WOW !

I've been given another award by my good friend Lou at http://the-lou-natic-asylum.blogspot.com/. Thank you Lou !

The Rules are that you have to nominate 10 other blogs and say why they've been nominated. And leave a comment on their blog.

Add their links.

Add the link to the person who nominated you.

So here goes in no particular order.

http://amandaspaperpalace.blogspot.com/ for being an inspiration and always finding time to comment on my blog.

http://bevscrafts.blogspot.com/ for having a fantastic blog with loads of inspiration and enthusiasm. And for always finding the time to visit my blog.

http://derbyshireducks.blogspot.com/ for giving me the confidence to do this and for being an inspration to everyone around her.

http://natures-workshop.blogspot.com/ for getting me started crafting and for being my MIL.

http://jeanette-happythoughtsinkspots.blogspot.com/ for being an inspiration through her beautiful blog.

http://debby4000.blogspot.com/ for always finding time to visit my blog and for making stunning inspirational cards.

http://jackie-cardcorner.blogspot.com/ for having an inspirational blog. bringing us the Joy of little Ruby.

http://abitofeverything-lorna.blogspot.com/ for being good at absolutely everything and for being a good friend. Inspiring.

http://julietspaperpalace.blogspot.com/ for being a total inspiration.

http://ricas-haven.blogspot.com/ for taking the time to visit my blog and for having a fantastic blog herself.

Thank you all for your support and inspiration.

Love Karen xxx

Coooey I'm here again ...

as promised. I made this for my friend who loves pink. It was a soft drink bottle in a previous life, but I took it away from all that and turned it into a gift.
I'm not very good at altered art (as you can), but my friend liked it so I was pleased.

Also this morning I had a parcel from my brother that had a new Penny Black stamp in it. Oooohhh can't wait to use it. Will put pics up later when I've had a play.
I'm off to blog hop for a bit and then I must sort myself out.

T T F N happy crafting.
Love Karen xxx

Is it morning already ...

I ask myself and the answer is YES !!! We went out to a friends birthday party and had a great time. We came home to find the party next door was still going on, which we expected at just gone mid night. Unfortunately its was still going on at 04.45 when it all turned nasty and the fighting, arguing and furniture throwing started. I wouldn't mind but there are small children in there and it can't be very good for them. This has been happening almost every weekend since they moved in just before Christmas. I'm not sure I can stand it any more.

Sorry to have a moan and I wouldn't usually use my blog for this sort of thing, but what should we do ? Should we complain to the council There tennants), or do we just plod on ? What would you do ?

Love Karen xxx

PS will be back later with some proper blog stuff !

Straight to ...

bed for me this morning. It's OH's day off so he's taking DS and his friend to school. I shall have a couple of hours and then get up and we'l nip out while DS is at school. It's nice to spend some time together.
My friend is having a party tonight so it's off round there for some grape juice.

I'l be back later with a couple of cards. Happy crafting.
T T F N Love Karen xxx

Full of cold ...

so just a quick hello this morning. I feel absolutely shattered so I'm off to bed prompt with my tissues, orange juice and paracetamol. Hopefully after a kip I'l feel a bit more human.
Will post comments on blogs later.

T T F N
Love Karen xxx

PS.
Oma I still can't comment on yours or Steph's blogs. Do you comment in the usual way or do I need to do anything different ??

Carry on Camper ...

http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/friday-sketchers-40-sponsored-by-het.html

I've had this stamp for ages and never used it. It's from Little Claire's. The paper My Minds Eye Front porch range. I love these colours and have wanted to do something with them. The card is Bazill and opens diagonally across the front. Any one who knows me will tell you I love texture, so I've added some sand to the image.

Love Karen xxx

Pretty in Pink ...

for http://trulyscrumptiouschallenges.blogspot.com/2009/02/our-first-challenge.html
I love this Sugar Nellie image and it suits the friend its for. She loves pink !
I used BG Urban Prairie again for the backing and a mix of SU card and Bazill for the matts. I treaded the ribbon thru the lace and added the bow seperately. The green ribbon is velvet and from my stash. Every girl likes a bit of bling so I added a couple of pink gems.

I'm going to make a bagelope for it I think.

Love Karen xxx

There were ...

no overnight guests in the shape of a bear. But we have a red nose ready for comic relief day.

I think everyone in the house has tried this nose on including his fav cuddly toys. The dog is the only one to escape the red nose treatment. LOL.

DS also came 1st in the pancake race at school. This is his frying pan and his certificate.

He was so proud when he came running out at home time. I think I may have to do a LO with this for his bedroom wall. I think the pancake in this picture is more appetizing than the ones that OH made. Am not sure what he did wrong but I've got to make some tonight as his were deemed inedible. Never mind.

I have to dash and sort DS out and get off to school. Back later with a challenge card.HOPEFULLY.

Love Karen xxx

Yesterday ...

DS came running out of school with a little bear in a bag with a scrapbook. The instructions said that we kept the said bear over a weekend. I thought thats great take a few pics of DS and the bear doing various things, fill the book in and send it back. As DS was haveing his breakfast this morning he tells me that the said bear and book had to be taken back today. I quickly printed the pics I had taken and wrote in the book and DS put his name at the bottom. He proudly carried the bear and book in its bag back to school this morning.

The joys of a 5 year old. Mind his teacher didn't explain how long we were to keep it either. So I may have a furry house guest again tonight. Watch this space LOL.

Love Karen xxx

Message for OMA (I'd rather be crafting)

I can't leave a comment on yours or Stephs blogs. Don't know why. Can you shed any light on it please.

Love Karen x

I'm shattered ...

after last night. Monday is our quietest night so why do I feel so tired ? I really don't know.
Just a quick hello this morning begore I go and grab a nap on the sofa before DS gets up. I'm taking his friend from across the way to school today, so he's got to be ready on time this morning. No messing about. LOL.
Have got my friends birthday card to finish and some more to start ready for next month.
I'm off to have a quick blog hop. T T F N .
Love Karen xxx

WOW ! An award ...

from my good friend Louise Emma. Thank you. This is an award for people who always take time out of their busy day to leave a comment on my blog.

http://jeanette-happythoughtsinkspots.blogspot.com/

http://ellieskeeperscreations.blogspot.com/

http://bevscrafts.blogspot.com/

http://amandaspaperpalace.blogspot.com/

http://natures-workshop.blogspot.com/

http://debby4000.blogspot.com/

Of course there are many others who take the time tp look at my blog and comment and I thank you all for taking the time to do that.

Love Karen xxx

Oh what a night ...

it was. It hasn't been like that at work for ages. Lots of parcels and not enough people. Busy busy busy. At least it makes the time go quicker.
DS is back at school today. I don't know whose more excited me or him. He loves school and we don't have any problems with him going. I love having him at home but it limits my sleep to the bare minimum. On the up side I do get lots of time to craft.
I'm off in a mo to decide which challenge to do next and get ready to do the school run.

Back l8r.
Love Karen xxx

Spring is in the air ...

with this card for http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/2009/02/challenge-48-signs-of-spring.html

I used BG Urbam Prairie for the backing paper because of its bright Spring colours. My Magnolia little girl is coloured using pencils and Sansador. To glitter her wings I coloured them with a Sakura clear, glaze pen and then sprinkled with GD. The flowers ans leaves are hand punched and hand coloured. The tiny flutterby is PB and coloured with a Sakura sparkly pen and deco'd. The tag greeting is from a Stamps away set.

T T F N

Love Karen xxx

Nothing to ...

show you yet today, but have a few ideas running thru my head so am off upstairs in a min to get started. Off to work tonight so my time is limited today BOOHOO !
Collected DS from his sleepover yesterday. Boy did we miss him. Especially my OH as they are always together at the weekend. DS follows him everywhere. It was too quiet without him. DS never stops chattering, even to himself. But it gets on some peoples nerves as he's asking questions all the time. But we missed it.
Well I'm off to decide which challenge to do 1st.

T T F N happy crafting.
Love Karen xxx

Just a quick ...

hello this morning as I need to go and get ready to nip to town and then pick DS up from his very 1st sleepover. The house is soooo quiet without him and we both feel really lost.
Off to MIL's in a bit and to see OH's sister and her kids. We've got loads of birthday cards to deliver this weekend.

Right I'l be back later T T F N .
Love Karen xxx

Sunshine ...

colours for this birthday card. It's for a friend of mine whose birthday it is this week, so I need to get it in the post. I love the pattern and the colours in this paper. They're so vibrant and Spring like.


Am not sure what the image is as it's from another friends set. It's coloured with pencils and sansador and glazed with a Sakura Glaze pen (clear). The paper is BG Urban Prairie. The little verse is printed onto vellum and attached to the matts with the ribbon. The matts are DCWV and Co rdinations.

Hope you like it and thank you for looking.

Love Karen xxx

What a morning ...

I've fixed my back door after spending a couple of hours on it with my Dad yesterday. At least it's done now.
Off to finish a card I started yesterday in a mo. Need to do a bit of blog hopping first though.

Have a lovely day, happy crafting.
Love Karen xxx

Up, up and away ...

is my challenge card for http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/2009/02/sketch-38-14th-february-sponsored-by.html

The paper is Sandylion and the card is bazill and DCWV. The bear and balloons are deco'd in places and coloured withpencils and sansador.

Thank you for looking.

Love Karen xxx

I'm in Space ...

I made this card for the http://colourcreatechallenge.blogspot.com/2009/02/challenge-three-red-white-and-blue.html which was Red, white and blue with holidays or travel.

The main card is red with a backing paper by Craft Creations. I'm not sure what make the images are as they were off a friend. I coloured them with pencils and sansador. The rocket and spaceman are deco'd in places.

I added a greeting to the star.

Hope you like it and thank you for looking.

Love Karen xxx

What a morning ...

my back door is playing up so I'm waiting for my Dad to come and have a look at it. If he can fix it then our friend from Leicester wont have to come and have a look. Keep your fingers and toes crossed LOL !
The down side to this is I'm loosing valuable crafting time Boo hoo ! And I'm 1/2 way thru a card. I'l get that done later I guess.

Off to do my morning blog hop. T T F N .
Love Karen xxx

Music and Dance ...

was the theme on http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/2009/02/challenge-47-music-and-dance.html.

And here's my card. The image is Whipper Snapper which I coloured with pencils and Sakura pens for a bit of sparkle. The paper is by Imaginice. The flowers are hand punched and coloured. I added some bling cos every girl likes a bit of sparkle.

Hope you like it.

Love Karen xxx

Only just snook in ...

under the wire before afternoon arrives. DS and I have been watchin' a bit of TV together this morning. I really love our time with Cbeebies and Nick Jnr/2, but there's only so many times you can "Mr Tumble", Sarah Jane, Big Cook Little Cook, Justine and Go Diego Go before your brain switches off. So I've left him to it while I go and have a potter in my craft room. I'm halfway thru a card so i want to get that finished and then get some family cards done for this weekend.

Off to blog hop. Happy crafting.
Love Karen xxx

WOW Double Blog Candy over at ...

http://bevscrafts.blogspot.com/2009/02/it-candy-time-x-2.html

Bev is offering 2 lots of scrummy candy which includes some WOJ stamps, a set of SU sentiment stamps, some very pretty crochet flowers and a gorjus border punch.
Go take a look !

Love Karen xxx

Grandson Card ...

I made 2 of these slightly different from each other. Guess what I did. I downloaded the pics went to the folder to check them. Have you got it yet ? Yep you're right I DELETED them by mistake and my recycle bin is on perm delete. What a numbty ! So there is only 1 pic now as i gave the other card to a work colleague last night.

The gingham paper is by Craft Creations, the dark matt is SU card. The image is coloured with pencils and Sakura pens. The flowers are hand punched and coloured.

Love Karen xxx

Why are you in the kitchen draw ? ...

to get straws of course for his puppets. I had NO input to these at all and aren't they great. I am biased of course, cos he's my bestest boy and I'm his bestest girl along with Nannie, Missy (Nannie's yorkie), Granma, Aunty Sarah (my SIL) and Bethany (our niece). I'm usually last in the listings but I thought I'd build my part up today. Well I have to be 1st at some point. LOL.

Love Karen xxx

Where does it go ...

the time. I can't believe that its afternoon already. I've been pottering about doing those little jobs that you never seem to get round to.
It's Spring like here, very mild and blue skies. Lovely !
DS is creating yet another person on the WII. Whenever I post he seems to be on it. He doesnt play on it all day, to be fair he isn't on it that much at the min.
Yesterday he made puppets while I was in my craft room (piccies to follow). And today he's been colouring and cutting and sticking. There are hints of glitter being used but I'm trying to avoid it as it goes EVERYWHERE !

T T F N Love Karen xxx

Hi-De-Hi bloggers

its lovely and sunny here, still a bit chilly though.
DS is busy with Mario and Sonic winning gold medals at the Olympics. You should here the conversations that are coming out of my living room. I've never known a child talk to themselves so much. And argue, well you'd think there was more than just him here sometimes. It's funny though some of the things he says.
I'm off up to my craft room to potter and design some invites for a baby girls naming ceremony. I think it's like a Christening, but a bit less religious. I think they'l be pink and girlie as she's a cutie.

Happy crafting !
Love Karen xxx

You know how I said ...

that I was looking forward to going into work, well I changed my mind when I got there. It's been a mare!
But I'm home now and off to bed so that I can get some crafting done later. Might even do a LO.

T T F N Nan night for now.
Love Karen xxx

Just a quick ...

post before I get ready and go off to work. I'm feeling alot better than I did this morning. Thank goodness LOL.
DS is on half term this week so lots of time to craft, well thats the intention.

T T F N
Love Karen xxx

SSSssssssshhhhhhhh ....

I'm feeling a bit delicate this morning. Too much grape juice last night. As anyone who knows me will tell you, I'm no big drinker and I haven't felt like this for years. Certainly not in the last 10 at least.
Back to work tonight, which, if I'm honest I'm looking forward to.
Have got a couple of new baby cards to do, if my head will stand it. Once I get into my "room" as DS calls it, I'l be fine.

Off to ring the MIL and get another cuppa.
Have a great day and Happy crafting.
Love Karen xxx

Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm. A person can succeed at almost ANYTHING for which he/she has unlimited enthusiasm.
Remember the world belongs to the energetic ! Rev Run.

For the 2 men in my life ...

This one is OH's. It's done with crafters metal which I stamped the image on with Stazon ink and thenn dry emboss with an embossing tool. The small hearts were hand punched and shaped with an embossing tool.

This is DS's. the image was borrowed from a friend but I believe the stamp was a freebie off a mag.

DS said it was "beautiful". But at 5 everything is.

Love Karen xxx

Phewwww that went without ...

a hitch. Friday 13th. We managed to survive it without any drama. THANK GOODNESS.
Went to see my Dad and he ended up with house full. My brother and his lady arrived on their way to Northumberland. Then my step sister and her youngest arrived. Quite a gathering.

Made a Valentines card for OH and DS (piccies to follow). DS made me one in the form of an old Christmas card. Didn't get one from OH, nothing unusual in that. Never get a card for anything these days. Oh well.

Am off to clean up and get sorted. We've got some friends and their 3 coming round tonight.

Have a lovely day, happy crafting.
Love Karen xxx

My dad's card ...

all in blue. I wanted a funny verse for the front, so I thought and I thought. Then a flash of inspiration came like a bolt of lightening. Why don't I just look on the internet. So I did and found just what was looking for. Isn't technology wonderful !?!
My Dad like it andI didn't even get his usual response of
"you've made this" as if he's in total shock that I have a talent.

Back soon, am off to plan something for the OH. Ssshhh it's a secret so don't tell him.

Love Karen xxx

A BIG, BIG Happy Birthday to ...

MY DAD ! He's 69 today, so only another 365 days til the big 70th party. LOL ! I know he'l see this as he reads my blog.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD !

Will be round after we've been to town.

I'l be back later with piccies of his card.
Love Karen xxx

Pearl Wedding Anniversary ...

My friend asked me to make this for her Mum and Dads 30th Wedding anniversary. I ptinted the greeting onto the main card and then printed the poem onto another piece. I then cut a circle round it and put it onto the card with foam pads. All the flowers are hand coloured and hand punched. The big flowers have got medium sized pearl beads and the small flowers have got 3 tiny beads in each one. I've made a box with an acetate lid to put it in.
It was alot of work but I think it was worth it. Do you ?

Love Karen xxx

A bit of sunshine for my friend ...

I made this for my friend at work. She likes bright colours and I thought of her when I saw this bit of paper. The style of this card stopped me from sleeping because the idea was whizzing round in my head. In the end I had to get up and make it.
She loved it !

I'm not sure what the paper is as it was free in a mag. The flower stamp was free on magazine too. I stamped and decopaged 2 of the flowers and then added tiny orange beads. the greeting is from a Stampsaway set of sentiment tags.

Thank you for looking.
Love Karen xxx

Yesterday ...

was the best sleep I've had for weeks. I went to bed in the day as normal and slept like I was hybernating for the Winter. Fantstic ! Then I went to bed at about 23.30 and slept til 06.45 this morning. Un heard off for me. !
DS's teachers are very pleased with him and say that he is ahead of where he should be in everything especially maths. I'm so proud of him.
Well I'd better go and get ready for the school run. I'm picking his friend up again today. They are very good and walk nicely to school which is a bonus.
In the famous word of Arnie "I'l be back " later with some piccies.

Love Karen xxx

WOW Another award ...

from my good friend Lorna. I have known her about 2 years. She is a wonderful lady with a heart as big as a bucket. Also, Lorna does fabulous cross stitch pieces and fantastic scrapping and mini books. She is a very talented lady.

THANK YOU !

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.

I would like to pass it on to the following people for their inspiration and friendship.

Rica at Rica's Haven.

Racheal at Daydreams.

Pam at Handcrafted with love.

Jak at Crafters Kitchen.

Aymee at Southern belle scrapper.

Karen at Memories unleashed.

Viv at Crafting Haven.

Thank you all !

Love Karen xxx

I've got an award !!!

From my MIL. We have known each other about 8 or 9 years and I think its fair to say that we haven't always seen eye to eye. Crafting gave us some common ground and we are good friends now. She is very talented as an altered artist and a scrapper. Although neither of us scrap much these days.

THANK YOU !

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.

I would like to pass this onto the following people for their friendship and Inspiration.

Tracey at My own little corner of the web.
Lou at The Lou-natic Asylum.
Bev at All the things I love.
Amanda at Amanda's Paper Palace.
Jackie at Day's in the life of ...
Cathy at Ellie's keepers creations.
Juliet at Juliet's Paper Palace.
Debby at A Scrap Journey.

Thank you for your inspiration and friendship.

I would also like to mention my good friend Jayne who doesn't have a blog. Thank you !

Love Karen xxx

It's sooooooooo ...

cold here today. I'm absolutely shattered, it's been a long week. But I'm off for the next 2 nights as I have a very kind boss. So I'm going to spend some quality time with my OH and DS over my long weekend. And do some crafting of course LOL !
I've got an order for a Pearl Wedding Anniversary card for my friends Mum n Dad. There is a twist as its from the Grand children. I've an idea I just need to work out how to do it.
Well I'd better go n get ready for school as I'm picking DS's best friend up on the way.
T T F N happy crafting.
Love Karen xxx

Morning all ...

It's a cold 'un this morning. I've only just got in from work. One of our planes that usually lands at Stansted was diverted to us. So I'm frozen to the core. Hubby got DS up and eady for school which is a bonus, all I've got to do is get him there. (If I can stay awake that long LOL). Not really I'l be back for 09.15 and in bed for half past. I can hear it calling me.
I'm hoping to get some cards made this afternoon as I have a few birthdays coming up for friends and family.

Thats me for now T T F N
Love Karen xxx

Here are a couple of cards ...

The dino card was for DS's best friends birthday and he wanted me to make it the same has his b card had been. I decided to do the colours teh opposite way though. The Pink card and teh Valentines card are just try outs.

It's my BIL's bday today and I've made a card for him but don't like it. I've got another idea so that'l be ok.

T T F N Happy crafting Love Karen xxx

Cards from ...

These are what I made at Tracey's workshop on the 31st Jan. They are all lovely, although I'm a bit disappointed with the baby card as I couldn't seem to get the matts straight. Never mind. I had a fantastic day. Thank you Tracey.

T T F N Love Karen xxx

Tracey's workshop.

I'm here

just popped in to say hello and let you all know that I'm ok. Haven't done anything crafty since last weekend at the workshop (pics to follow).

At some stage I'l try and explain my absence, but at the min I can't.

Also I would like to say that although I appreciate fellow crafters and followers leaving me comments. I do mind people leaving adverstising links to E card web sites.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the close friends around me for their support over the last few weeks. THANK YOU !

Well I'm off to do something creative, my mojo seems to have returned.

love karen xxxx