Birthday Card & Holiday Pics

Hi Friends

I'm sorry my blog posts seem to be getting further apart, i just can't believe how this year is whizzing by. Plus holiday's in between. We went to the Lake district last week. We planned to leave by 9am but when Paul moved the car to connect to the caravan he noticed some oil on the drive, typical!.  At 7am he was on his way to the garage and hoped that they could help, and bless em! they did. They topped the oil up in the Diff ( something to do with the drive shaft ). He did say that it would need to be replaced soon especially if we are doing that long journey again, and we are! sometime next month. So that's not going to be cheap.

Paul wants to go back to the Lakes and stay at a site called Trout Beck as there are another series of mountains for him to climb.

I didn't even get to have a walk around Derwent Water, the lake along side our camp site with Paul & Half Pint as I had a fall in the caravan. Paul had already gone out for his 1st climb,when I saw the biggest hornet EVER!  and heard it, and there was no way I was going in the awning to get my craft stash until that hornet had found it's way out. So for the first afternoon I pulled the fly net over the door and I read my book with a glass of wine.

The next morning after breakfast, Paul left for his all day climb, and the awning sounded quiet so I guessed the pain in the butt hornet, ( literally ) had found his way out of the openings in the awning. I got to the table and chairs where Paul had left my stash. Then I heard that noise, I ran to the caravan steps and the hornet flew straight for my head, it was in my hair. I shook my head and waved my arms around like a lunatic, I couldn't scream in case Half Pint came and tried to take it on, it really could have hurt her it was so big. I turned to get in the caravan and by turning my slipper started to come off and as I stepped through the door the toe of my slipper caught the edge of the door frame and that was it I couldn't help myself I remember twisting my knee and catching my hand on the frame of the door and part of the work surface. I also cracked my knee on the door frame and then fell head first into the breakfast bunk, and finally landed on my right hip. I remember laying there not wanting to move because I couldn't work out which part of me hurt the most, Half Pint looked shocked and came running over to lick my tears and because I didn't move she curled up under my neck until I managed to get up. My goodness all that damage and that is without having a drink, as it was only 11am, but I did have a brandy about 3pm as I was still pretty shaken. I didn't ring Paul to come back as I knew he would be well away on his climb and I didn't want him to hurry down the mountain and him having another fall. I don't think we will ever go back to that site again as it was about 5/6 yrs ago Paul had a fall and was blue lighted off to Carlisle hospital and had a major op on his shoulder when we got home, but the main reason I said we won't go back is because we were in the same wooded area and only 2 pitches away from our caravan when Paul had his fall. Not good vibes.

I did get to have a small walk when we got to Ennerdale Water. We had taken the children over many years along with both our previous dogs  called Barney & Berkeley many times and thought it only proper to take Half Pint too. We had a lovely picnic but the rain ( only the tiniest of showers ) decided it was time to leave, but at least I got out of the caravan. I did get out again, we went to the slate mine on Honister Pass and had a house name plaque carved. Really pleased with it too.

Steph so sorry we didn't get to meet up this time, I was really looking forward to meeting you & Andy & of course Cassie . Had we not had the problems with the car the morning we should have left for our jollies and had left on time we would have got our hugs from 03-03-16 😢😢. We arrived way too late, and were off again early the next  morning to continue to the lakes. Next time we'll stop for a few days ( Hard Luck ). Even after writing my list like you said and taking 4 full boxes of goodies, I still forgot a water brush and  a stamp block. Must double check my list.

I did meet a lovely lady called Lynda in the caravan next door. She is a dog trainer & had 4 beautiful dogs with her, they were all so well behaved and so quiet you would never had known they were there. It turned out she is a crafter too. She made some beautiful beaded houses (villages ) that could be hung from the Christmas tree, and gorgeous beaded bracelets. Isn't it annoying that you find a lovely person with the same interests and you're only there over night. ( bummer! ). We did exchange emails though.

I will put some pictures of the lakes after the card just in case you would like to have a look. 

Right! on to the card. This is my sister-in-law's birthday card ( LIZ ). I thought I would make her another eclipse card.

Here Goes!

Hope you liked it.

As promised some piccies of the beautiful Lake District.


 Our pitch at Manesty, and the view from the back of the pitch. People had built a bird table so our 1st job was to buy some bird food which they all devoured.

This is a picture of the base from the slate mine. It looks like a flat road, but believe me it's not, and the road leading up to Honister slate mine is sooo steep you feel yourself leaning towards the steering wheel willing the car to move forward and not stall, It just doesn't do it justice.

The road drops from the slate mine.

This is a picnic area on Ennerdale Water I zoomed in on where we had a picnic on many occasion over our years in the Lakes, but after my fall I couldn't walk that far so we  had our picnic on the shore where Claire, Craig Barney & Berkeley had had picnics and now with little Half Pint. Such a stunning place, the photo's do not do it justice. Half Pint thought the rocks were big hills as they are so much bigger than she is.

Well, that was the 1st of our holiday's to the Lakes this year, stay tuned for the next one when Paul finds out when he can have some more time off and I can update my craft box with the items I forgot. I'd like to start on my Christmas cards next time. Hope you enjoyed the photo's.

See you back here again soon.

Lots of love & Hugs

Tina XX

Another rushed card

Hi my friends

Got back from holiday only to remember I hadn't made Paul's Fathers Day card. After emptying the caravan, and to get it ready for our next jaunt to the Lake District, I don't know which is harder work loading the caravan or emptying it. We hadn't been away in the caravan Since Evelyn died 2016 and helping Claire through that unbearably hard times, also when she was pregnant with Phoenix and all our anxieties, then to top it all off my hysterectomy I was ready for a break. So we went to Yorkshire to see a friend. Since losing her partner also in 2016 she'd decided to get a Labrador puppy, she's nearly 2yrs now but what a beautiful dog her temperament is so gentle but has had no training at all, but my goodness IS she strong!. Ingrid, on one of her meals in the caravan asked if she could use the bathroom and said would you hold onto Poppy as she follows her to her bathroom at home. As soon as Pops saw the bathroom door closed she cried and shot off the seat dragging me with her. I fell onto my knees, still holding on she then dragged almost to the bathroom door. Ingrid shouted is everything ok, I said yes we're fine but I got carpet burns on my knees, and they really did sting!. Half Pint was sat on the other seat probably thinking rather you than me mum.

We have thought about going to Keswick in the Lake District for our next break. The Caravan Club site is so lovely, it's set in woodland and just a 5 minute walk to Derwent Water. Around this lake there are small little pebbled areas that look like little beaches where you can take a picnic along with a bottle of wine of course! and it's shallow enough even for Half Pint to have a paddle.

I was quite apprehensive about towing the caravan, as I said it has been 2yrs and this caravan is bigger than our last one but I soon got into the swing of things and I am looking forward to towing it to the Lakes. Paul just keeps me topped up with coffee and a toasted cheese sandwich and I can go for hours. We think it will take about 6 hours as long as there are no holdups. Fingers crossed for good weather too..

Hope you are all keeping well and see you back here soon.

Hope you like the card



Here Goes!

Sorry yet again didn't have time to put a nice background, so again I apologize for untidy desk. I have a birthday card for July show hopefully it will be displayed better than the last 2 cards and it's a lady card so all the things I like to make.



Love & Hugs

Tina XX

Last minute card

Hi My Friends

I spent Sunday trying to think of a card for my brother in law after a reminder it is on Wednesday 6th. I was flicking through my dies and came across Sue's shirt die. It should have been a quick card but kept changing my mind on colours, but ended up with a black, silver, grey & white scheme. I hope he likes it. I wanted to do so much more with the card but he's not one for sentiments and will probably end up in the recycling bin anyway. Maybe the next man card using this die will be different.

I hope you are all keeping well and enjoying this fantastic array of weather we are experiencing, from sweltering heat to electric storms to full on thunderstorms and torrential rain, wet & breezy days and back to very hot days. All I can say is it's not boring! The garden is filling out day by day, I think some serious pruning needed already. The fish in the pond that we built just before Claire's wedding 4 yrs ago seem to have doubled in size over this winter too, can't prune them though, so maybe we need to construct a bigger pond in the near future.

Anyway Here Goes with the card!!

Sorry I didn't put the studio up to take the photo's but got side lined to do dinner, and also to move a little bench we bought in memory of Evelyn to a sunnier spot in the garden so that the solar daffodil flower lights will charge, as you know daffodils always reminds us of Evelyn. I will put some pictures her of her little bench when the plaque arrives.

 I didn't take the photo's above until early hours this morning, so forgive me for not using the studio and showing an untidy sanctuary.

Look after yourselves. Until next time X

Love & Big Hugs

Tina XX

At last a card, and more.

Hi Friends

I hope you are all keeping well. My little Phoenix has caught his 1st cold, and he's now teething which doesn't help, it's so sad to see him struggle but he is coping incredibly well bless him. Along with all his other baby noises he has now learnt to growl and along with his cold makes a really lovely noise which has me in stitches, long may it continue., not the cold I meant the growling.

Bank holiday Monday we went over to Claire's for a Bar-B-Q, wow what a hot day that was. Food was great the wine was flowing and we all had a lovely day. Then Claire said "MUM" we want to get Phoenix christened soon and we would love to do it in our little village church where they had their Blessing and they would like to have the party at our home. I was so flattered and it made me incredibly happy and such a privilege to do this for my little man . I don't know the date yet and how many people will be invited, by the sounds of things it's quite a few. I have ordered a new chest freezer which is being delivered on Monday. I ordered 300ft of bunting to zig zag up the driveway, they have arrived already so have so have the paper lanterns with lights. I spent all last weekend cutting letters x12 to Spell Phoenix Evan Ward to make bunting for the hall, and because we call Phoenix our little fox I cut out 24 little fox faces to go either end of his named buntings. Claire, Toby and Phoenix are going away on holiday soon so I thought I would get a head start on the proceedings. I'm just praying for good weather as Craig and I went out last week and bought some new garden games. I am in my element, it reminds me of my catering days and how much I miss my little business. It was very hard work. I worked on my own and catered for 5 schools and 3 shops daily. The shopping was most days and prep was 7 days a week while still taking and, picking up Claire & Craig from college before they could drive.

Last weekend was busy too. We had another Aching Arms charity Tea Party to raise more money for the Teddy Bears for bereaved mum's, dad's and siblings to leave hospital so that they don't leave  empty handed like Claire & Toby did. Our family & friends have donated many bears to different hospitals and now  A H Rogers the undertakers that looked after our little Evelyn until her goodnight service. The mum's & dad's that have been to this undertakers and have seen the teddy's in the room that Claire decorated,  always ask about them. If they didn't know about the charity they are asked if they would like a teddy for themselves or for their siblings to cuddle. They can take the bear home with them there & then or they can be left with their babies and then take them home after the goodnight service, or the teddy can stay with their babies.

As yet the final figure is not known as donations are still coming in, and yet again Myself & Paul got the privilege of the kitchen duties for the teas & coffees. Sadly there were a lot more mummy's that came in carrying their babies in Teddies like Evie Bear. It's so sad to see, and to wonder why our country has the worse figures for sleeping babies. We need more scans in the last 2 wks before the delivery, and also a simple test for Strep B that can lead on to sepsis a week before delivery, sadly you have to pay for this test. Again this should be an automatic test during pregnancy. If the mum's results show as positive, while delivering they are just given a strong antibiotic drip and the baby is protected. How simple is this. Many babies die on or after delivery because of sepsis. Why is this not common knowledge in this day & age. Claire only found out about this test 2 months before Phoenix was born by another new baby loss mum to sepsis. anyone can carry this Strep B virus but are not aware of it.
 

Here are couple of pictures Paul took before the event started and before all the cakes were put out, the table was so full of cakes. Everyone had worked so hard baking. It was amazing.

Here Goes!!

Not a very focused pictures taken by Paul, I think he had his eye on a cake or two on the other table.  Evie Bear is wearing the coloured dress with matching yellow headband. She had many photos taken with new baby loss mum's and their very special bears, Really very moving.



I eventually found some time to make a card. I used one of the foamiran roses I made on the last blog. I hope my friend doesn't come in for a look as it's a card for her for the 23rd of May. Close your eyes at this point Annie.

I hope you like it!!


I know I'm bias, but I had to show you this picture of my lovely son. He sent me this photo a couple of days ago. He was riding his bike along the prom on the beach in Bournemouth to get some exercise. He stopped for a short break when a man came up to him and asked if could he possibly take a photo of him with his low rider bike. The man explained that he had suffered a breakdown and is using photography to help with his recovery. He said he was on a program and has been asked to try and introduce himself to at least one new person a day to gain his confidence back. Craig checked everything was above board and agreed to let him take a photo of him and the bike and an artistic one of Craig with the beach and the photographer reflected in the lens of Craig's glasses. Well this was the outcome. I think it's an amazing photo of my boy!!

If you look in Craig, proud of you Son-shine!!😎💛

 

Sorry this blog this time reads like War & Peace, but such a lot has been going on since my last blog.


Well that's all folks!.  Did I hear a thank goodness for that?

Thank you all for looking in again, I really do look forward to seeing you all here. Hope you enjoyed what you saw.

I will be spending tomorrow in front of the TV watching Harry & Megan's wedding. Wishing them both a beautiful day full of wonderful memories.

Love & Hugs to you all

Tina XX

Roses & forest trip

Hello My Friends

I hope you are all well and enjoying our very intermittent warm spring sunshine. you just get used to the warmth for a couple of days and then you wake up the following day to grey skies and a fall in temperature. Today we are due sharp rain showers which is just what I want to get drenched while loading up the car at the wholesalers.

I'm going to get lots of goodies, as my son Craig is coming home for a couple of days while his girlfriend has gone back to Norway to see her parents, so it will give me a chance to have him all to myself during the day. He wants to visit lots of aquariums as he is into tropical fish. He's looking for angel fish this time round.

Hopefully Claire & Phoenix are planning a visit this week to come over and have lunch with Craig. Claire lives about 1 1/2hrs away from Craig so not an easy trip to get to see each other that often at the moment with having to load the car up with so much baby stuff. We live an hour away from Craig and 30-40 mins from Claire, so I make the most of it when I can get them together.

I'm sorry it's not a card today I am in the process of making my friends birthday card and also making  silk foamiran roses. I've put a couple on my blog today, but I am trying different ways of making them to see if I prefer making them from foam or stick to my card roses. Please tell me what you think of my 1st attempt at foam roses.

Anyway onto another rose, but a fairy made from the petals. Claire has been making these since losing Evelyn. She made me this one for Mothers day. You can just see the little legs poking out from the petals in the 1st picture

My camera does not do justice to just how pretty these are.

Every strand of the hair is painstakingly put into place. She does different hair styles this was just one I liked.

The wings are skeleton leaves. I don't know if that is the right term, but you get the idea.

This rose looks better in real life. Paul thought it was real when I showed him, but I think he is easily pleased when it comes to my artwork. This rose was made by hand cutting the petals and heating them on a warm iron, I don't think I curled the petals enough but I wanted to try a more open rose. For the 1st attempt I'm fairly happy but must try harder

.

This rose I made just before posting this blog. The colour is lilac but looks a bit dull. This rose was made using Spellbinders Rose Creation dies, still not happy, and it was a rush job too.

When I left Craig's last Wednesday I came back through a part of the New Forest called Stoney Cross. I know a few of you have visited this part of the country and would probably agree it is beautiful. When I go to Craig's I take Half Pint with me. We had a walk on a bay in near Sand Banks in Bournemouth, then on the way home Half Pint and I had a walk on Stoney Cross on one of our lovely warm sunny days. After putting Half Pint back in the car, I drove a couple of minutes only to come across about 30 deer grazing. A stunning sight!

Still in the forest but nearer home I came across these beauties enjoying the late afternoon sun



I could spend hours driving through the forest but maybe not with a little dog that thinks she is just as big as they are.

I particularly liked this dark brown & white one with an Elvis quiff.

You can tell they weren't at all bothered about the noises from the car from munchkin.

Oh well that's it for this blog. I hope I haven't taken up too much time or worse bored you so much you're all asleep now. If I don't get any replies I'll know the latter kicked in.

Hope you enjoyed my little jaunt.

Lots of love & hugs to you all, take care and see you all again soon.

Tina XX

Hello Friends

Hi my friends

I hope you all had a lovely Easter, maybe spent time with the family or just found time to craft as the weather was not as good as previous Easter holidays.

Yesterday we had Craig, Pia, Claire Toby Phoenix & Evie Bear over for dinner. It was a lovely day and enjoyed lots of cuddles. Since my last blog saying I had the dreaded lurgie, the secondary infections were worse than the actual cold/flu. Claire and I had dreadful neuralgia affecting our ears head and neck. Poor little Phoenix also caught it and he'd just had his jabs and the meningitis one too but soldiered through it bless him. On Saturday Paul was going to cancel Easter Sunday but I said no! So I dosed up with pain meds and we managed to get through the day relatively pain free. Woke up today and touch wood only minimal pain now, long may it continue.

Because of the infection I really couldn't do anymore to the cards for Evelyn & Phoenix and they are missing the flowers I'd had in mind to do with foamiran, so I quickly made the 3d hare and rabbit to hold some money for a toy for Phoenix & something for Evelyn's garden at the crematorium or for her garden at home to go in the card. Claire loved the cards and the little animal too, so all turned out well.

I'm looking after Phoenix tomorrow while Claire & Toby are going out for lunch together. If I have as much fun with him as I had yesterday we are going to have a fab time.

Because Toby is on holiday before he starts his new job, I said I would only go over if they needed me so I am hoping to get in my sanctuary and use my foamiran and make some roses and attach them to cards.

Thank you for taking the time out to return to my blog as I know they have been few & far between. I must try harder!

OH excuse the kitchen roll and the untidy look of the room, and I didn't even get the little studio out. I'm not always this sloppy!!



Here goes!

Hope you like what you see.

Look forward to seeing you all again.

Sending love & hugs

Tina XX