Knowing Me Knowing You.....

Ha Haaaaa!

Its nearly Christmas and its Abba night at the Saracens Head with the Waitrose mob...starring Phil (Alan Partridge) Lamden (Dry Goods)!

And seeing as no blackmail money was forthcoming...here are the rest of the photos!!!

Happy Christmas Everybody!!!

Wishing a very Merry Christmas to all my lovely friends - the office chicks at Waitrose, all the minx's on docrafts, and to random readers of this, my dear old blog!

I hope you have a wonderful day - lots of family fun, and some peace and quiet inbetween! A nice dinner....[bring on the sprouts!], and some good festive tele. And may Santa bring you something nice!

Oodles of Christmas sparkles,
Sue xxx

23 minutes and 10 seconds....

....and I think I can hear those sleigh bells in the distance!!! How exciting!!!

Sue x

Are well all READY???

As I type, just 22 hours, and some minutes (Ive forgotten already) to go! WOW..I swear THAT tree and the sleigh above have made time go oh so much faster!

But guess what???

Two and half hours of hustle and bustle at the shopping centre this afternoon (okay - technically yesterday afternoon)...and ALL my Christmas shopping was done. AND...it is now all wrapped AND labelled...and Im done done done....done-in more like!

Once I got past the car park hell, and zoned out the noise of screaming young ones, it was a breeze. On the whole, everyone was in good spirits - I wonder if this is because we are all resigned to the fact that there will be mile long queues and a bit of pushing and shoving....or maybe its because we know that in just 2 days - IT WILL ALL BE OVER!

Happy Christmas Eve everyone...enjoy your last minute hustle and bustle, and dont burn the mince pies!

I will leave you to drool over the giant Yule log I purchased today...it was the only one to be found....it will probably double-up as a birthday cake!



Sue x

I thought I'd fried my pussy.......cat!

Its taken me a couple of days to blog this event...I have been in shock, and am now nursing some nasty bruises!

It was a Monday morning and all was well - well, well'ish....I was utterly pooped from a night out with the Waitrose guys - more about that later...depending on how much ransom money I get paid (or not) for 'the photos'! I knew I was down to fumes petrol wise, and had to get to work on probably ungritted icy roads and I was out of de-icer, but thats all by-the-by...

Anyhoo..I got up real early...to upload and print above mentioned photos (I could do with some Christmas cash pronto!) and made my cuppa while the pc booted up...a normal morning so far.

I was just saying good morning to the docrafts girls, when all hell broke loose! Daisy - the minx of a kitty, decided that it had been way too cold and snowy to have her wee out in the garden and promptly jumped over the printer (and much other crap), behind the desk..to do her business....ON THE 6-WAY PLUG EXTENSION!!! Having seen her scoot there, I was already batting the area with packets of photo paper...it was all I had to hand, to shoo her out, when there was this horrid noise (SO horrid!)....AND a smell of burning! OMG OMG OMG thinks (ok..shouts) me, and Im screaming for Daisy to get the hell out of there, trying to reach through to her and struggling to get the sodding plugs out of the wall. Eventually I get to the plugs...and thank all that is holy that I stopped that ghastly noise, but there is no sign of the darned cat....and all I hear is silence....aaagggggh! I am convinced, as certain as certain can be that poor Daisy is burnt to a crisp behind the desk, oh how distraught can a person be!

I cant face this at all so I rush up the stairs, bash on my Dads door..."wake up wake up...Daisy has electrocuted herself and is stuck behind the desk". Can you imagine getting a wake up call like that??? The poor man shuffles down the stairs and proceeds to pull all the junk out from under the desk to search out the burnt offering that is Daisy...but he sees nothing. "Of course you cant see anything, because there isnt enough for you to see" screeches me! I am somewhat hysterical by this point...I just thought I'd mention that! But even with two torches, he says...she's not there...not even a bit of a tail or anything...so we begin searching the house - me, expecting her to be smouldering in a corner somewhere. But no, there she sits, with not so much as a singed whisker, on my bedroom windowsill....phew!!! "Ive found her Dad, but she wont come near me" says me..."Of course she wont, because you've frightened the f'ing life out of her" says he...and he grumpily goes back to bed!

Me...Im up way too early, with the pc corner looking like a bomb has hit it, so what more can I do but sit staring into space as if in some catatonic state for an hour, until its time to get ready for work.....via the nearest petrol station as I dont need to be running out of petrol to complete my morning!

Mostly I was in tears - until I was about three quarters of the way to work when I burst into hysterical laughter and thought to myself, did all that really happen, or was it some kind of nightmare?!?

Here we are, two days later...the bruises are coming out, but at least the shock is wearing off...just! Dad has forgiven me (he deserves a medal), since he tested out the plug thingy and it nigh on caught fire - he then knew I hadnt made the whole thing up! Daisy however took a little longer.....!



Sue x

ps: Still no Christmas shopping done....maybe tomorrow!

At last..I am sharing my FAT BOOK with y'all!

Last night, I set my alarm to wake me nice and early...I had a rendezvous with a pile of snow - I just HAD to make a snow kitty! Sadly...the snow did not co-operate, it was like dust...plenty of it, but all dust. So what to do with myself...I'm usually still tucked up in my bed until lunchtime on a Saturday, but here I was with time on my hands....

I found myself in the emporium having a bit of a tidy up - this is much needed, there was barely room to work...and thats when I managed to climb over the boxes and bags! However, tidying up in craft rooms usually throws up all sorts of surprises and goodies that havent been drooled over for yonks, so the task was slow.....but oh so enjoyable!

I came upon pages I had been sent to add to my Fat Book.....this is a book of sparkles which Margaret so kindly organised in the summer to see me through my op to make me a new woman! I then remembered that I had been promising over and over to photograph all the pages and pop them on here....so I did just that (who really needs to be tidy anyway...!!!) I then put my gorgeous book altogether again and it sits proudly on my shelf!

Here is my slide-show...what lovely pages, and they certainly got me through those days of too much heat, pain, the most uncomfy surgical bra (Bleh!), stitches sticking out, and goop being sucked out of me...he he!

I would adore to thank once again, all you wonderful ladies who have made this gorgeous book: Jackie, Alma, Caroline (CC), Gina, Sall, Margaret, Ann C, Gill, Babs, Maria, Donna, Mandy, Sue C, Jenni, Alyson, Suzie Boo and Susie J......thank you all, you are stars!

Sue xxx

ps: Margaret, dont panic...you will see by the end of the slide-show that I found the stray 's' and stuck it on lol!

9 Days....

...does that blooming tree say 9 days????? Aaaaagggggghhhhh!

The German Market comes to town...

A rainy Sunday, and nought planned but a snuggle in the warm, and the exercising of the brain cell as Sis and I do the crossword. But no, Carol has other ideas...'you wanted to go to the German Market' says she. Well, yes I did...I do, but somehow all my cash disappeared in the first week of the month and its no fun at markets without cash! Oh, but how wrong I was - who needs cash when you have camera in hand...and a sister on hand to purchase tasty things when temptation gets too much!

Off we went, the clouds becoming blacker and blacker...and we headed for our secret car park which has never let us down - until now! Full to bursting it was...doh, so round and round the town we went in search for a space, even the multi-story was a dead loss...one wrong turn and you find yourself on the way out instead of up! We were on the verge of giving up, but said we would give our secret car park one more chance, and lo and behold...a space awaited us...phew!

We toddled down through the town to the market square, and were greeted by the most beautiful chalets full of beautiful things!

There were pretty things...



..and yummy things...





..sweety things...



..and things so yummy and sweety, we simply could not resist...





Mmmmmmm!

There lots of tasty things to try... yummy salami's, cheeses and all manner of sweeties...we were quite full up by the time we were finished, and then had to come home and face Dads roast!

It was a lovely outing, and made a nice change I have to say. It did make me feel more festive....however, have I done my shopping yet...nope! People think Im joking when I say I will do all my Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve....heck, even I think Im joking!!! But here I am again.... and there are only 11 more sleeps - 10 by the time any of you read this....aaaggggh!

Anyway, I was very busy with my camera, and here is a slide-show of all the pretty things on display...

Only 16 days until Christmas....OMG!!!

A very happy December from.....

Me...



it will be on its way tomorrow Kate!

from Kate...



Its a fabby page for my calendar Kate, thank you...and for the brilliant pens too!

from Bubbles...



..who is itching to go out to show off her festive collar!

and from Daisy...



..who is itching to get the darned thing off - she hates it...spoilsport lol!

Thank goodness it is the weekend...I had my flu jabs on Thursday, piggy and regular, and come Friday evening I felt pretty wrecked - ached like hell, and you should see my poor arms! Thank goodness a couple of painkillers do the trick...if only they lasted more than a couple of hours, but at least I wont be oinking any time soon!

Well, this blog entry is a little bit too normal isnt it...we cant have that! So...just look what postie brought me today!



Ha ha ha ha!

Have a great Sunday folks!
Sue x

It is time....to unveil....NIPPLES R US!

At last my layout is complete...Im not sure Im totally happy with it, but I had fiddled about with my nipple long enough, so here it is girls!



My beautiful flowery nipple has been sparkly mod podged, had the Tim Holtz inky treatment, a sprinkling of glitter, another coat of mod podge, sparkly flowers stitched all around...to provide the centre-piece of my pretty flower...voila...




The grand nipple presentation just had to be enhanced with a gorgeous Prima 'say it in crystals' frame...



Aint that pretty....as pretty as my nipp!

CC's poem was a wonderful addition to my layout...thanks for doing my journalling for me Caroline lol!



...and a last minute finishing touch, my Breast Cancer Appeal bra pin...




I hope you like it...I doubt you will see another LO like it thats for sure [which is probably a good thing!]

Thank you again to Anna and the boys at Nipples R Us [postie hasnt shown up yet with my extra nipps!?!] And thank you to all the girls for joining in the fun!

Sue x

Doodles has given me a giggle award!

"Sue your blog makes me smile every time I visit, please accept this award on behalf of all docrafters who love a giggle xxxxx
All you have to do to accept the award is to copy and paste it onto your blog and pass it on to 5 bloggers who make you smile :)"

Thank you so much Donna! Personally, I think it was the sparkly nipple that did it...ha ha ha!

Oh but to pick just 5 smiley blogs, now THAT is a tough one...thanks Doodles lol!

I am going to choose (in the words of Dermot, in no particular order...)

Valerie as she always has a funny story to tell - those darned spiders have kept us very amused lately! Valerie also tells a moving story, and is a constant inspiration with her mind-blowing flow of stunning creations!

Then there is Caroline - she of the Christmas Countdown fame, and the writer of many a funny poem - buttons, nipples...there is no topic our CC cant tackle!

Next comes Ann - what beautiful pages this lovely lady creates - we are all inspired by our Ann!

Not forgetting the lovely Maria (who taught me how to do these natty hyperlinks!), a good friend and a great mother, and above all......a BRILLIANT stash shopper...ha ha ha!

Last but not least, Im going to pick my apprentice Lesley, whose blog is in its infancy just now, but I just know its going to hot up once she gets the hang of things! In Lesleys' company, one cant but help but smile!!!

So gals, I think this means that you have to choose your five smiley blogs (good luck!) and post your very pretty award on your own (Lesley, I will show you how at our next pow wow!)

Thank you again Donna, I am very honoured to receive an award for making people smile!

Sue x

A bad day turned good.....

Saturday morning, and all is not well - my head aches, my nose is snotty, and I feel so grim I seriously consider heading back up to my nest...

...then, the next thing I know, Im bombing down the A45 heading for Colemans and before you can say decoupage, Im sitting at a table with none other than Joanna Sheen, watching her create her delightful cards...



AND, at my feet sits a basket filled with all manner of goodies...ooo this lot must be mine, how nice lol! My day had suddenly got a lot better!

My afternoon however, was a bit mixed - searching for stash until I was too worn out to craft - that is so annoying - why does stash jump off the obvious place to put it, and hide in the very last place you will look! I did find my bits eventually though, plus quite a few other odds and ends that Ive been longing to find for ages, so it all came good in the end and crafting will resume tomorrow (later today).

The absolute highlight of my day has to be......drum roll please.....when I sparkly mod podged my nipple...



Its very difficult to catch the sparkle with the camera, but I think this looks pretty neat dont you...so pretty, I might make them all sparkly!

Hey, I bet Joanna Sheen has never shared a blog post with a nipple before, never mind a sparkly one!

Have a great Sunday my lovelies!
Sue x

ps: please note that the above nipple was not affixed to my person when being photographed...lol!

Let me introduce to you my new friends....

...at Nipples R Us

...who probably think [are absolutely certain] that Im stark raving bonkers but hey ho, its not my fault...its those crafting buddies of mine who have eased me along the path of bonkersness!

Anyway, these are the wonderful folks who have kept me entertained for an hour or so this past two weeks, as they created just for me a box full of beautiful nipples lol!

Thursday was collection day, only on this day...bits of me were rather pinker than the week before, so some adjustment is needed to the aforementioned nipps, and here is a craftsman in the process of colouring up the 'master nipple':



He will now proceed to match my whole collection with the master copy, and then they need sealing or baking...Im not sure which, and will then be popped in the post - lets hope the posties dont make a boob and lose them eh!

However, such minor setbacks didnt get in the way of a good photo opportunity...I just HAD to have a piccie of the grand nipple presentation!



Meanwhile, I learned some new crafting techniques - how to glue on a nipple and make it look real....and it did! Getting the position right is a bit of a challenge, and I cant tell you how WEIRD it is to have three people standing in front of you...heads leaning this way, then that...mmm...'maybe a little to the left', 'up a bit' or 'down a bit' ha ha ha!!!

I was allowed to bring home a couple....one 'in-situ' to get the hang of things, and another which turned out a little too thick...for wearing that is, but not too thick for decorating and sticking on a layout! Dont get excited...my layout is still in the planning stage, but I will leave you with a wonderful poem that Caroline (whose brilliant blog can be found HERE) kindly penned for me following my first visit to Nipples R Us...


Let me tell you a story, of my funny day,
It started in a normal, sort of a way.
I had an appointment, I must not forget,
Something to sort out, something to collect.
Let’s not make a scene here, let’s not make a fuss,
Thank goodness the Lord sent me “Nipples R us!”
You’re right it’s no misprint!! I just made you giggle!!
I needed to go and get one brand new nipple!!
Now being a crafter, I was quite intrigued,
But making a nipple was out of my league!

The room there was pleasant, two men and one girl,
That alone was enough to send my head in a whirl!!!!
Just how many people are viewing my chest????
I put on a sweet smile, and just did my best!!!
First he made an impression of the one I have left,
I have to agree, he was really quite deft!
He poured out the Silicone and left it to set,
So the nurse and I talked about where we had met!

Ah Yes!! It was Coleman’s!! That great crafty place!!!
Enough to redeem a big smile on my face!
We laughed at my spending on ribbons and buttons,
And paper and sparklies, then all of a sudden-
The time came to remove the new mould that they’d made,
Now time to mix ‘gloop’ in exactly my shade!!
Colour coded nipples!!!! It’s the future I’m told!!!
‘sat there as they poured it right into my mould.

I left with a “titter” and heard, just a ripple-
of laughter “Next week for your box full of nipples!!!!!!”

by Caroline G

I would like to thank CC for giving me such a giggle with this poem...you've never let me down and I still treasure your ode to my Foof A La buttons!

And I would like to thank the folks at Nipples R Us for entertaining me, putting me at ease, and generally humouring this daft old bat!

Photos, poem and nipples WILL be featuring on a layout real soon! Now....where's my glitter......?

Sue x

How on earth can I sleep tonight.....

....as tomorrow, I will be collecting my NIPPLES!?!

Sue x

Down to earth with a bump....or should I say DRILL!?!

Oh dear, if on a fun factor scale of 1-10, Wednesday's appointment was up there at no.10 - today's was most certainly...ooo...minus something! Today took me to the dentist...well, just about - the car was running on fumes by the time I got there and I was terrified I would run out of petrol on top of my forthcoming torture! Today was my second session of root canal - I had no idea this was done in sessions...each an HOUR long, two so far and we aint done yet...groan! She promised not to hurt me, and I have to say that on the whole she hasnt, but today the anaesthetic kind of wore off....just as she was digging right deep with that nasty drill of hers - YOW!!! 'No worries' says the jolly lady dentist [the bloke has binned me - got fed up of my moaning I guess!] -'NO WORRIES' thinks I, when its all I can do to stop myself punching her lights out!!! 'We will pack it up now, pop a temporary crown on [the very same one she had prised off earlier!?] and get you back again next month'...sigh!

I wobble out of the surgery, hoping upon hope that fumes will get me to a cash point...and that the said cash point will give me some cash with which to buy petrol - or I wasnt getting home! The fuel warning light flashed - it even beeped at me, and I knew that bombing my way down the dual-carriageway wasnt helping any..but I couldnt help myself - I'd had enough! Thankfully, the hole in the wall gave me my last £20....but then I spotted across the way...SUBWAY...! Despite needing every drop of fuel I could get, to last me until payday - Im afraid my willpower was at a low ebb. Hang on a minute, what willpower - I have NONE, so it was a cheapy 6" SUB of the Day for me...tuna (mmmm?) - then toodle around to the filling station for eighteen quids worth...that'll do, and if not, I'll have to throw a sicky...ha ha ha! Only kidding Lee, honest!

Anyway, I get home and what is Dad preparing for tea....steak! Yummy yum yum generally, but pretty tricky when you only have half a mouth, and chewing of any kind is a tad sore. Woe betide the person that turns down Pa's dinners though, so I winced my way through it......then spent the rest of the evening on the sofa getting over it and my day!

Ive just eaten my Sub - well, about half an hour ago now....that will sit very heavy as I sleep, a tuna with all the trimmings and lashings of mayo is rather sickly....but kind of yummy at the same time lol!

So you see Lee, its not all scone scoffing and nipple fun for me while you are doing the earlies and all my zapping lol!

Back to work on Monday...sigh...but a weekend of crafting first - lots to do!

Have a fabby weekend one and all!
Sue x

Nipples R Us!

Before I begin...just let me say, do not be afraid - this post will NOT be embellished with photographic evidence...well not yet anyways!

I thought I just had to talk about the day I had yesterday [although, its still 'today' to me as I havent gone to bed yet], as it was kind of different...its not every day that you go and get measured up for a new nipple, and who could have predicted how much fun it would be!

Firstly, far from being just me and the technician in a little consulting room, with the mood serious - there was me, a nurse and two very funny guys in a fancy laboratory...woooo! From the off, there was such a good raport between us, which certainly made the whole process less stressful...although to be honest, Im beyond being embarrassed and am well used to flouting my bosoms to all and sundry!

Anyway, first a little chat...and I was shown nipps of the past - they used to come in just the one colour (yuk) and looked exactly like those sucker things one uses to stick things onto windows...good grief! But thankfully, things have moved on and now you get made to measure ones, all colour-matched to your skin and everything - I saw examples and they were amazing!

Then its strip off, put a very fetching (not) gown on, and down to business! The first step was to make an impression of my remaining nipple using some very thick and goopy silicon...and as I sat there waiting for that to set, the jokes started and tales of nipples past. I had asked how long I would 'wear' them for at one time, and the one chap tells me that they advise taking them off each night so that your skin can breath, but one woman, whilst on holiday left hers on for 3 whole weeks....then complained when it fell off and floated away across the ocean ha ha ha! I remarked that that was definitely something I would scrap! We had already discussed scrapping and card making as it turned out the nurse who was chaperoning me [or the guys?!?] was a keen crafter, and she goes to Colemans warehouse too - how fab! We had a lovely drool at the thought of pretty paper and ribbons, much to the amusement of the guys! I do think they were mentally questioning my sanity when I said I had made a whole album about one pack of particularly nice buttons..lol! I shall take that in next time I go - just to confirm their suspicions perhaps!

Anyway, just minutes later a lovely impression was ready, and that will be used to make moulds to create my very own nipples. But the fun didnt stop there. I had to remain seated flashing my assets while the other bloke mixed up the silicone that will be used - this is matched to your exact skin tone, so took some time...adding a little more red, or blue...and everyone staring at my bits each time he brought a sample across to see if he was close - surreal!

Once that was achieved, I could get my togs back on....and I will collect my new nipps next Thursday - I get a whole box of them apparently...he he! Oh, and glue to stick them on with!

So, it could be said, crafting of a very different kind today!

The best news of the day however is....the festive dotees are finished - all 43 of them - hooray! Im hoping the weather will be nice tomorrow [later today], so that I can give them a photo shoot in the garden....then it will be a case of getting a mortgage out so I can buy stamps!!! Lets just hope they squeeze through the large letter slot!

Well, that was my day - not one I shall forget in a hurry, and you just wait until next Thursday when I will photograph my little box of nipps for your amusement!

Have a lovely day my lovelies!
Sue x

Lesley THE domestic goddess & Graybags Titchmarsh entertain!

Oooo Lesley, could I 'go' one of the scrummy scones right now!

I arrived just in time - scones out of the oven, kettle on...lashings of buttery flora and jam - yummy yum yum!

It was play time round at Lesleys' house, so I headed off armed with NYC albums (to show off!), Big Kick and an assortment of dies, but of course a pig-out came first...then a little look at Cuttingedge Crafts...just to show Lesley all the things she NEEDED, and then it was onto some serious die-cutting! Tags of green and pink, and all colours of sparkles, scallop squares and circles...oooo...what fun!

I gave Lesley a sneak peek at the tin of dotees, and Lesley showed me all her beautiful cards - you are so clever Lesley, and I just love how excited you are about pretty paper...soul mates we are!

So what was Graybags up to while we were ooo'ing and ah'ing over stash....? He was mighty busy in the garden of course....




...you didnt spot me snapping that did you Gray...he he!

But lets not forget the other member of the family - the gorgeous and very cuddly Charley:



...guarding the bird table was he...aw bless him!

Thank you for a wonderful day Lesley and Graybags...a very lovely lunch, and those scones were to die for! I hope before too long you will be booking that trip to NYC (and be ready to pack me in your suitcase!), and maybe placing an order (or 3) at Cuttingedge lol!

Hugs and sparkles, Sue xxx

Happy Birthday to our lovely Gina!

I hope you are having a fabulous day missus...and no forgetting the birthday law - BUY STASH!!! And dont come the 'I bought some yesterday' malarky...you NEED to buy some more today lol!



I so enjoyed making your card Gina - I played with my new clear stamps from Woodware...the cutest kitties, and dug out my colouring pencils (no Promarkers here!), so they look just like my Bubbles and Daisy...he he! I just had to add a couple of ladybugs....speaking of which, I had to make you a ladybug dotee too...



Oodles of birthday hugs and sparkles for you Gina!

Sue xxx

Happy Birthday to Jack Ben and Sam!

Wishing a very happy birthday to my nephews - my sisters triplets (rather her than me!) as they reach the ripe old age of 15 today! It doesnt seem like five minutes since we had the happy news that hooray, the IVF had worked...and gulp, there are THREE babies on the way! And just look at how cute those babies turned out to be...



Here we have from left to right...Russ and Carol, and Sam Ben and Jack...look at the twinkle in Jack's eye, SO cute! Getting an up to date photo of the three of them together is not so easy...teenagers eh...but my sister is going to have a go!

Well, apart from a short break to knock up the birthday cards....and arent you proud of me Gina, NOT nipping up the garage for them...lol, my week has been spent happily sewing more dotees. I think I have 24 complete now, and the other 19 are in varying stages of being born......would you like another sneaky peek? I know I said I wouldnt let you, but I cant resist giving you a little teaser.....



....its getting very crowded in there!

Ah well, its Friday 13th...yikes...good luck everybody!!!

Sue x

Happy November!

If you are looking in Kate...hooray, your November page is on its way...at last eh!

I must apologise for my lack of blogging lately...this last week saw me back to my regular working hours - only 20 of them (well, 19 this week due to prior engagements), but how exhausting!!! To compensate I have found myself doing a lot of 'comfort' stash buying..he he...surprise surprise (not), a few more sizzix dies, flowers and plenty of ribbons - scrummy! But here we are, its the 8th of the month, and the stash funds have run out - and sadly, I was not one of the Brits who won the £40 million on the Euro lottery...if only! One could buy all the stash in the world with that lot eh, and a big fat mansion to play with it all in! Whoever you are - have FUN!

Much progress is being made with my festive dotees since I paid a visit to Hobbycraft for stuffing....16 dotees complete and tucked into my festive tin - no peeking now! I was delighted to find that Hobbycraft were at last stocking oodles of beautiful sequins - I used some on Kate's tree above, and they will be lovely for future dotees too. I will be heading back for more come payday, they are too beautiful to resist!

So, with all my secret projects going on, I dont have more crafty piccies to share with you today. However, I did snap our cheeky Daisy earlier as she ventured up onto the kitchen units again.....spot the real kitty...he he!



Look at her posing with the ornaments, like I might not notice she was up there!

Ah well, can you believe, the cheeky begger than I am...I now have two weeks holiday from work...hooray! Oodles of crafting ahead for me!

Have a good week everyone!
Sue x

Shopping in my sleep, a Plumbrella crisis...and... it must be nearly Christmas!

Hooray, last weekend brought pay day, and after my enforced stash diet (after paying the paper bill and the money grabbing fool of a dentist)...in the wee small hours of Saturday morning, I found myself shopping in my sleep! I was having nightmares that the posties would hold all my parcels hostage, so I thought I'd better get all my orders in before they went AWOL again!

Yesterday, Cuttingedge and Cuddly Buddly came through with new (much needed) dies, Prima goodies...a real treat, and some fabby colours of Stickles! Today, Crafts U Love goodies arrived - a couple of inks, MORE Prima goodies, and some festive papers ready for my dotee doll 2009 (more about that later) layout. Here is a selection of my newly acquired scrumminess:



Sleep-shopping RULES eh! Ive had a very nice email from Sizzix to tell me that DHL will be along shortly with my (much needed...of course) dies from them - you know my motto - one can never have too many alphabets lol! AND QVC have shipped some goodies to me too, but Im guessing they will be held hostage by the posties for a few days yet...boo! No matter, to tide me over until further stash deliveries - Lesley and I will be hitting Colemans Warehouse on Saturday - yay!

In an attempt to squeeze more stash into the Emporium, I had a little tidy up...he he - here is my desk space....


Well...there is just about a 12"x12" work area clear...what more does one need!?! For the benefit of Graybags - here is a better look at the Emporium - just think, you could have a space like this when Lesley gets home on Saturday...ha ha ha!



So...the Plumbrella crisis!!! Last night was crafty club night, and a good time was had by all. I stitched faces....a sneaky peak coming up, and much deep and meaningful debate took place about Strictly and The X Factor...and let me tell you there wasnt a single fan of 'the twins' in sight, surprise surprise (not!). Anyway, I took my Plumbrella layout along for 'show and tell', but now it is more worthy for 'show and SMELL' as an accident occurred on the way home! I brought home the leftover milk, and I was sure it was sealed up tight, but no...it appears my 95 mph down the A45 might have loosened the cap somewhat (!) as I found a soggy mess in my bag when I unpacked it this morning....aaaaggggh! Thank goodness my sewing bits and bobs were in plastic bags (thank you Waitrose!), but the layout was loose..lying up against my cutting mat, which only served to maintain the dampness....sigh! Luckily, the photo was printed onto matt paper - this soaked up the milk rather than the print lifting from the page, and luckily no.2 - it is a distressed looking kind of layout, so a bit of running ink and stuff might just add to it?!? I might get away with it when it finally dries out...if I pop it in a bag with a dose of pot pourri!!!

So, here I am at the end of day 3 of my holiday, and what have I been doing with myself all week...?

I have been sewing faces, faces and more faces! Because my lovelies, it is nearly Christmas, and its time to get started on those festive dotees - yay!



Aw...aint they sweet! Thats the last sneaky peek you will be getting - now you will all have to wait and see!

But, thats my fun over for the week - tomorrow I have the ordeal of root canal at the dentist...groan! When will he finally do his job properly so that I dont have to keep going back - 'you've made enough money out of me, you money grabbing begger!!!'

Just a thought though....Hobbycraft is on my route home..........!

Have a good rest of the week folks, and thank you for popping by!
Sue x

A Happy Birthday to Susie J

Hooray, its Susie's birthday today...and as those naughty posties are holding her card hostage, as promised Sue, I am popping it on here so you can have a sneaky peak..if you manage to get online! I know you are busy just now nursing your poorly Dad and I am sending him oodles of sparkles for a speedy recovery, and also..I do hope you have lots of smiles on your birthday Sue!

Let me take this opportunity to thank you for being such a very good friend - totally supportive in my hours of need, not least by providing me with my sweet little cuddle kitty who has accompanied me through my trickiest of times!

Have a happy birthday Sue, and dont forget the birthday rule...you absolutely must buy stash at the earliest opportunity!

Hugs & sparkles, Sue xxx

Celebrating....the PLUMBRELLA!!!

Back in the summer...remember that...plums were aplenty in the garden, and an invention was needed to gather the bumper harvest. Enter Fred with his brilliant idea...'the big brolly in the hall would do the job' says Fred, and Joe & Kate got busy with said brolly and a long stick. Kate...ever creative, came up with the inspired name 'plumbrella' - what a giggle...one for the Dragons Den dont you think!



I loved making this layout - using up a few of the oodles of letters that I got in my (two) K&Company boxes of scrumminess, and my new WRMK circle cutter...love it!

Below is a little slide-show of my latest tags....one day I will catch up, these are no's 29, 37 & 38....a tad out of order!

Tomorrow...an exciting day - we are going to fetch our shiny new car...the one we were only going to have a look at and definitely NOT going to impulse buy! Watch this space!

Thank you for popping by...and dont forget your 'click a day' - they are worth double through October!

Sue x