MAGICKDIVA

HAPPY IMBOLC

2012-02-01T10:14:00.002Z

Happy Imbolc to those of you who know what it is - Happy Groundhog day to those of you who call it that and Happy Candlemas day to those who call it that. A spring festival to help us emerge from the depths of winter. Throw those windows open - brrr here in the UK this morning - and let the fresh air in. Get out that broom (!) and sweep away the cobwebs. The original Spring Clean day!

You'll find lots more about Imbolc and some recipes over on my other blog www.festivalsandfeasts.blogspot.com

I'm going to attempt to do some scrapbooking today - wish me luck. I have a printer which won't print and in this digital age I need to get some photos off my computer! grrrr!!!

2012? What happened to 2011?/A new Project

2012-01-19T09:43:00.003Z

I can't believe I haven't been on here since May 2011. That also means I haven't been doing any crafting since that time either - although I did make some Christmas cards. I have set myself a project which has to be done by March - a scrapbook so hopefully I will be able to get some crafting done and put some up on here.

I had a lovely email from Carolyn asking me to join in with her new Tag blog - I'm going to try and join in and get back into the swing of things - especially when the weather is so miserable at the moment.

On another note though - I will be starting a new blog Festivals and Feasts - its my aim in 2012 t0 write a Pagan cookery book, detailing all the Festivals through the year that are celebrated and putting together some recipes and ideas for celebration. As well as the book I thought I could also blog about how I get on = it may keep me motivated. So if you are interested in eating seasonal food at the right time - no strawberries in December in this cookbook, pop on over and join in.

How Long????????????

2011-05-19T17:33:00.004+01:00

How long has it been since I posted on here? Ages!!!! Lots has been going on - the only bit of crafting I have been doing though has been a scrapbook for a friend's Wedding - that kept me busy and I didn't even remember to take pictures of it before I gave it away. A bit silly of me.

As well as crafting though - I have also been learning to be a Chocolatier and have joined Chocolate Craft At Home - a chocolate company offering chocolate parties - not only do you get to see and taste yummy chocolates but I also do a chocolate demonstration and show you how to make your own chocolates. I've set up a separate blog to record my chocolate endeavours so if you love chocolate - pop over and see what I'm up to. I'll be adding yummy chocolate recipes and, if you're in the Andover Hampshire area give me a shout if you fancy a party.

Here's a picture to give you an idea. Yummy! www.fionawhitehead.blogspot.com if you fancy having a peek!

MATCHBOX SWAP ANYONE????

2011-04-18T09:38:00.000+01:00

I fancy doing a matchbox swap and have looked around in blogland but a lot of them seem to be monthly swaps and to begin with I'd just like to do one - so anyone want to join in with me???

Make one matchbox and we'll swap with one partner

The theme is BIRDS as its spring and easter is almost upon us.

Leave your name if you'd like to join in - cut off date for signing up will be 8th April.

WOYWW #96

2011-04-06T09:49:00.004+01:00

I have lots and lots of goodies - after bemoaning the fact that I haven't had new stash in ages I treated myself to some goodies from Emma's Paperie - don't know what it is about this blog and shop but it always inspires me to buy buy buy. Here's the lovely box I received yesterday - all wrapped up in beautiful tissue paper - it was like an early birthday for next month!

Here's a close-up of the papers - can't wait to get my hands on them.

If this lot doesn't inspire me to get scrapbooking again I don't know what will. My daughter is 21 next year, my son is 18 - and I'll be 50 - three excuses for some new scrapbooks!

Check out Julia's blog here to see what everyone else is up to.

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS!

2011-04-01T11:51:00.003+01:00

Its the first of the month today and I'm going to be giving away a piece of Magickdiva art to one of my followers. My first problem though is how do I find out their blog addresses? Can anyone help? When I click on their name it says I need to sign in or belong to the group. Help!

I've been chuckling away today listening to Radio 2 where they've been playing an April Fools joke with the alternative Ken Bruce - quite amusing. Its hubby's 50th Birthday today - and he loved the Family album I made him - simple things - not hubby you understand!

I've had some lovely post today. This gorgeous bookmark was from a bookmark swap I hosted on UK Stampers. Mine was from Zoe and you check out her blog here . Thanks so much Zoe - I love love it.

I also received some lovely tags from the Craftymess tag swap - its so nice to receive lovely post.

I also wanted to thank everyone for their help with the rubber stamp sticky problem - a quick wipe with a damp cloth did the trick.

WOYWW#95

2011-03-30T09:03:00.004+01:00

Wow - another week gone and I haven't done any blogging! That was a quick week - not one picture of my desk today but three!

My husband is 50 ! on Friday - 1st April and I decided last minute to do one of these FAMILY chipboard albums for him - here it is in its early stages:

And then Oscar had to come and see what I was doing!

Check out Julia's blog to see what everyone else is up to this week. Happy WOYWWing!

WOYWW #94 HELP PLEASE!

2011-03-23T09:13:00.005Z

Well it's Wednesday again - and time for a trip round Julia's followers of desks! Sounds mad but its addictive!

Here's my desk this week: There are my inchies for the UK Stampers inchy swap - this month we're doing Australia and Oceana. My inchies depict the Sidney Opera House (why wouldn't I pick that lol!) on top of Ayers Rock surrounded by the words Waltzing Matilda - I know a bit of a cliche song!

On the left there are some Tim Holtz stamps -and I need some advice please - the stamps have lost their stickiness - how do I get it back? They keep falling off my blocks.

PS - do you know what DH said to me the other day - "you're desk is a mess" he just doesn't get it does he?

HAPPY DAY, SAD DAY

2011-03-22T12:14:00.008Z

Its always a mixed day for me today- its my son's 17th Birthday today - but its also the anniversary of the day my sister Jackie died - 12 years ago this year. She was 46 and left behind 2 girls age 17 and 19 - their dad had died 3 years previously. Life eh!

On to this week's bit of crafting - I'm hosting a Bookmark Swap over at UK Stampers - if you'd like to join in the cut off date for entries is this Friday. Wednesday Stamper wants us to use pens or pencils in our art work this week - I've once again turned to my trust Cherry Pie art stamps - I always seem to find what I need amongst these stamps. I've turned it into a bookmark so will be using it for my swap. Fun with ATC's is a new ATC blog I've found and their challenge this week is puzzles - as my bookmark is ATC sized and has a puzzle it will also fit in with their challenge.

TMTA this week is just like my mood today - blue. Here's my ATC - this song sprang to mind as soon as I saw the word Blue - I can't even remember who sang it - the bird is double layered with feathers attached to his tail. Its a Stampin Up stamp. (ps - had to go and find out who sang it and thanks to youtube found out it was Neil Diamond - now I can't get the song out of my head - hope it doesn't do the same to you!)

Don't forget I'm also hosting an altered Matchbox Swap on here if you'd like to join in.

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY ! SLAINTE

2011-03-17T09:48:00.003Z

Happy St Patrick's Day to all of you - Irish or not. Its still a great excuse to celebrate a Feast Day. Both my parents were Irish - born in Dublin as are two of my siblings - but I was born in England, and consider Wales my country - mad! This is the first year I won't be sending my mum a St Patrick's Day card - but I'm sure she's having a grand time up there with all the relatives.

WOYWW#93

2011-03-16T09:54:00.003Z

Wednesday again and that means WOYWW. I found this cute stamp when I was rummaging through my stamp box - I don't think I've used it much but she looks lovely - not sure where I got it from - but I think she definitely deserves an outing - she's all dressed up and no-where to go - I'm just deciding what to do with her.

I received an award today from Gerri - I found her blog via the Gingersnaps challenge the other day and had a nose around - I'm so pleased to now receive this from her. Thank you so much Gerri - its so nice to know that people come and read my blurb and like what I do - it gives you a warm feeling all over doesn't it!

TUESDAY'S THOUGHTS

2011-03-15T09:30:00.005Z

Another nice sunny day here in Hampshire after a misty morning - I actually got out in the garden and did some pruning and tidying yesterday- there is so much to do in my garden that it can be a bit daunting even starting but I was on a bit of a roll. Then I had to sit and have a cuppa and a read!!

This week's challenge over at TMTA is Feel Like a Queen. I have chosen to do Mozart's Queen of the Night from the Magic Flute - A role I sang 3 years ago. Never again.....not my favourite role in Opera. The image is taken from a card I received from Welsh National Opera advertising their forthcoming season and I kept it hoping it would come in handy for some crafting. As the colours are so rich and jewel like I'm also entering it in the Gingersnap Creations where one of the challenges is Jewel Colours plus gold.

The challenge over at Less is more is one layer off the page. I got a bit confused with the rules here cuase I thought they always had to be one layer - but this week's definitely is one layer - lots of white space and off the page. I find I have to be so strict with myself not to go adding more and more - its really difficult. I found this great stamp set by Stampin Up at the back of my cupboard and thought it would suit the off the page rule quite well. White cards don't show up well on my scanner - its hard to see where it all starts and finishes. Any hints on how to scan it properly would be very welcome.

MAGICAL MONDAY

2011-03-14T11:39:00.005Z

Magical really because the sun is still shining here in Hampshire - it was a glorious weekend - hubby and son went to Cardiff to the Rugby to watch Wales Win - contraversial but still a win - I lazed about at the Celtic Manor - a hotel dear to our hearts as its where we were married 25 years ago.

On Sunday we took our son for a trip down Memory Lane paying a visit to the Welsh Folk Museum at St Fagan's - if you've never been its well worth a trip - when my children were small and we lived just a few miles away from the Museum I used to have a season ticket and we spent many a day there having a picnic. There are over 40 original buildings from across Wales re-erected in 100 acres, from a Celtic Village, to a church, from shops to a toll house. This picture of 6 terrace houses were taken from near Merthyr Tydfil and each house is decorated in a different period - ranging from 1805 up to 1985. The difference as you visit each house is quite humbling - and it shows you how much "stuff" we fill our homes with today.

From there we moved on to the Roman Baths and Museum at Caerleon - Chris is studying Classical History at A level and wants to specialise in Roman Warfare - what he will do with it I have no idea but its where his heart lies. Caerleon was known as the Roman Fortress of Isca and there are the remains of the baths and an amphitheatre which could seat the whole legion, up to 6,000 spectators. Much of the remains are now buried under the houses which are built here but there is still lots to see.

On to some crafting - the challenge over at Wednesday stamper last week was to use a letter in your art work and at least one rubber stamp - I'm still on my mission to cover cheese boxes - and am thinking of doing a range of Capital Cities - so with this in mind my next box represented Paris. The rubber stamp by Cherry Pie Art Stamps - I should have shares! - is a painting by Leonardo entitled La Belle Ferronierre house in the Louvre - I decided Mona gets too much of an airing sometimes. She is supposed to be the wife or daughter of an Ironmonger (Ferroniere) and is reputed to be the mistress to Francois I - see, art and a history lesson! There is also a Tim Holtz stamp of the Eiffel Tower and the letter is a stamp by Stampin Up. The inchy is one I received in a swap - I loved its colours.

I hope the sun is shining for you where ever you are.

Talking Tea.......

2011-03-11T15:38:00.003Z

On my blog travels again today - I came across Kimmie's blog and her Tuesday Tea brigade - what a lovely idea. So I thought I would join in with some of my own tea. I love to make herbal teas and this one is a raspberry leaf, marigold and lady's mantle tea. Its nearly the end of the batch as I need it to be summer to collect all the ingredients. Its a great tea for women's monthly problems as well as tasting good.

Here's what the tea looks like in its raw state - the colours are very pretty.

As its loose leaf tea it deserves to be made in a proper pot with a plunger. Do you like the cups? They are actually coffee cups, with a little story behind them - last May I lost my darling mum and it was my job to sort out all her things - I'm sure you understand. She was a great collector of fine bone china but hidden in a cupboard still in their box were these two cups - not her style at all but I loved them - they have pride of place on my dresser and they are lovely to drink out of. I'm sure she'd be happy I'm using them and tea was her favourite drink.

Welsh Cake Recipe........and an illusion

2011-03-11T09:25:00.005Z

It's my daughter's 20th Birthday today - 20 - when did that happen? Its also her first one away from home ever. I was a bit tearful this morning - soppy old moma! Its a lovely sunny day here in Hampshire and it was a lovely sunny day in Wales when she was born - in fact she's always had sunny days on her birthday - she has such a sunny disposition, takes after me you know! lol! This is her on her 13th Birthday with her horse Figaro behind her - she still has him.

And this was her on her 18th.

Anyway - I digress - my post this morning is to provide you with the much requested recipe for Welsh Cakes or Teissen Cymraeg as they are also known:

Sorry its all in lbs and ounces but I'm not a metric girl!

8oz plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 tsp mixed spice
2oz butter or margarine
2oz lard
3 oz caster sugar
2oz currants (soak them in cold tea to plump them up)
1 egg, beaten
2-3 tablespoons milk

Sift flour baking powder and spice then add butter and fat and rub in. Add sugar and fruit. Beat 1 egg and mix in - add just enough milk to form a soft dough - turn out and cut into rounds about 1/4" thick. Cook on a heavy pan or griddle over a medium heat turning as necessary until cooked inside and out about 4 mins each side. Sprinkle with caster sugar if liked - best eaten on the day of being made.

You can also do Teisen Dinca - Apple Welsh Cakes:

Make up dough as above but add 6oz grated cooking apples (granny smiths in US) before adding egg. This makes a wet dough so you may not need as much milk.

Let me know if you have a go and what you think of them x

The theme over at SPA this week is Illusion - this had me stumped so I did a bit of googling and found some fabulous images. This one was one of my favourite - I have no idea who it is by so can't credit them. Isn't it gorgeous? There was another lovely one I found with birds and a tree.

I'm not a great free hand drawer but thought I'd give it a go - I think my lady's face is slight too thin. I think she looks like one of those old fashioned harsh teachers. Lol! I enjoyed this chance to do something completely different for me.

FRIENDS, ROMANS, COUNTRYWOMEN!......

2011-03-10T12:27:00.005Z

I've gone all Roman - I found a great little book in Oxfam the other day with a view to using for altering - it was a 1963 edition of a travel guide around Rome. It was a bit of a shock seeing the pictures of Rome in 1963 compared to my memories of it two years ago - there's a lot to be said for the introduction of cars - and the way nowadays its hard to see a city in its glory without it being suffocated by cars.

So onto my altered cheese box - I used the large face stamp that had been looking at me all week - this is another Cherry Pie Art Stamp - and checking Marina's website I noticed the lady was called Julia - so for me she is Julia Caesar - Caesar's daughter. I found a picture of a basillica which I have used on the front - I can just imagine her walking around this 2000 years ago. There is also a Julia Basillica - what luck!

Maybe my next cheese box should be Paris - I could work my way around the cities - but goodness think how fat I'll get eating all that cheese! Any donations of cheese boxes kindly received lol!

Here's a sneak preview also of my inchies for the Continents inchy swap over at UK Stampers - yes its Asia -how did you guess?

WOYWW #92

2011-03-09T10:31:00.005Z

Just realised I've done no blogging since last week - where did that week go? Might be something to do with the nice weather cold but sunny and too nice to be indoors. I have been doing a bit of baking though - here are some yummy welsh cakes!

And here's what's on my desk this week - I'm going to alter some more of these cheese boxes - I also found another book for altering in Oxfam book shop yesterday - its an old Rome travel journal with some great pictures in it - I'm looking forward to having a play - also on my desk are some Asian inchies needing to be finished off for the UK Stampers continents inchy swap. Those stamps from last week are still there - I haven't used them yet - might see if I can incorporate them in the altered boxes. Pop along to Julia's blog to see all the other participants of WOYWW!

I'm chuffed to see my Bohemian Rhapsody made the sampler at Wednesday Stamper - woohoo!

OWOH

2011-03-03T09:41:00.004Z

I was lucky enough to win a prize from OWOH - Kay from Toodles and Binks sent out some runner up prizes and look what I received today- just when I've been saying I have no new things to play with. Thanks so much Kay - couldn't have come at a better time and I love the images and the little cupcake charm.

Thank you - two little words - don't take up a lot of time to write - never heard whether my OWOH recipients received theirs.

WOYWW #91/WEDNESDAY STAMPER

2011-03-02T09:21:00.006Z

Last week I was bemoaning the fact that I haven't bought any new stash for ages - nearly a year if not more - so today I thought I would go through my rubber and see what stamps I have that I've never used - it will feel like having something new - so my challenge to myself today is to do something with the above set - not maybe all together at the same time. To see what's on the other girls' desks check out Julias blog.

Wednesday Stamper has the challenging theme of Bohemia this week - at first glance I thought this wasn't for me but it stayed with me and I ended up doing two pieces:

The first is a nod to Queen and Bohemian Rhapsody - do you get it? In case you don't there's the original also.

The second is my interpretation of Carmen - the queen of Boho if ever there were one!

And speaking of Mezzo Sopranos - (do you like the link?) I'm listening to Joyce DiDonato at the moment - a fab mezzo I've only just found - if you like this type of singing check her out on you tube - she does a great duet with Renee Fleming from Cosi Fan Tutte - Ah Guarda La Sorella - I found her cause I'm learning this duet myself for an upcoming concert. What are you all listening to at the moment? I found a new group called Hem yesterday on Rebecca Sower's blog - she had done a playlist for us for music to listen to in the rain and I liked this group so much I went straight on to Amazon and bought a copy - a hard copy mind - not a download - I still like to have the CD in my hands!

HAPPY ST DAVID'S DAY

2011-03-01T09:26:00.004Z

Happy St David's Day / Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus. I'm wearing my Daffodil and will be making Welsh Cakes later.

Got the electricians in today doing some work in the bathrooms so may not have my comp later as the electrics all go down - a good excuse then to do some crafting - off to find some inspiration. Be back later

OK - I found some inspiration- Tag Tuesday is asking for a postcard tag - I've used Tim Holtz stamps here:

Wednesday Stamper's theme is Fly - such a great theme this - there are so many ways to go - here I've used my Cherry Pie stamps and some Tim Holtz - the angel stamp is CP.

Just For Fun is also using wings for their challenge.

MONDAY MUTTERINGS

2011-02-28T12:26:00.007Z

It was a real rugby weekend in our house this weekend -I'm happy to say that Wales won their match -phew! We had a variety of weather over the weekend - from sun to hailstones! What is that all about?

I was delighted to win a runner's up prize in OWOH from Lisa at http://www.all-the-wright-stuff.blogspot.com/ I received a lovely Postcard of the original print that she offered - lucky person who won the original - I'm going to put this in a frame and put it on the wall in my craft room. Karen Missy K mentioned to me that she is going to decorate a wall with magnetic wall paint - now that sounds cool - no more sticking things on walls - I wonder if hubby is up to doing a bit of decorating! Isn't this image gorgeous - check out Lisa's other work at her blog above.

Sunday Postcard Art this week has the theme of double take - I have a great Feline Cherry Pie stamp that is just right for this challenge - I kept with the catty theme with a cat post stamp and a postcard stamp from Tim Holtz.

Take a Word this Monday is the word EXOTIC - I bought this paper at the weekend as wrapping paper and was lucky enough to have a little bit left. Its got such a gorgeous texture and such vivid colours I knew the scraps would come in handy for crafting.

TO EVERY SEASON.........

2011-02-24T11:09:00.005Z

Well my desk has gone from being very empty yesterday to back to normal today - you can see a picture under WOYWW post.

The challenge over at Three Muses is Time - this got me thinking about the song Turn Turn Turn - apparently adapted from the Book of Eccliastes - the words "to everything there is a season" made me think of TIME

First is Spring - the background is masked with Tim Holtz masks that looks like a clock, the image is a CP stamp.

Then comes Summer: some CP stamps and others which I can't remember oops

Then Autumn: a mix of Tim Holtz, Stampin Up and Cherry Pie Stamps and some flourishes:

And finally Winter: Once again the Tim Holtz Mask and some CP stamps and Stampin Up.

I'm also putting this in for the challenge over at Theme Thursday which is flourishes.

WOYWW #90

2011-02-23T09:25:00.006Z

Oh no - look what's on my workdesk today - nada, zilch, rien, niet, ddim, nichts ....... get the picture? Absolutely nothing - anyone got any brilliant ideas what I can do next????? lol! I had to tidy the desk as hubby wanted to get to the computer - its an old one that he uses just for his itunes and he couldn't find anywhere to place the mouse - so to keep him happy I tidied it and it never got untidied! For more inspiring desks check out the other girls at WOYWW.

Do you know what I think I need - some new craft items to play with - its been well over a year since I bought any new stuff, stamps or papers or inks - do you think I'm overdue?

Oh, but look what I have in my drawers, so to speak? This is Pepper - trying to get in on the act, he found his way into my papers drawer.

THURSDAY UP-DATE:

There - that's much better!

TRIPTYCH/QUEEN OF WANDS

2011-02-22T12:00:00.005Z

Triptych - what a great word - it doesnt really flow off the tongue though does it and it is darned tricky to write! The challenge over at Alter It Monthly is Shrines, Altars etc and I'm hoping my triptych can fit into this category. What do you know I've used Cherry Pie Art stamps again!

A right Royal challenge over at Gingersnap Creations where they have asked you to use a king or queen or both. My Queen is the Queen of Wands - a tarot card. A little about the Queen in case you don't know - she represents the heart of the home, welcoming, nurturing and warming. Here she is depicted with her familiar, her cat and a sunflower, representing warmth. The Queen is friendly and warm, but can be forthright and even bossy. What you see is what you get - she is open and straightforward and can be a loyal friend for life. She can be passionate, impulsive, quick tempered though she does not hold a grudge. She is imaginative and creative with many talents.

DRAMA QUEEN?

2011-02-21T17:09:00.002Z

The challenge at Gingersnap Creations this week was right up my street - they asked for Crowns and I turned my image into a Drama Queen! I'm never happier than when I'm on a stage - warbling away! lol!

I'm not sure where this stamp came from but its such a great image, although I don't think my scanner has done it justice.

Fiona

ALTERED CHEESE BOX and other things....

2011-02-21T15:34:00.005Z

I promised to post a picture of my altered cheese box which I made at Karen's last week. The before picture is on my WOYWW post - I used a Tunworth cheese box which I just happened to have around and thought it could have another life other than being put in the recycle bin.

I used some of the gorgeous backing papers I received from the altered paper swap, again, and an inchy (not one of mine but it had no name on it) - the bird in the center came from that book I'm using. I've also used a page on the inside and stamped it with a Stampin Up stamp.

I'm now using the box to store some of my inchies in. I'm going to enter this into a challenge blog I found today - which actually asks for anything but a card the Cheerful Stamp Pad

The challenge over at Sunday Postcard Art is Faces- I love this theme and have so many stamps with faces on I was spoilt for choice - like the sample on the blog I wanted to use them all but settled instead for one of my faves - guess what yes a Cherry Pie Art stamp - do you think I need to branch out on my make of stamps a bit??? Once again I've used some of that altered paper - I'm going to be stuck when its all gone! The colours in this were a real challenge for me, right outside my comfort zone as I don't usually play with blues or oranges. I'm more an earth colour sort of gal. Do you see that bit of string at the bottom - well I'm being very environmentally conscious as that was the wrapping round my Abel & Cole veggie box this morning - I knew if I kept it it would come in handy for crafting.

Oh and p.s.

To Whom It May Concern

Miss Dunnit is officially allowed out for a 2 hour coffee break at her convenience - it is imperative that she continues to socialise for the good of her health.

Yours faithfully

A N Other Blogger

There you go Julia - hope this helps lol!

Fiona

x

STYLISH BLOGGER AWARD

2011-02-20T12:15:00.005Z

I was so thrilled to receive the Stylish Blogger Award from Elizabeth - I feel as though I've been out of the crafting loop for a bit and its such a boost to know that someone actually likes what I do.

Its still very cold outside but look..........spring must be on its way .......all they need is a bit of sun to encourage them a bit further ........

and I just spotted the hellebores nestling amongst the greenery trying to be all spring like

and here's a spring chicken of a different kind - lol - hubby rarely makes it on to my blog but today he was out sprucing up his pride and joy ready for 1st April. This also happens to be his birthday - and the big 50 this year - and this car was his 21st birthday present - yes we've had it all these years - for a long time I was an MG widow! lol! Its all original and only comes out in summer - but last year it didn't get an airing so is long overdue.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. We're off to take the dogs out for a nice long walk - although my oldest one Tara is not happy about walking at the moment. Then we may pop into our village pub just to warm up by the fire before coming back for Sunday roast - isn't that what Sundays should be about?

One day I'll Fly Away....

2011-02-18T10:13:00.006Z

Do you remember that song by Randy Crawford - it was one of my favourites. Stay with me - it all becomes clear! lol!

The theme over at Wednesday Stamper this week is transportation - mine would be flight of the non jet engine type so the Randy Crawford song gave me the inspiration for my theme - see told you I'd get there.

My scanner isn't working and the photograph doesn't show up quite as well. I've used a background paper from the altered background swap, again, the moth is from that book I tore into yesterday (!) and the stamps are Cherry Pie.

I'm also submitting this for Tuesday Taggers which this week is SKY

The theme over at One Powerful Hour is Child's Play - I remembered having this image at the bottom of my box of stash somewhere and thought it fit the theme - they could even be thinking of playing the piano - once again i've torn into that book - its actually quite therapeutic.

I had a friend come round today - she was actually the one who got me into scrapbooking years ago - and I was showing her a few things and her reply was "what's the point?" hmmm - she started doing ATC's a while back and couldn't think why on earth she was doing them and stopped. What is the point? I have no idea - I don't do much with them - they sit in a box but for the few hours that I sit and create my mind is still, I'm relaxed and its cheaper than therapy! What are your thoughts on What's the Point?

ROLL UP ROLL UP......AND THE WINNERS ARE....

2011-02-17T18:57:00.002Z

Today is the day to announce the winners of my OWOH giveaway -

What a fabulous few weeks its been - phew did you manage to get round to all the bloggers? I must admit I didn't - I did as many as I could - its surprising how much time it actually takes. Lisa - you must be stuck to your computer doing all that work - but thank you so much for all your efforts - I've met lots of wonderful crafters and artists - have followed some - have had some follow me for which I am always grateful - I've received some lovely comments, met some new friends and even bought a birthday present!

So without further ado - the winner of the inchy art is:

MICHAELE OF TWIGS AND TULLE BLOG

the winner of the Home Plaque is

JUDE of Crafts International blog

please email me at jonandfiona85@btinternet.com to let me have your addresses

VISSI D'ARTE VISSI D'AMORE

2011-02-17T16:38:00.005Z

VISSI D'ARTE VISSI D'AMORE - I lived for my art, I lived for love. The words spoken by Tosca when she is fighting for the love of her life. This aria is one I love to sing, maybe one day I'll get to sing the whole opera. My favourite Tosca of all time is Maria Callas - I just love her singing - I love the expression in her voice and I can even forgive her the odd bum note as she is telling me the story and I can feel her pain, passion, emotion.

The theme over at Footprints Studio is LOVE - at all its levels.

The theme over at TMTA this week is musical clefs (clefs being the French and possibly Latin for key) so this was an obvious choice.

My background papers were from an altered paper swap I did with UK Stampers, I added the piece of sheet music and stamped over it with Cherry Pie Art Stamps. Looks like my lady has really fat cheeks doesn't it? Oh well - they always say it isn't over until the fat lady sings! lol!

I had a great day's crafting with my friend Karen, Missy K, today - I actually covered my cheese box and Karen helped me over the hurdle of actually ripping into that book I had bought. I think I'm now over the guilt, although I decided I could never actually rip any books I own - they would have to be bought especially for altering. I also altered a few old revision cards Karen had given me - using the papers from the book and some more of the fabulous papers I received from the altered paper swap.

I'll pop a picture of the altered cheese box on tomorrow.

Must go and get the dinner ready now.....

ONE WORLD ONE HEART

2011-02-17T09:00:00.000Z

Hi blog hoppers thank for you for stopping off at my blog

and Welcome to

One World One Heart,

a blog phenomenon started by Lisa and now in its fifth and final year.

A big thank you to Lisa for hosting this event over the years - and for bringing the crafting community all together!

Just click on the logo above to be taken to Lisa's blog and find out all about the event.

I'm offering two prizes for you this year

First prize is a piece of

Inchy Art.

For two years I ran inchybyinch challenge blog and only gave up just before Christmas. Not that I don't love little inchies but running a challenge blog can be very time consuming.

My piece is a set of A-Z inchies - mounted on a decorated board and ready for you to hang on a wall.

The whole piece is A4 size.

My second prize is a Home Plaque

For a chance to win these pieces, wherever you are in the world, just leave me a comment with your contact details.

When OWOH finishes on 17th February I will choose the winners.

Keep checking back cause I may add more goodies.

To find all the other blogs who are joining in click here

Thanks for dropping by and good luck.

WOYWW/THREE MUSES

2011-02-16T09:21:00.005Z

Wednesday again and a chance to pop over to WOYWW My first picture is of my desk this morning - what a mess - how can I possibly do anything amongst all that lot

....so call it shame or motivation but I decided to tidy it all up - it really didn't take that long - I even threw away some scraps, shock horror. When I first started crafting my mentor told me to keep any little scrap of paper as it could come in handy - and I did and I have and now I'm overflowing with tiny bits of paper I'll never use - so last week I had a good sort out of my scraps draw and threw the lot in the recycling bin - and I'm being firm with myself not to get suffocated by lots of little bits of paper - just in case..

So with that lot all tidied away - I actually found an old cheese box that I thought I might alter - perhaps I can store some of my many inchies in it - I've also got that book I found in the charity shop last week - its still in one piece - I haven't yet plucked up the courage to tear it apart but today could be the day - there are some lovely pictures of flowers in it so I think I'll use them as the inspiration for my box.

Tomorrow I'm off for a crafting day with my blogging friend Karen Missy K who I met through my inchy blog - I could bring this along and get some of her wonderful input.

Off to check out some more desks - the girls who do WOYWW are such fun and so many of them come and visit and leave comments - its so nice when people do that!

The Three Muses challenge this week is HOT. The film Some Like It Hot with Marilyn Monroe came to mind - the image of Marilyn here is from a stamp from Cherry Pie Art Stamps. I have a lot of Marina's stamps - I so love her images.

Only one more day for OWOH so gets your comments in quick - I'll be choosing the winners tomorrow!

.
..

2011-02-14T17:50:00.002Z

Every Inchy Monday has the theme of fishy inchies this week - funny how I still find myself drawn to making them even after my own challenge blog has finished! There's less pressure though when someone else is doing the work - here's my sort of fishy inchy - my Queen of the Sea.

SUNDAY LOVE!

2011-02-13T13:51:00.005Z

The theme over at Sunday Postcard Art this week is hearts - I found a lovely quote on line and wanted to use it in my very busy postcard. Jon is my hubby of 25 years - just in case you didn't know! This year we will be spending our 29th Valentines day together - not bad eh!

I'm also going to put it in for Theme Thursdays challenge this week which is words and the Three Muses which is Quotations.

ONE LAYER

2011-02-11T11:11:00.003Z

Gulp - another challenge - one layer - how difficult is this when you can only use two stamps and no embellishments - I eventually went with a Stampin Up bird and some Tim Holtz birds - tricky! You'll find the challenge here if you want to join in

WOYWW/Tuesday Taggers/Friday

2011-02-11T09:34:00.009Z

How can it be Friday already - I missed the WOYWW doh! Here it is better late than never.

Last weekend I visited Tetbury with a friend and we spent a lovely morning browsing through the antique shops. My friend had previously bought herself an old printing block so I was looking out for one also and managed to find this one.

This is what it printed out like - it needed full on ink to get an impression - its very cleverly made as there is a notch in the one end so you can interlink the images - here's the work in progress at the moment.

I found a new challenge blog on my travels called Less is More - you can find it here

They've asked to keep things simple and to use the colours Black White and Pink. I had to make a sympathy card today so I think this fits the bill perfectly.

I promised to do a tag with hearts and flowers for the Tuesday Taggers - and here it is. I'm also including it in the Craft Challenge here and the Shabby Tea Rooms here and Rainbow Lady's challenge here

I used flower soft on the edges of the flower - looks a bit like broken egg shell!

My flower was inspired by a gorgeous gift I received from a blogger I found via OWOH. Cameron has a wonderful blog paintmyselfpretty and I found her on my travels - wandered into her shop and saw the most gorgeous canvas painting of a unicorn for my daughter's birthday - I'm safe writing about it on here cause she never reads my blog! I received the painting yesterday from Cameron along with these lovely goodies - her flower inspired mine for the tag.

Blog Hopping - candy!

2011-02-08T14:51:00.002Z

As if there isn't enough blog hopping to do with OWOH I found another one today - at Tuesday Taggers - you'll find them here

Some gorgeous tags on there that the girls have done - their theme this week is Hearts n Flowers - I did a heart tag last week but will do a fresh one for this challenge

BRB x

CAN YOU SPOT SPRING????

2011-02-08T10:35:00.004Z

Think Monday Think ATC have the theme expressive today - here's my offering:

Out in the garden with the dogs this morning and I spotted the snow drops out in full bloom - makes you think of lovely warm mornings, spring flowers and the promise of long days.

My dogs have a play day today - I'm looking after a friends field spaniel Coco - so my youngest Tegan is having a whale of a time and the older dog Tara just can't be bothered with all these young pups. The cats take Coco with a pinch of salt - when they are in the house the dog is very respectful of them - if she sees them outside though its a different matter and she thinks they are something to chase - some cat training is in order!

As you can see Oscar is not really bothered about the new dog and has decided that my craft chair is the best place to be - how on earth am I supposed to get on with any crafting then?

I've found a new craft forum to hang out at - Craftymess - and they seem to have lots going on - I've started up an inchy challenge with them - and I've put myself down for a tag book swap among other things - here are my tags. I can't remember where I got this owl from - isn't he cute though!

IMBOLC BLESSINGS

2011-02-03T19:27:00.003Z

I want to share this gorgeous image with you to wish you Imbolc Blessings. It is by Wendy Andrew and you can find her gorgeous website below.

BRIGID WOLF MAIDEN

BY WENDY ANDREW

FIND HER WEBSITE AT www.paintingdreams.co.uk

2011-02-03T15:27:00.004Z

I've found another inchy challenge blog - also on a Monday! How strange! I'm kind of missing the little things so its nice to join in with another challenge - their word this week is Mirthful. If you want to join in - you'll find them here

Someone had used a photograph of their grandson and it reminded me of a picture of my own son when he was 6 months old that I had made into a scrapbook - not quite a 1" - more of a 12" x 12"

LEAVES AND PODS

2011-02-03T09:44:00.004Z

Wednesday Stamper has the theme of leaves and pods this week - you can check it out here .

I did some leaf drying back in the autumn, having a play with what I could do with them and this is what I came up with

The image stamped on the leaf is a Cherry Pie stamp. I'm going to put it in a frame and hang it on my wall in my craft room.

Craftymess

2011-02-02T10:01:00.002Z

For a chance to win this great blog candy from Craftymess click on the badge in my sidebar or click here

WOYWW

2011-02-02T08:15:00.003Z

I'm sure you all know what this stands for - Whats On Your Workdesk Wednesday - I haven't been able to join in for a while because there really has been nothing on my desk - but now thanks to OWOH I've got the crafting bug again. I'm such a messy crafter - I have a fairly big desk and a 1" space to work in - well I did used to run inchy challenge blog but this is taking things a bit too far! I'd love to be one of those tidy crafters who knows where everything is and everything is in its place - are there any out there?

On my desk you can just about see a Home Wall Hanging I am working on - its going to be Prize No 2 for my OWOH giveaway - if you haven't joined in yet - what's keeping you - a chance to win goodies from all over the world!

PAPER SWAP

2011-02-01T12:00:00.003Z

Over at UK Stampers Sam has organised an old paper swap - take a 12 x 12 piece of paper and play with it - jazz it up a bit with ink, stamps, anything - and then cut it into 9 4x4 pieces and do a swap. I used some Cherry Pie Stamps and some Tim Holtz. I really need some new inks as my Tim Holtz ones are nearly all dry - can you get reinkers for them? I'll have to have a look and see. Here's the before:

and here's the after

What a great way to use up an old boring piece of paper - I can't wait to get all the pieces everyone else has done. I'm going to go and do a few more pages and maybe cut them up into inch squares ready for some inchies.

Saying that though I may not get time - this One World One Heart blog hopping takes up so much time - so many blogs to get through and so few spare hours! I feel guilty sitting here so long with the dogs looking at me wanting their walk! But its cold and raining and its much more fun sitting here finding new artists and crafters and making new friends - oh ok - just a quick walk then!

LOVE TAG

2011-01-29T12:51:00.005Z

Can you believe that, having stopped the inchy challenge blog, I've signed myself up with UK Stampers to do an on-going inchy swap! I just miss the little things! The swap is Continents and this week's was Africa - a tricky one as I had no African stamps so I amended a cat to look like a tiger! If only I'd taken a picture of them before I'd sent them off - but when I get them all back I'll upload them on here.
In the meantime here is a Valentines Tag I have done - also for UK Stampers for a competition they are running. I'm hoping I'll get back into doing some crafting if I join in. The stamp is one of Tim Holtz's - I love this family scene, especially as our family isn't complete with Emma at Uni and Jonathan having to work away - makes you treasure the moments that we are all together even more now the children are growing up.

The theme over at Sunday Stampers challenge is Sentiment - so I'm including my tag for that one also - Love does remind us that nothing else matters.

Tomorrow is the start of One World One Heart and I have been busy making my piece to be given away - Check again tomorrow to see what's on offer - especially if you like inchies!

My youngest Welsh Springer Spaniel Tegan is never far from me and this is her favourite place to be when I am on the computer - under the desk beside my feet. I often trip over her because she's so close behind me - its like having kids again!

My friend owns a wonderful meadow in the village in Hampshire where we live and last week we took a walk around it with the dogs - the sun was shining and it was almost spring - it gave us both such a lift to be watching these swans and listening to the river.

FIONA
x

ONE WORLD, ONE HEART

2011-01-17T14:06:00.002Z

This is the final year for One World One Heart - the blog hopping event of the year - I did this a few years ago and even won something which was a bonus. I'm going to join in again this year - hopefully all that blog hopping will give me the motivation I need to get crafting again.

You'll find all the details here and the starting date is 30 Jan.

FINAL INCHY CHALLENGE

2010-12-14T09:34:00.002Z

It's our final inchy challenge over at inchy blog this week as I've decided to close the blog - not an easy decision but I think it needs fresh legs. My choice of word for our final one is BLUE. Here's my inchy :

On a brighter note - my hubby and I went out with some friends to Winchester last evening for a skate around the ice rink and then some dinner. I'm not a very confident skater but I did enjoy it - and enjoyed watching those who can skate whizz by me! I'm just so grateful I didn't fall over!

White Glitter and Christmas Markets

2010-12-09T16:15:00.005Z

This is a card I did for some of my Christmas cards last year and I really enjoyed doing it so thought I'd do some more this year - I'm also putting it in for the theme of White Glitter over at Gingersnap Creations

I met my friend Karen today (Missy K) and we went for lunch in Wincester and had a good old natter and put the world to rights. Its also the time of year when the Christmas Market is held at Winchester Cathedral and they also have an ice rink. We will be enjoying the delights of the Ice Rink on Monday evening - gulp!

Check out Erika's fab blog candy she's offering - you'll find it here

INCHY BLOG CHRISTMAS TAG SWAP

2010-12-09T09:31:00.003Z

Here are the tags for our last ever inchy swap on inchy challenge blog - we had a gorgeous and varied selection of Christmas Tags all sporting an inchy.

BRRRR - COLD

2010-12-06T08:47:00.003Z

Our challenge word this week on inchy blog is Cold - couldn't be anything else this week here in the UK. I hope you are all coping ok with the bad weather. Global warming - got to love it! lol!

Here's my inchy for the challenge - only one more week to go on the blog before it closes - although it may be taken up by a few of the other ladies - I wish them luck - it will be nice to play along and not have to do the thinking!

WINTER ANGELS

2010-12-04T17:36:00.004Z

Whilst blog hopping this week I came across a gorgeous Winter banner and was inspired to make my own. The theme at Wednesday Stamper this week is Angels and my little angels on the banner fit the bill.

You can download the banner with the kind permission of Inka - you'll find her blog here

SNOW DAY

2010-12-02T16:14:00.003Z

My son was so pleased this morning when he woke up to snow and could have a snow day off college. They're never too old! Here are some snowy pictures of Hampshire:

This is the Christmas Tree in our back garden - when we moved in 4 years ago it was tiny - but now look at it - it looks so pretty.

This morning I helped out at our village pub to put up the Christmas Decorations - there was a real festive atmosphere and we all stayed much longer than we should have - this is the pub with the snow on it - the thatch also looks very pretty at this time of year.

...and another

2010-12-01T17:44:00.001Z

Meredith Scraps is also holding a Christmas card challenge - as she's in Australia though she doesn't want any snow cards! Here's a present card - inspired by Kristina Werner again.

MORE CHRISTMAS CARDS

2010-12-01T17:12:00.007Z

I came across a new challenge blog today - called Christmas Cards All Year Round - their challenge was to do cards with the word Santa or a picture of Santa on - and if you do 5 you get entered into a monthly draw. I looked through the cards I've done recently and indeed had 7 with Santa on them - I've had to use my camera to photograph them as the scanner isn't working very well:

INCHY BLOG - GIVING

2010-12-01T12:10:00.007Z

I have decided that its time to give up the inchy challenge blog that I run - its been going for over two years and I've met some great cyber friends and real friends. The blog will run its last challenge on 20th December and there will be a farewell prize being offered.

The challenge this week in the meantime is Giving - and here's mine:

Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year but this year it is more poignant as its my first year without my mum who died in May. Its also the first year my daughter Emma has been away from home as she is at Uni - so only one chocolate for me to put in the Advent Calender this year - and I've had my orders that I can't put the Christmas tree up until she comes home to help. A year of changes in our household.

I've been inspired by Kristina Werner to make some Christmas cards - you'll find her here I've not been crafting and have got rid of a lot of my craft stuff but I just couldn't bear to part with the Christmas stamps and papers and Kristina helped me find my mojo - I love having her on in the background - it makes crafting less lonely. She does a countdown of cards for Christmas and I've followed her 2009 and 2010 one this year and made similar cards - I'll try and show a few per day. I've also used my own handwriting on the blue card - inspired by Kristina - I don't think it turned out too bad.

The Robin card can be entered into the Saturday Surprise challenge - their theme is home for the holidays and the Take a Word challenge - their word is Home.

DEVOTION

2010-10-09T10:54:00.003+01:00

The challenge over at inchy challenge blog this week is Devotion.

Here's mine

And these are some pictures of our new cat Oscar settling in very well - Tegan is definitely devoted to him.

Who says cats and dogs have to be enemies?

Meet OSCAR

2010-09-21T16:06:00.002+01:00

We have a new addition to the family - Oscar - my husband isn't really a cat man but I've found out after 25 years (today I should add) that he can't really refuse me anything. Aren't I lucky - so for my silver wedding present I got Oscar the cat - a three year old from Cat's Protection. I lost my Felix in May after 17 years and he left a big gap.

Although I have two other cats they are just not people cats but I could see that Oscar and I were going to be great pals. He's settled in very well so far and taking all of my brood in his stride. He doesn't look too stressed does he?

INCHY CHALLENGE - WAVE

2010-09-20T08:55:00.002+01:00

Our word for this week over at inchy challenge blog is Wave - I've done a wave of the hand. If you'd like to play along you'll find us here

Its a busy week ahead in our household as my daughter goes off to Uni next Saturday - all the way up to Aberystwyth which is a 5 hour drive from us here in Hampshire. She's going up to study Equine Studies and this weekend we drove her horse Figaro up as he's going to be studying with her! At least if she gets homesick she can go and give him a big hug. I must admit I'm not looking forward to the goodbyes - I cry at the slightest thing and I know I'll be wreck.

I have a new cat coming to live with us tomorrow - his name is Oscar and he's a three year old black and white - I've missed my old Felix who died in May and although I have two other cats they are very aloof so I'm hoping Oscar will be more of a people cat - he's come from Cat Protection and I hope he settles in ok with all my brood. He will give me something to focus on with Emma going!

Its my Silver Wedding Anniversary tomorrow - we've been celebrating since August with one thing another but tomorrow is the actual date. Don't 25 years go so quick!

INCHY BLOG - DAINTY

2010-09-13T09:39:00.003+01:00

Inchy blog's word for this week is Dainty. I found this image and thought it suited. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else makes of the word. You can find us here if you'd like to join in.

I'M BACK AND SO IS INCHY CHALLENGE BLOG

2010-09-08T09:42:00.005+01:00

I'm back from a wonderful holiday in Kefalonia, Greece as part of our 25th Wedding Anniversary celebrations - this was the view from our pool - isn't it gorgeous!

We received a wonderful Welsh Lovespoon from Emma and Christopher as a present.

In case you are not familiar with Lovespoons, the custom and carving of Welsh Lovespoons originated in Wales hundreds of years ago. The young man would carve the spoon in the hope that his loved one would accept it. If the girl accepted - it showed her interest and is the origin of our word "spooning" Various symbols would be included - a chain would mean togetherness, a dragon for protection, a heart for love, a diamond for good luck etc.

I've also started up inchy challenge blog again with a brand new set of challenges each week which is going to be WORDS. This week's word is Touch - here's my inchy - the image was part of a Moo I was sent by Pauline and I loved the way she'd presented it so I adapted it somewhat to become an inchy and added a few more bits and pieces. If you'd like to join in with our challenges you'll find us here

Apple picking time

2010-08-21T15:28:00.005+01:00

My apple trees have shown an abundance of fruit this year - I'm not sure whether its to do with the lovely hot weather we had in June which made them think we were going to have a summer (what a joke!) or the fact that I pruned them last year after some expert instruction. Whatever the reason - they are showing lovely big juicy apples. Its coming up to my favourite time of year - when the house is going to smell of baking, chutney making - cider and anything else I can think of to pickle or preserve.

One of my favourite books for apples is called The Apple Source Book by Sue Clifford & Angela King, which is a wealth of information for everything to do with apples. I never realised how many varieties they are- sadly I don't know what make my apples are - I have one cooking apple tree which I presume is bramleys and two eating apple trees.

As well as loads of information about apples it also gives recipes and this is their Dorset Apple Cake - scrummy! As requested - here's the recipe - and it is yummy - even hubby says so and he doesn't like cake!

8 oz flour

2 oz butter

2 oz lard

1lb cooking apples, peeled, cored and chopped

4 oz sugar ( I used demerara)

1 egg

2 teaspoons baking powder

a little milk

mix all ingredients and bake in a greased and base lined cake tin ( I used a spring loaded and didn't line it and it was fine) about 8 in across and 1 1.2 in deep for 45 minutes in an oven preheated to 180C, 350F gas mark 4

Sorry for all the imperial - I still don't use grams! But can convert if you need me to

Greece and other things....

2010-08-20T14:20:00.006+01:00

I'm off on holiday to Greece next week as part of my 25th Wedding Anniversary celebrations - and can't wait to relax in the pool with an ouzo, just to see some sun will be nice as its pouring down here in Hampshire today.

I managed to get a bit of time to do some crafting and was inspired by a piece Francesca sent me when she joined in with my inchy challenge blog swap. I had a look at some challenge sites and noticed that Wednesday Stamper are asking for a stitched piece and this one fits the bill. I've used various stamps, Cherry Pie - Tim Holtz - can't remember where I got the flourish one from.

TMTA are also asking us to use script this week - my background script is a Tim Holtz stamp.

W X Y AND Z!

2010-08-03T11:24:00.006+01:00

Oops- I've been neglecting my old blog - we've now finished our A-Z on the inchy challenge blog - here's mine to finish the set:

I will be starting a new challenge in September - something a little bit different.

A busy month ahead of us for August with celebrations for our 25th Wedding Anniversary (which is actually 21st Sept) our daughter going away to Uni, off to Greece for a holiday all of us at the end of August and my son off to College.

My daughter has been doing an equine touch course in the New Forest for the past few days and it was a great opportunity for me to take the dogs down to play in the Forest - its so peaceful down there but such a shock when you get back into civilisation and on the motorway.

Here are some pictures of Tegan now 9 months and Tara - 11 years.

I love the way the camera has managed to catch Tegan's tail going nineteen to the dozen.

I've also got something else in the pipeline which is in its early stages at the moment -

What do you think of my posie or tussie-mussie?

V IS FOR.....

2010-07-05T09:29:00.006+01:00

V is for Victoriana over at inchy challenge blog - we're nearly at the end of the alphabet and a big thank you to all my ladies who have stayed with me from A-Z! A mean feat.

I've been toying with the idea of finishing the blog after the alphabet challenge but then.....what else would I do on a Monday morning and I've been inspired by what the ladies have come up with for the alphabet challenge and its given me an idea for a new challenge - slightly different to what else is out there in blog land. If you nip over to inchy challenge blog - you will see I'm running a little competition - why not join in?

On a different note - I've had another dose of Jane Austen this week - whilst wandering around my local Oxfam shop getting some holiday reading books - I came across a hard back book of Sense and Sensibility, the Film for which Emma Thompson wrote the screenplay and starred in. The book had all the screenplay in it - it still had some still photographs of all the main characters and it also had Emma's diaries of the weeks shooting the film. A fascinating insight to what it takes to make a film.

I've joined in with a couple of challenges today and hopefully one piece will do all.

Mixed Media Monday wanted us to use something "Borrowed" on our piece - I have borrowed the inchy of Mona which I received in an inchy swap.

Theme Thursday want us to use "Torn paper" on our piece - I have even laid the torn paper on mulberry paper which is the paper I usually tear but for this piece I've left it whole.

Think Monday Think ATC have the theme of Mona Lisa and here we have two for the price of one.

Finallly......

2010-06-28T22:20:00.005+01:00

... I have my main computer up and running again - although it is a little slower than the laptop its easier to use so no excuses for not posting more.

On Friday I spent a lovely couple of hours with Karen MissyK who I met through my inchy challenge blog - we discovered we live not far from each other and have met up in Winchester for coffee on a few occasions- but on Friday we decided to go a bit further and visit Jane Austen's House and Museum in Chawton. The weather was glorious and it was so nice wandering around the house and the gardens - afterwards we popped over the road for a lovely lunch in a little tea shop which had gorgeous china tea cups hanging from the ceiling. Hmm - where shall we go next?

On to the Inchy challenge blog and we're up to the letter U - mine is a Unicorn - someone asked if he is a goat with a horn - but the stamp comes from a collection of Magical Signs and Symbols which I bought when I lived in Texas. The boxed set also has a book with information on all the signs and for the Unicorn it tells us that, although now dismissed as a fairy tale, in medieval Europe it was widely accepted. Some think it was a misunderstood rhino or narwhal - some think it was hunted into extinction. The unicorn was said to be faster and fiercer than a horse but of a trusting nature. His noble nature and strength caused the unicorn to be adopted as the emblem of British royalty in the 15th Century.

INCHY CHALLENGE - T

2010-06-21T09:34:00.002+01:00

We're up to T on the inchy alphabet challenge - my T is for Tower - the Eiffel Tower - I was last in paris 24 years ago when hubby took me for a suprise weekend for our 1st Wedding Anniversary - I can't believe its 25 years this year - where does the time go?

I'm having strange phenomena at home at the moment with all things electrical going bang - my computer went last week - my mobile phone went yesterday- the DAB radio wouldn't tune this morning - makes me wonder just who is coming to visit me.......

INCHY BY INCH - S / MONDAYS ATC

2010-06-14T07:53:00.004+01:00

We're up to letter S on inchy challenge blog already - don't the weeks fly by and this was my inspiration for my letter S for Soar. I used Tim Holtz's stamps for the birds.

We're nearly at the end of our A-Z challenge and I'm wondering whether its worth carrying on. We have 138 followers but only a handful of regular loyal players who join in. Maybe its time to call it a day.

The challenge over at TMTA this week is groups - what a fun challenge - I can't remember doing anything like this one before. I ummed and aahhd (?) over what to do as I do have a Tim Holtz stamp with a great group on it but thought everyone may use it so I found something slightly different in my stash. Maybe they are discussing crafting over their coffee! What do you think?

WEDNESDAY STAMPER - HIP TO BE SQUARE

2010-06-08T13:05:00.002+01:00

the challenge over at Wednesday Stamper has been running for two weeks and a new one starts tomorrow - so I just managed to scrape in here. How could I not join in when it was asking for squares - and doing inchy challenge blog means I'm surrounded by squares - here I've put some together and made a tag.

If you enjoyed doing squares you might like to join in with inchy challenge blog's summer swap - details on the blog here

INCHY CHALLENGE BLOG - R PLUS SWAP

2010-06-07T08:55:00.003+01:00

Up to R on the inchy challenge blog and my R is for Romance.

I'm also running an inchy swap titled ON THE BEACH if you'd like to join in - pop along to the inchy challenge blog here

TMTA and other stuff

2010-06-05T17:16:00.004+01:00

We're on Q on inchy challenge blog this week - but I can't show you mine as my computer has died on me. I'm having to use a spare laptop which doesn't have the picture on it. But as I had a few minutes to spare and I've actually tidied my craft desk and thrown a lot of rubbish away - I thought I'd have a play. You know what its like when your desk is all tidy and you can actually see some space??????

So I joined in with TMTA this week which is asking for fairies or princesses - mine are done with all Cherry Pie Art Stamps.

Oops - it might have needed cropping!

I'M BACK WITH A 'P'

2010-05-24T13:50:00.002+01:00

Thank you for your kind messages of support during this difficult time - I still find it hard to believe that my mum isn't with me - so many times I've gone to pick up the phone and there are still messages she has left me on my phone which I can't bear to delete yet.

Anyway - I'm back up and running with the inchy challenge blog and this week we're on the letter P - I used an old Stampin Up stamp of a penguin as I'm not thinking very creatively at the moment and, as the weather has been so hot, he helped cool me down!

my mum

2010-05-10T18:57:00.002+01:00

I lost my darling mum Dorothy on Friday 7th May after a short illness - she was 86 - she died two days after my birthday. I want to be able to ring her up and speak to her but I can't - how awful it was for me on Saturday to find a message she had left for me on the phone when she was still fine only a month ago.

I've also had to bury my old cat today - we had to take him to the vet as he looked poorly and there was nothing more we could do so we had to have him put to sleep - he was 17 and the best cat I have ever had but did he have to choose this weekend? Maybe mum wanted a companion!

INCHY CHALLENGE BLOG/TMTA

2010-05-04T09:24:00.003+01:00

I'm a day late with our challenge this week - but things are still not well with my mum - she's now on morphine to keep her comfortable and that's not good.

On to our inchy challenge - I found O another difficult letter - I was nearly having to resert to French and do Oiseau (bird) but right at the last minute I thought of Opera - doh and me an opera singer!

The challenge over at TMTA this week is to use the colour green - one of my favourite colours so I jumped at the chance to join in with this one. The song Green Green Grass of Home by Tom Jones was the first thing that came to mind so I had to do a Welsh ATC cause that's home to me.

WS - Tim Holtz

2010-04-28T15:05:00.005+01:00

Wednesday Stamper this week is honouring Tim Holtz - the great idea of Jaine and you can see her wonderful canvas on her blog here. I'm obviously not alone in loving Tim and his ideas and I was surprised at how many of Tim's products I have. One thing I noticed though is that my inks are getting dry - I need some re-inkers or maybe some new inks........now there's a thought. Considering I bought them in the States over 3 years ago they've lasted me a long time.

Just in case you haven't come across Tim before - here's a link to his website.

I used a selection of Tim's stamps and one of his Idealogy Masks called Timeworks. The inks are all Tim's distress inks:

Aged Mahogany

Weathered Wood

Worn Lipstick

Milled Lavender

Antique Linen

INCHY CHALLENGE BLOG - 'N'

2010-04-26T09:24:00.004+01:00

I found N a difficult letter to come up with something for the inchy alphabet challenge this week - nut or nature were the only things I could think of but then found a Stampin Up stamp with November on it and some Chrysanthemums - I must admit they are not my favourite flowers - I always think of them as funeral flowers.

Speaking of Nuts - here's a recent picture of our pup Tegan - growing up fast - she's now 6 months. This ball was proving a bit too big for her! Look at that sunshine - looks like summer doesn't it - although the sun has deserted us here today in Hampshire and its back to damp and dull! Nice while it lasted - hope it comes back soon.

SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

2010-04-23T09:00:00.001+01:00

The challenge over at Something Completely Different this week is to use the Letter H. A slight cheat here as I'm going to include one of my alphabet inchies - as its one of my favourites its nice to give it another airing!

MORE CREATING!

2010-04-15T16:12:00.004+01:00

Do you know its nearly 24 years since I was last in Paris. My hubby took me there for our 1st wedding anniversary as a surprise trip and it was so gorgeous - we often say we'd like to go again and, really, as we live in Hampshire - its not that far away to just jump on the train. I can remember walking and walking and walking - so much that I broke my shoes! The best meal we had was overlooking Notre Dame sitting by the Seine drinking a bottle of red wine and eating some baguette and cheese. Over at Sunday Postcard Art their challenge is Paris - hence my memories. Here's my postcard - the Eiffel Tower stamp is from Tim Holtz.

From Paris to Egypt - somewhere I'd love to go but have never been.....yet. My map is for the Three Muses challenge

Ready Steady Stamp!

2010-04-15T15:50:00.003+01:00

The challenge over at Ready Steady Stamp is to use three or all of the following ingredients:

I decided to try and use all of them in my layout of a wonderful holiday we spent in Mexico in 2004.

LOTS TO DO CHALLENGE

2010-04-14T13:09:00.001+01:00

The challenge at Lots to Do this week is to use embossing - I've used a variety of stamps here - the embossed image of the girl is Cherry Pie - the others are Stampin Up.

Hello Dolly/Three Muses/Theme Thursday

2010-04-14T10:05:00.006+01:00

Another piece from me today - my mum is seriously ill in hospital although last night I found out they may be sending her home today where she lives practically on her own which has me incensed. I live about 5 hours away from her and can't believe the hospital would even consider sending home a woman of 86 who isn't eating or drinking. So before I do battle with the hospital again - a bit of "time out" for me

This piece is for the Mixed Media Monday challenge whose theme is Hello Dolly. It also fits in with the Theme Thursday challenge which is to include hats or crowns!

And yet another piece from me - i must be on a roll! lol! This one is for Inkurable Stampers who wanted us to show an example of the spotlight technique - i've used a Cherry Pie stamp here for my Three Muses and made a 4x4:

CHECK OUT THIS BLOG....

2010-04-13T22:30:00.001+01:00

I've finally persuaded my very talented daughter Emma to start her own blog for her digital art - its early days yet but you can find her here - she also does commissions and not only of horses but most animals.

Some art!!!!

2010-04-13T16:43:00.004+01:00

I surprised myself today by actually sitting down and doing something creative. After the difficulties of the past two weeks I was inspired by Wednesday Stamper to join in with their theme of trees. I have this wonderful tree stamp by Cherry Pie that I often use and just played around with it a little. Perhaps this is the start of me getting back into my stamping - doing the Stampin Up thing spoiled my enjoyment of crafting. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction....

The piece sounds melancholy - must be my mood - the words say "on my own" - not quite as clear in the picture.

I also came across a tag challenge Kard Krazy who asked us to find inspiration in a quote. I found this quote about Love which struck a chord with me at the moment and the stamp of the family image is by Tim Holtz.

INCHY CHALLENGE BLOG AND BLOG CANDY

2010-04-13T12:34:00.003+01:00

The week before Easter we suffered a sad loss in the family when my sister in law died suddenly. Inchy challenge blog had to go on hold for a few weeks as real life definitely got in the way.

I'm back now, but not sure for how long as my mum is now seriously ill in hospital - everything comes together right?

Anyway our challenge at inchy challenge blog is up to the letter L which I chose to represent Love.

As a thank you for being patient I'm also offering some blog candy - so pop along if you fancy a chance - in case you don't know you'll find inchy challenge blog here

INCHY CHALLENGE BLOG / OSTARA BLESSINGS

2010-03-22T08:13:00.004Z

We're up to K on inchy challenge blog this week and my K is for key, through the keyhole to be exact. I think this is a Cherry Pie stamp.

I'm sharing some Ostara Blessings I received yesterday from Wendy from Painting Dreams - if you are not familiar with her work check out her website - she does gorgeous paintings and she also has a book out about a Lunar Hare, as well as calendars and cards.

I finally have some daffodils in flower in the garden - only the small narcissus but very welcome - normally I have loads dotted about the garden by this time of year - let's hope they show their cheery faces in time for Easter.

INCHY CHALLENGE BLOG - LETTER 'J'

2010-03-15T11:59:00.002Z

We're up to J already on our alphabet challenge on inchy challenge blog - my J is for Jewel (in the Crown)

INCHY CHALLENGE H AND I PLUS MORE.....

2010-03-10T12:26:00.004Z

Oops - I didn't come on here and post my H for last week's inchy challenge - so here it is - H for Hat

and here's this week's - the letter I for inchy - can you believe it took me ages to think up an I

I've been surfing round blogland again trying to come up with some inspiration to get me crafting again

I came across Maddy's site and she's offering blog candy - look at Herbert - isn't he so nice - my DD doesn't want chocolate for Easter - he would be just perfect! Hop along and join in and good luck - you'll find her here

And, yes even more posting - I've entered my pup Tegan and one of my old cats Megan into a comp - please if you have the time and the inclination - pop along and vote for them - if you think they're the cutest of course!

Tegan - the pup - is here

Megan - the cat is here

And - wait - there's more:

I'm still doing a bit of crafting for a forum and we're doing a CJ - well I had committed myself to doing it so couldn't let them down - its a stamping CJ and I received the weirdest stamp I've ever had to work with - the stamp is the nun with the gun!

Here's my take on the stamp - the wording is all thanks to DH - obviously been watching too many Clint Eastwood films!

INCHY CHALLENGE BLOG - 'G'

2010-02-22T11:33:00.001Z

We're on G this week at inchy challenge blog - and I found this letter quite difficult. I went for G for Grapes in the end. The stamp is a Stampin Up one.

OPERA CARA

2010-02-16T08:35:00.006Z

Yes I know it doesn't have anything to do with crafting but it is Art! Lol! Thought I might just mention my new venture along with three of my very talented colleagues - if you are in the South of England and fancy an opera quartet at a do you might be holding you'll find us here.

www.opera-cara.com

Weddings, Funerals, Barmitzvahs, you name it - we'll come sing for you!

How's that for a plug!

INCHY CHALLENGE BLOG - LETTER 'F'

2010-02-15T14:38:00.003Z

We're up to Letter F on the inchy challenge blog. I've done F for fairy! I nearly did F for Fiona but couldn't find a picture I liked! Not that I ever like pictures of me anyway Lol!

Here's a picture of my two Welshies, Tegan the pup is getting a lot taller, she's still all paws and legs though and is making my old girl run around like she hasn't done for years!

INCHY CHALLENGE BLOG - 'E'

2010-02-08T14:15:00.002Z

My 'E' for inchy challenge blog this week is an Eye. Sounds strange - E for I! lol!

INCHY CHALLENGE BLOG - 'D'

2010-02-01T12:58:00.001Z

We're up to D on the inchy challenge blog this week and my D is for Daffodil. Its a lovely spring like morning here in Hampshire, blue skies and sun but I'm told there is rain and maybe snow on the way again so I'm making the most of this nice weather with a spring theme for the challenge.

INCHY CHALLENGE BLOG - THE LETTER 'C'

2010-01-28T16:56:00.004Z

We're up to C on the inchy challenge blog and I forgot to post my inchies on here.

Thanks to Karen Missy K for the prompt.

Here's my C's - as I have three cats I had to do one each for them!

And here are my little darlings - this first one is Megan - she is 11 years old - do you think she's trying to tell me something in this picture?

And these pair are my oldest and youngest - Felix is the black and white and he's 17 and Pepper is the grey and white and he's nearly 1!

We're on B on inchy challenge

2010-01-18T13:08:00.002Z

We're up to B this week on inchy alphabet challenge - here's my B for Beauty

I came down with a rotten cold yesteday so spent most of the day in bed with DH doing a lovely roast beef dinner for us all. Still not feeling 100% today yet and the dogs are looking so forlorn wanting a walk. At least as pup is still so small she can't walk miles yet and the garden is good for burning off her energy - but its not the same as a formal walk. Hopefully I'll be up and about more tomorrow.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-13T12:39:00.003Z

A belated Happy New Year bloggers - I've been in two minds whether to carry on with my blog. I've kind of stopped crafting for a while - I'm no longer a Stampin Up Demo and I think trying to keep up with the demanding world of SU and always thinking of new ideas took the fun out of my crafting. So its all put away for the time being and maybe I'll go back to it.

Inchy challenge blog is continuing though - I don't find little inchies too taxing, but this year its a slightly different theme as we work our way through the alphabet. Yep, you guessed it - this week its A!!! I thought it would also give people the chance to do some in advance and it may give them longer than a week to join in. Hope you would like to join us sometime this year.

In my real life - I've just completed a course on dog behaviour and training and am offering help with all those doggie problems people seem to have. And in order to brush up my skills we brought Tegan in November. She's a baby Welsh Springer Spaniel - up to mischief with my older Welshie Tara. I may even let her have her own blog and document how the training is going.

Here's a picture of both of them - out in the snow. We've had another massive snow fall here in Hampshire today - it still looks pretty but I must admit its wearing a bit thin. Its got me busy baking though with Choccy muffins yesterday and healthy celeriac soup and home-made bread today.

Hope you all stay warm.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT BLOGGING.........

2009-12-10T09:15:00.003Z

..is the wealth of friends I have "met" from all around the world and I am always blown away by their generosity. One of the blogs I love to visit is Lesley's and she plays along with my inchy challenge. Now Lesley is a true artist and creates wonderful decorate folk art which I just adore. I happened to mention to Lesley that I love her work and would love to purchase something from her if she would ship it from Canada over here to the UK.

Well, imagine my surprise when this morning I received a package from Lesley as a gift. It was a beautiful Home Sweet Home sign and here it is in all its glory.

It also has pride of place in my hall and looks so lovely nestled among the decorations don't you think.

Thank you so much Lesley - I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. xx

INCHY BLOG - LAST CHALLENGE FOR THE YEAR

2009-12-07T16:14:00.003Z

THIS IS THE LAST CHALLENGE I WILL BE SETTING FOR THIS YEAR'S INCHY CHALLENGE BLOG - THE THEME IS CHRISTMAS CAROLS -

NEXT YEAR'S CHALLENGE BLOG WILL RUN ON A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FORMAT SO WE DON'T ALL GET BORED. HOPE YOU'LL CHECK US OUT IN THE NEW YEAR - YOU'LL FIND US HERE IN CASE YOU DON'T KNOW.

CHRISTMAS CARDS, CAROLS AND MULLED WINE

2009-12-05T10:02:00.003Z

Sounds good doesn't it - a friend came round last night, we had the carols playing, mulled wine and we sat and made loads of Christmas cards. We both needed that extra bit of motivation and managed to get a lot done.

I've found another new challenge blog today, the Play Date Cafe, and they are asking for Christmas colours of Red, Green and White, always my favourite - this card fits the colours requested.

The colours in this one don't quite fit, but I love this sentiment taken from The Night Before Christmas.

Shabby Christmas !

2009-12-04T14:53:00.003Z

I found a new challenge blog on my blog travels and it inspired me to join in - I've made a Shabby Chic Christmas Tag. You'll find Let's Get Shabby here - there are some fabulous samples from their DT team.

INCHY BY INCH CHALLENGE - PRESENTS

2009-11-24T15:10:00.004Z

I thought I'd get you all in the Festive Mood early with a Christmas challenge on Inchy by inch this week - the theme is PRESENTS.

Also stay tuned - there will be a new format on the challenge blog starting in the New Year - I was thinking of stopping it but had my interested sparked with a slightly different idea so I'll keep it going for a bit longer - stay tuned to 2010 to see what the new format will be!

I've also received my first Christmas card - thanks Karen (Missy K)

Whats On Your Workdesk Wednesday

2009-11-18T16:04:00.002Z

It's Wednesday again and that means its time for WOYWW - I've tried to do this many Wednesdays before and even got as far as taking the pictures but not as far as putting them on the blog! doh! Well, here's today - its a CJ I'm doing for a forum that needed to be done by the 15th November - looks like I'm a bit late then! Oops