tjc designs Blog

Wendie Rhodes Collection on Special offer

2008-08-05T08:28:00.003+01:00

Wendie Rhodes Collection is on Special offer for a limited period only, these delightful stamps from Wendie Rhodes are both popular and versatile. We have three ranges on offer her Art Nouveau, Christams Range and her Doodle Range Click here for more information

The Daddy!

2008-08-03T16:24:00.007+01:00

This is from my Fuji S9600 and then this one is taken with my new Nikon D80

neither photo has been edited and I cannot wait to get to grips with the New Daddy! The colour clarity and sharpness is fantastic and as I manage to get around the different settings and features I will be posting more pics! Oh happy days!

Introducing my car........ the V8 Vantage

2008-07-29T14:47:00.005+01:00

Last Friday we went to the Motor show in London to see...... well Aston Martins of course - my future car... well one can dream!

Now unfortunately most of the Cars that you go to a Motor show to see were in the UC area - otherwise known as the Ultimate Collection area, invitation only or £90.00 a pre-booked ticket area! Yes I know dissappopinting to say the least and way too cheeky of the organisers I say; but still I did manage to take a pic of my car

Stunning isn't it?! I think this may just have to be my new screen saver..... sigh

Some days it's just all over-rated

2008-07-28T22:58:00.003+01:00

Yep, some days it is just all over-rated that whole run your own business, be your own boss yarda, yarda, yarda and today is definately one of those days - so what did I do about it when I got home? Call a friend and lay it all out as one does? Nope - I thought why bring someone elses day down... no, I took up the Wii did some boxing and knocked out 5 opponents in the first round each - yep I was that annoyed - so there is another up side to the Wii stress relief! After that I did also do the step including the advanced, the yoga and a few of the other exercises and although my Wii age is still 40! I am feeling as though actually it is a good idea, it is amazing competitive you are with yourself, well me anyway, in the short space of time I have broken most of my own records and actually the trainer really is not that annoying and I know that I am working on muscles I did not even know existed because they are aching!

So we shall see what happens after a week. But the flip side is at least I am in a happier place this evening than I was late this afternoon!

Is it possible to be Wii Fit?

2008-07-27T08:07:00.008+01:00

Is it possible to be Wii fit? Well I am about to find out, after already having embarked on a healthier eating, dragging the exercise machine out of the garage and actually using it lifestyle Nick surprised us yesterday with a Wii and the Wii fit board etc... Now it has to be said I have already lost 3lbs through my above mentioned method and yes I did get back from London on Friday at about 9.00pm to then go onto the Gazelle for 28 minutes - yes I am dedicated (so far!) No seriously, I will not tell you my weight for I am not into public humiliation but let's just say I really need to lose 1 1/2 stone and let's just say that the Wii does confirm I am overweight (also to all and sundry who happen to be within ear shot at the time, so yes, thanks for that!) But I have mentioned before I hate the thought of being unfit, growing older and slower and then not having the fitness to keep up with my (very fit) 10 year old.

Now I do want to get paranoid about these things after all I would prefer to live my life rather than exist so I do not want to be counting every calorie and spending more time checking the labels for fat content and sugar than it actually takes to normally shop as I do not actually eat very unhealthily it purely comes down to the fact that I craft for a living which means I am sat down and the rest of my time I am running the two business' which means I am either on the computer (sat down) or on the telephone (sat down) and if I am really lucky I may be going to do a workshop or a demo so I am in the car (sat down, you can see where I am going with this then?!) and then hurrah at the demo or workshop I am predominantly stood up..... in one place!

So it is fair to say that apart from running up and down the stairs at home I do not get exercise at all. Now here within lies the problem - time - I always have lack of time due to how much I work but I have to make time and I guess this is one of the reasons the Wii helps - it keeps track of all the time you have spent doing the activities as well as your progress etc... and there is no way of cheating! if you have spent 30 mins exercising then you have spent 30 mins not that well I think I have probably been exercising for an hour or so! Now the other part is that you definitely work out more areas of the body - the Gazelle that I dragged out of the garage (that was at least 12 calories) is quite good for cardiovascular and working out parts of the body but not all, so the Wii fit it is and personally I can vouch for the fact that actually it is much tougher than you first think and as for the trainer well there is no fooling them either, after embarking on the muscular work out I realised we had the board the wrong way around so afterward the trainer, being very helpfull, said "now I know you stopped halfway through......." I wanted to then shout back well of course I did the board was the wrong way round! But alas that would have done me no good but I was content with the thought that if I ever do find the trainer too annoying there is always the mute button!

Online Video tutorial

2008-07-21T15:19:00.002+01:00

Hurrah! I have actually got round to doing another video tutorial for your crafty viewing pleasure - this is slightly different to my other videos as this is an altered project, well we are coming up to the summer holidays and I have revived an old board game to ensure that the kids will want to play it if we should have any of those British Rainy days that we are so well known for!

Enjoy!

Pop

2008-07-17T19:44:00.005+01:00

Some days you just feel as though things get to you that little bit more and today is one of those days, not one to harbor onto dates but it was a year ago today that we had my Pop's funeral and today this day is more devastating than the actual day he died? Why? because today a year ago it became real that he had died, up until the funeral I guess I could kid myself that actually it was just a mistake, it could not be real because he just couldn't be dead. He died of cancer and yes I know we knew it was inevitable but I guess we still thought that this miracle was going to happen and everything would be ok. I miss him more than I ever try to let on and still find it hard to think I will not see him again, or hug him. The picture above was taken at Paulton's Park, it was when we found he had cancer and so he wanted to take all the kids out, it was a happy yet somber day and there were not many smiles but I managed to catch this one on camera and I cannot even begin to explain how dear it is to me - I know it is not a perfect picture but non the less it is perfect to me because of who it represents.

I Got an award!

2008-07-16T16:01:00.003+01:00

Ok I am choked seriously, I must be sending out good vibes to have so many good things happening. The very bubbly and wonderful Dawn has given me this award

and so now I feel extra special! Isn't it nice to know that you are appreciated in some way.... So pass on this wonderful feeling these are the people I would like to nominate for this award

Clarebear - she is a solid Crafting buddy, class attendee, general phone conversational listner (for everything) and just one great friend

Kirsty - well lets face it not only is that girl amazingly talented but she also spreads sunshine to many people through her blog and actions and again is a friend any gal is lucky to have :)

Bernie Berlin - who does some amazing work and her blog will not only reduce you to tears of sadness but also of joy that one person can be so selfless, caring and giving. I had the great fortune to meet her at Ranger and she is one lady I will never forget

Terri - she is amazing, such a nice person and has freakingly cool stuff on her blog that she makes with her very own fair hands

Donna - this girl cracks me up! Seriously she is very funny - I love her honest upfront approach to things and that fact that she is so comfortable in her own skin - and when her daughter adds her 2cents worth it is soooo adorable

Now I know I meant to put down 7 but the other blogs that inspire the most have people that are here, there and everywhere and so rarely add the awards that get passed on and no that is not a snobbish thing, just I am too darn busy type thing and you know what I can relate, although I am tying to take things at a slighter slower pace after so many bollockings from friends

So the other two sites that inspire me the most are

Tim Holtz - well you would not expect less surely?!

Rebecca Sower - I love her Photograph's and they inspire in a number of ways that would bore you to death so I shall leave it there and just tell you to go and check it out

The rules for the award are as follows:
The rules for this award are:-

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 people you've nominated.

As promised

2008-07-15T08:41:00.014+01:00

Kirsty has returned home sniff sniff, it was amazing seeing her and so touching that in this manic world you can have people that help you to slow down and take a break - it is not an easy feat for me to be able to do that so it was appreciated loads.

So Monday was a typical Monday, trying to get everything back on track, projects to make, the PartiCraft Magazine articles to write and put together, kits to put together for tjc designs oh and then a meeting to squeeze in to then return home and start all over again. But then his morning I have the great job of sharing the photo's that the extremely talented Kirsty took and then that makes me smile all over again and reminds me that I had the best weekend I have had in ages :)

I adore these pictures of Kiehsa she has the most beautiful natural smile (I know slightly bias) but it warms me to the very bottom of my soul!

Poppylicious

2008-07-13T19:39:00.012+01:00

Well what a day - firstly have actually managed to get some much needed housework done and can I say that you really know who your friends are when they pick up a duster and the polish and tootle off to clean your front room! Which basically means either Kirsty really did think I was way too stressed out and that I do need help or that she thinks my front room is way to skanky to even sit in! I cooked a Roast dinner and had proper Yorkshire puds made by a proper yorkshire lass and then we went off to have photographs taken. I knew of an amazing field full of poppies that I have been dying to get too to snap some pictures Loved this Dragonfly photo, I am still chuffed with myself that I managed to get it so clearly.... ok self congratulatory period now over....!

And of course no afternoon would be complete without a few pics of Kiesha
I will post some more of the pictures we took later and I will also put up the ones from Kirsty soon too as they are AMAZING!!!!

Kirsty Wiseman and the Twycross Adventure

2008-07-12T23:01:00.013+01:00

We had the fortune of taking Kirsty to Prima Crafts in Atherstone, we were taking Kirsty to the shop, dropping her off and then Kiehsa and I were going to spend the day together until we picked Kirsty up at 4.00pm...... so where were we to go? Well that was to be the adventure and an adventure it was, it was suggested by Emma to go to Twycross Zoo so off we trundled and here is what we saw

Kiesha and I had a fab time, it has been ages since we went to the Zoo and great to spend some quality time together.

We met some great people today too at the Prima Crafts shop, Emma, Anne, Anne and Rosy who lives in Corby no less! Thanks to all of them for making us so welcome and helping me spend more money on crafting goodies - I know as if I need more! But I had to get the big bite obviously as I NEED it! LOL

We then went to the Tong Thai in Kettering on the way home and now watching the second film of the evening, though I think Kirsty has crashed - not that I am surprised she was up at 5am! I know the life of a crafting celeb! Fantastic to be able to catch up though as it has been ages as we all seem to be working so much that we do not have time to see each other so much these days :(

Judging Amy

2008-07-10T18:02:00.003+01:00

It is very rare I watch tv these days because well there are just never enough hours in the day which you probably can tell by the lack of updates recently but this afternoon my brain was just fried! I am so tired that I thought you know what I am taking a break so Judging Amy it was and wow how many morals can one programme jam in an hour? and how emotional? Uhuh I know I am tired and that always increases the liklihood of me getting sentimental at the smallest of things but I swear I nearly cried like three times!

So two things I have learnt today which are not exactly major brain waves more like just that I will actually take note. I need to take a break more often (stop this whole crashing thing) and I do not talk to my friends as often as I should - oh yes all this just from watching Judging Amy.... see even multitasking when watching tv!

So what programmes have sparked off a little reality check for you?

Update

2008-06-23T11:23:00.004+01:00

Ok so I know I have seriously lacked on updating my blog but that is because the PartiCraft side has demanded a bit more attention but all in a very positive way, Sheena and I have just completed the Ranger University course which has been amazing and you can see all about that on my PartiCraft blog.

I have so many things planned for tjc designs too - I just need to duplicate myself or extend the days as 24hrs is just never enough!!!

I am currently working out my new workshop timetable and am happy to announce that I will be having a Delish Designs workshop!! Oh yes, we will be using the wonderful Boutique feel products to create some amazing projects and as with all my workshops learning a myriad of techniques to create different looks and inspire new creations (I cannot wait!).

I am also working on some new project packs that will be available some geared towards Card making others mini scrapbooks and of course with the summer holidays looming closer there will be a number of projects that the children can do to keep them occupied. I will be having one children's workshop during the summer holidays and shall let you know all the details about that soon too.

Traci x

Any lengths

2008-06-08T21:35:00.006+01:00

Sometimes you will go to any lengths to get the shot you want - yesterday while travelling back from Edith Weston I spotted some poppies mixed in with some other flowers and new I really wanted to get a photo of them so today on the way back I pulled my car in as close as I could so I could get out and take the picture - well sometimes you just have to go that litle but further and it makes the shot even more worthwhileI also wanted to play around with the focusing on the camera, I do not confess to be a photographer by any means but I am an enthusiast and planning on learning so much more but I have to say I love this shot

and here is the last one I want to share with you today, I cannot wait to scrapbook these - poppies are my favourite flowers and have such a striking presence, I have a couple of layout ideas that I want to try out but they will have verry different looks

Edith Weston Vintage Fayre - 1940's Nostalgia

2008-06-07T20:21:00.005+01:00

I thought I would share a few pictures that Kiesha managed to take for me while we are at the Craft Fayre at Edith Weston Vintage Fayre

The recent downpours may have hinder things a bit

But it certainly dod not dampen our spirits! As usual we have met some great people and enjoyed the day - we are back at Edith weston tomorrow from 10.00am - 5.00pm so hopefully we will see some of you there!

Yoga

2008-05-13T23:40:00.003+01:00

I have become one with the world...... well ok maybe not but tonight was my first ever Yoga class and I can still move!! Yep not crippled yet and besides managing (I think skillfully) to stifle the occasional giggle I did quite enjoy it. I have made a conscious decision that enough is enough and I work, work, work so a little me time was in need off, also there is the slight overweight, lack of exercise, feeling sluggish matter that I felt was long over due in the "being dealt with" department, so a whole two days have been accomplished on my slimfast diet, which is not a bad start.

I have to say that when I diet I do suffer terribly from IBS which my interpretation is Irritable B**ch Syndrome but that has not kicked in just yet..... it will though give it time! I had a shock a few days ago when I got on those dreaded scales, you know the scenario - I thought; I have really put on a bit of weight and think I need to do something about it.... ummm how much do I weigh......??? OMG!!!! O M G.... no WAY, but it was a big red definate YES WAY, I am very disappointed in myself, so I pulled myself off to the side had a stern talking to and decided that the dirty dead of dieting was just going to have to be done no matter how much I hate it! And stick to it I must, not only for me but you know there are health issues to think off too, oh yeah do you know how much they drum into about pressure on joints, heart problems... need I go on? And let's face it I am a Momma so want to be a fit Healthy Momma for my little girl not that, no that is alright babe you go ahead I will catch up in a minute kinda Mum! I shall let you know how I go.

It's a tent thing

2008-05-05T10:11:00.005+01:00

I love my daughter - well of course I do but there are times when the cup truely does runneth over! and last night was one of them, she came rushing into my office and said Mum, Mum can I sleep in my tent, pleeeaaaase, (as if I would have said no anyway?!) yes of course babe was my reply which then resulted in a massive YESSSSS and apparently this exciting news also deserved a jump and arm punching movement in the air.... it made me giggle, bless the excitement of children and wow if only we could still feel as excited as that ourselves although I think I may have a slight problem fitting in that tent! Kiesha has had that pop up tent for years and I had my original doubts of whether she would still fit in it!

So with laptop in tow she played in her little den before visiting the land of nod - I love it! In fact I had to get one of my favourite pictures of Kiesha when she was younger, you have to excuse the shape but it is usually in a frame in her bedroomHow cute is this picture! and OMG how, when, why did she get so big!!! ...... LOL It is great to see that she can still play and have fun though - it is at times like these that my heart melts into that big puddle on the floor!

For a good cause

2008-05-04T12:29:00.000+01:00

A year ago we had the terrible news that there was an accident on the A14 involving a family we knew and William a child in Kiesha's year at school died at the tender age of 8, it was devastating and too this day I do not know how Louise and her family cope. Louise is doing the 3 Peaks challenge in order to raise money for Brake a Road Safety Charity so as to try and stop more families being tragically torn apart.

Here is the link http://www.justgiving.com/williamelbrow?page=2#donationtable

I hope you can take the time to take a look and learn about a gorgeous little boy who many loved and adored.

Nick's Mum

2008-05-03T17:58:00.002+01:00

Nick's Mum is in hospital and I have been poised over the telephone ever since I heard - bags at the ready to head down to Devon if needs be. At the mo the news is that it is serious but not critical - there just seems to be something about this time of year! Look back over last years posts at this time and you will know exactly what I mean, you know I am a glass half full kinda of girl and I am extremely philosphical and positive but that is not always easy. In fact I am debating about just going down to Devon anyway, I always feel helpless when I am not actually doing something, although on the flip side what can I do? Well life can be challenging but I guess that is what makes it so special :)

A Christmas Card

2008-05-01T23:15:00.003+01:00

Here is a card I have made for PartiCraft - isn't this snowman cute - I love the stamp - I have watercoloured some of the detail and then used Aurora Cosmic Shimmer glitter and yes I know it is way too early to think of Christmas bu it would appear the more organised of my customers and starting their Christmas creating already! We have had a run on Christmas decoupage sheets..... I would love to think this year I will be organised to make them in advance but then.... I know what I am like so it will be a last minute job as always!

Some days you cope and others......

2008-04-30T08:35:00.002+01:00

As people aren't we strange?! Yesterday I was just way too emotional and just did not cope well, I think as a Mum you push back your own feelings to be strong for your children but then you do not let out your own, well yesterday I was still pushing back until I just couldn't any more! I broke down in tears on the phone to Wendy - bless her she only called to find out if I had finished doing the latest video for WS Designs! And then late last night well there was just no stopping me..... But I have to say it is an old Cliche but I do feel better for it. So it truely is Better out than in!

I also wanted to say thank you to all of you who left comments, it does make a difference and it is appreciated :)

The only thing I can say is thank G for Scrapbooking as when it is not quite so raw I am sure I will be laughing about many moments while scrapping them about our fav little guinea pig

Goodbye Mr M

2008-04-26T17:06:00.003+01:00

Avid Blog readers will have heard about Milo, one of our Guinea Pigs on many occasions, unfortunately Kiesha had discovered him this morning when going to let them out - he had passed away, she was hysterical and I have to admit as I took him out of the Hutch I was shaking and hoping with all my heart that we were wrong and that he was just lying very still.

I cannot tell you how upset we are, he had so much personality and was a true member of our family, before we got Morphy Milo used to live inside in Kiesha's bedroom, when she had gone to school and I started to work in the office he would totter in say Hi and then walk back out again! If I had been out for the day when I got back home he would start to squeak hello he was just so darn cute and the reason that many of my friends have and are still getting guinea pigs as pets, he will be greatly missed by us all. He truely went through all the stages too, we had him as a baby and he was adorable, we had the teenage stage where he would literally turn his back on me - it was hilarious and over the last few months we even had the grumpy man syndrome. The void left by Milo will never be filled, as no other pet will ever have the special place in my heart that he has, I love Morphy don't get me wrong but sometimes you just have a connection with a pet that is a little bit more and I had never expected that to be with a guinea pig but Milo had just that.

Father's Day

2008-04-17T14:13:00.003+01:00

Father's Day is fast approaching and here at tjc designs we have been busy preparing many of our male orientated products into one easy category entitled..... Well Father's day of course!

Weird or what?!

2008-04-16T23:26:00.004+01:00

More items have been listed on Ebay and wow is it taking a loooooong time! I have now listed the original Sizzix Dies and well I the pile is going down! LOL On the bright side though I was at the Big Stamp and Scrapbook show at the weekend with PartiCraft and met Deborah an avid blog reader so I wanted to say Hi - it was great meeting you. Now I had to snap this yesterday, I was eating an after eight mint yummmm.... and went to lick off the chocoalte from my finger.... as you do and had to stop as it......Looks just like a K..... how weird is that?! I could not believe it so obviously had to take a pic - one handed in all!

Toys are out!

2008-04-07T22:02:00.003+01:00

Yep that is it toys are out! So in answer Debbie no I have not found them :( - and now I am at a loss as to where the disk can be! So the toys are out and the shouting and stomping the feet are in... not that that has ever actually helped anybody find alost item but I thought if kids like doing it so much there must be something in it...... and there is...... a HEADACHE! LOL

That is IT!

2008-04-04T09:08:00.000+01:00

Photo storage/organisation is just going to HAVE to be dealt with! Isn't it just SO annoying when you have the perfect LO in your head, you have chosen the photo's, the papers, the embellishments and you get that rush of excitement and need to get it done NOW, only then..... hmmmm now where did I store that photo? Now admittedly this is not helped by the fact that I have changed computers three times over the last year, (I know we had a phase of technology breaking down at every given opportunity!) So that meant transferring onto disks etc..... Now I know that somewhere I have the cutest pictures of some Ducklings taken at Indio Pond Fishery when we went to see Nick's family but alas they are evading me right now...... so frustrating and then just because you can't do that LO that is all you think about..... hmmmm no other crafting inspiration will allow itself in your brain... not even a card! You try to think OK I could do..... and that is it the photo pops back in.... so you think again and there is the completed LO in your minds eye shouting at you to find the photo. So I am off to hunt for it, if I have not posted for weeks you know I have got lost in the abyss.........

Ohhhh for me?

2008-04-02T22:31:00.004+01:00

Now It has been nearly 3 weeks since I became blugh and got what I originally thought was a cold, which then turned into a very bad cold and well it all kinda of progressed from there and everytime I thought Hurrah gettin over it...... nope it was a false hope! Glad to say now... finally I think I am - though I do still feel knackered all the time which is crazy and just not like me, but my day has been brightened.........

I got an award from Debz who is jusat so darn lovely!

This award originates from the Spanish blog Arte Y Pico and there are 5 rules attached, they are:

1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogging community, no matter what language. 2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link "Arte Y Pico" blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5) To show these rules.

The 5 people I award this to are:

Clarebear

Louly

Nimble Fingers

Kirsty

Donna

Ebay!

2008-03-30T23:24:00.004+01:00

I have had to de-clutter my room and be.... well rather ruthless about it! Of course I will still be taking Classes for tjc designs but not as many as I have been and what with the impending PartiCraft schedule I just will not have as much time for personal Crafting, so Ebay it is then! Oh yes, I am selling, punches, stamps, Ellison Dies, My cuttlebug, my cricut (I have the cricut expressions and I am sooo keeping that!) card stock and all the items I have questioned many times as to why I bought them? Do you do that buy Crafting Stuff and then have the whole why? that is not even my style, maybe I just thought I would broaden the horizons... but seriously the next time I do that I should have a slap because they just do not get used! Only thing is I have SO much stuff that I think it will take an age to list it all!

My room is now prestine and organised

The stuff that I took out of my room...... well........

Oh well better get back to it!

Look What You've Started!

2008-03-27T20:33:00.007Z

That was the title of the email Corrine sent to me along with the pics of her Daughter Amy and Amy's friend Chloe. Bless them - Corrine, Amy and Chloe came to see me at The Range in Clacton-on-Sea when I was demoing for Trimcraft, Amy wanted to make a card so she sat in my seat and we told her she had to explain what she was doing.... well the future of demonstrating has been forseen and it definately lies with Amy - I guess with Crafting Mum's do they really have a choice?! As Kiesha's future in demonstrating has also been forseen! Amy and Chloe obviously got the bug as they then spent the rest of their time creating and pretending to be on TV - how cool is that!

I am glad to see that Chloe has taken inspiration from one of the cards I made and she has used DCWV products.... well done!

Girls your cards look fab and I am so glad to have met you and see that a little inspiration can go along way X

Snowball fight in action

2008-03-24T20:17:00.006Z

Wow what an Easter! Let's start with the dissappointment and then get to the positive spandangling bits!

So during the short Easter Break Kiesha and I were going to go to Kirsty's to support Ellie in Raising money to get to the States to see a doc that will hopefully shed some light on her condition, we were really looking forward to it not just because I have not seen Kirsty for ages but Kiesha and Ellie get on so well but alas it was not to be - I have had the worst cold Ihave had in years and I am still suffering but at least I feel as though I am coming to the end. So the flipside? well Kiesha and I got in some serious Board game playing and playstation time, we have not done that in ages and it was fab! Of course I did get through 3 boxes of tissues and believe me rudolph has nothing on the redness of my nose! I also did some cooking with Kiesha, infact I am amazed at how domesticated I have been, it is a rare treat as I do not usually have time for such baking pleasures, I made Bread & Butter pudding, Banana Loaf, more biscuits and dinners that Delia Smith would love to get the recipe for! But don't worry life will be back to normal tomorrow - you know rushing around - trying to cook dinner in half an hour with making it as healthy as poss

I also got some pics with my old digi - why? - oh that would be because mky fab fuji S9600 has decided to go on holiday itself during the easter break! Oh yes it does not even switch on!!

And Easter Morning? SNOW - SNOW AND MORE SNOW - it was fab! The best Easter we have ever had! Kiesha was sooo excited as the Easter Bunny had been - we then got dressed, had a Snow Ball fight

Which presented us with many photo opportunities - scrabooking r us coming soon! I love this shot - snow ball mid air!

Then we had the snowman building session - So much fun - I think we all came in rosey cheeked and beaming and Nick and I acted about he same age as Kiesha!

Just call me the Domestic Goddess

2008-03-19T20:41:00.002Z

Oh yes domestic goddess syndrome took over this morning, I took the car in to be fixed, walked back inthe glorious sunshine which set the mood, I witnessed a number of crocuses poking the heads out in appreciatio of the sun and daffodils standing proud - it made me smile.

So the domestic goddess bit..... well get this I made loads of Biscuits as well as bread and yes I also got some house work done too and all this with what seems to be a humdinger of a head cold which briefly disguised itself as possible tonsalitus oh yes it was that bad and now it has definately come to fruition - oh lucky me! for the recipe of the biscuite pop on over to http://www.tracicornelius.blogspot.com/

It was an Eggcellent Class!

2008-03-18T23:30:00.005Z

Ok so it has started already the very poor and overused Egg inuendos - but kinda appropriate for this mornings class

We made Easter Cards today and all seemed to have a great time - Claire 2 is still poorly so loads of hugs to you and hope you get better soon X, Karen we missed you too.

Here is one of the cards in progress! Well have camera will take pictures!

You've been framed!

2008-03-18T00:01:00.002Z

Trawling through my files on my laptop as, as usual I need more space so I was seeing what could be deleted etc... as you do and got slightly side tracked as I came across loads of photo's I have yet to edit and scrap. This one is one of my favourites it is not the best quality as the focus should have been much better but I know more now about taking photos than I did then, but what I do like is the framing it was just such a fun shot to take. It has also inspired me enough to ger the camera out and just go for a wander with my little lady and get some more random shots, so I will have to scedule in some time when it is not so grey - hopefully I may get a chance during the Easter Break.

The Range, Clacton-on-Sea

2008-03-15T07:04:00.005Z

Today I am off to the Range at Clacton-on-sea and will be demonstrating there from 10.00am-4.00pm, this is the last demo I am doing for Trimcraft due to my new commitments to PartiCraft so it is a little sad - I cannot wait to really get stuck into the new venture but I have met some amazing people while demoing for Trimcraft and some that I have been fortunate enough to see on a few occassions so I shall miss them, but with every opportunity it brings different people through the door as they say. Today's demo's will be on the amazing Goody Bags which are a Fabulous £9.99! as well as the DCWV range - beautiful, stunning what more can I say it is DCWV! Well hope to see some of you there later x

I got a present!

2008-03-11T20:23:00.015Z

See you do not hear from me in ages and then I post twice in one day! Well that is just me I am an all or nothing kinda girl - LOL Actually the reason for posting is to update you on today's class and show you what we did and to show you my amazing present!

For today's class we made pop-up cards, but everyone made one to their own style or theme, I whipped up this one as I wanted it to be suitable for a boy.

So onto the present then...... well let's start by saying that my forum is closing on Friday 21st March 2008 mainly because I just do not have enough time to dedicate to it so a few of the ladies made me the most amazing pressie and it was presented to me by Mez after the Craft group today - I tell you I nearly cried I was so touched!

Isn't it gorgeous!? I cannot thank the ladias enough I was chuffed to bits with it and it just shows that sometimes when you do things it does make a difference to other peoples lives.

I'm Still here

2008-03-11T07:50:00.002Z

I'm still here! I am so sorry I have been extremely busy as of late, some of you by now know that I am involved in an extremely exciting business called Particraft and as it has only recently been launched it is keeping my very busy, now as this blog is mainly about me and my business I have started a new blog that will keep you abreast of all the Particraft details etc.... simply entitled Traci Cornelius Blog it maybe a little hectic for a while as I feel as though I am running two companies but it is not quite like that and it will ease of so if my blog updates are sporadic for a little while I am apologising in advance!

So this morning I have another Craft Group at the baptist church and I have a few people coming that I have not ssen for awhile - so I cannot wait, we are making a card based on the one I have made for Particraft pop on over to the other blog to see. I will be having some more projetcs for tjc designs soon and I am trying to find a date where I can do a Rubber Stamping Workshop - it will be on a saturday so if you are interested please register your interest by emailing me and I will send you the details when they are finalised.

Look what I got!

2008-03-05T08:46:00.003Z

Ohhhh look what I got! Bless Debz for sending me this and as is tradition I need to nominate some of my fav blogs to recieve this so here goes:
Kirsty
Clare
Nimble fingers
Lizzy

It's Snowing

2008-03-04T07:50:00.002Z

It's snowing!!!! Oh I had one happy lady this morning she has been waiting since December for it to snow! No amount of explaining could persuade her that we were unlikely to get snow..... so this morning before school out she went to delight in this rare treat (I am sure some of you do not look at it that way but to a 10 year old it is the best treat there is).

Kiesha was trying to catch snow and I managed to call her and snap this pic, I have a couple more that I snapped while she was engrossed in her enjoyment so LO's galore will be happening and I have the perfect paper for one of them - oh happy days!

Email tagged again!

2008-03-01T09:46:00.002Z

Oh yes I got email tagged again and as always I like to share these with you so you can copy it then tag your mates!

TAG YOU'RE IT!
If you opened it, you have to do it. Then, send it back to the person
Who sent it to you and the rest of your friends!

Two names you go by:

1. Traci - Obvious

2. Pinky .... ummm no explanation needed there either!

Two of your favourite things to do:
1. crafting

2. Spending time with Nick & Kiesha

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. More time

2. Ummmm.... still more time!

Two favourite pets you have or have had:
1. Milo - our guinea pig

2. Spirit - was my phsyco cat

Two people who will fill this out:
1. Lizzie

2. Karen

Two things you ate today:
1. I have not eated yet it is morning

2. as above

Two people you last talked to:
1. Nick - my partner

2. Kiesha - my daughter

Two things you're doing tomorrow:
1. Demonstration in St Albans

2. coming home to then work on projects!

Two longest car rides:
1. Every Demo - I go to many places

2. To Devon to see family

Two favourite holidays:
1. Potugal

2. Majorca - these are the only two holidays we have had as a family

Two favourite beverages:
1. Tea - OMG I could not live without tea

2. Cool water - the most refrshing drink you can have

Hope you enjoy finding out more about the people you know x

Mercy - yeah yeah yeah

2008-02-27T18:45:00.003Z

I just had to share this song with you - mainly because it rocks! Yeah baby it has me singing loud and proud!! It cheers me up no end and well it is a twirling hum dinger of a song - so I implore all of you to play and sing and dance around as even if you have had a crappy day I guarantee you will be smiling afterward!

2008-02-25T18:01:00.005Z

Well as usual I met some great people at the weekend and I had a great time demoing - I was at Gardenlands in Wolverhampton on Saturday and at Huntingdon Garden & Leisure in Huntingdon on Sunday. Today was a catch up with emails and orders and then as Kiesha had a day off school due to a teacher training day we headed off for a bit of geocaching this afternoon.

While searching for the Woodford Windy Water Tower Cache - which we did not find :( - we found this mini track which Kiesha had the bursting need to run around - it was so funny watching her and shame I could not share the sound effects that went along with it - these are the moments I love! We did have a lot of fun but it was very disappointing at we did not find any of the caches - then we discovered that the GPS is out! That is of course after 21/2 hours!! LOL at least we had fun anyway and I love the fact that we got to spend some time together.

I love the way Nick has taken control of the GPS he is such a techno fan!

The Pink Process

2008-02-22T23:24:00.002Z

Well another busy day getting to grips with more tools in photoshop, designing more papers and sets as well as making samples for this weekends demo's. Tomorrow I am at Gardenlands in Wolverhampton and then on Sunday I am at Huntingdon Garden & Leisure. So an exciting weekend lies ahead, tomorrow Kiesha is coming with me as we used to live in Telford so she will be visiting Alan who lives in Wolverhampton. Alan is a DJ on Telford FM and the wolf and I used to work with him when I worked at Telford FM selling advertising air space - OMG what a tough job that was! But Alan and I have been firm friends ever since but with his hectic schedule and me trying to work 22 hours in a day we do not get to see each other much.

It is great though that Kiesha has the chance to see all and play with Laura, I am hoping I get the chance to take some pics before we head back home. We cannot stay long unfortunately as today it is my Man's 39th Birthday but he is..... umm.... not quite sure which country he is in but he will not be home until tomorrow and what with me working in Sunday I need to spend a bit of time with him then so we can celebrate. Nick is not really into celebrating Birthday's but Kiesha is fairly insistent on these things so he has very little choice!

I wanted to share the above digi layout with you which I completed the other day; I came across it on my PC when I was spring cleaning it and thought it was high time I finished it. It was the dyeing process of my hair for charity and OMG I was dreading it and now? Well now I am permanently pink! Just a shame my Dad passed before he got to see it, oh he missed out on a great ribbing opportunity. I still miss him loads.

The projects

2008-02-21T17:19:00.010Z

So after your little taster this morning here are a few of the samples I showed at Stitches.

So there you go pics at last.

Traci x

Re-united!

2008-02-21T08:11:00.005Z

Just a few pics to whet your appetite - Jayne has brought out her own range of stamps which is very exciting and wow they are so cute, they are being sold through Crafters Companion so you have to go and check them out.

I thought I would share my Dear Tooth Fairy LO with you, it has all of the letters that Kiesha has written to the Tooth Fairy so far and yes those are some of her teeth too, which as Amanda pointed out to me is just wrong! (and on the subject of wrong Amanda that has to be the longest prolonged photograph session in history.... so long infact that no picture was taken!! I will scrap you yet my girl don't you worry! x)

There may have also been a few drinks involved...... but only a few ;0

How well do you know me?

2008-02-20T16:25:00.003Z

I got sent this this morning so thought I would add it to the blog, why not copy it and send it to your mates you may be surprised what you learn!

1. What time did you get up this morning? 8.30 (well that was when I woke up! Today is resting feet day so technically getting up is a whole different ball game today!).
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Enchanted
4. What is your favourite TV show? I don't get time to watch TV
5. What do you eat for breakfast? Varies on what mood I am in
6. What is your middle name? Jane
7. What food do you dislike? Fruit cakes etc...
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Ohh that is a good one....ummmmm? probably Timberland
9. What kind of car do you drive? Ford Galaxy
10. Favourite sandwich? Mozorella, Basil and tomatoe toasted - wow it rocks!
11. What characteristic do you despise? Rudeness, People who think they are above others
12. Favourite item of clothing? One of my printed tops it has a great print!
14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Venice
15. What colour is your bathroom? White
16. Favourite brand of clothing? I'm not into Brands I buy stuff because I like it not because who makes it
17. Where would you retire to? Retire who said I would retire!
18. What was your most favourite birthday? 30
19. Favourite sport to watch? Rugby
20. Furthest Place you are sending this? America
21. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? Corrine
22.Person you expect to send it back first? Clare
23.Favourite saying? Creativity is allowing oneself to make mistakes, Art is knowing which ones to keep
24. When is your birthday? 12th October
25. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night
26. What is your shoe size? 5
27.Pets? 2 guinea pigs, Milo & Morphy
28. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I have just been asked to design for a company!!!
29. What did you want to be when you were little? An Actress
30. How are you today? Tired!! but full of ideas and designs!
31. What is your favourite candy? Strawberry pencils
32. What is your favourite flower? I do not have a favourite as all flowers make me happy!
32. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? I look forward to everyday
33. What is your full name? Traci Jane Cornelius
34. What are you listening to right now? The birds and the hum of the A14 traffic!
35. What was the last thing you ate? A snicker bar and it was good!
36. Do you wish on stars? of course doesn't everyone?
37. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Orange
38. How is the weather right now? Sunny but cold
42. Favourite restaurant? The Tong Thai in Kettering, Northants
43. Hair colour? Pink
44. Siblings? What ones I admit too? No I am kidding; 2
45. Favourite day of the year? Christmas Day
46. What was your favourite toy as a child? My pens and paint
47. Summer or Winter? Summer definately!
48. Hugs or kisses? Both and plenty of them!
49. Coffee or tea? Tea
50. Chocolate or Vanilla? Oh ummm chocolate as in the bars but for ice cream Vanilla
51. Do you want your friends to email you back? As always!
52. When was the last time you cried? When I thought about my Dad
53. What is under your bed? Drawers with presents in... shhhh don't tell Kiesha!
54. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Rachel
55.What did you do last night? Crashed after the NEC, called mates to catch up and then slept!
56. Favourite smell? Wood burning in a fire
57. What are you afraid of? The wind and spiders
58. Salty or sweet? Sweet
59. How many keys on your key ring? 2
60. How many years at your current job? 3
61. Favourite Day of the week? Everyday as I try to make the most out of them
62. How many towns have you lived in? 10 I think?
63. Do you make friends easily? Yes but best friends takes a long time
64. How many people will you send this to? 25
65. How many will respond? Hopefully 20

Crashed!

2008-02-19T22:16:00.004Z

OMG!!! I have had the most amazing three days, I have seen loads of people, hugged and had the general catch up and the OMG it has been sooooo long since I have seen you moments mixed in with the wow it is great to finally meet you moments and topped off with the ocassional it was great to meet you and I hope we stay in touch moments, I had a blast I met some fabulously talented but genuinely lovely people that have inspired me no end. So with my usual boundless energy and enthusiam I have now spectacularly crashed!!! Oh yes the boots came off in the car and drove home bare foot with all my will power on persuading my aching feet that they just needed to push the pedals to get me home! And now with laptop in tow I am sat up with PJ's on and I am in bed - oh my there is just nothing like your own bed is there? No matter where you go your own bed is warmer, more comfortable and well just ahhhh that feels better!

So many things to share and a few pics too....... ummmmm...... when I get my camera which is with John from Janome..... I know, I know take the samples the paper etc... and leave the most valueable item! Duh!!! to say I was getting tired at the pack up stage was an understatement and yes my brain had melted into well about 1/2 a brain cell and I had a pink moment! So my camera will be reunited with me in a couple of days, so that is when the pics will be shared.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all of those of you who were just the darndest sweetest people as you are the ones that make standing on your feet for three days not only worth it but enjoyable, mainly:
Amanda, Wendy R, Wendy S & Wendy (I know popular name I thinks!) Lizzie, Jayne, Tim, Alan, Debs, Sam, Karen, Kay, Tracy, Joanna, Corrina (luvs you loads and such a shame we did not get to talk more but we will.... you know it!) ohhhh and so many more and wow did I get to meet some great people to Hendrick, Judi, Sarah, Ginger, Rob - Judi from scrapadashery has some gorgeous papers and I may just have to make her one of my bestest friends!!!! papers all made with distress inks - they rock and OMG - on what ROCKS and I mean what really ROCKS grungeboard Oh I am soooo in love with that - I LOVE it and I NEED it, I do...... no I really do, one must play to progress! (that is my excuse and I am sticking to it!)

Oh dear see the mere thought of Grungeboard has now shaken off the tiredness and the excitement returns... not good I need to sleep - LOL

Congratulations Joanna!

2008-02-18T06:53:00.005Z

Congratulations Joanna!!!! She won three awards last night at the Hobby & Stitches show which is amazing and I am so happy for her - she deserves it. She is extremely hard working and one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet.

The show has got off to a good start and I have met some very nice people and one that would have rugby tackled me for my

Karen Foster apron if she'd have had the chance! Oh yes it's all going on!! I am going to try and get some snaps today of my work as well as the gorgeous people I am lucky enough to catch up with but I will not be able to share them with you until Tues/weds. It will be worth the wait!!!

Catch up

2008-02-14T22:51:00.004Z

Here is a digi layout I did the other night on our first geo-caching experience.

Kiesha won a silver medal in her gymnastics yesterday and was so thrilled! I am very happy for her as she has practised loads and our front room has been a gynasiam for weeks!

Well yesterday and today have been a major catch up after being ill. Today I have made four cards and I will share pics of them after the NEC - I have also completed my Tooth Fairy layout which I cannot wait to share but there is a story to it to so again after the NEC I shall reveal all!

I just wanted to leave you with a pic of me and my man, we had lunch together which is such a rare treat and all I can say is I miss spending time together, sometimes I feel like my days are so busy I miss out on the time with Kiesha and Nick but it will sort itself out all in good time.

I is sick

2008-02-12T21:26:00.000Z

Well sick in the sense that I have a virus very kindly passed onto me by Clarebear - Oh yes I AM blaming you! the virus is very considerate in that it believes in making sure that no part of your body is left out! So we have the aching, the headaches, the sore throat, the dizziness and just for good measure the ocassional cold and hot sweats - wow I am so attractive at the mo! Well so Nick tells me in that incredible sarcastic undertone that he has! Bless him.

Kiesha has her Gymnastics competition tomorrow and is so over excited! So I already have my orders to get up tomorrow to do her hair etc...

I have loads of stuff to get done tomorrow as the Hobby & Stitches show is getting ever closer and what with being poorly I am getting behind but I know I will get it all done as let's face it, we all panic but everything always does get completed on time and then we always wonder afterward how?!

I wanted to put this pic up of Kiesha - the focus is not perfect but I love the light in this pic - it is so soft and typical of afternoon light - I have not done any editing on so will be playing with that when health is all back to normal.

Geocaching

2008-02-10T20:11:00.000Z

Today was my only day off for a while and so I wanted to make the most of it! Nick is home so it was a chance for the three of us to do something together; so today was our first day Geocaching!!! After Kirsty blogging and talking about it we thought it would be good and then Jane also took the treasure hunt frenzy up and well I thought it would be a great family thing for us to do, so Nick was sent out on Friday with my GPS orders and while I was demoing at Craft Central in Folkestone yesterday he was getting to grips with it! And today well Team NTK was born and off we trekked!

We walked for miles and loved every minute of it, we found our first Cache and were over the moon! unfortunately we did not find the other two but we saw some beautiful sights and just revelled in spending time together - I highly recommend it for great exercise but also just some fun family time together, I do not think Kiesha has ever been as interested in measurements until today!

Crafty Day

2008-02-06T00:22:00.001Z

Ok so I haven't taken the pictures yet - my batteries are flat on the camera and I have been searching for the recharger but to no avail..... well that is until about a second ago, when now in bed with laptop I thought well I will update the blog without the pics then and get an early night, well an early night for me (at 10 past midnight!) and pants there it is right next to the bed! LoL always the way. Well I had so may creative plans for today but as usual when I plan to create the phone has been non-stop! I did take a class this morning and one tonight too but it was the items for stitches that I wanted to get started on. Tomorrow well actually today I have three members of the forum coming over for a crafty day of creativity - I posted a mini competition so a few could come on over to mine and take advantage of my ever increasing stock of tools and of course the knowledge that is stuffed into this little brain of mine. I cannot wait, one it will be great to put faces to names and I will be creating, oh yes making!!! there will be no stopping me - I am hoping to get started on my Tooth fairy layout I cnnot wait to get it done, the picture I have of it in my head is fab so let's just hope it turns out like that!!!

I've been Tagged!

2008-02-04T19:56:00.000Z

Ok So feeling chuffed at my update and then ohhh I got a comment :) and uha I have been tagged too! So thank you to Shirley! Ok I jest I love tags I think they are great so here goes

7 interesting facts..... ummmm 7 interesting facts..... 7 interesting facts???..........

1. I am libra so that means I am PERFECTLY balanced (soo many of you will be laughing right now!)

2. I used to be a postwomen

3. I used to sell fruit & veg on a market stall (desperate times!)

4. I am scared of household spiders and the wind (don't ask!)

5. My favourite colours are purple and red

6. I had previously always hated the colour pink!!!! (I may have HAD to change my mind now.. lol)

7. I have cracked my head open 5 times (I know explains A LOT!!!)

People I am tagging

Clarebear
Kirsty
Jane
Kim

Projects a plenty

2008-02-04T15:54:00.000Z

Ok so where does the time go? It has been about a week since I updated!!! I know I know and yes I have banged my head against the wall while repeating I must update my blog, I must update my blog so punishment has been served!

Well I have had a busy ol time but then hey that is nothing new - I have loads of projects to share but have still to take the pics of them! So Today I will share a couple and then upload the others; here is the Angel Mum project, this was inspired as Kiesha always calls me her beautiful Angel Mum, I was going to use it to enter for a DT team but I want to wait until after Hobby & Stitches show as I have a few exciting things happening and I need to be careful not to squeeze every nano second out of my day!

I think this would make a fab present for Mother's Day and Kiesha has already asked if I was using it for anything as she wants to give it to me for Mother's Day! (oh yes smart kid!) it will be displayed at the Hobby & Stitches show though.

Here is the mini book I made for the workshop I took on Saturday - it was made using the new Delish Designs Products and just as their name suggests Delish they are indeed!

The ladies had a fab time on Saturday and really enjoyed the projects they made, we did a heart bauble - pic to follow - the mini book and some cards

The great thing about the Delish Designs Papers is that they are so utterly gorgeous by themselves you really do not have to do much to make a stunning card.

Lastly I want to share with you my DT project for the forum which is now available for download

Phew well that will teach me for not updating sooner!

This weekends Demo's and bla... bla... bla...

2008-01-28T07:45:00.000Z

This weekend I was demoing at Chartham in Canterbury on Saturday and Ashford on Sunday, both at Craft Centrals - ohh I love demoing at Craft Central the staff are always so friendly and they are fab at keeping the tea flowing - an essential part I believe! Once again I met some truly wonderful people and I cannot explain the buzz you get knowing you have inspired someone to go home and make something. One lady said she had not crafted for a year as she had lost enthusiasm for it but she went home raring to go once more, how cool is that! One of the members of staff at the Ashford Branch Jean is also a DO Crafts Demonstrator and she showed me a different way of doing the Origami box I was demoing so it got adapted to half her way and half mine - don't you think that is great? That is why I love crafting so much it is the caring sharing territory that goes with it, the way that many people show you various ways of doing techniques - so thank you Jean.

So what else is new? well I went on over the the Feathered Nest to check out their daily ramblings and she mentioned buying flowers etc... I love flowers but mine are a rare treat; even though Nick is fab and will buy me flowers just because he knows they make me happy ahhh bless those little.... no actually rather large cotton socks! So any way it inspired me to put a pic up of some flowers he bought me a while ago - I took some pics of them because they were gorgeous and the colours were so vibrant. And on mentioning my man he is beginning to get over flu - oh he really has suffered and get this ladies he spent three nights sleeping on the couch - why? Because he did not want to keep me awake! gotta love the guy you know - it was very selfless of him, so I get up in the morning and then he has got into bed to try and recuperate some more X big kisses to him (although of the blown variety until his lurgy has gone LOL!).

Bring it on baby!!!!

2008-01-25T00:23:00.001Z

Hurrahh I am practically cartwheeling I am that happy! (I did say practically, well I do have some dignity you know) why? Oh the depressive yuckity yuck mood I was in has vacated oh yes it has left the building, in fact the universe, so happy days reign upon me once again, it is soooooo good to have my normal happy and positive demeaner back again.

It could be because Nick is home, although the poor chap is suffering from flu! It could be that I caught up on some much needed sleep, or it could be that I feel as though I am organised again.

Perhaps maybe a mix of those things, but I am truely buzzing again. I have made a few projects for this weekends demo's and will be finishing some more tomorrow, I am organising some designs for the Hobby & Stitches show in Feb, which is a blast and a great opportunity to catch up with one and all - Amanda if you are reading this, Cannot WAIT to catch up, and let's face it it is a great opportunity to spread the crafting love and hug all :) so Wendy and Joanna especially huge hugs will be deliverd to you and Kaye well you know!

I am inspired too - and by none other than Mr Holtz well it is impossible not to be really isn't it! I have managed to do a little blog surfing in the wee early hours before I close my peepers for the night and I managed to catch up on his blog and well...... I have no intention of becoming his latest stalker, or wanting to have his babies etc.... but OMG would I love to have even an hour creating with the guy, not only would I learn a heap but I think it would be so much fun his sense of humour creases me!

As for the photo - I took this last summer and I love it - so vibrant and well it reflects my happy mood :)

Shhhhh, sneaky peaks!

2008-01-23T23:14:00.000Z

Ohhh I finished a project that I am applying for a DT team for and no I am not telling you who for!!! and no I am not showing the whole project, well not until the time has passed and I get the yes mwaaahhhaaahhaaa.

Ok so I will keep my fingers crossed, all info on materials used and who they belong to will posted when the enitire project goes up.

I did not get my trimcarft stuff through today :( so tomorrow and Friday I shall be frantically making up projects for the demo's I am doing this weekend.

I have a Brand New line of Scrapbooking products being added to the site VERY exciting the papers are already up so go take a gander and the chipboard pieces, rub-ons etc.. will be up very soon. Trrrraaaalllllaaaa llllaaa llllllaaa llllaaaa, hmmmmm, doobedy do :) I am just happy that I created today and the only thing I will give away is that 1 - I used my melting pot, ohhhh happy days and 2 - I have feather bits EVERYwhere! hee hee night x

Plugh!

2008-01-21T23:03:00.000Z

Oh by golly gee, don't you just get those days where you planned loads and achieved nothing?! Oh well today was definitely one of those, if I needed something I mislaid it, if I wanted to do something on the computer the phone rang, if I needed to call someone the line was engaged and to top it all I just feel plugh! ploppy and plugh, not sure what is up with me it is ridiculous!! but I will not dwell in self pity as that will do nothing to brighten my already drenched spirits!!! But I did think I would share the other Layout we did on Sunday - a very bright, reminding me of sunny days kinda LO and yes I know it is simple but I like it and let's face it these ladies were beginner's so gently does it, when I teach my workshops I want to make sure that every person there can go home and not only remember what they have done but be able to replicate it too, there is very little point of them rushing through LO's having a great day but then not having a clue by the time they have got home. So out came the MAMBI Chester range and the Bo Bunny Flexi-ruler and well the sunshine arrived if not just in the workshop room!

Altered Packaging

2008-01-19T00:57:00.000Z

I was sent some samples from Delish Designs ( a whole new post coming soon!) and the rub-ons arrived in some fab packaging that was just crying out to be used, so with their papers and one of the rub-ons I made this little matchbook album, isn't it cute and the Beautiful wording was just perfect to have exposed - I love it, very simple, classy with the right amount of heartwarming memory for me to get all gooey over!

LO for Sunday's Class

2008-01-16T22:39:00.000Z

Finally I have got my Christmas pics through, all of you who have read previous posts will know the near fatal heart attack I had when my pics were no longer on my card! So here is one of the layouts I shall be teaching this Sunday at Nimble Fingers in Desborough, it is an adaptation of the DT layout Challenge I posted on the forum - I love my fold out sections - it is such a great idea for being able to get more pics and info on your page without it being overbearing and well let's face it anyone who knows me knows I LURVE interactive LO's and hidden journaling! And yes the presents are a photo taken just before Kiesha got in there! LOL

If you want more info on the Scrapbooking Class on Sunday got to Nimble Fingers website or contact Natalie on 0845 362 8511

Busy Day

2008-01-16T00:09:00.000Z

Wow what a day - I took a craft class this morning where we were making a card organiser, including making the cover from scratch - I love teaching these sessions they are so much fun!

Then tonight was the second week of my Beginner's Card Making course and a good night was had once again by all, now you would think I would leave it there, tidy up and then head off to bed especially as it has been between 2 & 3am bedtimes the last week but alas no..... Ummmm I just wanted to make a card, my style of card not for a demo, class or anything, just pure making for the love of it and here is the card.

The template is of course WS Designs House template, I have used K&Co papers for the main card, the windows and door have been cut out, the widows then have vellum behind them with pink felt cut into strips for curtains, the door was made using Brown Bazzill and then the step is from greyboard. I used edging scissors for the under window detail and drew in the window panes. I then drew the plant detail at the side of the house taking inspiration from the paper itself, then a tiny strip of paper for the letter box and a junkitz chipboard tag with a written Welcome message & job done :) I then matted the whole thing onto Cream cardstock using foam tape so you get the proper window effect ;)

10min Easter Card

2008-01-14T22:53:00.000Z

I know Easter is a way off yet and Yes I know valentines comes before

but I have had a fair few people asking me What you can do with wraptures other than the samples from the glitter girls, well yes you can use them for modern cards as well as quick cards too and don't forget each wrapture also contains a template with 3 sized images on too! So here is the quick 10 min Easter card you can make from start to finish using the Oval Wrapture and instructions for it can be found here I will be uploading the rest of my 366 day challange soon too ;)

Birthday Calendar

2008-01-14T02:17:00.000Z

My DT project is up on the forum, it is to make a Birth

day's Calendar and all the instructions including a FREE download for the calendar itself are up on the forum ready and waiting for your interpretations. I have used the new Crafty Individuals stamps on mine and I am in love with them! I cannot wait to get started on a number of other projects I have in mind! (they will be on tjc designs very soon). Today also see's the start of our Online tutorials, which if you do not know are 6 week Onlione tutorials catering for beginners in card making and Scrapbooking to Intermediate so again check out the forum for more info. Also do not forget to check out tjc designs as we have added loads of new products :)

Reason for Photography

2008-01-11T22:00:00.000Z

Everyone likes taking snaps of their favourite moments and especially when you enter a new little edition to your family but I want you to all think of WHY you take snaps and also more importantly why you don't. I love photography and wish I was better at it and I love scrapbooking - you may have gathered! But I was going through the folders on my laptop trying to look for a particular photograph when I came across this one

This is the last Father's day card I was able to give my dad and yes I got upset when I saw it but it also reminded me of the day I gave it to him, we all new it was going to be the last time we would all be together and although the loss is what makes me sad the memories are what make me happy and that is why photographs are so important - our brain needs to be reminded of moments and that is what our pics do, so I urge all of you to dust off your cameras and snap away more often because there are so many memories of your life that should just not be forgotton

Day 4

2008-01-10T23:12:00.000Z

Today's challenge was to record a normal day so I took this pic of me working - not bad for an arms length pic!!! I have made quite a few cards today but I cannot share them just yet......

Will upload pics when I can x

Scrapbooking Taster session

2008-01-09T23:29:00.000Z

Today I took a beginner's Scrapbooking Taster session at Nimble Fingers in Desborough and the ladies were lovely, we had a great time and I think I have successfully converted a few more people and brought them into the world of Scrapping - YEEEAAAAHH. We did a very simple layout and I showed how you can continue to do a double page layout but showing that using the same layout designs you can make it look very different just be changing even one element ie a picture for journalling etc....

As for the rest of the day I have to say I am knackered! I just don't think I realised before how much I do in a day - I was so tired I even thought about tootalling off to bed and doing my 366 day challenge tomorrow morning but alas NO... my conscience got the better of me and so I did do today's entry and here it is.

Day 2 + Inchie project

2008-01-08T22:48:00.001Z

Here is the project I made with the inchies I made from today's Challenge, I made the inchies and then put them inbetween a laminate sheet and made a book mark.

Today I took my first classes for the new year one this morning which was the Craft Group and then tonight was the first week of my Beginner's Card Making course and it was good to see everyone and catch up and meet the lovely ladies attending the CM course.

I have also just finished day 2 of my 366 day challenge

I have chosen a simple design to catalogue today's prompt - I did today's on my emotions which was fairly apt as I think I have been through many today - some dyas are just like that, happy, frustrated, annoyed and then happy again and that about sums up the day!

My 366 day challenge - Day 1

2008-01-07T22:53:00.001Z

Ok so I decided to start my 366 day challenge from today - mainly because I cannot rememberall the details over the last 7 days that I want to put down! So it starts from today. I have decided to keep a format that I will use every day and that is the first picture - it will be as follows:-
Day:-
Weather:-
Mood:-
Job list for today:-
What I would rather be doing today:-

I think a project of this magnitude needs to have some format that stays the same, I am not usually this methodical when crafting but as one of my new years resolutions and so consequently one of my goals is to be more organised maybe that will help.

I have also put my goals down - I have really enjoyed doing this first one and am looking forward to the remaining 365! I do have to confess though this first pic is neither new or taken by me - it was taken by Kirsty Wiseman but I thought it was perfect for this prompt.

Projects

2008-01-07T17:57:00.000Z

Well the first of our DT projects are up on the forum and here is my version of Design Team Member Sarah Watson's Thank you mini tag book.

The Inchie challenge started again today too and here is mine:

I then used them to make the following card:

365 Day Challenge (366)

2008-01-06T22:16:00.000Z

Ok so I cannot get stuck into my Christmas layouts as of yet as when I was at my Sisters she copied my photos onto her Computer so she could have all the pics from New Years Eve and when I went to check my card when I was at home no pictures!!! OMG I tell you I could hardly breathe and ohh no that is not an exaggeration I hardly let my sis answer the phone before I grilled as to whether she had deleted any of the photos - luckily she had not but that does mean I have to wait until she copies them onto a disk and sends them to me *SIGH* but luckily for me I have come across something to tide me over and divert my attention until then..... Anna Bowkis has set a 365 Day Challenge and wow what a fab idea, so I have decided to join in (only a few days late but I will enjoy the catch up!) Except I am doing mine as a 366 Day challenge as it is a leap year Sorry Anna. So I only came across this this evening after taking a nose at Scrapdolly's blog and thought it was such a cool idea that I would join in too. So here is the cover that I made this evening

I cannot wait to get started mainly as I am hoping to learn more about my camera as I go along and also what an immense personal journey. So what else did we do today, well we made the most of our last day all together before I return back to work fully, Kiesha back to school and the usual chaos reigns on us all by going to watch Enchanted then having Dinner at Nando's which now seems to be our favourite haunt. This morning I also made a Mother's Day Card and notebook foe upcoming events, I am not to sure on the card - Kiesha really likes it and yes I wanted to do something different from my usual style and yes I had one pack of papers to work with but..... well I don't know - let me know your thoughts.

Saints

2008-01-05T22:01:00.000Z

OHHHHH WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN......................

Hurrah I went to see the siants it is the first match I have actually BEEN to see and I loved it, although I have to say I was very well behaved and did not swear once where as at home it may be known at many a time for Nick and I to voice our opinions - lol

So we won 35-9 against Bedford and I love the fact that Nick and I did it together..... ohh happy days x

Hurrah - back to it!

2008-01-05T02:04:00.000Z

I hope all of you had a great Christmas and New Year and that you all managed to take a break and enjoy your families. We have had a great time our end and it has been bliss to spend time with Kiesha and Nick. But alas the festivities have to come to an end and so back to it I have to be and have uploaded the latest Layout Challenge (6) to the forum.

I also completed a digi layout tonight - it is not a crimbo one as of yet as I have to develope the pics and wow have I go some pictures to share, especially the ones of my Sis on New Years Eve

A number of the elements I have used on this digi layout are from Rhonna Ferrer kits from Two Peas.

I downloaded these ages ago and thoroughly enjoyed trawling through the now overwhelming number of digi elements I have! I cannot remember where I go the papers from though? Sorry will upload it later if I found out.

It's Christmas Eve!!!

2007-12-24T09:05:00.000Z

It's Christmas Eve!!! Yeahhhh - ....... OMG It's Christmas Eve and I am still making the last Christmas presents before I have to pack for Devon - I was up until 2am wrapping presents - loved that it gets me so excited hee hee. I am off to pick Kiesha up today which is even more exciting she rang on me on her new mobile last night - bless her she was so excited then I did have to reprimand her for opening her presents!!!! Sacrilage but I guess otherwise Andy does get to miss all that excitement that is plain to see on a childs face lol

Right so much to do so little time - It's Christmas Eve!!!!

Oh and Nick is still coming back Christmas morning :) so at least he will definately still be here for Christmas - his present has not turned up on time :( but you cannot have everything - right off to finish the presents

Gutted!

2007-12-22T13:17:00.000Z

Ok I am completely gutted - as in throwing all my toys out the pram and wanting to sulk for ages Gutted! Originally Nick was meant to be home on the 20th - then he was delayed until late on the 21st - then he got delayed until Christmas Eve I was beginning to panic but thought ace he will still be here for Christmas and we will still be able to pick Kiesha up form Honiton in Devon (she left today) and then go on to Torrington as planned.... But NO, he has now been delayed and will be coming home on Christmas Morning, which means we will be travelling separately to Devon as I still need to go down and pick up little lady - Nick will have to come home here first and then do the four hour drive to Devon so we can be together on the remaining parts of Christmas Day....... As I said I am completely Gutted but at least he will still be there on Christmas day and let's not forget that many people have lost loved ones that they cannot be with so I am still being thankful :)

PS - love this photo of the bestest people in the world just love them both so much I could burst!

Quick update!

2007-12-19T21:36:00.000Z

Just wanted to give you a quick update to say that the next Scrapbook layout challenge has been added to the forum - I have added it early as I thought many of you would be busy over the weekend!

Ask Traci

2007-12-19T13:00:00.001Z

Ok so as promised here are the details of the New Blog - Ask Traci - this site is available for you to ask your Crafting questions and queries - why? well that is because it is hard finding the answers you need without having to trawl through loads of internet sites and even then you may find that you cannot find the answer you are looking for. So now you can add your question and I will try to answer within 24hrs. This also means that hopefully soon there will be a bundle of questions that you can find the answers too by doing a search. Now I do not profess to know EVERYTHING about crafting but if you have posted a question that I do not know the answer too then I will endeavour to find out for you.

I would love to get your comments on the new site and look forward to answering some of your questions

Up close and personal

2007-12-18T17:22:00.001Z

I set myself a challenge this afternoon after my class - which was to do a Up close and personal layout and also take all the pictures my self so the whole thing was done from scratch and then as any true friend would I rang Clare and set her the challenge too! I am was please with it and I was also happy to give a Louly inspired writing technique a try, I have done a very similar technique to this but not quite the same so I really wanted to try it out on a layout (and a card - see below) to see how it cam out and I love it! It is a really messy kind of funky style and I think it suited this layout perfectly.

During the class today I also set a challenge to

make cards using scraps and off cuts of card and paper. I brought loads of edging scissors and puches alopng and then we all just got stuck into it - it was great fun, I created two cards both are very simple designs but the Spring one gave me the opportunity to try out the writing on a card too!

I Got a present!!!!

2007-12-17T18:19:00.000Z

OMG!!! OMG!!! OOOOMG! I got a present from Louly - I saw this beatles card on her blog and commented on how much I loved it and she sent it to me!!! I SOOOOOO LOVE YOU LOULY and would even kiss your feet! Isn't it amazing.

Not only that but I also got this very spiffing Christams card from her too which I just LURVE it is so off the wall and it is great to see eomeon actually drawing out their deigns and writing on their cards - I know I can almost feel you all roll your eyes as you read my usual gripe about the lack of journaling and handwriting on projects.

I am going off to thank Louly properly - I have also set up another blog today which I will explain more on tomorrow but to get a sneak peak click here

At one with body and soul

2007-12-17T09:03:00.000Z

Ohhhh I am sooo good - yep I am patting myself on the back and feeling as though I am one with body and soul! I got up extra early so I could be at the swimmimg pool at 6.30am - I swam and then got ready for work, came back did some of my much needed housework and still managed to start work at just before 9am. So my New Years Resolutions are starting early - well let's face it if I do them at New Year they will never last so maybe if I start them early at least they may be in with a fighting chance! lol

So early swim it is every morning..... every morning? Well let's not get carried away at least three times a week - that way if I do do every week day how chuffed will I be with myself!

So now all I need to do is make sure I tweak my organisational skills and I will be wonder women once again!! - no I am kidding I tried that and failed miserably.

So what about the weekend? Well Saturday I had to Cancel my demo as I was really ill :( so it was a day spent in bed - but I did manage to have the laptop occassionly to do some work but it was very little, Sunday was the Bo Bunny workshop and last night it was a bit of surfing - I love surfing sites but rarely get the chance too, so it was a marathon blog catch up as well as a bit of Christmas shopping and then I actually read - something I have not done in ages and I am on the hunt for a great book as I miss reading buit have been so out of touch with the litery world that if any of you know of some great reads please let me know!

Well I am about to make some prezzies now and work out why my Birthday's Calendar still won't upload.

To get the digi crowns (they are not as squashed as mine!) go to Kirsty's Blog :)

Victorian Experience

2007-12-14T23:19:00.000Z

Kiesha was packed up and bundled off for her school trip to understand what it would be like as a Victorian Child, this did mean an earlier trip to the Charity Shop to see what items we could find to represent the older type of clothing - I mean you just can't get Shawls these days! And the lady at the Charity shop very kindly told me that all I would need to do to make mob cap is the old crocheted doiles that you used to use on the table for protection...... well that is all well and good if you could actually get hold of one of those!!! lol

So a knitted blanket it had to be with a shirt at least three times to big and a skirt that is a size 10 not age 10, but all in all it did not look too bad! She carried her lunch in a tea towel and throughly enjoyed the experience, although I don't think she quite "got it" I asked her if she thought she would have liked being a child in those times of which the reply was yes... YES??? thought I???? Yes she said I was a Kitchen maid and if I could cook in the kitchen all day it would be great - bless her! You just gotta love that enthusiasm, so move over Gordon Ramsey the next passionate chef will be shinning through in only a mere few years.

I also managed to create a Birthday Calendar which will be available for download on the forum, it would have been up already if it weren't for a few computer gremlins that appear to be having a field day! I have finished one calendar but will be making a few more that shall we say will be a bit more elaborate!

Tomorrow I am Demonstrating the Bind-it-all at The Range in Romford from 10.00am-4.00pm so if any of you are around the vacinity it would be great to meet you.

Well I am off to do the last bits of prep!

Gordon Ramsey

2007-12-13T19:56:00.000Z

Today was great, the people from the Robert Horne group were lovely and I really enjoyed being part of their exhibition, I also met some really nice people and managed to get a photo of Mr Ramsey so great day all round!!! And yes Clare you would think he is as gorgeous in the flesh as on the box! And wow bless my little girl she was soooo excited when I got her to guess who was going to be there today and yes when I said chef she said Gordon Ramsey and then she said wow I could learn so much from him! Now I am going to do some more up-dating on the site and then an early night as I have a splitting headache :(

Spicers Exhibition

2007-12-12T18:57:00.000Z

Today was the first day of Demonstrating for the Robert Horne Group at the SOS Spicers Exhibitionat the NEC, I bought a couple of the projects I was doing to take some pictures. The first is a quiche box which I cut out a section so I could add the tray that holds the rather delicious Caramel Shortbreads from Thorntons, I turned the quiche box inside out and then painted it with the adirondack acrylic paint, added som patterned paper to certain sections. I cut out some patterned paper to put in the squears of the trays and then added the embellishments.

I also made a paper bag book from the Organic fruit delivery bags we receive our fruit in, again I have used patterned paper, mounted the photo's onto plain card stock and adhered them to the pages so as to cover the print, tomorrow I hope to further embellish them with scraps of card etc... I also made another tealight holder, a flower napking ring and a few Christmas cards. So tomorrow ? well more of the same although think I may have to move my demo table forward a little as Mr Gorden Ramsey is signing books a couple of feet away!!!

Rubber Stamping Course

2007-12-11T21:31:00.000Z

I cannot recount the amount of times someone has said to me that they cannot do Rubber Stamping, or when stamping their impressions are either; smugged or have not stamped out properly - so I will be adding to my evening classes and I will be starting a 6 week beginner's Rubber Stamping Course on Thursay 10th January 2008.

The Course will cover:-

Week 1: Stamping Out & the differences between ink pads

Week 2: Adding Colour with varying techniques

Week 3: Masking Techniques

Week 4: Layering Techniques

Week 5: Creating Backgrounds and Sets

Week 6: Using Versamark

The not quite completed Diary!

2007-12-10T18:43:00.000Z

Here is the first Diary I have been creating using the FREE download I put on the forum, I have yet to fdo the finishing touches and the title etc... but it is coming along, I also created some name and address pages, as well as some telephone Messages pages. The good news is now I have finished creating all the pages on the computer the next ones should not take so long to create which is just as well as I have about 5 to make! ummmm think I might have to get on with that!

Right well I am off to take my Bo Bunny Class now

SOS Spicers Exhibition

2007-12-09T16:32:00.000Z

I am demonstrating for the Robert Horne Group on Wednesday and Thursday at the SOS Spicers Exhibition at the NEC. My task is to demonstrate making items from what would usually be our household rubbish. So what have I made today in preperation? Well I have made a Photo frame from the cardboard slip that covers food packets, I was really pleased at how this turned out. I painted the inside with Adirondack Expresso Acrylic paint and then covered the outside with a strip of off cut paper I had and then covered the remaining in brown card.

Then I made a couple of coasters from old CD's - both have been backed with felt and one has been covered with paper so you could have a matching set, this one has been finished with a clear lacquer layer so as to protect the cover where as the other has been drawn on.

I then made some napkin rings from a kitchen roll holder, the tube was cut into 6 equal rings then inked with red ink, covered in ribbon and then I added an embellishment with wire to create a festive Napking ring.

I have also got a bag on the go being made from old magazines, this is done with paper weaving and I will upload it later.

I also made a Fat Book Page Book for the swap we do on my forum, I used cardboard to make the covers and CD wallets to hold the pages and I got to use the Bind-it-all machine too! Oh happy days.

I also have a number of empty Tins waiting for the first coat of paint to dry ready for the second coat before their dramatic transformation!

Hurrah Christmas begins!

2007-12-02T11:41:00.000Z

Oh yes the start of Christmas excitement starts on the 1st of December in our household! So yesterday after the dissappointment of the lack of Christmas lights actually coming on during the Christmas Lights Turn on event at Thrapston Yesterday! Oh yes Kiesha and Nick stood patiently waiting with countless others in the cold for the highlight of the year for it... well for it not to happen while I was at the Craft Market in Thrapston. So when we had finished packing everything away at home we got the Christmas tree out, cleaned all that dust build up off and then the Christmas excitement began!! I get so excited about Christmas but I do have a cautionary tale as Kiesha reminded me of a letter she got from Father Christmas last year, it had something along the lines of they were very dissappointed as she had been misbehaving a lot which was very unlike her and her name had indeed been put on the naughty list! But right at the last minute they changed it because of an extremly selfless act - Kiesha last year said that she was not going to open any of her Christmas presents on Christmas day because Nick was not going to be here - he was working and she said Christmas was about family so wanted to wait until we were altogether (adorable!) I do not personally know of many 9 year olds that would have done that! So therefore she did indeed get presents from Father Christmas - but whereas I had forgotten - she hadn't!!! (and she has been VERY good ALL year!)

The lady with the pink hair

2007-11-24T22:43:00.000Z

Today I demonstrated at Colemans Warehouse in Rushden and I have to say the staff there are fab! Really lovely people and the tea flowed even though it went cold and undrunk as I was so busy!!! and as for the title of today's blog well that is because I now seemed to be known as "the lady with the pink hair"! Bless.... So today was the Bind-it-all and wow did I have fun. Oh yes I LOVE this machine and cannot rave about it enough; as mentioned yesterday you will find a FREE 2008 diary download on the forum and soon will also be the 2008 calendar - I will also have a video demo on how to use the machine done very soon.

Free 2008 Diary Download

2007-11-23T01:06:00.000Z

Well I have been very busy again and today was no acception; I spent most of it making Bind-it-all projects ready for this Saturday's Demonstration at Coleman's Warehouse in Rushden, Northants. I have made a mini Christmas Album from envelopes, a Calendar, a recipe book and I have a diary to finish.

I got a download from the internet but it needed tweaking so I have done that and it is now available for FREE on our forum.

Coming soon I will also have another digi kit download and as a little taster here is one of the papers from the Winter Wonderland Kit

Craft Central - Ilford

2007-11-18T08:53:00.000Z

Well Saturday's Demo was at Craft Central in Harrison Gibson, Ilford and again I met some lovely people but two in particular, Shirley and Theresa. Theresa bless would help by tidying up the display and Shirley well she was just lovely and such an inspiration. Today I am demonstrating at Craft Central In Chartham Nr Canterbury. So I am about to get ready to leave the hotel and start my day. Hope to see some of you there.

Scrapbook Friends

2007-11-12T13:11:00.000Z

OMG!!!! I HAVE to tell you about the maddest ladies I have met yet! Oh yes Denise and Sue are completely barking but if you really want to have a fab scrapbooking experience then you have to go and see them in their shop in Folkestone. Believe me these two ladies who they say are affectionately known as the dynamic duo are two people you will not forget in a hurry. I met them while demoing in Folkestone, I am only sad that I did not get to go to their shop :( although my bank balance is probably fairly happy about it as they have the biggest Bazzill Basics supply in the area and oh my how I LOVE Bazzill Basics!! So go and check out their website and pop in and say hello - you won't regret it!

What a weekend!

2007-11-11T20:56:00.000Z

Wow what a weekend - on Saturday I Demonstrated at Craft Central in Ramsgate and then today I was at Craft Central in Folkestone, as always I met some lovely people and had a great time but I have to say I am knackered now so it is just a quick update before I go for a nice hot bath abd collapse into bed for an early night! I wouls like to say a HUGE thank you to Zoe for staying at mine this weekend to look after Kiesha.

And what about the pictures??? Well I have bought another tote well actually two - the mini accessory tote fits on top! Love these as there are so many clear plastic pockets that are removable! fantastic and purple to boot! so now I can fit most of my demo stuff in and in individual pockets - oh happy days!

The workshop and oooh look at the Bo Bunny Stuff...

2007-11-06T01:23:00.000Z

I had the first Christmas Bauble workshop this evening which was fab - the first picture is of a few of the ladies that came. I have another of these workshops next Monday. And as for the other pictures, well I love the Bo Bunny products and these kits are absolutely gorgeous these will be made in a workshop taking place over two weeks on Monday 3rd December and Monday 10th December from 7.00pm - 9.00pm I cannot wait to do this workshop and have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed makiong these projects.

Domestic Goddess, Best Mum and Crafting Guru!

2007-11-05T01:12:00.000Z

Oh yes today has seen it all - Kiesha and I went to Fermyn woods for a walk - to breathe in the fresh air, spot a few animals and Birds and for Kiesha to discover woods so far undiscovered (according to her!) I wanted to get some more photos taken but had problems with the card in my camera so could not take any pics! So here are some taken form nearly the same time of year last year. So then I cooked a roast dinner, cleaned the house and have been on a crafting mission!

I have created Two Christmas bags, 3 cards, 1 altered tin and have nearly completed my 9" x 9" Holiday planner, all using the Bo Bunny products so I have been in crafting heaven, admittedly it is now 1.30am and I should have gone to bed hours ago but hey ho - sleep is over-rated any how! lol Hopefully I will upload some pics tomorrow of the Bo Bunny items - this is all in preperation of the up and coming workshop. Tomorrow night I have the first of the Christmas Baubles workshops so I am looking forward to that - will try and upload some pics of that too if I get chance. Right off to sleep now.

Courses and Workshops

2007-11-01T21:40:00.000Z

Ohh have we got some fab workshops coming up but all already have limited spaces! So firstly we have 2 spaces left on the 12th November Christmas Baubles workshop click here for more info

We have 3 spaces available on our Rusty Pickle Sweet & Sassy Workshop (see sbove picture) Click here for more info

Also coming soon we have a Bo Bunny Christmas Workshop. So keep checking the blog for details.

Craft Central - Godstone, Surrey

2007-10-28T06:41:00.000Z

Today I am demonstrating at Craft Central in Godstone Surrey from 11.00am - 4.00pm. I will be demonstrating the Dovecraft Christmas Papers as well as DCWV.... I know lucky eh!? I cannot wait - hopefully I may even get to see some of you there :)

Lucky for me I have a very nice friend (clarebear) who is having Kiesha for the day, so I shall be rudely waking their household up soon. I know on a Sunday too - I am going to owe her BIG time!

Tealight Candle Holders

2007-10-26T17:48:00.001+01:00

Oh yes another day creating well part of it anyway! Today I made Tealight Candle holders from some glass desert pots, peel offs and then I did the Green & red using peel off pens and the Blue, Yellow and Purple using glass pens just so I could compare the finishes and the withstanding! You can colour them with peel off pens as long as they are not going to be handled regularly as the colour will come off but the glass pens will stand a lot more handling. Kiesha also made some of these today and I think they make a great project to do with your children.

Baubles

2007-10-25T21:06:00.001+01:00

I had the chance to make some baubles today using the Aluminarte Primary kit and it was loads of fun - just need to get more baubles to make some more and experiment a little more - I did add some glamour dust to the blue one which really added that extra sparkle!

Wow what a day

2007-10-24T23:37:00.000+01:00

Wow what a day - I had a crafting day with Kiesha and it was fab! We did an Inchie Challenge catch up and then made more items and I even had a chance to make the Curvy Card that Louly kindly let us put the template and instructions on the forum and then to finish off Kiesha turned into a scientist - glad to see she has not quite grown up completley! Now off to cuddle up on the sofa and watch The Incredibles.

2007-10-21T23:46:00.000+01:00

We have another mini digi kit download on www.tjcdesignsforum.co.uk I would love to see what you do with this mini kit and would love to get your feedback so logon now and download this freebie.

Family time

2007-10-21T15:00:00.000+01:00

Oh wow it has been great the last few days - I had to share this picture from Thursday night's dinner - their expressions are fab and we are loving the table entertainment in restaurants - Yesterday we took Kiesha on her very first shopiing trip where she could choose what she wanted and it was fab! Loved every minute and it was great to actually spend some time together which seems to be so rare these days. After shopping we went to the American Diner on the way home before getting in to watch the rugby and yes I was gutted our lads did an amazing job but wow the disappointment and today has so far been updating the forum here and the site while watching TV and eating sweets OMG - I cannot remember the last time I actually had time to do that but I am loving it.

The Birthday Girl!

2007-10-18T22:56:00.001+01:00

Yep our little girl is 10 today!!! We started off with an early-ish start of present opening and squeals of I am double figures and finished up with a meal at Nando's and not forgetting their frozen yoghurt! So a Baby G now adorns the wrist and Kiesha is already excited about the Shopping trip on Saturday - yep we are allocating an amount and she can choose her own clothes etc... am I looking forward to it - of course I am as well as a little dubious and nervous about the forthcoming choices but after saying they will be her choice I shall not intervene --- ummm I shall not intervene (maybe if I repeat that 100 times! lol)

Ok so now comes the apology as many of you have mentioned the lack of blog updates - well the usual excuse of being soooooo busy - yep I have not even been here alot - been out during the week and weekends it has been a little hectic but I am loving it - it is great meeting some of you atthe Demo's and I have loved my recent classes - the intermediate sessions start the week after next and the ribbon-bound album is fully booked so I am looking forward to that too - I am off now to go through the pictures I have taken today and see if I can get a couple in a digi layout before bed!