Wee treat to myself..

Well folks I've finally taken a wee break from work this week.. Well the crafting kind that is. Lol. We've had glorious sunshine this week so I've spent a lot of it tidying and sorting out the front garden amongst a pile of other duties that needed tending to.

Anyway.. I'm sure you know by previous posts that although I was at the SECC & NEC the one thing I didn't manage to do was buy myself very much.. So today I took a few hours out to go get some new stash and I've come back with papers, canvas in various sizes, tags, inks, embossing powder, stickles and some fragments. Feels sooooo good to have been shopping and now I'm ready for action when the sunshine decides to disappear which from all accounts will be in the next day or two.

Apart from that I've not been doing too much as I've had a bit of a swollen gland and tickly throat which means there's been quite a bit of coughing going on but thankfully so far I've managed to avoid this dreaded virus which seems to have been doing the rounds and making folks really quite ill. Fingers crossed that the easter school holidays will help stop the spread too and if you're one of those affected just now I hope you feel better soon.

Well, that's my wee update done for now so think I'll float off and make a wee cuppa before putting my feet up for the night. Toodles for now everyone.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Criminal damage to woodland area in my estate!!!

Morning all.. I'm so disgusted by this malicious act of vandalism in my estate that I just had to share a picture showing a small part of it. This was previously a beautiful woodland area providing foods and shelter to a great deal of wildlife including BATS!! Yes, it is illegal to disturb or destroy an area where bats are known to feed but some mindless vandals have simply gone in and completely destroyed a large section of it. There were a mixture of trees some of which were 20-30ft in height including birch and fir and several varieties of bushes.

Sadly this act has upset many residents in our estate as it now means that they will be billed for the removal of all the debris left behind and possibly for the reinstatement of all the trees unless we can obtain help from the forestry commission, bat society etc. We are also having to apply for a tree protection order. The good thing is that if we get the tree protection order in place if any further act of vandalism is carried out and the culprits caught then they could actually face imprisonment, and the bat society will also register or woodland area so it will be a protected area on their records also which will make legal proceedings much quicker and easier.

Today, I need to contact the police, bat society and local council to get all the investigations and paperwork started but hopefully I can do most of it from my phone whilst enjoying some sun in the garden.

Hope you're all enjoying the sun too and sorry for the rant but I just find it disgusting that some people think they are above the law when they so clearly are not.. What goes around comes around though!! Lol

Toodles for now all.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

What a week..

Hi again folks and sorry for my lack of posts over the last week but I really just didn't have the time and to prove how busy we were on the stand.. Here is a picture of all I managed to purchase at the NEC.. A pack of grunge from A1 crafts who we were back to back with, the papers and glossy accents were from our own stand (Craftworld)and a wee scrubbie from Craft At Home which has a funny story attached.. Know how when you're going away and you check, check, and check again that you have everything.. Well daft old me who was working with distress inks forgot to pack her scrubbie! Not a huge ordeal during the day when you're working but when on the Thursday night I had to go out for dinner with multi coloured fingers it was slightly embarrassing. Lol.

What an amazing time we had at the show and huge thanks to everyone who stopped by the stand to say hi and also to all the new people I met too. There was a lovely cheerful atmosphere every day and lots of ideas being exchanged.

Need to say also that Birmingham has the most amazing restaurants including Jilabi, The Real China and Peachy Keens, I've certainly came home a few pounds heavier. Thanks also to everyone we shared a meal with including Jill from Hobby House and her lovely husband, also David and the rest of the crew from Samuel Taylors.

My main thanks though go to Donald and Gaynor from Craftworld for inviting me along in the first place.

Well it's time to sign off I guess as I'm still in the old comfy pj's so going for a quick shower, got paperwork to sort for a meeting I have tonight then I'm off out to cut the grass and do some gardening seeing as the sun is shining. Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Day 1 of NEC show

Good morning all and what a glorious one it is.. Blue hazy sky so looks like it's going to be a warm one.

On way to the show now so will post again later.

Stand B22 if you're coming along.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Good morning Birmingham

A very good morning to you all from a slightly overcast and rather tepid Birmingham.

This was my wee bed for the night and what a lovely bathroom I have too.. Finally figured out the heating this morning. Lol.

Right now I'm outside getting some fresh air, waiting on Donald coming back with a McD's which I'll eat on the way to the NEC as the sooner we make a start on set up the earlier we'll finish tonight and we're currently 1 man down so there's only 3 of us.. Defo a case of all hands on deck and full steam ahead but this is where the real fun begins so bring it on.. I can't wait.

If you're coming to the show, mind pop by B22 and say hi to me.

Right, time to go so I'll post again whenever I get a chance.

Have a fab day all and happy crafting.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Easter surprise

Afternoon all.. Quick post whilst I'm waiting for the van to arrive to whisk me off. The lovely Lynda is back on air just now with her last show of the day so here's another wee gift bag I made.. This time around it's a cute wee Easter gift bag to give away the eggs. Can you tell my brain was in overdrive when I was playing with these cd's. Lol.

Anyway, my house is sparkling, all the washing and ironing has been done, this afternoon I've dealt with a pile of paperwork and emails relating to my estate's residents association as I'm secretary so I've been clearing my feet of that seeing as I'm returning to an AGM and hate being disorganised. My case is packed and now I'm just waiting on a wee text or call and I'm on my way to Birmingham. Can't wait for Thursday so I can see lots of happy smiling faces.

If you happen to be coming to the show, please pop by and say hi.. I'll be on B22.

Right, saying bye bye for now and will post again later.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Party Card

Ok folks, here's the matching card I made to go along with the party bag. Apologies to anyone who has a clown phobia, I did try to colour him to be as phobia friendly as possible.

On that note, I'm off to finish my coffee and get my chores done.

Happy crafting all

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Party gift bag

Morning all.. Well the lovely Lynda Chapman is back on C&C today. Her 1st show is on just now and she has another 2.. One at 12noon and again at 5pm.

Here's another gift bag sample.. A party one this time made from the digi's and I'll also upload a pic of a matching card I made.

Lots to do today as I'm heading off for the NEC this afternoon and I'm mega excited about meeting so many lovely crafters over the next few days. Right.. Best get a move on so I'll upload the pic of my card then go get some stuff done. Toodles for now.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

New Arrival..

Morning all.. Dashing round getting stuff ready before I depart for the NEC and as per usual the to do list keeps growing. Lol.

Anyway, here's another of the samples I made for this weeks POW.. Simply printed the background paper on a heavy cardstock, printed one of the digi images (to go with my new baby gift bag), coloured, cut out and mounted on the front of the card and a little bit of doodling. Voila.. All done.

No idea where the sun has gone today.. Must have the Monday blues or something. Lol. But it's pretty overcast and not quite as warm as it's been the last few days so I've got a nice big cardi on. Lots to do including cleaning house from top to bottom, washing, ironing, shopping, packing etc so going to get back to the chores for now and I'll pop back a little later again.

Have a magic Monday all..

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

For the kids..

Here I used a paint design from the Tumble Ted CD to create a little tub that the kiddies can store their crayons, colouring pencils etc in and they'll know exactly where they are when play time comes around.

L xxx

Baby Cupcake

Evening all.. Hope you've all had a fantastic day like I have. What more can I ask for really.. My creations being shown on C&C and hubby has treated me to 3 new tops and a new pair of trainers today too. Oh yeah.. And my mum loved her present too so it really has been a top notch day.
Anyway, here's a pic of another wee sample I made for Lynda.. A cute little baby grow with a gorgeous Tizzy complete with a cupcake.. Rather appropriate I thought for Cupcakecrafting's 1st ever POW.

So, it's decision time now on what to have for dinner so I'm off to have a drool over some takeaway menu's then I'll give hubby his instructions on what to order. Lol. Have a wonderful night all.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Finished clock

Finally found something appropriate to connect all the pieces together.. Some suede tassels I cut off a pair of boots. Lol. Time to dash now as lots to do today. Toodles.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Bottom section of clock

Well I've got all 3 sections of mum's clock finished.. Off to the stash now to see what ribbon I've got to tie it all together.. Wish me luck!

Middle section of clock

Top of clock

School time..

Morning all.. Just a quickie from me this morning to get me started, a wee card made from the gorgeous POW.

When I saw these images I thought they were perfect to make cards for all the lovely wee children who will be starting school this year. What better way to send them off to the playground than by giving them a wee card with their breakfast.

Time to sign off again as I've got to finish off my mum's gift so toodles for now and be back later.

Happy crafting all
Lorraine xxx

Quick make

I'm back!!! Lol. Well I've had a pile of personal cards to make this week so they've had to be quick simple designs and here's just one of them.

Fabulous Kraft Card from Anna-Marie Designs, white gel pen for highlights, Tim Holtz dies and embossing folder, a little bit of distress ink and a button.. Oh and some glue gel. Lol. Told you it was quick and easy..

Off now as I've got another few cards to make today as well as 2 gift bags and a gift box.. That's just the crafting stuff too! There's still the shopping etc on top of that so trying to make the most of hubby being at the gym and having the house to myself. Catch you all later.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

I need this..

Morning all.. And what a glorious one it is, with some sun peeking through the window.

I'm having my coffee just now whilst watching Lynda's 8am show (I was still in bed then. Lol). Not quite sure what all we've to do today but I'm sure it'll kick in shortly.

Anyway, thought I'd share another sample whilst wiping the sleep from my eyes and it's a bag I would certainly be grateful to receive.. A pamper bag!!! With soaps, bath bombs, scented candles etc being so popular just now this is a perfect way to present them to someone.

Well my cup is in need of a refill, so off to get that and think hubby is going to make me some toast and duck eggs for brunch :D. Toodles for now.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Trick or Treat

Here's another sample from the Tumble Ted and Tizzy POW cd's. Again this is one of the digi images coloured in and mounted on a gift bag. Gone are the days of buying gift bags.. I'm making my own unique one's from now on. Cheaper on the purse and no need for compromise any more as I can now make exactly what I want.

Off to watch Lynda again so toodles.

L xxx

Tumble & Tizzy

Afternoon all.. Well the lovely Lynda Chapman is now on C&C launching a brand new POW. It's a triple CD set Tumble Ted & Tizzy Pastimes which includes a full set of digi images. Here's just one of the digi's which I've water coloured.

Sorry this is short and brief but I'm off to watch the rest of the show then later I'll be doing a little more crafting so should have pics to upload later again. Toodles for now.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Laptop crafting

Well folks I've been chilling out a little over the last few days, the house has been cleaned up again, washing is back up to date etc and right now I'm doing a little laptop crafting as I can't really be bothered going in to the old craft room but have a few cards to make so I'm doing them sat on the sofa watching tv.

Tomorrow will see me scrubbing the en-suite, bathroom and w.c followed by a huge pile of ironing. Oh and best not forget about Lynda Chapman launching a brand new Pick Of the Week on C&C at 12noon either. Lol

Saturday and Sunday will be spent with my darling husband who I've already informed will be treating me to lunch and we're also visiting Brianna and Gordon which will be nice.

Monday will be here before I know it and the case will be getting packed ready for my trip to the NEC, cupboards etc will be getting stocked so hubby and animals don't starve in my absence then on Tuesday I'll be jumping in the van and heading on the way to Birmingham to meet lots of lovely crafters.. Can't wait neither I can as the atmosphere is always fantastic.

So, time for me to sign off again as hubby's just arrived home looking for tea and I've got a few more cards to make and my Mother's Day present to finish too. Toodles for now my lovelies and happy crafting.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Quick buys

Good morning all.. What a fabulous time I had at the SECC and thank you to everyone who popped along over the 4 days to say hi and also for all my handmade goodies which I've enjoyed munching my way through.

Well it was a surprisingly busy day yesterday so I didn't get a chance to sneak off and spend money!! Instead, I had to do a mad dash to grab a few essentials and that was it.. What a whopping spending spree, 1 pack of Kraft card and 2 bottles of Fresco was all I got. Disappointing I never got a chance to buy more but it's always a sign of a really good show when you don't have time to spend so in a way that's better. We also had a record break down.. The record we had to beat was to have Kay on the road by 6.15pm.. Well we started dismantling at 5pm, everything that was left on the stand was packed away in boxes, grid wall taken down etc, multiple trips to the van to load it and wait for it.. We had Kay driving away from the back doors of the SECC at 5.56pm!!! Think we can safely say the past record was well and truly slashed. Lol.

Anyway, I've had a lie in this morning then snuggled on the sofa with my kitty and now I'm off to do a wee bit of housework and then going to squeeze out another few samples for the lovely Lynda Chapman who is hitting the screens of C&C at noon on Friday to launch a brand new POW. So toodles for now and catch up with you again later. Keep crafting my lovely friends.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

News and goodies

Evening all and sorry I didn't get round to posting yesterday but have I got exciting news today.. I'm going to be at the NEC so looking forward to seeing lots of friendly faces there. Not sure yet what the stand number is so I'll check it nearer the time and leave a post so that anyone coming along to the show can pop by and say hi.

Anyway, it's been a fab few days at the SECC with many happy faces and lots of laughter.. Kay and I have been full of mischief but at the same time have been very grateful for all the delicious handmade cakes and goodies we have been given over the last few days.. We've had cupcakes, mince meat slices (which were made especially for my hubby but I did share some with Kay), coffee cake and macaroons. Oh and Kay has even put in an order for more macaroons for next month. Lol. Sadly tomorrow is the final day but that also means I may get a wee chance to look around and maybe treat myself to some more goodies as so far all I've managed to get is these lovely stencils which I can't wait to play with.. Got a good deal too as they were 4 for £10!!!

Well, time for me to get my stuff organised for the morning then chill in front of the tv before having an early night.. Need extra energy for tomorrow's break down as we like to try and get Kay on the road by 7pm at the latest as she has a 6hr drive home. Toodles for now.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

1st day over

Evening all and wow does the day go fast when you're having fun. What a fabulous 1st day we had at the SECC. There was a large queue waiting on the doors to open at 9.30am this morning and boy were they crafters on a mission.. A mission to fill their bags with goodies and spend lots of money. There was so much laughter and everyone was full of the joys of spring. Lots of lovely friends popped along to say hello and we've even been having laughs with the stands too as I've got J&C Creations opposite us and the mad Anni from Damselfly Crafts diagonally across with whom I've shared many a laugh with today. All I can say is, if the next 3 days are like today it's going to be a show to remember for sure.

Now when it comes to Kay.. Can you believe the woman actually thought she could get away with taking money from customers!!! Not on your nelly dear.. You see if I let her get £20 in her pocket next thing I know she'll be telling me she's taking a loo break and 10 mins later she'll float back to the stand having bought something. Well if I'm not able to buy cause I'm working why the heck should I let her buy. You'd think she's have learned by now by that I'm Mrs Money Bags, not her... Lol.

Anyway, we had a sharp finish and were out the door for about 5.30pm, picked up fuel on the way home, had dinner then dozed off watching tv! Something I rarely do, but then again I did only have about 3hrs sleep last night so guess it'll be early to bed tonight.

My final words for tonight are 'THANK YOU' to all those who came by to say hi today and I look forward to seeing more of you tomorrow again. Off to make a wee cuppa now so toodles and will hopefully get a wee pic or two to upload tomorrow.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

SECC

Evening all and apologies for my lack of blogging over the last week but I've had so much work to get through before the show starts. First up I had my Cupcakecrafting samples to sort sshhhh don't tell anyone but they're being launched as POW on Friday 16th March so make sure you tune in as it's a fab one. I've also had all the Mother's Day orders to get completed and dispatched then I've spent today at SECC helping Kay get set up. So if you're coming to the show be sure to pop by and say hi to us both. We're on stand G06 which is up along the back wall. Hope to see lots of happy smiley faces over the next few days.

Well I'm off to get some dinner now.. Steak pie and mashed tattie.. Yummy. Then have a few bits and bobs to get organised for the morning before I sit down to chill in front of the tv.

Hope you're all behaving yourselves and keeping up the crafting. Toodles for now.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Tayside Police - Missing People - Shaun Scott and Alan Wylie

Tayside Police - Missing People - Shaun Scott and Alan Wylie

Face 1 finished

Afternoon all.. And can you believe we're already heading for the 1st weekend in March. Can't believe how quickly time seems to pass these days.. Guess it's true what they say.. The older you get the quicker time flies. Hhmmm now I'm beginning to wonder why I'm working on a clock. Lol.

So, I'm glad to report that the 1st face of my wall clock is now complete. Not a lot of difference in it since yesterday but enough to make me say stop..

This afternoon I'm waiting on the guys coming to uplift my old tv, need to take some orders to the post office and the remainder of time will be spent working on samples and hopefully if I behave and get my head down I may allow myself some play time tonight to start on the 2nd section of the clock. The base is already covered in part and my parts have been die cut so it's all about the colouring and composition now so keep your fingers crossed for me.

Well sitting here typing isn't going to get the work done is it so guess it's time to sign off and get my bum in gear. Catch you all later.

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Getting there

Well the clock isn't finished but I did manage to have a bit of a play. Started on the top plate which is the actual clock part. I had great fun getting dirty for this one. Inks, stains, stickles, glossy accents and some inka too.. Still got a wee bit to finish off on it but it's just about there. Don't want to add too much detail as it would just make it difficult to read the time.. Would sort of defeat the purpose of it then. Lol.

Well hubby's home and he's hungry so better go feed the monster!! Hope you've all had a fab day.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Life ban for animal fighting | Scottish SPCA

Too many sick folk in this world...

http://www.scottishspca.org/news/846_life-ban-for-animal-fighting

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

An insight into life with act of the week, Brianna Robertson | News | East Kilbride | STV

So proud of Brianna's recent interview.. Sometimes need to pinch myself as I still remember the wee 6yr old girl sitting in the back of the car singing and now she's a beautiful young lady with an amazing talent. Can't wait to see how her future spans out.

http://local.stv.tv/east-kilbride/news/29644-an-insight-into-life-with-act-of-the-week-brianna-robertson/