Scrapbook Tuesday - Our Own Narnia

Hello there Peeps

It is still Tuesday so I can still share my latest layout with you all - my last of 2013!  Well, it is my Blog and so my Rulz anyhoo!

Here it is........

I took this photo on 19 December 2010.  Fortunately I had already printed is as my relatively new printer is now kaput!!!  Not happy as it is only just out of warranty.  Apparently it needs a new printer head - Cost £25 + £7 postage.  Cost of new printer - £40 ish.  Guess I wont be replacing the head as I got through more ink in its short lifetime than any other printer I know of!  Hurrumpf!  So I guess I shall be using up some of my plethora of photos already printed in 2014 until I buy a new printer.  I got the idea for the title from a comment left on FB when this photo was on there by LLJ - "You have your own Narnia!".

For this layout I used some Bazzill card with some Grace Taylor paper for the spotty and punched the corners with a MS punch and backed with white card from the Snippets box.  The red card is Bazzill again punched with the MS PATP snowflake punch and yes, I did punch the sides also but then covered it with paper - doh!  I punched some black card Snippets with another MS punch and attached top and bottom of the green Kaisercraft paper with a small strip of white cardstock. 

The snowflakes are all cut using Spellbinders dies using Snippets.  I decided to add a mixture of red buttons to the centres.  The top right have some TH chit chat stickers.

The letters are all cut from Snippets of card on my Cricut using Candy fonts and then stickled over.

I actually dug some washi tape out.  I have several different ones but don't use them very often.  

My aim now for 2014 (I don't make Resolutions as they are most often broken) is to not just stuff my Snippets away in the Snippets draw but to make a couple of cards using them.  So here are two....

The coloured panels are made from using the papers out of the bottom of my spray box.  No idea exactly what created them but they have a fabulous shimmer.  I stamped the cards using two TH Grunge stamps, the HB stamp was a present from Kim when she visited.  The flourishes are all Tonic and are attached using spray adhesive and then covered with black stickles.

Here you can see a little of the shimmer of the coloured panel.

And a TY card with a handmade tent card and more of the Tonic die set and a TY stamp (so old no maker on it)!

And another view which hopefully shows you some of the shimmer.

I shall be popping these over to the Snippets Playground.  I believe there is some Baileys on offer over there (other drinks are available).  

It just leaves me to say Thank You for calling by now and throughout 2013.  It has been a pleasure reading your comments and returning the call.  Here's to friends new and old that I have "met" during 2013 and I am looking forward to seeing what the Blogging World brings in 2014.

May I wish you all a Happy and Crafty New Year!

Hugs

Hettie

Christmas Cards - 20 card Marathon Part 1

Hello There

How are we all?  Have we had a good Christmas then and was Santa kind to you all?

I had a real break from computers over Christmas and neither posted or visited so sorry if I missed you.  I am now back in the office and back to reality so I shall visit you all later and over the coming few days.  I promised you all I would share some of the Christmas cards I made whilst on my marathon session at my friend's so here they are.....

Using my new AO stamps.  Love these.  And of course some VOS in the ribbon and paper.  The paper is also a very old snippet and now all gone.

Another similar style using some of the recycled paper from the album I made a while ago and some Snippet snowflakes cut with Spellbinders die.

This card I cased from my mate Bonnie.  I made it in several colours and just love it.  That braid you can see I have used is Very VOS!  Not used it much until now.

And here is the last of today's showing.  Made using the parts from the album.  

I am just going to pop these over to the Snippets Playground and see what mischief has been going on over there now and see if I can help with the missing fence.  I do hope the weather wasn't too horrendous for you over the Christmas.  I know some poor peeps have missed the celebrations due to no electricity or flooding.  

TTFN 

Hettie

Friday Funny

Men Teaching Classes for Women at THE ADULT LEARNING CENTER  REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED By December 29, 2013 NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM . Class 1 Up in Winter, Down in Summer - How to Adjust a Thermostat Step by Step, with Slide Presentation. Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hrs beginning at 7:00 PM.. Class 2 Which Takes More Energy - Putting the Toilet Seat Down, or Bitching About It for 3 Hours? Round Table Discussion. Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours. Class 3 Is It Possible To Drive Past a Wal-Mart Without Stopping?--Group Debate. Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours. Class 4 Fundamental Differences Between a Purse and a Suitcase-- Pictures and Explanatory Graphics. Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks. Class 5 Curling Irons--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Bathroom Cabinet? Examples on Video. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning At 7:00 PM Class 6 How to Ask Questions During Commercials and Be Quiet During the Program Help Line Support and Support Groups.  Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM Class 7 Can a Bath Be Taken Without 14 Different Kinds of Soaps and Shampoos? Open Forum .. Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours. Class 8 Health Watch--They Make Medicine for PMS - USE IT! Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours. Class 9  I Was Wrong and He Was Right!--Real Life Testimonials. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined. Class 10 How to Parallel Park In Less Than 20 Minutes Without an Insurance Claim. Driving Simulations. 4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.  Class 11 Learning to Live--How to Apply Brakes Without Throwing Passengers Through the Windshield. Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined Class 12 How to Shop by Yourself. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.  Send this to all your guy friends for the best chuckle of their day...  And to all your gal friends who have a sense of humor! From Guys in the Witness Protection Program

Christmas Eve - My Favourite Poem of Christmas Eve

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

                                                          Clement Clarke Moore

Merry Christmas to all my Bloggers and Friends around the World!  Thanks for all your visits during 2013 and am looking forward to creating more and meeting more of you.

Hugs to all

Hettie

Funkie Junkie - 12 Tags of Christmas - No 8

Hello There Peeps

Not long now until the Big Fat Chappie with a red suit comes to visit, with presents if you are good, but coal for those who are naughty.  I am hoping for a tonne myself!! And some clementines would be welcome as we forgot them yesterday! Tee Hee!

Right then.  Onto the purpose of today's post.  I am behind on my Funkie Junkie 12 Tags of Christmas Challenge but luckily Linda is keeping it open for another two weeks.  Phew!

So here is my Tag 8......

I had an absolute ball with this one.  My favourite so far!   I just let it flow using the background that Linda showed us and snowflakes, but the rest was just fun!

Linda showed us the technique for the background which is HERE.  I don't have the Distress Paint but I carried on and used Picket Fence Distress Stain instead of paint and it worked ok for me.  The stamp I used is my Hero Arts holly stamp.  This stamp is usually a stalwart for Christmas cards but I don't think I used it this year!!!  I used a NBUS in the stamp!  I bought these last year and so far I have only used the star before. 

The sentiment is from the Artistic Outpost stamp with the TH snowflake stamp.

I coloured my Snowman with an assortment of Copics, DI (with water pen) and Distress Pens.  The nose I blinged with Schtickles and the scarf with Glossy Accents. I punched a couple of holly leaves with a Snippet of metallic green card and for holly I used schtickes again.  His body has been swooshed with Rock Candy Distress Stickles.  So shimmery though I could not capture it on the photo as I hoped.

The Snowflakes were all cut from Spellbinders die  and I added some schtickles in the centres, and that charm is one I bought in a gorgeous shop in Bath as well as the teeny tiny bell.  I used some ribbon which I coloured with distress stain.  The Let it Snow ribbon is VOS and so is that blue metallic cord.   I used some wording from TH chit chat stickers. 

I am slowly catching up.  Finished all my wrapping tonight!  Yeay!  You should see my Rudolph beers!!!  I will share later!

As I mentioned there is now more time to finish the challenge and if you have nothing else to do on Christmas afternoon after the dishes are done, why not sneak in to your craft area to join in.  There is fabulous prize which is sponsored by Funkie Junkie Boutique.  

As there are Snippets here by way of white cardstock and the green holly I am taking this over to the Snippets Playground.  The Playhouse  is looking very festive right now!

Thanks for calling by.

Hettie

Friday Funny

FOR ALL THE MEN WHO ASK, "WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG IN THE RESTROOM"?

--------------------------------------        When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place.Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied. Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall. You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter, the wait has been so long you are about to wet your pants! The dispenser for the modern "seat covers"(invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty.You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there was one, but there isn't - so you carefully, but quickly drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume " The Stance In this position your aging, toneless (God I should have gone to the gym!!!) thigh muscles begin to shake. You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold "The Stance".  To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser.In your mind, you can hear your mother's voice saying, "Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!" Your thighs shake more.   You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday -the one that's still in your purse. (Oh yeah, the purse around your neck, that now, you have to hold up trying not to strangle yourself at the same time). That will have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It's still smaller than your thumbnail.  Someone pushes your door open because the latch doesn't work.   The door hits your purse,which is hanging around your neck in front of your chest, and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet. "Occupied!" you scream, as you reach for the door, dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto theTOILET SEAT. It is wet of course. You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper -not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try. You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because, you're certain her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, frankly, dear, "You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get".  By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a fire hose against the inside of the bowl that sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt and runs down your legs and into your shoes. The flush somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in, too. At this point, you give up. You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat.  You're e-x-h-a-u-s-t-e-d.  You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks.  You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, ..... so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting. You are no longer able to smile politely to them.  A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it??) You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it in the woman's hand and tell her warmly, "Here, you just might need this".  As you exit, you spot your hubby, who has long since entered, used, and left the men's restroom.  Annoyed, he asks, "What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?" ...........  This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with a public restrooms (rest??? you've GOT to be kidding!!). It finally explains to the men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the restroom in pairs. It's so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse, and hand you Kleenex under the door!  Send this to all women that understand what bonding in the bathroom is all about!  A Friend Is Like A Good Bra...  Hard to Find... Supportive.... Comfortable ...  Always Lifts You Up...  Never Lets You Down, or Leaves You Hanging, And Is Always Close To Your Heart!!!  Share with anyone who needs a good laugh!

Funkie Junkie - 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 7

Hello there Friends

Isn’t the countdown to Christmas galloping pace now – or is it just me who feels that?  Now that I have finished my cards and posted them I am trying to play catchup with my 12 Tags of Christmas with Linda atFunkie Junkie.  There is still time to join in and Linda has kindly extended the time limit by another fortnight, but I want to finish mine by the finished deadline as I know they will get forgotten about and I want to make all 12 Tags before Christmas. 

So here is Tag 7…..

First I cut a tag using my TH die and embossed it with the Snowflake embossing folder by TH and then inked over the tag with my favourite brown….Gathered Twigs DI.  I cut out 3 tags using some paper left from my Christmas Album and a Quickutz tag die and cut out the letters using Sizzix dies using another Snippet left over from Saturday’s card marathon.  I also used a little more of the same green to cut the bottom layer of the Poinsettia.  The rest of the Poinsettia was cut from some SU Very Vanilla card (now that I have found it!).   The Poinsettia was then stamped using TH text stamp.

I layered the Poinsettia and put a large glob of cosmic shimmer adhesive in the middle and poured micro beads in to the centre. 

Next I cut out snowflakes using Spellbinders die and more of the SU card, inked the edges and layered with the mini tags before popping some linen ribbon on and placing on the tag.  I cut some pine leaves, embossed them with several layers of bronze embossing powder and then whilst they were still hot and molten I poured on some Martha Stewart bronze glitter.  It didn’t stick all over but I kinda like that – a distressed look.  I then layered these with the poinsettia before placing it all on the tag.

I used the TH star rosette die to cut just the star, stamped it with the text stamp and layered it with a chit chat sticker and placed on the top right of the tag.

I felt it needed something at the bottom so I had a rummage in my basket and came across this brown fringing – no idea how long I have had this, then tied some ribbon around it and used the same ribbon on the top of the tag.  The top was finished with some brown ribbon, also out of the basket, a wooden star and some Funkie Junkie string NBUS.

There you have it.  My favourite tag so far of the series and I can see some Christmas cards for next year being made similarly. 

Thanks for popping over.  Remember that the Funkie Junkie Boutique are sponsoring this challenge so if my tag has inspired you to have a go there is a lovely voucher going to some lucky participant.

I am going to take this to the Snippets Playground as there are lots of little snippets in here.

I am also entering this into the Simon Says Stamp - Stamped Out Challenge too!

Also, I was asked once how my tags remain fairly flat.  I told her that sometimes I use packaging for either Scotts porridge or Bakers dog food, so to prove it, here is the back.  The inside is clean as they put the food inside a plastic bag and they are kinda like kraft and they ink beautifully!

Thanks for calling by.

Hettie

Scrapbook Tuesday Christmas Mini Album for Tracey

Hello There!

I nearly forgot to post this today.  There I was visiting blogs and oops!  Never mind I am here now with possibly my last Scrapbook Tuesday of 2013.  Or maybe not!

This is a little album I have made for my cousin Tracey to celebrate our trip to London and Tea at The Ritz.....

I have used a VOS Papermania book for which I just used two of the pages for covers.  Covered with MME Tangerine paperstock.  The pages were made using white thick cartridge paper.

There it is....The Ritz

You probably remember this photo as I scrapbooked it a little while ago.

The Theatre at which we saw Phantom of the Opera.  Fabulous musical and a definite "Must See".  In a former life I worked at a CD plant where we pressed this for my customer who gave me a copy, but only seeing it now.

Me in Trafalgar Square enjoying the sights.  We walked back through town from the Theatre so that we could see the sights.

This is the next day and we walked down the River Thames and saw some sights.  Every time I see the bridge here on TV I am heard to say "I walked across that"!

There are more pictures (15 in total) but I will not bore you with them all as I may just do a 12x12 layout at some point!

Here are the trinkets I attached to the rings.

A pleasurable two days with my cousin and one I hope to repeat in 2014.  I have to say that I made myself a little album too whilst I was making this though the pages are slightly different and I haven't done any danglies yet either.  

I am taking this to show the girls at the Snippets Playground as it contains Snippets.  We are all busy setting things up ready for the Playground Nativity Play next Sunday!  Still not sure what part I am playing yet!

Thanks for calling by.  I just hope my cousin doesn't in case she sees this!

Hettie
xxx

Christmas Cards V - More Recycling

Hello

Can you see a bit of a theme running through my cards?   Yep - recycling and Snippets!  I am hoping that by using all my Snippets I will be able to buy new stash without any guilt as there will be nothing left I may use!

The red checkered paper has been in my stash for ever!  MME, Sizzix, Spellbinders, Bazzill, K&Co, Ranger and Artistic Outpost used in this card.

Papermania. Bazzill, Memory Box and Artistic Outpost in this one.

And finally, Tim Holtz, Ranger, Basic Grey and Spellbinders in this one.  No idea where the pearls came from as the packaging left my control eons ago!

As usual I am popping these over to the Snippets Playground as they are all from my Snippets box.  I went to my friend's on Saturday and had a bit of a marathon using ONLY Snippets and managed 20 cards.  I will share those with you over the next few days.  I really do need to count how many I have made this year.  After Saturday I decided that was it.  If I run out then they come from a sh-sh-sh-shop!  Next year -  more cards early on I think!

Thanks for calling by.  I really do appreciate your comments.  Now my cards are done I shall hopefully get round to visiting more blogs.  

Next on the list........12 Tags of Christmas!

Hettie

Friday Funny

Grandma is eighty-eight years old and still drives her own car. She writes: 

Dear Grand-daughter, 

The other day I went up to our local Christian book store and saw a 'Honk if you love Jesus' bumper sticker .. 

I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting. 

So, I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper. 

Boy, am I glad I did; what an uplifting experience that followed. 

I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in thought about the Lord and how good he is, and I didn't notice that the light had changed. 

It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed

I found that lots of people love Jesus! 

While I was sitting there, the guy behind started honking like crazy, and then he leaned out of his window and screamed, 'For the love of God!' 

'Go! Go! Go! Jesus Christ, GO!' 

What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus! 

Everyone started honking! 

I just leaned out my window and started waving and smiling at all those loving people. 

I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love! 

There must have been a man from Florida back there because I heard him yelling something about a sunny beach. 

I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air. 

I asked my young teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant. 

He said it was a Hawaiian good luck sign. 

Well, I have never met anyone from Hawaii , so I leaned out the window and gave him the good luck sign right back. 

My grandson burst out laughing. 

Why even he was enjoying this religious experience!! 

A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me. 

I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed. 

So, grinning, I waved at all my brothers and sisters, and drove on through the intersection. 

I noticed that I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again and felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared. 

So I slowed the car down, leaned out the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away. Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!! 

Will write again soon, 

Love, Grandma

Scrapbook Tuesday - Vietnam Scrapbook Part 6

Hello there!  

Guess who got so busy being Santa's Little Helper last night and forgot to post piccies up for today's ST?  That and the fact that I decided to back up my mobile on the computer as I dropped it down the stairs the other night and smashed the face on it.  If it has to go back I want to ensure I get all my December photos off it and my contact numbers.  That took a fair while I can tell you!

Anyhoos I have some more Vietnam Album layouts which I can share with you....

This is the market in Dalat.  It absolutely fascinated me with the colourful stalls of fruit and vegetables and the general hustle and bustle of life.  I was very happy to wander round here (except when they were selling fresh fish!  They were alive in those bowls but were bashed once they sold!  Talk about "fresh")  We found a great bar here where the chappie was very happy to have British people in his bar and kept plying us with drinks - more than we paid for I think!

This waterfall was absolutely stunning and tucked away off a busy main road that we had to go through some trees to get to.  We could hear all the heavy traffic that sailed past oblivious to this beauty, but you could have been in another world.  It was so calm and beautiful.  The bottom photo shows that we are in tea and coffee growing country with all the rows of plantations.

This page makes me laugh.  The lorries that are on the road would not comply with MOT standards here in the UK.  Some are built out of a box of bits.  This top left one was in a garage getting fuel and I was taking photos of it when the owner came out.  I asked if I could sit in and he muttered under his breath ("stupid woman" or words to that effect I expect) and beckoned for me to hop in!  It makes me giggle every time I see this photo.   Can you guess how many children are on the moped bottom right?  Three heads you can see and one riding on the chap's lap!  

And here we are at the end of the cycle under the banner.  We we all so happy to have taken part, tired and very fit.  After a glass or two of bubbles we were pretty pickled too!

My certificate and medal to prove I had done it!!

One more post to show you Saigon and that will be it.  I will try and get it finished before the New Year.

Thanks for calling by.  I hope you have enjoyed seeing a little of my fabulous trip to Vietnam. I have certainly enjoyed sharing it with you all.

Hettie