Finally managed...

...to get Hilary's card finished.

Hilary loves lavender/mauve shades so that is what I went with...

...the image is coloured with Copics and is the Christmas Fairy digi from Bugaboo Stamps.
I also got her present a wrapped up and found some ribbon that makes pretty bows...

...just by pulling the two narrow tails sandwiched between two layers of the dotty organza.
I love using tartan patterns at this time of the year and the background of the card is some CS I found in mauve tartan...

...and although it doesn't show very well in the photo there is Cosmic Shimmer 'Twinkles' on the wings and on the snowy ground.

I love this image as it is fun to colour and I've done versions in lots of different colourways.

Unfortunately, I think I got my dates confused with Hilary's last parchment class and my last crop so we will not be able to meet up as planned. Joanne & Paul (Pinnacle Crafts) very kindly said they would pass everything on to Hilary this week when she comes in to her class.

I'm frantically wrapping presents and at the moment my lounge looks like there has been an explosion in a paper factory - good job I can close the door LOL

Most of the presents for work have been wrapped and are sitting under the tree in our office but family currently have gift bags with some items wrapped and others still awaiting attention.

It can't be the 9th already, surely.............................................................

Oh Christmas Tree...

...and what a whopper.



You can see from the double-decker bus passing behind that this tree is pretty big... 



...it is certainly noticeable from the station in Stratford and this photo was taken from the top of the steps leading to Westfield.

At home, the front door has been tinselled...

...well and truly - LOL I decided to go with a 'Frozen' colour scheme on the front door to match in with the blue paintwork.

I think it will be a few more days before my in-door decorations see the light of day as I just don't seem to have enough hours in the day............................................................

I totally forgot...

...that this was the last "first Friday".

I didn't remember until rather late on Friday and with everything else that has been going on, felt too tired to fire up the PC.

Now Andy has wanted a 'proper' white all year but he and I both agreed that the last colour for 2015 was likely to be a RED.

Welcome to the lovely Candied Apple...

...a beautiful rich colour so perfect for the Holidays.

I'm all up to date with my new colours except for Lucky Clover & Candied Apple - so something yummy to look forward to................................................................

Thank you all...

...for your positive thoughts.

The Trading Standards Officer was a treasure - he turned up well before the builder was due so that he could take a good look at all the work done and have a chat with Mum. He reassured her and also told her some do's & don'ts when it comes to having work done.

Photos were taken and he agreed that the costing was way over the top. He also had concerns about some of the work that had been done - whilst not awful, it certainly isn't the best (especially considering the price quoted). He felt that what had already been paid was more than enough to cover the job.

The good news was that the "Invoice" that Mum had signed wasn't legally binding because it did not meet legal requirements concerning information that it is required by law to contain.

The up-shot was that after the TSO talked to the builders they wanted to renegotiate the price but it was felt all round to cut our losses and get them to leave - during the 15 mins or so that the builders had been there (whilst the TSO had popped back to his office) they had been touting for 3 other jobs.

They will be facing further action from Trading Standards and a few other Government Departments.

Left with a gaping hole at the end of her extension I phoned her neighbour (a plumber) to ask if he could recommend someone to come and board up & make secure. Bless him, he came round, took some measurements, went and got some wood and did it himself.

In the meantime, I phoned the company who installed Mum's windows last year and asked if they could give us a quote for a door to fill the hole. They sent the guy who had dealt with Mum last year round within an hour and even with this cost it will come to less than half of what the builders were asking.

The surveyor will be there Friday to take accurate measurements and ensure that the work can actually be done and all being well, installation will take place on 17 December.

So once again folks - thank you for your positive thoughts................................................

Please think of me...

...as today I face Mum's builder.

Positive thoughts heading in this direction will be very much appreciated.

Today my Sister & I (supported by the Trading Standards Officer) will be meeting the builder that has been stringing Mum along to the tune of "loads of money".

I really hope that an amicable finish can be reached.

I'll let you know how we get on................................................... 

Don't you just love...

...giveaways.

The lovely Kerryanne English is having a giveaway for her followers over on her blog and it is the chance to win a lovely GreenGate beaker.



Doesn't it look lovely.

Why don't you pop over to Kerryanne's blog and take a look at all her fabulous Shabby Chic creations and don't forget - she is currently posting makes & events linked with her Simply Christmas event.

For those of you who have not visited her blog before, the Simply Christmas event is a way of getting organised but also putting the Homemade & Handmade back into Christmas.

Do go and take a look.........................................................

How I hate...

...con-merchants that take advantage of the elderly.

During the recent gales a passing (???) builder knocked to point out to Mum that her chimney stack was wobbling all over the place. It was moving dangerously so she agreed to have him fix it.

£900 later (apparently should have been £1300 but he gives a discount to pensioners - yeh right).

Despite knowing that it would need to go through the insurance he asked for payment and now Mum has been told that the insurance policy probably won't pay out as the bill has been paid.

But it gets worse...

Mum hasn't been very well (Winter bug) and hasn't been able to get out much so she obviously found this 'pleasant' chap a ready ear for her to chat to. She was telling him about the problem with drainage on her driveway and how the door at the back of her extension wouldn't open.

Next thing we know, he has priced the work - got her to sign for it and made a start after taking a deposit.

Over £8000 for the total job!!!

Mum was then talking about getting him to do other things but we said no, especially as this has wiped out all her savings.

After seeing what has been done so far, I can say he has made a reasonable job of things but it isn't perfect and for what is involved I don't think should have come to more than £4000.

Mum is obviously feeling very weepy about the whole thing and is worried because she now has no savings to fall back on should an emergency arise.

Oh how I hate smooth talking con-merchants.

He is due back Wednesday to finish off the back wall of the extension (which he had already removed and tarped - in these winds - but was still waiting for the door). Mum will not be alone when he calls as both my Sister & I will be present.

The invoice he provided does not breakdown the costings and there is no invoice number (the box has been struck through - obviously not intending to put this work through the books!!!).

The worry is, having seen what still needs to be done to make the building secure we can't go in like a bull in a china shop incase he goes and leaves it as is...

The whole thing is making me feel sick and I can understand why Mum is feeling so upset now that she realises she has been taken for a ride...........................................