A VERY BIG THANKYOU

I would like to say a really big thank you to everyone for all of the love and support that they are showing with the recent loss of Matthew. Your cards, phone calls, emails and texts have really helped and are definitely getting us through this tragedy.

Helen and the boys amaze me on a daily basis at their strength and courage to move forward in life. I know they will get through this with the help of everyone around her and with Helen's positive outlook in life this will get her and the boys through anything.

The main thing Helen wants is for life to go on as Matthew was the biggest go-getter around and would never want her to fall apart and stop doing things that she loves. With this in mind i am also going to do this and continue with happy stuff on my blog which i love to share with all of my beautiful friends.

My next post is going to kind of be a tribute to Matthew as i know he would be so pleased with the latest venture in my life. I just feel sad i did not get to tell him but i know he is up there looking over us all with approval. 

Thank you again everyone and i love you all very much xxxx

FAREWELL MATTHEW

I woke up early this morning and started lighting candles around my house as today was the day that my beautiful Sister Helen and darling Nephews put Matthew to rest. 

The funeral took place at 3.30pm which was 6.30am UK time. I sat and prayed and then thought about all of the wonderful memories and the priveledge i had in knowing Matthew and being able to call him my Brother.

I try to console myself that Matthew was meant for better things than this life but i cannot believe that there was anything better for him than Helen, Jacob and Braiden. I guess we will not know until it is our time to depart this earth. 

I do know that Matthew will be up there with Mum, my Brother and all of the other dear one's lost, all of whom will be looking over Helen, the boy's, family and friends guiding and protecting and trying to help us all come to terms with this tragedy. 

They have been looking after my Sister Carolyn who has just text me to let me know she has just landed safely in Sydney. In a few more hours after her connecting flight to Cairn's she will at last be with Helen and the boys and be able to hold them and cry with them and look after them as we all wish we could here at home. 

Farewell and Godbless Matthew, i know one day we will all be together again xxxxxxx

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL MESSAGES, EMAILS, TEXTS AND CARDS. THEY HAVE MEANT SO MUCH TO ME AND DAD XXX

REST IN PEACE MY DARLING BROTHER-IN-LAW

I HAVE THE HEAVIEST OF HEARTS RIGHT NOW. MY BEAUTIFUL SISTER HELEN AND HER TWO BOYS JACOB AND BRAIDEN LOST THEIR DARLIN HUSBAND AND DAD IN A TERRIBLE MOTOR ACCIDENT YESTERDAY.  

I CANNOT BEGIN TO GET MY HEAD AROUND ALL OF THIS, THE WHY'S, THE HOW'S, THE WTF'S??? I WILL NEVER EVER UNDERSTAND ANY OF THIS BUT FOR NOW ALL I CAN DO IS BE A SISTER AND AN AUNTIE AND DO ALL I CAN TO GET THIS BEAUTIFUL BROKEN FAMILY THROUGH THIS.

IF YOU ARE OF THE PRAYING KIND THEN PLEASE SEND PLENTY IN THEIR DIRECTION.

REST IN PEACE MY GORGEOUS BROTHER-IN-LAW, YOU ARE NOW WITH MUM AND AMONST THE ANGELS XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Two Cards One Stamp

Ok im a bit too hot today guys. I know i shouldn't moan but really feeling it today and not in a good way. I used my Methotrexate injection today so that probably hasn't really helped. Right whinging over!!! hope everyone is well and that YOU are enjoying the heat.

I made a couple of Christmas cards at the weekend using the same Lily of the Valley stamp. It is one of my favourite's and find it really flexible with papers and card.

Atleast my Christmas stash is increasing although i still want to make plenty more before December. So glad that we have the Christmas Club going (see on my sidebar) which is so inspiring and a lovely group of girls. If you are interested and want more information on the group just send me a comment and i will email you. 

Love and hugs Clare xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ANOTHER MMI SHARE!!!

Wow what a beautiful day today! i have to admit though i am keeping cool indoors with the cats with the fans on. I went out to hang two lots of washing on the line and came back in very hot and bothered!!!.


Just wanted to share another MMI Alphabet soup range card i made for my friends Daughter Alex who has a Birthday on Saturday. Added googly eyes and that cat & penguin look like they have been on my morphine!!!.

I am very excited today as i ordered an Ottlite from Create & Craft on Friday. I have been wanting one for a long while now and they had it on flexi-pay last week so paying it in two installments. I have set it up as my bedside lamp as will be so good if i want to craft of an evening on the bed. The light is supposed to be something like 95% as close to real daylight and is amazing.

It will be so cool for colouring images with my ProMarkers as will be seeing the true colours. Very chuffed with it indeed.

Keep cool everyone.

Hugs Clare xxx

CARD SHARE

Hope everyone is well. Just wanted to share a couple of my latest makes.

Im on a bit of a My Minds Eye infatuation at the moment and love their Alphabet Soup   range. I have used their girly Zoo Animal papers in the first card and used their chipboard elements from the same range. The baby sentiment stamp is by Stamping all Day. The second card i used their Garden Party range "Lush Blooms Daisy Chain" papers, again using some of the Alphabet Soup flowers and little birdie. 

Will be back again soon. Thanks for stopping by!.

Love Clare xxx

CHRISTMAS CLUB CARDS

I am so pleased as i have managed to catch up with my Christmas Club cards after being poorly and getting behind. I have even been able to make a few other cards this week which i will blog this week.

Firstly i made this card for PINKY'S challenge which was to make a card with a teddy bear featured. I only have one teddy stamp (but lots of polar bears lol!) and dug this oldie out by Anita's. I think i have had this stamp since i started cardmaking and my sis Helen gave it to me!!!. I have used coloured stickles and glossy accents instead of ProMarkers. Definitely not the best card i've ever made but hey, we all have our off days!!!.

The second challenge was set by SALLY which was entitled "Santa Claus is coming to town" where an image of Father Christmas or an animal dressed up as Santa was required. Crazy hey! no bloody Father Christmas stamps in my whole collection!. The closest stamp i had was this little Japanese doll by Hero Arts. I think she is so cute and comes as a set of three but i kind of think she looks like a little Santa doll.

The next fortnight's challenge is set by the lovely Kerry and will be her first as she is a pretty new gal to the group. KERRY wants a card with a robin, holly with the option of a postbox. Looking forward to this one Kerry!!!.

Please go check out the other girl's Christmas cards on their lovely blog's by clicking on the list on my sidebar.

If anyone else would like to join our little Christmas group give me or any of the girls a shout. It is just a little friendly group of 13 and we want to make as many cards as we can before Christmas with these fortnightly challenges. 

Thanks for popping by!

Nite all Clare xxxxxx

Some Pictures of my Home Makeover so Far!!!

Ok you may remember back in the beginning of the year me and Dad painted the kitchen and i have given it a whole new retro look with red & white polka dot with lots of EBAY shopping and loads of bargains. 

It took me and Dad ages to paint and arrange but i am so happy with the result. Not a lot has been achieved with the rest of the bungalow so the other day Dad decided that he was going to get someone in to do it. Me and Dad struggle anyway, me with my health and Dad is 78 and he struggles with things and he calls himself a "plodder" nowadays lol!. So Gary has been coming in and so far he has completed toilet, bathroom and hall and is halfway through the sitting room. 

I promised to share some pics with you and here they are;

GOING TO GET NICE COLOURED BLIND AND A COLOURFUL SOAP DISPENSER, TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER & SOAP DISH AND SOME BOTTLES etc.......

My yummy bathroom!!!. Loads of colour!!! it's a shame though as the paint comes out too blue in the pics but it is a gorgeous turquois. Since i got into crafting i have really fallen in love with bright colours. I love this colour as you can mix it with lots of yummy coloured towels and accessories.

Here's the dunny!!! the same colour as the bathroom but again the colour looks too blue. I have managed to find a close match to the paint colour below.

Here is a quick pic of the hallway colour but it is looking a bit bare at the moment so just a snippet and more pics to follow;

Thought i would keep the hallway a fresh guava green as the wrong shade would make it look too dark and dank.

So there we go a few pics and will post more as updated. I know the colours may not be everyone's taste but me and the kitties love it!!!!!.

Thanks for taking a peek.

Lots of love Clare xxx

Hello!!!

Hello, im back at last!!! it has been a busy two weeks that has passed and one where not a great deal of crafting has gone on.

To start with i am having my little bungalow painted. Dad and i managed to get the kitchen done earlier in the year but due to bad health on both our parts not a lot more had been done so my lovely Dad has decided to get someone in to do it recommended by his next door neighbour. So far the bathroom, toilet, hallway and half of the sitting room has been done. It is looking lovely and as soon as all is done i will be putting up pics. My favourite part is buying some nice bits to show off the new rooms! doing a lot of EBAY shopping at the moment and got some lovely bathroom bits from NEXT this week. 

Healthwise i have had another kidney stone flare up two Saturdays ago. I still do not have a date for the op but my specialists secretary contacted me to have a chat, find out how i am and to give me contacts for her etc. Got to have some tests before the op so that is all in hand.

I started my new Rheumatoid injections last Tuesday, Methotrexate. A nurse came in to train me and it all went really good. Dad wanted to learn too as if im not well or he needs to do it for me he will know what to do. It was just as well he was there as i have to inject the tops of my legs and my arms. Normally it would be legs and stomach but i have loads of scars on my tummy so it is not an option. So i did my leg last week and yesterday Dad did the top of my arm. I feel so proud of him as he is 78 and prepared to do this for me. I am very lucky though as i have had a lot of friends offering to do it too and Martin is already trained to do it anyway from the past home injections i had to have. 

Apart from a bit of nausea and feeling really tired the side effects are tolerable. It can take a few weeks to notice any difference so only time will tell. The main important thing is that i am on some sort of drug that will hopefully help and slow down the progression of the disease. It is not a cure but just got to take what you can until such times.

Righteo then my lovelies. I will be back tomorrow with some cards and maybe a sneeky peek of some of the painting!!!.

Thanks for stopping by and promise to pop by everyone's blogs over the week.

Lots of love Clare xxxxxcxxxxxx

A STASH CARD!!!!

This is a card where literally everything i used was from my stash with no names!!!!.

Coloured this gorgeous image with ProMarkers and decided to compliment it with this lovely piece of ribbon my beautiful Aussie friend DEB gave me many moons ago but have wanted to save it for a special card.

See you all soon

Big hugs Clare xxx

CARD AND A HALF MONTHLY SKETCH CHALLENGE #2

Good afternoon everyone, hope everyone is well on this fine Monday afternoon. Well i have managed to finish off my card for the CARD AND A HALF MONTHLY SKETCH CHALLENGE #2. I missed the deadline for the first one so wasn't taking any chances this month. There are still 4 days left so go pop over there and check out all the fun!!!!.

This is the sketch and the wonderful card sample and monthly prize is supplied by the lovely Carol Mead. Go check out her beautiful blog and ETSY store here at TATTERED INSPIRATIONS  &  http://www.etsy.com/shop/Tatteredinspirations.

And here is my card;

INGREDIENTS

CREAM HAMMER CARD

DOODLEBUG STRAWBERRY BLOSSOMS PP

LILI OF THE VALLEY INSPIRATIONAL SENTIMENT STAMP

PRIMA FLOWERS

WILD ORCHID GYPS

KAISER RIBBON

BUNNY ZOE CRAFTS HATPIN AND STOP

th DISTRESSED INK PAD "ANTIQUE LINEN"

Thankyou for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your Monday!!!

Big hugs Clare xxxxxxxxxxx

CARD AND A HALF EXTRA CHALLENGE #2

Hello everyone, i do hope you are all having a good Saturday. Thank goodness the rain has stopped and have been able to get some washing out.

I have made this card for the CARD AND A HALF EXTRA CHALLENGE #2 which still has 4 days left for you to submit your cards. There is also the monthly challenge running so please go check them out!!!. Helen is doing so so well with her new blog and receiving so much wonderful support.

This is the gorgeous new stamp that i recently bid for & won off EBAY from a lovely lady called Sandra. Not only have i gained a stamp but a beautiful new bloggy friend. This is Sandra's blog ROSE PETAL CREATIONS please go check out her lovely blog as her work is stunning.

INGREDIENTS

WHITE LINEN CARD

BROWN & GREEN BAZZILL CARD

HOUSE MOUSE STAMP

EYELETS, SENTIMENT & BROWN & GREEN THREAD FROM STASH

TH DISTRESSED INK PAD "ANTIQUE LINEN"

PROMARKERS (POPPY, MEADOW GREEN, WARM GREY 1 & 2, ALMOND, TAN, SANDSTONE, IVORY & BLENDER PEN)

Thankyou for stopping by and your comments mean the world to me!!!.

Lots of love Clare xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

CHRISTMAS CLUB CHALLENGE

Hi all! hope everyone is ok today. Did anyone else log on this morning to their blog to a new look dashboard???. Took me ages to realise there wasn't a problem with Blogger (yeah makes a change!). Everything is different and harder to get around and i hate it!!!!. Im a bit of a creature of habit im afraid. Anyone else got an opinion???.

Right i am finally up to date with the Christmas Club challenges and now working on our current fortnight. The last challenge was set by the lovely LIZZIE. We had to make a card without using patterned papers, although we could make our own prints with stamps.

I decided to add my image direct to my card without backing it onto any layers, instead i used the sentiment as the focal point. Don't you just love the beautiful words?. I love this cute House Mouse image too, it is one from my new Christmas set. Ive been a bit of a bugger lately spending and gone a bit HM mad. I just love them soooooo much!!!.

INGREDIENTS

WHITE LINEN CARD

RED & GREEN BAZZILL CARD

HOUSE MOUSE STAMP "WINTER CANDLE" SET

STAMPING ALL DAY SENTIMENT STAMP

ICICLE PEEL OFF'S

BLING

PROMARKERS (POPPY, SANDSTONE, TAN, IVORY, BLUSH,  MEADOW GREEN & WARM GREY 1)

Will be back tomorrow to share another card!

Big hugs

Clare xxx

HEDGEVILLE UPDATE!

Well this is the 3rd year now that i have been looking after these little critters and i have had the hardest so far this year. So far there has been 4 casualties and only 1 out of those 4 have so far survived.

I have a very heavy heart today after finding out about my lastest little poorly hog that i called Willow. He turned up on Sunday evening and i noticed he had lots of ticks on him. I brought him in and managed to remove 6. On further examination i noticed he had a massive laceration/abscess on his tummy which was very badly infected. Poor little thing must have been in a lot of pain but just seemed so sprightly considering. He spent the night being well looked after in the cosy indoor cabin with plenty of food and water. First thing Monday i took him straight down to the vet and we all thought his prospects seemed good.

When the vet sedated Willow the damage was a lot worse and the infection had spread deep into tissue and into the muscle, going right into his bladder. They would have had to remove so much tissue that he would not have been able to do a wee so it was best to let him go. I know that everything was done for him as they have to try to keep these little hoggies alive as they are decreasing at an alarming rate.

I really though that Willow was going to be a survivor but sometimes the damage can be too bad and they would suffer so much.

RIP LITTLE WILLOW

I love these little creatures so much and as hard as it is losing them i just have to say to myself that i am making a difference and by feeding them and looking after them it may make their lives a little easier. The vet said to me that the sick one's i have found would be suffering so much out there on their own and would have a very  painful & slow death so by putting them to sleep really is helping them when they are that sick.

One thing i always notice when i have looked after a hedgehog is that when i go into the conservatory to clean up i always find a little white feather. This to me is a lovely sign.

Last night when i took the nightly food out i was met with a hedgehog trotting around the lawn waiting for his food!!! that is what keeps me going when i feel sad about losing one. He looked up at me when i shone the torch down on him and he looked up at me as if knowing it was "food time". Last night i saw seperate hoggies so i know there are still plenty around in my garden.

Thanks for listening.

Hugs Clare xxx

CHRISTMAS CLUB CARD UPDATES!!!

Well i am finally getting back on track with the cards for the Christmas club which i got behind with from getting sick.

The first one is CAROL'S challenge which was to use pastel colours, a penguin and a bow.

Next is a challenge set by MARGARET which was glitter, tree's, berries, snow and a card that is not "square".

My third card challenge was set by CLAIRE which was to make a card white, red, green and to include a reindeer.

Now i just have one more and the current challenge to catch up on which i am working on!!!. I hate getting behind with things and such a relief when caught up.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Lots of love Clare xxx

P.S I promise i will get around to everyone's blogs, so sorry i have been so slack x

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE!!!

Hi all!!! So sorry i have not been around for a while again. Just wanted to give you a quick update. My little munchkin Simone is still recovering from cat flu. I took her back to the vet yesterday and she was given another slow release antibiotic jab. She is still on daily painkillers which she has to stay on for the time being. The scabby nose and lesions in her mouth have settled down although her mouth is still red and sore.

Simone is definitely not back to normal but well on the road to recovery with lots of TLC!!!.

SIMONE KEEPING A BEADY EYE ON ME!!!

SLEEPY GIRL

I have still not heard about my operation for the kidney stones but have to ring up on Friday if i have not heard by then. I had to go see my Rheumatologist last week and i will be starting on another drug over the next few weeks. It is called Methotrexate and is a chemo drug which is used to help Rheumatoid. I have got to learn to inject myself with it once a week (yikes!!!). I have been on the drug before in tablet form but it made me really sick but they have now brought it out in injection form which is supposed to carry less side effects.

Like everything you have just got to give it a go, even if it does make you ill. There are no clinical trials for the time being so i just need to try this in the meantime.

I now need to really get back into my cardmaking as i am so aware how quickly the year is going by it is scarey!!!.

Will be back soon to share some cards.

Love & hugs Clare xxx

MY POOR BABY GIRL!

My little Simone has been really poorly all week, she spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the vets. She seemed to be picking up but drastically went down hill yesterday.

It all started last Sunday when she started with a yucky brown discharge coming out of her nose and a weepy closed up eye. I also noticed she had a red and raw hind paw. She kept licking it and when i investigated it was all yucky, red and infected. First thing Monday she was at the vets.

Her vet Gemma said she had a nasty infection in her paw and some sort of viral infection going on in her nose & throat. She had a raging temperature and was not eating or drinking. She gave her anti-inflammatory & antibiotic injections which she had for 3 days on the trot and then i was given oral antibiotics to give her at home. Gradually she started picking up.

Yesterday Morning when we woke up she was really sheepish and wouldn't eat or drink at all. She was so listless and down and by the evening she looked like she was in a lot of discomfort. I was even trying to get fluids down with a syringe so she wouldn't get dehydrated. I couldn't even get her antibiotics in to her and i noticed she was really struggling to swallow.

This morning i got Simone straight into the vets and when he examined her she had a temperature of 40.5!!! she had all nasty lesions in her mouth and by then a nasty crusty scab on her nose. She has finally been diagnosed. It's CAT FLU!!!.

Although she is vaccinated annually and an indoor cat she has somehow managed to get it. Apparently it is like human flu where we can still get it despite having the flu vaccine but we just do not get it as bad.

My poor baby girl. Thankfully he has given her a slow release injectable antibiotic (which will cover her for 2 weeks) so she will not get stressed out having to have them by mouth. He also gave her a high dose anti-inflammitory with painkiller for her pain. I have got to take her back tomorrow and if she hasn't picked up she will have to stay in and go onto a drip. If she is a bit better i will be able to give her oral painkillers to keep her comfortable. My little angel is going to need a lot of care as it will take her a while to get over it. She has picked up quite a bit since she has been home and has managed to have a little water and some special food the vet prescribed. She seems to pick up more once the painkillers take effect. 

This is my beautiful baby girl tonight. Look at her poor nose. She looks so bony where she has not been eating.

I am praying that my Bert will not get it. The vet said that there is no reason why he should as he reckons the reason Simone has got it is because she was low through getting an infected paw.

HERE IS MY GORGEOUS BOY BERT

THIS WAS TAKEN ON THURSDAY WHEN SIMONE HAD PICKED UP

Please will everyone pray for my little girl and also pray that Bert doesn't get it. I will keep you all up to date on her progress.

Thankyou for listening

Big hugs Clare xxx

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO THE BEST DAD IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS IS DAD WITH MY ELDEST BROTHER ANDY TAKEN YESTERDAY

I guess we are all saying this today!!!. I am sooooo lucky to have such a lovely Dad. Although Mum is no longer around he still tries to do things that he knows Mum would want. He is the best!!!.

Just want to wish all those Dad's out there HAPPY FATHER'S DAY. I also want to let all those who's Dad's have passed that i am thinking of them. I know just how hard it is with losing Mum.

I made Dad this non fussy card!!!. Dad is not into fancy, pouffy (as he calls them lol!) cards so i kept it simple. I refuse to buy a shop card so this is what he got!!!!.

Love you Dad xxxx

APOLOGIES FOR NO COMMENTING!!!

Just wanting to apologise to everyone as i am unable to comment on people's blogs at the moment because of stoopid Blogger. Is anyone else having problems???

I am writing my comment and it asks for my password which i type in, it then takes me back to your blog and i press the comment box to post my message and it just keeps taking me back to rewrite my blinkin password, grrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Is this happening to anyone else????. I feel really bad as everyone must think im really rude for not commenting.

Hugs Clare xxx

A LITTLE EXTRA CHALLENGE #1 - CARD AND A HALF

Firstly i owe my Sister Helen a big apology. I was too late to add this card to her very first challenge on her new blog site Card and a Half the deadline being 14th June. I was not thinking Australian time as they are so many hours in front of us derrrrr!!!. So instead i am going to add my card to her "A Little Extra Challenge #1" which is to make a male card and to use embossing folders and punches.

The due date for us Pommies will be 18th but if unsure you can always go check the Mr.Linky tag where there is a countdown (which maybe i should have done lol!).

This is my first card in a while and my mojo is a bit challenged at the moment!!!. I used the same sketch for Helen's first challenge.

INGREDIENTS

WHITE & GREEN BAZZIL CARD

DAISY BUCKET "UNDER THE BOARDWALK" PAPERS

PENNY BLACK BIRTHDAY STICKEROO

BUTTON, TWINE, RIBBON, PEEL OFF & STUDS FROM STASH

MARTHA STEWART BUBBLE BATH BORDER PUNCH

GLOSSY ACCENTS

Helen will have her second monthly challenge going up very soon and will be announcing last month's winner. Thankyou to everyone who has shown their support it really is so appreciated. Anyone who hasn't visited go check it out HERE.

I have got so many cards to make it is frightening thinking about it!!!. Oh well one at a time i guess.

Thankyou for stopping by.

Big hugs Clare xxx