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

Christmas is coming....Yay!

Well the panic is well and truly setting in now. I still haven't finished all my Xmas cards and I've only got a few pressies so far. OMG what am I going to do, I have never ever been this late. I'm normally all done and dusted by now. It's been a real strange year that's all I can say. Well there has been some good bits, but the crappo bits are winning the competition this year that's for sure.

Before I go further, A mahoosive thank you to Kate and Nikky for sending me Gower Cottage Brownies last week. I can't thank you enough for the thoughtful gesture and they really were much appreciated, with not a crumb missed. I even grudgingly let Colin have one when he came home at the weekend, lol. And I did put a few crumbs on the side for Bilbo. He loved them too, so it seemed fitting to leave him some. They were gone in the morning, so someone enjoyed them. If you've never tried these brownies then I urge you to try them, they are heaven in a box make no mistake. Ordinarily I don't like brownies but these are so delish and scrumptious that you just can't stop eating them. Seriously they are nothing like all those yuckie shop bought ones that are dry and cakey with vile lumps of chocolate in. Just no comparison at all. There is a link to the online shop on the side bar if you fancy a treat, or if you want to send them to someone else. An excellent Xmas pressie for those people who are difficult to buy for. There is even gluten free and dairy free varieties available too. I've ordered a few for pressies this year I have to admit.

If you'd like a chance of getting your hands on a Making Memories Slice machine then hot foot it over to A Card 4 U's website. They're giving one away this month so it'd be rude not to now wouldn't it! link on the side bar.

I've done a bit of playing this week and I'm quite pleased with the results. Firstly I've decorated some candles. It's the first time I've tried this, and although they're not perfect, they're good enough to be given as pressies to a special couple of friends for Xmas.
How did I do it? Well it's actually quite simple and easy and if you look on YouTube you'll find several clips. Firstly stamp your images onto tissue paper with a permanent ink pad. I used a gorgeous stamp set by Blond Moments which can be purchased from Art From The Heart (link on the side bar)(Dyan I hope you likes what I did with em). Then I coloured them in with watercolour pencils and water. Then roughly cut them out. Place an image on the candle where you want it, then wrap a piece of good old fashioned greaseproof paper round the candle. Holding it tight at the back, heat the area with the image with a heat gun. The image will sink into the candle. You'll see a colour change through the paper, just don't go mad and over heat, or you'll end up with a melted candle, lol. Add the remaining images as before and voila it's finished and looking very swish.

And another little make over, but for me this time. I bought myself some tiny inexpensive clear glass baubles. I covered them with VersaMark ink and sprinkled with Blond Moments iridescent embossing powders (available from Art From The Heart as well as above stamps) and a few other ranger embossing powders then heated with a heat gun. While they are still hot add more powder and reheat. A brilliant way to get the colours you want, but remember to make sure they don't touch any lights on the tree, or the coating will melt if the lights get hot. Ooo and remember to hold them with tweezers while you're doing them to save burnt fingers and hang them up till they have cooled.

I just love them, and had a whale of a experimenting and mixing the powders. They're going to look stunning on my tree. If you've got bigger baubles why don't you try stamping small images on them and embossing. A larger Bauble with embossed snowflakes would look gorgeous don't you think?

And a few more pics of cards made from KaJeD Designs (available from A Card 4 U, link on the side bar). Nikky and Dyan skip past the first one, I don't want to be responsible for making you ill. Blimey the second one as well, LMAO.

I used the digi stamps on these ones

I'm rather fond of the reindeer images, can you tell?

From the papers .......

Take care all xxx

Angel wings

Some very sad news for this post I'm afraid. Sadly I lost Bilbo yesterday morning, he's been ill for a while and has fought like crazy to stay with us, but on Sunday evening I noticed he was a wee bit weak and wobbly on his back legs. I knew instantly that it was his time and took him to the vets on Monday morning. The vet confirmed my fears that there really wasn't any more we could do for him and it was time to say farewell. Bless his heart he kept purring right up to the last moment. He's well and truly earned his angel wings and he will always have a special place in my heart.

Over the weekend I was busy making some cards with KaJeD downloadable papers, available from A Card 4 U (click on the link on the sidebar if you're interested in them). . The first few use the digi stamps and backing papers, the cardstock is all available from The Paper Mill Direct or their shops. I coloured in the stamps with Copic pens, I hope you like them.

These ones were all made with the craft sheets and backgrounds.

That's it for now, take care all and keep warm.