Big achievement.

Well folks its been a day and a half today.   Long story short,  a new circuit board and a new fan too.. our boiler is finally working again.  Took the poor engineer an extra trip to suppliers and a 6 hour shift to sort us but we got there in the end.  Lol.

The next good piece of news came courtesy of Brianna who has passed her 1st year PhD with flying colours, so much so her work is described as exemplary!   So very, very proud of her.   She's an amazing young lady.  Over the last year she has studied, researched and lectured part time, worked too many 12 hour days to count and planned and organised her wedding on top of it all.

Time to chillax before bed now, then up in the morning for a wee trip to the hairdresser at 10am.

Toodles pip my lovelies
Lorraine xxx

Winter prep

Being as we've had no heating the last 5 days its encouraged me to get the crochet hook out and start making myself a nice wee throw all ready for the winter just incase it turns out to be as cold as last year.  Bit early I know but gives me something to keep my hands busy in the evenings.

Flying trip

The fabulous Kay Halliwell-Sutton also made a flying trip up to Scotland to demo yesterday.   Lots of fabulous samples and products and I have to say anyone watching her on C&C this coming week is in for a treat. 

Witty Nikki.

Yesterday I popped in to Craft World to see the lovely Nikki Smith and Kay Halliwell-Sutton.  Couldn't resist taking a pic of our Nikki as she's always so chirpy cheerful and full of cheek.  She was kind enough to share her chocolate eclair sweets with me too. 

Scrubbing duties

Since cutting down on my smoking I've taken to scrubbing.. started to clean the utility room the other day and ended up climbing a ladder to wash the ceiling and walls before moving on to the tiles etc...  Now I'm going to work my way round every room.  Lol.

What a week

Sorry for being absent over the last week but its just been one of those weeks.   Step daughters flat was flooded when the council were installing central heating in the flat above hers.   Mums car has been in the garage all week so been running her wherever she's had to go.  Our boiler broke last Wednesday and a new circuit board had to be ordered. That arrived on Friday but guess what.. it was the wrong one so now hoping the right one arrives and can be installed tomorrow.  Thank goodness its not winter.  In addition to that I've been trying to adjust to my e-cigarettes so have been pretty good with managing to have only 5 real ones a day.  Not perfect I know but still a lot better than what was my usual 20.  Can't say I've actually been using my e ones too much either as I don't want to switch one addiction for another.  Anyway I'm hoping the week ahead turns out slightly less chaotic than the last. Lol.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Now I'm a VIP.

This is a big one for me folks.  Having been a smoker for many years I'm a little proud of myself for seeking info on the e-cigarette and my darling hubby treated me yesterday to the full kit..  recharge unit, 2 batteries and 4 capsules.  I'm not concerned about ceasing immediately just so long as I can cut down over time and it appears to be working.  Woke around 9am Saturday morning and its now currently 1.25am Sunday morning and all I've had is 5 real cigarettes.   Funny thing is I can tell I'm enjoying them less and less each time I smoke one which must be a good sign.. right???  I will be happy even if I get down to just 1 or 2 a day in the next month then I can make the final jump.  Please keep fingers crossed for me as I've tried everything in the past from hypnotherapy to laser treatment and nothing has worked.  At least I've gotten off to a good start today and long may it continue. 

Anyway, time to start thinking about heading to bed so will bid you all a fond farewell.. nighty night.

Lorraine xxx

Sunny Saturday

I've spent as much time as possible in the garden this week weeding, trimming back and painting today so had to take a few breaks to enjoy the sun and have a drink to make sure I didn't dehydrate.  Awesome feeling when we have to actually be concerned about fluid intake.  Needless to say there's been quite a few BBQ's this week too.  Lol. 

Okay.. one more post to go :-)

Xxx

Ouch!!!

Right folks I've fast forwarded to Tuesday as Sunday and Monday I mostly spent in the garden, counting stock and returning the stock to Pink Frog Crafts. 

Tuesday I spent in the garden too but just before I finished off for the night I had a wee oopsie accident.  I was using the tree loppers to cut some stems back but for some reason I held them up close to the blades and twisted my arm in a strange manner then slammed them closed..  only to close the two handles on either end of my elbow!!!!   So not a pleasant experience as the pain ripped through my arm.   Thankfully hubby was on hand to get me sorted with an ice so stooped any swelling but it was rather touch sensitive and achy for a few days.  That will teach me to be more careful in future.  Lol.

Xxx

Ross Papercraft show Edinburgh

Time to try and catch up with my blogging and apologies for being AWOL but having major problems with my mobile of late causing me lots of problems. 

So here is the first update.. wee picture taken last Saturday at the Ross Papercraft show where I was representing Pink Frog Cards and Crafts educating on and selling Britannia dies.  Had my wonderful helper Debbie working with me which was brilliant as she use the dies on a regular basis too so the customers could speak to either of us and obtain the information they required.  Needless to say we had a few fair laughs too throughout the day. 

It went so well there is already another show scheduled for later in the year. 

Right.. off to see what other pics I can share of this weeks events.  Lol.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Police searching for missing 17-year-old girl Georgia Williams say they are 'gravely concerned' - Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10086633/Police-searching-for-missing-17-year-old-girl-Georgia-Williams-say-they-are-gravely-concerned.html

Are you going?

I'm sure word is still getting about but there's only a few days left till the show so thought I'd better share the details. 

Please note that ALL entry is now only £2 with or without a voucher. 

I will be there with the new Britannia dies so hope to see lots of happy customers.  Please do stop by to say hi if you make it along on the day.   I take my coffee white with one sugar!!!   Lol. 

Big hugs
Lorraine xxx

Test time.

This was my test item.. a real flower, but I allowed it to die off a bit to reduce the water content.  There was some sizzling (fun to listen to), the petals were a bit hard to control due to their long thin shape.. amazing what a waft from the heat gun can help go control. Lol and the water content did mean that I ended up with air bubbles.  All in all though I rather enjoyed doing this wee experiment.  Would be much better with dried flowers I think.  Perhaps I will try that next! 

Had a good wee day, followed by a bbq for dinner and off to tend to animals now before getting myself comfy on the sofa.

Happy weekend blessings to all.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Bezel bright

For my bezels I used red with some glitter mixed through

One of my flowers

Play day

Had a wee play with my melt pot today.. some flowers, leaves, bezels and a real flower too.. just out of curiosity.  Lol.

Natures elements

Evening all.. quickie that I forgot to post!  Apologies for it not being the best picture but when I out it in sunlight it reflects a bit so had to opt for a duller picture.   There's a we mixture going on her with some hessian, paper flower, metal leaf, pearl, fabric threads and holding flakes.  Had fun putting all the elements together whilst encasing them in Ice Resin.  Now I just need to sort my smaller bezels which I'm going to try using some UTEE in to see what I like best..  may as well dip some flowers in the process.  Time to turn up the heat me thinks. Lol.

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Play time.

Well I've managed to achieve quite a bit today around the house and now that hubby has gone to bed I'm off to get some die cutting done ready for my sample boards then I think I will have a wee play with my melt pot after that.  Lol. 

Happy crafting peeps
Lorraine xxx

Boo Boo

My oldest bunny when he was getting some mamma love tonight.

Rule Britannia.

New demo kit kindly delivered this afternoon by Mr Postie..  need to get my sample boards sorted quick pronto now :-)

Britannia arrival

To this..

Its taken a good few hours of hard graft today but I've certainly made a dent on the weeding.. got at least a quarter of the garden cleared.   Hope this weather continues so I can get the rest done then I can sit back and enjoy. 

Time to feed the animals now, get myself cleaned up then sit down and chillax for a while.  Think I've earned a wee cuppa and a chocolate digestive. Lol.

Toodle pip
Lorraine xxx

From this..

Tornado Survivor Finds Dog During TV Interview

http://news.sky.com/story/1093711/tornado-survivor-finds-dog-during-tv-interview

Melting Away

Well I've got a few days at home so trying to split my time between sorting the house, tidying the garden, having a play for myself and organising work.  Its a bit like the hokey kokey..  in, out, in, out and shake it all about.  Lol. 

Anyway, I've got a canvas idea in my head so out came the melt pot out last night and had a wee play to get some embellishments made up ready to go and these are the end results.  Sadly I need to wait before I can get the canvas done. Lol.

Off now to finish the housework and get on with the washing seeing as its a line drying day..  just love the smell of freshly aired clothes dried on the line.. somewhat of a luxury in this country 6 months out of the yeR.  Lol.  Hope you all have a fab day too.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

The Little Shabby Shed: Melt Art Mania!

Kaz has a fantastic Melt Pot tutorial and Ranger giveaway over on her blog..  such a fun talented lady and well worth following.

http://thelittleshabbyshed.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/melt-art-mania.html?m=0

Hot, hot, hot

Evening all.. its the end of another week yet again!    Where oh where does the time go? 

Well I was working in Craft World yesterday and today.. managed to come home empty handed last night (miracle) but tonight I've headed home with my project pan and 2 packs of wicks ready to get 1 or 2 candles made at the weekend and may hopefully get some soap made too.  I should have been heading down to Biggin Hill for the Sincerely Yours show on Sunday but sadly due to some ill health in the family I've had to pull out but I'm sure everyone in attendance will have a brill time. 
I've heard rumours that its meant to be nice this weekend so fingers crossed I may get some gardening done as the weeds are getting out of control at the moment, then next week I need to make an appointment with the doctor and dentist (broke a tooth!), then there's 2 lots of wedding stationery that need some attention.  Lol. 

Well that's a wee update on the previous and upcoming few days so off now to make a cuppa and catch up with some tv before bed.  Hope you've all had a fab week too. 

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Simple bezel fun

Me time!

Wow.. I've actually had a day off!!!!!   Calculated it last night and I've worked 19 days in a row, many of them 14 hours.  Today I've sat and chilled and really, really enjoyed it.  Started off with a lie in,  vegged out on the sofa watching tv, done some housework and washing and had a bite of lunch with mum.  Thought I was having all of tomorrow off too but got a pretty exciting phone call tonight so need to put in a few hours tomorrow as lots to organise and not a whole load of time to do it. 

Anyway,  hubby has gone to bed now and I'm catching up with some more taped shows so decided I'd prep a few wee bezels ready for the morning.  Love these things and they make great gifts too.  Off to get the last bits done then a wee tidy up before bed.  Hope you've all had a great day too.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

A daughter's love for her Dad is eternal

Me and my Dad..  obviously not taken yesterday. Lol.   Grateful for all the precious memories he left me with which I will remember until we meet again one day.

Busy weekend

Quick good morning folks as I'm heading off to set up soon.  Sorry I've not been around the last few days but was finishing off samples, working at Craft World, organising a few things for hubby's big 50 birthday on Monday and trying go forgot that my Dad ascended to heaven 16 years ago today.  Have to say I'm grateful to be working all weekend to help keep my mind occupied otherwise I'd spend it sitting crying.  Love and miss my Dad as much today as always. 

Well.. hope to see a few of you over the next 2 days and off to get my shoes on now, pack the car and get on my merry way.  Till later.. toodles.
Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Gift box

Paper mache box, lick of paint and some Britannia die cut roses to embellish.  Simple but effective. 

Sun glorious sun..

Crafting in the dining room, washing drying on the line, kids playing and neighbours cutting grass..  perfect day

Body works..

Just a very quick run down of products as I'm in full flow today again. 

Mannequin - Indigo Blu
Decopatch paper
Roses - Britannia dies
Pins - Creative Expression
Ribbon - stash
Idea-ology bits and pieces

Hope you like.

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Front view

Rear view

Front of base

Rear of base

Rear of head

Sneaky peak

Demo Weekend 11th & 12th May

I will be there demonstrating Britannia dies with lots more to be seen including Spellbinders and the Melt Pot to name but a few. 

Front view

Chest - Hobby Art
Flowers - Britannia die
Stem leaves - Cheery Lynn die
Dazzler - Creative Expressions
Pins - Creative Expressions

Well folks I apologise for missing yesterdays posts but I had a little accident as I left the shop.  Locked the door and as I turned my keyring broke and guess what.. one of my keys went right down the rain drain!!! Needless to say I couldn't just leave it there so had to drive home, collect the hubby complete with tool kit and head back in.  There was the two of us on our hands and knees trying to fish this key back out the drain..  thank goodness the police didn't drive by at time. Lol.   Good did come from it though, as well as retrieving the key hubby also treated me to dinner at the local Harvester as time was getting on and we were both feeling a little famished. 

I've had a wee day off work today so managed to catch up with some housework and 3 loads of washing, mum came to visit with her friend (first I've seen my wee mum since Saturday) and organised some work stuff.  I'm back in the shop tomorrow then have a First Holy Communion on Saturday.  Next week is going to be pretty full on as I'm prepping for next weekend's 2 day demo at Craft World but also have some samples to squeeze in for the lovely Lynda Chapman who has just announced she will be launching a new 4 day deal on Create & Craft on Monday 13th May.  Guess its going to be a week of long days.  Lol.

Anyway I guess I should sign off now, clear my mess and start thinking about getting some beauty sleep.  Till tomorrow..  nighty night.

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Overhead View

Wee up close

Front

Wooden bird house - Hobby Art
Foliage - Marianne die
Flower soft
Bird - Marianne die
Flowers - Britannia die

Side two.. will defo look better once roof is complete

Side one

Back

Still a few wee flowers to add but will do that at the demo as well as finishing off the roof so folks can see how easy it is.