Home again :)

Hi all, I got back last night around 8pm after my flying visit to see Gramps. He's still in hospital and things there are moving very slowly compared to the way things get done here in the U.S. He still has shadows on his lungs on the x-rays and is coughing up blood, and because he's been on different antibiotics all this time, the doctors still haven't started him on any heart medication. He was very happy to see me, though, and I was happy to see him :) He shared some family stories with me that I hadn't heard before, and I got to say what I wanted to say to him and of course give him lots of hugs and kisses :)



One day before visiting hours at the hospital, we went for a Dorset Cream Tea: tea, scones, jam and clotted cream. We did a little shopping in Dorchester too.



On Wednesday I got the bus back up to London and stayed the night there since my flight was early on Thursday morning. I came back via Chicago. It was awesome to see Iain's and the kids' smiling faces waiting for me at Denver last night. I'm glad to be home, and I glad that I went to see Gramps :)

Bless My Blossoms!

Today's the day of the latest release from The Cat's Pajamas :) Alma has 3 fabulous new sets for you to check out right here on the TCP site! Happy shopping!

My card is another one made with the "Hearts and Flowers" set, and patterned paper from Crate Paper.

Post A Note

Hi all! Here's another card I made with Artful Inkables' Post A Note set :) This one was made with a very different color scheme! The patterned paper is from the "Citrus" stack by DCWV, and the ribbon is from my stash :) This one definitely puts me in a Spring-ish mood!

TCP Tuesday - Sketch Challenge

This week Carole is hosting the Sketch Challenge for TCP Tuesday :) Click here to see her fabulous sketch!

Be My Love Monkey!!

This little guy is from the "Hearts and Flowers" set being released this coming Friday by The Cat's Pajamas. You are going to looooove this set!

Hey Honey!

Another TCP sneak peek card for you today :) This set is called "Hearts and Flowers" and features several adorable characters that are fabulous for coloring! Who could resist this little elephant? :)

Quick! Hide the Eggs!

Hi all, I've set up my blog to post a few cards while I'm away. I don't want you to miss out on some more peeks of the sets being released on Friday by TCP :) This is another one made with the "Beans, Bunnies and Peeps, Oh My!" set - I had lots of fun working with this one! The patterned paper is the "Baby Bee" collection by Crate Paper - perfect for Springtime cards!

Leavin' on a jet plane...

I'm at home today getting some things finished before I leave to visit Gramps. I had a paper to turn in for school, and I got lots of laundry done. I did have plans to clean the house, but it didn't quite happen...never mind, I'm sure it'll still be waiting here for me when I come back! LOL!

I've set up several forward-dated blog posts, so you can still stop by and see some cards while I'm away :) There will be more TCP cards made with those new Spring sets, and perhaps an Artful Inkables card or two.

Thank you so much for all your good wishes for Gramps and my trip. Have a super week ahead, and I'll be back next Friday. ((((hugs))))

Spring Fling!

Are you ready for Spring? Have you noticed all the Spring and Easter goodies appearing already in stores? Is it just me, or do stores get ready for these holidays earlier and earlier each year?

Here's an accordian card I made with another new TCP set coming out next Friday (2/27)...the set is called "Spring Fling" - check out Poochie in his carrot car, and Sprinkle wearing her Easter bonnet!

Our chili cookoff was a great success! We ended up with 16 types of chili! Everyone on our committee pitched in and did their bit, and it all came together really well. I didn't cook because I was one of the organizers, but everyone had a blast! The teachers who won were thrilled with their gift cards, and everyone who attended had a really fun time. We don't have the exact figure yet, but our door people estimated that we made over $500 for the playground fund!

Chili, anyone?

Tonight we're having a Chili Cookoff at the school. A team of four of us has been busy organizing this for about 6 weeks :) We have 12 staff members cooking chili, and the kids and their families are going to pay to taste the chili and vote for their favorites. The money raised will go to our school's playground fund. We were also able to get some great prizes for first, second and third place - and there's a prize for the chili that gets the least votes, too!!

Do you smell carrots?

So here's a peek at a card made with one of the 3 new sets coming next Friday (27th) from The Cat's Pajamas! These images are from the "Beans and Bunnies and Peeps, Oh My!" set :)

Keep checking here and also on the other TCP gals' blogs in the coming week to see more of what's coming from TCP!

Gramps update

I spoke to Uncle Derek today. Gramps is still in hospital and it seems there are several things the doctors are concerned about. One is some shadows on his lungs that so far have not changed despite 2 rounds of antibiotics. The medication that is supposed to get rid of fluid buildup in his lungs is now causing swelling in his ankles. The heart murmur is still there; they are trying some different medications but so far there's no change. Yesterday was his 96th birthday. Auntie Joan took his cards, cake and presents in to him.

Something that's frustrating me is hearing about the difference in the speed with which the National Health Service deals with patients; nothing is done quickly; there doesn't seem to be much of a sense of urgency. We had the same frustration when Iain's dad had cancer almost 10 years ago. I guess we're just more used to how things are done here in the U.S. now that we've lived here over 15 years.

So, for now the plan is to keep Gramps in hospital. Uncle Derek is going to make an appointment to speak with the specialist who is overseeing him, so that he can try and get a better idea of a plan of action. It looks as if Gramps will probably still be in hospital when I visit, but that's OK. Right now I just want to see him, wherever that may be. Less than 3 days to go until my trip...

Artful Inkables Blog Hop!

Hi all! Today the new Design Team for Artful Inkables is hosting a blog hop!! If you haven't been to Kristin's blog yet, hop over there first so that you can see all the fantastic creations from the start :)

We're using the brand new Artful Inkables sets; my card was made with a set called "Post A Note" - isn't it pretty? One of my favorite things about this set is the size of the images; they make it very easy for coloring or paper piecing. I used purple cardstock, and the patterned paper is from the "Animal Crackers" stack by DCWV. I think you'll agree that this is a super-versatile set that could be used for many different occasions.

Thank you sooo much for stopping by! From here you're going to hop over to Kerri's blog to see what beautiful work she has created :)

TCP Tuesday - Stamp Challenge

Hi all - it's TCP Tuesday! This week Karrie is hosting a super stamp challenge - to use your TCP cupcake stamps!! Check out all the details here on Karrie's blog - and I hope you can play along!!

Friday Fill-In (a little late, I know...)

Here's a little piece from Friday Fill-Ins that I forgot to post the other day :)

1. It seems like Spring around here! Where's the snow?
2. Would you put down the toilet seat when you're done, please?
3. If I thought you would appreciate it, I'd make you a handmade card! (But actually, my hubby prefers a store-bought one with a funny poem inside! LOL!)
4. Thankfulness is what I think of most when I think of you.
5. To me, Valentine's Day means craft time with the kids!
6. My family gives me strength.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Iain coming home, tomorrow my plans include stamping and Jamie's swim lesson and Sunday, I want to watch the season premiere of "The Amazing Race" with Iain and the kids!

All booked

We got my flight booked; I'm leaving next Saturday and will fly into London Heathrow. I'm meeting my Uncle Derek there and we'll go back down to Weymouth together. I'll be in Weymouth for 3 nights, then I'll spend the last night in London so that I'm ready for my flight home on Thursday morning. Now all I have to do is try and get ahead with my school work so that I don't need to work on it while I'm away...

Happy Hearts Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! I thought today would be a good day to post the card I made for my "Seasoned CJ Survivors" challenge. Patti asked us all to create something that includes blue, brown, and green, and also a red heart.

For my card I used this adorable ladybug image from Gina K Designs ("Framed Friends" set). Isn't it sweet?? I colored the image with my Copics. As for the red heart, I didn't have any sparkly red heart brads, so I put red Stickles on a silver heart brad, and it worked just fine! Crafters are great improvizers :)

So, just for fun, here's a list of 10 things I love (not including family, friends or pets). Feel free to play along and post a list on your blog if you'd like:

Earl Grey tea

The smell of new patterned paper :)

Bread (in any form!)

Looking at snow that hasn't been walked on yet

The sound of my kids' belly laughs

Quiet time

Teaching kids or adults something they didn't know before

A good Indian curry!

That satisfying feeling at the end of a fantastic book

Long weekends!

Long weekend :)

Thank you for all the kind wishes for Gramps. The latest is that they found a heart murmur, which the doctors said is very common at his age. If he was younger they would suggest surgery, but because of his age it is too risky. Right now they have him still in hospital wearing a monitor 24/7. They are also going to try some medication but keep him in there while they do that, just in case he has a bad reaction to it. After talking with some friends and family, I think I am going to take a short trip over there in a week or so; Iain and I are going to see what we can figure out this weekend. I think it will be good for Gramps and for me.

On the papercrafting side, I am planning some serious stamping this weekend! I have stamps from The Cat's Pajamas and Artful Inkables to work with! Wooo hoo! So there will be some brand new projects appearing here on my blog very soon :) The kids would like to see "Coraline" this weekend, so we'll be doing that, and Jamie has a swim lesson on Saturday.

There is lots of other stuff going on right now: I'm helping to organize the Chili Cookoff at school which is taking place next Thursday. We have a dozen staff members cooking chili. Families will pay to come in and taste all the chili, and they will vote for their favorites! All the proceeds will be going to our school playground fund. We're also heading into testing season at school, and as the coordinator I am responsible for checking and double-checking all the materials and test booklets throughout the school before they are returned to the CO Dept of Education. I also started a new class at school this week which will last until mid-March. The good news is that I only have 4 classes left after this one! YEAH!

So...that's what's going on with me right now. What are you up to this long weekend?

Happy Wishes

Here's another card using an older stamp image by Penny Black that I find myself using often when I want to make a batch of "just because" cards. It's a great one to color to match any patterned paper (this paper is by SEI), and a girl with flowers - well, it's just such a versatile image for us cardmakers :) The sentiment in the bottom left-hand corner is from a set by Hero Arts.

Gramps

I got an email today saying that my grandad (Gramps) is in hospital in England. He's not been too well this past month with a cold and then a secondary infection, and this morning he fainted so they have him in hospital to run some tests on his heart and other things. Gramps is 95 years old (96 next week!).

I have a very special relationship with Gramps; we write to each other via "snail mail" regularly. He is one of the sweetest people you could ever meet - I don't ever remember him having a mean thing to say to or about anyone. As some of you know, my dad (Gramps' son) died over 20 years ago; I think this is part of what makes our connection so valuable to me. Hopefully tomorrow will bring some good news from back home.

TCP Tuesday - Color Challenge

Hi everyone! It's TCP Tuesday! This week Jen is hosting an awesome color challenge - check out the color combo on the right :)

For my card I decided to challenge myself not to use any patterned paper - which is very difficult for me, given that I'm a patterned paper addict! It worked, though :) The stamps I used are from TCP's "Puppy Love" set. Doesn't Poochie look sweet all dressed up for Valentine's Day?

The layout for this card comes from Tracy's Sketch Challenge for this week!

Our little scientist :)

Last week was the school Science Fair. Jamie and Iain worked very hard on his project, and on Thursday night we found out that Jamie had won first place in his division (Kindergarten through 3rd grade)!

On Saturday his board was moved to the Mountain Area Science Fair in Idaho Springs, along with first place displays from 12 area schools. He won second place! Here he is proudly showing off his ribbons :)

Shower Time :)

Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope you're having a super weekend. I've been catching up on some of my DT work; this is my card for this week's "Who's That Girl?" challenge which I host on Splitcoast Stampers each week. This week the challenge is to use the "Shower Time" set (or any other MFT set) and at least 3 different patterned papers. I found this paper pack at Hobby Lobby; it's by Paper Studio and is called "Pink Armadillo". Isn't it fun?

We're watching the forecast here; we're expecting some snow tonight! I can't believe how little we've had this winter. My Auntie Joan, who lives on the south coast of England, has more snow than we do right now!

DT News!!

I'm very excited to let you know that I've joined the Artful Inkables Design Team!! Here are links to the blogs of the rest of the team - there are some terrific ladies in the group!

Cathy Indelicato

Elena Joldersma

Loretta Lock

Dawn Lusk

Holly McMillen

Kerri Michaud

Joy Stagg

Joanne Travis

Velta Wesson

3 Peeps Challenge :)

I was ahead of the game this month; I got my 3 Peeps card done right away and it's just been sitting here ready to post :)

Linda, Karrie and I challenged each other to make a card that includes: a heart; some kind of embossing (wet or dry); dimensions of 3" x 5.5".

Here's mine! I used the "Tree of Love" and "Bold Valentine" TCP stamps :) I used paper and ribbon by Heidi Grace, and the diamond embossing pattern was done with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. Thanks for stopping by!

Checking in :)

Hi everyone :) First of all, thank you soooo very much for all the well wishes you've posted for me this week! I got the all-clear to drive from the eye doctor on Monday; he said my vision should be completely back to normal by the end of the week. Things are still very blurry first thing in the morning and at the end of the day; he said that's to be expected since there's so much healing that needs to happen. My eye drops are my favorite product right now!

I'm hoping to get back to my cardmaking in the next couple of days I(this card is an 'oldie but goodie' that I made last year)...thanks for sticking with me - it was definitely a scary few days, and it means a lot to have your support :) I will have lots of catching up to do on my favorite blogs this coming weekend!

MFT February Release Blog Hop :)

Hi all!! Some of you may be joining me from Shannan's blog as part of the MFT Blog Hop for this month :) Thanks for stopping by! The card I've made for this month's hop is a very simple one using the brand new "Tea for Two" set that will be released on Wednesday along with 2 other sets! :) MFT will be hosting the New Release Party on Splitcoast Stampers: click here to find the fun from 9pm - 10pm EST on Wednesday.

The next (and final) stop is right here at Donna's blog - and she has a treat for you! Happy hopping :)

TCP Tuesday - Inspiration Challenge

It's my turn to host TCP Tuesday this week! Here's your inspiration piece :) I found it on Better Homes and Gardens' website - they're called Red Velvet Sweetheart Cakes.

So, your challenge is to make any card using TCP stamps (if possible), inspired by this picture. I can't wait to see what you come up with!! When you've finished creating, post a link to your card in the comments section of this post. All the entries will be featured in Alma's Holey Moley Monday slideshow next week! If you're uploading to Splitcoast Stampers, use the keyword TCPTUES44.

In addition, all the TCP Tuesday entries are considered for the Swanky Stamper of the Month award, which you can read about here on Alma's blog. I don't have a card ready for you yet because of the vision problems I had over the weekend, but will post one as soon as I can. In the meantime, don't forget to check out the awesome work by the other members of the Cat Pack (links over on the right-hand side).

Happy Stamping! Looking forward to see all your creations :)