Brrrrrr

It's a cold one out there today! But I much prefer the cold to the rain :-) I took Rocky and Ruby to Cathkin Braes this morning and boy was it busy! There was the most gorgeous Labradoodle called Hibert...I wish I had taken a picture of him. He was 6 months old with long jet black curls and full of mischief!! Ruby and Rocky loved him...he was still at the jumping like a lamb stage....ca-ute!

I think yesterdays crop was a success....we laughed, we caught up, we laughed, we made the 2 make and takes, we laughed, we played, we laughed....yup...sounds like a success to me lol. Some of the girls hadn't been since the summer and then the October crop was cancelled so we had a lot to tell each other. I had also brought a lot (but by no means all) of 12 x 12 dp to sell. I would rather have someone else use it than collect dust and the girls happily dove in and had a rummage.

Chris had us in hysterics when she couldn't find some of the letters she had patiently cut out with the Cuttlebug and then realized she'd missed cutting some out altogether. One of the B plates mysteriously disappeared so the hunt was on for that...turning up in Chris's bag! We teased her that by June she would have the whole kit and caboodle LOL...luckily she saw the funny side :-)

Here are the M & T's....

So what do you think? I'm really happy with they way they turned out. I saw the Accordian File box on Valerie Stangle's blog the other week and it was love at first sight! I believe you can find the tutorial on the ScorPal website but I made it larger and changed the shape to a square. And with Christmas coming up I decided it would be perfect for all the receipts from our Christmas shopping. It was very easy to adapt (if I can do it anyone can lol) and the girls enjoyed making it. Hmmmm...I'm just wondering if there are enough pockets for all the receipts!

The second M & T was an easel card...I'm really loving these...and because I had everything cut and stamped and embossed it was very quick to put together which left plenty of time to do our own thing.

Our next crop will be the end of January. We put it to the vote and it will be a workshop so I'm going to have to get my thinking cap on and come up with something equally fun and exciting. I do have something up my sleeve so watch this space!

Right...I've some finishing touches to put to Pierce's 70 cards (yes...I'm still doing them!) and hopefully he can take them into the office in the morning. The Thorntonhall Christmas Fair is this Sunday (6th) and since I have very little stock this will be an extremely busy week.

Hope you've had a great weekend. Catch ya later x

There's no place like home, there's no place like home...

Any guesses for the title? Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz...that's how I feel at this exact moment. It is howling a gale outside and I'm surprised the house is still standing. I wish I had some red ruby shoes to click and wish myself away from the wind and rain!!

Apart from the weather I have been busy as a bee with family stuff and trying to get these 70 cards finished for Pierce. I'm so behind and they need to be done for Friday hence my lack of posting. I thought it would only take me a couple of days to colour them...yeah, as long as I didn't have to cook, clean, iron, take the dogs out etc!!! I had a date with my friend Jean today but unfortunately I had to cancel last night as I've still so much to do (Sorry Jean). And on top of the cards there's our village craft fair which is the first Sunday of December which I didn't realize was just over a week away and I don't have anything to sell at it!!! So I guess I won't be stepping out the door much till then.

On a positive note Country Lane in Langley BC have taken possession of Nikki & Friends and Sandy (part owner) says they're getting great reviews woot woot!!! Also Nikki is going to be in Papercraft Essentials out at the end of this month which is any day now {biiiiiig grin}. Country Lane used to be 2 minutes from my sister Tracey in White Rock but is now in a triangle between Tracey, Shelly and my mom so when I'm home I can go from one to the other though guess where I spend the longest???!!! Sandy and Bob moved to bigger premises about a year or so ago and I think I've only managed into the new store once. They've got a fantastic selection and I do tend to leave with a lighter purse! One day I'll time a visit when I can take one of their classes :0

AND...I've got our monthly crop this Saturday and I can't wait...it's been ages since we've got together as we didn't have a crop in October. I've got a pretty fab make and take (if I do say so myself lol) with another possible and then everyone can do their own thing. December might be a bit tricky to have a crop as everyone will be busy with Christmas so will probably skip to January for the next one. I have a full house...8 including myself and I'm sure there will be plenty of chat and laughter as we go. I'll post the m & t after the crop....don't want to give anything away before hand.

Anywho...I'd better get going...these cards aren't getting made by themselves. Hope you have a good day despite the weather.

Thanks for stopping by....catch ya later x

Sorry I haven't been about...I've been too busy putting the finishing touches to my Ark!!! What is this weather like??? Torrential rain...gale force winds...at least we're slightly better off than poor Cumbria. I was looking at an aerial view of the floods in the paper this morning....it's unbelievable that rain can cause such destruction. Those poor people will be out of their homes for months and months and my heart goes out to the family of the police officer who lost his life trying to guide people to safety.

Yesterday was a non crafting day...didn't even step foot into my workroom! The day before was a different matter...I sat and colored 35 snowmen and 4 sets of 3 snowballs with only 31 more to go for Pierce's office Christmas cards! I'd already cut and assembled the base card for the snowmen weeks ago and stamped out the snowmen (cuttlebugged and embossed)...I've only the sentiment to add and type up the inserts on the computer. The snowballs are another story...I'll be another day or two colouring those babies!! Why do I give him time consuming cards to choose from??? Next year will be different....I hope lol.

Nikki is doing well...I've had a couple of orders on my blog which thrilled me to no end...you'd think I'd won the lottery lol. I also sent an order to Country Lane in Langley BC who have had enquiries about Nikki. They're about 20 minutes from Precious Memories...my big sis is delivering the stamps this weekend ... Thanks Trace :- )

Here is another Ruby ...

There is a story behind the ladybug that has popped up in a couple of the Ruby images and the name of my blog/company Ladybug Crafts Ink.

My Grandpa Tom (my mom's dad) took ill in Oct 1996 and I rushed home to be with my family. On one of the days before he was moved to pallitive care there were 5 ladybugs on the wall above his bed which we took to symbolize his 5 grandchildren. My sister Tracey had been in the hospital gift shop and bought each of us (me, my mom, my sister Shelly, cousin Colette and herself) a sunflower magnet with a little ladybug on it. Sadly Grandpa died October 16th and a week later we had the reading of his will in his apartment. After the will was read we were looking through his photo albums and such when Tracey called us into his bedroom and there on the wall were 2 ladybugs...Grandma (who died in 1966) and Grandpa!! Now I know you're probably reading this thinking...that girl's lost it big time!!!.. but it gave us great comfort after Grandpa died whenever we saw a ladybug. And how many ladybugs do you see in October??? Now my Grandpa loved to travel and can I tell you that he has been to visit when we've been in Portugal, Florida, Dubai (yes Dubai!!!!), Troon and when Nicole was working on the farms in Australia this time last year he visited her every day for about 2 weeks!!

I don't remember my Grandma at all...I was only 2 and a bit when she died but her name was Ruby and when I was dreaming up a new image I wanted to call her Ruby...and I think the name suits her perfectly. Also if I had of had another girl I wanted to call her Ruby...unfortunately I didn't but I did get a dog and called her Ruby instead LOL!!

When I started stamping almost 9 years ago and wanted to call myself something Ladybug Crafts was the obvious choice. And when I seriously thought about doing it as a business Ladybug Crafts Ink fit pefectly :- )

That's all for today...writing all that about my Grandpa brought back a lot of good memories and stories which got me a bit teary...just in time for more rain!!

Catch ya later x

Cutie Patootie

Here's a short haired version of Ruby....too cute!! I love her pixie 'do :-)

It kinda reminds me of my hair when I was about 1 lol.

I really like the easel card and decided I had to do another...with some slight changes. I've seen some easel cards and they have quite a lot on them...even the bottom bit is really decorated. Sometimes less is more but you never know what I might do on the next one lol.

I'm having my first night out in ages with my friends Pauline and Karen tonight. We're going for a bite to eat at Cafe Gandolphi. I have been extremely anti-social over the past few months and have a lot of catching up to do with a lot of my friends. I'm meeting my friend Jean next week (I think..it's on the calendar so I won't forget!) in Princes Square at Fantoosh. They make the best chilli pate and I have it whenever we go there.

I'd better get Pierce's dinner going...he's dining on his own tonight. Nicole and Ben went up North today to spend some time with his parents. He had been away longer than Nicole...2 1/2 years in total and Robbie and Moira only saw him at Pierce's 50th and briefly over that weekend so it will be nice for them to catch up. Steven's working and Ryan is going out with his friends for dinner so it will be just Pierce, Ruby & Rocky...oh, and the football LOL.

Catch ya later x

This is going to be a quick post as I want to get to bed before 11 (fat chance!) and I still have to take the dogs for their last walk.

I've got another cutie for you...I {heart} this one (like the last 2 lol) Ruby has got the prettiest face :-) And again a dream to colour. I think she's almost fairytaleish (new word!) and very dreamy.

Speaking of dreamy, I've got 12 minutes to post this, take the dogs out, war paint off and into my bed!!

Catch ya later x

It's a girl...

...well 25 years ago today there was...happy birthday Nicole!

Everything was pretty civilised until Nic decided we should balance cupcakes on our heads!



Oops!

Then the fun began...

I can't remember the last time I had a food fight...OMG...it was sooooooo funny. We laughed so hard we ended up crying LOL.

Catch ya later x

ps Those cupcakes were amazing :-)

I've had a pretty low key day today...I managed to drag myself out of bed at 9am, pottered, took the dogs a walk and then have been making cards on and off ever since...my kinda day!

This is one of the 3 cards I made today...I'm lovin' it!!

This style of card is called 'Easel' and I found it while surfing this afternoon. The image sits up by being propped up by the button though you can use anything you want...it doesn't have to be a button. I just thought it was a bit different from the usual hinge opening card. I kept it pretty simple and let the image do the talking. What do you think of her? Her name is Ruby and I think she's gorgeous. I'll tell you more about her a little later.

That's all for now folks...I'm off to walk the dogs and then bed!

Catch ya later x

Unlucky for some Friday 13th!!

Anyone out there superstitious? I didn't think I was but when I thought about it there are a couple of things I watch for. First one is passing someone on the stairs....ok...it's a bit difficult when you're out and about but when I'm at home and I'm half way up the stairs and someone starts to come down I'll either tell them to back up or go back down myself! Another one is don't put new shoes on the table...that's one I got from my MIL! I don't think there's anything else that I really stick to...you can really let these things rule you life if you let them.

I'm finally beginning to recover from the party at the weekend...I must be getting old lol. I think it was trying to keep it a secret that has been my undoing...it was very stressful towards the end of the surprise and I was mentally exhausted from trying to remember not to say anything!

I finished the boxed wedding card today...phew! I thought it was never gonna happen but it's done and dusted. I also managed to make another card tonight...one of the little secrets I might have mentioned a while back {wink} Not sure if I'm going to spill the beans tonight...I'll just let you have a little look and you can tell me what you think.

Have a good weekend.

Catch ya later x

Simply...

...amazing!!! That's how I would describe my morning so far. Notice anything different about my blog??? LOL...don't know how you couldn't. So what do you think??? I absolutely love it!!! Heather has done a fantastic job...just the way I envisioned by blog to be ... clean, fresh and so me (yes I'm clean and fresh too lol)! And my store is up and running so there's no stopping you shopper's :-)

So that's the first thing I'm smiling about today...wanna know the second? Take a look at this!!!

How fab is this???!!! I know there are a lot of exclamations in this post but it's the only way I can describe how I'm feeling this morning...hopefully I'll calm down by tomorrow but I doubt it lol.

I just want to say a big thank you to Karen and Lindsey...I can't believe it's really happening!

I'm exhausted now...think I need a lie down lol. Hope you have a great day :-)

Catch ya later x

I'm back!!!

No I haven't left the country...I have just had an incredibly busy week and the rest!! This is what happened...or should I say what was supposed to happen.

Nicole (#1 daughter) has been travelling for the past 15 months with her boyfriend Ben. They were coming home on Saturday to surprise Pierce for his birthday but couldn't get back for his actual birthday on the 5th. She said she wasn't coming home unless there was a party of some sorts. Now if anyone knows Pierce they know that he doesn't like parties, surprises or anything that he's the centre of attention of (???) so I wasn't exactly sure how he was going to take it. But you're only 50 once so I managed to get his family to come on Saturday to surprise him. But that's not the real surprise....

On Thursday (Pierce's birthday) I was ironing in the kitchen...don't know what made me turn around but I did and saw through the dining room window someone standing in the middle of the road. When the old eyes focused I realized it was Ben. I ran to the hall and Nicole came bursting through the door!!! I screamed (really screamed) and cried (really cried) and then really screamed again lol. All along they had planned to arrive on his birthday :-) After they arrived, Pierce's mom and dad arrived from house sitting for Pierce's brother and his family. Nic, Ben and I drove into Central Station to pick them up. No need to tell you MIL & FIL were surprised and of course MIL cried and cried and cried. Then we went off home to surprise Pierce. He was in the bedroom changing so we crept up the stairs and when he opened the door Nic was standing there. He didn't scream, lol or cry but he was very VERY happy his baby was home.

Friday, his aunt and uncle arrived and hid away and Nic and I picked up his sister Emily and her daughter Ellyn at Glasgow airport on Saturday and his brother and his family arrived later on in the evening. It was nice to have all Pierce's family together...it doesn't happen very often as we're all spread out in England, Ireland and Scotland. Ben's mom, dad and sister also came and it was really nice to get to know them. Here are a few pictures...

Nicole & Me

Nic & Pierce

Me & Pierce

Pierce's mom Margaret & Ben's dad Robbie

The Cake!!!

Steven & girlfriend Chloe

Nicole & Ryan

Ben, his mom Moira & Pierce's dad Christy

Margaret, Pierce, Christy, Emily & Dave

Needless to say I haven't made a card in ages so now that everyone has left and my house is almost back to normal I can get in my workroom and play. I've a boxed wedding card to do tomorrow but once that's done I hope I can do my own thing.

Thanks for stopping by.

Catch ya later x

50 Years Young!!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful hubby...Love you loads!!!

(Not that he'll be reading this LOL)

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2 cappucino's, 2 latte's & 2 orders of french toast!

Can you guess from the title who I was with this morning? My good friend Annette of course :-) Neither of us had breakfast this morning so we indulged at D'Lish and it was just that ... delish!! I hadn't seen Annette since she won the blog candy of a few weeks ago (no it wasn't a fix...she was the only one who guessed correctly lol!!!) so I gave her her prize (Dogwalker Nikki) and a bottle of Doodlebug chunky glitter. Then it was a case of who came up for breath first as to who got to speak ...I think it was a draw LOL. Annette has also joined the world that is Blogging...you can check her out here... http://solocrafts.blogger.com

I managed to make Pierce's birthday card for Thursday. It wasn't as bad as I thought though it's not the original idea I had in my head. It's actually plainer than I'd wanted but I didn't want to detract from the focal point....a picture of him!!!

This picture was taken when Pierce was playing for The Vancouver Whitecaps back in the early '80's. I hadn't looked at the picture for quite a while...he's actually really hot!!! (and I don't mean sweaty LOLOLOL) I was quite proud of myself that I managed to get the text directly on the photo...thank you Powerpoint!

That's all for now,

Catch ya later x

I can't believe it's November already! This year has flown by so fast...hopefully next year will slow down a bit.

I had a bit of running around to do today and I actually got a lot accomplished :-) My Mil & Fil are arriving on Thursday for Pierce's birthday...and it's not just ANY birthday...it's the big FIVE OH!! I'm not sure I'm going to like him being 50...he was only 23 when we met and married!! Did I mention he proposed after 2 weeks of meeting???!!! AND that we married 6 months later???!!! And NO I wasn't pregant like his mom thought LMAO! Oh man...it seems like forever ago but yet it doesn't. I haven't made his card yet...you know me and men's cards...even if they're for my nearest and dearest lol. I have an idea in my head and tomorrow I plan on executing it and hopefully it's one of the ones that turn out. I'll post it and let you have a look.

With Mil & Fil coming over I've been busy getting a couple of presents ready for her to take back to Ireland. It was my niece Ellyn's 19th birthday October 21st but with the postal strike I didn't want to chance her present going astray and as I said it's Pierce's birthday on Thursday, his mom's then on Friday and his sister Emily on Saturday!!! The cards are made and I just finished Ellyn's prezzie...you might recognize it...

It's the address book we made in one of my workshops. I don't even know if she will use it but I hope she does. I love Chatty Nikki...hmmm...seems to me I say that about all the Nikki's lol...another image that's easy to colour and glitter up. I'm going to give this one to Emily...

I hope they like them.

Well, that's it for tonight. I'm going to try and get to bed before 11:30...I'm going to cozy up with the People magazine I got in Costco the other night. But first the dogs need their final walk.

Catch ya later x