2009 is fast approaching !!!!!!

A very good morning to all of you wonderful people out there in blogland.....

Another apology from me for not having blogged over the last few weeks but life ended up in turmoil before christmas as it does for all of us but you will be glad to know I did manage to do some christmas shopping (immediate family only this year) but I also managed to make around 80 cards which was good going for me... In addition to that, the week before christmas I was at the hospital 3 days in a row, nothing bad, Mon for my shoulder, Tues for my post op check & Wed for hubby. You know how long it takes when you visit the hospital though so these visits ran into hours. In addition to that on the Tuesday I had my final workshop to run so time was really not on my side that week.

Alas christmas has come & gone for yet another year and I so hope that you all had a marvellous time with your friends & family. Was Santa good to you???? Since christmas I have been resting up as all the running around beforehand didn't go down well with my stomach which decided to swell up & stay up so have been getting it back under control again as I plan to have a very busy time of it in 2009. Too much of this year has been lost (1st admitted to hospital on August 21st) hence I've basically been sat on my back side for 4 months now with lots of restrictions on my movements. Time to move on now me thinks although I do have to be careful for another 6-8 weeks as according to the surgeon that is approx how much longer my internals require to heal....

This has been a good year for me in some ways as I have been accepted as a demonstrator for Fiskars & Marking World (Sakura) but due to my ill health I will be glad to put this year behind me know. For all of you out there who have had health problems also I sure hope that 2009 is better for you. Stay strong & stay well....

Well now that you all know I am still in the land of the living and not been abducted by aliens I will bid you all a fond farewell for 2008... May 2009 be a much healthier & wealthier year for one and all...

Remember the new Sugar Bowl kick starts tomorrow so make sure you all come along & join in the fun...

In finishing off my speech for 2008 may I close by saying a huge huge thank you to all of you out there who have supported me through my ill health. Both my hubby & I have been left amazed at the messages of support I have received on my blog, by email & by gorgeous handmade cards.... It even continued through to the Christmas cards and may I tell you that these cards all have pride of place in my living room and my visitors have a ball looking at them all in detail.

THANK YOU & HAPPY NEW YEAR WHEN IT ARRIVES.......... speak to you all in 2009.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Merry Christmas 1 and all

Apologies

I do apologise for not getting back to you all yesterday with pics of some new cards but it turned into one of those days... had lunch then a visitor arrived, by the time she left late afternoon & I got some housework done I ended up completely shattered lying on the sofa... later last night I had to muster up the energy to do some stamping as I had 6 new Sugar Nellie stamps arrived & I was desperate to try them. Ended up on the sofa with my images & water colours watching tv.

Will try to be a better girl today & something uploaded but in the meantime I hope you are all working away hard & getting organised for crimbo.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Good Morning

Just popped on to say good morning to everyone & what a glorious day it is here... Yes there is lots of frost lying on the ground but currently we have a gorgeous blue sky scattered with some fluffy white clouds... I'm sure it's freezing outside but currently in my big pink housecoat so that don't matter.

Workshop was fab yesterday again & next week we are going to be working with sketches so that will be really cool for them. I must admit that they have progressed well over the last few weeks & one lady in particular has got almost all of her cards made now which is fantastic for a complete beginner...

Currently I am considering whether or not to phone the hair dresser & see if I can get in for a dry cut today. Never had a dry cut before but have no option this time... can't slouch back in the chair else I stretch my belly too much & can't bend over to have it washed as it pushes on my belly too much... Hell this whole belly op stuff creates a whole load of inconvenience... will let you know later what I decide but hey if it don't happen today it will be very soon as the old mop hasn't been cut since late July early August so I'll leave your imagination to work on that one... Must ensure I look pretty for the festive season you know, special friends coming to visit & let's not forget I must look good for Father Christmas.

Happy crafting & will be back later today with some pics...

Lorraine xxx

2 sketches 4 you

Now what a fabulous we had to work with this week over at 2 sketches 4 you and I did start out with the best intentions of working to the sketch but I ended up altering the layout slightly.. it really does give a completely different look yet all I done was moved the ribbon down so that it all shows instead of it being behind the image... so I really didn't alter much of the layout... even better is the fact that my OH loves this image (makes sense as we have 8 rescue bunnies) so I think I can say that I now have his Christmas card made. So that's 2 made yesterday only another 100 to go...

Images are Joanna Sheen Messy Rabbit
Ribbon from stash

The image has been coloured using brush markers & the little "Wish List" on the left hand side is infact raised using silicone. Sorry my photos are crap at the moment as my camera is heavy & I find it difficult to balance the weight in order to get a good pic.

Ok I'm off again as I've got a workshop to host at 1pm & currently sitting here in PJ's, sipping coffee...

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Our Buddy

This here is the latest addition to our family & he just managed to acquire the name Buddy due to the fact that on the day he arrived my OH kept speaking to him & calling him Buddy... funny how things stick ain't it!

Well this little man arrived 2 weeks past on Sunday. The family he was with originally had loved him then when they became bored they shut him in a shed... thankfully someone went to check on him & found him in a shed approx 3 inches deep with his own dirt, no food & no water... poor wee mite was nothing but skin & bone... the girl who found him decided no way was this poor bunny staying there so she simply lifted him & left taking him to her own home for a week and giving him loads of love. She was unable to keep him herself as she has a ferret so asked if we would oblige by taking him in... well we did have a spare cage & find it oh so hard when someone asks & we don't have anywhere to house them. Well when this wee darling arrived he was still well underweight & done nothing but eat & sleep and that is no exaggeration... he would actually wear out just with eating food...

Now I am glad to report that 2 weeks on from coming to live with his new mummy & daddy, he can tell a much different story. Weight has been gained, we can now stay alert during the day although we do still love to throw ourself onto our side for a long deep nap & then in the evenings he loves nothing more than to come out & have a run around the living room chinning everything in sight...

I really do wish that people would realise the extent of care that these wee animals require, they are not made to sit in a cage all day long with nothing but straw... they require regular exercise to maintain their health & also a well balanced diet & clean environment...

Hope you love Buddy as much as we do.

Lorraine xxx

Penny Black Challenge

Firstly I do apologise about the lighting whilst taking this picture but it is now extremely dark outside & really didn't want to wait till tomorrow.... already 2 days behind.

Well this week over at Penny Black we were challenged to work with a sketch which I do love... I actually like this one so much that I think it will be used for a lot of this years cards as counted them up today & I have over 100 cards to send out & not a single one made yet... think I may have to raid the challenge cards to get me started but this is such a quick & simple layout that I could really batter these cards out in no time at all.... Thanks so much for that.... Image coloured using brush markers... snow using stickles & hats with cotton wool....

Image & sentiment : Penny Black

Papers : DCWV

Ribbon : Stash

Ok must dash now as dinner just about ready to come out of the oven & I'm starving....

Happy Crafting

Lorraine xxx

Tag You're It Challenge

What a fab challenge this week over at Tag You're It... Triangle Tag... this was great fun & simply complemented the style of the Christmas trees...

The tag was put through the cuttlebug then some torn & inked edges on the papers, the green trees are laid flat with the pink mounted on foam pads for depth. The dots have been highlighted with some stickles just to add a shiny snow effect. Also added to the trees...

Papers & trees from Funky Hand (Funky Christmas Time & Funky Little Christmas), both are available as downloads costing only £3.49 each & both sets have fab alpha's & toppers as well as gorgeous backgrounds...

Ribbon from my stash.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Good Morning Just

Well just a quick note to say good morning to everyone on this yet another fine british morning... if anyone has sunshine please let me know so I know that someone somewhere is not looking out on dark clouds...

Currently sat here in my pj's & fluffy housecoat paying bills & trying to do some online christmas shopping. Due to my operation I have the best part of cancelled christmas this year as I don't have the energy to deal with it all the moment but you do always have those presents that must be bought & now I'm worried that I won't find what I want... Thus for a few hours today my bum is going to be sat here putting stuff in shopping baskets (hopefully the companies will gift wrap too)....

Silly me also lost my challenge list yesterday so alas no cards made at the moment to upload but I have now got my list again so will get something posted later...

Off to shop in my slippers & pj's now, back soon.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Papertake Weekly

Over at Papertake Weekly where we were given the recipe for our card...

1 Ribbon

2 Rectangles

3 Small round embellishments...

Well here goes with my effort.... very simple & nothing to it...

Papers by Laura Ashley

Ribbon & gems from my stash

Green stalks & flower centres have been highlighted with a Sakura clear glaze pen but unfortunately you can't see it in the pic because of the poor light I have today... Sorry

Happy crafting everyone

Lorraine xxx

2 sketches 4 you

Well there is a surprise that we have been given yet another fab sketch over at 2 sketches 4 you set this week by the very talented Laura... how do these girls manage it week after week?

They have us scratching heads over what fab products to use & looking for the most delicious ribbons etc that we have in our stash... no wonder we love them so much.

My card this week has been kept very plain & altered the layout slightly as it is for a very special lady who sadly lost her mum at the weekend & is now due to celebrate her birthday this weekend... Don't think there will be much celebrating going on... For this reason I wanted something that did not say Happy Birthday or anything but thought that these colours were a little bright without being too in your face to help brighten her day...

Papers, ribbons & alpha by Heidi Grace

"4U" & heart rub on by Doodlebug

Flowers, button & gems from my stash

Doodling is with a white Sakura pen & the flowers on the alpha have been highlighted with a Sakura clear glaze pen...

Sorry about the quality of the pic but I'm not great at keeping the camera steady at the moment & the lack of light is unbelievable at the moment... to get this amount of light I have a main light & a spot light on the card... like so many others awoke this morning thinking the ground would be snow covered as forecast but no, just another dull day to look forward to....

Happy crafting wherever you are.

Lorraine xxx

Good Morning

Well what a lovely morning it is here, beautiful blue sky but.... yes thick with ice and freezing cold.... don't you just love these kinds of days so long as you don't have to leave the house.. at the moment I'm sat in my nightie & huge pink house coat all wrapped around so I'm very warm indeed...

Sorry I haven't got anything posted but yesterday was a very busy day which left me nothing less than exhausted. Had an appointment at the hospital about a shoulder injury I received almost 4 years ago during a hit & run but lo & behold still trying to find out exactly what damage was done... you see it droops, my scapula is now winged and my collar bone protrudes slightly. Well my appointment was at 10am so off I trotted at 9.20am thinking I would be home by 11am at the latest... How dare I think my day would run smoothly... Infact I got home again at 12.25pm at which time I had to ram half a roll down my throat (hadn't eaten all day) and I had a workshop starting at 1pm so everything got thrown in the car & off I set with my travel mug full of coffee...

Fun was had by all at the workshop then I had to pack up & return home as quickly as possible as I didn't fancy being on the roads when the ice came down again... thus by the time I unloaded the car I was worn out...

Whilst at the hospital I had to do all these stretches including touching my hands above my head with my arms straight & had to hold a huge canister filled with water to weight my arm whilst having x-rays done... now normally that would be fine but whilst recovering from surgery and not being able to stretch properly for months and not supposed to hold anything over 2lbs in weight at the moment, I quite simply slumped into the sofa for the rest of the evening...

Alas this morning I have to make 2 sympathy cards, a birthday card & one for a new baby... Sadly an old work colleague of mine has just lost his father & a very very close friend has sadly lost her mum. Both of these people were ill at the time of passing & thankfully they passed pain free so for that we have to be grateful.. My thoughts are very much with those left behind at this time...

Off now to make a start on the day & I will join in a challenge as soon as I have a minute... won't be long I promise...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Fab 5 @ 2sketches4you

Wow what a start I've gotten to this week... due to my shopping expedition yesterday I didn't manage to log onto my computer and for to open my emails this morning and read your lovely comments was amazing... Yes this is the first I knew.... that I've actually been chosen as one of this weeks Fab 5 over at 2sketches4you....

Well I'm sure you can imagine how I feel and as I'm one of those people who never expects anthing like this to happen, so it just made it all the better for me...

I simply play along with the challenges for the fun of it although I must admit that I love Kazan & Laura to pieces as they are always coming up with such fab sketches for us to work with that if you're every lacking in mojo, it's the first place to start...

Thank you so much Kazan & Laura, you are both extremely talented ladies who give such inspiration to the rest of us... long may it continue.

Happy crafting everyone

Lorraine xxx

St Andrews Day....

Well as you will know yesterday was St Andrews Day here in Scotland so how did you all celebrate???

For me I braved the elements and instead of setting out to complete a card challenge, I had a personal challenge to accomplish instead... and yes I achieved it so I'm over the moon...

Yesterday morning I donned my clothes including hat, scarf & gloves and set out into the freezing misty morning with my sights set on making it to the craft fair in Ingliston... Through the mist I went, then a light fluttering of snow for all of 60 seconds & what did I find at the other end but fabulous blue skies... wow it was like being in a different world instead of only 5 miles from my house...

My main reason for going was to see the lovely and very very talented Wendie Rhodes and Audrey Sibert so had a lovely time with them & a right good chat to catch up with everything that's been going on. Needless to say I was being pampered by them due to my recent operation...

Obviously I had to do a little shopping whilst there though nothing much as I can't carry much weight at the moment so had to be extra careful... Got a tidy tray as I've been telling myself for the last year that I need it but never actually gotten around to it, the lovely funky fonts templates by Wendie & also her sugar plum christmas stamps, some cuttlebug embossing folders, collall photo glue as I'd be lost without it and rubber stamps by Little Claire & Penny Black....

All in all I had a wonderful day & was well chuffed with my accomplishment for the day... just to make sure I stay well, had a lovely long soak in a nice hot salty bath last night... then up & moving on this morning...

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend & a belated Happy St Andrews Day to all you Scots out there...

Happy Crafting

Lorraine xxx

Daring Cardmakers Challenge

The challenge this week over at Daring Cardmakers is to create something white with a hint of pink for christmas... well my medallion stamp sprang to mind as I love using this.

I simply used brush markers to ink the stamp then a koi water brush to pull the colour in on some of the design... 4 little snowdrop stamps in the corners again using the brush markers & some glitter around the edge along with a few pink gems. Voila 1 quick & easy card... apart from the time spent cutting out the layers... 5 in total.

Hope you're all joining in the festive challenges as if I can do it, you can too...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Out & About

So sorry I never managed to get any cards uploaded yesterday, but had a few visitors which put me behind schedule so I actually only managed to get one made along with making a start on a project for next weeks workshop... as well as that hubby had actually stolen the camera for work all day so couldn't get any pics taken anyway.

Today we were out at eleven for my hubby to do a viewing then we went to a nice garden centre for lunch.. Yummyyyy.... then we went to the supermarket, my first time there in a few months. Well I made it to the second last aisle before my old body told me enough was enough so back to the car I went and as soon as we got in the door I changed into my trackie bottoms & lay in bed for a half hour to help settle me a bit... alas I have things to do like update my blog & also get my new Funky Daze onto my computer as I only ordered it yesterday & in true Anice fashion it arrived in the post today... how can all companies not operate as efficiently as Funky Hand???

Sunshine

Well I have awoken to some glorious sunshine this morning and although I'm sure it's very cold outside it is lovely to look out at from the warmth of the house...

I was going to attempt to drive through to Edinburgh today to attend the craft show but the weather here was not great yesterday & although it's lovely at the moment this could quickly change & being as I've only been driving again for a few days, I'm not sure it would be such a good idea for me to take the chance... So what am I going to do instead....

I've still to tackle yesterdays challenge over at Rainbow Lady & then it's on to Tag You're It. After that I'll have to tackle some designs for next weeks workshop... Better not forget to have my nice big full Scottish breakfast for my lunch either as I need the calories to help bump the weight on after my operation... along with the turkish delights, caramels, crisps, hob nobs etc etc etc.

Before my op you could never have said that I had a love of food, I simply ate because I had to in order to survive... now however, well what can I say, the thought of going for more than 2 hours at a time without having some form of calorie intake is a thought too much to bare... after my op I thought that my stomach would become so small that I would temporarily have to buy some size 6 trousers but hell, I currently only have 3 pairs of combats that still fit me (they were too big on me before) as everything else is too small to get the buttons & zips done up... oh I feel a massive spending spree coming on in January to buy myself a new wardrope of size 10 trousers... Yippee !!!!!

Well I'll stop rabbiting now & get on with my work so I can get some pics downloaded later...

Hope you all have a fab day & happy crafting.

Lorraine xxx

2 for the price of 1....

Well for the second time this week I have been very fortunate & managed to cover 2 of this weeks challenges with the 1 card.... what are they you may ask? Well, the first one is over at Papertake Weekly where we had to work to a gorgeous sketch and the second one is Arty Girlz
where the challenge was to design a card using your favourite colours which for me are natural earthy tones....

The design is highlighted using a clear Sakura glaze pen which looks lovely when the light shines upon it...

Everything I've used her all comes from my yummy Anna Griffin kit from QVC...

Well off to see my mother now who has just arrived after being in Benidorm for 5 days so hope she brought me something nice back...

Hope you all have loads of fun crafting today.

Lorraine xxx

Award Time Again

Well what a lovely start to my day placing another fabulous award on my blog, this time received for the gorgeous Sharon who just also happens to be giving away some yummy blog candy just now.... so it's well worth paying her a visit.... hurry though it ends on November 30th...

The sentiment behind this award is truly amazing. This is it:

This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships!These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind blogger's aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight blogger's who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

What a wonderful sentiment and an elegant award.

Now I have to pass it on to 8 people. So difficult with all the deserving blogs out there. Anyway, this is the 8 I chose:

Gayle, Ann, Cynthia, Dawn, Terrie B, Chris, Ana, Chriss

Phew, I'm glad that is by with as it's so difficult to choose just 8 people.

Well I'm off to get myself on the go for the day & see what challenge I can meet today as I don't have anything done yet. After doing my workshop yesterday then decided I would pop to the supermarket for a few things so had no energy left last night to do anything. Buy hey presto today is another day... and I'll be back before you know it.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

2sketches4you

What a lovely sketch we have this week over at 2sketches4you & being as I am trying to get into normal work mode as much as possible, I simply had to get this one done asap... now with such a fab design it didn't take long at all.

Paper, tag, swirls & sentiment by Creative Imaginations bought as a kit from QVC (? 586 864 ?)

Green felt trim from the Sierra Kit by Anna Griffin bought from QVC (586 932)

Red gems from my stash

Well my fellow crafters, I hope you like this weeks creation & sorry but I must dash now as I've got an hour & a half to get ready for my workshop & currently sitting here with water running off of my hair, no make up etc etc... hell it sure aint no pretty sight !!!

Take care one & all & I look forward to seeing all your creations.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Tag You're It Challenge

Well folks for this challenge I decided to try & kill 2 birds with 1 stone so to speak... I have a card making workshop to do tomorrow for complete beginners so I decided to combine this weeks tag challenge with one of my makes for the workshop, hence it is very simple... as you all know my mojo has been challenged of late so boy was I relieved when the challenge this week on Tag You're It was to work from a sketch. The layout of which I have adjusted to meet my needs...

Green, gold & white card

Papermania poinsetta

Cardology shimmer yarn

Image, snowflakes & sentiment are all black peel offs

Image coloured using Sakura glaze pens

Button from stash

Well I'm off now to push on as running behind with challenges... yesterday I had an attempt at driving my car & today I successfully drove to my local spar on my own & back, made some brunch, done the dishes, tidied the kitchen, swept my wooden floors & used my lovely electric carpet sweeper to do my living room carpet. Mums friend popped in to do my ironing (wonderful angel that she is), I've made up the last of the kits for tomorrows workshop, now blogging & want to get another card done tonight as well as have my bath & wash my hair.. Phew !!!!! Am I mistaken that I am supposed to be recovering from major surgery ???

Happy crafting all...

Lorraine xxx

My Apologies

May I just say sorry for being such a bad girl yesterday & not updating my blog... I know it appeared as though I deserted you all again just as I was getting back into the swing of things but honestly I was not slacking... I was infact preparing kits for a christmas card making workshop that I have on Tuesday... thing being that what would normally take me a few hours to do is currently taking me a full day... I'll be so glad when I'm back to full operating power...

Well I'm going to try & do a bit better today so I've been on a few challenge blogs to see what I have to come up with so now I just have to find some mojo & get creating... hopefully I'll manage to get something uploaded later today.

Better stop the blogging now as I have to shower first before I can even touch the crafty goodies... Yes I know it's lunch time but I had a bit of a long lie this morning as I haven't been sleeping too well this week but only woke 3 times last night & when I was asleep boy I was dead to the world... I am still fragile you know.... any excuse but I can get away with it just now so may as well use it to my advantage...

Happy crafting to you all & will be back soon with yet another creation.

Big hugs to one & all

Lorraine xxxxx

2 In 1 challenge

Firstly I do apologise for the crap picture but never quite managed to hold myself steady enough for a good one so this is the best of the 7 that I did take.... will try to do better tomorrow...

Well this week the challenge this week over at Rainbow Lady was wings and the challenge over at Daring Cardmakers was birds, so I decided to use this card to kill 2 birds with 1 stone (pardon the punn)...

I am very late for both these challenges but better late than never & it clears the way for getting some more done. That is in addition to the prep I am doing for a workhop I have on Tuesday... Oh to have to make so many cards, how do we manage... me thinks because it gives us the excuse we need to sit playing with paper & cards all day long..

Papers & swirls from Creative Imaginations (highlighted with some stickles)
Flower from my stash.

Happy crafting me blogland buddies

Lorraine xxx

Penny Black Challenge

Well here we are again, another day, another card & I'm feeling quite proud of myself this week, considering how few challenges I've managed over the last few months I think I'm doing pretty well.

Today it is time for the Penny Black challenge which this week is a "monochromatic" theme... This actually worked out quite well for me as our friends had a little girl on Saturday whom they have called Poppy... Rather sweet I think... well I decided to kill 2 birds with one stone and use the challenge to create the baby card... May I just say that although this only a 10 minute make it did infact take me about 6 hours to complete as I constantly had people popping in & out... Aaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. My precious crafting time stollen from beneath my nose... me thinks that I may well have to lock the doors & draw the curtains today so they all think I'm still in bed...

I do apologise for the picture today but my hubby has stolen the camera for work today so I had to take the picture last night using my under unit lights in the kitchen... but for the record everything is different shades of pink.

Papers Pink handmade paper stack from Cardology

Image Penny Black Topsy Turvey (3466F)

Sentiment : American Craft Thickers (coloured with brush markers)

Image stamped using brush markers & blended with Koi water brush

Flowers & Gems from my stash

Hope you're all joining in the fun this week. Happy crafting...

Lorraine xxx

Look what I got...

Now how lucky am I to have received this absolutely gorgeous card in the post full of well wishes from the lovely Ann (Ickle Haggis)

Now the really funny part of it is that yesterday morning when I was trying to do a little blog hopping I popped over to Anns blog, saw this lovely card & left a comment. Low & behold when my postie finally arrived mid afternoon what did he bring for me but this exact card... had a little chuckle to myself. Isn't it just a gorgeous card & the colours are so lovely to look at that they really brighten the day...

Thank you oh so much to Ann for thinking of me & if you've never visited her blog before please pop over now for much more inspiration.

Hope one & all are having a fantastic day, I know I am...

Lorraine xxx

Stamp Something

Two in a row, two in a row, yippee, yippee !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow do I feel good about myself today as yes you've guessed it, this is my second challenge in just two days.... believe it or not this is such a simple card yet because of visitors yesterday it actually took me about six hours to complete... I had to keep putting it down then picking it up again... realistically it is a ten minute make... hey who cares I still got the job done & that's what matters at the end of the day...

Oh now the mind boggles over what challenge to do today & in addition to that I also have to make a new baby card for friends who have had a little girl whom they've called Poppy (how sweet is that), they already have a boy (Shea) and a little girl (Georgie). This is a couple who know how to pick unusual but not silly names...

Well can't sit her gibbering all day can I as there is work to be done... but hope you are all joining in the fun this week over at Stamp Something and even if you're not joining in why not pop over for a little inspiration...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Cardstock from my stash

Snowflake images & sentiment from Cardology

Shimmer yarn from Cardology
Christmas brads from Cardology

Sugar Nellie Blog Candy

Oh now who could resist this delicious giveaway of two absolutely adorable rubber stamps from Sugar Nellie....

Maggie is dressed in her gorgeous christmas fairy dress and our little Hamish well it only leaves one question.... is he being a true scots man under that kilt ????

These fabulous stamps are being given away by Gayle who has just taken over the huge job of running the Sugar Nellie blog. In order to stand a chance of winning them all you have to do is leave a message on your own blog telling people about this fab giveaway & also a message on Gayles blog giving a reason why you should be their new mummy....

I'm being nice & spreading the word but hey, back off !!!!!!! I want the stamps............ they're just so adorable I want to cuddle them in my home....

Happy crafting everyone & hope you all join in the fun.

Lorraine xxx

Tag You're It Challenge

Yippee !!!!!!!!!!!!! I've managed to join in a challenge...........

Well we all know what a hard task master big mamma Kath is & this just goes to prove it.... Here I am poor little me trying to recover from my surgery & what does she do ??? Oh yes she has to be the one coming up with this weeks challenge. Now can you imagine the trouble I would get into if, over a full 7 day period I could not come up with a design to show my support for her... Exactly I had no option... Mother hen has decided it's time to give me a kick up the butt & get me on the go again... (we all love her really & this kicking of the bum is one of the many reasons why we do).

To be truthful my tag was actually finished by lunch time on Friday only to discover that my dear beloved husband had taken the camera to work.... what good is that to me ??? Well by the time he arrived home at 7pm it was too late to take a pic... Saturday I was in Musselburgh for a demo day & yesterday was spent in my PJ's recovering from the day before.... Alas today has arrived the start of a new week & with new challenges for me to accomplish... Yippee.....

Happy crafting to you all & I hope to see more & more of you over the next few days...

Lorraine xxxxx

Papers & embellishments by Creative Imaginations (purchased as a kit from QVC) funny thing is they are based in Huntington Beach which is where my hubby comes from... do you think I might be able to visit their factory next time I'm visiting the in-laws???? Oh that would be fab.

Another Award

Even though I've been a bad blogger over the last few months due to my health the amount of support I have received from you all is immense..... and just today I have collected another award from the lovely Gayle who may I say texts me every single day without fail to check on my progress (many a time she slaps my fingers for being bad) she also makes me laugh....

I am supposed to pass this on to 5 other bloggers, but instead of doing that this time I would like instead to nominate all of you who have given me so much support.... you are all such fab people & I just love the simple layout of this award & the lovely bright colours which we all need at this time of year as autumn / winter is very quickly approaching...

This award brightened my day so please accept it from the bottom of my heart with much thanks & take it to your blog today....

Love ya all loads & happy crafting... I'm off now to get on with some more samples... promise I will try & get some pics uploaded asap.

Lorraine xxxxxxxxxxx

Sakura...........................

Well I would love dearly to hear from anyone out there who has never heard of Sakura or never infact used their products....

Yes these are one of the things we hold dear to our hearts... our beloved Sakura pens... where would we be without our glaze, stardust etc....

Well, I hope you are all sitting down now as I have some truly amazing news to share with you all... as at the moment I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new kit.... yes you've guessed it... I am now officially a Sakura demonstrator..... how fab is that....

Yes things will be slow for me at the moment due to my recent surgery but once the new year arrives I am so looking forward to going out demoing on a regular basis & to meeting loads of you... I will put a list of demo dates on my blog so you will know if I am going to be in your area.. that way I can get the opportunity to meet you in person then I'll know who I'm blogging with.

Well now that I've shared my news with you all it's time to get my butt back to work... no rest for the wicked as they say....

Hope you're all having a fabby time out there crafting & I promise to get back to normal as soon as possible...

Big hugs

Lorraine xxxxxxxxxxxxx

I've been bad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So sorry to have been neglecting you all again but it's been with very good reason....

As my recovery is progressing more day by day, I've managed to make it out for lunch at the weekend with my lovely hubby & my mums friend also took me out for a little jaunt in the car...

In addition to that I've been making samples for a demo I have on Saturday at Ashby Designs in Musselburgh then have some workshops after that for 4 weeks so I really do have lots to do & it all takes time as I don't move the quickest at the moment.....

As soon as I get a minute I will get some pics posted but in the meantime I'm going to put up another post with some fab news............. I really am jumping with joy at this one....

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxxxxxxxxxx

Another Award

Well how lucky am I to have been given this award during my recent period of ill health...

It was presented to me by the gorgeous Anne-Marie quite a while back now (September actually) but this is the first I've gotten around to putting it on my blog...

Thank you honey for putting a huge smile on my face during my hour of need. I was supposed to pass it on but I would imagine that everyone has collected theirs by now but if not please feel free to collect from me...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxxxx

Idol 2008

Well my gorgeous & very talented step daughter was singing in the Idol 2008 regional final last night at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow & I am proud to announce that she managed to come in as runner-up.... An exceptionally good achievement & it also means that she may still be in with a chance of getting to the Grand Final at the end of this month.... Fingers crossed.....

Well done Brianna......

Lorraine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My new house....

Well as you all know I've not exactly been in a mood to craft lately but have definately not been in a physical state either.... Last week I sat for 3 days just cutting out & building up decoupage images. At least it gave me something to get me started...

Alas, I started feeling a little better though it was difficult to get to my craft goodies but isn't it amazing what you can do with a Doodlebug house kit & a K&Co pad... lets not forget the little gems that I finally managed to gain access to...

It's not done to perfection as I can't put anything heavy on my lap so I had to do all the measurements & cutting out on top of a cushion that was there to protect my wound...

All in all I quite happy of the outcome & it sure helped me to get the mojo going again... perhaps if I can drum up a few cards this week all should be close to normal within the next week or two.

I just thought I would share this with you all so you know that I am trying hard to get back in the flow of things & do think of all you gorgeous crafters out there each & every day....

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

HOSPITAL NEWS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is just a quickie note to let you all know that I received word from the hospital today regarding the pathology report on everything that they stole from my stomach....

1. Right ovary & tube....
2. Sample from left ovary....
3. Very large tumour.....

My poor wee belly is becoming shrinking by the day as the swelling is going down but hey won't be long before I can pile the pounds on (need at least a stone....)

Well the good news is that everything that went to the pathologist was tested and there are absolutely no signs of any malignancy....

YIPPEE ................... the final all clear has been received so no more worrying now....

Love ya all loads
Lorraine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

More hand made cards.....

Well hello again................

I'm never much good at getting my pictures uploaded in any particular order so I just have to accept however they appear....

Anyway, here are some lovely handmade cards that I have received since going through my surgery. This cutie here showing showers of love coming my way was sent from the lovely Gayle. She has been a god send to me over the last few months & texts me every day to check on my well being ( as well as sending me chocies)...



As for this next little beauty (you may already have guessed who this one is from) yes she does have a very distinctive talent....

Were you right ??? It's from the gorgeous Kath who is yet another very trusty friend who has provided me with an immense amount of support over the last few months.... I'm so honoured as the stitching detail is all done by her own fair hand... Hmmmm wonder if she is expecting a birthday card from me later this week???? I think she deserves it, don't you !!!!!

The next 2 cards are from non-bloggers who attend the same craft group as me. The first here is from a lovely lady called Christine who I have known for many years now & it's lovely to know that she is thinking of me although I haven't seen her for almost 2 months now....

And this final card is from another lady in the group called Helen who first got me to attend the craft group & she has been crafting for over a decade now... Helen is also my buddy who I go to the Create & Craft experience with & I blame most of my expensive purchases on her when Rob starts asking me too many questions. Oh I do have many a sin to pay for.

Well I just thought I would share these with you all as I am so appreciative of all the support & well wishes I have received during my period of ill health.... Hope everyone reading this is all in high spirit & feeling healthy...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxxxxxxxxxxxx

HELLO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry this is short & brief but as you know I am still recovering from my op & this is only my 2nd day sitting at the computer. Boy do I wish I had one of those lush computer chairs instead of the basic hardly any padding ones that I infact have. Not much meat on my bones at the best of times but feeling it all just now....

What a huge thank you I owe to one & all of you for all the good wishes I have received....

THANK YOU ..... YOU'RE A WONDERFUL CROWD......

Haven't yet managed to get back to crafting yet but I am going to make an attempt today as Kath brought me such a delicious goody bag that temptation is becoming too much for me.... It does include Heidi Grace papers etc so boy is my heart going to break using them but hey it wold be such an insult if I just stared at & stroked my gorgeous gift....

Now I'm going to tell you a tale of two woes...... this proves what a true dedicated friend Kath truly is as she never shared this story but I have to as I feel so guilty over it & you will understand why....

My bestest crafting buddy comes to visit on Friday evening after a long hard days work at the SECC, and along with her brings a fantastic bag of goodies for me..... yummy yummy yummy and just what the doctor ordered... we ate our fish suppers & chatted away catching up on all the news & Kath was filing me on on Ann's progress after her operation... what a fab time I was having. Then came time for Kath to return to her hotel.... time for disaster to strike.... this was my first time out of the house & going in the car since I got out of hospital... Off to the car we went, me all wrapped up & Rob putting a cushion on the seat for me to sit on & another over my belly to keep the seat belt away from my wound... Now mother hen Kath is making sure I'm all strapped in safe & sitting comfortable before the journey begins.... The journey begins, with the first stop being the petrol station to fill up the tank.... Brrrmmmm goes the engine as we embark, out of the estate we drive, along the road we go, a left hand turn to the main road then a right hand turn to get to the garage..... boy it's getting hot in here me thinks so asks Rob to turn the heating down.... Gosh I'm sweating now (is it panic) not sure, take deep breaths me thinks & all will be okay.... Finally we reach the petrol station & Rob exits the car.... Big momma Kath rolls into action as always... "are you sure you're ok?????" "I feel really ill" I reply, "but don't want to panic Rob" I says.... Breath deep me thinks as Kath is trying to get me to tell her how to put the seat back so that I can be in a laid down position.... Too late me thinks as I throw open the car door feeling as though I am going to vomit. Beware the wound me thinks !!! Oh no what am I going to do I panics as I'm trying to roll out the car without hurting myself... out I pops with my poor hubby wondering what the hell is going on... next thing I know I'm doubled in two pain shooting through me, tears rolling down my face with Kath on one end & Rob on the other helping to support me so I don't hit the deck.... well what happened to me then.... I was successful in popping two of my internal stitches, thankfully not at the same place so should be ok..... they huckled me back into the car to get me home asap.... what happened to Kath well here goes.....

Poor Kath remained at the garage where the assistant said she would call her a taxi to get back to her hotel............

How mortified am I that my dearest friend who took time to visit & bring me gorgeous goodies, was left abandoned at a petrol station, in a town she doesnt' know, to get a taxi back to her hotel............. no-one will ever feel the pain I did over this......

Kath being Kath has not shared this on her blog with anyone but as part of my way of making amends to her I decided to give her a huge public apology via my blog.

Kath my darling, you know how very special you are to me. You have held my hand through many things over the last year & are only ever a phone call away.... for what happened on Friday night I am so deeply sorry & give you my solemn promise in front of everyone in blogland that I will make this up to you....

Thank you for being such a true friend........... I love you with all my heart......... Sorry......

Well folks, that's enough from me today, hell I can't burn the brain out on the first day with typing..... I have to keep something in the hopes I can get some creativity going today.

Will try to pop on tomorrow again & in the meantime, happy crafting to one & all...... it's good to be back even if it's limited.

Lorraine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Another Brief Farewell

Well folks, it's that time again when I need to bid you all a fond farewell for another brief period of time.

I have to be at hospital for 8am tomorrow morning & will hopefully be out of surgery by early afternoon. I've surprised myself today as I'm still relatively calm which is just not like me & is very unexpected. I have the happy pills on hand though just incase I need to take them....

Thank you all for all your well wishes that I have received over the last few weeks and they have done a lot to keep me going in my down periods. Although she doesn't know it yet I am going to ask Kath to put a bit on her blog to update you all on my behalf so you can pop over to her blog for more details over the coming weeks...

Well I had my final demo yesterday at the Hobbycraft store in Glasgow & what a shock I got whilst there... You will remember my good friend Ann who is currently awaiting surgery for breast cancer, well I turned around and who was standing right there in front of me but Ann & her fabulous hubby. How shocked was I, definately the last person I would have expected to see but no..... all the way from Glenrothes they came to visit me.

Ann herself goes into hospital this coming Wednesday 15th Oct for her surgery & she just thought it would be nice for both of us to see each other before our surgeries... I could have stood & cried in the middle of the shop. Now you all know just how much of an amazing lady she truly is.... Please send out special thoughts & prayers for her over the coming weeks & months as she still has a bit to go after surgery as it's more chemo or radio for her....

THANK YOU ANN........ YOU'RE WONDERFUL.

Best of luck Kath for the SECC & although I can't get in to see you during show time we will sort something out so Mum or Rob will come pick you up & bring you out to visit me... will sort this out with you over the phone.

Well off to get organised now & will try to blog later, if not be good till I'm back.

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Stamp Something

Yummy, the challenge this week over at Stamp Something is "Fancy Folds", hmmmm what to do!!!! Well here is the finished product. I've been doing so many spring cards etc of late that I wracked my brain for something else & decided upon this as it's a style I haven't done for about 2 years now & it's amazing how you forget & move on....

Because I went back to basics on this one I had loads of fun. The paper has been highlighted with stickles, some ribbon to hold the folds together & little water coloured image in the centre. Basic but pretty.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxxx

Daring Cardmakers Challenge

The challenge this week over at Daring Cardmakers is "Scallops". Out came my trusty old Fiskars shapecutter & template & off I went.... There is detail to this card but at the same time it is a very simple & quick card to make. I have mounted the scalloped card on foam pads just to add an extra bit of depth to the card although it does not show very clear on the picture. some stitching, gems, dots on the flowers & buttons finish the whole thing off.. My favourite thing about the whole card is the brightness of the colours as they make me feel happy & with my operation quickly approaching I need all the cheering up I can get at the moment.

Thank goodness for blogging, sketches & challenges otherwise what else would a girl do !!!!!!

Thank you to everyone for all their kind words of support.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Sweet blog award

Yet another fabby award I received whilst in the depths of despair over my ill health, this time from the wonderful Chris . Now when I saw this award I immediately thought of one person and I think it was something to do with the colour combo... I would like to present this award to Gayle who like many of you has been a tower of strength to me over the last few weeks... I know she has already received this award but I simply must give it to her...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxxx

Smiley Award

Just wanted to share this delightful award with you all, which the fabulous Kath passed to me recently. Well a few weeks back now but I was too ill at the time to deal with it. It has made me smile today and I would like to pass it on to Holly for sharing all her creations with us...

Happy crafting.

Lorraine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Penny Black Challenge

The challenge this week over on Penny Black was to work from a sketch. I'm so appreciating these at the moment (more than normal) and I feel my mojo is starting to return a bit. Typical that eh, it's just coming back and I only a few days of posting left before the big surgery !!!!!!

Oh well, perhaps I'll stock pile some sketches this week & keep them till I'm recovering.

I absolutely adore these papers & really just didn't want to cut them but hey, what an excuse to buy some more..... some simple matting & layering combined with stamped image which has been water coloured using dual tip pens then some flowers, buttons & a gem to finish off....

Off now to see if I can achieve another card today which I will be every bit as happy with..

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tag You're It Challenge

Woohoo, yet another challenge achieved.... quite proud of myself now.

The challenge set this week by Tag You're It is that of "Altered Fabric Flowers". For this one I had a good old rummage in my bits & pieces. The tag was cut using my Fiskars shape cutter plus & template, this was then distressed with inks. On top of that I added some mesh just for added texture & depth. The leaves were cut from green foil and the flower were cut from pretty fabric that I got from Mei Flower. The brown cetres are cut from suede with some gold stickles rubbed over the top. The tiny green leaves were cut using Fiskars mini punches again from green foil & finished off with some hessian.

I truly enjoyed doing this challenge & the fact it made me rummage made it all the better.

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxxxx

DATE OF OP !!!!!

Well I attend hospital today for my pre assessment.... and finally I have a date for my operation. The procedure will be carried out on Monday 13th October & I will be in hospital until the Thursday or Friday depending upon my recovery. Sadly I obviously won't be blogging that week & potentially the following one.



Will have to do as much as possible over the next week then MIA again for a week or two then business will resume as normal.... YIPPEE !!!!!



Happy crafting & thank you all again for all your wishes that have been sent to me. Each and every one of them is warmly appreciated.



Lorraine xxxxxxx

2 sketches 4 you

Woohoo my 2nd challenge in 2 days. Not bad going for me of late. Not exactly happy with the end result on this one but hey just need to keep working at getting the mojo back then I'll be fine. I decided to take the opportunity to use my new Fiskars christmas stamps which I received a few weeks back but had yet to use (decided I better get used to them as I have to demo them next Saturday). Moved away from the traditional Christmas colours as this year I am going for bright for a change so out came my cats eyes & off I went. Finished off with some Fiskars eyelets & gems. Once I've made a few more cards using these stamps I think they'll become one of my favourites as there is quite a variety in the pack to choose from.

Thank you to Kazan at 2sketches4you for providing me with this wonderful sketch to give me inspiration.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxxxxxx

Paper take weekly

Yippee I've actually managed to create a card for my 1st challenge in about 6 weeks. Nothing exciting as my mojo hasn't exactly been working great with all that's been going on in my life but thought I'd try & do some challenges before I go missing again for my operation......

At least it gave me an excuse to make a christmas card & look to my recovery period & knowing that I'm going to be nice & fit again over the festive season.

Watch this space as hopefully there are more challenges to complete over the coming days.

Happy crafting one & all.

Lorraine xxx

Another Beauty

Just had to share this beautiful card with you all that I received from my partner in crime Ann. This is my very good friend who herself is going through the mill at the moment, much more so than me, yet still she took the time to create this beauty for me which I will treasure deeply forever.

This was very welcomed as I've had to cancel my Fiskars demo at the SECC as I will be in my recovery period at the time... however I will still be doing my demo at Hobbycraft on October 11th which is a small consolation to me.

Thank you Ann & happy crafting to everyone else.

Lorraine xxx

Keeping Busy

All I can say of late is thank goodness for the fabulous K&Co Christmas ornament book. I've had one of those weeks as one of my darling bunnies (Casper) had taken ill last week. I have nursed him for the whole week but sadly he did not recover & yesterday the vet had to send him off to play in bunny heaven. My heart is truly broken at this moment in time & with my hormones running wild at the moment I spent most of yesterday just crying. So much so that I gave myself a tension headache & you can imagine the state of my eyes. Hopefully little Casper will be happy where he is now & can play in the sun forever.

Due to my life of late I sometimes feel like crafting & sometimes not so my K&Co book has been a pure Godsend. Die cut ornaments ready to decorate. Here are some that have been partially done but still have the finishing touches to go on them. Haven't yet decided what I'm going to do with them as I have a very modern tree which does not allow for hanging anything on so will have to give them away or something.

Even gave me the excuse to get the big tub of Stickles out & play to my hearts content. I know these are nothing exciting but they have kept me going of late so I thought I'd share with you all so you know I haven't just been sitting back sipping coffee......

Well off to add another post. 3 in total today so pretty good going for me. The best day yet for about the last 6 weeks.

Happy crafting to one & all.

Lorraine xxx