Tracy's World

Something Fun with Buttons

2011-04-26T07:38:00.004+01:00

Thought this was such a great idea, flower embelishments from buttons.

I saw this on YouTube from Becca and liked it so much I thought I would have a go myself. So below are my efforts and above is the link to Becca's video.

Such a Rare Sight

2011-04-26T07:31:00.004+01:00

Just wanted to share something with you all. My two kitties get on ok not best friends {Jack is more loving to Tarot and she tolerates him in small doses} but live together fine. Imagine my surprise a few evenings ago to find them both sleeping on my chair. I was so gobsmacked that I had to take a picture as proof to show my hubby. I loved it so much I thought I would blog it too. Jack is a rescue cat from about five/six years ago now He is the black and white cat with the mangled ear and Tarot is my baby. I have had her since she was about eight weeks old and could fit in my hand. Both are now pensioners at 17 years old.

Mother's Day

2011-04-26T07:17:00.002+01:00

I decided to go vintage this Mother's Day. For my Mother I took a picture of her and I {me about a year old} I printed it out on smooth paper and distressed it with some vintage photo distress ink pad. Then mounted it and covered it with glossy accents. I then stamped my own background on the card and mounted the photograph. I dyed some lace with vintage photo ink and added that to the card along with some coffee coloured pearls and some small paper roses. For my Mother in law I dragged the saphire distress ink pad all over the card for the background and then spritzed it with tattered angels mist in mint choclate chip chalkboard. Then stamped two cameo stamps from the cameo stamp set and then added white pearls around the frame of each cameo. I then finished off with some little crystal stones and a couple of little roses.

Continuing With Charms

2011-04-26T07:11:00.002+01:00

I have somehow become obsessed with charms. They are great to jazz up ATC's, Tags and mini books as well as making, Bag, phone or key charms. I have also recently made some broaches too. Again the Kilt pins and all the beads and charms were all purchased on Ebay for as little as 99p for a bag of 10 - 20 charms, well worth a look.

Charmed I'm Sure.

2011-03-08T06:33:00.003Z

Just lately I have gotten into several projects, going from rarely crafting to now doing a little something most days. One direction I have gone in, due to a fantastic artist on youtube by the name of Rachel (RachO113 and that is the Letter O not a zero) is making Charms. I make these to go on either a bag or the zipper pull of a purse or for a key chain. So far I have made 4 and am really enjoying it. The actual silver charms can also be used to attatch to ATC's and cards or other projects. Ebay does an excellant selection of both Charms and all the beads and findings you could want at great prices (definately cheaper then Web store sites) I have uploaded what I have done so far. I would also strongly recommmend you check out Rachel on youtube especially if you are into vintage. Her art/projects are just amazing and she fills me with such inpsiration. She also streams live Saturday evenings at 18:00 on http://www.ustream.tv/user/Rach0113.

Kepp Crafting,

Fab's Birthday.

2011-03-08T06:25:00.002Z

It was my dear friend Fab's Birthday on the 6th of March and as I am really getting into vintage at the moment I thought I was do a vintage card for him. I used cut n dry to apply vintage photo over the whole of the card then stamped a Paper Artsy mini stamp of cogs in the backgroud in rusty hinge and then buffed over it with kitchen towel to soften it. I then got a Tim Holtz tag and spritzed with tattered angels gold spritz. I stamped another Paper Artsy stamp onto a buff ATC that I had and distressed the edges with my distress tool (Tim Holtz again) and inked the edged in Mahogany. I then placed the ATC on to the tag at an angle and applied to the card with some brown organza ribbon. I then edged the card with gold pen and added a few triangle shapes with the pen for some interest. I do hope Fab likes it.

Happy Birthday Fab xx

Keep Crafting,

Mum's Birthday.

2011-03-08T06:20:00.002Z

It was my Mum's Birthday on the 25th of February. I wanted to go with something different in a colour way for her so decided to go with brown/beige. The stamp I used came free with a Craft Magazine I buy and for the life of me I cannot remember which one it was. The card was basic layering and then I used my cuttlebug to get the scallop oval (Nestabilities) and a Happy Birthday dye I got on ebay for a couple of pounds. Hope your day was great mum xx

Keep Crafting,

Moving In

2011-03-08T06:15:00.002Z

Two of our friends moved in February so Hubby asked me to make a couple of new home cards. The first one I used a velum house cut out and covered it in a brown ink dabber. I created the hill and flowers with ink. The second card I used a Fairy house stamp from Lavinia stamps and again made the rest of the decoration either drawing or dabbing. I was pleased with the results and so were the recipients.

Keep Crafting,

Birthday with Tigers

2011-02-19T13:36:00.002Z

It was my Birthday on February 11th (my last year of my forties) and Hubby took me to Paradise Wildlife park, which is just a short ride from where we live. I adore tigers they are my favorite animals so for my birthday I got to spend a lovely day with hubby and the tigers too. What more could a girl ask. We were meant to go to dinner in the evening but after spending the day at the wildlife park we were both pooped (but very happy) so we went out to dinner the following evening. Here are just a few photographs of the special day.

A little late or very Early ...

2011-02-19T13:29:00.004Z

I have been a bit lapse of late updating this blog but I have been crafting just forget to take pictures to show you all what I have been up to. Found some I have not published yet so here they are. Admittedly they are Christmas cards but I was pleased with the results. Theses were from Nancy Watts deco christmas follies. I did not do too much to the original images, I either decoupaged them or hand glittered them and added ribbon or peel offs.

Nothing crafty But .....

2011-01-20T05:56:00.002Z

This is nothing crafty but I just had to post this as I Love it soooo much. I have always liked the "Kirks Folley" range on QVC but have never purchased anything until now :O) I saw this today and had to have her. She is now winging her way to me. Well what else did you expect a practicing Witch to order???

keep Crafting.

New Year, New Start

2011-01-18T16:03:00.002Z

Happy New Year to you all.

It's been an age since I was last on here to update. There really is no excuse other than I just could not get my creative juices flowing. I am going to make an effort to try an post at least once a week with something I have made otherwise I cannot see the point of having a blog.

Anyway's this is just to prove I am still alive if only procrastinating!

Keep Crafting ...

Happy Birthday Tracey

2010-08-22T23:20:00.002+01:00

One of my friends had a birthday on August the 15th and I wanted to make her a birthday card with her favorite dog on which is a Pug. Could I find a Pug???? Having said that as I type I realise there is a site I did not check, Durrrhhh! Anyway I ended up finding a cute dog pyramage and did that instead. Off now to search that site, and if I find a Pug she can have one on her Christmas card :O)

Keep Crafting,

Our Wedding Anniversary

2010-08-22T23:13:00.002+01:00

On the 8th of August, Hubby and I celebrated 18 years of marriage. We had a lovely dinner with his sister and mum which combined sister in laws new home and mum in law's birthday. The card I made for hubby was yet another download by "Craftsuprint" and all it really needed was some glitter and ribbon. below is a picture of the card and a few pictures from the dinner.
Keep Crafting,

Create & Craft.

2010-08-22T00:54:00.002+01:00

A few weeks back whilst watching C&C the lovely Clare Curd and my fave male presenter Nigel May were on. As usual Nigel had me laughing and Clare had me inspired. One of Clare's demo's was a lovely card with a twinkley ruby red shoe on it. I emailed in some comments and was thrilled when I not only got a card from the show but got the card with the ruby red shoe on :O) . Just want to say a big thank you to Clare and Nigel the card is now in a folder of special cards.

Keep Crafting.

A Busy August.

2010-08-22T00:44:00.002+01:00

August was a busy card month for me. I had friends birthdays, mum in law's birthday my sister in law got a new home, then my best friend had a wedding anniversary (I made a similar card to the one I did for my sister and brother in law). Shortly after that it was DH aunt and uncles 40th Wedding Anniversay. Their Anniversary is the same day as ours so we had a joint get together at mum in laws place and had a lovely day.

All the cards I made are below.

Keep Crafting.

Happy Anniversary Kay & Paul

2010-08-22T00:36:00.003+01:00

The End of July saw my Sister Kay and her hubby Paul celebrate 17 years of marriage. Again I turned to Craftsuprint and downloaded a cute image of a couple. I just decoupaged it up adding some sukura twinkle pen over certain parts of the couple to give it some lift. I then stampe a heart in gold ink all over an 8x8 card and mounted the decopage on top, adding a golden ribbon to finish it off.

Another Long break.

2010-08-22T00:12:00.004+01:00

Well another long intermiision has passed since my last post. I know I should be keeping on top of this however, my medical conditions do at times make it a little difficult to craft and that along with losing my crafting mojo for a while have contributed to my abscence.

Something that has been a boost to me recently is the amazing site "Craftsuprint". Here you can download some lovely decoupage sheets and in some cases matching papers. The have a huge amount of subjects to choose from. Anything from Teddy Bears to Pagan and everything in between. Downloads go from as little as 20p to 80p and the minimum spend is £5.00. The graphics are superb and if you have yet to take a look at the site may I suggest that you give it a peruse :O)

I used the site when DH wanted two cards. One for a little girl of a friend and the other for a female work colleague. I downloaded both of these from CUP site and just added some glitter to finish them off. I was pleased with the reuslts of something so quick and easy to complete.

Keep Crafting.

Happy Birthday Joanne

2010-04-22T03:40:00.003+01:00

My Best Friend Jo had a birthday on April 19th. We have been best friends for almost thirty years and she knows enough about me to sail me down the creek without a paddle :O) She has been a wondeful friend and I am so blessed to have her in my life, we have been through some poop together and some hilarious times too. Can't wait until we join the purple rinse brigade and annoying the younger generation {though her children might say we already do} I made the following card from one of Dawn Bibby's new kits and just followed a layout on the idea sheet that came with it. I hope you had a lovely day honey and can't wait to meet up for a girls day out in the nest week or so.

Until next time, Keep Crafting,

My Crafty Singing Friend Patsy

2010-04-22T03:32:00.003+01:00

I have a lovely new friend which I made on the singing site "SingSnap" her name is Patsy Wilder (on the site as Patsy Prince if you would like to hear her sing) For my birthday she proved she is crafty too by making me a beautiful TeddyBear. I was over the moon with her and she has been named PatsyBelle :O) She is pure white with a pink nose and pink gingham (yeehaa) ribbon. She looks a bit pink in the photograph but she is white honest. Just goes to show Crafting is not all cards and scrapbooking. Thank you again Patsy, luv ya xx

My amazing Friend Vincent.

2010-04-22T03:19:00.003+01:00

I Just had to share this with you and I hope Vince does not mind but I was just bowled over by this. Vince has his own site http://craftymomentscardmaking.blogspot.com/
and you should go check it out. Not only is he an awsome man and great crafter he is also an amazing artist too, often using his own works of art for his cards. Well he made this one for Dawn Bibby for her birthday and she was gobsmacked by all accounts. Both Vince and his partner Fab (Fab's Blog is http://craftingmad.blogspot.com/) also make demo's For some of the guests on Create and Craft, in fact Fab has posted his latest demo's for an up coming show. So here is Vince's amazing card of Dawn. He also did a wonderful one of Leonie at Christmas so if you wander on over to his blog check that one out too :O)

Until next time , Keep Crafting.

Crafting to Raffle

2010-04-22T02:46:00.010+01:00

In February hubby and I attended a Dinner and Dance at which HE said I would make some cards as a raffle prize (good of him to put me forward). I ended up making half a dozen cards to be raffled as one lot.

This first card was made from free papers from a craft magazine. I decoupaged the main cup cakes and added some glitter and gems and hey presto a quick and easy card.
This card was a little decopage kit that I bought at my local craft shop. I just matted and layered it with contrasting card stock onto a black card.

I just love my Gorjuss Girls :O) This is the bumble bee stamp coloured with copic markers. The background paper was again a free one from a craft magazine which just went so well I think. A brown Organza ribbon and finished.

This entire card was made from Craft Magazine freebies. I kept it quite simple as not knowing what the winner would like. I am really into Lime and Spring Greens at the moment.

Sounding like a broken record here, but this was another freebie card :O) It was a decopage and backing papers one for "Paws For Thought" I wanted to include at least one male orientated card, and even though it's a wee Doggie it's not overly cute, if you know what I mean.

Finally the last card I did again was real basic (one hand crafting you see) I used a cream pearlesent card, one of my other fave stamps of the moment (Anya Greetings Farm) Geisha Anya. She was coloured in using copic markers, cut out and mounted with 3D foam and then I used some of KraftWorks fab pre coloured petals cut from pearl card and one of their greetings (which are being featured on QVC at the moment). They also do the pre made scallops used in diffferent colours too.
I Got feedback and apparently the winner said they were lovely and I must have the patience of a saint to make cards like that :O)

Till next time, Keep Crafting,

Welcome Bebe Lou

2010-04-22T02:33:00.003+01:00

On the 15th January 2010 my cousin Deborah gave birth to her second child, a Daughter and baby sister to her 21month old Son Cassius. She and her partner Anthony have named their new little bundle Bebe. She was quite tiny at just over six pounds at birth. She has also had a few challanges and is still under the hodpital and taking medication five times a day but Deborah says she is doing well. Cass loves his little sister and apparently when she cries he gives her one of his toy cars (bless him).

I made two cards for this happy event. The one with her name on is for Debs and Anthony and the baby girl one is for my Aunt. Both cards were really basic using some pink card and scraps of pink paper and some plastic baby stick on embellishments. I used my cuttlebug to make the scalloped ovals with nestabilities and the an embossing folder of swirls.

Pictures of both cards are below.

Keep Crafting,

Back On Track

2010-04-21T07:44:00.002+01:00

I am hoping to be able to post a bit more than of late. Have been really bad at keeping up with my blog. Loaded up pictures of recent projects to the computer so hopefully will get some of them on here later today. Being basically one handed now (for a while) it just takes me longer to do things so please bare with me. Well off to a Dental appointment in the city, so until later,
Keep Crafting,

Thank You.

2010-02-13T05:59:00.003Z

The 11th of February was my birthday and I turned 48 {I can hear 50 creeping up behind me} I reveived some lovely cards however, I would just like to mention some Crafty friends who made cards for me.

A big Thank You goes out to Richard who I have known for a few years now, for the lovely card he made and sent. The "I got a car for my husband ....seemed a good trade to me" had me in fits but DH did not quite see the funny side :O)
To my lovely new friends Vince and Fab who sent a beautiful girly card, I loved it, last but not least to Hilda who not only sent a card but included a beautiful Tag work of art. Thank you all for thinking of me and taking the time to make me such wonderful cards. You are all stars in my eyes.

Apologies

2010-02-13T05:55:00.002Z

I know posts have been a bit thin on the ground since the new year and for that I must apologise. Due to the challanges with my left hand {yes still} crafting and typing have become a challange. However, I have managed to do a couple of bits so as soon as I have taken photo's I promise to post them on here. Hopefully once the Hospital has more idea as to what is wrong with my hand and I start getting the treatment I will be able to do more.

Keep Crafting

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-06T07:40:00.003Z

Happy New Year to you all. I hope it will be a healthy and happy one for you all. My new year has started on a bit of a bummer, Today I have to go to hospital (appt 9.30 am) due to my left hand. They think I may osteomylitis which is an infection in the bone of my hand. I am going to have tests etc., today and see how things stand and what treatment I can get. Will keep you posted. Keep ya fingers crossed for me :O)

Have a great Crafting New Year,

Happy Christmas

2009-12-23T05:11:00.002Z

For those who visit my blog and are not Pagan then I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all, a very Merry Christmas. May it be spent with those you love and I hope it is healthy and blessed for you all.
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for 2010,

Happy Yuletide

2009-12-23T04:40:00.004Z

I just wanted to wish all my Pagan friends a Happy Yuletide and Seasons Greetings. Our Celebrations begin as of December 22nd this year. Our offering this year will be cake and wine. I need to get outside and do that before Hubby and I go to my parents for Christmas. We are going over To them as of Christmas Eve as Hubby is doing the Christmas cooking this year with my dear Pater as Veg Chef. My Mother is under strict intructions NOT to do anything Christmas/Boxing Day. My Sister, BIL, and 13 year old nephew will be over on both days, so we will all be together, which I Love.

Have A Blessed Yule,

Christmas Cards

2009-12-23T04:31:00.003Z

Thought while I was here that I would upload just a few of the Chrimbo cards I made this year. Was quite pleased with myself for having them done before the last minute this year. I Would also like to Thank everyone who sent me a hand made card this year. I keep those ones especially to give me inspiration for next year.

Keep Crafting,

White Signature.

Happy Birthday Kay.

2009-12-23T04:14:00.003Z

Well, it was my little sister's birthday on the 4th December. I say little sister, she was 44. I just cannot be old enough to have a LITTLE sister that age! Anyways as work is still in progress of getting rid of the shingle virus in my system and getting the use of my left hand back I was not as creative as I wanted to be and fell back on a kit to make her card (Picture below). She loved it anyway so I was happy too.

White Signature.

Get On The Band Wagon.

2009-11-18T11:43:00.004Z

As I had to go to the Doctors on Monday I was able to get some air and have a little wander. Seeing all the Christmas stuff starting to appear in the shops only made me more aware of making a start on my Christma Cards.

I did venture in a few card shops {to see what kind of thing they are putting out there and was surprised at how many hand made looking cards are out there. The other thing I noticed was the price!!!! I cannot beleive people are buying these cards at prices like £3.50 and £5.00.

People wake up! For £3.99 you can buy a 6x6 papaer pack and make loads of cards. Blank cards can be bought from Argoss now too. In a time when we are all supposidly watching our pennies, how can anyone justify paying that much on a card that is made to look handmade, when for the same price you can make your own and invariably they will look that much better and have that extra something shop bought ones won't have which is your touch, love and creativity.

Surely this is a no brainer? There are carfting channels and web sites {with filmed demo's on} not too mention Youtube, to give help and inspiration.
So next trime you are out there fondling those expensive "made too look home/hand made" cards, think about having a go at making your own, I promise you'll be hooked and have a great hobby too.

Until next time,
Keep Crafting,

Congratulations Card.

2009-11-13T03:52:00.003Z

I made a Congratulations card for Leonie and her new Job at Create and Craft.
I used my cheer leader stamp from The Greetings Farm {I just love love love them} The theme was pink and blue so she was coloured in that theme and again my good ol' sakura glitter pen was used on her ribbons, outfit and pom poms. I also used my nestabilities oval scallops for the first time to for mounting the finished coloured stamp on. I the punched out some little flowers in the same mirri card I used to mount the stamp on and glued them on ramdomly.

Keep Crafting

Thank You Cards

2009-11-13T03:35:00.004Z

Having to craft one handed is definitely a challange So though I am doing projects they are taking me some time.
I decided to make a couple of Thank You cards for Leonie and Carley foe the great workshop they organised on the 25th October. The Vintage looking one is for Leonie and the Butterfly Lady is for Carley. With Leonie's one I took some cut n dry and just worked in vintage photo and mahogany distress inks thorough a paper doyley but it did not show up too well, I ended up spritzing it with Gold mica spritzer {which I did in the sink, to avoid getting it all over my work surfaces in the kitchen as I did when playing around with my spitzers before :O)} To give it some sublte glimmer.

Carley's card was done in black but then I glittered parts of it with my coloured glitter pens. I cut out three circles on the card and backed the wirh ascertate, and stamped a boader behind them to show through. The stamp used was from the Stamp Man I think and the one used for Leonie's card was from Crafty Individuals.

Keep Crafting

Totally Gorjuss Challange - Bling, Bling

2009-11-13T03:22:00.003Z

Well I finally decided to have a go at one of the many challange blos out there and decided to go with a Gorjuss girl one. This week the challange was Bling, Bling. I used papamania papers for the bottom portion of the card and then put a red glittered line peel off sticker where the paper edge met the card at the top. I then stamped my gorjuss girl on the line. I blinged up her dress by changing the black dots with a clear glitter sakura pen. Her stockings were blinged too with red and green glitter pens. I coloured her and her dress and hair wirh copic pens. I then put glitter pen in the centre of the snowflakes and stamped a freebie christmas ornament stsmp on the top half and glittered those too. Unfortunately all the twinkle hardly shows on the picture but it is there believe me :O). The finished card is pictured below.

Keep Crafting,

CONGRATULATIONS LEONIE

2009-10-28T12:51:00.002Z

Just wanted to wish Leonie all the best in her new role as Craft Presenter on Create & Craft alongside Stephanie. She will be starting with them as of November 8th 2009 all the details are on her blog so do go take a look. Leonie is a lovely lady and I wish her great success in her new career. I think it is good for her to step out of Dawn's shadow and make a go of it under her own steam as she is a very talented young lady and I for one think she will bring much to C&C. Way To Go Leonie :O)

Photographs From October 25th 2009 Workshop

2009-10-28T12:19:00.011Z

General card make using Tree Stamp and Distress Inks.

Tree stamp again but in red tones.

Differebt shape make 1 Snowman.

Different shape make 2 Butterflies.

Black, white & silver Christmas Card.

Denise Crafting.

Carley and Me taking a break.

Cally and The two Julie's.

My First attempt at Gilding Flakes.

Carley and Marion engrossed in Crafting.

Julie and Julie having fun.

Leonie, Me and Carley.

Creative Work Shop 25th October with Leonie & Carly

2009-10-26T00:09:00.005Z

Well I managed to attend the workshop being Held by Leonie & Carly. Met some very nice ladies too so a shout goes out to ...Denise, Cally, Julie, Julie, Marion and Nora, nice meeting all of you.
The work shop began at 10.00am and was until 1.00pm but I did not leave until 2.00pm. Leonie kicked things off with a lovely butterfly make {Pictures will be loaded up tomorrow hopefully :O)}She has the patience of a saint. I was a bit fngers and thumbs due to my left hand being bandaged and somewhat confused due to painkillers, but everone was very kind and Leonie kept checking on me. We then progressed to a Christmas theme card but with a difference as it was made from a selection of circles {if you have seen pictures from the McMillan evening you will notice the stamp}.

We then got to play with gilding flakes which I loved having never tried them before.
Carly made sure Coffee and Tea, plus cakes and biscuits were in continuous flow whilst also giving advice on the projects {excellant multi tasking skills}and giving a helping hand where needed.
Leonie also showed us the new Dawn Bibby spritzers, which had some amazing colours, but have to say Leonie is deadly with a spritzer and she managed to add a little decoration to Julie's fleece :O)I have to say I don't think you are crafting until ya get yourself messy.

If the work shop was not enough Leonie had also brought along goodies to buy too {wish I had known as I did not have enough pennies on me to get all that I wanted, so was limited to a £10.00 spend} There were stamps, ink pads, books, chipboard shapes, papers, Spritzers, pens, card frames to name just a few.
Leonie also brought along some of the card and ATC's she had made to display on the walls of the room we were in and they were lovely.
The time just flew buy, it did not seem like four hours, but I Guess that was down to enjoying myself and trying to do something I love with a bunch of very nice people.
I would like to say a huge Thank You to Leonie and Carly for sharing their time, ideas and experience, You Ladies Rock!!! and am also wondering if Courgette Chutney will make an appearence at the next one:O)

In closing I would just like to say if you ever have the chance to go to a Work shop with Leonie & Carly or even if they do one seprately then please do go, I can assure you, you have fun, learn some new things and be able to play with all that is available and make some great projects too.
So Until next time
Keep Crafting,

Shingles and Tingles

2009-10-24T00:59:00.002+01:00

Just a quick note to say I have not fallen off the face of the earth, but as of last Wednesday {14th October} I have been diagnosed with Shingles. The pain I can deal with {due to dealing with arthritis} it's the burning sensation and the tingles that are causing me problems. It has affected my left arm so that it's blotchy in places, however, it has really taken badly on my left hand for some unknown reason and this is now infected. I am drugged up to my eyeballs most days and everything is either being done one handed or not at all. I am feeling a bit brighter this week than last but that could be the drugs making me feel happy :O). Have booked for a workshop with Leonie and Carly this Sunday {25th October} in Harlow and am hoping to still go if only to sit there and watch!
Well that is all from me for now as it's taken me half an hour already to type this one handed, so until next time,
Keep Crafting,

September Recipe - LotsToDo Forum.

2009-10-04T02:33:00.003+01:00

Ang's Recipe for September was:

ATC
Skinny
Arch

Ingredients:
Brad/s
Face/s
Embossing of any kind
Colour - Monochrome.

Twist - Must have an Inchie.

Below are my three entries for this challange.

Keep Crafting .....

And the Funds raised were ......

2009-09-27T03:43:00.002+01:00

Wow I just found out that The MacMillan Fund Raiser evening That Leonie and Carly organised raised over £200.00 .... woooo hoooooooooo way to go Gang. What an amazing total. It is a great total considering that there were not hundreds of us there {as you can see in the photographs} everyone must have been in a very giving mood and rightly so. A Big thank you again to Leonie and Carly for not just a great time but also for their time, two very nice and down to earth ladies.

Totally Gorjuss.

2009-09-26T05:58:00.003+01:00

If like me you just love the Gorjuss Girl stamps then you might like to check out this site. It's a challange site totally dedicated to just Gorjuss Girls. It's relatively new and they have just launched their first challange, so why not take a mosey on over and take a look {Just click on the Post title above}. Join the challange if you are feeling brave too :O)
until the next post ...
Keep Crafting,

Photographs from the MacMillan Fund Raiser in Harlow

2009-09-26T02:34:00.013+01:00

Hubby getting his hand massage.

Carly selling raffle tickets.

Leonie and the some of the Ladies get crafting.

Leonie.
Hubby and His Card.
Hubby's Card.
Me With Fingers coverd with Blue ink, stickles, glue and sticky Dots :O)
My Christmas Card Make.
Me With Leonie.

If You would like to see all my Photographs from the evening then they are on my Facebook page.

MacMillan Fund Raiser - The Event

2009-09-26T02:08:00.005+01:00

Firstly let me thank Leonie, Carly, Katherine and Viv for a great evening I really enjoyed myself and so did Hubby :O) Everyone was very friendly and I made some new friends there too {Hugs to Leonie, Carly, Fab {Mr come prepared} and Vince}. Though I did not partake of the wine {but saw Leonie having a glass :O)} The Tea, Coffee and cakes were lovely and such a selection of cakes too. Not only did we partake whilst there but we came home with several too {after Carly claimed she was not taking what was left home}.
Leonie was all over the place making sure she gave everyone her attention. There were two tables for bring and makes. Hubby and I were on the second table and had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Fab and Vincent and sister in Law Heidi. We just seemed to hit it off straight away. I won't mention the comment I made to Vincent which nearly had him having an accident and needing the loo :O)
We had a raffle table which Carly was in charge of along with a lady doing massage for head, hands and shoulders. Hubby could not resist a hand massage and enjoyed it immensely. There were also two makes we were encouraged to join in with one an everyday type make and one a Christmas one. Along with a Table full of Craft books and a huge Jewelry table and even some clothes we could buy.
The raffle prizes were fantastic and all crafty from stamps to crafting sheets to lovely toppers, papers and peel offs. I think Everyone won a raffle and some of us more than one {I won two, a stamp set and some glittery papers and loads of Christmas toppers.
If that was not enough at the end of the official raffle they still had things to give away so they asked for anyone who had not won a prize to put their hand up and they were given something too.
Leonie and Carly explained the makes we had and were there all the way through to help those in need of some assistance. I was shocked whilst talking to friends of Carly's to look up and see Hubby taking part :O) and rather proud that he joined in too. He eneded up doing the everyday make which he decided was to be a Baby card {He then gave to the lady behind the serving hatch who did the tea and coffee as she is expecting on November 13th, I think she was rather touched} That left me to tackle the Christmas make. It was a wonder it got made at all as I was having such a laugh with Fab and Vincent. What with Fab and his Mary Poppins bag out of which He produced, a slicer, sticky dots, scissors, double sided tape and a hat rack, hahaha only kidding on the hat rack, talk about come prepared. vincent was laughing at me again as when he went to throw away the strip of sticky dots I had been using I said "Don't throw that away there are still a few on there" He must have thought I was tighter than a duck's bottom hahahahaha. Fab came to the rescue and reminded us all that we do USE everything.
The night went all too quickly and soon we were saying Good Night and Good Bye, but I would definitely attend another one and if you should get the chance to attend a workshop or a gathering like this then Do, I can assure you that you will have a great time.
At present I have no idea what was raised for MacMillan, but as soon as I know I will put that up on here but in the meantime do check back with Leonie on her blog.
In the meantime here are some Photographs from the evening. Fab took some awsome photographs too so if you would like to see His pictures then they are here www.craftingmad.blogspot.com
Keep Crafting....

MacMillan Fund Raiser

2009-09-24T16:46:00.006+01:00

Well I am off to Leonie's MacMillan Coffee and Cake evening tonight. It's being held in the next town to me so I will be able to go. Will be my first time attending something like this. I don't normally go to these sort of things as they are usually help up North and it's a bit far for me to go. Hubby is being an angel and taking me too.
I have a pile of ATC's to swap if anyone is up for that and I am taking the camera too to take some pictures. I am really looking forward to it. Will update with what happened and piccys tomorrow.
Have a good one all and remember keep crafting!

Alison's Fat Page swap

2009-09-01T21:29:00.004+01:00

Alison {Mommabear} on Lotstodo Forum was hosting An August Fat Page swap. We Had to make three Fat pages on the theme of Dance. I had several things planned for this swap but something very strange happened and I lost my box of stamps. I had used them earlier in the month and put them away in their usual place but there were not there when I went to use them for this swap. I have looked high and low with no avail so heaven only knows where they have gotten to. I nor anyone else has accidently thrown them out so we will have to wait and see if the mystery resolves itself and they turn up soon. That being the case I had to re think my idea's for my pages and below is what I finally came up with.

August Recipe - Ang, Lotstodo Forum.

2009-09-01T21:23:00.003+01:00

Ang hosted her usual monthly recipe on the lotstodo forum and for August the ingredients were:
A Circle/Cirles
A Gem/Gems
A Flower/Flowers
Any colour at all
one ATC, Mini and Fat Page.
Below is the a picture of my entry's for this challange/swap.

Hilda's ATC Swap - Lotstodo Forum.

2009-09-01T21:17:00.004+01:00

Hilda is hosting an ATC swap on Lotstodo forum with the theme of time. We had to submit three ATC's. Here are the ones I made for my swap.

The vintage looking one had crackle glaze on it. It was the first time I had used that but I think I put it on either too thick or too thin as it did not give the effect I was looking for. Oh Well back to the drawing board I guess :O)

Tracey's Birthday

2009-09-01T21:13:00.003+01:00

I have gotten very friendly with the ladies that look after my eyes at my opticians and one of them had a birthday on the 15th August so I decided to make her a card. I used one of my Gorguss Girl stamps again {I am loving these at the moment} and decided to go with a green theme for her.

Mine and Hubby's 17th Wedding Anniversary

2009-09-01T21:07:00.002+01:00

August 8th Hubby and I had been married 17 Years. I cannot believe that it's been that long really. Time has gone by so fast. Needless to say he got a handmade card, whilst I got a shop bought one! lol
Above is the card I made him.

Mother In Laws Birthday

2009-09-01T20:59:00.005+01:00

Well August brought not only Hubby and I's 17th Wedding Anniversary but My Mother in Laws's Birthday. She loved the colour blue so I used this as the basis of my card that I made for her. She loved it :O)

June/July Recipe for Lotstodo Forum

2009-09-01T20:52:00.004+01:00

Ang on Lotstodo Forum gave us a bigger challange this time around and we had June and July to complete it. The recipe was an ATC, Twinchie, Skinny, Fat Page and an Arch. Red or Orange. A number, stamped image and spots. By now I had received my gorguss girls so could not resist using them on this challange. Here are my efforts.

Long Time No See

2009-08-30T00:25:00.002+01:00

Firstly apologies for not updating my blog for a while, but to be honest It was becoming difficult what with the arm situation. I am now on very strong pain Killers and due to have Steroid injections in October. I have quite a bit to load up and update so this is just to say I am back {Touch Wood, patting her head} And will start putting bits on either after this post or during tomorrow.

Until then, Keep crafting

The One armed Crafter

2009-06-25T08:33:00.003+01:00

Well this will be short and sweet as I am typing this one handed at the moment. I finally got my shoulder problem sorted out. It appears I have a frozen shoulder {quite common with diabetics, so my physio therapist tells me} It will work itself out He tells me within 6 to 18 mths of it occuring. As this started Christmas time and progressively got worse, it looks like another six months to a year of this. Since I got my first physio I have appeared to got worse {but I had been told by someone else who has had a frozen shoulder that this may be the case} Therefore, everything at the moment is being done basically one handed and that includes typing and Crafting :O(

Still I should not complain, lots out there worse off then me. Just thought after everything else I have health wise I might get a break. Anyway back to trying to finish my outstanding projects for the Lotstodo forum. Until next time. Keep Crafting,
Hugs

May Recipe Lotstodo Forum Hoted by Ang

2009-06-06T01:00:00.007+01:00

Our Monthly recipe hosted by Ang on the forum was as follows
1. Skinny
2. ATC
Handmade background
A Die Cut Image
Ribbon.

Hooray I thought a chance for me to try out my new die cutting machine, so I unpacked it all set it up grabbed the dies I had been collecting only to find out they were all embossing dies and not cutting ones {Bugger} So re packed it all made a mental note to buy some Die Cuts at some point and then went in search through my stash to find some pre cut die cuts I had brought. My backgrounds were made {for Time for Tea} by using peel off stickers and glitter pens, For The Vase of flowers I just used some cut n dry and applied stamp ink in a circular motion and finally for the bottle and glass skinny I had some textured card which I first distressed at the edges and then added my own doodles with a metalic pen. Again I needed a time extension which Ang was kind enough to give me so a big thank you to you Ang and all the ladies that had to wait for me.

Houses Challange Lotstodo Forum Hosted by Andrea

2009-06-06T00:54:00.004+01:00

Andrea on the Forum set us a House challange, any technique/colour/decor but must have 1. Man 1. Lady 1. Child 1. Animal. This was my first time attempting houses and it made a change from ATC Shapes. This was a challange for May but due to health issues I was not able to complete it on time. However, Andrea was very gracious and gave me time to participate so a bit thank you to Andi and also to all the other ladies that participated sorry I kept you all waiting.

Elvis Has Left The Building {Well the Shelf anyway}

2009-06-06T00:50:00.009+01:00

May was Hubby's Birthday and being a big Elvis fan I wanted to do a card along that theme, so imagine my surprise and joy when I found some Elvis stamps. Along with the two on the card above there is a another two pictures of Elvis, some music notes and a microphone in the stamp collection. The other great thing was I think the whole set was only £12.OO so good times all round really.

Challenge of the Gorjuss Girls

2009-06-05T02:48:00.002+01:00

I wrote a few weeks back about how the gorjuss girls stamps were proving elusive to find. Well Mid May some more finally came in stock. Set two was on pre order so I did not hang about and ordered the minute I saw them along with the "Sitting" stamp from collection 1. That was on the 14th May or there abouts. As of today I still do not have them :O( I called the shop in Scotland and made inquiries and it appears the order was dispatched May 15th. {Money cleared my account the day after} I have now had to make several phone calls to the shop and the royal mail to try and find what has happened to my stamps. I know I said they were hard to get hold of but I never thought they would be kidnapped on the way to me?????
My call to the shop today at least let me know that they will be taking it further too and they will claim off of the royal mail, which I hope then means my order is re sent. The shop did say it was sent registered but I have not been left a card to say anything needs to be collected and signed for. All very strange.

What A Pain

2009-06-05T02:43:00.002+01:00

I have fallen so far behind of late due to my arthritis. To add to it all I have now trapped a nerve in my neck {so my GP tells me} and it really is affecting my left arm, am basically having to manage on handed. I have been referred for physio but the Doctor tells me the waiting list is long {800 at least in front of me} I only hope I can hold out that long. I had no idea a nerve trapped in the neck could cause a limb so much pain and discomfort. Hence my challanges of Lots to do forum have been a little bit late in being submitted. I just wanted to thank Ang and Andrea for being so kind and understanding and giving me a few extra days to get my act together. Though it was a challange due to the dexterity problems I managed to do them so am pleased with myself. I will be adding pictures of both the May recipe challange and the Houses challang {my first houses too :O)} tomorrow at some point.

New Blog

2009-05-20T02:13:00.003+01:00

After some deliberation I have decided to put some of my recordings on the Net on their own blog so that I can keep my other two blogs {this one and a thoughts and observastions one as they are and not crowd them up with my music} I use to sing on the internet on a chat programme but as I now have vista and a lap top it won't allow me to do that anymore so I rarely get to sing live. However, I have started recroding again on another site www.singsnap.com under the name of TracySings. You can listen to almost two hundred recordings I have done there but unless you are a member you cannot comment. As I want to make a go of my singing I do value comments {constructive ones good or bad} they allow me to fine tune what I am doing and may even give me ideas for other recordings to make so please if you do have a listen on the new bolg then please leave a comment it would be greatly appreciated. To go to the new blog just hit the New Blog heading above and it will take you straight there.
Now to get back to some crafting :O)
Tracy x

You Know You're An Avid Crafter When ...

2009-05-03T15:53:00.003+01:00

1. You walk around with Glitter in your hair almost every day.

2. You use your Marvy Le Plume pens to put your hair up while crafting.

3. You look at your stick on gems and wonder how you can use them on yourself.

4. Your hands start to resemble impressionist art being covered in orange, green,
blue and pink ink.

5. You use to smoke but since quitting you now have an embossing tool hanging out
of your mouth or you are holding it between your fingers.

6. Whilst out shopping with a g/f you start comparing colours of tops and dresses
with the colour range of Tim Holtz Inks.

7. You go out and everyone stares at you and it's not until you get home you realise
that you have been walking around with a flower peel off stuck to your cheek.

8. You have to hide your ribbon stash as your little girl keeps taking them for her
hair.

9. No one leaves anything to close to you for too long in fear you may alter it.

10. You've stopped lusting after Brad Pitt and Craig Daniels and it' Tom Holtz all
all the way.

Gorjuss Girls

2009-05-03T05:11:00.003+01:00

Ok, is it only me or are these stamps like {as my hubby would put it} rocking horse s**t {being very rare indeed} I have been trying to get my hands on them for ages now and every time I go to the funkykits site there are less and less of them.
I have even put in an email request to be advised when they are back in stock but as soon as I get the damn email they are sold out again?????.
Well I have finally emailed the byer and begged her to tell me when set 1 and 2 will be back in stock to purchase. I did not however, tell her if they do not come in soon I may have to kill her hahahahahahhaha.

Me Singing

2009-05-01T23:38:00.006+01:00

As You may or may not know the other craft I Love is singing. I have wanted to put a song/s on here for ages and have finally worked out how to do that :O). So if you feel brave {hahahahah} and wish to have a listen then please be my guest and YES IT REALLY IS ME :O) and the bell in the background is on my cat Tarot's collar.

April Recipe - Lotstodo Forum

2009-04-30T02:24:00.002+01:00

Ang C hosted the Recipe for this month and her ingredients were:

The colour Yellow.
Two Brads.
One Image.

One ATC, One Skinny and One Fat Page {My First}

Here are my efforts for the swap :O)

Bandana Technique

2009-04-28T03:33:00.002+01:00

Ang C is hosting a Bandan Technique swap on the Lotstodo Forum. If you would like to know more about this technique then please visit
http://techniquezone.blogspot.com/2008/09/bandana-technique.html
five ATC's were to be created with this method and here are my five, thought I don't think I quite got the gist of this technique but I did give it a go.

Get Well Soon Mum

2009-04-28T03:24:00.003+01:00

For the past three weeks my Mother has been very ill with Shingles. Even though the rash seems to be clearing up quite well the pain that comes with shingles is still quite bad and she is looking quite poorly and seems to have aged a bit too. I made her a get well card to cheer her up and it now has pride of place in the centre of my parents living room cabinet.

Kreative Bogger Award

2009-04-18T02:59:00.020+01:00

My very first Blog award :O)

I would like to thank Beccy for the nomination and award. I am so chuffed especially as I think Beccy is not only a great crafter but an awsome artist too http://beccysbits.blogspot.com/ Take a look at her Site.

The award comes with a few rules

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award
2. Copy the Logo and place it on your blog
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award
4. Name 7 things about yourself which people might find interesting
5. Nominate 7 kreativ bloggers
6. Post links to 7 blogs you nominate
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs, letting them know they have been nominated.
Having to think of 7 things that may interest you is not that easy but here goes.

1. I am a Pagan
2. I adore Tigers
3. I can play wood wind instruments but have not done for many years
4. Would love to visit Japan
5. My Mother was a dancer and my Father a Singer
6. Wish I could play the piano
7. I am a heinz 57 with Scottish, Jewish, Irish/Welsh {still trying to find out which} Gypsy and possibly French blood, phewww :O)

I nominate the following 7 Kreativ fellow Bloggers:

1. http://inkythings.blogspot.com/
2. http://laurensmum-andrea.blogspot.com/
3. http://magsmadhouse.blogspot.com/
4. http://kathleencrafts.blogspot.com/
5. http://angelclog.blogspot.com/
6. http://sue-paperparadise.blogspot.com/
7. http://goldylocks-stuff.blogspot.com/
The post a link option does not appear to be working and I have tried several times so unfortunately I cannot supply a direct link to those I have nominated, However, the Urls are there for you to copy and paste and take a look at all the nominees fantastic sites.

Book Mark and Tag Swap - Lotstodo Forum

2009-03-30T23:17:00.003+01:00

Mags on Lotstodo Forum was hosting this swap. We had to do Two Book Marks and Two Tags. The only stipulation was that they had to be created with any new stash we had recently got. I decided to use some new papers and ribbons, having used some new stamps on previous swap projects. The Zebra Book Mark and Giraffe Tag were made using free papers from a Magazine I had bought that day and the girlie papers were from a card creating gift pack Hubby got me to cheer me up after recent events.

Element ATC Swap - Lotstodo Forum

2009-03-30T23:09:00.004+01:00

Andrea hosted an ATC swap on Lotstodo and wanted 3 ATC's but we had to include an element from the previous ATC.
I stamped my Teddy on a vintage colour ATC so my next ATC using my Oriental lady stamp was stamped on to the same colour card {though I must admit I got a bit carried away with colouring the edges and it turned out that it was hard to see I had used the same colour from the previous card - being the element carried forward}
my last ATC I just used the oriental lady stamp again as my element carried forward. Thought I would get my micra pigments out, water colour felt pens and sukuara sparkle pens to colour them in.
Here they are below.

March Recipe - Lotstodo Forum

2009-03-30T23:03:00.003+01:00

I was asked by Ang C on the forum to hold this months recipe swap due to her been extra busy.

So I asked for
1. ATC
1. Skinny
1. Arch

Recipe: Three Gems, Animal Image, Ribbon and the colour Purple on the piece some where. Had a great response and would like to thank all the ladies that participated. Here are my submissions.

Goodbye Miss Grace

2009-03-29T00:59:00.002Z

Friday 27th March was not a good day for us. We finally had to say goodbye to our kitty Grace. We originally adopted her and her brother Jack from an RSPCA Shelter almost three years ago now. The last six months however, she developed a tumour in her left eye. We took her to the vet at the time and he basically told us that she would not come through the operation to have it removed so we decided to take her home for what time she had left and make her as happy as we could. Even though her eye began to swell with the growth and eventually became covered {so all you could see was what looked like a red eye} she still loved her food, her fusses and her sleep, curled up someplace cozy. Someone saw her outside and reported her to the RSPCA who then paid us a visit and even though we explained to them our visit to the vet and what we had decided between us and him, they basically told us she had to be put down. The shock of being told to do it was bad enough but taking her and having it done broke both our hearts. We know it was the kindest thing to do and had planned to do it eventually when she let us know she had, had enough but to have been told to do it and have been un prepared was a shock. I know many reading this may think we were wrong not to have her put to sleep when originally told she had the tumour but she was happy and content in herself. We loved her dearly and will miss her terribly. She was one of the most affectionate cats we have ever had. She would sleep on me at night on my chest or along the length of me if I were on my side. While sitting watching TV she would come and sit on my chest and wrap herself around my neck. We did what we thought was the best for Grace and she was purring right up until we took her to the vet.
Goodbye Miss Grace you were a lovely friend and will always be in our hearts.

Stitch and Creative Crafts show at Excel

2009-03-05T18:23:00.007Z

Well it's been almost a week since I attended this at Excel. The Excel is a lovely place, easy to get around and very disabled friendly. We got there about 10.30 and left at 3.30 that afternoon. I must say I was pooped by then anyway lol. My spending was somewhat limited as I had no cash on me and only a few stalls accepted card {a blessing really or I would have gone mad lol} Still I managed to get myself a nice little new stash to play with :O). I got to say hello to Wendie Rhodes, she was a lovely lady very chatty and friendly. She kindly posed for a picture for me, {see below} I also got to say Hi to Nancy Watt and got her photograph too. When I found Stephanie Weightman she was exactly like she is on TV bubbly and smiley. When I asked to take her photograph she insisted that I stand with her and she got one of the ladies from her last workshop to take the picture. All the ladies were friendly and only too willing to answer questions. I caught a couple of Wendie's demo's and she was brill :O).
All in All I had a great day and will definately go next year too. Now am just wondering if I can make the show at Birmingam NEC {wink}
Here are the few photographs I managed to take.

Britain's Got Talent ... The Storey so far ...

2009-03-04T05:58:00.003Z

Well the story so far on this little adventure is that on this occasion I was not put through to the next round of auditions. To be honest I am not upset about it, it was my first ever audition so I got experience of that. I look at it that I know what to expect next time. Yes there will be a next time lol. I will re-apply when this show ends and I am also going to apply for "The X Factor" when they start auditioning again. I must be nuts putting myself through this again especially at my age and perhaps I have left it too late but at least I can say I tried.
Tracy :O)

The Excel Exhibition in Docklands, London.

2009-02-27T03:35:00.002Z

I am off to my first big crafting event ever and I am sooooooo excited lol. Hubby is taking me and His mum {she is into knitting, dress making etc.,} as a late Birthday present to me :O) . I shall be taking my camera and posting some pictures on here for you to see. I hope Hubby has a money back up lol me thinks we could be down a few pounds before the day is over. If you are going yourself and see me please come up and say Hi I always love to meet people especially forum friends :O)
Well off to bed for me now big day tomorrow .... please let it be a relatively pain free one too.

February Recipe

2009-02-27T03:30:00.002Z

Angela is hotsting the february recipe on the Lots To Do Forum. Yes originally I did think it meant putting a recipe for cakes or a meal onto an atc but now I know it means a list of things that must be on the work. Angela Wanted us to do an ATC a Skinny and an Arch. Unfortunaely my arch turned out looking more like the door way in an Indian restaurant lol.
The Recipe was:
1 Button
1 Image
2 Squares
and some green to be on the work somewhere.

Here are my three contributions.

Hinged ATC's

2009-02-27T03:09:00.008Z

Claire on the Lots To Do Forum is hosting a Hinged ATC swap. We could do whatever we liked as long as they were hinged. Here are my three.

The first one was made to look like a book so I just printed some definitions inside. The second one was just simple and I used the hinge for the arrow to point to the word I had used and the third was made like a wrap around and tied with black silk ribbon.

Altered Art

2009-02-09T20:42:00.004Z

Yeah I know a bit slow on the up take and probably the last person in the crafting community to go gaga over Tim Holtz but hey what can I say :O). Having watched my new DVD "The Journey Continues" several times now and collecting my Alcohol inks {well trying to} whilst thinking about Daubers as well ... I decided to jump in the deep end and actually use my inks and alter something. Here is the result. It was a plastic to look like wood photo frame bought for the princely sum of £1.00 at my local cheap shop.

We are in the process of decorating our living room in shades of blue silver and white soooooooooo I used Denim and Stream and some silver on the frame and it turned out like this ....

Needless to say I am now looking at anything plane that I can get my hands on to alter:O) Hubby has told the cats to not stand still for too long ..... I don't see anything wrong with a Terracotta and Red Pepper cat with golden steaks ... Do You?

Vintage ATC's For Charity Auction Jacobs Ladder, arranged by Caz on LotsToDo Forum

2009-01-28T07:52:00.004Z

Caz on the LotsTodo Forum put out a request for vintage ATC's. She wants to compile a Jacobs Ladder to put into the forum's Charity Auction. Two, Four or Six Atc's were the choice and even the theme was picked by those joining in. Vintage won out. Therefore here are my four going off to Caz. All of them were made with already printed ATC pictures from one of those ATC collection packs and I think I used the "Women" one. I applied inks to give the aged affect and then just added some peel offs and some ribbon to finish off.
Tracy

Colour swap ATC - Lotstodo forum

2009-01-23T12:27:00.003Z

I joined in a swap being organised by Sam on the LTD Forum. Three atc's the theme being colour. 1 Green, 1 Purple and 1 Brown. My entries are as above. I coloured the ATC's by dragging either an ink pad or dabbing like mad with a dabber and then stamping images and just adding some little extra's like brads, fibres and mulberry paper.

Britain's Got Talent ... The Storey so far ...

2009-01-20T18:44:00.002Z

Just to keep you updated on what is happening with this, Here is what has been posted on the official site. As of Today (20/01/2009) I have not heard anything, but who knows maybe I will be called to audition in Februry.

BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT are holding Judge's Auditions throughout January and February 2009.

Successful applicants will receive an invitiation to perform in front of our judges several days before we arrive at each venue.

We intend to write to all of those who we are not able to invite to one of these auditions on this occasion. We aim to do this promptly after auditions have been confirmed. However, due to the huge number of people who have applied, we apologise for any delay and thank you for your patience.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009-01-04T01:58:00.001Z

Sending out Happy New Year wishes to all and hoping that you find it a healthy and happy one and if you are in to your crafting then a very crafty and productive one too :o)

Here's to 2009!

Tracy x

Lotstodo Challange.

2009-01-04T01:51:00.002Z

I have decided to get more involved this year as and when my arthritis allows so am going to be following the "Lotstodo Challanges". I have several friends over there so will be nice to get back in touch again, plus I personally feel the need to get back into my crafting on a regular basis.

I would like to thank Andrea via Hilda for sending an email to me to invite me to participate, thank you so much ladies. If You have some time on your hands or are looking to take up yet another challange then why not come on over to the Lotstodo Challange site at http://lotstodocallenges.blogspot.com/.

Tracy.

Wishing You All A Happy Holiday

2008-12-16T04:21:00.001Z

www.wishafriend.com

A selection of Christmas Cards I made.

2008-12-16T03:51:00.002Z

I have finally finished all but my family Christmas Cards. I went for bits n bobs again this year rather than one particular theme. I must admit I love the "Forever Friends" selections that are now available. I also loved the Pink theme too which I may well go with next year. If I can get myself organised I will just stick to three or four designs and just repeat them. Would save me a hell of a lot of time sitting here thinking up what to do for who and what colours etc to use lol.

Happy Birthday Kay.

2008-12-16T03:47:00.002Z

My Sister's Birthday was on December the 4th so I made this card for her. I love the Jolley Nation stuff and this decoupage just came to mind for her. I basically just matted and layered pink glitter card and Mirri and the put the decoupage paper and the image over the top and hey presto one Birthday Card. Hope you had a great day sis.
Tracy

There's No Stopping Him now.

2008-12-16T03:43:00.003Z

Flushed with the success of His first attempt at card making, when His mother requested that I make a card for her to give to his Aunt as well as the Card I would make from Hubby and I a fight insued as to who would do it (can you believe it lol) Being the kind soul that I am I let him lose with my stash (yet again) and here are the two cards he made for His Aunt's Birthday.

Tracy.

Hubby's Christmas Cards

2008-12-16T03:39:00.002Z

Here is a picture of a small selection of the Christmas cards that Hubby made on his first card crafting attempt. He made about a 10 cards all in all. I have to say for a first attempt I was very impressed. Well Done Love.
Tracy.

Well I am well and truly Gobsmacked!

2008-12-16T03:29:00.004Z

During October and November Hubby became quite ill with a serious allergic reaction. To say that his skin reacted by cracking and peeling off and bleeding (all over but predomently his hands and feet) will give you some idea. The poor love was in a lot of pain and discomfort so I am not sure if He decided to this to numb the pain or out of sheer boredome but He started to Craft! Yes You read that right, imagine how i felt when he asked for card and sticky stuff, I began to wonder if I had been transported to another dimension or something. But to show I was NOT dreaming here is a picture of the deed being done.
Tracy

Where does the time go?

2008-12-16T03:27:00.003Z

I feel bad having seen the date of my last post. I started this blog with all good intentions but time seems to keep running away from me. Well I shall make amends now and post a couple of little bits to bring this up to date. :0)
Tracy xx

But You Don't Look Sick.

2008-10-30T09:10:00.003Z

I have heard that a few times over the past three or four years. Even though my fingers are beginning to twist slightly with the Rhumatoid Arthritis for most it's not enough to really notice. One should never judge a book by it's cover. Just because someone does not look ill does not mean to say that they are not suffering or trying hard to live with either some disease or ailment. I, like many I know, try to be dignified and to a certain extent just get on with things without complaining and therefore appear to be "Ok". I personally take the stand that nobody likes a whinger or someone who is constantly complaining of how ill they are or how hard life is for them etc., etc., and I always remember that there is someone else out there a lot worse off then I am.

I have been asked several times how having Rhumatoid Arthritis affects my life and up until recently I found it hard to explain it so that someone would understand how it does affect your life in quite a dramatic way. I say until recently, as I came across an article a couple of weeks ago which sums up living with Rhumatoid Arthritis (for me anyway) to a tee.

The article is with regard to someone suffering from Lupus but I can assure you every word written is applicable to having Rhumatoid Arthritis too.

Here is the link to the article:
http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf

I think it will give you an idea of what a day for me is like amongst others who suffer with this also. So please remember just because "We" look ok does not mean we are.

Hugs and special tender hugs to fellow sufferers,
Tracy.

Britain's Got Talent ... But Does Tracy?

2008-10-30T08:52:00.005Z

Well I finally did it. I know I have been a bit slow in updating the blog but DH has been quite poorly so I have been trying to take care of him as well as myself.
The journey to London was not too bad and though we had to queue outside and once inside (to register) everything was so organised it all went quite quickly.

I was in the first group of 10 they called up in the singers catagory and the rest of people in the group were really nice. I was the first female in and fourth one in the group. I had planned to sing with music but my music did not load and therefore I ended up singing accapella.

The song I chose to do was "Fly Me To The Moon" in the style of Diana Krall. I could not believe it when I heard through the doors that the man before me was singing that also. But I guess a good song is a good song. I was not as nervous as I thought I would be and I think I held it together pretty well and my voice did not waver either :o). The Audition was in front of one of the BGT Team and another member videod the audition.

Now is just a waiting game. The did say they had so many people apply that it would probably be February/March time 2009 that we would know wether we made it to the next round ( which is where we would sing in front of the judges and be on TV). However, hubby and I are not so sure about the number of applications as why would they be extending the time to apply until the 31st of this month???.

Well as soon as I know anything more I will post it here. I have a plan B set out just incase I do not make it through but lets hope I won't be needing that.

The Big Day Is Finally Here.

2008-10-16T01:59:00.002+01:00

Well just a quick note before I head off to bed to try and get some rest. Everything is all ready, the outfit the song and I think me!!! I will be taking my camera with me later today and hopefully getting some pictures to put on here.

I would like to take this opportunity again to thank all my friends who have supported me in my dream and have the past couple of weeks sent messages of good luck and support. I love you all.

I will add more tomorrow once I have gotten home and chilled some.

Tracy xxx

It Just Had To Happen.

2008-10-12T05:02:00.004+01:00

I guess it had to happen. Saturday 11th October I woke up with a cold. My first port of call was the local chemist to see what they could do to help. I got myself some vitamin C and asked them if they had anything to protect my voice, which they did, some lozenges specifically for that job. I now have everything crossed that I have caught this in time and it does not go to my chest or that my throat does not get sore. If I can just hold out until after Thursday or better still get rid of it before then.

I am now on the herbal teas ... Lemon and Ginger and Raspberry and Echinachea. Both good for colds and the lemon is good for the voice too and has more Vitamin C.

As the big day draws ever closer I am getting more and more nervous. I just hope that what everyone else sees in my singing the judges see too and I finally get my chance to do what I love.

Well here is hoping this cold goes soon.

Tracy xxx

October - Breast Cancer Month.

2008-10-05T12:43:00.003+01:00

Please remember that this is Breast Cancer month so any chance you get to support this cause please do. Having had a lump scare myself I know how important this is. Check yourself every month and if you are of an age where you need to have a breast scan then please do not neglect it. I wish you all a healthy life. Lets make a difference where we can.

Tracy xxx

The Song has been chosen.

2008-10-05T12:29:00.002+01:00

Well I finally got around to picking the song I will sing for my Audition for "Britain's Got Talent". I think I made the right decision as since picking it, it keeps popping up on the tv, radio and in magazines. Last time something like that happened was when i got picked to sing with Barry Manilow at the London Palladium. I am a bit loathe to say what the song is until after I have completed the audition, so please forgive me for not saying at the moment.

I have been learning some new techniques. I found a singing coach on line that does some lessons that you can download and watch. I have been "Sipping" and "Cupping" along with "Pushing out and up" I have also learned to breathe from my back hahahahahhahah, Don't ask. It has to be seen to be belived.

I am keeping an eye on my throat. That is my worry at the moment. With the weather changing and all this rain, the last thing I need is to get a sore throat!!! I am singing every chance I get so am getting some funny looks from people when I go out. Last week I went to get my hair trimmed and ended up giving the salon a quick burst and almost reduced my hairdresser niki to tears. She ensured me that was good lol.

Still not sure what to wear for the audition yet but knowing me will probably be all in black.

The only challange I have now is to get my music track down to the required time of two and a half minutes. The track I have has a intrumental in it of over a minute and a half so am having fun messing around with that and trying to get it cut down or out.

Well back to warbling I guess. Thank You again for all the words of encouragement and support.

Hugs
Tracy xxxx

Latest News .....

2008-09-29T10:58:00.002+01:00

I know, I know. It's been over three months now since I last posted here but due to the arthritis in my hands I have been unable to do much crafting without being in a lot of pain.

However, I do have some good news {well for me anyway} On Saturday {27th Sept 2008} a letter came through my letter box to inform me that I had become successful in obtaining an audition for "Britain's Got Talent". I was shaking when I read it.

The Audition is on Thursday October 16th 2008 at 13.00 In The Connaught Room in London. This past weekend has been a blur of going through music and songs deciding what to do for the auditon along with wondering what to wear. I am so nervous now Goddess only knows how I will be on the day. I just hope I can sing and not faint!

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been so supportive of my singing and who has sent text messages, Emails and Posted on my Facebook page wishing me good luck and giving me words of Encouragement. I am truly blessed to have some wonderful people in my life. Thank You All xxx

Well, that is all from me for now but I will keep you posted on how things go with the "Britain's Got Talent".

My Nephew's 12th Birthday

2008-06-08T02:22:00.003+01:00

Well this past Friday {June 6th 2008} was my Nephew Sam's 12th birthday. I cannot believe he is that old already. It only seems like yesterday I was visiting my sister at the hospital the afternoon after she had him. For his card I went for papernations skate boarder. I really did not need much more, just a few peel offs and his name in glittered chip board. It went down well He loved it so I was happy too. Hope you had a great day sweetheart.

My Fathers Birthday.

2008-06-08T02:17:00.002+01:00

May 26th 2008 was my dear ol Dad's 70th Birthday. I made two cards for Him. One was based on the number 70 with all the things He likes around it and the other was a decoupage of one of His hobbies, Wine. He has certificates etc., on Wine tasting and history. Pictures of both cards are featured.

Hubby's Birthday

2008-05-17T02:37:00.003+01:00

Well it was Hubby's Birthday this past Sunday {May 11th} And I decided to make Him two cards. The first one was the 007 looking one. I made it from a template I got from a crafting magazine and just matt and layered it with some silver mirri card. He is a big James Bond fan and I thought he would like that. The second card was matt and layered with a stamp I had of a Boarder Collie {His fave dog}. I just stamped the image three times and matt and layered again with some silver mirri and and I put foam under the middle image to give it some dimension. He really like them both so all in all I was pretty chuffed with myself.

Touching Base.

2008-05-06T09:49:00.002+01:00

Well I hope you are all doing well and what a lovely couple of days we have had. One could almost believe Summer is on her way, but you know what our weather is like here we will probably have snow tomorrow .

I know it looks like I am not doing much BUT ...... I am making something special for a lovely friend of mine and the thing is she checks on here regularly to see what I have been doing etc., sooooo, I cannot say what it is and I cannot post pictures of it until she receives it because she will see it on here before she gets it. Sounds all very cloak and dagger doesn't it lol. All I can say is its something I have not tried before {maybe she should be worried about that do you think ?} So far it's looking good {well I think it is lol} I promise once she gets it I will update this and put pictures etc., on here.

In the meantime I have decided to join in with some of the challenges that are out there and I have put links on here for you to take a look at too incase you too would like to take a challenge.

The ones I have put on here so far seem to be amongst the most popular. I hope you enjoy them.

Well time for me to get my finger out and get crafting ....

Have a good one All
Tracy xxx