Cold shower saves the day!!!!

Once again...panic over (thank goodness these anti-stash lurgies are short lived eh!)

It was shaping up to be another very irritating day...I had one yesterday which was topped off by Dads 42" tv going kaput...we had sound but no picture, and what use is that with either the footie or the tennis, and especially CSI - whats the point if you cant see the gore!?!

The evening was then spent searching through a million pieces of useless paper looking for the warranty....did we even own a piece of paper, as I registered the warrantly by phone...it was a freebie from Argos when we bought the tele? Well, if it exists, I couldnt find it - weve had the tele 2 1/2 years, so I just knew there were going to be many stressy phone calls today trying to sort this out...sigh! Personally, I would just go buy another tele, but sadly I am not rich enough for that (or am I Lee...have you checked the lottery yet???), so as soon I got in from work today my mission began...also in the knowledge that we had Tescos to do too - oh joy (not!) Many calls were made, being assurred that the number each one gave me was the correct one...gggrrrrr....until one very sensible young lady dug out the leaflet that was given out regarding this warranty, even though it was over 2 years ago, and gave me the number of the insurance company. I was too hot and bothered then (as per my last post), so decided to tackle Tescos before I rang the number.

Then things very much started looking up.....Dad didnt fancy the drive so I drove, and as my regular viewers will know...this is 95% of the trauma that is the weekly shopping trip removed in one fell swoop....hooray! He didnt even criticise my driving once (even though Im sure I could feel 'vibes'), and although he still ran people over with the trolley that he didnt like the look of, we didnt actually maim anyone or inflict further damage to the car...phew!

Having packed the shopping away, I did try avoidance tactics re: the phone call, but the nagging got too much so I had to face it.....I was sick of going through the tale over and over! But, I spoke to a very nice man, who Dad thinks was Indian but Im sure he was Welsh, who was most helpful, and despite us having no policy no/invoice/date of purchase info whatsoever, he found us on his computer.......and a man is coming out to fix the tv tomorrow....hooray!

There followed a minor blip in the stress stakes as Dad unscrewed the tv from the kitchen wall and attempts were made to link it up to the digibox. We got there in the end, but my goodness...it was not without a few naughty words and in my case, inner tears...lol!

So...no wonder I was in no state to open up my scrummy parcels! But, I took myself off for the cold shower...you just cant beat it....then sprawl out on your bed in front of a fan on turbo-boost, and in no time at all, all is right with the world...aaahhhh!

My two fat parcels - both from cuttingedge - contained: Tim Holts dies - the gadget gears and the butterfly, scallop decorative strip die, bird cage border embossing folder, dominos embossing folder, 2 more film strip albums and a spicy marmalade ink pad - all fabby of course, and all spirited up to the crafty room as if they have lived there all their lives...!

Lets hope I dont come down with any more of these nasty afflictions any time soon, or I really will need some crafting leave!!!

Get your rain dancing shoes on girls....we SO need to cool things down - I need to be able to actually play with all my new goodies!

Thank you for popping by - you take it easy y'all ;)

Sue x

Its TOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOT!!!

And let me tell you how I know this to be fact....I arrived home to big fat crafty parcels and I simply cannot be bothered to open them!

OMG...maybe the inability to buy stash has been replaced with an inability to open stash parcels...what a terrible thought ;( I will go and have a cold shower and hope that a cure will be forthcoming! If I can summon up the energy, I will take said parcels up to leave outside the bathroom door, as it is so hot and muggy today, I think I may relapse before I reached the bottom step...

I hope you have all found a cool spot somewhere my lovelies!

Sue x

Quick...before its too late....HAPPY JUNE!

A tad (yonks) late, but here is my June calendar page for Kate...

I took advantage of a piccie taken after Joe and Kates engagement do - showing off their delightful scarecrows who are now residing on their very own meadow (AKA unmown front lawn). I created a ribbon strip to match their engagement card and layered these onto K&Company Mira paper...gorgeous! The small letters came from my K&Co treasure, and the 'june' letters from (one of) my Brenda Pinnick box of delights.

Will I ever catch up with life...???

Well, this week sure has been a hot one...



I mention this as my previous two posts to my little blog have rather jinxed the weather and made it go the opposite way. This would be very welcome right now as we are promised the hottest day of the year tomorrow....so I say, bring on the rain and at least ten degrees less please ;) The power of the blog...will it work...when I actually want it to work?!?

It has been a week of sport of course, but lets draw a veil over the footie...what a shambles our mob are - 2 measly goals so far in the World Cup...they are a disgrace!

However, over at Wimbledon things certainly hotted up - with the longest game/match/set ever....you go Hamut and Esner...WOW! I have rather lost interest in the tennis in recent years, it doesnt seem as exciting as it did in the days of McEnroe, and earlier with Borg and Connors, oh and not forgetting Nastasi - but this was thrilling taking no less than three days to complete...phew...it wore me out watching it! I only joined in at about 44/45, but there was plenty of entertainment to come from then on. I wonder if I am the only mad moo who took a photo of their tele at the end...lol!



Well, it was rather special...!

Thursday brought pleasure and pain...the pleasure being that it was pay day...woohoo, and the pain being that I had lost the ability to buy stash...aaggghhh! I was afflicted with this ghastly lurgy for many hours - overnight in fact, I dont know how I got to sleep knowing that I had pennies in the bank and was incapable of putting them to good use. However, with the support of my crafty buddies, I was soon back on track - at last ordering a funky chicken (which is a die, not a cuddly toy....Gina lol!) from ebay. This cute little thing arrived on my mat less than 24 hours later which was a treat...how we hate waiting for stuff! Having warmed up a little, I managed to pay a successful visit to cuttingedge where a couple more things found their way into my basket...but this was all just a warm up for the big event - Colemans demo day today...ah...heaven!

As I drove over there at high speed, I was still in two minds about whether I would find something to buy...no really, I was! But this was Colemans mega warehouse, and I just knew it wouldnt let me down - it would cure me once and for all, and surely it did...yay! Here are a few piccies of todays treasures...











..just a few bits and bobs, and thats not all. A lady was demo'ing sizzix dies and she had one or two that I had been thinking about buying, but my anti-stash virus has blocked me. So as soon as I got home I headed once again to cuttingedge to shove those in my basket, as they are cheaper on there...ta da...cured!

So have I done any actual crafting you might wonder??? Well, not a lot it has to be said...its been way too hot, but I have made a start on my second puppy album and this is how my desk was looking today....things on the go....



...its something eh!

So come on girls, brush up on your rain dance steps....or I will need to be taking some crafting leave due to heat stroke! (Lee...your face...lol!)

Have a great Sunday all, it will be a sports fest here with the Spanish Grand Prix followed by the footie...I dont fancy our chances much ;( , but we will fly the flag.

Hugs and sparkles, Sue x

Happy Birthday Tom.....for May...lol!

I have AT LAST completed the first puppy mini-album...hooray! I uploaded it this morning (see slide-show below), then sis arrived for birthday fun and frolics so I didnt get a chance to do my writey up bit. Thank you Susie & Maria for your lovely comments - I did enjoy making it so much, I just wish I could work a little faster!

The main basis of the album is a Papermania filmstrip chipboard album, then I added a couple of pages made from card and cut using Tim Holtz on the edge dies, one made from wood, a beer mat and a couple of large puzzle pieces. The front cover (which would be a tad tricky to cover), I rubbed over with a TH ink pad then randomly heat embossed in gold - I was very pleased with how this worked out. The first photo of Tom and Marley, I coated in TH Rock Candy crackle glaze then rubbed in some dark ink to give it a nice distressed look. The rest of the pages were covered in a variety of papers, and the edges of the pages 'painted' with Smooch ink. All pages were given lashings of matte mod podge to seal and for durability. To finish I added another puzzle piece dangling off the book ring, along with a bone which I cut from card, inked around the edges and tied a ribbon around. I hope Tom likes it as much as I loved making it! Now I have to make a start on Jamie's album....its his birthday on Wednesday...mmm...he'll be lucky ;)

Speaking of birthdays, my sister has just gone home having celebrated her day with us - including a trip down the tip....we know how to live it up here dont you know lol! We struggled with the crossy today...maybe we had over-dosed on cake, but whatever...we had a nice day which happily warmed up by this afternoon.

Im well ready for a snuggle on the sofa now...

Have a good Sunday evening folks!
Sue x

Happy Birthday Carol!

Ha ha ha...that'll teach you for playing with my embellies in your hair! You look SO pretty though! Have a great birthday...doing the crossy with me lol!

Sue x

Did I say it was hot...???

Well, my last proper post soon put the kibosh on that particular weather pattern didnt it...Im surprised it isnt actually snowing, its so blooming cold! I wonder if my veiled (okay, not so veiled) threats to bag myself some crafting leave had something to do with it....Lee and Ella must have been doing rain dances ever since..lol!


So, where do I begin.....


Lets start with the absolute highlight of the month - Joe and Kates engagement and their wonderful barn dance! It was simply fabulous with a huge bunch of wonderful people, and SO well organised...you are a star Kate! I do have oodles of photos but have been a tad disappointed that they have come out very dark...I am still working on them and will make a nice slide show eventually, but for now a few treats....firstly Kates amazing dress in action:

...a bit of a fan of rainbows arent you Kate..lol!

Here I am, a very proud Mummy with Joe and Kate...



...and not forgetting Tom and Roz...



There was a fabby group who played fiddles, whistles, an accordian, a guitar...and more, along with a very good teacher to lead us through the steps to each dance...and she certainly got everyone up and galloping! When I say 'us' - I managed the one dance, which was probably more excercise than Ive had for the last 5 years put together...and which left me playing at being official photographer from then on until joining in with the last dance at the end...phew I was tattered! I was in awe of the energy of everyone else, who danced the whole night long without the huffing and puffing (and very red face) that accompanied my efforts! Everyone had a marvellous time, and with the no booze rule, there would have been no sore heads the next day...bonus...though among the 'old fogies' among us...maybe the odd blister or dodgy hip!

Before setting off home (and we will get onto the journeys in a bit...gulp!), Tom Roz and I followed Joe and Kate home so that we could see their house for the first time since they moved in 3 1/2 years ago! Well, it IS a long way away!

I presented them with Carols gift...you do get the maddest gifts Carol, and this was no exception...



Ha ha ha...Joe and Kate loved their scarecrow family, and we decided that they were just the thing for their 'meadow' - AKA unmown front lawn - I do hope you got a snap Joe & Kate!

Of course I made a card for the occasion, suitably colourful of course@





Oh, and a got to cuddle their pet ratties:



Backtracking a little...the evening of the party happened to coincide with Englands first game of the World Cup. As it happened, just down the way from the venue, there was a pub who were clearly watching the game on a screen in the gardens. In the name of getting a little fresh air (and having a ciggie..lol!), Roz Tom and I wandered along to see how the game was going - there was quite a party atmosphere...



....not for long though....what a pigs ear they have been making of it eh! A bit like me in my own World Cup campaign really. We have a competition running at work where we all had to predict the scores of all the matches in advance and we get 4 points if we get the scores spot on, and a point if we get the result correct, ie: who won, or if it was a draw. Well... I spent hours pouring over form, and thinking long and hard about who would kick whose arse and all that, so where am I sitting in the league....a big fat last...ha ha ha! The good news is that its Lesley who is kicking everyones arse - you go girl, show them guys how its done!

So, a few words about this journey to the party....if I told you we used SatNav, I believe that no other words would be needed really! Is there a setting that says, take me as the crow flies regardless of how unsuitable the surfaces are to drive on? It sure was pretty, but also pretty bloody dangerous in places, with some roads being single track with curves and bends so sharp I dont know how we made it there alive - Roz...you are a star driver!!! At one point we did actually end up almost in a ditch, I cant believe the car wasnt damaged, as some boy racers came at us way too fast...yikes! (Can I just add here...as I think about it, despite the real and present dangers, I still wasnt as terrified as I am when in the car with Dad heading for Tscos half a mile away...just a thought!) The scenery was stunning though - a nice drive through the Cotswolds, and one house was SO posh they had a whole herd of spotty deer in their garden! The funny thing is, one minute you are literally in the middle of nowhere, on a road that isnt even a road...and the next 'you have reached your destination'...phew! We found the motorways to come home...

Inbetween all this partying, sightseeing and ratty cuddling I have been doing lots of crafting, albeit in little doses, so as always a project takes me yonks and yonks. I think I have just about finished one of the mini-albums I am making and I will make a little slide show when I am sure it is done - I will get my sisters opinion tomorrow. And speaking of my sister...it is her birthday just about now, and I will upload her card in a few moments - she can have her very own post!

Have a great Sunday y'all....and lets hope the sun shines!

Sue x

I am still alive....

....but have so many things to blog I dont know where to start! I have urgent projects to attend to today, so will endeavour to fatten up my blog properly later...but meanwhile, I will leave you with a piccie of a visitor to our garden this week:



She certainly enjoyed tucking into some Felix, but we havent seen her for a few days...Im guessing she is happier in the jungle that is the garden next door!

Back later...have a good Saturday all!
Sue x

Office chicks....are you sure Im not due some crafting leave???

...only as I sit hear sweltering in the late night heat, with the ceiling fan rattling itself...well, off the ceiling, and the desk fan working over-time - it takes me back to the last two summers when I was excused from zapping and 'enjoyed' some crafting leave!

Office chicks...are you sure you need me for zapping duties...as Im sure I could arrange for a bit more nipping and tucking followed by recuperation (crafting) in the sun....???

Oh its HOT...way too hot to be thinking about working!!!



Hope you are all having a great weekend!
Sue x

The return of the lazy blogger.....

So where have I been...? Taking in the sights in NYC or sunning myself on a yacht in Monte Carlo...?

No, sadly not...I have simply been faffing about - a couple of weeks of total faff...sigh!

The week before this one...mmm...that would be 'last week' then, I was of course busy doing all of Lee's zapping as she went swanning off on her hols..lol! Im so glad you had a fabby holiday Lee...at our very own private castle at Brownsea, how wonderful - and what a gorgeous tan you have! Im glad you are now back with me to share the zapping..and better still, to take the bloody phone...you are SO good to take the phone! Promo next week...already, come on Lee join in....SIGH!

Then somehow...I dont know how it happened, but I got roped in to making no less than 160 invites for a worky do that is coming up in July. That minx Barbara sucks me in by 'making me' go to Colemans for supplies (oh the sacrifice!), and the next thing I know Im sitting in the meeting room with Barbara and Lin up to our ear'oles in glue sticks and punches, with Barb doing a turn on the guillotine and Lin serenading us with tunes from Over the Rainbow - unforgettable! lol! Anyway, by about 2.30 we had all had enough so I brought all the bits home to do here....again, how did THAT happen?! Well, I have to say...I did feel rather guilty at thinking up such a labour intensive design for the blooming invites, involving the sticking on of some very curly and fiddly die-cuts - Ive been at it all week and hooray...they are finally done! However, most are still needing their teeny weeny star peel-offs sticking on, and as Lin so very kindly offered to take that task on, I will be passing the bundle over to her on Monday...phew!

Inbetween all this faffing, I did have a very VERY exciting day last Sunday when I found myself purchasing my Mum of the groom outfit for Joe & Kate's wedding next year! Carol and I had spotted it some weeks ago and at the time I thought it would be perfect but was too financially challenged at the time to even consider getting it. But then, last Sunday, when we just nipped out to get some cat treats for my fussy kitties, I saw the outfit at a greatly reduced price....so what could I do but have a little try on then head for the till and hold my breath while she was putting my debit card through! Here is my lovely outfit...



Its so much more lovely in real life of course, so pretty and floaty - not like anything I normally wear, but I am so looking forward to very much looking 'the part' at Joe & Kates wedding at the Arboretum! Next stop...hat, shoes, handbag...oh joy!

I have managed a little personal crafting too, inbetween sticking piggin swirls on - Im working on a couple of albums for my youngest boys using photos of their puppies mostly...the first one is coming along nicely and I will reveal all when it is finished.

The weather....well, what can one say?!? Freezing one minute, boiling the next! One day in the week I was planning on building an Ark, the next I was rootling out the Factor 30! Its been a fine day today...lovely and sunny but not too hot, lets hope it lasts!

Oh sad news...well maybe...I went out to check on my birdie for the first time in a few days, and I would say she has flown the coop but the coop, or rather her nest is gone too, so I dont know - has she simply moved house or have those nasty magpies eaten her??? I think I will tell myself that she found a better tree and is living happily ever after elsewhere - its less painful that way! Although those blooming magpies have been lurking.....

Anyway, I hope to enjoy plenty of crafting over the weekend - more work on the little albums, and also I have set the monthly challenge over on docrafts so I need to knock up a page or two for that...I really do need to join in this month seeing as its my challenge! The theme I have set is 'before and after' or 'then and now' - using whatever supplies you fancy. I have something in mind for one page..but I am yet to take the 'after' photo! So many projects, so little time!

Have a great weekend all, and my special sparkles for next week are going to our Lesley - may you be blessed with plenty of drugs! lol!

Sue x