPHELIA
PINK LACE RIBBON FROM STASH
KAISER PEARLS
DREAMWEAVER HAT PIN

I brought the stamp especially for my Mum as it is so appropriate (Abe thought so too!!!) and i just love the "Angel Mother" words, so so fitting.

Love you Mum xxx

CHRISTMAS CLUB - PINKY'S CHALLENGE

Hi there folks!!! sorry not been around the past fortnight but have been poorly with a not so nice viral infection in throat and a bad cold (plus all of the other crap that goes with it!). I totally lost my voice for a few days which was nice for some!!!.

Anyway im a little late but here is my take on the gorgeous PINKY'S sketch challenge.

(PINKY'S SKETCH)

I have just got some new LOTV stamps and this was the first time i had used this gorgeous polar bear Dad and cub stamp.

INGREDIENTS

LOTV stamp

Daisy Bucket pp

Echo Park pp

White card

Red Raffia Lace Ribbon

Kaiser bling

Black Peel Off

I would just like to send Pinky a big gentle hug as she has a very bad back at the moment and is also suffering sickness. Get well soon Pinky girl xxx

Please go pop over to the other girls blogs for the Christmas Club on my side bar. If you would like to join the club please just email one of us girls and we would be delighted to have you aboard.

Promise to be back soon as have some pictures of my yummy kitchen i would love to share.

Big hugs

Clare xxx

CHRISTMAS CLUB CARD SKETCH

Hi everyone, so sorry i have not posted in a week or so but i have been a busy busy girl. Firstly this is the card i made out of the sketch that i set for the Christmas Club.

Im not 100% happy with it as it was a rush job last night, i know i had 2 bloomin weeks to do it and i had even set the sketch challenge, so slapped hands to me!!!.

INGREDIENTS

WHITE LINEN CARD

KARS "HOLIDAY PAPER"

ECHO PARK "MERRY BORDER STRIP"

HAT PINS

WILD ORCHID FLOWERS

GREEN CANDY

MAKING MEMORIES RUB ON'S

The next fortnight sketch is set by the lovely PINKY. 

We have another addition to the Christmas Club and her name is DUTCHESS, welcome aboard lovely lady. Please pop over and see her lovely blog and her gorgeous cards. Also go visit all of the other girls work, CLAIRE, CRAFTY CHRIS, PINKY, KERYN, SALLY & SYLVIE.

If you would like to come join the Christmas Club just send any one of us a message or email us and we will send the details out. We are not a challenge blog, we are just a group of gals that want to have some fun, have a chat and hopefully have a few Chrissy cards made by the end of the year.

So as i said at the beginning i have been a busy bee as i have just started the home makeover to my bungalow this week. Me and Dad went out and brought some paint etc and we have started on the kitchen. I am just doing all the rooms as and when i can afford it and am not bothered that i am slow as, not like i am in a rush to get it all done

I absolutely love vintage/shabby chic/retro style and my kitchen is going to red and white with red n white polka dot accessories. I have got a little sneaky peek for you all but there is still heaps to do.

As soon as the room is done i will add lots of pics to my blog. So if im MIA a bit you know why!!!.

Promise i will be back soon though chookies!!!

Godbless

Love Clare xxx



CHRISTMAS CARD CLUB

Hello my lovelies!!!. Well it is my turn to find a card sketch for the following fortnight CHRISTMAS CARD CLUB.

The deadline for this challenge is Sunday 13th March.

A group of us girls decided that we did not want to get behind with our Christmas cardmaking this year or to leave them right to the last minute (sound familiar?) so every fortnight we take it in turns to put up a sketch and share our cards on our blogs. Anyone is welcome to join us, all you need to do is leave one of us girls a message and you will be included. Our aim is to have some fun and create.

We have two new follower's this week so welcome, SALLY & SYLVIE. Don't forget to go check out their blogs and the other girls, CLAIRE, CRAFTY CHRIS, KERYN and PINKY.

Just want to say GET WELL SOON KERYN. She is pretty poorly at the moment bless her. All thinking of you hun and can't wait till you are back and feeling better xxx

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs Clare xxx

CHRISTMAS CARD CLUB - CLAIRE'S SKETCH

Hello my lovelies!!! what a bloody miserable Saturday afternoon it is out there. I just cannot wait for more sunshine, roll on Summer!.

Well it was the lovely CLAIRE'S turn to come up with the sketch for the CHRISTMAS CARD CLUB the last fortnight.

It was such a lovely sketch to work with and this was what i came up with;

INGREDIENTS

WHITE SHIMMER CARD

GREEN BAZZILL CARD

ECHO PARK PP MERRY BORDER STRIP

PENNY BLACK CHRISTMAS CRITTER'S STAMPS

NELLIE OVAL NESTIE

SPELLBINDERS RECTANGLES

PROMARKERS

DECOART SNOW WRITER

INKSSENTIALS OPAQUE PEN

WHITE GLITTER

The fortnight will be my turn to choose the sketch for the CHRISTMAS CLUB which i will post sometime tomorrow. Remember that anyone is welcome to join and is based on fun and achievement!!!.

Godbless

Clare xxx

A Year Older and a Busy Week!

Have had a busy one but a fantastic week. Have some pics to share with you as it was my Birthday on Monday (38, aarrgghh!!!). My Birthday kind of started last weekend as went out Saturday with Martin and we hung out and had lunch, then went on to meet my Sister, Nephew and Niece in Eastbourne. Did a bit of retail therapy then home to a huge chocolate cake my Niece Rebecca had made and some pressies.

I know, my Birthday was not until Monday but my Nephew Jack had come home for the weekend from Uni and knew i would not get to see them on the day (it would be rude not to as well!!!).

I was up at the hospital Sat and Sun afternoon to see Wendy but she forbade me to go up there on my Birthday but i was happy as i knew she would be home Tuesday.

I have been very spoilt this year and received some lovely gifts. The most amazing pressie i received was from the beautiful KERYN!!!

This exploding box card is amazing and the pics just cannot do it justice im afraid. Keryn is so amazingly talented and i feel so lucky to have received it.

Keryn also sent me all of this wonderful crafty stash!!!!.Thankyou so much my friend you are so so kind. Just want to send a get well wish to Keryn this week as she has been very poorly with a chest infection xxx

I also received some other lovely pressies. Bert & Simone got me Adelle's two CD's (19 & 21) and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" single. I received some Pandora gift voucher's, "Open Season 2" DVD, £100 and some kitchen goodies. This year i am decorating my bungalow and i have started collecting bits and pieces for my kitchen (which will be the first room to have a makeover!). I absolutely love red & white polka dot, vintage and shabby chic style which i am going for.

The milk jug and sugar bowl was from my lovely niece Rebecca. As soon as she saw it in a Cambridge shop she thought of Auntie Clare!!!. The cutlery sets and tea towels were what i brought from NEXT on Saturday with some money i had already received.

I am having a lot of fun on-line looking at all of the gorgeous polka dot and red accessories etc. I am being sensible and looking for the best deals, especially on EBAY and Amazon. I have managed to get a dinner set buy one and get one half price by investigating. Im in red & white polka dot heaven at the moment lol!!!.

I had my Niece Rebecca to stay for a few days this week over the holidays which was fantasic. She came on Tuesday and we had plenty of fun and lots of crafting. I am just adding a lovely card which she made for her Mum for Mother's Day;

I am so proud of her as she made the whole card from start to finish on her own without any input. She started making her Dad a Birthday card but did not get it finished so she is going to come stay over the Easter holidays and finish it off and some other bits she had started. I love encouraging kids to get into crafting.

I would like to thank everyone for your lovely cards, emails, FB messages and texts this week it means so much. I am one lucky girl.

Will be back tomorrow with cards.

Big hugs Clare xxx

So Proud of my Friend!!!

Sorry i have not posted this week but been a very busy one. I am going to start my post by letting you all know that my beautiful friend Wendy is now at home recuperating.
She had the operation to remove the bowel cancer a week ago yesterday and she came home on Tuesday having had key-hole surgery.
She is a true inspiration to so many and stunned the doctors and nursing staff by her recovery. Wendy is one of the most positive people i know and i am sure this has got her through.
She has got to go back in 2 weeks time to see her surgeon and he will be able to tell her more about the op and whether she will need to undergo any chemo.

Wendy has decided that she is going on a mission when she is feeling better to make more people aware of free testing for bowel cancer, this is how she was diagnosed. Wendy was sent a testing kit through the post as in the UK they send these out when you are over 60.
Wendy had no symptoms at all and was suprised when an appointment came through to attend a follow up from the testing kit. She had to undergo tests and a biopsy where the bowel cancer was discovered. From start to finish it has been about 7 weeks from diagnosis to the operation.
Wendy has been looking into the origin of the testing as some of her friends have and some have not received these kits. She has had some friends who didn't go through with the test although they were sent the kits, needless to say they have now. This has saved Wendy's life and had she not been sent this information, well it would have been too late, they say that bowel cancer can be a silent killer and by the time it has been found it is too late.
I am so proud of Wendy and i will do all that i can to get the message out there for her.

Thankyou to everyone for your lovely messages and emails of support.

Godbless
Clare xxx

A set of Florals, my Beautiful Friend & a Cheeky Pic!

Hi all!!!. I have been working so far this week on a set of cards.

Im sure a few of you know that i absolutely love fussy cutting!. Sometimes when im feeling a bit icky but fancy doing something crafty which does not require too much thought i usually get the tiny scissors out and some cuttable (is that even a word?) papers & cards and start snipping away. I made some cards up a few posts back using up the last bits of a 12x12 BoBunny range called Petal Pushers Doodles. If i fall in love with a 12x12 with lots of potential i usually have to get 2 or 3 sheets!!!. I know they will not get wasted and i won't feel so bad if the urge to cut the sheet overcomes me.
I made a resolution to try to make atleast 2 (hopefully more) of the same card each time i create. With all of the doodles from the gorgeous sheet i have made 8 cards but still have enough to make more. Here they are;

I am really into sentiments and wanted to keep them fairly simple. The sentiments are a combination of rub-on's and stamps. I just added a bit of bling to the florals and some coloured layers to the base. Although the cutting out can take me some time the cards took no time at all.

One of the cards i duplicated is going to my beautiful friend who has gone in today for a major operation. She was diagnosed with bowel cancer 6 weeks ago and the doctors were going to cut the bastard cancer out of her and get rid of it. She is in a lot of pain but the op went according to plan and she is in high dependency for the night where they can look after her. I am praying that all of the cancer is gone and that is it. She may need chemo but won't know until she is able to see the surgeon.

I cannot stop thinking of her and am praying that she is ok and that her pain subsides soon. Just feeling pretty helpless and wish i could take the last few terrible weeks away from her. She's a tough bird though and know she will be fine. Love you my beautiful friend xxx

On a funny note i snapped this pic of Simone yesterday!!!. Does she looked chiiled out or what?. Sorry it is blurry but she was so close to the lense.

And not forgetting Mr.B, he was a bit grumpy as he was tired!!!

Ok darlins, need to sleep now. Have a great day tomorrow and i will be back real soon.

Godbless. Love Clare xxx

A NEW ANIMAL ORIENTATED BLOG!!!!

Just wanted to spread the word about this so cute new blog started up today by Joanne at Crafting Pets Blogspot. It is a place that we can post pics of our perfect pets, wildlife or any creature which we happen to have in our lives. Go visit the site and show your support!!!!

Going to add these pics;

Simone on my crafty tote bag and Bert on my craft table. By the way, that nice purple bag now has no handle as Simone took it upon herself to chew, dribble and demolish it making it thread bare!!!! think she was using it as a teething ring, lol!!!.

I love my babies so can never get cross with them.

Take care all & have a great day!!!

FORTNIGHTLY CHRISTMAS SKETCH!!!

The Beautiful Claire has set the next 2 weekly challenge with a fantastic sketch!!!!. The next deadline will be Sunday 27th Feb so why not come join me, Claire, Keryn, Crafty Chris and Pinky and make a start on those Christmas cards so time doesn't creep up quickly!!!!.

Just give one of us an email or comment on our blog and you will be included in the fortnighly email and have your turn to make up the criteria for a forthcoming challenge. Remember we have set this challenge up for fun and inspiration, there is no pressure, we are a fun and friendly group of gals and there for support and a few laughs along the way. Hopefully by the end of the year you should have atleast 20 cards towards your Christmas stash, even more if you decide to make a couple the same as you go.

Have fun, we are!!!.

Love Clare xxx

MY BABIES!!!

Just wanted to add some pics of Bert & Simone!!!

Simone is such a Mother hen with Bert. Gotta say though folks, after this last picture Bert lost his rag and got Simone into a headlock and started kicking her!. Well she did wake him up after all and he did tolerate her licking him to death for quite a while!!!.

They have been so good with me being sick this week. They are always good anyway and know when im poorly. They curl up with me on the bed and give me fusses which is so so nice. I reckon animals have such a way of making you feel better.

I love you Mr.B and Moo xxx

A CHRISTMAS CARD!!!!

Me and a few of my bloggy friends have decided that we want to get ahead with our Christmas cards this year and have decided to set each other a fortnightly challenge. We are going to take it in turns to set the challenge and this week was CRAFTY CHRIS' turn. Our challenge was to use Chris' card sketch.

Here is Chris' card!!!

So far in our group we have me, Keryn, Claire, Pinky and Chris. There are no hard or fast rules, just a group of friends wanting to encourage each other to get ahead with Christmas cards. We will take it in turns to set the fortnightly challenge to give us a theme to work to whether it be a sketch, colour, certain materials etc.

This coming fortnight will be the lovely CLAIRE'S turn so stayed tuned to her blog over the next couple of days. Please pop over to the girls blogs and leave a comment and remember anyone is welcome to play along at anytime, it is a bit of encouragement and a bit of fun.

So here is my card;

INGREDIENTS

WHITE & RED LINEN CARD STOCK
DREAM STREET PAPERS "MERRY & BRIGHT" CELEBRATE PP
NELLIES SCALLOP FRAMES
MARTHA STEWART BUBBLE BATH PUNCH
PRIMA FLOWER
PRIMA JEWELL
BUTTONS FROM STASH
KAISER RUB-ON
RED TWINE
RED STICKLES


Come and join us when you can!!!!

Lots of love Clare xxx

Scrap Therapy Home Alone Card Challenge - Week 3

Due to the dreaded virus on my lappie i was late submitting last weeks challenge but i have entered it anyway to keep my mojo going!!!.

The card challenge for week 3 was to use only old or scrap stash which was set by the lovely ALLIE.

Here's my effort;

INGREDIENTS

BOBUNNY PETAL PUSHERS DOODLES PP

WHITE & LIME CARD

MSE RUB ON SENTIMENTS

BLACK RIBBON

BLING

Thanks for stopping by my lovelies!!! xxx

IF YOU FANCY PLAYING ALONG CLICK HERE!!!

An Update

So sorry i have not been around for a bit. As many of you know i started a new drug just over a month ago for my Rheumatoid Arthritis. I had my second round last Tuesday and unfortunately i have had to be taken off the trial as it has made me really poorly. When i had the first session i had about 3 days of feeling icky and had not noticed any relief. When i went for my second session Tuesday my Biologics nurse told me that most patients notice some sort of relief from treatment one, but not uncommon. After Tuesdays treatment i felt really poorly and am only just getting back on my feet today. My Rheumatologist has taken me off the trial as he said that i should not continue if i am getting this reaction and is obviously not suited to me.

I am having a break from trials for now and feel like my body needs a break. This week has been one of the worst with this disease for me and scarey especially not even having the energy to get out of bed which is just not me. Hopefully there will be something else out there in the future.

To make the week even worse some A-hole in cyberland decided they would send a virus to my beloved laptop, grrr!!!!. Not that i was well enough to even pick up my lappie this week, last Saturday evening a warning came up from "Security Shield" a so called anti-virus programme telling me that i had deadly viruses, trojans etc working it's way through my computer and there were hackers trying to access my password and card info, to get rid of them i had to pay $$$$$ to get rid of them. Yeah im not that gullible but i was unable to rid the screen of this annoying attatchment. I was really scared too as i worried they could access my card info. I could not do anything and i had a challenge i had pics ready to update and there was not a thing i could do.

Luckily i now have my beautiful pink lappie fixed so am ready to update!!!.

Hope all of my friends out there are well and keeping warm on this dull and miserable Sunday afternoon.

Bi hugs Clare xxx

Scrap Therapy Card Sketch Challenge Week Two

Hello my lovelies, hoping this post finds you all well on this cold and freezing Monday morning in the UK.

Here is my card for this weeks SCRAP THERAPY card sketch challenge by the beautiful MARGI.

I am loving these card sketches and challenges as they are making me create to a particular theme. I just love seeing what all of the other girls come up with in the gallery.

Will be back real soon with more creations.

Godbless, love Clare xxxx

INGREDIENTS

WHITE & LIME BAZZILL CARD

DOODLEBUG "NATURE WALK" PP'S AND ACCENTS

CARD CANDY

MEMORY ACCENT RUB-ON SENTIMENTS

NELLIE MULTI FRAMES (SCALLOP & OVAL SET)

COME JOIN US FOR THIS WEEKS CHALLENGES!!!

Two New Blog Awards!!!

Wow i have been a lucky girl!!! i have been given 2 blog awards lately. Both awards are from the beautiful KERYN. The first being;

Click here to Keryn's Post!

Thankyou very much Keryn for thinking of me hun!!!. Now the hard bit is thinking of 8 things about myself, so here goes!!!.

1. My very first childhood memories are sitting in my highchair and lobbing my bottle

across the kitchen floor (haven't changed much) and on another occasion sitting in my highchair at the tea table and my Brother Mark was being naughty so i called

him a "sod" (definitely haven't changed much). I personally blame the highchair for

my actions as there seems to be a pattern going on there!!!.

2. I love crime and investigation. Love watching things about mass murderers etc.

Hoping that doesn't make me too weird!!.

3. At the moment i am really into red and white polka dot things and wanting to

transform my kitchen in this style. Seen some gorgeous stuff on Amazon!!!

4. I feel so happy and content in my life. I always look at the good in my life if im     

not feeling great or having an off day with my Rheumatoid.

I have just started on a new drug trial which means going in to hospital for one

morning a month. I am keeping everything crossed that it works. I am very lucky

to be getting this treatment.

5. I am a vegetarian.

6. Things i dislike are cheese, milk, sprouts, cabbage, asparagus, broccoli, tea,

coffee, salad cream, coconut and anything without the V sign on products (oh

that's vegetarian!). Bad eating and table manners, rude people, mouthy people,

bullies, two-faced stirrers, bitching and sometimes losing my mojo!!!.

7. I will not have anything in my household which has been tested on animals. I

get all of my cleaning and washing products from CO-OP and all bath, body and

make-up from the BodyShop and other ethical companies.

8. Things i love in my life are my cats, family, friends, animals, crafting, my craft

room, my bungalow, chocolate, rice milk, fruit tea, rice cakes, all vegie stuff,

the smell of fresh cut grass, petrol and fresh bread, sunshine, snow, a warm

summers evening in the garden listening to the birds flying above, the sounds of

a distant plane while laying in bed at night, colours, happiness & laughter.

   

There i think that may give you a bit more of an insight into my life!!!. And now to the best bit is passing it on to 5 of my beautiful friends;

HEATHER

TRACEY

PAULA

MARELIZE

SUSIE

All of these gorgeous ladies have beautiful blogs and their own unique style which i think everyone needs to go check out. Now it is your turn girls to pass on to 5 of your friends and to add 8 things about you!!!!.

Now the second award arrived today from KERYN which The Love Blog Award. Thankyou again my beautiful friend for thinking of me. Below is a note describing the purpose of this lovely award.

Dear bloggers:

The aim of this action is that we bring unknown, good blogs to light, so I would ask you not to blog fellow bloggers that already have 3,000 followers. As always, the hardest part is to pick who to pass this on to, there are so many bloggers I could give it to but I pick these...

The conditions are that you must display the award on your blog if you are chosen and link your post back to the person who gave you the award and your acceptance. You can choose 3-5 blogs that you would like to give the award to linking their blogs to your post so people can go check them out. Hope that is all clear!!!.

Here are my five choices;

HELEN

SQUIRREL

MARG

DEB

MELINDA

Each and every one of you girls deserve the love. Just wish i could give it to all of my followers, that's the difficult part!!!.

Well guess i had better get back to card making.

Godbless, love & hugs

Clare xxxxxxxxxxxxx