4th workshop ...

... was Linda's.  Something different.  We made home decor items instead of a card or even toppers *LOL*

Using Stampin' Up Succulent Garden stamps and dies and a selection of different containers - and moss!

Looking forward to Linda's next class.  We're doing a kinetic card ..... hopefully *grin*

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Oyster Stamps Heartfelt Creations ...

... workshop, West Wittering.  Really looked forward to this one.  Thought it was going to be worth the 90 mile round trip. It turned out to be quite disappointing. We spent more time sitting waiting, chatting, eating, drinking or queuing to use machines, than actually crafting.  We were supposed to make 2 cards.  Sample cards were beautiful.  In reality we didn't make a card at all. 

The black and white card had to be stamped and the apertures cut after the stamping had been done and that's where the first main wait was.  The stamp was already lined up on a Misti so we literally had to stamp and then go cut.  After that it was a case of adding some glitter and matting and layering up onto the backing card given - but no card blank so no complete card was made.  Total time it would have taken to make this card without any waiting time?  Around ½ an hour as a guesstimate, certainly no more than an hour.  That part done it was nearly lunch time - or rather, we had a long wait to start the next card so some of us had our lunch. *grin*

The floral topper was more complicated.  We had to actually colour, shape and construct the flowers so a reasonable amount of crafting was needed.  Everything was cut for us, including the die cut border but we had to trim the card to position the borders to our liking.  We chose our own sentiment stamp from a selection.  Again, we were given everything to matt and layer onto with the exception of the actual base card so we were actually just making a topper.  Flowers and leaves coloured, made, glittered ready to put together and that's as far as mine got.  Our toppers were not going to look much like the sample card.  No flourish was given and neither was the silver border backing that the sample card had.  We were only given one bow so no contrast colour (I lightly inked the edges of mine but it's not obvious).  I will finish both cards , eventually, once I've found some card or card blanks to do so ... and some time to do them in.

Me & Cally on the right, working on the morning black & white topper

This workshop should have run from 10:30 to 3/3:30-ish.  It started on time, we spent time as mentioned previously.  We spent time browsing the shop.  We (me & Cally) finished before 3 but that's because we chose not to finish our toppers there however, others did and still finished with time to spare.   Both toppers could have been made in a morning or afternoon workshop.  Would we do another with Oyster?  What do you think? *ROFL!*

UPDATE:  Eventually finished and here's my versions with what we were given .... plus my own card blanks, ribbon and gems.  Think I should've found a swirl or something for the floral one, as well, but they are what they are!

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March ....

... the 2nd part *ROFL*

Busy! Bed making, 4 workshops, movies, hospital appointments (the OH, not me), opticians (me, not the OH), Mother's Day, a new toy for the OH and a tip run for me.  Some covered here, others for the future .....

The bed replacement went well.  It took me an afternoon, once I got time to work on it, before I got to a stage where I needed a little help - or so I thought.  I realised afterwards that I could have done it completely on my own by just putting a part together in a different way to the instructions but hey-ho, youngest came and gave me the 15 minutes of help needed and I finished putting it together a couple of afternoons later.

From this ....

To this .....

Time taken in total, not allowing for the frequent breaks I needed ... about 2 to 3 hours.  Tip run?  To get rid of all the blimming cardboard, polystyrene and plastic packaging.  All in all this bed gave me a good workout, that's for sure, but not bad for an old girl *wink*

Workshops ... in order of appearance

Oyster Stamps, held at West Wittering.  That'll be in another post *grin*

Clair & Sharni's .... cards, details made follow

Linda Goble ... something a little different and another post

Helen Winstone ... a Stampin' Up afternoon and very enjoyable - cards at end.

Clair & Sharni's workshop this time were cuties

Clair's card 

 Stamps: Wild Rose Studio Dog with a Heart stamp, Stampin' Up Best  Wishes,

 Dies: MFT Stitched Stax, Mama Elephant Mini Tags

 Background: Nuvo mousse, Tonic stencil

Sharni's card
 Stamps: WRS Bunny Ballerina, Lawn Fawn Happy, Happy, Happy

 Dies:  Lawn Fawn Happy, Happy, Happy,  MFT Stitched Scallop Basic edge 1

Helen's Stampin' Up workshop.  I love this stamp set ...

More will follow - at some point *wink*

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So what's happened ...

... during the last 2 weeks?  Apart from that monstrosity of a ring, the bits that went to auction sold.  Most went for lowest estimate but a couple went over the highest.  Not by much.  The biggest surprise was 4 silver pieces.  A bracelet, pendant, brooch and bangle.  They sold for more than expected.  Big ring goes to auction next week.  Seems it's rated.  They've used it in their promo material and it's featured on the relevant page of the catalogue.  Keeping fingers crossed for the OH that it fetches more than the estimate. We'll see.

It seems to have been a bit of a crazy fortnight. We've had visits to the hospice, a new car for the OH, an old bed base collected for dumping and a new one delivered ..... with a story!  Inbetween there's been more crafty 'stuff' listed for sale (check that out via the tab at the top), a visit to the movies, a Clair & Sharni workshop and a crafting retreat booked.  

New car .... a Volvo XC60.  Shorter but bodywise, slightly wider, than the XC70 but .... inside it seems smaller all round.  Think there must be more 'impact zone' protection.  Boot space, not so much either.  Takes the wheelchair sideways on.  Not much room left once wheelchair is in there.  Was plenty left with the XC70.  OH likes the new car though and he's the one driving it.  Reckon it'll be a good while before I'm allowed to *ROFL!*  I had no input into this car.  He chose everything, including the colour.  Probably why it looks like a funeral car ......

New bed base .... arrived as expected and early, Friday morning.  Friday afternoon I went and opened both boxes (flat pack, needing to be put together).  Checked everything there.  Fine.  Had youngest on standby to help put together but he was in Gran Canaria for the weekend so decided to see how far I could get putting it together on my own ..... ottoman bedframe, double size, 66 year old female .... what could go wrong, eh?  On the face of it, nothing.  

Managed to get very heavy boxes moved, opened, contents checked etc. Started to put together. Going well.  Need to fix sides to head and foot boards.  Small room, can't move bed around when together so put headboard in situ and work from there.  Problem!  Headboard won't fit in space for bed which means ... bed too big.  Not all doubles are the same width, it seems, and guess who hadn't measured the space before ordering bed???  Just an inch too wide but too much to even force the situation.  

Saturday, spent afternoon trying different configs in room (really need the storage the bed provides - as last one did but this has more) but either wardrobe doors blocked or bedroom door wouldn't close.  Choices - same style but small double with a possibility of having to dump brand new mattress for a smaller one of forget the storage (not really an option) and have a 'normal' double base that fits the space available.  Decision made, retailer contacted and they're doing a straight swap - same bed, smaller size.  Got to wait until next Tuesday but not a problem.  Wrong bed all reboxed and ready for collection.  Hoping I can make the new mattress work on the smaller bed *grin*  Waiting for round 2 now *LOL!*

Workshop - a couple of different cards.  I don't think I'll have a use for them but enjoyed doing them, none-the-less. Something a little different to normal. I didn't read what we needed to take.  I just looked at the pictures.  With everything else going on it never entered my head to read or even look too closely so I never took any colouring equipment with me.  Fortunately Cally did.  She brought her Sharpies along so these were coloured with Cally's Sharpies.  Have to say I was a tad pleased with the result *LOL!*

Sharni's card ..... all Lawn Fawn, stamps and dies

Clair's card ..... a little bit of 'sewing' *lol!* Again, all Lawn Fawn stamps.  The circular die is Little B Pierced Circles and the 'square' die Lifestyle Crafts Rounded Corner Squares

I've booked myself into a crafting retreat in May.... in Aberdeen!  I've never been to Scotland.  I'm flying up.  Hope to have a couple of days sightseeing as it's the area one of my 'greats' came from.  I believe she was in service at Balmoral at some point.  Would be good if I could get there.  3x great-grandmother (2x great-grandfather's mother) is buried in Strachan cemetary.  1x Great-grandmother was born in Banchory. Can't find much detail about those that came inbetween.

Nephew had his 22nd birthday in New Zealand and, I guess, you could say he's on his way home.  About 2/3rds of the way through his world cruise now and in a few days will be repeating a day as he crosses the International Date Line.  He's currently on his way to Fiji!  It's alright for some *LOL!*

He's now completed .....

Malta - Athens - Heraklion - Port Said - Suez Canal - Suez - Aqaba - Salalah - Muscat - Dubai - Mumbai - Cochin - Colombo (Sri Lanka) - Penang - Singapore - Semerang - Bali ....
Perth - Melbourne - Adelaide -  Kangaroo Island - Sydney - Milford Sound - Doubtful Sound - Dusky Sound - Dunedin - Akaroa - Wellington - Tauranga - Auckland ....
                                                       

Spring is in the air.  Weather has been beautiful recently.  Long may it continue * grin*

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Feeling ...

... accomplished!  I've been busy clearing our loft.  It was full to capacity and now it's practically empty.  Everything's gone to charity and I'm still in a decluttering frenzy.  I've finally made it into the room that should have become my craft room ??? years ago.  Lost count of how many years ago it stopped being a bedroom and units were installed for me to use.  Have they ever?  Nope!  It's been used as an extension to the loft.  It is now being cleared and sorted.  I'm aiming to have a working craft room this year - in fact, determined!  There is not just the junk to sort but what craft stuff has made it's way into the room.  I'm sure most will need to be found new homes but the charity benefitting from this hive of activity is the Martlets hospice that have been helping to keep the OH going for the past couple of years.  He's certainly had a lot of help from them, as have I.  Seems only right to put something back in any way we can.

Keeping track of nephew, inbetween time.  He's on his world cruise, about a third of the way through at the moment.  He's been to some amazing places and is currently at sea on his way to Perth, Australia.  Itinerary is here.  The places he's been already? 

Malta

Athens

Heraklion

Port Said

Suez Canal

Suez

Aqaba

Salalah

Muscat

Dubai

Mumbai

Cochin

Colombo - Sri Lanka

Penang

Singapore

Semerang

Bali ...
Am I jealous?  You betchya!  Well, jealous is probably a bit strong as it's not an emotion I generally suffer from but envious, certainly.

It's the OH's birthday next week.  I had a playday at Greta's yesterday with Cally, Debs and Kim.  I actually made his birthday card .... *shock!*  Made from the freebies in this month's Making Cards mag and some feathers from Greta's stash.  First time I've ever made something with a mag freebie.  Just loved the paper pack and stamp set that came with it - and the 3 issues for £3 offer that was within *happy*

 We have a busy birthday week for him ... hospice, oncologist and, hopefully, the cancer centre for the next month's supply of meds.  That depends on what happens with the oncologist!

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2nd workshop ...

 ... done and dusted.  Finally got round to photographing the first one's makings along with the second.  Workshops have a new format.  We're now making 2 cards per workshop.  One is designed by Clair and the other by her daughter, Sharni.  The workshop is now split in 2 and each lead the half with their card design.  We're also told where we're sitting each time so we don't choose for ourselves.  We get to sit with different workshop members each time which is fine.  Only problem Cally & I have is that we don't get our 'catch up' time if we're not near each other.  We have the trip there and back in the car - and that's not long *sad*  Spend more time with others than we get with each other now - *ROFL*  Still, we've a play day at Greta's this week.  An 'au revoir' meet up before Kim departs for pastures new.  She's off to live near Prague.  We don't want her to go *sad*  We'll see her again in June for our annual Crafter's House Party though *woo hoo*

In the meantime, workshop cards .....
Those made in January - 

Clair's design - MFT stencil andstamps, Mama Elephant dies

Sharni's design - MFT dies & stamps

This weeks workshop cards ...

I've adapted Clair's design slightly.  She had hers mounted straight, I've got it on a jaunty angle.  Clair had coloured the background buds and leaves.  I decided to leave the as black and white line images, however I've mounted the image in such a way that I can colour it if I change my mind.  I also added some crystal for a bit of 'bling'

Clair's design - Stampin' Up & MFT stamps, Sue Wilson dies

My version of Sharni's design looks as though it's got some mauve sequins on.  It hasn't but they are iridescent so take on lots of different colours in different lights.

Sharni's design - Stampin' Up stamps, Sizzix embossing folder.

Last week I finally managed to blag some photos taken at our workshop craft day in November with John Bloodworth.  Clair had arranged for a local guy to come and take photos for a local website.  That guy is my window cleaner *ROFL*.  I've asked him a couple times for some copies, particularly one of the group with Maisy.  He sent me that one and a few more last week.  I checked with him for permission to share them with the workshop group and he kindly agreed I could, so I did, except for one *wink*  I'm sure he won't mind me sharing a couple here.

The Motley Crew

Really think I should have combed my hair after we'd been outside but it didn't see a comb all day *shock!*

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Friday was ...

... an amazing day.  My first experience of a cruise ship. P&O's cruise ship Aurora.  I went, with my bro, sis-in-law and niece to visit my youngest nephew while he was in port before departing to the Caribbean for Christmas.  He'd just docked on return from a Baltic cruise so had a few hours off.  We delivered his Christmas presents and he gave us a tour of the ship.  Lunch was had on the ship and the food was wonderful.  The ship is amazing.  It's not the biggest of P&Os fleet, by any means but it's classic and looked extra good all dressed for Christmas.  We had to be off the ship by 3pm but it was quite an experience and a few hours I shall remember for a long time.  He took us backstage to show us the dressing rooms and the general backstage area full of props and costumes.  Even got to stand on the stage looking into the auditorium. He then took us round the rest of the ship. We'd happily have stowed away but we'd had to hand our passports in before we boarded so they'd have noticed we'd not returned for them *ROFL*   Lots of photos ......

Theatre

Atrium

A dining room

Cinema

Lounge

Another dining room

Yes, that does say World Cruise 2017.  It's his next one when this one is done - not jealous!

One of the 3 swimming pools.  This one is covered but has a sliding roof.

Another pool

Crow's nest bar - above the bridge.  Entrance to the bridge is where the railings are.

Library

Costas, but like none I've ever seen before - lol!

Nephew and his girlfriend who has joined him for the duration of the Christmas cruise

Crafty stuff ....
The Tuesday following the All Counties Craft Challenge weekend in Godalming I did another workshop with Helen of Craft Bunnies.  She was leading us through the making of a calendar using an Ikea photo frame.  I loved it.  I'm thinking I may make some more but, then again - lol!  Once again, with Helen, it was all Stampin' Up products used - apart from the frame and the book rings.

At this point, my crafting for the year is nearly at an end.  Just one more crafty day left in November  to note and it's all done until 2017 although I think I've missed one of Clair's.  I'll have to check ....

Greta is having a 'playday' this week but not sure there'll be much done by way of crafting.  More like chatting and laughing ending up with a meal.
There's still plenty of other 'stuff' before I'm done with 2016 though *grin*

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