A couple of projects

Well, between work, study, home and family I've finally found some time to do some work on a couple of projects I've been working on. One I did purely for pleasure...

I got the quote from becky higgins site here. A couple of stamps, ribbons and prima flowers and its done.
The other project I've been working on is for my best friends daughter who is getting married in the summer. I offered to do the invitations for them and so far this is what I've come up with, and have enjoyed every minute of putting them together!

 I've blacked out a few of the details but you can still see what I've been up to. The card at the back is slightly embossed with flowers and bows and is really pretty, I've used 120gsm premium paper to print the invites on to and then there is a layer of snow white vellum, all topped off with green organza ribbon. Will be posting one off for them to have a look at in the next couple of days so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that she likes them.
Short and sweet from me again!
Have a great week guys!
V x

Random pic & my "non" resolution

I just tweeted this pic but I love it so I'm blogging it too.
It was taken in the summer when we were in Whitby, absolutely lovely place, be sure to visit if you ever get a chance. Not sure why I wanted to take a picture of a seagull but I love the noise they make and don't get to hear it very often out in the country and it just looked so lovely against the gorgeous blue water.
I added the caption in photoshop.

Doesn't he look pretty? Proper picture postcard pose lol. We took alot of photos on that holiday so I hope get round to scrapping and blogging them.
I haven't really made any resolutions but I have vowed to try and manage my time better. I work full time, I'm trying to complete an NVQ 2 in health and social care, I have a busy family, house and pets to keep up with so crafting has been properly pushed onto the back burner but I've had this week off so I've been cleaning, organising, throwing out alot of "it might come in handy" stuff and generally getting my entire house arranged to run with military precision and minimal upkeep lol, hopefully that will free up some of my time.
Anyway! Off to do a bit of pottering around and practise my good time management skills, I have a way to go yet but I am working on it! If you have any tips please feel free to leave them here for me.
V xxx

The Simple Wife

Take a look at this site and keep good thoughts in your hearts for them xx

The Simple Wife

Couldn't not mention this little guy

Along with all the good news we've been having we had a tragedy in early September last year, we lost this little guy, our baby Reggie. Oh how we loved this guy and how heartbroken we were, and still are, when he was hit by a car. I think the worst part was I found him by the side of the road on my way to work one afternoon, a horrible thing I can tell you. We found out later that he had been left in the road but a very kind neighbour had found him and moved him to the grass verge in the hope that his family would find him and claim him. A heartfelt thank you card from us all was swiftly posted through their door when we heard of this.
He's now in a very beautiful area of the garden with some gorgeous plants around him that will flower in the summer.

#nips in and sits down# Hello!!

Well, I'm back again it seems lol.
What a few months its been!
My son Ady, who has been job hunting forever, finally has a new job! woohoo! A few months in and hes doing well :) He also announced that he and his girlfriend are expecting a baby!! So the job really couldn't have come at a better time. And then, yes there's more, they got engaged at Christmas so its all happening for those two right now. I'm so so happy with all their news, even though the shocker of becoming a grandma at 41 took a day or two to sink in lol. Really couldn't be prouder or happier about it. Now I'm faced with the dilemma of what I will be called in the grandparent department, I'm thinking grandma is a little bit to old sounding so I'm leaning towards Nanny or Nana, got a few months to ponder it. Baby due 12th July :)
Now, my elder daughter Freya, she started studying biomedical sciences at Chester university in September. Sooooo proud!!! Sooooo missing her so much!!! I've been finding it tough without her at home but I'm slowly, sort of, getting used to it. She's just gone back after three weeks at home for Christmas so its been really lovely having her here but difficult to let her go back again. She has settled in really well and is enjoying and embracing student life 100%. Wouldn't want it any other way!
My youngest daughter, Taylor, is in her 1st year of A levels and is doing well and studying hard. I think she's finding it odd now being the only left at home with the other two "flying the nest" as the old saying goes. Having said that I'm sure she is enjoying the extra bit of spoiling she's getting being mums baby lol. We spend lots of time together and often laugh til we cry, which we've always done, but I think it's nice for her to have mum and dad to herself for a while. Another 18 months or so and she too will be heading to university so absolutely making the most our time.
Do I sound like a proud, clucky, totally in love with her kids mum? I do hope so!
Right, this post is getting huge so I'll finish up for now but I will definately be back soon
xxx

Im alive!!!

morning all, i have been guilty of neglecting my blog for the last few weeks! ive been interviewing for, and getting, a new job! im going to be a support worker for adults with autism and learning disabilities and im soooooooooooo happy and excited about it. im just waiting for the crb checks and everything to come through and then i will get a start date :) at the moment im working in a filling station and i hate it with a passion so i cant wait to hand in my notice and walk away from there for good.
also! im going to be 40 on monday, eek! where does time go?? but! with a new job to look forward to im really thinking that maybe life does begin at 40 :)
i will be back soon with some new projects ive been working on, i just wanted to check in and let you know i havent disappeared for good.
hope all is well with everyone
see you sooner!
V x

You tube colouring link

morning :)
heres the link to the simple colouring technique i mentioned yesterday, click me :)
i say simple because its not to intricate and seems to be an excellent starting point, ill definately be giving it a try.
another busy day ahead so away i go, hope you find the tutorial helpful, theres are tonnes of great videos on you tube, wish id gone there sooner!
see you soon
V :)

What a busy time!

morning folks :)
what a flurry of activity my life is at the moment! ive still got my new zealand friend with me and work is full on so at the moment im just getting to walk passed my craft room and look longingly into it and keep right on walking!
ive got a couple of days off from tuesday so im going to make sure i get in there and put together a card or two because im starting to suffer paper and stamp withdrawal lol
ive been looking out for some prisma pencils because ive watched a fab tutorial on you tube with regards to colouring and blending so cant wait to get stuck in with having a go at that, im desperate to improve my colouring and this was fab. ill post the link to that tutorial later on, i found it really helpful so pencils, sansodor and paper stumps here i come! ill keep you updated on here with my progress when i get all the things i need.
it never ceases to amaze me the amount of new things there are to learn and do with this addictive habit, ive been doing it a while and still constantly learning, its wonderful!
have a wonderful day all
V :)
,

Im still here :)

hi everyone, just a quick post to say i havent deserted blogland! my oldest school friend arrived here yesterday from new zealand and is going to be staying a while so we have an awwwwwwwwwwwful lot of catching up to do! :)
ill get some pics and post them and ill be back soon with some cards cos ive recently done a little bit of stash shopping, ill soon need a bigger house!
see you soon
V :)

One last quick post for today

hello again, 3 posts in one day??? there must be some kind of blog madness taking over me :)

managed to get the card done for my friend that i did the frame for in the last post.

just a little something to let her know im thinking about her

i keep coming back to this hero arts stamp (fancy vase) it makes it easy to do a simple pretty card in a flash.....well......flashish, all cards take time as we all know :)

anyway, making memories paper, dcwv cardstock, hotp sentiment and a bit of ribbon from my stash. ive watercoloured the flowers and vase with marvy and dovecraft pens, oh and some gems.

thats me for today, got washing to fold and want to jump in the bath.

night folks

V :)

Buddy frame

2 posts in one day again? this is getting to be a habit! enjoying it though hehe, nice to have some free time for a change....off to work again soon unfortunately but wanted to share this frame ive altered before i go.

its for my very dear friend who just a couple of weeks ago lost her beloved dog stan. we dont live close to each other so other than support via phone calls i havent been able to do alot for her so i wanted to do this just to let her know i love her and that im here for her whatever she needs, going to make a card to go with it tomorrow hopefully so if i get time ill post that too. when shes feeling better shes going to send me some pics of stan and i think i will put together a little mini book for her, just a little keepsake, and will it make me feel useful!!
ive altered frames before, just poundshop ones and i love them

heres how it came out





im determined to use up some of my scrap box so cant tell you where the papers are from im afraid apart from the blue one which is junkitz and was left over from a card i posted yesterday.
theres a couple of making memories doodles, some organza ribbon, prima flowers (over stamped with a tim holtz stamp) the letters are from a huge qvc kit i got forever ago, they were just plain white but ive stamped on them too with the same stamp and a studio g friends for life stamp.
ok, hi ho hi ho and all that.
thanks for visiting.
see you soon!
V :)

Just for fun card

Morning :)

felt like doing something a little fun and different this morning and had been itching to use the papermania secret garden stamps i picked up at a car boot sale, brand new, for £3!! what a bargain! there are 3 owls and they are just tooooooo cute.

heres what i came up with

the papers are from my scrap box, the owl and the stamped flower background are from the papermania set.

ive inked round everything with an ink pad from ink it up

ive watercoloured the owl with pencils, the sentiment is computer generated (font 2peas goofball) hes a little bit sparkly because there must have been some sakura glitter left on the waterbrush from another project but it really suits him :)

the flowers are prima, finished off with liquid pearls and the liquid pearls are there again on the bottom left for a finishing touch.

i think ill be using this owl again :)

back soon!

V :)

Two posts in one day? Whatever next?

Yep, im back with my second post of the day, unheard of just lately!
anyway, a friend at work has his birthday this week so ive set to this afternoon and made a card for him.

here it is



didnt take long at all, a hotp card makers sentiment, card scraps from my scrap box, bit of inking and matting and layering, some faux stitching (i think im addicted!) and a dymo labeller and it was done.
it was an easy make that came together nicely. i like to spend time on cards but sometimes its good just to get the job done.
right, need to make room on the comp for the homework brigade.
back soon
V :)

Flutter by butterfly

Afternoon all, yet another long break between posting, really struggling with time management at the moment!

Ive come to post my magnolia challenges card, over on just magnolia there is a sketch to follow this week and on magnolia down under challenges the theme is flutter by butterfly. ive combined the two again.

You know when you get an idea in your head for a card and you think its going to be fab but when you do it you just cant quite recreate it and theres something not quite right? thats whats happened here, maybe ive lost my mojo and need to have a hunt round for it.

heres what i came up with anyway

just didnt work out quite the way i wanted it to, im happy with tilda but mainly because shes my favourite one i think :) shes coloured with pencils, whispers markers and chalked around. the papers are junkitz, a papermania butterfly stamp, hotp sentiment, prima flowers and some silk flowers ive had in my stash for ages.

ok, see you sooner!

V :)

Magnolia challenges card

Afternoon, what a beautiful day! a little bit to windy but always nice to see the sunshine. my youngest is on a school trip to alton towers today so im thankful its not raining at least, she text me earlier and even though shes been bitten by a duck shes having a great time lol.

Anyway, to the card for today. im a bit pushed for time all the time just lately it seems so ive combined the just magnolia challenge for this week which is "stitching" (ive gone for faux but you can do it any way you want to) with the magnolia down under challenge which is "thinking of you."
heres what i came up with



i think this is one of my favourite tildas, shes so sweet, ive coloured her with pencils. the papers are from dream street papers, hotp sentiment, american crafts flowers, sizzix sizzlet swirl and the gems are from my stash.
i really enjoyed making this card and the paper is divine! lots left over so youll be seeing it again soon im sure
okie dokie, onwards and upwards
back soon!
V :)

Some favourite layouts

Happy monday everybody! a start of another week, where is time going this year?? it seems to be flying by. ive popped on today to post a few of my favourite layouts.

the 1st one is a layout of my husband and i, i HATE having my photo taken but when i saw this one, taken by my youngest daughter when we were ready to go out to my works christmas meal in december last year, i really liked it

The paper ive used is basic grey, the spotty one was free with a magazine sometime, the heart is cut from a perfect petals template from craftwork cards, american craft letters and the love embellishment is from a colorbok scrap pack.

this next one is another one taken by my daughter, this time when we werent looking! she really is becoming a super photographer and theres a link in my link doodah, over there >>>>>>>>>>>,

where you can take a look at an online gallery of hers

the journalling on this one reads: "even after over twenty years together its not unusual to see us strolling along..........."

ive used making memories papers (i think! im terrible for that, took it out of its packaging and forgot whose it was) definately some colorbok paper and lettering (in), prima flower, chipboard circle and american crafts rub on and ribbon.

this 3rd one, "oh so funny," is of my bestest buddy and me just after christmas

ive used some free digital elements here that ive printed out, acrylic paint, american crafts ribbon, staples, dymo labeller, rhonna farrer autumn leaves swirl stamp and a heart template from craftwork cards.

the journalling reads: "here we are, just after christmas, two cameras pointing in our direction, striking a pose, but somehow not seeming to get it quite right. but what fun we had trying!!"

good times :)

back soon!

V :)

Has it really been that long since i posted??

wow, how time flies when you get caught up in life and dont have time to do anything it seems........or if you do youre to tired to do it! i havent had time to participate in my favourite magnolia challenges this last week but hoping to have a go at this weeks in the next couple of days.

ive come to post a card i made a while ago but love because it was so quick and simple to make....i have this and a few other projects posted on my docrafts gallery but im going to post them over here also....i have some more cards and some layouts to share.

making memories checked paper, the background star paper i cant really remember where it came from! but ive had it forever, hotp card quote and a dymo labeller (one of my very favourite things!) i used the sizzix red original die for the stars.

ok, back sooner!!

V :)

Spot the dots

Afternoon :) wow, 2 posts in one day! you can tell the kids are to busy to come near the computer today hehe. ive come back to post a pic of a card ive made for the magnolia down under challenge blog, you can find it here, its a wonderful blog and the design teams cards are amazing!! i follow it but this is the first challenge ive done. i found it by visiting kellies blog, a fabulous blog that i follow by a very talented lady, take a peek :)

anyway! the challenge was the title of this post, spot the dots, heres what i did

i love spots and stripes so it wasnt hard to find plenty of things in my stash that would work perfectly. i ended up with making memories paper (i think!) dcwv textured cardstock, a dollar ribbon i got from walmart while visiting my sister in the states last year (6 different ribbons in a stack, super bargain!) a computer generated sentiment, prima flowers, brads from stash and i coloured tilda with pencils + shes got sparkly wings :) i really enjoyed putting this card together and i was pleased with how it turned out.

i dont think ill be back again today but stranger things have happened

V :)

Giraffe template

Morrrrrrrrrrrrning everyone, another bright and beautiful sunny day. always seems to lift my mood to get up in a morning and see the sunshine, lovely!

so, today im back with another cute baby template, theres an elephant on my previous post, with a link to where you can find the templates, but last night i decided to go with a giraffe for a baby girl card

the papers are from a deja views baby girl tablet "the sharon ann collection," prima flowers, heidi swapp sentiment and the brad, button and ribbon from my stash. it wasnt originally going to have a ribbon but i managed to get a smudge of the liquid pearls ive used in the flowers on the top right side of the paper so had to have a hasty rethink of my original design! turned out ok in the end though.

ill be back later, if i can win the fight for the comp when the kids get up! wish me luck

V :)

Cute baby templates

afternoon folks! another beautiful day :) cooler though but still bright sunshine......bright enough for me to spend the morning mowing! boo hiss. we have one of those lawns thats to big for a regular mower and way to small for a ride on so we keep plugging away with the petrol push along.

and bluebells?! dont get me started on bluebells!! love them i may do, but year after year in spring they take over our garden, and year after year i try and dig up all the bulbs to stop them coming back. 8 years we have lived in this house and i still havent beaten them yet! maybe one day but im not holding out much hope.

so, to the cute baby templates. having been a blogger for a couple of weeks now, ive spent alot of time blog hopping and looking at all the fab blogs out there, sheilas blog is lovely and it was there i spotted her link to some cute baby card templates, you can find them here, i downloaded them at the time before i forgot where to find them but only got round to having a go yesterday, theres an elephant, lion and a giraffe, i had a go with the elephant

it was lovely to work with the soft pastelly "baby" colours and i really enjoyed making this card.

the papers are from moments to go, american craft ribbon and rub on, papermania small sparkly brad and the heart stamp is from smoochie manoochie (stamped in sky blue brilliance and heat embossed clear)

right, hopefully this afternoon im going to find time to do some crafting....got some h****work to do first. didnt want to write that word in full in case if offended anyone ;o)

bye for now

V :)