Catch-up

Hi folks!  Thanks for dropping by.  Am I glad it's half term, last week was complete madness!  I am so looking forward to a calm, quiet week.

Thank goodness the snow is starting to disappear,  It just looks horrible and dirty now.  I have to say that all the ice made me spend last week worrying that Edward would slip over and break something before we got him safely off on his skiing trip.  I know that sounds neurotic, but it's just the sort of thing that would happen.  Anyway, I am pleased to report that he did get off safely on Friday afternoon, and I have heard from another parent, that they arrived safely.  Edward didn't take is phone, so it's going to be really difficult for me having no contact with him.

Emily and I had a great night out on Saturday at the O2 Arena, watching Snow Patrol.  It was absolutely fantastic and it did my heart good to see Emily having such a good time.  Emily and I are huge Snow Patrol fans, and they are a great live band.

Yesterday I went to the Stamperama show in Stevenage with my mum.  I wasn't intending to go but the lure of a craft show was too strong!  I paid a little visit to the Craftwork Cards stand to see what was new (may have made a little purchase or two!).  I was fairly restrained at the show and we only stayed for a couple of hours.  I did buy a set of heart Nestabilites, as well as a couple of stamps from Little Claire's, and some scrapbooking paper for Emily's book - see, not too extreme!

I'm waiting for my February Stampin' Up order to arrive, it's so exciting!  I've already planned for March - I am well and truly hooked.  Also looking forward to my Sale-a-bration goodies coming.

Anyway, I did manage to make a few cards last weekend.  They are all from the Secret Garden Project of the Month kit from Craftwork Cards.  As I said before, the colours are so soft and subtle, with just a hint of sparkle, gorgeous.

Well, I'm off to make Mark a Valentines card (nothing like leaving it until the last minute!). Have a good day.

Michelle x x

Lots and lots of goodies!

Good morning!  How are you all?  I'm fine and feel nice and rested after yesterday's exertions lol! So after doing a bit of housewifely duty by doing some ironing, I have been taking photos of my lovely purchases.

My first photo is of the lovely and talented Julie Hickey from Craftwork Cards.  She is such a star, so friendly and helpful, always ready for a chat.  Craftwork Cards is always the first stand Mum and I stop at, whenever we go to a stamping show. 

I wasn't actually going to buy anything from Craftwork Cards this time, but as you can see from the photo below, I changed my mind.  I think I must be one of few who don't actually like their Warren the Rabbit images, and I'm not so keen on Frosty the Snowman either - I don't really do cute.  But I was taken the colours of the papers and card stock that go with Frosty - love the contemporary colours.  Also bought some delicious new Candy - gorgeous metallic, holographic colours.

I got a really good deal on Promarkers - 10 for £15.00, so I bought two lots to take advantage of the offer.  I won't be buying anymore for a while now so why not?

Another must have stand to visit was Sugar and Spice - I am such a fan of Marion Emberson, as I am sure I have mentioned once or twice!  So it was nice to meet her and say hello.  I bought a couple of sets of her stamps - alphabets, as well as a retro flower punch that I have wanted for a while, some silver Glamour Dust, and some crystals and a couple of packets of buttons.

These masks were  a bit of an impulse buy, but I thought they would be really handy for journalling, using Distress Inks and spray inks.

I bought some journalling spots and tags, some plain Manila tags, memo and bingo cards, as well as a script stamp from Paperartsy.

Some more Glamour Dust (crystal), some calendars and a memo stack, some glue pens and some Pinflair glue (everyone is raving about this, thought I would try it out).

The Craft Fairy is a such a great stand to visit - lots and lots of beautiful ribbon, in every colour you can imagine.  It was really hard to choose.  They are so reasonably priced too - about £1.30 for 3 metres. 

Any finally (well nearly!), two new Nestabilities, some magnetic sheets, Promarker fine nibs, a new acrylic block, some Diamond Glaze and even more buttons.

Well, that's all the purchases that I made for me.  As you can see, I had a really successful day.  My only disappointment was that Art From The Heart wasn't at the show.  I had intended to buy some more spray inks, a pack of Moleskin Journals and some pre-printed images.  I also wanted to take some photos of their beautiful artwork for inspiration, but it was not to be.  I have made an internet order since I have been home, so I am sure the products will be will me in a matter of days.

My final, final purchase at the show wasn't for me, it was for my mum, for her birthday in November.  She was umming and ahing between two designs of Martha Stewart Punch Around The Page punches - they were a really good price from Stamposaurus, so I bought one for her and she bought the other.  I'm really glad because she wanted them both so much, and now I don't have to worry about what to get her for her birthday.

If you have stayed with me until the end, thank you!  Hope you haven't been too bored.  It was so exciting to spread all my goodies out this morning and see what I spent my money on.  I won't be having anymore splurges like this for a while now - got to think about Christmas (urgh!).  Just need to find some time to have a play!!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, take care.

M x

Fab day today

I have had an absolutely brilliant day today at Alexandra Palace.  And a gorgeous sunny day too.  I confess to having had a massive spending spree - can't wait to show you what I have bought (all will be revealed soon Jane!).  Because the organisers imposed a ban on wheelie cases and shopping trolleys, it seemed a lot easier to get around and into each stand.  I didn't feel that there was as much pushing and shoving as usual, which was a relief. 

By 2.30pm I was all shopped out - shoulders aching with the weight of my shopping bags, feet aching from all the walking and standing, and purse empty - time to go home.

M x

Excited!

I'm off to Alexandra Palace tomorrow for the Big Stamping and Scrapbooking Show - I am SO excited!  I have everything ready - tickets, money, cards, camera, notebook etc.  Just need to have a good night's sleep and hope that my cold doesn't get any worse.  Yes, I've been feeling a bit under the weather with a sore throat and a headache that I can't shift.  But I am determined that nothing is going to get in the way of tomorrow.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Craftwork Cards have, and am planning on buying quite a few bits from Art From The Heart.  Also looking forward to visiting Marion Emberson's stand, as well as LB Crafts and Stamp Addicts - I have already written my shopping list.  I hope to have some photos of my goodies to share with you next week.

Here are a couple of cards that I made over the summer, I may have already shown one that I made in a different colour - sorry if I'm duplicating.

All products are by Craftwork Cards apart from the ink (Versamagic) and the ribbon, oh and the stamped image is from one of Marion Emberson's stamp sets.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.  I will try my hardest too!

M x