Internet disappeared ...

... on Tuesday afternoon! What did we do before we had it? I felt like my right arm had been cut off and the strange thing is - I was out all Tuesday afternoon, Tuesday evening and all day yesterday so I shouldn't have been worried but, for the time I was at home until it was back tea-time yesterday, I was lost. Guess it didn't help that I'd organised a crafty day for yesterday and I had no contact with anybody that was going. Probably wouldn't have been so bothered but for that, especially as I wasn't really around to need it much. Just shows how we rely on things (especially as my appointment diary is all on 't-internet .... Google Calendar!) Anyway, tis back now - slight prob with router, easily sorted.

Reason I was out Tuesday afternoon? Hospital appointment with the Orthopedic surgeon regarding my hip. I was hoping for a definitive diagnosis and some help towards walking properly and I got both .... but not in the way I thought! Yep, expected a diagnosis and expected a referral for physio initially. What I got was the diagnosis .... arthritis (strange how it hit me so quickly but he says it's a bit of an unusual one!) and and the treatment? Stay as I am with all the associated discomfort (no groin pain any more but back and knee really hurts after a few minutes because of the way I'm walking) or have an hip replacement. Yep, surgery straight away, no messing, no physio - only choice if don't want to stay as I am! Could have knocked me down with a feather as it wasn't what I expected at all! Shocked? Understatement! Anyways, I'm now on waiting list 'cos can't go on like I am. I've barely got any mobility - well, I have but it nearly has me in tears sometimes and because it's such an effort it affects my breathing so don't think I've really got a choice. Dealing with my poor lung capacity is enough without fighting to walk as well! It's taking a bit to come to terms with though. I've only had 3 ops in my life - 2 very minor day surgery cases and one not at all minor but the last op was over 20 years ago and the first (the major & one minor) over 30 years ago and I was young, fit and healthy for all of them. Not so young, fit or healthy any more so can't say as I'm not worried although I'm told that it's an op that's virtually 100% successful!

The day yesterday was brilliant and had a real laugh. Met somebody new to me and somebody I'd not seen for over a year (which is why it was arranged) so it was good. Photo's not downloaded from camera yet and I've got homework to do to finish projects - perhaps should have chatted and laughed less 'cos some peeps got finished ....!

Thanks for dropping by .....

Another challenge card.

This time it was a challenge on the imag-e-nation forum. It came just at the right time as our eldest grand-daughter's 13th birthday was on the horizon. I'd been playing and had already made a 'never-ending' card blank and had decided to make it her card but had no idea what to put on it, although I'd already chosen the backing papers. I wanted to keep it simple so the mechanics of the card took the limelight and then Val issued the challenge ..... butterflies! Didn't matter what shape, colour, occasion as long as the card had at least 2 butterflies on it so, my problem was solved. Grand-daughter's verdict (her birthday was 2 weeks ago but had to delay posting because of the challenge)? I quote ... "i loved it x .... it was amazing x .... thank you x ..... i really did love it x :d " I think she liked it *LOL* Now I reckon I'll be having to show her how to make it!

Click on any image to enlarge

Materials:
Base card - standard white card cut into 4 strips 6 inches by 3 inches and joined to make the neverending card base.
Backing papers - Papermania Sweet Nothings paper pack.
Embellishments - Squares cut from same card as base using nestibilities and sponged with ink while die still in place. (Tip: If using rub-ons sponge the ink on after using the rub-ons. They will not stick to the card once it's inked - *lol*)
Silver rub-ons, Papermania stickers, Anita's peeloffs and holographic, self-adhesive butterflies, some of which were stuck onto acetate to make 3D.
Not shown in photograph as they were added later - crystal gems on the 13 Today side, for an extra bit of bling!

Enjoy!!

Every once in ...

... a while something happens that makes you realise that life is not a 'given'. Nobody knows what the future holds in 5 minutes time, tomorrow ... however long! There is a report in the news today which has brought it home - a reminder, if you like.

The death of a young man with the world at his feet. This young man was younger than my youngest son and he died completely unexpectedly and suddenly after a night out. Went to bed, went to sleep but never woke up. He was a member of a British 'boy band' (how I hate that tag - they're not boys and they don't play instruments so they're not a band) .... Stephen Gately, of Boyzone.

I'm sure a PM will identify the reason for his death but, as far as is known right now, there was none. It was very sad when Patrick Swayze died a couple of months ago but he'd been ill for a while, fighting cancer and it was pretty certain that he wasn't going to live long once diagnosed. He was a little younger than me and I was an huge fan.

Rest in peace Stephen ... and Patrick.

The rest of us should live for the moment because we just don't know what's round the corner!

Thanks for dropping by .....

Oh my ...!

... am I odd (don't answer that!) but is the world really going crazy or is it me? I think I'm fast becoming a 'grumpy old woman' *LOL*

Babies are now being taught to 'communicate' and yes, I did say babies! Little gurgley babies who can't sit on their own let alone walk, being taught to sign as a form of communication in an attempt to encourage them to talk by a 'communication specialist'! Whatever next?

Why can't babies be babies? They grow so quickly that they're not at the baby stage long and they will talk, in their own time, no matter what and if they're a little slow there's always help available. Personally I think teaching them to sign will only encourage them not to talk. My youngest managed to communicate by sign language long after he should have been talking. He had his own sign language, which the family learnt to understand so, he decided it was easier to sign than to talk. It wasn't that he couldn't talk - he just couldn't be bothered *LOL* Eventually I decided it would be best if everybody ignored his signing to make him talk - and it worked. Once he realised that he had to talk he didn't stop and yes, I did live to regret it as since that day he's suffered from verbal diarohhea, still does and he's now 34 - *LOLOL*!

Then there's the 18 year old who's been jailed for causing death by careless driving while over the alcohol limit. (News report here). Her best friend died and another was seriously injured. I deplore drink driving and think that anyone who kills an innocent third party, whilst under the influence, should have the full weight of the law brought down on them and be charged with murder, manslaughter at the very least. Even if caught under the influence without harming anybody they should lose their licence for good. They know what the consequences could be when they get behind the wheel. I have a real problem with the reasoning behind this conviction though. The victims were all inside the car, presumably as inebriated as the driver but certainly in the car by choice or did she twist their arms? They all have a sentence, one lost her life, another has to live with the result of their injuries and then there's the driver who has to live with what happened but she's also been jailed. I'm not saying she shouldn't have been jailed but I think she should be jailed for the drink driving offence, not the killing or injuries and here's why.

Her friends chose to stay in the car with her knowing that she'd been drinking and were as aware as she was that she should not have been driving. They could have got out and left her to her own devices but they chose to stay. They are equally to blame for their predicament as far as I can see. They had a choice, as did she. They made their choice - it wasn't forced on them - and it seems that they were hooning around behind her, causing a distraction. I'm sure there are plenty who wouldn't agree but it's so easy nowadays to blame others for things that are totally within your own control. Nobody seems to want to accept responsibility for themselves any more and I think that's sad.

Thanks for dropping by .....

Out & About ...

... with Dad! Yep, finally made trip out with Dad just for the hell of it - *lol*

Weather has been awful this week. We've had enough rain to nearly refill the pond which had lost about 4 inches in depth from evaporation in just over a week. It's now only about an inch down, which shows how much rain we've had since the weekend. Can't really complain though as it's been a while since we've had rain like that. Yesterday, however, was all change and it was glorious. Beautiful blue sky, bright sun and very little breeze ... ideal for a ride out!

We took the 'scenic' coast road off towards the east aiming to go to Beachy Head, have lunch and then come back. We diverted the long way around Seaford. The Newhaven to Dieppe (France) ferry had just left Newhaven so we went to Seaford Esplanade to watch it making it's way into the English Channel. I've only been on that route once. Might live close to Newhaven but it's worth the 2+ hour drive to Dover to take the ferry to France. It's only an hour on board from Dover to Calais, around 4 from Newhaven to Dieppe and can get mighty boring once mid-channel and nothing to see but sea - *LOL* Anyway, Dad wanted to see the ferry so see the ferry we did! Not sure he actually did see it too well - *lol* It was reasonably close to shore but don't think Dad was looking in the right place (it's difficult to tell with him sometimes - *lol*), although he did say he saw it ☺

We left Seaford behind and headed onto the A259 towards Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters Country Park, past Friston Forest and East Dean village then up the hill to Eastbourne, taking the turning at the top of the hill towards Beachy Head. The views from this road and around this area are amazing and everywhere you look there are sheep! Dad hasn't been in this area for years but he remembers the sheep - *lol* After lunch we continued on a circular tour, stopping at suitable points to take photos and admire the view. We passed Belle Tout lighthouse, Birling Gap and drove into East Dean as Dad had never been to the village - passed by it on the main road but never been in. It's a lovely little, olde worlde, typical flint Sussex village which has changed very little over the years. Going back on the same coast road we arrived on gave us stunning views over the Cuckmere Haven estuary. Unfortunately there's nowhere on the road to stop to take photos of this amazing view - :0(

View of Eastbourne from Beachy Head Road


Belle Tout Lighthouse and views west to Seaford Head/Cuckmere Haven


Seven Sisters from Birling Gap towards Cuckmere Haven and beyond.
Just look at that sea! Like glass and yes, it was that colour as was the sky!


East Dean panorama (3 photos stitched together)



View Beachy Head trip in a larger map

Dad's reaction to his trip out? "We'll have to do it again sometime. Perhaps we can go to Tonbridge ...?" Tonbridge is just over county boundaries and is in Kent. It is where he was born and raised ...

On my way home from Dad's I took the opportunity to take more photographs but this time closer to home! Been after this one for a while - Roedean School - although it's still not from the angle I'd like. Opportunity for that one hasn't arisen yet due to busy coast road and roadworks *LOL*

Then I spotted this solitary yacht, making it's way to Brighton Marina I assumed, as it was nearly there.

And the weather today? It's grey, cold and miserable again. In fact it's raining but at least it waited for me to do the Post Office and bank run ☺


Thanks for dropping by .....

Oooo ... I'm amazed!

I had to do a double-take this morning when I opened my emails. I had one from Boni, the DT co-ordinator for Digital-Ink Co. She was inviting me to be a guest designer for a month. Me, moi? The person who hardly makes anything at home on her own initiative. I know I have recently and there's something else waiting in wings for another challenge to finish before I can post it but, they are the exception (big exceptions) rather than the rule. I'm so chuffed, honoured, gob-smacked and delighted to have been asked but .... sadly, I've had to refuse the invitation. I just can't make the commitment that such a post would deserve, not even for a month and, if I can't guarantee being able to put the time in then it's not fair to accept. I would certainly love to have a go and hopefully I may be in a position in a few months where I could consider it. Just not at the moment but, I feel it's an huge great compliment for my work - no matter how little of it there is *LOL*

Thank you Boni, D-I Co and Jackie, for putting my name forward. I know I wouldn't have got the invite if Boni hadn't thought my work good enough, no matter who put me forward, but it's nice to know that my work is liked by other crafters.

Enjoy!!

Busy doing ...

... nothing! Well, that's what it seems like. It's been a week since I last posted on here and it feels as though I've been really busy all week but would have great difficulty in actually saying what I've done. Until the last couple of days we've continued to have really nice weather ... rubbing my nose in it even more ... but it seems to be on the turn now and there's definitely an autumnal nip in the air morning and evening.

I've arranged a crafty meet at the Craft Barn for mid-month because one of my Scottish friends from the imag-e-nation forum is coming to this neck of the woods for a week and wanted a meet up with some of us 'southerners' Amazing how quickly something like this can be arranged when wanted! Really looking forward to it - a crafty day with like minded friends. Who could ask for more - *grin*

I've spent an hour or 2 at hospital with hubby who's got a problem with his hand. It's been going on months. Initially it was thought he'd sprained it. Then, when it didn't improve it was thought he'd broken a bone but x-rays had ruled that out so he was referred to a hand specialist and that was who he saw this week. She was unable to diagnose the problem but suspects it's torn ligaments so an MRI has now been requested. It's unfortunate that he's unable to rest it. Being in a wheelchair he has to use it - all the time. It's his mobility. Should have seen the fun we had when he had carpel tunnel and an op for that - lol!

It was eldest grand-daughter's 13th birthday on Wednesday and ... *gasp!* ... I made her card! Such a novelty *LOL* It's scarey to think she's now a teenager. I was actually at her birth - an amazing experience! It's even scarier to think that her brother is 18 at the end of this month. I'd post a piccie of her card but I can't ... yet. I've entered it for a challenge on the forum - *shock* What's even more shocking is ....

... I've made another 2 cards this week, on top of that one. Both inspired by mate Jackie who's a design team member for Digital-Ink Co (as well as LaPashe) and they're running challenges and a blog hop. The first card made I managed to enter into 7 challenges. Yep, 7, using one card! Was happy with it initially but the more I look at it the more faults I can see and the less I like it. The second card made I've entered into 3 challenges, one of which I'm pushing my luck with but if yer don't try ...... *LOL* This second one I'm really pleased with. I think it's the best card I've made without input from anybody else (except for the sketch I followed for layout). Just hope the recipient of it at the end of the month will like it as well!

Was gonna take Dad out for lunch on Thursday but he didn't want to go anywhere. He told me he'd been having real problems with his knees since I'd seen him last and he'd had to resort to using his walking frame to help him around. It was a lovely day and I'd planned on taking him for a run out to Beachy Head and having lunch out as well. He says next week though, no matter what, so at least I know he really does want to go out and he even suggested the Seven Sister's Country Park - *LOL* Not sure on that one but guess it wouldn't hurt to have a look. Can always take the wheelchair for him - not sure what I can take to get me around there though *hehe* He's enjoying the Day Centre once a week - as much for the trip round town to pick up other people as anything else. He's seeing parts of the town he's never seen before! Because of where he lives he could be the last pick up and only be transported for 5 minutes. As it is it seems he's one of the first so, instead of being at the Day Centre in less than 10 minutes he has a 45 minute tour - *LOL* Don't reckon he realises that the Day Centre is only 2 streets away from his flat.

Life is now becoming pretty mundane to the extent it could be boring but I'm enjoying it after all the goings on over the past 18+ months! I think I can start to find time to sort our home out now and maybe even finally get my craft room up and running ... once I've cleared out all the stuff I shall never use and have room for that which I will. Pity my health is now going to make it slow progress but some progress is better than none. There are exciting things to look forward to on the horizon - some definite and some not ..... yet, so it's very much 'watch this space' It's possible that this blog will be able to become what I'd initially intended before it became hijacked but that could mean big adjustments. Thinking cap needs to go on for that one but there's no hurry ...

Thanks for dropping by .....

Digital-Ink Co Blog Hop Challenge

x two THREE!

Digital-Ink Co are having a "Falloween Blog Hop" lasting until 8th October. There's loads of chances to win the main prize and some of those chances involve 'mini' challenge's issued by a few of the DT. I've taken the opportunity of entering some *LOL*.

Jules Junk's challenge was a pop-up card and Sew Many Cards has given a sketch so ... I've combined the 2 and made a card for our eldest grandson's 18th birthday. Yep, he's a Halloween baby. I can remember the day of his birth like yesterday and the look on my 18 year old son's face when he carried him to me from the operating theatre (C-section birth). A complete joy! Anyway, back to the card!

(UPDATE: I've chanced my luck, been really cheeky and entered it for a 3rd challenge on the Digital-Ink Co blog hop ... Beary Dust Stamps! Chanced my luck because the challenge was to make a birthday card for Judy, one of the blog contributors - I think, but could be Sue, the blog owner .... I'm confused *grin* - and she's not my grandson ... or 18 - *LOL*!)

This card is full of firsts again. It's the first time I've used a digital image (I won't call these images stamps 'cos they're not *LOL*). It's the first time I've done an 'out-of-the-box' successfully using a nestie. It's the first pop-up card I've ever attempted (hence mistakes made and bodges done to make it work as near as possible to the way it should) and ... it's the first time I've used the PC for my greeting and 'other stuff'

The requirement for both challenges was to use an Halloween image from Digital-Ink.Co, either one of the freebies given at the start of the hop or one purchased from their store. I chose to purchase one but at 50% off of all images for the month of October it wasn't an huge expense (or hardship) to find one ideally suited for my needs! I could just see Halloween Pumpkin doing the jump of joy in celebration of grandson's coming of age. He's been resized and mirrored to ring the changes throughout the card.

I've used SU's Pumpkin Pie DP, bronze backing paper to matt, nesties and golden brown ink for sponging edges (with a bit of orange thrown in for good measure).

The greeting, the age numbers and his name have all been computer generated and printed onto card. The greeting has been sponged, matted and layered. The age number and name letters have been coloured with prismas, blended with Zest-It, cut out and stuck on. The pumpkin images have also been coloured with prismas and blended with Zest-It. Looking at the sketch again, I'm not sure I've got it exactly right but hope it's close enough!

For any of our non-UK friends .... The 18th birthday is a 'special' birthday in the UK. It is the age that our youngsters officially become adults and when they legally take full responsibility for their own lives - at least, that's the idea *LOL* They are free to do whatever they want without needing parental consent. That includes getting married, drinking alcohol (not that they ever need parental consent for that but it's illegal before the age of 18) and dying for their country! Oh ... and they get the right to vote in Parliamentary and local Government elections. Most celebrate their 18th birthdays with a big celebration and it's usually a party. It is also a time for big presents *LOL*

Enjoy!!

My very first Blog Challenge Card!

Way-hey!! I'm no longer a Blog Challenge virgin - or at least I won't be once I've posted the link onto some blogs! Yep, SOME blogs! I've made a card inspired by my good friend Jackie. She's on the DT for Digital-Ink Co and they are running a challenge which I decided to take up. In doing so I looked for a sketch to follow and one think led to another - *LOL!*

One of my colourings has finally made it onto a card so this post is full of firsts. It's my first blog challenge entry ... and some. It's the first time I've used a proper sketch. It's the first time one of my coloured items has found its way onto a card and ... it's a rarity for me to have made a card at home. Only thing I shouldn't have done was use blue! It just never seems to reproduce to the exact colour by the camera or on the pooter but then I couldn't have entered the Digital-Ink Co challenge .... :0{ I can also now see where I could have made improvements although I think I'm getting the hang of this colouring business! I've kept it simple - too simple perhaps, but being my first I'm reasonably happy with it. Anyways, here's my card ....

~ Stamp from The Greeting Farm, Anya Dressy Collection ~
~ Coloured with prismas and Zest-it ~
~ Nail heads (Anya's shoes) ~
~ Flora Doodles Daisy Box Blend from Joanna Sheen ~
~ Quickutz nesting label for matting and layering Anya ~
~ Cuttlebug Swiss Dots A2 embossing folder ~
~ Papers from stash ~

Challenges entered:





Digital-Ink Co* - colours
Friday Sketchers* - sketch.
PaperPlay Challenges - Spot this (flowers and backing)
Pollycraft Monday Challenge - 5 's' words. I used Sparkle & Spots (matting, backing & flowers)
Creative Card Crew* - All that sparkles (matting, flower centre & nail heads)
Stamp Something Challenge Blog * - Your favourite layout (first layout so it's got to be my fave - *lol*)

So that's it! My first blog challenge and from one challenge it grew so that the card actually fits 6 *LOL* Guess it could be more but I think 6, for one card, is quite enough! Just got to go and enter it now .....

Edit: The more I look at this card the more the middle layer looks like a bandaid plaster - *LOL*. That layer should really have been a bit deeper and a contrast methinks. Wonder if I can do something about it - hhhhmmmmmmmmmm?

UPDATE: I've entered it for another challenge ...
Club Anya* - I {heart} punches (Quickutz labels for matting and corner rounders for other layers)
That's 7 challenges now from one card. Am I going for a record? Possibly - *LOL* Not bad for a blog challenge virgin!

Enjoy!!

FREEBIE - Waterlily hexagonal pyramid

Another waterlily - and it is a different photo to the last one! We've been having such lovely weather this past week (with the exception of one day but more about that on Ramblings!) that another lily appeared on the pond and reminded me that I'd made this sheet a while back but not posted it. I still have no idea how the sizes work in practise. The topper, the borders, the greetings ..... I need somebody who's used 'em ('cos I haven't, or printed them) to let me know if I need to make any adjustments .... pleeease!

Please note:
These sheets and original photograph are both copyright to me. You are free to use the sheets in any way you wish for personal use and you may sell anything you make using them but please, do not share them in any way whatsoever but link to my blog for others to download for themselves. Please do not claim them as your own or sell the sheets in any form.





Click on any image for full size version and either print or save to your PC for printing at a later date.

Enjoy!!

One, two, three ...

... the fourth annoying, winding-me-up, glorious day since my balloon flight and how many days has it been since the flight? Yep, 4!! Wednesday really was the worst day of last week and this week is starting on a high weatherwise as well - *gggrrrrr* It's so, so stupid but it really is still winding me up! We're having a spell of weather now that we've not had all summer. A whole week - and some - of beautiful weather that was interrupted by that one day.

Thanks for dropping by .....

And the weather ...

.. today? The same as blooming yesterday and every other day of the week except Wednesday! Sunny, warm, cloudless and not a breath of wind! It surely is having a laugh at me and certainly doesn't make me feel any better about the rubbish weather on Wednesday and my subsequent disappointment! *gggrrrrr!* I guess I will get over it at some point, when it's all become a distant memory but, at the moment the weather has become the over-riding factor and the balloon trip has taken a back seat.

I actually took more photos than I thought and hubby took a fair few as well. Problem is, hubby doesn't know how to use his all-singing, all-dancing, now obsolete camera so most of what he took was useless - *LOL!* He did get a couple of nice crisp ones and I've sort of rescued a couple of others (good ol' PSP!) but they are a bonus 'cos there's no way I'd have got any of the photos that he got ... good or bad *LOL* Here's just a few ...

On our way
(new Brighton & Hove Stadium in distance near middle of piccie - looks like a bird cage roof at the mo)
grey skies and all - :-(



Click on any pic to be taken to the album for the choice of stills or a better slideshow


... and what was the weather like before and after Wednesday?
Well, this was yesterday .... on my way home from Dad's ...



... and sunset - doh!

Anyways, a bit of flight detail (or what I can remember). We took off from the grounds of Buxted Park Hotel, from an area commonly known as The Lawns I believe. We had an audience as hotel guests came out to watch - *lol*. We drifted in a north-easterly direction, over Buxted village, at an average wind speed of 3mph although it dropped lower but never got much above 5mph. Maximum height we reached was 1300 feet. The intention had been to make it to 2000 feet but a low cloud base foiled that idea! We dropped as low as 500 feet on some occasions (to interact with peeps on the ground mainly - *hehe*). The flight lasted around 58 minutes and we travelled approximately 6 miles, coming to land in a field roughly midway between Rotherfield and Mayfield. Unfortunately there were no real landmarks nearby to accurately pinpoint the area we landed in when I visited my good friend Google Maps - but I found it using the photos I took and a bit of detective work... *YAY!*

View Balloon flight 23.09.2009 in a larger map

The landing was good, clean and upright, although probably less fun than landing flat on your back in a pile - *lol*! By the time we'd packed everything away, watched ducks and geese flying overhead (too dark by then for my camera to take pics), had our champers and nibbles, ordered souvenirs and got back to base, it was pitch dark!

My souvenir came free & gratis! A cork from one of the champers bottles, fashioned into a balloon and decorated by the crew! So much better than a 'commercial' one.

Did I ever mention that I suffer from acrophobia? Yep, I have a fear of heights! I anticipated that I would be OK as long as I didn't look straight down and kept looking to the distance but was determined that I would do a flight. I'd read somewhere a while ago that acrophobia only presents if you are physically attached to the ground in some way. I have to say that is probably true 'cos I certainly wouldn't look down at those heights had I been in a building or a tower (don't even like a ladder) and tummy goes queasy just looking at the TV when they're showing pics from a height but I felt nothing by way of fear from the balloon and the photos show that I did look 'straight down' on several occasions - *LOL* I would say to anyone who suffers acrophobia but would love to do a flight - go for it! You won't regret it ....

I enjoyed my sunset flight. It was lovely but would have been oh so much better if the weather had played ball 'cos there was one thing missing .... the sun to have the setting of! (D'ya think I could get 'em on Trades Description - huh?)

Thanks for dropping by .....