Border Terrier Walk - Ainsdale Beach

On a cold, foggy day, we (hubby, Archie, (me ofcourse), our friend Steve, and his border terrier Bramble) headed to Ainsdale beach for the border terrier walk. This walk is organised every year by "Border Terrier World". Unfortunately, due to illness there weren't as many people as had been anticipated. In the end there were 10 border terriers (1 only 12 weeks old), and a whippet. After a few scraps (yes, unfortunately Archie was involved in one of them), all dogs settled down and the walk commenced. It was good and every border terrier had their own personality, and a good time was had by all. Oh yes, and my biscuits went down well.

Christmas Chocolate Biscuits

At long last I have had the opportunity to try a recipe from my "Nigella Christmas" cookbook that my friend bought me last christmas. I have been itching to try out one of her recipes, but what with one thing and another I just haven't got round to making anything until today. Tomorrow we are going on a Border Terrier walk. We are going to Ainsdale beach tomorrow morning and hopefully meet up with other border terrier owners and, ofcourse, their dogs. A walk was organised last year but unfortunately I wasn't feeling too good so missed out. Anyway after the walk people gather round the cars for a chat and food is then produced, and this is were my Nigella christmas chocolate biscuits come in to it. These biscuits are what I am going to share. They taste yummy. Lets just hope that everyone else thinks the same.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 79 Colour Combo

The challenge this week at a Spoon Full of Sugar is to use a colour combo of brown with either brown or pink. I found these Hot off the Press papers and thought they made an ideal colour combo to go with my Mo's image freebie. Can't believe that my friends daughter is going to be 18 next month, when I can so vividly remember when she first came into this world. Where have all those years gone.

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Christmas Crackers

I'd already made this card before I saw your challenge. How appropriate, infact this card couldn't be more suited for your challenge lol. When I first saw this Elzybells stamp I had to have it and am so pleased that I was able to use it at long last. Just love the image, how cute is the mouse with his christmas cracker.

The Pink Elephant Challenge #42 - Something plaid

Another christmas card made using another brilliant image from Mo Manning. Her images are just great. This one is called Jingle Bells. The paper used was Daisy & Dandelion christmas papers.

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 36 - Sparkle

The challenge at Creative Inspirations was a card with Sparkle. I treated myself recently to Mo's Christmas Fairy Holly. She is just gorgeous. I coloured her in and used Glamour Dust on her snow globe, and red stickles on the holly in her hair. I'm presuming that can be classed as sparkle, but you can't actually capture the sparkle on the photo.

Stampin for the Weekend - Let's Celebrate - Challenge #24

The challenge at Stampin for the Weekend is Let's Celebrate - Big celebration cards. My cousin will be celebrating her Silver Wedding Anniversary soon. I love this Stampin Up rose, the silver ribbon was from Hobbycraft and the 2 silver hearts were from Paper Mill shop (just wish I'd bought a thinner ribbon as its a little bit too big for the heart - oh well!!).

Grumpy Old Women Live 2009

My friend and I went out last night to the Liverpool Empire (can't remember the last time I've been out of an evening), to see Grumpy Old Women Live 2 - Chin up Britain. It featured Jenny "the spleen burster" Eclair, Wendi "mad dog" Peters, and Ms Susie "the huffer" Blake. It was a funny show giving you hints and tips on surviving life in general, tips on surviving the recession (for example to save money on food, call at friends homes just as they are sitting down to tea, they will be bound to ask you to stay) to the menopause. Unfortunately I had to agree with a lot of things they said but I think so did everyone else (so I am a grumpy old woman - or am heading that way lol). We were told that the show was sponsored by Werthers Original toffees (some thrown into the audience) and also Tenna Lady (that box was empty lol). We had a good night.

The Pink Elephant Challenge #40 - Be Thankful

How appropriate was the challenge at Pink Elephant. Unfortunately we have had quite a bit of upset over the past few weeks, and we've had to attend 2 funerals, and one still to go. Normally mum looks after our border terrier Archie for us, but this time she was coming to the funeral with us. It just shows what amazing friends you can have. We have friends that live in our village and there was no hesitation when we asked if they would look after Archie for the day. They have a jack russell called Jessie and her and Archie just love each other. So ofcourse, I had to make a thank you card for them to show our appreciation, with a few goodies to go with the card. The stamp I used was a Penny Black one (sorry can't remember the name) and the papers were Basic Grey - Wisteria.

My first charm

At long last I attempted to attach a charm to a card I made for my favourite aunties birthday. I followed Bev Rochesters tutorial, which is very clear and so easy to follow, but I must confess that I found attatching the charm very fiddly, and quite stressful because it wasn't going the way I wanted it to. Maybe it was just late when I was trying to do it. I'll just have to persevere and try it again another time. Anyway here is a picture of what I completed. The papers I used were My Minds Eye - Bloom & Grow and I stamped Strawberry Tilda (her first time out), and the charm was from the Hobby House. At least my auntie liked it

Archie and his toys

Archie just loves his toys. His main passion is balls, but he loves his pully toys as well. He gets that attached to them, that sometimes he can't bear to be parted from them even when he is really tired. He will make sure that his toy is close to him (just incase we decide to try and take it off him). I had to share these photos as I think he looks so funny and cute at the same time. We love him so much

Simon Says - "Get Well Wishes"

I missed this challenge but I had to make a get well card for my uncle who has just had a hip replacement operation done. It gave me the opportunity to use my new Helz Cuppleditch Ruffles get well soon stamp. How cute is he. I also used my swiss dots cuttlebug folder for the side strip. I hope my uncle is up and about soon.

Stampin' for the Weekend - Challenge 20 - A sketch for you!

Loved the sketch you provided and gave me the opportunity to ink up my little Swiss Pixie lol. I think she is so cute, and the papers I think compliment this time of year, they were My Minds Eye Bloom and Grow. Thanks for a great sketch to use.

Friday Sketchers 74 - Sponsored by Quixotic Paperie

Another lovely sketch that gave me the push to make a christmas card. The time is going so quick and christmas is not far away. So at long last I have made my first christmas card thanks to your sketch. Love this Magnolia stamp and it was the first time it was inked, she is so cute, and it also gave me the opportunity to use my new Cuttlebug folder. I'm pleased with the final product. Thanks again Friday Sketchers

The Big knit 2009

Innocent drinks have joined forces with Sainsbury’s again this year to try to raise over £250,000 to support Age Concern and Help the Aged. And they needed our help to knit lots of little hats for their bottles. For every behatted smoothie sold, innocent and Sainsbury’s will give 35p to Age Concern and Help the Aged.

So I got out my knitting needles, printed out their knitting patterns and hey presto I produced 20 little hats to help with the campaign. I enjoyed making them and was sorry that I hadn't made more, but time was running out as they had to be with them by this Friday 16th October. You also had to make your own bobbles for some of the hats and I can't believe that I actually remembered how to do them as its been absolutely ages since I made a bobble, but it must be like riding a bike and I hadn't forgotten how to make them.

Happy 60th Birthday

I was on a roll this weekend. I had a few cards to make. Mum asked if I'd make her a 60th birthday card for a friends daughter. I got this idea from a gorgeous card done by Emma Lockley http://emmalockley.blogspot.com/ for Sketch Saturday. As soon as I saw the image I had to pester my friend Michele to order the Stampin up set for me. I think the rose stamp is just gorgeous. I haven't entered this into any challenges but was really pleased with the finished card so thought I'd share it.

Sketch & Stash Challenge 20

A lovely simple sketch from Sketch & Stash this time. Gave me the inspiration to make the attached wedding card. The image was Pink Petticoat "Happily ever after". My neglected stash was the ribbon I used. I bought that ribbon 4 yrs ago to decorate a friends wedding cake I made as a wedding present for her. Thought the ribbon would never get used again as I had to buy a roll of it, but now its coming in handy.

ABC Challenge - E is for Embossing

Your challenge gave me the opportunity to try my Swiss Dots cuttlebug embossing folder. The image I used was a freebie from Mo's Digital Pencil called "Lookin for Clues" - she has some brilliant images to purchase as well and I'm hoping that Father Christmas is going to give me a Mo's voucher to spend lol.

Christening Gift

At long last I have finished a christening gift. Okay its maybe a few months late, I seemed to have lost my mojo were my cross stitching is concerned, but I gave myself a good talking to and voila Dandelion Bear was completed and has been framed. At least I'll get it to Olivia before she celebrates her first birthday. I just hope that our friends like it.

Friday Sketchers 69

Another brilliant sketch from Friday Sketchers, and thought it was perfect for the card I wanted to make for Father in law who is in hospital at the moment. I'm hoping that when he gets the card it will hopefully brighten his day when he receives it. Thanks again for the inspiration.

Back from Sutherland

Well we spent last week in Sutherland Scotland. As you can imagine the weather while we were there was very unpredictable, we had rain at least every day sometime (mostly afternoons tho' until Thursday came and then it rained and rained all day!!!!) We got to do the things that we wanted to do.

Because the journey was sooo long we stopped outside Inverness on the way up in a town called Fortrose. This town has actually featured on the TV programme COAST. If you go to the lighthouse you may be lucky to see dolphins swimming past. Well we were lucky and saw 2 dolphins swimming past (only got 1 on the photo tho') and a cheeky seal popped his head out of the water to watch us.

We then got to Sutherland (in the rain), were there was no phone signal and no telly. Got plenty of reading done tho'. We went to Smoo Cave and saw a couple from California getting married wow. We went to Cape Wrath the most remote point in Britian (no piccies attached), and Sandwood Bay. Hubby had always wanted to go there as it is the most beautiful beach going, and yes it was really nice.

The day before we came home we found a shop called Lochinver Larder which had a pie shop we thought we'd try. Oh what gorgeous pies, absolutely loads of savoury pies to choose from and also sweet pies (small enough to fit into a takeaway burger box), and they'd heat them up for you to take out mmm. Have a check of their webside http://www.piesbypost.co.uk/

We've got that many photos that I am thinking of attempting to have a go on some scrapbook LO's again but I'm not that confident in scrapbooking, so I don't know whether I'll get round to it or not even tho' I know what pictures I want to use. Watch this space

Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 74 - Lazy Dayz

When I saw the theme of your challenge I thought it was an ideal opportunity to try out my new Pink Petticoat "Frillie Millies" - Cupcake download. I associate summer days with cherries, as they are definitely not one of the fruits that you can buy all year round, so this is what I produced. The paper used was DCWV Nana's Nursery and the sentiment was Stampin' Up.

ABC Wednesday Challenge - B is for Buttons

I actually based this card around some buttons that I found in my stash. My friends anniversary is coming up soon and I thought that the buttons would go really well with my Martha Stewart heart punch. Anyway this is what I produced. The papers were Papermania Blueberry hill, the image was a Charmed Cards download called "Love & Marriage" (very apt) and the sentiment was another download but this time by Pink Petticoat. I've spent my afternoon making cards and really enjoyed myself lol.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 65 - Travel

The challenge at A Spoon Full of Sugar was travel which was brilliant, as the card I was making was very much on the theme of travel. First time I have inked up my Little Claires stamp, but an excellent stamp for a male birthday card, as I have trouble making mens cards as I never know what type of stamp is suitable, but as soon as I saw this one I had to buy it.

Home Grown Food Part 2

A friend at work has just moved to a new house, and she has an apple tree in her garden. She kindly gave me some of their apples that her other half had climbed up to cut down. As you can see they looked really lovely, so apple pie here I come. Apples didn't disappoint and they were all lovely, and no bruises. Made some pastry, added some sultanas soaked in orange juice to the apples, some sugar, and voila the finished product, an apple pie. Nice pudding to have after Sunday lunch mmm

Wedding Card

I've made this card for one of the girls at work who is getting married at the end of the month. I haven't entered it into any challenges. I got the inspiration from a card I saw by Bev Rochester. I love the idea of a gold background and swirls cuttlebug pattern, but that is were the similarity ends. The image is pink petticoat. I was going to use the heart Martha Stewart punch that I bought last month on the card, but was gutted that it doesn't work properly. I'm just waiting to hear back from were I bought it from, so unfortunately I had to use a ribbon which I feel I'm not that good at using, but I suppose practice will make perfect. Its not one of my best cards but I do like how it has turned out.

Home grown spuds

I've always fancied the idea of having home grown veg, (I suppose it always reminds me of summer days at my nans house in Wales), but our garden isn't really designed to grow veg in. Hubby brought home a spud barrel for us to try, and after much nurturing and plenty of watering, we have now produced our first crop of spuds. We are so pleased with ourselves. They look really nice, but the tasting will be the test. I think Sunday dinner. And you know you see these pictures in newspapers about funny shaped veg. Well we have our own funny shaped potatoe, a little duck ha ha. Might not eat that one.

Bonnie Scotland

We went away to bonnie Scotland at the weekend. Hubby was competing in a 100k mountain bike competitive event in Selkirk. I didn't fancy having to stay at home on my own so he persuaded me to go with him but by camper van. The van was very bold, and I couldn't help but laugh at the number plate as you can see by the piccies, but we did enjoy ourselves even tho' it poured down when we were trying to put the awning up. I did end up hitting my head a few times on the roof of the camper van (not enough head room), but we did have a good time. Hubby took me to a crafting shop and I got a set of oval nesties (yipee) and he finished the event in 6hrs 38mins and came 115th out of 800, so he was really chuffed. Must admit tho' I was starting to get bored waiting for him.

The Pink Elephant Challenge #25

Loved the look of Robins sketch, and with the gloomy weather we've been having recently (were has the summer gone), thought it was an ideal opportunity to use the new release Elzybells rubber stamp (Sunflower fun). There is nothing better than sunflowers on a gloomy day, and this is what I came up with. Thanks for the sketch Pink Elephant

Michelle's Blog Candy

Wow Michelle at The Card Grotto has got some brilliant candy up for grabs, so pop over and leave her a comment. As the saying goes, "you've got to be in it to win it"

http://cardgrotto.blogspot.com/2009/07/its-candy-time.html

Good Luck in your new home

I was going to enter this card into the Sketch and Stash Challenge but it didn't quite come out the way it should have, so I'll have it as my own challenge. The image was Pink Petticoat Home Sweet Home download and the papers were Papermania "Sweet Nothings".

Friday Sketchers 61 sponsored by Ribbon Mad

Thanks Friday Sketchers, another brilliant sketch that gave me the inspiration to make this card. Papers used were from a Sarah's Cards kit I had and I got the opportunity to ink up my Magnolia stamp.

Secret Crafter - Saturday Challenge

Lovely sketch provided, I thought it was perfect for making the attached good luck card. Papers were from a Sarah's Cards kit.

Motivet Candy

http://motivet.com/blog/?p=456

If you go to Bevs blog you will see this fabulous candy on offer. Doesn't it look great

Birthday Treats

I celebrated my birthday recently, and my friend Sandra gave me some Elzybells vouchers to treat myself. This I did as soon as I got back from my hols, and my goodies arrived yesterday. I bought Teddy Surprise, Little birdie (which is the farmyard stamps), Ladybug fun (which is the red stamp), and 3 clear storage cases to put my stamps in. I was so pleased with them that I just had to do a card last night. I had a go with the Little Birdie stamps, and voila this is what I made. I wasn't sure what to use on the sheeps fleece then just remembered that I had some Glamour Dust, so I used that to outline them, and I'm quite pleased with the result, but I think I will definitely be trying out flock/fluffy stuff to see what the effect is (thanks Michele).