Where did May and June go?

Here I am again ................. at last

Time certainly passes very quickly the older you get. Its been a busy few weeks for me. The sale of cards, stamps and craft goodies was a little disappointing but I still managed to make £120.

Just as well I made all those cards because, soon after, the decluttering, moving rooms and decorating began .

First - I got rid of my old piano, moved the office stuff around and got rid of 100s of old cassettes and CDs.

Then it was time to get rid of a bed, wardrobe and dressing table from the tiny front bedroom ready to turn it into my new craft room. I had been working in the back bedroom for years but, with 2 single beds, 3 bookcases, numerous filing cabinates and cupboards, it was seriously overcrowded. This room is quieter and looks over the trees and garden so it mkaes an ideal bedroom for us. So much nicer than having the street noise and all night glow from the lights outside

It took 3 days to move all the stuff over to the newly painted front room and with the addition of some home made curtains the black and white craft room was ready for occupation. I have to be very tidy as there is very little room but a place for everything - if only I could remember where! My labelling needs to be clearer.

Its lovely being in such a bright room and although it no longer looks quite as nice as this, it is fairly easy to keep clean and neat. It took ages putting things in new boxes and sorting out mixed brads and eyelets which had been tipped into a shoebox! I can't believe how many silk flowers I've acquired and even after selling loads of stamps my collection is huge.

Having cleared the back bedroom (and found a home for the 2 beds) it was time to plan our new luxury bedroom. It took a month to paint, wallpaper, choose and have fitted wardrobes installed, buy new carpet, lights, curtains and bedding but I'm delighted with the finished result.

John Lewis had a sale which meant I got lots of things 50% off - bonus. I have a huge amount of storage space for clothes, hats, bedding etc. and the local charity shops know me by name now (I even have a Gift Aid card for one)

We have been in the new room for a week now and seem to be sleeping much better. There is a slight problem with the new bed ................... can't get out of it in the morning and keep oversleeping!

Last of all, we demolished one of the old wardrobes and moved the dressing table into the alcove making much more room and can at long last ask visitors to stay! We keep a spare TV up there so I can relax and watch my favourite programmes in comfort while Clive has his sport on.

Busy, busy, busy...............

Phew, that was a busy month - I must have made over 60 cards -all different and the creative juices are still flowing! Just as well as I now have an order for 70 wedding cards.

Well, I've finally finished the ones for the table-top sale next month and am now planning and prepping for the next month's classes. I'm really into 'vintage' and 'shabby chic' at the moment and am using up my store of unique lace, braid and ribbons that I brought back from Australia.

Don't you just love Britain in the spring when the sun is shining? Yesterday (my birthday) I went for alovely walk through Banstead woods. The bluebells are spectacular at the moment and the heady perfume is unbelievable. April has been a good month generally with warm balmy days and lots of sun. After all the lovely heat in Australia it has certainly helped to ease us back into the old routine rather than prolonging the Winter gloom.

The daffodils are finally over and the clematis Montana is about to burst into full blossom after showing it's pale pink buds for a few days now. The squirrels have chewed up most of the tulip bulbs so only a few brave clumps are braving the cold and rain showers today.

another hard day's work

I like to keep a record of all my work and occasionally share it with other crafters. As you can see, I've had a busy few days, making over 40 new cards. (most of these can be seen below)

So far I have managed to keep coming up with new ideas for the sale and here are a few more ...................

For some reason, I'm having real problems trying to save my pictures and scans on an external site. I must have jiggled the settings accidentally and now I can't access my favourite sites either. Hopefully I'll get it sorted soon.

My husband is rather miffed he can't get on his favourite footie site - its the only forum he understands and at this time in the season there is so much happening and he hates being 'out of the loop'

Rubber Stamps for sale next month

Now the sun is shining my thoughts have turned to the dreaded Spring Cleaning! Having done our bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and lounge, I finally plucked up courage and started on the spare bedroom - my craft room. I have 3 cabinets overflowing with stamps of all kinds so the time has come to be ruthless.

As my collection of stamps (rubber, acrylic and unmounted) has grown to over 1000 (including clear sets and rubber sheets) I thought it was about time I sold off a few that I no longer use.

To make them more saleable I've decided to include a hand-made card using each one and this is what I've managed to make so far over the Easter break

ATCs

Made loads of ATCs to swap in Australia - traditional, vintage and modern. Gave them all out and am now waiting for the last few to arrive in the post. Many are making them for the first time and standards and ideas vary but I appreciate every one and I have made a load of new craft friends - its exciting opening the post and getting something other than bills! The bird house is a 3D die from QuicKutz and the seagulls an old Sizzlit die both used on my Cuttlebug

This was a swap for the Crafty Cow Forum a couple of months ago - I love Paris

Shabby Chic? - I love this colour combination

For Valentine's Day

I like the bicycle wheels and circular sentiments on this musical journey even though they are very differnt in style. Its good to mix and match old and new sometimes.

Holiday Photos

Thought you might like to see a few photos of our trip. On the left are the Finders Ranges. It was a blistering 40 degrees in the shade



The next picture is of Wilpena Pound a spectacular rock formation which looks rather like a volcano crater. It is best viewed from the air and we braved a bumpy early morning flight in a small Cesna plane. We had many memorable experiences on this trip but this comes high up the list. The scariest moment was traversing the mountain ridgetops in a 4X4 at Arkaroola, often with sheer drops either side. My stomach is still recovering.

The rest of the time was spent around Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsular doing typical Aussie things - BBQs, wine-tasting, walking on the beach or chilling out by the pool. Our local beach was Brighton, next door to Hove rather like in the UK but only 20 minutes away

The long coastline of Adelaide beaches looks at its best as the sun goes down and the pier can get quite crowded with walkers and fishermen. Either side of high tide you can easily catch blue swimmer crabs, whiting and tommies as well as other wonderfully named varieties

Back at last

Trust me to start this all off then disappear for 7 weeks to visit family in Australia!

Had a wonderful time and managed to attend a Stamping & Papercraft show in Adelaide as well as taking part in several classes at a lovely nearby shop "Charlotte's Web" Here is a picture of one of those classes using Melissa Frances products in yummy shades of pink and green.

It was great to see my daughter and my two little granddaughters. They've been inAustralia for 3 years now and I miss them all terribly. Not surprisingly, I spent lots of time doing crafts with the girls -painting, beading, sequin pictures making and French knitting just for starters. We even had a go at painting eucalyptus bark aborigine style (but with unorthodox colours)