WOYWW

This is a quick look at my desk as it was the other day for all you WOYWW'ers.  This is when I unloaded the suitcases from our recent trip to America.  Too late to include last week as we did not get home until Wednesday evening and it was some time on Thursday or Friday when I "dumped" my stash.

This is my work area - EEK!

And to the Left

Don't ask me what I bought as I cannot remember and in order to clear some space to work in (yes, I had cards to make this week) most of the stuff is lined up against the wall in the hallway waiting to be catalogued (I have to stop myself buying duplicates) and put away. Put away?  Where???

Not time to let you see anything else as I am off on my travels again. This time only to Milton Keynes but it will be a girly night out with my lovely friend Lorraine so we will no doubt have some laughs together tonight.  Also meeting up with Janet and Wendy and going to the Chinese for our evening meal.

I say, only to Milton Keynes, but it is so exciting as we are taking a workshop with - da da .... drum roll please ... the one and only Tim Holtz.  Plus of course those two wonderful ladies Lin and Leandra.  yes, I managed to secure a place on this workshop which sold out in next to no time.

So check back here at weekend - hopefully there should be some photographs.

Whilst you are here - for those who saw my earlier posts about my friend, Mary, falling and breaking her knee cap whilst we were staying with her in America - the good news is she has had her op and is back in the land of the living.  Mary, bless her heart, had Maria ring me (all the way from America) as soon as she came out of the op and they were told she had opened her eyes.  Tears of relief came I might tell you.  Now eagerly awaiting an email from someone - anyone - to tell me how she is and, hopefully, that she is home.


Here she is with Maria, Carole, Becky (her sister) and that's Mary in the wheelchair.  She had gone out to look at one of the glorious sunsets and I just had to get my camera.

Busy Bee

I have been a busy bee today but cannot show you all what I have been crafting just yet.  However, here is a photograph album I made for my friend Naomi.  I made one for myself ages ago to put photographs of her darling daughter in (love her to bits) and her mummy wanted one.  Never got around to it, but as it was Naomi's birthday whilst I was away and I didn't make her a birthday card (shame on me) before I left,  I thought I had better do the album instead when I got back home.

I sprayed some Mulberry Paper with Tattered Angels and covered the mountboard to form the outside.  Then I put some cardstock inside and fixed it all together with my Cinch (better tell you, I had forgotten how to use the Cinch so Jane had to help me - excuse is I had jet lag).

Today I dyed some ribbons and lace and began sticking flowers on.  They were so annoying - they kept popping off.  It still looked quite plain compared to mine but I didn't want them too much the same and then I found some tiny dragonflies and added more flowers.  That is it.  Put to bed now and fingers crossed Naomi likes it.

Jet Lag and a Challenge

In more ways than one ...

Saturday night I had a good sleep and could have slept on but I wanted to go to Jayne's Stamp Day so I got up and went and had a lovely time.  Didn't do much of Naomi's Album - spent my time nattering.  Think Jayne didn't get much of her project done as she was busy in the kitchen delighting us all with her Corned Beef Hash and her Potato and Leek Soup - yum yum!

Here's a couple of photographs from the day

I was sat next to Lorraine and she made this beautiful card in next to no time.  Not like me!

Mo brought her beading and made some sales - not a clue what she is going on about here.

A long shot down the hall - missed quite a few folks off sadly.

Tried to get a closeup of Paul - guess the camera isn't up to it.  One day ...

Well, now about the jet lag.  You may not believe this but I have not slept all night.  Got up in the wee small hours and tidied my craft room.  Mind you half of the contents I tidied are sitting on the hall carpet.  But at least I had room to craft and so I decided to join in with the Just For Fun Challenge.  It's a new Challenge Blog and I love it so I entered the first week whilst I was in America but events took over and I missed the next one.  Decided to do the current one which is following the monthly "Wings" theme set by Sam and is "Wings of a Bug".

It started off as an ATC and ended up as a card.  Now my other half just didn't get it so for all you folks out there I will explain - the little mouse has bought a pair of wings and today they just don't work.  He went back to the shop but they explained that they won't work in the rain so here he is trudging along with his umbrella.

I used my favourite inks (Distress) Wild Honey and Rusty Hinge for the background with the raindrops stamped in Rusty Hinge.  The image background is Crushed Olive at the bottom and Tumbled Glass at the top.  The mouse and his umbrella are coloured in with Promarkers and his butterfly wings with Gel Pens (slot in his back and inserted through).  The words are computer generated.

I was really "miffed" at having missed the week before ("Time Flies") so I made a hanging on a computer disc and although it is too late to enter it here it is:

This is an image I bought from Mary whilst in America because I just fell in love with those ladies (Art Impressions).  The image is coloured in using Promarkers, the wings are grungeboard coloured with a gold Dabber and the words "Time Flies" were done with my Dynamo.  The other writing is my own with a pen.

I had great fun doing this one but now am feeling sleepy so will leave it there.  There's still time for you to join in with the Wings of a Bug Challenge - go along to the blog and read all about it - sounds exciting what they have planned.  

Maybe more tomorrow - perhaps Naomi's album will be completed.

You Know!

When it came to it I had not many photographs of the Taco Party to report on.

David sent out for some Nachos, Tacos (chicken, beef and cheese), the most wonderful Guacamole, sour cream and all the things that you just love to eat when over here in sunny California.  Of course, there was the obligatory Margaritas as well - Pomegranate ones for a change.

This is the love of my life - Matthew - and my how he has grown.

Maria and Neil - a mixture of Scottish and Irish

Becky and TC - I adore these two

Kim and Neil

and someone who wishes to remain Anonymous

As you can see it spilled out into Mary's retreat, the stamping room and the kitchen and there was more tonight.

Becky & Rob decided to give us a "leaving party" Monday evening so this time it was Italian with the most delicious Spag Bol cooked by Rob.  Unfortunately Mary slept through it so missed all the chatter. tears and fun.

Spaghetti Boy

(No he is not eating fir cones)

Robert, David and Rob

Great I got these two to stand still for me

Another Mystery Guest?

This one looks trouble!

 Uh Oh, the Missus came and  sorted him out - Hey its Rob!

 Unfortunately I did not have my camera and missed out on a photo of Drucie and Tim who called to say goodbye.  Maybe because Drucie had me in tears.

Then I missed out with Kim who looked beautiful.  She had been working until 7.30 pm but still found time to come across the Park and have some food with us when almost everyone had gone.  Needless to say, as soon as I heard the door I knew it was her and the tears came.

Maria and Neil were the last to leave - more tears - mind you Maria had had them on and off most of the night. A super holiday but tinged with sadness that Mary had a fall.  The good news is that we took her to the hospital today and they are going to operate within the week.  Shame I won't be here to take care of her but I will leave part of me with my family in Sylmar.

A Fabulous Day

It was a working day for me today (read Sunday here as I am still in California) but what a fabulous time I had with some old friends (not in age) and some new friends at The Stamping Party.  Maria came over early because Chas and her husband, Neil, were off to the Ronald Reagan Museum (they had a fab time - got a great photo to remember the day by) and helped with all the food.  Because she knows how Mary likes things set out at her parties the food table would not have happened without her.  We opened dips (and I MADE an onion one), crackers, chips (crisps to the UK) etc and I (once again - but with directions from Mary in her bed) made Iced Tea which was soon demolished.  Everyone attending brought food and pretty soon the table was groaning under it all.  We had cookies, cakes, chocolates (someone had made one in the shape of a heart in honour of St Valentine), salads, sandwiches, more dips, the most delicious potato salad, fresh strawberries and choux buns and just about everything you could wish to eat.

After a bit of dipping into the food it was time to start stamping.,  Chas had left without fixing the computer up to the tv so we had a bit of a panic but soon Kim, bless her heart, had it working.  Unfortunately we could not get the volume up so I had to talk it through.  Mary managed to get in her wheelchair to supervise and make sure I did not step out of line.

The girls were divided into small groups and each given a project box which I had prepared for the week before, thankfully with the accident!  Eagerly beavering away they made at least six cards.

Cathy & Kim working on colouring

Maria avoided the camera but Jan gave me a big smile

Carole & Carrie worked diligently

Valetta and Rose look so engrossed

As do Belinda and Sandy

Rose had a break to do some shopping

Whilst Robin carried on regardless

and Karen and Kim studied what they were doing.  Kim, on the right was the computer guru who got us linked to the video - three cheers for Kim!

All in all it was a super day for me and to finish off we all made a little tag book from one piece of 12 x 12 paper.  It was getting late by this time so some ladies took theirs home to decorate with embellishments later.

I did manage to fit in a demonstration with Smooch paints where you drop a little into some water making circles, then smoosh it around and dip your paper in to make pretty marbelled backgrounds.  They all enjoyed this quick demo.

All too soon it was time to go home and so bags were hastily packed and goodbyes said.  I think they enjoyed it and do hope so.  I even entertained them with my pronunciation of "water" with a "t" instead of "wadder" like the Americans pronounce it.  There was one other word but for the life in me I cannot remember what it was.  Some great friendships were formed and we have now been invited, next time we are here, to spend a few days with Jan's friend, Beryl, in North California.

The evening finished off with a raffle, prizes donated by Mary who had the honour of pulling out the winning names and everyone went home with a little gift.  I am sure Mary felt she had had a "full day" but she did so enjoy seeing all the ladies - I hope it perked her up a little but I guess she is now very tired.

Phew!  It was over and only clearing up to do - but hold on to your hats ladies - we then had a call to say David was bringing Tacos over for dinner so another party was soon in full swing.  Think I will leave that until tomorrow to blog as my 'patient' probably needs her bad leg lifting into bed.  She needs tucking up!

Before I go I will leave you with a shot of the 12 Tags of Christmas which Sandy brought along for Mary to see - beautiful work as always from Sandy who does the most amazing books - sadly I did not get time to see any of them this time.

Taco Party tomorrow for you all to see.

What a Day!!!

It is Saturday morning here in America and yesterday was the day of days.  You may remember we were giving a party for Red and Bob, well, 8.15 am Mary and Chas set off for the stores to buy provisions.  One store Mary wanted to get something from did not have it so they went to Smart & Final.

Chas went for a trolley and heard a bump and a shout behind him, turned and Mary was on the floor.  Off to hospital and at 6 pm she returned home with her leg in a splint and a broken knee cap.  Obviously the party was cancelled.  Mary being Mary she is holding it at a later date when she can do it.  That woman is a toughh cookie - the most resilient woman I know.

Now in the throws of organising the Stamping Party for tomorrow, we won't be going to Heather and Joe's Party tonight with the rest of the family but here are the cards I made for them:

It was Heather's birthday on the 7th so I thought I would mention the fact that I am late.

Her dad's birthday is the 13th so no worries there

Not an easy stamp to work with unless you are extra good at colouring so I just did a Distress Ink background - sorry about the quality but I am having trouble scanning so need to photograph everything.

Must get on as I have a lot to do and I would love to see some sunshine (81 outside I was told).

Well ...

The countdown is on, only four more full days to go as on the fifth day we leave around lunchtime for LAX.  I have never known five weeks to go so quickly.Well the tv studio visit did not happen, neither did dinner with Cindee and Warren -" Moi" had problems breathing and we thought I had a cold coming on.  I felt quite fluey. Then Cathy rang yesterday and she had been reading that the hospitals are inundated with folks with similar problems to me.  It is all due to the rain they had before we came, then the hot sun and now the Santana (not sure if that is how it is spelled but that is how it sounds) winds.  Now on the anti-histamines!

That ensures we have to come back next year - we have socialising to do.

Anyway, Cathy's advice was to stay in - so I crafted.  Used up some heart shapes that had been waste from the cards we prepared for Sunday and made my Valentine Cards.  Here in the States they celebrate it more than we do in the UK so I need to send some to my girlfriends over here.

Close up of the two I cased

Carole had been trying to show me an alternative tag book from one sheet of 12 x 12 paper from the one we are doing on Sunday so I had a try and this is what I came up with:

I am going to use it to put photographs of all my American family in (on the brown pieces) with their names written on the oval pieces. You put a tag in the top of the first one, the side of the second, the top of the third and so on - I can fill up with photos of friends I have over here and, hopefully, more I will make on Sunday.

Thought this stamp was appropriate

Now to make a couple more Valentine cards and I am done - got to finish Red's birthday card for tonight's party and make one for Heather for tomorrow night's party (what a social whirl) but before I do here I am frying tacos last night - Mary gave me a lesson in how to do them - I did well!