Spitalfield market

     Went to Spitalfield Market today with my niece, Rachael. We had a lovely time looking at the piles of old tut, which the stall holders seem to like to call antiques. http://www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/

      It's nice just to browse, though, and we also had some bags of mums' to sell. We ended up selling 2 of them to a lovely lady who is going to restore them to their former glory. I look forward to seeing them.

   It was also flippin freezing, a complete change from yesterday when it was so hot all my make-up fell off. And it rained on the way home and I got my Rocket Dogs wet!  


   Haven't managed to finish that scrapbook page yet, just a bit more fiddle farting with it should do. I'm even thinking of making a couple of cards for various friends occasions. And that's the way it will probably stay, just thinking about it!

  
This is the cover of a memory book that I made for both of my mums, one for mine and one for Ian's. It went with a memory jar, which is basically a jar with prompts and  questions about their life. (this is not my one, I forgot to take a picture of mine)! I thought it was a lovely idea, so they can record stories and events that you may not know about. Unfortunately my mum was never well enough to fill it in, and MOL (mother-in-law) hasn't done hers either! Humph.


    My last day of holiday tomorrow. Boo hoo. Not sure what I'll get up to but I'm sure it will be fun-packed!! 


See ya 
x

I'm on holiday!

      I'm on a weeks holiday this week, and it wasn't too soon either! Had a really hectic couple of weeks at work, and really needed to chill for a few days. 

      Those of you who know me will know that my lovely Mum passed away in January. She hadn't been ill but had dementia which had effectively already taken her from us a while ago. She passed away in her sleep, peacefully, and is now looking down from above with my Dad. ( I hope!) Anyhoo, we now have the unenviable task of clearing her house so we can eventually sell it.      
      To say Mum was a bit of a hoarder is an understatement! I found, in one drawer, 200 plus sheets of peel-offs! She was a bit of a magpie, if she saw anything bright and shiny, she had to buy at least 4 of them! Luckily I've been able to sell a lot of stuff on E-Bay or at auction, which only leaves about 4 million other things to go! Haha.

     I had my facial at Dove Spa yesterday that Ben got me for Mothers Day. It was heaven, could have just laid there all day!! Wish I was rich and could have one every week!!

    Talking of Mothers Day, Laura made me the most wonderful Memory box. She put all sorts of lovely gifts in it, what a lovely idea from my lovely daughter! 
     
    Lots to do today, no less than have finish a scrapbook page I started a while ago! It's been sitting on my dining room table for ages, so must get it finished this week! 


   Off to see what other stuff I can find to do.


xx

Old stuff!

Hello and welcome to Essex on another Monday morning. It's dull and grey outside and it really makes you feel like staying in and just lazing around all day! It's my day off today, the final week before next weeks holiday.
Quite a momentous week so far. Laura had her last exam on Saturday, so that means 4 years of her life are now behind her, and university life is over! It's quite sad in a way, to see how fast that time has flown by. All she has to do now is wait for her results so she can start her new job in August! 
Ben has had 2 driving lessons now (!), and after failing to take the correct paperwork to the theory test (berk) is well on his way to driving! Not sure if this fills me with dread or not!!
West Ham were relegated yesterday from the Premier League to the Conference. I'm a sort of off and on supporter, but Ian and Laura were devastated and very unhappy. So onwards and upwards and the next few months should be very interesting for the Hammers.


I thought I'd post some of some old things that I've had hidden away for some time!!

Front cover, using Prima flowers and rub-ons.

This is a mini book I made for Ben just before he went off to Newcastle. 

 It brings back so many memories when you find something like this in the cupboard! That's why I'm always going to scrap my pictures!!

It's been a while!

I thought I'd better post a blog before Blogger shut me down! It's been so long since I posted, I've almost forgotten how!

I haven't done much crafting since the craft show, I seem to have lost my mojo again! Been selling stuff on ebay though, just bits and pieces, but even that has slowed down too!

Perhaps I'll just pack up my stuff for a while until I regain my mojo!

Here's a card I made ages ago but have 'restyled' the picture!

The craft fair!

Sorry it's been a while but things have been quite busy here!
     
         Back at work after my holiday, which was lovely but not long enough! For my birthday, Laura got me and Ian a couple of days down in Bournemouth, which was such a surprise! we had a lovely time, the weather was very nice and the hotel was pleasant too. We would have stayed a bit longer, but we had to come back on the Saturday because it was my first ever craft fair!!

     

          I was up at the crack of dawn( well, nearly) getting last minute bits ready. Then me and Ben packed all the stuff in the car and off we went to Upminster.
      Found the place quite easily, unpacked and found our table. Here's what we made our stall look like:

I think I might have taken a bit too much stuff (haha) or perhaps I just needed a bigger table!

Anyway, people seemed to like my stuff, I sold quite a few cards and lots of the children's craft kits that I'd made up. I made a reasonable amount of money but the object was to see if I could sell at a fair and now I know I can!

 


      While we were there we met some other lovely crafters. There was Sue and Layla from Sorcery and Sparkle who were on the table next to us.The fair also had lots of other crafts including cakes, chocolates, paintings, photography, handbags and general knick-knacks.

    All in all we had a fab time, but we were absolutely knackered by the end of the day, but were well pleased with how it had gone.

Christmas cards a go-go!

Have a had a busy week or so making lots of Christmas cards. I must say it's quite difficult thinking of Christmas in August! Mind you the weather is not exactly summery at the moment!


Have 2 weeks off, finish on Friday yippee! 
It's been a busy old time in the 
dispensary, what with people being on holiday, 
and customers going away on holiday 
and wanting their medication early! 


I'm not planning anything over my hols, just chilling and taking things easy. My ankle has been quite swollen and painful this week so I'll try to rest it as much as I can. I'm sure I'll be able to manage a couple of visits to craft shops tho!

Here is one of the cards I've made, it hasn't photographed very well because I'd already put it in the cello bag and sealed it with a shop name sticker, and I didn't want to rip it off! But you get the general idea!

Ive got a few more to show you but I'll post those at a later date!
X

The craft fair!

Well I've done nearly a week back at work, but today was my first day at my old hours. By the end of the afternoon I was completely worn out and felt like I had worked non-stop for a week! Came home, had a coffee and felt a bit better so I made a couple of easel cards for Christmas!

This is the poster for the craft fair I'm doing in September:

It looks like it's going to be a good one, really looking forward to it!

Going back to my cards now, just wanted to share the poster with you!

Christmas in August?

I've been making my first Christmas cards for this year! I must admit it's been hard going, what with Christmas being 4 months away!

But I thought people might be in the festive mood when they buy my stuff (ha ha, hopefully) at the craft fair in September. 

I've done stamping on all of them so far, as I said in an earlier post I'm not too happy with the colouring on them but it's OK I suppose.

This is my favourite one of the bunch so far.


It was from a stamp I got from the Glitter Pot along with a couple of others and £40 odd quid of stuff a couple of weeks ago. OOPS! 
Craft shopping was my only vice while I was off work with my ankle and it's made me nearly bankrupt! Must take care not to fall over again!

I'm back at work now, have been doing reduced hours this week and will probably do so next week. The ankle seems to be holding up well, but with other members of staff on holiday in the next few weeks I feel like I should get back to my old hours ASAP!


I will try and continue to do my blog at least once a week, but I don't think I'll be able to post every day as I have been doing, and like my favourite blog, http://itsallfiddlefart.blogspot.com/, who posts EVERY day without fail. Don't know where she gets the time or the inspiration!


See you soon!

Back to work today

Have gone back to work today, only for 4 hours, but it was enough! Completely whacked now, foot aching but at least it's not swollen that much.
You forget how hard it is to stand in virtually the same place for hours on end!! Will probably do the whole week at 4 hours a day just to ease myself back in.

Didn't make any more cards yesterday but I did paint some stamped images, Christmas stamps that I thought I'd better start on now for the craft fair in September. People will hopefully have Christmas on their minds on the 4th September!

I'm not really all that happy with colouring the stamped images, I've tried promarkers- too dark and bold, watercolour paints- ok, and also watercolour pencils, which are my favourite at the mo. I will persevere and show you the results soon I hope!

No craft things to show this time but this is a pic of our lovely lawn, lovingly tended aand grown by Ian. It's kind of like his baby at the moment, but it does look lovely, well worth all the effort!  Pity about the rest of the garden.....

Saturday with the family

Saturday is with us at last (ho hum, just another day with not much to do, me thinks), except shopping! Yay! 

Sainsburys on Saturday with the mother-in-law. What joy. Laura is out, Ben is at work, that means WE have to think of something to say!! 

Needless to say not much done on the crafting front today, or yesterday come to think of it.

I've just been on e-bay, putting all my old sugar craft stuff on, from when I used to make and sell wedding cakes with hand made sugar flowers. I found them in my wardrobe (!) when I was tidying the other day. 

The stuff goes like wildfire on e-bay, there must be a lot of frustrated cake makers! 

I'd only just listed one of the items and it got a bid straight away!

Because I haven't made anything for the last few days here's one I made earlier: it's using a Little Claire's die for the dog and Bazzill card with embossing from my gorgeous Cuttlebug. 

I think the dog, Shep, is quite sweet!

Sunday tomorrow, hopefully I'll get on with some more cards or other stuff for the craft fair.

Have to go to the Dr's on Monday, to see if I'm ready to return to work, I'll let you know!

What a day!

    Well what a day I've had! Woke up early after having had a terrible night's sleep, couldn't get to sleep last night at all. 
    
       So the first thing that comes into my head is 'must post the parcel for my e-bay customer'. I'd printed the postage label yesterday and had the intention of packing it up last night. Forgot. So must go to the post office today, this morning. Forgot.
    
        Take Ben to work at Lakeside as none of the trains are running. Come home. See parcel on table. Panic! Wrap parcel, take to nearest post office. Half day closing. Who closes for half day any more??
    
          Go to next post office. Closed for half day. Have to drive into town, pay £1.40 to park. Have to queue up for 20minutes. Observe man having a row with cashier. Community support are called. Lots of shouting.
    
      Finally get parcel in post box and my receipt stamped. Hurrah.
    
     Come  home and collapse totally worn out. But at least my e-bay customer will get their parcel!

      So consequently I haven't done much crafting today, but here are some of the bookmarks I made for the craft show. I think I might add a bead on the end of the ribbon for added wow!

   I've been practicing my photoshop programme  this week, I intend to try and make my own wedding stationery using the brushes on there. 
    Have watched some good you-tube demos on techniques. If you ever want to know how to something, there will be a you-tube video showing how!
   
I think I'll have another go at it, and learn how to print onto different sizes of card blanks. Wish me luck!

Wednesday blues

Good morning! Yet another day at home trying to think what to do next.
Ben has gone for a job interview today, it's in a video shop in Romford. If he gets it and if I ever get back to work I can take him to work! Yee haa. Better than having to drive to Lakeside at 10 o'clock at night to pick him up from there!

Yesterday I made my first easel card, here is the result:
Not a great picture but you get the general idea! Haven't added the sentiment yet.
Wasn't really a fan of these, but have seen more and more of them and think that people must like them, so I'd better get in on the act! I'm going to make some more with different designs and papers. 

I think I need to make more card designs for the men in our lives. It's such a difficult one, unless the men like drinking, fishing, cars and sailing, oh, and golf, tennis, snooker, all ball games and more beer! There isn't much else that is suitable for adult males. 
I've been researching on the internet for ideas, but mainly they just incorporate the above 'hobbies'! Have to think of something different... maybe!
Watch this space!

New card for today

 This is a card I've made today, based on a similar design I'd made previously. Once I'd got the shape right I made 3 more, all different colours, but all pink! It's completely made with Bazzill cardstock.  

I've embossed the background piece with a dotty folder similar to a Cuttlebug one, and the pram was embossed from a Cuttlebug set I got in the sale ages ago!
Ribbon and a pink gem complete the card.


Well I'm all on my own again, Ben's just gone off to work, he inadvertently went an hour too early, berk!  Laura and Ian are both at work too. Ho hum.
I'm fed up today, I feel well but know that as soon as I return to work my ankle will swell up again. 
I've been researching 'broken ankles' on the internet and it seems a common problem, and may well last for at least a year. 
I definitely can't stay off work that long!


Back to the cards now then, watch this space!

Sunday musings

      Sunday is with us again, a chance for more cards today!
           Ian and Ben went up to Newcastle yesterday to move his stuff into his new house for next term. It all went well, and they should be back home soon. Laura has gone to Lakeside to get her hair cut. She is hobbling today ( trying to copy me?)!
           
She went up to London with some American clients from work to show them the sights. Unfortunately she's come back with a huge blister underneath her foot and two on her toes!
            
             I've been colouring in some stamped images I did yesterday, I'm going to try some designs for cards with them today. Will post them soon!
          
              I've sold another card on e-bay, this time one of the wedding ones. It's really pleasing when you think someone likes your designs.

           

Well I've sat all morning with my foot up, with ice on it, so I think I'll risk a bit at the table with my cards now!

More stuff while recovering my broken ankle....

Well I'm off work for at least another 2 weeks! I went back to work on Monday but by the end of the 2nd day my foot had turned into a small barrage balloon. So back to the docs, another 2 weeks off at least. Oh dear.

So - time for more cards! I've booked a table at a craft fair in September, really excited as I've never done one before! So far I've made about 40 cards for it, and have many more in the pipe-line.

I've sold my first card on e-bay too, which was very exciting! Nothing sold on Folksy yet though. :-(

Here's one of my favourite cards: 

Here I am again!

Well it's been a while since I've posted on here!

Have got back into crafting, during an enforced time off work, due to me breaking a bone in my ankle a couple of weeks ago! Just went over on it, and when I had it x-rayed I'd broken the end of the tibia on my left leg! In plaster, crutches (hopeless on them), appointment next week at the fracture clinic. Hopefully they'll say it's healed and everything is back to normal!!

So I've taken up card making again, am really into it after getting myself a Cuttlebug after attending a card making class at imagine-that! paper crafts in Upminster. Have bought myself lots of lovely embossing folders and dies, and have designed about 6 card types so far. I've listed some of them e-bay, just as a way to start selling my stuff. I'm really pleased with the way these cards have turned out, and they look quite professional! I'd buy them!!

Biffy!!

We went to see Biffy Cliro last week at the 02 Brixton Academy. Laura had got the tickets as my birthday treat back in August. I admit to being a bit nervous, as I haven't been to a concert in at least 20 years!!
Needn't have worried though, the evening was just brilliant, the lads give so much energy to their music I wonder where they get it all from! Wish they would bottle it and sell it!
I took some pics with my phone, they're not that brilliant but at least they're a reminder of the evening!!

Have nearly completed my Christmas cards, have been making all the elements and now they just need putting together. Pics soon!

Ben came home last week, unexpectedly, he just turned up with Laura one evening. She knew all about it, and had picked him up from the station. Turned out he was feeling a bit homesick and just wanted to come home for a couple of days. We had a lovely few days, but taking him back to the station was hard, and there were a few tears on my apart (again!!) He's due to come home for Christmas on the 12th December so it's not long now!!

Poor Laura's new car has had to go back to the workshop because all the electrical stuff is playing up. She's devastated, she waited so long for it and she's only had it 3 weeks!! Hopefully once she gets it back it will for good!

Ally Pally

I went along to Alexandra Palace yesterday just to 'have a look' at what they had. Of course, due to a new law, I HAD to buy just a few things.



You may notice there are TWO 21st mini albums, this is because I've had real trouble finding ONE album for Laura's birthday next year, so when I saw the plywood album at Sugar and Spice, I had to buy it there and then. Of course later on in the day I also found the acrylic one at the Art of Craft stand. So I've decided to keep them both and save one for Ben!!
There also some lovely new buttons for my new button jar, pics later, some rub-ons and a set of nestabilities Labels One folders. Yum!! Could have spent a lot more but I have to restrict myself due to a disappointing lack of funds.
Ben seems to be enjoying himself in Newcastle, he has his first lecture today, wonder how he'll get on? It's going to be a long day for him, his lecture starts at 9 and, with a couple of hours off in the middle, finishes at 5!!
My sister and I are off to the solicitors this afternoon to deal with my mums affairs. She has Alzheimers, and we've recently been granted Power of Attorney.So we're just going to see how we can safeguard things for the future for her. She still lives independently, has carers coming in twice a day and meals on wheels. But we feel it's best to look to the future and what could happen further down the line. It's quite depressing really but it has to be done!!

He's gone!

Well we took Ben up to start at Newcastle University on Saturday. It was a long journey but sooo much better than last time we went up there! His hall are very nice, of course Ben, being Ben, chose the most luxurious and most expensive room, having a large bed and a huge en-suite. I must say it's lovely, and he seems to have settled in very quickly, having met his room-mates already on Facebook, so it wasn't such a hard thing to meet all these new people.
We came home yesterday, it was very very hard leaving him there, but it felt like he is really going to enjoy his time there, which makes it a little easier for us. There were still quite a few tears though!
I gave him the mini book I'd made for him, to remind him of what home looks like!! I think he quite liked it.
Back to work tomorrow after a long weekend off, will be glad to have something to take my mind off things!

I'm a bad blogger!

Well here I am after a long while, blogging again.
Lots of things have happened since I last was on here, the main one being that Ben has got his place at Newcastle University! Yay!! He goes on the 19th September, so just over 3 weeks left at home. :-(
He got an A and 2 B's, which is brilliant, but he wasn't particularly happy because he wanted 2 A's, but didn't need them to get into Newcastle.
It seems such a long while ago when we went up to look a the university. Well, looking back at my old blogs it was last September! So a year ago! How time flies. So it will be a sad trip up the A1 with all his stuff. Oh, and just to make it worse, it's the weekend of the Great North run, so there's not a room to be had in Newcastle, so we're having to stay blooming miles away in Hexham! Also all the roads will be closed after 8pm till 2pm the next day! Joy!!
I've been on holiday for the last 2 weeks, haven't done too much really, but it's been a nice break. We spent a couple of days in Nottingham, not much going on there really, so a bit disappointing. On the way home though we stopped at Melton Mowbray which is a lovely little town. Had a walk in the park and took these:



Well back to work tomorrow, you've got to go back sometime so tomorrow's as good a time as any!!