Jeudi Journal - Kitchen?

 "I only have a kitchen because it came with the house" is today's quote to marry with "Snow" which is Sharon's theme for the month at Art Journal Journey.  I hope Sharon does not mind my only having a window on my journal page which is showing a snow scene.

"Lisa has called at her sister, Jane's small house and Jane is as usual lounging about on the floor.  The house is in its usual untidy state whereas Jane herself is dressed in a chic playsuit with spotty tights and her hair has obviously been done by a professional.  It has some lovely pink streaks in it which match perfectly with her tights.

"Mum wants to know if you are going over on Christmas Day?" asked Lisa.  "and if you are, I want to know what you are going to take with you?  I've made a Christmas Log and some mince pies but we could do with something a bit savoury."

"I hope you don't think I am going to make anything.  I am having my nails done on Christmas Eve and don't intend ruining them.  Besides which you know I don't bake or cook." replied Jane.  "I only have a kitchen because it came with the house."

"You really are the limit" said Lisa feeling a bit cross.  Mum had worked hard bringing up the two girls and their brothers all those years whilst dad had been in the Merchant Navy and she appreciated just what mum had sacrificed for them.  Jane was the youngest of the four children and had been spoiled by the others answering to her every whim as a child.  How Lisa wished she could make Jane get up and take a bit of responsibility and help out so mum did not have to do it all.

The boys were both married and luckily they had both chosen good wives who were only too happy to pull their weight when it was needed.  They had got their heads together and decided on what they could make so that their mother in law didn't have to do too much.  The only fly in the ointment was the youngest daughter and at a family meeting they had decided that it was up to Lisa to get her to do something.

Lisa looked around, the stove was immaculate because it was rarely, if ever, used.  There was a stack of pancakes on the floor with a sticky bottle of Maple Syrup by it, a beaker and a jug were just left where she had obviously dropped them and, as usual, the washing basket was overflowing.  She averted her eyes, was this really her sister?  How on earth was she going to get Jane to make something to take to the Christmas Buffet?"

Our day today will be spent going out for a walk somewhere and just grazing on some things we bought specifically for today.  It's nice to have a day out and about and since we started putting tangerines in the fridge (picked up this tip the other week) I am looking forward to eating a couple of those whilst out walking,

My best wishes for the New Year.

WOYWW 812 Happy Christmas

 Well, the big jolly man dressed in red has been down a chimney or two - hope he managed to go down yours.  Also hope that you are having a lovely time as however you spend it.  

Normally close to Christmas I show you our tree but this year I am showing you lots of trees as we went to Bents Garden Centre to see their display.  I used to love going there to see the trees as each one was themed and there were some spectacular displays.  I always remember the Fred and Ginger tree - decorated with top hats, gloves and canes - doesn't sound exciting but believe me it was.  Anyway nothing like that this year but here is a selection of what they had on offer.

the box underneath the tree had lots of the baubles in that they had used for that particular tree.

With this one above a 6' tall Father Christmas stood guarding the display.  I cannot remember how much he cost to buy.  Below we have the Grinch tree.

As well as decorated Christmas trees they also had table and room settings.  Some had a wooden platform in front of them with footprints so you could stand in the best place to have your photo taken.

Just look at this dress

and I wanted this but decided to keep my money in my purse

Well I might try to make one for next year.

These last two are from our local Garden Centre

I hope you enjoyed seeing all of these Christmas photos.  Now all that remains is for me to Wish You All a Very Happy Christmas.  Take care, eat, drink and be merry (but not too much, remember it's harder to get the weight off than put it on.). Now to hop over to Sarah's to see who else is about.

Jeudi Journal - Mice?

 "People who hate cats were mice in a former life" is the quote we have to work with this week, coupling it up with Sharon's theme at Art Journal Journey which is "Snow".  I found this piece of paper which I carefully stuck in my journal because the design reminded me of snowflakes and snowballs.  Then I stamped some different images of snowflakes over the printed ones in Versafine Bali Blue.  After I had coloured (Promarkers) and cut out my figures I put some 'puffy snow' underneath them instead of shadows in order to ground them.  The two figures are by Dylusions but the cats are Laurel Burch images by Stampendous (just thought they were a change from the ones I usually use).

"Alf and his sister, Brenda, had gone out doing some Christmas shopping, it was a lovely crisp, bright winter's day and Brenda insisted on wearing her sunglasses.

"Why on earth are you wearing those?" asked Peter, who felt a bit embarrassed at his sister's choice of what to wear that day.

"Do you mean my sunglasses?" asked Brenda, "if so it is because the glare from the snow gets to my eyes and I don't want to have a headache" she replied.  "Or are you referring to my hat and the fact I have brought my little furry bunny along with me?  You know how I feel about my toys."

Peter just grunted and decided to let it go.  Yes, he had meant the sunglasses but the hat was a bit over the top and he just hoped he didn't meet any of his friends whilst out shopping.  You see, it hadn't been his idea to go shopping with Brenda, it was his mum who had insisted.

Brenda was obsessed with all furry animals.  She wanted a dog but mum said 'no' and she just made do with a cat.  The trouble was the cat would not let her dress it up but a dog would have, wouldn't he?  At least that was Brenda's logic.  Saying that she loved her cat, loved all cats and often had the neighbour's cat in the house as well as their own.

"People who hate cats were mice in a former life" she said to Peter.

"What on earth are you talking about?" asked her brother.

"People who hate cats were mice in a former life" she repeated.  "I've just been thinking, nobody on this earth can hate cats, but as cats chase mice and eat them I bet mice hate cats.  Therefore Mr Brown down the road who shoo's cats away and puts that stuff down in his garden to keep them away must have been a mouse in a former life."

"If you say so" said Peter, agreeing to anything she said that morning.  He didn't want a tantrum in the street with her and he knew if he said anything to upset her she would throw one and then what would mum say.  "Come on slow coach, if we are to buy presents for mum and dad we had better get a move on."

And with that the two of them hurried through the snow to the store that would be nice and warm and have lots of lovely things for them to choose from.  They had an hour to get a present for mum and dad and Peter was hoping to find something for the girl down the road he had a bit of a crush on."

WOWW 811

 Nearly there, almost time for that jolly little old man dressed in red to come down your chimney.  Have you been good?  Or have you been bad?

Well at ours the tree is up, the cards are on display (thanks to anyone reading this who sent us a card) and all are looking mighty fine, what wonderful designs people choose, whether commercial or hand made, the mince pies are bought (yes, didn't make any this year) and the cake is just waiting for the marzipan to dry out a bit and then I can ice it.  Mind you there is so much to eat I doubt we will cut into it (last year we had it for my birthday in March).  Most of the shopping is done, just the two of us for Christmas so we don't need much but I bet we have overspent as always.

We did have an early joint Christmas present, courtesy of Black Friday, at long last we have an air fryer and I cannot get my hands on it.  He won't let me near, but I am not bothered as he is enjoying cooking and I am enjoying eating the meals he prepares.  When the novelty wears off I will have a go at baking in it, looking forward to making some bread and some kind of sweet (cakey) loaf.  Also I spotted a great buy of a vacuum cleaner in "Martin's Money" so we treated ourselves to that and we love it, it is so light and I can use it with ease, not like the one we had before.  

Well, with Christmas prep out of the way I decided I needed some down (Non Christmas) time in my craft room and so I began colouring some old coasters.  I'd done the one with the hare on months ago so now I have started an owl and a humming bird.  All Lavinia of course.  Here is my desk:

Think it is pretty self explanatory as to what is on the desk, bottom right is my Nocturne ink pad upside down with my dirty baby wipe that I cleaned the stamps with.  I'll show you the coasters when they are done.  That just leaves me to say Happy Christmas to you all, we will be closed for maintenance next Wednesday ie mince pies and wine after the big bacon muffin we have made a custom for at our house on Christmas Day.  Call in if you want one but ring with your order first.  See you at Sarah's shortly.

Jeudi Journal - Thin?

 "I'm usually thin and gorgeous but it's my day off" is the quote we had to work with today and marry it up with Art Journal Journey 's "Snow" theme.

"It was a snowy day when Sandra and Bettina decided to meet up and do something, afterall it was a lovely crisp day with just a little snowfall on the ground and it had not turned into that slushy stuff that happens just when you have a brand new pair of red boots that you want to show off.  So, making the most of the light snowfall Sandra set off in her new big shiny red boots.

"Fancy going ice skating in the park?" asked Bettina.

"Not today" answered Sandra.  "I've only come out to please you" she went on to say.

"Oh, sorry, there was I thinking you had come out to show off your new shiny red boots" quipped Bettina, "I had noticed them, in fact you can hardly miss them, they are huge."

"These old things" replied Sandra, fingers crossed behind her back because she hated telling lies but it was ok if you did that with your fingers, wasn't it?

"Well, what did you have in mind then?" asked Bettina.

"Err I don't want to do anything where there are crowds, I'm not feeling up to it today."

"What do you mean?  You've come out wearing that big red coat and those fab new boots but you don't want to go where people are?  I don't understand you." 

"You know me, I'm usually thin and gorgeous, but it's my day off."

What do you mean it's your day off? queried Bettina.

"I don't honestly know.  I was so excited to wear my new red boots but then when I set off did not feel like it, not wanting to go out at all.  But I had promised to meet you and so I didn't like ringing and calling it off."

"You silly old thing" said Bettina, "You know we have been friends for such a long time, you could have rung and told me how you felt.  I'd have come over to yours and we could have stayed in nice and warm.  We didn't have to come out."

Bettina went and put her arm around Sandra giving her a big hug and the two of them decided the best thing to do was to go back to Sandra's and sample some of her mum's mince pies.  Who likes trudging around in snow anyway!"

Hopefully I am back now, still got a few spots that are itching but at least the pain of the shingles has gone.  How I wish I had known about the vaccination in time to have one.

WOYWW 810

 Hip Hip Hooray - the last of the cards went in the postbox today.  I've just one special one to do (and not a clue what I am doing) and then I can start on next year's (yes, I mean it, I am not going to be caught out next year).  Then I have two challenge pages for my blog and two swaps that are not cards (?) to do this week.

Oh and marzipan the cake and then a week later (Boxing Day?) ice it.  There are also some of our special decorations to put on the tree, for some reason he did the tree but missed the special ones out but I found the box with them in and now they need adding.  Really I need to tidy up my craft room which is an absolute mess at the moment but I can close the door on it and pretend it does not exist.  Tidying it really means decluttering so it may get left until the new year and just have a bit of a duster flicked around for now.

This was my desk the other day.  The cards on the left are ones I stamped with a stamp I bought either last year or the year before because I loved it.  Never used it so this year I did and I do like it and maybe will do some like that for next year.

Here is my crochet mat that I keep telling you all I once did.  It has Solomon's Knots and pineapples in the pattern and yes, I did do it all on my own with instruction from my mum (gosh I do miss her).  So Lynne, I did once know how to crochet and will do so again one day, God willing.

Will leave it there for this week folks, see you over at Sarah's Craft Shed shortly.  See you!

WOYWW 809

 Wednesday again, they come quicker than the 510 bus does and that is a frequent service according to the transport authority here.  Cannot believe it is the 5th tomorrow, my son's birthday but also 20 days to Christmas Day and nothing worth seeing here.

Yesterday saw me making an attempt to put together some cards, Chas putting the tree up and both of us feeling like we were walking in treacle.  Forget the little houses, they won't be out until next year so hopefully I will be a bit ahead for 2025 God willing.  This is my desk and the sum total of my "C" cards thanks to shingles.

The cards on the left are ones I have made over the last few months at online workshops which you have seen before and the other two piles are some I made a while ago when I was playing with a foiling machine.  They saved my life and gave me eight cards.

I've never done a Masterboard before and haven't much of an idea on one but it might come to me giving one a go in the next few days.  In the meantime I will start making inners for these cards (phew!) and give my Christmas cake another dousing with spirits.  Now I will go and see what Sarah has to offer and what you Woyww'ers have been up to.  See you over there.

WOYWW 808

 I do not believe it, it is almost December and that means it is near enough to Christmas and all that it brings with it.  And guess what?  I am nowhere near being remotely ready.  In fact I think I will shut us off for the next five weeks and pretend we are on a world cruise or something.  (Actually we made the Christmas Cake yesterday - a bit later than usual, but a good slug of spirits (or two, or three) and it will be fine.)

Trouble is I am still not operating on all cylinders with this damned shingles but I am getting there at last.  Just need my stomach to stop itching and to get a good night's sleep.  So there has not been much production on the card making or anything creative.  Remember I got some small houses, identical to the others I had bought?  Well here is the total production line - plus two or three not coloured in case I need a certain colour when I put them together as cards.

Later today I hope to get some grey paper, about 125gsm, and see how many cards I can make with the houses I already have.  The ones made by the DT at Lavinia were on circular cards but I haven't time for any of that and they will have to be rectangular.  Maybe I will have some to show you next week before they hit the postbox.

Right, it's off to Sarah's now to see how everyone else is - hope there are a lot more organised crafters out there than I am.  See you next week.

WOYWW 807

Another week has gone by but not been enjoyable for me.  Don't want to whinge but it is getting me down now as it is never ending.  Up four times in the night and then I sleep all morning.  There is a stomach bug going around apparently and I have got it on top of everything else so feeling a bit angry with everything.

Good thing is last Friday my order from Lavinia arrived but I didn't open it until Monday - here is what I bought - topping up my bits I want.  Well, you have to do something to cheer you up and spending on crafting always works for me.

The houses are a smaller version of the ones I coloured a few weeks ago, wanted some to use to mix in and make things that bit different, will be good for perspective too.  Didn't think I needed the tree until I saw it being used, now wish I had bought the larger one too.  Crows were on my wish list from ages ago, would have been good for halloween, fairies, well I just liked them in the end.  Blue wink of stella pen - Jo used it on a card I liked so I got one - and ink pad is one I needed for something, what it was I cannot remember.

That's it for now, will probably be up in the night and maybe wander into the craft room and upload and see if Sarah is on to link up.  See you all next week.

Jeudi Journal - Art Journal Journey

 Sorry Wendy, I cannot go with our scheduled post today as the pain from this shingles is really bad.  So rather than not post anything here is a page I used for my tumbler but which is now a page in my journal.  Got some different medication for the pain today so fingers crossed it "dums down" over the next day or two.

This was done using Lavinia stamps, Versafine Claire and Elements ink pads.  Colouring on images was done using Inktense pencils, Gel pens and Posca pens.  It is my entry for Wendy's theme at Art Journal Journey "On, In or By The Sea"

WOYWW 806

 Nothing much to show you today.  Remember the little houses I showed you last week, well I was hoping to show you some little dinosaurs this week but this is as far as I got because these shingles are driving me crazy with the pain.  Still got the blisters but the redness between the patches isn't as bad now but it doesn't seem to matter as far as how much I hurt.  Sorry this is not a pity party.

The APN who I have seen at the surgery was telling me her grandson is mad about dinos and so I decided to make him a few to stick onto a background card or whatever he wants to do with them.  Maybe gran would like to keep some and make a Birthday Card for the little man, anyway, that is what they are for and this is as much as I have done this last week.  To be honest I think they were stamped and cut out Thursday onwards.

See you next week and at Sarah's shortly.  Hugs!

Jeudi Journal - Better

Today the quote is"Everything is better when you decide you don't care" and to fit in with Wendy's theme (On, In or By the Sea) at Art Journal Journey I have a scene set in an aquarium at the seaside not far from where Eloise lives.  It is a huge aquarium and has lots of attractions including the longest coral reef in the UK and an aquarium tunnel with the ocean above and around you.  Below is a photograph from such an aquarium.

"Eloise was feeling upset.  She had fallen out with her bestie and now her bestie had told a whole load of lies about her to some of the other girls that they went around with.  Eloise found herself shunned by some of the girls and had spent some sleepless nights crying into her pillow.  She didn't want her mum to find out as mum would probably say something to the girls when she saw them so she had had a miserable few nights and lonely days.

It would happen when it was the school half term, the days seemed longer, but on the other hand if she had been at school they could have made her life a complete misery.  To poor Eloise there seemed no escape from this misery she felt she was going through.  Then one night she had a dream and her fairy godmother told her that the only way to get out of the doldrums was to show you don't care.

So next day saw Eloise dressing in her favourite polka dot dress that went perfectly with her new magenta boots she had saved up for.  Part of the 'cure' was to dress up, kind of 'power dress for girls'.  She told mum she was out for the day, dashing through the door when mum asked who she was going with, she didn't want to tell a lie not even a white one to her mum.

A visit to the seaside and a walk along the promenade always left one feeling good and so the first thing she did was walk down the prom.  The breeze was light and in no time at all she felt better than she had all week.  As she walked on she remembered that there was a huge aquarium not far away and so she quickened her steps and made her way there.

It was a little expensive to go in but Eloise thought it well worth the money and she hadn't been down town with the girls in ages so her spending money had accumulated nicely. Once in she was transported to another world.  She walked under the huge tunnel, marvelling at how she felt she was walking on the bottom of the ocean.  The huge walls were just glass, it must be very strong thought Eloise, to hold all that water.  She stood there and watched the hundreds of fish swimming about quite happily.

"It must be wonderful to be a fish" she thought, "swimming around for miles and miles without a care in the world, meeting lots of different fish and exploring the coral reefs.  Darting here and there in the holes made by the rocks and things."  It was then she realised that what her fairy godmother had said to her in her dream last night was happening.  

"Everything is better when you decide you don't care" she said to the little seahorse that was passing by, "and I don't care anymore.  There are a lot more fish in the sea than Leanne and she is not going to make me miss any more sleep."  And with that Eloise carried on enjoying the aquarium but this time with a spring in her step.  It had been worth every penny visiting the seaside that day."

Sorry I got a bit carried away with the story this week but it was good to take my mind off the shingles pain which is still dreadful.  Just remember to get the vaccine when you are eligible, believe me it will be worth it.  Luckily the background was already done in my square journal so I just had to add the figures.  Wish you could see and touch the background, no idea how I did it but it is lovely and textural.

WOYWW 805

 Nothing much to show you today.  I've become obsessed with the two houses I bought from Lavinia the other week, before shingles.  Can't get interested in anything at the moment but now and then I try to do something to take my mind off the pain.  When I get going I really enjoy colouring them in with my Zig pens.

I've had these pens years and only just really started using them, did a bit of colouring with them on my Dylusion Journal pages but not much, now I love them.  If I am well enough to go to the Leigh show in a couple of weeks I might buy the two smaller houses so I can get some different perspective in my cards when I come to use them.  I just need to put some snow on the roof tops with something white and puffy and get some backgrounds done.  (They are on my tray which has a bean bag type bottom and I've stuck a craft mat on top hence the blue tape bits.)

Hope you are all well and happy, see you over at Sarah's craft shed shortly where we can all join in and have a good old nosey.

Jeudi Journal - Make Believe

 The last post for Alison's theme at Art Journal Journey is "Land of make believe - next right" and wouldn't we all like to go there at some time.  In fact, having had a real humdinger of an argument with a doctor's receptionist yesterday about the medication for my shingles (see yesterday's post re shingles) I could go there right now - or maybe send that receptionist to get lost there.  I did wonder if I was being "soft" but I went on the internet and listened to someone who had had it - click on Jo here to listen.  There are three people talking of their experiences and now I don't feel I am being "soft".  Anyway, I urge anyone who is eligible to go and get the vaccine, please please listen to me and go for it.

Sorry this theme is coming to an end Alison as I have been able to use my autumnal colours for it and so enjoyed using them.  Just wish I had had the time and energy to do more.  Thank you for a great month.

"Millie, Billy and Tilly are triplets.  Poor Mrs Brown wondered what was happening when she found out she was having not one but three children all at once.  Anyway she managed, luckily Mr Brown was a big help and had been 'hands on' with the children when they were younger.  They are all 14 now and at that awkward age where they don't fit in with the older kids and are much too old and sophisticated to bother with the younger ones.

It was October half term and the three of them had been invited to a party at a friend of Millies.  Millie and Tilly had set off ahead of Billy, as per usual he was messing about and late for everything, and they were enjoying walking through the autumn leaves which had fallen from the trees.

"Isn't it fun kicking the leaves as you walk" said Millie.

"I love listening to the rustle when they are so crisp and dry" answered Tilly.

Despite being identical the girls did not wear the same clothes, they liked to be individual as far as that was concerned, unless, of course, they wanted to play a prank on someone and dress the same causing endless confusion as to who was who.  There wasn't anything they could do about the way they looked, nature had made sure of that, and both girls had the same unruly hair.

"Where is Billy?" questioned Millie, "I do hope he is not going to be late and have us hanging around for him."

"I am worried as to what he is going to be wearing, I told him he had to dress smart for you and your friends."

"Oh, so did I, and so did mum" said Millie, "He's going to be fed up of us women before long, bet he'll be glad when dad gets home from grandma's and he isn't surrounded by all of us women." she laughed.

The two girls scuffed about a bit in the leaves and looked up at the trees to see if there were any acorns or conkers about to fall.  Just then they heard a whistling and around the corner came Billy, looking fairly smart in a bow tie - but what was that he had on his head?

"What the heck are you wearing" the girls chorused.  

"Take that off immediately, it isn't a horror show or a fancy dress party and you are not going with that on your head." shouted Tilly, the eldest of the triplets by a couple of minutes.  "Where on earth did you get it anyway, it's hideous and you look stupid.  I hope you didn't walk all the way from home wearing it.  The party is this way - Land of Make Believe next right."

Billy shrugged his shoulders, took off the skull mask and gave one of his cheeky smiles.  "Well you two, are we going to this party or not?" he asked.

Both girls rolled their eyes, what was it like to be a triplet and one of the three be a boy.  Oh for another sister!"

My page began with several colours of acrylic paint "sloshed on" and smooched all over.  I then went over it with Oxide Candied Apple Ink, added some leaves at the top in Versafine Clair Nocturne and  stamped and cut out some more leaves colouring these in with my Inktense pencils and fussy cutting.  All leaves are by Lavinia, figures as usual by Dylusions.

WOYWW 804

Another week which again flew by, in more ways than one at ours.  We had the witches visiting in the form of finishing off the cards I started last week.  Perhaps now those who thought I was trying to do a blend will see what I was trying to achieve.  Just a glow in a forest.  In total now I have made four of these cards, gave one to my friend a while ago and sent the two new ones off at weekend.  Here is the old one which I kept and the two new ones with a slight variation - can you spot it?

Sorry it is small but I cannot get it to show any larger on account of it being a long photo.  Maybe if you click on it you will see them larger.

To help you here is my original one done a few weeks ago

and a new one with a difference

Obvious isn't it I much prefer the change I made, hope the original crafter who did this card does not mind (Leesa MagicalMaker) and I have now got the bug for Halloween and am working on another card - similar but different colours, or maybe a journal page - cannot make my mind up.  

I did hope to go and join in the fun and festivities at Lavinia HQ in Ruthin but something got in the way, and not a good thing either.  I had even bought myself a new headband and this time a pair of silk fingerless lace gloves.  Mind you some of the costumes that turned up were absolutely fabulous and I may have felt silly and somewhat under dressed.

So I sat at home feeling miffed and sickly with a 'mahoosive' band of blisters around my midriff. Yes, I have got shingles!  I feel so rotten.  The pain, which came immediately the blisters arrived, feels like someone has given me a big punch in my side. It is so painful when I move - and then yesterday morning I woke feeling as if my side was on fire.  Still feel as if I have been punched.  I don't wish this on my worse enemy.  And the horse pills they gave me on Friday make me feel nauseous.  How I swallow them I will never know, they are HUGE.  

The best is DH is ever so good looking after me although really I am not ill and can go out as long as I avoid pregnant women and babies.  Checked with my Podiatrist and she is happy to treat me tomorrow - not so my Chiropractor who has to work on the area where the blisters are so can't blame her.  Touching them is how they can spread.  So please please please can I urge you to go for the vaccine against this.  I never thought shingles was so bad, just some spots!  Please go if you can.  (Keep forgetting you have to be over 70 to have this vaccine - hope I didn't offend some folks)

Not going to Ruthin did not stop the spending and I got an order in on Thursday when the festivities began.  Just ordered what I wanted from the new collection and a few bits I wanted previously.  Having watched the demonstrations there are a couple of stamps I wish I had bought so guess they will be obtained at the Leigh Show on the 11th.

Not much is there?

Forgot to show you these that I got the other week - wanted a die from Sizzix but they are so expensive and I thought these might do instead - they will!!!  Cost me £7 for them all (photo shows die with cut out below it

Six in total as opposed to two of the Sizzix ones

That's it for this week folks, now to link in with Sarah at her Craft Shed and then begin having a good nose to see what other crafters are up to.  See you there.

Jeudi Journal - Fail

 The quote this week is "I do not fail, I succeed in finding what doesn't work" 

"It was early autumn and Tilly and her bestie, Anna, were invited to the wedding of the year.  it wasn't really anything that would hit the glossy magazines or TV news but it was a wedding where all their school friends would be attending and so the two girls wanted to look their best.  It was five years since they had all been together and there was a certain girl code where you wanted to look good and show that the last five years had not been arduous ones.  

Betsy Jane had always been the "looker" in the class and she had gone on to a successful modelling career so no doubt she would look fabulous.  Alison had always been the brainy one and secured herself a career in law so could afford to buy an expensive outfit.  Same went for Pamela who was PA to a film director and to Freda a flight attendant, but not just any flight attendant, she was sought after for first class only.

"Oh dear" said Tilly, "I am afraid I am going to be a bit frumpy at the side of all those glamorous girls at this wedding."

Poor Tilly loved chocolate.  And cake, and biscuits - and a tub of ice cream never stood a chance when she was watching a rom com on the TV.  The result was an extra pound or two found its way to her tummy and her hips.  Her bestie, Anna, was always telling her that one day she would regret the diet she had, not to mention the fact that she vary rarely took any exercise, preferring to sit and watch TV or curl up with a good book.

"You'll be fine" said Anna, "look we have eight weeks to get you into shape and with a bit of luck we can get an outfit at the boutique down the road the week before the wedding.  When you have lost some weight."

"Oh you know me and diets" cried Tilly.

"Yes, you fail at them all" replied Anna.

"I do not fail, I succeed in finding what doesn't work"  said Tilly, looking somewhat dejected at her best friend's comment.  

"How come they worked for me when I lost that weight?  And all the others at the slimming club who lost pounds in the first few weeks.  Bet if you really set your mind to it you will lose at least a stone, if not two before the wedding.  But you have to try.  Have to be honest.  When you sneak in a biscuit or a bar of chocolate it's not others you are letting down, its you, yourself.  Be honest."

"I told you, I do not fail, I succeed in finding what doesn't work and those diets don't work for me.  I did try and found out that the 'banana diet' doesn't work, 'vegan diet' doesn't work, the 'mediterranean diet' doesn't work, all those 'substitute meal' diets don't work, the 'soup diet' doesn't work and as for 'calorie counting' in whatever guise you put it - it just doesn't work for me."

"Look" said Anna, "come along to the slimming club with me and give it a chance for a month.  I'll move in with you, if you will have me, for the whole month and we can do it together.  Diet buddies.  If it doesn't work, fine, but I honestly think it will.  Will you give it a chance?"

Wonder what Tilly decided.  Did she go to the slimming club with Anna, did Anna move in with Tilly for a short while?  And the biggie - did Tilly lose any weight?

This is my entry for Art Journal Journey where Alison has chosen Autumn Colours and Inspiration as the theme.  I began by using Mustard Seed and Carved Pumpkin (it's almost Halloween) Oxide Inks for the background.  Stamped a selection of autumn leaves with Nocturne (2nd generation) and then filling the leaves in using crayons.  Figures are coloured with Promarkers in autumnal colours also.

WOYWW 803

 I really do not know where this last week has gone - it's gone faster than other weeks and I had no idea it was Tuesday when I woke up yesterday.  Consequently I had nothing really to show you on here, especially after last week when I seemed to have lots.

I've been busy making ribbon bows.  I tried a couple of You Tube sessions and then remembered the fork one which I found the best but then I also remembered my old way of making two loops and tying them together - voila

I'm quite chuffed with them

although they did give me cramp in my fingers several times.  Didn't think I had chubby fingers but i needed them to be more slender.  The witchy, tin has my butterflies in, the bee tin - bees - and the other one has small numbers - all ready for putting on cards or in my journal.

I was working on some backgrounds for two Halloween cards.  I'd forgotten how difficult they were to get all the colours into such a small space and yet have a nice yellow centre.  I made two of these cards earlier on but now need to send two to people who celebrate Halloween.  So for all you WOYWW'ers out there - this is my desk (the small table I work on mostly

I'm struggling to get all the colours on the card but I did it twice before so don't understand what my problem is.  That's Wilted Violet on the desk - the other colours are behind me on the worktop

Guess this morning I will be trying to get them to look right so I can begin the fun of stamping images but first these want blending much better - hope I haven't to start all over again.

I did make two birthday cards that had to be off this past week but i have searched myk computer and I must not have taken scans of them but I did scan a bookmark I made for a swap (Ancient or Modern) - but forgot the card that I made and sent to the other person!!

Ah well, off to Sarahs Craft Shed

Jeudi Journal - Bad Ass

I must confess that I had not a clue what this quote I had to use today meant.  "I love how bad ass we think we are when we are together."  So I had to ask "him indoors" and I hope that the story fits the quote Wendy got from somewhere.

I decided to use a black background and my 'hardly ever used these days' Perfect Pearls.  First of all the powder in one stuck to the lid and when I opened it the lid remained at the bottom and the powder spilled all over the place.  Have you ever tried to clean mica powder up?  Then when I had finished it all, cleaned up and scanned the page it did not show up at all.  At this point I was ready to give up but a cuppa and a calm down later I took a photo  - joy of joys, it shows even though not greatly but I so wanted it to have this glowing autumnal effect for Alison's theme at Art Journal Journey.  Now to attempt a story:

"It was October half term and the girls had a whole week off school.  They had spent some time in the small wood near to where Bea lived and collected lots of conkers from the big Horse Chestnut tree at the bottom of the lane.  Excitedly they ran to Bea's house and began soaking the chestnuts in vinegar.

"What on earth do you think you are doing?" asked Bea's mum as she came into the kitchen and saw all the pots and pans - and mess - that the girls had made of her lovely sparkling kitchen.

"We are hardening our conkers" said Bea without looking up, "you see if you soak them in vinegar, then put them in the oven for a couple of hours it makes them harder and we want to be the best conker gang  in the area.

"There's a big match on at the end of the week just by the school yard and we want to be champions this year" explained Eden.

"Sorry Eden but if your mum will let you fair enough, but I am not cooking conkers in my oven.  Take the smelly things around to your house if you want and see if your mum will let you cook them there."

Disappointed the girls picked up the conkers, put them in a plastic bag and made their way to Eden's.

"Do you think your mum will let us put them in the oven at yours?" asked Bea.

"Not sure" answered Eden, "but I will try my very best."

Eden went in on her own, Bea stood quietly by the door waiting to see what was going to happen to their conkers.  Five minutes later Eden arrived with a smile on her face, mum had agreed.  And so the two girls went in and popped their conkers in the oven being ever so careful not to make any mess whatsoever.

"Mum, can we have something to drink whilst our conkers are cooking?" shouted Eden who was already eyeing the Parkin mum had made that morning.  A nice hot drink and a slice of mum's Parkin was just what the girls needed whilst they waited.

"Yes, and you can have a slice of Parkin if you promise to be careful" shouted mum back.

Both girls eagerly made a drink and helped themselves to the Parkin, sat down and began planning what they were going to do when the conkers were threaded on string and ready to play with.

"I think we will definitely win the competition with these conkers" said Bea, "they are the biggest and bestest we have ever seen and baking them in the oven like this will make them well hard.  A bit like us two, well hard!" she said with a giggle.

Yeah" replied Eden, "I love how bad ass we are when we are together,  And this year we are going to prove it to all of them at school.  We are going to be the best, the champions."

WOYWW 802

Another week has flown by and it will be Christmas before we know what happens.  Another four cards done in an on-line workshop with Jo Rice added to my growing pile.  At this rate I will be ready to get them out early enough.  Here are the latest four 

They were all done in various shades of brown - Versafine Clair Pinecone, Portobello and Sand Dune with Elements Sahara for shading.  At the moment, in my TV watching time I am trying to make lovely little bows.  Sometimes these old fingers freeze and make it impossible,

These need mounting on some card bases and then they can go in the box with the others.  In the meantime I have one or two things that need starting.  One is my art journal for tomorrow where the theme is 'autumnal colours' and the other is a Halloween card which I want to make for someone who I know celebrates it in a big way.  Then there is my swap card for an internet group I am on - not a clue what to do with this one. I also have my window sill Halloween Display to do.  I'd love to make something new for it but there isn't that much time.  Oh, and I have two birthday cards to get out this month.  Now have I any in the box suitable for those recipients?  Here's my table with the craft things on that I got out in readiness.

Left we have my box of Greek/Roman /Egyptian rubber stamps then some of my halloween stamps from the box behind and next to them is a set of stamps suitable for autumn.  In front right we have some inkpads ready for making a Halloween background.  Why do I always want to do the one thing that can actually wait?  It's the birthday cards and the journal page that need doing.  Maybe I should get those things out on the counter behind me. 

As I can't make my mind up here is a short video of the tumbler I did for Chas

Next week you will find which way I went with the various things in my head.  In the meantime why not join me over at Sarah's Craft Shed to see what others are doing - see you there in a short while.

Jeudi Journal - Crazy

This was written A MONTH OR SO AGO  so the hand is fine now and I have had to make some changes to the story and the journal page to fit in with the current theme.  Had to keep the bit in about my hand as someone saw the post before I had chance to delete it and she had commented.  Just ignore the first paragraph as it is irrelevant now.

What a morning!  I cut my hand on Tuesday on a trolley at the supermarket and this morning woke to find it still bleeding quite a bit and it is so sore to touch.  Held me up a bit sorting it out.  I think I am accident prone.  Not to worry I had to get my blog page done for Art Journal Journey.  Could I find the strip of paper that had all the quotes I had to use - no. It was nowhere to be seen and my desk was not that tidy, so hand throbbing and stemming the bleed with a piece of lint I set about looking for it.  To cut a long story short I could not find it and then I had a lightbulb moment.  Was it in my Journal?  Yes - found it so off to get started.

Cutting, colouring sticking I got it done eventually and then I realised I still had to write a story.  What had I done?  Well, the quote says "crazy" and the page is "crazy" so I need to pen a "crazy" story for you all.  And if I want to link it to Art Journal Journey where Alison has chosen 'Autumnal Colours and Inspiration" I need to make some changes to a page I did a while ago when Wendy moved house and I held this one back.

"Harold and Sidney had been at the same school for most of their lives but hadn't really struck up a friendship as such.  They weren't enemies, spoke to one another, even played games together now and then but it wasn't a real friendship and that is what Sidney wanted -  special friend - to be Harold's friend.

Harold was keen on science and he had a sort of 'set up' in his father's old shed.  Often there could be heard bangs and shrieks coming from the bottom of the garden.  It had even been known for the door to suddenly blow open and a green mist to come surging out.  His poor mother, Mrs Brown, looked out in despair most days when Harold was in there.

"I'm afraid, one of these days, Harold is going to blow himself up" she said to her neighbour.  "I have visions of the shed suddenly taking to the air, all kinds and colours of smoke following and my poor Harold lying prostrate on the floor when he lands back down.  Maybe even in your garden."

Mrs Brown was ever so pleased when Sidney called one cold damp autumn day to see if Harold was playing out.  

"He's down in his shed" she said, "you can go down there but please be careful.  I hope you are not another mad scientist."

Sidney made his way down.  "Hya" he called out at the door, "it's me, Sidney Black from school.  I wondered if I could come in and play with you.  Your mum said it was ok, she asked if I was a mad scientist, what did she mean?"

"Oh, that's just my mum" said Harold, "she thinks I'm crazy when I come down here.  You don't have to be crazy to be my friend - I'll train you" he went on to say with a grin.  "Come on in."

Sidney walked through the door.  Oops, what on earth was going on he thought to himself.  There were all sort of weird objects in the shed, what on earth were those things that looked like green eyeballs?

"Here, meet Fred and Stan" he said  pointing to some critters with weird pop out eyes, "oh, and that's Cuthbert on top of the glass cloche."  Cuthbert being the cutest little caterpillar you ever could wish to see.  "Ready to play?"

Sidney hesitated a moment as a great big orange spider dropped from above..  He had always wanted a special friend, he wondered what it would be like to have a 'weird friend' as someone special in your life.

"Right, Yes" he said as an eyeball attached itself to him.  This was going to be fun.  What an adventure the next week promised to be.  No school but lots of playing with Harold and the critters in his shed at the bottom of the garden where it was nice and warm away from the cold October days."

Apologies to Erika if I have got the glass dome name wrong and to Alison if it is not autumnal enough, I did try to alter some of the clothes and critters to fit in with your theme.

WOYWW 801

Sore arms- covid and flu jabs last Friday so sleepy from a couple of nights disturbed sleep when I turned over.  Luckily I did not post anything last week that I had made so I can get away with showing you what I have been up to without much effort.  It was nice to find out how many people had been with WOYWW for a good number of years and are still here or just popping in now and then to say hello.  I was surprised to find I had only missed 59 weeks of WOYWW, I thought it would be closer to the 100 mark.

I had been on another workshop with Jo and we made a Christmas Cracker, a card, decorated a brown paper bag and made a tag for a canvas wine bottle.  

Sorry the photo is a bit dark

I think the cracker will make a great gift bag so I need to buy something for my dh, probably a small bottle of whisky and wrap it in a pair of boring socks or undies - just need to check which he he is most in need of.  Or can any of you think of something better please?

My Christmas cards are mounting up nicely and I found another two cards I had recently made on another workshop with Jo that will be great with a little bow and a "Merry Christmas"greeting.  With the way that I am going I won't have a rush on this year although I am on the lookout for a 'special' card for himself.  I like to make one with a bit of movement, a kinetic card for dh.

Called to see my friend Jayne on our way to the caravan and she made me two more tumblers.  One for me to leave up there and one for Chas.  They really are super and keep your drinks hot for hours (or cold, even keeping the ice cubes intact if you include them).  I've found this mermaid one perfect for my overnight drinwhich I sit on the floor where it is easy to reach in the dark, take a sip through the metal straw (yes, it is a cold drink) and pop back on the floor until the next time.

I now wish I had made a Halloween one just because I love those witches but I really love the mermaid scenes so I went with that - whose to say I won't splash out on another but this time Halloween.

Here is my Mermaid one - it's only a quick twirl so takes seconds

Next week I will show you the one I made and Jayne put onto a tumbler for me to give to dh for a present.  Poor Chas, it had to be a Lavinia design but he chose what he wanted from my stamps and he is quite happy with a nice hot drink when out walking.

Have a good week and hopefully see you week 802 at Sarah's for another WOYWW.

Jeudi Journal - Autumn Woodland

 Looks as if Wendy is still having problems with her internet connection so here is another page from my Lavinia Journal for Alison's theme at Art Journal Journey - Autumn Colours and Inspiration.

The background uses Elements Sahara ink with Violet Chalk around the edges darkened in the corners and used very lightly with Mini Hill Masks towards the base.  I used a moon mask and darkened around the edges with emphasis on the bottom edge.

Tree Den and Tree Stem were then stamped using Versamark Claire Nocturne with a second generation Tree Stem stamped to give depth to the page.  Tree of Hope is the stamp with the branches that cross the moon.  Silhouette Foliage and Orchard Grass were stamped in the foreground again using Nocturne, some in second generation.

Berry Wreath was stamped across the top edge and the berries were coloured with a yellow Gel Pen as were the vines on the two Tree Dens.  It is a shame you cannot see the glitter from a scan.

Finally using a yellow Pastel Pencil I then put the effect of light from the moon down the sides of the Tree Den stamps.

Sorry there is not a story attached to this week's page but I will be back next week with one.

WOYWW 800

Wow, Oh WOW this is the 800th time WOYWW has been on the internet.  Sadly not for me as I did not join in at the very beginning. I have always tried to never miss a weeks posting.  Not sure if I have managed it but I've tried.  Didn't know how to find my first post but messing about I discovered I could go back to my early blogging days and there on the 29th JULY 2010 I did my first WOYWW.  

Week 60 my desk shot was this

This was my desk - according to what I blogged I had some lace pieces drying on my spray box but the rest of my desk was taken up with claywork which I rarely do these days.  The lace pieces were for an album I was making for my friend who had the most adorable little girl ever.  Gosh, I loved that little girl.  Here is the album

I used to love making things like this.  The lace pieces were all put in the rings of the spine and there were lots of pearls and silk flowers on the cover.

I found this blog hop was the best thing ever for making friendships.  Immediately I joined I felt surrounded by friends.  I had internet friends all over and some of them in other parts of the world I got to meet when I went to CHA in America.  

I grew to  love the Crops when members would meet up.  I think my first was Llandudno with Margaret hosting and it was marvellous to put faces to names.  To get to meet people who had become a big part of my life and certainly joy to Wednesday mornings.  So THANK YOU Julia for starting this blog hop, and THANK YOU Sarah for continuing with it. (and thank you to LLJ for all the times you stepped in to keep us together).