Tis me!!!!

Hi all!

Yep tis me!! Although the old bloggity blog has been ticking over nicely with DT posts that I schedule to do their magic by themselves I have recently realised it's July since I was here in person ... eek!! So I thought I would drop by and say 'yoo hoo' and do a quick catch up on life in general, I'll try not to make it too long even though it's been nearly 4 months!!

I don't know about you but time seems to be going crazy fast at the moment, I can't believe it's nearly Christmas again and my battle cry at the moment is definitely more hours in a day please!

So as you may or may not know a lot of my time recently has been taken up with Create and Craft TV. Never in a month of Sundays did I ever think I would be guesting on TV shows, let alone doing live hours but do you want to know a secret? I'm really enjoying it! It helps that I love the products I take on; Purple Cows tools and Serif digital scrapbook artist 2 and it also helps that everyone at the studios is so lovely and so much fun to work with!

Talking of Serif digital scrapbooking, that's another never in a month of Sundays moments for me! never did I think I would love digi scrapping but I am, here's a small selection of my latest favourite pages


The software makes it so easy and creating my own papers and my own embellishments has never been more fun!

This month me and him celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary! We've been together 19years now and to be honest it seems like 5 minutes, I am a lucky girl to have met my soul mate, here's a montage of then and now


Blimey we look so young in some of those pics!! On the same day as our anniversary Sophie was born 4 years ago so we had a trip to Devon to see the grandchildren.


I went armed with a birthday tea, complete with egg sandwiches, sausage rolls and cheese and pineapple on sticks LOL Sophie decided she liked cheese puffs and chocolate cake together the best and Dylan managed to polish off most of the sausage rolls!

Way back at the end of July, when I last did a 'live' post I mentioned we were off on a cruise. Hubby was working on it so it was a cheap birthday treat for me and we had a fab time. It was a Baltic cruise, and the main reason I wanted to go, as we had 2 days in St Petersburgh Russia and it was AMAZING! We also met some great people, ate too much and endulged in the old vino LOL here is a very small collection of photos (you can only imagine how much I could bore you with more!)


Back in September I was honoured to be featured in the September issue of Craft Stamper magazine in their stamping for scrapbookers section with an image transfer technique, here's my layout


Keep your eye out for more features in 2011

I mentioned Christmas earlier and in this household that can only mean one thing ... it's panto season ... oh yes it is!!! Hubby is in Bristol again this year at the Hippodrome with the lovely Barbara Windsor and back in September we spent a couple of days in Bristol for the launch


Rehearsals start next week and it opens at the beginning of December. It's going to be a goodie!

October saw the end of my 2010 workshops at Bee Crafty :( I've had a fab year with the girls there and all that attended the workshops, I particularly liked it went Santa came to visit when we made the light up Christmas tree :)


Let's see what 2011 brings!!

2011 is filling up with bookings too. I'll be at Stitches in February, Olympia in March, Scrap-a-mia in May and sparkle dreams in October, check out the side bar for details and any additional info and I'm also working on something exciting that I hope to bring you all soon :)

And that's it really, the last 4 months kind of caught up on, life is mighty busy but I can't complain because life is good and at the end of the day I am getting to do what I really love .... create!

So all that's left for me to say is ... 'and finally' ...


The boys are doing really good, they make me laugh every day and are my best friends. Ollie recently went through it a bit following an op, he was very poorly and did put me and Stan through a week of trauma but I am happy to report he is back to normal and terrorising us as ever! (thankyou to all those that sent well wishes during all that via email, blog, facebook and daisy trail!) As you can imagine I have many, many photos of my fur babies so here are just a few collaged together so you don't lose the will LOL


I've really enjoyed this visit with you and thanks for stopping by, I've missed this 'live' blogging and will try and pop back soon to do it again!!In the meantime I have some DT posts coming up so hopefully I'll *see you* then. I hope you've all been keeping well and happy yourselves and until soon Happy Crafting
Love
M x

Another year older!

... and I'm over it LOL! Hi all! since I was last here I had a birthday ...



Hubby took me to Stratford for a picnic and shopping and then cooked yummy crispy duck in the evening, a lovely day all round. Wierd that last year was a big build up to the big four 0 and this year it kind of just happened :) Thankyou to all my lovely friends and family for all the birthday wishes too I was over whelmed by all the messages that popped up across my various hide aways in cyber space! Ok so moving on ...

Today is my project of the day over at the Lilly pad for Banana Frog ..



A Froggie fairytale

I had sooooo much fun making this simple little project and the step by steps for it can be seen on the frog blog here.

Yesterday was one of my monthly workshops with the lovely ladies at Bee Crafty. We made versions of this ...



A mirror I altered for my first guest design spot over at Banana Frog over a year ago ... oh my where does the time go?? Once again the joy I find in teaching is to see how everyone makes their own unique version of a project ..



We made our own vines for this class and they turned out great (I think that will be a post to come :)) as well as making tissue paper flowers of all shapes and sizes! I had a lovely day with everyone and as ever thankyou to all the ladies.

A couple of posts ago I mentioned my work with Serif and digital scrapbook artist 2 and thought I would share some of my layouts



This was my second ever digi layout made within about 2 hours of loading the programme! It really is so super easy to use and so much fun, infact it should come with a health warning it is so addictive! I have printed this one off on an A3 printer and mounted it on some 12 x12 cardstock, you don't need an A3 printer just put it on a usb stick/cd and take it to the stationers to print or print in 8 x8, A4 or anyother size you like!



This A4 layout is completely digi. I love the blend modes on the software, literally one touch blending to create that designer look paper by adding your own photos to your backgrounds





and taking that idea a step further, creating my own background paper with a photo in it, printing that off and making a hybrid page with the heart journalling embellishment created in the programme.



I'm finding it fascinating to create a completely digi layout



and then copying that in hybrid form. The letters on these layouts use the stencil facility in the programme and are filled with photos of Stratford. I am really loving playing with this digi scrapping, a surprise to me really as I am a paper and glue girl but it's giving me a wider feild to play in and experiment and I love that I can create my own papers and embellishments in the programme! If you haven't got yours but are intrigued I'll be back on Create and Craft with Serif for 2 shows on the 17th August and again on the 23rd ... see you there :)

And Finally...



My handsome boys with their new haircuts!



Helping me unwrap my birthday presents, not a very clear photo but it makes me smile :)



On the way for the picnic in Stratford, Stan is so protective of his little bruv!



And then the boys had to get in on the act of the pink champagne, the cork was a great source of amusement for Oliie



and a 'won' prize for Stan!!

And relax LOL .....here endeth the waffle! I will be scheduling some posts over the next couple of weeks as I am off up the baltics, as it were!! On a cruise ship with hubby, think russian ballet, the hermitage and cocktails on deck ... I can't wait :) The boys are off to visit with sister Ruby in Yorkshire, oh dear what am I landing on mum and dads doorstep!!!!

Thanks for visiting and I'll be reporting back soon ... ish :) until then Happy Crafting.

Love
M x

Simple things

Hi all

This is an even quicker post than yesterdays :) and is one of those magical scheduled ones as I will be at Bee Crafty today preparing for next weekends workshop.

I wanted to remind you all of the year long Simple things project over at It's a creative world, this months word is 'achievement' and here is my offering



accompanied by my 'better late than never' entry for last months word 'graciousness'



(I had to gracefully admit time got the better of me!) Pop on over and see my full whittering in the post and also to be inspired by the other creative girls!

I'll see you all soon ... no really I will, lots to share :) so until then as ever Happy Crafting!

Love
M x

A quick catch up!!

Hi all

Well it's been a while hasn't it! I was doing so well with my scheduled posts and thought I was so ahead of the game then someone shouted 'scream if you want to go faster' and my world started going full tilt LOL Busy, busy, busy but it's all good and I'm just holding on tight to the roller coaster that is my life at the moment and enjoying the ride :)

So I thought I should pop in and do one of my 'live' posts. I can't believe the 2nd of June was the last one eek! Where have I been? Sadly enough I just had to get my diary out to remember LOL with teaching and telly and hubby to and fro at silly o'clock day and night my poor brain is addled.

Hubby is as busy as me, I think my car could find it's own way to the airport, I just wish people would book him on flights at a normal human being time, I'm rather tired of seeing 4am LOL. (and was rather surprised to know there were two 4 o'clocks in one day LOL)

I've done 2 more shows on Ideal World/Create and craft since my last visit. I NEVER thought I would actually say I'm enjoying telly ... but I am :) Everyone there is so lovely and makes it so easy. Of course it's meant I've had to create lots of Purple Cows samples and over time I will share them with you as they get published over at the ranch :)

I've also been teaching. Mid month I was at the Scrapping angels retreat and had a fab time with all the ladies. I will share my Glitzy classes with you soon and I would share photos of the classes but can't find the pictures I took (I'm working between 2 computers and 2 hard drives at the moment!!) :( However I do have pictures of last weekends workshop at Bee crafty.



I work shopped my pop up pirate ship (in my web gallery and shop!) A tall order but all the ladies were up for the challenge and we had a blast, they created some great projects!

I've been on 2 product training days too. I was on my way to one of them and got stuck in traffic!



I couldn't resist that photo LOL

The first training day I was very honoured to be in the company of Julia Andrus, a crafting goddess with an amazing story and an amazing company Eco Green crafts and I have to say products that I LOVE!!! The acrylic paint is like nothing I've ever used before and I urge you to get some and have a play! That day inspired this



Live today on the Banana Frog blog with step by step instructions, hop on over (after you've finished reading my waffle LOL) and check it out!

My second training day was fab too and I'm playing with a 'new to me' product, I will share soon, I promise, when I'm allowed to ... I am super excited about it though and it will be something you won't expect from me :)

Now I've written this down it doesn't look a lot, what HAVE I been doing LOL but that's it, the quick catch up on life in my world so I guess all that remains to say is ...

and finally ...

My boys are a constant source of entertainment and of course unconditional love. Ollie is growing up fast and really is the yin to Stan's Yan.



Although not quite big enough to get on the settee himself yet, he mithers me until I put him up there much to Stan's disgust .... goodness knows what will happen when he CAN get up there by himself!!



But they are cute together at times ... were does one end and one begin??



And this was just after Oliie's favourite new past time .... emptying the water bowl! He seems quite partial to an indoor swimming pool, I think I may buy him a paddling pool LOL!

Well that's it my crafty friends, enough of my waffling! I hope the sun has been shining with you and that you're well and happy. I'll be back soon .... honest :)
Thanks for stopping by, happy crafting!
Love
M x

Retreats, workshops and puppies

Hi all ... well it's been a while again hasn't it!! Life seems to have been crazy busy, creatively and domestically and so I find myself having fallen by the wayside on my good blogging intentions but heh ho I'm here now :)

On the domestic front Oliver Pickles has well and truly become part of the family, but boy how quickly you forget how much time a puppy demands especially alongside still trying to give Stanley Dervish the attention he's got used to having, but I wouldn't be without them. They're hilarious and I think Stan quite likes Ollie now ... phew! Hubby also made it home from his volcanic ash adventures, he came home for a total of 24 hours, went off again but has been back for the last week and has been a star looking after us all while I have spent much needed time in the studio catching up with myself, however this is the chaos that is now my little crafty corner ... oops!



On the crafty front I had a fabulous day teaching at the Scrap-a-Jack retreat last weekend in Stratford-Upon-Avon. This was one of my classes 'Scrappy Time'





Made with corrugated card (all for the up cycling :)) and gorgeous Glitzy goodness from the Olivia line, oh and a real clock!

and this weekend I had a fabulous time doing one of my workshops at Bee Crafty. I let the girls loose with acetate, stamps and alcohol inks and they all created their own version of my reverse canvas. You can see mine here in my website gallery and here's a selection of what the girls created



I love the fact that each project came out completely differently (and the girls enjoyed getting messy :))

Talking of retreats and classes the Scrapping Angels retreat has been re scheduled for the 12th/13th of June after Anna's adventures thanks to the volcanic ash cloud. I believe there are a couple of spaces available so why not come along and play?

In between times I created a waterproof wall hanging for Purple Cows which will be available over on the PC blog as a free PDF soon



and also hosted designer Friday with some cards using hot foils with my Purple Cows laminator, more info can be seen here



There has been much more craftyness going on but the kind I have to wait to share with you :) So all that remains for me to say is ...

And Finally ...

Oliver tried to get in on the act of trying the cardboard snout on for size



Stan and I had a run in with some cows that were far too interested in us, even if they were in the next field my inate distrust of them made us abandon our walk as the cows, that we realised were bullocks, ran along the hedge trying to get us!!



Morning cuddles .... life aint so bad :)



Guard dogs extraordinaire???



and Oliies trip to the vets for his second puppy injections, Stan kept his 'arm' round him the whole way ... bless



and that vet trip also means today is the day we take Oliver out on the lead for the first time this afternoon ... look out!!!

Ok my lovely cyber buddies that's it from me, thanks for stopping by and until soon Happy Crafting
Love
M x

who stole them????

... come on own up the last 10 days of my life where did they go?? It seems them upstairs are having a big joke with me at the moment and I can quite honestly say hand on heart I don't know where the last 10 days went!!!

I know I had a fab time teaching at Bee Crafty, the Fairy castle class went really well although I don't know if the girls will ever forgive me for all the cutting out LOL but we had a lot of laughs and a yummy buffet lunch, thanks Sam, oh and I now have an addiction to cheese straws LOL Next month is my reverse canvas class won't you join us??

I know I had a mad day of Housework (sorry to swear!) and cutting the grass on Sunday, well the sun was shining and it makes you feel like daft activities like that doesn't it? days when you can throw open the windows and shout 'hello spring'.

I know hubby came home on Monday for what we thought was 36 hours that ended up being 12! And I made a yummy dinner although the chilled out evening of wine and films went awry with the opening of the chinese laundry and evil paperwork to be done while he was around!

And I know I have been creating like a creating thing, although some of it I can't share at the moment! I also know I am in Yorkshire Dog sitting Stan's sister for mum and dad who are having a weekend in Belgium and Stan is in his element and I do know that hubby is stuck in Egypt! Grounded along with thousands of others ... wonder when I will see him again???

I also know that you need to go and check out It's a creative world. The new post is up for this months entry for the simple things project that I am a guest for. This months word is Honesty and I love seeing how all the girls interpret it and their creativity in doing so!
Last month was TIME and I ran out of that very thing to get my post up so I sneaked it in this month :)



and this is my HONESTY offering



More pictures and descriptions can be seen over at IACW

and I can't resist giving you a sneak peek of something I have been working on



I had a scrappy time with some gorgeous Glitz papers and will share full pics when I can!

Right I'm off to walk the woofs in the woods, I love being 'home' where I grew up although it does feel rather odd and strange to re live things iykwim!!! I have decided to give up looking for those missing days and hopefully will be back before too many more are stolen!

Thanks for stopping by and until soon Happy Crafting

Love
M x

A class, a workshop and a sneak peek!

Hi all!

I know miracles do happen and here I am again already!!! I thought I'd drop by to continue my catch up photos and share with you some things coming!!

1st up are you around the Evesham area on Saturday??? I know of a lovely craft shop you could visit where they will give you tea and cakes and even a buffet lunch .... plus you get to spend the day with me :) erm excuse me keep reading .... thankyou!! Yep I am teaching a full day workshop at Bee Crafty and I happen to know we have a couple of spaces left, why not treat yourself to a day out? ... oh the class, yes right, got carried away thinking about the home made cakes yum! ... I will be workshopping my fairy castle ...



A pop up delight





It'll be lots of fun so see you there?

2nd here is a sneak peek of the two classes I will be teaching at the Scrapping Angels retreat 24th-25th April alongside the lovelies: Anna Bowkis, Tracie Hudson and Sandie Vincent


A shabby chic piece of home decor full of Glitzy goodness and scrappy techniques



and a layout that proves distressing doesn't have to be dirty and grungy it can be pretty too :)

I'm really looking forward to the weekend and meeting up with old friends and making new ones!

3rd remember I said I was teaching two places at once the other weekend while I was at Olympia I had a 2 page class kit for the Crafty Stash crop. I've had some lovely messages from the ladies that went to the crop and thankyou all for letting me know you enjoyed my designs :)





Smile





All Roads lead to you

Both layouts were created from the gorgeous Glitz Detour range.

And finally .... Stan seems to have developed a complex after his recent road trip. People kept laughing at his lack of nose so he tried one on for size ...



The inside of a gaffa tape roll



'What do you think of the side view mum'



'you see you're still laughing at me!'
Oh he does amuse us and soon there will be double trouble eek!

Oh I just remembered before I go Hubby's pantomime has just been officially announced (remember that bizarre double 'show biz' life I lead LOL) and finally I can let the cat out of the bag ... he will be in Bristol again at the Hippodrome but the kicker is this year he will be starring alongside Barbara Windsor ... how exciting!!!

OK I'll leave you in peace now, thanks for stopping by and I'll *see you* soon until then Happy Crafting

Love
M x

PS Mustavcoffee (wish I knew your real name LOL) I'm glad you were excited to be picked as the winner, please email me mjm@jackson-mogford.freeserve.co.uk so I can get your giveaway goodies off to you :) M x