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Hello and welcome to my blog. Here I will be showcasing all my design team work, general crafting and digital scrap booking.I hope you enjoy seeing my creations and listening to my ramblings. If you leave a comment I'll know you've been and be able to visit you in return. I read and appreciate all comments which are left - good or bad! Thank you for taking the time to visit me. Pop back soon. Carol xx

Saturday 31 October 2015

Christmas Card Club "Cardinal or Christmas Bird"

Good morning all.

Made a little progress with the holiday plans yesterday but we're still only half way there...it's exhausting! Did manage to get all the dirty washing washed and dried. Nothing ready for tonight though!!

I'm a day early with my card for the Christmas Card Club as I have a couple of DT posts going live tomorrow. Mary has asked to see "Cardinals or other Christmas Birds" this time.


Unfortunately I still don't have any Cardinals in my Christmas stash so decided to use this cheeky little crazy bird instead. I'm lucky to have the bird stamps and dies and some of the accessory sets....and I used them all here. The background and the bird are cut from pieces made during a distress paint marbling play. The hat was stamped onto red and white card and pieced together, then I added stickles for texture. Mat dies are from Wplus9 and Spellbinders. I finished with some googly eyes.

Think I'll make another two of these and use them for the kids this year!
And since I had made and scheduled this card early I did just that!!



Made exactly the same way as the first using differing birds and colours.

If you'd like to see what the rest of the ladies came up with you'll find the list in my sidebar.

Challenges entered:
CHNC extra - anything Christmas goes
ABC Christmas - v for very cute
Work it Wednesday - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp - throwback..Dec 14 holiday card
Winter Wonderland - anything Christmas goes
Allsorts - Christmas

Friday 30 October 2015

Golden Oldie

Good morning all.

Gosh where did my week go? I know I lost yesterday amid planning our trip to New Zealand....I think hubby and I spent about 6 hours in front of the computer and we're still only 2 weeks into the trip....I'm going to need a holiday to get over planning this one!

If it's Friday again it must be time to visit Erika and share a Golden Oldie...this week I have three to share with you, the kids Christmas cards from 2007!

 
 

The boys cards were made with a Joanna Sheen CD...either Vintage Christmas or Enchanted Christmas, Lora's card was stuff from my stash. Tomorrow you will see this year's cards. I think my card making has improved somewhat since 2007 and thankfully my photography skills have (or maybe just the camera has!).

Laundry, cleaning and more planning planned for today and I must get organised for Halloween, I'm way behind this year and no doubt it will be busy.

Enjoy your weekend.

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Happy Birthday

Good morning all.

Hubby dragged me up to Edinburgh yesterday, lunch and a whip around Ikea followed by a huge shop at Costco...did manage a few crafty purchases along the way so can't grumble lol.

A quick reminder today of the blog hop over at Happy Little Stampers to celebrate Kylie's second release of stamps. You have until the 31st to comment on all the blogs for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to the Happy Little Stampers store!


Today's card is made using stamps from the Mix Mash set. Background has been created by smooshing with distress paints (keep forgetting about these) then over stamping with the same shades of DI. Happy Birthday was heat embossed with black EP. Finished with a few sequins.

Challenges entered:
Craft Stamper - TIMI I used ink and paint
Shopping our Stash - no patterned paper
Sweet Stamps - anything goes
Artistic Inspirations - anything goes birthdays
That Craft Place - anything goes mixed media
We Love 2 Create - anything creative/mixed media goes

Tuesday 27 October 2015

Rudolph Day

Good morning all.

Another beautiful autumnal day yesterday, lovely to wake up to daylight and sunshine again. The squirrels were having a wonderful time playing in the garden yesterday afternoon when Freya was in the house.

I nearly forgot Rudolph Day so remedied that yesterday...only one more until the real deal!!


Stamps from STAMPlorations. I stamped in green onto the Wplus9 die cut then stamped in red onto a piece of waste card and fussy cut. Sentiment is heat embossed with gold EP. Finished with some sequins from my stash.

Challenges entered:
Rudolph Day - anything Christmas
613 Avenue Create - anything goes
Amusing - anything goes
Christmas Card Challenges - anything goes
A Snowflakes Promise - anything goes
CHNC Extra - anything Christmas
Stempelsonnen - anything goes
Crafting by Designs - get ready for Christmas
Whimsy Inspiration - fall colours or Christmas
Vintage Stamping - dies/die cuts

Sunday 25 October 2015

Happy Little Stampers - Blog Hop 2

Good evening all.

The patient is recovering on a double dose of antibiotics thank goodness....he's spent all weekend watching the Harry Potter films back to back - don't think I can take any more of it!

Kylie has a second release of six sets of stamps over at Happy Little Stampers and guess what....we're having a blog hop to celebrate.


How to win?
Comment on the HLS blog and then continue to our designers. You must comment on all the blogs in the hop to be eligible for prizes.

I've got three cards to share with you so best get a cuppa and make yourself comfortable before we start!

You should have arrived here from Anita's blog. If you get lost, don't despair...just start back at the Happy Little Stampers blog.


The first two cards use stamps from the Thinking of You set, I love that script background stamp and it's found its way onto all three of my cards! I stamped and heat embossed with gold detail EP, fussy cutting the little butterfly and adding it with a little foam pad to give some dimension. Dies from Spellbinders.

Challenges entered:
Brown Sugar - anything goes
Crafting with Friends - anything goes
Simply Papercraft - anything goes


Same set using the Thank You sentiment...I used a labels die cut to mask off an area of my card then overstamped the script in lilac. Thank You was then stamped in purple ink and I added a heart gem to finish. Dies from Spellbinders.

Challenges entered:
Crafty Girls Creations - anything goes
Crafty Creations - don't be blue


This one uses stamps from the Mix Mash set. Happy Birthday sentiment is heat embossed with black EP. "You" die is from Simon Says Stamp and mat dies from Spellbinders. Finished with some sequins from my stash and a few splatters.

Challenges entered:
Polkadoodles - add sparkle, bling or glitter
Aud Sentiments - birthday
Inspiration Destination - anything goes

I hope I have inspired you today with my cards. The other designers and I have had so much fun playing with these stamps! Next you need to hop on over to Ingrid's blog.

Here's the full list of participants in case you need it.

Carol Dunham (you are here)


Saturday 24 October 2015

Medals

Good morning all.

Had to use NHS 24 for the first time last night for eldest whose latest tattoo has become infected! Have to say they were very civilised and efficient but a trip to Edinburgh at 3.10am in the morning hadn't figured in hubby's plans for the weekend!

Sharing some more of my family heritage today as I don't have any crafting I can share with you at the moment. I have finally located my maternal Grandfathers medals from WW1. Mum had a box of stuff which had come from her elder sister when she went into a home several years ago...Mum had never looked to see what was in the box and when I did I discovered two of the three medals!


Pip, Squeak but sadly Wilfred is missing although the ribbon is there. 
Pip is the special 1914 Star which was issued to those who served between August and November 1914. Grandad was in the Royal Fleet Auxillary and probably spent a great deal of the war at the Front...we're probably very lucky he came home alive (although he possibly thought differently). The medals have never been worn and I don't think Mum or her siblings ever knew of their existence as Grandad never spoke of the war to anyone. I'm hoping the other medal will turn up somewhere, meanwhile I need to get new ribbons as the originals are falling to pieces. I know we can get a replica made if the original isn't found but it won't be quite the same.

Not sure I'll get to keep these but for now I get to shine them up and restore them to their former glory.....Lest We Forget.

Friday 23 October 2015

Golden Oldie

Good morning all.

Yesterday was somewhat cooler and a tad breezy here but still a nice autumnal day, I had a lovely walk with the dog in the afternoon.

I don't know how we've got to Friday again so soon....it never happened this quick when I worked lol! Anyway I'm off to share an oldie with Erika again...some crocheting today.


I think this has to be my most accomplished piece of crafting....a circular Christening shawl. 
I actually made it in my early twenties long before I met and married hubby....I can't remember how long it took me to do but there was no way I'd have managed to finish it in 9 months along with all the other preparations needed for a baby!!

Not easy to photograph as it's a little wider than a double bed!
Another 3 ply piece and crocheted in one piece, then stretched and steamed into shape. It was used for all my three children and I hope it will be used for generations to come


Off to the beauticians this morning to get some waxing done, then no doubt the housework will be calling again since those fairies never put in an appearance!! Enjoy your weekend whatever you're up to.

Wednesday 21 October 2015

Heritage

Good morning all.

Had my first reflexology massage yesterday and really enjoyed it...it was amazing what she could tell about me from my feet! Lunch was a bit of a disaster but in the end we only got charged for two glasses of Prosecco...we would rather the food have been good though! Not to worry it didn't spoil our afternoon.

M&S did spoil my evening though when they decided my spending patterns looked decidedly fraudulent and put a block on my card...despite being able to tell them all the transactions they were highlighting had been legitimately made by me they insisted my card had to be cancelled...I was furious!! Now I'll have to wait for the new card then start sorting out all the regular payments I make that will need changing....grrrr just what I needed NOT!

No crafting to share today, instead I thought I'd share the first of my heritage pieces with you. This belonged my Great Aunt and although I was her favourite and spent a lot of time with her when I was a child I didn't know it existed until several years after her death. My sisters and I argued over who was to have it when we first found out about it but they had to concede when my youngest sister pointed out that actually I had been the only one of us to like my Aunt so it really should go to me.

Anyway enough of the waffle...


Can you tell what it is yet?


Obviously rarely been played with!


In all it's glory....

As my Aunt was born in 1904 this has to be over 100 years old, there's no manufacturers name on it but on the label the word "Registered" is written in English and German suggesting it was made for both markets and most likely before the First World War. Sadly there's no one left to tell us any more about it now but it will continue to be treasured as my Aunt had so obviously treasured it.

Now just got to find a way to display it to it's best advantage in our new house...it's spent too long wrapped in brown paper and hidden away in a wooden chist.

Have a good day...housework beckoning here again!

Tuesday 20 October 2015

Happy Everything

Good morning all.

Managed to beat the migraine into submission overnight on Sunday, so yesterday I had a trip to the hairdressers followed by a crafty evening. Off out for a girly lunch and some pampering today.

Sharing a female version of the birthday card I made last week for my nephew....this was one of my makes at the weekend.


The coloured card is from Kanban....a very old Christmas pack (I've got loads of it so there may be a few cards made like this!). Die and stamps are from Whimsy Stamps. Sequins from my stash.

Challenges entered:
Addicted to CAS - sparkle
Allsorts - all sentimental
Polkadoodles - use a die cut
Addicted to Stamps - anything goes
Vintage Stamping - use dies

Sunday 18 October 2015

Stencil Sunday

Good afternoon all.

This is my second post today...if you'd like to see my CAS card for the Christmas Card Club you'll find it here.

I've been battling an oncoming migraine all day so far but I have managed some crafty time this afternoon, the results of which you won't see until next month as I'm trying to get ahead with some DT work.

My turn to provide some Stencil Sunday inspiration over at STAMPlorations today. I've created some gift bags which will hopefully inspire you all to get your stencils out.


I got the Gelli Plate out and had a play! Shery has some larger stencils due out soon and I used Leaf Bliss to create my mood board, which I then made into a gift bag.

To finish them off I used a stamp from the Holiday Expressions: Thankful for Autumn set to make a label and tied the bag with bakers twine.



And don't forget the October Mixed Media Challenge runs until the end of the month! If you've been meaning to play, you still have plenty of time left to get messy and share your non-card mixed media projects. It's anything mixed media goes except a card...and you must use a stencil (any brand or even a homemade one!) in your project(s). For the complete challenge info + prizes, click here.


Challenges entered:
My Time to Craft - autumnal colours
Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge - anything goes, twist autumn colours
Wags n Whiskers - fall colours
Crafting for all Seasons - bags and boxes

Christmas Card Club "CAS Wreath"

Good morning all.

Gosh the weeks are whipping past, less than 10 weeks now until Christmas!! Need to get my skates on if I'm going to get all my cards made in time! 

Karen set us Christmas Card Club gals the challenge of "CAS Wreath" for this week, here is my make:


This is a very small card! Wreath and sentiment are both from Penny Black, stamped in Memento ink and were a magazine freebie; bow with pearl from my stash. Simples!!

Challenges entered:
CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes
Winter Wonderland - Christmas with ribbon
Alphabet Challenge - R is for ribbon
CRAFT - Christmas
Allsorts - all sentimental

Friday 16 October 2015

Golden Oldie

Good morning all.

Not done an awful lot in the way of crafting this week...started adding info to the family tree and "lost" several hours/days in the process. Wish the clocks would change, I hate the dark mornings and have really felt off kilter since coming home from Italy...I just can't wake up!!! I've ordered one of those Wake Up Light alarm clocks to see if it makes a difference...hate feeling sluggish all day!

We've reached Friday once again so time to pop over to Erika's to share a Golden Oldie. Some more knitting to show you today.


Another matinee jacket knitted for Lora's christening day. Not sure whether this was an old pattern or out of a newer book (new being circa 25 years ago lol). Knitted in 3 ply...always loved working with 3 ply, not sure I have the patience any more! Sadly this has discoloured in places so I'll have to wash it to see whether I can get it clean again.

Domestic goddess duties calling again, I do wish those clean up fairies would pay me a visit! Enjoy your weekend whatever you're up to.

Monday 12 October 2015

Happy Birthday

Good morning all.

Sorry for being such a bad blogger of late....I spent two days down at home last week helping sort my Mum's house out. As she has moved in with my sister she has decided it's time to clear the house and sell it...quite difficult and emotional for us all but it needs done. I've been gathering up all the photos, paperwork and boxes full of bits we didn't know about and have unearthed some fabulous pieces of our heritage...I'll share these later this week.

For today I'm sharing a card made for a nephew who has a birthday this week....I finally made it into the craft room yesterday after my backed eased up somewhat.


I've gone CAS this year...done all the football and other sports to death so decided to use my favourite Happy die (from Whimsy Stamps) in his teams colours. Stamps are also from Whimsy and sequins from my stash. Square dies from Spellbinders. Hope he likes it!

Challenges entered:
Allsorts - no design paper
Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge - anything goes/twist something beginning with S (sequin, star, sentiment)
Sweet Stampin' - use script or text
Addicted to CAS - sparkle
That's Crafty - boys will be boys

Wednesday 7 October 2015

Sending you Joy and Cheer

Good morning all.

Ouch!!! Not sure what I've done but my back is killing me....can't sit, can't stand and can't lie comfortably...so please forgive me if my comments are brief.

Sharing today the card I made for September's Card Chain Challenge, this went to Gail in Norway.


The background was created using promarkers and rubbing alcohol, this was then die cut with my favourite die from Wplus9. Sentiments die and stamps are from Simon Says Stamp.

Challenges entered:
AAA - word play
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp - World Cardmaking Day
Craft Your Passion - anything goes
Sweet Stamps - anything goes

Tuesday 6 October 2015

Italian Adventure

Good morning all.

Gradually getting caught up with everything and everyone after my trip to Italy. Looks like we won't be moving until March...the sellers are buying a new house which won't be ready until next year and when asked to name a date we said either November or if not it would have to wait until we got back from New Zealand at the end of February so that obviously suits them too. This gives us plenty of time to get organised!! (Famous last words!)

Mark and I had a lovely time in Italy, he was good company and it seems we're very alike! Thought I'd share some of the 400+ photos I took with you.

 First stop was Pompeii, our hotel was set down a little side street and within easy reach of everywhere. We arrived about lunchtime in beautiful sunshine and after checking in and changing into shorts we set off exploring and to get some lunch. We ended up booking a trip up Vesuvius for 3pm...unfortunately the taxi bus didn't leave until 3.45pm and by the time we got to the top the cloud had come down...you couldn't see in front of your face!!

Day two we headed for the Pompeii ruins via the exit/entrance nearest the hotel rather than the main entrance. We spent about five hours exploring....a storm was brewing over Vesuvius and the thunder rolling in the background really added to the atmosphere! The storm did catch up with us and we had to take shelter for about half an hour until it abated. Loved the cobbled streets and the beautiful trees.


Day three we took the local train down to Sorrento, we had a lovely afternoon and evening here sunbathing and exploring and ended with a meal looking out over the bay to Vesuvius as the sun set. Will definitely come back here for a holiday.


Day four and it was time to say goodbye to Pompeii. We caught the local train to Naples then managed to book onto the high speed train to Rome...according to the signs we were travelling at 300km per hour! Our room was ready when we arrived so we checked in and set off to get some lunch. The guest house was again well situated to see all the sights and in a very safe area opposite the main bank of Italy building. We found the Colosseum after lunch but the queues were horrendous so we carried on and spent the afternoon looking around the Roman Forum. We both enjoyed this and there were some wonderful views of the city from the upper parts. Loved the beautiful trees here too.


Day five we set off early for the Colosseum as our Forum tickets included entry here too. We both loved the Colosseum from the outside but were both totally underwhelmed by the inside....too many people, too many selfies and too many selfie sticks....and if you didn't already own one, Rome was the place to be to buy one!! We exited quickly and walked on via the Trevi Fountain (unfortunately undergoing some repair work though still visible) to the Pantheon. Again very busy but worth seeing. After a siesta we set off in the evening to the Spanish Steps which were mobbed, so we climbed them and walked along the top to witness the most beautiful sunset over the Basilica and Vatican City. We walked for miles! Loved all the little excavated places dotted around...you never knew what you were going to come across next!


Day six and we headed for St Peter's Square, the Basilica and Vatican City. Had a lovely walk there via the Fuomi Fountain, the river and the Castle. Loved the square and Basilica...there was a huge queue to get in but it was very civilised and took less than an hour to get through. We stopped for a snack outside the Vatican and were well and truly ripped off!! By the time we'd eaten though the queue to get in was very short so we joined it. As the Sistine Chapel was due to close early we decided to head straight there, not realising you had to walk right round the museum to get there...another very underwhelming experience in our books. Too many people, too many selfies...just one long conveyor belt of people. A quick walk around the gardens where you weren't allowed on the grass and we left feeling we'd been ripped off.


Day seven and it was goodbye Rome and hello Venice. Mark fell in love at first sight. We had to wait for our room to be ready but found a lovely little tapas bar not far away and had a lovely lunch sitting in the sunshine. Later in the day we set off for the Rialto Bridge and St Mark's Square and enjoyed the evening just roaming around finding a lovely place not far from the hotel to eat.


Day eight and it was much cooler when we set off on a boat trip to the islands. Glass blowing on Murano, a nice mooch about Burano and finally a stop at Torticello. The evening was quite cold and windy so we ended up eating in the restaurant next door to the hotel....oh dear Fawlty Towers didn't have a look in! Food and prices weren't too bad but the service was diabolical...we did have a good laugh with the Americans on the table next to us though! Love the quirky little coloured houses on Burano.


Day nine and we had planned to spend it at the Lido but the weather had other ideas so we set off for a mooch about as Mark wanted to buy some masks. We finally found some in a little back water at half the price and still the genuine article so he ended up happy. After a lazy afternoon packing and reading we set off out for the evening. We ended back in the same place as the first night and enjoyed a lovely meal, then Mark would drag me back to St Mark's Square....I'm glad he did, it was quite magical at night with all the crowds gone and the restaurants all with their live music playing outside.


An early taxi boat back to the airport on Friday morning and we landed in Edinburgh about 1pm to beautiful sunshine. Mark had a very quick turn around...he flew out to Barcelona with his Aunty at 6.30am on Saturday morning...though guess who had to do the washing in double quick time!!

If you're still with me...I hope you've enjoyed my little Italian Adventure and I'll be back tomorrow with a card.