A year has passed...

...since I sadly said good-bye to 8 of my staff.

The 31st May 2015 was officially the last day of service for eight members of my staff as my business stream had taken the decision that there was no longer a role for our lowest grade of staff.

It has been a difficult year, dealing with the loss of over half my team and trying to keep those remaining motivated as they absorbed the duties of those who had gone (as well as continuing with their own roles).

We have had successes - one of the remaining team was promoted and we gained three new staff from business areas that had been disbanded and offices that had closed.

However, it still did not make up for the sadness of losing staff who had been part of my team for a number of years.

On Friday I was able to invite one of my ex-staff back to receive a very special item.

I was able to present the Imperial Service Medal to one of my ex-staff; Anne.

Anne knew she was going to receive 'something' as a result of her length of service but the medal was a surprise...

 ...here she is with the medal. She was so excited & very 'chuffed' and kept muttering "but I don't deserve this".
This is the medal itself...

...it is engraved with her name around the edge and is beautifully presented.

Government employees in the lowest clerical grades can be nominated for this medal once they have left the Department (there are conditions relating to length of service & conduct) and if approved, the medal is sanctioned by HM the Queen.

I felt very proud being able to present this to one of my former staff................................................

So What's been Rocking...

...my World this week?

It has been a pretty hectic week but as Virginia says - it is surprising the number of positives and smile generating moments you can findwhen you just take a few moments to look back at the week.

Sunday I had a super day all on my own. Just out and about having a wander. Not having to be anywhere or do anything specific. I popped into the Summerhill Garden Centre to take a look at this year's Christmas display and happily whiled away a couple of hours just gazing at beautifully decorated trees and picking up ideas that I want to try for myself...I was like a kid in a candy store. Oh to have the money to buy all the wonderful things that I saw. I have to say that I was very good and didn't spend a penny in there but I do have a list of bits that might find their way home with me come payday.

My Team at work had their first two training sessions of a four session event - I have to say, after session one I was not looking forward to session two as it was double the length (session one seemed to go over the heads of most of my folk and they really didn't engage with the trainer). However, session two was a Team-build type event and if there is one thing my folk do well is that they work as a team...and boy did they pull out all the stops. The trainer was extremely impressed and I was very, very proud of their efforts & achievements. Here's hoping sessions 3 & 4 go as well.

The lovely Scrappyjen dropped by my blog to say she had shared this with me...

The Liebster Award is shared amongst blogs with less than 200 followers - I am supposed to share this with 5 other bloggers but I am having such a hard time picking just 5.Thank you so much Jen for thinking of me - I'm going to have to give this some more thought so I can add in links to the folk I want to share this with.

I noticed this poster on another platform at the station (not a platform I use very often) and although I could tell that it was Christmassy, it was too far away to read what it said...light-bulb moment...I took a photo. Surprisingly it came out pretty well and now I know it is advertising all the Festive events being held at the Barbican.

I was pretty pleased with how well the photo came out.

The old Mall in Stratford has pretty Christmas lights hanging from the ceiling but there isn't much else at the moment to indicate that Christmas isn't that far away - still, never mind, just a couple more weeks and I can put the decs up in work.

I know Starbucks are getting a lot of bad press at the moment because of not paying tax here in the UK, but that still doesn't stop me loving their Gingerbread lattes.

The one I had on Friday was double cupped so I have decided to have a go at making a coffee cup mini-album. Whilst looking for details on-line (I had seen some examples in the past) I also came across instructions for making mini-albums from the coffee cup sleeves...I have quite a collection of these at work...with luck I'll be able to make good use of them.

If you would like to share the positives that have made your week, why not hop ove to Virgini's blog and play along................................

The Liebster Award...

...is given to smaller bloggers who have 200 or less followers in the hope it will bring them new followers and friends.

The tradition is that it is then passed on to five other blogs to help them too.

I have been very lucky to be awarded this by 3 of my followers; Sheleen, Helen & Claire (I have to hang my head and admit that I received notification from Sheleen a while ago and really should have sorted my nominees out - sorry).

If you want to accept the award the steps are:

1. Link back to the persons blog who gave you the award and thank them.
2. Post the award on your blog.
3. Give the award to five fellow bloggers who inspire you.
a) Paula
b) Claire
c) Susanna
d) Virginia
e) Karen
4. Leave a comment on their blogs to let them know.

It is always difficult narrowing things down on these occasions as there are so many fabulous blogs out there that are an amazing source of inspiration. Please do not be offended if on this occasion I haven't picked you - I wish I could pick everyone that I follow but many would fall outside the 'less than 200 followers' and the rest would take me for ever to nominate (I think I follow rather a lot of blogs LOL).

I know there are some folk who don't like to participate in this kind of thing and I never have a problem if one of my nominees falls into this category - I hope that anyone I have nominated takes the award in the spirit it is given but doesn't feel obliged to take it any further if they do not wish to.

The folk I have chosen (in no particular order) are all very different so inspire me in different ways. I hope you enjoy visiting them.............................

An Award from...

...3 of my lovely followers.

I'll tell you all about it shortly........................

I think I'm in the...

...Doghouse!

The Crafty Elf has found that she is ordering/spending rather a lot because of the things that she is coming across whilst blog hopping - sound familiar?

So she has designed a 'button' to share with those folk she thinks are to blame for encouraging her to part with more of her hard earned cash - all by way of a bit of fun.
Guess what...she has kindly presented me with not one but two of these buttons - I'm not guilty - honest LOL

She would love folk to participate in this bit of fun so if there is someone you feel has caused you to buy more stash than you intended, why not award them one of these buttons.

I think I'd better head back to the doghouse LOL...............................

My day has finished on...

...a real high.

The Crafty Elf has bounced back the blog award that I shared with her and included some really lovely comments - I am so very touched.

The lovely Lyn Stevens has just celebrated reaching 1000 followers by putting some of the most amazing goodies up for grabs. She has very kindly included a number of folk in an additional RAK - just for mentioning her giveaway celebration on their blogs. I can say that I am one of the very lucky people and can only say a very BIG thank you to Lyn for her kind thoughts.

...and I will be toddling off to bed one very happy little bunny as I have been chosen as the winner of the Scrapology June card challenge. What have I won? 4 lovely unmounted Ching Chou Kuik stamps - how lucky am I.

Hope you have all had super days too...love & hugs to you all....................

A Blog Award...

...from the lovely Virginia over at Celtic House - as usual, my non-techy skills came to the fore and Oooooooooooooo I've had fun trying to get this image on here LOL; done now...Yes!

I need to share with you 7 little or unknown facts about me and then pass this lovely award to 8 other bloggers. Here we go then...
1. Love the sun and being warm but can't stand excessive heat - you know the sort; the type that just makes you feel bleeeeeeeeerh.
2. Beautiful gardens always delight me but I'm not much of a gardener so mine will never make it into that category LOL
3. I'm a bit OCD when it comes to colouring in images. I can spend ages getting it 'just right' (in my eyes that is) - I think I've always been like this. Even as a child I wouldn't let anyone touch my colouring books in case they coloured outside of the lines...
4. You probably all know that I "don't do messy" and yet I always find myself drawn to those crafting techniques that involve mess - doh!
5. I love history and finding out about places I've been to or would like to go - one of the first things I did when we moved into this house was to find out about its background and the history of the area.
6. I'm not a good commuter - I don't suffer fools gladly and inconsiderate folk really wind me up...the ones who use mobile phones & personal stereos (loudly) in the Quiet Zone of the train...the ones who don't keep their children under control and let them climb all over seats...the ones who don't look where they are going because they are chatting on their phone...
7. I don't watch a lot of TV but the TV is on a lot...I like the sound of background noise (not too loud) when I'm crafting and TV chatter fits the bill.

Well I doubt that you will find any of that earth shattering but you now know a bit more about me LOL

Now to pass this on to 8 other bloggers...

Claire - hasn't been blogging very long but she makes some beautiful cards despite being overseas in an area where craft supplies are in very short supply.
The Crafty Elf - is partly responsible for getting me into 'Challenges' - I saw all the lovely stuff on her site and had to wander off and have a go too.
Debbie - I just love the cute characters that she comes up with and the ideas she has for quick & easy makes.
Paula - has been a long time bloggy friend and I am loving seeing her current project of working through the book the artists way.
Hannah - she amazes me with the amount of crafting she manages to fit in despite having two little girls to contend with.
Kerryanne - I found Kerryanne's blog when she shared her Christmas Planner with the Christmas Planner site. Her artwork is beautiful and her characters so full of life and fun.
Lynn - I'm not sure how I found Lynn's blog but I'm so glad that I did. Her artwork is amazing...from small shabby chic tags & cards to full size room decor - WOW!
Andy - not only does he come up with some fab crafting but he shares the 'how to' details too. His ideas are super and very inspiring even if costly (the problem with living too near his shop LOL) but he is always there to bounce ideas off of and always helpful when you need something to 'kick start' the old mojo.

There you go...8 blogs that I love, although it was very difficult coming up with just 8 as there are sooooooooooo many...............................

I've been given...

...another award.

The lovely Hazel nominated me for this...do pop over to her blog to say hi and have a peek at what she's up to.
I have been very lucky to receive 3 of these awards now so feel greatly honoured that folk felt they wanted to nominate me. The problem with these awards is that they usually require the sharing of some facts from the nominee - that's me.

Well let me think - what can I tell you about me that I haven't already told **hummmmmmmmmmm - searches brain from something interesting**

1. I am right-handed...nothing mind-blowing there I hear you say. However, Mum says I was left-handed until I started school. No-one made me change but it is thought I just copied everyone else. Strangly enough, about the only thing I can do with either hand is iron...

2. I love chocolate but I'm not a chocoholic...in fact, most of the time I will go for something savoury rather than sweet.

3. Give me the means to do so and I could shop for England LOL When I offered to take my neighbours daughter shopping to pick up some bits for her wedding she warned me to wear comfortable shoes as she could "shop 'til she dropped"...I wore her out.

4. If the weather is kind enough to allow washing to be pegged out on the line the items have to be pegged in a certain way so as to minimize peg-marks - a bit OCD I know but I can't help it.

5. I can not eat a sugared doughnut without licking my lips - apparently it is very difficult not to 'lick'.

6. I love pretty stationery especially notebooks so the BIA was a perfect buy for me.

7. I always wanted an older brother but got a younger sister...I was the only one amongst my school mates who was the 'oldest' - and they all had brothers who had dishy mates...so not fair!!!

8. I am not 'tea-total' but it doesn't bother me not to have a 'drink' if I go out with friends. I can't just drink for the sake of drinking - but I do rather like Baileys or, Red or Rose wine if I am going to have a drink.

Another 8 things about me - not earth shattering but at least I managed to think of 8.

Now I need to share this with 8 other folk - not so easy and some of these folk may already have been nominated, but here goes: -

1. Paula - I have never met Paula as she lives the other side of the world from me but she is a crafter & a blogger and is always there with a kind or helpful comment.

2. Lynn - Another person I have never met except in cyberspace. I'm not sure how I found her blog but I follow it with eager anticipation as I love her artistic skills.

3. Winnie - Like Paula, Winnie is there with kind comments and encouragement. We met through being on the same team during a Cybercrop on UKS and it soon became clear that we could both be completely nutty when it comes to cybercrop chat LOL

4. Eleni - Lives in Greece. We have never met except through 'the web' but we had a craft shop in common - Artbase - unfortunately we were not able to co-ordinate a visit to meet there. I love how she shares parts of her life along with her crafting.

5. Ruthie - Lives only a few miles away but again, the only place we have met is in cyberspace. It is great visiting her blog and knowing many of the places she refers to.

6. Debbie - recently returned to blogging. She is probably the person most responsible for me being a bit more adventurous with my blog - she introduced me to widgets LOL

7. Dan - If I could do a fraction of what Dan can do with some stamps and some ink I would be a very happy bunny. In the meantime I'll just gaze in amazement at his fab creations.

8. Julia - I love her sense of humour. I don't take part in her "What's on your Workdesk Wednesday" but I do visit regularly to see what she is up to at the moment and have learn't (the hard way) not to have a mouthful of coffee or anything else before I have the gist of what her post is about. Surprising how often the keyboard ended up being cleaned in the past or I had to leave the PC due to a choking fit...LOL

It has been very difficult picking just 8 names from all the fabulous blogs I visit and I would like to say if I was a bit quicker with this PC & linking lark I might have been tempted to add a few more......................................

An Award from...

...the lovely Laura of Airing Cupboard Crafts / Stamping (yep, she's got two blogs LOL - I struggle keeping one on the go**he he**).

I always find it difficult to post these awards as there are normally things that one is required to do - this one is no exception groan.

I have to let you know who was thoughtful enough to have given me this award - done that - Thank you Laura...that was the easy bit done LOL

I now have to tell you 7 or 8 random things about me...this is the hard bit...it took me ages to think of stuff to write last time I was lucky enough to be given an award. I'm just gonna have to 'go for it' otherwise you could still be waiting this time next year...

1. I love books - now there's a surprise considering some of my recent posts LOL
2. I love pasta - but I prefer it in tomato-based sauces rather than cream ones.
3. I try to treat myself to 'lunch out' at least a couple of times a month. I've recently found a Pie & Mash shop fairly close to Barleylands so when I have a Monday afternoon lesson I treat myself to Pie & Mash first - yummy.
4. Coffee - I can't do without my coffee. I normally drink it black but I do love latte and during the Christmas period I just have to have a few of the Starbucks Gingerbread lattes - very fattening but oh so scrummy.
5. I do not add salt to my cooking and I don't add salt to my food - the only exception to this is CHIPS!!! If I buy a portion of chips to eat on the way home from the station I have to have salt and vinegar on them.
6. I hate being cold - I don't think there is much that could make me more grumpy than being somewhere where I am cold.
7. I love music - at school I played the recorder & was learning the clarinet (I so wanted to be able to play Stranger on the Shore...but I wasn't very good). I would have loved to have learnt the piano but I couldn't quite get to grips with both hands doing different things on the keyboard LOL I don't follow any one type of music - if I like something it doesn't matter to me whether it is classical, swing, R&B, Hip-hop or Punk.
8. I am not a good patient - if I am ill, I don't want to be fussed over but I do want someone to make me feel better - I don't like being mollicodled but then again I like to know someone cares...fickle, ain't I...LOL

The next bit is even harder - pass this award on to between 7 & 15 other folk.

I have decided that as I am celebrating over 10,000 visits to my blog I will invite the lovely folk who visit to help themselves to this award with the proviso that they link back here so that I can go and visit and find out 7 or 8 random things about them.

So there we go folks, do drop by and let me know if you have decided to play along as I would love to find out a bit more about the lovely folk that drop by.....................

Better late...

...than never.

The lovely Debbie sent me this award back in January. I can't believe how naughty I've been by not responding until now - sorry Debbie **hangs head in shame**
My excuse for being so tardy - if there can be an excuse - is that I have to share with you 8 things about myself before sharing this with 4 other bloggers. Umm, 8 things about me...tough one...

1. Jamie Leigh-Curtis and I were born on the same day (there - that has let the cat out of the bag for those that have just dashed off to google). Can I say, she has worn much better than me but then she can afford to do so...LOL
2. There seems to be something about my birthday - JFK was killed on it, C S Lewis died on it and the Iron Lady Maggie Thatcher resigned on it.
3. I have a bit of an obsession about my cutlery drawer in the kitchen - each type of item MUST be in the right compartment and they MUST be facing the right way...how sad is that!
4. I love to see snow, I love to take photos of snow, I have snow pictures in my home BUT I hate going out in the stuff.
5. I love 'proper' dogs - reasonable size dogs...I am not one for those little handbag size things.
6. I am not a 'cat person' unless of course we are talking - lions, tigers, pumas etc.
7. Growing-up I attended a dance school and I would watch all the old musicals so that I could watch the dancers (I still adore musicals). In one musical the leading lady character would be bought an elephant ornament by her husband as a good luck charm for her opening nights - they called them 'Polliwashes' a name that stuck and I still think of elephants as polliwashes.
8. My ancestry is a European mix of French & German (great grandparents on father's side - German; something like great, great, great grandpartents on mother's side - French) sadly I speak neither language although I can manage a smattering of school-girl French LOL

Well that certainly took some thinking about **snigger**

Now I have to nominate 4 other bloggers to share in this award: -

Annette
Andy
Paula
Kristy

I would willingly nominate more as there are so many fab blogs out there but with my super skill at 'linky things' (NOT) I'd be here forever & a day LOL so can I just say...I may not have nominated you but that doesn't mean that I don't think your blog is fabulous and I will continue to spend faaaaaaaar too much time blopping around cyberspace................................

Award time...

...look what I got from the lovely Winnie.

As a recipient of the award, I have to:

1.Thank the person who gave me the award - thank you Winnie, it was lovely of you to think of me. Winnie & I have been lucky enough to be teamies on a couple of CCs over on UKS and we have always had lots of fun.
2.Place it on my blog - you will need to scroll down a bit but you will find it with the other awards I have been lucky enough to get.
3.List 3 things about myself. This could take some thinking about...

◦I am English born & bred but am of German/French decent...Granddad - paternal - was German, Great-great granddad - maternal - was French (think that's the right number of 'greats' LOL)
◦I am trying to be more organised with my crafting (some hope).
◦I am slightly addicted to craft classes - I love to try new things and I am quite a social crafter.

4.Post a picture that I love.
I found this pic some time ago when I was browsing the 'net and just fell in love with it. I could gaze at it for ages and imagine I was there strolling into the blue......
5.Pass the award on to 5 deserving bloggers. Right, I'll pass the award onto:

Kristy - my lovely niece who has so taken to crafting...it is great to see the things she comes up with.
Annette - the lovely lady who must be held responsible for my obsession with mini-books LOL Anyone who has seen Annettes work will know that it is addictive.
Andy - never short of ideas and great at encouraging folk to move outside of their comfort zones...I will now play with 'messy' techniques (as long as I have a pinny & gloves LOL) which is something I would not have done before attending some of Andy's classes.
Lucy - Lucy & I have had great fun at a number of classes/workshops...especially Andy's messy ones LOL
Eleni I 'met' Eleni through UKS when we were on the same CC team. Her blog is always full of fab things either connected to her family or her love of craft.

Enjoy your awards folks.................................

Two Awards...

...from the very talented Maz

Maz is currently undertaking the 365 card challenge and her cards are just fab - I don't know how she comes up with all those ideas. However, she is not just a card maker...if you have a browse of her blog you will find a whole host of lovely gifts that she has produced for friends and family.

Here are the two awards she has passed to me. There are some rules attached and I do have to pass them on to some other lovely crafters but I'll have to come back to that shortly as blogger hasn't been playing nicely today :o(


These are the rules for the first award - I must link back to the person who gave me the award, which I have done

I must give 10 pieces of information about myself.

So here goes-

1. I have crafted for as long as I can remember.
2. I love dogs and would dearly love to have another but the hours I work don't make this practical.
3. I love the house I live in but would love to be able to pick it up and put it in the middle of a wooded glade.
4. I find it difficult to say no when folk ask me to make stuff but find it even more difficult asking for the payment.
5. I love my niece to pieces and will not stand for anyone causing her hurt or harm.
6. I have recently been asked to organise projects for the Thursday night crop at my local craft store.
7. I love being able to drive and would be totally lost without the freedom that it gives me.
8. I am a bit obsessive about how cutlery is stored in the drawer in the kitchen - can't stand pieces being in the wrong place or the handles pointing the wrong way.
9. I share my birthday with a number of famous events (22 November) - JFK was shot, Maggie Thatcher resigned, C S Lewis the auther of the Narnia books died and Jamie Leigh Curtis was born.
10. I am interested in aromatherapy, crystals, Wicca (although don't practice it) and a lot of the Folklore that surrounds these things.

I must put a copy of The Honest Scrap Logo on my blog which I have proudly done!

I must select at least 7 other worthy blogger's & list their links (this could take a while to sort as there are many people I would like to include) Here goes...
Annette
Cal
ffroggie
Leigh
Julie
Rebekah
Paula


The second award is to be passed on to 5 other folk (this too could take a while to sort out) - here are the five...
Debbie
Annette
Helen
Cal
ffroggie
Promise to be back soon to complete this post...DONE IT!!!

A new award...

...from the very talented Willow (Maz). Thank you so much.

You really must pay her blog a visit cos the stuff she makes as gifts for friends & family is just fabulous.



Isn't this just the cutest little Ladybug.

It seems I now have to share this with 10 other folk...and let them know that I'm sharing LOL...there are so many fab blogs that I visit, and to pick just 10, oh dear...well here goes...........

Ruthy - just had to be on the list as she gave me my very first award...and of course, she is rather fond of Ladybugs LOL.

Hysteri-cal - lovely lady, helpful and supportive and produces some wonderful stuff which can be seen on her blog and in the galleries on UKS.

Paula - always there with a lovely comment and so encouraging.

Eleni - I love to see all the wonderful stuff she produces...when she is on a roll it can be quite exhausting seeing all the fab stuff she has created.

Julie - is new to blogging and it is great to see how she has already managed to decorate her space. Keep going Julie...

Leigh - Leigh has some lovely LOs on her blog. She is also normally around for a friendly chat over on UKS.

Leanie - showed off her talent for photo manipulation during the recent cybercrop. A very clever lady.

Rebekah - a very friendly lady who I was lucky enough to meet via a cybercrop on UKS.

Annette - is the lady who got me hooked on minibooks...I just love her work.

Caroline - I am lucky enough to see much of Caroline's work in real life as she works in my favourite craft store...Artbase...it has been great to see how her style has developed over the last couple of years.

Well that's my 10. I hope you enjoying looking at their work too.............

Encouragement...

...something we all need from time to time.



This super new award comes to me from the very lovely Paula and I need to share it with some more folk who leave lovely comments and encouragement on my blog. Paula lives so far away but through the wonders of cyberspace she is always there sharing her craft creations and lovely photos of her life & family. Thank you for being there.

Paula, I loved your wording so much I haven't fiddled with it...hope you don't mind :o)

1). Post a link of the person who gave you this award, thank profusely the love shown.
2). Nominate 5 other fabulous people and give a link to their wonderful sites. Those persons deserve their coolness and gentleness to be recognized all over the world.
3). Let your nominees know that they got an award from you. Shower them with appreciation.
4). Put a logo of the award on the side bar. Grin like a lunatic. Ask everybody in your household to have a look and celebrate together. Phone somebody you care about and tell them the news. Keep celebrating.

Paula gave the award to her top 5 commenters, which is in the spirit of the award. This is to recognize the encouragement given and giving some encouragement back so the love keeps spreading. :)

NOTE: this is the third time of typing this so I'm keeping the posts short so I don't lose it again.

These are the folk I would like to share the award with...

Chrissy
Annette
Caroline
Eleni
Ruthy

I know it says 5 but here is someone who I feel should also be included;

Debbie hasn't been around much lately due to a nasty break in the arm. She's back now and doing some great stuff on her blog. Debbie was the source of encouragement that got me to try new things on my blog - fancy backgrounds, widgets and loads of stuff - so I want to send her this award to show that it was all much appreciated c",)

Love you all and think this award is very appropriate for you all..........

Exchanging...

...awards, rather than gifts.

I sent my friend Eleni the friendship award that Paula had given to me and in return she sent a lovely award back

This award states that:This blog invests and believes in time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends, they are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.

I need to have a think about who I want to share this with. Thank you Eleni and I'm so glad that things are starting to calm down a bit in Athens..........

A Friendship award...

...from a very lovely lady - Paula

I have never met Paula except here in cyberspace but she has shared her crafting skills and details of her family life with me. We 'chat' often via the UKS forum where we first met. She makes lovely comments about my crafting efforts and has now honoured me by giving me this award. I feel proud to call her my friend.



"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

I visit a lot of lovely blogs but these are the eight I have chosen to share my friendship award with...

Annette is probably the reason I love mini-books so much. Hers are always delightful pieces that I would love to be able to replicate. She always has time to help her fellow crafters and is quick to share ideas and tips.

Ruthy was kind enough to give me my very first award back in July. She has shared some beautiful pieces of work on her blog.

Eleni is another lady I have never had the pleasure of meeting in real life as she lives in Athens but along with her beautiful craft work she has also let me have an insight into her way of life - I'm thinking of her a lot these days because of the media coverage of the terrible riots/protests that are happening so close to where she is - take care Eleni.

Caroline is one of only a few bloggers that I know in real life. Her crafting is wonderful and she has become a fellow mini-book adict LOL

Sarah shares some lovely ideas on her blog and she has been kind enough to drop by my blog and leave some super comments. I wish her continuing good luck in her participation in the Scrapbooking Apprentice.

Missy is another lady I have only had the pleasure of 'meeting' here in cyberspace but I love her work and she has been an inspiration - I love flicking through craft mags and finding Missy's work.

Dan is a very generous crafter who shares a new template everyweek with his fellow UKscrappers. I first met Dan when he became a Drama Queen for the Oscars cybercrop earlier this year LOL. Dan is a fabulous stamper and I have learnt so much from the videos that he has posted on his blog - he is the reason I now try more stamping techniques - Thank you Dan.

Cal was so helpful during my very first cybercrop. I really wondered what I had let myself in for but she was always around with her cyber-bacon butties and helpful comments and tips. Without her I would never have learnt about baffies LOL

So there you are, my eight nominated award receivers...............

Awards...

...awards, loads of awards.



There seem to be so many different little icons appearing all over blogland. The lovely Debbie has advised all those that visit her blog that they may help themselves to this one...a lovely gesture as I always have problems coming up with just the number of folk suggested by the award rules. So continuing in the spirit of generosity - feel free to grab this if you like it. There are so many fab blogs out there that I could spend all day every day just blog-hopping but that would never do.

Perhaps there should be a competition to see just how many different awards are out there at the moment, what do you think..............

Oh I do wish this was real...

The lovely Debbie has sent me this - and with all the super craft stuff arriving from the USA this summer I could surely make use of one of these LOL I found Debbies blog a short while ago and she has been the inspiration for me to try new 'linky things' & 'stuff' on my blog - Cheers Debbie c",).

Coming up with folk for passing this onto was not easy as I knew who I wanted to link to but wasn't sure if they met with the conditions of the rules.

Now the rules of this are:

1. Only 5 people allowed.
2. 4 have to be dedicated followers of your blog
3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award.

So here we go - Caroline (couldn't not include...I think we stalk each others blogs LOL), Annette (always says nice things and I could spend for ever drooling over on her blog), Mary (is chatting mate over on UKS), Helen (is new to blogging herself and could be classed as across the water - she lives in Kent the other side of the Thames from me, LOL)and last but not least Eleni (we met in the run-up to the Oscars cybercrop and we share a love of Artbase). Eleni really is from another part of the world - Greece.

Not being overly techy I never thought I would take to blogging - I always loved browsing other folks blogs but it took a while for me to venture out into my own little world - I just love all the nice folk who drop by and I really wish I could sent goldcards to lots more of you.................

I've been given my first award...

...I'm so chuffed c",)

Thank you so much to Ruthy

There are some rules linked with this award:

1. The winnercan put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the boys/girls you've nominated.

My nominations go to...

1. Caroline
(not only does Caroline share my love of mini books but she makes fab cupcakes too LOL)
2. Annette
(Annette's mini books just amaze me - if I ever get to be half as good as she is I'll be more than pleased)
3. Helen
(Helen has only just ventured into the world of blogs and I think she is doing a grand job)
4. Charlol
(such pretty cards appear on Charlol's blog - and I like Bon Jovi too LOL)
5. Debbie
(Debbie has some lovely work on her blog but I just love all the widgets she keeps finding LOL)
6. Mary
(Mary's photos are always amazing and this blog was set up to record her 365 challenge - very thought provoking)
7. Jo
(Jo does wonderful things with stamps)