A baby card and some Christmas bells

I keep feeling guilty when friends ask me for my blog address and I have to explain that I haven't updated it for a while.  Note to self:  Upload a photo of something I am working on each week.......well we'll see won't we!  It's been a bit of a poo nine months really, my Brother-In-Law died of Cancer and my Sister looked after him at home right until the end so we (family and friends) took turns in supporting and helping her, he died at the end of June and then in November I had a heart attack, not a serious one, but one nonetheless and am trying desperately to change my bad habits and lead a healthier life, but the weather has not been kind to us.  

On a happier note my Son and girlfriend visited from Australia during December and in October they got engaged and are getting married March 2014 in Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, Australia, which is where she comes from......some something to get in shape for.....oh and to save for!

Friends of ours recently brought baby Casey into the world and this is a card I made for them.  I haven't yet had a cuddle with the new born and must arrange a visit.  I blame the weather, this snow doesn't inspire one to get off their backsides and do anything.....watching TV with a crochet hook and ball of wool is all I can muster these days, oh and snoozing!  

I succumbed and bought a Martha Stewart edge punch, mainly because I have been asked three times during the past year to make/design wedding invitations and thought that this lends itself to a romantic theme.  

I bought the gingham card at a show in Five Lakes, Essex (cannot remember the show's name) in blue and I have some in pink too, love it for baby cards.  The tile is a 2" square piece of stampbord coloured with alcohol inks and about four layers of clear UTEE  plus a little gold embossing powder that I stamped into with the foot stamp.  

I have also made two lots of wedding invites this year already, although they were almost identical, which made the second lot easier, just a slight variation with the flower, but made some mocks for them to look at.  I shall put them up here when I gather the photos together, some.  I never know whether I will find them on my camera, Andy's camera or my iPhone to be honest.......another note to self:  Be more organised!

I have also been sewing and made this little Christmas ornament to try out smocking, which I haven't done since my school days.

The one on the right is my one and the purple one I bought at the Warner Archive Christmas sale in Braintree, but it was made by a friend in my Thursday class.  I wanted to make more, but with the heart attack happening it changed a few things before Christmas, I shall make some more next year to give out to friends and family.  Some of the girls made Christmas crackers with the central body beaded and smocked, they were lovely.  

More to come from my crafting world.......

Carol xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I've been published!

The makers of Stampbord (Ampersand) asked me some months ago to make a mirror for their "how to" part of their website and this is it.  I never get bored of making these.  Click here for tutorial.

New Job and Baby Card

I've started a new job, part-time maternity cover in The Paper Mill Shop as the Manager is now on maternity leave.  Enjoying it very much, although it is very tiring.  Made this card for her new arrival.  I melted embossing powder onto card and gave it a final coat of UTEE and then did the same with a piece of stampbord and then stamped the baby foot into it.

Another Mirror!

I have made another of these mirrors for a moving in pressie for a friend of mine.  For those of you who may be looking for the first time, it is an Ikea mirror (I think they are only 99p).  The very middle is covered with gold gilt cream, the tiles are Stampbord that are individually inked up with alcohol inks, stamped with black StazOn and then polished with an antique wax, which gives them more of an aged look. I was so intent in getting the right tile in the right place and having an awful time with my pot of glue that the hanging fixture is in the wrong place, so I have to put another on on the back, doh!  I hope she likes it!

Mini Art

Haven't been well the past couple of days with a dreadful cold so adding an old project of mine from about a year ago.  These are ATC size stampbord covered with alcohol inks or acrylic paints and stamped with StazOn and covered in UTEE.

Weekend away

Well, really enjoyed our weekend away to see Janette and Neil reaffirming their wedding vows. Got back last night after taking one or two detours to Bronte Country (Haworth) and Hull, just so we could drive over the Humber Bridge because we never have, that's how mad we both are! Didn't get home until 22:30, so only ten hours travelling......hmmmmm

I made the above card for Janette and Neil for their special day.

and.....the one below for Janette's Mum to hand to them.

Janette and Neil looked really nice on the day and it seems that Jamie, their eight year old son was acting as Best Man, keeping hold of the rings safely!

Altered Mirrors

Woke up with a terrible headache this morning, which has lasted for the whole day. I hate that happening to me, which seems to be more frequent lately.....still will probably feel fine tomorrow. Andy and I are travelling north to be at the Sunday service at Neil and Janette's church where they will reaffirm their wedding vows, this I think is very romantic as I have lived with her brother for nearly 14 years now and we have never even managed one wedding! Oh well at least their Mum did get her two weddings, just from the same person. Oh Andy was married before, but we won't mention that, lol. I made this mirror some time ago and have decied to give it to Janette and Neil on Sunday, this will really go with their colours in their living room, hope they like it.

Yesterday I attended a beading class, which I enjoyed immensely - so much that I spent the afternoon threading beads, but mostly picking beads up from the floor. I am hoping that I feel better tomorrow so I can make something to wear with my outfit on Sunday, I have already made the earrings and want a necklace to match....let's see if I manage to get everything done tomorrow as I also want to buy some wool to knit a felted bag. I found this absolutely great shop, which is like an Aladdin's cave to a crafter, it really is a one stop shop for crafters - you can get EVERYTHING you need there and they are making it bigger. I must take Janette there when she next visits. Clever thing though, they call it "THE CHEAP SHOP" but I didn't find it cheap at all, clever though and I will probably spend at least 2-3 hrs in there just to take it all in.....
Here's one I did earlier, which I gave to a friend for Christmas 2008: -

Well.......I suppose I must get to bed now otherwise I will have another headache tomorrow!