RUDOLPH IS ALL MINE

My good cyber friend Storm did a fabulous Rudolph Inchie for one of the blog challenges and then she put him on a card and THEN she sent him to me cause she knows I love Rudolph.

Isn't he fabulous - I'm going to put him in a small frame and keep him and bring him out every Christmas.

Thank you thank you thank you Storm!!!!

xxx

BLOG NO 3!!!!!!

I have started a separate blog just for all my Stampin Up creations. If you want to have a look its at www.fionastampinup.blogspot.com At the moment it is very basic until I can get myself up and running again with the printer, scanners etc whenever that will be.

WOOHOO - I'M PART OF THE SISTERHOOD

I may not be able to craft at the moment - but I can still surf and blog! And whilst browsing through Splitcoaststampers recently I found an SU Sisterhood. This is what it said:

Sisterhood for SU Only Blogs
I know there are several of you out there that prefer blogs that only use Stampin' Up! products, and I am willing to create a special SBS group for you. Let's call it SBS SU!1. If you fit the description (100% pure SU!, except for altered tins, clipboards, etc ...all using SU products), leave me a comment with your name and blog address. I'll keep the master list updated here.

I'm now part of Sisterhood 6 - and am just off to go visit all my fellow sisters. There are two spaces left in this group if you hurry.
http://sisterhoodofthebloggingstampers.blogspot.com/

I NEED TO TELL ME NEW SISTERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF - I'M FIONA, A STAY AT HOME MUM ALTHOUGH MY CHILDREN DON'T REALLY NEED ME TO STAY AT HOME ANYMORE - BUT HUBBY STILL LIKES TO HAVE HIS DINNER ON THE TABLE WHEN HE GETS IN - LOL!!!! I'VE BEEN CRAFTING FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS, STARTED OFF WITH SCRAPBOOKING AND THEN GOT INTO CRAFTS WHEN SOMEONE INTRODUCED ME TO STAMPIN UP. I USED TO LIVE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS AT THE TIME AND IT WAS A WRENCH RETURNING TO THE UK AND NO STAMPIN UP!!! LUCKILY WE NOW HAVE SU IN THE UK AND I'M AN SU DEMONSTRATOR. HOPEFULLY AFTER CHRISTMAS I'LL BE BUSY DOING MY CRAFTING THING!

THE BIG CLEAN UP/NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

I've really missed being able to come on here and update my blog - and having not been able to craft for over a week now - well, its like I've lost a limb. I still have my laptop, just as it conked out on me yesterday(!), but i have no way of showing any craft items, I have no camera, no scanner - and no craft items anyway for the time being.

But I've been missing all my chats with my cyber friends! I noticed on Donna's blog http://craftykrafts.blogspot.com/2007/12/new-years-resolutions-blog-candy.html that she had a great competition running - post your New Year's Resolutions and she's inspired me to get blogging again. I've not felt like doing anything and haven't had the time either really.

So - what can I think of for My New Year's Resolutions: hmmm:


1. Stop PROCRASTINATING - I seem to be a great one for always putting things off and not doing them

2. Organise my craft room at least once a day after I've finished crafting so I come back to a nice tidy desk - ok - how long do you think that will last????LOL!!!!!

3. Like Donna - I want to aim to make at least two cards per week.

4. I also want to scrap at least one page per week - I have loads of pages in my head and they need to get down on paper. Having a scarey moment like last week with the fire reminds you you don't know how long you've got so stop putting things off (see no 1 above LOL!!!)

5. Go to Pilates or Yoga to help my back which is always a constant source of pain.

6. Study the Runes - these are something I bought myself this year and haven't had time to actually use them or study them yet so that's my project for this year.

7. Try and keep myself and the house free from clutter - I've decided I'm a great hoarder and it isn't good - got a good friend Jan who has offered to Feng Shui my house so that sounds like de-cluttering to me - hope to get that done in the New Year once my house has been sorted.

8 - Get to grips with my Stamping Up business and try and spread the word and meet some crafty people closer to home that I can share this passion with.



I can't think of any more that I'm likely to keep (LOL) - I'll keep referring back and make sure I'm keeping up with them.

NOT MUCH CRAFTING FROM ME FOR A WHILE

We had a disastrous weekend this weekend with a small house fire which has wrecked my dining room and possibly my craft room also. There won't be a lot of crafting from me for a while until we get it sorted. I've had a real horrible year with one thing or another and it seems to be carrying on right up till the end. I'm not sure how our Christmas is going to be and we were supposed to be having our mothers for Christmas. Thankfully we are all ok - thanks to my darling husband who smelled the smoke - our smoke alarms didn't go off until we actually opened the door where the blaze was but the house was full of smoke by that time. The insurance company was shut yesterday and their emergency number only knew how to deal with plumbing emergency or glaziers! Time to find a new insurance company that has 24 hours I think. Its only when you need them you realise the services they don't offer!

CARDMAKERS UNITED CHALLENGE

The challenge over at Cardmakers United this week is to feature a bow. http://cardmakersunited.com/forum/index.php?topic=240.0

Here's a Christmas one I've made - I have to make a start on my Christmas cards as time is marching on. Once December comes, don't you find the time just goes so quickly!

I've been busy sorting out all my stamping up goodies and getting my head wrapped round trying to spread the word. I've just placed my first order and will be interested to know how quickly it gets to us from Germany.

STAMPIN UP WORKSHOPS

IF YOU LIVE IN THE HAMPSHIRE/WILTSHIRE/BERKSHIRE AREA AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A STAMPIN UP PARTY CONTACT ME. THE PARTIES CAN BE HELD AT YOUR HOME - INVITE SOME FRIENDS ALONG AND I CAN SHOW YOU THE LATEST PRODUCTS, GIVE YOU A DEMO, MAKE SOME CARDS AND HAVE SOME FUN! THE GREAT THING ABOUT DEMONSTRATIONS IS THAT YOUR FRIENDS GET TO TAKE SOMETHING HOME WITH THEM THAT THEY HAVE MADE.

OR PERHAPS YOU ARE INVOLVED IN A SCHOOL OR ARE A FUND-RAISER AND WOULD LIKE TO RAISE A BIT MORE MONEY

AS A HOSTESS YOU EARN POINTS ON YOUR PARTY'S SALES WHICH MEANS YOU GET FREE STAMPS!

IF YOU DON'T LIVE NEAR ME BUT WOULD LIKE A CATALOGUE PLEASE CONTACT ME.

jonandfiona85@btinternet.com

WOOHOO - ITS ARRIVED!!!!

Not a baby or anything like that - well in a sense maybe yes!

My Starter Up Demonstrator Kit from Stampin Up arrived today - it was like Christmas!

After I'd looked at all my goodies I sat down and looked through the catalogue. It is a lot smaller than the US ones - maybe because its the first one, but I already have a list of some of the new stamps and accessories I'd love to have. Hint, Hint, Santa!!!!! I don't think Santa reads blogs yet though! LOL!

This card is especially for Crissi! LOL! It will be suitable for the Arty Girlz challenge too because it has fibres on it!

I thought I'd make a few cards and post them to show some examples of the stamps in the starter kit. I've added some extras from the SU stamps I already own too.

TMTA - HOLLYWOOD CHALLENGE

Phew - only just got this in in time! One of my favourite books and films is Gone With The Wind so this was my first choice for this Hollywood challenge. The background paper of the leaves with no trees is from The English Paper Company.

I'VE MADE A START ON MY CHRISTMAS CARDS

It's been a bit mad in our household this weekend and my hubby has been busy laying a tiled floor in our hall and downstairs cloakroom - there wasn't much I could do to help him so it left me with some time to make a start on my Christmas cards! I've tried all sorts of different styles - I always say that each year I'll just make the one but that would be so boring and I'd get fed up - I think my favourite out of this lot is the Oh Christmas Tree one - which one is yours?

This was made with stamping a SU Xmas tree on background paper, the Oh Christmas Tree was cut out of a sheet of Christmas Paper from The English Paper Company xmas papers - I love their papers - I've used quite a lot of them on this year's cards!





I'm getting so excited at the thought of being a demonstrator with Stampin Up - I just wonder whether it will work over here as well as it does in the States - I know no-one near me who crafts - all my crafty friends are on line! I'm trying to think of a way of holding a cyber hostess party to spread the word about Stampin Up - If I come up with a viable idea - I'll let you know!

This was also background paper from The English Paper Company - the stamped image of the reindeer and the wording is Stampin Up - the tartan ribbon is some from my stock.











Yet again I've used The English Paper Company background papers here - the stamped image though is Cherry Pie Stamps - I just love this Christmas Tree with Merry Christmas in all those languages. The ink used is Stampin Up Spectrum ink which gives you all the different colours. You have to remember though to separate the inks once you've used them - unfortunately my DD didn't know that when she used them once so all my colours have merged a little bit so its not a true representation of how the colours should be - but I still think you get the effect.

STAMPIN UP CATALOGUE - SUMMER BY THE SEA

This has always been one of my favourite Stampin Up sets and I'm so pleased to see it included in our UK catalogue - it makes fabulous cards and everyone always admires them.

It retails in the catalogue for £28.95 and includes 6 stamps!

Here are a few examples

STAMPIN UP - OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS

Old-Fashioned Christmas is one of the fabulous Stampin Up sets which is included in the UK Catalogue. The set comprises 6 rubber stamps and is priced at £28.95 for all 6!!! All SU stamps come in their own plastic cases for ease of storage!

Here are a few examples of what you can do with this set

This set uses Stampin Up Embossing powder in Olive. Stampin Up Watercolour pencils have been used for the detailing on the Father Christmas. The brads are also SU - part of the earth elements set.

This set has used the same colours with the addition of some mulberry paper. The tag includes SU string (hemp) in red- and SU eyelets Stars in Real Red.

A little tip for when you are cutting out your rubber stamps - keep some of the unwanted rubber back - it is handy to use as pop ups as in this instance.

STAMPIN UP IN THE UK

TODAY'S THE DAY STAMPIN UP'S NEW UK CATALOGUE CAN BE VIEWED ON LINE

I'VE JUST HAD CONFIRMATION THAT MY APPLICATION FOR BECOMING A DEMONSTRATOR HAS BEEN APPROVED AND MY GOODIES WILL BE HERE WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK.

ANYONE WANTING TO PLACE AN ORDER FOR STAMPIN UP CAN DO SO THROUGH ME IF YOU CAN'T FIND A DEMONSTRATOR NEAR YOU. EMAIL ME IF YOU ARE NEEDING SOME SU SUPPLIES OR FANCY HOSTING A PARTY AND YOU ARE IN THE HAMPSHIRE/WILTSHIRE/BERKSHIRE AREA. DON'T FORGET THAT WHEN YOU HOST A PARTY YOU GET HOSTESS POINTS WHICH CAN BE TURNED INTO RUBBER STAMPS.

EMAIL ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE FURTHER INFORMATION ON STAMPIN UP PRODUCTS

ARTY GIRLZ HEARTS CHALLENGE

Arty Girlz challenge this week is to include hearts on your artwork. This is a card made with Stampin Up stamps

CMU's CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

There is a Christmas Challenge going on over at CMU http://cardmakersunited.com/forum/index.php?topic=209.0 to design a Christmas bauble. Here's my first attempt though I'm not greatly happy with it - I may have to tweak it somewhat! LOL It looks like a hot air balloon rather than a lantern!

Ratty Tatty's Giveaway

Ratty Tatty is doing it again - giving away some fabulous samps from Tanda on her blog and all you need to do is add a comment. You'll find her here www.rattytattysblog.blogspot.com

Sisterhood of Scrap - Texas Hold Em

I'm hoping this will be suitable for the Sisterhood of Scrap Challenge - I used to live in Texas and this was a layout of our pool that we had built when we lived there - can you believe we left there to come back to England! Were we mad or what!!!!!

STAMPIN UP - TODAY'S THE DAY

Today's the day we can send in our applications for becoming a Stampin Up Demonstrator and mine has been entrusted to the Royal Mail - gulp!





I'm lucky enough to have last year's catalogue and could change some of the goodies I wanted for my start up kit - but there are some things in there I can't wait to get and have a play with.



This is an example of a SU card I made with a great versatile set called Love Without End.

One of the things I love about Stampin Up is that you buy sets of stamps which all go together really well and offer you thousands of ways of using them. Added to the fact that they all come in handy cases so no loose stamps about the place, they are easy to find and easy to use.

Do you get the idea I'm a fan! LOL!!!!

BLOG CANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHECK OUT MY CHALLENGE SITE FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE AND THE CHANCE TO WIN SOME BLOG CANDY.


HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CARDMAKERS UNITED CHALLENGE

Just in case you don't know

There is a challenge on the Cardmakers United forum that is finishing on November 11th. There is a small prize for the winner, so get your entries in!

Here is the challenge:The title is Mr & Mrs. You can make a card for any occasion, but it must feature a Mr & Mrs in some way. I'm thinking Weddings, Anniversaries, Christmas ..... the crafting world is your oyster!

Come on over and join in the fun. There is also a Monthly Card Competition - all you need to do is send in your card entries to win a fab prize! No themes, no rules, just send in your lovely cards.

TMTA - BIRDS

Birds are the subject of TMTA this week - someone mentioned the lack of robins on any stamps and it reminded me of the stamp I have with a Red Cardinal on it - I loved these birds when we lived in Texas and used to have one come and visit me in the garden. He looks very Christmassy too, just like our robins, so I've used him on this ATC.

ALPHABET CHALLENGE - R

The alphabet challenge has been running for two weeks, luckily, so I still have time to include my entry. I chose to do Rudolph, some of you know I love my Rudolph don't I Storm? LOL! and he's red too so lots of R's here!

4 x 4 Stamper - Faux Postage

Finally I'm back doing some challenges again - I liked the idea of this one from 4 x 4 Stampers of Faux Postage.

ARTY GIRLZ BLING CHALLENGE

Arty Girlz have challenged us to use some Bling on our art work this week - I hope this is suitable. The cat has a fabulous Bling Collar on her!

Stampin Up stamps!

Wednesday Stamper - Wild West

Wednesday Stampers have the Wild West as their theme.

I lived in Texas for three years so had a small taste of the Wild!

CARDMAKERS UNITED, MONTHLY CHALLENGE

I've just found out one of my cards has been chosen as Cardmakersunited's card of the month.

Anyone can join in with the competition - all you have to do is become a member of the forum. So come on all you card makers, come along and join in the fun.

There is a prize too - which is a great bonus!

CHANCE TO WIN A SET OF CHERRY PIE ART STAMPS

THERE IS A COMPETITION RUNNING OVER AT AUNTY'S FORUM http://www.auntysforum.com/ SPONSORED BY ME TO WIN ONE OF THE ABOVE SETS OF CHERRY PIE ART STAMPS.

IT IS A CLOSED AUCTION AND THE HIGHEST BIDDER WINS THE STAMPS. QUITE SIMPLE REALLY.

THE MAIN THING IS THE PROCEEDS ARE GOING TO MY FRIEND'S CHARITY - ROSIE'S BUDDY BUS FUND - A LOT YOU MAY KNOW ROSIE AND VISIT HER BLOG http://alteredartandstuff.blogspot.com/ SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP CONTRIBUTE TO THIS WORTHWHILE CAUSE GET YOURSELF OVER TO AUNTY'S AND BECOME A MEMBER.

YOU'LL FIND THE COMPETITION HERE http://www.auntysforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=6023.0

A BIG THANK YOU TO TANDA STAMPS

Tanda Stamps held a Halloween competition over on Aunty's forum http://www.blogger.com/www.auntysforum.comand it was a very well deserved win by Rosie for her Mooning card. LOL!

But Tanda Stamps were very generous and gave all of us who entered a chance to choose some of their mini stamps. I received mine today - here they are - can't wait to go and have a play - thanks to Alex and all at Tanda Stamps for their generosity.

GREAT NEWS FOR ME

I'M SO EXCITED - MUST SHARE MY GREAT NEWS WITH YOU ALL -

I'VE BEEN CHOSEN AS A DESIGN TEAM MEMBER OF CARDMAKERS UNITED - I CAN'T WAIT TO GET STARTED.

COME ON OVER AND CHECK US OUT AND JOIN IN WITH SOME OF THE CHALLENGES.
http://www.cardmakersunited.com/

OH NO, I'M STILL NOT CRAFTING YET

Well I'm back from my audition in London and have no idea how it went - she cut me off "mid-Aria"!!!! Everyone knows arias don't get going until the end! LOL! It cost us £300 on the train to get down there and I was all done within 2 minutes! She asked me loads of questions and being a mum may go against me! Still, at least I plucked up the courage and did it! I can relax a bit more now - had a terrible headache/migraine when I got back last night and went to bed early.





That's not the reason though why I can't craft - We've had no heating or hot water since Sunday as our boiler broke down. The room where I usually craft is the coldest in the house - I suppose I could get a few things and move into the kitchen where the aga is trying to keep us all warm. Brrr!!!!!! The gas man is supposed to be here first thing to fix it - don't know what time first thing is but he's not here yet.





Got to go and get a few things ready for Hallowe'en this evening -





HAPPY SAMHAIN to all of us who celebrate this festival. I will be laying out my table for all our loved ones who are no longer with us so they can come and be with us in spirit. As the years go by there seem to be more and more places laid - main places of honour will be my sister and my husband's sister who we miss every year, and my father and father in law. Anyway, enough melancholy from me - off to do some jogging to warm up - NOT!!! LOL!

WHY HAVEN'T I BEEN BLOGGING THIS WEEK?

Sorry I've not been around as much this week, mostly its because its half term and its been a bit busier with the children around, but also I've had to spend my time doing some singing practice!


GULP - I have an audition to go to in London on Tuesday for .........wait for it..........Britain's Got Talent! So I've been dusting off the old vocal chords, getting my opera back up to scratch and gathering up my courage to actually go through with the audition. With no music!!! Aarrgh - they don't provide any backing music and its very hard to get opera arias as backing tapes - So I'll be warbling all on my own. I'll let you all know how it goes!

NEW HEADER

DO YOU LIKE MY FAB NEW HEADER?

BIG THANKS TO MY DAUGHTER EMMA FOR PRODUCING THIS FAB WORK OF ART FOR ME. SHE HAS TRIED TO INCORPORATE ALL MY LOVES AND INTERESTS AND PRODUCED AN AUTUMN FEEL TO IT FOR ME.

THANKS EMMA xxx

WOW - I WON!!!!!

WOW! I'm so excited - I won Challenge no 10 over on papercraft junkies http://www.papercraftjunkies.com/forum/index.php for my Autumn layout. I've never won anything before for my crafts - its a great feeling!

I'm off to see what goodies I can get with my winning discount. Thanks to all their Design Team members who voted for my layout.

WEDNESDAY STAMPER - CHILDREN

Wednesday Stampers wanted to celebrate Children this week - here is a layout showing how close my two children are - they have their off days like all children but they have a great friendship.

Stamps used are Stampin Up

DARING CARDMAKERS - CHRISTMAS TREES

The extra challenge on Daring Cardmakers is Christmas Trees - Woohoo - Christmas! Any excuse to make some Christmas cards! Don't think I scanned this quite straight - I must have been at the sherry already! LOL!

DARING CARDMAKERS CHALLENGE -BEASTS

Daring Cardmakers want to see cards with beasts on. This polar bear is more cuddly than ferocious! LOL!

Reminds me of that old joke about the baby polar bear where he goes to his mum and asks "Mum, are you sure I'm not a panda?" and she says "No Son, you're a polar bear" "Mum", he asks again "Are you sure I'm not a grizzly bear?" "No Son, you're a polar bear", "Mum", he asks again "Are you sure I'm not a teddy bear?" "No Son" she says getting annoyed "You're a polar bear - why do you keep asking?" "Cause I'm bloody freezing mum!"

He He!

TMTA - MASK CHALLENGE

Last week was Mask challenge over at TMTA - I'm over the moon to see that they've chosen my ATC as one of the samples. Woohoo - a great honour!

SLEEPLESS SATURDAY

Never mind Sleepless in Seattle!!!! Sleepless in our bloomin household last night for DH and I - not because of little Mischief who was as good as gold but because of our bloomin dog who wouldn't settle all night and wanted to be where the new kitten was. She's driving us mad - she's not quite trustworthy enough to leave her on her own with the kitten yet, but she just wants to play with it and be with it and she's more stressed than the kitten is.

Older cat (14) Felix just sniffed her and walked off. Younger cat (9) Megan had a real hissy fit and then started hissing at Felix who just looked at her as if to say "What's your problem? I was here first before the lot of you!"

DH kept asking me "And why did you want another cat?" It seemed a good idea at the time! LOL!!!

Got loads of scrapbooking to try and finish today - doing this commission is great fun but its on your mind that you need to get it done and finished!

I'm also still poorly and got a friend coming down today who is a reflexologist and she's going to see what she can do for me. Put me on the scrapheap to be honest, the body seems to be giving way - I'm only 45!

HERE'S MISCHIEF

Here she is - looking wide eyed to begin with and now all snuggled down with DS watching TV.

The dog is running around like a mad thing trying to get at it - the older cat just showed great disdain and the other cat hasn't met Mischief yet. Should be a busy night for us all!

What a sweety though - I feel lots of scrapbooking pages coming on! LOL!

WHATS HAPPENING FRIDAY?

Well, nothing much craft related - BUT we do have a new addition to our brood coming this evening - she is a very tiny smoky grey kitten and is going to be for my DS(but she's mine really) I've wanted a smoky grey kitten ever since I saw one in one of the pet shops in the States but I couldn't have her. It would have meant more money to ship her back from there when we finally came home and I don't like that they de-claw their cats.

So its taken me three years to find another one. I'd given up the search for a grey one, the cat protection homes couldn't help me, and then she just fell into my lap. I think my request to the universe had a lot to do with it.

When we moved the horse to his new stables - the woman's cat had just had kittens and she had one grey one that no-body wanted. I wanted her!!! I jumped up and down, well not really, not at my age! LOL! So she's arriving tonight - but DS thinks he's just going to see her tonight not that she's coming home with us! What the other two cats and our dog are going to think I have no idea - should be a bit hectic around here for the next few weeks, and here's me laid up with a bad back!

DS wanted to call the kitten Master Chief after something he was reading in his book but I explained she was a she and that wouldn't be a very good name so DD came up with Mischief - what a great name - so Mischief she is!

I'll post a piccy on here once we get here so you can all say AAA!

GREAT POST

I actually had some post yesterday - although it wasn't through Royal Mail - lol! - it was some scrapbooking stash I'd ordered as I'm in the middle of a scrapbook commission for a 60th Birthday. It was great to have all those goodies in the name of Work!!! It does stop me from having time to do other crafting though, so must get on!

THURSDAY'S CHALLENGE

THURSDAY'S CHALLENGE IS NOW OVER ON MY CHALLENGE BLOG SITE


A CHANCE TO WIN SOME BLOG CANDY THIS WEEK SO POP ALONG

www.magickdivasthursdaychallenge.blogspot.com

AND JOIN IN FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A CHERRY PIE ART STAMP.

INCHIES

Over at Cherry Pie Yahoo group we are organising an inchy swap - this is the first one I've done and I'll be so excited to receive everyone's art. The theme was travel and the only stipulation is that you only use Cherry Pie Stamps - unfortunately I don't have any of their fabulous travel stamps so I had think outside the box a little bit. I chose to use the Moon Stamp and the fairy as in Fly Me To The Moon! The fairy is embossed in silver, the man in the moon is stamped in black and La Luna stamped in purple. We had to make 16.

I'm going to put them into the Wednesday Stamper challenge too which is also doing inchies.

THURSDAY CHALLENGE

I've put my Thursday Challenges on a separate blog

www.magickdivasthursdaychallenge.blogspot.com

All entries for IN THE PINK are displayed. Hope to see you there tomorrow for a new Thursday Challenge.

TAGGED

I've been tagged by Deb http://countrylovincardmaker.blogspot.com/ and by Crissi http://random-ramblings-of-a-crafter.blogspot.com/ with the same tag!!!

Here are the rules

''Here are the rules which you must abide by if you are tagged.1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.''

1. I used to be a bilingual secretary speaking both French and German
2. I first sang on stage at the age of 11 as Wendy in Peter Pan and had to fly around the stage, bumping into scenery and singing at the same time LOL!
3. I sing opera in my spare time and my favourite role was as Violetta in La Traviata
4. I suffer from claustraphobia and had to learn to overcome my fear of lifts when the children were little
5. I lived in Texas for three years
6. Ever since I had the children, I seem to cry at the slightest thing, sad films, books, sad stories
7. I appeared on Ready Steady Cook in 1995 and won!

7 blogpals to tag next -

Julie - http://www.scrapping-away.blogspot.com/
Caroline - http://www.madebycaroline.blogspot.com
Joanne - http://madebyjoanne.blogspot.com
Ros - http://stampandscrape.blogspot.com
Paula - http://minibookpixie.blogspot.com
Andrea - http://andreabrownjohn.blogspot.com
Em - http://blushes-emma.blogspot.com/

HOPE SEES A STAR AUCTION

Marina, who designs and owns Cherry Pie Stamps had let me know of a very worthwhile auction that was being held - - it was called the Hope Sees a Star auction and you can read more about it here. http://www.zne-store.citymax.com/Home.html What the organisers of this auction were trying to do really touched me and I wanted to be able to help in some small part.

I am delighted that I won my bid and am going to be the proud owner of some fabulous artwork, thanks to the generosity of the artist Colette Copeland.

Here's what I've won! Isn't it just amazing!

SKINNY SATURDAY CHALLENGE - WINGS

This is a new Challenge site that has started and I like to support the challenges. http://sarahsskinnysaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/

This one was entitled Wings. I saw this quote on someone else' work , sorry can't remember who, but email me if it was you and I'll post you credit on here. But the quote stuck in my head as I love this song by Randy Crawford! I just think this angel stamp is looking so wistful as if she wishes she could fly away. Don't we all feel like that sometimes?

DARING CARDMAKERS - POSTCARD

Daring Cardmakers challenged us to make a postcard and send it - bad timing really with the postal strike!

Here's mine - Used my Cherry Pie Stamp for the pen, Stampin Up for the images and don't know the background script stamp.

Alphabet Stamper - O

I've turned French just for this challenge so that I can use Oiseau (French for bird)! I've used this stamp before but its such a versatile one - the extra challenge was to do something autumnal but with no orange or red. I love using stamps when you can detail extra parts of the stamp as in the bird here.

CMU - SHOE CHALLENGE

The Challenge over at CMU this week was shoes - I didn't think I had anything suitable for this challenge and then remembered I bought some Tanda Stamps last week which had shoes on them. Eureka! As they say - LOL - so I did this:

Arty Girlz Challenge - TAGS

The challenge over on Arty Girlz this week was Tags - I only just managed to get one done in time.

WEDNESDAY STAMPER - AUTUMN COLOURS

Wednesday Stamper set the challenge of autumn colours. This is one of my favourite times of the year - I love the colours of autumn, browns, greens, golds, reds. I love to make chutneys and pickles and get the puddings and mincemeat ready for Christmas. I love walking in the woods and collecting conkers and chestnuts to roast on the chiminea in the garden. I wish I were more adventurous to pick mushrooms, but I'll leave that to the professionals!

INCHING ARTISTS

Inching Artists challenge this week was to produce something with a RUST appearance. I managed to find some dead heather leaves in my garden, which were just the right colour I was looking for- I twisted them together with copper wire and added them to a stamped background.

Sending a Guardian Angel for Nancy and her son Andrew

Read about it at http://fornancy.wordpress.com/

SATURDAY STAMPERS

The theme over at Saturday Stampers was DPOV - Different Points Of View - one stamp - two different styles of cards.

Here are mine - all stamps used are Cherry Pie.

Rosie's Buddy Bus Christmas Charity Cards

Here's another Christmas Card for Rosie's charity - as soon as the post men get back to work I can send them to her!

TMTA - MASK CHALLENGE

A Hallowe'en Mask Challenge over on TMTA - I've used orange and black colours and chosen one of my favourite Verdi operas - I actually sang in this one some years ago!

PINK PETTICOAT

I found this site while I was surfing the blogs - the way you do!!! LOL!!!

What a great site and a very generous offer if you sign up for her newsletter

http://www.pinkpetticoat.co.uk/newsletter_return.php

Thought you might all like to take a look if you don't know her work already - And a great story about how she started out!

STAMPIN UP UK

WOOHOO - ITS OFFICIAL - STAMPIN UP ARE COMING TO THE UK IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR. I'VE BEEN WANTING TO BE AN SU DEMONSTRATOR EVER SINCE I LIVED IN TEXAS BUT, AS ONLY HUBBY HAD THE WORKING VISA, I WASN'T ALLOWED TO SIGN UP. NOW I CAN AND I CAN'T WAIT. SO WATCH THIS SPACE.................

One Card - Two Ways Challenge

http://stampinonthemountain.blogspot.com/ A challenge with a difference on Stampingranny's site - make one card that can be interpreted two ways.

Here's my entry - All materials used are Stampin Up!