Here Comes the Bride

Can't believe it's over 3 weeks now and I've still not even posted a picture. Still waiting to see everyone's and get my book back, but here's a couple people have sent me so far.

Now that things are going back to normal, I'm really going to get stuck in about designing some new jewellery. I realy sickened myself of this 2 or 3 years back, when I seemed to just be doing jewellery for people constantly and it did take the enjoyment out of it for me.

I'm still enjoying making cards again, but completely not sweating it if I don't get any Christmas ones done - after all it's not the end of the world is it (also still need to get wedding thank you cards finished and posted).

Looking to get this spare room decorated, as I feel it's too dark, especially as we still have cds and dvds everywhere - got some units arriving on Saturday for these though, so that should make a difference.

Off to do some blog-hopping shortly, as I've missed catching up on everyone's news.

Toodles xoxo

You're my Guitar Hero

Can't believe it's been so long since I posted. So much has happened since September, not least the fact that I got married on 1st Nov!!!! We had a fantastic sunny day and managed to get plenty of photos done outside, which was definitely a bonus we were not expecting.

I was pretty tied up doing all the stationery and favours (as well as being really really busy at work), hence the reason for the posting gap. Beginning to get some energy back now, although so glad we decided not to go on honeymoon until February.

Another bit of great news is that one of my best friends has recently found out she's having a baby, so I'll be an auntie!!!

New Guitar Hero band pack is out tomorrow, along with the new one for the DS, so guess where Stu and I will be heading after work. We've actually got it on pre-order at Game as they were offering a free bass guitar when you pre-ordered. New WoW expansion pack came out today - not got it yet, as I've really let my WoW time slip (so much so I cancelled my subs about a year ago), but hoping to stop working late so often to enable me to free up some fun time for myself - fed up being tired and drained all the time.

Anyways that's my update for the moment - more just to announce my return to blogland than anything else.

See you all soon (if I have any readers left).

Toodles xoxo

Spicy 3-Sausage Pasta

Although it's never going to win any beauty contests, this dish is one of my favourites (especially now that autumn is drawing in). It's hyper speedy to make and really tasty.

As well as some pasta (I just used dried 3-colour spirals as I had some in the cupboard), you will need 3 types of sausage (cocktail sausages, mini salami and hotdogs), bell pepper (any colour), hot sauce (at the moment I'm using Cholula, but Encona/Tabasco etc will do the same job), tomato puree and creme fraiche.

Chop the sausages and pepper into pieces approx 1.5". In a small/medium pan, heat some olive oil and gently fry the pepper for a couple of minutes. Throw in the sausage, a few dashes of balsamic vinegar and some sugar and continue to fry for a couple of minutes. Now start to boil the water for the pasta and throw pasta in once boiling. Add a good splodge of tomato puree (enougth to amply coat the sausages and pasta) and hot sauce (as much or little as you like!!), and cook a bit more. When pasta is just about ready to drain stir some creme fraiche into the sauce mixture. Drain pasta and add to sauce. Serve with some grated parmesan and black pepper.

Thanks for looking.

Lisa xoxo

For my Mum

Tomorrow's Mum's birthday, so I made her this card.

The background paper is Dovecraft Hint of Pink (from my new stash). Flower dies are Bosskut Wild Flower and Wildflower Cutout. Font dies are Curly Girlie. The border is one of the Cuttlebug Frills Border embossing folders (also from new stash - I love love love using new stuff). Edges are inked with Dark Peony Cats Eye Chalk Ink (I think this colour is just fab!).

Here's a little close up of the border embossing - I bought these and thought I might never use them, but actually I really like this one.

I'm quite liking my white background for a bit of a change, although I really need to make myself a banner for my title. A long time since I've done anything like that, so may have to trawl for a tutorial.

Toodles

Lisa xoxo

A Bunch of Stuff

After a few weeks of not really making anything, managed to get a few things done this week.

I had a call from a colleague on Thursday who needed a pair of earrings to wear on Saturday night. As I was busy Thursday and working Saturday morning, I made them on Friday and she popped round to pick them up Saturday afternoon. I had never thought of putting these colours together (well would have put some of them together, but not the lilac), but they turned out really nice.

As it was a last-minute order, I had to scramble about and use stuff I had which fitted the colour remit of orange, red, yellow, black and lilac. She also wanted chunky. I've had these orangy/yellowy discs for a while and always liked them. The others were just picked from my jumble of beads. I threaded the discs on eyepins, the top section on eyebins and the bottom danglers on headpins and just hooked the lot together.

Thursday was Stu's birthday, so I made him a cake. I asked him what sort of cake he wanted and he decided on chocolate. I don't like chocolate cake, except for Black Forest Gateau, so made one of those - not the prettiest thing ever, but it tasted really nice. I didn't have any kirsch though and couldn't see any in the Asda next to work, so just added some vodka to the cherry juice!

I also made this card for him. I always struggle a bit with man cards (I think most people do), but did manage to find a nice Metallica font, which kept the rock god happy, especially since Death Magnetic was released on his birthday. I've used DCWV Rock Star papers, inked with dark peony Cat's Eye chalk inks. The font is Pastor of Muppets, with the last letters being Pastor of Muppets Flipped.

Treated myself to one of those little portable studios from Maplin everyone has been raving about and I love it (even though I've only used it once, to photograph the earrings). Still need to faff around with it a bit though, as I was getting quite a bit of reflection of the glass on the background, although I think it looks quite nice. Anyways, I'm great at faffing, so shouldn't be too much of a hardship.

Thanks for looking. Toodles xoxo

In the Middle...

...of changing my blog layout, so sorry it's a bit of a shambles atm - still getting to grips with this drag and drop way, plus internet has been mega slow tonight.

New Stash

Popped into my local craft shop, for some pearly card blanks for wedding menus, sadly the only one left in town from about 6 a couple of years ago - unless you count the paltry collection W H Smiths have (but I'm not speaking to them anyway after rushing into town after work one day for something only to find it all closed up and in darkness at 23 mins past 5 when they're meant to open until 5:30!).


Anyway along with my blanks, some other stuff popped into my hand, then I had to order white 12x12 card from Papermill (local shop only stocks Bazzil, which is fab, but too thin for the thing I was doing) - so I ended up with this little bundle of extras:

From Papermill I got DCVW Rock Star 8x8 pad and Dovecraft Funky Masculine Brads. From my local shop I got 2 sets of Cuttlebug embossing folders - Snowflakes which I wanted since last winter and Frill Borders (which I thought looked really nice, but now that I have them home I'm not sure if I'll use them. I also go Dovecraft Rose Tinted Christmas and Winter Wonderland brads, Winter Wonderland, Fantasy, A Hint of Pink & Wedding 6x6 pads, DCVW Rose Tinted Christmas & Christmas Wishes 6x6 pads and a Laura Ashley Contemporary 6x6 pad.

Now to use it all (and perhaps have a bit of a clearout of existing stuff).

Toodles xoxo

Invitations

I managed to get my wedding invitations sent out last week. Everyone should have theirs by now, so reckoned it was safe to post here (not that most of the people coming along read this blog!!).

Unfortunately because I printed them on pearly card and I'm a pretty crap photographer they look a bit speckled here(they don't look like that in real life - just pale gold pearly).

Stu got measured for his new kilt at the weekend and put the deposit down on it - should be ready 2 or 3 weeks before the wedding.

On other matters, I have had the strangest desire to sew and was thinking of half inching my mum's sewing machine as she never uses it. Don't know what I fancied making, but had visions of me running up little beach bags and decorating stuff I already have - maybe that needs to be hand sewn - I really have no clue.

Also weirdly (I don't know what's come over me these days - keep thinking I'll do stuff I normally have no interest in), I was in my local craft shop buying blanks for my menus, when I spotted nice pink and black DCWV Christmas papers in 1 6x6 pad. I also saw a nice blue Dovecraft one and then another DCWV in red and green, so I bought them all (along with some Christmas brads) - really odd since I hardly even give out cards at Christmas - who knows maybe this year will be different (but if you're one of my friends reading this, please please don't hold your breath, as you'll probably end up dead and that would make me feel guilty!!!!)

Off to do something productive now - had a long list, but had to go back into work for a couple of hours tonight just as I was getting settled.

Toodles xoxo

Update on Things in General

Can't believe it's been almost a month since I blogged, but it's not been down to laziness - I've just had so much stuff going on. Work as hectic as every and now doing my Management Level 4 VQ as well. Also been having a bit of a clear out at home, so we can get things a bit more organised with 2 people's stuff.

We got rid of the kitchen table and chair, which weren't used that often (although I tended to use all the chairs and the table as extra surfaces to dump bags and stuff. Instead we now have this dresser:

Stu spied it in a charity shop on his way home from work one day, so it was an absolute bargain. I love it to bits.

Got all my wedding invites posted today (well apart from half a dozen I didn't have addresses for, but got those today, so they'll go tomorrow. Will post a pic in a couple of days once people have theres.

I did this jewellery set for a colleague of my sister. First time I've used purple, amber/topaz and turquoise together but I really liked it. In fact for once I didn't want to part with it - strange thing is S bought it to give as a present for her sister and didn't want to give it away either.

Pendant is Swarovski teardrop with glass beads hung on a dark brown ribbon and bracelet is assorted glass beads interspersed with 4 colours of purple Swarovski bicones.

Thanks for looking.

Toodles xoxo

Turning Japanese

Part of the reason I've not been making many cards and have almost completely given up doing jewellery (although only on a temporary basis!!) is because I am so into cooking (and kitchen gadgets) at the moment. On my list is a decent food processor, a bread maker and an ice-cream maker. I tried out my first silicone baking tray at the weekend, and I loved it, so now I want a few more.

Anyways, on Saturday I decided to have a go at Sushi. I acquired a gadget called Sushi Magic and this was the result:

I was really pleased as it was the first time I've ever attempted it. But really it wasn't too difficult. The Californian rolls weren't quite right and I didn't have enough rice left over to make maki. The bowl in the top left has soy sauce and pickled ginger in the top right. I added some mini rice crackers in the middle bowl to balance things out. Obviously I made more than 4 pieces - here is the everything I made:

Stu the guinea-pig was well impressed. I think he thought at first it didn't look very much, but we couldn't finish it all between us as it was really filling.

I would definitely recommend having a go at making it, although I may have struggled without the Sushi Magic (it has moulds for the nigiri and has a rolling mat for the maki/Californian rolls, which was pretty easy to use.

Thanks for looking.

xoxo

Still around

Well sort of. I just never seem to have any time for stuff these days - I'm sure I'll be back on track again soon though. I did make this rush card for a workmate - the first one I've done in ages:

I used Blonde Moments papers, metallic DCWV card, Sizzix Girls are Weird Alphabet and the cake was made using a Sculpey push mould. Edges are inked with Cats Eye Dark Peony.

I've also been busy doing my wedding invites - got both the all-day and evening ones finished now - just need to do the inserts and addresses. I'm really pleased with the way they've turned out and will post a pic once I've sent them out.

Next will be working on a layout for place names at the tables and a cover for the CD w're going to do for favours.

Thanks for looking.

xoxo

Her Space:My Space - Hand

The lovely Sue set the challenge today for Her Space:My Space today:


YOU NEED HANDS - MAX BYGRAVES - 1958 - PHOTO PROMPT

This picture shows why I am a secretary and not a hand model, although I do like my hands :D.

Thanks for looking.

Lisa xoxo

HS:MS Ring

I've not done the Her Space:My Space challenges for ages - but have really missed doing them.

Here's today's
RING

A small circular band. Find a ring in your space today.

From left to right they are: silver zig zag ring bought in Mallorca, my gorgeous white gold and diamond engagement ring, silver ball ring bought in Ibiza and silver swirly ring bought locally. In case you can't guess, I love long rings.

Thanks for looking. xoxo

Bambi in the Dock

Hey bloggy-types, a little story with a happy ending from me today. Got a call at work to say a baby deer was in the dock up to it's neck in water. This has happened before with other animals, but a little baby deer - poor thing. Luckily by the time we went to investigate the fire brigade and a tanker driver had fished Bambi out and he had done a runner - probably scared witless, but he'll hopefully learn a lesson.

All geared up with my wellies, cagoul and camping chair in preparation for T in the Park this weekend - have a feeling weather's not going to be great considering there's only be 2 days in the past 2.5 weeks when it hasn't rained and often the rain has been torrential, as I discovered to my misfortune last Thursday when I left my car window open whilst visiting Stu's Nan. Had a bit of a soggy bum all the way home!!!

Back to work yesterday and my office has been all nicely decorated. My new filing cabinets have also arrived, so I'll be a busy little bee over the next couple of weeks.

Wedding plans all going swimmingly (unlike little Bambi!). Printed out all the invites and stuck the ribbon on, although still have inserts to do and would like to add some crystals too.

Stu and I went to a re-launch at Westerwood a couple of weeks ago. Was very impressive, great meal, lovely room and fantastic service (plus it was all free which is always a bonus!!)

Thinking of starting to put recipes in a blog, but not sure whether to use this one or start a food one - feedback would be appreciated. I love reading recipe blogs and love cooking so it shouldn't be too difficult.

Still miles behind with making jewellery and cards. Just seem to have no mojo at all - hoping it will return soon.

Toodles for now xoxo

Wedding Fever

Finally a chance to update. Stu's sister got married last Monday. It was a lovely day and bride and groom looked fab (as did the bridesmaids and ushers!!)

Bride & Groom

Not long til ours now too - I must get myself into gear with losing weight - on holiday for the next 2 weeks so that should give me a good start - always easier away from work.

Looks like I have a final design for my invites now - will get them printed off soon, so that all I need to do closer to the time will be the inserts.

Also got holiday booked for next year - off on a Caribbean cruise in February - can't wait.

Did these card for colleagues as well:

60th Birthday

Teacher

New addition to family 80th Birthday Ruby Wedding Hopefully I'll have some time when I'm off work to do more cards and my first jewellery in ages. I really envy those people who seem to be able to get so much done.

Toodles xoxo

Long Overdue

I'm afraid I've neglected my blog lately - just been so busy with other stuff and not had a whole lot to report.

Still coming to terms with my inhalers - was doing much better (peak flows up to 475 from below 370) but in the meantime I've had a new bathroom put in which is fully tiled, which led a a layer of tile dust over everything I own, so now I'm struggling again (and tired too!!), although I know it won't last forever.

Anyway too much gloom and doom and I'm not really one for self-pity. Bathroom is great - needs the finishing touches still, but so so much better :D:D:D

Stu's sister gets married on Monday, so we're looking forward to that.

Not sure what we're going to do re holidays yet - might try to get a last minute deal or might just spend the money on tarting up the flat a bit more.

I've made a sum total of no cards and no jewellery in the past couple of months, although I have 5 cards, a pair of earrings to make and a necklace to alter (all for Friday, so need to get my butt into gear). I did treat myself to a lovely little colour laser printer for doing my wedding invites.

Still enjoying wii-ing around - got Mario Kart which is great fun.

Will catch up again soon.

xoxo

S

Puff the Magic Dragon...

...lives by the sea.

My first news for today is I now have 2 puffers after a trip to the docs on Friday. I get a terrible wheezy cough everytime I'm ill and because my immune system's been a bit lowered since I recovered from the stomach bug in October, it's been more apparent. Mum & G pointed it out when we were at the Chop House on Thursday night. I'm totally gutted about it but hoping the puffers help and I can stop using them soon, cos I am not very good at it.

Sorry I've not blogged much lately. No craft stuff to show. New job going well and started my Management Level 4 VQ. Bathroom getting fitted in next few weeks and spare room still chaos, but we'll need to get that sorted soon for Stu moving in.

Got some nice photos a couple of weeks ago in Linlithgow, but need to download them, so will try to post later in the week.

Toodles for now xoxo

Try looking back more...

...on days that were slower.

Stu and I finished watching the box set of Huckleberry Finn & Friends (remember that one, bloggy-types??) It was well good, especially the episodes with Tom Sawyer in them. We also finished th New Avengers last night and have started on Hart to Hart.

I'm afraid I've not made anything for the last couple of weeks - really need to gut this room and get back into it. Every time I'm in here at the moment I just look around at the chaos and my creativity seems to vanish.

Really loving my new job, although put in a fair few extra hours already.

Nothing much else to say though I'm afraid. Will be back soon though (hopefully with something to show next time!!)

Toodles xoxo

Let me take you down...

... cos we're going to...

Decided to call this bracelet Strawberry Fields. Would have had it finished last week, I discovered when I went to finish it off that my last end crimp cover didn't have a hole in it, so I had to order more.

Can't do one of the little close up photos I've been using lately as for some reason Photoshop won't work tonight (I've even tried reinstalling) so have had to use Paintshop Pro instead and I don't like using it (plus I'm completely crap at it).

Thanks for looking.

Toodles xoxo

First in ages

I'm ashamed to admit this is the first piece of jewellery I've made in about a year - have so much stock and just completely lost my beading mojo. The photo is crap on this one, but the earrings are amber, turquoise and amethyst colours - they are for a colleague who has a necklace in these colours.

Thanks for looking

Eggstremely Late

Yup, Easter was well over a week away and I'm just getting around to posting the cards I made!!

First one was for Stu:

I've used Making Memories Ethan and DCWV papers/card. Bunny cut using Quickutz Peekaboo Bunny, nameplate is Sizzix and font used is Quickutz Sunshine.

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This one uses papers from my local craft shop and card is DCVW metallics. Nameplate again is Sizzix and Easter Egg is hand cut and embossed using the Cuttlebug Swirls folder.

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Final one uses English Paper Company papers and a Quickutz chick. Tag is a Bosskuts one and Easter Egg is again hand cut and embossed using Cuttlebug dots folder.

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Finally, it was Stu's Dad's 60th on Easter Sunday, so I made him this card. papers used are Making Memories Ethan (I actually forgot I had these papers and they are so good for guy cards), number is hand cut and inked and font is Quickutz Sunshine. Thanks for looking and toodles for now xoxo

Recent Reviews

Ok, I've been promising myself to do this for a while now, so have a few up my sleeve. First the films:

A couple of weeks ago we watched CONTROL which was fabulous, but definitely not what you could call a "feelgood" movie, which suits me just fine.

If you don't already know, it's about the life and untimely death of Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division. It's all filmed in black and white, which makes it very atmospheric. Soundtrack is wonderful and Sam Riley is just fabulous in the lead role.

A definite must-see as far as I'm concerned and it defintely deserves a 5-star rating. Best non-fluff film I've seen in forever.

******
The next film we watched was STARDUST. This one didn't hugely appeal to me, but I had to eat my words as it was very enjoyable. Very fairytale-ish, but not at all babyish, it had a great story to it, was well-acted and generally just really good.

You'll probably know the main song from Take That, which is a good tune for a feel-good movie. I'll give this one a 4-star rating. Michelle Pfeiffer is fab in it and Robert de Niro has some cracking scenes. You'll also see Ricky Gervias, who even manages to slip in his "are you having a laugh" line from Extras.

****

On a don't bother watching thread, it has to be DEATH PROOF. I absolutely loved the Tarrantino classics (Reservior Dogs, Pulp Fiction, True Romance), but this was such a disappointment we traded it in the day after we bought it. The first 30 mins or so were ok, and left you with the feeling it was going to get better, but it just didn't.

A massive let-down is about the best that can be said about it, hence the 2-star rating (actually I did seriously consider only giving it one, and may still change this).

**

Onto books now. Recently finished THE ALEXANDRIA LINK by Steve Berry. The blurb on the back reads:

"Cotton Malone is in trouble. His son has been kidnapped and his bookshop in Copenhagen attacked, all because he is the only man alive who knows the whereabouts of the Alexandria Link - the means of locating the most important cache of ancient knowledge ever assembled: the legendary Library of Alexandria, which vanished without trace fifteen hundred years ago."

I loved this book. A great adventure, with a few twists in the tale, it grips you from start to finish. If you're familiar with THE TEMPLAR LEGACY you'll meet up with a few characters you already know and find out a bit more about them. A definite 4-stars from me.

****

I still have to do some game reviews, but as this has already become a bit of an epic post, I'll wait a day or too.

Thanks for reading my blurb. xoxo

Thi-thi-thi-thi-thirty

It was KB's 30th at the weekend. Party had a mod/northern soul/motown slant to it and it was well good. Since he's right into his rugby, I made this card for him - put the local team colours in the "3".

Hand cut the number and rugby ball using DCWV cardstock and chalked the edges. Grass paper is from a DCWV stack (you know when you look at a stack of paper and think to yourself "when on earth will I ever use that one? Well, bingo!!)

Got another party this week - need to make a CD with 10 songs with the first letter of my name for it. I've sort of picked mine out, so it'll just be a case of burning them onto a disc.

Toodles xoxo

Just Stuff

Hello bloggy-types, hope you are all well. I'm doing just fine and dandy and still managing to dodge bullets :D:D
Got a few book/film/game reviews, but I'll leave that for the weekend when I'm in full-on geek mode.
Here's a pic of a card I did for one of my friends at work:

The papers are Making Memories Kids in Kate, the buckes and buttons are Sizzix, the Tag is Bosskut and the font is Rebekah's Birthday. The gorgeous white flower (sorry my botany skills are crap so I have no idea what kind it is, but it looks a bit like an orchid) is part of my Craft Fairies Design Team kit.

Thanks for looking.

Lisa xoxo

HS:MS Relief

The challenge over at Her Space My Space for today was:

RELIEF

Creating a mold that stands out from it's surface or a feeling of reassurance and relaxation. Find 'relief' in your space today.

Nothing sums up relief for me more than getting into my jammies and cosy socks when I get home from work!

HS:MS Listen

The challenge for the day over at Her Space:My Space was:

LISTEN

To give your attention to a sound. Find 'listen' in your space today.

This is what I listen to. There is a reason I have 2 of them, but it's a bit long and really not very exciting - suffice to say if you get a hard disc error on the big one, don't panic - there are ways of fixing it (and it's a very hardy bit of kit!!)

Thanks for looking.

Lisa xoxo

HS:MS Flood

Had to do a major cheat with the Her Space:My Space challenge today.

FLOOD
An overflowing of a large amount of liquid. Find a 'flood' in your space today:

Yup, I know it's a page from a book, but it was dark when I got home from work (I do pass a fantastic flood on the way to and from work, but it's at a bit where you can't just stop and get out. I had to compromise, so it's a photo of a painting of a flood from a book, with Photoshop water droplets added.

Hope I can do better tomorrow.

Lisa xoxo

HS:MS Ticket

My first HS:MS challenge for a while - camera broke on holiday in October, and had quite a lot on my plate since I got my new one at Christmas - hopefully I'm back on track again now though.

TICKET - A piece of paper or card that give the holder a certain right, usually to enter a place. Show us a 'ticket' in your space today.

Thanks for looking.

Oh Baby!!!

My wee cousin had a little girl at the weekend - chuffed to bits for them as I think at some points over the last few years they thought the day would never come. Went up to see her last night with Mum & G and made cards for us to take up - here they are (N.B. I've tried to do photos instead of scans for a change as I'm always jealous when I see other people's beautifully photographed items). I used Fimo embellishments for all 3 of them, cos I love Fimo on baby cards for some reason.

This is the one Stu and I gave her:

Papers are Making Memories Cosmopolitan, teddy and feet are fimo, square and frame are Cuttlebug and letters are cut using Curly Girlie.

Mum gave her this one with the baby in a pink nappy:

Papers are DCWV, nameplate and corners are Sizzix, circle and frame are Cuttlebug embossed with a Cuttlebug emobssing folder and font is QK Sunshine.

The last one with the tag and pram is the one G gave:




Papers were from my local craft shop, embossed using a Sizzix Big Impressions plate tag and butterfly tag were cut with Sizzix dies and font is Girls are Weird.

Life in general is ticking away nicely. Hoping to get moved into my new job in the next few weeks (but we have to get someone in place for my current one first!), although getting paid at new salary so that's ok. Will also be enrolling for a VQ Management Level 4 course next week.

Not really added any more wedding plans, although have an appointment with the florist on Saturday.

As always I do promise to try to update more frequently than I have done lately - just had a lot of stuff going on and time just seems to fly by - one day I will be organised though :D:D

Toodles xoxo