Broom, Broom

Afternoon all - depending on where you are when you read this I suppose! Welcome.
I have made this card for our nephew Steve.  I find it a little harder to make cards for young men but I hope this fits the bill.  The car topper is one from Lili of the Valley from a few years ago.   Haven't they come on recently?  I have embossed the green and white card with a Cuttlebug folder and added silver brads.  The greeting is a peel off and I just put a little distress ink around the edges with some faux stitching.
Well, I enjoyed my day at Alexandra Palace at the papercraft show.  It took an hour to get there and nearly two to drive home.  We came home through central London - more by accident than design. At the venue, in another room, they were setting up for a celebratory Songs of Praise for the TV.  Apparently Andrea Bocelli, Katherine Jenkins and Beverley Knight were to perform.  So when 4pm rolled around, we were ushered out fairly smartly, for the high brow and pious to take our place.
I didn't spend wildly - for a change.  If I live to be 150, I'll never make a dent in the stock I have already.  I'm not alone in this and I'm not naming names, but you know who you are!!
It was great to see and speak to Barbara Gray from Clarity Stamps.  She's so hilarious.  We watched one of her demos - using a stamp I bought last year.  I really must get on with my Christmas cards and catch up with Kim.  How many now Kim? BTW - I have your cardigan.
So, the weekend went far too quickly and it's back to work with the boys.
Did I tell you I made a little boy cry?  I didn't mean to.  First term I let them ride roughshod over me, and was advised to inflict a modicum of discipline on them.  So we were still in the school playground when one 7 year old made another cry by bending his fingers the wrong way.  I rose to my full height of five feet four and threequarter inches and towered above the 'naughty' boy.  I asked him to come and sit closer to me at the front of the bus.  He followed me to the front and then burst out crying.  Obviously - he then sat where he wanted.  I hated myself.  Finger bending will no doubt continue! Back to the drawing board.  Not being a parent - I don't know what's deemed good behaviour and what isn't.  Help all you young mums.

Dance the night away

Evening all!  I had a lovely day today with my girlfriends and Kim at Lavender Lane.  It'll be my last class there, as they're closing soon and I will be on holiday for their last class.  Today we made Christmas cards with Butterfly Kisses and Hobby Art stamps.  Photos to follow.  It was good to hear from the ladies saying they check out my blog - as it can seem that no one is reading it.  So it has inspired me to carry on.  Thank you.
This card was for my 'Aunty Lou', who lives on The Isle of Man.  She was my Mum's best friend.  I have used one of my favourite toppers and have embossed the brown card.  Mat and layering, and punching complete the design.
I have been to my sister in law's tonight for a lovely Indian curry.  As usual, I was the only one who went back for more.  I even had apple pie and custard afterwards.  I'm unsure as to which Indian state apple pie comes from. Methinks I should start dieting again come Monday.
Last Wednesday, I went with my friend Jane Price to an antiques fair in Berkeley Square in London.  What a posh do that was.  Two gentlemen in morning dress greeted us at the entry to the marquee.  I don't think there was anything for sale for less than several hundred pounds.  We didn't like anything anyway!!  I mean, who would want any of that exquisite jewellery?  There were certainly people who were buying though.  On our way out, we saw a man sitting in the park with two huge tropical parrots on a park bench.  We had a good lunch in Shepherd's Market before parting company and me going to work.
Off to bed now - to dream about the Alexandra Palace Papercraft Show tomorrow.  Better wear my sensible shoes!

If music be the food of love....

Where does the weekend go?  Here we are, Sunday evening and I'm already thinking of getting up early tomorrow morning.  Still, 'X Factor's back on the tv.  Love it or hate it I still think it's compulsive viewing.  I don't know where they get half these people from.
Yesterday we attended a 60th birthday party and there were lots of musicians playing guitars, electric double bass and a teenager who played jazz fiddle - just like Stephane Grappelli - if you're old enough to remember him.  He was marvellous.  I was running out of time to get ready and do everything I needed to and very nearly ran to the shops to buy a card.  But I remembered I had a background rubber stamp with music on it and another of a double clef, so I quickly knocked up this card before you now.  I stamped the double clef all over cream card.  Then stamped out the music.  Mat and layered everything, added embellishments and did the greeting on the computer.  I kept everything with right angles, to keep it fairly masculine and this is the first card I've made in ages without using my Nestabilites.  I was so glad I bothered because the chap loved it and said it was 'cool'.  'Hip' talk from a 60 year old - I was flattered.

Today I have been to the Sandown Papercraft Show in Esher, Surrey.  I bought some good things and intend to make some cards to show you what I chose.  (If I can remember what to do with them!!)  Watch this space.

Lili of The Valley does Christmas

Hello Crafters one and all.  This little lady is a Lili of the valley topper.  I do like them.  It's so quick to make a Christmas card.  I just Nestied the image and put glitter around the edges.  I have glittered her hood too.  The red card went though the Spellbinder in an embossing folder which just embossed the border of the card.  The photo once again doesn't do it justice but I'm sure you get the idea.  Happy holidays ribbon and a snowflake complete the card in a very short space of time.
I have had a busy week - again!! Getting up early for work has at least helped me to sleep slightly better through the night - although I still wake up.  Two days ago, as I left home at 06.45 hrs, I found an injured or poisoned fox in my neighbour's front garden.  It was fitting and couldn't walk, so I went back inside and got the number of the RSPCA and woke Mike to call them.  They took one and a half hours to get here.  I got home just after the yound inspector had shot the fox.  I am so glad I missed that but slightly upset that she didn't even examine it.  I really wish I'd called a fox or wildlife rescue place now but I was going to be late for work and I just wanted the fox to be out of pain.  Very distressing for everyone.  My husband Mike stayed with the fox and wrapped it in a blanket, as it kept trying to walk.  He held it until the RSPCA arrived.  Whatever people think about them, I cannot bear to see an animal in pain.  And to think it may have been poisoned, makes my blood boil.
Last night I went to a retirement function in Surbiton, Surrey.  A girlfriend of mine was leaving the Metropolitan Police Service after 33 years years.  We met in January 1978, when we both had an interview to join the force.  Goodness, am I that old?  I guess I am.
Mike and I actually have a weekend with nothing planned.  Hurrah!  We intend to go to the cinema.  Any suggestions as to what we see?  I fancy Jane Eyre myself.  More soon.

New Home Card

Hi folks! This card was made using my favourite 'New Home' stamp by Hobby Art. The word stamp is also one of theirs.  I stamped the image just above the centre and using 'Post It' notes, I masked the design and added the green and blue colours using Color Box fluid chalk based inks. I then added the words and the flower, which is a little 'Anita's' stamp.
What a dreadful day weatherwise.  My first day back at school and what a damp one it was.  I got to the pick up point far too early but I'd rather that than be late.  I am driving a brand new bus and I have three new 7 year old boys onboard.  For the afternoon run, I had to do 2 drop off points.  When I got to the first destination, I discovered I had a new boy who was on the wrong bus.  I had picked him up in the morning but his parents wanted him dropped at a different place in the afternoon.  No one told me.  Well by the time I found out, the other boys must have told him goodness knows what, because he had big fat wet ones rolling down his cheeks.  I wanted to give him a big cuddle but you can't do that these days.  So I tried to make him laugh.  I eventually got him to his parents very late in the pouring rain.  They were OK about it but it wasn't a great impression for their son's first day.  However, he was safe with me.  By the time I got back to the school, very late, the boss was there, full of apologies.  He's so nice you can't be mad for long.  As payment, I made him park the bus in a small gap in the playground.  I could have done it but it would have taken ages!!

Christmas continues in September

Hello there.  It's been a few days but I have been very busy.  No change there then.  Last week saw me at The British Wildlife Centre with my husband Mike and Benson's owner, Olive.  It was a really sunny day and I managed to get some good photographs of the animals and owls. On Sunday I went up to Camden Market with a couple of girl friends.  We took a canal trip as far as Little Venice which was lovely.  Then we looked around a few of the markets there.  You certainly see some sights if you are a people watcher - which I am.  Girls with hair colours you can only imagine and so many tattoos.  It's worth a visit just to say you've been.  We later had a meal in Islington in a Brazilian restaurant.
Anyhow, this card is made using a Penny Black stamp.  I 'Nestied' a hole in the main card and embossed the front with a Swiss Dots embossing folder.  I then cut the image out with another Nestie and matt and layered it with the same Nestie only a bigger size. The boots are shiny black, using a gelly roll pen.  The dress is also glossy using the same type of pen.  Embellishments finish off the design.  As it's now September, I think there may be more Christmas on the way.
I go back to my part time job tomorrow.  I can hardly believe eight weeks have come and gone.  Roll on Tenerife in October.