A Quiet Afternoon Crafting

First let me say thanks to Carole who has taken to sending me funnies on a Wednesday as she knows I don't feel too good. Today's was very funny - about the England performance at the World Cup - well you have to laugh don't you?!! I'm saying no more about the football except that I'm now Argentinian! (Readers of my previous post will know why!).

I've spent the day quietly and managed two LOs this afternoon - both for challenges on WeScrap.

The Kaftan was made using bits and pieces from my stash (and a Martha Stewart punch).

Rambling Rose was made using Basic Grey "Infuse" papers,alpha and die cuts plus ribbon from stash. The photo is of our climbing rose which is now "rambling" as the trellis supporting it fell down. I quite like the look of it and small birds seem to love it!

No football today so I'm watching the cricket - had to leave it for a while though as I was having my usual negative effect!

I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself (as sung by Dusty Springfield)

I managed a LO this afternoon by just taking it steady and resting my hands from time to time.

Bazzill cardstock (Rain), Making Memories "5th Avenue" papers, ribbon from stash,Unity stamps, Basic Grey rub on, Thickers foam alpha. Photos are of OH and DS messing about at Disney (Florida).

The title of the post reflects how I'm feeling after today's sporting events - my special skill of putting the mockers on whoever I'm supporting (and watching) was well to the fore.

Vettel (a German) won the European Grand Prix, Germany thrashed us at football , although I think this was more to do with the abject performance of our players (I use the term players loosely) than my skill. I then turned to the cricket where England were going along nicely with only three wickets down and plenty of overs left for them to score what they needed to win. I had to stop watching when the ninth wicket went down and the last over was approaching. That obviously helped as they did win - by one wicket...

Now who shall I support next in the World Cup?lol

More importantly what am I going to watch to iron to (the mountain is growing)? I only have two episodes of "Wallander" (Swedish version) left on Sky+ and I need to pay attention to read the subtitles, I've seen all the films that interest me at least once..oh well I can feel a "Dirty Dancing", "Mamma Mia!" fest coming on. At least they'll cheer me up.

Tea With the Romantics.

Pat and I had a fabulous afternoon at the Thame Arts and Literature Festival.
We had afternoon tea - cupcakes,coffee (neither of us drinks tea) and bubbly - and got to listen to and meet five Romantic Novelists. They were interesting and funny and it was great to hear them read their own work. Three of them are particular favourites of mine - Katie Fforde, Judy Astley and Carole Matthews - managed to get their autographs (took along copies of their latest books). It was also  great to be introduced to two new (to me) authors and to be able to buy some of their books.

Thanks to the organisers for arranging all this and esp.to Louise from The Book House who brought along the books we could buy and the TALF bags.

I do hope the Festival takes place again next year.

Rocking My World Friday

So what's rocking my world today?

Firstly....my boy is home!!! We collected him from Oxford station on Sunday and it's been soooo nice to see him. Someone to watch the football with - he's really good company. Don't know how long he's staying so making the most of it.

The World Cup which has given me s'thing to watch as I haven't been able to do any crafting - I thought the nice heat would help but noooooo - my hands have been playing up.

The England football and cricket teams who both managed to win this week (think the rugby team may have won too?)

Mills and Boon whose light books are the only things I've been capable of reading this week in my doped up state. My little guilty secret - I found a stack of Christmas collections (at least three years old) when I finally finished sorting the book mountain in the bedroom - I used to keep a selection for days/weeks such as this when I can't concentrate properly but obviously haven't needed them for a while. I can read them in a couple of hours so don't feel guilty about "rotting my brain" for too long.

A Maze of Memories for hosting a fabulous "Stashbusters" day last Saturday - I did use a lot of stash and had fun with friends.

The sun and heat which have provided the ideal excuse for NOT  tackling the "h" and "i" words - they'll still be there when it's raining and cold again. Good job I'm not houseproud.

And finally...the lovely Gill who has set up a group on Facebook so I am now back in contact with my docrafts friends. I've missed them!

England Did It!

Made it out of the group stages that is!
Yesterday's game was much better - they actually played football.
Next up the Germans - just hope it doesn't go to penalties.
Well done to the USA for winning the group.

Below is the card I made my Dad for Father's Day. It's a trifold aperture card - first time I've tried one of these. Can't remember where I found the picture (it was a download from somewhere, ages ago).

Papers, ribbon and embellishments were from my stash.

Not much else to report on the crafting front - haven't been able to do anything as I've had problems with my hands.

On the home front though - my boy is home!! It's been lovely having him here..only one bag of washing..and he's going to do it himself! Plus, he's making Banoffee pie for dessert tonight.

Sue xx

A Successful Day!

Had a fun day at A Maze of Memories. It was good to be able to scrap uninterrupted and amongst friends - lovely to see Jan and Diane. As there were two birthdays to celebrate there was lots of cake (yum!). Had lunch at the new farm shop and kitchen - gorgeous lasagne and heavenly meringues - Pat and I both had the rosewater and pistachio. I kindly bought a cappucino meringue for OH (and one for myself 'cos I'm greedy! But I'm saving that for later.)

I managed three LOs and am halfway through a wordbook for Max - "WOOF" .

A Quick Post

A quick post before I get ready for my "Stashbusting".

I did this LO yesterday after my shopping and whilst half watching Slovenia v USA - I know I have a pile of the "i" word and other things I could have been doing but I was taking no chances...I am going to crop today...no aches and pains (fingers crossed) ..no need to top up on the painkillers..it seems to have worked and a nice hot bath should loosen me up.

The photo is OH and I in 1998 at Busch Gardens. This was sketch #4 for the Birthday Bash on Let's Capture These Sketches. As well as the sketch we had to include s'thing with wings - the butterflies are K&CO die cuts. The stitching was done with Bazzill InStitchz thread (Limeade and Black) but I don't know the details of the papers or other embellies - they are  from  two kits put together by Christina at A Maze of Memories and I had foolishly thrown out the attached details  - well how else could I stroke and drool?lol The cardstock is showing as pale blue here but it's actually more turquoise in real life.

Had I known what the football would be like last night I would have properly watched the afternoon match and would have crafted in the evening instead. Talk about inept. We were waiting to get our England flag from the attic and on display...don't think we'll be bothering now. How to crush a nation's hopes in one easy lesson. Can't blame the fans in the stadium for booing them - it'll have cost them £0000 to get there.

Thank you for all the lovely comments I found waiting on here this morning and Carole...it is good that you make me laugh and Wednesday jokes would be much appreciated!

Sue xx

Rocking My World Friday

After the disappointment of not getting to crop last Saturday the rest of the week has been OK on the whole. I still "lost" Wednesday as far as anything energetic was concerned but managed some gentle crafting.

This week I'm thankful for my son - I managed a long chat with him and he's coming home - sometime soon! I'm looking forward to that as we haven't seen him since Easter. He's all grown up and fairly sensible so we've obviously done s'thing right in the raising of him.

Thanks to my "crafty" friends who visit my blog and leave encouraging comments, especially those who make me laugh (in a good way)...Carole and Maria (btw the paperback dried out in the airing cupboard and I managed to read it ..curled pages and all!)

I'm thankful for the WeScrap website whose fellow members encourage and inspire me even when I'm not feeling particularly creative.

I must mention the World Cup - I know a lot of you will be fed up with football but for those of us who sometimes watch daytime TV (I have to watch as I iron to relieve the boredom.lol) it has made a pleasant change to the usual programmes about antiques/houses/cooking. Can't forgive the BBC for not getting Leonardo as a pundit - sorry guys but Shearer et al can't compete!

A Maze of Memories gets a mention too - their Stashbusters Day tomorrow will give me at least 6 hours crafting uninterrupted by requests for coffee, food or walkies.

Happiness too from the organisers of the very first "Thame Art and Literature Festival". I've managed to get tickets for "Tea with the Romantics" on Saturday 26th. I'll get to meet and hear five authors , including two of my favourites, Katie Fford and Judy Astley - if you've never read them.. it's superior chick-lit with lots of humour (some of it laugh out loud).Pat will be with me for this..a glass of bubbly and afternoon tea - bliss!

That's about it from my world this week - just  going to see if Sebia are still leading against Germany...

Sue xx

A Pretty, Girly LO for a Change!

I don't often get to do "pretty" LOs with the lack of girls in our family so I was really pleased to be able to do this one of my cousin's wife - I was a bridesmaid at their wedding in 1964.
I took the photo when Dad and I met up with them (they collected us as Dad no longer has a car) and Dad's sister, my Auntie Grace.
I've had the paper for ages too - Basic Grey "Gypsy" and "Romani" - why do I insist on buying pretty papers when I rarely get to use them? I hear you ask. Well... because they are pretty and I can take them out and stroke them!
The title is Romani mini monograms (I didn't buy full sets of these papers just odd sheets that I couldn't resist). Large flower is Prima and the brads, buttons  and gromlet etc are from my stash.
This was Sketch #3 from the Birthday Bash on Let's Capture These Sketches. The added challenge was to use a paperclip as an embellishment. I did have some larger ones but the colours didn't match.
TFL
Sue xx

What do you think of it so far?

The World Cup that is?
I'm distinctly underwhelmed!
Best moment so far?
New Zealand equalising in the 93rd minute to gain their first ever point at a World Cup. They don't even have a professional league in NZ - so , well done to them.
Worst moment?
Germany beating Australia 4 - 0.

On the crafting front I haven't done a lot. Didn't get to go cropping on Saturday - my stomach had one of its' occasional revolts at the amount of meds I have to take..so a quiet afternoon at home it was.
I've been playing with tags and making cards since then..Father's Day, b'day (OH - same day as Father's Day).
Can't show them yet as people might peek!

All being well I shall be spending all day Saturday at A Maze of Memories for a "Stashbuster" session. I've already sorted papers etc. for three projects and have just had an idea for a fourth. It's all in the planning!

Managed a long chat to DS last night - he'll be home sometime he assures me! He'll have to at some point as he has a month without accommodation between lets.
Just hope the washing mountain isn't too big!lol

Bye for now.
Sue xx

Rocking my World Friday

First on my list this week is OH who was brilliant when I felt really ill on Wednesday (Weds. are getting worse - the meds are supposed to help my arthritis - but I'm hating the side effects).

Today the sun has appeared after a week of rain - I might finally get to wash the bedroom curtains. They've been down since Monday  - keep forgetting so may well have frightened/entertained the neighbours.

The World Cup starts today - 18 uninterrupted days of football  (until the first day off) - yay!!!

I'm going cropping tomorrow at A Maze of Memories and there's a new farm shop opened up nearby that I'm looking forward to exploring.

And finally Max who has kept me company and entertained us - he is now 8 (middle-aged in doggy years) but was bouncing/running/ gambolling last night like a puppy.:) Special hugs Max.

Question of the Day

How long does it take for a paperback to dry out when you've dropped it in the bath?

And, yes, I did just that!

Temptation and a Heritage LO

Look what the postman brought me on Monday!

My cyber buddy Carole sent me this gorgeous tag made using her new die - I will not give in to temptation,I will not give in to temptation....

Last time Carole got a new die a few of use just had to buy it too!

Thank you Carole - Max and I will treasure it. Thanks for making us smile.

This is the LO I made at A Maze of Memories on Saturday -- finally managed to do the title.
White smooth cardstock edged  with distress ink (faded denim I think); patterned papers are 7 Gypsies "Venice"; flower made with card soaked in watery distress ink, then crumpled and dried using a heat gun;journalling on cream card hidden under an acetate tag (Sizzix die)coloured with alcohol inks. We made paper beads to give a textured border under the flocked paper but I seem to have cut them off in the photo!
Title from cream card cut using the Sizzix "Man Oh Man" alpha and coloured with distress ink (broken china).
The photos are of OH's christening - unfortunately that  is all we know.

I did a quick LO today for the Birthday Bash on Let's Capture These Sketches.
Purple Bazzill with My Mind's Eye "Penny Lane " paper; buttons,ribbon and brads from stash;K&CO butterflies; Doodlebug alpha.
Photos are from our Florida trip in 1998.

I didn't do any book sorting today - Sainsbury's delivered my groceries and by the time I'd put them all away and done some necessary h*******k it was too late to start (well, I thought it was) - so I did some crafting instead.

Lost Under a Mountain of Books.

Sorry I haven't blogged for a few days but the reason will become clear.

I had a great time doing the Heritage class on Saturday at A Maze of Memories- did a LO using some of the few photos we have of OH's childhood. It was good to catch up with Jan and Diane too. No photo as yet as I still have to do the title - and no I really haven't had time.

OH started complaining about the piles of books at my side of the bed and I had to agree - I was having to climb over them to get in and out of bed - this despite having eight shelves to store them on. Unfortunately the shelves were not only full but seven of them had two rows of books on.
Soooo... I bit the bullet and decided to have a sort out...two afternoons later...I have a pile of books in DS's room for the charity shop...I have a pile to pass on to Pat....I have a pile to pass on to family..I have a pile to go in the loft...the bedroom is a mess and I still have piles to sort out and already know they're not going to fit on the shelves. Help!!
At one time I NEVER got rid of books but since I read at least four a week I had to start. I now only hang on to crime novels and  French books...but still haven't enough room.
Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers (full collections of each) are being relegated to the loft.. Elizabeth George is going to the charity shop...who else can I bear to part with?

No-one really so more are going to have to go into the loft....
Hopefully by the end of the week I'll be sorted..if you don't hear from me send out a search party.

The worst of it is that I have books in all the rooms in the house and sent 13 boxes to a charity shop only a couple of years ago...add to that all OH's & DS's books and I reckon we could start a library.

Plus with all the time I'm spending on this the rest of the house is getting no attention...and will no doubt need sorting and I really hate housework!!

Rocking My World Friday

Lots to be thankful for today.
In no particular order:
1. The sun - makes me feel more cheerful and warm.

2. My mojo has returned! Managed the LO above over the last two days. (Papers and embellies "Zach's Life" by Little Yellow Bicycle. Photos are a random selection of DS - sorry N. I had to use you again!).
3. Friends have been (as always) very supportive and positive about my crafting. Thanks - you know who you are.
4. I have a class to look forward to tomorrow - a heritage LO - using some of the few (very few) we have of OH's childhood.

Only one down note - Rio is injured and out of the World Cup. I really feel for him - he would have been an inspirational captain.