WOYWW 238 Christmas Day Edition

I was so busy opening presents, chatting on the phone and then peeling veg that I almost forgot to check Julia's Blog.  Good to see some of you have posted - and now I am joining in.

Good news is my cardiologist says I CAN go to America to see my friend and family - I am scheduled for procedure as soon as I get back.  So I am taking things easy today and Sam and Andy are coming up and doing the cooking.

Here is the table, set by Chas, with the little place settings from a pattern from Jo.  I cut them out and then stuck orange tissue behind and made little pennants with names on - hope the kids (not really kids) like them.  Bet Sam waltzes them home for when she has friends round.

Now I sincerely hope you all have a Lovely Day today and all my Good Wishes for a Healthy, Peaceful New Year.

Hugs to all - Neet xxx

A Favourite Card of Mine

This is the theme for the Challenge over on Artful Times.  The card I was showing was one from my friend in America, Mary, which I fell in love with last year.  I thought it so cute and Mary had bought me the die and given me some of the fabulous glitter card for the pom pom so I was all set to go ahead with my batch of cards.

Oh no, when it came to it I could not find any red card with small white spots on.  What am I talking about?  Well, here is the card:

Is that cute or what?

As Von had not posted a card for this challenge I assumed she was not entering this one so I made a couple of cards - can't have just one card from a DT member can we.  Most of you know by now that I have had a problem with my health over the past month and it turns out that my heart has gone back, despite the Pacemaker,  out of rhythm which explains the breathlessness.  So in the small hours this morning I could feel it bumping along all irregular.  Couldn't get back to sleep as it was so annoying  so I got up and this is what I made:

Chloe's Card

and one for my son and his partner Sam(antha)

Hope they both like them.  Am sure Chloe will as she likes anything I do.

Now, can you pop along to Artful Times and see what Von and Chrissie did - and pop to their blogs as well for the low down - Chrissie's is no ordinary card!

Join in if you can - it's just a bit of fun!

Merry Christmas to you all 

and thanks for tuning in to my blog and to the Artful Times Challenge Blog.

WOYWW 237 and a few German Shots

Quite a lot!  A last minute attempt to send out some Christmas Cards resulted in my looking through the various diecuts I had in my tin brought home from the demonstrations I had done for Oyster Stamps.  Yes, they let me bring home what I have cut - unlike the people I used to work for - that meant that this year because I do not feel like stamping I could use all those lovely diecuts I had gathered.  So you see, my desk is littered with Christmas cards.

I mentioned last week that I was breathless well a new blood test has shown that my heart is not functioning properly.  I am hoping it is just my Pacemaker that wants refiguring or whatever it is they can do with it.  Beats are very erratic and I think that it is supposed to counteract that.  Later this morning I am going for an 'echocardiogram' which should show in detail what is wrong.  Fingers crossed they can sort me out and I can still go to America (on 2nd January - yep, cutting it fine).  I would never have imagined I could have anything wrong with my old ticker - afterall I was told it was "a swinging brick" - only joking, I am sweet really.

In the meantime here is the desk

the Christmas Cake made by a friend as a gift (totally gorgeous, you can taste the brandy and it is so lovely and moist - ask Jo(zart) she had some when she called.  Will show you my pressies next time.

and here are a couple of photos from Munich the other week

Manger Market - Crib scene - full size figures carved in wood - beautiful!

 

Your five a day?

Don't know if you can tell but this stall is full of cookie cutters - and I never thought to buy any for Polymer Clay - Dumb Blonde!

Small Market at The Residenz

Santa, biking it, caused great hilarity with all the tourists at Haidhausen

Sendlinger Tor market

Tollwood market had a chocolate kebab stall (yes, I said chocolate).  See that stack of different layers of chocolate?  Well it was pointed at the base and the guy just scraped and scraped chocolate off then they put loads of it into a cone shaped (well it looked like a warm crepe) thing and finished it off with what seemed to be a blob of cream.  Folks just walked away eating it all - imagine that runny chocolate.  Yum Yum (no I did not indulge)

Sorry I have delayed you so long with those photos - now pop over to Julia and see what delights she has on offer and link up with lots of friends on the way.  In the meantime hope you are all a lot more organised than I am.

WOYWW 236

Thought I had better show willing and show you the other canvasses that I did for the Oyster Retreat over the weekend before last.  After all I had been showing bits along the way for weeks whilst stressing about what I was doing.

Left undecorated for them to do to own sizes
Tree loops through so it stands like that

 Ali decorated the front of this one using Graphic 45 papers and the inside had papers, that were left over, forming the backdrop for a collection of Christmas items to go on one side as above.

Here's a lighter coloured one I did for Tracey (with added 'bling' as she and Martine love their BLING)

This one had compartments on the inside which I managed to decorate with a tree (from a very old mold I had back in my days working for someone else), a tiny canvas, a bottle cap and (sorry, a TH diecut) lamp-post.

Stamps and dies available from Oyster Stamps but paper is some I had left over from a year or so ago.  Canvas painted with Aqua Dabber.

As well as decorating the canvasses with me, Ali wanted me to use the other papers up and so I came up with this tag book

which opened up to reveal little pockets in which to put the tags.  The tags took me ages to do initially and I just hope the ladies manage to finish theirs for Christmas - they took pictures home with them to help see where I had cut the various bits from.

Odd numbered tags above

Even numbered tags below

Now where is my desk?

This is how it is - some stuff from Oyster Retreat
Some Christmas Decorations

Striped bag of goodies from Twisted Threads (yes really)
Brown/Turquoise bag from Oyster Retreat with
Ink pads etc to be put away

 After the Oyster Retreat
(brown box full of Oyster stuff for putting away)
Yes, another canvas to do

Sorry I have not got around to loading the Munich pictures, will try to do it this week.  Have had to go to doctors with this breathing problem.  No idea what it is, doubled up on heart tablets.  Not a single C Card made yet, well one for the doctor.

WOYWW 235

or should it be WOYWF in this case as I am two days late.  Hope it does not matter.  Could have uploaded on my iPad but I did not have the photo of my desk on there - doh!  Now realised why - I didn't have a photo of it at all.

Anyway, I hope Julia can forgive me by my uploading a photograph of one of the canvasses.  The poll as to which paper to use came out with the yellowish one on top - so here it is

this is the outside

Maybe I should explain, Ali wanted to decorate two canvasses which had been hinged together by another piece of canvas.  I wanted to decorate the outside as well as I thought it was like a card and would be sitting in a window somewhere therefore the outside needed something on it.

this is the inside

I used my "little things" up on the one I did for Oyster Stamps so this one is for me.  Our tree (if it goes up) is decorated in terra cotta, cream and gold hence the rusty look.  All dies are from Oyster Stamps, the background picture is from a catalogue from Italy that we buy the most gorgeous Balsamic Vinegar from.

Right, I will leave it there, will put the other two canvasses I did up next week when I know some WOYWW'ers will be looking. 

Got a bad chest at the moment so not sure when I will be blogging my adventures in Munich.  Watch this space.

WOYWW 234 (numbers please)

Thank you for all the numbers last week, was in a rush trying to get back to everyone because of the visit to the Textile Show (see post below) and numbers certainly did help. 

Well this week sees most of the canvasses in a state of near finish.  I am even letting you see what the back of them looks like

This pale blue one is an extra sample but there is not much given away is there.  You can see the images I have used as well if you peer closely.

Below is another one - now I want to enlist your help.  Should I use papers "red and green" or should I use the "yellow and brown" on this canvas?  Please help me as we have a difference of opinion in this household, and no suggestions for something else please as I am working to a tight budget (ie what I have handy).  It's an extra one as well - the actual is not here at the moment.  Heck, where did I put it?

Well, that's it from me today.  Hop along to the stamping-ground now and see what others have in store.  Bet there are some nice "C" cards around.  Lots of super ideas - I am still at the number two one - must get some sticking done - oh heck - it is my son's birthday next week - not got a card for that either.  Asda?  

Hallmark if I have time!

ps off to Munich for the Christmas Market next Monday so hopefully will blog from there but if you don't see me around I will be blogging Friday of next week.  Oh Heck!

Artful Times Challenge & Twisted Threads

Well, I didn't get chance to put my card I made for the Artful Times Challenge on Friday here which was to make something in Lilac, Silver and using a Wintry Image.  The reason?  I was away at Twisted Threads in Harrogate with a friend who had come along to enjoy the experience with me.

We went last year but just for the day so this time we decided to stay over and enjoy the delights of Harrogate as well.  Anyway, first of all here is the card I made for my challenge piece

The image is by Impression Obsession which I stamped in black then went over the snowy bits with Liquid Applique and then when dry with some glitter.  The Poinsettia is by Spellbinders and the Holly is a Cheery Lynn die - both cut out in silver mirri card.  All available from Oyster Stamps.  Background coloured with Distress Ink.

Sorry I am so late in showing you!

The reason is we had visitors, now I am not blaming them, please understand, but I just forgot I had to upload the card to my own blog. I have just been so busy of late but it is all coming to an end and relaxation time is close by.

Friends came on the Wednesday, stayed overnight and then we went on to Harrogate for the Twisted Threads Show where we unloaded our cash laden purses in short order.  Cannot begin to list what I bought as I have put it all away and have forgotten (deliberately) but I bought some of that beautiful enamel jewellery from Janna Hodgson.  If you are a fan of her work please get some now as she may be stopping making it - if not - why not?  Investigate please, she has the most beautiful work for sale and she is such a lovely lady to talk to.

Here are one or two samples of the delightful work on show

And what about these collars?

 On to some work by students

Ascot anyone?

and the great concert hall in the building

all set out for everyone to sit and eat lunch.  Nobody could complain there was not enough seating.  A splendid venue, a splendid show.

233 rd WOYWW (numbers plase)

Thoughts and prayers must first of all go out to those people in the Phillipines who are suffering terribly as a result of the typhoon.  One cannot begin to imagine what those poor people are going through, it has been heartbreaking to see the scenes of devastation on television and hear the heart rendering stories.  We can only hope and pray that sufficient aid is getting to them now.  I am so glad to read of our wonderful NHS doctors who have flown out there to help.  God Bless them and all the other aid workers.
(http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/typhoon-haiyan-nhs-doctors-hit-2806655)
( http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/102929/Kelowna-to-Phillipines-help-on-the-way)
Just two of the heartbreaking stories I read last night on the internet.


Another week has gone by - and my desk is no better looking and there are no "C" cards made (well two actually but they were for a challenge).

I did make a birthday card however, for my friend who had a birthday on Sunday (Happy Birthday Lorraine).

Am a bit busy with lots of things happening, friends coming to stay today and then the two ladies are off to the Stitching Show in Harrogate on Thursday.  Staying over for a couple of nights and then coming back to ours for the rest of the week.  After that it is off to the Oyster Retreat and then Munich for the Christmas Market.  Phew!  Then I can settle down and maybe make a "C" card or two. 

Anyway, here is my room

paper clay faces

still got poinsettias there

and that is it!

Now pop along to see Julia and look at what others have on their desks.  Toodle Oo!

ps Oh no, just remembered, food to get for the Vicky Stampers end of year party.  Just seen the Morrisons brochure, must get the party food ordered.

pps please remember to include your number as I will be on my iPad trying to comment whilst away.  No good asking the stay at home men to do it!

WOYWW 232

I am busy - and I have been wasting time!  Got myself in a pickle about something I am trying to make so took a few days off - today has gone much as yesterday in a whirl of nothing.  Sunday was spent stripping the bed from visitors and tidying up, then flopping and watching tv (I think).  Tomorrow I had better get to some serious thinking and working.

This is my desk - nothing exciting on it, I see there are still a couple of things left over from Friday's post about Alcohol Inks and there are two canvasses which have finally been Gesso'ed.  Oh, and my favourite die - Memory Box from Oyster Stamps.

It's really boring seeing that shot of my desk week in week out so I thought I would show you some of my books for a change

These sit on top of a cupboard and across a filing cabinet.  In case you wonder what is on top of them it is a plastic mask I once painted and am still waiting to decorate.  Typical!  The orange things to the side are some canes in tins for slicing.  Junk at the bottom.

This is a shelf in my cupboard

and below it on the 'ground floor'

 Some very old magazines in the black cases

Of course my book fetish is not solely for craft books, I have a thing for buying novels - especially about life in China.

Behind my little clay oven begins a long line of paperbacks which stretches over three cupboards.  I'd say the Chinese novels only come up to the coffee machine and somehow there are more magazines in the blue carrier.  Oh dear, I must find time to sort them all out.  Now you know why I have been Kindled.

Now what have you to tell us about YOUR desk.  Visit Julia and let us all know and then have a look at what others have to offer.  See you around!

ps Perhaps, before I go you will all join me in wishing Anne R, who has had a nasty fall, a speedy and safe recovery.  God Bless Anne!  Also our friends in the Phillipines who have suffered with this terrible tragedy that has hit the islands.

This just came through in my mail - please read and think about it:

 Day of prayer for the Philippines:

Don't have a day to spare to pray for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan?
As you go about your daily routine, why not make the most of your times of business to pray.

• Breakfast - as you eat your breakfast, pray about the crops that have been damaged, leaving families and individuals without an income and without food. Pray for those who are desperate enough to try and steal from people who have supplies. Pray for their safety and that they get food without resorting to violence.

• Drink - as you drink your morning coffee or tea, pray that people have enough clean water to drink. Pray that there is no more damage from excess water.

• Wash - as you have your wash or shower, pray about hygiene, illness due to poor hygiene and the spread of infection due to dead bodies. Pray that medicines might get to where they are most needed.

• Car - As you get in the car or on the bus, or set out to walk pray for transport, that it might get through to where it is needed. That people stay safe as they transport aid.

• People - the first person you see today, pray for all those people who have lost members of their family and friends.

• The school run - pray for the children who have been left orphaned

• Home - As you go home, pray for those who no longer have homes. Pray that the tents that are being sent from the UK get there safely. Thank God that our country, despite struggling for cash itself, can give so generously to the people of the Philippines.

• Bedtime - pray for clothing and comfort for those affected. Pray for rest.

• Sleep - As you fall asleep thank God for all the blessings He has given you.