Anyone got a box?

Evening folks.  Today's offering is made using tea and coffee.  Yes, you heard right. As we're in a recession - times are hard.  I missed Kim's class at Lavender Lane, when they did this but she has since shown me how.  The backgound is coloured using a wet teabag.  The flowers were stamped out and coloured in using diluted coffee.  Having coloured the petals, I completely embossed the three layers of the flower and used silicone glue to stick it all together.  The centre of the flower is made of many tiny little gold beads.  As I was making it, all I could think of, was 'I'm going to need a box for this.'  Why wasn't I paying attention?  I used a punch for the dark brown leaves and Kim is going to tell me where I can buy the swirly stamp.  I believe the main flower and leaves are from Hero Arts.
I have had a good day today.  Nothing special but I took Olive to the new cafe in Nonsuch Park and we had a cake and a latte, as they'd run out of sandwiches at 1.30pm.  Then we had a mango and vanilla icecream cone. I had a rest in the afternoon and then little Tilly came over for the weekend.  She's a sweet West Highland White terrier.  She has made herself at home and is now stretched out on the sofa.  She has raw carrots in her dinner. How unusual is that?  Taffy is so good with other dogs in our home.  I should be ironing but I have been watching a film we recorded from the Sky box. Bye for now.

Framed flower

Hi folks!  I have made this card for my friend Marie in Javea, Spain. I should have posted it by now, so unfortunately it will be a little late in getting there.  I started the flower in class last Saturday, so I do not know which company made it.  I bleached out the petals but didn't think they stood out enough, so I coloured them in with Pearl-Ex.  I cut out the yellow frame using nesties and I had used a stamp with bleach on the card.  I decided not to use that side, so why on earth I sprayed the wrong side with glue, I do not know.  I have used a new embossing folder and swiss dots on the background yellow card.
I have been playing whist this afternoon and as I type, my dear Quality Controller is making up a fab smelling lamb dish.  I did do the shopping for the ingredients though - so don't feel so bad for him.  I thought I may have doing some more food tasting this evening but I wasn't summoned.  Good!  I'll be making some more cards.  I have two wedding cards to produce and a 50th for a man.
I don't think it has stopped raining in my neck of the woods for days now.  My tomato plants need sunshine.  The nights will be drawing in soon and it's only 156 and 11 hours until Christmas.  May I be the first to wish you a Happy ...  No possibly not.

Spearmint

Afternoon!  I have been making a couple of cards - as you can see.  I did my dog walking and a little house work first, so don't feel guilty.  I was supposed to be lunching with a girlfriend but she called it off.  I have my husband home this week, which is good.  He's getting around to a few of those little jobs that creep up on you.  I have used a Stampendous stamp.  I started this card in class on Saturday but it does not resemble any of the cards is was meant to look like. I think I was supposed to use bleach somehow.  Anyway, I found some green and white paper which I must have bought before the war - because it was right at the bottom of my box and I haven't been that far down since forever.  The punch is a Martha Stewart one.  The flower in the centre is a fabric one with a black jewel set on top.  You can't see it well, but I've blinged it up with spearmint coloured glitter.  I'm going to have to get a better camera I think.
Whilst I was busy, I spotted my friend in the garden.

I believe this is the male fox and I have not seen the vixen in ages.  I think she may be no more.  Her two cubs are regular visiors though - thankfully.

Cheeky chappie isn't he? They are unwelcome in my neighbour's gardens but I am pleased to give them some sort of refuge in mine.

Inspired by Kim - as usual

This card was inspired by 'herself'.  Hers was almost identical but better - naturally!  I just wanted to prove to her that I finished it off.  Oftentimes, I make half a card or cards at class, then forget to finish them.  Then later, I have forgotten what I should be doing.  Call it an age thing - I do. It's been an expensive day for me today.  My quality controller advised me to have my tyres checked out on my car before it has its MOT and service next week.  He rather thought one tyre needed changing immediately.  Imagine then my surprise, when I was told I need all four changing immediately.  Imagine my further surprise when the chap told me it would cost £319.  I nearly flaked.  So while he was changing the wheels, I thought I'd do a bit of retail therapy.  The Basler shop had a sale on and I had had my eye on a couple of things in there.  I bought 2 tops and 2 matching skirts.  I saved loads - honest.  So, I shall have to hide the mail again next month, when the credit card bill comes in.  But as I always say, 'You can't take it with you'.  At least I'll go out looking good in Basler.
I also had an another errand to run in Epsom.  Remember I broke my Cuttlebug machine some time ago?  Well, the suppliers, Kars, informed me that if I took it to the art shop, they'd send it away for me.  I walked all the way from the tyre shop to the art shop with the Cuttlebug machine, only to be told that they wouldn't accept it.  And you know how heavy they are!  I was most displeased with Pullingers.  So it's back to the drawing board on that one.
Want to see yours truly and her bus?

This was taken on my last working day - obviously on the only day of summer we've had.  Also, this was about 30 minutes before I think I was zapped by a speed camera.  I have never had points on my licence - Miss Goody Two Shoes - so let's hope that continues.
My quality controller has just come home, so I have a Basler bag to hide.  Au revoir dear readers.

I can hardly move.....

Hi y'all. (Well I'm not long back from the States am I?) I got up fairly early to walk the pooches and met up with my neighbour and her two dogs, because Mike and I went out to lunch with some of his rellies.  I really don't want to cook any more, so it's easier for us to take our friends out to lunch when it's our turn to entertain. I mean you know me - left to my own devices - they'd probably be given chunky fish fingers - cooked in the microwave.  (Try it - you'll see how nice they are!!)  I digress!
We took them to Jimmy Spice's in Epsom.  I love that place and now have a diner's card that gives you 10% off the bill.  It has already paid for itself.  The waiters now recognise us and we're on the Christmas card list.  I am normally very restrained but today for some reason, I couldn't stop myself from trying almost everything.  And now I can't move.  I think I was showing off.  You know - Look at how much I can eat!  Am I paying for it now?  I may have to go back in the loft and find all those old fashioned skirts with an elasticated waistband.  And we're going out tomorrow night for a meal.  I'll be the one in a kaftan.
The first card I'm showing you is one I started in class with Kim yesterday.  I finished it at home later.

We made a mask for the moon and added inks - in this case I used a Kaleidacolor ink pad.  My quality controller asked me if the barbed wire was a new thing.  I informed him it is not barbed wire but a kind of knitting wool. You can't see clearly but I covered the whole design with a crystal embossing powder.
This second card used a 'mortice mask'.

I used Hobby Art's stamps and double embossed the whole image with clear embossing powder.  The ink pad used was a Big & Juicy.  (Oh dear Lord, that reminds me of my huge lunch)
This third card - good value here I think you'll find, is just a very quick Kanban affair I made for my pals Christina and Mick who moved to Cranleigh last week.

I am now going to have a bath and be a beached whale for a while.  Laters!

Pleasing in purple

Hello crafters!

I have just made this card, not for anything special but just because I fancied doing so.  I used a Pink Gem stamp and I put some Marianne cutting dies through my Grand Calibur machine.  I was quite chuffed with the result, when I managed to use the bottom die once, turn it around and put it through again, getting a double fancy lace edged effect.
Yesterday and today, I went to Leatherhead to do some food testing.  I think you're meant to have a little taste and throw the rest away.  I on the other hand consider it my duty to finish all samples.  Apart that is from the cheese samples that appeared yesterday.  Wasted on me I'm afraid.  They don't pay very much for one's attendance, but it's a fun way to pass a couple of hours.  Everyone has their own personal iPad for the duration of the testing.  I tasted sirloin steak, butter basted turkey and ciabatta type sandwiches.  Suffice to say, I didn't need any dinner when I returned home.  I declined the malt whisky test though.
Tomorrow I shall be crafting at Lavender Lane with the usual girls and Kim as our tutor.  Bleach may be involved I believe and some masking.  Looking forward to it. Bye for now, Gilly x

Replacement card - I must be mad

I know I shouldn't have but I did make another card - and this is it.  This passed muster and I then went on to post it for Olive.  The stamp is Hobby Art's of course.  The paper was a freebie that came with a magazine.  I stopped buying the craft mags and only get them these days if I fancy the free gift, which in this case was a pack of The Diary of an Edwardian Lady paper.  Top right is a Cuttlebug detail.
Well, I have had a busy day today.  A blood test first thing, then a dog walk, followed by a light lunch in London in The Barbican, in the Searcy's restaurant, overlooking all the water features and a glimpse of the roof of St. Paul's Cathedral with my friend Lynn.  It was my first time there and I was overwhelmed by the concrete!  It was very quiet within but I suspect next time I go in August, for a show,  it will be heaving.
Dear hubby has had both an X-ray and an MRI scan today and is now making me dinner.  Am I not a lucky lady?  He knows if I have to fend for myself - I'll only eat fish fingers.  Every night AND microwaved!!  But they are chunky fish fingers.  Does that make it better?  LOL x