Happy New Year

This is the card I made for Neil this year, I had forgotten to post it on here


And ..................



A very happy new year to all my friends and family, all my customers and blog readers, in fact anyone who knows me, I wish you all the happiness your hearts can hold.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support both professionally and personally. This last year has the been the hardest of my life, I have learnt a lot, there have been many ups and not many downs, so I truly feel blessed, and although I have worked hard I have had the most fun too, the most laughs and made some of the best friends ever. So in all it has been a fantastic year THANKYOU to each and everyone one of you who has taken a part in making it one to remember.

Resolutions, I am absolutely rubbish at keeping resolutions but this year I vow to make them stick

My resolutions this year are :

To be more organised, ie get up a little earlier in the morning so that I am not rushing from the get go, to write lists (my head really is a sieve) and to take pack-up, I really don't have time to be shopping for food as well as eating it when I am at work, I am hoping these three little acts will mean I am not constantly playing catch up.

To eat a little healthier, ok so I eat lots of fruit and veg but I am the worlds worst for picking up a sausage roll every day and more chocolate has passed my lips than any taster at the cadburys factory.

To remember more birthdays !!!! sorry Nicki, Bonnie, Marlene etc etc etc there are loads of you - sorry I will try better next year - I promise

No great earth shattering pearls of wisdom just everyday sensibilities that will hopefully make me a better me

Have you made any resolutions this year ?

A little catch up

On the day

The kids just starting to open their gifts, the boys got bikes as their main gift this year but it was still too icy for them to take them out on the day - I didn't want any mishaps. Amy got an ipod touch.


These below are all the wonderful gifts I received from customers of the shop from chocolates and biscuits, home made fudge and wine, to smellies and books and beautiful ornaments, there was also a beautiful plant and a handmade holly and ivy display and many many more THANKYOU so much, I can't tell you how warm inside this made me feel, to know so many people went to so much trouble, I am grateful THANKYOU, I also got hundreds of cards, most of them handmade and I am going to be making a keepsake box this week to keep them all in, I cannot part with a handmade card as I know how much time and love goes into them, thanks again for those too.



And some last minute cards that I made for family, I forgot to photograph all of them, bad blogger !!!






And my final surprise, Neil bought this some time ago and I hadn't managed to guess what it was, underneath the pretty wrapping paper came several layers of brown paper with clues on



At this point I thought it was going to be a foot spa


Still none the wiser


It turned out to be a PS3 with a pile of games including Ratchett and Clank, my all-time favourite - deep joy I can tell you THANKYOU Neil XXX

And finally the broken toe, not mine I hasten to add, the irony is Neil broke it on his Michael Jackson book - OPUS, he tripped over it, so the King of pop, known for his dancing actually managed to indirectly take Neil off his feet !!! Bless him, I am sorry to say I found it quite funny but it is really sore.




So in a nutshell - we woke to happily discover the snow had remained and created a lovely white backdrop to the day, mum and dad came over along with my grandad. We ate turkey and beef and ham and duck and lamb - yep five meats and all the trimmings. We opened all the gifts in the morning and watched telly ( Marley and Me) and played games in the afternoon. It was a lovely stay at home, family all round, relaxed kinda day - just the way I like it - bliss XXX

DDA ~ Day 22

Todays prompt is CHARITY

In an increasingly materialistic society, 'things' seem to become more and more important. But also charity is much more apparent. We are all aware of those less fortunate and we are also aware of ways to ease one anothers lives. At this time of year it is so nice to hear heartwarming stories of those who help each other. I am not talking about massive financial donations ( although they of course are wonderful) I am thinking more of the acts of kindness sometimes random that make the festive season that extra bit special.

Helping out at a local centre/hospital etc
Donating toy filled shoeboxes
Helping in a soup kitchen
Inviting an elderly neighbour for a christmas meal

You get the drift, anything selfless - whether you have been on the receiving end or whether you are the provider. Kindness and therefore CHARITY can cost nothing at all yet it can mean the world.

Sweet Sixteen and Party Pics

The final class pages of this year




Bo Bunny papers, flowers were punched using the EK success retro flower punch

As promised a few photos from the christmas parties held at the shop on friday and saturday

We had a hat competition and were blown away by some of the weird and wonderful creations

Fridays winner was Kate with her cracker covered rubbish receptacle (the innards were made from a waste paper basket and when Kate removed the hat she had rigged it to spill all the paper waste onto the floor - just to tease dad lol)

Saturdays winner was Pat with her incredibly tall snowman which lit up with pretty little lights, the hat was almost as big as Pat herself



Santa Claus AKA Bob AKA pops AKA Alan AKA dad made an appearance ( he has so many aliases now I am thinking he has a career as a spy if he wants one) and he came bearing gifts of liquid refreshments. I was as surprised as everyone else, as he had kept it a secret, he got lots of offers from ladies wanting to sit on his knee ( its alright mum he ran a mile lol)


And this beautiful little angel stood and sang through our coffee break during class in the morning ( full class of 19 people, plus me and dad and a couple of extra customers - how brave !!!!!) Elizabeth sang a cute little number about hippopotamus and a medley of christmas carols and she truly has the voice of an angel, well done and THANKYOU Elizabeth





The boys with a new friend Amelia, who was as good as gold and a pleasure to have in the shop, her grandma brought in the little hats the boys are wearing



Myself and Nicki wearing our mtching hats, Nicki made mine for me - thanks hon. Anne had dubbed us Elf Tracey and Elf Nicki lol

Double trouble !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



We had an amazingly fun couple of days THANKYOU everyone who stayed and everyone who brought all the yummy food, I love the feeling of community the shop has, it truly is special. Also a big thankyou to Margaret who helped massively on friday.

Finally ( phewwww - still with me ???????)

DDA Day 21 - SANTAS LETTER

Today Neil brought home from work three copies of santas letter in a more grown up form, hilarious, the kids fill it in and they have to specifiy what refreshments they will be leaving for Santa and the reindeer, they have to fill in gift placement details and a declaration at the bottom stating that they have been good and honest all year, it truly is funny, so this is what they will fill in and send tomorrow.

Do you have your children write a letter ?

What is your earliest memory of your letters to santa?

How about making a copy of all your childrens letters this year and tucking it in one of the envelopes to be read in years to come.

Sorry I am a little behind with the prompts - this week truly ran away with me and all my time !

I have your prompts updated and they are all now listed in the sidebar ( complete now thanks Kate lol), hopefully this will make reference easier if you are are using them in a different order, should save you from scrolling through a months worth of blog posts




DDA prompt Day 18 - FRIENDSHIP

It was the first of the shop christmas parties today and as I looked around the table laden with food, surrounded by some amazing people, I realised how lucky I am to be in a job whereby I have met so many truly wonderful friends. Really strong bonds have been created and I know they are people who I will continue to be friends with for life.
The handmade cards and christmas celebrations just completed the picture, nothing beats sitting with your friends, talking and laughing and celebrating the season together

Your prompt is to recall friendships that have been formed, cemented or just plain remembered over the christmas period.
Are there some friends you only see at christmas ?
Are there friends you wish you could see this christmas ?

Thankyou to all my new friends for making this a really special year and for all my old friends who have stuck by me and supported me in the busiest year of my life, I appreciate every single one of you XXX




DDA prompt Day 19 - SNOW

This one is for you Anne, I know you have been itching to journal your snow stories.
As today has seen the region blanketed in a beautiful layer of fluffy white snow, I thought it might be a good idea to recall all those frosty memories, snowball fights and walks in the white stuff.

I wont ever forget the day we had loads of snow and dad built my sister and I an igloo in the back garden, it was big enough to fit four of us in there and it was fantastic, he worked so hard filling a big plastic crate and moulding the 'snow bricks', finally carving it into a proper round igloo shape with door hole and domed roof.

Have you created anything other than a snowman or snowlady ?
Have you been snowed in and unable to leave the house ?
Is it one of your children/grandchildrens first ever experience of snow ?

Dont forget to take lots of pics - no excuses - it is still white over today !



DDA prompt Day 20 - Photos

I thought it would be nice to include a day without a specific theme, just a page where you can add some photos of choice, maybe additional ones from this year that have not already been included in one of the earlier prompts. Or maybe some favourite ones from years past. No need for journalling if you don't want to - after all, a picture is worth a thousand words sometimes.

Just go for it - take some new ones or look through old ones, whatever you decide add some of those all important family photos

That is it for now, I will try and get back later with some photos from the parties and the last scrapbook class pages, I seriously need to do some editing, see you later tonight - have fun in the snow XXX

DDA ~ Day 17

The card I made for Neil's birthday


The front panel has been created from a plain piece of white card, which I stamped with a collage of three different stamps, I then used distress inks to colour them using a sponge to give a soft effect. The small frame was cut by hand, run through the cuttlebug and rubbed with wax to bring out the detailing, key is by Tim Holtz.

Last night we took the children to see James Camerons AVATAR



The critics seem to be in disagreement over this long-awaited movie but I can tell you I am certain in my opinion, it is FANTASTIC, the special effects and stunning graphics just blew me away, for all the fantasy, you definitely felt like you were in the film. I could watch it all again today, parts of it simply take your breath away, my goodness how technology has advanced - take your kids - I promise you won't be disappointed !

On to the DDA


Your prompt for today is SCHOOL PLAYS

As it was AJ's school play today it made me think of all the plays I have seen over the years, so here is your opportunity to document either your childrens, your own or your grandchildrens school performances. All the school plays seemed much the same when I was at school and they all firmly centred around the nativity. AJ's play was somewhat different with break-dancers making an appearance at one particularly memorable point.

Do you like to see a traditional story unfold or do you embrace the diversity ?

Have you been a helper - madly painting scenery or sewing costumes til the last minute?

Whatever the prompt evokes, journal it, remember nothing in your journal is wrong, it should be individual and unique to you, it is telling your christmas stories

I will leave you with AJ having fun doing the Macarena ( see what I mean about unusual occurrences in the plays !!!)

All caught up

Our last 2 cards in this years classes



And my last four tags for Sir Tim





I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed doing these tags and I have learnt so much too, I am sorry to have them finished and I am already looking forward to next year

On to the DDA

Your prompt for today is TALES

Not the furry kind attached to a dogs rear ! I am talking of fairy stories or family tales. Do you have a favourite book you read to your children on christmas eve, or have fond recollections of a parent reading to you at christmas ?

Do you have family stories passed down through the generations, of stockings filled with nuts and clementines or puddings with a silver penny ? How about the time santa got stuck up the chimney, you know what I mean - we all have little stories or anecdotes that are laughed over or cherished in the days around christmas.

Thats it for now - I have something planned for this evening so will be back tomorrow XXX

DDA ~ Day 15

Good evening

Your prompt for today is HOMEMADE

OK, so we all cook our own meals on christmas day and a fair few of us do lots of baking and cake making, but how many of you make your own cards and gifts ?

Do you make your own ornaments and table decorations too ?

Have you got a tradition of sitting with the children making paper chains or other homespun decorations ?

Do you have fond childhood memories of creating those loo rolls crackers ( even if you couldn't get hold of the strips that made them go bang ? )

Each year I have wonderful plans of doing everything myself and making all from scratch but seldom do I achieve all I set out to do, nevertheless, unperturbed I continue to strive towards the Good Life, I am neither Felicity Kendall nor Kirsty Allsop but I do try.

DDA ~ Day 14

Your prompt for today is PANTOMIME

I defy anyone to not have a panto experience - oh yes you do !!!!!!!!

Do you have a favourite ? Have you ever put on an amateur pantomime?

Do your children/ grandchildren love or loathe them

As a child did you enjoy a pantomime as part of the build up to the festivities?

Today Neil and I attempted to finish up our christmas shopping, we had already bought all the big things through the year, so there was just a couple of items we needed. We had lunch out and bumped into mum and dad, who were also finishing up their shopping.

We went to see 2012 last night with the kids and they loved the film - the special effects were pretty amazing (although I must admit I was regularly expecting to see Bruce Willis in his tight white vest - he would have made a more believable hero) We are taking them to see Avatar later in the week and we are all really looking forward to that one.

Sorry no photos of tags today - the miserable weather definitely put paid to that, hopefully I will have them to share tomorrow, they are all finished now and I must admit I will miss following the challenge, thanks for all the inspiration Mr Holtz.

DDA ~ Day 13

First and foremost

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEIL - love you XXX

It is Neil's 40th birthday today, many happy returns sweetheart, he has opened his cards and gifts and we have had a quiet day at home ( he warned me a while ago that a secret party would not go down well - so I resisted the temptation) We are going to the cinema and then for a meal with the kids.


Onto the DDA

Your prompt for today is CELEBRATIONS

What kind of party do you like to host/attend this time of year, are you a hardened fancy dress addict or do you refer hosting a dinner party ? Is a night on the razzle your cup of tea or is a mulled wine with family beside the fire more appealing?

Do you have a particularly memorable festive celebration from your past ?

Bye for now, back in the morning with some more Tim tags - nearly there - phewwwwwwwww XXX

DDA ~ Day 12

Your prompt for today is FOOD ( you all just knew this one was going to be in my list didn't you lol)

What kind of food do you serve up during the festive season? Do you have a speciality dish ? Do you have a weird or wonderful alternative to turkey on the big day ?

What flavours from your childhood are evocative of christmases past ?

Are there special meals you use to help build the holiday excitement ?
Your opportunity to journal all things scrumptious ( don't forget to be taking photos )

These are this weeks class pages, a little stamping and embossing on these ones for the snowflake embellishments and the music paper was also stamped. Papers By Bo Bunny.




Happy Weekend XXX

DDA Day 11

Good evening

Your prompt for today is VISITS

Do you receive a special visit this time of year, someone who you don't often see ( and I am not talking about the jolly guy in the red suit)

Or do you make the most of your time off work and do some visiting of your own ? It doesn't have to be a person, it can be a special place too

And I have another tag to share, this one was using some metal sheeting kindly given to me by Sue last year - thankyou Sue

We used alcohol inks to colour the metal and then distressed them with sanding blocks and acrylic paint, again , it is a slight variation on Tim's theme.

My tags are also a little out of order as I saw this one and was dying to have a play, so I conveniently 'forgot' I was missing two others and started this one first - so I am playing catch up tonight, hopefully I should have some more to share tomorrow.

Happy weekend XXX

DDA ~Day 10

Good evening, sorry this post is a little later than usual

Your prompt for today is MOVIES

I love the few weeks before christmas when all the feel-good family movies start to appear on the television, I love nothing more than enjoying an evening at home with the family, tucked up cosy, watching a film. One of my all time faves is Miracle on 34th Street and I end up watching it most years, we also love the Disney classics and for a good old giggle, nothing can beat Planes Trains and Automobiles.

What do movies mean to you at christmas ? Have you got favourites you watch year in and year out ?

Is it a family tradition to visit the cinema at this time of year and see a new film, or do you prefer the theatre or a good old fashioned pantomime?

I will be back tomorrow with a tag update XXX

Tagging Along

And another tag for the collection, did lots of masking on this one, I loved the crispness of the white against the richer colours.


A big thankyou to Victoria, Lorraine and Jane who all helped out today whist dad was away - thankyou ladies.

I want to share with you some of my friends blogs, they are either completely new to blogging or just starting again after a long absence, I love that they are all sharing their lives and their craftiness

Nicki
Lynda
Lorraine
Victoria
Ems

Thats it for tonight off to make another tag and complete my DDA entry, see you in the morning XXX