Looking forward to 2018 !!

Well 2017 hasn't been very easy.......

So many health issues to contend with, chasing around one hospital after another (even 2 in one day).

This day last year I mentioned to my mum as she was visiting me, that the lady in the bungalow in our street was planning to move in with her daughter, and I suggested that she might consider buying it.
Such a nice little place, all nicely decorated, light and cosy. Also being next door-but-one; I would be able to see her more often, helping her and arranging for help with cleaning, gardening, etc. So, we visited it and she LOVED it!! So, after much discussion and negotiating, she bought it. It sounds so straightforward when I tap it out on the keyboard like that..... as obviously it took a LOT of work for me, dealing with the solicitors, agents, sale and purchase; and then of course the move itself... sorting, packing etc. Mum moved in April, 3 days after the exchange of contracts, so it was very full on.
But now she's here and settled. the dogs love it, we can shop, chat, swap food, etc..
Looking back, I can't believe that its all happened in 12 months.

But 2018.... See's a family delivery in January, and a wedding in the summer.
A new baby means - makes, makes and more makes; requests, and surprises.....
Here is an example, a soft crocheted rainbow blanket for the nursery...
                                                           

                              

I've got lots more things to add, but I'll save them for another day......

Beautiful Day!!

Today, inspired by the lovely and bright sunny day we have here in the East of England, I'm taking a few minutes to share with you my latest card.



I couldn't share it before as it had to fly to Germany and await the 2nd Anniversary date of Katie & Simon.
But now I can post it here and I hope you like it.
I have used a Create-a-card from Crafter's Companion with Centura Pearl cardstock, and a piece of paper and embellishments from my stash.
The Create-a-card is a lovely way to make a striking card and I needed to keep it fairly flat so it could go by airmail. I hope they liked it ;)









Next time I will share a couple of my fall recipes with you.... I'm addicted to Pumpkin puree, which is available in my local Sainsbury's at this time of year.....

Long Time no see!!

Hello All,
I can't believe how long it's been since I posted anything here. I'm not sure if anyone will have even noticed, but for anyone who has visited and been disappointed- 'A BIG fat SORRY!!'
My days are filled with lots of odd jobs and looking after my husband, visits to various appointments and other incidentals.

I now have my Mum living near, and she seems to be settling in well and it's great to be able to pop in regularly, and help her with tasks more quickly.

I have another Shitz Tsu, Darcie and she is adorable. Lilly my older one loves her and they play all the time. They make us laugh. Each with their own big characters. They are also great company for Nick.
This time of year they come in from their walks, wet underneath and a large assortment of leaves attached. Their favourite game at the moment is to chase each other through the leaves. They love it soo much, I can't be cross with them!

So, here is a little picture of them from the summer......

Now I'm off to do some housework, and I'll endeavour to share some new thoughts with you soon.
Maybe I'll post some of my new recipes.. that I've been enjoying recently. ;)

Take a pack of Calender Tabs and.......

So, There I was rummaging in Denny Bros Card Art dept for inspiration and opted for a pack of 10 Anita's Calender tabs.  This was accompanied with comments of "What do you need 10 tabs for!!" and other similar derogatory remarks.  But undeterred I sat in my craft room and mused for a while....
Along with some grey card bought at the same time and some beautiful papers from my stash I got down to work. And here it is.... No 1....

This inspired Katie to start making calenders too... so my stash of 10 tabs started to diminish..but we were having so much fun.  It's very inspiring , having a deadline. Well it is isn't it, 2013 calenders you need to use them!! No good keeping some for next year.  One for each room?  NO I think pressies :)
The envelope style pockets are DL size so letters etc can be stored in them.
So, here are the others... so far...well mine anyway, can't show Katie's....

So, there you are, not the best images, not showing the 'sparkliness' properly, but that's winter light for you... But I hope you like my ideas.....
Now let me see.......2 tabs left what next?

 

Toreads have arrived in my Craft Room!

I So love these little Guys, whenever I want to chill I colour one in, then when I feel like untidying my craft room, I'll rummage around for papers to make up a card with them.  It's totally addictive. Problem is.... I won't want to part with any of them.
I was a bit like this years ago when I had a little Troll which went everywhere with me, especially to school :)  only prob was.... I was about 15 at the time :( never mind I'm still about that age inside anyway......

My Lovely Little Bureau

So, This is it!! a sweet little veneered bureau, rescued from a neighbour's house clearance.
She had been much used and was well worn. My other half kindly took her away and carried out much needed repairs...... I new she had potential, and I gave it a lot of thought.....

and came up with this makeover, which I hope you all like. It has a French theme......

I used green emulsion from a tester pot ( or 2) PVA and cream emulsion for a crackle effect on the outside. Inside I used some papers from a selection given to me and Spellbinders Fancy Tags 3 shapeabilities for the front of the drawers. I coated it with a satin acrylic varnish for protection. I also covered a box with matching papers, which is sitting on the top.

It now has pride of place in our reading/ study area looking out to the garden.

So now you know what I have been doing.... :) xx

I cant't believe it's been so long!

What can I say! I've been absent without leave.

But now I am preparing to share with you some of the things I have been making.

Although I haven't actually blogged for a while, I have still been creating, so watch this space....

Some Wedding Cards

Just a few Wedding cards in different colourways that I have enjoyed making recently. If you live in my area, you might get to see them soon in a shop near you!!

Of course, I am always available to make cards to order.....You can email me at

jobrett100@hotmail.com

Hope you like them. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day.......:)

New Superhero comes to Blogland!!

Did you see him?

He moves so fast.........

There....The 'Bubble Wrap Kid'

Checking out his cape...

Can you tell which one is the original, and which one is the 'Copycat' ?? ;)

Summer, the season of Weddings!!

I made this card using a Lili of the Valley Stamp and copics to colour it.

A Wedding in Germany started off the season for me this year, seeing a lovely couple, Nadja and Fabian marry in June, and this is the card I made for them.

I also made an intricate hexagonal album in contemporary black and white colours with a matching box. I was very peased with it and would love to show you the finished item, but I forgot to photograph it before I posted it to Germany :( Boohoo .... I won't do that again!

Any way, I have been away far too long and shall endeavour to be more regular with my posts, so I hope you will call by again soon. Love to you all . Jo x

Paint Fusion Cards

So here are 3 cards I made using Toppers painted using the Simply Sweet Stamps from Sheena Douglass and painted using the Paint Fusion technique as taught to me by Katie of Sheena's Design Team. Katie holds Paint Fusion classes at TwoCatsCrafts

It is a great way to produce very effective results. I hope you have enjoyed seeing my latest creations.

Off to cook the BBQ now.........

Mum's Shoes get a new lease of Life!

This pair of shoes belong to my Mum. She was very distressed after spilling some red wine on the front of her new cream leather shoes......So I suggested that she let me bring them home, and 'fix' them for her....... and this collage shows their journey.... I used some leather patches' recycled buttons and the Tattered Florals sissix die to make a coordinating flower for each shoe, which I have hot glued to the front. I am very pleased with the result, and I will let you know how they are received!!

Paint Fusion

Hello there, This is a card topper that I made this week using the Sheena Douglass Paint Fusion method, and taught to me by one of her Design Team- Katie.

The background is made using the wet on wet method and water splashes on mountboard.

I used the Sheena Douglass Berries and Blossom stamp set for the Leaves and blossoms, and used her paint technique to paint them. I used the scrolls from the same set and embossed them and the edges with Wow powders....

I have since attached it to a dark square card and am delighted with the impact.

I shall be doing many more soon.....

Decoupage Nest of Tables

I have been encouraged to share my latest work with you. It was a secondhand set of oak tables, which as you can see now looks completely different...

I have painted and crackle glazed the legs and sides, then used some lovely K&Co, and 7 Gypsies papers which I got from Jackie at Two Cats Crafts.
These were 'torn' and glued to the tops with my own recipe 'Mod Podge', with a central panel, made up of a flower cut from the paper and matted onto a contrasting one, edges inked to give depth.
I finished off with 3 coats of diamond finish acrylic varnish.


They now have pride of place in my living room, and are Sooo useful.
Hope you like them xx

Butterflies

Here is a taste of what I have been doing this week..... This is a Hero Art stamp printed onto a sheet of Blueberry Hill and coloured with Copics, highlighted with some sparkle and various extras....

I hope you are all finding time to do some crafting amidst all the chaos out there !! :)

New Month, New Post

Having been uber busy, it was soo lovely to get back to my crafting... I had forgotten how relaxing it is... note to self... 'must do more crafting..and stay sane!'

Any way I got really into it and produced 5 cards using some digital images that I had in stock, that I had coloured using my new Copics, and this is one of my favourites.

I used Origins paper from Basic Grey. I hope you like it too.

Thanx for dropping by. xoxo

Autumn Colours

So, the weather is horrible, wet and wintery, and I have spent the day playing with some new Ultra thick embossing crystals that came in the post today- WOW!! I am totally addicted!

Anyway this is what I was working on last night.... an Easel card with a hidden message inside the 'petal' card on the front..

I was inspired to work with these colours to celebrate the beauty of Autumn with the Crafty Alley Shop, and also the 'secret' challenge with Paperplay this week and with A Pocket Full of Posies

Thanx for visiting, and please add yourself as a follower to my Blog, you would be VERY welcome xx

Graphics 45 Challenge

Well, at last I have managed to put something here for you ... I have been away to 'sunny' Ireland! and after a long and tedious journey home, loads of washing, and some sleep, I am ready to craft :)

I saw this competition on CardznScrapz and loved the idea,, and the prize so here we are... this is my entry...

Please let me know if you like it...

I have also entered into the following challenges

Pocket Full of Posies

A boxed set of 5 Thank you Cards

This is a Ferrero Rocher box that I have covered with Kate Knight Amethyst- Floral range, inside and out, I have used a felt butterfly from Henbury Lane and a little magnetic strip to hold closed.

The box is the perfect size for 135mm square cards..... and I have made 5 using the same range of papers throughout, with a little core'dinations card stock.

The sentiments were printed onto white card, and I have also used my Sakura gelly roll pen to highlight details on the papers. the flowers have been made using an assortment of Dahlia nesties, Prima and henbury flowers and a little perfect pearls spritzed here and there, the gems and other details are also from the Henbury Lane goody bag.
I really enjoyed making this for a gift for a special friend of mine and I shall give it to her tomorrow.

Now all I have to do is eat some more Ferrero Rocher, so that I can use another box!!

Thanx for visiting :)

I have entered this in the Pocket Full of Posies challenge this week.

A Favourite Page of mine to share with you

Good morning everybody :)

It's lovely and sunny again here today, we love sunshine!!

Today I wanted to share a page from a memory album I have made to remember my Grandmother, who died this year. She was an amazing lady and a great influence to me and I really look forward to meeting her again in the resurrection.

I love this page with it's layers and pocket with a copy of her family tree and the text from a tribute I made at her funeral; printed on the reverse side of the V&A papers that I have used throughout this album, then folded and stored in the pocket.

The wooden 'E' is the last letter of her pet name 'Millie'. I have entered this post into this weeks Simon Say's Stamp & Show 'Layers' challenge.

Thank you for visiting :)