A Quickie . . .

I did it!!! I managed to squeeeeeeze in another Christmas project. This was inspired from a project by one of the lovely ladies from L B Crafts. It's on the 'Yours Artfully' blog by Lin.
I used my new Tim Holtz dies for the fence and the trees and I'm loving the fact that I'm actually (finally) using my Big Shot. It's on my list of things to do, so I've managed two hits on my list.

Other news...one of the pressies has finally arrived, unfortunately it's not the most urgent one so I've still got everything crossed that it will arrive in time. Still got one more day so you never know.
Okay then, think that's the lot so here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas and as I'm off to the cinema later to see the new 'Focker' film Christmas is well and truly here.
TTFN
Al xxxx

Hee hee - still managing to get to posting regularly. Once per week is pretty good for me.

This is what I've been up to this last week.

Gift tags inspired and slightly copied from Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas - 2007 (I think).




I've been knitting! And somehow all these pieces here . .



...will somehow and at somepoint end up looking like . . .




Yeah!!! Right!!!

Finally, this is my new and improved craft room. Tonnes and tonnes better and as you all know it's definately improved my creativity. And, I'm finally having FUN!!!






Think that's it for now excpet to be in with a chance of winning some Tim Holtz products I need to mention the L B Crafts blog so here's the link . .

http://yoursartfully.blogspot.com

I think that should work but I've never posted links and other such techno stuff but you can but try.
Thanks all folks
TTFN and if I don't get on again before Christmas - here's wishing you and yours all the very best xxxxx

Hi Blog Followers

Had a wonderfully productive day with my Crafting Friends on Saturday at Hazel Grove and managed to, almost, complete 3 projects. Since coming home though I've finished them all..whooo hoo




This is the finished metal book for my Pop for Xmas, the Baroque (ish) Tree and two tiny birdhouses which I got from Paperartsy whilst at the NEC in November. And, yes, more metal work - ooooo and even more exciting. I painted them with my 2009 Birthday/Christmas Gift to Self of Claudine Hellmuth's Paints . . . pick yourselves up from the floor people the surprises just keep on coming . . .

Been working back from the list today so will follow up later this week with my progress on that. I also need to take photo's of my now workable craft room. These to follow.

Also, some sad news . . . The Car has GONE!!! Finally the Beast has had it's day. My OH really needs a more practical car/van for work and the M3 Cabriolet whilst it's been fun to have it in our lives really isn't suitable for our needs anymore. One sad person at home today .
Latorz xxx

- the Blurb . . .

The top photo is the final project from the ArtsyCraft Weekend in Warrington - again I hadn't quite finished it, but it's all done now.
The Xmas Decorated Letters were inspired and sort of copied (but I couldn't get the same papers) by a project I saw whilst visiting Craft Range in Burnley (love that shop and love the cafe too).
The 'Metal Book' is the result of my experimenting with the metal from 10 Second Studio range - I'm quite liking the effect but I need lots more practice.
The final couple of photos are a WIP - work in progress - which I'm hoping to complete this Saturday at my local crop. It was inspired by a leaflet from Hobbycraft displaying a decorated 'Baroque Tree'. I suddenly remembered I had a tree, purchased from 'Maffiebabe' again from a few years ago. It's laid hidden and forgotton until then.It's all primed up and sprayed with silver glitter paint, just need to add, silver embossing flakes, more glitter and lots and lots of sequins. Oh what fun.
Think I'm up to date then..oh maybe not...got tags to do for Christmas presents, a Christmas Layout with a difference 'lifted' from the L B Crafts blog and an Advent Calender . . .I know, I know I've miseed 8 days, but this is more of a grown up one and my darling son is quite quite happy with the one he's got . . .hmm wait until he finds out whats been hidden in no 24!!!! I've also got some family Cards to finish . . .ohhh so much to do, so much fun.

Loving it xxx

Phew . . . . on a roll now

So the stuff I've done, from the top down -

The Santa Latch Rug - which I have had to confess to having had for approx 10years...but it's done now, made it into a rug and it looks fab (I think).

The other two projects are items which I made at the Artsy Craft Weekend organised by L B Crafts at the end of October. I'm including them in this blog as I hadn't finished them completly and the book thing had split at the spine so I had to get that fixed.
The pink sunk window view - my Mum loved and it matched her new colour scheme in her lounge so it's made it's way over to hers.

There is another project for the Weekend which I've also finished and here it is . . . .

Gosh . . .I'm on Fiy-er



To follow in my next quick post are a couple if WIP - or Work in Progresses. I love that expression.
There is the project for my Dad for Xmas as a little something - it's not the most professional finish but I'm trying out loads of new things and as he needed a little book in order to log his machinery in I thought I would give the old Metal Stuff from 10 Second Studio a go. Hope you like.

Stuff I've done!

Forgot to write numbers on . . .that's another 43 items cleared from my 'List' I've got 195 left on there...watch this space.

Oh My Gosh!!!

Where has the time gone. And, I assure you I've been soooooooooo busy . . . really. And, I even managed to get to the Gym!! Only the once tho - was bored so came home to do some ironing . . .ha ha ha ha not.
So, these are the jobs I've done from 'The List' - still picking away at it. The trick is to try and do a 'big' job as well as all the little jobs rather than concentrating on the little ones. Which are usually better/faster/quicker ways of getting a tick - ho hum still at least I'm getting things done which in turn is freeing me up to . . roll of drums . . . make things - which was the whole idea of me doing this project. Photos to follow on.

So, jobs done

Check if got paper stumps - didn't but have now (purchased)
Pop - metal book for his logging of machines - almost done so going to count it
Metal Work - see above - photo to follow
Use Metal - see above
Complete one project per month and upload piccies to confirm
Dad needs book to list his machines in - metal work
Gym - been once
Bev - been out with
Cathy - been out with
Joanne - been out with
Helen - sent card
Gillian - sent card & text
New school pants - bought, just need to alter
OH - spend time with - been to cinema twice, and tea twice since list started
Child - spend time with - movies for juniors, Trafford Centre
Brother & his Family - spend time with - spending Christmas Day with them
Spa Retreat - Jan 2011 booked & paid for
Christmas Market - 4th Dec - canx due to colds all round
Take dogs out during the day - yup but it's soooooo cold
Use Friday nights better - planning to craft/read/cinema
Sort redundancy paperwork - now filed
Sort insurance paperwork - now filed
Sort JSA paperwork - now filed
Perfume course for 'X' - not really cos got lots of other stuff for xmas
List of peeps to send xmas cards to - get from Mum - all done & posted
Check birthdays in diary - yup and cards got to write
Check have addresses for friends - yup in order to send xmas cards to
Sort cards ready for b,days - yup
More books onto Kindle - wish list started
Back up PC - yup
Replace ink - yup
Get spare ink - yes
Christmas Pressie list - all done and with Mother
OH - need ideas - clothes - having a rethink due to saga with eyes
List what gifts have got - all done and extras purchased
Gap under Patio Doors - checked and isn't one
Check for other gaps that unfriendlys can get in - can't see any others
Strip radiator - all done
Service car - yes last weekend
Find window cleaner who doesn't freak OH out - yes - been twice and OH approved
Front garden - weed and tidy
Little Safe - where's that then - in the garage, need to clean and check still works
Tool box for all the stuff laying around - all put away - think of getting shelves instead.

See!!! Told you I'd been busy!
Love yas xx