Happy Birthday D!

I've been a bit neglectful of my blog, but trust me, there is a LOT going on around here to keep me away, not least that I have started my new job, and since I am training, I have worked four days this week, fitting in everything else around that. However, I am getting on well, and it really is a perfect job for me and I am enjoying it.

Alex also did really well with her GCSE results, much better than any of us could have dared to hope, and she has now secured herself a place at the sixth form that she really wants to go to, so that is really good news.

Our old dog Ollie has been really poorly this week, I was desperately worried about him, but it turns out not to be as sinister as I had feared, so that also is good news.

Anyway, here is a card that I made for my Stepdad's birthday last weekend:


I was worried that hearts on a card for a man wouldn't work, but I think with these papers I got away with it, hope you agree!

Carole x

Silver Wedding

A little birdie told me (thanks Gina!) that it was Maria and Clive's 25th wedding anniversary last week. How could I not make a card for a lovely friend on such a special occasion?


I am delighted to report that the happy couple enjoyed their special day and had a lovely, well earned romantic break away. Congratulations again to you both!

I also had some good news of my own yesterday - I was offered a job working in our local greetings card shop! I am chuffed to bits! I took along to my interview a few of my own cards to show that I love cards and have a bit of an understanding and it would appear that they may have helped! I start tomorrow! I would ask you to wish me luck, but I'm saving that request for Alex who gets her GCSE results on Tuesday ...

Carole x

Sweet Sixteen

Monday was my daughter Alex's 16th birthday. We celebrated by having a day out in London where we crammed in loads and loads and saw the fabulous show Wicked in the evening.

I made this card for her, very much inspired by Valerie who popped a fairy into her TH bird cage, so I cut out a photo of Morris (being Alex's most favourite thing in the whole world) and put him in the cage looking up at a die cut bird.


My DS also wanted to make his big sister a card, so he came with me into my Crafty Corner (eeek!) and selected which papers he wanted to use, and which techniques he wanted to try - he inked all his papers, he rounded all his corners, he chose which brad, which alphabet, which shape for embellishing, and he was really chuffed with the end result. I was very proud of him, and I think that Alex appreciated that he had taken the time to make her a special card. Don't ask why it is that he calls her "Bizn" - even he doesn't really know the answer to that!!! Poor Alex has so many nicknames, very rarely is she actually called Alexandra!


Today, my OH has taken the kids to Splashdown in Poole which is not my thing at all, so I have had a day at home, walking the dogs, a little housework and crafting this afternoon! I am delighted to have some bits to show you in another post or two until I can get back to regular crafting!

Carole x

More Sewing

Well, the weather here has been hit and miss this past week. We managed to get to the beach on three days and to Southampton and particularly Ikea and John Lewis on one of the wetter days. This however, means that we have lots of things still on our to do list, weather permitting next week! Our most exciting plans are for Alex's birthday when we are heading into London for the day and are going to see "Wicked"! Can't wait!

I did manage a couple of hours in my Crafty Corner yesterday when I made a birthday card for Alex - will show that to you when she has opened it! In the meantime however, here are another couple of cards that I made last week when I was still practising sewing on my cards (will probably have to practise all over again when I eventually get back to crafting!)



Carole x

Tag Cards

What a pants day today weather wise! It's been dull, damp and drizzly all day - just the right sort of day to head to Southampton, and specifically Ikea (for Alex) and John Lewis for me. We managed to sort out some birthday gifts for Alex (for next Monday, cutting it a bit fine!) and the rest she is having in cash towards a camera that she will need for her A level Art Photography course.

The last time I did some crafting, I made several cards, and here are another couple of them! I like that these combine two of my favourite things, tags and cards (three if you count the kraft card too!) I have managed to resist making tags for a while now, although it was a serious obsession for a little while!


So, why is it that when you have the time and opportunity to craft, you don't always feel like it, but when your OH has taken off two weeks and we are holidaying at home, my mojo is bursting, and I can't get into my Crafty Corner? We have spent two days at the beach so far, and today shopping in Southampton, so I'm not complaining ...

Carole x

Clean and Simple

I tried something else new today in my Crafty Corner - it's good to take yourself out of your comfort zone, right?! I had a go at a clean and simple card. It's just not me! I had to add the green mat, then another white one, then embossed the actual card! And still I'm left feeling like it needs a little more! I do love that the three vintage buttons can shine instead of being abandoned with all my other old buttons, but do I love the card? Probably not :( Still, I tried it!

I did make four other cards today (two lots of two, as ever!) but since my crafting might be thin on the ground over the next fortnight I will save those to post at a later date!

Carole x

Two Cards

I don't know where today went! A whole day without the kids and I didn't get to my Crafty Corner until 3 p.m.! What a waste! I walked the dogs as usual, then after changing headed straight into the village where I had a few errands to do. This is where it all went wrong! I "popped" into the travel agent on the off chance that there might have been a last minute bargain to be had departing this weekend. The answer? Not really. Looks like we will be holidaying at home this year, and I know I shouldn't grumble as we actually live in an area where lots of people come on their holidays! Then I went into the charity shop to see if there were any bargains to be had or things that could be crafted with and came out with three books and two lovely Le Parfait jars - the ones with the orange seals and and the clip seals - I have a "thing" for them and at 75p each I snapped them up! One didn't have a seal, but I'm sure I've seen them for sale somewhere, and the other has such a good seal that I can't actually open it! I'm thinking that I will probably end up needing two new seals by the time that I have prised it open.

When the heavens opened (not entirely unexpectedly, but suddenly!) I popped into my friend's house to ask her a question, and ended up having a cup of tea and a natter and by the time I got home it was lunch time, and all that potential crafting time had vanished!

Anyway, the two cards I did manage I am quite pleased with! The first is for our very good friend Steve who has just got a brand new white Audi and he is chuffed to bits with it! Steve is Welsh, and I managed to find the bit of map that covers his home town (although that bit got covered by the car!) and use that. I wanted to make a little number plate, but the Audi logo was big enough that it didn't need it.


My second card was so that I could practise my sewing, and I am delighted with how it turned out (although I think I need to adjust the tension as the sewing on the back is all loopy loo!!!) I must just mention, the blue thread that I found is a lovely old one on a gorgeous wooden cotton reel (another of my "things"!) and it is called "Gay Kingfisher"! How cute is that?


Not sure when I will get to craft next, especially after Friday when it is our 2 weeks "Staycation"! Never mind, I will take lots of pics for scrapbooking opportunities!!!

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Carole x

On the Mend!

Having been poorly for a whole week now, it's nice to be able to report that I am finally on the mend - must be, I had the urge to craft this afternoon! I managed a card (which I can't share yet) and my set of four ATCs for the August swap (my last crafting session was when I made my July ATCs so cutting it a bit fine for the month of July!)

I have resisted hauling out my sewing machine and dragging it to my Crafty Corner, but today was the day (must've still been poorly afterall!) So I had a little play and then sewed my ATCs! I love it! My sewing machine is now tucked under my desk, so expect more sewing!


The theme for August is Butterflies, so I found out my funny little die that seems to me could be a bee, could be a moth, could be a butterfly, but I quite like it whatever it is! Also used one of my very favourite paper sets of all time, Basic Grey Sugared, and made them from scraps which is just so satisfying!


All being well, the kids are going out tomorrow, so I'm hoping for a bit more crafty time!

Carole x