Where did that week go...?

I can't believe it's Friday already! Where did the week go? It's amazing how fast a week's half term break can speed by - but I'm not going to think about going back to work on Monday and the usual routine just yet!

We've been having a bit of building work done at home, so it was with an extra bit of delight that I waved goodbye to husband and son, and left them to it (sniggers!). I headed down to Sussex and enjoyed a lovely few days with my daughter Lauren.  I was treated to a visit to her new school where she's now teaching (and helped out with a wall display - mothers who like crafting have their uses!).  And some nice time with lunches out, browsing round the lovely little shops in Lewes, and meals out with Lauren & her partner Tom in an evening! But I'm back now and I think the boys missed me really (and not just for the catering and laundry duties as I had cynically suggested!).  There's a bit more building work to finish off and then hopefully I can get my house straight once more as I hate having things upside down - and I'm not OCD really (despite what my husband suggests).

But before I went away I was able to finish a card using one of my favourite cute little characters from Mo Manning

I've coloured the image with copics and graphit pens.  The papers are from K&Co and the sentiment stamp is from LOTV

I found the lovely wooden kite embellishment in my stash, and I've used a Spellbinders edge die for the top edging and some hessian ribbon

Quite a simple layout, but I think it's still quite a cute little card! 

I've had a lovely coffee & catch up with a friend today and another one scheduled in tomorrow with another good friend - school holidays are always a good chance to meet up & re-connect! 

But I'll try and fit some crafting and blogging time in too as I need to stop being such a bad blogger and get around to doing some blog visiting! 

Enjoy your weekend, whatever you have planned

Back soon,

Kim x

A bit of a vintage feel...?

It's so very nearly the weekend.  And so very nearly our half term break - yippee!  Now, don't get me wrong, I do love my job - no two days are the same in our school office, the constant stream of boys, staff and visitors in and out all day create a very unique atmosphere (not to mention the fact that it's also part boarding school so many boys and staff live on site too!).  And we can guarantee that there is also plenty of laughter each day!  But we all definitely enjoy our school holidays - and they are welcomed with open arms! And I'm very much looking forward to next week when I will be leaving husband and son home alone and heading down to Sussex to spend a few days with my daughter!

But I've also been making a few cards as we have quite a few birthdays coming up with family and friends.  I decided to use a Tilda stamp that I haven't used for quite a while, and went for a sort of vintage feel with the papers, etc.

I've coloured Tilda with copics and graphit pens and a touch of pencil

The papers are from LOTV, as is the sentiment stamp. I've added some lace and wooden heart from stash, flowers from WOC and die cut leaves (Joanna Sheen dies). 

I quite like the soft feel with this one, and the different textures and I was pleased to find my die cut leaves matched the paper design!  I hope you like it too! 

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

Back soon,

Kim x

A little bit of crochet

Hello all, I hope you've been having a good weekend.  Quite a relaxing one here for a change, so even had time to do a bit of crafting yesterday! Today's jobs were mostly outside as the weather was dry - if a bit blustery - and we really needed to do a bit of garden tidying!  The effects of the frequent (!) heavy rain and strong winds have taken their toll a bit on my little garden and it's definitely looking a bit battered and weary with it all.  I'll be so glad when the plants and shrubs all start to come out in leaf and flower - although it was nice to see the determined little daffodils making a concerted effort to cheer me up!  And I also fed the weary old cat (that really lives with some neighbours but never seems to be in the house!) as he seems to have adopted our greenhouse as his 'chilling out' room!

Anyway, I just thought I'd share a little bit of crocheting with you.  I was delighted to sell another crocheted baby blanket recently, and so I thought I'd make another one using the corner-to-corner pattern that I really like

I've used the lovely soft Stylecraft Special DK, which I think is ideal for blankets - soft, durable, washable and reasonably priced! 

The blanket measures approximately 90cm square and I've added it to my Etsy shop.

The crochet pattern is on the lovely 'Felted Button' blog here.

I'll be back this week with some new cards too - yes, I really have been busy! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

Blowing bubbles!

Hello all - and thank you for all your lovely comments after my 'absence'! It's been the usual busy carry-on at ours - I don't think we ever seem to have a quiet week lol!  Our French student left at the weekend - I think they all had a great time here and I know my son and his friends are looking forward to their return leg of the exchange visit when they head to Lyon in March. And then my son has been in London for 2 days this week on an art trip with school, although he's now on the train heading home. And the good news is that my cold is gradually on it's way out - although the bad news is that my husband and son have now got it..... Wish me luck with that one!

Anyway, less waffle!  I settled down to do a little bit of card-making at the weekend and used a gorgeous image from Mo Manning that I'm ashamed to say I've had for a while and not coloured (hangs head in shame....)

I've coloured the image with copics and graphit pens, with a touch of pencil.  I did add some glossy accents to the bubbles but it never seems to show up on my pics (probably due to dodgy photography skills!)

The sentiment stamp & die are from Whimsy, papers from LOTV and a DooHickey die cut fence together with a few buttons from stash.

He's such a cute little chap! 

I hope that you enjoy the rest of your week - and find some crafting time too! 

Back soon,

Kim x