My Tales of Pin and Ink...

60 little boxes

2010-08-31T20:49:00.001+02:00

Burnice has been a busy bee these last few weeks.

A work colleague was looking on a website for little favour boxes and commented on how expensive they were. Burn butted in with "make them yourself Alisa - it's easy!"

After a few "how do I do that" and "where do I get the stuff from" Burn had talked herself into making them!!!

Fortunately for Burn she had seen some not two days before made by the wonderful Clair at Valentines. Great idea she (Burn that is not Clair) thinks. Just one great big gynormous humungous problem. Burn doesn't have a big shot let alone the die. She emails the wonderful Clair, grovels slightly and borrows said big shot and die. I got to keep it for a whole week................

Alisa's mum loves freshias (so what I hear you cry!). Alisa is doing a surprise 75th birthday party for her mum and that's what the boxes are for.

Now for the next problem - I don't have enough coloured card but I do have tons of white card so I cut them all out of that. When I stuck the patterned card on it looked awful. Now this is the point where I thunked "should have used coloured card!". Guess what I went and done...... I got out my distress inks and coloured all the white card. It took forever and I got very very inky fingers! A little tip for any other plonkers out there like me - use a stencil brush and not the blending tool - it's bloomin' quicker and doesn't use so much ink!!!!

The paper used was from the "Pocket of Posies" 12x12 pad.

I layered the inside with some tissue which will be folded over when Alisa fills them with choccies.

Drum roll and VOILA ......

60 BOXES LATER.

Must apologise for the quality of the pics.

The top right is Burn's favourite

The bottom right is a special one for Alisa's mum.

I have to say Burn thoroughly enjoyed herself making them. Some have wooden butterflies on the front, some have sticky on butterflies and some have punched flowers with a tiny flower centre and a gem - in fact kinda wish they were all done using the punched and embossed flower. But hey too late now!

Oh, and by the way, guess what I bought.........................

Had to be done didn't it. It was Ron's idea - no honest it was. I had been saving 20p pieces for ages. In fact they were initially saved to spend at the Ardingly Quilt Show. Forgot to count them up and pay in to my bank. Then I thought that's fine I'll use them to go to the Sandown Quilt Festival - yep you got it, forgot again. So they were sitting there in their bag and we sat and counted them one Sunday evening and I had £97 odd. Cool eh! So I went and bought one with the extender plates etc etc and an embossing folder kit thingy - the lot came to £102.

Right that's enough from me now.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice xx

Ava's word book

2010-08-25T21:57:00.001+02:00

Ava's Book. Ava is Milla's mummy's cousin's new baby. Ava Rose is her name and she is being christened this weekend in Blackburn so Milla and I set about making her this book.

This is the first page. I haven't put on the reverse pages because for some reason they came out blurred!! Thanks to Tasha for the die cut swirl...

This is the "V". I had to put the butterfly on the other side to steady up the arm of the V. It was a bit wobbly. The butterflies are from a necklace I bought yesterday from superdrug and pulled it apart!!! Die cut Tim's flowers from Tash again.

This is the last "A" .

A close up of the front page.

The finished article ! I think they make fab christening pressies. In fact I am doing one for a little boy - will show that when it's done!

Materials used:
Zutter's corrugated cardbord
Kaiser paints - pink and white
glaze paint - pink
viva precious metal paint - silver red
the heart and die cut flowers were covered with Terra, heat gunned and then glazed. also rubbed silver red VPM paint on them.
The gems and pearls are all from my Sarah's Cards kits
The stamp is Crafty Secrets - Journeling
The ribbons and fibres and from my stash.
In amongst the ribbons there is a tiny baby's bottle and bib bought from the Button Lady (I think!)

Right I think that's it, I think, cos I am struggling with this new blogger thing. Just when I was getting used to the other one!!!!!!
Thanks for stopping by
Burnice x

I would just like to add that this is not all my idea! I took my inspiration (okay I lifted it!) from the wonderful Linda Elbourne. AKA T!ms's stalker!!!!!!

Ron's Birthday BBQ

2010-08-17T21:58:00.000+02:00

We had a BBQ on Saturday for Ron's birthday. It rained. The sun shone. When it rained it bloody well rained and when the sun shot it was bloody hot !!!! Still, undetered we sat out in the garden in the marquee which we put up "just in case it rained"!!!!!! We had a laugh though which is all that mattered really. Milla was a star - she was a waitress, drinks person, tea/coffee maker (we had a 10 ltr urn in the kitchen to save boiling kettles all day!) cabin tour guide and photographer. She did very well but unfortunately failed in the photography stakes on the day. Never mind - she did have a lot to do!!!!!!

Here are the invites I sent out. I coloured "Ron" in all different combinations with my copics.

The night before Milla and I made some Garden Cup Cakes for Ron. We decided to do these rather than have a cake for him. The recipe is from a book Milla bought in The Works. It's a cool cake cook book. Am going to invest in one myself.

The first pic is of Milla with my new colourful sillicone cupcake cases. Aren't they fab colours. The next one is the mix. It was supposed to be green (for the garden!) but it wouldn't go green. Then a pic of them baked with the decorations and the last one is with the sillicone cases with "Happy Birthday" candles in them.

A grand time was had by all.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Look wot I got today!

2010-07-30T21:24:00.002+02:00

This is a pressie from my mate Sam. You will see on her blog how she produced this wonderful masterpiece.

This is a close up of the bottom bit.

This is a close up of the acetate bit. There are bits of gold leaf behind the acetate me thinks !!!

Isn't it just fabulous. Made my day when it arrived this morning.

All I did was leave a message on her blog saying how it would look great in my cabin !!!!!! And believe me it does !

Thanks a bunch Sam.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burn x

Happy Birthday Katie.....

2010-07-20T22:21:00.002+02:00

Hope she doesn't read this !!!!

I painted a 12x10 canvas with terracotta acrylic paint. The pattern is a stencil (which I found whilst rummaging!) and painted with viva precious metal copper paint.
Then I went to town (not literally!). I made a mini version of my artsy craft weekend project. I used some metal which was cuttle bugged. The middle one on the bottom row is sticky backed metal placed over die cut letters, a butterfly and a flower. The other three tiles were done with viva terra. I can't remember the colours used!!!! I did write it all down but lost the bit of paper.......

I think I may do myself one with silver metal! As you can tell Burn likes doing these!!!!!

Actually, doing this post has just reminded me - I must phone Katie and make an appointment to have my hair cut !!

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

It's only me!!!!

2010-07-19T20:19:00.003+02:00

Hello peeps. I have been told off by three/four peeps for not blogging. Well here I am. I have been a busy bee.

First of all I made a little canvas thingy for a friend at my sign language class. Here is the metal rose. I just lurve this rose. I can't stop making them !!!! This one was done with silver metal and royal purple stazon ink.
I also did a bird cage. I like making this too. Again it's royal purple stazon with mother of pearl viva precious metal paint, kaiser antique white and dusky pink paint (all this done on the reverse)

Here is the finish article. The canvas was painted with dusky rose paint and stamped with a paperartsy swirl (loving this stamp at the moment) with stazon (royal purple). The middle is a piece of grey board covered with communal garden tin foil, glued on to the grey board and then put through the cuttlebug and dabbed with various colours of stazon - a la Sue Roddis. The edge of the canvas has viva precious metal paint in silver red and blackberry.

There yer go !

As I said I have been creating like a looney just lately so tomorrow I will post another project!

thanks for stopping by.

Love Burnice x

Look wot we made today!

2010-06-23T22:32:00.005+02:00

It started off like this - we put about 35 of them into a large bowl with 50gms of citric acid, 2lb sugar, 6 lemons (cut into quarters) and 3 pints of boiling water.

We left it for 24 hours and it looked like this. Not pretty eh! We strained this through a jay cloth (I know - didn't have a muslin cloth!) and got this.............

It tastes delish - I am sooooooooooo pleased. I have put it into two water bottles so don't panic peeps, I shan't be drinking it from this bowl with a straw!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by

Burn x

Metal on canvas

2010-06-22T21:15:00.002+02:00

Linda came round last night for her monthly fix in my cabin. She brought with her some metal having been inspired by Carol Cann at the Craft Barn's Extravaganza weekend.

So off we went: I had some small canvas panels which we painted. I did mine red (not surprised there are you!) and Linda did hers in a gorgeous teal colour. Then we swirled the edges with a paperartsy swirl. I stamped mine in black cherry stazon and Linda used adirondack stream. We then got some nesti/spellbinder flowers and laid them on to the canvas. Then peeled back some sticky back metal and laid it on top. Burnished to our hearts content and were very impressed with the way the texture of the canvas came through - well it would really wouldn't it as we were pressing down hard!!!!! The tools then came out and away we went. Paint was then smeared over the top and wiped off so it was left in the grooves. I finished mine off with silver red precious metal paint around the edge. Linda used blue lagoon. Here is mine:

It needs a title but haven't done that yet. Think I will stamp some words onto the metal and then place it on the canvas somewhere. Perhaps Linda will blog hers so you can see it.

This is very "clean looking" for me but I am pleased with it.

Oh and all this was done to Paulo Nutini!!!!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Burn x

P.S to yesterday's post !

2010-06-17T22:58:00.003+02:00

I had a comment from Janet on my challenge piece.

"The bits of "stone" are actually paua shell fragments. The bird is a pukeko. The shrink plastic is a maori design".

There, see, told you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Burn x

How I done it !

2010-06-16T20:23:00.003+02:00

I should have told you peeps how I did my NZ challenge. Sorry folks, so if you want to know, read on, if not go make a cuppa!
The base is a tag from my paperartsy weekend. I painted it with broken china crackle paint and stamped a paperartsy swirl around the edge. I then stamped the little bird on it. The little bird is stamped all over the back.
The "flower" was made from the serviette. It was three ply so I took two off (just for strength at this stage) and stamped the new paperartsy flower stamp. Three big ones and one little one. I then cut them out, sprayed them with some champagne crafty notions. Dried them off and then scrunched them all up! Then I glued them on slightly off centre so it looks a bit fuller. I then glued the shrink plastic piece in the middle. I then peeled another layer of the napkin so it was just one ply thick!

The wildflower stamp is also from the same paperartsy range. The bird in the flower pot was one of the die cuts which I then glued to the marble paper and cut it out. I then glued the little "stones" on it. The bird table die cut was covered with one ply of the tissue put it through the cuttlebug with the swiss dots folder and rubbed some gold viva precious metal paint on it.

The saying is from a Tim Holtz set. I then rubbed gold precious metal paint around the edge.

Hope that clears it all up and I promise I won't let it happen again!!!!!

Thanks for popping by.

Burn x

My New Zealand challenge

2010-06-15T22:15:00.004+02:00

When my forum buddy, Janet, ccame over to the UK (from NZ) for a holiday she popped by to see me.
Janet gave me some craft bits and challenged me to do something with them. She gave me:
A serviette - marble effect
Two pieces of marbled paper
Two die cuts
A shrink plastic circle
Two pieces of stone (sorry Janet - really can't remember what you called this!)
A rubber stamp of a NZ bird
I have a terrible confession to make - I can't find the piece of paper that Janet wrote the names of the bird, symbol, "stones" and paper. I am really sorry Janet. No doubt you will email me and let me know so I can put it in this post!

This is the finished article. I must say I am quite pleased with it. As you will notice it is a take on the large tag I made at the Artsycraft weekend.

Hope you are pleased with my effort, Janet............

Thanks for stopping by folks.

Burnice x

I'm back from me hols.......

2010-06-14T20:46:00.008+02:00

Thought I would show you the Riverside Walk alongside the River Spey not far from my brother's (where we stayed) in Nethy Bridge, Inverness. This is a spot where we scattered my dad's ashes. We now call in Bernard's beach!!! The first pic is to the right of the stoney bit and the third pic is to the left. The water really was that clear!

These are some of the purchases I made at Funky Kits in Elgin. They had all their wooden stamps half price. Couldn't resist. Actually I was very restrained. That may have had something to do with the fact that Ron was with me !!! This lot cost me £29.00 odd..... Good eh!
I bought this wool at a fab little shop in Craigallachie. It used to be in Aberlour but moved. The shop in Aberlour was very very tiny and the new one is a lot bigger. The curly wool is Wenslydale sheep wool with some blue dye for me to dye it. The little bits are some scraps she was selling.
We spent 3 days in Edinburgh where it absolutely pee'd down with rain the whole time. I did video our time spent there. Had great fun with the camcorder (it was my dad's but we have only just got to grips with it!). The filming I did was quite comical (if I say so myself). When we got back to Peter's (my brother) we took the disc out to put in his computer to watch it but we made the fatal mistake of not finalizing the disc and therefore lost the bleedin' lot. I must explain here that we have no manual for said camcorder.... We have now downloaded said manual from the internet (all 123 pages of it!).

We had another go at videoing with a tad more success (except for my camera work which is quite pooh actually!) except we can't get sound when viewing on the computer now. We watched it on Peter's computer and it was fine (with no sound) but I don't seem to be able to open the movies up on my lappy toppy. Still Ron is going to read (!) the manual and see why not.

Right that's enough now - hope I haven't bored you too much.

Off to do so knitting.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Not for the faint hearted !

2010-05-31T16:01:00.003+02:00

Got a text Friday from Emma (who used to live next door). She said it was their 7th wedding anniversary on Sunday and would I help knit her a willy warmer for her hubby. He he I thought..... So I scanned the internet for a pattern, found one and asked her what colour she wanted. We (that's the royal we!) went for pink !!!! So I set about knitting it.......

I would like to soften (excuse the pun) the blow a bit by showing you their card first. This time I used a sugar nellie stamp and me copics. The paper is Bo Bunny (I think).

Now for the fun bit! I even managed to crochet the top bit from a You Tube video !!!!

Brill isn't it. I did say I wasn't going to ask him for a fitting - I'll let her do that!!!!!!

Wonder if I will get any orders from it................................

Well that's it for today folks, busy bee. Doing loads of housework - thought it was about time!

Laters

Burnice x

My new word book.........

2010-05-27T22:42:00.009+02:00

I have been a tad AWOL just lately and here is the reason why. I have been making this word book. I have to admit I am slightly pleased with myself. I have pondered over what to actually do, what colour to use, what paper to use (found some originally but only had a little bit of it and couldn't match it). I have been collecting all the fibres and little crystals etc. for a couple of months. Finally made it!!!!

The rose is a grunge rose (like you didn't know!) with a magnolia image coloured with copics. The metal letters were given to me by Caroline. The date has been stamped on to shrink plastic and then shrunk (yeah honest!). The letters have been edged with stardust stickles.
The little heart in amonst the fibres is a swarovski crysal.This page has a magnolia butterly and the little journalling piece is from the Fancy Pants - Road show range.

This page I really struggled with. The flowers are prima and the magnolia butterflies again all stickled up. Sat and cut them all out last night !!! Another magnolia image. The paper is Foolafalah (or whatever it's called!)

This page is for Red's picture. I have used a photocopy one which is not very good and stuck them on with repositional glue. I have asked my friend to tell Ellie that she can replace the photocopy one with the original and glue down the frame with proper glue. Isn't she just adorable. I think she was only a few months old here.

This is the last page. The stamp is an old favourite of mine from Clarity Stamps (I think!). I just love the sentiment. The flowers are my old favourites stamped, embossed and cut out. I really like this stamp.

The very back of the book is quite plain with a nestie scalloped circle in the red paper with a bird stamped onto grunge paper and cut out. I have photographed it but it was a bit plain cos I forgot to go around the circle with my stickles..........

The making of this book came about after I made the "BABY" book (blogged earlier) for one of my bosses (Lesley) at work. She then showed me a pic of Red. I was smitten. Red's daddy is a very good friend of Lesley's son. I immediately said I wanted to make Red a book and Lesley then told me who her mummy was. I have to say that because of who her mummy is I took a lot longer to decide on what to do. I needed it to be perfick!!!!!

I might also add that when I took it to work today and showed it to Lesley she cried. Just the kind of response I like....... I just hope Red's mummy has a similar reaction and likes my book.

Well there it is. I hope you like it.

Sorry for the long post....

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

My Artsycraft Weekend goodies!

2010-05-23T22:10:00.006+02:00

First of all I'll say that Caroline and I had an absolutely wonderful amazing time. Leandra and Lin were fab - as usual. Also a big thanks to Jo and Lynne for all your input. Thanks to Karen too for taking all my money (Ron hasn't half got the 'ump with you for serving me!!!).......

Anyway - first of all we did "Secret Garden"..... This is my tissue rose at the top. It was great fun scrunching it up into a ball and then straightening it out again! The little bird is made of metal and then rubbed with alcohol inks to distress him!

This is the finished piece. It's a giant tag! The tree is grey board with a stencil on it and then Ferro rubbed on to give the texture.

We then went on to our main project (saving that for you !).

This next piece was our last project. I chose Lemon and Lime - so out of my comfort zone but I thoroughly enjoyed the colours. All citrussy. The centre is a piece of metal put through the big shot with an embossing folder and then rubbed over with alcohol inks. The heart stamp is a paperartsy one (of course!) I then went round it with a black slick writer.

Now for the main project. This is one of the squares. Embossed metal with alcohol inks (I think) and an embossed moth.

This next one is the moth again (this time stamped) on a square of canvas stuck onto grey board. The stamp is one of paperartsy (of course!) I really like this square.

This is my bestest favourite thing of the weekend - my metal rose. I just love this. It is on a tile that was covered with Terra and heated til it bubbled and we rubbed it off.

This is the final piece all put together. The tiles were put onto a canvas panel which was painted black and then I painted it brown! The gold edge is gold goop. The red goop is painted on through a stencil. My colourway was Mediterranean Mix.

Tiles 1, 5 and 9 are metal, tiles 2, 6 and 8 are sticky back canvas and tiles 3, 4 and 7 are covered with Terra.

The birdcage was stamped and die cut from acetate and black card for us. The reverse was painted with kaiser paints in antique white, a brick red and a mustardy colour and then pressed onto the black card and the paint made it stick! It curved naturally which was kinda cool!

Anyway hope you like my efforts. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the whole thing made all the more great by the aforementioned ladies who helped us and got us out of many a sticky situation - you know - we don't make mistakes we have happy accidents - that sort of thing!!!!!!!

I have to confess it has taken me over an hour to do this post cos I keep watching "the Buble" and getting distracted.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Hi - it's meeeeeeeee!

2010-05-22T21:09:00.007+02:00

Hi peeps - bet you thought I had emigrated - fraid not, still here. Just been a tad quiet and busy, busy (crafting!)

I have had a few commissions and I have been sewing. I have made the front of a quilt, half a bag and half a tea cosy!!!!

Today Caroline and I went to Crafts U Love and met (AT LONG BLEEDIN' LAST!) the wonderful Kim Piggott Had a fantastic day learning to paint with the distress inks. Here are my efforts:

This first one is using brushed courdory and black soot; the face is antique linen and tattered rose; the dress is weathered wood; the petticoat is victorian velvet as are the socks; the shoes are very very pale black soot.

This one is same colours for hair and face; victorian velvet for dress and very pale victorian velvet for socks and shoes.

This one is same for hair and face with barn door for the dress etc. Went a bit over the top with the shoes tho'. Practice, practice, practice..........

I have to day I am just sooooo chuffed with meself and would like to thank Kim very very much for her patience and guidance. Can't wait to meet her again.

I went to the Artsycraft weekend 8/9 May and made some fabulous stuff - can't show it tho until tomorrow as there is another one this weekend. Watch this space - hopefully for not as long as the last time I posted.

Great to be back!

OH BY THE WAY - HIYA TRACY!!!! THANKS FOR ALL THE TEA.............

See you tomorrow.

Burnice x

When Dave took Janet to The Craft Barn .....

2010-05-05T21:12:00.003+02:00

..... and didn't she have a fab time too!!!!!!

This is Janet outside the Craft Barn after her spend up.

Janet is a Tanda Stamps forum buddy all the way from New Zealand. She is over here on holiday with her husband, Roger, and staying with friends they met when they were over here on a "teacher exchange". Think I got that right!

We left The Craft Barn and went to my house. The sun came out (for about a minute or two) and we passed a few land marks - well the building of the new Brighton & Hove Albion football stadium and Sussex University - what more does a New Zealander need to see!!!

This is Janet on my new decking with new railings!

Had a fabulous day with Janet and then it was time for her to leave. I and Dave drove her to Lewes to catch her train and we passed a couple more land marks - Lewes Prison, our new office building (not yet built!) and Anne of Cleves House. There - sorted!

BTW Janet - could job we went when we did because the traffic going into Lewes was nose to tail and that was only about 20 mins after we left my house. Phew !

THANKS FOR A GREAT DAY ME DEAR!

Thanks for stopping by

Burnice x

The decking's done!

2010-04-25T18:26:00.003+02:00

Whilst I went to my friend Kim's yesterday Mr L did my decking. All it needs now is a rail to stop me from coming off the edge. I have trouble walking on it at the moment because the slats go width ways and as I suffer from vertigo when I walk on it I veer to the edge cos my brain is following the line of the boards!!!!! Could only happen to me eh!! I did sit at the table in the sun knitting but I was hanging on to the cabin for dear life !!!!
Wasn't it lovely and sunny yesterday.

Been up in the cabin today (it's been raining and misty) cuttin fabric to make a bag and a quilt. Got the sewing bug after my friend Maureen popped round on Friday to cut out her bag.

Trouble is I have tons of other stuff to do first!

Best go and get Mr L some dinner..............

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Dave went to Dover yesterday........

2010-04-24T21:11:00.002+02:00

...... to pick up two errant travellers. Yay - they are home and Miss Milla is absolutely bloomin' full of it !!!!!! Just very relieved they are home.

Milla phoned me today and I asked her to tell me all about it - it went something like this:

We flew to Thailand and the airport at Cinimethingywhatsit (that's my word!) was outside. There were fountains and rivers and it was beautiful. Sarah (mummy's friend) picked us up and we went to a huge swimming pool and went for a swim. We then went to Sarah's house - it's a big black and white house. We unpacked and then went for another swim - it's hot there!! I am now thinking this is going to go on for a flippin' long time so I said "then you had a fabulous two weeks holiday" and she said "yes". Then I got it chapter and verse about the journey home. There were some bits where mummy was crying when we got to dubai cos the planes weren't flying because of the volcanic ash (!), Emerites put us up for one night so we found this penthouse suite of a posh hotel, there were five bathrooms, dining room, lounge, kitchen, bedrooms (Burn can't remember how many she said!), we had to pay for the other days ourselves! We flew to Vienna, then flew to Paris and went to the Eiffel tower, went to Calais, went to Dover and granddad took us to Brighton...........

Well I am now gasping for breath!!!!

I hope I haven't bored you to pieces but just had to share this with you.

She is coming over next weekend so I expect I will get it all again!!!

Ron has finished the decking so I will post some pics tomorrow.

Wonder where Dave will be going for his run. Mind you he went to Wivelsfield Green this afternoon to see my friend, Kim. Perhaps he should stay home and have a little rest tomorrow, then I can may my bag - it's fabby!!!

Laters and thanks for stopping by

Burnice x

Spare a thought..........

2010-04-19T21:54:00.005+02:00

...... for Esther and Milla. They are stuck in Dubai having been in Thailand for a holiday. Long story but they have been in Dubai since last Thursday. It is costing them a bloody fortune. £6 for a bowl of chips !!! Anyway to cut a long story short they were booked on a flight on Thursday to fly to the uk. Esther did this as soon as she got to the airport last week. She phoned today to double check it would be okay etc and they said she and Milla weren't booked on the flight. They were on a standby!!!! Now they can't get a flight until 13 May. We (that's Peter, me and Esther) keep ringing a number in Dubai to try and get them on any plane to the UK within the next week. She is holed up in a hotel (which she is having to pay for). Fortunately there is a cooker etc in their room so at least she can cook for herself and not have to eat out all the time.

I bet the poor girls heart sank when she was told she wasn't on that flight. I nearly cried so god knows what she did.

She is a teacher and was supposed to be back at work today (along with thousands of other teachers and pupils stranded).

It is all very stressful and I can't concentrate on anything.

I had my first workshop on Saturday. My friend Caroline and her mum came over. We covered a box in sticky backed metal with shapes underneath. Here is the one I did as an example. There is far too much on the lid but I wanted to show them what they could have and what it would look like !

Caroline and I went to the Craft Barn yesterday afternoon to do a copics class. I bought set D!!! That's them all now..........

I also bought Tim Holtz's pad called Shabby Vintage. It's absolutely bloomin' gorgeous. I also bought some felt pads for my alc. inks, some magnetic sheets for my nesties, some cut and dry and some Bo Bunny paper for my word book for Red... £100 gone just like that !!!!!

I apologise for the first part of the post. I appreciate there are hundreds of others in the same position. In fact at work we have one in New York, one in St Lucia and one in Spain. One of the docs at our surgery is stuck in Australia - so it could be worse.

Thanks for listening and popping by....

Burnice x

Just a couple of things I threw together!!!

2010-04-14T22:36:00.006+02:00

One of the girls at work asked me to make a card for her sister's graduation. Well this really did start out as a card and then because of the grunge rose on the front I thought I would make a box to put the card in. Then it evolved. I messed up the lid of the box and made two more but couldn't get it right (I'm tired now !) so I decided to stick the card on the lid of the box, like I had seen the lovely Kim do. When you lift the rose it opens to the saying inside.
The inside of the lid has her name, Susan (honest!) and the bottom of the box has the date of Susan's graduation (honest!). I toyed with several ways to do it and ended up with rub-ons! Oh and the stamp is a Tim Holtz one. The one on the lid is bigger than the one inside the box..... The grunge rose is coloured with Barn Door distress inks and the "card" is barn door and black soot and antique linen. The edging on the lid is viva precious metal paint and the other gold edging is a gold paint pen thingy. Are you all suitably bored now? Well sorry about that but there is more................

I also made this altered CD for her cousin's little girl - Lizzie.

The image is a decoupage "earth angel" with lots of gems and flowers as you can see. The image on the reverse is part of a Tim Holtz collage stamp (I think!). Apparently it looks just like her!

The little silver hand with the ribbons and fibres says "made with love" on it. The flowers are spellbinders nesties with dusty concorde on the purple one, victorian velvet on the pink one and rusty hinge on the yellow one. Just loving these new colours............

A little update on the engagement card I made with Lily and Milo.... I guessed the colour of their hair - guess what - I WAS NEARLY SPOT ON!!! Jen has fair hair and Matt has dark almost black hair - should have had a bet on myself eh?

Made some birthday cards tonight but can't show them cos it's not their birthday yet !!!!

Well, thanks for looking folks.

Burnice x

Dave went to Shere today....

2010-04-11T20:02:00.005+02:00

We set off about 11.00 this morning - lovely and sunny it was too - and headed for Shere. The reason we went there is because Ron's family comes from Shere and Guildford. We had a fab lunch in the pub and then set off to the Churchyard. Isn't it quaint? We walked round looking for Babcock on the grave stones but they were too old to see properly. Mind you we did wonder if we walked over them a few times! I just love wandering round churchyards, it's very serene.

Ron knows his place........... This is a pic of a tree right outside the pub. Is it a magnolia tree? I have found this setting on my camera that makes the background a bit blurry to bring the focal point right to the foreground. Blimely that was like quoting the manual there !!!
Thank you for your kind comments about me being poorly. Still firing on three pistons but the nausea has gone, so that's a bonus.

I have put a fabulous you tube video in my side bar - it's really nice. Hope you like it too.

Right best get on and do the ironing cos I want to watch "A Passionate Woman" tonight.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Engagement card......

2010-04-10T20:31:00.004+02:00

On the back of my thank you cards, one of the other girls in the office wanted an engagement card. Here it is:
Not sure about the hearts down the side but hey! The paper is Stampin Up! The image is Rachael Anne Miller, coloured with copics (not my best - but I'm still poorly!). The hearts are quickutz and put through the cuttlebug swiss dots folder. They are coloured with Rusty Hinge and Wild Honey distress inks (and the edging) and then topped with Viva precious metal gold paint. It's a shame the gold doesn't shine better in the photo......

Love these Lily and Milo stamps. One thing I did forget to ask Lucy was the colour of Jen and Matt's hair !!! What are the odds I have it spot on !

Been up in the cabin all afternoon with the door open. It was really pleasant. Ron joined me a couple of times for tea and all was hunky dorey. He is doing the steps at the moment. Then next Saturday it's the decking.

Well guys, thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Thank you cards...

2010-04-09T21:57:00.002+02:00

I had a commission from a young lady at work to do some thank you cards. She wanted 15. So off to work I went and produced these:
I did two of each one except the blue one (well she only wanted 15!!!!). It looks a bit sad on its own so may have to go and do another one of them tomorrow.......

They are 4x4 and the papers are from the Pocket of Posies paper pad (I think that's what it is called!) and the fowers are various ones from my stash. The "thank you" is a "see d's" stamp.

I am still a weeny bit under the weather. Not sure what is wrong with me, I am soooooo tired - even Ron said I looked tired when I got in from work. Yesterday I was very hot all day, went up to the cabin to do these cards and it was boiling in there (in fact I thought I had left the heater on all night/day!). The cabin is south facing - seemed like a good idea at the time!! My glasses steamed up.... During the night I woke up and was violently sick. Went to work today (still short staffed) and my friend said I probably had heat stroke !!! Jeez I hate this bloomin' weather and it's only day 2 of it !!!!!!

Right off to bed now - done the feeling sorry for myself bit.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Gone fishin'....

2010-03-30T23:02:00.004+02:00

Here are a couple of cards I made. The jolly fisherman is for my friend Freda's husband. He goes fishing every weekend - but not this one - it's his birthday on saturday........
I did take two of the fishes off in the end cos I though it was too much. I just left the one by the worm. I coloured the jolly fisherman with distress inks. Just noticed I didn't colour the handle. Still never mind eh!

This next one is for a work colleague's granddaughter. She likes pink! she does have dark brown hair but again, never mind eh! The little image is a decoupage fairy which I made up ages ago sitting in front of the tele. I put some stardust stickles on her wings. Knew it would come in useful!!!

Here is a close up of the little darling! Not very good pics I'm afraid .

Still not a well bunny. Cold coming out now and I keep going to sneeze and nothing happening making the eyes water - not a pretty sight I can tell you.

Off to make a hotwater bottle now (well not make one from scratch - but fill one!) and then I am off to bed.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

One or two purchases!

2010-03-28T19:10:00.004+02:00

Thought I would get the rest of the distress inks. I have 30 and as there are only 36(!) I just had to have the rest. The only one missing now is weathered wood !! Got these from Country View Crafts. They are only £3.99 each. Bargain. They didn't have weathered wood!
I get a scrapbook kit from Sarah's Cards every month and I got an email to say she was offering a £75 grap bag/pizza box for £25. Burn went for it and this is what I got:

Not a bad selection eh! There are only one or two bits I might not use but you never know. BTW the scrapbook kits are fabulous.

I have also bought some Tim Holtz stamps but forgot to photograph them.

I have been very naughty this month and spent quite a lot of money on craft stuff so am now going to have to stop! Told Caroline that and she said "yeah yeah, whatever!"

Before I did stop, however, I bought Milla a top and leg ins set and cardigan from M&S as she is off to Thailand this Thursday and I thought she might like them to travel in. She was delighted with them - phew!!! Here she is modelling said top, leg ins and cardy.....

I am pleased to report that I have finished the 12 little curtains for the boat. Hopefully they will be fine as Burnice is still not feeling very well. If I have sneezed once I've sneezed a hundred times. Got a headache too.

Right, best go now and do the ironing.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

It could only happen to me !

2010-03-27T18:41:00.003+01:00

Burn decided to treat herself to some distress powders. I found this little ebay shop that was selling them for $4.49. That'll do for me tommy, said Burn. Well it takes her about 2 weeks to decide which ones to have. Finally she makes up her mind and goes for it. Burnice asked the lovely lady if she bought 10 what would the p&p be. The lovely lady at Monkey House emailed back and said if she bought 15 they would all go in a flat pack thingy at the same P&P. Well, Burn thinks this is a good deal so she orders 15, pays for them and sits back and waits.

Then Burn gets an email from the lovely lady at Monkey House full of apology saying there was no vintage photo and apologised profusely for the mix up. No problem said Burn, I'll have weathered wood instead. Then the lovely lady from Monkey house comes back and said she had found the vintage photo. Yay said Burn. Jenny (that's the lovely lady from Monkey House) apologised again and said she isn't always this daffy. Don't you worry about that Jenny, Burn does daffy.

Jenny and Burn strike up a mini conversation and she tells me she is setting up a website. It's linked under Monkey House. It is in its very early stages but things get added all the time.

You guys just pop over and see the lovely Jenny's website. Lovely lady......

Anyway here is a pic of the lovely distress powders. Can't wait to get distressing with them.

Isn't Worn Lipstick the most gorgeous pink?

I have actually been on a massive spending spree this month. I will blog some more purchases tomorrow.

Burnice is feeling very very poorly at the moment. I think I have this flu bug thingy. I have no energy, feel very week, have a filthy headache, earache, sore throat and my fact is burning although I am cold.

I have to keep telling myself that I can't be sick cos I have 12 little curtains to make for a boat. I have to have them done by Monday. HELP !!!!!

Okay folks best go cos my dinner is almost done -not that I feel like any but will give it a go.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Dave's first long trip

2010-03-20T21:04:00.004+01:00

Dave took Caroline and I to the Demo Weekend at Crafts U Love . Dave did very well - took a couple of wrong turnings but his built in sat nav did the job. (Have I told you that Dave has built in sat nav!!!!!) We picked Caroline up at the station and off we went. We had a fab time (but Dave got a bit wet cos we couldn't take him in with us!) This is some of the stuff I bought. Couldn't just buy a couple of the new distress inks could I, noooooooooo, I had to have the lot!!!

There was a big box of paper and you got 20 sheets for £5.99. So Caroline and I got 10 sheets each. There were some magnolia DP in the box so couldn't resist and some other sheets.

Then we went along to the village hall to do a copic colouring class. this is the image. I had to have him !!! He is sooooo cute. Ooops looks like I forgot to photograph that little purchase !
Then we had a sarny (thanks Susie Q) and waited for our next class. This was with the fabulous Charry Wijers. She is such a lovely lady. We did an 8x8 scrapbook page with a "waterfall" mechanism on it. I am on the left and Caroline is on the right. The finished article (without the photo) is mine which I finished when I got home. The papers are really pretty.And lastly this is the wonder Charry herself with her finished piece.

She really was that smiley all the way through.

We headed back to to shop where the aforesaid purchases were made. We met the lovely Tracy in the shop and she nearly squeezed the life out of me. I haven't seen her since about October/November last year. She's lovely too.

Anyway I think I have babbled enough. Can't wait til I open my new inks!!!!

Thanks for stopping by

Burnice x

Happy St Patrick's Day .....

2010-03-17T23:01:00.002+01:00

...... what's left of it. I did my bit by using my "Nail Art" kit and painted a shamrock on my nail!! I did this with 20 mins to go to catch my bus this morning ! Not bad eh?
I altered a CD yesterday. I think it was a copy of Pirates of The Caribbean (not a proper one I might add - a pirate one - oooh Burnice that was awful!!!!). I made this for one of the young girls who goes to my BSL class. She was 18 last Friday. I shall be giving it to her tomorrow.

Short post tonight because Burn is very tired. Working too hard and not playing hard enough I expect.

Well thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

A couple of swaps !

2010-03-15T20:41:00.003+01:00

Over on the Lots To Do forum we do a board book swap. The theme for this one was "blue" - think I got that bit right!!!!!! I hope my recipient likes it. I could have sold it 10 times! In fact I nearly kept it myself and did another one .................... Off to start the next one now!

We are also doing an ATC swap using this technique. It is using PVA glue and alcohol inks. I must admit I did have two goes at it and am still not quite sure but they are done now.

Lets hope my swapees like these too.

Right must go now cos I have been handed the fabric today to make the curtains for Mr Gordon's boat. My sample one was just dandy! Now where did I put my rotary cutter.....

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

BSL Assessment

2010-03-05T21:49:00.007+01:00

Well it happened yesterday evening. I went first, cos I knew if I hang around too long I would get soooo nervous I would probably have been sick!!! So in I go. sit in front of the camera and away we go. Get through the "hellos" and then Paul asked me my name and I fingerspelt it wrong !!!! That was only 30 seconds in!!!! Still got over that and then it went very smoothly indeed - I think! Next one in May. Then we have to hold a five minute conversation on our chosen subject!

I have put in the side bar a fabulous giveaway from The Stamp Man.

I think these new colours are fantastic. will have to get them all (assuming I don't win!) cos I just can't make up my mind......

Just watched yesterdays "Five Days". Really liking this. Last one in five minutes so see you tomorrow folks.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Meet Dave !

2010-03-01T18:20:00.003+01:00

After a tearful fairwell to my Laguna I would like to introduce you to Dave. He's called Dave because it's St David's Day. My brother calls it "Quaver" short for "Semi-quaver" because it's a Nissan Note. My end up calling it quaver, don't know yet.
It drives like a dream, the steering is so whatchacallit that I have to be careful cos we nearly went back the way we came when I turned a corner !!!!! It's a bit of a darker red that the pic but the sun was shining soooooooooo much! Just have to be careful I don't put my new phone on the roof cos I might not see it !!!!!

Actually looking at the pic it looks like there is a massive dent down the side - but there aint I can assure you.

Well that's enough showing off now - sorry but I have never had a brand new car before or a red phone ! Burnice you are sooooo shallow.

BTW Caroline if you are reading this, did I tell you it has in built sat nav!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks for stopping by peeps.

Burnice x

Bye bye Laguna

2010-02-28T19:52:00.005+01:00

This is my "R" reg laguna, my bessie mate. We are saying goodbye to it tomorrow as we have bought a new car under the scrappage scheme. It's such a shame really because there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. We were going to give it to DS2 but £2000 is £2000 eh!

Oooh I feel quite sad now! Cleared it out this afternoon and found a bottle of water under the seat that had actually turned green !!!!!!!! Loads of CD's too which I had forgotten we had!!

I will introduce "Quaver" to you tomorrow!!

And now for something completely different!

I bought some sheep stamps for my friend Caroline's mum as a little pressie/surprise. I bought them from a friend who was selling some of her stamps. they are well used but Caroline's mum just loves sheep. I made her a card with one of them:

Isn't he just soooooooooooo cute. I coloured him in with distress inks !

Do us a favour folks don't tell Liz - it's a surprise!!!

Right off to do my nails now in readiness for tomorrow !

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

When is a red phone not a red phone......

2010-02-27T21:11:00.004+01:00

..... when it's yellow.
I would like to show you my previous "red" phone. It's yellow I hear you cry. No it's not, it's red. Well it's red in my little world.
The reason for that is because last year I went out to buy a red phone, couldn't find one so bought this bright lemon yellow one. Hence why I think it's red. I was sooooooo disappointed cos I could find a red one so I just pretented this yellow one was red!!!! See - simples.....
THEN whilst waiting for Milla at Churchill Square (she'd been to the pics with her mum) last Friday, I thought I would pop into the vodafone shop and get a top up for my "red" phone. I don't have a contract cos £20 lasts me about three months!! Anyway I walked into the shop and this voice called "Burn, over here, Burn"! There staring me in the face was a red phone - a real red one this time. A proper red, not a yellow red, a proper red. Well I nearly fainted. I HAD to have it. Asked the young lady if I could purchase one, she went away and came back about 5 mins later and said they didn't have any in stock. Well, I stamped my feet, as only I can and threw a little wobbly. Get it on the interwebnet she said..... Can't wait to get home.

Finally got on the interwebnet on Sunday, ordered the phone and got it sent to the vodafone shop in The Mall and this arrived on Tuesday.

I can hear you all thinking it was going to be an all singing all dancing phone. Well it aint!! I don't want an all singing all dancing phone, I just want it to say hello and goodbye. It does take pics tho!!!! I have waited SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO long for a red phone.

Can you tell I'm excited. Simple things please simple minds....

Anyway that's enough from me!

Best go and sort out the curtains for this boat...... Cut them out that's all so far.

Thanks for stopping by and listening to the ramblings of a happy red phone owner !!!

Burnice x

Fat pages

2010-02-26T21:15:00.005+01:00

Over on the Lots To Do forum a little swap has been set for three fat pages, any theme. Here are mine:
Not sure about them but hey. On the back of them are little sayings. Forgot to photograph the backs.......... Never mind. My head is all over the place at the moment - keep forgetting things. As long as I don't forget how to craft I should be ok....

My friend Caroline and I were supposed to be going to The Craft Barn tomorrow to do a workshop but I got a call this evening to say it has been cancelled because Beatrice can't get a plane over from France because of the French Air Traffic Controllers are on strike. Shame they couldn't have gone on strike yesterday cos France is beating Wales at the moment 13-0 at rugby!!!!!!!!!

Went to BSL yesterday and practiced for our assessment next week. Our tutor said he had only ever had one fail at stage 101 so I said "meet the second one"! Note to self - practice in front of the mirror. I got absolutely bloomin' drenched going there after work. The rain was running down the road like a river. I know what some of your are thinking - didn't she get a brolly in her 25 day pressie thingy at christmas? She sure did but she didn't want to get it wet !!!!!!!!!

Right off to measure some fabric to make curtains for a boat - the one that featured in the tale of our weekend at Shepperton !!!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Girly weekend!

2010-02-22T21:25:00.004+01:00

Milla and I had a girly weekend. We did our nails in readiness for the theatre. Here are mine !!!

I did keep it on for a couple of hours and then toned it down a bit by taking it off !!!!! We did have a laugh. the white dots started out as little flowers but I think she got a bit "dot happy"!
I suggested she might like to "paint" some magnolias instead. I think you will agree she did a much better job!!!! I gave her a load of images I bought from ebay and gave her the copics and away she went.

The two on the pink cutting mat are for a "MUM" word book "we" made for her mum for mother's day. I forgot to photograph it !!! It was ever so good. I'll get Peter to photograph it later. I sent her some mats cut from the nesties and some flowers to put on the letters. We ran out of time!!! I also sent her some ribbon to tie on the rings.

We went to the Theatre to see Hairspray performed by the Brighton Theatre Group. It was absolutely fantastic. Linda's daughter, Katherine, was brilliant as Tracy Turnblad. In fact they were all brilliant. Course we get home at about 10.30pm and madam is "buzzing". Gone 11.00 before she finally settled down.

Well Tim's on QVC at 12.00pm tonight. Guess who'll be staying up to watch it..........

Thanks for stopping by.

Love Burnice

grungepaper flower !

2010-02-17T20:59:00.004+01:00

Well that's what it was meant to be !!! I didn't have any silicone glue and used glossy accents so had to hold it for a while - hence the flattened middle. Also the leave on the right hand side is in the wrong place. Right that's the slagging off done with. I think I am quite pleased with it.
Suppose it's not bad for a first attempt! I used the stamp set from Artistic Stamper Stichels Dashy Dot. The flower is coloured with fired brick and the leaves peeled paint distress inks. I used some stickles (icicle - i think) but they were a bit holographic. Need to get some different ones (any excuse!). I also spritzed my fav gold glimmer mist but for the life of me can't remember the name. I keep forgetting what it's called. Just gone through my old posts and found the name of it "WALNUT GOLD".......

Was going to put some more stuff on but "picasa" is not working for me. The lappy toppy decided to have a bit of a hiccup on Saturday and DS1 sorted it for me but I don't seem to be able to edit in picasa. I might instal it again and see if that makes any difference.

Only 11 more sleeps until I get my emotion red machine with an in built sat nav !!!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Laters

Burn x

What did I buy........

2010-02-06T21:13:00.002+01:00

My purchases!

Clockwise from left to right:

Millions (well a few anyway!) of brads all different shapes; template of a staircase; template of a sewing machine; stipple brushes for using my distress inks; five reels of DS tape and a book of pink rub ons. One of the items on this collage are a pressie for my mate Caroline....... Can you guess which one Caz?

Next bundle:

Swarovski crystals and charms; 6 glaze paints; THE NAIL KIT; grunge shapes; flowers.

Typical me - I have a fabulous nail art kit then I go and break a nail right down at the skin bit. Bent it back making the bed!!!! Nearly cried...... Did swear tho'!

Just checking my lotto - 22-nah; 12-nah; 3-nah; 29-nah; 17-nah; 15-nah - bonus 5 - oh pooh - not one !

Right best go and wish Hilda a happy birthday.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burn x

Been to the Brighton Centre..

2010-02-05T22:48:00.004+01:00

Went to the Creative Stitches thingy at the Brighton Centre today with my friend Freda and her cousin, Midge. Bought one or two bits!!!!!

I had my nails done kinda with this nail art stuff:

See, doesn't it look cool. I had the corresponding nail on my right hand done the same. Course I had to buy the "kit" for Milla!!! Bargain at £20. I'll take a pic tomorrow of all me goodies.

Just before we left we decided to have a cuppa in the foyer cafe thingy and as we were chilling out I spot one of my bessie mates, Linda, whom I have known for nigh on 20 years. We do have a laugh!!! Her daughter is appearing in "Hairspray" at Roedean School and Milla is a massive huge fan of Hairspray and of Katherine (they are both in the same drama group (I think)). Anyway as we were sitting having our cuppa I spot the advertising banner for Hairspray. We go over and have a look and decided to take some "publicity" shots to show Katherine:

That's Linda on the left and me on the right and the lovely Katherine as Tracey!! We did laugh. I bought Milla and I tickets to go and see the production. Really looking forward to it. Katherine is a little gem.

Right need to go to the little girls room, so will say goodnight to my forum buddies and see you tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

More birthday pressies!

2010-02-03T22:35:00.002+01:00

My friend Caroline came over on Sunday to make a word book and she brought me this lovely cushion to go in the cabin on the "not Wine sofa". A late birthday pressie. Isn't it just fab? Perfect match. Thanks Caroline...

I made these two cards tonight for someone at work. The remit was "an Irish style thank you card". Didn't have any Irish stamps so went for the green! Not too keen but not to worry. Hopefully Lucy will like them! The green is a lot brighter IRL but took the photos in the cabin under the bright light!

I also made a birthday card for a forum buddy, but can't show that!!!!

Got a bit of a headache and earache tonight so will be off now.

Thanks for stopping by!

Burnice x

Build a Rose

2010-02-02T21:11:00.003+01:00

Hi - I made this card for one of our receptionists at work for her birthday. I bought the stamp at The Glitter Pot. It's a papermania stamp and £2 goes to cancer research. It's not a very good but not bad for my first attempt. I stamped the component parts onto 300gsm watercolour paper and coloured it with distress inks - tattered rose, aged mahogany, frayed burlap and peeled paint. I think it could have done with another one of the big double petals. Still I'll know next time. The paper is from 7 Gypsies - Victoria.
We have two receptionists in our office and they both have birthday's today. How wierd is that. Now Michaela (whose boyfriend is in my side bar - Lance!) had the day off so I gave her her card and little pressie yesterday. I am absolutely sure I took a photo of it but do you think I can find it. Course I can't. Anyway I will have to get it back and photgraph it again. You are going to love it !!!!

I was going up the cabin tonight to make another word book - Isabela - but haven't got an "S" yet so will have to do it later. Needed a rest from up there anyway, Linda!!!!

Oh pooh, just spotted a broken nail - I hate breaking my nails......

Right off to fix it - the nail that is.

thanks for stopping by

Burnice x

Japanese Art......

2010-02-01T22:55:00.003+01:00

Just a quickie today. Been crafting lots. Here is a sneak preview of my swap for Lots to Do. The theme is distress. I had made a different one but then we got a list of the years board book swaps and decided to keep the first one for later on as it was more appropriate.
This is the cover :
This is one of the pages - I won't show anymore so as not to spoil it for my swapee!!!

I sat and cut out 69 of those flowers!!!! The book was originally "The Selfish Crocodile". I hope they like it........ I really like doing these.

I will show you tomorrow what I bought at Ardingly Quilt show..................

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Answer to Tash's question on the word book.....

2010-01-28T15:44:00.003+01:00

Okay now - the word "BABY" is a Bo Bunny word book. The link is me just googling! I got mine from QVC! These come in chipboard form. I trace round the letters onto mountboard so I always have a template.

The little words books/albums are More than Words key chain books from "Colour my World" (again I just googled!). These are about 1 1/2 inches high. They come in a set of about four. You get appropriate words for each theme - i.e. Birthday comes with PARTY, CAKE, FUN and WISH (I think!). I also have Wedding which has BRIDE, GROOM, AMOUR, CHURCH and may be I(heart)YOU. Can't really remember (I'm at work you see!). I do have another set with the words WISH, LOVE, HUGS and something else. Oooh the memory is not as good as it used to be. Anyway the Craft Barn sells them too.

Again I trace round the letters onto chipboard (mountboard is too thick to cut so intricately!).

I then cover them with paper and embellish as appropriate!

Hope that helps............

Burnice x

Back again!

2010-01-27T23:28:00.002+01:00

Been busy in the cabin. Trouble is most of what I am doing is birthday cards and little pressies, word books and challenges.

This is a little mini word book I have made for my hairdresser/BSL buddy!!!
The paper is from the Pocket of Posies pad from K & Co.

This next one is for a colleague at work who has just become a grandma. I have known Lesley for about 36 years!! The papers are called Bohemia (really old!). I think they are from My Minds Eye but am not 100% sure.

I am making another one for friends of Lesley's son who have had a little girl. Will blog that when it's done.

I have made loads of birthday cards and little pressies for February so will blog them too as Feb goes on.

The wonderful Zoe sent me some grungepaper to have a go at the super roses that Linda makes. Thank you very much Zoe it was very kind of you. I also went on to Artistic Stamper and bought the "dashy dot solid" set to make the flower with. Can't wait to have a go at this. I also bought a "dressmakers" set of stamps. Naughty Burn.

Right just done a massive yawn so best go and get ready for beddy byes!!!!

Night night

Thanks for popping by,

Burn x

Birthday cards !

2010-01-23T13:17:00.005+01:00

I think they have dried up now !!!! I got another one today and a little pressie - thanks Tash! Below are the ones I received from my forum buddies at Lotstodo! I have put their names on the card - I think if you click on the image you can see them. Thanks guys. They are all soooo different.

The next batch are from my other friends....... The blue heart hanger was from Tasha which arrived today. Again aren't they just so different.

Thanks very much peeps!

Right best go and get ready now cos we are off to test drive a Nissan Note......

thanks for looking

Burn x

Pink and Brown....

2010-01-21T23:39:00.003+01:00

Had a bit of a pink and brown session in the cabin last night! I made this little 'book' for a colleague at work. It was her birthday last Friday!! The letters are from "colour my world" words. The "L" is and "E"; the "I" is from Wish and the "S" is from Wish and the "A" is from Cake!!!! I love these little words!
I gave it to her today and she liked it very much. I think it is cute!

Then I found the other "distressed" Tilda and made a card. I can't remember the pad the paper came from - It's either, Bailey or Roam from K & Co. Must make more notes before I come down!!!

The prima flowers were spritzed with candy apple red and antique gold (is that right Linda!). The red flower was originally cream and the other one was a bright green to begin with.

Been to BSL tonight. Had an examine in two weeks but it has been postponed until 4 March cos of the two weeks we lost with the snow. Phew!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Love Burnice x

Tilda's got a face!!!

2010-01-20T23:15:00.003+01:00

When I was playing with the magnolias and distress inks I stamped her out a few times using different inks. Two of the inks were no good because as soon as I put the distress ink on the image the ink ran. Kris came up into the cabin whilst I was painting some and he said they looked wierd cos they have no mouths. So he got a very fine pen and drew a mouth on one and a mouth and nose on the other. Here is the result.......

Cute aren't they. Don't panic folks, I won't be putting faces on any more! Just thought I would share this with you.

We have had a little dusting of snow again. Getting fed up with it now. I have to make up 10 hours for the time I had off.

Bit of a short post tonight, bit tired. Been up in the cabin and had a little play. Will post the fruits of my labours tomorrow. Ron just making me a cuppa, then check lotto numbers and then beddy byes!

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

More pressies!

2010-01-19T23:28:00.004+01:00

Linda came yesterday for a play in the cabin last night. She bought me my birthday pressie - a bit too snowy for her to visit last Monday - look at these:
Thanks very much Linda. Can't wait to use them. I now have five - I also have Aged Mahogany. Scrummy!!!

The postman arrived today and brought me a parcel from Lesley. This is really lovely. The words on the top of the box are on the side of the mug too.
I have sooo much "angel" stuff in the cabin now I think it will have to have "Angel" in the name of it now........ Thank you very much Lesley. Loved the doodles on the jiffy bag too.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT !

I have joined a "valentine" swap on the Lotstodo forum. Our remit was not to use any red, any hearts or the word love. I think I managed it.

The stamp is a Tanda flower set. There were other flowers around the roses but I chopped them off! I inked the card and coloured the back of the velum with the same ink, attached it with brads and coloured them with copics. Also put some organza ribbon round the stem!!! Quite pleased with how they came out.

Right, think I have bored you all enough now.

Thanks for stopping by.

Love Burnice x

Beautiful sunny Sunday...

2010-01-17T16:18:00.006+01:00

... and the birds are tweeting like mad. You wouldn't think four days ago I couldn't see any grass. Mind you the grass is very lush.

Went to see Milla this morning and she gave me my birthday pressie which she picked. She gave me a clue a few weeks ago saying "it is something I would use every day but not Friday!" I asked her if it was because I didn't work on Fridays. She said it was. Then going by my track record of my 25 pressies I said "a bus pass"!! NOOOO she cried. then would tell me any more. This is what I got:
How cool is this......... It's made by Red Herring. Same colours as my bag from Freda.

This is the mouse mat! Isn't it just soooooo scrummy.

I am using the mouse right now - well not right this minute cos I'm typing but when I need to I am. The mouse just whizzes across the mat.......

Apparently, she has just been dying for me to get it. The look on her face was enough for me tho. She was beaming. I CHOSE THAT - she said about 6 times!!!!

Anyway a change now - I have been playing with colouring in my magnolia stamps with distress inks.

This was was stamped with stazon ink (Versafine was recommended by the fabulous Kim but I didn't have one of those - have most black inks but not that one!). Anyway. I used 300 gms watercolour paper and this is the result. I haven't cut her out yet.

This one was stamped with Archival black ink and using the same colour distress inks which were (if I remember rightly) aged tattered rose for their faces, frayed burlap and vintage photo for their hair and clothes, aged mahogany for the shoes and tattered rose for the socks.

The first picture is the second one I did and I think I got a bit more adventurous with that one, colourwise. I have to say I am quite pleased with the result. I feel a purchase of some new colours coming on.

Thanks for stopping by. Going up in the cabin now to finish of some challenges. Will blog them tomorrow.

Stay safe

Love Burnice x

Didn't we have a lovely time, the day we went...

2010-01-17T00:09:00.003+01:00

.... to London!!!!! Well The Royal Albert Hall really. The show was absolutely bloomin' amazing. Just can't begin to tell you what it was like. Far too much going on. Varekai is romany for "wherever"........

We had amazing seats - they swivelled! It was all fab. Nice hotel - crap bed tho! Bloomin tired tho. We walked from Bayswater Road to The Albert Hall. Thought we would just go through Kensington Gardens but all the gates were locked. Then we walked home but decided to go the other way round the park but walked and walked then realised we were crossing The Serpentine !!!!! Realised we were going way off track - so had to walk all the way back the RAH and then pretend we had just started off. My knees and feet were killing me!!!! Still it was worth it!!!

Just thought I would show you the brochure and tickets.

I would recommend it to anyone - can you tell we enjoyed it!!!

Been playing in the cabin today - doing some colouring in with distress inks instead of copics. Not too bad for a first attempt. Will show you tomorrow. Very tired - just got in from a meal with my stitch club girls. Went for a Thai. Took some pics of that too but on my other camera.

Off to bed now.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Hurray it's 14 January 2010

2010-01-14T09:46:00.002+01:00

He he he he. The snow has all but gone from the roads, it's raining and foggy here. The buses are passing the door (!) so we can go to London!

I am soooooooooo excited. We can go to The Albert Hall. Right now Burn, calm down. I am nearly ready and then we will be off.

Have to go to a shop in Brighton first to change a top (need a bigger size). The one I bought makes my boobs look like they belong to Jordan!!! Then pop into the office to drop off a birthday card and then walk up Queens Road to the station. Oooooooh can you tell I'm excited.

I will be back tomorrow with my tale. No doubt something will go wrong so Sue watch this space!!!

Off to have a shower now.

Laters

Burnice x

Just a quickie tonight!

2010-01-12T22:09:00.004+01:00

Thought you might like to see the card I made for hubby of 35 years!!!
Isn't it cute. Ron said he liked his "suit"! I think the paper is from the K & Co winter wonderland pad. The image is a Rachelle Ann Miller stamp and coloured with copics.

I booked two places for the Artsycrafts weekend in May. I am going to the first one 8/9 May. Going up on the 7th. Really excited. I have made a list of all the places I am going to and all the things I am doing before that weekend, ticking them off and before I know where I am it'll be 7 May. I am going with my crafty work colleague, Caroline. I think she is just as excited as me. Won't be long - only four months ................

Right a confession now - I expect I have just upset me new found artsy friend, Linda. I said I would be going on the 2nd weekend at the end of May but I'm sorry Linda, Caroline couldn't make that weekend. Hope you're not too angry.

Watching survivors on the tele - isn't bloomin' rubbish. OH thinks it's fab. I think it's boring. There is not one single bit of crafting in it!

Thanks for stopping by.

Love Burn x

It's my birthday (and anniversary!)

2010-01-11T19:56:00.003+01:00

Evenin' all. As you can see it's my birthday today. We have been married for 35 years today too. We got married on my 21st. Seemed like a good idea at the time! I got home from work to these:

Isn't he sweet! A complete surprise - I can tell you.

My mate Freda left me a pressie and a card on 2 January (when I last saw her) and I put in the lounge and I didn't even peek at it. I opened it this morning - cos it's my birthday - did I mention this before - sorry - this is what I found:

Isn't that brill. It's by "Red Herring". Just loving the necklace. She gave me that too. I had some lovely card from my forum buddies. I had some money from my bezzy bezzy mate. Apparently I still have some goodies to come from peeps who couldn't get to me and stuff that's in the Royal Mail system. Think this birthday may last a while eh!

Right off to watch Corrie now.

Keep safe folks

Burnice x

Peter's birthday

2010-01-09T18:51:00.004+01:00

Evenin' all. Just thought I would show you the card I made for DS1. He is 31 today! Not one of my better efforts but really like this stamp. I used my trusty copics to colour it in.

Bit knackered today. Ron and I went into town yesterday (after waiting an hour for a bus!) and met Kris and Joyce (who is supposed to be going back to Miami tomorrow - wonder what her chances are!) to say goodbye to Joyce. How we were going to get home we had no idea - certainly not by bus cos our bus only went half way and we had to get another bus into town. Met them in a pub and then decided to eat. I had fish and chips with the fish in Ale batter. MMMMMM it was fab. Joyce had bought me a gorgeous bunch of flowers. Beautiful yellow roses, spider crysanths, daisies and some other stuff!!!!! Here they are:

When we left the pub we were going to get a cab (not really sure if it would have taken us all the way home) but as we were going down the road a bus came along that was going along the seafront. We decided to jump on it, get off at Rottingdean and then walk from their to home. Seemed like a good idea at the time. We got off the bus at 18.40 and got home at 19.51. I was nearly crying my legs were sooooo sore and my knees were sooooo cold. I did have tights, tracky bottoms, two pairs of socks, leg warmers, walking boots, scarf, gloves and me big quilty coat. Ron was carrying my flowers!!!! Got up this morning and my hips hurt sooo much!!!! Well it did seem like a good idea at the time !

Didn't get to the Craft Barn to see Kim Piggott cos it snowed quite a bit last night. Went up into the cabin for about 4 hours and came down in a blizzard!!!

Right gotta go, watching "Do you think you can dance" or whatever it's called.

Thanks for stopping by.

Love Burnice x

Thursday 7 - still snowed in....

2010-01-07T18:03:00.005+01:00

No buses at all coming into Woodingdean. Another day off.......
I decided to make use of my time by doing these "moos". They are for a swap on Lotstodo forum. The theme was "green" so I recycled a piece of card that was backing some attendance notes at work, used the clock images that I stamped out at the PaperArtsy weekend and didn't use, and sprayed with lots of "firework" inks that I bought from a friend. Also I have glued on some clock parts that I bought from paperartsy! Is that recycled enough !!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought I would just show you the view I have from my cabin. It's not the front view it's the side view. The trees are in the gardens of the two houses next door (if that makes sense!) The big fir tree top right is a massive tree that is in the garden behind us. Just hope it never gets blown down cos it will land on me cabin !!!!!

As I was coming indoors I spotted these icicles hanging from the front. There were some at the back which were really long and much better but the photo was a bit blurred. These ones are melting a bit.

I hope the roads get cleared soon 'cos I want to go to the Craft Barn on Saturday to see Kim Piggott who is doing a demo with the Magnolia stamps. She paints them with her distress inks and they are sooooooooo beautiful.

Right best go and get dinner.

Keep save guys.

Burnice x

Snowed in!

2010-01-06T12:19:00.004+01:00

Me and many many others. It started about 7.30 last night. We watched from the window folks trying to get up the slight hill and we watched them come down again. The snow was quite heavy then. Woke up this morning to this:
Went along the shop at 8.00 cos we only had a little milk and the shelves were empty but for a two pinta organic milk so I had to get that. Not a loaf of bread in sight.

There were loads of cars parked on the pavement down the road where they were abandoned last night and quite a few on the corner.

Ron has just taken this pic of me! Not very flattering but it is snowing and my dad always said "to keep warm and dry you have to look a prat!" So far be it from me to disappoint!

The statue we call Mary - bet she is bloomin' freezing, bless her!

Was going up in the cabin but can't be bothered - he he he!

We have just realised that we don't have the heating on!!!!! Three cheers for cavity wall installation!

Right off to look for a board book now...........

Keep safe.

Burnice x

Evenin' all!

2010-01-03T21:46:00.005+01:00

I have had another productive day in the cabin. I made a few of these cards:

The inspiration for this easel card is from a christmas card I got from a Tanda forum buddy, Sue Law.
I have made a couple of them, can't stop!!! Trouble is my photo taking skills are sorely lacking at the moment. My photo's are coming out quite blurred. I shall try again with the other cards.

This is a close up of the front panel. It's a stampin' up set - and oldish one I think - with some gold stickles and my new Spica pens.

I have just done a ton of ironing and am absolutely knackered !!!

Back to work tomorrow. Best have an early night !

Laters

Burnice x

HAPPY NEW YEAR PEEPS!

2010-01-01T21:13:00.006+01:00

Would like to start this blog wishing my fellow bloggers a very happy and prosperous new year. I would also like to thank those of you who are following me and those of you who have commented on my blog. Cheers me dears !

We had Peter, Esther, Milla, Kris and Joyce up for dinner. We did a slow roast bit of beef and the trimmings. It was delish. Milla stayed here last night and she insisted on seeing the new year in. Well, bless her, she lasted until 11.45 and then said "I have to go to bed". We persuaded her to try and stick it out for the last 15 mins and she did with her head on my lap wrapped in a blanket. As soon as the chimes started she got off my lap and went to bed. I had to wake her at 10.30 this morning !!!!! She told her mum and dad that we (me and her) had one and a half bottles of wine, starting at tea time !!!! The wine was Schloer !!! She did almost another bottle today!

I put together one of the cards I made yesterday (or was it the day before!). This is one of my new magnolia stamp club stamps using my copics. I haven't done the shading so well but may dabble with it again tomorrow. The letters are those doodlebug ones that have sticky on both sides so I sprinkled some coppery/bronzy glitter on to them. Really like these. Never used them before but now realise how useful they are. Got them in C&H Fabrics on their sale table. May have to go and get some more! The wings are coloured with my new Spica glitter pens. Hope you like it.

This is a close of up her.

I just think she is so much fun .

Once again - Happy New Year folks.

Burnice x

MILLA'S 9 TODAY!

2009-12-30T15:24:00.005+01:00

Here she is - all pleased with herself !!!! She and six friends are off to pizza express this evening and then back to hers for a sleepover ! God help her parents that's all I can say!
I made this card (along with six others) in the cabin yesterday. Bit blurred - sorry - but it's gone in the post now. I used a piece of metal and stamped one of my new stamps from Magenta and embossed it. I then coloured it in with me copics.

Close up of the metal piece.

Quite pleased with the result.

Just taken delivery of some distress stickles from The Glitter Pot and some more (like I need them) Sprites Flowers.

I now have t'internet in the cabin. I couldn't use me lappy toppy up there cos the wireless signal wouldn't go that far. Peter bought us a plug in connection thingy and it works a treat now. Quite speedy too. Never get any work done in there now!

Been and bought a lappy toppy mouse so Ron can use the lap top. Tried to instal a wireless one yesterday and everything went pear shaped. Had to reinstall system. Still got an ASDA one for £5, plugged it in and away we go! We have two main computers in the house and both of them had their switches go within a day of each other. He can't use the touch pad mouse cos he is a bit heavy handed.

Right off I go now, cos I have been brought a cuppa.

Have a good rest of day folks.

Burnice x

Busy day in the cabin......

2009-12-28T22:30:00.002+01:00

Hi folks, Milla and I have had a very busy day crafting today. We got in there at about 9.00 this morning and came out at 4.30 when her daddy came to fetch her. We/she made these place cards for her birthday day on Wednesday.
We also made three birthday cards, did a lot of copic colouring in (about 5 magnolia girlies, a table and a swing). We did have words whilst chosing the paper for the cards cos we were both tired but I forgave her!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had a lovely day together.

I am absolutely knackered now and it's only 9.30pm. I have knitted a slice of carrot cake this evening and just have the "icing" to do and put it together. I'll take a pic when it's done.

Right, best get on with me knitting.

Thanks for stopping by.

Love Burnice x

Day 25 - I asked Dad to make you this... I hope you like it....

2009-12-26T16:20:00.005+01:00

..... just twist. As I have said before Lesley's dad does wood turning. What could this be I think to myself. Had a feeling I knew what it was cos Lesley has one too and when I picked it up to use she said "just twist it"...... here it is:

Isn't that great? It is soooooo tactile. Doesn't help me solve crossword puzzles any quicker or better but still can't have it all, eh? Thank you sooooo much Lesley for all my little pressies. I have to say I have really enjoyed opening one every day and am very proud of myself that I didn't peek at any. I truly did open one a day!!!!

Thought I would just share with you the little bundle of goodies I got from Kris's girlfriend who came over from Miami for Christmas.

Emma and Linda note the Fiskars punch - the one that I thought was from Stampin' Up!!!! The paper pad is K & Co Que Sera Sera. Got very itchy fingers now - can't wait to up to the cabin tomorrow. Having a day off today!

Ron is going to pay for me to go on another "crafty weekend". Cool eh? Trouble is I have to try and decide which one to go on now. I thoroughly enjoyed the PaperArtsy/LB Crafts one but don't know whether to go in May or wait until October'sh (assuming they are doing one then!).

I had a few crafty pressies. I got a set of Atyou Spica pigment marker. There are 12 fabulous glisteny colours. They were from my friend Caroline and with it was a bottle of Cosmic Shimmer Mist in Aqua Lagoon. Beautiful bright blue. I also got a Supa dupa tab punch - it's mega!

My friend Freda gave me a fabulous black and white tin of a vintage lady sewing. Inside were three pieces of moda fabric in terracottas and creams from the Astor Manor range by 3 Sisters. In the tin also was a lovely pink suedette wallet with pins, needles and a pair of scissors in it.

My boys bought me a gorgeous leather bag in a dusky navy blue. It's a bit like a shopping bag it's so big. It's really gorgeous. Very pleased mummy!

Right probably bored you all ridged now so best go and see to the dinner. Piece of pork slow cooking. mmmmmmm!

Thanks for stopping by.

Oooh almost forgot - I received a beautiful book of Angels in my secret santa over at Lots to Do. I have a feeling I know who it's from - check these out - it's the same shape as the little books. I also got one of the little hangy things too. Thanks a million Sam!!!

Love from Burnice x

Day 24 - A pretty way to keep your jewelery

2009-12-24T18:26:00.002+01:00

I guessed right but was not expecting this fabulous jewelery roll. It's a silky fabric - I just love that stuff !!!
It's it divine. the colours are very ice creamy. Thank you soooo much Lesley. Last one tomorrow - I won't know what to blog about after tomorrow!!!!!

I finally put my tree up! It's looking a bit more festive in the lounge now. Especially with all the cards up too.

The dining room table has a christmassy cloth on and a candle table centre so that's not too bad either.

Well it's a short one tonight cos I am just about pooped.

I would like to wish all my fellow bloggers a very merry christmas and a prosperous new year and to thank you all for popping in to have a peek at me, the nutter. I have very much enjoyed blogland so again thank you and y'all have a fab day tomorrow.

Will do a quick blog tomorrow to show you day 25 just in case any of you die of curiosity!!!

Love Burnice x

Day 23 - A friend is importing these from Chile.....

2009-12-23T18:49:00.002+01:00

.... hope you like these. No guessing this morning. Didn't know where to begin, so I dived in and bloomin' 'eck look wot I got:
Aren't they just fabulous. Course him that was in bed said in his own inimitable way - look like spaghetti. Told him he was a plonker and that it was bamboo so he said "you've been bamboozled then"! God he is soooo funny - huh! Anyway back to the pressie - they are fantastic. Thank you so much Lesley.

Done all me shopping now - wot's forgotten will stay forgotten. Actually I lied - I have one more and that's Kris's girlfriend - have said we will go shopping after crimble. Just got to get the tree up now. Will do that tomorrow.

Right, curry's done - thanks for looking.

Love Burnice (cough cough - urgghhh it's giving me a headache now)

Day 22 - I asked Si to bring this back from Hong Kong.......

2009-12-22T20:32:00.004+01:00

..... he brought me one last year and thought you could add to your collection. The lady at number 73 then got all excited cos she thinks she guessed. Boy was she right. Have a look at this:

It's a beautiful silk scarf the size of a pashmena. Now if you know me well you will know that I have your commonal garden pashmena scarf thingies in every conceivable colour, even some light and dark shades of the same colour! I have one to go with everything I wear - hence the comment about "collection". I would count them but am too scared. Thank you sooooo much Lesley (and Si) it is absolutely adorable. Oh and the colour is a smokey purply grey.

When I got home from work yesterday the AVON lady had called with me bits. Just look at these - couldn't resist them. These are my snuggly boots. I had them on very early this morning, in fact from 12.15am to 2.10am. I couldn't sleep and they were just right for toasty toes. Aren't they scrummy? The furry lining goes right down to the toe bit. Not bad for £7.50 eh! You can have them rolled down or left. Still haven't made up my mind as you can see !!!

Invalid in carer's bad books. She got home from work - later than normal cos she went perfume shopping - and he was slouched on the sofa. When she asked him what was wrong he said he ached a bit. Before she could dish out any sympathy he blew it by saying he had given the cabin one coat of stain. Well you can imagine what the carer said - something like this *&%$£*& !!! Still it's nearly christmas so I forgave him.

Right cuppa calling.

Thanks for stopping by.

Love Burnice x

Day 21 - Picture this.....

2009-12-21T20:09:00.005+01:00

Thought it might have been a photo frame but it was too squidgy! Couldn't think so I opened it and this is what I found:
A nice little album to put some summer pics of Milla in. Thanks Lesley.

Thought I might show you one of the designs for my Christmas cards. I have been very lax this year. Hardly made any - so if you haven't had one I do apologise profusely but I will make it up to you (no it's okay you won't get two next year!). Not sure how but I will. This one was sent to Ron's Aunt and Uncle. About four years ago I made over 100 cards and sent them to everyone I knew! One was sent to Pat and Frank. Never thought anything of it. I got a letter from Pat saying how moved she was with my card and how beautiful it was. Trouble was I could not for the life of me remember what the card was like. Consequently, every year since I have done my utmost to outdo myself. I was very pleased with this one I must say. This is actually one of my most used chrissy stamps. Hope you like it too.

I apologise for it's surroundings but I did crop it and put my text thingy in the corner but did it in picaso and couldn't remember how to get it in my "pictures". Never mind eh!

It rained this afternoon. Just thought I would share that with you.

DS2 has gone down to the Eden Project this morning! Now it's snowed!!!!! His girlfriend has come over from Miami so he took her down there for a surprise. Be an even bigger surprise if they can't get home eh!!!!!

Right best shoot off now - Emma coming soon to finish of album.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burn x

Day 20 - One day I popped up to Dad's and....

2009-12-20T16:58:00.004+01:00

.....he'd just finished making this and I thought you'd like it ... hope you do! That was the little clue on the back of the label. I had no idea. I then remembered Lesley's dad does a spot of wood turning and then I was excited. I ripped it open and this is what I found:
Isn't it fabulous. It is so smooth and tactile. Can't stop rubbing it. This is soooo going to go in my dining room. Thank Lesley's dad (and Lesley!), I love it.

I was doing some colouring in last night. Here is my workspace (the dining table cos it was cold in the cabin!):

This is a pic of my efforts:

I love my copics !!

Been visiting today, delivering chrissy pressies. Popped in to deliver some to Linda and stayed for a cuppa. Our other halves got into the swing and they sounded just like two grumpy old men. It was funny. Then popped over to Upper Beeding to visit Ron's mum. Stayed for another cuppa. Decided we had better go home as it was getting cold and we still had to get to Woodingdean via the Falmer Road which is very exposed and gets iced up quite quickly. We nearly didn't make it on the way to Linda's as cars were turning round but we decided to go to the brow of the hill to see if it was an accident in which case we would turn back but the reason for the "go very slow" was because cars and vans were trying to get up the hill and the ones going down weren't going anywhere until they made it !!!! We waited for a van but it didn't make it and just slid right back down again, turned round and went the other way!! While it was struggling and slipping back down a 4 x 4 discovery type car drove past us (quite fast considering) and overtook the bloke in the van. Smug 4 x 4 driver..............

Right best do some more making a mess before I upset anymore 4 x 4 drivers (I know - you're not all like that but this one had such a smug look on his face that I could have smacked it!).

Thanks for popping by.

Burn x

Day 19 - Give me a home

2009-12-19T11:22:00.003+01:00

Conversation this morning at 9.15 (when lady and man woke up!) went something like this:
Lady: Give me a home (walking into the bedroom with little pressie in hand)
Man: A donkey (eyes closed still and half asleep)
Lady: I hope she hasn't spent THAT much
Man: Oh you mean your little pressie
Lady: Tut!
Lady opens pressie and gives a little squeal (as little as this lady could, that is!)

Lady: Ooooh look - a sugar nellie
Man: a what?
Lady: Oh never mind - lady stomps off.

Anyway lady got over man being a willock and took a photo of said sugar nellie:
Meet Dexter. Isn't he just the cutest. Can't wait to get on and use Dexter.

Right - gotta go now cos man and lady are going to Asda. Man has foolishly taken a spade and scraped away snow from path and behind car. Man indoors now moaning cos his invalid place is hurting. Urghhhh lady not happy with man. Man making cup of tea now so lady best go and get dressed (what? - it's only 10.32!) and then drink tea man has made (ooh would that be a man made tea?) and then go to Asda. Might go visiting too - mind you all this is all assuming roads are okay. Should be - no snow last night.

I am in a doppy mood today - can you tell? Wonder how long it will last!

Have a great day folks

Speak later

Lady x

Day 18 - Twinkle Twinkle .......

2009-12-18T15:07:00.004+01:00

..... little star shouts him! Huh said I, how predictable of you. It's glitter I said - feeling the little parcel - I thought it was some of those pee wee glitters - WRONG again. I don't think I have got one totally right yet! here it is:

I have been up in the cabin today and had a go with it. It's funky. It embosses white with glitter bits in it. Makes a bloomin' mess tho'. There is glitter everywhere.........

Woke up at 3.30 this morning for a pee and took a peek outside as it had been snowing quite heavily when we went to bed. Opened the lounge curtains and just as I did so a bloke walked past. It was so surreal but funny. There was absolutely no-one about or any cars except this bloke who walked past (in the middle of the road too cos it was thick snow) just as I opened the curtains..... Can you tell I thought it was funny !!!!!!!!!!!

Got up this morning - well woke up really with the phone ringing - panicked cos I thought it was still about 3.30/4.00 but noooooooooooooo it was Peter and the time was 7.35!!!!!!!!!! URGH. Told him I would be late for work now and he said "look out the window mum, don't think you are going anywhere!". Looked out the kitchen window and this is what faced me.

Sorry it's a bit blurred but I opened the kitchen door and I was in my jim jams and it was bloody freezing! It was snowing too............ Foot deep it was.

The chairs look like they are hugging each other don't they. I just love the way the snow has landed on the tables. Perfectly shaped snow on top.

It's gloriously sunny now tho. Going back up to the cabin. The blinds were open this morning and the sun had made it really warm and cosy. Still put the heater on tho'.

Right best get on with me crafting.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Day 17 - Just pretty....

2009-12-17T22:39:00.003+01:00

I didn't even bother to ask him, who is lying on the sofa at the moment watching the footie, this morning what he thought my little pressie might be today! I wasn't in the mood for all the wittyand daft suggestions. So I opened it straight away and, look, such pretty little bits. There is a sheet of those polytheney type stickers of flowers and birds; a purple acetate bookmark with the same flowers and birdies, with a ball chain attaching an acetate circle with a birdie on and two badges with the flowers and birdie on. All from paperchase. They are sooooo cute, thank you Lesley.
Been to BSL tonight and learnt more sentences using Countries. God I am so confused. Came out to get the bus home and it's snowing. One of fellow pupils offered to take me home and driving along the A27 it was coming down really hard. Got onto the Falmer Road which is a highish road coming into Woodingdean (passing the new stadium) and it was blizzarding. I have never seen anything like it. It was floating across the road. Really eerie it was. I have been in 45 mins or so and if I had caught the two buses I usually catch I would be three quarters of the way home by now. Just had the gritter make an appearance. Bit late now but hey it came!

Right me toast has popped and best get on with me knitting!

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Day 16 - Cut it out ......

2009-12-16T23:05:00.004+01:00

Scissors - Ron thought. Craft knife - Burn thought. Well did I get a surprise. It's friendly plastic and some cutters. I have never had any of this "stuff" before so can't wait to have a go. One of the strips is a bluey lavender colour and the other is a pinky colour. Thanks Lesley

Had a christmas lunch at a Spanish Tapas Restaurant this afternoon. It was really good. Pigged out a bit tho'. Had a little secret santa and this is what I got!

I think it may have been from my crafty colleague Caroline. Just look at that scrummy bright blue Smooch. Fabulous. The chocolate orange should be interesting!

Been up in the cabin tonight doing Emma's albums. One more session me thinks and that will be it. They are coming along great now. Could have done with me new weeny brolly when we came down - it was chucking it down with rain...................

Right that's it for tonight - me tired.

thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Day 15 - Drip Drip Drop Little April Showers

2009-12-15T22:40:00.003+01:00

Mr L thinks it's a rain hat !!!! Mrs L says Nooooo! The little package measured about 6 x 2 x 1. Umbrella Mrs L thinks but it's a bit weeney! Opened it and look - it's a weeny little umbrella.
How cute is that ! Isn't that sooo sweet. I love this game.

Just come down from the cabin and the grass is all crunchy ! Ron went up about 5.00 this evening and put the heater on. I went up at 6.30 and it was bloomin' freezing! The heater don't work! Came down and got another heater. Ron came back up with me and moved the original heater and the bloomin thing worked. Must have been an air lock - so I had both heaters on and it was still cold ! Still I survived!

Just eaten a Terry's chocolate orange and I feel sick now.

Just a short one tonight, Burn very tired !

Thanks for stopping by.

Love Burnice x

Day 14 - Lickety Lick ........

2009-12-14T20:27:00.004+01:00

Ron's guess this morning was "lipstick" or "lollypop". It was kinda shaped like a lollypop, the chukka lolly type. Burn opened it and this is what she found:

This is just the ticket, cos I have almost run out of mine. Well done Lesley (or did you know?). Thanks very much. I hope you are enjoying opening yours as much as I am.

I think I already told you guys that I bought the stamps from Magnolia's stamp club. Well I just had to have a go at them. This is one of them. It's part of a leaving card I am making for a lovely young lady at work. Daren't show you any more in case she reads me blog. Risking putting this much on - but hey !

Isn't she just delightful. I know she isn't everyone's cup of tea but I just lurve the magnolias. She seems to be missing some bling I notice so will need to take some (and me glossy accents) to work tomorrow and replace them.

Invalid went for a walk to the shops this morning cos he said he felt dizzy and thought it was cos he was couped up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Still he got home safe as there was a lovely smell of roast pork when I got in. It had been slow cooking for about 3 hours. Had roast spuds, cauli, leek and peas to go with it. The pork was rolled and stuffed. It was delish!!!! Could get used to this.

Right I'm off up the cabin now to finish me project and have left the invalid laying on the sofa watching Corrie. I have just realised I haven't put the heater on up there so it's going to be a bit chilly.

Thanks for stopping by and sees yer the morn!

Love Burnice x

Day 13 - Just add ink....

2009-12-13T13:13:00.004+01:00

Guessed what it was today and then "assumed" it was an angel. Right on the guessing it was a stamp but wrong on the guessing it was an angel. Opened it and found this:

Thanks Lesley - this is just sooooo useful. Got all these things going round my head now but they will have to stay there until the new year. They are crashing around with all the other things going on in my little head.........

I am knackered. This invalid looking after is wearing me out. I have total admiration for those that do it all the time. Went to bed at 10.30 last night, slept right through til 5.30, went to the loo, went straight back to sleep and the next thing I knew it was 8.45..............

We had a cooked breakfast today (first time in ages!) and then I cut the invalid's hair and got him showered, he shaved and is now crashed on the sofa with the Mail on Sunday, a sticky bun and a cup of tea. Ooooh the life!

Just realised I haven't checked our lottery. If I am not back for 5 years then you will know we've won - actually I am not sure I could keep it to myself anyway so I'll see you in 5 (mins that is not years!).

Well that didn't take long to check! Not a titter! Oh well there is always Wednesday!

I have to go and look for some stain/paint for the cabin now. Can't decide - I think I want red cedar - you know me and colour. It probably won't be what I am expecting........ I quite like it as it is but if we paint it that colour it will get soooooo dirty soooooo quickly. HELP !!!!

Going to finish some projects up there in a min.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Dec 12 - Bit of bling

2009-12-12T14:29:00.004+01:00

As usual we went through the motions this morning - guessing ones that is - and Ron said "a gold chain" - yeah right!!! I thought it might have been some sticky back jewels or pearly things - you know something like that. WRONG ! It was these fabulous asiany type bits of bling:

I can assure you they are much brighter IRL. I just love them. Thanks Lesley.

Ooh I've been busy today - the postie woke me up at 8.10am this morning (boy was I tired!) with two pizza boxes for me and a jiffy bag for the invalid. He opened his and inside was a card from our senior partner and five bars of chocolate - mmmmmmmmmm! I opened my pizza boxes and I had my December kit from Sarah's cards. The other one was from Crafts U Love with a little order. Actually it was some wooden plaques which they had on sale and I thought would be good for altering. You need to scroll down the page a bit to see them. I also bought the Magnolia Magazine. Boy is that mag inspirational. Well worth the money.

Got up then and we had brekkie. Door bell goes again - van postie with a big parcel for DS1.

Decided then I should maybe go food shopping. Now this is a big deal for me cos I have not been food shopping on my own for 30 years or so. The invalid always did it. Off I go in the car armed with two £1 coins. I am told these are for the car park (which I get back off the bill) and the other for the trolley which I get back. So far so good. Go round Asda, haven't the foggiest what I'm doing but I manage to get it done. At the checkout I am still doing quite well until it came to pay. The invalid had given me his card to pay for the shopping, put it in the machine and completely forget his number. DOH! Do I feel daft. Still not too much of a problem cos fortunately I had mine with me. PHEW! He owes me £41 odd now !!!!!!!!!!!!! Oooh I love it when he owes me!! Drove home. Trauma over.

When I got back the foot postie comes and he has brought (at long last) the Magnolia stamps I bought through their stamp club. They are absolutely bloomin fabulous. Burn a happy bunny now. Just what the 'trauma from food shopping' doctor ordered! Can't wait to get up in the cabin to have a go. Just got to wash up lunch stuff (had a fab bacon sarny in tiger bread - still warm from Asda).

If you behave I may show you some of the creations later.

thanks for stopping by.

Love Burnice x

Day 11 - Alter this.

2009-12-11T17:19:00.004+01:00

Afternoon - Again this could have been absolutely anything. There were no clues from the shape of the little package. Well this is it:

My fellow Newport Pagnell crafters will remember these. They are the chipboard arches we used in the making of our little book. Thank you Lesley - can't wait to use these. Tempted to do something chrissmassy - after christmas of course!

Watching Kirsty's Homemade Christmas on catch up. Got to the chocolagte bit - I am being very distracted. After the chocolate will be Mandy.

Went to a German Market afterwork - the signs said "German Market - now until Christmas Eve. got down there - all the huts were closed - boy was I mad - I got blisters making my way down there, freezing cold at the bus stop and a bit pee'd off !!!!!

Sorry gotta go and watch the choccy man!

Thanks for popping by

Love Burnice

Day 10 - "I made this - hope you like it"

2009-12-10T23:29:00.003+01:00

Well here we are at last - sorry you had to wait so long Linda!!! (Love your book by the way). Couldn't even begin to work out what this was - it could have been absolutely anything - but it wasn't anything it was this...............

Isn't it gorgeous. I am sorry the pic is a bit crap but I took it quickly this morning before going to work. The big beads are a taupe/silvery colour. Pretty isn't it?

Had to go back to work today. Last night I said to Ron that I would have to get up as soon as the alarm went off cos it had been 10 days or so that I have got up for work. Well the radio came on at 6.20am and the next thing I knew Ron was shaking me and telling me it was 7.30am. I jumped out of bed and looked at my watch - it was 7.40am. Oh bloomin' 'eck I thought (yeah right!) jumped in the shower, washed my hair, made the tea, had me weetabix, poured the tea out, unwrapped me little pressie, took a photo of it, put me face on, dried me hair and it was 8.20am. Not bad eh! Then looked out the window and the bus went by................. Started pottering around (like you do) and then watched another bus go by. May as well go and get Ron's paper she thought. That's okay he said I'll go, the fresh air will probably do me good. Going in your slippers are you Burn said. Ron looked at her rather puzzled? "what" he said. How are you going to get your shoes and socks on you dippy person you!!!!! Oh yeah he said. So off I trotted to the shop for his paper, came home, got me back and went over the road to the bus stop. Time - 8.45. Bus came 5 mins later and I got off the bus in town at 9.20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to go in tomorrow to make up for having yesterday off. I don't usually work Friday's so I have decided to do tomorrow morning and next Friday morning. Would do the whole day tomorrow but I want to go to the German Christmas Market which is on.......

BSL today - more sentences. Getting quite good now.

Off to have some toast - bit hungry - been out since 8.45am!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Love Burnice x

Day 9 - Bows

2009-12-09T13:06:00.006+01:00

Right then - clue "bows". Got this one straight away. The invalid was being his dippy self and said "bows" as in "male curtsey" - only he could. Then he got really silly and said some very silly things (which I can't repeat here!) but suffice it to say they were really silly!!!!!! After being told off and to behave himself I opened it and this is what I found:

I just love the colour. Thank you Lesley. This is sooooo exciting. I am very surprised I have been able to refrain from opening them in advance and peeking! HONEST GOV I haven't. My mum would be soooo proud of me!

I have finally got round to photographing my wacky purchase on Sunday. We went to Matalan to get "the invalid to be" some tracky bottoms and then popped into Brantana (well it was next door so seemed silly to waste the journey!) and I spotted these wacky things. I tried on several different pairs with wacky patterns on but settled for these. "How much are they" we think. Well that pair says "reduced to £15" so I thought what the hell and went to pay for them. At the till I could have sworn the girl said £10 so I kept schtum and as casual as possible I strolled out. When we got to the car I said to Ron that I thought I only paid £10 so we looked at the receipt and what a bloomin' shock I got - I actually paid £20. Still I think they are worth it and they do have an 1" heel on them. Ready - right here goes:

Aren't they just sooo cool!

Should have been back to work today but Ron's thigh is still a bit numb and he is still struggling to get around. I didn't feel very comfortable about leaving him in case he fell over! Hopefully it will be back to normal tomorrow. He is lying on the sofa at the moment with the paper, cup of tea and two donuts! I am absolutely shattered. Learnt now to ask if there is anything he needs BEFORE I sit down.

Just off to catch up with Kirsty's homemade Christmas. Just love this. Tomorrow she is at the home of one of my most favourite peoples - Mandy Shaw. She is just a fantastic person. Been to some of her quilt classes and she is just the funniest person. She talks like me - she says things like - Mandy clear up, Mandy sitting here and stuff like that. That's how Burn talks !!!! Just love her.

Well best go and settle myself before lunch.

Thanks for looking in.

Love Burnice x

Day 8 - "For an Angel"

2009-12-08T11:54:00.004+01:00

Well - we deliberated this morning Ron (in his sick bed) and me (waiting on him hand and foot). Angel dust he cried; don't be daft she said. We couldn't work this one out so I opened it and this is what I found:

Aren't they just fab. I think these will be going in MY scrapbook, no one else's!!!!! Thanks very much Lesley, just loving these.

Nurse Burnice is knackered already. Going back to work tomorrow for a rest. Ron still has a numb thigh. Wonder how long this nerve block lasts! I have done two loads of washing, been to the shop for a paper, got his breakfast and got him out of bed. We are sitting in the dining room now - it's so lovely and light in here - watching daytime tv, reading the paper and blogging.

I am going up into the cabin this afternoon. I have a secret santa pressie to make. The heaters on ready for me...............

Must take a picture of my wacky purchase to show you.

Thanks for stopping by.

Love Burnice x

Day 7 - Wrap it!

2009-12-07T10:38:00.007+01:00

Only 18 to go folks..... Well from the clue above I am thinking I've got Eminem somewhere in my little packet. Nah! too soft - I think he's 'ard in't 'e!!! Then we think - ball of string - nah! Lesley's not THAT mean!!!! Open it then, he cries, so I did and this is what I found....
Cool eh! It's that fab tissuey stuff that you can open right out to about an inch wide. Fab. Thanks Lesley.

Here is a pic of my secret santa pressie I got from the stitch club. Think I know who it's from!

It is much prettier in real life, honest. I think I should have cropped the pic and then you could have seen it better. Next time!

I just lurve ny friends and lurve this time of year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I suppose I had better get me bum in gear - Ron has to be at the hospital at about 12.00'sh and I have some washing on and I need to change the bed (sheets that is - not the bed cos I like my bed with it's springy back mattress!!!).

Will come back and let you know how he got on - hopefully it won't be one of our "mishap" tales!!!

Have a good day folks

Burnice x

Day 6 - Where shall we travel?

2009-12-06T19:57:00.006+01:00

Today's clue - "Where shall we travel?" oooh the Lindeck's thought. I wonder what this can be. The package measures about 7 x 5 (or thereabouts). Tickets to some far away place he thought. Nah, she said, Lesley would save that till the 25th. Opened it up and this is what I found:

Aren't they just great. Just right for the scrapbook of my year. Apologies for the naff photo - seem to have the shakes of late!!!

Had my last stitch club yesterday and one of my little ones - Leanne, aged 13 (I think) made us this fab cake. It tasted pretty good too....

Didn't she do well. Thanks Leanne.

We had a secret santa too and I got a fab bracelet and notebook. I'll show you tomorrow. I also show you a fab purchase I made today.............

Just a short one today - got a bit of a headache.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Day 5 - Mmmmmm !

2009-12-05T11:42:00.005+01:00

Burn a bit under the weather at the mo. Got flu like symptoms, you know the sort of thing, achy body, headache, sore throat, cough, hot one minute, cold the next. Still I'm not one to complain....... So when I got Day 5 pressie the label said "Mmmmm". Chocolate I thought but they are in a tube. I bet Lesley has got me a tube of smarties as a little joke but noooooooooooooooooooo, one of my favourites (well a tube full really!)

Just what the doctor ordered. Not sharing these I can tell you........... Thanks Lesley.

Off to my Stitch Club this afternoon. This is going to be my very last one. Been going for about 15/16 years. First Saturday in every month. We used to be around 25 strong but now there are only 6 of us and three little ones. The hall fees have gone up again this year and it is not really worth it any more with just us 6. I'm a little sad but as they say all good things come to an end (have I just made that up!). We have had some really good laughs over the years and we still have two huge projects we did (cross stitching) in the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital. A large wall hanging of Benjamin Bunny in story form and and framed story of Peter Rabbit. We were even in the local paper !!!!!!

We are having a little xmas party so best go and make me egg rolls!!!! Got a secret santa too!

Have a great day folks.

Burnice x

Day 4 - A-tishoo

2009-12-04T11:41:00.004+01:00

Bless you...... The clue today was A-Tishoo. Didn't take Mr and Mrs L long to work that one out! Here are the pretty tissues. Not sure whether I will ever blow me nose on them but we'll see! Aren't they soooo cute.
I am having a very lazy day today. I am absolutely shattered! I was supposed to be resting this week but that went by the by! I am firing on three pistons!

I may pop down to Milla's school later on to see her as an elf. Her drama group are doing the santa's grotto and Milla and her little friend Coco are elves. Peter, DS1, is being a grumpy elf. Worth the bus ride just to see that!!! Hopefully I will have some pics to show you.

It's a fabulously sunny day today. May go up in the cabin - should be warm up there with the sun shining on it. I have some challenges to do and chrissy cards.

BSL yesterday, learnt some sentences. Bit daunting but think I got it. We did directions which apparently is what we are going to be asked on our assessment. Paul said we could make up directions so I asked if I could just say "here" and point to the floor. Don't think that would work do you?

Have a great day peeps.

Burnice x

Day 3 - Open carefully - calling out for colour!

2009-12-03T16:54:00.007+01:00

Hi folks,

Today's label said "open carefully, calling out for colour". Well Mr and Mrs Lindeck did the usual guessing thing and I said I thought it might be a stamp but why open carefully. Can't remember what Mr L said. (I've done sooooo much since 7.30 this morning!). Anyway, I opened it and this is what I found (good job I did open it carefully) :
.. it's a bundle of metal flowers, hearts, tags, snowflakes and brads. Aren't they just so cool. Thanks you sooooooo much Lesley. This is such fun.

Now I have spent the morning making these little elf skirts. Panic on last night when Milla tells me she needs it for Friday after school. Oh dear, couldn't do it last night as Emma was coming back to do a bit more to her book. I got up at 7.30 had brekkie and then sat down to it. I was all done by 10.00. It was very difficult to guess the waist sizes of Milla and her little friend who is a wee bit smaller than her. So I got a pair of her jim jams and went from there. I did take a pic but it has come out a bit blurred cos I had about 15 mins to get changed and catch a bus to take them to Peter and meet my friend for lunch. I apologise for the quality of the picture. DS1 has promised to take a pic of the girls in them....
Got my BSL tonight so best get meself organised....

Laters

Burnice x

Day 2 - Useful

2009-12-02T09:56:00.007+01:00

The clue on the back of the label said "useful". The size of the little pressie is just over 2 x 2 so Ron and I sat there over breakfast thinking. He said post it notes - too hard said I. It can't be money (which would be useful!) as it was too neat. She could have put it in a little box said Ron. Nah wouldn't think so, cos it's only about 3/4 inch deep - wouldn't get much in that. Mind you £100 notes you could. Anyway we got bored guessing so I opened it and this is what I found.

It's a little swatch block. It has some really lovely papers, card, vellum swatches. Just the right size for matting and layering!

Here is a close up of one of the pages.

Thanks Lesley and I totally agree - very useful. In fact I may even have to use it today as I am in the cabin most of the day with Emma, next door, as she want to make two little albums for her parents and in-laws with pics of her little boys in. There is a lovely blue check one in there.

Still haven't made the skirt yet - note to self - GET ON WITH IT BURN !!!!

Well best finish putting my nail varnish on which I have been doing whilst typing this (in between uploading).
Thanks for popping by.

Burnice x

Day 1 - For my friend

2009-12-01T16:33:00.007+01:00

I have received a box of pressies from my friend Lesley. We are doing an advent type thingy where we open one pressie a day.

Here is a pic of my lovely box:

Here is number 1. Isn't it so cute.......

It's a fridge magnet. This won't be going on to my fridge I will have to find something in the cabin to put it on.

Still haven't done the skirt - must get a move on.

Laters

Burnice x

Told you I couldn't cook ................

2009-11-30T12:14:00.003+01:00

Here is a pic of a bakewell tart that Milla made. I put it in the oven to bake it and I burnt it! So what I hear you cry, we all make mistakes. Yep I totally agree but I bet you can't burn FIMO !!!!!!! Not sure how to tell her but I guess she will find out soon enough cos she reads my blog! SORRY MILLSKINS!!!! I hope she make another one cos I thought the pastry bit was fab. Well it was fab until I got my hands on it.............

On my hols now - not a good start. Rain is coming in through the back door - been telling HIM for years we need a new door! Mopped it all up and then went up to the cabin (in the pouring rain) to check that - dreaded opening the door but guess what - BONE DRY. Would you credit it. Good job too cos Linda is coming over tonight to do some crafting ! I put the heater on when I went up so it should be really toastie by 7.30pm !!!! Got the blinds up now too (teal greeny colour) so we won't look like a couple of goldfish !

Been up the town this morning too. Milla wants an elf skirt made for her and her friend. Don't ask. She wanted it made of felt. Went to Fabricland (in the pouring rain!), couldn't find any felt so I got a fab green suedette type fabric. One metre and a reel of cotton plus some elastic and some wide red satin ribbon for the wasteband - £4.25 odd I think !!!! The cotton was £1.25! I think the fabric was £1.99. Not bad eh? Will start that tomorrow.

Well best go and check the kitchen floor.

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x

Friday 27 November

2009-11-27T14:21:00.003+01:00

Just got back from a pre-op assessment with Ron. He has a hernia. They did all what they had to do and then told him to go back to reception, see James and ask him for a date. Course Ron the wag said "I don't want a date with James, what would the wife say?" Anyway James arrived (Wouldn't have minded a date with James meself!) and gave him 7 December! Ron said he thought that was a bit too soon, what's the next date after that so they said the next week and so it went on.

I persuaded him to go in on the 7th cos he will have to be off work for six weeks and I have a surprise anniversary pressie for him. On 11 January we will have been married 35 years (I know - I ask myself the same question - how did I put up with him for sooooo long!!!!) and I have booked for us to go and see Cirque de Soleil at the Albert Hall on 14 January with an overnight stay in a hotel.

I thought having it done that soon will give him time to recouperate and be fit enough to do the travel to London on tubes etc. Course I couldn't tell him why but I just said "Best get it over and done with dear" and "Least this way you won't have to think about it for too long!" Also I am off work that day still on me little hols so I can drive him there and go fetch him.

Sorted then.

Off to Wickes in a min to get the shelves for my cabin now and then to Homebase for the blinds. Then at 3.30 get Milla from school as she wants to come and see her nanny this weekend. I have a sneaky feeling she wants me to do something!!! We'll see...........

BSL was good last night - did signing for clothes, days of the week, months and years. Just two more to go then break up for Christmas. This is just such an exciting thing to do. Really chuffed with myself me is. Wonder if I will be as chuffed when it comes to the assessments!

Best get me shoes on etc and brave the very dark skies that have just appeared.

Laters

Burnice x

Kids - who'd have 'em!!

2009-11-26T23:42:00.004+01:00

My 29 year old rang yesterday morning. His first line was "Mum I need a favour!" "What now?" his mother replied. "Ermmm, d'ya want the good news or the bad news?" "Oh flippin' 'eck" she ,replied. "don't know just give it to me whatever it is". Well, he then asked if he could borrow my car over Christmas when his girlfriend comes over from Miami. "Course" said mum. What's bad about that she thought, then it hit her "What's wrong with your car?" she asks. "Ermmmm, I fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a wall!" "WHAT?" she cried. He then goes into this great long explanation about how he had not been sleeping well cos his flat mates have the heating on (he's not used to that cos we are scrooges!) and he woke up two or three times in the night. Set off for work at 5.00am or whatever time it was (he was driving to Southampton) and started to doze. He wound his windows down. He saw that there were some services a few miles up the motorway and thought he would pop in there for some strong coffee or red bull or whatever it is they drink these days(!) By the time he gets to the service station he has woken up so decided to keep going! He turns off the motorway and is now about 100 yards or so from his work and the next thing he knew he was smashing into a wall. The silly pillock fell asleep. The car is a write off. I, of course, ask if he's okay (cos I had this vision that he was ringing me from a hospital bed - don't ask me why but I did!) He said he was okay, a bit shook up but okay. He then tells me this happened on Monday morning at 7.00am but he didn't think to tell me until yesterday. Git!!!! BLOODY KIDS !

Burnice x

LTD Recipe Challenge

2009-11-23T19:09:00.003+01:00

This was a completely different challenge for me. A Lots to do Recipe challenge. Not done one of these before but I must say I did enjoy it. Never made a skinny and never made a moo! I have now tho'. We were given a remit to use the following on each piece:

1. A moo; 2. Red; 3. Green; 4. Animal; 5. Hat; 6. Star.

Here are my efforts.

The stamps used on each one is from Inkydinkydo Snowflakes a-plenty. The reindeer stamp is a do crafts smirk stamp (I think!). I have just noticed the the girl's face on the atc is very smudged. I coloured it with my copics and obviously used the wrong ink with the wrong paper! Tempremental things these copies (but we do lurve them!). Will do that again before I send them off. The atc and 4x4 background is the residue from my Angel letters - all the spritzing and spraying that was left on my craft mat, I just wiped it off with some card and that was the result. Waste not want not!!! I didn't have enough to do the Skinny so I made up for it with all the little jewels - took bloomin ages to put them on. The edge of the card is using a silver pen. I think the star brads were papermania.

Well, that's that. Hope you like them and thanks for popping in. Best go and sort that moo out now.............

Burnice x

Sue Roddis Workshop

2009-11-22T20:05:00.004+01:00

Went to a "canvas/metal" workshop on Saturday at the craft barn. It was run by the wonderful Sue Roddis. Had a fab time. Here is my effort:

The is the tree. The leaves are metal cut with a heart shaped punch. I then veined them and used a TSS whell round the edges. They were then "painted" with various colours of stazon inks.

The is the sun. It is cut from pages of an old book (well I think it was old!) and coloured with yellow ink with a bit of orange. The "rays" are sentences cut from the same book.

These are the house on my canvas. They are paperartsy houses coloured with distress inks. The roofs have been restamped and raised with foam pads. The rainbow peeping from the back is also a paperartsy stamp.

This is the finished article. Distress inks were used on the canvas and the "grass" is a piece of card which has been painted with gesso and before it dried the end of the paintbrush was "scratched" into it to give the effect of grass !! I then rubbed it with various distress inks.

HOW COOL IS THIS !!!

Of course when the class finished (it was an all day one) HAD to go shopping and I bought some more copics. Box C. think I will have to put Box D on my christmas list !!!! Wonder what my chances are!

Well it's getting on so best get on with me knitting!

Burnice x

Thursday is BSL day!

2009-11-20T19:40:00.005+01:00

Had a good lesson last night. Learnt colours and verbs. Really enjoying it. Here is a pic. Paul my tutor is on my right and his friend, Phil is the other one!!!!!

Paul is soooooooooooo cheeky!

I apologise for the redness of moi but the classroom we are in gets very very hot.

Thanks for popping in.

Burnice x

Email from my friend.......

2009-11-18T22:32:00.005+01:00

Got this email from my friend this morning, thought I would share it with you.

Thought I’d better email you – as you monopolized my dreams last night! Must be missing you! I am sure it’s something to do with the fact that my own little craft room is nearly done and I’m so excited with it. Was thinking of you and then, sure enough, there you were in my dreams. It was weird, I was on holiday and you were there , just crafting away, but knowing full well that you had to serve restaurant full of people a full meal within the next half hour. Your whole family were helping and everyone said what lovely food, but they wouldn’t come again because it took five hours……!

What makes this really funny is that I DON'T COOK !

Can you see why she is my friend - love you Kim !!!!!

Burnice x

Milla's desk calender...

2009-11-18T20:02:00.000+01:00

........ half finished. She had put purple gems in each corner of the "easel bit". gems along the border punch bit. About an inch from the top left hand corner we got a bit of glue or something on it. Being red it kinda showed a bit so I got a piece of the DP on the base and punched out a butterfly. She put three tiny gems on the body of the butterfly and we stuck it on the mark................... She also put a huge pink (!) button on the draw with a red gem in the middle of it.

Just thought I would show you this. Forgot to put it on in the original post.

Burnice x

4 x 4 swap

2009-11-17T22:07:00.005+01:00

I have done a challenge...... It's a Lotstodo Challenge. I had a bit of a disaster to start with. I thought I would be really clever and use beer mats. Decorated them with some blood sweat and tears. thought it would be a good idea to decorate the backs of them with a slightly lesser version of the front! I then realised the beer mats were only 3.5 x 3.5!!!! DOH. What now. I know I'll email Sam. I emailed Sam. She called me a plonker then suggested I mount them onto 4x4 card. Now why didn't I think of that. Well I goes back up to the cabin and separate the beer mats. I have six hangers !!!! I mounted them onto the 4x4 card and they look fab. Decided to paint the backs with some Viva precious metal paint. I get the silver red down, take the lid off, get my cut and dry and then knock the bleedin' pot over. Panic, panic. Half a bottle all over my craft mat. right I talk myself calm and then find a spoon to scoop it up. Not good, spoon too thick. then I got a piece of card and scooped it up with that and pour it back into the bottle. Got most of it!!!!!!!!!! Panic over.................

Here are my finished results:

This one has been painted with black pearl acrylic paint, stamped with Flower set 1 from Tanda Stamps and embossed in silver. The 4x4 mount was painting with the silver red viva (which I lost half of - all in a good cause!).

This one was done with the brilliant Terra, stamped with PaperArtsy Clocks 1 plate. the covered with Viva precious metal Rose Pink and gold. I stuck some clock parts. Just loving my weekend at Milton Keynes - have I mentioned this before !!!

This one is the well used combo of tin foil, card, cuttlebug and stazon ink. Quite liking this technique too.......

Well this post has taken me an absolute age cos I was watching "Around the World in 80 days" the Children in Need thingy. It's finished now so I can crack on !!!

I hope my swapees like my swaps.

No time for knitting now tho'

Laters Burnice x

Milla and faux metal

2009-11-16T20:31:00.005+01:00

Just had to share these with you. Milla and I spent a fab few hours in the cabin yesterday and she wanted to make a desk calender as "classed" by Jenny over at Stamping Moments (Autumn Days).

The faux metal is just tin foil glued onto a piece of card and then run through the cuttlebug. Then painted with black acrylic paint which was rubbed off until the bright silver foil went all grubby. Stazon inks in various colours were then rubbed on. The two pieces were layered onto the "easel" part of the desk calender. She was very pleased with herself. she did find it difficult cos the rubber gloves were a bit big for her !!!!

I just love this technique. It is a technique that Linda and I did with Sue Roddis at the Craft Barn. Love that lady!

Well best get on with me knitting!

Love Burnice x

I've got an award ....

2009-11-15T23:03:00.002+01:00

..... from my friend Lesley. Not my thursday lunch buddy but my Crafty buddy. Thanks my dear. Most kind.

I understand I now have to give you five unknown/little known facts about me. Here goes:

1. I was darts singles champion 1978/79!

2. I have a shorthand 'o' level!

3. I cross-stitched a wedding sampler for Victoria Wood's tour manager!

4. I was an Assistant Cub Scout Leader!

5. My absolute favourite song is "Tracks of my Tears" by Smokey Robinson!

There that's me !!!!

Now I would like to pass this award on to :

Linda P, Linda E, Sam, Tasha, Emma

Well lets hope that works !

Knitting calling.

Burnice x

I'm back in Blogland

2009-11-15T18:56:00.003+01:00

Evenin' all. First of all most sorry for not blogging but I go through stages when I can't be bothered to speak!! Ron loves it when I'm like that !!!

During this time I have been very very productive. Don't know what to show first. I know I will show you the "card" I made for my bessie mate, Lesley, aka my thursday lunch buddy! It is a take on the arch book thingy I did at the PaperArtsy weekend. Did I mention that I really enjoyed myself there ! Anyway here it is :

I used the terra stuff and stamped into it with an image of four girls sitting on a wall. The "L" is the master's grunge stuff which I painted with pool paint dabber and rubbed over it with the Mother of Pearl precious matter paint.

This is it opened. The flowers were stamped and cut out. In the centre is a little jewel. The clock and bird are PaperArtsy which were a free gift for subscribing to Craft Stamper. the lady is one I got from Arty Miss at one of the open days.

Well hope you like.

Best get on with me knitting.

Burnice x

My "metalic" grungeboard/paper/whatever it's called!

2009-11-03T23:31:00.005+01:00

Being totally inspired by my weekend away (have I told you that it was brilliant?) I found the wonderful Tim's grunge stuff and painted the letters in crimson red acrylic paint with black paint rubbed over. I then applied candy apple red glimmer mist, sticky fingers firework burst silver and then covered them with Viva precious metal mother of pearl. The result is below:
I then got Tim's smaller letters and painted them with venetian red, indigo and yellow ochre acrylic paint. I spritzed them with walnut gold glimmer mist and then rubbed copper precious metal paint over them. The result is this..................

These will be going on the wall in the cabin.

Hope you like them.

Would love to stay and chat but best get on with me knitting.......

Burnice x

The evening meal !!

2009-11-01T20:34:00.003+01:00

Well at the risk of boring the pants of you all I would like to tell you what happened at dinner! We booked a table (thinking that is what we had to do) and arrived at 7.30 for nosh. We were shown to a table by Paolo! He was so attentive. We studied the A la carte menu and decided not to have a starter (cos we pigged out at Hampton Court) and I went for the steak and Ron had calves liver (urghhh!). P aolo kept popping by and chatting the pants of us. We (as expected) kinda took the pee !! Ron had a beer. Didn't have pudding. About 8.30 we got up to leave and Paolo said "I needa your signature pleasea! Went over to the computer (into which Paolo tapped in our eats and drinks and Ron did wonder if we were having to pay for this !). Paolo asked for our room number. 222 said Burn. Paolo tapped in 222 but the computer said NOOOOOOO! he tried again but again the computer said NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Paolo started getting a bit narked and Burn said "maybe it's because we have paid for the "deal" weekend!" Well Paolo flipped. Paolo went beserk. He went mad. "the girls are supposed to tella mea whena deala guest isa dining" And on he went. Racing over to the poor girl on reception. Tearing her off a strip. She saying she had only just come on etc etc etc. We sat down. Paolo still going mental. Letta me checka - you waita here he kept saying. Meanwhile the other chap on duty that night came up - now this was funny cos he was trying to placate Paolo with a Spanish accent. All he kept saying was "calm" "calm". That was like a red rag to a bull. Finally Paolo decided that we were on the offer weekend and apologised profusely for the rumpus. Now you can imagine what was on the tip of Burn's tongue. All I wanted to say at the end was "OH, WHAT A MISTAKA TO MAIKA" - but I didn't. We went out of the hotel to a pub up the road and just pee'd ourselves laughing all the way.............................. Nice steak tho'. £32 the meal cost !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That all folks !
Got knitting to do !
Burnice x

Next instalment...

2009-10-30T17:55:00.007+01:00

Right here we go again!
Had a lovely breakfast - I wasn't too hungry after the fish and chips so I only had a poached egg with bacon and black pudding, toast, marmalade, two cups of tea and some orange juice
Phoned DS1 to see if he was up and had he sent the tickets. He was walking back home having got up at 8.00. He slept at his mates. Aww bless him. He takes after his mother you know - kindness and selfless personified !!!! Ron and I go and sit in the conservatory bit and read the papers. I went to the reception to see if I could print off the tickets when the email came through. Err, well, not sure she said, I will have to check with my superior. Huh, thought Burn, wasn't expecting that, I though she would said "course yer can luv!". Go back to the sofa and a nice young man came and asked us if we wanted tea or coffee. Ooh tea would be good said Burn. "You know you are going to have to pay for that" said hubby. "oh be quiet" or something like that! said Burn.
Well Peter rings to say he has sent the email to my hotmail. Burn goes to the reception and she said could I get my son to email them to the hotel reception and she will print them off for me. Go back to the sofa and me tea and me hubby and phone Peter. He says "course I can mum!!!". I go back to the reception 10 mins later - no email. We go for a walk - come back 30 mins later - no email. I phoned DS1 and he said he sent them at 10.24. It is now 11.35. Burn is getting agitated now I then say please please please can you go into my hotmail and get them from there. She reluctantly let me. I even dropped my bosses name into the conversation (after all it is his hotel and her boss too !) that went straight over her head. Stupid woman !!! Anyway to cut a long story short we get the tickets and go to Hampton Court.
We set Jane and off we go. Everything is going great - 3 mins to destination - turn right and then left - we do that and end up in a station car park. This can't be right we think so we drive out (mind you we can see hampton court from the station car park !!!). We drive out and turn left - don't know why but he's driving so we don't question it. Guess what we did - drove round in bloody circles again. Poxy sat nav. Turn her off - she was sooooo getting on our nerves "recalculating route". If she said that once she said it a hundred times !!!! We go by the road signs and end up in the bloody station car park again. Ron parks up, Burn goes and asks a nice young chappy in the station. Yep - we are in the right place. Pay £3.50 and walk over the bridge !!!! Easy peasy !!! Had a fab time at Hampton Court !!!!!!!!!! Knackered though. Well that's that bit for now so I will tell you about the evening meal later.
Hope you are not getting too bored...
Burn x