Shoes and Summer

I forgot to post a picture of the birthday card I made for one of my friends BUT first of all I must say a BIG WELCOME to my new followers.  Hope you find it worth joining up to my blog as I post pictures of my 'makes'.  Thank you so much for taking the time.

Anyway, we are having wall to wall sunshine at the moment so I am spending a lot of my time outside. We never know when it is going to break (forecast is Tuesday) so we have to grab it whilst we can.  Our patio table is out for the second time in three years and (gasp, shock, horror) the umbrella came out of its packing!!!  Oh and the chiminea has had it's first airing - cooking burgers.  Hope this week of sunshine is not the sum total of our summer - again!

The big black table at the end (seats 8 - just to give you an idea on size) is where I have been doing my painting of boxes - not a success so they will now be covered in paper.  DOH!

And now to the birthday card.  I bought this stamp from my lovely friend Mary G in America when I was over in January and this is the first time it got used.  Hope Alison liked it and hope you do too. Painted with Twinkling H2o's.

See you later!

Maps - Challenge at Artful Times

Cartography I think is the posh name for maps.  I like anything connected to travel and as it is coming around to the time of the year when lots of folks will be getting ready for their holidays I thought "Maps" an appropriate theme for the challenge.

That was a while ago when we were compiling our list of what to have throughout the year.  When it came to making a sample I sort of froze and then went looking in my box of bits (big box) for some kind of atlas I could tear up.  I came across two small books both dealing with France, and more to the point, Paris.  Well, always a sucker for a bit of "ooh la la" I began tearing and covered a manilla tag, first in distress ink (walnut stain) and then with bits of maps, underground timetables etc.

A quick look through my stamps and I chose this rather elegant lady to go alongside the tag which I had, by now, decided not to cover up with an image - a bit of red and blue cardstock and this was the result

I left room at the bottom right for a greeting for when I send it on to someone and have just the perfect situation to use it coming up so it will probably feature "Good Luck" or "Bon Voyage" shortly.

Why not pop along to Artful Times and see what other inspiration is there and what news there is following Von's departure.  I know Von has been busy over the weekend and she has a lot on at the moment but I do urge you to visit her new blog where she showcases her jewellery - click here to look.

WOYWW 209

The birthday has passed, the crop has been and gone (and I can't wait to hear and see more about it - have seen Julia's and Jan's accounts) and still ATC's are coming in - love it like this as it extends the birthday celebration.

Just one little blot on the horizon, are there any/many of you getting "anonymous" emails?  I had 17 one day last week!  Nothing offensive but obviously spam which I don't bother to publish.  Just thought I would mention it as I make sure I check my comments before publishing and thought I'd give you the warning.

Now to the exciting bit - my desk - carefully prepared to show off the exciting ATC's I have received up to date.  OK so this doesn't look like my desk but it is my temporary one stationed outside in the garden where I spent yesterday afternoon doing some crafting.  Beats indoors!  Got to make the most of this sunshine.

 here they all are - but then to some close ups

Jo (Jozart)

Anne (Redanne)

Annette  (Voodoo Vixen) with sleeve

Annie (Wipso) with verse

Jo (Twiglet) with card

Back of ATC from Julie Ann

Julie Ann - front and envelope

Shaz in Oz with verse and message 

to say items used were bought in Manchester

with me!!!

Lyn (Spyder)

Nikki with her talking tag

(wish you could see the glitter)

There, you have seen my gorgeous ATC's now so dash off via Julia to see lots more.  You might even see one of mine.

WOYWW 208 All Together Now ...

... Happy Birthday to You
    Squashed Tomatoes and Stew
    Lots of Jelly, in Your Belly
    Happy Birthday to You!

WOYWW is Four Today!  Thank you Julia for bringing so many of us together each Wednesday, for all the fun and friendship that is here today.  It's unbelievable that you gave birth four years ago to the biggest blog hop Blogland has seen.  And we are swapping ATC's too today!

I could go on but cutting the chat I will show you my desk.

Stash!  That is all it contains.  On Sunday I was working at the Lincoln Show and, as per usual, spent my earnings on goodies.  Four Spellbinders dies and a two Die-namics from Tracey - and a stamp from Ali-Crafts.

It was a great show, lots of people waiting at the barrier to come in when the clock chimed "ten" - and I missed the chance of a photo! But here you can see the crowd as it came towards me

Our stand before the show started

I was working to the side of the pink case - where the kitchen roll is - and Pam was at the other side.  That's Pam talking to Tracey at the end.  You have probably seen lots of Pam's beautiful cards in the Oyster Gallery.

Had a great time - made all the better with meeting up with Sam again.  I do miss her when she doesn't come to Harrogate and I was not sure she would be here this time - but (thankfully) she was.  Great to see you Sam!

and here is Spencer waiting for it all to begin

Sitting on a Spellbinders Die of course

As well as demonstrating the Artisan Explorer (Spellbinders' dinky new machine) I did two workshops using Pan Pastels.  Tracey asked me to do ATC's so the idea was born for my swaps for today's birthday celebrations.  I won't show you what I did this week as the ladies have not got them yet so don't want to spoil the anticipation.  Also not opened the two I have already received (thanks Jo and Anonymous) and it is too early to do it now so you will have to wait until next week when it will be an ATC filled post.

Right, time to see what others have posted - wonder if there are lots of ATC's out there?  You will have to follow this link to see - happy hunting!  Happy Birthday WOYWW!  Here's to number Five!

ps I will post a list of who is taking part in the Flat Susan Travelogue in a day or two - check if I have your name and addie.  If not please get in touch and if you want to sign up there is still plenty of time.

Challenge 30 Artful Times goes Vintage

You will need to pop along to the Artful Times to see what I have written about "Vintage".  To heck with all that the dictionary says - here is my interpretation of Vintage - in an easel card.

I used my Grand Calibur to cut out a large oval card (hinged) which I then made into an easel card with the addition of a further oval shape.  You can see I have used all three dies in the set to mat and layer the image which is taken from one of the Non Sequitur plates.  

I then used some roses (sorry purchased and not made) to decorate the card and hopefully make it a bit special for someone.  Finally I put some flat flowers on the base and an "Italia" stopper, fixed with some foam sticky bits.  Here's a closeup of the image and flowers.

Hope you like it

If you would like to join in with this challenge pop over to Artful Times where regulars will find that changes are afoot - sadly.

WOYWW 207

Well, here we are again, another Wednesday and not a bit of blogging about my trip to Alnwick.  Loads of photos on the computer but not a single thing blogged and it is time for another WOYWW.  Got one of those "can't sleep, won't sleep mornings so am here super early.

Must mention that as how big your troubles seem there is always someone worse off somewhere.  My heart goes out to the people of Oklahoma - devastating pictures on the news.  God Bless you all.

I am working at the Sincerely Yours show on Sunday in Lincoln.  If you are in the vicinity do pop along and say hello to me, it would be lovely to meet you.  (Contrary to the nasty rumours that were circulating the show is ON and has not been cancelled - obviously a rival is trying to scupper these shows and set up their own in the area.)

Not sure which of these two machines I am demonstrating so am taking both but Tracey has asked me to do some Make and Takes. Want to know what I am doing?  Then pop along if you can - otherwise I will reveal how it all went next week.

You can see I am busy,  I have cut lots of ATC's and am now busy die-cutting some flowers.

Here's my desk with a sweep to the left

and to the right

my new supply of glue sticks

Just in case you are new to WOYWW pop along to see Julia and all will be revealed.  Hurry up though there's lots to see if you follow the links.  Must go - die-cutting to do - see you!

Flat Susan Sets off for Liverpool

Here she is - all ready, Friday night, to begin her travels.  Here is Flat Susan sitting in her little case in which she is going to travel.  I know she should maybe just travel in an envelope but as she is so tiny it is a bit daunting for her to rattle around in one so she has her own little travel case.

Well, Flat Susan (FS for short) set off on her worldly travels today, Saturday, 11th May.  I took her with me to Port Sunlight to HSNW stamp show, where she was introduced to Jo who is taking her on a short holiday "on a plane" and then on another short trip before sending her off to her next new hostess, Elizabeth.

Here is the handover which took place in front of the refreshments at the show.

She was actually waving to you all as Jo held on to her and I feigned a smile as I let her go.  I know she will be perfectly alright in Jo's capable hands and because she has not got a passport and Jo lives near the passport office in Liverpool she will have one before she boards the plane.

Well, it could be a while before I see FS now as she will move from one host to another and have a wonderful time.  I can't wait to read about her travels.

Just in case you haven't signed up and would like to have her visit you there's still plenty of time to do so as she will be away months now and until she is about to return home to me she is open to invitations.

All you have to do is email me (addie in the right side bar third from top) your snail address and I will add you to the list which is about 21 people long at the moment.  I will let you know when to expect her and when she arrives with you hopefully, she will have a tag to give you from the previous host.  So I just ask that you make a tag for the next host when you pass her on.

Please write about her and her stay with you, what she did, where she went, giving a little bit of information about where you live, on your blog with a photo or two and then I will make a copy of all the blog entries and compile a book of her travels which I am giving to a couple of little girls who would love to read the adventures FS has had.

Please sign up if you are interested and Flat Susan will be delighted to visit you.