DAY TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY FOUR - a bits and pieces post

 

Good morning, another Sunday and today we are off out to a 'green area' in a village not too far away but somewhere we haven't been to before.  After putting my injection in yesterday, feeling loads better today and we have positive polly back.  The injection does have side effects for the day but at least I am always prepared for them and know that the benefits far outway the discomforts of one day.

It is Derby Dabblers this Friday night.  I can't believe it will be the last Friday of the month, already.  If you fancy coming along you will certainly receive a warm welcome.  We play a game of bingo half way through the night too.  Lots and lots of laughs and such a warm friendly bunch of folk.  If you want a bit more information, let me know.  There is a Derby Dabblers Facebook page where you can go and see what we get up to.

Stampin; Up! are introducing virtual Craft Classes.  The first one is available to watch on 23rd October and you can purchase it from the store in advance from 1st October using the Traditions of Christmas Suite of products.  You may purchase it after 23rd October also.  If you would like to know a little more please, do get in touch. 

Here is a favourite card of mine that I have made quite a few 

This is one of those that I made quite a few of, all slightly different but I didn't put a sentiment on them.  As soon as I have a birthday for a gent, out they come, the sentiment is stamped and I am sorted. 

Just 2 days left and we can order the Stampin' Up! 12 days of crafting Advent Calendar, I can't tell how excited I am about this.  The products in the Calendar are for the whole year, not festive (or not just festive) as I still dont know what they are. 

I have pencilled in 12 days of crafting events, in the Craft Room, to ensure that I use all the products up over the year.  Should you purchase your Advent Calendar from me, you will automatically receive an invite to join me.  

Now that I have seen this advent calendar, I have stumbled across so many more for make up, perfumes and everything else you can imagine, who knew that there were so many available, well I didn't.

Did you know that one of the things that I have been 'into' for the last few months are products from a company call Templespa?  Have you heard of them?  I hadn't but lots of my friends have.  I have been benefitting from Palm Balm hand cream that makes my hands all soft, smooth and feeling nice.  Nail and cuticle cream to improve my nails, Sole Balm for my feet, oh wow, you can't believe how all these little things are making a difference.  It's a little self indulgence but well worth it.  Do let me know if you would like to find out more about it.  I have a bit of a pamper session most months for folk to try things out, it's amazing what you learn.  I didn't know that some friends hate the smell of Lavender.  Another friend can't stand the smell of roses... we are all different aren't we?

Well, I had best go and get a wiggle on.  Thank you so much for having a read and I hope you have a smashing Sunday.  Tracey x

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY TWO - All sorts of news, advent calendars, world card making day and a card with the Sunflower Embossing Folder

 

Good morning, I love waking up on Fridays, there is just something a little special about them.  It must be the thought of the weekend.

I have already had a bit of a wander.  I haven't been managing to walk too much lately but put my best foot forward to day with hubby.  

It was so very very windy and I managed a few steps.  Hopefully try again tomorrow and do a few more.  I am babysitting for half an hour later this afternoon, not quite sure where the half an hour will start or end but I am so happy to be asked to do it and really looking forward to spending time with Alexandros

A card that was made using the wonderful Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder. It is in Strawberry Slush and I love how it turned out.

I ran the piece of card through my embossing machine but I first spritzed water over the card so that the filers break down a little easier. It really does give it a lot more definition. I then got a white ink pad and gently rubbed it over all the raised areas. It works amazingly well on darker coloured card stock.

I know that the birthday girl has had this so I can now share it.

Well Stampin' Up! have given us lots of surprises this week, I am really not too sure where to begin.

Let's start with the Advent Calendar, yes you read it right.  There is a 12 day crafting  advent calendar. Each day of the calendar contains never before seen dies, paper, embellishments and even more items that you will not be able to find in any of the Stampin' Up! catalogues nor in the Online Store.  There is also an additional stamp set that comes with it.

The advent calendars are available to purchase on 23rd September, in just four days time and the expectation is that they will sell out very quickly as there is a limited amount of stock.   They do make the perfect gift for any family member or friend who is also a crafter.  I shall be up at the crack of dawn to purchase my own and if you would like me to add one to the basket for you too, please get in touch on Monday at the latest.  The cost is £94 for 12 doors to open, as well as an additional stamp set that co-ordinates with the products.  It does mean that if you are signed up to the Stampin' Rewards programme,  you get £9.40 rewards to use on a future order.  That makes each window (and a stamp set) £6.51 each. 

To ensure that I use all and everything in the calendar, I plan on holding an event for everyone that purchases the advent calendar once every two months to create wonderful projects on a Saturday morning for a couple of hours.  

The problem that I will have will be, do I wait for Christmas to open it or do I open it straight away... what would you do?

World Card Making Day is on 4th October.  Stampin' Up! are holding a free virtual event and you can register to attend at any time between now and 3rd October.

Registration is free.  You do need to register to receive a link to view the event.   As the event will be recorded, you may be able to watch the recorded programme once the event has finished.

To register and find out a little more, click on this link 

www.https://traceyrossos.stampinup.net 

Once you have registered, you will get an email confirmation.  If you are struggling, do let me know. 

Well, I do think that this is enough exciting news for one day, I dont want to overwhelm you.  Thank you so much for having a read and please, do feel free to leave a comment.

Have a fantastic Friday.  Tracey x

 

2025 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER MINI BROCHURE

 

If you click on the image of the Mini Catalogue below, a new window will open up for you to have a browse through

If you would like a proper paper copy, please get in touch so that we can arrange for you to collect one

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY ONE

 

Good morning, up quite early, silly o'clock really so there will be plenty of Nanny naps later.   I have been having a few issues with the internet so a lot to catch up, which isn't a problem as I have the time to do it.   A few chores in the house to do this morning too so it's a bitting and bobbing kind of day.  This evening, as it is Wednesday, we shall go out for a bite to eat followed by bingo.  Of course there will hopefully be a few cuddles to catch throughout the day too.    

My poor legs, which have lymphoma are so swollen, puffy, achy and sore.  Bright red it places and very dry so I have to look after those in-between everything else, as us women do. 

I do have some very good news, in my Stampin' Up! world I have just been promoted.  WHOOP WHOOP.  I have a title of Silver Elite and that isn't possible without my crafting friends, I just have to organise a crafting event to celebrate, how exciting. It takes quite a bit of work to get to this stage and I am so very happy about it.  

THEY ARE BACK

The Stampin' Up! Water Painters (168253) have been out of stock for some time. It was difficult for the supplier to find the materials to make them, something we are all being affected by one way or another lately. However they are now back in stock and ready to purchase. I wanted to share this fantastic short video from Stampin’ Up! It demonstrates a couple of fun and creative ways to use the water painters, hope you enjoy it, (fingers crossed the video works).

Do you fancy gathering your watercolour card, water painters, a couple of ink pads and a stamp set or two for a little play session on the afternoon of 16th October in The Craft Room, Derby? Do get in touch if you would like to join me.

I was reading through my blog from 10 years ago and it was such a happy reminder of what was going off in my life at that time. I was searching for a photograph and I soon found it. I must try and be sure that I have all the photographs saved somewhere.

Thank you so much for having a read, I hope you have a wonderful day today. Tracey x

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY FOUR

 

White rabbits, white rabbits, white rabbits.  And so September arrives just as quickly as all the other months, but I don't know where they all went.  Time certainly passes by quickly, which isn't a complaint.  I remember my mum always saying that when you get older, the weeks go past a lot quicker and it seems it is true.

Well, what have I got to tell you, quite a lot really.  But let's start off with Stampin' Up!  Did you know that Stampin' Up! have a storage solution for the ink pads, refills and markers?  Did you also know that the markers are currently on the Last Chance list?   

If you click on the image below there should be a little reel with more details, keeping my fingers crossed it works.

So all the Stampin' Write markers are on the Last Chance List.  Should you click on the picture below there is a link that will open up a new page for you to see them all.  

We had our monthly Derby Dabblers Craft Club get together on Friday night and what a laugh, but then it always is.  There were lots of crafty folk knitting, card making, crocheting, reading magazines, scrapbooking etc. etc.  We played our usual game of bingo with Pam at the realm this time as Sheila couldn't make it.  The next one is on 26th September if you fancied coming along, here is what we got up to.  

Lots of crafting has been taking place but, not as much as I would have liked.  I had two weeks of Jury Service so that threw the spanner in the works for our usual get togethers.  I couldn't believe how tired I was at the end of each day.  Mum isn't the best although she does seem to have picked up, which is always good news.  My health is getting better bit by bit and as I have a few weeks of relaxation ahead of me, I am hoping to put it to good use in looking after me.

Here is a card I made for a lovely friend (well all my friends are lovely really) but this was a recent birthday and I loved making this card.  The sentiment is one of my favourite and sums up the special day just perfectly.  

Well I had best get on and start my day,  thank you so much for having a read x

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY THREE - Anniversary card and Stampin' Up! In Color Sale

 

Good morning.  I have just read that we are going to have a very hot day in my neck of the woods, going up to 28 degrees, oopss.  Hopefully I will be spending my day in an air conditioned building, keeping my fingers crossed.  

We managed to get an hour or so out in the garden yesterday.  As the weather has been so very warm a lot of our plants have already gone past their best.  The sweet peas are usually in flower until late August even up to September but this year they had finished late July.  We let them continue for an extra couple of weeks so that we could collect the seed pods for next year but, it was time to take them out.  We swapped them with geraniums.  Lets hope they add a splash of colour soon.  

 These were the sweet peas

 

The new geraniums, looks a lot nicer 

I created the following card using a very old stamp set, in fact it was one of the very first I purchased at a jumble sale.  I have used the images individually on a few inserts but I thought it was perfect for my hubbys anniversary card.  The sentiment was generated on the computer, it was quite easy for me to do.  He loved it and that is all that mattered.

 Did you know that Stampin' Up! have a sale on at the moment?  The majority of all the In Color products are discounted by 15%.  If you click on the image below a new page will open up and take you to the sale products.

 

 If you would like to place an order with me directly, do get in touch.  Collection will be from The Craft Room as soon as your goodies arrive.  If you want to pop in for a cuppa, a browse and ask as many questions as you like, let me know and we can arrange this.

Well I had best go and get myself ready for my day out.  Thank you so much for having a read, enjoy your start to the week.  Tracey x 

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO - Kit night in The Craft Room

 

Good morning and what a lovely morning it is for a Sunday.  We have blue skies, warm weather and not a lot planned which is ideal for a Sunday.  I shall potter for the morning, hubby is cooking a Sunday roast for us to have late afternoon.  I do hope to get out into the garden for an hour this afternoon if it isnt too hot.  Changes are happening out there daily so we will try to stay on top of it (the royal we that is).

 

Lots happening with me but I am as healthy as I can be, I have Physiotherapy twice a month to help with the damage on my knee and I have been put forward for hydrotherapy as well as Tai Chi.  The monitoring of blood pressure is ongoing.  I have had to increase my blood pressure medication so that is a good thing as I do feel slightly better too.  The Lymphadema is getting easier but its when I go on holiday that its at its worse.  The next thing to help with that is diet....wish me luck.

 

The crafting is continuing and I dont think that will stop, why would it?  I love crafting, I am not always able to do it due to health issues but nobody would realise.  

 

Not so many events being organised as life has become increasingly busy with hospital appointments etc.  mum needing a little extra help, or dad does should I say.  Other committments and generally feeling as though I cant do it all so, I have cut back.  On the positive side, I am getting more 'early nights and late mornings', more fresh air and a little time to catch up with myself.   

 

On the social side, we do all like to get together and have a meet up.  This is what we got up to last Friday night.  It was Kit Night, Stampin' Up! sell the most adorable kits that are perfect for the well seasoned crafter as well as those that are new to crafting.  So as to make sure we get them made (there is a tendancy to hoard kits), I have a get together once a month where we meet up, drink (no alcoholic beverages I may add) and eat cake.  What could be better to kick start a weekend.  This is what we got up to last Friday.

 

 

Yes I know there are some photos of knitting but not everyone wants to make up kits every time.  It is such a wonderful social event and sometimes folk want a break from card making but still keep up with friends.  We laugh, we put the world to rights and we enjoy each others company.  I cant think of a better way to spend an evening. 

 

If you click on the image below, a new page will open up and you can have a browse at the kits that are on offer from Stampin' Up!  You can get them delivered direct to your home and, should you spend £20 or more, you can earn rewards toward a future order.  Do let me know if you would like a little more information as I am always happy to help. 

 

 Right off to start catching up.  Thank you so much for having a read, see you tomorrow.  Tracey x

 

DAY - TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHT - Using up our Designer Series Paper

 

 

Good morning, I was up so very early this morning but that is the downside of going to be early too.  I have had enough sleep and will probably have a bit of snooze in the early afternoon, just because I can. 

I just dont seem to be able to keep up with anything at the moment, which is a little frustrating for me.  I am usually well planned, up to date and can be organised for up to 2 days in advance but feel as though I am failing a little.  Its all getting a little too much.  So I took the decision to do a little less in the craft room with friends that I have to prepare for,  reducing the number of times I say 'yes' I can organise that and saying no to the stuff that I dont like to do.  This is so that I can finish off lots of bits and pieces that I have been meaning to do, get some serious housework done and do some other things that I want to do without feeling pressurised.  I will let you know how I get on. 

My arthritis has been throwing a full-blown tantrum lately, it does tend to do that when I get a bit too ambitious with life. I've now started physiotherapy on my knees.  Do you remember that holiday mishap I told you about? Alexandros, with his dummy in backwards like he was auditioning for a toddler version of "Mission: Impossible," was about to launch himself onto some cushions. Naturally, my imagination went straight to A&E level thoughts.   I was sitting on the sofa, but in my heroic attempt to intercept him, I somehow ended up on the floor, straight down onto my knees. I managed to rescue the dummy (success), but then came the plot twist: I was stuck. Absolutely couldn't move.  Eventually, I clawed my way back onto the sofa but the damage was done, my knees turned into two swollen, bruised balloons. Walking? Forget it.  Who knew babysitting could be an extreme sport?

Mum also isnt brilliant and I am visiting more and more often.  Helping dad out when I can with his appointments and whist dad wont let me do much when I am with them, at least they know that I am there. 

One thing that is working is the new get togethers in the craft room where folk bring their own stash to use.  I dont have anything to prepare and its a little easier but we all still meet up, just a little less often. 

We all  have quite a bit of designer series papers in our stash of some kind or another. Well I really am trying to use up what I have as well as encourage folk to use theirs so yesterday afternoon we had a bit of a get together and made a few cards, using some of the said DSP (designer series paper).

Over a cuppa and some homemade chocolate cake, these are the creations that were taken home.

Not bad for a couple of hours planning, a good clean up of the craft room and some templates that I have been wanting to make for a while.  So today its back in the craft room for me to have a tidy up and finish off my own cards which I shall share once they are finished.

I shall be in the Craft Room again, for visitors, queries etc. this Friday for a couple of hours in the morning and again in the afternoon.  The evening will be taken up with Festive Friday whoop whoop, do let me know if you would like to come along. 

 

Thank you so much for having a read today, I hope you. have a terrific Tuesday.  Tracey x