So who stole the time

OK so which one of you stole the time, own up and give some of it back now, jokes over and it's not funny any more. It seems as though my life has been in fast forward for months now. I plan my weeks work and think yes this will be the week I actually get it all done. Ha ha, the jokes deffo on me, the smug look on my face is usually wiped off by the end of Monday when I realise that it's just not going to happen, no matter how much I run round like a demented blue-arsed-fly. Well on the upside, my life is never boring and I'm never quite sure what I'm going to be asked to do next. At the moment I've been working on a project that features Dopey the dwarf. I can't say it's an easy one, and every time I think I'm settled on what I'm going to do, I change my mind. To be honest I'm a tad sick of looking at him now, and I even dreamt of him the other night, so it's deffo time to get it finished before the men in white coats come and cart me away.

I did get my Polka Doodles DT challenge card made for this weeks challenge which is to make a milestone age or anniversary card. I made this ruby wedding anniversary card with papers from the Polka Doodles Love and Cherish CD. This red and black set are so stunning I just had to use them. And It's a bit over the top because I think any couple in this day and age that makes it to 40 years deserves a huge over the top celebration. Why not hop over to the PD blog and see all the other fabby cards made by the DT team, and have a go at the challenge yourself, it's easy to entre, and you never know, you might just win.
I still seem to be having a few issues with blogger so the rest of the piccies I was going to add are going to have to wait again. The emotional stress of trying to add them has me beat again today, LMAO. OK less emotional stress and more like pure emotional anger. Sometimes it's better to quit before you do something stupid, like chucking your Laptop through the window, which wouldn't really be the right thing to do now would it?

I'll leave you with a few pics of my furry babies and try again next time, so keep your fingers crossed.

All love and harmony in this shot!

Oops not for long. Great action shot of Baggins rear end disappearing out of view, lol

Take care all, and don't forget to leave me a message if you have the time, Luv Dee xxx

Erm, yes, well, soz and all that

Well, what can I say, Yes I have been busy, but so is everyone else and they manage to blog all the time. I'm failing, but I am hoping to improve. Honestly. I am trying to organise my work life a little better (wonders will never cease if I manage it, lol). When I had a 'normal' job and did freelance in my spare time I coped much better, but on giving up the daily drudge I seem to be all over the place lurching from one mad panic to the next. Not good so I've made a decision to sort it all out. Tips on a postcard please to the panic master, looney bin towers, back of beyond.

I have some exciting news to tell you. I was asked by that mad woman Nikky to join the Polkadoodles Design Team and I said yes (oh boy what have I let myself in for). Now I just need to get my fat arse in gear and work out what I'm supposed to be doing. I feel I'm going to be plaguing the rest of the team with stupid questions, but you've got to learn these things sometime haven't you. I'm sorry ladies if I drive you to distraction. Seriously I don't even know anything about Mr Linky, let alone using it, I'm a hopeless case I'm afraid, LMAO.

Exciting news No.2 I just can't tell you yet, but it is very exciting and I could be designing more than just downloads soon. If it comes off I'll be a very happy busy little bee.

And I received another blog award from the lovely Kirsticoo http:/onemadmoo.blogspot.com/ , Pop over to Kirsti's blog and have a looksey at her wonderful projects, you won't be disappointed. Thank you so much Kirsti, I'm really touched. It was I'm sorry to say a while ago but I forgot all about it in my last post, really really sorry Kirsti. I know I'm supposed to be doing something, but I haven't discovered what that is, when I know I'll do it!

I made the long trip to Birmingham to see whats what at the Stitches trade show last week. There wasn't really much that was new or really exciting, and I was quite surprised by the companies that weren't exhibiting that are usually there. There definitely wasn't the buzz that there normally is. Tim Holtz's new goodies caused a stir, but you wouldn't really expect any less would you, gorgeous new colours for inks and die cuts, well I'll deffo be needing them. Don't know how I've managed without them till now, lol. There were a couple of new stamp companies there, one of which Ladybug Crafts ink are definitly worth looking out for. Their sample cards were beautifully made and very inspirational. Wild Rose Studio were there and they also had some cutesome lovelyness to temp all the reatailers. Look out for these in the shops if your thing is cute teddies, animals etc.

And I went to the Make It show at the weekend. What can I say, very disappointing. Why why why do we always lose out to the North. Many companies weren't there because they were at another show. If these companies don't come down south then people won't go to the shows. We have very few shows down here, and it's looking like there won't be any soon. A poor state of affairs. It was nice to see a few of the popular companies had made the effort. Shame a few more couldn't do the same!

I've been fiddlefartarsing about with this for what seems like hours. I'm giving up now, pictures don't want to load, and it won't let me copy and paste, WTF is going on. Cards and more will have to wait till next time, sorry all but my patience has just run out tonight.

Till next time, take care all.

Excitements and letdowns!

Well At last I got Lappy back, Yayyyyyyy.

Except it wasn't lappy, not YAY at all! Now they had told me that the new bits wouldn't fit into the chassis of Lappy so they were putting all the bits into a new chassis. I don't know what I was expecting, but it sure wasn't the super shiny black monstrosity that I eagerly pulled out of the box. I really can't tell you how disappointed I was. I loved Lappy, not just because it was graphite with subtle little twinkles, but because Colin chose it for me. If I had gone out to buy one it would have been one just like Lappy. I never in a million years would have bought a big black shiny monster. I hate it! It's so deep, it doesn't even fit on my lap very well, with the screen up I have to hang onto it for dear life or it tips off my knees. AND the camera doesn't work on it AND it's empty (hours of work to load all my software and files back on). I get the feeling that it's just a reconditioned laptop and that they have lost Lappy, as they wouldn't give me a straight answer when I asked if I could have my old hard drive back. Now considering all the information that's on that hard rive, I really don't want anyone else getting their mitts on it. I'm really trying hard to be grateful, but I just don't seem to be getting there. I think I may get Colin to take me to Cosham on Monday and try and get some answers, and the camera fixed!


Meet Millie the rabbit, and yes Emma I did name her after your Millie, I hope you don't mind? Millie is one of the Charity downloads that can be found on A Card 4 U's website (link to the shop on the right hand side). I've made cards with each of the downloads, using a different technique for each one.

Millie has been paper pieced using the Spring Fling collection by Blond Moments. I cut the papers down to A4 size (painful I know but very necessary). Once that is done, feed them into your printer and print the downloads onto them. Then cut out all the different bits and stick them all together on top of your main image. Very effective and I do like Millie in orange and green, they're just her colours.............. It has just occurred that these are carrot colours, so subconsciously I was obviously concentrating on the carrot when I did this. I must have been hungry, lol.
Cup cakes or fairy cakes, whatever you call them, most of us love them. I kept this one quite simple looking. No changes to the background, just print it straight out. And print the cake out 5 times, colour in with Copics, ProMarkers, pencils or watercolour. Cut out the cakes leaving a section out each time, then decoupage.

I simply turned the black lines of the backing paper to red for this one, then printed the digistamp onto acetate and glittered it. It's a bit time consuming, but shows you really don't have to stick to paper and card to print onto.

These downloads I coloured in using one of my graphics programmes, using the flood fill tool. It's really easy to do and I like the bold flat colours with this image.

And here are some sneaky peeks of a project I've been working on. I used papers and embossing powders from the delicious Sugar Dumpling Range by Blond Moments, and some of their wonderful stamps. They can be found at Art From The Heart, so click on the link on the right hand side and have a browse through all the goodies on offer.

This little softie was made by my Mother-in-law Marilyn. Isn't he cute? He was one of several knitted characters that Marilyn made for the Local RSPCA centre to help raise funds. It's not the best picture in the world, but I had to scan it from a photo that Marilyn gave me which was rather dark and gloomy. Marilyn I really must show you a few easy tricks on the computer and show you the printer settings again. Remind me OK!

That's all for now, till next time.

How Long!!!!

Well what can I say, it's been a while again!

I can honestly say I've had stressful few weeks. My Uncle is very ill and I have been doing the hospital run and picking up my Auntie, and just generally running around and organising. It's worn me out I can tell you. But I wouldn't do it any other way, I couldn't leave my Auntie to cope on her own, not that she's entirely on her own, but her son has had to be in London with important business for some of this time, and the other 2 Daughters are too far away to help with the everyday things, as much as they would like otherwise. Between us though we have done what we can for them. It's still a battle with Uncle, but we will keep at it. Just please bare with me and forgive me if there is another long gap.

Unfortunately while Uncle was in the hospital, I found his care sadly lacking. I won't go into details, but quite frankly I was disgusted with the whole kit and caboodle. It has not always been this way, I worked at that hospital for 17 and a half years and I can honestly say it was nothing like it is now. Cuts in budgets have done no one any favours except the government. I do not directly blame the nurses or the Dr's, as I know they too despair with what they can no longer do. It's a mess and it needs sorting.

Onto things of a lighter note. I received some lovely delayed Xmas pressies. One of which was this little fellow. Isn't he gorgeous, sure beats seeing an old towel rolled up at the cupboard door. And so far Sammy has left him alone too. What a miracle, lol. Thanks Marilyn, I really lubs him.
I did manage to find a bit of time to make Sam a new coat. He does have a padded waterproof one, but being only small it is a bit stiff, so this snugly fleece one does the job well for non rainy days. He does look very handsome in it and trots along the path flicking his feet out like he was in a show ring, the little show-off. I only just managed to snap this pic before he ran off with it!


Here is a set of cards I made for a Magazine article. Unfortunately it seems as though the floral rub-ons by Artoz have been discontinued! Not helpful and very annoying, after you've put in the work. Nothing you can do though, but have a whinge and move onto the next thing. If you look around I'm sure you can find plenty of other things you could use instead. The papers are by 7 Gypsies and the sentiments are Delish Designs Snack Pack rub-ons.

I made this one for my Mum. Nearly fainted coz I'm so early in making it, no last minute panic make this year, or worse buying one from a shop. I'll probably lose it by the time I need it though now. It'll be put in that 'safe' place. You know, that place that mysteriously disappears as soon as you put anything there! I've got hundreds all over the house lol.

Some more playing, this time with papers and embossing powders by Blond Moments, totally lush. You can get these from Art From The Heart, Just click on the link on the side bar to see all the fab products in the range. The flower is a Woodware chipboard shape from A Card 4 U. A link to the shop is also on the side bar. And while I think about it have you seen the Charity digital stamps and backing paper bundles on the site. All the proceeds are going to the Meningitis Charity so if you like the look of them please buy them, it really is a good cause. You can see them here http://www.acard4u.co.uk/digital-downloads-for-charity-c-366_410.html

Got out my friendly plastic and cookie cutters out for this card. The colours have gone a little odd, but it does I'm glad to say look better in real life, honest.

And just a couple of pics of his royal handsomeness Sammy.

Take Care all.

I'm back at last!

Hello everyone. I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and new year. But where did it go? it was over in a flash!

Before Christmas my laptop threw a wobbly and stopped working, well almost but the screen was unreadable, so that has been sent back to the manufacturers for repair. My PC in the mean time had been playing up and kept crashing, so I took that to the man that can. The only problem was it wouldn't go wrong for him (WTF It would barely stay on for more than 5 mins here, if I got it to come on at all), don't you just love them. They cause so much heartache when they go wrong. I felt like my left arm had been cut off. Why do they have to both go wrong at the same time, I mean how cruel was that!

Anyway I have the PC back for now, but I've had to move it into the living room with a wireless adapter so I can get online. It seems It doesn't like living under the stairs. Can't say I blame it that much, I didn't much like using it out there either, sitting in the drafts. Only problem is it sits on a proper full size desk, not one of these small PC units and I don't really have much room in the living room, but hey ho there's nowhere else for it. After much puffing, panting, bad language, crushed ribs, pushing and shoving it's now in it's new home. And one of my armchairs is now under the stairs, useful if I'm puffed after coming down! lol. I did however take out a rather large chunk of wall in the hallway, Oops.

Well I haven't really done much crafting over the holidays, but here's a few I did do.

The person I sent this to loves dots. Just as well me thinks, lol

A sympathy card for my friend who sadly lost her mum to cancer on the Sunday after Christmas. And two birthday cards for men made with the Polka Doodles Back to Nature CD which can be found by clicking on the link on the side bar. Oh and the sympathy card was made with this CD too.

And now loads of Sammy pics (sorry but just can't resist showing him off, he's so scrummy I could eat him). I love the first couple of shots of him looking out the patio doors.

Playing with Colin and his new toy, the squeaky, quacky duck.

And I can't forget Baggins, she's being very sensible and staying in the warm.

Look at all the footprints where I put the food out for the fox. It got a few different visitors. Fox, cat and bird prints.

The seagulls waiting to be fed. I don't like the look of that sky!!!

This white stuff would be fun mum, if it wasn't so cold.
Stay warm and safe everyone.

On Christmas Eve

I've been so busy lately that blogging has been scarce, sorry about that. And now my lappy is poorly and has been taken to PC hospital, so no pictures to add of cards or my gorgeous Christmas tree as they are all on Lappy and not on this PC. It's all a bit inconvenient as the PC is in the drafty hallway and my feet freeze, Brrrr.

Well here's a couple of pics to make you smile, giggle or go Aww. The first one is me and my brother, poss 1967.
And this one is my Mum, but I really couldn't tell you when it was, lol.
So just a quick post today wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy yourselves but stay warm and safe.

Luv Dee xxx