BLOG CANDY WINNER

A very good evening one & all from my lovely new lush office chair complete with lumbar support....

A huge thank you to everyone who has taken time to leave me birthday wishes... it's very kind of you & I have so enjoyed hearing from you all... will have to come visit you all & boy will that be hard whilst my bum sits in comfort now... lol....

We've been out for most of the day so only just managed to work out who has won my blog candy so my sincere apologies for the delay... alas, without further delay... the winner has been chosen by Random.Org and is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:157
Timestamp: 2009-02-28 19:39:50 UTC

This translates to be Zoe....

Big congrats honey & if you go to my profile page & drop me an email I can then get your goodies in the post to you on Monday...

In the meantime, keep an eye on my site as I have a new idea up my sleeve for something a little different...

I will take pics of all my lovely cards & gifts to post but may be tomorrow before I get around to doing it as only just realised what time it is & may have to snuggle up on sofa with hubby & watch a good movie...

All my love and hugs to everyone.

Lorraine xxxxx

P.s. hope you've all had a piece of cake today.... lol

Guess What Today Is....

Happy birthday to me

happy birthday to me

Happy birthday to meeeeee

Happy birthday to meeeeee

If I could..... I would share a cake with all of you my lovely buddies out there in blogland....

Remember blog candy closes at 12 noon & will be drawn later in the day.

Big hugs to you all

Lorraine xxx

Good Afternoon

Well hello again my lovely little peeps.... hope you are all well & dandy on this fine day...

As you may know I was at the doctor this morning about my knee... well you go one place & end up another.... no it's not bad really.... my GP thinks I have what is known as Housemaid's Knee... basically a condition which arises from spending too much time on your knees... well I have always been a person who sat on her knees and am still in the habit when I'm working with a whole load of new products.. I love nothing more than to spread them all out over the living room floor where I can see them all together & then start deciding what goes with what...

Basically there is a fluid sac at the knee and she thinks that this has become inflammed so it's nothing major & is normally easily resolved... but to be on the safe side & ensure it's nothing to do with the actual knee joint, she shipped me off to the hospital for an x-ray... well if you live in my area you will know what parking at Wishaw General is like... about 600 people looking to park their car when there are only 300 spaces... perhaps this is why they are currently constructing 3 further car parks... hence my xray visit took no less than an hour and a half... I was round the full hospital grounds 3 times before I managed to get a parking place... absolutely disgusting. So have to wait for another 10 days now before I can get the results from my GP...

As soon as I got out of the hospital I text my friend to let her know I was heading home so she could come visit before heading back to Co Durham so she's now been & gone, as have my mother & her friend who is the darling who does all my weekly ironing... alas this is the first time I've had today to post an update...

Now I have to put all the ironing away & do a little housework as my step daughter & boyfriend are coming to visit tonight and I would like to try & get a wee card made before they arrive...

I have also received some lovely cards & flowers today which I will post pics of later... but with no further delay... I'm off to dash around now so I can get a little creation made...

Back with you all later.

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

2sketches bonus card

Oh a bit of an unusual sketch this week as the bonus challenge over at 2sketches4you.... designed by the very talented Laura Craigie (Lulu).... boy I did find this one a challenge until I got the old mind rolling....

I'm afraid I have no idea who the stamp is by as I've had it for years & it's a clear one so no designer named on it... sorry... she was heat embossed and has then been coloured with my all time favourite Sakura Stardust pens.

The background is a beautiful handmade paper & the embellishments were from a bulk lot I bought from Create & Craft well over a year ago.... one of those things that just keep going & going... I used the memory sentiment as I thought that the image could well be of a picture holding a memory for someone...

Well off to watch some CSI now & will be back with you all tomorrow...

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

Mr Postie

Mr Postie arrived today with yet another surprise envelope for me.... oh boy.... don't you just love ripping the envelope open to see what is inside....

Well this little beauty is what I received today....

Is she not just adorable... this is a gorgeous birthday card I have received from the delightful Emma (Metallic Butterfly) and was so unexpected.... I just love it...

Just thought I'd share as I appreciate the fact she even thought about sending me a card...

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

Leanne Ellis Surprise

Well as many of you will have read previously, my friend was coming to visit today so that we could work on a scrapbook for her mum 60th birthday in June... well I've never done any scrapping before but decided I would give it a bash with her... We spent most of the day working on it & actually achieved quite a few (what I think) good looking pages... now unfortunately we were so tight on time that I never managed to get any pictures taken... If I manage to see my friend before she heads back to Co Durham on Friday I will take some pics or barring that you may well have to wait until June.. Sorry...

However... I'm sure you'll be more than happy to feast your eyes on my delightful surprise which arrived for me today via Mr Postie... oh he is such a wonderful man at times isn't he when you open the door & wonder in amazement what is in the package he is holding...

Here was my huge surprise for the day... which was so thoughtfully organised by my besty buddy Gayle for my birthday... did I get the shock of my life or what.....

Yes here is my gorgeous pressie... a stunning Leanne Ellis "Make A Wish" print, along with a fabulous bookmark and a cracking "Patience" card where Leanne herself wrote some beautiful words inside for me... now how very priviledged & special do I feel.... need you ask?????

Needless to say I'm going to frame my little beauty & hang her in my craft room where she can provide me with endless inspiration and no you can't get your hands on her..... she's mine.... but I did think I would share her picture with you....

Well now that I've chilled out this evening by watching 2 episodes of Lost & how could I miss the new episode of Desperate Housewives... no way... so I'm off to bed now for some big zzzzz's and I'll be back with you all soon.

Big hugs

Lorraine xxx

Good Morning

Well good morning my lovelies...

Thank you kindly for your lovely caring words yesterday in relation to my knee.... and so you all know I have made an appointment with my GP for Friday morning to have her look at it... hopefully it will be something silly which will be easily mended...

On a brighter note I made it to the hairdresser today so have had my locks cut & feel so much better now... next thing I'll need to do is hit it with another bit of dye as they greys are starting to show themselves again... gosh old age really doesn't come alone does it.....

Well off to jump in shower now & will see you all later...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

2sketches4you

This week over at 2sketches4you we have a lovely sketch made specially for us by the very talented Laura... oh and a super creation from her too....

Oh what to make.... me wondered and wondered... then decided to use the sketch to make a birthday card for my mum's husband... you know how those masculine cards are always the harder ones to make & I thought the clean cut lines on this sketch were just perfect....

Well I do love brown, blue, green colour combos so wasn't hard to decided upon which papers to use...

Here I have opted to use the Ella & Finley papers from the In The Meadow collection from Daisy Bucket Designs... the epoxy sticker is by Christine Adolph from Creative Imaginations (I love this company so much & they are actually based in my husbands home town), white circular tag is by Heidi Grace & ribbon is from Cardology.

Hope I managed to achieve a masculine enough look...

Well I'm off to bed now for some well needed zzzzzzzz's.... got some scrapbooking to help my friend with tomorrow...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Sleepy me....

Good morning my darling blogging buddies... I know I said I would be back with you all later in the day yesterday but that never happened... WHY.....

Well as you all know my friend was here for a few hours & she arrived with a scrapbook.... oh boy.. her mum turns 60 this year and as a little something special she has decided to make her a scrapbook... Now I only got this girl started on card making last year & she has never done a book before... guess what... neither have I and she wants my help... a lot of ideas were flowing yesterday & plans will be put in action tomorrow as we are going to work on it then.

In addition to that I had physio... boy I have no idea what exactly she done to me but by late afternoon I just kept falling asleep... so nothing achieved & an early night in bed for me... gosh did I sleep like a log... and I'm not a very good sleeper so I can't believe my luck... hoping it carries on to tonight also... only thing I managed to achieve was printing off some sketch challenges but never made a start on them so they are on the agenda for today...

Finally last night I noticed that the right hand side of my right knee was swollen so I had hubby take a look at it.. just to confirm it wasn't my imagination... well does he say it could be tendonitis or something like that... no he immediately says I better get to the doctor so they can check it's not a blood clot with me having had my operation... Gosh.... just what a girl wants to hear... NOT... and because I was so tired he really upset me... so he had to pamper me for quarter of an hour to calm me down again... will have to make appt with doc though as still have huge lump there this morning... think it's probably came about from sitting on my bum for so long & now I'm dashing all over the place... poor old knee isn't used to the hard work...

Might also have to pop to hairdressers for a quick cut... I've been growing my hair again but now have what I can only describe as "wings" forming around the ear sections... so think I'm going to need a new hairdo.. one which is shorter again...

Gosh I only came on to make a quick post and look at the length of it... well suppose I better get my bum in gear & get my day organised so I can catch up with my challenges... I think the first one on my list is going to be 2sketches4you... they always manage to get the creative juices flowing...

Happy crafting until my return.

Lorraine xxx

Bunny Bum Bite...

Dawn left a comment asking who the guilty bunny was that bit my bum yesterday.... well here is the little blighter here... so sweet & innocent looking I know... chilling by the fire... but let him kid you not... he is the devil in disguise... aka Buddy....

This is the little man who came to us just shortly after my operation & to be honest we weren't sure he would survive he was so bad... he would eat till he knocked himself unconscious through exhaustion then wake up... do the toilet, eat, conk out etc etc etc... this vicious circle continued for about 3 weeks... thankfully he is at full health now & likes nothing better than to be in the living room with mummy & daddy in the evening... as you can see he has his own resting spot...

Hope you like my little Buddys pic...

Well I'm off to physio again at 11am & my friend is coming to visit for a few hours so may be late afternoon before I get to post again...

Until then my peeps... Happy Crafting...

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

Tag You're It Challenge

Oh what a fabby challenge this week over at Tag You're It... "Swirls & Circles".... how can you not just love such a super combination.... right away it just cried out Cuttlebug to me.... yet because of all the goings on in my house this weekend it's taken me until now to actually be able to complete my tag & get it uploaded...

Put some DCWV cardstock through with the swirl embossing folder then cut into a tag shape and distressed with an emery board.... then used my circular flower head to emboss onto a different colour of DCWV cardstock which I then cut out and again distressed with an emery board.... these are mounted with silicone... some orange stitched ribbon for the stems & bow from Cardology...

Well considering the mood in my house this little tag has really cheered me up... yippee...

Hope you've all had a fab weekend & I know I haven't managed to visit anyone but I will make up for it over the coming week & I will visit as many of you a day as possible...

Thanks for stopping by.

Big hugs

Lorraine xxx

I'm still here

Evening folks... just incase you may have thought that I have fallen off the face of the planet today I thought I'd better let you know that I am still alive & kicking...

It's been one of those work days today with all the animals being gutted out and one of them even bit me on the ass whilst I was cleaning his cage & had my back to him... little devil that he is... still love him to pieces though...

Now I'm off to dish up dinner then I'll be back later with a little creation....

Hugs to you all

Lorraine xxx

Penny Black Challenge

Well good day to you all out there in blogland.... and thank you so much for the lovely messages you have left me since my last posting... very much appreciated... and thank goodness you were all there to let me get it off my chest as I'm trying not to burden poor hubby with my feelings on it....

Alas, today is the dawn of a new day & by heck this credit crunch is not going to pull me down anymore... so how better to start the day than tackling this weeks Penny Black Challenge of "Get Well Soon"....

For this little card I used Basic Grey Sugared papers, self adhesive ribbon from Cardology, letter embellishments are Laura Ashley & flowers are from my stash... my little hedgie is water coloured using Bruynzeel Aquarel pencils.

A bit of a moody card with some pink pushing it's way through helping to lift my spirit...

Hope you're all joining in this weeks fun too as I would love to see your creations... well better dash now as hubby wants to go the shopping within the next half hour so may manage to get something else made later on today....

Happy crafting & big hugs

Lorraine xxx

Chocolate muffin time...

Well it has been one of those dark dismal days ever since I awoke this morning.. as you will know if you read my previous posting... I did think that it would get better as the day went on but instead that was only the start of the crap hitting the fan...

My dear hubby is an Independent Mortgage Advisor and runs his own company... well you don't need to be a member of Mensa to realise that business has definately not been good over the last 6 months. He has been doing his best to make things work but unfortunately the Government is allowing the banks to offer better deals than IFA's can offer so basically there has been no work for several months now... He has been forced to close shops & make redundancies which has been soul destroying as he knew he was putting people out of work at a time when there are very few jobs around... sadly he had no option...

Things today have just gone from bad to worse & now he fears that his business will have to close completely as they have large outlays & no income... so where does that leave us.... dear hubby will have to find something else to do & he has only ever worked in the financial sector since leaving school and I may also have to find some other form of income if there are not enough demo jobs around... we will just have to ride this storm like everyone else in Britain... what a wonderful world we are living in .... NOT......

Here is a little card I made today during my depressive mood....

Tonight I have actually made the real thing in the form of a 5 minute chocolate cake....

Papers are from Basic Grey Sugared collection... the cupcake base is corrugated card with some shimmer yarn wrapped around.. I used some bright pink embossing powder for the sprinkles and a brown button to imitate a cherry on top...

Well sorry to have shared my bad news with you all but thank you for reading... and hopefully I will be in better spirits when I return tomorrow... Until then.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

What a morning

Well my lovely little peeps... what a morning it has been...

Firstly I hardly slept last night... one of those where you do nothing but toss & turn... then when I did awake & looked out of the window, there is a yucky grey sky... so decided to pop on computer & catch up with todays challenges. Whilst doing this I read that poor Angel had her van & tools stolen last night from outside her home... poor lass & her hubby are devastated as this is what provides their income..

Thankfully I then popped over to visit Gayle & she has a lovely summery card on today complete with yellow gingham ribbon that put the first smile of the day on my face... then over to Kath's to see her tag & she has used her Agapanthus stamp which I so adore... now the day is starting to look a little brighter thanks to these two wonderful ladies...

Well better sign off again, do some housework then get some cards made... I'm so behind with challenges this week but I've had so many other things to catch up with & been fighting my headaches... thankfully those seem to have gone away... fingers crossed it remains that way.

Back later with at least 1 new creation.

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

2sketches4you

Well there is no surprise this week over at 2sketches4you where we have yet another fabulous sketch from Kazan... I actually can't believe that I never managed to get one done last week so quite happy that I have now tackled this weeks...

I have altered the sketch slightly but really not too much... well I don't think so anyway...

Some basic matting & layering occurred and I used a Fiskars shape template to cut my red card. This was then heat embossed using one of Wendie Rhodes Twirly Doodles Collection.. the sentiment is by WS Designs. Some inked edges, a few gems, wooden flower & big bow all from my stash.

Guess I better start thinking about what to make for tonight's tea! However, that will only take a short while so plenty time left for more crafting later tonight.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Fiskars @ the SECC

Oh my word... I've just realised that it's now only 2 weeks to the SECC... how time goes by...

Well I've just heard that we are all going to be wearing T-shirts for the big event which are being ordered today so can't wait to see what they look like... So much for all the new tops I bought... I'm sure I'll have many more occassions upon which to wear them.

I'm also very excited as my new product samples are almost ready to ship to me in preparation for the show so can't wait to get my hands on them.. not entirely sure what all there is but should know within the next few days... WooHoo.......

Anyway, I'm off back to my crafting as I'm right in the middle of a new card so will get that uploaded within the next hour or so.

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

Picture Re-take

Good morning my lovely little peeps.... oh what a lovely day it is here... some fluffy clouds in the sky but also some lovely bright blue sky to be seen today... YIPPEE.............. sure hope it stays like that for the rest of the day... I'm just waiting on the first load of washing to end in the hopes that I can actually get it outside to dry today... it would be the first of the year and would be so lovely to have the air blow through it again...

Anyway, the post I made last night showed a very dark card so I have re-taken it this morning... almost 12 hours exactly between pictures and this one definately looks better... although the lavender card is still showing a little bit pink... if I put it in the sun though to take the pic it just looks too sparkly so I'm afraid this is the best I can do picture wise...

What am I up to today.... well now I have decided that as my back has been aching & I've suffered more headaches over the last 2 weeks than I have in 2 years... I'm going to try & have a relatively easy day of it today... Should be at craft group but really just not feeling up to going out today again.

Actually still in my pj's at the moment... so planning to finish my housework (not much left to do), then going for a nice soak in the old bath to try & ease my muscles then I'm onto some card making... I have no plans to leave the house today at all.... well I do have to go into the garden to see my bunnies & hopefully get the washing hung out, but back gardens are allowed...

Hope you've all got a good day ahead too... back soon me hopes...

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

The Pink Elephant Challenge

Well once again I have to apologise for not having posted before this very late hour... seems to be my normal this week but I will do my best to change back to my normal posting tomorrow.

I know my picture sucks too but at this time of night, no chance of a good pic & couldn't use my flash as it just reflected against the glitter...

Now the challenge this week over at The Pink Elephant is to the theme of "All that glitters"

Now you will know from my posting the other day that my neighbour had a little baby boy who they have named Jonathan... hopefully he will be coming home tomorrow or Friday... a little jaundice at the moment... poor wee man. So I decided to use the challenge to create their card.

I know it looks like the letters are pink but they are infact lavender & the base card is baby blue.

The letters were made using Wendie Rhodes wacky letter templates with the ribbons, ABC, pin & boy brad all being from my stash... the little boy is also pale blue, not green like he looks here.

If I can remember to take a better picture tomorrow I will do & replace this one as the card is so much nicer than it looks here...

Hopefully back with you all tomorrow morning.

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

Today's To Do

Another very good morning to all my lovely jubbly blogging buddies out there in blogland...

Hope this morning has found you all safe & well..

Now before I do any crafting today I MUST run some errands... Have to pick up some card stock as my supply is quickly deminishing, have to pay some cheques into the bank, pop to the post office & deliver some stuff..oh let's not forgot the trip to the local supermarket for those bits & bobs...

Then I have to then pay the gas & electricity bill... almost £800............. is it any wonder that older people die from hypothermia year in & year out in this country... how the hell are they supposed to keep warm when this is what it costs... I know they receive an allowance towards covering the cost but still nothing compared to this bill... Because I was recovering from surgery and in the house most of the time over the winter months my heating has been on 24/7, but overnight & during the daytime it has only been high enough to keep the chill from the air... certainly hasn't felt like I've been in Bermuda or anything.... I should have been so lucky.... the only real time it was turned up was between the hours of about 6pm & 11pm. So wish I lived in a lovely old house where I could have a wood burning stove or something.. heating would be much better & cheaper....

Well that's me cleared my chest for the morning so the quicker I leave you all the quicker I can return & get some crafting done then uploaded...

Until later.... love ya all peeps...

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

SAKURA DEMO

Just a quickie folks to let you know that my first Sakura demo of the year has been booked... here's to many many more to come.

This one has been booked by Ashby Designs in Musselburgh for Saturday 18th April and I will be demoing instore from 10am - 4pm.

If you live anywhere in the region of Musselburgh it would be great if you popped along to say Hi... this is a super shop where both owners & customers alike are some of the best folks I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.. talk about being made welcome...

So now you know where I'll be on April 18th....

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

Daring Cardmakers Challenge

This week over at Daring Cardmakers the challenge is to work to the theme of "Feeling Green" ie lots of green on your card in as many shades as you like.... well this is not an easy one for me as I have a restricted amount of green & have decided I really will have to make an investment to slightly broaden my range....

Here I used a green base card & then added a green spotted vellum wrapper... then some letter tabs which came free in some magazine, goodness only knows when. Green DCWV card around which I wrapped some Dovecraft fibre, then stamped a leaf on some thin white card so that when I water coloured I would slightly warp the card to give the effect of the wind blowing the leaf. The leaf itself was coloured using Bruynzeel Aquarel pencils.

Sorry the picture does not show the true colours but at this time of night it's very hard to get a decent picture...

Hope you are all joining in the fun this week or challenge if you're like me when it comes to green...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Penny Black Baby Update

Good morning everyone....

Well last night I post my Penny Black card just after which I heard that my neighbour was going to be induced... was it fate I wondered.... is it going to be a girl....

Have just received a text from the new Daddy to say that Mum & Baby are doing well..........

Was it Fate: NO.......................................

A new little baby boy was born into the world this morning at 00.53 hours.... weighing in at a whopping.... wait for it.... 6lb 2oz........... quite light really considering he was due on the 9th... no wonder he wanted to stay in Mummys belly an extra few days...

Well I'll need to make another card now.... hmmmm the challenge at Daring Cardmakers is Green..... wonder if I can do a pale green baby card.... not sure I have much in the line of pale green.... will need to have a good old rummage....

Back to you all later.

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

Penny Black Challenge

Well I was out for lunch & a shopping trip today with my mum so had all the housework & washing to do this morning before I left... went on my outing with mum, then popped in to visit a friend for an hour or so as she's not keeping the best... then had a chat with my neighbour before actually returning home at around 5.45pm today... No sooner was I in the door & my OH text to say he was on his way home so had to organise dinner then... eat that & sort the dishes... then had to squeeze in my card for the Penny Black challenge... before my step daughter & boyfriend arrived at 7.30pm.... Gosh... still with me???

Well I decided upon a baby card for the challenge and here is what I came up with....

Now to make matters strange... during the course of the evening, one of my other neighbours text me to say his partner was in hospital going to be induced... she was due on Feb 9th & they had decided to leave her until this coming Friday before considering inducing her... alas.... baby has decided to play up with mother so they have tonight decided to start the inducing...

Do you think this is fate that today of all days I happened to make a baby girl card !!!!

Well you'll all just have to wait the same as me to find out... I will let you all know though...

Well I'm off to squeeze in some blog hopping before falling into bed in about half an hours time...

See you all tomorrow again...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Two Awards this morning...

What better way to start my Monday morning than by posting my two new awards... I do know that last week I received some more & I am working my way through all your lovely messages trying to find them so please forgive me & bear with me...

This first one "Friends" I received from the lovely Angel who has been amazing me of late with her absolutely fantastic inchies... boy I've never plucked up the courage to try them but this lass does an amazing job with them.

The next award I received was "Nice Matters" from the ever so delightful Fran who does like to try all manner of things crafty... you never know what you may see when you pop over to visit her...

Now I am supposed to pass these on to selected individuals but as it's Monday, the start of a new week and I'm feeling oh so generous today... I've have decided that I would like to present these awards to everyone who visits my blog during the course of today....

Go on my lovelies, if you are ready this today, please feel free to lift your awards & display them on your own blog too.....

Hope you all have a wonderful day with lots of lovely crafting.

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

The Sugar Bowl

The new challenge over at The Sugar Bowl is simply called "One... why could that mean you may well ask... well... it means you are only allowed to use 1 type of patterned paper... now this does include double sided which takes a little strain off of us paper lovers...




I thought I would struggle with this one but actually managed not too bad... image is coloured using Bruynzeel Aquarel pencils, some gems added here & there.... flowers & of course pearls.. had to in order to match the pearl necklace & boa...

The paper I used is double sided & is Pink Mini Flowers from The Paper Company.

Well now that hubby is in bed out of my way, I'm off to see if I can get another made before going to bed... back to you all tomorrow again.

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Singing the day away...

Well good morning to you all folks & hope you are all doing fabby dabby doooo on this fine morning....well it's actually not all that fine here... extremely overcast to be truthful but main thing is at the moment there is no rain or snow, so for that I'm grateful...

Do you ever have one of those mornings where you awake to realise that your day cannot be too constructed as there is the possibility that it could all change with a phone call... well today is one of those days for me.

My step daughter is competing in another talent event today, but they are actually holding the finals today also.. I know very unusual but that's the way it goes sometimes.. she has registration for the event at 12 noon and is not sure what time she will be up in front of the judges. Then she has to wait & see if she has got through to the final. If she does then we have to jump in the car & make a mad dash into Glasgow to be there for the final.

Oh boy, guess I better get my skates on then as I have the pet store to pop to for supplies... rather a lot with all my babies... & hubby wants me to take a look at something else??? never to clear about things neither he is... then I have a few challenge cards to make...

Will be back later with some cards & perhaps an update on my step daughter.

In the meantime, happy crafting to you all....

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

Tag You're It Challenge

Now the theme this week over at Tag You're It is "Love & Romance" as it's Valentines Day....

Me thinks I've been living with my hubby for too long now as I so do not do romantic very well at all.... I told him to stop wasting his money by buying me huge floral arrangements about 6 years ago as I thought it was a complete waste of money... heck we could both go out for a slap up meal for the amount he spent on flowers.... now we simply wish each other Happy Valentines and either go out somewhere nice for a meal of have a cosy night in with a carry out....

Suits me so much better & I feel I got value for money then. There's no worse feeling than seeing £80 of flowers wither & die a few days after the event... gosh I sound awful don't I... Sorry.

Well now that I've told you what I'm like, you'll understand when I say I don't find these tags & cards the easiest to make as my cards are normally made with my feelings put into them... this tag I had to work hard on, to try & find some romance hidden deep within...

Not quite sure I've managed to accomplish this, but hey it's done now...

If you're a true romantic at heart then this is the perfect challenge for you to join in with this week...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Arty Girlz Challenge

The challenge this week over at Arty Girlz is flowers so I thought that I would use this card which I admit is not one I have recently made... It's actually from around April or May of last year & was one of the samples made for the Sakura/Cardology show on Ideal World and Create & Craft. I do love it though...

The base card is cut from an apeture card and given a burnished look using a silver calligraphy pen... the flowers themselves were all traced from patterns onto vellum & then glitter was added to some & the rest were watercoloured using Sakura Stardust...

This card does hold a place in my heart but I'm not sure if part of that is because it took me hours to make, delicately cutting all those flowers from vellum & ensuring that I didn't tear them.

Well me hopes you like & now I'm off to add another posting...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Night Night

Hi folks, thank you so much for your sympathy earlier today and I've actually slept for most of it and do feel a bit better...

I have managed to make something tonight but have no chance of getting a decent pic at this time so will upload it in the morning...

Right now, I'm off back to bed for a good nights sleep & hopefully I'll be back to normal tomorrow.

Hugs to you all.

Lorraine xxx

What a pain !!!

Well a very good afternoon to you all..... well I hope it's a lot better than mine anyway....

Mid afternoon yesterday I started getting a headache which by teatime last night had turned into a lovely full blown migraine... you know those ones where it's difficult to even keep your eyes open because of the pain...

Well I had a wonderful sleep as I think the pain knocked me out and I slept like a log till my mum called this morning about 10.35am.... gosh talk about having a lie in... well we were supposed to be going out to lunch today but I've had to re-arrange for Monday now... I've had some more pain killers because you guessed it.... the flaming pain is still there...

I think I'm going to jump back into bed for an hour or two and see if I can get rid of it... was trying to think what may have caused it and low & behold the answer I think hit me in the face... remember I was at physio on Monday & she has given me a new sitting position to help realign my pelvis.... well I think this may be the cause.... thus, I will have to tolerate the pain until I correct my posture but it will make a huge difference in the long run...

I will pop back later with a creation or two if I can and in the meantime happy crafting.

Lorraine xxx

Update on Gayle's sister.....

Evening all.... just another brief update for you all on Gayle's sister who was released from hospital today....

It has now emerged that the hospital are unsure if Gayle's sister actually has another condition relating to small blood vessels...

This will take time to find out whether or not they are correct so in the meantime until she sees the next specialist I would ask that you all continue to keep the family in your prayers... they are at present still under some pressure and will be for the next few weeks at least.

Thankfully all the family should manage to get a decent nights sleep now that she is back home with her loved ones...

I will continue to update you all on progress when there is anything to report.

Hugs & blessings to you all

Lorraine xxx

Update on Gayle's sister.....

WooooooHoooooooooooooooooo Yiiiiipppppppeeeeeee

Gayle's sister has just got her MRI scan results back and fantastic news, all clear....................

Thankfully this means that she can now return home today so I guess she will be frantically packing her bag as we speak seeing as she has been stuck in hospital for 13 days now.....

She still has a way to go before she is fully recovered and will have to take it extremely easy over the coming months but I'm sure that being at home with her loving family will make this journey so much easier for her....

On behalf of Gayle & her family may I thank you all for your prayers & good wishes which have been received over the past few weeks....

Just a little heads up for you too.... Gayle is posting some Blog Candy at the weekend so make sure you pop over & join in....

Off to celebrate now

Lorraine xxx

Papertake Weekly

This week over at Papertake Weekly we have been given a wonderful sketch to work with designed by the fabulous & very talented Dawny P.... well who could even contemplate saying no to this one..... certainly not I, that's for sure......

Oh boy the excitement of it all, having to choose what all to use on my card. Finally I got there and here is the end result....

For the base card I decided upon corrugated card which adds a bit of depth & texture...

Image is Pringle from Sugar Nellie & he was water coloured using Bruynzeel Aquarel pencils

Blue & White papers are by Funky Hand

Brown & Gold paper is from a pack I bought in the local supermarket

Sentiment is from my stash...

Well I'm off now to see if I can make a start on another card... will be later before I finish it though as I've got craft group today & we're having a bring & buy sale so my car is filled to the brim.

In the meantime happy crafting.

Lorraine xxx

Just For Fun

During my tidy session yesterday I just happened upon this beautiful dress which I actually made last year but had never gotten around to putting it on a card.... shame on me but it put a smile on my face yesterday when I discovered it.

It is the most delightful dress and is from Joanna Sheen... stamped with Staz On onto Fantasy Fibre... I have cut the dress out but left the fringe effect at the top of the bodice as I think it has a fluffy feathery effect.... mounted with silicone onto a lovely purple & silver background...

I know it's very plain but I really don't have the heart to detract from the dress by adding any other embellishment...

Just thought I'd share this one with you so hope you like.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Still Here !!!

Well I know it may appear like I have been missing in action since yesterday but infact I have been getting stuck in to tidying my craft room... not completely through choice. My OH wanted me to find a letter which he thought was in here... since I took ill no paperwork had been filed so in order to go through it all I had to rummage everything... I do have to say that I still have one box of stuff to go through & sort but certainly much better than it was before I started...

Now I do have to ask.... do you think I have a bit of an obsession with Sakura & Stickles ???

I have decided that Stardust is my confirmed favourite as in the tub on the left I infact have 80 Stardust pens.... THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE MY DEMO KIT !!! Heaven forbid I run out eh...

I was also amazed to discover that I have collected 45 tubs of Stickles.... Zoom in on the picture & count them if you don't believe me...

Also managed to get a lot of my flowers sorted in my new storage boxes so I'm quite a happy little crafter now...

Even more good news is that it's almost Trade Show time which means the unveiling of lots of new goodies due to hit our stores soon so I'm quite excited to see what all is in store for us over the coming months...

Oh my my my, how is a girl to control herself with so much going on.... hmmmm more crafting I suppose would be the simplest solution...

With that lovely thought I will bid you all a fond farewell till I post again...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxxx

Gayle's posted today...

Just a wee quickie to let you know that Gayle has posted today on her blog... a bit of fun but I'm sure she'd love if you popped over & left her a comment....

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

Something different

Hi all my lovelies out there in blogland... hope the morning is finding you all safe & well...

Just thought I would start today sharing something other than a card with you for a change...

This is a little quick necklace that I had started before I took ill & it has just been lying to the side waiting to be finished now for months... so last night I decided it was time to complete the project then I can have another piece to add to my collection...

Very basic design which was quick & easy to make and I so love having my unique jewellery to wear when I go places...

Hope you enjoyed my little something different and I will be back later for business as usual...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Another challenge or two....

I've actually been quite enjoying myself over the past few weeks challenging myself to try & make one card by combining 2 challenges... Takes your projects to yet another level....

Well this one here is for the Daring Cardmakers Challenge which is "Oriental Splendor" but you are not allowed to use red or black.... the 2nd is for the Colour Create Challenge which this week is to use the colours Peach & Aqua with the additional option of DIY flowers...

Oh my not off to a very good start as these are not colours I would generally use... wasn't even sure I had much in those colours...

Well low & behold I had Debbi Moore Aqua embossing powder... super... heat embossed this then coloured the flowers peach using Sakura Stardust... Oh the oriental blossom image is by the very talented Barbara Gray at Clarity Stamp.... I then inked the edge of the image with Colorbox peach....

The background is hand stitched paper and fortunately I had some peach paper from way way back from which I cut some flowers and then used the aqua background for the centre of the flowers...

Another 2 challenges complete... woohoo.....

Oh my me wonders what will be next on my agenda.... will have to pop off now & have a nosey...

Back with you all again soon.....

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxxxx

There's no business like snow business !!!

Boy oh boy did we get the snow again... it looks the exact here today as it did last Monday... only difference today is the kids are off school so they are all out making snowmen, throwing snow balls etc etc... due to these not being my kids I have not taken any pics of them... sorry... they are having a whole load of fun though...

Well I've been to physio this morning which was rather pleasant as the lady I saw is actually a crafter herself... apparently trying to protect my shoulder when it got injured etc has caused my pelvis to alter position which has caused even more problems... now I have had my instructions on how to sit whilst on the computer, eating, watching tv & most of all crafting... her biggest concern is the fact that I demo which means I am hunched so we are going to work on that too... I now have to craft at an angle and whilst sitting I have to keep a pillow on my legs to prevent me from slouching... as well as lumbar support... and have to raise my feet about an inch off the ground... boy do I have my work cut out for me...

As though it wasn't bad enough having to go out in the snow for physio, my hubby left his wallet at home so I then had to go straight past my house again in the opposite direction to give him it...

Thankfully the main roads are clearing a bit now so it wasn't too bad afterall... now I'm back home & happy again in my big fluffy slippers... so off to have some lunch now then see what challenges I will tackle today.

Back soon

Lorraine xxx

The Devil Wears Prada....

Wish to bloody hell I did too...

Sorry folks I had told myself I was going to do some blog hopping tonight, but it has been snowing since around 4pm today, I've been on the phone to my in-laws in California for about 2 hours and then whilst I was still snuggled up on the sofa with my hot chocolate, what comes on but "The Devil Wears Prada"... well it's a super wee light hearted movie with a whole load of true meaning behind it... simply a must watch...

I am most certainly not a materialistic person... but I must admit if I could choose something to have in my closet it would either be a pair of Jimmy Choo's or more probably a little black Chanel number... I'm never without that all important accessory in my closet as you never know when it will come in handy and if in doubt at any time what one should wear... it's always the safest bet...

Well had a quick text from Gayle tonight & her sister is still the same as yesterday which is good as it means she hasn't relapsed & we now hope that her MRI will be carried out tomorrow, so fingers crossed I may have more info then... Gayle was having another early night in bed in the hopes that she can get some more sleep... let's hope so...

Well I'm off to get ready now as I have physio first thing in the morning... that is if I'm not snowed in by then...

See you all tomorrow & in the meantime, happy crafting...

Lorraine xxx

Penny Black & Pink Elephant Challenges

This week over at Penny Black the challenge is to create a card based on "Romance"..... and there is also a new challenge site started today called The Pink Elephant and to kick start them off the challenge is to create a card using the colours Pink, Black & White....

So I decided to go for another 2 in 1 here... wrapped 3 strips of cerise ribbon around some black card stock & stuck to my card, stamped little hedgie onto some white card and coloured using Bruynzeel Aquarel pencils... this was quite fun as the card is not glossy but does have a coating on it so the colour initially puddled before drying... added some dots, then distressed & inked the edges... mounted using silicone. Inked the edges of the card, stamped the word love & added some adhesive stones to finish off...

Well I hope you're all joining in the fun this weekend & now I'm off to get ready to go to the supermarket... yuck my worst hate of the week, but it has to be done.... with any luck I'll get another challenge done later on...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Update on Gayle's sister.....

Morning my little sweets....

I know I'm bad as I never posted my daily update last night but there was a very good reason for it... I was partying away all day at a 1st birthday party then when I managed to text Gayle last night there was no response until this morning... YIPPEE.... she was so exhausted when she got back from the hospital that she actually went straight to bed & off to the land of nod... how wonderful is that.... she slept most of the night too so I'm mega happy about that....

Her sister was a lot brighter yesterday so hopefully now that her pain meds have kicked in & she's getting some sleep the body is recovering a bit... no MRI & my strong suspicions are that this will not be done before tomorrow... but hey we can but hope...

As soon as I know more I will let you know...

I'm off to tackle my Penny Black challenge now so will be back later...

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

Stamp Something

This week over at Stamp Something is to create something for your valentine...

Here I took a pp by K&Co & then stamped & embossed gold hearts onto it, which I then water coloured blue for a slightly more masculine look.... edges were inked with a combo of brown & blue inks... attached PM Nostalglia chipboard letters with silicone and a ribbon bow from my stash to finish...

Quick & simple...

Well I'm off to get ready now for my friends 1 year olds birthday party, so wish me luck...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Update on Gayle's sister.....

Good evening again my lovelies...

Just a quick update for you tonight on Gayle's sister's condition.. There is still no real change in her today although she does appear to be a little brighter...

Unfortunately she did not have her MRI carried out today so not sure if this will happen over the weekend or not... will just have to wait & see...

As always I will keep you up to date over the weekend.

Thanking you all once again...

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

2 for the price of 1....

Well I'm actually quite happy with this little 2 in 1 tag/card this week & so is my hubby as I actually presented it to him when he came home from work this evening...

This week over at Tag You're It the challenge is to design a tag based on a sketch by my very talented buddy Kath... I know we all love her so much & can anyone really blame us for that... I don't think so....

At the same time the challenge over at the Sugar Sugar this week is to create a tag card... well why not combine both I thought.... that was actually the third challenge then...

So what to do, what Sugar Nellie stamps to use, papers etc...

Well as you can probably tell of late I am loving my Funky Hand papers & after doing previous projects I still have quite a few off cuts left so what better way to use them up than on my tag card...

So yes all papers you see are by Funky Hand...

Now I thought it would be nice to combine these papers with Hamish fixing tractor from Sugar Nellie... He was stamped onto shrink plastic using staz on and water coloured using Sakura Stardust of course...

Now I know it may seem strange but when I'm fit & healthy my hubby & I tend to fix things together as a couple so for the internal section I thought it would be nice to say "You & Me Time"....

All sentiments were from a set I bought from Create & Craft well over a year ago... it was at a snip of a price & just seems to keep going & going... it included something for every occassion and I have went from baby to wedding & sympathy using these embellishments...

Button & rope is from my stash...

If you haven't already joined in the fun at either of these two challenge sites.... why not.... they are both super & come up with such exciting & fun loving challenges...

Well hope you enjoyed looking at my little tag card.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxxx

Update on Gayle's sister.....

Well good evening folks.....

I know I'm earlier than normal this evening with my daily update on Gayle's sisters condition but that must be a good thing eh....

Yes it is & I got my evening update earlier than normal tonight as Gayle was so happy... there is still a ways to go but so far so good... both the CT & Lumbar Puncture results have came back as clear.... that's a step in the right direction at least... now at some point over the next few days they are going to carry out an MRI scan and not sure how long it will take to obtain these results..

The next good piece of news is that Gayle managed about 4 hours sleep last night which helped a lot & hopefully with this good news today she will get some more rest tonight... her sister is also in a much more comfortable condition now as they have her doped up to the eyeballs on pain meds which is no bad thing after the days of agony she was in... Let's hope both of them get well bitten by the bed bugs tonight...

Well that's today's daily update for you & I am so glad it's more positive than the last few have been... here's hoping that the only way now is up...

Thanking you for your support..

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

Penny Black Challenge

Good morning my lovely ones out there in blogland.... well we had more snow yesterday which lay as more of a light dusting & this morning we have a bit of a thaw on the go... patches of normality appearing here & there.... now we just have to wait & see what the rest of the day brings...

Now for this weeks challenge over at Penny Black which is to create a circular card... boy I can't actually remember the last time I made one of these it was so long ago...

Some inking of edges, matting & layering, punching, colouring & voila one finished card...

The edges were punched using a Fiskars circular border punch

Papers are from Funky Hand

Image water coloured using Bruynzeel Aquarel pencils

Ribbon from Cardology

Hope you too are joining in this weeks fun over at Penny Black.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Update on Gayle's sister.....

Good evening folks... I know in my earlier post I said I'd be back with my Penny Black creation but it turned out to be one of those visitors days so have only just got my card finished... at this time of night I have no chance of getting a decent pic so I will upload it tomorrow morning...

Anyway there are much more important things in life like health, and after checking in with Gayle this evening at around 9.30... lass is absolutely exhausted & I was glad to hear that she was heading off to bed then so I am hoping that she will get some kind of decent sleep tonight... fingers crossed...

Well her sister finally had her lumbar puncture carried out today (whilst Gayle was there) so at least now that has been done they can administer some pain medication... they still have to wait on the results to come through... how long this will take I do not know as when I heard that Gayle was heading to bed I quickly finished the conversation... I'm sure you will understand that I am very concerned about her health also & I thought it better to have minimal information tonight & let her get a sleep...

We are at least one step further forward & hopefully Gayle & her sister will be in the land of nod as I am typing this...

As usual I will post another update tomorrow night. Both Gayle & myself would like to thank you for all your continued support & I know her sister will be very grateful too...

Hugs

Lorraine xxx

Dawn of another day

Well good morning my lovely busy possoms... what a beautiful day I have awoken to this morning, frosty to the extent of slight white outside but quite a nice sky & some sun shining through... I even have the odd daffodil trying hard to climb up towards the sky... not long now hopefully before I see their smiling yellow faces..

What's on the agenda today? Well after I make this post I'm off to jump in the shower & I have a meeting to attend at 10.30am, should only take about a half hour which is good, then have to pop to market for some bits & bobs before returning to the daily household chores.. not too bad though as the washing machine & dish washer are bustling away as we speak...

Hopefully by lunch time all duties will be done then I can focus on my crafting.. 1st on the agenda has to be my Penny Black.... can you believe it's Wednesday already & I don't even have my entry in... how bad is that...

Well the quicker I leave you, the sooner I'll be back, so stay happy for the next few hours & as the great Arnold Schwartznegger says "I'll be back".....

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Update on Gayle's sister.....

Evening everyone, just checking in to give you the latest update on Gayle's sister...

She has had another CT scan carried out today, but apparently they could not get the results as the hospital systems are down.. now they need the results looked at before they can do the lumbar puncture so yet another day has passed and no further forward...

Hopefully the CT results will be looked at tomorrow then the lumbar puncture can finally be carried out... until this is done no pain medication can be given, so the poor lass is still in agony.

Let's all hope & pray that I can provide you with some much better news tomorrow night.

Till tomorrow take care.

Lorraine xxx

Daring Cardmakers Challenge

What a super challenge this week over at Daring Cardmakers.... create a card using 3 different papers & as a little extra... try to use papers from 3 different designers...

Woopee here goes me thinks...

Base layer on the card is from Basic Grey "Sugared"

Central border is from Papermania "Antique Cream"

My third paper is actually my floral sentiment which is from Funky Hand

Image is from Sugar Nellie with a few gems to finish....

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

2sketches4you

The lovely Kazan has came up with a wonderful sketch this week over at 2sketches4you....

Well now sometimes a girl just has to use wonderful products when play on this challenge site so out came my trust worthy Anna Griffin Sierra Collection... no probs now.... only added extras were some stickles for a little bit of sparkle, 2 gems on the body of the butterfly & wire for my antenna... some glue & foam pads then Bobs your Uncle.... 1 finished card...

If you've never attempted a sketch from these wonderful ladies you truly have no idea what you are missing out on as they are such a talented pair & Mondays just wouldn't be the same without them...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Arty Girlz Challenge

Well today I have several challenge cards to make but boy I just had to start with this one from Arty Girlz... the minute I saw the challenge "Red & White" I knew exactly what I was going to use...

You really can't get much quicker & simpler than inking the frame edges with red staz on & mounting 3 pre designed frames on to a card using 3D pads then attaching 3 crackle glaze hearts in the centre using silicone. I actually think it's taken me longer to add this post than it did to make the card...

Frames & crackle hearts from Cardology....

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Papertake Weekly

Oh I have felt so deprived tonight at the fact I have not made a single thing all day... due to the snow I had no help with housework today & it takes me longer to do it on my own, but you may guess I started a small job & made it into a big one scrubbing this & scrubbing that...

So just couldn't go to bed without having a little play in my craft room so decided to use the time to make something for the challenge over at Papertake Weekly... this week you have to create something incorporating "Hearts & Flowers"....

Out came my trusty Penny Black stamps & this little guy is blowing a heart shaped bubble and I love the sentiment too...

Thankfully a quick & easy make as I'm off to bed now for some well needed sleep.....

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Update on Gayle's sister.....

Hi folks, my apologies for it being later this evening before I have gotten around to posting this update...

The specialist was in to see Gayle's sister today and unfortunately this did not shine as much light on her condition as we had hoped it would... what infact has happened is that they have instructed another CT scan to be done tomorrow along with a lumbar puncture.... she is not holding up the best at the moment as she is in a great deal of pain & they cannot give her anything to ease it any as the medication could show false readings tomorrow.

Gayle as you can imagine is extremely upset with the whole situation, more so because she is seeing her sister in so much pain & cannot do anything to help her... in addition to this the poor soul is only managing to get about 1 hours sleep at night & still has to make sure her dad is ok & be mum to her 3 year old...

This is so traumatic for them all, but she does appreciate all the well wishes you are sending to her & I myself thank you for taking the time to leave these messages for them... I'm sure that when her sister is home again, she will spend time browsing through all the lovely comments you have left for them.

Good night, god bless & thank you...

Lorraine xxx

P.s. back tomorrow with cards as usual & another update...