Dressing Up part 3

Well - not the best photo in the world - my 9 yr old son took it - but it shows 'the outfit'. Nothing too exciting, but nevertheless I made the effort and dressed up. Had to stitch the fluff on by hand. And our half decorated Christmas tree!


For a change I didn't get asked 'do you work here?' - as if I normally go round dressed up. The Christmas pudding and a couple of the elves did get asked that question though. It managed to stay in one piece, and well all had a fun day dressed up.
The above mentioned 9yr old son has now layed claim to the outfit and has been wandering around in it ever since.
However my poor car was very poorly, and like a sick person on life support gradually shut itself down on my way to work. First I noticed the charge light come on, then the radio switched itself off, and then the dials on the dashboard stopped working, and the car started slowing down. Got it too a safe place and called hub, who came and rescued me, and got me to work just a little late. We left my poorly car were it was over the weekend, and today its gone to the garage (car was closer to the garage - about a mile - than home, so we left it there).

Dressing Up part 2

Well, boys at school, Millie at nursery, so out came the sewing machine. After much pinning (using 3 needles, 3 safety pins and a name badge - I need some pins), it was ready to go. And do you know, the basic bodge seems to have worked. I can get it over my head, the seems are straight and its not too tight - apart from the short sleeves... Will have to see if I can salage that one - there may be enought room to re-sew them. Still needs finishing though - the neckline needs sorting out properly, then neatly(ish) sewn, so does the hem. But more pressing is the arms...

Dressing up

How hard can it be to make a santa hat, and some sort of longish top (to cover the thighs) in a lovely burgandy velvet (I don't do red - anyway this was hanging around - no point in buying more stuff is there?)
Ok - hat - I've cut a vaguely triangular shape out - all done by eye, finally mastered the sewing machine, and it did eventually do what I wanted it to. (note to self - when I come across the instructions I must put them with the sewing machine). Well the hat is a little loose, a bit floppy, but once its got fluffy white stuff round it it'll be just fine. I hope.
Fav pink top has been layed out over the velvet. Could only find a white gel pen to go round it in a kind of murder scene style. Haven't yet had the guts to cut it out and start stitching. What if its lop sided? What if my stitching is not good enough? What if, for some reason, once I've sewn it it doesn't fit? When I thought this up I thought it would be a breeze. Of course, in my head I can sew straight, I'd be able to draw the top onto the velvet with ease, and it would look fab.
Watch this space. Dress up day at work is in 10 days and counting. So, plenty of time to panic yet.

Movember

We 'sported' tashes today in support of Movember at my gym in the body pump class. (I've got a fetching pipecleaner under my nose last one on the right - standing). Was funny trying to do the class with said pipecleaner and in the end it lost its stickyness and it was falling off, so was removed. I should make it to the local paper too - the photographer that came in during the class seemed to like the pipecleaner tash, so I was in a photo or two.

Shopping and Christmas Cards

I went shopping yesterday - supposedly to hunt down possible Christmas presents. Came back with a few things for me instead. Ooops! Anyway, bought a lovely cardi, which was beautifully wrapped.



Having recently been looking at the Nicole Headys blog (scroll down and you'll see which sample I'm talking about), there is a sample on there I liked (well lots actually), but being a crafter I've been thinking just what could I do this the patterns on the bag....Watch this space.

This is the card I have made this morning. Bit of ferny stuff that I've cut up to make the tree, some bling (new hotfix crystal wand that I want to play with), and snowman from SU's Happy Winter set.

And a closer look to see the sparkles a bit more clearly. May just do this card again, with only the snowman having stickles on.

More resin jewellery

This is some more of the resin jewellery I have made recently - a pendant, and bangle, in a fab deep rosey red.

Gave them to one of my best friends when she moved (waves to Rachel), along with a silver pendant I made - but stupidly didn't take a photo of that one!

Have been working on some Christmas cards too - I have a small mound of ready cut and scored cards, with a sentiment stamped inside. Just need to finish the outside bit now!

Feeling Blessed

Sat in the beautiful autumn sunshine this afternoon. I am feeling blessed to have 3 beautiful children, even though they try my paitence far more frequently than I like. I love them all, and they each have very different characters.

Shopping

I went shopping this morning. Millie at nursery, the boys at school. I put all the shopping away. Millie came home at lunchtime (having eaten at nursery), said she was hungry and immediately spotted new yogurts in the fridge. Then the crips. Boys came home from school, and are barely in through the front door before they have decended on the kitchen cupboards like locusts. They have a feeding frenzy. Then my husband wonders where all the food has gone, and what it is that I've spent all the grocery money on? I do keep telling them the food has to last all week, until I next go shopping - but they just keep spotting new packets of food they can eat. And thus, food disappears at an amazing rate.

Resin Jewellery

Here are a couple of bangles I made from resin


and some sterling silver cufflinks with resin. Made the silver bit a while ago, but only got round to putting the resin in yesterday!

Was fun to play with! I have a couple of other bits that I made, but they need more work on them before they are finished.

More Cards

I have a sprained ankle this week, at my step class.Didn't seem too bad at the time, but after driving home, having a shower and finally sitting down for some lunch it was achy, and when I got up after my leisurely lunch it had seized up. Still had children to collect, shopping to put away, ballet class (not me, my 3yr old). By that time it had given up, was very painful, and I couldn't move it, or wriggle my toes. After a visit to the Dr, was advised to go to A&E incase I'd broken a bone. Fortunately not, but was a long wait for me and hub. Lots of rest, no driving, and a few simple exercises. So a few days later, this is what I have produced. I have to admit, the first one I made a few weeks ago, and only just got round to photographing today.

All Stampin Up supplies

The next one uses PTI's button basics set, along with the last 2 - should have put them up in a better order!

This one is another Stampin Up set, and was for my lovely husband, who has been helping me out this week with the children, and cooking etc. It it roughly what we look like - except I never wear dresses/skirts these days (maybe a rare 'occasion')

This last one was for my great friend

Oh, and 4 days later, I'm still hobbling around, and will attempt driving over the weekend!

Summer Holiday Review

Well the summer holidays are almost over. The last few days, in which name tags need to be attached to clothing (I had high hopes of doing this as the clothes were bought), bookbags need to be replenished - new folders were purchased last week, pencil cases the week before. The horrendous expense of shoes has to be suffered (2 pairs school shoes, plus trainers, plus new shoes and wellies for the little pink one). PE bags need to be filled. Order, and routine will once again return to the weekday mornings - ok, shouting and rushing around will.

We've had fun. Been on a sub-marine (out of water), down a coal mine, to the beach, played with the waterslide - though not nearly enough, its not really been warm enough. The boys and Millie have enjoyed playing with their bikes - you can see the route they take round the garden, where the grass has been flattened. We've had sunny days in the park, at childrens farms (and saw brand new born that day peacocks, hiding under a trampoline).

So when I reflect back, its been good. We've the library to visit before school starts (or there will be fines to pay), and perhaps a final day trip out.....

I have a follower!

OMG I have 1 follower. I've never noticed before. Hellooooo! Apologies for not noticing you before now. I thought mayby it might have been a friend when I saw it there, lurking, the little thing that says '1 follower'. And its not. I don't know you, and its really exciting. (see how little exciting stuff there is in my lovely little world).

Cleavage!

Went to our local archeological dig with the little people on Wed with a friend. Had a good day, lovely weather, and children and adults enjoyed themselves. Was taking a photo of my friend and messing about, so took a photo of her cleavage. She then took one of mine. (I win by the way).

I had included her face in her photo - she just concentrated on the boobs!


So got her to take a second photo of me. I kind of like it - its actually quite a nice one of me.

Sorry, you weren't expecting me to put more photos of my lovely children up when theres cleavage to be oggled were you?

New Shoes

Some fun - made these shoes from Stamp with us template - quick, fun and easy to do! Asked Millie to try them on - but she wants a bigger pair!

Relaxing Day

Busy days with the children most of the week. Discovered yesterday when it came to making lunch that my helpful children had knocked over a pot of cream in the fridge when putting the shopping away. My friend had told me that was not a wise thing to do, (I was on the phone at the time talking to her while they were putting away). I should have listened. Anyway, yesterday I cleaned the fridge - open pot of cream was at the top - also had to clean off fruit, yogurts, jars..... As the cream had dripped down onto each shelf it had not contained itself to just the back of the shelf.
So yesterday was a cleaning day for me.

So when it came to today, my hands were feeling crafty - I had a present tag to make, and as the children had left me alone, once the tag was done, I continued to craft. Just pottering and playing with my papertrey sets. Got several cards started, but this is the only finished one.

Got the idea for the bird from the button set on PTI site, but as I don't have that set, I improvised, a flurish for the tail, hand drawn beak, and feet from the birdhouse set - sorry I have no idea what they are all called!

Pottered all morning - so nice to play and for some reason my children didn't really interfere with me. Took the waterslide to the wise friend in the afternoon. More nudity, so couldn't possibly post the photos! Naked bottoms seem to slide much better on wet slides.

Blog Candy

Just posting a link to some blog candy over at the fabulous Passion for Papertrey blog.

Might get some crafting done tomorrow, so maybe something to share then.

Summer holidays!

Well the afternoon started off nice enough - and out came the new waterslide, and a bucket of water. Somehow I ended up running a creche for a couple of friends, and had my 3 plus 4. At least half of them were naked, bare skin seems to go faster than improvised wet shorts. If only the rain had been warm they would have stayed out longer! Lots of joyful laughter and screaming - a sound I love.

End of Term - thank goodness!

Thank goodness tomorrow is the final day of school. I'm ready for a break and the children certainly are. End of term has been so hectic with school concerts, competitions, sports day, school bbq etc. Final tumbletots too. This week has been a relief not be dashing here and there.

These are the cards the boys made for their teachers. The flowers are tissue paper cut several times and glued in the middle (I got the idea here). Ribbon for leaves. Teachers names printed onto card and punched out. The boys also made the soap - just melt and pour soap, but they did it - melted the block in the microwave and poured it into the mould to set.


This is a close up of the band round the soap - some lovely sparkly thick vellum that I printed onto. Soap is just wrapped in greaseproof paper.

And a close up of one of the cards for the teachers. I did say to the boys to make sure they said that they made the cards and soap, no doubt they will just hand over the little present and walk away. I want the teachers to know they made them, as I would have been abit more 'precise' about where things went!

Well, after tomorrow all I have to worry about is what I do with them so that I can continue going to the gym for my regular classes.....

Spidy-Yoda

As you can see my daughter has a liking for strange dressing up! The first was taken in Dec 08, fairy with a darth vader mask, and made my husband smile - at the time he was in hospital. She was waving the sword around making the lightsaber noise.


And this was todays offering - spiderman outfit with the yoda mask! Can you tell she has brothers? She was even making strange noises trying to imitate her brothers. Excuse washing and brush in the background!

Wedding Card/Stamp with Us challenge

This card is for the 'stamp with us' sketch challenge. I had to make a card for a wedding eve reception I'm going to tomorrow. I've known the bride for almost 5yrs now, but won't know anyone else there - eeek apart from hubby that is. We do a jewellery class together, and for the last few months I've been hearing all about her preperations, and the invite to the eve reception really was out of the blue, and most unexpected. I also know that she has handmade alot of the 'things' for her wedding, so know a handmade card will be appreciated. Her invite has sunflowers on, and she has told me she will have sunflowers in her bouqet, hence my choice of colours for the card, and the inclusion of the sunflower.

Card is 6x6inches, bazzil, not sure what colour, just seemed appropriate.
SU very vanilla, and yellow card that matched the sunflower.
Lettering cut on cricut in SU close to cocoa, SU 'love' stamp. Ribbon AC, sunflower bought from local craft shop. Oval punches SU.

Fridge Magnets

Back after a bit of an absence! Had my e-mail hacked into which was all a bit horrible, so has taken a little while to sort out passwords etc and set up a new e-mail. The nasty people (I didn't quite call them that at the time) changed my password so I couldn't access my original e-mail account at all. Sent out e-mails to all my contacts asking for money as I was stranded. Tried to access my paypal account too, so I've had to cancel credit cards and it was all a bit upsetting for me.

Anyway, this is a funky foam fridge magnet that we did for toddlers craft this week - this was my sample, that I made up - all cut out using sizzix dies, stuck on with glitter glue, and some glitter glue put on the flowers for a little extra effect - not that it shows of course! The magnetic funky foam sheet was cut into 6, and then the 'hole' cut in the middle. They would be great for a childs party, or party bags to take home too - and not just for toddlers, I know a couple of 7yr olds that have enjoyed making them.


And this is what my daughter came up with! She used alot more glue than I did, and she did seem to enjoy doing it. Though for toddlers, glitter glue had been replaced by good old pva, as I didn't really have enough glitter glue for toddlers.

Card Storage

Cut this the other day - wanted to make a card storage container, and decided the Stella box would probably fit the bill - this is one half of it, so could make another one too.

So much easier than the one I started to make a couple of weeks ago from scratch, from foam core, loads more measuring, and I took a slice out of my little finger too - dripped lots and it throbbed for quite a while after. Kept it bandaged for a few days to let the flappy bit adhere back onto my finger. Still hurts now if you press it.



Well got round to covering it today - went over all the edges/corners with gummed tape to hide the corrigated bit and give the edges a better finish. Then put some card on the base and back to cover the uneven bits of the box, and finally covered with papers.

I'm really pleased with this, just need to do the dividers now - I'll have a play tomorrow, and then I can fill with cards!

Blog Candy

Been looking at Love Louise's blog lately and here is some blog candy she is offering. I would put a pic in the sidebar if anyone can advise how to do it?

Stamp with us Launch Challenge

Just done the first launch challenge on Stamp with Us - it was such fun, only 45mins to come up with a design using the image and card and ribbon provided. I missed off the ribbon, and if I'd had a bit more time would have done a bit more with the sentiment, but hey ho I was rushing. And I just couldn't think what to do with the ribbon either.

Used some watercolour crayons for the first time too - kind of wished I'd experimented with them first, but just had to get on with it and they were great to use too. I'd be tempted to get more with a bigger colour range.

Passion for Papertrey Challenge

This is a card I have made for A Passion For Papertrey challenge - a card for a friend.

Raspberry fizz paper and ink, spring tags and mega messages stamps, all PTI, and stampin up ribbon (sadly not quite straight!).

Link to blog candy

Hopefully this link will work - should be a link to some blog candy here on Stephs blog Much a do about nothing.
Yay - just checked it and it does work.

Easter!

This is my oldest son, tucking into his egg.

and the cute pink one....

and the middle one - delighted to have received an egg, as he's intolerant to lactose. So he got a free from egg from Sainsburys, and the clone wars mug (big brother got the mug and egg that came with the mug).

And finally the little pink one again, posing for the camera, oblivious to the fact she has chocolate all around her mouth!

Stamp with Us Challenge

This is a birthday card I have made for the Stamp With Us birthday card challenge, I can just about squeeze it in for this week!


Card is SU choc chip and ruby red, doodle that stamp set - I love this set - and used the marker for colouring the flower. The cream ink is PTI, as is the sentiment.

This is a card I made for my dad's birthday - I needed to make it in a bit of a rush to catch the post, but I was pleased with the result. Scribble Scrabble papers (my fab qvc bargin when they had it priced wrongly, so only cost £3 something for 18(?)papers, and only 48p postage.



And a card I made from SU card in sage shadow, choc chip and choc chip ribbon. Stamp I think is anitas, and the inspiration came from PTI - friends to the end set and the design ideas for that set (which I'd love, but will have to make do with my anitas stamp for now). No-one in mind, just playing. My mothers day cards that hub and I sent were roughly the same as this, but in an amazing raspberry pink card from pti, and looked great.

And finally a bit of jewellery that I finished on Tue eve at my class. I just need to hallmark it now. But wasn't too difficult to make, and I love it. My current fav necklace. The textured bit is domed to add dimension. I think I'll try and do something similar and make some earrings to match.

I've a few things to photo, then I can upload pics onto my blog - not least the little pendant i've finished this eve at my class.
Anyway, need to link in the new Stamp with Us blog that the fabulous Monica and friends have started up - looking forward to following this one.

Photos

Didn't have to pick up boys from school until late on Friday, so as it was such a lovely day, dd and I went to feed the ducks after tumble tots, and had a fantastic afternoon together, laughing and fooling around.


She'd just thrown some food at the ducks and geese. With her wonderful one leg up and one leg down look! The trousers were rolled up at tumble tots, and never quite came down again afterwards - still didn't bother her, or me.

And I love this photo, and not even the bird poo on the seat makes me dislike it. Though it did cross my mind briefly while taking the photo whether or not to try 'clean' it up, or at least make it less noticable!

Will try and photo more cards to post.