New bathroom - and so the work begins.

It is something that we have been planning for a while now. I know the bathroom is the size of a walk in closet but is was a closet that was desperately in need of a make over.

The plan was to get rid of the bath, we only used the bath to step into to have a shower so it was just crazy to keep it.

From there we decided on a quadrant shower unit, the largest we could get that would fit into the bathroom, a new vanity and handbasin and of course a new loo. Wall tiles and floor tiles and it would be completed, of at least that was the plan.

So the work started today and I took the easy option of going to work, in fact what I should have done was stay at home and make sure that my craft room door was closed tight.

I have a nice thick layer of dust over everything inside that room now.

That's it then, no turning back now.

I really didn't think going back to the brick was part of the plan.

Well at least the nice man left us some where to pee before bedtime.

Mothering Sunday Card

I thought I would post a card made with the new digi £15 pack for Help4Katie this image is from the Floral Thoughts set it is the single flower, I added it several times to a square layout before colouring with Copic Markers, a bit of sponging to distress the edges, lots of matting and layering and a nestabilities label die to cut the center shape.

Magnolia

I have a little problem that occurred today, I don't know why or how it has happened but I'm hoping that it will correct itself real soon, We have been out shopping hunting down new bathroom fitments as we are having a brand spankling new bathroom fitted next week and believe me when I say it is well overdue as our old one is over 20years old and looking rather sorry for itself.

Whilst out I lifted a shopping basket it was an empty one, I handing it to Chris and then shortly after noticed a problem in my wrist the pain it excruciating and I'm back to wearing wrist supports, I thought those days were over I had problems around 5 - 10 years ago and I ended up having to wear wrist supports for a very long time, I'm hoping that I have simply pulled something and it will be better in a day or 2 so keep your fingers crossed.

In the mean time I wanted to share my favourite flower from the Build a Blossom range by La Pashe so here it is, the Magnolia.

Engagement - Tonic Simplicity Punch Champagne

A square card partly embossed with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder a lovers stamp by Stampin Up inked with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and shaded with Copic markers., a ribbon a heart shape and the Tonic Studios Simplicity Punch - Champagne and a little bit of love to bring it all together.

I hadn't realised the ease of use with a geared punch, it simply does the hard work for you, not only for those that have hand issues using the punches but if you are doing invitations and have loads to punch out this is the baby you need.

You can see the full range of geared Simplicity Punches at Tonic Studios here

Monkey Hug by Mo Manning and Tonic Studios

it has been a while since I did any distress work and whilst at the Trade Show the gorgeous Kirsty Wiseman introduced me to Tonic Studios and they gave me a goody bag and are now sponsoring me, if you didn't already know they make many of the Tim Holtz tools so after a rummage in my bag I decided to give a couple of their tools a whirl on my card.

I had Monkey Hug on my craft desk all readty to colour on my return from the Trade Show so I set to it today, coloured with Copic markers and airbrushed the background to the image.

Tutorial on the distressing below the card image.

Tutorial with the Tonic Studios distressing Tool and the Craft Pick

Fundraising Totals and Card Winners

Firstly the winners of the Thank You card competition.

1st prize of the stamps sets from Rubber Stamp Tapestry

Barbara Diane

Letraset Aqua markers set

Linda Goble

Apron Set

Glenda Atkins

If you could all contact me with your details I will get your prizes issued.

Congratulations to the winners and a big thank you to everyone that took part, the cards are fabulous.

Now onto the total raised, I have to say that you were amazing, so much support and love showed to Katie and her family, the amount raised by all you kind hearted folk was...

Build a Blossom Poppies

A couple of Poppy flowers from set 2 of Build a blossom sheets by La Pashe

Build a Blossom Red Poppy

Nice n Easel set 2 - La Pashe

New from La Pashe set 2 of Nice 'n' Easel on sale now Here

Sweet Peas, Fuchia, Parrot Tulip, Hibiscus, Cherry Blossom, Poppy, Naturtium, Lily

Set 2 Build a Blossom - La Pashe

The second set of Build a Blossom to be released on Monday from La Pashe below is just a couple of my makes from the Trade show, also a preview of the 2nd set to me released.

Chrysanthemum in lemon.

Chrysanthemum two toned

Pansy, such a great flower for Mothering Sunday.

Feeling Sad - Yet Happy

Such mixed emotions, my fundraising for my beautiful friend Katie has come to an end and whilst I can't even begin to convey my gratitude to all that donated and believe me when I say we have raised an incredible amount which I will post during the week, I am left feeling helpless once again.

While I was fundraising I felt like I was doing something constructive to help my friend, although it would not cure Katie I knew it would help in a big way, "so what now?"

I can't lean over and give Katie a hug as we have a mass of water between us, Katie in the US and I in the UK, I can lend an ear if she needs one, I can spread the awareness of the bravery of this lady and tell you to go to her blog and read her incredible journey here.

I can donate more Digital Stamps to a new Fundraising event for Katie which has brand new digital images for $15 so grab them while you can from here.

So why do I feel this way? I feel very much like a fairy that has lost her magic wand.

Something that has stuck in my throat from the day I found out about Katie is that the word Cancer is still a taboo subject, many whisper it's name or mime the word, Surely we should shout this word to raise awareness? it isn't a dirty word it is a horrible, horrible illness that holds no discrimination of who can get it, Black, White, Young, Old, Short, Tall, Fat or Thin, so, lets stop whispering it's name, lets shout it from the rooftops until we find a cure for every form of cancer there is.

Make it crafty - La-La Land

I had a go at creating a scene with two digi stamps, one a Whimsical Log with an over hanging blossom and the other a little girl Darling Marci to sit on it, I had to cut around the flower a little to get it all to fit but I'm thrilled with the outcome.

Coloured with Copic Markers.

Whimsical Log digital stamp Make it Crafty

Darling Marci Digital Stamp - La-La Land

New Trinitage - La Pashe Sneak Peek

A new set of 8 Trinitage to be released on Monday by La Pashe, of course it wouldn't have been me if I didn't have a Poppy included so here is a card made from the Poppy Feild sheet.

The New set of Trinitage will be available to purchase from Monday 23rd February from La Pashe.

Over the next few days I will be at the NEC Hobby and Stitches Trade show so I will try to give you all a few sneak peeks of new products here.

Help for Katie

It is with a saddened heart that I am writing to ask for your help.

If ever you have drawn inspiration or ideas from my work, downloaded the many freebies that I give away I am now giving you the opportunity to give something back and do some good for a very dear family.

I would be thrilled if you would tell everyone about this fundraising be it blogs/facebook/twitter/forums or anywhere that will allow it

Katie Emmerson Renz married to Kevin with 3 beautiful boys the twins Nate & Will aged 5 and Hunter aged 10 had some news just before Christmas that has rocked their world as they know it.

Katie has been diagnosed with stage 4 Stomach Cancer and is currently undergoing her only option which is Chemotherapy.

Katie is a fellow crafter and is loved within the crafting community.you can read Katie's story on her own blog here but before you leave me I want you to see what all of the dedicated talented artists have designed for the Help for Katie cause.

Katie and her Family would like to say a very special thank you to all of the artists that gave up their time to help make this happen

Fundraising has now Ended on my Blog

More fundraising here

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