Mixed Up Saturday

Good Morning ladies,

I honestly only seems five minutes since I was writing my list for Ally Pally, although I forgot the list and didn't get half the things I was meant to get.  I have since ordered them online (plus a whole lot more)! Sshhhhh!!

So today I have a VERY special memory from our lovely Val, I have to say I was so touched that you sent the photo, while I was reading your message I had tears streaming down my face.  I can really sense how much you still miss Alan, which I find heartbreaking but I know I would be exactly the same, Cheryl feels exactly the same too, I think that in our lovely little blog family we have all been blessed with amazing Husbands, which these days is a rare thing.  So here is Val's amazing photograph and explanation of what you can see.

Here is Val's story..........

"I've attached a very precious photo of mine to maybe show on Saturday which would have been our Golden Wedding Anniversary.

It's a very battered photo as you can see but it's in a frame to keep it safe.

On the back row right to left is my dad auntie and uncle. On the front row my brother is the very thin one on the right with Allan sitting next to him and me next to Allan with the rubber ring. Sadly I can't remember who the girl is next to me. My mum's taking the photo.

This was taken at an outdoor baths which was a big day out for us as we got to ride on the ferry across the Mersey to New Brighton.

Allan and I were born and lived four doors away from each other. He was my brothers best friend and we spent a lot of time together as children in each others houses. We all grew up, then I had a boyfriend and Allan had a girlfriend who we both happened to finish with at the same time. Allan had just joined the Police Force and one day he walked down the street towards me in his uniform and he wasn't just my brothers friend any more, I saw him a total different way. He asked me out and we were married a year later.

As you know Allan sadly died 13 years ago very suddenly at the young age of 59. I lost my best friend and I miss him every day but life goes on. He left me with two great chilrren and wonderful memories so I count myself lucky".

Val, that is such a beautiful memory and look back at times gone by,  thank you so very much for sharing it with all of us. By the way, you haven't changed a bit!! 😉

Maria's photo of all of us at Ally Pally

On the Right you have :

Maria, Brenda, Pat, Margaret and Brenda (Littlelamb)

On the Left you have:

Paul, Me, Karen, and Sue.

I would like to thank the lovely 

Helen Bell, who joined us for lunch and kindly took the photographs for us.

Shopping 

Brenda

Brenda bought some lovely bits and pieces at Ally Pally, in the first photo we can see Oxide Distress inks, some Pebeo Gilding Wax, Honey Doo Mica Powders and glue, underneath those are some Foamiran sheets (a delicate thin foam that you can use to form realistic looking flowers).

The second photo contains: two packs of cards, some beautiful lace from the Button Moon stand, he had some gorgeous lace on sale, very good prices too.

Third Photo shows that Brenda had a 'John Next Door' shopping haul, 2 Embossing Folders and three stencils to be precise. Brenda was inspired by some amazing card samples.

I hope that you have managed to finish your sisters accounts Brenda so that you get time to sit and play with all of your new goodies. 

XXX

Karen

Karen bought lots of essentials as well as some lovely dies at Ally Pally, here is her description.....

Here are my buys

The paint is the perfect colour for my Birthday plaques
The dies are a mixture of what was on my Wish List - the Striplet one is my favourite from Sue's latest release They were all cheaper at the show than online
I just had to get that velvet paper after seeing yours!
The card blanks were exceptionally cheap and the glue is my go to for matting and layering!

Thanks for sharing your shopping Karen.

XXX

Maria

Maria had a very busy day at Ally Pally, along with Pat, they both went a took part in a few ,'Make & Takes', learning some new techniques as well as making a lovely Christmas decoration.  With doing those and having our long lunch I think Maria ended up rushing around to do her shopping, here is her description......

My shopping at Ally Pally became a swirl of stuff I don't really need but I just 

had to get something quickly for the time ran out and my chauffeur was coming

to pick me up  ;-)  Did I get anything on my list as storage for stamps and dies. Heck no so might have to go to NEC  and have a look. Is that anything you ladies ever go to ?

In answer to your question Maria, I have been to the NeC to the 'Hobbycraft' show, it was a few years ago though and at the time it was very busy, too busy for me to get anywhere near the stands to see anything, I believe it is quieter these days though, I was thinking of trying to organise Our meet up around one of the crafting shows,  so I would be interested in your feedback.

Thank you for sharing your shopping Maria.

XXX

Sue

Sue managed to get some lovely Dies and essentials for getting started on those Christmas cards, that 6x6 paper pad was fantastic, some lovely patterns for Men's cards.  Some great basics that we all run out of too quickly, card blanks, ribbon, Brads, then there is some lovely designs of Washi Tape, those dies are lovely Sue, I love the cute Reindeer, the pretty Snowflakes too.  Now that 'Red Velvet' card is stunning, I think that we all bought some, it will make gorgeous Poinsettias. 

Thank you for sharing your shopping Sue.

XXX

Margaret

Margaret was being very good as she is saving up for some more Stampin'Up! Goodies, so she mainly bought 'consumables', so we can see lots of card blanks, some good basic Christmas card coloured /Glitter card stock, some adhesives,  glitter glues etc, that lovely 6x6 Paper pad, (that Sue bought) and Washi Tape, a fantastic pack of Memento ink pads in gorgeous colours.  Then right in the center of the of the photo is Margaret's tombola prize that she won, the Tombola was run by Hochanda.  It was lovely to see that one of won. 

Thank you so much for sharing your shopping with us Margaret.

XXX

My Shopping

I have to confess that this isn't just my Ally Pally shopping, I have spent some birthday money on a few bits and pieces too.

I couldn't resist some of Sue's new Dies, they are so pretty, so I got a few of those, I also had a StampinUp order due, I ordered some of the new Christmas dies, which I used to make yesterday's Blog card. The Merry Little Patterns stamp set was Free with my order this time so that was a bonus.  The Colourful Seasons Stamp and dies set has something for every season, the Snowflakes are really pretty, so are the Autumn Leaves.

I bought some Autumnal card and ink colours too. I think that is one of the things I love most about Stampin'Up!, everything matches perfectly! 

A few more Christmas dies, that I found at really good prices, the make is 'Precious Marieke' they are lovely detailed dies.

Last but not least are the Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks, I just LOVE them, I started off with 4, but couldn't resist a few more, sshhhhh!!!

Margaret, I hope that all went well yesterday and that you aren't in too much pain today my lovely, sending you healing hugs xxxx

I hope you all have a lovely weekend,

Love and hugs

Sandra

XxxxxxxX