I have just been out with the masses to see the Olympic Torch.  I was suprised by how many people came out.  The children were really excited and the was a real community feel about the whole thing.  It must be said I'm getting really excited having seen the rehersal for the opening ceremony last night and the flame today and next month I start working at the Paralympics. x

Shh! KEEP THE SECRET............

Finally I can let the cat out of the bag. I went to see the rehersal of the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday night.  It was FANTASTIC! It has been a real stresser not being able to shout out how brilliant the production was.  The atmosphere was electric! x

These are just a few of the pictures taken.  

Moreheads POTW – a huge announcement

24Jul

O my blooming Giddy Aunt!
I cannot wait to let you all know that something big is happening with our Morehead Pick of the Week, which is due to launch on Friday 27th at noon as usual…… well, everyone here at Crafter’s Companion and Create and Craft know it’s going to be so unbelievably popular, that we are doing two bonus preview shows on the Thursday Night! I know can you believe it! – this has never happened before to my knowledge so It’s absolutely amazing. It means I need to get my bottom in gear and head off to the studios earlier than usual, but who cares when it’s for something as absolutely awesome as this!
So tune in to Create and Craft at 6pm and 8pm on Thursday and you will see moi with the POTW, so you can get yours before the POTW rush at 12 noon on the Friday.

Be warned, this is a massive deal having Morehead on a CD for the first ever time, it has taken me almost three years to secure this range digitally for you, then we have exclusive access to the stamps, the decoupage kits and some fabulous Hunkdory stuff too!
It will fly out and never in a million years last the week……just giving you the heads up!
To celebrate, I am going to run a competition here on my blog, so all you have to do is leave me a comment on this post, letting me know what you think of the Morehead range, and then advertise this post on your blog if you have one (i’ll be checking) or facebook/twitter if you don’t – on Thursday at 12 noon before I head off to the studio’s I’ll draw a winner, you will win the double disc CD and also both the Hunkydory kits that we launch on the Thursday Night. I am even going to throw in a tub of the best glue in the world (Collall all purpose for those who don’t know what I am talking about).
I finished colouring this little guy tonight who I LOVE – actually I love all the stamps!
Jennie won with her colour suggestion for his trousers and shirt and I am actually really thrilled with the results, hope you like him too. I have started another one this evening so I will be sharing that with you tomorrow when the light is better and I can photograph her.

So just so you don’t miss out show time are:
Thursday 26th – 6pm and 8pm (Pick of the week preview!)
Friday 27th – 12 noon POTW launch
Friday 27th – 3pm
Friday 27th – 5pm
Saturday 28th – 8am
Saturday 28th – 1pm
Saturday 28th — 5pm
Sunday 29th – 4pm
Sunday 29th – 6pm
Monday 30th – 2pm
Monday 30th – 6pm
There will be shows on the Tuesday Thursday and Friday – if there is any left – there won’t be! so don’t hang around or we’ll have another Mulberry Wood situation where there are lots of disappointed peeps out there
I really am absolutely blooming excited
See you Thursday – pass on the message……..and be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize
Lx

IT'S TOO HOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT.............

I'm sat here looking at the lovely weather and can't  go out!  The heat makes my MS so much worse that I'm almost immobilised!  I'm going to get mu cuttlebug out and have a play with my Co-ordinations cardstock.  I've got a few ideas - will let you see what I come up with. x

Izzi Dunn - Nothing But Love (Acoustic Live)

Izzi Dunn @ Book Slam

IT'S FOR REAL......................

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

I have recieved my shifts for the Paralympics.  It's for real now.  I must be the only person who is excited about the olympics.  I going to a technical rehersal for the opening ceremoney in a couple of weeks and I can't wait. 

Watch this space! x

COME ON MURRAY................................

I have just made an ivory on ivory wallet while watching the men's final.  What a match it was. It was the first time I watched Andy Murray play and he was fierce!

I'm now going to make a start on some Christmas cards while I'm still in a crafting mood.  will upload pics tomorrow. x

MY BABY...............

This is Miss Mini my baby - she's lovely!  Sadly she's is going to be traded for a sensible car!  But I'm going to have fun with her while I can. x

SPECTRUM NOIR BLOG HOP

Finally I can post on my blog!  I've just followed the Spectrum Noir Blog Hop and the DT are amazing.  The colour yellow is not one I would think to use as a main colour but every card is so special.  I love Linda' s decoupaged image.  I would never think of stamping for  decoupage.  Suzanne came up with colouring pearls with your pens if you can't find colours to match.

SHEER GENIOUS! x

LONDON'S CALLING...............

http://taxi.ba.com/

This is sheer genious.  Just type in your postcode!

I've been MIA for a while - sorry peeps I've not been well but the girl is back. 

I spent two and a half hours in an MRI scanner this afternoon. which is not a good thing when your slightly claustrophobic!

My crafting in suffering too.  I don't know where time is going

It's Christmads crafting for me over the wekend. so I hope to have some goodies to share with you.  x

KEEP OFF THE ROADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last night I had my 2nd driving lesson and it was fantastic.  I drove from home to the area where a lot of learners practice.  It was a bit scary driving in traffic but I did it.  My little Mini is a dream to drive.  I can't wait for the day when I pass my test and can be queen of the road!
I'm even doing 3-point turns!

I've not done any crafting today and don't think I'll get a chance to either.  I must finish the minibook  It's a gift for my pal Kathy who got married 2 weeks ago.

Must go and have some tea. x

2 OUT OF 3 AIN'T BAD!

I managed to get the anniversary card and challenge card done.  I've cut the minibook just need to put it together and embellish it - a job for tomorrow I think!

My sister came over to do some reflexology on my feet - very relaxing just what I needed.

I've added my photos please feel free to comment. x

Anniversary card for my PA and friend Mariola

Creativity Club Challenge Card - Jubilee

HOW WINDY???????????

Hello Crafters, I'm sat indoors watching the tree bending in the wind.  Any thoughts I had of going out are gone.  I;m taking no chances of being blown off my walking sticks.  I have no excuse for not getting any crafting done. What are  all doing today?  My plan is to finish an anniversary card and start a minibook that I saw Rosemary Merry make on C&C, it was really cute.  If I really get a welly on a scrapbook page for a Docrafts Creativity Club challenge! 

I'll check back later let you know how I get on. x

I WANT MORE TIME..........

I've just got in from a day of meetings and I want to get crafting but I haven't had time!  I stamped a lovely topper for an anniversary card and now can't find it.  Someone is trying to sabbotage me!  I can't face having to do it again because I stamped onto mirri card and it took 3 days to dry.  Right crafters I'm going to have my tea and make a start on something lovely.

Come back soon x

WHAT NOW AFTER THE BLOG PROMPT?????

Docrafts blog prompt has ended and what do I do now???? I'm lost and haven't got a clue what to do! 31 days has gone so quickly I will now have to think of my own blog prompts. Today has been a mixture of good and bad. I viewed a lovely flat with a garden Then went to Tesco's only to find the lone wheelchair was in use and I had to wait 11/2 hours to get to use it! How ridiculous it that! Any way can't moan on.  I'm going to have a peaceful, stress free evening.  x

STILL GOING.......

Well I've managed to upload some card to my blog.  I now have to make 2 male themed birthday cards - I've been putting it off all day! x

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMPT 31 - Write about your experience of the Creativity Club 31 blog prompts

Write about your experience of the Creativity Club 31 blog prompts

What fun this has been I never really thought  I could have a blog worth reading but all the prompts have have changed that.  Some of the posts have been a challenge but in a good way. 

It's been great to read about what others are doing and what interesting lives they lead.

It would be great if this could continue.  I would never have been able to think up 31 so different topics to write about.

I hope I will be able to keep this up now that I've started ... we will see!

Thank you for reading. x


Thank You Cards

Orkut Graphics Scraps

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMPT 30 - 5 THINGS I LOVE

Today's blog prompt is ... 5 THINGS I LOVE...

ONLY 5!!!

1. My Family

2. My best friend

3. Freesias

4.  Being by the sea/sunsets

5. Cheese! Any cheese x

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMPT 29 - 10 THINGS ABOUT ME

10 THINGS ABOUT ME..........

Gosh where do I start

1. I'm the eldest of 5 children

2. I once sang backing vocals for a band called the Limit

3. 1 use to kickbox

4. I'm doing voluntary work for the MS Society

5.  I was a Matron in Intensive Care

6. I hate Tuna!

7. I'm a hoarder

8. I love the sea

9. I love watching the ballet

10. I'm a crafterholic!


Wow that was interesting or was it?????? x

BLOG PROMPT 28 - THE MOST POPULAR POST ON MY BLOG HAS BEEN......

Write about the post that has been really popular on your blog so far in May.

I'm not surprised but the most popular post on my blog has been the revelation of my guilty pleasure - The jeremy Kyle show. I had a feeling this would attract comments an didn't it just!
For me it sooo bad it's good!  How sick am I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any way it's out there now.  Is it too late to say I was suffering from some form of mental defect at the time of posting???????????  You'd know it was a lie. x

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMPT 27 - THE BLOGS I'VE READ THIS WEEK

Create a round up of all the crafty blogs that you have been reading this week! Make sure you link directly to the blogs too.


This challenge has encouraged me to read other blogs to in away compare notes! A number of the blogs I've been reading regularly is CraftyAlice60, CraftyFran, CoventryAnn .  But it has to be said that annieannies is my favourite. I love her style of writing and you can really feel her emotion when she writes.

I'm trying to get into scrapbooking and have been reading Rosemary Merry's blog especially after her show on Create & Craft.  She makes it seem so easy and has a real enthusiam about scrapbooking which is infectious. 

There are so many more but these are my top blogs so far. x

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMPT 26 - WHAT WAS MY DREAM JOB AS A CHILD

What was your dream job as a child?

I grew up wanting to be a nurse and just before I left school I started needlework and dressmaking. When I left school I had a place at fashion college and to start Nurse training I took the decision to do my nurse training but all along continued to make clothing in my spare time.  When I qualified I did a part time fashion course which convinced me I'd made the right decision.  I enjoyed dressmaking and would make ball gowns for friend and collegues at work. 

My nursing went from strength to strength as I worked in various London hospitals did various courses as I had set my sights on a career in Critical Care. I worked in some amazing  places and with some amazing people, I also saw some amazing things like my 1st heart transplant which was a breath taking procedure to watch.

As the years went by I developed a love of costume dramas and by chance saw an advert for a costume interpretation course which I applied for and got a place.  This was a hard but fabulous 2 years I had to drop my nursing hours to part time as the course was full time and had to cram in some extra hours so I could fund my course.

I learn so much and got involved in some amazing projects.  The dressmaking went on to making wedding gowns which I love.

So at the end of the day I got both. x

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMPT 25 - MY BEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY

Blog about your best childhood memory

My best childhood memory would be the fun and laughter we would have as youngsters. The neighbours all kept an eye on us kids and mother would always find out if we had been up to no good! We seemed to be free to enjoy ourselve without causing harm to others. 

In the evenings we would all hang out at the youth club called the Thanet.  Laughter was the main thing we always laughed!! Not something you hear a lot of these day. sx

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMPT 24 - ONLINE OR SHOP????

Are you more of a fan of craft shopping online or do you believe in supporting your brick & morter shop?

This post links in with yesterday's.  I unfortunately or maybe fortunately for my bank account don't have a local craft shop.  I rely heavily on on-line shopping.  Being disabled it is frustrating not being able to go shopping like I use to when the mood took me but it is a blessing to have accesss to all shops via my computer. 

what you you think? x

DOCRAFTS LOG PROMPT 23 - MY FAVOURITE CRAFT SHOP

Write about your favourite craft shop.

I don't have a favourite craft shop as being disable and living in central London there are no local craft shops. I do all my shopping on line.  I buy a lot of my stash from Create and Craft (that's if it is 'exclusive'to C&C) and Crafters Companion.  Crafters Companion is great because I became a Platinum member after Christmas and so I get a hefty 20% discount and free next day delivery which in the day and age is FANTASTIC!

I've also become a bit of an Ebay shopper too.  Mad about Cards was another of my favourite sites but alas is sadly no more!

I like most crafters have a home that looks like a warehouse but I love my stash! x

What do you like?

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMPT 20 - Todays Blog Prompt - 'I'm Thankful For...' and keep it craft related ;-)

Todays Blog Prompt - 'I'm Thankful For...' and keep it craft related ;-)

Gosh where do I start?  I'll have to start with my Docrafts family.  Of all the forums I'm involved with this is the one that I feel I really belong and I thank  all for the feedback I get on my  cards.  2 years on I still feel I'm trying to get better, but have so much to learn!  I'm thankful to all the experts who share their knowledge and inspire me to push myself that little bit outside my comfort zone.  I'm thankful to all the more experienced crafters who don't mind answering my daft crafty questions.  

I'm thankful for the lovely Cricut machine my lovley friends at work bought me and My ecraft that was a birthday present to myself! (Well if I don't who will!!!!!!!!)



I'm thankful to everyone who has taken time to read my blog and leave comments. x

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMPT 21 - INSPIRED BY COLOUR....

Todays blog prompt is... Inspired By Colour.  I love black and silver, all shades of purple, red, white.  I love holographic mirri cards.  I'm trying to use colours that I'm not so keen on like greens and pink - yes I'm a girl that doesn't like pink!

I do like autumnal shades of brown with flecks of orange.   The colours I use for cardmaking depend on the recipient so what I like really doesn't come into it.



I have made cards using a variety of colours but still need to get a bit more daring!



Where would we be without colour?  What do you think?  SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ME PLEASE! x

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMPT 17 - THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS...

Today's Prompt... Create a cheerful card and blog about it. Dedicate it to someone special and write about your dedication.


My post to day is dedicated to the kindness of strangers.  I was diagnosed with MS in 2010 and from that day my life has been a real rollercoster. I have since then deteriorated mobility wise and have found that suprisingly strangers have been very kind to me.  One episode that  still comes to mind I was still at this time able to walk to my local supermarket. 


Having got there and done my shopping I got outside and fell over - which was a regular occurance! I went one way, trolley and shopping went another.  There was a lady with her son and his friend talking to her friend the boys helped me up and sat me on the bench collected my shopping and thanking them profusely was happy to sit and get my self together before the walk home. 


They refused to leave me and while one sat with me her friend called a taxi for me.  By this time I was in tears due more to frustration than anything else. I hated what was happening to me but there was nothing I could do about it.


The taxi came and the lady sitting with me push some money into my hand.  She refused to take it back and told the driver 'look after her and make sure she gets home safely'


When I looked she had given me £10.  every time I go shopping I hope to bump into them, but have never seen them since.


I THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN KIND TO ME I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
THIS CARD IS FOR YOU! x

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMPT 19 - Today's blog prompt is 'A WORD...'

Today's blog prompt is 'A WORD...' Using one word, describe yourself and then ask another blogger to do the same. Mention in your blog post who you will be asking to do the same and link to their blog

My word for today is 'FRUSTRATED'.  Frustrated by the bad day i'm having with my MS, but the word I would use generally would be 'DETERMINED'.  Determined notto let it get the better of me and to grab every oppprtunity that comes my way and enjoy every day as it it were my last! x

Annieannie I've left you a comment please feel free to comment. x


Quotes About Life

More Orkut Picture Scraps

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMT 18 - SPRING CLEANING OR CRAFTING?

How do you feel about spring cleaning? Blog about it! Mention your favourite household cleaner and talk about the advert that always makes you buy...or perhaps you just don't do any because crafting takes over your life!

There's nothing like seeing everything sparkling and shiney after a thorough clean especially if I've been crafting. Nothing gets put away until I've finished the project I'm working on.

I unfortunately have to rely on my sisters when they come over to clean for me. But when I was able I loved polishing, music turned up load and Mr Sheen at the ready!  My 2nd love clean bedding there's nothing like slinking between a clean duvet & sheet.

What are your thoughts? Do share. x

DOCRAFT BLOG PROMPT 16 - TO SCRAPBOOK OR NOT TO SCRAPBOOK...

Today's blog prompt touches on the subject of scrapbooking. I would love to know if you DO and why you DO IT and if you DON'T why DON'T YOU?

I used to scrapbook when I was younger and had collection of books filled with pictures of David Cassidy, Jackson 5, David Essex etc (Gosh I'm giving my age away!)

I have recently thought about scrapbooking again and made a photo book using Serif Craft Artist for my best friend last Christmas as the Christmas before was the last one we were all together with her dad and dog Scottie before they died. 

I'm now making a photo book of my other best Buddy Laura who past way suddenly last year for her dad. 

I have bouught some lovley Hot off the Press papers from Paper Wishes and albums from Docrafts.  I've started collecting bits to scrapbook as I'm working at the Paralympics this summer - I'm sooooooooooo excited! I love taking photos and it's  a shame to keep them on my computer so intend to put them in albums so I can share them with my family & friends. x

DOCRAFT BLOG PROMPT 15 - MY GUILTY PLEASURE IS....

Today's blog prompt is 'My Guilty Pleasure...'  Do I really want to tell the world about this?  I don't think so but I will it's the Jeremy Kyle Show. There I've said it.  i started watching this when I was off sick from work and confined to barracks.  I now find myself switching on when I'm at home and it is an automatic reponse.  But why?  I can't bear it but have to watch it.

 

From a crafty point of view it's the Docraft website.  I'm on there 2 sometimes 3 times a day seeing what the news for the day is or just in case i've missed something.  I've got to wean myself off this - I must have an addictive personality. It's more likely now I've stopped working I have the time to do it!

 

What is your guilty pleasure?  It's got to be better than my JK pleasure.  Link me to your blog so I can have a read. Who knows I may not be alone! x

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMT 13 - THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS!

Today's blog prompt is to write about your favourite craft product.  Well where do I start?  I haven't been crafting that long but I have aquired a lot of kit! But the one thing I cannot do without are my Fiskars scissors.  I've had these for so many years I've lost count.  I originally bought them as dressmakering scissors and they still cut like new.  These are a newer version on mine.   I also love my Cuttlebug.  I use it for amazing embossing.

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMPT 12 - storage solutions for both outside and inside

This will be another short post.  Being the original hoarder I have found solutions to my obsession. I don't have a garden but indoors I do have a use for  Space bags and under bed storage boxes.  I'm terrible for keeping magazines -crafting & photography and cookery books even though I don't do a lot of cooking.  I could live in the largest house and it would still not have enough space for all my tat. x

DOCRAFT BLOG PROMPT 11 is to write about and show off photographs of your craft room!

Todays blog prompt is to write about and show off photographs of your craft room! I don't have a craft room but if I did it would have to be HUGE! I have a large crafty stash cd's, cardstock, papers etc and every room in my little flat has been overtaken, infact it' like a crafty warehouse.  The only room that has been spared is the bathroom. 

This picture is from my lounge.  I have these draws in all sizes to fit in nooks around the flat. My sewing table is now a craft table. 

I HAVE TO STOP BUYING CRAFTY STASH!!!

I'll soon be one of the 'Hoarders from Next Door' x

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMPT 10 - What makes you smile?

Where do I start? There are so many things

1. I love the sound of a child laughter- it's a carefree innocent sound that comes from their little feet!

2. Enjoying retirement!  I love my life and all the things I've done and have to look forward to. AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

3. A hug

4. The kindness of strangers.  Since becoming disabled I am amazed how kind people can be.  I'm a very independent person   but If people are kind enough to offer help when I need it, I'm gracious enough to accept it.

5. My Docraft Family

6. My family & close friends who love me as I am.

I could go on but wont bore you. x

DOCRAFTS BLOG PROMPT 9

'Find your favourite quote and blog about it'

This is an interesting challenge this is what I have chosen 

     Live each day as if it's your last!

I don't know where this came from but for me having worked in Intensive care for 20+ years it  was a reminder how preciuos life is.  It means even more to me since I've had to retire through ill health.  I have a long term condition that I have no idea how it will progress.  So I'm now grabbing every opportunity that comes my way while I still can.  I'm a great beliver that things happen for a reason and some where along the journey I'm now taking I will find out my reason! x

Today's blog prompt is What book are you reading at the moment? Share a project inspired by this book

Well today's Docraft's blog prompt has caught me out.  I haven't read a book in ages but I have been rethinking my faith and in the new year I bought myself a Bible.  I am still not sure were I am going but I do know it was the right thing to do.  

I'm a craft mag fiend always looking for inspiration. x

BLOG PROMPT NO 7 - HAPPY HOLIDAY

As a youngster every bank holiday was the only time we we're all together as a family.  Dad would have the day off from work and we would go to the  local fun fair. I loved the noise, colours and smells of candy floss, burgers etc. These were fun days as sometimes our neighbours would join in and there would be a big group of us adults and children, running and laughing, taking the mickey out of each other but it was a real feeling of freedom.  No worries.  No cares.

As an adult I would work every bank holiday because the hospital was quieter even though the unit was not but it again was a good time to work. x

BLOG PROMPT NO 6

This scrapbook page is of me and my best friend Laura.  It's Egyptian night on our Nile cruise. We laughed from the moment the holiday started until we got home - it was briliant! Unfortunately this was to be our last holiday before she died. x

Blog prompt no 5 - This Funky Ride Of Life

I listen to this song and she could be singing about me.  There are lines that I can relate to about myself  since having my world turned upside down due to ill health I wont let anythng or anyone get in my way.  I have had to learn to accept being disable and that has been really hard

     'Coz I am who I am today coz of everything I've experienced'

    'It's my time to shine'

    'If you can't celebrate me - move out the way!'

   'I wont let anybody elses hangups become my own

    '

     '

AND THERE'S MORE!!!!!!!!!

MORE OF MY CARDS

As a beginner I'm still trying to find my creative style.  I know it's simple and not fussy like the card above.  I'm trying to step outside my comfort zone and be more daring.  I like decoupage and have stepped into stamping and colouring which for me is a real challenge so I've been involved in a Fat Page group  which is making me try new things.

Spring Fat Page - Stamping & Colouring

Steampunk Fat Page - Distressing & Embossing

It's nice to see the end result when I try something new. x

BLOG PROMPT NO 3 - Shabby Chic Florals

Today's blog prompt was to make a card using a download from the Docrafts site.  My choice was the 'Shabby Chic Florals'.  I chose this because I like the colour purple and I wanted a simple but striking image.

I hope you like it.

Day 2 of Docrafts 31 day Blog Promt challenge.  This is a hard one '5 docrafts member galleries I LOVE and why'

I've made my decision but I could have chosen so many more.  They are

Gerry OB
Redrottie
Cazkards
ChrisAndCat
Angel-23

There is on thing that links theses galleries for me and that's that I would lik my cards to be as good as them. Mayb one day! x

5 reason Why You Should Craft

Hello Crafters,  What a glorious day it's been. .  I have always done some form of crafting - sewing - making bridal and evening wear, and now card making  Let me tell you 5 reasons why should craft

1. It's relaxing - i started while I was off sick from work and came across Create & Craft and it stopped me from going mad during those 3 months.

2. It's lovely to see the suprise when a recipent relises you made the card.

3. I refuse to pay shop prices when I can do it my self!

4. I'm learning new skills stamping, quilling.  I love to see the finished result of a card that I wasn't too sure where it was going.

5. Crafters are FABULOUS people,  Which was confirmed when I went to Hayling Island.

Come on give it a go - you know it makes sense. x

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Another crafty day finishing my challenge card for docrafts and an n=anniversary card for my pal Jacq.