Well ...

... that didn't last long! Did my morning post on the forum then promptly forgot the blog! Anyways, here's what I put this morning on the forum ...

"Good morning from a dull and dismal south coast. Had a good day yesterday. Visit from eldest and partner then trashed the kitchen making banana loaf. Think I know why I haven't baked for so long ... the mess to clear up afterwards. Loaf took twice as long to cook as recipe said but house smelt lovely while it was cooking. Just hope it's nicer than the muffins were but it smells good (as did they) and looks good (as did they) so I'm hoping. Not tried it 'cos thought I'd surprise Paul when he gets home today. Proper cooking duty starts today so I'm making a Moroccan lamb shepherds pie later."

As I'm late posting I can update this a bit.  It's still dull and dismal and hubby still not home.  Moraccan shepherd's pie hasn't been made as he's lunched at the hossie.  Decided to make some yellow split pea soup instead.  We love it and I've loved it ever since I was a tiddler.  Mum used to make it regularly, boiling up marrowbones for the stock, which used to set into a thick jelly.  Soaking the peas and then cooking them in the stock pushing it all through a sieve when cooked.  It was so thick and full of goodness and really tasty without having to add a thing.  Served with thick crusty bread and it made a meal on it's own.  Unfortunately, today, marrow bones are difficult to get hold of.  The nearest I can get to the taste of Mum's is by using the water that ham is boiled in however, boiled ham doesn't happen often *LOL*.  Luckily Knorr do ham stock cubes so they're not a bad alternative although still not the lovely marrowbone jelly *sad face*

Banana loaf, well it's actually a banana and pecan loaf ... looks OK, will report on taste at a later date *grin*

Ready for the oven

Nearly ready to come out of oven ...

... and finished with vanilla butter icing (but not sprinkled with chopped pecans)!

I got the recipe from the BBC Good Food site ... here  I'll let you know if it's worth baking *grin*  I have to say I love this site.  I cooked a stunningly tasty soup from here the other day.  Leek and potato ... you got to try it!  So simple to make but it's so more-ish!

 
Thanks for dropping by .....

A quiet Sunday ...

Good morning from a reasonably bright south coast. Did a lot of photographing yesterday and I made .... 3 cards! Nothing too strenuous though as they were all Wobblers! Youngest grand-daughter's birthdays this week and Dad's. Busy ... and expensive time. Having said that, I got the youngsters pressies when I was at Hobbycraft a couple of weeks ago. They're into crafty stuff and there were kids kits reduced in the sale so one's going to be decorating butterflies and the other has some sequin art to do. Dad - no idea about! When somebody does nothing and has no interests or vices, there's not a lot that you can get them *sad face* He's even stopped reading (apart from his newspapers) and I can only guess it's because he can't remember what he's read previously so the stories make no sense.

Anyway, it seems I've got some visitors coming this morning (eldest and his partner) but I could have gone to a 5 year old's birthday party. It's as well I passed on that as I had a bad night again and laid in this morning ... it starts at 10am *LOL*

Hubby is in hossie until tomorrow, as expected, so I'm taking the opportunity to do things that are easier to do when he's not around. Might even do some more baking this afternoon.

Here's a result of my photography yesterday ... the flowers that the girls gave me on Friday. They are so beautiful. The rest of the photography is for my other blog ... and some of it is already there *lol*

 
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Clear and Unmounted Stamp Storage.

Warning .... long post and photo heavy *LOL* (click on any photo to enlarge for more detail if needed)

I've seen a lot of storage ideas for clear and unmounted stamps and tried some of them in the past that have lasted a nano second. I found ring binder files filled up too quickly and I lacked space to store them.   I've done the laminated storage sheets in binders or flat in boxes.  Yesterday I met up with some crafty friends and we got to talking about storage for different things and one was with regard to stamps, both clear and unmounted rubber. My latest attempt at storage is working well for me at the moment so I thought I'd pass on what I do. It's not new by any means and is one of the ways I've found in my blog travels but with my twist added. I'm sure somebody else has this twist as well but I've not seen it anywhere before.

I use a combination of CD cases and Multistorage cases (DVD cases without the inserts). Bought in bulk they are very reasonable and, if you don't need the amount of them that I did you could always share the costs with a friend. I bought the unassembled CD cases found here and the Multistorage cases found here.  My workspace shelves are CD & DVD shelves so these all fit well and within reach of where I craft.

I store clear stamps in the CD cases and generally you can fit 2 sets of stamps in one case.  Occasionally only one set will fit.  I label the spines with the make and set names and number it. (I was going to use peeloffs for that bit but decided against *hehe* but it is a way of using any number peeloffs you've got, especially if you don't have many cases)  The reason for numbering will become clear nearer the end of the post.

Rubber unmounted stamps (including those mounted onto Eazimount/Klingon or similar) I store in the Multistorage containers.  The only reason for this is because the spine is wider so gives room to take the thicker stamps.  Because there is a facility for adding a paper sleeve to these cases I made a template and I type the make and any detail that I can fit onto the spine area.  I then either stamp the image or go find the image on the internet and copy onto the sleeve (naming it if possible).  I print it off, trim and slide it into the cover.  I then add a number to the spine but you could add this at the time of printing details onto the spine area.

To finish and to make it easy to find the stamps I want, or to sit and choose what I want to work with, I either stamp the image onto paper or use the package images (pictures will give a clearer idea of what I mean).  I try to keep them in categories ie: Christmas, Greetings/sentiments, Female, Male etc etc.  I then put the CD or Multistorage case number that they are in next to that image/package image.  I put them all into plastic wallet sleeves and put them in a ring binder ... mine's an A5 one.  All I have to do to find a stamp is to browse through my 'catalogue', choose the stamp, take a note of the DVD/CD case number and go find the relevant one on my shelves.  Easy peasy and saves the grand hunt that I used to have.

I hope you find this of some use/help to you, even if it's only to take a few ideas from or points you in a direction that will work for you.

Enjoy!!

A Saturday ...

... good morning from a bright, but very cold south coast! Sun is shining but there's a bitterly cold wind. Had a lovely day yesterday playing at Jennie's and then followed with a fish and chip supper with youngest and his family. He even chauffeured me so I was able to partake of a few glasses of wine! Think I had as many last night as I had over the whole Christmas/New Year period - lol! Hubby had his op and now has his left hand/arm in plaster for the next 5 weeks so guess we're on the 9 month recovery programme he was on after the op last year. It's an age to know if something has worked or not, although he will get some indication before that.

Today I'm planning on sorting a bit more of my crafty corner out but only after I've put a beautiful bunch of flowers into a nice vase and photographed them. The girls yesterday presented me with them for my birthday (next weekend). A lovely and much appreciated surprise. Thank you, Jennie, Cally, Elaine, Debs and Kim who, even though she couldn't make it, contributed.

 
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First of 2011 ...

... post, that is ... and a Happy New Year to everyone!  Hope you all had a great Christmas.

I've just done my 'good morning' post on the forum I belong to .... Crafters Reunited ... and realised that it was a snippet that I could have posted on here. I post every morning on the forum and they're all posts that could just as easily be made on here, rather than posting nothing here at all so, from today I'm going to do exactly that. It may encourage me to embellish the blog a bit more so some days there's likely to be more than others. Today's post goes like this ....

"Good morning from a cold south coast. Not sure if Jack's been around or not 'cos not looked as I was taken with the moon this morning. Thought of getting camera out but didn't! Too early to say what the weather is likely to be for rest of day but it's dry, if nothing else! Hubby had his CT scan yesterday afternoon and today he's off to hossie for the 2nd op on his left thumb joint. Hopefully this one will put the problems right and give him some grip as well as reducing the pain he has. Think I'll be back on cooking duties - those that have to be done and not those I've been doing because I wanted to :0(

Damnation! Just realised it'll involve the washing up as well ....

I'm off to Jennie's for a playday with her, Debs and Elaine and I'm picking Cally up on the way. Having an evening with youngest son, dil and the littlies (well, until they go to bed). Looking forward to that.

Year book is progressing but have ideas to improve it. Unfortunately it'll mean starting again *grin*"

There endeth the morning post but I've just realised that even that needs a bit of embellishment to explain what the heck I'm on about *LOL* See, it may start me blogging again and if I do I've a lot to catch up on!

 
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Christmas meet shoebox project #7

Well, it wasn't my project #7 as these are the cards I made the kits up for. I made several samples as I'd used different colours in my kits and wanted to show that, depending on how the snow couple were coloured, any colourway could be used.  There was one more, in  a pinky colour, but seems I've omitted to photograph it and it's now gone to a good home - lol!

Ingredients:

Penny Johnson stamp from Stampavie - Snowy Cuddles

Promarkers

Digi sentiment from Create with TLC

Snowflakes embossing folder (Cuttlebug exclusive to Kars)

Stickles glitter glue

Snow writer

Papermania paper

Mirri card.

Enjoy!!
 

Christmas meet shoebox project #6

... except it wasn't a shoebox project. This was a Stampin' Up make and take that Joanne supplied. Mine isn't quite what it should have been as I kept getting the punching wrong. Got the bottom border right and got the corners wrong. Got the corners right, got the bottom border wrong so .... as we'd been given enough ribbon to tie a bow I decide to take the right corners and the right border and join them, using some of the ribbon to cover the join. Instead of a bow I had a knot but I also ended up with a longer matt for the stamped image. All products are SU down to the glitter used on the stamped background.

Joanne's make and take

Enjoy!!
 

Christmas meet shoebox project #5

An A5 card with a bowed front. Had difficulty lining the decoupage up through the aperture with this one. Could have done better!

Deb's shoebox kit

I think that this was sourced from a CD but don't know which one - sorry!

Circle nesties for aperture, plain and scalloped.

Enjoy!!
 

Christmas meet shoebox project #4

... and the next one in my photo album - lol! Another that is simple but very effective. I like simple *grin*

Kim's shoebox kit

Ingredients:

I'm guessing this used all SU products.

The stamps certainly are ... Contempo Christmas set.

Martha Stewart Snowflake and edger punch

Ribbon & pearl

Enjoy!!
 

Christmas meet shoebox project #3

I love this one ... well, I love them all but like the simplicity and impact that this has.

Jan's shoebox kit

Ingredients:

A6 card blank

Score board for scoring lower part of card and border (Hougie board in this instance)

Strip of DP paper

Circle nesties for matting.

Nellie Snellen Multi frame circles or Nestie Lacey Circles

Stamp or Digi image (this one was from Pink Gem)

Colouring medium (promarkers used here)

Greeting and SU window punch

Stickles glitterglue

 Enjoy!!

 

Christmas meet shoebox project #2

A second card made at the Christmas crafting day.

Carolyn's shoebox kit.

Ingredients:

3 inch square card blank.

Contrasting card for backing

Scalloped and plain circle nesties

SU window punch and a stamped greeting

Stamped or digi image and colouring medium

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder

Enjoy!!
 

Christmas meet shoebox projects.

At the end of November (27th to be exact) I had a day of crafting with a group of friends. We used the shoebox idea again where we each supplied everyone with a 'kit' to make a card or project. We ended up with 12 projects each on the day ... some simple and effective and others with a bit more of a difficulty level ... but far too many to get through in one day. I've still to do some of the projects - and put finishing touches to others - but I've finally got round to photographing those that I have finished so there'll be a few posts to follow.

Where I can I will put details of items used but mostly ...... I have no idea - lol!

Cally's shoebox kit
based on a card we made at a Jackie Huckstep workshop at the Glitterpot

Ingredients:

Bazzill Bling

Nesties labels

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder

Crafts Too embossing folder (greeting)

DP for backing

Snowflake punches

Gems & Ribbon

Enjoy!!
 

... or not!

Today it's all gone. Hubby could have saved himself all that hard work yesterday except he says it was good exercise - ???

Jack Frost visited last night but had disappeared by the time we went to bed and the thaw was well and truly on. Then it rained and it rained and melted all the snow. This morning the only clue that we'd had any at all was where it had been stacked in clearing sessions but even those piles are a lot smaller. There's been a lot more rain ... and hail ... this morning but at least we can get out and about again. I've done the top up shop before the main delivery on Monday but can't get a snow shovel for love nor money. Seems the stores have ordered them but they've not been delivered. Will have to keep an eye open.

Thanks for dropping by .....
 

Weather!

You wouldn't believe it! Can't remember the last time we've had this weather this early in the winter season, except it's not winter yet ... well, not officially! In fact, it's not usual we have it at all.  We started the year with it and looks as though we're gonna end the year the same way.

The majority of the country has been hit with really heavy snowfall. The north and Scotland got dumped on last week and are still getting dumped on. We, in the south, got a share this week. Eldest son (who's 38 today - happy birthday son - lol!) got it a little earlier than us, he being treated over last weekend. Ours arrived on Tuesday. Not enough to worry us too much but that all changed Wednesday and Thursday. Fortunately Tuesday was MRI day for Paul and we managed to get there. We may have got there OK on Wednesday but had it been yesterday, well - no way José! Well and truly stuck and so much so I had to cancel a doctor's appointment I had for today. Couldn't get there. Seems main roads are now clear and passable but side roads are dangerous and I couldn't get car out of drive to find out.

Wednesday 1st December, just before midnight.

Thursday 2nd December, just after 9am and it carried on snowing!

Today there's been a bit of a thaw. Looks as though I'll be able to get out tomorrow but not because of the thaw as it's still deep in places. It's because hubby has been out and he's cleared ....

• the double ramp at back of bungalow to his car hardstanding, on his own.
• the front of the bungalow (including round my car), with the help of a neighbour.
• the snow off of my car (including the roof - lol!), on his own.

He carried on and cleared all down the drive, which is the whole side of our bungalow, and some, and on a steep slope.  He then cleared the snow off of his own car .... a big 4x4 Volvo estate.

We don't have a shovel so he used a big bass broom and a large bucket (soft broom for the cars) I started off trying to help but had to give up as lungs wouldn't allow me to so I've been on tea/soup/food duty.

It must have taken him about 5 hours and he didn't come back into the house in all that time. It's a big area and even bigger when you consider he's nearly 71, has a hand that is need of another op and he suffers with it.  Is in permanent pain with his back, just been diagnosed with prostate cancer and .... is in a wheelchair! He puts me to shame when I'm more physically able.

Hubby in action on the bottom section of the ramp having cleared from the patio doors, across the patio and to the bottom of the first section ....

... and here's some pretty ones. 

I loved the lone track in the virgin snow, which was sparkling.

 Then I saw a magpie in our neighbour's garden so the zoom came into use. Not as clear as I would have liked but then the bird was quite a distance away.

Top up shop needed tomorrow, if we're not dumped on again ... hmmmm ... and a snow shovel, methinks - lol!

 

Thanks for dropping by .....