Festive cheer to my readers

Good Morning dear reader!  This will be my last post before Christmas I believe.  I think the weather this year is going to change many people's plans - including ours!  I love the snow but it has been irritating not being able to get about in the car.  We were to go to a dinner party with dear friends on Saturday but chose not to risk it, the roads being so icy and the snow so deep. It was such a shame as we had a dog sitter and I had made a Christmas floral arrangement for the hostess - and we haven't seen these friends for so long.

My next door neighbour ran into a roundabout and messed up the front of her car.   We 'hummed and haaahed' about going out yesterday but did manage to get to The Simply Red concert at The O2 Arena in London last night.  We walked to the station and got into London easily and had an uneventful trip - thankfully.  It was -10 degs on the way home though. The show was terrific - and Mick Hucknall's last.  He doesn't live far from us and I seem to be the only one of my friends who hasn't bumped into him in Waitrose or sitting next to him in traffic.

This card is for my sister's birthday on Christmas Eve.  I'm hoping to give it to her - as opposed to sending it.  Who knows?  I have used a new Cuttlebug embossing/cutting folder.  I think they are fantastic and make the card for you almost.  AND you only put it through the Cuttlebug machine once.  They're quite expensive but worth it in my humble opinion. I just added some bling.

So, I wish all my friends and readers a very happy holiday season.  See you on the other side!  Gill x

Last Christmas card ~ I Promise

Good Evening dear reader. After this card, no more Christmas!  I made this card for a lady whose dog I walk ~ Benson by name ~ sweetheart by nature.  She was delighted with it I'm pleased to say.  Hasn't this month flown by?  I can hardly keep up.  Today I went to Polesden Lacey, a National Trust property that belonged to a Mrs. Greville, a fab hostess of her time.  Benson's owner ~ Olive ~ treated me to lunch for walking him for her.  We went into the gift shop afterwards and I spent far too much but couldn't help it ~ honest.
As my Christmas gift to Olive, I made her a door swag.

In fact yesterday was flower arranging all day.  I made myself one of these swags and also did a wreath for a friend of ours.
Well now The X Factor is finished, we'll have more time to ourselves at the weekend!!  I was hoping Rebecca would win but I guess she'll do ok now she's had the coverage.  Those who hate the show will probably think I'm sad but we enjoy it.
All I have left to do now, is wrap all my gifts for  the holiday season.  I'm not particularly fond of this chore ~ not being very profficient at it. I need a gift wrapping course ~ as my friend Jill will testify when her parcel arrives.
Did I mention I got the job?  It's driving school children to and from school in Surbiton, Surrey.  I need to be vetted before I can begin and hopefully the bad weather will have passed when I start the job.  Can't wait.
And another thing!! I got to target weight at my local Slimming World Club last week ~ having had a loss every week since September. (Yes, it took that long!) I'm now regretting that wonderful Christmas lunch I had earlier today.  No I'm not!

Ready For Christmas?

Good evening crafters.  Another cold day here in Epsom.  The remaining snow has become treacherous and oh so slippery.  On the bright side, it's so nice to see all the Christmas decorations going up.  I just love the colourful trimmings on the outside of people's houses.  I hate it when it's all over.
This card was an order for a friend.  I used a fabric square this time.
I went to Joyce's house last week and did a pedestal flower arrangement with the flowers bought for the restaurant party.  However, Mike's car got stuck in her long drive and I had to help him dig it out.  It took forever and noone offered assistance.  I was worn out.

At least they can have the benefit of these blooms for a week or so.  I don't often get a chance to do big arrangements, so it was good to do these.
Well, tomorrow I go for my interview.  Wish me luck.  It was put off last week because of the snow.

Best laid plans and all that.......

Busy week this end dear readers.  Went to Lavender Lane shop for a class on Saturday morning with Kim Reygate.  That's always good fun and very informative.  We made cards using a 'Faux Mother of Pearl' effect using accent powders.  The card above was made for my friend Purnima.  The stamp was one of my dear Mum's, so it was nice to use that.
For some months, we have been helping to plan an 80th birthday party in a restaurant in Banstead.  Indeed, my last post featured the card for Joyce who is 80 today.  Imagine our horror when we awoke to snow this morning.    Mike and I had everything to decorate the restaurant and the birthday cake.  We set out at 2pm and after one and a half hours, had only travelled two miles.  The balloon man could not get to the restaurant either and left the balloons in our porch!  We came home ~ eventually ~ and Joyce informed us that she couldn't get out of her house and the entertainer had turned back.
We couldn't get in the house for all the balloons in the doorway.  I have huge amounts of flowers here, which I was going to arrange in a pedestal arrangement, candles, seating plans, name cards etc etc.  So the whole event was cancelled.  What a huge shame for Joyce.  When the snow has gone, I shall go to her house with the flowers and arrange them there. Joyce had bought some silk Christmas flowers a few weeks ago and I turned them into a table centre piece.

I was going for my interview tomorrow for my job but I think I'll postpone it.  I walked Taffy and Benson in the snow today.  They get frisky in the wintry weather.  I cleared Olive's path for her - front and back and put down some salt.  I went round there again tonight to clear the paths once more and fill the bird feeders and feed her beloved wild foxes.  They eat better than we do!!  We have our own fox.  We've named him/her Fergie.  I feel sorry for all the wildlife in the winter and make sure all the birds have plenty to eat.  I have seen the first redwings already in the park.
Well instead of a posh night out, Mike and I are now eating leftovers for dinner and I won't have to break my diet. (I seem to be forgetting the eccles cake and two biscuits eaten at Olive's today - for services rendered!) So it should be good news if I can get to the slimming club tomorrow!  Don't hold your breath.
BTW - check out the new designs on the Pink Gem website.

Birthday card for a change

We are going to a party next week.  Joyce will be 80 and this is her card.  I shall add a greeting before I give it to her. I know what you're thinking and yes, it's a Kanban butterfly but having bought them, I am going to use them.  And I like them!  Quick and easy.  It's how you put them together isn't it?  I will be doing a pedestal of flowers in the restaurant and decorating the tables.

A friend of mine has mentioned there may be a job vacancy that I might be interested in taking up.  Part-time of course and who knows? It'll mean setting the alarm clock again!  Watch this space.

The holidaymaker is home

Hi folks.  The wanderer returns from a lovely holiday in Tenerife with her husband, sister and her spouse. The weather was superb, if a little too hot for this fair maiden - oh ok - older woman.  I go pale skinned and return the same. Factor 50 is my best friend.
So I now have to catch up on things and get my last Christmas cards finished.  I have done most of my Christmas shopping but will have floral door wreaths to make in December.  Quizzes to make for the Christmas quiz night at my sister's house in December and all the other things you good people have to tackle every year.  More soon.

Christmas Still

No matter how many Christmas cards I make, I know it won't be enough.  Every year I seem to send more. So I made these few yesterday.  They are all similar using some nice paper I bought last year and didn't use.

This one uses a KanBan topper which I liked.  Cheating I know.

Another part of the KanBan kit - good value I think!

And my favourite Pink Gem stamp this year.  I use her a lot.
Mike and I have been working very hard in the garden for two days and are exhausted.  We've cut back many plants and taken several out.  The rose bed is to be completely re-planted.  Some of the roses were past their best and I had also planted a shrub which turned out to be a triffid and took over the whole bed. Hot baths tonight I think. Taffy tried to help by burying my gardening gloves whenever they were left unattended and getting absolutely filthy with mud.  There's still much to be done but we've made a start.
Bye for now.