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