WOYWW - God Bless this Mess

First of all, many thanks to everyone who left a message about my mum. She is out of hospital now and doing fine, it seems it was a very minor stroke but we will have to keep an eye on her and she has new meds to take probably for ever. She's a tough old bird I'll give her that - she didn't say anything for 24 hours because 'she didn't want to make a fuss'.

Anyhow it's Wednesday again....and I am just a little bit ashamed of the way I left my workdesk last night

Almost all this mess has been generated due to a commissioned card to celebrate a 100th birthday - how amazing is that - for a dear friend's grandma. Flowery was requested so I have fallen back on a favourite Rose stamp which I coloured in with cosmic shimmers (disappointing) then beefed up with some copics and promarkers - much better!! I also at the last minute changed tack on the colour scheme but think I've got it cracked with these maroon papers from craftwork cards that came free in a magazine. I have opted for an 8 x 8 easel as I think that makes quite a statement without being too enormous and will post it when it's finished.

On the other side of the room are a selection of Mother's Day Cards for work - I have no idea what anyone wants so have some ornate ones plus a few C & S ones. I have been practising my spiral flowers and am quite pleased with the results even though I wasn't actually aiming for roses, I was looking for something a bit more funky looking!! Practice makes perfect I guess. You can also see my new TH Tattered Floral die - I am delighted with how well it worked in my humble little cuttlebug so I may have to splurge on a couple more of these.

I'm a bit late in the day as I have been working till late, but if you want to join in with what is left of WOYWW then pop over to Julia's blog Stamping Ground to have a nosy and maybe even join in.

Just a couple of things to share...

Haven't got much to say today, still not very well and mum got taken into hospital this afternoon for suspected (minor)stroke. We'll know more tomorrow when they have run some tests. So here's a little birthday pressie (it's a hanger) and card I sent to a dear friend (you know who you are lol). Once again I used the Crafty Individuals stamps and papers I won in December.

Here's the fan for my Flickr group swap. I was going to change the flower but I've sort of lost interest this week so it will have to go as is.

Finally a birthday card for a friend.

See ya!!

March Giveaway - with a twist and a PIF...

First things first. Apologies, I said I would upload this Saturday and it is Sunday. I missed Saturday. I slept. Because if I wasn't asleep I was coughing. I have been coughing since Tuesday. Now I am sneezing as well. I am not impressed. A three week cold that gets worse instead of better? Enough said.

Anyhow, here is the giveaway, a paper fan. It was the prototype for the one I have made for a swap (will be subject of another post as not quite finished yet) but it turned out better than expected. I do confess that I have had to repair the ribbon twice due to over enthusiastic fan snapping and opening whilst prancing round the room but what can I say, I'm just a big kid at heart!! Just to be clear, everyone who leaves a comment on this post before 8.00 pm on Sunday 27th March will be entered for the March draw.

Now here's the twist. A little something extra for you to play for if you so wish. This month I am also inviting you to take part in PAY IT FORWARD. I would like you to consider how much pleasure you get from receiving something someone has created with love and care in the post. Well I certainly do, which is one of the reasons I started my monthly giveaway. But as well as receiving, you can be the person who makes someone else feel good!! So, essentially I am promising to send one of my creations to the first five people who indicate that they wish to take part in PIF. Their commitment is to post about it on their own blogs and do the same. The simplest way to indicate that you want to join in is to say so in your message on this post but I will happily respond to emails or messages elsewhere. There will be no set time limit on the PIF, and if we don't have five people by the time the March giveaway is closed I will place it somewhere in the header so you can find it easily.

These are the items I have put aside for the PIF gifts. There is an altered canvas which I blogged about here. There is also a mermaid themed altered slide mailer which uses the papers and stamps I won at Alter It Monthly.

Another gift will be a little paper 'book' containg 4 collaged ATCs featuring vintage children.




I have also included a vintage tag blogged here, and finally a masculine themed tag book using canvas tags.

I will select a gift at random each time anyone joins in with PIF, so although you can see what I have made, there is still an element of suprise!!

I hope all that is clear, don't forget EVERY COMMENT WILL GO INTO THE MARCH GIVEAWAY DRAW FOR THE FAN. There is NO obligation to join in with Pay It Forward. International Players welcome, please feel free to link from your own blogs.

Right, I'm back to bed.

WOYW Wednesday

Well, I am only home one Wednesday in 4 so don't get around to this very often but thought I might just do a quick post. If you want to join in or find out what it's all about pop over to see Julia

you'll be most welcome and you never know who might pop in to see you!!

Well here it is in all its glory but actually quite tidy for me!! In fact it was pristine last night as I tidied for a friend who was coming over but for various reasons that didn't happen so I have done this in the last two hours. As we leap into March, which is set to be a busy month (apart from everything else I am starting to feel the call of the garden) I am feeling quite organised on the crafting front. I have nearly finished a 'Marie Antoinette' fan for a swap - you can see the blades to the left waiting to be put together. I've been doing lots of gold embossing using my new Anna Griffin Lace stamps - I saw them a while ago and was lusting after them and finally gave in last week when watching the QVC shopping channel (Ah the perils of being at home sick - TV and internet shopping is just too easy!!). I also succumbed to the temptation of some Tim Holtz embossing folders and you can see I have used one on a male birthday card I need for next week. You can also see that I am not very inspired when it comes to male cards lol. However I can see that particular folder becoming a favourite.

I have also been a very lucky bunny this week - I received two gifts in the post this week. One was a lovely stamped canvas from Georgina and the second is a geisha bookmark from Jinny for signing up to her Pay It Forward challenge. Thanks guys!!

I am going to be uploading my own PIF challenge and giveaway on Saturday so don't forget to come back. And speaking of giveaways, can I suggest you pop over to see Laura at Artfully Musing who has the most lovely Art Draw on her blog. Her work is really beautiful.