I've won an award

The very lovely Sue has given me this wonderful award. Thank you ever so much Sue, I'm so touched and very grateful.

The rules for this award:1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.2. Link the person you received your award from.3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.4. Put links of those blogs on yours.5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls you've nominated So the 7 I am going to nominate are:-

1. Kerry

2. Julie

3. Kerry/Pickle

4. Katy

5. Tara

6. Jenn

7. Carolina

Sorry I've not been around for a few days, things are quite hectic at the mo. Shall try to catch up with everyone asap. Thanks for popping by and huge thanks again Sue for this award, means such a lot to me. xx vicki xx

Spoonful of Sugar Challenge.....checks...

Now onto this weeks challenge

Checks Galore

We would like you to make a card using any type of check paper Ribbon or Brads, ect somewhere on the design.I just love my new sugar nellie 'sweet & sassy' stamp, isn't she so cute. Check paper is DCWV as is the 'flower'. Autumn Leaves sentiment stamps. Cuttlebug 'traffic jam' embossing folder. Computer generated sentiment which says 'your friendship means so much....lets always keep in touch'
Yet another 'sweet & sassy' card, image coloured with distress inks & water pencils, added some glamour dust for a little bit of twinkle, papers are papermania, dcwv flower, autumn leaves sentiment stamps.

And now for the explanation for the making of these few cards. For the last few months I have been 'umming and arring' as to whether or not change my daughters school. We moved to this house 7 years ago and I didn't have the heart to change their schools then (silly me I know). Over the last few months the travelling has really got to me, I'm out of the house just under 3 hours a day on the school run. Their school is only 6 miles away but the traffic is horrendous. The school which they will be moving to is just at the top of our street. We went there this afternoon with Georgia & Yasmin to have a look around. We explained to the girls a few weeks ago about moving schools and they can't wait, Georgia loved visiting the school this afternoon, Yasmin was very quiet, poor thing. I on the other hand am feeling really down today, as I will miss everyone. I've been going back and for to that school since Tom was 3 (13 years now). I've so many friends there, not to mention Leigh. It not unusual for my friends and I to still be talking at the school gates at 10am, so I will miss that. Mind you with my new job I wouldn't be able to do that anymore, so it all makes sense to move. Sorry, I'm not with it at the mo, just typing away and not making much sense.

Anyway these two cards are for Georgia's friends, the top one is for her very best friend Leah, her mum Tracy is one of my closest friends too. Just a couple of friendship cards to say thanks and keep in touch. Got quite a few more cards to make for friends and teachers, so will have to try a make some time over the weekend to make some more. Hope you all have a lovely weekend, lets hope this awful wind and rain stops soon. xx vicki xx

Thank you sirs

Just a couple of cards for Georgia to give to her teachers. That time of year again. Georgia has given me a list of cards she wants making........kids hey!!! dont you just love em....lol!!!!
Now I'd better get started on all the other cards she's asked me to make, no time for the wicked....hahaha!!!!! Will be back soon. ttfn xx vicki xx

for my friend

I received a couple of new Sugar Nellie stamps from Funky Kits yesterday, this being one of them. As it's Yasmins friend, Tian's birthday next weekend, I couldn't resist having a little play. The papers are a new pad I got last week from Readicut, (so much cheaper than qvc, I got the 12x12 and 8x8 for under £20)DCWV 'kids', have to say they are absolutely gorgeous, the quality is second to none and there is something for all occassions to do with our little people. Brenda Pinnick chipboard 5, Papermania 'scrabble' tile letters, Studio G 'for my friend' stamp and can't be without the Autumn Leaves 'ticketed' sentiment stamps at the mo. Lots of 3d foam pads to add a bit of dimension. Image is coloured with a mix of water coloured pencils and distress inks. Have to say those distress inks are fabby, they work lovely to colour in images, also great for distressing papers, as I know a few of you like a bit of distressing .....hhmmmmmm mentioning no names...Kerry.


oooo I almost forgot, a couple of days ago I was tagged by two lovely ladies, Caroline and Shell I hope you ladies won't mind if I don't play along as I have already done this tag but huge thanks for thinking of me. If you haven't seen these ladies blogs, please pop over and say 'hi', they have some great creations on show. Thanks again girlies. xx vicki xx

bye for now, take care and thanks for stopping by xx vicki xx

Wedding card & box

I'm not too sure about this card, I've made it for our neighbours son who's getting married on Saturday. Sorry about the pic, was tricky to get it all in, maybe should have photographed it separately or I think you can click on the pic if you want a closer look. The wedding cake stamp has been embossed with gold embossing powder, cuttlebug paisley and swiss dots embossing folder, gold mirri card, DCWV luxury stack patterned paper, scalloped ovals are Nestibilites. Thank for passing by. TTFN xx vicki xx

Magnolia Challenge....dottie

This weeks challenge is..

We gone Dottie!!
Would love to see the Use of Dots on your work this week,
A Little Easier than last week’s!

sssssssshhhhhh!!! If anyone asks, you've not seem me, I'm ironing really...hehehe!!! Completely forgot to upload this earlier. This is my entry for this weeks Magnolia challenge which is a dottie theme. Papers are Basic Grey 'two scoops', cuttlebug embossing folders 'swiss dots' and 'spots & dots', Autumn Leaves sentiment stamps, flowers from me stash, image coloured with h20's. ok...i'm outta here!!!!! Thanks for passing by xx vicki xx

Feminine florals...

Hiya peeps, hope everyone is happy and well. I was asked by the florist if I could make a selection of cards for a more mature lady, mainly pink and flowery with happy birthday wife sentiments. This is what I have started with. Above is a simple card using bazzill bling cardstock and patterned paper from qvc, bloom from stash, string of pearls from my local market, sentiment is from craftwork cards.
Again using bazzil bling cardstock for the main card, paper from the same kit from qvc, cuttlebug embossing folder, nestibilities scalloped sentiment. Have used the same paper for the insert.

This card is using the same components as above, but clear embossed a rose stamp onto bazzill bling cardstock. Computer generated sentiment tag.

Now I wasn't going to come on the computer today as I am up to my eyeballs with house**** after being out all yesterday, but you all know how addictive it is. So I'd better get a wriggle on....lol!!! Shall try and pay everyone a visit later. Have a fun day, enjoy the beautiful sunshine.

xx vicki xx

bits 'n' bobs cont..

Well I'm slowly using up my scraps from my bit 'n' bobs boxes. This wallet card has been made using bits of papers leftover from other cards, together with some buttons from my local market, flowers are HOTP, the sentiment tile was a freebie from one of the crafty mags, not sure what make the gingham paper is, it came with a bundle from qvc, the other patterned paper is DCWV pocket full of posies.

Today has been a fantastic day. I spent all day at my daughters school as it was their sports day. Georgia did very well, she came second in the relay and third in the sprint. Yasmin's class had more of an obstacle course and it was really good, afterward they did the egg & spoon race, she was pipped to the post by her best friend. The Juniors did all their races in the morning, when all was finished, myself and friend Leigh decided to join in with the parents races...hehehe!!!!! what a laugh that was. First race was the egg & spoon, I came second.......with the help of a little cheating.......well ok lots of cheating... I was disqualified, but give everyone a good laugh in the process. Next up was the sprint, one of the dads just beat me to the finishing line, I was well pleased with myself coming second though (out of 7 parents), as it was two lengths on the school yard and I beat Leigh.....pmsl!!!!

Hope everyone has been enjoying the glorious sunshine today, lets hope it lasts. xx vicki xx

two from one....

Now I suspect we are all the same in as much as 'bits 'n' bobs'. I have two boxes filled with scraps of papers and card etc which are leftovers from all the cards I've made. I always say to myself, I'll keep that it could come in handy, but never use it. So I have set myself a little challenge to start using up my scraps.

The wallet card below I have sent to a certain person, not sure if she's received it yet so I'd better not say who. The papers are from the Basic Grey 'sugared' pad which have been torn and inked with Tim Holtz distress inks which I really love using as you can watercolour your images too. Sentiment stamp is again by Autumn Leaves 'ticketed', flora doodle flower, string from my kitchen drawer, again inked with distress inks, 'scrabble' effect alphabet tiles from papermaniaSo with the leftovers from the above card, I made this card.....sentiment stamp and image from Sugar Nellie, buttons are Woodware, Autumn Leaves scroll stamps added to the plain backing paper. Image has been coloured with Tim Holtz distress inkpads 'brushed corduroy', 'fired brick' and 'pine needles'. Some glamour dust added for a touch of sparkle.
Think I have started something now, as my craft room has bits of papers everywhere which I am determined to use up as they are too nice to discard. I wonder if anyone else would be interested in doing the same. Would be great to see what you come up with.

Well I think that's it from me for one day. I hope everyone is happy, well and looking forward to the weekend. Whatever your up to, I hope it's a good one, full of fun and laughter. Take care, love & best wishes to you all

xx vicki xx

Courtesy of Kerryjo..

I found a verse on the net which I thought was quite witty and appropriate for my hubby's fathers day card, but didn't have an image to suit. Hey Presto!! that fabby artist Kerry came up trumps as she very kindly offered a freebie doodle on her blog for us to use. So huge thanks Kerry, your timing was perfect.The papers are K & Co, sentiment stamps are by Autumn Leaves, cuttlebug 'script' embossing folder. The verse inside the card reads:-

Happy Fathers Day, darling

Oh keeper of my heart

I was involved in you becoming a Dad

In fact, I played the leading part.

And though your part was very small

It was essential to the plot

Congratulations, you must have done well

Just look at the results we got!!

Thank you for making family such a wonderful word

A couple of thanks yous..

Maria very kindly offered to send me some stamped images, but look what I received. OMGosh Wow!!! to say I was gobsmacked when I opened the envelope is a huge understatement. Not only did she send me the most gorgeous card but it was jam packed with loads of PB stamped images. And just look at all these beauties I have to play with. Thank you so very, very much Maria for your kindness and generosity, it's hugely appreciated
I received this beautiful congratulations card from Michelle, such a kind and thoughtful gesture Michelle, thank you so very much. (I have e-mailed you Michelle, but not sure if you've received it as I know your in the process of changing your ISP).
OK, that's my first post for today, shall be back again with some other cards to show. xx vicki xx

just to say......

....I've not disappeared into thin air...lol!!! Firstly I would like to say a HUGE thanks for all the lovely congrats wishes in the post below, you guys are THE best, ((((hugs)))) to you all. Also special thanks to Michelle for the gorgeous congrats card I received, your such a kind, thoughtful person.

Well we spent the majority of last weekend on a camera hunt, omg!! what a mind boggling time that was. Stephen checked out so many reviews on which one to buy, infact he drove me batty!!!! I therefore left the decision to him. Our new camera arrived yesterday, the instructions alone read like a bible...pheeeewww!!! my head's not used to all this techno jargon....hehe!!! You would have been in stitches if you saw me trying to use it yesterday. I took it out of the box three times, trying to figure out where to put the memory card, give up in the end. Then tried again late last night...yay me!!!! finally figured out where to put things and set it up and have even taken a couple of picks.....ooohhhh I am sooo dim. Now all I have to do is figure out how to link it to my puta...at this rate I'll have nothing to show until the next century...pmsl!!!

Hope everyone is happy and well, love & best wishes to you all. Hopefully will have something to show over the weekend, fingers crossed xx vicki xx

I'm soooooo chuffed

Up until last November, I worked for two years at my daughters primary school as a Teachers Aide, helping out in the classroom of year 1 & 2 pupils. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I sat on a 1-1 basis helping those who were struggling with their reading etc. It was only temporary while covering for sick leave. I still help out at the school but it just here and there.

Well yesterday I went for an interview at a local Comprehensive school, not the one my sons attend. The post was for an Art Technician. Main duties include preparing the classroom for lessons, ordering stock, setting up displays and firing the kiln. I wasn't going the get my hopes up as I was told there were a few applicants to be interviewed. OMG!!!!!!! I have just received a phone call offering me the job.........I start in two weeks.....aaaarrrgghhhhh!!!! help!! what if I set the kiln of fire and ruin all the pupils work....oh eck!! what have I let myself in for???? what has the school let theirselves in for....lol!!! Joking aside....I'm over the moon...yippppppeeeeee!!!!

I have made a few cards, but unfortunately my camera has decided to break down on me...I think there are a few Gremlins in this house, last week no computer, this week no camera. So until I get a replacement, which will hopefully be over the weekend, I can't put any pics on me blog.....aaaahhhhh!!

Hope all is well with everyone. Thanks for visiting, love to you all xx vicki xx

Fathers Day

Well I thought it was about time I made a start with some fathers day cards, so this is the first batch and they are for my Dad. The one below is from my children. My Dad is known as Bampsi. When my son Tom was very small he couldn't pronounce Grampa, which is what I called my Grandfather. The closest he came was Bampsi and it stuck, I think my dad quite likes it, well to be honest he had no choice..lol!!! The papers are all from DCWV QVC TSV, as are the letters. The sentiment tile was a freebie from one of the crafty mags. As for the image, Michelle very kindly sent me a gorgeous wallet card recently filled with some fabby PB stamped images, huge thanks again Michelle, it was such a lovely surprise. And for a complete contrast is this card. Having seen Julie create a beautiful collage style card for her dad, I wanted to give it a go, well this turned out nothing like...lol!! nothing new there then, as all my cards never turn out how I originally imagined them to be..hehe!! The background paper is Papermania 'simply elegant', the script paper is Joanna Sheen. I bought a pad of script paper way back last year and completely forgot about it, only used it for one Christmas card, but being inspired by Julie's card, remembered these papers and thought they would be appropriate for my dads card as I wanted an oldie, aged looking card....oooppsss!!! no offence dad...hehe!! Cuttlebug distressed stripes embossing folder and the sentiments are stamps by Autumn Leaves, 'duly recorded' and 'stamped and coded' which I have recently received from Scrapshed.
How about this glorious sunshine, hope you are all making the most of it. My lot are having a water fight in the garden, so as I don't particularly fancy getting wet, I thought I would escape and do some blogging instead. And what about this football lark .....aaarrgghh!! they've only put that silly stuff on tonight instead of Corrie....oh well!!! at least that may give me another chance to make some more Fathers Day cards. Hope your all happy and well, ttfn xx vicki xx

Happy Birthday Sue

This card I sent to the very lovely Sue, Happy Birthday Sue, hope your having a fab time in Cornwall. The image is 'Summer Ice-Cream' from the Sweet Ebony range by Elizabeth Bell. Papers are Basic Grey from the 'gypsy' pad. Scallops are made using my Nesties. Cuttlebug embossing folder together with a bloom and some ribbon from my stash.

Thanks for popping by xx vicki xx

just for you

This is a wallet card I sent to a lady over on the do-crafts forum together with some stamped images. The image is 'kitty' from the Sweet Ebony range by Elizabeth Bell. Papers are Papermania 'Simply Elegant' which I really like using at the mo, lovely patterns and colours. Sentiment is a stamp from HOTP and flowers are from my stash.

xx vicki xx

yay!!!!!! my puta's fixed.....

and it's all thanks to my hubby, he does come in handy sometimes...lol!!!! However did we manage before technology hey????? I thought I would just pop a few pics of our London weekend, hope you all don't mind.

Here is Moi, on Tower Bridge, which was right outside our lovely hotel. Moi again, sorry. This was taken on the lovely St Katherine Docks, just behind out Hotel.

Hubby and I, again at St Katherines Docks.
For all you chocoholics. Just had to take a piccie of this amazing chocolate creation at Harrods. mmmmmmm don't you just wish you could dive right in ....lol!!!!
Changing guards at Buckingham Palace.
Another view of Buck Palace.

I'm so sorry for being a very bad blogger recently. I promise to catch up with everyone this evening. Hope you are all happy and well, love and best wishes to you all xx vicki xx

I'm back....

and we had the most fabulous weekend. Mamma Mia was outstanding, loved every minute of it. Cor there were some hilarious one liner jokes, fab singing, great story and even my hubby said "well Vic to be honest I wasn't really looking forward to seeing it, but it was bl***y brilliant". Our hotel was really lovely, situated on St Katherines Dock overlooking Tower Bridge with easy access to all facilities. We crammed in so much sight seeing, I really loved Covent Garden, the people and atmosphere was amazing. We had a gorgeous meal in a lovely French cafe. Then went onto Portabello Road market, where I spotted Callum Best outside a bar......phwoar, he is very dishy...lol!!! As for the market itself, it was hectic, some very colourful characters around....hehe!! I then spotted a stall selling Olives, which I love, but there were sooooo many to choose from, so I got a few of every variety...yum yum!!!

Loved Regent Street, Oxford Street and Carnaby Street, just had to go to Molton Brown, Kipling and L'Occitane. And of course I can't miss out on Harrods, WOW!!! what an experience, the food, the clothes, the chocolates and the bags, so we all had a few treats.

Leaving Stephen at Paddington Station Sunday evening was tearjerking, to say the least. It was great to be able to spend such quality time together and to be able to have a proper conversation with each other. I think the whole weekend has changed me for the better. I feel recharged, rejuvenated and the old, happy Vicki is back...yay!!!!

I'm having a few computer problems at the mo, which is why I haven't posted any pics. My computer has locked up and I have no idea how to unlock it. So will have to wait til hubby comes home on Friday to rectify it. I'm using my son Toms at the mo, but it hasn't got the same facilities as mine. Cor however did we manage before computers hey!!!!

Thank you for all the lovely anniversary greetings in the post below. Also special thanks to my lovely buddies Kerry and Julie for the gorgeous cards they sent us.

I have visited a few blogs, gosh you have all been busy little crafters. It looks like I've a lot of catching up to do. Hopefully I will be able to leave some comments and view some more blogs throughout today.

Hope everyone is happy and well. TTFN xx vicki xx