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