A vintage Tag

 

Good Morning Ladies,  

Well yesterday was an 'all weathers in one day' kind of day,  it was sunny and warm one minute,  then dark skies with torrential rain, it even tried Hail we heard thunder rumbles in the distance too!  

Lucy and I were at the Wildlife park for when it opened,  thankfully there are plenty of places to sit and shelter from the weather.  Lucy had organised an electric scooter for me which was a huge bonus as she would had never managed the 2 dogs and pushing me in the wheelchair.  It wasn't very busy which was an extra bonus.  We had a lovely day, Soph came and had lunch with us too.  I even got treated to a deliscious Kelly's Mango Icecream, although at that point hot chocolate would have been more appropriate!  

Today I am sharing another Tag, this one was made using Arden Creative papers, stamps and PET tape stickers.  I really enjoyed switching off and sitting and creating,  thanks to Emilia Sieradzan for inspiration! 

I hope that you all have a lovely day, 

Love and hugs, 

Sandra xxx 

A lovely day at Batsford Arboretum

 

Good Wednesday Morning Ladies,  

Lucy and I had a lovely day out at Batsford Arboretum yesterday with Benji & Boo, it was really just to get the dogs out of the house full of builders,  Lucy was getting frustrated that they kept tripping the electricity off first thing too, which the girls found frustrating.  Lucy was at ours at 8.45 ready to go!  We got there and I had booked a '4 wheel tramper' (all terrain mobility scooter)  which the lady told me they tested by taking a couple up Snowden,  it was lovely to be able to be alongside Lucy as we made our way around some of the 60 acres of parkland,  the views were breath taking!     It felt good being out in fresh air.  I loved that they have every tree tagged with its name and when it was planted.  There were so many different trees around the park,  lots of Acers which are one of my favourites trees as the leaves are so delicate. 

This was one of the many different Acers. 

There were sculptures all around the park. 

This is a picture of the Anne Frank Horse Chestnut tree,  it started as a Sapling from the Original Horse Chestnut tree that bought joy to Anne Frank from her Attic window,  sadly the original tree has succumbed to disease and storm damage.  

There were so many little paths and resting places dotted all around the many different trails. 

We will definitely go back,  Paul would love it too. 

I hope that you all have a lovely day,  

Love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra xxx

A simple journal page

 

Good Morning Ladies,  

We had our little Boo for the day yesterday,   I don't think we were prepared for the whirlwind she was,  we didn't stop all day, she didn't stop,  we had to keep her in the lounge & office/craft room so that the cats could have as normal day as possible,  also if Boo got in to the kitchen & utility room and gets in cat litter tray and eats their food,  she is a delicate little thing so has food that is specially prepared for her delicate needs 🙄, so gobbling down cat food just wouldn't do! 🤣  She kept pinching things she shouldn't have, despite having a basket full of toys,   she got my flip flop to chew up, sneaked it into her crate/bed,  so paul retrived that, then she got under my desk,  so first it was a bit of card,  then a piece of bubble wrap,  which I played with her with,  she then got the big bottle of Isopropyl alcohol,   which I got off her,  so I swapped it out for a my san pelligrino water bottle, which she enjoyed for a few minutes.  Needless to say we both spared no time at 6pm getting her into the car to take her home!   We both sat shell shocked on the sofa with a cup of tea for an hour!  🤣😂

I've got her again today, well both of them,  Lucy is picking me up at 9.15am to go to Batsford Arboretum, which is a lovely place to walk around,  the hire big scooters that cover all terrains,  so that should be fun! 🤞 

Brenda I hope that you aren't too sore today, thank goodness it's only your little finger that's broken. Not that you needed anything else to recover from.  Sending you gentle hugs my lovely 😘

Today I am sharing a journal page that I made on Saturday,   I started by using Tattered Rose Oxide blended onto the background,  I then smooshed Tumbled Glass Oxide onto a piece of acetate and smooshed it over the the pink background. 

I then took a selection of die cuts and stickers from the Silent Sea Journal and built up the little scene, I finished with some Gauze at the bottom, to represent the frothy sea as the waves crash and I added some stickers to embellish it. 

Quite a simple look,  but effective. 

I hope that you all have a good day, 

Love and hugs,  

Sandra xxx

Daisy Art card

 

Good Monday Morning Ladies, 

Here we are at the start of a new week,   a quiet start to week in our house as the girls are at Becca's,  it just feels odd not having them here,  although it was nice not being told off because my phone was too loud at 10pm as I was browsing social media,  funny how roles switch over the years 🤣😂

We got a good amount of garden jobs done yesterday,   Paul did the lawns, I planted out beetroot and parsnips, did some pruning and tidying up of the veg beds,  I wish the plants grew as well as the weeds! 

Today's reminder is one close to me heart,   I used to feel so alone in the days after my hip surgery, going from a busy mum of 4, out every day, I ran Mum & toddler groups on Mon  & Friday, helped in school when girls were in nursery and going to other little groups with girls in afternoons,  to being housebound and no longer able to drive.  Paul's job meant his was away from home a lot too.  I really struggled with loneliness,  it was the very lowest point of my life.  I thought I'd make a few Christmas cards to counteract boredom,  it soon became a hobby, I found Sue's Blog,  back then it was very small,  she got picked up by Spellbinders and then really became popular,   her blog grew incredibly and that's where I met most of you,  I started my own blog so that we could all talk more.  You ladies gave me back my life,  this is why my Blog is so special to me.  I would never want any of you to feel that lonely, ever. ❤️ 

(Sorry that got a bit deep) 

Today I am sharing a card that I made on Friday using the Daisy Art collection by Stamperia,   a simple design but I quite like how it turned out. 

I hope that you all have a great start to your week, 

Love & hugs to all of you,  

Sandra xxx 

A look at our makes this week

 

Good Sunday Morning Ladies, 

We had a great day for garden jobs yesterday,  I wasn't up to that though,  bladder clinic caused another flare up of uti, It's not down to the nurse,  I just think my bladder is so over sensitive to any intrusion that it reacts.  I am determined to speak to the Consultant this week as it's been 10 weeks since he did the referral,  he said it was just a case of them writing the prescription! 🙄  

So I sat at my desk, procrastinated for an hour or two, then tidied  and reorganised a couple of things,  I think we could constantly re-organise our craft space and still never be happy! 

Another perfect reminder my lovelies ❤️ 

Let's look at your makes.....

Karen

Karen's Description: 

Here are a couple of cards using oranges and layering stencils 

Squeezed Lemonade

Wild Honey 

Spiced Marmalade 

Crackling Campfire distress oxides

The “rose” is mounted on yellow card onto a tent fold pink frog card

The square card has copper/gold paint splats x

The colour way of both cards is perfect,  such a great blend.  I has worked so well for two completely different styles.  

Thank you so much for two stunning cards,  you have inspired me to have a play with this colour blend and for doing a colour themed challenge. XXX 

Lilian 

Lilian's Description :

Hello, here is my challenge piece for this week.

I used “ birds and butterflies.

Made a card this week for a change, saw the idea on Pinterest.

Most of it came from house of roses,which I bought the junk journal to match the papers which I purchased some time ago. I’m so pleased they are bringing out junk journals to match the older papers.

Lilian your card is so beautiful,   that Junk journal is top of my wishlist.  Your composition is so beautiful and fits the 'Birds & Butterflies ' category perfectly! 

Thank you so much for another beautiful card XXX

Maria 

Maria's Description:

Hello my lovely friend.

I bought this bigger butterfly to be a centre piece on a card but as we are also doing backgrounds I found my pack when clearing up in my craft room 🤭

On this card I have used an Embossed background ( no name sorry).  My new Spellbinders Peacock Butterfly and a Happy Birthday from my stash.

To make it move I have put a wobbler on the back of the butterfly 🦋😊

WOW Maria, what a fabulous card,  that butterfly is amazing,  your colours just make me smile,  such a brilliant idea to add the wobbler,  lifting your card to one that will deliver pure joy!! 😀 

Thank you so much for creating such a joyful card and allowing me to share it today XXX

Sonia

Sonia's Description:

Both cards I made using ChatGPT to design the papers and elements.

On the card for my Dad to give my mum, I used a Stampin Up heart die to frame the sentiment. I used Stamperia flower dies, with gems in the centres and added a printed insert.

On the second card, I found the poem on Pinterest and used ChatGPT to add it to the design for the inside of the card. I added some gems to the front.

Oh Sonia such beautiful cards that you have designed,  the images on both are just so perfect for the occasion,   I bet your dad was speechless when he saw the card you made to give to your Mum,  you just can't buy cards that beautiful,  knowing you made it made it even more special.  

Your card for them both is equally as beautiful,   buying that printer was the best thing that you ever did.   

Thank you so much for allowing me to share your cards today XXX

******************

I hope that you all have a lovely Sunday 

Love & hugs to all of you, 

Sandra xxx 

Mixed Up Saturday

 

 To all of you ❤️

Good Saturday Morning Ladies, 

I hope that you are all ready and relaxed for the weekend.  What have you all got planned? 

I absolutely loved the quote above,  just to remind you all how much you are loved. 

Mind you I liked this one too..... 

It would have been fake news too....

This is reality 🤣😂

Recovery does take time and it's all to easy to think you are well enough to start 'normal' living, only to end up going backwards and taking longer than you would have originally taken to recover!   (Ask me how I know this 🙄😉)

Sophie 

Soph has been asked to create a painting for the office wall if the lady thats head of Gardens at the park.  The picture is the view from her office window, its huge 4ft  by 3 3/4 ft,  she drew the scene on her Ipad and scaled it up to the camvas.  I stop by every night to see the progress,  it was hard to capture in photograph as Soph's room is quite dark but you can zoom in to see the details.  The potting shed roof, the leaves on that tree and the view through that arch are all absolutely incredible in real life, I am such a proud Mum 😍🥰😘

I hope that you all have a lovely Saturday,  

Love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra xxx 

A stamperia Secret Diary Jounal page

 

Good Friday Morning Ladies,  

Well that week went by in a blur!  Mind you with the Bank Holiday and to days with appointments it's no surprise! 

Bladder clinic was good yesterday,  the new nurse (Kim) is great at the procedure, which makes such a difference!  After that we went to Debbie's garden centre for a light lunch and then made our way home. 

I made this Journal page on Tuesday afternoon,  using my Secret Diary collection,  I used rice paper for the background,  torn in half and paint stippled (for texture) down the centre, I then added some texture paste through a stencil and some background stamping,   then I got to building the main focus of the page, all elements are from the 'junk journal ' book,  apart from the girl which came in a bag of die cuts. 

I hope that you all have a great end to your week, 

Love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra xxx

A Tag using a Tim Holtz sticker

 

Good Morning Ladies,  

Early up and out today as its bladder clinic day, not my favourite day but the bonus is I get to spend the day with Soph !  

Yesterday's blood test and ECG went ok,  just need to wait for results now.  Lucy and I browsed around shops after appointment, which was a lovely  treat. 

 Today's Reminder made me laugh out loud,  one thing we are certainly good at is 'taking up space' 🤣😂

Today I am sharing a tag that I made using some very old (at least 8 years) Tim Holtz stickers books,  I saw Emilia Sieradzan create this tag using these old stickers and I thought 'yes, I have those lurking in the back of my cupboard,  let's go!) 

I hope that you all have a good day, 

Love and hugs to all of you,  

Sandra xxx

Karen's beautiful Spring card

 

Good Wednesday Morning Ladies, 

Lucy and I had a lovely day out in Cheltenham yesterday,  we didn't back until after 5pm.  It was lovely to browse around the shops without the pressure of 'having' to find something, I was looking for shoes but didn't find any that I loved. 

We had nice lunch out too, which was Lucy's treat.  Not such a fun day today, bloods to Check B12 & Liver (since starting BP meds) and Thyroid.  ECG too.  

I didn't get a carrd made yesterday so Karen Very kindly allowed me to share this beautiful Spring floral card. 

Karen's Description:  

Here are a couple of cards using oranges and layering stencils 

Squeezed Lemonade

Wild Honey 

Spiced Marmalade 

Crackling Campfire distress oxides

This card has copper/gold paint splats x

The metallic paint adds some gorgeous shimmer. 

This card is gorgeous Karen,  the colour combination is incredible, it looks so bright and cheerful yet soft on the eye at the same time. 

Thank you so much for allowing me to share your card today,  it really took the pressure off.  I really appreciate it ❤️

I hope that you all have a lovely day,  

Love and hugs, 

Sandra xxx 

All back to normal today

 

Good Morning Ladies,  

All back to normal today, Paul is back in work and just like that the lovely long weekend is over!  I enjoyed every second I got to spend with Paul.  

We made great progress on the garden yesterday but after the most torrential rain for most of the evening and through the night I darent' even go and look at the seedlings I planted and the bulbs I put in, I imagine they have been beaten out of the ground! 😔  Paul said sweetcorn and leeks were still ok. 

Today Lucy and I are off out to Cheltenham for the day,  then tomorrow I have Bloods and ECG and Bladder clinic on Thursday,  that's come around quick this time.  

Today I am sharing a quick card using Stampin Up 'Cup of Tea stamp and die set,  similar style to last weeks, this one has a great foliage stamp that comes with it and the tea cup stamp is striped,  the pink accent colour is Bubble bath.  

I hope that you all have a good day, 

Love and hugs to all,  

Sandra xxx

Bank Holiday Throwback card

 

Good Monday Morning Ladies,  

We didn't actually get the forecast rain or thunder during the day yesterday,   so we got loads of garden jobs done,   the sweetcorn I sowed a few weeks back has gotten that big and strong it needed to go out,  I planted put the last of my Dahlia, Ranunculus and freesia bulbs in.  We didn't finish and sit down until 5pm,  (although I did spend a lot of it sat on my walker/trolley)  it was lovely to just be outside.  

Paul bought some of the patio pots out of the greenhouse,  just look at the climbing petunia from last year  ....

I wasn't expecting it to last into its third year, I certainly wasn't expecting flowers this early either!   Such a lovely surprise. 

Today's card is a Throwback to May 3rd 2020, here is the description....

Today's card is one I started a couple weeks ago, following one of Tracy Evans many Tutorials.  The background started as a white piece of card, I did the resist technique and then used a combination of Broken China, Mermaid Lagoon and Blueprint Sketch Distress Oxide inks, I squished the inks onto a piece of acetate and spritzed with water, i then smoosshed the ink onto my card one at a time and allowed them to dry, I then used a wipe to clean off some of the ink from the resist areas.
I stamped the large flower image coloured it exactly the same as the background and fussy cut it.  I stamped the vase, added a little colour and after it dried I added some versamark ink and clear embossing powder, I did this so that the vase had a shine on it.
I did a little background stamping to add some detail and added the flower and vase.
To finish I added some tiny beads to the centre of the flower and added the sentiment .

I hope that you all have a lovely start to the week,

love & hugs to all, 

Sandra xxx