Wednesday 30 April 2014

WOYWW 256 I'm baaaaack!

Hello there!

Shall I just throw my hat in and hope that Miss J doesn't holler at me?  

I know I am a very BAD desk hopper but Wednesdays are always trickey as I play Teacher after I finish my 9-5 day so it ends up being Sunday before I get round to it all - almost time to start again.  Never mind ey?  As long as you know this, I guess it is ok.  I only have two weeks of playing teacher left anyhoo so what the heck ey!

I presume you know what WOYWW is.  No? Wherezyabin?  Click HERE for details.

Here is today's desk.......

Yep, it is the sewing desk and I am not doing any quilting.  You may notice that I have a Quilt Exhibition poster on my sidebar and I have been working hard on quiltey things recently but I deserve a break and really want to make this dress BEFORE the "Summer" finishes.  Unlike last year.

Here is the pattern and fabric....
I blame Julia for this pattern. I saw it on a WOYWW some two years ago.  Wanted it madly, ordered it and had it sent from the US at an extortionate cost.  I bought the Amy Butler fabric last May and as you may see, it hasn't been started.  I plan to sit and make it on Monday.  Hubster is working so I am having a day to myself - so there!!

I have already cut out and put together the bust part in calico for practice as I was worried about the curvey bits and fit, and it worked pretty well.  Fingers crossed that there won't be blue words spoken on Monday.

Right.  That is my desk now show me yours.  Click HERE to go back to the Host.  Be warned I may take a few days to visit but I WILL!

Hettie

Tuesday 29 April 2014

Scrapbooking Tuesday - T on Tuesday - T stands for FirsT FlighT!

Hello there 

Do you know what?  I totally forgot last night that today was Tuesday!!  I know!  Just smile at me sweetly and walk away - I know!

So today is still Tuesday and a day when I share a scrapbooking project and also join in with my friends over at Elizabeth's blog for a cuppa and a look at some nice stuff on T on Tuesday!  

So without further ado, here is today's project and my cuppa....

Now I know I have shared some of this project before some time ago, but there is one distinct difference......it is FINISHED!!  Here is a little side on view with a better view of my cup and the layers on the album....

And here is my cup.  Another Sophie Allerton, not sure if you have seen this before?  Apologies if you have but these are my favourites!


I know Elizabeth will like to know a little of how this album came about and I do hope she approves.  The pages inside are actually made from recycled paper carrier bags in which the lunches for our partners used to arrive - six of them.  I asked the girls on our Reception at work to keep for me (the clean ones anyway) and I snipped off the handles, folded the ends over and fastened the bottoms of them using Laura Denison's "stack the deck" method of attachment.   The covers were rescued from a pile of books that were being thrown out as they were out of date.  The book they were on was very heavy so I saved four in all, one each for Lesley and I to make these books and the other two for weighing down card to which I had glued on covers so that they dry flat!


Rather than give you a blow by blow account of all the pictures and inserts, I have made a collagey thingemyjig for you to look at.  Just blow it up to get a closer look!  I would get the owner's consent before you try blowing up your puter though!

I am not going to bore you with all the details, only to tell you that there are die cuts galore, some which were sent to me, Tim Holtz, stampings, Sizzix, Cottage Crafts, Memory Box, lace, McGall, Stampin Up, Martha Stewart, Bazzill, Papermania, recycled chipboard for the birdcage, bits left over from other projects and Snippets galore.  Tee Hee!  I am skipping over to the Snippets Playground too!

I enjoyed making this book as it does hold some very happy memories of me and the Hubster in the early 90s, including my first ever flight.  

Thank you for calling by.

Hettie

Saturday 26 April 2014

It is time for Rudolph Day!!

Hello there!

I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend.  I was off to my Quilting Group today and there was a great buzz as we were preparing for our Exhibition which will take place in June.  If you are in South Wales on 6th or 7th June, please pop in.  I would love to meet you.  And of course you get to see some quilts from talented quilters.....and me!!

Rightio.  Onto today's subject matter.  Rudolph Day!  Yep - the 25th of the month has come round again!!  I swear these months are coming round quicker!  For those who are new to my blog, (where have you been?) on or around 25th of the month I take part in my Buddy's Rudolph Day where we make Christmas cards or similar, which means that when it comes to later on in the year we have got a head start for Christmas cards.  

So here is No. 1.......
No. 2....
No. 3.....
No. 4....
AND......No. 5!!!!
Wahoo!  Now the Rules state 2 cards must be made but I decided to make and show you 5 today.  Ooo I need to alter my tally on the sidebar!

Now if you are thinking you have seen these before, you are having a bit of deja vue, then you are completely right.  These are tags I made for the Funkie Junkie Christmas Tags Challenge in 2012!  I decided it was time they were used, so I mounted them onto cards using strong dsst, with some Christmas papers and some MB Holly die cuts using Snippets.  You know I like a bit of recycling! 

Can you believe that Puggles was sat next to no. 3 until I pressed the button on the camera?  He is sooooo shy!  

Well, I am off to share this with my Buddy Sandra.  I cannot share it with the Snippets Playground as Miss has shut the gates - boo hoo!  It is the weekend and not a school night!  Hurrumph!

Thanks for calling by.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend whatever you are doing.

Hettie


Friday 25 April 2014

Friday Funny

THIS IS PRICELESS
 
A man and woman were married for many years. Whenever there was a confrontation, yelling could be heard deep into the night. The old man would shout , "When I die, I will dig my way up and out of the grave and come back and haunt you for the rest of your life!"
 
Neighbours feared him. The old man liked the fact that he was feared.
 
To everyone's relief, he died of a heart attack when he was 98.
 
After the burial, her neighbours, concerned for her safety, asked: "Aren't you afraid that he may indeed be able to dig his way out  of the grave and haunt you for the rest of your life?"
 
The wife  said, "Let him dig. I had him buried upside down. And I know he won't ask  for  directions."
 
 
 
 
 

Friday Funny

The Gay Cowboy...A successful rancher died and left everything to his devoted wife.  She was a very good-looking woman and determined to keep the ranch, but knew very little about ranching, so she decided to place an ad in the newspaper for a ranch hand.

Two cowboys applied for the job. One was gay and the other a drunk.

She thought long and hard about it, and when no one else applied she decided to hire the gay guy, figuring it would be safer to have him around the house than the drunk.

He proved to be a hard worker who put in long hours every day and knew a lot about ranching.

For weeks, the two of them worked, and the ranch was doing very well.

Then one day, the rancher's widow said to the hired hand, "You have done a really good job, and the ranch looks great. You should go into town and kickup your heels." The hired hand readily agreed and went into town one Saturday night.

One o'clock came, however, and he didn't return.

Two o'clock and no hired hand.

Finally he returned around two-thirty, and upon entering the room, he found the rancher's widow sitting by the fireplace with a glass of wine, waiting for him.

She quietly called him over to her.

"Unbutton my blouse and take it off," she said.


Trembling, he did as she directed. "Now take off my boots."


He did as she asked, ever so slowly. "Now take off my socks."

He removed each gently and placed them neatly by her boots.


"Now take off my skirt."

He slowly unbuttoned it, constantly watching her eyes in the fire light.

"Now take off my bra." Again, with trembling hands, he did as he was told and dropped it to the floor.


Then she looked at him and said, "If you ever wear my clothes into town again, you're fired."



(P.S. - I didn't see it coming, either)

Wednesday 23 April 2014

Happy 50th Birthday Darling..


Hello there!

Have I mentioned that it was Mr Hettie's 50th Birthday recently?  No? I am sure I have.

Anyways, he wanted a quiet affair, no fuss, just him and me and definitely no party (we are both agreed on that for ANY big birthdays - including mine!)

So here is his card...

See.  No big 50 on there.  Just an Artistic Outpost moose, a sentiment with no name on the stamp, some Kaisercraft pearls and some string.  No fuss!  I think it hit the instruction don't you?

Can you believe the cream cardstock on the front and on the inside is all the same colour?  It is I assure you.

The embossing folder is gorgeous isn't it?  No idea which one as it is one I borrowed from my Buddy.  After I had photographed the inside I decided it looked too plain so added a small 50 in gold, then promptly wrote in it before I took another photo so I am not sharing that now!

Thanks for popping over. 

Hettie

Tuesday 22 April 2014

Scrapbook Tuesday - T stands for Together....

Hello There

Gosh it doesn't seem a week since last Tuesday!  I am pretty sure I have not been round all my visitors from last Tuesday's post yet as this last week just flew by so fast!  Hubby and I had some time out together and so I didn't venture near the puter very much!  I apologise now if I haven't and will ensure I catch up over the next few days.

So down to today's offering and as usual I am sharing my cuppa with Elizabeth HERE.....

A layout I did of my Dad, my Sister, my Nephew and our latest family member Dylan. Four generations together.  



Some close ups of my mug of today.  It is my Head Gardener mug. Hubby had an Under Gardener one too but that went a looooong time ago!  I am drinking some Glengettie tea, so this photo was a first thing in the morning brew!


For this layout I used a piece of VOS MME patterned paper which is part of their Washing Line papers.  I found a long snippet of turquoise cardstock and managed to get three rosettes and a partial strip of lace cut out.  In truth it is not quite the full length so I have tucked the gap under the photo!  Shhh!  Don't tell anyone!  The strip of lace is VOS and was the last of a strip of sticky backed lace pieces, but the sticky was not good any more.  The ribbons under the photo are an ensemble from the Snippets drawer which I then doodled round and the Love came from a mixed set of wooden words bought many years ago and only a few have so far been used.

The 4 Generations was cut using my Cricut using a snippet of Bazzill which was then covered with Distress Stickles.  I had one of those scary moments when the Cricut kept saying that the word was too big, so I had to keep altering the size until it would cut!  Phew!

Thanks for popping by.  As I have already stated, I am joining Elizabeth and Bleubeard with T on Tuesday as well as calling by the Snippets Playground as I have used a fair amount on here.  I hope you are enjoying the rest of this short working week!

Hettie

Monday 21 April 2014

Don't you love Serendipity Moments?

Hello there!

I hope everyone who celebrates Easter has had a lovely one.  Here at Hettie Towers it has been a very nice looong weekend.  It was Mr Hettie's 50th Birthday last week so we both extended the weekend a little in order to coincide with some time together for his Birthday.  I will share photos shortly.

We also did not have anything planned, other than a very nice Dinner with friends on Saturday night and so I have been able to just "potter" between garden, Chickens, house (including the dreaded "H" word) and also my Craft Room.

Now I come to today's sharing with you.  Last weekend I was in Portsmouth on a Quilting/Girlie weekend, it being the AGM of QGBI and there were a few demonstrations of techniques, one of which interested me greatly. I wanted to give this a go and found an abandoned quilt block and tried it out with success.  

However, I know I really need to master mitering corners of quilts, so I had a rummage for some fabric and another abandoned block and came across a piece of fabric.  As I ironed it I realised it was the perfect size for my little pillow which I use and which helps stop my neck trouble, and which only has one cover!  Hey presto, the original use was abandoned and a new cover was born.
I just love those serendipity moments don't you?

The fabric is VOS and was used to back a quilt I made which went to an orphanage in one of the former Yugoslav countries in the early 1990s (told you it was old).  As it is possibly classed as a Snippet (well it was left over) I am taking it down to the Snippets Playground in order that anyone who is feeling tired after all the sunshine and frolics today may use it!  The lace was also a piece of VOS which was just about the right size.  

Thanks for calling by.  Now that most of the tooing and froing has been carried out for this month, I should hopefully be able to catch up and call by real soon!

Hettie 

Friday 18 April 2014

Friday Funny

Please set a password to register.

cabbage

Sorry, the password must be more than 8 characters.

boiled cabbage

Sorry, the password must contain 1 numerical character.

1 boiled cabbage

Sorry, the password cannot have blank spaces.

50soddingboiledcabbages

Sorry, the password must contain at least one upper case character.

50FUCKINGboiledcabbages

Sorry, the password cannot use more than one upper case character consecutively.

50FuckingBoiledCabbagesShovedUpYourArse, IfYouDon'tGiveMeAccessImmediately

Sorry, the password cannot contain punctuation.

NowIAmGettingReallyPissedOff50FuckingBoiledCabbagesShovedUpYourArseIfYou
DontGiveMeAccessImmediately

Sorry, that password is already in use !


Tee Hee!  I am sure that we have all been in this situation at some time! 

Tuesday 15 April 2014

Scrapbooking Tuesday.....T stands for Friends

Hello there!  

Yep!  It is still Tuesday so I can still (just) get in on the Tea on Tuesday malarky with my mate Elizabeth and Bleubeard!   I was going to post this at lunchtime but the sun was shining so brightly outside my office  window I just had to go an enjoy some and get some vitamin D.  Never mind I am here now.  

Today I am sharing another layout, and the last of my Wedding Album (though I may sneak some more pages in later as I have so many left!).........


Yep - four mates from school.  Helen (in the mustard dress) on the left, I first met when we went to Fairwater Comprehensive (High School), Sarah, next, is my longest friend.  We met when her family moved into the row above our house when we were just three.  Helen on my left and I met when she moved from North Wales to her cousin's house near to mine, and her cousin asked me if I would look after her.  I still correspond with Helen (mustard dress) as she lives in Yorkshire, and Sarah and I saw each other only last Sunday, but unfortunately the other Helen I have not seen for some time.

And here is my mug.  I do like Eeyore - we have the same view of life in some respects.  I am drinking my large coffee having just returned from work!

I used some more papers from the wedding album kit along with some Snippets, McCall punch, Sizzix dies, Cricut, glossy accents, Hampton Art glitter, pearls, TH stamp, Memento ink, Tonic die, vellum and button.

Can you see the vellum peeking from the top of the photo using my new (shhhh!) NBUS Tonic die.  I just love this one (Regal Circle Doily).  I can see a LOT of uses for this one!

I do like this flourish die from Sizzix - I use it so much.  A good die is worth it's weight in gold don't you think?  The layered flower is not used quite so much, yet I don't know why as it is lovely.  

Thanks for calling by and letting me waffle again!  I do hope you have found some inspiration from my post and wafflings.  Feel free to join us over at Elizabeth's for a cuppa and natter.  Also, to the Snippets Playground for a play on the virtual rides.  You may even get to feed Puggles - our new Platypus who seems to want constant feeding!  If I can get him to stay still I will try and get a photo of him to share!

Hettie

Monday 14 April 2014

At it again...

Hello there

I do hope, wherever you are, you are enjoying this wonderful weather that we are having right now.  

Sorry I have not been around much but I was away in Portsmouth this weekend for the QGBI AGM (Quilters Guild of the British Isles) and saw lots of beautiful quilts, attended some lectures, bought some new fabrics as well as a book, ate lots of food and had a glass or two of vino!  

Whilst I was playing the other two I also made another card, which I could not share as it was for someone.  So here it is now.....

I used Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Broken China and Peacock Feathers DIs to make the strip.  An unnamed stamp for the sentiment and my TH stamp for the flourishes.  Some bling and chomp of the corners and another card was born.

I hear that our Platypus has been causing trouble - something with needing constant feeding.  I can take over again now as I am back!

Thanks for calling by. I am off over to the Playground now to share this.  I did wonder if Miss actually heard me when I passed by her stomping ground to and from the weekend?

Hettie 

Friday 11 April 2014

Friday Funny

**************************
In a Podiatrist's office:
"Time wounds all
heels."
*************************
On
a Septic Tank Truck:
Yesterday's Meals on
Wheels
**************************
On a Plumber's truck:
"We repair what
your husband fixed."
**************************
On another Plumber's truck:
"Don't sleep with a
drip. Call your plumber."
**************************
On a Church's Bill board:
"7 days without God
makes one weak."
**************************
At a Tyre Store ?
"Invite us to
your next blowout."
**************************
On an Electrician's truck:
"Let us remove
your shorts."
**************************
In a Non-smoking Area:
"If we see
smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action."
**************************
On a Maternity Room door:
"Push. Push.
Push."
**************************
At an Optometrist's Office:
"If you don't see
what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."
**************************
On a Taxidermist's window:
"We really know
our stuff."
**************************
On a Fence:
"Salesmen
welcome! Dog food is expensive!"
**************************
At a Car Dealership:
"The best way to
get back on your feet - miss a car payment."
**************************
Outside a Car Exhaust Store:
"No appointment
necessary. We hear you coming."
**************************
In a Vets waiting room:
"Be back in 5 minutes.
Sit! Stay!"
**************************
In a Restaurant window:
"Don't stand there
and be hungry; come on in and get fed up."
**************************
In the front yard of a Funeral Home:
"Drive carefully. We'll wait.."
**************************
And don't forget the sign at a
RADIATOR SHOP:
"Best place in
town to take a leak."
**********************
Sign on the back of
yet another
Septic Tank Truck:
"Caution - This
Truck is full of Political Promises"

 

Tuesday 8 April 2014

Scrapbook Tuesday - Tea on Tuesday - T Stands for True Love!

Hello there

I know last month was supposed to be the "love month", being Valentine's Day and all that, but on Saturday when my buddy was up for a day of scrapping, I felt in the mood for doing another layout (or two in fact) of my Wedding Album.  So I routled amongst the photographs and saw these two and decided to scrap them.  

Ahhhhh!  Young love ey!  I cannot believe that these were taken nearly 25 years ago!  I don't feel old enough!  

My trusty morning cuppa of Glengettie is to the side.  In a Teddy mug which even has my name of it.  Well, if you know me I am rather fond of hugs!  

So, down to nitty gritty.  The papers are from the Album set which I bought many moons ago, and which came with the album they are for.  I have had it for so long I cannot remember the make off hand.The dragonflies are buttons with the shanks cut off.  I could not resist using them on this layout.  Bought from The Button Lady at a quilting show.

There is a little bit of a pun on this text....I only have eyes for you!  We met when I worked at an Opticians.  Mr Hettie was a customer and said he decided on our firm 'cos he fancied me!  Hmmmn!  In fact, I made the very glasses he is wearing on our Wedding Day!  He usually wears reactolite lenses and I did not want him to look like a member of the Taffia if the sun was out!  The "So" is from some old chipboard letters which I just edged with silvery black Memento ink and then added some Distress Stickles. 

The Happy was from the same strip which I cut up for another layout a while ago.  The ivy leaves are from my Joanna Sheen die having seen it on a certain Pixie's blog.  Had to have it as I live at Ivy Cottage!  I have used some Distress Stickles on them to give a lickle schparkle to them.  Cut from Snippets of course!  I also used some Snippets to cut the flourishes from.

We look so young!!

Well, as you will see I have shared my cuppa with you, so I am linking up with Elizabeth and Bleubeard for the T on Tuesday.  I should have asked for a note from my Mum as to why I was away last week, but I will just have to hope she doesn't notice!  I am also sharing this with the Snippets Playground as there are some in there.

Thanks for calling by.  

Hettie