Gosh it's been a while.......

......apologies to all for being such a very bad blogger. I've had that awful flu bug for just over three weeks and what with all the kids Christmas activities at school, work and the usual 'mum' things to do, there's just not been enough hours in the day, well I guess you all know what I mean.

These few cards are for a couple of orders from my hubbies work collegues. I don't think I'll ever get around to making cards for myself....lol!!! A huge thank you to Caroline for sending me this gorgeous Whiff of Joy image, which has been coloured with distress inks, then clear embossed. The papers are DCWV, ribbon is HOTP and many thanks to Sue for the snowflake charm.

For the card above, again I coloured the image and clear embossed it. The papers are HOTP, snowflake charm, again courtesy of Sue, thanks luvly.

I've used the lovely Stampin Up, Silent Night stamp for this card, lots of twinkly glitter, cardstock has gone the my Big Shot using Cuttlebug embossing folders.

Another cuttlebug embossed card. Papers are DCWV, huge thanks to Michelle for the Core'dinations cardstock and ribbon.

I really think I ought to get on a make some family and friends Christmas cards now, gosh I'm sooooo disorganised this year, I've done hardly any Christmas shopping either. I hope you all have a lovely weekend, thanks for popping by my lil oasis, luv 'n' hugs

xx vicki xx

For my mil's birthday

It's my MIL's birthday on Tuesday, this is what I've made for her. A few months ago she said she needed a new birthday book so I thought I'd make one for her. I'm not into decoupage but I had THIS Anna Griffin kit from QVC and thought it would be suitable for her birthday. Apart from the lil Prima flowers on the birthday book, everything else is from Anna Griffin. This card below is for my children to give their nanny. A simple card made using Sizzix flower layers #4 and the decorative accent, swirl. Papermania glitter embossed velum has been attached with pearly brads.

I must apologize to you all, again, for being such a bad blogger, I've got the flu at the mo and it's knocked me for six because I never get colds, well hardly ever. I've got loads of cards to show from last weekend, but will post them when I'm feeling a bit more with it.

I hope your all enjoying the weekend, despite the cold weather. Take care all, luv 'n' hugs

xx vicki xx

some lovely awards

Oh wow!!! I've had the pleasure in receiving these amazing award from two lovely ladies. Firstly Julie award me the Kreativ Blogger award, many, many thanks Julie for thinking of me to give it to, I'm well chuffed....lol!!!!!! Next, the very lovely Cass, nominated me for this wonderful Proximity award, huge thanks Cass, it's so very much appreciated.

This award states that:
This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY- nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to 8 bloggers who may then pass it on.

It looks like most of you have already received these awards, I should have popped them on my blog sooner, as I did received them a few days ago, apologies ladies. If you are reading this post and haven't got these awards yet, please feel free, my way of saying thank you for visiting and taking the time to read my blog. Bye for now xx vicki xx

kiddies birthdays

Well I've had a very productive crafting weekend....lol!! I didn't even get dressed yesterday, been feeling a bit poorly, I spent the majority of the day in my lil craft room and I made loads of cards, shall show them another time. My children were all out for the day, at friends houses, Stephen was watching the Rugby and I had some quality time to myself...for a change....YAY!!!

But for now here's two cards I made for friends of two of my children. This card is for Yasmin's friend, Eli who was 6 on Friday. I've coloured this lovely Elzybell image with Copics, Basic Grey pp, ATD cardstock, Cuttlebug embossing folder, K & Co sparkly alphabet stickers.

This card is for one of Ryan's best friend, Shelly, they've been best buddies since nursery. The papers are from my new Basic Grey Granola pad, 'pen pal' images has been coloured with Derwent water coloured pencils, Doodlebug alphabet rub-ons, kindly given to me by Michelle, flowers and brads from my stash. Bye for now xx vicki xx

Silent Night

My lovely new Silent Night stamp set from Stampin Up arrived about an hour ago and as you can see, I just couldn't resist having a lil play. I have to say a humungous thank you to Jules for going out of her way to order this set for me. For those of you who don't already know, Jules is a Stampin Up Demostrator and just recently I've ordered a few goodies from her, if you are interested in purchasing any Stampin Up products, honestly Jules is the person you need to get in touch with

these are just a couple of quickie cards. I've stamped the image using Colourbox Queues fluid chalk cats eyes with two different shades of blue, then I've used a quickie glue pen and sprinkled glamour dust in places. The sentiment is HOTP and papers are Anitas.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend and don't forget to wrap up warm, it's going to be a cold one....bbbrrrrrrr xx vicki xx

'tis the season

I made this card almost 2 weeks ago with every intention of making it for Stephen (my hubby), but now I'm not too sure, so will have to think of someone else to give it too. I've coloured the image with a mix of copic's, derwent watercolour pencils and sansador. The papers are Dovecraft and I've distressed and inked the edges with gold. The sentiment is HOTP which has been heat embossed. Tab punch is Stampin Up, I've ordered quite a few Stampin Up products lately from the lovely Julie at Julies Japes, I've also joined her stampers 10 club, so if anyone is interested in ordering Stampin Up products, please get in touch with Jules, she's so helpful.

Thanks for poppin by my lil oasis, luv 'n' hugs to you all xx vicki xx

Hello!!

Just a quick post today to show the card I have made for my Friendship Card Swap partner over at the Do-Crafts forum. yay!!! my new Elzybells stamps have arrived and thought this one would be appropriate for the swap, I've coloured the image with copics and watercolour pencils. The Core-dinations cardstock, was kindly give to me by Michelle for my birthday and has been run through my big shot using the Cuttlebug 'stylized flowers' embossing folder, the I used my Nails Inc glass nail file to sand the embossing, the pp is Basic Grey, Studio G sentiment stamp.

Well I'm ploughing through a mountain of ironing at the mo, so better get back to it, just stopped for a bit of lunch and to say a quick hello!!! Shall get around to visiting everyone later this evening....hopefully. Bye for now xx vicki xx

a few crimbo cards

Helllllooooooo!!!!! Gosh what a week, so sorry for being such a bad blogger but I've had three of my children off school this week with that awful sickness bug.....yyyyyuck!!! So what with looking after them and all the extra washing I've had to deal with, this week has flown by. Luckily they are all better now and have gone back to school today and since it's my day off work, I thought I make a couple of cards, Christmas is fast approaching and I'm so behind with everything again this year so here's a few for starters.

A couple of simple embossed cards using the Cuttlebug Winter House embossing folder.

This card is for our eldest son, Tom, many thanks to Sue for the snowflake embellie and this lovely image, he kind of reminds me of Tom, perhaps it's the cheeky grin on his face...lol!!! I've coloured the image with a mix of distress inks and water coloured pencils and then embossed the image with clear embossing powder and a touch of holographic embossing powder for a bit of twinkle. The pp are Anita's, Cuttlebug embossing folder and lil distressing to the paper edges.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend whatever you've got planned, take care, hugs xx vicki xx

God ~ Daughter's 1st Birthday

I've made this card for a guy in work with my hubby, for his God~Daughter's 1st birthday. He gave Stephen a photo of his God~Daughter, isn't she adorable......aaawwww.... and asked if I could incorporate it into the card. Many thanks to Maria for the lovely flowers and stamped images, which have been coloured using Copic markers, with a touch of glossy accents, brilliance ink pad around the edges of the images. The cardstock is American Traditional Designs and Bazzill Bling. The striped paper is K & Co, the spotted paper is Papermania, scalloped Nestabilites, cuttlebug embossing folder, large brads from qvc, charm, gems and ribbon from my stash. It's not that often that I'm happy with the way my cards turn out, but have to admit to really liking this one, well it took long enough...lol!!!

Thanks for popping by and having a nosey at my lil oasis, hope you all have a lovely weekend, luv 'n' hugs to you all, ttfn xx vicki xx

Happy Birthday Daniel

Here is the card I sent to Claire's son, Daniel. Today is his 11th Birthday, I hope you have a wonderful day Daniel. Claire put a lovely post on her blog about her son explaining that he has Asperger's, therefore doesn't have birthday parties as such and she wondered if anyone would like to send Daniel a card for his birthday, please go check out her blog if you get chance.

For this card I've used DCWV papers, alphabet stickers and tag, Core'dinations cardstock, the stars were cut out using a sizzix die on my Big Shot, then embossed with cuttlebug embossing folders, the Magnolia image has been coloured using Copic markers.

ttfn xx vicki xx

Baby Megan's 1st Christmas

A friend of mine asked if I could make a Chirstmas card in a box for her step grand-daughters 1st Christmas. I've used a Forever Friend image, which was kindly given to me for my birthday by lots of you lovely blogging buddies. Bazzill Bling cardstock, DCWV white glitter cardstock, Anna Griffin spotted paper and K & Co Stripy paper. Snowflake punches, felt ribbon has been held in place with glossy accents and brads, parcels on the box have been paper pieced, then embossed with clear embossing powder, 'Megan' has been cut using my Big Shot and sizzix forever friends alphabet.

Thanks for popping by my lil oasis, hope you are all well and enjoyed Bonfire Night. Sorry for not being a very good blogger lately, I've been so busy with kids, home and work that there seems to be hardly any time for blogging these days, hopefully I'll get some free time soon to visit you all. Take care all, luv 'n' hugs xx vicki xx

Thank you Caroline

Yesterday I received this beautiful card together with a ton of stamped images from the very lovely Caroline. Thank you so very much Caroline, I'm so pleased as I don't have any of these stamps. I had recently sent Caroline some images and this is what she sent me by way of saying thanks.

different occassions

Happy Monday to you all. My house is so quiet today now that my scallywags are all back in school....oooo but it's lovely....lol!!!

My very good friend Tracy and her hubby have just taken over the running of a lil sweet shop and she asked if I could make some cards for their shop, " of course I could", said I, so above are just a couple to start with.

This card above is for Yasmin's friend Tia, who's birthday is next week, I love these cutie Elybells and so can't wait for mine to arrive.


This is the card I made for my lovely cousin Janet who's birthday was last week.

Right I'd better get a wriggle on and finish the dreaded hous*****, oooppss, nearly said that awful word that we don't like to mention.

ttfn xx vicki xx

I've been tagged.....

...by the lovely Jilli.....cheers Jilli !!!!! lol.

Here is how this one works.......Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog. Answer the five sets of five (this is the easy part) Tag 5 people in the last section by leaving their names as well as links to their blog. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Things I love

1. My wonderful hubby, Stephen.
2. Our four amazing, but at times annoying...lol!! children, Tom, Ryan, Georgia~May & Yasmin.
3. My closest friend, Leigh, whom I've been friends with since I was 11, she's the sister I never had.
4. My lil craft room and all the goodies in it.
5. Coronation Street.

Things I don't love

1. Liars.
2. Ironing.
3. Heights.
4. Spiders.
5. Heinz (or any other brand) Baked Beans,......yyyyyyuck!!!!!, the smell turns my stomach.

Music on Ipod or Playlist.

As I don't have an Ipod, I thought I would list some of the songs I have on my mobile/walkman..

1. Chris Brown - Forever
2. Rhianna - Disturbia
3. Ne-Yo - Closer
4. Sugarbabes - Girls
5. Dido - Here With Me (theme from Roswell), it's my hubbys fav song.

Favourite food/drinks

1. Roast Beef, Yorkshire Pudding Sunday roast with all the trimmings.
2. Olives of any description
3. Hummous
4. Chocolate
5. Cuppa tea

oakey doakey, so here's the five I'm gonna pass this tag onto.... sorry girlies, hehehe!!! Caroline, Kerry, Jools, Natalie and Jules.

Thank you Jools

What a lovely surprise I received yesterday from Jools.

Jools very kindly sent me this gorgeous card together some fabby Kerryjo and Elzybells stamped images as a thank you the Secret Sister goodies I sent her. Thank you so very much Jools, I love them. I'm quickly becomming a big fan of Elzybells just lately and must admit to ordering quite a few of the everyday stamps a couple of days ago, I'm eagerly awaiting their arrival....lol!!!!!

I hope your all enjoying the half term hols so far. I've had a lovely day with my daughters, we've been to see High School Musical 3 and it was brill, lots of toe tapping, hand clapping, goosebumps and the odd tears, mind you nothing will beat the first one in my opinion....lol!!!

Tomorrow is going to be a tough day as Ryan and I shall be attending Shaun's funeral (Ryan's school friend, aged just 14) who tragically died last week.......

Sue's Think Pink breast cancer awareness challenge

Sue has a wonderful challenge on her blog which is to raise awareness of Breast Cancer, well done Sue, this is such a worthwhile cause. Please pop over and have a look for yourselves at the delicious candy she has up for grabs.All she asks is......." Here is what I would like you to do.. if you have time can you make a pink card and send it to someone who could do with a little tender loving care."

Fortunately I don't have any family members suffering from this cruel disease, but that's not to say that I haven't lost a few relatives in recent years due to cancer.
I have decided to give this card to my cousin and his wife. They have three amazing children, two of which have Cystic Fibrosis. They do so much to raise money for CF and have been through quite an ordeal as a young family, I personally don't know how they've coped, but they have and do, tremendously well.
xx vicki xx

Some BIA projects.....

Well as you can see from the photos below, I've been having another lil play with my new BIA and have to say it is very addictive.....lol. Here a some lil books and thank you cards I've recently sent to my blogging buddies, I made and sent them a couple of weeks ago so it's ok for me to post them on here as I know they have all received them now.
The papers used on the card and book above are Anna Griffin.
Again using Anna Griffin papers, The scallop shaped card was made using an XL sizzix die

More Anna Griffin papers, the flower image is a Stampendous stamp

Yet some more Anna Griffin papers, doodlebug rub-ons and Brenda Pinnick 'N'

These papers are from that scrummy Cosmo Cricket TSV from QVC, the pin on the card is by Fancy Pants and I've also used my new SU round tab punch.

I love the colours on the papers above, they are by Sassafrass and is part of kit I purchased from Sarahs Cards ltd.

Well I'd better get on and do the dreaded h*******k. Hope you all have a lovely half term with your family. Luv 'n' hugs to you all xx vicki xx

a trio of 21st birthday cards

Well what a rush job these were....lol!!!! I had a phone call from the florist on Tuesday to ask if I could make 3 21st birthday cards for Thursday, the birthday boy is a hairdresser and not keen on sport, so I was in a bit of a pickle as to what to make. Thankfully I had a couple of stamped images from you lovely girlies to help me out. But I did end up buying the two magnolia stamps as I'm sure they'll come in handy in the future.

Thank you for all the lovely kind comments in the previous post, they have meant so much and are all very touching. Ryan seems to be a little better at the mo. Still haven't heard when the funeral is but we have been informed for Shaun's (the young lad who lost his life) friends to wear Welsh Rugby jersey's to the funeral. I can't begin to imagine what his parents are going through......

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and not forgetting it's half term.....yay!!!!! a couple of lazy morning due to us all, me thinks.

Take care and huge (((((hugs))))) to you all xx vicki xx

Happy Birthday Gina, Awards and some tragic news

Happy Birthday to you !!! Happy Birthday to you !!! Happy Birthday dear Gina !!! Happy Birthday to you !!!

Here is the card I sent to Gina, as today is her birthday and boy has she had some gorgeous goodies, just have a nosey at her blog, lots of scrummylicious stash to play with....lol!!!

I have used my new RR stamp for this card, (Natalie I couldn't resist, it's your fault.....) Natalie made me a beautiful card for my birthday using this very image and I new then I just had to get it myself and so ordered it from Dies to Die For.

I have received the Wilde Women award from Lesley, (so sorry I forgot to save the piccie) shall do it later. Huge thanks Lesley for thinking of me to give it too, I'm touched and so very grateful.

I have also received this fab award from Natalie, Gina G, Sharon and Sara. Huge thanks ladies, this really means a lot to me and has put a smile on my face, just when I need it most. There are so many wonderful blogs and not to mention amazing girlies, that I have the pleasure in calling friends, that makes this part extremely difficult, so I would like to pass this award back to all the fab girlies who gave it to me and to all that takes the time to visit my lil oasis.

And now for such sad news, sorry to post this here but feel the need to. My son Ryan came home from school yesterday (yasmin's birthday too) very sad, he'd been crying. When I asked what was wrong, I wasn't expecting this reply. His friend in the same year as him at school, aged 14, has died. His mum had taken him to the doctors for some antibiotics for his acne. He took the tablet and his body reacted to the tablet, causing some sort of anapylactic shock. Ryan went to school today, but the Head said that if they wanted to go home they could. There is a special assembly in school tomorrow, not sure as yet when the funeral is. Ryan has never been to a funeral before, so this is going to be extremely difficult for him. It has been so hard to comfort Ryan, not having gone through anything like this before. Sorry to have burdened you all with this, please excuse my spelling, its' hard typing through tears.

xx vicki xx

Happy 6th Birthday Yasmin

Well today my lil baby girl is 6, wow that's flown by.....I came across this photo of her a few days ago whilst uploading the card in the previous post, I think she may have been around 10 months old......aaaawwww bless....pmsl...do not let that angelic smile fool you all, she's a lil minx who's 6 going on 16......lol!!!!!

Yasmin put her birthday card order in with me back in the summer hols....lol!!!! yep she's done nothing but go on and on about her birthday since then, I'll be glad when today is over with.... she said "mummy for my birthday I want you to make me a card with a box and I want one of those wallet things with 12 stamped images in so I can colour them..."

So here it is. I've used that lovely fairy martha image by Kerryjo, Bazzill Bling cs, K & CO and DCWV pp. The lil charms are from WHAT. Nestabilites. "yasmin" is cut out using my Big Shot and ellison design "best friends forever" alphabet. Glamour dust for that little bit of twinkle. Sorry about the poor photography, you should be able to click on all the pics for a closer look, should you so wish too.

The card above is from her sister Georgia~May, huge thanks to Michelle for this lovely Elzybells image, I really NEED to order some of those stamps as I am becomming quite a fan of them. I've coloured the image with Copic markers, everything else on the card is DCWV, apart from the ribbon, which is American Crafts, from qvc.

Another thank you to Michelle for this cute image which I've coloured with Derwent water coloured pencils, Sandador and Derwent blending pencil. This card is from her big brothers Tom & Ryan, again papers and cs are DCWV as for the ribbon, it's American Craft from QVC craft day. The pin is Fancy Pants.

Well as you can imagine, a busy day today, so hopefully will try to catch up with everyone as soon as I can. Take care all xx vicki xx

For my Secret Sister

The very lovely Michelle arranged a Secret Sister swap last month, huge thanks Michelle, I really did enjoy taking part, hopefully we could all do another soon. Today is the day we all reveal who our Secret Sister is. Above is the card I sent to my lovely SS, who just so happened to be Jools. I love these Sassafrass papers, the colours are all my favs, I bought them after seeing a beautie card on Hans blog. It is a kit from Sarahs Cards ltd. Don't know what I was thinking of when I made this card, all I knew at the time was that I wanted to do something a lil different, it didn't turn out quite how I had imagined, mind you nothing new there but I think it's ok...ish!!! I didn't think to take a photo of the goodies I sent my SS, but I know Jools kindly did and also posted it on her blog, so if you would like to see what I sent her just click HERE

xx vicki xx

Julies blogoversary candy

If you love Stampin Up products or have never tried them and would like to be in with the chance of winning some, then check out Julies blog, she has the most scrummy goodies up for grabs in celebration of her Blogoversary, congratulations Jules and many thanks for being so generous. xx vicki xx

My first BIA books and thank yous

I've been having a lil play with my new BIA and have made a few address books etc and thought I would send a couple out to some of my blogging buddies by way of saying thank you for all the lovely gifts I received for my birthday, plus this also give me chance to have a practice...hehehe!!! I am still in the middle of making a few other books for others but having had such a hectic week I'm a bit behind, so hopefully I'll get chance to finish them later this week.

I ordered the Stampin Up round tab punch from the very lovely Jules, it came in very handy for making the address books. I have to say a huge thank you to Jules for being so helpful and taking the time and trouble to send my order off. If anyone is thinking of ordering any Stampin Up products, I can honestly recommend Julie, she's been brill so huge thanks Jules.

Well it's my day off today, so you'd think this would be a good opportunity to do some crafting.....but no chance, I've got a mountain full of ironing I really MUST get through today.....gggrrrrrrr!!!!! ttfn xx vicki xx