Craft Fair Goodies

Morning all.  Phew, it's been quite a busy weekend in the Frecklepuss household this weekend - well mainly for me actually.  With just one week to go before my craft fair, I have been frantically trying to get everything finished off and packaged.  I'm now finally able to show you some of my creations.

These six packs of cards are my new designs of note cards.  Apologies for the quality of the photo.

Here are all the note cards in more detail.  For this first one, I used some paper that was a free gift from a magazine. These free papers are ideal for this sort of thing.  I made a paper ribbon from black card stock and punched the tag from my new EK Success punch (a really useful one).  The sentiment is stamped from a pack of clear stamps I have had for a while - not sure who they are by.

This next set is very Cath Kidston-esque!  The papers were another free gift, but they are actually from Craftwork Cards.  A bit too floral for me personally but ideal for this look.

I used up scraps from one of my all time favourite paper stacks - Making Memories Boho Chic.  This nine square style is so easy to make, but very effective.  I finished it off with some Prima flowers and a little bit of bling.

Another Cath Kidston inspired look, same papers as before.  The scalloped edges are punched with my favourite Fiskars punches.

Again. more free papers and Fiskars scalloped punch.  The daisy is a Martha Stewart punch which I haven't used nearly enough.  The sentiment is from a Marion Emberson set of stamps.  I added a touch of glitter glue in the centre of the flowers.

And finally, same as above really except that I added a couple of Petaloo flowers as a focal point.  I think the sentiment is a Paula Pascual stamp.

These kept me busy for a while as I had to make five of each design.  I have made matching notebooks which I will show you another day.

I did find time to go to the cinema to see the next instalment of the Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn Part 1.  I had booked the tickets weeks ago because I wanted to see it the weekend it was released.  It was a great film and now I can't wait for Part 2.  I will probably have to read the books again soon (have lost count of how many times I have read them!).

I am definitely Team Edward - even before I saw Robert Pattinson in the role.  Mark is very tolerant of my obsession thank goodness!

Well off to get back to the mundane jobs such as washing and ironing - the penance for yesterday I guess.  Have fun!

M x

Hi all.

I've been up to my eyes in crafting over the last two weeks, desperately trying to make stock for the stall I'm having at a local Christmas Craft Fair next weekend.  The problem is, that nothing is completely ready.  Everything is either in need of finishing off, or mounting or wrapping.  I've been working most nights trying to get through it all, and then of course trying to take photos at the moment is hard - the light is so poor.  I'm hoping to make major inroads at the weekend so that I can relax a bit next week. and hopefully I will have things to share with you.

I do have one card to show you however.  Yesterday was my Mum's birthday and here is the card I made for her.

All the products are from the Shabby Vintage project of the month kit from Craftwork Cards.  I took inspiration from the ideas sheet that came with the kit, but made a few changes.  My mum was thrilled with the card, and I have to say I am rather pleased with how it turned out.  This is the first card I have made from this kit so far.  It's very different from my usual style but it's good to do something different.

So, who is feeling bogged down by Christmas!  Me!!!  I can't get my head around it this year.  Usually by now I am much more organized, but not this year.  I am having to force myself to think about it, and my brain is resisting!  I have a day off next Friday and my mission is to go to a big shopping centre (hell on earth!!) and stay there until everything is done!  Wish me luck, I'll need it!

M x

P.S. I'm off to see the next instalment of the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn Part 1, at the cinema on Saturday - I am beyond excited!!

Weekend Break in Wiltshire - Day 2

Another glorious day for our time away. We headed off to Stourhead, a beautiful National Trust property about an hour's drive from where we were staying in Swindon. I had heard so much about it because my parents love to go there. Well, we weren't disappointed.

We didn't go into the house because we really wanted to see the beautiful gardens and walk round the lake. We'll save the house for a return visit.

It was hard to edit the photos because I loved them all - so here goes!!

Stunning isn't it. It would make a beautiful setting for a wedding.

I've been having a totally self indulgent week. The children have gone to stay at my parent's house for the week. I've been catching up on TV programmes and films, doing some crochet and a little (very little!) bit of card making.

My plan is to get the border finished on my Dream Blanket - I haven't touched it for weeks and weeks. The border is so boring to do and the blanket is really heavy now. Well the end is in sight, but today I got sidetracked by starting a new project which I will share with you soon, and hopefully the Dream Blanket too.

I've had a Twilight Fest today and watched all three films back to back - Emily thinks I'm mad, but I was in heaven!!

I will also have something very exciting to share with you over the weekend. I'm still slightly disbelieving that I have agreed to it. Can you guess what it is?

Hope you are having a great week, enjoying the sunshine.

M x

Christmas bits and bobs

Today is the start of my Christmas holidays - what a joy to wake up on and a Monday morning and not have to go to work.

I was overwhelmed with gifts from the children I work with, as well as some lovely home made cards. They are such a lovely bunch of kids, I'm very lucky.

My Dream Blanket is coming on a treat. I'm really enjoying making it, and half the fun is deciding what colour should come next (I always defer to Emily - she is my Artistic Director after all!). I have 32 colours in total (couldn't choose, so bought loads!!), and size wise, it's a perfect size for my double bed. Emily has asked me to make her one next, but she wants to limit it to about six colours and have more rows per colour.

We decorated our house for Christmas yesterday and now we feel nice and festive. Emily took some lovely photos of the tree, and both the children went a bit mad putting tinsel everywhere. I don't mind because it was lovely that they were so involved and excited.

Why is when you don't have to get up early, you are always awake at a ridiculous hour. I was awake before 7am and up and dressed by 8am. As the children were still asleep I thought I would be a little bit self indulgent and watch my Eclipse DVD which came two weeks ago and I haven't had a chance to watch. I really enjoyed it (again!!) - a great start to the day!

I've also managed to make my parents' Christmas card (sorry Mum and Dad if you're reading this). I didn't really leave it to the last minute, but my Mum has seen all the cards I made so I couldn't send them one of those. Anyway it's done now!

Have a great day.

M x

Yesterday

I took the children to the cinema to see Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. It was only supposed to be Edward and I because I thought Emily wasn't interested, but she surprised me as usual! Edward has been desperate to see the film for ages - well ever since he read the book (he wants the rest of the series for his birthday). We had to go to a cinema that I don't usually go to because that was the only place it was showing. What a serendipitous moment - who knew about Kids Club??!! I didn't. £2.50 each child and adults go free - now that's what I call a result!

It was a great film - we all really enjoyed it. Edward pretty much grinned the whole way through it. He's very keen on Greek myths so it was right up his street and Emily thought the actor who played Percy was cute!

I was persuaded to have lunch at Frankie and Benny's afterwards - Emily's favourite place. It was pretty good too. All in all we had a lovely day - it made a change to get out and do something with the children, it seems like a while since we have done something like this.

Still no crafting - I'm feeling really sad about that. I usually have a couple of days to myself during school holidays to get creative but sadly not these holidays. I'm actually getting quite desperate as I have birthdays coming up next week and I really need to make some cards.

On the decorating front, whilst the room is not finished, we are getting there. One of the long walls is completely finished and we have been able to put our big Ikea units back. I spent a lot of Monday unpacking 10 huge crates of my books. Mark is now working on the side of the room where all my craft stuff lives so I am hopeful that by the weekend I can start putting that away soon. (so is Emily as it is cluttering up her bedroom at the moment!!).

I'm really looking forward to having my "ta-dah" moment but I fear it will be a while. We still have to retrieve the rest of our possessions from my parents and Mark's mum. I think it will take a while to unpack it all - I wish I had another week off.

Have a good day.

M x

P.S Finally succumbed to rereading Twilight again - just can't help myself!!

New Moon today - hurrah!

Went to see the the second installment of the Twilight Saga with high expectations, and came home feeling very happy. I really enjoyed the film immensely, but will definitely go and see it again.

I'm just going to let the photos speak for themselves - enjoy!


M x

It's been ages!

I can't actually remember what I last blogged about, so forgive me if I repeat myself.

Em had a fabulous time in Greece - three days in Athens and three days in Thessaloniki. She visited lots of different churches and temples, as well as the Parthenon and the Acropolis. I'm so glad that she had a great time, I was a bit worried because no one from her friendship group went, but that didn't deter her. Her pictures were really good - more serious than her usual jokey, random ones.

Just got Em back and then Ed went off for his first residential school trip - five days at a PGL camp in the Brecon Beacons. I had to pack an immense amount of clothes to cover all the activities, bearing in mind two wet activities and the time of the year. Monday morning came round too quickly and I didn't like saying goodbye to him. He was a brave little soldier and didn't cry, although his chin trembled. Because he kept himself together meant that I was able to, which was just as well as I had to go straight in to work!

I was glad to have work as a distraction this week as I really missed Ed. The problem was mainly the lack of contact. When Em is away, at least she takes her phone. I was so relieved to get a letter from Ed on Thursday which was very positive.

He got home around 7pm on the Friday evening - very happy and did not stop talking! He had such a great time and participated in all the activities. His new career goal is to become a PGL instructor!

And now it is half term - thank goodness! No real plans for the week apart from chilling and being creative. Hopefully by the end of the week I will have loads of photos to post of my achievements. My two main projects are crocheted corsages which have been put on Ebay, and I have started my Christmas cards - I know I don''t usually like to mention the dreaded C word in October, but I am happy to have made a start.

Tomorrow night Em and I are off to Milton Keynes to see The Sound of Music. I am really excited, and Em is hiding her excitement well!! Connie Fisher has the starring role and Michael Praed is Captain Von Trapp.

On major countdown to New Moon opening on 20th November - I can hardly wait. You may have

noticed from the sidebar that I am rereading the saga (although I have just lent out Breaking Dawn to a friend and she is a really slow reader!!). Also have got the soundtrack, which I am starting to enjoy. You never know, I may just watch Twilight again this week to get me in the mood!

What a nice note to end on! Ta ta!

M x

Champagne Wednesday!

After a rather tedious day of "blitzing" the children's bedrooms, what better way to end it with a glass (or 2 or 3) or champagne?! Pure bliss!

Of course, the bedrooms are not even nearly finished - there is a long, long way to go. At least one bin bag of junk went in the wheelie bin - major achievement as Ed never wants to throw anything away. I now have some boxes of things that we are intending to Car Boot, plus a few bags of clothes to pass on to others - so things are looking up. Em has been through all her clothes and been quite ruthless which was entirely essential.

Only two weeks to go until Breaking Dawn is released in paperback - can't wait. Hope the books don't have the stupid red edging that I have seen recently - it will ruin the symmetry of my collection!

Needless to say I will have to buy two copies, one for me and one for Em. Am really hoping I can get them on offer - or Em might have to buy her own!

Have fun! M x