Quick Hello

Hello from me to you...

I have been away such a long time

Thankyou to those who have sent msg's

I am fine thankyou 

I have had a lot on of late..

Been layed up in bed with a very bad back.. 

not being able to move.

Having to have someone to help me in and out of bed

and shower ..everything... 

Also having a tooth out.. 

which didn't go to plan so I have been to hospital

for them to slice my gums to get roots out..

and it hurt..

and it still hurts.. constantly.. 

I may have an infection

Dentist tomorrow to find out

And at this moment in time I am FULL of cold

Not sure where I have managed to get it from

but its sure here to stay... and my throut is so so sore

I can not talk... Paul thinks its lovely and quiet !!!

Men eh..

I think its not funny at all... it hurts to swallow everything

Anyway I am meant to be cooking Beef Wellington

not for me... I am on purree food...lol

so suppose I best get going

I have been crafting though

but not paper...

Wool... I have made a few things..

I will have to photo and try and get on here to show

Thankyou once again for those who have sent msg.

Some I chat to on Facebook.

Thankyou for stopping by

CLaire xx

Early Christmas

Now I know your thinking

OMG

what is she like...but

yes I have spent a little time making Christmas Cards.

I have no birthday's so what else can i do...

i bought the decoupage sets before Christmas but didn't get time to use

so here they are

 Forever friends... are they not cute

 the backing paper is a paperpack I bought at the same time

a 12x12 one

bought so I can do a couple of scrapbook pages

this is a very simple design

but I like..

I also made this one using the same sheet of backing paper

 I added some ribbon I have had in my stash for ever

this one is cute...as hes going to peg his stocking up ready..

I have been busy knitting again also

I have finished the baby blankey and I am now knitting lemon booties

and things.

Oh and I am going to have a go at t ruffle scarf

Thanks for taking the time to stop by

CLaire xx

Colouring

Hello there..

Hope you have had a fab weekend

if not crating then doing other nice things.

I have been into town (Huddersfield)

 looking for an evening dress

yes a dress... 

for a dinner and dance that we are going to in February

I thought there maybe something nice in the sales

Well I was right... so right I ended up with two dresses

why I don't know, as its the first dinner and dance I have been to

and probably the last

but hey am sure it will be fun,

and I saved a whopping 150 pounds. 

got them both for just over 100.. bargains !!

Today I have been colouring with my promarkers.

Now I am not used to them at all so have been colour matching

for blending etc.. I don't have the FULL set as yet..

But am getting there.. lol

Anyway here is what I have been colouring

 Now I have made a card a long time with this image

and coloured it purple with pencil..so I thought I would start easy with Yellow

then I did her again in Orange

I prefare the orange now

the brown hair looks better too

well then I got this one from google

and started with brown hair..

practice makes perfect

(so they tell me anyway, keep practicing claire .. lol )

 Even shading the clothes took a while

Pink clothes looked better.

then I thought why not go for something Hard

yes a Saturated Canary Image

OMG

 Here she is..Brown hair again.

Well what browns I have 

I decided on green for the dress as its not a colour I use a lot

I am happy with my first attempt

Let me know what you think..

anything I could have done better

Then came Blonde hair

mmm

 It went ok...

I need more yellows though to do this properly

not enough for shading really but its worked out Ok

Grey dress this time... 

I have a full set of these so can blend better..

but

It looks wishy washy.. 

I think if I use this image I will cut her out as the branch looks mega bright

compared to everything else.

Thats my Sunday afternoon

I best be moving now, 

I have stuffed marrow to get into the oven 

with homemade Cauliflower cheese

Thanks for stopping by 

CLaire xx

Busy on Blogger

Hello once again...

just me... checking that the decorating went ok..

Am sure you would have all noticed....

I am not sure I like...

so it may change again

took me an age to find and delete code

of yellow roses !!!

anyway if you like the blog background 

hop over to

Blogs designs by Dani   

Thanks for stopping by

CLaire x

Knitting isn't easy

 For some people... like MOI

I have been teaching myself via Youtube 

and Paul's mum.. 

anyway I went into the local wool shop and asked the nice lady

for a easy pattern.. !! 

yes she said and passed me one

do you have a counter... mmm no

so that was added.. 

A darning needle... ,,,, no

that was added also

you also need two sets of needles !!1

oh.... can I not just knit it on the number 7 ones I use for dishcloths...lol

No was the answer... well she knows best..

so two sets of needles where added 

then she asked what wool I would like...

haha.... baby wool... 

anyway ten minutes later... who would have thought that saying baby wool would cause problems

I now know that wool isnt just wool..

anyway.. as soon as I got home I started ..

well after google and youtube I did.. 

finding out what k1.p1 means... knit one and pearl one

PEARL... ooo whats that... said in a OMG kinda voice

anyway turns out its a stich that i call front stitch... haha

so I knit two then front stitch two and hey I get a rib effect... coolio

here is ther finished garment..

i did cheat as I knitted the collar and front panel separate 

and added them on.. I couldn't work out how to

knit into the end stitches!!! 

so.... how clever am I

yes very ...lol

so I decided to take it a step further..

and google baby hat

and here is what I made

it was so much easier than the cardy

so I then decided on booties yes booties

now these look really hard to make in the pictures

so I hunted for a easy pattern

and sat knitting and look what I ended up with

booties... and they look like them

apart from the fact they are HUGE

so guess what I tried another pattern

now the bootie will only fit a barbie doll....lol

so I need to go buy a proper pattern that I can follow...

easy of course

what I really want to do is knit myself a jumper

but I have started a baby blanket..

and really need to get it finished.

its takeing ages because I am 

wait for it

knitting 6 pearling 6 across rows.. for ten rows

then pearling 6 knitting 6 for ten rows

which forms a square pattern...

I will show when it is finished.. may take a while tho

because it takes me ten minutes to do a row... bit slow i think

I am now going to go and knit..

How clever am I eh..

Thanks for stopping by

and hope to see you soon

CLaire x

Happy New Year

To you all in the land of Blog

I have been a busy bee

would you believe that Christmas Eve at the shop

we sold..240 ish fresh Turkeys !!!

and not just Turkeys.. sausages, pigs in blankets, 

HUGE pork pies and lots of cheese etc.

We was so so busy but it was a lovely day

I was puckered out when I got home about 4 pm.

(started at 730)

but then the usual getting things in order for the big day started..

anyway that seems like ages ago

here is the front room Christmas Eve

I know toooo many presents.. but it was our first Christmas back in the UK

in our own home...

Table set and ready...

We had a lovely day and enjoyed our Turkey dinner

although as per normal ate way toooo much.

since Christmas I have been playing with my new promarkers

and other goodies Paul bought me... lots of them too

here is what Hannah has had me helping with !!

Yes we are only half way through.. 

it lookes easy on the box !!!

Anyway here is the christmas cake I made...

next to hectors Christmas tree

And here it is... first time sliced... it looks huge in this pic...

well suppose it is really, we are not even half way through 

Paul has even been taking it to work for him the and lads !!!

Shhh but there is another one (un iced ) in the dining room unit !!!

But I am going to save that... till June..as its the BIG 40 for me...

I have another post to do... one I am proud to tell you all about... so

Thanks for stopping by

CLaire x

NEC

Well I know I must have told you all that I was going....

YES I was a little excited about it...

and YES I had saved up for the occasion

and wow did I have a ball..

look what jumped into my hands..

yes your seeing right..all these pens..

 this  means I only have about 20 more to buy to have the full set..

As I bought a bumper set on the sly !!!

then I saw these new edge punches which I thought where a bargain at

2 for £18

 I also go lots and lots more but...

they are now all wrapped up for me for Christmas...

 I also bought the proper end dots for my promarkers.. which are now on the pens I have in my unit

took me hours sorting out though !!

 And next is Kath.... I knew she was going to be at the NEC

as Kath had been blogging about it her blog is Here

so I had to find her.. took a couple of hours but here she is

That's me on the right with the curly hair..

listening and taking it all in

 And she looks nothing at all like her blog picture.. !!!

She has a fantastic accent too..I stood and listened to her for ages..

but didn't like to disturb her teaching...!!

I do have permission to show these as I have asked Kath.. !!

right thats it from me as

I'm a celebrity is on and i am missing it

thanks for stopping by

CLaire xx

Shabby Art Planner

Evening... and I do hope you're all ok

This post should have been done a week or two ago

but I have been working lots of hours not leaving many hours in the day for me

and the dreaded housework.. and what with the run up to Christmas in full swing

making it so much harder to find me time

but hey I am here and I have a Christmas Planner to show you

Over at the Shabby Art Boutique the lovely Kerryanne 

shared with everyone a printout to make a organizer for Christmas

Now as soon as I saw it I had downloaded and made it

here is what I did 

Picture Heavy.... !!!

I made the book from cream card stock and used

Tim Holtz distress ink to do all the edges and make it look old and shabby

Took me ages too....lol

I used Paul's huge stapler to staple together..

as it is tougher than a normal one..and the staples are thicker

and it is holding it together nicely

 onto the book

Front cover

 All I did here was add some holly punches and gems for sparkle

 First two pages.. made to look old and shabby

the only thing written is the NEC.. post on that to follow

I added a raindeer charm to one corner just for interest..

 The next two are the card list pages..I knew I wouldnt have enough room on the one sheet

so I have two sheets for the list and also made a pocket for a tag which also has room for more names

 Oh and I also made a tiny envelope and placed it in the corner.

 Gift list... as you can see I have taken pictures before I started writing in it..lol

 All I did with these two was to add a shiny bauble peel off

 This is the back.. you can not see it on the photo but I have put lots of stickled on the tree

Anyway I thinik I can link this up to a friday thing over on Kerryannes blog so that is what I am going to do

I will also enter this into

Make it Monday.. Linky

Thanks for stopping by.. am off to do my second post of the night xx

Promarkers vs ME

Yes the dreaded pens... I got so confused over about a year ago as wether to buy them or copics
what colours to buy first, or do I need to have them all at once
well  in the end I bought Spectrum Noirs to practice with..and I am not so keen, I bought them while in Portugal but didn't open until I moved back to the UK. When the time came to colour, some of them where dry and unusable..!! which put me off, but the ones I have used are nice to colour with.
SO
I have bought some Promarkers I say some... I bought three packets of five just to see what they where like.
I spoke to Paula about what would be best and went with her ideas. Paula even sent me a link to her blog on storage. So I had a go and here is mine

Sat on the shelf above my workdesk, as you can see it isnt looking very full of pens
Well that is not the case now as I bought a set of 56

and I am slowly adding them a few at a time so no one notices..lol

Here is a quick pic this morning... I will add some more next week, I have about another 20 or so to add

I have a list in my bag of the pens I have left to buy, so am sure I will come back from the NEC with a few more. I am also hoping to buy some stamps so I have something to colour too

Right time I did some cleaning before I go to work

Tanks for popping over

CLaire xx

Morning peeps.

Well it is Thursday meaning one more sleep here in Huddersfield

then off I travel to Grimsby to stop at Pauls mum's for one sleep then its

NEC time...

Can you tell I am excited ??

I have a HUGE list.. too many things on it to the amount of Cash I will have in my purse

But I am taking Paul...lol

I think I mentioned Hannah making bunting for christmas

Well here is the cute little snowman she chose on Google printed out and ready to be cut

 So yesterday while I was watching catch up TV I cut them all out 

so here they all are waiting to be coloured

I am so tempted to do a couple but I have to leave alone, it is Hannah project not mine

Above is the finished cracker for Paul. 

I just tied it with gold ribbon added a heart like on the present inside with a tag

and taped some red ribbon on each end

I didn't over do it as the card I used has a pattern and thought it didn't need anything too fussy, did not want to spoil it.

right I am tootling over to Shabby art blog to see if I post my organizer.

watch this space

thanks for stopping by 

CLaire xx

I am getting Excited

I have just THREE sleeps left..just three until I go to the NEC craft fair.
I so can not wait to get in there and have a good look round. I have just been blog hopping and a blog I follow lady called Kath is jetting of to be there too
So I may just have to say Hello.. although I have not met her before, and to be honest she may think that I am a total wirdo walking up as though I know her.... lol It would be rude not to.
If by chance I do see her, its a big place so I probably won't.
I am at this moment in time printing multiple images of a snowman for Hannah.
She has decided that she would like to colour them, their scarfs and hats that is, and made a christmas bunting for the hallway
Where did she get this idea from well here..

 Hannah made these for where I work to hang around the Halloween table
The little ghost came from Bugaboo last year, I printed it off just before the PC went bang

 We attached them to some bright orange ribbon after Hannah had coloured them with my Spectrum Noirs
So just below is the Image she has chosen off Google to make the Christmas bunting

So I am thinking of sitting in the front room for an hour or so and cutting them out ready for her
while I catch up with some TV. I found out I can watch it through the playstation.. BBCI player

I also have something else to show later, although I need to hop over to the blog to see if I have to link it up
At Shabby Art Boutique, Kerryanne has made this years Chrstmas Planner, it is lovely
I have printed off and made my book, all old fashioned, I am very pleased with my result
I am just waiting on some stickles to dry on the back.. then I will take photos and post it here later on

Well that's it from me for now I am off to make a cuppa and get cutting.
Thanks for stopping by
CLaire

Crackers

Hiya peeps... 

just me here to show you something I made

I was blog hopping a couple of days ago

and when over at Julies blog 

I saw an amazing cracker

and thought I would like to have a go at that

so I asked for template which Julie sent Via email

Pop over to Julies blog and take a look

and if you like send her a msg..am sure she will send the template

anyway here is my take

It is slightly different in shape 

As I made it to fit around the red present

One of Pauls smaller pressies for Christmas

So I adjusted the measurements to suit myself

 and I surprised myself as I made it correct first time

and am rather pleased with it

The paper I used are Papermania - Home for Christmas

I am so pleased I bought these 

they are lovely 180gm so thick enough for making things like this

and the designs are lovely.

All I have to do is take a pic of the finished cracker

but just imagine it ties with gold ribbon

with a white heart stuck to one side

I am going to make one for Hannah too

but need to buy something to go into one.

Well thats me for tonight

Thanks for stopping by xx

I am going to link this up to

Make it Monday linky

Evening to those of you that are reading,

it is Friday once again and no work for me until Monday

So I have time to do a post

I am showing a card that T.B.H I am a little stuck on

Although I like it how it is

I think it needs a Christmas Picture

but I didn't want to use a decoupage Forever Friends

Any suggestions Welcome

I have had the sewing machine out again

I think it finishes off the edges nicely

but oh it seems to take forever.

maybe it is just me being a beginner

now onto something much nicer..lol

although smelly

Look what have arrived at the farm this week

yes really small cows.......

How cute are these.. I am going to have to take my camera

and take better pictures

this was taken of my mobile and it isnt that good

and she stood and looked at me

I will also try and get some pics of the smaller ones

that are being kept in the huge sheds

now they are super cute, but very timid

Well thats it from me tonight

I am going to do my game on facebook

then watch some TV with Paul

have a lovely weekend and be carefull with those fireworks

CLaire xx0000000

Forever Friends at Christmas

Evening... second post in a day

your certainly not used to that lately are you..

you can sit down before you fall down..lol

Well I am here to show you a Christmas card

As you may or may not know I don't have any of my images

as the PC broke taking them all with it

so I have been to the local garden centre to the crafty bit

and bought some decoupage sheets

and a pack of 12x12 papermania Home for Christmas paper stack

with the thought of doing some cards

and also some layouts once I get some photo's printed

here is the first card I made

 Hes just about to peg his stocking up..ready for Santa

 His little birdy friend is in his stocking waiting

I used some lovely ribbon with Merry Christmas on it

instead of a sentiment, although I might add a name nearer Christmas

once I have decided who this card will go to

I am so behind on the crafting it isn't funny, 

I may end up buying cards this year

I just don't have the images to colour.. 

I do have some news though..

over on Facebook Paula Holifield has announced

she has a little boy.. Nathan weighing in at 9lb 7oz

and hes is so so cute..

Brilliant news mother and family are doing well..

Am sure once Paula is home she will pop an update on her blog.

well that's me for tonight

I am going to go have a go at making a Christmas Cracker

more on that tomorrow

I am going to link this up to..
Make it Monday Linky

thanks for stopping by

CLaire xx