Acetate book class and 'family album' pics

Yesterday was just great from start to finish! It started off with me teaching my mini acetate book class to five friends for the day. It went really well, with great results all around, despite the raucous squeals of laughter from Jane, Betty, Sara, Jenny and Debbie. I did take a few photo's but the bright sunshine reflecting through the conservatory spoiled them.

The evening was spent eating a most delicious meal of sirloin steak, new potatoes, mixed veg medley and peppercorn sauce cooked to perfection by my hubby, and swilled down with couple of long, cool and very weak glasses of Southern Comfort and lemonade, courtesy of Polly and Steve. This was followed by my fave programme of all times, the X Factor. Yeah, sad I know! I don't watch much TV, but I just love this programme. It had me laughing and crying as usual, but the highlite was Daniel and his version of Joe Cockers, 'With a Little Help from my Friends, I thought it was amazing!

This is a real simple couple of layouts for Josh's album. I wanted to add his scan photo's, and I spent hours and hours trying to make the pages more interesting by offering flowers, swirls, words, chipboard, contrasting papers etc, etc, all to no avail . In the end I just left them really plain as I couldnt get anything to work with the photos.

Three of the photos are from the 12 week scan and the bottom right one is the 20 week scan. Like Paul said, the main thing is that they will be in the album.

The photo I used here is the first time I saw Josh. He was just 5 hours old, and this was the first photo I took of him. His temperature was a bit low and the midwife had put this little hat on him to help him keep warm, aw bless him......... The care given to Faye and Josh whilst in hospital was second to none, everyone was brilliant.

Now just a few photos, me and Josh........

Faye and her amazing 'Hearing Dog' the lovely Disney..................

Ash, looking proud as he feeds his son........................

And Faye, who looks to be enjoying a cuddle as she feeds Joshua.........

Finally, Grandad alias 'GRUMPS' requiring L plates as he has his first drive of the pushchair, lol. He's so besotted you wouldn't believe it!

Well, enough now, don't want to bore you all too much, but it's still early days, we are still buzzing!!!!! I will calm down soon, no, sorry, I don't think I will ha ha ha........

Sue x

More 'Crafty' cards

The cards in Wednesdays class were made using images from Crafty Individuals books, combined with vintage papers and the cuttlebug embossing folders. I had taught these before to a different group, and decided on a re-run. The cards were featured on my blog previously. These are not the cards we worked from.

Polly was on holiday this week so decided to join the afternoon class. Everyones cards were different as they chose their preferred papers, images and embellishments. I love to see the different ideas evolve.

I made these four cards following the class, as I love this style of cards. They are very simple but effective.

I also used the new Crafty Individuals swirly chipboard frames on a couple, of the cards. They are perfect sizes for the images. The heart was one I had left over from my altered coat hanger project.

And this is the simplest of them all, in colours I would not usually use. I am trying to challenge myself by using colours, stamps etc that are out of my comfort zone.

Jean and Malcolm have nine new stamps coming out very soon. I know there is a plate of words, which I know I will use again and again, I think the rest are clocks, a couple of gothic doors which could be cut to 'open up' and birds I think. I'll put them on my blog as soon as I receive them.

Finally, Marion gave us all a cigar tin to alter so I dragged my embossing powders out and got back into the 'grunge' with this............

Quick, easy and finished lol.

Sue xxx

A HUGE, MASSIVE, GIGANTIC THANKYOU

I really must spend a couple of minutes on this post to say a massive thankyou to everyone out there who has been interested in my ramblings about Josh recently. He is the absolute apple of my eye, and I feel so lucky to have this little bundle as a grandson.........

I have been amazed at the amount of comments people have posted on my blog recently. Sometimes you wonder if people pass by, well it just shows that they do, and they are kind enough to spend precious time commenting, so thanks to all of you, many of whom I don't even know!!!!!!

Also thanks to my many friends who have sent cards, gifts and flowers.

These beautiful lilies, from Jane and Adrian have been filling my kitchen with the most beautiful smell for ten days now.

And Sharon, one of my recent crafting ladies bought these to class for me on Wednesday, how beautiful are they? They were cloaked in a huge organza tube, which undoubtedly will end up on some project I come up with, lol.

Kath and Sam provided Josh with amazing hand knitted gifts, Polly and Steve,Jane and Adrian bought a multitude of items, including hand made cards etc, Marion gave his bank balance a boost, Lisa and Molly sent a scrapbook which will be so useful, etc etc etc. To those I've missed, sorry, but thanks all of you. I would love to add photo's of everything, but Faye has them at home, sorry.

Finally, Kath, alias Lazy K made this adorable card, how sweet is that? I am so grateful to everyone........................................

Sue xxx

First pages for Josh's album

These are the first couple of pages I've done for Josh's album. This photo was taken last Tuesday when he was just 5 hours old. I used a shape cut from the cricut as a template and added gesso to the page. This acted as a resist to the distress inks which were added with cut 'n' dry foam. I also distressed around the edge of the inner page, the sheet music and the doiley.

On this photo Paul was having his first hold of his new grandson. He was 10 hours old. The swirls started out as a frame, again from the cricut. I altered them to create swirly corners. It's more than a year since I bought the cricut, and I'm just pleased to have done something with it at last.

I reckon that scrapbooking might become a bit more regular now J. J. has arrived.

Sue x

Crafty Individuals accordion book

Sorry for the delay, but here's the mini book I promised, DAYS AGO!!!

I have been asked to teach it as a class, so let me know if you are interested and I will book you in provisionally. It will be a full day on a Saturday, dates to be arranged.

These are the inside pages. Lots of pockets, tags and yummy CI images, either stamped and chalked or used directly from one of their brilliant images books. Lots of sentiments too......

The background was chalked, overstamped randomly with CI images using a versamark pad, then chalked again.

This is the back view, again using images either stamped or from the image books. The hearts were embossed using cosmic copper embossing powder.

I managed to stick the covers on back to front, lol and had to peel them off and re stick them. My head has not been quite with me for a few weeks now, but it's all worth it.

Sue x

The family are home.

Firstly I would like to thank everyone who has commented on my blog following the safe arrival of my grandson Joshua. It has been wonderful to know that so many of you were interested enough to comment, thanks for that!! I am still on cloud nine at the minute, but will eventually get back to normal, well maybe not ha ha. Anyway, THANKS AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU!

Can you believe that Faye and baby Josh came home on Thursday, just two days after a caesarean section!!!!!!!!? I was in for 11 days after mine, mind you that was almost 29 years ago lol.

The care Faye received whilst in hospital was second to none. We are so very lucky to have our health service, and the midwives treat Faye, Ash and Josh like royalty. I have been dog sitting for a good few days now, and I took Disney up to introduce him to Josh a couple of times. He got more attention than anyone, lol.

Anyway, on Thursday morming, Ash phoned to say they would be home that day and could I make 4 thank you cards. Talk about 'lick and stick'. I grabbed my trusty old Cuttlebug out and set to. I just had no option, but they were pleased with them. After all it's the thought that counts..............

Here's a couple more photo's of the recent 'event'. Paul just couldn't stop sobbing, hence the tired looking eyes. He couldn't even get a word out, he was overwhelmed to say the least. He looks a bit rough ha ha, but as many of you know is a big softy at heart.

And here's the lovely Mr Dizz. He was chillin' out on a throw on our bed at the time, naughty me!

Here's the new love of my life.....

So beautiful.....

So precious......

Oh I do love this little boy......

Here he is in his car seat waiting to be taken home.....

I hope you put up with my excitement for a while. I know photo's can be boring, but I am just so happy I want to tell the world.

I do have my CI book ready to load up hopefully tonight, so thanks for bearing with me.

An ecstatic Sue xxxxxxx

Joshua James has arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am elated, overwhelmed, ecstatic, and the happiest lady ever today. My first grandson, Joshua James has finally arrived...................................... I an crying as I write this post, I cannot believe the beautiful gift I have received from Faye and Ash today, my beautiful grandson, I have never been so proud in my life.

Just look at his chubby little cheeks!!!!! Weighing in at 7lb and 15 ozs his cheeks will be a tadge chubby!!!!!!! He looks so like Ash.

It was a bit of a truamatic birth, by an emergency caesarean which has left Faye quite the worse for wear, but at least they are both OK.

And here I am, my first photo with my darling grandson, who arrived at 9.28 am this morning. He is 57cms long which is apparently a long baby.

And last but by no means last, my wonderful daughter Faye, painfully feeding her new born son.......................................Words just fail me........................................

Sue xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PS Paul still has the pleasure of meeting his first grandson tonight, and I know he will be sobbing with joy. Hop to share a couple more photo's soon.

Sue x

In the midst.......

It's a funny time at the minute. Faye is now eight days overdue and I can't say how anxious I am. No matter how old your children are you worry for them. Here's a recent photo of 'the bump' and cheeky 'Mr D' snuggling up close. Oh he just melts my heart!

So still no news I'm afraid. If the baby doesn't arrive before 6pm on Saturday, Faye goes in to be induced, but I hope she doesn't have to wait that long, she is well ready now.

These next few photo's are snippets of my latest project as part of my work as a designer for Crafty Individuals.

I won't tell you what it is, but those of you who know me will have a good idea.

These stamps are just so versatile as they hold so many individual elements.

There are more stamps coming out soon, one of which I will use so much. Can't tell you any more but keep an eye on their website for the new releases!

Sloppy, sloppy..............................lol

That's all for now, off to do some more crafting!!!!!!

Sue x