Small changes...

Hello. Yes I've changed things again but change is good so I keep telling myself! I recently set the challenge swop for my SBS which had to have the word friend or sister on an ATC...and then with everything that has happened forgot to make one myself! So big, huge, groveling apologies to Lisa. I know she loves black and pink and is a fan of PB so I hope she likes this. Picture isn't very good as the pink is a lot brighter.

The postie has been busy delivering cards for the appeal and some beautiful ones for me from you and I've been tagged and awarded from every direction so will do them all later when Belle is in bed. Thank you all so much for everything...its been a lot tougher than I could have imagined...and an extra special thanks to Tina who has somehow kept me sane this week.

I hope everyone is well and I WILL catch up with you all soon...just doing things as and when I'm in the mood right now.

Demented, crafty hugs,
Em.

To you from me...

Hi. Papers are HOTP and have been distressed. Pearl brad from Poppicrafts and swirl is distressed chipboard. Ribbon flower hand sewn from stash.

Crafting + Tina + Belle + rainy afternoon = therapy for the soul.

Hugs,
Em.x

Goodbye my friend.

Most of you already know our sad news and for those of you that don't I can only apologise for not saying anything sooner.
My beautiful friends Debs has lost her battle to breast cancer and words just cannot describe how we all feel right now. Its happened so quickly and there were to many things left unsaid.
We met in 1988 at college and Debs, me and Julie would get up to all sorts of mischief and she is going to be so missed.
Julie and I are going to do some scrapbooks of her life so that the children will always remember Mummy and Dave her hubby has requested no flowers at the funeral as donations will be given to her favourite two charities.

I would like to say thanks to my hubby, Julie, Gill and Tina who have been my rocks since we heard and to all the girls on the other blog for your lovely words.

Not sure how to end this as I don't want to say goodbye and I feel incredibly angry that we have been cheated out of a beautiful, loving, gentle mum who laughed constantly and got drunk far to quickly on red wine...and if she is reading this she will be laughing as the first time we ever got drunk was when we were 16 in a grotty pub in Kings Langley and boy did we get into trouble that night!

I'll not be around for a bit but will catch up with you all soon. Em.x

Having a bloggy break...

Hello. Not going to be around for a few days as my gorgeous hubby is coming home for the weekend!! Over the moon as I have missed him so much and am already dreading next week when we will be parted again.

Apologies as well for not getting round to comment on everyone's creations but having a bad FM/ME flare up and looking at the screen for too long is causing major migraines. I'll catch up with you all next week.

Big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my pals Pam and Rachel as well...I hope you both have a lovely day!

The cards for the troops have started rolling in and I already have a boxful but there is another box to fill so keep sending them! A big thanks to Tina, Tracey and Jane for their wonderful cards and Jane also sent me a gorgeous handmade book as I had admired one on her blog...thanks girls! I'm going to put everyone's cards onto a photo show next week so everyone can see them.

I've also been given the most beautiful earrings and necklace that Tina has lovingly made for me but will show them next week as I want to take a really good photo to show the beautiful bead work.

And finally...another blogger has had me in tears this week but for a good reason. This beautiful card arrived from Cass and not only is it the most beautiful card but what she had written inside had me in tears. Cass is a very special person to me. We met a long time ago on a forum and started our blogs at the same time. Not only is she a great supporter of my blog she understands my frustrations as a mum and always has the best advice where kids are concerned. We will be meeting up and I can't wait to me her and her wonderful family. Thank you sweetheart.

Now stop yawning and pretend to show some interest in what I write! LOL!
Have a great weekend,
Crafty hugs,
Em.x

A special LO....

Hello. I've had a lovely afternoon scrapping with Tina and have made this as a special gift for my hubby just to let him know what he means to me.
Its been made as an A4 size so it will fit into a frame but that meant I could not use any embellishments as it will be under glass...but I did sneak some ribbon in!
We were married on Christmas Eve so my dress was a deep red...it was a magical day as it snowed lightly and only five months later we found out that I was expecting Belle. She was due on Christmas Eve which just made our day but my daughter, as ever, couldn't wait and arrived 3 weeks early.
I hope everyone is well and catch up with you all soon.
Hugs,
Em.x

Hurricane Fay

To all the bloggers in the Florida area, especially Monica and Roz, keep safe and we are all praying that you get through this Cat 1 hurricane safely.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers and and we can only sit back and wait to hear from you.
To all our SBS I have asked that they let at least one of us know, when they can, that they are safe so please pass on any news that you hear.
We can now only sit back and wait and pray that this is not as bad as predicted.
Thinking of you all,
Emma.x

Busy bee's and PB!

Hi all. Hope everyone had a great weekend. This is my first offering to the PB Saturday challenge which this week is 'ribbons'. Really enjoyed taking part and I don't think it will be my last time. Papers are BG, flowers are Poppicraft and the image was from Debs...thanks babe.

Well my dining room has been a hive of activity today and we have been very busy bee's...Belle included! Tina and I started on our big push for making Christmas cards for the Troops and had a right giggle doing it....red glitter in August seems so wrong! Many thanks to everyone who has agreed to help and I think we will be saying that a lot leading up to October when all the cards need to be in.

I'd also like to thank all the girls over at our 'twaddle and blab' blog for the hugs and kicks today...you lot are so vicious! LOL!
Catch up with you soon,
Crafty hugs,
Em.x

Seriously cheating!

I'm seriously cheating with this LO as I'm using it for three challenges.....

1. The UKS monthly house team challenge is "Flower Power" and this is my first LO for my team the 'Glitter Gossips'.
2. Thisthursday is “Colour is my obsession” and as I hardly ever work with red I thought it would be fun to try something different.
3. The Stamping links to love challenge is hosted by my pal Monica and is 'Three's company' so I've used three photos and three large red flowers.

Papers are by Creative Imaginations and card stock is Bazzil.

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend and catch up with you soon.
Hugs,
Em.x

Heffalump hugs....

I'm sending HUGE heffalump hugs to....

Debs and Lil' G for sending me this gorgeous wallet card filled with images. The photo really does not do it justice as the colours are stunning.
And to Dawny who sent Belle and I this stunning card after I admired it on her blog. Ellie's were the one thing that used to make Belle giggle when she was in hospital so they are our unofficial mascot....unlike bees! It was full of stamped images and elephant dies...and....
all these as well!
Girls you have really spoilt me and Belle and I can't thank you enough. A special thanks to Lil'G as well who decorated the front of the card with ELF and stuck some gorgeous flowers inside...Debs I think you are going to have to watch your very talented daughter...competition in the making me thinks! LOL!
Please check their blogs out as they are amazing!
Hugs,
Em.x

Royal birthdays...

Hello. We have lots of birthdays coming up so thought I had better make a start on the cards.
Recipe...frame was stamped then embossed then had 'photo' distressing ink rubbed over it.
The image is craftyindividuals. It was stamped onto card that had been coloured with aged inks and then re stamped onto tissue paper...carefully cut out and layered back over the image. Crown was stamped with writing and then glazed. Post mark was stamped and embossed with clear and then re stamped. Scroll was done on card distressed with ink then rolled. Button in flowers is a real vintage charity shop find!

I really do appreciate everyone that finds the time to stop by and read my blog so many thanks to you all.
Hugs,
Em.x

To 'bee' or not to 'bee'...

As well as an influx of giant bees in the garden I have also received these gorgeous cards today...both with a bee theme!

This one is from the lovely Mrs T....And this arrived from Lainy who is not only my SBS sister but a fabby friend as well...
and it was full with lots and lots of bee images!
Thank you so much and I promise to 'bee' nice to the little guys in the garden in future!! LOL!
Hugs
Em.x

A very special day...

I just want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my handsome, gorgeous son Jake who is 15 today...have you gone red yet reading this! I really wish you were with us today but we have lots of lovely surprises for you when you get home! Love ya!

These are some photos taken yesterday when we went to the woods and beach with Tina and Poppy. It was a beautiful day and was finished off at the farm shop with cake!

It really is a beautiful beach...

Belle doing her spider impression....Me and my girl....
We managed to get Belle to keep still for two seconds for this shot....
Belles best friend Poppy....
A big thank you to Tina and Poppy for turning a housework day into one full of fun and giggles!
I hope everyone is having a lovely day and catch up with you all soon.
Hugs,
Em,x

Its a poo world....

BUT if you are easily offended then log off my blog now!!!

Inflatable dog poo sculpture wreaks havoc

A modern art exhibit has wreaked havoc after blowing away from a museum in the Swiss city of Berne.

The exhibit in question, titled “Complex Sh*t”, was an inflatable dog turd the size of a house.

The exhibit, a sculpture by American artist Paul McCarthy, was blown loose from its moorings at the Paul Klee centre. An inopportune gust of wind then carried it 200 yards.

The giant inflatable stool brought down an electricity line and smashed a greenhouse window before eventually coming to rest in the grounds of a children’s home.

Representatives of the museum later revealed that McCarthy’s work of art had a safety system that would automatically deflate the inflatable turd in the event of a storm but admitted the device had failed to activate.

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I nearly wet myself after reading this today!!

Em.x

The riddle solved!

Well after fighting with the bees all summer the riddle was finally solved today. There are bee hives a few fields down behind our house! Don't get me wrong the little darlings have done wonders for my tomato plants but boy...I'm sure this lot have been force fed steroids as they are huge!
I'm definitely going to grow peas next year if these boys are around to help out!

Anyway I'll leave you with this little ATC that I did as an example for my lovely SBS sisters. It was my turn to pick the swop so I decided on ATC's with a friendship theme.
I passed it on to Tina because even though she is not an SBS sister she is a wonderful friend and a fantastic play mate for Belle!
Hugs,
Em.x

Summer stamping..

Hi. I've made this card for someone who I wish I lived nearer to so I could give her a hug right now. Can't say who in case she reads this but hopefully when the card arrives she will understand just how much I do worry about her!
Papers and stamps are by craftyindividuals and I used chalks on the flowers. The butterfly is stamped as well.

You need to go and check Tina's blog out as well today as she can claim the prize for bargain of the day!!!
Hugs,
Em

Thanks Sharon!

My pal Sharon has passed this onto me and as I am in awe of everything she does this means an awful lot!

The rules are:

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog

2. Link the person you received your award from

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Put links of those blogs on yours

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls you’ve nominated

So I am going to pass this on to...

Pam who never fails to make me want to try new techniques.
Sammi who is the most kind hearted, generous person I have ever met.
Lainy who makes me laugh so much.
Lisa who has so much going on in her own life but always finds time for others.
Jessica who's talent and friendship means so much.
Teresa who never fails to make me smile.
Kim who always finds time to visit me and is such a lovely person!

I wish I could pass it onto you all....

Well its a beautiful day here so off for a walk into town with Belle to feed the ducks at the lake.
Hope everyone is well.
Hugs,
Em.x

Vintage...

Morning all!
'This weeks Challenge over at Artyzgirl is 'Vintage' so you could use a vintage photograph on your creation, give your creation an aged effect, or go shabby chic use old ribbon or lace etc. As always you choose the format for your creation.'
Well after having my backside kicked last night by Mrs T who told me to stop mumbling about doing things and actually do something...this is what I came up with!
I've kept it quite simple as its for someone who I don't think likes to much fuss. The stamp is from craftyindividuals. Distressed using distressed inks and the button is original vintage!
I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend....we are off for lunch at Mrs T's so will have to be on our best behaviour......
Hugs,
Emma.x

Sorry girls....

I just don't know where this week has gone. I've hardly visited any of your blogs this week and I feel terrible after all the amazing support you have all given me recently!

I've been working on a couple of projects, sorting out the new blog and I've also just started a new one for my SBS sisters (with some fantastic help from Sammi!) which goes live on Monday...yikes!

Thanks to everyone that has joined us over at the new blog...its so lovely getting to know you all off blog if that makes sense!

I was also invited to join 'The Glitter Gossips' team over at UKS so am slowly starting to get to know them all. Teresa my SBS sister is already on the team and Sharon who runs it lives near me! I was really nervous about joining but they are all so lovely!

Sharon has invited me to a crop she is holding in September and I am going to drag Tina along and its going to be great finally putting faces to all the names I chat to on UKS.

Feeling very tired at the moment and Belle has been a little whirlwind all week...I would love some of her energy. In fact I'm so tired I'm not even going to link back to anyone I have mentioned in this post...so please forgive!

I hope everyone is ok and I promise that I will pop over and see you in the next few days...if I don't you have my permission to kick me!

Will post something crafty tomorrow...if I can find my way out of bed!
Hugs,
Em.x

Ribbons, ribbons everywhere...well not quite!

Hi. The challenge this week over at thisthursday is 'This weeks challenge is called Bowdacious. so we want you to use ribbons and bows, so use the theme in any way that it inspires you.'

I'm always using ribbons on my cards so thought this time I would something a bit different. I know its not going to be to everyone's taste but its for my Dad so apologies for it not being pink and girlie!!

(And if you are thinking 'so where the heck are all the ribbons'...they are the striped background behind the elephants!)

I also want to say a big WELL DONE BABE to my mate Gill who has once again passed another OU exam under very stressful circumstances and I'm so proud of her! Whilst I was in the garden checking on the tomato plants that have finally got some fruit a huge fat bee kept pestering me and Gill said it must be the same one that's been annoying her......I'd forgotten after being in Gibraltar just how big and annoying they can be!!

Gill is also going to join us over at the other blog and I just want to thank everyone for making me laugh so much since its been set up!

Well I'm off to make some scones...many thanks to Tina's hubby for the recipe!
Catch up with you all soon.

Bucketfuls of cards...thank you!

Hello. Just thought I'd show you some of the cards I have received lately...

This lovely CD was from Tina...

This gorgeous card was from the oh so talented Chrissy!

Another one from Tina...inside she had written 'Friendship-support, fun, giggles, tears and joy'...

This one arrived this morning from the lovely Jane. I knew she was sending the bird template but the card was unexpected and is beautiful!

A received this from my pal Rachel....but wait...

this is the back of it...how fab is that!

And lastly...but by no means least...this arrived from my SBS sister Kim with all the blog candy she sent me...its scrummy!

I can't thank you all enough as they are gorgeous and have really brightened my front room up...thanks girls!

Apologies for not getting round all your blogs at the mo...still working on the new one, doing some bits for my SBS and working on some of my own stuff as well so a bit maxed out. Will catch up with you all very soon...promise!
(Thanks to everyone that has joined the new blog as well...Debs had me wetting myself this morning with her post!!)

Time flies....

Hello. The challenge this week over at thisthursday is 'WINGED THINGS. So you can put wings on things, use things that already have wings, whatever the title inspires you to create'.
So me being me decided to do a collection of ATCs with clocks...well time flies!
These are the first 'proper' ATC's I have ever done and really enjoyed making them. I did think that working on something so small would be intimidating but will definitely make more but if any of you have any tips, advice or suggestions for these please let me know...any help is always appreciated!

Hello!

Just a quickie to say hello. Had a fab couple of days away and a big thanks to Tina for putting up with my cats...or should that be the other way round!!

Many thanks for all the lovely messages you left me whilst I was away...going to spend the next couple of days catching up with you all so please bear with me.
Have got some gorgeous cards to show you tomorrow that were waiting for me when I got home...and my new craftyindividuals stamps have arrived so can't wait to play with them...just don't tell hubby that I ordered more!

Hubby is now away for two months and my son is away for 3 weeks so if you notice me going a bit demented on my posts please just ignore me!

Hope everyone is well and catch up with you very soon.