Cheers!

Just enjoying a glass or two of champagne to celebrate my 17th Wedding Anniversary.  Mark is cooking a sumptious meal (his choice, I suggested a takeaway) of scallops to start and posh sausages and puy lentils for the main course.  I've had quite a chilled day.  Haven't done anything special but it has been lovely all the same.

I've been trying to break the back of all the birthday cards I need for September.  They pretty much all have to be different as most of them are for people I work with.  I also have an order for three special cards to complete in the next week (typically I have left this until the last minute).  I have really enjoyed my card making today as I don't feel under any pressure.  I'll be showing you these over the next week - they are awaiting scanning.

I've also started to organise my crafting area too, little by little.  I've got an A5 Notebook and I have written down all the colours of my inks, ink pads, Glimmer Mists, Promarkers etc to avoid duplication when I go to stamp shows (in readiness for Ally Pally at the end of September!).  I've also noted down my Nestabilities, Cuttlebug embossing folders, clear stamp sets etc.  It's jolly useful and reminds you what you have.

Here are a few Christmas cards that I made recently.  They are all the same design, just different colour combinations.  As usual - all products are Craftwork Cards.  (Sorry the cards are a bit wonky - you just can't get the staff these days!!).

Hope you are all enjoying the weekend.  I have to say, we had better weather 17 years ago!

M x

It's a lovely day . . .

The sun is shining and it's not raining for a change. Edward and I have been out for breakfast. Bacon, egg and sausage for him, sausage baguette for me - mmm yum. Emily, typical teenager, couldn't be bothered to get out of bed and join us - her loss. We had a little walk by the river, it was beautiful. No photos though as Mark has taken my camera to Chester with him today.

Popped into the Oxfam bookshop for a little browse. Bought myself another Jodi Picoult as I am enjoying My Sister's Keeper, and two Roald Dahl books that Edward wanted. Did see a Chalet School hardback, first time I've seen one in there, but too expensive for me today. I can always dream.

Came home to find Emily still in her pyjamas sprawled in front of the television. No sense of urgency for her GCSE Science Module which is just round the corner - just as well that I bought her two revision books whilst I was in town.

Have finally got back into my hexagonal blanket - did some whilst watching the Brits last night (only watched it for Robbie, who was fantastic. Peter Kay was so funny, but the rest . . . well . . . rubbish really!!). Anyway back to the blanket - I am aiming to finish the round I am working on over the next few days - maybe 15 hexagons in to total. It's looking good, but it's getting really heavy.

I have to confess to this small purchase that I could not resist - Martha Stewart glitter. It's so beautiful. The colours are delicious with gorgeous names of jewels like lapis lazuli, peridot, carnelian, garnet and tourmaline. The problem is, they are too nice to use!!

I feel so pleased, I had a little count up of all the Christmas cards I've made recently, and guess how many. Go on guess. OK it's 76 - yes I did say 76!! How amazing! I think I am going to have a break now as I feel the need to make some birthday cards - got a really busy month coming up and I need to feel organised. I'm not sure what I am going to do yet, but I'm sure inspiration will arrive soon. Anyway - these are the final designs from the Joy paper range that I will be making for some time - hope you like them.

I hope you have a glorious day.

Lots of love

M x

Monday Monday . . .

Today has been quite a good day. A lazy start, a bit of crafting, catching up on some TV, watching a film and a little bit of reading. If I could just finish it off with some crochet - it will have been fairly perfect.

I have just started reading Jodie Picoult's My Sister's Keeper and I think I am going to enjoy it, if that is the right word given the subject matter. Lots of my colleagues have read this book and many others by the same author, but it has never interested me before. But I decided that I ought to give it a go and so far so good

I have been lent the DVD of the film which Emily and I watched today - if you haven't already seen it, have a box of tissues at the ready. It's very good but very upsetting.

Here's a picture of work in progress which hopefully will get finished tomorrow. Yes they are Christmas baubles and why not?! I'm on a roll now, although still quite shocked with myself that I am making Christmas cards at this time of year - I have never done it before! I am using Art Institute glue and glitter and I am quite excited to see the finished product. The stamps are from Craftwork Cards.

Here are some of the cards I made yesterday and today. The papers are called Joy and are from Craftwork Cards (as is everything actually). I'm really fond of these nine square designs, and have been making cards like this for years, although they can be a bit tedious to cut.

This card was inspired by Julie Hickey (can't work out how to do the link thing - Google her!).

I absolutely adore the colour scheme of these papers - I'm not such a traditional Christmas colour girl, myself - I like the unusual.

I am planning on making more cards this week and not only for Christmas. Watch this space. Hoping to get some more crochet done too - actually picked up my hook last night - first time in weeks - and made 6 stars. Would like to have a go at some Granny squares, but I should really get back to my hexagonal blanket. Heigh ho - so much to do, so little time.

Have fun!

M x

P.S The Valentines cupcakes went down a storm and only two were brought home, which soon disappeared today!