Happy Anniversary My Love...

Hello Friends

Today xxxx number of years ago Mr Hettie and I were married on a beautiful sunny day.  So I thought today I would share the card I have made for Mr Hettie to mark the Special Day.....

This really is a heavy weight card on which I have used a plethora of stamps including Artistic Outpost, 7 Gypsies, Tim Holtz as well as my favourite honeycomb stencil with some Sweet Poppy embossing paste (NBUS - in copper anyway).

This is not an ordinary folded card.  I had already made the panel and laid all the elements I wanted included but knew that an ordinary square card would possibly not hold the weight (and anyone who knows us will know we are anything but square!).  So I went on to Splitcoast Stampers to see if there was any other design that might still stand and came across a tri fold shutter design.  As usual I had to put the "Hettie Spin" on it and change the sizes but this is what came about.

On the original design the back closes but as I used a 12x12 sheet, mine didn't but to be honest I like this as it leads the recipient to look inside at the message (I wrote it after I took photographs!)

Here is the back opened up.  The red ribbon (a Snippet) is only there to hold the card together to make it easier to put it in the envelope and get it out.  

 

Some close ups for you to see the details.  Inks used were Archival and DI in Vintage Photo and Aged Mahogony, some gold embossing powder and "Stuff" from my collection.

And here it is standing up in the bay window.  The papers used were Papermania Elegance which I have had for ever and the little stamped pieces were all from white cardstock from my Snippets drawer.  So I shall be taking this along to the Snippets Playground. 

Thanks for calling by.

Hettie

Vietnam Scrapbook - Part 5

Hello Friends

What a strange week of weather we have endured this week.  Fog, rain, humidity, warm, cold - I never know what to put on in the mornings!  

I thought today I would share some more photos of my Vietnam album with you.  You will recall that in my last post I told you we were up early at the Temple as today was going to be a long hard day.  Well it sure was.  We were to climb Muc Pass.  On the first layout I chose to use multiple photographs to show you the sort of terrain we were cycling.  The altitude is 980m!  You can see from the photographs just how winding and beautiful this road was.  We met up with a bunch of Australian cyclists who were cycling down the Pass - they told us we were "mad" to go South!  Hmmmn!

 The group photograph at the bottom left is at the halfway point!  Onwards and upwards as they say.  I was determined that I would NOT be going on the follow up bus if I had to walk the route until midnight!  I am pleased to say I succeeded!

 Here is a picture from the top of the Pass.  I really did feel I was on top of the world!

And my Victory Photo!  The Team Doctor, having completed the ride, cycled back down to see who else was coming up and came across me.  I did not have far to go but she turned right round and cycled back up with me encouraging me all the way.  There was a particularly long and steep corner to go and I still don't know how I did it but I did.  You can just see the joy in my face on this photo!  

See those groves on the mountain opposite?  They are the tea and coffee plantations of Dalat.  No doubt you have drunk some.

A little rest at a "coffee shop" and we were back on the road once everyone had caught up and a few miles down the road we came on this temple.  The layout may seem a little strange, but the bottom of the page contains the book which I bought and the ribbons hold it in place.  I managed to buy some postcards and some gorgeous tassles from here, one of which decorates the spine of this album.  I shall show you that once I finish.

Anne-Marie and I asked if we could take photos inside the temple and they gave us permission (we learnt that some were told no).  However, in the heat my camera decided not to work and Anne-Marie's batteries had gone flat so we were unlucky.  I have the little book so not to worry.  When we got to the hotel I put my camera in the fridge, having taken the sim card out, for a while and it came back to life - phew! 

That is all from me today.  Thanks for calling over.  

Hettie

Friday Funny

THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN GUTS AND BALLS

To those of you who are nit-pickers about the meaning of words, there is a medical distinction between Guts and Balls. We've all heard about people having Guts or Balls, but do you really know the difference between them?

In an effort to keep you informed, here are the definitions:

GUTS -          

Arriving home late after a night out with the guys, being met by your wife with a broom and having the guts to ask: “Are you still cleaning, or are you flying somewhere?”

BALLS –

Arriving home late after a night out with the guys, smelling of perfume and beer, with lipstick on your collar, slapping your wife on the butt and having the balls to say: “You're next, Chubby.”

I hope this clears up any confusion on the definitions. 

Medically speaking, there is no difference in the outcome.  Both result in death. 

Rudolph Day - September - Only Two More to Go!!

Hello Friends

 Happy Rudolph Day to you all.  Can you believe we are near the end of September already with only two more Rudolph Days before the Big Day? Gosh this year has gone quickly!

Any of you who have visited me at this time of the month, will know that I join in with my Buddy Sandra over at Stamping for Pleasure and I usually make C cards, however this month I want to share some small pressure I am making for family and friends.....

  

However, some of my colleagues have asked me to make some for them so I am going to sell make extras and del them for the BHWT (British Hen Welfare Trust) who rescue ex battery hens, and is where we had our recycled hens from.

Some of you keen eyed will realise that these are crotcheted! Until recently I hadn't done any crotchet for many many years, but I saw a book in which I liked some projects so one evening I sat with hook, wool and YouTube and hey presto egg cosies were made.  The bells have been in my stash for many years so VOS, and the crotchet is NBUS for me!

Now why don't you make a start to your C projects and join in with Stamping for pleasure.

TTFN

Hettie  

Scrapbook Tuesday - Ruby Ruby...

Hellooooo

Happy Tuesday to y'all!  I am secretly hoping this is going to be a quick week.  For one last week was sooooo long and this week I have a nice weekend lined up.  More on that later!

As is customary on this here blog, I aim to put up a scrapbooking project of somekind on a Tuesday.  I have to say I am pretty chuffed with myself that half way through September I am still managing to keep it going with only a small number of minor not happenings!  I shall try and run it through for the rest of the year.  However, despite my efforts, my photo piles/albums/boxes/tins have not gone down.

Talking about storage for photos, I have a large tin which holds A LOT of photos in, semi in order too.  You may recall that I recently lost my Aunt unexpectedly.  Well blow me, the week after her funeral I decided that whatever photo/s I put my hand on when I dipped it into the tin, I would scrapbook.  They fell on these piccies I am showing you today.  They were taken at my Aunt and Uncle's 40th Wedding Anniversary some 8/9 years ago.  (Need to check on the date for journalling purposes.)

I bought this Prima paper some 4 years ago and knew that it was perfect for a Ruby Wedding type layout and am so glad I hung onto it for just such an occasion.  So a VOS used again!  Layers of ribbon and lace (lace from Funkie Junkie Boutique and used veeeeery sparingly).  The flowers and flourishes were all made from raiding my Snippets box.  

I see some Bo Bunny Snippets in there as well as various pieces of plain cardstock. I also tried out my new punches from McGills so NBUS in here too.

The lettering was cut with my Cricut and then I used my embossing pen and added two different shades of pearls - one Cosmic Shimmer and the other TH.  You can see the tag which is tucked in the side of the larger photo.  The mounts for the photo have been stamped with TH stamp and embossed with gold.

You remember the cupcake sleeves that were on my desk, from my Nephew's wedding?  I painstakingly cut the butterflies out, edged them with TH DI in Aged Mahogany and manipulated them to shape before adding some ruby blings on.  Only used one so I can repeat this idea again, or maybe use it for a stencil?

Some more detail of the paper, flourish and flowers.  I can see I am going to love this punch set! I have also used my trusty SU flower punch too - my other favourite! st BTW the "cake" is a pyramid of profiteroles!!  Yummy!!

I am taking this over to the Playground as there are lots and I mean LOTS of Snippets included.

I am also taking this over to Mema's Crafts September Challenge which is Ribon/lace and/or flowers I got the lot in this layout!

Thanks for calling by.

Hettie

80th Birthday Card

Hello Friends  

I hope you have had a good weekend.  I was at a Quilting Workshop yesterday with friends where I started making a quilted runner with C fabrics.  However I had to skip out a little early as I went to pick my Dance Teacher up so we could go to Swansea for the AGM of the local RSCDS group followed by a Dance.  A great day was had all round.  The only fly on the ointment was the fog on the M4 coming home.  

Today I have been playing in my Craft Room and I will share my makes very soon, once I can photograph them in daylight.

For tonight I will share with you a card and box which I made for my friend's Mother to give to her Sister on her 80th Birthday.  You will remember I made a Diamond Wedding Anniversary card a month or so ago, well this is to go to the same lady as my friend's Mum liked what I did so much.  

Here is the box I made.....

With some gems on that I have had forever so VOS, some ribbon and a K&Co tag.  I had been told the card was bring posted hence why I made a box to protect the card.  Here is the card....

I used my TH birdcage and label dies, SU embossing folder which my Special Friend bought for my birthday, Martha Stewart around the page and butterfly punches, Sizzix NBUS flower die, number sizzlits and my lovely flourish die.  The small yellow flower in the centres are from a punch.  

I had to add some VOS pearls in the centres of the flowers and on the butterflies.  The veins were drawn in my hand using Copics.

And I printed a centre sentiment and added the little embossed birdie in the middle.  Both the commissioner and the recipient were pleased with what I did for them.  Phew!

There are a lot of Snippets used as well as some "stolen" property.  When I was mulling over what I was going to make I had pulled out several pieces of cardstock including some which belonged to my friend and which she had left on my desk when she visited a few days before - oops!  She has forgiven me!!

I am entering this into Snippets - of course.

                                        CMC Copic Challenge Group - anything goes - copics

                                        Hiding in my Craft Room - lots of layers

I would also like to say Hello and Thank You to my latest Follower Karen.  Nice to have you along. 

Have a great week all of you.

Hettie

Friday funny

GRANDPARENTS ANSWERING MACHINE

Good morning . . . At present we are not at home but, please leave your message after you hear the beep.                         

     beeeeeppp ...

If you are one of our children, dial 1 and then select the option from 1 to 5 in order of "arrival" so we know who it is.

If you need us to stay with the children, press 2

If you want to borrow the car, press 3

If you want us to wash and iron your clothes, press 4

If you want the grandchildren to sleep here tonight, press 5

If you want us to pick up the kids at school, press 6

If you want us to prepare a meal for Sunday or to have it delivered to your home, press 7

If you want to come to eat here, press 8

If you need money, press 9

If you are going to invite us to dinner, or, take us to the theatre, start talking, we are listening !!!!!!!!!!!"

WHAT IS A GRANDPARENT? (Taken from papers written by a class of 8-year-olds) Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other people's. A grandfather is a man, and a grandmother is a lady! Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the shops and give us money. When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars. They show us and talk to us about the colors of the flowers and also why we shouldn't step on 'cracks.' They don't say, 'Hurry up.' Usually grandmothers are fat but not too fat to tie your shoes. They wear glasses and funny underwear. They can take their teeth and gums out. Grandparents don't have to be smart. They have to answer questions like 'Why isn't God married?' and 'How come dogs chase cats?' When they read to us,they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for the same story over again. Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television, because they are the only grownups who like to spend time with us. They know we should have a snack time before bed time, and they say prayers with us and kiss us even when we've acted bad. GRANDPA IS THE SMARTEST MAN ON EARTH! HE TEACHES ME GOOD THINGS, BUT I DON'T GET TO SEE HIM ENOUGH TO GET AS SMART AS HIM! It's funny when they bend over; you hear gas leaks, and they blame their dog.

Happy 1st Birthday to Twin Girls

Hello there Friends

Today I thought I would share something which does not have a great deal of ink on it and is totally NOT my usual style!  I know a certain someone who will like it as it is pink!

A friend of mine in work asked me if I would make a card for her to send to her great Nieces, twin girls, for their first birthday.  Time to hit the panic button for sure!  I don't do girlie girlie cards as a norm.  I had to rack my brain for a few days and then decided to take a look on my Silhouette images.  Unfortunatly, in the meantime, my friend pulled the date of requirement forward a few days.  I had to get it ready for Friday.  This was Thursday evening!!!!!!!   I saw a fairy castle and then came across some princess images.  And here is what happened...  

I downloaded the princess designs and panic set in as I had a choice of dark haired or blonde princesses.  Never mind, I shall ring her.   No reply!  No reply ALL Evening.  Never mind, I will make 4 princesses (two of each) and just make the card with the princesses ready to place once I knew.

Next panic......when I downloaded the princesses onto the sheet, I could only get the blonde one on there.  Ok!  Let's just hope they are blonde.  All princesses want to be blonde.  You only have to look at Disney!  

I printed and cut multiple copies so I could decoupage them, as well as the castle.  I even printed and cut the banners which I had downloaded before and proceeded to fiddle faddle adding layers, rock candy stickles and diamantes where I could.  The 1s were VOS chipboard and painted with pebeo paints and covered in the stickles.  

I even printed the inside and placed VOS schparkly flutterby stickers on the inside and the envelope.  I put it into a clear cellophane bag as I knew she would show it around the office if she liked it.

My friend didn't like it!  She LOVED it and so did the parents of the little girls, who ARE blonde (phew!!) and it got pride of place on the mantlepiece.  I have since been told it has got a frame to go in which was bought the next day, as soon as they feel it has been on the mantlepiece long enough! Phew! 

There are a few Snippets as well as VOS and NBUS on there so I shall take it over to the Playground.  

I likes a challenge - NOT!

Thanks for looking.  I truly do love my Silhouette.  

Hettie

Daddy's Birthday Card

Hello Friends

Happy Hump Day to y'all!  Love Wednesdays.  Middle of the week and now the Dancing starts again tonight!  Yeay!  Only I get to play Teacher which is kinda nerve racking as there are 4 teachers in the group!!  

I thought I would share my card which I made for my Daddy recently.  It is fully of my favourite things,  Artistic Outpost stamps, Snippets, ink and layers.  I had to giggle half way through making it as I got the idea when I was in bed not being able to sleep, and half way through I realised I had all but CASed it from a card that was sent to me by my lovely Bloggie Friend Alison.  I did email her and tell her and she was very nice about it telling me to "Case away".  So here it is.....

I used my Old Grist Mill stamps stamping onto Snippets of white card and TH waxed paper.  I just love the crinkled look - bit like my ironing!

I inked and stamped the background - would you believe the card was white?  A little bit of sequin waste I found in the bottom of a drawer.

A Coffee pot and some string from my friend at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

Some lovely stringey lace which my wonderful friend gave me a while ago - I keep it for special occasions.  Isn't this old sign just wonderful.  I also stamped some leaves out in the wax paper and cardstock.

I have used some stamps from their other collections too.  All made up into an easel card.  My latest favourite style as you have far more space on there, though it makes it heavy to post!

I even decorated it a little inside to add more layers.  The inks were a mixture of DI and AIs.  My good ole Penny Black birthday stamp was in use again.  I have lots of HB stamps but nearly always go back to this one.

Yes!  My Dad loved it - especially the saying about Simplifying - at 82 it is about time he stopped hoarding stuff in his garage and maybe put a car in there!  Tee Hee - only joking!

Thanks for calling by.  I am entering this into the Artistic Outpost Referral for this month and the Playground.

TTFN

Hettie

Vietnam Scrapbook Album Part 4

Hello Again

Would you Adam 'n' Eve it!  I made a layout to show you today, but now realise I have not uploaded the photos to my blog, though I had thought I had done so.  Never mind ey!  I get to show you some more photos from my Vietnam Album for Scrapbook Tuesday.

After our second day at cycling, which was considerably longer than the first day, we were all feeling pretty tired in the late afternoon when we all gathered outside a Cemetery in order that we could cycle the last part as a group.  We went down a long winding road with trees either side of us not being able to see much around us, though we did have a sense of sea air.  Then we turned at the bottom of the road to see what can only be described as a "village" of small wooden chalets.  Shelley and I were given the key to our challet and the photos below are all taken from the veranda!  Aren't they just stunning?  This is the South China Sea.

I can tell you that I had never seen a bunch of 20 or so people get out of lycra cycling gear and into costumes and trunks and into the water so quickly!  Boy did we love it.  It was not cold like our seas in the UK but soothingly cool.  Only thing is watch out for the spikey urchin things as they hurt!

The two photos here on the left are taken on our way to breakfast.  If you look carefully you can see a coracle like boat with men fishing and this really is the sun rising.  The photo on the right is our breakfast table view!  I would definately go back to this resort again, and maybe even try scuba diving.  I shall just have to keep doing the lottery!

Here we all are at Po Klong Garai Cham.  Another temple and in a wonderfully good state and in use.  The carvings are beautiful and we were able to fully watch the sun rising here, which is the best time to see these temples.  Inside there were oil candles burning and fresh offerings left.    

Oh to be back there again.   We had to be up very early as this was to turn out to be the hardest day of all.  I will show you why next time.

Thanks for calling by.

Hettie

Been Art Journalling Again!

Hello Peeps

I have been having fun in my Art Journal again.  This time I have been trying some wooden stamps that I have been holding for a while without being used, so I gathered them up and put them together on this page.

I first of all gessoed the pages and then painted them with my orange Pebeo paint before using a irridescent red one to create "tartan" stripes.  Love these Pebeo paints.

I stamped the paisley stamp with white acrylic paint, stamped some bubblewrap in yellow paint, then onto the large flower stamp which I bought in Abergavenny Market quite by chance.  First with the turquoise paint, then white acrylic paint and finally red paint, without cleaning the stamp in between!   I edged around the Believe as the stamp was not vibrant enough for me, and then filled in the letters with a fine paintbrush.  

I stamped my Tim Holtz stamp (my favourite sentiment in fact), then brushed over with Perfect Pearls.  I used some irredescent purple paint and a bottle cap or two.

Then I went around the edge with a rope stamp which I bought in Amsterdam and brushed again with some purple PPs.  I love the sheen on the red paint. 

Well that is it from me for now.  This is only my second page and I am loving the freedom of this Art Journal thing.  It is a great way to try out ideas and techniques, as well as new stamps and paints.

TTFN

Hettie

Friday funny

Dr. Ching’s Prescription for Health:

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?

A: Heart only good for so many beats, and that it. Don't waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speed up heart not make live longer; that like saying you can extend life of car by driving faster. Want live longer? Take nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does cow eat? Hay and corn. What are these? Vegetables. So, steak nothing more than efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef also good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And pork chop can give 100% recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake? 

A: No, not at all. Wine made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine. That means they take water out of fruity bit; get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made out of grain... Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: If you have body and you have fat, ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Cannot think of single one, sorry. My philosophy: No Pain....Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU NOT LISTENING!!! ..... Foods fried in vegetable oil. How getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only do sit-ups if want bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: You crazy? Chocolate come from cocoa bean….vegetable!!! Cocoa beans best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming good for figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?

A: 'Round' is a shape!

I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food & diets!

And here's the final word on nutrition and health:

Ø Japanese eat very little fat…

And suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

Ø Mexicans eat a lot of fat… 

And suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

Ø Chinese drink very little red wine… 

And suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

Ø Italians drink a lot of red wine… 

And suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

Ø Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats… 

And suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION: 

- Eat & drink what you like….speaking English is apparently what kills you!

Purple Hearts...It's not what you think!!

Hmmn!  It wasn't until I typed the title of this post until I realised what I had created - Purple Hearts!  That will be funny if someone types in Purple Hearts into the Google search!!

I have been playing with my lovely Sweet Poppy stencils again.  This time I used purple glitter, which in case you haven't realised - purple is one of my favourite colours.

I just love this ribbon which I have had a while, but I am what some called "tight! with it and only use it for schpecial projects. It does count as VOS though. The green backing card was bought a loooong time ago.  Some punched Martha Stewart butterflies and it was done.  

All made up into an easel card to pop in my box for when I have one of those "oops" moments.  In fact I have a few birthdays coming up this month including my Boss so I may just use it very soon!

I have used a couple of Snippets being the card the sentiment is on and the punched ribbon underneath so I shall be popping this into the Playground.

The theme over at the Craft Room Challenge is Trees and Leaves - woohoo!  My first time at this challenge site.

Thanks for popping over.

Hugs

Hettie