CHRISTMAS MORNING

Just thought I would share this with you.... it makes me chuckle when I think about it
We had tears on xmas morning!!

Our youngest 5 yrs old...had a robotic doggy...he unwrapped it and quite liked it whilst in its box, He pressed the try me button and loved its walking a barking.
Once out of the box he decided it was (quote)"annoying!!!" and burst into tears!!!

Then it became clear what the problem was.... Whilst doing his list to Santa with his older brother, he had seen something he really wanted in the Argos catalogue..wait for it!
He wanted a 2 Seater Jeep... you know the sort, big 2 children can sit in it and it has an electronic engine!! The kind of toy that you need lots of room and quite a bit of cash!


But before this he unwrapped his foldaway garage and exclaimed and I quote; "eehh.. thats from Tescos!!"
So now the "cherub" thinks that Santa and his elves make toys for Tescos to keep them busy all year so that they don't get bored when its not Christmas!!

lots of lovely ribbons

To start the new year I am going to make good use of my new additions !!

These are my lovely ribbons


These are my lovely fibres

they loved them

Well I gave the Treasure box and card to my friend. She loved it!! Baby Aniya is gorgeous, I did get quite broody though which hasn't happened to me in a long time!!! Lol

Jody's Mum was also very pleased with her card...And Jody loved it.

Jody

A friend at work asked me to make her a card for her daughter, Jodys 15th birthday.
She wanted me to include a photo of Jody at 7 yrs old.
The papers are from the stash that lovely Tassy sent to me.. I love these colours and retro pattern.The printed words ie La diva, the clothes, bags and shoes are stamps that were designed by the lovely Tassy.purchased from Tanda stamps. (isn't she clever!!)I coloured them with watercolour pencils then gave them a Twinkling H2O wash. The blue lettering and little parcels are just silver peel offs coloured in with blue peeloff pens.

Yippee I have managed to do some crafting

Well at last I have been able to do some crafting.
I have been able to make three items over this weekend! Not alot I know, but more than I normally get a chance to do.
I made this Treasure Box for my friend at work who has just had her baby girl.( yes it is the same lady whom I made the maternity card for.)
The box was the box that dear Tassy sent that fantastic stash in!(Nothing gets wasted!!)
The papers are from a 12x12 scrapbook pack I purchased from Partners.
The large flower is also from dear Tassys Stash. I painted it with Twinkling H2Os to give it some bling!
The ribbons are ones that I have collected over the years and as I said in the post before this one I used them all up!!!so had to buy some more!!! lol
The baby embellishments are 3D stickers.
The gems are from my stash.
The small flowers are also from Tassy!
The pink lettering I had to draw by hand as I didn't have enough chipboard letters to do the job.I gave them a pink Twinkling H20 wash. I also drew out the creamy yellow background to the letters

The card is a mix of lovely pink papers & gorgeous organza ribbon, gems and flowers.
The dog cat and mouse stamp and baby stamp I borrowed fom my good friend Fe Fe. I 3D the dog cat and mouse stamp..and coloured using watercolour pencils.To soften the edges on the baby image I just tore them.

Something for me

As some of you may realise, I do most of my crafting on a shoestring!! But now and again I do treat myself.
I have been working on some altered art as a gift for a friend, To do this I used up all my lovely pinky ribbons. So I went onto the Blonde Moments website to have a looksee at their pink ribbons.... And OOOPS I ended up buying one of each of each colour in stock!!! woops.
Naughty I know but I got a real buzz!!!
I will show my new stash when it arrives!

My Boys Update... Alex

I am still trying to get the school to apply creams to Alex when he has an eczema flare up. I had a meeting with the head on the 7th September.. I had the head of Medications Administrations from Cheshire County Council with me.
This meeting was AWFUL! They were very defensive so they were quite aggressive and closed to the request! (this did not go unnoticed by the lady from the council!!)
It was agreed that they would get in touch with the school nurse in order to get Alex trained to put on his own cream!!!(He is 5!!!)They said that this would be in about 2weeks.
Well I had that meeting 10th DECEMBER 2007!!! only took 3 months!!!!
To add insult to injury the nurse was not aware of the issue and to him this was just a standard check!!(so he was not happy about this!)
Suffice to say he finds it bizarre that they are being so stubborn!! He is going to give Alex 3 sessions to "train him" but has said that he is only doing this to "tick that box" so we can then say we have met the school 1/2 way... they then have to proof why they cant do it (and staff shortage is not an excuse as the policies clearly state that they have exhaust every avenue in order to provide for the needs of the children in school!!! if they don't it then becomes a case for DISCRIMINATION.
So again ... watch this space!

My Boys Update... Tommy

Just thought I would give you an update on my boys and school!
If you don't already know the story .. have a look see at the earlier posts entitled "My Boys".
My eldest, Tommy, (After a meeting and a 5pg letter of complaint)Is doing much better, we have employed a Tutor for him to help him with his English. I have not had an apology or even an acknowledgement of the letter nor have they redone his year 5 report!!!
But... At the start of every school term we have a meet and greet parents evening that is supposed to be a 5 min meeting, ours for Tommy lasted 1/2 hour!!!
My hubby's reaction after the meeting was,"Well, I dont know what you have said to them, but they are jumping through hoops now!!! lol"
The teacher responsible cannot look either me or my hubby in the face!!This can only mean that the head has given him what for.. unfortunately they have closed ranks so I cant be certain of this!!!
But the fact is they are now helping Tommy... so I feel justified!!

Papercraft Junkies Challenge 18...moving Part 2

This card was made using card stock from craft work cards... I have used ribbons for curtains. The peel off lettering, edging and keys started life as ordinary silver, I used a black peel off pen to give me this lovely coppery effect. The climbing flowers are silver peel offs delicately coloured with water colour pencils. The door handle is a brad.


This is a closer look at the Key behind the door that opens!

9 months/ Papercraft Junkies Challenge 18

This is a card made for my friend at work who has left to have her baby... it is basically made from scraps of cards including the expectant mum..Finishing touches are peel offs for her name and some cord to trim.
The moving part would be the fact that she is moving onto another chapter in her life (also there is a swing tag inside.)

Tracey Dean aka Rattytatty

Tracey is giving away yet another fab blog candy....retro male & female unmounted stamps from TANDA STAMPS.
Take it from me these stamps are well worth having...I have bought a set from Tanda designed by my fellow blogger Tassy, and they are super.
All you have to do is visit Tracey's fab blog http://www.rattytattysblog.blogspot.com/

Yes... another one

Heres another.... thought I would go for something a bit more contemporary. The card stock and the papers are from Craftwork Cards.

And some more

Again the Xmas papers are from the fab stash that Tassy sent to me... the plainer papers are from hot of the press. The Xmas trees are made from gold wrapping paper... cut into 3 triangles each a different size.... then creased and layered on top of one another. (The inspiration for this was from fellow crafter Deanne. I hope you don't mind hun!!)

And some more

The snowmen and penguin cards I have put together with more freebie papers. The one with the green ribbon, the paper I received from fellow crafter, Tassy..The ribbon is from a chocolate box given to me at work.... Nothing gets wasted... lol!!!

Yippee I have managed to do some crafting

These cards I have made using lots of freebie papers. The snowmen and penguins are whipper snapper stamps that my good friend Fe Fe loaned to me.
The little pink and green beads on the first 2 cards are compliments of Tassy.
The images were coloured using a mix of Twinkling H20s and watercolour pencils.
The ice on the penguin cards I have 3d glazed as done on the circular frame on the 1st snowman card.

blog candy winner

And the winner is ....
As drawn by my eldest son Tommy....
.....
.....
ScrappaJack...Go visit her fab blog =
The Candy will be winging its way to you soon.
well done.

BLOG CANDY

It has been pointed out that some of you havent been able to leave your comments... something to do with my settings. I have hopefully put this right so I am extending the blog candy till friday 26th October.

Autumn leaves / Autumn years. PCJ challenge 10

Using Lifes Journey papers I distressed using Tim Holtz distress inks. The top leaves I put on some lovely sage green paper.The stars are brads.The lettering made with my friends cricut. ;-)

BLOG CANDY TIME.

Hi everyone ... just realised that I have had 1000 visits to my Blog!!
So Its Blog candy time!
Just leave a comment every time you visit and I will enter you into a draw. I will get one of my boys to draw out a name and I will send you something crafty.
Will post pics up of the candy ASAP!
Post your comments by Friday 19Th October.

Arty Girlz Challange .. Glueless

This card I made with card stock and papers from craftwork cards.. the ribbon flowers are just bits of ribbon tied to look flowery. in the center I have attached with some funky brads. The handle I have threaded with black ribbon.
I am definitely out of my comfort zone with these colours.! NO GLUE, everything is attached with brads.
I have also entered this into the PCJ Challenge 9...Flowers.

IVE BEEN TAGGED

I've been tagged by Fe Fe.

Here are the rules which you must abide by if you are tagged:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

7 facts about me:
This is really difficult... I am soooo boring! lol
here goes:

1. I have more bad hair days than good .... in fact it runs into bad hair months!

2. I can, like FeFe eat what I want....except I don't stay at 7 stone... my weight goes up even If I look at a chocolate cake! lol!!

3. My Husband says I could write a book when it comes to excuses other than "I have a Headache!" LOL.

4. I DO NOT COOK, well that's a self fulfilling prophesy as Hubby doesn't like the meals I cook ie Italian, Spanish, Indian! anything that involves pasta & rice! So I do not cook now out of sheer stubbornness!!!

5. I love having my back tickled & stroked.

6. My Fantasy man is ....Russell Crowe..Grrrrrrr all manly man that one.!! LOL

7. My biggest regret is not staying on at school to continue my studies in Art & Design!

Crissi
Sarah
Julie
Tassy
Paula Atkinson
Sally
Michelle

"Querida Mae"

A friend at me to make a card for her mums birthday. My friend and her family are Portuguese. "Querida Mae" is Portuguese for, roughly translated "lovely mum."
Matilde likes things such as "JEAN PAUL GAULTIER" perfume, so I took my inspiration from one of his perfume bottles.

To do this I used my bodice template as the basic shape and fashioned it to look like a bottle. I then gave it first a cherry sorbet twinkling H20 wash then the Icy Iris twinkling H20 to add a little shading. The butterflies are a stamp from "Crafty Individuals".I used Royal purple stayzon ink. I added some extra colour using Icy Iris/Cherry Sorbet/Sea Glass/Sage & Olive Vine Twinkling H20s.I stuck them on the bottle shape but left the centre butterfly 3D. The background paper is from the lovely Tassy... I had no idea that this perfect match was in the stash that Tassy sent to me... as you can see it is the exact same butterfly, because the paper is also by "Crafty Individuals"...how flukey is that!I layered with some dark purple faintly scripted paper, added 2 butterflies with 3D foam pads... The lettering are just silver peel offs (I also used peel offs to give the bottle neck effect.)funky fibres as a finishing touch.

Tracey Dean (rattytatty)

Hi ... just to let you know Tracey Dean aka rattytatty is giving away some blog candy!...Lovely papers from the English Paper Company (Xmas)
To be in with a chance all you have to do is leave comments on her blog.
It is a blog worth visiting as Tracey does some excellent & inspirational work.
http://www.rattytattysblog.blogspot.com/

Papercraft Junkies Challenge 7 ...Dimension part 2

Roaring 20s

This card is so full of dimension! lol!
The card stock is Oyster in colour and pearlised. I cut out the head / hat using templates, I then stuck on the pink daisy chain ribbon for her necklace.I then stuck this down onto the card stock.I then stuck the hat down .. then I cut out the pre-printed butterfly and sprinkled with very fine glitter,(also the hat.) Before sicking the butterfly down I placed the feathers and the beads on fine wire on the hat..then I stuck the butterfly down only on its body though to let the wings flutter.I then edged the hat in with the pearl string and added the jewels and lovely long earring's.then trimmed the edge with the pink daisy chain ribbon.

Another Successful Party

Well I did another successful Body Shop @ Home Party last night...It was enjoyed by all.
The lady who hosted the party was a single mum who didn't really wear make up as she felt that he eyes were to small to carry off eye make up. So after giving her a mini facial I applied a Make me Fabulous Make over using lovely light fresh colours that brought out her eyes.Coming up to party season I also showed how to take the look into the evening without going to dark.
She loved her new look and so did her guests.
You get a real sense of satisfaction...As well as earning some extra pennies...Making new friends...and dont forget because Body Shop has its 5 high principled core values... also helping to change the world!

OOHH LOOK WHAT I GOT!!

My good blog friend Tassy has a fantastic blog...This is not her only talent..she has designed some very funky stamps for Tanda Stamps!
I'm afraid temptation got the better of me and I bought them! (being a body shop @ home consultant sure helps with the pennies!!) lol!!
CANT WAIT TO USE THEM...
I AM HOPING TO GET THE CHANCE TO HAVE A PLAY THIS WEEKEND!

Arty Girlz Challenge #2 Flowers

This card was a real labour of love!!
The cream card stock I dry embossed, the bouquet I made by twisting paper flowers & ribbon together. I glued on crystals to give the effect of dew on the petals.The bouquet I mounted on cream gold fleck paper that is more like a material, and layered that on some gold card.

Go to http://artygirlzchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Ive been tagged

I've been tagged by Fe Fe so here's a little extra info on me for you (whether you wanted it or not. Lol)

Four places I worked:
1) Assistant Manager at Max Speilmann (photo processors)Manchester
2) Manager for a Brdal boutique in Wilmslow Cheshire.
3) Registered Childminder working at home in Wilmslow..For about 10 years give or take!
4) Nursery Nurse at a nursery for the uder 5s in Wilmslow.

Four places I have lived:
1) Wilmslow
2) Cheetham Hill, Manchester
3) Cheadle, Stockport
4) Adswood, Stockport

Four places I have visited on vacation:
1) Southern Spain
2) Teneriffe
3) Kos & a few years later Rhodes
4) Northen Spain.

Four favorite foods:
1) Chicken & Bacon Lasagne made by my MIL
2) A Greek lamb dish (I cant remember its name!)
3) Homemade trifle
4) Hagen da Ice cream (Baileys/prailine) yum

Four places I would rather be right now:
1) Any where but here!
2) Austalia
3) Rhodes
4) Spain.

So, now I'm supposed to tag 4 people . . .
and the lucky winners are..

http://www.mypaperworld.blogspot.com
http://www.sallydawkins.blogspot.com
http://www.tassycrafty.blogspot.com
http://www.rattytattysblog.blogspot.com

Papercraft Junkies Challenge 7 ...Dimension

Twins boy & girl
I was asked to do a christening card for Twins who were 1 and a bit years old.
I started with the base layer.. using my harlequin stamp I stamped a pink background then a blue.
The next layer was the gingham paper I cut into strips to form frames over the harlequin background.
The little boy and little girl are stamps by Joanna Sheen
I stamped them on some thin cream card, coloured them with watercolour pencils and carefully cut them out.I then curved them slightly and mounted them with blobs of silicone glue to give that raised effect.
Then buttons, paper flowers and brads were added. The children's names, "EVIE", "FREDDIE" & "CHRISTENING" along the top are bubble type stickers.
SORRY THE PICTURE DOES NOT DO IT JUSTICE...but I had to take the picture on my phone so quality is not as good!!!

Well I have had quite a good afternoon
I don't think I have mentioned this before, I am a consultant for the Body Shop @ Home.
This afternoon I have been at my senior consultants home to help her teach 3 ladies how to do facials & makeovers in readiness for their 1st parties in a week or so.
Oh what fun to play and mess about with such great and sumptuous products. (Nearly as good as crafting !Lol!.)
So if you live in the Stockport/ Cheshire area and would like to host a body shop party for me. Then please e-mail me with your details

As the HOST you are rewarded with Freebies and 1/2 price shopping not to mention gifts and incentives!It is also a fantastic and enjoyable way of earning some extra income (especially now it is coming up to xmas!!)

It doesn't matter where you are located, training is available to you. So, again let me know by e-mail if you know of anyone who may be interested in this fab opportunity.

It was such a shock to us all when Dame Anita Roddick (Body Shop founder, creator and inspiration.) passed away so suddenly! But she has left a fantastic legacey That is to empower and build self esteem for women of all backgrounds...and to change the world!

oooh look what I got

This parcel arrived for me this week.
Full of lovely lovely stuff.
The package was sent to me from Tassy of www.tassycrafty.blogspot.com.
Tassy sent me this lovely crafty stuff out of the pure kindness of her heart.You don't come across that kind of person every day. A TRULY BEAUTIFUL PERSON

Papercraft Junkies Challenge 6.."Black,White & Red"part 3

Be Mine
Thought I would submit this card, I did it a while ago, It was my first Basque card, and therefore one of my faves!
My Basque period .. using my Basque template, black card, red gems, peel offs and ribbons.. card slide mount has been stained with distress inks by Tim Holtz, then embossed with UTEE, to give that nice shiny bubble effect.

Papercraft Junkies Challenge 6.."Black,White & Red"part 2

RUBY "~A good man's value is higher than rubies~ ~But rubies are a safer investment~"

This stamp is great (not mine its borrowed... must remember to return it lol) I stamped her onto glossy white card using black stayzon. I then coloured her in using my black peel off pen. I used a leather look paper and some black card to mount her on, and by just putting a simple fold at the bottom I was able to give some depth. The harlequin back ground I made using my large harlequin stamp, Tim Holtz distress ink "brick red"..I brushed it with a shaving brush before it dried to give it a smudged effect I then stamped it again slightly off center with black stayzon..I wanted to smudge some areas more than others so I spritzed the shave brush with water and just smudged it again in places. Then I spiraled some silver craft wire and placed them on the card .. then did the same for the trim on either side.

Papercraft Junkies Challenge 6.."Black,White & Red"

Rock Hard Fairy
I love these 3D decoupage sheets..I layered her up using silicone glue..I prefer this to using the foam pads, as it gives you a bit more movement and flexibility. I used a plain black piece of card for the background. For
the cobweb effect, I just drew these free hand with a white pencil crayon.

These Rock hard fairies make excellent cards for the teenagers.

"B" for Baby

"B" for Baby
I hope I am not too late to submit this for the Papercraft junkies challange 5 A-Z.. its been one heck of a week!!
Anyway this is an altered slide mailer.. I have used papers from K&CO 6X6 designer paper book,The "B" is also from K&CO. I distressed the Card Slide Mounts with Tim Holtzs distress inks, the vintage baby and parents picture and the baby picture are from collage sheets from crafty individuals (Vintage Portraits 5) I folded the pink/cream spot paper each side to give a curtain effect, I glued in the card slide mount, placing the "B" and the paper rose. I trimmed with a pretty pink ribbon. made the small bouquet and bow to finish the front. I made another card slide mount for the inside and finished with some prima flowers and brads.
PHEW FINISHED IT AT LAST!!!

Time?

Well I did manage to do some crafting... Just got to finish it!
Time is in short supply! WORK, kids,, oh and don't forget HUSBANDS!(The gumpy Victor Meldrew's of this world!!! Lol)
Anyway I hope to finish said piece tonight. So hopefully you will be able to See it both on here and on Papercraft Junkies as it ties in well with the latest challenge!

I don't know why it says its Tuesday...I'm writing this today, Wednesday 12th September!!! oh well

Time to chill out.

Today I have cleaned and washed and cleaned, put up with the kids whilst Hubby has gone to bed for a kip.
So now I am going to do some crafting!!!
catch you later with my efforts.

What a week?!

Children back at school!
It has and is still proving to be very stressful.
As I have mentioned before in this blog, we are having problems with both our boys at school.
The first problem I talked about; my youngest son Alex, his eczema and the schools refusal to administer prescribed creams to areas of eczema flare up!
The meeting with the head was on Friday,in short it did not go well, they are so stubborn and unhelpful. Their arguments did not hold water because they were quoting from the very same council policy I was, but what they quoted at me was just a small part of this very large document. I however quoted many parts that back up my argument!! Anyway I now know I have a fight on my hands, and have set the ball rolling to take this matter further!I have it on very good authority that their refusal can be interpreted as discriminatory.A road that they really do not want to go down!
The second issue concerning my eldest son who has just turned 11. As I have mentioned before in this blog, he has mild learning difficulties, his year 5 report was awful. Basically implying that Tommy is 2 years behind through his own doing and that we as his parents are to blame!
I have tried to get an appointment to speak about this issue.I informed the head that I was not happy with his yr5 report and needed to speak to her, she on Friday glibly said that she oked that report and "it was fine!" and again implied that we did not know our son, that there was more to him than we knew!!! what that's supposed to mean I dread to think!
Tommy has an IEP and Speech & language Therapy in school.
and through desperation I have a personal home tutor lined up to help him. (seen as the school think that they are above reproach!)
Anyway ... watch this space!
This is the reason I have not been able to do any crafting namely the latest papercraft junkies challenge 4, which I have lots of ideas for! sods law me thinks!! lol

This is my take on the Papercraft Junkies challenge 3 "something old,something new."
Well I don't know if this fits the criteria... but I am quite proud of this as it is the first big thing I have altered for the house!!.
This mirror started of as a tired old dark pine mirror.
Then there was your challenge?? So I painted it a colour called "Illusion" which is a light grey (pastel grey if there is such a thing!) I then fed silvery blue cord along the seams. On each of the 6 corners I stuck some clear & blue jewels. So the mirror, the cord & the jewels are all old.. the paint is new! all this equals... A NEW MIRROR!!

Bank holiday weekend

Well this weekend has been full to the brim with paints, brushes etc...
But not in a good crafting kind of way!!!
No I have been decorating all weekend, Hall, stairs & landing..
My Hubby decided that we would give it a new fresh look.I agreed as this would also mean my crafting cupboard would get a well needed lick of paint. Lol. The reason for my non enthusiasm regarding said decorating, is because my Hubby starts off full of zeal and enthusiasm, then it fizzles and I am left to do the bulk of the painting..
He says things like;
"Sharon, you have more patience than me!" or "Sharon you have a steadier hand than me!" or I'm off to the shop do you need anything?" Lol!!
Anyway there is just the odd touch up to do now!
Also, much to Hubbys dismay I spent ages "altering" my old mirror so it would look good in its new home .. the hallway.
When it is finished I will get a pic of it on here.
I am also going to enter it into the Papercraft Junkies challenge 3,"something old something new".
Anyway gotta go back to work tomorrow..so I'm off to bed. night night.

P.C.J Challenge 2

Here are my efforts...Though whilst I am still off work I going to try to make some more!