Meeting my Hero!

You may need a cuppa for this post and there's quite a few photo's too.

Bank Holiday Monday didn't turn out quite like we expected, we was supposed to go to the coast for the day and my sister was going to have the dogs for us. She had them the other week when we went to the zoo, but Rebel our sable and white rough collie suffers with seizures, and had a fit and frightened my sister to death.

So after much thought we decided not to go, so how did we fill the day. My husband concentrated on the garden in the morning, while I groomed and trimmed all the animals. First was the Guinea pig, Ash, he needed to have his hair trimmed, this is probably his last trim now as he'll need his fur for the winter months, but he can get ever so tangled if we don't trim it. He is a sheltie and is nearly 5 1/2 years old, their life span is on average 5/6 years, so he is doing well. A bit on the thin side but is running round and eating well.

Now a couple of weeks ago I was having a browse at House Mouse stamps, I adore them but only own one, the images I have, I have done swaps for or won them on the House Mouse challenge blog. Well I spotted this, it's called Gorgeous Guinea, and I will have to get it with out a doubt, just have to save the pennies for it Lol!

Next the rabbit, Thumper, he's shedding so a brush and nail clipping required.

Baby our cat who is 9 years old and will only let me brush her, she's getting a bit temperamental now, must be her age Lol!

Now for the last and the most time consuming, my boys Rebel and Flint, my gorgeous loving Rough Collies, the fur takes about 30 mins each to brush and trim. But they're good boys and will stand there and let you do it.

So that was my morning taken care of, what now for the afternoon, how about standing in line for over a hour and half for a book signing. My eldest son Scott who is fourteen loves a series of books called the Cherub series, written by Robert Muchamore for teenagers, they are about orphans that become spies. Scott has them all and a new one was launched yesterday, we bought him a limited edition and queued to get it signed by the author, it made Scotts day. Although I did take Scott last year to a talk by this author and he had a book signed and met the author then too.

He is a very nice person and was quite happy to let us take a photo of Scott with him and a photo of Scott stood at his Range Rover. Scott met his Hero!

And yes Bobby got in on the act too, Robert Muchamore was quite taken with Bobbyand his toy animals and spent more time talking to Bobby than Scott Oh Dear!

So that was my day and no crafting, but must get on today and do some DT samples for a new Polkadoodles CD-Rom, and try to get around blogland and catch up.

I must say though I am having problems leaving comments, Blogger seems to be really playing up and won't let me leave comments on a lot of blogs. So I have been looking at all your fab creations but can't always leave a comment at the moment, sorry!

Have a great day

Happy crafting

Tracy x

Soft Shades Of Vintage

This week at Die Cut Dreams the theme is "Soft Shades Of Vintage", I loved doing this and I got to give my Debbie Moore stamps an airing. The girls on the team have done some fantastic work too, so pop on by and take a look. My large rose is handmade and I used a sheet of music distressed with distress inks to make it. I love these kind of challenges.


This is for
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Layers



Recipe:-
Stamps - Debbie Moore Art Deco Ladies,
Paper - Regency,
Colouring Mediums - Distress Inks,
Embellishments - lace, ribbon, gems, roses and leaves from stash

Fairy Wishes

I totally adore this image, it's my all time favourite stamp, I love colouring her. I saw the colour challenge at Colour Create and couldn't resist doing it. I have been so tied up with keeping on top of DT work and commenting that I don't seem to have done some challenges and just played and have fun with no set agenda. So I looked through some challenges and pulled these to one side and had a good old play. But just got some new goodies for samples so that will take care of my weekend and bank holiday Lol!


This is for the following challenges:-

1. Paperplay Challenges - week 34 - Sketch + new stash (new papers)

2. Magical monday - challenge 3 - Flowers

3. Pocket Full Of Posies - challenge # 5 - Winged Things

4. Colour Create - challenge 52 - Lilac, yellow and Mint + Doily

5. Lily Of The Valley - challenge 62 - Go dotty + Circles

6. Flutterby Wednesday - challenge 119 - Anything goes


Have a great weekend, and thank you for popping by my blog.

Happy crafting

Tracy x

Ladybird, Ladybird

This is the sketch for this weeks challenge over at Polkadoodles, and you can only use 3 colours too. But as always the design team have come up with some great creations.

I have rotated the sketch


Everything I have used is from Paper Boutique 1 CD Rom which you can get here. I have used nestie circles instead of squares, they seem to go better with my ladybirds. My three colours are - red, green and pink.

Over at "Oldie But A Goodie" the whole Design Team is being announced today, after a DT Call, 4 new members were chosen from a whole lot of talented and wonderful entries.

This is the team:-

Francesca

Tracy (me)
Annie
Clare *Littlebear*
Debs
liza
Lisa
Fleur

There is also Candy on offer at the moment too, and the first challenge will be going live on Tuesday 7th September, so I hope you can join us and get out our old stamps and blow of the dust and ink them up.

Hope you have a fab weekend and thanks for popping by my blog
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Tilda In Lemon

This weeks challenge at Die Cut Dreams is "Tilda In Lemon", i'm not a big fan of Tilda but I quite like this image. It was a candy I received from Susie some time ago. I love yellow but don't often use it, but it reminds me of spring days, when all the daffodils are out, it's my favourite season, so maybe I should use it more. And if you want to see how many different kinds of creations you can get using the same colourway, just pop by and take a look.


This is also for the following challenges :-

1. Creative Card Crew - Sparkle and Shine

2. Crafty Creations - challenge # 81 - Butterflies

3. Crafts And Me - challenge 11 - Petals And Pearls

4. Flutterby Wednesday - ~118 - 1 part sparkle, 2 parts papers, 3 parts gems

5. Totally Papercrafts - challenge # 30 - Summer fun (I chose to do summer colour)

6. Let's Ink It Up - challenge # 1 - Anything goes with a twist of yellow


Recipe:-

Stamps - Magnolia Tilda, Polkadoodles butterfly stamp,

Papers - Gingham freebie from Bev, Papermania capsule,

Colouring Mediums - Distress Inks,

Tools - Nesties, cuttlebug, flower punches,

Embellishments - stickles, ribbon, gems, brads, pearl all from my stash


My lovely friend Fiona, has given me an award, she is so sweet and makes some of the most gorgeous creations. Thank you love.

Now you have to pass this onto 7 ladies, So this was perfect to give to these wonderful ladies, but let me tell you something about them first. We started off as a blog hop and it went so well, one of the ladies Brenda, who organised everything so well, turned us into a brilliant challenge blog. Every single lady is talented, kind and make a fabulous friend. I couldn't wish for a better team to be part of. Yes of course it's
Sir Stampalot:-
Brenda
Chris
Clare
Francesca
Lorraine
Pinky
Sally

Thank you girls for giving me such a brilliant experience, and lots more fantastic challenges to come.


But I really must say I am on other DT 's too, and hold them in high regard aswell, All my design team buddies are great and each of the teams are wonderful, so are the challenge blogs, but the reason for choosing this team is that we were all here from the very start.


Thanks for popping by and having a peek at my blog


Happy crafting


Tracy x

Anyone for golf

It is Jackie's second turn to host the Rosie-D's challenge this month, and she's chosen the theme of "One for the boys". The men in our lives often get forgotten when it comes to our card making and as it is Jackie's hubby's birthday next month she thought she would choose "One for the boys" but she would like to see a card for a big boy in your life not a little one.

So I come up with this golfing card, even though I don't know anyone who plays golf. But I do love Penny Black and couldn't resist using this cutie.


This is also forthe following challenges:-

1. Crafty Cardmakers - challenge 27 - Birthdays

2. Create 4 Fun - week 34 - A Birthday Card


Recipe:-

stamps - Penny Black, Daisy & Dandelion Sentiment,

Papers - Crafters Companion CD,

Colouring Mediums - Distress Inks,

Tools - Cuttlebug, swiss dots folder, nesties,

Embellishments - Embellies from stash,


Hope you have a good week and thanks for popping by my blog

Happy crafting

Tracy x

New Challenge Blog

Even though the DT call for the new challenge blog "Oldie But A Goodie" has closed, you can still join in the candy on the challenge blog. You have till the 5th September to enter. Then the first challenge will be going live Tuesday 7th September.


For our challenge blog we would like you to use older stamps, you know those poor things that haven't seen daylight for a while. They must be over 6 months old. And my stamp for the first challenge is the first one I ever bought, I thought it would be a suitable choice.

So please pop over and become a follower if you haven't already and if you have I hope to see for the first challenge.


Have a great weekend

Happy crafting

Tracy x

Vintage cakes

The theme this week at Polkadoodles is Vintage Style. For my creation I have used for the papers and the flowers, the All Around And Everywhere CD, and for my image I used the NEW Stamp doodles stamp, the cake stand which I then coloured with Aquamarkers. I distressed all my edges with Stormy Sky Distress Inks and added some stickles.


I would also like to enter this into the following challenges:-
1. Papertake weekly - sketch # 46 - sketch which I have rotated
2. Colour Create - challenge 51 - Ivory, duck egg blue + 1 other = added extra of shabby chic
3. Creatalicious - challenge # 13 - Vintage
4. ABC Challenge - B is for Blue
5. Stampin' For The Weekend - challenge 45 - Anything goes


I received my blood test results and they have come back normal, so I'm operation and medication free for another year, Yipeeeeee.
My sister went for a check up and x-rays yesterday, and everything is returning to normal, although she is now on inhalers for life and she has to take a tablet to prevent ulcers returning for life too. But on a whole good news.
And I looked after the twins while she was at the hospital and it was just like before and I realised how much i've missed looking after them.


Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and gets lots of crafty time. Thanks for popping by and having a peek on my blog.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Something different

A bit of a different make for you today, My eldest son had a mate to sleep over last night and did they mess about. To say they are both almost 15 in age, it was like having Bobby and a group of four year olds. It was 4.30am before I got any sleep, everytime they thought we were asleep they would sneak downstairs, raid the cupboards, put music on, and lots more. This went on till about 4.15am this morning. Banging about, up and down stairs, until they had everyone in the house up including Bobby. By hell they got the length of my tongue, I was so angry. No more sleepovers in my house, they are banned.
So I was up at 6.30 to see the hubby of to work, then Bobby was up at 7.00 am, so I cracked on with the ironing and some other bits of housework. Then got the urge to bake and it passed an hour.


Here are some of the dozen scones I baked, just plain this morning as the kids don't like them with fruit in. I think they turned out nice and fluffy due to me taking my anger out on the scone dough rather than Scott Lol!


Then I decided to do the kids favourite Flapjack, I know by the time I go to bed tonight and John and the kids have had flapjack for supper there will not be a crumb left.


So today I am gonna concentrate on DT work, and try to get round some of your lovely blogs, ladies.
Have a good day
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Cherries And Gingham Mmmmm

Mmmm what I love, red, cherries and Gingham all in one creation. I had a real good old play today, as you can see i've found something new to do with my hearts and flowers, which I use quite often to embellish my cards. I covered them in Versamark and then embossed with holographic powder, fabulous sparkle. I adore penny black stamps, and this is one of my favourites, I have used glossy accents on the cherries, but it doesn't show very well. But live they look scrumptious.

So I'm entering this into the DT Call over at Penny Black At Allsorts , I adore Penny Black critters and the challenge is monthly, it's worth popping over and taking a look, there's fab prizes up for grabs too.


I would like to enter this into the following challenges:-

1. Penny Black At Allsorts - Glitter and Glitz

2. Penny Black Saturday - week 114 - Feeling Fruity

3. Crafty Catz - challenge 45 - Animals

4. Simon Says Stamp - Summertime Blues



Anyhow I went this morning for my annual blood tests, as a couple of year ago I had half of my Thyroid removed, due to nodules being there. They had haemorrhaged (had to check the spelling on that word), and they gave me a 1/10 chance of cancer, after the operation they told me the half that was left in, also had nodules on but if the tests came back cancer free on the part removed, they would leave the rest until the nodules got bigger. I had my review at the doctors aswell and I was so pleased that the nodules have not grown enough yet to have anything done. So just awaiting blood results, but I feel fine, so I think all is well. Now are you asking, well why didn't they just remove the whole thing? My surgeon, who is very good, will not put anyone on life term medication, which is what I will have to have when it's all removed, unless it's completely neccassary.

So after having a very good day at the zoo yesterday and good news at the doctors, playing with my crafting goodies today was a real joy. Even the kids are being well behaved. I just seem to have had just a rough time of it lately with family matters that when you get a really good day like today you just want to tell someone Lol !

So I hope everyone else has a good week

Happy crafting

Tracy x

Tags And Fairies

It is challenge #61 at Die Cut Dreams, and the theme is "use a tag but no stamping at all". This challenge made me scrounge around in my stash, and out came some gold rub-ons for the sentiment, my tag is from a tag book by K&Co. My image is a Dufex decoupage called the Honey Fairy. Can't believe how many times I reached for my stamps, especially for the sentiments Lol !


I would also like to enter this in the following challenges:_
1. Flutterby Wednesday - challenge # 117 - Open Challenge
2. Crafty Creations - challenge # 80 - Winged Things


Yesterday we took the kids to the Zoo, and the weather was beautiful, sunny and quite hot at times. We had such a wonderful time and Bobby was with in 10 foot of seeing the male lion feed, wow that made his day, I have never seen him so mesmerized and in complete awe of the whole experience. Lions are his favourite animal and he is only 4, but he knows almost every animal on earth, just like his big brother. My highlight was, although I love lions too, was the baby gorilla, I love gorilla's. It was the size of a new born baby. But our poor Bobby was so disappointed that he couldn't see a Mammoth, and they were just plain old elephants. I did explain to him that they were extinct, but then he just said "well how did they make the Ice Age film then if there's no Mammoths".
So we took him to the dinosaur safari, and he was quite happy then, as you'll see in the photo's Hope you don't get too bored as I've put a couple of photo's on for any animal lovers.


Bobby just loved this Mammoth


I love butterflies, and couldn't resist getting this photo, the colours are just stunning.


Bobby's highlight of the whole day and an experience he hasn't stopped talking about.


All pile on !!!!!!!!!! Cheeky ringed tail Lemurs


This funny little monkey kept pressing it's food up against the window for Bobby and Jodie to have, bless him, he just wanted to share.

My highlight, how could anyone hurt these poor things, this baby gorilla was just so adorable.

Believe me there was plenty more photos and lots more species of animals, I actually took 97 photo's, but couldn't possibly put any of you lovely people through that Lol !

Hope everyone had a good weekend and have a good week too.

Happy crafting

Tracy x

It's A Boy

There's a new challenge this morning over at Polkadoodles and the theme is to print/stamp onto acetate/vellum. For my creation I used the Candy Doodles CD and printed the candy boys backing paper on to white vellum. I then printed and re-sized the stampies to match and coloured them with Promarkers. My main image was coloured with the fab Aquamarkers.

I would like to enter this for:-

1. Stamptacular Sunday - challenge # 71 - Snips & Snails & Puppy dog tails

2. Papertake Weekly - Something new and Something blue (I bought some nappy pins to use)


If you left a comment on my blog , with regards to the blogger problem of leaving spaces in between lines, and you also have the same problem .. .. try holding down your "shift" key and then pressing return. Hope it helps. I've tried it and it works, but you won't see it until you come off blogger then go back on. My blogging friend Jules finally was able so give me this solution. Thank you Jules x


I would also like to remind you about the DT Call on the new challenge blog "Oldie But A Goodie", it ends on the 20th August. And the challenge will start on the 7th September.

Recipe:-

Stamps - Daisy & Dandelion, Polkadoodles Candy Doodles Stampies,

Papers - Vellum Printed with Candy Doodles CD,

Colouring Medium - Aqua markers, Promarkers,

Tools - scalloped border punch, nesties, cuttlebug,

Embellishments - Brad, Nappy pin, from stash

I hope you all have a good weekend and thank you for popping by my blog.

Happy crafting

Tracy x

Using Fabric, and can you help

This weeks challenge at Die Cut Dreams is to use fabric (other than ribbon or trim). I came up with a denim and lace rosette type of flower, after taking my sons jeans apart. I adore Sarah Kay stamps and she went really well with the denim. I stickled the flowers and her bow on her hat. She is coloured with Distress inks and I adore the papers.

I would like to enter this for:-

1. Crafty Cardmakers - "use Punches"

2. A Pocket Full Of Posies - challenge # 4 - All That Glitters

3. Creative Inspirations - challenge # 40 - Recycle (my sons Jeans for my rosette flower)

4. Cupcake Crafts - challenge 103 - Lace (used in my rosette flower)

Recipe:-

Stamps - Sarah Kay,

Papers - Papermania Henbury Lane,

Colouring Mediums - Distress Inks,

Tools - Cuttlebug, embossing folder, Nesties, Border punch, Pinking shears,

Embellishments - Stickles star dust, ribbon, brad, Lace, Denim fabric,

Ok I need a little help, when i'm writing my posts and I use the return key in between lines, if I press twice for a bigger gap, so I can go on to talk about something else, when I publish, the gaps have gone and all my writing looks cramped up with no line spaces, if that makes sense to any one. Does any one know how to keep the line spaces in my post.

I hope you all have a good week and thanks for popping by my blog.

Happy crafting

Tracy x

Vintage Dress Up

It is Jackie's turn to host the Rosie-D's challenge this month, and she's chosen the theme of "More than one fold". Ok I have only used two folds but tried to make it a bit different, I have cut round half the scalloped circle to make it pop out. Now the flowers look nice and plump in the centre thanks to an idea I found on the lovely True's blog. She used a small die cut circle and shaped it by using an embossing tool and made the centre's look like the paper brads (iced gems). I used a small circle punch for the same effect. You got to check out True's blog if you haven't already, she does some really beautiful work.

This is also for :-

1. House Mouse - challenge 75 - Vintage

2. Cupcake Crafts - challenge 102 - Distressing

Hope you all have a good week and thank you for popping by

Happy crafting

Tracy x

Cupcakes Galore

This is my DT creation for the Polkadoodles challenge for week 31, where Jenny has done a great sketch for it. You can use any CD for this one.

Polkadoodles are doing a new range of stamps, this Yummy Cupcake stand is among them, and are from the NEW Stamp Doodles range. I have made a matching Treat bag cover to go with the card. I have used papers from the All Around And Everywhere CD, and the flowers are from the Back To Nature CD also from Polkadoodles.

This is also for:-

Cute Card Thursday -challenge 124 - "Whateva"

Have a wonderful weekend

Happy crafting

Tracy x

Fairy Flutterfly's Meeshelle

Polkadoodles do a range of stamps called Fairy Flutterfly's, they are very versatile as they come with the wings seperate which can be used as a butterfly on it's own. They also include a sentiment and some small flowers and a small butterfly too.
This is Meeshelle, and the large acetate Butterfly that is on the corner of the card is the same one used for her wings. The papers are Polkadoodles from the CD Back To Nature. The small Butterfly is the one from the set too. The die cut shape is from Die Cut Dreams and comes with different colour backs.

This is for:-
1. Magical Monday - challenge # 1 - Pixie and fairy dust (I did notice fairies have been used as well as Pixies so hope this is OK)
2. Stamptacular Sunday - challenge # 70 - Out Of This World
3. Flutterby Wednesday - challenge # 116 - Favourite Colour (mine is pink and lilac)
4. Creative Card Crew - "Lets Get Cute And Girly"
5. Simon Says Stamp - Sing it baby (my song is Wind Beneath My Wings)
6. ABC Challenge - A is for August

Have a good day
Happy crafting
Tracy x

House Mouse and Gingham

I have just joined the Design Team over at Die Cut Dreams, and what a wonderful bunch of girls they are, so welcoming and a bit naughty too. If you pop on over you'll also meet the rest of the new teamies and the present team members too, (nearly said the old teamies, wouldn't have gone down well would it)
This weeks challenge is to use "Gingham", use anything you wish , any colour you wish as long as your creation has Gingham on it somewhere. And I have used my favourites House Mouse, I do adore these mice, although I only have one little stamp, but I have done swaps and I won a blog hop on the House Mouse challenge site which gave me a lot of stamped images of House Mouse too. I am so glad Joanna Sheen has started to sell the um-mounted ones which are cheaper, so when i can afford it i'll be visiting Joanna for some of these little beauties.

This is also for:-

Simon Says Stamp - Going All Dotty

Totally Papercrafts - challenge # 27 - "Going To The Movies" (I have done "Chocolat", year 2000 starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp)

Creative Inspirations Wednesdays - challenge # 721 - Animals

By The Cute And Girly - August Challenge - Animal Antics

Recipe:-

Stamps - House Mouse, Ticket by Bizzy becs,

Papers - Pick 'n' mix box,

Colouring Mediums - H20's, Distress Inks,

Tools - Cuttlebug, swiss dot folder, corner punch,

Embellishments - Ribbon, gems, brads, flowers, stickles all from stash

Never say "I Dare You" to my husband as that is what my daughter said to him yesterday, we were in the car having a laugh and a joke and he said he might get a tattoo, he only has the word "TOMO" on the top of his arm which his mate did 25 years ago, he hasn't any others. We got onto the subject somehow, so Jodie said you daredn't, you'll cry and started laughing.
Next thing he's pulled up outside the tattooist, got out of the car and went in. 1 Hour later this is how he came out. He chose a lion as anybody who knows me will know my youngest Bobby, (4 yr old) is absolutely mad on lions. He also had his name put underneath.
Now my other two kids are asking him when he's having one for them with their names on. He never batted an eyelid and just said "when we can afford it", I was totally flabbergasted, I couldn't believe it, I thought he would have come out of the tatooist and said "oh they couldn't fit me in" Lol!!!!!
Now remember this was only done yesterday, so there is quite a bit of redness and scabbing, but in 3 weeks time if he thinks it needs it and his skin has calmed down he can have it touched up with some more highlighting and shading, but only if it needs it.

Hope you all have a good week and thank you for calling by my little paradise

Happy crafting

Tracy x

Molly Blooms for Sir Stampalot

Don't you just adore this image, she is a Molly Bloom image which is a new range from Sir Stampalot, there's also another gorgeous character in this range called George, he's just adorable too.

This is my DT creation for August's challenge which is "Bring On The Bling", and now do you want to see the fab prize.



For my bling I used charms, gems and lots of stickles so if you fancy breaking out the glitter or sticking on some gems then pop on over to Sir Stampalot challenge and join in. All my flowers, leaves and swirly stamps are hand made from Dies and punches. I like this way of adding my charms by using a safety pin, it looks different.

I would like to enter this for:-
Craftalicious - challenge # 5 - Make your own flowers
Simon Says Stamp - Going all Dotty

Recipe:-
Stamps - Molly Bloom (Sir Stampalot),
Papers - Papermania Henbury Lane,
Colouring Mediums - H20's, Cosmic Shimmers, Distress Inks,
Tools - Border Punch, Flower Punches, Sizzix die cut,
Embellishments - Gems, stickles, charms, safety pin, ribbon,

Happy crafting
Tracy x