More Christmas

Evening fellow crafters.  I have had a busy and interesting week and not crafted much but tonight I made this easel card using a fabric square.  Time consuming but a pleasing result methinks.
I had lunch today with a friend I worked with in 1975.  I'd like to think we hadn't changed a bit!!  We went over old times and tried to remember the names and faces of our old colleagues, over lunch in The H. G. Wells pub in Worcester Park.
Earlier in the week we had an electricity outage in our street and we had received no warning from the electricity supplier. I had never been so long without caffeine.  I had to go to the shops for a hot latte for me and a neighbour.  Someone told me that if they fail to advise customers about the power cut, you can receive compensation.  So I wrote an email to EDF and low and behold, £22 is winging its way to us as I write.  I have been telling my neighbours so they too can share in the compensation.  It's not a fortune but it may buy a new set of Nesties or something similar.
My friend Linda came over this week for a day of crafting.  We had a good day and she tried out my Cuttlebug before she purchases one of her own. I don't think I make a card now without using mine in some way or another.
Tomorrow Mike and I are meeting friends and going to a jazz evening in Caterham.  Should be fun. 

Flutterby

Hi there!  Back to crafting again.  We have been entertaining my sister-in-law from Canada on and off for six weeks and tomorrow she flies home.  I haven't been doing much card making but will have to step it up  to get some more Christmas cards made in time for the festive season.
Yesterday we had a very pleasant afternoon in Covent Garden in central London.  There was much street theatre and lots of stalls selling all manner of lovely things.  We had a look in the National Opera House and had coffee in the London Transport Museum.  Then the rain started and we could neither get into Covent Gdn. or Leicester Square underground station or find a taxi.  We walked some way towards Charing Cross and eventually found a black cab and we rode in comfort to Waterloo before returning home.
This card was for my friend Deborah.  Getting the butterfly to cut out with the Cuttlebug needed brute force unfortunately.  Thought I might break the machine but happily it all turned out ok.  More soon.

Wet weekend

After a busy day I have finally got time to update my blog.  My friends Jill and John came on Saturday, on their way home from a holiday in Portugal.  Someone took one of their suitcases and so it took them a lot longer to get through the airport.  Their arriving on Saturday meant I had to miss Sharon's Stampin' Up day, which was a pity as missed the last one also.  On Sunday we all went to the Ardingly country show which was good but we were just soaking.  What a shame for the stall holders.  There were lots of lovely dogs there, so that was nice.  I also had a long conversation with the RSPB experts about my garden birds.
I managed to make this card with Jill last night.  I have used a Lili Of The Valley topper.  They are selling them for £2.50 for 20 and they make a nice quick card.  I have glittered up her bonnet but it's hard to see in the photograph.
I took Jill & John to Gatwick airport this morning and they travelled back home to The Isle of Man. My next guest arrived five hours later.  Mike's sister came back from Bournemouth today so I had lots of laundry to get done before she arrived.  It's all go once you've taken early retirement you know.

What a wet day we have here.

Howdy crafters! It has been so wet here today that I would rather stay home than go out - as I have to.  I'm having my eyes tested.  It's long overdue, so who knows - my card making may improve.  I took the dogs out in the pouring rain and wind and only Benson enjoyed it.  As he's besotted with ball play, he really doesn't mind the weather.  Taffy on the other hand prefers it dry as he needs a showering when he gets home. The walk took longer than expected because a lady had locked her dog and keys in her car.  I volunteered to take her home to get her spare keys.  Then she realised she wouldn't be able to get in without her door keys.  So I took her to her daughter's home for a spare set of front door keys, then to her house for the car keys and then her son-in-law took her back to the park and the poor bewildered dog.
I went to Alexander Palace with my pal Linda last Sunday.  We had a great day and it was good to see all my favourite stands - Clarity, Lili Of The Valley and Little Claire designs.  The Lavender Lane girls were there also - opposite the Glitter Girls!!  The Lavender Lane girls are just that though - girls!  Missed Kim, as she was there the day before.  Although I didn't need much, I still came home with lots of goodies and some great Clarity stamps.  Cards to be made and shown here very soon.
I am very excited (it doesn't take much I know) but I have just spotted a Sparrowhawk in my garden not five feet from the kitchen window. Thankfully, the little birds feeding in my garden, had scarpered before she landed. It's true, the best things in life are free.