Getting busy for Christmas!

OK.
On Tuesday it's 1st December and my preparations for Christmas amount to approximately '0'.
A big fat 'Nil'.
Apart from a selection of (too few) handmade cards and a few other handmade bits, I feel particularly un-ready for the arrival of the chubby man in the red suit.
Number of presents bought = 0.
Cards written =0.
Food bought or prepared =0.
I feel an official Christmas failure. Sigh.

I've been using a variety of excuses, ranging from being busy at work, getting things ready for a craft fair, new medication that the doctor has prescribed for me for my migraines that is seriously knocking me out (a genuine whinge there!), and probably a general lethargy/weariness associated with being a female of a certain age!  But I've decided I've got to put the excuses to one side, pull my big girl pants up and get on with 'Operation Christmas'.  I need to get back to my normal control-freaky behaviour of making lists, booking shopping slots, and getting everybody organised (even though the family usually ignore me anyway...!).

So, I've had a sort of spurt of energy this weekend(!) and made another half a dozen cards. I'm trying to get a surprise crochet project finished for someone that will be a special pressie (I can't really share pics of that yet - it'll have to be a post-Christmas post if you understand me!) - and even bought some food goodies for the freezer for when we have a house full over the festive period!

One of my cards is using the gorgeous trio stamps from LOTV

The images are coloured with copics and promarkers and the backing paper is from LOTV with some ribbon from stash. The sentiment is die cut using an All Occasions die. 

And thank you for all your good wishes about the craft fair - it was on Friday evening and was very busy despite the weather! And I was quite pleased to sell a few things - and had lots of nice chats with people too! 

I'll let you know how I get on with Christmas planning - wish me luck!  I'm always convinced every one else is more organised than me! 

Back soon,

Kim x

Keeping busy.... (very busy...!)

Hello all - and apologies for a bit of an absence! I don't know where the time flies to sometimes and I must also apologise for being a bit of a rubbish blogger! I will really try to make proper time to sit and have a browse at everyone's blogs and catch up with all your crafty makes.

It seems to have been a busy time at home and work - and with crafty things too.  I'm busy preparing for a Christmas craft fair on Friday this week - so all sorts of papercrafts and crochet bits are being gathered together. I've made quite a few of the crochet mini Christmas stockings that proved pretty popular at fairs last year (and buying chocolates and goodies to put in them!)

And I've also made a few more of the crochet garlands with the cute crochet 'stars' - these are the ones from last year that sold so I'll take some pics of the new ones for this year! 

And I've also kept busy making some orders for Knitted Knockers! It's so nice to use my yarn addiction to help other women! Catch up with their Facebook page HERE to find out more! 

I've also been trying to make a few Christmas cards for my own 'stash' - but I've a feeling that I'll be a bit behind with my own cards (& have to buy some!).  I did quite like this simple design using stamps I've had for ages from Chocolate Baroque and I love the sentiment on this one.  

I've used distress inks and added some gilding wax to give a slight sheen but sadly this doesn't show up on my pics! 

And there seems to be endless things to do at home! We've now sorted a little car as our youngest is learning to drive - can't believe my 'baby' is driving, another thing for me to worry about! And our daughter Lauren had an interview this week and has been offered her first teaching job at a lovely primary school in Sussex!  I'm so thrilled for her (even though I wish it was a bit nearer lol!). And of course we have our new addition to the family and we went for lovely baby cuddles last weekend with our new granddaughter who is just adorable! (But it's only natural that all new babies are adorable I suppose!).  And our son Jack enjoyed having cuddles with his new niece Isabella

Sorry for the rather long and rambling post - and I'll try and catch up with all your lovely blogs during the week! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

A new arrival!

Just a quick post to let you know that we are overjoyed that we became grandparents for the first time yesterday! Our lovely Lucy and Jon had a beautiful baby girl, Isabella Autumn, on 10th November 2015, weighing in at a petite 6lb 2oz - and I know I'm biased, but she is just adorable!

We're so excited and looking forward to having baby cuddles with this little beauty.

Apologies for the gushing granny post - but it's always nice to share happy news with friends!

Back soon,
Kim x

Stuck on the computer!

Hello all - I can't believe it's Friday again.  We've been back at school/work again this week and very busy (as always).  I hope that you enjoyed your Bonfire Night last night - despite the weather! - and have something nice planned for the weekend ahead.  My lovely old dog Tilly really didn't like fireworks and I used to have lots of toys and treats lined up to keep her mind off things. Grumpy Poppy the cat just lives up to her name though!  Last night one or two particularly loud "bangs" woke her up from her snooze on the sofa and she sat up and glared at us as if it was our fault! If looks could kill....

The majority of the cards I make tend to be either for family and friends' birthdays or by request/order and I was very pleased to receive an email recently from someone who said they'd seen my cards on my blog and wondered if I could make one - I was very flattered and very pleased to oblige!  She particularly liked the 'computer guy' image from Mo Manning - and I think it's a very good image for those teenage boys and men who love their computers (and I speak from experience here, living with a husband and son who love t'internet!).

I've coloured the image with copics and promarkers, and a mix of papers from stash. The sentiment stamp is from LOTV and the letter dies are from AllOccasions.

I used a brushed silver card for the base and decorated the inside to match

The lady who ordered it has received it now - and I'm hoping she likes it (and the recipient does!).

I'm hoping to get some crafting time in this weekend - still got quite a lot of Christmas cards to make and a craft fair in a few weeks so I'd better get a wiggle on! 

I hope you have a good weekend, whatever you have planned.

Back soon,

Kim x