Plans for 2017

As we are closing the door on 2016 (Im bolting mine closed)

I am trying very hard to start off on the right foot I have bought myself a diary/planner

I had one years ago and used it daily when I worked 2 jobs, ran a home, brought up a young child and everything else involved with the above. And my life was very organised and I knew what I was doing and when etc and I really did notice a huge difference in my organizing from simple things like bills and making sure they were paid on time, budgeting for birthdays and Christmas and holidays.

As well as the obvious work rota as when I returned to work after the birth of Jordan he was 18months I needed adult conversation and interaction and I missed working full time, so my plan was to go back to work in the nursing home part-time and cover any staff shortages little did I realize how short lived it would be as unknown to us at the time, mum and my younger sister had agreed to help with childcare in the spring-autumn while Ian worked and they were happy to help but no sooner had I gone back to work that mum was moaning or ringing me to ask when I was finishing or when Ian was collecting Jordan being in the nursing home if staff for the next shift failed to show up or there was an emergency on the unit you had to stay and do what you could, you dont just clock off like a factory when you are working with people, so after just a few short weeks I had to speak to my boss and dropped my set hours and just did bank nursing, covering sick or holidays when I knew Ian could do the child care. I was livid at the time with mum, but only weeks later mum collapsed with a brain aneurysm and that was why she had been so short tempered and was so drained looking after Jordan who despite his teenage nonsense was a brilliant and content child.

But my diary then went from shift patterns to EVERYTHING, as I was running 2 houses, a toddler a partner who worked, caring for my siblings who was then 17 (going on 7) and 14 and my dad still had to work full time to keep money coming into the house so it was full on, trying to remember everything was impossible, so I jotted in everything from banking needs for both houses, bills for both houses, shopping needs for houses, appointments for mums consultants and care team, figuring out childcare while I had meetings and even when mum got home I was up and dressed me and Jordan were in a taxi to mums for 8am to make sure my younger brother was out for school on time and then make sure that mum was organised for her care team doctors and nurses, and physio it was 24/7 and making sure that dad was ok to get home from work get a decent meal and then I went home in time to bed Jordan down and collapse myself. 

If it wasnt for my trusted diary I would have been still spinning around trying to do it all x

But I got through it and was still standing (all be it just lol)

But for 2017 I have decided it is time to get back to that headspace and hopefully having everything jotted down will give my brain some rest periods.

So my first project for my youtube channel is already uploading as I type to be scheduled for 2nd Jan 2017 it is a lovely simple card that emanates just what I hope for 2017 for all my family and friends x

Details for the card tutorial

Nitwits Collections Happy - https://goo.gl/2NjagR

Card 280gsm 100 sheets for £7.25 - https://goo.gl/nxTZPb (does other card weights also)

The card base measurements are 8" x 4" scored at 4" to make a 4" x 4" square card

The 1st mat layer is 3.5"x 3.5" 

the second mat is 2.5" x 2.5" 

I used one topper from the "li'l bits" folder

and I used the bling button embellishment from the "Fat Quarter" folder (these will make sense when you buy the collections)

for the bling button I used a 1" circle punch to punch it out and 

then added Stickles in "crystal" to bling it up

I then added a bit of wink of Stella to the florals and the Large S in "smile" to give it a little twinkle.

All my cards are also stamped with my personalised stamp which I bought from stampingallday - this is the one I use simplistic but efficient http://www.stampingallday.co.uk/stampingalldayshopfront/prod_1349579-Bracket-Frame-personalised-stamp.html

Also made a birthday card for my sister it is her birthday tomorrow (Hogmanay AKA new years eve)

Lovely easel card, using paper from the country garden collection, some pale pink seam binding, distressed the edges with tattered rose distress ink, and used a decoupage floral topper that I added stickles to and gave it a bit of sparkle, then added some small pearl with metal rim embellishments so cute x 

Also made this project, one of ians customers had an extremely bad house fire last year and they have only recently moved back home and I made them a wall hanging using a vintage chair back

lots of vintage colours and textures just beautiful

lots of different materials burlap, cotton, muslin, seam binding, lace, feather, chiffon, just tons and I love it I am going to add to the top 2 small tabs for the hanging and vintage up a coathanger using some trims and muslin, x sorry the photo is a bit pants but I'm sure it gives you the general feel for the project x

until next year x 

Happy Crafting xx

Merry Christmas

Where is the time going?

This week has been hectic,

I have celebrated my son turning 18yrs old

(gosh that was a shock to the system)

We went out for a meal on Saturday night in Paisley to the Bobbin Mill

(it used to be really busy but a newer one opened across the street so it is now much more peaceful)

So we all all had a lovely time,

Jayden ordered Chicken Goujons, chips and beans 

and for dessert it was a make your own sundae, which he LOVED

Jordan ordered chicken wings in a BBQ dressing,

and Cod & Chips (he is not a veg person)

Ian ordered Tomato and Basil Soup and Rump Steak Fajitas

I got Tomato and Basil Soup and Hunters BBQ Chicken

we all sat and had a good blether and Ian and Jayden had a game of Pool.

Ian went to Asda and got a case of beer for him and Jordan when they got home, we dont tend to keep drink in the house, as none of us are big drinkers.

but they had a good night putting the world to rights.

Sunday we went over to my mums and my whole side of the family was there to wish Jordan a happy birthday. my brother and SIL and the 2 kids Jack and Leah, my sister and niece Mirin, and my parents I am not doing great mentally just now so there was a lot of hilarity and I really struggled to keep myself from exploding but I managed to hold it in, but when we got home I headed to my bedroom to get some space.

Monday morning I had the GP at 8.30am for the nurse to get my bloods checked for my diabetes, while there she decided I needed the flu jab and the pneumonia jab too so got them done also, then Wednesday the receptionist phoned me to say my bloods were high and was to make an appointment to see the GP but I know why the bloods are high I havent been taking my meds correctly because I am struggling mentally I am finding things hard to remember and my 3 x a day has ended up once a day occasionally 2x which isnt enough :( so no doubt going to get a lecture when I see her tomorrow.

Also yesterday I made a START yip I hadnt bought one thing for Christmas, So Jayden has got speakers for his PC, and jenga, a few PS3 games (no idea which ones Ian chose them) and money for boxing day

Smellies and pjs, Jordan has smellies and pjs and just money, my niece Mirin got money plus I have made her a canvas and altered ballet shoes.

My sister I have got lots of little bits and bobs, socks, candles, sister banner and a keyring and have made her a jewellery set,

Mum a jewellery set and also box of chocs

Dad got some books and chocolates (black magic)

my niece's Leah has some disney activity books and a jigsaw, Olivia got a jigsaw plus an activity set, my nephew jack got a neon colouring set and a street magic kit.

the rest of the kids got money due to them being babies or being older and can buy what they want.

so it is all just needing wrapped now.

I have took some time out from Facebook at the moment and deleted it, just need to get some space and away from other folks happiness (which sounds bad but when you feel as bad as I am just now other folks joy just makes you feel less hopeful not that you wish they didnt have that joy and happiness) so deleted it last night but have kept messenger to stop people freaking out about me lol.

anyway x I will come back on before Christmas and wish you all a Merry Christmas x

Apologies for being MIA

Wow where has the last 2 wks gone???

I have been really busy and kept occupied with swaps on Scrimpys and also coping with my health at the moment which has been a bit of a struggle.

December is just hectic and this year has been worse than usual with my eldest having problems with his impending court date, I was struggling with that but he was at a pleading diet last weeks and the trial was due to begin on Tuesday but they have postponed it until February 6th as they need to gather more evidence and his solicitor needs time to work on his case, so I am relieved that at least Christmas he will be with us all x 

I have been making TONs and TONS of butterflies using the itty bitty Butterfly punch and the Elegant Butterfly Punch from SU along with the papillion potpourri and made so stunning embellishments x

Also as part of Scrimpys I took part in a handmade altered box (which is my thing) and filled with handmade flowers which I made in abundance x I loved making them all x 

This was a project I made to add in one of my swap parcels I love to gift handmade beautiful items x 

An Altered Doritos Dip Jar so pretty and shabby even though it isnt PINK lol 

Handmade pearl bling, I have a tutorial on how to make these on my youtube channel x

Some Pin wheel Embellishments again an added extra for swap group x

The paper used for these was County Garden so pretty and shabby chic feeling x

The box I made for my handmade altered box for Scrimpys

Some of the lovely flowers I added to the box 

Altered Butterfly x

A make a card monday card using the same county Garden paper pad

A wall plaque using a shadow technique I just love it x 

Altered paper flowers (the green is original and the blue is revamped)

Todays project I was filming it for youtube but my wonderful neighbour has her roof being redone and the workers decided 10mins into my process video to start using a hammer drill so had to turn it off x but I so love the effect of it x so pretty and girly x 

My agenda for the rest of this week tomorrow I need to ring the GP (annual diabetes check is overdue) then on Friday I need to make Jordans birthday cards.

Saturday is Jordans 18th Birthday, so hopefully we can go out for lunch and let him have his first legal pint x then on Sunday we are over to my parents for them to give Jordan his birthday my sister and brother will be there also I think x 

Also this week my niece Jean and her husband Adam gave birth to my newest nephew Jackson AJ Crawford he was 7lbs 7oz and was born 10.21am 9th December 2016

Adam, Jean and Jackson

Baby Jackson going home

and big sister Hailie-Jayne waiting patiently for Mummy, Daddy and Jackson to come home.

I am incredibly blessed to have such a HUGE family and to be blessed with so many little ones to keep us all young (I wish lol)

Anyway will be back very soon I promise to share my birthday boys 18th with you all xx 

Merry Scrap-Mas (Christmas Cards using Scraps and Minimal supplies)

This past week I have been doing a series on youtube

making cards for christmas using supplies most crafters have and can buy extremely cheaply,

and using our scraps.

I have had a good feedback on the series and people have enjoyed seeing how to maximize your supplies to the best use.

Here are the cards I have made in this series

Also this week I have altered a few items x

firstly I made an altered doritos dip jar 

the holiday season this is something that we tend to have in the house for socializing with a drink and a few nibbles so I thought this was perfect to show how pretty they can turn out.

So pretty and shabby not my usual colour scheme but.... I am so pleased at how it turned out and actually it is so useful for storage and also as a lovely little gift jar, fill it with sweeties or bath salts, or teacher gifts, some nice coffee, tea, hot drinks etc it is actually a good size x

I also made an altered box, Paper Mache Papermania bare basics they are amazing quality and are the most easy to decorate without having issues with adding the lid (usually) as it is fabulous sizing for you to add paper or paint and still fit snuggly without struggling to fit back on the lid which can be an issue with some styles of these boxes, if that is an issue my advice to help this is sand the inside of the lid and the outer edge of the box a little it will weaken the box lid area a little but it will fit better.

so pretty x 

Today my intention is to make a few christmas tags for a swap on scrimpys

one of our ladies has signed up for the swap but not responding to her partner so I will make the swap up just incase she doesnt respond by monday so that our ladies won't miss out on a swap so we have angel swappers so that no one misses out and it is working out really well so far.

Then I want to try making a few cards for finish of my make a card monday series for the year.

it has been so fun making them and perhaps I will keep the series running next year as it has been popular. But I like to schedule a few weeks in advance and I want to have them done for the holiday season well in advance as we have a busy busy December.

My eldest son got into a little bit of trouble with the law a few months back and his court date has arrived so he has a pleading diet and then the trial this month it is also his 18th Birthday so we will be mega busy, plus I have bought zilch for christmas yet, my intention is to blitz it next week and the week after so that it is all done and dusted.

My santa letters are on the countdown to the closing date so I have got a lot of them typed up and proofs checked and ready to go so Tuesday Night I will be printing and getting them in their envelopes and addressed so be posted first thing Wednesday Morning to HOPEFULLY arrive for 1st December 2016 and kick off the little ones Advent season with a huge magical event.

these letters every year I get such wonderful feedback and it honestly is one of my favorite times of the year and to keep the magic alive in my house even though my kids are past the santa stage x

Anyway thats about it for now x hope you have a fantastic weekend 

Happy Crafting

Love and hugs always Karen xxx

Xanderous Crafty Stash Guest Design Team Project 2 from for November 2016

This project was just fabulous to work on, 

The sentiment was a SU Stamp and I knew I wanted that as a feature on my project.

The base was a 6x6 chipboard base that my youngest son had once upon a time decorated with embossing powders all melting into each other when he was preschool or Primary 1 so I decided to reuse the base as it has sat in a drawer for years so this was the project x 

I painted it with black acrylic paint and then added a very thick coat of texture gel and dried it off a bit and then added the lace curtain remnant and dried it off more, I then left it over night to dry completely, the next day I coated the layer with a liberal coat of antique gold inka gold from Viva decor I then took out the metal pieces from XCS that I wanted to work with and played my usual jigsaw of where I wanted everything and how it was going to be placed x once I had decided I got to work.

Firstly I added white felt to the back of the project (I am very fussy on projects to make sure they are all completed fully) I then added the corners but it helped keep everything in place and finished it beautifully. 

The metal embellishment filigree was too large for this piece I felt so I chopped them down and filed the edges the middle section I used either side of the sentiment and the sides I used to embellish the corners further.

I then layered up the cabochon settings to make them a little bit more prominent I added a cabochon from my stash and then decided to add some length to the wall hanging and used a little handmade dangle charm, I used a simple eye pin and added some beads in similar tones and rondelles and lastly a small charm that came off an old piece of jewellery.

I really love this and it is going to be gifted as a wee extra christmas present this year for someone as I know they will appreciate it and the sentiment is EXACTLY how we should all feel on Christmas Day x 

all the metal embellishments are from XCS and the links are added below

https://goo.gl/Tiaz1h - Cabachon setting

https://goo.gl/9r2oeD - Cabachon Setting

https://goo.gl/bys4rM - Bronze Corners

https://goo.gl/DgjVvy - Filigree Pieces

Friends & Family

This week I have struggled a bit and some days I have literally been counting the minutes till bed time again but with amazing friends and family I am fighting to live another day.

This week was suicide prevention week and to be fair although suicide is something that is very real and never far from my thoughts but I have always said as long as my kids need me I will never leave them, at least not at my own hands.

Doesn't mean I dont struggle with it I do but my 2 boys keep me focused and keep me fighting on my worst days.

Otherwise this week I have been crafting as usual, and doing my best to keep busy, 

I have been doing a lot of card making and not much else to be fair 

as they are quickest and easiest for me at the moment to make and clear up quickly and not worry about lots of materials needed x 

So here are a few of this weeks makes

I also got some goodies this week, I needed glossy accents so Ian gave me £10 so that I could get free shipping from Sirstampalot

So I got my glossy accent, and crystal stickles which was running dreadfully low and lastly I got an amazing bargain of dreamweaver crackle paste it is normally between £8-£10 I got it for £4

super happy x 

Also got my order from Amanda for my SU stuff, 

Stitched Shapes Framelit Dies (swoon they are yummy)

I got Papillion Potpurri stamp set (which I love)

Itty Bitty Butterfly punch

I also got, acetate boxes, 2 rolls of bakers twine mini glue dots.

And last night I ordered a few last minute bits from Jo's Crafty Pad

because this will be my last week of buys for the year, until Spring time (except essentials like glue and things) 

This week Xanderous Crafty Stash has had a fab sale for christmas countdown, so amazing bargains.

So I have bought somethings from Naomi as well as her goodies are just gorgeous and again need to stock up for the winter lol.

Jordan got his indictment for his court dates in he is up on the 5th December for a pleading diet and then 19th December is his trial date. So I am fearing he may not be spending christmas with us, which is heartbreaking but he is fully aware of what he faces so we really need to hope that the judge takes in to consideration his age and that it is his first brush with the law and also the fact that the 3rd accomplice was a 38yr old man who has a record longer than anyone I know, so I am hoping they can see he has managed to entice them into doing the "jobs" with him for the little bit of cash.

Scary time for us all x his 18th Birthday is 17th December so we are taking him out for a family lunch just the 4 of us and make it also an early Christmas Day meal just incase things dont turn out well. But we just need to keep our fingers crossed, he has learnt his lesson and manages to realise that crime doesnt pay and that the cost is greater than a few quid.

Other news this week, is my wee santa letters are going well, I absolutely love doing them and enjoy knowing that the little ones get such a magical start to the festive season, it really is priceless x 

anyway until the next time ladies and gents x Happy Crafting

Love and hugs Karen xxx

Birthdays and Memories

This week was a rough one, a family friend who passed away in the summer it was her birthday on the 11th Nov and it was obviously our first without her here, Mum and her have been best friends for 25+yrs so it has been difficult. Then the day after was my niece Mirin's 15th Birthday

Mirin is honestly one of the most beautiful souls you could wish to meet, she sees the good in everyone even when there is very little good to see, she is a big girl for her age, towers over all of us lol but that makes her a target for bullying and for many years it really did play on her but she has finally managed to rise above them and ignore their dribble and has a lovely bunch of friends who she spends a lot of time with, it is just amazing how quickly the years pass x 

Mirin was weeks old here with me, I used to work in a chip shop and we all wore santa hats in December so snapped one with this wee cutie x

wee smiler was about 6months old

she was about 18months here 

about 3yrs old with Lauren (my sis in law Carol's younger sister)

On Blackpool beach about 6yrs old thats Mirin to a tee, honestly I took her and the boys down to a small bay we visit that is almost secluded only the occasional dog walker and the boys always paddle and play in the sand, not mirin, she was waist deep, with her trainers on then running about the sand OMG the colour of her and trying to clean her up to come home she had sand EVERYWHERE lol, the trainers went in the bin they were beyond fixing haha x but she had the best fun ever.

Mirin was 6 here, at Jordan's confirmation,

Mirin is holding my nephew Jack and Jordan has Jayden-Jack

Mirin's 7th Birthday

Her holy communion, with the kids and wee Mary, who was a family friend my Jayden absolutely doted on this lady, and was devastated when she passed away x she is very sadly missed.

Mirin at her primary school prom (aged 11)

Her 13th Birthday (honestly she is a BIG GIRL)

And with Jayden, this was took Summer 2014 

the bond these two have is brilliant they are so similar nature wise it is uncanny,

both of them are chatterboxes and always looking for fun.

She is just a beautiful young lady who has a bright future x 

Craft wise I have done a fair bit this week I have made a notebook charm as part of a swap on Scrimpys Swap Group (on Facebook)

I have made an altered box for a giveaway I done on Scrimpys I offered a lace kit and altered box which was won by Lin Tresdern, Amanda added £10 to the lace kit also so bump it up so it was a nice wee give away x 

My Altered Notebook, Adore this I used the floral muse papers and a fabric image to soften the look gorgeous x this wee notebook is too keep track of the swaps on scrimpys and make sure I know what is happening and when x 

The selection of cards from this week

Made using Peel off stickers sent to me from Rozalyn Parry as part of my swap, absolutely cute as can be so simple fab for kids class mates x

This one was a technique trial that failed lol x I stamped and clear embossed on blue paper the trees and then darkened the background with blue ink and then covered with vellum and added a moon of glitter card and a sentiment, its pretty but certainly not how I was picturing it in my head.

Loved this one using masking and blending ink for the background so pretty this is a future card tutorial.

This is a nitwit collections card from Christmas Romance 

I was on the Design Team for Nitwits last year and absolutely loved it, I adore their products and will always give them recognition for the most stunning digitals to work with.

These two are using papers from Stampin Up, and the sentiment is a dovecraft clear stamp, what actually pulled these together was the little dragonflies

I found them in one of my boxes of embellishments and thought "oh they are so cute" so started hunting through my papers for colours that matched I just adore how they worked out, the top one was doctored slightly as originally I stamped directly to the paper like the bottom one but the words were lost on the busy paper so stamped it on white cardstock, mounted it on a little bit of glitter card and stuck it over the top card saved ;) x

I also made this set of christmas tree ornaments (so far have made 6 but want nearer 20/25) and filmed a tutorial on them they are so pretty and cannot wait to put them on my tree this year.

Anyway thats it for now, I have got a special announcement coming soon so keep tuned ;) x 

Lots of love and hugs Always Karen x Happy Crafting