Workshop to Workroom

Well I have been asked so many times for photos of the new workshop so I spent some time yesterday putting the ones I have on photobucket and have got a slideshow for you... well that is if it works! I have enclosed photos of the workroom as was before the new building. We ran out of money so haven't yet finished the workshop although I am working in there and storing my stuff. The heating at the mo is greenhouse heating but I am saving for proper heating... can't remember for sure what it is but boy is it expensive! I will add some photos when we have done a little more to the interior.

Workshop to Workroom

Getting to be a habit!

Now I have a part time job (who on earth said it was part time?) I seem to be running all the time and getting nowhere with my own stuff. I really do need to use my time better! Having said that I have just spent an enjoyable hour looking at others crafty blogs and must say some of the stuff I have seen is stunning! Oh and so very inspirational... now when will I get time to have a go? Perhaps I should set times for everything... but then I would have to stick with it wouldn't I? I am the kind of person who gets a diary and writes everything in it only to forget about 2 days later. One day I shall... please God!

I have some new embellishments for babies so I do want to make something up with those and then of course I need to get some Christmas stuff made up. I promised the girls we would make some traditional things like Christmas cakes and mincemeat but we still haven't gotten round to it. That is a must for this week. Haven't made any puddings in so long and I miss them to be honest even if I am the only one who eats them! I can feel the pounds going back on as I type! (Note to self... make use of the gym!)

I have decided I want a Bind it All. Was thinking of putting it on my 'Must have list' for Christmas but hubby takes the list and never refers to it so it is probably best to get it myself... now to decide whether to buy the pink or blue... anyone got any recommendations?

I would like to mention something I think is well worth participating in so here is a link to it. I found it on my travels this morning. I shall certainly be having a go myself. http://www.hmh.org/minisite/butterfly/index.html

What a long time it has been!

Wow! I can't believe how long it has been since I blogged! Mind you so much has happened since I can't believe it myself! I have taken a job... finding host families for students and taking care of them while they are here. It has been one of the things that has taken my time but not as much as moving into my new workshop! Well it isn't finished yet ... ceiling to do and more fittings to go up but we had to make the move quick as I have 2 students coming this time and we needed the room! I have made loads of things but I guess they are to out of date now to post so I will just show you this one which I made today from my own template.... do you know someone actually emailed me from Ebay suggesting that I cheat by not cutting by hand... I truly think I have passed my apprenticeship in that area having been designing and cutting myself for some 7 years now and then I still have to design for my machine... it does just cut from design files you know! lol

Shoe Card

I had great fun these last few days!

I have been making up some more 'keepsakes' for Midas Celebrations... not put them on yet but will do tomorrow. The prams were such fun to do although the boxes were hard work I must confess! I have reinforced the wheels and frame as the first one was a bit to wobbly for me.I also change the box so it wasn't quite so high but I think it could be changed even more really... will see how I feel next time I make some! The bow on top would have been better in a wide blue Organza ribbon but as I didn't have it I used a wide white with a slightly narrower blue. I made another up in pink of course!

The dresser was great fun to make to! I reckon it will make a fabulous 'New Home' card... I made the back double so there is somewhere for peeps to write a message and have enclosed the body... just so it is tidier.

Now all I have to do is upload to my site... well I have to work the pricing out first!!! I hate that with a vengeance! We never recoup a decent hourly rate do we!

Such a long time...

since I posted here but things have been really manic. I am ashamed to admit that once again I got muddled up with weeks as regards to the craft fayre and was a week short. This wasn't helped by the fact that I had 2 10' tables at this one so needed loads more stuff! It worked out fine though so I was happy enough. I made up loads of things with my robo and have now added them to my Midas card site. It was suggested that I put them on ebay but I am not sure about that... I shall have to think about that one. All the new things were really well received so at least I know I am going the right way. My next fayre isn't until September so I have plenty of time to get more made up in time for that (as long as I don't keep putting it off again!) Not sure when I can get started though as we have 2 of our Grandbabes coming to stay for a few days while Mum and Dad get away.

My workshop is marching on! It is nearly finished now... just need to get some money to pay for the roof to be finished (one side is done) so that we can go in and finish one wall and then the painting can start and I shall be able to move in... I can't wait! it is sooooooooooo exciting! I will take some piccies soon and post them up here.

Marching on!

The workshop is shooting up! I can't believe how fast it is now going after all the rain earlier in the year kept stopping work. Actually after I had taken these photographs yesterday the final wall was half up! I will take some photos today of that... think I have been a bit remiss and seem to have missed out loads of stages so I must make sure to keep the record going. I want to 'scrap' the project so I will be able to look back in years to come. I need to take some photos of the workroom I have at the moment but it is really difficult ... do I take photos while it's messy or try to remember to take them when I have tidied up? It isn't often tidy... I usually do it when I want to start something new and then all I can think of is getting started! The workroom is going to make such a difference to us... well we will get back a room in the house and be able to get sorted all the other rooms that now house bits and pieces!

Not quite Jimmy Choo

But I am really proud of this one! I bought a robo file for a shoe, it was a really nice fancy one which I did indeed make up but then decided to change it a little and make it 'my own'! I didn't get to finish the fancy one (must remember to do that) because I decided to do it my own way. It was fun to do and I am real chuffed! now I have to make up the handbag that goes with it and some boxes for them. I also finished some Easter exploding boxes... my next fayre is at Easter so I need some things appropriate to the season. Next project is ... well who knows? I have loads of files I have bought that I need to get done! It's going to be a busy week! :D

The Pavilion

Well that's what people around here are calling my workroom! It has become quite a talking point in the area as it slowly takes shape. I want to call it something else really... something a little more in keeping with the actual but once started these things are hard to stop! Perhaps we can have a competition to suggest a new name.... certainly something for me to think about! Now that the weather has dried up considerably hubby is able to get on... well in between helping our daughter to move home, constantly having to take me for dental treatment and our son and his partner coming to stay! We now have 3 walls! ;) It has been decided to take down the pear tree to... it is so very close to the building and the tree is so old... we will buy another and plant it somewhere more practical. Actually we are thinking of getting rid a few of the fruit trees we have and replacing them which I think will be much better... we can choose our own types then and where we plant them. Oh well.... loads of gardening to do! I must get in touch with my friends Maureen and Charlie... my very own gardening experts!

Two firsts!

Well I have actually got round to making a 'Exploding Box'! What fun! It was so easy and soooooo effective! Can't believe I didn't try before! I made it from what was left from my scrapoholics kit and a little bit more from my stash for my dentist Lucy... I am seeing her for the last time tomorrow as she is joining the Navy... hate that as she is fabulous and I shall miss her loads but that's life! The printed paper is available from my Paper 'n Lace site.

New Keepsakes for my card site

I had a lot of fun last week making up some fabulous files on my robo. It is quite labour intensive making them and I do get in an absolute mess with glue but the end justifies the means! Well I think so anyway! ;) These make a lovely change from ordinary card making and the end result is well worth the work involved. I am still trying to make some files of my own but am stuck with welded letters and mats... one day I shall manage it though! (Well I am hoping so anyway! Hopefully I shall get them on my card site today... here's hoping!

Scrapaholics on Saturday

I had another wonderful day this time. It is so good to get out and about and see what things others are doing and despite all I said I am actually enjoying scrapping! This time I chose to use the picture hubby and I had for Christmas from our daughter. It is a fabulous black and white one with her and the 2 children on. The papers included in the kit this time were absolutely me... I loved the colours and the patterns! Chipboard embellishments were included and I have 'uteed' them in colours to match the paper and used an Anna Griffin stamp to emboss. Anna Griffin was the perfect style to go with the beautiful Turquoise and Brown paper and I am pleased with how it turned out. Can't wait to be up with the others... some great talents at our class I can tell you!

Now that was fun!

Had a funny day... finishing the dreaded h word.... well at least it is sorted for the weekend! Then to Keynsham for some card... aren't I naughty to run out! blush blush... After all that I actually got down to some crafting! (I actually made up and really enjoyed it I must say) Today was with robo and Tins's file for a highchair... what a lovey one it is to! so much fun to make up and so very easy to! I have included some piccies for you to see... the card I got wasn't perfect, it is lovely card but the colours weren't as I would have liked given choice... all my fault.

On a different note entirely hubby went to see another consultant today... he has now been told that after 15 years it is to late to do anything... well gee thanks! We kind of worked that out now seeing as he keeps falling over as his nerves are so shot he falls over when his leg gives out... we found that out when he kept falling off the scaffolding! Shame they didn't do anything about it sooner isn't it!

Playing with Robo again!

and what fun it has been! I have bought some files this week... from Jennie and they are super! I should really learn to make my own but these were to good to miss. Waiting for some more from Tina and that will be it for a while... well I need to make them up really don't I?! I have included some piccies but once again they haven't been 'titivated' so not fabulous... I think you can see enough though.

The workshop is going great guns this week... up to roof level front and back now. Next will be the ends then the roof can go on... that will make a tremendous difference as once the roof is on the weather won't matter anymore! Well that is until we need to paint it but that won't stop me moving in will it! :D Can't wait for that day... had to buy some more packing stuff this week so my workroom is an absolute nightmare now!

Jana has met some more of the family ... got on great with my Grand-daughter which pleased me loads! Hubbies swimming trunks arrived from M+S (took ages they did! :?) so he will take her swimming... maybe this weekend, but, being selfish, I hope not when the day is dry. Having said that there is snow forecast for Friday so maybe this run of dry weather is coming to a close. Please God it doesn't though!

Today has been a mixed kind of day...

I wasn't sure what I intended to do at all... had some stuff to finish on Paper 'n Lace so I could send out the newsletter (which is very late!) as we have some new stuff in (and lovely it is to! I keep looking... mustn't touch though!) and some special offers to... you know the kind of thing, BOGOF and free postage to and then I hoped to play... and I have! Tried some stuff on robo and have come up with an idea, just got to sort out which alphabet is best... some are to fine and don't cut well at the size I need the words to be. Anyway I have got myself sorted for tomorrow as I know what I want to do now thank goodness!

While I was searching for something I found another embellishment I really want to try so I will have a pop at that to if there is time.

Back to today anyway... hubby has re-started my workshop!!! I am elated! Wonder how long it will be before the rain 'stops play' again? Knowing our country not long but it is so good to see some movement at least! I really should work this evening but I hate that... when you get up at 3 or 4 in the morning late nights aren't good... but I have loads to upload to eBay... maybe tomorrow, who knows I may feel more like it then!

Valentines Day Cards

Well I have managed to make some at last! Bit late really but that's me all over! At least I am early for next year!!! I always find it difficult to make things 'to order'... I prefer to play and see what I end up with which is probably why there are still things I need for my card site! The one with all the roses on is actually some fabulous papers from MIC... I am wondering whether to carry them on the site. Oh well... maybe I am just to old to change now! ;)

Been trying to learn more for the robo but am having mixed results... I just need to spend much more time on trying things out I think. I have managed to make up a Grandfather clock (it was a file I bought) and I am pleased with it... can't show you a piccie though as Jana was working on the table it was on and it is squashed... need to push it back into shape first!

I realised today that I am a bit behind with some challenges for the forum... sheesh why do I always do that??? Someone should give me quick kick up the backside I reckon! I really do want to do some more though so I must use my time better!

Lastly... the weather... can someone tell me when we might get a dry day when hubby has time to work on my new workshop? It is taking far to long and I am getting really fed up! I am desperate for the space... perhaps I should try praying? I hope it isn't adversely affecting to many peeps.... wouldn't like that at all!

Well we have some peeps on the forum who need some prayers I reckon so I will leave praying for dry weather for a while and send prayers for them instead... Hope you are both healing well now x

I actually did it!

I actually managed to spend some time playing with my robo today. I downloaded inkscape and had a play and managed some welded words! What a shock! I have had my robo far to long to have not done it before but at least I have started now! I have also had a play at numeral cards but have yet to cut out what I have made. I need to be on my other computer to do that so it will have to wait until tomorrow! I have managed to do some work on my websites to but have to upload some of it yet.
Jana is upstairs at the moment playing her violin... such a lovely sound to! Very peaceful and relaxing... well it would be if I didn't have Deal or No Deal on the tv ... I should blush there really shouldn't I? ;) All is well here with jana but she is getting a little bored I think... well any young person would when there is nowhere to go in the evenings. Carolina (who came over with the same company) came for dinner on Wednesday but it isn't really enough. I am hoping that she will make some friends locally and start some kind of social life. At least she is happy here anyway!

Work on my workroom is still at a standstill... stupid weather! It is driving me potty to be honest... it is taking far to long! We have our son and his partner coming to stay at the end of February and nowhere for them to stay at present... I think the sofa bed will have to do as I can't see the workroom being finished... oh well we all live in hope don't we!

Tomorrow I really must get down to some cardmaking... so many to make I don't really know where to start but I have got some fabulous papers in stock now so i may well 'pinch' some! Nothing like new stuff to stimulate is there! Well there it is... more 'we all live in hope'! :D
Something I really must do is order from some new companies... I have the catalogues etc but it is so very difficult to decide which things to order... I could spend a fortune very easily... must try putting blinkers on! All in all a very busy time!

I bowed to others...

and have added some more flowers to my page... what do you think?

Here is my students page to... this is her first as well!

My first page!

After much time saying no I have actually completed a scrapbook page!!! I know... I can't believe it myself! I saw a post on UKS for a Scrapaholics class in Bristol so decided to get myself to it. I am so glad I did! Jana and I had a lovely day and met some super people.... believe it or not someone I knew when I lived in our first house 30 years ago! On top of that her sister is married to my cousin! Just goes to show what a small world it is!!! Kim was fabulous and made me feel so very comfortable and at ease. Jana did extremely well with her page and it looks fabulous! I have enclosed a photo of mine.... I will let you judge but I do think it isn't bad for a first attempt!

A long time...

since I posted here. So much has happened... Jana arrived safe and sound and I am now getting used to that daily grind of making sure someone is up and out of the house for school... it has been such a long time since I had to do that daily and I can't believe how much of my time it takes! How did I manage when I had 3 children to get out of the house! :? I have also been to the dental hospital for some more treatment. I have to say that the temporary they made me to cover where my bridge was wasn't at all comfortable... in fact it was horrible so I haven't been wearing it... it is in a 'safe' place oh er! Lucy is to young to know safe places I think because she was convinced I have lost it... well that is until she told an older dentist and he said 'I wonder if it is with my keys?'! lol.... safe places.... wonder who keeps hiding them? I am convinced my Mother plays tricks on me, I have asked for her to bring it back but still haven't found it... Maybe Lucy is right and I have lost it! :O Oh well I shall have to go without for a while longer until the permanent work is done!