Gotta Stamp Again!

This little corner of blogland isn't overly visited (according to Blogger stats) but I noticed one of my most clicked-on posts was this one I wrote way back in August 2013. Well, I've had that stamping feeling again this past week, triggered by a purchase from that tempting craft store at Make the Day Special. This time I've fallen for a couple of sets from Waffle Flower.  It only takes a mouthwatering card or two spied on Pinterest for my resolve not to buy more stamps to disappear in a wink of an eye!

You will see some of those new stamps in these photos, along with some older sets from other favourite stamp brands. And if you look closely you might notice some sentiments in Welsh which are always popular at fairs here in Wales. Unfortunately Welsh language sentiment stamp choice is severely limited  and I tend to buy any I see. But I must thank my lovely blog friend Lynn at Crafty Linby for my latest "Penblwydd Hapus" (Happy Birthday) - a happy surprise in the post! Can you spot it Lynn?

Here's a closeup of cards using Waffle Flower's Loved set. As you can see I cannot give up my beloved one layer style small note cards. I buy ready made blanks 4 inches and 3 inches square. The large sentiments above are Papertrey Ink's Graceful Greetings. Just the right size to be the focal point of a 4 inch card. 

There are a few images from Wplus9's Freshcut Florals on the heart card too. I drew round a heart die lightly in pencil and stamped within the lines, rubbing the pencil marks out afterwards.

Lastly these cards use Waffle Flowers' Flower Circles set - a bit of an unusual style for me.  However I fell for that stylised lantern stamp and just had to have it. I love Japanese calligraphy and think these three cards have a little Japanese style. Do you agree? ;o)

And now for something completely different!!!  Just have to show off a few photos from last Thursday's 'Out There' concert at Liverpool's Echo Arena. Do you remember when cameras were forbidden at live performances on pain of death - well expulsion anyway! Not any more - you couldn't see the stage for cameras and phones at times.  Of course I joined in! This was my first experience of a large gig and I really enjoyed it - even if my ears were ringing for hours after.

 

 

Of course we would not normally consider spending so much on an evening out (do you know how much tickets cost!!!! I was shocked!) but we were lucky enough to be guests of one of the band, were invited to the artists lounge for pre-show nibbles and had seats down the front.  A great night I won't forget - after all I was in love with Paul when I was fourteen! ;o)

My Life in Photos - Vintage in the Vale

Well, what a success!  You might remember I was lucky enough to be asked to the first Vintage in the Vale event which took place in Trelawnyd Memorial Hall last Saturday.  I had a brilliant time - sold lots and lots, met some fab fellow crafters and lovely customers and consumed lots of tea and cake!  Everyone was delighted with the turn out - they were queueing at the door at 10.00 am - and I (and all the other stall holders, I'm sure) want to send Gillian a huge thank you for organising such a fabulous show.  I do hope she can now relax a bit and basque in the warm glow of a job well done.

I also picked up some great ideas for stall display - something that is often forgotten in the mad few days before a fair.  However I was pleased with my idea for displaying my felt brooches.  I've not been happy with the way I've displayed them previously - and then I suddenly remembered this old frame.  I'd painted it red years ago so all I had to do was cut a piece of mount board to size, cover it with a piece of burlap (stuck on with double sided sticky tape) and pin on my brooches with fancy pins.  It must have hit the spot as I'd just about sold out of brooches by mid afternoon!  Now I'm really looking forward to the next fair - which I believe will be in the spring.

My Life in Photos - Weather for Ducks

This week I feel like a duck..... floating along calmly on the surface and paddling like mad underneath!  There are a number of reasons for this, not least the craft fair I've booked on Saturday at short notice.  When I was asked if I would like a stall at the new Vintage in the Vale fair I jumped at the chance even though there was only 10 days or so to go!  Its just the sort of fair I like and would be going along even if I wasn't selling.  I do hope it is a success for the two sisters whose idea this is.

And if you are anywhere near North East Wales on Saturday I think it will be the place to be.  Last Sunday however the place to be was Ruthin Mart for the Vintage Machinery & Threshing Demonstration Day.  We were a bit late arriving but not too late for my favourite Sunday dinner in the mart cafe!  The hike home walked off some of those chips you'll be glad to hear!

My Life in Photos - Jess

If you've been here before you may remember I lost my last beloved cat Sausage in July.  Recently I've been scanning the animal rescue centre websites - just looking you know!  But sometimes cats come to you and a week or so ago I met a lovely lady who needed to rehome Jess.  So I think it was meant to be and Jess came to live with me yesterday.  As you can see, she's already made herself at home and even had a bit of an explore outside this morning.  And one of the locals seemed keen to make her acquaintance.

My Life in Photos: Alien!

It is an alien species and according to the RHS is a pest at best and a threat to our native flora at worst.  I saw quite a few clumps of it along the river bank when I walked the footpath on Saturday.  And you must admit its rather a strange, almost unearthly looking flower.  But it seems the bees and other insects don't mind it's looks or it's parentage.  Lots were entering that inviting mouth to see what they could find!

My Life in Photos - Make & Take 1

Can you believe I've never been to a Make & Take - until last night that is.  We made a decorated wooden heart garland, really enjoyed ourselves and it even converted my most uncrafty friend into a potential handmade gift giver.  Can't wait for next month - cupcake decorating.  Now that will be right out of my comfort zone!

My Life in Photos - The Sugar Plum Tea Room

Homeward Bound's cafe opened earlier this year but I hadn't had the opportunity to visit - until yesterday that is.  My sister and I managed to persuade my Mum to come with us too.  She has been very unwell lately and this was almost her first outing for 3 or 4 months.  I do hope she enjoyed the visit as its a lovely place and is destined to become a favourite eatery as its just so pretty!  Take a look at their website and you may be tempted if you are ever in the area.  I'm very tempted by their first "make and take" evening at the end of the month - I just need to find somebody to come with me!  Any takers?

My Life in Photos - Sausage 1994-2012

I don't know why I want to mark the sad day yesterday when my Sausage died, but I don't keep a diary anywhere else and I have a need to record it somehow.  The vet diagnosed cancer last week and he deteriorated quickly after that.  I'm just glad he was at home and I was with him.  Sausage is the last of my four cats and all lived to a good age.  He lost his sight about 18 months ago but soon adjusted and was able to get around as much as he wanted inside and out.  We'll bury him in the garden later today.

My Life in Photos

I think we all find it hard to keep our crafty blogs up to date at this time of year - I know I do.  Work, family commitments and the demands of home and garden are all taking away crafty time for me at the moment.  So I decided I would keep things going by posting some of my photos a couple of times a week using this fabulous freebie from three paper peonies.  Jaime is creating her My Life in Photos album by printing these beautifully simple cards for her photograph album as they fit the 4 x 6 pockets but I'm just going to post mine here.  Here is the first.  This huge, and I mean huge (about a foot tall) Shaggy Parasol mushroom definitely deserves a card of its own as it was so spectacular.  For anyone interested Bwlch Pen Barras, where we found the mushroom, seems to have its own entry on Wikipedia!