Missing Her So Much...When a Loved One Passes On...

Well havent I been gone for such a long time...I am writing this as a kind of therapy, this year has really knocked me for six and I am struggling to get to grips with things at the minute...

Where to begin...really lost my mojo when my so called friend that I made the 200 wedding invites unfortuately cancelled her wedding at the last minute and also 'forgot' to pay me for the invites that I had so lovingly made...she has since got married and had the cheek to send us an invite that was sadly printed off the computer...did I go to the wedding....NO I certainly did not.

Next family problem was that my 2nd son Jamie underwent an op to remove a pilondial cyst and after many weeks of recovery we now know that it has not worked and he is being re-refered to the hospital...poor Jamie he feels he went through so much for nothing...

None of these things compare to the last bombshell to hit us...my sister Sandra sadly passed away on the 19th April at the tender age of 51...she has not kept good health for a number of years and sadly lost her battle to keep going and her poor body gave up on her...she was suffering from a relatively rare condition called scleroderma...which we have since found out can be, but rarely genetic...I am myself not keeping great health and have made an appointment to see her doctor later today in the hope that it eases my fears that I dont have this horrible condition too...

I am really struggling to get back to 'normal' and have been keeping strong for all around me that I have not yet grieved for her and am hoping that writing this piece in my blog will go some way to help me begin the process...Im going to try and make some cards this week and see if card making will help...

If you come across this while blog hoping thanks you for taking the time to read it...hope you are all well in blogland wherever you are...

My sister Sandra with her granchildren

Sleep well sis...missing you...hugs xxxx

Hugs and happy crafting to all

Jackie xx

Cute Rudolph...Anything Goes...

Isnt it great to see so many blogs letting us 'do our own thing' especially at this busy busy time of year...
He's my entry into a couple more challenges...

Penny's Challenges...Merry Christmas

Stampin For The Weekend...Christmas

Papertake Weekly...Anything Goes

The cute little Rudolph, coloured with promarkers is from Pink Gem Designs...Visit and take a look at her fab images, some available as digi but lots of cute clear stamps too...

Background papers are again a mix of Anita's and Forever friends...some silver mirri card from stash...and a sprinkling of glitter...

Ribbon and snowflake brads are Anita's and have been in my stash so long...the fancy brad back and gem brads I think are dovecraft but not 100% sure again been in stash for ages...

Snowflakes are cute from Marianne Design die cutters and Martha stewart Punch...

Sentiment is a download from Cuddly Buddly...the backround snowflake was cut from craft robbo...

Thanks for looking

Happy crafting

Hugs

Jackie xx

Christmas Is Comming....Challenge Cards...

Well how fast is the time going past now...Hope you are all organised for the festivities, pressies all bought and wrapped under the tree...I wish...Im doind my usual last minute panic...dont help that NONE of my deliveries have arrived from my online shopping...Im sure they have forgotten anywhere past Glasgow and Edinburgh exists...

Hope you have not had too much snow and are managing to keep nice and cosy wherever you are...My garden thermometer is sitting at -10c today, earlier it was even lower BRRRRR!

Ive had a great couple of weeks winning the Cuddly Buddly candy...the stamps are soooo cute and have been put away safely for next years cards....have look round their site...theres some fab downloads and loads of goodies to buy...

I also won a fab Lili of the Valley stamp from the lovely Pops in her candy...pop over and have a look round her blog her work is stunning...

Im on last day of annual leave and go back tomorrow for half a day then got another week off...yipeeee!!

Now onto my cards...I made about 30 cards for Grants paper rounds but didnt picture them because it was such a mamoth challenge...but have made a few more to enter challenges some more still to do but think Mr Sainsbury's cards are looking a good option (hangs head in shame) because Ive got a mega headache and dont think much more will get done today...but there aint enough hours in the day and I really need to get more organised for Christmas Day...ok enough waffling...On to my first card I am entering this into a couple of challenges...

The Creative Inspirations Challenge...A sketch...
For Fun Challenges...Christmas...

The background papers are from Anitas Classic Christmas Blue Papers...

Forever Friends Santa's on His Way A5 paper pack...
The cute snowman is from Spyders Blog her images are just sooo cute and she has a freebie each wednesday :-)...
The musical border is another freebie and its from Wendy pop over and have a look at her images...
Mix of snowflakes cute from mirri card and b/ground papers from Martha Stewart punch and Marianne Design die cutters...
Lace and ribbon from stash, along with some bling and sentiment...oh and glitter cant forget that can we... :-)

Thanks for looking...happy cosy crafting wherever in blogland you are...

Hugs Jackie xx

Truly Scrumptious Challenge...Crafty Catz Challenge...It's Been A Long Time..

Wow where does the time go can believe its been so long since I posted on my little old blog....
its begining to think winter came too soon and hibernation had begun early...

Well what have I been up to???

Where to begin.lol...Went on holiday again to Turkey in October with partner and youngest son...Weather was awful...rained for 10 days out or 14 :-(...I caught the flu...just getting over it now 4 weeks on...and felt totaly misserable and wanted home to my own bed as you do...

The week after we came home went to the craft show at the SECC...stood and spoke to the lovely Lorraine...bought some lush new goodies but have still yet to play with them...need to get my finger out and get going as christmas is fast approaching and I will be leaving it til the last minute as usual...

Boys are all well...still playing football and golf....still creating more washing than I ever expected possible :-(
Have gone and bought myself a new iron so hopefully will take the strain instead of my poor arms...wish it was robotic and went by itself but no such luck.lol...
Work going so so....have got new job within a contact centre and I am missing being out and about in peoples homes trying to help them....but as they say a jobs a job and I shouldnt complain...have got a pay rise and back money to look forward to come the end of the month so thats a boost to the xmas funds :-)

Still come on a have a nosey at everyones blogs even though dont get time to comment as much as I would like but fingers crossed my hours will be back to normal in the near future and no more 8.30pm finishes then I will get more time to do the things I enjoy...

Have made a card for a couple of challenges so here goes...maybe I have lost my touch but only you can tell me that....

Card is for one of my son's friends who is into golf as much as he is...as far as I can remember I have not used this image for him but if I have Im sure he will forgive me...

The image is one of Kenny K's. I downloaded the image a long time ago before his website and challenge blog were up and running but you can buy it from here where there are loads of fab images to choose from all very hip and happening for young and old alike but dont blame me if you start spending.lol...

The background papers are a mix...the black and grey swirl and spot ones are from the Black Market Paper Society -Ebony & Aabaster Collection...I cant remember where I bought them but it was online somewhere...google and Im sure you will find them...I have used them a few times on cards and love the vintage feel they have as you can see work great with a young guys card...

The red stripe paper is from the Forever Friends Christmas 2009 'Gift Wrapped' A4 card pad...I love this pad and used it on many chrimbo cards last year and still have loads left...again Im sure you may find it online somewhere if you google it.

The black pearls, little golf balls and pins are from stash...Ticket Sentiment was a free download but cant remember where from but if any of you do know where its from let me know so that I can give them credit for their work...

I am entering the card into the Truly Scrumptious Challenge where they have a fab sketch and with the option of using petals, pearls and pins...
I have used 2 out of the 3 so thats not bad for a guys card is it????

Also entering the Crafty Catz Challenge where its spots and stripes

Thanks for looking and hope you are all well in blogland wherever you are...

loadsa hugs and happy crafting

Jackie xxx

It's Been a Busy Month...Bit of a Catch up and Doing the Proud Mummy Thing :-)

Now that August has almost gone...Ive been on my hols to Turkey...Back to work and busy busy busy aint the word, almost caught up with the washing and ironing...now son number 1 has came home today from a lads holiday in Bulgaria Im wondering how much washing of his I will have...he's home but the case aint...wonder if this is an omen or its still in the car more like...he did say he would just chuck everything and come home with his case...
cant see that happening though...

Grant son number 3 got his Standard Grade results and did fantastically well....He gained 1 A, 2 1's and 5 2's...enough for him to study his highers(scottish exams are different) then hoepfully go on and do teaching like he wants. He has also been playing golf whenever he get the chance to get on the course and has won 2 tournaments and been placed in another 3 :-) :-)...have done a few happy dances for him over the summer....lol....
WELL DONE GRANT!!!!

Son number 2 Jamie has been his hols, got a lovely g/f and other than that been very quiet for a change.lol...

Me...I had my birthday yesterday and got spoilt as usual...got some lovely pressies and vouchers for Hobbycraft so guess where I am going this afternoon :-)...
Thank you so much to the lovely Dianne for the lovely birthday card that she sent...means so much to think others are out there thinking of you...your one in a million Dianne :-) :-)...xx

Hopefully will get back to cardmaking very soon and get the chance to visit everyones blogs and catch up...hope you are all well in blogland wherever you are...
Enjoy the Bank Holiday if you are lucky enough to get it...

Big hugs

Jackie xx