Our Scottish Family visit

Ian, Nicki and the three children are here until Saturday.  So much excitement !  They spent Saturday and Sunday, in London ,taking the children to the Science Museum, to 'WinterWonderland' and Hamleys.  Needless to say, they didn't spend much in Hamleys !

Pops did the night time story, Ian and Nicki listened lol  It is their Wedding Anniversary tomorrow so we are going out for a meal.

these fungi are growing at the foot of our lilac tree.  Not sure what they are called, but thought they looked so unspoiled.  Someone must know their purpose, food for some creepy crawly maybe, the birds don't take them !

Smiley face

We are going away for Christmas to our fabby ,fabby friends !!!!!!!!!

What is more wonderful than friendship, next to children and Grandchildren   FRIENDS  [and Santa of course lol]

This weeks arches challenge

This week it is 'Tickets'  so I have used theatre tickets.

Other arches can be found on

http://gothicarches.blogspot.com/

My Therapy Session

Went to the next to last, therapy at our local Hospice. I have been going for five weeks, as a complimentary session was offered by Macmillan.

I have had a massage and Reiki, but, today, I had 'Bowen Therapy'..It involves a series of rolling massage for back pain etc. Lovely lady Lesley, but when she said 'I am now going to take your left knee to your right ear'

Eeeer! Wasn't sure about that. Anyway, up it went, and hey it got there !!!!

Not been able to do that for years and, sorry, no photos. lol

Autumn is here

Relentless24

This my fantastic Son, and his friend, Jack, who did the mountain bike ride 'Relentless24' for Macmillan nurses. The final amount donated is £950 The following account was written by Nicki, our DIL

Some of you will know sadly my beloved Father-in-Laws currently undergoing a very long period of chemotherapy. He really is my number one hero, I often find myself complaining about a lack of sleep with kids waking me, or too much to do and just remind myself what he is going through so bravely (indeed has been for the last four months)!A couple of weeks ago, my husband Ian, and his good pal Jack decided to take part in the Relentless24 endurance mountain bike race in Fort William. They rode in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care, in support of all the good work they do for Dad and others. The race climbed up into the Ben Nevis Range of mountains, and took in part of the World Mountain Bike Championships course, taking turns to ride laps as a team of two, staying in the saddle for as much of the 24hrs as possible - midday Saturday to lunchtime Sunday. This was their first ever big race, and some challenge for weekend riders!The race started well, a little cloudy but still dry. The lads had a bit of a shock that the lap lengths has been altered from the expected 7 1/2 miles, to 10 1/2 miles, taking in a section of quarry (apparently quite surreal riding between parked quarry machinery). Unfortunately Jack had a freak accident on his first lap, his chain snapped in a twisty single track section. It got tangled in the wheel and threw him over the handlebars, giving him a nasty cut on the chin which was bordering on needing stitches. After loosing a lot of time having to walk a couple of miles pushing the bike, another competitor, who was carrying tools, stopped to help him bodge a repair and get moving againAll was well for a few laps more, but as they rode into the evening the conditions got progressively worse. The ground was getting really soft and churned due to heavy rainfall in previous days, and getting bogged down was sapping all the energy from their legs. Late at night Ian got stuck in thick mud an an uphill section and bruised his leg and knee badly on a rock (although I have to say he was rather more upset at scratching his new bike!). Both guys decided for safetys sake to take a few hours kip through the darkest part of the night, and obviously some 6th sense prevailed as the heavens opened and some full on rain soaked tents and riders alike for 3-4 hours. A few teams even left the event.At first light Jack went out again, and the sleep had really done its work in refreshing the guys, they started producing their fastest laps of the race. Jack came in off his final lap just before 12 noon, sadly not leaving Ian enough time to get round his last lap.All in all, even hampered by accidents and bad conditions, the guys managed around 100 miles in the race period, no mean feat! Sadly they came 4th from last in the pairs category, but they were mightly pleased not to come last considering the first class standard of entrants!All in all they jointly raised £950 for Macmillan (plus gift aid supplement of over £100). So one huge big fat cheer for Ian and Jack for a HUGE achievement and a huge thank you to everyone who kindly sponsored them!You can click here for a short video of the event (sadly the guys didn't get caught much on camera, but if you pause at 9:13 you'll see the a second or so of Ian outside the camper van).I''l leave you with a a tiny selection of the hideously smelly and absolutely filthyAll was well for a few laps more, but as they rode into the evening the conditions got progressively worse. The ground was getting really soft and churned due to heavy rainfall in previous days, and getting bogged down was sapping all the energy from their legs. Late at night Ian got stuck in thick mud an an uphill section and bruised his leg and knee badly on a rock (although I have to say he was rather more upset at scratching his new bike!). Both guys decided for safetys sake to take a few hours kip through the darkest part of the night, and obviously some 6th sense prevailed as the heavens opened and some full on rain soaked tents and riders alike for 3-4 hours. A few teams even left the event.At first light Jack went out again, and the sleep had really done its work in refreshing the guys, they started producing their fastest laps of the race. Jack came in off his final lap just before 12 noon, sadly not leaving Ian enough time to get round his last lap.All in all, even hampered by accidents and bad conditions, the guys managed around 100 miles in the race period, no mean feat! Sadly they came 4th from last in the pairs category, but they were mightly pleased not to come last considering the first class standard of entrants!All in all they jointly raised £950 for Macmillan (plus gift aid supplement of over £100). So one huge big fat cheer for Ian and Jack for a HUGE achievement and a huge thank you to everyone who kindly sponsored them!You can click here for a short video of the event (sadly the guys didn't get caught much on camera, but if you pause at 9:13 you'll see the a second or so of Ian outside the camper van).I''l leave you with a a tiny selection of the hideously smelly and absolutely filthy

Nicki wrote this and I thank her and them from the bottom of my heart, as Macmillan have been such support to us

My wooly 'at

As John was feeling pretty good on Thursday, we took off for a shopping trip to buy him a pair of warm slippers in M&S - 'old man' ones ! Then, I sat him among the bras and knickers, while I went in search of goodies. There are some fabby colours in scarf and gloves AND wooly hats. Coudn't resist trying some on, and in the end, found this one which I took a liking to. I know it is unknown for me to wear a hat, and this is a boring grey, but I am a very conservative person, and thought it will go with everything lol

Hmm is this the start ?

Gothic Arches

Having just joined a Gothic Arches forum, the theme for this week is orange and black, so here are my efforts !

This one is for David

This for Peter

Eye of newt and toe of frog

Wool of bat and tongue of dog

Adders fork, and blind-worms sting

Lizards leg and owlets wing

For a charm of powerful trouble

Like a hell-broth boild and bubble

Scary Boxes

I made these for my three Grandsons for Christmas, but as it is nearly Halloween, thought to let them have them now.
I painted and glimmer misted them, although you can't see that easily. I borrowed the fab skeleton stamps from a Norfolk woman. As well as embossing them, I used Stazon on shrink plastic to fix round the sides. Tim Holtz came to my rescue [I wish!] with grungeboard skeleton heads and arrows, which I painted. All in all, I feel pleased with the finished result.
They are down from Wales, with their Mum and Dad, staying with Keith's Sister, as I can't find sleeping quarters for them here lol
Our garden is in a pretty awful staet, due to Johns illness, so tomorrow they will tackle the weeds and fruit - if the weather stays dry, of course.

Aldens box

My angel mould on canvas

Thought to play with another canvas. I still have a few more upstairs lol
I painted it gold, glimmer misted then used the 'Tattered Angels' Glimmer Screen tree. Painted over that with Viva Precious Metal Colour, silver red and around the sides. The moulds are sculpey clay - I don't like the air dry stuff. Coloured with Perfect Pearls as they blend into one another so beautifully. Oh, and her hair is accent beads, as if you didn't know lol Don't know what to do with it now HAHA!!

Bike Ride For Macmillan

I am very proud of my Son, Ian. He and a friend, Jack, are doing a mountain bike ride in aid of Macmillan on Sunday 10th October. It will be pretty tough, as it is a feat of riding skill, mental toughness and physical endurance. It will take place at the Ben Nevis Mountain Range [hope it doesn't snow !]
Please if you read this, take a peek at the donation page 'Just Giving' type in Ian Macrae as a friend, then 'Ian' on his page. That should come up with 'Donate'
We managed to sell two chairs on ebay, so that money went to him too. The sum is mounting ['scuse the pun]
Thankyou

we are going to Ally Pally craft show

My bessie mate is here staying for the weekend, and we have been to Canterbury today. Tomorrow [Saturday] we are off early to Alexandra Palace for the Big Stamp show. Nicks came armed with a cool pair of plimsoles, so I persuaded her to help me make a sparkly pair ! Here is the result and I love them

and som white ones

chrysanthemum

It is Autumn and I bought some pot plants to put outside my door

my 'new' bedroom

Having had the same curtains and furniture, for the past 30 years, I thought to change things !!!
So, off to Dunelm to buy curtains and a bedpspread. A bedspread, rather than loads of duvet covers, as I have enough. So, took measurements, and the sales girl took on a shade of pale green, as I had put down, inches together with centimetres lol John said to throttle me, but I am still alive and well! We arrived home to discover, we had two packs, of two curtains; and two packs, of two tie backs. So, back to Dunelms for a refund. I found my way to the purple area, and found John with an armful of purple flowers and a purple vase, to match the purple cusions I now have on the bed. Our refund wasn't much of a refund !!! BUt, he did agree the purple broke up the cream curtains and bedspread. We await new drawers now, so might have to find anothe purple vase and flowers lol
It does look nice and I am a happy bunny.

Whoo hoo I am there at last and very pleased with the result

Little Houses

I am obsessed with Sculpey clay now, so have made yet another canvas. Similar to the castle, but stamped with house stamps this time. Had plenty of time to play, as my bessie went away at the Bank Holiday weeekend, leaving me in peace LOL! Not sure which one I like here, the castle or the houses.

dragonfly geranium

I saw this geranium with the seeds 'floating' on top. Thought they were little dragonflys, but on closer inspection, saw they were seeds. All the other geraniums were the same. Never seen this before

Another piece of my rubbish to hang on the wall LOL I had a suede look spray, so thought to try it on the canvas. It worked well and I double embossed round the edge for effect. The mask is from Hobby Craft which I painted gold and used glimmer mist on it too. The more the merrier! The small masks are moulded out of friendly plastic. Well, I had to play, while my bessie was on holiday in Scotland, and got carried away, making more moulded bits, which will make an appearance here at some pont !!

Having got up at 6am. to get John off to hospital for his chemo., I was determined to have a crafty day. An article in a magazine gave me the inspiration to make this canvas. I wanted a castle theme, but not dark, so went for the blues, pinks and bronze. I moulded the parts using a pastry cutter, and patterned them with various stamps and moulding plates. Before putting them in the oven to harden, I used mica powders to colour. Sponged the canvas with gold acrylic paint, added beads and flakes. A bronze 'Metallics' pen round the edge finishes it off nicely - well, that's what I think! Tim Holtz grunge board key and hinges locked the whole thing up !

So take two play bricks, cover with tissue paper [special strong stuff], wrap beaded wire around them and then balance, fix and hope they stay up there lol

If my Bessie is very good

I have told Nicks she can have my birdbox. But, she has to be very kind to me, stop nagging and visit lots haha

my finished birdbox

I think I have put the finishing touches to my bird box ! Always room for more bits as time goes by !

My Bessie Mates Birthday Card

I made the effort to make Nicks a special card. It includes a stamped image of ladies faces, which she reckoned I had never used ! My favourite piece of friendly plastic, the red top from her milk bottle covered with a friendly plastic heart. I have to make a special visit to Sainsbury's to get her red top milk, whenever she visits [very fussy she is !] Glimmer mist, triple embossed round the edges and, although you can't see them, quite a few peel offs as I know she hates them lol

This Garden Is Illegal: What Kind of Flower Are You Quiz

This Garden Is Illegal: What Kind of Flower Are You Quiz I am a Canada Thistle which means I am a mean spirited, ornery cuss. People try to get rid of me, I just keep coming back !!

Altered Bird Box

yes, I am altering a bird box. Not to go anywhere near a tree outside lol More to add to this but will progress as the weeks go on !

Friendly Plastic Pendants

I did make these a while ago, but just found them in my very organised craft room lol So, seeing I am on the Friendly Plastic blog thought I would upload them

friendly plastic

Wow! I clicked a key on Nicks blog, to www.friendlyplastic.blogspot.com and I had an email to say my work is being featured this weekend on Liz Welch's site. She won't mean much to non crafty people, but she is pretty good !

ooops not being PC literate I tried to download a slideshow, but it didn't work - sorry !!!

I have been busy playing with my Cuttlebug, and thought I would experiment, embossing a pattern made with one of the folders, used to emboss paper. I inked up the folder, put it through the Cuttlebug with paper in between, sprinkled with embossing powder and heated. This is the result. I was quite impressed ! I used Tim Holtz powder but not that pleased with the end product, so a waste of £4.99 ! That is the square in the middle. The swirl, bird and flowers are from grungeboard, cut with the cuttlebug also, and painted with paints called Twinkling 2o's. I then triple embossed round the edge of the card, for the finishing touch.

While staying in Norfolk last weekend [gosh that was ages ago!] Nicks got me to alter the pink photo frame. Not too bad for a first go I suppose, but had another try last Friday, while John was at Royal Marsden Hospital, undergoing the first chemo treatment.
This green one is the result and I must say, I am quite pleased with it. I will be putting photos of the Grandchildren in them. I have them sitting in the apple tree as usual.

our weekend in Hainford

An 'on the spur of the moment' weekend with my bessie and her lovely family. Friday night, after we arrived, we had salmon supper/dinner, then a few glasses of liquid !! The group here, are friends, from my craft forum on the craft site, known as DoCrafts. As John is facing time at the Royal Marsden this week, it was a chance to relax, and be daft. Sunday, Nicks, her daughter Georgina and myself went to Norwich to get a handbag, to match an outfit Nicks is wearing for Newmarket races. She and Heidi are in the royal enclosure ! Hope they behave. We didn't get a bag, but a nice outfit for Geroginas school prom. She will look stunning.

I will upload a few more photos, and one of Georgina and her cat - called Sparkles haha

Beryl, me, Heidi, KatherineT, Lynn [Linkon] John [otherwiae known as MrS] and Nicks [my bessie] crushing his leg lol

A Birthday card

So it is Sunday afternoon, and I have just realised, it will be my Daughters mans Birthday on Tuesday, and as they do like my cards, thought I had better knuckle under and make the effort. Having started metal embossing, and he likes flowers, this seemed appropriate for him.

The Artistic Stamper

The Artistic Stamper

My Bessie Mate Came to stay

Nicks had to find a dress - dress? she never wears dresses !! She is going to the races at Newmarket, and into the Royal Inclosure, so it had to be something special. She spoke Thurday evening and we sprted out that she should come here, and I would be her personal dresser ! So, off to Bluewater Shopping Centre we went, on Saturday morning. Not been there long when she got fed up duh! We did find one which really was her right colour green, but the size was wrong [won't tell you which size lol] and when we did find the right one, it didn't look good, so we knocked that on the head. Well, eventually we got a result, and I have to say she looked stunnig, so she was not meant to have the green one, and she was chuffed to have waited.

Home, via Dockyard Outlet at Chatham, well it seemed rude to pass by! Found John in the garden where we had MORE tea. Fish and Chip supper, with beer, and a lazy evening as we were pretty shattered.

Today, Sunday, we did a bit of craft stuff, lunch in the garden again as it is Summer now haha! A mad moment in the apple tree then, a sad goodbye, at 3o/clock. I think everyone has been photographed in that apple tree !

Thankyou Nicks for making us laugh xx

A baby bird

Friendly Plastic Fantasy Animals

I have been playing with Friendly Plastic again. Some say it is not so friendly, but I love it, and how it turns out differently every time. This time, some look like fantasy pre-historic animals. Think I might be making some more today !