Friday 30 December 2016

Plans for 2017

As we are closing the door on 2016 (Im bolting mine closed)
I am trying very hard to start off on the right foot I have bought myself a diary/planner
I had one years ago and used it daily when I worked 2 jobs, ran a home, brought up a young child and everything else involved with the above. And my life was very organised and I knew what I was doing and when etc and I really did notice a huge difference in my organizing from simple things like bills and making sure they were paid on time, budgeting for birthdays and Christmas and holidays.
As well as the obvious work rota as when I returned to work after the birth of Jordan he was 18months I needed adult conversation and interaction and I missed working full time, so my plan was to go back to work in the nursing home part-time and cover any staff shortages little did I realize how short lived it would be as unknown to us at the time, mum and my younger sister had agreed to help with childcare in the spring-autumn while Ian worked and they were happy to help but no sooner had I gone back to work that mum was moaning or ringing me to ask when I was finishing or when Ian was collecting Jordan being in the nursing home if staff for the next shift failed to show up or there was an emergency on the unit you had to stay and do what you could, you dont just clock off like a factory when you are working with people, so after just a few short weeks I had to speak to my boss and dropped my set hours and just did bank nursing, covering sick or holidays when I knew Ian could do the child care. I was livid at the time with mum, but only weeks later mum collapsed with a brain aneurysm and that was why she had been so short tempered and was so drained looking after Jordan who despite his teenage nonsense was a brilliant and content child.
But my diary then went from shift patterns to EVERYTHING, as I was running 2 houses, a toddler a partner who worked, caring for my siblings who was then 17 (going on 7) and 14 and my dad still had to work full time to keep money coming into the house so it was full on, trying to remember everything was impossible, so I jotted in everything from banking needs for both houses, bills for both houses, shopping needs for houses, appointments for mums consultants and care team, figuring out childcare while I had meetings and even when mum got home I was up and dressed me and Jordan were in a taxi to mums for 8am to make sure my younger brother was out for school on time and then make sure that mum was organised for her care team doctors and nurses, and physio it was 24/7 and making sure that dad was ok to get home from work get a decent meal and then I went home in time to bed Jordan down and collapse myself. 
If it wasnt for my trusted diary I would have been still spinning around trying to do it all x
But I got through it and was still standing (all be it just lol)

But for 2017 I have decided it is time to get back to that headspace and hopefully having everything jotted down will give my brain some rest periods.

So my first project for my youtube channel is already uploading as I type to be scheduled for 2nd Jan 2017 it is a lovely simple card that emanates just what I hope for 2017 for all my family and friends x

Details for the card tutorial

Nitwits Collections Happy - https://goo.gl/2NjagR

Card 280gsm 100 sheets for £7.25 - https://goo.gl/nxTZPb (does other card weights also)

The card base measurements are 8" x 4" scored at 4" to make a 4" x 4" square card
The 1st mat layer is 3.5"x 3.5" 
the second mat is 2.5" x 2.5" 
I used one topper from the "li'l bits" folder
and I used the bling button embellishment from the "Fat Quarter" folder (these will make sense when you buy the collections)
for the bling button I used a 1" circle punch to punch it out and 
then added Stickles in "crystal" to bling it up
I then added a bit of wink of Stella to the florals and the Large S in "smile" to give it a little twinkle.

All my cards are also stamped with my personalised stamp which I bought from stampingallday - this is the one I use simplistic but efficient http://www.stampingallday.co.uk/stampingalldayshopfront/prod_1349579-Bracket-Frame-personalised-stamp.html

Also made a birthday card for my sister it is her birthday tomorrow (Hogmanay AKA new years eve)


Lovely easel card, using paper from the country garden collection, some pale pink seam binding, distressed the edges with tattered rose distress ink, and used a decoupage floral topper that I added stickles to and gave it a bit of sparkle, then added some small pearl with metal rim embellishments so cute x 

Also made this project, one of ians customers had an extremely bad house fire last year and they have only recently moved back home and I made them a wall hanging using a vintage chair back
lots of vintage colours and textures just beautiful
lots of different materials burlap, cotton, muslin, seam binding, lace, feather, chiffon, just tons and I love it I am going to add to the top 2 small tabs for the hanging and vintage up a coathanger using some trims and muslin, x sorry the photo is a bit pants but I'm sure it gives you the general feel for the project x

until next year x 

Happy Crafting xx



Thursday 22 December 2016

Where is the time going?

This week has been hectic,
I have celebrated my son turning 18yrs old
(gosh that was a shock to the system)
We went out for a meal on Saturday night in Paisley to the Bobbin Mill
(it used to be really busy but a newer one opened across the street so it is now much more peaceful)
So we all all had a lovely time,
Jayden ordered Chicken Goujons, chips and beans 
and for dessert it was a make your own sundae, which he LOVED
Jordan ordered chicken wings in a BBQ dressing,
and Cod & Chips (he is not a veg person)
Ian ordered Tomato and Basil Soup and Rump Steak Fajitas
I got Tomato and Basil Soup and Hunters BBQ Chicken
we all sat and had a good blether and Ian and Jayden had a game of Pool.
Ian went to Asda and got a case of beer for him and Jordan when they got home, we dont tend to keep drink in the house, as none of us are big drinkers.
but they had a good night putting the world to rights.
Sunday we went over to my mums and my whole side of the family was there to wish Jordan a happy birthday. my brother and SIL and the 2 kids Jack and Leah, my sister and niece Mirin, and my parents I am not doing great mentally just now so there was a lot of hilarity and I really struggled to keep myself from exploding but I managed to hold it in, but when we got home I headed to my bedroom to get some space.
Monday morning I had the GP at 8.30am for the nurse to get my bloods checked for my diabetes, while there she decided I needed the flu jab and the pneumonia jab too so got them done also, then Wednesday the receptionist phoned me to say my bloods were high and was to make an appointment to see the GP but I know why the bloods are high I havent been taking my meds correctly because I am struggling mentally I am finding things hard to remember and my 3 x a day has ended up once a day occasionally 2x which isnt enough :( so no doubt going to get a lecture when I see her tomorrow.
Also yesterday I made a START yip I hadnt bought one thing for Christmas, So Jayden has got speakers for his PC, and jenga, a few PS3 games (no idea which ones Ian chose them) and money for boxing day
Smellies and pjs, Jordan has smellies and pjs and just money, my niece Mirin got money plus I have made her a canvas and altered ballet shoes.
My sister I have got lots of little bits and bobs, socks, candles, sister banner and a keyring and have made her a jewellery set,
Mum a jewellery set and also box of chocs
Dad got some books and chocolates (black magic)
my niece's Leah has some disney activity books and a jigsaw, Olivia got a jigsaw plus an activity set, my nephew jack got a neon colouring set and a street magic kit.
the rest of the kids got money due to them being babies or being older and can buy what they want.
so it is all just needing wrapped now.

I have took some time out from Facebook at the moment and deleted it, just need to get some space and away from other folks happiness (which sounds bad but when you feel as bad as I am just now other folks joy just makes you feel less hopeful not that you wish they didnt have that joy and happiness) so deleted it last night but have kept messenger to stop people freaking out about me lol.

anyway x I will come back on before Christmas and wish you all a Merry Christmas x




Wednesday 14 December 2016

Apologies for being MIA


Wow where has the last 2 wks gone???
I have been really busy and kept occupied with swaps on Scrimpys and also coping with my health at the moment which has been a bit of a struggle.

December is just hectic and this year has been worse than usual with my eldest having problems with his impending court date, I was struggling with that but he was at a pleading diet last weeks and the trial was due to begin on Tuesday but they have postponed it until February 6th as they need to gather more evidence and his solicitor needs time to work on his case, so I am relieved that at least Christmas he will be with us all x 

I have been making TONs and TONS of butterflies using the itty bitty Butterfly punch and the Elegant Butterfly Punch from SU along with the papillion potpourri and made so stunning embellishments x

Also as part of Scrimpys I took part in a handmade altered box (which is my thing) and filled with handmade flowers which I made in abundance x I loved making them all x 



This was a project I made to add in one of my swap parcels I love to gift handmade beautiful items x 

An Altered Doritos Dip Jar so pretty and shabby even though it isnt PINK lol 

Handmade pearl bling, I have a tutorial on how to make these on my youtube channel x

Some Pin wheel Embellishments again an added extra for swap group x
The paper used for these was County Garden so pretty and shabby chic feeling x

The box I made for my handmade altered box for Scrimpys

Some of the lovely flowers I added to the box 

Altered Butterfly x

A make a card monday card using the same county Garden paper pad

A wall plaque using a shadow technique I just love it x 


Altered paper flowers (the green is original and the blue is revamped)

Todays project I was filming it for youtube but my wonderful neighbour has her roof being redone and the workers decided 10mins into my process video to start using a hammer drill so had to turn it off x but I so love the effect of it x so pretty and girly x 

My agenda for the rest of this week tomorrow I need to ring the GP (annual diabetes check is overdue) then on Friday I need to make Jordans birthday cards.
Saturday is Jordans 18th Birthday, so hopefully we can go out for lunch and let him have his first legal pint x then on Sunday we are over to my parents for them to give Jordan his birthday my sister and brother will be there also I think x 

Also this week my niece Jean and her husband Adam gave birth to my newest nephew Jackson AJ Crawford he was 7lbs 7oz and was born 10.21am 9th December 2016


Adam, Jean and Jackson


Baby Jackson going home


and big sister Hailie-Jayne waiting patiently for Mummy, Daddy and Jackson to come home.

I am incredibly blessed to have such a HUGE family and to be blessed with so many little ones to keep us all young (I wish lol)

Anyway will be back very soon I promise to share my birthday boys 18th with you all xx