Saturated Canary Girlie

Hello, and welcome!

I'm having a bit of an "off" week, up to now........in fact, I suppose I've been feelin' a bit "off" for a while....but these past few days have seemed a bit harder.

There always seems to be so much going on, around here.........and it hasn't helped that the Hubster has been working away for the past two weeks!  He had one day off, yesterday, and we spent it from 12.15pm to 6.45pm with my Mam, who had a very lengthy hospital appointment.  My arm isn't now strong enough to let me drive any real distance, and this appointment was at Withington Hospital, which is a fair distance,  so the Hubster gave up his one day off to drive us there.....then a wait of four and a half hours for the procedure on Mam's eye......she was exhausted by the time it was all done, poor love!

The doctor was a lovely American lady, and she very carefully went over what Mam could and couldn't do for the next few days.....and when she kindly asked Mam did she have any questions, what d'you think Mam asked?......."Is it okay to have a few glasses of wine, tonight?"....haaaa!  

The doc said it wouldn't do her any  harm.........she was out the door like a shot!....then she turned back,  and asked if she could still go swimming, in the pool, when she goes to Turkey, next month!!

 I hope I have half as much spunk as my Mam when I'm 82!

I made this cute card over the weekend.......'twas a Saturated Canary freebie, and you just know I can't ignore a freebie...haaa!

Maybe because I'm feelin' a bit "browned off", I went with browns.......brown card base and more DP from the New Leaf stack that I used, the other day.......I used a Tri-Boss button embossing folder on the strip of brown card, then went over the raised surface with some orange-y chalk.......

Isn't she sweet?  Went with the browns again, using Promarkers to colour her up, with a touch of green for the ribbon and balloon, and also on one of the cute buttons on her shoe.......

I rolled some of this pretty dark brown lace, added the peachy flower, a button, and a scrap of ribbon......thought it looked a bit vintage-y.......?????.......or maybe that's wishful thinkin'....ha....

The dark brown bit of the sentiment is a lovely little ticket die that came in a set (X-cut) that I just had to have....you know how that goes, eh?......and the lighter kraft bit is cut from another sweet embossing folder by Design Objectives.......I tried to "lift" the sentiment by rubbing chalk over, but might have to practice that a bit more...lol.....the teeny button finishes it.  All done!

Hope you are all well, and thanks for keeping me company.......I get a bit fed-up of just listenin' to meself.....haaa!

hugs,

Anne-Marie x 

Challenges:

http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes (use a diecut)

http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/challenge-44-anything-goes.html  Anything goes

http://thepoodlesparlour.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/anything-goes.html  Anything goes

http://sassycherylschallenge.blogspot.ie/  Pretty Papers (I think these are gorgeous!)

http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/challenge-no-46-anything-goes.html  Anything goes

CAS Challenge Card

Hello, and welcome!

Another warm....nay, hot day here,  but it meant I could fill the ol'  washing line with various pieces of the Lewis Household's sartorial attire......which now means I've got half a ton of ironing to do...haaaa!

Okie-dokie........on with the real business!

It's Friday (all day, as my Mam says), which means it's time for a Challenge at 

Card Crafter's Circle 

and this one, I'm sure , is goin' to be pretty popular.......we want to see your 

CAS creations......yep.....clean and simple is the order of the week!

It gets pretty excitin' around these parts when we have TWO SPONSORS!!!

Here they are........

and

One randomly drawn winner will receive their choice of two (2) digital images from   Oak Pond Creations  ... and another randomly drawn winner will receive their choice of five (5) digital images from  Robyn's Fetish ...  How cool is that?

I chose to play with this gorgeous little Christmas Cottage image from Robyn's Fetish, and if you pop over to the Challenge blog, you'll see what the other Design Team members have chosen to play with....gorgeous creations, one and all!

I know....I know.....I'm kinda obsessed with Christmas cards, but how could I resist this gorgeous digi stamp?  

I embossed a piece of mirri card with my pretty snowflakes Cuttlebug folder....love the depth it gives.......

Coloured up with PMs as per usual, and added some very fine white 'n' sparkly Art Glitter to the roof and garden.....I want to live in this cottage!!

More glitterishishness on this humungus snowyflake......

......and I wish I could take a closer peek into these ikkle windows.........I have a sneaky feeling that Mrs. Claus just might be in the kitchen, baking up a batch of gingerbread men, and that Santa himself will be sittin' in his.......er....um.....I'm gettin' a bit carried away, aren't I?.......haaahaaa.....Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells.......

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

http://stamp-n-doodle.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas in July

http://cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas in July

http://lollipopcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas in July

http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/challenge-143-all-that-glitters.html  All that glitters

http://ccmonthlychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  HO HO HO Christmas

Cuddlebug Cuties

Hello, and welcome!

I couldn't resist popping in for a very quick SHOUT OUT  for a fabulous new site that you are NOT going to want to miss.......

cuddlebugcuties.blogspot.co.uk 

Anna does some beautiful digi images, with regular freebies.....AND........

She has CANDY!!!

Hop over to see her.....she's very welcoming!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Male card

Hi, and welcome!

Okay, I'm sorry that's  such a bobbins title, but I'm far toooooo hot to get my few brain cells even more steamed up, trying to think of a catchy title!

Do I sound just a teensy bit frazzled????  You bet I am.....got woken this morning by a call I did not want to get.......Daughter #2 (Gillian) had her house burgled,  last night.......can you believe how low some people can get?

Her hard-working hubby left, early Sunday morning, to work for his company for two weeks.....in India!.....which means she's on her own with 4 children.  She's certainly not the meek and mild type, and had no problem with Hubby being away, but this has thrown her.

She suspects, as do the police, that the villain  is somebody who knows Hubby was going to be away......which could be half the planet!

Fortunately, after breaking in through a kitchen window, while #2 and the kiddles were asleep, upstairs, all they took was some cash from her purse, and cards.

My Hubster went around to her house,  but had to get on his way to work....he's working away, too, but I'm well used to that....and anyone trying to get in here would have to face our black lab....who just happens to be as old as time, and almost deaf...haaaa!....and Jonathan's English Staffie......and me!!  

Anyway, the police were coming to see her, but I've not yet had an update.....watch this space!

I did a little playing today.......was very tempted to plunge me hot hands into more frosty Christmas stuff, but bit me bottom lip and backed away from the stash....haaaa!

Here's what I came up with, instead.......

I didn't want to put my usual number of pics up, firstly because it's pretty self-explanatory....aren't they all?...heehee.....and secondly because I want to show you something else.....but, first the card.

I used kraft base and some papers from a collection called "New Leaf" by Mindy Terasawa.....I've made a few more with this gorgeous set, so look out for them........I cut the sentiment (TLC) with my new Spellbinder's die, and cut another piece of kraft for underneath.......clipped both together with the dinky paper clip and a bit of string....very manly....., and added 3 candi dots...done!

Gillian has had a bit of a day, whichever way you look at it; not only was she burgled, but her eldest child, Harrison, finished at primary school today....aaawwww....can't believe he goes to high school in September!

His class was given the best kind of treat....picked up, after school, in a limo and taken to play bowls.....and fed, to boot!

Harrison is the one with his arms raised.....does he look pleased, or what?

Is it me, or do they all look a bit under-whelmed?

hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://desmetdt.blogspot.co.uk/  A Day at the Office

http://useyourstuff.blogspot.co.uk/  Craft with Kraft

http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/  Make your own (I made the clippie embellie)

Cosy snowman card

Hi, and welcome!

I guess the title might just give away what I've been up to....haaahaaa!

Firstly, I'm sending hugs and sloppy kisses to you all, and saying thank you for all the get well wishes.....and don't worry.....I think I'm almost germ-free, now...heehee........

Had a nasty few days, though.......swollen glands, sore throat, swollen lymphy-thingy arm.....and now I'm left with a cough that is buggin' the heck out of me......but, I'm a woman, so will survive, lol.....

I really, really needed to do some serious cooling-off........summer has at last arrived in my part of Merry Old England and I am meeeeeellllttttiiiinnnnnngggggg........have I ever mentioned that I really don't like the heat?.....okay, okay, maybe a few dozen times, but what do you expect from somebody with freckles?...haa!

Didn't have a lot of time to play today, so this really was a very quick little make........

I used an embossed card base and coloured up my little frosty friend with the usual Promarkers.......

This little fella is from Happileigh.....sweeeet!  I edged the card and the label  with a smidgin of red chalk, and used a Sakura white glaze pen to add the dotties to his warm and snuggly scarf and hat......can't have him catching a cold, can I?......

A couple of scraps of pretty festive ribbon, topped with a snowflake button, and my pretty little card is  done!

Hope you like him......

hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

delightfulsketches.blogspot.com  Christmas in July

paperplaychallenges.blogspot.com  Christmas in July

sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com  Monochromatic

jellyparkchallenges.blogspot.com  Christmas

totallystampalicious.blogspot.com  Texture (the card base is dry embossed)

cutedaisymay.blogspot.com  Christmas in July

quirkycrafts.blogspot.com  Christmas in July

stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com  CAS

craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/  Monochromatic

http://cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas in July

Card for a Child

Hello, and welcome!

Oh dear........I'm afraid I couldn't come up with a snazzy post title.....not that I ever do...haaaa!....but today, I'm struggling to keep my eyes open, so this post might be a case of "spot the typo"...lol......

I've had a sore throat for a couple of days, and now my left ear is hurting, and my glands are swollen......and somebody is clickin' away on a keyboard, and it hurts my head......okay, that'll be me then, haaa......

Today's challenge at 

Card Crafter's Circle

is

CHILDREN

so we want to see a card (or any other creation) for a child.....easy-peasy!

Our sponsor today is the fabulous

 

and the wonderful owner, Mary Ellen,  is generously offering 3 of the images that have been used by our Design Team to the randomly chosen winner, so you need to hop over to the challenge blog to see what you fancy......all the team members have come up with some great inspirational creations, this week!

Our twin grandchildren, Adam and Freya, will be turning 4 in September, and I made this card with Freya in mind........just have to remember to make something for Adam, too....haaa.....

I really like making these step cards.....one cut, one fold....done!

How d'you like my new Spellbinder's Office Supplies dies?  I love 'em.....especially since they were FREE!  I won them over at the CROPSTOP, recently and can't put them down....too cute!

Well, you know what I'm like....freebies make up a lot of my crafty stash, and these papers are no exception.....they came with a magazine, and you might remember that I've used 'em before......yummy!

Isn't she a darlin'?  I enjoyed colouring her with the ol' Promarkers....some are running out (eeek).....and I love it when I can "dress" my images in outrageous colours....my kiddles would have divorced me as their Mum if I'd dressed 'em like this....haaaaa!

D'you see the drops on the ice cream.....and dribbles?.......my Sakura Glaze pen has run out, too.....(double eek), so I used dots of white Gesso.....worked a treat and gave a bit of texture and dimension........oh, I'm sooo arty-farty.........

This lovely two-tone ribbon was part of another win......Crafty Ribbons, this time.......and I gave it a little twist, and anchored with two cute ladybirds that have been in my button stash for yonks........fly, likkle ladybirds, fly.......!

Sorry.......I've been sluggin' back the Benylin.........haaaaa...

This likkle label is part of that new Spellbinder's set........looks great in kraft with a bit of inking.......sorry....that's on another card,  lol.........

I used a number sticker and some teeny brads on this.........

A die from another label set, with a rub-on sentiment completes the card......yaaaaaaaaay!

Right, I'm off to try to catch Babbit before she chews more of me petunias.....wouldn't mind if she actually likes 'em.....she just chews 'em up and spits 'em out..........wascally wabbit!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:
http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes
http://thepapershelter.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes
http://thesquirrelandthefox.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/challenge-22-kids-or-babies.html  Kids or babies
http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

Christmas Star Wreath

Hello, and welcome!

I thought it was about time I did some catch-up with me little bloggie friends.......I've not been around, in Blogland, as much as usual simply because I've been far too busy.......a little of this, a little of that.......and the time zooms on by, with nary a wave.....haaaa!

Yesterday, I was up at the crack of dawn........yawwwwnnn....at least, that's what 6.00am felt like......I am not a morning person.........had no idea that there a two 6 o'clocks in a day....haaaaa!  I was supposed to be taking my dear old Mam to the hospital to have a cataract removed.....she still enjoys tellin' anyone who'll listen about the first  one she had removed......"it was a s thick as a brick!".......heehee........and this one was going the same way....needed to be out.

I was up, showered, powdered and puffed, dressed and ready to go..........phone call from Mam........she'd been lying awake,  all night, and was too tired to go......hmmmpphhh!!

Had to make another appointment........turned out she was more worried about this cataract, because........"the last one was as thick as a brick, so this might be a concrete slab!".  Has a real sense of drama, my Mam, lol.........

So.....what else have I been up to?  Let me tell ya.........

When I was in New York, in January, I bought some Scrap Bags of quilting fabric.....essentially, they are long strips of beautiful fabric, measuring about 4 inches by 20 inches, and they are perfect for stitching scrappy quilts.  One of my Scrap Bags was full of Christmas fabrics, (of course!), and I'm now almost finished handsewing a lovely Christmas quilt to go over the back of my sofa.....woohoo!

I've also been doing some more work in the front garden.....in between torrential downpours!.......and my new lavender hedge is planted, pretty and perfumed!  I planted it up against our low red-brick wall, which has cream stone coping on top, and the whole effect is lovely.......definitely needed doin'....haaa!

Next to keep me fingers busy is a Chjristmas Wreath.....well, I am on a countdown to the most wonderful time of the year, even if I am on me own.....lol......

I was inspired by a little beauty I spotted on Pinterest and you'll find the tutorial if you click on the link.

I changed mine up a bit........I simply cut 2 pieces of thick(ish) cardboard, (I drew around my pizza stone, which is about 12 inches across)......then put a large dinner plate in the centre, and drew around and cut out the middle bit.

Next step is to cut two different sizes of stars.....I used my Fiskar's template......about 12 large and 24 smaller.

The larger ones are cut from some of last year's Christmas stash, 12 of the smaller ones are cut from the same paper choice, and the other 12 smaller ones are cut from red and green cardstock.....

All you then have to do is score all the stars, (except the 12 cut from red and green card) on the back, from every point.....this gives the 3D effect.......I then used a hot glue gun to fix the red and green (flat) stars to the card circles (which are stuck one on top of each other), and then place the larger stars around the circle, on top of the red and green card ones.

The smaller red stars are then placed between the large stars........I used buttons on the larger stars, and candi drops on the smaller.

I tried putting a bow on the top, but didn't like the effect.......I'm more a long, knotted piece of string girl....haaa!  Might change it, later......who knows?.......

I actually ended up  making two of these........Daughter # 1 was supposed to be making her own, but didn't!

I think it looks quite sweet........

Will probably be hung in my front porch, come the Season To Be Merry.....and I'm thinkin' of making an Autumnal one, too......love wreaths!!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://totallygorjuss.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas in July

http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/challenge-36-christmas-in-july.html  Christmas in July

http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/challenge-44-anything-goes.html  Anything goes

http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  "N" is for Not a Card

http://ccmonthlychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Ho Ho Ho Christmas

http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything but a card

http://www.bellichallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas in July (I used old papers from  last year)

Christmas in July

Hello, and welcome!

You know, I never really thought of myself as much of a pessimist.......it just seems to be easier to look on the bright side, most of the time......but maybe I'm really just naive, rather than an optimist........I'm ramblin', aren't I?.....sorry......just really thought that yesterday was a turning point for this dreadful non-summer we are having.....sigh.......

It really was a lovely day.......sun was pleasantly warm (have I ever mentioned I can't stand HEAT?...haa), washing was on the line.......a gentle breeze wafted the scent of my summer stocks and roses through the doors and windows....and I had a chance to straighten up the front garden, because it stayed dry........oh, that blessed word!

I have to be very careful about gardening, these days......legacy of having no lymph nodes in one arm, and the smallest cut or scrape can give me major problems.....but Jonathan and Tanys helped do the donkey work, and I soon had a clean and trimmed summer garden......yaaaaay!  I even managed to do some planting.......beautiful white margaritas, and some new lavender bushes.......gorgeous!  I had 40 begonias waiting to be put in pots, too.....planned to pot 'em up today........but no........torrential downpours, yet again....all flippin' day!!  Grrrrrrrrr!!!!

Good job I don't mind crafting at any time....haaaaa!

Another new challenge at the wonderful

Card Crafter's Circle

and this week we are celebrating....woohoo!.....

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Oh, I love it, heehee........

We have not one, but two fabulous sponsors this week......

Happileigh Scrappin' 

who are offering one random winner the selection of images that our Design Team members are using this week......how fab is that?

And

Stamp Art Design by Kathryne 

You may know Kathryne from the Whimsy Stamp Store and she is very generously offering another randomly drawn winner 4 images of their choice.........fantastic!

Here's my offering, using Happileigh's FILL THE HOLIDAYS WITH LOVE  image and sentiment (the Christmas tree), and Kathryne's JOYFUL GINGERBREAD ........

Does anybody recognise that background paper?  I have a few small scraps of it left, and can't remember where I got it from....but I like it, lol......

I thought I'd have a change and use reds and browns to colour the image....Promarkers, of course......and just a touch of green on those pretty parcels....cute.

The label is a Nestie, and is chalked.....

Isn't this image sweet?  I love the ikkle buttons......

And here are the two teeny guys and their teeny girlie friend, togged up with their ricrac and heart buttons....so sweeeeet!   I cut the three banners from more scraps, and inked......

I just fell in love with this sentiment....it comes with the Christmas tree...yaaay!....and a pretty holly button finishes it off, nicely.

Do yourself a favour and take a sken at what the Design Team have done with their chosen images.......we all managed to come up with some little belters, this week!

Oh, I'm soooo humble...haaahaaa!

hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://jellyparkchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas in July

http://thepoodlesparlour.blogspot.co.uk/  Use a digi

http://lilredwagon.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas in July

http://lollipopcrafts.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/christmas-in-july-challenge-84.html  Christmas in July

http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas in July

http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas in July

http://crazychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas in July

http://www.thehybridchick.com/2012/07/card-caravan-22-christmas-in-july/  Christmas in July

One we never want to make!

Hi, and welcome!

July is definitely a huge wash-out, as far as summer goes...pun intended, with gritted teeth!

You know me.......give me a snow blizzard and I'm cosying-up with me mug of hot choc (heavy on the marshmallows), a good book or film, and a handmade quilt....bliss......but all this piggin' rain is way and beyond anything like seasonal....it's supposed to be midsummer, for goodness sake!!

I was talking to my next-door neighbour, Bill, this morning.  His lovely wife, Stella, died very suddenly, on Sunday.  Our family was at church when she was whisked away in an ambulance, and she died in hospital.  

It seems that she had a blood clot near her heart.  She was in her eighties......older than Bill, but usually very healthy and fit.  Bill and Stella came to live with their daughter, who already lived next door to us, a few years ago.

I'll miss my little chats with Stella......we usually saw each other when I popped down to the bottom of the garden to feed Babbit........we are in the middle house of three, and each house has land at the back, beyond the garden......Stella would wander down to see how Bill's apple trees were doing, (always better than ours...haaa!), and we would "hide" down there and have girlie chats.......she liked to tell me how her big brothers would chase off any prospective boyfriends, before she met Bill........tickled me, every time!

This was a hard card to make, so I kept it simple........

A square card blank with a strip of black and white script paper from my scrap box (es)....I laid a piece of eyelet lace across and was going to use some ribbon through it, but it somehow detracted from the simplicity that I wanted to keep......

I've had this rubber stamp for years, and never used it......I inked most of the image with black Archival, but used a red Promarker on the single flower.  Tearing the edges of the card and adding a piece of black, treated the same way, finished the image block.......

I did the same with the sentiment which is a really old PSX stamp....as I said, simple....no frills or embellies......Stella was a straightforward lady who told it as it was.

She'll now be in the arms of her cherished son, who died a few years ago in a car crash.

I'll miss her.

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/digistamps-4-joy-challenge-45-black-and.html  Black and white + one other colour

http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.co.uk/  Monochromatic (hope my bit of red is ok?)

Bugaboo Summer Holiday

Hello, and welcome!

Oh, my goodness.....flash floods all over the Northwest of England (that's right here!), and the news broadcasts are full of the terrible damage that is happening......and there is still an awful lot more to come.......and we are in the middle of our so-called summer!!

It's heartbreaking to see so many people affected........poor things.

Hubby and I are blessed to live on high ground, so the worst we have is waterlogged gardens and very large (and deep!) puddles.

Let's get to today's creation...........It's time for another challenge at 

Card Crafter's Circle 

and this week we want to see what you can create with our lovely (if somewhat ironic, here in the UK) theme of

SUMMER HOLIDAY 

We have a very popular sponsor

 

and they are offering our randomly chosen winner 7 fabulous images!

I love Bugaboo.....they have something for everyone, and every occasion....woohoo!

My card is a little tongue-in-cheek, keeping in mind that many Brits choose to "holiday" at home, and this card has already been given to my lovely hubby, for our anniversary......heehee.....


Unfortunately, my camera has decided it has been given far too much work to do, lately, so is givin' me a hard time.....I've sent it to its room to think about its behaviour...haaa.......but it means I could take only one photo......might be a blessing in disguise, given my lack of photography skills.....lol......
I used some K&Co. background paper, edged with black ink, then a lovely, cute frame sticker (Sue Dreamer), layered onto white card and outlined in black again.
I have a ikkle giggle, every time I see this image...blaaahhhhh.......all coloured up with Promarkers, and a small piece of cute, cute "love" ribbon (part of a win at Crafty Ribbons), used as a tiny banner, on the side.
I used another of the stickers from Sue Dreamer to place a rub-on sentiment, mounted onto more white card, and outlined....then I put on me Superhero cloak (the one that gives me courage) and hand scribbled "but" and "anyway" before and after the sentiment.....don't hold my awful handwriting scribble against me...ha!

I'd love to see what you all come up with for this one.....especially if you live in Merry Oldye England.....haaaa!

hugs,
Anne-Marie x

Challenges:
http://cropstop.blogspot.co.uk/  Show us some Love
http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.co.uk/  Gardeners World
http://myheartpiecesdigitalstampchallenge.blogspot.in/  For someone special (my hubby!)
http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.co.uk/  Summer
http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.co.uk/  Use text/sentiment
http://deliciousdoodleschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/challenge-23-summer-holidays.html  Summer Holidays
http://www.doitwithdigischallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Summer Holiday

Jolly Christmas card

Hello, and welcome!

I was takin' a peek at the weather forecast for the rest of this week.....like ya do......and there is a lot more rain to come.........my poor pansies have given up the ghost and have rotted at the roots!

Enough, say I!

Parts of our lovely country have literally been flooded, and so much damage has been done.

I might be havin' a moan about not being able to hang the wash out, and about my bedding plants being awash, but we are blessed to live on high ground, so all the wet stuff that falls eventually drains away, and we are safe and sound.......many are not so fortunate, and my heart goes out to those who are affected by this terrible weather.

I'd like to say a warm Thank You to Doreen and Victoria (waving, ladies!) who responded to my plea for prayers for Immy........I am so very grateful, and will let you know the outcome.

Well, despite what the weather is up to, it is actually our midsummer, and that can mean only one thing in Craftland......it's time to make some Christmas cards...woohoo!!!

There are quite a few Christmas challenges around, so today's card was made with a few of them in mind.......

I used a cute sketch from Sparkles Christmas Challenge .......makes life a LOT easier, lol.........and will keep this sketch in my file....I like it a lot....haaaa!

I used a kraft base and a lovely spotty background paper, then inked with fluid chalk for definition........placed three banners cut from glittery red-striped papers, as in the sketch, and used 3 cute Christmas buttons on them, and another, below, as the sentiment.......a sparkly white and gold snowflake was used in a corner of the framed image......love me some snowflakes.........

Another challenge I'm entering is Crafty Hazelnut's and she's asking for Festive Funnies, and I think this little fella from Elizabeth Dulemba is hilarious....he's jolly and round, and makes me smile........he's coloured up with Promarkers and is on two Nestie labels and a piece of kraft.

I like the way this turned out, and hope you agree 'cos I need some strokin' and pattin'.....haaaa!

Back tomorrow.....or, that's the plan, anyways.

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com  Festive Funnies

sparklesforumchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com  Sketch

http://thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas in June

crimbo-crackers.blogspot.com  Anything goes

http://52cct.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.com  Christmas Flowers/Holly (I used both)

thesquirrelandthefox.blogspot.com  Christmas in July

ccmonthlychallenge.blogspot.com  Ho Ho Ho Christmas

http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

Emily, the Mountain Conquerer!

Hello, and welcome!

Two posts in one day?........amazing, I know!

I just had to tell you about an event that happened yesterday, because I am so incredibly proud of my extended family.

Our eldest son, Mark, is married to the lovely Angela........Angela has a sister, Sarah, who has three children.  The middle child is 4 year old Imogen, (known as Immy).......Immy has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

Rocks you back, doesn't it?

She has had all the treatments that were possible, with the view that she may live a little longer........brave, brave tot that she is.

Her parents want to give her the opportunity to see as much of their extended family, and to have as many joyous family experiences, as they can possibly give her........but her Daddy has missed a lot of his work, what with hospital appointments and "bad" days.......and their finances are suffering.

My beautiful, generous DIL #1, Angela, took it upon herself  to raise funds to help them be able to afford a few special outings, and cover their costs.

She came up with the idea of a sponsored walk........up the highest mountain in the British Isles, outside of Scotland.......Snowden!

It is 3560 feet above sea level, and yesterday, the day of the hike, the weather was appalling.........driving, cold rain......thunder and lightening.......and whipping winds........who'da thunk, eh?......the end of June, and more like January....haaahaaaa!

I'm not sure how much money was raised, but I do know that 43 people, aged from 3 years to 93 years, made that climb.......and a lot of them were members of our extended family......yaaaaaay!

I am so proud of each and every one of them.....they were amazing.

But, there has to be one person, in particular, who is not only amazing..........but is a LEGEND.........Angela's 93 year old grandmother, Emily, climbed every inch of that mountain without so much as a walking stick!!!!!!

Here she is........

Emily is enjoying a very well-earned cup of hot chocolate, at the cafe on the summit......yep......there's an actual cafe, there.......and the very handsome young man on the receiving end of a warm hug is my 6 year old grandson, Spencer....the lucky boy who shares his birthday with me.

He, too, walked the mountain, carrying his own little rucksack..........yaaaaay, Spencer!

These are the children who also walked the mountain.......some of them are cousins to Immy, on her Mummy's side, and five of them are my own grandkiddles....  ...the boy in the back (yellow sweater) is our 14 year old Jack.....the girl in the front (pink jacket) is his sister, 8 year old Taylor......green-cladded action man is 6 year old Spencer......orange action man is Jack and Taylor's brother, 10 year old Lewis......the crouching girl (needed the toilet!) in front end is Spencer's 8 year old sister, Alexandra.........each and every one of these lovely children walked that mountain, in horrible weather, without one word of complaint........I am in awe of them!

I might also mention that my lovely Daughter #3, Leigh-Anne.....she of the nimble quilty fingers......also raffled a beautiful quilt that she'd made, to raise money towards Immy's fund.....and the lovely lady who won the quilt wants it to go to Immy.....how lovely is that?

There are so many generous, loving people in the world.......and I know that my dear bloggie friends are of that ilk, so I'm going to ask a favour.

Immy had her latest scan, last week, and will get the results on Tuesday next........please offer a little prayer that she may get a better outcome than her last one.

If you've stayed with this post, thus far.......THANK YOU!!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

 

Have you seen Studio 12 yet?

Hi, and welcome!

Just a quick shout out for an absolutely fantastic new site

I am sooooo excited about all the inspiration that is to be found on there.....you really do need to give this one a whirl.

They are a multi-media site, and showcase some wonderful hybrid goodies that will leave you slobberin'  around the chops......or is that just me?....haaaa!

Go look, and I'll see you later!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x